Process licensors begin audit of NNPC's refineries Adeola Yusuf eptitude. lCorporation targets 60% local refining capacity for 2017 Minister of State for lobal process li- (NNPC) with particular in- The Federal Govern- nance of the refineries in Harcourt, Warri and Ka- Petroleum Resources, Dr. censors have com- terest in the process units ment has spent more than 16 years, whereas the four duna have, over the years, Ibe Kachikwu, in one of Gmenced the audit of the four refineries. N264 billion for the mainte- refineries, located in Port suffered epilepsy and in- his visits to the refineries, of Nigerian National agreed that their non-per- Petroleum Corporation Airport closure: Foreign airlines prefer Lagos to Kaduna }4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Monday, January 9, 2017 Vol. 3 No. 1054 /newtelegraph @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com N150 /newtelegraph @newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com Aisha Buhari: Herdsmen kill Judiciary Ex-Niger Ex-First Ladies three policemen, workers lament governor, Kure, spent £32,000 as two others non-payment dies in German jet landing cost missing }5 Idris of salaries }3 Onnoghen hospital }35 T he late Kure in London }2 Aisha 2019 presidency: N orthern govs, others scheme for Buhari’s seat lPDP to APC: You can’t capture South-East }2 & 32 1 1,000 days of Chibok: Police stop BBOG march to Villa }7 2

1. Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) campaign during a procession in Abuja on the 1000-day of abduction of Chibok girls …yesterday.

2. Some of the policemen preventing members of the #BBOG from marching on the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI Bakare to President: Reshuffle your cabinet …calls for restructuring, scrapping of states }3 & 12 Peanuts could prevent allergies in babies }7 MONday, January 9, 2017 2 NEWS NEW TELEGRAPH Northern govs, others scheme for Buhari’s seat Temitope Ogunbanke hunger, hardship and nancial Crimes Commis- “The problem is that the Ibrahim Shekarau to visit in the PDP believe that and Onyekachi Eze uncertainties across the sion (EFCC). president is not showing Governor Seriake Dick- the former vice president country, the president A source close to the for- any sign on the direction son. has more than a passing olitical gladiators would need a miracle in mer minister confirmed he might go. But left with Shekarau is also said to interest in the PDP affair. in the northern the last two years of his that the governor contact- the governors, they would be interested in the race. But his major obstacle to part of the coun- first term to earn a second ed the former minister to want him to take the Nel- Lamido has also been to the presidency remains his try are warming term. join APC. son Mandela option; do Ekiti, Osun and Gombe former boss, former Presi- Ptheir political machines It was gathered that He said: “The governor one term and leave in 2019. states, among others in dent , in preparation for the 2019 within the APC, three gov- has been calling him to Many of them are hoping his bid to talk sense into who has ensured that election. They have, there- ernors from the North- join the APC. I don’t know that the option would be the party faithful. Sources Atiku neither emerged on fore, lined up some promi- West are currently work- what the situation is now, accepted by the president,” close to him said that the either platform in the past. nent political actors for the ing underground to ensure but they have been talking the source said. visits are not just recon- It was further learnt 2019 presidency. that they get the ticket of for some time to join the But while the APC gov- ciliatory. He is also selling that former governor of New Telegraph gath- the party. They are cur- APC. That was before the ernors and stalwarts like the presidential agenda to Kano State, Senator Rabiu ered that while some rently banking on Buhari EFCC arrested the former former Vice-President Ati- them. Kwankwaso, who has been (within the ruling All Pro- not running. minister and took him to ku Abubakar are keeping It was gathered that having a running battle gressives Congress, APC) One of the governors, court. He is still keeping their plans under wraps part of the reasons the with his governor, Ibrahim are banking their prepara- who is believed to be very his cards open.” and waiting on Buhari, crisis in the PDP has lin- Ganduje, who he installed, tions on the possibility that close to the president, is Another source close that is not the case with the gered so long with failed might also have an interest President Muhammadu also said to be warming to an APC senator, who PDP leaders in the North. peace moves trailing it is in the race. Buhari may not run for a up for the battle. Sources preferred anonymity, told Currently, a former Gov- the ambition of the two Kwankwaso has kept second term, others within said that the governor has New Telegraph that “most ernor of Jigawa State, Dr. factional chairmen, Sena- a low profile, partly be- the ruling party and the also busied himself with of the APC governors in Sule Lamido, has declared tor Ali Modu Sheriff and cause of his battles in his Peoples Democratic Party mobilisation of forces even the North are open for the his intention to run for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi to native Kano. There have (PDP) are hoping that outside the APC; mobilis- presidency. Those who are presidency in 2019, declar- run in 2019. been speculations for a with the performance of ing even PDP members to not working openly are ing that only God can stop A top member of the long time that he might the APC-led Federal Gov- cross over to the APC. working secretly. But as him in 2019. PDP informed New Tele- return to the PDP, owing ernment going into two A top member of the you know, they are watch- Lamido is currently the graph that while it is in the to his marginalisation in years, the Buhari myth PDP in the South-West, ing developments at the chairman of the reconcili- open that Sheriff wants to the APC. that shocked the whole who is a former minister, Villa. They want to be sure ation committee of the run, Makarfi’s ambition is But it was learnt that country in the 2015 general was among those contact- the president is not run- PDP and has been tour- latent and was discovered the North-East PDP are elections might not count ed by the governor to move ning before they come out ing the whole country to by some governors of the also up to the battle for in 2019. over to the APC. That was in the open. Some of the bring back the PDP to life. party, who are not comfort- the presidency. Since 1999, There is the belief that before the former minister governors are all working He was recently in Bayelsa able with it. only the North-West has with the economic down- started having problems and waiting for the presi- State with a former Gover- He said: “We know that produced the presidents turn, which has brought with the Economic and Fi- dent to make up his mind.” nor of Kano State, Mallam Sheriff wants to run in of Northern extraction – 2019. He has not hidden it, Buhari and the late Umaru but we discovered along Musa Yar’Adua. the way that Makarfi is The argument is that also interested. That is North-East has more PDP what is behind the crisis presence than any other in the party. Both factions part of the North. want to install a chairman "This is the only region L-R: Wife of Lagos at the convention that in the North that has two State Governor, would be loyal to them. PDP governors and some Bolanle Ambode; That is why we have not members of National As- Governor Akin- been able to make progress sembly members. Except wunmi Ambode; in the peace process. A lot one member of House of General Overseer, of factors, including the Assembly in Kaduna State, Redeemed governors and of course, there is no PDP presence in Christian Church the influence of the APC- the whole of North-West. of God (RCCG) led Federal Government, "So, for equity and jus- Worldwide, Pas- are at play here. But the tice, the next PDP presi- tor E.A. Adeboye ambitions of some of our dential candidate should and his wife, Pas- leaders are a major factor.” come from North-East. You tor Folu, during Although Atiku has cannot pick a presidential the 2017 Annual severally denied having candidate from North- Thanksgiving any ambition for now, his West where the candidate Service at the La- name keeps popping up of APC in the person of gos House, Ikeja, at both the APC and the President Buhari comes …yesterday PDP camps. Some people from and expect to win," a chieftain of the party from the North-East explained. Aisha Buhari: Ex-First Ladies spent £32,000 as jet landing cost in London Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe Anule Emmanuel She said unlike previ- from the £32,000 expended direct link her. couldn’t have been linked State, who is in his second Abuja ous operations at the High in the past as landing fees "The new accusation, to the bogus allegation of term in office is also said Commission, most of her for private jets of former however, has still not been corruption made by the to be nursing presidential trip to London were related first ladies," Mrs. Buhari able to substantiate where report's spurious headline ambition. ife of the Presi- to her non-governmental said. Aisha Buhari made any di- earlier on, as these are ap- The source said it is on dent, Mrs. Aisha organisation (NGO) and Meanwhile, Mrs. Buhari rect contact with the mis- proved trips. the strength of this that WBuhari, has re- could not have been funded has challenged the man- sion for anything. "It will be to the credit Atiku wants to come back vealed that former Nigeri- by government. agement of the online to "The High Commission of the media to carry out to the PDP. Sheriff had al- an first ladies spent £32,000 She said: "Part of the publicly apologised to her has its internal adminis- a thorough check if the leged that an APC chief- as landing cost for private wife of the President’s for what she described as trative procedure, and it’s so-called monies (£3,500) tain was funding Makarfi- jets in the United Kingdom trips abroad are for her ridiculous efforts to smear not within the purview of spent for whatever reason led National Caretaker (UK). NGO, which is not funded her name. the wife of the President by the High Commission Committee because the Mrs. Buhari disclosed by the government, and it She said "after our last to ask for diplomatic files," has any direct link with party's presidential ticket this yesterday while react- is not uncommon to have rejoinder, we expected the she added. Hajia Aisha Buhari,” the for 2019 has been reserved ing to an online news re- stopover in Britain like any paper to come out with con- The statement explained statement stated. for him. port which accused her of other country as the case crete evidence of deliberate that "that the said memo A minister in Buhari’s abusing official privileges may be. fraud or abuse of privi- showed little or no knowl- cabinet insisted that most at the Nigerian High Com- "VIP treatment is simple leges, or be bold enough to edge of Her Excellency’s people were underestimat- mission in London. protocol for a personality own up and apologise for itinerary proves the sim- 121,320 ing the president by his The total area (in sq. km) The president's wife, in of her status, which is done such hazy and unsubstan- ple fact we earlier submit- of land of Eritrea. lack of signs. “Let’s wait a statement by her Special all over the world, and at no tiated report.” ted that she had no direct Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com and watch. Things will Assistant on Media, Adebi- point was she offered any- The president's wife ex- business with the embassy unfold so fast soon. Is there si Olumide-Ajayi, said the where else. plained that to her surprise, to warrant the accusation any governor in the North continuous publication of "The High Commission the news organization rath- of waste or corruption in- that won an election? It is unfounded stories by the provided the lounge and er came up with another sinuated in the report.” 132 Buhari that won the elec- The sex ratio of women to 100 online news organisation Hajiya Buhari was not in- conjecture of a purported "Attending an inter- men of international migrants of tion for both the governors against her was becoming volved in the transaction. internal memo within the national women function Netherlands Antilles in 2010. and the APC in the North,” a great concern. "This is even a far cry Consulate, which has no with the governors' wives Source: Un.org he told New Telegraph. MONday, January 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH NEWS 3 Bakare to Buhari: Reshuffle your cabinet and development in the na- stressed that the nation generations yet unborn productive within a zonal time, perhaps understand- Wale Elegbede tion. has no more time to waste, will look back at their his- structure. ably due to the quagmire Bakare also said he is adding that: “May 29 this tory, not with disdain, but “As zonal structures, it met on ground, but also erving Overseer available for any national year will mark two full with gratitude to God that they can pool resources to due to insufficient coordi- of the Latter Rain assignment provided it years of this administra- our generation preceded build transportation infra- nation of strategies, the Assembly, Pastor will “birth the of tion in government. We theirs.” structure; as zonal struc- government failed to ef- Tunde Bakare, has our dream.” have no more time to waste. According to him, the tures, they will empower fectively communicate its Surged President Muham- While proposing the Sin- Mr. President must galva- 36 states of the Federa- local governments to bring direction as encapsulated madu Buhari to make hard gapore Model of fighting nize his team to get the job tion had become a huge effective governance direct- in the “Change” agenda.” choices in addressing the and conquering corrup- done; square pegs in round drainpipe on the country’s ly to the people.” On the foreign ex- foundations of the nation’s tion for the country, Bakare holes must be removed or resources. On restructuring of change, Bakare called for problems. said: “It is my considered put in appropriate places; “These 36 states, over- the country, Bakare urged a more reliable and predict- Bakare, who was the opinion that we are still the wicked who surround whelmingly sustained by for the harmonization of able forex. His words: “To vice-presidential candi- fighting corruption – our the righteous must be led allocations from Abuja, previous suggestions and begin with, the confusing date to Buhari when he nation's perennial archen- away from the presence of cannot guarantee func- reports including the 2014 and discriminatory mul- contested on the platform emy – with kid gloves. the king. Those who cannot tional infrastructure such National Conference, say- tiple dollar to naira ex- of the defunct Congress for “It is very dishearten- stand the heat must get out as world class roads, rail- ing every Nigerian must be change rates – favourable Progressive Change (CPC) ing that allegations of cor- of the kitchen. ways, airports, housing involved in deciding a new to some and not so favour- in 2011, particularly asked ruption remain rife in our “It is time to demon- and urban development. governance structure for able to others, and with- the president to reshuffle country, even against key strate leadership, wise “These 36 states, largely the federation. out doubt confusing for his cabinet. office holders in the pres- judgement and astute pub- unable to pay workers’ While faulting the ab- potential investors – must According to him, ent government.” lic policy that guarantees salaries, cannot guarantee sence of a national vision be discarded while a more square pegs in round holes Bakare, who is the stable and prosperous na- standard educational and for the country by succes- reliable and predictable must be removed or put in convener of Save Nigeria tionhood upon a founda- healthcare systems, or fa- sive and present adminis- exchange rate, mutually appropriate places. Group, noted further that: tion of peace; it is time to cilitate rural development. tration, Bakare said: “The beneficial to our people and He urged the president “The current government, build a well-ordered nation These 36 states should, in biggest indicator of the ab- economy and attractive to to urgently set in motion under President Muham- with strong institutions fact, become districts head- sence of a national vision foreign investors, should be the process of restruc- madu Buhari, has the op- dispensing justice; it is ed by Mayors within the or rallying point is the pre- put in place.” turing the country along portunity to provide such time to arise with patriotic framework of six geopo- ponderance of sectional He canvassed the low- regional line, create a na- leadership by being at the zeal to build a great nation litical zones, because they agitations. ering of interest rates. Ac- tional vision and galvanise forefront of the quest for such that, years from now, will be stronger and more “For a relatively long CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 his team to get the job done. change. Speaking in his State “Guided by the indica- of the Nation Address de- tors of good governance livered in Lagos yesterday, in a well-structured state, Bakare, who described and propelled by a true the present 36 states in the unifying national vision, country as "good for noth- Mr. President and his team ing", called for the scrap- must summon the cour- ping of the states and the age to make hard choices, Speaker, House adoption of a regional sys- especially the choice to of Representa- tem of government. restructure and the choice tives, Rt. Hon. While expressing op- to embrace the necessary Yakubu Dogara timism in the ability of self-sacrifice that precedes (left), with Buhari to restructure the economic recovery.” Yobe State country, the fiery clergy- While noting that this Governor, Ibra- man said the presently year will be crucial in him Gaidam, constituted states couldn’t the tenure of President during the foster the expected growth Buhari, the clergyman governor's visit to the Speaker FirstBank denies link to in Abuja … Diezani’s alleged $153.3m yesterday summons on the issue and Tony Chukwunyem that the said amount was Judiciary workers lament non-payment of salaries not in financial institu- irst Bank of Nigeria tion’s records. lJudges owed December arrears lCourts resume from vacation Limited has denied Expressing concern ital Territory (FCT) High Christmas Day. But the gov- cause list this year are the any involvement in at reports alleging that Tunde Oyesina Court, the FCT Customary ernment departed from it false assets declaration F Abuja the $153.3 million alleged- FirstBank and two other Court of Appeal, the FCT in 2016 despite the general suit filed against the Sen- ly belonging to the former lenders had been ordered Sharia Court of Appeal, hardship in the country. ate President, Dr. Bukola Minister of Petroleum, by the court to show cause s courts across the the National Industrial Though the government Saraki; arms deal scam Mrs. Diezani Alison-Ma- within 14 days why they country are resum- Court, the Federal High had complained that the filed against a former Na- dueke. should not forfeit the vari- Aing today from Court and Justices of the financial constraint had tional Security Adviser, Justice Muslim Hassan ous amounts of the fund the two-week break em- Supreme Court and the caused the non-payment, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) of the Lagos Division of that they had to the Feder- barked upon to celebrate Court of Appeal. that is not enough reason and a former National the Federal High Court, on al Government, the official the Christmas and New Others are workers for the non-payment. Publicity Secretary of the Friday, ordered a seizure said the reports were com- Year festivities, judiciary of the federal courts and "The constitution had Peoples Democratic Party of the money which was pletely false as FirstBank workers have lamented other federal judiciary in- provided for a time like (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh. purportedly stolen from was never summoned by the non-payment of their stitutions comprising the this. Section 81(3) of the Also top the cases on the the Nigerian National the court in the first place. December salaries. NJC, the National Judicial constitution provides for cause list is the trial of the Petroleum Corporation “I have inquired from The judges in the coun- Institute (NJI) and the Fed- Direct Line Charge for the Leader of the Indigenous (NNPC) and stashed in our legal department and try are also yet to receive eral Judicial Service Com- judiciary even when there People of , Nnamdi three Nigerian banks, they said that the bank did their December salaries, mission. is shortfall. This is to say Kanu and three others over in US dollars and naira, not receive any court sum- New Telegraph learnt yes- According to the source, that the government did alleged treason, trial of with N9.08 billion of the mons on the issue. There terday. "By law, the amount accru- not have enough ground to Justices Sylvester Ngwuta funds allegedly kept in is also no record of such A source, who spoke able to judges as salary is owe judiciary officers and and Adeniyi Ademola over FirstBank. a transaction in the bank. with New Telegraph on deducted directly from the workers any salary at all. alleged corruption. The judge made the “We have no involve- the condition of anonym- portions of the various "We will still look at These and many more order in favour of the ment in the ex-minister’s ity, said that the National state governments in the what will happen this week cases will be coming up Economic and Finan- money. No N9.08 billion of Judicial Council (NJC), federation account and to see what we can do. The this year. cial Crimes Commission Alison-Maduekwe’s mon- which pays the salary of paid into the NJC’s account suffering is unbearable. We The trial of Kanu is ex- (EFCC), which appeared ey was deposited with us,” all judges, including those for onward payment to the have celebrated Christmas pected to take off today. before him with an ex the official told our corre- serving in the various state judges. But, the payment of and New Year without pay. The former Chief of parte application seeking spondent. High Courts, had yet to re- salary of workers of vari- What could be worse than Defence Staff, Air Chief the temporary forfeiture ceive the allocation for the ous state judiciaries is not that? The excuse that there Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), of the funds. salary from its share in the under the control of the is no money by the Federal who was accused of divert- However, an official of Federation Account. NJC. The judges across the Government holds no wa- ing over N3.9 billion from FirstBank told New Tele- N1.335bn Those affected by the country last received sal- ter. The judiciary is on the accounts of the Nigerian graph that the lender was The total overhead budget proposal non-payment of the sala- ary in late November 2016. direct line charge." Air Force, will also return to State House (President’s Office) of not involved in the trans- the 2017 budget. ries are state High Court "Before now, the judg- As the court resumes to court to face 10-count action, stressing that the Source: Ministry of Budget and judges across the country, es used to receive their fully today, among the criminal charge pending bank did not receive court National Planning judges of the Federal Cap- December salary before cases that will lead the against him. MONday, January 9, 2017 4 NEWS NEW TELEGRAPH Abuja Airport closure: Foreign airlines prefer Lagos to Kaduna down the airport for a pe- Travel Agencies (NANTA), of a second runway for …set to withdraw services to Kaduna riod of six weeks was as Bankole Bernard, hinted Abuja, which he said was the Federal Government on hold their journeys un- a result of negligence in that many international long overdue. Wole Shadare to allow them operate their til the Abuja aerodrome is terms of maintenance of airlines might withdraw The plan to construct a Abuja flights to Lagos to repaired. the runway by previous their services to Kaduna second runway for Abuja ome foreign airlines save them the stress of op- The Minister of State for governments. airport. was stalled in 2008 when are contemplating erating to Kaduna. Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had He sought for the coop- He said should the situ- the Senate, at its plenary, not to operate into They noted that they said that the closure of the eration of all stakeholders ation arise; the Federal said the N64 billion-con- Kaduna airport might be forced to quit op- Abuja airport is proposed to enable them go through Government should allow tract sum was too high. Sas rehabilitation of work erations to Kaduna until to last for six weeks. Dur- this transition period with them to operate the flights The proposed cost of commences on the over- the Abuja airport, which ing the period of closure, minimal discomfort. that are supposed to go to the runway far exceeded hauling of the Nnamdi repairs starts on March 8, Kaduna International The runway at Abuja, Kaduna to Lagos to mini- the cost of constructing Azikiwe International is fixed. Airport shall serve as the which was constructed mise the pain of air travel- some airports around the Airport, Abuja. If the carriers withdraw alternative. in 1982, has exceeded lers. country and even abroad. Two of the airlines that their services from Kadu- Following the proposed its design lifespan of 20 His words: “Internation- The Senate noted that spoke to New Telegraph on na, this might lead to huge closure of the Nnamdi years which accounts for al airlines will never joke the Terminal 5 in Heath- strict condition of anonym- capacity and influx of pas- Azikiwe International a number of distressed with the safety of their pas- row Airport, with four ity, said they are looking at sengers to Lagos as seat ca- Airport Abuja, the Federal and failed portions. This sengers. They may want lanes of 4km runway, costs the security measures put pacity may not be enough Executive Council (FEC) situation has reduced the to leave or withdraw their less than N25 billion, while in place by government for the teeming passengers, recently approved N1.1 bil- riding quality and safety services for six weeks. the entire Gombe Airport, and would consider if except the carriers change lion for the repairs of the margin in operating into They have expressed fears with 3.66km runways, cost they were adequate for the to bigger aeroplane to ac- Kaduna Airport terminal. the airport. that they don’t want to go N8.2 billion. safety of their passengers commodate the travellers. According to the minis- Speaking to reporters to Kaduna. This is the best They said that the Jiga- and crew. Experts said this might ter, “The contractor has ac- yesterday, president of time for Nigerian airlines wa Airport costs N11 bil- The sources, who work also disrupt international cepted to work within that the umbrella body of all to partner international lion, Bauchi Airport N12 for two big European carri- travel within that period as six months.” travel agencies operating carriers to help them billion, Airport N13 ers, said they are consider- many from the Northern Sirika had stated that in Nigeria, the National distribute passengers to billion, while the Akwa ing sending a proposal to part of Nigeria might put the imperative to shut- Association of Nigerian other places from Lagos. Ibom Airport costs about Bellview Airlines once did N18 billion. it with Air France and it really worked out.” The NANTA boss fur- 10% ther disclosed that from The percentage of the estimated the meeting he had with coverage with single-dose nevirapine Sirika, the Federal Govern- only (regimen no longer recommended ment has concluded plans by WHO) in Sub-Saharan African in 2010. to start the reconstruction Source: Who.int 1,000 days after: All Chibok girls will return home –Buhari that "we are hopeful that Anule Emmanuel many more will still return Abuja as soon as practicable.” He reiterated his pledge, resident Muham- pronounced many times in madu Buhari has the past, that government Passured that all re- would not spare any effort maining girls abducted to reunite the girls with L-R: Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Joan Ayo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and others, during the inter- by the sect their families. denominational church service for the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the National Christian Centre in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: NAN in Chibok, Borno State “I salute the fortitude in 2014 will return home of the distraught parents. safely. As a parent also, I identify The president's remarks with their plight. Process licensors begin audit of NNPC's refineries come as the nation yester- “Days turned to weeks, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ing product importation to help in enlightening the also announced that the day marked the 1,000th day weeks turned to months, formance was due to fraud. in a few years, maintain- public on the dangers of corporation spent $200 mil- of the abduction of over months turned to years, “It got to a point where ing that a concrete plan pipeline vandalism, which lion on the maintenance of 200 girls from Government and today (yesterday), it is I started wondering wheth- to achieve that had com- he said had become a drain Kaduna Refinery. Secondary School, Chibok, 1,000 days. er as we repaired, some- menced. on the nation’s economy. When the corporation Maiduguri. “The tears never dry, the body was going out there “We are focusing on the Baru did not state invited the original build- The abducted girls were ache is in our hearts. But to destroy them so that process licensors to come whether the new audit ers from Japan and Italy in the school to write their hope remains constant, there would be contracts,” and audit our processes covers the funds accrued for the turnaround main- Senior School Certificate eternal, and we believe our he said. and they have already to maintenance of the re- tenance, a former Group Examination in April 2014. pains will be assuaged. Group Managing Di- started auditing most of fineries. Executive Director, Corpo- While the military had “Our hopes will not be rector of the corporation, our process units in the Since 1999, the govern- rate Strategy of the NNPC, rescued some of them, 21 shattered, and our hearts Dr. Maikanti Baru, who various refineries. ment had spent more than Dr. Tim Okon, told a Sen- others were released last will leap for joy, as more at the weekend confirmed “We are putting togeth- N264 billion for the mainte- ate committee in 2015, that year based on a negotia- and more of our daughters the audit of the refineries, er various programmes nance of the installations. they declined and recom- tion between the Federal return. It is a goal we re- maintained that this proce- to ensure that we achieve This is different from mended Saipem, a foreign Government and their ab- main steadfastly commit- dure or methodology was a at least 60 per cent local about $308 million report- firm operating in Nigeria, ductors. ted to,” the president said. detour from what obtained refining by the end of this edly spent for the same to carry out the mainte- Buhari, in a statement On the occasion of the at the corporation before year. It is the procedure or purpose by the military nance on their behalf. by his Special Adviser on 1,000 days, Buhari com- n o w. methodology that we are governments of the late The corporation, in Feb- Media and Publicity, Femi mended all who have been This methodology, he changing a little bit. General ($216 ruary 2015, announced that Adesina, expressed the in the vanguard for the said, was a commence- “We hope if we do all million) and retired Gener- local engineers repaired commitment of the Fed- recovery of the girls, both ment of moves to boost the these systematically, we al Abdusalami Abubakar the refineries at a cost of eral Government to secur- nationally and internation- capacity utilisation of the should be able to get about ($92 million). N99 billion following the ing the release of the girls. ally. refineries to 60 per cent by 60 per cent level of capac- NNPC reportedly an- refusal of the original He said: “We are grate- “Someday soon, we will the end of 2017. ity utilisation by the end of nounced that it had award- builders of the refineries ful to God that on this all rejoice together. Our He disclosed this when this year or at worst by the ed a $57 million worth of to handle the maintenance landmark day, we are not intelligence and security he played host to the board first quarter of 2018 and get contract to a Nigerian contracts. completely in the depths forces are unrelenting, and management of Media to 80 per cent by the end of firm to carry out compre- The refineries only of despair, but buoyed with and whatever it takes, we Trust Limited, publishers 2018 so that we could local- hensive turnaround main- functioned for less than hope that our daughters remain resolute. of Daily Trust Newspa- ly be able to supply half of tenance on all the refiner- three months before they will yet rejoin their fami- "Chibok community, pers, led by its Chairman, our PMS requirements. ies, months after the late were shut down. lies and loved ones. Nigeria, and, indeed, the Mallam Kabiru Yusuf. “Also, with other efforts President Musa Yar’Adua The NNPC, in a docu- “Three of them have world, will yet rise in A statement by Group in terms of other refineries stopped the sale of the re- ment made available to been recovered by our brotherhood, to welcome General Manager, Group coming in place, we should fineries in 2007. investors at a recent road diligent military, while the our remaining girls back Public Affairs Division, be able to quit importation In 2009, the then Group show in China, said it freedom of 21 others was home. Ndu Ughamadu, quoted in a few years,” the GMD Managing Director (GMD) would require between $1.4 secured through engage- "We trust God for that Baru as saying that the stated. of the NNPC, Alhaji Mo- billion and $1.8 billion to ment with their captors." eventuality,” the president NNPC was keen on end- Baru urged the media hammed Sanusi Barkindo, rehabilitate the refineries. The president explained stressed. MONday, January 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH NEWS 5 Herdsmen kill three policemen, two others missing the fierce encounter. killed in the incident. "Nobody had time to lArmy officer, 3 soldiers die in attack "Buni Yadi came under The source, who spoke start counting the num- Ibraheem Musa, ians, two bodies have so far the gun battle between the attack at about 06:15pm, but in confidence, said the sus- bers of the bastards that been recovered,” Othman herdsmen on one hand and things are under control. pected insurgents, in their were killed because we Emmanuel and 103 CHI PHARMACEUTICAL LIMITED OFFSHORE CHARGES 30-Jun-16 300.0000 891.44 Onani said. the Nigeria police and local Casualty figure of BHTs large number, struck from were busy pursuing the Hassan Jirgi The spokesman said vigilante on the other hand, yet to be confirmed, on the eastern flank of the ones that were running, that the police had suc- lasted for almost 24 hours, locales, none for now like- military formation. but I must tell you that hree Mobile Po- ceeded in killing scores beginning from last Friday. wise our own forces. He noted that the dead many of them were killed licemen have been of the militias who were, Reacting to the attack, "However, details will Captain, who was a medi- and their dead bodies were killed by suspect- however, able to escape the Senator representing be relayed to you soon,” cal doctor, had just been scattered in the bush,” the ed herdsmen in with their dead ones. Southern Kaduna senatori- Okupe said. posted to the Brigade. source stated. TDemsa Local Government Abubakar said more po- al District, Danjuma La'ah Though, the Brigade's Another source, who The attack came barely Area of Adamawa State. licemen had been drafted to alleged that "not a single spokesman insisted that spoke in similar vein, two weeks after the Army Also, two others MO- the affected areas. soldier was drafted to assist no casualty was recorded, said the attackers suffered announced the defeat of POL have been declared Governor Muhammad the police and the local vigi- a military source told New heavy casualties, as seen in Boko Haram, with the fall missing by the police. No Bindow had condemned lante, in spite of sporadic Telegraph that an officer the number of bodies scat- of Camp Zero in the Sam- fewer than two civilians the attack, which occurred gunfire that could be heard and three of his men, were tered in the bush. bisa Forest. S/N CUSTOMER ITEM OF IMPORT DATE OF EXCHANGE AMOUNT lost their lives in the attack. less than 24-hours after a from kilometres away and FUND RATE The policemen were government delegation on throughout the onslaught PURCHASE among those drafted to se- peace building mission vis- from Friday morning to cure Kwayine, Gidan Dadi ited the area. Saturday morning." Bakare to Buhari: Restructure Nigeria and Karlahi communities Also, three people have Efforts to get reactions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Bakare said that 2016 increased attention to ag- after clashes that followed been killed in a fierce gun from the police Image- cording to him, “Prohibi- was characterised by ex- riculture with the sector the killing of 47 cattle in battle between policemen maker, ASP Aliyu Usman tive and punitive interest treme uncertainties, in- growing by 4.54 per cent the area. and suspected Fulani proved abortive. rates must be lowered in tense political suspense, in the third quarter of the The Adamawa Police herdsmen at Tsonje vil- Meanwhile, there are order to liberate the cre- accelerated global terror, year, despite the 2.24 per Command’s Public Rela- lage in Kaura Local Gov- strong indications that a ative ingenuity of our and mounting economic cent year on year reduction tions Officer, SP Othman ernment Area of Kaduna Captain of the Nigerian people as well as encour- pressure, due to dwindling in growth rate. Abubakar, who confirmed State on Saturday, New Army, and three soldiers of age those who can access resources. “The third quarter also the development to news- Telegraph has learnt yes- the 27 Task Force Brigade mortgages at affordable He said that in spite saw growth in non-oil sec- men in Yola, said that four terday. in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, rates to become homeown- of the challenges, some tors including fishing and rifles belonging to the po- Our correspondent were killed in a surprise ers, especially if our Pen- achievements were record- crop production. licemen were also missing. learnt that Ephraim Eze- attack by suspected Boko sion Scheme is up-to-date ed in the areas of security “These are signs of “Fulani militia attacked kiel, 19, and Joshua Ladi, Haram elements. The at- and robust. and diversification. a diversifying economy. the three villages and we 41, lost their lives in the gun tack, which occurred on “The multiplier effect of He, therefore, prayed for Therefore, the assumption lost three of our gallant duel while two others were Saturday, was confirmed by the removal of these bottle- the safe return of all still that the Buhari-led admin- MOPOL while two are declared missing in the lat- the Brigade's spokesman, necks in our economy will in captivity, the continued istration lacks direction is missing. est attack which occurred Lt. George Okupe. cushion the effect of the protection of our soldiers, questionable.” “We have constituted a since the massive deploy- In a text message to current recession on our and the safety and reha- Bakare then urged Ni- high powered search team ment of military troops newsmen, Okupe disclosed people. These are just two bilitation of all internally gerians, irrespective of re- and by the special grace of and mobile policemen by that the attack was suc- low hanging fruit solutions displaced persons. ligious, ethnic, gender or God we are going to recover the Federal Government cessfully repelled, even as that demonstrate a com- Bakare said: “The gov- other distinctions, to pray our men. last week. he added that many of the mitment to turning the tide ernment’s diversification for God’s intervention and “On the side of the civil- Reports indicate that gunmen were killed during of decline.” efforts have also propelled support the government.

Access Bank Plc RC125384 RETURNS ON SOURCES AND UTILIZATIONOF FUNDS FOR THE WEEK ENDED JANUARY 6TH, 2017 BANK: ACCESS BANK PLC DATE OF RETURNS: 09/01/17 SOURCES OF FUNDS UTILIZATION OF FUNDS

SN SOURCE DATE OF EXCHANGE AMOUNT S/N CUSTOMER ITEM OF IMPORT DATE OF EXCHANGE AMOUNT PURCHASE RATE FUND RATE FUND PURCHASE 1 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 380.00 1 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED CALCIUM CARBIDE 50-80MM 5-Jan-17 314.50 68,671.89 2 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 281.90 3 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 115.00 2 ROOSEVELT C OGBONNA SCHOOL FEES 6-Jan-17 305.50 17,532.70 4 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 375.00 25,835.45 3 ADEDAPO A OLAGUNJU MORTGAGE 4-Jan-17 315.00 3,506.29 5 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 2,117.11 6 OWN SOURCES 3-Jan-17 314.00 8.40 4 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED FULL CREAM MILK POWERDER INSTANT 5-Jan-17 314.50 69,764.10 7 OWN SOURCES 3-Jan-17 314.00 6,264.37 8 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 375.00 52,828.77 5 ACCESS BANK PLC SUBSCRIPTION 5-Jan-17 315.00 4,409.65 9 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 655.68 10 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 58.79 6 VICTOR O ETUOKWU PTA 6-Jan-17 380.00 4,000.00 11 CAPITAL IMPORTATION 5-Jan-17 314.00 9,968.20 7 OBIAAGBI PTA 5-Jan-17 380.00 4,000.00 12 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 50.89 13 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 863.44 8 PATRICIA OLUWATOPE JOHNSON SCHOOL FEES 3-Jan-17 380.00 3,612.70 14 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 23.88 15 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 86.57 9 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED TITANIUM DIOXIDE 5-Jan-17 314.50 162,270.64 16 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 716.30 17 DOM CONVERSION 6-Jan-17 314.00 820.00 10 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED TITANIUM DIOXIDE (TR92) 5-Jan-17 314.50 81,111.08 18 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 806.95 11 MR L.A.KAKULU SCHOOL FEES 3-Jan-17 380.00 5,004.29 19 DOM CONVERSION 6-Jan-17 314.00 4,000.00 20 OWN SOURCES 3-Jan-17 314.00 3,165.65 12 ACCESS BANK PLC SUBSCRIPTION 4-Jan-17 315.00 17,500.00 21 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 835.00 22 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 1,455.90 13 OLUSEGUN OGBONNEWO SCHOOL FEES 4-Jan-17 380.00 5,697.63 23 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 375.00 6,256.50 14 ODUSANYA A OLUWASESAN MORTGAGE 6-Jan-17 315.00 653.15 24 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 49.46 25 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 1,000.00 15 ACCESS BANK PLC SUBSCRIPTION 5-Jan-17 315.00 1,915.26 26 OWN SOURCES 4-Jan-17 305.00 6,281.40 27 OWN SOURCES 3-Jan-17 314.00 40.57 16 OMEIZA MICHAEL SUNNIE SCHOOL FEES 5-Jan-17 380.00 369.75 28 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 2,335.34 29 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 4,084.00 17 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED DEXTROSE MONOHYDRATE FOOD GRADE 5-Jan-17 314.50 89,940.48 30 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 375.00 5,832.20 18 OLUSEGUN OGBONNEWO SCHOOL FEES 5-Jan-17 380.00 4,284.32 31 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 375.00 17,112.86 32 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 15.00 19 IDOWU MICHAEL OLUMUYIWA SCHOOL FEES 3-Jan-17 380.00 4,324.29 33 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 150.00 34 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 375.00 18,461.79 20 ROBERT IMOWO CREDIT CARD 6-Jan-17 305.50 500.00 35 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 1,134.29 36 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 375.00 47,639.00 21 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED TITANIUM DIOXIDE (TR92) 5-Jan-17 314.50 81,111.08 37 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 1,520,658.39 22 SOLA ENIOLA AKINSOLA PTA 6-Jan-17 380.00 615.45 38 OWN SOURCES 5-Jan-17 305.00 6,508.98 39 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 200.17 23 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED CAUSTIC SODA PEARLS 99% 5-Jan-17 314.50 152,969.07 40 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 993.84 41 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 895.08 24 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED SNOW WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY 5-Jan-17 314.50 485,187.13 42 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 550.86 43 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 314.00 166.86 25 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED ethanol 5-Jan-17 314.50 150,678.75 44 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 360.00 26 OLUREMI MOTOMORI WILLIAMS PTA 4-Jan-17 380.00 4,000.00 45 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 375.00 14,920.32 46 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 179.58 27 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED ISO PROPYL ALCOHOL(IPA 5-Jan-17 314.50 33,150.32 47 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 5,016.51 48 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 30.59 28 ADEBAYO OLUWOLE WILLIAMS PTA 4-Jan-17 380.00 4,000.00 49 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 2,700.65 50 DOM CONVERSION 6-Jan-17 314.00 191,082.80 29 PATTISON BOLEIGHA PTA 4-Jan-17 380.00 4,000.00 51 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 1,187.63 30 HENRY CHIGOZIE ENUMAH SCHOOL FEES 3-Jan-17 380.00 4,156.60 52 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 5-Jan-17 375.00 4,975.81 53 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 375.00 21,705.23 31 ADEOYE SUNDAY OGUNDEKO SCHOOL FEES 5-Jan-17 380.00 3,300.00 54 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 49.39 55 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 0.10 32 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED CAUSTIC SODA PEARLS 99% 5-Jan-17 314.50 63,729.18 56 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 4-Jan-17 314.00 1,128.20 33 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARAFFIN WAX - ALEX WAX 600 5-Jan-17 314.50 51,403.52 57 INTERBANK 5-Jan-17 305.00 50,000.00 58 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 220.15 34 NAGODE INDUSTRIES LIMITED MAIZE CORN STARCH (RAW MATERIAL FOR PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY) 5-Jan-17 314.50 30,671.15 59 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 3-Jan-17 314.00 256.28 60 HOMEWARD REMMITANCE 6-Jan-17 314.00 100.00 35 OLUKUNLE GAMALIEL BOWALE SCHOOL FEES 4-Jan-17 380.00 2,500.00 monday, january 9, 2017 6 NEWS | national NEW TELEGRAPH FG stops varsities from I'll be President of Nigeria –Fayose Sulaiman Salawudeen vice held at Government 2018. I will give them 16-0 House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti, again”, he said. Ado-Ekiti running illegal courses Ekiti State to mark the He equally raised 53rd birthday anniversary alarms regarding subter- Yekeen Nurudeen Accounting, Banking and note that admissions will kiti State governor, of his wife, Feyisetan. ranean moves by the All Abuja Finance, Business Admin- be conducted within the Ayodele Fayose, has Fayose said: “I am the Progressives Congress- istration among others. stipulated dateline. Esaid he would one politician to watch out for led Federal Government As if that was not In view of the above, day assume position as this year (2017). God told to unseat him as governor, he Federal Gov- enough, some institutions candidates and parents are President and Command- me I am going to rise three warning that the Federal ernment has change the nomenclature advised not to pay money er in Chief of Nigeria’s times. Whether you believe Government would fall directed all spe- of some of the courses to to any agent, bank for any Armed Forces. or not, it is your business. should it insist on having cialized universi- read for instance Banking registration as JAMB has He explained that if he You will come and visit me him removed. Tties to stick to their core Engineering, Accounting not and will not appoint could win the governor- in Aso Villa. How I will get The governor alleged mandates which they Technology, among other any agent. Soon, we will ship of Ekiti State after there and when I will get that the Federal Govern- were set up to carry out. names. This is an aberra- commence the sales and being allegedly ‘written there, I don’t know. But you ment was tampering with It also warned them to as tion and should be stopped the Board will make elab- off ’ politically, he was sure will visit me at Aso Rock. the administration of well desist from running with immediate effect." orate announcement with of one day becoming the “Can anyone believe churches in the country, programmes which have Benjamin said in the state- jingles to ensure that the number one citizen of the I would be here again as applying the Financial Re- no bearing to such man- ment. public is well informed country. governor. I defeated them porting Council of Nigeria dates. According to him, the of the commencement of The governor spoke at a 16-0. They are already say- (FRCN), Act 2015, which Specialized Universi- Minister of , sales. thanksgiving church ser- ing they will defeat me in saw Pastor Enoch Adeboye ties are those set up to Mallam Adamu Adamu, stepping aside as General pursue specific courses or has directed JAMB to de- Overseer of the Redeemed programmes to boost the lete all such courses on its Christian Church of God manpower in a particular portal while candidates APC’s NWC meets, party resumes today (RCCG). sector of the economy and desirous of sitting for the declined to comment on Kadir, recently stated that His words: "There is they include universities 2017 Universities Tertiary Johnchuks Onuanyim what might be the agen- the governor of Kaduna one thing every govern- like Universities of Agri- Matriculations Examina- Abuja da of the meeting and the State, Mallam Nasir El- ment must not do. The culture, Universities of tion are advised not to be focus of the party for the Rufai and former gover- moment you face the Technology, Universities hoodwinked into such s the All Progres- 2017 but a party source nor of Kano State, Sena- church of God, you will of Medicine, among oth- programmes, noting that sives Congress re- revealed that the NWC tor Rabiu Kwakwanso fail. The God of Adeboye, ers. they were illegal and are Asumes today, the would take seriously the were working against him Kumuyi will bring down But the Federal Govern- not provided for in our National Working Com- crises that have erupted in the zone. all the enemies in this ment in a statement issued brochure. mittee (NWC) will on the party in the state Abdul - Kadir, who government. yesterday by the Head of He added that the Board Thursday hold its first chapters. briefed journalists in “You are killing Chris- Media, Joint Admission has not commenced the meeting this year. According to the Abuja, alleged that the tians. The Lord will rise and Matriculation Board sales of the 2017 UTME The party vacated for source, for a long time, governor of Kaduna against you. By rising (JAMB) Dr. Fabian Ben- application documents, the end of the year cel- the NWC had kept quiet State had threatened to against the church, this jamin, lamented that the advising candidates to ex- ebration last year on De- on the crises in the state slap him. government has failed. affected universities have ercise patience as JAMB is cember 22. chapters of the party. Beyond the issue of By using Laws against the derailed from their statu- putting final preparations According to the Na- Such states the source crisis in the state chap- church, they have started tory responsibility thereby towards commencing the tional Publicity Secre- stated, include, Kaduna, ters of the party, the to crumble." running programmes that sales. tary of the party, Mal- Kano, Bauchi, Kogi, Ad- source stated that NWC were antithetical to their "The delay has been oc- lam Bolaji Abdullahi, amawa and Delta. would be concerned with mandates. casioned by the Board's de- the meeting would set It would be recalled allegations of formation 0.9% "Government notes sire to reduce to the barest agenda and direction for that the North West Na- of mega party and the The annual population growth the unfortunate situa- minimum challenges as- the party for the year. tional Vice Chairman of involvement of some rate of Suriname in 2010-2015. tion where Universities sociated with the conduct Abdullahi specifically APC, Alhaji Inuwa Abdul- APC members. Source: Un.org of Agriculture offer pro- of the Board’s examina- grammes in Law, Man- tion. However, in the final agement courses such as analysis, Nigerians should Atiku, Bakare hail Adeboye men on the State of the Na- Wale Elegbede and tion in his church, Bakare Johnchuks Onuanyim said nobody can continue in a position for ever and ormer Vice President that it was through the Fand chieftain of the grace of God that Pastor All Progressives Congress Adeboye was able to see (APC), Atiku Abubakar, and pick someone who he has extolled the virtues had mentored and trained of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to succeed him in his life- stating that Nigeria needs time. more of such religious Bakare spoke against L-R: Managing Director, LAPO MicroFinance Bank, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe; Divisional Head, Small and Medium Enterprises South, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr AbdulGaniyu Mohammed; leaders. the backdrop of Financial Managing Director/ CEO, Fortis MicroFinance Bank Plc, Mr. Tiko Okoye; Acting Managing Director, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Managing Director/CEO, Lotus Capital Limited, Hajia Hajara Atiku stated this in com- Reporting Council (FRC) Adeola, and Executive Director, Commercial Services, BoI, Mr. Jonathan Tobin, during the BoI Cheque presentation ceremony to Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) Scheme on lending loan mendation of Adeboye, which equally occasioned beneficiaries in Lagos…at the weekend. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI who just stepped down as the resignation of Pastor the General Overseer (Ni- Adeboye on Saturday, said, geria) of the Redeemed "Whether we like it or not, Budget: House Committee North West: 7 states to save Christian Church of God, one day, we would have to RCCG leave office." tasks MDAs on IGR 1.59m mothers, children He described Adeboye, Narrating the experi- he House imperative if the govern- tates in the North West has been adversely affect- who is now the General ence of his church with Tof Assembly Com- ment is to achieve all its set Sof Nigeria are fight- ed by Severe Acute Mal- Overseer of RCCG, World- the FRC, he said, " I don't mittee on Economic Plan- goals and plans for the state. ing to stem the scourge nutrition (SAM) with the wide as a unique example work in Financial Report- ning and Budget yesterday He said: “The message of malnutrition which number of malnourished of inspirational leader- ing Council and nobody urged heads of Ministries, we want to pass to them has affected more than children put at 2,539,704. ship whose influence cuts has served me any notice. Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is that many of 1,594,462 children in the It was revealed that the across tribe, class, and What I did when the is- (MDAs) to meet their re- them don’t meet the re- region. seven states in the zone even religion. sue was raised was that I quired Internally-Generat- quired targets and this The United Nation account for more than 75 Meanwhile, the serv- called our external audi- ed Revenue targets for 2017. does not help. Children’s Fund (UNI- per cent of the total severe ing overseer of the Latter tor and in-house accoun- The chairman of the “We have cut the target CEF) estimates that every malnutrition cases re- Rain Assembly, Pastor tant to go and meet them. committee, Mr Rotimi of some and increased the single day, Nigeria loses corded in Nigeria in 2016. Tunde Bakare, has com- They checked our books Olowo, who gave this ad- target of some of them be- about 2,300 under-fives NAN reports that the mended the decision of and they felt a proper cor- vice in an interview with cause what we discovered and 145 women of child- governments of Kano, Ka- Adeboye, to hand over porate governance is in the News Agency of Nige- was that many of them bearing age, making Nige- duna, Jigawa, Kebbi, So- the affairs of the church Latter Rain. I'm a trained ria (NAN) in Lagos, said could do better. ria the second largest con- koto, Katsina and Sokoto in Nigeria to a new Ni- lawyer and I try to be law that such step would help “We increased the tar- tributor to the under-five states are, however, taking gerian Overseer, Pastor abiding, but that is not to the government fulfil its get of the Lagos State In- deaths and maternal mor- measures to provide med- Joseph Obayemi. say that any of the people promises to people. ternal Revenue Service tality rate in the world. ication to affected women Speaking yesterday mentioned had not been According to him, avail- (LIRS) from N20.1 billion Also, UNICEF’s esti- and children, and prevent while addressing news- law abiding. ability of funds remained to N30 billion this year." mate showed that Nigeria new cases. monday, january 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH national | news 7 Ambode: Lagos to witness pleasant surprises in 2017 1000 days of Chibok girls' abduction: progress, saying that with all-inclusive progress and Muritala Ayinla God’s guidance, the state prosperity in the state.” witnessed quantum leap Ambode said that God Police stop BBOG march to Villa overnor Akinwun- in major sectors of the has indeed been faithful duction of the 219 Chibok Chibok girls. mi Ambode of La- economy. to the state in the past Yekeen Nurudeen Secondary School girls by She lamented that the Ggos State yesterday Ambode said:“Exactly a years, and as such, it was Abuja the Boko Haram terror- continued captivity of predicted a prosperous year ago, we were gathered important to show appre- ists in April 24, 2014. the girls after 1000 days 2017 for the state, saying here. Recall as part of my ciation and supplication eavily armed The Police stationed remains a monumental that the state would wit- wishes, I had stated that to God in the Thanksgiv- policemen and two Armoured Personnel failure of the two admin- ness surprises in all sec- despite the bleak economic ing ceremony. women formed Carriers (APC) along the istrations in whose lives tors this year. outlook predicted in many He said the service, ir- human bar- Shehu Shagari road and their abduction took place This was even as Gen- quarters, Lagos State will respective of religious af- Hricade yesterday and diverted traffic from go- and rescue efforts were eral Overseer of the Re- grow in leaps and bounds filiation, also offered the blocked the entrance to ing through to Louis Edet dragging . deemed Christian Church and be prosperous. opportunity to reaffirm the Presidential Villa, Police Headquarters road Reading the move- of God, Pastor Enoch Ade- “No doubt, God has faith in God and belief along Shehu Shagari as part of measure to cur- ment's message, Co-con- boye led other clerics to been faithful. As we co- in His grace to make the road, opposite the Head tail the surging crowd. vener of BBOG, Aisha pray for abundant success. vert greater prosperity hopes and aspirations for of Service complex, The protesters, who Yesufu, lamented that the Speaking at the 2017 for all of us here and the the Year become a reality. Three Arms zone to were led by a former Buhari administration’s Annual Thanksgiving state this year, we are con- “We believe that as we prevent members of Minister of Education, response to issues about Service held at the Ikeja fident that our God will are gathered this evening the BringBackOurGirls Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, took the Chibok girls was rep- State House, Ambode re- never fail us. Lagos State to praise Him and glorify (BBOG) movement from off from the Unity Foun- resentative of its handling called the bleak economic will witness pleasant sur- His Holy name, new doors marching to the seat of tain, venue of their daily of other issues – insecu- outlook predicted for 2016 prises in every sector in and windows of opportu- power. sit out with pictures of rity, welfare of internally and his assurance that the 2017. We are determined nities shall be opened for Yesterday's march by the abducted girls and displaced persons, mili- state would against all and God willing, we shall us as individuals, as a BBOG was organised to were escorted by armed tary welfare, corruption odds make appreciable continue to achieve an state and a nation." mark the 1000 days of ab- policemen. and poor governance. They were however "As with the Jonathan stopped by a combined administration, the Bu- team of anti-riot policemen hari administration’s re- and women led by Assis- sponse to issues about the tant Commissioner of Po- Chibok girls is represen- lice (ACP) Abiodun Ala- tative of its handling of mutu, who told them that other issues – insecurity, the Presidential Villa is a welfare of internally dis- Acting Chairman, restricted area which they placed persons, military Economic and cannot be allowed into, not- welfare, corruption and Financial Crimes ing that yesterday was also poor governance. Commission, not a working day and no Painfully, #Day1000 of (EFCC), Ibrahim one was in the office. their tragic abduction is Magu, with US While explaining to the here and there has been Ambassador to BBOG members who were no status report provided Nigeria, His Excel- not as many as was in pre- by the Federal Govern- lency W. Stuart vious marches, ACP Ala- ment. As such, we are Symington, dur- mutu said the Police would constrained to resume our ing their meeting help to facilitate a meeting various activities to mark in Abuja …at the with the Presidency since this tragic milestone, ex- weekend a formal letter was earlier pecting Mr President written to the Villa. to regard this #Day1000 "Your concerns about milestone as an overdue the girls is everyone's time to bring this horrific Peanuts could prevent allergies in babies concern, but Villa is a re- saga to an end. Appolonia Adeyemi posing babies as young as several other journals). rently advise against giv- stricted area for now. Give “We shall therefore car- four months to peanuts, in- According to the re- ing peanuts to children in us till tomorrow and let's ry out a series of activities n order to prevent al- cluding those at high risk search, early introduc- crushed form or as peanut see how we can facilitate for a period of one week to lergies, a new United of allergy. tion of egg and peanut butter before they are six the meeting" he said compel our Federal Gov- IStates, U.S, guideline The latest research has was associated with lower months old if there is no But while respond- ernment to accelerate the has recommended that found that giving babies incidences of allergies to family history of food or ing, Ezekwesili said that decision and actions nec- parents should give their peanut-based snacks at an them. other allergies. the letter written to the essary to bring back the babies peanut-based foods early age can reduce the Allergies, also known However, George Du Presidency was not to see rest of our Chibok Girls earlier than previously risk of developing a dan- as allergic diseases, are Toit, lead author of a key the President or any of to an anxiously waiting advised. gerous nut allergy later in a number of conditions 2015 study into peanut his cabinet members but nation. Our actions shall Although, many par- life. caused by hypersensitivity consumption by babies to inform the authorities also serve to remind Ni- ents in the U.S. wait until These are contained in of the immune system to at risk of nut allergy, said of the planned citizens' gerians and the interna- their child’s first birth- guidelines published in something in the environ- guidelines in the UK and movement being organ- tional community about day before giving them ‘The Journal of Allergy ment that usually causes Europe were currently un- ised to mark the 1000 the continued state of in- peanuts, the new dietary and Clinical Immunol- little or no problem in most der review. days of abduction of the security in Nigeria." advice recommends ex- ogy’ (and co-published in people. These diseases “It is exciting and re- include hay fever, food al- warding to note the change lergies, atopic dermatitis, in the US guidelines which Adeboye bemoans low performance Beneficiaries of N5000 stipends were allergic asthma, and ana- are aimed at the preven- phylaxis. Allergy symp- tion of peanut allergy,” of nation’s pension scheme identified under Jonathan –Presidency toms occur when your im- said Dr. Du Toit, Consul- its retired pastors to the the Community-Based mune system overreacts tant in Paediatric Allergy Dayo Ayeyemi nation’s pension scheme, Anule Emmanuel Targeting, CBT model of to an allergen—something at Guys’ and St Thomas’ they don’t get their ben- Abuja the World Bank was used that usually is harmless, Hospital. he General Overseer efits as at when due again. two years ago to identify such as plant pollen, dust “For high risk infants, Tof the Redeemed He told the congrega- he presidency yester- most of the beneficiaries mites, molds, insect stings the guidelines recommend Christian Church of God, tion that before now, he Tday said that benefi- in the pilot states. or food. the introduction of peanut- Pastor Enoch Adeboye, had put in place one of the ciaries of the Conditional According to him, the The ‘independentuk’ re- containing foods as early as has bemoaned the low best retirement scheme Cash Transfer now receiv- World Bank was an active ported that the 2015 trial four to six months if solid implementation of the for retired pastors in the ing the N5000 monthly agent in the entire pro- of more than 600 children foods have already been tol- Nigeria’s pension scheme. mission, describing it “as stipends were identified cess. The entire data col- prone to developing a pea- erated and after determin- Speaking at the week- equal to none”. before. 29th May, 2015. lected for the programme nut allergy found eating ing that it is safe to do.” end during the Annual According to him, the It said that the pro- he said, belongs to Nige- peanut products as a baby Dr. Du Toit and his team Ministers’ Thanksgiving decision was that full-time gramme has taken off in ria. cut the risk by more than undertook their research Service of the church at pastors that retired would pilot states. He said:"There is no 80 per cent. after a tenfold higher rate the Redemption Camp, Ki- continue to get their full Senior Special Assis- way anyone can describe Reacting to the devel- of peanut allergy was lometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan benefits every month. tant on Media and Public- the selection of the ben- opment, the director of observed among Jewish Expressway , in which “The plan continued un- ity to the Vice President, eficiaries of the CCT as the National Institute of children in Britain, who Pastor Joseph Obayemi til government came and Laolu Akande, said the partisan as the benefi- Allergies and Disease, An- aren't fed peanut products , was appointed as the introduced the compulsory nine states are Bauchi, ciaries from eight of the thony Fauci, said the new during infancy, compared overseer of the church in pension scheme in which Borno, Cross Rivers, Eki- nine pilot states were guideline was “an impor- to those in Israel where Nigeria, the cleric said we complied. Since then ti, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, picked even before this tant step forward”. peanut-based foods are since the mission had our retired pastors don’t get Osun and Oyo. administration came In the United Kindgom, common starting around complied by remitting their payments as at when Akande explained that into office." UK, NHS guidelines cur- age seven months. the pension payments of due again,” he said. monDAY, january 9, 2017 8 NEW TELEGRAPH

ABIODUN BELLO [email protected] METRO ...CRIME, CITY WATCH, COURTS 08023938212 19 Nigerians arrested in UAE for robbing ATM vaults err Mall in Al Nahda area, where they fled with Dh700,000. They also attacked a cash transporta- tion vehicle in Al Muweilah area, making off with Dh710,000. “The fourth attack was at an ATM on Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road but was foiled by the police immediately they got hint about the robbery operation in the area,” Bayat said. The police chief, however, said the suspects had transferred part of the robbed money to Nigeria while efforts were being made to recover the rest of the loot and re- turn them to their owners. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old Okoro escaped last Monday while in the custody of Anti-Narcotics agents in Azad Maidan, Indian. Okoro was re-arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai police. Okoro was arrest- ed from the Navi Mumbai area, from where he was planning to flee to Mangalore by a private bus. The suspects Police sources said Okoro, who resided in Koparkhairane in Navi deported to Nigeria, has been re- 1.8 Dirham equivalent of about The Director of Police Opera- Mumbai, was arrested in 2014 in a Juliana Francis and Taiwo arrested. N154 million. tions Department, Colonel Rashid drug case. Jimoh The UAE police, according to The statement added that the bin Bayat, said the Nigerian crimi- The court convicted him for a an online medium, said they had suspects were arrested in their nals had committed four daring olice in the United Arab three-year jail term. He was sent been monitoring the activities of apartments occupied by about 30 and violent robberies targeting Emirate (UAE) have ap- to Nashik Central Prison after the robbers for months. to 40 of Nigerians at different loca- money transporting vehicles that prehended 19 Nigerians conviction. It was learnt that the police tions in the country. were delivering cash to ATMs. for allegedly attacking and Okoro was released from jail Pstealing money from Automated were able to arrest the suspects “The Nigerian robbers were “The first robbery was com- on December 31 and was to be de- based on CCTV footages obtained said to have come to the country mitted at the ATM of the Dubai Teller Machines (ATMs). ported to Nigeria. He was brought from the banks and money ex- on visit visas specifically to com- Commercial Bank on King Abdul This came as a Nigerian drug to the ANC’s Azad Maidan lock-up change offices. mit the robbery and in the process Aziz Road, where the robbers as- convict, John Okoro, who jumped cell and kept on the first floor. He The police said in a statement of their crime spree; they assault- saulted security guards and fled off the balcony of a building in was due to be deported on the day that the 19 suspects always target ed security guards accompanying with Dh340, 000. Indian and crashed through the he fled. An alert was immediately ATM vehicles and that before the vehicles carrying the ATM “Two days after, the gang roof as he tried to escape being issued for Okoro. their arrest they had stolen about vaults,” the statement added. struck again at an ATM near Saf- City Briefs Serial arsonist held in Ondo Nine injured in Enugu auto crash which had been burning premises of the supermar- CG 25 ENU. ment, a man has alleg- Babatope Okeowo markets and supermarkets ket. Immediately he saw Charles Onyekwere Amaraizu said follow- edly killed his brother at Akure in Akure in recent time. our men, he ran away but ENUGU ing the collision, nine Onicha Enugu Ezike in For instance, the Odope- our men chased him until persons - the drivers, the Igboeze North Local Gov- olice in Ondo State at ine people were in- tu Traditional market was he was arrested. conductor of the Hiace bus ernment Area of Enugu the weekend arrested a jured in an auto P burnt while foodstuffs and “We have begun inves- N and other occupants - were State. suspected serial arsonist, crash which occurred at other valuable items were tigation on the matter. In critically injured. It was learnt that on Oladapo Alaba, who was al- the weekend on Enugu- razed in an early morning our preliminary investi- But, according to the that fateful day, the sus- legedly trying to set ablaze Makurdi Expressway at inferno just as another fire gation, we discovered that PPRO, the police team pect, Leonard Mba, had a popular supermarket in Umuoka in Udi Local Gov- incident led to the burning he wanted to set the super- was on hand to evacuate allegedly engaged his Akure, the state capital. ernment Area of Enugu of workshops, a shopping market on fire. We are still the victims on time to En- brother, Cletus Mba, in a The state Police Public State. complex and a brothel. interrogating the suspect echi Hospital Ukehe and fight over a yet-to-be estab- Relations Officer (PPRO), The state Police Public The PPRO said the Ala- to know if he was being Bishop Shanaham Hos- lished issue. In the process, Mr. Femi Joseph, who con- Relations Officer (PPRO), ba was suspected to be one sent by some people or not pital, for medical Leonard allegedly hit Cle- firmed the arrest yesterday, DSP Ebere Amaraizu, said of those hoodlums respon- and also to know his actual attention and also to clear tus with an object which said the suspect was about in a statement that the ac- sible for burning of public intention for deciding to obstructions to avoid an- left him unconscious. to carry out the dastardly cident involved a Toyota places in the recent times carry out the act.” other accident. Cletus was rushed to St. act about 3a.m. on Friday Hiace bus with registra- in the state. Joseph also said the sus- The cause of the ac- Mary’s Hospital, Ogurute, when policemen on routine tion number Enu 681 XA He said: “Our men, pect would be charged after cident is yet to be estab- but was confirmed dead on patrol caught him. which collided with a Toy- while on patrol about 3a.m., the investigation had been lished. arrival at the hospital by Alaba was suspected to ota Carina II car marked saw the suspect on the concluded. In another develop- the doctor on duty. be a member of a syndicate monDAY, january 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH METRO 9 13 fuel stations Rustlers kill 19-year-old student sealed for under Dan Atori to ease himself. dispensing Minna Fifteen others, who were trying to escape the invasion, were either shot igeria Security and 19-year-old Senior or attacked with machetes NCivil Defence Corps Secondary School and are currently receiving (NSCDC) said yesterday (SSS II) student treatment at Erena Dispen- that it had sealed up 13 was killed while sary. fuel stations in Lagos Aseveral others were injured One of the villagers, for allegedly under during a midnight attack on Isaiah Baga, said the rus- dispensing petroleum Angwar Umadi village in tlers, numbering about 40, products. Shiroro Local Government arrived the village about The state NSCDC Area of Niger State. midnight and operated for Public Relations Offi- This came barely 24 about one hour. cer (PRO), Miss Kenny hours after government He disclosed that 212 cat- Bada, made the confir- expressed its readiness to tle and a number of sheep mation in an interview tackle the upsurge in cases were taken away as well as in Lagos. of kidnapping and cattle seven brand new motor- Bada, according to rustling in parts of Rafi cycles. the News Agency of Ni- and Shiroro local govern- According to Baga, the An armed herdsman geria (NAN), said that ment areas. attack is coming four days guiding his cattle the NSCDC carried out The 19-year-old student after some armed mobile the exercise in collabo- was shot at close range by policemen came to patrol ported the latest attack to This was the 20th attack with over 100 people killed ration with the Depart- the suspected rustlers when the area. the authorities but we are on communities in Shiroro and over 1,500 cattle and ment of Petroleum Re- he was said to have gone out He said: “We have re- yet to hear from them.” Local Government Area sheep stolen. sources (DPR). She said: “The men of NSCDC, through its Intelligence Depart- Scarcity: Kerosene now N400 per litre in C’River ment, uncovered 13 fill- face tanks in parts of the kerosene and I saw some ernment should do some- ing stations in Badagry city, where dealers sold it at women from outside the thing to change the situa- axis known for selling N350 per litre. state carrying big cans and tion in the interest of the petroleum products to The itinerant retailers buying the product in large masses.” unsuspecting public be- sold the commodity be- quantity. A resident of Akamkpa low the stipulated dis- tween N380 and N400 per “So, they are the ones in Akamkpa Local Govern- pensing measurement. litre, depending on the area. that buy up the entire sup- ment Area, Mr. Ekpenyong “These filling sta- Mrs. Grace Nja, who re- ply in the state.” Lazarus, said the product tions were sealed on sides in Ikot Efanga area of Another resident, Mrs. sold for N400 per litre in the January 5, 2017. the city, said that she bought Elizabeth Sunday, decried area. “They include Fal- the product at N280 at a fill- the situation and described “That is only when you cons Filling Station at ing station early last week. it as greed on the part of the are able to find it at all,” he MTN Bus Stop; Royal Kerosene queue Nja, according to the product marketers. added. Stream Filling Station at a filling station News Agency of Nigeria “This is bad for us the When contacted, the at Mowo extension, En- (NAN), alleged that petrol poor people of this coun- Chairman, Independent ergy Filling Station at erosene scarcity has Yesterday, the product product marketers in the try. I am a widow and I Petroleum Marketers As- Mowo and Labs Filling Khit Calabar, the Cross was not available in any state sold their consign- don’t have money to buy sociation of Nigeria (IP- Station, Mowo. River State capital, and its filling station in the Cross ments wholly to some mid- gas cooker. MAN), Calabar Depot, Mr. “Also sealed are En- environs, as the price of the River capital and its sub- dlemen from neighbouring “Now the price of kero- Esue Obi, attributed the ergy Filling Station and commodity now ranges be- urbs. states, instead of the con- sene is out of my reach and situation to lack of supply Ramos Filling Station, tween N350 and N400 per However, the product sumers within the state. it is hard to feed nowadays. to the depot. Aradagun and two Total litre. was available only in sur- She said: “I went to buy “My appeal is that gov- filling stations at Toga.” Driver steals ex-employer’s car, dog, TV Kaduna killings: Benue worshippers Juliana Francis attend church in black 24-year-old driver, Abass el, the Resident Pastor, of Genesis 17: 1-27, urged AOpe, has been arrested Cephas Iorhemen Rev. F. L. Ikyaan, led the Christians to “walk in the for stealing television sets, a MAKURDI prayer session in which way of God so as to be per- dog, DSTV decoders and an the Federal Government fect” and inherit the God’s Avensis car belonging to his was called upon to find Kingdom as done by the former employer, Ekinodo hristians across lasting solution to douse Biblical Enoch, Noah and Ifoghale. different denomi- the unwarranted killings Abraham. Ope said he stole Ifo- nations in Benue of Christians in the area. Mwaraan bemoaned ghale’s property because State yesterday Some worshippers, the persecution of the the man owed him eight Cdressed in black to their who offered touching church and urged the months’ salary and because Ope and the various worship centres. prayers, condemned the people not to be deterred, his siblings needed Christ- stolen items This followed a direc- prolonged silence by the noting that what they are mas wears. tive by the state chapter of Federal Government and passing through had been Ope was able to gain ac- 734 AR. left because he had a little the Christian Association appealed for a drastic ac- predicted by Jesus Christ. cess into Ifoghale’s house by The suspect was ar- challenge and things were of Nigeria (CAN) because tion to end the carnage. He also implored Chris- picking the spare key from rested at Ojuelegba area pretty tough for him. I left of hundreds of Christians One of them, Rev. Phil- tians to seek God’s King- where he knew it was usu- of Lagos by operatives of so that he could have him- killed in Southern Kadu- ip Tachin prayed God to dom first in their lives and ally hidden. the Rapid Response Squad self sorted out. na by suspected Fulani hear the cry of the people all other things would be The suspect went to Ifo- (RRS), Ikeja, Lagos State “Mr. Ekinodo was a insurgents. and come to their rescue added unto them. ghale’s home with three of Police Command, on Box- very nice boss to work Our correspondent, as well as ensure that the his friends, when he knew ing Day. with. He enrolled me who went round most perpetrators face His full the man and his family had Ope said he took the car in the university but I churches to monitor the wrath for wasting the travelled to . On because he had no money couldn’t continue after I level of compliance, ob- lives of Christians. the day he went to steal the to take care of myself and left him. While he had this served that prayers were The people also prayed items, he waited until the younger ones. challenge, he owed me offered for divine inter- for an end to the sustained security guard had gone He said: “They had no eight months’ salary. This vention and return of en- attacks on peasant farm- to church before he struck. clothes, no shoes and this is prompted me to take his during peace in the area, ers in Benue State by Fu- Ope confessed to have Yuletide. They looked up to property and the vehicle.” and in memory of those lani herdsmen who have stolen a 100-inch LCD TV, me to take care of these ex- According to Ope, af- massacred in the attacks. killed thousands of people another 42-inch LCD TV, a penses. It was about three ter stealing the items, he Some of the churches and displaced others. dog, a suitcase, two DSTV months now that I left Mr. tried to sell off the car at visited included the NKST In his sermon, Assis- decoders and a Toyota Ekinodo. I had worked for Ojuelegba. But the buyer and Catholic churches in tant Pastor of the church, Avensis 2013 model with him for four years before wanted to pay N2 million Makurdi metropolis. Rev. Gabriel Mwaraan, registration number AGL leaving him in August. I for it. At the NKST High Lev- who read from the book Benue Gov. Ortom monday, january 9, 2017 10 NEWS | national NEW TELEGRAPH Lawyers divided over Corporate Governance Code telephone interview with Constitution of the Fed- speak out are not doing so. the FRCN in court with of this law, there will be Akeem Nafiu New Telegraph were divid- eral Republic of Nigeria. Why can't they go to court regards to its legislation issues. I know the not-for- ed on whether the legisla- I was disturbed when I to challenge the legisla- concerning the Bar and profit organisations will awyers yesterday tion was consistent with read about the so-called tion? Why should some- we succeeded both at the resist the Code. Though, expressed diver- the provisions of the Con- Corporate Governance body somewhere sit down High and Appeal courts. having the law in place is gent views over stitution. Code by the Financial Re- in Abuja and formulate So, if every other organ- not a bad idea but because the ‘legality’ of Speaking on the issue, porting Council of Nige- policies for the churches isation has taken up the of the sizeable nature of Lthe Corporate Gover- a Senior Advocate of Ni- ria (FRCN) that requires and say they must comply challenge against the religious organisations, nance Code for not-for- geria (SAN), Chief Niyi owner of churches to va- with it. Things don't work FRCN, we would not have they are not subject to profit entities put in place Akintola, faulted the en- cate office after 20 years. that way in a democracy. been in a quagmire we taxation. by the Financial Report- actment of the legislation Why should this be so? “Most of the time, these found ourselves. “But, I think there is a ing Council of Nigeria by the Financial Report- Were they the one that decisions were taken with- “How can the FRCN ask need for the establishment (FRCN). ing Council of Nigeria established the churches out consultation with the Pastors Adeboye, Oyedepo of a Charity Commission The Code stipulated (FRCN), describing it as for them? National Assembly. How and others to leave office in Nigeria. This will help a maximum period of unconstitutional. “I think we are having can the FRCN be asking after 20 years? What busi- in curtailing certain abus- 20 years for the heads of He said: "It is totally all these problems in the pastors to retire after ness does the FRCN have es that these not-for-profit all registered churches, unconstitutional. Every country today because spending 20 years in of- with that? organisations can be put mosques and civil society enactment of the Nation- the culture of silence has fice? The Nigerian Bar These are churches into. I am suggesting a organisations. al Assembly is subject been so pervasive in Ni- Association (NBA) had that were registered un- situation where the final However, lawyers in a to the provisions of the geria. People who should in the past challenged der certain Act and what- approval for the establish- ever regulations that were ment of these organiza- turned out by the FRCN tions will go to the com- cannot override the provi- mission unlike the office Clark to FG: Make haste on militants' demands sions of the Constitution. of the Attorney General Dominic Adewole Delta Greenland Justice couples of weeks in 2017 stopped the bombing of This country should not that is presently oversee- Mandate threatened to "will be filled with sur- pipelines and other oil be turned into regimental ing those things. I don't ASABA resume bombing, insist- prises and a reconfigura- facilities. camp.” think the Financial Re- ing that "the quiet session tion of the struggle for the "If the dialogue fails Also speaking on the porting Council of Nige- ormer Minister of has ended." liberation of our mother- to commence as soon as issue, Vice-President of ria (FRCN) can effectively Information in the The spokesperson land." possible, the boys may the Nigerian Bar Asso- do the work” FFirst Republic and of the group, Gen. Aldo But Clark, who hosted feel betrayed and go back ciation (NBA), Monday The code read in part: leader of the Pan-Niger Agbalaja, in a statement the newly sworn-in execu- to the creeks and resume Ubani, said any aspect of “The founder or leader Delta Forum (PANDEF) tagged "It's Been Silence, tives of Izon-Ebe Oil and hostilities.” the Code that was incon- of a NFPO (not-for-profit) Chief Edwin Clark, Not Death", said from Gas Producing Commu- The foremost Ijaw sistent with the Constitu- occupies a special posi- has expressed fear over now onwards, the Akudo nities Association (IOGP- leader urged the Special tion should be challenged tion in the organisation threats by the militants' Strike Team of his group CA), in his country home, Adviser to the President in the court of law. and is committed to the groups in the Niger Delta would resume bombing of Kiagbodo in Delta State, on Media and Publicity, He said: “I think the success and longevity of region to resume bomb- oil facilities. said the earlier, the better Mr. Femi Adesina, to re- issue is something that the NFPO. Accordingly, a ing of oil facilities. Two days ago, the Ni- for President Muhamma- frain from making divi- is worthy of being chal- founder or leader should The elder statesman ger Delta Avengers (NDA) du Buhari to appease the sive comments about the lenged in the court of law. not take on too many warned that militant simultaneously launched militants. region. The law is there for it to responsibilities in the groups in the region 'Operation Walls of Jeri- He said:"It is getting "I saw the president’s be developed. So, there is organisation or have an would return as threat- cho and Hurricane Josh- late for President Mu- media man claiming that nothing wrong in testing indefinite term in the run- ened should the Federal ua, as their goodwill mes- hammadu Buhari and we are not one and not the legality and constitu- ning of the organisation. Government continue dil- sages to Nigerians and the the Federal Government united, and that the Fed- tionality of the law if it “Where, for any rea- ly-dallying in addressing entire world. on the issue of dialogue eral Government was still is inconsistent with any son, a founder or leader the Niger Delta demands. The group said the re- with the aggrieved Niger looking for people to nego- provisions of the Consti- of NFPO also occupies Prior to this, the Niger maining 11 months and Delta agitators who have tiate with." tution. any of the three gover- "Actually, I was taken nance positions of chair- aback by the explanation manship of the board of L-R: Member, given for the stepping down trustees, the governing board of the General Overseer of board or council, and the of Trustees of the All Progressives the Redeemed Christian headship of the executive Congress (APC), Church of God (RCCG), management (or their gov- Chief Sam Nkire; Pastor Enoch Adeboye. The ernance equivalents), the state’s chairman, reason was because of this following provisions shall Hon. Donatus law but I am not aware of apply before the end of the Nwankpa; APC the details of this particu- organisation’s financial chieftain, Mrs. lar law.” year in which this code Eunice Uzor Kalu To Dr. Biodun Layonu takes effect. (Odiukonamba); (SAN), there was the need “The founder or lead- APC stalwart and for the establishment of a er shall cease to occupy Hon. Iheanacho Charity Commission to these three governance Obioma, during supervise the establish- positions simultaneous- a meeting of ment of not-for-profit or- ly. This is to ensure the APC leadership ganisations in the country. separation of powers and at Obioma's He said: "I already avoid possible concentra- residence…at know that as we go along tion of powers in one in- the weekend. in the implementation dividual." Ganduje: Kano’s rice Reward serving, ex-servicemen, Budget, PIB top agenda as Reps Wike tells FG resume tomorrow production boosted by 95% Day Celebration at the tional Assembly. said “Wheat production Emmanuel Masha First Baptist Church, in Philip Nyam While deliberation Muhammad Kabir in the state increased Port Harcourt, lauded Abuja on the 2017 budget will Kano from 9, 495, 024 tonnes in security personnel for be ongoing, the House 2015 to 17, 717, 000 tonnes ivers State Governor, their efforts at promoting he passage of the would also step up action ollowing Kano State in 2016, showing a swell of RNyesom Wike, has peace across the country. T2017 appropriation on oversight, particularly, Fgovernment’s re- 84 per cent”. urged the Federal Govern- He, however, said that bill and the Petroleum the implementation of the newed interest in ag- The governor stated ment to take better care of the present day annual Industry Bill (PIB) will 2016 budget. riculture, as part of this during an interac- serving and ex-service- ritual for servicemen dominate deliberations Chairman of the House efforts to diversify the tive session on loan re- men and legionnaires by and legionnaires was in the lower chamber as committee on Media and local economy, the Rice covery with Farmers, on giving them a more com- not enough to motivate the House of Representa- Public Affairs, Hon. Ab- produced by farmers in the Central Bank of Nige- prehensive reward pack- them to sacrifice for the tives reconvenes from the dulrazaq Namdas, who the state rose from 692, ria/Bank of Agriculture/ age to encourage them to country. Christmas and New Year disclosed this in an inter- 481 tonnes in 2015 to 1, Kano State Rice Anchor - serve the country better. Wike particularly drew holidays tomorrow. view with New Telegraph 551, 720 tonnes last year, Borrowers Programme, The governor, who attention to the families President Muham- yesterday, said the House reflecting an increase of at Kano Seed Processing made the appeal yester- of serving and ex-ser- madu Buhari had on De- was desirous of taking about 95.2 per cent. Centre, Kadawa, Garun day at an Inter-Denomi- vicemen, calling on the cember 14, 2016, present- the nation out of reces- The state governor, Dr. Malam Local Govern- national Church Service Federal Government not ed N7.2 trillion budget sion and would therefore Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, ment area, on Saturday to mark the 2017 Armed to allow their families to proposal for 2017 before work towards early pas- who announced this also evening. Forces Remembrance suffer. a joint session of the Na- sage of the budget. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH 11

State of the nation Unification decree destroyed 12 Nigeria's federalism – Bakare

Interview Sheriff, an APC agent 13 Politics in PDP – Fayose It is not the best of times for former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan given the twists and turns Patience Jonathan of allegations of corrupt enrichment against her, FELIX NWANERI reports on the ‘cross’ surrounding the ownership of a sum of $31.4 million in a case on he office of First Lady is which the Economic and Finan- alien to the Nigerian Con- cial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stitution though wives of issued a no debit/freezing order the president and gover- brought her to limelight again. Tnors have over time continued to Though it was the former Spe- enjoy public acknowledgement cial Adviser on Domestic Affairs and some perks. to ex-President Jonathan, Wari- Perhaps, copied from the Unit- pamowei Dudafa, who was ini- ed States (US), where the use of the tially in the picture over the mat- title – First Lady – to describe the ter, Dame Jonathan surprisingly, spouse of an executive first began came out to claim ownership of in the early days of the republic, the money. the continued existence of the of- The former first lady, through fice in Nigeria has generated lots her counsel, Gboyega Oduwole, of controversies among stakehold- claimed ownership of the money ers, who not only see it as an ille- in an application filed at the Lagos gality but a drain on the nation’s Federal High court on September resources. 6, 2016 with FHC/L/C5/1233/16 From a mere status in the First marked as the case file. and Second Republics, the First She prayed the court to make Lady phenomenon has metamor- an order for the enforcement of phosed to a power broking one. It her fundamental rights by nam- particularly became part of the ing EFCC and Skye Bank Plc as polity in 1986 through the wife of defendants; a declaration that the the then military ruler, General fund standing to the credit of four Ibrahim Babangida, late Mariam. of the companies named in the Since then, wives of subsequent case and an account in her name leaders, military or civilian have in Skye Bank belonged to her and not only continued to glamourise a declaration that the placing of the position, but strengthening it a freezing order on the said ac- as well. As a result of this, the title counts without any order of a which has no mention anywhere court or prior notice to her is a in all of Nigeria’s different con- Jonathan breach of her fundamental rights stitutions from colonial times to as contained in the 1999 Nigeria’s the one of 1999 as amended, has by the travails of the immediate cumstances may have made her constitution as amended. become an affliction at all levels past occupier of the office – Dame what she later became. Then Presi- While the former first lady has of government in Nigeria - federal, Patience Jonathan. dent Jonathan had just become an the right to challenge any breach states and even local councils. Though there were first ladies object of attack, and she saw it as to her rights, outrage trailed her Despite the fact that formal bud- before her, there is no doubt that her duty to come to his defence. bid to reclaim the said money. getary provisions are not made for none captured national attention Her first clash was with the Some Nigerians even demanded this office, it is generously funded like she did while her spouse held then governor of , for her prosecution over the mat- with public funds. Also, the vari- sway as president between 2010 Chibuike Amaechi. As chairman ter. ous first ladies are allocated a reti- and 2015. of Nigeria Governors’ Forum The chairman, Presidential Ad- nue of aides, who are paid from Popularly referred to as ‘Mama (NGF), Amaechi was Jonathan’s visory Committee on Corruption public purse. There are also pet Peace,’ Dame Jonathan was so in- most known critic, despite the fact (PACC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), projects, which are equally funded fluential in the immediate past that both hail from the same geo- while reacting to the issue then by the government. government that she towered political zone. told New Telegraph that the for- But the justification for the ex- among those who defined the I don’t know But after a clash between him mer first lady must explain how istence of the office of First Lady Goodluck Jonathan presidency. and Dame Jonathan over planned she acquired the money. notwithstanding, most stakehold- A strong willed and sometimes what they are demolition of squatters’ settle- His word: “the issue at hand is ers not only see it as an illegality controversial personality, the for- actually looking ment at Okrika waterfront, the a very simple one. In a situation but a drain to the nation’s resourc- mer first lady had a larger than life former first lady did not spare where somebody claims or ap- es. This debate has been rekindled image while her husband's reign for. Why are anybody who dared attacked her pears to have such enormous as- lasted. This, however, earned her husband. sets, which are ways beyond the the fury of many, who decried the they searching At a point during the 2015 presi- means of living of that person, privileges accorded to the office a premises in dential campaign, the former first in other words, way beyond what of the First Lady, which was not lady took over the drive for votes the person can appear to earn le- provided for in the country’s con- the absence of for her spouse’s re-election and gitimately, the EFCC or ICPC are stitution. went round the country. Despite entitled to apply for freezing such The Okrika, Rivers State born the occupant? the criticisms over her actions, she funds. And then the court can or- former first lady, however did not was not deterred. She believed in der that person to explain how he caught media attention during the herself and the cause she stood for or she acquired that type of for- nearly three years her husband and fought with all she had to en- tune. In the absence of ability to FELIX NWANERI served as vice president, but her sure a second term for her spouse establish that you are the owners GROUP PoLITICAL EDITOR real personality was brought to though it did not materialize. of the fortune by showing how you [email protected] the fore after Jonathan won the Having left the Presidential earned such a huge sum, then it 2011 presidential election. Villa after her spouse lost the elec- will be forfeited.” © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company For her supporters and those tion, the former first lady retired Limited who share her belief, certain cir- to private life but the controversy CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 12 POLITICS NEW TELEGRAPH Pastor ‘Tunde Bakare is the Serving Overseer, The Latter Rain Assembly and Convener, Bakare: Unification decree Save Nigeria Group (SNG). He speaks on critical national destroyed Nigeria's federalism issues, including the fight current South East and four states in the against corruption and need for current South South had one Ministry of restructuring, among others. Education with one Minister. Therefore, there were only three Ministries of Educa- Wale Elegbede reports tion headed by three Ministers in the entire country and they were responsible for the rapid educational advancement that took Current state of the nation place in that era as the regions competed I have heard concerned citizens attri- through such policies as free education bute Nigeria’s current challenges to a lack Our 36 states, to achieve socioeconomic development. of direction by the present administration. Today, we have thirty-six Ministries and I beg to disagree with this opinion no mat- most of which thirty-six Commissioners for Education ter how widely held. Right from his inau- generate which, together with the Federal Ministry gural address, President Buhari outlined of Education, consume a huge chunk of a three-point policy thrust that included insignificant the limited education budget through re- combating insecurity, tackling corruption internal current expenditure. This is a very huge and dealing with unemployment through drainpipe in our economy. It ranks pari- diversification. It might be worthwhile to revenue, are passu with the cancer of corruption in take a quick look at some of the indicators not viable hampering our growth and development of commitment to this agenda. as a nation. Imagine how much we could First, on insecurity, Nigerian Secu- enough to save with six efficient and effective minis- rity Tracker, a portal of the United States overcome our tries in education and other relevant socio- Council on Foreign Relations, which maps economic sectors in six geopolitical zones. violence in Nigeria, reported a decline in economic deaths per month from violence perpetu- challenges Restructuring Made Easy ated by a combination of state and non-state For those who still question the need for actors, including Boko Haram, from 767 restructuring, I have for you a simple anal- deaths in May 2015 when this government ogy that may cause you to have a rethink. came into power, to 250 deaths in Decem- For sixteen years, the People’s Democratic ber 2016, 19 months into the administration. Party (PDP) was the governing party in As at April 2016, despite the acceleration Nigeria. For about twelve years, as indi- of global terror, Boko Haram’s impact had Bakare vidual parties, the so-called opposition par- been reduced from 22 attacks per month in ties tried unsuccessfully to wrest power 2015 to nine per month in 2016. The group’s tional planning – from the era of Fixed conceived by our founding fathers. Prior to from the PDP. In 2003, the Action Congress capacity had also diminished significantly Term Planning to the era of Rolling Plans, the coming of the colonialists, sovereignty (AC), dominant in the South West, the All from the control of 13 local governments all through to the various governmental was domiciled in empires, kingdoms, city- Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), dominant just before the 2015 elections to a resort to agendas including Vision 2020 – the signs states and republican villages. It was, how- in parts of the North, and the All Progres- suicide attacks by the turn of 2016. Under of the absence of a true national vision are ever, taken over by the colonialists at which sives Grand Alliance (APGA), dominant in this administration, 21 of the abducted so glaring that one would conclude that the point it resided in the British Crown. At In- the South East, presented individual can- Chibok girls were also released to their prophet Habakkuk was talking about Nige- dependence, as negotiations for the frame- didates for federal elections, particularly parents in October 2016, and, last Friday, ria in the first four verses of Habbakuk 1. work of a new sovereign entity took place, the presidential elections, and were over- Rakiya Abubakar, the latest rescued Chibok The biggest indicator of the absence of sovereignty had taken another geopolitical whelmed by the PDP. The same scenario schoolgirl, was reunited with her parents in a national vision or rallying point is the form – regional. It was these regional units played out in 2007 despite the change in Abuja. To crown it all, at the tail end of 2016, preponderance of sectional agitations – that had agreed to federate at the London name by the Action Congress to the Action Sambisa Forest was liberated and the Boko from the clamour for self-determination Conference which led to the Lyttletton Congress of Nigeria (ACN). In 2011, three Haram flag was captured by our gallant sol- by the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and Constitution of 1954. Our founding fathers parties, ACN, ANPP and a new party, the diers. We pray for the safe return of all still the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the agreed that Nigeria would be “a truly fed- Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), in captivity, the continued protection of our South West, to the push for secession by eral state with limited and specific powers once again individually took on the PDP soldiers, and the safety and rehabilitation the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in allocated to the federal government and and were beaten as before by the power of of all internally displaced persons. the South East, from the terror unleashed residual powers inherent in the regional incumbency. However, in 2015, following The government’s diversification ef- by Boko Haram in the North East, to the governments.” This agreement was the the merger of these major opposition par- forts have also propelled increased atten- ugly developments involving the Shiites in social contract upon which the Nigerian ties to form the All Progressives Congress tion to agriculture with the sector grow- the North West, from the violent attacks state was formed, but this social contract (APC), the PDP was finally defeated and ing by 4.54 per cent in the third quarter of by herdsmen in parts of the North West, was broken on May 24, 1966 through the today, we have an APC-led government in the year despite the 2.24 per cent year on especially the wanton destruction of lives Unification Decree by Gen. J.T.U. Aguiyi- power. year reduction in growth rate. The third and properties in Southern Kaduna, and in Ironsi’s administration. That was the day This is a prime example of leveraging quarter also saw growth in non-oil sectors the North Central from where it has spread Nigeria died. on relative strengths. As with those small including fishing and crop production. down to the South, to the militant quest Five decades later, in spite of the re- preceding political parties, our 36 states, These are signs of a diversifying economy. for resource control by the Niger Delta versal of the Unification Decree by Gen. most of which generate insignificant in- Therefore, the assumption that the Buhari Avengers in the South South, there is no Yakubu Gowon’s administration resulting ternal revenue, are not viable enough to administration lacks direction is question- restraint to the degree of balkanization in the division of Nigeria into 12 states, overcome our economic challenges and able. The Economic Recovery and Growth that awaits a nation that lacks a unifying this deviation from the landmarks set facilitate accelerated economic growth. Plan, which aspires to a seven per cent national vision. by the fathers is a crucial reason for our These thirty-six states, overwhelmingly growth rate and redirects budgeting and Currently, we have a government that disjointed nationhood and the perennial sustained by allocations from Abuja, can- planning towards a made-in-Nigeria focus, is led by a man who desires the best for socioeconomic decay. It is why efforts at not guarantee functional infrastructure is further indicative of the policy direction Nigeria and is doing what he deems best, economic diversification by government such as world class roads, railways, air- of the current administration. given the quality of his lieutenants, that after government, including the present ports, housing and urban development. is, the people surrounding him, and the government, have failed to yield the expect- These thirty-six states, largely unable Corruption reliability and accuracy of the information ed results. It is what has led to the infra- to pay workers’ salaries, cannot guaran- On corruption, we have seen some prog- at his disposal. structural decay. It is why we run bloated tee standard educational and healthcare ress in the anti-corruption war, with the governments that hitherto spend over 70 systems, or facilitate rural development. relevant agencies recently extending the Federal System per cent of annual budgets on recurrent These 36 states should, in fact, become dis- fight to elements within the judiciary sus- The hues and cries for restructuring in expenditure. tricts headed by Mayors within the frame- pected to have been major impediments to our nation appear not to have been well work of six geopolitical zones, because the successful prosecution of the war. Be received by this present government. The Imperatives of Restructuring they will be stronger and more productive that as it may, it is my considered opinion inquisitive may ask: “Why must we re- To understand why we must restruc- within a zonal structure. that we are still fighting corruption – our structure?” We must restructure to correct ture, let us take a quick look, for example, As zonal structures, they can pool nation's perennial archenemy – with kid the flaws in our federal system. A feder- at the administration of education in Ni- resources to build transportation infra- gloves. ated state is defined as “a territorial and geria. At Independence, the entire North- structure; as zonal structures, they will Vision Casting constitutional community forming part of ern Region, which comprised the current empower local governments to bring ef- This government has a direction in a federal union.” In a true federal system, nineteen northern states, had one Ministry fective governance directly to the people. terms of goals and objectives that are mid previously sovereign states agree to confer of Education headed by one Minister. The As zonal structures, they will efficiently to short term; these are encapsulated in their individual sovereignties on a central entire Western Region, which comprised coordinate socio-economic policies for Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks government. In other words, the states the current six states in the South West the benefit of every Nigerian who will no and annual appropriation bills or budgets. create the federal government, as was the and roughly two states in the South South, longer rely on generating sets for power However, as a nation, we still lack a true case with the original thirteen American had one Ministry of Education headed by supply due to regional coordination of national vision. colonies. This was also the case when the one Minister. The entire Eastern Region multimodal resources for efficient power Despite our previous attempts at na- Nigerian federal system was originally which comprised roughly five states in the generation, transmission and distribution. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH POLITICS 13

Imam Imam

f he were to be asked his birth- Tambuwal @ 51: Indelible marks day wish this day in 2015, the then Sokoto State guberna- torial candidate of the All on the Seat of the Caliphate IProgressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, emergency on the education sec- by United Nations Educational, would have probably prayed for tor. This impressive pronounce- Scientific and Cultural Organiza- success in the elections he was fac- ment has since been backed by tion (UNESCO). ing few weeks away. He wouldn’t action. The huge attention being re- have stopped at that; the Tambu- The first of those bold steps ceived by education in Sokoto un- wal I know would have definitely was the announcement, early in der Tambuwal, justified as it is, prayed for God’s hand in not only the day, of enforcement of school does not mean that other critical winning the election but discharg- enrolment for all eligible children. and important sectors are neglect- ing the responsibilities that come The government, in attempt to ed. Agriculture and healthcare with the victory creditably. tackle the lethargic attitude of delivery have equally benefitted I don’t know whether some- some parents to modern schooling from the Tambuwal’s methodic where in his mind; in his usual promulgated punishment against and strategic interventions. meditation to mark his birthday, parents who refuse to enroll their Under healthcare, for example, Tambuwal indeed supplicate to school-aged children in schools. the state government, like in all God on these two fundamental is- The government then went a sectors, set out with a strategy sues. But one thing that is clear is step further by introducing incen- by having 33 professionals brain- God almighty has been gracious. tives for parents who enroll their storm to come up with the Sokoto Less than 90 days after his 49th daughters in school, through a State Strategic Health Plan 2016- birthday, Tambuwal emerged as conditional cash transfer scheme 2020. One of the fall outs of this Sokoto State governor-elect and to enable the parents support their is the identification of six general today, at 51, he has performed so wards through school. Through hospitals that are currently being wonderfully that he is celebrated this carrot and stick approach upgraded into premier reference. home and away. the state government targets en- Also, just as 2016 was coming to a This is enough reason for Tam- rolment of 1.2 million pupils that close, Tambwal flagged off the So- buwal to be grateful to God, and it are hitherto out of school. koto contributory health scheme is a good reason for all of us his As a surest path to development, where the government put down lieutenants and indeed the entire the emphasis by the Tambuwal ad- the seed fund of N100 million. people of Sokoto State to join him ministration on education is not Contrary to the usual practice in appreciating the blessings of only commendable but exemplary, in Nigeria, Governor Tambuwal the almighty at this important especially for educationally-chal- went all out since his coming to juncture. lenged states of Northern Nigeria. ensure that all works he inherited In steering the ship of state, Tambuwal Education, in this information have been completed by budgeting Tambuwal’s major account for age, is the key to the further. The huge sums of money for that. The success is his recognition, ab ini- fer by coming up with genuine, wisest decision, for any leader in result today is the commissioning tio, of the weight of expectations insightful and visionary ideas to this age is to have a holistic and of the 500-units Kalambaina Hous- that comes with leadership, espe- turn around, not only the day to wide-ranging investment in hu- ing Estate by President Muham- cially executive power entrusted day course of life, but initiatives man capital development through madu Buhari in November last on a governor in a state like So- that would also alter the face of education. Here is the Tambuwal year. Another big one in this re- koto. But most importantly, is his the society. For Tambuwal, what- model, a model of societal uplift- gard is the coming on board of the realisation, like all great leaders in ever is done is not just another ment through the viable invest- 38MW Sokoto State Independent history, that leadership essentially project, it is part of the bold revo- ment in its human capital. Power Project. means taking people where they lutionary interventions that have By making education the Even by this pigeon-holed look should be, not necessary where set his government apart from the mainstay of his administration, into the stewardship of Sokoto they want to be. pack. Governor Tambuwal has put So- State by Governor Tambuwal, it There is no gain saying that the Sokoto, like many Northern koto, once again, on the pathway is evident that this true leader of developmental challenges bugging state, is often listed among what Governor to greatness. If this noble agenda his people is indeed serving the developing countries like Nigeria is termed ELDS; educationally Tambuwal has is pursued diligently, beyond the people diligently towards creat- is long diagnosed to be the result least developed states. This nega- rhetoric as in many government ing a new vista for Sokoto State. of poor leadership. Years of self- tive ranking is tabulated based on put Sokoto, programmes, then it is safe for The Matawallen Sokoto is poised serving, short-sighted leadership enrolment ratio, the out of school once again, on one to expect Sokoto shine among to making his Sokoto a pride of all has contributed in no mean way children, school dropouts and peers in near the future. Sakkwatawa. in stagnating development around other parameters. the pathway to This trend will continue At 51, Tambuwal is unarguably here and making us wander in the A state that is the nucleus of the greatness through the year 2017 as we have one of Nigeria’s most enterpris- same cycle of problems and chal- knowledge-driven Sokoto Caliph- seen with the budget submitted ing politicians. His ever-smiling lenges. ate was unfortunately lagging in last month to the State House of disposition brings forward a hap- With this clear vision on the the area of education, especially Assembly by Governor Tambu- py mien that is intricately infec- expectations and where he wants for the girl child. It was therefore wal, where education is given tious. Like his forebears in Sokoto to see the state under his steward- revolutionising for Governor Tam- the lion share of 27.3 per cent of always say, the future tends to be ship, Tambuwal set out to priori- buwal to marshal out sweeping the N204 billion budget estimate. brighter for he who smiles often. tise and articulate this vision into policies aimed at turning around This is a first from Tambuwal as areas of focus. the statistics. To this end, the state the allocation exceeds even the • Imam is the spokesman to Gov- Refreshingly, he set out to dif- government announced state of utopian target of 26 percent set ernor Tambuwal My choice for Ohanaeze leadership Chekwas Okorie Igbo Forum was renamed Ohanaeze of Ohanaeze when we were meeting Ndigbo in 1979. monthly. He was also the Chairman of t is in the greater interest of the I have been involved in the affairs of the Constitution Drafting Committee of Igbo Nation that I very strongly rec- Ohanaeze for an unbroken period of 40 Ohanaeze. I served as the Secretary of Iommend Chief Nnia Nwodo to be years. I am therefore in a sound posi- the Committee. He practically converted unanimously elected as the President tion to proffer an opinion on the fit and his Law Office complete with his staff to General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo today, proper person to be considered for the the secretariat of the Constitution Draft- January 10. I make this recommenda- exalted office of the President General of ing Committee until we completed the tion with every sense of responsibility Ohanaeze. I venture to state without any assignment and submitted our report to and patriotism. fear of contradiction that Chief Nnia Ohanaeze. The Ohaneze profile of Chief Chief Nnia Nwodo towers head and Nwodo has paid his “dues” satisfactorily Nnia Nwodo is unassailable. shoulder above those who have stepped to Ndigbo and Ohanaeze. Ndigbo are at crossroads in Nigeria forward to contest for the office of Pres- Let me remind members that Chief today. The Ohaneze leadership we must ident General of Ohanaeze in terms Nnia Nwodo played a central role in sup- elect at this time cannot be somebody of commitment and personal sacrifice porting his elder brother, His Excellency who has just chanced on the pan Igbo to the course of the apex Igbo socio- Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, the former gover- organisation. May God guide Ndigbo to cultural organisation, consistently for nor of to donate the present make the right choice. I have made mine. several years. National Secretariat of Ohanaeze com- He is Chief Nnia Nwodo. I wish to state unequivocally that I plete with a Certificate of Occupancy. became a member of the Igbo Forum as Chief Nnia Nwodo singlehandedly •Chief Okorie, a chieftain of Ohanaeze, an undergraduate of the University of sponsored and hosted several meet- is the National Chairman of United Pro- Nwodo Nigeria (UNN), Enugu Campus in 1976. ings of the Ime Obi (Elders Council) gressives Party TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 14 NEW TELEGRAPH Opinion Before the smiles go off in Gambia idealized by several great foreign and African tative of the NGO, Babatunde Olugboji, also said scholars, Nigeria's Professor Ben O. Nwabueze “It is essential that during the political transition My Word eulogizes democracy; democratization, as not Gambian security forces continue to show respect just a system of “multi-parties” but a system for human rights and the rule of law.” CLEM AGUIYI also concerned with conditions such as a virile The Gambian debacle is the opposite of what happened in Nigeria during the 2015 general [email protected] civil society, a democratic society, a free society, a 0803-474-7898 (sms only) just society, equal treatment of all citizens by the election. The then sitting President, Goodluck state, an ordered, stable society, a society infused Jonathan conceded defeat to Muhammadu Bu- with the spirit of liberty, democracy, justice and hari despite obvious and glaring irregularities, equality." such as underage voting and result falsifications n a surprise twist in the tale of a smiling Perhaps Nwabueze's idea of democracy is still far in most parts of Northern Nigeria. It is no wonder Gambia happy to see the exit of President off Gambia as the once smiling citizens have been that the former president has continued to receive Yahya Jammeh from power, the strong thrown into tensions, turmoil and anxiety for fear commendation for conceding peacefully. He has man suddenly announced his rejection of of uncertainty. The outpouring of joy that greeted received notable awards from Local, Pan-African, Ithe outcome of the December 1, 2016 election, Barrow’s victory and Jammeh’s initial concession and International organizations and institutions. even though he had previously called to con- came to a halt when Jammeh said he would not As it is now, uncertainty looms over Gambia like gratulate his opponent. tolerate any demonstrations and warned that there a dark cloud; whether the cloud will dissipate or In what many considered an act of treach- would be serious consequences for anyone who unleash the dogs of war is yet to be known. Some ery, the President, who had been on the seat went against him. Barrow has openly expressed his political commentators have advised that Jam- for the past 22 years, addressed the public in a disappointment in Jammeh’s action while pointing meh should emulate Nigeria's President Jonathan televised broadcast, saying he would not accept out its illegality saying; Jammeh and also make a deal of immunity with Barrow. the results of the election and that he wanted “We want him to step down immediately so that Jammeh has been very fortunate to survive ev- the election to be re-conducted. we can move forward,” Barrow told the Guardian. should emulate ery aggression by both domestic and foreign op- “I have decided to reject the outcome of the “He lost the election, called me, swore to the Qur’an Nigeria's ponents of his regime hence it would have been recent election. I lament serious and unac- and said: ‘I am a Muslim, I have faith, I lost the elec- President best that he takes the honourable part of bowing when the ovation is loudest. He should stop acting ceptable abnormalities which reportedly tion. I have accepted it in good faith and our elec- Jonathan transpired during the electoral process. I toral system is the best in the world. No one can rig like a tenant who thrashed a house before his final recommend fresh and transparent elections it.’ We want him to step down because he has put eviction. At 51 he should be thankful that he ruled which will be officiated by a God-fearing and himself in a very funny position, in a tight corner.” Gambian for a solid 22 years during which period independent electoral commission,” he said. Barrow further said Jammeh, “has a legal team he brought fame and honour to the nation. He This singular move took the smiles off the face and advisers and ought to know better. He doesn’t could spend the remaining part of his life serving of Gambians. have the authority to annul the results. We were Gambia as a father and statesman. Jammeh's defiant posturing came after the very disappointed for a sitting president to behave But given his current intransigence, it is obvi- leadership of the country’s new ruling coali- that way, but we believe that he made a mistake and ous that his political fortunes are fast dwindling tion accused him of sundry crimes, saying he he doesn’t have the authority to do that.” to ignominy and his future uncertain with every would be prosecuted. It is apparent, according Gambians and foreigners alike fearing possible passing hour. to some critics that Jammeh’s rethink of hand- outbreak of civil unrest are leaving the country. Given this strong global reaction to his loss, it is ing over power may have been motivated by The Chairman of the Election Commission has important to reflect on the fact that the Gambian this declaration. reportedly fled Gambia for fear of his life. people have made their choice and the world com- Many are of the opinion that the opposi- Presently, there is constant military patrol in The munity is strongly supporting this choice. tion party of Adama Barrow, which is to take Gambia and there are sand bags being stacked up Jammeh should ensure a smooth transition and over power, spoke too soon and fast on plans to in strategic areas in Banjul, the capital city. affirm his conviction that the wisest course of ac- persecute the outgoing president saying they There has been an outcry from concerned groups tion available to him is to undertake a process of showed their hand too quickly as a group out to and individuals, one of which is the Human Rights respecting the commitment he made on national pursue vendetta than lead a glorious Gambia Watch, (HRW) a Nongovernmental Organization television on December 2nd 2016 that he will work thus prompting Jammeh to abandon honour that has tasked itself with all aspects of human with the President elect for the good of Gambia. in place of self preservation , including sav- right and reportage. The HRW has called out He must understand there is life outside power. ing his acolytes from revenge seeking political ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African The new leadership must eschew bitterness and hounds. States) and the AU (African Union) to step into the any act vindictiveness against the outgoing presi- Democracy in Africa, as an adopted system matter and protest against any unlawful attempt to dent. They should focus on the future of a new of government has been widely discussed and subvert the will of the Gambian people. A represen- Gambia first. My fears for Turkey

such a society where injustice is thriv- Party (HDP), who were a significant signals some of the methods Erdogan Cemal Yigit ing unabatedly with the clampdown, opposition force in the Turkish parlia- can be expected to use in the weeks and resident Recep Erdogan purges, and violation of fundamental ment. What were their offences? There months ahead.” is on the brink of ulti- rights of citizens. were allegations about speeches they The article by Feldman was pub- mate power, but Turkey There are always consequences for delivered at public gatherings. Funny lished July 18, 2016. Fast-forward to five is falling part.” Any our actions and inactions in all spheres as it sounds, they were indicted for the months later, what do you see? Crimes “Pcountry that is laced with injustice of life. And in my opinion, one of the simple fact that they exercised their against humanity? I will give three cannot experience meaningful and effects of President Erdogan despotic rights to freedom of speech and expres- examples. A three-year-old child with sustainable development. It’s more posture would be his inability to con- sion as recognized under Article 19 of a high fever was denied treatment at a like building a house without founda- tain the worms he is feeding the popu- the Universal Declaration of Human hospital since his father was arrested tion. In the words of Malcolm X, he lation with when they eventually grow Rights and recognized in international over alleged links to the Hizmet move- said our objective is complete justice, into cankerworms. And this has start- human rights law in the International ment, leading a suspension in the kid’s total freedom, and full equality”. In ed happening with the unfortunate Covenant on Civil and Political Rights subscription to the nation-wide social whatever system that we run or oper- assassination of the Russian Ambas- (ICCPR). security system. The father of former ate and these three fundamental prin- sador to Turkey. Mr. Andrew Karlov, Noah Feldman, a professor of Consti- Turkish football legend Hakan Sükür, ciples are absent, then you will have by no other than a police officer who tutional and International Law at Har- Selmet Sükür, who was arrested on Aug. general cases of injustice, marginal- was thoroughly screened and recruited vard University in his article “Turkey's 12, was denied food and water, therefore ization and more dangerously, pockets alongside thousand others recently Judicial Purge Threatens the Rule of losing 40 kilogramme in three months. of violent eruptions here and there. after purging the revered Turkish po- Law” Feldman states that “In the wake Turkish Finance Minister Naci Agbal And this is worse if such crime is lice of qualified hands. Are we sensing of the coup attempt, Turkish President ordered tax offices to exclude people perpetrated by tyrants and oppres- danger? Recep Tayyip Erdogan can hardly be linked to the Hizmet movement from sors’ who are hell bent on pursuing On 20 May 2016, the immunity of blamed for purging the military. But the recently-announced debt restructur- their agenda, not minding whose ox several dozen MPs was suspended by firing 2,745 judges without any investi- ing programme. He also ordered tax of- is gored and ironically at the expense a temporary amendment to the con- gation or demonstrated connection to fices to deny tax clearance certificates of the country. President Erdogan is stitution at the behest of President the coup is another matter. The action to any opposition. a perfect example of such a leader, and Erdogan because he was targeting the threatens the rule of law in Turkey go- Turkey is also the prime example of 59 members of the People’s Democratic ing forward. And the way it was done •Yigit wrote in from Abuja. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH EDITORIAL 15 Our VISION Three things cannot be To build a newspaper organisation long hidden: the sun, the anchored on the sanctity of truth. Sanctity of Truth moon and the truth Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior – Buddha value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business fairness, accuracy and objectivity. Amina Mohammed moves up n December 15, heads the International Fund Policy Solutions and as an Ad- at Mohammed’s appointment, United Nations for Agricultural Development junct Professor for the Master’s the government was somewhat Secretary-General (IFAD). in Development Practice pro- loathe to let go, seeking to get designate, An- It is also worth recalling that gramme at Columbia Univer- the most out of the seasoned tonio Guterres, the urbane Emeka Anyaoku sity. She had also acted as the administrator before she Oannounced to the world that once occupied the exalted posi- Senior Special Assistant on the moves to the UN headquarters Amina Mohammed would be tion of Secretary-General of Millennium Development Goals in March 2017. his Deputy Secretary Gen- the Commonwealth. However, after serving three presidents This is a higher calling. eral. By any standard, this Mrs Mohammed's position over a period of six years. Where she served her country is a massive appointment for gives so much cheer because it In 2005, she coordinated the before, she will be serving the former Nigerian Minister is the highest office occupied Debt Relief Funds of $1billion the entire world now and our of Environment, not least by any Nigerian at the UN. towards the achievement of hope is that she does it with as because no Nigerian had ever Beyond its significance for the Millennium Development goals much distinction as she did at had the privilege of serving image of the country, her ap- in Nigeria. From 2002 to 2005, home. at that rarefied level in the Again, her appointment world body. pointment also Mohammed is good for the country and To be sure, many of her brings Nigeria coordinated indeed the entire continent. compatriots had functioned at a lot closer to the Task One of the factors that had various levels at the different the job of the Her appointment is Force on contributed to Africa’s woes is agencies of the UN, from as far world's number good for the country Gender and the fact that at many instances back as the ’60s but this is as one public ser- Education in the past where decisions high as it gets. For instance, vant, a position and indeed the entire for the UN concerning its wellbeing were Nigeria’s first military Head that ex-presi- continent Millennium being taking, its people were of State, Major General JTU dent, Olusegun Project. She not present. Having an African Aguiyi-Ironsi, remains the first Obasanjo, tried unsuccessfully to has worked in the field of devel- at that highest level of world African, indeed the first black get at some point. opment for more than 30 years diplomacy will no doubt help man, to command a UN troop For close watchers of Mrs Mo- both in the public and private to bring some of the issues in the Congo in 1960. Another hammed’s career, her elevation sectors. that affect Africans to the Nigerian that had had long- to the UN top job may not have The list of her engagements front burner. standing relationship with the come as a complete surprise. She is by no means exhaustive. But We also do hope that the UN is Prof. Ibrahim Gambari was an important player in the what it underscores is the fact appointment of Mohammed who was Under Secretary for Post-2015 development process, that Mohammed is not new to the who hails from Gombe State, the Department of Political serving as the Special Adviser to inner workings of the UN and as Northern Nigeria, and was Affairs. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- such is eminently qualified not born in 1961 to a British moth- Also, Prof Adeoye Lambo Moon on Post-2015 development only to handle this latest assign- er and Nigerian father, will in worked at the Who Health planning. In this role, she acted ment, but to excel in it. This fact the near future, help propel a Organisation for many years as the link between the Secre- was not lost on the government Nigerian to the UN Secretary and rose to become the agen- tary-General, his High Level of Nigeria when it congratu- General’s position. cy’s Deputy Director General. Panel of Eminent Persons and lated the UN Deputy Secretary- Finally, the Federal Govern- Babatunde Osotimehin is the the General Assembly’s Open General designate. President ment of Nigeria will do well current Director General of Working Group. Mohammadu Buhari was quoted to, at all times, provide her the United Nations Population Before then, Mohammed as saying: "By her appointment, with any assistance she may Fund (UNPF) while another served as Founder and CEO of Nigeria has been honoured." require to succeed in this new Nigerian, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, the Center for Development In spite of its obvious delight assignment.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani (Leave of Absence)

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor, Group Head, Newsroom n Geoffrey Ekenna Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Arts & Creative n Ugochukwu Nnakwe Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 16 POLITICS NEW TELEGRAPH

CEPHAS IORHEMEN reports on the gathering 2019: Intrigues over storm in Benue State ahead of the 2019 elections over who represents the Benue senatorial seats three senatorial districts of the state in the Senate

he next general elections seem far away but intense political arithmetic and realignment of forces in TBenue State have commenced for the state’s three seats in the Sen- ate. But even as many may want to believe that the epic battle would be that for the governorship of the state, political analysts and observers in the state, however, believe that the battle to represent the state in the upper legislative chamber is certainly one to be watched since indications at the moment shows that it is going to be a battle of titans

Benue North-East The struggle over who would emerge the next Senator for Benue Mark Akume Gemade North East otherwise known as Zone A, will certainly be a battle North-East senatorial seat. political giants have already lined began to signal Lawani’s serious- to watch as political heavyweights, Orhii who is touted to be in the up to change the status quo in the ness as he is believed to have specifically from the opposition good books of former President politics of the zone which has began easing the zip to his deep Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Goodluck Jonathan is believed since the return of civil rule in pockets to grease his way amongst are already flexing muscles to out- not only to have blessings from 1999, has produced only one sena- his constituents who claimed he wit each other for the party’s right Otuoke but also the war chest to tor who has served five times in was tight fisted. According to close to challenge the present senator execute the project. Already, re- the person of Senator Mark. The associates, the battle for the soft representing the district, Senator ports have it that Orhii has set up two-time Senate president is be- spoken former bank chief is one Barnabas Gamade of the All Pro- a kite-flying committee aimed at lieved not yet ready to relinquish of political survival as he plans gressives Cngress (APC). testing the waters before the for- the seat. to remain afloat after losing the It is no longer a hidden fact that mal declaration of his ambition. Lining up to wrest the ticket governorship ticket in 2015 and immediate past governor of the from Mark is former Minister of has vowed not to allow any stone state, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, had at- Benue-North West Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, unturned in his quest to remain tempted to grab the party’s ticket This senatorial district may be who is widely known as a grass- politically relevant. in the 2015 elections but lost out. in for its first real political battle roots mobiliser. Moro, who was Former Minister of State for However, Suswam, a two-time since the return to democracy in rumoured to have been the re- Niger Delta affairs, Dr. Sam Ode House of Representatives mem- 1999 as political watchers have placement of the former Senate is also rumoured to be gearing up ber, who represented Sankera predicted a change in the lead- President in the last rerun if Mark to take up this challenge as his Federal Constituency before be- ership of the zone, which has was indisposed to returning to the early defection into the APC was coming governor, has never left been under the former governor chambers as a floor member, is fin- seen by many a step to position anyone in doubt of his desire to and three-time senator, Senator gered to be interested in replacing himself early in the party for this achieve this dream. The former George Akume. the five-time senator come 2019. move. Ode, whose philanthropy is governor has already began fresh What is likely to play out in this The former minister is touted seen as a plus to his ambition may moves to achieve his dream to zone may be different from that of to be responsible for Mark’s vic- not have the financial war chest to sit in the hallowed red chambers the other two zones as implosion tory in the last senatorial rerun, match the other two contenders. come 2019. looms among members of the APC which explains why he is expect- Also suspected to be interested Suswam who in the last dispen- in the area given the perceived ing the former Senate president to in Mark’s position is his former sation was believed to have gone feud among leaders of the party. Political giants return the favour by passing the antagonist and flag bearer of the into a gentleman agreement with There is no hiding the fact that baton at the end of this tenure. APC, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, who the people of Kwande/Ushongo there is no love lost between two have already Keen political watchers have though put up a good show in his Federal Constituency, to whom the APC bigwigs in the zone – Sena- lined up to nevertheless said that Moro last attempt, may be unable to position is believed to have been tor Akume and Hon. Emmanuel may have commenced alterna- make such an impact again due rightfully zoned to, has continued Orker Jev, who represents Buruku change the tive moves to pull the carpet off to financial handicap. to surround himself with politi- Federal Constituency in the House status quo Mark’s feet should he fail to hand At the moment, there have been cians from the axis. This strategy of Representatives. the PDP’s ticket to him. series of defections from the op- seems to be yielding positive re- Jev has accused the senator of Besides the former minister, position party to the ruling APC sults following his recent recon- trying to replace him for daring there are other contenders gearing ahead 2019 general elections in the ciliation with one of his biggest to stand up to him. His claim is on to take over from Mark, especially state, but New Telegraph observed known political rivalry, Chief the heels of the recent invitation on the camp of the ruling APC af- that such defectors are only mak- Michael Aondoakaa (a former At- and acceptance into the party of ter a near successful attempt at ing political sojourn into APC to torney General of the Federation Jev’s arch rival, Mr. Terfa Ityav. replacing the former Senate presi- "chop" due to what they call "pov- and Minister of Justice). The rec- While Jev claims that Akume dent in the last elections. erty and hunger in the land" and onciliation between both men was is poised to replace him in the Foremost amongst these con- later go back to where they rightly celebrated by the PDP in the state. House of Representatives with tenders are Mark’s arch rival, belong. While the move have been de- Ityav, he on other hand is posi- Chief Mike Onoja, who had in The actions of such politicians, scribed as a first step by Suswam tioning to replace the former gov- the previous elections proved his most of whom have dominated the to clinch the senatorial position, ernor in the Senate as most politi- worth against the former Senate government of Governor Samuel those conversant with politics in cal leaders in Buruku insists that president. Onoja is already tra- Ortom, clearly shows that all may this zone, especially the Kwande/ one of their own should take over versing the nooks and crannies not be well with the APC come 2019 Ushongo Federal Constituency the seat in 2019. of the zone to mobilise former due to its abysmal performance claimed that the alignment be- lieutenants for the battle. nearly two years on the saddle. tween Suswam and Aondoakaa Benue South Also in the battle to unseat Against this backdrop, the biggest may not be unconnected to the Benue South senatorial district Mark is former deputy governor question on the lips of the people former governor’s seemingly big- is the home of former Senate Pres- of the state, Chief Steven Lawa- of the state as the intrigues and gest threat, Dr. Paul Orhii (a for- ident, David Mark. For those who ni. He is rumoured to be making realignment of forces continue mer Director-General of National have studied the politics of this moves to ensure that he grabs the unabated is: Where will the pendu- Agency for Food and Drug Admin- senatorial district, they will agree ticket of the APC to slug it out lum swing to considering the style istration Control -NAFDAC), who that this will be the fiercest battle against Mark. of leadership of the government is also said to be eyeing the Benue in the political life of the zone as Political watchers have already of the day in Benue State? TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH 17

Interview How we transformed LASU in one year, by Fagbohun, VC 19

Skill-gap Skill-gap threatens 20 Education printing industry D IRECTIVE The Federal Government has directed all specialised universities to focus on their core mandate, as it has ordered the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to delete all unauthorised academic programmes from its portal. A damu, Minister O loyede, JAMB Registrar O yewole, FUNAAB VC

Kayode Olanrewaju

hese are not the best of times for the manage- End to unauthorised courses ments and students of specialised universities Tsuch as the Federal Universities of Technology and University of Agriculture in the country. The Federal Government has in specialised varsities directed that all the specialised in Law, Management courses such as tola University of Technology, Og- He said these specialised univer- universities should henceforth Accounting, Banking and Finance, bomoso was established in 1993 by sities of agriculture and technol- stick to their core mandates, Business Administration, among the old Oyo State Government. ogy have veered off their tracks or which they were primarily set others. On their establishment, the mandates in the area of their man- up to carry out as well as to de- As if that was not enough, the Fed- university were charged, among power development for the country. sist from running academic pro- eral Government is worried that some other objectives to promote tech- “From next admission year, grammes which have no bearing of the specialised institutions changed nological advancement by provid- students aspiring to pursue pro- with these mandates. the nomenclature of some of the ing conducive environment for grammes that are outside the man- Following the directive, no stu- courses, to read for instance, Banking research, teaching and learning to- date of the specialized universities dent would be admitted into the Technology, Accounting Technology, wards engendering development of would not have the opportunity to programmes in the 2017 Unified among other names. products that are technologically do so,” Benjamin stressed. Tertiary Matriculation Examina- In 1980, one of the policy thrusts in oriented, self-reliant and relevant On the fate of the students al- tion (UTME), conducted by the education of the then civilian govern- to society. ready admitted and running the Joint Admissions and Matricula- ment headed by Alhaji Shehu Shagari They were created to engender affected academic programmes, tion Board (JAMB). was the creation of new universities the production of graduates with Benjamin said such students would This is as the Federal Govern- of technology, which purpose, as an- practical as well as theoretical be allowed to complete their course, ment, through the Education nounced by government, was in line knowledge of technologies. but that new intakes would not be Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu, with the national policy on education, Current Besides, their mandate was admitted into the prgrammes be- has ordered the Joint Admissions with respect to technical and scientific anchored on a tripodal nature of ginning from 2017 UTME. and Matriculation Board (JAMB) training. students teaching, research and extension He added: “For instance, courses to delete all such courses on its The specialized universities were would be services based on the objectives of such as accounting, business ad- portal, while candidates desirous to develop, at every stage of the educa- the universities and their academic ministration and management pro- of sitting for the 2017 Universities tion system, a scientific and techno- allowed to brief to develop and offer academic grammes, Banking Engineering, Tertiary Matriculations Exami- logical attitude in preparation for the complete and professional programmes lead- Accounting Technology Law, Man- nation are advised not to be hood- nation’s technological take-off. ing to the award of diplomas, first agement courses such as Banking winked into such programmes, Thus, the states that had no fed- their degree, postgraduate research and Finance Accounting, Business since they will be illegal as long eral universities — Bauchi, Benue, course, but and higher degrees. The agricul- Administration, among others are as they are not provided for in the Gongola (now Adamawa and Taraba ture-focused universities empha- being run by these universities of JAMB brochure. States), Imo, Niger, Ogun and Ondo — new intakes size planning, adaptive technical technology and universities of ag- The Federal Government’s became the immediate beneficiaries would not maintenance, developmental and riculture. decision was said to have been of this initiative. productive skills in agriculture, ag- As part of the aberration in stemmed from the spate of abuses In the same year three of such insti- be admitted ricultural engineering and allied the system, investigations by New in specialised universities across tutions were named for Bauchi, Benue into the professional disciplines with the Telegraph, however, revealed that the country, where the Universities and Imo, while the other four were to aim of producing socially mature MOUAU has concluded plans to of Agriculture offer programmes commence in 1981. programmes persons with capacity to improve mount medical programmes, but Thus, the Federal University of on those disciplines and develop which is yet to take off. Technology, Akure (FUTA) was estab- new ones, and also to contribute While responding to the Fed- lished in 1981. The other specialized to the scientific transformation of eral Government’s directive, the university founded by the Federal agriculture and technology in the Coordinator of Lagos Zone of the Government between 1981 and 1988 are country. Academic Staff Union of Universi- University of Agri- The Head of Media, Joint Ad- ties (ASUU), Prof. Olusoji Sowande kayode olanrewaju culture, Umudike (MOUAU 1992); Mod- missions and Matriculation Board, described the directive as another ibbo Adama University of Technology, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, lamented policy somersault. Editor, education kayode olanrewaju@ Yola; Federal university of Technol- that the affected universities have The same Federal Government, newtelegraphonline.com ogy, (FUTO); Federal Universi- derailed from their statutory re- the ASUU leader said, directed the ty of Technology, Minna; and Federal sponsibilities thereby running universities to expand their exist- © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company University of Agriculture, Abeokuta programmes that are antithetical Limited (FUNAAB 1988); while Ladoke Akin- to their mandates. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 18 education NEW TELEGRAPH Public speaking competition Army promotes national boosts Ogun students’ education Kayode Olanrewaju security through school debate Flora Onwudiwe ary School, came third for argu- wrong of the government to in- he management and students ing for “Promotion of African volve both external forces in the Tof Elyon College, Abeokuta, he pupils of Army Chil- Values a Panacea to Socio-Eco- fight against insurgents,” they are still savouring dren Senior High School, nomic Misfortunes of Nigeria,” said, adding that what Nigerian the brilliant performance of TLagos have emerged as but could not make it to the final military needed are motivation the school at the just concluded the overall winners of this stage. and incentives to encourage second edition of the General year’s School Debate, which While Army Children them. Public Speaking was organised by the 9 Brigade Senior High School, which They bemoaned the bud- competition. of the Nigerian Army Canton- emerged as winner spoke getary allocation as security The school, which led the pack ment, Ikeja, Lagos. on: “Upturning the Pains of votes, which are being plunged in the competition, was decorated The topic of the debate is: Current Economic Reces- by the governor, arguing that at the grand-finale of the compe- “Stemming the Tide of Security sion to the Betterment of the what was the government do- tition during the 40th Odogbolu Challenge in Nigeria is the Sole Nigerian Economy,” quali- ing about this. Day anniversary. Diya Responsibility of the Federal fied for the finals, the Army Oloyede, who led her school, Also decorated were Our Lady Government,” in which Army Cantonment Senior Second- said that Nigeria is endowed of Apostolic School, Ijebu Ode, portunity,” at Adeola Odutola Col- Cantonment Senior Secondary ary School, which spoke on: with abundant natural resourc- which came second; while Omo- lege for Ijebu Ode zone; “Nigeria’s School, Lagos came second in “Objective Career a Solution es, but blamed the leaders for lolu College, Remo and Best Leg- Second Official Language: Pidgin the yearly competition. to Unemployment in Nigeria the economy recession, tracing acy School, Ilaro all in Ogun State or French?” at Yewa College, Ila- Representatives of Army Se- came second. it to mismanagement and mis- emerged in the third positions. ro, for Yewa zone and “Economic nior High School, Folasade and The speakers, Oloyede and appropriation of funds by our The competition was instituted Diversification from Oil: Where Ruth Iwedike argued in favour Iwedike, while arguing their leaders and rising unemployed by General Oladipo Diya (rtd), the should Nigeria turn to?” held at of the topic, while Etaghwere topic, advised the Federal Gov- graduates. former Governor of Ogun State Lisabi Grammar School for Egba Otega and Aisha Lawal, who ernment not to involve exter- But for Lawal and Otega, and former Chief of General zone. represented Army Canton- nal forces to support the fight who could marshal their points Staff (Military Vice President) At the end of the stage, each Di- ment Senior Secondary School, against insecurity, saying such very well, the judges however who is a native of Odogbolu. vision produced three finalists of argued against the topic. foreign assistance would only pointed out their deficiencies, The theme of the grand finale 12 schools from the four Divisions. In three-day elimination end up destroying the existing saying that there is nowhere in of the 2016 edition of the yearly For Remo zone, Omotayo Col- stage which qualified the two structures in the places. the world where security is the competition was: “Hunt for The lege, Regal College and Advanced schools for the finals, the host “We have professional sole responsibility of the Fed- Speaker 2016.” Breed College emerged winners school, Command Day Second- trained military men, it is eral Government . The competition, which kicked of the zone, while for Ijebu zone off with preliminary rounds at the the following schools - Our Lady Local Government Council level, of Apostle, Anglican Girls Gram- entered the second stage, tagged mar School and Vineyard College the Zonal level based on the RIYE were the winners; and St. John, arrangement in the four Educa- Best Legacy and A U D Compre- tion Divisions the state - Remo, hensive School made the winners’ Ijebu, Yewa and Egba (RIYE). list for Yewa zone. The topic for the Zonal Divi- For Egba zone, Elyon College, sional schedules was “Has Nige- Lisabi Grammar School and Jacob ria really benefited from the use High School were the winners. of English as a Lingua Franca?” The participating schools which took place at the Methodist spoke on the topic: “Which among High School, Sagamu for Remo the three Arms of Government zone; “Social Media and the Nige- is the most relevant to Nigeria’s Participating pupils at the competition rian Youth: A distraction or an op- democracy?” YOF scholarship rekindles Promasidor wins Best Company in Education award indigent pupils’ hope or its efforts at elevat- The Chairman, Lagos ager, Promasidor, Miss. Olu- ing the standard of NIPR, Mr. Olusegun McMed- watooni Odewole, said the added that the pupils can download education through the al, lauded the consistency of award was well deserving Mojeed Alabi F past questions of the examination yearly Cowbellpedia Math- the Cowbellpedia Mathemat- as it shows the company‘s from the website of the foundation. ematics Television Quiz ics Quiz initiative, saying strong commitment in im- he Yomi Otubela Foundation He said: “Registration had com- Show competition initiative, that it has gone a long way proving the standard of edu- (YOF), a non-governmental menced in December and will close Promasidor Nigeria Limited in motivating the students cation, and in erasing the Torganisation, has flagged off on February 24. The portal for the has been named the ‘Best to develop more interest in notion that Mathematics is a entries for the 2017 edition of its an- registration exercise is now acces- Company in Education.’ the Mathematics, which is difficult subject that should nual scholarship programmes for sible and the examination has been The award was bestowed a basic requirement in any be neglected. primary and secondary school pu- fixed for April 14. Pupils from age on Promasidor, the manu- profession in life. “The annual Cowbellpe- pils across the federation. seven and above can register from facturer of Cowbell brand “Promasidor Nigeria dia Mathematics Quiz is Addressing a press conference, any part of the country. There are of milk during the 2016 Lagos Limited has done well in en- part of the corporate social the Founder of the Foundation and examination centres nationwide PR Industry Gala and Awards suring that students imbibe responsibility (CSR) initia- National Deputy President of the Na- and candidates do not have to come (LaPRIGA), organised by the the culture of embracing tive of the company, which tional Association of Proprietors of to Lagos to sit for the examination. Lagos State chapter of the Mathematics as one of their has greatly imparted posi- Private Schools (NAPPS), Chief Yomi “I lost my dad as a young boy Nigerian Institute of Public favourite subjects in school,” tively on students’ percep- Otubela, said the foundation would and my experience while growing Relations (NIPR), which took he said. tion about Mathematics as a award scholarships to seven indigent, up prompted me to give back to the place at the Civic Centre, Vic- While receiving the award, core subject in school,” she but brilliant pupils in various classes society. During my final year in toria Island, Lagos. the Assistant Brand Man- added. to study up to university level. secondary school, the registration He said the application forms, cost for my examination was N100 which had since opened on Decem- and my mother could not afford it. ber 21, will close on February 24, It was a family friend who bailed me and, therefore, called on interested out. It took the intervention of a lady candidates and unsuccessful can- who was a member of my mother’s didates in the 2016 edition of the church to pay my registration fees. I scholarship awards to register and would have ended up as a tailor, but prepare for the examination. she paid the fees.” L-R: Miss Odewole, Otubela added that the qualify- In her address, the Coordina- receiving the ing examination for the scholarship, tor of YOF, Mrs. Ololade Shodiya Promasidor ‘Best which will only test the applicants’ said the scholarship covers tuition, Company in Mathematics knowledge, is in rec- boarding facilities, books, feeding Education’ award ognition of the importance of Math- and sundry cost of the recipients, from Prof. Ralph ematics to science and technology, adding that the beneficiaries of the Akinfeleye of the as the prerequisite for the desired 2016 edition have since resumed at Department of Mass change in the country. the school and will be trained till Communication, The educationist, who said the reg- their graduation from the universi- UNILAG, during the istration for the examination is free, ties of their choice. event. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH interview |education 19 How we transformed LASU in one year, by Fagbohun How has it been running the univer- university and Governor of the sity in the last one year? Following his appointment on January 11, 2016, as the eighth substantive state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will This is just a moment of ex- be able to lay the foundation stone pressing appreciation to God Al- Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), the hitherto troubled of the first phase of hostels that mighty and the good people who institution has since worn a new look, running an uninterrupted academic will accommodate between 5,000 have worked tirelessly to turn and 6,000 students, and they will things around at the university. I calendar for the first time in many years. Prof. ‘Lanre Fagbohun in this interview be completed within 18 months. am very happy to be working with We are anxious to achieve this be- colleagues that are highly desirous with MOJEED ALABI, he speaks on the peaceful atmosphere on the campus, cause only our medical students at of making a change and ensuring his 32-strategic plans and style of administration, among other issues the College of Medicine currently that we are able to put the univer- have access to accommodation. At sity in the front burner, and that the main campus in Ojo here, we we are able to achieve excellence ensures that the larger society is this, in the whole of Africa, LASU have less than 200 accommodation in the university in such a way that impacted. is the only university that has In- spaces that we give to students on our students will be very proud of Again, we have started online stitute of Organic Agriculture and first come, first serve basis. They themselves and will be able to make training for both academic and one thing our Proprietor, the Lagos bid for it and they are so allocated. the desired impact in the society. administrative staff. Even though State Government, is doing for us So, that has given me so much we have lean purse, we have been is to cement the university’s strong There are many academic pro- encouragement. You can imagine able to deepen their competences partnership with the Ministry of grammes such as Pharmacy, Medical what it means when you are work- in various areas through these on- Agriculture so that we can have ac- Laboratory Science, among others, ing with both academic and admin- line programmes which are run in cess to the Songhai Farm in Bada- which are not run by LASU. Is the uni- istrative colleagues, who are very conjunction with other third par- Even from gry, which is a huge investment. versity considering introducing any of passionate about the institution. ties such as the National Universi- our gates, The farm is a massive multi-billion these courses? For me, that has been the greatest ties Commission (NUC). naira investment and that is where It is a pity I cannot be able to share impetus in the last 12 months that Today, we do not just gloss over you have a we expect our students to have with you now the strategic plan I pre- I have been in the saddle. mass failure in any academic fresh aura their practical experience. If you sented to the Senate last December, This has been made possible be- course or programmes, we now ask look around too, our road networks containing about 32 different objec- cause everyone has keyed into the relevant questions and we are able of a trans- are very appealing now. They have tives with timelines. Part of what we system, from students’ union to the to rejig such programmes. Also, we formed been constructed and the Senate are trying to do is to have 10 new pro- staff unions. This is to the extent are able to focus on industry part- Building will soon be completed. grammes to be added to our existing that when the university manage- nerships such that at the end of the university The LASU FM Radio has been com- programmes. These programmes in- ment approaches the workers’ day, the industries will be interest- pleted and inaugurated, and it is clude certificate and full-time degree unions for concessions on some ed in our products. To achieve this, indeed running well. Even from programmes in the areas of Tourism issues, they are very willing to give we are jointly working on fine tun- our gates, you have a fresh aura and Hospitality, Local Government because they have also realised ing our curricular to respond to the of a transformed university. Administration and Leadership that they cannot have everything industry needs. Programmes to address the leader- at a go, and that we can only con- The governor sometimes ago ship challenge facing our society. We tinue to make improvement as we Specifically, what are your major promised to facilitate hostels for the are also considering Pharmacy as a move forward. So, that gives me so achievements in terms of physi- university. How far about that? course of study. So, there are quite much happiness. cal infrastructure, research, As you know, the gestation pe- a number of programmes aimed at among others? riod for this kind of new addition broadening the base for the jobs of What are the major achievements the Through hard takes some time. The stage we are the future. We are not just going to university has so far recorded under work and account- now is that our transaction advis- restrict ourselves to the traditional your watch? ability, we have ers, the PWC, are currently work- areas where we have carved a niche There are quite a number of been able to access ing on the contractors’ selection for ourselves, but to also look at the these that I can list. One of them the Tertiary Edu- processes so that both legal and needs of the future so that we can is the fact that we have been able to cation Trust Fund financial due diligence on the also compete globally. embolden our students through the (TETFund) for contractors are done. This whistle-blowing strategies we have commencement will ensure that once the Is there any development in the area put in place, which has put every of our School of contracts are awarded, the of linkages and partnerships? one of us on our toes because you Agriculture, contractors will have no ex- We have reviewed the different don’t know who is watching you. and TETFund cuse than to deliver within existing linkages and Memoranda The second thing is that we have has also re- the specified period. What we of Understanding (MoU) that we put in place a tracking system that leased fund for are introducing to the hostel have, and the latest one that we are ensures that our students attend the development are modern facilities including trying to bring on board is with an lectures and no longer attendance of our Centre for the use of renewable energy in Ivy League institution in the Unit- by proxy. Entrepreneurship. support of our conventional ed States. We hope that by the sec- Again, we have been able to And again, you would electricity supply system. How- ond quarter of this year, we would increase the entrepreneurship ac- see that renovation of ever, we are hoping that by be able to commence this. tivities as part of our programmes our facilities such as lec- March, the Visitor through some programmes such ture rooms have been on- to the You seem to have spoken glowingly as Tony Elumelu Lecture and the going even as we are now about your tenure, but does it mean Ready-Set-Work initiative. These adopting technology for there have been no challenges, what- programmes are geared towards teaching by utilising the soever? changing the orientation of our impact of multime- The initial challenge in the dif- students having being taught new dia on knowledge ficulties of understanding our- innovative perspectives. Also, sharing. Let selves has largely been overcome. if you look at the set-up of our me tell The other major challenge now is campus, you now notice a clean y o u how to prioritise our needs. And environment because both staff these are routine challenges that and students have keyed into the every institution must face. But, culture of maintenance. We have one major thing that I must under- also been able to manage our lean score which has really helped us so resources through right prioriti- much is the support of the Lagos sation including the involvement State Government, led by Governor of everybody in the transactional Akinwunmi Ambode. The support arrangements of our businesses. has been enormous. And indeed Of course, you would see the support by the state House of that this administration is all Assembly, especially with the con- about transparency and inclu- stant interface we have with the siveness. Also, we have been House Committee on Education, able to bear quality assurance led by Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, and in whatever we do through a I must also add that other commit- standing committee that sees tees of the House of Assembly have to it that we are able to deliver Odedina been very desirous of the progress on all targets in a way that of this university. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 20 education NEW TELEGRAPH FG slams Skill-gap threatens printing industry specialised varsities development. could grow without the de- will address the current skill Kayode Olanrewaju Azeez, who bemoaned the velopment of technical and gap, it may be practically im- cost of printing materials in- vocational skills, which is the possible for the country to de- over mandate part from the economy cluding paper, ink, plate and driver of the economy,” he velop as well as address the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 recession facing the other materials, which are all said, adding that the nation high youth unemployment. Acountry, the printing imported, had increased by is presently at the crossroads Besides, he attributed the ing programmes, while the courses were industry is under serious over 100 per cent due to the due to the failure of the gov- skill gap to the get-rich-quick- also accredited by the National Univer- threat following the dearth of Naira exchange and global ernment at the federal and ly syndrome of the youths, sities Commission (NUC), the agency technical know-how and skill economic recession, said the state levels to develop hands- who engage in Yahoo-Yahoo supervising university education in the gap confronting the industry. skill gap among the youths is on skills among its youths. and lack of interest to ac- country. The Chairman and Man- another major threat to the Rather, Azeez expressed quire skills. Rather than coming hard on the uni- aging Director of Rainbow industry. worry that the focus of the As a way out, the German- versities, Sowande argued that the gov- Cards Limited, a printing He blamed this on the na- country is on courses such as trained printer and photogra- ernment should concentrate on courses press located in Lagos, Mr tion’s education system and Banking and Finance; Man- pher urged the government that were not accredited by the NUC. Anthony Bamidele Azeez, poor school curriculum, agement and Administration to refocus the education He, therefore, demanded that what while lamenting that the which are skewed essentially and Accountancy, among system and accord proper would happen to the staff, facilities al- industry is at the risk of towards theory at the detri- others, which he described attention to technical and ready developed for the programmes, collapse, if these challenges ment of practical or techni- as bureaucratic courses. He vocation education, as well as as well as the students running the pro- were not addressed, told New cal and vocational skill acqui- said unless the country re- encourage the younger ones grammes because their interest should Telegraph that the industry sition of the students. vert back to technical and to learn or acquire one skill be well taken into consideration. is facing critical stage of its “There is no country that vocational education that or the others. In his reaction, the ASUU Chairman of the Michael Okpara University of Ag- riculture, Umundike (MOUAU) chapter, Dr. Uzorchukwu Onyebinama, described the directive as a welcome development. He said already the universities have their mandates and have not meant these L -R: Chairman, Mo- mandates before dabbling into other ar- shood Abiola Poly- eas. technic, Caretaker Onyebinama, however, insisted that Committee, Mr. phasing out programmes in universities Sodiq Adeniyi; Rec- like this should follow certain required tor, Prof. Oludele strategies, saying the Federal Govern- Itiola; and Director, ment should first put into consideration Student Affairs, what becomes of the members of staff Mr. Seyi Sobande, in the department or faculties, the stu- during the donation dents running the programmes and the of Tricycles to the facilities. institution by the “These are some of the issues we ex- Caretaker Commit- pect that the government should have tee in Abeokuta, considered before given such directive. Ogun State. But, on the value of it, it is a welcome development,” the union leader noted. On its part, the NUC said it was ready to carry out the directive, saying most of 12-year-old pupil develops mobile tracking app the affected institutions started the pro- grammes through consultancy, as part Mojeed Alabi One of the other useful at- school has been living to its said. of their efforts or strategies to generate tributes of the app, the school billing as a top quality and She reiterated her delight revenue. 12-year-old pupil of said is that it is integrated frontline IT-driven school at the productive strategic in- The spokesman for the NUC, Mr. Ibra- Vivian Fowler Me- with an alert button which for many years and that the ternational ICT partnership, him Yakassai, said most of the universi- morial College for when pressed in a distressed achievement by Ogunnubi which her school established ties have deviated from the core mandate, Girls School, Lagos, situation, calls the Lagos and many other pupils who with New Horizons. and so NUC will not offer fresh accredita- ATomisin Jasmin Ogunnubi, State emergency service have equally developed oth- The company’s General tion for those programmes. has developed an android number (767), and thereby er IT solutions at different Manager, Educational Ser- mobile tracking application gets the chance of being res- times are glaring testament vices, Mr. Bolaji Olaoye, tagged: “My Locator.” cued from such threatening to the fact. congratulated the school for She achieved the feat un- emergencies or conditions. “The performance of the impressive heights it has der the tutelage of an ICT “The app is already up- the likes of Tomisin has been taken in education and partnership between her loaded online and readily confirmed that Nigeria is the 21st Century IT-driven school and an ICT company available for free download blessed with sharp and fo- stance. - New Horizons Computer in Google Store,” the school cused youths who in future, He said such stance guar- Learning Centre. said. will emerge as Nigeria’s antees that all the students According to the school, While presenting the industry captains that will mandatorily undergo train- the application helps a user application, the school’s become tomorrow’s entre- ing in different international to know his geographic loca- Executive Director, Mrs. preneurial giants like Bill IT skills acquisition under its tion, view it on the map and Olufunke Fowler-Amba, Gates, Mack Zuckerberg, partnership with New Hori- Prof. Rasheed get appropriately directed. expressed her joy that the Google Boys,” Fowler-Amba zons. NGO honoured for education development Biodun Oyeleye various fields of endeavour such as youth of touching people’s lives and supporting Ilorin empowerment, education, health and in- infrastructural development.” frastructure development, among others. In his remarks, the Chief Executive or its contribution towards educa- The Chief Executive Officer of the Officer of PNP, Mrs. Ejemdibia Ndidi tion development in Kwara State, a Foundation, Mr. Ibrahim Tajudeen Ole- Anita, said that the idea of celebrating FNon-Governmental Organisation, sin, while receiving the award, dedicated and encouraging patriotic Nigerians the Tajudeen Olesin Foundation, has it to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola came to her mind when she went to been honoured by the Patriotic Nigeria Saraki, even as he explained that the Ghana for a visit where she saw how Platform (PNP). foundation was established to comple- Ghanaian market women were distrib- The foundation, which renovated a ment the Senate President and the Kwara uting free national football team jersey to block of classroom valued at over N1.4 State Government’s efforts in the educa- everybody that buy something from them million at Government Day Secondary tional development of the state. on that match day in order to encourage School, Amule, Ilorin, won the NPP 2016 He said: “The award is a challenge people to go to the stadium and support Saraki Award in Education. not to relent on our mission of making their national team without collecting The award was conferred on the foun- positive impact in the life of the people, anything in return. vice Awards are Governors Akinwumi dation with some other organisations in but also contribute meaningfully to the She called on Nigerians, especially Ambode of Lagos State and Olusegun recognition of their exemplary conduct development of our community. the well-to-do to inculcate the habit of Mimiko of Ondo State; Hajiya Mariam at the award presentation ceremony, “The award is dedicated to our vision- helping the less-privileged people in their Aminu Tambuwal Foundation, Omo Ilu which took place at the Dover Hotel, ary political leader, the Senate President, scheme of things and to support govern- Foundation, Senator Sanni Sheu, Aliko Ikeja, Lagos. Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for setting ment efforts in community development. Dangote Foundation and Emzor Pharma- The recognition awards cut across the standard we are building on in terms Other winners of 2016 Patriotic Ser- ceutical company. TUESDAY january 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH 21 Energy Oily road for energy in 2017 23

Aviation Florida shooting: Evaluating Nigeria, US rules 26 Business on firearms

Rates Dashboard What's news INFLATION RATE LENDING RATE EXCHANGE RATE EXCHANGE RATE Nov 2016 ...... 18.48% Interbank Rate...... 313% (Parallel Market as at January 6 (Interbank as at January 6) Oct 2016 ...... 18.3% Prime Lending Rate...... 395.5% USD ...... N491 USD ...... N309.45 Sept 2016 ...... 17.9% Maximum Lending Rate...340.8% Pounds ...... N600 Pounds ...... N382.38 Euro...... N510 Euro...... N327.21 .ng domain name l Foreign Reserves – $26.218bn as at 5/1/2017 Source: CBN significant in tech space –NIRA L-R: Superintendent, General Hospital, Calabar, Dr. Etim Ayi; Senior Manager, Government p.22 Relations, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Austin Iyashere; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; Commissioner of Health, Cross River State, Dr. Property Mrs. Inyang Asibong managers and representative of the Obong of Calabar, groan under Etubom Bassey, at the inauguration of the high building maternal wards donated by MTN Foundation at materials’ cost the General Hospital, in Calabar… p.22 Nigeria’s crude oil production cost hits $29pb –Report Ministry faults Kachikwu’s $13 production cost estimate

vos, Switzerland. 2016 said that Nigeria would still COUNSEL “Nigeria is one of the highest make profit if crude oil prices av- eraged $20/bbl. Nigeria urged to reduce cost cost of extraction oil provinces in the world, estimated at $29/ IbeKachikwu caused a stir of production to be competi- bbl,” the document shows on its around the oil industry in the 15th page. country when, at a meeting a tive in modern low oil price year ago in Davos Switzerland, world Africa’s biggest crude export- er, the document continues, “has he declared that cost of produc- to substantially reduce the costs ing a barrel of crude oil onshore The Business Desk of production if the country is to Nigeria was less than $13. be competitive in the modern low “The deep off-shore projects, Ayodele Aminu oil price world and if it is to have obviously we are putting on hold, Deputy Editor (Business) anything more than a bare mini- given the fact that the returns Bayo Akomolafe $7 Adeola Yusuf mum government takes. on those, would not match the Asst. Editor (Maritime) “The cost ranking, pulled out prices today,” Kachikwu said at Sunday Ojeme he cost of crude oil produc- Being the of a U Cube analysis by Rystad the World Economic Forum. Asst. Editor (Insurance) tion in Nigeria has hit $29 Energy, the Norwegian consult- estimate “Everybody is sort of com- Tony Chukwunyem Tper barrel, highest in the ing back on land so this is time ing firm, does not indicate wheth- Asst. Editor (Money Market) world’s oil provinces. of Saudi’s er this was an average of a basket to put a lot of investments on Dayo Ayeyemi A 115-page draft Petroleum that includes crudes from deep production ground, put a lot of incentives on Property Editor Policy for Nigeria seen by New water, shallow water and onshore ground, make everybody return Adeola Yusuf Telegraph at the weekend re- cost terrains, which is significant, es- on ground, where in fact our av- Energy Editor vealed this, adding that the pecially as it features different erage cost of production is about Wole Shadare country is only less expensive, as figures for US Shale - $23.35/bbl $13 per barrel. So we need more Aviation Editor a cost per barrel producer, than and US Non-Shale: $20.99/bbl,” on that, bringing those numbers hris Ugwu Brazil and UK, in a 12 country C a critic of the report prepared down from $13 to somewhere $10. Capital Market Editor ranking that includes Saudi Ara- by Africa oil and Gas Reports Obviously we won’t get the Saudi Abdulwahab Isa bia, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Indonesia, showed. figures of about $6 or $7, but we Finance Editor Norway, US Non-Shale, US Shale, What it does, the energy news can get it much lower,” he said. Taiwo Hassan Canada and Venezuela. agency noted, however, “is that it His remarks made industry Industry, Agric & Brands Editor The document of the Petro- breaks down the cost structure analysts scramble for their fis- Kunle Azeez leum Policy Team at the Ministry for Nigeria as follows: Gross cal modeling templates and not Senior Correspondent of Petroleum contradicts the $13 taxes: $4.11, Capital Spending: a few shook their heads in hor- Chuks Onuanyin per barrel estimate given by the $13.10; Production costs: $8.81 ror. Now, Kachikwu’s ministry Energy Minister of State for Petroleum and Admin/transport costs: is passing round a document, Johnson Adebayo Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on $2.97.” which declares that the average Asst Production Editor production cost at the last World Dr. Kachikwu had in January cost of extraction in the country Economic Forum meeting in Da- is $29/bbl. TUESDAY january 10, 2017 22 BUSINESS |news NEW TELEGRAPH .ng domain name significant in tech space–NIRA adoption of .ng, as 15,734 new N2 billion annually is being November respectively. initiatives being put in place PROSPECT domain names have been reg- saved as a result of the grad- The report notes reveals by NiRA to boost uptake of istered in September, Ocober ual adoption of .ng. that the registrations in No- the country’s Internet iden- Year 2017 is predicted to and November, last year. According to the latest vember this year were more tifier on the World Wide Web witness greater growth in According to the report NiRA report, domain name than the registration in No- (WWW), more registrars Nigerian domain name on the country’s DNS market registrations, renewals and vember 2015 (3,195) and al- have come on board to deepen obtained from NiRA, the 15, transfers at the registry most doubled the registration local content in Nigeria while 734 figure also include those have maintained a steady in- in November 2014 (2,723). adoption has also increased domain names renewed and crease, on month per month While October registra- both from government and transferred. basis and year per year basis. tions were more than Sep- private sectors perspectives,” The .ng domain name is the The increase in domain tember figures, Folayan, he said. Kunle Azeez country’s Internet identifier on name registration is more no- explained that “the domain Till date, the number of .ng igerian Internet domain the World Wide Web (WWW) ticeable when viewed across names registered and re- domain names registered in brand, .ng, will continue anytime an internet user is the different years in com- newed in September 2016 the country has reached over Nto have significant im- browsing online. parison. The domain names (4,915) is more than twice the 72,000 with more efforts being pact on the technology space in In Nigeria, there are cur- registered and renewed in registration in September put in place to boost further Nigeria, President, Nigeria In- rently over 97 million mobile November 2016 stood at 5,231. 2014 (2370) and far more than adoption. ternet Registration Association Internet subscriptions, accord- According to the analysis, the registration in September As of December 2015, the (NIRA), Mr. Sunday Folayan, ing to data by the Nigerian the number of newly regis- 2015.” total number of .ng domain has said. Communications Commis- tered .ng domain names in He also explained that names registered stood at According to Folayan, who sions (NCC). September, October and No- the number of accredited do- 60,000. “It is interesting and provided update on Domain However, analysts say over vember stood at 3,236; 3,483 main names registrars has refreshing to witness such Names System (DNS) in Nigeria 80 per cent of this number oper- and 3,732 while the renewed increased to 57 currently. growth. The renewal rate is regarding the country code Tol ate on foreign domain names ones were 1,679; 1,823 and “Domain name registra- encouraging as well,” said Level Domain Names (ccLD), .ng, such as .com, .net and so on, as 1,499 respectively. tions and renewals at the reg- Folayan. there is greater prospect for .ng against the use of .ng, robbing Also, a total of 282 domain istry have steadily increased “Growth in new .ng do- domain names this year. the country about N10 billion names were transferred. Of on month per month basis main names registrations Speaking in a telephone in- as capital flight yearly. this, 43 were transferred in and year per year basis. Be- moved from 18,870 in 2014 to terview with New Telegraph, NCC’s Executive Vice Chair- September while 81 and an- fore now, the number of reg- 22,113 in 2015,” Folayan said, Folayan said the prospect is man, Prof. Umar Danbatta, other 158 domain names were istrars was below 50. stressing that the security of based on the level of awareness recently disclosed that about transferred in October and “But due to the various .ng was top-rated. creation that NiRA, managers of the ccTLD, has been able to build last year and the traction record- ed in .ng domain names adoption by businesses and individuals. “There are many technology predictions (locally and globally) for 2017, with the prediction on the growth in domain name reg- istrations very prominent. “In 2016, we positioned NiRA to be a significant part of the in- Divisional Head, Retail/ dustrial and economic growth SME of Heritage Bank Plc, of Nigeria in subsequent years. Mrs. Ori Ogba, receiving NiRA was very prominent in the an Award of Recognition Nigerian technological space on behalf of the MD/ and we intend to continue on CEO of the bank, Mr. Ifie this path this year. So, we can Sekibo, as Nigeria’s No. remain relevant not only as far 1 Youth SME Friendly as the technology industry is Bank in Nigeria from the concerned, but also in the larger Chairman of Nigerian socio-economic space. Young Professional “In 2016, you will have noticed Forum (NYPF), Mr. the .ng adverts and promotions Moses Siloko Siasia, on BRT buses, TVs, newspapers, at the YESGrant award social media and other online ceremony platforms. One is pleased that business owners now proudly flaunt their .ng domain names as part of their advert campaigns. Property managers groan under high building materials’ cost It is a movement and it is gain- adding that high price of ing momentum. .ng is the future HIGH COST ...Mulls rents’ increase building materials means for the taking and the future is Landlords may pass fee to high building cost. here,” he said. Association (IFMA), Mr. ic conditions and soaring in- Since last October, ce- Folayan, however, maintained tenants by means of high rents Stephen Jagun, stated that flation. ment price has been jacked that this year, NiRA has outlined and service charge the rising prices of build- “In one of the proper- up from N1,600 to N2,300 fol- some of the activities to take the ing materials have pushed ties we managed, we may lowed by roofing and flooring growth in .ng domain registra- up the cost of operating and increase the service charge materials. tion to another level. maintaining both residential from N7 million to N12 mil- According to experts, in- “These include exploiting in- and commercial buildings in lion because of major rise in sufficient power supply and ternationalised domain names Dayo Ayeyemi major Nigerian cities. the price of diesel. The cost the constant reliance on If the situation is not cur- (IDNs) in the three main Nige- f rising price of building of running and servicing backup generators has con- tailed, he said that landlords rian languages (Hausa, Igbo and materials continues without generators has doubled.” stituted higher operational and property managers may Yoruba); introduction of DNS in check, many Nigerians, es- Some of the building ma- cost for many buildings I have no option than to pass terials included in 41 items the Nigerian educational cur- pecially home seekers and ten- Additionally, property the cost to tenants by means riculum; appointment of .ng ants of high-brow offices and banned by the Central Bank managers have faced difficul- of high rents and service ambassadors from the business commercial complexes, may of Nigeria (CBN) are cement, ties in sourcing and procur- charge. and art world; .ng road shows pay more rents as landlords and cold rolled steel sheets, gal- ing adequate goods, equip- Besides, Jagun pointed to all geo-political zones of Ni- property managers are groaning vanised steel sheets, roofing ment and labour, required for out that due to CBN’s restric- geria; collaboration with the under high operational cost. sheets, wheelbarrows, head the periodic maintenance of tion on importers of some 41 Corporate Affairs Commission According to investigation by pans, steel pipes, wire rods commercial buildings. Given items from accessing forex at (CAC), Chamber of Commerce, New Telegraph, the latest rising (deformed and not deformed), the inflationary pressure in CBN’s rate, the costs of ce- Trademark Registry, Ministry of cost of diesel from N195.00 per iron rods and reinforcing the economy and the fact that ment, floor tiles, iron sheets Industry, Trade and Investment litre to N245.00 per litre is hit- board, wire mesh, steel nails, Nigeria remains largely im- and machinery have gone up, and National Lottery Regulatory ting property managers hard wood particle boards and port dependent, facility man- increasing the cost of main- Commission (NLRC), among oth- as it has doubled their cost of panels, wood fibre boards agers have also experienced taining and building proper- ers,” he said. running and servicing generat- and panels, plywood boards the challenges posed by the ties. He promised that NiRA will ing sets in the absence of steady and panels, wooden doors, constraints in the foreign He said: “We are import- act speedily on the listed plans electricity supply. tiles-vitrified and ceramic. exchange market which has dependent nation and the and “many other things.” Speaking with New Tele- Chief Executive officer, made it more expensive to cost of building materials Meanwhile, NiRA in 2016, graph, former President, Inter- Global PFI, Mr. M.K.O Balo- procure these good and ser- has gone high due to volatile continues to gain traction in the national Facilities Management gun, said that facilities man- vices. forex policies, tough econom- agement is money-driven, TUESDAY january 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH 23 energy Oily road for energy in 2017 Despite its exemption from oil quota cut, Nigeria is faced with fall out from mass job loss, oil price rout, Niger Delta violence and power grid collapse in 2017, reports ADEOLA YUSUF

igeria is not ready to let go of the energy sector as Nits biggest revenue earner. The country, which ranked num- ber one exporter of crude in Af- Oil rig and rica, services over 85 per cent of power its budget from oil proceeds and installation the financial appropriation for the year 2017 is no way different. With Oil and Gas, AA Rano, Bono, Mas- oil workers stated that they were Exporting Countries (OPEC), $42 per barrel price benchmark, ters Energy, Eterna Oil and Gas, enraged by anti-labour activities which controls around 40 percent the country expects to finance its Cassiva Energy, Hyde Energy and of Chevron and Total, particu- of global supply, is planning to curb over N7 trillion budget majorly Brittania U. larly the termination of workers output in a bid to boost oil prices. from sales of 2.2 million barrels Others are NorthWest Pe- appointment by Total and the The organization reached a histor- daily. troleum, Optima Energy, AMG cancellation of contracts, which ic deal last month with Russia and While the relative lull in the Petroenergy, Arkiren Oil and Gas led to job loss by over 250 workers other non-members to cut global oil rich Niger Delta garnished by Limited, Shoreline Limited, En- at Chevron. production by almost 1.8 million the exemption of the country from tourage Oil, Setana Energy and Although the labour action barrels a day starting this month. Organisation of Petroleum Export- Prudent Energy. against Total has been suspend- Under the terms of last month’s ing Countries (OPEC’s) quota cut, The international beneficiaries ed, South-West Chairman of the agreement, OPEC’s total output serves as the lubricants for the are Trafigura, ENOC Trading, BP union, Tokunbo Korodo told New including Indonesia would fall to wheel of the country’s ride out of Trading, TOTAL Trading, UCL Telegraph last Thursday that the 32.5 million barrels a day. Compli- recession, the year 2017 has other Petroenergy, Mocho, Tevier Petro- management of Total was resisting ance with that target will be judged factors to contend with. leum, Heritage Oil, Levene Energy, the unionisation of workers under against independent estimates Glencore and Latasco Supply and its contract programme in Lagos, compiled by OPEC, which can vary Oil lifting contracts Trading. Kaduna and Koko in Delta blend- from the Bloomberg News survey. The Nigerian National Petro- The five foreign refineries are ing plants. In Nigeria -- which along with leum Corporation (NNPC), indi- Hindustan Refinery, Varo Energy, Libya is exempt from making cuts cation emerged last Wednesday, Sonara Refinery, Bharat Petro- The loading schedule because of conflict -- maintenance took lessons on transparency from leum and Cepsa while the NOCs Nigeria surged its crude exports on the Erha field and strike action 2016. It appeared the corporation are India Oil Company, China (Sin- to 45.36 million barrels for its Feb- by workers at Exxon Mobil Corp.’s plan to make the year 2017 better in opec) and South Africa (Saccoil). Energy sector ruary loading schedule, in which operations in the country disrupt- due diligence as it disqualified 185 The NNPC trading arms are is to contend two major oil multi-nationals; ed both exports and production. A bids and named 39 off-takers for Duke Energy and the Carlson Hy- Shell and ExxonMobil suffered year ago, the country was pumping its 476.69 milion barrels 2017/2018 son. with the fall exports deficit. almost 2 million barrels a day. contracts. out from The country has scheduled 50 No cargoes of the Agbami crude The 39 contractors billed to lift Sack frenzy cargoes for export whereas Shell grade were shipped in first half 1.3 million barrels per day (esti- The energy sector is to contend mass job loss suffered a deficit of four cargoes of December, while three out of mate) were picked from a total of with the fall out from the mass daily compared to what it loaded the four Erha cargoes originally two hundred and twenty four (224) job loss in the oil industry, which in January. scheduled to load were deferred, bids, in which 185 companies were started in 2016. The frenzy did not ExxonMobil-operated crude oil with two of those moved into Janu- disqualified. show signs of been abated in 2017 grades, in the same vein, suffered ary. Announcing the results, the as two major oil firms Chevron and delay based on a strike and shut- Group General Manager, Crude Total have recently disengaged down of the company’s headquar- Keeping peace in Niger Delta Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of over 300 workers in fresh mass ters by workers in December. Armed with OPEC quota cut the Corporation, Mr. Mele Kyari, sack described by workers union Based on the loading program exemption, the Federal Govern- said that the contract would run as a “labour slave trade.” of 50 cargoes with 1.62 million bar- ment, has layed foundation to for one year effective 1st January Leaders of Nigerian Union of rels per day (bpd), seen by New achieve its set 2.2 million barrels 2017 for consecutive 12 circles of Petroleum and Natural Gas work- Telegraph, only three cargoes daily production projection in 2017 crude oil allocation. ers (NUPENG) disclosed this as of Shell’s Bonga crude is being and it appears ready to guarantee A breakdown of the contracts they ordered shutdown of load- planned, compared with seven in peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta. awards showed 39 winners with ing at Total depots nationwide, in January. It, with this, resumed payments of 18 Nigerian Companies, 11 Interna- preparation for a three days warn- The Bonga field has planned cash stipends to former militants, tional Traders, five foreign refiner- ing strike scheduled to begin this maintenance in the second half agreed under a 2009 amnesty in the ies, three National Oil Companies week. of the month. Field operator, Shell country’s oil hub. (NOCs) and two NNPC trading The Federal Government did not immediately respond to a The government has been hold- arms. and international oil companies query about maintenance plans. ing talks with militants to end Further checks by New Tele- (IOCs), checks by New Telegraph attacks on crude pipelines which graph showed that 38 of the 39 revealed, are thrown into confu- Production projections reduced Nigeria’s output by 700,000 contractors are to lift a total of sion over the planned nation-wide Nigeria currently produces barrels a day for several months 1.216 million barrels of crude daily strike and are making last-minute “close to” 1.8 million barrels a day last year. based on 32,000 barrels per day for moves to scuttle the industrial ac- of crude, minister of state for petro- Authorities had originally cut each of them. tion. leum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the budget for cash payments to Duke Oil Ltd, an oil trading The two major oil industry said last month in the latest official militants to end corruption but arm of the NNPC, which is the 39 stakeholders, this newspaper figure. later resumed payments to stop th successful bidder shall be for gathered exclusively, are already Output had been 2.2 million bpd pipeline attacks crippling vital oil 90,000 barrels per day, making “reaching out to the leadership of at the start of 2016 when a wave of revenues. the cumulative value of crude to the union with sole intention to pipeline attacks began. “Two months of the ex-mili- be lifted daily under the contracts forestall the strike.” tants’ stipends were paid yesterday terms to be 1.306 million barrels. Rising under the aegis of Nige- Quota cut exemption ... The rest of their stipends will be The indigenous beneficiaries ria Union of Petroleum and Natu- The decline in December comes are Oando, Sahara Energy, MRS ral Gas Workers (NUPENG), the as the Organization of Petroleum CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 TUESDAY january 10, 2017 24 BUSINESS | Energy NEW TELEGRAPH REASON Fayemi gives reasons FG begins mineral resources reforms for President Buhari’s pected the federal government of Nigeria to make an official approval of 13% derivation ...targets multi-million dollars revenues announcement but reports for mineral resources constitutionally guaranteed news daily, which reported bigger hard-rock nickel field. that Olayinka Oyebode, chief 13 per cent derivation for this, noted that a private The nickel balls, rumoured states press secretary of minister of mineral revenue to states, mining syndicate headed by to grade better than 90 per solid minerals development, similar to the derivation that a mining industry veteran, cent nickel and thought to be Kayode Fayemi, said he had oil-producing states current- Hugh Morgan made the dis- a world first given their wide- no details of the discovery. ly enjoys from the federation covery at Dangoma in the spread distribution, offer the Oyebode however con- Adeola Yusuf account,” he said. north-west state of Kaduna. potential for early cashflow firmed that Fayemi is sched- Nigeria, it would be re- The discovery is unusual from a simple and low-cost uled to be in Australia next called, hit pay dirt with the because the nickel is found in screening operation to fund week as one of the speakers he Federal Government discovery of a rare mineral small balls up to 3mm in diam- a full assessment of the find at a three-day Africa Down has set a projection of resource in the northern part eter of a high purity in shal- that has exploration circles Under mining conference multi-million dollars rev- T of the country. low soils in what could be the buzzing. at Perth’s Pan Pacific Hotel, enues from mineral resources An Australian national surface expression of a much Morgan added that he ex- Australia. as it began reforms of the sleepy sector. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fay- emi, who disclosed this in a statement, also assured states of 13 per cent derivation for mineral revenue. This he said, follows the ap- proval by the Federal Execu- tive Council. The ministry, Fayemi said, had begun some reforms in line with the recommenda- tions of the ‘Roadmap for the Growth and Development of Nigerian mining sector.’ This emphasised the need for collaboration between the Federal Government and the states as well as build stron- ger co-operative processes and structures. “We have got approval for the implementation of the Gas plant Oily road for energy sector NSE boss renews calls for CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 in Abuja to mediate; at times sector. It said that N534 billion its representatives would not was the value of electricity lost oil, gas sector’s reforms paid later in batches by (central show up. We would risk our on account of the challenges, n order to reduce sharp more importantly at a cost lower bank) CBN,” said Piriye Kiyar- lives and resources to Abuja, part of which could have been practices in the oil and gas than their counterparts In for- amo, an officer in the govern- no IOCs member would come. used to bridge the liquidity gap sector, the President, Nige- eign countries. Nigeria will I never see development if this ment’s Amnesty Office. Even when their representa- in the power sector, estimated ria Stock Exchange and Chair- tives came, they would be those at N1trillion. man, WAPIC Insurance, Mr. continues. Plot for strike-free year without a mandate to represent Already, the sector is finding Aigboje Aig Imoukhede, has On the solution, he said ‘the Korodo, the South West the organisation; just to frus- it difficult to access more loans insisted that a reform should first step is that we must dras- chairman of NUPENG said trate the discussion,’’ he said. from Nigerian banks due to be carried out in the sector that tically reduce corruption in that what led to the planned He alleged that all other their inability to meet the pay- will lead to development where the oil and gas sector. The per- warning strike was inherited IOCs in the country were in- ment obligations for previous people set up refineries, create ception in the industry is that by the present administration, volved in these anti-labour borrowings. The situation will new technologies for produc- operators perennially have to while some occurred within practices. “We do not want the also affect the capacity of the tion and employing hundreds contend with corruption. this government. public to see the strike as if we power firms to improve on elec- of thousands through the val- The industry requires a “Two hundred and fifty are unnecessarily punishing tricity supply to consumers for ue chain. paradigm shift. We want a members of our union were Nigerians. That’s why we are domestic and industrial uses. Speaking at the Petroleum sustainable oil and gas sector affected by the divestment by using this period to protest by NESI said in its daily statis- Club Annual Guarantors’ Din- founded on a system whereby Chevron Nigeria Ltd., in the asking tanker drivers to hang tics on energy losses that the ner recently in Lagos, he stated great men and women can run South-East. And this is giving green leaves on their trucks industry lost N1.525 billion on the oil and gas sector compels great companies like anywhere us a serious concern because and our members to wear red December 24, 2016 alone. It also wealth through arbitrary in the developed world. A few they cannot feed their families. cloth.” disclosed that about 12 power means. of you need to step forward and “The Minister of Labour, stations could not produce With the topic: ‘A new role for lead this process. Senator Chris Ngige, asked all Like oil like power electricity during off-peak pe- petroleum industry in the Nige- The goal is not to eliminate parties to maintain the status- The power sector is also con- riod under the review. Statis- rian Economy’, he stated that corruption, but to reduce it. You quo ante and we complied be- tending with issues bothering tics from the National Control ‘in 2011, Nigeria paid over two can make the sector to have cause we respect the authority. on investments shortfall, power Centre, Osogbo, showed that trillion naira in fuel subsidy. standards that will determine But the IOCs seem to be above generation, transmission and Afam IV-V, Geregu Gas, Alaoji Over one trillion naira of this how it would be run. It may the law or more powerful than distribution inadequacy, gas National Integrated Power payment was fraudulent. Let us sound tough and some of you government; they failed to supply deficit, estimated bill- Project, NIPP and Olorunsogo assume we mobilize three hun- may even have to take risk. maintain the status-quo ante ings and incessant collapse of Gas plants could not produce a dred oil and gas entrepreneurs Another issue is improving being amicably agreed to by the power grid. single megawatt, MW, on De- and gave them that one trillion the quality of regulation and both parties. The Nigerian Electric- cember 25, 2016. naira to develop the sector and policy. Petroleum Industry “Chevron had to tell our 250 ity Supply Industry, NESI, on All these, among others, will pay back, I cannot imagine bill is important here. If it is members that their contract January 3, disclosed that over stand tall as hurdles on the way what the developmental impact passed, it will enhance the de- with it was no more binding on N534 billion of revenue was on the sector in 2017 and all it would have made. regulation and privatization of it because it cannot trace the lost by the power sector in 2016. stakeholders are expected to In the interest of this nation, the oil and gas sector. company that employed them Among the reasons for the loss join hand to free the year from we have to get government out The reason why Nigerian as contract workers for it. were shortages in gas supply, their shackles. of operating in the oil and gas banks are doing well is because “The minister said that frequency and line limitations sector. the industry was reformed. It Chevron had to pcay the and water levels management Last line Speaking further, he said ‘sus- introduced competition and sacked workers, but its man- constraints that led to several The year 2017 is a critical tained economic development is level the playing field. For in- agement refused to comply.” cases of electricity outage in the year for the energy sector as premise on the country’s ability stance, Access Bank today has Confirming moves by gov- country. much as it is important for the to channel investment and en- branches in China and Dubai. ernment to stop the strike, Ko- NESI, which put the aver- country in its move to get its trepreneurial development into Industrialization through local rodo alleged that the IOCs have age daily revenue loss at N1.5 economy out of recession. All sectors where operators create participation is also fundamen- been frustrating the efforts. billion, said gas constraint re- hand must, therefore, be on the values by producing goods and tal. No nation industrializes be- “It got to a time when Sena- mained one of the major chal- deck to ensure smooth sail for services at a cost that consum- cause foreign nations choose tor Ngige called for a meeting lenges facing the electricity the energy sector in the year. ers are prepared to pay for, but to do so. TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH 25 Homes&Property The agitation by stakeholders in property industry for the passage of bill on National Building Code by the National Assembly has been renewed, DAYO AYEYEMI reports

n as much as built environ- ment professionals would like to stamp their authority in construction sites across A building Ithe nation, delay in passing the under con- National Building Code (NBC) struction into law for proper implemen- tation and enforcement has re- mained their albatross. If this singular burden is removed, according to stakeholders, it would go a long Building code: Calls for way to nip the issue of building collapse in the bud and rid the sector of fake persons parading as professionals. bill passage resonate In Nigerian construction sector, especially in the informal Until the building code is Nigerian Institute of Building about 4,000 professional builders. game is not different as the sector, anything goes. It is always approved, he warned that nobody (NIOB), Mr. Kunle Awobodu, According to him, these authorities do not match efforts a case of round pegs in square could really sue anyone on site, joined Bokini and other professionals are enough with appropriate professionals. holes. It is a story of where there adding, that “the document is professionals in calling on to manage building sites in “They need internal staff is no law, the people cast off due for review now.” government, as a matter of the country, adding that one strength in government restraint, no thanks to invasion emergency , to consider routing qualified builder could manage agencies in charge of building of sites by quacks. Essence of NBC the bill as an executive bill to four construction sites at a supervision and monitoring. As at the last count, housing It is expected that the NBC avoid all the current drawbacks. period, just the way it is being This is still lacking. This always stakeholders claimed that over would have a positive impact done in the medical sector. results in shoddy jobs. Also, 70 per cent of construction sites on professionalism in the Capacity building Despite the huge number of there is a lot of professional in the country were not being construction industry as it spells Bokini also blamed public professionals, Awobodu said a segregation in the civil service supervised by built environment out the inputs and services to apathy for young Nigerians lot of his colleagues have not among politicians to settle professionals. be provided by the various refusal to train as masons, been gainfully employed by scores. New politicians are This drawback is said tom professionals and also the bricklayers and plumbers, building owners, contractors more or less like starters; it is be responsible for high rate of standards for building materials pointing out that this has led to and government, hence the what you want them to know building collapse in the country and components. foreign artisans taking over the incessant building collapse in they will know,” he said. with Lagos leading the pack The enactment of an enabling construction sector. Nigerian cities. with 135 cases in 15 years. legislation by the National “Young Nigerians do not He said: “Many builders are Conclusion While many Nigerians are Assembly is the only hurdle want to train as bricklayer, not gainfully employed. Most It is expected that the raising posers about the capacity hindering the effectiveness of plumbers and mason, they want clients don’t cross check to know National Building Code of qualified professionals to the code and in the impact of its white collar jobs,” he said. who is a professional builder or would have a positive impact really monitor building sites full implementation. Legislation On whether there is enough not. They just engage someone on professionalism in the in collaboration with agencies is the only restraining factor professionals to monitor just because he claims what he is construction industry. of government in charge of that can ensure total compliance numerous building sites in not. Clients don’t communicate Therefore, government and enforcement to rid the sector to the code as a first cause as well Nigeria, Awobodu, described the with professionals to know who lawmakers must be swift in of quacks, others blame the as strict monitoring. puzzle as a very crucial question is a builder or not.” giving the bill the required situation on absence of NBC, Second Vice President, but added that the nation had In government’s circles, the backing. which specifies standards and role of each built environment professional in the sector. REDAN harps on PPP to solve housing problems Experts’ views Calling for action on the in the area of mass housing. of coercing the private sector to Besides, there would be need passage of NBC, a lecturer in HOME OWNERSHIP “There is need for do things is gone. Government for all stakeholders, comprising the Department of Building Stakeholders want government to allow workable needs to get their endorsement in developers, finance providers Technology, Yaba College of Public Private Partnership (PPP) order to buy into programmes.” and off-takers to brainstorm on Technology, Mr. Suraj Bokini, government to review initiative, driven by private On Federal Government’s full participation. stated that the major problem Land Use Acts sector without authority’s one million housing initiative, “Also, there is need to confronting the sector was lack incessant intervention for better Chime said that government solve challenges surrounding of building code, which is yet to performance in the sector,” he was yet to engage his members, mortgage before awarding be passed into law. said. advising that it will do Nigerians contract for housing The passage of the building Dayo Ayeyemi Although Chime claimed a lot of good if the central construction,” he said. code into law, he said, would not to have seen details of 2017 authorities engage those firms He called for recapitalisation encourage capacity building orried by accommoda- budget on housing, he urged that have been doing housing of FMBN to provide necessary in the construction sector, tion shortages in the government to encourage construction with track records. loans for home seekers. leading to skills acquisition and Wcountry, President of investment in cheap houses for Besides, he tasked the He said: “There is need for learning upgrade. Real Estate Developers’ Associa- urban populace. authorities to do something the recapitalisation of FMBN to Regretting its delay, Bokini tion (REDAN), Rev. Ugochukwu To be able to do this about some of the problems be able to carry out its functions noted that the document had Chime, has tasked the Federal successfully, he urged associated with Land Use Act, effectively. Even if it is to provide been awaiting the second Government to get back to full government to be consistent which has limited provision of loan for buyers, then the issue reading after it passed through implementation of commerciali- in its policy formulation due mass housing by both developers of estate development loan for the first reading during former sation of housing programmes to long-term investment in and government. housing construction can be President Olusegun Obasanjo’s already abandoned. housing, adding that operators in He said: “The issue of Land resolved. Without this, the price administration. According to him, the private sector should be fully Use Act is still a setback, because of the housing units will be out He pointed out that non- government must embrace involved in policy formulation rather for the state government of the reach of the low- and passage of the code into law had workable Public Private for better implementation. to give prime land for housing medium income earners. not really allowed professionals Partnership (PPP) initiative, Chime said: “Investment initiative, they made land “There is no need to ask to exercise authority in building driven by the private sector in climate has to be cleared for available in the periphery. We developers to seek money sites. order to achieve tangible results investors to come in. The era know that governors own land.” anywhere to build.” 26 TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 AVIATION NEW TELEGRAPH Aviation is global. What affects one country affects the Florida shooting: Evaluating other. The Florida shooting has exposed the loopholes in Nigeria, US rules on firearms airport security, writes ticketing counters. And that up until now, the main concern in WOLE SHADARE baggage claim areas was theft, as opposed to shootings. He said those areas represented a particular n every aviation arrangement, challenge for law enforcement the baggage reclaim area is because there were so much considered a vulnerable spot coming and going in baggage in airport security. claim areas, making them IThe bunched up passengers particularly vulnerable. serve as easy targets as they stand The bloodshed is likely to around the carousels to claim their raise questions of whether US luggage. aviation safety officials need to It is the place where all the change the rules. holes are because those areas lack The attack also exposed the robust security available in another weak point in airport other areas at airports. security. While travellers The fatal flaw of the United have to take off their shoes, States airport security was put their carry-on luggage exposed when, without a word, through X-ray machines and a gunman moved through the pass through metal detectors baggage claim area, picking off to reach the gates, many other sections of airports, such as travellers until his handgun ran Passengers running for cover in Terminal 1 at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida, during the ticket counters and baggage- out of ammunition, leaving five shooting dead and eight wounded at Fort claim areas, are lightly secured and more vulnerable to attack. Lauderdale airport. a person with proper licensing and one woman. Panicked witnesses ran out The Transportation paperwork to check an unloaded The most common security Security Administration of the terminal and spilled onto firearm in their checked luggage. infraction is the usual stowaway the tarmac, baggage in hand. has been confiscating more The Transportation Security incidents that have led to the death guns from carry-on bags in Others hid in bathroom stalls or Administration requires passengers of the perpetrators. That is not to crouched behind cars or anything the US. Screeners took away to declare weapons, which must say that the country is immune from 2,653 guns in 2015, up 20 per else they could find as police and be packed in a locked hard-sided terror like security breach. paramedics rushed in to help the cent from 2014. The TSA case, according to TSA regulations. The Nigerian Civil Aviation frequently tweets photos of wounded and establish whether Small-arms ammunition and Authority (NCAA) as part of there were other gunmen. the arsenals that it scoops up shotgun shells of any gauge can regulations mandates only security at checkpoints. The gunman was identified as also be carried in checked luggage. agents to hand over their weapons. 26-year-old Esteban Santiago of Experts who spoke to New So far, Nigeria has not The weapons are held in closed Telegraph said preventing Anchorage, Alaska, who served experienced gunmen entering compartment and handed over to the in Iraq with the National Guard attacks like the one on Friday the airport and opening fire on owner or carrier when the passenger was almost impossible given but was demoted and discharged innocent people or a situation where arrives at his destination. last year for unsatisfactory The attack the large public areas at US a passenger lawfully checks in The NCAA does not permit or airports, despite the billions performance. His brother said he weapon and be allowed to retrieve it also exposed allow weapons and other dangerous had been receiving psychological of dollars spent on security. from the carousel and sporadically items to be checked in or carried in The debate over whether treatment recently. killed five people and wounding another weak hand luggage. In the US and in some other to extend security screening many others. point in airport Jeffrey Price, an aviation-security to public areas intensified climes, passengers simply have to The worst so far encountered at expert based in Danver, said that declare the gun and ammunition security following the bombings inside any Nigerian airport is accidental banning guns in luggage might a terminal at Brussels Airport when checking their bags discharge by law enforcement have prevented Friday’s attack but The Transportation Safety in March 2016, which killed 32 agents. That is not to say that wouldn’t stop a determined killer. people and injured hundreds. Administration (TSA) confiscates Nigerian aerodromes are water “What’s to stop him from driving hundreds of guns a year from Some critics have cited as tight in terms of security. to the airport, parking his car, getting a model Israel’s Ben Gurion security checkpoints and uses July last year, a gun was said to his gun and going into the airport social media to remind passengers Airport, where private have accidentally gone off at the and shooting people?” he said. security companies, trained by how to better transport other domestic wing of the Lagos airport. Price, also an aviation- weapons that the US government the national security agency, Two people were injured in the management professor at Shin Bet, and backed by police permits in checked luggage, like incident when a man identified as Metropolitan State University of knives, cattle prods and throwing officers profile passengers, an orderly to a senator accidentally Denver, said that baggage-claim question individual travellers stars. fired the shots as he was trying to areas weren’t typically watched as America’s regulations allow and use bomb detectors at the remove the magazine, injuring him closely as other parts of airports, like airport’s entrance. Emirates to Saraki: We employed 130, not 10 Nigerians mirates Airlines said It noted that the carrier Nigerians. “Considering the size of entities operating in the contrary to claim by prides itself on its diversity In a statement shared via Nigeria and its market -- I would country hire more Nigerians. Senate President, Bukola and employs staff from more series of tweets late last week have expected more. Foreign This is important for our E than 170 countries around the Friday, Saraki noted that airlines and companies need domestic growth Saraki that the airline only em- ployed ten Nigerians, the car- world and connects people the action of the company to hire more Nigerians. “I wish the Senate Aviation rier said it has 130 Nigerians from all backgrounds across Emirates Airlines was unfair to “I am sure that at the time Committee Chairman a speedy across the Emirates Group of our international network. Nigerians. He however vowed Emirates Airlines started their recovery. Once he’s back there which over 60 are employed in The carrier said it to ensure that the anomaly is route, we did not get a good is work to do to address this Nigeria. welcomes applications corrected as soon as possible. deal for our people. It is time airline employment issue. The Management of from suitably qualified and Saraki said: “Today, I to look into this.” “It is important to address the airline in a statement experienced candidates for learnt that there are only 10 Saraki noted that not only why only 10 Nigerian air host/ on Sunday said Emirates’ available vacancies from Nigerians employed in the Emirates will get probed over hostesses work for Emirates. operation also supports many all nationalities, including entire Emirates Airlines this, so would other foreign Companies operating more jobs in Nigeria’s aviation Nigerian nationals. workforce that operates in our companies operating in in Nigeria must employ services supply chain such as in Saraki has revealed that country. Nigeria and are not employing Nigerians. ground handling and catering, the upper house of legislature “I gathered that in countries enough Nigerians. “I encourage everyone out and brings broader benefits will investigate why a foreign like Kenya, Emirates Airlines The former Kwara State there with information that to the Nigerian economy by airliner operating in the employs close to 1000 Kenyans governor vowed: “The Senate can help better the plight of supporting tourism and trade. country employed only 10 in their workforce. will work to ensure that foreign Nigerians to let us know.” TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH 27

Infrastructure FCTA revives abandoned projects 28

Madalla 29 Inside Abuja Memories of a bomb attack

Items donated to the IDPs by Suntory Ltd Makeshift classroom donated by the RCCG at the camp We'll rather go home and die, say IDPs Miraculous escape ray the life at these camps was The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) plays host to many camps where Marcus Zakari is one of the inspired by the visit of Suntory IDPs at New Kuchingoro camp. Beverage and Foods Limited to some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been taking refuge He said he hails from Gwoza, one the camps to share with the IDPs after fleeing the North-East as a result of the . of the towns that were conquered the bliss of the yuletide. The com- and occupied by the insurgents pany donated to the IDPs 1,000 CALEB ONWE and PRINCESS OGBUJI visited some of these camps and before the military troops recap- cartons of Lucozade Boost, eight tured it. He shared with Inside bags of rice and also promised to captured the mood of the people at the dawn of a New Year Abuja a brief but pathetic story do more for them. of what he experienced during During the visit, the coordina- the invasion of his village by the tor of Governmental and Public hey were in distress hav- circumstances, but have refused terrorists. Relations Affairs of the camp at ing been displaced from to forget the land of their birth. "My being alive today is a Dagba, Mr. Idris Aminu, lamented their native homes. They They have refused to live at the miracle. The terrorists attacked that the government has aban- narrowly escaped from mercy of charity from good spir- our village in the middle of the doned them. Tthe hands of the blood thirsty ited people and organisations who night when people were all asleep. He stated that considering the terrorists and have been taking visit the camps. When we woke up to see that our unending plights of the people in refuge in Abuja at various make- The general mood of the IDPs houses have been set on fire, we the camp, many of his kinsmen shift camps. They look forlorn, is that though they may have lost heard sporadic gun shots every- were desperately wishing to go shattered and battered, but they everything to the insurgency in where. We were confused; some back to the North-East. He said have one common wish, which is the North-East they have not lost of us escaped, but old people, es- they would rather face the uncer- to return home, even at the risk faith that they will return home pecially women could not escape. tainties ahead of them than live of being killed. some day soon. Many people especially the chil- as beggars in Abuja. The mood in the camp is that of dren and the elderly were burnt According to him, there are nostalgia and like the children of Home sick alive" about 2,500 IDPs in Dagba and Israel when they were taken cap- Since the news of the recapture Zakari, though battling with about 1,000 at New Kuchingoro. tive to Babylon, a strange land, of Sambisa Forest was broken, psychological problems due to Aminu painted a horrible pic- they longed to return to their na- many of them have cried out to his experiences in the hands of ture of the people in the camps tive land. They frequently resort the authorities to perfect plans the terrorists, appears to have a when he revealed that there is no to the lyrics of a biblical song pop- to relocate them to their original serious affinity with his place of feeding arrangement for them as ularised by the Israelites – When homes as soon as possible. They birth, and such natural connec- it is obtained at the other camps shall I see my home? said it would be better for them to Officials of tion has continued to pull his in the North-East. The song they may not want to go back and die in Gwoza or Bama troubled mind towards home. He also said that they have been sing, is that song that could make in Borno State where they came the camps did He observed that as a fish cannot living at the mercy of people's them succumb to subservience from than to continue living in not deny that survive outside its natural habi- goodwill and charitable gestures instead of the comfort they once the dehumanising conditions they tat which is water, the true sur- of some religious organisations, enjoyed in their native communi- have been subjected to in Abuja. women and vival of himself and his kinsmen that have been making donations ties before their lives were rude- At the two IDPs camps, located children were would not be achieved until they to them. ly interrupted by the terrorists. at New Kuchingoro and Dagba, returned home. One of the IDPs who craved They may have been victims of both in Abuja Municipal Area bieng raped "We want to go back to our anonymity told Inside Abuja that Council (AMAC), Inside Abuja place. We are tired of living from the major problem they face in the observed that even though some hand to mouth in this place. You camps is hoarding of food items of these people manage to put up know that if you bring fish out donated by people and organisa- smiles on their faces, their hearts from water it will not live for long tions. bled profusely. The emotional and and it will die," he said. He further explained that some psychological tortures which When asked if their place have of the IDPs had died of starvation these Nigerians have been har- been certified safe by the authori- because when the food items are bouring can only be felt when one ties for them to return, he said donated to them, some of the of- gets closer to them in an interface that since government is not ficials of the camp would hoard with genuine motives. Among the giving them adequate attention, them, and secretly take some of adults and children, male and fe- they would rather go home to face the items to the market to sell Onwuka NzeshI male, the nostalgic feelings held whatever consequences awaits without consulting anyone. These ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF sway in the camps. They want to them. He said they will gladly ac- allegations were however denied [email protected] go back to rebuild the remains cept it as a divine fate. by the spokesperson of the camps. of their homes and resume their Inside Abuja's investigation re- © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company normal lives. Harsh living conditions Limited Inside Abuja's decision to x- CONTINUED ON PAGE 29 TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 28 Inside ABUJA | SLUMS NEW TELEGRAPH away his business and said he was For years, Abuja had been preparing to relocate to another place because nobody stops to littered with abandoned FCTA revives buy his newspapers/magazines infrastructures. any longer. YEKEEN This was as a section of Mur- NURUDEEN, who went tala Muhammed Expressway abandoned projects popularly known as Kubwa Road round the city, reports which has been closed due to rail- it was gathered, was designed to way construction has also been that the Federal Capital provide conduit for huge pedes- completed, opened the entire area Territory Administration trian traffic crossing to and out to the motoring public. of the National Stadium from the Speaking on the project, Abu (FCTA) has begun to give proposed Stadium Railway Station said that the Kubwa road was com- after every sporting event. pleted and opened to the public in some of them a facelift The minister had in November fulfilment of the promise made by 2016 pledged that his administra- the FCT Minister, which has gone tion was embarking on massive a long way in knocking off traffic former Minister of the completion of some critical roads congestion. Federal Capital Ter- within the Federal Capital City The director revealed that the ritory (FCT), Senator with specific promise to complete FCTA has discharged all its obliga- Bala Mohammed once the 10-lane Kubwa and Airport tions by making all outstanding Adescribed Abuja as a construction Roads by December 2016 and first payments to the contractors for site. This was not only because of quarter of 2017 respectively as the executed and certified work many ongoing projects but also well as B6, B12 and Circle road done which has enabled the con- was a result of abandoned projects around the three-arm-zone. tractor to return to site and com- that littered the city. Findings revealed that the road plete the job. Many of the projects were from the Office of the Secretary to According to him, minor works awarded to contractors as far back the Government of the Federation like the installation of streetlights as 1983 while some were as recent (OSGF) to the Federal Secretariat on the bridges as well as the provi- as 2007. The abandoned ones beside the Millennium Park, had sion of access road to the Red Bricks among those projects an official been abandoned for several years Estate due to the elevation of the of the administration told Inside but has also been completed and bridges would soon be completed. Abuja were as a result of paucity opened to traffic. B ello Motorists and commuters who of funds or maladministration. According to the FCT Director groaned daily in traffic on the road However, the city seems to be of Engineering Services Depart- pace due to poor funding; pointing commended the FCTA for keeping under redemption as some of ment, Engr. Adamu Alfa Abu, out that this administration, has, to its promise of completing the these abandoned projects have roads B6, B12 and the Circle road however, fast tracked it by making overhead bridges and bringing started receiving attention from projects are nucleus roads travers- available adequate funding in 2016 succour to the motorists as the the FCTA. ing the Three-Arms-Zone, Central Appropriation. knotty traffic logjam often expe- Though, the FCT Minister, Business District and were award- According to him, all these have rienced on that axis of the road Malam Muhammad Musa Bello ed in phases and the first one in been completed and opened to the has since disappeared. like President Muhammadu Bu- 1983. public in fulfilment of the promise A taxi driver, Enejo Samuel, hari had said that he would not The Three-Arm-Zone houses made by the minister, which has said travel time has not only re- award new contracts, concen- the Presidential Villa, National gone a long way in knocking-off duced but fuel being wasted in trate on the existing ones, no one Assembly and the Supreme Court Kubwa traffic congestion for the motor- traffic bottlenecks has also re- thought he would look the way of while the Central Business Dis- ists coming from the airport axis duced thereby increasing their forgotten roads like B6, B12 and trict houses the federal ministries, road was especially at peak hours. profit. Circle road around the three-arm- cultural zone, diplomatic areas completed and He further revealed that the However, hawkers like Adamu zone. among others. FCTA has discharged all its obli- at that portion of the road who But Inside Abuja reports that The director stated that the opened to the gations by making all outstand- sell bread in the traffic and Uche the administration has opened second stage of the project, which public ing payments to the contractors who hawks face towels and hand- the completed sections of roads included all the roads crossing the for the executed and certified work kerchief are lamenting that the B6, B12 and Circle Road includ- B6 and B12 along the Central Busi- done which has enabled the con- freed traffic has taken away their ing three underpass bridges at the ness District, was awarded in 1988. tractor to return to site and com- businesses and therefore called National Stadium end of the road He revealed that the second plete the job. on government to do something connecting the Central Business carriageways of the B6, B12 and However, a newspaper vendor because they are also suffering District with the Airport Road. Circle Road project was awarded at that portion of the road lament- now as nobody stops to buy their The underpass bridge project, in 2007 but was moving at a slow ed that the freed traffic has taken wares again. Just Friends Club provides succour for less privileged Six arrested for drawing graffiti on walls Abdulwahab Isa facing the less privileged Home, Karu, Abuja where it capable of moving society Abuja members in the society. made donations of various towards a better direction. Yekeen Nurudeen Inside Abuja witnessed items to the orphanage dur- “In this direction, the club Abuja a recent outing by the 'Just ing the last festive period. organised lecture series in n Abuja, various clubs, Friends Club of Nigeria', The same gesture was the past that focused on crit- associations and non- a social club of friends of undertaken in December ical sector of the economy fficials of the FCT Administration have Igovernmental organ- like minds whose core area 2015 when JFCN visited the like privatisation. Last year, Oapprehended six persons for engaging in isations have taken up the of intervention includes Mother Teresa Children’s the former Director-General act of graffiti on the walls of public buildings challenge of putting smiles reaching out to the trauma- Home, Gwarinpa, Abuja. of Bureau of Public Enter- and infrastructure around the Federal Capital on the faces of the less privi- tised members of the society In the wake of the in- prises (BPE), Mr Benjamin City, Abuja. leged members of the soci- through the undertaking of surgency in the North-East Dikki, delivered a lecture on" A statement by the Chief Press Secretary ety. These gatherings of like philanthropic activities. which created Internally the Federal Government’s to the FCT Minister, Mohammed Hazat Sule minds are evolving as the As part of its philan- Displaced Persons (IDPs), Privatisation and Economic said the six persons apprehended were caught surest platforms for address- thropic activities, the club Just Friends Club of Ni- Reform Programme," Vice in the act and would be made to face the full ing basic social challenges has visited the Children's geria visited the National president of JFCN said. wrath of the law, noting that the administra- Emergency Management Ohwahwa disclosed that tion would not allow the defacing of the Fed- Agency (NEMA)-organised beginning from this year, eral Capital City. IDP camp in Area 1, Abuja the club's scholarship pro- He reiterated that Abuja remains the win- on March 21, 2015 and pre- gramme for the brightest dow through which the world sees Nigeria and sented relief items to them. but less privileged students therefore, must be maintained with high sense Vice President of Just will commence as a way of of commitment and responsibility. Friends Club of Nigeria, adding value to the society. "The administration warns that security Fred Ohwahwa, who spoke "The needs of an average agents are now maintaining 24-hour surveil- to Inside Abuja during their human being are not much, lance to ensure that those engaging in the act last outing, underscored the but greed is always the prob- of graffiti and the likes are promptly appre- basic objectives of the club. lem of our society. The gov- hended," Hazat said "The objective is simple: ernment should strengthen The FCTA had recently embarked on mas- To bring people from differ- the various institutions set sive clean-up of such writings to give the city ent backgrounds together in up for interventions. Asso- a face-lift. order to add value to the so- ciations, clubs undertaking The Chief Security Officer to the FCT Min- Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Just Friends Club ciety. We inspire ourselves to genuine philanthropic ac- ister, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ahmed of Nigeria (JFCN) (fourth left) speaking when members of the club look after the interest of the tivities should be recognised Rasheed, revealed that the apprehended sus- visited the City of Refuge Orphanage,Durumi, Abuja to present items to less privileged members of and encouraged to do more," pects are now with the security agents and the orphanage. the society, contribute ideas he said. would soon be prosecuted. MONDAY, january 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH BUSINESS | Interview 29 the hurdles it put in place and financial CV institutions make it easier for Nigeri- ans to access fund for their first home, deficit would reduce. Organisation: If we find out that government has Omais Investment Group no money for first-time home owners Omais Homes Limited and those people who have money to buy property at N20 million are very Founded: few, what is the essence of building N50 1994, 2005 million houses when you cannot sell? It is a combination of many factors. Position: Where is the land? You go somewhere in President/Chief Executive Officer Ogun State, they are asking you to go to Shagamu whereas those who need these Career: houses are working in Lagos. For gov- Marketing, real estate’s investor ernment to do this successfully, it has to put light rail in plate that will take Projects: somebody to Lagos within 25 minutes in Developer of Trinity Mall, Ikeja, Lagos place. If you now build the houses there Estate development in Maryland, Lekki - Lagos at N8 million, Nigerians will go. You ask people to go to Makun and meanwhile, Education: between Makun and Redemption Camp, North London University (Marketing and Computer for Business Executives) people spend two hours in traffic, gov- Amersha College, Amersha Kent, England. ernment is killing Nigerians. Someone Alumnus, Lagos Business School living in Arepo will spend three hours to and fro every day, and you are now asking people to go to Makun, how many hours will they spend in traffic? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 for first-time homebuyers, it will be Government needs to do things that will easy to fund housing. First-time home encourage people to live in those areas. good by providing necessary incentives buyers should not pay double-digit in- Lagos is one city that the private sector needs to excel, we terest in order for them to own houses in Nigeria that Do you have any objection to property tax? don’t really need to wait for government and government makes it a deliber- All over the world, including Ameri- to build. The kind of support I think the ate policy and removes other taxes on has become ca and China, certain cities after some- industry needs is the situation where registration of title, it will be easy for expensive for times become so expensive for the ordi- government will create a seamless av- them to own their homes. Also, I know nary citizens to live in. Lagos is one city enue for registration of property. From that government is facing particular ordinary person in Nigeria that has become expensive the day a developer buys land, he should difficulty of knowing people who are to live based on for ordinary person to live based on be able to automatically get planning buying their first house, but I know demand and supply. So, we cannot do approval and start construction. The that we have the Biometric Verifi- demand and anything about it because of the huge process, especially in Lagos State, when cation Number (BVN) and all other supply population and rising cost of living, but you actually buy a land and till it, it usu- identifications, I think it is easier to what government needs to do is to build ally takes a year. Also, before you get achieve this. This will make it easier cheap houses by moving out to Ogun consent and approval takes a year and for ordinary Nigerians to own their state. since you borrowed the money, you are first house. stucked, Do you see real estate booming in this Is it possible to explore pension fund for country again? What do you think is responsible for the this purpose? As soon as Nigeria comes out of re- cumbersome process? It is not about what is written in the cession, I see every sector of the econ- It is because of the unnecessary bu- papers, it is about what is real. If this omy booming again. But I don’t see it reaucracy government builds around money is actually there, let them give happening soon under this present situ- the system. The ultimate aim is to make it to FMBN to give it out for home seek- ation going by the way it is structured. money, which I don’t have any business ers. Look, Nigeria is full of deception I mean I cannot see anything visible with. If I am a registered developer and because government lies to the people as a businessman if government has I buy land in Ikeja and do a design that a lot. They told us they have recovered not done anything to make people is within what government expects me billions of naira from looted fund. think that it is on the right path to do, I should be able to get a provision- Where is the money and how much is that will take us out of this eco- al approval immediately. it? Why should government keep this nomic dungeon that we find Before Fashola in Lagos, you could information from people? This infor- ourselves. actually buy land and the same day take mation should be there for us. If you the documents to Ministry of Land and say N5 trillion, let it be. My biggest What is your final advice? Physical Planning to look at it and what concern for this country is the genera- Government should you have. In fact, you can actually start tion after ours. If you have N5 trillion look for policy that will the process before you complete nego- pension fund, use 20 per cent of it to benefit ordinary Ni- tiation for the land. But Lagos State develop agriculture and see whether gerians who sacrifice government now says that, even before Nigerians will not be better for it. So, I their lives for them. you start your approval, you must get have concern for all those figures. I can consent first. The processes of doing keep on rolling out figures and don’t this can take you between one month have anything to support them. It is and one year. This is one of the impedi- not difficult to fund housing for ordi- ments government needs to phase out nary Nigerian if government is ready. for people to happily do business in the Government has the wherewithal. state. What is your take on Lagos and Ogun There is also complaint about high interest states ban on land grabbing activities? rate That is one of the beautiful things Government has a hand in it because Governor Ambode has done within it formulates policies for the financial one year in office and I hope that he institutions and central bank, which is going to implement it to the last. actually regulates interest rate. In a It is one thing to promulgate law, it situation where real estate developers is another thing to implement it. We are getting loans for between 25 per cent are waiting to see how he is trying to and 30 per cent interest rates, such hous- police it and make it work. It is a ing schemes cannot be sustainable. fantastic thing to do. It will defi- nitely make working and do- What is your view on the performance of ing business in Lagos easier. Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria? You see, the Federal Mortgage Bank How do you think issue is one of those policies that gov- we can reduce the ernment made and has not been fully current housing implemented. When you say mortgage deficit? bank should give somebody N12 million It will take the to buy a house, both of us know that will power of gov- it is almost impossible for you to get a ernment and finan- house for N12 million. If government cial institutions. Those compels the bank to set aside certain of us who are on the field are percentage of their profit every year ready. If government removes Aisagbonhi MONDAY, january 9, 2017 30 BUSINESS | MONEYLINE NEW TELEGRAPH ‘Forex crisis resolution, key to exit from recession’ Counsel lices — such as the arrest The firm also pointed out the foreign exchange market, different exchange rates’’ in Investors distrustful of of currency traders selling that it was investors’ lack of thus affecting corporate per- the market, adding that rates above 400/US$ — seem to interest in the CBN’s manage- formance.” need to be harmonised to at- CBN’s forex policy have attracted little concern ment of the forex market that In a related development, tract investors. in the budget. This germane led to poor corporate perfor- Economist and Chief Execu- He further pointed out that issue is at the root of Nige- mance which hindered the tive Officer, CFG Advisory it took the CBN a year after ria’s current recession and ability of the Federal Inland Services, Mr. Tilewa Adebajo, JP Morgan ejected Nigeria Tony Chukwunyem will remain a deterrent to in- Revenue Service (FIRS) and has also called for an urgent from its emerging markets vestors until it is genuinely the Nigerian Customs Service review of the CBN’s forex bond index to liberalise the ntil the Central Bank ad-dressed through the prop- (NCS) to meet their budgetary policy framework, stressing forex market, noting that de- of Nigeria (CBN) is er policy framework. It has revenue targets. that it was causing a lot of spite taking this step, the reg- Uable to come up with increased Nigeria’s macro- According to Agusto & Co: distortions. ulator has not allowed market the right foreign exchange risks and even poses greater “Non-oil revenues are project- Speaking on a television forces to drive trading. policy framework that inves- dangers to the economy than ed to shrink by 6per cent to business programme, he not- “It is the lack of policy tors will be comfortable with, the falling oil prices which 1.373 trillion in 2017 (1.455 tril- ed that the current forex pol- framework that caused us to the Federal Government initially popped the economic lion; 2016) owing to the fail- icy framework was respon- go into recession,” Adebajo may find it difficult pulling decline,” Agusto & Co stated. ure of reforms, principally in sible for the existence of “five stated. the economy of recession, leading Nigerian credit rat- ing agency, Agusto & Co. has warned. New Sterling Plus cash reward promo produces 12 millionaires In its review of the govern- n line with its vision of ment signed by its Group ested in enjoying the benefits would win N1 million on spe- ment’s 2017 budget proposals enriching people’s lives , Head, Branding and Commu- of both current and savings cial holidays; as declared by obtained by New Telegraph, ISterling Bank Plc last year, nications, Mr. Henry Bassey, account offerings, without the the federal government”. the firm predicted that con- made 12 of its customers, mil- said the promo was instituted associated cost of running a His words: “The New trary to government’s expec- lionaires in the New Sterling to reward customer loyalty current account. Sterling Plus account was tations, the budget will not Bank Sterling Plus Cash Re- and encourage a savings cul- He stated that customers developed after an extensive stimulate private sector confi- ward promo. Other winners ture among Nigerians. with the New Sterling Plus market research to address dence for investments mainly also emerged in other catego- The Sterling Bank spokes- account will be entitled to a the need of our existing and because investors continue to ries of the promo with a total man who disclosed that the free cheque book, free debit potential customers. It is part be distrustful of the CBN’s payout of N80 million. The season three of the promo card and free transaction of the bank’s contribution to forex policy. New Sterling Plus is a new would commence soon, ex- alerts (SMS and e-mails) on boost and encourage savings As the firm put it: “At a proposition for the retail seg- plained that all customers their transactions adding that in the country. The choice of time of dismal economic ment of the market. with a minimum balance of 20 people would win N50,000 gifts for customers, especially performance characterised According to the break- N5,000 automatically qualify every week for a period of one the free smartphones was in by economic contraction, down of the winners in the for the draws with 1 ticket year while 10 people would consideration of the increas- and weak fiscal communica- 2016 edition of the promo made while subsequent multiples win N100,000 monthly. Ac- ing demand and use of mobile tion, the budget will assume available to newsmen in Lagos of N5,000 result in additional cording to him, “two people platforms for financial and greater importance as a fis- at the weekend, 25 customers tickets. would win N500,000 quarter- non-financial transactions in cal policy roadmap. Howev- went home with N500,000 He described the Sterling ly and one lucky individual the Nigerian market”. er, this budget fell short of each, 80 won N100,000 each Plus account as a hybrid offer- expectations. While Keynes- while over a thousand won ing with the promise of many ian assumptions may be at N50,000 each. goodies and freebies such as the root of the government’s The newest millionaires free Lenovo smartphones pre- Heritage Bank partners NYPF, fiscal plans to spend its way are Mr. Ekiwu Daniel of Okpa- loaded with cool financial and out of the recession, the bud- ra branch, Enugu of the Bank entertainment applications offers N50m to entrepreneurs get will do little to stimulate and Yaya Saidu Habu of Uni- among others for individual s part of efforts to 80 percent of the country’s private sector confidence for ty Road branch, Kano. They customers. bring the economy population. investments for a number of were selected during the El- Mr. Bassey disclosed that Aout of recession, She further explained that reasons. Malud and Christmas draws the account which can be ac- Heritage Bank Plc in part- Heritage Bank was impressed “Firstly, the demand man- via an electronic raffle draw cessed at any Sterling Bank nership with the Nigerian with the nature in which tal- agement strategies deployed and winners emerged from branch with a minimum bal- Young Professionals Forum ents were sought out for, the by the Central Bank coupled various parts of the country. ance of N5,000 is the perfect (NYPF) has intensified its rigorous selection process with other knee-jerked po- Sterling Bank in a state- solution for individuals inter- support for young entre- and the integrity with which preneurs with a grant of the overall scheme was deliv- N50million. ered. The fund which is from Ogba expressed her satis- Economic Indicators the N500million Young En- faction in the long term sus- As at trepreneurs and Students tainability of the initiative, M2* N19,142,526.05m Mar, 2015 (YES) Grant initiative stating: “We will not support launched by the bank and the something that will not stand CPS* N18,579,219.49m Mar, 2015 NYPF last year, was awarded the test of time.” INF 18.48 Nov, 2016 to about 35 young entrepre- In his remarks, the Chair- MPR 14 07/07/2016 neurs from agricultural, man/Founder of the NYPF, 91-day NTB 10.77 Mar 2015 creative industry and the Mr. Moses Siasia, said the Information & Communica- idea of the Grant was born Bonny Light US$55.83 6/1/2016 tion Technology (ICT) sector out of the desperation of Ext Res** US$26,218,593,666 5/1/2017 after a rigorous and transpar- young Nigerians to build Source:CBN ent review process conducted businesses in an economy FGN Bonds by an independent body, out fraught with a seemingly end- Description TTM Price Bid Yield Change (%) Price Offer Yield Change (%) of the tens of thousands who less onslaught of challenges. 15.10 27-APR-2017 1.07 104.65 10.38 -0.02 ▼ 104.80 10.24 -0.02 ▼ applied for the grant. He explained that the soci- 16.00 29-JUN-2019 3.24 114.59 10.55 -0.01 ▼ 114.89 10.45 -0.01 ▼ Speaking at the award cer- ety does not encourage young 15.54 13-FEB-2020 3.87 111.96 11.60 0.00 ↔ 112.26 11.51 0.00 ↔ emony held at Four Points talents and innovations, 16.39 27-JAN-2022 5.82 120.58 11.44 0.00 ↔ 120.88 11.38 0.00 ↔ Hotel by Sheraton in Lagos, while stating that the coun- 14.20 14-MAR-2024 7.95 109.60 12.27 -0.07 ▼ 109.90 12.22 -0.07 ▼ the MD/CEO of Heritage try is yet to tap up to 5per cent 12.50 22-JAN-2026 9.81 100.54 12.40 -0.08 ▼ 100.84 12.34 -0.08 ▼ Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, who of its youthful resource. He 10.00 23-JUL-2030 14.31 83.82 12.44 -0.03 ▼ 84.12 12.39 -0.03 ▼ hinted that the nation’s econ- called on all stakeholders to 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 18.29 97.56 12.49 0.02 ▲ 97.86 12.44 0.02 ▲ omy has experienced severe see youth growth as a prior- NIBOR NITTY down spiral, affirmed that the ity for National development. Tenor (Days) Rate (%) Change (%) Tenor (Months) Rate (%) Change (%) 35 successful entrepreneurs Siasia commended Heri- Call 4.4583 -2.50 ▼ 1 6.9949 1.12 ▲ will be provided with the tage Bank for its unflinching 30 9.1071 -0.74 ▼ 2 7.2368 -0.27 ▼ required guidance on fund support for SME growth in 90 11.0102 -0.65 ▼ 3 8.0819 -0.17 ▼ management as individual Nigeria. According to him, 180 12.3790 -0.68 ▼ 6 9.2061 -0.11 ▼ beneficiaries would get at Heritage Bank remains the 9 9.5872 0.03 ▲ most N2million each. only bank that had entered 12 10.5042 0.42 ▲ Sekibo who was repre- into partnership with NYPF sented by the Divisional on this scheme after being Treasury Bills Money Market Head, Retail/SME, Mrs. Ori turned down by other poten- Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) Change (%) Ogba, stated that the bank tial sponsors and appealed to 30-Jun-16 7.92 8.08 -0.51 ▼ 7.67 7.82 -0.51 ▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 3.83 -1.75 ▼ supported this initiative be- all young people in the coun- 6-Oct-16 8.59 8.99 -0.31 ▼ 8.34 8.71 -0.31 ▼ Overnight (O/N) 4.33 -2.08 ▼ cause of its belief in Nigerian try to see the bank as their 16-Mar-17 9.36 10.28 -0.07 ▼ 9.11 9.98 -0.07 ▼ youths, who make up about wealth partner. monday, january 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH south-west | news 31 Stakeholders dislodge illegal settlers in Lagos community Lagos relocates LASEMA, Taskforce, Wale Elegbede ers took decisive action against such settlements KAI, others to Oshodi and shanties in the inter- planned relocation of To smoothen the oper- According to the task- arely 24 hours after est of lawful residents and Muritala Ayinla the agencies, which in- ations of these relocated force Chairman, Olayin- a pro-environment business development of cluded part of the Rapid agencies, New Telegraph ka Egbeyemi the officials Bnon-governmental the area and the state as a agos State Gov- Respond Squad (RRS). gathered that the state of the agencies dislodged organization, Safe Habi- whole. ernment has fi- Other agencies relo- government had provid- street traders/hawkers tat called on the Lagos But yesterday, Safe nally relocated cated are Kick Against ed some facilities such as in collaboration with of- state government and Habitat said “we are glad the headquarters Indiscipline (KAI), Ni- electricity, food canteen, ficials of Kick Against relevant stakeholders to to update members of the Lof the state Environ- geria Legion and the La- gymnasium, fire station Indiscipline. show serious interest in public that further infor- mental Sanitation and gos State Environmen- among others. The Chairman dis- the activities of aliens mation reaching us after Special Offences Unit tal Sanitation Mobile Meanwhile, the state closed that environ- from neighbouring coun- our statement on Satur- (Task Force), Lagos State Courts. government had dis- mental nuisances par- tries and criminals fleeing day indicates that both Emergency Management The taskforce office lodged hawkers and ticularly street trading/ from other parts of the the state government and Agency (LASEMA) to Os- was relocated from Ikeja street traders from Mad- hawking around Tinubu country in some riverine the relevant stakeholders hodi for optimal perfor- to Multi-Purpose Agency am Efunroye Tinubu ar- Square and all other communities in the state, in Eti-Osa local govern- mance. complex, Bolade Oshodi cade on Lagos Island and 'Monumental Arcades' there are strong indica- ment area of the state New Telegraph had opposite the Arena com- all other monumental ar- provided by Governor tions that efforts are on have started taking steps exclusively reported the plex. cades in the state. Akinwunmi Ambode is to dislodge them and re- to remove the shanties in worrisome. move their shanties any Ebute Ikate Elegushi to Egbeyemi disclosed moment from now. stop the entrenchment of Olubadan-in-Counci decries violence as panacea further that the agency The group had in a environmental nuisance would strictly imple- statement by its execu- and security threats com- for chieftaincy resolution ment the Lagos State En- tive director, Ade Williams ing from the community.” but kicked against derog- his main rival in the con- vironmental Sanitation on Saturday said “we are While commending Sola Adeyemo atory media campaigns test, Mr. Wasiu Akere Laws on any arrested concerned about informa- Governor Akinwunmi Ibadan against opponents and and some of his family street traders/hawkers tion reaching us that some Ambode, the Elegushi use of dangerous weap- members to the emer- causing environmental aliens and criminals flee- Royal Family and the Ikate he Olubadan-in- ons such as cutlasses and gency council meeting nuisances besides and ing from law enforcement Elegushi Residents Asso- Council, the highest guns to protest disputes. to explain their roles in around all monumental agencies have formed the ciation for rising up to the Tdecision-making or- The council members the trouble before and arcades across the State. habit of creating illegal challenge, Safe Habitat gan on Ibadan traditional specifically referred to after the appointment of He enjoined market settlements and shan- noted that the Lagos gov- chieftaincy matters yes- a recent tussle for the Alhaji Moshood Akere as leaders across the state ties in some water front ernment had taken simi- terday decried the use of post of Mogaji Akere Mogaji. to warn traders and communities especially lar action last year to rid violence to protest chief- Compound, Orita-Mer- According to the coun- hawkers to immediately in Eti-Osa local govern- Ikoyi and Victoria Island taincy disputes, saying in, Ibadan, between two cil, there were sufficient stop displaying and sell- ment area of the state, of such environmental henceforth erring parties brothers - Alhaji Mos- evidence to show that ing wares besides and where they constitute nuisance. Williams said would face sanctions. hood Gbolagade Akere both Wasiu and Mos- around all monumental environmental nuisance past government in the The Olubadan-in- and Mr. Wasiu Okunola hood Akere had signed arcades provided by the and launch criminal at- state had equally sum- Council in its emergen- Akere which had led to up to an undertaking on government. tacks against residents moned the same will to cy meeting at Oba Saliu one of them being hos- December 8 last year be- of Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria cleanse Kuramo beach Adetunji’s Palace, Popoy- pitalised following the fore the representatives Island and others.” of criminal activities in emoja, Ibadan at the emergence of Alhaji of Olubadan to support €410,000 Williams said it was 2007 by dislodging illegal weekend, affirmed the Moshood Akere as the whosoever was eventu- The estimated average salary per better that the govern- settlers erecting shanties rights of people to lawful Mogaji. ally chosen as Mogaji player of SC Freiburg per annum. ment and other stakehold- there. protests when aggrieved It however summoned Akere. Source: Goal.com Ajimobi lauds Sunmonu for constituents’ empowerment Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola tor, Governor Ajimobi (right0, receiving Sola Adeyemo said "Sunmonu has been souvenirs from Arch Ibadan doing very well. She is Bishop of Ilesa Arch active and very intel- Diocese, Method- overnor Abiola Aji- ligent. She is a worthy ist Church Nigeria, mobi and the con- representative, who has G Most Reverend Amos stituents of Oyo Central exhibited integrity, God- Akindeko, at the special Senatorial District in liness, patriotism and prayers for the develop- Oyo State have applaud- selflessness," he said. ment of the state by ed the giant strides of He urged other mem- the leadership of Osun their representative, bers to emulate Sun- Methodist Church of Senator Monsurat Sun- monu, saying every Nigeria in commemora- monu, for empowering responsible and respon- tion of New Year 2017, her people with multi- sive representative must in Osogbo… at the milliion naira working make the welfare of his weekend tools to alleviate their people paramount. sufferings. They commended Sunmonu, the Senator Group tackles FG over invasion of Jonathan's home Shopping malls: Ogun gives who was the immediate and flagrant disregard to According to him “it is past Speaker of the Oyo B abatope Okeowo and violation of the fun- skull-touching and pro- houses to displaced families State House of Assembly Akure damental human rights vocative that of all the he Ogun State govern- the shopping malls would at the Empowerment of the wife of the former former wives of the presi- Tment has presented be allocated new ones. Programme organised human rights group, president.” dents, no one has been so keys of 24 units of two Speaking while pre- at the International In- Athe Conference of Ni- Police had said it had subjected to security ha- bedroom flats to fami- senting the keys, the com- stitute of Tropical Agri- geria Civil Rights Activists warrant before it searched rassment and intimida- lies, whose houses paved missioner, represented by culture (IITA) in Ibadan (CNCRA) has described the Abuja residence of the tion like Mrs Jonathan, the way for the construc- the Director of Highways where many dignitaries the invasion of the resi- former First Lady. The Po- whereas others were not tion of modern shopping (Major Contract) Engr. including the governor dence of the wife of former lice Public Relation Officer, clean or free from corrup- malls at Omida, Abeokuta Lateef Oladimeji Yussuf, were present. President Goodluck Jona- Mr Don Awunah said the tion while in office. South West Local Coun- "here we are, the governor Among the several than, Patience by security action was in support of “To continually harass- cil Development Area has made good his prom- millions of naira worth agencies as callous and the Federal Government ing and intimidating the (LCDA) of the state. ise by what is happening of empowerment mate- barbaric. Assets Recovery Agent. former first Lady is ridicu- Commissioner for here today." rials distributed were The rights group But the CNCRA in a lous and injustice. It is sad Works and Infrastructure, Adegbite enjoined the Sewing Machines, Hair through its National Coor- statement yesterday asked and unfortunate that Bu- Arch. Olamilekan Adeg- beneficiaries to make Dryers, Generator Sets, dinator, Mr Ify Odili said the Federal Government hari has not washed him- bite said the presentation good use of the flats, add- Hand Sprayers, Gas the invasion of the Abuja to tender an unreserved self of military mentality was in fulfilment of the ing that the gesture was a Cookers, Fertilizers and home of Mrs Jonathan by apology to the former first as being exhibited in his promise made by Gover- testimony to the fact that Motorcycles among oth- unidentified policemen lady for the invasion of the approach to governance nor Ibikunle Amosun that people’s welfare remained ers. was an “abuse of office, private property of the for- since he took up the mantle the families, whose hous- top priority of govern- Applauding the Sena- executive lawlessness, mer First Lady. of leadership in Nigeria.” es were pulled down for ment. monDAY, january 9, 2017 32 News|SOUTH-east NEW TELEGRAPH Army denies Police probe massacre of Igbo youths attack on he Nigerian Army officer Thas refuted allegation of ‘mass killing of Igbo L-R : Member, APC Charles Onyekwere youths’ by the Campaign BoT, Chief Sam Nkire; ENUGU for Democracy (CD), an on- the couple, Mr. Kelvin line publication recently. and Deborah Nkire; olice in Col. Sagir Musa, the Abia State Governor, Pcommand has be- Deputy Director Army Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, at gun investigation into Public Relations of the 82 the Nkire’s wedding an alleged attack on Division of the Nigerian in Aba, Abia State… Sergeant Ebere by Army, Enugu, in a state- recently hoodlums allegedly led ment in yesterday by Cosmas Onyeneke, described it as “an “unjus- a dethroned tradition- tified, invidious and over al ruler of Lagwa au- flogged accusation.’’ tonomous community, He said the CD claimed in Aboh local that “no fewer than 2000 government area of the Igbo youths had been state. killed by the Nigerian New telegraph gath- Army under the guise of ered that the incident Rules of Engagement.’’ occurred at Eziudo Lag- He said that other pub- wa in the early morning lication allegations in- of January 2. cluding “Military Killed Ebere was allegedly 150 Pro-Biafra Protest- overpowered by the ers’’ had also been sever- hoodlums who inflicted ally thoroughly refuted in PDP to APC: You can’t several machete cuts on many media platforms by him. Already, the police the Nigerian Army. had arrested the out- “It is the same position sted traditional ruler that this rejoinder has of Lagwa autonomous soundly adopted. win South-East community for alleged “For emphasis and clar- robbery and attempted ity, the Nigerian Army as Uchenna Inya He noted that with the with the robust leader- forced to join them but I kidnapping alongside an accountable, morally robust reconciliation on- ship at the national and assure you that in 2019, others. and professionally sound going in the party, PDP zonal levels of our party PDP will reclaim power A police riffle was al- organisation had vari- he Peoples Dem- will bounce back better in which by the grace of and return Nigeria to legedly recovered from ously through its Human ocratic Party( and stronger, stressing God I am overseeing the path of development” him during a raid on Rights Desk at the Army PDP) yester- that the party has been South East zone, our par- On the coming gov- his Eziudo Lagwa coun- Headquarters, painstak- day described repositioned to recap- ty is undergoing serious ernorship election in try home. Tthe boast by the rul- ture Anambra later this restructuring which will , Umahi According to sources, ingly investigated allega- tions of rights violations. ing All Progressives year as they go to poll. make it bounce back bet- described Anambra the suspected monarch “The results indicat- Congress(APC) to cap- He described as anti- ter and stronger”. State as one of the criti- along with his five-man ed specifically that this ture the South East in democracy, frantic ef- “It is unfortunate that cal states and flashpoint gang were said to have claim is false, malicious 2019 as effort in futility. forts allegedly being the ruling APC is using of PDP revival and re- waylaid Mr Emmanuel and should therefore be It also described the made by the ruling APC all divisive means to co- covery mechanism and Ogbonna, a business ignored for the sake of move as desperate and to coerce the people erce our people into join- expressed optimism that mogul and petroleum Nigeria. wild goose chase, insist- of the zone to join the ing their change mantra the party shall produce dealer while conveying “Instructively, the Nige- ing there is no vacancy party through denial of that has put Nigeria in the next governor of N4.6million to a bank in rian Army under its con- for the party in the zone. basic appointments and reverse gear. To achieve Anambra state later this Owerri. stitutional authorization National Vice Chair- amenities, and called on this, they have been de- year. The gang allegedly to aid Civil Authority and man of PDP in South the people of the zone to nying the South East overpowered Ebere, who Military Aid to Civil Pow- East zone, Chief Austin remain resolute as PDP virtually everything and was attached to Ogbonna er must continue to act in Umahi, stated this while will soon return to pow- the idea is to deny us de- £79.5m and inflicted on him sev- the best interest of the na- addressing party stake- er and wipe their tears mocracy dividends and The total aggregate payments eral machete cuts and tion (in collaboration with holders in Abakaliki, a w a y. possibly impoverish us received by Stoke City for the took away his police riffle capital. “I wish to state that so that our people will be English 2015/2016 season. and two mobile phones. other security agencies).” Source: Goal.com Ex-Anambra SSG laments Obiano targets 111 roads to Ohanaeze Ndigbo market fire, blames govt boost agric, others elects 19 regional officers The former SSG how- project sites. Pamela Eboh Pamela Eboh ever sympathised with the He described 2016 as a Charles from Igbo-Eze North Awka victims and blamed the Awka year of breakthrough for Onyekwere Local Government government for failing to the state despite the fact that ENUGU (Treasurer), Sir Ignatius ormer Anambra state provide such facilities. nambra State Gover- it was a period of suffering Achu from Ezeagu Lo- FSecretary to the State “I join those who have Anor, Dr. Willie Obiano for other states, adding that ineteen region- cal Government (Assis- Government and manag- sympathised with the own- yesterday said that about111 the success was as a result al officials of tant Treasurer), Obinna ing director of Selonnes ers of the timber shades roads earmarked for con- of his administration’s the Ohanaeze Onyia from Udi Local Consult, Mr Oseloka Obaze and buildings at the Nnewi struction in the first quar- power of vision. Ndigbo were Government (Finan- has described fire disaster Timber Market gutted by ter of this year would give The governor said his ad- Nat the weekend elected cial Secretary), Damian which occurred at the fire with resultant huge a boost to the government’s ministration would inten- ahead of Wednesday’s Obisi from Nkanu East Nnewi Timber market at losses. agricultural, commercial sify to ensure that the state national election of Local Government (As- the weekend as harrowing “Fire incidents such as and industrialization vi- economy remained viable the Igbo socio-political sistant Financial Sec- and regrettable. this, though not uncom- sion. with a view to cushioning group. retary), Nnaji Celestine Oseloka said in a state- mon during the Harmattan He made the statement the effect of the nation’s They were to pilot from Enugu South Local ment yesterday that it was season, are easily avoidable during a mass at the Re- dwindling economy. the affairs of the seven Government (Organizing unfortunate that the disas- if the proper and statutory treat Center, Okpuno, Awka He stressed that apart speaking Igbo states. Secretary),Okolo Godwin ter occurred in the ongo- safety checks and measures South council of the state to from initiating short term Those elected are from Enugu East Local ing economic recession as were in place. mark the New Year retreat policies that would guar- Prof. Frederick Eze Government (Publicity property and goods worth “It is harrowing, regret- with Priests in the Catholic antee the state’s continued from Udenu Local Secretary), Kevin Chuk- about N3 billion were lost table and most unfortunate Diocese of Awka. march towards greater Government,(Deputy wu from Aninri Local to the midnight fire which that our people will suffer Obiano noted that the achievements, his admin- President), Chief Sam Government (Assistant engulfed the market. such huge loses in this time roads which would cut istration would be more fo- Okonkwo from Nkanu Publicity Secretary), Ede He said the disaster of recession. across the three senatorial cused on building strong in- West Local Govern- Chukwuma from Isiuzo would have been mitigated “Public safety and infra- districts of the state would stitutions that would outlive ment (Secretary),Oliver Local Government (Le- if the government had cre- structure based on best prac- be of high standard in view it and pose a viable model for Odenigbo from Uzo- gal Adviser), Ezeugwu ated functional and effective tices, must be prioritised if of anticipated heavy duty subsequent administrations Uwani Local Govern- Ben from Nsukka Local fire service station at strate- we must avoid costly inci- trucks that would convey to consolidate on and take ment (Assistant Sec- Government (Assistant gic public places. dents such as these. products to and from the the state to the next level. retary), Fidelis Ojobor Legal Adviser). monDAY, january 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH News|SOUTH-south 33 Emmanuel: Teachers with genuine documents’ll be reabsorbed ter being thoroughly weekend, Governor of people who withdraw going to another party as preciated the PDP Chair- Tony Anichebe screened. Emmanuel charged ag- their cases from court, a stranger would be treat- man, Obong Paul Ekpo, Uyo He said the decision grieved party members were sorted out. ed as an aborigine. for being available for to halt the exercise was who were in court as a The governor prom- He said 2016 was tur- party members at Christ- kwa Ibom based on the discovery of result of election issues to ised to address injus- bulent for the state but mas when other chair- State Gover- a syndicate discovered to withdraw such cases and tices and complaints thanked God for stand- men were out of sight. nor, Mr. Udom have printed fake appoint- return to the negotiation registered in some local ing with his government He said the world was Emmanuel has ment letters and certifi- table. government areas about to pay salaries up to date. waiting for PDP, adding Aassured people that all cates to gullible citizens He charged the party’s inter-ministerial direct He said he did not collect that it was only the PDP those with genuine ap- of the state as revealed by chairman, secretary and labour jobs and advised bailout funds as touted that could hold meetings pointment letters issued security officials. publicity secretary to en- members to stay stronger by the opposition in the which parade past gov- by the state civil service Speaking at the PDP sure that a committee was with the PDP as there was media. ernors, senators, chair- would be absorbed af- state secretariat at the put in place so that issues no way any PDP member Emmanuel also ap- men, among others.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN Inheritance law: Monarch CP: Cross River recorded low

taru of Auchi King- threatens Jihad against Senate crime rate in December dom and Edo State West Council Area of the and its citizens had re- if it is not, I will lead a ross River State po- crime rates in the state. I OChairman of the state. mained peaceful over spiritual Jihad against Clice command yester- must say a big thank you Supreme Council for Is- Momoh said the coun- the years. the Senate if they should day said that it recorded to my officers and men, lamic Affairs (SCIA), His try had been peaceful be- He warned that in- order the alteration of low crime rate during the who assisted us in achiev- Royal Highness, Alhaji cause of Allah’s will that heritance sharing in the Quran. Christmas and New Year ing that. Haliru Momoh, the Ike- the nation’s President, the Quran was given “A lot of us are in spe- celebrations because of “We will try as much as lebe III, yesterday warned by inspiration and only cific positions to do what its sustained efforts and possible to maintain that that he will not hesitate would remain in power the spiritually-inclined we like, but those positions effective policing. zeal in this New Year. to lead a spiritual Jihad coupled with his dogged- individuals capable of are limited in the sense that Commissioner of “I wish to appeal to against the Senate should ness and resolve to bring understanding its impli- our body as human can’t Police in the state, Mr. members of the public to the lawmakers enact an change to the country, cations. access as a slave of the Al- Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, made continue to give us infor- inheritance sharing law especially in his fight According to him, “it mighty,” he said. this known at the end- mation, because we were in the country. against corruption and is the Quran that specify “I have been on the of-the-year party of the able to achieve success He gave the warning terrorism. how you share inheri- issue of inspiration be- command at the Police because of the informa- yesterday at the 20th edi- Otaru said the issue of tance and we have had cause when human be- Officers Mess, Calabar tion given to us in 2016,” tion of the Annual Auchi inheritance sharing was peace in this community ings are given spiritual yesterday. he said. Day Celebration of Allah a serious one stipulated regarding how you share favour they do a lot of Ozi-Obeh also attrib- The commissioner as- Most High, held in Auchi, in the Holy Quran, point- inheritance. If anything, things that they don’t uted the successes of the sured his men that the headquarters of Etsako ing out that the country I believe it is a joke but know about.” police to the timely and command would continue useful information from to collaborate with other members of the public security agencies and L-R: Rivers State and the sustained col- members of the public Deputy Governor, laboration with other with a view to eradicating Ipalibo Harry security agencies in the crime in the state. Banigo; Governor state. He thanked members Nyesom Ezenwo According to him, the of the media, who he said Wike; Chairman, command will continue to have been reporting activi- Nigerian Legion of maintain the zeal of curb- ties of the command since Rivers State, Col ing all illegal activities of he assumed office in 2016. Wilberforce Josiah criminals in the state. Brig-General Bulama and other service “We all are witnesses to Biu, Commander, 13 Bri- commanders, the fact that the crime rate gade, Nigerian Army, during the Inter- in the state was relative low Calabar, who was a guest Denominational during the Christmas and at the party, told newsmen service to mark the New Year celebrations. that crime rate in the state 2017 Armed Forces “For me, I should say was low during the festive and Remembrance that we recorded zero period. Day Celebration at the First Baptist Church in £1.08m 128,956 Port Harcourt … The monthly salary of Yaya Toure The number of fixed-telephone yesterday. of Manchester City in 2014/2015. subscriptions of Bahrain in 2001. Source: Paywizard.co.uk Source: Itu.int Edo to revitalise Auchi Radio Bayelsa workers give A’Ibom Assembly passes six fertilizer plant govt 7-day ultimatum bills in six months fecting Akwa Ibom State do State Governor, “The revitalisation of orkers of Radio by Messrs. Tonye kwa Ibom State and we also passed six EGodwin Obaseki, yes- the plant will create em- WBayelsa yesterday Yeimoleigha, the NUJ AHouse of Assembly bills into law,” Okon said. terday said that the state ployment opportunities issued a seven-day ulti- chairman and Pius Oti- has passed six bills into The lawmaker attrib- government would revit- for the youths,” he said. matum to the station’s ti, the RATTAWU chair- law in the first half of its uted the success to the alise the Auchi fertilizer Obaseki said the people General Manager to man, of the Radio Bay- current legislative year. commitment and zeal ex- plant, to boost food pro- of Auchi would benefit speedily resolve the out- elsa chapel. House Committee hibited by members. duction in the area. from the project in the standing labour crisis “We give the new Gen- Chairman on Informa- He said members of Obaseki made the re- area of agriculture and in the organisation and eral Manger a seven-day tion, Hon. Ime Okon, the sixth assembly came mark at the 20th Auchi solid minerals, noting restore industrial har- ultimatum to restore disclosed this in an in- with one mind to serve Day Celebration of Allah that the area had become mony. organisational peace in terview with the News Akwa Ibom State and at- Most High in Auchi, Et- a city, which needed to be The workers, under the overall interest of Agency of Nigeria (NAN) tract development to the sako-West Local Govern- developed. the auspices of the Ni- the station,” the unions in Uyo. people. ment Area of Edo. He commended the geria Union of Journal- said. Okon, who represents “The success of the Obaseki, represented Otaru of Auchi for ensur- ists (NUJ) and the Radio They urged the Gen- Ibiono Ibom state con- sixth assembly is due to on the occasion by Mr. ing stability, peace and se- and Television, Theatre eral Manager, Mr. John stituency, said the sec- the fact that we are all Oseni Elamah, Chair- curity in the area. and Arts Workers Union Idumange, to convene a ond legislative year of like-minded to serve, and man Edo State Board of “We encourage youths (RATTAWU), gave the ul- meeting of members of the state assembly began at the end of the day, we Internal Revenue, said the to give peace a chance, to timatum in a joint com- staff to discuss pressing in June 2016 and would be should be able to point to government had engaged allow the government to muniqué. challenges facing the rounded up in June 2017. the development we have a Chinese firm to com- bring more investments It was issued at the corporation. He said that the House been able to attract to our mence the revitalisation into the state,” he said. end of a joint congress The unions said this also passed 12 resolutions people. of the plant. Obaseki thanked the of the unions on the was to find lasting so- in the first half of the leg- “In order to achieve “My administration people of Auchi for their state of affairs at the lutions to all outstand- islative year. success, we must have a has concluded arrange- support and vote during state government-owned ing issues, and for the “Between June and De- cordial relationship with ments to revitalise the the 2016 governorship media house. smooth operations of the cember 2016, we were able other arms of govern- Auchi fertilizer plant. election. It was jointly signed agency. to pass 12 resolutions af- ment.” monDAY, january 9, 2017 34 News|NORTH NEW TELEGRAPH CAN to Buhari: Protect Christian minorities in the North Sokoto disbands Hisbah

Musa Pam day in Jos, advised the have been cheated and “The Governor of Ka- commission Jos President to protect the killed incessantly.” duna State is supposed Umar lishing the commission interest of the Christian The cleric added that to be a role model to all Abdullahi has proved abortive. 9 northern chapters minorities in the region, the Christians minorities the northern governors S oKOto “This has allowed un- of the Christian As- especially in Kaduna, in the north had also been by ensuring the security necessary bickering, uni- sociation of Nige- where hundreds of lives cheated politically, espe- of lives and property of okoto State government lateral operations, while ria (CAN), includ- had been lost to the crisis cially on Federal Govern- all citizens as the chief Syesterday announced myriad of complaints 1ing the FCT Abuja, at the in the area. ment appointments. security officer of the the disbandment of the were received from the weekend, asked Presi- “I believe that Presi- He described as un- state, but it is unfortu- state Hisbah commission members of the public dent Muhammadu Bu- dent Buhari has the fortunate the killings of nate that innocent lives with immediate effect. about the alleged overzeal- hari, to defend Christian power as the President Christians in southern have been lost. My fears Religious Affairs Com- ousness and high handed- minorities in the north- of Nigeria to protect the Kaduna and expressed is that if the Kaduna cri- missioner, Alhaji Mani- ness of its operatives.” ern part of the country, rights of the Christian disappointment over the sis is not nipped in the Katami MaiShinko, re- MaiShinko also direct- who had continued to minorities as well as actions of the Kaduna bud, it could become a vealed this to newsmen in ed the Chairman of the suffer different kinds of their lives. I charge him State Governor, Mallam national disaster aimed Sokoto yesterday. commission, Dr. Adamu attacks and crises. to rise to the responsi- Nasiru el-Rufai, for his at destroying the great MaiShinko said the de- Kasarawa, to immediately CAN Chairman in bility of protecting the inability to protect the foundation of unity laid cision was taken at a meet- hand over all documents the north, Rev. Yakubu Christian minorities in people as the chief secu- by Nigeria’s founding fa- ing with the leadership of and property to his office. Pam, who spoke yester- the northern states, who rity officer of the state. thers.” the three factions of the He further said that the commission with the of- state government will soon ficials of the Ministries constitute a proper and Dan Atori Corruption: Niger, CSOs ask FG to probe of Religious Affairs and harmonised leadership Minna Justice. of the commission. iger State govern- state, national assemblies He said: “This action Responding, Kasarawa ment and Civil So- in Niger East senatorial ted constituted authority Director, Search for Com- was taken as the three denied the allegations of ciety Organisations district. to probe them.” mon Ground, a civil soci- groups had failed to har- wrong doing by the more N monise themselves into than 9,000-strong opera- (CSOs) yesterday urged According to Nyaze; Nyaze lamented that ety organisation, Mr. Chom the Federal Government to “Legislators are the custo- legislators resort to threats Bagu, called for a sit up, say- one group, for efficient and tives of the commission. beam its searchlight on cor- dians of corruption in the when things were not going ing that the legislative arm united operations. He said: “This action by ruption at both the national country as nothing have their way, but at the detri- of government has become “The state government the state government is un- and state assemblies if its been put to check their ment of the people. Accord- very strong and unaccount- had given them a grace of fortunate, but I will hand fight against corruption excesses. ingly, he said: “Most of their able due to the passiveness more than one year to do over all items and docu- must succeed. “For the fight against demands are at the expense of the people. so, but the harmonisation ments with me as directed Making the call at the corruption to be success- of the people. If the interest According to him, “Ni- in line with the Act estab- as a law abiding citizen.” weekend in Minna, Spe- ful, President Muhamma- of the people is not being geria has a legislature cial Adviser to the Niger du Buhari has to start the put into consideration, the that is unaccountable to Administrator orders State Governor on Politi- fight against corruption purpose of democracy is the extent that they use cal Affairs, Mr. Solomon from the legislators. Leg- defeated.” threats to force the execu- disarmament of herdsmen Nyaze, during a legisla- islators from the National The special adviser, who tive to do their bidding, tive outreach and citizen’s Assembly to the state as- also stressed on the need which is not healthy for Sole Administrator of the Cephas Iorhemen local government, Mrs. engagement forum, said semblies and to the local to reform the national the nation. MAKURDI lawmakers in the country government councils are and state assemblies, said “We must all sit up Anne Itodo, at the week- must be checked. the custodians of corrup- the hope of the people lies and check the excesses of ollowing killing of a end, ordered the arrest of The forum was organ- tion. with civil society organ- the legislature, because Fpeasant farmer and six the suspects and disarma- ised by the United Nations “The problem of this isations, which he said if the legislative arm of others by suspected Fu- ment of all herdsmen in Development Programme nation lies in the legisla- can check the excesses of government is left to its lani herdsmen in Ogege, the area. (UNDP) and a Community ture, because no mecha- the state and national as- own devices, the purpose Edumoga district of Ok- Itodo gave the order Action for Popular Partici- nism has been put in place semblies. of democracy will be de- pokwu Local Government shortly after a security pation (CAPP) for people to check them or a commit- Speaking also, Country feated. Area of Benue State, the council meeting held at the council’s secretariat in Okpoga. She said the directive Kogi State came following an earlier Governor, Yahaya order by Governor Sam- Bello (fourth uel Ortom about the ex- right); Ohinoyi isting ‘stick approach’ of of Ebiraland, his amnesty programme, Dr. Ado Ibrahim which he said was still in (middle); National place. Coordinator, Ebira The administrator dis- Carnival, Suberu closed that at the security Onimisi Nusa summit earlier held by the (Second left); council regarding herds- Special Adviser, men’s crisis in the com- Local Government munity, both the herders and Chieftaincy and the farmers were ad- Affairs Engr. vised to take the lives of Abubakar Ohere their people more impor- and others, at tant than their cattle and the Dangote- crops. sponsored carnival Itodo added that both in Kogi State… parties were also advised recently. against taking laws into their hands to perpetrate violence, but to always report their grievances to security operatives as well Musa Pam as the nearest police sta- Jos tion for necessary action. Plateau assures on credible council polls Security agencies, in- lateau State Attor- tion before the tenure the delay in the council Lalong will have to take in Plateau State, where cluding Police, Depart- Pney-General and of the management election was to allow the its time to ensure that innocent lives were lost, ment of State Services Commissioner for Jus- committee chairmen of State Independent Elec- the mistakes of the past but we will not allow the (DSS), the Nigerian Se- tice, Jonathan Mawiy- the councils expires in toral Commission de- were not repeated. wrongs of the past ad- curity and Civil Defense au, yesterday said Gov- June. sign a framework for the “I want to assured ministration to repeat Corps (NSCDC), repre- ernor Simon Lalong has Mawiyau spoke at the election, where politi- you that the Governor itself.” sentatives of the Miyetti repositioned the State weekend while chatting cal parties will conduct of Plateau State has The Commissioner Allah Herdsmen’s Asso- Independent Electoral with journalists on the their primaries within a no interest in prolong- of Justice said the state ciation of Okpokwu Lo- Commission to conduct plan of the government period and resolved dis- ing or delaying local government has taken cal Government, the Ada credible, free and fair lo- to conduct elections putes emanating from government election in time to identify the ar- Okpokwu, Chief George cal government election that will be acceptable such primaries before the state, we all know eas of conflict in order Ali and Head of Vigi- in the state. to the electorate without the main election. that council elections to conduct credible elec- lantes Group in the area He said the state will crisis. He said the admin- have created grounds tions that everyone will were present during the conduct a credible elec- According to him, istration of Governor for crises and conflict be satisfied with. meeting. monday, january 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH national | news 35

Kure, former Niger gov dies L-R: Commandant, Nigeria Security in German hospital and Civil Defence Press Secretary, Mahmud Corps, Plateau State Command, Mr Dan Atori Abdullahi, he said that Minna Solomon Olasupo; the former governor was Commissioner of taken to Germany for kid- Police, Plateau State iger State govern- ney related sickness. Command, Mr Peter ment has described Abdullahi said arrange- Ogunyanwo; and Nthe demise of its il- ment was already being Commander, Op- lustrious son and former made by the family to eration Safe Haven, civilian governor, Engr. bring the remains of the Maj.-Gen. Rogers Abdulkhadir Abdullahi former governor to the Nicholas, during the Kure as an irreparable loss. country for burial. Interdenominational Kure died in Germany Born on February 26, Church Service of yesterday afternoon. He 1956, late Kure was sur- Armed Forces was flown to Gemany vived by wife. Senator Za- Remembrance Day in three weeks ago for medi- ynab Kure, six children, Jos …yesterday. cal attention after a brief made up of four boys, two PHOTO: NAN illness. The state yester- girls. day declared a three-day He was the Director of mourning period for him. Engineering Services in In a statement signed the Federal Capital Terri- by Commissioner for In- tory before joining politics. Rivers' Christians protest formation, Culture and Late Kure was a foun- Tourism, Mr. Jonathan dation member of the Vatsa, Kure's death was a Peoples Democratic Party, big blow to Niger State and PDP and became its Gover- Southern Kaduna killings indeed Nigeria as a whole. nor in Niger State for two address the situation. into the situation and put ria (CAN), Primate ICT He said the state and terms 1999-2007. Emmanuel Masha Okpalaeke expressed an end to the crisis. Anyanasikike called on Nigeria will miss him After leaving office, Port Harcourt sadness over the killings The protesters under Buhari to rise and confront greatly and prayed the Al- Kure became a member of in an interview with news- the umbrella of Christian the hydra headed monster mighty Allah to grant him the Board of Trustees of undreds of Chris- men yesterday in Nri, Ana- Association of Nigeria of Islamic jihadists. eternal rest. the party and was a mem- tian leaders in ocha Local Government (CAN), presented a letter He also called on the Also, in a statement ber of the Senator Ahmed Rivers State yes- Area of Anambra. meant for Buhari to Engr. Federal Government to be- released by Kure's Chief Makarfi faction of the PDP. terday carried The cleric spoke after Emeka Woke, the Chief of gin the process of reconcil- Hout a peaceful protest at officiating at a thanksgiv- Staff of Governor Nyesom iation, reconstruction and the gate of Government ing Mass in honour of Wike, who they appealed to rehabilitation of affected Bello lauds Dangote on tourism House, Port Harcourt, ap- the immediate past Chief help them deliver the letter communities in Southern ogi State Governor, effect on others sectors. pealing to President Mu- Registrar of the Anambra to Mr. President. Kaduna, just as he called KAlhaji Yahaya Bello, He said: “This adminis- hammadu Buhari to end High Court of Justice, Mrs They further urged for the restoration of all has commended Dangote tration intends to reposi- the killings in Southern Doris Ezeani. the Federal Government the villages occupied by Industries Limited for pro- tion Kogi State as the hub Kaduna, in Kaduna State. Okpalaeze, who urged to declare a national day the Islamic fundamental- moting tourism potentials of tourism in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Catho- the perpetrators to desist of mourning in the na- ists and compensation in Nigeria and especially We greatly appreciate the lic Bishop of Ahiara Dio- from the evil act, said any- tion for the victims of the paid to victims. in Kogi State by sponsor- roles culture and tourism cese, Most Rev. Peter Ok- one who destroys or take Southern Kaduna killings, He declared:"Let Mr ing the state’s 6th Ebira could play in achieving palaeke, has condemned another man’s life should which they described as a President allay the fears of Carnival. sustainable development the wanton killings and expect God’s wrath. genocide. the people in the current Noting that tourism and in promoting social destruction of property in He, however, appealed In an address on behalf imbalance which clearly can make the nation less and economic empower- Southern Kaduna, urging to President Muhammadu of the Rivers State Chris- exists in the appointments dependent on Oil, as an- ment of citizens. The sub- the Federal Government to Buhari to urgently step tian Association of Nige- of security personnel." other avenue for foreign sector has huge foreign exchange earnings, the and domestic investment CONFIRMATION/change OF NAME governor urged all other potentials, with wide spac- IPOB condemns killing corporate bodies and rich es for small and medium Adeyemi Orji Formerly Esan Olubunmi Formerly known as Miss Mba individuals to emulate enterprises to thrive. We of Biafran in South Africa Affiong Jaja now wish to be Dangote in the area of are grateful to the Dangote to death by those police of- Omolola now Adeyemi Steve Uzoechi Olubunmi Omolola. All known as Mrs Orji Affiong promoting culture and Group for its support to ficers whilst in cuffs and former documents remain Emmanuel. All former the tourism potentials in the tourism sector in the OWERRI even when he pleaded for documents remain valid. valid. General public take Fidelity bank, FCMB and general the country. country and we are also his life, with his mouth note. public take note. Lauding the foremost using this opportunity to he Indigenous People of producing foam as well as Nigerian conglomerate appeal to other corporate TBiafra (IPOB) has con- his whole face bleeding, Omole Adegbite for playing a vital role in bodies and well-meaning demned an alleged murder the police officers never Formerly Adebayo Formerly known as Lawal wealth creation, Bello fur- Nigerians to emulate of one Victor Tochukwu bothered to release his Amoke Taibat now Latifat now wish to be known as Adegbite Bisola Latifat. ther reiterated that events what Dangote is doing, Nnadi in South Africa. cuffs. We maintain that Adebayo Dorcas Abosede. All former All former documents remain such as Ebira Carnival has so as for the sector to be This was disclosed there can be no justifica- documents remain valid. valid. Banks and the general the capacity to drive eco- vibrant enough to attract through a statement tion for this gruesome General public take note. public take note. nomic growth and develop- foreign exchange into the signed by Mazi Innocent slaughter of this innocent ment through a multiplier country” Alia, IPOB zonal coordi- young man whom no court Ogunyemi Abejide This is to confirm and certify that nator in Cape Town. of law had previously con- Lukmon Babatunde Ogunyemi, Formerly known as Miss Babatunde Lukman Ogunyemi and Baruwa Atinuke Sukurat The statement regret- victed for any crime.” Ogunyemi Lukuman Babatunde refer to one and the same person, now now wish to be known N/ Delta leaders hail Buhari on ted that Nnadi died while IPOB called on the global wish to be known and addressed as as Mrs Abejide Atinuke Ogunyemi Lukuman Babatunde., All Sukurat. All former in the custody of some Of- society and human rights fomer documents remain valid. First ficers of the South African organizations in South Bank plc, Sterling Bank and general public documents remain valid. take note. General public take note. defeat of Boko Haram Police, Cape Town, CBD on Africa to condemn ‘this Abubakar Obinna Odoh it said, had resulted in the December 29, 2016. xenophobic killing’ of this Adeniyi Formerly known as Kevwe ABUJA destruction of innocent It reads in part, “Ac- innocent African man and Formerly known as Miss lives and property as cording to eye witness also on law enforcement Arole Busurat Abisola now Abubakar Patrick now wish wish to be known as Mrs well as the displacement statements and of onlook- agencies to investigate the to be known as Abubakar Adeniyi Busurat Abisola. Mohammed. All former he Pan Niger Delta Fo- of millions of families. ers, observers and some killing so as to prevent such All former documents documents remain valid. rum (PANDEF) yester- In a statement signed IPOB members present future xenophobic murders. remain valid. General public T take note. General public take note. day, applauded the success by the spokesperson of during the confrontation The statement read: recorded by President Mu- PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mu- that led to the arrest and “The death of Nnadi Dayebu Anyanwu hammadu Buhari and the lade, the group described instant death of Nnadi, it should serve as a timely Formerly known as Abdulahi Formerly known as Anyanwu Nigeria Armed Forces in the terrorists as " en- was unanimously agreed reminder to all sons and Ibrahim and Ibrahim Saidu Joachim now wish to be known as Anyanwu Joachim the recaptured of Sambisa emies of humanity" and among them that no other daughters of Biafra that no now wish to be known as Onukwugha. All former Forest, which Boko Haram ,expressed delight that explanation can be given place, not Nigeria and not Dayebu Saidu. All former documents remain valid. Banks terrorists had made their the Nigerian Military other than that the young even South Africa, can ever documents remain valid. and the general public take stronghold for about five through its 'Operation man was brutally killed by be compared to an indepen- General public take note. note. years. Lafiya Dole', was able to some sadistic members of dent Republic of Biafra. As Alaka Ayinuola The umbrella body of dislodge the group of the South African police a result of the genocidal This is to confirm that the names Formerly known as Alaka Mrs Ayinuola Adetoun Nofisat, traditional rulers and insurgents who have after he was arrested and killings and blatant injus- Temitope Razak now Adebayo Nofisat and Adebayo wish to be known as Alaka Adebukonla Omolola refer to one political leaders of the brought pains and an- handcuffed for suspicions tices against Biafrans by Oluwaseyi Razak. All former and same person. Now I wish to be Niger Delta Region con- guish to the people of the dealing in drugs. successive Nigeria’s des- known as Mrs. Ayinuola Adetoun documents remain valid. Nofisat. All former documents demned the activities of Northeast region of the “The general opinion potic governments since Banks and the general public remain valid. Banks and general the terrorist group which, country. is that he was strangled the end of the war in 1970." take note. public take note. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 36 WORLD \ NEWS NEW TELEGRAPH South Africa’s ANC marks 105 years amid deep divisions outh Africa’s ruling Af- tion allegations and public She is a Zulu, the largest tribe she should have done more to in- dela, would be the first choice rican National Congress protests - most recently by uni- in South Africa, and is expected tervene when former president for many investors because his - is marking 105 years versity students. to have the backing of her for- Thabo Mbeki denied that HIV background in commerce sug since it was formed but It will pick a new leader at a mer husband, who will have a causes AIDs and imposed anti- gests he will support more pro- Sthere are deep divisions in the conference in December and, major say in who succeeds him. scientific policies. business policies than many in ranks of Africa’s oldest lib- given its national dominance Dlamini-Zuma was regarded as Vice President Cyril Rama- the traditionally left-wing ANC. eration movement. President since coming to power, the a capable technocrat during her phosa, a unionist-turned-busi- However, he will face criti- Jacob Zuma, ANC leader, will winner is likely to go on to be time as South Africa’s minister ness tycoon, is viewed as her cism from opponents for his role speak to party members on South Africa’s next president of home affairs between 2009 most likely rival after powerful at platinum producer Lonmin Sunday in Soweto, Johannes- when elections are held in 2019. and 2012 and has since gained trade unions endorsed him last where he was a director and burg. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the international exposure as the year. Neither Dlamini-Zuma, shareholder when violence The party, which has won chairwoman of the African first female head of the AU. 67, or Ramaphosa, 64, have de- led to police shooting dead 34 every election since the end Union and a former wife of Ja- However, critics of Dlamini- clared their intention to run. Ra- striking miners in 2012. An in- of apartheid in 1994, has been cob Zuma, is viewed as a front- Zuma, a medical doctor trained maphosa, who was once touted vestigation has cleared him of plagued by infighting, corrup- runner. in South Africa and Britain, say as a successor to Nelson Man- wrongdoing. Gambian crisis: Buhari host African leaders today

Anule Emmanuel also been mandated by the Abuja Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resident Muhammadu ensure the safety of the Presi- Buhari will today host dent-elect, Adama Barrow and Pfour West African lead- ensure a peaceful handover of ers in Abuja to find a way out power on January 19. of the current political crisis Shehu said today’s meet- in The Gambia. ing in Abuja is following the The president has been at the one in Accra on the sidelines cente of resolving the crisis as of the inauguration of that a mediator. country’s President which ex- A statement yesterday by his pressed the readiness of the Zuma and other Senior Special Assistant on Me- leaders of the sub-region to ANC party mem- dia and Publicity, Garba Shehu, continue the pursuit of dia- bers jubilating said the meeting is aimed at logue with the leaders of The avoiding violence and preserv- Gambia. ing democracy in The Gambia. The Presidents of Liberia Buhari and the immediate and Senegal, the Vice Presi- Jerusalem attack: Four die after lorry past President of Ghana, John dent of Sierra-Leone and ex- Mahama as Mediator and Co- President Mahama are expect- Mediator respectively, have ed at the meeting. driver rams into soldiers our people have been road and ploughing at high cruelty of the terrorists who Former Iranian president, killed in Jerusalem by a speed into the soldiers, before are willing to use any means FPalestinian who rammed reversing over the victims. “He possible to murder Jews and a lorry into a group of sol- drove backward to crush more to damage the life routine of Rafsanjani dies of heart attack diers; in what police say was a people,” eyewitness Leah Sch- Israel’s capital,” he said. The ormer Iranian president terrorist attack. Three women reiber told reporters. “That Palestinian militant group Akbar Hashemi Rafsan- and one man, all in their twen- was really clear.” The attack Hamas praised the attacker, Fjani died in hospital in ties, were killed and at least took place on the popular Ar- according to the Associated Tehran where he was taken 13 more were wounded, police mon Hanatziv promenade over- Press. after suffering a heart attack said. looking the walled Old City of Hamas spokesman Abdul- yesterday, state media report- Israeli Prime Minister Ben- Jerusalem. Police spokesman Latif Qanou called it a “hero- ed. jamin Netanyahu said the Micky Rosenfeld said security ic” act and encouraged other State run Press TV said Raf- attacker, who was shot dead had been heightened through- Palestinians to “escalate the sanjani, 82, died from a heart by soldiers, was a suspected out the city in response. resistance”. Before this lat- attack despite efforts by doctors supporter of so-called Islamic Mr Netanyahu visited the est incident, 35 Israelis had to save him. Rafsanjani was an State. The prime minister’s of- site yesterday afternoon, along- been killed in a wave of knife, influential figure in Iran, and Rafsanjani fice gave no details on what led side Defence Minister Avigdor gun and car-ramming attacks headed the Expediency Council, to the finding. Israel’s police Lieberman. The pair spoke by Palestinians or Israeli Ar- a body which is intended to re- the architects of the Islamic Rev- Chief Roni Alsheich said the with rescue workers and secu- abs since October 2015. More solve disputes between the parlia- olution that deposed the shah, attacker, who has been identi- rity officials. Jerusalem Mayor than 200 Palestinians - mostly ment and the Guardian Council. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in fied by police, was a Palestinian Nir Barkat called on residents attackers, Israel says - have Tasnim news agency also 1979 and established a religious from East Jerusalem. not to “let terror win” and said also been killed in that period. quoted his relative and aide state. He served as president be- CCTV footage showed the militants would “pay a heavy Israel says Palestinian incite- Hossein Marashi as saying that tween 1989 and 1997 but lost to man driving the truck off the price”. “There is no limit to the ment has fuelled the attacks. Hasehmi had died at the hospital Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when in Tehran. The cleric was one of he ran again in 2005. Ivory Coast unrest: Calm reported after two-day mutiny Theresa May: UK cannot keep ‘bits’ of rebellion in Ivory Coast morning and the shops have mutineers. Defence Minister over soldiers’ pay ap- reopened.” The mutiny began Alain-Richard Donwahi - who EU membership Apears to have passed. in Bouake early on Friday with had gone to Bouake to negotiate Residents and correspondents soldiers firing rocket-launchers. with the protesters - was held he UK cannot expect to bour urged the prime minister to in the second city, Bouake, de- On Saturday soldiers took over for two hours there late on Sat- hold on to “bits” of its give “more clarity” ahead of the scribed calm on the streets - a the army headquarters in Abi- urday. The mutiny raised fears Tmembership after leav- “most important negotiations for day after troops briefly seized djan. of a resurgence of the violence ing the EU, Theresa May has a generation”. Brexit talks with the defence minister. Protests also took place in the seen during Ivory Coast’s 10- said. The prime minister’s the EU are expected to begin as The rebellion had spread cities of Man, Daloa, Daoukro, year civil war, which ended in comment came after she was early as April. from there to other cities, in- Odienne and Korhogo. Presi- 2011. asked whether she would “pri- There has been much debate in cluding the commercial hub, dent Alassane Ouattara went on Some of the mutineers were oritise” controlling immigra- recent weeks about the nature of Abidjan, but that city, too, is national TV on Saturday night thought to be former rebels tion over staying in the single the deal the government is aiming now quiet. A deal was struck to announce a deal. “I confirm who joined the army after the market. She told Sky News her for, in particular whether controls between the mutinous soldiers that I have agreed to take into conflict. The rebels swept into approach was not “muddled”, on the movement of EU citizens and the government on Satur- account the demands of the sol- Abidjan from Bouake in 2011, following criticism by the will mean the UK leaves the Euro- day, though details are scant. diers over bonuses and better helping Mr Ouattara take power UK’s former EU ambassador. pean single market and customs A correspondent for AFP news working conditions,” he said. after his predecessor Laurent Mrs. May, whose critics have union. Sir Ivan Rogers, who re- agency in Bouake said on Sun- At the same time he criticised Gbagbo - now on trial at the demanded more detail of her signed as the UK’s ambassador to day that there had been no fir- the rebellion. Aside from better International Criminal Court - aims, promised to provide this the EU last week, criticised “mud- ing there since Saturday eve- pay, the agreement is reported refused to accept defeat in elec- in “the coming weeks”. But La- dled thinking” among ministers. ning. “Traffic has resumed this to include an amnesty for the tions the previous year. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 36 WORLD \ NEWS NEW TELEGRAPH South Africa’s ANC marks 105 years amid deep divisions outh Africa’s ruling Af- tion allegations and public She is a Zulu, the largest tribe she should have done more to in- dela, would be the first choice rican National Congress protests - most recently by uni- in South Africa, and is expected tervene when former president for many investors because his - is marking 105 years versity students. to have the backing of her for- Thabo Mbeki denied that HIV background in commerce sug since it was formed but It will pick a new leader at a mer husband, who will have a causes AIDs and imposed anti- gests he will support more pro- Sthere are deep divisions in the conference in December and, major say in who succeeds him. scientific policies. business policies than many in ranks of Africa’s oldest lib- given its national dominance Dlamini-Zuma was regarded as Vice President Cyril Rama- the traditionally left-wing ANC. eration movement. President since coming to power, the a capable technocrat during her phosa, a unionist-turned-busi- However, he will face criti- Jacob Zuma, ANC leader, will winner is likely to go on to be time as South Africa’s minister ness tycoon, is viewed as her cism from opponents for his role speak to party members on South Africa’s next president of home affairs between 2009 most likely rival after powerful at platinum producer Lonmin Sunday in Soweto, Johannes- when elections are held in 2019. and 2012 and has since gained trade unions endorsed him last where he was a director and burg. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the international exposure as the year. Neither Dlamini-Zuma, shareholder when violence The party, which has won chairwoman of the African first female head of the AU. 67, or Ramaphosa, 64, have de- led to police shooting dead 34 every election since the end Union and a former wife of Ja- However, critics of Dlamini- clared their intention to run. Ra- striking miners in 2012. An in- of apartheid in 1994, has been cob Zuma, is viewed as a front- Zuma, a medical doctor trained maphosa, who was once touted vestigation has cleared him of plagued by infighting, corrup- runner. in South Africa and Britain, say as a successor to Nelson Man- wrongdoing. Gambian crisis: Buhari hosts African leaders today

Anule Emmanuel also been mandated by the Abuja Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resident Muhammadu ensure the safety of the Presi- Buhari will today host dent-elect, Adama Barrow and Pfour West African lead- ensure a peaceful handover of ers in Abuja to find a way out power on January 19. of the current political crisis Shehu said today’s meet- in The Gambia. ing in Abuja is following the The president has been at the one in Accra on the sidelines cente of resolving the crisis as of the inauguration of that a mediator. country’s President which ex- A statement yesterday by his pressed the readiness of the Zuma and other Senior Special Assistant on Me- leaders of the sub-region to ANC party mem- dia and Publicity, Garba Shehu, continue the pursuit of dia- bers jubilating said the meeting is aimed at logue with the leaders of The avoiding violence and preserv- Gambia. ing democracy in The Gambia. The Presidents of Liberia Buhari and the immediate and Senegal, the Vice Presi- Jerusalem attack: Four die after lorry past President of Ghana, John dent of Sierra-Leone and ex- Mahama as Mediator and Co- President Mahama are expect- Mediator respectively, have ed at the meeting. driver rams into soldiers our people have been road and ploughing at high cruelty of the terrorists who Former Iranian president, killed in Jerusalem by a speed into the soldiers, before are willing to use any means FPalestinian who rammed reversing over the victims. “He possible to murder Jews and a lorry into a group of sol- drove backward to crush more to damage the life routine of Rafsanjani dies of heart attack diers; in what police say was a people,” eyewitness Leah Sch- Israel’s capital,” he said. The ormer Iranian president terrorist attack. Three women reiber told reporters. “That Palestinian militant group Akbar Hashemi Rafsan- and one man, all in their twen- was really clear.” The attack Hamas praised the attacker, Fjani died in hospital in ties, were killed and at least took place on the popular Ar- according to the Associated Tehran where he was taken 13 more were wounded, police mon Hanatziv promenade over- Press. after suffering a heart attack said. looking the walled Old City of Hamas spokesman Abdul- yesterday, state media report- Israeli Prime Minister Ben- Jerusalem. Police spokesman Latif Qanou called it a “hero- ed. jamin Netanyahu said the Micky Rosenfeld said security ic” act and encouraged other State run Press TV said Raf- attacker, who was shot dead had been heightened through- Palestinians to “escalate the sanjani, 82, died from a heart by soldiers, was a suspected out the city in response. resistance”. Before this lat- attack despite efforts by doctors supporter of so-called Islamic Mr Netanyahu visited the est incident, 35 Israelis had to save him. Rafsanjani was an State. The prime minister’s of- site yesterday afternoon, along- been killed in a wave of knife, influential figure in Iran, and Rafsanjani fice gave no details on what led side Defence Minister Avigdor gun and car-ramming attacks headed the Expediency Council, to the finding. Israel’s police Lieberman. The pair spoke by Palestinians or Israeli Ar- a body which is intended to re- the architects of the Islamic Rev- Chief Roni Alsheich said the with rescue workers and secu- abs since October 2015. More solve disputes between the parlia- olution that deposed the shah, attacker, who has been identi- rity officials. Jerusalem Mayor than 200 Palestinians - mostly ment and the Guardian Council. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in fied by police, was a Palestinian Nir Barkat called on residents attackers, Israel says - have Tasnim news agency also 1979 and established a religious from East Jerusalem. not to “let terror win” and said also been killed in that period. quoted his relative and aide state. He served as president be- CCTV footage showed the militants would “pay a heavy Israel says Palestinian incite- Hossein Marashi as saying that tween 1989 and 1997 but lost to man driving the truck off the price”. “There is no limit to the ment has fuelled the attacks. Hasehmi had died at the hospital Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when in Tehran. The cleric was one of he ran again in 2005. Ivory Coast unrest: Calm reported after two-day mutiny Theresa May: UK cannot keep ‘bits’ of rebellion in Ivory Coast morning and the shops have mutineers. Defence Minister over soldiers’ pay ap- reopened.” The mutiny began Alain-Richard Donwahi - who EU membership Apears to have passed. in Bouake early on Friday with had gone to Bouake to negotiate Residents and correspondents soldiers firing rocket-launchers. with the protesters - was held he UK cannot expect to bour urged the prime minister to in the second city, Bouake, de- On Saturday soldiers took over for two hours there late on Sat- hold on to “bits” of its give “more clarity” ahead of the scribed calm on the streets - a the army headquarters in Abi- urday. The mutiny raised fears Tmembership after leav- “most important negotiations for day after troops briefly seized djan. of a resurgence of the violence ing the EU, Theresa May has a generation”. Brexit talks with the defence minister. Protests also took place in the seen during Ivory Coast’s 10- said. The prime minister’s the EU are expected to begin as The rebellion had spread cities of Man, Daloa, Daoukro, year civil war, which ended in comment came after she was early as April. from there to other cities, in- Odienne and Korhogo. Presi- 2011. asked whether she would “pri- There has been much debate in cluding the commercial hub, dent Alassane Ouattara went on Some of the mutineers were oritise” controlling immigra- recent weeks about the nature of Abidjan, but that city, too, is national TV on Saturday night thought to be former rebels tion over staying in the single the deal the government is aiming now quiet. A deal was struck to announce a deal. “I confirm who joined the army after the market. She told Sky News her for, in particular whether controls between the mutinous soldiers that I have agreed to take into conflict. The rebels swept into approach was not “muddled”, on the movement of EU citizens and the government on Satur- account the demands of the sol- Abidjan from Bouake in 2011, following criticism by the will mean the UK leaves the Euro- day, though details are scant. diers over bonuses and better helping Mr Ouattara take power UK’s former EU ambassador. pean single market and customs A correspondent for AFP news working conditions,” he said. after his predecessor Laurent Mrs. May, whose critics have union. Sir Ivan Rogers, who re- agency in Bouake said on Sun- At the same time he criticised Gbagbo - now on trial at the demanded more detail of her signed as the UK’s ambassador to day that there had been no fir- the rebellion. Aside from better International Criminal Court - aims, promised to provide this the EU last week, criticised “mud- ing there since Saturday eve- pay, the agreement is reported refused to accept defeat in elec- in “the coming weeks”. But La- dled thinking” among ministers. ning. “Traffic has resumed this to include an amnesty for the tions the previous year. NEWMONDAY, TELEGRAPH JANUARY MONDAY, 9, 2017 FEBRUARY 1, 2016 37 NEW TELEGRAPH News 37 Did you know Sport News Koeman rues Everton’s 38 That John Terry's red card on failure to cage Musa Sunday in an FA Cup match against Peterborough is the first Chelsea have received in all competitions International Sport I won’t stay long like Wenger, 39 this season. admits Conte Eguavoen: Eagles can replicate 1994 feat Charles Ogundiya say World Cup ticket is assured if we manage to beat Cameroon. We are going x-international, Austin Egua- to qualify for the World Cup.” voen, has said the current play- The former national team coach ap- ers of the national team can plauded the current manager of the replicate the achievements of team, Rohr, for giving the players a good Ethe 1994 Super Eagles. direction again. Eguavoen said the manager of the He added that Rohr had shown that he team, , was going in the right was an experienced coach, as he called direction and believed the team could be for support for the team. together for the next six years. Eguavoen also advised that the coun- He revealed that with the World Cup try should take the next AFCON quali- qualification almost in the bag after back- fiers seriously as he sees a team that can to-back victories against Zambia and Al- rule the continent for the next 10 years. geria, the next stage was to start proper Eguavoen said: “We need to start well grooming of a young team. when the AFCON qualifiers commence, “We can see the light at the end we have a lot of young players in the of the tunnel,” he said. “When team and no doubt the future is people ask me if we could very bright. have another USA 1994 “I can’t say how far we squad, I always tell them are going to go at the 2018 it is possible. World Cup, but after 2018, “It is a generational we will be a force to be thing, from one gen- reckoned with like it was eration to another we when Clemens Wester- usually have some top hof took over the team players, I think God and built the golden has blessed the coun- generation that won the try again with the likes AFCON in 1994, quali- of (Kelechi) Iheanacho, fied the country for her (Alex) Iwobi and others first World Cup and also coming up, we are currently won the Olympic Games having a mixture of experi- in 1996.” ence and youths. “We are in the driving seat now and I can

Eguavoen Super Eagles striker, Mikel’s China move good for Eagles –Agu Super League side. Eagles goalie, said that attractive now, many top Ajibade Olusesan Many pundits have ex- Mikel’s decision would class players are playing Adekunle Salami pressed reservations about further help his trophy- there which will make it Group Sport Editor ne of the assistant the national team cap- laden career. so competitive and since coaches in the nation- tain’s move to the Far East He said it was frus- Mikel is going to play Emmanuel Tobi O al team, Alloy Agu, but Agu, who is a former trating for the player regularly there, it is the Assistant Sport Editor has said that Super Eagles since he was not play- best for hm. captain Mikel Obi made the ing for his club and a “I don’t think it is go- right choice by quitting Eng- move to to where regu- ing to affect his national Ajibade Olusesan lish side lar playing time is guar- team’s chances, what we Sport Correspondent Chelsea for China’s Tian- anteed was a good one want for all of our play- jin TEDA. for the former Golden ers is for them to play Charles Ogundiya Mikel spent 11 years at Eaglets star. regularly for their club Sport Correspondent Chelsea after joining from “Mikel loves Chelsea, he sides and if Mikel is go- Norwegian side, Lyn Oslo, wanted to play for the club ing to get that in China, but his time was cut short but the coach had a differ- it is good for us. He is the after new Blues manager ent plan. The most impor- leader of the group, the Antonio Conte froze him out tant thing for him is to see young players look for- of the side. action every week and that ward to him in the team, © Daily Telegraph Publishing The 29-year-old finally left is what he is likely going to we can see now that he Company Limited the side last Thursday when get in China. is playing his role both he penned a €140,000-per “You can see that the on and off the pitch,” he week deal with the Chinese Agu Chinese league is getting said. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 38 SPORT NEWS NEW TELEGRAPH Koeman rues Everton’s Encomiums as Ezeji bows out failure to cage Musa Charles Ogundiya Chairman of the League Management Emmanuel Tobi t was praises galore as Company, Shehu Dikko, Ione of the legends of who captained Team verton boss the Nigeria Professional league's during the cere- Ronald Koeman Football League, Victor mony named Ezeji as the has expressed Ezeji, bowed out of pro- NPFL football adviser. disappointment fessional football in style Dikko called on other Eover his team’s failure with a testimonial match league players to emulate to cage Super Eagles played in Port Harcourt Ezeji, as they also have striker, , where he started his ca- opportunities to become who scored a brace and reer 21 years ago. a legend in the league. helped Leicester City se- Ezeji made history Team NPFL defeated cure a 2-1 win at Goodi- after becoming the only Team Ezeji 2-1 with Dik- son Park in the FA Cup player to play in Nige- ko and Ezeji scoring for on Saturday. ria's top flight league for the former. Everton were domi- 20 years and also scoring Former internation- nant in the first half goals in each season. als, Mutiu Adepoju, without really creating The man who gave Obinna Nwaneri, Furo a clear-cut chance, but him his first career op- Iyenemi were part of the took the lead early in the portunity, Adokiye Amie- testimonial with nothing second period when sub- siamaka, was also avail- but words of praises for stitute Gerard Deulofeu able to celebrate with the player. Musa (right) provided a pinpoint cross Ezeji. for Romelu Lukaku to tap "I saw talent in Ezeji home. a right-foot strike “When I looked at goal because Leices- then and I decided to give The goal was can- later. the equaliser, there ter were playing very him the opportunity as celled three minutes “In my opinion, it’s was no pressing on the defensively. After the Chairman of Sharks later by Musa after bun- not bad luck – we did it ball and we gave a fast scoring, I don’t un- Football Club," Amiesia- dling the ball over the by ourselves,” he said. player like [Ahmed] derstand why we lost maka said. line from close range “It was unbelievable Musa a chance to the game, but if you "I am happy for him as he exchanged passes how we dropped back score and he did that. play like we did af- and hope to see him with Danny Drinkwater after going 1-0 up and “We did the most ter going ahead then achieving more great- before beating Everton there was a lack of difficult thing by you’re asking to con- ness in life as he moves keeper Joel Robles with concentration. scoring the opening cede goals." to the next phase of life." Ezeji Mikel: Conte bans China Adeseun replaces Ettah as OTrafford Squash Club Chairman he Group Managing Di- stead was the club's erstwhile eseun were Taye Ige who move for Chelsea stars Trector of UAC and erst- treasurer Remi Adeseun who is now the vice chairman; while Chairman of OTraf- the club members gave the Cyril Ayemere, secretary; Emmanuel Tobi The likes of John Terry, ford Squash Club Ikoyi mandate in an unanimous de- Biyi Mabadeje, captain, Cesc Fàbregas, and even Di- Lagos, Larry Ettah, has been cision. Yomi Adeyemi, treasurer helsea coach Antonio ego Costa have been linked replaced as the chairman of Adeseun, a fellow of the and Ademola Olusunmade, Conte has warned his with tremendously well- the club, having completed Pharmaceutical Society publicity secretary. Cplayers to forget about paying jobs in the Chinese his tenure of two years as of Nigeria and the Nigeria In his acceptance speech, moving to China- saying Su- Super League, and even stipulated by the constitu- Academy of Pharmacy is Adeseun, on behalf of the per Eagles captain, Mikel though the recent spending tion and upon his decision the Executive Chairman of new executive committee, Obi, will be the last to go on on Carlos Tevez and Oscar not to seek re-election at the Rodot Nigeria Limited and thanked the last exco and such adventure. has started rumblings in club's Annual General Meet- also the Chairman of HEWS stated his and the exco's com- Conte is hoping to avoid the Chinese government of ing over the weekend. Foundation. mitment to taking the club to losing any more player this the need to stop the spend- Elected as chairman in his Elected alongside Ad- new heights. winter transfer window. ing (and, in theory, make The Chelsea boss warned the league more sustain- about the potential big-mon- able), for now, the “danger” ey influence of China, hop- that CSL moneys can possi- Stationery Stores honour 1992-league winning stars ing that the Chelsea mini-ex- bly pose to teams in Europe s part of efforts in of the club's support- oured as we believe in "We are proud of the odus this winter stops at just remains. Areviving the club, ers' trust, Eliashib recognising our own great honour bestowed the two-Mikel seven of the 1992 glori- Im-James, the award past stars," he said on us by our darling and Oscar. ous Stationery Stores is in recognition for Captain of the then team," Shorunmu said. “I hope that that won the old Pro- their achievement in team, Ike Shorunmu, Ajide added: “This with Mikel, fessional Division One the early 1990s with praised the Trust while is a great reunion and I we've finished title in Nigeria were the Lagos club. promising to contrib- still remember the great with China for honoured with awards “In the past we ute to the revival of the efforts of our late coach, now.” in Lagos on Friday. have taken steps to Lagos darling club. Abdullahi Bebe." "I hope that The award which recognise our former the offers from was bestowed on the stars for the roles they China finish players by Stationery have played in the life with Mikel and Stores Supporters' of the club. We have Oscar. It's im- Trust, had Ike Sho- done same with these portant now to runmu, Ganiyu Ajide, set of former players remain with Sunday Ilevbare, Koya and this is an ongo- this squad." Mikel (left) Dosunmu, Abiodun ing project which we Obafemi, Wasiu Adeto- have embarked upon ro and Hakeem Ogun- and before the end lade as recipients. of this year by God's Troost-Ekong makes debut for Gent According to the grace another set of oach of Belgian side Gent Back at Gent, the Dutch- National President players will be hon- Stationary Stores award recipients Chas handed Nigerian de- born defender is not the only fender William Troost-Ekong Nigerian in the starting line his first appearance for the up with Rabiu Ibrahim and Belgian side, naming him in Anderson Esiti also listed for Suswam set for Enyimba return after Euro stint the starting line-up for the action. ormer Super Eagles Setubal (), FK Kukesi Tourists and hometown club game against Willem II. However latest signing F player Peter Suswam is (Albania) and Stal Rzeszow (Po- Lobi Stars before he moved Since joining Gent last Samuel Kalu started from set to complete a transfer land). overseas in 2010. summer, the 23-year-old the bench while Moses Si- to Enyimba after a stint in “We are working on a trans- He has won two caps for the defender has been out on mon who has been linked Europe. fer for Suswam,” disclosed a top Super Eagles and also played loan to Norwegian side FK with a move away from the The 25-year-old Suswam is Enyimba official. for the country at the African Haugesund, and captained team was not listed in the returning to the NPFL after a The right back or defensive Youth Championship and the the team last season. match day squad. stint in Europe with Vitoria midfielder featured for Wikki FIFA U20 World Cup in 2011. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 NEW TELEGRAPH SPORT 39 I won’t stay long like Wenger, admits Conte ntonio Conte thinks that Sir Alex Fergu- son is a role model, but doesn’t know if he is Acapable of replicating his career as he expects to retire at a much younger age than the legendary Scottish manager. Chelsea’s club director, Mi- chael Emenalo, said that he hopes Conte goes on to manage Chelsea “forever”, but Conte is unsure as to whether he could Alli (right) keep going for as long as Fergu- Sanchez son. Ferguson won a host of tro- phies, including 13 Premier Barcelona, Real League titles and two Champi- ons League crowns in his illus- trious career. Conte revealed his to battle over Alli respect for the longevity of suc- Alexis to quit arcelona have joined eternal ri- cess achieved by both him and Bvals Real Madrid in the battle Arsene Wenger. to lure Dele Alli away from Totten- “You are talking about two Arsenal if ham, according to the Daily Mirror. monsters, two great managers,” The England international has Conte said at a news conference Griezmann signs been regularly linked with a move at Cobham Training Centre. Conte to the Santiago Bernabeu over re- “For me, fantastic managers for Man Utd cent weeks, with his star continu- because Sir Alex Ferguson is a lexis Sanchez could ing to rise at White Hart Lane. good example for me. listen to this. This is our life. Aleave Arsenal for Real have, however, seen Barca “When I see him, but also Football is our life, with this Atletico Madrid, should enter the chase for his services, when I see Arsene, they are a big pressure, with all. Football is the Liga side lose Antoine with the reigning La Liga champi- example for me. I hope to have our life and it's right to con- Griezmann in the summer, ons impressed by the 20-year-old’s not completely their career, but tinue to live in football. In the according to Don Balon. potential. 10 years, yes. It's enough for me. moment that football is not The Chilean forward has If either were to make a move, “Twenty more years? Now I'm in our life, I think probably been linked with a Gunners though, then it is suggested that an 47. I prefer that my wife doesn't we die.” exit as talks over a new con- offer of around £70 million would tract at Emirates Stadium con- be required to tempt Spurs into a tinue to stall. sale. Arsene Wenger suggested on Friday that Alexis has as- sured him he wants to stay put, FA Cup Results although the 28-year-old showed signs of anger and frustration at Liverpool 0 - 0 Plymouth his current situation during the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth. Chelsea 4 - 1 Peterborough And Don Balon reports that should Griezmann leave Vicente M’brough 3 - 0 Sheffield Wed Calderon, with United having been mooted as a likely destina- Tottenham 2 - 0 Aston Villa tion for the Frenchman, Atleti will spend the cash on Alexis. Man Utd 4 - 0 Reading Stoke City 0 - 2 Wolves Liverpool midfielder, Emre Can (Right) battling for the ball by Plymouth's David Fox Ronaldo favourite to win FIFA award Sunderland 0 - 0 Burnley ristiano Ronaldo is fa- Fifa will also name the best Watford 2 - 0 Burton Albion Cvourite to be named the women's player, and the best Liverpool held to stalemate world's best player at the in- coaches in men's and women's West Brom 1 - 2 D-County augural Best Fifa Football football at the ceremony in Zu- Awards ceremony in Zurich rich. Preston N’End 1 - 2 Arsenal by FA Cup minnows on Monday. Claudio Ranieri, who steered urgen Klopp named youngest starting line- Real Madrid forward Ron- Leicester City to the Premier West Ham 0 - 5 Man City the youngest team up in their history and aldo beat rival Lionel Messi to League title, is up for best Jin the Reds' his- the German now has an win the Ballon d'Or award for a coach. His rivals for the award Bolton 0 - 0 C' Palace tory but they were un- extra fixture to negoti- fourth time last month. are Portugal's Euro 2016 win- able to break down the ate. Fifa ended its six-year collab- ning boss Fernando Santos and Everton 1 - 2 Leicester stubborn visitors, who The hosts domi- oration with magazine France Zinedine Zidane, who master- earned a well-deserved nated possession and Football for the Ballon d'Or minded Real Madrid's Champi- Hull City 2 - 0 Swansea City replay chances in the first half award last year. ons League triumph. A youthful Liverpool but struggled to create Barcelona's Messi and At- Voting is by national team Millwall 3 - 0 Bournemouth team were held to a sur- clear openings after the letico Madrid forward Antoine captains and coaches, selected prise 0-0 draw by fourth- break, with the late in- Griezmann have also been journalists and, for the first Norwich 2 - 2 Southampton tier side Plymouth Ar- troductions of Roberto nominated for the men's prize. time, an online poll of fans. gyle in the FA Cup third Firmino, Adam Lallana round at . and The two teams will failing to have the de- Dimitrov beats Kei Nishikori to take Brisbane title have to meet in a replay sired effect. after the Reds, sitting Liverpool were first rigor Dimitrov claimed his quickly before Japan's Nishikori never won the tournament. second in the Premier to threaten, Sheyi Ojo's Gfirst title in over two years as won four consecutive games to Elsewhere, number two seed League, failed to break close-range header lack- he beat Kei Nishikori 6-2 2-6 6-3 to level the match. Roberto Bautista Agut claimed down a team who oc- ing power after Emre win the Brisbane International. The Bulgarian then broke Ni- his first Chennai Open title with a cupy the same position Can – the only player The world number 17 took one shikori in the final set - despite 6-3 6-4 victory over Russian Daniil in League Two. to keep his place from hour and 48 minutes to beat Ni- tweaking his ankle - to secure the Medvedev. Jurgen Klopp made the draw at Sunderland shikori, who is ranked fifth in the title. The Spaniard took one hour 10 changes to his team – had headed into his world. Nishikori has reached the Bris- and 13 minutes to win in straight as Liverpool fielded the path. Dimitrov, 25, won the first set bane final six times but he has sets. On Marble Sanctity of Truth World Record It is our constant application of mercy The largest known subaerial landslide is the that breaks the devil’s glass, which Heart Mountain Landslide in northwestern Wyoming. The slide occurred when a large magnifies any person’s mistakes to NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS slab of Madison Limestone, about 1600 feet appear as deliberate acts thick and over 400 square miles in area, to hurt another. became detached and slid down a gradual – Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama slope that had an average slope of less than two degrees. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 N150 The 49 (419) liars: A rebuttal

“They have no knowledge of such allegations against me should men- a thing, nor their fathers. Grievous is tion their mentors who do so. the word that comes forth from their Information Technology is good mouth. What they say is nothing but ISHAQ O. OLOYEDE to determine the quality of the hire- falsehood” (Q18:5) lings assembled to assassinate my character. The only one I faintly f I were a professor of English, 40 know among them led his father-in- I would have begun by repudiat- Guest law, a former Vice-Chancellor of a ing the authors of the verbiage foremost Nigerian university, to me that generated this rebuttal, to mount pressure on me to offer his Icirculated last Wednesday and wife a Vice Chancellor’s temporary Thursday with sadistic frenzy in appointment as an Assistant Lec- traditional and new media, as de- Columnist turer. I bulged to pressure out of ranged, reckless, mischievous and deference to the father-in-law but psychopathic nincompoops. But as have since become an advocate of I am not, I would only take recourse withdrawal of power of temporary to the Prophetic statement when he appointment of the Vice Chancel- was unjustly persecuted on the day lors!!! of Taif: God forgive them perhaps I do not claim perfection as it is something good will come from their be the beneficiary. chists. I as Vice Chancellor complied the exclusive preserve of the Al- future generations. Then, from January 2007, govern- and I believe few other universities mighty Allah but I dare say I stand In spite of the allusion to the ment that is, matching the employ- did. How that would benefit me per- on a higher pedestal than “the 49 Prophet Muhammad’s approach, I ees’ contribution with another 7.5 sonally baffles me. liars” and their masters. God will would not have condescended to dig- per cent directed that it should be The subsequent introduction of continue to keep them busy and they nifying the defamatory statements based on Consolidated Pay. Some IPSS made deductions by the uni- shall continue to lament their fail- issued against my person with a universities were compelled by the versity unnecessary. Government ure at the University of Ilorin and in response on three counts. The first fake and fraudulent campus hyenas was making the deductions from the life precipitated by their own inner count is one wouldn’t bite a dog sim- not to comply with the directive of source and crediting the PFAs and insolvency. The barking of dogs does ply because a dog has bitten one. 2007. About two years into my ten- these ignorant characters believe not affect the flight of a plane. The second is that as the issue was ure, my attention was drawn to the my successor should also be nailed This statement is just to re-assure claimed to have been reported to new decision which was advanta- on behalf of the Federal Ministry my admirers that the allegations the Economic and Financial Crimes geous to workers whose higher sum of Finance.There was no money the against me are like pure wind with Commission (EFCC), which has the was being equally matched by gov- university deducted before then that no solidity. I remain who I have ever means to take the right course of ernment. I convened a meeting of was not remitted to the accounts of been by the special grace of Allah, action after establishing the prima the stakeholders on the government the contributors. When grey areas the Almighty. facie of the case brought before it. directive and all parties agreed not arose, clarifications were made with Lastly, my explanation does not The third is the need to thwart the only to commence on the higher the PFAs. For my own pension de- foreclose the possibility of legal satanic objective of distracting me savings (which government doubles ductions, I also had to recently ap- action against the authors of the from a national assignment which than doubling of lower contribu- proach my PFA to be on the same campaign of calumny against me they protested but failed. tions) but to also double the differ- page with them regarding my con- and their willing collaborators. For Nevertheless, given the avalanche ence for certain number of months tributory pension. the latter, I hope they will have the of text messages, mail and phone to ensure full compliance with the Those who compare the contribu- shame of publishing my rebuttal calls I have received from all over new directive was with effect from tions of two professors based on dif- and if they don’t, I still believe it will the world, I realise that if I do not the stipulated January 2007. I sum- ferent interpretations suffer from reach all the right audience, anyway. set the records straight, at least for moned Ilorin representatives of all selective amnesia more so when I rest my case for now and season’s those who believe in me and what I PFAs to reiterate the date of compli- professors are of different levels. greetings to you all. represent, like Dr. Mahfouz Aded- ance from which higher matching Some senior lecturers earn higher imeji of the University of Ilorin, grant, should be credited to each basic pay than some professors •Prof. Oloyede, a former Vice Chancellor of the Uni- whose appreciated prompt inter- contributors account. Any educated based on the number of years they versity of Ilorin, is the Registrar, Joint Admissions vention was on point, I might not be person would understand who are have spent on their ranks. Why did and Matriculation Board (JAMB). fair to them. Secondly, the assassins the beneficiaries of the compliance they hide this fact as a possible fac- did widely circulate and celebrate who for their tomorrow, sacrifice a tor for disparity in intra-university the ‘destruction’ of the victims be- part of today’s comfort rather than or inter-university disparity? Why yond the EFCC and across nations, I tthe unreasonable agitators who in- would supposed academics not start HIGH CHIEF therefore deserve to be heard. sist on consuming tomorrow. from PENCOM for genuine informa- In a period when common sense is Some universities under the spell tion before unilaterally declaring FG BEGINS PAYMENT OF no longer common, it would not be of some club crawlers do not comply UNILORIN guilty and celebrating N5,000 STIPEND– Presidency surprising that some people would till today to the eventual disadvan- insubordination. not take effusions that are bereft of tage of their unfortunate retirees. If I am extremely selective in accept- an iota of sense with a pinch of salt. those who parade doctoral degrees ing gifts from even personal friends. So, the vituperations that “the 49 li- cannot understand this simple logic, My needs are limited and my legiti- ars” and their mentors directed at may God save Nigeria from the anar- mate income is sufficient to spend me more than four years after I left on my volunteer work. I have never office as Vice-Chancellor of the Uni- in my life collected bribe, inflated versity of Ilorin are explained thus: contract, extorted nor accepted gift The Pension Act of 2004 provid- beyond thank you card from any con- ed that 7.5 per cent of emoluments tractor dead or alive. should be deducted from staff sal- As Vice-Chancellor, I started the aries and remitted into their pen- practice of publishing the financial sion accounts with Pension Funds transactions of the university every Administrators (PFAs). Most uni- I have never in my Monday in a publication circulated versities including UNILORIN life collected bribe, far and wide by hand and online. based the calculation on basic sal- This has happily been sustained by ary and transport allowance. This inflated contract my successor to-date. Those who was the case between July 2004 and have skeletons in their cupboards December 2006 before I became Vice- don’t choose to publish their finan- Chancellor. I know no PFA and if cial details. I am aware many uni- -Hmmn...but I haven’t re- salaries were deducted and saved versities don’t do so till today and ceived mine? in employees’ account, I would not the charlatans who make frivolous

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