Thursday, october 2, 2014 new

Vol. 3 N0. 657 Thursday, July 4, 2013 N150 Vol. 4 N0. 952 Thursday, October 2, 2014 N150

Govt in talks with investors on new national carrier –Chidoka

Poor representation:Monarch slams National Assembly members

INEC issues election notice, confirms timetable

P.12

P.5

Storm in PDP as Mimiko joins today in Abuja

P.2

‘Judiciary won’t submit

budget to executive

again’CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

The Minister of Avia-tion, Mr. Osita Chi-doka, has said that

the federal government is

currently discussing with private investors on the possibility of reestablish-ing a national carrier for the country.

This is as the minis-ter said that the country

would require at least $2bn over the next four years to rebuild old terminals and construct new ones.

Chidoka, in a statement said that reestablishing

Mukhtar

P.8P.8

National awards: FG faulted over Adadevoh, others

2015: Jonathan warns against destroying polity…says free, fair election has come to stay P.2

…stakeholders divided over gov’s ambition Party leaders want 50% of exco, others set for courtDemocratic process, not negotiable –Jimoh Ibrahim

BY OUR REPORTER

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State is expected to

formally join the ruling Peo-ples Democratic Party today in Abuja.

Stakeholders of the party in the state were yesterday summoned to a meeting with the Senate President David Mark where they

Police kill robber with 50 stolen phones P.51

ADVERT HOTLINESFor advert bookings and information, please contact:

LAGOS01-8446073, 08113947415081139474190811394742008113947422

ABUJA08113947421

PORT HARCOURT08113947418

OGBESE08113947424

L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; President Goodluck Jonathan; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and Senate President David Mark, during the 54th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

2015: Jonathan warns against destroying polity

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net2 Thursday, October 2, 2014News

‘Judiciary won’t submit budget to executive again’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Founder, Iqra Foundation for Women and Youth Development, Amina Garba (right) speaking at a workshop for youths on Australian scholarships in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ISE-OLUWA IGEABUJA

The Association of Court Registrars and Judiciary Staff

Union of Nigeria (JUSUN} has directed both the federal and states judiciaries to sub-mit their budget proposals to either the National As-sembly or states Houses of Assembly for appropriation with effect from 2015 budget.

At the meeting of the two judiciary bodies at the Su-preme Court in Abuja and chaired by the Chief Regis-trar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, and the JUSUN president, Marwan Adamu, it was re-solved that it would amount to contempt of court to submit budget proposals to the federal and states budget and plan-ning office or commission.

They held also that all the federal and state judiciaries should not obey or condone budgetary ceilings likely to be placed by the federal gov-ernment and some state gov-ernors to subvert judiciary financial autonomy.

The meeting which was attended by the Chief Reg-istrar of the Federal High Court, Mrs. Rosemary On-nome Dugbo-Oghoghorie, Registrars of the various divisions of the Court of Appeal Court, Federal and states High Courts, Sharia

and the Customary Courts of Appeal, resolved that “it shall be tantamount to con-tempt of court on the side of the executive at both lev-els to place a ceiling on the amounts judiciary can bud-get for”.

In a motion raised by the Customary Court of Appeal Chief Registrar of Abia state, Barr Benson Anya, he stated that let it be resolved that, “the federal and state ju-diciaries be mandated not to forward their budget propos-als to the federal and states’ budget and planning office or commission but take them straight to the National and States House of Assem-bly for appropriation’’.

The motion was seconded by the Chief Registrars from the five geo-political zones which were unanimously adopted.

The second motion was moved by the Chief Reg-istrar of the Federal High Court, Mrs Rosemary On-nome Dugbo-Oghoghorie to the effect that “all federal and state judiciaries shall not be ready for budget-ary ceiling, which shall be tantamount to contempt of court by whoever does that’’ which was also unanimous-ly adopted.

According to the JUSUN President, Marwan, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mar-

iam Mukhtar, had written a cover letter attached to the judgement of a Federal High Court to all the 36 state governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Terri-tory and the Attorney Gen-eral of the Federation inti-mating them on the need to comply with the court order.

JUSUN, he said, had held series of meeting with the Minister of State for Finance who had agreed to comply with the court order since it is subsisting.

JUSUN is expected to present copies of the bud-gets for the judiciary in 12 states at the next meeting

with the minister. The union had already

presented the figures for 24 states, as demanded by the Minister of State in order to begin implementing the court order.

Justice Adeniyi Ade-mola of the Federal High Court in Abuja while ruling in the suit filed by JUSUN challenging the piecemeal payment of funds accru-ing to the judiciary from the consolidated revenue fund contrary to the provi-sions of sections 81(3), 121(3) and 162(9) of the 1999 Con-stitution, had in January restrained the federal gov-

ernment, the 36 state gov-ernments and the Federal Capital Territory Adminis-tration (FCTA) from holding on to funds budgeted for the judiciary.

Ademola ordered that the funds meant for the judi-ciary should be released di-rectly to the heads of courts and not to the executive arm of government.

He described the dis-bursement of funds for the judiciary by the executive as unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of the judiciary.

Relying on the provisions of sections 83(1), 212(3) and

162(9) of the Constitution, the judge held that the sys-tem whereby both the fed-eral and state governments pay funds accruing to the judiciary from the consoli-dated revenue in piecemeal was a breach of the constitu-tion and that the provisions were clear and straightfor-ward and should therefore be complied with.

“The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the states should act respon-sibly and promptly to avoid constitutional crisis in this country by ensuring finan-cial autonomy for the judi-ciary,” he said

were marked by triumphs and tribulations, benefits and burdens, opportunities and challenges.

The President explained that the country made some far-reaching advances in building a strong, united and prosperous nation.

“We also overcame the forces of disunity that cul-minated in a debilitating civil war. We have also re-newed our faith in one an-other, and in our country. We have proven that we are truly a resilient nation,” he added.

The President, however, noted that the country was in a sober mood because of the crises of nationhood oc-casioned by the activities of terrorists who had done the unimaginable to challenge the unity of the country.

As the nation moves to-wards the 2015 general elec-tions, Jonathan warned pol-

iticians against overheating and destroying the polity.

He said that the contest for political offices must yield good governance and not ungovernable spaces.

“As we move into an elec-tion year, desperate moves to overheat the polity are becoming a regular occur-rence. Our political leaders in particular must know that the contest for power should not translate to the destruction of the polity.

“The contest for the lead-ership of our country must yield good governance, and not ungovernable spaces. The love of country should rank higher than our indi-vidual ambitions.

“We must remain com-mitted to a united and in-divisible Nigeria within democratic parameters. The protection of individ-ual rights, liberty, equality before the law, freedom of thought, and a progressive

pursuit of a sound economy must be our goal.”

The President stressed that his administration would continue to ensure that the will of the elector-ate prevails so that political leaders would be reminded that there is a day of reck-oning when they have to go back to the people at the polls.

According to him, free and fair elections have come to stay, stressing that noth-ing else would be acceptable to the people.

Jonathan said: “Election days must not be days of violence and death. We must remain vigilant to ensure that our electoral process is characterised by peace, se-curity and transparency.

“I enjoin the Independent National Electoral Com-mission, INEC, all security agencies, politicians and the electorate to work con-scientiously and peacefully,

together, to consolidate on the gains of the recent elec-tions. Free and fair elections have come to stay; nothing else will be acceptable to our people,” he said.

While highlighting the achievements of his ad-ministration over the last four years, Jonathan said that the country had made significant progress in vari-ous sectors of the economy, including power, education, aviation, housing, manufac-turing, agriculture as well as oil and gas sector

“Our power sector re-form is on course with the ultimate objective of gen-erating enough electricity to power our homes, indus-tries and businesses.

“We are making giant strides in the agricultural sector, which we are re-positioning to diversify our economy. We will continue to upgrade our infrastruc-ture to make life easier for

all and create an enabling environment for enterprise to flourish.”

He noted that with the rebasing of the economy, every international moni-toring and ratings agency now recognised Nigeria as the largest economy in Af-rica, with a Gross Domestic Product of $510bn which also places the nation as the 26th largest economy in the world.

According to him, the goals of his administra-tion for the country involve expanding the frontiers of economic freedom, stress-ing that people must have access to the good things of life and empowered to pur-sue the gift of life with hap-piness.

He assured that his ad-ministration was commit-ted to making Nigeria safe for all for all Nigerians, ir-respective of place of birth, religious and political per-

suasion.The President, therefore,

appealed to Boko Haram and all those waging war against the country to lay down their arms and em-brace peace, stressing that his administration was ready to engage in dialogue with those who had genuine grievances.

He commended the armed forces for their com-mitment in the fight against terrorists while promising that he would continue to enable them to keep on in-flicting devastating blows at the heart of terror.

The President assured that he would implement the recommendations of the National Conference, saying that he had already set up ministerial commit-tee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation to work out the modalities for implementing the report.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

3Thursday, October 2, 2014National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Nigeria Police during the 2014 National Day celebration in Asaba, yesterday.

The Brahma Kumari in a match past during Independence Day celebration, in Lagos. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Youths celebrating Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary, with ‘Miss Independence’ on horseback, in Ajegunle, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Muslim faithful during a lecture to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

L-R: Inspector General Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, during the 54th Indepen-dence Day celebrations in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae; Chairman, Labour Party, Chief Dan Anyanwu; Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Adenike Akande, and the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, during the 54th Independence Day celebrations, in Abuja, yesterday.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio inspecting a guard of honour, during the Indepen-dence Day celebration in Uyo, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, inspecting the guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Nigeria Police, during the National Day Parade to commemorate the 54th Independence Anniversary, in Lagos, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net4 Thursday, October 2, 2014Photo News

2015: Jonathan warns against destroying polity

Govt in talks with investors on new national carrier –Chidoka CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (right), presenting relief materials to an internally displaced person, Mrs. Jummai Haruna, at Bajabure in Gerei LGA of Adamawa on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

INEC issues election notice, confirms timetableNational Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 5Thursday, October 2, 2014 News

a national carrier for the country became neces-sary to ensure growth of technical personnel in the aviation industry.

He added that the new national carrier would be commercially operated and handled by proven professionals.

He said: “Conversa-tions are on across many possible private sector or-ganisations, both local air-lines in Nigeria and some international airlines. We are totally changing the face of four key airports. Nigeria is studying the possibility of attracting private capital to do that.”

Chidoka noted that while countries like Ethiopia and Kenya had emerged as global players in aviation industry, Nige-ria was yet to have a na-tional carrier after the col-lapse of Nigeria Airways about a decade ago.

He stated that the ab-sence of a national car-rier for the country had allowed fast-expanding Gulf operators such as Dubai-based Emirates to join older European play-ers in grabbing the most lucrative long-haul traffic in Nigeria.

The government had in 2013 signed a $500m loan agreement year with the

Export-Import Bank of China to fund new termi-nals in four cities includ-ing the capital Abuja, the commercial hub of Lagos, the southern oil centre of Port Harcourt and the northern city of Kano.

The contract is still be-ing handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC.

The government is also building 13 cargo airports across the country for the export of perishable agri-cultural produce such as pineapples, mangoes and tomatoes.

About $1bn has been provided by the state for the current plans, with

another $1bn earmarked within the project’s dura-tion of four years, accord-ing to Chidoka.

The number of air pas-sengers traveling both domestically and interna-tionally in Nigeria surged to 3.75 million last year from 520,263 in 2003, ac-cording to World Bank data.

“Privatisation of some operations of the airports may be on the cards,” said Chidoka. “It will most like-ly be airport management, things like that, collecting of revenues, managing lounges. We have to build infrastructure that match-es our aspirations.”

Jonathan also commend-ed the spirit of collabora-tion, unity and partnership with which all Nigerians confronted the threat of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, while specifically thanking medical person-nel, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to cur-tail the virus.

“This is the spirit, which we must demonstrate at all times as we face up to our challenges as a nation: one people, united by a common resolve, in the pursuit of one common national inter-est,” he said.

The President pointed out that the Ebola battle was still raging elsewhere in our sub-region and therefore enjoined all citizens to con-tinue to adhere strictly to all the guidelines that have been given by our health of-ficials to keep Ebola out of the country.

The President yesterday led former Heads of State, leadership of the National Assembly, the judiciary and top government officials to celebrate the nation’s 54th independence anniversary.

The event, which was held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa was marked with the Presiden-tial Change of Guards pa-rade, which was more of a military affair.

The ceremony was con-ducted by the Presidential Guards Brigade of the 177 Battalion based in Keffi

The event featured the inspection of new guard/quarter guard, silent drill, posting of sentries/colour patrol and echelon report-ing of parade among others.

The presidential change

of guards also involved foot and arms drill, rhythmic and calculated steps and checking of weapons to en-sure they were clean and that rounds of arms were not left in them.

At the end of the parade, Jonathan, signed the inde-pendence anniversary reg-ister and released pigeons to signify peace.

The President was ac-companied by Senate Presi-dent, Senator David Mark, Service Chiefs, Acting In-spector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba and other dignitaries.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme; Deputy Speaker House of. Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and for-mer Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya.

Speaking with journal-ists on the independence anniversary, Gowon who expressed his love for the country, said Nigerians must unite adding that country would survive be-yond 2015

“I believe in Nigeria, I love Nigeria and we all must work for Nigeria, the government and the op-position in order to make Nigeria great. That is my wish. Nigeria will survive beyond 2015”, Gowon said.

Speaking in the same vein, Ihedioha said Nigeri-ans must continue to build the country and collectively decide to make the nation great.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU, BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA AND IDIBIA GABRIEL

In preparation for the 2015 general elections, the Independent Na-

tional Electoral Commis-sion, INEC, has issued no-tices of election across the country.

The notices are being pasted at INEC state of-fices, local government of-fices and electoral constitu-encies in compliance with Section 30 of Electoral Act,

2010 as amended.The law provides that

the notices will be given not later than 90 days be-fore the election and its is-suance yesterday is in line with INEC’s schedule of ac-tivities for the general elec-tions nationwide.

The INEC’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs in Kano, Alhaji Garba Mo-hammed, disclosed that the commission had pasted the notice in each of the three senatorial districts.

He said: “We have also pasted the election notice

in all the 24 federal con-stituencies and 40 state As-sembly constituencies in the state as directed by our headquarters.

“This singular action has also put to rest the in-sinuations, reservations or doubt being entertained in some quarters on the pos-sibility of conducting the election.”

Mohammed said the purpose of putting up the election notice was to an-nounce the dates of the general election as already contained in the election timetable and schedule, adding that it was also meant to remind members of the public about the

dates or the timetable of the election.

Also in Osun State yes-terday, the commission announced the commence-ment of display of election notices in all the 30 local government areas in the state and the state secre-tariat of the commission, adding that the election notices have been pasted at the headquarters of the 30 local government councils.

A press release signed by the Osun INEC’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Mrs. Adenike Tadese, yester-day and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, stat-ed that the display of the notice was in pursuant to

INEC’s timetable for 2015 general elections and in accordance with the provi-sions of section 30(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The statement explained that provision of section 30(1) and (2) of the Elec-toral Act 2010 states that notice of 2015 General Elec-tions should be published not later than 90 days be-fore the day appointed for holding of an election, add-ing: “Under this Act, notice is hereby given that elec-tion to the following offices shall hold as follows:

“The Presidential and National Assembly Elec-tion would hold on the 14th

of February, 2015, while the state House of Assembly Election comes up on the 28th of February, 2015.

“To this end, the INEC, Osun State on Wednesday 1st October, 2014, has dis-played at the state office of the Commission and the thirty (30) local govern-ment offices and Modakeke Area Office, notice of 2015 General Elections.”

However, a top official of INEC said last night that the ban on political cam-paigns remained in force.

“For the avoidance of doubt political campaigns cannot begin until 90 days to the date of the first set of elections,” he said.

6 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014 News

FEMI OYEWESOABEOKUTA

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday expressed

optimism that Nigeria can achieve its aim of becom-ing one of the 20 world most developed economies, notwithstanding the cur-rent challenges the nation is passing through.

The governor, in his ad-dress at the 54th National Day Celebration held at the MKO Abiola Interna-tional Stadium, Abeokuta, the state capital empha-sised that all indices which could assist the country achieve her vision 2020 goals are already in place since Nigeria had been ad-judged as one of the 10 fast-est growing economies in

Church donates gift items to inmates, others

Vision 2020 achievable- Amosun

Congregation at a church service for Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary celebration at the Saint Mulumba Chaplaincy, Apo, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ADEOLA TUKURUABUJA

The Dunamis Inter-national Gospel Cen-tre, Phase 4, Kubwa,

Abuja, yesterday donated gift items to detainees, hospital patients and Or-phanage homes in Abuja to mark the Independent Day celebrations.

Pastor of the Church,

Olusegun Ayodele, speak-ing during the donation, said the essence of the gift items was to share the love of God with the less privi-leged and pray for divine intervention in their lives.

He admonished the re-cipients to surrender their lives to God, remain faith-ful to Him and expect a glo-rious restoration.

He said the church’s vis-

it and donation to the less privileged at festival peri-ods are part of its social responsibility to the host community.

He assured the benefi-ciaries that the church will always put smiles on their faces.

Pastor Ayodele urged Nigerians to renew their faith in God and rededicate themselves to the service of

the fatherland. He said God has been

good to Nigeria and has pre-served it from disintegra-tion despite unprecedented political upheavals, civil war, insurgency and mili-tancy.

He said those who de-clared that Nigeria will dis-integrate in 2015 will be put to shame as that year will be the best for the nation.

FRANCIS SUBERU

Lagos State Gover-nor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday

tasked Nigerians on na-tion building, urging the citizenry to demonstrate greater commitment to the development of the country

and be irrevocably commit-ted to peace.

Fashola gave the advice while speaking at the state’s Independence Day rally at the Police College, GRA, Ikeja.

Recounting the excite-ment with which Indepen-dence Day was observed during his childhood, Gov-

ernor Fashola urged Nige-rians to rekindle the spirit of national service, noting that the various challenges confronting the nation would be easily surmount-ed if citizens resolved to assiduously work for the country’s progress.

He noted that the excite-ment that characterised

past National Day celebra-tions has waned into mere ritual, saying the good old days could be restored if Nigerians changed their at-titudes.

On the successful con-tainment of the Ebola virus in the country, Fashola said that the feat is a proof that the country is not all about negativities.

the world. Amosun, however, en-

joined all the citizens to support the government and contribute their quo-tas to the task of nation building, stressing that the ability to surmount all the present challenges confronting the nation would lead her to great-ness.

He also called for unity

and total re-dedication to nation building by all Nigerians for the achieve-ment of the objective.

Amosun further tasked leaders to be accountable to the masses in whatever they are doing and ensure that the nation’s econom-ic growth reflected in the living standard of Nigeri-ans, particularly, those at the grassroots.

CHARLES OKEKEAWKA

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, yesterday

offered amnesty to 25 pris-oners serving various jail terms in the state.

The governor’s gesture was disclosed in his In-dependence Anniversary speech delivered at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital.

He stated that the ges-ture was in line with the powers conferred on him by the Constitution and other enabling laws.

The governor, who expressed optimism of a brighter future for Ni-geria, regretted that the endless menace of Boko Haram and its secret sponsors have gradually become the greatest threat to the corporate survival of the country.

WOLE ADEDEJIILORIN

Kwara State Gov-ernor, Abdulfa-tah Ahmed, and

the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Razak Atunwa, were yesterday absent at the Indepen-dence Day celebration in Ilorin, the state capital.

Reasons for their ab-sence were not made known which kept the

scanty attendance guess-ing. None of the media aides of the governor was forthcoming with any ex-planation.

The celebration was however directed by the Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kizira, who re-viewed the anniversary parade by men of the Ni-geria Police, the Army, the Civil Defence Corps and other para-military bod-ies.

Governor Godswill Akpabio has ad-mitted that sus-

tained military incursions in the country impeded meaningful development, saying that the return of democratic governance 15 years ago has brought forth meaningful gains in all areas of the country’s development.

Akpabio, who stated

this during the Indepen-dence Anniversary cele-bration held at Uyo Sports Stadium, bemoaned the massive infrastructural decay, dilapidated public utilities, growing unem-ployment, inflation, de-valued currency, misman-aged economy, epileptic power supply, and erod-ed educational system amongst others.

OSAHON JULIUSYENAGOA

There was no gun salute, children’s match past or tele-

vision broadcast yester-day in Bayelsa State which

apart from the Indepen-dent Day anniversary, also marks its 18th year exis-tence as a state.

Apart from the women, who gathered at the Gabri-el Okara Cultural Centre to hold prayers for Presi-

dent Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson, most residents stayed indoors.

Yenagoa, the state capi-tal, was gloomy while the mood was nothing to show that the state was celebrat-

ing its 18th years of exis-tence.

Most of the residents told our correspondent that there was nothing to celebrate as they have no money to join the state or the nation in celebration.

INUSA NDAHIMAIDUGURI

The Christian As-sociation of Nige-ria, CAN, Borno

State chapter, yesterday charged political and reli-gious leaders in the coun-try to examine their con-ducts and lead in the fear of God.

In a message delivered by Bishop Naga Moham-med at the October 1st Unity Prayer organised by the association in Mai-duguri, the state capital in commemoration of the In-dependence Anniversary celebration, CAN said God

has freed Nigeria and Ni-gerians from the clutches of under-development, corruption and endemic poverty, but regretted that the nation’s leaders have repeatedly held the coun-try in captivity.

“God has given us free-dom, but devil is usually out to snatch it from us through our act especially most of our leaders. “Ni-geria got independence from the British colonial masters, but we are not free from poverty and many problems,” the bish-op said in his message titled: “Thus far has the Lord helped us”

Obiano grants amnesty to 25 prisoners

Fashola tasks Nigerians on nation building

Akpabio links sustainable development to democracy

Borno CAN charges leaders on conduct

Bayelsa records low key celebration

INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

Ahmed, Speaker absent at Independence Day celebration

OBIORA IFO ABUJA

The consensus ar-rangement by the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, leading to the adoption of President

Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 Presidential election is meant to strengthen de-mocracy, contrary to the impression by the opposi-tion, the Presidency stated on Tuesday.

The President’s adop-

tion as the PDP candi-date, it added, has also not closed the contest by other aspirants.

Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Profes-sor Ahmed Rufa’I Alkali, who stated this in Abuja

Wednesday, stressed that President Jonathan is well disposed to having a keen contest with candidates presented by political par-ties in the opposition camp next year, and has been preparing well ahead of

The Secretary of the Borno State Amirul Hajj Committee, Al-

haji Adamu Timta, yester-day confirmed the death of three pilgrims from the state, who are performing this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.Timta, stated this in an chat in Makkah.

He said one of the pil-grims died before being airlifted at the Aminu Kano Internal Airport Kano, while the two others died in Saudi Arabia.

“The first pilgrim died in Kano, while the second died in Madina.

“The third one died in Makkah,” Timta said.

He explained that one of the victims was from Biu Local Government, while the others were from the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council of the state.

Timta said all the vic-tims had been buried at the various places of their

death.The secretary also com-

mended Borno State Gov-ernment for the provision of enabling accommoda-tion for the state pilgrims in Makkah.

According to him, the committee has taking proactive measures to see that each pilgrim was edu-cated enough to perform the Hajj before they were transported to the holy land.

“We have a lot of Is-lamic clerics and schol-ars that are responsible for educating our pil-grims under our pre-Hajj learning sensiti-isation programme in Nigeria and in the holy land.

“Therefore, I can as-sure you that no pilgrim has any problem in do-ing the tawaf or per-forming all the rites,” he said.

the contest.Alkali made this known

in reaction to barrage of criticisms which have trailed the President’s adoption last week by the PDP and caucuses of the party in the National As-sembly as well as PDP gov-ernors.

According to the Presi-dential Adviser, what the PDP did was to affirm its maturity in political game based on its rich experi-ence of being in power for the past 16 years and had thus succeeded in obviat-ing internal wrangling that usually trail inter-nal electioneering among members.

He said the option of consensus has not been strange in the politics of Nigeria.

According to him, all political parties at critical times deploy the option, most especially when the need arises for them to stay afloat.

He said, “Looking criti-cally at the turn of events in PDP, it is trite to conjec-ture that the party, consid-ering all critical elements, has succeeded in demon-strating strength, unity and determination to make

the difference this time around,while staving off untoward possibilities.

“We should not forget that PDP having been in power since 1999 remains the most experienced, de-pendable, consistent and strongest with spread in all nooks and crannies of the country.

“If it deploys such expe-rience in putting its house in order so as to excel in the coming general elec-tion, the rest of Nigeria should rather applaud its approach and tactics in politics. Moreover, there has not been any complaint in any quarter from within on the good option the PDP had taken.

Alkali said the PDP re-solve to encourage Presi-dent Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential elec-tion being a good product with sterling performances to attest for his leadership in the past three and half years he has been in the saddle.

According to him, Nige-ria should begin to move away from adversarial poli-tics by which he said the country has been wasting good leaders over the years for no just reasons.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 7Thursday, October 2, 2014

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyeama; Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Tom Abolo; Director-General, Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki and MD/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, during the company’s Initial Public Of-fer Investor’s Forum in Abuja recently.

Jonathan’s adoption: Contest still open to all parties - Presidency

Capital market Master Plan for launch in November

Ram sellers bemoan low patronage

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

The Securities and Exchange Commis-sion, SEC, will’ next

month, launch the 10-year capital market Master Plan, which is aimed at en-suring the guided growth of the Nigerian capital market in the years ahead.

Disclosing this at the sidelines of the ongoing International Organisa-tion of Securities Com-missions, IOSCO, annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Commission’s Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, said the Master Plan designed

to guide the development of the market would cover 2015 to 2025.

Specifically, he explained that the initiative would help to deepen the depth of the market, increase for-eign direct investments and diversification of the sourc-es of capital and enable all concerned stakeholders to adopt proactive strategies in responding to the emerg-ing developments in the sub-sector of the financial industry, among other ben-efits

To achieve this, the SEC official listed three com-mittees, namely, the Mas-ter Plan Committee, Non Interest Committee and the Literacy Committee.

The aims of the three committees include, con-ducting a holistic review of similar emerging markets and developing blueprints to structure the market for global competitiveness.

The Capital Market Committee, a body of all capital market regulators, operators and stakehold-ers, last year inaugurated the committees to achieve its 10-year Master Plan.

Garuba disclosed that key areas of the commit-tees work included, inves-tor protection and edu-cation, professionalism, product innovation and expansion of the role of the capital market in eco-nomic development will be

covered.He said the long-term de-

velopment committee has considered relevant factors that impact market growth and develop strategies for robust governance for im-proved efficiency, transpar-ency and enhancement of the market stability.

According to him, nec-essary recommendations with clear and actionable quarterly and annual mile-stones that will lead to a world class capital market are expected to be coor-dinated into a blueprint as Nigeria’s growth plan would take into consider-ation successful growth strategies in other jurisdic-tions.

Three Borno pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia -offi cial

Ram sellers in Zaria, Kaduna State, have decried low patron-

age, barely three days to the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

Many ram selling points in the city are overflowing with rams that remain un-sold for days.

Alhaji Abdulmuminu

Alhassan, the “Sarkin-Tirken Sarkin Zazzau” (Head of Livestock Market of Zazzau Emirate), told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the ram sellers had never had it so bad.

Alhassan blamed the non-payment of salaries to workers in the state for

the poor sales.He said prices of the an-

imals ranged from N15,000 to N90,000.

A ram dealer, Malam Aliyu Babankarfi, identi-fied insecurity as one of the factors responsible for the low patronage.

“The present insur-

gency has now become a threat not only to ram sell-ers, but also to entire busi-ness activities in northern Nigeria.

“The ram that went for between N100,000 and N120,000 before, now sells from N70,000 to N80,000,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net88 National News Thursday October 2, 2014

MARCUS FATUNMOLEABUJA

Immediate past presi-dent of the Nigerian Medical Association,

NMA, Dr. Osahon Enab-ulele, yesterday faulted President Goodluck Jona-than for failing to honour health professionals who died of Ebola virus dis-

ease in the country.Enabulele said in a

statement he made avail-able to National Mir-ror that neither were the health professionals among recipients of na-tional awards bestowed on over 300 Nigerians in Abuja last Monday.

He added that the presi-dent also failed to make a

promise of such award in his address to the nation which commemorated the nation’s 54th year of inde-pendence yesterday.

Part of the statement read: “As one who listened with rapt attention to the Independence Day address delivered in the morning (7a.m.) of today, Wednes-day, October 1, 2014, by the

president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, I feel extremely constrained to express my sadness at the cavalier attitude with which the memory of Dr. (Mrs) Stella Ameyo Adadevoh and oth-er health workers felled by Ebola virus disease in Ni-geria was attended to.

2015 guber: Enugu East adopts Ugwuanyi

National awards: Enabulele faults FG over Adadevoh, others

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on O’REAP, Mr. Komolafe Femi; Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnership, Dr. Charles Akinola; Secretary to State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; All Progressive CongressChairman in Iwo local government, Alhaji Semiu Ayanfe and others, during the opening of sales of rams for the 2014 Ileya festival at theOloba cattle ranch, in Iwo, on Tuesday.

DENNIS AGBOENUGU

The caucus of Peo-ples’ Democratic Party, PDP for the

Enugu East senatorial zone, yesterday endorsed the adoption of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the gover-norship aspirant of the party in the February 2015 governorship election.

Ugwuanyi, a member of the House of Repre-sentatives, had previously been adopted by the par-ty’s stakeholders in Enu-gu North senatorial zone last Friday.

He was subsequently presented to the Enugu East counterpart for rati-fication.

With the development, one more hurdle to cross would be Ugwuanyi’s pre-sentation to Enugu West senatorial zone, the home

base of Governor Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerema-du.

Contrary to what transpired on Friday when about four gover-norship aspirants object-ed to the decision of the overwhelming majority of the North caucus of PDP, the Enugu East cau-cus of the party unani-mously endorsed Ug-wuanyi, praising him as an exemplary lawmaker dear to their heart.

The Enugu State PDP had zoned the governor-ship position of the party in 2015 to the North sena-torial zone which had not had a shot at it since 1992 after the administration of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwo-do.

A source at the meet-ing which took place at Government House in

Enugu said Chime was in company of the state chairman of the party, Chief Vita Abba, who had on Friday, along with nine other aspi-rants, stepped down for Ugwuanyi.

Chime was quoted to have said that the special meeting was to present Ugwuanyi to the caucus for the members to assess him for possible endorse-ment.

The governor, accord-ing to the source, asked the caucus members if there was any objection as to the acceptability of Ugwuanyi, but there was none.

They rather praised the choice of the lawmak-er as a good decision, say-ing that they did not have any problem with the as-pirant’s emergence.

A former commission-

er for environment in the state, Mr. John Egbo, moved a motion for Ug-wuanyi’s adoption, and it was seconded by Hon. Ed-ward Ubosi, a member of the state House of Assem-bly from the zone, and the candidate was again unanimously adopted.

Present at the meeting were Senator Gil Nnaji, the senator representing the zone in the senate, all the three House of Repre-sentatives members from the zone, all members of the state House of As-sembly from the zone and commissioners from the zone serving in Chime’s cabinet, while Senator Ken Nnamani, a former senate president, also from the zone, and Chief Jim Nwobodo, sent mes-sages that they were out of the state at the time of adoption.

“Whereas it was pain-ful enough that the recent National Honours Awards List missed out the names of Dr. (Mrs) Stella Ameyo Adadevo and other heroic health workers who stood firm against the Ebola Vi-rus Disease in Nigeria, I was deeply shocked that the opportunity of Presi-dent Goodluck Ebele Jona-than’s Independence Day speech was not used to reassure Nigerians of the possible plans by the Fed-eral Government to bestow national recognition and post-humous honours on the humane, industrious and God-fearing Dr. (Mrs) Stella Ameyo Adadevo and other health workers felled by the Ebola Virus Disease in the course of passionately caring for the

late Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, reputed to have imported Ebola Virus into Nigeria,” he added.

Enabulele, however, commended the president for honouring prominent Nigerians, among which were “ordinary unsung and hardworking Nigeri-ans, including the design-er of Nigeria’s national flag.

He said: “I wish to once again fervently call on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to de-clare to Nigerians the Fed-eral Government’s plans to memorialise and bestow post-humous honours on all the health workers and other volunteers felled in the course of caring for Ebola Virus Disease pa-tients in Nigeria.

NICK UWERU

Former Consul-Gen-eral of the Nigerian Mission to South Af-

frica and other Southern African countries, Ambas-sador Okey Emuchay, has lent voice to the adoption of President Goodluck Jona-than by the Peoples’ Demo-cratic Party, PDP, stating that the move was not only right and deserved, but would greatly reduce ran-cor in the party.

According to him, such a practice is in consonance with the best practices of democracy.

“The democracy we have is the one we claimed we copied from America. In the US, they have a culture. The sitting president who is desirous of a second term is given the first option of refusal,” Emuchay said in an interview with National Mirror.

Emuchay is a governor-ship aspirant seeking to clinch the PDP ticket for Abia State. According to him, Jonathan’s adoption was well deserved, going by the president’s perfor-mance in office.

He said what the party hierarchy did in adopting the president was proper and would stand the party in good stead ahead of the 2015 general election.

Jonathan’s adoption’ll reduce rancour in PDP, says ex-envoy

“All parties are formed to win elections. And the relevant organs of PDP viewed it, deliberated and took decision. And then, they came out and decided to give endorsement to the sitting president.

“The forum of PDP gov-ernors, the BoT and then the NEC of the party, which is a very important organ of the party, took a unani-mous decision, and there-fore, it has to be binding on the party.

“We should celebrate it because it reduces rancour. It is just another four years, from 2015 to 2019, and the president would return to Otuoke,” said the former diplomat said.

“This will reduce the po-litical temperature, it will reduce rancour. It reduces unnecessary in-fighting. Where we copied our con-stitution from, that is how they do things.

Jonathan


2015: Buhari urges Nigerians to stop PDP tyranny

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari; Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the commissioning of Ekiti Parapo Square, as part of events marking the 4th anniversary of Fayemi, administration, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Aregbesola assures of more development in rural areasBOLADALE BAMIGBOLAOSOGBO

Osun State Gov-ernor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has

restated his readiness to ensure transformation of rural communities across the state.

The governor stated this during the commis-sioning of projects execut-ed under the second phase of replication of UNICEF

ABIODUN NEJOADO EKITI

Former Head of State and All Pro-gressives Congress,

APC, presidential aspi-rant, Major Gen Moham-madu Buhari, has urged Nigerians to stop the tyr-anny of the ruling Peo-ples Democratic Party, PDP, by voting it out in the 2015 general elections.

Buhari, who said Nige-rians had been trauma-tised by the ruling party, said the country would be in trouble if the PDP should be allowed to con-tinue in office.

The APC chieftain who spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday, after commis-sioning the 120,000-seater Ekiti Parapo Square, one of the Legacy Projects of the Governor Kayode Fay-emi administration, said it was high time Nigeri-ans took their destiny in

their hands and rescued themselves from bad gov-ernance and oppression.

The event also wit-nessed the conferment of State Merit Award on 30 Ekiti indigenes that have excelled in their profes-sional callings.

Buhari advised the electorate to empower themselves with the voter card which he described as “weapon against tyr-anny” to ensure they could elect leaders with people’s interest at heart.

He said: “It is no doubt that Nigerians have been traumatised under the PDP leadership and Ni-geria will be in trouble if we carry on the way the PDP has been doing in Nigeria.

“That is why it is im-portant for the elites to talk to the less-privileged to collect their perma-nent voter cards in prepa-ration for the 2015 elec-

tions. This is the only weapon against the PDP tyranny.

“We must take this se-riously because the APC is seriously determined to offer a better alterna-tive platform for Nige-rians. So, we have to be prepared for the next year elections”, Buhari posited.

He praised Governor Fayemi for his outstand-ing success in the last four years, saying: “I am highly honoured to as-sociate with the success story. Fayemi has been able to prove that what is expected of any leader is selfless service. And I want to believe that all these legacy projects will remain in his name for-ever even after leaving office”.

Fayemi, in his address, said the Ekiti project was bigger than any individu-al, adding that since his

assumption of office; the state has witnessed rela-tive peace.

The governor de-scribed the state pavil-lion, named Ekiti Parapo Square, as “a symbol of our unity,that our God who rules in the affairs of men would bless ev-ery gathering held here, so long as such assembly is in the interest of the peace and progress of our people”.

He added that the hon-our given to deserving Ekiti indigenes including the Youngest Nigerian Phd holder, Dr Hallowed Olaoluwa, were part of efforts at “restoration of our values. We have sought to redeem the meaning of who our he-roes are. We have stead-fastly pursued the el-evation of honour in our society; to be celebrated far above illicit material possessions,’’ he said.

Security: Amosun alleges sabotage over incessant breakdown of APCsFEMI OYEWESOABEOKUTA

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has alleged sabotage

over the security situation in Ijebu area of the state, which has forced businesses to close for fear of being at-tacked by armed robbers.

The deteriorating securi-ty situation was occasioned by the incessant brake down of Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, stationed in the Ijebu - Ode area.

The governor, who was responding to the plea for improved security in the area during his assessment tour of projects in the Ijebu East Local Government, expressed surprise on the state of the security vehicles which he said; often develop problems within a month of being moved to the area.

One of the monarchs in the area, the Moyegeso of Ijebu - Itele, Oba Muftau Kasali had pleaded with the governor to assist Ijebuland by ensuring that functional APCs are deployed to im-prove security in the area, because of the banking sec-tors which usually bear the consequences of armed rob-bery attack in the area.

Reacting to the plea, how-ever, Amosun, called on the traditional rulers in the area to help in sensitising the people on security con-sciousness and inquire as to why the security vehicles always develop faults each time the APC is deployed to the area and works again whenever it is moved away from Ijebu area.

The governor, also ex-pressed shock as to why banks officials in Ijebu area would on Sunday afternoon, know that an APC which functioned well before close

of work on a Friday would not work the following Mon-day and for that reason re-fused to open shops.

Amosun said that he re-ceived a text message on Sunday, predicting that the security vehicles in Ijebu will not work on Monday and as such banks will not open, adding that true to the message, the APCs actually refused to work.

“I want you to help me ask and sensitise people, when we were to buy these security vehicles, we bought 14 APCs and distributed them to corner of the state, I am not saying this for say-ing sake.

“We stationed one in Ijebu-Ode and another one in Ijebu-Igbo because of the problems that was happen-ing with our banks, we also stationed one in Ago-Iwoye, but every other APCs are working except the ones in Ijebu axis which use to break down every now and then.

“When we moved it and bring another new one, within a month, the new one will not work again and when we moved in another one, within a very short time, it too will break down, while the ones we moved away from the Ijebu axis will be working in other places.

“On Sunday, I received a text message that banks in Ijebu will not work on Monday because APC will not work and I wonder how the banks will know that APC which worked on Fri-day will not work on Mon-day and truly on Monday, the APC did not work, but we moved it away and it started working in another place, when we moved an-other one to Ijebu, it will not work again.

“And strangely, all these normally happen when we are getting to the festive period, if you notice the last time, it was during the Ramdhan festival and last year it was during Christ-mas, once we want to have any major festival.

Community Development Initiative Programme, UC-DIP, and Osun State gov-ernment in conjunction with local government across the state.

Aregbesola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Water Resourc-es Rural Development and Community Affairs, Mr Kunle Ige, at the commis-sioning of the twenty five projects out of sixty proj-ects executed for rural

communities in the thirty local government area and Modakeke Area office of the state, noted that the projects have potentials of improving the standard of living of rural dwellers, urging residents to guide the project jealously.

Inaugurating electrifi-cation project in Anarun and a modern palace in Agberire communities in Iwo Local Government area of the state, Areg-

besola maintained that his administration would continue to make welfare of his people a priority, adding that the state had witnessed unprecedented transformation in all fac-ets of human life under his administration.

In his remarks, the Ex-ecutive Secretary, Iwo Lo-cal Government, Alhaji kamorudeen Alao, said the present administra-tion in the state had re-

solved to position rural communities for econom-ic development through provision of basic facili-ties in rural areas.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communi-ties, the Baale of Anarun, Chief Samuel Oyewole and Olukotun of Agberi-re, Chief Waliu Adekunle, lauded the state govern-ment for the gesture and promised effective utilisa-tion of the projects.

Amosun

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014South West10

… Muslims ask to tread cautiously during celebrationSallah: Sultan calls for more prayers

drop of the contemporary challenges facing the Um-mah,” he said.

While felicitating with Muslims and urging them to reflect on the fact that neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrificial ani-mals reach Allah, but their piety, he urged the Ummah to continue to pray on these days of tashreeq that Al-lah continue to expose and humiliate all those who manipulate state power to cause mayhem.

Also, Muslims who are not on pilgrimage were urged to fast on the day of Arafah, which is the day before Sallah, intensify the recitation of Al-Qunut and engage in meritorious ac-tivities with the conviction that Allah will take charge of their concerns.

In a related development, The Muslim Congress, TMC, has urged Muslims throughout the country to be moderate and tread with

caution as they celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir festival.

The Amir of Lagos State chapter of the group, Mr. Luqman AbdurRaheem gave the appeal while speaking through his rep-resentative at a public lec-ture held at the National Stadium, Surulere, to mark the group’s annual week which started Wednesday, last week.

He noted that going about drinking alcohol all in the name of celebration is anti-Islam, adding that it is not in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad,therefore such acts should be avoided dur-ing and after the festival.

“We should be law abid-ing and good citizens who would not disturb the peace of others in the course of celebrating; after all Mus-lims have been named as the best of creations by Al-lah because we enjoy what is good and forbid evil.”

SEKINAH LAWAL AND AISHA TITILAYO

The Sultan of Sokoto and President Gen-eral, Nigerian Su-

preme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Mu-hammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the Muslim ummah in Nigeria and beyond to intensify their prayers as they celebrate the Eid-il-Kabir.

The Sultan made the call in a press release signed by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Professor. Ishaq Oloyede.

He enjoined them to im-bibe the spirit of submis-sion to Allah’s commands, patience and sacrifice as thought by the Eid.

“As millions of our brethren converge on the holy precincts of Ka’abah, Muna, Muzdalifah and Arafah in these blessed days and relive the com-mitment, patience and sac-rifice of the father of faith, Ibrahim, Muslims are en-joined to use this occasion to demonstrate the faith of Ibrahim against the back-

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Thursday, October 2, 2014 11South West

Gov. Elechi

Okorocha pardons 94-year-old convict, 15 othersCHRIS NJOKUOWERRI

Imo State Governor, Ro-chas Okorocha, yester-day granted pardon to

16 convicts serving in the prisons in the state.

He said the move was in exercise of his powers on prerogative of mercy.

The governor said he acted on the recommen-dations of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, which he had ear-lier set up with the Attor-ney-General and Commis-sioner for Justice in the state, Chief Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh, SAN, as chairman.

Eleven of the pardoned convicts were imprisoned for non-capital offences and had almost finished serving their prison terms, while some had less than

six months to serve out their terms.

Among those affected was one Canice Egbu-nanne, 94, who was par-doned on the ground of age.

Another pardoned con-vict, Mr. Chidi Nwosu, is nearly 70 years old.

Speaking at the event to mark the nation’s in-dependence anniversary, the governor said, at 54, “this is the time the coun-try should address the vexed issues of insecurity, youths unemployment, selfishness and corrup-tion among leaders; lack of patriotism, emphasis on ethnicity, insurgence and other challenges fac-ing Nigeria as a nation.”

His words: “As a na-tion, no better time to act and achieve the desired goals than now. We must

My successor must tolerate opposition —ElechiALIUNA GODWINABAKALIKI

Ahead of the 2015 poll, Ebonyi State Governor, Chief

Martin Elechi, has said that his successor must tolerate opposition, just as he urged leaders of opposi-tion parties in the country to promote the unity of Ni-geria and Ebonyi State in particular.

Elechi stated this while addressing the people of the state during the Inde-pendence Day anniversary celebration held at the

Abakaliki township Sta-dium.

He said that it was im-perative for politicians, especially as the 2015 elec-tion gathers momentum, to continue to promote peace and order, as well as shun violence.

He lamented the mar-ginalisation the state since its creation, stressing that it was time for the people of the state to move for-ward.

He also said there was need for Nigerians to plant the tree of unity as the cur-rent social, economic and

security challenges con-stitute a threat to national stability and cohesion.

According to him, since the country is at the threshold of another peri-od of transition, it is expe-dient to hammer on the im-perative of tolerance and accommodation for their growth and development.

“We may belong to dif-ferent political parties or none at all; we may profess different religious beliefs.

“We may have different cultural and social obser-vances, but we must come to terms with the fact that

admit that things are not working out the way they should in Nigeria. That will help us to wake up as a nation.”

Okorocha added: “De-mocracy has not func-tioned well in Nigeria. We have to strengthen our de-mocracy because it is not being practiced the way it should. When that is done, then development is guar-anteed.

“Nigerians should see themselves as members of one family and shun lead-ers who preach tribalism, religious dichotomy and division among the politi-cal class.”

He advised that Nigeri-ans should use the 54th in-dependence anniversary to revisit the issue of devo-lution of power.

According to him, “a nation where the citizen-

ry have private security, private electricity, private borehole, and everything private is a failed one.

“To get things right, we must, therefore, know when to disagree and when to unite for a com-mon goal as a nation.”

Okorocha, however, praised the Army, Po-lice, DSS, and all security agents in the country, es-pecially those in the state, for their sacrifices.

He said they had contin-ued to sacrifice their own security and comfort to keep others secured.

Some of the convicts granted pardon are Uchen-na Udum, Sunday Egwu, Amos Ishaya, Anyuba Bartholomew, Benjamin Osunkwo, Okezie Obasi, Ifeanyi Nwokeji, Ogbonna Onyinyechi, Chidi Nwosu, and seven others.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha inspecting a guard of honour during the Independence Day ceremony in Owerri, yesterday.

NWANYIABIA ANAEZEONITSHA

Former Chairman of Anambra North Council of Tradi-

tional Rulers, and the monarch of Igbariam community, Anambra East local government area, His Royal Highness, Igwe Kelly-Nkeli Nzekwe, yesterday expressed dis-satisfaction over alleged poor representation of of Anambra North senatori-al district at the upper and lower chambers of the Na-tional Assembly.

Kelly-Nkeli, told journal-ists in Igbariam that those representing the area at the Senate and House of Repre-sentatives had performed woefully and below expec-tation

He accused them of be-ing only interested in what goes into their personal pockets, at the detriment of the electorate who voted them into offices.

The monarch, in his speech shortly after he received an award of ex-cellence at the Igbariam Campus of Anambra State University during the Faculty of Arts 1st Inter-national Conference en-titled: “Arts, Humanities and Global Reconciliation in the 21st Century”, con-demned trend, describing it as an act against human-ity. He received the award alongside former aviation minister, Princess Stella Oduah; wife of Anambra State Governor, Ebelechuk-wu Obiano; Nollywood star, Nobert Wasky Oguegbu and Chief Chukwuemeka-

Poor representation: Monarch slams National Assembly members

Odumegwu Ojukwu jnr.The monarch said: “I

must sincerely say that the representation of Anam-bra North at the National Assembly is below our ex-pectation.

“Those who are repre-senting us at both the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly have all failed woefully.

“They have nothing to write home about or to show for their representa-tion. They are playing a politics of winner-takes-it-all, only interested in what they get for their pockets; they are not attracting any project to Anambra North.”

According to him, “The road that leads Anambra North to Kogi State is still abandoned; we are not hap-py with them. Not even one of them has impressed us.

“We are not seeing any dividend of democracy from our National Assem-bly representatives. The poor masses who voted them in are suffering, while they are busy enriching themselves. I have been the Chairman of Anambra North Traditional Rulers Council.”

Kelly-Nkeli, who said he was speaking in his capac-ity as the Chairman of Oru Clan Traditional Rulers Council, comprising the Anambra North and some parts of Anambra Central, the present Chairman of Anambra East and West Traditional Rulers Coun-cil and as the Chairman of Omambala Traditional Rul-ers Council, added that he was speaking on behalf of the people.

we are a people with the same destiny,” the gover-nor said.

Elechi urged the people to be vigilant and contrib-ute to the stability and progress of the nation.

He also admonished them to keep the peace and continue to support the Federal Government under the stewardship of President Goodluck Jona-than.

The governor reiterated his commitment to power shift to the southern zone of the state, which accord-ing to him, was in line with

his shared aspiration for political inclusion and mu-tual accommodation.

“We remain committed to the goal of power shift to the Southern zone of Eb-onyi State. In the pursuit of this goal, I consider it a duty and a debt to Ebonyi people to ensure that who-ever succeeds me must not only be tolerant of opposi-tion, but also amenable to dissenting and contrary impulses,” he said.

In a remark, former gov-ernor of the state, Dr. Sam Egwu, called on all gover-norship, National/state

Assembly aspirants to be of good attitude and walk in tandem with the expec-tations of the people who fought for the creation of the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014South East12


Politics

2015, criminal politicians and IGP’s ‘threat’In what promises to be the first signal towards having a credible election next year, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, has vowed to work in concert with the Department of State Security, DSS, to screen out contestants with any form of criminal record. Can he walk his talk, or could this be another subtle tool for political witch-hunt? Besides, should that be the job of the police? OMEIZA AJAYI, WOLE OLADIMEJI, ROTIMI FADEYI and SEYI ANJORIN examine the situation.

Nigeria, with all its complexities, has had series of elections since the advent of civil rule in 1999. In many instances, there have been violence, oc-

casioned by the activities of partisans and even agen-cies of government. Some of the agencies, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as some security agencies, have often been found wanting in the execution of their core mandate.

Rather than being independent umpires, some of these bodies, who are paid with tax-payers’ money, had often jumped into the fray, exhibiting partisan tenden-cies. Consequently, such partisan leanings or senti-ments had most times fuelled violent resistance by a section of the electorate who felt short-changed.

There are so many ways in which elections can be made violence-free. One of such ways begins at the very process of picking candidates. Many of the candidates who have questionable credentials still find their way to vie for elective positions and, most times, even go ahead to “win” the elections, and when they so “win”, their major pre-occupation would be to continue to twist the law to suit their whims, caprices or prejudices.

If these politicians or aspirants with questionable credentials are able to scale both their parties’ and INEC screening hurdles, should they also have a smooth-sail and ride roughshod over our security agencies? Is it not yet time for these agencies to sit up and apply the ‘big stick’ where necessary?

Remembering Senator Nuhu Aliyu’s outburstIn January 2003, as Senate Committee chairman on

Security and Intelligence and a retired Deputy Inspec-tor General, DIG, of Police, Nuhu Aliyu, representing Niger East, had advised the Senate not to conduct the screening of three proposed ministers in haste, and later come back and complain about the behaviour of the nominees.

He actually wanted the process taken slowly while re-ports on their past would be obtained from the DSS or relevant agencies.

Yet again in May 2005, two agencies established by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo began proceed-ings against several high profile figures. Curiously, some members of the House of Representatives imme-diately threatened to impeach Chief Obasanjo in order to halt the investigations by the agencies.

It was Aliyu who remarked that he had investigated some supporters of the impeachment plan for alleged fraud during his career in the police, adding that some of the lawmakers were “distinguished crooks.”

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008, Aliyu, announced to the consternation of Nigerians that the National As-sembly was nothing but a den of robbers.

He said the Assembly had criminals whom he had even arrested in the cause of his job, threatening to make public, the names of such “distinguished” and “honourable” members of the National Assembly.

Unfortunately, he was stopped in his tracks by the Senate President, David Mark, who referred the issue to a Senate Committee, ostensibly to “kill” it. Later, based on advice from his lawyers, Aliyu apologised and with-drew the accusation without naming names! Whether he named names or not, as a former top-ranking police officer, he knew what he was saying.

IGP to the rescue?Interestingly, IGP Abba has disclosed his intention

to collaborate with the DSS to screen out contestants whose ‘security files’ indicate that they have some crim-inal tendencies.

He said this at a meeting with senior police officers from the rank of Police Commissioners to DIGs, adding that the time had come to ensure that the electoral pro-cess was sanitised by all stakeholders in the process.

He said: “Where it gets to screening, we will collabo-rate with our colleagues, particularly, the DSS, to ensure that candidates with criminal records are not allowed to contest.”

Having chaired the Police 2015 Election Planning

Committee before his elevation to his present office, Abba should be in a good stead to deliver a good job. If he said he will work to screen out contestants with questionable credentials, it means he knows what he is talking about. It might even imply that in the course of his policing job, he had had cause to arrest some would-be contestants and even got them convicted by the courts.

Should that be his job?The sole role of the police in an election is to keep the

peace. Should the police now veer off to a terrain that is clearly off its course?

The DSS has the traditional role of screening candi-dates for elective and appointive offices. It does that and in the end issues a “security report” to the appropriate quarters for necessary action to be taken.

The police has never been known to do this and it is clearly not within its brief to so do. Thankfully, IGP Abba has said the police would only “collaborate” with the DSS in screening such people out. He has not said the force will take over the job of the DSS.

Perhaps, the collaboration would be by way of issuing “security advisory” to the DSS based on the police’s past dealings with such contestants with criminal records.

Will the President use this as tool for political witch-hunt?It is not clear whether President Goodluck Jonathan

would use the threat by the IGP for political witch hunt, although during the last general elections in 2011, there

Jonathan Obasanjo

iq

iAtt

“d

W

wa

IGP ABBA HAS DISCLOSED HIS INTENTION TO

COLLABORATE WITH THE DSS TO SCREEN OUT CONTESTANTS WHOSE

‘SECURITY FILES’ INDICATE THAT THEY HAVE SOME CRIMINAL TENDENCIES

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14 Politics National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014

2015, criminal politicians and

We will bar ‘criminals’ from contesting

were no such threats from anybody.However, it is believed that the IGP

could not have issued such a threat with-out proper understanding of the situa-tion and probably with the knowledge of some people in government.

With the threat, there are insinuations from the opposition parties that the Po-lice boss was being tele-guided by the government in power, although there is no proof to substantiate such position.

Although Jonathan is yet to declare his intention to seek re-election in 2015, he has not made any comment on the IGP.

During the administration of former President Obasanjo, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, went after some prominent politicians who wanted to contest election, leading to most of them under EFCC watch to jettison their ambitions for fear of being arrested for sundry offences.

Obasanjo and criminal politiciansIndependent Corrupt Practices and

Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and EFCC were set up by former President Obasanjo administration to fight corrup-tion. The fight against corruption has been one-sided, or lopsided, not only this, the rule of law, constitutional process, judiciary process and indeed the due pro-cess have all been thrown to the trash bin in order to nail political opponents at all cost and render them impotent and turn them into political liability.

But the fight against corruption in Nigeria since 1999 has not only been a lip service, but it has also been unduly politicised. The ICPC has become more or less a lame duck or a toothless bull dog that keeps barking but never bites, while EFCC has indeed become a willing tool in the hands of the President to deal with perceived political enemies, to score cheap political goals.

Events leading to the 2007 presidential and governorship elections were not only the commission’s most controversial mo-ments, but the anti-graft’s era of highest number of arrests within a short space of time. It was also the time, more than any other, that EFCC boss then, Nuhu Ribadu and Obasanjo were accused of using the commission to settle political scores or to intimidate aspiring politi-cians out the presidential race. There is a long list of politicians who were arrest-ed by the commission just because they were not in Obasanjo’s good book.

First, there were those (like Buba Marwa) who many felt were in the way of Obasanjo’s third term agenda. After-wards, when Obasanjo lost all hope of getting a third term, he allegedly un-leashed EFCC on the governors who were not on his side or against his pre-ferred candidates at both the presidential and governorship elections.

Said to have played a big role in how Ribadu lost credibility and how late Pres-ident Yar’Adua felt he could do without him, Obasanjo got EFCC to turn the life of the then Adamawa State governor, Boni Haruna into hell. He used EFCC to

arrest lawmakers from Bayelsa State and coerced them into impeaching the then state governor, Dipreye Alamieyeseigha. By the time of the elections, Obasanjo had perfected the art of coercion.

EFCC first arrested Abba Aliero, the younger brother of the Kebbi State gov-ernor, Adamu Aliero, who also was the brain behind many of the governor’s political strategies. Aliero was finally forced to negotiate with Obasanjo and his brother was not released until he agreed to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party,

The military seem to have taken over the job of the police in most states of the fed-eration. Are you comfortable with this?

In terms of internal security, you can-not say the police have been relegated to the background. How do we relegate a per-manent custodian of internal security to the background? I do not see the criteria used in determining that. In any case, the military are in all the states of the federa-tion and they are performing their con-stitutional responsibilities, including the support of civil authority in protecting the lives of the populace. And, who is lead-ing the civil authority in terms of that? It is of course, the Nigerian Police.

It is a constitutional provision. Section 217 empowers the military to support the civil authority in the maintenance of law and order in any part of the country and that is what they are doing. If you say they are more visible in some states, yes, maybe those are areas we need more sup-port from them. And we are happy that they are making successes and we are sup-porting this, but that does not mean that we are relegated. There is no single opera-tion going on now that the police are not involved to a certain level. You can check the records. The reason why we have to be there together is because at the end of the day, we will be responsible for holding the ground when the operation is over. So, I do not see anything wrong in the military performing their constitutional responsi-bilities. In fact, if you try to stop that, it means you will have problems with the

PDP, from the defunct All Nigeria Peo-ples Party, ANPP and support Obasanjo’s chosen presidential candidate.

Using a different tactic in Sokoto, Obasanjo waited until one week before the election to arrest Umarun Kwabo, Attahiru Bafarawa’s strongman, thus throwing Bafarawa’s political machin-ery into disarray, thus paving way for the PDP candidate to win the governor-ship election instead of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP candidate, Maigari Dingyadi, Bafarawa’s clear choice of suc-cessor.

National Assembly.

What specific plans do you have for the 2015 elections? Are you also satisfied with the manner in which soldiers are now deployed for elections?

I was the chairman of the 2015 Election Planning Committee. So, as chair, I have the strategies at hand. All police officers must understand their responsibilities and we have made adequate arrangement for the police to provide efficient security to all the activities leading to the Polling Day. These activities have started and in-volve the registration of voters, the prima-ries, selection of candidates, their screen-ing, the conventions by the parties and many others including the very important one which are the campaigns by all the po-litical parties and by all the candidates.

In all these activities, the police will en-sure that adequate security is provided: one, to the officials who are conducting the activities including INEC, political parties officials and of course, where it gets to the issue of screening, we will collaborate with our colleagues, particularly, the DSS, to ensure that candidates with criminal records are not allowed to contest.

Similarly, we will provide enough se-curity to members of the public who will partake in some of those activities. On the Election Day, we will make sure that the materials provided by INEC are well-protected ahead of the polling date and on the polling date or just before then, we will escort them to their various destinations

EFCC was also deployed against some presidential aspirants ahead of the 2007 polls. It arrested and detained Ibrahim Babangida’s son for several hours as a way of forcing IBB out of the race. Peter Odili was also running a successful cam-paign when, on the day of the primaries, EFCC brought out an indicting report against him to force him to step down.

The 2007 general election, won by Yar’Adua, who also faulted the process that brough him into office, was con-demned by the European Union, EU, and other international and local observers.

Aside few cases, the present govern-ment appears not to be interested in de-ploying the services of the corruption agencies.

The EFCC has however played roles in taming Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, as its officers and men stormed Dutse, the state capital, and arrested key officials of the Lamido administra-tion over alleged corruption, in what the state government claimed was clear


ppBw

pEa

Y

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA SINCE 1999 HAS NOT ONLY BEEN A LIP

SERVICE, BUT IT HAS ALSO BEEN UNDULY POLITICISED

Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, speaks on plans for the 2015 gener-al elections and how the police intend to collaborate with sister-agencies to bar politi-cians with criminal records from contesting for any position. OMEIZA AJAYI brings excerpts:

across the federation. And while we are doing that we are also

providing security to members of the pub-lic who would want to go and cast their votes. We will create that enabling envi-ronment for them to feel free enough to go and cast their votes. And if they opt to stay there, fine, if they opt to go home, we will also make sure that their homes are secured.

That day, we will also enforce the laws. There are electoral offences that a person

IGP, Abba

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 15PoliticsThursday, October 2, 2014

Agbaje lauds Nigeria at 54, disowns Ajagbe

Nigeria’ll overcome her challenges –Adesiyan

AYO ESAN

A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gover-norship aspirant

in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has said that post-Independence Nigeria’s survival for 54 years dem-onstrated more than any-thing else that the country was worth celebrating.

Agbaje said: “Nigeria has so much going for her and her people, and if only we can open our hearts ob-jectively, then we shall see that we have baskets and baskets of blessings to be grateful for.”

He said this in a state-ment released in Lagos yesterday by his campaign organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Felix Oboagwina, to commemo-rate Nigeria’s indepen-dence anniversary.

This was just as he disso-ciated himself from a case instituted by a PDP mem-ber, Mr. Adejumo Ajagbe, seeking to bar President Goodluck Jonathan from standing for election in

2015.Agbaje said: “Those who

have given up on the coun-try fail to consider the fact she is endowed with abun-dant human and natural resources. Therefore, we should celebrate her peo-ple. We should celebrate Nigeria as the largest econ-omy in Africa.”

Congratulating Presi-dent Jonathan on the country’s birthday, Agbaje prayed God to grant him the wisdom and the cour-age to consolidate on his Transformation Agenda as the foundation for building Nigeria into the country of its people’s dreams.

Agbaje described at-tempts to link him with the suit challenging Presi-dent Jonathan’s eligibility to stand for election next year as handiwork of mis-chief makers, saying that the link was his surname rhymed with the litigant’s.

He added: “Adejumo Ag-baje or Adejumo Ajagbe is neither my brother nor my friend, and any attempt at connecting us is a scheme concocted from the pit of-

Hell.“The name ‘Agbaje’ is

a fairly common name among Yoruba people, and the man in court is not part of my kith and kin.”

Saying that “President Jonathan has my utmost admiration, and as a bonafide member of the party, I stand to uphold his constitutional right to seek reelection,” Agbaje added that he could fathom the motivation behind filing of the suit and what the litigant wants to achieve. “But as far as I am con-cerned, and as far as the vast membership of PDP is concerned, the man is squarely on his own.”

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

Minister of Po-lice Affairs, Alhaji Abdul

Jelili Adesiyan, has em-phasised that the country would soon overcome its challenges and tame the dreaded Boko Haram in-surgents.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Wale Akinola, the minister said that though the coun-try has faced a lot of secu-

rity challenges in recent times, Nigerians should be thankful to God for making them witness the celebra-tion of the 54th indepen-dence anniversary.

He said: “We may not have been where we want to be, but we have made ap-preciable progress and we can still intensify on our ef-fort. The stable democracy is enough for us to rejoice as a people with one mis-sion and purpose. Nigeria has passed through many

challenges in the past and we came out of it, so, the security challenges facing us now as a nation can be checkmated if we unite against all odds and fight the insurgency orches-trated by the dreaded Boko Haram group.

“It is my candid belief that terrorism is alien to us but with unity, dedication and sincerity of purpose, the security challenges will soon be a thing of past in our dear country.”

IGP’s ‘threat’

in 2015 –IGP WE WILL

COLLABORATE WITH OUR COLLEAGUES,

PARTICULARLY, THE DSS, TO ENSURE THAT CANDIDATES

WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS ARE NOT

ALLOWED TO CONTEST

intimidation by the Federal Government for Lamido’s principled position against President Jonathan’s reelection bid.

Similarly, the political differences be-tween President Jonathan and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, had resulted not only in Amaechi’s intimida-tion by EFCC but with the police taking active position against the state govern-ment.

What the law saysDo Police have the power to stop any

aspirant from contesting an election? Despite that the law forbids convicted Nigerians from aspiring for political po-sitions, would that also affect political of-fice seekers who may have been indicted for some offences? What actually do the police want?

An Abuja-based lawyer, Dr Ted said that “in the eyes of the law, indictment merely means that there is enough rea-sonable cause to believe that the individ-ual may have committed the offence.”

However, the key operative word there is ‘may’ and in order to be sure, that in-dividual must be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction where the evidence against him or her will be pre-sented for determination of guilt or in-nocence.

The generally accepted maxim the world over is that an individual is inno-cent until proven guilty. An indictment is a far cry from being found guilty in a court of law.

The implication is that the IGP’s real position on the matter may be no differ-ent from the true position of the law as have stated.

According to Barrister Nejo, where one is indicted by the court of law or ad-ministrative tribunal, he is not qualified to contest, but INEC has no power to dis-qualify him without the order of a court.

In the case of Atiku vs. INEC, the court ruled that INEC has no power to disquali-fy any candidate without the court order authorising same.

can commit at the polling unit and we shall enforce the relevant laws.

Similarly, we will protect the results by making sure that the votes cast are escort-ed to the collation centres. At the centres, whatever are the results, we will protect them. We will also protect the officials in-cluding the various party agents who will be allowed to witness everything and then we will escort the results to INEC offices, including the state or national level where the results are normally announced.

We will make sure that there are enough security arrangement with regards to all these. And we all know that after the results are declared, we will face some known, and at times, unknown challenges the moment the results are declared. And here, we urge and will continue to ask the contestants to play the games according to the rules and to also accept loss where they lose.

How do you check incessant attacks on police stations ahead of the 2015 polls?

To say that there are frequent attacks on police stations, I think is not correct. It is not on record that police stations were

attacked daily or even monthly. So, I think it is very clear. There was an attack and we all know why. The aim was to cart away police arms and perhaps we can also pre-dict what made them to go and look for arms. We are in the “ember” months and once we get into this period, violent crimi-nals become more desperate in looking for arms and committing violent crimes.

The most important thing is that, like in the last incident in Kogi, we lived up to expectations and we assure Nigerians that we are mindful of the fact that we are in the “ember” months. In my maiden meet-ing, we discussed it and I think we will strategise now and make sure that we do not only continue to protect our stations but we will continue to protect members of the public as well as their properties.

What is the latest on the missing police-men at Gwoza? You recently said over 20 of them were still missing.

The unfortunate incident in Gwoza is still being felt by all of us. I personally sleep and wake up with the problem. The problem is still that we are still making efforts to locate some of our colleagues that were missing after the attack. What is promising is that we received information that one of them has surfaced. If I knew that you would still ask me, I would have come up with the name. I have said it be-fore and I still repeat it again, that even if it is just one of them left out there, it is a source of concern to me. We will not re-lent in our efforts to trace all of them. It is not unexpected when an incident like this happens for one to be so distressed that you may not know what to do immediately either because of the situation or the con-fusion or the terror.

Aside the two that died, we cannot con-firm of any further deaths yet.

Agbaje

Buhari inaugurates Ekiti Parapo Square

EBERE NDKWU

Former Head of State, General Muhamma-du Buhari, yesterday,

while commissioning the 12,000-seater State Pavil-ion, built by the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration, called on Nigerians to en-sure that only leaders with clear vision are allowed to lead at all levels.

The commissioning of the pavilion, which was subsequently named “Ekiti Parapo Square,” by Gover-nor Fayemi, was followed by the October1 Indepen-dence Anniversary Parade

and the 2014 Ekiti State Merit Award, where Ekiti-born Africa’s youngest PhD holder in Mathemat-ics, Oluwadara Olaoluwa, Africa’s best junior table tennis player, Tosin Orib-amise and 29 others were awarded the 2014 Ekiti State Merit Award.

Speaking at the event, which also marked the 18th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, Governor Fayemi reiterated the need for all and sundry to em-brace peace, saying that economic and academic endeavours can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

On the state Merit Award, Fayemi said the award was aimed at restoring the val-ues for which Ekiti people are known as well as re-deeming “the meaning of who our heroes are.”

Declaring that it is in-controvertible that Ekiti is the home of intellectuals, Fayemi said Olaoluwa’s feat as Africa’s youngest PhD holder in Mathematics at age of 24, will challenge the younger generation of Ekiti indigenes to brace up with “avowed determi-nation to surpass the aca-demic excellence already displayed by Olaoluwa.”

•As Fayemi honours Africa’s youngest PhD holder, 29 others

Politics National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 201416

You are a successful engineer and making waves in your field, why did you chose to veer into politics and hoping to be governor of Kwara State?

People usually have reasons for delving into any venture. Firstly, I am going into this because as long as good people refuse to act, evil will continue to prevail. Secondly, whenever I come to this state, I see suffering and dejection sprouting from lack of good governance in every face that I have the privilege to meet. People who are entitled, as of right, to good and respectable life have been turned to beggars over the years. I cannot know how many request for help I get daily. Thirdly, the people have been coaxed into believing that they cannot do something outside particular persons. Fourthly, free-dom is the key word here; where the people are free, it is easy to bring out the best out of them and this freedom is what I have been fighting for since I joined politics. Fifthly, our people are entitled to the best of education, agriculture, infrastructure, health, etc. and I believe that with my knowledge, experience, determination and sincerity I can offer them the best through good and modern governance. We can go on and on.

This is the second time you are aspiring. Why are you so resolute on this ambition?

People should never give up on their dreams of helping humanity. Was it not said by one of the greatest writers of our time that “the man dies in him who keeps silent in the face of tyranny?” I do not want the man in me to be said to have died because I refused to act when I should. Moreover, the issues that brought me into politics have not been resolved or corrected. How then shall I say because of what happened the last time I would not go on fighting for our people? Look, I have been doing all I can to help our people according to the grace that God bestowed on me and I think I will keep doing this whether in govern-ment or not.

With the exit of Bukola Saraki and his large followers from the PDP, do you still see any fortune left in the party?

The size of his followership is simply in people’s imagi-nation. I don’t see it at all. Did you know how many people registered for the PDP in all the 193 wards of the state? The initial PDP registration cards were not enough and the party leaders had to order for more about two or three times. Up till today, many more are joining the PDP. Of course, those of them occupying political positions went to APC with him but that is all. You will also recall that many who were in the parties that merged to form the APC decamped to the PDP. And they were a huge crowd. Our party is stronger and better as can be testified to by the first rally we held after they left, the Presidential vis-it rally, all the programs being held in the North, South and Central senatorial districts and recently through the reception that we held for the honourable minister from our state. PDP is getting stronger by the day and we are set to take over the mantle of leadership in the State of Har-mony and to give our people the right type of government and not one by advertisement.

How do you see your chances for the PDP ticket?

Babalola

Very bright indeed. Everywhere I go, the reception has always been extremely good because I am at home and understand their problems because I have experienced it while living with them in all the senatorial districts, I expounded my vision, mission and programs everywhere I visited. Serious questions were asked and I answered them satisfactory, in my opinion. I see that the people are looking for a person who will give them hope for a better tomorrow and I candidly believe I have been identified as that person by the majority.

Specifically, what is your blueprint for Kwara State as a governor?

My blueprint is very brilliant as many who have read it have commended my thinking. Our vision is to deliver to the people the maximum realisation of governance through efficient management of resources and operate in highest ethical standards in line with the PDP mani-festo. We shall create better learning environment for the schools while motivating the teachers to deliver their utmost best. We shall inspire the civil service to greater service delivery through asset ownership and value man-agement. We shall go into infrastructure; construct net-work of roads in both the urban centres and rural area and establish power generation and distribution system through public private partnership. This will encourage the citizens of the state in the Diaspora to come to invest in the state. We shall create an environment where busi-nesses can strive. All these will generate employment. A good medical scheme that will take care of the citizens of all age bracket shall be put in place. Cooperative system will be encouraged to enable people have access to soft loans for their small and medium scale businesses. With

good arable land, we shall encourage agriculture through soft loans to farmers, supply of equipment and resources that will help them achieve good yield for their efforts. Our agriculture plan will not be like bringing Vasolar or Shon-ga farmers in. By the time we complete our four years, potable water will be everywhere. Funding of these and many more will be from state allocation from federation account, blocking all the wastage by which state funds are siphoned, blocking all leakages and aggressive internally generation revenue, IGR. So help us God.

There is this fear in the state that PDP has so many gov-ernorship aspirants. How confident are you in picking the ticket ahead other aspirants?

I believe I have a very good chance. I did very well in 2010 as you must have learnt. This time my people are even better organised, well focused, more motivated, de-termined and willing, knowing that there shall be no im-position. Also, the politics of money (or what is called amala politics) is gradually fading away. Moreover, we have traversed the whole state selling our idea of an ideal government that would benefit the people. I like to remind you also that among all of us jostling for this position, I am the only one that have very intimate relationship with all the senatorial districts. I grew up and spent my adolescent years (the years when a man forms all his characteristics, develops his vision for life and living and lays the founda-tion for who he is going to be) in Kwara North while I am from Kwara South by extraction. I did my middle school in Kwara Central. So, you can see that I understand the problems of our people in all the districts.

What about the perceived internal wrangling in your party that is said could be the PDP undoing in Kwara State?

Again I like to make it very clear that our party is bet-ter organised than any other in the state. We have all the structures in place from the ward to the local government and the state levels. We have all our party executives at all levels in place and they are all doing their work very well. You will recall that they were elected at congresses that was witnessed by the press and adjudged to be free and fair. Akogun came out as the chairman. Or do they still say we don’t have a chairman and other executive officers? The prospective candidates for the next general elections are going around presenting themselves and their programs.

The way President Goodluck Jonathan spoke when he came to the state early this year about taking power from APC has made people to say that the only strength of PDP is federal might. Is that true?

The last two elections in Ekiti and Osun states clearly established the fact that the Federal Government is not in the business of influencing the outcome of elections. Before then, there were the elections in Edo and Ondo. In all, the PDP won only the Ekiti State election. Where is the influence or federal might that you are referring to? We in Kwara PDP know clearly that the Federal Government is not going to use any federal might to win any election. The will of the people shall prevail. But we also have the ad-vantage that this government is not performing. Where is shared prosperity or legacy continuity? Into whose pock-et? Let’s face it, the one before it did not perform either. How has the aviation school helped Kwara? This is a state that effectively has only one airline plying it because there is no economy to support increase in the number of air travellers. Even the one airline is not even half full all the time I had the privilege of taking it. How come aviation school? Is that a priority? Where is the food from Shonga farms? So people are just waiting for 2015 to boot them out. Look, Kwara State is as good as won by the PDP because there is nothing this government is doing for the people. The people saying this must be APC people and they are only preparing the ground to explain their loss by saying it is “federal might” that will make us win.

Without federal might, PDP’ll win Kwara in 2015 –Guber aspirant

p

WpS

tsalYw

KWARA STATE IS AS GOOD AS WON BY THE PDP BECAUSE

THERE IS NOTHING THIS GOVERNMENT IS DOING FOR

THE PEOPLE

Sunday Adebayo Babalola is a petroleum engineer-turned politician, who made his entrance into politics in a gentle manner but made an impact within a short time in Kwara State. The co-founder of Kwara Citizenship Development Initiative, KCDI; a non government organisation, NGO, is also the chairman and co-founder of Constitutional Rights and Peoples Development Advisory Initiative, CRAI. The gubernatorial aspirant, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, speaks with WOLE ADEDEJI. Excerpts:

Desecration of the judiciary in Ekiti “Are you saying I don’t have any

power at all, no power as the head of state? What do you

mean by that? The voice of General Idi Amin Dada boomed over the telephone. The person he was addressing was the Chief Justice of Uganda, Mr. Benedicto Kiwanuka. The object of controversy was the reluctance of the Chief Justice to jail an innocent man Idi Amin wanted to in-carcerate indefinitely via the instrumen-tality of law.

“Your Excellency! I don’t see how that can be done under the law, unless we want to operate outside the Constitution. We cannot just imprison a man not guilty of any offence. Even his arrest was unlawful not to talk of sending him to prison. The man should be freed”, the CJ entreated.

“I beg your pardon!” Idi Amin roared.“I’m saying, Your Excellency, that we

are not under emergency, we cannot just throw an innocent citizen into jail, the law will not allow…”

“Stop! What rubbish are you talking? You know whom you are talking to, don’t you? I am the Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, the Great Conqueror of the British Em-pire, the King of Scotland, the leader of Africa, the Lord of the Sahara Desert and the Power over all the animals, fishes and other creatures in the Atlantic Ocean. I am His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Alhaji Dr. Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE! Are you saying I don’t have power to jail a common man?

“Well, If you refuse to do what I asked you to do, I will get back to you!”, the self-

styled Emperor-for-Life threatened.He indeed got back to the CJ, sending

troops to forcibly arrest him right there in the premise of the highest court of the land on September 21, 1972. Four days later, Kiwanuka was shot dead at State Lodge, Nakasero by President Idi Amin.

That is how things are often done un-der dictatorial regimes, which unfortu-nately have been the lots of most parts of Africa at different times. Africans have witnessed and suffered heavily under the brutal despotic governments of rulers like Idi Amin, Jean Bedel Bokassa, Hou-phet Boigny, Robert Mugabe, Samuel Doe, Sani Abacha, Charles Taylor, Mobutu Sese Seko, Hosni Mubarak and, Muam-mar Ghaddafi.

What inspired this line of my reflec-tions was the disturbing report of the assault on one of the stoutest pillars of democracy, the judiciary, on Thursday September 25, 2014, by some agents of an-archy. According to reports, some thugs physically assaulted, humiliated and tore the cloths of a judge of the Ekiti High

Court, Justice John Adeyeye.This development came barely three

days after another attack on another court presided over by Justice Isaac Ogu-nyemi, also in Ekti State, shortly after he delivered a ruling assuming jurisdiction to try a case involving the question of eli-gibility of the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, to contest the governor-ship election. This appalling news consti-tutes an exceedingly shameful slur on our vaunted practice of representative de-mocracy. It is a dishonourable onslaught on the administration of justice in the country. authority.

The doctrine of separation of power, which clearly apportions powers among different organs of government and re-connects them through the principle of checks and balances, has been bas-tardised! The political class, which con-trols the police and other coercive powers of the state, surely has damning ques-tions to answer on why it allowed anar-chy to be this entrenched that common thugs can attack the court and beat up a judge. This odious development is not an embarrassment to the judiciary alone, it redounds to the embarrassment of the whole nation and highlights the reality of governance failure. It is an evil prognosti-cation for democracy in Nigeria.

It was the former South African apart-heid leader, Mr. Pieter Botha, who theo-rised that Africans are by nature incapa-ble of self-rule as they are bestowed with mental capacity too inferior to grasp the intricacies of the art of governance. It is

easy to dismiss this statement as bigoted vituperations of a racist, but it will be difficult to fault his logic if the Ekiti saga of September 25, 2014, is allowed to keep rearing its ugly and embarrassing head.

When democracy came again into Nige-ria in 1999, the general hope then was that we were effecting a radical break with the past and laying the foundation of sustain-able civil rule anchored on tenets of rule of law, constitutionalism and due process. Al-though, we have wobbled and fumbled along on our democratic path since 1999 with a lot of strange happenings consistently putting a critical question mark on the authenticity of our democracy, but nothing makes a cru-eler mockery of our democracy than this latest vile attack on an icon of judicial

THIS ODIOUS DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AN EMBARRASSMENT

TO THE JUDICIARY ALONE…IT IS AN EVIL PROGNOSTICATION FOR

DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

FRYNDUBUISI

[email protected] (08023016709 SMS only)

Professor Ndubuisi is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG

EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

The major crisis in our education sector is largely rooted in inadequate fund-ing. Quality education, we must admit,

is expensive all over the world. In pragmatic societies, the funding of education is borne by all stakeholders - parents and guardians, philanthropists, government and even the pri-vate sector. However, in Nigeria, education is politicised.

The Babatunde Fashola administration in Lagos State recently made a bold move in jack-ing up the tuition fees payable in Lagos State University (LASU), which many criticised as outrageous. Both the students and teachers revolted against the hike, which hit the opera-tions of the school so hard that some depart-ments could not find students to admit. Gov-ernor Fashola wisely responded to the threat to his public image and political party by re-versing himself to the relief of the students, public and APC stakeholders.

This volte face was much unlike him. In all several past thorny issues, he remained unyielding as long he was sure he was on the right course. But in this instance, the 2015

Funding tertiary education: The Irukwu formula STUDENTS STUDY

UNDER HARSH, FILTHY AND INTOLERABLE CONDITIONS. THEY ATTEND LECTURES

AND EVEN PREPARE FOR EXAMINATIONS IN

DARKNESS

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

general elections tempered with his resolute-ness. The Fashola’s experiment is one big op-portunity the nation missed to test how fees paying state university could fare in terms of infrastructural development and quality of its products.

Unarguably, the standard of university education in the country has plummeted. The rot set in at the height of the economic woes of the country, which incidentally coin-cided with the military intervention in gov-ernment. Since then the governments have criminally neglected the education sector, especially the tertiary institutions. It is this negligence that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been battling with in the last 20 years.

The state and federal governments have always given paucity of fund as the reasons for the poor attention to education. It was in the bid to remedy this situation that the Ter-tiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the brain child of ASUU, was established. The TETFund, has successfully raked in billions of naira, but this has failed to turn around the fortunes of our tertiary institutions, no thanks to corruption and government bu-reaucratic red tape.

It is a fact that universities in the country are heavily underfunded and the trend is worst with state universities, many of which are glorified community secondary schools. Many state universities cannot even afford to pay the salaries of their staff regularly. Thus, our universities are in complete ruins with both the students and teachers bearing the

brunt. These have obviously affected the quality of their products. The last ASUU strike is still fresh in people’s memory. Not much was actually achieved by it, as insiders will readily testify.

Perhaps, the question to ask ourselves is why are we afraid of exploring per-manent solution to the issue of robust funding of the education sector? It is un-derstandable that the governments, for political expediency, have avoided asking students to pay realistic fees, but have we forgotten we once had Nigerian Student Loan Board in this country? The board was there for indigent students. This lofty idea was the brain child of Profes-sor Joe Irukwu (SAN). Like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, the Nigerian Student Loan Board was a cre-ation of the civil war.

After the war, university education became a luxury, especially for those that

have just emerged from the traumatic ef-fects of the war. Professor Irukwu made a proposal to the General Yakubu Gowon re-gime on the need for such a board, empha-sizing its usefulness in ensuring high level manpower for the country and also meeting the aspiration of our young ones hungry for higher education. Many of our today’s elites were beneficiaries of the scheme. Cor-ruption has made the scholarship scheme that replaced the loan board a failure.

I suggest a revisit of the Irukwu’s initia-tives, but to be reinvented to meet our cur-rent reality. With advancement in infor-mation technology, proper documentation and the progress made so far in the nation-al identity card project, all the hiccups en-countered in the earlier experiment can be overcome. It is obvious that governments alone cannot fund education, especially as it is top in the nation’s scale of preference. Our university communities are decaying fast; they are no longer exciting for learn-ing and research. Students study under harsh, filthy and intolerable conditions. They attend lectures and even prepare for examinations in darkness. Sanitation is zero, as most of their eating joints are hor-rifying to behold.

It has become imperative that we take rationale and prompt decisions to salvage the future of our young ones, and the nation too. With improved and a more friendly environment, the products of our universities can compete with their coun-terparts from any part of the world.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 17Thursday, October 2, 2014 Views

KAYODEKETEFE

[email protected] 08032147720 (SMS only)

CRITICAL STROKES

18 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gas shortage and power supply

President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea walked across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into North Korea on his way to the second Inter-Korean Summit with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il. Some-times referred to as the ‘Armistice Line’, the MDL is the land border or demarcation line between North Korea and South Korea. On either side of the line is the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

October 2, 2007October 2, 1996

The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amend-ments (FOIA) were signed by United States’ President Bill Clinton. The FOIA is a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the US government. The Act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures and grants nine exemptions to the statute.

Five school girls were murdered by Charles Carl Rob-erts in a shooting at an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, United States, before Roberts committed suicide. Roberts (December 7, 1973 – October 2, 2006) was an American milk truck driver. He murdered five Amish girls and injured five others before killing him-self in an Amish school in the hamlet of Nickel Mines, Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

ON THIS DAY

The Director General, Nation-al Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Reu-

ben Okeke, disclosed recently that gas supply from the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was not suf-ficient to meet the nation’s electric-ity supply need. Gas supply short-age, he emphasised, was stalling the activation of 224 distribution substations built by the Federal Government to boost electricity supply. “Though the stations are ready to help move the country from its current 4, 500MW supply level to 20, 000MW in the next few years… it has been impossible to achieve this feat due to gas short-age. Shortage of gas has stalled the various projects initiated by the government to wheel electricity into the national grid… Aside the fact that the country is targeting 5,000MW from the NIPP, 6,000MW is expected from the privatised successor companies unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)… However, gas is impeding the country’s ability to generate electricity”, Okeke was quoted as saying.

Indeed, reports have it that thousands of megawatts of electricity cannot be fed to the national grid because of gas sup-ply shortage and other setbacks. Data credited to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) points

to unutilized power generation ca-pacity in the Omotosho NIPP GT4 and 13; Ihovbor GT4; Olorunsogo Gas GT1-4, 7 and 8; Omotosho Gas GT1, 5-8; AES barge 202, 204 and 207-211; Geregu NIPP GT21-23; and Geregu Gas GT11 and 12. The same goes for Egbin ST1-5; Sapele NIPP GT3 and 4; Sapele ST2; Olo-runsogo NIPP GT2 and 3; Delta GT4, 8, 10-12, 16, 17 and 20. Since the beginning of this year (and even much earlier), the NNPC has been purportedly battling with the problem of acute gas supply challenges facing the newly-priva-tised power stations of the de-funct PHCN. Even the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, once lamented that “the recent dip in power supply has been due mainly to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants”.

The NNPC, all these wasted years, has been in charge of the nation’s oil and gas sectors. It has been widely criticized as inept and a monumentally cor-rupt behemoth when it comes to managing Nigeria’s oil and gas wealth. Its operational industry is equally unrivalled. It also latches on the slightest opportunity, such as oil and gas installations’ van-dalism, to explain away a lot of its shortcomings. The PHCN, which gave birth to the privatised power sector outfits, is in no better stead. The trend had lingered for de-cades, and may never end with the

huge reliance of the power sector on NNPC’s gas.

Some experts have suggested that even with the privatization of the power sector, renewable en-ergy sources like solar, wind, coal and biomass, can be explored to help stabilize power supply. Un-fortunately, however, no concrete blueprint in that direction seems forthcoming. The authorities said a Transitional Electricity Market (TEM) that will ensure account-ability and boost further invest-ment in the electricity market would come to effect come Novem-ber this year. The idea is supposed to move the electricity market in an orderly manner from an integrated whole utility to a fully competitive market structure with more power sector players.

“We are very much eager for TEM to commence. From a gen-erating company (Genco) point of view, this will mean an increase in potential revenue from the cur-rent 60 per cent capacity charge

and 100 per cent energy charge to 100 percent capacity charge and 100 per cent energy charge”, Ade Fadeyibi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Trans-corp Ughelli Power Limited, one of the power firms privatised in 2003, was quoted as saying lately. Reports said the Nigerian Elec-tricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved and caused to be signed into law the rules for the interim period between the completion of power sector priva-tisation and the start of the TEM. But reports about the first quarter of this year also said the FG sus-pended indefinitely the planned implementation of the TEM.

And whereas the nation still wallows in abject epileptic elec-tricity supply occasioned by gas supply and other tell-tell stories of officialdom, in addition to the poor regulation of the power sec-tor, power consumers still groan, not just under the yoke of irregu-lar power supply, but they are also being grinded by ‘crazy (esti-mated) bills’, absence of prepaid or even the known old meters, cut-ting of service wires or extortion in exchange and other sundry exploitation being perpetrated by the new power distribution companies (DISCOS) especially. With this rot unaddressed, the FG should realise that its power sector reform is yet to yield the desired dividends.

WITH THIS ROT UNADDRESSED, THE

FG SHOULD REALISE THAT ITS POWER

SECTOR REFORM IS YET TO YIELD THE

DESIRED DIVIDENDS

October 2, 2006

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

BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, OFR PUBLISHER

KAFILAT OGBARA MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

SUNDAY OLAJIDE DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

GABRIEL SUNDAY ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Thursday October 2, 2014Editorial

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 would remain a memorable day in the an-nals of history of the National Open

University of Nigeria (NOUN) as the for-mer President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo returned to the institution as a student.

He was there to collect his letter of ad-mission to pursue Master’s /PhD degrees in Christian Theology, the same course and institution he had obtained his first degree in 2009.

By virtue of this letter, he is expected to complete his masters’ programme in one year, immediately after which he will pro-ceed for his PhD programme.

Full of life and beaming with smiles, Obasanjo, who rode in Lexus Prado Jeep with registration number: Lagos APP 769DB, explained why he had to return to class after serving the country, first as the military head of state, and as a civilian president for two consecutive terms as well as why he chose NOUN and Christian The-ology as a course of study.

According to him, there is no limit to knowledge. Learning is a continuous pro-cess.

“I was once an undergraduate in this university and now I come back for higher degree in the same course. I want to ac-quire more knowledge, especially about God, my creator not purposely because I want to become a pastor but for me to be able to know more of Him and serve Him better.

Unlike many who would want to blame old age or status in the society for their inability to go to school or pursue higher education, Obasanjo believes there is no shame in learning.

According to him, one’s position, status or age shouldn’t be a barrier to learning. I understand that from whom and where you acquire right knowledge about some-thing you don’t know of is equally not im-portant. It is only those who are not men-tally sound that will not be able to learn.

“What matter most in life is that once you acquired the right knowledge, it be-comes your own and nobody can take it

away from you,” he stressed.To those who may also want to know

how Obasanjo, an elder statesman and international figure would be able to com-bine his studies with various engagements he is known for in and out the country, he said he loved to be engaged meaningfully 24 hours of the day.

“I love taking up challenge. I derive joy in getting things that will put me to task and one of these is learning. By the grace of God, eight of my children are PhD hold-ers and I had already told two of them that I may from time to time need their help in my studies. So, I will continue to learn as long as my health permits,” he said.

Obasanjo, who told journalists at the brief ceremony held in his honour at the institution’s headquarters in Lagos that he would not entertain any questions from them, pointed out that he was fully ready for the course.

He however appealed to his assigned Supervisor, Professor Isaac Aiyegboyin, who is the Head of Department of Re-ligion Studies from the University of Ibadan to treat him like any other student.

“I will like to be treated like any other student. Don’t attach too much protocol to our relationship. I know there is need to give courtesy to those who deserve it, but then, I am your student while you are my lecturer. So, treat me as such,” he further told the supervisor. “But I will appeal to you that you will need to exercise patience with me as times arise because I may not be available at times, especially when I have international engagements to at-tend to, or I may have to call you on phone around 2.00am. Those periods may not be convenient, but you will need to bear with me.”

While noting that his quest for knowl-edge prompted him to establish a well-

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (second left) flanked by his supervisor, Prof. Isaac Aiyegboyin(left); Vice-Chancellor , National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe and the institution’s spokesperson, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin shortly after Obasanjo’s registration for his Master’s/PhD degrees at Noun, on Tuesday.

Obasanjo says ‘No shame in learning’BACK TO SCHOOL :

IN CONJUNCTION WITHEducation Today

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY,ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY,ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

“The setting of this University is ‘Superlative’ and ‘Impressive’, with nothing of its kind that I have seen so far in the country or anywhere else” (Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR,)

stock library and the writing of his mem-oirs, Obasanjo used the occasion to urge other Nigerians who are unable to go to the conventional universities for one rea-son or the other to consider NOUN as a viable alternative.

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Vincent Tenebe who was visibly happy to be a vice-chan-cellor of a former president of the most populous black country of the world, at-tested to the fact that Obasanjo’s pursu-ing a course in the university has pushed up the enrolment.

He explained that the institution’s on-line mode of learning had made the uni-versity education in the country easier and flexible, especially for the working class.

He promised that the institution would continue to produce graduates who are globally completive.


22 24

Education at 54:We have good policies; implementation is our problem —MOCPED Provost

This is not education of our dream —Tomori

20

NANS wants reversal of call-up lett er processing fee

Professor Oyewale Tomori is the President of Nigerian Academy of Science and former Vice-Chancellor of Redeemers’ University, Mowe, Ogun State. He is a virologist and Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. In this interview with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE, he shares his view about the state of the country’s education at 54 years’ of independence and also recounts his Independence Day experience as a 14 year- old schoolboy. Excerpts:

I SAW A COUNTRY, WHERE ALTHOUGH, TRIBE AND TONGUE DIFFERED, BUT IN BROTHERHOOD WE STOOD. I SAW A VISION OF A COUNTRY

WHERE AS NIGERIANS, WE WERE ALL PROUD TO SERVE OUR DEAR MOTHERLAND. I SAW TARRED ROADS CRISIS-CROSSING THE ENTIRE LAND OF NIGERIA. POTABLE WATER WAS RUNNING IN EVERY HOUSE, HOUSES

WHERE ELECTRICITY NEVER BLINKED FOR ONE SECOND

Sir, could you briefly assess the education sector in the last 54 years of independence?

There is much to say but I will summarise. We had a good system of high quality education during the colonial era and for another 10 to 20 years after independence. The government had a define purpose for education, the teach-ers had a calling for the sector, the parents appreciated edu-cation and the students showed commensurable diligence to their studies. But soon after independence, and particu-larly after the Nigerian Civil War, when there was so much money circulating and could be had without working hard, education began to suffer neglect.

As a country, we abandoned integrity, discipline, self-lessness and excellence. And as we pursued money shame-lessly at all cost every aspect of our life suffered and not least of all, education. Education was abandoned from the home and we are paying the price today in the poor quality of education that has become the hallmark of our country. We start cheating from the date of birth and lie into our graves. Parents teach their children to cheat, our leaders lie to us and we praise them for it. We have become a nation with a national aversion to excellence and a genuine talent for misapplication of resources. We have reached a stage where what is sin is no longer seen, and what is seen is no longer sin. In all these, the first to suffer is our education.

What then have we done right or wrong in the sec-tor as a nation?

I think we did most things about education right between the 1950s and the 1980s. Thereafter, it is not easy to think of what we have done right about education. We certainly have a good and well reasoned policy for our education, but we lack the will and the integrity to implement those poli-cies. Implementing the policies has become a process for self-enrichment, as we turn our educational milestones to millstones. True, we needed to establish more universities, but we did not plan adequately before their establishment. How do we get the teachers to teach in those universities? How do we equip and provide adequate facilities for them are some of the questions we did not provide answers to before we established tens of universities in a hurry.

What do you think can be done to move the sector to a desirable level?

First and foremost, we must return to basics - the basic tenets of citizenship enshrined in Part II sections 23 and 24 of our Constitution – which states, among other things that “the national ethics shall be Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Self-reliance and Patriotism. It further states that it shall be the duty of every citizen to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, through making positive and useful contribution to the advancement, prog-ress and well-being of the community where he resides.

In short, moving every aspect of our national life, espe-cially education, to a desirable level, is the duty of every citizen. Starting education in the schools is already too late. Education must begin at home, with parents laying the foundation of education on discipline, and schools sup-porting it with the pillars of loyalty, integrity, faithfulness and excellence. With these, we get somewhere.

How old were you at independence and could you please relive the memory and your perception about Nigeria future compared with what it is today.

October 1, 1960 came when I was 14 years old in one of the best secondary schools in Nigeria- the Government College, Ughelli in the present day Delta State. All I re-membered was that we had a special lunch and were each given a brown plastic cup with the Nigerian green white green colours stamped on it. We sang the national anthem with pride...Nigeria we hail thee. Our flag shall be our sym-bol that truth and justice reign. Help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed and so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed. That was the anthem I knew, it is still the one I can sing from memory. An anthem that was full of words of inspiration, words of grand dreams, lofty aspirations, ambitious targets, noble objectives, admirable desires and expectations. The words of the anthem in-

This is not education of our dream —Tomori

ucation. Our universities were offering courses relevant for the development of our country. Technical schools and polytechnics dotted every nook and corner of the coun-try; training people who turned Nigeria into a technologi-cal paradise, people who made Nigeria a beauty to behold. Oh, it was a delight to be sick in the Nigeria of my dream. We had hospitals where good health care was delivered with humanitarian touch. There were no armed robbers as those who would have chosen the profession of armed robbery were in good schools or polytechnics. Nigeria in 2002 was to be the utopia. I wrote with the passion of a young man in love with his country and very proud of his motherland. I prayed to God to help us build a nation where no man is oppressed. A country blessed with peace and plenty was part of my prayer for Nigeria, that No-vember day in 1962. I was a teenager, who was ready to die for his country ...then.

Tomori

spired me and gave feelings to my hopes for a beautiful life in a magnificent country among lovely people.

These indeed were my feelings I had some fifty three years ago as I sat for and wrote the English paper1of the West African School Certificate Examinations, at the Government College Ughelli, my dear alma mater. The topic of the essay was “Nigeria forty years from now”. I wrote and I wrote, till my cramped fingers ached in excite-ment for the future of my dear country. I wrote furiously. I dreamt dreams and put the dreams on paper, Yes, I saw a country where although tribe and tongue differed, but in brotherhood we stood. I saw a vision of a country where as Nigerians, we were all proud to serve our dear moth-erland. I saw tarred roads crisis-crossing the entire land of Nigeria. Potable water was running in every house, houses where electricity never blinked for one second. Every child had access to free primary and secondary ed-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net20 Thursday, October 2, 2014Education Today

Afolayan

Africa needs transformational leaders —Covenant Varsity VC SAIDAT ALAUSA

The Vice- Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Charles Ayo has said that African

nations need transformational leaders to prompt innovation and development.

According to him, this is the only way African nations can develop and attain good position in comity of nations.

He said this at a book presentation in honour of the university’s Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo on his 60th birth-day held in the institution last week.

The book titled: “Leadership and in-novation in Africa’s Development Para-digm” was written by five professors, two ministers of God and a serving gov-ernor.

He also said that African nations need to leverage on the innovative products of ICT to be able to attain this condition.

Prof. Ayo therefore recommended that all platforms of ICT implementa-tion should be embraced such as mo-bile, web and social media because they already enjoy wide adaptation for social interaction and networking and they could be adapted for governance.

“With enhanced civic engagement, openness and transparency, trust in government will be increased thus leading to purposeful leadership, that will make Nigeria and by extension Af-rica a place worth living with less con-flict and insurgency,” he said.

The celebrant and Chancellor of the university, Dr. David Oyedepo said

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof. Charles Ayo; Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo; his wife, Mrs. Faith Oyedepo; Director, UN-HABITAT, Prof. Banji Oyelaran- Oyeyinka; Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Dr. Taiwo Abioye at the launch of the Global Report on Human Settlement 2013 at the institution in Ota, Ogun State, last week

there was need for African nations es-pecially Nigeria to engage intellectual resources to generate solutions to Afri-can problems.

“It is localised solutions that Africa needs to solve problems of our time,” he said.

According to him, the issue is that people in the continent are not ready to take up challenges and until every-body is ready to take responsibility to secure the solutions we desire it will be difficult to change the situation in the country.

Saying that he knew Covenant Uni-versity will be a unique institution, Bishop Oyedepo said it was because the institution has access to good and correct information that made it a ref-erence point today.

Be relevant after graduation, students told

Top Bauchi government functionaries bag awardsEZEKIEL TITUSBAUCHI

The Head of Service, Bauchi State Government, Mr. Abdon Dallah Gin and the Chairman of the

State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Mo-hammed Kuloma Hardawa were among those recently conferred with awards of excellence by the National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS).

Other award recipients were the Com-missioner for Water Resources, Uba Boris and General Manager of Bauchi Radio Corporation, Alhaji Maigari Kannah and a host of others.

The award ceremony took place at Ta-tari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.

The organizer of the awards, who are Bauchi State indigenes in the tertiary in-stitutions, said the awards were based on recipients’ strong contributions to the edu-cation development and the state economy as a whole.

Speaking on behalf of the group, its President, Mr. Bello Ma-aji disclosed that the awards were to commend recipients for what he called excellent performance.

He noted that the group equally sensi-tised some school communities in the state on the danger of Ebola virus disease and how to contain it while distributing some sanitary items for use in campuses.

Responding to the honour, the Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Scholarship Board, Alhaji Yusuf Yerima, who was also a recipient said while they were proud to be so honoured with the award, he prom-ised that they would all be more dedicated and committed in things that would lift the society the more.

He however charged the students to face their studies and shun vices so as not to truncate their future.

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Acting Vice-Chancel-lor, Landmark Uni-versity, Omu-Aran,

Kwara State, Prof. Joseph Afolayan

has expressed displea-sure over the frequent col-lapse of buildings in the country, saying the situa-tion required overhauling of the building sector.

He made the observation while delivering the 72nd in-augural lecture of the Fed-eral University of Technol-ogy, Akure (FUTA), recently. He spoke on “The Tower of Babel: The secret of the birth and but of structural integrity.”

According to him, there is need to, among others,

Don proffers solution to building collapse

always engage experts when building new structures or re-designing the old ones and to insist on the use of good ma-terial as well as to frequently maintain old structures.

While also calling for the

designing and constructing of shock resistant buildings as a result of terror attacks in the country, the lecturer said the proper investigation of building collapse and the documentation of findings of such would to a large ex-tent prevent recur of build-ing collapse in the country.

Prof. Afolayan, a struc-tural engineer also called for the inclusion of probabilistic code in the curriculum of civil engineering students at both degree and post gradu-ate levels.

He identified the use of quacks and inferior mate-rials, indulgence in sharp practices as well as absence of codes of conduct as major causes of building collapse in the country.

The don, who pegged the

average life span of a good structure at 50 years, noted that engineering sector in the country required new ap-proach to be able to provide the best for the society.

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola described the inaugural lecturer as a renowned structural engi-neer and consistent produc-tive scholar.

He noted that Professor Afolayan had contributed immensely to his chosen field, education, as well as the economy, stressing that his ability to lead and inspire others makes him to stand out among his peers.

He was represented by his deputy in charge of academ-ic, Professor Adedayo Fasa-kin at the forum.

SAIDAT ALAUSA

The Director, Institute of Food Secu-rity, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR),

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeo-kuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State Prof. Akin Omotayo, has tasked the 2013/2014 gradu-ating students of the institution on how to be relevant after graduation. Delivering a lecture titled, “Developing Skills Set for Excellence and How to Search for and Get Your First Job”, he challenged the students to go the extra mile, show enthusiasm and take charge of problems when they come in order to achieve excellence.

According to the Don, for them not to be caught in the web of unemployment or joblessness, he said the students must have passion for self employment by learning and using the various skills they have.

The event, which was also organised to brief the graduating students on the changes in the process of mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, afforded the NYSC team, led by Mr. Adeniran Olayide, to inform the stu-dents that the mobilisation process would now be done online, beginning with the 2014 Batch C.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 21Education TodayThursday, October 2, 2014

We are heading somewhere — Michael Olukoya, President, NUT

Although, we are yet to be there not only in educa-tion but also in other sec-

tors, we are heading somewhere. And all I will like to say as we are marking our 54th independence anniversary is that government should pay a adequate attention to all the sectors and make things work for the benefit of all Nige-rians. There is need to address such problems as insecurity, youth unemployment, poor elec-tricity supply, bad road network and various challenging current-ly confronting the country.

Major stakeholders spoke on the state of education as the country marked its 54 years of independence yesterday, TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE and SAIDAT ALAUSA report.

We have good policies; implementation is our problem —MOCPED Provost, Professor Olu Akeusola

In my overall assessment, I can say that education standard has not fallen as many have made to believe. Because

most things children of nowadays know such as ICT and so on were aliens to their parents during their days. But then, the sector is in shamble and the problem we have is that of poor implementation of policies and programmes.

I made bold to say there is nothing wrong with our 6-3-3-4 educational system if we implement it right. For instance, students that suppose to go to technical college right after their junior secondary school will all proceed to senior school ir-respective of their performance. Whereas the original plan was to make technical college equivalent of senior secondary school and not post-secondary education as it is today. And the problem is that we don’t have the right people at the helm of

affairs in the ministry. It will difficult for somebody to implement the policy he doesn’t understand. That is why we cannot evaluate what we are imple-menting to know if we do it right or not. Technocrats who know the nitty-gritty of education are those that sup-pose to be saddled with the leadership responsibility in the sector. Not until we start putting the round pegs in the round holes, we will continue missing it in the sector.

We’ve not done well — Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Director, UN —HABITAT

We are one step forward, three steps backward —Deacon Olusoji Adams, South-west Coordinator, PTA

Standard has gone down drastically —Prof. Olusegun Areola, Dean, Environmental Sciences, Bells University of Technology

It is enmeshed in corruption—Prof. Samson Ayanlaja, Crawford University VC

So far, we have not done well at all in the sector. I studied at the Uni-

versity of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife in 1973 and I knew what we enjoyed. We were hot cakes in the labour market both home and abroad after graduation. That is so to-day. So the sector required total revival. We need to devote heavy investment to the sector. Education is the best legacy to bequeath any child.

I can only give the sector 54 per cent, one percent per year. We ought to have gone far beyond average level

not only in education but also in other sectors of the economy. It is one step for-ward and three steps backward and our backwardness is caused by all of us -the government, the parents, the teachers, the students as well as the public. We all know that without sound education, we are going nowhere as a nation. And to move the sector to the next level, govern-ment at all levels must have to allocate about 35 per cent of their total budgets to the sector. Government should also give scholarship to children from poor homes. It is unheard of today that many of those who benefitted from govern-ment scholarship in those old days and now in the corridors of power are now destroying the system.

It is unfortunate that things have gone upside down for the sector. I know what I am saying because I have been in the

system for over 50 years. Standard has gone down drastically. The government is not funding the system very well. To make progress, we will need to carry along all the levels of the sector and motivate workers very well.

It is glaring that the sector is sick. It is enmeshed in corruption just like all other sectors. I will therefore ad-

vice the operators of the sector to the bull by the horn and lift the sector. The allocation meant for the sector should be judiciously utilised. The incessant strikes by workers must also be looked into. Embarking on several months strike doesn’t do us any good.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net22 Education Today Thursday, October 2, 2014

Akeusola

Ayanlaja

Areola

Olusoji

L-R: Distinguished alumnus, Imperial College, UK, Mr. Emmanuel Ekekwe; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the alumni association of the school, Nigerian chapter, Sir Edet Amana and President, Olugbenga Adelana, during the press briefing on the activities of the group in Lagos, recently.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka

Olukoya

z

IN THESE DAYS OF UNPRECEDENTED DECLINE IN BOTH CHARACTER AND

LEARNING IN THE RANK AND FILE OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF OF NIGERIAN

UNIVERSITIES, THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE EXPECTED AND ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE

IS NOT SURPRISING.

Education as I see itby Tosanwumi Otokunefor

[email protected] (email/SMS only)

How credible your degree certifi cate?

Cross section of students at the workshop

Rotary trains varsity students on entrepreneurial skills

The academic certificate is a document certifying that the bearer has gone

through a programme of tute-lage or training in a specified institution or establishment, formally or informally, and ac-quired specific skills or knowl-edge and able to perform specific tasks.

It is however the responsibil-ity of the employer to ascertain whether the skills possessed by the bearer of the certificate meet the demands of the job.

In some circumstances, the skills that have been acquired may just be adequate for the job position as is the case with teach-ers whose training incorporates supervised teaching practices ensuring that the graduates are ready to begin working without the need for additional tutoring or apprenticeship. This is also the case with some other professional courses such as engineering and medicine.

In many other cases however, the training received may be of a more general nature and may have no direct bearing on the job being sought. It may therefore be necessary that the applicant un-dergoes additional training before acquiring sufficient competence to manage the job desired.

The above is the best case

scenario where the candidates possess the skills or knowledge in consonance with their certifi-cates.

In many instances, the certifi-cate bearer does not possess the skills or knowledge suggested by the certificate, notwithstanding the authenticity of the document in question. A well publicised case was the dismissal of three gradu-ates of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology from the National Youth Service Corps scheme for performing abysmally below expectations, including in-ability to read and write.

Surprisingly, the NUC did not take any action against the uni-versity so indicted. In another instance during an organised as-sessment of the quality of teach-ers in Kwara State in 2008, only one out of 2,628 graduates at-tained the pass mark in a primary four level competency test.

I lay the blame for this poor per-formance squarely at the doors of the universities that award the bo-gus certificates to candidates who can scarcely read or write.

But how could this happens de-spite the multiple efforts aimed at assuring the quality of the prod-ucts of such institutions? The NUC is primarily responsible for accreditation of universities to ensure adequate facilities, com-

core courses in areas of speciali-sation. Some departments we learnt have further extrapolated this illegal senate bylaw through some spurious interpretation to allow candidates with five failed courses to graduate.

Other senate bylaws which are clearly at variance with the NUC regulations are regularly implemented to artificially boost the quality of university graduates.

These include using the best 120 out of a total of about 145 credit units registered to com-pute degree results while ex-cluding failed attempts at the same time.

But all these pale into in-significance, given the largely unregulated powers of the indi-vidual course lecturers to influ-ence the apparent performance of the students in the course examinations. In these days of unprecedented decline in both character and learning in

the rank and file of the academic staff of Nigerian universities, the disparity between the expected and actual knowledge is not sur-prising. Students who can hardly read and write are awarded pass grades by unscrupulous academ-ic staff for a reward. Even senior academic staffers often apply un-relenting pressure on the junior ones to upgrade results for very poor candidates who ought not to be in the system in the first place.

Ultimately, only a few individ-uals, who cannot afford what it takes, end up with a fail degree at the end of their studies.

Blatant violations of NUC reg-ulations by university adminis-trations and failure to checkmate examination malpractice are re-sponsible for the low quality of Nigerian university graduates.

The saddest aspect of all these is that the NUC appears unable to check these administrative malpractices and incompetence, leaving the employers of labour the unenviable task of sifting through the large number of un-qualified graduates to find the few competent ones. The respon-sibility now rests squarely with the employers to design appro-priate means of selecting can-didates who can both read and write, and possess the minimum skills required to perform on the job in their respective establish-ments.

SAIDAT ALAUSA

As part of efforts to address the unem-ployment crisis in

the country, Rotary Inter-national, in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, organised five days entre-preneurial training for the university students.

The training tagged: “New Generation Entre-preneurial Education” (EE) according to the club was to prepare the students for life after graduation.

Speaking at the occa-sion, the President, Rotary Club of Sagamu-Central, District 9110, Mrs. Bisola Asaye noted that the aim of the training was to “make employers of labour out of these students instead of them being thrown into an already saturated market after their graduation.”

She charged the stu-dents to make good use of the opportunity presented by the training, stressing that it could be their meal ticket in the future and could change their destiny positively.

Reiterating the impor-tance of the training, the Chair of International Ser-vice, Rotary Club, Altade-na, California, Prof. John

petent staff and conducive environ-ment. The NUC also sets the mini-mum academic standard in terms of curriculum and graduation re-quirements.

In practice however, most Nigeri-an universities operate under con-ditions that are far from conducive!

The university senate is respon-sible for implementing these regu-lations to maintain academic stan-dards within the institution. But at every step, this regulatory process is manipulated to attain myopic goals without consideration for the overall quality of the products.

Academic semesters are truncat-ed, sometimes reducing the learn-ing period by half creating a huge gap in what ought to have been taught and what is actually taught.

Contrary to NUC regulations, some universities have introduced the waiver clause which allows candidates to graduate without passing all prescribed courses. Under the waiver regime, any two courses may be waived including

Frykenberg, pointed out that the training was also expected to provide guide and skills needed by Nige-rian students to become self-sustained in terms of job creation.

According to him, Rotary International, in coopera-tion with the International Foundation for Entrepre-neurial Education Train-ing Team (IFEETT) had al-

ready taken the training to eight institutions in seven states across the federation and was presently working on modalities of running the training programme for the National Youth Ser-vice Corps members.

Earlier in his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of FUN-NAB, Prof. Olusola Oye-wole, who was represented by his deputy in charge of

development, Prof. Felix Salako, noted that with the situation in the country now, certificate alone is not enough.

He therefore stressed the need for the Nigerian youths to discover and de-velop their talents.

He lauded Rotary In-ternational for extending the training programme to the university, through

the institution’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS).

The Director of CENTS, Professor Femi Onifade, in his remarks, described Rotary International as an organisation that was com-mitted to improving the livelihood of the people.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Mr. Olusegun Odubela, who was represented by the Director for Primary and Higher Education in the ministry, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, commended the selfless efforts of Rotary International, highlight-ing some of their contribu-tions to include the provi-sion of potable water and toilets in schools in the state.

He charged the students to take advantage of the op-portunity given them free-ly to develop themselves, adding that no knowledge was lost.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Education Today 23Thursday, October 2, 2014

Edited by: Saidat [email protected] 08027633686

YAKUBU TEMITOPEFEDPOLY, ADO EKITI

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B, has called on the

Director- General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen Johnson Olawumi to imme-diately reverse the policy of N4, 000 fee charged prospective corps members who prefer the process-ing of their call-up letters online.

According to them, “In as much as we agree that getting the call up letter online is a right step in a right direction, we equally want to remind the Director-General that NYSC is a call to service, a service to our Fatherland and as such the financial burden shouldn’t be on the corps member, rather the com-mission should look inward for ways to argument the scheme for optimum service delivery.”

In a statement signed by the zone’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Pedro Obi, the student body said that except the Director -Gen-eral wants to give room for those calling for the scrapping of the scheme to have more points in support of their call, this we are sure will be the only reason the Di-rector -General of the scheme will go ahead to implement the policy.

They also congratulated the newly elected National Executives of the association headed by Mr. Tijani Shehu from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Mr. Roys Ochai from University of Jos, Pla-

Be agents of change, students chargedAFEES LASISI100L, POL. SCI. OAU, ILE-IFE

Students in the country have been charged to stop thinking of what the coun-

try can do for them rather they should be solution providers to the problems facing the country

This remark was one among several others made at the season 2 of ‘Sort out’, a 3-day youth em-powerment programme held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, recently.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Fal-eye, a lecturer at the Department of English Language, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, charged the students to be up and doing and be independent in their crave for success in life.

Enjoining the students to think big and start small, he em-phasised that the government in which most of them look up to is not ready to take up their respon-sibility.

“It is a pathetic situation we find ourselves in this country. The government is not living up to the responsibility bestowed upon her.

“This irrespective, I still be-lieve that there is light at the end of the tunnel. All of you here are the hope of the country. Though the problems are many and over-whelming, I want you to stand firm and not lose hope,” he said.

On the type of friends to keep, Dr. Fadare advised them to be selective.”Know the type of friends you share your dreams with and the activities you en-gaged yourselves in on and out-side the campus as friends can make or mar your career”

He concluded by enjoining the students to make reading a habit and make good use of their time and resources.

Also, Pastor Temitope Daniel of Stone Church, Ile-Ife, advised the students not to see a failure as the end of a life journey.

Citing his undergraduate days at the University of Ilorin as ex-ample, Pastor Daniel said deter-mination and prayer brings forth success

“In everything you do, you must not allow failure to con-quer you, but rather let it be the beginning of your success,” he re-emphasised.

Students from University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, Univer-sity of Lagos (UNILAG),Akoka, Ekiti State University(EKSU), Ekiti State and Obafemi Awolo-wo University (OAU), Ile Ife, among several others were pres-ent at the workshop.

Don tasks varsities on counselling

L-R: Registrar, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo; Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo; the lecturer, Professor Amos Alao; Representative of Chancellor and Resident Pastor, Living Faith Church, Canaan land, Pastor Ubong Ntia and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Taiwo Abioye shortly after the university’s 37th Public Lecture in commemoration of the Chancellor’s 60th birthday.

Award recipient and Bursar, National Open University of Nigeria, Mr. Monday Onyeme(left) receiving Distinguished Leadership Award of Excellence from the President, Inter-Community Students’ Union of Nigeria, Mr. James Uneze, in Lagos, recently.

SAIDAT ALAUSA

A professor of Psychology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Amos Alao has said that universities

in the country should make available support services in terms of counseling to prevent and assist students who use and abuse alcohol and substances.

He said this while delivering the institu-tion’s 37th public lecture, titled: “Fostering Psy-

teau State.The zone also commended the

convention chairman as well as the immediate past executive, se-curity services and the delegates for the successful and peaceful conduct of the election.

While commending the Se-nior Special Assistant to the President on Youths and Stu-

dents Matters; Mr. Jude Imagwe for his non-interference and equally providing a level play-ing ground for all contestants at the convention, the student body said “We make bold to call on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to emulate same for the peaceful conduct of 2015 general

chological Adjustment, Pathways to National Wellness” at the institution last week.

At the lower cadre of education, he said in-tegrating alcohol and substance use education into the curriculum will promote awareness of the dangers of alcohol and substance use and abuse.

He also said facilities must be available for out of school youths through community agen-cies in education on alcohol and substance use and abuse.

Alao also advised that counseling services

NYSC: NANS wants reversal of call-up letter processing fee

elections.They also called on the new

executive to regard their chanc-es to serve as a sacred mandate from God Almighty which must be discharged with immense dedication, wisdom and vigour to achieve much more welfare and protection for all Nigerian Students.

in educational system must be strengthened beginning from primary through tertiary education and out of school youths inclusive.

This, according to him, will address the problems posed by unfocused kids who can easily become a danger to themselves and the community in which they live because adjustment and wellness in the individual, couple, family, group and community all con-tribute to the corporate wellbeing of the na-tion.

On what is expected of counselors, he said it would be helpful for all staffers who handle student welfare matters within the university and other tertiary institutions to have some level of competence in recognising students in distress and referring them appropriately.

“Health and psychosocial services on cam-pus should easily be accessible in terms of time, location and professional outlook and there should be some literature in condensed form readily available for students at strate-gic locations,” he advised.

The psychologist also said if there was challenge in fostering wellness at the lower level of relationships, fostering national well-ness can become more difficult.

Therefore, he said, “peace in the society must begin with peace and wellness in the home.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net24 Thursday, October 2, 2014

FEEDBACK:

New Miss UNILAG wins Toyota car

CHARLES AGU 200LMASS COMM. UNILAG

A 400 level student of Law, Univer-sity of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Miss Damilare Babajide has been

crowned the new “Miss UNILAG.” She earned the honour following her

emergence as the most beautiful girl on campus at this year’s edition of the insti-tution’s pageantry held recently.

For this achievement, she is now a

Top-Notch writers inducts leaders

We want more hostels —Poly students

JIMOH HAMMED AND TOSIN ADENUGAFUNAAB, ABEOKUTA

A student organisation, Top-Notch writers, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FU-

NAAB), Ogun State chapter has induct-ed new executive for the organisation.

The organisation established in 2010 in the university, today had extended her tentacles to several other institu-tions in Nigeria including University of Ibadan, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Adekunle Ajasin University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Benue State University, and Federal College of Education, Osiele. She also has chapters in David game col-lege, United Kingdom and in Kumasi, Ghana.

At the ceremony, the board of direc-tors announced Olalekan Odunsanya as the new and 6th Chief Pen for the 2014/2015 tenure and other executives include the Deputy, Ayodunmomi Olo-wofoyeku, Secretary, Tosin Adenuga, Deputy Secretary, Sadare Mojeed, PRO, Dauda Olalekan, Treasurer/Welfare, Okoro Patience, Press journalism club coordinator, Jimoh Hammed and Book Review coordinator, Lara Olalere.

The new Chief Pen, Olalekan Odun-sanya said, “It feels great to be a leader, this is a rare privilege and I won’t take it for granted. It’s the time to show the world that literature is a way of life”.

Damilare with her car at the ceremony.

AFEEZ ADEYEMO,MASS COMM.FEDPOLY, OFFA

They did not value what they have been enjoining for almost four years until they suffer it for just

two weeks. For over a week, the operation of the vehicle that conveys students of the Federal Polytechnic Offa (Offa Poly) Kwara State to the institution permanent site has been disrupted. It was due to en-gine fault and lack of other maintenances.

Lives have been unbearable for the af-fected students as the transportation fare was raised higher. They experience hard-ship as there was no shortcuts to the site to enable them walk the distance.

The only alternative means for student to meet up with morning lecture is motor-cycle (Okada) which they said will carry at least three people to reduce the cost.

Some who cannot take the risk in order not to endanger their lives refused to join bike and often come late to class.

The students call on the government to build more hostels in the school in the interest of the students. They said, once there is no nearby apartment at the sur-roundings, there is need for enough hos-tels to limit students stress. They also urge the community stakeholder to wade into the situation by extending commercial residents to the school surroundings. This they say will also boost economy of the community, the students said.

The permanent site of the institution was located along Ojoku express road in Offa, Kwara State and which is five kilo-metres from offa community.

Time to improve girl-child education is nowLATIFA BELLO

There is this age-long say-ing that, “If you train a girl, you have trained a

nation. If you educate a wom-an, you are educating a nation.”

This axiom is not uncon-nected with the fact that they are the first members of the so-ciety, to which a new born baby is exposed, at the first point of social interaction.

Since creation, a girl has been endowed with natural gift, which identify them as a group with essential elements for na-tion-building. In the traditional Nigerian society, high premi-um was placed on girl-child ed-ucation, for the achievement of traditional objectives. Informal education was provided to en-able them perform their roles creditably well as wives, moth-ers and nation builders.

The introduction of formal education with its many chal-

lenges further identified and stressed the importance of girl-child education. Until re-cently, parents were skeptical about this, due to some social and emotional risks. Encour-agement was given to make the female child education worth-while. While parents struggled to educate their sons, little at-tempt was made to do same for the daughter. There was the obnoxious impression that, a woman’s education ends in the kitchen, whatever her attain-ment. To them, since a girl’s ul-timate ambition was to become a housewife, it was felt that, formal education or high level of education was not needed to carry out the responsibilities attached to home management.

The feminine gender has to encounter many constraints. They have been looked down upon as the people of the weaker sex, with less potential compared to men. The role of women in home building tends

to affect their performance in public offices, not forgetting the rivalry between husbands and wives in the business world. Against all odds, how-ever, we’ve witnessed the ster-ling performances of women in politics around the globe, prominent among whom are the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Argentine President, Cristina Kirchner, her Liberi-an counterpart, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, late Margaret Thatcher, the former UK Prime Minister, among others. Coming to the home front, we have the trail blazers in Magaret Ekpo, Fun-milayo Ransome-Kuti, Grace Allele Williams, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Obi Eze-kwezili, late Prof. Dora Akuny-ili to mention but a few. These women have demonstrated the inherent benefit in getting a girl educated.

At this age and time, the government needs to be more proactive regarding girl-child

education. Girl-child education should be made compulsory up to certain stage and free to another level. This will entice girl-child and assist the willing ones, whose parents are quite unwilling.

In the case of early mar-riage, apart from discouraging such, opportunity should be given to married women to fur-ther their education through in-service training and neces-sary financial support from government. sAdult literacy programme should be planned to meet their need. Conducive environment should be created, with added incentives which will stimulate their interest.

It is high time we see girl-child education as an invest-ment rather than a waste. What a man can do, a woman can do even better.

Bello is a 400-Level Mass Communication student, Bayero University, Kano

proud owner of a brand new Toyota car.She will also enjoy free maintenance ser-

vice of the vehicle courtesy of Yaggy Ener-gy, a youth empowerment network.

Expressing happiness over her new sta-tus, Dami as she is fondly called on campus said, “The whole thing still looks strange like if it hasn’t happened yet. So, I am still trying to get accustomed to the whole scenario.”

To me this is a big achievement. It means a whole lot to me. It has put me in a new sta-tus.”

The competition which elevated Ba-bajide was organised by the institution’s Council of Faculty Presidents in conjunc-tion with Sulcata Entertainment. And all the 15 contestants were from various fac-ulties at the main and satellite campuses of the institution.

They include Ifeoluwa Olaniyi from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences; Damilare Babajide, Law Faculty; Remile-kun Shitta, Education; Nkemdilim Ejiogu, Social Sciences; Mitchelle Okafor, Mass Communication; Ifeoluwa Akappo, Social Sciences; Adesola Adeyemi, Business Ad-ministration; Beverly Garuba, Arts; and Anjola Martins, Engineering. Others were Chimamaka Obumselu, Dentistry; Jenni-fer Chibuzor, Medicine; Monisola Falua, Pharmacy; Sarah Itoje Divine, Sandwich; Adaobi Nkemadu, Distant Learning Insti-tute (DLI); and Eniola Gbadebo from Post Graduate School.

The participants broke the boredom and anticipation when they first appeared on stage for a group dance. They uniform-ly danced to different local music amid cheers and applause of a large audience.

In a quest to further decide the win-ner, the ladies were put to test of talent displays. Their stage acts ranged from recitation to Salsa and “Shoki”. Damil-are rendered a recitation on women em-powerment, and earned loud cheers and applause from the audience. They also walked the “runway.”

After a unanimous appraisal from the judges, five emerged for the final round from which the best emerged.

Adaobi Nkemadu of Distant Learn-ing Institute and Sarah Itoje Divine from Sandwich programme came 2nd and 3rd respectively while representatives of Sci-ence and Medicine took fourth and fifth position respectively.

Says ‘It’s still like a dream’

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 25Thursday, October 2, 2014 Education Today

z

Flag-bearer or standard bearer?

NUC approves JABU Architecture

The National Univer-sities Commission (NUC) has approved

Joseph Ayo Babalola Uni-versity (JABU), Ikeji Arake-ji, Osun State, Postgraduate programmes in Architec-ture with effect from the 2014/2015 Academic Session.

Speaking during a visit to the university earlier in the month, the resource verification team leader, Mr. Christopher Orji said JABU had adequate manpower and physical facilities to take up the programmes.

Receiving the team in the university, the Vice-Chan-cellor, Prof. Sola Fajana revealed the university’s desire to become a foremost institution distinguished for quality programmes and re-search.

Provost cautions students on security

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Otunba Abdul-Fatai Olukoga (left) and the state’s Director, Mass Literacy and Adult Education, Mrs. Fola Amore at a press conference to commemorate this year’s World Literacy Day, recently.

OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

Following the recent discovery of an ob-ject suspected to be

Improvised Explosive De-vise, IED, in a bag said to have been brought into a university campus in Nige-ria by a student, the Provost of the Adeyemi College of Education, ACE, Ondo, Dr. Olufemi Olajuyigbe, has ad-vised students of the insti-tution to be more security conscious.

He gave the advice while delivering a speech during the inauguration of the new Students Union execu-tive in the college.

Emphasising the need for members of the college

community not to treat se-curity matters with levity, the don said the advice was

necessary in view of the prevailing security chal-lenges currently facing the

country.“So ensure you are vigi-

lant and try as much as

possible to know the iden-tity of other students. Don’t hesitate to report the pres-ence of any strange person or object that you find in your vicinity to appropriate quarters, I want to assure you that necessary actions would be taken immediate-ly,” he further counseled.

On the return of stu-dents and resumption of academic activities, the pro-vost said the college Aca-demic Board had acted and approved the commence-ment of the 2014/2015 aca-demic calendar.

He advised the students to give more attention to their studies while assuring them that the management would continue to create e nabling environment.

FROM the September 29 edition of TheNEWS comes the first error: “…sensitise others on (to) the need to

live in peace and harmony with one an-other.”

“Raising an (the) alarm on tax evasion is not enough.”

One thing is certain: people will not give up arguing about correct usage in English. Happily, the spirit of (language) activism is alive and well. As a word-watcher (from the Word Watch School), how do you feel or re-act when you read: “…expired politicians, court jesters and political fuddy-duddies parade themselves as icons?” (THE NA-TION ON SUNDAY EDITORIAL, August 31, 2014). Yes, “expired politicians” are dead politicians! Do the dead come back to pa-rade on the political scene? Only in Nige-ria! Holy terror!

Another note: “sheathe” and “sheath” are both verbs in American English (AE); you can sheathe a knife, a cutlass and a sword, but, in practical terms, you can’t sheathe a machete!

“Mail”, meaning “letters, parcels, etc by post”, is an uncountable noun—it has no plural form. “Mails” is a piece of Nigeri-anism, Nigerian English (NE) or English made in Nigeria!

Evidences? “…but fails abysmally in giving concrete “evidences” (evidence) of such claims.” “Evidence”, meaning “in-formation that gives reason for believing something; proof “(e.g. in a law case), is an uncountable noun. It has no plural form. We correctly say or write: enough evidence, some evidence, a mass of evidence, a piece of evidence or pieces of evidence.

Standard-bearers or flag-bearers? “Group insists PDP, APC should pick Chris-tians as “flag-bearers” (standard-bearers).

In politics, music, etc, it is “standard-bearer”, in games, sports, etc., it is “flag-bearer” or “torchbearer”.

“Know/Knowing full well” is Briti-cism while “Know/Knowing fully well” is an Americanism.

Work harder and keep watching, brother!

(Bayo Oguntunase/Language Activ-ist/[email protected])

COLUMNIST’S ADDENDUM: Some dictionaries could be misleading. When I saw ‘evidences’ in one of the extracts published last week, I immediately knew that something was wrong with the word, as now pointed out. I told my son to check up the word in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2010 Eighth Edition). We discovered that it was both countable and uncountable. Based on this, I allowed the entry to go! When Mr. Oguntunase intervened, I checked dictionaries and discovered that it was non-count! In fact, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English New Edition for Advanced Learners, 2013 Edition) declares categorically: “Evidence is an uncountable noun and has no plural form. Use a singular verb after it: Vital evidence was destroyed.” The reaffirmation I get from this revela-tion is that it is not everything that is in some dictionaries that is correct! So, there is need to critically and selective-ly drink from the fountain of as many dictionaries as possible in order to be on the safe side. We must therefore de-velop circumspective and interrogative capacities in the use of language.

From last week: “…but fails woe-fully (abysmally) in giving concrete evi-dences (evidence) of such claims.” (NA-

TIONAL MIRROR, September 11)Do not say ‘true evidence’, but ‘reli-

able evidence’. (Longman)SUNDAY ADESINA (08029955388):

You are right on ‘outright’ being both an adjective and adverb. ‘Outrightly’ is not just uncommon, but queer and unknown to standard etymological entries.

“Boko Haram peace talks reopens” Why the disagreement? This kind of ‘schoolboy howler’, in the words of Mr. Oguntunase, should not be seen in stan-dard publications.

“CBN intervention bouys naira” Get it right: buoys.

“You must be matured and in love with jazz music.” (Lifestyle) Just ‘ma-ture’.

The next three errors are from NTA Network News of September 18: “…who presided at the occasion.” NTA corre-spondents should be refreshed: the prep-osition that goes before ‘occasion’ is ‘on’ (not ‘at’)

“He said that the ministry intends (in-tended) to restore back….” ‘Restore back’ shows unintelligibility. With ‘restore’, you can’t have ‘back’. We shouldn’t use words we don’t understand their mean-ings (or implications). The English lan-guage has evolved from the old period to the modern era. So, journalists must avoid Anglo-Saxon expressions.

“Each of the stadia was provided with practicing pitch.” It is not the pitches that practise as implied in the state-ment. Therefore, the sensible phrase ought to be ‘practice pitch.’ Lexical and semantic appropriateness demands this line of thought.

“Captain…wedded former Miss…in Lagos over the weekend with pomp

and pageantry.” ‘Pomp and pageantry’ is not an accepted phrase. The standard ex-pression is ‘pomp and circumstance’ or ‘pomp and ceremony.’ It can simply be left as ‘pomp’. If you don’t remember these forms, rephrase. At least, you can always recollect that the Nigerian creation (pomp and pageantry) is uneducated.

“Truely, Jos is a home of peace and tourism.” Correct form: truly.

“This development is unlike in some states where education have (sic) died a natural death…” (DAILY CHAMPION) Indeed, education has died in Champion House!

“Public affairs analysts of the most diverse persuasions are agreed on one thing: the world is at a crossroad (a/the crossroads).”

“It is therefore noteworthy that the AU has now seen the wisdom in pooling the resources of member-states together to prevent ugly incident (sic)….” (NIGE-RIAN TRIBUNE, September 19) When resources are pooled, there is no need for ‘together’.

“The hopes of millions of our coun-trymen are centred around us.” (THIS-DAY, September 19) ‘Centre’ admits ‘on’, ‘round,’ ‘upon’… never ‘around’.

“Unclaimed properties of accident vic-tims” ‘Property’ in this context is non-count. It can only take the plural form if buildings and acres of land are involved—or for scientific references.

“Yes, Nigerians love to eat traditional meals with their bare fingers but that is not to say we can’t provide foreigners with cutleries.” (Tourism & Hospitality) ‘Cutlery’ is uncountable.

Wrong: very unique; Right: unique; Wrong: transport fare; Right: fare;

26 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014

L-R: Country Director, African Development Bank, Dr Ousmane Dore; Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Dr Sarah Alade and President, Nigerian Economic Society (NES), prof. Olu Ajakaiye, at the NES’ Annual Public Lecture in Abuja recently.

Arik Air

FLIGHTSCHEDULE

Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun)PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) Benin-Abj:09.55,13.30

Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-La-gos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat)Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Med-View Airline

Aero Contractors

27

FRANCIS EZEM

The National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, charged with the responsibility of

ensuring welfare of the nation’s seafarers either working at home or abroad says massive capacity building through the training of indigenous manpower will boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product GDP.

Chairman of the board, Otum-ba Kunle Folarin, who gave this assurance, spoke at the weekend during a grand reception organ-ised by the Nigerian Maritime Ad-ministration and Safety Agency NIMASA in Lagos at the weekend, in honour of 23 graduating Nigeri-an cadets from the Arab Maritime University, Alexandria, Egypt.

The 23 cadets, who have also completed their 12-month manda-tory sea time training on board ocean going vessels and majored in Nautical Sciences and Marine En-gineering are from Benue, Ebonyi and Ondo States trained under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme NSDP, a brainchild of NIMASA.

According to him, Nigeria as a maritime nation is blessed with a coastline of over 900 nautical miles and 200 miles of Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ and consti-tutes over 70 per cent of the entire economy of West Africa, building

OPEC’s oil supply jumped to its highest in almost two years in September, a

Reuters survey found, due to fur-ther recovery in Libya and higher output from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers in the face of sub-$100 per barrel oil prices.

The lack of any cutbacks underlines the relaxed view of OPEC’s core Gulf members to oil’s slide from $115 in June to $97 on Tuesday - a level they can tol-erate, but which puts budgets in producers such as Iran and non-member Russia under pressure.

Supply from the Organiza-tion of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries averaged 30.96 million barrels per day (bpd) in Septem-ber, up from 30.15 million bpd in August, according to the survey based on shipping data and infor-mation from sources at oil compa-nies, OPEC and consultants.

“Libya has increased produc-tion massively and if you look for-ward, OPEC is producing more than the (forecast) demand for OPEC crude in 2015,” said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at Commerzbank. “This puts pressure on OPEC ahead of their next meeting.” OPEC pumps a third of the world’s oil and meets next in No-vember. This month, the largest

increase has come from Libya, where supply is up by 280,000 bpd despite conflict. Iraq, Nigeria, An-gola and Saudi Arabia also boost-ed output.

This month’s output is OPEC’s highest since November 2012 when it pumped 31.06 million bpd, according to Reuters surveys. In-voluntary outages, such as in Libya, kept output below OPEC’s nominal 30 million bpd target in earlier months of the year.

Iraq, like Libya, has also man-aged to increase supplies despite fighting in the country. Oil out-put rebounded due to higher exports from Iraq’s southern

terminals and increased out-put from fields in Kurdistan. An advance by Islamic State fight-ers into northern Iraq has not reduced southern exports, but violence has hit supply of Kirkuk crude from the north and shut down the Baiji refinery, keeping crude output below Iraq’s poten-tial.

Nigerian output, disrupted in earlier months of the year, has climbed in September, and anoth-er increase has come from Angola where CLOV, a new crude stream operated by Total , is ramping up exports.

Seafarers’ training will boost Nigeria’s GDP, says expert

OPEC oil output hits highest since 2012 on Libya, Saudi –Survey

28 33

India’s farmers beat climate change with

technology

Arik Air boss seeks 75% reduction in interest rate

ePayment offers promising future for retailers

BusinessNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014

31

the required human potential was what the nation needed to tap these potential, which will boost her GDP.

He said: “With a population of about 78 million people, the Repub-lic of Philippines exports about 30 per cent of the world’s seafarers’ requirement from which the econ-omy earns over $6 billion repatri-ated home, Nigeria which is far larger and more endowed should do better if the necessary capaci-ties were built”.

While recounting the resent-ment and doubts that character-ised the NSDP at inception, he also recalled that some of the students

who travelled with him to Egypt for the commencement of the programme demonstrated a high level of doubts as to the possibility of the success of the scheme.

“Four years down the line, even the worst of the doubting Thomas would have been convinced that NIMASA meant well with the training and this is a clarion call for private sector operators both corporate and individuals to key into the programme so that many more Nigerian youths will par-take in this success story”, he also said.

Folarin, who doubles as vice chairman of the Ports Consulta-

tive Council PCC, that the cadets being trained under the NSDP were not only trained for the Nige-rian market, but also for the entire globe since they have been given a training that will make them com-pete anywhere in the world.

“The Arab Maritime Universi-ty, funded by over 200 countries is one of the best in the world. These cadets have also completed their mandatory sea time as prescribed by the International Maritime Or-ganisation and have been issued with their Certificate of Compe-tence, which is more than a meal ticket anywhere in the world”, he also insisted.

Arik Air boss seeks 75% reduction in interest rateOLUSEGUN KOIKI

The Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue has appealed to the government

to ensure reduction in the borrow-ing cost of the Nigerian airlines to the tune of either 50 or 75 per cent. Ndulue insisted that the bor-rowing cost in the country was on the high side, decrying that this impacted negatively on the operations of the airlines es-pecially when seeking funds to acquire aircraft abroad. Speaking yesterday at the un-veiling of its frequent flyer pro-gramme, Arik Affinity Wings at the airline’s headquarters within the Murtala Mohammed Airport,

MMA, Lagos, Ndulue argued that if the borrowing cost was reduced, it would enable the country’s air-lines to compete favourably with its counterparts anywhere in the world. Ndu-lue also condemned multiple taxations on the country’s air-lines, maintaining that as one of the key sector necessary for national development, it was wrong for the government or its agencies to continue to impose high tax regime or multiple taxa-tions on the operating carriers. He emphasised that the coun-try’s aviation industry should not be mapped out as a source of revenue for the government even when the government was not able to support its agencies 100 per

cent, but rather, the operating air-lines should be supported by the government to continue to create employment opportunities for Ni-gerian youths.

He said, “We keep saying that what we expect from the govern-ment is just the environment for doing business, as long as this en-vironment is good, everybody is happy including Arik Air. I’m not asking for specifics or things out of the world, we are only expect-ing that the business environment is good.

“One of the biggest challenges we have especially if you are an airline that acquires aircraft for operations, if you don’t have an aircraft, you may not have this problem is the borrowing cost,

which is very high and this is one of the biggest problems that need to be solved.

“If the cost of borrowing is reduced, and in Nigeria situa-tion, it can be reduced as high as 50 per cent or 75 per cent because the cost of borrowing is extreme-ly high. If that happens, it puts the airlines in a better position to be able to compete with other airlines from outside Nigeria. “We have also spoken about mul-tiple taxations on Nigerian air-lines and I think that government realises that aviation industry is something that requires special support and that was why some time ago, there was something called aviation intervention funds. Just like we have had in similar

industries that government has considered as key to national de-velopment and what this means is that this is an industry the govern-ment feels should be supported.” Speaking on its new flyer pro-gramme, Arik Affinity Wings, Ndulue said that the programme was designed to reward guests for their loyalty by giving them the opportunity to earn miles on do-mestic, regional and long-haul flights.

He noted that customwers could join the programme by logging on to arikaffinitywings.comand com-pleting an online enrolment form where they would receive 1000 bonus affinity miles along with a personal affinity wings member-ship number.

TOLA AKINMUTIMIABUJA

The Director General, Se-curities and Exchange Commission ,SEC,, Arun-

ma Oteh, has been re-elected as chairperson of the African/Middle East Regional Commit-tee ,AMERC, at the 39th annual conference of the International Organisation of Securities Com-missions ,IOSCO, now holding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Oteh, was acclaimed as Chair-person to head AMERC for the next two years at the end of the AMERC meeting based on the experience that she brings as well as quality leadership Nigeria has provided over the years.

As AMERC Chairperson, she is to serve on the Executive Com-mittee, the highest decision mak-ing organ of the global body for the next two years. Also re-elected were Saudi, Arabia and Egypt.

In her acceptance speech, the SEC boss, who assumed office in January 2010, said her election was a demonstration of the con-fidence members reposed on her, the SEC and Nigeria as a whole.

She pledged to be a loud voice representing the Region’s inter-est and her commitment to ensur-ing that the Region would do its best to uphold the goals and ideals

of the global body.Oteh said: “We believe that our

work is very important to IOSCO and that it is very important to the market. One of the things we have achieved in the last two years has been greater inclusion and cohesion. This has not come from the work of the executive alone, but by the work of all of us.

“I am excited about the oppor-tunity given us to lead is commit-tee again for the next two years and we will continue to ensure that our committee is the best in IOSCO”.

Oteh disclosed that there was an increasing focus on the capi-tal market away from banking finance since banks are still deal-ing with the challenges of the global financial crisis, adding that the main challenge for the regulators is to create an enabling environment that would not in-crease risk for the investors and operators.

“Capital markets are very critical to the economy of every nation. The capital market is re-ally the answer as it does not only provide financing but creates the environment where the right products are available. We come together to support each other in enforcement, share information because we believe the world is global.’’

Oteh re-elected AMERC’s chairperson

Syndicated lending in Eu-rope, the Middle East and Africa, EMEA, was up 18

percent year-on-year to $812.6bn in the first nine months of 2014, the highest volume total since 2007, Thomson Reuters LPC data shows.

The loan market has been

buoyed by the return of large-scale merger and acquisition financing, with over $122.8bn of loans backing acquisitions com-pleted year-to-date, outstripping all full-year M&A totals since 2008.

With over $50 billion of un-derwritten acquisition related financings still to be completed,

and with the potential for more deals to emerge, 2014 is already the strongest year for M&A loans since the financial crisis.

“The thing about M&A is that it tends to have a snowball effect. Companies see what other com-panies are doing and decide to do something themselves. M&A

generates a lot of business all around,” a senior banker said.

Despite the pick-up in M&A, re-financing remains the main driv-er of lending activity making up nearly 75 percent of market vol-ume. The availability of cheaply priced credit facilities continues to see Europe’s top companies

make an early return to the mar-ket to replace existing facilities on better terms.

Year-to-date refinancing vol-ume of $608.6 billion was nearly 30 percent higher than the $468.9bn over the same period in 2013 and is approaching the $644.7bn full-year 2013 total.

RLPC-EMEA syndicated loans reach $813bn in fi rst nine months

L-R: Guest Speaker, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed; President, Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Malam Murtala Aliyu and Chairman, NIQS Lagos Chapter, Mr. Olayemi Shonubi, at the 6th Annual Distinguished Lecture of the Institute in Lagos on Tuesday.


The Federal Government and the European Union, EU, yesterday sealed a 15

million Euro agreement for the 11th European Development Fund, EDF, Support to Nigeria’s Electoral Cycle (2011-2015) Phase II in Abuja.

The Phase II of the funding Support, provided to enable Nige-ria scale up its activities in the run up to the 2015 general election, will be implemented through the 11th EDF Bridging Facility, a method used by the International Develop-ment Partners to make available

funds for implementation of ongo-ing programmes/projects before full commencement of another cycle of support programmes.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Michel Arrion, explained that the new fund was intended to complement the previous financial envelope of 20 million Euros under the 10th EDF Support for the country and also to facilitate the implementa-tion of specific activities by the INEC and other key stakeholders. This brings the total EDF Support under the two phases to 35 million Euros ,about N7.27bn.

The Minister for National Planning and Deputy Chairman

of the National Planning Com-mission who signed the agree-ment on behalf of the Federal Government, Dr Abubakar Sulai-man, described the financial sup-port by the EU as a cherished one that would help Nigeria to consolidate on the remarkable achievements of her electoral process over the last few years. He recalled that the 10th EDF Support to Electoral Cycle was ongoing, and allocated resources under it would not be enough to support activities in the upcoming election and hence the need for support from the bridging facility to cope with the transition period between the 10th and the 11th EDF.

EU, FG sign 15m euros electoral cycle fi nancing support deal

28 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014Business News

Business News

OLUFEMI ADEOSUNABUJA

The Federal Government has said that it would soon begin a new pre-shipment

verification of all imported ve-hicles to ensure conformity to standards.

The Director General, Stan-dards Organisation, of Nigeria, Dr Joseph Odumodu made this known in Abuja yesterday in his remarks during the signing of an agreement for the implemen-tation of the conformity to stan-dards of used vehicles.

He said the move was part of efforts aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the new automobile policy in the country.

According to the SON boss, the federal government has decided to make the automobile industry a key component of the Nigeria In-dustrial Revolution Plan, adding that the sector has been identified as a strategic industry group.

This, he added, is due to its large domestic market, labour intensive characteristics, strong industrial linkages, existing in-stalled base and export potentials

into the ECOWAS market.Odumodu noted that that out

of the over 2,000 parts that make up a typical car, governments mandate only about 120 safety and environmental standards.

This, he added, calls for the need to institute a regime that would ensure the effective en-forcement of these standards and monitor their compliance.

He said, “Part of the expecta-tion of automobile policy requires that we begin to aggressively monitor the importation of new vehicles into the country and cre-ate a regime which would ensure that they conform to the applica-ble Nigerian standard.

“While some measures of prog-ress have been recorded in the fight against the scourge of low quality imports to Nigeria over the years, there is general consen-sus that absence of a regime to de-termine the quality of used motor vehicles imported in Nigeria has not achieved the desired effect.

“It has resulted in the situation where many vehicles that have ex-ceeded their permissible and use-ful life span continue to dominate the motor vehicle imports into the country.

“This has almost make Nigeria to become a dumping ground for substandard vehicle because the focus since the inception of StON conformity Assessment Program has been skewed in Favour of products other than motor vehi-cles and other heavy duty equip-ment.

“We have decided that as part of the SONCAP regime, a sepa-rate pre-shipment verification of conformity to standard on used vehicles be implemented by the organization.”

To ensure an effective imple-mentation of the program, Odu-modu said three companies had been accredited by SON.

According, the accredited com-panies include Quality Assur-ance Projects Ltd, Medtech Scien-tific Ltd and Cotecna Destination Inspection Ltd.

The accreditation, the DG fur-ther explained, would cover ve-hicle structural, mechanical and safety inspection; vehicle emis-sion testing; valuation and ap-praisals of vehicles; vehicle odom-eter inspection and verification and regulatory documentation, verification and authentication.

FG to set new pre-shipment inspection for used vehicles

Kenya’s economy increases by 25% to join Africa’s top 10

UDO ONYEKA

Investors representing over two trillion dollars of assets under management as of September

23, issued an Investor Statement on Green Bonds and Climate Bonds, committing to grow a global market in the financing of climate change solutions.

According to a statement by Af-rican Development Bank, AfDB , a group of 13 development banks,

investors and issuers committed themselves to further developing the Green Bonds market.

AfDB said UN Secretary Gen-eral, Ban Ki Moon convened the UN Climate Summit on last week because, as he says, “Greenhouse gas emissions are at record levels and the effects of climate change are already widespread, costly and consequential.”

“The past year has seen the rapid growth of a Green Bonds and Climate Bonds market as a mechanism to tap the global bond market to finance solutions to cli-mate change. Over $ 25bn of Green Bonds have been issued this year. The Climate Bonds Initiative ex-pects a total of over $40bn for the year and $100bn in 2015, “it said.

Climate Bonds CEO, Sean Kid-ney, said, “Enormous opportu-nity exists to develop green bond financing in the coming year, including working with organi-zations making commitments in other work streams of the UN Summit – cities, low-carbon trans-port, clean energy. That applies to emerging as well as developed markets.”

Kenya’s gross domestic product was estimated to be 25 percent bigger after

the authorities changed the base calculation year to 2009 from 2001, sending the east African nation into the continent’s top 10 econo-mies.

Economic output was calcu-lated to be $53.4bn in 2013 after the rebasing, up from $42.6bn, the minister for devolution and planning, Anne Waiguru, has said.

That takes Kenya up to ninth in Africa’s GDP rankings from 12th, above Ghana, Tunisia and Ethiopia but below oil-produc-ing Sudan based on a World Bank table for 2013.

The rebasing exercise means debt levels fall as a proportion of GDP, a closely watched ratio, and could give the government some leeway for more borrowing to help finance its plans to build new transport links and repair creak-ing infrastructure.

But revising the estimated size of GDP does not change Kenya’s ability to repay additional loans nor does it mean it has more in-come to spend on development in a nation where many people are poor, roads are potholed and power supply is scarce.

“This gives us a little bit of welcome breathing space ... not an opportunity to open the cash register,” said public policy and

economic analyst Robert Shaw. As with other rebasing in Af-

rica, the move takes into account structural and other economic changes, such as new technol-ogy, and updates the base year for prices.

Kenya’s GDP revision follows the far more dramatic rebasing earlier this year of Nigeria’s econ-omy when it changed the base year from 1990 to 2010 and, as a re-sult, vaulted above South Africa to become Africa’s biggest economy. Kenya’s rebasing was less pronounced because the gap with 2001 and the new base year of 2009 was shorter. Changes in assessing agricul-ture, manufacturing and real estate accounted for most of the GDP rise. Technology and related fields are now treated as a stand-alone sector, taking into account a vibrant industry in Kenya, which has pioneered mobile telephone payments systems and exported the idea across Africa and beyond.

The economy could also get a further boost in a few years when commercial oil pro-duction is expected to start. With the rebasing, economic growth was revised to 5.7 percent in 2013, up from the previous esti-mate of 4.7 percent, a figure that had been below expectations and was partly blamed on a spate of militant attacks and a decline in tourism.

Green Bonds to tap $100trn bond market for climate solutions

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje; CEO, TreasureNest Mrs. Titi Aladekomo; Chairman, SmartCity Resorts Plc, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, and Partner, Banwo and Ighodalo, Femi Olubanwo, at the private presentation of the 48 hectare SmartCity Innovation Hub in Lagos on Tuesday.

FRANCIS EZEM

Citibank Nigeria Limited says its decision to regu-larly train financial jour-

nalists practicing in Nigeria was informed by the need to promote professionalism in the journal-ism profession in the country.

Citibank Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc, a leading global financial services

company, with over 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 coun-tries and jurisdictions across the globe.

It provides consumers, cor-porations, governments and in-stitutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management, among others.

The bank had in continuation of its support for professional journalism, hosted the 2014 edi-tion of the annual Citi Financial Journalists Training as part of activities marking its 30th

anniversary, which held Sep-tember 24 in Lagos.

The Citi Financial Journalists Training aligns with Citi’s com-mitment towards capacity build-ing among various stakeholders in the Nigerian economic space.

Chief Operating Officer of the

bank, Mr. Akin Dawodu, one of the resource persons and facili-tator of the programme, said the bank is committed to promoting professionalism in financial jour-nalism in the country.

“Over the last 30 years, we have been at the forefront of pro-viding financial markets training to industry colleagues, including our competitors, as well as regu-lators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria.’’

We train journalists to promote professionalism in Nigeria –Citibank


RICHARD NDOMACALABAR

About 279 unemployed graduates of tertiary institution yesterday in

Cross River benefited from the federal Governments Subsidy Reinvestment and Empower-ment Programme SURE-P

Speaking at a one-day Grad-uate internship Scheme Op-portunities Fair at the Uni-cal Hotel,Calabar, Project Director,Peter. Parka, represent-ed by Assistant Director Moni-toring and Evaluation Aremu Najeem Olaniran said that Out of 400 graduates invited for screening exercise, 279 were

lucky to be sent to partner with firms for a one year mentor-ing and entreprenuership pro-gramme.

The Director stated those picked by firms would undergo a one year training adding that beneficiaries are entitled to re-ceive a monthly stipends of thir-ty thousand naira per a month stressing that the firms where the trainee graduates would do their training are also expected to add additional stipends to the trainee graduates especially if they find them to be useful and competent.

“Among other objectives of the scheme is the resolve to en-hance the employability of at

least 50,000 unemployable gradu-ates in the 36 states of the federa-tion and in the FCT by improv-ing their skills through work placement”The Directort added.

“The graduate intenship op-portunities fair is a platform for reduction of vulnerabil-ity among unemployed Nigerian graduates. Internship from our experience provide soft land-ing for many such graduates in finding direction for their lives either through jobs or enterpreneurship”He said.

The Director further added that 15 firms are yet to receive approval from SURE-P to join in the training exercise for trainee graduates.

Abuja International Trade Fair grounds on Monday

279 unemployed graduates benefi t from SURE-P internship scheme in C’River

UDO ONYEKA

Africa must embrace ag-ricultural innovations to better compete in an

evolving global bio-economy, findings from a new report by Af-rican Development Bank, AfDB, and the International Food Poli-cy Research Institute, IFPRI have said.

The report, entitled “GM Agri-culture Technologies for Africa,” analyses the benefits and con-straints of adopting genetically modified ,GM, technologies to ad-dress challenges related to popu-lation, poverty, food insecurity and climate change.

Speaking at the launch of the report on Tuesday, at a confer-ence in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, commemorating the Africa Year of Agriculture and Food Secu-rity, AfDB Vice-President Aly Abou-Sabaa, said the underdevel-

opment of Africa’s trade in agri-culture, especially intra-regional trade, in spite of the vast poten-tial for its expansion is a big chal-lenge to the continent.

“In order to meet their food and nutrition requirements, Af-rican countries import about $25bn worth of food each year, but only about $1 billion worth of such imports come from intra-Af-rican trade,” said Vice-President for Agriculture, Water, Human Development, Governance and Natural Resources, said Abou-Sabaa.

“We must implement innova-tive solutions that can not only bolster agricultural p Abou-Sa-baa, performance, but also pro-mote agri-food trade and food security,” he added.

“Agriculture is an economic engine for Africa,” said, IFPRI’s Director General. Shenggen Fan, adding that Biotechnology is among the various technologies

being adopted by advanced and emerging agricultural econo-mies and offers the potential to help millions of people becomes more food secure.

This report, commissioned by AfDB and prepared by IFPRI, discusses the need to transform Africa’s agriculture sector from one of historically low productiv-ity to one that is a high-potential driver of economic development, drawing on technological and systemic improvements to fos-ter intensification as opposed to extensification. It focuses on GM technologies in particular; as these are the most controver-sial, directly impacting the adop-tion rates of biotechnologies in Africa. Based on published evi-dence about the benefits and con-straints of the adoption of these technologies, the report provides an overall, evidence-based snap-shot of GM technology in Africa.

Innovations can help African farmers compete, boost food security -Report

DAVID AUDU WITH AGENCY REPORT

It seems there is no slowing the growth of digital retailing, as e-commerce is expected to ac-

count for $120bn of the retail in-dustry’s revenue by 2018.

Executive director, Shop.org, and senior VP, communities, Na-tional Retail Federation, Vicki Cantrell, announcedthat online retail sales will total $300bn by the end of the year, due in large part to the innovative retailers, manufacturers, technology part-ners and other industry players who push products to the next level.

“A disrupter is not usually what you want in a classroom,

but in today’s digital classroom, the disrupters are the leaders,” said Cantrell.

Cantrell also commented that as digital retail has matured, it is no longer viewed as a competitor to brick-and-mortar, but a way to optimize the physical store.

Shop.org’s also emphasized the shift in the type of retailers dominating the market in 2014. Since 2000, warehouse and Web retailers have gained a portion of the industry as others have lost market share. But as digital retail continues to grow, with no slowing in sight, there come three major challenges that need to be addressed, according Sucharita Mulpuru, VP, principal analyst, Forrester Research.

Diamond Woman propo-sition, an initiative by Diamond Bank Plc aimed

at empowering women economi-cally, launched the first edition of its Enterprise Seminar in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, recently.

The Seminar, organized in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre, EDC, of the Pan Atlantic University, provides financial and advisory services, access to market opportunities and networking platforms to fe-male entrepreneurs.

Welcoming participants to the event, Head, Retail Financial Services, Diamond Bank Plc, Ai-sha Ahmad, said that the idea of the Diamond Woman Enterprise Seminar is informed by Diamond Bank’s desire to ensure that Nige-rian women are well empowered to join the growing global female economy.

According to her, “Research shows that about 50 per cent of

new businesses are set up by women. Realizing the unique needs of this key segment of the population, Diamond Bank deemed it necessary to empower them with business management skills and networking opportuni-ties to fulfil their life goals.”

“The Diamond Woman Enter-prise Seminar provides a unique capacity building platform to bet-ter position our female entrepre-neurs as they multitask in their various roles as home makers, career women and business own-ers,” she added.

Anna Gincherman, Chief Product Development Officer, Women’s World Banking, a non-profit organisation that provides strategic support, technical as-sistance and information partic-ularly to women entrepreneurs in developing countries, lauded Diamond Bank’s efforts at bridg-ing the gaps confronting female entrepreneurs.

First Diamond Woman Enterprise seminar holds in Ibadan

Online retailing to account for $120bn sales by 2018

Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa, VMMEA, part-owned by British

entrepreneur Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, launched telecoms services in Saudi Arabia on Tues-day, beginning the biggest shake-up in the kingdom’s telecoms sec-tor in six years.

VMMEA is launching two brands after benefiting from the national telecoms regulator’s de-cision to order the country’s three mobile operators to each host a mobile virtual network operator ,MVNO, in an effort to stimulate competition.

The two brands being launched by VMMEA are Virgin Mobile, aimed at the youth market, and

Friendi Mobile, targeting Saudi’s expatriate workers.

As well as VMMEA’s tie-up with STC, Jawraa Lebara part-nered with No.2 operator Mobily. Dubai retailer Axiom Telecom did likewise with Zain Saudi, but the regulator subsequently ordered that licence to be retend-ered in a process still ongoing.

VMMEA and Jawraa last week acknowledged that problems ar-ranging interconnection with other operators and satisfying state security concerns had de-layed their launch, but the regu-lator has now given VMMEA the go ahead, according to a company statement on Tuesday.

Virgin Mobile launches services in Saudi Arabia

30 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014Business News

During the sowing and planting season, when wa-ter was needed the most,

rain was largely absent.Now it’s nearly harvest time

and it has been raining heavily.But for farmer Lovepreet Singh

in the northern Indian state of Haryana, all is not lost.

He has been getting help from new technology, like the GreenS-eeker - a handheld gadget that works as a crop sensor.

As Mr Singh points to a patch of crops, the sensor emits brief bursts of red and infrared light.

By measuring the amount of each type of light that is reflected back from the plant, the device can calculate and display the health of the crop.

He uses it to assess how much nitrogen the soil needs in each sec-tion of land.

This is just one of the gadgets he uses, meaning that what might once have been a disastrous har-

India’s farmers beat climate change with technology

The GreenSeeker is a crop vigour mapping system, which lets farmers know precisely how much fertiliser to use.

vest is not looking as bleak as it could have done, according to Mr Singh.

“Using technology has helped us a lot,” he says.

“I get better weather forecasts so I can plan when to sow seeds or spray the plants. Otherwise I would spend a lot of money and la-bour on my fields and unexpected rains would just wash everything away.

“While my profits haven’t gone up dramatically, technology is helping me reduce my losses.”

With more than 50 acres of land, Lovepreet Singh’s entire family lives off the farm. Like him, most people here are completely depen-dent on agriculture for their liveli-hood.

But not everyone can afford to invest in expensive technology - the GreenSeeker comes in at near-ly 40,000 rupees (£400; $680)

So the local agriculture society helps them by procuring it and let-

Voice-activated smart-phones and other devices can be a significant secu-

rity risk, warn researchers.An expert at security firm

AVG found some voice-activated systems responded just as well to fake voices as they did to that of the owner.

Clever fraudsters could sub-vert this to send bogus messages or compromise gadgets in the fu-ture, said AVG.

Voice-activated systems need-ed to do a better job of checking who is talking, said a security expert.

Problems with voice-activated systems were found by Yuval Ben-Itzhak, chief technology of-ficer at anti-virus firm AVG who managed to turn on and control a smart TV using a synthesised voice. The attack worked, he said, because the gadget did nothing to check who was speaking.

Voice-activated functions on Apple and Android smartphones were also vulnerable to the same attack, he found. In one demon-stration, he used the synthesised voice to send a bogus message via an Android smartphone tell-ing everyone in the device’s con-tacts book that a company was going out of business.

Mr Ben-Itzhak also wondered if children could exploit the flaw and use it to turn off safety fea-tures that stop them seeing or us-ing inappropriate content.

ting farmers use it for free.They are also using another

new technology in these parts, called laser land levelling.

Laser-controlled devices are mounted on tractors, and these help farmers level the land into a flat surface. This method of tilling helps them save 25-30% of water during cultivation.

Another method to save water and labour costs is to introduce direct seeding by machine for the paddy crop.

This replaces the usual method of making paddy nurseries and then transplanting the seedlings manually.

Traditionally, Indian farmers spend a lot of money hiring labour after every harvest to clean the re-sidual crop.

They then make huge piles of the waste and burn them - pollut-ing the environment and often cre-ating a thick, grey smog over cities like Delhi.

Now, to avoid burning the

crops, “happy seeders” have been introduced.

These are attachments mount-ed on tractors, that help sow wheat even when the paddy residue is still standing on the fields.

The state government has intro-duced a subsidy to help farmers buy the machine, as it costs over 100,000 rupees.

Leaving the crop residue in the fields helps increase the organic matter, better controlling mois-ture and temperature levels.

Voice-activated devices pose security threat

Anti-Facebook platform Ello attracts thousands

eBay to split off PayPal online payment business

In the future, when homes and offices are peppered with more and more devices that are con-trolled via voice, attackers might well be tempted to abuse them, he warned.

“Utilising voice activation technology in the Internet of Things without authenticating the source of the voice is like leaving your computer without a password, everyone can use it and send commands,” he wrote in a blog about the research.

Mr Ben-Itzhak said AVG un-dertook its research purely as a demonstration and there was no evidence of voice-based attacks being used.

Independent security expert Graham Cluley said there was no doubt that voice-activated sys-tems could be more secure.

“It would obviously be prefer-able if devices were to learn our voices, and ask for some form of authentication if they deter-mined that an unauthorised user might be giving commands,” he told the BBC.

However, he wondered why attackers would use voice-based attacks rather than the more tried-and-tested techniques that currently work so well.

“If malware can get on an An-droid device to speak a command and order the Android to send an unauthorised email, it could just as easily do that without using speech,” he said.

Social media network Ello is currently receiving up to 31,000 requests an hour

from people wishing to join its platform, its founder has told the BBC.

It was initially designed to just be used by about 90 friends of its founder Paul Budnitz.

But the bike shop owner, from the US state of Vermont, opened it to others on 7 August.

It has been dubbed the “anti-Facebook” network because of a pledge to carry no adverts or sell user data.

However some experts have cautioned that it might struggle with plans to charge micro-pay-ments for certain features.

E-commerce site eBay is planning to split off its pay-ments system PayPal into a

separate company.News of the move, which is

expected to be completed in the second half of 2015, sent eBay’s shares seven per cent higher.

It is a reversal of strategy for the company, which has previ-ously resisted pressure to split. However, the boss John Donahoe

The site has a minimalist de-sign and does not appear as user-friendly, at first glance, as more established networks.

Ello founder Paul Budnitz is a bike shop owner from the US state of VermontIt has already survived a reported Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack - a targeted flood of internet traffic - which briefly knocked it offline over the weekend.

“We’re learning as we go but we have a very strong tech crew and back end,” founder Paul Bud-nitz told the BBC.

“It’s in beta and it’s buggy and it does weird stuff - and it’s all be-ing fixed as quickly as we can.”

said the logic for running the com-panies jointly had changed.

PayPal’s revenues are grow-ing at 19 per cent a year, twice as quickly as eBay’s.

Its payment system is available in 203 markets worldwide and is expected to process one billion mobile payments this year.

PayPal’s annual revenue is $7.2bn (£4.5bn), while eBay’s is $9.9bn and is growing at 10 per

Mr Budnitz added that he was “flattered” by the “anti-Facebook” description, but said that was not the way he saw his service.

“We don’t consider Facebook to be a competitor. We see it as an ad platform and we are a net-work,” he explained.

The network will eventually make money by selling access to features, Mr Budnitz added.

“Like the app store, we’re go-ing to sell features for a few dol-lars,” he said.

Members can already check out features in development on the page and register their in-terest.

cent a year.“A thorough strategic review...

shows that keeping eBay and Pay-Pal together beyond 2015 clearly becomes less advantageous to each business strategically and competitively,” EBay’s chief ex-ecutive John Donahoe said.

Earlier this year the activist in-vestor Carl Icahn began pressing for eBay to sell PayPal, a plan that was resisted by the eBay board.

31National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014

Info Tech

32 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014

The Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, said after working with the five-year

blue print it designed to run the business, it is re-strategising to take the company in a different direction into a more robust sub-scription businesses model by evaluating the progress achieved, and the impact on its hitherto tra-ditional business, underpinned by technology sales and support to major enterprises in Africa.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Austin Okere, said the marshal plan was crafted with cloud computing at the cen-tre because of the realisation that it will define the future.

He said, “We crafted the plan code named CWG2.0 in 2010, re-alising back then the pervasive-ness of cloud computing, and the major enablement for this in our region following the increase in broadband access from 0.65tb to a combined capacity of 9Tbits per second.

“We were very clear that while our tremendous growth over the years had been propelled by our traditional businesses in hard-ware and software sales and sup-port, and VSAT bandwidth vend-ing, these represented mature and declining margin businesses, the import of which have been evident in our recent Financial Statements.”

It said the uptake of the its new cloud products not only in Nige-ria but also in Ghana, Cameroon

and Uganda proves that its emerg-ing business model of providing cloud services on a subscription basis is scalable, repeatable and transferable and relatively more sustainable and profitable.

Following its listing on the Ni-gerian Stock Exchange, NSE, last year, the tech firm has vigorously pursued her CWG2.0 initiative with the commissioning of a tier 3 Data Centre and the release of many products, which have been solely locally developed, or in col-laboration with other innovative companies such as MTN Nige-ria, Diamond Bank and Ericsson among others.

Commenting on the devel-opment, Group Chief Technol-ogy Officer, James Agada, said: “CWG2.0 is all about the freedom to dream and the passion to ex-ecute. CWG2.0 defines the future direction of our company. In sum-mary it is a social impact invest-ment initiative directed towards empowering the African entre-preneur.’

CWG2.0 comprises products such as SMERP, an online re-source planning solution that en-hances proper business inventory management by business owners; Openshoppen, an e-commerce site that provides multiple shop owners the opportunity to open virtual shops online, comple-mented by an integrated secured payment gateway, thereby allow-ing online buyers to pay for prod-ucts and services with their cards.

The Communications Tech-nology Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has said

that the ICT industry holds hope of a better future for the African continent, adding that the despica-ble image of a hopeless continent created about Africa has changed.

Speaking at the opening cere-mony DEMO Africa in Lagos, she said the combination of an ‘Africa Rising’ and one that still has to overcome challenges represents a significant opportunity for Af-rican start-ups especially those in the tech sector.

Johnson while reflecting on Af-rica of past and present recalled that on May 13, 2000, The Econo-mist, an international current af-fairs magazine, had on its cover page a silhouette of the African continent, within it was the image of an armed guerrilla fighter; its caption read: ‘The Hopeless Con-tinent’.

“Within the pages of that edi-tion, the prognosis on Africa en-capsulated the prevailing beliefs held not only by the majority of those living outside its borders, but also by those that considered themselves ‘trapped’ within it.

Africa –a starving, poor, disease ridden, fractured, war-torn, cor-rupt, dying mass of humanity … described by former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as a “scar on the conscience of the world” .

“Fast forward a decade; Decem-ber 3rd 2011, the cover page of The Economist bears the image of a boy running across a savannah landscape at sunrise, flying a rain-bow coloured kite shaped in the image of the African continent. The caption reads: ‘Africa Rising’. Within its pages the magazine paints a scenario of dynamism, resilient entrepreneurial activ-ity, fledging… yet growing econo-mies, nascent… yet stabilising democracies, a population getting healthier and more educated, an expanding middle class signifying a potential to even out the distri-bution of wealth.

“An Africa, that is ‘getting its act together’. 54 countries of dif-ferent ethnicity, culture , language and different levels of develop-ment, home to 1.1 billion people, the second fastest growing re-gional economy (second to Asia) and home to more than half of the world’s fastest growing econo-

mies”.She however, noted that in

spite the efforts, Africa still has its challenges, which IBM has en-capsulated and coined as Africa’s Grand Challenges which include education, access to water, energy, healthcare, financial inclusion, public safety and transport and agriculture.

The Minister said: “The com-bination of an Africa Rising and one that still has to overcome chal-lenges represents a significant opportunity for African start-ups especially those in the tech sector.

“Mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are forecast to ex-ceed 635 million by the end of this year (2014) and predicted to rise to around 930 million by the end of 2019.

The increase in the number of mobile subscribers has fuelled in-creases in mobile internet use in Africa and we are considered to be at the cusp of a mobile internet revolution. Predictions are that mobile internet use in Africa will increase twenty fold in the next five years … this is double the es-timated growth rate in the rest of the world.

ICT has changed Africa continent, says minister

The National Identity Man-agement Commission, NIMC, has raised the alarm

over reports making the rounds that eligible applicants must pay certain sums of money before they could enroll for the National Identification Number, NIN.

The Deputy Director, Corpo-rate Communications, NIMC, Mr. Abdul-Hamid Umar, said en-rolment into the National Iden-tity Database (NIDB) is absolutely free, emphasising that no citizen or legal residents is expected to pay for it.

He said, “It has come to the at-tention of NIMC that certain busi-ness centre miscreants posing as

Fake NIN enrolment agents on prowl, warns NIMC

L-R: Market Development Manager, Intel Nigeria, Simbo Olatoregun; Professor of Computer Systems and Network Engineering, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Prof. Samuel Nduelo John; Head of Department, Electrical and Information Engineering, Dr. Francis Idachaba, both of Covenant University and Director, National Universities Commission, Lagos Office, Mr. Oluwole Olaoye, during the donation of Galileo Boards to universities in Nigeria in Lagos, yesterday.

tres and cyber cafes for online pre-enrolment must pay for the use of internet which is cost of services rendered by the business owners but condemned the report that the payment was either for the NIN or the National e-ID Card or that the money goes to NIMC.

He stressed that NIMC has no business charging anybody for enrolment into the NIDB. He said, “Enrolment is completely free, and anyone who is asked to pay by any NIMC official, must report to the nearest security post.” Noting that it was safer and faster for eli-gible applicants who have access to the internet to pre-enrol them-selves via the NIMC.

Vodacom Business Nigeria at the weekend in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial

capital, said cloud computing will address all issues relating to reduction in cost of operating business in the country, lament-ing however that businesses in the country are still lagging be-hind, with only a third of them currently using cloud technology.

The tech giant allayed fears over the security of firms that adopt the technology, assuring that it has put in place measures to safeguard the data of all its cli-ents across the country.

Its Executive Head, Cloud and Hosting Services, Nkosi Kumalo said: “Cloud is the ultimate place to do business. Most chief in-formation officers (CIOs) spend their time managing complex IT delivery however, by adopt-ing cloud technology; corporates have reduced their total cost of operation (TCO) and increased productivity. Cloud technology transforms the way we do busi-ness.”

Speaking on Utilising Cloud As a Key Business Tool, at the

CIO forum sponsored by Vod-acom Business Nigeria in Lagos, he urged firms still doing busi-ness in the usual way to start thinking about looking inwards by embracing cloud technology.

Kumalo stated that factors driving cloud adoption include improved connectivity, reduc-tion in IT costs and the retention of key skills. “Companies can no longer afford to invest too much of their capital expenditure (CA-PEX) into IT infrastructure as this is an expensive, long-term investment,” he added.

According to him, despite this increased interest in cloud tech-nology across Africa, it is evident that the major adaption inhibitor is the security of cloud comput-ing.

Vodacom: Cloud computing is IT industry game changer

NIMC agents, use banners bear-ing the NIMC or Presidential lo-gos at their business centres, and charge eligible applicants for pre-enrolment, making applicants be-lieve they are paying for the NIN or the National e-ID Card.

“NIMC wants to make it cat-egorically clear that anyone who visits a cyber cafe or a business centre and is charged for pre-en-rolment is paying for the use of the Internet which is service ren-dered by the business centre, and not for the NIN or the National e-ID Card.”

He however, noted that NIMC is not oblivious of the fact that persons who visit business cen-

Why CWG is re-strategising, says Okere

Info Tech

ePayment offers promising future for retailers

Global online commerce is rapidly evolving and expanding, both in size and complexity. Driven by new tech-

nology, emerging economies and changing consumer behavior and preferences, online retail will change more in the next five years than it has in the past 20. One key compo-nent of this change is the online payments space.

Historically, online payments using cred-it cards required a series of steps, including data entry, in order to verify the consumer’s identity. In an increasingly mobile world, with new online payment method seem-ingly emerging daily, that process is rapidly becoming outdated.

Today’s savvy online shoppers expect the process of paying for their online purchases to be effortless. They can make purchases with a click of a button or by swiping their smartphones across a reader. To success-fully connect with tomorrow’s consumers, retailers must make the payment process increasingly invisible.

Invisible payments means reducing the payments experience for consumers to the minimum amount of effort, while main-taining the highest levels of security, au-thentication and trust. This leaves the con-sumer to focus on selecting the product or service and confirming their intent to buy it removes friction and increases conversions, significantly increasing retailers’ sales.

In a recent study, Juniper Research found that the annual transaction value of global online, mobile and contactless payments will reach $4.7 trn by 2019, a significant hike from a value of $2.5 trn in 2014.

Invisible payments through mobile and social media channels are the fastest-grow-ing area of payments, and are changing the way shoppers interact with retailers. Social commerce and single sign-on programs are growing rapidly because consumers can ‘store’ their payment data in one place – such as Amazon – and pay for products and services on third-party sites that support, for instance, Amazon payments. PayPal, MasterCard’s MasterPass, Google Wallet and others have similar payment programs in place. With Google Wallet, for example, users with an NFC Android device can store their bank account, credit and debit cards,

Thursday, October 2, 2014 National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 33

Brands & Marketing

The key baTTleground is

mobile phones and TableTs, so any

paymenT meThods ThaT can ease ThaT TransacTion flow

can be hugely helpful

other area of the world over the next few years. China will account for more than six of every 10 dollars spent on e-commerce in Asia- Pacific this year and nearly three-quarters of regional spending by 2017, ac-cording to eMarketer.

“Massive gains in China, as well as in In-dia and Indonesia, will push Asia-Pacific’s growth ahead. The country’s [China] e-com-merce market is second only to the U.S., but this is not expected to last much longer. Be-ginning in 2016, China will overtake the U.S. in spending,” according to eMarketer

While emerging markets are increas-ingly important in driving international retailers’ growth, markets vary wildly in their maturity and local consumer’s at-titudes toward online commerce and pay-ments. The United States and several other developed markets have reached a maturity level that Forrester Research calls ‘Phase 4’. In this phase, consumers’ comfort-levels with eCommerce have evolved to include even subjective purchases such as groceries, beauty products, apparel and other consum-er goods. These kinds of products were his-torically thought to be tough to sell online because they require a degree of personal interaction with the product, to determine size, freshness, and other product character-istics.

This level of comfort with eCommerce in general is a good marker for consumer read-

As the global consumers becomes more sophisticated and convenient plaint, so are products and services retailer ready to explore the convergence of technology to meet their daily needs. DAVID AUDU with online reports takes a look at innovations in online payment.

and Google Wallet balance in one place, and then pay in stores that accept contactless payments. To pay, users simply tap the back of their phones to the point-of-sale, POS, ter-minal.

Twitter and Facebook are also ramping up payment initiatives. For example, Face-book has a partnership with PayPal that lets Facebook users connect their credit card details to their Facebook accounts for easy online payments directly from their Face-book page. In July, the company started test-ing a click-to-buy button to be included in advertisements or other commercial posts. Similarly, Twitter is exploring partnerships and acquisitions that will allowits users to purchase goods directly from tweets in the future.

Already, many global consumers are used to ordering gifts, clothing, and even grocer-ies using their smartphones and tablets, and this trend will only increase in the future. Goldman Sachs found that global m-com-merce sales will reach $626 billion by 2018, which is equal to total global e-commerce sales in 2013.

“Mobile is driving a lot of the change in mobile payments now. A lot of people are shopping via their apps, sitting in front of their televisions,” said Andrew Eldon, COO of StrawberryNET.com, a global online re-tailer of cosmetics and skin care products. At least one quarter of the retailer’s entire transactions stem from mobile devices. “The key battleground is mobile phones and tablets, so any payment methods that can ease that transaction flow can be hugely helpful,” Eldon added.

In coming years, these invisible transac-tions will increasingly take place on tablets. While smartphone-based m-commerce sales will grow $20 to $30bn annually through 2018, tablet sales will realize 44 percent an-nual growth by the end of 2015, according to Goldman Sachs.

E-commerce growth, whether it is occur-ring through mobile devices, social media, or web sites, has quickly developed into global phenomenon. Mobile and all types of digital transactions are expected to grow faster in the Asia-Pacific region than any

iness for new payments concepts such as in-visible payments. Newer, emerging markets are rapidly maturing to this phase, but mer-chants must carefully investigate the overall comfort levels with eCommerce before roll-ing out advanced payment options such as invisible payments.

In addition to overall market conditions, merchants should consider the level of brand loyalty and trust they can build on in a particular market. A retailer may have high brand loyalty in their home market, driven by excellent customer service, gener-ous return policies, and high-quality prod-ucts. When expanding into new territories however, this level of loyalty and trust will need to be earned all over again. Assess-ing consumer loyalty and trust toward the brand is another key marker when deter-mining market readiness for invisible pay-ments.

These three markers – evolving technol-ogy, increasing global comfort levels with eCommerce in general, and strong consum-er trust and loyalty toward successful eCom-merce brands – are converging to change consumer’s expectations of what online payments look like. When all three of these markers are in place, the market is ready for invisible payments.

“We’re at the tipping point between con-sumer awareness and confidence in eCom-merce,” said Carl Miller, global director of retail for GlobalCollect. “Invisible Payments is the whole concept that the payments part of the checkout process can and should dis-appear. New technologies and advances in social media are enabling that. When you look at the whole value chain from the us-er’s perspective, the user has to choose the service or product, and acknowledge that they indeed want to buy. Any part that can get out of the way, merchants need to invest in making that invisible.”

Technology advancements: One of the challenges with reducing an online pay-ment to a single click of the button is to safe-ly and securely process the payment while hiding the process of verification from the consumer. Additional report by: FierceMarkets.com

34 Thursday, October 2, 2014 National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.netBrands & Marketing

Automated ad buying, in which marketers use computerized systems to

target users based on consumer data and Web-browsing histo-ries, is expected to jump 52% this year to $21 billion globally, according to a study scheduled to be released Monday by Magna Global, the research and ad-buy-ing arm of Interpublic Group.

Such “programmatic buying” would represent about 42 per cent of global display-related ad business, the company said.

Automated buying is a major departure from the traditional ad-buying process, which in-volves calling or emailing sales-people to do deals. This means that machines are taking on a much bigger role in advertising buying round the world, accord-ing to the study.

About $9.3 billion of the ex-pected automated ad spending

this year, Magna said, will be through real-time bidding, in which advertisers use machines to automatically bid for inven-tory that meets their ad specifi-cations, within milliseconds of it becoming available.

Adoption of automated ad buying has been led by the U.S., where about $10.9 billion worth of ad spending is expected to be done programmatically this year.

The ad buying technique of-fers buyers and sellers a way to reduce transaction costs and al-lows marketers to use consumer data to better target their cus-tomers, which improves the ef-ficiency of ad campaigns.

Magna said that over the last 18 month industries such as au-tomotive, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceuticals have boosted their use of auto-mated ad buying.

Coca-Cola Nigeria Lim-ited has announced the appointment of The

Quadrant Company as the new public relations consultants to steward her corporate and bever-age brands effective September 2014.

In a statement released by the Public Affairs & Communica-tions Director, Clem Ugorji, the company said that The Quadrant Company was selected through a keenly contested pitch that in-volved six leading PR agencies in the country, including the incum-bent agency, C&F Porter Novelli.

According to Ugorji, ‘The re-cent pitch for the Coca-Cola PR account was informed by our pol-icy to periodically evaluate and refresh our capabilities in order to effectively drive our growth plans”. He noted that the partici-pating agencies all demonstrated

remarkable competencies and that The Quadrant Company were adjudged to be well posi-tioned to sustainably deliver on the expectations in the fast evolv-ing PR landscape.

Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of The Quadrant Company, BolajiO-kusaga, said “We are pleased to emerge winners in the keenly competed pitch to render PR con-sultancy services to Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited on her corpo-rate and beverage brands. We feel honoured to win a contest that also involved other eminent-ly qualified and professionally competent Agencies. The Quad-rant Company shall bring requi-site professional competences to bear in sustaining the brands on the stable of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited as well as the corporate brand.”

Programmatic ad buying to reach $21bn

Quadrant wins Coca-Cola Nigeria PR

As part of its vision to in-fuse new standards and satisfaction levels into

shopping, Traclist, a fashion e-commerce platform has upgrad-ed its portal to provide customers with unique online experiences.

The marketplace platform which is designed and crafted to ease the way people buy and sell fashion, has created seamless connections between merchants and buyers of local and interna-tional labels.

A run-through the Traclist portal shows customers can reg-ister and log into personal ac-counts with opportunities to add different products from diverse fashion merchants into one shop-ping cart. The e-commerce plat-

form also provides customers with an all-in-one comprehensive delivery service via its logistics partners to destinations nation-wide.

Speaking on this new devel-opment, Managing Director Traclist Mr. Emotu Balogun, said it is a unique and superior customer experience to lovers of fashion which will deliver a proper online marketplace with a guaranteed return policy like never before”.

The Traclist platform provides a rounded service where custom-ers, subscribers and followers of the brand can access a self-styled fashion professional for tips on mixing colors and dress combi-nations.

Traclist upgrades online portal to enhance customer experience

DaviD auDu

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), a body of advertisers controlling

over 85 per cent of N100 billion advertising spend in Nigeria has included Brand Journalists of the Year and Future Leader in market-ing of the Year in its 2014 awards categories to strengthen the mar-keting space in the country.

The Awards for Marketing Ex-cellence 2014 will still recognize outstanding and effective market-ing in the country in the follow-ing categories consumer Insights, Corporate Social Responsibility, Experiential. Consumer Promo-tions, New Brand of the Year

(Product or Service), Digital Mar-keting, Brand of the Year, Innova-tion of the Year (Product or Ser-vice), Campaign of the Year and Brand Manager of the Year.

ADVAN awards has become one of the most recognised re-wards platforms in the Nigeria’s marketing calendar and this year ceremony would take place in Lagos on September 11, 2004 with the theme: ‘Marketing in the 21ST Century’.

Speaking on the objectives of the annual ceremony, the Ex-ecutive Secretary, ADVAN, Ediri Ose-Ediale said the award is set to drive visionary and thought leadership within the marketing communication industry as well as provide forum for advertisers

to discuss issues of common inter-est and influence developmental changes within the industry.

“We initiate and encourage the compilation of reliable statistics to aid effective marketing plan-ning and value realization and create value based relationships with government, relevant associ-ations and stakeholders,” she said.

It is no secret that marketing has undergone more changes during the past five years than perhaps the preceding 100 years. Staying current with the dizzying array of technologies and trends has emerged as a daunting and often frustrating task for Chief Marketing Officers. “Today, it isn’t enough to be tech-savvy and mar-keting-smart.

Managing Director of Spronks Creations Limited, the organiser

of the yearly Nigeria Interna-tional Wine & Spirit Fair (NI-WSF), Mrs. Aderonke Sobodu has assessed Nigerian wine and spirit market said it is worth over $350 million.

Sobodu who made the assess-ment recently at a press con-ference to announce this year wine and spirit fair, said “the growth and acceptance of wine and spirit into our social life-style has made the country one of the fast emerging markets in the world, which in turn offers great opportunity for tourism, trade and commerce.

She said the rising profile of Nigeria in the wine and spirit trade has created the need to ex-pose indigenous wine and spirit producers to the global trade en-vironment.

Osibodu noted that with Ni-geria’s ranking growing fast

in wine market, and current consumption valued at over $350million based on our expor-tation, there is need to create av-enue that would help to engage more local player who will tap from the global expertise and experience”.

She added that, the team of the Nigeria International Wine and Spirit Fair, in partnership with the International Oenolo-gists, is exploring the possibil-ity of growing and producing the first commercial wine range in West Africa.

“Obudu Plateau, found on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountain range has been iden-tified as a potential location to explore wine production based on the landscape and altitude of this region. We are seeking the help of the Cross River State Government to achieve this feat, she informed.”

Also speaking at the event, the Brand and Country Manag-er, Louis Roederer, Ms Frances Lawrence said the company is excited to sponsor the fair add-ing that, “We are very glad to be associated with Nigeria Inter-national Wine and Spirit Fair.

“Over the years the organis-ers have managed to position and maintain the fair as a pres-tigious event in the industry es-pecially in West Africa, where there has been less focus on quality wine and spirit. For us at Louis Roederer, it is impor-tant to associate our brand with event such as this; that pro-motes wine and spirit culture and lifestyle.

“As the Number One Cham-pagne in the world, we are proud to say that we only asso-ciate with the very best and we can say categorically that the Nigeria International Wine and Spirit offers such platform.”

Nigeria’ wine market valued at over $350m

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Synthesis Communications Limited, Mr. Agbo Agbo; Co- Host, Mr. Segun Ogundipe (Laff up) ; Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Mr. Wole Adedeji and Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth at the Maltina Dance All 8 grand finale in Lagos, recently.

ADVAN awards announces two new categories

Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: [email protected]

with Ayodeji Ayopo

Brand X-Ray

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 35

The youth market has always been the focus of every brand. This is due to the

enormous potentials that abound amongst the youth audience. It is no longer surprising that compa-nies now court the youth segment to develop the profile of their brands. Youths are now the main target of brands that want to re-main relevant in the marketplace beyond today. Brands are daily deploying strategic initiatives to connect directly with the youth market. It is also imperative to state that for brands to gain rel-evance and acceptability there should be innovative ideas that will reasonate with the youth.

The Native and Vogue event is an annual fashion event that rivals Paris and South Africa in terms of its planning, glamour and glitz. The event which is part of Rivers State strategic commu-

nication campaigncentres mainly on the youthful populace. Native and Vogue though local in concept has a global outlook and it has since inception redefined the im-age of Rivers State.

Youths have the potentials to drive Nigerian’s economy and their role in playing essential roles in shaping Nigeria’s future is truths that cannot be ignored. This is closely linked to the vi-sion behind Native and Vogue to harness the creative ingenuity of youths for economic impact. The event is anchored on giving youths opportunity to showcase their potentials in the area of fashion. Native and Vogue which is global in its entirety adopts fashion as a veritable platform to connect with the youth audience. The event takes into cognizance the dreams and aspirations of the youth in Rivers State. It is indeed

Thursday, October 2, 2014

PTV wins mobile phones dealer award

Brands & Marketing

Native and Vogue: Exploring potential of youth

L-R: Editor, Marketing World magazine, Mrs. Kehinde Olesin, Group Publisher/CEO Marketing World Magazine, Mr. Akin Naphtal, and Research Executive, Mr. Tope Ajayi at the press conference to usher in the 4th Marketing World Awards, held in Lagos recently.

a veritable platform for youths to fulfill their desire and career development through the fashion industry. The aspirations of the youths in Rivers State drive the wheel for the Native and Vogue International fashion week. It challenges youths to discover themselves and explore untapped possibilities to accomplish their goals in life.

Though the Native and Vogue fashion week projects the cre-ativity, vibrancy and dynamic at-tached to African fashion, it seeks

move to project aspiring young designers to showcase their enor-mous deposit of local talents that abound in them.

The event is clearly an educa-tive platform to change the mind-set of youths in Rivers State. It is indeed an eye opener for them to have adequate exposure to sev-eral positive endeavours they can deploy their energies on. Native and Vogue serves as a platform designed to provide viable and sustainable economic opportu-nities for youths in Rivers State.

This is one major benefit of the event being an educative platform as the event provides a veritable platform for youths to have proper re-orientation and embrace a cul-tured lifestyle to remain produc-tive.

The inspiration the event pro-vides for the youthful audience cannot be underestimated. Native and Vogue parades the best and finest international and local fash-ion designers. This may just be the fire that some youths in Rivers State need to believe in their po-tentials and explore same for posi-tive impact. Frank Oshodi, the re-nowned designer and proprietor of the House of BunorCreazioni has been a notable face at the fash-ion event since inception last year. Oshodi’s presence as well as Ade Bakareand several others inspire the upcoming designers to fulfill their dreams.

Consumers introduce new variants of Hollandia YoghurtDaviD auDu

Chi Limited, makers of Hol-landia Yoghurt have intro-duced three new variants

of the product into the Nigerian market. According to a state-ment from the company, the three new variants in addition to exist-ing variants in the market which come in ‘Green Apple,’ ‘Orange’ and ‘Pure and Plain’, according to the company are expected to ca-ter to a growing demand for dairy products in general and yoghurt in particular.

It further noted that the new variants will widen consumer choices and experiences of Hol-landia Yogurt which has a rich mouthfeel and a balanced flavour. “The new lowfat yogurts are excel-lent for taste. Hollandia Yoghurt is not only healthy and fulfilling but a real delight to consumers. The variants come in 1 litre, 500ml and 250ml tetra packs”, it stated.

“With the introduction of On-The-Go pack of Hollandia Yoghurt 180ml sachets in Orange, Straw-berry and Plain Sweetened and Pure N Plain flavours at the cost of N50 for children and young adults. No doubt, consumers who are attracted to the brand and feel a kinship with its refreshing and energising flavours will become adorers and ambassadors in the nearest future.

“The Pure and Plain variant which was developed to satisfy the ever-increasing health conscious consumer contains no sugar and is adjudged suitable for the indi-vidual who desires to consume yoghurt strictly for its numerous health benefits.

“According to nutritionists, consumption of yoghurt is rec-ommended for persons who suf-fer from obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, among others, because yoghurt exerts a positive effect on health.

“As consumers become more

Peace Tiding Ventures (PTV) Ltd has won the mobile phones dealer award cate-

gory at the recently held Nigerian Telecoms Award.

The award according tothe Secretary-General of the Nige-rian Telecom Award,Otunba Bio-dun Ajiboye, was in recognition of PTV’s strength in building a strong and virile company. This was also evident in the course of market monitoring, product usage and emotive/value interest seen in every aspect of social strata.

The Chief Executive Officer, PTV Ltd, Mr. Banji Adesanmi said the award is a further attestation to the company’s strategic busi-ness goal. This is based on the

aware of the nutritional and health benefits of yoghurt, espe-cially its role as a good source of protein, vitamins and calcium that are beneficial to general health and well being of the individual, the market for yoghurt can only grow even more and with it the fortunes of Hollandia Yoghurt.

Speaking on the newly intro-duced variants, Managing Direc-tor, Chi Limited, Mr. Roy Deep-anjan said: “the new variants of Hollandia Yoghurt were developed following extensive consumer engagement activities which re-vealed that our loyal customers who have helped us to reach the number one position have a yearn-ing for more varieties of the Hol-landia Yoghurt brand. We at Chi Limited, have always have been keen to satisfy the ever growing population of Hollandia Yoghurt consumers across Nigeria with products designed to satisfy their needs and expectations from our brands.

recent re-engineering which led to the diversification of business for the company. Adesanmi said PTV has evolved from a cell phone marketing company to a full tech-nology and electronics company leveraging its unique offerings to deepen brand equity. PTV strives to provide quality and genuine phones to meet the needs of Nige-rian consumers.

PTV according to him is lever-aging its competencies and capa-bilities to gain strategic advantage in the market place. The PTV fran-chise network recently unveiled is also an avenue to develop entrepre-neurial abilities amongst Nigeri-ans and also expand business op-portunities for PTV.

Today’s discussion sounds like a chat with the oph-thalmologist, but trust

me, this has nothing to do with the treatment of the retina, the cornea, the vitreous humor or the iris! Our discussion today is about eye tracking and its role in marketing communications.

Eye tracking is the study of eye movements to gain a precise understanding of what captures consumers’ visual attention when viewing an advert, to ultimately produce stronger ad campaigns, better packaging and more satis-fying shopper experiences. Eye-tracking is now widely used, in

part because in recent years it has become simpler to implement and more affordable. And the ben-efits of eye-tracking are clear: eye movements indicate the focus of visual attention with more detail and accuracy than self-reported answers. Of course, the method doesn’t reveal why a particular area catches the eye or how peo-ple respond to what their eyes fall on. That type of information re-quires additional survey-based or qualitative study. But eye tracking provides clear evidence of what people are likely to look at, which makes it a powerful aid in evalu-ating advertising creative.

Do your communications pass the eye test?

Tel: 08023117969/08031100462

with Michael Umogun

BRAND talk

Email: [email protected]

Canada’s gross domes-tic product was little changed in July as a drop

in oil and gas production offset gains in manufacturing.

Output remained close to an an-nualised C$1.63 trillion ($1.46 trillion) in July following six monthly in-creases, Statistics Canada said Tues-day in Ottawa. The median forecast in a Bloomberg economist survey with 14 responses was for output to expand 0.3 per cent.

The report supports Bank of Can-ada Governor Stephen Poloz, who said this month more time is needed to assess early recovery signs. Poloz held the central bank’s benchmark rate on overnight loans between commercial banks at one per cent and said a recent jump in exports must be sustained before it triggers the business investment needed to bring the economy to full capacity over the next two years.

The report “is bit of a tough pill to swallow” after half a year of gains, said Mazen Issa, senior Canada macro strategist at TD Securities in Toronto. “I still wouldn’t want to dis-count the growth we have had this year,” said Issa, who predicts a third-quarter expansion of 2.5 per cent at an annualised rate, enough to erode economic slack.

Canada’s dollar weakened 0.2 per cent to C$1.1182 per U.S. dollar Tues-day, and has declined by five per cent this year. Government bond yields

Canada’s economy unexpectedly stalled in July on oil

rose, including the security due in two years, which climbed one basis point to 1.12 per cent.

Oil and gas extraction fell by 1.6 per cent in July, and “support activi-ties” for energy production fell by 0.9 per cent. Cooler-than-normal tem-peratures curbed the output of utili-ties by 2.3 per cent, Statistics Canada said.

Norway’s Statoil ASA said Sep-tember 25 it would postpone work on its Corner field project in the Ca-nadian oil sands as mounting costs reduce the potential for profit, fol-lowing a similar delay announced by Total SA in May. Statoil said it plans to push back the project in northern Alberta by at least three years and expects to cut 70 jobs.

The decision “is consistent with our stepwise approach to the oil sands,” Statoil Canada President Staale Tungesvik said in a state-ment.

Home prices in 20 United States cities rose in the year ended in July at the

slowest pace in almost two years as still-tight credit and limited wage gains weigh on demand.

The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values increased 6.7 per cent from July 2013, the smallest 12-month gain since No-vember 2012, a report from the group showed Tuesday in New York. Nationally, prices rose 5.6 per cent after a 6.3 per cent gain in the year ended June.

Property values have shown more subdued appreciation as investors step back from the mar-ket and first-time buyers remain a historically smaller share. Eas-ing price increases and strides in the labor market may help more Americans consider homeown-ership even as wage growth has shown little acceleration.

“In order to support further gains in home prices, you would need stronger housing demand, an improvement in the rate of household formation, and inven-tory levels to remain lean,” said Michael Gapen, a senior U.S. economist for Barclays Capital Inc. in New York. “You will get all of this, it will just be at a moder-ate pace” since owners shouldn’t anticipate “8 to 10 per cent out of your home forever,” Gapen said.

Stock-index futures trimmed earlier gains after the report. The contract on the Standard &

A Chinese manufacturing gauge fell from an initial reading a week ago as a

property slump weighs on the world’s second-largest economy.

The Purchasing Managers’ In-dex from HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics for September was at 50.2, lower than the prelimi-nary figure of 50.5 and unchanged from August. Numbers above 50 signal expansion. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong extended losses after the report.

Economists have cut estimates for this year’s gross domestic prod-uct growth after data on industrial profits, factory output and credit showed a deteriorating outlook. While the government has set an expansion target of about 7.5 per cent for this year, Premier Li Keq-iang and other policy makers have insisted for months they don’t need strong stimulus measures.

“The reading shows China’s economy is still biased toward weakening,” said Zhou Hao, a Shanghai-based economist at Aus-tralia & New Zealand Banking

Poor’s 500 Index maturing in De-cember rose 0.1 per cent to 1,972 Tuesday in New York.

The median projection of 28 economists surveyed by Bloom-berg called for a 7.4 per cent ad-vance in the 20-city index. Esti-mates ranged from gains of 5.6 per cent to 7.8 per cent. The S&P/Case-Shiller index is based on a three-month average, which means the July figure was also influenced by transactions in May and June.

Home prices in the 20-city in-dex adjusted for seasonal varia-tions decreased 0.5 per cent in July from the prior month, the worst performance since Novem-ber 2011. The Bloomberg survey median called for unchanged. Unadjusted prices rose 0.6 per cent.

The year-over-year gauge,

based on records dating back to 2001, provides better indications of trends in prices, the group has said. The panel includes Karl Case and Robert Shiller, the econ-omists who created the index.

Nineteen of the 20 cities in the index showed smaller year-over-year gains, according to the re-port. San Francisco experienced the biggest deceleration, cool-ing to 10.3 per cent in the year ended July from 13.2 per cent the prior month. Cleveland was the only city to maintain its year-over-year gain at 0.9 per cent, the smallest advance among the group.

Tuesday’s report included na-tional figures that are now being reported on a monthly basis. The gain covering the entire U.S. was also the smallest since November 2012.

Group Ltd. “It’s quite clear that the central bank is reluctant to conduct any broad-based easing, and the economic weakness is likely to con-tinue.”

One bright spot in data for Au-gust, export growth, was reflected in today’s report, which showed a stronger expansion of total new business, driven by the fastest rise in new export orders for 4 1/2 years. China’s trade surplus climbed to a record in August as exports rose on the back of increased shipments to the U.S. and Europe.

Strength in external shipments is helping offset the drag from prop-erty: New-home prices fell in all ex-cept two of the 70 cities monitored by the government last month, the most since January 2011. A home-price expectation index among ur-ban households declined in the third quarter, according to a report from Survey and Research Center for China Household Finance, which is based on a survey of 5,000 house-holds.

A separate manufacturing index from the National Bureau of Statis-

tics and China Federation of Logis-tics and Purchasing is scheduled to be published tomorrow. That figure declined to 51.1 in August from 51.7 in July. The median estimate for Sep-tember’s figure of 31 economists sur-veyed by Bloomberg is 51.0.

A report this month showed the economy remained stuck in “low gear” this quarter. The China Beige Book survey of companies said growth in investment slowed fur-ther, borrowing costs rose and the share of firms applying for and get-ting bank loans remained at “rock bottom levels.”

U.S housing estate

Home prices in U.S. rise at slowest pace in two years

China factory gauge falls from initial reading

36 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014Global News

Brent and West Texas Inter-mediate crude headed for the biggest quarterly decline

in more than two years as abundant supplies offset the risk of disruption from conflict in the Middle East.

U.S. crude stockpiles probably expanded by 1.5 million barrels last week, a Bloomberg News survey showed before an Energy Informa-tion Administration report tomor-row. Oil also dropped as a dollar index strengthened to a four-year high. The U.S. and its European and Arab allies have conducted thou-sands of air missions against Islam-ic State militants in Syria and Iraq.

“We are going to continue to see lower prices as we go forward,” said Tariq Zahir, a New York-based commodity fund manager at Tyche Capital Advisors. “Fundamentally we are just very well supplied. The dollar continues to get stronger and it’s adding pressure on oil.”

WTI for November delivery in-creased nine cents to $94.66 a barrel Tuesday on the New York Mercan-tile Exchange. Prices have lost 10 percent this quarter, the most since June 2012. The volume of all futures was 9.6 per cent above the 100-day average.

Brent for November settlement

Oil set for biggest quarterly drop since 2012 on supply

added three cents to $97.23 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Volume was 9.3 per cent above the 100-day average. Prices have decreased 13 per cent this quarter. WTI was at a discount of $2.59 to Brent on ICE, compared with $2.63 Monday, which was the narrowest close since August 2013.

U.S. crude stockpiles may have climbed last week as refineries started conducting seasonal main-tenance. Plants typically schedule planned work for September and October, when they move from max-imising gasoline output to produc-ing winter fuels.

U.S. domestic production rose to 8.87 million barrels a day in the week ended Sept. 19, the most since March 1986, according to EIA esti-mates. A combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has unlocked supplies from shale formations in the central U.S.

“There’s plenty of supply but no demand,” said Michael Hewson, a London-based market analyst at CMC Markets Plc, who forecasts that Brent could drop to $90 a bar-rel and WTI fall as low as $85 next quarter.

Xi Jinping

Stephen Poloz

Gold

Soybean futures headed for the longest string of monthly losses since 2008 as improv-

ing crop conditions bolster the out-look for a record harvest in the U.S, the world’s biggest grower.

Domestic farmers are expect-ed to harvest an all-time high of 3.913 billion bushels, 19 per cent larger than last year’s crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. Supplies are also rising from Brazil and Argentina, the second- and third-largest produc-ers. Prices fell 11 percent in Sep-tember, heading for a fifth straight monthly decline.

Two years after the worst U.S. drought in decades drove futures to a record, the oilseed is slump-ing as almost ideal weather boosts the outlook for yields. Soybeans in good or excellent condition made up 72 per cent of the crop as

Soybeans head for longest slump since 2008 bumper crop

The United Kingdom econ-omy grew faster than esti-mated in the second quar-

ter, extending a recovery that’s been more robust than previously thought.

Gross Domestic Product rose 0.9 per cent in the three months through June, the fastest pace in nine months and above the 0.8 per cent previously published, the Of-fice for National Statistics said Tuesday. A separate report showed the nation’s current account defi-cit widened.

Revisions showed the recession that started in 2008 was shallower than initially estimated and the bounce-back stronger, with output recovering its pre-recession peak in the third quarter of last year. GDP is now 2.7 per cent higher than it was at the start of 2008.

The changes to the data may strengthen the case for Bank of England policy makers that it’s time to begin raising interest rates from a record low. While the BOE kept the benchmark rate at 0.5 per cent this month, two officials are pushing for an increase. In nomi-nal terms, the economy is now 28 billion pounds ($45 billion), or 6.6

Gold fell to the lowest level since January, set for the biggest monthly

decline in 15, on the outlook for higher U.S. interest rates that strengthened the dollar. Silver dropped to the lowest in four years.

Gold retreated 6.3 per cent in September, the most since June 2013. It’s within 0.4 per cent of erasing this year’s gains, which were fueled partly by tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East. The dollar has climbed amid im-proving U.S. economic data and as the Federal Reserve raised interest-rate forecasts, while cen-tral banks in Europe and Asia maintained or expanded stimu-lus to spur economic growth.

Higher interest rates reduce gold’s allure because the metal

per cent, bigger than previously estimated.

The pound appreciated 0.4 per cent to 77.80 pence per euro Tues-day. Sterling fell 0.2 per cent to $1.6205.

During the recession, the econ-omy shrank six per cent, less than the 7.2 per cent previously report-ed. It grew faster than previously thought between 2010 and 2012, and by an unrevised 1.7 per cent in 2013.

James Knightley, an economist at ING Bank NV in London, said the stronger recovery could mean there is less spare capacity in the economy.

“Taken on its own this could suggest that the U.K. may need to raise rates earlier and more ag-gressively,” he said. “But in the absence of inflation and wage pres-sures and with signs that the hous-ing market is cooling we doubt that the Bank of England will move im-minently.”

Investors have fully priced in a rate increase by June 2015. Knight-ley forecasts that the BOE will be-gin tightening in February.

The data may also bolster the argument of Chancellor of the Ex-chequer George Osborne that his

deficit-cutting plan was the best one for the economy after the reces-sion. With a general election due next year, he told the annual con-ference of his Conservative Party yesterday that “difficult decisions” are still needed to fix the economy, which faces “huge” risks.

In a statement Tuesday, the Treasury in London said the ONS report is “further evidence that government’s long-term economic plan is working.” The changes to the data also have an impact on the deficit-to-GDP ratio, which is now said to be 5.7 per cent compared with 6.5 per cent previously.

only offers investors returns through price gains, while a stronger dollar typically cuts de-mand for a store of value. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index reached a four-year high today and is set for the largest quarterly increase since 2008. Bullion pric-es near $1,200 an ounce may draw more physical demand, UBS AG wrote in a report today.

“The divergence in monetary policies between the Fed and oth-er central banks will further push up the dollar and weigh on gold,” Zhu Runyu, an analyst at CITICS Futures Co., a unit of China’s big-gest listed brokerage, wrote in an e-mail today. “As geopolitical ten-sions fade, gold has also lost a key price support this year.”

Gold for December delivery slid one per cent to $1,206.60 on

the Comex in New York by 7:39 a.m. It reached $1,204.30 Tuesday, the lowest since Jan. 2, and is set for an 8.7 per cent drop this quar-ter. Gold for immediate delivery fell 0.8 per cent to $1,206.39 in London, according to Bloomberg generic pricing.

Futures trading volume was 30 per cent higher than the average for the past 100 days for this time of day, data compiled by Bloom-berg show.

There is a 55 per cent chance the Fed will raise its benchmark interest-rate target to at least 0.5 per cent by July 2015, futures trading shows.

“There is a general expecta-tion that prices close to or below $1,200 will draw a greater reac-tion from physical buyers and opportune investors,” UBS wrote in the note, after visiting Asia last week. “A rush to physical will not take hold, not unless prices fall closer to $1,100. Some thought further modest declines were pos-sible, while others felt the market had found a bottom and should be supported around these levels.”

In China, volumes for the benchmark spot contract on the Shanghai Gold Exchange fell Tuesday after reaching a 17-month high Monday. Silver for delivery in December dropped two per cent to $17.21 an ounce in New York. It touched $17.08, the lowest since May 2010, and slid 18 per cent this quarter.

David Cameron

U.K. GDP grows 0.9% as strength of recovery revised up

Gold falls to lowest since January, set for monthly drop

of September 28, up from 71 per cent as week earlier, the USDA said Monday. The agency will up-date its quarterly crop-inventory estimates at noon in Washington Tuesday.

“Even if we have quite a bit more demand, it’s not going to put us in a situation that we can justify some of the prices we’ve seen over the past few years,” said Jason Britt, president of Central States Commodities Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. “You’re going to get little fits and starts, but runaway markets to the upside are going to be hard to come by.”

Soybean futures for November delivery fell 1 percent to $9.1425 a bushel Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade, leaving prices down 21 per cent since June 30. The oilseed touched $9.055 Mon-day, the lowest since 2010.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 37Thursday, October 2, 2014 Global News

Japanese shares fell, with the Topix index paring its quar-terly gain, as industrial pro-

duction dropped and the yen rose amid heightened unrest in Hong Kong.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest carmaker by market value, lost 0.4 per cent. Daikin In-dustries Ltd., an airconditioner maker that gets about 18 per cent of revenue from China, slumped 3.6 per cent. Sumitomo Corp., Ja-pan’s fourth-largest trading com-pany, plunged 12 percent, leading a decline in the industry group, as it cut its profit forecast by 96 per cent after writing down the value of two investments. Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., a maker of gam-ing machines, gained 0.1 per cent, erasing earlier declines, after a lawmaker said he expects Japan’s lower house to pass a bill legalis-ing casinos .

The Topix fell 0.8 per cent to 1,326.29 at the close of trading in Tokyo as all but three of its 33 industry groups declined. The measure closed the quarter 5.1 per cent higher and posted a 3.8

Japanese shares fall as factory output drops, yen gains

per cent gain this month. The Nik-kei 225 Stock Average dropped 0.8 per cent to 16,173.52 Tuesday. The yen climbed 0.2 per cent to 109.31 per dollar after falling 0.2 per cent Monday.

“The data from Japan today wasn’t very good,” said Masaru Hamasaki, a senior strategist at Tokyo-based Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management Co., which oversees about 13.4 trillion yen. “Inventory is probably piling up, and the expectations for industrial production look too high. Also with Hong Kong, it’s a financial center, so if that leads to a reduc-tion in active trading, then it’s bad for the markets in general.”

Data Tuesday showed Japanese industrial production unexpect-edly dropped 1.5 per cent in Au-gust from July, when it gained 0.4 per cent. The median estimate of 31 economists surveyed by Bloom-berg News was for a 0.2 per cent in-crease. Other reports showed the jobless rate fell to 3.5 per cent from 3.8 per cent a month earlier and re-tail spending rose 1.9 per cent after declining 0.5 per cent in July.

Soybeans

It is great for upcoming artistes to dream of stardom, walking the red carpets, adorning choice apparels and cornering juicy endorsement deals. But NGOZI EMEDOLIBE reports that the non-passage of the MOPPICOB Bill is throwing up some ugly facts staring the young acts in the face.

Let us call her Mary Joseph. She has this fiery passion about launching a successful career in the Nige-

rian film industry called Nollywood. She thinks she has prepared herself by going to the University of Port Harcourt to earn a degree in Theatre Arts, after four years of intense study.

After her national service in Abuja, Mary moved to Lagos, the headquarters of entertainment in Nigeria, with the hope that before long, she would have become a household name in the industry. But the first few months were quite memorable for her. With referrals, she came in con-tact with many of the big names in the industry. But that hardly availed her any role in spite of the series of auditions she attended.

For days unending, she would leave her sister’s apartment in Ogba, Ikeja area in Lagos to come to Surulere, where most of the auditions usually hold. It was when she met another aspiring actress, Jacinta Ken, that she understood the basic fact that the film industry had a language, an attitude and style.

“It is not about talent and diction alone, you must let them know you have ‘everything’ it takes,” Jacinta told Mary.

“Like what?” Mary replied. “For instance, you won’t get a role when

you are wrapped up like this, looking like a Catholic nun. You must prove to them that you want to do show business. There is the show and the business”, Jacinta told her, and it began to sink in. “Your attire gets you the first role, which is looking ap-pealing to the audition panel.”

Although Mary Joseph has a strict Christian background, she decided to try a body-hugging outfit to the next audi-tion. She wore a mini skirt that exposed her thighs, and a velvety blouse that high-lighted her cleavages. This appeared like a game-changer when she was ushered into the audition arena. Her ‘grace’ seemed to have obsessed the director.

“What is your name?” he had asked her.She told him “You are the kind of per-

son I need for this role. Where have you been all this while? You have the face, figure and diction. I am going to have you play the lead role, but you will have to meet me at my hotel room,” he scribbled something on a paper and passed across to Mary. “That will be all for now”.

“What about the audition? I thought I would be given a script to read or some-thing”, Mary was gesticulating to prove she could act.

“I have heard you talk; I have watched you move. I am the director of the film. You have the role, but you must see me later in the day.”

The first thing that hit Mary on hear-ing the director’s request was sexual ha-rassment. After narrating her experiences to her friend Jacinta, she told her that was just one of the basic prices every upcom-ing actress who wants to make it in every entertainment industry-be it Nollywood or Hollywoood must encounter.

“It is just for the meantime, by the time you become a real star, nobody will give you such proposals. But for now you

should strive and provide some things like Artistes’ Village all around the country, where the business of art could be trans-acted. There could be cinemas and studios there, so that people in that locality can get all their production needs in one arena.

John Okafor Victor Osuagwu

Actresses-Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo and Rita Dominic

YOU WON’T GET A ROLE WHEN YOU ARE WRAPPED UP LIKE THIS, LOOKING LIKE A

CATHOLIC NUN. YOU MUST PROVE TO THEM THAT YOU WANT TO DO SHOW BUSINESS

need them to become that.” In reality a great percentage of intend-

ing artistes in the industry face this kind of challenge before their break. But for fear of being blacklisted from getting roles in the industry by producers, they avoid talking about it. This is why every actress denies ever experiencing this.

How does this happen in Nollywood? John Okafor fondly called Mr. Ibu paints a picture. According to him, “For instance, I know an actress, a decent girl at that who wanted to pursue acting but her father dis-inherited her because he went to a hotel where they were having an audition and saw his daughter there. The man was mad. He could not understand which career someone will be pursuing in a hotel that is not Hotel Management.

“It annoys me when I hear that this gov-ernment or that has given some amount to actors. Please let government not give them again. Instead government should concentrate on providing infrastructure that would make the business of movie-making thrive. With all the money they have collected, actors do not have a place where they can stay as office. That is why actors move from one hotel to another.

“When they want to hold auditions, they go to a hotel. That is the reason why people think actors are not very serious people, because the people have a way of reasoning when they see someone in a ho-tel from morning till night. Government

This idea of moving from one hotel to an-other is causing pain for a lot of people.” So many unreported incidents of rape have happened at such audition grounds.

At the Lagos State chapter of the Ac-tors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Victor Osuag-

Nollywood: The price of becoming 38 National Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014 Insight

Shooting a film in Nollywood

advantages for the actresses, which is why they naturally drift towards that. Aside the endorsement deals, money comes into their accounts through dalliances with politicians who are hoodwinked into sponsoring some of their movie projects. That aside, they also get paid for attend-ing some special functions either being organised by government or by wealthy Nigerian citizens.

For instance during the birthday par-ty held by oil mogul, Ifeanayi Uba, a mis-understanding ensued among the artistes; following the way the money released was shared. While some got $4000, others got $3000, leaving those in the latter category to bemoan their fate.

Zeb Ejiro, a popular director in the industry, confirmed that politicians have done so much to uplift the status of the actresses. According to him, “Where they get it wrong is that they see themselves above God, they see themselves above the

IF WE DO NOT WASH OUR LINEN IN PUBLIC, SOMETIMES

THE STENCH WILL KILL US IN PRIVATE

AND REGINALD EBERE HAS NEVER

BEEN KNOWN NOT TO SPEAK HIS MIND

a star industry. People who suffered to make them who they are, they dump those peo-ple, they don’t respect them. You are doing something today, maybe a child’s naming ceremony, marriage or whatever, they don’t attend.

“They don’t come, they don’t need you anymore! Because the politicians are giv-ing them so much money. The politicians are buying them cars; female politicians are buying the male stars cars, homes and what have you. The male politicians are buying the female ones whatever they want. So, suddenly, they don’t need the producer anymore. They can even make bigger movies than you now because one politician will give them N100 million and you are looking for N15 million to do a blockbuster. They start to equate them-selves with God and forget that these poli-ticians will only use you while you are the reigning star. They will flock around you for that period of time. Immediately some-body else springs up, they will dump you and go to that person.”

Actor Victor Osuagwu responded to a question about his colleagues being paid to attend events thus: “It’s like buying and selling. Somebody who invited you knows he should make provision for your welfare and things like that. That does not mean that the actor has gone to beg for money.”

Another issue of concern in the quest to clinch stardom is the unprofessional conduct of actors having to pay directors and producers to appear in films.

Director Reginald Ebere has frowned at this conduct. “Before now I’d heard stories of directors and producers who would demand that female artistes buy them laptops and iPads before giving them roles. What is bad in that you may ask, well nothing really but those female actors are also required to sleep with them for as long as the production lasted and finally, they are also required to pay cer-tain amounts of money to get roles. Sums as huge as N20,000 nay, even N50,000. If these unfortunate female artistes are to be accommodated in the production camps, they are also required to pay as much as N10,000. Now, I know that dirty linen is not supposed to be washed in public especially in Nollywood and some of my colleagues will nearly send Boko Haram insurgents to assassinate me for what I am revealing since we keep denying the sexual harass-ment going on in Nollywood.

But I have found out that if we do not wash our linen in public, sometimes the stench will kill us in private and Reginald Ebere has never been known not to speak his mind. I have names and I can mention them with hard facts, but I refrain from pushing the walls down because I believe broken walls can be mended.”

An actor, Ben Okoro, has this to say about the trend: “I am a registered mem-ber of AGN. Can you imagine when I was called for a movie audition at Asaba, later I was denied the role. I did not bribe, but my girl was offered the role because she offered sex.”

Of course, this trend is not about to end soon. With the rising number of un-employed youths roaming the streets cou-pled with the fact that the creative indus-try, especially the film industry offers a window of income for vulnerable youths, more will be exploited in the quest to re-alise their dreams.

wu, its chairman, admitted that the rising cases of rape in the name of auditions was a concern for his guild. “The reality is that it will not be easy for the new actors to attract as much patronage as the known ones, until they have come to certain levels in their career. But what we are trying to do is make sure that they are not exploited in going about their search for jobs. Before we came in so many things were going on, and people just rented hotel rooms and be-gin to do auditions there. But we have come in and stamped our feet against it. Today there is a task force monitoring such de-meanour and if we get hint of that kind of exploitation, we swing into action.”

National Mirror investigations how-ever revealed that some of the producers who usually come into the industry with such bogus auditions where vulnerable new actresses are exploited are often tak-ing advantage of the fact that there is no law regulating the practice of film profes-sion in Nigeria.

An interesting scenario was the case of one David Abakpa, who claimed to have come in from the United States of Ameri-ca with a bogus film project called ‘Eagle Combat’, whose audition held at the Shera-ton Hotels, Ikeja. At the audition, he raised the bar by promising to pay artiste fees that were not realisable by industry standards. While artistes were getting N5000 for ex-tra roles, Abakpa’s project had pegged its fees at an unprecedented N50,000! But the whole project would be exposed as a hoax a few months later with accusations of fraud, aside the emotional uproar that also set two actresses, Eucharia Anunobi and Tina Amuziam, against each other.

Although at the guild levels, there are regulations as regards who could practice what in the industry, there are no laws

backing up such in the industry. Accord-ing to Steve Ajebo, who was part of the industry professionals called in to draft the Motion Picture Practitioners’ Council Bill (MOPPICON) Bill, the passage will enhance the industry and protect people from exploitation.

“For now people operate anyhow be-cause there are no restrictions. That is why some people will come in under the guise that they are Nollywood people and do whatever they like. Some people, who claim to be Nollywood, have never seen a camera in their lives. They just come into the industry and register with the guild and begin to do all sorts of vices in the name of the industry.”

This is just one aspect of the story. While the industry has been accused of championing story lines that have to do with voodoo, investigations also revealed that it is a common practice in the indus-try all in the quest to clinch fame.

In the quest to become popular and enjoy the fruits of stardom, some actress-es have developed a penchant for seeking help at spiritual homes. It was gathered that a certain spiritual home in Edo State, owned by one Baba Oza is popular among upcoming actresses. But to verify the po-tency of such visits in transforming the fortunes of the actresses remains an issue of debate. This much was also captured by an actress, Nuella Njubuigbo, in her movie aptly titled: J’ujuwood’, a satirical presentation of what fellow actresses do to clinch fame.

Before this interpretation by Njubuigbo, two actresses, Dora Unachukwu and Regi-na Askia, had granted interviews accusing each other of patronising spiritual homes in the quest for stardom. That was in 2000.

Of course, the star status avails a lot of

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 39Thursday, October 2, 2014 Insight

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net40 Thursday, October 2, 2014Cocktail

A 1967 Jaguar XK-E convertible that was stolen 46 years ago is shown to the media by the U.S. Cus-toms and Protection agency in Carson, Califonia.

Some would say that a wedding day is the peak of happiness in

a relationship, but very few can use that word literally.

Jamie and David Lamb are two people who can, hav-ing climbed 2,300 feet up a rock face to say, “I do.”

The two climbed the Stawamus Chief, a summit in British Columbia near the city of Squamish. The

couple had seen a video their friends had made of a mock mountain-climbing wed-ding and decided to do the real thing.

The bride, Jamie, said of the day that she had never wanted a traditional wedding, adding, “What we really wanted was to en-joy a day without all of the other drama that comes with weddings.”

Oddities

46 years later, owner to get stolen Jaguar back

Couple Scale 2,300-Foot Peak to Say ‘I Do’

Crew makes 1,126-pound bowl of Hawaii rice dish

A group is claiming a world record for a popular Hawaii dish,

after putting together a mas-sive bowl of rice, hamburger, eggs and gravy.

Chef Hideaki Miyoshi of Tokkuri Tei restaurant and volunteers at Sunday’s Fifth Annual Rice Festival assem-bled a bowl of loco moco that weighed 1,126 pounds.

Loco moco was invent-ed in the late 1940s in Hilo. There are varieties, but the basic dish consists of hot white rice, a hamburg-er patty, an over-easy fried egg and brown gravy.

Guinness World Re-cords said the dish would have to weigh at least 1,100 pounds for consideration.

Miyoshi and his crew used more than 600 pounds of rice, 200 pounds of ground beef, 300 scram-bled eggs and 200 pounds of gravy. They used do-nated rice and borrowed kitchen space at Ward Centers.

The festival holds the Guinness World Record for making a 286-pound Spam musubi in 2011, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Forty-six years ago Ivan Schneider, suc-cessful Manhattan

lawyer, bought himself the Jaguar convertible that would feature in a most unusual tale of unre-quited love.

It was the first (and “pretti-est”) of many luxury cars he would own, his companion on fast drives — and the only one that was ever stolen.

Forty-six years later, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol analyst running a routine ex-port check through a stolen car database came up with a hit. The 1967 Jaguar XKE was hot.

The problem: It was al-ready on a cargo ship, in a container, headed for Europe, two days out of the Port of Long Beach on the Pacific Ocean.

Investigators with the Cal-ifornia Highway Patrol and nonprofit National Insurance Crime Bureau got to work.

New York police still had the March 1968 incident re-port.

CHP investigator Michael Maleta spoke with Schnei-der in Florida, where he now lives. Schneider thought it was a prank.

“After we convinced him, he was excited,” said Maleta.

After all, Schneider told The Associated Press on Wednesday, he would think of the car every time he bought a new one. And, he said, he is a car guy who has owned quite a few exotics.

For the months he owned it, he was in love.

“I’ve always said that was the prettiest,” Schneider, now 82, said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, public affairs li-aison chief, Lee Ann Harty,

right, shows the in …Tracing the car’s history,

Maleta learned the South-ern California man export-ing it to the Netherlands had bought it about three months ago from an owner in the San Joaquin Valley, who himself had it 40 years.

What happened between its disappearance from the concrete canyons of the Up-per East Side and its Califor-nia sojourn — Maleta hopes his investigation will answer that.

After its out-and-back sea

journey to the Netherlands, the car is back in Southern California, more than two months after the law finally found it.

It’s rusty and scratched, but still worth about $24,000 — and far more if restored, as Schneider plans to do.

He just won’t push it too hard.

It’s old, so is he, and though beautiful it is known for trouble under the hood.

“I’ll use it as a Sunday car,” Schneider said. “They were never reliable.”

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 41Thursday, October 2, 2014 Capital Market


The Securities and Ex-change Commission, SEC, will next month

launch the 10 year capital market Master Plan which is aimed at ensuring the guided growth of the Nigerian capi-tal market in the years ahead.

Disclosing this at the sidelines of the ongoing In-ternational Organisation of Securities Commissions, IOSCO, annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Commission’s Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, said the Master Plan designed to guide the development of the market would cover 2015 to 2025

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

Shareholders of Conoil yesterday approved N2.78bn dividend for the

financial year ended March 31, 2014.

The company posted 289 per cent increase in profit before tax, which rose from N1.15bn in 2012 to N4.58bn in 2013, while profit after tax stood at N3.07bn, up 330 per cent.

Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Uyo, they expressed delight to the management for faith-fully implementing the strat-egies and programmes that enabled the it recorded im-pressive performance across board.

A statement from the com-pany quoted the National

Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sunny Nwosu said, as saying, “We are im-pressed with the record per-formance and the balance sheet.

“We are indeed happy that Conoil is paying quality dividend amid the tough chal-lenges facing downstream operators in this country. It shows that the board and management of the company hold every shareholder in high esteem.”

The chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders’ Asso-ciation, Mr. Sola Abodunrin, commended the company for ensuring that the sharehold-ers earned returns on their investments.

“The 400 kobo dividend represents over 300 per cent

increase over we were paid last year. It goes to show Co-noil’s commitment to its shareholders,” Abodunrin said.

The company’s chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga noted that the company scored many firsts in the areas of product development, service delivery and set new standards with groundbreaking initiatives.

According to him, the re-sults revealed that the compa-ny maintained its leadership position in the industry, reap-ing bountifully from its huge investments in its business portfolios.

While assuring the share-holders of better years ahead, he promised that the company would consistently pursue initiatives directed at achieving better execution in

the areas of marketing and customer service.

“Greater attention would be devoted to cutting opera-tional costs in the different segments of the business, while maintaining and im-proving on the quality of our products and services,” Ad-enuga added.

Reviewing the year, he explained that the company consolidated its competitive-ness in the different segments of its core business.

“We also pursued and sus-tained strategic expansion of our retail network across the length and breadth of the country with a view to ensur-ing that a lot more people, es-pecially in the remotest parts of the country, have access to our superior products and services,” he said.

Shareholders approve N2.8bn Conoil dividend

Capital market Master Plan for launch in November

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

To increase domes-tic participation in the Nigerian capital

market, UBA Capital has launched first real time online trading platform, In-vestnow.ng.

The platform is for in-vestors to fund their invest-ment accounts directly and instantly, without the need to go through an account of-ficer in the option of a client-company funds lodgment.

Speaking at the launch-ing of the product, the Group Chief Executive Of-

ficer of UBA Capital, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, said the platform also provides a live price feed (intra-day) for list-ed stocks, enabling investors to make informed decisions based on the latest data.

She noted that the firm is in a mission to develop the capital market in the coun-try in order to give investing public the confidence to in-vest actively.

According to her, the plat-form combines world class technology with a robust client data protection and security framework in or-der to give clients seamless experience when processing

transactions.“Our clients will have ac-

cess to research materials to make informed investment decisions,” she said.

Sanni, who said that the firm target over four mil-lions private investors with the product, explained that clients will now be able to manage their portfolios online on mobile devices, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

She said, “You will al-ways have connectivity to your portfolios by access to UBA Capital’s online cus-tomer support via online chat functionality, so inves-

tors can talk directly to cus-tomer service team who will manage regular enquiries, whilst more technical issues will be forwarded to account officers for swift resolution.

“By making investing in the country quicker and simpler and providing real time data in order to inform investment choices, the platform brings us closer to our customers and we an-ticipate the transaction vol-umes rising over the coming weeks and months as our customers enjoy the flex-ibility and ease of building the Nigerian economy with UBA Capital.”

UBA Capital targets four million investors online

Stock Updates

GAINERSCOMPANY OPENING CLOSING CHANGE % CHANGE

IKEJAHOTEL 1.52 1.66 0.14 9.21

UAC-PROP 14.53 15.85 1.32 9.08

NASCON 9.00 9.70 0.70 7.78

GUINNESS 199.50 214.98 15.48 7.76

CUTIX 1.77 1.90 0.13 7.34

ETERNA 3.61 3.84 0.23 6.37

PZ 32.99 35.00 2.01 6.09

STANBIC 32.00 33.60 1.60 5.00

OANDO 25.06 26.28 1.22 4.87

ETI 17.90 18.70 0.80 4.47

LOSERSCOMPANY OPENING CLOSING CHANGE % CHANGE

ACADEMY 1.40 1.32 -0.08 -5.71

MAYBAKER 1.87 1.77 -0.10 -5.35

DNMEYER 1.10 1.05 -0.05 -4.55

VONO 1.56 1.49 -0.07 -4.49

RTBRISCOE 0.93 0.89 -0.04 -4.30

COSTAIN 0.95 0.91 -0.04 -4.21

UBN 9.00 8.69 -0.31 -3.44

SEPLAT 667.00 645.00 -22.00 -3.30

HONYFLOUR 4.00 3.91 -0.09 -2.25

GLAXOSMITH 64.00 62.61 -1.39 -2.17

Market indicatorsAll-Share Index 41,210.10 points

Market capitalisation 13.6trn

Source: NSE

Specifically, he explained that the initiative would help to deepen the depth of the market, increase foreign direct investments and di-versification of the sources of capital and enable all concerned stakeholders to adopt proactive strategies in responding to the emerging developments in the sub-sec-tor of the financial industry, among other benefits.

To achieve this, the SEC official said three commit-tees, namely, the Master plan Committee, Non Interest Committee and the Literacy Committee.

The aims of the three com-mittees include, conducting a holistic review of similar emerging markets and devel-oping blueprints to structure

the market for global com-petitiveness.

The Capital Market Com-mittee, a body of all capital market regulators, operators and stakeholders, last year inaugurated the committees to achieve its 10-year Master Plan.

Garuba disclosed that key areas of the committees work included, investor protection and education, professional-ism, product innovation and expansion of the role of the capital market in economic development will be covered.

He said the long-term de-velopment committee has considered relevant factors that impact market growth and develop strategies for robust governance for im-proved efficiency, transpar-

ency and enhancement of the market stability.

According to him, nec-essary recommendations with clear and actionable quarterly and annual mile-stones that will lead to a world class capital market are expected to be coordi-nated into a blueprint as Ni-geria’s growth plan would take into consideration suc-cessful growth strategies in other jurisdictions.

He said: “The primary reason for those commit-tees is to see how we can move the market forward because in an attempt to deepen the market we re-alised that some of the terms of reference of those committees are basically needed for that.

Description Price Yield Price Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016 1.88 101.75 11.96 101.90 11.87

15.10 27-APR-2017 2.57 106.60 12.03 106.75 11.96

16.00 29-JUN-2019 4.75 114.05 12.01 114.35 11.94

16.39 27-JAN-2022 7.33 119.05 12.35 119.35 12.29

14.20 14-MAR-2024 9.45 109.55 12.45 109.85 12.40

10.00 23-JUL-2030 15.81 83.45 12.41 83.75 12.36

Tenor Rate (%)

O/N 10.6250

1M 12.3285

3M 13.1875

6M 14.3041

Maturity Date Bid Offer

1-Jan-15 10.85 11.16

9-Apr-15 10.40 11.00

3-Sep-15 10.40 11.51

Treasury Bills

NIBOR

FGN Bonds

Bid Offer

Closing Market Prices of September 30, 2014

The Fixings of September 30, 2014

1st Tier Securities1st Tier SecuritiesSector Company name No Of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

Stock exchange daily equities summaryEquities as at October 1, 2014

Sector Company name No Of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014 Capital Market42

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 43PoliticsThursday, October 2, 2014

All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate for the October 11 Adamawa by-election, Senator Bindow Jibrillah, campaigning in Ganye Local Government Area of the state, recently.

My ordeal, a political vendetta, says remanded council boss

Jonathan’s endorsement, best thing to happen to our democracy –Akande-Adeola

HAKEEM GBADAMOSIAKURE

An Akure Magis-trate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo

State capital, has fixed rul-ing on the bail application filed by former chairman of Ose local government area of the state, Mr Afo-labi Adedayo Mabogunje, who was brought before it on the allegation of illegal possession of firearms, to October 17.

Mabogunje, former state chairman of Association of Local Government of Ni-geria, ALGON, was docked alongside six others, Temi-tope Abiola, Agun Adeniyi, Eniola Obasoto, David Agunloye, Apejoye Ayodeji and Boyede Owodara, for illegal possession of fire-arms, robbery, conspiracy and cultism.

Police Prosecutor, Isah Atanegbe, sought from the court an adjournment to allow the case file to be du-plicated and sent to Depart-ment of Public Prosecu-tion, DPP, for legal advice.

Olusola Oke, who ap-peared for two of the ac-cused persons, said they should be allowed on bail pending the time the le-gal advice would be ready adding that the offences slammed against his cli-ents are not recognised un-

der the law.He said there was no of-

fence recognised by the stat-ue that was committed by the former council boss, say-ing the charges preferred against the accused persons reeked of political charges.

Oke said: “Robbery is a factual situation that is disclosable under the law. There must be offence that has been committed. The charge before us did not say who was robbed.”

He stated further that since the charges on con-viction did not carry death sentence, therefore, the court which has the juris-diction to grant bail for offences that carry life imprisonment should be at liberty to grant bail for mere felony offences, say-ing: “The first accused per-son is a victim of political vendetta. This court should not be used to settle po-litical score. The battle for who gets the ticket of his party in next year election brought him here. Our pro-fession should not be used as instrument to settle po-litical score.”

Lawyers to other ac-cused persons, Busuyi Bankole and O.O Familusi, adopted Oke’s arguments, adding that the offences al-legedly committed by the accused persons were bail-able.

Guber candidate collapses on debate platform

Gu b e r n a t o r i a l candidate of the Kowa Party, Al-

haji Aminu Dahiru, in the October 11 by-election in Adamawa State narrowly escaped death yesterday, following his collapse moments before a debate programme, featuring the state acting governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri, aired on Gotel, a privately-owned television station in the state.

There was panic among aides of the acting gov-ernor, who accompanied

VICTOR UDOH

Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande-

Adeola, has described the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer in the 2015 presidential election as the best thing that has happened to Nigeria’s de-mocracy.

Akande-Adeola, who spoke at the South-West PDP Women Forum in Lagos last Sunday, said President Jonathan has done extremely well and deserved the adoption by the various hierarchies of the party.

Saying that women in particular owed President Jonathan a lot of gratitude for giving them more slots in his administration, the House Leader pledged that she will soon empower 100 women in each of the six

him to the venue of the debate, as Dahiru, sitting to the left of Fintiri sud-denly slumped, just as the MC was about to intro-duce him, to kick start the debate.

He is said to be recuper-ating from alleged seizure he suffered in an undis-closed hospital, where he was immediately rushed to for medical attention.

The debate, put to-gether by TC Consult in conjunction with TV Go-tel, belonging to the for-mer Vice President Atiku

states of the South-West as a way of ensuring the welfare of the women folk.

She said there was the need to assist women who are in dire need of assis-tance, because “we have to be our sisters’ keepers.”

She said that the PDP Women Forum was an-other way of bringing women together to edu-cate, teach and talk to them and also encourage them to support women aspirants during the forthcoming election, ad-monishing women at the forum to prepare well for the forthcoming election.

She admonished the electorate not to be car-ried away by money in-ducement by some poli-ticians who want to go for second term, saying: “You have to check their antecedents and what they have done during their first tenure before going out to vote for them again.”

Abubakar, which was meant to provide a plat-form for the candidates to tell the electorate why they should be elected for the top job in the state, was immediately post-poned.

Although there was no official statement from the organisers, it was however gathered that All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Senator Mohammed Bindow, may have shunned the debate, which was the first of its kind in the history of the

state.Dahiru, whose tragic

collapse botched the de-bate, is a less known po-litical figure. His citation depicted him as a distin-guished farmer, who has stepped out to take the gauntlet of leading the state.

Four gubernatorial candidates were supposed to partake in yesterday’s debate, among whom was the alleged controversial candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPD, Amos Sunday.

DAYS TO GO

10

Varsity don, ex-student bicker over PPN ticketSTORIES: LIVINUS MENEDIYOLA

Trouble appears to be brewing within the Peoples Party of Ni-

geria, PPN, over who is the legitimate candidate of the party in the October 11 governorship by-election in Adamawa State.

This followed a peti-tion by Dr. Simon Bawa to the Independent Na-tional Electoral Commis-sion, INEC, registering his grievances over the wrongful substitution of his name as the duly nominated candidate of the party.

The feud threatening to thwart the chances of PPN has its genesis in an alleged betrayal of trust in the relationship between a university don, Amos

Yusuf Sunday, a lecturer with Modibbo Adama Uni-versity of Technology, Yola and his political protégé, who was also his former student, Bawa, over who should fly PPN flag ahead of the October 11 poll.

Bawa, who resigned his appointment as a teacher with the state post prima-ry schools management board to enable him contest the by-election has urged INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Ad-amawa State to use his good office to restore his candi-dature as PPN flag bearer.

In the petition, titled: ‘Compliant Against Wrong-ful Substitution of my Name as PPN Candidate’, dated September 26, a copy of which was obtained by National Mirror, he urged INEC to correct the lacuna associated with the wrong-

ful substitution of his name as PPN flag bearer because “the party had on September 3 conducted its primaries to sponsor a can-didate for the October 11 governorship by-election in Adamawa State, where I was overwhelmingly nomi-nated to be the party’s flag bearer at the forthcoming by-election.”

Adding that he polled 66 votes to beat his closest chal-lenger, who polled 6 votes, Bawa said his name was wrongfully withdrawn and substituted with Sunday, who did not even participate in the nomination process.

He added that he was shell-shocked by the treachery displayed by his former lecturer, to go behind him and steal his mandate, adding that his only mistake was confid-ing in his former teacher.

He said: “My only regret is confiding in Mr. Sunday, who even laid hands on me and prayed for my success, being a close confidant since he happened to be the President of Lutheran Youth Fellowship, when we struck our friendship.

“He initially did not think I would go far, so the moment he saw that my candidature was real, he turned around to hijack it.”

StorieS: Leonard okachie

Ahead of the 25th anni-versary of the Conven-tion on the Rights of

the Child, CRC, on November 20, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has released new trend data and essays that ask a critical question: “Is the world a better place for children?”

The answer, the UNICEF anal-yses show, is undeniably “Yes!” A baby born in 2014 has a dramati-cally improved chance of living to see its fifth birthday. Children today are far likelier to go to pri-mary school than they were in 1989. The number of children aged 5-17 involved in child labour has declined by almost one third since 2000.

But the analyses also show that progress has passed over millions of children - particularly the poor, those who belong to eth-nic minorities, who live in rural areas, or those with disabilities.

Millions of children continue to be deprived of essential ser-vices that could reduce their vulnerability to disease and under-nutrition, provide them with access to improved water and sanitation, and allow them to obtain a quality education. A disproportionate number of chil-dren still live in extreme poverty. And the gap between the highest- and lowest-income households also remains - children from the poorest households have notably higher rates of child mortality and stunting than their richer counterparts.

“The trend data show that globally a child born today is far more likely to survive and thrive than they were 25 years ago. But

Many children are backward worldwide –UNICEF

Chidren singing at a social occasion

envision and realise a more just world for children. Our collective challenge now is to reach the chil-dren who have been left behind. The promise - and the challenge - of the CRC is its universality - it is for every child,” Brandt said.

UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake, while comment-ing on “Children’s Rights, Equity, and our common future” said, “We have a responsibility now to find new ways of tackling the challenges we have not yet over-come, to reach the children we have not yet reached, and to put equity and children’s rights at the centre of an agenda of action for all children - including those lag-

they also show that in every coun-try and region in the world, many children are being left behind,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Yoka Brandt at a chil-dren’s forum hosted by Columbia University’s Earth Institute. “To fulfil the promise of the Conven-tion, we need to challenge our-selves to think and act differently to advance the rights of every child, especially the most margin-alised and hardest to reach.”

The data and essays show that challenges facing children today have also changed.

Although the number of armed conflicts around the world has decreased from a peak of 52 in 1991, the character of these conflicts has changed. Protracted intra-state hostilities that impact more significantly on civilians, especially children, are now the norm. Children are bearing the brunt of the effects of man-made climate change while the AIDS pandemic, relatively unknown in 1989, has impacted heavily on children, leaving millions or-phaned and infected with HIV. Information technology has also had a transformative effect on children: enabling them to com-municate beyond their immedi-ate community but also exposing them to online harassment and exploitation.

More positively, the interna-tional landscape for children has improved significantly since 1989, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been instrumen-tal in this. It became the fastest and most widely adopted human rights treaty in history and it’s al-most universal ratification shows unparalleled agreement among nations.

“Twenty-five years ago, the Convention inspired all of us to

ging in the march of progress. “This is not only a moral im-

perative. It is a practical opportu-nity to accelerate our progress in fulfilling the universal mandate of the Convention, which in turn advances all our development goals because it is cost-effective. Studies show that when we de-sign policies and programmes not around the easiest to reach, but around the hardest to reach, we can achieve more results. There are additional costs in doing so, but our analyses show that these costs are well outweighed by the additional results.”

Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and Professor at the University of Oslo, Kirsten

Sandberg noted that while much has been achieved for children during the 25 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the agen-da for child rights is far from com-plete.

Sandberg maintained: “None of the recent phenomena that we experience today - the frenetic pace of global change, the chal-lenge of widening disparities, the digital revolution and a multipo-lar world - could have been envis-aged in 1989 when the Convention was adopted.

“As we approach the Millenni-um Development Goal deadline, and as discussions and drafting of the post-2015 Development Agenda are under way, new ideas and approaches are required to tackle the unfinished business and to ensure that all obligations made under the Convention are upheld.”

Executive Director of the Overseas Development Institute, Kevin Watkins expressed that the delivery on the promise for chil-dren is long overdue.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net44 Thursday, October 2, 2014Young & Next Generation

Telecommunications gi-ant, Airtel Nigeria, is partnering with Trace,

an International music video channel, to launch a unique mobile song contest, designed to empower Nigerian youths and create robust platforms for them to achieve their aspira-tions.

The competition tagged ‘Air-tel Trace Music Stars’ is a mo-bile song contest which will allow contestants to audition right from their phones and earn a chance of becoming the next big music star in Nigeria. Contestants can participate by simply recording their song with an Airtel line, using a short code and will be aided by an interactive voice prompt.

The interactive voice prompt will be fortified with multi-

Airtel, Trace launch contest to empower youthslingual functionality including English and Pidgin which will assist in eliminating any lan-guage barrier and will enable youths from all parts of across Nigeria participate in the com-petition

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, noted that Airtel as a youth-cen-tric telecoms company will be initiating the ‘Airtel Trace Mu-sic Star’ platform to empower Nigerian youths by giving them opportunities to develop their innate skills and achieve their dreams.

He said: “Airtel is delighted to be associated with Trace in bringing excitement and pro-viding entertainment opportu-nities for our teeming custom-ers especially youths and the music lovers. This initiative is

geared towards supporting and nurturing talents of Nigerian youth.In the next few weeks we will unveil the biggest platform for Nigerians to express their singing talent through their mo-bile phones from the comfort of any location they choose. ”

Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Trace Group, Olivier Laouchez sees the collaboration as a perfect opportunity to show-case African youth talent to the rest of the world. According to him, “We are tremendously excited about this pan African partnership with Airtel. Trace is dedicated to African youth and this ground breaking com-petition is a great step towards our joint goal of empowering African youth”.

As a pan-African initiative, the Airtel Trace Music competi-tion is designed to hold simulta-

neously in other African coun-tries where Airtel operates. The winners from each participat-ing country will then compete in atelevised pan-African grand finale where the African cham-pion will win a trip to the USA to be mentored by megastar Akon in addition to a profes-sional music video and a record deal with Universal Music.

Airtel Nigeria has been in the forefront of empowering Nigerian youths through vari-ous credible platforms with the sponsorship of topentertain-ment and talent-hunt projects such as Nigeria’s Got Talent, which has provided opportuni-ties for thousands of youths to take their skills to the next lev-el. The Telco also recently initi-ated another music talent show tagged ‘Airtel One Mic’ with the aim of discovering young

talents in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Another robust platform cre-ated by Airtel Nigeria to em-power youth is the yearly Air-tel Rising Stars championship which was conceived to dis-cover youths, both male and fe-male, with football talent across Nigeria.

Trace, an international me-dia group has deep African roots and is a major promoter of African music to the rest of the world. It runs five music TV channels across Africa and cur-rently, it airs videos by numer-ous A list African artistes in 160 countries globally through its network of music and sports celebrity TV channels. Trace Urban is available on DSTV Channel 322, while Trace Sports Stars is currently available on DSTV channel 188.

Youths registering for an empwerement seminar.

‘Entrepreneurial skill key to economic development’

Children in a cookery class in Lagos.

A Parachute

A parachute helps to land on the ground safely from a height by slowing down the speed of fall-

ing things. It is used as a safety device in case of emergency escape from aircraft , or any flying machine. It is also used in adventure sports to jump from a moun-tain or an airplane for thrill (sky diving).

But how does a parachute make that possible? Can a big balloon do the same?

If you notice, you will see that para-chute is like a half cut balloon. Also, a parachute is very light weight but large. The large area traps lot of air in it during the fall. Now, you know that everything falls down because of gravity. What hap-pens here is that this trapped air creates a push upwards that works against the gravity. This slows down the parachute and whatever is tied to it.

It is similar to a situation where you are putting a lot of force to run fast in the forward direction and somebody comes

Orphans get N7.2m largess in KatsinaHow does a parachute work?

and starts pulling your hand backwards. You wouldn’t be able to run that fast. Right? Parachute is designed to create a force that lessens the pull of gravity. So the person wearing a parachute falls down slowly and safely to the ground.

Now a little bit of history. Artist Leonardo da Vinci drew first ever so-phisticated design of a parachute. He drew a cloth-covered wooden frame in the shape of a pyramid and it had a man hanging underneath. Many years later a Frenchman Louis-Sébastien Lenormand implemented modern parachutes. In 1783, he made the first successful jump.

A question for all of you who are tak-ing French classes. Why is a parachute called so? Think! The term parachute is coined by putting two French words together “para” which means defense against and “chute” is a fall. So together it makes defense against a fall.

James DanJumaKATSINA

Food items, school uniforms and learning materials worth more than N7.2 million has been distrib-

uted to 400 orphans and vulnerable chil-dren by the Katsina State government.

The beneficiates were selected by the district heads of various council areas in collaboration with a committee set up by the government.

Speaking at the ceremony, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Fatima Shema said the items were distributed to alleviate their living condition.

Mrs. Shema said orphans and vulner-able children need the assistance of the public in view of their condition, even she appealed to wealthy individuals to come to their aid.

She however called on beneficiaries to make good use of the items and to

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 45Young & Next GenerationThursday, October 2, 2014

continue to pray for the peace and prog-ress of the country, so that more assis-tance will come to them.

Mrs. Shema assured that her NGO, ‘Service to Humanity’ will continue to assist the vulnerable, even after expira-tion of the present administration, as modalities have been put in place to en-sure continuity.

She appealed to parents not to allow their children be used by politicians as thugs during the forthcoming general elections.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Girl Child Education, Mrs. Bilkisu Kaikai said 10 orphans were selected as beneficiaries from each of the 34 council areas.

Kaikai commended the government for the assistance to orphans and vul-nerable children in the last seven years and hopes that same gesture would con-tinue beyond 2015.

Science for kids

LeonarD okachie

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has reiterated that entrepreneur-ial skill remained the key to mean-

ingful economic development of every community, stressing that no society could develop without education.

The governor stated this when a team of U.S.-based Entrepreneurial Media Consortium paid him a courtesy visit recently.

He said that his administration had trained many youths in different skills for self reliance, but noted that acquir-ing skills was not enough.

“They also need entrepreneurship skills to manage their businesses profit-ably,” he added.

The governor appealed to the consor-tium for more support in other areas to improve the wellbeing of the citizens.

“We equally need your support in other areas particularly agriculture. We need your expertise on agricultural production, processing, packaging and marketing with a view to developing our farmers from subsistence farming to

commercial farming,” Yuguda said.Earlier, the Secretary to the state

government, Alhaji Aminu Hamayo an-nounced that No fewer than 2,000 youths will benefit from entrepreneurship de-velopment programme of the state gov-ernment with the U.S firm.

Hamayo said the team were in Bauchi on the invitation of Gov. Yuguda to part-ner the state government on entrepre-neurship development.

He said: “The team is here to begin the process where more than 2,000 youths would be trained on entrepreneurship skills.

“After the training, the trainees would be required to come up with a bankable business plan to enable them to set up profitable and sustainable business.”

The team leader, Mr. John Fryken-barg, said that the partnership would give the state the opportunity to create job for their retirees and the unemployed youths in the state.

He said the firm was already working on the Memorandum of Understanding, adding that when concluded, the team would return in January 2015 for the take-off of the programme.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net46 Thursday, October 2, 2014

L-R: Mba with House Committee members

Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade

Digitisation: NBC decries paucity of fundStorieS: Leonard okachie

The Director General of the Na-tional Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, has inti-

mated members of the House of Repre-sentatives Committee on Information on the overall progress made so far in the digitization process, assuring that the commission remains committed to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s digital TV migration project to meet the ITU’s deadline of June 17, 2015.

Mba said this when the committee led the Chairman, Hon. Umar Buba Jibril visited the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja recently for an oversight func-tion.

Welcoming the Committee members, Mr. Mba described the Commission’s re-lationship with the Committee as greatly valued and expressed the readiness to provide satisfactory answers to all of the Committee’s questions while hoping that the platform would lead to a fruitful exchange of ideas in terms of what the Commission is doing right or wrong and receive appropriate advice.

Hon. Jibril thanked the Commission for the warm reception and explained the reason for the visit, which was to check how the Commission had spent its allocated and accrued funds in the present financial year and to examine its performance indicators. He urged all present to make the visit worthwhile by making honest contributions to the de-

liberations.Briefing the Committee on the activi-

ties of the Commission in the current fi-nancial year, Mba stressed that irrespec-tive of challenges faced, the Commission remains resolute in its effort to meet the switchover deadline.

Acknowledging the yet enormous task ahead, Mba expressed satisfaction with the successful DSO pilot switchover in Plateau state which he stated had at-tained a 90 per cent digital coverage.

He added that about two weeks ago, a detailed grassroots roadshow was suc-cessfully hosted in Plateau State as part

of the “Village level Digital Switchover Public Sensitization Campaign” pro-gramme to take the message to Plateau towns and villages. This, he hopes would be replicated in other parts of the coun-try as the implementation progresses.

Mba also intimated the Committee on the overall progress made so far in the digitization process especially in the ar-eas of Set-Top Box manufacturing and signal distribution licensing, pointing out that although funds for the digitiza-tion project was yet to be secured, the Commission was doing the much it could do with the little resources at its dis-

posal to drive the project. He expressed the hope that soon, funds would be made available to fully implement the transi-tion as the ITU’s deadline draws nearer.

Justifying the feasibility of the digi-tization project and the huge financial implication, Mr. Mba explained that as indicated by digitization consultants and experts, when successfully completed, the excess harvest of frequencies that would accrue from digitization upon auc-tion would sufficiently generate enough income to offset all incurred expenditure.

The financial books detailing the Commission’s allocations, internally generated revenue and spending in the financial year under review were presented to the Committee by the Director General.

The Committee members after due scrutiny of the facts and figures of the presentation expressed concern over the delay in the release of funds for the digi-tization project and promised to get ac-tively involved in the speedy resolution of the financial challenge. Some grey areas in the report presented, which bor-dered mainly on the presentation tem-plate were pointed out for correction.

The Committee was led by the Chair-man - Hon. Umar Buba Jibril accompa-nied by Hon. Kako Are; Hon. Babangida Ibrahim; Dr. Sokonte Davies; Hon. Mo-hammed Bashir Galadanchi; Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; Hon. Hassan Saleh; Amb. Dr. Kingsley Ebenyi; Hon. Emmanuel L. Goar; Hon. Abike Dabiri; Hon. Uwaubu Dogara and Hon. Ganama Titsi.

danjuma WiLLiamSGOMBE

Journalists in Gombe have contin-ued to cryout over unprovoked molestation meted out on them by

angry looking soldiers in different parts of the state in recent times.

A recent event over the weekend prompted journalists who were on the tail end of a visiting minister’s convoy, to call on the Army authorities to call their men to order to avoid an ugly fu-ture occurrence.

The Gombe based journalists who ac-companied the Minister of Transport; Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Umar last Friday evening on an inspection of Railway facilities in Gombe refused to allow the journalists access to continue their work with the minister in front of the Quarter guard which is in the heart of Gombe town.

After pleading to the soldiers to see reason for their haste, the soldiers threatened the journalists with their guns in front of the Quarter Guard on

Journalists condemn incessant molestation by ArmyBiu road in the state capital.

One side of the road which had been blocked since the June 8, 2014 attack on the Quarter Guard was cleared for the Minister by the Army personnel at the Timber Market junction but denied journalists in his convoy passage, de-spite the inscription of Correspondents’ Chapel on the bus.

An attempt by Danjuma Williams of the National Mirror who was on the wheel was resisted by the military boys to explain was rudely rebuffed by the soldiers.

The subtle appeal immediately degen-erated into a commotion as the unpal-atable utterance by the security agents soon became shoves followed by threats to shoot if the newsmen spoke any fur-ther or got closer.

Angered by the threats, the journal-ists then gladly presented themselves to be shot but for the timely intervention from the mobile policemen, traders at the market and other well-meaning indi-viduals to quell what would have gener-ated ugly headlines.

The blocked road has since contin-ued to cause untold hardship to com-muters and other road users who have to go through bad roads and longer journey to circumvent the obstacles.

Even before the Friday’s incident, some concerned individuals revealed that traders at the Timber Market were plotting for the relocation of the quarter guard before they had to al-low them use their shops about two weeks later.

The abuse on newsmen has be-come a monthly affair since the at-tack on Governor Dankwambo’s residence where both the African In-dependent Television (AIT) and Radio Deutchwelle Manager and reporter were beaten up with their gadgets destroyed.

Efforts to reach the Commandant of the 301 Artillery Regiment on the issue could not succeed because no one has his contact neither would his boys en-tertain any explanation or reason to see their boss.

...Assures of meeting 2015 deadline

Mr. Holmes being presented with the car keys

StorieS: Leonard okachie

What could be described as a stroke of luck smiled recently on Mr. Dada Holmes, a spy policeman at-

tached to ExxonMobil, when he won a 2014 Toyota Yaris car in the just concluded Star-Times’ ExtraTime promo.

Speaking during the presentation of the prize to him at the StarTimes headquarters in Lagos, an elated Holmes who was the fourth car winner of the promo that started in May, said he initially did not realize that the network was having a promo.

“I thought it was a scam when I was called about my win. This is because I have received a scam message about winning a prize in the past. I had to call the number that informed me about my win again and visit the StarTimesFacebook page to con-firm that I had indeed won the prize,” he said.

Surprisingly, confronted by financial challenge he had sold his only car about two

Policeman wins car in NTA-STAR TV promo

Publishers allege threat to life in PlateauJameS abrahamJOS

Community publishers in Plateau State under the umbrella of Pla-teau Independent Publishers As-

sociation, PIPA, have alleged that their lives were no longer safe, following sto-ries which they published in their vari-ous media.

State Chairman of PIPA, Chief Andrew Daman, who addressed a press confer-ence in Jos recently said the story over

which their lives were being threatened involved the General Overseer of God’s Grace Divine Mission (GGDM) Evangelist Danjuma Fwenji, who was alleged to be en-gaged in some unwholesome activities in his church located at Zaramaganda, in Jos, the state capital.

In the said story published by the Afri-can Drum Magazine,Newscrest Magazine and Newscrest Newspapers, members of the church interviewed alleged that the General Overseer is a fake man of God who hypnotized his church members es-pecially women and abandoning his wife

months earlier in order to give his mother a befitting burial, saying “I have not even col-lected all the money.”

Holmes, who could not contain his joy, said that he was not even planning on get-

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 47MediaThursday, October 2, 2014

As information activists around the world celebrated the right to infor-mation on September 28, the Af-

rican Platform on Access to Information, APAI, has reiterated its call to UNESCO and the African Union, AU, to formally recognise September 28, as International Right to Information Day to promote the right.

The APAI Working Group urged the AU Commission to table a proposal at the next AU Summit asking the Heads of States and Government of the AU to adopt 28 Septem-ber as African “Right to Information Day” and to initiate an Experts Group to devel-op further instruments to strengthen the right of access to information on the conti-nent, as proposed in the APAI Declaration adopted in Cape Town, South Africa, on 19 September 2011.

Similarly, the group urged UNESCO, through its next General Conference, to proclaim 28 September as International Right to Information Day and to recom-mend to the United Nations General As-sembly they endorse the proclamation and set the date aside as a day to raise aware-ness about the importance of the right of access to information throughout the world.

UNESCO and the AU Commission have been valuable partners to the APAI Work-ing Group in the process of developing and adopting the APAI Declaration, which seeks to promote the right of access to in-formation and outlines principles aimed

chriS nJokuOWERRI

Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has bagged the “Most Dependable Deputy Governor

Award” in the South East from the Man-agement of News Makers Magazine.

Speaking during the presentation cer-emony in Government House, Owerri, the Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Obinna Sam Ibe said it was a meritorious Award, which was based on overwhelming votes from the public cast in favour of Prince Madu-mere.

Ibe who described Prince Madumere’s loyalty, humility and dependability as very glaring, explained that a survey was conducted to ascertain the level of con-fidence and trust each Deputy Governor in the South East enjoy from their differ-ent Governors.

“We considered roles and how often the deputy governors discharged their duties with little or no controversy and it was observed from the survey that Prince Madumere remained the most functional and visible deputy governor.”

Continuing, he said Imo Deputy Gov-ernor has become a role model to the youth, adding that over time his charac-ter has never been in question establish-ing consistency of his personality both in his business and political life.

APAI calls for recognition of Information Day News Makers Magazine honours Imo deputy governor

at advancing the right in Africa.“Three years after the adoption of this

critically important Declaration and Ac-tion Plan, we are convinced that the time has come to take concrete steps to ensure that the objectives of the Declaration are realized and that the right of access to in-formation becomes real and meaningful for all African citizens”, says Edetaen Ojo, Chair of the APAI Working Group.

The Working Group noted the impor-tant steps already taken by some AU or-gans, particularly the African Commis-sion on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which adopted Resolution 222 on 2 May 2012, at its 50th Ordinary Session held in Banjul,

Ojo

ting a new car soon, describing the win as a big blessing for him and his family of six children.

His wife, Mrs. Tosin Holmes, who is a hair stylist, expressed gratitude to God and the management of StarTimes, saying “I’m happy, it is more than my expectation.”

To qualify for the promo, new subscrib-ers qualified for the monthly draws, with the chance of winning a brand new 2014 Toyota Yaris car or a 32’ LED Digital TV, on their purchase of the StarTimes decoder, which comes with one month’s free subscription.

On the other hand, existing subscribers qualified for the ExtraTime promo prizes by recharging with a StarTimes Soccer card or the usual StarTimes’ recharge card during the promo period. There were also instant gifts like the 32’ LED Digital TV Sets or units of Viju Milk.

StarTimes has a mission of ensuring that every home in Nigeria enjoys affordable digital television.

The mission is backed with its collabo-ration with NTA; the relationship is stra-tegic partnerships that will help Nigeria actualise its 2015 digital transition deadline. StarTimes is leveraging on NTA’s platform to provide quality digital service to every home in Nigeria and is committed to mak-ing digital television accessible and afford-able to all Nigerians on the latest technology in DTT operation.

The only licensed Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) pay TV operator in Nige-ria, it started its operations in Nigeria as NTA-STAR TV Network Limited with the joint venture between Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Star Communication Network CO, Limited of China.

It has covered 32 cities in Nigeria which include Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Port-Harcourt, Aba, Benin, Enugu, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Makurdi, Onitsha, Sokoto, Uyo, Yola, Abeokuta, Akure, Oshogbo, Loko-ja, Zaria, Kastina, Gusau, Minna, Lafia, Ow-erri, Awka, Warri, Calabar, Suleja, Binin-Kebbi and Ado EKiti.

to die after taking her to a witch doctor among other allegations.

PIPA chairman stressed that since the stories were published, his members have known no peace.

He said: “Just last Thursday, the Gen-eral Overseer incited members of his congregation against PIPA secretary, Mr. Joseph Adudu, who is the Publisher of Africa Drum Magazine. A member of the church informed us that the Gen-eral Overseer brought out a copy of the magazine, placed it on the pulpit, poured anointing oil on it before his congrega-

tion and declared that Mr. Adudu will not last the next seven months counting from that period.

“Since that period, Mr. Adudu has been receiving messages of threat to his live and members of his family. We condemn this act by the General Overseer and we therefore call on security agents to act fast because we don’t want to find any of our members in the pool of his own blood for no other reason than carrying out their duties as members of the pen profession who have a duty to expose the ills of the society”.

The Gambia, wherein it requested the AU to consider proclaiming 28 September as International Right to Information Day in Africa, as proposed in the APAI Decla-ration; and the Pan African Parliament, which formally recognized the APAI Dec-laration in its “Midrand Declaration”, ad-opted on 15 May 2013.

The Working Group is gratified by the increasing number of national laws on access to information passed by African countries in the last few years and calls for greater efforts to ensure the laws are implemented effectively and realize their full potential.

The group also called on other African countries lagging behind to urgently pass similar laws guaranteeing their citizens a right to information, consistent with the standards established by the Model Law on Access to Information, developed by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Informa-tion in Africa and adopted by the African Commission.

APAI is a network of civil society organ-isations promoting access to information in Africa. Members of the Working Group include: Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), Article 19, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Highway Af-rica, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Media Institute of Southern Af-rica (MISA), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) and The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF).

... After selling one for mother’s burial

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net48 Thursday, October 2, 2014 National Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.net

The collapsed building at Synagogue is rather unfortunate. But I think we must understand that our government has repeatedly said we will investigate it.

GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE – BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Community Mirror48

REGINA OTOKPA

The National Infor-mation Technology Development Agen-

cy, NITDA, has empow-ered no fewer than 50 per-sons living with disability in Information Communi-cation Technology, ICT.

Speaking during the

closing ceremony in Abu-ja, the Director General NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, admonished the partici-pants to incorporate the enthusiasm displayed dur-ing the period of training in their various fields of endeavour.

Represented by the Di-rector, Human Resources and Administration, Mr.

Jonathan Olaonipekun, the DG said the training was essential to prove to persons living with dis-ability that they were still part of the larger society, and respected by Nigeri-ans

He noted that this form of training was the first undertaken by the agency and disclosed that it would

be an annual exercise to ensure more disabled per-sons from across the coun-try are empowered in ICT essentials, to ease their livelihood.

According to the DG, the weeklong training came as a response to an earlier request by the leadership of a Nongov-ernmental organisation

NITDA empowers persons living with disabilityNITDA empowers persons living with disability

ABIODUN NEJOADO EKITI

Four communities in Ekiti State have petitioned the Ekiti

State Governor, Dr Kayo-de Fayemi, and the State House of Assembly over what they termed the uni-lateral renaming of their Local Council Develop-ment Area, LCDA.

The communities Iworoko, Afao¸ Are, and Iworoko urged the state government to change the name, Ifedara LCDA, which they claim is alien to them, to their universal name, Irepodun.

In the petition, the com-munities also demanded

Afao Ekiti be named as the headquarters in view of its centrality as against the government’s “uni-lateral” choice of Igbemo Ekiti.

The petition dated Au-gust 24 and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti was signed by Oba Jacob Adebiyi, of Are-Ekiti; Oba Aladejana of Iworoko-Eki-ti; Oba Joseph Ademilua of Afao; Oba Ojo Olowookere of Araromi-Obo; Chief Deji Fasuan and Chief Makanjuola Esan from Afao; Mr. M.O. Ologuntoye and High Chief A. A. Olog-unsaba from Iworoko; High Chief M. O. Olubodun and Mr. L. A. Olaofe from Are, and Mr. F. A. Adedara and

An overloaded vehicle on Otu-Iseyin Road in Oyo State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

for people living with dis-ability, Global Hope and Justice for the Less Privi-leged.

In his remarks, the CEO Global Hope and Justice for the Less Privileged, Mr. Paul Ihekwoaba, told

news men that empower-ment programmes would enable people with dis-ability move away from the welfare approach model which according to him, “is the in thing in Nigeria”

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has ex-

pressed sadness on the death of Thisday corre-spondent in the state, Al-haji Toba Suleiman.

Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, described the death of Su-leiman as “very shocking, unbelievable and demoral-izing”.

The Governor described Suleiman as a courageous, resourceful, objective and hard working journalist who contributed immense-ly to the media profession.

He said Suleiman brought his over twenty year experience in jour-nalism to bear in cover-ing critical issues in the Ekiti polity in the last eight years of practice in the Land of Honour.

Fayemi said he enjoyed a good working relation-ship with the late THIS DAY reporter whom he said struck a balance in covering both the govern-ment in power and the op-

position.He said Suleiman’s expe-

rience, counsel and sugges-tions on the development of Ekiti would be sorely missed by his sudden de-mise.

The Governor prayed God to grant the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased especially the State NUJ, the Correspon-dent Chapel and the This-day Newspapers the forti-tude to bear the loss.

He said the deceased was faithful to the ethics of the journalism profession and distinguished himself in the various states where he practised.

Fayemi mourns reporter’s demise

Chief I. O. Ogunlade from Araromi-Obo.

The communities ex-pressed dismay at the renaming of the council without carrying them along and said the nam-ing of Igbemo-Ekiti as the headquarters of the coun-cil was “inappropriate.”

They said, “We noticed in the government proc-lamation that an Ifedara LCDA was created. We be-lieve this was an error be-cause no parties or groups made a request for devel-opment area called Ifedara LCDA.

“We shall appreciate appropriate correction be made by the government, our area has been called

Ekiti communities petition Fayemi over renaming of LCDA

DARE AKOGUN

The Lagos State Po-lice Commissioner, Kayode Aderanti,

has issued a 14-day ulti-matum to commercial motorcycle operators, also known as okada riders, to stop plying roads they were restricted from op-erating by the Lagos State government, or risk incur-ring the wrath of the law.

Aderanti in a statement

issued by the State Police Command Spokesper-son, DSP Ngozi Braide, warned that those who flout the 2012 State Traffic Law by plying restricted routes would be arrested and prosecuted after the expiration of the ultima-tum.

Braide said, “The La-gos State Police Command has observed with total dismay that some okada riders do not have any iota of respect for the laws of

the state as they have con-tinuously and flagrantly breach this traffic law.

“The Commissioner hereby warns and re-minds all okada riders in the state that the ban and restriction from ply-ing certain routes is still in force. Anyone caught flouting it will have him-self to blame because the command is ready to take severe action against any-one violating this law,” she added.

Police boss issues ultimatum to motorcyclists

and addressed as Ifelodun from time immemorial, dating back to more than 70 years.” Gov. Fayemi

Nobel laureates condemn South Nobel laureates condemn South Africa visa denial to Dalai LamaAfrica visa denial to Dalai Lama

The United States warned South Sudan’s president and rebel leader on Tuesday to engage in serious peace talks to end nearly a year of violence in the world’s newest state or face United Nations sanctions.

Fighting erupted in December in South Sudan - which declared independence from Sudan in 2011 - after months of political tension between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy and political rival, Riek Machar. Peace talks brokered by African regional bloc IGAD resumed last week.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power warned Kiir and Machar that if a peace deal could not be reached during current talks in Ethiopia then long-threatened sanctions were likely to be imposed by the U.N. Security Council.

U.S. warns South Sudan: Strike a peace deal or face U.N. sanctions

Car bomb kills 11 in Shi’ite Baghdad neighborhood

A car bomb exploded in a mostly Shi’ite Muslim neighbor-hood of southeastern Baghdad on Wednesday, killing 11 people, police and hospital sources said.

The violence came a day after Baghdad witnessed one of its bloodiest days since U.S.-led air strikes against Islamic State insur-gents in Iraq began in August.

The sources said the explosion, which also wounded 27 people, occurred near a local market. Eight of those killed were civilians and three were policemen.

At least 10 killed in shelling of school and mini-van in Ukraine

At least 10 people were killed yesterday when shells hit a school playground and a public transit mini-van in a nearby street in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, under-scoring the fragility of a ceasefire between separatists and govern-ment forces.

Teachers managed to lead pupils at school No. 57 into a cellar for safety when shelling started and there were no children among those killed, municipal authorities and witnesses said.

The shelling occurred at 10 a.m. on the first day of the new school year after the 50-60 pupils aged from eight to 10 had already entered the school. The dead in-cluded a male biology teacher and the father of one of the children at the school, teachers said.

WORLD BULLETIN

China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a “splittist”, or separatist, has ruled Tibet with an iron fist since Communist troops marched in in 1950, and regularly puts diplomatic pres-sure on countries to crack down on the activities of Tibetan ex-iles.

The Tibetan spiritual leader says he seeks only greater au-tonomy for his homeland, which he fled after a failed uprising in 1959.

Officials at the South African embassy in New Delhi were not immediately available for com-ment. Last month the South Afri-can Foreign Ministry confirmed it had received a visa application

from the Dalai Lama and said it was being subjected to “normal due process”.

A South African court ruled two years ago that officials had “unreasonably delayed” a deci-sion on granting the Dalai Lama a visa in 2011, largely out of fear of angering China.

The delay meant the Dalai Lama was unable to attend the 80th birthday of his friend and fellow Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town in October 2011. The previous visa denial, in 2009, was also for a peace conference.

Ebadi said she was surprised that the usually outspoken Tutu had kept silent on the issue.

Rescue workers in Japan have recovered 12 more bodies from Mount On-

take, bringing to 48 the number of those killed by Saturday’s vol-canic eruption.

The search resumed despite fears of toxic gases and anoth-er eruption.

The number of those unac-counted for is unknown but estimates say hundreds were at the summit at the time. Dozens were injured by falling debris.

Since then, volcanic tremors have been continuously detect-

ed with smoke still coming out of the volcano.

The majority of bodies found near the summit on Wednesday were hikers, according to local police.

Helicopters have been used to bring the dead down from Mount Ontake.

Around 1,000 troops, police and fire fighters are involved in rescue operations.

The relatives of the dead and missing are waiting for news in a town hall in the nearby area of Kiso.

Japan’s Mount Ontake volcano: Death toll reaches 48

Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams and Shi-rin Ebadi on Wednesday

slammed South Africa’s refusal to give fellow laureate and Ti-betan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a visa to attend a peace conference, and said they would boycott the event.

The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India and is at logger-heads with China over Tibet, had been hoping to join a Nobel peace conference in Cape Town on Oct. 13.

This is the third time South Africa has refused the Dalai Lama a visa in the last five years, according to his representative, and has intensified speculation about China’s influence over the country.

Williams, an American anti-landmine campaigner, and Ira-nian lawyer and human rights activist Ebadi said they were un-happy with South Africa’s deci-sion, particularly given its histo-ry of fighting against apartheid.

“There is a history of fighting against racial discrimination in South Africa and that’s why we don’t accept this country refus-ing to give a visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama three times,” Ebadi told a news conference or-ganised by the Tibetan govern-ment in exile in the Indian city of Dharamsala.

Williams said she, Ebadi and several other Nobel laureates had decided to boycott the Cape Town meeting, forcing organis-ers to postpone the event so that

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gestures during a speech at the 108th anniversary of Indian Merchant Chambers in Mumbai

Rescue workers have resumed the search for those missing in the Mount Ontake eruption

it could be moved to another country to enable the Tibetan Buddhist leader to attend.

“We believe that we could not, in good conscience, go to South Africa when our whole mission is to stand with people when their human rights are being violated,” said Williams.

“Obviously His Holiness’s hu-man rights are being violated and in denying him a visit, they are also denying the human rights of the people of Tibet and so there was no way we could go.”

Ebadi said the visa denial was clearly due to pressure put on South Africa by China, a major trading partner and investor.

World NewsNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.net 49Thursday, October 2, 2014

I think it was justifi ed. I think it was proportionate and that doesn’t in any way take away the deep regret we have for the

loss of a single civilian casualty– Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

50 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 201465th Anniversary of Peoples Republic of China

NIGERIA IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPOR-TANT TRADE AND

ECONOMIC PARTNER-SHIP COUNTRIES OF

CHINA IN AFRICA. A LARGE NUMBER OF

CHINESE INVESTORS AND ENTERPRISES ARE FOCUSING ON

NIGERIA

number of visa issued by our office is in-creasing year by year. More and more Ni-gerian businessmen have the opportunity to visit China and do business. In addition, there are many kinds of international Expo held in China every year. I am look-ing forward to seeing that more and more Nigerian businessmen can participate in and benefit from it.

Beyond trade, China has been involved in major partnership with Nigeria in areas of infrastructure development. Roads and other but the perception here is that China is not doing enough to partner local companies even to the extent of bringing low level workers to Nigeria when there is an abundance of labour?

Nigeria is one of the most important trade and economic partnership countries of China in Africa. A large number of Chi-nese investors and enterprises are focus-ing on Nigeria. Currently there are hun-dreds of Chinese companies operating in Nigeria, which created several hundreds of thousands of jobs for local people. The Chinese investment has played a positive role in the aspect of satisfying local peo-ple’s needs, creating jobs and promoting bilateral economic and trade exchanges. At the same time, Chinese enterprises voluntarily contributed their social re-sponsibility to the local people. They freely revamped roads, constructed school build-ings and donated equipments and materi-als for local schools and hospitals.

In the early time, maybe because of fac-tors of culture and languages, some Chi-nese investors preferred hiring Chinese staff in Nigeria. However, with the fast de-velopment in Nigeria, more and more Chi-nese investors are used and inclined to em-ploying local staff. For example, CCECC Nigeria Limited Company supplied over 20,000 jobs for Nigeria. Furthermore, Chi-nese government keeps encouraging over-seas Chinese enterprises to implement the strategy of localisation. This represents the general trend of development and the perception gradually has been accepted by overseas enterprises. Besides, Nigeria has passed laws to regulate that international

companies have to cooperate with local partner and employ local staff, such as in oil and gas industry. Therefore, the situa-tion of localisation will surely be getting better and better in the future.

In Nigeria made in China goods are believed to be substandard though China produces high tech and quality products even for advanced countries such as US. What is responsible for this? How do you assess import regulation and standardisa-tion in Nigeria?

It is true that China is exporting in-creasing products to the entire world. The overwhelming majority of them not only accord with the standards of both China and destination countries, but also wins a reputation of high quality products with low prices. Therefore, the Chinese goods on excellent quality and reasonable price are welcomed by the African customers of all classes and sects. Meanwhile, we noticed a small number of vice merchants manufactured and sold fake and inferior products and Chinese government has always paid attention to the quality issue, whether the product is for exports or do-mestic sales, and no matter of exports to African countries or any other places.

The import regulation and standardisa-tion of Nigeria is surely playing a positive role to improve the quality of goods im-ported to Nigeria. With regard to the qual-ity of imported and exported products, it has been additionally guaranteed by the mechanism of international cooperation, such as international treaties and bilateral agreements with other countries. The Chi-nese Government is willing to reinforce the cooperation and exchange information with Nigerian government.

Let us look at the peculiarities of China. It is the biggest country in the world yet it has been able to keep herself together while many other large and even small nations have split up. How do you keep the nation united as one?

First of all, I have to mention that Ni-geria is a country with 250 tribes or more, while China is a united country with 56 ethnic groups. We two countries have lots of similarities, and both have achieved the goal of nation unification and ethnic unity. I want to explain it from the aspects.

For the first, I’d like to explain it geo-graphically, from a China’s map, you will surprisingly find that the landscape that China is occupying is very special. It is relatively separated from outside, highest peaks in the west and biggest oceans to the east, the more spectacles you will find are so many big rivers starting from west mountains, while all leading to eastern oceans without any big obstacles between every two. As a result, it’s very convenient and available to develop the civilization of agriculture and national fusion.

For the second, I’d like to explain it his-torically, if you’ve simply read the Chinese history, you’ll once again surprisingly find that deriving from the geographical factor Chinese people chose the political model of unity of multi-ethnics as early as 2,000 years ago, even though there’re several short periods of national secession and the nation will surely become more integrated after short secession.

Most countries prefer attracting foreign or inward investment and deal with out-ward investment passively. However, Chi-na places both inward and outward invest-ments on the equal basis of importance. Beginning from 1999, China started the Go Out Policy, also referred to as the Go-ing Global Strategy, encouraging domestic companies to invest in foreign countries. The Chinese Government assisted domes-tic enterprises to develop global strategies to explore opportunities in both local and international markets.

Beginning from the year 2008, when western countries were undergoing seri-ous financial crisis, while China’s GDP growth kept at nine percent on average. While most of western countries were short of capital and increased liquidity by printing more currency, China utilized its large foreign reserves to invest abroad in large scale. China has woven itself closely with the world, which has become one of the main driver of the world economic growth. China’s contribution ratio to glob-al economic growth is nearly 30 per cent.

What is China strategic interest in Nigeria?China is the biggest developing coun-

try; Nigeria is one of the most influential countries in Africa. The relations between China and Nigeria are strategic and com-prehensive. Since establishment of China-Nigeria diplomatic relations, especially after the establishment of strategic part-nership in 2005, promoted by the leaders of both countries, China-Nigeria relations maintain a sound development bearing rich fruits. China advocates that strategic partnership should focus firstly, political equality and mutual trust. Nigeria is the second African country to establish the strategic partnership with China. Both sides should maintain high-level visits to enhance political mutual trust. China treats all countries equally without consid-ering whether they are big or small, rich or poor. China fully supports the African countries to safeguard national indepen-dence, territorial integrity and national sovereignty, choose development path and solve problems on their own.

The other area is economic win-win cooperation. China and Nigeria econo-mies are highly complementary. Nigeria is a very important economic coopera-tion partner in Africa for China. The co-operation on trade, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, communication developed unceasingly. Now China is taking more ac-tive measures to upgrade trade structure of two countries, which facilitates more Nigerian commodities into China. Mean-while, more and more competent Chinese enterprises are encouraged to invest and develop in Nigeria and have made great contributions to Nigerian economy. The mutual cooperation is highly beneficial and has great prospects for both sides.

We are also interested in cultural ex-changes and mutual learning. China Nige-ria friendship deeply rooted in the cultural communication of two peoples. China and Nigeria are both countries with long his-tory and great civilization. Mutual com-munications and exchanges are highly beneficial for both countries. China and

Nigeria should learn the experience of governance and development form each other, strengthen the cooperation in the fields of science, education, culture, hy-giene, and explore the path of sustainable development together.

Also, we believe in mutual support in security. China and Nigeria are both mem-bers of UNSC, and shoulder the responsi-bility to maintain the regional peace and stability. Both countries should maintain the communications and cooperation in international and regional affairs; have a further cooperation in traditional and non-traditional security fields; jointly improve the ability to deal with all kinds of security threats.

Looking at trade, what is the current value of trade between both nations and what are the key items being traded?

In recent years, the economic and com-mercial cooperation between China and Nigeria has grown very fast. At present, Nigeria is the third largest trading part-ner of China in Africa, while China is the largest importing source of Nigeria. According to the statistics of Chinese Customs, in the first 8 months this year, the trade volume between our two sides rose 39.5percent to $11.76bn, reaching the highest in the history. The value of export from Nigeria to China sharply increased 117.9 percent to $1.96bn, mainly including the mineral fuel, mineral oil and products, etc. While the value of import from China to Nigeria reached $9.8bn. The first three kinds of products covered electrical ma-chinery, machinery and vehicles, which accounted for almost 40 per cent of the to-tal value.

With the fast economic development be-tween Nigeria and China, I am fully confi-dent that both countries are bound to have bumper harvest in our economic coopera-tion and trade.

Many Nigeria traders and businessmen see China as the number one destination but people complain about difficulties with visa and trade facilitation generally. What are you doing to make the smaller businesses comfortable dealing with their Chinese counterparts?

I am very glad to see that Chinese products are very popular in Nigeria and Nigerian businessmen are willing to do business with China. In order to further promote the bilateral trade, we keep trying to create more trade facilitation. Now the

China ready to help Nigeria achieve prosperous future China ready to help Nigeria achieve prosperous future –Consul General–Consul General

Liu

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

Akwa Ibom indigenes step out to celebrate Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary, yesterday.

Gov. Uduaghan

Foluso Adebajo, Edo Police boss

Uduaghan blasts guberaspirants, pardons 2 prisoners

Police kill robber with 50 stolen phones

Jubilation in NDU, as Dickson confirms VC

C’River 2015: Group adopts guber aspirant

AMOUR UDEMUDEASABA

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State yesterday be-

rated some Peoples’ Demo-cratic Party, PDP, aspirants contesting for the 2015 gov-ernorship seat in the state over their utterances.

The governor, who spoke during the Indepen-dence Day celebration at the Asaba cenotaph, said some of the aspirants who, according to him, were bent on causing evil and disharmony against him and the state, made their money from the same.

“The money they are using to plan their evil against me and Delta State were made from the state. Because they want to be governor at all costs, they are planning evil.

SEBASTINE EBHUOMHANBENIN

A member of a 10-man armed rob-bery gang that spe-

cialised in petty robbery, raiding streets in Benin City, yesterday met his wa-terloo as men of the Edo State Police Command shot him dead.

Our correspondent gathered that the robber was killed during a shoot-out with policemen who responded to a distress call made by residents of

the area.After his death, more

than 50 mobile handsets and a Toyota Highlander car were reportedly recov-ered by the police, along with undisclosed cash.

The body of the slain robber was displayed to the public at the Okhoro Police Division in Benin.

However, the police ac-tion led to many residents rushing to the police sta-tion to identify their sto-len but recovered phones.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Ade-

banjo, said his men got the distress information that the robbers, who num-bered over 10, were raid-ing houses in the area and robbing law abiding resi-dents.

He said his men rushed down and engaged the robbers in a shoot-out, resulting to the killing of one of the robbers, while others fled.

The police boss urged residents to support the police in the bid to eradi-cate crimes in the state.

Some of the victims

OSAHON JULIUSYENAGOA

It was jubilation galore at the Niger Delta Uni-versity, Ammassoma,

Bayelsa State, as students and staff of the institution celebrated the confirma-tion of Prof. Humphery Ogoni as the substantive Vice Chancellor, VC, of the institution.

Ogoni, who has been the Acting VC since 2012, edged out three other candidates in an interview and assess-ments held recently.

The governor had in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, announced that the confir-mation of Ogoni takes im-mediate effect.

Students and staff, on hearing the announce-ment, went into wild jubi-lation, thanking the gov-ernor for listening to their yearnings.

This is also coming as an umbrella group of alumni and students of the insti-tution, under the aegis of Bayelsa Academic Salvage Forum, commended the governor for ‘prompt and non-biased’ assessment of candidates for the position of VC leading to the confir-

mation of Ogoni.The group, through its

chairman, Dr. Ayibatari Johnson and secretary, Dr. Isaac Mbowei, said though the delay in the appoint-ment caused tension in the university community, the governor did the right thing by listening to the voice of the institution’s stakeholders.

“The Vice Chancellor, in his acting capacity, demon-strated he was a good man-ager of resources, both hu-man and material, which results are glaring.

“The cross-section of lecturers and staff thank the governor for reposing confidence in one of their own to run the affairs of the university for better results that will culminate in harmonious working relationship that would be devoid of suspicions.

“The alumni of the university also thank the governor for the choice of a seasoned administrator, dedicated and God-fearing, to pilot the university’s af-fairs. “They congratulate the Vice Chancellor on his confirmation and subse-quent appointment and wish him well in the next years as the helmsman,” the group said.

RICHARD NDOMACALABAR

A youth front, Main-stream Group, yes-terday said it has

adopted one of the gover-norship aspirants, Legor Idagbor, to take over the mantle of leadership from Governor Liyel Imoke in 2015.

Speaking with journal-ists in Calabar, the group’s coordinator, Steve Achine, said they resolved to put their weight behind the erstwhile commissioner for works because they be-lieved he had the political will to turn around the for-tunes of the state.

“Members of the Main-stream Group are glad to announce that we have found that the leader of our generation; the man who will take our state to the next level.

“Rising from an extra or-dinary session of the board, members of the group had declared support for

the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by the Nation-al Working Committee of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and PDP Governors’ Forum,” he said.

Achine said the group also identified with the giant strides of Imoke, against the limited finan-cial resources accruing to the state due to the loss of some oil wells to Camer-oun due to the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula and neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.

The group described Idagbor as a team player and gentleman who had been very close to the youths.

“We want to use this platform to also educate those that would be cho-sen as delegates during the primaries that they should vote for the right candidate who we are very convinced that would certainly take the state to the next level,” he added.

“I have gone beyond being pulled down; you cannot pull me down, you cannot pull down Delta. I will jump past all their evil plans against me and Delta State,” he said.

The governor added: “Whoever will become governor, I don’t know, but I know those who will not become governor in the state.

“No evil planner will

be allowed to become governor. Those of you ganging up against me, ganging up against Delta State, circulating all sort of documents and promot-ing rumour mongering, remember that no mat-ter how much you hide the trust, one day it must come out.”

The governor also granted pardon to two prisoners in the state; while nine others had their death sentences com-muted.

He stated that, at 54, Ni-geria still stands firmly as a nation, despite the chal-lenges the nation, adding that no president, whether civilian or military, had encountered the kind of security challenges Presi-dent Goodluck Jonathan has so far faced.

“Today, we have our

president, President Good-luck Jonathan, from our zone, the South-South. We thank everyone for the support given the presi-dent so far.

“The problems Jona-than is having today, no civilian or military presi-dent encountered such challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Trans-port, Mr. Ben Ibakpa, has said it is the turn of Delta North senatorial district to produce the next gov-ernor of the state, for the sake of equity.

Amid agitations over which of the three senato-rial districts should pro-duce the next governor Ibakpa, from Sapele local government area, said: “The governorship slot must go to the North for the purpose of equity.”

who narrated their expe-rience said the robbers took anything they could lay their hands on, includ-ing petty household and personal items.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 51Thursday, October 2, 2014 South South

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net52 Thursday, October 2, 2014North


The Comptroller of Prisons in Borno State, Mr. Inuwa

Garba, has expressed worry over the increasing psychiatric cases among inmates at the Maiduguri Maximum Prison.

He expressed the worry yesterday when Governor Kashim Shettima visited the prison to mark the na-tion’s 54th Independence Anniversary.

The governor was also at the prison to sym-pathise with inmates who were convicted for vari-ous offences in the state.

The comptroller dis-closed that about 28 of the 411 male inmates were mentally ill; a situation which he said was causing

panic, especially at nights.He said the prison,

which has the capacity of accommodating over 1,000 inmates now has 411 male and seven female inmates.

Of the number, Garba added, 33 had been con-demned to death, 42 for life imprisonment, 107 con-victed of capital charges, and others on ‘ordinary charges’.

He added that the pris-on, as part of reform mea-sures, had trained many inmates in handiwork like carpentry and sawing, as well as games such as football, among others, in addition to enrolling some of them in Adult Educa-tion programmes, so as to make them self reliant in the future and rehabili-tate and integrate them in the society.

Psychiatric ailments plague Maiduguri prison

Borno moves to end water scarcity

Ebola: Niger procures N100m equipment for schools

Borno Governor Kashim Shettima (right) presenting new clothings to one of the 22 prisoners pardoned by the state, during his visit to the Maiduguri Maximum Prison, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Gov Jonah Jang

JAMES ABRAHAMJOS

The Plateau State chapter of the Peo-ples Democratic

Party, PDP, has called for due process, as a pre-con-dition for the return of de-fectors into its fold.

It insisted that any bid to enroll any returnee through the backdoor would be taken seriously.

The insistence is coming on the heels of fresh moves by former party members, including ex-governor Joshua Dariye, former deputy governor, Pauline Tallen, former FCT Minis-ter, Jeremiah Useni, among others, to be readmitted to the party.

It was learnt that, apart from declaring their inter-est to return to the party, some of the former PDP members who left at differ-ent times in controversial circumstances, had written to the national leadership of the party in Abuja to pre-vail on the state leadership headed by Governor Jonah Jang, to receive them back.

It was, however, learnt that the defectors’ plan suf-fered a setback last week when the Dr. Haliru Mo-hammed Bello-led PDP Na-tional Reconciliation Com-mittee had to shelve their

Plateau PDP seek ‘due process’ for defectors’ return


Following persistent water scarcity in Mai-duguri and its envi-

rons, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday visited the Alau Dam Water Treatment Plant.

The scarcity resulted from incessant insurgent attacks

on Alau communities in Kon-duga local government coun-cil areas and the destruction of Damboa-Maiduguri pow-er transmission lines by the Boko Haram sect since the beginning of this year.

The situation had forced officials of the ministry of water resources to be op-erating the plant with gen-erators for few hours, due to

PRISCILLA DENNISMINNA

The Niger State Gov-ernment has said it has purchased

equipment worth N100m to forestall the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in public and private schools, ahead of the Octo-ber 10 resumption date.

Governor Babangida Ali-yu disclosed this through the Commissioner for Edu-cation, Mallam Danladi Abdulhameed, during the

Independence Anniversary children’s party in Minna.

He said to that effect, his ministry had trained 14, 000 teachers to prevent Ebola outbreak in schools across the state.

The governor said though there had not been any reported case of Ebola in the state, the government thought it wise to embark on a proactive measure to effectively protect children.

He added that his admin-istration had expended over N3bn on the construction

and renovation of school buildings across the state, while about N688m had been ‘invested’ in the 2014 internal and external exam-inations for students.

According to him, as a re-sult of the measures adopted by the state government such as free education, many chil-dren had been leaving pri-vate schools for public ones.

He urged students to shun vices as the govern-ment would continue to give priority to education.

On the nation’s 54th in-

dependence anniversary, he urged Nigerians to unite for the growth and progress of the country, irrespective of tribe or religion, adding that if there was no inde-pendence, there wouldn’t have been democracy.

Aliyu also expressed op-timism that the abducted Chibok children would be released and returned to their parents, saying, “If those that kidnapped them repent, and if they refused, may they be destroyed dou-ble fold.”

While thanking the governor for donating two Toyota Hilux vehicles to the prison, the comptrol-ler said the vans had as-sisted in transporting in-mates to health facilities whenever they fell sick.

He, however, called on the state government to complete the abandoned work on some of the staff quarters, which he said, had reached the roofing stage, to provide accom-modation to displaced staff from Gwoza and Bama local government

council areas now occu-pied by Boko Haram.

Responding, the gov-ernor sympathised with the inmates and appealed to them to cooperate with one another, irrespective of their religious or tribal differences.

He said the state gov-ernment felt it necessary to identify with the in-mates as the country was marking its 54th Indepen-dence Anniversary.

Shettima stated that he was at the prison to cel-ebrate the Independence

fear of possible attacks.The plant located 20 kilo-

metres from Maiduguri, the state capital, and Konduga, which has come under deadly attacks in the last two weeks.

Although, the governor did not reveal the purpose of his visit, our correspondent learnt that it was not uncon-nected with how to address some of the challenges affect-

Day with the inmates, so that they would feel a sense of belonging as they are also citizens of Nige-ria.

He, however, enjoined them to avail themselves of the various reform and training programmes in the prison, so as to be self-reliant in the future.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of the state, Mallam Fannami, said in exercise of the governor’s powers under

Section 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, 22 prison-ers were granted amnesty in commemoration of the nation’s independence an-niversary.

He added that the gover-nor also approved two sets of Shadda clothing mate-rials and N50,000 to each of the 22 freed inmates, in addition to the donation of two bulls, 10 rams, as-sorted bags of rice, beans, cooking materials and cash, to enable them cele-brate the day and the Ed-el Kabir Sallah festivity.

ing the smooth and steady operation of the plant.

A staff at the plant told journalists that, initially, it was operating for 24 hours, but due to the activities of Boko Haram, it only op-erates for less than eight hours a day. According to him, that has made it diffi-cult for the water needs of the people to be met.

planned visit to the state due to what the leadership described as a breakdown in communication be-tween the ‘two parties’.

Speaking with National Mirror in Jos yesterday on the issue, State PDP Chair-man, Raymond Dabo, said that the party was not op-posed to anybody return-ing to the party, but that such a person must abide by due process as spelt out by the constitution.

He said: “We have a constitution of the party which every member and intending members must abide with. We have told the intending members to be guided by the provisions of the constitution which stipulates that the process of membership should start from the ward level, local government and move to the highest level for final approval.

… 22 inmates freed

PAUL EREWUBA

Super Falcons forward, Stel-la Mbachu, has assured that the team will not

underrate its opponents when hostilities in the 9th African Women’s Championship, AWC, begin in Windhoek, Namibia, next week.

Head Coach of the Falcons, Edwin Okon, has already named a strong squad of six foreign and 15 home-based players for the AWC slated for

October 11-25 in Namibia. Nigeria’s Falcons who are

six-time African champions are in Group A with hosts Na-mibia, Cote d’Ivoire and Zam-bia.

Speaking ahead of the cham-pionship, Mbachu said the Ni-gerians are the team to beat, even as she hailed Coach Okon for selecting a strong squad that is capable of holding its turf when the chips are down.

“I must say that the list is full of experienced players. We have seen it all at the AWC, but

we are not going to underrate any team because as you know, there are no minnows in the game of football any longer. I strongly believe that the play-ers will give account of them-selves because in Africa now, the Falcons are the team to beat,” she enthused.

France-based Desire Oparanozie topped the list of six foreign-based players that also include Perpetua Nkwo-cha, Onome Ebi, Ohale Osina-chi, Esther Sunday and Franc-esca Ordega.

Thursday September 4, 2014 53National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 2, 2014

SportThey have to work hard to move Nigerian football forward and

ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated–Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga

Elegbeleye, charging the new NFF board led by Amaju Pinnick

NTTF league begins October 9 55

AWC: Falcons, team to beat –Mbachu

Giwa still claims NFF presidency…chairs ‘Board Meeting’ today

Proprietor of Glo Premier League side, Giwa FC, Chris Giwa, has declared

that he remains president of the Nigeria Football Federa-tion, NFF, and that his board will meet in Abuja today.

Giwa’s stance comes against the backdrop of the elec-

t i o n o f A m a -j u

Pinnick as NFF president o n Tuesday in Warri, Delta State, by delegates in a congress rec-ognised by FIFA.

In a statement, Giwa de-clared, “I, Ambassador Chris-topher Giwa, the President of the Nigeria Football Federa-tion elected into office on the 26th August 2014 at the Chida Hotel in Abuja remains the head of the nation’s football governing body.

“It came to our notice that some people gathered in War-ri in Delta State to conduct an illegal election. We are aware that as a law-abiding body, we followed the prescriptions of the Court of Arbitration in Sports, CAS, after explor-ing all available arbitration processes as provided for in the NFF Statute. Since we ap-proached that court, I have in accordance with internation-al best practices kept mute.”

Giwa had filed a suit and se-

cured an injunction from the Federal High Court in Jos pre-sided over by Justice Ambrose L. Allagoa stopping the NFF Elective Congress in Warri.

He also claimed that FIFA stayed away from the elections in Warri since “they are aware that there are court processes in place against the holding of the so-called congress.”

Giwa said he would con-tinue to “pursue the cause of justice, fair play and associ-ated freedom” and declared that his faction of the football body would meet in Abuja to-day.

“However, in line with the orders of the Federal High Court, Jos our elected board shall meet on Thursday, 2nd October, 2014 in Abuja where far reaching decisions shall be taken and Nigerians shall be properly briefed of the outcome of the meeting,” the statement from Giwa conclud-ed.

Meanwhile, NFF first vice president and presidential candidate in Tuesday’s elec-tive congress, Chief Mike Umeh, has expressed his sat-isfaction with the outcome of the elections.

“The election went very well and was able to produce a new NFF president in the per-son of Mr. Amaju Pinnick.

“I’m satisfied with the out-come as well as the choice of the majority, we can’t be win-ners at the same time,” Umeh told supersports.com.

Falcons’ Stella Mbachu leaves an opponent sprawling, in a match for Nigeria

54 Sports National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, October 2, 2014

Europa League:

Dinamo Zagreb captain, Josip Simunic, yester-day said that the Croa-

tian champions have “come here to win” as he looked for-ward to facing Celtic in today’s Europa League match.

The 36-year-old’s team lead Group D after crushing Roma-nian outfit, Astra 5-1 in their opening game.

Scottish champions, Celtic, who have been inconsistent do-mestically, opened with a draw

ently lie fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

But defender Simunic said, “Celtic are always strong. I watched Celtic as a child in Australia, I was born and bred there. Celtic are a huge club. Ev-eryone knows that.”

The veteran former Ham-burg, Hertha Berlin and Hoffen-heim defender has only played once before in Scotland - when he earned one of his 105 caps for Croatia in a friendly.

in Salzburg. “We’re expecting a very dif-

ficult game. But we didn’t come here to lose,” Simunic told BBC Sport.

It is 12 games since Dinamo have suffered a defeat, losing 2-0 to Aalborg in the third qualify-ing round of the Champions League to undo a 1-0 win in Den-mark.

Celtic dropped into the Eu-ropa League after their defeat by unfancied Maribor and pres-

Dinamo Zagreb dares Celtic

United to shore-up fi nances with foreign games

Pardew stays at Newcastle, despite poor run

19 years. The club reported a record

annual revenue of £433.2m for the financial year 2013-2014 and profits of £23.8m.

But not being in a Europe-an competition this year could affect that revenue by around 10%.

More than 100,000 fans watched United’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid in Michigan this summer during the side’s pre-season tour of the United States.

And Arnold believes man-ager Louis van Gaal would be receptive to similar fixtures during the Premier League campaign.

“We have a fantastic partner-ship in terms of our work off the pitch and I’m very apprecia-tive of the support we have had from him,” Arnold told BBC Sport.

2014. Pardew is scheduled to hold

talks with Ashley this week but, although no-one at the club views the talks as a “crisis meeting”, both men are aware that results must improve.

Speaking after Monday’s loss, Pardew said, “We’ll have some serious conversations be-cause he doesn’t want to lose and neither to do I. This team needs to win games. I have to turn it around.”

Ashley, meanwhile, is firm i n his stance

that he will not be swayed by the views

o f the fans.

Manchester United FC is thinking about playing midweek friendlies

abroad, says one of the club’s directors.

Reports suggest a lack of Champions League football this season could cost United more than £40m.

United’s managing director, Richard Arnold, says lucrative fixtures overseas are something the club will “continue to look at”.

An early League Cup exit means they will play only three more midweek games this sea-son, all in the Premier League.

United won the Champions League as recently as 2008, but their seventh-place finish last season under David Moyes meant they missed out on Eu-ropean club football’s premier competition for the first time in

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew’s job is thought to be safe for the time

being, despite his side sitting second bottom of the Premier League.

They have yet to win a top-flight game this season and were beaten by Stoke on Mon-day.

BBC Sport reported that Pardew’s future has been in doubt and he said he expected “serious conversations” with owner Mike Ashley.

But Pardew is expected to remain in charge even if United lose to Swansea on Saturday.

Magpies owner Ashley was at the Britannia Stadium to see Newcastle’s defeat by Stoke.

He was reported to have said Pardew would be sacked if the Tyneside outfit lost to Potters, with his lawyers later claiming his quotes were only a joke.

United’s defeat on Monday means Newcastle have won only five of their 25 league games in

affect us. We will deal with it. It gives you a feeling to get back out there and show everyone how good we are,” he told Sky sports

“I don’t think it affects the group too much. Roma have still got to play twice against Bayern Munich.

“We will go out there and play as we always do, to win. It doesn’t change much for us. We will play every game from here

uphill battle to qualify.Coach Manuel Pellegrini’s

side now sit five points behind group leaders Bayern Munich after losing to the German cham-pions in their opening game.

Despite the setback, Kompany still believes City have the qual-ity needed to progress but knows the club’s upcoming back-to-back fixtures against CSKA Moscow will be crucial.

“It won’t set us back. It won’t

Vincent Kompany insists Manchester City can still qualify from UEFA

Champions League Group E, despite their disappointing 1-1 draw with Roma at the Etihad Stadium, on Tuesday.

The Premier League champi-ons looked to be on course for three points when Sergio Ague-ro put them ahead from the pen-alty spot but Francesco Totti’s equaliser leaves City facing an

All hope not lost for City –Kompany

Ashley, meanwhile, is firm i n his stance

that he will not be swayed bythe views

o f the fans.

Mike Ashley. Pardew is expected to

n charge even if United wansea on Saturday. pies owner Ashley was ritannia Stadium to see le’s defeat by Stoke. as reported to have said would be sacked if the e outfit lost to Potters, lawyers later claiming

es were only a joke. ted’s defeat on Monday

Newcastle have won only heir 25 league games in

to the e n d to win, thinking we can get three points out of it.”

City failed to qualify from the Champions League group stages in both 2011-12 and 2012-13 and that failure is thought to have been a contributing factor in the departure of Roberto Mancini as manager.

Celtic vs D. Zagreb

FC Zurich vs Monchengladb

Villarreal v s A

p. Limassol

Torino vs FC Copenhagen

HJK Helsinki vs Brugge

Dinamo Minsk vs Fiorentina

Trabzonspor vs Legia Warsaw

Anderlecht vs Dortmund

Today’s fixtures

Celtic defender, Efe Ambrose

Kompany

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 55Thursday, October 2, 2014 Sports

Ogun State contingent to the Centenary Games will start camping on

Tuesday.Commissioner for Youth

and Sports, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, disclosed this during a meet-ing with the sporting Associa-tion’s Chairmen in prepara-tion for the Games.

He lauded the chairmen for their ingenuity, adding, “I am aware that a lot of as-sociations have started spon-soring competitions and open camping with athletes with vigorous training while some are about to start with their camping earlier than the state scheduled time.”

Tejuoso said since the inau-guration of the associations, Team Ogun subcommittees had swung into action for the successful outing of the state at the games.

“It is worthy to mention that the technical committee of Team Ogun conducted tri-als in all individual games that Ogun State is going to feature at the festival for the selected athletes. Also the technical committees have spoken and reaching agreement with elite athletes that can win gold med-als for Ogun State,” Tejuoso said.

Earlier in his address, Chairman Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Chairman of Hock-ey Association in the State, Hon. Allen Taylor, said early camping would be of better ad-vantage for the State’s contin-gent, so as to perform credibly at the festival.

He highlighted the need to expose the local athletes to various international compe-titions.

Chairman of the State Athletics Association, Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo, urged the state government to help mo-tivate the athletes by organis-ing various local competitions which would put them in good stead for the National Sports Festival (NSF) slated for No-vember in Calabar, Cross Riv-er State.

NTTF league begins October 9

My tenure best in Nigeria My tenure best in Nigeria football football –Maigari–Maigari

Centenary Games: Ogun athletes set to start camping

Golf: Ladies hole out in Nigeria Cup

THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHENWARRI

Immediate past President of the Nigeria Football Fed-eration, NFF, Alhaji Aminu

Maigari, has declared that Ni-gerian football under his tenure performed excellently well as the best board in the country’s football history.

According to him, the achieve-ments recorded during his four-year reign produced several trophies and accolades which

the Secretary of NTTF, Mrs. Chin-edu Ezealah-Ogundare, the league becomes necessary following the success of the pilot league staged early this year.

She noted that 30 teams from

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, has fixed next Thursday for the

official kick off of its national league.

According to a statement by

previous NFF leadership never recorded since the formation of the football body.

Maigari praised his regime while delivering his opening ad-dress at the Elective Congress of the NFF held on Tuesday in Ef-furun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

While expressing apprecia-tion to President Goodluck Jona-than for his immense support to the board for four years, Maigari added that his Executive Com-mittee took the country’s foot-

across the country are expected to take part in the tournament hold-ing at the National Stadium in Lagos while the Olympics system of play would be used in order to acquaint the players with the new

ball to enviable height through the support of the federal gov-ernment.

“For four years we have taken Nigerian football to a different height. Despite the seemingly challenges at various point, we rose to the occasion and we can boast that we are the best in the history of the Nigeria football.

“Our board won the Na-tions Cup after several years. It’s the first time our Super Ea-gles reached the last 16 in World Cup after 17 years. Our national

format of play. The statement further stated

that the league would involve 20 male and 10 female

teams made up of four players per team and they are expected to garner points to qualify for the top eight and top four, which is the grand finale holding on October 17 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Speaking on the champion-ship, national coach, Nosiru Bel-lo, explained that the new ITTF approved plastic balls would be deployed during the competi-tion as the balls would be used in most ITTF major competitions including the forthcoming Afri-can Championships holding in November in Sudan.

teams will continue to do the na-tion proud,” Maigari stated.

Delegates at the Warri Gen-eral Assembly appointed Maig-ari as the Honorary Life Presi-dent of the NFF.

AFOLABI GAMBARI

With the completion cat-egories of competition in the on-going Heinek-

en-sponsored Nigeria Cup, atten-tion shifted to the ladies on Tues-day as they teed-off on the18-hole Ikoyi Golf 1938 course.

Lady Captain of the Ikoyi Club, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka, led over 80 golfers drawn from clubs in Lagos and environ as well as other invited guests from across the country.

Although the competition was expected to be close to call, golfers like Evelyn Oyome, for-mer lady captain of Ikoyi Club,

Mrs. Funke Majekodunmi, Mercy Freely and the current captain, Ngoka, were tipped as favourites for the coveted trophy.

Chairman of Nigeria Cup Organising Committee, Mr. Tony Onwu, said a tough com-petition was however expected, even as he commended the Ni-geria Breweries for the sponsor-

ship. “We have enjoyed Heineken’s

sponsorship over the years and we can’t ask for more,” Onwu said on Tuesday.

Sponsor’s guests competed yesterday while the profession-als will take their turns today ahead of Saturday’s grand fi-nale.

Maigari

Oribamishe is among the players expected to compete in the NTTF League

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Offi ce: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Offi ce: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Port-Harcourt Offi ce: Suite 115, NICON Hotel, 6, Benjamin Opara Street, Off Olusegun Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phaze 3, Phone: 07032323254 Email: [email protected].

Editor: SEYI FASUGBA. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos. Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.

Chris Okotie

THE PRINCE OF NIGERIA PARADIGM

[email protected]; twitter@revchrisokotie, 08078421451 (sms only)

Vol. 04 No. 952 Thursday, October 2, 2014 N150

WORLD RECORD

The most combined net yards gained by a single player in an NFL season is 2,969, by Darren Sproles, playing for the New

Orleans Saints (both USA) in the 2011 season.

Most combined net yards gained in an NFL season

Our enormous potential as a great nation was identified early enough; but the world is now watching in dis-

belief as Nigeria sits in the company of fail-ing states, 54 years after independence. The Independence Anniversary was marked yesterday nationwide as just another mile-stone, with many questions begging for answers from our political leaders, who remain an integral part of the Nigerian problem.

Our political leaders, always as corrupt and incompetent as the dictators they re-placed, have by their self-serving, parochial policies, opened the doors to terrorists and criminals, who have taken up arms against the Nigeria. These renal youths come in various shapes and stripes; some wearing the gab of Islamic fundamentalism, while some have embraced primitive practices like ritual killings for money portion to vent

their frustrations on a system that alienates them socio-economically and politically.

Even as you read this, the governing elites are already perfecting plans for the 2015 gen-eral elections to perpetuate themselves in power. This invariably frustrates the much desired tide of change that should enthrone the right leadership that could actualize the great Nigeria of our dream.

The PDP-led ruling cabal, in its despera-tion to hang on to power for 60 years as pre-dicted by their power-drunk leaders, have gone to great lengths to prevent viable alter-natives from emerging to rescue the nation. While the party is thinking of how to hold on to power for 60 years, it has not set any plausible target for governance upgrade, whereas, by 2019, it is estimated that China will become the world’s largest economy, beating the United States of America to second place. Though, the Asian nation’s projected per capita GDP should be about $16,000 based on purchasing power parity (PPP), compared to US’s projected $66,000, the Chinese will still have about 18 percent share of the world economy. Pray, what is Ni-geria’s fate under the PDP in 2019?

The much celebrated projection that Nigeria would be the world’s 20th largest economy by 2020 has been punctured. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest exporter of crude oil will occupy that position. At best, we may be the 30th biggest economy by 2020. Is that good enough? No!

Most of our peer nations would be in the league of emerging economies in less than 10 years, while we may still be grappling

with governance fault lines - decaying in-frastructure, corruption, industrial scale oil theft, criminality and terrorism, etc.

Without long-term planning, the subsist-ing problems of unemployment, collaps-ing of the education sector, power supply deficit, chaotic healthcare delivery system, and transportation infrastructure, may still be firmly on ground for years to come. Of course, we may be able to sustain the margin-al gains in agriculture and the growing pri-vate sector initiative, which has seen some of our indigenous brands like Dangote, Seplat, Zenith Bank, GT Bank, First Bank, UBA and Glo asserting themselves on the global mar-ket. Hopefully, others may join if the govern-ment is able to create the right environment for the private sector to thrive.

Rather than start thinking of how to move Nigeria forward through a grand stra-tegic vision, the PDP-led government is al-ways boasting about how to “capture” more states or rule Nigeria for 60 years! How else do you define the failure of leadership?

In civilized democracies, politicians seek power to serve, not to be served. The bane of our system is politics of appropriation, of ‘resource control’ and sharing of the

national cake. This breeds political margin-alization of the weak and other vulnerable demographics, leading to insurgency and other atavistic tendencies we are experienc-ing at the moment.

Terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and other violent groups are products of the same family tree -failed leadership. After 54 years, Nigerian voters must begin to reas-sess their priorities. People have to decide whether ‘stomach infrastructure’, which gives crumbs as ‘dividends’ of democracy, or genuine, long-term, balanced investment in infrastructure and social services, which guarantee a future is what they want. This is not a hard choice at all; it is pure common sense, which dictates that it is better to cry now and smile later.

As for Boko Haram, their sponsors must know that they would be defeated no matter how long it takes. Lasting victory against these criminals cannot, however, be achieved on the battle field. We must re-build our nation by getting our kids back to school in an environment that offers equal opportunity for self actualization. Nobody who has functional education with bright prospect to live a good life would take to the trenches to fight against constituted authorities, especially if the polity is gov-erned by responsible political leaders. However, the current ruling cabal is bent on frustrating the emergence of alterna-tive leadership.

One of the subtle moves in this direction is the decision to legislate budding parties out of existence by creating dubious elec-toral hurdles, like the recent amendment of the Electoral Law, which stipulates that a party ceases to exist if it fails to win a seat in an election. It is superfluous to debate the merits of this law because countless news-paper editorials and opinion articles have been published on the matter. Most of the commentaries exposed the illogic of the bizarre provision that deprives young, vi-brant parties the opportunities to grow and gain capacity.

But all hope is not lost. The struggle con-tinues.

Sport Extra

One incredible month of golf was enough for Rory McIlroy to be voted PGA

Tour player of the year.The award was announced yes-

terday and surprised no one. McIl-roy won the award, which is a vote of PGA Tour members, for the sec-ond time in three years.

He joined Tiger Woods, Greg Nor-man and Nick Price as the only mul-tiple winners of the Jack Nicklaus Award since it began in 1990.

“I’d like to win a lot more in my career, and I feel like I can,” McIlroy said from St. Andrews, where he is

playing in the Dunhill Links Cham-pionship.

McIlroy and Jimmy Walker each won three times on the PGA Tour, though the size of the trophy tilted heavily in favor of the 25-year-old from Northern Ireland. McIlroy

McIlroy claims two majors , Ryder Cup victory McIlroy claims two majors , Ryder Cup victory

Mcliroy

Nigeria @ 54: A tale of failed leadership

IN CIVILIZED DEMOCRACIES,

POLITICIANS SEEK POWER TO SERVE, NOT

TO BE SERVED

went wire-to-wire to win the British Open, rallied from three shots be-hind on the final day at Firestone to capture his first World Golf Champi-onship, and won the PGA Champi-onship with a sterling back nine at Valhalla.

Documents

Thursday, october 2, 2014 new