Thursday, July 19, 2012

Why CBN can’t present budget to N’Assembly –Sanusi

FEC approves $1.488bn for Lagos-Ibadan railway

Anxiety as Tin Can Customs fails to meet N132bn target LANRE OYETADE, AYO OLESIN AND TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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overnor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, has said that the apex bank cannot

South Africa honours Mandela at 94

present its annual budget to the National Assembly at the beginning of each financial year because it

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Bomb scare in Lagos church Vol. 2 N0. 407

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Robbers kill policeman, pregnant woman Traffic offence: Army begins probe of Colonel

N150 FRANCIS SUBERU

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ear gripped residents of Majekodunmi Street, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, when an object, suspected to be a bomb was found at the back of St. Leo’s Catholic Church.

National Mirror gathered from eyewitnesses that the object, tucked inside a used cement bag, was disCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Tears at Senate’s valedictory session for Dantong P.2

Members of staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission protesting against the reinstatement of the former Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh by the Federal Government at the SEC headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

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Govt lifts emergency rule in 15 LGs P.7

SEC staff protest as FG recalls Oteh N44m bribery scandal: Hembe, deputy get N2m bail Ex-FEDECO chairman, Ovie-Whiskey, dies at 88

P.5 P.53

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

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Tears at Senate’s valedictory session for Dantong

•‘He was a parliamentarian par excellence’ GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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any senators struggled to hold back tears yesterday as they filed past the remains of their late colleague, Senator Gyang Dantong, who was laid in state at the foyer of the National Assembly for a special valedictory session.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Senator Smart Adeyemi, in particular, fought so hard all through the valedictory section to suppress tears without success.

The remains of Dantong, which was brought into the National Assembly

about 10.30 a.m., was laid in a brown casket, which was covered with the national colour of green white green.

As the senators filed past the casket after the valedictory session, it (casket) was opened for the senators to have full view of the remains of Dantong.

The senators, who were visible grieved and adorned mainly black attires, spent close to two and half hours pouring touchy tributes about the late Dantong in an atmosphere that was calm and sober. A one-minute silence was also observed by the lawmakers in memory of Dantong.

The late Senator Dantong died penultimate

Sunday at the Masei burial ground in the Bachit District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Inside the Senate chambers to witness the session were members of the family of the late Dantong, led by his widow, Hanatu, who adorned all white apparel,

Pa Dantong, his father, as well as his children. Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang was at the head of a powerful government delegation, which included members of the State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, as well as two former Deputy Senate Presidents – Ibrahim Mantu and John Washpam. In addition were members of the National Medical Asso-

ciation (NMA).

This was as the Senate also yesterday constituted a nine-member committee to represent the red chamber at the burial ceremony in Plateau, which will take place next week Thursday, July 24. Members of the delegation, which will be led by Senator Solomon Ganiyu are Senators Ifeanyi Okowa, Chris Ngige, Smart Adeyemi, Emmanu-

el Bwacha, Ahmed Lawan, Sani Salleh Thompson Sekibo and Nenadi Usman.

Being a former member of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was in attendance at the valedictory session and delivered a speech on behalf of the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.

Mark, Ningi, others eulogise late Senator

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resident of the Senate, David Mark and other Senators at the valedictory session eulogised the late Senator Gyang Dantong.

Mark, who was the last to speak, described the late Dantong as a parliamentarian par excellence, noting that, “To us his colleagues in the Senate, and in the House of Representatives where he started his legislative career, Dantong was a parliamentarian par excellence.”

Mark further described the late Dantong as a devoted, diligent and deft in the discharge of his responsibilities and never shied away from any assignment, no matter how difficult or unsavoury. He said Dantong paid the ultimate sacrifice for peace and human dignity and that his death must not be in vain, noting that by the death, peace must return to Plateau.

According to Mark, “those who know the late Senator Dantong, would readily attest to him being calm and easy going, just as he was so passionate about how to improve the health situation in Nigeria. He said Dantong’s passion for the health sector was demonstrated by his tireless efforts to broker an amicable resolution to the recent Lagos State Doctors’ strike.”

Senator Bukola Saraki said Dantong died in a grave and unacceptable way, yet he died in a position unique insofar as the history of democratic representation was concerned. Dantong, Saraki said, symbolized in his death, an unflinching and abiding faith to the service of his people.

“He regarded his constituents as his masters for whom he owed a service of total solidarity. He celebrated life with them and tasted death with them. Surely, this bond of common faith, this bond of common goal, can begin to teach us something. Surely, we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow Nigerians who deserve to live in dignity. And surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our own hearts brothers and statesmen once again,” Saraki said.

Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba said the late lawmaker was a complete gentleman, calm, unassuming, a man of peace and loved well in his native Plateau State. He said the death of Dantong made the day a very sad one for the 7th National Assembly.

Ekeremadu said Dantong was an industrious senator, a disciplinarian and a hardworking lawmaker who would be greatly missed by both the Senate and the people of Plateau.

Ahmed Lawan described the deceased as honest, humble, courageous, professional and peace-loving.

“We have lost one of our very good senators and citizens,” Lawan said.

Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi said the late Dantong was one of the finest members of the National Assembly he had known. Dantong, the lawmaker said, was so passionate about the crisis in Plateau State in particular and those of the North in general.

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang (right) and widow of the late Sen. Gyang Datong, Hannatu, at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

The remains of late Sen. Datong after the valedictory session at the National Assembly.

Widow of the late Sen. Gyang Datong, Hannatu (2nd right) and her Children.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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Photo News

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Amina Sambo; wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan; wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs. Apolonia Petinrin and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs. Nnenna Ihejirika, at the inauguration of the access road linking POWA Secretariat with Shehu Musa Yar’adua Barracks in Abuja, yesterday.

L - R : Wife of former British Prime Minister, Mrs. Cherie Blair; wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke and Chief Executive, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Henriette Kolb, during Liyel-Imoke’s visit to the foundation in London recently.

L-R: Public Relations Manager, Transcorp Hilton, Mr. Shola Adeyemo; General Manager, Mr. Etienne Gailliez and General Manager, Mr. Andre Herrenshmidt, during a farewell cocktail for Herrenshmidt in Abuja recently.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Managing Director, Programmes, Mr. Ross Joy; student of Havard Graduate School of Design, Ms. Clara Chow; President, Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria (HBSAN), Dr. Nike Akande and Harvard Business School new admit, Anna Ying, during a visit to HBSAN in Lagos.

National News

FG approves $1.488bn for Lagos-Ibadan railway ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

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he Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday, approved various contracts totalling N371 billion in the transport and power sectors as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. One of the major contracts awarded is the construction of the LagosIbadan Standard Gauge Rail Double Track with Double Formation under Addendum No. 2 (2nd segment) of the modernisation Lagos-Kano railway project.

Announcing the decision yesterday after FEC meeting presided over

by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the contract was awarded in favour of Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nig Ltd, in the sum of US$1,487,782,196.00 inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 36 months.

Maku said that the project would now be ex-

ecuted in six phases, saying that the project would cover 2,733 kilometres.

The minister said: “One major decision we made today was the modernisation of the Nigerian Railway system. For quite a while, Mr President has given a lot of attention to the transport sector, particularly the development of the railways.

“The projects in the railways took off with the rehabilitation of the existent old rail line system.

Today, we took a major step to build a modern rail line between Lagos and Ibadan.

“The standard gauge line which we approved today in the council is going to run between Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Minna, Kano and also there would be a phase that will take off from Minna to Abuja.

“The one from Abuja to Kaduna is already under construction. So, today the Council approved the project and this is a major step by Mr. President to modernise the railway system.”

According to him, the project which is ex-

pected to be completed in 36 months will generate more than 5,000 jobs in the country.

In his contribution, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said the project was part of the second segment of the Lagos-Ibadan railway modernisation project with a distance of 156.65 km.

The contractor, CCECC (Nig) Ltd commenced work on the project when it was awarded in 2006 but could not complete it due to funds constraints.

Thereafter, a presidential committee was constituted with the mandate of re-negotiating and re-phasing the contract between FGN and Messrs CCECC (Nig) Ltd, the Minister of Transport, Umar explained.

In the same vein and sequel to a memo brought by the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, Council also approved the variation of the scope of work for the contract for design and construction of Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project (Lots 1&3) from the initial work span of 60.67km to 45.245km (Lots

1A &3).

With the approval, the contract sum is revised from $841,645,898.00 to $823,540,545.87 payable at the prevailing exchange rate, at the time of payment inclusive of 5% VAT and 5% variation on prices.

It is awarded in favour of CCECC with a completion period of 36months.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji sought Council’s approval for the rehabilitation of the Shiroro and Omotosho power plants.

“Council, in line with accepted best practise in the operation and maintenance of hydro power plants approved the supply and installation of parts for the 2 x 140MW Units 411G3 Generators at Shiroro Hydroelectric Plc, in favour of Messrs ANDRITZ Hydro GmbH, in the sum of $2,075,754.00, Labaran Maku announced.

This is in addition to the naira sum of N13,326340.68 to be retained by Shiroro Hydroelectric Plc to cover 1% CISS fees and 2% Port and

Handling charges, with a completion period of eight months.

Also, FEC approved the restoration of four plant units and balance of plant at Omotosho Power Plc. in favour of China Machinery and Engineering Corporation in the sum of US$ 10,092,771.15 payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment, plus N78,753,893.30 for 5% VAT with a completion period of six months.

The Minister of Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga briefed Council on the progress being made by the country in the area of attracting Direct Foreign Investments, FDI. Aganga noted that “Nigeria has improved in the FDI attraction index to 23rd position making it a first quarter country for FDI attractiveness.

“Nigeria is ranked 1st in the top five host economies for FDI in Africa at $8.91 billion in 2011 in comparison to $6.09billion in 2010, followed by South Africa with $5.9 billion in 2011 and Ghana with $3.2

billion.”

With the current rating, Nigeria, he said, “accounted for over onesixth of flows into Africa as a whole. Only Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana attracted FDI in flows above $3bn in 2011.”

The Minister of Land and Housing, Ms Amma Pepple also briefed FEC on the summation of the Ministry of Health on their midwives services scheme, which has now qualified Nigeria for the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management, CAPAM, final for the first time.

“So far the 4000 midwives have been sent to 1000 primary healthcare centres across the country. The Ministry of Health submitted this scheme for the innovation award, there were 111 summations from nine countries, we made it to the semi-final of forty summations and now the scheme is among the 12 finalists who will make a presentation at his years bi-annual in India,” Ms Pepple said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

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SEC staff protest as FG recalls Oteh OUR CORRESPONDENTS

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taff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday in Abuja protested against the recall of embattled Director General, Ms Arunma Oteh, who was sent on compulsory leave by SEC board on June 11 to allow for an independent audit of financial dealings under her watch.

Oteh was placed under investigation following a report of the Commission’s Audit Committee that alleged financial wrongdo-

ings in the execution of the Project 50 programme last year that was organised to mark 50 years of capital market regulatory activities in Nigeria.

The Federal Government, however, said yesterday that the report of independent audit carried out

by PriceWaterHouse Coopers failed to establish any case against the DG. According to a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator. Anyim Pius Anyim, with reference no: SGF.2/S.9/C.13/454 dated 17/ July, 2012, Oteh was absolved of any wrong do-

ing in the management of the Project.

The Federal Government, however, noted that some administrative lapses were reported, particularly, in cases where administrative procedures were not thoroughly observed and advised that she must henceforth follow all extant rules and administrative procedures in the conduct of all official transactions.

Anyim’s letter reads in part: “Please refer to the decision of the Board of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to send you on compulsory leave in order to enable SEC’s exter-

nal auditors-the Price Water Coopers Limited (PWC), to examine the records of the Commission’s transactions covering SEC project 50 which you supervised.

“I am to note that Government has studied the report submitted by the external auditors and you are neither indicted for fraud nor criminal breach in any form. However, some administrative lapses were reported, particularly, in cases where administrative procedures were not thoroughly observed.

“The purpose of this letter is to recall you from your leave and to caution

L-R: Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

that you must henceforth endeavour to diligently observe all extant rules and administrative procedures in the conduct of all official transactions”.

Indications that Oteh would regain her seat had amerged on July 3rd when Oteh was allowed to attend the Economic Management Team meeting at Aso Rock Villa. The Minsiter of Finace, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had insisted thereafter that there was nothing irregular about her attendance which she was to enable the DG contribute to solving pressing economic problems.

In anticipation of her resumption early yesterday, some staff of the Commission defied the heavy presence of security operatives stationed at the premises to protest her reinstatement.

The prompt intervention of a team of security operatives from the State Security Service, SSS, and policemen, who arrived the SEC premises at about 10a.m., prevented the situation from escalating though the workers had poured unto the adjoining streets chanting protest songs.

The protesting workers who held placards with various inscriptions like “Say No to Oteh’s return”, “We don’t want tyranny” went round the commission’s premises even as some management staff tried to calm their frayed nerves.

National Mirror learnt that the union leaders later went into a closed-door parley with the management.

Sources however claimed that the staff were being instigated by forces who are averse to the reforms she has commenced at SEC, adding that the audit has been concluded and Oteh was exonerated of any wrong doing.

“The elements that instigated the audit are now uneasy given that their grand plot at unseating Oteh and stopping the reforms have failed. We are very impressed with the way this has turned out,” the source said.

Stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market have however described Oteh’s return as a welcome development in the market.

Speaking to National Mirror yesterday, the Managing Director of Trust Yields Investment Limited, Alhaji Rsheed Yussuff, said that fact that she was exonerated of allegations of fraud is a good signal to the market.

He said, “Oteh resumption will enhance market integrity because she has been cleared of fraud allegation over Project 50, a commemorative programme for capital regulation in Nigeria.”

The President of Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, Mr. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Bomb scare in Lagos church as robbers kill policeman, pregnant woman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

covered by a passer-by at about 9a.m. yesterday and quickly raised alarm.

The initial reaction of the people was to scamper for safety until security men in the area reported the matter at the Anti-Bomb Unit Headquarters, on 65, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, from where police officers came to take the object away.

Investigations revealed that the object was dropped by an unknown man who lodged at an hotel, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

Another source said it was one of the security men attached to the hotel in the neighbourhood who brought out the object and dumped it at the spot after it was found in a room where a man had just checked out.

It was said that if not for the alarm raised by passersby, the hotel management would not have reported it to the police.

Most residents of the area agreed that the object was a bomb deliberately planted to wreak havoc in the area.

They said it was not a coincidence that the object was found in-between two churches.

One of the eyewitnesses said: “You know there are two big churches here. The bomb was found at the back of St. Leo’s Catholic Church and opposite the Assembly of God Church.

“Had it been detonated when the churches are holding their services, you can imagine the extent of damage and panic it would have caused. The explosion itself

would have caused serious stampede.”

But the Commissioner of Police, Anti-Bomb Unit, Mr. Adebanjo Folusho, said the object was not a bomb, even as he described the incident as a hoax.

He said the object might have been planted at the spot by a mentally-deranged person to cause undue panic and ruled out the possibility of it being planted by terrorists.

“There was a bomb scare at about 10:20 hours this morning and it was reported by one Akinwunmi Olabode of Reliance Suite, off Toyin Street.

“He came to Anti-Bomb Unit Headquarters and reported that an object suspected to be bomb was found on the road.

“I immediately sent my

operatives to the area and they inquired about it.

They took the object to the headquarters where it was analysed and it was found to be a hoax.

“The object was contained in an improvised live jacket, three pieces of red rubber strands, one computer mouse, four pieces of small rectangular object wrapped in a newspaper,” Adebanjo said.

Meanwhile, dare devil armed robbers yesterday ambushed police officers on escort of a new generation bank transporting cash from Badagry to Lagos and in the process killed a police officer and a pregnant woman at Mowo bus stop, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

The bank was said to be conveying over N5m in

a Toyota Hilux van with registration number NA 621 KJA and a pick-up van LL200 with registration number DL 382 LXR. This is against the standing instruction from the police that only bullion vans should be used for cash transit.

Eyewitness account said that the robbers, acting on a tip off, laid ambush at a bad portion of the road.

Our correspondent gathered that when the two vans conveying the money got to the spot, the robbers opened fire, killing a police officer, one Sergeant Sunday Agborila and a pregnant woman who was said to be roasting corns at the bus stop.

The robbers also carted away the money in the vans.

Other police officers in-

jured in the gun duel are still recuperating at a public hospital.

Fielding questions from journalists at the Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umar Abubakar Manko, confirmed the incident, saying investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He said: “Police have warned banks that whenever they want to transport money, they should use bullion van. The instruction on cash movement is very clear. But unfortunately in this matter, the people used ordinary vehicle in moving cash from Badagry to Lagos. We suspect inside connivance in the whole issue; but investigations are still on-going and I don’t want to preempt issues.”

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEC staff protest as FG recalls Oteh CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Emeka Madubuike, said that the frequent changes of the SEC management is not a good signal for the market because in the long run, investors are going to suffer the negative impact in the market.

Reacting to Ms Oteh’s recall, a financial analyst, Dr. Joseph Nnana, described the decision of government as desirable, adding that “it just demonstrated government’s commitment to due process and this should send signals to public servants on the need to be transparent in all their

dealings.

Nnana, a former Director of the Central bank of Nigeria, said government must have given due consideration to the contents of the independent audit report before taken the decision which, he said, is desirable to current efforts to reform the capital market.

Meanwhile, Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court yesterday granted bail to the suspended Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Herman Hembe, and

his deputy, Hon. Azubuogu Ifeanyi, in the sum of N1m each and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, according to the judge, must be residents in Abuja, while the Registrar of the court will verify compliance with the bail conditions.

Both lawmakers were arrested and detained by the EFCC for allegedly demanding for bribes totaling N44m from the SEC DG to enable the committee soft-pedal on its investigations of the capital market, but the Commission is now prosecuting them for fraudulent

conversion of official travel allowances to personal use.

In granting bail to the embattled lawmakers, Justice Umar noted that the issue of bail was at the discretion of the court, pointing out that it is the constitutional right of the accused persons to enjoy bail pending trial, especially where the prosecution failed to adduce evidence to the contrary, as in the instant case.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Jeff Ojeifu, had prayed the court to disregard the administrative bail granted the accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes

L-R: Supervisor for Works, Oji River Local Government Area, Mr. Hillary Nwozor; Chairman, Chief Gabriel Onuzulike and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu State chapter, Mr. Louis Dilibe, during the inspection of projects in the local government area in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Commission, EFCC, and remanded Hembe and Ifeanyi in prison custody. This was shortly after they pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.

He said his motion was brought pursuant to Sections 340 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) as well as 35 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which presume an accused innocent until the contrary is proved.

Meanwhile, full trial has commenced in the case brought against Hembe and Ifeanyi as the Commission brought about four witnesses yesterday to validate its claim against the duo.

The first prosecution witness (PW 1), who gave his name as Austin Adachi, a Senior Detective Superintendent with the EFCC almost contradicted himself when in one breath he said, “investigation revealed that the sum of four thousand and ninety-five (US Dollars), $4,095 was collected by each of the accused persons to attend a conference in Dominican Republic and that they did not attend the conference,” and in another he stated, “available documents during investigation showed that the 1st accused person actually travelled.”

The Commission is pros-

ecuting the two lawmakers on a two-count charge of converting to their personal use about N600,000 being money allegedly released

by SEC for them to travel to the Dominican Republic for a refresher conference in October 2011.

The offence is contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The separate counts read thus: “That you Hon Iorwase Herman Hembe sometime in October 2011 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $4095 (Four thousand, Ninety Five Dollars) being money given to you by the Securities and Exchange Commission as your travelling allowance to PUNCTA CANA, Dominican Republic to attend a conference which you did not attend and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004 and punishable under section 309 of the same code.

Reports by: Ise-Oluwa Ige, Tola Akinmutimi, John Uwe, Omeiza Ajayi, EMMANUEL ONANI and Johnson Okanlawon

Why CBN can’t present budget to National Assembly –Sanusi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

does not know how much the bank will spend each year.

Speaking at the 17th Annual Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors, in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday, Sanusi, who was represented by an executive board member of the bank, Prof. Sam Olofin, said for this reason, the CBN only presents its budgets to the National Assembly after implementation and not before.

“The CBN budget is not static but dynamic so it is not possible that the bank will present its budget to the lawmakers before its implementation because it does not know how much it will spend at the beginning of each year itself,” Olofin said.

Olofin, who spoke on the topic, “A talk on the independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria”, said that the CBN

could not know its budget sum ex-ante (before implementation) because it could not possibly know how many banks it might need to bail out and how much mopping up it would need to do, after each ‘inappropriate spending’ by the government.

“For this reason, the CBN can only and does only present its budget to the National Assembly post-ante (after spending) and only for the purpose of information and not for approval,” he explained.

He added that Section 3 of the CBN Act 2007 gives the apex bank goal independence (to set monetary policy goals); management independence (to hire and fire) and operational independence (to determine what policy instruments to employ), and that this should not be altered.

Rather, he advocated that provisions of the section should be enshrined in the Nigerian constitution

to avoid a case whereby it would be amended arbitrarily.

He explained that the CBN autonomy had never been absolute, as the bank is accountable to the Presidency, as it gives regular reports on what it is doing to the National Assembly, as it gives a report to the lawmakers at least twice every year, and to the general public through the press.

The bank also said the financial inclusion initiative, an aspect of the payment system policy, is expected to bring at least 50 million more Nigerians into the formal banking in the next eight years.

Olofin stated that the apex bank instituted a drastic review of the payments system with the objective of bringing it at par with the global leaders, adding that the financial inclusion programme in particular would attract the unbanked to mainstream banking system.

He explained that, apart from expanding, deepening and modernizing the payment systems in the country, the cashless policy is also to galvanize the apex bank in ensuring that Nigeria ranks among the top 20 economies of the world in line with the nation’s Vision 2020 aspirations.

Sanusi said the financial inclusion initiative is one of the key components of the ongoing reform by the CBN to raise the standard of financial services and payment to meet global best practice.

He said: “One of the cardinal strategies of this programme is the cash-less policy which aims to reduce drastically, the volume of cash in circulation, in favour of electronic forms of transaction “The policy will help achieve the CBN’s objectives of expanding, deepening and modernising the payment systems in Nigeria and also galvanise the

CBN in ensuring that Nigeria ranks among the top 20 economies of the world in line with the nation’s Vision 2020 aspirations.

“This policy will also impact positively on economic growth and development,” he added..

The CBN governor explained that one of the major reasons for introducing the cash-less policy was to break the traditional barriers hindering financial inclusion for millions of Nigerians and bring lowcost, secure and convenient financial services to urban, semi-urban and rural areas across the country, especially through the mobile payment services.

The CBN governor expressed optimism that through the cash-less programme, the bank would mitigate some of the negative consequences associated with the high usage of physical cash in the economy and the high cost of

handling cash.

He said: “In a recent survey carried out by the CBN, we discovered that only 10 per cent of daily banking transactions are above N150,000, while 10 per cent accounts for majority of the high-value transactions.

“This suggests that the bulk of the banking population subsidise the costs that the tiny minority incurs in terms of high cash usage. Furthermore, high cash usage results in a lot of money circulating outside the formal sector, thus limiting the effectiveness of monetary policy.”

The Branch Controller, CBN Akure, Mrs. Ramat Yusuf-Adeyemi, said the cashless-policy was a gradual and radical movement of the entire payment system in Nigeria from the use of physical cash to other modes like cheques, internet banking, PoS, mobile payment, debit and credit card among others.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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Oil spill: Shell will challenge $5bn fine, says MD UDEME AKPAN

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he management of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, has threatened to challenge attempt to impose $5bn on the company over the Bonga oil spillage.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe, said SNEPCo would challenge any attempt to impose such

a penalty.

He said: “Some parties are alleging that oil from the spill impacted on communities, the shoreline, rivers and creeks. At the hearing in Abuja, the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency, NOSDRA, confirmed that its analysis did not show any significant agreement between the fingerprint values from Bonga oil samples and

those from the communities. This is consistent with our statement at the time of the incident that it was oil from a third party spill that impacted some parts of the shoreline despite SNEPCo’s efforts to tackle it.”

The firm, which confirmed the development in a statement, said SNEPCo continued to review and respond to all claims received in respect of the spill.

Onyejekwe added that: “We deeply regret that this incident took place, but as a responsible operator and corporate citizen, we responded to it professionally and effectively and that everything we did was in cooperation with the authorities and in compliance with the regulations.

Also, we cleaned up a third party spill that impacted the shoreline.

“At a hearing in Abuja on July 16, 2012, on the spill before the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, NOSDRA had indicated that they would recommend ‘an administrative fine’ to government because of the incident.”

SNEPCo insisted that there was no legal basis for such a fine. The company said it responded professionally and diligently to the inci-

dent and worked at all times alongside and with the support of relevant authorities including NOSDRA. The Bonga field was located in OPL 212 which was renamed OML 118 in February 2000. The field covers approximately 60 km2 in an average water depth of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). The field was discovered in 1996, with government approval for its development given in 2002.

Good governance, key to Nigeria’s growth –Ex-Army Chief

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nly good governance can lead to sustainable development in Nigeria.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. AbdulRahaman Dambazau, said this yesterday in Ibadan at a forum on security, good governance and sustainable development organised by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, CEPACS, of the University of Ibadan, UI. Dambazau, who was the keynote speaker at the round table on security, said good governance, national security and sustainable development were inextricably linked.

He said: “There cannot be sustainable hu-

man development without good governance and neither can security be guaranteed without sustainable human development, which are all by-products of good governance.

“Good governance requires strong democratic institutions, democracy survives on strong institutions. Therefore, the need for it to be well institutionalised.

“When democracy is well entrenched with strong institutions, there is more likelihood for effective, efficient and sustainable policies.

“Good governance and democracy are inseparable to the extent that the latter cannot be successful without the former.”

ANPP holding merger talks with ACN, CPC –Onu

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fter many months of uncertainty, the leadership of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, yesterday confirmed that it had begun discussions with the national chairmen of leading opposition political parties to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015.

The opposition parties are Action Congress of Nigerian, ACN, the Congress of Progressive Change, CPC, and Labour Party, LP. The ANPP hairman, Ogbonnaya Onu, spoke with journalists at the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja.

He disclosed that he had personally held discussions with the leaders of two of the parties.

Onu also expressed disappointment over the attitude of party members and said the leadership of the party would continue to work hard to reposition ANPP for

the challenges ahead.

Aside his personal efforts, the chairman disclosed that the party had also set up a six-man, InterParty Contact Committee which would hold talks with other opposition parties to strengthen multi-lateral understanding for the emergence of a strong platform.

The membership of the committee, Onu said, would be enlarged to include as many as 20 ANPP leaders to fully tap the varied experiences within the party for the good of all.

He also called for a review of the Electoral Act to accommodate a provision that would make it mandatory for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that all major political parties, especially those in opposition, were involved in the processes leading to the award of contracts for the production of sensitive election materials.

L-R: Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazau (rtd); Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Adewole and Director, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies , Prof. Ifeanyi Onyeonoru, during the Round Table on National Security, Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Ibadan, yesterday.

EFCC arraigns eight for illegal bunkering ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned eight people before a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo for allegedly engaging in illegal dealership of petroleum products.

The accused are Garba Ismaila, Saidu Tanimu, Suleiman Abdullahi, Aliyu Abubakar, Ibrahim Sani, Yahaya Musa, Jacob Etim Nsoh and Felix Sunday Edubio.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them and applied for bail.

Counsel to EFCC, Mrs. Blessing Akinsola, raised no objection to the bail application filed by the defence counsel, Anthony Ante.

The court granted the accused bail in the sum of N1m and one surety each

in like sum.

The trial judge, Justice Chukwu, also ordered that each surety must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, and must

show evidence of tax payment between 2010 and 2011.

“The surety must also swear to an affidavit of means and must submit a national identification and

Road accident claims two in Lagos MURITALA AYINLA

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t least two persons were confirmed dead in an accident involving a trailer and a car on the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway yesterday evening.

According to a witness, the accident occurred about 5:20p.m. when a trailer, which lost control, rammed into a car, killing occupants of the car.

A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the trailer lost control while ascending the bridge around Otedola Estate and rammed into the car. He said the victims died instantly.

When our correspondent arrived the scene, the victims had been evacuated.

For hours, the accident compounded the traffic snarl usually experienced on that axis in the evening.

Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone interview, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, who confirmed the accident, said he could not ascertain the number of casualties.

He added that investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

The commissioner also called on motorists to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy at all times.

two passport photographs to the court,” the court added.

The judge adjourned the case to September 18, for continuation of trial.

Auto crash: Another NANS leader dies

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he Vice President (External Affairs) of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Gbenga Oyebode, died yesterday afternoon at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo where he was receiving treatment alongside others.

His death brought to four the number of students who have died in the auto accident involving Ondo State executives of the Students’ Union Governments of tertiary institutions.

Oyebode, popularly known as Ibile Struggle, died a few minutes after it was learnt that he needed blood transfusion.

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South West

Tuesday, July 19, 2012

Traffic offence: Army begins probe, promises justice SEGUN ADIO

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uthorities of the Nigerian Army have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a Colonel and a soldier by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Fashola had, while driving along the Outer Marina in Lagos, stopped and reprimanded the two Army personnel for plying the dedicated BRT lane in the metropolis.

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division,

Nigerian Army, Major General Kenneth Minnimah, has directed that the matter be fully investigated and the defaulters be brought to justice.

A statement issued yesterday by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations in charge of the division, Lt. Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, said the Nigerian Army would not allow its name to be dragged in the mud.

“The attention of this headquarters has been drawn to some newspapers front page cover... of today which were captioned, ‘Fashola arrests Colonel,

Be self-reliant, Fayemis’ wife tells corps members ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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ife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, has called on the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members to acquire skills in handicraft and other blue-collar jobs to survive the current unfavourable economic situation in the country.

She said that given the poor state of Nigeria’s economy and the attendant high rate of unemployment, smart graduates should no longer hinge their hope on whitecollar jobs.

Fayemi’s wife spoke during a visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Ise-Ekiti in Ise/ Emure Local Government Area, to inspect the corps members’ handicraft.

Among the handicraft displayed by the corps members were beads, clothing, batik, hat, finger foods, barbing and hairdressing equipment, paints, solar energy-powered oven and foot wears.

She promised that the state government would continue to support the

corps members posted to the state to acquire vocational skills towards becoming self-employed at the end of their service year.

Mrs. Fayemi also said that the government had put in place sustainable framework to support women and girls, in tandem with the focus of the Ekiti Development Foundation, EDF, which she founded.

She advised the corps members to live in peace and harmony with their host communities in their areas of primary assignment.

The governor’s wife also urged the corps members to protect the vulnerable among them against harassment or sexual assault, which she said should be reported to appropriate authorities wherever the acts were committed.

The state NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Baba Ahmed Nurudeen, thanked the government for supporting the skill acquisition programme in the camp and requested for further assistance in the provision of raw materials.

Oni mourns Agboola’s mother SAM OLUWALANA

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he National Vice Chairman (SouthWest) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Segun Oni, has condoled with the Senate Dep-

uty Majority Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, over the death of his mother, Madam Alice Agboola.

Oni, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, prayed that God would comfort the Agboola’s family over the irreparable loss.

Sergeant on BRT lane.’

The newspapers alleged that Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday 17 July 2012 reprimanded two military officers namely Colonel Ki Yusuf and Staff Sergeant A. A. Adeomi for driving on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.

“It is true that these personnel made use of the dedicated BRT lane thereby contravening the BRT laws. Lagos State Government forbids non-BRT buses from plying these dedicated lanes which are exclusive rights of way for BRT buses,” the statement reads in part.

It also said that after the investigations, the culprits would be sanctioned accordingly.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Teachers’ test may tear Ekiti apart, NAPTAN warns govt ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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takeholders in Ekiti State said the proposed Teachers Development Needs Assessment, TDNA, popularly known as competence test by the state government for teachers in public and private secondary schools was capable of disrupting the education sector and tearing the state apart.

The stakeholders, under the aegis of National Parent-Teacher Association, NAPTAN, advised the government to forget the test and instead, organise seminars and workshops for teachers to sharpen their skills.

In a communiqué at the end of their extended general meeting in Ado Ekiti yesterday, they blamed the government for taking such a serious decision without

Fayemi

consultation with other stakeholders, including NAPTAN. There has been standoff between the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi and teachers, since the idea was mooted.

While the government is insisting on the test, which it said was targeted at revamping the education sector, the teachers are saying that they would not sit for the test because it was a ploy to humiliate and sack some them.

But in the communiqué

signed by its Chairman, Pastor Sunday Isikalu, Secretary, Mr. Biodun Famoroti and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Oke Gbenga, NAPTAN warned that the issue, if not handled with caution, could tear the state apart.

It said: “Instead of TDNA, teachers’ development test, promotional examination should be encouraged for whoever is due for promotion. The government should not have taken such decision without consulting with NAPTAN.” The association, however, praised the government’s effort to eradicate examination malpractices in schools, calling on the state government to put in place quality assurance scheme to monitor the activities of both teachers and students with a view to making them perform better.

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Information & Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ayodeji Peter Oyedokun and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, driving a training car during an inspection tour of the Lagos State Driver Institute, Oshodi, Lagos, on Tuesday.

LG polls: OGSIEC accepts only Obasanjo’s candidates from PDP FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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gun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, said in Abeokuta yesterday that it would field only the candidates from the Chief Ireti Oniyide faction of the

He said: “Though the death of a beloved mother can be devastating even at the age of 92 that mama died, the entire Agboola family should be consoled by the fact that death is the end of all mortals and it must come when it will come.”

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for Saturday’s local government polls.

It also threatened to disqualify more candidates from contesting the polls for infringing on the electoral guidelines set for the elections.

Addressing a press conference in his office, the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Mr. Mutiu Agboke, said the commission arrived at the conclusion to recognise the list submitted by the Oniyide-led Caretaker Committee of Ogun PDP, having considered several provisions of the election guidelines, which the faction had complied with.

He also said that list of

candidates from the faction believed to be loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo had been screened and cleared by the commission for the polls.

Agboke, who is also a commissioner in the electoral body, said OGSIEC reserved the right to determine the candidates who qualified for the elections.

He said that the commission rejected the candidates on the list forwarded to it by the Bayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun PDP, stressing that only the candidates from Oniyide faction would contest the council polls along with those of the other political parties.

Agboke explained that

some candidates already screened would be disqualified for having committed offences ranging from dual membership of political parties at the same time as well as petitions received by the commission against many candidates.

He said that while the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, would field chairmanship candidates in all the 20 councils, PDP had 19, People’s Party of Nigeria, PPN, would field 14 candidates.

Agboke also said that the state-owned security outfit, Vigilante Service, had been barred from polling stations during the polls despite earlier promises to employ its services.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Two police inspectors, suspect die in Ogun auto crash FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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wo police officers and a suspect died in an accident at Itori/Iyana Onigbedu on the Lagos - Abeokuta Expressway in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State yesterday.

The two officers, identified as Thomas Olorunjuwon and Ojo John Bull, were said to have died on the spot when the commercial vehicle in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary truck.

About 10 other people, who were injured in the

•10 survivors in critical condition accident, were still in critical condition.

It was gathered that the police personnel were returning from an official assignment in Sango Ota where they had gone to arrest two criminal suspects.

It was also learnt that one of the suspects later died in the hospital while another one sustained serious injury and was later taken to Ifo General Hospital for medical attention.

A female survivor attributed the accident to dangerous driving on the

part of the bus driver.

She said: “There was no sign of an impending accident until we passed the Ewekoro Cement Plant going to Abeokuta, when suddenly the driver started driving menacingly.

“Before we know what was happening, he had rammed into a stationary truck, with passengers screaming. Many of us would have died but for the timely arrival of the officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, who rescued us.”

The Unit Commander of RS 2.28 of FRSC, Fatai

Bakare, who confirmed the accident, explained that three vehicles, a Toyota Hilux van with registration number DF 413 AAA, a Nissan Urvan bus with registration number XM 440 BDG and a truck with registration number XU 502 JJJ were involved in the accident.

Bakare added that two vehicles rammed into the truck at different times.

Reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, described it as pathetic.

Adejobi also commiserated with the families of the late officers.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Folusho Sali, Commissioner, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya and wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, at the second phase of distribution of empowerment equipment to selected women by the ministry in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Makoko: Lagos demolishes 50 more structures MURITALA AYINLA

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bout 50 structures were, again, pulled down yesterday in Makoko as the demolition exercise embarked upon by the Lagos State Government entered Day Three.

As the displaced residents of Makoko, a slum on the fringe of the metropolis, moved around their shanties with their

properties on wooden canoes, the men working for the government were busy in the dark and smelly water, demolishing the wooden structures.

Thousands of the residents of the area were sacked by the state to reclaim the state waterfronts and to give the state a befitting mega city status.

On Wednesday, the government claimed that the displacement of the resi-

dents was in the best interest of the dwellers.

The Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Adesegun Oniru, said the move was to safe the occupants from being drowned by the high rise of water level.

A government official, who spoke under anonymity, said the state would not relent until the entire structures on the waterfront were pulled down.

Meanwhile, the residents of Makoko have expressed fear over the impending rain, saying there properties would be destroyed.

One of the residents, Mrs. Bose Tave, said since they had nowhere to go, their properties were still exposed to sun and rain.

She said: “We are afraid because it may rain anytime and if it rains, it is certain that all our properties will be destroyed.

Task force goes after illegal immigrants in Osun

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he Joint Task Force on Illegal Immigrants in Osun State yesterday promised to flush out all illegal immigrants in the state.

The Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Osun Command, Mr. Ola Omolere, made the pledge while inaugurating members of the task force

in Osogbo, the state capital.

The comptroller said the move was sequel to the directive by the Ministry of Internal Affairs ordering the task force to begin operation immediately.

Omolere said the task force had also been inaugurated at the national and zonal levels in the interest of national security and

peace.

Also, a Deputy Comptroller and Chairman of the task force, Mr. Olusegun Osoye, pledged the commitment of members to achieving the set target of repatriating illegal immigrants.

Osoye, who is in charge of ECOWAS and African Affairs in the command, said the military would also be

co-opted into the committee if there was need in future.

Representatives of the police, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Nigeria Prison Service and the State Security Service, SSS, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, report, are members of the task force.

9

Kinsmen celebrate Olusola with ‘cultural remembrance’ FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

I

peru-Remo, the hometown of the late Ambassador Segun Olusola in Ikenne local government area of Ogun State, yesterday hosted members of the arts communities, royal fathers, associates of the deceased and top government functionaries in the state as part of the weeklong burial activities for the culture icon.

Memoirs of the humanitarian works which the late Olusola dedicated his life for dominated the goodwill messages from all the well-wishers who thronged the venue of the cultural remembrance held at the palace of the Alaperu of Iperu-Remo, Oba Adeleke Adelekan Idowu, the Odoru Karun.

Cultural Troupes from far and near which included Ikale Biripo Cultural Troupe, the Dance Guild of Nigeria, Itshekiri Dance group, Eyo Dance Group as well as Agere Dancers from Shimawa all joined the Ogun State Cultural Troupe to give the late Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Jibulu of Iperu a befitting cultural remembrance as their last respect.

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said the late Olusola’s passion for peace would be upheld to immortalise his virtue and what he lived for.

Amosun, who spoke through his Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Olu Odeyemi, said the late icon was an embodiment of compassion who was instrumental to the founding of African Refuge Camp when he saw the type of carnage that happened in Ethiopia

while serving there as ambassador.

He said: “On humanitarian level, through his experience as Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, he came across victims of war and bullets. He could not look at them and shy away by minding his own business but was touched and therefore founded the African Refuge Foundation.”

While warning Nigerians to shun any act that could lead to crisis, Amosun said the importance of peace which Olusola preached could not be substituted for any other thing.

“In the spirit of upholding ideals of our great men like Ambassador Olusola, the present administration will continue to work for the peaceful coexistence of all tribes in the state,” the governor promised.

To the traditional ruler of Iperu town, Oba Adelekan, Ambassador Olusola was a traditionalist and a messenger of peace who worked all his life to promote unity on the African continent.

In an interview with our correspondent, the monarch described Olusola’s death as a personal loss to him, going by the role the deceased played during the course of his ascension to the throne as the traditional ruler of Iperu Remo.

Also the lead actor in the famous television soap, the Fiji House of Commotion, Kunle Bamtefa, who anchored the cultural remembrance programme, said the humble life which Olusola lived without amazing wealth, despite opportunities opened to him, would be greatly missed.

Ajimobi’s mother dies at 85

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yo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has lost his mother, Alhaja Sikirat Abeje Ajimobi.

Alhaja Ajimobi, 85, died in her home in Ibadan yesterday during a brief illness.

The governor’s mother was a prominent trader, devout Muslim and community leader.

Alhaja Ajimobi, according to a statement issued by the governor’s Media Adviser, Festus Adedayo, is survived by nine children, including Governor

Ajimobi.

The deceased, the statement added, would be buried in Ibadan today at 2p.m. at her husband’s house at Johnson Awe Street, Apata, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Late Alhaja Ajimobi

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South East

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police take over Imo LG secretariats CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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rmed policemen yesterday took over the secretariats of the 27 local government areas in Imo State when the sacked chairmen attempted to return to their offices.

The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Dega, told our correspondent in an interview that the duty of the police was to protect the local government areas and the properties of the councils.

He said: “Our job is to protect the lives and proper-

•Obey court orders first, govt replies Adoke

ty and ensure peace in the state. We are not involved in politics, we are neutral, and will only support any party that legitimately obtains court order.”

This was going on as the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Soronadi Njoku, advised the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), to show leadership by first obeying court others.

The commissioner spoke at a press conference at the

Government House, Owerri, yesterday, while reacting to the AGF’s advice to Governor Rochas Okorocha to obey the judgement of the Court of Appeal compelling the latter to reinstate sacked council chairmen in Imo State.

Njoku described the AGF as a good physician of the law, who, unfortunately, has been unable to heal himself when it comes to obeying court orders.

He said: “The speed with which the Attorney-General of the Federation gave

his unsolicited advice has been noted, except to add that he is yet to advise his own government to obey the rule of law in Justice Ayo Salami case and oil subsidy probe.”

The commissioner said for Adoke to advise the state government to obey court order in this circumstance was like playing politics with the law.

“It is the position of the Imo State Government that all the parties must allow the judicial process to run its full course as the govern-

ment is prepared, willing and ready to abide by whatever order the court would make at the end,” Njoku added.

He also accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of using police brutal force to enforce the judgement in a purely civil matter.

The commissioner added that the readiness and willingness of the police to render such service was regrettable in the face of more challenging security problem in the country.

According to him the

Okorocha donates bus to journalists CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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L-R: Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba and General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, Prince Ikechukwu Apugo, during the commissioning of refuse disposal trucks in Umuahia, yesterday.

greatest challenge in Imo State today is kidnapping while the most challenging problem in Nigeria is Boko Haram.

He said the police had remained palpably helpless and prostate in tackling the two cases.

“One would have thought that the police force has its hands fully occupied in solving these myriads of security challenge facing the country and not have any time to be dragged into a civil matter, where it has no jurisdiction whatsoever,” Njoku said.

overnor Rochas Okorocha’s administration has donated a brand new Hyundai 14-seater bus to the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council.

The bus was presented to the chapel at the Government House, Owerri by the Chief of Staff, Chief Eze Madumere, in the presence of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Chinedu Offor, and other gov-

ernment officials.

Handing over the keys of the bus to the Chairman of the chapel, Chief Chidi Nkwopara, the chief of staff noted that the gesture was a fulfilment of government’s promise to improve the working environment of correspondents operating in the state.

He said that the chapel and the government had continued to partner since the inception of Okorocha’s administration, adding that the donation was a practical step to appreciate the media, especially the correspondents in the state.

Armed youths injure 16, burn car in Onitsha Enugu connects 472 communities to National Grid NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

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t least 16 people were injured while a car was burnt yesterday when two armed groups clashed in Onitsha, the commercial nerve of Anambra State.

The fight was between the dreaded Ndi Mpiawazu group, the Anambra Task Force on Markets Decongestion, and youths suspected to be members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. It was learnt that trouble started when members of the Ndi Mpiawazu group went into their office on Owerri Road by Upper Iweka, Onitsha, to resume duties only to be confronted by a group of boys armed with dangerous weapons.

Ironically, the incident occurred while the state Commissioner of Police,

Ballah Nassarawa, was in Onitsha, on a familiarisation tour of the Onitsha Police Area Command and the Onitsha Central Police Station.

According to a witness, the Mpiawazu boys, who had been earlier warned by MASSOB to stop operating in the commercial city on the grounds that they had been disbanded, returned to resume duties when a group of boys swooped on them.

The witness disclosed that the boys resisted the MASSOB order to vacate the area, which led to the clash between the two groups, leading to the burning of Mpiawazu’s office and a car.

Though no life was lost, the leadership of MASSOB swiftly denied their involvement in the violent attack, adding that they had never been interested in any park within the com-

mercial city of Onitsha.

The MASSOB Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said “the boys that went round different parks within the commercial city of Onitsha, wielding different dangerous weapons, were not our members and we have no hands in the clash whatsoever”.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the Chairman, Association of Anambra Park Agents, Chief Albert Ibekwe, said the attack was carried out by miscreants used by enemies of the state to unleash terror on innocent residents of Onitsha.

Meanwhile, it took the intervention of the policemen and soldiers from the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha and the Onitsha Area Command led by the Area Commander, Mr. Benjamin Wordu, to bring the situation under control.

the communities.

He said: “Government has never requested any form of counterpart funding from communities.”

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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nugu State Electrification Board, ENREB, said it had connected 472 communities in the state to the National Grid.

The ENREB General Manager, GM, Mr. Simon Atigwe, who made the disclosure in an interview, said it remained only 52 communities to be connected to electricity.

He said the government had resolved to supply electricity to all the communities in Enugu State as a matter of priority.

Atigwe said that the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime took the decision to encourage small and medium-scale enterprises in the state as a veritable means to empower the people.

The GM disclosed that ENREB had a mandate to

Abia loses sports commissioner GEORGE OPARA ABIA Chime

connect all the communities to the National Grid.

He added that the remaining 52 communities would be connected to the National Grid before the end of the year.

Atigwe said the spread of the electrification project was based on the peculiar nature of each zone, citing population density as a determining factor.

The GM also disclosed that most of the electrification projects were done in partnership with the local governments and not

T

he people of Abia State are now in mourning mood over the sudden death of the state Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Matthew Ochobi.

Governor Theodore Orji described Ochobi’s death as a big shock, saying he was yet to come to terms with the demise of the amiable lawyer and politician.

The governor said Ochobi was committed to his duties as a member of the State Executive Council before his untimely death.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Tuesday, July 19, 2012

11

Oshiomhole asked to develop rural communities SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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he Conference of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has hailed the people of Edo State for shunning ethnic, financial and parochial interests during last Saturday’s governorship election.

Congratulating Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Ni-

geria ACN), the winner of the election, CRPP urged him to focus his developmental programmes on rural areas, instead of Benin, the state capital.

Chairman of CRPP and National Secretary of the Accord Party (AP), Dr. Samson Isibor, however, said Oshiomhole deserved the victory as he worked hard to earn the people’s confidence during his first term.

Isibor said: “Your victory is well-deserved. It is a landslide as we predicted in our April 2, 2012 press conference. We commend the people of Edo State for their resolve to vote for a resilient, foresighted and performing governor.

“We also salute the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for creating a platform for contestants in the poll.

“Our commendation also goes to the good people of Edo State for creating the enabling environment for a peaceful election devoid of gangsterism, ballot box snatching, killings and other social vices.

“We thank the military, the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and other para-military agencies for a wonderful performance.

They were all civil and alert

before, during and after the election.”

Isibor, however, urged Oshiomhole to not only make job creation his priority so as to conquer many anti-social vices such as robbery, kidnapping and assassination, but to also take physical and infrastructural development of the state beyond Benin.

He said: “The governor should focus attention on

the rural areas to reduce the unending rural migration to the urban centres by opening up the rural areas through construction of roads, opening of primary health centres, cottage industries, potable water, electricity and mechanized farming.

“It is now time to develop villages. The state capital has got its fair share of development. “

Governor unveils second term agenda

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do State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday unveiled his second term agenda, promising to continue with the provision of welfare programmes for the people, spread infrastructural development across the 18 local government areas and give Benin accelerated development.

Oshiomhole spoke when he led members of the state executive council to the palace of Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

He said that he was indebted to the Oba for his unflinching support during his first term.

Oshiomhole stormed the palace in the company of his running mate, , Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekheme; the Head of Service and a daughter of the royal house, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Osarodion Ogie; the National Vice-Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) (South-South) and Director-General of the Adams Oshiomhole Campaign organisation, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Chairman of the

Board of Internal Revenue, Chief Oseni Elamah.

Commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants, heads of agencies and departments amongst others, also accompanied the governor to the Oba Erediauwa’s palace Oshiomhole said: “I am here to present to you my Certificate of Return as Governor. I want to thank you for being a father to all of us in our time of need.

Your Majesty has demonstrated and re-affirmed by words and action that Edo is one and the same.

“Suffice to say that I am heavily indebted to you.

I am short of words. The great people of Benin have demonstrated an uncommon love and acceptance for my person and administration. When I say that I am indebted, it comes from my heart. I scored 18 all over 18. For the first time I won election in all the 18 local government Aareas.”

“It has never happened before. In Egor, for example, I scored 90 per cent of votes. In my local government, I scored 80 per cent.

As I reflect on this, Your Majesty, it reflects the positive signs that you sent out.

By your action, you have re-united the people of the state.”

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole speaking during his thank you visit to the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, in Benin, yesterday.

Soyinka backs calls for power devolution, community policing TONY ANICHEBE UYO

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oble Laurate Prof.

Wole Soyinka has supported calls for regional co-operation and autonomy, devolution of powers, community policing and non-posting of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) youth to violenceprone areas.

He spoke yesterday during an interactive session with students and other stakeholders at the Banquet Hall of the Akwa State

Pharmacists shut illegal patent stores in Uyo TONY ANICHEBE UYO

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he South-South Zone of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) yesterday clamped down on illegal patent medicine and pharmacy outlets for allegedly refusing to abide by the Council’s code of conduct.

PCN carried out the exercise in its efforts to ensure that licensed shops and persons sell and dispense drugs.

Shops affected are Su-

perhealth Pharmacy, Ikot Ekpene Raod, Uyo; Bebeto Pharmacy, Nung Udoe; Jocenic Pharmacy, Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo; among others.

Addressing journalists after the exercise, PCN Coordinator, Dr. Paul Gar, said Pharmaceutical Inspection Committees (PICs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors License Committee (PPMVLC) had been inaugurated in each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) as part of efforts by the Council to effectively regulate and control the practice of pharmacy.

Dr. Gar said: “Quality of drugs can only be assured when drugs or pharmaceuticals are handled by qualified and authorised persons. “the outings of the committees have shown minimal compliance as many facilities visited were not licensed to sell drugs, while some with licenses, were operating beyond the limits of their licenses”.

Government House in Uyo. In his lecture titled: “Celebration of Good Governance,” Prof. Soyinka lauded the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio for what he called “the quantum leap in development of the state” he last visited 12 years ago.

He praised the governor for constructing federal and state roads.

The literary giant, however, flayed the condemnation that has trailed the appointment of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as a permanent secretary

by the Bayelsa State Government, saying: “After all, the lady in question is not constitutionally disqualified from the office”.

Prof.

Soyinka condemned the Boko Haram insurgency, describing it as “a manifestation of a virulent religious backwardness.”

He called for the streamlining of education in Nigeria, especially at the tertiary level.

Speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, attributed the un-

common transformation of the state to the leadership style of Governor Akpabio.

Ekere stressed that good leadership was the real ingredient to good governance as demonstrated by the governor.

He said that Akpabio provided good governance for the people because of the team he painstakingly chosen.

“What we are witnessing in Akwa Ibom State is because the team is led by a very focused and committed leader,” the deputy governor said.

Perm sec: Jonathan’s wife, 18 others for swearing in tomorrow EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

A

rrangements have been concluded to swear in the wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, and 18 others as permanent secretaries in the Bayelsa State civil service.

Governor Seriake Dickson is expected to swear in the new permanent secretaries tomorrow at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Yenagoa.

Among the appointees was the wife of the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission

Patience Jonathan

(NDDC), Mrs. Linnet Tebepah.

Already, an advance team of the President’s wife convoy from the Presidency has arrived at Yenagoa, the state capital. Last Thursday’s announcement of

Patience Jonathan as permanent secretary generated criticisms across the nation, as some Nigerians flayed the appointment, describing it as abuse of power.

To this end, Governor Dickson was asked not to swear in the President’s wife as she had not been reporting for duty as a civil servant since 1999 when her husband became the then deputy governor.

But Governor Dickson justified the appointment, saying that Mrs. Jonathan was promoted to a directorate level in 2005.

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North

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Violence: 5,500 displaced in Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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he International Committee of Red Cross and Nigeria Red Cross (ICRC) have put the number of displaced persons as results of the latest attack in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau state to 5,500.

A statement by ICRC official, Julia Unger, reads: “The armed violence and clashes that took place on July 7 and 8 between the

•Govt asks victims to forgive one another mainly livestock-herding Fulani and the farming Berom communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local governments in Plateau State caused dozens of casualties and forced more than 5,500 people to flee their homes.

“Over 25 villages were affected. ICRC is providing essential assistance to the displaced people, who had to take shelter with host families and in schools and community halls.

“This is the fourth of

such intervention for victims of inter-community violence in Plateau state since the ICRC opened its new office in Jos in February this year.

“People left their homes and ran to safety with only the clothes they were wearing. They need everything to survive in this kind of situation.

“The need food, water and basic household items.A curfew has been imposed in the affected areas to quell any further

violence, and the security situation remains unpredictable.

“So far, ICRC has delivered one month’s food rations (including rice, beans and cooking oil) along with blankets, buckets, soap and other essential items to over 2,800 displaced people.

“It has also installed 10 temporary sanitary facilities in places where the displaced are hosted, and it is in the process of installing two hand pumps

to improve their access to water.

“This operation is expected to continue over the next few days until all displaced people from both communities receive the aid they urgently need.”

Meanwhile, the Plateau state Commissioner for Women and Affairs and Social Development, Olivia Dazyem, has urged those affected by the series of violence in the state to forgive one another.

Dazyem said forgiving one another is the best way to heal the trauma as-

sociated with the violence.

She spoke yesterday in Jos at the opening of a workshop on traumahealing for members of the communities affected by crises.

The commissioner said: “Almost every resident of Plateau State is affected in one way or the other by the violence. Many are also living with the trauma of the crises. But I want to assure you that the best was to deal with the trauma and get yourself out of it is to develop the spirit of forgiveness.”

Normalcy returns to Bukuru after attack JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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ormalcy has returned to Bukuru area of Jos, the Plateau State capital, after an attack.

It will be recalled that some gunmen stormed Bukuru area on Tuesday, killing a seven-year-old boy and seven others in an attack on Nura Islamic Private School.

The incident, which disrupted economic activities in the area, also caused tension in the state capital When National Mirror visited the metropolis yesterday, stern looking security operatives were seen keeping vigilance on

the people.

Business activities have also picked at the Bukuru Market, but many shops were still under lock and key.

Pupils of Nura Islamic Private School did not report to school except a few of them said to be writing examinations Workers of Jos South Local Government Area were also seen at their duty posts.

One of them, who did not want her name mentioned, said: “We are not afraid of the grenade attacks. If the mission of the attackers is to stop us from performing our legitimate duties, then they will fail and I believe that nemesis will soon catch up with them.’’

Kwara honours ex-Governor Lawal WOLE IDEDEJI

ILORIN

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he Kwara State Government yesterday honoured former Governor, the late Mohammed Lawal, by naming the popular Ilorin Golf Club after him.

Addressing journalists after the executive council meeting in Ilorin, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said that the council also agreed to honour the former African Footballer of the Year, the late Rasheed Yekini, by naming the OlaOlu/CBN Quarters Road after him.

Gold was accompanied by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital

Development, Alhaji Saka Onimago; Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Anthony Towoju and the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Prince Tunji Morohunfoye.

The SSG added that the government created Ministry of Tertiary Education and Technology form the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to relieve the latter of the burden of catering for the state-owned tertiary institutions.

The new ministry is to be headed by Alhaji Aliyu Lade, former Commissioner for Special Duties, while Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed approved the reshuffle of some cabinet personnel.

L-R: Former Niger State Governor, Mr. Abdulkadir Kure; Governor Babangida Aliyu; Senate President David Mark; Senator Zaynab Kure and wife of former Head of State, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, during a programme on poverty eradication and economic intervention for Niger South Senatorial District in Katcha Local Government recently.

Katsina Assembly amends local government law JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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ocal government chairmen in Katsina State are now to spend two terms of two years in office as against previous three years and two terms, while councilors are to enjoy two years and indefinite number of re-elections.

The development is coming after the state House of Assembly yesterday amended the Local Government Law of 2000, with the amendment receiving approval from majority of the ruling Peoples Democratic Par-

Katsina state governor, Ibrahim Shema

tys (PDP) lawmakers.

But six Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) members of the House opposed the amendment, describing the development as a ploy by the executive to continue to control the state’s 34 local governments’ funds.

Presenting three recommendations for amendment, Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Bala Sani

Yaya, said the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) should conduct election three months before expiration of tenure for the elected chairmen and their councillors.

Yaya said the committee came up with the recommendations after taking inputs from neighboring Kano and Jigawa states.

He said during a visit to the two states, the committee found out that the ten-

ure of local government councils in Kano was three years, while that of Jigawa was two years, saying: “These states conduct local government elections before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent local government councils.”

The Speaker of the House, Hon Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, however, directed that the Clerk to communicate the amendment to the executive.

FCT minister gets new Chief of Staff OMEIZA AJAYI

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ederal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Bala Muhammed has approved the appointment of Mallam Ya’u Mohammed Gital as his new Chief of Staff.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Muhammed Hazat Sule, reads: “The new Chief of Staff is an avowed team player, civil servant and

strategist who will be bringing to the job a rich track record of political organisation, mentoring and public service.”

The statement stated that the former Chief of Staff to the minister, Mr. Musa Yashi, resigned his appointment early this month on health grounds.

“In accepting the resignation, the minister noted that by quitting the job when he could no longer cope, Yashi had dem-

onstrated uncommon patriotism and selflessness.

“Senator Mohammed described Alhaji Yashi as a hard-working and resourceful technocrat, and regretted that he had to leave at a time that the FCT’s programmes were beginning to yield the desired dividends.

“The minister noted that his services will be greatly missed and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Anenih: What next for Mr. Fix It?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Politics

‘War has been declared on Plateau’

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PDP slams Ihonvbere, says party not dead in Edo FELIX NWANERI

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he Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described recent statement credited to former Presidential Adviser on Programme and Policy Monitoring, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere that the party is dead in the state as untrue and the ranting of a frustrated politician who have lost out of the political equation.

The party, in a statement signed by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Bisi Idahomi, said contrary to Ihonvbere’s assumption, it is very vibrant, cohesive and ready to face its challenges especially after the just concluded governorship election that was marred by irregularities.

It said: “As a national party that can boast of prominent national officers, the PDP cannot be said to be dead in the state.

We make bold to state that the PDP in Edo State is the strongest and most focused political party in Edo today,

with an umbrella that can accommodate everybody, including the Ihonvbere, himself.

“While we feel Ihonvbere is still suffering from the dilution of the grandeur as a result of the ignoble role he played while in the PDP, we expect him to realise fast that as a failed politician, who is always in motion to any political party in power, he stands the least appropriate and fit person to talk ill of a political party that made him all he has to himself today in Nigerian politics.

“It is therefore particularly painful when viewed against the background that he (Ihonvbere) was appointed by the same PDP as a presidential adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Project Monitoring in 1999 when he neither participated nor voted in the election that brought Obasanjo to power nor even possessed a party card.

“One can understand Ihonvbere frustrations as evident on how he was rejected by his constituency culminating to his woeful

House committed to subsidy probe report – Rep TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

D

espite the various controversies trailing the outcome of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee On Management of Fuel Subsidy Funds, the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, has said the lower chamber of the National Assembly will remain committed to the general interest of Nigerians and do things that will promote unity and progress of the country.

Speaking to National Mirror, Makinde, who represents Ife Federal constituency, said irrespective of several distractions trailing the outcome of

the subsidy probe report, especially the bribery allegation against Hon. Farouk Lawan by the CEO of Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola, the leadership of the House is more committed and focused on the task ahead.

His words: “I was personally co-opted into the committee by Hon. Farouk Lawan and the reason for this is obvious, I had over 20 years’ experience in the oil industry. For me, I still stand by the report; I have no regret serving the committee. Lawan is somebody I love and respect so much because he is a very senior ranking member of the House and I always call him ‘Four-Star-General’. It is very unfortunate that this news around him is happening.”

loss in the April 2011 PDP gubernatorial primaries, a frustration which led to his defection to another political party few weeks to the governorship election. Ihonvbere should now

know that even his new pay masters to whom he has suddenly reduced himself to a praise singer cannot trust him, judging from his double agent role he played while in the PDP.”

The party advised the former presidential aide to note that he would be doing himself more harm than good over unnecessarily criticisms as his new found political allies are

already negotiating their ways to join the PDP which is the only national party they can achieve their aspirations contrary to the illusions he (Ihonvbere) parades.

L–R: Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi; Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ogun State, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, during a meeting of ACN leadership with chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the forthcoming local council election in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Ekwueme charges youths to work hard

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brate past leaders who had contributed to the development of the Igbo and Nigeria in general.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekwueme, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Dr Micheal Okpara and the late Dr Akanu Ibiam were honoured with Igbo Icon awards for their contributions to the development of

ormer Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, yesterday called on youth to work hard to achieve true development and take the country to greater heights.

Speaking at the 13th Annual Convention of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) in Enugu, Ekwueme maintained that past leaders, who made great contri-

butions to the development of the country achieved success through hard work.

The elder statesman explained that Nigeria would not achieve meaningful development without its youths.

Speaking earlier, the President of the movement, Mr Elliot Uko, said the convention was to cele-

OBIORA IFOH

ANPP counsels INEC on procurement of election materials

ABUJA

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he All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) has called for a review of the Electoral Act to accommodate a provision that will make it mandatory for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all major political parties, especially those in opposition, are involved in the processes leading to the award of contracts for the production of sensitive election materials.

The national chairman

of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said that this has become necessary in order to ensure that only non – partisan and neutral organisations or individuals are entrusted with such an important responsibility.

The party chairman, in his welcome address at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party yesterday in Abuja also said that in a true democracy, “we should ensure that no remotely or clearly interested party is involved in

the production of sensitive electoral materials. If this is not done, then the electoral process is at a great risk of being compromised from the very beginning. In such a case, the anticipated outcome can never be fair and transparent.”

Dr. Onu said that the party’s leadership has remained tireless in the pursuit of those things that will enable them return the party to the position of eminence, which it used to enjoy in the past.

the country.

Presenting the awards, Uko said the awards will encourage current leaders to follow the footsteps of their predecessors.

Receiving the award on behalf of the late Okpara, his son, Chief Uzodinmma Okpara, commended the youth for remembering the contributions of his late father and called on Nigerian leaders to invest more in agriculture as it was the wish of the late Okpara for the country to enrich itself with agriculture.

His words: “We are happy to be here today because our late father will be happy wherever he is today for this award. I thank the Igbo youths for remembering my father but I urge you to re-orient your thoughts.

“If you want to remember Dr Micheal Okpara, you must consider the improvement of agriculture and small scale industry because those were the wishes of our father for Nigerians.”

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Anenih: What next for Mr. Fix It? The crushing defeat handed to the godfather of Edo politics and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Mr. Fix It, Chief Tony Anenih by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in last Saturday’s governorship election may spell doom for the political career of the Uromi high chief, writes OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU.

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ow are the mighty fallen! This aptly describes the trouncing that the godfather of Edo State politics, Chief Tony Anenih received from a political neophyte and governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Adams Oshiomhole in the governorship election decided by the people of the state last Saturday.

The result of the election probably will go down in history as Oshiomhole won in the 18 local government areas of the state, thus probably becoming the first elective office holder to so win in an election.

The defeat of Anenih and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was so comprehensive that he even lost his ward to the Comrade Governor who displayed his mobilisation artistry as a former labour leader to sway the Edo voters to his side. The PDP governorship candidate in the election , Maj. Gen. Charles Airiavbere (rtd) also lost in his polling unit, ward and local government.

Before the election, Anenih, popularly referred to as ‘Mr. Fix It’ in the PDP had said that there was vacancy in the Dennis Osadebe Government House and boasted to all who cared to listen that victory for his party was a foregone conclusion.

Anenih said that Oshiomhole lacked the capacity to be governor. His words: “It’s true that the governor of Edo State is from the Northern Senatorial District. When you have children, you give them responsibility, but Oshiomhole can’t carry any responsibility. We have a candidate who will deliver health care and quality education.”

An enigma, sometimes referred to as an oracle, Anenih, was born in UzenemaArue in Uromi on August 4, 1933. Working at home, he obtained his secondary school qualifications and joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1951. He attended the Police College, Ikeja and was selected for further training in the Bramshill Police College, Basingstoke, England in 1966 and the International Police Academy, Washington DC in 1970. Perhaps, Anenih cut his political teeth when he served as the orderly to Nigeria’s first Governor-General, Nnamdi Azikiwe. He was later an instructor in various police colleges and was assigned to the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Lagos in 1975. Anenih retired from the police with a rank of Police Commissioner.

He was the state chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) between 1981 and 1983 in the old Bendel State and was instrumental to the election of Samuel Ogbemudia in the 1983 governorship election. Perhaps, it was the dexterity with which he sent the late Prof. Ambrose Alli, packing in 1983 that he wanted to use in uprooting Oshiomhole from the Government House in last Saturday’s governorship poll, but unfortunately met his match in the labour leader, who not only demystified him, but also took the fight to his home front.

He was the national chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) on whose platform the late Basorun M.K.O.

Anenih, casting his vote in Uromi last Saturday

Abiola contested and won the June 12, 1993 election, acclaimed to be the freest and fairest in the history of the country.

He was a member of the Constitutional Conference in 1994. Anenih was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDM) which later fused into the PDP and was deputy coordinator of the Obasanjo Campaign Organisation in 1999 and 2003.

Anenih wielded so much power and influence in the PDP that his words were law in the party. In 2003, in the run up to the presidential election, he, it was who told former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock.

Anenih was the President, Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture between 1978 and 1984; member, PDP Presidential Policy Advisory Committee, 1999; Minister for Works, between 1999 and2003; and is presently the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a position he has held since 2009 to date.

Last Saturday’s trouncing of the old warhorse by Oshiomhole was not the first of such; it was only a climax of the running battle between the comrade and the godfather. In 2010, during the rerun election for Akoko-Edo federal and state constituencies, Oshiomhole’s ACN trounced Anenih’s PDP and continued the thrashing at the Etsako Central and Akoko Edo state constituencies rerun polls.

Anenih managed to win his polling booth with just one vote, with his party winning the polling booth with 40 votes to Oshiomhole’s 39, but he not only lost his ward, he lost his local government in the election.

Touted to be a two-horse race between Oshiomhole and Airhiavbere, due largely to the unflinching support the retired general garnered from Mr. Fix-It, the election turned out to be a one-horse race, as An-

enih and his party lost the election with a wide margin of 300,000 votes.

Thus all efforts by the Anenih boys, who fought a spirited battle to prevent the abominable scenario where their principal, also known as the Leader, would become a mere spectator in the politics of Edo State proved abortive.

Oshiomhole had issued a threat that Anenih was dead politically and that not even Abuja (reference to the seat of power) could revive him. Oshiomhole was reacting to a statement credited to Anenih in Yenagoa early in the year that the PDP would win the July 14 governorship poll.

The governor had said then: “The godfather can never resurrect from his political death. Abuja cannot revive him. Abuja will not define votes in Edo. Edo people will decide the votes. When an old man decides to live on fraud, cheating, manipulation, he is poised for a bigger place in hell.”

The defeat of the PDP last week was for Anenih a loss of face, influence and political relevance, perhaps not only in Edo State but in the PDP hierarchy. And his political dexterity which he exploited for close to

THE DEFEAT OF THE PDP LAST WEEK WAS FOR ANENIH A LOSS OF FACE, INFLUENCE AND POLITICAL

RELEVANCE, PERHAPS NOT ONLY IN

EDO

STATE BUT IN THE PDP HIERARCHY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

three decades, bestriding the political turf of the Heartbeat of the Nation like a colossus was punctured and rendered inane by the crushing defeat the ACN, a defeat which goes straight to the heart and soul of the PDP in Edo State. The outcome of that poll has shown clearly to the octogenarian that he is no longer a master of the game.

Perhaps, it is instructive to relate Anenih’s dexterity in politics, to underscore the importance of the fall of this political giant who once said that there was no pot big enough to cook him politically. A political prophet whose political predictions, except the one concerning the most important battle of his political career, the Edo poll, have always come to pass with accuracy, Anenih had predicted that former governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, Charles Soludo would pick the governorship ticket of the PDP in Anambra State in the 2010 governorship election, “even if it means changing my name from Anenih to Anene,” and true to his prediction, the former CBN boss clinched the ticket and contested for the election.

Having fought so many political battles in his chequered political life, many had thought that last Saturday’s poll would be a mere tea party for Mr. Fix It, but he met his match in the comrade governor.

The big question on the lips of political pundits in the state is: What next for Mr. Fix-It after being tamed by Oshiomhole? A look at the outcome of the poll would probably accentuate the effect of the defeat.

The ACN’s Oshiomhole won with 477,478 votes to the PDP’s 144,235 votes, a margin of 332,243 votes, winning all the 18 local governments as follows: Akoko-Edo, ACN polled 29, 803 to PDP’s 13,783; the ACN polled 50,623 against PDP’s 3,486 in Egor and also defeated the PDP in Esan North-East with 13,068 against PDP’s 12,478. The ACN also defeated the PDP with 11,792 votes to 9,281 in Esan Central.

In Esan South East and Esan West, the ACN polled 14,904 and 13,499 respectively against PDP’s 9,634 and 13,282. The story was not different in Etsako Central, Etsako East and Etsako West where the ACN got 16,834, 14,904 and 44,962 respectively against PDP’s 5,113, 9,634 and 5,920 respectively.

The crushing defeat continued in Igueben where the ACN polled 9,715 to PDP’s 6,758; Oshiomhole also polled 58,809 votes at Ikpoba Okha, 66,552 votes at Oredo and 26,163 at Orhionmwon local governments respectively against PDP’s 6,505, 9,081 and 8,716 votes respectively.

In Ovia North-East and South West, the 26,835 and 16,077 votes against PDP’s 5,427 and 5,015 votes respectively while at Owan East and West, the ACN got 22, 483 and 15,150 votes to PDP’s 11,709 and 7,229 votes respectively. At Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Oshiomhole polled 17,011 votes to defeat PDP with 5, 826 votes.

Will Anenih bounce back from this crushing defeat or will this be the beginning of his journey to political oblivion?

Will he ever be relevant in the scheme of things, not only in the Heartbeat of the Nation, but across the country, especially on the backdrop of congratulatory messages streaming in from nooks and crannies of the country, especially from PDP stalwarts to Oshiomhole? Events in the days ahead and time will tell, but what is not in doubt, however, is that the politics of Edo State, and that of Nigeria will never remain the same without Mr. Fix-It, the alleged ‘Fixer’ of anything in the PDP.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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‘War has been declared on Plateau’ Pastor Yiljap Abraham is the Plateau State Information and Communications Commissioner. In this interview with JAMES ABRAHAM, he opens up on the lingering crisis in the state, as well as other contending issues. Excerpts:

State?

Well, the president has the right to change the security guard anytime he feels there is need for it to get results.

And in this instance, he has appointed Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), as the National Security Adviser. We can only wish him good luck. We noticed for instance that the former occupant of that post, Gen. Andrew Azazi, unfortunately, didn’t have the opportunity of assessing what is happening in Plateau State at all; we didn’t have the privilege of receiving him at all. We didn’t even hear of him sneaking into the state to do something and get back to Abuja. And this was one area the conflict was really hot. Dasuki has come in and has gone ahead to assess the situation in Yobe and Maiduguiri. The Jos situation has been there for a very long time.

You have been in office now for almost a year, how would you describe your experiences so far?

My appointment as Commissioner for Information has pushed me into a very challenging environment. Not that I am unaware of Plateau environment and the peculiar challenges of the state because I have stayed here and worked here all my life. Before my present appointment, I was the General Manager of Plateau Radio, Television Corporation (PRTVC) for four years. So I do appreciate and know the challenges. Therefore, my coming into the information ministry added to this kind of challenge because it opened up a greater horizon to the field of politics, the conundrum of socio-economic and cultural issues that are embedded here in Plateau State; very complex, very dynamic. So from day one, we hit the ground running.

Do you share the view that state of emergency has failed in Plateau?

Whether or not the state of emergency is working is a question only the native people can answer because in the first place, the condition wasn’t ripe for it to be declared in the state. Because we have a separate arrangement where we have the taskforce on ground but the state of emergency almost expanded the theatre of conflict. People are made to take anything you could not take before that would have required going to court. But who are those doing all these things? What are they interested in? I can only say that no matter how we are attacked; no matter what war is waged against the Plateau State, the people will never be defeated.

We will defeat the evil in Plateau. We want to live in peace; we should learn and be encouraged to live in peace. We are bent of living in peace with one another. We have had our own differences as a people but we want to get our life back.

This land is good enough for all of us and we will not allow it to be destroyed Security issue in Plateau State is a big challenge. There have been campaigns to cripple the state: to cripple the economy so that we don’t survive; to disorganise the politics of the state in such a way that we don’t have any bearing as a people; to dislocate our social interaction and scatter our cultural heritage so that the Plateau person would be seen as an outcast; as a person who does not belong to the Nigerian state; anti-Nigerian, anti-social, anti-community, anti-progress, anti-visitors but we are more enlightened than that.

The truth is that war has been declared on Plateau State.

People have declared war on the Plateau. If you get the report of Commissions of Inquiries; you will have a better understanding of what has been happening.

Who are these people that have declare war on Plateau and what do you think is their aim for doing all these?

There have been several attempts and they are still ongoing. From the city, the attacks, killings and wanton destruction of lives and property have now shifted to the rural areas where the population is being decimated; where families have been wiped off. Now, Plateau State is doing all it can to stand and that is what has brought about the establishment of the Special Task Force by the Federal Government, which we expected would normalise the situation, but you can see the huge challenge the task force is also facing. The security operatives are working within the constraints and operational challenges that I am not qualified to talk on their behalf but as a government we have even gone ahead to set up another structure known as Operation Rainbow to supplement the efforts of the Federal Government. With all these killings both in the city and in the villages, there have been instances where people have been arrested; even foreigners have been ar-

Abraham

PLATEAU STATE WAS CRYING ABOUT TERRORISM, THE NATION DID NOT LISTEN. AND NOW, THE NATION IS CRYING ABOUT TERRORISM, IT’S NOT NEW. NOW, WE HAVE ENTERED WHEN

INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION OF THE CRISIS.

BOMBS!

rested in parts of the state but they were not prosecuted in the state where they committed the offence but were taken to Abuja and from Abuja, we hear nothing about them again. People came into Plateau State with a bus loaded with weapons; they were intercepted, arrested, interrogated and eventually sent again to Abuja. All these people, the moment they are taken to Abuja, the case is closed and nothing is heard about them again. So, when Plateau State was crying about terrorism, the nation did not listen. And now, the nation is crying about terrorism, it’s not new. Now, we have entered into another dimension of the crisis. Bombs! We didn’t know bombs before. I was in a place of worship when the first bomb blast occurred.

Bombs being thrown at viewing centres, where people gather in the evening to just relax. Then you have instances where even members of the taskforce have been shot dead and nobody has been arrested. Nobody has been prosecuted. We have received information about people who are in black attire on the hills in the villages. They have been seen on helicopters; I have seen them on helicopter myself. There have been seen with weapons firing at the villagers and nobody has been apprehended. Your question is a question I cannot directly answer, but the questions that will surely provide the answer are: who are those effecting their release in Abuja? Who are those who cannot confront the killers in the bush? Who are those who will turn the other way when bombs are thrown at us? Who are those in black presently in the villages that cannot be confronted and arrested? Who are those on the hills killing the villagers almost on daily basis?

What advice do you have for the new National Security Adviser in tackling the security challenge in Plateau

When should the people expect the conduct of local government election?

First of all, it is not the intention of government not to have election conducted at the local government level in Plateau State. The governor has said several times that he will not move from elected to appointed officials at the grassroots. Unfortunately, we had security issues.

With this at hand, how are you going to organise elections? Would you now break the states into parts where some parts will have an election and some parts without?

Secondly, you have also a whole zone in the state under a state of emergency, imposed by the Federal Government.

Would you now say that elections will now take place in the Southern and Central zones without the Northern zone? Then, you also have a situation where a new law was coming in for the local governments in terms of elections and so on.

We have to work on these laws to have new administrative structures at the third tier of government. So, how elections will be conducted is of concern. The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC)’s law which is the governing body for conducting elections in the state has had to be reviewed. So, when we talk of LGA election, it is the desire of government to have one and I know that even when the caretaker administration was constituted, it was the intention of government that by April, we would have had the election but every time we plan to conduct the election, something else happen either at the national level or state level. So, the people should be patient and appreciate the challenges that we are going through.

There has been agitation for another state to be carved out of the present Plateau. What really is government’s position on the matter?

Government supports any genuine agitation that will bring about development. But we insist it must be genuine.

It must not be done in secret. How do you go about agitating for the creation of a new state and you go about it in secret. You are not bringing it out for the people to see, to hear and to participate. You are not calling the stakeholders together, why. You are agitating by ambush.

When Nassarawa was carved out of Plateau, it was based on understanding of the two states, but here you have a situation some people who claim to be working for another state and they are not talking to people and making it secret as if it is occultic. And then, the government of the day is left in the dark. The governor of the state has not been approached; those in government have not been approached; the deputy governor who is from the southern zone was not aware; the 17 local government chairmen are not part of it; our lawmakers in the national and state assemblies are not part of it.

In the past, we have had people who have called for dismemberment of Plateau State. You created Benue Plateau. Then you created Benue out of Plateau. You created Nassarawa out of Plateau and now you want to decreate Plateau so that it doesn’t exist. This is actually part of the agenda of those who hate Plateau State. It will not work.

This is the time we need each other to be able to overcome our challenges. This is no time to agitate and when the time is ripe, we shall all be happy to move together for another state.

16

Politics

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Controversy trails sack of 3,000 Oyo workers The last is yet to be seen or heard about the sack of over 3,000 civil servants in Oyo State by the Abiola Ajimobi-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) administration, writes KEMI OLAITAN.

THE GOVERNMENT TOOK THE RISK BECAUSE IF INDEED IT WANTED EFFICIENT, TRANSPARENT,

MODULAR CIVIL

F

or the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) present administration in Oyo State, one thing that has become a recurring decimal since its assumption of office over a year ago is the cat and dog relationship between it and the state work force.

While it came on board with an assurance to pay the N18,000 national minimum wage to workers in the state, the promise is yet to manifest and the government and the labour unions in the Pacesetter State are yet to agree on modalities to effect the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act. One other labour issue which turned to be a topic for discussions in the state in the last few weeks was the laying off of 3,000 workers by the state government over allegations of sundry offences ranging from certificates forgery and falsification of ages to employers without letters of employment and retirees still on the government patrol. Others were alleged to have sundry disciplinary cases against them.

While the state government at every opportunity has continued to justify its action, there has been no let up from critics and the opposition political parties, most especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP through the Special Adviser on Media to the former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dotun Oyelade, berated the state government for throwing such a huge number of the state work force to the labour market at this point in time.

Oyelade, in a statement, flayed the state government for setting up another committee to review the case of the 3,000 sacked workers, describing such an action as an amateur cover -up for a failed agenda that boomeranged. He called on the government to stand by its decision and not attribute it to the past administration of Otunba AlaoAkala whom he said approved the sack of only 500 workers.

He said: “The Alao-Akala administration contracted to a consultant the verification of workers’ certificate’ in 2006 and by 2008 the contractor came up with a list of 550 workers who were alleged to have forged their certificates among other misdemeanours. The government then set up a committee headed by a former permanent secretary, Mr. R.O Fagbemi, with a serving director, Mr. Opatunbi now in the office of the Head of Service as secretary and that committee absolved 59 workers from the original list and all those found culpable were dismissed while former Governor Alao-Akala was still in power, so how come Ajimobi found it difficult to admit that the sacked 3,000 workers, a clear one year after he assumed office were part of the decisions he has to make to pay the N18, 000 national minimum wage?”

But, reacting to the PDP outburst, the state chapter of the ACN came down hard

SERVICE, THEN IT SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING BY PURGING IT OF BAD EGGS on those it described as the protégés of Alao-Akala, but masquerading as PDP faithful, urging them to bury their heads in shame for criticising the committee set up by the state government to review cases of workers who feel they were wrongly sacked.

The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Dauda Kolawole, said it was shameful that at a time when men of honour, both in the state and outside, were lauding the probity initiative of the state government, Alao-Akala’s protégés were “pandering to base sentiments, politicising moral issues and seeking to drag the state back to the ground zero of May 29, 2011.”

Kolawole said: “We had thought that what the Alao-Akala protégés would have told the world was that those who were accused of fraudulently tampering with their certificates did not do so; or that those accused of violating their rules of engagement did not do so. These are the critical questions that sane people are asking, rather than seeking to politicise corruption.”

Describing the PDP statement as incoherent and sheer politicking, Kolawole said: “What matters most is not the puerile attempt to pass bucks that the Alao-Akala protégé was trying to do. The Ajimobi government, while ensuring that corrupt workers are not retained in the system, is also trying to make sure that no innocent is punished. This was why the review committee was set up. The Alao-Akala man’s defence of his paymaster is very incoherent and at best, self-serving. If indeed Alao-Akala, in his corrupt best, recognised the need to sack allegedly corrupt workers, what stops the Ajimobi government, known for its disdain for corruption, from sacking same people?”

The party urged all hands to be on deck to ensure that the cancer of corruption is totally removed from the state public and civil service, while enjoining those it called “blind allies of corrupt politicians” to desist from politicising corruption so that the state could move forward.

The furore the matter has generated has also led to the intervention of the state House of Assembly, as it invited three officials of the state government led by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. Adeolu Akande, to throw more light on the sack.

Akande told the lawmakers that the audit which identified the workers with questionable records of service was commissioned by the Alao-Akala administration and executed by a consultancy firm,

Ajimobi

Alao-Akala

Captain Consultin. He added that the audit report identified over 3,000 workers found wanting of falsification of academic certificates, falsification of age and personal data, having outstanding disciplinary cases and the non-existing staff popularly called ghost workers.

He said the government, apart from setting up a panel, headed by the Head of Service, to look into the matter, also approached Captain Consultin to sign an indemnity that if any staff was dismissed based on the report of the firm and the person was adjudged wrongfully dismissed by the court, it (the firm) would be responsible for the damages awarded to such claimant, insisting that it was a further test of the integrity of the report as the firm duly signed the undertaking.

His words: “When the commission and the ministry submitted their reports, the government set up another panel comprising the Head of Service, Ministry of Establishment and Training, Civil Service Commission, Ministry of Justice and Teaching Service Commission to further review the report. It was after this third review that the government executed the report of the staff audit.”

Akande further explained that the claims of wrongful dismissals by some of the affected workers necessitated the setting up of an 11-man panel by the governor

with a representative of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to review such claims.

The state Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu also told the lawmakers that former Governor Alao-Akala, who commissioned the audit, failed to implement the report because of the election that was fast approaching then and described age and certificate falsification as serious offences in the civil service that should not be treated with kid gloves.

The submissions of the duo led to heated argument among the lawmakers, with some condemning the timing of the government’s action while others hailed the exercise as necessary to rid the civil service of corrupt elements.

The House, as its own contribution to resolve the crisis, set up a 9-man review panel, headed by Segun Ajanaku, the Chairman of House Committee on Education, to look into the cases of the sacked workers. The committee, which had already begun work, was given two weeks to submit its report to the House.

Meawnwhile, Ajimobi, on whose table the blame for the sack of the workers has been laid, speaking at the inauguration of the committee, threw a challenge to the people of the state, saying that if it is the general consensus that the sacked 3,000 workers be reabsorbed, he would not hesitate to do so.

His words: “Ours is a listening government. If this is the consensus of the good people of Oyo State that anyone who has stolen government money; falsified age; falsified certificates; anyone who is a ghost worker, we should leave them in the system, so be it. We will respect the wishes of our people but I must tell you, if we do this, this state will not move forward.

Ajimobi explained that the decision to implement the audit report engineered by the immediate past administration was to ensure that the state public service regains its reputation as one of the best in the country.

“This administration had nothing to gain by relieving workers of their employment but on the reverse, we lose their supports, the government took the risk because if indeed it wanted efficient, transparent, modular civil service, then it should do the right thing by purging it of bad eggs.”

While it would be difficult to determine the number of workers that will be reabsorbed by the state government until the review committee of the state government and the committee of the state House of Assembly submit their reports, many analysts are of the opinion that with the steps so far taken by the state government, it has shown that it is not on a vendetta mission as been attributed by some people and critics.

An analyst in the state, Mr. Samuel Babalola, maintained that the state government would be setting a bad precedent if it allows itself to be swayed by political accusation, saying: “I am very sure that those who want the best for the state will throw their weight behind the government for what it did, the steps so far taken portrayed it to meant well and not that the workers were sacked to save money for the state but rather to preserve the integrity of the state public service.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Thursday, July 19, 2012

17

Strong arguments for state police THE ISSUE IS MORE EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

PRESSING NOW THAT THE NATION IS PASSING

FRY

THROUGH ONE OF ITS

NDUBUISI

MOST CHALLENGING

fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

I

nspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar recently expressed his opposition to state police, saying Nigeria is not ripe for it. He said that under the current dispensation, state governors could use the commissioners of police under them to achieve the core function of maintenance of law and order in their states.

The Governors’ Forum has endorsed state police and several governors have individually supported the idea. Recently, in the US, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State argued forcefully for a state police structured along US or UK model. However, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a onetime minister of foreign affairs, called for caution on the issue, saying that the experience of the First Republic showed that such an institution could be used by the ruling parties in the states to witch-hunt political opponents.

The advocates of state police have the support of the US Ambassador to Nigeria.

At a public lecture organized by the Uni-

T

PERIODS IN HISTORY versity of Lagos Faculty of Environmental Sciences to mark its the envoy said the challenges of the growing insurgency in the country make such demand tenable.

Likening the security challenge in parts of the North and Niger Delta region to what once prevailed in the US cities of Portland, Seattle, Detroit and New York, he said state policing by state owned police force might be the best option left for Nigeria.

I consider the raging issue very critical to requires deep thinking. The issue is more pressing now that the nation is passing through one of its most challenging periods in history. It is to be realized that security is the first and most important requirement of modern states. Without security nothing in the real sense of it can go on in the state. Where the government is not able to take care of this, it is an indication that it has lost the legitimacy to govern.

If the truth must be told, it is obvious that the security network coordinated from the centre has collapsed. The government

can only be pretending to be on top of the situation. That is one lie Nigerians can no longer afford. The tragedy of our nation is that every issue, no matter how crucial it may be, is always subsumed in the ocean of politics.

Nigeria has close to 170 million people living in very versed land space. We have several ethnic groups and over 250 languages and dialects, and we are in addition operating a federal system of government. The standard practice in federations worldwide is that the component units that make up a federation are allowed some measures of freedom and autonomy. But the situation in Nigeria is different.

We have a central police force headquartered in Abuja. The 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have state police commands run by police commissioners.

Going by Section 214 of the 1999 constitution, all of them take instructions from Abuja. The Nigeria Police Force is a force that is clothed with national jurisdiction and it covers the entire states of the federation. The state police commands in all the 36 states derive their powers from the centre; there is no cloud about that. Section 215 of the constitution deflates whatever power and authority the governors might have over the police commissioners in their states as sub section 4 of it provides, inter alia,

that such lawful direction from the governor may be referred ‘’to the president or such minister of the Government of the Federation”.

The above provision shows the level of helplessness a governor may find himself in dire security situation. A commissioner of police in a state, by the provision of the constitution, might refuse directives from his state governor, no matter how well intentioned this may be.

It is ridiculous to argue that we are not matured to have state police after 50 years of independence. It is rather right to say that we are not growing if the states can still be looking up to the federal government for security matters. The police force at all level has always been used as instrument of intimidation and witch hunting of political enemies. We can only overcome such when we become more enlightened as to what constitute our rights and the limit of the police force.

This is just the time to have states police and permit some reputable organizations to have their own security outfits.

We require proper operational guidelines for the federal, state and any other pattern of police force structure adopted.

We just have to do what is necessary and avoid being consumed by negative politics always.

Prof. Ndubuisi, an attorney at Law, is of the Dept. of Philosophy, UNILAG

Oshiomhole’s landslide victory: Matters arising

he Edo State governorship elections held last Saturday saw incumbent Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole coasting home to a predicted victory.

With 477,478 votes to his major opponent, General Charles Airhiavbere’s 144, 235, there is no denying who the new master of Edo politics is. Airhiavbere, lost in his Garrick Memorial School, Benin City ward; so also were Chief Tony Anenih, the once strongman of Edo politics, in his Uromi ward, and Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan in Fugar.

The anti-climactic effects of Oshiomhole’s victory are realised in two folds. First, the tension generated by the fear of insecurity against the backdrop of the volatility of Edo politics, dissolved happily into mere bubbles of air. The polls were generally peaceful. Secondly, even though the victory of Oshiomhole was expected, a “photo finish” scenario between him and Airhiavbere was anticipated, against the backdrop of the much touted PDP’s rigging plans.

The election also spawned some interesting reconfigurations in power dynamics and highlighted the evanishing nature of godfatherism in Edo State. This is evinced in apparent waning influence of one time power broker, Chief Tony Anenih (Mr. Fix it), who had been a political potentate in the area since 1991. Anenih surprisingly lost even in his ward and LGA, being unable to stymie “Hurricane ACN” that swept all triumphantly before it.

The poll precipitated some issues of concerns, the chief among which is the embarrassing administrative hiccups which rocked the election. Giving the fact that this

was just an election in one state and the ample time INEC had to prepare for it, one should have expected a thoroughly smooth affair. But not our own INEC! Among the imperfections that rocked the election were logistic failure and administrative chaos as evinced in late arrival of voting materials, delayed accreditation and voting etc.

Nobody is impressed by the excuse that inadequate infrastructure like lack of good accessible roads to some remote riverine areas contributed to logistical debacle - the roads did not just metamorphose into impassable wilderness overnight, they had always been there.

Pre-election reconnaissance survey into all those areas should have been conducted as part of INEC’s preparation. Only God knows if the same excuse would not be tendered next October when Ondo State gubernatorial election is conducted. When is INEC going to learn?

Paradoxically, INEC nonetheless deserves some praise. One can still praise it for its resolve to succeed, its overt demonstration of independence and non-partisanship which culminated in the election being successfully held within the elusive free and fair paradigm. This kind of praise may sound unusual to a foreigner: Why should one be praising an electoral commission for non-partisanship, is it supposed to be partisan? But anybody with knowledge of our political history would not begrudge INEC the praise! So, Bravo INEC! On the very day of the election, Oshiomhole, obviously disturbed by the deficiencies identified above, was apprehensive that something sinister was probably in the offing and he did not mince words in telling

AMONG THE IMPERFECTIONS THAT ROCKED THE ELECTION WERE LOGISTIC FAILURE

KAYODE

KETEFE

AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHAOS AS EVINCED IN LATE ARRIVAL OF VOTING MATERIALS the media his fears. He openly expressed disappointment with INEC, accusing it of conniving with the PDP to subvert the will of the people.

Speaking now, with the benefit of hindsight, it is very easy to accuse Oshiomhole of indiscretion because of this seemingly hasty and impulsive outburst, spawning malicious incrimination of the opponents and character assassination of INEC. This perspective might lead one to ask the governor “where is the rigging if you end up winning with such a landslide?” But a critical consideration of the issue would impugn such a line of reasoning since a reasonable person can only speak deductively from a prevailing set of facts at any given time. It would appear that the impassioned utterance was meant to publicise a perceived untoward plot by the “enemies” based on the intelligence gathered or it was simply conceived as a pre-emptive strategy to thwart entertainment of any such ideas.

At any rate, from available information, the terrifying monster of rigging still man-

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

aged to prowl the Edo political landscape; this is borne out of the fact that fake voters cards still circulated in some parts of the state. The sinister monster was, however, said to have been rendered largely ineffectual by the vigilance of the Edo people.

In the final analysis, Oshiomhole has enormous challenges before him; he needs to requite the people for their loyalty and steadfastness. His government must focus on the welfare of the people who repose such enormous faith in him.

He must build on his democracy dividends delivery credentials. The PDP which, for the second time, was consigned to opposition will be strategising for 2016, and if the ACN rests on its oars, it will learn , bitterly, that the love Edo people has for it is not unconditional, but based on social contract.

Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.netmirrorlagos@ 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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NUC’s suspension of seven private universities

T

he National Universities Commission (NUC) wielded its big stick on seven private universities recently, withdrawing, in the interim, their operational licenses. The NUC, Nigeria’s apex regulatory institution for all the universities, announced the suspension of the operating licenses of the Achievers’ University, Owo; Caritas University, Amorji-Nike; Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji; Lead City University, Ibadan; Madonna University, Okija; Obong University, Obong Ntak; and Tansian University, Umunya.

The Commission outlined the shortcomings of the tertiary institutions that warranted its action to include such offences as failure to properly inaugurate their governing councils; their inability to appoint Pro-Chancellors (which it said is mandatory), running nonaccredited academic programmes and sandwich courses, and the overbearing meddlesomeness of proprietors of the said universities in the affairs of the institutions.

Others were poor or inauspicious learning environment on the campuses, mismanagement of academic records, and delay in processing results. Shortfalls like poor Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, substandard buildings, inadequate laboratory facilities, and over-bloated intake of students, etc., were also enumerated.

The NUC stopped the affected universities, forthwith, from admitting new students or running as functional institutions; but pur-

portedly granted them the grace to see to the completion, up to graduation, of programmes being run for current old students whose courses are accredited.

The affected universities have, however, cried foul and lampooned the NUC for what they consider as its harsh decision, describing their suspension as unfair. Lead City University particularly linked the decision to alleged personal and age-long grouse Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, had against it (the university) right from the inception of Okojie’s administration. Joseph Ayo Babalola and Achievers’ universities in their separate reactions also rejected the decision. They wondered what the parameters truly were, that led to the sudden suspension order. Indeed, most of the affected institutions accused the NUC of bias and arbitrariness.

We, however, think the NUC’s decision is appropriate if the allegations it raised against the embattled institutions are truthful and verifiable. For, the nation’s university system had for long been viciously assaulted in terms of quality products, with all manner of mushrooms emerging as universities or study centres through which the porous educational system is reaped off. Most private university proprietors also view the enterprise as a money-spinner (or ATM cards) to the detriment of quality academic work; as well as the character and integrity of their products. They act with the least caution and restraint when admitting scores of desper-

THE NUC CAN STILL ASSIST THE AFFECTED INSTITUTIONS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIRED GUIDELINES INSTEAD OF TRYING SPIRITEDLY TO JUSTIFY ITS SEEMING ABRASIVE AND HIGH-HANDED MEASURE ate university admission seekers. For many years, some of the businessmen-turned educationists resorted to floating shallow institutions which are not better than community secondary schools as universities, with outrageous school fees and scant substance as their main features. We agree with the NUC that the trend is unacceptable and has to be redressed as quickly as possible.

Nevertheless, we very strongly feel, as well, that while it is proper for regulatory authorities to insist on compliance with approved guidelines, regulations or standards, taking such drastic decisions as the NUC did should have been in line with due process. The directive to redistribute students to other universities by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and that lectures be halted for all the categories of students on unaccredited programmes is extremely harsh for

the innocent students desperate to acquire university education. What makes it impossible for the NUC to compel the allegedly erring institutions to meet the requisite minimum standards within a specified period, failing which their operating licenses could then be withdrawn?

The affected institutions claim the NUC did not officially communicate its directive on enforcing standards to them, and that they received the shocking news of their suspension from the media, meaning they were also not communicated on their suspension. They, in addition, argue that having been duly licensed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the NUC is not competent to withdraw their licenses. While not acting as their solicitor for waiting to be officially communicated before meeting their statutory obligations on standards, we think the NUC should have patiently and officially communicated its misgivings about their operations to them with a realistic time-limit to comply, after which the regulatory body could then wield its sledge hammer on errant institutions.

This seems more logical considering the large number of Nigerian students involved and the overall hardship in the land. We, however, feel all hope is not lost as yet. The NUC can still assist the affected institutions to comply with the required guidelines, instead of trying spiritedly to justify its seeming abrasive and high-handed measure that would jeopardize midstream, the careers of the students and faculties affected.

ON THIS DAY July 19, 1997

July 19, 1985

July 19, 1981

The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army resumed a ceasefire to end their 25-year campaign to end British rule in Northern Ireland. ‘The Troubles’ was a period of ethnopoliticalconflictinNorthernIrelandwhichspilledoveratvarious times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast “Good Friday” Agreement of 1998.

The Val di Stava dam collapsed, killing 268 people in Val di Stava in Italy. The Val di Stava Dam collapse occurred on July 19, 1985, when two tailings dams above the village of Stava, near Tesero, Northern Italy, failed. This resulted in one of Italy’s worst disasters, killing 268 people, destroying 63 buildings and demolishing eight bridges. The upper dam broke first, leading to the collapse of the lower dam. Around 200,000 cubic metres of mud, sand and water were released into the Rio di Stava valley.

In a private meeting with former United States President, Ronald Reagan, French Prime Minister Francois Mitterrand, revealed the existence of the Farewell Dossier, a collection of documents showing that the Soviets had been stealing American technological research and development. The Farewell Dossier was the collection of documents that Colonel Vladimir Vetrov, a KGB defector (code-named “Farewell”), gathered and gave to the French DST in 1981–82, during the Cold War.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

No course to doubt FG’s commitment to honour our agreement –ASUU 20 MOJEED ALABI

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ontrary to the alleged United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s recommendation for the allocation of 26 per cent of a nation’s total budget to education, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said the country would not be allocating more than eight per cent it currently dedicates to education in its budget.

Okonjo-Iweala made the disclosure recently at the 2012 edition of Isaac Moghalu Foudation’s annual leadership lecture in Lagos, against the background of the rot and corruption she alleged currently pervades the nation’s economic sectors, including education.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Education and Development: Paradigm shift,’ the minister frowned at the collapsing status of education in the country, attributing the situation to corruption, dearth of quality teachers, decay in moral values, nepotism, among others.

She said it was unfortunate that most times the money meant for education is diverted into private pockets of some unscrupulous administrators in the sector instead of using it for development, insisting that the government would not allocate more funds to the sector until the loopholes are blocked with evidences of results from such efforts.

The minister explained that the country’s education is not as badly funded as many people are made to believe.

According to her, apart from the eight per cent the nation currently allocates to education at the federal level, the Universal Basic Education Commission also has about N63 billion in its cover while about N130 billion is available to Tertiary Education Trust Fund. “But when you compare the results available to these huge resources you wonder where they are sunk as there are clear evidences of mismanagement, corruption and theft in the sector.

“That is why I did not oblige the Minister of Education when she pleaded for more allocation to the sector this year. I told her we needed to know where the ones being allocated are diverted to as there are obviously no justifications for them and she agreed with me, which leads to the current efforts to address the situation including the four-year strategic plan which emphasises access, quality and funding.”

Okonjo-Iweala also pointed out the need for technical and vocational education, adding that research had shown that education would have to be

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19

Education Today

Education funding: 8% budget allocation stays – FG •Accountability is key –Stakeholders

Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufai

more of trainings and skill acquisitions than just years of schooling.

“Regardless of the number of years spent in the classrooms, or the level of academic qualifications a nation’s workforce attains, if the right technical and practical skills are lacking, especially to boost agriculture and storage system, building of roads, dams, railways, and airports, the country’s fortunes will continue to move downward.”

Similarly, the former Minister of Health, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, affirmed the need for thorough and holistic approaches to address the rot in the system. He challenged everyone to take the bull by the horns to nip the situation in the bud and make sure that culprits of corruption allegations in the sector are brought to book.

Other stakeholders including the Governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, equally blamed the corruption allegations on the challenges posed by the country’s adoption of Federal Character in appointing and selecting government officials. He said as long as Nigeria opts for diversity at the detriment of merit the pace at which government officials steal would continue to rise.

“How can a nation leave merit for diversity? How does my being from Kano qualify me for a position ahead of a southerner, who is

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

TO SANITISE THE SYSTEM, WE NEED TO

EMPHATHISE QUALITY, PROFICIENCY, EFFICIENCY

AND DIGNITY AHEAD OF REGIONAL OR ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION professionally better than me? And you think there won’t be problem?

Therefore, to sanitise the system we need to emphasise quality, proficiency, efficiency and dignity ahead of regional considerations,” Lamido said.

Following the same line of thought, the former National Universities Commission’s Executive Secretary Prof. Peter Okebukola faulted the touted claim of the UNESCO’s requirement of 26 per cent. According to him, the organisation never recommended any particular percentage for a country’s budget for education; “Rather, the agency only encourages every country to fund its education sector very well.”

The columnist and founder of Kaduna-based Citizens Communication, Mallam Muhammed Haruna, also would not want emphasis to be placed on funding alone but would expect concerned bodies to reconsider the structure of education administrations. He alleged overlapping of responsibilities, saying such usually amounts to duplication of efforts and fraud too.

“Why should Federal Government be establishing Almajri schools when there are local government councils on ground? It is another pipeline for fraud. Let us address these areas and ensure perfect monitoring of activities in the education sector,” Haruna said.

While he would not condemn the appropriation of 26 per cent of budget on education, the DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Prof. Innocent Ujah, would, however, prefer that institutions be accountable for the funds accruable to them.

He said many universities have opportunity of accessing funds particularly from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETF) to carry out some of their developmental projects but they can’t approach the Fund for money. “Why? Because many of them cannot give account of how they had spent the money earlier given to them. And once you couldn’t do that, you cannot go back to access another fund even though the money is there for you.”

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Education Today

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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No cause to doubt FG’s commitment to honour our agreement –ASUU Dr Ademola Aremu is a senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan.

He is the institution’s former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and now a National Treasurer of the union.

He speaks on a wide range of issues in education sector in this interview with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE. Excerpts: What is your assessment of the state of university education in the country?

Academic Staff Union of Universities has been very vocal about the poor state of education in the country and that is why the union always clamours for a positive change. Also, when you look at the main reason for ASUU’s industrial actions, it is always to call attention of government to the need for intervention in the sector. There is need for government to inject massive fund into the system. So, in short there is a lot of decay in the system and government will just have to be sincere in its intervention.

What is the latest about the Federal Government-ASUU agreement in terms of implementation?

The agreement is still intact and the implementation has commenced too. The key issues in the agreement are about adequate funding, autonomy and some other matters, and when you study what ASUU has been saying, it is about government honouring the agreement, which will be to the benefit of the public. It is because of this too that government set up what it called Needs Assessment Team to assess the level of the decay in the system for possible intervention in areas that would be most essential. I am very sure that with this arrangement, government is ready to do something substantial and as things are, we don’t have a course to start doubting the government’s sincerity to fulfill its part of the agreement.

There is always university admission crisis yearly, how do you think the country can expand access to university education?

I will neither say we have nor we don’t have enough universities in the country. But one thing is clear and that is the fact that we need to prioritise our education. It is only in Nigeria that we think it is a must for everyone to go to university. It doesn’t have to be like that. There are other levels of tertiary education people can still attend and get fulfilled. There are polytechnics, monotechnics, schools of agriculture and colleges of education that people can also attend and make a career from but we all want to go to university and come out with degrees and that is where the problem lies. The clamour cannot be for everyone to acquire university education. That is the mistake a lot of people are making. That is why somebody will get just 160 out of 400 obtainable marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and will still want to get admission into a university. Of course, to have university education is good, but it shouldn’t be for just anybody. What we need education for is about manpower requirement to develop the economy. As we have medical doctors, engineers, teachers and so on, we must also have artisans, technicians and the rest. What I am saying is that we must have manpower at all levels. So, it should not really be a matter of must for everyone to have university education. The most paramount thing is

that everybody must have education. So, if the situation turns this way in the country, we won’t be having university admission problem as we experience yearly.

The craze for management and humanities related courses at the expense of natural sciences and engineering has jeopardised the government policy of 60: 40 ratio in favour of the latter, how do you think more people can be encouraged to study science and engineering related courses?

The whole idea of the policy is to have more people studying science and engineering-related courses. It is to have education tilted towards development and when we are talking about development of courses, I mean science and technical development.

That is also why government is clamouring for support and of course, for more students in sciences and engineering than in humanities. Of course, the kind of education that we need most now, as a country, is the one that can grow and develop our economy and that is natural science and engineering courses. Those are the areas we need more personnel but unfortunately we have not been doing much in that regard. And when government says 60 to 40, don’t forget that of course when our colonial masters were in control, the type of education they encouraged us with was the one that would make us perpetual importers of goods and services from Europe in particular. They didn’t encourage us to study in technology. When people are talking of technological development transfer, nobody will ordinarily wants to transfer his own technology to you and that is why we need to encourage education in the basic sciences for us to start having technological breakthroughs.

Where do you think the country got it wrong as a nation for producing half-baked graduates?

When we are talking about a solid house, don’t forget your first focus will be on the foundation upon which structures are built. So, if we have to address our general educational problem, there is a need to address it from the primary education, which is the basic. The public primary school is being bastardised at the moment and the private ones that are good are unaffordable for most parents because of their exorbitant tuition fees and all forms of levies. The products of that arrangement are brought to the secondary school and thereafter to the university. What should one expect in such a situation? So, the problem is usually about our faulty foundation. Though, we are not saying that private schools should not be encouraged in the country, it should not be at the the expense of the public schools. Let the public schools be very good. Let them be attractive to the rich and their wards. I am very sure that most of the people leading us do not send their wards to public schools and that is why they bother less about what happens there. Education

Dr.Aremu

THE KIND OF EDUCATION THAT WE NEED MOST NOW AS A COUNTRY IS THE ONE THAT CAN GROW AND DEVELOP OUR ECONOMY AND THAT IS NATURAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING COURSES is an essential right and not a commodity for every child. That is what is in the constitution and the standard practice worldwide. Government ought to ensure that education and not just education but functional and qualitative education must not only available but must be accessible to everybody. Children from poor homes should be able to have quality education like their peers from the rich families. That is what ASUU is also clamouring for. Education should be available as well as accessible to everyone.

Why are people running away from the teaching profession?

Government is the major problem. It needs to stem the brain drain in the profession. The poor condition of service of course is a big factor that is driving people away from making a career in the teaching profession and for many of those who are teachers to be thinking of leaving. In the 70s and early 80s, it was a pride to be a teacher. But when the condition of service turned bad and now worse such that your salary cannot take you home again, you will have to look for alternative for survival and those that have the opportunity will definitely leave for another profession or outside the country where things are better and that is why we are saying that the condition of service in the education sector must have to be improved. Once this is

achieved, the profession will attract more people, who will also find fulfillment on the job.

Does it mean things are that bad with the teaching profession when compared to other industries?

When you look at the entire system in the country you will agree with me that there is great disparity of remuneration from one profession to another, and that of the teachers is among the poor ones.

We are not saying teachers’ salary should be the same with those in the oil industry for instance, but the gap must not be too wide. ASUU is saying government should improve condition of service of teachers to stem the brain drain as lecturers are moving out in droves to other countries where the condition of service is much better. Initially, when this brain drain of a thing started, people were going to Europe and America but today, people go to some African countries, particularly Ghana. Even Republic of Benin is now better off than our country. It is a shame on us as a nation. But which of these countries can match Nigeria in terms of resources to grow the economy? Does government want to tell us that Ghana or Benin Republic or Togo is richer than Nigeria in human and material resources or what? But their own system is now better just because their leaders allow things to work and to the benefit of the entire citizenry. It is unfortunate that Nigeria is having leadership problem. We don’t always have leaders who will do things in the right way. So, those countries are funding their education very well and the conditions of service of their workers are much better than ours. That is why we are saying that government should stop paying lip service to education. The problem of education in Nigeria is that government has long neglected its duties to the sector and that is why ASUU is saying that government should inject massive fund to revamp the sector

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Education Today

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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Institute holds confab to tackle insecurity MOJEED ALABI

T L-R: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Prof, Olusola Adeyeye; Chairman, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Ado Tenebe and Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the committees’ member oversight function visit to NOUN in Lagos on Tuesday.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Hike in electricity tariff retards our growth –Provost MOJEED ALABI

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he Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, Dr. Sijubomi Olusanya, has expressed the college’s dissatisfaction with the newly increased electricity tariff, which he said constituted clogs in the wheels of progress of academic institutions nationwide.

Olusanya, who berated the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, the electricity company in charge of power generation and distribution in the country for what he called its “high charges without improvement in services” challenged the Federal Government to treat academic institutions not as profit-making business organisations.

The provost, who stated this recently when addressing the press during the assessment visit to his college by the Senate Committee on Education, said his college with just about 5,000 student population now pays a huge sum of over N1 million monthly to foot electricity bill.

“And this is against the old charges of between N600, 000 and N700, 000.”

“It is quite unfortunate that as we move one leg forward in our drive to make our education system competitive we are still drawn backward by some difficult policies. How can an institution like ours be paying such huge amount on power supply that is very epileptic and that does not take away about N1.090 million we spend weekly on diesel purchase,” the provost complained.

he Institute of Security, Nigeria, on Monday held the opening session of the seventh edition of its annual security conference to deliberate on salient security issues and challenges of the ceaseless bombings and kidnappings ravaging the country.

The two-day conference, which held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, focused on the theme: Revitalising security forces and law enforcement for enhanced productivity and effectiveness.

The participants, which included representatives of virtually all organs of the country’s security forces such as navy, army, police, civil defence corps, among others, suggested poverty and porosity of the membership and trainings of the security outfits as some of the reasons for Nigeria’s failure to nip the situation in the bud.

In his welcome address, the institute’s President, Prof. Isaac Adalemo, stated that the conference is aimed at improving the quality, efficiency, effectiveness of security forces in the nation’s changing environment and to broaden the participants’ skills in security and safety practice and under-

WELLSPRING UNIVERSITY BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

FG distributes books, library materials to schools in North-West Zone JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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bout 784,000 assorted library resource materials have been distributed to junior secondary schools in the North-West as part of the Federal Government’s project of distributing free books for use by students and primary school pupils across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

The figure is in addition to over 14 million books procured by government for distribution with more than 2 million Primary One and Two textbooks being made available in four core subject areas.

Speaking at a ceremony to kick-start the distribution of the items for the North-West in Katsina State, Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, identified the core subject areas to include English language, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Basic Science and Technology.

Wike, who lamented that the textbooks and resource materials were not enough to go round, however, asked those in charge to ensure the books get to those meant for o the pupils and library materials should be well kept in appropriate

shelves irrespective of location of the schools in the zone.

The minister reiterated government’s commitment to the “policy of achieving a pupil per textbook ratio of 1:1 in all taught subjects across all levels of the basic education system.”

He said government would continue to “intervene in basic education through its agencies, especially in the provision and upgrading of critical infrastructure, the training and retraining of teachers, as well as the provision of free textbooks and library resource materials.

In his remark, the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Moh’d said the objective of “a book to pupil ratio of 1:1 in the core subjects was already being achieved at the lower primary schools.

Moh’d expressed confidence that with the “collaborative efforts of stakeholders, particularly state governments, the ratio would soon be attained at other levels of basic schools.

He said three states have already achieved the 1:1 book to pupil ratio in all the primary school, with call on other states to step up their efforts in this direction.

Candidates who did not choose Wellspring University in the 2012 UTME should apply.

standing the system of managing the security dynamics.

“These efforts will also appreciate ever higher expectations of the public in the delivery of security services by security professionals and to devise means of satisfying these expectations to the best of our abilities as professionals,” Adalemo added.

The Registrar of the academic institution, Mr. Adebayo Akinade, said the institute in the last seven years has been mobilising the country’s human resources to appraise the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria in relation with the challenges of security. Thus, this year’s conference according to him will feature presentation of relevant books on insecurity and how to tackle them written by experts to address the situation.

“Tackling insecurity goes beyond the deployment of troops alone; it involves deep strategies and techniques and discussions on those techniques are what we discuss at our conferences which today are yielding some rewards no matter how small. We hope very soon the Federal Government and other levels of government will fully adopt our reports to combat the country’s insecurity challenges,” Akinade said.

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Education Today

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Stakeholders meet to revamp ailing primary education in Lagos TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he importance of primary education cannot be underestimated. It is the basic foundation upon which other levels of education are built on. A functional and qualitative education at this level will not only lead to an enlightened but also to economically developed society like Europe and America. In Nigeria, however, attention to primary education by successive governments, as well as other stakeholders is said to be grossly inadequate and this situation has taken a great toll on the standard of education in the country.

It is against this backdrop that Ojo Local Council area of Lagos in conjunction with the state’s Ministry of Rural Development organised an education summit last Thursday where community and religious leaders, traders, teachers, students, business people, as well as government functionaries brainstormed on a way forward in the subsector.

The forum with the theme “Publicprivate partnership participation in primary education,” had in attendance the former deputy governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi-Sosan, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Idiat Adebule, state’s Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstones Educational Consultancy, Republic of Ireland, senior lecturer, Lagos State University, Ojo, Dr. Oye Laguda; Member of Lagos House of Assembly, representing Ojo constituency, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, head of Mobilisation, State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Mr. Anthony Adefuye and a host of others.

The representatives of business orgainsations and unions such as Oando plc, banks, Alaba International Market, as well as Obas and Baales were equally in attendance.

A multimedia pictorial was presented by the council’s educational secretary, Mr. Tolani Sule, revealing the current state of most of the primary schools in their dilapidated condition with leaking roofs and without windows and doors in the council area.

Some of the schools are also with crowded classrooms, unsafe water system, poor toilet facilities and untidy environment, among others. The effect of all these are manifested through poor performance of students.

The local government, however, has a total of 52 public primary schools with 37, 764 pupils and 1271 staff strength.

Sule said about 14, 884 pieces of furniture were needed in all these schools for pupils to be able to sit conveniently but only about half of the facility is available.

“We also need a total of 675 classrooms and about 32 modern toilets to serve all the schools well if we are to consider UNESCO’s standard, but we have only 546 classrooms and 32 toilet facilities while most schools are also without safe water system,” he stressed.

A particular reference was made to such schools as Ojo Military Nursery and Primary school within the Army Cantonment; St. Michael Primary School, Ojo; Ilogbo- Elegba Primary School; St. Phillips Anglican Primary School, Oto-Awori, among others. They are in terrible condition.

“That is why we convey this forum so as to jointly find sustainable solution to revamp the lingering problem facing our primary education, particularly in Ojo Local Government Council area,” said the chairman of the occasion, Princess Sarah Adebisi-Sosah.

“We want in particular the private sectors to contribute significantly to the development of the sub sector.”

Speaking further, Sosan, an educationist, said the level of private sector’s contributions to the development of public schools, especially at the primary level, is not all that encouraging.

She said many business organisations, social institutions, as well as spirited individuals most times prefer giving to the secondary and higher institutions in the cities to the primary schools in the villages just for the purpose of “drawing the attention of the public to such efforts.”

“But they have forgotten that it is

only when there is a solid primary education, which is the foundation, that we can now talk of having a standard secondary and tertiary education,” she argued, adding that, “Government cannot all alone provide resources to get to this stage since it is confronted with limited resources.”

Corroborating Sosan, the state’s Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, said although the essence of the summit was to encourage private stakeholders to join the government in revamping the ailing primary education system in the local council area and Lagos State in general, the government on its part should maintain stable policy in terms of control and management of primary education in the country.

He argued that the situation whereby successive governments come up with different policy on control and management of the subsector would continue to hinder its development.

He therefore called on industrialists, traders, parents, teachers, pupils, as well as interested members of the public to join hands in providing functional and qualitative education, particularly at this basic educational level.

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NOUN to admit 370,000 students

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he Vice- Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe, has restated the institution’s commitment to increase its students’ population to 500,000 by next academic session.

Tenebe, who stated this at a conference in Abuja recently, put the current students’ population of the university at over 132,000 across its 47 study centres in the country.

He said it was only open and distance learning educational model that can significantly increase Nigerians’ access to university education, adding that such was the case in the advanced countries.

“Ours was to bring university education to the doorsteps of every qualified Nigerian,” he said.

While expressing delight over the recent accreditation of many of its programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Tenebe promised that the university would not compromise on standard in its university education delivery.

19 vie for Katsina poly rector’s office JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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ineteen candidates are currently jostling for the position of the rector of the Katsina State’s-owned Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.

Seven of the lecturers are said to be from other tertiary institutions outside the state.

The institution’s rector’s office became vacant following the resignation of Dr. Kabir Matazu, who took up an appointment with the Federal Government recently.

National Mirror gathered that all of them are currently busy lobbying stakeholders in the state for the coveted office.

A senior government official, who preferred anonymity, told National Mirror that the government’s sole interest was to appoint the best candidate among the contenders so as to be able to improve on the performance of the last administration.

Varsity workers in jubilation over induction into pension scheme

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A cross section of participants at the forum

L-R: Former deputy governor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi-Sosan; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Idiat Adebule and Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstones Educational Consultancy, Ireland, Mrs. Olubunmi Salako, at the education summit organised by Ojo Local Government Council, recently.

embers of staff of the Federal University, Wukari, one of the nine newly established universities, have been enlisted in the National Pensions and Housing schemes of the Federal Government.

At a sensitisation workshop on social security held in the university, the workers were delighted over the development saying it would help them to see something to fall on after leaving active service.

Explaining the modalities of payment, the university’s Bursar, Mr. Olatunji Joshua, said 15 per cent of the total monthly earning of each staff would go into the scheme with each of them contributing half while the Federal government would pay the balance. He however, urged all the workers to consider it mandatory to register with a Pension Fund Administrator of their choice as recommended by the National Pension Commission to be able to benefit from the scheme.

Earlier in his welcome address, the university’s Registrar, Ibrahim Jalingo assured workers of the institution’s readiness to comply totally with the policy

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Education Today

Thursday, July 19, 2012

ASUU may go back on strike IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that the union would not hesitate to return to the trenches if government relapses “on its current outlook” in tackling the dwindling fortunes of university education in the country.

The new President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa, made

this remark when he led a team of former leadership and other members of the executive council on a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja recently.

Nasir was accompanied by the immediate past ASUU President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie and Awuzie’s predecessor, Abdullahi Sule Kano.

He said; “There has been relative peace in the university system based on the cogent efforts of the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan towards full implementation of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement”.

Apart from restricting the intervention of TETFund to tertiary education, the Federal Government, according to ASUU has shown genuine commit-

ment to the demands of the union as contained in the agreement.

Dr. Isa noted that ASUU as an intellectual organisation, believes in dialogue and until that is exhausted, strike would not be the next option.

He assured on adequate collaboration with the Federal Government to ensure that the university is repositioned to compete favourably with other

Lagos reinforces efforts to stem child abuse TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, has restated the Lagos State government’s commitment to enforce the Child Right Law in the state.

She said this became necessary to stem the

high rate of all forms of child abuse in the state.

Adefulire stated this yesterday at the launch of the suggestion and complaint box and inauguration of Child Right Law Committee in the state’s public secondary schools.

The programme held at Agindingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja,

FG Orders Staff, student audit in tertiary institutions IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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he Federal Government has ordered for the audit of members of staff and students in all tertiary institutions in the country.

This is even as it also warned universities management to desist from running unapproved programmes and over admission which have negatively affected and whittled down the quality of education in the country.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, who gave the directive at the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s formal presentation and distribution of Postgraduate Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (PG BMAS) to Nigerian universities recently, said the Federal Government through NUC would use the documents as guide for assuring quality in postgraduate education in the country.

The minister said the government was aware of the situation of postgraduate training and the need to increase access to qualitative postgraduate education in the country.

She disclosed that very soon, the Federal Government through the NUC would commence comprehensive accreditation of

postgraduates programmes in various universities through which the level of compliance with the BMAS for postgraduate programmes would be determined.

Prof Rufa’I reminded the universities that the curriculum, pedagogical methods and other standards contained in the documents are minimum requirements, adding that institutions are at liberty to maintain or go beyond the standards.

She however, warned that anything below the set standard would not be accepted in the sector.

The minister charged the NUC with the responsibility to regulate the nation’s university education towards advancement of knowledge through research, innovative and use of modern pedagogical methods under the most conducive situation to produce relevant graduates.

She urged them to strictly adhere to laid down rules and regulation, pointing out that most universities, establishes academic programmes without recourse to vital documents.

Rufa’I assured that the present administration was determined to reposition the universities towards becoming more research-orientated and globally competitive through funding and supportive regulatory framework.

to kick-start the renewed effort was organised by the duo of Ministries of Education and Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation with many students and teachers in attendance.

According to the deputy governor, Lagos State would no longer tolerate any form of child abuse such as rape, child labour,

child trafficking, education denial, among others but would intensify its efforts in protecting and caring for the children so as to become relevant in the society in future.

Adefulire, who also warned teachers, who are fond of abusing their students to desist forthwith, said any teachers caught and guilty of such acts

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universities in the world, stressing that no country could develop effectively without education.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TET-Fund, Prof. Yakubu, noted that the agency had taken steps to address the critical challenge of the dearth of qualified lecturers in the Nigeria university system.

He revealed that about 624 university lecturers sent for postgraduate train-

ing in overseas had completed their programmes and returned to the country to boost the manpower in the system.

Besides, he said about 5, 800 other university teachers are currently undergoing postgraduate trainings both at home and overseas who are being sponsored by the organisation.

He added that the attempt was to remedy the situation where about 60 per cent of lecturers in the university system are Lecturers 1 and below without PhD qualification.

would be dealt with according to the law of the land.

She explained that a child that was abuse today would find it difficult to grow into adulthood in his or her full potentials, adding that such would also hinder them from achieving their dreams and aspirations for life.

Speaking earlier, the state’s Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Adefulire, explained the essence

of the suggestion and complaint box to be fixed in every public secondary school across the state, saying “they are to enable the students express, especially their complaints against particular action of their parents, teachers and other members of the society, consider as infringement on their rights. She assured them that such complaints would be treated confidentially.

AOCOED provost tasks Nigerians on tree planting

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t has been advocated that the annual tree planting initiative of the Lagos State government be engraved in the consciousness of every man in the state and beyond.

Making the suggestion at the recent tree planting day ceremony at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, was the provost of the institution, Mr. Wasiu Bashorun, who declared: “We hope July 14 will become entrenched (in our collective) consciousness as October 1 is entrenched as Nigeria’s Independence Day and so on.

Mr. Bashorun observed that it was common knowledge that the effects of climate change on planet earth arising from global warming posed a great threat to the survival and wellbeing of mankind, adding that the collective existence of mankind has never been so much under assault in a non-war period than it is at the moment.”

He listed the incidences of unbridled and sustained assault on the environment as deforestation, poor waste management, reckless pollution of natural water ways and over industrialisation, saying these and other unwholesome human activities were racing mankind to a huge en-

vironmental disaster.

He explained that the adverse effects of ozone layer depletion on human skins and organs were yet to be accurately ascertained and that huge forest fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, earth shaking thunderstorms and damaging lightening were currently visiting mankind more frequently than ever, thus, telling us on how far we have been damaging the environment in the name of development.

He observed that while the grim situation could only be reversed by study-

ing, understanding and appreciating the implications of the sustained assault on the environment, we would need to consciously carry out reforestation campaigns and to plant trees but stop indiscriminate felling of trees The Lagos State Governor, represented by a director in the ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Mrs. Kofoworola Awobamise, said the administration had exceeded the targeted 1,000,000 trees in four years by 200 per cent and that more than 3 million trees had been plant-

ed over the period.

He enthused that the feat of 12 years was achieved within four years due to the commitment and passion of his administration and the community at large.

The governor expressed gratitude to all members of the public, including government agencies, corporate, non-governmental organisations and individuals who took the tree planting initiative seriously and partnered with his government thus realising the set goals and objectives.

1.

L-R: Director, Finance and Administration, Lagos Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Mrs. Awobamise Kofoworola; Coordinator, Lagos State Waste Water Management Office, Mr. Nurudeen Shodeinde; Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Mr. Bashorun Olalekan and the college’s Registrar, Mr. Bola Disu at the college’s Tree Planting Campaign recently.

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Education Today

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FROM OTHER LANDS

Varsities pledge to do more to secure gender equality

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op universities have committed to leading a drive to secure greater equality for female academics and researchers across Europe.

A report from the League of European Research Universities, Women, Research and Universities: Excellence without gender bias, sets out actions that it says will overcome discrimination against women that prevents them from playing a full part in Europe’s research effort.

The report was written by Katrien Maes, LERU’s chief policy officer, Jadranka Gvozdanovic, head of the gender equality commission at Heidelberg University, Simone Buitendijk, vice-rector of the University of Leiden, Ingalill Rahm Hallberg, former vice-rector of Lund University and Brigitte Mantilleri, head of the gender and equality unit at the University of Geneva.

LERU’s 21 member universities are committed to promoting gender diversity among academic staff with strong leadership ability, in conformity with institutional, national and other regulatory frameworks and in partnership with LERU universities.

They are also committed to developing or continuing to implement gender equality strategies; to

sharing them and jointly monitoring their development and implementation; and to engaging with EU policy-makers, funders and other actors to promote the cause of gender equality at universities.

The report identifies the first priority for action in the area of leadership, vision and strategy.

A strong commitment from university leaders should underpin all gender-related actions, supported by a gender strategy, dedicated processes and structures to manage gender activities. It should be underpinned with funding aimed at structural change.

It says universities need to select the right mix of measures in accordance with their institutional and regulatory situations and target these at certain career phases as needed, and to consider how to implement and ensure effective uptake of the measures.

Finally, the report makes recommendations to address the lack of a gender dimension in research, which can, it contends, result in serious flaws with potentially harmful effects – for example in medical research – thus limiting scientific excellence, creativity and benefits to society.

Culled: World University News

Terrorist attacks in Kenya impeding scientific research

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cientists expressed concerns that armed terrorist groups linked to the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terrorist group are making it difficult to conduct marine research and conservation in the area.

Tim McClanahan, a senior conservation zoologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), told SciDev.Net that the activities of pirates have made the management of marine ecosystems in Kenya’s coastal region challenging, with some scientists cancelling their work in certain areas or withdrawing altogether.

“I had to cancel research work in Lamu due to safety concerns, and to date that work has not been done,” said McClanahan, who has lived in Mombasa, Kenya, for 25 years.

Kenya’s coastal marine ecosystems range from mangroves and coastal wetlands to lagoons, coral reefs and open ocean. The country has six national reserves designed specifically to protect its marine environments.

McClanahan explained that due to the region’s proximity to the Somali border and the lawlessness it was experiencing, it was difficult to enforce management schemes, carry out patrols, undertake research, or ensure the community appreciated sustain-

able resource exploitation.

Al-Shabaab militants are suspected of being behind the surge in violence and kidnappings that have made the coastal area and other parts of Kenya insecure over the past few years.

Innocent Wanyonyi, a marine researcher with the Mombasabased Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO), said that the incidents have created fear of further attacks, forcing scientists to factor in terrorism as a key risk when planning new research or coastal development projects.

“Researchers are as affected as anyone else, and we have to take precautionary measures in our daily activities, in the light of increased terror attacks on the home front,” he said.

Melita Samoilys, the director of CORDIO, also had to cancel her research on the Indian Ocean after an encounter with pirates, another armed group that has been affecting research in the region.

Last year, Nature reported that a surge of piracy off the coast of Somalia was preventing oceanographers and meteorologists from collecting data vital to understanding rainfall patterns and the Indian monsoon.

Culled: World University News

How ex-teacher rebuilt her own brain

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he realised that part of her brain was not functioning properly so she devised a series of cognitive exercises to develop it. The results changed her life – and now she has helped thousands of children with learning disabilities.

It’s the kind of memory that stays with you. When she was in first grade, Barbara Arrowsmith-Young’s Ontario primary school teacher told her mother – in her presence – that she had some kind of “mental block”, and would never be able to learn. Now that she has helped more than 4,000 learningdisabled children overcome precisely that kind of diagnosis, of course, she can laugh at it.

But she didn’t at the time.

Arrowsmith-Young, now 61, talks passionately and with great erudition. She has a masters degree in school psychology.

She has just published a groundbreaking, widely praised and enthralling book called ‘The Woman Who Changed Her Brain’. But back at school – indeed, up until she was in her mid-20s – she was

desperate. Tormented and often depressed. She didn’t know what was wrong.

On the one hand, she was brilliant. She had near-total auditory and visual memory.

“I could listen to the six o’clock news, and reproduce it wordfor-word at 11pm. I could open a book, read the first sentence, the second, the third, visualise them. I could memorise whole exercise books.” On the other hand, she was a dolt. “I didn’t understand anything,” she says. “Meaning just never crystallised. Everything was fragmented, disconnected.”

She could recite film scripts, but not grasp the relationship between the hands of a clock to tell the time. So in exams, she often got 100%. Other times, whenever the task involved reasoning, logic, connection, interpretation, or when she simply pulled in the wrong information from her memory, she would get 10%. “The teachers did not understand,” she says. “At school I used to get the strap, for not trying. They really thought I wasn’t trying.”

Her mother, a teacher, devised a series of flash cards with numbers and letters and, by dint of much hard work, she achieved literacy and numeracy, of a sort. “For a long time, I reversed almost every letter and number,” she says. “I was just not attaching meaning to symbols.” In secondary school, and later at university, she disguised her numerous learning disabilities by working 20 hours a day: “I used to hide in the bathroom when the security guards came around the college library at night, then come back out and carry on.”

The breakthrough came when she was 26. A fellow student gave her a book by a Russian neuropsychologist, Aleksandr Luria: The Man with a Shattered World.

The book contained Luria’s research and reflections on the writings of a highly intelligent Russian soldier, Lyova Zazetsky, who had been shot in the brain at the battle of Smolensk in 1943, and recorded in great detail his subsequent disabilities.

The Guardian

Parents devote more time for TV than kids –Survey P arents spend more time watching television and cleaning up around the house than talking to their children, a new survey reveals.

Too many are unwittingly risking their children’s language development by failing to hold basic conversations with them.

The findings follow a shock report from the same charity which showed how half of children are unable to speak properly when they start primary school.

That study said 350,000 youngsters a year are unable to string a sentence together by the age of five and can understand only simple instructions.

Now the children’s communication charity I CAN has conducted further research to find out why language skills are declining.

Its poll of 1,000 Britons suggests that parents are so caught up with their daily routines - including TV viewing they are neglecting to find time to chatter to their children.

According to the survey, a third of parents spend less than two hours a day engaged in conversation with their children.

However 38 per cent spend more than two hours a day in front of the television and 47 per cent spend at least two hours on domestic duties.

The findings sparked warnings that busy parents are failing to realise the importance

A mother teaching her daughter

of conversation in the home.

Scientific studies have shown that talking to children, especially under-fives, is crucial for brain development.

Further findings from the I CAN poll show that fewer than half of parents with young children could complete a basic exercise matching speaking milestones to the ages at which they should be reached.

I CAN experts drew up the five milestones, including “understand basic words” and “put basic sentences together”, and gave parents a jumbled-up list of the likely ages for them to be achieved.

However, only 43 per cent of parents with children under five were able to match them all up correctly.

I CAN’s chief executive,

Virginia Beardshaw, said the survey results were worrying but not surprising.

She called on parents to view learning to talk as just as crucial a milestone as learning to walk.

“It is essential that families and carers know broadly what their child should be doing at certain ages and they also need to know when to be concerned” she said.

“We know there is a ‘golden time’ from birth to five-yearsold where if problems with speech and language are picked up, there is a much greater chance of solutions being found.”

She added that busy parents could incorporate chats with their children into their daily routines, for example by asking questions about television programmes or unpacking shopping bags together.

Miss Beardshaw said: “There are so many demands put on us, particularly for us parents.

“It is unrealistic for us to yearn for years gone by when we had more family time. Twentyfirst century life is here to stay and we acknowledge this.

“We are saying to parents they can build conversation into all their routine activities with children.”

While watching TV, for example, parents could ask their children what they think will happen next or how they feel about developments in the plot.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25

Thursday, July 19, 2012

with Mojeed Alabi mojeedalabi2@yahoo.co.uk or mail@mirroronline.net

13 years after, OAU, others remember cult attack victims OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI AND WILBERFORCE AREVORE

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ast week Tuesday, July 10, marked exactly 13 years that members of the notorious secret cult group – the black axe invaded Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and cut down the lives of five students including the then Secretary General of the Students’ Union, George Iwilade, popularly called ‘Afrika.’

They had allegedly come for the heads of the

leadership of the union over an earlier arrest of some of their alleged members who were said to have been freed by the police without proper investigation. But while the then union’s President, Lanre Adeleke was able to escape, George could not because he was fast asleep. He was riddled with bullets and marked with their axe.

Four others including Eviano Ekelemu, a medical student, Efe Ekede, Yemi Ajiteru and Babatunde Oke were also victims of the violent attack. The campus was thrown into mourning,

the situation which eventually saw the abrupt end of the tenure of then Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Wale Omole.

However, 13 years down the lane, both current students of the university and those who witnessed the gory attack have refused to forget the sad moment, which they claimed has only reawakened the institution’s consciousness against oppression and cultism.

This year, the university’s Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ) in collaboration

OAU students during the candle light procession

Speaking on the remembrance ceremony, the ACJ president, Adegbola Samuel said the significance of the celebration was in the sacrifice paid by the dead, which he said had cleansed the university of evil doers. “Since that 1999, the students have not become only vigilant they have taken charge of the security of lives and properties. That is why we say the return of the union to us is very paramount.”

The then students’ union President, Lanre Adeleke, in his

remembrance note on the FaceBook, which he titled “Afrika and the four martyrs,” wrote; “Dear comrades, over 13 years ago, we fought side by side to achieve victory for the students’ union against commercialisation of education, cultism and dictatorship and for better payment package for university workers, among others, and points of danger, not minding the risk to life, you stood firmly.

Great Ife students in their thousands have spoken today for the 13th year that you remain great and that your memory lives on.”

FUTA VC sues for peace over students’ union leader’s death

organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Others were the presidents of the students’ unions of Adeyemi College of Education and the Ondo State School of Midwifery.

The students want the authority of the school to do something about the alleged frequent deaths on the campus and also charged government to find a lasting solution to poor road, which they said had claimed many lives.

Prof. Daramola said the university would take their message serious and pledged his support for a befitting burial arrangement for the departed soul.

with the Tea Club, Man ‘O’ War and Kegites’ club organised the remembrance event following the proscription of the students’ union by the institution’s authorities.

They assembled over a thousand students at the Anglo-Moz car park on the campus and treated them with musical rendition, palm wine drinking, candle light procession and they danced round a bonfire.

Also, the Man ‘O’ War members paraded at the event to the admiration of the audience.

FAITH OLANIRAN

T Students of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, being the League 1 winning team in the semi final stage of Students In Free Entrepreneur national competition held in Lagos recently.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Adegboyega University targets full accreditation BIYI ADEGOROYE

V

ice Chancellor of Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa in Edo State, Prof.

Fola Adedoyin has said the university was currently strategising to increase its revenue base in order to ensure rapid improvement in its infrastructural facilities to secure full accreditation for all its programmes.

Speaking after a meeting of its Board of Trustees chaired by Dr. Ebenezar Okebukola, recently, Adedoyin said the university’s Resource Mobilisation Committee has presented it report to the BOT, and plans are underway to increase its resource base.

He said after the provisional license of the university by the National Universities Commission, NUC, a couple of years ago, the university is moving ahead to ensure that by the next visit of the commission, the university will receive full accreditation for its programmes.

“The BOT has reviewed the funding of the university in the past one year and it is currently planning for the next year, expanding its revenue base and working at the sustainability of the current sources of fund,” he said.

Adedoyin added that the BOT was working at rapid growth of the school to make it a world

class by financing major infrastructural works and comply with the guidelines of the NUC and other relevant bodies.

He said last year, the university performed above average, operating the collegiate system, offering courses in three schools, namely College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Humanities and College of Management and Social Sciences.

He said the mission of the university owned by the Apostolic Church was to provide wholesome and comprehensive education for intellectual and spiritual development of its students in the preparation for leadership roles and service to society.

he Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUTA) Akure, Prof. Biyi Daramola, has appealed to the students of the university to remain calm and avoid disrupting the peace on the campus as a result of the recent death of the institution’s students’ union President, Oladapo Awopegba.

The students who

trooped out at the weekend to protest the death of the union leader said Oladapo’s case would make the number of students lost to miraculous death on the campus to be nine in the last three weeks.

Oladapo was one of the three student leaders who died in a ghastly auto crash along EmureIle junction on owo-Akure road on their way from Abuja, where they attended an award ceremony for Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State,

Sympathisers at the accident scene

26

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gaffes on David Mark’s Day

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HE GUARDIAN on Saturday of April 7 nurtured two Front Page sub-headline blunders: “Southeast bound (Southeastbound) passengers stranded at Lagos Airport” “JTF says Kano not under any threat, as it deploys armoured vehicles on (to) major streets” NATIONAL MIRROR headlines and Editorial of April 6 contributed the next six infelicities: “Obasanjo commended over (for/on) resignation as BoT chair” “Facilities at AOCOED excites (why?) NCCE team” “I had it rough at (in) the beginning—Proprietress, Carol School” “CAF mourns late Somalia FA boss” A rewrite: CAF mourns Somali FA boss. Do we mourn someone who is alive?

“CSR: Between philantropy and palliatives” Brands and marketing: philanthropy” “...Toure’s kids’ gloves treatment of the Tuareg rebels (rebels’) insurgence as its main reason to....” (Editorial)

All the facts, all the sides: kid gloves.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of April 8 contained a catalogue of solecisms, especially the congratulatory advertorials on Senate President David Mark’s 64th Birthday: “Akwa Ibom Commissioner dies in motor accident” (Headline) Now the first sentence: “Immediate past Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Akwa Ibom....” The misleading headline gives the impression that it is a serving commissioner!

Next time: ex-commissioner.

“Woman arrested for killing mum” It is obvious that the sub-editor who treated this story has never heard of ‘matricide’! So, woman arrested for matricide.

“The elevation of some police officers and retirement of 13 Assistant Inspectors General has (have) led to some bad blood (delete the word preceding bad blood) in the force....”

Elevation and retirement are distinct milestones that cannot be collapsed into singularity!

ELEVATION AND RETIREMENT ARE DISTINCT MILESTONES THAT CANNOT BE COLLAPSED INTO SINGULARITY!

“When Hafeez Ringim, then an Assistant Inspector General (a comma) was elevated to the rank of Inspector General (another comma) all his seniors (DIGs) had to retire.”

Not true: they were retired to pave way for the Ringim ultimate disaster!

Now to the David Mark anniversary gaffes: “You have undoubtedly brought to bear stability and credibility to (on) the National Assembly.” Let us ignore the convoluted lexical arrangement to save space and time. (From Senator (Dr.) Aloysius A. Etok JP, FCIMAN PDP, Akwa Ibom North West, Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment & Public Service) “My dear distinguish Senator Mark...Indeed, we are celebrating a statesman whose dedication and service to his

fatherland is (are) worthy of emulation.” On the plateau: My (Our) dear distinguished Senator.... (From Da. Jonah David Jang, Governor, Plateau State) “Your unassailable wisdom and sterling qualities have made you stand out as trustworthy and reliable leader.”

Happy Birthday: a (note the article) trustworthy and reliable leader.

“Your ability to work out (answer/do) knotty political puzzles...makes you worth (worthy) of emulation.” (From Senator Gilbert Nnaji, Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications) “Indeed, its (it’s) really a pleasure working with you....”

(From The Senators of the 7th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

Finally on Mark: “Boss, on your 64th birthday (sic), I, my wife and the people of Ondo North Senatorial District....” (Signed by Senator (Professor) Robert Ajayi Boroffice OON) Congratulations, Senate President, the goofs notwithstanding! From the people of Ukwa East LGA in Abia State, my wife and I. Take note of the signature sequence. “...so he could not have seen fire and tell (told) me to put my hand.” Alternatively, he cannot see fire and tell me to put my hand. “...the APGA governorship candidate in Abia State at (in) the April 2011 elections....”

“Why change your wardrobe every five minutes while all it takes is a different accessories.”

All it takes are different accessories.

Last but not least from last week’s edition of this medium: “Gen. Charles Airhiavbere should blame PDP over (for) the death of female students in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma” (Full-page Advert Signed by Edosa Efosa Osazuwa, Bini Truth Movement 2012)

QUOTES •Merit is lacking in our system and that is why we have not gotten things right. We have built a culture of diversity at the detriment of merit; hence, we have set the bar so lo... Therefore, for us to evolve as a nation we must do the same thing and jettison the stupid idea of federal character• Sanusi Lamido

•Regardless of the number of years spent in the classrooms or the level of academic qualifications a nation’s workforce attain, if the right technical and practical skills are lacking, especially to boost agriculture and storage system, building of roads, dams, railways, and airports, it will continue for the country to move forward• Dr. Ngozi

•Tackling insecurity goes beyond the deployment of troops alone; it involves deep strategies and techniques and discussions on those techniques are what we discuss at our conferences which today are yielding some rewards no matter how small. We hope very soon the Federal Government and other levels of government will fully adopt our reports to combat the country’s insecurity challenges,” Prof. Isaac Adalemo

Okonjo-Iweala

•It is quite unfortunate that as we move one leg forward in our drive to make our education system competitive we are still drawn backward by some difficult policies. How can an institution like ours be paying such huge amount on power supply that is very epileptic and that does not take away about N1.090 million we spend weekly on diesel purchase• Dr. Sijubomi Olusanya

Thursday, July 19, 2012

LOC releases opening ceremony razzmatazz

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Sport

Team Nigeria has never been motivated as it is at the moment. We can only hope for the best – NOC PRESIDENT, SANI NDANUSA

30

AWC: Falcons plan Cameroun revenge

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left) presenting the Nigeria Football Federation Cup trophy to the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari (3rd right) at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday. With them are: Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2nd right), Commissioner for Youth, Sports & Social Development, Mr. Enitan Oshodi (left) and Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu (right).

Fed Cup: Kwara United crashes out IKENWA NNABUOGOR

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op favourites, Kano Pillars, lived up to expectation beating Kwara United 2-1 in their second group game yesterday at the Agege Stadium, Lagos to keep hope alive to advance to the quarterfinals of the Federation Cup. Two goals by striker Gambo Mohammed settled the afternoon for the Kano-based side and ensured that Kwara United crashed out.

The Egypt-bound gangling striker, Mohammed, benefitted from gifts from jittery Kwara United goalkeeper, Kazeem Yekini, to send his side on winning path.

United are the top losers, who automatically crashed out and have nothing to play in their last group game against Crown FC tomorrow, having lost the first game 1-0 to El Kanemi Warriors on Monday.

The game got off to a frenetic start with the two NPL sides knocking on each others’ doors on several occasions. Chances in the first half were even but the Kwara team appeared more daring with a slight greater number of close calls.

However, in as much as the

daring Kwara team enforced by teenage sensation, Anthony Okemiri, tried to make hay, the Pillars’ defence was equal to the task.

Super Eagles’ midfielder, Gabriel Reuben, was tentative in approach, but former Enyimba defensive midfielder, Mustapha Musa, appeared to have stolen the show, breaking the United rhythm and still finding space for long and short passes.

The Ilorin-based club drew the first blood when former Belgium-based striker, Segun Atere, scored from a close

range after some defence-splitting passes in the 78th minute.

Pillars were stung to action and a minute later Mohammed rose above sea of heads to plant a delightful header from a throw-in which Yekini fumbled, for Pillars much needed equalizer. Few minutes later, the upright was at Kwara’s mercy after the defence which was at sixes and sevens caved in again, allowing Rabiu Ali’s shot to hit the upright.

But Pillars had the last laugh in the 90th minute when Mohammed struck again with

a pile driver at the edge of the box after yet another school boy error from Kwara’s goalkeeper.

At the end of the match, Kwara United coach, Tunde Sani, has blamed his boys for the defeat.

He told National Mirror, “I’m totally disappointed with my boys because this was a game we had in the bag. Conceding two goals in a space of 10 minutes was not acceptance at all. You could see that I was not happy at all because we’re supposed to be jubilating.”

Lagos renovates Teslim Balogun Stadium

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he rehabilitation of the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, has begun, preparatory to the 18th National Sports Festival to be hosted by Lagos State in November.

Site Manager of Deux Projects Ltd., the contractors handling the job, Mr. Okunbor Jeffrey, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the maintenance of the tracks would be done in three months.

According to him, the project which started in the first week of July, is expected to be completed in September.

“The project has commenced

However, the manager said in earnest and we started working since the first week of July. that the red synthetic overlay Based on our target, the work is of the tracks would be changed expected to end in September,” to a colour that would reflect the spirit of the festival. he said.

Jeffrey added that the eightlane 400x400 metre-length track was undergoing rehabilitation for the first time since it was built in 2009.

The manager said the maintenance of the track was a routine job which the company agreed with the state government to do after three years.

He said it was coincidental that the maintenance was happening at a time the state was hosting the festival.

NSC DG, Ekeji

uper Falcons’ assistant coach, Samson Unuanel, has said that it is not sheer coincidence that Cameroun and Nigeria are drawn in Group B of the 2012 African Women Championship (AWC) competition.

Aside Nigeria and Cameroun, Cote d’ Ivoire and Ethiopia will contest the group qualification tickets at the biennial football showpiece in South Africa.

The Camerounian Indomitable Lionesses stopped Super Falcons from the London 2012 Olympic Games football event.

Unuanel told SuperSport.com that the group pairing is a divine favour for Nigeria to pay the Central African neighbours in their own coin.

“I only worry about my team, preparations and what to do to win matches not Cameroun or any other teams. Cameroun will be at the Olympics, we won’t be there because they stopped us and that’s the reason we must inflict a stiffer punishment on them when we meet at the AWC,” he said.

Unuanel added, “We must cause them the AWC trophy, now I think of Nigeria, no other country. Our group is not a bad one though I understand no smaller team exists in the continent any more.

“We’ll work on our team and ensure we present a solid squad that’ll do Nigeria proud at South Africa.”

The former Ocean Boys’ manager is positive the six-time African champions will defend their title successfully.

“I know Nigeria will play in the final and will lift the AWC trophy for the seventh time,” he said.

The 2008 AWC host, Equatorial Guinea, happened to be the only African country aside Nigeria that has won the continental trophy.

Equatorial Guinea is in Group A with host, South Africa, Senegal and DR Congo for the competition that will run from October 28 – November11.

Drogba, Toure in UEFA Player Award list

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voirians, Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, are the only African representatives in the list of 32 nominees for the UEFA Best Player Award 2011/12, which has just been unveiled by the European authority.

Journalists from the 53 member countries of UEFA will elect the three finalists who will be announced on August 14, and the award will be presented a fortnight later in Monaco, at the draw for the group phase of the Champions League 2012/13.

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Dempsey won’t leave Fulham’

RDM den Oscar lin

C

F

ulham yesterday dismissed reports linking midfielder Clint Dempsey with Liverpool by announcing it has yet to receive any offers, even as it would not welcome interest in the USA international.

Dempsey has been linked with a move away from Craven Cottage this summer after enjoying a superb campaign for Manager Martin Jol’s side last season.

It had looked as though Liverpool were closing in on Dempsey after a video posted on the official website of club owner Fenway Sports Group indicated that a deal would be completed by the end of the week.

“We have not received any bids for Clint Dempsey,” a Fulham spokesperson said, adding, “We would also discourage any bids.”

Dempsey, 29, has just one year remaining on his current contract, but Jol has made it clear that the versatile attacker remains an important part of his plans and hopes a new deal can be agreed.

helsea Mana berto Di Matt mitted he is a of Internacional p Oscar but insists t ian is yet to become player.

Reports on Mond vealed the Blues had £25m provisional de 20-year-old amid w speculation.

Oscar is currentl don as he prepares t in the Olympics wi and reports have sug has undergone a m Stamford Bridge.

“I can tell you that Chelsea player so it for me to talk abou that doesn’t belong Matteo said.

“I know there speculation we are ed in this player a course if there is an announce we will do “All I would say is a very young talente player.”

Dempsey

Uchechi, six others get Falconets’ chop AFOLABI GAMBARI

Robin van Persie

Gunners set to see-off Van Persie V

arious reports claimed yesterday that Arsenal has received a number of offers for captain Robin van Persie following his decision not to extend his stay with the club.

The Holland international confirmed earlier this month that he would not sign fresh terms at Emirates Stadium, with his current contract having just 12 months left to run.

The Gunners have been left in the unenviable position of having to cash in on Van Persie this summer, or allow their star striker to walk away for nothing at the end of the season.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus have all been strongly linked with the former Feyenoord player, who made the move to North London in May 2004.

Van Persie topped the Premier League scoring charts last term, scoring an impressive 30 times as he helped Arsene Wenger’s side finish third in the table.

The Dutchman returned to training on Monday for further discussions with Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis having previously outlined his concerns over the club’s future direction.

W

orld Cup silver medalist, Uchechi Sunday, is among the six players de-listed yesterday by the Falconets Coach, Edwin Okon, in an apparent move to firm the squad ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan next month.

National Mirror learnt from spokesperson for the team, Ejiro Femi Babafemi, that the coach aimed to reduce the players to 25 before the Japan event.

“The coach has made it clear to the girls that they must measure up to required standards before they could make the team,” Babafemi said.

“I think the latest action is in line with the coach’s plans,” she added.

Uchechi, who is the biggest among the dropped players, stars for Rivers Angels and was a member of the Falconets team that featured in the 2010 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Germany as well as in the Super Falcons side that failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Others are Vivian Okotie, Lola Phillips, Bukola Oguinnoiki, Jane David, Tina Oge and Aguawaba Chineyen.

Nigeria has been drawn against Korea Republic, Brazil and Italy in Group B of the World Cup which begins on August 18.

Hazard Striker Desire Oparanozie is still in the Falconets train

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Thursday, July 19, 2012

29

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Veteran table tennis star Segun Toriola

Toriola: Sixth Olympics and still counting AFOLABI GAMBARI

N Oscar

Blues chasing Eden Hazard’s brother

C

helsea midfielder Eden Hazard’s younger brother, Thorgan, is on Chelsea’s radar, according to Lens Sporting Director Antoine Sibierski.

The 19-year-old winger has played only 11 times for the French Ligue 2 club and has just one year remaining on his contract.

But having already this summer acquired one Hazard, Chelsea could be ready to make it a family affair at Stamford Bridge.

“I’ve since learned that Chelsea are interested in his possible arrival,” Sibierski said yesterday.

“I can understand why a player would want to leave Ligue 2 to go to Chelsea. We’re in discussions.

“Now, like in every transfer with a year left on his contract, it must be paid for.

There are also compensation fees for training him.”

igeria’s table tennis star, Segun Toriola, may not reckon as a gold medalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games on account of being 37 years of age. But he will register as Nigeria’s record participant at the quadrennial event with a consecutive sixth appearance since Barcelona ’92.

Ironically, Toriola, who has the knack for surveying the board to rattle opponents to glory, is hardly celebrated at home. No wonder the authorities have lately failed to capitalize on the veteran’s record to appoint him as the “face of Nigeria” in London.

Despite this, however, nothing subtracts from Toriola’s splendid glory on the board.

With the Beijing 2008 Olympics as the highlight of his career, becoming the first and only African to make the quarter finals stage, the Francebased star has dominated Africa and the Commonwealth with unrivalled records.

“Making it to the quarterfinal in Beijing was memorable because nobody ever expected an African athlete to make it to the last eight of the championship since table tennis debuted in Olympics in 1988,” Toriola told National Mirror in a recent interview.

“I have derived joy in that feat to date and the respect accorded me has also motivated me to achieve more,” he added.

He nonetheless derives less plea-

sure in participating in the looming London games.

“I am happy that I will be making my sixth outing in London, especially after being through a lot of struggles to qualify,” he remarked.

According to him, however, his tortuous path to London is worth narrating.

“In 2010, I copped an injury and when I was invited to the national team for the World Championship in Moscow, Russia, I told the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) that I was injured.

“For one year, I could not play and it was very frustrating for me to be out of the sport I have enjoyed doing for more than two decades. I was down but nobody cared to support me.

“When I resumed training after the year lay-off, I was told to come for trials for the 2011 All Africa Games in Lagos and I obliged principally because I was aware that most people had cast doubt on my ability to continue as I used to. Although I had not fully recovered from the injury, I had to rely on my experience to great effect and this helped me qualify for the event. Essentially, I also wanted to use my presence at the Africa Games to inspire the entire team.”

Doubts would not abate, as Toriola reckons. But he says his commitment remains unwavering.

“I feel sure I can still do much more than I did at Beijing in London because in table tennis lots of players do well in major championships despite their low ranking in the world

as times have proved that ranking does not win matches,” he further said.

The star would not be dampened by the authorities’ seeming refusal to give him his due.

“I am not surprised that my efforts have not been recognized by the sports authority in the country.

I know if I had been a footballer, I would have been recognized by now.

But as a professional, I must remain committed to my work and wait for the reward at the appropriate time, if indeed it will come.”

Nor would his sense of patriotism be altered.

“I will always cherish my national colour and will make my country proud at all times,” he insisted.

“I will not forget that many are hoping to also represent Nigeria but few are chosen and I have been opportune to be among the few.”

Unlike like some experts who hold tight to the view that the future of table tennis in Nigeria lies in the hands of expatriates, Toriola says inwardlooking would provide the easiest way to the promise land.

“We have lots of former players who are still playing and coaching outside the country,” he disclosed.

“There is practically nothing that the likes of Titus Omotara, Francis Sule, Sunday Eboh, Sule Olaleye, Michael Oyebode, Fatai Adeyemo, Thomas Ogunrinde, Bose Kaffo and even Funke Oshonaike cannot do if given adequate encouragement to excel. They will always be available to help raise the game in the country.”

Sport

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

8 TODAYS GO

JULY 27 - AUGUST 12, 2012

Ajunwa to speak at TREM’s service

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group in The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) called Breeding Leaders for Empowerment & National Transformation (BLENT), is organising a special service for Nigerian sports ahead of the London Olympic Games.

In a statement, BLENT said that the service with the theme, “Repositioning Nigerian Sports” will hold on Sunday by 8:00am at the TREM Headquarters, Gbagada Expressway, Anthony Oke, Lagos.

Guests expected at the special service include exinternationals and other stakeholders from various sports sectors, while the speakers include Olympic Gold Medallist, CSP Chioma Ajunwa, Churchill Oliseh, chairman, FC Ebedei and and Col. Sam Ahmedu, a basketball club proprietor.

Activities lined up for the day include donation of gifts to the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and Paralympics Committee Nigeria, song ministrations, prayer for the sports sector and word ministration by the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, who is also the chief host of the occasion.

Bishop Okonkwo

Aruna Quadri is one of the Nigerian table tennis players for the Olympics

LOC releases opening ceremony razzmatazz

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he Local Organising Committee for the London Olympic Games (LOCOG) has released the details of the opening ceremony holding on July 27.

According to the details, the Olympic Stadium will be transformed into the “British countryside.”

A cast of 10,000 volunteers will help recreate country scenes, against a backdrop featuring farmyard animals and landmarks like Glastonbury Tor. The opening scene of the £27million ceremony will be

called “Green and Pleasant”, artistic director, Danny Boyle, revealed.

He added the show would create “a picture of ourselves as a nation.”

“The best way to tell that story is through working with real people,” said Boyle, who has reserved a role for NHS nurses in proceedings.

There have already been over 157 cast rehearsals and Boyle added, “I’ve been astounded by the selfless dedication of the volunteers, they are the pure embodiment of the Olympic spirit and represent the best of who we are as a nation.”

Copenhagen stops Ndoye

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anish club, Copenhagen, has refused to release striker Dame Ndoye to play for Senegal at the Olympics.

Ndoye was named as one of three over-age players to join Senegal’s under-23 squad for the Games.

Under FIFA regulations clubs have to give permission for overage players to play at the Olympics.

Senegal FA president, Augustin Senghor, told BBC Sport that 21-year-old Kalidou Yero Coulibaly from Portugual’s Gil Vicente is likely to replace Ndoye.

Yero was one of four standby players named in Senegal’s original squad for the Olympics.

Senegal continued their preparations for the games with a friendly on Tuesday against Switzerland, who have also qualified Ndoye for the Olympics.

The set will feature meadows, fields and rivers, with families taking picnics, people playing sports on the village green and farmers tilling the soil.

Real farmyard animals will be grazing in the “countryside”, with a menagerie of 30 sheep, 12 horses, three cows, two goats, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, nine geese and three sheepdogs.

One billion people worldwide are expected to watch the opening ceremony.

Boyle, best known for directing Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, and Trainspotting, said the show was inspired by The Tempest and would be about a land recovering from its industrial legacy The world’s largest “harmon-

ically-tuned” bell, weighing 23 tonnes and measuring 2m tall x 3m wide, will ring inside the Stadium to start the Shakespeareinspired spectacle, featuring 900 children from the six Games host boroughs.

The bell, which was produced by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and is inscribed with a quote from The Tempest’s Caliban, “Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises”, was installed in the Stadium a fortnight ago..

Boyle said it was appropriate because “That’s how communities notified each other that something important was going to happen...after the war the bells were rung in London to announce the peace and we will begin our Games with a symbol of peace.”

Nigeria’s t/tennis coach upbeat

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able tennis coach says players training for Olympic gold National Table Tennis Coach, Nasiru Bello,Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), says his players are in top form at their training camp in Germany, where they are preparing for the London Olympics.

Nigeria will be represented in the table tennis event by Funke Oshonaike, Offiong Edem, Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri.

Bello told NAN in a telephone interview that the players were preparing seriously for the Games, adding that the training they were undergoing had helped them to improve on their proficiency.

“The players are on course and our training tour to Germany has really added value to our preparations, which gives me the confidence that they will make the country proud.

“The environment has also made us to be focused as we have the opportunity of training with the necessary apparatus which enhances players’ competence,” he said.

Bello said the players had been in Germany since May as part of their preparations for the Games, adding, “I am confident that they are training for Olympic gold.”

The table tennis team will feature only in the single’s event at the Olympics.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Business & Finance With our knowledge of past experience in promoting industrial harmony in Nigeria, the current dispensation is arguably the worst in the annals of industrial relations in the country

The cashless policy will help achieve the CBN objective of expanding, depending and modernising the payments system and also galvanise the CBN in ensuring that Nigeria ranks among the top 20 economies of the world by 2020.

PRESIDENT, NIGERIA EMPLOYERS’ CONSULTATIVE ASSOCIATION, MR. RICHARD UCHE.

GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI

Inflation rate hits 12.9% in June

L-R:Executive Director, Corporate Services, UAC Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joe Dada; Executive Director, Mr. Abdul Bello; former Executive Director, Mr. John C. Egri-Okwaji and Managing Director, UAC Foods Limited, Dr. Tawanda Mushuku, during the 50th Anniversary Celebration and re-Launch of Gala, in Lagos recently.

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T

he nation’s Composite Consumer Price Index, which measures the general price level (inflation rate) in the economy, rose to 12.9 percent year-on-year in June 2012.

The CPI report issued by the

Bureau of Statistics yesterday for the month under review attributed the year-on-year change partly “to persistent increase in the prices of some farm produce such as yam tubers as well as the increase in the electricity tariff.”

The Bureau also linked the increase in the cost of some

other recreation and sporting services, catering services, and miscellaneous services to why the month’s inflation surged than the preceding month’s rate.. It however, noted further that the large increase in electricity index and the aforementioned services was not signifi-

cantly reflected in the all items index due to their relatively small weights.

The Report stated: “On a monthly basis, the composite CPI was higher by 1.15 per cent when compared with May 2012.

The urban inflation rate was recorded as 15.0 per cent yearon-year while the rural figure was 11.4 percent for June 2012.

“The urban All Items index increased by 1.5 per cent month-on-month, while the corresponding rural index increased by 0.8 per cent, when compared with the preceding month.

“The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve-month period ending June 2012 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 month period was 11.3 per cent.

“The corresponding 12-month year-on-year average percentage change for urban and rural indices was 11.1 and 11.6 respectively” the Report added.

Amplifying further on the month’s inflation trend, the NBS reported that the level of the Composite Food Index was higher than the corresponding level a year ago by 12.0 percent.

According to the statistical agency, when compared with May 2012, average monthly food prices rose in June 2012 by 0.5 percent due to increase in the prices of some cereals, meat, fish, cooking oils and tubers.

LOCAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE Air Nigeria Los-Abj: 06:05 (Mon-Fri) 07:45 (Sat) 07:00 (Sun) 08:15 (Mon-Sun) 10;30 (Sun) 13:30 (Fri/Sat) 14:35 (Mon-Tue) 16:30 (Mon-Sun) 15:45 (Fri-Sun) 15:30 (Sat) 18:00 (MonSun) 19:15 (Fri) Abj-Los: 08:00 (Mon-Sat) 09:00 (Sun) 09:40 (Sat) 10:05 (Mon-Sat) 15:05 (Mon-Wed) 15:15 (Thu) 15:25 (Fri) 16:00 (Mon-Fri) 17:40 (Fri) 18:25 (Sat)13:50 (MonSun) 16:30 (Mon-Thur) 19:55 (Mon-Sat) Abj-Kano: 1825 (Mon-Sun) Abj-Sok: 1010 (Mon-Sun) Sok-Abj: 12:00 (Mon-Sun) Los-Owr: 08:40 (Mon-Fri) Los-Owr: 11:35 (Sat/Sun) Owr-Los: 10:30 (Mon-Fri) 13:25 (Sat/Sun)

Arik Air Los-Abj: 07:15, 09:15, 10:20, 15:20, 16:20, 16:50, 18:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Abj-Los: 07:15, 09:40, 10:20, 12:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat); 12:15, 15:15, 16:15 (Sun) Los-PH: 07:15, 11:40, 14:00, 16:10, 17:15, (Mon-Fri) 07:30, 11:40, 15:50 (Sat) 11:50, 3:50, 17:05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07:15, 11:20, 15:30 (Mon-Fri) 07:15, 16:00 (Sat) 13:10, 16:00, (Sun) PH-Abj: 08:45, 12:50, 17:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:45, 17:30 (Sat) 14:40, 17:30 (Sun) Abj-Ben: 08:00, 12:10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08:55, 12:10 (Sun) Ben-Abj: 09:55, 13:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10:50, 13:30 (Sun)

Aero Contractors Los-Abj: 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:45 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 16:45 (Sat).

Abj-Los: 07:30, 13:00, 19:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat) 10:30, 14:30, 19:30 (Sun) 18.30 (Sat) Los-Ben: 07:45, 11:00, 15:30, (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 15:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Ben-Los: 09:15, 12:30, 17:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat/Sun) 17:00 (Sat), 14:00 (Sun)

Privatisation: BPE receives 25 proposals for power stations UDEME AKPAN

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he Federal Government has received proposal from 25 investors interested in the nation’s power stations. The proposals were received through the Bureau of Public Enter-

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prises (BPE) yesterday in Abuja.

Spokesman of the institution, Mr. Chukwuma Nwokoh, who confirmed the development in a statement stated that, “In keeping with the timeline for the privatisation of the generation companies, the Bureau of Public Enterprises yesterday received technical and financial proposals from 25 potential investors in-

terested in the privatisation exercise.

“It would be recalled that the revised timeline had July 17, 2012 as deadline for receipt of technical and financial bids from the potential investors.”

He said the thermal power generating companies slated for privatisation included Ughelli Power Plc – situated in Delta area in South-

Anxiety as Tin Can Customs fails in N132bn revenue target

32

South region of Nigeria with a total installed capacity of 972 mw; Geregu Power Plc- situated in Kogi State in North Central Nigeria with a total installed capacity of 414 mw; Afam Power Plc comprising of Afam I-V power stations located in Rivers State in SouthSouth Nigeria with an installed capacity of 776 mw and Sapele Power Plc located in Sapele, Delta

EXCHANGE RATES

State in South-South Nigeria with an installed capacity of 1020 mw.

The hydro power generating companies included Kainji Power Plc comprising Kainji Power Plants and Jebba Power Plants located in Niger and Kwara States respectively in North-Central Nigeria; and Shiroro Power Plc located at the Shiroro Gorge, Niger State in North-Central Nigeria.

WAUA USD

155.87

CHF

158.2276

SAR

41.5609

SDR

233.9609

CFA

0.2886

EUR

190.0367

GBP

242.2999

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$110.85

-0.60

NYMEX

$93.02

-0.96

OPEC BASKET

$108.14

-1.10

NATURAL GAS

$2.53

+0.00

Cashless: Preventing e-fraud via PCI DSS compliance

35

233.0954

Arsenal’s match cancellation hits Airtel, Malta brand campaign

37

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Business & Finance

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anxiety as Tin Can Customs fails in N132bn revenue target FRANCIS EZEM

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here is palpable fear over the ability of the Nigeria Customs Service to meet its N1tr revenue for the 2012 fiscal year, as Tin Can Island Command, which is the second biggest after Apapa in terms of revenue generation fails to meet its N132 billion revenue target for the first half of 2012.

The command was at the beginning of the fiscal year given a revenue target of N264bn out of a total of N1tr targeted for the 25 commands that make up the service, which translates to N22bn every month.

Records show that though Apapa Command, which accounts for over 60 percent of the total revenue collection by the service has not released its half year report, it could not make the N72bn targeted for the first three months of the year as only N27.7bn was collected.

Apapa was at the beginning of 2012 fiscal year given an annual revenue target of N300bn, which translates to about N24bn per month.

Record of activities released by the Tin Can Island command at the weekend shows that a total of

L-R: Members of Board of Trustees, ZODML, Mrs. Ayo Obe; Dr. Arinze Agbim and Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri, at the launch of ZODML’s online library and website in Lagos yesterday.

N103.5 billion was collected at the end of June, 2012, which is a shortfall of N28.5billion.

Details of the revenue figure according to the public relations of the command, Mr. Chris Osunkwo Jnr., a total of N14.6bn was collected for the month of January 2012 as against the N13.7bn collected in January 2011.

Similarly, the command col-

lected N19.3bn in February of the review period as against N12.6bn collected in 2011, which shows that for the first two months of the year, though it surpassed the previous year’s record, it failed to hit the N22bn monthly mark for 2012.

It however collected a total of N19bn, which is about N3bn lower than the N22bn target but about N2.5bn higher than the N16.5bn col-

lected in the comparative period of 2011.

For the month of April, the command collected a total of N15.2bn as against the N13.7bn collected in the comparative period of last year while it collected N17.1bn in May 2012 which is marginally higher than the N16.6bn collected in May 2011.

The records also show that the

command collected a total of N18.3 billion for the month of June, 2012 as against the N17.4 billion collected in the comparative period of 2011.

The dwindling revenue fortunes of the prime commands is a pointer to the fact that the service might not likely make the N1trliion self-imposed revenue target by the service, which most stakeholders described as outrageous.

Most stakeholders are also of the consensus that the decision of the service to impose the N1trillion target as against the N92 billion given by the Federal Ministry of Finance was because the service is entitled to seven percent of its revenue collections, which is inimical to trade facilitation, as the service has resolved to meet the target either by hook or crook.

For instance, the service had, at the beginning of the year imposed a duty benchmark on a total of 26 imported electrical and electronic items, which implies all imported goods that fall under that category would pay a benchmarked duty irrespective of their quality and value, which are major factors that determine duty paid on imported goods.

Suit against CBN’s bridged banks suffers setback Expert challenges Dana Air to produce JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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he legal suit instituted by Progressive Shareholders Association against the Central Bank of Nigeria on the bridged banks has suffered a major setback as the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos declared that the action of the plaintiffs was unsustainable.

The shareholders association led by Mr. Boniface Okezie, had approached the court and sought for declaration that the action of the CBN and Nigeria Deposit In-

surance Commission in purporting to transfer the assets, businesses and operations of former Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc was illegal.

In his ruling on July 9, 2012, in Lagos, Justice Achibong upheld the preliminary objection of the CBN through its counsel, that the plaintiffs had no right of action to institute the suit against it and that they also lack the locus stand to institute or maintain such action.

The CBN counsel who raise the preliminary objection to the effect that having

regard to the true and proper meaning of section 53(1) of the Banks and other Financial Institution Act (BOFIA), also argued that the condition precedent to the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit was not fulfilled and as such, the case was not properly commenced.

The statement of claim by the plaintiffs also sought for perpetual injunction restraining the bridge banks, NDIC and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria from further dealing in or operating the assets, businesses of the nationalised banks.

Works Ministry to monitor Right Of Way nationwide DAYO AYEYEMI

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owards the realisation of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in road infrastructure development, the Federal Ministry of Works is moving towards the monitoring of its Right Of Way (ROW) with aerial photography and satellite mapping design as well as geographical information system (GIS) in order to ensure the accurate mapping of all lands in the country so as to reduce reported cases of environmental and other natural disasters.

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, made this

known at a meeting between the ministry officials including the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and Ofek Arial photo, an Israel-based digital company in his office.

He disclosed that the ministry is taking steps in collaboration with the surveyor-general office to embark on the mapping of the entire country for the successful delivery of the land reform dividend, especially to Nigerians in the rural area.

Onolememen who was in the company of the Minister of States for Works, Ambassador Bashir yuguda, stressed the need for collaboration between the company and the office of the surveyor-general for the realisation of surveying and digital mapping of the coun-

try in order to solve the problem of urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, incidence of natural disasters and managing them.

The minister reiterated the need for the company to patronise the Nigerian Satellite (V-SAT) in executing its operation in the country and the necessity of engaging the youths and providing capital development and training in other to build local capacity as a way of realising the present administration’s transformation agenda.

He was of the opinion that the Department of Development Control as well as the Ministries of Defence and Police Affairs could use the aerial photography in solving some of the country’s security challenges.

Airline Directives of crashed plane OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he immediate past Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Capt.

Adebayo Araba, has challenged the management of Dana Air to produce the Airline Directives (AD) of its crashed MD83 aircraft, which killed over 160 souls onboard and on ground last month.

Araba also said that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) may have burnt due to the inability of the Dana Air management to modify the component, just as he described the United States National Transportation Safety Board where the analysis of FDR took place as a credible agency in case of air accident.

Speaking with National Mirror yesterday on phone, Araba doubted if Dana Air management had been complying with the AD from the manufacturer on the maintenance of its fleet and dared it to make public the evidences of such compliance since it acquired the aircraft.

He noted that over the years, all aircraft manufacturers had modified the FDR to withstand any severe condition including fire, insisting that if the FDR had been modified, it would have withstood the intense fire.

He said, “No one knows the quality of the FDR of the crashed

plane because all aircraft manufacturers have modified FDR of all planes and I doubt it if this went through any form of modification.

The taking of the report to the NTSB, however I want to authenticate the report because it is the highest investigative body when it comes to aircraft accident.

“It is possible for the FDR to crash if the aircraft is an old model. It is possible Dana did not go through all those modifications being an old aircraft. We are talking about an aircraft that is over 20 years old here. It is unfortunate that anybody that died through air crashes in this country is culpable because no report is ever made to the public.”

Araba emphasised that with the facilities at the disposal of the country at present, it would be difficult for Nigeria to handle the supervision or maintenance of any airplane that is above 20 years old, observing that most crashed planes in the country were over 20 years old.

“We don’t have the capability to monitor or supervise old aircraft in this country. Look at the airplanes that crashed in this country, they are above 20 years old.

We should just do away with these airplanes. If the airline operator claims he had effect checks on his fleet, we don’t have the capability to cross check whatever he claimed to have done. We just rely on whatever he says.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 19, 2012

33

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Business & Finance

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Regulations for quarry, mining activities in Abuja out soon JOHN UWE ABUJA

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n Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee to regulate quarry and mining activities in the Federal Capital Territory, in accordance with the Abuja Master plan has been inaugurated.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada said during the inauguration that the committee’s mandate is to come up with a comprehensive report that will form a working platform for his ministry and that of the Federal Capital Territory Administration towards the development of a well regulated quarry and mining operations that are consistent with the Abuja Master Plan.

The minister said, “ It is

incumbent upon you to ensure that a healthy regulation is worked out to ensure that quarry and mining operations in the Federal Capital Territory serve as a reference point to other states in the country.’’

According to him, the current situation whereby quarry operations are encroaching into residential areas with a lot of them located in already planned districts of the Federal Capital Territory was unacceptable.

The minister observed that the task before the committee was enormous and challenging, advising that they must be prepared to face the challenges with the appropriate professional expertise and discard any interest that was inimical to the attainment of their mandate.

He reiterated that the minerals and metals sector was capable of contributing significantly to the socioeconomic growth of the nation despite the present challenges.

He said that the ministry would continue to work towards developing dynamic and strategic workable programmes that are in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonthan.

The Inter- Ministerial Technical Committee is chaired by the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Mr.. Mohammed Amate, an engineer. Other members of the committee are: the Director of AGIS, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. Isa J. Waziri, Director, Development Controll.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria can sustain Africa’s economic growth, says PWC chairman MESHACK IDEHEN

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igeria can play a leading role in Africa’s economic development, and can also become the continent’s regional financial and business hub in the near future, the International Global Chairman of Price Waterhouse Coopers, Mr. Dennis Nally, has said.

In the same vein, he stated that countries in Africa would continue to attract investors and investments from all parts of the world, urging Nigeria to prepare to continue its contribution to the economic development of the continent.

With the developed econo-

Seaman’s Schnapps partners Osun Osogbo Festival

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n line with its brand positioning, Seaman’s Schnapps, a premium white spirit on the stable of Grand Oak Limited, has concluded plans to sponsor this year’s Osun Osogbo Festival.

Making the disclosure at the formal media unveiling of the festival held at the Ikeja Airport Hotel, Category Manager of Grand Oak Ltd, Mr. Ayodeji Abiodun, said the decision to sponsor the popular yearly festival was not unconnected with the importance the brand attached to it.

Besides, he said Seaman’s Schnapps will be partnering on the festival because the brand is about culture and tradition, and as such the Osun Osogbo Festival provides relevant platform to associate and bond with key target audience.

He said, “If you look at the origin of the Seaman’s Schnapps in the L-R: Specialist, Consumer Segment Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Ugonma Akhigbe; winner of a smartphone, Mrs. Temitope Solihu and Head, Mass Market Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Idowu Adesokan, at the Etisalat 9ja Free market, it is about culture, it is about Credit Promo prize presentation in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI tradition, it is about associating with the life-styles of the consumers, and for Seaman’s Schnapps, the original She also suggested that commer- prayer drink, we want to celebrate wards to expand their businesses.

STANLEY IHEDIGBO But, this problem, she noted has cial banks should recognize women with our consumers”. proven difficult to resolve, assuring groups and cooperatives and fashffort to empower the that it must be resolved creatively ion out a way to accept them as colwomen financial is on the if investments in the medium and laterals for issuing loans to their small enterprises is expected to members in place of demanding for way as the Minister of properties and other assets.

Finance and coordinating Min- grow.

“These are some of the things we She said, “I want to launch ister of the economy, Mrs Ngozi MESHACK IDEHEN Okonjo-Iweala has recommend- the challenge to create specialised need to think about; adopting tradied the establishment of banks banks in Nigeria ; banks which will tional customs that work and modfor women that is designed to be set up not only to cater for micro ernizing it for the use of women. he President of the Nigeria finance needs but also for small and I believe that if we are not creative cater for their needs.

Employers’ Consultative AsOkonjo-Iweala made the recom- medium entrepreneurs who are in and innovative we will not be the sociation (NECA), Chief Richwomen we want to be, so let us join ard Uche, has said the association is mendation at the just concluded sec- the middle level” .

“So this are some of the things I hands together those of us in the calling for an urgent reform of the ond edition of African Women Economic Summit held in Lagos, with like to suggest that should be done world of finance, beyond dreams country’s industrial relations system, the theme, “African Women Financ- here in Nigeria and when it suc- and see what we can make practical in order to enthrone rule of law and ing the Future” where she delivered ceeds our efforts would be imbibed towards the economic empower- promote productivity. the keynote address on “Sustaining by other countries. In setting up a ment of women,” she said.

The NECA president said this in She said it would greatly resolve Lagos during the 55th Annual Generthe African Women Economy: A 20 specialised bank for women we can also adopt some of our traditional the issue of difficulty in accessing al Meeting (AGM) of the association, Million Dollar opportunity.”

She said there is need to solve ways of rotating credit and savings land and credit by women especially while also describing the current disthe herculean problem of access to schemes which has been and contin- considering the fact that women pensation as the worst in the annals finance for women who are running ues to be effective among rural trad- contribute agriculturally to produc- of industrial relations in the country.

SMEs, who’s financial requirements ers and women cooperatives in our ing 70 percent of the food consumed Uche argued that the current in the continent. are around one million dollars up- country.” industrial relations clime is charac-

Finance Minister calls for special banks for women

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mies of Europe and America expected to grow at less than 3 percent in the coming year, as against that of emerging economies like Nigeria’s that is expected to hit between 8 and 12 per cent, Nally enjoined businesses operating in the country to be ready to take advantage of the inflow of investments that is bound to occur.

Speaking with National Mirror in Lagos on Wednesday during his first working visit to Nigeria, the international global chairman of Price Waterhouse Coopers, said Nigeria must make conscious effort to upgrade and modernise its infrastructure in order to be able to take full advantage of the expected growth.

He further stated that the brand which represents enduring blessing cannot but identify with a festival like Osun Osogbo Festival.

“Our brand is a conveyor of everlasting blessing, hence our involvement,” he said..

Corroborating his views, Festival Co-ordinator, Chief Jimoh Braimoh, said the place of Seaman’s Schnapps in the celebration cannot be over-emphasised as the original prayer drink is used for the pouring of libations to the ancestors.

“We have to talk to the ancestors and we don’t use any other drinks beyond that, in talking to elders, we pour libations, so we salute Seaman’s Schnapps for its involvement, Braimoh said.

Seaman’s Schnapps which primary target audience are male and female of 40 years and above in the ABC socio-economic strata who treasure culture and appreciate the importance of traditional prayer and blessing has been supporting the festival for over twenty-five years ago.

NECA calls for urgent reform of industrial relations system

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terised by flagrant disobedience of court orders, spontaneous and illegal strikes, vandalisation of company properties in the name of strike and disrespect for union jurisdictional scope.

While calling on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to rise up to the challenge and restore the tripartite enthronement of rule of law and reciprocal respect of right as espoused by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), he also called for an revamping of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) that has been moribund for years in order to facilitate an enhanced government effort at reforming the industrial relations system.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

InfoTech

Thursday, July 19, 2012

35

Cashless: Preventing e-fraud via PCI DSS compliance Given the low compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards among companies and financial institutions involved in payment system in Nigeria, stakeholders have warned that holistic implementation of the security standards should be taken seriously to ensure adequate security for customers in the country’s emerging cashless economy. KUNLE AZEEZ reports.

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ith Nigeria’s economy recording seemingly positive outlook, especially in the volume of electronic transactions being carried out by Nigerians on various electronic platform, as a result of the emerging cashless economic policy being driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria, experts have again drawn attention to the need for companies and financial institutions in the chain of e-payment system to embrace globally-recognised standards of ensuring security of their payment platforms.

In terms of volume of transactions, the debit card scheme in Nigeria has witnessed exponential growth as volume of transactions carried out by Nigerians on Automated Teller Machines across the country has hit 110 million monthly. The transactions, as gathered, are carried out on some 11, 000 ATMs deployed by banks at different locations in the country.

According to findings, monthly transactions on ATM has increased from less than 17 million transactions per month to over 110 million transactions monthly in the last four years on the InterSwitch network alone.

It is instructive that the shift from magnetic stripe cards to Chip and PIN cards in 2009 has also contributed to increase in the ATM transactions, according to the CBN, even as industry experts have projected that the overall transaction processing for banks and other financial services would surpass $15bn (N2.4trn) by the end of this year.

On the transaction volume being recorded on the Pont of Sales terminals, a recent investigation my National Mirror revealed that the value of transactions carried out by Nigerians through the Point of Sales terminals deployed across the country may have hit N2.34m monthly.

With daily volume of PoS transactions valued at N78m, and N78m recorded as payment on PoS for 30 days, making a month, it is estimated that the country currently record monthly value of PoS transactions estimated at N2.336m.

These figures were confirmed by the Executive Director, the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems, Mr. Niyi Ajao.

Also, the Head of Shared Service Office of the CBN, Mr. Chidi Umeano, said the increase in transactions on PoS terminals was expected, given the increase in the number of PoS devices so far deployed in the country.

According to him, the number of PoS terminals increased from 5, 300 units as at June 2011 to 60, 003 units as at April 29, 2012.

He, however, stated recently that 110, 729 merchants have, so far, been registered to accept payments from customers through PoS terminals in the country.

PoS terminal

ATM

THERE IS URGENT NEED FOR BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT PCD-DSS TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF THEIR PAYMENT PLATFORMS TO SUSTAIN THE SUCCESS OF THE CASHLESS ECONOMIC POLICY In order to also make more payment platforms available to the banking public, the Central Bank of Nigeria, through the CBN’s Deputy Governor, Operation, Mr. Tunde Lemo, in pursuit of its cashless policy initiative, had ordered commercial banks to deploy additional 75, 000 ATMs across the country to their existing slightly over 11, 000 ATM points over the next three years.

This is in addition to a fresh target of 375, 000 PoS terminals deployment in different parts of the country by 2015, of which 90,000 PoS terminals are expected to be deployed this year to the existing 13, 000 PoS across the country.

However, as the volume of transactions on ATM, PoS and other allied electronic payment means increases by the day, experts say there is urgent need for business organisations to fully implement PCD-DSS to ensure the security of their payment platforms to sustain the success of the cashless economic policy.

The need to pay more attention to PCI DSS certifications for payment platforms becomes increasingly imperative as businesses, governments and other organisations in Nigeria currently lose $200m (about N31.2bn) annually to the increasing wave of electronic fraud and cyber crimes, according to the research and consultancy firm Earnest & Young’s recent study.

Industry experts and various studies have thus pointed out the vulnerability of Nigeria’s cyber space, given the fact that most electronic payment platforms run by the banks, the switching companies and other finance-oriented government institutions are web-based and have yet to compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards certification, PCI DSS. It was gathered for instance, that, while there are hundreds of companies playing in the nation’s e-payment sector at different levels, only about six companies including Interswitch, eTranzact, e-REG, Unified Payment System Limited (formerly called ValuCard) and First Bank have taken step to ensure that their payment networks are PCI DSS-compliant, while Zenith Bank has initiated the process of actualising its PCI DSS certification.

Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer of Priceworth Business Connections Limited, a company focused on implementing PCI DSS for businesses, Mr. Peter Ejiofor, said globally, PCI-DSS standard is regarded as a primary requirement designed to protect payment card data and it is compulsory for every organisation that store, process and transmit payment card information, including the stores where PoS devices are deployed.

He, however, lamented that, in spite of the boost in electronic transactions in Nigeria, only a few companies have deemed it fit to implement the e-payment security standard, even as he noted that the

CBN had started imposing a fine of about N50,000 on defaulting companies.

To him, “Electronic payment process is a huge network that needs to be protected. Any weak link can cause serious damage to the system because the moment customers feel unsafe, they will withdraw and it will require time and resources to win them back.

“The PCI-DSS is a serious business and am not certain the Nigerian banking industry it prepared for it going by their attitude towards PCI DSS Compliance even though CBN has also made it compulsory and imposing fine for noncompliance but they don’t really have a choice because it is the right thing to do.”

He also suggested that soon, MasterCard and Visa will start to bill defaulting companies in PCI DSS certification for non- compliance. “So, they will be forced to. But my concern is their commitment to ensuring they really do the right thing and remain compliant. Otherwise, if their focus is to obtain the certificate even if it means doctoring the reports, some will be out of business before they know it.”

The Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode, Mr. Adewale Obadare, said the PCI DSS was a regulation requirement that would ensure that operators put in place the required level of security for a robust e-Payment system if they must be insulated from fraud.

“Being PCI DSS-compliant means that an e-payment company has a reasonable assurance that risk management processes around cardholders’ data protection are robust and safe. This is an indication that all payments and card transactions sent through such a company’s payment network meet the highest possible standards for data security,” he added.

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InfoTech

Thursday, July 19, 2012

FG’s ICT reforms critical to future growth –CAPDAN STORIES: KUNLE AZEEZ

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he Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria has said that the ongoing reforms by the Federal Government in the Information and Communication Technology Industry is critical to the growth of the industry.

CAPDAN, the umbrella body of all IT and allied traders and companies doing business at the popular Ikeja Computer Village, said the restructuring being implemented by the Ministry of Communication Technology, is an auspicious exercise that will position the country for faster ICT growth.

Speaking with National Mirror after a breakfast with stakeholders in the nation’s ICT industry, facilitated by the Information technology Association of Nigeria held in Lagos recently, the Assistant Secretary General, CAPDAN, Mr. John

Oboro, said, “We are optimistic that the various reforms being carried out by the Federal Government in ICT industry and being vigorously championed by the Ministe4 of Communication technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, holds the key to future growth in the country.”

He said policies bothering promotion of patronage for indigenous ICT products, software development, development of ICT parts, boosting of local contents development, streamlining of various government agencies and parastatals under the ministry as well as the ongoing harmonisation of the various ICT-related policies would further jump—start increased growth in the ICT sector in the country.

“During the breakfast meeting, the minister explained to everybody the various measures being taken by the Federal Government to reposition our industry. We have implored the minister to sustain the momentum and focus more

on practical aspects such as the development of skills, and how to promote local contents in order to increase the contribution of ICT to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Invariably, more action is required,” he said.

ITAN President, Mrs. Florence Seriki, at the forum, listed job creation and capacity building, eGovernment and local content, as some of the key ingredients to achieving the transformational agenda of the current administration in the country.

Seriki assured the minister of the harmonisation that had taken place among IT stakeholders and the preparedness of the industry to address these challenges with one voice. “This is the first time that a serving minister will be meeting the industry that falls within the purview of her ministry to seek ways of collaborating and addressing the challenges that the industry players face.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box MICROSOFT OFFICE 2013

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icrosoft has unveiled a touch-ready version of Office, the latest version of the company’s marketleading productivity software suite.

In San Francisco, Steve Ballmer described Office 2013 as the firm’s “most ambitious release” to date.

The software is primed for mobile devices, cloud computing, and social networking.

Office is the globe’s most popular productivity application, with a billion users worldwide.

It is also Microsoft’s key revenue driver, and keeping it fresh is how the firm intends to maintain its market lead.

Throughout his hour-long demonstration on Monday, Mr Ballmer and Kirk Koenigsbauer, vice-president of Microsoft’s Of-

Designed with new touch-up fice division, highlighted how fi the software had been adapted th to keep pace with technology changes. c Office 2013 is fully touch-ready, as is Windows 8, the company’s a latest operating system, and its la new tablet computer, Surface, which is expected to be available in October.

Surface will hit stores some two-and-a-half years after Apple launched its iPad onto the market, and analysts say the power of Office gives Microsoft its best chance at gaining a genuine foothold in the tablet market.

Steve Ballmer said new touchscreen controls made the software a good match for tablets For the first time, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are all responsive to touch-screen controls - taps, swipes, and pinchand-zoom can be used within documents, files and presentations.

“The user-experience is designed to be more ‘immersive,’ ‘visceral’ and ‘multimedia-rich’ compared to earlier version of Office,” Ballmer said.

LG HS102G MULTIMEDIA

Unique pocket-size projector

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L-R: Director, Tele-Banking, Globacom, Mr. Ayotunde Kuponiyi; Leader, Customer Delivery, MasterCard West Africa, Mr. Oladipo Ogunsulire and Chief Executive Officer, eTranzact International Plc, Mr. Valentine Obi, during a mobile payment workshop and exhibition organised by eTranzact in Lagos recently.

IT firm advocates intelligent building infrastructures

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n indigenous Information and Communications Technology firm and leading systems integrator in Nigeria, has advocated the need for building developers in the country to adopt intelligent building system in the development of edifices and multitenancy complexes.

The Managing Director, Resourcery, Mr. Tani Fafunwa, made the call at the Annual Continuing Professional Development lecture organised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveys, which took place in Lagos recently.

Speaking on the topic, “Intelligent Buildings and Connected Real Estate Infrastructure,” Fafunwa challenged chartered surveyors to chart a new direction for the development of building infrastructures where state-of-

the-art IT facilities are taken as critical part of the overall development of building structure in the country.

He said the adoption of intelligent building infrastructures has become imperative as a way of uniting diverse solutions within a building from conception stage and ultimately lowering cost in the long run.

According to him, intelligent building is one that has its heating, ventilation, fire alarm, security, HVAC and power source, all inter-connected and controlled from a single point through technology.

“In traditional buildings, each of the mentioned facility operates as an independent entity but in intelligent building, they are fully integrated and work as a unit. For

example, if a smoke detector system sounds an alarm in the event of a smoke, the fire control subsystem will communicate with the HVAC system which would automatically close air vents.

This in turn will signal the security subsystem to unlock all doors so tenants may exit the building.

“Building developers, mostly owners, and tenants demand tremendous value and performance from their facilities. This clearly means that such properties must provide cost-effective, productive, safe and conducive working environments. To achieve this however, building developers and owners require operational efficiencies that generate cost savings on one hand, while tenants want enhanced services which translate to comfort and higher productivity,” he said.

he best feature of the LED-powered LG HS102G is the way it performs to the expectation level user sets for a higher priced projector.

The projector can handle standard video, widescreen video, data, photos or slides either as a live feed or from a USB memory stick. These solid features and easy setup make it a strong contender in the pocket projector market.

The LG HS102G comes standard with a VGA cable, VGA to component adapter, AV cable (composite video and audio), soft carry case, remote control, and power cords. For connections, the LG HS102G has one VGA input (shared computer and component input), one AV input, an audio output for external speakers, and a USB connection. The LG HS102G includes a built-in 1 watt speaker and an anti-theft Kensington lock.

Using a standard matte white screen I put the LG HS102G through its paces using a Macbook Pro, Windows PC and a DVD player.

At 160 ANSI lumens, the LG HS102G is kind of a throwback when it comes to brightness. But

when you factor in its small size, size you’ll be surprised at how well it performs. I was able to project an acceptable 36 inch diagonal image with lights on and daylight streaming through the windows.

The LG HS102G offers two brightness settings, economy and normal. Fan noise is 23dB in economy and 31dB in normal mode.

The difference in brightness between economy and normal is about 26 lumens (16%); however, fan noise is radically reduced by a factor of 6.3 in economy mode. I’d let the acoustics of the room and the ambient light dictate which setting best serves your audience.

With an estimated lamp life of 30,000 hours, the LG HS102G is another LED projector that you may have to include in your will. It uses PhlatLight LED technology from Luminus and should give you 10,000 presentations before you need a replacement.

In terms of resolution, the LG HS102G performs well in its SVGA native resolution and does a nice job compressing 1024 x 768 to fit the SVGA display, delivering very readable text in 12 point fonts or greater.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Brands & Marketing

37

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ponsorship of big soccer events is one of the marketing tactics brand builders often adopt to increase consumers’ interest. The growth of football fans in Nigeria has drawn the attention of several corporate organisations seeking every available point-of-exposure to bond their brands with their target markets. As a result, it is common to see friendly matches, besides big sports such as World Cup, African Nation’s Cup, Olympic Games, Nigeria Football League among others enjoying partnerships and sponsorships from global and local brands.

But as many brands engage these point-of-contact medium, it could sometimes be very painfull for brands promoters when events of this magnitude are either cancelled or postponed for whatsoever reason. For promoters, there would always be some loss to contend with because the pre-event media hype, strategy planning and some other pre-event bookings would have gulped some money while expectants target market experience immediate disengagement from both the brands and events emotionally.

Just a few weeks ago, the much hyped summer visit of Arsenal Football Club was suspended leaving some of the major sponsors in the lurch as every plan had been put in place to welcome the Gunners which have a huge followership in Nigeria. The team claimed that it was necessary at that time to postpone the trip till next summer. The visit of the club ought to have been the second tour of Africa after the 1993 tour to South Africa. But beyond the logistics issues as claimed by the club, observers suspect that the club is scared of terror attacks which had become an everyday affair in the North. The venue of the cancelled match, Abuja has also witnessed several bomb blasts. But the Marketing Director of the club, Mr. Angus Kinnear did not however hit the nail on the head when he said: “Bringing a top-level club to an international market is always complicated and logistically challenging. With the proposed match in Nigeria planned for early August, we could not get comfortable on everything needed to satisfy our requirements.” Although, promoters still expect answers from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

But for Airtel Nigeria, the summer pre-season match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria was planned to utilise the club’s merchandising, hospitality and content rights in five markets: Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda with the hope that the brand would leverage on an estimated 42 million Arsenal fans on the continent who are also potential customers.

Also, the Malta Guinness brand managers planned to entrench the newly launched Malta Guinness Low Sugar as the official drink of Arsenal Football club. According to the Arsenal’s Head of Global Partnerships, Vinai Venkatesham, “We have a huge following in Africa and Nigeria in particular. By partnering with Guinness Nigeria and the Malta Guinness brand, we are delighted to be aligning ourselves with one of Nigeria’s foremost companies and most well known brands. We’re looking for-

African mobile network operator, Airtel after signing partnership with Arsenal FC

Arsenal’s match cancellation hits Airtel, Malta brand campaign With the aborted summer visit of Arsenal Football Club to Nigeria, Malta Guinness Low Sugar brand activation seems to have suffered some losses. As the first brand to pioneer the partnership deal with Arsenal towards it pre-season match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, brand managers are desperately looking for other options to activate their brand, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI. ward to working together to connect with our many millions of fans in the region during the tour and beyond.”

This was also confirmed by the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Devlin Hainsworth.

Beyond the immediate brand activation, Airtel Nigeria embarked on the partnership to foster a long-term ambition to support the Airtel Rising Stars football programme, an annual grassroots training initiative that is expected to offers young boys and girls the opportunity to play football and compete in a safe environment. The Gunners is expected to provide the UEFA-trained coaches to assist with training in each of the five markets and at an Arsenal Coaching Clinic for up to 50 footballers in London. It was expected to be launched during the visit.

But as it appears now, the plans have suffered some hitches which has eaten deep into their campaign budget as a result of the postponement of the visit till next season which observers doubt will happen. But to avert a collateral damage which the postponement might cause the already released media campaign, Malta Guinness brand managers have not lost sleep. The team is trying to re-strategise for a possible situation where the English club could bring its team B to entrench the Malta Guinness Low Sugar brand which Arsenal would have endorsed as the official drink of the club during the tour. The new plan

YES, WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY. NOW, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS THAT THOSE OTHER ACTIVATION WILL HAVE TO BE KICK-STARTED SO THAT IT WON’T AMOUNT TO TOTAL LOSS JUST LIKE THAT followed the same pattern when the brewery giant brought the Argentine squad to Nigeria to activate the Guinness brand. As result of the refusal of the Argentine FA to bring its star player to Nigeria, Guinness however, conceded to accept the Argentine team B offered by the FA. National Mirror, however, gathered from a source at Guinness Nigeria Plc, that the brewery company has proposed to Arsenal for a possible visit of the club’s team B to the country as part of efforts to reduce the impact of the cancelation will have on the newly launched Malta Guinness Low Sugar brand. “Yes, we have spent a lot of money. Now, what we are trying to do is that those other activation will have to be kick-started so that it won’t amount to total loss just like that. So, we told Arsenal that okay you cannot come with your A team, what are the other things you can do for us? Remember what Manchester United

did when they sent Rio Ferdinand to Nigeria. Those are the things we are looking at. It is our suggestion but it is not yet publicised so that it won’t look like we have wasted all that money. We are trying to bring in other activities so that at leas,t it should be able to cushion the financial loss. Since Malta Guinness is the brand that took the pioneering move for the partnership, that’s why we are taking the move to ensure that we do not suffer a total loss,” said the Guinness source.

He added that, “It took almost three months before Arsenal could announce the partnership as a result of factors that are needed to be sorted out in reaching an agreement to ensure that the event was well optimised to project the Malta Guinness Low-Sugar brand”.

Meanwhile, the brand will soon launch series of experiential marketing campaigns to push the brand on the platform of the partnership deal with the Malta brand. This was confirmed by a statement from Kinnea who said, “we also have some exciting forthcoming activities planned with our commercial partners in Nigeria – Emirates, Airtel and Malta Guinness, which will kick off in the next few weeks.” Apologising for the postponement, Kinnear said: “We are sorry that the team will not be visiting this summer. However, we have a long-term commitment to Nigeria and we are already making plans for a visit next summer.”

Brands & Marketing

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Nigeria far ahead of other W/African countries in brand management’ Dmessage is Nigeria’s first integrated marketing communications agency to operate in Guinea Conakry, Gambia and Sierra Leone.

After seven years of providing communications solution to scores of foreign agencies and also serving as the eyes of Nigerian ad agencies in gathering marketing insights in those countries, Dmessage has decided to open shop in Nigeria. Mr. Sola Odeja, the Managing Director of the agency compares Nigerian marketing communication market with other West African sub-region in this interview with ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI. You have gathered so much experience in major West African countries and decided to operate in Nigeria, how much do you know about Nigerian advertising industry?

I have actually been in advertising practice over two decades. I cut my advertising teeth at JWT/LTC. I was there for about 10 years before I moved to Media Supermart and became the managing director sometimes in 2001 after which I also moved to Innovative Media Concept as the MD as well. I eventually had to leave in 2006 to start my own agency, Dmessage.

Dmessage as a practice was born out of the thirst to cater for advertisers who were moving to the West African sub-region. At that point in time there was mass movement of advertisers, the banks, moving outside Nigeria to set up footprints in some of these markets and what we noticed was that there wasn’t the manpower base to support such businesses in those countries. So, we were forced to set up structures to support those businesses.

That was why we had to launch Dmessage brand in 2006 and our first port of call was Gambia. After that, we also launched the brand in Sierra Leone market in 2007.

Thereafter, we launched in Guinea Conakry and we equally have footprints in Liberia. That was what informed why we had to start from outside Nigeria. The business actually started in Nigeria but in terms of operation we had to start outside of Nigeria because of the exigency of the businesses we had to handle at that point in time.

What is the core business of Dmessage?

Dmessage as a business was set up

as an integrated marketing communications company. In those markets outside Nigeria, the practice is not that specialised because they are small markets. So, you end up having an agency running the PR business, the branding, media buying and planning, research and the content.

So, you find out that you have to do everything together. But when you say you are specialising the market cannot sustain that.

What has been the experience in practicing in those countries compared to Nigeria, do you have language barrier?

The major difference has to do with the size of the market. But in terms of language barrier, it exists but we are able to overcome that. Aside from the fact that we had of paucity of manpower, we don’t have ground people that understand the practice. So, we have to relocate people from Nigeria and make them drive the business in those markets. We now get the local to work with them because you need the local people to get market insights. Without those local insights you can’t drive business in those countries. That is why there is no major player that comes into the country without talking to us first. Without those insights, there is no way you can drive business into those markets. For example, in a country like Gambia, aside the

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fact that they are English speaking country, there are other languages. They have the Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and Serer.

They also speak Creole. Creole is like our own pigeon English here. We are above these countries in practice. We are developing the market for them.

How are you going to handle some of the accounts you handle in those countries who already have an agency working on those brands in Nigeria?

In those markets, our major clients are not just Nigerian businesses. We work on a lot of local brands. But in those markets they are not as industrialised as Nigeria. So, they don’t have a lot of local brands that they want to push. Essentially, you have more of services, they are not pushing product. When they are pushing brands, maybe it is an international brand, they are just trying to penetrate those markets and that’s where we come in. The level of their industrialisation can’t be compared to Nigeria. So, you don’t have brands per say. We will not pitch for the same account here. We will look for our new business like we

WE DON’T HAVE GROUND PEOPLE THAT

UNDERSTAND THE PRACTICE. RELOCATE PEOPLE FROM

SO, WE HAVE TO

NIGERIA AND MAKE

THEM DRIVE THE BUSINESS IN THOSE MARKETS

Gala renews value to retain market leadership at 50th anniversary espite the fierce competition from new entrants and market challengers, the Chairman of UAC Foods Limited, Mr Larry Ettah has said Gala remains the market leader in the sausage roll market in the country.

He said this at the re-launch of Gala to mark the 50th Anniversary of the existence of the sausage roll in the Nigerian market. Ettah, noted that ‘’Gala’s glorious sojourn has been well-received by millions of consumers over the years because many Nigerians have not only sought to identify with the brand but to bond with it as well.’’ ‘’The truth is the brand has not survived but has become a virtual colossus because it has kept faith with its consumers. Gala has come out clean in its contract with the

Odeja

consumers by being the sausage roll of first choice! Today, Gala has become better fortified with micronutrients and exciting packaging – all in a bid to keep the promise to – and faith with – the consumers!’’ he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of UAC Foods Limited, Dr Tawanda Mushuku highlighted the great strides of Gala, saying: “The Gala brand has served as a symbol of quality, great taste and nutrition, holding the Number One position in the sausage roll category since 1962, a respected household name throughout Nigeria. It is interesting to note that with iconic brands, customer/ consumer loyalty spans from one generation to the next.’’

were doing before.

What are the standards like between Nigeria and those countries?

I can confidently tell you that there is gap. One thing going for Nigerian market is because we have the numbers. The level of industrialisation is higher than those countries. So, it is going to impact on the practice. In those markets, you don’t have so many local players. But if you are talking about a country where gap is a little bridged, you look at market like Senegal. Their market is quite sophisticated. But one thing that works for Nigeria is the numbers.

If other agencies in Nigeria flood that market where you operate, will you feel threatened?

No problem. It is not a threat to our business. You know the challenge will always be having a structure in place. Those countries in West Africa are not economically viable. Are they going to operate on that client alone? It will not make an economic sense to go and set up there. That is why most of the pan African pitches, the global agency, what they do now is they will call us and ask us ‘how many markets can you get for me?’. We tell them we can handle seven countries for you. So, when they are doing pan African pitches, they will look for affiliate’s agencies and they will say this is our team. They ensure they have footprints in Africa.

In’Genius Youth Project Competition rewards top three ideas

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igerian global youth organisation promoting innovativeness and creativity, In’Genius, has awarded a total sum of N4.75m to the three teams that emerged in the keenly contested innovative ideas competition tagged In’Genius Youth Project Competition Version 1.0 The three teams emerged out of the top 10 teams that developed innovative ideas after presenting impressive marketing plans for their ideas before top government functionaries and business executives.

According to the Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to the Ondo State governor, Mr. Goke Adeniyi, the initiative will rekindle the hopes of the Nigerian youths

to be more productive and redirect their creative energies rebranding Nigeria.

The team Aspire- inventors of one of the top 10 ideas emerged the winner of the maiden edition of In’Genius project competition and received the sum of N2.5m to implement their ideas on social media E-connect Playbook and Web Platform. The team Funab came second up with innovative project focusing on transportation got a sum of N1.5m while the team Diamond came third focusing on Tourism went home with a sum of N750,000.

The In’Genius Project Head, Oreoluwa Ogundipe described the Gala Night as a melting pot and connecting platform to merge Nigerian youth with innovative ideas with Investors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Peak Milk launches Drink Milk Every Day campaign

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s part of efforts to cub malnutrition amongst its teeming consumers and prospects, FrieslandCampina Wampco Nigeria Plc, makers of Peak milk premium brand, has flagged off a campaign tagged Drink Milk Every Day. The campaign launch which took place at the Martinos Hall, Alausa, Ikeja was said to have

become necessary as a result of extensive research carried out by the company which showed that Nigerians are not drinking milk often enough, considering its enormous nutritional benefits and its ability to help the country build a healthy manpower.

According to the company’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Ms. Ore Famurewa, “the nutrition is a key

enabler to meet almost every day development goal, and we cannot over emphasise the important role milk can play in achieving this.

Also, the Senior Brand Manager of Peak milk, Mr. Joshua Abuh described the Drink Milk Every Day campaign as not just fun but also an enlightenment campaign that highlights the benefits of drinking milk.

ad VA NT AG E icon HIS PERFORMANCE

Nwosu

M

Marketing Director, Mr. Walter Drenth; Managing Director, Mr. Nicolas Vervelde and Sales Director, Mr. Hubert Eze, all of Nigerian Breweries Plc, during the re-launch of STAR lager beer.

StarTimes renews bond with customers with anniversary promo

A

s part of efforts to boost sales and increase its brand loyalists, StarTimes pay TV has launched a promo tagged, 2 Million Naira second anniversary promo.”

According to the pay TV’s public relations officer, Mr. Celestine Umeibe, the reward programme

was mapped out to celebrate the organisation’s two years of successfully operating the DTT service in Nigeria and to also reward StarTimes loyal subscribers for their patronage.

The promo, which commenced this week is expected to run till Sep-

Building brands for societal good

T

he brand building process is beyond delivering the brand promise and meeting customer’s expectation. Definitely, delivering the brand promise is key, but that should not be the end of everything. The truth is that today’s consumers are getting sophisticated and they measure brands in line with their goodwill in the society. Consumers do not only base their perception on the benefits of the brand but they also scrutinise the value of the brands based on their relevance to societal upliftment.

The pertinent questions brand owners and custodians should ask is, “How do we build our brand for societal good”? The answer to the question should evolve out of a cohesive corporate strategy that is translated to the brand

strategy plan. This is because it is myopic to build brands only for business growth. The corporate vision of the organisation should support a strong correlation between the relevance of societal good and business performance.

Brands that connect with their environment become relevant to the consumers. This is because brands should seek to better the lot of the society. There is that basic imperative to build brand equity and sustain relevance through corporate social responsibility programmes.

When a brand does good to the society, it maintains a visible positive rating in the eyes of the society in general and the consumer in particular.

The brand should thrive on a societal purpose driven platform to project its value. The brand should

tember in 8 cities where StarTimes is currently operating.

“The StarTimes second anniversary promo would reward one national prize winner and eight regional star prize winners,” says Umeibe, adding that there are lots of consolation prizes to be won.

r. Kelechi Nwosu is one of the products of Nigeria’s top-notch marketing gurus, George Thorp. He has spent almost two decades in advertising. As the Chief Executive Officer of TBWA/Concept, a leading creative shop, Nwosu has brought high level innovative thinking to selling the brand idea.

He was the pioneer Account Director for MTN Nigeria in TBWA/ Concept from 2001 to 2005, positioning the TBWA/Concept as one of the top 10 creative agencies.

His performance as the resource person with TBWA Hunts Lascaris Pan Africa pitch for the MTN Account and wealthy knowledge in account planning and creative strategy, gave him the opportunity to lead the Concept unit team that launched the MTN brand in March 2001 into the Nigeria market until 2005 when another agency

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com equally be an advocate to develop the society and promote the good cause.

Brands that promote societal good are highly valued and relevant to their customers and they own a high ground in the society.

It has been observed over time that there is sustainability in terms of relevance for brands that connect with the society. Such brands are hardly forgotten by the society. They remain indelible on the mind of the consumers. Brands should multiply their impact in the society. It actually goes beyond marketing and brand communication campaigns. Lives should be touched while communities are developed.

39

The recent flooding across the country is a good case in point. How many brands have supported the initiative of government to provide succour for the people? This provides a vantage platform for brands to be relevant to the society and help the people overcome the trauma of loosing lives and property.

Some brands are only interested in promoting societal good for the benefits accruable.

This should not be the overriding motive. The sole purpose of the brands should be do good and alleviate the suffering of their host communities.

Let me state clearly that not

AS THE RESOURCE PERSON WITH TBWA HUNTS LASCARIS PAN AFRICA PITCH FOR THE MTN ACCOUNT AND WEALTHY KNOWLEDGE IN ACCOUNT PLANNING AND CREATIVE STRATEGY, GAVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE CONCEPT UNIT TEAM THAT LAUNCHED THE MTN BRAND IN MARCH 2001 took over the account.

He has extensive experience in FMCG brands especially in the areas of oral health care, drinks, banking, soaps and detergents. Nwosu has also handled the Virgin Atlantic Nigeria brand in 2002 as the Account Director.

He led the team to launch the Virgin Atlantic brand in Nigeria. He was elected the Vice President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria in the last congress of the association held in Oyo State. all brands have a social purpose and this is not good, a brand should have relevant differentiation and embark on projects that consumers really value.

In the same vein, there are some brands too that have identified with the predicament of their host communities. Some brands have constructed blocks of classroom to support education of children. Some other brands are also constructing borehole to provide portable drinking water for the people. This is very commendable but should be strengthened the more.

I believe brand owners and managers can easily identify activities of societal good to be leveraged on in a more concrete way. This is one verifiable way to build the brand in more compelling way to the consumers and for them(consumers) to maintain both physical and emotional attachment with the brand.

40

Global Business

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Credit Suisse plans $15.6bn capital increase

C

redit Suisse Group AG (CSGN), Switzerland’s secondbiggest bank, plans to increase capital by 15.3 billion francs ($15.6 billion) this year after central bank prompting. The shares rose the most in six months.

The lender will also cut an additional 1 billion francs in costs by the end of 2013, the Zurich-based bank said in a statement today. Second-quarter net income rose 2.6 percent to 788 million francs from a year earlier, the company said.

Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse Group AG Brady Dougan said “The measures we’ve announced today should remove any of the doubts raised by the Swiss National Bank’s report,” on a conference call with reporters today. Photographer: Gianluca Colla/ Bloomberg.

Chief Executive Officer Brady Dougan said the measures, including the sale of 3.8 billion francs

of mandatory convertible notes, will almost double the bank’s capital ratio from the level at the end of March, which the Swiss National Bank said required a “marked increase.” The bank is further reducing costs after last year announcing plans to cut 3,500 jobs and lower expenses by 2 billion francs.

“Concerns in the market about Credit Suisse’s capital position should take the back seat thanks to the measures announced today,” Andreas Venditti, an analyst at Zuercher Kantonalbank AG with a

market perform rating on the stock, wrote in a note to clients. “It’s positive in our view.”

Credit Suisse rose as much as 6.8 percent and was up 6 percent to 18.16 francs by 11:22 a.m. in Zurich trading, after slumping more than 10 percent from 19 francs following the central bank’s comments on June 14. The stock has declined 18 percent this year compared with a 2.9 percent drop in the 38- company Bloomberg Europe Banks and Financial Services Index.

The bank is implement-

Brady Dougan

ing an immediate set of actions to increase capital by 8.7 billion francs.

These include the sale of notes, which will convert into 234 million shares in March at the price of 16.29 francs a share.

Half of the notes will be bought directly by the strategic investors, including Qatar Holding LLC, Olayan Group, Norges Bank Investment Management and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd., and the remainder will be offered to Credit Suisse shareholders.

Bernanke outlines range of options for additional easing

F

ederal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke outlined options to ease policy further in case the flagging economic recovery fails to lower unemployment.

Easing tools include further purchases of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, and altering the Fed’s language on the outlook for interest rates, Bernanke told the Senate Banking Committee in Washington yesterday. Another option is to use the socalled discount window for direct lending to banks.

“That’s a range of things that we could do,” Bernanke said. “Each one of them has

Bernanke

costs and benefits, and that’s an important part of the calculation.”

Bernanke and his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee meet in two weeks to continue debating whether further action is needed to reduce joblessness stuck above 8 percent since February 2009. Recent economic data shows the recovery is cooling, with consumer retail sales in June falling for a third consecutive month when economists had forecast an increase.

“We haven’t really come to a specific choice at this point, but we are looking for ways to address the weakness in the economy should more action be needed to promote a sustained recov-

ery in the labor market,” Bernanke said. He resumes his semi-annual testimony before the House Financial Services Committee at 10 a.m. today.

Stocks rallied, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index adding 0.7 percent to 1,363.67 at the close of trading in New York. Equities initially fell as Bernanke’s prepared testimony provided no specific plans for boosting growth, then recovered as he signaled in answering questions that he’s concerned about the economic recovery. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.5 percent from 1.47 percent late on July 16.

DirecTV closer to deal with Viacom

D

irecTV is closer to restoring Viacom Incorporated’s. 26 channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, as discussions between the two sides continue, according to the satellite-TV provider’s head of content.

“There’s been progress,” Derek Chang, DirecTV’s executive vice president of content, strategy and development, said yesterday in

a phone interview. “We’ve been getting closer. We would love to be done with this thing, but we have to do it in a way that we can protect our customers.”

DirecTV, the largest United State satellite-TV provider, lost 17 standard-definition and nine high-definition channels from Viacom on July 10 after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract. Viacom demanded the networks be

dropped and threatened to sue El Segundo, Californiabased DirecTV if it didn’t comply, Chang said.

Viacom is asking for a 30 percent rate increase over the term of the new contract, Chang said, amounting to more than $1 billion in additional costs. DirecTV has forecast that its total programming expenses will rise almost 10 percent this year.

Viacom has countered by saying its fees account for

less that 5 percent of the satellite service’s programming expenses.

Viacom began offering new episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report on the Web yesterday after pulling some of its online programming last week.

The New York-based company said in a blog posting that the decision was meant to be “helpful to our fans with DirecTV.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BofA posts quarterly profit as chief takes aim at expenses

B

ank of America Corporation., shaking off some of the drag caused by faulty mortgages, swung to a second- quarter profit as real estate-unit losses narrowed and the company set aside less money for bad loans.

Net income was $2.46 billion, or 19 cents a share, compared with the year-earlier record loss of $8.83 billion, or 90 cents a share, the Charlotte, North Carolinabased company said today in a statement. Results beat the 15-cent average estimate of 25 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Bank of America surged 42 percent this year in New York trading, the best performance in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan’s performance and the outlook for the banking industry. Bove speaks with Tom Keene and Sara Eisen on Bloomberg Television’s Surveillance.

As the company swung to a second-quarter profit.

Net income was $2.46 billion, or 19 cents a share, compared with the yearearlier record loss of $8.83 billion, or 90 cents a share, beating the 15-cent average estimate of 25 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Moshe Orenbuch, an analyst at Credit Suisse Group AG, talks about Bank of America Corp.’s secondquarter earnings released yesterday. Net income was

Moynihan

$2.46 billion, or 19 cents a share, compared with the year-earlier record loss of $8.83 billion, or 90 cents a share. Orenbuch speaks with Betty Liu on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop.”

The biggest U.S. banks have struggled to expand revenue amid a weak economy, putting pressure on Chief Executive Officer Brian T. Moynihan to control expenses. In March, he promised “demonstrable progress” every quarter, with more than 30,000 jobs targeted for elimination at retail and support divisions, and the CEO yesterday announced $3 billion more of cuts at the investment bank, trading and wealth management units.

“We’re counting on expense efficiencies to be the primary driver of earnings,” said Marty Mosby, an analyst at Guggenheim Securities LLC, which manages more than $100 billion, including Bank of America stock.

Vodafone $10bn dividend quandary draws investors’ ire

M

ore than a decade after Vodafone Group Plc (VOD) started a U.S. mobile-phone partnership with Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), payments from the venture are still uncertain and investors’ patience is wearing thin.

A year ago, Verizon Wireless announced a $10 billion dividend, the first payout since 2005. The venture’s board is set to decide on the size of this year’s payout as early as this week, said two people with knowledge of the matter, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private.

The need for Vodafone, which owns 45 percent of Verizon Wireless, to negotiate a payment each year from the largest U.S.

mobile operator is fanning discontent among investors at a time when the Newbury, Englandbased company faces the threat of a $3.6 billion tax bill in India and is poised to report a slowdown in revenue growth this week.

Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg A year ago, Verizon Wireless announced a $10 billion dividend, the first payout since 2005. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/ Bloomberg “The uncertainty generated by not having a regular dividend policy from Verizon Wireless is very annoying,” said Peter Braendle, who helps manage about $55 billion at Zurich- based Swisscanto Asset Management, including Vodafone shares.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 19, 2012

41

42

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 19, 2012

UBA seeks licence in Zambia, as Transcorp posts N940m profit JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Managing Director of United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, has said that the bank is seeking a local banking license in Zambia to meet the country’s new capital requirements.

Oduoza who spoke in Lagos yesterday at a conference call said the bank intends to convert its license from that of an international bank, adding, “What we have done is to engage the regulators.”

The southern African country in January raised

the minimum capital requirement for international banks to $100mn from $2.5m and to $20m for local banks.

Bloomberg reported that the bank expects its African operations outside Nigeria to contribute about 25 per cent of earnings by end of the year, up from 19 per cent in the first quarter and 22 per cent in the second three months.

Meanwhile, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc has announced profit after tax of N940m for the half year ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 72 per cent when compared to N547m recorded in the same period of 2010.

The company total revenue for the half year rose by 41 per cent, from N1.2bn in 2010 half year to N1.8bn in the review period.

According to a statement from the company yesterday, administrative expenses stood at N488m in half year, while net profits for the half year stood at N1.1bn, an increase of 54 per cent over N684m recorded in the same period of 2010.

Speaking on the result, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Obinna Ufudo, said, “We are quite pleased with our half year results which have surpassed the performance of Year 2011 by N162million.

“We are certain that Transcorp is on the right path and will realize the performance targets set at the beginning of the year”.

He explained that the result confirm that the company is on sound footing.

“We are confident that the steps taken so far in each of our business areas will further accelerate our growth.

“We have an enviable pipeline of deals, opportunities and projects, and are well positioned to take advantage of them and ensure that Transcorp delivers even stronger results for the remaining half of this year,” he said.

Conoil turnover hits N157.5bn, declares N2bn dividend JOHNSON OKANLAWON

C

onoil Plc has declared a profit after tax of N2.95bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2012, an increase by 5.7 per cent when compared to N2.79bn recorded in the same period of 2010.

The company’s turnover rose by 53.2 per cent in the review period, from N102bn in 2010 to N157.5bn in 2011, while gorss profit stood at N14.9bn in 2011, from N13.7bn in 2010, representing an increase by 9.3 per cent.

The board of the com-

T

rading in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange continued on bullish note yesterday, as more investors took position of stocks with good dividend yields.

Specifically, the All Share Index rose by 1.03 per cent to close at 23,277.30 points, compared to the increase by 0.27 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 23,039.27 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated by N75.9bn to close at N7.43trn, in contrast to the increase

by N19.51bn recorded the preceding day to close at N7.35trn.

The sectoral indices closed positive as the NSE 30-index increased by 1.38 per cent to close at 1,089.23 points, while the insurance index gained 0.19 per cent to close at 129.74

pany has recommended payment of N1.73bn dividends to shareholders, representing N2.50 per share.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, trading profit increased by 20.1 per cent, from N4.73bn in 2010 to N5.68bn in 2011, while profit before tax rose by 9.2 per cent, frm N4.02bn in 2010 to N4.39bn in 2011.

Further analysis of the report showed a stronger balance sheet as retained earnings boosted shareholders’ funds to N16.82bn in 2011, compared to N15.26bn in 2010.

Total assets rose by 49

per cent to N61.84bn in 2011, as against N41.49bn in 2010.

Market analysts said the impressive dividend and profit and loss accounts performance were in line with market’s expectations given the company’s consistent growth over the years.

Speaking on the result, the company’s chairman, Conoil Plc, Dr. Mike Adenuga, said the results were indicative of the commitment of the board and management to growing shareholders’ value irrespective of the operating challenges.

He pointed out that the company launched

far-reaching initiatives to strengthen its income base in core segments of its business particularly in retail, lubricants, aviation, gas and specialized products.

“We shall continually strive to take advantage of emerging opportunities to repay the faith and confidence that our loyal shareholders have shown in us,” Adenuga assured.

He said Conoil would continue to consolidate the progress it has made in the past years and leverage on its unique position as Nigeria’s leading oil marketer to continuously improve returns to all stakeholders.

Investors gain N76bn in bullish trading points.

The oil and gas index rose by 0.81 per cent to close at 178.46 points, while the banking index appreciated by1.59 per cent to close at 361.18 points. The consumer goods index added 1.89 per cent to close at 1,908.13 points.

The financial services sector led equities transaction volume with 199.22 million shares worth N1.32bn were exchanged in 2,511 deals, as against 316.82 million shares valued at N2.11 traded in 2,902 deals the preceding day.

The volume recorded in the sector was driven by transaction in the shares of Sterling Bank

Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plv, First Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc. Nestle Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ table with N5.00 or five per cen to close at N500.00 per share, followed by Nigeria Breweries Plc with N3.60 or 3.21 per cent to close at N115.80 per share.

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc gained N2.00 or 3.64 per cent to close at N57.00 per share, while UAC of Nigeria Plc appreciated

by N1.63 or 4.97 per cent to close at N34.40 per share.

Conoil Plc rose by N1.07 or 4.96 per cent to close at N22.63 per share.

On the flip side, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc dropped by

23 kobo or 4.89 per cent to close at N4.47 per share, while United Bank for Africa Plc dipped by 15 kobo or 3.16 per cent to close at N4.60 per share.

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc shed 14 kobo or 3.30 per cent to close at N4.10 per share, while Longman Plc lost 11 kobo or 4.78 per cent to close at N2.19 per share.

Honey Flour Mills Plc fell eight kobo or 3.86 per cent to close at N1.99 per share.

Transaction volume in equities dropped by 37.3 per cent, as a total of 259.58 million shares worth N2.20bn were exchanged in 4,1825 deals, compared to 414.10 million shares valued at N3.07bn traded in 5,375 deals the preceding day.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,277.30 points Market capitalisation 7,430 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

NESTLE

495.00

500.00

5.00

NB

112.20

115.80

3.60

FLOURMILL

55.00

57.00

2.00

UACN

32.77

34.40

1.63

CONOIL

21.56

22.63

1.07

OKOMUOIL

28.00

28.52

0.52

UNILEVER

31.50

32.00

0.50

WAPCO

43.00

43.50

0.50

FIRSTBANK

11.73

12.17

0.44

GUARANTY

17.00

17.40

0.40

COMPANY

OPENING

LOSERS CLOSING

CHANGE

CCNN

4.70

4.47

UBA

4.75

4.60

0.23 0.15

UBN

4.24

4.10

0.14

LONGMAN

2.30

2.19

0.11

HONYFLOUR

2.07

1.99

0.08

STERLNBANK

1.25

1.19

0.06

FIDELITYBK

1.35

1.30

0.05

UAC-PROP

9.89

9.85

0.04

CUSTODYINS

1.49

1.45

0.04

FIDSON

0.82

0.79

0.03

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

30,159.21

14.00

12-Jul-12

182 Days

14,412.00

16.99

12-Jul-12

364 -Day

-

-

-

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

42-DAY

1,831.55

13.25

2-Jul-12

41-DAY

14.29

13.24

2-Jul-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$300m

18-Jul-12

$200m

N/A

$200m

16-Jul-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at July 18, 2012 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

43

44

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Davido, Linda Ikeji, Uduaghan, others nominated for The Future Awards ards n agha Udu

Ikeji

Chidi and Chima

week, has now released the full Nominees List for all 21 cat-

z Tool Tolu

ky W Ban

LEONARD OKACHIE

T

he Future Awards, after unveiling its spectacular Young Person of the Year nominees earlier this

CHANGE Best Use Of Advocacy • Ferdinand Adimefe (Interface Foundation) - 28 • OlumideMakanjuola (The Initiative for Equal Rights) - 25 • Orode Jade Uduaghan(Pink Pearl Cancer Foundation) - 22 • Adamma Umeofia (WeBuilt: Nigeria) - 20 • Chizoba Imoka(Unveiling Africa Foundation) - 25 • Esther Agbarakwe (Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition) - 28 • Priscilla Usiobaifo (Brave Heart Initiative) - 28 • Babafemi Oyediran (Rural Enterprise Development Project) - 29 Best Use Of New Media • Japheth Omojuwa - 28 • Gidi Traffic - 22 • Ediong Umoh - 25 • #Occupy Nigeria • #Save Oke • Seun Fakuade(Beacons) - 29 • Nmachi Jidenma - 24 • Wale Adetula - 27 CREATIVITY Creative Artist of The Year • Obi Somto (Photographer)- 23 • BayoOmoboriowo (Photographer) - 25 • Chibundo Onuzo (Writer) - 21 • Bobo Omotayo (Writer) - 29 • Imole Balogun (Photographer) - 23 • Remi Adegbite (Photographer) - 30 • OnyekaNwelue (Writer) - 30 • Mohammed Abbagana (Painter) - 26

do Davi

egories.

Voting begins immediately! The voting numbers are 33120 (All networks) for Nigeria, and 1523 (Expresso& MTN), 1910 (Airtel) for Ghana. You can also vote on www.ynaija.com/thefutureawards.

According to the organisers, voting takes only 50% of the second stage of judging, so winners are not selected by voting popularity – there is a 4-stage

judging process involving a Board of Judges and an Independent Audit Committee. There is also a one-week period for members of the public to make complaints about any of the nominees to the awards Central Working Committee (CWC). Please send complaints to info@ thefuturenigeria.com.

All the nominees will be celebrated at an invitation-only media and VIP Nominees Reception on Saturday, 4 August 2012

– where they will also be inducted into the elite The Future Alumni Network. The Reception is also a yearly charity fundraiser – and this year, the event will be raising money for the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria, a pioneering advocacy platform for children with Down Syndrome.

“Though there were remarkable difficulties in getting young leaders and entrepreneurs closer to 20 than 30, but we are excited to have yet arrived at an inspiring run-down of young Nigerians,” said ChudeJideonwo, who is executive director of The Future Project. “We gave ourselves the tough task of finding innovators, entrepreneurs and the kinds of young people you don’t always hear about, which is the essence of The Future Awards and we are as always, incredibly proud of the nominees we have.”

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES Designer of the Year • Adebisi Anita (MsMakor) - 23 • Kola Kudus (Kola Kudus) - 30 • Olorunyomi Omoniyi Makun (Yomi Casuals) - 27 • Toluwaloju Olowofoyeku (TojuFoyeh) - 23 • OsakweAmaka(Maki Oh) - 26 • Rukky Ladoja/Obi Obi/Tola Ayanwale (Grey) - 27/29/27 • UgonnaOmeruo (House of Nwocha) - 28 • Akpos Okudu (AkposOkudu) 25 EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE Public • Akin Rotimi (Ekiti State Governor’s Office) - 31 • Banks Omisore (National Assembly) - 29 • Chime Asonye (The Presidency) - 26 • Ohimai Amaize (Ministry of Sports) - 31 • John GomilukOtokwala (Securities and Exchange Commission) - 28 • Adaeze Nnamani (Ministry of National Planning) - 31 • The Corper (National Youth Service Corps) - All ages • Hadiza Abdullahi (The Presidency) - 31 Journalism • Chiemelie Ezeobi (Thisday) - 24 • Tolu Ogunlesi (NEXT/Forbes Africa) - 29 • AlkasimAbdulkadir (CNN) - 31 • Toyosi Ogunseye (The Punch) - 29 • Oluyinka Ezekiel Adeparusi (National Mirror) - 30 • Tomi Oladipo(BBC) - 27 • Barnabas Hunjo (Radio Nigeria) - 28 • Elo Nkereuwem (NEXT/Premium Times) - 31

Corporate • AdimIsiakpona (Marketing Manager, HP) - 27 • Seyi Ogunro (Associate, Banwo&Ighodalo)- 29 • Aneto Okonkwo (Manager, Google) - 27 • Ngozi Nkwoji (Senior Brand Manager, NB Plc) - 30 • Tomiwa Adesida (Head of CSR, Sahara Group) - 32 • Tomijogun Ogunlesi (Campus Brand Manager, Reckitt Benckiser) - 28 • Kayode Jegede (General Manager/Head of Facility Management, Deux Project) - 30 • Tokini Peterside (Communication Manager, Moet Hennessy) - 24 INNOVATION Science and Technology • Ahmed Mukoshy (Yrn.me) - 23 • Nnoduka Eruchalu (Ploggin.com) - 22 • Olumide Adewunmi (Gidilounge) - 27 • Zubair Abubakar (Nigerian Constitution BlackBerry App) - 32 • Chinwe Njokwu (Novel designs for microwave antennas using Nanomaterials) - 27 • Seun Onigbinde (BudgIT) - 26 • Femi Alade (Pliris Mobile) - 30 • RaheemTemitope Bello (geoUtil, a solution for 70% current household energy consumption) - 19 Education • GossyUkanwoke (Beni Online University) - 24 • Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Bookneto) - 21

• Tosin Jegede (One Child, One Book) - 31 • Adebayo Adegbembo (ASA) - 29 • Otto Orondaam (Slum to School Project) - 26 • Desiree Craig (Efiko) - 23 • Tolulope Sangosanya (Love on the Streets) - 30 • ObinnaOkwodu ( Robotic teaching in secondary schools) - 21 ENTERPRENEURSHIP General • Oyigoye Doyle (Nylahs Catering) - 30 • Kola Oyeneyin (Venia Business Hub) - 31 • Titus and Tobias Igwe (Speadmeals Mobile Kitchen) - 24 • Aisha Maina (Aquarian Consult) - 31 • Ayodele Arigbagbu (Dada Books) - 32 • Osaru Alile & Lape CaxtonOnakoya (Caxton-Alile) - 30 • Ola Orekunri (Flying Doctors Nigeria) - 26 • Ladi Delano (Bakrie Delano Africa) - 30 Agriculture • Ajo Kunnuho John (Animal husbandry) - 29 • Omoteso Sogo Ayodele (Piggery/Fishery/Poultry) - 27 • Tochukwu Onyemelukwe (Jaeet Nigeria Limited) - 30 • Olukayode Adeoye (Whails and Chase) - 32 • Ayodeji Adeyinka Adeoye (Irewolede Farms) - 30 • Fawolu Taiwo (Abivict Farms) - 28 • Olusola Amusan (OlusolaA-

musan Company) - 22 • Zechariah Obasola (Crop farming) - 30 Media/Communication • Julie Odia (WOW) 31 • Adaora Mbelu (Innovation Factory) - 26 • Uyi Omokaro (DM2) - 30 • Bobby Taylor (Bobby Taylor Consulting) - 30 • Komolafe Adesola (Media Insight) - 30 • Samuel Olatunji (Big Sam Media) - 30 Uche Pedro (BainStone) - 27 • Funmilade Alalade (Elev8) - 28 Entertainment • David Adeleke (HKN) - 20 • Keke Hammond (Flytime Productions) - 30 • Tana Adelana (TanaAdelana Productions) - 28 • Emmanuel Dole Onoja (Delphino Entertainment) - 28 • Don Jazzy (Mo-Hits/Mavin Records) - 30 • Cobhams Asuquo (CAMP) - 31 • Mamah Nwanchukwu (Ape Planet) - 28 • Clarence Peters (CAPital Dreams Pictures) - 29 Technology • Ayodeji Adewunmi/OpeyemiAwoyemi/Olalekan - 28/24/28 • Olude (Jobberman) • Ajibola Modupe (OTG Playa LLC) - 29 • Jason Njoku (Iroko Partners) - 31 • Eno Essien(Rheycrak) - 30 • Bode Pedro (Veda Technology) - 29 • Kayode Disu (IISA) - 29

• Temi Kolawole (Antigravity) - 27 • Femi Alade (Pliris Mobile) - 30 ENTERTAINMENT On Air Personality of the Year(Radio) • Oladotun Kayode (Cool FM) - 28 • Twitwi (Wazobia FM) - 32 • Toke Makinwa (Rhythm FM) - 26 • Maltida Duncan (Rhythm FM, Abuja) - 31 • Tolu “Toolz” Oniru (Beat FM)30 • Nike Adewuyi • (Splash FM, Ibadan) - 27 • Lorenzo Menakaya (Lion FM, Enugu) - 26 • Mazino (Smooth FM) - 30 On Air Personality of the Year (TV) • Dolapo Oni (Studio 53/Mnet) - 28 • Denrele Edun (Channel O) - 28 Uti Nwanchukwu (Jara/Mnet) - 30 • Ill Rymz (Nigerian Idol) - 27 • Andre Blaze (Nigezie) - 29 • Adams Ibrahim (Soundcity) - 24 • Yvonne “Vixen” Ekwere (Silverbird TV) - 25 • Maupe Ogun (Channels TV) - 29 Musician of the Year • Davido - 19 • Wizkid - 22 • Tim Godfrey - 31 • Ice Prince - 26 • Flavour - 29 • Naeto C - 30 • MI - 30 • Bez - 29

Actor of the Year • Ini Edo - 30 • Tonto Dike - 26 • OC Ukeje - 31 • Ivie Okujaye - 26 • Gideon Okeke - 29 • Ramman Hassan - 30 • Kabirah Mojisola Kafidipe - 31 • Lala Akindoju - 25 Producer of the Year Music • D’tunes - 22 • SamKlef - 27 • DJ Klem - 28 • Jesse Jagz - 28 • Ikon - 29 • Fliptyce - 30 • Legendary Beats - 23 • J Sleek - 24 Producer of the Year Screen • Clarence Peters - 29 • Victor Sanchez Aghahowa - 29 • Onye Ubanatu - 31 • Ishaya Bako - 26 • Ladi Odebunmi - 21 • Adeola Oloyede - 32 • Anietie James Ekins - 27 • Deji Adeniyi - 31 YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR • Bankole Wellington [Banky W] (Musician/Entrepreneur/ Activist) - 31 • Dapo Oyebanjo [D’banj] (Musician/Entertainment Entrepreneur) - 32 • Jason Njoku (Media Entrepreneur) - 30 • Peter and Paul Okoye [Psquare] (Musician/Entertainment Entrepreneur) - 31 • Linda Ikeji (Blogger/Media Entrepreneur) - 31 • Chinwe Njoku (Scientist) - 26 • Idris Akinbanjo (Journalist) - 30 • RaheemTemitope Bello (Scientist) - 19

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, July 19, 2012

45

JK PartyWorld debuts with entrepreneurship training LEONARD OKACHIE

J

K PartyWorld, a fast rising catering and events management outfit, in a bid to empower the youths and equip them with the necessary tools to succeed in business, recently introduced the maiden edition of an entrepreneurship focused training.

The training, which is tagged “Be your own boss”, is targeted at people based in Lagos and its environs. It seeks to fill the vacuum and cushion the effects of lack of gainful employment in a saturated labour market. The training sessions include catering services, entrepreneurial abilities and a step by step approach to events planning for undergraduates, young school leavers and business lovers.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), JK PartyWorld, Mrs. Adejoke Odunowo

said “every individual with special reference to the female gender requires continuous self development and attitudinal change to generate extra finances, thereby reducing the burdens on their families.

“The expectations from the teeming unemployed population remain a significant treat and adequate emphasis should be laid on tailored trainings towards building entrepreneurial capacity in the society.”

Odunowo, who made reference to the recent growth in the entertainment industry, said it has provided a leap for the Nigerian economy in both international status and foreign earnings. The company believes that opportunities still abound in the growing industry with various available platforms where young, talented individuals can plug into the global trend of young entrepreneurs.

She stressed that participants can

Mrs. Joke Odunowo (middle) with other members of staff, during the maiden edition of the entrepreneurship training in Lagos... recently

launch their own small company immediately after the training where they would acquire basic skills and an insight into the larger business world, learn new strategies to grow and retain old client base, among other things.

To be a part of this comprehensive

skill acquisition programme, interested participants can like the company fan page on www.facebook/jkpartyworld which also gives the individual an opportunity to get tips with unlimited access to a growing population of entrepreneurs online.

Labour unions seek FG’s support for NYSC job creation drive TOLA AKINMUTIMI

O Johanna Francis (left) from Joe 'N' Christ School, Oke-Ira, Ijanikin, Lagos, Vs Yetunde Jimoh of the Dew School, Sabo Yaba, at the Nigeria Breweries Chess Competition in Lagos... recently.

Why is ice cream bad for you?

I

ce cream is probably loved by millions of people around the globe. A great percentage of people have what they call a “sweet tooth,” and when it comes to desserts and sweets, many would definitely put ice cream as one of their favourites. But despite the joy and happiness one might get out of eating ice cream, people also know that it may also be bad for one’s health.

For one reason, ice cream is loaded with lots of sugar and may become addictive. Sugary food items like ice cream are usually associated with happy moments and comfort. People even crave ice cream just to comfort themselves from stress and other problems at home, school, or work. And when these types of emotions are involved with eating ice cream, people may become dependent on this temporary sugar rush and the relief they feel and may eventually get hooked. In the long run, too much of this product may cause

some serious health problems.

Nutritionists also point out that ice cream contains too many calories which could lead to obesity concerns. A healthy and balanced diet involves calories from different food groups. But if most of the calories come from sweets like ice cream, one may have problems in terms of maintaining an ideal weight. In fact, many people who eat too many carbohydraterich foods like ice cream are prone to have more body fat which could also be a great health risk.

Another health concern for ice cream is diabetes. This condition develops if there is too much sugar in a person’s bloodstream. Ice cream has lots of sugar in it and is addictive for some people, and so it may be a bad food choice for those who want to control their weight and avoid diseases like diabetes. With all of these health concerns, ice cream is often considered bad for people.

-Knowswhy.com

rganised labour in the National Youth Service Corps have solicited Federal Government’s support, particularly in funding, for the ongoing NYSC management’s initiatives targeted at training corps members and empowering them technically and entrepreneurially for postservice job opportunities.

Making the appeal at a media chat with journalists in Abuja recently, the chairmen of the two labour unions in NYSC, Comrade Alloysius Idoga of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and his Amalgamated Union of Public Service Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUCPTRE) counterpart, Comrade Kingsley Izah, said the support would help in translating the ongoing skill acquisition and other self-development initiatives being embarked upon by the management into huge socio-economic benefits for the country .

While commending the Director General, Brig-General Okore-Affia, for giving a new impetus to the skill and entrepreneurial capacity building agenda of the NYSC, the workers pointed out that additional supports for the NYSC scheme was required to tackle the growing problems of corps under-utilisation, paucity of

funds, poor training facilities and others that are hampering management’s efforts to build in the corps members postservice career development capacities.

“The administration is boldly setting out, using the recent expansion granted the NYSC by government to start a new phase of skill acquisition that would enable corps members to become self employed after their service. This implies that the mission is no longer to seek white collar jobs which has been the trend among youths.

The workers said thus: “The NYSC has Venture Centres where various products such as farm produce, livestock feeds, textile products, printing press and so on are currently in use. These centre needed to be fully equipped to grapple with the challenge of training corps members. Critical as this endeavour is and given its value-adding and life transforming focus, it will not be out of place to import some ideas into the country.

“In this case therefore, the Father Songhai Centre in Port-Novo, Republic of Benin should be replicated in every geo-political zone of the country to provide all inclusive centres to train corps members and other interested youths who are out there but have nothing to eke out a living.”

The organised labour pledged its commitment to the

skill acquisition programmes by mobilising its members to achieve the management’s drive toward youth empowerment, adding that this would also expose the NYSC staff to improve their skills and managerial competences by further undergoing trainings required to sustain the youth employment programmes in the years ahead.

Describing the NYSC as a national scheme that has given Nigeria positive image at subregional and global levels in view of its far-reaching impact on all facets of national life, the unions canvassed the need for its sustainability with a view to using it as a bedrock for ongoing transformation agenda, especially for the desired paradigm shift towards moral regeneration amongst the youths.

“The worthy achievements of the scheme resonated in education, health care delivery, and community development services, thereby promoting the spirit of self-help, self-reliance and inter-dependence of persons which essentially, is the bedrock of African communal existence.

“As the years passed by, the scheme mad forays into the socio-economic reengineering phase of Nigeria life. Both national and international development agencies discovered the NYSC as potent instrument to deliver their services”, the workers reminisced.

46

Media

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NN24 winds down, 2 years after debut LEONARD OKACHIE

W

hen NN24 (Network News 24) started operations in May 2010, with high expectations as Africa’s answer to CNN, many had prayed that the hard work that was put into it would be fully realised. But barely two years after, the cable TV station has gone under like NEXT Newspapers, Minaj Broadcasting International, HiTV among other media houses.

The 24-hour news network office at 3, Billings Way, Oregun, Lagos has been locked and the first generation bank, which the company is indebted to is said to be looking for the founder, Mr. Tony Dara.

It was gathered that the company’s predicament is not unrelated with mismanagement and paucity of funds as the company also owes its staff a backlog of salaries.

In 2011, NN24, which had prided itself as Nigeria’s first 24-hour news channel, cut down transmission to 13 hours, one year after its debut on DSTV. Some of the staff then left to seek opportunities elsewhere having been owed eight months salaries.

It was learnt that some of the staff left for other stations like TVC, Channels and others.

The company, late last year sacked some of its staff who were not able to report to office on daily basis because of its inability to pay salaries.

Unfortunately, the crisis took its toll as the staff and management openly opposed each other whenever the staff were seen discussing the matter. A memo by the Managing Director had reportedly said “It is worthy to keep in mind that our situation is as a result of a huge funding gap from July till now without commensurate income or additional investments for the same period. And not as a result of mismanagement of income or resources of the company” However, some months after, another memo by Dara

the HR Director admitted that errors on the part of management were responsible for the staff ’s predicaments. It said: “These difficulties that emerged as a result of mistakes and indecisions have put the company's highly rated and committed staff in a lot of personal difficulties. Management wishes to reemphasise that it has taken full responsibility of the mistakes, which were not intentional and we apologise in no quantifiable measure.”

In addition to Nigerian staff leaving the company, the expatriates brought in when the company started have also left with one of them saying in an email “please kindly direct any question you have of the sort I've answered in the past to either Abba or to Tony Dara. There is nothing I can do to help going forward. I was profoundly disappointed at the lack of performance.”

Sadly, the company’s woes were further compounded when a group of its former employees dragged the management to court over a breach of contractual agreement.

The company, according to a copy of the court’s writ of summon, dated April 25, 2012, is expected to pay a debt of over N22, 000,000 (twenty-two million) it owed the former employees.

Like NEXT, which came with a big promise but folded up in September 2011, after two and half years, NN24 is a story of another brilliant frustrated by lack of money and perhaps wrong business model.

Adaba

Bolarinwa

Stakeholders chart way The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, BON, recently staged a oneday summit in Victoria Island, Lagos to define the future of Broadcasting in Nigeria. With the galaxy of stars in the Nigerian polity and the media firmament on seat at the summit, it was enough an indication that a serious business of defining the future of broadcasting in Nigeria was underway.

ABDURRASAQ ABDUSSALAM, and ABDULWAREES SOLANKE, who were part of the summit, captured the trend and mood at the discourse.

F

or the broadcasting industry in Nigeria, it was a day of home truth recently as the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) brought all the heavy weights in the broadcast media and the polity together under one roof to discuss the future of the industry.

In conceiving the first stakeholders Broadcast Summit, BON had carefully chosen as its theme ‘Broadcasting in Nigeria: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ as it assembled relevant stakeholders including National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Advertising Practitioners Council Of Nigeria (APCON), National Communications Commission (NCC), Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN), Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) and the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN) to brainstorm on this strategic industry whose operations bear directly on the survival of the country.

Two germane issues bordering on the quality and content of broadcasting in the country were set for discussion at the one-day gathering. The first paper presented by a veteran broadcaster and manager, Aremo Taiwo Alimi, borrowed directly from the summit’s theme,

‘Broadcasting in Nigeria; yesterday, today and tomorrow – Need for urgent repositioning of broadcasting for Nation Building.’

The second speaker, Engr.

Yomi Bolarinwa, Director General of National Broadcasting Commission dealt with “Digital Broadcasting: Challenges of Spectrum.”

As early as 8:00am, big names in the industry in Nigeria had begun to gather at the event venue, the Harbour Point, ever looking the Atlantic Ocean, Bar Beach, Victoria Island for the defining summit that was declared open by the Senate President, David Mark with the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, slated as the distinguished guest of honour.

His second level representative was the NBC DG, Yomi Bolarinwa, as the Minister of Information; Labaran Maku who could have represented the vice-president could not make it to the summit, apparently because of state duties. Indeed it was a time of soul searching for the Broadcasting Constituency as speaker after speaker x-rayed the pitfalls, the strengths and the abuses of broadcasting in the nation’s polity.

The Chairman of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Abubakar Jijiwa, set

the tone of the summit’s discourse in a coherently articulated welcome speech anchored on ‘Taking our collective Destiny in our own hands’. In analysing the strategic importance of Broadcasting, Jijiwa acknowledged that the electronic media accounts for 95% of the critical mass of the country in delivering content on information, education and entertainment thus making broadcasting the most powerful organ of communication in any society.

A major factor in its strength according to Jijiwa, is its ability to create or recreate reality by having the audience listen to or even see actualities. “The ability of the broadcast media to recreate reality has endeared it to the listeners and viewers all over the world. With this critical mass, the time has come for broadcasters to take their collective destiny into their own hands”, the BON chairman submitted.

The Senate President, Senator David Mark who was the summit’s chairman provided a very profound and authoritative insight. Declaring the summit open, Senator David Mark, commended the role of the media in national development and pledged the support of the national assembly towards providing the needed environment for a more productive media prac-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, July 19, 2012

47

DAME mourns Olusola LEONARD OKACHIE

T

Jijiwa

Mark

forward for broadcast industry tice, that the national assembly was considering ownership of media stations to complement its legislative functions.

Mark was later to counsel industry operators as they join the digitization train on the need to be disciplined in abiding by the NBC codes in the management of spectrum. The Senate President who assured that the National Assembly was ready to work together to assist broadcasters grow the industry, noted that there was an urgent need to convene another summit to give due attention to various contentious issues that were generated from the gathering.

Following on Mark’s presentation, Alimi delivered a very seminal 16-page paper that drew a very rich and insightful discussion by two eminent broadcasters.

He raised several fundamental issues as he reflected on decline on Radio / TV performances, News and Programme, Broadcasting and Advertising, payment of Royalties, Need for Transmitter Village, etc.

Alimi delivered huge indictment on the Nigerian Broadcasting Industry as he submitted that “for the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Nigeria, to be wallowing in poverty and crime is a clear indication that Broadcasting has failed to take care for Nigerians and for our character.

Without mincing words, Alimi indicted the media industry for seeming to have rejected attributes and value of courage, integrity, accuracy, reliability, balance, fairness, patriotism and commitment, asking “where is consistent professionalism in Nigeria today?” He lampooned the practitioners’ shortsighted journalism and short-sighted broadcasting “where broadcasting should be the leading agent for sustainable development in Nigeria.”

Alimi therefore pleaded that the media in Nigeria should develop a new orientation and a new form in order to uphold the truth and be on the side of the people, the poor, a wakeup call for broadcasting to function as a catalyst for action in vital social, political and

economic institutions in Nigeria and also to function as an active carrier of information.

The tumultuous applause that greeted Alimi’s verdict on the broadcast industry only subsided a little for Dr. Tom Adaba to offer an equally thought-provoking perspective. Dr. Adaba, a former Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, threading on a familiar turf as an industry regulator, had noted in his opening remarks that with the multiplicity of the broadcast media carrying their assigned vocation, they will continue to be both relevant and assertive in redirecting and re-orientating governance and society.

But he raised vital issues on the Nigerian Broadcast industry digitization preparedness level, one of which is content in his survey of the industry shows there are a total of 165 licenses issued for television operations and a higher number of 218 licenses for radio (federal, state-owned, private and special interest groups) while acknowledging that content is a “serious challenge”.

Adaba explained that the status with either produce or purchase programmes, both requiring that a lot of financial resources will have to be committed. Given this reality of heavy cost of programme procurement, Adaba made a case for creative approach to programming. Funding and training formed two other pegs of Adaba’s discourse on Alimi’s ground shaking paper. He solicited for mutuality and collaboration to cut cost and to find “common grounds that would facilitate programme posting and exchange, networking and plugging into bigger networks”.

He also opposed the idea of local government collecting radio and TV licenses insisting that license fees should be the responsibility of the station that feed their viewers and audience with the intellectual properly. This position needs a constitutional review or amendment. His clincher on the discourse was on training as he gave a verdict that human resource development is for-

ever a win-win risk taking. Said he,“It is only through this that broadcasters are abreast with the fast paced technological development. We have a choice to join in or be left behind.”

The summit also received goodwill messages from the Minister of information and communications, Mr. Labaran Maku who requested the media to further strengthen democracy and join the nation in the renewed fight against terrorism. He recommended that broadcasters should devise editorial strategies to drive away fear, build patriotism and be security conscious.

Senator Chris Anyanwu and Hon. Abike Dabiri who as members of the fourth estate of the realm, were ace broadcasters before venturing into the political arena as amazons in the National Assembly re-affirmed their commitments to and support for the broadcast industry and called for sustained professionalism in the delivery of content.

They recognise that a lot of work needs to be done by the information ministry to ensure people are more security conscious. The Lagos state government represented by Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, Lagos State Commissioner for Information ascribed improved funding but with sufficient freedoms to the improvement of broadcasting without which democracy can’t thrive.

In his own contribution Chief Lolu Akinwumi APCON Chairman of council noted that the advertising industry is big and growing and that the expectations are very high. He therefore pledged to continue to support BON and ensure quality commercial broadcast. As advertising is pertinent to the survival of commercialized government owned and commercial private broadcasters, Akinwunmi’s assurance becomes encouraging, more so that advertisers and advertising agencies have undone many radio and television stations in the volume of debts that are unsettled.

AbdusSalam is the Special Assistant to the Director General, VON, while Solanke heads VON Training Centre.

rustees of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) have described late Chief Segun Olusola as an accomplished professional whose commitment to the pursuit of excellence should be emulated by the youth.

In a statement signed by Mr. Moses Ihonde, chairman of DAME Board of Trustees, DAME noted that Chief Olusola discharged himself equitably in the fields of broadcasting, diplomacy and the arts. The board recalled that he remained committed to the promotion of best practices in the Nigerian media until the very end as evidenced in his contributions to the development of DAME as a useful platform to promote media excellence.

The statement noted: “As a trustee, he contributed useful ideas to the institutional growth of DAME for which we will always be grateful; he also endowed a prize for Television Drama in memory of his first wife, Elsie to underscore his belief in drama as a potent vehicle to address social issues”.

DAME saluted his contributions to the growing consciousness on the problem of refugees in Africa through the African Refugees Foundation which he founded 20 years ago.

Kasuwa.com donates 20,000 books

C

onsidered Nigeria’s biggest online shop www.kasuwa.com has announced an offering of over 20,000 book titles across the board to its customers.

“This, without a doubt, eliminates the limitations on access to titles and an absence of choice that has constrained a lot of the Nigerian reading audience, says Buki Animashaun, the firm’s public relations manager. “That appetite for reading has guided our strategy in this area, to expand the options beyond internal supplies and small book shops to providing access to a huge resource of thousands of titles.”

The online store offers other products like electronics, games, mobile phones and home appliances but the online bookstore is perhaps its biggest game changer. The new millennium has brought with it country-wide literacy growth, and a renewed appreciation of culture and literature, informing the company’s decision to invest in providing over thousands of book titles – from children’s books and business management to religious texts and lifestyle titles.

“In just a few weeks, the response from the market has been extremely delightful. We are well on our way to becoming Nigeria’s number one online retailer. Kasuwa.com has been a product of careful thinking and technological advancement has made just about anything available to consumers at the touch of a button, Nigeria should be no different.” Animashaun says.

48

Cocktail

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Oddities

Woman uses story of cheating ex-husband to sell house

E

lle Zober describes herself as “scorned” and “slightly bitter.” And the recently divorced Oregon woman hopes those feelings of resentment will help her sell a house.

Local Fox affiliate KPTV reports that the For Sale sign in Zober’s front yard reads, “Husband left us for a 22-year-old.

House for sale by scorned, slightly bitter, newly single owner.”

Zober even created a website for the house

titled Great Family Home.

However, Zober is practicing some discretion in screening potential buyers; as the sign points out, “Adulterers need not apply.”

But anyone is free to buy a $5 fridge magnet version of the sign, via the site’s merchandising section.

As the sign notes, Zober says she and her former husband split after he allegedly left her and their two children for a younger woman.

Man uses obituary to confess indiscretions

A

59-year-old Utah man who wrote his own obituary before he died last week used the opportunity to come clean.

Friends and family of Val Patterson learned Sunday that the man they

thought held a doctorate from the University of Utah received the degree thanks to a paperwork mistake and that he never even graduated.

Patterson died from throat cancer on July 10.

KSL-TV reports he wrote

Cat makes 6-mile trek back home

A

nimal rescue league officials say they don’t know how a black cat walked about 6 miles in three days to find his way back home in New Hampshire.

Wollie the cat has been reunited with Barbara Oliphant.

She began caring for the stray last summer. But when her husband was hospitalized with a stroke, she said she couldn’t give Wollie much attention and turned him over to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford

in early June.

Her husband began getting better, and Oliphant missed Wollie — a name that came from her husband’s nickname, “Oli” — terribly. Her daughter secretly adopted the 3-yearold cat on June 23 with the intention of surprising her mother with the return of her much-missed pet, but Wollie poked a paw through his zippered carrier in the parking lot and escaped.

Three days later, Oliphant said she spotted Wollie crossing a road leading to the house.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Val Patterson and his wife Mary Jane

Photo: AP

his own death notice in the first person last fall.

The light-hearted obituary published in the Salt Lake Tribune (http://bit. ly/NDqHRp ) also includes a confession to stealing a business’

safe. He wrote: “As it tur ns out, I AM the guy who stole the safe from the Motor View Drive Inn back in June, 1971.”

His widow, Mary Jane, told KSL-TV the confessions are true.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

Suicide bomber kills Syrian top ministers

“Iran’s leaders still have the opportunity to make thee right decision. The choice is ultimately Iran’s.””

50

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

S

outh Africans disregarding their differences in colour and social status came together yesterday to honour Nelson Mandela, the deeply loved statesman who helped bring freedom to their country. The good deeds done on Mandela’s 94th birthday ranged from building houses to performing free eye cataract operations.

Education officials estimated nearly 12 million children kicked off celebrations at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) with resounding “Happy Birthday” choruses in schools from well-funded private institutions to barely furnished rooms in villages. Millions more South Africans joined in from offices, buses, train stations and Mandela Square, set amid the plush skyscrapers and exclusive boutiques of Johannesburg’s Sandton City.

Mandela spent the day quietly with family and friends in southeastern Qunu village, according to Sello Hatang, a spokesman for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

An AP Television cameraman caught the venerated leader with a champagne flute in his hand, flanked by his wife, Graca Machel, and former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, before a ribboned two-tiered birthday cake.

Well-wishers placed flowers outside the Mandela homestead and local villagers sang, danced and shared birthday cake. Convicts from the district prison joined in the spirit, volunteering to spruce up the village school by painting and cutting grass.

Communities in South Africa dedicated 67 minutes of the day

– United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clintonn

South Africa honours Mandela at 94

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a key player in the fight against Islamist extremists, was “critical” in hospital in Brussels yesterday, diplomatic sources told AFP, though his government denied he was unwell.

The one-time Marxist who toppled the bloody dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991 was in a life-threatening condition, said a diplomat who asked not to be named.

“He is in a critical state, his life is in danger,” said the diplomat.

“He is in a critical state but is alive,” said another.

In Addis Ababa, however, government spokesman Bereket Simon denied reports that the 57-year-old premier who has held power in the populous African nation for over two decades was ill.

End of AIDS pandemic in sight – US expert Nelson Mandela celebrating his birthday with family in Qunu, South Africa yesterday

to volunteer work and projects for the needy — one minute to mark each of Mandela’s 67 years in public service.

South Africa came to a virtual standstill early in the day as strangers greeted each other in the streets and even infants at one pre-school waved at passersby and sang: “We love you, Tata,” or “great father,” a supreme term of endearment.

But the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness that Mandela epitomizes has lost its luster in the country as the fruits of political liberation have failed to bring

most South Africans a better life. Control of Africa’s biggest economy remains firmly in the hands of the minority whites.

The education system to uplift poor South Africans is a shambles. Violent crime is rampant.

A small percentage of blacks have become millionaires, some through corruption and ties to Mandela’s governing African National Congress.

The Rev. Frank Chikane, a veteran of the governing African National Congress and former director general in the South African presidency, berated the coun-

PHOTO: AP

try’s leaders as falling far short of Mandela and his principles, compromising themselves with greed and corruption instead of serving the people.

In a speech marking the U.N.designated International Mandela Day, Chikane said Mandela and his contemporaries were never “for sale ... There were no tenders, no houses, no fancy cars.”

He said a woman veteran of the struggle for democratic rule had called him crying, to say “It pains me to think that this is what my husband died for.”

24 die as Tanzania’s ferry sinks off Zanzibar

Tanzanian ferry carrying at least 250 people has sunk near the island of Zanzibar.

An operation to rescue passengers has been launched by the navy and police. The boat had left the city of Dar es Salaam earlier in the day.

The navy said the MV Skagit got into difficulty because of strong winds.

A Zanzibari minister said 24 people had died. Two are said to be Europeans. Dozens of other people are missing and 145 people have been rescued.

The BBC’s Aboubakar Famau in Dar es Salaam said the MV Skagit left the mainland at 12:00

WORLD BULLETIN Ethiopia’s PM in critical state in hospital

local time (09:00 GMT) bound for the main island of the semi-autonomous archipelago.

The journey usually takes about two hours.

Thirty-one children are believed to have been on board, our reporter says.

A safety officer at the Zanzibar Port Corporation told Reuters news agency the ferry was now “bottom-up”.

Last September, nearly 200 people died when an overcrowded boat with 800 people aboard sank off Zanzibar.

The route between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar is a busy crossing, popular with both Tanzanians and foreign tourists.

Wrapped in blankets survivors of the MV Karama Star Gate, ferry accident PHOTO: AP are brought into Malindi port in Zanzibar yesterday.

Three decades into the AIDS pandemic an end to new infections is in sight, according to Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“We don’t even know if a cure is possible. What we know is it is possible that we can end this pandemic even without a cure,” Fauci told AFP in an interview ahead of the International AIDS conference July 22-27 in the US capital.

Some 34 million people around the world are living with human immunodeficiency virus, which has killed 25 million since it first emerged in the 1980s.

The theme of this conference, held every two years, is “Turning the Tide Together,” and is based on experts sharing knowledge of the latest advances and how to best implement them in order to halt new cases of HIV/AIDS.

ICC launches probe into Mali’s crisis

Mali rebels are accused of executions, rapes and the use of child soldiers The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched a preliminary inquiry into alleged atrocities committed in rebel-held northern Mali.

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the move followed a request by the Malian government, BBC has reported.

Armed groups - including Islamist rebels - are accused of executions, rapes and the use of child soldiers.

The rebels took control of northern Mali after an army coup in March in the impoverished West African country.

“I have instructed my office to immediately proceed with a preliminary examination of the situation.”

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World News

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suicide bomber kills Syrian top ministers S yria’s defence minister and President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law were killed in a Damascus suicide bomb attack carried out by a bodyguard yesterday, the most serious blow to Assad’s high command in the country’s 16-month-old rebellion.

The bomber, said by a security source to be a bodyguard assigned to Assad’s inner circle, struck a meeting attended by ministers and senior security officials as battles raged within sight of the presidential palace.

State television said Defence Minister Daoud Rajha and Assad’s brother-in-law Assef Shawkat, the deputy defence minister, had been killed in a “terrorist bombing” and pledged to wipe out “criminal gangs”.

A Syrian security source confirmed Shawkat, 62, - a pillar of Assad’s rule - was killed and said intelligence chief Hisham Bekhtyar was wounded. State television said Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar had also been wounded in the blast.

L-R: Syrian President, Bashar Assad standing with Syrian Defence Minister, Gen. Dawoud Rajha during a ceremony to mark the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in Damascus, Syria.

PHOTO: AP

The men form the core of a military crisis unit led by Assad to take charge of crushing the revolt and the authorities immediately appointed a new defence minister, Fahad Jassim al-Freij, previously the armed forces’ chief of staff, to

Cameron visits troops in Afghanistan

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rime Minister David Cameron visited frontline troops at the start of a visit to Afghanistan yesterday and defended the decision to withdraw from the war-torn country, British officials said.

Cameron, who is expected to meet President Hamid Karzai in Kabul during his visit, flew into the southern city of Lashkar Gar, capital of Helmand province, where British forces are based at Camp Bastion.

Britain has around 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-largest contributor to NATO’s US-led 130,000-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is due to withdraw by the end of 2014.

Asked about major reductions in troop numbers, Cameron said it had been a difficult decision to make but insisted the coalition needed a defence budget which made sense, a statement from his office said.

“What I will commit to is that we will do this in a sensible, ordered, practical way -- 9,500 to 9,000 this year,” he said. “As Afghan troops take a bigger role we will be able to reduce troop numbers further next year.

“I don’t want to see some cliff edge. I’m confident we are going to have a staged reduction and deliver a safe and secure situation,” he said.

London has previously announced plans for most of its troops to be withdrawn by the end of 2014, with 500 coming home by the end of 2012 and the rest gradu-

ally withdrawn over 2013 and 2014.

The Sun newspaper reported this week that ministers, including finance minister George Osborne, want a faster withdrawal.

They believe that completing the pull-out by the end of 2013 could save the government £3 billion, the daily said.

Military chiefs reportedly oppose the move, saying it would risk hard-won gains.

avoid appearing paralyzed by the attack.

Assad has not appeared in public since the attack or made any statement, but sources with knowledge of the situation said he was not at the meeting where it took place. The explosion appeared to be part of a coordinated assault on the fourth day of fighting in the capital which rebel fighters have called the “liberation of Damascus”.

Five explosions were heard later on Wednesday close to the base of the elite 4th armored division, led by Assad’s brother Maher, residents said. The division has been instrumental in confronting dissent, quelling protests in Deraa, Homs and Idlib.

Rebels say they have brought

reinforcements from outside the city to end four decades of rule by the Assad family by attacking the power base of the ruling elite for the first time.

Republican Guard troops sealed off the Shami hospital near the site of the explosion at the security meeting, activists said. An army statement issued after the blast said Syria was “more determined than ever to confront all forms of terrorism and chop off any hand that harms national security”.

An army barracks near the “palace of the people”, a huge Soviet-style complex overlooking the city from the western district of Dummar, came under rebel fire around 7.30 a.m. (0030 EDT), activists and a resident said.

Iran blamed for deadly attack on Israelis in Bulgaria

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our people were killed and many more wounded yesterday in an attack on a bus packed with Israelis at a Black Sea airport in Bulgaria, which the government in Israel blamed on arch foe Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “all signs point to Iran” after an official in Jerusalem said the bus carrying Israeli citizens at the Burgas air-

port was shot at and an explosive device thrown.

“Israel will respond forcefully to Iranian terror,” Netanyahu said.

It would be the first attack against Israelis on Bulgarian soil.

The blast came on the anniversary of an attack on a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in 1994 that killed 85 people and wounded 300. The attack was

Burnt bus is seen at Bulgaria’s Burgas airport yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

blamed on Iran, which denied the charge.

An interior ministry press officer told AFP in Sofia that three people were killed and over 20 wounded, while the mayor of Burgas said a fourth person had died and more 30 wounded.

The blast occurred at around 1400 GMT on a bus carrying Israelis who had flown in to Burgas, the second largest city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, setting off a fire that spread to another two buses, the ministry said.

News agency pictures showed huge plumes of black smoke rising over the airport, which the ministry said had been closed.

The two countries enjoy good relations and the Black Sea coast has become a popular holiday spot for Israelis.

“I was on the bus and we had just sat down when after a few seconds we heard a really loud explosion,” one Israeli tourist Gal Malka told Israeli army radio. “The whole bus went up in flames,” she said.

WORLD BULLETIN UN Council postpones Syria sanctions vote The UN Security Council postponed a vote yesterday on a Western-drafted resolution calling for sanctions against Syria following a request from international envoy Kofi Annan, diplomats said.

A threat by Russia, President Bashar al-Assad’s key ally, to veto the resolution has sparked new Security Council tensions on Syria.

The vote on the resolution is now expected on Thursday, while the five permanent members of the council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and United States -- hold more negotiations on the Syria crisis, diplomats said.

“We will be voting tomorrow morning,” said Britain’s UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, whose country took the lead in drawing up the sanctions resolution.

Annan sent a message to the Security Council powers asking for the delay a few hours before the scheduled vote. The UN-Arab League envoy “feels it is still possible to get a compromise with Russia on the resolution,” said one council diplomat.

North Korea appoints new army chief North Korea said a recently appointed vice marshal was the nation’s new army chief, replacing a high-profile figure who had been central to the communist regime with a little-known general.

State media said late yesterday that Hyon Yong-Chol was chief of the nation’s 1.2-million-strong military, as new leader Kim JongUn apparently seeks to push out the old guard and tighten his grip over the army.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) used the official title for the nation’s military chief to describe Hyon in a news report on celebrations to mark Jong-Un being named “Marshal” of the North.

“Hyon Yong-Chol, chief of the general staff of the KPA (Korean People’s Army), offered the highest glory and the warmest congratulations to the respected supreme commander,” it said.

HSBC official resigns over drug money scandal The head of compliance at HSBC has resigned from his position and apologised after a US senate investigation found that Mexican drug cartels laundered billions of dollars through its US division.

David Bagley told the senate investigations panel on Tuesday that he will remain at the Londonbased bank in a new role.

Other HSBC executives also apologised at the hearing, which focused on the bank’s lapses.

But all said they weren’t fully aware of illicit transactions flowing through the bank.

The executives said the bank has made deep changes to its policies and corporate culture to prevent further exposure to illegal transactions.

But senators expressed skepticism. They noted that the problems persisted for seven years.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Community Mirror “Over the years, people’s moral values had been undermined by corrupting and unruly behaviour.”

GOMBE STATE GOVERNOR, ALHAJI IBRAHIM HASSAN DANKWAMBO

Frequent transfer of cops: IGP to create more schools BIYI ADEGOROYE AKURE

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he Police Secondary School, Ita-Ogbolu, in Ondo State, came alive last weekend when parents, top police officers and government representatives watched the graduation of 96 students of the school which excelled not only in academics but also in parade.

At the event, Director of Education, Abuja, ACP Ibrahim Kabir, disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has approved the construction of additional police schools in about seven states across the nation, in order to give wards of policemen admissions, and stop disruption of classes occasioned by frequent transfer of policemen who are parents of the students.

According to ACP Ibrahim Kabir, the new seven police schools would complement the existing 62 primary schools and seven secondary schools built in 29 states of the federation.

Kabir said renovation of some structures in the schools will soon commence, just as new ones will be constructed. He also said a multi-purpose hall, capable of housing hundreds of students and guests will be constructed in the school.

He said the Inspector General of Police has equally promised to address the training and retraining of teachers and other welfare packages to motivate the teachers, saying the IGP believed that no educational system can rise beyond the level and quality of its teachers.

Kabir, however, advised the outgoing students to imbibe the

values they were taught in the school by working and interacting with people irrespective of religion, political or economic afflictions.

He urged them to always exhibit the security consciousness in them in order to make the country safer for economic development. He said” never be afraid of failure, the fear of failure has hindered potential achievers from making progress.

“Failure is the ability to discover your best talents, skills, abilities and deploying them to achieve the most effective contributions to the lives of your fellow men and women.”

On the possibility of enlisting some of the students who displayed mastery of pseudo weapon handing and parade in the force, he said that would depend on the permission of their parents.

According to him, the police now have a full fledged university where many modern courses in the sciences and humanities are taught for the benefit of the entire citizenry.

The Commandant of the school, Francis Bisong, a Chief Superintendent of Police, attested to the quality of education offered in the school, stating that scores of the graduates have excelled in not only school certificate examination but also in the university matriculation examinations, thereby securing placement in both local and foreign universities.

Bisong said while the school failed to conduct any graduation last year because of the unenviable conduct of the last

set of students, the graduates of this year were a “set of disciplined world class students on whom we can beat our chest and say bravo. The main reason

we put them on parade.”

He thanked the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Danladi Mshelbwala, the Assistant Inspector-General in charge

of Zone 11, Orubebe Ekikeme, the positive management team, royal fathers and parents who contributed to the success of the occasion.

L-R Commandant, CSP Francis Bisong, Best Overall Student, Danjuma Joseph, ACP Ibragim Kabir, Mrs. Nike Okupe, Best Student Girl, Jemima Owotade, and DCP Dan Bature cutting the graduation cake at the event

Surety in trouble over failure to produce accused

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-35-year-old surety, who allegedly defaulted, on Monday appeared before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on a one-count charge.

Thomas Alakalu, who resides at No. 15, Ado Close, Surulere, was charged before Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya, but he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that Alakalu stood surety for one Emmanuel Ogar, accused of

stealing a tanker of kerosene valued at N2.5 million.

He said that the fuel belonged to one Mr. Oseni Isiaka.

Anyanwu submitted that the surety failed to come to court, as well as produce Ogar in court on May 15 as he promised.

He said: “Ogar, a petroleum products marketer and resident of No. 42, Opeloyeru St., Ikotun, was arraigned on February 24, 2012 but was granted bail by the court in the sum of one million

naira and a surety. The court issued a warrant for the arrest of the surety, Alakalu after he failed to produce the accused for prosecution.”

The prosecutor noted that Alakalu’s offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The court granted the surety bail in the sum of one million naira, with two sureties who must be Lagos residents.

ceived positive response from them.”

Gbolahan stressed that with the effort, the state will soon be able to produce a reasonable per cent of what is consumed in Lagos in term of rice, adding that the idea became necessary to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on other nation for food.

“Food is very critical to economic development. Nigeria cannot continue to depend on other countries for food supply, because if there is a major flooding in Thailand I see no reason why that should affect us; but that is often the case, that is

why in Lagos, we want to see what we can do. We also want to address the problem of unemployment through that.”

He explained that the newly acquired 60 Eko Refrigerated Meat Van was also launched by the governor to replace the old aircool van, adding that the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GEES) which was flagged off

by Dr Akinwumi Adeshina was aimed at making material inputs readily for famers in the state and the entire country.

Lagos plans to boost rice production MURITALA AYINLA

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n its bid to reduce spending on food importation and provide employment for teeming Nigerian youths, the Lagos State Government has said that it will increase its hectares of land to boost rice production in the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal who disclosed this at the weekend during a programme marking the 2012 Interna-

tional Day of Cooperative, said the state government is increasing cultivation of rice from20 hectare of land it began with three years ago to 500 hectares.

“We have strategic programme for accelerated agricultural growth in Lagos. The whole concept is for us to be able to increase our yields per hectare especially rice cultivation. We started about five years ago with 20 hectares of land that we cultivated upon. But now we are getting to 350 hectares, our target is that before the year ends, we want

to get 500 hectares of land.

“In that connection, we now have a Rice Mill of 20,000 metric tons capacity. With the rice mill, we are hoping to expand our yield per hectare because the yield per hectare of rice in Lagos is between 1.5 and 2.2 tons which is still low. The whole idea is to increase this probably by 3-4.

“We are also discussing with neighbouring states where we can get available land, the governor has written to other southwest governors for more land and we have re-

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News

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wage: Niger workers give govt seven days ultimatum MINNA

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he Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the state government a seven-day ultimatum to fully implement the N18, 000 national minimum wage across board.

NLC said workers would embark on strike

if the government failed to implement the minimum wage after the seven-day ultimatum.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the state chairmen of NLC, Mr. Yahaya Idris Ndako, and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Yunusa Tanimu.

A copy of the statement was, however, sent Governor Babangida Aliyu.

The statement reads: “We write to convey to you, the decision arrived at the end of an emergency meeting of SEC/ SAC of NLC/TUC held on July 4 to give the state government an ultimatum of seven-day with effect from January 17, 2012 to address this lingering issue.

“We also wish to reiterate here that at the

expiration of the ultimatum, the Congress will have no alternative than to apply other measures.”

It will be recalled that during the May-Day celebration in Minna, Governor Aliyu directed the Head of Service to thrash out issues presented by the union among which was the new national minimum wage.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Borno trains 420 youths in poultry, fish production INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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he Borno State Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development (MARFD) has trained no fewer than 420 youths in poultry and fish production.

Speaking yesterday in Maiduguri, the state capital, MARFD Commissioner Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe said the ministry was recently created by Governor Kashim Shettima to strengthen the livestock sector, creating more jobs for youths, reduce poverty and enhance food security.

He said reduction of extreme poverty and hunger was one of the cardinal objectives of the state government, hence the ministry was charged with the responsibilities of policy formulation and implementation towards the production of livestock, supplying clean meat, eggs, fish and all animal by-products to meet the nutritional and protein requirement of

the public.

Sandabe said that apart from the purchase of a modern hatchery complex to serve as centre for production of fish fingerlings for prospective fish farmers and production of table sized ones for consumption at affordable prices, the government also approved funds for purchase of 1000 layers and broilers at the Poultry Production Unit (PPU).

The commissioner said the layers had already started egg production, while the broiler would mature by the end of the Ramadan for sale.

Governor Shettima said his administration is ever ready to provide jobs youths, saying most problems associated with insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency, was as a result of youths’ idleness, poverty and extreme hunger.

He stressed that the government would not relent in its quest for jobs creation.

Shettima blames Almajiris’ menace on leadership failure Registrar, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Dr. Abubakar Aliyu-Bafeto (left) and the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Kabir Faruk, during the opening session of a workshop on service learning organised for the pioneer lecturers of the university in PHOTO: NAN Gombe, yesterday.

Kogi to sanction owners of undeveloped property ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

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he Kogi State Government has directed the Town Planning Board to sanction owners of undeveloped properties in the state for their failure to put them to proper use.

The government said the undeveloped properties have become haven for terrorist and bomb makers.

The state deputy governor, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, stated this yesterday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Mike Abu.

Awoniyi said the decision to sanction owners of the undeveloped properties was borne of the increased wave of terrorism in the state.

He also asked owners of buildings that have been converted from the original approved purpose to report at the Town Plan-

ning and Development Board in order to regularise their records.

Describing security as the responsibility of all, the deputy governor called on members of the public to report use of buildings and premises for suspicious activities to security agencies.

CPC flays Niger govt over Suleja curfew PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has accused the Niger State Government of double standard in the continued imposition of curfew on Suleja three weeks after the expiration of the six months state of emergency.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan imposed state of emergency on Suleja shortly after Christmas Day bombing of Saint Te-

resa’s Catholic Church in which many were killed.

CPC, in a statement signed in Minna by its Niger State Chairman, Mallam Shuiabu Umar, said Potiskum and Damaturu, where the state of emergency was imposed alongside Suleja, have been relaxed through the effort of the Yobe State Government.

The party said: “Three weeks after the expiration of the curfew, the Niger State Government refuses to act, invariably implying that the state-

ment made by the government amounts to a double standard. It is a common knowledge that unless under a state of emergency, the Chief Security Officer of each state is its governor, and the allowable period the Federal Government can impose state of emergency on any part of the country is six month.

“Curfews are imposed for restoration of peace in crisis-ridden states or areas and removed as soon as normalcy returns. Under normal circumstances, the curfew in Suleja

Aliyu

is not expected to last for more than a week, but this one has run the entire six months emergency period. It is further accompanied with gross violation of the people’s rights by the military deployed to enforce the law.”

INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has attributed the menace of Almajiris, orphans and widows in the North to the leadership failure to functional and effective educational system for the vulnerable groups.

Shettima warned that until the needs of the vulnerable groups are met, their burden would continue to weigh heavily on the nation.

The governor spoke yesterday at the launch of a Foundation Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT) by his wife, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, at the Government House, Maiduguri.

He said failure of some leaders to provide functional and effective educational system in the North, with religious and moral upbringings, had led to the massive breeding of Almajiris that do not have skills to overcome poverty and hunger.

Acknowledging the good old days of functional educational system in the 1960s and 70s, Shettima said: “Be-

tween the late 1960s and 1970s, the educational and feeding systems in schools were the best. Students performed remarkably in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and General Certificate in Education (GCE). I can confirm to you who are here for the launch of this Foundation that my former principals in secondary school are with us here today.

“If the educational system and structures obtained in those old good days were fully maintained and sustained by our leaders, this Foundation could not have been established by my wife, Hajja Nana, to cater for these vulnerable groups.”

Presenting a paper entitled: “Almajiris, Widows and Orphans, Causes and Prospects,” by a guest speaker and a veteran journalist, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo of the Voice of America (VOA), said the vulnerable should be empowered with education and skills through philanthropists’ donations,” adding that once working tools and capital are provided, their living conditions would be raised.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, July 19, 2012

FG lifts emergency rule in four states ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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he Federal Government has lifted the state of emergency imposed on 15 local government areas in four states.

The states are Niger, Yobe, Borno and Plateau.

The decision was taken after the House of Representatives declared that the emergency rule had ex-

pired by effluxion of time.

Raising the issue on the floor of the House, the Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had said: “Since we are in July now, the state of emergency ceases to exist.”

Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha immediately directed the Clerk, Mr Ataba Sani-Omonori, to communicate the President.

“Thank you, Mr Gba-

jabiamila. The Clerk will administratively communicate to President”, Ihedioha, said.

Following the communication, the President yesterday lifted the state of emergency.

Relying on Section 305(1) of the Constitution, the President slammed emergency rule on the 15 local government areas in a nationwide broadcast in De-

cember.

It will be recalled that the state of emergency was imposed on the local governments following the 2011 Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, in which many were killed.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bel-

lo Adoke (SAN), the Federal Government said the proclamation was approved by the National Assembly for six months.

The statement reads: “The Federal Government has, after a careful review of the security situation in the affected areas, resolved to end the state of emergency forthwith.

“This is to enable government to put in place

53

appropriate measures to improve security in the affected areas.

“In furtherance of the end of the proclamation, the President has accordingly directed that the implementation of the following regulations made pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency in the affected local Government areas should cease forthwith.”

Jonathan sends PIB to National Assembly ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has sent the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the National Assembly.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Allison Madueke, who disclosed this to journalists, dismissed the PIB version posted by some online publications.

Displaying the authentic copy of the PIB, she said the soft copy version of the document would be available on the website of the Petroleum Ministry yesterday evening.

The minister said: “There is no other Petroleum Industry Bill for 2012.

We have seen various ad-

aptations appearing in the media, particularly online, that did not come from the Federal Government of Nigeria and we are unaware of who posted them on these sites.

“There is only one Petroleum Industry Bill 2012 which has been released today for the first time to the National Assembly and will therefore be available on the Ministry of Petroleum Resources site by this evening for down loading.

“You will notice that inside the bill there are water marks including a signing across each page that says the Petroleum Industry Bill for 2012 and the Coat of Arms of the nation and this is the only Petroleum Industry Bill that we have produced.

N2.5bn drugs seized at Lagos airport in six months OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said it intercepted 227.055 kilogrammes of drugs valued at N2.5bn at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, in the first six months of the year.

The drugs, according to the agency, were seized from 63 suspects.

A statement signed by the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated that the NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, gave the breakdown of the seized drugs at an event in Lagos.

The statistics of the seizures include cannabis, 72.350kg; methamphetamine 46.25kg; cocaine, 43.505kg; heroin 33.15kg and ephedrine 31.8kg.

The 63 suspects, according to Ofoyeju, included 53

men and 10 women with two abandoned seizures within the period.

He stressed that the first was 16kg of heroin in April and 160 grammes of methamphetamine in June.

Also, the Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade assured that the agency would continue to incapacitate drug traffickers through prompt seizures of drugs.

He said: “The efforts of the NDLEA are better appreciated when drug seizures are computed and analysed. The cheering news is that we have taken away the sum of N2.5bn worth of drugs in our local market estimates from drug barons.

“In international markets, this value could be five times higher. The agency will continue to enhance peace and safety through regular drug seizures and prosecution of drug offenders.”

L-R: Daughter of late Chief Akanu Ibiam, Alu; President Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Mr .Elliot Uko; former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme and wife of late Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Uche, during the 13th IYM convention in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Reps move to recover Bakassi from Cameroun

River, Borno, Taraba and Adamawa states to the ABUJA Central African Country, he House of Repre- based on a 1913 Anglosentatives yester- German Treaty. day initiated moves After serious agitato overturn the ceding of tion, the United Nations, Bakassi Peninsula to the through a Green Tree Republic of Cameroun.

Agreement, re-affirmed An International Court the decision of ICJ. of Justice ruling had, in But a motion of ur2002, awarded Bakassi gent national importance area shared by Cross brought yesterday by Hon. Essien Ekpenyong Ayi sought the contestation of that ruling and the accompanying Green Tree Agreement in line with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution and legal precedents.

The section provides that all treaties or agreements entered into by Nigeria and any other Speaker House of Representatives,

TORDUE SALEM

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Aminu Tambuwal

country must be ratified by the National Assembly.

The motion entitled: “A Call for Review of the International Court of Justice Judgment on Bakassi, noted that the ruling of October 10, 2002, must be reviewed based on new realities.

According to Hon. Ayi, “the Bakassi people are insisting on having a United Nation supervised plebiscite where they will exercise their right to selfdetermination which is an inalienable right provided for in Article 1 of 1966 International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, General Assembly Resolution 2200A, which provides for the Right of all people to SelfDetermination by virtue of which they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development”.

The lawmaker said that Article 61 of the Statute of ICJ “provides that an

application for the revision of a judgment may be made only when it is based on the discovery of some facts of such a nature as to be a decisive factor, which fact was when the judgment was given, unknown to the court and also to the party claiming revision”.

He cited legal precedents where ICJ judgments were challenged and reversed in the Case of El Salvador Vs Honduras in 2002, Yugoslavia Vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2001 and Tunisia Vs Libya in 1982.

Chairman of the House Committee on Business and Rules, Hon. Albert Sam-Tsokwa, said the House must pass the motion in order to rescind the ICJ judgment in earnest.

He said: “Whatever yardstick the decision to cede Bakassi was based on, it must be ratified by the National Assembly or it cannot stand”.

54

Insight

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Booming trade of cocaine,

Our reporter, ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI, takes a journey inside the deadly cocaine trade zone situated in a very dangerous neighbourhood in Lagos. His trip led him to the den of the wheelers and dealers in the deadly powder.

I

t was 6p.m. on Sunday May 6, 2012.

The heavy rainfall that had scolded the day ceaselessly had just settled on the rustic zinc of some clustered houses in Lagos. At this period of the year, rainfall is often unpredictable; and experiencing it on Sundays portends a chaotic traffic on Monday. Odi Olowo Railway environs at Mushin, a suburb of Lagos, South West Nigeria, was not spared by the heavy precipitation and its resultant flood. Akala, the most notorious area within the suburb where hard drugs business thrives under a code of silence, had a freezing evening too. The chilling evening provided a perfect ambiance for addicts to bolster off pangs of cold down their spines. Every hard drug sells.

At the Railway line, the reporter had waited to follow a lead through the staccato jungle of Akala to the point of street retailers of hard drugs, codenamed “coke”. As the guard approached the railway vicinity, my phone rang three times. He must have sited me from afar having gotten my description a link had given. Part of the brief given to him must have been that I am a man of average height, putting on black shirt and blue jeans with ruffled sandals.

And I had followed, in abeyance, the dress code for easy ID. But I had no brief on his identity. So, let’s call him Southerner.

But as the lead and this reporter reached a meeting spot, he, looking scary, asked as a decoy to conceal his identity and exact mission: “You want to buy a fairly-used handset?” Quickly, I looked verbosely into his eyes and broke the frightening silence, “I want a coke, I mean cracks. I am the one he told you about.” With some jot of satisfaction, his suspicion of a possible set-up woreoff. Deceived by the link that the coke was meant for a school project, which was to test the effects of cocaine on man’s brain using monkey as specimen, he began to reveal much about the illicit trade though, intermittently, he bellowed at me with his guttural voice to intimidate me.

Assured, the 6-feet light-complexioned young man, who should be in his early 20s, dwarfing my 1.6-metre height, led me through the crooked adjunct streets of Adedoja and Igbarere where at every junction, young men below and above the UNICEF classified age (18+) looked weird with their eyeballs as reddish as a red steel that had passed through the test of fire.

While some sat at the T-junctions, some thrust their heads through small

The drug inside an industrially sealed tomato paste impounded by NDLEA

window frames of the clustered houses, perhaps looking for prospects. “They are my people, and those houses that we passed by have one or two young men selling cracks to addicts and they could link you up to international routes of drug trafficking,” said Southerner as we passed through the notorious streets of Alhaji Lasisi Akinbiyi, Elegba and made a thrust finally into a small shop in the heart of Akala, where cocaine has become a threat to residents. Propped in the rear of Adedoja and Igbarere streets, off Ogunmokun Road, Mushin, Lagos State, Akala is a dreaded street where the sale of hard drugs, among other nefarious crime, thrives unchecked.

The shop is a pool center wearing a worn-out white lace curtain. But to the initiated, it is more than a pool shop.

There is code of silence among the pool betting customers who sat at the entrance space, laughing on top of some beer and other alcoholic beverages, puffing off cigarette and hemp to the very glare of passersby.

The shop is owned by an elderly man who is probably in his late 50s. He is a retired civil servant whose pension had not been paid for five months as a result of the financial scam that recently rocked the pension scheme of the federal pension office. He combines two trades -pooling and retail sales of hard drugs -cocaine and cannabis. As a pool better, you are only permitted to play at the shop’s façade while addicts enjoy a rollercoaster inside the shop to snuff some powdery substances called Italian White, Charlie and Brown. These are names of different substances of the Colombian product made from Opium.

As the elderly man and owner of the shop, named Kebekebe sized me up, and made his offers other pool-bettersin-disguise hurriedly looked at me.

Perhaps, they could not see the hard-

THE ENDEMIC SECRET TRADE HAS TURNED

NIGERIA FROM BEING CONSUMER MARKET TO A TRANSIT CHAIN WITH RETAIL OUTLETS GROWING LIKE A WILD FIRE IN ALL SUBURBS face, red eyeball and hear the throaty voice peculiar to those who patronize them.

He later drew closer to me as a foul smell of alcohol repulsively emitted out of his mouth and made his offer in a soft-spoken manner: “If you want to buy one gram of Charlie white it will cost you N4000. Divide that by 10 and you buy a crack for N400 or multiply it by N1000 and you get a kilogram for N4million.

Use the same calculation for Italian White and Browns which cost N3000 per gram. Multiply them by N1000 and you could make N3million plus on the high grade cocaine. You can test it by gently heating a small sample of it on a piece of aluminum foil (an imprecise street test called the “foil test” or “burn test”) that can provide a rough indication of the purity of the one I am giving you,” he explained.

The higher the priority of the kilogram, the better the deal of what syndicate can sell on the streets of London, Amsterdam or elsewhere in Europe. But the retailer could only sell to me some grams of Italian white, Brown and Charlie, making it the second time I came as reporter, the first time being November 26, 2007 through the help of my linkman, who wants government to wipe out this scourge.

Mande Fatima Bala

Akala is not alone in this drug retailing business. Maryland, MazaMaza, Festac Town, the Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, PWD Railway line, Idimu, Ajah, Oshodi, Obalende, Oyingbo and IjoraLagos territories- to North, East and finally to the creeks of Niger Delta are all involved.

The endemic secret trade has turned Nigeria from being a transit market to a consumer and with retail outlets growing like wild fire in the suburbs.

At Akala where National Mirror visited, hard drugs could be seen on the adjoining street of Igbarere, Anifowoshe, Umoru, Akinbiyi, Amodu, Elegba, Oyegunle, Ojo, Alhaji Lasisi, Buraimoh, Adegbite and Awoyejo. But only the initiated could see it. “There are drug sales shops on most of these streets. But some of them use phony businesses as guise,” says a seller who once sold some of his wares to this reporter on November 27, 2007 before he jetted to South Africa.

The international communities are worried about this trend, which costs so much money and intelligence to curb. The nation’s drugs watchdogs, the Nigerian Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, appears to have also lost a lot of sleep in efforts to battle the barons and peddlers. Nigeria occupies a strategic position to Colombian drug businesses men. The United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCOP) confirms in a report that: “This is a predictable development, since organized crime groups have developed powerful networks in Nigeria and other countries in the region of West Africa.” Record shows that since 2004, drug trafficking organizations have been increasingly using West African countries including Nigeria which has, according to the NDLEA, over 114 routes for smuggling large amounts

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, July 19, 2012

cannabis on Lagos streets

Akala street, the meeting point of drug peddlers and consumers in Lagos.

The 7.1kg liquid cocaine on display

of cocaine from South America into Europe and North America. A report says that “with its long shoreline, and international seaports and airports, Nigeria is strategically vulnerable for use by drug trafficking rings, smuggling drugs.” Dr Philip Emafo, a Nigerian who had served twice as the President of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board confirms that “the new drug cartels keep warehouses in Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Togo, Benin, Republic, Ghana and Nigeria.”

Observers, however, believe that the rate of unemployment could be responsible for the disturbing trend in Africa’s most populous nation.

Their observation have, however, been confirmed by a recent human development index released by Yemi Kale, the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which stated that Nigeria’s poverty rate had risen from 54 percent in 2004 to 69 percent in 2010 (about 112 million Nigerians). “Unemployment rate increased to 23.9 percent in 2011 compared with 21.1 percent in 2010 and 19.7 percent in 2009,” reveals NBS. Kale, , adding that “Nigerian unemployment rate is giving the cartels strong power to infiltrate the country at every level. “ But grimmer is the fact that official complicity and celebrities’ involvement have, however, made the drug war complicated for intelligence agencies. Recently, an Arik Air flight stewardess Chinwendu Uwakaonyenma Ogbonnaya, 29, was caught last December 18 allegedly trying to smuggle a quarter of a million pounds worth of cocaine into the UK. She was caught at Heathrow Airport. Forensic tests revealed that her packages contained approximately two kilos of

high purity cocaine, which if cut and sold on the UK streets would have had a value of around £250,000. She was tried at the Isleworth Crown Court in west London. Also, recently a cabin crew of Virgin Atlantic Airways, KLM among others have been nabbed while trying to use their positions to ferry drugs from Nigeria to Europe and Asian countries.

Also, a former Assistant Commander of the NDLEA, Mohammed Koko, was on April 10, 2007 implicated in an illicit drug deal. He appeared before a Federal High Court in Kano on a threecount charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting drug trafficking. “Officers that violate the NDLEA Order, that is rules and regulations, are made to face trial. There are senior and junior Disciplinary Staff Committees that preside over such cases. Over a hundred staff have been found wanting but not all the cases are serious offences. I am glad to tell you that since I took over, respect for the rule of law has been one of my priorities. My policy is that no staff, no matter how highly placed, will commit an offence and go scot-free,” Ahmadu Giade told National Mirror.

The case of a popular Yoruba female actress, Hafsanat Taiwo Akinwande with stage name Yetunde Wunmi, among others is still fresh in the memory.

Hafsat was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA), Ikeja on her way to London for drug trafficking. The actress was arrested, tried and convicted and jailed with an option of fine. Soon after her release, another Nollywood actor, Tochi James Uche a.k.a. Prince James Uche fell prey to the officials of the NDLEA on Friday 23 March, 2007 at the same

airport while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic plane to London. He excreted about 1.336kg of cocaine via a process called ingestion.

These infiltrations have sent a signal to the NDLEA boss, Giade, that the drug war is not a child’s play. He painted shocking reports to National Mirror on the year-by-year increase in impounding of tonnes of cocaine and cannabis among others. “The agency in 2011 apprehended and invited for investigation a shocking 8,639 suspected drug traffickers made up of 8,072 males and 567 females while a total of 195,283.917 kilogrammes of various drugs were also seized from drug traffickers. Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as hemp constitutes the largest seizure with 191,847.91 kilogrammes.

Psychotropic substances are 2,985.45 kilogrammes; cocaine is 410.805 kilogrammes while heroin is 39.752 kilogrammes,” he said recently.

It became scarier in 2010 when the suspects arrest curve sky-dived from 6,788 comprising 6,296 males and 492 females. The quantity of drugs seized weighed 178,120.725 kilogrammes.

Cannabis had the highest quantity with 174,661.59 kilogrammes. Psychotropic substances came next with 2,550.622 kilogrammes. Cocaine was next with 706.433 kilogrammes while heroin is 202.08 kilogrammes.

“You will observe that there was an increase of 1,851 in the number of persons arrested in 2011 over that of 2010,” he explained. At the Lagos airport alone in 2011, a total of 114.038 kilogrammes comprising 58.538kg methamphetamine and 55.5kg ephedrine were intercepted during

SOME HIDE IT IN THE BIBLE, INDUSTRIALLY

SEALED AND CANNED PRODUCTS LIKE PHONES, BEVERAGES.

SOME, EVEN, HAD TO INGEST

VOLUMES OF KILOGRAMS TO BE EXCRETED AT THEIR DESTINATIONS

55

outward screening of passengers,” he added.

As a result, the international communities have been very stern at their various ports and countries about Nigerian immigrants. “The India government arrested a Nigerian with a $10 million worth of cocaine.

This reminds us of the increasing involvement of our citizens in hard drugs trafficking. In 2011, New Delhi Police arrested a total of 32 Nigerians, out of which 22 were for cocaine cases, nine for supplying heroin and one for other drugs. The Indian Police said the accused supplied cocaine to high-end customers in pubs and rave parties. Undeterred by arrests and imprisonment at home and abroad, Nigerian traffickers are giving the country a bad name,” the agency stated.

As more and more arrests are being made, traffickers have continued to employ various tricks to conceal the dangerous substance to beat port officials and intelligence. Some hide it in the Bible, industrially sealed and canned products like phones, beverages. Some, even, had to ingest volumes of kilograms to be excreted at their destinations which medical experts said pose health hazards to them if it busts. “The risk is that he ingested drugs drip and such courier could die within 24 hours,” says Dr Kunle Fashola, a medical doctor in Lagos.

Their desperations are explicable.

Europe’s open borders are a strong draw for traffickers, because they allow smugglers to move with relative ease across the Continent, which contains millions of people with money to spend. The strong euro is also a lure couple with poverty rate in the country. National Mirror investigation reveals that “a kilogram of uncut cocaine wholesales for about $40,000 in Spain — roughly doubles the U.S. price.

(In Russia and Norway, one kilogram can fetch up to $120,000.) Divided into streetsized amounts, a kilogram can earn five times those figures. Since moving in on Europe in the mid-’90s, the cartels — overwhelmingly Colombian, but also Venezuelan and Mexican — have hugely ramped up operations. But because the Latin American drug lords faced one big hurdle in targeting the European market: geography, hence the engagement of these laughable tactics using desperate-to-getrich Nigerians and other West Africans.

“Europe is thousands of kilometers from Colombia, Bolivia and Peru — home to the world’s entire crop of coca leaves, from which the white powder of cocaine is refined. And Europe’s sophisticated airport security systems and coastal patrols have made it tough to ship massive volumes of cocaine undetected. That means the cartels need transit points where they can store the huge amounts of the drug that they have moved across the Atlantic. It can then be divided among hundreds of smugglers who can individually sneak it into Europe — and who are desperate enough to take the risk.

TO BE CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD

Most trees planted in one hour (team) Vol. 02 No. 407

Thursday, July 19, 2012

N150

The most trees planted by a team of 100 people in 1 hour is 26,422 and was achieved BBC Breathing Places in partnership with Conservation Volunteers NI, Western Health & Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland EA and Derry City Council, at Gransha Park, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, on 5 December 2009.

On the trail of an officer and a gentleman

I

n newspapers and all over social media, the ‘photograph of the week’, without doubt, was the very expressive picture of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State apprehending two army officers - one Colonel Ki Yusuf and Staff Sergeant A.J Adeomi – while committing traffic offence on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane on Tuesday.

When men of uniform behave in a respectable and dignifying manner, they are saluted by ‘bloody civilians’ as officers and gentlemen. But the image of a Colonel rushing out of his green Peugeot 406 with the army insignia and delivering an enforced salute to the governor was anything but dignifying.

The army officer’s salute on the outer Marina BRT route was the wimping plea of one who has acted in an unbecoming manner. It was an act of ‘stage bribery’ to the governor just to be pardoned of a traffic offence that should have no place in the

Z

imbabwe’s swimming star, Kirsty Coventry, has admitted feeling the weight of the nation’s expectations ahead of the London Olympics which will likely be her last.

Coventry, 28, won three gold and four silver medals

discipline is paramount in its rank.

Those officers should not escape sanctions for shaming the army.

The President’s lamentation this time

SOMETHING BEFORE THE WEEKEND

E

Steve Ayorinde

sayorinde@nationalmirroronline.net (08054500808 sms only)

new Lagos. The officer, like the other offender – Adeomi, behaved as though he was too busy, too much in a hurry to stay in traffic like other citizens and must therefore cheat the system by sharing the dedicated lanes with BRT buses.

His salute, akin to the expression of ‘esprit de corps’ that is often said when officers and crafty civilians want to gain undue advantage, was to attempt a plea while subtly reminding the governor of Nigeria’s recent history when uniformed men and practically anybody associated with them fancied themselves to be above the law.

For, indeed, uniformed men were a law unto themselves throughout the ignoble reign of the military, especially in the 1990s.

You dared not overtake them in traffic or claimed any right against them. If you had the misfortune of being hit by their vehicle, whether private of official, you would be the accused, even when they were clearly at fault. So menacing was their influence on the roads that even their relations and acquaintances only needed to place a military beret on their car’s dashboard or display an army sticker on the windscreen to escape sanction from any form of traffic offence.

Even those who used commercial buses, either in uniform or mufti, became the pester lot often claiming to be ‘staff ’ in order to escape paying fare. In exchange for such revenue loss, law-breaker drivers would then be forced to use such officers as the buffer to ply one-way.

Still reeling in the hangover of those inglorious days, a number of military men

UNIFORMED MEN WERE A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THE IGNOBLE REIGN OF THE MILITARY, ESPECIALLY IN THE 1990S

have carried the shenanigan of old to the present dispensation, often terrorising civilians off their rights. This is the background from which Col. Yusuf and his law-breaking cohort have emerged, until that momentous Tuesday afternoon when nemesis caught up with them and exposed them as unworthy of the uniform they don as ranking officers that are not gentlemanly.

If there was a gentleman during the encounter at all, it must be the man saddled with the responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of the new Lagos – the governor himself – who was apt in describing the erring officers as a “bad example for the military.”

And it was as the Chief Security Officer of the state that he must have spoken when he said “all those who would not comply with our laws should leave our state.”

In treating Fashola’s formal complaint about Col. Yusuf and Adeomi, therefore, the army authority should use the inanity of those officers to reassure the public that

xcuses play a role in the life of politicians when they are confronted with the dilemma of matching performances with electoral promises.

President Goodluck Jonathan appears to rank high in this club, almost becoming adept at giving excuses for low performance.

His latest pretext for his inability to deliver on electoral promises came at the 60th National Executive Council meeting of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, where he said insecurity in the land had changed his developmental agenda. He also blamed the ‘siege mentality’ of the opposition as the most potent distraction to his administration.

Mr. President is of course right in his observations. But if he expects sympathy on that account, he would be exposing his political naivety. What else would be the role of an opposition, especially for a President that did not assume power by a landslide, other than to put him on its toes? Without being able to link it to the surge of terrorism and sectarian violence in the northern part of the country, it would be hard to hold the opposition responsible for the slow pace of development.

Nor would Boko Haram be an excuse for why job creation and power supply – Jonathan’s priority agenda – have suffered stunted growth in 14 months of this administration. What the President needs is to get his priorities right and re-strategise. And I do not think party faithful are those who need a sermon on why government is failing in its responsibility. It is the citizens who expect democracy gains that ought to be reassured on how government intends to win the terror war and why vibrant opposition should not be considered as better alternative.

Sport Extra

Swimming: Coventry wary of country’s demands for the southern African country in her last two appearances at the Athens and Beijing Olympics and now aims for glory in the 100m backstroke, the 200m backstroke and the 200m

individual medley.

“There’s a lot of pressure coming from people back home wanting me to repeat the same thing,” Coventry said yesterday at a training camp in Tunisia.

“I do know that I am four years older and I’m one of the oldest competitors in that event this year. But I believe that will give me a leg up on the other athletes in terms of experience,”

she added.

Coventry was first taught how to swim by her parents in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital aged just 18 months, and was in the national junior team at six years.

FED CUP result El Kanemi

0-0

Crown

Kirsty Coventry

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