Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Telecoms operators’ revenues may decline

2015: PDP, ACN trade words over SURE-P

…as new termination rates begin EXCLUSIVE

KUNLE A ZEEZ Johnson

Vol. 31 N0. 590 115

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elecoms operators in Nigeria are likely to lose part of their estimated N108.5bn revenue realised monthly from

phone services, as the new termination rate regime for the industry kicked off yesterday.

Obasanjo brokers truce among Ogun factions P.2, 5

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Tuesday, Tuesday,June April7,2,2011 2013

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MASS WEDDING FOR SOLDIERS: Commander, Onitsha Military Cantonment, Col. Taritimaya Gagariga (middle) with Nigerian Army Chaplains and some of the 25 soldiers of the 302 Artillery Regiment and 14 Field Engineers Regiment, who got married in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

BLOODY EASTER:

20 killed in Kaduna attack District head assassinated in Borno Explosion rocks Abuja shopping mall

OMEIZA AJAYI, A ZA MSUE AND INUSA NDAHI

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t was a bloody Easter in Kaura Local Government Area in the south of Kaduna State as terrorists shot dead at least 20 people.

Sources said the killings started in villages on top of and around Zilang and Mafang hills on Satur-

NITEL sale: El-Rufai blasts Atiku over Pentascope contract P.6

day night and continued till Sunday.

A source said: “We were helpless here; there were no security men to save us. While they shot some people, they used machetes to slaughter others like chickens.

“One of the survivors, who happened to be my brother, explained this to me.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

First Lady, regular visitor to German hospitals –Presidency

P.4

IT IS NOTABLE THAT HER EXCELLENCY HAS A HISTORY OF VISITING THE HOSPITAL IN

GERMANY EVEN BEFORE SHE BECAME THE FIRST LADY

Oil theft: ENI shuts down operations in Bayelsa P.8

P.2 Dame Patience Jonathan

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News

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: PDP, ACN trade words over SURE-P FELIX NWANERI

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he war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, over the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme, SURE-P, funds took another twist yesterday, with the ruling party accusing the opposition parties of mismanaging their own share of the funds instead of using such for the benefit of the people Challenging the ACN to show what programmes it has for its own share of the funds, the PDP also lambasted the opposition party for trying to politicise the SURE-P initiative of the Federal Government.

The ACN had earlier alleged that the SURE-P funds meant to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal have become campaign funds for President Goodluck Jonathan and his party ahead of 2015 general elections.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said its position stems from the crisis rocking the Lagos State chapter of the PDP over the sharing of the funds.

The party, particularly cited a public statement by a faction of the Lagos PDP, which it said, “leaves no one in doubt that the SURE-P funds have become a war chest for Jonathan,” and called for an independent investigation into how the money accruing to SURE-P has been disbursed since the inception of the programme, with a view to establishing to what extent the funds have been abused and in order to prescribe the appropriate sanctions for those found culpable.

But, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, who reacted to the accusation, said it was part of a grand plot by the opposition to unnecessarily stir up animosity among the people and ensure that they do not benefit from government programmes.

Metuh said the leaders of ACN, “who are used to siphoning public funds” are clearly frustrated that the PDP SURE-P initia-

tive is yielding results and that Nigerians across the board are benefitting from it.

His words: “The attention of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been drawn to malicious and baseless media reports by the opposition ACN that the SURE-P fund is being shared to PDP members.

“To say the least, we found it nauseating that the opposition would want to play politics with everything including a programme meant for the benefit of all Nigerians.

We are aware that this is part of a grand plot by the ACN to stir up animosity among peace loving Nigerians and prevent them from benefitting from the programme.

“The SURE-P initiative is a programme of the PDP-led Federal Government for the benefit all Nigerians. PDP members are Nigerians and we will be happy if they were truly patronised instead of the money going to the pocket of an individual as obtainable in the camp of the ACN where funds meant for the people are diverted to the pocket of a godfather.

“We challenge the opposition to come out and tell Nigerians what programmes they have in their respective states for their own share of the saved fuel subsidy fund.

It is clear that by every indication they have none, as the funds would have since been diverted to the pocket of their godfather.”

Metuh assured that the party would not be distracted by the antics of the opposition but will remain committed to the welfare of all Nigerians at all times.

The ACN spokesman, who dismissed the PDP’s challenge in a telephone interview with National Mirror, insisted that projects embarked upon by the Lagos State government with its allocation from the SURE-P fund are there for all to see.

His words: “In the first instance, our own share of the SURE-P comes as part of the state and local governments’ statutory allocations and how it is spent on developmental projects, is authorised by the state government. The projects

that are being funded with the money are there for everyone to see.

“We have always said from the beginning that

giving money to individuals rather than the states; people who are not known to the law on the guise that they are state coordi-

nators of SURE-P implementation committees is illegal and from the information on ground, we have established that the

Participants at the Lagos Carnival, yesterday.

so-called implementation committees are headed by the coordinators of the Jonathan 2015 presidential campaign.”

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Bloody Easter: Terrorists kill 20 in Kaduna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In a telephone interview with our correspondent, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adefemi Adenaike, said that 19 people were killed on the hills.

He said: “The incident happened on top of the hills, not on the ground.

We did not notice it on time because of the nature of the hills. It was until people started running down the hills that we got to know about the incident, but our men are on ground to restore law and order.

“The security report I have shows that only 19 people were killed by unknown gunmen. The place is calm and peaceful now.

We are working round the clock to fish out the perpetrators of the attack.

“For now, we don’t know those who are behind it but I assure we will get them.”

Reports said several wounded residents are now receiving medical treatment in some hospitals, while corpses were deposited at the morgue.

The remaining residents have fled the area for fear of further attacks.

Kaura Local Government shares a boundary with Plateau State where Fulani herdsmen and

farmers clashed recently, leaving several people dead while hundreds were injured.

The attack came just as Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, called on Governor Mukhtar Yero to stop the influx of Fulani herdsmen from other states to Southern Kaduna communities to avoid fresh hostilities in the area.

SOKAPU President, Mr. Ephraim Goje, while reacting to migration of Fulani herdsmen from troubled zones in the North to Southern Kaduna, said the residents would hold Yero responsible if he failed to act.

Meanwhile, despite the assurances by the Joint Task Force, JTF, and police of a peaceful Easter in Borno State, gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram at the weekend attacked the palace of the District Head of Pulka, Ali Pulka, in Gwoza Local Government.

They shot the district head dead in front of his wife and children.

Pulka is a border town with Cameroun and 119 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A police officer at-

tached to the Divisional Police Station, Gwoza, said yesterday in Maiduguri, the state capital, that the gunmen came in two Golf Volkswagen cars and a motorcycle and proceeded straight to the palace.

The police officer said the gunmen had killed Ali before soldiers rushed to the scene to prevent further attacks and killings in the town.

He said: “Our report on the assassination of the District Head of Pulka (Ali) and attacks on the palace indicated that one person was feared killed with the injuring of two people, including the driver of the district head.

“The gunmen did not use Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and petrolbombs in attacking this palace on Saturday.”

Speaking on the incident, the Division Police Officer, DPO, Alhaji Audu Boka, said the gunmen were suspected Boko Haram members who attacked and torched a police station, bank and a prison, setting 170 inmates free on March 4.

In another development, an explosion yesterday sent shivers down the spines of residents of Karu, a buffer town be-

tween Abuja and Nasarawa State, shattering the windows of some malls in the area.

The incident occurred about 6p.m.

It was not immediately clear if there were casualties, but the popular Karu Shopping Plaza, which also houses a major eatery and another nearby plaza were affected by the explosion.

The development caused panic in the area, forcing fun-seekers at the eatery to scamper to safety, leaving their loved ones to their fate.

Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Olufemi Ogunbayode, who confirmed the incident said it was caused by a faulty gas cylinder kept behind the eatery.

Speaking through the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Altine Daniel, the police boss said: “I have just spoken to the DPO Karu and he said it was a gas cylinder which exploded behind Mr. Biggs in the plaza. Nobody was injured and nobody was killed.”

When National Mirror visited the scene last night, an eyewitness, Ibrahim Amodu said the explosion occurred from the top floor of the Plaza CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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PAGE

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Good Health

TOBORE OVUORIE

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o you have reactions each time you eat apples? You need not fret and miss out on this fruit which keeps you away from hospitals, as scientists are now creating hypoallergenic apples by substituting natural proteins for those which don’t cause an allergic reaction.

According to the latest study involving a team of allergists, molecular biologists and plant physiologists in Italy, collaboration is rife to develop a hypo-allergenic apple that could represent the next frontier in genetically-modified foods. Apples aren’t typically known as a potent allergen — at worst, they cause some people’s tongues and lips to become itchy and develop blister.

But the team of scientists is using the apple as a test case, and they’re trying to decode the genetic markers that cause some people to experience an allergic reaction to apples. They say the technique is likely to be controversial because it involves genetic modification, noting that there’s concern that modifying the genetic makeup of an apple could produce other unexpected allergens.

The team, led by plant physiologist Dr. Alessandro Botton, will seek to unravel the genetic markers that are responsible for causing allergic reactions to some people who eat apples, and they will try to replace them with alternative hypoallergenic proteins. But they also revealed that getting it right might not be as easy as it sounds.

According to Booton, the team would have to study the genetic changes to ensure that there aren’t any unintended consequences. ”You cannot know what will happen when you silence a biological gene,” Botton disclosed in the tentative study report. ”It’s not as simple as you cut out this one piece and the allergies are gone. We’re also concerned that there are other traits that you didn’t intend to put in there” he added.

It would be recalled that the development of genetically modified foods has been highly controversial in recent times around the world. For instance, the Eu-

Hypoallergenic varieties of apples to hit the market soon

Scientists design hypoallergenic apple! ropean Union, India, China and several other countries require GMO foods to be labeled, but there is no such requirement in many countries around the world. ”Most genetically modified foods are catered to the needs of farmers. That’s not something that consumers appreciate,” Dr. René Smulders, a United States based collaborator on the project further disclosed.

People with an allergy to apples can suffer from blistering, problems catching their breadth, swollen lips, tongue and throat.

Unknown to many consumers, some varieties are in the high allergy group.

Apples are not usually associated with allergies. However, 75 per cent of people suffering from an allergy to birch pollen are

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

Aspirin may reduce risk of Oesophageal cancer

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study published recently in PLOS Medicine has revealed that that people with the most aggressive form of Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition that affects the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, may benefit the most from preventive therapy with aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. The same study, which followed about 250 Barrett’s patients over 10 years, also identified a cluster of four known cancer biomarkers, or genetic abnormalities, in people with Barrett’s that significantly increased their risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

The researchers found that those with three or more of the cancer biomarkers upon enrolment in the study who also used aspirin

or other NSAIDs had a 30 percent risk of developing oesophageal cancer after 10 years, while those with the same biomarkers who did not use NSAIDs had a 79 percent risk of developing cancer within a decade of joining the study.

Ultimately the researchers hope that these biomarkers one day could be used in the clinic to identify which patients are most likely to develop oesophageal cancer and therefore benefit from aggressive cancer surveillance via endoscopy and chemoprevention with aspirin and other NSAIDs. “Many Barrett’s patients are subjected to overdiagnosis and overtreatment,” said Brian Reid, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Seattle Barrett’s Esophagus Program and member of the Human Biology Division at Fred Hutch.

also allergic to apples. Those sensitive to the fruit can still experience unpleasant irritation and blistering of the tongue and lips.

However, allergies are not static so what starts off as a hypoallergenic apple could still begin to cause irritation in consumers over time.

‘Some people who are allergic may simply say they don’t like apples, since they’ve a very mild reaction after eating them,’ Eric van de Weg, plant scientist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands further stated.

The researchers however disclosed further that although consumers – and in particular food-allergic consumers – so far, are more positive about the [GM] apple, there is

still a clear preference for traditional breeding methods applied to the same end if possible, even for food allergic consumers.

‘There are hundreds of apple varieties already available,’ says Allessandro Botton, a plant geneticist at the University of Padova, Italy, ‘and some of these may hold answers’.

For instance, it is known that apple varieties such as Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are part of the high-allergenic group, whereas Jonagold and Gloster induce only low allergenic responses.

Still wondering which to settle for? The solutions lies in trying both- Mother Nature and the genetically made variety for a solution best suited for you!

Your height is in your hand –Study

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ven if you didn’t eat your vegetables or drink your milk as a child, your height is still in your hands, reveal new findings by economists from the University of Southern California, Harvard University and Peking University.

Using unique data from a new massive longitudinal survey of 17,708 adults beginning at age 45, the researchers show for the first time that lifestyle choices we make in adulthood -- and not just the hand we’re dealt as children -influence how tall we stand as we age.

“Had we only examined the correlations between measured height and health, we would have missed this important insight,” said John Strauss, professor of economics at USC, and an

investigator on a study published in the April 2013 issue of the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics.

“The evidence shows that it is not only early-life events that are associated with how we age, but health decisions in later life as well.”

While prior work has looked for the connection between height and health -both in childhood and adulthood -- the researchers are the first to examine height loss as we age. They show that regardless of your maximum height, the loss of height over time is also an important indicator for other health issues as we age.

For example, the research reveals an especially strong relationship between height loss and cognitive health.

– Science Daily

4

Photo News

Wednesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Secretary-General, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. Kayode Adesola; Consultant Cardiologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph and a member of IGNITE Scientific Committee, Dr. Anthony Omolola, at the 35th International Annual Scientific Conference of the association in Calabar, yesterday.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi; Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Governor Babatunde Fashola, at the 2013 Lagos Festival yesterday.

L-R: Actress Iyabo Ojo; Head of Gloworld, Mrs. Titi Ebinisi; Head of Corporate Sales, Mr. Kamal Shonibare and Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe, during the presentation of the Most Innovative Company Award to Glo...recently.

L-R: Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victory House, Old Kent Road, London, Pastor Leke Sanusi; Otunba Ayo Balogun; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso and Chairman, SIA UK Forum, Mr. Muyiwa Coker, when the governor held a discussion session with some Ogun State citizens in The Diaspora in London, on Thursday.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

National News

First Lady, a regular visitor to German hospitals –Presidency ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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he Presidency said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, had a history of visiting hospitals in Germany even before she became the First Lady.

This is contained in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Ayo Osinlu.

Osinlu urged the media not make an issue out of the heath of the First Lady as her medical trip to Germany was not new.

He, however, explained that Mrs. Jonathan’s latest trip was to attend to her mother who is currently receiving medical attention, saying that it was not true that she was flown abroad for another round of medical treatment.

According to him, the First Lady is expected back next week.

Osinlu added that the President’s wife was using the opportunity to spend quality time with her holidaying children.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt and ambiguities, we wish to state that the First Lady travelled to Dubai, after which she proceeded to Paris, France to participate in the 1st Green Women Conference, which took place in Paris on March 17, 2013 where she received the 2013 Global Women Leaders’ Award for Peace.

“She thereafter proceeded to Italy from where she went to Germany to see her mother, Mama Sisi, who is currently receiving medical attention. The First Lady is spending sometime overseeing the management of her mother’s condition.

“She is also using the opportunity to spend quality time with her holidaying children before they return to school, as they are with her to see their grandmother.”

Osinlu said it was not strange if the First Lady had gone for medical trip, noting that medical experts have recommended that every human being should undergo medical

check-up every six months, even if not suffering ill health.

He said: “It is notable that Her Excellency has a history of visiting the hospital in Germany even before she became the First Lady, thus making her medical trips routine.

“Therefore, hospital visitations of our leaders should not become leading media issues or attract disrespectful comments, just as the current circumstances of former South African President Nelson Mandela and other African leaders in similar situations, and even those who died, have not attracted negative comments from their people,.”

This is the first time the Presidency would issue an official statement regarding report on the health of the First Lady which has caused anxiety since August last year when she was out of the country for medical treatment.

Last year, Mrs. Jonathan was flown to Germany for medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

She later returned to the country after seven weeks.

However, the Presidency then did not issue any official statement on her heath status despite the anxiety the issue generated.

Osinlu had said that the President’s wife had not gone for medical treatment in Germany but was only on vacation abroad.

When she returned on October 17, the First Lady also denied being admitted at Horst Schmidt Klinic in Wiesbaden, Germany, saying that she did not have any terminal disease or in the hospital for tummy

tuck or cosmetic surgery.

On her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, she said: “I read in the media where they said I was in the hospital. God Almighty knows I have never been to that hospital. I don’t even know the hospital they mentioned.

“I have to explain what God has done for me. I don’t have any terminal illness. I did not go for cosmetic surgery or tummy tuck. My husband loves me as I am and I am pleased with how God created me.”

But after the initial denial, on Sunday, February

17, Mrs. Jonathan opened up on her admission at a German hospital last year, saying that she was actually dead while in the hospital, but God restored her to life.

The disclosure at a thanksgiving service held at the Aso Villa Chapel was contrary to her earlier claim that she did not undergo any surgery or tummy tuck at Horst Schmidt Klinic in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The First Lady said her tummy and intestines were actually opened and she underwent multiple surgeries.

Black Heritage Festival has restored Lagos pride –Fashola MURITALA AYINLA

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overnor Babatunde Fashola said Lagos Black Heritage Festival had restored the pride and dignity of Lagos State.

Fashola, who spoke yesterday at the close of the week-long carnival, called the residents of Lagos to uphold the cultural heri-

tage of the state to boost its tourism potentials.

Speaking at the colourful event which attracted tens of thousands of spectators mostly youths and foreign tourists, the governor said the 2013 edition of the carnival was spectacular.

According to him, the colourful Brazilian culture displayed at the carnival at a time the world looks up

to the Southern American country as the host of the World Cup 2014, is a replica of the display that is likely to excite the world next year.

Fashola said the annual celebration had brought about the creative potentials of Lagosians, adding that some of the costumes used for the colourful parade were produced in the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

5

Telecoms operators’ revenues to decline CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The revenue is generated mostly by the Global System for Mobile communications companies, which are the big operators and also by the Code Division Multiple Access operators as well as the fixed line networks in the country, as smaller players.

The operators’ monthly revenue, which is conservative, is determined using the industry’s blended Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and the current industry’s active subscriber base.

While ARPU in Nigeria has been put at around N949 by research firm, Business Monitor International Limited, latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission also showed active subscriber base in the country has hit

114.4 million.

With 114.4 million active subscriptions and an ARPU of N949, operating firms are estimated to be making about N108.5bn as monthly revenue for voice services.

Telecoms firms ended 2012 with monthly average revenue of N107.3bn from voice telephony services provided for their 113.1 million active subscriber base as at December.

This means the increase in subscriber base from 113.1 million as at December 2012 to 114.4 million in the latest industry data has led to increase in revenue by the telecoms firms.

It was, however, gathered that the current monthly revenue figure may experience a reduction, as the new mobile termination rates regime introduced by the Nige-

rian Communications Commission became effective.

The commission recently announced new telephone interconnection rates, which can practically reduce cost of telephone calls in Nigeria.

According to the new rates, the termination rates for voice services provided by major mobile operators in Nigeria irrespective of the originating network shall be N4.90k from April 1, 2013.

Analysts say this means that a network that is completing a telephone call will charge N4.90 to the network that originates the call.

Up till now, the operating rate in the industry has been N8.2k.

The Commission said this rate will change to N4.40k from April 1, 2014; and N3.90k from April 1, 2015.

For smaller operators and new entrants, the termination rate is N6.40 from April1, 2013.

This rate will change to N5.20k from April 1, 2014; and N3.90 from April 1, 2015.

Smaller operators are those that have less than 7.5 per cent market share in terms of subscriber base while new entrants are those telecoms firms that entered the market in less than three years.

Meanwhile, the rates will remain in force for three years except the Commission reviews them. The last review of the termination rates was made on December 31, 2009.

The downward review of the interconnection rate in 2009 led to a decline of more than 50 per cent in tariff as cost of making

Yan-Dawa Cultural Group performing at the 2013 Vih-Mah-Yah Unity and Development Cultural Festival in Boi Bogoro Local Government of Bauchi State on Sunday.

PHOTO: NAN

Obasanjo brokers peace among Ogun PDP factions

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embers of the various factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State yesterday, held a closed-door reconciliatory meeting at the hilltop residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Obasanjo was the immediate past Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, BOT. NAN reports that those who attended the four-hour meeting were Chief Segun Oni, a former PDP National Vice-Chairman, South-

West; Senator Jubril Martins Kuye, a former Minister of State for Finance and Chief Sarafa Ishola, a former Minister for Mines and Steel Development.

Some of the party chieftains, who addressed newsmen, described the meeting as fruitful.

Kuye told newsmen that the development was part of the moves to reposition the party ahead of the 2015 general elections.

He said that the internal crises had caused a lot of setbacks to the party in the state, adding that it was necessary for elders to

come together and “mend broken fences”, to move the party forward.

He hinged the choice of Obasanjo’s residence on the fact that “the former president is an embodiment of peace and a rallying point of the party both in the South-West and at the national level.”

Kuye said that series of such meetings would be held at regular intervals to ensure that the party was united and focused ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Also speaking, Ishola expressed optimism that the

initiative would bring to an end the crisis which had polarised the party and denied it of victory at the 2011 gubernatorial elections in the state.

He called on other aggrieved members of the party to return.

“There is no end to reconciliation. All channels of communications would be kept open,” he said.

The former minister gave the assurance that the party remained a formidable family and members were ready to sacrifice personal interests for the overall good of the party.

calls per minute fell from around N25 per minute to the current average tariff of N10 per minutes.

Industry experts, who spoke with National Mirror, however, expressed mixed reactions over the possibility of the new termination rate leading to lower tariffs for subscribers or decline in operators’ revenue.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, AAA Infotek Limited, Mr. Akinlabi Akinbo: “The implication of the new interconnection rates would mean that telecoms subscribers will pay less for telecoms services in the next three years.”

He said the new rates would also put pressure on the operators’ revenue, especially the bigger ones.

“Big operators have large subscriber base and in the event that they reduce tariff, they will pay more to other operators.

As such, they may face close to 10 per cent reduction in their voice revenue,” he said.

He, however, said smaller operators may experience marginal decline in their revenue “since they do not have many subscriber base as the big operators do.”

But the President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Lanre Ajayi, said the reduction in termination rates “does not necessarily mean that the tariff will drop automatically.”

Rather, he said whether or not tariff will crash for subscribers was a function of reduction in other cost elements.

“From the way I understand the interconnect rates, I do not think that the new rates would automatically translate to lower tariffs because there are other cost elements such as

cost of infrastructure, personnel and all that which work together to determine whether or not a tariff will be reduced or not.

“Naturally, you cannot offer services below the termination rates. So, we should not go out with the notion that the new rates would automatically crash cost of making calls.

“It only means that tariff may come down if other cost elements reduce also,” he said.

He also noted that even in the face of declining ARPU from voice, operators already were working on leveraging data service as next frontier for revenue generation.

“I’m sure operators are paying attention to data service. If you have noticed, most of the adverts currently being run by the operators have more to do with internet services than voice.”

However, President, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said for data revenue to be enhanced as voice service revenue declines, government needs to assist in addressing the many challenges impeding extension of broadband infrastructure to the nooks and crannies.

He said top on the list of such challenges include the problem of Right of Way, multiple taxation and multiple regulation.

President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, said the new termination rates would spark off increased competition among operators in providing quality of service to the growing telecoms consumers.

Bloody Easter: Terrorists kill 20 in Kaduna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

and shattered most of the windows in the top floor of the complex.

According to him, some staff of the eatery said that they had noticed some suspicious movements around the complex on Easter Sunday, but were surprised that the explosion went off on Easter Monday.

They could not however confirm what actually caused the explosion.

Police officers drafted from the Karu Police Division arrived at the scene and cordoned off the entire place. They immediately diverted vehicular and human traffic from the area following fears that another explosion could occur.

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National News

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NITEL sale: El-Rufai blasts Atiku over Pentascope contract KUNLE A ZEEZ

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ormer Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of jumbling facts to free himself from the alleged non-transparent deals carried out under his leadership as the Chairman of Bureau of Public Enterprise, especially with the privatisation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).

Atiku had, in an interview, accused El-Rufai of responsible for the failure of NITEL’s successful privatisation as a result of personal interest.

He said: “The Pentascope scandal was one of the issues investigated by the National Assembly and it accused El-Rufai of ignoring wise counsel by imposing the company on NITEL. “Despite proven allegations that Pentascope was not financially capable and technically competent to handle NITEL management contract, the former Bureau of Public Enterprise Director-General (ElRufai) ignored public outcry and forced the Dutch company on NITEL. “Before Pentascope came, NITEL was making an estimated N100 billion profit annually. However, as soon as Pentascope took over, NITEL’s profits were

nose-diving incredibly.”

But in a statement signed yesterday by his Media Advisor, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, El Rufai said it was understandable that Atiku would be enduring some unease at the disclosures made in El Rufai’s recently-launched memoir: “The Accidental Public Servant” The statement reads: “The former vice-president’s media team has tried to engage in obfuscation about their principal’s serial interference with contract award processes that were detailed in the book.

“Against this, they have reproduced El Rufai’s assertion that Atiku did not meddle in privatisation processes, which are very different and distinct in nomenclature and substance from seeking contracts for friends.

“Now that Atiku himself has spoken on the controversial NITEL GSM contract involving Ericsson and Motorola, it is obvious that the attempt at confusing issues persists.

It is untrue that the NITEL GSM contract in question was split. Rather it was awarded to Ericsson, but at the lower price submitted by Motorola because of Atiku’s intense lobby and smears deployed to advance Ericsson’s bid.

Atiku and Abdullahi Yari, his then ADC, at different times spoke to El Rufai to favour Ericsson.

“It is Atiku’s responsibility to explain why he became an Ericsson salesman, although the investigations conducted by Motorola after the debacle makes clear he was not engaged in an altruistic mission. This incident had diplomatic repercussions as the American government wrote to protest this loss by an American company that had submitted the cheaper bid.

“Atiku persists in his laughable assertion that ElRufai’s brother is a shareholder and member of Motorola’s board – something any person can research and confirm to be an outright falsehood.

On Pentascope, the state-

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while, all depots that are not functional would soon be brought to life.

“We have also been informed of the extensive and expansion of the atlas cove jetty’’ and wish to congratulate PPMC for the effort to make products available nationwide with hitch.

“We have also noticed the determination of PPMC and NNPC to tackle the ugly problem of pipeline vandalism and the efforts to tackle vandals at black spots in Arepo and other areas is beginning to yield positive results.’’

The Zonal Chairman of IPMAN, Mr Olumide Ogunmade, and Secretary, Mr A. Idowu, were among the signatories.

NAN check shows that aside the reactivation of

a properly advertised and competitive selection process.

After the failure of the first attempt to sell NITEL, it had been decided that there was need for a management contractor to keep the momentum of preparing the company to operate like a private entity and to preserve its assets. Pentascope resumed in NITEL on April 28, 2003, shortly before El Rufai left the BPE to become a minister.”

The statement added: “The Pentascope contract terms included obligations by the BPE to monitor the contract, and for the NITEL Board to set up an Executive Committee to super-

vise day to day operations in NITEL. Between the new BPE leadership that neglected its responsibilities, the NCP which Atiku chaired and which failed to supervise the BPE and the bureaucrats and politicians around the Ministry of Communications, the management contract was frustrated and terminated in 2005.

“When a former vicepresident asserts that NITEL was making N100 billion profit annually, the mind must boggle that someone so unconstrained by fidelity to facts had once been saddled with significant responsibilities. NITEL never made such profits.

Bulldozer demolishing structures on petroleum pipeline from Ikotun to Ijegun in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

PPMC refurbishes 22 ailing depots for robust products delivery

he Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) has refurbished 22 ailing depots, making movement of petroleum products hitch-free in the last three years.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), which commended PPMC for the feat, said yesterday that the reactivated depots were under system 2B. In a commendation letter sent to PPMC, IPMAN also noted with delight, the renewal of facilities at Mosimi depot.

The statement signed by the chairman of depots and the zonal officers was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

IPMAN said: “In a short

ment said: “We see the same pattern of muddying the waters with falsehood.

As Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Atiku gave his approval in writing on February21, 2003 for the management contract with Pentascope to be signed.

“The memo on which Atiku signed his approval, BPE/I&N/NT/MC/ DG/280, is dated 20th February 2003, and was initiated by the director of BPE that was covering the DG’s duties at the time.

“By the virtue of the high office he then held, Atiku knows that Pentascope was not foisted on NITEL, but emerged from

the depots, PPMC had embarked on the activation of the pipelines connecting all the depots and the connectivity had reached 80 per cent.

Recently, PPMC released a catalogue of achievements, including 43.6 per cent reduction in demurrage and 80 per cent reduction of in depot losses through strict internal control.

PPMC said the reactivation of Northern axis of pipeline and pumping of petroleum products to Kano, Suleja, Jos, Minna and Gusau after about 15 years of stock out was a major achievement.

The company had also effectively managed products distribution and elimination of queues in filling stations since 2011.

Easter: Long queues at ATM points in Asaba

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s the Easter celebration continued yesterday, long queues were witnessed at Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in banks across Asaba, the Delta capital, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation, noted that no fewer than 10 persons were seen queuing at each of the ATM points, waiting to withdraw some money.

Some of the banks’ customers, who spoke with NAN, said that they had exhausted their money during the weekend and needed some money to meet basic needs.

Mrs Grace Okwudi, a civil servant said: “I withdrew some money last week Thursday, but since it is a season of celebration, I

have spent it.’’

Similarly, Mr Gideon Umukoro, also a civil servant, said that the only way one could enjoy the Easter celebration was for one to have some cash at hand.

“This is a long holiday.

We are home since Thursday. One can only enjoy staying at home with one’s family if money is available,’’ he said.

Mr Andy Okechukwu, who called himself a business man, said: “Our kids are on holiday and parents have to spend more when children are home.

“One of the ways to keep the children happy is to provide for their needs.

I am here to collect some money.’’

Okechukwu commended some banks for their services during the Easter holidays.”

AD may adopt Jonathan in 2015 KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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ith the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Alliance for Democracy (AD) may adopt President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the 2015 general elections.

AD Deputy National Secretary, Chef Babatunde Tijani, said yesterday in Ibadan the party adopted Jonathan as its presidential in the last general election for many reasons, adding that if the need be, it may adopt him again in 2015.

Tijani spoke with journalists after the commissioning of AD’s new office in Ibadan.

Stressing that the party had been mobilising members for future election, Tijani praised chieftains and supporters for turning up for the commission of the office.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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National News

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos admits slow pace of Child Rights Law enforcement K AYODE KETEFE, MURITALA AYINLA AND KENNY ODUNUKAN

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he Lagos State government has admitted that the implementation of the Child Rights Law is slow even as five lawyers bemoaned the state government’s lacklustre enforcement of the law in the state.

Lagos State SolicitorGeneral and Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, who confirmed that the enforcement of the child rights law was slow in the state, however, urged residents to report child abuses expeditiously to the state government.

He said the state Ministry of Justice through the Office

of Public Defender, OPD, the Citizens Mediation Centre as well as the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, are working jointly to curtail child abuse cases in the state.

According to him; “The enforcement of the child right law may look slow for now, but as far as the Lagos State government is concerned, we have made a lot of dramatic improvement in that regards.

“You know it is a new law, it is a new concept coming into our society and we must appreciate that fact.

There is also a need to understand the dichotomy between an abuse and training, correction of a child in our society. It is a developmental process and it is go-

ing to take a while before we arrive at that destination.

He also blamed the seeming lack of complaints on the orientation of the people and the literacy level of most parents.

Pedro spoke just as five lawyers; including two women rights activists traced the slow pace of enforcement of the child rights law in the country to inadequate complaints of child labour abuses to the state Ministry of Justice and other relevant agencies.

Specifically, the lawyers argued that there should be complaints of violation of such rights before the police and the Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Justice could initiate prosecution against suspected violators of child rights in the society.

Evidence abound that hundreds of children are being trafficked from various parts of the country to Lagos, Abuja and other major cities for child labour and exploitation.

Section 25 of the Child Rights Law, 2007 of the state prohibits the taking of a child out of the custody of his parents or guardian and subjecting such child to any forced or exploitative labour.

The law also criminalises the employment of a child under the age of 18 as a domestic help outside his own home or family environment.

Violation of this provision under the enabling law attracts a punishment of 14 years jail term.

But Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN; the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association,

Friends and children of Saint Mary Home for Destitute and Orphans celebrating Easter at Gwagwalada in Abuja, yesterday.

'Christians, Muslims must unite for nation building' SEKINAH LAWAL

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he Director of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof.

Is-haq Akintola, has reiterated the need for Christians and Muslims in the country to unite and build the nation.

In his Easter message at the weekend, Akintola said that in conformity with the lessons embedded in the life of Jesus Christ, there is need for tolerance, greater spirit of forgiveness and deeper understanding of the teachings of our different religions.

In addition, he urged all Nigerians to demonstrate genuine respect for the manner of worship as well as the culture of other religions.

“In view of the threat of insecurity that is facing Nigeria, there is an urgent need for the adherents of the various faiths in the country, particularly Christians and Muslims, to forge unity of purpose in nation-building.

“This can be achieved by sinking our differences and evolving closer ties. Above all, we must eschew past acrimonies, rancour and bitterness. Only thus can Nigeria be saved from the threat of division and war currently hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles.”

MURIC warned that the major motive of the troublemakers is to ignite a war between the north and the south.

PHOTO: NAN

Oil theft: ENI shuts down operations in Bayelsa

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n Italian oil firm, Eni, yesterday shut down its activities in the swampy oil fields of Bayelsa State over theft.

The firm, in a statement made available in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, attributed the frequent spills to oil theft by vandals and said that it had decided to shut down operations to prevent further damages to the environment.

Eni, which operates in Nigeria as Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), said it authorised the suspension of operations on March 22 and subsequently declared force majeure on its oil output from the facility on March 23.

Force majeure is a legal notice that absolves an oil firm of liabilities for failure to meet

supply obligations to crude buyers due to circumstances beyond the firm’s control.

“Eni confirms that during the night between 21 and 22 March, the company has declared force majeure and ordered the closure of its onshore activities in the Swamp Area, located in Bayelsa State in Nigeria. The decision was made due to the intensified bunkering, consisting in the sabotage of pipelines and the theft of crude oil which has recently reached unsustainable levels regarding both personal safety and damage to the environment. Sustainability is for Eni a priority in Nigeria, as in all the countries in which it operates,” the statement said.

NBA, Lagos branch, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo and Mr. Festus Keyamo, were unanimous that the abuses of child rights are under-reported in the country.

According to Pinheiro, SAN, “The child rights law is an extension of the child trafficking law of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. There must be a report before enforcement can be done. There must be a correlation between the report and the enforcement. In the absence of reports, nothing can be done.

He said the government had a role to play in sensitising the people on the consequences of child rights’ abuses in the society and also on the socio-economic landscape as well.

Pinheiro noted that; ‘they need to inform them on how and where to make report of abuses.’ I think the social department of the Ministry of Justice of the state government need to take up the responsibility to ensure that the law is enforced.

NBA Chairman, Lagos branch, Mr. Taiwo shared Pinheiro’s view that there must be a report of violation of law before any action could be taken.

According to him; “I have discovered that our society does not encourage reportage of such abuses. People also find it difficult to report abuses due to the high percentage of illiteracy in our country.

“Lack of publicity is also a factor. People really need to know all the contents of the law and also be encouraged to report whenever the need arises,” he added.

Keyamo also said there must a complaint or report from concerned stakeholders before the law enforcement agents could take any action on child labour abuses.

His words: “A situation where nobody is complaining about infringement on such laws, the government cannot do anything. I also believe that such laws will be difficult to implement due to the level of poverty in the land.

“A situation where people cannot afford to feed themselves at least once a day, you can imagine what they will do if someone who is financially capable appears. There are people from the villages who willingly approached the wealthy ones and urged

them to take custody of their children regardless of whatever treatment is meted on them.”

He suggested the need for social workers to take up that responsibility so that the law could be enforced.

The Executive Director of the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, argued that most states are not committed to the obligations under the law.

Her words: “As at today over 20 states in the federation have passed the law in their states. The law promotes the survival, development, protection and participation of children in human affairs and sees the children as human beings, with their own rights.

It protects every child less than 18 years. While it is worthy to acknowledge the fact that human rights advocates in Nigeria found the law very useful for the protection of the child, in many states in the country, we still need to support the framework to enable full protection of the rights of the child.

The states are not committed to the obligations under the law; “Awareness is still very low and the lawyers are also not using the law effectively to enable us build jurisprudence that can better support children’s rights in Nigeria.

“The law still needs to be developed effectively to enable children maximise the enjoyment guaranteed by it.”

Also the Executive Director of Women Aid Collective, WACOL, Dr. Joy Ezeilo, said; “The Child Rights Act contains a lot of rights that would protect the rights of children that have been traditionally trampled upon. Each day our media are replete with stories of life-threatening violence meted to our girls by known and masked human beings.

“Our law enforcement agencies should show more commitment on the issue of enforcement of the provisions of the Child Rights Act and laws while the states that are yet to pass the law should do so. Going by what is happening in our society, it is certain we have not been able to reap the benefits of the Child Rights Act to the full.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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Group urges South-West to resist marginalisation A BIODUN N EJO ADO EKITI

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socio-political group, the Ondo State Liberation Movement, OLM, has urged Yoruba people of the South-West to resist the marginalisation of the ethic group by the President Goodluck Jonathan administra-

tion.

It’s Chairman, Mr. Oladipo Ajidahun, who said the neglect of the region is visible in all spheres of life, urging Yoruba leaders to rise to the occasion.

Ajidahun told National Mirror in Ado Ekiti that the Yoruba people had nothing to show for their support

for President Jonathan in the 2011 election, except neglect in terms of federal appointments and social/physical amenities and infrastructure.

The OLM leader lamented: “Our roads are in deplorable condition, electricity situation is getting worse by the day, federal atten-

tion or presence is fast becoming history in the South-West.

“We are at the receiving end. Yoruba people are not being appointed to key positions, they are rather being eased out of the offices they occupied,” he said.

Ajidahun, who said the need for the SouthWest people to come out

of their shells, could not be over stressed, calling on the people “in humbling appointments to protest by resigning their positions.”

He urged Yoruba people to demand for their legitimate right of attention as a constituent part of the country in addition to presenting

their grievances before the African Union.

According to him, for the region to develop and regain its lost position, Yoruba people should start treating the cause of the region with the same degree of interest they have been showing in the cause of the Nigerian nation.

Police arrest two over murder of PDP member A BIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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kiti State Police Commissioner, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, said yesterday that his men had arrested two suspects in connection with the killing on Saturday night of a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member, Mr. Ayo Jeje, at Erinjiyan Ekiti.

Wakama said the two men were pointed out at Erinjiyan Ekiti as part of the group that fired the shot that killed the victim.

The police commissioner told journalists on phone yesterday that further investigations would confirm the culpability or otherwise of the suspects as he said investigation into the mayhem was ongoing.

It will be recalled that some individuals believed to be Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, thugs attacked some PDP members on Saturday night, leaving Jeje dead while others were injured with some property vandalised.ACN and PDP had been trading blames over the attack.

While PDP said its members were attacked

by ACN members, the ACN said it was a clash between two rival PDP factions.

Wakama, who did not disclose the identities of the suspects, however, said yesterday that the police were yet to get any corroborative evidence against the two persons arrested.

The police boss said peace hads since been restored to the town.

Children at the Trans Amusement Park in Ibadan during the Easter Monday celebration.

Accord Party secretariat in Ibadan burgled KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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ess than one week after a chieftain of the Accord Party, AP, and former Secretary to the Oyo State Govern-

Cocoa farmers want reversal of new registration fees HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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ndo State chapter of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday called for the reversal of the increase in the registration fees payable by produce agents introduced by the state government.

The association, however, asked the state government and other relevant authorities to rescind the decision, saying it was capable of killing cocoa business in the state.

National President of the association, Sayina Riman, said although the association is aware that the state government needed money for developmental purposes, such money

should not be made from local farmers.

Riman said the registration fees being paid by License Buying Agents has increased from N15, 000 to N60, 000 while government is planning again to raise the fees higher.

He said government should try to encourage agriculture in the country, urging that government should not apply the same yardstick that was used to increase fees in other sectors to agriculture, pointing out that the sector is the highest employer of labour in the state.

The chairman said that increasing the fees payable by farmers will definitely increase the poverty level of the farmers, adding that agriculture has been used

to alleviate poverty among the people of the state.

Riman, however, asked the government to give concession to agriculture, particularly cocoa, when it comes to payment of various fees in the state in order to encourage more youths to take to farming.

The CAN President described the increase as “indiscriminate, inhuman and insensitive and does not take the farmers into consideration,” adding that government should return to the status quo ante.

He said members of the association will always be ready to support and cooperate with government in its quest to develop the state as members are important stakeholders in the development of the state.

ment, SSG, Chief Ayodele Adigun, escaped assassination in his Akobo, Ibadan residence, the secretariat of the party in the state capital, was in the early hours of yesterday burgled by unknown people.

National Mirror learnt that two generators, a 6.5 KVA and a 2.5 KVA capacities, some cash kept in the vault for the dayto-day running of the secretariat and other items yet to be ascertained were carted away by the burglars.

During a visit to the secretariat, the offices of the party’s women and youth leaders, as well as the mostly affected administrative unit of the secretariat were seen burgled.

It was gathered that the incident had been reported at the Sango Divisional Police headquarters, while policemen from the formation were said to have inspected the secretariat, taken photographs and commenced investigation into the incident.

The party chairman in the state, Alhaji Bashir Lawal, in a statement yesterday, said he hoped the assassination attempt on its chieftain and now the burgling of the party secretariat were not indicative of the re-enactment of the dark era of wanton killing of perceived political opponents by those in government.

His words: “This fear becomes so real in the face of the intolerance of the present government for the opposition.

One hopes that the boast of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, government that by May, 2013, Accord Party will be no more in Oyo State is not being actualised.

“This is because the target of last Tuesday’s assassination attempt, Chief Adigun, is an unrepentant critic of the ACN maladministration in the state. This is coupled with the government’s invasion of Saki penultimate week by operatives of ‘Operation Burst’ simply because ACN members

were holding a solidarity rally in support of Chief Michael Koleosho, as the party leader in the state.

“If the government can do this to one of its own, what can it not do to people in other parties, especially as the government has become afraid of its shadow as a result of its anti-people policies.”

He then called on the security agencies in the state to fish out the killers of Adigun’s guard as well as those who broke into its office and bring them to book, stressing that the world is watching what becomes of the incidents.

Accord Party Leader, Ladoja

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South West

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Osun, NLC dialogue this week over workers’ welfare A DEOLU A DEYEMO OSOGBO

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he Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the crisis between it and the state government would soon be addressed.

It said that representatives of both parties would meet this week to dialogue on workers’ welfare.

NLC Chairman, Mr. Saka Adesiyan, who stated this yesterday at a press conference held in Osogbo, said that the

four-day warning strike earlier declared by the Congress is still on.

Adesiyan said he could not unilaterally suspend the strike without the Congress’ approval.

He said: “In Labour law, the Congress is superior to the leadership

of any union and due to this, it is the Congress that has the power to suspend the strike.”

Adesiyan, however, said that the Congress would meet today at the Fakunle Comprehensive High School in Osogbo to decide the way forward.

He said the state government had written the Congress, expressing its intention to embrace dialogue to resolve the crisis.

The NLC chairman said the negotiating committee to meet with the government had been

put in place.

Adesiyan named members of the negotiating team to include Mr. Bayo Adejumo, Mr. O.F Adetunji, Mr. S.O Adesiyan, Mr. R. A Adeyemi, Mr. G.A. Bolarinwa, Mr. M. A. Adediji and Mr. S.O Koleosho.

Aregbesola, others hail Oluwo’s virtues at Fidau

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wo, a town in Osun State, stood still at the weekend during the 41st day Fidau for the late monarch, Oba Ashiru Tadese.

The late monarch was described as a ruler cherished by all and sundry.

He was also praised for the legacy of courage and good name he left behind.

Prominent people paid tributes to the late monarch amid pomp.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, said the late Oluwo stood by and for the truth during his lifetime and lived to served humanity.

He said the late monarch was a man of courage and conviction and one who believed in justice and rule of law.

The governor recalled that when he was struggling to retrieve his stolen

Aregbesola

mandate in court, the late Oluwo was one of the traditional rulers that stood by him with the belief that the truth would prevail.

Condoling with the immediate family of the late monarch and indigenes of Iwo, the governor urged residents to continue to live in peace and follow the progressive path the monarch left for the benefit of all.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, said that the monarch was his confidant, who guided him to attain leadership positions.

According to him, the monarch’s leadership style would be greatly missed as he ensured that peace reigned supreme among the people of Iwoland and Osun in general.

He said the late Oluwo left an indelible mark of good virtues, resilience and justice, saying that he was instrumental to the human and physical development in Iwoland.

“Everybody knows that I am very close to him. I am like his first child and he is my confidant. That is why I will greatly miss him because what he has done in my life and the lives of many Iwo people can never be quantified,” Adeoti said.

Cross section of indigenes and non-indigene Osun State that boarded the free train transport organised by the state government at the Ibadan terminus on their return to Lagos after the Easter celebration, yesterday.

Ogun FRSC deploys 1,600 marshals to enforce traffic law FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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he Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has deployed about 1, 600 marshals on roads to enforce traffic laws.

The marshals as to ensure that motorists comply with the traffic laws in order to prevent road crashes as scores of travellers will be returning to their various places of work after the Easter celebration.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Oyo State Sector Commander,

Mr. Godwin Ogagaoghene, who was re-deployed to Ogun State for Easter Special Patrol, said that the 1,600 marshals were charged with the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing traffic laws so as to make roads safe for commuters and other users.

Ogagaoghene explained that his re-deployment to Ogun as FRSC Sector Commander for the Easter Special duty was one of the strategies adopted by the Corp’s headquarters to ensure that Nigerian roads were rid of needless crashes and the destruction of lives

and property.

He said: “The commanding officers have been swerved so as to give fresh insight into handlings of traffic situations. So, I have been deployed here for this special patrol and my colleague, Omiyale, had equally been moved out of Ogun State”.

Ogagaoghene, who arrived in Ogun on March 28, 2013, said that the measure became necessary because traffic situation in the state is quite unique.

He, however, said that FRSC had carried out “a beyond the road” advoca-

Manager ‘shot’ by naval personnel wants N200m damages WALE IGBINTADE

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n operation manager with Yusmed Oil and Gas Company, Atom Zaga, who was shot by unknown naval personnel, has filed a N200 million suit against the Chief of Naval Staff and three others before a Lagos High Court.

Others sued with the naval chief are the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Com-

manding Officer Nigerian Naval Beecroft Naval Base.

In a motion on notice for enforcement of his fundamental human rights filed by his lawyer, D Z Sarauta, the applicant is demanding N200 million being aggravated and exemplary damages.

Besides, the applicant is praying the court for a declaration that the unlawful gun shot on him by the 4th respondent (unknown naval personnel) had reduced him

to a condition of disability.

He is also asking the court to declare that the unknown naval personnel shot him without provocation.

In a 32-page affidavit deposed to by the applicant, he averred that on February, 20012 at about 4:0p.m, a customer called him on phone and requested for a sample of Kerosene product from his company for laboratory analysis to enable him buy in large quantity.

He further said that

while he was rushing to the Capital Oil and Gas Limited deport to obtain sample of the product, he noticed tanker drivers protesting against the action of naval personnel who allegedly broke the windscreen of a lorry.

The applicant said while passing through the crowd to gain access to Capital Oil, he heard gunshots and suddenly saw himself on the floor in pool of his own blood as the second shot fired by the naval personnel

was directed at him.

He, however, said the naval personnel came to his rescue, but when he discovered that he was losing much blood he horridly abandoned him and ran away.

The applicant added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Trinity Police Division visited the scene of the incident and rushed him to Faleti Medical Centre.

He said that he paid his

cy and enlightenment and sensitization campaign to the motor parks to ensure that commercial drivers abstain from taking alcohol before embarking on any journey.

Ogagaoghene said: “FRSC will make use of the electronic and manual alcolizer to ensure that any commercial driver that is tested positive to alcoholic consumption is detected, charged to court and appropriately sanctioned.

“We have also embarked on the beyond-the road campaign to detect factors that cause road crashes.”

medical bills without assistance from anybody and was discharged on February 16, 2012.

According to him, when he was discharged from the hospital, he could not afford further treatment of his broken leg.

He said that the injury he sustained from the gun shot had confined him to sick bed from February till date, adding that the respondents had refused to take care of him.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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We’ll soon declare war on North –MASSOB CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has threatened to declare full scale war against the North over the killings of Ndigbo by Boko Haram members.

MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who issued the threat, said the killings had continued to assume more dangerous dimension daily with Ndigbo receiving the

highest casualty.

Uwazuruike warned that MASSOB would soon engage the North in a bloody war to avenge the killings of innocent Ndigbo, doing their legitimate businesses in the troubled zone.

Speaking at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of former Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, in Obinugwu community in Imo State on Sunday, the MASSOB leader, however, assured

the Hausa community in the South-East of adequate protection, disclosing that there won’t be reprisal attacks.

He said: “The Hausa community living in the South-East should not be afraid, no one will attack them. We are not going to resort to reprisal attacks but will soon declare a full scale war against the North. We can’t take it anymore. We will take the war to their doorsteps now.”

Uwazuruike noted that the Nigerian government

had failed in its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians, particularly Ndigbo living in other parts of the country, especially in the North.

The MASSOB leader said although there were many Igbo still living in the North, he was happy that many of them, especially women and their children, had heeded his call to return home.

He said: “Many of them are still there because there is nothing they can do; that is where they are

eking their living.”

Over 50 Igbo traders were killed in a recent attack on a motor park in Kano when suicide bombers blew up a Lagosbound luxury bus.

Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has called on Christians to pray for peaceful co-existence, unity and progress.

Okorocha said in an Easter statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, that the celebration of the death and resurrec-

tion of the Lord Jesus Christ called for sober reflection considering the challenges threatening the country’s unity.

He said: “As we celebrate this year’s Easter, may I urge Christians and Nigerians to pray for peace, unity and progress. The celebration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, our saviour, calls for sober reflection and prayers especially on the current challenges threatening the unity of the Nigerian nation.”

DFID facilitates loans for Aba leather cluster

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business management programme designed to educated shoe, belt and bag makers, has begun in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

The programme tagged: “Growth and Employment in States (GEMS 1),” is funded by the Department for International Development, DFID, which leads the British Government’s fight against poverty in the world.

Mr. Al-Habib Onifade of INL Consulting Limited, organisers of the programme, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Aba yesterday.

Onifade said the programme would prepare the Aba leather cluster for anticipated credit facility from Diamond Bank and other commercial banks interested in investing in the leather sector.

According to him, young graduates will be engaged to serve as extension consultants to further help train the artisans on loan management and get them ready for the loan.

He explained that the extension consultants would be trained on bank products and tools made available to them, so that they would be able to help the artisans in readiness for the anticipated credit facilities.

Onifade said the programme would also ensure that all artisans were covered under the programme, adding that a database was being created to include their names, line numbers as well as phone numbers.

He said: “We are also collecting data of all artisans involved in leather products in Aba, their names, line numbers and phone

numbers.

“The idea is to further guarantee these people because the banks are very nervous about doing business with them.

“Apart from their normal driver’s licences, we are going to create an identification card for them, like a chip, so that anybody with that card can approach Diamond Bank for credit.”

In a separate interview, Mr. Enoch Njoku, GEMS 1’s Junior Intervention Manager for finished leather in Aba, told NAN that the data gathering was ongoing.

He said the data gathering would reduce the perceived risk in giving credit facilities to the cluster.

According to him, the programme targets 15,000 artisans for initial take-off.

He said: “We are also creating a calendar of trade shows in the country to enable the artisans to look for market for their products rather than sit at their comfort zones and be expecting customers to come to them.

“We are beginning to let them understand that they can’t just sit here and wait for customers to come and meet them.

“They have to attend some of these fairs to get customers and that is why we are training them.”

GEMS 1 is fully funded

by DFID to support the improvement of competitiveness in strategically important cluster of the meat and leather industry which has the potential to contribute to growth, income and employment.

Although the project’s initial design was on cluster development, it has shifted to a “Making the Markets Work for the Poor,” (M4P) project approach.

L-R: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Bath Okoro; Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Dr. Cletus Ibeto, at the presentation of site documents for the construction of Diagnostic Centre for the university at Nsukka, recently.

2015 polls will be free, fair –Jonathan DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has once again promised that the 2015 general elections would be free and fair.

Jonathan said that there was no alternative to fair election, given the premise that there could not be peace without justice.

The President, who spoke yesterday at Mpu, Enugu State, said it was almost impossible to guarantee good governance without free and fair election.

According to him, it is the level of political manipulation that breeds bickering among politicians.

The President was at Mpu, Aninri Local Government, for the dedication of the All Saints Anglican Covenant Church built by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Jonathan said his administration was determined

to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians.

He said: “You cannot talk about good governance where the elections of people are manipulated; you cannot steal a mandate and turn round to say that you can govern well.

“Lawyers will say you can’t build anything on nothing. If your coming to power from councillorship to Presidency is based on manipulation, there is no good thing you can do there. You cannot go and celebrate.

“First and foremost, people must vote for you and you cannot talk about doing something good without their support.

“It is actually during the military that they use big guns to overthrow those with small guns and take over. In the political dispensation, you must be properly elected, we must make sure that electoral processes are sanitised and the

votes of Nigerians count.

“I know the kind of statement people make each time we leave here to other places; sometimes I feel so humiliated, and now the story has changed.

“What I can promise Nigerians is that with your prayers, we have our challenges no doubt, but most countries have their challenges, that we will make those little changes that will make a difference in our lives.”

Jonathan decried the tendency of Nigerians to abandon the country for others because of the challenges confronting it, stressing that building a virile future was the collective responsibility of all and sundry.

He said: “If we leave Nigeria and go elsewhere where we have all kinds of friends who may use business passports that can give you automatic entry into countries, but they still regard you as a Nigerian. You cannot fit in properly until

you come home.

“We have talked about building the church, let us join hands and build a nation that our children, grandchildren and Nigerians unborn will be happy, irrespective of provocation and political differences.

“Just like the primate said, every leader comes and goes but as a leader, you pray that you leave behind something solid. If we progress from here, the whole country becomes highly developed.”

The President praised Ekweremadu for building the church, which he likened to the one built by Solomon for God in the Bible.

Primate of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Nicholas Okoh, in a sermon, said the Nigeria’s problems were intractable because of human manipulation, adding that her people had not used her numerous religions to build an enterprise that could impact on development.

12

South-South

Unions lament decaying health facilities TONY ANICHEBE UYO

P

rofessional and workers’ unions in Akwa Ibom State have raised the alarm over the decaying health facilities in the state.

In a joint communiqué issued by the unions and made available to National Mirror, the health workers said government has been turning a blind eye to this key sector in the state.

The unions said that with two years for the present administration in the state, health workers are worried that the administration may leave the sector worse than they met it.

According to them, they have decided to speak up concerning the state’s health sector as the situation is worrisome and need urgent attention.

In an attempt to compel the Akpabio administration to salvage the sector, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, and the Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Other Professionals Allied to Medicine, NUPMTPAM, said there is a general decay in the health system in Akwa Ibom State.

According to them, they have been crying out against the decay in the health sector, pointing out that primary health care is almost grounded in the state.

“Primary Health Care Development Agency is not in existence in almost all wards,” they said, adding; “No government secondary health facility in Uyo municipality to give free health care to children under age five, pregnant women and the aged.

Inadequate personnel and facilities to drive the free health care programme in all government health facilities.

“No nominees from the associations in the relevant boards that the law stipulates - hospitals management board, state agency for the control of

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Maritime Academy needs N10bn for upgrading TONY ANICHEBE UYO

C Akpabio

AIDS.” The stakeholders also made the following observations that inadequate core health staff in Facilities; WHO recommendation of doctor/patient ratio is 1:600; pharmacists/ patient 1:2000; nurse/ patient 1:4. That Akwa Ibom with a population of about 3.9 million by 2006 census has in its civil service 198 doctors - ratio of 1:19,700; nurses 1,118 (1:3500); pharmacists 35 (ratio 1:11,500).

The state also employs one radiologist, two radiographers, one biomedical engineer and no physiotherapists.

Continuing, the unions said there is no government owned secondary health care facility in Uyo municipality, the state capital.

“There is no training of house officers, pharmacist interns and laboratory scientists, among others in Akwa Ibom State government-owned health facilities since 1996. There is no grant for post-graduate training of resident doctors, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists, etc. No accreditation of health facilities for training/retraining of health personnel.

“Immunisation coverage in South-South is the lowest in Nigeria.

Akwa Ibom has the second highest prevalence rate in the country, the highest prevalence in the South-South and the highest point prevalence in Nigeria.

“We are therefore calling on the Akwa Ibom State government to urgently address the issues raised so as to maintain the current industrial harmony existing between it and the health professionals and workers since the last industrial action.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ivil society group, Eket Collective, rose from its meeting yesterday in Ikot Ibiok, in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, saying the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, needs about N10 billion to be up-graded into a university.

Spokesman for the group, Solomon Okpo, told National Mirror that the management of the academy is capable of taking the institution to greater heights if well funded by the Federal Government.

The Eket group said they are concerned that that sector of our national economy holds greater prospects for this country than oil. As a matter of fact; “We will like the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, member states to be more interested in using the academy as a veritable tool to produce

maritime tigers of the future for the country.”

The Federal Government has, however, approved N2 billion for the development of facilities at the academy which is situated in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, to upgrade its programme to a degreeawarding institution. President Goodluck Jonathan, who disclosed this in Lagos recently, said the fund has been built into this year’s budget.

Jonathan was quoted as saying that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NMASA, had earlier offered the institution N1billion intervention funds to transform it into a world-standard institution.

President Jonathan, who spoke through the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, at the 2013 Nigerian Maritime Expo, said the academy was already collaborating with the World Maritime

University in Sweden to streamline its curriculum and assist in strengthening its manpower capacity.

Formerly known as the Nautical College of Nigeria, the academy was established in 1979 to train shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel.

By the end of 2008, the academy had trained about 4,300 Nigerian Merchant Navy officers and more than 65,000 other workers in marine operations.

Jonathan also announced government’s plan to establish another maritime university at Okeronkoko, Delta State, in addition to the support given to the academy.

This, he said, underscored the commitment of his administration to the nation’s maritime development. He said the maritime industry contributed significantly to the global economy with over 90 per-

cent of the world trade carried by sea.

According to him, Nigeria had about 70 percent of the ship tariff, cargo throughput and volume of trade in the West Africa and Central African subregions.

His words: “Nigeria’s volume of trade has steadily risen from 82 million tonnes of cargo in 2008 to 93.7 million in 2009 and 100 million in 2012, with containers volume of 1.4 million TEUs in 2011.

“The maritime industry is therefore growing and will no doubt position Nigeria in no distant future as a maritime hub of Africa.”

The President expressed worry at the congestion at the ports, despite reducing the agencies operating there from 14 to seven. He said the Federal Government was taking fresh measures to fully address the problem.

L-R: Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Parish Priest, St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ubiaja, Rev. Fr. Francis and Mrs. Roli Uduaghan at the governor’s thanksgiving service and reception on his election victory at Ubiaja, Edo State, yesterday.

Bayelsa lifts embargo on employment EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

B

ayelsa State government has lifted the embargo placed on employment in the civil service with the recruitment of 300 science teachers in the state’s public schools.

Against this background, the state government has also set up a data-bank for all unemployed youths in the state to enable them secure jobs in the civil service

and other government empowerment programmes.

State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, who spoke in Yenagoa yesterday with journalists, said the lifting of embargo on employment in the civil service has commenced with the recruitment of the science teachers.

Walson-Jack said government was negotiating with some banks, including the United Bank for Africa,

UBA, towards the employment of 200 middle-power staff.

Her words: “The state government set up an entrepreneurial capacity development committee last December to empower youths in businesses and create wealth.

“Those qualified will be given loans to create businesses and wealth. At least N1billion will be set aside by the Ministry of Women Affairs for women empow-

erment specifically. We also have SEEDS for the state.

“It is expected that this projects will empower our youths and will also assist in the construction of 66 kilometres of roads in the state,” the commissioner explained.

The governor’s aide further said government would train youths for employment, stressing that six training projects have been mapped out for the programme.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

SUPER TUESDAY 1990 coup: Jonathan should grant Gideon Okar state pardon – JT Orkar

14&15

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is at crossroads over the outcome of the recent reconciliation tour embarked on by its National Working Committee (NWC), as reactions from across the zones indicate that concerted efforts are needed to win back the confidence of aggrieved members ahead of the 2015 elections, writes FELIX NWANERI.

13

Politics

Parliamentarians as drivers of human development

42,43

Reconciliation: Not yet Uhuru for PDP

N

igeria’s ruling political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is likely to go into the 2015 general elections a divided house, as the recent reconciliatory efforts by its National Working Committee (NWC) yielded little or no results.

The PDP NWC had visited the country’s six geo-political zones ostensibly to reconcile members in line with the 3Rs agenda of the national chairman – Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The 3Rs stand for Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding and was adopted as an official agenda following its approval by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in July last year.

But the outcome of the two-week long tour targeted to bring members, especially governors elected on that PDP platform as well as zonal executive committee members, elders, women and youth groups on the same page with the party’s national leadership indicates that the much-needed cohesion ahead of the next polls is yet to be achieved.

From the North to the South, it was reports of massive boycott of the various town hall meetings organised by the Tukur-led NWC by critical stakeholders, particularly the governors and members of the National Assembly.

The “no show game” was finally crowned with the absence of 21 out of the party’s 23 governors from the grand finale of the reconciliation tour in Abuja. Kogi State Governor Idris Wada and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Chief Godswill Akpabio, were the two that attended the event with five deputy governors from Rivers, Kwara, Katsina, Niger and Gombe states.

Also absent were the Senate President David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha.

But the occasion, which also marked the one-year anniversary of the Tukur-led NWC, saw President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, insisting that there were only two parties in the country - the PDP and the others. Jonathan added that with a united party, the PDP would be in a position to tackle the opposition in the 2015 elections.

The question against this backdrop is: how united is the PDP for the big showdown with opposition parties, which have

Jonathan

TOP STORY YOU ARE THE OWNERS OF PDP. WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE PARTY IS BROUGHT BACK TO THE OWNERS OF THE PARTY.

YES, THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS, BUT WE CAN RECONCILE OUR DIFFERENCES AND STILL DELIVER OUR PARTY IN

2015

closed ranks and come together under an alliance – All Progressive Congress (APC).

While many have described the justconcluded tour as a fiasco, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, believes that it achieved success.

However, a closer look at happenings in the various zones during the expedition show that the ‘Big Umbrella’ has more work to do if it hopes to withstand the current storm threatening it.

No compromise yet in South-West Despite the fact that notable chieftains attended the town hall meeting held in

Tukur

Anenih

Ibadan, Oyo State, to reconcile members of the PDP in the South-West, not much was achieved, as the various factions failed to reach a common position.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, however, stayed away. To many political observers, any reconciliation exercise he is not part of, is likely not to succeed, as his intimidating posture is more than enough to whip members of the various factions into line. Obasanjo though out of office, he still wields lots of influence when it comes to PDP affairs in the zone.

Besides Obasanjo’s absence, the forum also revealed the division in the various state chapters of party in the zone. In Oyo State, for instance, the internal squabbles rocking the party played up with the absence of the immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and many of his loyalists.

The story was the same in Ogun State, which had delegates loyal to the Prince Kashamu Buruji in attendance. Basking in the euphoria of snatching the control of the party in the state from Obasanjo, Buruji led the recently recognised state executive headed by Bayo Dayo to the meeting. Loyalists of Obasanjo, most especially members of the state executive sent packing by the national leadership of the party, as result stayed away.

Tukur, who addressed the gathering, charged the warring factions in the zone to embrace dialogue in order to move the party forward. He also appealed to them to take ownership of the party, hold and rebuild it for future challenges.

He said: “Reconcile yourselves in all ramifications; the South-West is a great

region with heavy credentials. These heavy credentials demand from you heavy responsibilities to take over the reign of power through election. Reconcile and rebuild the party. You are the rightful people that should be in governance in your respective states. If you don’t get power, you can’t serve your people. Please reconcile so that this can be achieved. The South-West is very strategic. Eliminate them with your votes. Let this be the last time that the South-West will be under any party other than the PDP.” The PDP National Chairman further pleaded with feuding parties to forget the ugly experience of the past, avoid political bitterness and forge ahead to realise the objectives of the party, stating that in politics, “there are no permanent enemies.”

Unending cries of marginalisation in South-East Cries of marginalisation by members of the PDP in the South-East re-echoed at the town hall meeting that took place at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, to address issues affecting the party in the zone.

Members of the party from the zone were full of lamentations that the party founded mostly by Igbo leaders has not reciprocated much to the zone in terms of infrastructural development since 1999.

A member of the party’s BoT, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the zone, said the party must demonstrate genuine interest in the cause of Ndigbo before the 2015 elections.

Senator Uche Chukwumerije who also spoke, lamented the imbalance in state creation in the country and called on the party to champion the creation of at least one adCONTINUED ON PAGE 41

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Politics

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

1990 coup: Jonathan should grant Says ‘Only a revolution can save Nigeria’

Dr. Joseph Targema Orkar is the elder brother of late Major Gideon Orkar, who led a coup to overthrow the former military President, Ibrahim Babangida in 1990. In this interview with HENRY IYORKHASE in Makurdi, he calls for a revolution in Nigeria, saying it is the only way to regain the lost values and vision of the nation’s founding fathers. Excerpts: Would you say the courage of your late brother, Major Gideon Orkar, executed 23 years ago for attempting to overthrow former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, runs in the family?

First, I want to correct the impression that late Major Gideon was my immediate younger brother. He was the fourth after me. There were three others before him.

Generally, we are an upright family and that was the way we were brought up by our late father. Late Gideon followed the family tradition – fearlessness and forthrightness, coupled with the characteristics he acquired in the military.

The coup was never discussed in the family. If it had, probably we would have made some input, especially in the speech where he excised parts of northern Nigeria. Even at that, those still talking of the coup are not honest. They claim why the coup failed was because he excised the North from Nigeria. Gideon did not completely excise the region because he gave some conditions. And part of it, was the appointment of a rightful Sultan of Sokoto which meant he was still interested in what was happening at the time. People still ignore this truth.

No one has countered the content of the speech. So, that was Gideon and that’s what he did. Gideon was a right man at the wrong place at the time. When Gideon of the Old Testament, called on the people of Israel to come out of their houses, they poured out in such large numbers that God said, He did not need as much number to give him success. He pruned it to a small number of soldiers. Here, when Gideon staged a coup, many Nigerians including the late Moshood Abiola, condemned him.

Later, Abiola who was busy at the time

dining with Babangida paid a supreme price. All these go to show that Nigerians are not yet ready for a revolution.

After Gideon was executed, I travelled to Jaji and was surprised that no soldier was prepared to take up from where he stopped. For the coup, it was obvious that was the extent to which God wanted it to go, otherwise some of his colleagues could have gone ahead to successfully complete it.

How many of your family members are still alive?

From our mother we were 12 children; eight boys and four girls. I say so because after her death, my father, Orkar Chi from Ugondo, Makurdi Local Government got married to another woman. Even though Gideon was executed by Ibrahim Babangida, six of us are still alive and that include four men and two women. So, we still see God’s blessings in our family.

Are there other famous ones among you?

Our family is not after fame. I joined politics as a calling and won a seat in the state House of Assembly but the late Aper Aku appointed me a commissioner.

I was the most famous in the family, until Gideon came up and superseded me. My elder brother was also appointed a commissioner after me in the military era.

Incidentally, he served as commissioner for agriculture after I had held the position. The other person who was elder to my immediate senior was a headmaster and died in 1973. The immediate one after me, Dr. John Ngusha Orkar died last year.

He was also a renowned teacher and evangelist. The first child of my mother was a woman who got married to Tyoor Tyuyô

Ayaka of Mbatyerev.

Of what significance is that coup to Nigerians?

You see, I am not always forthcoming when discussing Gideon’s coup. Even now, I feel Nigerians should be able to judge. I should not be the one doing that. I am only his elder brother and should not be blowing his trumpet. Others should be able to say how they see of it.

All is not well with Nigeria, yet you find those who are in the habit of opening their mouths wide and trying to suppress the truth. Here, the crooks are leading because they got into office through crooked means. But even when some people dare talk of revolution, you find those who get agitated and dismiss revolution as out of fashion.

Then when anybody talks of coup, they will tell you the military lacks such capability today. That is true because they have become compromised, as they are beneficiaries of the rot in the system. But the fact is that revolution does not come only through military coup, as civilians can also do that. When you watch international television channels, you see people in other countries pouring into the streets to demand change. They are not afraid of being killed. Is it not time Nigerians do that? In Benue State, they are waiting for Kpamor Orkar to organise them and demonstrate against injustice. This is what Nigeria has turned today. We are relying more on God that there is nothing He cannot do. Gideon played his own part to the extent that God allowed it. We hope to, one day, build a tomb in his memory. You find that writs are placed at the tombs of unknown soldiers; here Gideon is a known soldier.

Gideon had associates like Col. Nyiam, Great Ogboru and others. Are they still maintaining link with your family?

Before that coup, we never heard of Great Ogboru, Col. Nyam, Turner and others. We never knew they were part of the planning, so did not have opportunity of

SINCE HE HAS TAKEN THE BOLD STEP TO GRANT PARDON TO OTHER

NIGERIANS, IT

WOULD BE PROPER FOR HIM TO DO LIKEWISE FOR MY LATE BROTHER AND ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE COUP OF

APRIL 1990

JT Orkar

meeting them. It was after the coup and when Ogboru returned from exile that he visited us. Of course we showed appreciation. He came to the village and dined with us. But since then, we have not had any contact with him. Incidentally, he tried in that coup but did not succeed. Now, he wants to promote democracy but is being frustrated by dark political forces.

Let me say that late Gideon’s wife prefers anything associated with that coup forgotten. Talking of it continues to remind her of that tragic past. She is not interested in fame and having lost her husband in that circumstance, she tries to be out of the limelight. If she were politically minded, she would have taken off from there. In fact, some people want to organise a lecture in memory of Gideon. Last time his wife, Mrs. Judith Bunmi Orkar, was to come home when a nephew was getting married but rather decided to go and write an examination. So, we have to take her feelings into consideration.

How many children did Gideon leave behind?

He left behind four boys and one girl.

They are all grown up and university graduates. His only daughter is a mechanical engineer; one of the sons is an architect and married.

The Orkar family should not be the ones talking of Gideon, it should rather be Nigerians. If Nigerians saw anything good in what he did, then they should continue with the struggle. You see the public is being exploited on all fronts.

The late Orkar wanted to excise parts of northern Nigeria from the country. Do

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

15

Gideon Okar state pardon – JT Orkar A REVOLUTION DOES NOT NEED TO BE

VIOLENT. THERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS

OF CARRYING IT OUT.

WHAT IS NEEDED

IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO POUR INTO THE STREETS AND REVOLT AGAINST INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION Party (APC), there won’t be voter apathy.

We have competent and credible candidates, especially persons like Muhammadu Buhari. No one will stop him from contesting in 2015 because those against him have skeletons in their cupboards and are afraid of being probed.

Some are saying that as a Muslim, Buhari would Islamise Nigeria. But when he was military Head of State, he did not do so. Even if there is apathy, it is the number of those who register and vote that will decide the winner. It does not mean that everyone must vote before you can effect a change. What we will do is to ensure we stop rigging by anybody or political party.

you think it was a mistake, especially with the situation today?

The answer is better left to Nigerians and not me. Incidentally, everyone is playing the ostrich. Just some days ago, the Sultan of Sokoto demanded amnesty for the Boko Haram. I have always insisted that the Federal Government closely monitor the Sultan because he is the religious leader of Muslims in Nigeria and his members are causing mayhem in the name of their religion.

He should have prevailed on the Boko Haram from becoming violent. Nobody has ever talked to the Sultan of Sokoto on this, yet he is asking the government to grant them amnesty. If Nigerians have not learnt any lessons from what Gideon wanted to achieve, then we are all finished.

Would you seek presidential amnesty for your late brother?

Definitely, I am using this opportunity to plead with President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the pardon to Gideon as that is the best thing to do. Since he has taken the bold step to grant pardon to other Nigerians, it would be proper for him to do likewise for my late brother and all those who participated in the coup of April 1990. I praise the President for the boldness to initiate the state pardon.

Do you think Nigeria is ripe for a revolution?

A revolution does not need to be violent. There are various ways of carrying it out. What is needed is for the people to pour into the streets and re-

volt against injustice and oppression.

May be in the military, when soldiers are dissatisfied with a prevailing situation, they violently revolt. But a revolution does not necessarily entail taking up arms, but saying it with words and other actions will do.

Nigeria is blessed but there is a lot of corruption in the system. Those in authority are only interested in embezzling public funds. Take the case of pension’s fund. One would have expected that those responsible for payments would have been humble enough to go to homes of these elderly citizens every month and pay them their benefits. But those charged with their welfare were busy diverting the funds into private pockets. In the end, pensioners go about the streets begging for livelihood. That is why General Muhammadu Buhari is saying that President Goodluck Jonathan is incapable of fighting corruption because those around him are part of it. There were lots of revelations at the Senate probe of the power sector.

It was published that a contractor that did not know the site where a power plant was to be sited was fully paid upfront. Nigeria is a rotten country and that is why we want to come and salvage it by the formation of a new political party. Nothing will deter us from doing this. The new party would sweep the polls and we will enthrone justice, peace and unity.

Don’t you think Nigerians are developing voter apathy?

(Cuts in) That should not bother anyone. With our new party, , All Progressive

Assessing past military rule and present democratic dispensation, which has performed better?

On a performance scale, the military has a leg up. When Buhari was Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) chairman, he performed creditably well. He is going to contest in 2015 and we know as a presidential candidate, he is above every other person.

In civilian dispensation, we expect to see democracy. But unfortunately, there is no democracy in Nigeria. What we have is a form of civil rule where some people rig elections and occupy official positions. That is not democracy. We are still waiting for democracy in Nigeria.

After rigging elections, some people would then go back to accuse the losers of not willingly accepting defeat. When you rig me out, should I congratulate you? If you attempt going to the election tribunal, they hand you down phoney judgements.

How do you intend stopping election rigging considering that the party in power has the apparatus to ensure its continued stay in office?

When you go for game in the jungle, do you let the animals know your position in the bush? We will not disclose what we will do at least for now.

In 2001, a Federal High Court awarded N41.8 billion as compensation to victims of the invasion of Tiv land. Recently, it was alleged that Governor Gabriel Suswam reached an out-of-court settlement and collected N8 billion. How do you react to this?

Whatever is happening now is because of the type of government we

have in place and we are determined to flush it out. When APC comes to power, we will fight injustice, and even demand for the outstanding compensation. That is why people are afraid of Buhari because they think they will not go scot free. The corrupt people want to continue looting public treasury. They are the people fighting against our cause. This is an inhuman government; it is not fighting for the good of the public.

Recently, President Jonathan commissioned the Greater Makurdi Water Works.

Yet, there is no water from the source.

I have had no water here ever since I completed this house. I laid pipes and they started billing me, then I went and told them, not to bill me again. There were times they talked of improving water supply to the low cost housing estate, but till now nothing concrete has been done. The Makurdi Water Works which Jonathan commissioned was a fake. Now, the government is saying the reason for the lack of water is that the old pipes got burst due to water pressure. If you were going to have a new system like Christ said, you do not put new wine in old wine skin, if you are bringing a new wine, you should also bring new skin. They should have started work on the new pipes, so that by the time the water is commissioned, we would enjoy it. There is so much sycophancy and falsehood here.

Do you think the large number of political parties is healthy for the country?

Until INEC deregistered some, there were more than 60 political parties in Nigeria. There are some that even with the freest and fairest elections cannot win a council ward. I have always advocated for ideology-based political parties. That makes the difference between party A and B. You have political parties that have nothing to offer. They cannot even tell you why they are in existence but only indulge in noise making.

Some individuals want to be heard, so they come out as presidential candidates. In the First Republic, political parties could not hold meetings except they obtained permit from the police and that was why the UMBC did not give us permits to hold meetings. Nowadays, we hold meetings without getting permit from the police. It means we have freedom of association. But when it comes to registering a company, you must abide by the regulations of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

And even when a company is unable to send reports on financial returns, it would have its certificate withdrawn.

In politics too, if a political party does not live up to expectations, it should be deregistered. We should have few parties so that INEC can effectively monitor them. Everybody wants to have a party. It is ridiculous.

When you study their manifestos, you will see no distinction between them. A party should not be formed because of the interest of an individual.

16

Politics

Jonathan’ s marching order to HOSF on curbing corruption

ASO ROCK FILE with

Rotimi FADEYI

T Police, Civil Defence present case before President

T

wo officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lost their lives in the deadly clash with the Police last week in Lagos. President Goodluck Jonathan has already been briefed by both government security agencies while the public awaits the next action of government on the matter.

At a time when the nation is facing serious security challenges, agencies of government that are expected to cooperate to protect lives and property are engaged in deadly clash over protection of oil pipelines from vandals.

Whether the clash was as a result of some pecuniary reward for discharging the duties of protecting the pipelines, or that officers of the agencies are colluding with vandals to destroy the pipelines are issues that needed to be unravelled in the course of investigation into the matter.

The authorities of both agencies were before President Jonathan last week to present their different accounts of the incident which led to the death of the officers of the NSCDC which has thrown their families into sorrow.

Jonathan and other top officials of government including the National Security Adviser (NSA) are already looking into the matter.

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Last Thursday, Police authorities appeared before the President after an earlier meeting with authorities of the NSCDC the previous day.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Suleiman Fakai led the team to the office of the President as the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, was said to be currently out of the country.

After the meeting with the President, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the Police tabled its account of the incident. “We also have to come to give the President a police perspective on that report and that is exactly what the leadership of the Police have done,” he said.

The NSCDC said that the policemen collaborated with pipeline vandals, ambushed and opened fire on men of the anti-vandal squad of the Lagos State Command of the Civil Defence Corps killing two of its men on the spot while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

It explained that the officers and men of the corps were returning from a successful anti-vandals operation where vandals were arrested along with their exhibits and being transported back to the state headquarters of the corps when they clashed with the Police.

he civil service has often been referred to as the “evil service” considering the level of corruption, sleaze, ineptitude and incompetence that have plagued the public service.

This situation is not strange to the new Head of Service, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, who took oath of office before President Goodluck Jonathan last week.

The seasoned civil servant sure knows the terrain. He was Permanent Secretary, Common Service Office (CSO) Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and has promised to tackle the scourge of corruption and other ills of the civil service.

Aji said his immediate priority is to reposition the service for the attainment of the objectives under the transformation agenda of government as directed by the President.

Jonathan had issued Aji a marching order to work on curtailing corruption and enhancing discipline in the service, saying his government and the people of Nigeria

expect him to focus on those areas that are most important to the lives of the people.

The President noted that the civil service was central to the realisation of his administration’s transformation agenda and the associated hopes and aspirations of Nigerian citizens, adding that Aji’s vast experience should be brought to bear on the realisation of the dreams of government “In particular, you must focus on those sectors that will help the administration to deliver with urgency, beliefs and benefits which are the core of our survival as a people such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, health amongst others.

“You must also pursue with vigour the true implementation of the performance management system in the civil service, I believe its full implementation will positively improve the ability of civil servants to discharge their responsibilities. I also expect that you will intensify your efforts to enhance discipline and curtail corruption in the service,” Jonathan told Aji.

Kaduna elders demand share of national cake

I

t is not new that elders of ethnic groups or geo-political zones in the country and even leaders of some key organisations often come to the State House to discuss issues of distribution of resources or sharing of political offices with the powers that be.

Some ethnic groups have even cried out that they are marginalised in the scheme of things in the country and that other regions are favoured in the sharing of the national cake.

It was not a surprise that a 16-member delegation of the Southern Kaduna elders came to the Presidential Villa last week to also make demand for a fair share of the national cake and assistance of the Federal Government in the development of the state.

Major General Zamani Lekwot (rtd) who led the delegation, appealed to President Jonathan to redress the marginalisation of the zone through equitable appointments, saying that the zone had only seven out of the 30 Federal political appointments in the state.

He also appealed for Federal Government projects in the zone while also asking for the completion of road projects, power supply projects, rehabilitation of NTA Kafanchan and the establishment of a military unit within a 20 kilometre radius of Kafanchan to deter terrorists from killing innocent villagers of Southern Kaduna.

Lekwot also made case for communities that need electricity and the Kaduna eastern bypass which is a very important road in the state which needs attention as Kaduna has suddenly become congested because of influx of vehicles.

The Kaduna International Airport was

another major issue Lekwot and the delegation raised with Jonathan at the meeting.

They believed that if the airport is upgraded to international standard, the state will start exporting agricultural produce to the international market which would be of immense benefit to national economy.

President Goodluck Jonathan; his mother, Madam Eunice; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Opara; Member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu and Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke at a Church Service at the Aso Villa Chapel.

Jonathan advocates peace, unity at Easter

T

he Easter celebration by Christians worldwide to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ presented yet another opportunity for world leaders including President Goodluck Jonathan to preach peace, tolerance.

He also joined other Christians at a Church Service at the Aso Villa Chapel to mark Good Friday, a day set aside to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ In his Easter message to the nation, Jonathan urged all Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin The President said all Nigerians must be united as a people for the country to successfully achieve its vision of becoming one of the most dominant nations on the global stage in the shortest possible time.

He further admonished that they should effectively resist by all possible means, the evil machinations of global terrorists and their misguided domestic

accomplices who seek to provoke turmoil, hatred and harmful divisions.

The President also urged all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin.

The President said the country must have peace, security and stability to effectively implement the agenda for national transformation, stressing that his government would continue to work ceaselessly to re-establish the prerequisite conditions for nationwide progress and development.

He noted that the nation’s immense potential for greatness in the comity of nations is guaranteed because of the collective strength as a country of close to 170 million people and the acclaimed richness of its diverse human resources and natural endowments.

Jonathan expressed hope that the lessons of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which include self-sacrifice, brotherly love and tolerance would take

firmer root in the country in order to surmount the present challenges and bring about the realisation of the dream of a more peaceful, secure, united, progressive and prosperous nation.

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1.

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

2.

ECOWAS Commission President, Mr. Kadre Ouedraogo

3.

Governor Peter Obi

4.

Governor Godswill Akpabio

5.

Governor Murtala Nyako

6.

General Zamani Lekwot (rtd)

7.

General Ishaya Bakut

8.

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu

9.

GMD of Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede

10.

Chairman, Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola

11.

Deacon Samuel Idowu

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-43

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

17

Aregbesola and his enemy DO YOU EXPECT ME TO

YOMI OBADITAN

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT

O

gbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, governor of the State of Osun, has within two years established development benchmarks in the Land of the Virtuous so much that the success of his second term bid is a foreclosed issue. This is not saying he would pursue it without opposition. Indeed, there is a man who is not only angry for losing the position to Ogbeni, he sees nothing good in his administration.

Hear the lamentation of this man, an imaginary opponent of Ogbeni. It is pieced together from an imaginary conversation.

Opponent: I am contesting in 2014 and I will win. I have never lost an election in my state. The last election was a ruse.

Listener: Sir, you were in the Senate and right there you lost even your ward, how are you now going to oust an incumbent governor?

Opponent: Who tells you I lost the election? I did not lose any election it was the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner that rigged the election for him. Aregbe has never won any election in my state. He is a stranger. I am much on the ground. I live in my state with my people, I am man of the people; you cannot compare my popularity with this Lagos man. The court cancelled 550,000 out of 750,000 votes and declared Aregbesola winner with only 21,000 votes.

Where is that done?

Listener: Sir, your calculation is incorrect; having deducted 550,000 from

HE HAS ACHIEVED SOMETHING IN THE STATE?

750,000 it will remain 250,000 not 21,000.

So, you should have won.

Opponent: Whatever may remain, does the law say they should deduct figures? Does the law say they should cancel results from 10 LGAs? Where is the one quarter of two thirds?

Listener: Do you mean one quarter of the votes cast in two third of LGAs in the state sir?

Opponent: Are you querying me?

Are you his lawyer? “Mi o ro pe o mo mi.” I am telling you this man has offended me and he cannot defeat me, come 2014. I will win that election. I am the most popular politician in the state.

Listener: Sir, but many people believe that Governor Aregbesola is performing creditably well. Do you think you have the chance of unseating him?

Opponent: Ahaaa (laughter). “Ma wo bobo yi” (Look at this guy). You know performance to nitwits means performance in the newspapers, on the social media and in the internet; but it is different from the performance on the ground. There is nothing to show for his two years in office; Aregbe has done nothing.

Listener: Sir, if those who read newspapers, those on social media and those

that use the internet are nitwits, who then are the geniuses who shall vote you into office in spite of your odious perception.

Opponent: I said don’t query me; whatever I say is the fact. If you do not mind your language I will dispatch you to Golgotha. Do you want to tell me I don’t know what I am saying? You see, governance has gone beyond the level of making noise in the newspapers.

When you are performing, we must see the indicators. He has not done a single thing. He said we spent N74 million only as examinations grants in primary schools during our seven and half years in power. Is it the amount you spent that matters? He who has spent billions within two years, what are the results?

Listener: Sir, the WAEC and NECO results have shown that the man has made a difference in the education sector; pupils in primary 1 to 4 are being fed during school hours, and school uniforms are now freely distributed to the students and pupils in schools in the state. Not only that, a computer device that contain over 54 text books in 17 subjects being taught in Osun senior secondary schools, 10-year WAEC and JAMB past questions and tutorials in a virtual learning environment, are about to be given free of charge to about 150,000 high school students to assist them prepare for the final WAEC and NECO examinations.

Opponent: Look young man do not let Aregbesola deceive you; where will he get the money to carry out such a project? Aregbesola awarded a contract on Osogbo-Kwara boundary road, a Federal Government project, which I

awarded and paid for.

Listener: Sir, were you once a minister of works?

Opponent: No, I am talking of when I was in the Senate; I awarded and paid for it.

Listener: Sir, you are economical with truth. The fact is that Ogbeni administration is reconstructing and dualising the Osogbo-Kwara (Ila-Odo) road. Aregbesola has built 533 kilometer of roads within two years.

Opponent: Ma da lohun (don’t mind him). May be those are the works he borrowed money for. He collected N281 billion and borrowed through bond, debts swap; so we are already in deep shit.

Listener: Do you know economics at all Sir? Otherwise, how can a state with less than N240 billion revenue in four years borrow N281 billion? Who will lend out such money? Above all, you are incoherent by saying hitherto that he has done nothing.

Opponent: Do you expect me to acknowledge that he has achieved something in the state? I have warned any bank that lends that man money will bear the brunt. I am an experienced administrator. As soon as I am voted in come 2014, I will build roads nobody has ever built, and construct bridges where there is no river. I will transform the rural areas into small London. By the time I finish my first term, the people will beg me to go for second term.

Listener: These claims are simply outlandish, sir. Osun a dara o.

Obaditan wrote from Osogbo, Osun State

Habemus Papam: The lessons for us all CHIBUGWUM NKWACHUKWU

T

his is the hardest article l have ever written. It took me 32 days.

From February 11, 2013 when Papa emeritus Benedict 1 announced his resignation as the Roman Pontiff, I was one of those shocked, and for some reasons. I was in Rome; I am a Catholic, and l have been privileged to have encounters with the last two popes providentially.

In December 1993 on pilgrimage to the Vatican, l was one of the selected few to have a handshake with Pope John Paul 11, now a canonized saint. As a communications student of Santa Croce Università in Rome, I was also privileged to be chosen among the students to have private audience with Pope Benedict 1.

It was a memorable encounter to listen to one of the intellectual gurus of the modern church.

So the news of Pope Benedict’s planned resignation came as a bomb too difficult to believe because the reign of the pope has conventionally been from election until death, although from history Benedict became the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory X11 in 1415.

Receiving the shock, I made up my mind to write on the importance of good

leadership and the examples to learn from the Pope, but as the day went by, l lost interest because I was anxious to know the final outcome. As l wrote this piece now, the new pope was just made known to the whole world. The interest came back as l saw a conclusion that is worthy of emulation from all nations of the world.

I see Ratzinger as a great man who knows when to move and when to stop.

I see him as a wise and courageous man worthy of emulation. What a lesson to learn from both leaders of the world, especially the sit tight ones in Africa. Ratzinger has proven himself to be a leader that knows his mission of service. And when he felt he could no longer continue due to ill health, he humbly stepped aside. Leadership position to many are seen as an opportunity for self glorification and authority to do whatever one wishes without an iota of the mind to serve. The position is seen as opportunity to loot; the office a place to manipulate others to be subjected to ones selfish wishes and desires. A great lesson indeed.

Now to nations of the world: The need for us to learn from the Vatican peaceful union in moments of crisis.

Candidly, the resignation was a crisis before the church. The way and manner

THE QUICK ORGANISATION OF THE SHORTEST CONCLAVE IN HISTORY SAW TO IT THAT ALL THE QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED CARDINALS REPRESENTING THE WHOLE WORLD WERE INVITED AND PRESENT TO PARTICIPATE it was being handled (not because of its religious stand) is worthy of emulation.

In just one day, a new Pope emerged during the conclave that started on the 12th of March at the Accapella Sistine.

The quick organisation of the shortest conclave in history saw to it that all the qualified and nominated cardinals representing the whole world were invited and present to participate. A lesson for us Nigerians is to look out for those capable people in our midst, who must have had good track records and bring

them through our voices and votesto position of service.

Who is Pope Francesco?

First, an Argentine Jesuit priest and Archbishop of Buenos Aires, which is one of the biggest dioceses in the world.

Like Saint Francis Assisi, record shows that he is a man of prayer. No wonder, for the first time a newly elected Pope begged the faithful to pray for him in silence. He is a lover of the poor as well.

Many have asked why Francesco of Assisi? My reply is maybe because St Francis was told by God in a vision to “Go and repair my collapsing church” and he did by reforming the church back to God. Pope Francesco chose that name prophetically to be another St Francis to help the church at a crucial period like this.

Long live the Pope!

Nwokocha, chibugwum_nkwachukwu@ymail.com, wrote from the Vatican City, Rome Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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18

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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The APC registration controversy

olitics and political struggles are predicated on the assumption of a level playing field. In other words, no political actor ought to have undue advantage over others in the struggle for power. The above, however, becomes very impossible in the absence of a credible electoral body, adequate and responsive electoral rules, and an impartial judicial organ, among others. There had been claims of the non-existence of a level playing ground as politicians and political parties plan and strategise ahead of the 2015 general elections, with strong allegations by some opposition parties that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is pandering to the whims and caprices of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA), which are the main opposition parties in the country, recently agreed to merge and form a new political party to be known as the All Progressive Congress (APC). The electoral umpire, INEC, however, stirred controversy when it announced that the acronym, ‘APC’ had been registered by a different political party. But the opposition parties are insisting on their ownership of the acronym, and alleging a covert plan by the PDP to frustrate the emergence of the potentially formidable opposition

political party.

Chairman of APC’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, told newsmen in Abuja a few days ago that it was up to INEC to decide on the matter and that the Commission had not officially informed the merging parties about the emergence of another rival group claiming the acronym. Nevertheless, the controversy dogging APC’s registration has renewed the debate on the neutrality or otherwise of INEC, based on its non-autonomous nature and the obvious desperate attempt by the ruling party to retain political power. The PDP took over the mantle of leadership from the military in 1999 and currently dominates all power structures at local, state and national levels; as well as controls the National Assembly. The opposition and a lot of ordinary Nigerians are, however, of the strong view that the ruling party has mismanaged the economy, failed to deal with deepening security crises nationwide, is enmeshed in an endless power reform programme, and has failed to tackle the grave problems of material poverty, destitution and unemployment scourging the populace. Also to be seriously tackled are such daunting challenges as social infrastructure deficit, increasing political corruption and the politicization and ridiculing of the judicial arm of government.

ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY ARE DEMONSTRABLE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN

INEC’S

HANDLING OF THIS SENSITIVE MATTER Many Nigerians desirous of the emergence of a strong opposition to challenge the PDP leadership and possibly turn around the tide view INEC’s seeming care-free attitude towards APC’s registration as official sabotage. The fear still remains that the PDP has sponsored some unprincipled politicians to register the acronym.

We consider the foregoing as danger signals for the country’s fledgling democracy, especially in a nation where the opposition has been passive and snoring away since 1999. It must be acknowledged that the opposition parties worked extremely hard to emerge with the APC, a party that promises to be strong enough to challenge the PDP in 2015. Previous attempts in the Second Republic at forging a strong coalition of progressives through the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), failed to displace the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), due to

personality clashes, mistrust and normless struggle for power.

The country’s politics has been ruined by prebendal cravings, politics of the belly and primitive accumulation of wealth. It has been democracy without democratization all along, with the same challenges and anomalies that led to the collapse of previous republics yet unaddressed.

It bears restating the fact that the APC registration controversy has renewed debate on the independence of INEC vis-à-vis its existence as the ‘shadow’ of the ruling party. Civil society campaigns on electoral reforms have often emphasized the independence of the electoral body as a major ingredient for the sustenance of democracy. Many have likewise called for a review of the process of appointing the INEC Chairman and the inclusion of representatives of civil society organizations in the Commission. We, however, implore INEC to sieve the wheat from the chaff and clear all the encumbrances on the way of APC’s registration. For, a democracy that lacks strong political opposition is another brand of dictatorship.

Absolutely necessary are demonstrable fairness and equity in INEC’s handling of this sensitive matter, in the interest of peace.

But Nigerians must remain perpetually vigilant to safeguard the country’s nascent democracy.

ON THIS DAY April 2, 2002 Israeli forces surrounded the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem into which armed Palestinians had retreated. The Church of the Nativity is a basilica located in Bethlehem, a Palestinian territory; and is considered to be the oldest continuously operating Christian church in the world. It is still traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.

April 2, 1982 Falklands War: Argentina invadeed the Falkland Islands. The Falklands War, also known as the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was a 1982 war between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The conflict resulted from the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which lie in the South Atlantic, east of Argentina.

April 2, 1980 President Jimmy Carter signed the Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act in an effort to help the United States’ economy rebound. A windfall profits tax is a higher tax rate on profits that ensue from a sudden windfall gain to a particular company or industry. In 1980, the US enacted the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act (P.L. 96-223) as part of a compromise between the Carter Administration and the Congress over the decontrol of crude oil prices.

FAAN/Bi-Courtney crisis puts PPPs to test

Low penetration: Stiffer sanctions sought for brokers, agents

37

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Interest rate: Experts divided on Monetary Policy Committee stance A

gain, last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN), Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), retained the Monetary Policy Rate at 12 per cent with a corridor of +/- 200 basis points by a majority vote of 9 of its Monetary Policy Committee members to 3, who voted against the retention of the old rate. The decision at the last meeting is making it ten consecutively time, since October 2011, the MPR has remained unchanged.

The apex bank’s decision was contrary to experts’ projections and expectation for a reduction of the old rate.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane, had predicted a gradual easing of monetary policy. Rewane predicted that the MPC would either reduce the Monetary Policy Rate to 11 per cent, from 12 per cent or cut the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by one per cent to 11 per cent at its March meeting.

Rewane said this in his monthly economic news and views for March, made available to National Mirror had urged the CBN to “balance its mandate of price stability with public outcry for a rate cut as pressure on the CBN to shift its policy stance intensifies.”

The argument of FDC was that the Nigerian market was no longer as vulnerable to market contagion as other frontier markets, saying that there was limited impact from slowdown

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As Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), retains the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), at 12 per cent for 11th consecutive time, economic stakeholders are divided on appropriateness of making tight monetary policy. UDO ONYEKA

in Asian economies. According to FDC, there were increased opportunities in the Nigerian market as more companies look to break into the market. He pointed out that Nigeria’s share of world trade is currently 0.49 per cent, just as the country’s share of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), is 0.45 per cent.

“There is a strong correlation between fiscal discipline and macroeconomic success. Fiscal discipline will increase domestic and international investors’ confidence.”

In the same vein, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) called for a relaxed rate .LCCI had outlined outline the detrimental impact of sustained monetary tightening on the private sector. It called on the CBN to com-

mence monetary easing and focus on stimulation of economic growth and job creation.

“We expect to see the commencement of monetary easing on the back of supportive economic realities. The latest inflation rate for the month of January 2013 stood at 9 per cent, lower than 12 per cent recorded in December 2012.

Year-on-year core inflation (all items less farm produce) stood at 11.3 per cent in January from 13.7 per cent in December 2012. The headline inflation rate is now in single digit, which is an appropriate condition for the cessation of the tightening cycle,” the body had said before the MPC meeting.

The LCCI statement, signed by its president, Mr. Goodie Ibru, stressed that as at March

16, 2013 the country’s external reserves stood at $48.17 billion.

This level of reserves, it noted, was enough to cover over 11 months of imports, above the critical level of 3 months, “adding that the reserves should support stable exchange rate in the short-to medium term. It added that favourable oil pricing, improved foreign capital inflows and lower demand from oil marketers have all contributed to the accretion to the reserves position making monetary easing at this time desirable”.

“The foreign exchange rate has remained relatively stable since the beginning of the year.

The exchange rate stood at N155.76/$1 as at March 13, 2013, representing a year till date CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

States’ GDP computation project report out soon

How contract staffing reduces workers’ productivity

NEMA rallies stakeholders ahead of looming floods

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23

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Business & Finance

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interest rate: Experts divided on Monetary Policy Committee stance CONTINUED FROM 19 marginal appreciation of 0.01 per cent.

“The short to medium term outlook of the exchange rate will be influenced by the global oil price, foreign capital inflows and fiscal approach of the federal government to fund the 2013 budget. Having successfully achieved a single digit inflation rate, the next focus of the MPC should be to ensure a modest commencement of monetary easing to boost real sector growth and stimulate the economy generally.

“We expect to see the monetary policy tools - MPR, Liquidity Ratio and the Cash Reserve Requirements (CRR) adjusted appropriately by the MPC to create the conditions that would stimulate growth, boost economic activities and create jobs,” the chamber explained.

The LCCI also faulted MPC’s stance on rate the outcome of the March meeting, the organisation in an email to National Mirror signed by its Director General, Mr Muda Yusuf bemoaned the retention of the monetary policy tightening by the CBN. The decision is a cause for concern because of its implications for operating cost and competitiveness, especially of domestic firms.

The LCCI said as a result of the unchanged rate, “the following business and economic conditions would persist; high interest rate, poor credit access, weak competitiveness of domestic firms, weak industrial capacity utilisation and weak capacity to create jobs”.

The Lagos Chamber said even though it appreciates the value of macroeconomic stability which has been the main policy focus of the CBN, stimulating growth through better funding is paramount at this time.

“The Nigerian market is the largest in Africa, yet most domestic firms cannot take advantage of this because of weak financial capacity. Domestic and indigenous firms are being progressively relegated in the economy because of these conditions. This underscores the need to review the current fixation on macroeconomic stability. Unemployment has reached a frightening proportion and unless domestic firms are empowered, the situation would continue to worsen with scary social consequences,” the statement said Chief Consultant, Nesbet Consult, Dr Alaba Olusemore, said that success of economic reforms depend on how it impact o he citizens. He said that economic reforms should be wholistic not only about interest rate. He said this at workshop on Financial Regulation and Strategy organised by Monbasab Ventures Inc., penultimate week.

“The liquidity tightening was at odds with the reality of an uncertain global economic environment and the actions of regulatory banks of most emerging markets. The central banks of most emerging economies pursued more accommodative policies in order to support domestic growth.”

Corroborating Olusemore, Lecturer, Department of Finance, University of Lagos, Mr Samson Ogege, said one of the major solution to Nigeria’s

Sanusi

economic problem was to diversify. “ Nigeria economy is highly dependent on oil clear. The non-oil economy lacks competitiveness especially the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. This is why experts have called for diversifications of the economy.”

However, some analysts have said that the CBN is on the right track, as its monetary policy has helped to increase the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

According the analysts, part of the measures that boost the reserves was the 12 per cent Monetary Policy Rate, otherwise known as benchmark lending rate. CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido, had noted that the policies of the bank were tailored at curtailing inflation and tightening liquidity.

The analysts said the upward review of the oil price benchmark to $79 per barrel as contained in the recently passed 2013 budget, provides additional room for increased government spending and therefore poses a direct upside threat to inflation and this was a justification for MPC to keep the MPR on hold at the old rate.

“In order to adjust monetary policy however, the MPC will need to be more certain that lower inflation can be achieved on a sustainable basis.

With the threat of a higher benchmark crude price being adopted in the 2013 budget, we’re not certain that can be taken for granted for the moment.

On this basis, we forecast unchanged monetary policy ”, said Razia Khan, Head of Regional Research, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan had said before the last MPC meeting.

Sanusi, who briefed the media on the decisions taken during the twoday meeting, said the committee was faced with three options but decided to retain the MPR at its current rate in order to sustain the gains of monetary policy while utilising the existing space in the corridor to influence yields and exchange rates in the short term.

He explained: “Having achieved a

Rewane

Ibru

WE EXPECT TO SEE THE MONETARY POLICY TOOLS

-

MPR, LIQUIDITY RATIO AND THE CASH RESERVE REQUIREMENTS (CRR) ADJUSTED APPROPRIATELY BY THE

MPC TO CREATE

THE CONDITIONS THAT WOULD STIMULATE GROWTH, BOOST

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND CREATE JOBS reasonable degree of moderation in the rate of inflation, there were compelling arguments to consider easing monetary policy, at least from the perspective of stimulating growth in the real sector given the slowdown in overall GDP and agricultural GDP growth, inability of the SMEs to borrow at the current lending rates.

“The committee carefully weighed the option of relaxing monetary policy against the likely risks in the nearto-medium term, noting that reversing the current stance of monetary policy was not likely to produce a neutral outcome, as it may signal the preference for a higher inflation rate on the part of the CBN”, Sanusi said.

Sanusi said the committee was satisfied with the level of accretion into the external reserves which stands at $49.38 billion as at March 14, 2013, representing an increase of $5.5 billion or 12.68 per cent over the level of $43.83 billion as at December 2012, a development which was attributed

Yusuf

largely to proceeds from crude oil and gas sales and crude oil related taxes as well as reviewed funding of WDAs. Similarly, he disclosed that the committee was comfortable with the macroeconomic stability in the economy despite shocks from both external and domestic environments a development which informed the tightening stance of the third quarter, even as the committee urged the regulatory financial institution to continue monitoring the portfolio of direct investment flows while being conscious of the financial risk and of hot money in the event of a shock.

He explained: “Having achieved a reasonable degree of moderation in the rate of inflation, there were compelling arguments to consider easing monetary policy, at least from the perspective of stimulating growth in the real sector given the slowdown in overall GDP and agricultural GDP growth, inability of the SMEs to borrow at the current lending rates, and crowding out effects that may require monetary easing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

21

States’ GDP computation project report out soon TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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here are strong indications that the report of the States’ Gross Domestic Product computation project which was flagged off in Minna, Niger State, about eight months ago may be published within the next two weeks if the target set by the Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, for the completion of the exercise is met.

The project is described by Usman as significant in the economic history of Nigeria being the first time it is being undertaken by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which is designed to provide the most comprehensive and reliable measure of economic activity at the sub-national level.

He explained that the published data would serve as a basis for effective benchmarking the economies of the States for investment decisions by potential investors in the country.

The pilot exercise covers six

L-R: IMF Mission Chief in Cote D’ivoire, Mr. Michel Lazare; Ivorian Prime Minister, Mr. Daniel Duncan and Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance, Mrs. Niale Kaba, at IMF-World Bank Team news conference in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire, recently.

states across the geo-political zones including, Anambra, Rivers, Niger, Kano, Lagos, Gombe and Rivers States. They were selected based on the size of their economies and commitment to statistical reform programmes.

Speaking in a chat with National Mirror on the progress

Boeing to conduct airworthiness assessment of Nigerian registered aircraft OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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oeing Aircraft Manufacturing Company has reiterated its willingness to conduct an airworthiness assessment of all its Nigerian registered aircraft in the fleet of domestic airlines in the country.

With this, it will be easier to determine the airworthiness state of all Boeing aircraft in the indigenous airlines in the country.

The Special Assistant, Media to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi disclosed this to our correspondent yesterday in Lagos.

According to Obi, the foremost aircraft manufacturing company from the United States has agreed to partner with the Federal Ministry of Aviation to boost safety in the country’s airspace.

He said that the discussion to carry out assessment of all Boeing aircraft in the country started last June immediately after the ill-fated Dana Airline aircraft crash at the Iju-Ishaga Area of Lagos, adding that the airline manufacturing company has since written a proposal to the government on this.

He was however silent on when the assessment of the airlines would commence in the country, but assured that

when the proposal received the approval of the government, the company would commence the assessment of the aircraft.

He said, “In fact, Boeing, on the invitation of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah not only agreed to partner with the ministry on safety and other related issues, but has indeed submitted a proposal to the ministry to conduct an airworthiness assessment of all it’s Nigerian registered aircraft in the fleet of domestic airlines in the country.

“These discussions started since June/July 2012 after the Dana crash and Boeing’s proposal in this regard is currently receiving attention from the Ministry of Aviation. Correspondences between Managing Director of Boeing Professional Services (BPS), Mr. Ken Sain, Director for Africa and Middle East (Aviation Safety), Mr. Chamson Andjorin, and the Federal Ministry of Aviation bear testimony to this.”

He, however, emphasised that the government in conjunction with the airline was not planning to recertify any of the aircraft in the country’s fleet, but to carry out comprehensive airworthiness of the aircraft in the country.

made so far on the project recently, the minister disclosed that the state GDP computation was already concluded in the six states, adding that the publication of the report would be completed by the 1st quarter this year.

Usman said: “What we are doing now is to get ready to begin

to produce states Gross Domestic Product and what I can assure you is that by the first quarter of 2013, states GDP for the pilot states that we have already concluded will be ready for publication.

“We believe that before the end of the year, states GDP com-

putation for all the states in Nigeria will be available and we can now boast that we have arrived.”

The minister clarified further that the published data on states’ GDP is also expected will be helpful in the rating of the individual States by global rating agencies, including Messrs Agusto, Fitch and Standard and Poors.

“At the federal level, the approach we are taking is that the Nigerian economy is a single economy, with a common macroeconomic and policy framework. The simple rule being that the GDP of all the component States of the Federation must add up to the nation’s GDP”, Usman said.

According to the commission, the criteria used for selecting the six states for the pilot exercise include, capacity in relation to statistical data collection and also issues in relation to resource allocation and the political will and support by relevant statistical data agencies of the states.

Enterprise Bank to support SMEs – Kuru JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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he Managing Director of Enterprise Bank Limited, Mallam Ahmed Kuru has reiterated the bank’s commitment towards the support of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, describing that sector of the economy as ‘critical’ to the development of Nigeria.

Kuru spoke in Lagos while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), led by Dr. (Mrs.) Lizzy Okereke, the association’s Deputy President, Finance and Administra-

tion.

He maintained that the bank realised the strategic importance of SMEs in fast tracking the growth of the Nigerian economy and has since thrown its support to SMEs as well as organizations like NASME. To show how important the sector is to the financial sector as partners in progress, he said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has worked out a blue print that supports SME growth in the country and encouraged all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria to support the sector.

He, however, regretted the fact that entrepreneurs were not

taking the full advantage of the support that banks were willing to give.

Kuru said, “There is need for knowledge sharing and capacity building among those that are interested in benefiting from the support that the banks are giving to the sector.

“At Enterprise Bank and indeed other banks today, there are many products that have been carefully developed for the benefit of the SMEs. But we have a situation where those that the products are designed for are not even aware and are not making any effort to know how they can be involved in the scheme.”

UBA emerges best bank in Cameron and Senegal

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BA Cameron and UBA Senegal have been named ‘World’s Best Banks in 2013’ in their respective countries by Global Finance magazine in New York.

Global Finance magazine is the world’s leading corporate finance magazine with readers across 160 countries, focusing on C-suite level management, Corporates and selected financial institutions and international investors.

The Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, said, “These and similar awards confirm the increasing influence of our country subsidiaries in Africa, engineering growth and development

through financial intermediation and providing banking services in easy and convenient ways to the benefit of our customers and other stakeholders The Managing Director of the bank in Senegal, Mrs. Amie Sow said she was delighted at the award and commended the staff for their diligence and hard work.

She said, “We are poised to taking UBA Senegal to a greater level for the benefit of Senegal and Africa.”

The Managing Director of the bank in Cameron, Mr. Georges Wega, said, “This couldn’t have come at a better time, coming in the thick of our five year anniversary celebrations. We thank

the Cameronian banking public for embracing us whole heatedly and the UBA Group for the support and leadership direction.”

He explained that the list of the selected top performers in the emerging markets covers banks in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, AsiaPacific, the Middle East and Africa.

The Publisher of Global Finance, Mr.Joseph Giarraputo, said, “Each region and individual country presents unique challenges for banks and their customers, especially under the difficult conditions global financial markets continue to face.

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

House Committee hails airport remodelling OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has commended the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the quality of work done on the remoelled airports across the country.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati stated this in an online statement signed yesterday.

According to Dati the committee’s Chairman, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha gave this commendation when the committee toured the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos recently.

The statement stated further that Onyejeocha emphasised that the quality of facilities at the commissioned remodelled

airport terminals under the Airport Remodelling Project, surpasses the minimum international standard prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for such terminals.

Dati stated that the oversight inspection took members of the committee to the Domestic Terminal 1 of MMA where members of the committee expressed satisfaction with the quality of remodelling done and services being provided at the terminal and the on-going project aimed at linking the two modules at the terminal.

He added that the committee later inspected work being done at the ‘D’ and ‘E’ wings of the international terminal of the airport where the Managing Director, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi told members of the committee that, on completion of the expansion project, the terminal would have a total of 24 immi-

gration counters and 20 security screening points, which would enhance passenger facilitation at the terminal.

The new figures more than double the existing immigration counters and screening points at the terminal.

The statement reads in part, “Uriesi told the members that it was expected that revenue derivable from remodelled terminals at the airport at full utilization, would be triple what is being generated at the moment, adding that the Authority had devised better means of collecting debt owed it by its customers.

“The terminal will also have enough space for many shopping outlets, including duty free shops of international standard, apart from three huge baggage conveyors that have the capacity to handle a total of six arrival flights at the same time.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Berger Paints confirms Nygard as MD JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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erger Paints Nigeria Plc has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Tor Nygard as managing director and chief executive officer of the company with effect from January 2013.

Prior to his confirmation as the chief executive of the company, he had been the acting Managing Director of the company since July 2012.

A statement from the company said he was appointed executive director of the company on December 14, 2010.

Nygard, a Norwegian, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and MBA from University of South Dakota, USA. He has more than 30 years work experience in the manufacturing and oil and gas

Promasidor partners BME Concern to empower women ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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L-R: Chanels Services, Diamond Bank, Ms. Francess Oraukwe; Regional Manager, Port Harcourt Region, Mr. John Ogwo and KPMG Representative, Mr. Bright Anaekwe, during the Diamong Bank Savings Xtra Draws Season Six in Port Harcourt yesterday.

Poor nations agree to emissions cuts DAYO AYEYEMI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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n what could be a far-reaching move, the world’s poorest countries say they are now prepared to commit themselves to binding cuts in their emissions of greenhouse gases.

The move has the potential to quicken the pace of the glacially-slow UN negotiations, which have for years been trying to agree an effective way to cut emissions in order to avoid runaway climate change.

The Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is a major negotiating bloc at the UN talks, with its member states including 12 per cent of the world’s people.

Whether its willingness to accept cuts will in fact hasten the birth of a new and comprehensive climate agreement will now depend largely on the good faith

and commitment of the richer countries.

Quamrul Chowdury is a lead climate negotiator of the LDC Group.

According to Climate News Network, Chowdury said, “Prakash Mathema, the current Chair of the LDCs in the climate negotiations, has a new mantra: ‘Follow us’.

“That means the 49 LDCs under his leadership are set to act in the process as a very proactive group. They will lead by example - by doing. The LDCs are no longer waiting for others to act.

“I think the LDCs are now for low carbon pathways for all.

They are even ready to go first in helping to cut back global greenhouse gas emissions, though they are the ones least responsible for increasing those emissions.”

Asked whether this meant

that the LDCs now accepted the need for binding emissions cuts by all signatories to the international climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, and not just by industrialised countries, Chowdury said it did.

“All countries should commit [to accepting cuts], but developing countries’ National Appropriate Mitigation Actions [NAMAs] should be supported”, he said.

NAMAs are policies and actions which countries undertake as part of their commitment to reduce emissions.

The term, developed by the UN negotiators, recognizes that different countries may act in different ways based on equity and on their shared but differing responsibilities and abilities - in other words, the contribution they have made to climate change.

NAMAs do not involve governments making the sort of binding commitments which the LDCs say they will now accept. They do stress the importance of financial help from developed to developing countries to help them to reduce emissions.

sectors, with considerable international exposure in US, Europe and Africa.

In a bid to reposition the company for sustainable growth and profitability, the company has also put in place a new management team as well as strengthened its board with two new non- executive directors in the persons of Messrs Dr. Alo Olademiji Israel, a management expert and Mr. Nelson Chidozie Nweke, a seasoned financial guru.

Besides this, the company has also introduced new policies, which include zero tolerance on fraud and whistle blowing in accordance with the code of corporate governance.

The company has also embarked on the construction of an ultra-modern commercial complex in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in a bid to diversify its revenue base.

n line with its corporate social responsibility strategy, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, is partnering with BME Concern, a non-governmental organization to support the less privileged women, children and youth in Africa.

BME Concern, also known as Ripples in Africa, is registered in England and Wales and works with partner organisations to support women in distress, promote inclusion and community cohesion, and work to raise levels of tolerance through education, art, sports and culture.

Addressing the press in Lagos, Head, Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Enahoro said one

of the focuses of Promasidor’s corporate social responsibility is empowerment under which BME Concern falls into.

“The company’s corporate social responsibility strategy is focused on four major areas: Education, Health Care & Nutrition, Sports, and Empowerment & Mentoring. This is because consistent focus on these categories will in the long run make major contributions towards sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.”

He emphasised that “Our unique partnership with BME Concern (known as Ripples in Africa) reinforces our commitment to creating measurable and quality impact in our communities through our support and collaboration on youth projects.

Developer seeks more involvement in NHF DAYO AYEYEMI

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onsidering the housing challenges in the country, a developer has canvassed for deeper involvement of people in gainful employment in the National Housing Fund, NHF. Deeper participation in NHF, Chief Executive Officer, Pentagon Real Estate Investment Limited, Mr. Kennedy Okoruwa, said would assist contributors to acquire houses at cheaper rates and with ease.

Speaking during the presentation of allocation papers to allottees in the company’s Cedar Gardens Estate in Agbara, Ogun State, last week, Okoruwa said the only way government could help the people was to look for ways that would ease

the burden of acquisition of affordable housing.

He stated that government has partially done this through the introduction of the NHF, but expressed worries that most Nigerians were ignorant of how they could benefit from the fund.

The chief executive officer of Pentagon Real Estate Investment Limited said his company’s vision was to support Nigerians to acquire land and houses with minimal pressure on their resources.

Considering the immense potential and volume of activities in the real estate sector, he expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon be attracting a lot of local and foreign investments, which in turn would attract a lot jobs and people seeking decent accommodation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

23

How contract staffing reduces workers’ productivity Contract staffing and precarious work conditions, which could refer to all forms of employment that are not permanent in nature and of little wage, has affected the country’s economy and reduced employees’ productivity, MESHACK IDEHEN writes.

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or close to two weeks, the commercial and operational activities of one of the nation’s airlines were grounded; due to the refusal of some of the workers to be seconded to another company under a contract staffing arrangement made by the management of the airline.

The shutdown of the airline’s business within that time by the workers, said Industrial Relations Expert, and lecturer at the Osun State University, Dr. John Agbonifo, would cost the company not only loss of revenue but also, goodwill.

According to the university lecturer, “a very reasonable amount of productivity that will take even longer time to rebuild has also been lost. The workers, just like the aircrafts that were grounded during the strike, would need to updated, retrained where necessary, if they are to perform at the best”.

Also citing the incessant disturbances due to disagreements between stakeholders in the oil and gas sector over the issue of contract staffing, several analysts opine that oil and gas production output in the country would have since hit the 3 million barrel per day target, if workers in the sector are not constantly grappling with the issues of contract staffing, welfare, and recently, insecurity.

National Industrial Relations Officer of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), Mr. Chika Onuegbu, told National Mirror that the disadvantages of contract staffing in the oil and gas sector, just like other areas of the economy far outweighs any real or envisaged advantage, and that it is without question that contract staffing, irrespective of whatever nomenclature it is tagged, is largely responsible the and dwindling productivity in the nation’s economy.

Explaining further, Onuegbu, who is also the Rivers State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), added that contract staffing is a major problem besetting decent work and social justice in the workplace, measure to address the challenges must be put in place.

According to him, “politicians and powerful community leaders are the labour contractors, while labour contracts are given as political patronage to politicians and community leader. In order to ensure that more people get these contracts, the contract duration are reduced, a situation that further exposes the workers to unlimited hazards”.

Onuegbu explained that contract staffing reduces productivity and initiatives because many employers are not interested in the career of their employees and that some of the employers or contractors rarely meet the minimum standards prescribed for Labour contractors by the Federal Ministry of labour.

Onuegbu

Wogu

POLITICIANS AND POWERFUL COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE THE LABOUR CONTRACTORS, WHILE

LABOUR CONTRACTS ARE GIVEN AS POLITICAL PATRONAGE TO POLITICIANS AND COMMUNITY LEADER “Many do not have labour recruiter licenses, are not aware of their responsibilities as employers and have no capacity to meet these standards. Why then wont employees productivity drop considerably under such circumstances”, the labour leader wondered.

Speaking recently, while warning employers to desist from engaging workers on contract basis in order not to “cripple” the economy in the immediate and longer terms, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, said the issue of contract staffing was of serious concern to government, while lamenting at the same time, that the practice was common within the private sector.

The minister explained that he has taken up the matter severally, noting also that the problem of casual workers has now shifted from the oil and gas sector to the telecommunications and banking sectors, and that there are judicial decisions in that respect stating that no person can be engaged as casual worker beyond the period of six months.

According to the minister, the challenge of

contract staffing is a global problem because people get desperate and do not really understand what they are going into. It is only at the full realisation of what they have entered into that they run either to the labour union or to government, said the minister, who added that such development was not helpful to the workers and economic productivity.

On his part, Economist and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Emeka Ifezulike, said the speculated poor quality of service in the telecoms sector is attributable to the menace of contract staffing that has taken over that vital sector of the economy.

Ifezulike explained that some challenges the financial sector is grappling with is due to the decision taken by the managements of some banks to do away with professionals and regular staffing and bring in poorly paid, less capable hands that may barely contribute to the growth of those institutions.

While lamenting the “high cost of low morale and how to address it in the Workplace through servant leadership”, jobs and career expert, Ms. Nicole Fink, explained some of the challenges organisations would face in the coming years include not only financial pressures and increasing competition, but staffing shortages and employee concerns.

According to her, overcoming these challenges will require that leaders of organisations seek creative strategies to improve the performance of employees through regular staffing opportunities, becomes it has become obvious that improving and maintaining high employee morale is a key factor to consider in the pursuit of organizational success.

NLC may review agreements with ILO member countries MESHACK IDEHEN

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he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), plans to review bilateral engagement with member countries of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), so as to reassess its mission in line with global contemporary workers’ agitation.

Vice President of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, disclosed this at a joint conference of the NLC and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation on NLC’s partici-

pation in the global labour forum.

Aremu, who is also Chairman International Affairs Committee of the NLC pointed out that the shared daily experience of workers on violation of right to organise, denial of living wage and decent work, necessitatecountries to leverage on their collective power through shared information and resources within the international working class movement.

NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar said the conference will create a road map that will define the commitment of Nigeria Labour Congress to interna-

tional cooperation.

On his part, Country Director of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Thomas Mattig praised the NLC for the leading role it is playing in Africa’s labour circles, saying it is a shining example for workers across the continent.

Also speaking, Director, ILO Country office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, Sina Chuma-Mkandawire, urged NLC to be at the forefront of ensuring that decent work and job creation become a key development agenda in the next development framework.

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Jobs & Career

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Career tips for young professionals

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hen you are starting a new job and would like to get off on the right foot, these career tips can assist your efforts. Remember that young people who are dedicated to their jobs already have an advantage in the work force.

Young people are energetic and quick thinkers.

If you follow these career tips for young professionals, the business you work for will appreciate your efforts and reward you for your dedication.

Dress the part-While saggy pants and loose fitted shirts may have been popular for men in high school, they aren’t going to impress an employer. It’s very important to dress the part as a young professional. As a rule of thumb, just take a look at what everyone else is wearing. Even if they’re dressed “business casual,” it’s a good idea to go one step above that and dress more professionally.

Never text or call unless required at work-Texting or calling on your cell phone is a good way to get fired. Young people have a tendency to want to keep in touch with their friends and family members at all hours of the day.

However, if your job is something you value highly, it’s a good idea to keep your phone in your pocket, or even the car.

Be clean cut-Don’t forget to shave. As a man, shaving is very important to being perceived well by colleagues and bosses. By shaving regularly, you will look the part and your superiors will notice.

Wear cologne/perfume and maintain a fresh breath-There is nothing worse than working alongside someone that fails to keep up with their basic hygiene.

It’s very important to smell the same way you look. If you dress professionally, then you need to smell like a professional, too.

Don’t be afraid to pop a few mints

Jobs and career Expert, Mr. Kunle Rotimi

in your mouth and freshen up with some cologne or perfume during your lunch break.

Concentrate on customer satisfaction-A young person that understands the importance of customer satisfaction is incredibly important. There is one golden rule to remember: “The customer is always right.” If you keep this belief and you do everything you can to make each customer happy, your manager is undoubtedly going to notice your good effort. Not to mention, customers are what make businesses successful.

Create a boundary between work and play-It’s important to understand that having fun comes after your work obligations are completed. Before you can go out with your friends and have a beer, you have to get everything done at work. A boss is not going to appreciate an employee that puts personal interests ahead of their work life.

Know that things don’t always go your way-If you were expecting a raise and you didn’t get it, if you were hoping for a promotion but it never came, or if you wanted better hours but never received them, this is all part of the working life. There are times where the business is not success-

ful enough to give the employees everything they want. When times are rough, you have to cope and not complain. Understand that things will not always go your way.

Strive for maximum efficiency-When you’re efficient, you’re working to your highest potential. As a young professional, you should strive to be as efficient as you possibly can. Efficiency is key to doing well everything that you do. When your manager places a new task in front of you, try to find a way to improve your turnaround time and impress them.

Find solutions that produce results-Your bosses are going to love anything you do that provides strong results for the business. If you can come up with solutions that produce results, you will be much more likely to get promoted.

Good things come to those who deserve them.

Do your best at everythingWhenever your boss comes to you for something, act motivated and delighted to work on it. It’s very important to do your best at everything. As an employee, the success of the business you work for relies on your ability to perform well with what’s required.

Source: www.careergeekblog.com Job

Flour Mills gets new GMD, CEO

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lour Mills of Nigeria Plc, has announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Gbededo as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with effect from April 1, 2013.

Gbededo is succeeding Chief Emmanuel Ukpabi, who retired last month and assumes the position of Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company.

The new GMD/CEO, has spent over 30 years with FMN Group, which he joined as the Group at Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc (BAGCO) in 1982, where he acquired extensive experience in manufacturing and general management positions and became the first Nigerian

production director in 1996.

Gbededo, a fellow of the Polymer Institute of Nigeria was educated at The Polytechnic of North London, United Kingdom (UK), where he obtained Graduateship of Plastic and Rubber Institute and Associateship of National College of Rubber Technology in 1980.

He also holds MSc. Degree in Polymer Technology (1981) of Loughborough University of Technology, UK. An alumnus of Lagos Business School, he has attended several professional, managerial and strategic leadership courses locally and abroad.

In 1998, he moved to Flour Mills as General Manager/Director in charge of fertilizer

operations where he pioneered development of the Golden Fertilizer business.He also was pioneer General Manager/Director of Golden Pasta Company, which has grown to become Africa’s biggest pasta manufacturing plant.

In 2012, he was elevated to the position of Managing Director, Agro-Allied Division, with responsibility to formulate and drive the group’s backward integration policies, programmes and initiatives.He currently sits on the board of Golden Sugar Company Limited and other FMN subsidiaries and he is wholly responsible for the strategic direction of Golden Penny Rice Limited.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Job vacancies Taking note of the success achieved by the Dangote Group Drivers Scheme, job openings this week for Truck and includes Drivers (www.jobberman.com) in a hospitality and leisure based company in Rivers state and some other parts of the country.

With the minimum qualification for the position being a High School (S.S.C.E) certificate and required experience of between five and seven years, the employing firm said some of the responsibilities are to ensure that all company vehicles are neatly maintained, reporting vehicle faults to vehicle logistics officer and safety manager and ensuring the safety of vehicle items in the vehicle.

Others are to check the chart for maintenance, daily routine check to ensure accurate gauge of water, fuel, diesel and ensure that journey management procedures are observed, alongside ability to work with less supervision From the United Nations, (www.jobs.undp.org),comes the vacant position for UN Women Director of Human Resource to be based New York.

The scope of the job will include human resource planning and policy, organisational design and change management, recruitment and staffing, learning and talent management, performance management, and will be under the supervision of the Director – Management and Administration.

Other functions according to the UNDP are those of strategy and policy conceptualisation and development within United Nation human resource framework, planning and forecasting human resource needs and anticipating new issues, alongside the oversight and management of all human resource management functions from organizational design to staff well being.

The required skills and experience for the position are an advanced university degree in human resources, business or public administration or management, law, social sciences or a related field, and At least 15 years progressively responsible experience in human resources management including considerable experience at a senior level in the public or private sector or in an international organization. Excellent oral and written command of English,

Knowledge of another UN working language highly desirable.

Also from the international job scene (www.findjobafrica.com) is the vacant post for a Senior Market Manager to be based in Dubai The company said it is looking for an international senior market manager with high ambitions to be the best within the duty free business.

The responsibilities include developing and growing sales within region, establishing and executing action plans in the different markets, having daily contact with customers including meetings, negotiations and agreements and responsibility for pricing along with ensuring guidelines for gross profit.

Others are finding and development of new customers, having responsibility for local campaigns including product assortment online, handling questions and claims from customers and budget and operational monitoring.

For qualifications, the incoming is expected to be result oriented, responsible, innovative, open minded and engaged. Good knowledge and experience within Africa and the Middle East are necessary, alongside excellent co-operation skills organizational wide with good IT knowledge, good communication abilities at a high level in English and preferably verbal and written From the Nigeria oil and gas sector is the post for Sabbatical Trainees (www. jobberman.com) in a Lagos based firm.

The company said the job which is a sabbatical programme offers university lecturers an opportunity to undertake research that would contribute to Shell Exploration & Production Companies in Nigeria (SEPCiN) business, while offering them avenues to acquire industry-related experience.

The programme also offers opportunities for lectureship at the centre of excellence in Geo sciences at the University of Benin in the following disciplines: Petroleum Geology, Geophysics and Petroleum Engineering.

Other requirements for the 1 year (non-renewable) programmes is that applicants must be from the following disciplines of surface/facilities engineering, petroleum engineering, production, well engineering geology/geophysics.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

25

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

NEMA rallies stakeholders ahead of looming floods

A flooded community in Delta State, last year

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n 2012, over N1.3billion was expended by the National Emergency Management Agency for logistics and cost in providing relief materials for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This cost does not include the N17.6billion Federal Government’s Intervention Fund and the millions of naira doled out by multinationals, corporate entities, faith based organisations and individuals.

Apart from this huge financial cost, death toll in the unfortunate natural occurrence was in its hundreds, while many more were displaced from their natural abode. It is, however, against this background that NEMA rallied various stakeholders across the MDAs and states in Abuja at the weekend to brainstorm on the proper respond mechanism to the year’s rainfall prediction.

Already, the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET), had predicted heavy rainfall with a possible flooding in some low plain areas. Based on this report, some North-West states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and almost all the South-South states have been designated as flood prone areas.

Opening the discussion at the twoday consultative workshop on Flood Mitigation, Prevention and Preparedness for 2013, NEMA’s Director General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi underscored the need for prompt approach in dealing with the impending flood situation in the country.

In providing the response and mitigation approach needed to deal with the looming disaster, he stated that the agency had mapped out strategies

Many lives were lost; hordes of internally displaced persons dotted the country’s landscape and millions of naira went down the drain in the aftermath of the flood that engulfed some parts of the country in 2012. In this report, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN examines the efforts of critical stakeholders in stemming the tide, this year, amidst NIMET’s prediction of a re-occurrence. number of communities impacted.

This emerging trend of annual floods coupled with a wide ranging human and nature induced emergencies experienced in recent times have put to test our national resilience and posed a challenge to emergency management stakeholders in Nigeria.

“It is my belief that you are all aware that disasters such as the large scale flood of 2012 can retard our national development process and hinder the achievement of projected national development agenda, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS.”

NIGERIA HAS Malaifa

that would lead to the mobilisation of stakeholders across the three tiers of government as well as communities.

According to the NEMA boss, the issue of flooding as well as other natureinduced emergencies that occurred in the country in recent past had put to test the country’s resilience and posed serious challenges to emergency managers.

He said, “Nigeria has witnessed a drastic increase in hydro-climatic disasters in the past few years with a growing spatial coverage and the

WITNESSED A DRASTIC INCREASE IN HYDRO-

CLIMATIC DISASTERS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH A GROWING SPATIAL COVERAGE AND THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES IMPACTED

He urged the participants to come up with strategies that would aid prompt response to NIMET’s early warning signal with a view to mitigating the effect both on the individual, but also on the country’s national life.

In her address, the Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadza Mailafia, stressed the importance of awareness creation as a viable tool in reducing the impact of disaster on the people.

“I want to call on stakeholders to examine how we can use awareness creation to minimise flood disasters in the country, identify the participatory role of various stakeholders in disaster information dissemination at the community-based levels and make recommendations on how best government can manage the risk associated with trans-boundary waters in the country”, she noted.

The minister who blamed the monumental loss that attained the 2012 to negligent on the part of some state governors, stated that prompt relocation of people living on flood prone areas would have saved a lot of lives which were hitherto lost.

Also speaking at the consultative gathering, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, whose domain was one of the worst hit by the 2012 flood disaster, noted that there was an urgent need for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to ensure that the impending flood does not, once again, cut the country napping.

He counselled other state governments to be on guard against the imCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEMA rallies stakeholders ahead looming floods CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 pact of the predicted flood disaster by marking out communities that are prone to flooding with a view to relocating them.

While recounting the level of devastation the flood wrecked on the state, he said, “In Delta State, 14 of the 25 local governments were almost submerged during last year’s flooding. We established 22 rehabilitation camps to cater for all the internally displaced persons.

“We sheltered, fed, clothed and provided other basic needs of life, including education for all the children; all through the period the flooding lasted

and at the end, gave each adult and children in the camps token allowances to transport themselves back to their towns and villages.”

He subsequently called on the Federal Government to declare emergency on the incessant flooding in the country, stressing that, “the reality of today demands that we declare a national emergency in the management of flood in the country, while also demanding that,” everyone should be placed on war footing.”

In her brief remarks, the Director General, National Environment Standards, Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Ngeri Benebo, noted there was no way the coun-

try would talk about environmental safety and sustainable development without reference to the possible disaster that could happen to the environment.

Benebo said that in coming up with the appropriate response mechanism and mitigating strategy, all hands must be on deck. On the contribution of NESREA to ameliorate flood, she stated that the agency had embarked on aggressive campaigns to sensitise the people on what to do in the event of flooding. According to her, the agency had also constituted awareness team and would soon roll out its strategies to be employed in educating the rural populace.

Uduaghan

Housing experts caution FG on Nigerian Mortgage Finance Corporation

Humanity First assures Nigerians of clean water, others

DAYO AYEYEMI

DAYO AYEYEMI

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O

gainst the backdrop that the Nigerian Mortgage Finance Corporation (NMFC), might commence operation in the next three months, professionals in the housing industry are calling the Federal Government to streamline the function of the new corporation to solely mortgage finance for it to have meaningful impact on the sector.

Speaking with National Mirror at the weekend, President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr Chuck Omeife, said it is expected that NMFC would be strictly for mortgage finance devoid of cash and carry syndrome associated with the sector now.

He said most professionals would not like to comment on NMFC until the modality for its operation is rolled out.

Omeife advised that mortgage institutions should stop the habit of buying and selling, and concentrate on giving loans to people to buy home over a long period and generate mortgages.

He said he had noticed that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), was doing property finance and not mortgage finance, maintaining that vacant properties littered Abuja environs. According to him, noting that people could not buy because of lack of mortgage.

He said few people that have money are only doing buying and selling of property.

Lagos based estate surveying and valuation practitioner, Mr Stephen Jagun, expressed hoped that the proposed finance corporation would not be a replicate of FMBN, pointing out that mortgage would not work except the finance is right.

He said questions must be asked on why FMBN has not performed, its mistakes and solutions provided to avert future occurrence.

He said, “There is need to have a look at the formal setting and see why it is not working.

Jagun urged the Federal Government to allow professionals’ input in the setting up of the new NMFC, blaming failure of past finance institutions on non inclusion of professionals on their

Okonjo-Iweala

board.

“Most times, no professional is involved, rather, they would bring political associates to score cheap points,” he said.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had disclosed during the Economists’ Nigerian Summit in Lagos penultimate week that the NMFC would help to bridge the housing gap and boost the number of mortgages from 20,000 to 200,000 within the next few years.

She also disclosed that the Federal Government is collaborating with the World Bank to raise a $300 million liquidity facility for the housing sector.

According to her, the facility was a long-term, 40-year old loan with no interest rate, and was aimed at revamping and transforming the housing and construction sector with a view to tackling the rising housing deficit in the country.

She said the facility would enable people to get mortgages from banks and mortgage institutions because everyone needed a roof over their heads.

The minister said, “The nation needs 17 million housing unit and two million are being added every year, yet, what we have is 20,000 mortgages in a country of almost 170 million people. But instead of seeing this as a challenge, we see it as an opportunity to really transform the sector, which we cannot do without liquidity. We need liquidity in the system to make the housing and construction industry work and that is exactly what we are doing.”

verwhelmed by the level of poverty in most villages in Nigeria, the Executive Director of Humanity First Canada, Dr. Aslam Daud, said the organisation is ready to construct model villages where there would be regular water and power supply, including provision of schools for vulnerable children.

The Humanity First’s director, while lamenting the poor condition of living of people during his team’s one week tour of villages across Nigeria, assured that the organisation would assist more Nigerians to get safe water, schools and source of energy for their house appliances.

The team from Humanity First was in Afon village in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State to inspect the borehole dug in the the village by the organisation some years ago.

They were received with warmly during the visit.

Humanity First is a non-religious and non- governmental organisation with a concept of humanitarian services to the vulnerable people irrespective

of race, religion, colour or political allegiance.

Lamenting the plight of the community to the visiting team, the Aare of Afon Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Taiwo, said the major challenge was nonavailability of water to drink for the 3,000 people in the community.

Afon is located at the Yewa region of Ogun State and close to the border with neighbouring Benin Republic, According to Taiwo, there were two giant borehole drilled for the purpose of water supply in the village by previous government in the state but none is functioning , saying they have been abandoned for years.

He explained that since the borehole dried up, the villagers, including school children, numbering about 1,500 depend on a stream (Odo-Igbo) that passes through the village.

The wife of the Oba of the community, Mrs. Khadijat Adetona while addressing Humanity First team during the visit thanked the organisation for providing them with clean water but pleaded for more boreholes in the community to make water accessible to the larger percent of the population and its surrounding hamlets.

Dr. Aslam Daud (middle), with some of the youths in Afon Village in Ogun State.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

I want to rule the world –Adewale 30

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Hulk differs on racist Russia

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AFOLABI GAMBARI

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hana striker, Asamoah Gyan, has stated his desire to retain the Arabian Leagues Golden Shoe award at the end of the season.

The Al Ain forward, who won the prestigious award which is similar to the European Golden Shoe gong for the most goals scored in all the leagues in the gulf for the 2011-2012 season, scored 21 goals in his debut season in the UAE top flight with a conversion rate of 0.954 goals per match in 22

Sport

I think I will have no regret spending the rest of my playing career at Liverpool Football Club - Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard

Zambia can get World Cup ticket–Kalusha resident of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Kalusha Bwalya, says with the Chipolopolo leading World Cup qualifying Group D at the halfway mark, 2013 still holds promise of being one of the greatest and most memorable in the country’s football history.

But Bwalya, who himself is Zambia’s greatest player ever, cautioned that the envisaged success could only be attained through sustained collective effort, commitment and hard work.

“We are in a position to fight for every available point on the road to Brazil 2014,” the 1988 African Footballer of the Year said in the country’s capital Lusaka yesterday.

“The points will not come easy or on a silver platter. We have to fight for our honour and the glory we desire will finally manifest. It cannot be done in one match, or two matches or three matches but in all fixtures.

“We must also know that there will be no margin for error as our ambition requires maximum efforts, determination and skill of every player.”

Apparently aware of the threat posed by a resurgent Ghana in the World Cup qualifying group that also comprises Sudan and Lesotho, the FAZ chief said: “You are fully aware that we are on the tough and difficult road to attain qualification into our first ever FIFA World Cup. We are still one point ahead after our disappointing draw in Lesotho, and need to hang onto every single available point hereafter.

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Victor Moses (l) and John Obi Mikel celebrating the FA Cup quarter final win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge yesterday

FA Cup: Mikel, Moses land Blues in semis AFOLABI GAMBARI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

S

uper Eagles duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses played a part in yesterday English FA Cup quarter final triumph of Chelsea over Manchester United at the Stamford Bridge.

Both sides had settled for a 2-2 draw at Manchester’s home ground Old Trafford last month, although it was host who went two goals up before the visitors drew level late on to force yesterday’s replay.

Mikel, whose form has remained consistent since the AFCON 2013 finals in South Africa two months ago, played the entire 90 minutes as he warded off ceaseless threats from the United’s forwards Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie.

Moses, who appeared to be

caught up in manager Rafael Benitez’s rotational system that has seen the Blues’ squad shuffled in view of playing four matches in eight days, was introduced in the 90th minute and had minimal role to play as the home side held on to the lone goal scored by Senegalese Demba Ba in the 49th minute at the 40,704-capacity stadium.

The Nigerians will now cherish a semi final date with Manchester City at the hallowed Wembley which will also host the final.

Meanwhile, Ba’s athletic finish has left United concentrating on winning the Premier League titlewith a 20th title all but secured as the Red Devils currently hold a 15-point advantage over trailing defending champion Manchester City.

The Blues are just one match away from their fifth FA Cup final

in seven seasons after the London club lifted the trophy in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

United, who played without Wayne Rooney because of a groin injury sustained on England duty, however lacked some of their usual menace but it still took a save of the highest class from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech to keep out Hernandez’s header as the desperate visitors pressed for an equaliser.

The Alex Ferguson side was left to rue the carelessness that saw the team cast aside a two-goal lead in the first game and will now focus on next Monday’s derby with Manchester City at Old Trafford, as Chelsea’s agenda shifts to the Europa League quarter-final against Rubin Kazan at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

enit St Petersburg’s Brazilian forward, Hulk has said he felt safe and secure in Russia, but sharply criticised racist elements among Russian fans.

Hulk’s declaration has become timely in view of Russia hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

The big player, signed by Zenit last year for a reported 60 million Euros in Russia’s biggest ever transfer deal, said he and his young family felt safer in Russia than they did in Brazil.

“That’s one very important thing, which I feel here in Russia and which is seriously lacking at home in Brazil,” the 26-year-old said yesterday.

“I don’t worry for my child or wife when they go outdoors alone. Security is a very important part of people’s life and I can say that people in Brazil desperately need to improve security.”

Hulk, however, expressed his disapproval over racist attitudes from a section of Zenit fans, who provoked outrage in December by publicly urging the club not to sign any black players.

“I think those fans do not care about culture at all. I respect footballers of any skin colour and any sexual orientation.

“Those fans who abuse people of a different colour just do not think at all,” he said.

Zenit is notorious for extremist elements among its hard-core fan base while the city of Saint Petersburg has also earned notoriety for passing a law banning homosexual propaganda among minors.

Gyan targets ‘Shoe’ retention games to beat closest rival Ahmed Hayel who won the top scorer award in the Jordanian top flight with 18 goals in 22 games.

The ex Sunderland star has however already surmounted his goal tally in his debut season, scoring 24 goals in 17 games this term, putting him well on track to winning the top scorer award for the second successive season in the

UAE top flight.

The Black Stars captain however faces stiff competition from Brazilian striker Grafite who is just one goal behind the Al Ain predator with seven games left to go.

But Gyan, who is currently out injured with a thigh strain, hopes to retain his individual honours by the time the season ends in

June.

“The league is not over yet and I broke my record last season and I hope to score more until the end of the season,” he said yesterday.

Gyan remains the top scorer in the UAE top flight despite missing six weeks of action due to his international commitments with the Ghana national team at the 2013 Nations Cup. Gyan

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Beckham stakes experience against Barca

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Bayern captain, Philipp Lahm

Bayern braces for Juve pressure

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igh-riding Italian Serie A side, Juventus, will enter today’s match with Bayern Munich with smiles on its players’ faces, an 18-match unbeaten run in Europe and no concerns about their opponents’ latest form.

Both teams have dominated their leagues this season. Bayern, who won 4-1 in Turin when the teams last met in the 2009-10 season, has a 20-point lead in the Bundesliga and produced its most emphatic win of the season on Saturday with a flattened 9-2 defeat of Hamburg and needing two more points from six games to wrap up a 23rd title.

The Italian champion Juventus, meanwhile, come into the game with a nine-point lead and well on course for a 29th scudetto.

“We’ll head to Munich with a spring in our step knowing that we’ve done our job on the domestic front,” coach Antonio Conte said at the weekend, after his side won 2-1 at Inter.

“We’ll head there to keep alive our dream and to test our mettle in the European arena, and we’ll do it with a smile and no fear. We just want to see how far behind Europe’s best we are.”

Back in the quarter-finals after a seven-year wait, Juventus has been happy to accept the underdogs’ role, saying it cannot match Bayern’s spending power. Yet in European terms, it has looked more impressive than its opponent. Although Bayern is a fearsome prospect on a good day, the Bavarian side is prone to sudden lapses especially at the Allianz Arena where it lost last season’s European Cup final, beaten on penalties

by Chelsea after a 1-1 draw.

Bayern suffered another bout of jitters last month when having won 3-1 at Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 tie, the home side lost 2-0, surviving on the away goals rule.

aris Saint-Germain Sa David Beckwinger, D back to full ham, is b match fitness, in time for today’s first leg quarter final q clash with visiting visitin Barcelona.

Beckham says he’s ready to start in the biggest th game in the ga club’s recent cl history as the French th club has not played play in this level since 1995, whe when the former England international, then interna 19-year-old, was jjust breaking into the Manchester United Manch team.

“I feel great and I feel fit enough to start in every game, especially this one,” on Beckham said yesterday.

“Every player wants to play against the best players and the best teams, an and Barcelona are the best team in the world.

“It’s about th the manager picking the right side for the game but I can ssay that I am absolutely ready for this challenge.”

Beckham, who won the Champions League with Manchester United in 1999 and multiple league titles for United and Real Madrid, thinks

PSG is on the right track.

“This club has obviously got a lot of aspirations to go far in every competition.

That’s what big clubs think and big owners think,” he said, adding, “We’ve got the players, we’ve definitely got the mentality.”

But the fashion icon is apparently wary of the visiting opposition in PSG’s race to the Champions League semi finals.

“They’re definitely the best. They’re not just about individual talent, they’re about a team network and they’ve been like that for years. That’s why they’ve had the success they’ve had,” the 37-year-old further said.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti now has to decide whether Beckham’s huge experience will be more important than the quicker legs of his younger teammates.

“Yes, he can play on Tuesday (today),” Ancelotti said when asked of Beckham’s availability.

“At this time, David can bring his confidence and experience to bear on the team,” the coach added.

David Beckham

Heineken launches ‘Road to the Final’ AFOLABI GAMBARI

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s the Champions League quarter finals begin in two European cities today, sponsor Heineken has unveiled the latest of its ‘Road to the Final’ campaign with the launch of a campaign which demonstrates how an individual can witness the final of the most prestigious football final.

The campaign, which premiers today in more than 170 countries, is the latest element of the brand’s global integrated ‘Road to the Final’ campaign as the sponsor celebrates its seventh consecutive year of association with the UEFA Champions League.

The campaign features a fan who receives a ticket to the cup final, although still faces a race against time to get to the match.

The fan, however, made it to the stadium by overcoming obstacles to reach the Wembley venue of the final just in time for the kick-off.

The sponsor, which encouraged the fan through his ordeal with special prizes that would make the Wembleyvisiting effort worth the struggle, will also offer five fans at the Champions Planet opportunity to win tickets to the final.

“We are delighted to launch the next stage of the ‘Road to the Final’ cam-

paign,” Heineken Senior brand Manager, Jacqueline Van Faassen, said in Lagos yesterday.

“Our fans are intelligent, quick witted and worldly people so we have worked hard to craft a campaign that they will enjoy being part of.

“We also want consumers to visit the Champions Planet and view legends of the Champions League like Clarence Seedorf and get the chance to win tickets to the Wembley final.”

Van Faassen said the lucky fans would enjoy all-expense travel to Lon-

don to see the league final, in addition to other prizes that would be accorded the trip winners.

According to the senior brand manager, over 250 fans from across Nigeria will watch the May 25 final at the Champions Planet in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the sponsor has invited 350 fans to participate in a race that will take off from the National Arts Theatre in Lagos on April 13.

Van Faassen said entries for the race would start tomorrow and end on April 10.

Wembley Stadium, London will host the 2013 UEFA Champions League final

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Sport

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

29

Nnamdi Oduamadi (r) celebrating a goal during a recent game in the Itallian league.

I’ve repaid Keshi’s confidence –Oduamadi Italy-based midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi, left it so late in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Harambee Stars of Kenya to score the all-important equaliser that saved Nigeria from imminent defeat.

In this interview with IKENWA NNABUOGOR, Oduamadi reveals how inspiration from his mum helped him put smiles to the faces of Nigerians, among other things that have endeared him to football fans in Nigeria Nnamdi, how was that great moment when you brought Nigeria from the dead against Kenya in the World Cup qualifier in Calabar?

I was very happy to score the goal that ensured a 1-1 draw for us and a point. It was such a dicey situation for Nigeria, considering that we were African champions with a humiliating defeat starring on our faces but God helped use me to prevent such a disgrace. The stadium in Calabar was full with fans in their thousands cheering because that was the first game for the Super Eagles since winning the AFCON title in South Africa. That great moment will forever remain fresh in my memory.

Did you have the impression that a history win for Kenya could signify in your mind when that opportunity fell on your left foot?

Yes, sure, I had that at the back of my mind not even when the opportunity came but on the bench when I was hoping to be introduced. Kenya were yet to beat Nigeria in their previous meetings and I heard that time and time again in the pre-match meeting. So, when they were leading 1-0 and seemed to be running away with the victory and the record, we knew we had to do something. So, that goal was very significant in the sense that it saved us from a very big embarrassment.

Coach Stephen Keshi must have been very pleased with after he cut a gloomy picture as the Kenyan led for the most part of the game…

He said I did well to save him from a huge defeat and that he was very pleased with me. He said my goal was very timely having been introduced 15 minutes to the end of the game. He said it was very nice of me to come into the game and did what

I was brought on to do. He also said that I was now part of his team having done this great job.

What actually went through your mind as that throw-in was flicked into the Kenyan box with the minutes tickling away?

I knew that if the ball rolled onto my path I would score, that was actually what was going through my mind. So, when the ball came, I didn’t even think twice or stop the ball before I smash it into the net and it was a goal. As I said earlier, it was a great moment for me. That was just the opportunity I was waiting to show Nigerians I knew my way to goal and it just landed on my feet. I thank God for all that.

But did you also think of getting the winning goal in the few minutes left after your goal?

Yes, I was looking forward to getting another goal but you know time was not on our side. If we had like 10 minutes still left to play, I think I would still score the second goal. When the equalizer came, I noticed the Kenyans were getting scared of us and we needed more time to exploit this weakness but unfortunately, there was no time for that any more.

So, how fulfilled were you when you scored that important goal, especially as the coach had defended your invitation before the encounter?

Yes, I was fulfilled considering where I was coming from. Keshi saw my videos and liked my game and invited me to the provisional team that prepared for the AFCON. But unfortunately, I got injured and didn’t make the team. Keshi was disappointed bu kept assuring me that I would be included in the team when I got back from injury. So, I was happy coming back from injury and

Nnamdi Oduamadi (r) with team mate, Obafemi Martins at the Super Eagles’ camp in Calabar, hours before the former saved Nigeria’s blushes against Harambee Stars

COACH KESHI SAID IT WAS VERY NICE OF ME TO COME INTO THE GAME AND DID WHAT

I WAS BROUGHT ON TO DO. HE ALSO SAID THAT I WAS NOW PART OF HIS TEAM HAVING

DONE THIS GREAT JOB. scoring a goal for him, for myself and for the entire country. I also used the game to prove that I was worth the all talk in the press. It was very good that I kept my form, played well and scored the all-important goal. I was also happy I proved it was not just a mere press talk; I also translated same on the pitch.

Would it be right to say your time has finally come to stamp your authority in

the Super Eagles?

I think my time has finally come, considering what injuries did to me in the previous invitations. I was happy I overcame the injury and not only that I capped my impressive performance with a goal. I look forward to doing well in subsequent games.

If I keep fit and continue doing well in my club, the coaches will continue to invite me.

If I continue to score goals, the eyes of Nigerians will be on me.

You declared after the Calabar game that your mum had inspired your performance. Could you expatiate?

Yes, she has been supportive right from my early days and I dedicated the goal to her. The goal was significant because she told me even before I arrived in the camp that I would score a goal that would bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians, and it happened. She would always call me on phone when I was injured to tell me that I would be fit to play again. So, when I got the goal, her words flooded my memory. It was really a great feeling for me.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

On the track with

YEMI OLUS danyella172003@yahoo.com

I want to rule the world –Adewale Emerging the fastest female runner at the African Youth Athletics Championships in Warri, Delta State and running the second leg of the gold-winning medley relay team were not enough for teenage sensation, Deborah Adewunmi Adewale. She spoke on her humble beginning and the aspiration to get to the very top How would you rate your performance in the maiden youth athletics championships?

I really thank God for where he has led me to at this moment. I won the 100m and 200m. I want to acknowledge my fellow athletes, coach, assistant coach and my family.

The training was not easy and even feeding became a challenge at some point. I also want to commend the Delta State government as regards the hosting of this championship. I think everyone enjoyed the game as everything is in order.

SOME SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA DON’T EVEN ALLOW THEIR STUDENTS TO

TAKE PART IN SPORTS.

THERE ARE ALSO A

CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF ATHLETES

Did you expect to win three gold medals?

To be sincere I didn’t expect to but while coming here I had it in mind that I wanted to win. I wasn’t expecting it especially ion the 100m because I’m not the best; there are other people out there. I didn’t know the strength of my opponents from other countries; I only know myself. Even my opponent who is a fellow Nigerian beat me at the D.K Olukoya Championships where I placed fourth but now I have the gold. I only gave my best and God helped me.

How did you get into athletics?

I started in secondary school. I always had interest in sports though I wasn’t thinking of becoming a champion. We only had football in my school back then and when I was in JSS 1, I wasn’t into any sport. One day I was standing beside the field where the students were competing and the sports master asked those that were interested to join. I joined them and was surprised to win the race and even beat the seniors.

Usually the junior athletes are not taken to represent the school in competitions but I was included in the relay team where I used to run the second or third leg because I’m not the fastest. After that I met different coaches who have helped me before I got to the coach I’m with now, Tony Moses, who works with the Edo State Government.

What really went on in your mind before the race?

The only thing going on in my mind is that ‘I want to win gold’. But to be honest, I was determined. Every athlete is usually scared before a race, even Usain Bolt. The tension will be there but you don’t have to show it so that you don’t lose concentration.

The 100m is an explosive race and if you don’t get the start right, it becomes a problem. I tried during my race because I usually have issues with my start but I thank God everything went well during my race.

Practice makes perfect. The coaches helped me with my start in the camp.

How ready are you for the World Youth Championships taking place in Ukraine later this year?

WHO ARE JUST WASTING AWAY IN SUCH SCHOOLS INSTEAD OF BEING DEVELOPED.

child. They do not know what the child will be in future. Our mentality in Nigeria is that everything must be about academics; everything must work simultaneously. If one has a child today, the parents must be able to study the child to know what he or she likes and encourage them. Not everyone can do sports. Parents should not look down on any child even if such a child is disabled. We saw Oscar Pistorius competing against the able-bodied athletes in the Olympics. My father now prays fervently to succeed in my career.

Deborah Adewunmi Adewale, during the maiden African Youth Athletic Championship in Warri, Delta State

I can’t say much now but all I have in mind is to win the 100m again. This championship has boosted my confidence and I can only try to improve on myself because even Usain Bolt did not get to the top in one day. I am trying my best and I know that the state and federal governments as well as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) are in support of the youths right now. They will help us get there.

In what ways can these athletic bodies help you?

I would be happy if I can be helped in regards to my education. We are just upand-coming athletes who have no source of livelihood. In Europe and America their athletes are well taken care of and given everything they need to succeed. We would be happy if Nigeria can do the same for us because we can’t compete well if we are not happy.

How do you hope to overcome opponents at the World Youth Championships?

It’s just like this competition. I didn’t know my opponents and they didn’t know me. We only prepared and tried our best. It’s just by God’s grace. I just want God to help me so that I can improve in my training and do what I am supposed to do.

How did your parents react to your athletics career?

I would say I received partial support from them initially. It isn’t that my father doesn’t like sports but there is this impression that sports people are unserious, unfocused and uneducated. Most parents want their children to be grounded in their academics. Later on when my father saw that I was talented, he supported me.

What advice do you have for parents who discourage their wards in this regard?

Well, parents can only give birth to a

Who is your role model?

Without a doubt, my role model is Carmelita Jeter. I watched her during the Olympics and I was very amazed at her performance, from her start to everything about her. I was just praying for God to help me be like her and get to the level she has attained.

What are your greatest challenges as an athlete?

There are so many challenges and you can only try to overcome them, it is not restricted only to sports. As an athlete it is not easy combining your education and sports. There are times you have to be in class and at the same time you also need to be on the pitch training. Sometimes one has to rush to train early in the morning before going to class. I think there should be a way sports and education are combined comfortably so that it would be easier for us athletes, just like the American system. Some secondary schools in Nigeria don’t even allow their students to take part in sports. There are also a considerable number of athletes who are just wasting away in such schools instead of being developed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Real Estate & Environment

31

How LMDGP changed the face of our communities –Residents It was celebration galore by residents at the weekend when the team from the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP), conducted journalists round the agency’s various intervention projects across blighted communities in Lagos. DAYO AYEYEMI, reports.

Ajiboye Street, Agege: Before and now

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he projects in these Lagos communities range from road construction to water provision, drainage and canal construction, health centres, schools and markets.

They are being implemented by the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP).

LMDGP is a World Bank assisted seven year special purpose vehicle put in place by the Lagos State Government in 2008 to upgrade 10 blighted communities (slums) in order to improve liveability in Lagos as a megacity.

The upgrading subprojects were developed in response to the demand of the benefitting communities The benefiting communities include Agege, Ajegunle, Badia, Makoko, Bariga, Ilaje, Ijeshatedo/Itire, Amukoko and Iwaya.

These areas were selected because a 1995 comprehensive study of living conditions in Lagos identified them as the largest slum areas. The 10 communities expressed needs and priorities that have been packaged into multisectoral investment programmes: streets, footpaths, foot bridges and walkways; water supply; drainage; schools; health centers; public sanitation facilities; market stalls; electricity transformers; street lighting; community centers; fish smoking facilities; and box culverts.

However, over six years that the LMDGP kick-started the projects in these communities, residents have not stopped to express their joy over the intervention, saying that their living conditions have been improved.

The multi-billion naira LMDGP project in the state is being executed in three phases namely: Infrastructure development and provision; public governance and capacity building; and urban policy and project co-ordination.

The residents of Agege could not hide their joy at the weekend when the team from LMDGP conducted the tour of various projects in their locality.

The completed projects in Agege are 16 standard roads that cover Abimbola Street, Adenle, Ayeni, Church, Olusan-

LMDGP school in Somolu, Lagos

WE LIKE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY ROAD CONSTRUCTION, WHICH HAS HELPED IN OPENING UP MANY STREETS IN THE LOCALITY AND REDUCED THE EFFECT OF FLOODING ya, Oremeji, Owo and Salawu Streets.

Other projects are in Salimotu, Soretire, Oyewole, Oguntade, Arigbanla and Ajiboye street.

The beauty of the projects is that they were executed by an indigenous contractor, Laralek Ultimate Limited.

Expressing their gratitude, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC) in Agege Local Government Area, Comrade Toyin Balogun, said the construction of Olusanya Street was the best thing that has ever happened to the community.

The CDC chairman stated that one of the major problems confronting the community yearly is flood, adding that with the completion of Olusanya Street, including the drainage facilities, Agege is no longer afraid of rain.

He extolled the management of LMDGP for the proposed construction of

block of schools in the area.

Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon Abdul Kareem Jubril, while praising LMDGP, said it has provided the needed infrastructure in the local government and helped to checked vandalism and other vices the area was synonymous with before now.

Another resident, Bishop Julius Olusanya, maintained that the health care centres, road projects and the proposed block of classrooms would wipe out the shame of the blighted area that Agege has been wearing for a long time.

CDC Chairman at Orile Agege, Mr Funsho Akindehin, urged the LMDGP to hasten the completion of the classrooms to be constructed in Oyewole area and Methodist School.

The Vice Chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Julius Olusanya pledged

to complement the efforts of government by insisting that vehicles are not abandoned on the roads, discourage street trading and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

When National Mirror contacted some residents in other communities such as Makoko, Ilaje, Itire to know the impacts of LMDPG programmes on their localities, the stories were the same with Agege.

Expressing happiness at LMDPG’s invention projects in Makoko, the Iyaloja of Makoko, Alhaja Modupe Adebayo, said the intervention in the area was unparalleled as it included market construction, road infrastructure and water supply provisions.

She concluded that LMDPG has impacted Makoko community positively, especially by constructing Asejere Market with modern facilities.

Like Oliver Twist, she enjoined the agency to provide additional shops for orange sellers and other groups in the community.

Some of the road project completed in Makoko included Acts of Apostles Street, Adams Manuel Street, Apollo Street, Church Street, Falodun Street, Obalowo Street, Oluwatoyin Street, Development Street and Sariyu Street.

In Ilaje, the agency constructed eight roads which includes AlhajiAlimi Street, Arobadade Street, Oresegun Street, Olatunji Street, Araromi Street, Opeloyeru Street and Ilaje Street.

Baale of Orile Bariga, Chief Owodunni Agiri, said LMDGP has lifted the community by bringing development to residents’ doorstep in the provision of health centre, borehole, school and roads.

He said, “We thank LMDGP because through its intervention, our children can go to nearby school now. Also, we can now access health services and we want the agency to complete the centre. Also, we need more roads.”

One of the residents in Itire-Ijesha community, Mr Rasheed Jimba, said LMDGP has built roads, borehole and public health centre in the area.

He said, “We like some of these projects especially road construction which has helped in opening up many streets in the locality and reduce the effect of flooding.”

The LMDGP’s communication consultant, Mr Michael Ilesanmi, disclosed that the agency has built infrastructure projects worth N1,461,699,541.53 in some communities in Agege and another over N1.6 billion in Makoko and Ilaje communities.

Besides, he said it has also awarded a new set of contracts for Ilaje, Itire, Amukoko, Badia and Makoko communities among others, pointing out that 9 streets at makoko would be constructed soon.

He said that the agency has built primary health centres in Bariga, Amukoko, Badia and Agege, while the health centres for Orile and Itire-Ijesha are ongoing, adding that it has also constructed roads, schools with citizen mediation centres (CMC) in Agege, Ajegunle, Amukoko, Badia, Bariga, Ilaje, Itire, Iwaya and Makoko.

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Perfect lighting for your home

Lighting is for ambiance, aesthetics, tasks, and seeing better in your home. Think about your home and if it has all the lighting qualities you would like. If your answer is no, experts @ www.

Freshome.com, advised on some tips for perfect lighting for home.

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etermine what your lighting goals are: Direct or task lighting is focused in the space you are trying to work. Ambient or indirect lighting is used for ambiance and for overall lighting of a space. Once chosen you can begin to choose lighting options. Each room in your home should have a mood you want to set, as well as a function you want your lighting to serve.

Provide lighting for safety and security on the exterior of your home: Walkways, sidewalks, perimeter of your house, and the front entry should be lit with ambient lighting. Too dim of lighting on the exterior is a welcome sign for intruders. While too bright of exterior lighting is costly and disturbing to neighbours. Consider installing flood lights at the exterior corners of your home that are motion activated to further deter intruders. Follow the aesthetics and security lighting of your neighbourhood for further guidelines as to what to implement at your own home.

•Use exterior wall sconces for décor: Outdoor lighting doesn’t have to only be utilitarian. Wall sconces can provide washes of light against the exterior walls of your home to create ambiance in the evening hours. Directional sconces pointing upwards or downwards can focus on architectural elements on your home, and draw attention to exterior niches and plantings around your home.

•Inside your home use multiple light sources for one space: For rooms like the kitchen, bedrooms, and living spaces, multiple light sources will help you achieve a variety of functions and activities in that

space. In the kitchen, under counter lights can provide great task lighting; while in a living room, opt for a floor lamp next to a couch or favourite reading chair. In bathrooms, the lighting at the mirror should be free from shadows and glaring light.

•For high ceilings and modern décor, use recessed lighting: “Can” light fixtures, so called because of the metal recessed “can” that is inserted into the ceiling and the light fixture fits inside. These fixtures are subtle and can be directional, and can be connected to dimmer switches to give a range of light from subtly dim to full brightness to illuminate an entire room.

•In nurseries and kid’s rooms, remember night lighting: Think about the lighting for when children sleep when planning lighting requirements. Night lights can help small children from being scared, but can also help parents navigate through dark rooms. For nurseries, consider a dim wall sconce, or table lamp that can be used for changing diapers, or rocking infants to sleep.

•In formal living and dining areas, research chandeliers wisely: In spaces that a formal chandelier is considered, choose one that will not date your space. Often time’s chandeliers are bought without thinking of the space and the décor that surrounds it. Chandeliers come in extremely simple designs that include faux candles, small bulbs, or a few lights to the ornate and expensive crystal varieties.

Whichever is your décor choice, measure out the space, and ceiling height before ordering to ensure enough head room will be available below the hanging chandelier.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

33

Ways climate change threatens food security of urban poor- IIED DAYO AYEYEMI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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olicies to increase food security in the global South focus much on rural food production and not enough on ensuring that poor people can access and afford food, especially in urban areas.

Report by the International Institute for Environment and Development has stated, warning that climate change will only make the policy gap worse.

It stated that climate change impacts will affect not only harvests but also the systems that people use to transport, store, buy and sell food.

According to the report, any climateinduced disruption to food production, transport and storage, either in the urban area itself or in distant farmland could affect food supplies and prices in urban areas.

The report’s author, Dr Cecilia Tacoli, said, “Food security is back on the agenda, thanks to rising prices and the threat that climate change poses to agricultural production.

“But policies that focus on rural food production alone will not tackle the rising food insecurity in urban areas. We also need policies that improve poor people’s ability to access and afford food, especially in urban areas.”

The report highlights the link between income poverty and food insecurity in urban areas. For most low-income urban citizens, food represents a sizeable portion of the money they spend. Even small increases in price would therefore have

One of the scenes of last year’s flood in a Bayelsa community

big impacts of food security, with citizens reducing the amount and quality of the food they buy.

For the residents of informal urban settlements, food insecurity is also the consequence of lack of space to store and cook food, lack of time to shop and prepare meals, inadequate access to clean water and often non-existing sewage systems.

These settlements are disproportionately affected by floods, typhoons, heat waves and other impacts of climate change because they tend to be located in areas more exposed to these events, and because they lack the most basic infrastructure.

Tacoli said that governments must rise to these challenges by ensuring that policies can protect the urban poor from food insecurity linked to rising prices, inadequate living conditions and the effects of climate change in both rural and urban areas. Decent and stable employment is essential but not sufficient: adequate infrastructure and housing and access to formal and informal markets are just as important.

“Climate change threatens to multiply many of the big challenges that face the world’s urban poor, Policymakers need a far better understanding of what it means to be poor in an urban centre.”

Most people in urban areas must buy their food and this makes the urban poor particularly at risk.

Yet most policies that aim to increase food security focus solely on boosting production from farms and fisheries in rural areas.

“The journey that food takes from a rural producer to an urban consumer involves many steps,” says Tacoli.

“It must travel through formal and informal systems as it is stored, distributed and sold. Each one of these steps is a point of potential vulnerability to climate change. For consumers, this will mean sharp and sudden increases in food prices”

Road contractors in Ekiti Alpha Mead ranked 16 among Nigeria’s fastest growing companies or its sterling contributions to the fication in 2011. We are also the only FM tinent in need of support, but acknowlget 30-day ultimatum facility management industry and company with this international accredi- edged that through this recognition of

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oad contractors in Ekiti State whose contracts were awarded during the Segun Oni-led administration but are yet to complete the projects now have 30 days to complete them or have their contracts revoked.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, who announced this, also gave an October deadline for contractors that got their contracts during the present administration.

Fayemi was displeased at the slow pace of work on some of the projects and had called for the meeting in order to re-appraise the efforts of contractors handling all road projects across the state.

While urging the contractors to buckle up and expedite work on the projects in order not to be hindered by the approaching raining season, the governor stated that contractors have no excuses not to deliver the road projects at the scheduled time, stressing that government is always honouring its own part of the deal.

He added that the people of Ekiti are taking government up on its promise to make all major roads motorable by 2014.

Fayemi who commended some of the contractors for constructing quality roads and delivering same on time, despite all odds, urged those who are still lagging behind to buckle up or be penalised based on the contractual agreement reached with government while taking up the contract.

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the Nigerian business scene, Alpha Mead Facilities and Management Services Limited, has been named as one of the country’s fastest growing companies in the prestigious Nigeria Fast Growth 50 Awards.

The company was ranked 16 among Nigeria’s top 50 fastest growing firms that recorded an average growth of over a 100 per cent per annum.

The awards and gala event, which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, was organised by AllWorld Network, in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

The AllWorld Network systematically identifies and ranks the fastest growing companies and entrepreneurs of the emerging world. The body seeks to amass the largest information system and network of growth entrepreneurs by 2015.

Receiving the award, the Managing Director of Alpha Mead Facilities, Mr. Femi Akintunde, an engineer, said the award was an attestation to the company’s belief in excellence, superior customer service and dogged determination to succeed despite the challenging business environment.

He stated, “This is indeed another major milestone and confirmation of Alpha Mead’s leadership position in the facility management industry in Nigeria following the company’s ISO 9001 quality certi-

tation in Nigeria till date.”

While dedicating the award to his staff, board of directors, clients and other partners who have supported and encouraged the company in the attainment of the feat, he stressed that Alpha Mead would continue to pursue its desired vision to become the biggest and the best facility management company in Nigeria with strong presence in all major cities across the continent of Africa.

Using the process of visibility economics, through the annual Arabia500, Africa500, Asia500 and Eurasia500, AllWorld Network has been able to find and give visibility to growth entrepreneurs of the emerging world.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation, founded in 2010, is focused on promoting entrepreneurship in Africa by enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector. All of the awardees jointly employed over 6,500 staff. While 76 per cent plan to start another business, 54 per cent have helped some of their employees start their own businesses.

The event also featured a panel discussion with Harvard Business School Professor, Michael Porter, and Chairman of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

Porter, who reiterated the importance of entrepreneurship, noted that Africa has been perceived by outsiders as a con-

world class entrepreneurs, it would pave way for an inflow of investors, adding that the Nigeria 50 winners will be automatically considered for the Africa500, which will be announced later in the year.

Elumelu emphasised the theory of “AfriCapitalism”, which Porter believes will be achieved through the theory of shared values. They both agreed on long term investment as the preferred route for successful entrepreneurship.

In the words of Porter, Co-founder of All World Network, “Africa is still perceived as a continent that needs help from outside institutions, that is not able to redeem and revitalise itself. I can only imagine when there are 500 companies like this and a thousand more; investors will start to flow into the region. I also think that these entrepreneurs will be a major force for improving the system.

There is a need to strip away the obstacles to business and make the educational systems work. To create that transformation, the pressure and energy from these entrepreneurs will be the decisive force.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, noted that the private sector is the most important sector of Nigeria’s economy, which it was the reason government is creating the right environment and reviewing policies to favour Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Demand for quality projects in major cities in Africa increases

Sea wall for Eko Atlantic City Project

DAYO AYEYEMI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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emand for high quality residential and commercial property continues to grow across Africa on the back of the continent’s sustained strong economic growth and rising wealth.

Examples include the Eko Atlantic scheme on Victoria Island in Lagos, Tatu City in Nairobi and La Cité du Fleuve in Kinshasa. While all of these projects remain at very early stages, report says they may herald a wave of new largescale urban development across Africa, adding that demand from offshore buyers for high quality residential accommodation has continued to increase in countries including Morocco, Kenya and South Africa.

Africa is in the midst of a period of dynamic economic expansion, having averaged GDP growth of more than 5% per annum over the last decade and this is leading to a dynamic real estate market.

According to Knight Frank’s newly released Africa Report 2013, this strong

UK rural property owners need to register their manorial rights by October

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ural property owners in the UK risk losing valuable manorial rights as they are unaware of a deadline in October for registration, according to property consultants.

Some 60 per cent of land owners are not aware of the 12 October deadline for registering manorial rights, a survey by Knight Frank has found. On top of this 70% were not sure if their manorial rights were registered.

The research also found that 95% of land owners have experienced some form of boundary issues and over half have been affected by fly tipping.

‘Manorial rights often include valuable mineral and sporting rights so they are definitely worth protecting,’ said Michael McCullough, head of mapping and GIS at Knight Frank.

‘Those most at risk are where land has been sold, often many years ago, with vacant possession, but the manorial rights retained.

growth is expected to continue and is creating wealthier populations, particularly in the largest and most rapidly growing urban centres.

It says that Africa’s mega cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Lusaka and Dar es Salaam are increasingly becoming the drivers of its economic growth and, as a result, are attracting growing interest from occupiers, developers and investors.

‘Africa’s impressive economic progress is generating a growing need for the construction of good quality property in major cities across the continent. The rising wealth of Africa’s middle class is leading to demand for increasingly sophisticated retail formats and better quality residential property,’ said Matthew Colbourne, associate in commercial research at Knight Frank.

‘Meanwhile, as overseas companies seek to expand into Africa’s growing markets, and as African based companies grow themselves, there is a need for investment in the construction of high quality office buildings, which are currently in short supply in many African

cities,’ he added.

According to Knight Frank’s Head of Africa, Peter Welborn, property investors and developers looking for emerging market opportunities are increasing external investment in Africa, particularly as the growth markets of the last decade such as Asia-Pacific and Central and Eastern Europe mature and the level of returns they offer begins to diminish.

‘Many African countries remain challenging places in which to do business, but for those able to steer their way through African property markets, there is the promise of high returns and significant growth potential. Knight Frank continues to help investors navigate the rapids in over 40 of the continent’s most challenging environments,’ he explained.

In the residential sector, the need for greater volumes of good quality housing is reflected in a number of ambitious new suburbs that are either under construction or planned by private property developers on the outskirts of existing large cities.

The report says that in the retail sector, the increasing wealth and sophistication of

African consumers is leading to rising demand for modern retail formats and western style shopping centres. Countries such as Zambia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria have seen a wave of retail construction activity in recent years which has delivered the first generation of modern shopping malls to many major cities.

It points out that the construction of further, and larger, shopping centres can be expected, as developers seek to meet the demand for high quality retail space from increased numbers of international retailers entering Sub-Saharan markets and major South African chains pursuing expansion plans elsewhere in the continent.

In the office sector, many key African cities have severe shortages of high quality space built to the specifications expected by international companies. This scarcity of supply has led to extremely high rents in some cities, particularly where there is strong demand for office space from international occupiers from the oil and gas sector.

Indeed, prime office rents in Luanda and Lagos are amongst the highest in the world. In Luanda, recent construction completions have eased some of the pressure on the market and rents have become more affordable over the last 12 months but, even so, at U$150 per square meter per month, prime rents remain well above the levels seen in leading global office markets such as London, New York and Hong Kong.

Oil companies and the banking sector are established sources of demand for office space in Africa, but African economies are diversifying and non-traditional sectors are emerging. The growth of mobile technology in Africa has been a particularly prominent phenomenon over the last decade. Africa’s technology boom is generating new sources of office market demand and the continent is now home to a number of growing technology clusters, such as Silicon Savannah in Nairobi and Silicon Lagoon in Lagos.

Global recession has increased the importance of property taxes -Experts

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ountries around the world are becoming increasingly reliant on property taxes as a major funding source for government services, according to property and tax professionals.

According to Director of the International Property Tax InstituteM, Gerry Divaris, nearly 170 countries have a least one tax on property and over 100 have at least one recurrent tax on immovable property.

He told a seminar in Los Angeles, according to report from Property Wire, that the complex nature of property taxes often leads to blank stares and confusion among taxpayers but they are such an important source of revenue they are here to stay.

Industry professionals and

corporate taxpayers with a common interest in property tax attended the event cosponsored by the IPTI and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors at the offices of Ernst & Young.

‘Although property tax is probably the most unpopular tax on the planet, it is one of the more important taxes we have around. It has a bad name because it has such an in your face feel, but if properly deployed and properly utilised it can be really helpful,’ explained Divaris.

The seminar heard that while the impact of the global recession has increased the importance of property tax, it has also created problems for individuals, corporate taxpayers, and governments.

In the US as well as other countries, the economic reces-

London property

sion, which caused mass unemployment, has made it difficult for people to pay for many of their expenses, including property taxes. In addition, businesses have seen a decline in revenue, making it more difficult to pay overhead, such as payroll and property taxes.

As a result, governments

have experienced increased pressure as they are facing shortfalls in revenue, but increased demands for services.

‘Regardless of the country, we all have the same hurdles to overcome. We all have issues of economic factors, legislation, jurisprudence and valuation,’ Divaris added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

35

FAAN,Bi-Courtney face off puts PPPs under test Public-Private Partnerships, PPP, is one of the many ways governments all over the world develop critical infrastructure but the scheme has not been a total success in Nigeria. The recent face-off between Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, has once again brought the PPP model under scrutiny. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

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he recent termination of the leasing agreements between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) did not come to many aviation stakeholders and professionals as a shock.

Before now, both companies have been entangled in wrangling over different issues which are still in the courts for proper interpretation, but the seemingly cold-war between the two organisations has pitched stakeholders and professionals in the sector in different tents.

While some stakeholders in the sector decried government policy summersaults and said that the success or otherwise of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), agreement entered into

by BASL with the Federal Government will determine the future of PPP in the sector, others say there were many irregularities in the agreements and therefore call for a review.

The latest face-off between the two organisations is linked to the ongoing construction of a four-star hotel and conference centre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos which started in 2005.

FAAN speaking through its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati had about a week ago, announced the termination of the ongoing projects as a result of alleged breaches committed by the company in the agreements it signed with the agency.

FAAN claimed that it had informed BASL in two separate letters, dated April 19th 2012 that the leases granted it in respect of the two projects had been terminated and said by the agreements, the two projects were supposed to be completed in 2008, but were yet to be completed as at 2013.

He explained further that the agency extended the construction period to July 2009, but still Bi-Courtney failed to complete the two projects at the expiration of the extended period.

He said, “By that termination order, the demised premises, in respect of the two projects, have reverted to FAAN automatically, in line with the terms of the agreements. It will be recalled that Bi-Courtney forcefully and illegally acquired part of the premises belonging to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, School, Ikeja to construct the conference centre, despite loud protests by the pupils and parents of the school.

“It was these protests that stopped the company from acquiring the entire

premises of the school, which Bi-Courtney had planned to take to another location in Lagos.”

But BASL through its spokesman, Mr. Steve Omolale-Ajulo inists that the court had restrained the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, InspectorGeneral of Police, Managing Director of FAAN and FAAN from commencing, continuing or completing any actions on the issue.

He described the purported termination of the agreements by FAAN as laughable, adding that it showed clear disobedience to subsisting court orders.

He said, “Justice S.J. Adah of the Federal High Court, Ikeja Division, had, on April 23, 2012, issued an order restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, Managing Director of FAAN and FAAN itself (all defendants in the suit we filed against them) from commencing, continuing and/or completing any actions or permitting the commencement, continuance and/or completion of any actions in respect of taking over possession of and/or interfering with Applicant’s possession of the Four-Star Hotel and the Conference Centre situate at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, Ikeja, under construction pursuant to its letters reference: FAAN/1600/0210213 and FAAN/1600/0210214, both dated April 19th, 2012, or any other letter, instrument or instruction whatsoever pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s application for interlocutory injunction.

“The court order, originating motion, affidavit in support, exhibits and the Notice of Arbitration were all served on FAAN and its Managing Director, and received and signed for, on their behalf, by one Mrs. C. Akinola at 11.55a.m on April 24th, 2012.

“So, for FAAN to say it has terminated the projects and taken possession of the land is laughable and a clear disobedience to subsisting court orders. Nigerians should please ignore them, as they are not saying anything new. Like they themselves admitted in their latest statement, they first issued the statement purportedly terminating the two projects on April 19, 2012.

“As it is usual with them, they have re-issued the same statement in order to confuse aviation stakeholders and continue to create crises in the sector.

Every aviation stakeholder knows that it was the same old statement, issued last year that they have rewritten and presented to the media as a new one to

MD, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi

IF THE WHOLE OF AIRPORT IS CONCESSIONED TO ONLY

ONE MAN, HOW ARE YOU BRINGING IN FOREIGN

INVESTORS?

YOU HAVE

SHUT DOWN FOREIGN INVESTMENTS deceive the public. FAAN knows that it cannot terminate the projects because of the court injunction. There are consequences for such an action.”

Dati, in an interview with National Mirror, said that it was wrong for any stakeholder or professional in the sector to attribute the current imbroglio between the agency and BASL to policy summersaults on the part of the government, insisting that the agreements were skewed in favour of the concessionaire at the expense of the Nigerian people.

He condemned the agreements with the concessionaire and described as absurd a situation whereby only an organisation would want to be in charge of airport sub-sector in the state, stressing that in United Kingdom and other developed aviation countries, there are various airports controlled by different organisations and wondered why Nigeria should be an excemption.

He said, “There is no policy summersaults. We don’t have concessionaires in the industry, how can one man say the development of aviation in the state has been concessioned to him for the next 36 years when smaller states in the country have airports?

People have taken the advantage of the friends they have in government to rub our common wealth.

“If the whole of airport is concessioned to only one man, how are you bringing in foreign investors? You have shut down foreign investments.

You are creating monopoly and one begins to ask if our nationalists had behaved like that, will there be an airport in Lagos today?

“These irregularities are being cor-

Chairman, BASL, Dr. Wale Babalakin,

rected by the present administration and not for anyone to create a monopoly. Is it not ridiculous that when the Ministry of Aviation granted permit to Lagos state Government to build an airport at Lekki, this same concessionaire came to challenge it?

Besides, in a Memorandum of Appearance made available to our correspondent, dated April 27, 2012 with the suit no. FHC/IKJ/CS/70/2012 at the Federal High Court in the Ikeja Judicial Division and signed by Damilola Amore Esq, the court stopped the agency and the Federal Government from taking any action on the projects.

A member of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engr. Aliyu Garba commenting on the issue, enjoined both parties to embrace dialogue in the interest of the workers and the nation in general.

He said that the ongoing crises between the two companies may hinder future developments in the sector in the future, adding that for both parties to benefit from the lease agreements, it was pertinent for them to review the existing agreements.

He said, “It is sad that almost everything in this industry is woven in crisis and the industry either we like it or not is affected by this crisis. It will definitely be difficult for us to witness growth when we are in crises.

“Personally, I think both parties should have a roundtable talk on whatever agreements they have. With this, they will iron out the controversial aspects of the agreements and forge ahead. We can’t continue to swim in the murky waters of crisis all the time.”

Also, an aviation stakeholder and Head of Aviation Consult Limited, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, decried the inconsistent implementation of contractual agreement by the government, saying that the act would continue to drive away potential serious investors in the sector.

Anyanwu mentioned the terminations of the contractual agreements between the government and Maevis Nigeria Limited and Pan Express Limited, but noted that most of the contracts were skewed in favour of concessionaires.

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Aviation

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Uriesi charges organisations to support the less privileged STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos

and the needy.

He said the agency has committed itself to a steady support of the less privileged in the society as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility by helping children in orphanages throughout the nation.

He also promised to commit all FAAN airport managers to buy into the culture of supporting orphanages and motherless babies’ homes in their various locations as part of FAAN’s CSR culture.

He believed that every well meaning organisation should not just focus on profit making alone, but also giving back to the

society.

He met with the children at the home and later gave gift items to the home, promising to develop a long term relationship with such orphanages that perform job that cannot be quantified.

The Administrator of the orphanage, located at Akowonjo, in Lagos, Mrs. Bose Ogunbanjo commended the management and entire leadership team of FAAN for their magnanimity and support, and expressed hope that the relationship would be long lasting and help in building lives of the children of the home.

Stakeholder faults Aero workers strike

Ohunayo

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he workers and unions in the Nigerian aviation industry have been blamed for the over two weeks strike action in Aero Airlines that paralysed activities in the airline.

The Head, Research, Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo in an interview with National Mirror in Lagos said that rather than embark on the strike, both the unions and the workers should have explored the dialogue option to the fullest.

He insisted that the strike was counterproductive and a grave error on the part of the workers, stressing that they ought to have learnt from their colleagues in Air Nigeria who embarked on

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

‘Easter retreat’ for House of Representatives’ Aviation Committee?

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he Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi, has urged various organisations to contribute their quota in helping the less privilege in the country.

Uriesi decried that most companies in Nigeria both government or privately owned hardly engage in Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in their immediate communities unlike in other countries of the world.

He noted that when companies perform their social responsibilities to their immediate communities, there would be conducive environments to the companies to operate in.

Uriesi stated these last week when he led the other management staff to Little Saints Orphanages Home in Lagos where the agencydonated various items to the children in the spirit of the Easter season.

He explained that it was essential that everyone should contribute their quota in helping the helpless, abandoned or abused children in a society that is becoming less sensitive to the weak

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

the same step, but were later consumed by it.

He said, “The strike punctured the life raft of the airline and quickened the provision of a life support machine. Aero staff should have learnt from their colleagues in Air Nigeria, who went on a similar strike and ended up being consumed. The dialogue option should have been stretched, while the unions complement it with coordinated blackmail and clinical subterfuge, which is a better option for a troubled organisation.

“The strike option chosen by Aero staff was hasty and counterproductive; it is a grave error and a concurrent misstep by airline staff in Nigeria, which has contributed to the demise of airlines in the country while also increasing the unemployment market.

“If Aero will ever return to the skies, it will be as a leaner organisation with some stringent cost cutting measures that would have been difficult to embark upon before the strike. I appeal to the management to reconsider the sack letters while the workers should brace for the hard truth, which is sequestration.”

He also commended both the management and staff for sustaining the unblemished safety

record of the airline over the years till now, but regreted that both parties forgot the passengers by abandoning them at the airports without explanation and continued to sell tickets online despite the anticipated industrial action.

He noted that this reckless and insensitive posture of both parties has led to a group of passengers seeking damages worth millions of naira in court against the airline.

he sudden but secret appearance of members of the House of Representatives Aviation Committee at the various agencies in the Nigerian civil aviation industry came as a shock to many. Unlike in the past when their visits to the industry were made known to the public through the media, last Monday’s visit Airside learnt was a surprise to some of the agencies’ chief executive as they were allegedly not aware of their visit.

Although, the visit of the committee members to the agencies have come and gone, some stakeholders and professionals in the sector are still asking questions on the motives behind the visit, bearing in mind that the committee carried out its oversight functions in the agencies about four months ago. Also, most

visits by the committee span minimum of two days, but the last visit to the agencies was for a few hours!

Some unscrupulous stakeholders and professionals even murmured that the committee didn’t come for oversight function as claimed, but they came for ‘Easter’.

Inasmuch as Airside will not want the names of the honourable members of House of Representatives to be dragged in the mud, the committee should shame the bad belle stakeholders and professionals by coming out with a statement on the purpose of their last visit. At least, they have been doing so in the past. This should not be an exception. Airside is waiting for action from the honourable men and women.

How to operate a profitable airline, the Air Seychelles example

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t is a known fact that Nigerian airlines are suffering and are struggling to make ends meet. Apart from the fact that the lifespan of an average carrier in Nigeria is six years, which is primarily caused by bad management decisions, most of them lack good customer relations.

At present, it is a herculean task for the carriers to form an alliance with their local counterparts not to mention foreign carriers despite the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), over the years to make this a reality. But if the airlines want to operate profitably and move away from their quagmire state, they need to

take a cue from Air Seychelles, which declared profits for the first time in three years.

How did the airline do this?

About 12 months ago, Air Seychelles formed a partnership with a relatively young and fast developing carrier, Etihad Airways, which enables the United Arab Emirates carrier to acquire a 40 per cent stake in the airline.

With the five years agreement, Air Seychelles was able to expand its fleet, airlift the passengers of Etihad Airways from its country to different airports and employ more technical personnel while also boosting revenues. The result was $1 million profit in less than a year.

British Airways increases frequencies to African destinations

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ritish Airways has announced the additional 266 seats a week to Nairobi when it increases its schedule to Kenya from daily to eight flights a week. The new service the airline said it commences on 12 May. The airline said it would operate as an overnight flight, leaving Heathrow Terminal 5 on Sunday evenings and arriving in Nairobi on Monday mornings. The return flight will depart Nairobi on Monday evenings arriving in London on Tuesday mornings.

An online statement signed by the airline’s media consultant in Nigeria stated

that the aircraft would be a Boeing 777-200 in a four-cabin configuration, offering First, Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).

“Kenya is a growing economy and the additional flight has been scheduled as an overnight service so our customers, particularly those travelling on business, can make the most of their time,” says Regional Commercial Manager for Africa, Ian Petrie,.

British Airways has also announced that three additional services it introduced to Johannesburg on a trial basis early last year have

now been confirmed in its 2013 schedule. This brings to 17 the number of weekly services it offers from London to Johannesburg.

In the past year the airline has expanded its schedule to Morocco and has begun flying to Sierra Leone and Liberia.

“We have a long, proud history in Africa. Over 80 years ago our predecessor, Imperial Airways, pioneered air routes the length of the continent. Today we fly to more destinations in Africa more often than we ever have before. As of 31 March we will serve 18 routes in 15 African countries,” says Petrie.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

37

Low penetration: Stiffer sanctions sought for brokers, agents The allegations that insurance agents and brokers are largely responsible for poor business image and low insurance penetration in the country has remained unending, with calls for stiffer sanctions against agents and brokers by stakeholders, MESHACK IDEHEN writes.

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n the past 90 years, the insurance sector which industry experts said has driven the economies of other nations in the right direction has continued to underperform in Nigeria, due to various reasons; chief of which is the ‘famed’ insurance company’s reputation of always throwing in clogs in the wheels of claims payment.

Insurance professionals maintain that the inability of the operators to sanitise its own house, by effectively controlling the activities of its hundreds of thousands of agents and brokers, many of whom have been accused of non remittance or under declaration of premium collected on behalf of their firms has not helped to put insurance in the right perspective before clients.

Several instances have been recorded where brokers and insurance agents have been dragged before courts by clients of insurance firms ,due to issues that are not far removed from collection and mismanagement of clients funds, to withholding and presenting wrong insurance advice to clients.

Retired Nigeria Customs Officer, Mr. Ikechukwu Ogbu, told National Mirror that he still laments and sometimes weeps over his experience with an insurance agent that claimed to be working for American International Insurance Company (AIICO),who alongside his dishonest colleagues, ripped him of over N15m for over four years of continuous premium payment.

Ogbu explained that the fact that the “fake” AIICO insurance agent was from his own kindred also helped to facilitate the crime, as he refused to listen to worries expressed by his wife, and rumours from other tribesmen that the insurance agent was not known by AIICO and that the same agent had collected several millions of naira from unsuspecting premium takers when he was with an insurance firm based in the south east.

Thus, other analysts who spoke with National Mirror, said though it is generally agreed that steps are being taken by stakeholders in the industry as spearheaded by regulators, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), to sanitise the industry of fake agents and brokers is coming out well, stiffer sanctions are needed to stem the tide, if insurance is to drive the economy of the country forward.

Disagreeing with NAICOMS decision that any broker that loses its licence as a result of infraction pay a penalty of N2.5m, Insurance Analyst, Mr. Sylvester Archibong, said while it was okay to urge brokers to avoid anything that would make NAICOM revoke their licences, N2.5m was too small to serve as deterrent or punishment for erring broker.

Archibong said considering the need to take the sector to its heights in financial service provision for a mass market like Nigeria, that NAICOM should be looking to set examples by ruling out the option of fines for erring and dubious brokers and agents, adding that many brokers can

Osijo

Fola Daniel

OUR RULE STATES THAT WE SHOULD PUBLISH LIST OF

MEMBERS EVERY YEAR. OUR LAW SAYS THAT REGISTRATION

WITH NCRIB IS REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSING BY NAICOM.

SO MANY BROKERS HAVE BEEN GOING TO NAICOM, FOR REGISTRATION

easily pay N2.5miilion if billions of naira was involved.

Reiterating the need for brokers and agents to avoid acts that can effect the sector’s image and also avoid the sanctions by NAICOM, the President of National Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Laide Osijo, said the council has appealed to brokers to cooperate with NAICOM in the implementation of the new premium regime, and that they should avoid any infraction that might lead to sanctions.

The council, she said, will further strengthen operations of genuine members to increase their performance and efficiency, though it must be said that the activities of unregistered brokers and quack is damaging the image of the sector.

According to her, the council had gathered from members and underwriters that the public and government were already adjusting to the new premium rule, adding it has become necessary to advise brokers to cooperate with NAICOM in the implementation of this rule as well as avoid any infraction that may lead to sanctions by the

commission.

Osijo said NCRIB will send the lists of genuine broking firms to clients, adding by first week of April, that the lists of members would be published for the public to know genuine operators.

“Our rule states that we should publish list of members every year. Our law says that registration with NCRIB is requirement for licensing by NAICOM. So many brokers have been going to NAICOM, for registration. But since the beginning of this year, NAICOM has refused to give anybody licence if they did not have the NCRIB registration certificate”, Osijo explained.

Lamenting not too long ago that over 90 per cent of third party insurance certificates in Nigeria are fake – NAICOM,s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fola Daniel, said third party insurance covers are procured at the various licensing offices in the country by fake agents.

Also calling for the total exclusion of confirmed fake brokers and agents from all forms of insurance business and activities in Nigeria, Economist, Mr. Vincent Idahosa, said such move will go a long way towards sanitising the sector.

Idahosa refuted speculations that many top executives of insurance companies in Nigeria are using majority of the unregistered agents and brokers, saying such rumours remain unproven, though not impossible.

According to him, NAICOM can also embark on mass sensitisation of the public with information on how to reach the regulators, before any insurance business or deal is to be consummated.

He said such step, particularly in these days of unlimited means of calling and verifying business issues, can save present, potential insurance customers, and also restore, though gradually the positive image of the sector and its proper place in moving the nation’s economy forward and in the right direction.

Sovereign Trust to drive insurance products in local dialects

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overeign Trust Insurance Plc said it is driving its personal line products to the grass roots with the adoption of a nationwide radio campaign in local dialects.

A statement from the firm said insurance awareness is being done in Yoruba, Hausa and Pidgin English in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Rivers, Enugu, Sokoto, Kano and some other states and that one of the

products, is the Sovereign Wellbeing Insurance Scheme for the family.

According to the firm, the product is a General Personal Accident policy with varied features and benefits designed to cater for the family in case of any eventuality.

The benefits of the product, the firm said, included payment of out-ofwork benefit resulting from any form

of accident; medical expenses of the insured; payment of wellbeing lump sum; and free cover for the fourth child under the age of 17.

Other features, it added, were10 per cent no-claim bonus; affordable and flexible premium payment; strike and civil commotion cover; and no geographical limitation.With the current campaign, the firm said it was set to

promote products under the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative.

The products, according to Sovereign Trust, are basically designed to cater for third party liabilities whenever the need arises, including Third Party Motor Insurance, Occupiers’ Liability, Builders Liability and the Professional Healthcare Indemnity Insurance.

38

Insurance

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

NAICOM moves to make insurance attractive MESHACK IDEHEN

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nsurance industry regulatory body, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), said it has embarked on various initiatives to make the industry attractive to both local and foreign investors as part of efforts to transform the industry in the country.

The Deputy Commissioner, Technical, Mr. Ibrahim Hassan, said this at a workshop for executives of shareholders’ associations and independent directors of insurance companies in Lagos, adding the commission will continue to ensure insurance occupies its proper place in the country.

Hassan said NAICOM believes that successful execution of relevant programmes should improve the attractiveness of the insurance sector in Nigeria, and have major salutary impact through increase foreign direct investment, job creation and higher returns on investment.

He added that NAICOM had also facilitated through the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards,

Chairman NSITF, Ngozi Olegeme

improvements in financial reporting in the insurance industry in line with international best practices, saying that this move would attract foreign investment to the insurance sector.

The deputy commissioner also said NAICOM had directed that all infrac-

tions should be reported in the annual accounts of companies, adding that the responsibility is for shareholders to raise questions during annual general meetings because it was what should come to them as dividends that were being used to pay fines for avoidable offences.

He urged shareholders to be mindful of reported operating expenses in the books of the companies, adding that a situation where huge proportion of premium income end up as operating expenses was not healthy.

Speaking further, Hassan said NAICOM had in the last three years initiated developmental policies aimed at strengthening and deepening insurance penetration in order to enhance the sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product under its Market Development and Restructuring Initiative.

“These measures include development of the agency system with the hope of creating jobs for jobless Nigerians, and enforcement of compulsory insurances in our statute books, among others,” he said.

Mutual Benefits to launch 50 micro products MESHACK IDEHEN

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utual Benefits Assurance Plc said the company is set to roll out 50 micro-insurance products as part of efforts to boost the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) for the insurance industry.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, made this known during a media parley in Lagos, while also disclosing that the first batch of the new micro insurance would be introduced in April.

Ogunbiyi explained that the products were developed along social, demographic, trade groups and risks peculiar to each segment of the nation, and that the firm has taken time and expertise to develop

Leadway Assurance gets new chairman, ED

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he Board of Leadway Assurance has appointed Mr. Umar Yahaya as its chairman. He replaces its founding chairman, the late Alhaji Hassan Hadejia-Shettiman Hadejia.

According to a statement, Yahaya is a former director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc and New Africa Merchant Bank Limited, among others.He is also a director of Fidelity Bank Plc, First Pension Custodians and a Trustee of PZ Cussons.

Also, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi, has been named Executive Director, General Business. She joined Leadway Assurance 18 years ago as an Assistant Manager, and rose to the position of General Manager (Business Services and Special Risks) in 2009. She is a lawyer with varied experience in legal research, corporate legal practice, insurance and financial services.

the different products for the different groups and needs, as there are no more ‘Off the shelf ‘products for everybody.

Speaking on means to get the products across to Nigerians, Ogunbiyi said the firm would open 200 offices by 2015, adding that 32 offices were opened last year and that the number would reach 70 by December this year.

He said the effort would bring existing and new offices of the firm nationwide to 96 by the end of this year, adding that Lagos, Oyo, Osun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were used as the pilot states.

According to the Mutual Benefit managing director, the firm would create 22,000 jobs by 2015 in line with the manpower need of the industry under the MDRI.

Ogunbiyi

Health insurance tips for small-business owners

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ere are some suggestions from experts for small businesses deciding whether to offer employee health insurance.

Consider the nature of your business-Small companies made up primarily of owners are likely to find that it makes financial sense to provide employee insurance, because that’s the way to get tax-deductible health insurance.

They also have to compete for skilled workers.

Don’t forget about the tax benefits of providing healthcare-The Federal Government makes tax credits available to most companies with fewer than 25 low-wage employees to help cover the cost of insurance. A tax credit of up to

35% of what a company pays for health benefits is available today, and that increases to 50% in 2014 for businesses that buy insurance.

Keep in mind what your employee’s want-Employees newly required to have health insurance under the law may want to get it from their employer. With that in mind, employers may feel encouraged to offer coverage.

Remember subsidies when weighing whether to offer health benefitsWhen trying to decide whether to get a group policy, don’t forget that your employees might be better off buying an individual health insurance plan through the state exchange.

Source: (www.articles.latimes.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tips for Business Insurance agents Business insurance is a specialised and competitive form of insurance. Business insurance agents need to work hard in order to provide their clients with the best possible service and ensure that they enjoy a successful relationship with their firm and their clients.

Agents need to be able to provide the best possible advice and service, while also building up a good client base.

Business insurance is a specialized type of insurance- Insurance agents who wish to work in this field will be more successful if they are able to focus on handling business insurance policies. It is important for an insurance agent to obtain as much experience as possible in this field and to build up plenty of specialized knowledge.

Business insurance agents need to be able to provide their clients with expert advice- so they need to know as much as possible about this type of insurance. Agents also need to ensure that they stay up-to-date with all of the latest developments in their field in order to remain competitive.

Successful business insurance agents need to build up as much experience as they can in the field of business insuranceThey also need to ensure that they have the best possible reputation among both insurance professionals and business clients. Having a good reputation is essential for success in this type of insurance since one of the most important ways in which business insurance agents find new clients is through referrals made by their existing clients. Agents also need to work hard to promote their own services and to find new clients.

Business insurance is a very competitive field, so business insurance agents need to be as competitive as possible-This means that they need to keep their clients happy, to build up a goof reputation and work to attract new business clients. Businesses which are searching for an insurer tend to spend a lot more time making their decision than clients in other forms of insurance.

Providing a high quality service is also essential in business insurance-It is important for business insurance agents to focus on service as well as on providing good insurance policies. A successful agent should be open and honest with their clients. They should offer the best possible advice and they should work on building strong relationships with their clients. This will encourage business clients to refer their agent to their business associates. It will also help build a loyal client base.

Source :( insure.net)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

CBN, others hinge financial inclusion on agent banking KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Central Bank of Nigeria and the Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) have said implementation of an affective agent banking in the country will accelerate the provision of banking services to the majority of unbaked population, thereby enhancing financial inclusion in the country.

This was the consensus of the apex bank, EFInA and other key industry stakeholders during a recent Innovation Forum organised by EFInA in Lagos recently.

The forum titled “Deepening Financial Inclusion through Agent Banking” was attended by deposit money banks, microfinance banks, mobile money operators, mobile network

operators, industry regulators, agent network organisations, among others.

Speaking at the forum, the Director, Banking and Payment Systems, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, who stressed the importance of agent banking and the plans by the apex bank to have it implemented in the country, said such initiative would ensure that banking services are brought to the doorsteps of most unbanked population.

Fatokun, who spoke on the importance of fully understanding the CBN’s guidelines for the ‘Regulation of Agent Banking and Agent Banking Relationships in Nigeria’, presented the key aspects of the guidelines.

According to him, “Agent banking is an additional delivery channel that can enhance the convenience and outreach of

quality and affordable financial services particularly to the underserved in a more cost-efficient manner.

Successful agent banking deployments all over the world have demonstrated that an effective agent network facilitates financial inclusion.

He explained that agents, who may be individuals, small retail shops, post offices, or large retailers, can offer customers a convenient and affordable way to conduct a range of financial transactions.

“The Guidelines outline the minimum expectations required for Financial Institutions intending to undertake agent banking,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer, EFInA, Ms. Modupe Ladipo, said that agent banking is one of EFInA’s key strategic areas to support its overall objective of

promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria, stressing that studies had shown that nearness to a bank remain the top criteria for choosing a bank for the banked and one of the top three barriers to having a bank account for the unbanked.

According to her, “All adults are aware of their nearest provision shop, 80 per cent are aware of their nearest mobile phone kiosk compared with 63 per cent and 26 per cent who are aware of their nearest Deposit Money Bank and Microfinance Bank respectively.

“The distance to provision shops and mobile phone kiosks is also significantly shorter that the distance to banks. Therefore, agent banking has an important role to play in reaching the unbanked and under-banked by bringing financial services closer to the customer.”

Manufacturing in US grew in March on equipment demand

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anufacturing in the United States probably kept expanding in March as business investment and consumer spending improved, economists said before a report yesterday.

A reading of 54 for the Institute for Supply Management’s factory index is the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey after the prior month’s 54.2, which was the highest since June 2011.

A level greater than 50 signals growth. Construction spending rebounded in February, separate figures may show.

The economy is getting a bigger boost from production gains amid stronger capital spending, progress in the housing industry and resilient consumer demand. Further strides in manufacturing may depend on how companies respond

Nikkei falls to 3-week low on profit-taking

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apan’s Nikkei share average fell to a threeweek low yesterday, as investors took profits in stocks such as exporters and financials that had gained in recent weeks on the back of a weaker yen and prospects of monetary easing.

All 33 subindexes were lower on Monday, the first trading day of the new fiscal year, with exporters, financials and real estate stocks among the big losers.

The Nikkei dropped 2.1 per cent to 12,135.02, the biggest one-day decline in a week. The index added 19.3

per cent in January-March, marking its best quarterly performance since AprilJune 2009.

Now, it stands 4.1 per cent below a 4 1/2-year high of 12,650.26 hit on March 21.

“Short-term foreign investors were selling today, as they decided to take profits as they saw that hopes for bold monetary easing are mostly priced into the market,” said Makoto Kikuchi, the chief executive of Myojo Asset Management.

“That is not to say that sentiment is negative. People are still hopeful about easing, and we see some buying by

long-term investors like pension funds that are raising their stance to ‘neutral’ from ‘underweight’ on Japan.”

Toyota Motor Corporation dropped 2.1 per cent, Sony Corporporation tumbled 4.3 per cent, and brokerage Nomura Holdings shed 4.3 percent.

Railway stocks, which have high asset value, weakened, with East Japan Railway Co shedding 5.8 per cent and West Japan Raiway Co dropping 7.2 per cent, which was also hit by a brokerage downgrade.

Warehouse shares also lost ground, with Mitsui-

Soko Company nosediving 8.1 per cent and Shibusawa Warehouse Company shedding 5.2 per cent.

The losses came even as a Bank of Japan tankan survey showed that business sentiment in Japan improved for the first three months of 2013 due to expectations for the central bank to ease monetary policy.

Big manufacturers’ mood improved after two straight quarters of deterioration, with the headline sentiment index rising four points to minus eight, in line with a median market forecast of minus seven.

to automatic cuts in federal spending that began last month.

“We’re seeing growth in housing plus the trickledown into all the associated industries,” said Tom Simons, an economist at Jefferies. “Businesses aren’t overly concerned about the budget cuts, though there could be some months of weakness,” he said.

Manufacturers projecting a better outlook include Texas Instruments Incorporation. The largest maker of analog chips raised the lower end of its forecasts for firstquarter sales and profit.

“The stronger demand environment has continued,” Ron Slaymaker, vice president of the Dallasbased company, said on a March 7 conference call with analysts. “Quarter-todate orders have been growing strongly.”

S&P 500 rally shows analysts slow or investors sanguine

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L-R: Mrs. Peju Ibekwe of Communications Department, Sterling Bank Plc; Assistant General Manager Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Mr. Micheal Savage; Branch Manager, Iyana Ipaja Branch, Sterling Bank, Mr. Jolly Enabulele; Mrs. Scholastica Indyer and Mr. Temitope Bello both of Sterling Bank, during the bank’s cleaning exercise at Ikeja roundabout at the weekend.

39

he advance that pushed the Standard and Poor’s 500 index to a record left companies trading closer to analyst price estimates than any time in at least seven years.

Shares in the index are five per cent away from analysts’ mean forecasts after the benchmark gauge rallied 10 per cent in the first quarter, according to data compiled by Bloomberg starting in 2006.

That’s the smallest difference ever for the median stock and compares with the historical average of 14 per cent.

Bulls say the narrowing spread shows securities firms were caught off guard by the rally and that equities will climb as they boost predictions.

Bears say the slowness of analysts to respond means stocks have gotten so far ahead of themselves that even market optimists are uncomfortable with the increase, which has added more than $10 trillion to values since 2009.

“The market has moved so fast, it hasn’t given the analysts time to re-evaluate things,” Malcolm Polley, who manages $1.1bn as chief investment officer at Stewart Capital Advisors LLC in Indiana, Pennsylvania, said in a March 26. “As we just finished earnings season and we’re winding down the first quarter, analysts will begin the process of reassessing.

My sense is we’re looking for better economic and corporate things than we’re seeing today.”

US stocks slip after disappointing manufacturing data

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nited States stocks fell modestly yesterday, after weakerthan-expected US manufacturing data and the Dow and S&P 500 slipped from record closing highs reached on Thursday.

The Institute for Supply Management’s March reading on manufacturing came in at 51.3, down from analysts’ average forecast of 54.2. A figure above 50 indicates expansion by the

sector.

In a separate report construction spending rose more than expected in February, gaining 1.2 per cent, compared with forecasts of a one per cent rise.

The S&P remains about 0.4 per cent away from its all-time intraday high of 1,576.09, but few catalysts are seen before the release of the closely watched payroll report on Friday.

40

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Wema, UBA, Unity lead banks’ stocks in Q1 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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nvestors’ appetite on banking stocks rose further in the first quarter of the year, as all the stocks recorded price appreciation, despite the banks’ exclusion from margin list.

The Securities and Exchange Commission had said that banks’ equities could be traded within a margin account but would not be used to determine the credit that is due in a margin account.

According to the National Mirror analysis in the quarter, Wema Bank Plc led the gainers table with N1.2 or 230.8 per cent to close at N1.72, from 52 kobo at which it opened the year.

The United Bank for Africa Plc followed with N3.44

or 75.4 per cent to close at N8.00 per share, from N4.56 it opened the year, while Unity Bank Plc which opened the year at a nominal value of 50 kobo per share rose by 34 kobo or 68 per cent to close at 84 kobo per share.

Sterling Bank Plc appreciated by N1.04 or 60.1 per cent to close at N2.77 per share, from N1.73 at which it opened the year, while Skye Bank Plc increased

by N1.93 or 44.9 per cent to close at N6.23 per share, from N4.30 at the beginning of the year.

However, Zenith Bank Plc emerged the worst performing stocks in the reviews period with marginal gain of N1.81 or 9.29 per cent to close at N21.30 per share, from N19.49 at which it opened on January 3, 2013.

Aceess Bank Plc followed

by N1.15 or 12.7 per cent to close at N10.20 per share, from N9.05 it opened in January, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc added N3.1 or 13.5 per cent to close at N26.10 per share, from N23.00 at the beginning of the year.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporation Plc appreciated by N2.71 or 24 per cent to close at N14.00 per share, from N11.29 at which it opened the year, while First City Monument Bank Plc increased by N1.05 or 28 per cent to close at N4.80 per share, from N3.75 it opened the year.

Market analysts have attributed the price appreciation to the anticipation of positive results by the banks.

The Group Managing Director, Union Bank Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa had last week said banks are putting in place a regime of best practice to improve their

standing.

According to him, Union Bank, for instance, has decided to undertake a holistic review of its operations in a way to enhance its financial performance with the attendance fallout in dividend payment.

Also, the FSDH Securities Limited, a research and investment firm had said that the balance sheet position and operations of banks as well as their relative stock market valuations point to the attractiveness of banking stocks.

The firm noted that the drivers of investment in banking stocks in early 2013 would include good dividend payment expected from the 2012 business year and attractive valuation of banking stocks as banks are still trading at low multiples.

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ern Africa.

After Obama’s meeting, Marantis and other administration officials proposed that the US and ECOWAS explore the possibility of negotiating a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), the trade representative’s office said in a statement.

The US has similar agreements with the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and the Southern African Customs Union.

It also has bilateral trade and investment agreements with eight na-

tions in sub-Saharan Africa Angola, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, the trade representative’s office said.

The ECOWAS agreement can significantly contribute to economic growth and increased international competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic and help support American jobs by improving opportunities for US investment in West Africa, Marantis said in the statement.

After his meeting on Monday with the four African leaders, Obama said their countries are consolidating democratic gains, leading to more stable gov-

ernments and economic growth.

“They exemplify the progress that we’re seeing in Africa,” Obama said.

“All of them have had to deal with some extraordinary challenges.”

Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Obama said Sierra Leone has had consecutive free and fair elections after civil war a decade ago, Malawi has overcome a constitutional crisis, Senegal has preserved democracy after some bumps in the road from the previous president, and Cape Verde has boosted per-capita income from about $200 a year to about $4,000 a year, a real success story.

US stocks slip after disappointing manufacturing data

U

nited States stocks fell modestly yesterday, after weaker-than-expected US manufacturing data and the Dow and S&P 500 slipped from record closing highs reached on Thursday.

The Institute for Supply Management’s March reading on manufacturing came in at 51.3, down from analysts’ average forecast of 54.2. A figure above 50 indicates expansion by the sector.

In a separate report construction spending rose more than expected in February, gaining 1.2 per cent, compared with forecasts of a one per cent rise.

The S&P remains about 0.4 per cent away from its all-time intraday high of 1,576.09, but few catalysts are seen before the release of the closely watched payroll report on Friday.

Many investors said the market could have more risks to the downside, with continued uncertainty over the economic situation in Cyprus, though European markets were closed on Monday for a holiday.

“I’m not expecting much to happen in markets before the payroll report, but with things that quiet, we could be more vulnerable to any surprise external news,” said Dan Veru, chief invest-

ment officer at Palisade Capital Management.

Data on the US services sector is on tap for Wednesday, followed by the Labor Department’s March payrolls report on Friday.

Economic data has been mixed, but strong readings may not be a positive catalyst for markets. Investors speculate if the Federal Reserve views the economy as strong enough, it could reduce its bond-buying program, which has helped boost equities.

“We want to see progress made in the economy, even if it is just small and incremental,” said Veru, who helps oversee $3.6bn.

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators as at Thursday All-Share Index 33,536.25 points Market capitalisation 10.74 trillion

US explores West African trade, investment agreement

he United States is exploring a possible trade and investment agreement with the 15-nation Economic Community of West Africa, acting US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said yesterday.

The announcement came after a meeting in Washington on Sunday between President Barack Obama and the leaders of three ECOWAS members, Presidents Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone and Macky Sall of Senegal and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves of the Cape Verde Islands.

The three were joined

by President Joyce Banda of Malawi in southeast-

Source: NSE

“I’d like to see more merger deals announced, which would give me confidence that there are still gains to be had.”

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 10.20 points, or 0.07 per cent, at 14,588.74.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was down 2.49 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 1,566.70.

The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 9.56 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 3,257.96.

Equities rose 10 per cent in the first quarter, extending a string of monthly gains to five. With the advance, the S&P is now only 0.4 per cent away from its all-time intraday high level of 1,576.09.

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

UNITYBNK

0.79

0.84

0.05

% CHANGE 6.33

TRANSCORP

1.41

1.49

0.08

5.67

TOTAL

161.00

169.05

8.05

5.00

JOHNHOLT

1.63

1.71

0.08

4.91

LIVESTOCK

2.55

2.67

0.12

4.71

CCNN

10.00

10.44

0.44

4.40

AGLEVENT

1.63

1.70

0.07

4.29

IKEJAHOTEL

0.90

0.93

0.03

3.33

VITAFOAM

3.50

3.61

0.11

3.14

EVANSMED

1.70

1.75

0.05

2.94

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ROYALEX

0.84

CLOSING 0.76

0.08

-9.52

MAYBAKER

2.30

2.19

0.11

-4.78

AFRIPRUD

1.70

1.62

0.08

-4.71

JAPAULOIL

0.68

0.65

0.03

-4.41

IPWA

0.71

0.68

0.03

-4.23

FTNCOCOA

0.55

0.53

0.02

-3.64

NEM

0.87

0.84

0.03

-3.45

WAPIC

1.43

1.39

0.04

-2.80

NAHCO

7.70

7.49

0.21

-2.73

RTBRISCOE

2.25

2.19

0.06

-2.67

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

32,488.72

11.95

7-Mar-13

182-Days

20,000.00

13.80

7-Mar-13

364-Days

57,119.37

15.57

7-Mar-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

355-Days

75,273.10

15.37

14-Feb-13

97-Days

63,681.00

13.37

14-Feb-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$180m

N/A

$180m

13-Mar-13

$180m

N/A

$180m

11-Mar-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Reconciliation: Not yet Uhuru for PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 ditional state for the South-East.

The zonal chairman of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), who gave account of his stewardship in the last one year, however said the PDP in the South-East has recorded milestones in reconciliation, reformation and rebuilding of the party based on fairness, equity and justice.

He disclosed that the reconciliation and rebuilding efforts, the party has won the confidence of party stakeholders. According to him, the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State would be the test case of the reconciliation efforts. He added that the party has initiated various stakeholder consultations to ensure that all outstanding issues including ongoing court litigations are resolved on time for a peaceful primary to pick the party’s candidate for the poll.

On Imo State, he said the good news was that Imo people had remained strong PDP supporters despite electing an opposition governor by error. He assured that the party will reclaim Anambra and Imo states in the 2015 elections.

Tukur, on his part pleaded with members of the party to ensure that internal democracy reigns. Tukur insisted that members should choose whoever they want as their leaders and candidates for elections. He equally canvassed for unity, commitment and loyalty to the country and to the party, saying: “What we need is peace, to reconcile ourselves so we can have peace. Let’s build our party based on equity.”

Governors walk out on Tukur in South-South Tukur’s effort to reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP in the South-South (President Jonathan home zone) got a rude shock as Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) walked out of the venue of the meeting in Port Harcourt over what was considered as arrogant conduct and remarks by Governor Akpabio.

The meeting was progressing meaningfully until Akpabio took up the microphone and referred to PDP members from the South-South as “hungry” and announced a donation of N1 million each to state secretariat of the party from the six states of the zone.

The donation was sequel to a statement earlier made by Uduaghan, who had said: “I join all my brothers in the South-South in welcoming you (Tukur).

Even at my position as elected governor, I must tell you this. Even if you tar all the roads in the South-South without putting food on the table, our members will not appreciate the party. If you want to prevent our members from straying to other parties, you must put food in the stomach of our supporters.”

Akpabio, who was recently elected chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, also used the occasion to drum support for Jonathan. His words: “There is a hand of God in every position of leadership. Bayelsa is, perhaps the smallest state in Nigeria but God decided to choose Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from Bayelsa State to become the president of Nigeria. We must all support our brother to succeed. For us, we shall not

41

that the PDP is too fragmented and hence the need for the party to mend its faltering walls.

Brick wall in North-Central

Amaechi

Akpabio

WHAT WE NEED IS PEACE, TO RECONCILE OURSELVES SO WE CAN HAVE PEACE.

LET’S

BUILD OUR PARTY BASED ON EQUITY fail and we will never fail.”

Tukur, who apparently defended Amaechi and Uduaghan’s exit mid-way into Akpabio’s speech, to save face, said the Delta State governor had to rush home to attend to “an important family matter.”

He assured that the party’s NWC will do everything possible to strengthen the party, saying that the party belongs to the people.

“You are the owners of PDP. We will ensure that the party is brought back to the owners of the party. Yes, there are disagreements, but we can reconcile our differences and still deliver our party in 2015,” he told PDP members in the zone.

Mass boycott in North-West A protest against the leadership of the PDP saw Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Aliyu Wammakko (Sokoto) shunned Tukur and his team when they met members of the party in the North-West in Kaduna.

The governors were not represented by either their deputies or senior officials.

Even the various state chairmen of the party in the zone were conspicuously absent at the reconciliation meeting.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal, also failed to show up.

Only Governors Usman Dakingari (Kebbi), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and the host, Governor Ramalan Yero attended the meeting, which also had Vice President Sambo in attendance.

In his address, Tukur said the party will face great challenges in the next election with the emergence of the APC and to avoid the merged parties from sweeping the mat off the PDP’s feet, there was the need for members to unite.

His words: “I am here to tell all our supporters about the virtue of patience. Patience is such a priceless thing. The Hausa people say a patient man can cook a stone and drink its sauce. I want to plead with our members in this zone to imbibe this teaching.”

None of the PDP governors in the NorthCentral attended the town hall meeting to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in the zone hosted by Benue State. They rather chose to attend the meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) held same day in Abuja.

But despite his absence, Governor Babangida Aliyu (Niger), who was represented by his deputy, Ahmed Ibeto, however praised Tukur for the parley, saying, “we appreciate the wonderful work you (Tukur) are doing in this country. You have given hope to ordinary members of PDP. Members are now very proud of being PDP card-carrying members. Your reconciliation tour has given us hope that we will continue to win election both in 2015 and beyond.”

Tukur, who called for peace and unity in the party, urged members not to leave crack for dissension. He also warned them not to work against the interest of the PDP in the next elections. “Peace and unity is the assurance that we need. All the zones we have visited are doing well.

Support our administration, support our president, the governors and the party; ensure that we do not leave crack for dissension. Reward will come with support,” he said.

Anenih to the rescue

Aliyu

Also speaking, Sambo urged party members to shun any act capable of destroying the fortunes of the party in the zone and by extension, the entire country. “We must be unified and steadfast for the growth and strength of our great party and in the interest of our dear citizens,” he said.

No headway in North-East Akin to the North-West experience, prominent PDP stakeholders in the zone also shunned the reconciliation meeting held in Bauchi.

Those visibly absent at the meeting included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), former Governors Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Jolly Nyame (Taraba); Senator Jibril Aminu and National Assembly members.

Tukur, in his remark appealed to the members to re-unite in the interest of peace. He added that the PDP at all levels had been consolidating on the provision of democratic dividends to the people across the country, lamenting that security challenge is responsible for the serious setback in economic, political and cultural development of the zone.

Atiku, who later denied media reports that his absence at the reconciliatory meeting was deliberate, explained that he could not be present because of a previous appointment he had on his schedule for the same day.

The former Vice President, however, praised the initiative of reconciliation, as espoused by the leadership of the party, saying that it is in tandem with his belief

Apparently not satisfied with the outcome of the Tukur-led NWC reconciliation tour and the massive boycott of its grand finale in Abuja, the PDP in conjunction with the Presidency has empowered the party’s BoT chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, to embark on a fence mending mission to the states it controls with a view to appeasing the governors that had issues with both Jonathan and Tukur.

The governors are becoming more emboldened, especially with their presidential ambitions in 2015, and some elders are afraid that their actions could lead to the disintegration of the party.

It was against this backdrop that Anenih was advised to step in, to avoid allowing the opposition from capitalising on the crisis to sweep the ruling party out of power come 2015. Some of the aggrieved PDP governors have threatened to leave the party for the opposition.

Already, Anenih had met with Governors Aliyu and Sule Lamido (Jigawa) believed to be the arrowheads of the plot to stop Jonathan from contesting the next poll.

At a brief ceremony before their meeting went into a closed-session in Minna, Niger State, recently, Anenih told Aliyu that the choice of a candidate for the 2015 presidential race, which is the root cause of the extant crisis in the PDP, is not on the agenda of the party for now.

He added that the party leaders are focused on the need to forge unity among members and to safeguard the corporate existence of the party.

Though Anenih, called “Mr Fix It” is known for his political dexterity that has seen him navigate the PDP out of trouble waters in the past, he faces a Herculean task in the bid to broker peace among the warring factions in Africa’s self-acclaimed largest political party, this time.

42

Politics

THE

PARLIAMENT Parliamentarians from the 162 member nations of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) gathered in Quito, Ecuador for five days last week to brainstorm on how to translate economic growth to real purposeful development and well-being of the people. GEORGE OJI, who was at the conference, reports.

I

t was the gathering of parliamentarians from sovereign democratic countries of the world. On the last count, the number of such sovereign democracies had risen to 162. Established since 1889, the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) provides opportunities for parliamentarians from across democratic countries of the globe to work for the peace, cooperation and establishment of representative democracy among member states. The meeting in Quito, Ecuador this March, was the 128th of such twice yearly gathering with the theme; “From unrelenting growth to purposeful development: New approaches, new solutions.”

Organisers of the conference said the choice of the theme was their own small way of contributing to the global reflection on the post 2015 development agenda and the future Sustainable Development Goals that will apply to both developed and developing countries.

The organisers explained that the focus on, “well-being,” reflects a growing concern around the world that something is amiss in the way we think about development and more generally, about progress. It said in most countries, development is most often equated with economic growth. This type of growth in turn is expressed in terms of higher consumption and production of goods and services measured as a gross domestic product. The underlying assumption therefore is that the more material wealth people have, the happier they are.

Unfortunately, today, this thinking permeates virtually all policy-making, social interaction and business enterprise.

Economic growth, they maintained, is undoubtedly important, especially to people in the developing countries who lack access to electricity and clean water, a high quality of education and health services, decent jobs and safety nets. But that the truth of the matter is that, after reaching a certain point of general satisfaction and capacity, growth per se is unable to deliver on its underlying promise of human emancipation. “Economic growth and its attendant affluence are not usually sufficient to achieve human emancipation and a healthy body polity,” the guidance note for the general debate of the assembly stated.

The general debate of the 128th assembly therefore was intended to provide a golden opportunity for parliamentarians from across the world to exchange views

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Parliamentarians as drivers on the fundamental questions such as how can we redirect economic growth towards well-being, what good practices exist of policies that promote well-being in all its dimensions? The parliamentarians were in addition expected to inquire into what the developed and developing countries can learn from each other in respect of economic growth towards well-being, how can such a perspective be translated into a new set of sustainable development goal? amongst others.

The formal opening ceremony of the Quito conference took place at the Plenary hall of the “Nela Martinez Espinosa,” legislative palace. It also involved the welcome remarks by the President of the National Assembly of the country, Fernando Cordero Cueva, message of the Secretary General of the United Nations, which was delivered by the Executive Secretary of the ECLAC as well as remarks by the President of the IPU, Abdelwahab Radi and the President of the Republic of Ecuador, Rafael Correa Delgado.

In their various presentations, both the President of the Constitutional Republic of Ecuador (as he was addressed) Rafael Correa Delgado and the President of the IPU, Radi, came hard on the present approach to development as championed by the major international financial institutions, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Their conclusion was that, “Something must be done to change the current course of development,” and begin, “a broad process of reflection on a new development framework.” Delgado in particular criticized the western countries represented by the United States of America and the United Kingdom on their approach, which bordered mainly on exploitative tendencies that stifles growth and development in less developed countries.

The plenary session of the conference, which took place at the San Francisco Convention Centre, Quito, offered visiting presiding parliamentary officers of the participating countries, opportunities to speak on the theme of the conference.

One common trend that ran across many presentations, particularly speakers from the Arab countries was that they saw the occasion as offering them germane opportunity to raise issues of global concerns, particularly as it affected their countries.

For instance, Mr. Karim Ghellab, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco in his presentation extensively addressed the misconception by the rest of the world that terrorism was associated with the Arab world. In particular, he explained that Islam was completely opposed to violence and terrorism. He said those who engage in such heinous practices do so out of their own individual reasons, convictions and frustrations and said it was wrong for the rest of the world to associate such acts with the entire Arab and Islamic world.

Commenting on the issue of the theme of the conference, Ghellab noted

Senate President David Mark, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ganiyu Solomon at the

DEVELOPMENT

SHOULD BE BOTTOMUP...

TO IGNORE

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS AND IMPOSE OUTSIDE MODELS ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IS SURELY A RECIPE FOR DISASTER that to preserve its qualities of life and fulfilment of the destiny of mankind, our world is in dire need of monitoring its development. He said in this regard, the two contextual issues of development and well-being are, “linked to the very recent crisis of the predominant of growth model and emergence of genuine interrogations on production and reproductive practices of durability and longevity of our states and therefore the continued existence of our world.”

Nigeria’s Senate President David Mark in his presentations called for

a new global economic development model, which must be more sustainable, more equitable, all inclusive and will ensure that resources are allocated according to social needs.

He regretted that the current model is skewed in favour of the developed economies and merely makes developing countries consumer nations.

Mark further regretted that the current model of development has been over-hyped by its over-emphasis on the economy, at the expense of other local variables of human development.

He suggested that local factors must be injected into the new development model to make development meaningful and realistic.

Mark also raised the issue of inequality of the global economy, which shockingly reveals that 20 per cent of the world population control 80 per cent of the economy and resources.

He said the implication of this is that a small wealthy minority in the advanced democracies control the bulk of the world’s resources while the poor majority in developing countries grow poorer.

Mark also frowned at the current bailout programmes of the world financial institutions, such as the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

of human development

LAWMAKERS HAVE THE GIGANTIC RESPONSIBILITY TO LEGISLATE FOR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT WITH

TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT THAT WILL BENEFIT

THE OVERALL SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE PEOPLE

128th IPU Conference in Quito, Ecuador, last week.

(IMF) and World Trade Organisation (WTO), which gives priority to only the developed economies without any consideration to the developing economies.

“I have never heard of bailout for any emerging or young democracy. Yet, what we need to bail out all developing countries is less than 50 per cent of what is given to one nation today,” the Senate President observed.

Mark observed that development should be about increasing life expectancy, improving health care, providing education for all, poverty reduction, food security, improved nutrition, peace, healthy life styles and diets, clean drinking water, and sanitation and protecting the environment.

According to him, by doing so, we not only meet our current challenges but also safeguard the rights of future generations.

“Development should be bottom-up and not top-down. To ignore indigenous knowledge systems and impose outside models on developing countries is surely a recipe for disaster,” Mark said Deputy Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament and the Leader of that country’s delegation to the conference, Mr. Shawkat Ali, in his presentation observed that globally, most of the coun-

tries are following an industrial lead development path for faster economic development, which unfortunately often is not sustainable because the model does not consider environmental sustainability. He said as parliamentarians and the people’s representatives, the lawmakers have the gigantic responsibility to legislate for equitable distribution of economic development with trickledown effect that will benefit the overall socio-economic conditions of the people.

Ali said as parliamentarians, they all had the responsibility of ensuring that all the three pillars of sustainable development, namely; economic, social and environmental development are taken into consideration in their policy legislation. In doing this, the following key priority areas are to be given special consideration. These are the eradication of poverty and hunger, acceleration of equitably distributed and environmentally sound economic growth, promoting gender equality, promoting sustainable agriculture and ensuring sustainable land management. Others are ensuring sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation, ensuring universal access to drinking water and sanitation and sustainable water use, promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation, pro-

moting sustainable energy for all and improving democracy, governance and promoting human rights.

In all, the conference agreed that sustainable development is now at a crossroads, i.e. the perennial cycle of increasing consumption and production that is at the heart of the current economic model is no longer sustainable. That growth alone is not the answer to the social, economic and environmental challenges of our time; in fact it is becoming part of the problem. The lawmakers recommended a different approach that focuses on well-being in all its dimensions is required if we are to evolve as a global community able to fulfil core human values of peace, solidarity, and harmony with nature.

The participants, in addition, contended that while growth is a necessary condition for development, and indeed has helped countless generations climb out of poverty, more attention now needs to be paid to the nature of growth and to the distribution of its benefits. This is because strong growth does not necessarily lead to increased human development and happiness.

It was also the contention of the conference that with the right social policy balance it is possible to improve overall well-being even at low levels of economic growth. And that job creation and the possibility for people to earn a decent living must be central to policies that support growth and well-being.

They maintained that in developing countries, material growth is essential if we are to eradicate extreme poverty and provide everyone with the necessities of life. Here too, environmental and social sustainability must be part of economic policy from the very start. This will be particularly important in view of population growth and the resultant urban explosion.

The conclusion of the parliamentarians was that ultimately, well-being consists of human factors that do not necessarily depend on unrestrained material consumption and production. And that education, health, culture, leisure time, the practice of religion, the enjoyment of all human rights, emotional fulfilment, as well as a sense of belonging to

43

a community, are all dimensions of human happiness that can be advanced at little cost to the environment and with huge social dividends. Therefore, supporting more of these goods should be another focus of a new model of growth and development.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Nigeria’s Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, also spoke on the need for cooperation among the executive and legislative arms of government to achieve more meaningful development.

Ihedioha, who spoke on the sideline of the conference, said that the drive to bring about development to the people will be a mirage if the two arms of government continue to engage in meaningless rivalry.

He said the Nigerian lawmakers have often extended their hands of friendship to the executive for collaborative partnership for the good of the Nigerian people.

His words: “Speakers after speakers have emphasized the need for the legislature to take the leading role in providing the basis for equity for the nationals of the world. It is in that way that sustainable peace and development can be sustained, and Nigeria is out for that.

“Of course you know that in Nigeria the legislature has been out there for the Nigerian people. We will beckon on the executive and Nigerians to buy into the idea and create an economic environment of equity.

“The legislature has shown readiness to partner with the executive and with the Nigerian people. We are asking the executive to show understanding because the people are a collective.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Abdullazeez Usman, also said that the discussions at the conference had made the collaboration between the executive and legislature imperative.

He noted that for development to reach the people, the two arms of government must see themselves as partners, rather than opponents.

Also the Chairman of the House Committee on Inter Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Daniel Reneiju, said lawmakers who attended the conference had learnt a lot and would be returning home with the mind to translate the new knowledge into legislative business.

He emphasised that there was need to imbibe a new approach to bringing development nearer to the people, through the shared understanding between the executive and the legislature.

Ihedioha commended the example shown by the U.S President by visiting the Congress to get the budget passed. He said the U.S budget could not have been passed the way it was brought by Obama.

According to him, “They never bought his ideas the way he wanted it. There must be amendments; you must touch the issues because it is a collective idea.

In the executive, only two people are elected; the President and the Vice President. In the legislature of Nigeria, we have 469 people elected by the people and they have different mandates by those who elected them.

“So it is important for us in Nigeria to appreciate the importance of synergy and sharing ideas as a way to get Nigeria to where it ought to be.”

44

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Community Mirror Group raises alarm over Fulani herdsmen

Foundation brings festival to colourful end AYO ESAN

T

his year’s Eledumare Festival organised by a socio-cultural Yoruba Organisation, the Olokun Festival Foundation, has come to an end.

The 21 day festival which featured lecture, sports competition and fashion parade was rounded off with a colorful grand finale at Fagba Junction in Ifako Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Speaking at the occasion , Chief promoter of the Olokun Festival Foundation and National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, OtunbaGani Adams said, the festival is a way of showing gratitude to ‘Eledumare’ for His mercies and to further expand the knowledge of the Yoruba of the ‘Supreme Being’.

Adams said the theme for this year’s edition “Evaluation of Human Relationship with Eledumare” was chosen to throw more light on how the Yoruba relate with God. He said several African scholars, historians and researchers into Yoruba history have done a lot to prove that Africans, and indeed the race are not unintelligent as not to understand the concept of the ‘Supreme Being’.

“Such a being is recognised and given a prominent position in all known Yoruba traditional religions. All the scholars have also identified some of the attributes which the Yoruba use in describing the ‘Supreme Being’, and it is thought provoking to realise that some of the attributes are similar to those projected in the Christian understandings of the ‘Supreme Being’”, he said.

He said some of these attributes include: omnipotence, omnipresence; omniscience, benevolence and divinity among others, saying “are these in any way different from the words and attributes being used by the Yoruba to praise Eledumare”?

The Grand Finale was attended by eminent Yoruba traditional rulers and scholars.

“There are evil forces trying to hijack our destiny

ANGLICAN PRIMATE; MOST REVEREND NICHOLAS OKOH

46

Akwa Ibom to shut illegal morgues TONY ANICHEBE UYO

T

he Akwa Ibom State Government has threatened to shut down all illegal morgues, funeral homes and hearse services as part of effort to ensure that the owners operate within the law.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Bassey Antai, said this at a meeting with stakeholders and operators of such facilities in the state.

Represented by Prof. Mem-

fin Ekpo, who also is Provost, College of Medicine of the University of Uyo, he said, the govearnment has concluded plans to organise training workshops for stakeholders in the sector.

Dr. Antai said, the nature of their services demands proper management, identification and security of corpses and other important issue related to the trade.

He further stated that the training would help enlighten operators on laws guiding the operation of such facilities, as

the government would no longer tolerate the unregulated nature of the business.

He admonished the operators to form an association for proper monitoring and identification of members, even as he warned against giving names that may be misleading or beyond the capacity of the facilities.

In her remarks, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Comfort Archibong, enumerated the various laws governing mortuary services and enjoined them to observe and operate

Commuters struggling to get into a BRT bus at Oshodi, Lagos yesterday.

within them and to work with integrity.

She said mortuaries are not to be sited in residential areas,while minors are not to be used in rendering services in morgues.

Some of the participants expressed appreciation for the meeting which they said was the first in many years, as they appealed to the government to help address some of the challenges facing them especially with regards to abandoned corpses.

PHOTO: FRANCIS SUBERU

Appeal Court affirms Obahai as ruling family WALE IGBINTADE

T

he Appeal Court, sitting in Benin has declared the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State as sole ruling family and qualified to produce ‘Obi of Ogwashi-Uku’.

The current Obi of OgwashiUku, Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, father of Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is from the Umu Obi Obahai royal lineage of Ogwashi-Uku. In a unanimous decision, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the High Court of Delta State, which adjudicated on the

matter.

The court upheld nine of the 10 reliefs sought by the Umu Obi Obahai royal line, including the issue of which family can produce the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku. Besides, the judgment endorsed the position of the Obahai family, that succession to the throne of Obi of Ugwashi -Uku is hereditary by primogeniture and that the last validly installed Obi of Ugwashi Uku was Obahai.

The appellate court also confirmed that Dieyi, the forefather of the Dieyi family that challenged the Obahai position was never an Obi but a mere regent that held the throne in trust be-

cause Obahai’s children were minors at time of his death.

In a statement, spokesperson of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Mr. Law Okolobi, said Obi and the Obi-in-Council, were pleased that the truth has been confirmed and justice done.

The statement added that the Obi is convinced that the judgement is a victory for people of Ogwashi-Uku. “His Majesty, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukwuka Okonjo and the Obi-in-Council, are very pleased that the truth in this matter has been confirmed and justice has been done.

It is the Obi’s conviction that the judgement is a victory for the

entire people of Ogwashi-Uku,” the statement read.

It would be recalled that Obi Obahai reigned from 1870 to 1882 and since his demise; the regency had prevailed until 22 years ago, when descendants of Obahai decided to take back the stool. To achieve this, they sought redress in the court of law.

The defendants on the other hand, contended that the Obi ship had changed hands severally and, having been gazetted by the state government, the stool should remain in the Dieyi Family.

This prompted the plaintiffs, especially the Okonjos, to go to court.

46

Community Mirror

Ilaje indigenes rehabilitate abandoned water project OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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socio-cultural group, Ilaje League of Professionals, ILP, has rehabilitated a water station built by the Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC at Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The water station, which had been abandoned for more than six years, was to supply potable water to residents of the community.

Speaking at the inauguration of the association’s medical outreach and community empowerment programme, the Chairman, Benson Omosuyi Obayelu, said rehabilitation of the water project would serve the purpose for which it was built.

According to him, more than 500 residents enjoyed free eye screening while another 450 participated in the group’s free hypertension screening.

He said: “The policy of NDDC is that when projects are executed, they are handed over to state agencies to run. I was there in NDDC when this project was built and commissioned by former Governor Olusegun Agagu. It was actually handed over and we expected the state water corporation to take over the running and maintenance of the station. But it did not happen the way it was planned and, therefore, the project was left unattended to.

The problem is not that the station is not functioning but that because it is powered by generator the people will have to buy diesel which has now become very expensive. And since there was constant lack of diesel, the water station collapsed.

But the ILP has decided to get involved in some of these projects including their rehabilitation; the community and local government will be involved. We would also organise and hand it over to the community to run.

“In fact, there are three water stations built by NDDC in Igbokoda. We have rehabilitated one. The next phase would be the rehabilitation of the remaining water stations”.

He therefore disclosed that the association would intervene to rehabilitate many of the abandoned facilities, adding that it would be a yearly programme.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group raises alarm over Fulani herdsmen AZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SUKAPU, has called on Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero to stop the influx of Fulani herdsmen from other states to Southern Kaduna to avoid more hostilities in

the area.

Reacting to migration of Fulani herdsmen to their domain, SOKAPU President, Mr Ephraim Goje said, the people will hold Yero responsible if he fails to act.

It has been reported that more than 200 Fulani herdsmen fleeing from Plateau State are now taking refuge in Kagarko Local

Government Area in Southern Kaduna.

Mr. Goje said “The governor should send them back where they are coming from, they cannot create trouble somewhere and run to Southern Kaduna for refuge. He should not blame anyone if communities in Southern Kaduna decide to

view the situation differently.

The people will hold Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero responsible for ignoring this security threat.”

He stressed that Fulanis have the rights to stay anywhere but their concern is based on reoccurring attacks in Southern Kaduna villages.

Government to restructure health care in Akwa Ibom TONY ANICHEBE UYO

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A lad covered in dust from shoe soles at a workshop in Lagos.

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Rivers partner ADB, World Bank on water supply SAM OLUWALANA

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he Rivers State Government is to partner the African Development Bank and World Bank for the supply of clean potable water to residents of the state.

The two institutions are expected to provide long-term funding for the implementation of the initial phase of the Port Harcourt city water project.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural development, Hon. Patricia SimonHart at a water summit held in Port Harcourt.

She said the state government has initiated several laws to enhance the provision of potable water, with particular focus on the Port Harcourt metropolis and Obio/Akpor Local

Government Council area,even as she revealed that the state had decided to reform the water sector to ensure the provision of sound water governance and strengthen the institutions to deliver it effectively.

Hon. Hart explained that the most remarkable progress made in the reform process which began in 2009 was the formulation of the Rivers State water policy document, that was passed by the State Executive Council,SEC, and signing of the water sector development bill by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Explaining the rationale behind the laws, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Worgu Boms said, the objectives of the law are to provide access to basic sanitation and secure clean water that will not be harmful

to the health of the citizens.

“One of the objectives of the corporation is to provide safe, adequate and affordable water supply to residents of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor and implement cost- recovery and commercial orientation in the provision of service to people of the state”, Boms said.

Meanwhile, investigations have revealed that the majority of the approximately 3,000 water projects built by both government and non governmental agencies in the local government areas do not meet World Health Organization, WHO, standard.

“Cholera outbreaks abound in communities with multiple schemes that are mostly non-functional due to very poor management systems in place”, Patricia Simon-Hart said.

he Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has said the government would continue to restructure the health care system to meet global standards.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Bassey Antai stated this when representatives of a nonGovernmental Organization, NGO, Commonwealth Development for Eket Child and Environment paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Dr. Antai unveiled Governor Akpabio’s vision to rebuild and restructure all hospitals, while equipping them with modern facilities to further improve the health status of the populace.

He said, as part of his duty he had visited some health institutions and discovered their deplorable conditions and promptly reported same to the governor who immediately ordered the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Committee to intervene, even as he lauded the governor for the prompt intervention.

Dr. Antai, also disclosed that work is progressing at the School of Nursing and Psychiatry and other health institutions across the state, as he commended members of the NGO for the interest in the wellbeing of their community, even as he enjoined other groups and individuals to emulate them.

In his speech, the Director General of Commonwealth Development for Eket Child and Environment, Jack Etteh, said the group was desirous of rehabilitating the dilapidated Schools of Nursing and Psychiatry, Eket.

He said the group observed that contract has been awarded for renovation of various infrastructure the at many of the health institutions,as he called on Governor Akpabio to extend the gesture to Immanuel General Hospital, Eket.

Mr. Etteh also appealed to the government to address the poor sanitation of Eket, where he said had is fast degenerating to a big slum.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

World News

“China is putting pressure on Nepal to interrupt the flow of Tibetan refugees into the Himalayan nation”.

South Korea warns North against provocation

48

FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER

CAR coup leader to also serve as defence minister

• Opposition calls for S’African troops’ withdrawal PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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entral African Republic’s coup leader further solidified his hold on the government yesterday after announcing that he will serve as both president and defence minister, while other top posts are going to his fellow rebels.

Michel Djotodia, who led the thousands of rebel fighters who overthrew long time President Francois Bozize just over a week ago, made the announcement in a decree read late Sunday on state radio.

Not only will Djotodia hold the defence ministry, but his allies also will control the ministries of mines, commerce, communication, and security and public order, according to a decree issued on letterhead that reads “presi-

dency of the republic.”

Opposition leader Nicolas Tiangaye remains as prime minister in the new government.

Alex Vines, head of the Africa program at Chatham House, a London-based institute on international affairs, has described the coup as being about “blind ambition” despite the rebels’ claims they are seeking greater assistance for their homeland in the deeply impoverished northeast. The rebel alliance that overthrew the government is known as Seleka.

“All the accounts of Seleka are that they have no development vision for CAR. It’s exclusively about redistribution of patrimony from having captured the state,” Vines said.

“There is so little other activity — capturing the state is sort of the main source of revenue,” he said.

Djotodia

Meanwhile, a South African opposition party is presenting an urgent parliamentary resolution in a bid to force President Jacob Zuma to withdraw troops from the Central African Republic.

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille’s announcement yesterday comes amid increas-

Family visits Mandela in hospital, condition unchanged

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embers of Nelson Mandela’s family have visited him in hospital, where he is being treated for a sixth day for a recurring bout of pneumonia.

South Africa’s presidency reported the visit in a statement, saying there was “no significant change in his condition”.

This latest spell in hospital, which began on Wednesday evening, is his fourth in just over two years.

There are no details yet on how much longer he will stay there. “[Mr Mandela] spent part of Family Day today with some members of his family, who appreciate the support they have been receiving from the public,” the statement said.

It did not specify how many visitors he had had or who they were.

A previous statement on Sunday evening said the 94-year-old former South African president “had a restful day” and was improving.

Mandela - who led the nation’s struggle against apartheid - first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained on windswept Robben Island.

His lungs are said to have been damaged while working in a prison quarry.

Over the weekend,

churches across the country held prayers for Mr Mandela.

President Jacob Zuma thanked “the thousands of South Africans who prayed for Madiba at various Easter church services”.

Madiba is Mandela’s clan name and is widely used to refer to him.

At the Regina Mundi church in Soweto - once a focal point of the antiapartheid struggle - several hundred people gathered to pray for Mandela.

A hawker passing portraits of Mandela depicted in various stages of his life in Soweto, South Africa, recently.

Photo: AP

ingly angry debate over why the soldiers were deployed and allegations they were sent to protect mining interests of South Africa’s governing African National Congress. The ANC denies it has any business in the country rich in diamonds, uranium and oil.

Kenya’s unrest: Peace restored in Odinga’s stronghold

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alm returned to the western Kenyan stronghold of defeated presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Monday after two days of running battles with police following the Supreme Court’s confirmation of his rival Uhuru Kenyatta as president-elect.

Two people were shot dead in the unrest, but the violence was on a much smaller scale than the nationwide bloodshed that followed the 2007 election when the western city of Kisumu was one of the places worst affected places by deadly riots.

This year there was little sign of any violence beyond Kisumu, which strongly backs Odinga, reflecting a desire by Kenyans to avoid a repeat of the bloodshed that badly damaged their economy, east Africa’s biggest, five years ago.

A busy bus station that had been deserted since the rioting began on Saturday was once again bustling as passengers scrambled to board minibuses as they disgorged dozens returning from rural areas where they had fled for fear of violence.

“Business is booming today. The demand has gone up and fares doubled since many are returning from home and others leaving for various places,” said Bonny Otieno, 32, transporter.

“Politics is over and we’ve embarked on nation building.”

Shops and houses were broken into and goods looted during the rioting.

But attempts to set fire to some houses belonging to rival communities were thwarted by police. The regional police chief said the volatile situation had been contained.

WORLD BULLETIN 11 killed in flash floods in Mauritius capital Police yesterday searched for survivors of flash floods that killed at least 11 people in the capital of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

Officials blamed climate change for the disaster that has left hundreds homeless in Port Louis.

Most victims drowned in rivers of water that rose swiftly Saturday in a pedestrian underpass leading to the waterfront and an underground car park, officials said.

Torrential downpours slammed Port Louis with some 152 mm (6 inches) of rain falling in less than two hours on Saturday, the meteorological office reported. It warned there could be more storms.

Major roads were blocked as surging floodwaters dragged away cars, forcing motorists to abandon them. National TV showed people clinging to each other as they waded through hip-high water in a central street.

Rivers of mud and debris covered the Canal Dayot suburb, where hundreds of families have been left homeless. Volunteers and charity workers helped shovel mud and handed out food and water to homeless survivors.

Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam declared Monday a day of mourning. On national radio Sunday he blamed climate change for the floods.

He said there also was heavy property damage.

L’Express de Maurice newspaper asked why the Disaster Management Committee had reacted slowly.

Fighting in Mali’s Timbuktu continues for third day Shooting continued for a third day in the Malian city of Timbuktu, as the army went house to house searching for the Islamic extremists who infiltrated the town over the weekend.

Capt. Samba Coulibaly, spokesman for the Malian military in Timbuktu, said the jihadists had taken cover behind the military camp in the town center and in the alleyways next to the 14th century Dinjareyber mosque, a UNESCO Wold Heritage site. He said a total of 11 jihadists had been killed since the attack started late Saturday night.

The French Defence Ministry said in a statement that Mirage and Rafalle jets flew over the city to hunt down the fighters, who attempted to flee in the northwest direction. One French soldier was injured during the fighting, the statement said.

48

World News

Pope prays at St. Peter’s tomb at Vatican

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ope Francis spent yesterday’s Vatican holiday praying at the tomb of Peter, the church’s first pontiff, during a visit to the excavated necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica.

A Vatican statement called the visit private, but promised to release photos and video later in the day. The basilica was built over the location where early Christians would gather in secret, at a time of persecution in ancient Rome, to pray at an unmarked tomb believed to be that of Peter, the apostle Jesus chose to lead his church.

In past years, popes often spent the day after Easter, known in Italy as “little Easter,” at Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican palace in the Alban Hills, a short drive from Rome. But that oasis of sprawling gardens and

strolling paths in the quaint hill town is occupied by the predecessor of Francis, Benedict XVI, who spent the last hours of his papacy there before becoming the first pope in 600 years to retire. Benedict is staying in Castel Gandolfo until a monastery at the Vatican in Rome can be readied for him.

Many Italians spend “little Easter” by having a picnic lunch in the countryside or in city parks, and Francis told Romans and tourists who gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Monday at noon to see him to “have a good lunch.” Francis said he was praying that Easter would inspire the faithful so that “hatred gives way to love, lies to truth,” and that it would especially comfort those in “most need of trust and hope.”

Saudi religious police lift ban on women on bikes

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Saudi newspaper says the kingdom’s religious police are now allowing women to ride motorbikes and bicycles but only in restricted, recreational areas.

The Al-Yawm daily on Monday cited an unnamed official from the powerful religious police as saying women can ride bikes in parks and recreational areas but they have to be accompanied by a male relative and dressed in the full Islamic head-to-toe abaya.

Saudi Arabia follows an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam and bans women from driving. Women are also banned from riding motorcycles or bicycles in public places. The newspaper didn’t say what triggered the lifting of the ban.

The official says women may not use the bikes for transportation but “only for entertainment” and that they should shun places where young men gather “to avoid harassment.”

French govt wants broader ban on Muslim headscarf

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ecause of her choice to wear a Muslim hijab headscarf, Samia Kaddour has all but abandoned trying to land a government job in France. Soon some private sector jobs could be off limits, too.

French President Francois Hollande says he wants a new law that could extend restrictions against wearing of prominent religious symbols in state jobs into the private sector.

It comes amid a political backlash after a top court ruled that a day care operator that gets some state funding unfairly fired a woman in a headscarf.

Kaddour was on hand in Le Bourget, north of Paris, for the fourday Annual Meeting of Muslims of France that ends Monday. The conference last year drew 160,000 faithful and is billed as the largest gathering of its kind in Europe.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South Korea warns North against provocation

S

outh Korean President Park Geun-Hye has vowed “strong retaliation” to any provocation by North Korea.

“If there is any provocation against South Korea and its people, there should be a strong response in initial combat without any political considerations,” President Geun-hye told the minister of defence and senior officials at a meeting on Monday after Pyongyang declared it was formally at war with Seoul.

In a meeting with senior military officials and Defence Minister Kim Kwan-Jin, Park said she took the near-daily stream of bellicose threats emanating from the North “very seriously”.

“I believe that we should make a strong and immediate retaliation without any other political considerations if (the North) stages any provocation against our people,” she said.

President Park Geun-Hye

Park, a conservative who had advocated cautious engagement with the North during her election campaign, has taken a more hardline position since assuming office in February, shortly after the North conducted its third nuclear test.

Military tensions between the two neighbours have been running high for weeks, with the North

stepping up its hostile rhetoric against Seoul and Washington.

In protest at joint South Korean-US military drills, North Korea last month declared it was ripping up the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War void and threatened a “pre-emptive nuclear strike” on South Korean and US targets.

On Saturday, it announced that it had formally entered into a “state of war” with South Korea.

Seoul and Washington have warned of severe repercussions in the event of any aggression, with the US deploying nuclear capable B-52 and B-2 stealth bombers, as well as F-22 stealth fighters over South Korea as a “deterrence”.

American murder suspect should face execution –Prosecutors

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rosecutors in United States have said they will seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing 12 people last July at a cinema in the US state of Colorado.

On Friday, prosecutors rejected an offer from James Holmes to plead guilty in order to avoid execution.

The 25-year-old is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in the attack in Aurora, one of the worst mass shootings in US history.

Dozens were wounded in the attack at a midnight showing of a Batman film.

“It’s my determination and my intention that in this case for James Eagan Holmes justice is death,” Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler said at Monday’s hearing, which the accused attended.

Last week, prosecutors argued that the defence motion for a guilty plea was not valid as a plea deal, but correspondents

say such an agreement could still be reached before the case goes to trial.

Mr Holmes’ defence lawyers were expected to argue he is not guilty because he was legally insane at the time of the 20 July shooting.

But investigators say the former neuroscience graduate student had stockpiled weapons and ammunition ahead of the attacks.

He allegedly also booby-trapped his flat to explode, in an apparent bid to distract police from responding to the cinema during the shooting.

Victims and their families said they did not welcome the thought of a lengthy trial.

Pierce O’Farrill, who was shot three times in the attack, told the Associated Press: “All of us victims would be dragged along potentially for years. It could be 10 or 15 years before he’s executed.

“I would be in my 40s and I’m planning to have a family, and the thought

of having to look back and reliving everything at that point in my life, it would be difficult.”

In March, Colorado introduced new gun legislation to impose limits on the size of ammunition magazines and expand background checks for gun buyers.

The law bans the type of magazine investiga-

Holmes

tors say was used to fire dozens of bullets in just a few seconds during the Aurora shooting.

Bomb-laden truck kills seven at Iraqi police station

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suicide bomber drove a fuel-laden truck into a police station in central Iraq yesterday, killing seven policemen, officials said.

The morning attack in Tikrit, north of Baghdad, also wounded more than 30, said Iraqi health official Raed Ibrahim.

Qutayba al-Jabouri, a lawmaker from the Salahuddin province to which Tikrit belongs, also confirmed the incident.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack was

typical of al-Qaida’s Iraq branch, the Islamic State of Iraq.

The militant Sunni group frequently uses car bombs, suicide bombers and coordinated blasts to target Shiites and those working with the Shiiteled government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Iraqi intelligence officials say that the country’s al-Qaida branch is strengthening as it takes advantage of chaos in neighbouring Syria to smuggle in arms, weapons and fighters.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

x

Cocktail

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (120)

“John David Rockefeller made his fortune during the Great Depression. So did the Kennedy family. Today, we have financial icons like Warren Buffet who are buying up everything in sight. Warren’s motto is simple, “when everyone is greedy, sell, when everyone is scared, buy.”

–T.Harv Eker *** Life Is As You See It I have always believed that there is no reality but perception. Life is as you see it and take it. Life is to you what you think it is to you.

A similar life event will make some people and break another set of people. A lot of positive things can happen for us if we make up our mind to see crisis as opportunity and see disappointments as appointments in disguise.

Life is full of choices. We can go for a positive life in the midst of negativity and despair and prevail or we can be content with the status quo and live a mediocre life.

Many times light is of no use until there is darkness.

Yes, these are tough days, but you are tougher. Yes, things are so hazy now, but you are the light of the world and no darkness can bury you!

TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

49

Oddities

Ex-car dealer in ninth prison in eight months

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once-wealthy Minnesota car dealer convicted of fraud is travelling the country at taxpayers’ expense, having been moved to his ninth prison in eight months.

U.S. marshals transported Denny Hecker to a low-security federal facility in Englewood, Colo., this week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Friday. He started the month in a prison in Loretto, Pa., then was sent to one in Canaan, Pa., before a short stop in Oklahoma City on his way to Englewood.

Hecker, who is serving a

10-year prison sentence for fraud, has previously been shuffled between facilities, including in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana.

He is expected to be re-

leased in July 2019.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons declined to say why it is moving Hecker around the country. There are many reasons, including medi-

cal issues, behavioural problems, inmate protection concerns and getting an inmate closer to family or into select prison programs, the newspaper said.

Truck carrying half billion bees overturns

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truck carrying a half billion bees overturned in Oregon, prompting an army of local bee handlers to come buzzing to the rescue.

The driver of the truck said he swerved to avoid hitting an animal on Highway 97 north of Madras, Ore., Thursday. When the truck rolled on its side, the bees were stuck, KGW-TV, Portland, Ore., said Fri-

day.

Wearing protective gear, apprentice bee handlers from the Central Oregon Beekeepers Association inspected each of the 200 hives, which were not seriously damaged.

The hives were taken to a nearby farm until another truck arrived to take them on their way.

President Barack Obama waiting before he is introduced for an event honouring the recipients of the 2011 National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation, in the Blue Room of the White PHOTO: WHITE HOUSE House, recently.

50

Emergency Update

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

90 still mising after boat capsizes off the coast of Calabar

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fter 48 hours of Search and Rescue, response agencies have concluded their operation off the coast of Calabar where a boat carrying 128 people recently capsized The head of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Vincent Acquah, said that rescuers have found nine female bodies off the coast of the city of Calabar, with

90 passengers still missing.

He said there were also men and children aboard.

Acquah said the number of survivors rose to 29 after 27 people were found further south, around the port of Oron.

He said the wooden boat was going from Benin to Gabon, stopping on various ports along the way.

Survivors said the captain informed passengers of a leak. He said “only God

could save (them)” an hour before the mishap, which occurred Friday at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Valery Ebe, at a media workshop urged journalists to emphasise more on disaster risk-reduction strategies towards prevention.

She made the disclosure at a workshop for journalists and media officers of stakeholder agencies in di-

saster management.

The Two day training, which was held at the Uranus Hotels Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency.

Mrs. Ebe commended the initiative of NEMA to train journalists and media officers in a bid to bridging the gap noticed when media men report disaster.

The South South zonal

coordinator, Mr. Emenike Umesi further reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to partnering with the media in ensuring that prompt information about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is promptly communicated to the public and urged the press to reciprocate by keeping the public informed.

The journalists were trained on ‘’Basic Principles of Disaster Manage-

Ogun to establish local emergency outfit

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he Commissioner of Environment in Ogun State, Mr Lanre Tejuoso has disclosed that the State government would soon present a bill for the establishment of Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (OGSEMA).

Speaking while receiving search and rescue officers in his office, Tejuosho said “I will personally intervene in getting the bill passed into law with the new Attorney General and the Speaker of the House of Assembly. I will facilitate it to become like LASEMA and all equipments needed will be provided to help in emergency management in the state.”

Earlier in his remark, Zonal Coordinator of NEMA in the South West, Mr. Iyiola Akande had appealed that steps should be taken to ensure that necessary legislation be passed to back the Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Akande said other emergency management agencies in the South West were already being backed by law and only Ondo and Ogun are left but singled out the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for his efforts so far on the issue.

He reminded the state government of the 2013 seasonal rainfall prediction by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which indicated that rains, will be heavier this year and that the likelihood of Ogun State being flooded is high.

The Zonal Coordinator advised that all hands must be on deck while urging the Commissioner to assist the SEMA Director in his activities and also in the provision of vehicles like ambulances, mobile clinics, pick-up trucks and a warehouse in order for Ogun

State to do more in disaster management.

The declaration followed the failure of Audu to honour an invitation by the anti-graft agency.

According to a statement

by EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, an attempt by the EFCC to arrest Audu at his 32, Sulaiman Barau Street, Asokoro, Abuja residence on December 11, 2012 failed as he allegedly evaded arrest. The former governor was alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself to the tune of over N4 billion during his tenure as the governor of Kogi State between 1999 and 2003.

The anti-graft agency implored anyone with useful information about Audu’s whereabouts to notify its offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kano and Enugu or report at the nearest police station.

This was a fall-out of a protracted legal battle, which culminated in the Supreme Court which finally gave the EFCC the go ahead to prosecute Audu.

In a judgement delivered

by Justice Bode RhodesVivour, the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to consider the questions referred to it for determination after being aware from the records of appeal that a nolle prosequi had been filed.

Justice Rhodes-Vivour averred: “This is so because there is/was nothing before the trial court, so there would be nothing for the Court of Appeal to send back. It amounted to an academic exercise for the Court of Appeal to waste judicial time considering questions from a case that is no longer in existence.

There was no longer live issue to be considered by the Court of Appeal in view of nolle prosequi filed in the trial court.”

ment and Disaster Risk Reduction”, “The Role of the Media in Emergency Management”, “Introduction to Basic First Aid”, “Fire Scene Management”, “Accident Scene Management”, “Social Media and Disaster Management” and “2013 Rainfall Predictions: The way Forward”.

Resource persons were drawn from the academia; Red Cross; Fire Service; FRSC and NEMA

Media and capacity building

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Jerry cans seized from oil thieves being set ablaze

Nigeria not prepared for disaters, says Chime

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nlike in developed economies, Nigeria has never been prepared to handle critical emergencies, Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime has said.

Chime stated this at the opening ceremony of the two day zonal workshop on the Role of the Media and Information Managers in Emergency and Disaster Management which took place at Roban Hotels, Enugu. The workshop was organised by the South East Zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, John Egbo however expressed his belief that NEMA had come to the rescue of managing disasters in Nigeria.

Director-General of the Agency, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi said that disaster occurrences and the number of people affected had risen significantly in re-

cent years as a result of the impact of climate change and rise in communal conflicts.

Speaking at the SouthEast zonal workshop on the “Role of the Media and Information Managers in Emergency and Disaster Management,” in Enugu recently, Sani Sidi added that competition over land resources between farmers and pastoralists and the recent introduction of terrorism in Nigeria are some other contributing factors to the escalation of disaster incidences.

While emphasising that nations that invest in disaster prevention and mitigation measures reap the rich benefit of resilience and low mortality from disasters, Sidi said that the sad development has no doubt impacted negatively on Nigeria’s development aside the attendant humanitarian implications.

Represented by South East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Bandele Onimode, Sidi disclosed that less than 10 per-

cent of the emergency management spending actually goes into the critical area of disaster risk reduction.

In another development NEMA has donated some first aid equipment and drugs to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Enugu, Abia and Imo states.

Dr. Onimode made the presentation at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Awgu.

Onimode assured the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Nasamu of the Agency’s continuous partnership and collaborations.

He explained that the gesture was to further cement the partnership existing between the two bodies in the management of disasters in the country and also to pinpoint the laudable role that national youth service was performing in fostering unity in the country.

Journalist uegedSouthsouth NEMA Trains Journalists In Emergency Management

he impact of disasters in terms of human and economic losses has risen in recent years and the society in general has become more vulnerable to natural disasters. Those usually most affected are the poor and socially disadvantaged groups in developing countries as they are least equipped to cope.

The occurrence of disasters has taken a fore place in the development of our country Nigeria. The country has witnessed varying magnitude of disasters including floods, windstorm, fire incidents, building collapse, communal crises among others leading to loss of lives, livelihood and properties.

There is no gain saying the fact that the media is a critical factor in disaster management. The importance of the media is critical in nation building and development.

The more recent flood disaster in the country, which caused unprecedented economic losses and suffering, is a reminder that we are all vulnerable to natural hazards. Anyone can be affected any day and anywhere by disasters caused by natural hazard therefore we have to be constantly prepared and educated for all types of disasters.

The media should make a real difference in the way people think and act about disasters.

Reporters, commentators, editors, broadcasters and all media practitioners should do more than just inform and raise awareness about disasters. By exploring the root causes of disasters and their social dimensions, the media should help communities and countries understand what it is that makes them vulnerable, and what they can do to increase their capacities to cope with disasters.

-Audu Yohana is an Information Officer with NEMA.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Disunity, insecurity’ll destabilise North, group warns leaders A Z A M SUE KADUNA

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rewa Youth Forum, AYF, yesterday asked northern leaders not to allow disunity and insecurity destabilise the region.

In an email statement, the AYF National President, Gambo Gunjugu, condemned the attitude of northern leaders, who had shown that they were more interested in their political and economic ambitions than working for the people.

Gunjugu called on leaders of the North at different levels to join hands with Vice-Pres-

ident Namadi Sambo, who is the political leader of the region, to tackle the problems.

The AYF national president also advised Katsina State Governor Shehu Shema to spend more time at home with the electorate rather than seeking political relevance in Abuja and Niger Delta.

He said: “AYF is calling on those in the league of the Katsina State governor to have a rethink as after all is said and done, power resides with the people and no matter what the supposed godfathers think, the Nigerian people will one day decide their own fate.”

Fun-seeking kids at the Wonder Land Amusement Park, Abuja, on Easter Monday.

Kano needs positive change ‘Govt must ban international flights in Abuja’ A M -W –Reps member UGUSTINE KANO

AUGUSTINE MADU WEST KANO

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governorship aspirant in Kano State, Hon. Kawu Sumaila, said yesterday that his aspiration was informed by the desire to effect a positive change.

Sumaila also said he was moved by the need to right the wrongs committed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration in the state.

Kawu, a House of Representatives member representing Takai/ Sumaila Federal Constituency of Kano State, also disclosed that the merger of opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress, APC, was also part of the determined efforts to rescue the country from the mal-administration of the PDP, capable of plunging the nation into chaos.

The House Deputy Minority Leader said in an interview with journalists in Kano, the state capital that efforts were being made to ensure that the PDP was voted out in the 2015 general elections.

The lawmaker pointed out that in Kano State, he was doing his best to ensure adequate mobilisation of the Kano for them to give him their mandate.

Kawu also said that the problems confronting the people of Kano State were a major concern for him, hence the need to ensure the desired change.

The legislator pointed out that everybody had a role to play, so as to be able to improve the level of economic and political development in the state.

He said: “We must work very hard to wrest power from the incumbent administration, so as to halt the hardship being suffered by the people.”

Kawu disclosed that all he was waiting for now was the conclusion of the merger talks of all the political parties gearing up to form APC. The merger, according to him, involves the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. He added that all things being equal, the APC would hold its convention this month.

The governorship aspirant also said that the APC would be a party with a difference, stressing that it would abide by the rules of the game when its constitution was made public.

ADU

EST

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ebanese community in Kano has called on the Federal Government to ban international flights from landing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The Chair man of the Lebanese community in Kano, Mr. Tahir Faddalah, who made the call in Kano yesterday, said the tradition globally was to ban international flights from landing in nations’

capitals.

Faddalah said they were mandatorily channelled to other states, to boost business activities of such countries.

According to him, only presidential jets and planes carrying other VIPs are permitted to land in federal capitals, which is the practice in developed nations, while other international flights are diverted to the states.

He explained that the tradition over the years boosted the domestic

Aji’s appointment as head of service commendable –Lar JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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ormer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, has commended the Federal Government for appointing Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji as the Head of Service of the Federation, HOSF. Lar saig Aji’s appointment would restore people’s confidence in the civil service.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Executive Secretary, Major Ezekiel Adoyi, the PDP pioneer national chairman said he worked closely with Aji in the Presidential Committee on Jos Crises, set up by President Goodluck Jonathan when he was the Acting President.

Aji served as secretary, while Lar was the chairman.

He said: “The rare and productive qualities Aji was made of were clearly manifested in the manner he served in the Presidential Committee.

“Members saw the great potentials in Aji. His appointment is a confirmation that hard work and patriotism have a pay day, even if there seems to be a kind of delay.

Lar, who is receiving medical attention in the United States, wished the new HOSF a unique and recordbreaking tenure.

He expressed optimism that Aji, who he described as a team player, would carry every stakeholder along in taking the civil service to greater heights.

The elder statesman urged all the stakeholders to cooperate with the Head of Service.

flights of such countries, while also providing employment opportunities for the people.

Fadallah recalled that prior to the inauguration of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, all potential international travellers solely depended on Kano Airport as the only available alternative route, which facilitated huge activities at that time in the whole of the region and indeed the state, but that, he noted, had become history.

He therefore recommended the use of Aminu Kano International Airport to continue serving the northern region, while Port Harcourt should be allowed for travellers from SouthSouth and Lagos for those from the South-West and South-East.

The Lebanese pointed out that if this was done, it would upgrade every region to a big economic power, as well as facilitate the influx of foreigners who might be on economic trips.

Nakande heads Plateau CPC merger committee JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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lateau State chapter of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, has inaugurated a five-man Advisory Committee to represent it in merger talks with other political parties.

The committee is headed by former Minister of Information and Communication, Alhaji Dasuki Salisu Nakande, while Pastor David Dabit is the secretary.

Members of the committee are Vincent Nyelong, Mr. Yusuf Hawaja, and Mallam Alhassan Aliyu.

Inaugurating the committee at the party secretariat in Jos, the state capital yesterday, the state CPC Chairman, Alhaji Mubashiru Aliyu, told the commit-

tee not to put religious and tribal interests above the interest of the party.

In his acceptance speech, Nakande told party members that the committee would do its best to represent CPC well in the merger talks.

He assured the CPC members that the committee would consult them when necessary as the talks progress.

Gen. Buhari, CPC leader

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Consider community policing as panacea to terrorism’ DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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well coordinated community policing that will enhance cordial relationship between the police and members of the public is

what is needed to stamp out terrorism and other social vices in Nigeria.

Accordingly, the danger posed by terrorist and other militant groups across the country for some time now will not have gone this far if community policing

had existed, as its effectiveness would not have warranted the agitation for state police.

This was the assertion of Prince Akinloye Ogunmodede, Corps General and Chief Executive Officer of Community Based

Cooperation on Quick Response to Crime Prevention Initiative during the inauguration of the NorthEast Regional and State officers held at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall in Bauchi.

In a paper presented on

L-R: Representative of the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Marwan Bilyaminu; Bauchi State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Bappah Azare; Zonal Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sani Al-Amin; member of the state House of Assembly, Rifkatu Samson; National President, Vih-Mah-Yah, Mr. Ayuba Kyauta and Caretaker Chairman, Bogoro Local Government Area, Mr. Simon Taimako, at the 2013 Vih-Mah-Yah Unity and Development Cultural festival in Boi, Bauchi State at the weekend.

APC’s formation’ll deepen nation’s democracy – ACN chieftain WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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he Kogi State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, has said that the formation of All Progressives Congress (APC) by the leading opposition parties would deepen the nation’s democratic experience.

Addressing journalists at the weekend in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Ametuo described APC as a “hurricane that will bring the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government to an end.

He said: “PDP has nothing to show for the years it

has held the country hostage. Nigerians are being compelled to sleep with their eyes wide open due to insecurity as a result of bad leadership.

“It will, however, be noted that the ruling PDP has begun to be experiencing sleepless nights because the country is heading towards a two-party system.

“With the formation of APC, it sure that PDP will be swept out of power in the next general elections.”

The ACN chieftain said that the sudden emergence of some political associations to frustrate the registration of APC had proved that PDP was jittery.

Ametuo, however,

called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be wary of the antics of those he described as anti-democratic forces to frustrate the APC registration.

On the forthcoming local government election in the state, he said that all the peace-loving people were fully prepared for the poll.

Ametuo asked the PDPled government not to do anything that would lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

He also called on the State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIC) to resist attempts by anyone or group of persons to subvert the people’s choice so as to prevent cri-

sis.

Ametuo said: “KSIC should allow the people to freely decide who pilot their affairs at the grassroots level.”

The ACN chairman, who equally appealed to security agencies not to allow themselves to be used by the government to thwart the people’s choice, wondered why the ruling PDP would be afraid of the council election.

He warned that any attempt to undermine the exercise would be disastrous.

He called for the amendment of the constitution to enable INEC to handle all elections, including local polls so as to strengthen the nation's democracy.

NGO raises N6m to renovate Kwara primary schools

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oncerned about the deplorable conditions of some primary schools in Kwara State, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Third Estate Group, has raised N6 million to rehabilitate the structures.

The money was raised at the NGO’s annual general meeting where new executive members were also

elected to lead the association for the next two years.

Speaking on the motives of the fund, the newly elected Chairman of the forum, Dr. Yusuf Lawal, said: “Children will absorb and comprehend what they are taught better when they learn in conducive and pupil-friendly environment.”

Dr. Lawal said the group believed that individuals

and groups could support their government and communities by contributing to developmental efforts that could improve the living conditions of the people.

Those elected at the annual general meeting included Dr. Yusuf Lawal, Chairman; Malam Ahmed Bolaji Nagode 1st Vice Chairman; Dr. Ibrahim Gambari 2nd Vice Chair-

man; Dr. Isiaka A. Yahaya, Secretary-General, Mr. Shehu Aladire, Treasurer and Yushau Abdulhameed Agaka, Publicity Secretary.

Third Estate Group is in the forefront of benchmarking the performances of the state and local government administrators to ensure they serve the public interest.

Some of the group’s initiatives include scholarships.

the inauguration, Prince Akinloye noted that the initiative though a good measure, needed dedication and commitment as it has a lot of challenges which if not properly handled would cause a set back to it.

He identified such challenges as the issue of indigeneship where discrimination makes people deployed to work in other land not to want to work with honesty and diligence thus making cooperation from both sides difficult.

Another issue he said was that of protection of informants and contacts that are willing to give the police information on criminals and their activities so that they are not harmed.

He advised that adequate legislation should be instituted to give informants proper protection.

Akinloye said: “Proper financing of the pro-

gramme is very important as it involves a lot of risks and emergency which may demand a lot of money to succeed while awareness campaigns need to be carried out because many members of the public are yet to understand its aims and objectives.”

The two-day programme, which was also for an awareness campaign for associate members and officers, drew their attention on the need to see their involvement as community watch dogs and a call to patriotism.

He said: “This lecture is important and designed to broaden the knowledge of all Nigerians to be up to date with requisite knowledge and ability to forestall crime through intelligence gathering and timely release of such to the appropriate authority for processing and necessary action.”

Group berates EFCC for re-arraigning Audu over corruption charge WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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group, the National Association of Post-Graduate Forum, has described the re-arraignment of former Kogi State Governor Prince Abubakar Audu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on same corruption charge as an abuse of court processes.

The forum’s national secretary, Mr. Matthew Abraham, flayed the anti-graft commission for re-arraigning the former governor over same corruption charge.

Abraham told journalists at the weekend in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, that Audu was being tried for similar corruption charge in various courts of competent jurisdiction in Abuja and Kogi, adding that his rearraignment amounted to an affront on democracy and the rule of law.

He said the same corruption case is currently before Justice S.T. Husseini of High Court IV in Lokoja.

Abraham said that Audu's re-arraignment on similar charges before an Abuja High Court was an "infringement on the former governor’s funda-

mental rights in a country that preaches adherence to the rule of law."

He, therefore, urged the EFCC to act within the ambit of the law and prosecute their cases honestly and diligently and avoid being used to settle political scores.

Abraham said: "We equally want to use this medium to appeal to the Presidency and the National Assembly not to allow the EFCC to be used to derail or cause confusion that might affect the peaceful march to 2015 general election."

It will be recalled that EFCC first arraigned Audu before Justice Michael Medupin (rtd) in 2007, alleging that the former governor embezzled N5.1 billion between 1999 and 2003 when he was in office.

Audu

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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Features

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The spott on Isawo-Owutu Th I O t Road, R d Agric A Ikorodu Lagos, where two NSCDC personnel, inset: Akhigbe (top), Adaji (below) were killed by the police.

One of the boats and cans set ablaze by NSCDC officials at the vandals’ depot in Asolo.

Pipeline vandalism: Unraveling the mystery behind the murder of NSCDC officers Recently, the country was taken aback by the gruesome murder of two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly by the police. It was more painful because they died while trying to arrest oil pipeline vandals. Since then, there have been accusations by both agencies on what really happened. Here, FRANCIS SUBERU writes that even when the tension is yet to subside, the government has instituted a probe to unravel the mystery behind the deaths.

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ays after receiving news of her husband’s death, Mrs. Florence Akhigbe, widow of one of the slain Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers, Inspector Innocent Akhigbe remained pensive but hopeful that, a miracle could still bring back him back home.

During the condolence visit of the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ade Abolurin last Saturday, Florence could not hold back tears as when consoled by the CG who encouraged and prayed for the family.

Rev. Sam Ebiogbe who received Dr. Abolurin on behalf of the family appreciated the NSCDC for their efforts so far, saying nothing could be more pleasing to the family than seeing the perpetrators of the heinous murder of Innocent and his colleague, Assistant Inspector Gabriel Adaji brought to book.

Rev. Sam said: “Innocent was a dedicated officer who always availed himself whenever called upon to serve his father land because he decided to serve his nation with all his heart, mind and strength. It will be disappointing if his death should be in vain and the perpetrators left off the hook and allowed to go scot free.

We have seen your efforts at ensuring

Main depot of pipeline vandals at Asolo.

THE VANDALS USUALLY USE BOATS TO FERRY CHAINS OF JERRY CANS FROM THE CREEK TO

AREPO AND THEY

COME BACK HERE TO SELL THEM that justice is done and want you to continue along that line. Innocent’s death is very painful, and nothing can replace him in our lives, especially the widow and children he left behind. Since the death of her husband, she has been totally distraught so much that she still believes her husband would still come back home.”

Similarly, the family of the other NSCDC victim, Assistant Inspector Gabriel Adaji, implored the government to ensure that justice is done; saying Adaji’s blood is crying for justice.

Elder brother to the deceased, Simon Adaji, said the family can only be consoled when perpetrators of crime are brought to book, adding that justice can only be done, if the truth of what really happened at the

wee hours of Wednesday March 27, 2013 is brought to the fore for everyone to see.

However, with the recent buck passing between the NSCDC and the police, it may be difficult to really know the truth on what happened on that fateful day.

Investigation by National Mirror revealed that the scene of the incident at Asolo, Ikorodu Lagos where exchange of gun fire between the NSCDC and police took place is miles away from the pipeline area.

An eyewitness and security man at Asolo who pleaded anonymity told National Mirror that the entire area was like a war zone with indiscriminate shootings all over the place.

He said: “The NSCDC officials were coming from inside the street when they were attacked by some policemen. There were two teams of the officers at the time; some were hiding over there, (some meters away from the fire point) and some came to confront the officials.

There was serious exchange of fire that lasted for more than two hours. The shooting which started at 1am lasted till 3.30am.

It was serious and scary.”

A resident on the street in Asolo who simply identified himself as Yusuf told National Mirror that the entire community is

compromised, as vandals have a field day loading and transporting stolen petroleum products in the area. According to him, the vandals have created two major depots in the area.

He said: “there is no pipeline but the vandals have their depots here. The vandalised pipeline is at Arepo area but the creek leads to the pipeline area.

The vandals usually use boats to ferry chains of jerry cans from the creek to Arepo and they come back here to sell them. The cans are marked and whenever owners are informed that their products have arrived, they come in the wee hours from 12pm and 4am to load them to wherever they want.”

Hence, acting on information, the NSCDC had on Wednesday March 27, 2013 went to apprehend some pipeline vandals operating in the area. They had succeeded in apprehending two of them and were taking them with the confiscated jerry cans of stolen petroleum products to the NSCDC Command Headquarters at Alausa, Ikeja, when they were attacked by some police officers. Eventually, the arrested vandals were killed and two of NSCDC men also died in the shootout.

While relating the incident on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer for NSCDC

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Features

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

55

WE WILL NOT ENTER INTO ARGUMENT WITH

ANYONE ON THIS. OUR CONCERN SHOULD RE-

MAIN THAT WE LIVE IN PEACE

A hut used as rendevouz by pipeline vandals at Asolo.

A train of Jerry cans recovered on Asolo creek by NSCDC officials.

in Lagos, Keinde Bada, said it occured when the officers and men of the corps were returning from a successful anti-vandalism operation, along with exhibits and were being conveyed back to the state headquarters of the corps.

According to her; “The vandals called their police collaborators for support as they were overwhelmed by the NSCDC antivandalism team.

“Immediately the police got wind of the information, they laid siege on the corps and opened fire on their patrol vehicles, killing one Gabriel Adaji and Innocent Akigbe, while others scampered for safety with gunshot wounds,while the pipeline vandals were immediately released by the police.

On discovering that it was the police, our officers did not return fire, but could only expressed shock at a sister agency, who should have being in the vanguard at fighting crime and other criminalities , but now aiding the vandals to continue in their criminal ways.

“While the police personnel escaped with the suspects, a police identity card of one Inspector Sunday Gabriel, with Force No. 1206ZZ, attached to Pipeline Vandals Taskforce and a service pistol was recovered at

the scene. We have all the exhibits in our custody.

The police anti-pipeline vandal taskforce cannot deny not knowing the colours and liveries of the Civil Defence uniforms and patrol vans. The attack is an indication of hatred against the corps for winning the war against pipeline vandals. It is a security agency conniving with oil vandals to sabotage the Nigerian economy,which was why they deliberately opened fire on our men so that their evil trade would continue.”

However, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, countered the claim, saying the NSCDC officers were the first to humiliate the police officers.

According to her: “The Lagos State Command wishes to use this medium to put the record straight on what actually happened at Isawo-Ikorodu in the early hours of March 27,,2013 between the NSCDC and the Police.

“At about 0145hrs of date, there was a distress call from DM security PPMC, Mosimi that they were experiencing drop in pressure on the pipeline. The Unit Commander in charge of Konu immediately mobilised his personnel in Konu axis under Inspector Sunday Gabriel to proceed to the scene.

As they were approaching, they heard sounds of gun fire in their area of pipeline coverage and Sunday Gabriel instructed his men to proceed to that direction as it could be the activities of pipeline vandals. On arriving at the scene, they saw a group of Civil Defence Corp Members coming out from the direction where the shooting was earlier

PHOTOs: FRANCIS SUBERU

heard. The NSCDC men challenged the police personnel who were about four in number on what their mission was in the area; “saying that it was the sole responsibility of NSCDC to guard and protect pipelines.

At this juncture, there was an argument between the NSCDC and the police and the most senior NSCDC officer, DSC Olufemi ordered his men about 14 in number to disarm, arrest and handcuff the police team leader and three other members of the team. The NSCDC succeeded in disarming the police team leader Inspector Sunday Gabriel, handcuffed him, confiscated his service pistol, walkie-talkie, and police identity card.

As they were dragging him into one of their standby Hilux vans, a call was put to the police unit commander reporting the situation. The other three officers resisted the arrest and this infuriated the Civil Defence Officials who started shooting sporadically to intimidate and subdue the police officers.

Before the Police Commander arrive the scene, the NSCDC officials had taken to their heels, abandoning the handcuffed Police Inspector with one of NSCDC personnel.

Therefore, it was shocking that at about 0400hrs, the Civil Defence Corp Commander called the Police Commander at Mosimi to claim he lost two of his personnel and that their corpses have been deposited at the nearby hospital. Uptill now, the service pistol of Sunday Gabriel who was badly beaten and stabbed by NSCDC officials, including his other official accoutrements are still with NSCDC.

Subsequently, far away in Alausa, Ikeja, at about 0800hrs on the same day, the NSCDC officials abducted and assaulted three police personnel namely: Sgt Charles Igiebor, Cpl. Ekun Julius and Cpl. Okoro Charles who went for national I.D Card registration exercise. They also started attacking Police officers on sight in other parts of the state.

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command immediately went on air to warn police personnel not to engage in any form of confrontation with NSCDC officials.

However, investigations into the matter has commenced while Lagos residents are advised to maintain peace and remain calm”.

However, despite the pain of his men’s death, Dr Ade Abolurin, had said his organisation remained committed to its constitutional duty.

Abolurin stated in Lagos, while briefing officers and men of the Lagos State NSCDC Command, after visiting families of the two deceased officers.

He said: “The death of the officers is a price for unity of Nigeria and stability of NSCDC. We are more determined more than ever to carry out our task and we are not going to retreat. You must be courageous. Go about your normal business. We are determined to succeed, despite what happened. We are for peace. ‘”Let us justifies the trust the government and people of Nigeria have given to us. This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that an organisation was attacked and we did not take law into our hands. The incident shows that our personnel listened and took directives from their superiors.

We will not enter into argument with anyone on this. Our concern should remain that we live in peace with one another. We should not take laws into our hands.

We should always do what is right. The Presidency has waded into the matter; we know the President would ensure justice is done.

Let us show maturity, competence and capability in doing our job. I commend the military, SSS, Police and the media for their support. We have no problem with the police. We have bad eggs in the sytem just as we have in the NSCDC. We should always extend the hands of fellowship to them.

Let us work with humility, integrity in service delivery. I however, ask pipeline vandals in Lagos to relocate within seven days, else, all those involved, including their collaborators will be dealt with,’’ Abolurin stated.

Following the killings, the presidency has directed the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the circumstances leading to the gruesome murders.

Part of the reasons why the presidency took the decision to assign the probe task to an independent body was to put paid to the buck-passing game by both the NSCDCand the police.

WORLD RECORD

Most ancient natural clones

Vol. 03 No. 589

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Death sentence for oil theft

he National Assembly recently broached the idea of legislation to make pipeline vandalism and stealing of Nigeria’s oil not just a criminal offence, but one that also carries a capital punishment. Public opinion has been divided both in support and against death sentence for offenders. But events of the recent past have, however, proved that those scooping for oil to steal are desperate and are ready to kill innocent souls to achieve their aim.

They have so much glamorised the illicit trade such that they are already becoming a threat to the state and are threats to the country’s main source of

...POWER PASS POWER, BO!

F

N150

Species belonging to Darwinulidae, a family of ostracods – tiny crustaceans around 1 mm in length – reproduce asexually, i.e. completely without using sex. Fossil records show that this has been happening since at least 100 million years ago.

ormer cruiserweight world champion, Steve Cunningham, yesterday admitted that Tyson Fury’s taunts have given him extra motivation to pull off a convincing win at New York’s Madison Square Garden on April 20.

The 6’9” tall Fury has questioned whether Cunningham is big enough to be considered a true

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revenue in their desperate bid to survive on the illicit trade. There is, however, more to it than meets the eyes. The desperation of certain elements to go this far in order to acquire illicit wealth is an indication of how our society has descended in the quest for wealth.

The Senate President, David Mark, who amplified the urgent need to consider a death penalty for this crime against the state and a deliberate act of sabotage, while inaugurating the joint committee of the legislative chamber for the public hearing of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, did not mince words in his support for capital punishment as if once this is done, an end will come to the nefarious trade. This may not work just as it has also failed in stemming other social vices that have continued to bedevil the polity.

A case common for all to decipher was the death penalty for armed robbery which has failed to curtail or stop some petty thieves from growing to become big time armed robbers. This is an indication that the society is failing in certain areas and that it requires more than the threat of death penalty to ensure a total reversal of the dangerous trend.

The same applies to the illicit drug trade.

Drug barons also became more desperate in their bid to survive, even with the introduction of capital punishment.

This same story applies to smugglers of prohibited goods and products. No one would have ever thought that those

LEGISLATION...WILL END UP IGNITING, RATHER THAN REDUCE THE DESIRE FOR VIOLENCE WHILE SABOTAGING THE COLLECTIVE WEALTH OF THE COUNTRY involved in the illicit cross border business will appear desperate to attempt to kill border guards and customs officials in order to beat the law. They became so deadly for the security agencies until the customs officials were authorised by law to carry arms. Rather than scaring those engaged in the illicit trade, their modus operandi changed and they also became more sophisticated in arms and ammunitions they carry, thus turning the land border posts to a theatre of war in the process of eliminating the illegal business which is also having serious effects on the nation’s economy.

The Senate President must have thought that the death penalty will stem the growing dangerous trend of oil theft, forgetting that just like what we have witnessed in the past, there are possibilities that this may also be a wild goose

chase that may end up achieving nothing in the long run. Instances to prove this abound and one needs no soothsayer to predict that towing this line may prove counterproductive and the government will, like in previous episodes, continue to chase the shadows, leaving the substance unaddressed.

Legislation, instead of taking key policy decisions to correct societal ills, will end up igniting, rather than reduce the desire for violence while sabotaging the collective wealth of the country. Where the youths are gainfully employed, the social facilities are bound to enjoy peace and never be encumbered by vandals.

One basic need that has continued to elude our society and to which subsequent governments have continued to try without finding a lasting solution is constant and uninterrupted power supply. This, without any doubt, is the real catalyst that will engender healthy competition among out youths and equally inspire them to develop their talents and use same for the benefit of the society and mankind. Once the economy is robust enough to encourage innovation and investment, opportunities are bound to surface for individuals to be gainfully engaged in one venture or another.

Death will achieve too little to scare a desperado who has no hope of a better tomorrow. They are not better off when they are alive and are of no benefit to the society which they have also continued to blame for their predicament in life.

According to the Mark, ‘…. I endorse death penalty to deter others from going into bunkering; unusual situation deserves an unusual drastic measure’.

Yes, unusual drastic measure must not always be to kill offenders in order to correct others. Given the antecedents of violent crimes, death penalty may no longer qualify for an unusual measure, but certain basic things that the government, over the years, have failed to do to meet the basic needs of the people, creates an equitable environment for all to aspire and fulfil individual dreams and desires.

Sport Extra

Boxing: Tyson gives me extra push–Cunningham heavyweight and vowed to send the 36-year-old into retirement at a press conference.

Cunningham was angered by his opponent’s lack of respect, but he is confident that Fury will regret this tirade when they step

into the ring.

“Tyson did get a little under my skin,” Cunningham said.

“He woke up a little anger in me that probably wasn’t there before.

He sparked a little fire in me that helps my drive and is helping me

get up and run and do what I’m supposed to do.”

Fury is unbeaten with 14 knockouts in 20 wins, but Cunningham has suggested his 24-year-old opponent is mask fear with his prefight boasts.

Cunningham

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