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CBN plans self-regulatory body for financial market ...as cashless policy extends to five states, FCT TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA Sanusi

Vol. 3 N0. 641

he Bankers Committee yesterday announced plans to establish a self-regulatory body to oversee Over the

Counter, OTC, activities in the financial market. OTC transactions refer to trading in stocks, bonds CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

$1.69m scam:

Court remands Fred Ajudua in prison P.10

N150

Nigerians’ll re-enact June 12 in 2015 –NADECO It represents human spirit, says Soyinka

AYODELE OJO, AYO ESAN, FELIX NWANERI, TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

8-page special pullout begins on P.13

1-YR-OLD BABY KILLED AS THREE-STOREY BUILDING COLLAPSES IN LAGOS P.8

wenty years after the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, yesterday assured that Nigerians would re-enact the magic again in 2015. The late Chief M.K.O. Abiola won the election, considered the freest and fairest in the nation’s history on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, but the military regime led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida annulled the poll, for yet-to-be explained reasons Abiola, who later declared himself president, was promptly arrested by the infamous military junta CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Rubble of a collapsed three-storey building in Mushin, Lagos, yesterday.

Northern youths hunt Boko Haram members

Protesters defy Turkish police, move into Taksim Square ...Prime Minister adamant P.46

Erdogan

6,000 flee Borno, Yobe, Adamawa –UNHCR P.2 Security tightens as Mandela spends fourth day in hospital P.45

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Northern youths hunt Boko Haram members INUSA NDAHI AND AZA MSUE

ome youths in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, have embarked on massive manhunt and arrest of members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect. The action of the youths, who are now being addressed as “Civilian JTF” is to rid the city of the menace of the sect members, who have killed hundreds of people in bomb and gun attacks over the past two years. The state, along with Adamawa and Yobe, has been without telephone services since the declaration of a state of emergency last month by President Goodluck Jonathan. The youths have been moving from house to house, arresting suspected Boko Haram members and handing them over to the Joint Task Force, JTF. Yesterday, the youths were at the Government House, Maiduguri, where they held a closed-door meeting with Governor Kashim Shettima.

It was learnt that the meeting centred on how the state government and the security agencies would support them in their quest to rid the state of the Boko Haram menace. Yesterday, two of the youths apprehended one suspected Boko Haram member at the popular Kasuwan Jagol area of Post Office in Maiduguri and took him to JTF office. Also, in old Maiduguri area of the metropolis, a resident who did not want his name mentioned told our correspondents that on Monday, a youth group arrested about 18 suspected sect members and handed them over to security operatives. It will be recalled that last weekend, some youths in Hausari ward and its environs assisted security operatives in the arrest of 20 suspects when they stormed the area. A source said that the state government and the security operatives have commended the important role the volunteering youths are playing “as they live, mingle and know members of the sect.”

The source added that government and the security operatives were now recruiting them in all the wards of the metropolis to help identify and arrest the terrorists. Although he did not give details of the stipend government would pay the “Civilian JTF” per month, our correspondent gathered that huge amount of money had been budgeted for the exercise. Residents of Maiduguri

and Jere council areas have expressed gratitude to the youths for their heroic efforts. The exercise, they said, have started to yield positive results. In a related development, the JTF has said that the two roads leading to the destroyed Boko Haram training camps and hideouts at the Sambisa Games Reserves Forest, SGRF, will remain closed to motorists and cyclists to prevent fleeing suspects from escaping

into Maiduguri and adjoining communities. JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said yesterday that “as the military Special Force operations are going on, these roads have to be closed to prevent the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists from infiltrating into Maiduguri and other towns.” Transport fare on these alternative routes, however, have shot up from N750 to N2000, while the Bama-GulumbaDikwa-Maiduguri route also

rose from N250 to N1,500, about 600 per cent increase. A commuter at Bama Road Motor Park told our correspondent yesterday: “It is God that saved us on the desert tracks of Dikwa area this morning, as we had to pass through “stop-andsearch” at the many barricades erected by soldiers on the Maiduguri-Dikwa road.” Our correspondents also learnt that because of the closure of the road that leads CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: General Secretary, National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Mr. Ayo Opadokun; Chairman of the group, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) and guest speaker, Mr. Fred Agbeyegbe, at the 19th anniversary of the late Chief M.K.O Abiola Epetedo Declaration in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Nigerians’ll re-enact June 12 in 2015 –NADECO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of Gen Sani Abacha and died in custody on July 7, 1998 under unclear circumstances. Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said in a statement that the “spirit of June 12 is alive and thriving.” The National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and a major actor in the struggle to restore democratic rule, said the June 12 spirit would propel the process that would produce free and fair elections in 2015. Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, also said that June 12 represents the “human spirit,” describing the day as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. His words: “We need to remind ourselves what June 12, 1993 represents. It is neither mere date nor sentiment. It is simply human spirit. “What a futile undertaking it is then, when some individuals attempt to deny or crush it. Yet it was the power of this very spirit

that brought such out of relegation or obscurity, even from the jaws of death, and bestowed upon them relevance and prominence. “What June 12 possesses is exactly what May 29, or any other day, lacks. The former was a spirit of unified purpose, the latter simply an egotistical appropriation of the gift of the former. The National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, which had symbolised the opposition to military rule, also reiterated its call for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, SNC, which will draw up with a people’s constitution to save Nigeria from a major breakdown in the polity. This was contained in a text of proclamation by the group yesterday in Lagos at the 19th anniversary of the June 11, 1994 Epetedo Declaration by the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Moshood Abiola. The Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun,

called on the Federal Government to declare June 12 of every year as Nigeria Unity Day just as he insisted that Babangida, who annulled the presidential election must apologise to Nigerians. Tinubu, while describing June 12 as Nigeria’s beacon in the dark, said the thirst for change is thick in the air and millions of Nigerians desperately want their votes to count in the next round of elections. “June 12 remains indelibly etched in our memory, though it stands as a ringing indictment to the military and their civilian cotravellers who conspired against the wishes of millions of Nigerians. Because what happened on June 12 is deep rooted and genuine, the spirit behind it has refused to die.” “This pervading spirit of patriotic zeal,” Tinubu insisted, has reached a critical mass, powerful enough to propel the engines of change and the demand for truly free and fair elections. He said: “The core of the

June 12 elections was the transparency and the free and fair nature the election held. Twenty years after, Nigerians deserve no less. “The quality of our elections in the past few years has not attained the quality and transparency that surrounded the conduct of the June 12, 1993 elections. “The symbol of June 12 and Nigeria’s icon of democracy, Chief Kashimawo Abiola, gave to Nigeria a truly fine moment in history and taught us the lesson that Nigeria has all it takes to get it right and be great. Tinubu said he is optimistic that harvest time has come for Nigeria and Nigerians, but only “if we imbibe the spirit of June 12 and abide with the lessons of that historic event.” The NADECO proclamation, titled: “19 years after the Epetedo Declaration: Where is the sovereign power of the people,” was signed by its Chairman, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd). NADECO, which fought tirelessly for enthrone-

ment of democracy in Nigeria and championed the campaign for the deannulment of the electoral mandate given to Abiola, also charged Nigerians to take their destiny into their hands by championing the cause for a positive change to install the true democracy that many died for during the June 12 struggle. On the 2015 general elections, Kanu warned on the dangers ahead; given the violent threats by some people who, prior to the 2011 elections, promised to make Nigeria ungovernable should power not return to them and the response from another bloc, equally threatening catastrophe should power leave them. His words: “Having identified the unworkable unitary ‘Constitution’ of Nigeria as the source of the many intractable plagues of Nigeria, and now faced with a situation in which, whoever wins a 2015 presidential election, ‘blood will flow,’ NADECO, with a grave sense of responsibility, raises a question as to

the wisdom of embarking on such an election without first working out an acceptable constitutional arrangement, moreso since whoever wins that election will govern with the same disputed ‘constitution,’ plunging the country further into the abyss and faster towards anarchy.” General Secretary of NADECO, Ayo Opadokun charged Nigerians to take their destiny into their hand and challenge the current system, which according to him, cannot be sustained. His words: “It is high time for the Nigerian people to reclaim their sovereignty that is being trampled upon and taken away for no reason. We must stop every uncharitable character taking the people for granted. Sovereignty belongs to Nigerian people. We must all agree on how to restore our sovereignty. “NADECO is telling Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands. We should stop grumbling silently and CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Photo News

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

L-R: Professor of Law and human rights activist, Prof. Itse Sagay; guest speaker and Osun State Governor, Raufu Aregbesola; moderator and Managing Director, CMC Connect, Mr. Yomi Badejo and speaker and Dean of Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Prof. Francis Fagbohun, at the second edition of The National Public Discourse organised by CMC Connect in association with O’Ken Ventures in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO.

L-R: Minister of State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide; President, FCT Branch, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Abubakar Yakubu and Deputy President, NULGE, Comrade Abbas Dikko, during NULGE’s advocacy visit to the Minister of State in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Managing Director, SIBs International, Mr. Pedro Hipolito; Director, Acceptance Development, West Africa, MasterCard, Mr. Kamil Olufowobi and Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc; Ms. Christabel Onyejekwe, at the 13th edition of Card, ATM & Mobile Expo Africa in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Visual artist, Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Arthur Mbanefo and Director-General, National Gallery of Art, Dr. Abdullahi Muku, during the first lecture of the Society of Nigerian Artists tagged: “Role of Art in National Transformation” in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

National News

Jonathan heads National Space Council • Targets space technology for security, economic growth R OTIMI FADEYI

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday charged members of the National Space Council to work towards the development of space technology that would fast track the industrialisation process of the country. Speaking while inaugurating the council at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan, who heads the council, said members of the council have the responsibility of developing the strategy that would enable the country benefit maximally from the huge investments in the development of space technology. Vice-President Namadi Sambo would serve as the deputy chairman while the other members are the National Security Ad-

viser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and three university professors including Vincent Olunloyo, Elijah Mshelia, and Fransisca Okeke. Ministers listed as members of the council are; Muhammad Sada (Mines and Steel); Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i (Education); Prof. Ita Ewa (Science and Technology); Dr. Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning); Comrade Abba Moro (Interior); Mrs. Omobola Johnson (Communication Technology) and Erelu Olusola Obada (Minister of State for Defence). At the inauguration of the council yesterday, President Jonathan expressed optimism that in the shortest possible time, the country would be able to manufacture and launch its own satellite, stressing that his administration was committed to the actualisation of the

definitive goals of the space programme. He said the National Space Council is the apex body charged with the responsibility of developing policy guidelines for activities in space, stressing that it also has the vital role of monitoring the implementation of the national space programme. The President noted that in 2011, the country recorded a feat worthy of celebration with the launch of two X observation satellites, one of which was the Nigeria Sat X designed and built by Nigerian engineers and scientists. “Given the critical place of space technology in the areas of national security, communications, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development, the critical need to properly structure and drive

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our national space programme cannot be overemphasized,” the President said. According to him, members of the National Space Council are made up of people of high caliber, including university professors who have reached the peak of their profession. Jonathan said the development of space technology is a challenge, not only to the members of the council, but to all Nigerians, stressing that “we should dedicate ourselves to building a better technologicallyadvanced, stable and prosperous Nigeria for our children.” The President charged members of the committee to work hard to justify the confidence the nation has in them by bringing all their experience to bear in the discharge of their assignment.

Sponsors of terror are mostly PDP members –ACN

he Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has rejected any attempt by the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to portray the opposition party or its leadership as terrorism sponsors, saying all alleged sponsors of terror in Nigeria are either within the ruling party, the PDP, or somehow associated with it. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Presidency and the PDP should tell Nigerians the names of all those mentioned as sponsors of Boko Haram in a well-researched article in the journal of the New York-based World Policy Institute, entitled: “Anatomy of African Terrorism: Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown terror network.” The ACN said a quick perusal of the article shows a former Nigerian Ambassador to Sao Tome

and Principe and a serving Nigerian state governor, all members of the PDP, as alleged terror sponsors. “Contrary to the blatant falsehood being peddled by the Presidency and the PDP, not one member of the ACN was mentioned in that document, which is available to those who are more interested in seeking the truth than calling the dog a bad name, just to hang it. “We abhor terrorism in all its ramifications and have never and will never support terrorism under any guise. But our stand on Boko Haram is also well known to all fair-minded people whose thinking has not been clouded by political considerations. “Terror has festered in our country largely because of widespread poverty/economic deprivation, massive unemployment, injustice and alienation of a large section of the society, all products of years of bad governance.”

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News

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

CBN plans self-regulatory body for financial market CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and other financial market instruments done through dealers but mainly outside the purview of the stock exchange also known as the secondary market. This is even as the committee also unveiled plans to fast-track ongoing plans of establishing a Mortgage Refinance Company in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Finance to make housing affordable to Nigerians. Briefing newsmen on the key decisions taken at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said the initiatives were amongst others being taken to ensure that banks provide better financial intermediation services in the economy and consolidate on the modest gains of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN, monetary policy actions in the past three

years. He explained that one of the issues discussed and agreed upon was the plan by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, to refinance its outstanding bonds, a development which, he said, was seen as healthy for the nation’s financial system stability. Sanni said: “We deliberated on ways of encouraging growth and development in the financial market largely so that the country can tap into the available pool of funds for development purposes. “And so the committee discussed and debated on

how to continue to remove impediments on the path of development in that market sector. “The committee agreed to look for ways to engender and encourage the growth of the sector and one of the ways that the committee is seeking in the secondary stock market to encourage growth in the bond market.” The Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, said the committee considered the need to create a more enabling environment for sustainable growth of the secondary stock market and therefore, decided to

support the establishment of the self- regulatory body based on the decisions reached with the Financial Market Dealers Association. He added that the registration of the proposed regulator had reached an advanced stage and that with the successful selection process of the chief executive officer; the organisation would be formally launched in August. He said: “The Bankers Committee a few months ago supported the Financial Market Dealers Association towards sponsoring an OTC self-regulatory organisation. The good news

today is having obtained its registration from the FCC a few months ago, a lot of work has been done and this body is about to commence business. “The meeting was briefed on developments to date, the fact that market rules are in the final stages of drafting and would soon be sent to the approving authority for their review and approval and the fact that the market infrastructure is being aggregated and also very important is the fact that the body has finalised the selection of the CEO and would be launching sometime in August of this year.”

He described the establishment of the body as an extremely critical development in the growth of Nigeria’s financial markets which, he noted, had grown in size. CBN Acting Director, Banking Supervision, Mr. Fakunle Adeoye, said the decision by the committee to extend the operations of the cashless transactions to five states, namely Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra and Rivers and the FCT was informed by the progress and the success recorded in Lagos and an attempt to ensure that the use of cash transactions is discouraged in the economy.

Nigerians’ll reenact June 12 in 2015 –NADECO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

start demanding for our rights. That is the only way Nigerian can take back the system. This current system cannot be sustained. So it is time for Nigerians, especially the younger people to take their destiny in their own hands so that we can leave a better society for upcoming generations. “The charge for us today is that we need to do more than what we are doing. Get yourselves organised in your streets, get yourself organised in your wards, get yourselves organised in your local governments, so that what is wrong should be condemned. “Nigerian people need to take their destiny into their hand by legitimately, constitutionally organising and mobilizing themselves to demand for their rights.” The daughter of the winner of the June 12 election, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, said the vision of her father on farewell to poverty is not dead. She called on Nigerians to prepare for another democratic journey for the 2015 elections. “So today is the day when true democrats rise up CONTINUED ON PAGE 8>>

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) with members of the National Space Council after their inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Northern youths hunt Boko Haram members CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

to Cameroun, prices of bananas and other fruits had increased by 200 per cent. A vegetable seller said: “Since the closure of the two roads by security operatives on May 16, we had not been getting supplies of Cameroonian bananas that sell for N50 a bunch.” Meanwhile, more than 6000 people have fled Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to neighbouring countries after the air and ground offensive against the Islamic sect by the military, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, said yesterday. Those that spoke to UNCHR said they fled for fear of being caught in the crackdown on the Boko Haram sect. In Baga, close to the Ni-

ger border, UNHCR spokesperson, Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva that “refugees report that air strikes by government forces are continuing from time to time, and that planes are regularly flying over the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where the state of emergency has been in force since May 14. “People arriving in Niger also mention the increasing presence of roving armed bandits in several states in Nigeria. Rising commodity prices coupled with preexisting food insecurity is also becoming a major concern for the populations of the affected states.” Niger has so far received 6,240 people, comprising Nigerians, returning Niger nationals and people of other nationalities, according

to UNHCR. There have also been arrivals in Cameroon and Chad in the past weeks. “New arrivals are either renting houses or staying with host families, who are themselves living in very precarious conditions,” Edwards said. UNHCR officials who have visited several border villages hosting new arrivals also met some Nigerian families living out in the open, under trees. The presence of the newcomers is also putting a strain on meagre local food and water resources, the agency said, noting that Niger, a country in the Sahel, itself struggles with food insecurity due to years of drought. “UNHCR plans to deliver some relief to the new arrivals as well as to the host community. We are also

helping the local authorities to register new arrivals,” Edwards said. Meanwhile, UNHCR described the security situation as “extremely difficult.” It added that information about the humanitarian situation and displaced people in the North-East is limited since it is not present in the areas that are under a state of emergency, due to the prevailing insecurity. In another development, a Northern group, the Concerned Arewa Youth Forum, CAYF, yesterday backed calls by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for the arrest of Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari over his comments on the proscription of Boko Haram.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Jibril Mamman Vatsa, the group warned against any attempt to drag the CAN president into a political matter. Buhari had last week during a radio programme reportedly said that while Boko Haram sect members were being killed and their houses destroyed, Niger Delta militants were trained and given employment. Oritsejafor called for Buhari’s arrest over what he described as an inciting comment. But, CAYF Coordinator, who is also the son of the late Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, called on Buhari to resign from politics and allow the peace to reign in Nigerian politics.

News

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he merger committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday said that it has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the registration of the new party. The spokesman for the joint merger committees, Chief Ikimi, said the coalition filed an application with INEC last Friday, seeking for the recognition of APC as a new party. Ikimi, who is also the chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, merger committee said that with the submission, the stage is set for the new party to evolve. According to him, those who signed the documents accompanying the application were the three chairmen and secretaries of ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. “The request for the approval of the merging parties have been signed and submitted by the three signatories authorised to sign it. “For now, only three parties have done their convention, ACN, CPC and ANPP and these are

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

APC formally applies to INEC for registration the ones authorised to have those documents signed. There are nine people who have signed those documents and the request was submitted last Friday,” he said. He debunked insinuation that there was disagreement between the parties involved in the merger over leadership structure. According to him, the parties concluded their meetings under a peaceful atmosphere, adding that one of the decisions reached at the merger talks was that the parties should engage in more consultations on outstanding issues. Ikimi however said that the formation of the APC leadership structure must respect the principle of equity and transparency. The statement read by Ikimi at the end of the merger meeting stated: “We are aware that millions of Nigerians await the final registration of our new party, the APC, so that they can avail themselves the opportunity to take up its membership. “The plan, hope and commitment of the merger committees are that the new party will be broad

based, open and truly belong to all its members equally. “To this end, we have all subscribed to our new constitution and it defines, quite clearly, the leadership structure of the party. “This principle underscores equity and fair play among party members without prejudice. “We will therefore strive to guarantee trans-

ABUJA

he Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that about nine million of the 10.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria are Almajiris in the North. Wike said this while reacting to a report by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO. UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report, EAGMR, had released a report, which suggests that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children, among 11 other countries. The report listed other countries to include Pakistan (5.1 million), Ethiopia (2.4 million), India (2.3 million), Philippines (1.5 million), Cote d’Ivoire (1.2 million),

Burkina Faso (1 million) and Niger (1 million). Others are Kenya (1 million), Yemen (0.9 million), Mali (0.8 million) and South Africa (0.7 million). However, an online statement sent to National Mirror by the minister’s Special Adviser (Media), Simeon Nwakaidu, said the 10.5 million figure was inherited by the present administration. The statement added that the bulk of the number of out-of-school children was made up of Almajiri children from the North. Nonetheless, Wike disclosed that concerted efforts were being made by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, to change the ugly trend. Part of the measures aimed at correcting the anomaly, according to the minister, was the N1

parency and internal party democracy particularly at this stage of registration. We expect all of us involved in the process to also subscribe to and respect these fundamental principles,” he said. Meanwhile, the meeting of the APC governors, which was held on Monday ended in a deadlock. National Mirror learnt that the meeting could not agree on the sharing for-

mula for the leadership of the party. The meeting, which was held at the Lagos State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, was attended by most of the governors, but the lingering issue of who takes what has continued to pose major challenge to the merger arrangement. A source who was at the meeting told National Mirror that governors of

the merging parties particularly as it concern the offices of the National Chairman and National Secretary. The governors however agreed that time is of essence and that they need to consult more to be able to sort out the logjam. They also mandated the Tom Ikimi committee to work out a more acceptable format to end the disagreement.

New Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. David Paradang (middle) being congratulated by officers and men of the service after his decoration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

9m of out-of-school children are Almajiris –Minister EMMANUEL ONANI

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billion made available to UNESCO by the Ministry of Education, to “facilitate mass literacy programmes to ensure that more Nigerian children are enrolled in Nigerian schools”. He added that other deliberate interventions geared towards mass literacy included the establishment of the “Almajiri Education Programme, the Girl-Child Education Programme, the out-of-school children programme for South-East and SouthSouth and the mass literacy programme being executed in conjunction with UNESCO”. Wike said the President Goodluck Jonathan administration had already “delivered 85 out of the 124 Almajiri Schools being constructed in northern Nigeria and hopes to deliver 400 of such schools by 2015”.

Abrogate death penalty, NIALS urges NASS TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

rofessors of law at the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, yesterday called on the National Assembly to commence the process of repealing the death penalty in the country’s laws. The professors led by the NIALS Director-General, DG, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), also asked the parliament to legislate for the justiciability of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution to guarantee all the rights enshrined in the chapter for the citizenry. The NIALS professors made call during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. “We the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, seek an abrogation of the death penalty in all our laws. It is a matter of

despair to hear that people still clamour for death penalty in the states,” Azinge said. The NIALS DG, who congratulated the House of Representatives for the “people-centred bills,” and “the sheer number of bills passed in the last two years” by the Lower Chamber under Tambuwal’s leadership, also urged the speaker, who is also a lawyer, to “identify more with the institute” in the efforts to rid the country of regressive and outdated laws. Azinge, however, noted that the National Assembly, despite its efforts in lawmaking in the last two years, needed more capacity building in the area of law drafting. He acknowledged that though “there is a National Institute of Legislative Studies,” the NIALS also had as part of its mandate to build capacity on law drafting. The DG said though the

House had passed many bills, “some of the legislations are not evidencebased”. He said: “The institute has done extensive work on chapter two to make it justiciable. We only want to add our voices to what the National Assembly is already doing.” Azinge also presented several books to Tambuwal on the legal profession in Nigeria since 1914, state of emergency and politics, legislative drafting and other seminal works on key legal areas. In his response, the speaker told the visiting team that the House was already in the process of abrogating some archaic laws and had even restructured the Committee on Justice to carry out the assignment. Tambuwal appealed to Azinge and his team to assist the committee in the task of amending some of the laws and abrogating a few others.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Baby killed as three-storey building collapses FRANCIS SUBERU

three-storey building collapsed yesterday on Amu Street, near Challenge Bus Stop, Mushin in Lagos and killed a 12-month-old baby. An eye witness said that the building, which was in a deplorable condition, collapsed following the heavy downpour which began around 12noon yesterday. It was learnt that rescuers did not arrive at the scene on time as few occupants were trapped under the rubbles. A resident in the area, Beyiose Femi, said the building is very old and that it should have been demol-

ished long before its eventual collapse. Femi said: “We thank God that not many people died in the incident. You should have seen the house before it collapsed. It was in bad condition. To be sincere with you, the building ought to have been demolished before it eventually collapsed. “As at the time it collapsed, some people were trapped inside, calling for help. We made frantic efforts at rescuing them, before the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) officials arrived. They were shouting for help, saying they were suffocating.” It was gathered that the

officials arrived the scene three hours after the incident. Confirming the incident, NEMA spokesman, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said: “A three-storey building in Mushin collapsed and killed a 12-month-old baby, but several others that were injured from the impact of the blast have been taken to the hospital. “As at the last headcount by the occupants of the building, we can safely say that no one is still trapped in the rubbles after the evacuation and rescue process was undertaken. “We were concerned with the safety of lives and the emergency team moved in immediately when we got

information on the collapsed building.” He, however, urged residents to subject their buildings to routine structural tests by the relevant government agency to ascertain their state of habitation, adding that so far, over 36 cases of structurally defect buildings had been reported in different parts of the state and integrity tests had been carried out on them. While calling on residents to report buildings suspected to be under threat of collapse, Farinloye reiterated that NEMA and Lagos Building Inspection personnel have been deployed to checkmate such incidents from occurring by using preventive measures.

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No accurate statistics of Nigerians in prisons abroad –NDLEA WALE IGBINTADE

he National Drug Law Enforcement (NDLEA) said yesterday that lack of cooperation by some foreign countries, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States was responsible for the inaccurate statistics of Nigerians that are jailed for drug offences abroad. NAFDAC Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba, stated this at a seminar organised by the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC) held at MUSON Centre, Lagos. Represented by Y. S Mshelia, Assistant Director of Legal Services, Oloruntoba said

Section 45 of the NDLEA Act mandated all heads of Nigerian diplomatic mission abroad to forward to NDLEA every six months, statistics of Nigerians in jail abroad for drug offences. He said: “Lack of cooperation from some foreign countries particularly the United Kingdom and the United States is responsible for the inadequate statistics of Nigerians jailed abroad for drug offences. These countries refuse to provide relevant information relating to Nigerians involved in drug trafficking in their countries on grounds that double jeopardy exist in the Nigerian law.” According to him, the absence of drug enforcement officers in Nigerian missions abroad also contributed to the inadequate statistics.

Nigerians will re-enact June 12 –NADECO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Fred Ajudua (left) who is being fried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over a $1.69 million scam, ordered to be remanded in prison custody by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole at a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday.

Church calls for relocation of NURTW park

he Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) yesterday appealed to the Oyo State Government to intervene in the problem arising from siting a motor park at the entrance of the church by members of the Ojoo unit of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ibadan. In a petition signed by the GOFAMINT General Secretary, Pastor Ezekiel

Ade Ojo, and Legal Officer, Sam A. Adegbite, the church said members of the NURTW forcibly occupied the entrance to its premises on May 14, 2013 and turned the place into their park. According to the petition, the union came with some staff of the Akinyele Local Government Area and “YES O” Corps mem-

EMMA GBEMUDU

Didi Walson-Jack is new Bayelsa Chief of Staff

YENAGOA

overnor Seriake Dickson has deployed his Chief of Staff, Mr. Diekivie Ikiogha, to head the Bayelsa State Government Liaison Office in Abuja. Ikiogha is replaced with Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack as the new Chief of Staff. Until her appointment, Walson-Jack was the state Commissioner for Science and Technology.

Walson-Jack was the former Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, before she was appoint the Commissioner of Science and Technology. There are indications that Governor Dickson removed Ikiogha as the Chief of Staff because of the perceived disagreement between them. But a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Iwori-

bers and destroyed the gate, the fence and other valuable property put in place to protect the church’s premises before they moved in. Copies of the petition were sent to Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the Chief Controller of the Federal Ministry of Works. The church said the presence of the NURTW members and their characteristic

so-Markson, attributed Ikiogha’s redeployment to the governor’s increasing official engagements in Abuja. Part of the statement read: “Accordingly, Governor Seriake Dickson has approved the immediate transfer of Chief Diekivie Ikiogha to head the new Abuja office so as to meet up with the high responsibility and demand of the new office. The appointment takes immediate effect.

behaviours, such as smoking of Indian hemp, defecating around the premises and noise pollution had been intimidating worshippers. The petition reads: “The place has been the location of the church’s national headquarters for over three decades, long before the recent construction of the new Ibadan-Ilorin dual carriage way.”

“His Excellency expresses confidence in the ability of Chief Ikiogha to transform the liaison office to match its new status and this is based on his wealth of experience as a politician and public servant”. In an interview, a Special Assistant to the former Chief of Staff on Media and Public Relations, Etete Enideneze, said the transfer of his boss was not done in bad faith.

again, and dust off our shoes. Today is the day when we look at one another and say ‘20 years later, we have come full circle. For on this day, we begin the march for true democracy once again. We begin our second battle for independence.” Speaking at a news conference in Lagos yesterday, Fasehun said as the Federal Government had declared May 29 as Democracy Day it must also declare June 12 as Unity Day, saying, the election “is the truest mark of Nigerian unity and we cannot afford to lose its significance.” “June 12 should be Unity Day because on that day, all the constituent units of Nigeria spoke with near-unanimity and elected Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola as their President. June 12 is the truest mark of Nigerian unity and we cannot afford to lose its significance,” he said. He insisted that Babangida must apologise to the generality of Nigerians for annulling June 12. “The reckless action cost the country colossal loss in human and other resources. IBB must apologise for annulling the election and IBB must apologise for the people killed by agents of his government and those of Gen. Sani Abacha,” Fasehun said. Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described the June 12, 1993 presidential election as a watershed in the annals of the country, saying that the supreme price paid by Abiola can

never be forgotten. The governor expressed regrets that 20 years after the election adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, the ideals which Abiola stood for had yet to be realised. While describing the late politician and business mogul as a symbol of democracy, he praised him for his strong conviction that ordinary Nigerian must be freed from the shackles of oppression, poverty, penury and squalor. Mrs. Modupe OnitiriAbiola, the wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12 election, also tasked government toward reduction of poverty as the best way to immortalise Abiola and all those who died in the struggle for enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. Speaking with National Mirror yesterday, she said: “One of the best ways to immortalise Abiola is eradication of poverty. If they like, let them named everything in this country after him but the best way to immortalise MKO Abiola is eradication of poverty. “Abiola contested because he didn’t want poverty in Nigeria again. So, if government wants to truly immortalise Abiola, let them remove poverty.” Meanwhile, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has approved June 12 as a public holiday in Osun State.

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Nigeria records 1, 600 auto crashes monthly –FRSC •Corps issues over 200, 000 new number plates

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, yesterday said at least 1, 600 auto crashes occur monthly on Nigerian roads, just as over 200 motorists are arrested weekly throughout the country for various traffic offences. Also, the commission revealed that no fewer than 200, 000 new number plates have been issued so far to motorists nationwide since the commission commenced the issuance of the new plates in 2011. Deputy Corps Marshal (Operations) in the FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, made these disclosures yesterday in Lagos during the flag off of ‘Operation Rainstorm,’ which commenced on Monday nationwide. The weeklong campaign would be concluded on Sunday.

Oyeyemi said 400 auto crashes are recorded weekly, emphasising that with the various safety campaigns put in place by the organisation, such mishaps are being reduced to 300 weekly. He assured that with total adherence to road safety rules, such crashes would be eliminated in the country. He said the essence of the new campaign was to sensitise motorists on safety on our roads, most especially during the raining season. He urged motorists to double check their vehicles’ accessories like wipers, tyres, fire extinguishers and others. He equally warned them against over-speeding, overloading, bad headlamps and lack of maintenance of their vehicles, especially at this period, maintaining that several avoidable accidents had oc-

curred in the past to these careless acts. Oyeyemi also said that the new campaign would further reduce auto crashes by 20 per cent while the fatality rate would decrease by 30 per cent. He said the new campaign was in line with its 2013 strategic goals, stressing that the special patrol was a follow up to last month’s exercise tagged; ‘Operation Shield’ and other operational activities, which has been embarked upon by the FRSC since the beginning of the year as part of its operational intervention. The deputy corps marshal (operations) said; “Operation rainstorm has been organised in a triad dimension to ensure strict enforcement of road traffic regulations intertwined with robust public enlightenment campaigns and

Industrialist donates N3.7bn paediatrics centre to UI

n industrialist, Otunba Subomi Balogun, has donated a paediatric centre valued at N3.7billion to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. The centre, named Otunba Tunwase National Paediatric Centre, OTNPC, is located in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and has been handed over to the university. The OTNPC, which has specialist consultants in most medical areas, is a tertiary referral centre for teaching, research and healthcare delivery for infants, children and mothers. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Otunba Balogun said the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise he made in 1994 to build a world class health centre to cater for children. He added that the deter-

mination to construct the centre was informed by his experience after touring the children’s emergency wards/wing of the University College Hospital, UCH, where he saw children in various health conditions and was moved to establish the institution to save lives of children and mothers. “I have seen so many children suffering due to lack of adequate healthcare delivery in the nation’s health sector and this was what prompted me to establish this hospital. Today, I am delighted to hand it over to the University of Ibadan and I urge you to make it one of the best in the world,” Balogun, who is the founder of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, said. Responding, the ViceChancellor of the Univer-

sity of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the formal signing off of the hospital as a gift by Otunba Balogun to the university was a milestone in the history of the country’s health sector. He expressed the university’s joy and gratitude to receive the gift and promised to improve upon the standard. “We are all overjoyed because this is the first time the university is benefitting from this kind of generosity from an individual. What Otunba Balogun has done is unique, unparalleled and unprecedented,” he stressed. Prof. Adewole pledged that the university will provide top grade services at the centre and sustain the ideals for which it was established.

NAFRC urges retirees to be prudent with gratuity SEGUN ADIO

etiring personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have, for the umpteenth time, been advised to be prudent with their gratuity and other retirement benefits as the current economic climate in the world demands such

South West

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

prudence. These were the words of the Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC, Oshodi, Lagos State, Air Vice-Marshall Moses Akinsanmi, during a press briefing heralding the passing out of 114 servicemen from the three armed forces, scheduled

for Friday, this week. Akinsanmi, who indicated that the needs of the centre now is to get high level of attention, maintained that graduates of the centre must adopt prudent attitude to spending their hard earned retirement benefits to be able to cope with the challenges of post service life.

fleet operators’ inspection and certification under the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme. “Massive deployment of patrol vehicles, bikes, ambulances and tow trucks along designated routes of the highways will be witnessed to boost enforcement activities during the special patrol.” Also speaking at the event, the Corps Commander, Public Education Officer, Mr. Jonas Agwu, said the enforcement would be on number plate violations such as covering of number plates with plastic, the use of Peace Ambassador number plates, use of plastic number plates and the use of broken and defaced number plates, which he said negated the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2004. “Operation rainstorm will also address other road vices such as speed limit violation, overloading, dangerous driving, drivers’ licence violation, non-use of the passenger manifest by some fleet operators and light sign violations, among others.

House confirms Oyebola Ojo as Osun Chief Judge ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

sun State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, as the chief judge of the state. The state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has nominated Justice Ojo for the position in the state and he was unanimously approved by the state lawmakers after a thorough scrutiny on the floor of the House yesterday. The lawmakers, who acted upon the request of Governor Aregbesola in a letter to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, that the House should confirm her nomination, put the matter into debate after a thorough screening at the old state House of Assembly. The candidate was asked several questions bordering on justice delivery, administration and relationship to other judges and magistrates in

the state. At the end of the exercise, Justice Ojo was confirmed, following a motion moved by the House Leader, Hon. Timothy Owoeye that was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye. Speaking on the confirmation, the Speaker said the House elected to re-screen and confirm the nomination of Justice Ojo because issues of litigation and seniority surrounding her nomination have been cleared. Salaam while presiding over the legislative proceedings and screening of Governor Aregbesola’s nominee for the position of the state chief judge, disclosed that facts of discontinuance of court cases against the state judicial commission and a correspondence from the National Judicial Council, NJC, indicating her seniority in the state judiciary, have been made available to the House.

South West

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Same-sex bill critics don’t understand Nigerians –Lawmaker OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, has slammed critics of the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill recently passed by the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly.

The bill is seeking to impose a prison sentence of up to 14 years for anyone found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationship. But some human rights groups criticised the bill, urging the international community to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to veto it.

The groups argued that if the bill, which the Senate had already passed, was signed into law, it would infringe on personal freedom in the country. Speaking with our correspondent in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Abegunde said the critics of the bill were not conversant with the nature and lo-

cal customs of Nigerians. The lawmaker representing the Akure South and Akure North Federal constituency said all the religions being practiced in the country frowned on homosexuality. He said: “Those people that belong to the human rights groups should first study Nigeria and understand what kind of peo-

ple Nigerians are. Do we have values? Do we have culture? What religions do we even practice? “To the two principal religions being practiced in the country, Islam and Christianity, same-sex marriage is an abomination. It is an abomination in the Quran. To even mention it is immoral. And in the Bible, it is

sodomy. “So, if those human rights people had taken their time to study who Nigerian people are, they would not even want to talk about it. It is alien to Nigerians.” Abegunde added that the House had done the right thing by upholding the morals and ethics of the Nigerian people.

$1.69m scam: Court remands Ajudua in Kirikiri prison KENNY ODUNUKAN

A scene of an accident at Mile 2 on Lagos-Badagry expressway in Lagos, yesterday.

LGs’listinginconstitution,anaberration–Sagay, Aregbesola FELIX NWANERI

onstitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), and Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said the listing of local governments in the constitution negated the principle of true federalism. Sagay and Aregbesola said this in Lagos at the second edition of the National Public Discourse organised by CMC Connect in association with O’Ken Ventures. The theme of the discourse was, “Local Government Authority: How Autonomous?”

gun State Government said it had set up an Administrative Panel of Enquiry to look into the alleged fraudulent diversion of N200 million West Africa Examination Council, WAEC, fees by officials of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. A statement issued in Abeokuta yesterday said the panel was set up by the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, and the Civil Service Commission to probe allega-

Sagay, who said that autonomy for the councils meant “kissing federalism goodbye,” described as “error of madness,” the proposal by the National Assembly that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should be responsible for the conduct of local government elections. He said: “A local government is part and parcel of a state and therefore should not have any relationship with the Federal Government. So, the listing of local governments in the constitution is an aberration. Ordinarily, the councils should be agencies of the states for

development. “The councils should not be mentioned in the constitution. The states should determine the number of councils they want and fund them. The Federal Government should not come in. The states are supposed to create and run their councils in line with their peculiarities.” Aregbesola, who said the key to local government autonomy remained the fundamental restructuring of the federal system of government, also decried the uniform structure of the councils across the states of Nigeria. He said: “I don’t believe in

the current structure in Nigeria. Allocation going direct to local governments defeats the principle of federalism but that doesn’t mean that the councils should not enjoy some level of freedom. The local governments must be the creation of the states and supervised by them, including their structures.” The Chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, who also spoke at the event, proposed the enactment of a law that would stop the payment of allocation to any local government area under a caretaker committee.

Ogun raises panel on missing N200m WAEC fees tions that some officials of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology diverted the money which was meant for the payment of WAEC fees of secondary schools students in the state. The statement urged anyone with useful information to assist the committee in its assignment to get in touch either in writing or via text messages to the secretary of the panel, office of the Head of Ser-

vice, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on or before June 14. Such information, it added, could be sent via SMS to 08086361556 or email to ogunedupanel@yahoo.com, adding that the panel would treat all information given to it with utmost confidentiality. About 26 officials of the Ministry of Education, including Zonal Education Officers, ZEOs, in the 20

local government areas of the state and some directors have been interrogated by the police over the stolen N200 million. Meanwhile, the state government said it had placed the affected officials on interdiction while it also directed them to hand over to the most senior director in their various offices, pending the conclusion of investigations into the matter.

n Ikeja High Court yesterday ordered a suspected fraudster, Mr. Fred Ajudua, to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison in Lagos till June 24. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, who gave the order, said Ajudua, who had absconded from trial since 2005, should be in custody of Kirikiri Medium Prison pending the hearing of his bail application. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Ajudua and his co-defendant, Charles Hijiudu, in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two foreigners, Mr. Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of about $1.69 million between July 1999 and September 2000. Oyewole had, in January 2006, issued a bench warrant for the police to arrest the defendant and bring him to court, owing to his continued absence.

The court later granted Ajudua bail on medical grounds in March 2006. The defendant had informed the court afterwards that he was receiving treatment at Grant Medical Foundation, Pane, India in October 2006 and since then had failed to make any court appearance. At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Ajudua was brought to court by EFCC officials. With him was his lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo. Shortly after the proceedings began, Oyewole ruled that the first defendant (Ajudua) ceased to be on bail since December 15, 2005 when his bail was revoked. He said: “The case has been held up as the agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria have been unable to execute the warrant of arrest issued on January 24, 2005. “The first defendant is hereby ordered to be remanded in prison.

We’ll soon phase out kerosene stove –Fashola MURITALA AYINLA

overnor Babatunde Fashola yesterday launched the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, with an assurance that the residents of Lagos State would soon abandon kerosene stove. Launching the Eko Gas in Surulere, Lagos, Fashola said LPG would now be the preferred choice of fuel and source of power in the state, urging the people to key into the project by embracing the use of gas. The governor said the project would eliminate the hazards faced by the people such as kerosene explosion and respiratory diseases common among those cooking with firewood and charcoal.

He said: “That is the simple message. This was what we used when I was a child. We are back to the beginning. This was where we started. This is an initiative for the vulnerable people of the society who depend on firewood and charcoal to cook their food daily. “For us as a government, the commitment to raise the standard of living of the poor people remains heightened. Cooking gas is no longer the preserve of the rich in Lagos. We have intervened as a government to equalise and make the price of cylinder available at various prices. “I flag-off this project to symbolise the move to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the quality of life that both categories live in the state.”

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South East

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Anxiety over Okorocha’s aide’s whereabouts CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Imo State Government yesterday raised the alarm over the continued detention of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rochas Okorocha on Project Monitoring, Prince Mcdonald Akano. Akano’s health may also be in danger, according to his family, who claimed that the governor’s aide may have been denied access to food and medical needs.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chinedu Offor, told journalists yesterday in Owerri that it remained unclear which of the security agencies is detaining Akano, who was whisked away about two weeks ago in the state capital. Offor said the governor’s aide had been denied access to his family, lawyer and medical care, describing his arrest and detention as a plot to harass government

officials. He said: “We are baffled that any agency of government will detain an innocent citizen and deny him access to medical care, his family and even his attorney. “We see this as another expedition designed to harass and intimidate Imo State Government officials to achieve a determined end.” The commissioner, therefore, urged those detaining the governor’s aide to

respect his fundamental rights by releasing him. He asked the agency to make his offence public and subsequently arraign him or grant him unconditional release with immediate effect. Offor said: “Let the agency make public the offence committed by the government official that warranted his detention for over 10 days now and try him in a court of competent jurisdiction or release him immediately.”

L-R: Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Callistus Ilozumba; representative of TAMAD construction company, Mr. Tony Mady; Governor Peter Obi and others at a project site, yesterday.

Four suspected armed robbers held in Abia GEORGE OPARA ABIA

four-man armed robbery gang has been arrested by men of the Abia State Vigilance Group. Members of the gang were said to have terrorised residents of Umungasi and Ossioma areas of Aba before they were arrested.

The suspects are Kingsley Alozie (26), Ifeanyi Elebeke (27), Offia Ugorji (24) and Ikenna Ikechukwu (22).) They were arrested by the Ariaria unit of the vigilance group. The vigilance group’s Commander General, Mr. Martins Idika, paraded the suspects before journalists yesterday in Umuahia, adding that they were arrested

on May 31 at their hideout. Idika said the suspects specialised in attacking their victims late in the night and cart away their valuables as well as rape female victims. He said: “Following the information we received on the activities of the suspects, we stormed their hideout behind Umuehegbu Industrial Market in Aba at

about 2am on May 31, 2013 and arrested them. “My men also recovered several items including one digital camera, a television, laptops, DVD writers, wrist watches, many mobile phones and several pairs of shoes.” Idika told journalists that the suspects had attacked several people within Aba township.

Anambra shuts Awka market over tax default CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

he Anambra State Government yesterday shut down the Eke Awka main market following traders’ refusal to pay their taxes. The closure, which took the traders by surprise, was ordered by the government revenue task force headed by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Robert Okonkwo.

Okonkwo was accompanied to the market by a team of security forces. Addressing journalists yesterday, the commissioner said that the market would remain closed until the traders pay their taxes. He said about N100 million tax arrears had been recovered so far since the government began the revenue generation drive. The commissioner said: “Those expected to pay the tax are shop owners, each

trader is expected to pay N3, 000 per annum. The amount is made up of sanitation levy of N1, 800 and tax of N1, 200. “We have, three times, locked the shops of those who have not paid the tax and the keys to the shops were broken, so we decided to lock up the whole market and if the traders pay in the next hour, the market will be reopened.” Chairman of the Eke Awka Task Force, Mr. Jude Agunmadu, flayed the traders’ refusal to pay their taxes.

Agunmadu told journalists that he had explained the essence of the tax to the traders, but they refused to comply with the payment. He said: “The traders have fought our task force members, then we decided to allow the government task force to intervene. Initially, the state government gave them two months grace and they were not forthcoming, traders in other markets have paid theirs, except those in Eke Awk.”

Group apologises to police over wrong accusation

•Flays MASSOB’s sit-at-home order NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

group, the Concerned Igbo Citizens (CIC), has apologised to the Anambra State Command for accusing it of killing some members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and dumping their bodies into Ezu River. In a statement signed yesterday in Onitsha by its National Coordinator, Chief Okechukwu Nnogu and National Secretary, Mr. Sunny Okpaleke, CIC asked security agencies to disregard the MASSOB’s claim that its members were killed and dumped into Ezu River. The group said that after taking a critical look at the issue, it discovered that there was not even a member of MASSOB whose body was among those found floating in the river, neither was any MASSOB member declared missing. The group said: “As former MASSOB members, we know MASSOB information propaganda and antics. The Director of Information of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu, who is Chief Ralph Uwazuruike’s major confidant, claimed that Michael Ogwa, Monday Omogo, Philip Nwankpa and Eze Ndubuisi were among the nine MASSOB members allegedly arrested on December 7, 2012 by security agents, handed over to the police at Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) headquarters in Awkuzu and were later killed and dumped in Ezu River.

“As former foundational members of MASSOB in Onitsha, these four names listed by MASSOB are members under MASSOB Onitsha Region 5, (Onitsha North) headed by one Vincent Iloh as the Regional Administrator, while the late Philip Nwankpa was an Area Administrator living at Ugwuagba Obosi. “Philip Nwankpa and three others died since April 10, 2012 in an exchange of gun fire between the police and MASSOB members during a robbery operation at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Roundabout in Onitsha during which the police also lost Mr. M.N. King, the Administrative Officer (AO) of Onitsha Central Police Station. Mr. King led the police patrol team that engaged the arm robbers in the cross fire. “For a clearer proof of our report, check the Daily Sun and The Nation Newspapers of Friday, May 4, 2012 where it was reported that Philip Nwankpa, Michael Ogwa, Monday (Sunday) Omogo and Eze Ndubuisis (MASSOB members) died during a gun battle with the police at DMGS Roundabout, Onitsha. Vincent Iloh (Onitsha North Regional Administrator) and some members are aware of their shameful deaths. “On behalf of Ndigbo, we therefore apologise to the Anambra State Police Command for the false accusation against it that it arrested MASSOB members, killed them at SARS headquarters and dumped their bodies into Ezu River”.

Insecurity: Cleric asks FG to recruit more personnel NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

he Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Godwin Okpala, has urged the Federal Government to recruit more personnel into the nation’s security system. Speaking yesterday at the 2013 Diocesan Synod held at St. James’ Church in Ichi, Bishop Okpala said the current number of personnel was not enough to

combat the security challenges confronting the country. He described a situation where hoodlums have more sophisticated arms and equipment than the military, police, State Security Service (SSS) and the civil defence as unacceptable, adding that the nation’s security system is porous. He also called on the government at all levels to prioritise the security of lives and property.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Rivers PDP crisis: We’ll resist attempts to impeach Amaechi –Lawmaker SAM OLUWALANA

member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Azubuike Wanjoku, yesterday reiterated the stand of the members of the House that they will resist any attempt by any group to impeach the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi. The House’s support for the governor was coming even as people of the Kala-

bari kingdom in the state offered to broker peace between President Goodluck Jonathan and the governor. But the support for Amaechi was expressed by Hon. Wanjoku while leading the people of Ikwerre on a solidarity visit to the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Wanjoku urged those moving for the impeachment of the governor to consider their plot as an effort in futility, adding that it will be near-impossible to re-

Group seeks transfer of council poll to INEC SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

he Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, in Edo State has urged the National Assembly to transfer the planning and organisation of local government election to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the Senate, the upper chamber of the legislature, is presently seeking in the on-going constitution amendment process. According to the state CRPP Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, who spoke after reviewing the on-going process, such a transfer in the anticipated new constitution would guarantee fairness and credibility of the electoral process. Isibor said; “We in CRPP support the move because it would create a level-playing field for contestants of local government election everywhere in the country for a neutral body to organ-

ise such election as opposed to the present case where serving state governors oversee such election.” Isibor, the National Secretary of the Accord Party, who also reviewed the issue of grounding of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s helicopter by the National Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, called on NAMA to apologise to the state governor and put an end to the matter. He continued; “The incident is the height of the Federal Government’s intolerance of the opposition; using its agencies to intimidate, embarrass and frustrate performing governors. “What should be uppermost in the mind of the people at the federal level now is how to better the lots of the citizenry by ensuring stable power supply, solving the problem of unemployment, insecurity, corruption and hunger, not lording it over the people you claim to be governing.”

move the governor regarded as popular and innocent, despite his current travails. He advised those doing so to commit the funds meant for such venture into other outlets as any attempt to bribe the state lawmakers will result in disgrace. Wanjoku said; “Nobody can impeach Governor Amaechi, those making moves to bribe the state House of Assembly to impeach the governor should use the money to repair the East-West Road. If you come with the money, we will disgrace you because, the House of Assembly cannot be bought.” The President-General of Ogbakor-Ikwerre, Prof. Augustine Onyeozu, said the people of Ikwerre will not fold their arms and allow Amaechi to be humili-

EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Tonye Ebitibituwa, yesterday expressed worry over the high wave of murder and domestic violence in the state. Ebitibituwa decried the increasing incidence of wives stabbing their husbands to death and other similar crimes, lamenting that it was on the increase nationwide. In a statement made available to National Mirror yesterday in Yenagoa, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Alex Akhigbe, said the command

member representing Ikwerre-Emohua federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Andrew Uchendu, said the people of Ikwerre are worried over the unwarranted attacks on the person of Amaechi and wondered what the governor did to merit such attacks. He, however, pledged the loyalty of the people of Ikwerre to the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the people of Ikwerre will continue to respect other ethnic nationalities in the state that support the administration of Amaechi. In an address presented by the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, King T. J. T. Princewill, on behalf of all Kalabari people, the

people expressed their support for the governor and pledged to stand by him in his travails. “At certain times in the life of a man, the public expression of the love, goodwill, admiration and support of friends and relatives may be highly desirable. For us as Kalabari people, this is a good time to show our solidarity with our son, brother, friend and governor, Chibuike Amaechi. “The Kalabari people as an ethnic nationality would continue to work with you, we pledge our loyalty and unflinching support to your administration.” The people offered to arbitrate in any political misunderstanding the governor might have had with other Nigerians and appealed for peace in the state.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba (left), addressing officers and men of his command at a passing out ceremony after a one-week training on arms handling, crime combating and intelligence gathering at the Command Headquarters in Asaba, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Levels of domestic violence, murder worry Bayelsa police boss has observed the failure of residents of the state capital to report criminal activities and give distress calls on violent crimes to the police. His words: “More worrisome is the rise in cases of wives stabbing their husbands to death. This ugly trend must stop as taking a life is alien to our culture and it negates biblical injunctions. Resorting to violence as a means of settling family or marital scores is unacceptable, criminal and a sin against God.” The police boss sued for cooperation on the part of religious leaders and politicians in the state and called for assistance in sensitising the citizenry on the need to respect the sanctity of life, es-

ated and pulled down by those opposed to his style of governance. Onyeozu said; “If you have any problem with Amaechi, take him to court. There is no problem with that. Today, they are calling Amaechi a bad man so that they can bring him down. As Ikwerre people, we don’t take sides in anything bad, but we will not fold our hands and watch while an innocent man is humiliated and brought down for nothing. “Even if Amaechi is not an Ikwerre man, we will not allow him to be humiliated and killed. We are saying please, whoever he has offended should allow him to finish his tenure,” he appealed. Also speaking, the

chew bitterness and rancour which instigates violence. “The people are advised to always resolve their differences without resorting to violence as violence has never been the best way to resolve issues,” Ebitibituwa said. He continued: “The Bayelsa State police command urge the people of the state to assist the police in tackling some of the violent crimes before they occur. “Prompt reportage of cases of criminality will not allow the criminals enough time to cover up their tracks. This is to enable the police respond swiftly and harness the needed information that could help in tracking down criminals.”

Wike raises alarm over alleged plot to blackmail him EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

inister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has raised the alarm over alleged plots by officials of the Rivers State government to print and circulate campaign posters purportedly emanating from him. According to Wike, the aim was to present him as an over-ambitious politician, thereby making him run afoul of the recent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to politicians to desist from pasting campaign posters, which the organisation said, were over-heating the polity. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media),

Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike urged the public to disregard the posters whenever they appear, saying; “they are the handiwork of sinking and desperate politicians who are bent on circulating false information to over-heat the polity.” The statement further noted that the minister has been preoccupied by the onerous task of contributing his quota, towards the realisation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to a plot by some officials of the Rivers State government to print and circulate posters of the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, purporting

that he has declared for the 2015 governorship election for Rivers State. “We want to categorically declare that this is an orchestrated evil plot by political mercenaries aimed at presenting the minister as an over-ambitious politician. The fundamental aim of this plot is to create the impression that the minister is flouting the directive on the ban of 2015 political campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “We urge members of the public to disregard these posters if and when they are circulated, because they are the handiwork of sinking and desperate politicians who are bent on circulating false information to overheat the polity.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday June 12, 2013

Politics

Abiola, Susan Rice and a deadly cup of tea

June 12 represents human spirit –Soyinka

Abiola: The president who never occupied Aso Rock FELIX NWANERI

he yearly commemoration of June 12, the anniversary of the annulled 1993 presidential election, offers renewed opportunities to assess the occasion of Nigeria’s truncated stride towards true and representative democracy. It is equally important because it offers the opportunity to assess the man who has come to singularly symbolise that period of national history –Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. After the painstaking eight year conduct of a transition programme to return Nigeria to democratic rule after nine years of military rule, the then military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida voided the results of the election. His action added the word “annulment” to the standard Nigerian vocabulary. Though the election’s result was inconclusive before it was annulled, everyone knew that MKO (as Abiola was popularly known) won. Initial figures released by the then National Electoral Commission (NEC), showed that he was already coasting to victory, before the military junta directed it to stop further announcement of results from the remaining few states. This prompted Abiola’s insistence that he won the poll although the claim was a subject of debate for years until Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who then headed the electoral body, set the record straight 15 years later (June 12, 2008), when he affirmed that the Ogun State-born business mogul won the election. Nwosu, in his book Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election and its Annulment, stated that out of the 14, 396,917 votes cast in the election, Abiola, who was the candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), scored 8, 323,305 votes while his opponent, Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) had 6, 073, 612 votes. He further said that Tofa had one-third of the votes in 23 states out of the then 30 states in the country and Abuja, while Abiola had one-third of the votes in 28 states, thereby satisfying the constitutional requirement to be declared winner. According to results of the election published on pages 296 to 298 of the 392-page book, the states which Abiola won included Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu and Jigawa. Others were Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and the Federal Capital Territory. On the other hand, Tofa won Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Rivers and Sokoto states. Nwosu, however, blamed an order by the Abuja High Court which was served on the commission on June 15, 1993, for the inability of the electoral body to release the entire result of the election at the time. Babangida, on his part, years ago explained that he was compelled to nullify the poll because of security threats to the enthronement of a democratic government at the time. He pointed out that the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) he headed then knew that Abiola, if installed as president would be toppled through another military coup deta’t, which his government did not want. According to him, his regime decided that it would be the last that would ascend the seat of power through coup, adding that it would make no sense to install a democratic government that would be truncated within another six months. He admitted that the poll was the best ever conducted

Abiola casting his vote.

in Nigeria’s history, saying: “June 12 was accepted by Nigerians as the best of elections in Nigeria. It was free and fair. But unfortunately, we cancelled that election. I used the word unfortunately, for the first time. We were in government at the time and we knew the possible consequences of handing over to a democratic government. We did well that we wanted ours to be the last military coup

deta’t. To be honest, the situation was not ripe to hand over at the time. “The issue of security of the nation was a threat and we would have considered ourselves to have failed, if six months after handover, there was another coup. I went through a coup deta’t and I survived it. We knew that there would be another coup deta’t. But not many people believed what we said. They could have allowed me to go away and then they (coup plotters) would regroup and stage another coup.” While many still believe that Babangida’s reasons are unjustified, others have continued to wonder how Abiola was able to secure the landmark victory on a Muslim/ Muslim ticket in a country where religion plays an important role in its politics. The fact, however, remains that Abiola managed to work his way out of poverty through hard work and symbolised the aspirations of many downtrodden Nigerians. His “Hope ‘93” manifesto,’ which became a sing-song, also played a significant role. The policy paper was received with optimism by many, especially the downtrodden and the middle class. Unfortunately, he never lived to implement the programme in which he had provided answers to the pervasive poverty and dearth of infrastructure in the country. Abiola, the man who would have been president between 1993 and 1998 and or beyond, died on July 7, 1998, in the custody of the Federal Government, four years after he was arrested and detained by the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, for daring to declare himself presidentelect.

SUMMARY Candidate

Party

Votes

FULL RESULTS OF THE JUNE 12, 1993 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

MKO Abiola

Social Democratic Party

8,357,246

58.71

STATE

National Rep. Convention

TOTAL VOTES WINNER

Bashir Tofa

Abuja (FCT)* 18,313

NRC VOTES SDP VOTES 19,968

38,281

ABIOLA

Total

Abia*

151,227

105,273

256,500

TOFA

Adamawa

167,239

140,875

308,114

TOFA

Akwa Ibom*

199,342

214,787

414,129

ABIOLA

Anambra*

159,258

212,024

371,282

ABIOLA

Bauchi

524,836

339,339

847,274

TOFA

Benue

186,302

246,830

433,132

ABIOLA

Borno*

128,684

153,496

282,180

ABIOLA

Cross River

153,452

189,303

342,755

ABIOLA

Delta

145,001

327,277

472,278

ABIOLA

Edo*

103,572

205,407

308,979

ABIOLA

Enugu

284,050

263,101

547,151

TOFA

Imo

195,836

159,350

424,224

TOFA

Jigawa

89,836

138,552

228,388

ABIOLA

Kaduna*

356,860

389,713

746,573

ABIOLA

Kano*

154,809

169,619

324,428

ABIOLA

Katsina

271,077

171,162

442,239

TOFA

Kebbi

144,808

70,219

215,027

TOFA

Kogi*

265,732

222,760

436,894

TOFA

Kwara

80,209

272,270

352,479

ABIOLA

Lagos

149,432

883,865

1,033,297

ABIOLA

Niger*

221,437

136,350

357,787

TOFA

Ogun*

59,246

425,725

484,971

ABIOLA

Ondo

162,994

883,024

1,046,018

ABIOLA

Osun

72,068

365,266

437,294

ABIOLA

Oyo* Plateau*

105,788 259,394

536,011 417,565

641,799 676,959

ABIOLA ABIOLA

Rivers Sokoto

640,973 372,250

370,578 97,726

1,011,551 469,976

TOFA TOFA

Taraba Yobe

64,001 64,061

101,887 111,887

165,888 175,948

ABIOLA ABIOLA

*States in which results were released.

Abiola’s campaign manifesto.

5,878,685

41.29

14,235,931

100

Politics

Heroes MKO Abiola: The symbol of the June 12 election was overwhelmingly voted for across ethnic and religious divides, despite his being a Muslim as well as his running mate. He eventually paid the supreme price for his insistence on reclaiming the mandate that was freely given to him by Nigerians. The business-man cum philanthropist died on July 7, 1998 while still in the custody of the military junta. Abraham Adesanya: Late Senator Adesanya with notable Nigerians founded the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, which became the vehicle for the agitation for the validation of the June 12, 1993 election and the restoration of the Abiola mandate. He was a thorn in the flesh of the military junta that a failed attempt was made on his life on January 14, 1997, but despite that he remained undaunted in his opposition to the annulment of the election. When the NADECO leader, Anthony Enahoro went on exile, Adesanya became the acting leader and a mouthpiece of the struggle to reclaim Abiola’s mandate and condemned in the strongest terms the annulment of the election. He also confronted Gen. Sani Abacha when he attempted to transmute from a military Head of State to a civilian president. Wole Soyinka: The first and only Nobel Laureate from Nigeria was a consistent voice demanding for the end of the Abacha junta. Soyinka teamed up with democratic forces to ask for the restoration of the Abiola mandate. Operating from exile, after escaping the trap set for him by Abacha goons, his impact in the struggle became a thorn in the flesh of the military junta, as he was traversing the entire globe, drumming up support for the struggle to validate the mandate freely given to Abiola by Nigerians. Frank Ovie-Kokori: He was the secretary general of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, NUPENG, during the struggle. He led the NUPENG on nationwide protests which shut down the entire country, as NUPENG members refused to supply petroleum products to filling stations across the country. The NUPENG protests and its resultant economic effects were part of the reasons leading to the ‘stepping aside’ of General Ibrahim Babangida from office on August 17, 1993. Kudirat Abiola: She was the wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12election. A heroine of the June 12 struggle, she became a thorn in the flesh of the Abacha junta with her fiery activism, calling for the release of her husband from the gulag as well as also calling for the validation of the election and the restoration of the mandate freely given to her husband. So daring was she in the struggle to reclaim her husband’s mandate that she was killed on June 4, 1996 by the henchmen of the military in Oregun area of Ikeja in Lagos. Alfred Rewane: The late Pa Rewane was another icon of Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement during the regime of Abacha, who tirelessly called and campaigned for democracy and human rights, true federalism, honesty, transparency and accountability in public office, and ethics in business. An advocate of the actualisation the June 12, 1993 presidential election as well as a financier of NADECO activities at home, Pa Rewane was killed on October 6, 1995 at his house in Ikeja GRA, by a killer squad

Wednesday June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12

Heroes and villains of June 12

The June 12 debacle threw up several characters that helped shaped the struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria positively and otherwise. Some of the characters, through their roles in the struggle were the heroes and heroines of the June 12 struggle while others were villains. As the nation marks the 20th anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, National Mirror looks at the heroes and villains of the June 12 saga. Many of them have gone to the great beyond while some of them are still alive. OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU writes.

Kudirat

Adesanya

Kingibe

Gani

Babangida

Nzeribe

suspected to be working for the military. Gani Fawehinmi: The late human rights lawyer per excellence was another very vocal and vociferous voice in the opposition to the annulment of the election. He was always in the forefront of the protests against the military regime. He was involved in many rallies, calling for the actualisation of Abiola’s mandate, suffering police brutality and detentions on many occasions. Adekunle Ajasin: The former governor of the old Ondo State was at the forefront of those out to reverse the annulment. Undeterred by the determination of the junta to silence dissention, he is always ready to issue fire-spitting statements that tended to make the junta unhappy. A foremost leader of NADECO, who in spite of his age and failing health partook in the struggle and suffered arrests severally and was also humiliated by the then military administrator of Ondo State, Navy Captain Anthony Oyearugbulem, for his role in the struggle to actualise the June 12 mandate. Arrested in June 1995 alongside 50 others for holding meeting, he was released 24 hours later, but Ajasin refused to leave detention when he learnt that the others arrested with him were not released. Bola Ige: The late governor of old Oyo State and Minister of Justice was another solidly supporter of the June 12 struggle, who never wavered at any point in time during the struggle, even when his contemporaries in politics embraced the five political parties created by the military junta, which he termed “the five fingers of a leprous hand,” he refused to be part of the jamboree. He suffered military brutality and deten-

ABACHA... INCARCERATED THE PRESUMED WINNER OF

THE ELECTION,

ABIOLA

AND TRIED, THOUGH

UNSUCCESSFULLY, TO SILENCE THE VOICE OF DISSIDENTS AND AGITATORS AGAINST THE ANNULMENT OF THE ELECTION tion and was at a time arrested in the dead of the night and moved somewhere in the North in a rickety vehicle. He was one of the famed prisoners of war during the Abacha junta. Olisa Agbakoba: The fiery lawyer was one of the leading voices against the cancellation of the polls and was one of those who suffered brutality in the hands of the Police. Agbakoba was unrelentless in the struggle for the actualisation of Abiola’s mandate and in the process suffered many incarcerations. Attahiru Jega: The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was the national chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) during the days of the June 12 struggle. Using the instrumentality of ASUU, Jega shut down the nation’s university system and frontally confronted the military junta. Beko Ransome-Kuti: The late Ran-

some-Kuti was also a thorn in the flesh of the military junta, particularly after the election was annulled. He was always at the head of every demonstration and protest through the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a human rights group he chaired. Bola Tinubu: The former governor of Lagos State was a member of the National Assembly that was sacked by Abacha. He fled Nigeria and took sojourn in America from where he worked tirelessly against the government, not only financing NADECO activities but also working relentlessly to oust the military junta. Chima Ubani: The late human rights activist was another thorn in the flesh of the junta with his leadership of the prodemocracy and civil society groups to confront the Abacha junta calling for the restoration of the Abiola mandate. Shehu Sani: Leading the Northern arm of the June 12 struggle, Sani was another human rights activist who was a thorn in the flesh of the Abacha junta. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the military. Fredrick Fasehun: The founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Fasehun, was also a major actor in the June 12 struggle. In an attempt to break his spirit, he was caged in a cemetery in Ikoyi by the military junta. Several other Nigerians still contributed immensely to the struggles. Hundreds of Nigerians who were killed during protests or suffered losses by the military agents are also heroes of democracy. Among these are former governor of Oyo State, Lam Adesina, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, General Alani Akinrinde, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and others.

Villains Leading the pack of those who worked against the June 12, 1993 presidential election was the head of the then military junta, Gen. Babangida, who would go down in history as foisting the longest transition programme on the country, his successor, Abacha was also another; he incarcerated the presumed winner of the election, Abiola and tried though unsuccessfully to silence the voice of dissidents and agitators against the annulment of the election. Senator Arthur Nzeribe and his infamous Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), Babagana Kingibe, the vice presidential candidate to Abiola, who abandoned the mandate and teamed up with Abacha as a minister, Chief Tony Anenih, the chairman of the SDP, who strangely renounced the victory of his party, Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, an Ibadan-based Islamic scholar and business man, Daniel Kanu, who organised two million-man march for Abacha’s presidential ambition, late Ibadan maverick politician, Lamidi Adedibu, who packaged the infamous conditional bail for Abiola, Attorney General and Minister of Justice under Babangida, Clement Akpamgbo, and a host of others were part of the villains of June 12.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday June 12, 2013

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12

Today is not a day for sorrow HAFSAT ABIOLA-COSTELLO

wenty years ago, Nigerians trooped out in their millions, to vote in accordance with their conscience, at an election meant to serve as the culmination of General Ibrahim Babangida’s democratic transition program. Today, as we reflect on that epoch making event, let us recall the collective sacrifices Nigerians made to change our destiny. Many often speak about MKO Abiola as the symbol of June 12, and I shall come back to speak about the man and his vision shortly. But first let us recall that June 12 was a people’s movement, born out of the collective frustration and anger of Nigerian people at the direction our country was going. It was a movement that was given its first breath of life by students across Nigeria, who engaged in protests against the lack of jobs in the economy. It was sustained by our activists, our market women, our unions, our journalists, and our progressive politicians. Perhaps, then it would seem selfevident, altogether natural and fitting, that MKO would emerge as the symbol of this dynamic, grassroots movement. His decisive victory during the elections made him the clear symbol and rallying

Hafsat

point for the pro-democracy movement. Although “a people’s man”, who walked in the corridors of power in Nigeria and around the world, he remained steadfast in defense of his democratic mandate in the face of deceit, betrayal, and treachery from his so-called friends; intimidation, threats and murder of Kudirat, one of his wives, by the military and finally he paid for his commitment with his own life. But today is not a day for sorrow. No, not even when the main beneficiaries of

his sacrifice fail to honor the ideals for which these true democrats laid down their lives; not even when the national leadership since 1999 has sought to wipe MKO’s name out of our living memory; no, not even when poverty eats more deeply into the minds and bodies of Nigerians than it did in 1993. Today is the day when true democrats rise up again, and dust off our shoes. Today is the day when we look at one another and say ‘20 years later, we have come full circle.’ For, on this day, we begin the march for true democracy once again. We begin our second battle for independence. As the progressives across the land come together in a coalition party, we are set for an election not unlike the June 12 election. Our political landscape will soon be set for another democratic election between two main parties; a contest that will force our people to move beyond primordial sentiments towards performance as the means for securing popular support. However, unlike the 1993 election, this time, the progressives may find that their daring, their determination, their courage and commitment will be rewarded with victory. So on this day, let us say thank you to those that blazed the trail. Let us look at each other and acknowledge that now the journey continues. May 2015 see e blossoming of democracy in Nigeria.

UNILAG name change remains unsolved TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

hen President Goodluck Jonathan announced in his Democracy Day broadcast on May 29, 2012 the renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Moshood Abiola University, he had no inkling that the announcement would be met with strong condemnation, especially from the students, alumni and friends of the university. To the president, the name change would not only be a welcome development, but would also enhance the popularity of his government, especially among the people of the South-West. His belief was that people of the zone had been in the forefront of the agitation for the immortalisation, by the Federal Government, of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, who died in prison while fighting for the enthronement of democracy in the country. Not only that some people condemned this decision, students of UNILAG even protested the development several days on the streets of Lagos asking the President to reverse it. Except a few who were in

UNILAG’s main gate.

support of the decision, many believed that naming UNILAG after a person irrespective of his or her contributions to the country’s development was unnecessary. They equally believed that no matter what late Abiola represented, naming UNILAG after him not only lowered the status and standing of the university but also undermined its brand, built over the years. The students accused the president of insensitivity to the popular need of Nigerians and therefore offered various suggestions as regards how the late businessman and astute politician could be immortalised. The National Stadium

in Lagos or the one in Abuja, was suggested to be a perfect Federal Government’s monument suitable to be named after him more so that he was better known in sports than education. Some even suggested that one of the nation’s paper currencies or airport be named after him so as to make the honour have a national outlook. And apparently to safe his face and that of his administration from unpopularity, the president sent a bill to the National Assembly to endorse it so as to give the renaming of the 50-year-old university a legal backing. The president even went further by including two other

universities -Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike renamed Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Federal University of Technology, Yola, also renamed Modibbo Adamu University of Technology, Yola in the bill. Although, read only once in both legislative chambers, the bill is still on hold. Similarly, the Federal High Court, Lagos, where the students of the university also dragged the Federal Government to when the development had generated intense heat in the polity has also commenced hearing of the case. As at today, renaming of UNILAG after Abiola is still far from being a reality.

June 12 represents human spirit –Soyinka Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka believes that June 12 represents human spirit. He also describes June 12 as Nigeria’s democracy day.

e need to remind ourselves what June 12, 1993 represents. It is neither mere date, nor sentiment. It is simply – Human Spirit. What a futile undertaking it is then, when some individuals attempt to deny or crush it. Yet it was the power of this very Spirit that brought such out of relegation or obscurity, even from the jaws of death, and bestowed upon them relevance and prominence. What June 12 possesses is exactly what May 29, or any other day, lacks. The former was a spirit of unified purpose, the latter simply an egotistical appropriation of the gift of the former. June 12 embodies Unity of Purpose, Equity and Justice, the manifestation of the sovereign will of a people. It remains forever a watershed of Nigerian history, no matter what the future holds. I urge you to try a simple experiment: narrate the story of May 29 to a child and watch his or her reaction. On that day – that child would concede – an individual was installed as a compromise president following a compromise election. So, what’s new? Now move on to unfold the tapestry of June 12. Run your finger along its traceries of citizen resolve, upheavals, of individual and group heroisms, of sacrifices and martyrdoms, the timeless narrative of human resilience. Watch the difference in that child’s responses. Yet, even the beneficiaries of that day persist in their futile effort to kill the date and supplant it with another. Why should we be surprised? It is that unprincipled game of substitution that they have carried even to subsequent elections, substituting names of the rightful winners of elections with others who were never even in contention. It is this same mental compulsion that moves them to attempt to rob even a calendar date of its significance, its history, its potential for character formation and sense of national formation – and transformation. We remain unshaken! Let others continue their sham ceremonies – after all, this is a democracy - or so we claim! And that same democracy mandates those who are dedicated to truth, who are tutored in the lessons of history, who understand that the Human Spirit is enduring, to hold fast onto the truthful anniversary, recognizing none other, ensuring that this date is emblazoned across the sky, and takes root in the very earth that has soaked up the blood of our martyrs.

Soyinka

Politics

eople of Nigeria, exactly one year ago, you turned out in your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of your God-given right to be ruled by the President you had yourselves elected. These soldier-politicians introduced into our body politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography, something strangely called the “annulment” of an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most peaceful ever held in our nation. Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the mandate they gave me at the polls. But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and negotiation. My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your mandate, and to persuade them that they should not allow their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country into an era of political instability and economic ruin. All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community. However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their fellowmen. Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears. Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule, bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile) propaganda. They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the 71-year old hero of our nation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was not spared. How much longer can we tolerate all this? People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the will of our people. There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that has not been put in my path, no “setup” that has not been designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year ago. It has been a long night. But the dawn is here. Today, people of Nigeria, I join you all in saying, “Enough is Enough!” We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence. Military rule has led to our nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has destabilised our nation today as not before in its history. Military rule has impoverished our

Wednesday June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12

Epetedo Declaration: Enough is enough –Abiola Text of the proclamation speech by the late M.K.O. Abiola on Saturday, June 11, 1994, announcing the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) at Epetedo, Lagos.

Epetedo multipurpose hall where Abiola declared himself president, yesterday.

people and introduced a dreadful trade in drugs which has made our country’s name an anathema in many parts of the world. Even soccer fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America are being made to suffer there needlessly because Nigeria’s name is linked with credit card and fraud and “419.” Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due to our country because of its size and population. The permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that should be rightfully ours, is all but lost. For who will vote for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not respect the votes of their own people? Enough of military rule. We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no personal achievement, either in building up private businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being placed in charge of the management of our nation’s economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone. Enough of square pegs in round holes. We are tired of then military repetitive tendency to experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no controls.” Tomorrow; they say “Full controls”. The day after, they say “Fine tuning”. The next day, they say “Devaluation.” A few days later, they say “Revalue the same naira upwards again Abi?” All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game of military “about turns;” high inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden, dying industries, high unemployment and a demoralised populace. Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want? We are plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which have led to a perennial shortage of essential drugs, that has turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries. A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our schools into desolate deserts of ignorance. Our factories are crying for machinery, spare parts

PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

and raw materials. But each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational allocation of foreign exchange based on favouritism and corruption becomes the order of the day. Enough is enough of economic mismanagement! People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, I presented you with a programme entitled “HOPE ’93. This programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic (problems) that have demoralised us all. I toured every part of Nigeria to present this programme to you the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies and press conferences and I had the privilege of incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained from the people. Because you knew I would not only listen to you but deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority over my opponent. To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states. I am sure that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you ask yourselves: “What have we done to deserve this, when we have a president-elect who can lead a government that can change things for the better? Our patience has come to an end. As of now, from this moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President and Commander-in-Chief. The National Assembly is hereby reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated. The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local government councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan approach to all the issues that come before them. At the national level, a bi-partisan approach will

be our guiding principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his illegal ruling council. We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power. I pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired with all their entitlements, and their positions will be accorded all the respect due to them. For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted authority of the time. I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only elected President. My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as of now. People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the history of our continent, Africa, and we in Nigeria must not allow ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that country. Nelson Mandela fought to replace MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule. We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule, for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces. Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today, that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria as a whole in free and fair elections. The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule whether it is by black or white, remains minority rule, and must be booted out. I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria, to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke of minority rule for ever. The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest. In South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone forever. So, let it be with Nigeria. Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military. They talk of treason. But haven’t they heard of the Rivonia treason trial in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt the march of history? People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository of power in the land. No one can give you power. It is yours. Take it! From this day, show to the world that anyone who takes the people of Nigeria for fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer to. God bless you all. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Long live the Government of National Unity.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-44

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Authoritarian signs from Togo, Uganda PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

he international media have reported the death of a Togolese opposition leader and activist, Kodjo Yakanou, in detention. The opposition claims that the Togolese government had prevented him access to medical treatment, insisting his death was preventable. However, the authorities attributed his death to malaria. Zeus Atta Messan Ajavon, an opposition leader and national coordinator of ‘Let Us Save Togo’, was quoted as saying ‘his wife and the lawyer requested that the late opposition leader be rushed to the hospital for appropriate medical assistance, but the gendarmes refused”. The foregoing sets the backdrop to discussing the nature of political authoritarianism in Togo, a country ruled by a maximum ruler, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, for about two and half decades. During his administration, he repressed opposition parties, the media and pursued personal rule. The personalization of political power became a major feature of African politics in the 1970s and 80s when political leaders approximated their states and resources. The states were characterized by the leaders’ private accumulation of eco-

nomic resources and self perpetuation in political office. The former Zairean leader, late Mobutu Seseseko and former Ivorian leader, Felix Houphet Boigny, typified personal rule in African politics. In 2005, Eyadema died in office and was succeeded by his son, Faure Gnassingbe. His emergence as successor drew local and international criticisms, especially those of the opposition parties. The opposition called for the non-recognition of Faure’s leadership, but he succeeded at perpetuating himself in office. Since his assumption of political power, he has won two elections, though his presidency is still seen by critics as an illegitimate extension of his father’s reign. Meanwhile, a general in the Ugandan armed forces who asked questions about President Yoweri Museveni’s succession plan faces charges stemming from the alleged breach of an official code of conduct. General David Sejusa is a senior army officer accused by the state of showing political ambition. He will likely be arrested on his return from London by state security officials. In April 2013, General Sejusa wrote a letter to the internal security service calling for an investigation into allegations that high-ranking officials could be assassinated for opposing plans for Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed his father as President. He cited himself and the country’s Prime Minister among those in danger. General Sejusa is a decorated hero of the guerilla war that led to the emergence of Museveni’s leadership about three decades ago. He

THE PERSONALIZATION OF POLITICAL POWER BECAME A MAJOR FEATURE OF

AFRICAN

POLITICS IN THE

1970S AND 80S WHEN POLITICAL LEADERS APPROXIMATED THEIR STATES AND RESOURCES sits on the army’s high command and directs the country’s foreign and domestic intelligence services. He is also a qualified lawyer who represents the military in the country’s parliament. The Togolese and Ugandan political experiences are similar in several aspects. Both countries have been led by maximum rulers: Eyadema in Togo and Idi Amin Dada in Uganda. It is noteworthy that President Eyadema died in office, while Idi Amin Dada led his country into international disrepute through his leadership style and oppressive policies. Both countries had muscled political opposition and the media. The leading opposition figures in Togo had fled into exile for fear of political assassination by the state. The opposition in Uganda is also repressed through the instrumentalities of the state. The constitution in Uganda is often manipulated to suit the political plans of President Museveni who is serv-

ing a fifth term in office amidst protests by opposition parties and the civil society. His inauguration for the fifth term was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan, who was reportedly attacked by civil populace in Kampala. The dynasty rule in Togo where Faure succeeded his father is being contemplated in Uganda. It is alleged that President Museveni will likely be succeeded by his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. These developments are drawbacks for democracy in Africa and signpost the resurgence of political authoritarianism. The one party system that characterized African politics in 1970s was replaced by multi party system as a result of the collapse of the cold war and resurgence of the ‘third wave of democratization’. Critics argue, however, that the states in Africa are undergoing de-democratization as a result of negative political behaviors that are creeping into politics in the region. The electoral process is still rancorous as shown in the Kenyan and Zimbabwean experiences. The states are devoid of competitive politics hinged on virile press. The African Union (AU) should invoke the African Peer Review Mechanism to monitor democratic developments in Africa. The AU should show courage by denying recognition to political leaders that assume power through illegal and illegitimate means. President Faure Gnassingbe should desist from hounding political opposition and allow competitive politics to thrive in Togo. The Ugandan leader, Mr. Yoweri Museveni should not plan the succession of his son, but allow dissenting opinions and concede to competitive politics and popular rule.

Opon Imo and SCARF debates ROTIMI AJAYI Continued from last Friday

he reform in the education sector has witnessed the introduction of new uniform in line with brand colour of the state, building of 100 world-standard schools, introduction of nutritious and constant regular free meals for all students in public schools and computerization of books and educational materials through ‘Opon Imo’ (tablet of knowledge) for students in the public secondary schools in the state. The ‘Opon Imo’, though a component of Aregbesola’s education reform, is a game changer which many students and even parents in the state have been scrambling to get. Even students in private schools aspire to having it. Like tuition and uniform, the tablets of knowledge are also given out free. In terms of configuration, the ‘Opon Imo’ is an e-learning tablet that provides the senior secondary students with the contents required to prepare for school and public examinations. It provides three major content categories: text books, tutorials and practice questions. These tablets are being distributed to all senior secondary students across state schools in a move that is expected to radically scale up ‘access’ to learning, regardless of means, location or status of the families from where the students come from. Opon Imo delivers compelling self- paced courses in a highly interactive manner. The courses are synchronized to a library

‘OPON IMO’, THOUGH A COMPONENT OF

AREGBESOLA’S

EDUCATION REFORM, IS A GAME CHANGER WHICH MANY STUDENTS AND EVEN PARENTS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN SCRAMBLING TO GET of relevant e-books and a computer- based testing environment. The electronic device is first of its kind in Nigeria; it tackles the learning problem using contemporary ICTs, indigenous content and taking into account socially embedded factors accordingly. The tablet is a portable electronic device, which is controlled through its touch screen interface, and is available across the open source android operating system. The tablet is already preloaded with 54 e-textbooks covering 17 subjects; 54 tutorials covering 17 subjects and over 40,000 practice questions and answers as well as six extracurricular e-books among others. Just as the technical content and physical infrastructure of the state’s education sector are being tackled in the mainstream policy and program of the administration,

the wife of the governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, has also rolled out educational programs, under her development foundation, known as Sheri Care Foundation (SCARF), to directly complement the efforts of the state administration. The programs include school debate, quiz, cooking competition, aptitude game among others. Penultimate week, SCARF debuted with its School Debate series. In the maiden edition tagged “Osun Debaters”, not less than 180 public schools participated. The maiden edition was accompanied with excitement and indescribable zeal. Speaking at the finals of the debate program, the founder and president of SCARF, Mrs Aregbesola had this to say: “The debate program is one of the elements of our educational programs designed to complement the educational curricula in our secondary schools in the state. The objective of the ‘Osun Debaters’ is to activate the spirit of competitiveness among our young ones in a way that would prepare them for the leadership roles in all facets of life in future. “SCARF’s conviction is that debate is a challenging and highly rewarding educational activity for our students. We have no doubt that ‘Osun Debaters’ program would enhance the analytical skills of our students and develop their problem solving ability both while in schools and thereafter. We are convinced that exposing our students to activities such as debates and quizzes would also develop proficiency in thoughts and public speaking ability of the students as they would be motivated to do in-depth research-

es. This will increase the ability of the students to do well in life, either in businesses, professions or government.” Participants at the debate, which was won by students of Osogbo Grammar, demonstrated much enthusiasm and excitement at being allowed to take part. They were so active in both the qualifying and finals stages. They commended the program and requested for constant hosting of such programs. With the provision of Opon Imo, students in the state will now certainly be well positioned to build their research ability, and now that the Foundation and other stakeholders are complementing the government efforts in terms of out-of-class academic activities, Osun will soon become the place to send one’s children for all round education. In the words of one of the top rate media men in Osogbo, “the efforts of the Governor together with the support programs being unveiled by the Sheri Care Foundation have given students in Osun great advantage over their peers in other states”. Parents should now be mobilised to ensure effective usage of these platforms Concluded. Ajayi wrote from Osogbo, Osun State Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, OFR PUBLISHER

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Opon Imo, innovation and leadership

he recent launch, June 3, 2013, of Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge) in Ilesa by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State was acclaimed to have driven home the salient point that political leadership can be better demonstrated by being innovative, confronting challenges and overcoming them. Aregbesola has used Opon Imo to challenge all existing learning orthodoxies, especially in the country. The e-Book library section contains 66 text books, 56 of which are subject based, in line with the Senior Secondary School (SSS) curriculum, while the remaining 10 are development oriented - entrepreneurial, leadership, civic education, exposition on Yoruba history and culture, health hints and guidance, among others. In the integrated test zone are stored past Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), etc. question papers covering the last 10 years, e-teaching videos and related educational materials. Learning and student-teacher relationship under a classroom setting are thus powered through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the sort that will encour-

THE FEDERAL AND OTHER STATE GOVERNMENTS SHOULD CAST PRIDE ASIDE AND EMBRACE THE TABLET OF KNOWLEDGE DREAM age ‘book worms’ to study the more and make dull students to wake up from their slumber. Packaged alongside are two charging devises - electricity and solar, respectively. Senior Secondary School (SSS) pupils in Osun public schools will also own the learning portals at no cost. Reports said the costs of the computer tablets were very modest, compared to when students were compelled to buy hard copies of books. By investing in the computer tablets, the State of Osun would be saving N8.4 billion annually, money that would have been gulped by textbooks procurement. Arrangements were also said to be ongoing to ensure that Opon Imo does not become a ‘flash in the pan’ in the nearest future. This will obviously demand technology back-ups, hard and soft ware updates and the provision of regular electricity or solar power to sustain the contin-

ued availability and use of the computer tablet. Indeed, since the advent of ICT, the world has witnessed profound transformations in all facets of human endeavour. The printing and publishing industry, for example, has been made exceptionally less stressful. In the past one decade and a half, manual typewriters have given way to personal computers. The rigorous printing production processes - from typesetting to the superimposition of graphics on artworks and then the final product, are now a matter of choice. It may, therefore, be rightly expected that Opon Imo, with its three components, namely: e-Book library, integrated test zone and virtual learning, will revolutionise e-Book based education across the country in no distant time. We agree with the position of UNESCO’s Director and Country Representative, Professor, Hassana Alidou, that the tablet of knowledge is an idea whose time has come. Alidou said UNESCO was already thinking of how best the product could be used to harmonise learning in the West African sub region. For Nigeria or any seriousminded country for that matter in the prevailing digitalised world, the option of not introducing upcoming generations

and tomorrow’s leaders to the world of ICT is suicidal. It is a decision that would soon be visible in economic backwardness and visionless leadership. But before this larger regional dream, we think there is a national realisable one: using the tablet of knowledge to launch Nigerian children into the global information and knowledge superhighway. Therefore, the federal and other state governments should cast pride aside and embrace the tablet of knowledge dream. But in addition to the challenge of training both teachers and students on how best to maximize the benefits of the tablet, it is imperative, too, and as early as possible, to guard against all stumbling blocks to the otherwise brilliant Opon Imo idea. There may be the need, for instance, to intensify rural electrification projects to forestall possible hiccups in solar power supply, as well as proper monitoring and supervision of students to ensure they do not trivialise or convert the tablets to other uses not intended by the government. For, in the end, only students that are dedicated and committed to being educated will benefit from the innovation, while those who misuse the devise will still wallow in self-afflicted ignorance.

ON THIS DAY June 12, 2009 A disputed presidential election in Iran led to wide ranging protests both in Iran and around the world. Iran’s tenth presidential election was held on June 12, 2009, with incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad running against three challengers. The next morning, the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran’s official news agency, announced that with two-thirds of the votes counted, Ahmadinejad had won the election with 62 percent of the votes cast.

June 12, 2001 Robert Edward Dyer was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for attempting to extort money from a British supermarket chain, Tesco, through a letter bomb campaign. A blackmailer identified by the pseudonym “Sally” sent letters to Tesco stores threatening to harm customers if his demands for Clubcards modified so that the holder could withdraw cash from automated teller machines were not met.

June 12, 1993 An election, which was later annulled by the then military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, now retired, took place in Nigeria. Babangida (born August 17, 1941), popularly known as IBB, was a Nigerian Army officer. He ruled Nigeria following a coup that toppled the regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on August 27, 1985 Babangida left office on August 27, 1993, amid protests against the annulment of the election.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing No woman should die unnoticed -Health Minister

Experts warn against early marriage

Why you should donate blood Friday, June 14 is World Blood Donor Day SAM EFERARO

n Friday June 14, Nigeria will join the rest of the world to mark the World Blood Donor Day, a day set aside by the world Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. With the theme “Give the gift of life: donate blood”, this year’s campaign, the 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day, will focus on the value of donated blood to the patient, not only in saving life, but also in helping people live longer and more productive lives. It is estimated that Nigeria requires about 1.5 million units of blood per annum in hospitals and health facilities nationwide. Unfortunately, a National Baseline Data Survey on blood transfusion has revealed that less than half of this is obtained every year and this comes mainly from private sources. More worrisome is the revelation that paid donors still account for more than 90% of the blood being donated in the country. Just who needs blood and why should you go out on Friday to any hospital with transfusion facilities to donate blood? According to the National Coordinator, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Dr. Oluwatoyin Smith, human blood has become a major life saving ingredient required by health facilities which must be available during emergencies or routine use. On any given day, tens of thousands of units of blood are needed in hospitals all over the country for women during delivery, premature infants, accident victims, people undergoing surgery, individuals with cancer, leukaemia or blood disorders among several others. Also, experts say blood transfusion could save life in cases of severe infection or liver disease that stops the individual’s body from properly making blood or some blood parts. An individual with a disease or condition that causes anaemia such as kidney disease, cancer or a cancer patient going through radiation may also benefit from blood transfusion. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s blood transfusion services remains largely unregulated as touts still play prominent roles in the provision of blood. Recently, a man was caught at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) with a sack

2013 World Blood Donor Day Logo

of packaged blood which he intended to sell to patients requiring blood transfusion in the hospital. According to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. David Wale Oke, apart from the fact that the tout was not the right person to handle blood and blood products, the safety of the blood being sold was highly questionable not only because of its poor storage but for the fact that no one could ascertain whether or not it was screened. Dr. Smith however says Nigeria’s blood transfusion services is gradually taking shape with the establishment of the National Blood Trasnfusion Services. “We have increased the number of safe blood units that have been available for use. We played our part during the last incidences of emergency that we had

since last year. We have been able to make safe blood available for our health institutions that require them even during emergencies, “she told a national newspaper recently. The NBTS Coordinator also wants Nigerians to cultivate the habit of donating blood to save lives. According to her, it is a safe exercise for any healthy adult. ‘It only takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You walk in and we do a minute blood check. We check your haemoglobin level, we check your weight, ask you questions, your medical history and from there we are able to decide who can proceed to donate and who is not ready to donate or who cannot donate. Of course, if your haemoglobin is 12 gramme or below, you cannot donate. But once your haemoglobin level is above 12 gramme, you can donate. We cannot take blood from anybody

whose blood level is not adequate and also the weight. You have to be 50 kilogramme and above,” she said.

Packed blood ready for transfusion

Know your blood type T o date, more than 20 genetically determined blood group systems exist, but the AB0 and Rh systems are the most important ones used for blood transfusions. Not all blood groups are compatible with each other. Mixing incompatible blood groups leads to blood clumping or agglutination, which is dangerous for individuals. Nobel Laureate Karl Landsteiner was involved in the discovery of both the AB0 and Rh blood groups. Rh Factor blood grouping system Many people also have a so-called Rh factor on the red blood cell’s surface. This is also an antigen and those who have it are called Rh+. Those who haven’t are called Rh-. A person with Rh- blood does not have Rh antibodies naturally in the blood plasma (as one can have A or B antibodies, for instance). But a person with Rh- blood can develop Rh antibodies in the blood

Dr. Smith

plasma if he or she receives blood from a person with Rh+ blood, whose Rh antigens can trigger the production of Rh antibodies. A person with Rh+ blood can receive blood from a person with Rh- blood without any problems. AB0 blood grouping system According to the AB0 blood typing system there are four different kinds of blood types: If you belong to Group A blood, you have A antigens on the surface of your red blood cells and B antibodies in your blood plasma. Distribution of blood groups among blood donors in Nigeria: A Positive- 32%, A Negative- 5% Group B. If you belong to the Blood Group B, you have B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells and A antibodies in your blood plasma. If you belong to the blood group AB, you have both A and B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells and no A or B antibodies at

all in your blood plasma. People with AB positive blood types are the “universal recipients” as they can receive blood from all blood groups. Distribution of blood groups among blood donors in South Africa: If you belong to the blood group O, you have neither A or B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells, but you have both A and B antibodies in your blood plasma. Negative blood can be given to anyone in an emergency and O Negative donors are known as the “Universal donors”. Distribution of blood groups in Nigeria. The general distribution of blood groups in Nigeria is detailed below, although it may vary slightly in different regions. If you have Group O blood, you share a blood type with nearly half the population. -Source: NBTS

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Kaduna stakeholders move to reduce maternal death In Kaduna State, no fewer than five women die every day or about 1,944 annually due to pregnancy complications during delivery. To arrest the situation, health experts and other stakeholders recently embarked on “operation no more maternal deaths” as the state joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s safe motherhood week. Kaduna State correspondent, AZA MSUE, writes.

ealth indices indicate that every day, almost 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth around the world – ten percent of them are in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 90 per cent of the death occur in Africa and Asia, with a majority dying from severe bleeding, infections, eclampsia, obstructed labour and the consequences of unsafe abortions – “all causes for which we have highly effective interventions.” However, Nigeria has taken many initiatives to deal with the high rate of maternal deaths; among them is the Midwives Service Scheme introduced in2009, which is serving as a model to many African countries. The scheme provides a platform where newly graduated midwives are engaged to work with their experienced counterparts in remote Nigerian villages providing skilled birth attendant services.

Women at the ante-natal clinic

Both government and non-governmental organizations like Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, NURHI, among others have also commenced the distribution of family planning commodities free of charge to women who need them. In many states across the country, free medical services for pregnant women and children under the age of five years are also ongoing. These are meant to serve as incentives to scale up hospital visits by pregnant women and help reduce the country maternal deaths.

Children in need!

Girl, with cancer of the eye

rs. Bilikisu Yusuf, a 39 years old photographer, has pleaded with well-meaning Nigerians to assist her daughter, Mariam, undergo cancer surgery on her left eye. Yusuf made the plea recently during the monthly meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Congress in Lagos. According to her, Mariam returned from school two years ago with bleeding from her left eye, because she was hit by her schoolmate. Mariam has been undrgoing chemotherapy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and requires continuous doses of injection to prepare her for the surgical removal of

the eye which would cost N812,850. “After the surgery, she would be given an artificial eye, we need help from members of the public,” she pleaded. According to the mother, her family had exhausted its savings and had gone into huge debt in paying hospital bills. Mariam, a pupil of Delight Kiddies Academy, Ilorin, Kwara had her left eye protruded to the size of a table tennis ball. A medical report about her signed by Prof. A.O. Akinsulie, the Consultant Pediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), stated that Mariam had chemotherapies from February 14 to 25 in 2012.

In Kaduna state, the high alarming maternal deaths among women desire urgent attention to reduce the bizarre 1,944 women who died annually. Indeed, health expert say Nigeria may not attain the millennium development goals, MDGs 4 & 5 which requires countries to reduce child mortality by half and maternal mortality by a third by the year 2015, from what they had in 1990. National Mirror investigations reveal that while death rate still remains high; the cultural practices that keep the figure high are still prevailing in some

communities. A high number of pregnant women still do not visit the hospitals for qnte0naqtal care and most deliveries are still done at home by traditional birth attendants. On the other hand, public health facilities are poorly equipped and there is a dearth of drugs and personnel. This has continued to discourage women from patronizing the hospitals. As one of the anti-strategies against maternal deaths, stakeholders on reproductive health have staged a road walk in Kaduna Nigeria to commemorate this year’s safe motherhood week. The theme for this year’s safe motherhood day is “safe motherhood a must for every pregnant woman” but in Kaduna state the slogan is “let’s make it work”. The walk was meant to create awareness on safe motherhood, and encourage actions from governments, organizations and individuals to reduce maternal and child mortality. Safe motherhood Day,

The report added that the patient had break periods in between the chemotherapies and was expected to resume them in 2013 for five consistent months. Nigerians could donate to the family as: “Yusuf Baliks Bolanle, GTB Bank: 0124904324.

Mariam

...Baby with hole in the heart too

Ekene

kene Chukwumezie, one year old son of Mr. Greg Modestus Chukwumezie is also in need of help earnestly. He was born with a whole in the heart and has been referred to India for surgical attention. Nigerians could make contributions to help him survive to the bank account: Chukwumezie Ekene, Fidelity Bank Plc, 6150309199. His father could be reached on: 08037456329, 08086838350

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

observed last month end in Kaduna state, is a worldwide initiative aimed at giving attention to how women can have safer pregnancy and child birth delivery. The safe motherhood initiative emerged and was launched during a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in 1987, but its full implementation in Nigeria, commenced in 1991. Speaking at the 2013 celebrations marking the Day, Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Turaki Kalik said Government had adopted a more sustainable approach to its referral systems within the levels of Health Care in an effort to reduce maternal mortality rate. “We all know the significant roles played by women in our society, they contribute enormously to the nation’s economy and hence the national development through the formal and informal sector. “They are the primary care givers of children and also contribute to the economy of the family – woman’s death is therefore not only a personal tragedy, but has enormous cost to the family, community and the nation at large.” He said Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Fatima Yero called on women to pay attention to their unborn children. Represented by Commissioner for Special Duties Halima Labbo, she appealed to women to take their children to health facilities for immunization when they take ill, as well as space their births so that they can rest their wombs. For Mrs Joyce Bulus, the year 2013 safe mother’s day was like a nightmare, as she still recount her traumatic maternal complications. Mrs Bulus escaped being sent to early grave courtesy of pregnancy related com-

plication – bleeding Mrs Bulus did not undergo surgery and was alive but her second baby twin baby died while medical personnel were battling to save her life. “God is the one who saved my situation. I and my husband are still going to hospital for medical care of our remaining child. I delivered twins, one died while doctors were battling to save my life. I was bleeding non-stop, I received seven to eight pints of blood because the bleeding was something else” Her husband, Mr Timothy Bulus also narrated his wife ordeal “We went to 44 Army Reference (hospital) during my wife’s ante-natal. She went for scanning at 44 Army Reference hospital, Kaduna. The doctor told us that we should expect a baby. But to my surprised my wife delivered twins at the same hospital. When the first baby came out, the doctor was even about to leave the room and suddenly, the second baby came out. “My wife was okay but few minutes later she started bleeding at the point she received eight pints of blood to survive, after two days our second twin died because doctor was battling with the condition of my wife. The first one survive, although still receiving treatment for her condition” There is however a mix of improvements and gaps in women’s progress in the area of their reproductive health and rights with particular reference to Family Planning or child birth spacing. Calls have been made for more male involvement as men are urged to encourage their wives or partners to use contraception, paying for the methods, or even assuming responsibility themselves.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

No woman should die unnoticed -Health Minister What will you say has been the high point of this conference? Well, you see, the narrative around Nigeria when it comes to maternal health has changed over the last couple of years. In 2010, we went to the Women Deliver conference and told the world what Nigeria was beginning to do and it is great to have the opportunity to come back in 2013 to share results of what we’ve been able to achieve as a country. Could you give a recap of some of these successes shared during the conference? We’ve been able to share at the Women Deliver conference the fact that with the Midwifery Service Scheme and SURE-P maternal service scheme, we’ve reached 1,500 facilities, reached a million women over the last year, and our maternal mortality ratio has reduced by 47 percent in 2012 compared to 2009 in facilities where we intervened. So, at least, the narrative I suppose to when compared to years back when it used to be said that things were not going well

Dr. Muhammad Ali-Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health was one of the global leaders and experts who brought to fore issues affecting women, and girls and gave insights on how these could be resolved during this year’s Women Deliver conference. In this exclusive interview with TOBORE OVUORIE in Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia, venue of the global meeting, Pate sheds more light on maternal issues affecting the country saying women dying while giving birth to another life is an anomaly and mustn’t go unnoticed. Excerpt:

...Are you saying all is now well? Here, we are saying that even within the context of the challenges that we’re facing as a country, there are some areas where we are doing reasonably well. And I think that has been widely acknowledged. What other successes were shared? Secondly, we also come on a strong footing given the role our president has played as a co-chair of the United Nations commission which worked in 2012 and that wasn’t accidental; it was also as a result of the role Nigeria’s playing, so with the conversations around making commodities available for women and children, which has impacted on our maternal and newborn child health. What about the failed aspects? The failed aspect is that they are not more than we ought and should do. But this is just the beginning and there’s a lot much work ahead for our country in terms of tackling the MDG 5 agenda and even 4 agenda before 2015. But as we’re improving, it connotes the fact that it can be done. Honestly, we’re here to share that and to also learn from what others are doing because we just had a ministerial forum where Senegal and Niger had schools for husbands. This alongside others are learning points. Given those already accomplished, there’s a lot more to do while going forward and we are committed to go back and continue to work. The Country caucus held this morning, what do you personally think are the major recommendations you’ll need to work on? In general, I think it’s in alignment; it’s not civil society and government working in opposite directions. We all have similar goals by wanting Nigeria to make progress and we need to hold each other accountable. What about the issue of data? Yes, on the issue of data, different groups have been giving all sorts of figures about maternal mortality over the years, it was only recently that we had good household surveys that showed us the actual maternal mortality rate in Nigeria. Right now, we are having another survey in 2013 which would give us a more robust data in terms of what we’ve done in the last five years so that we should be more fact based, we should be more open, in terms of sharing information

Dr. Pate

Who are the “we”? (Smiles) Both Civil society and government and we should have a quarterly forum with civil society to take stock of the progress on the various commitments that have been made. At the moment, maternal deaths in Nigeria are not notifiable. Don’t you think this ought not to be? I agree that maternal deaths should be notifiable and when a woman dies from maternal causes, it should be reported. No woman should die unnoticed. Since you agree it should be notifiable, don’t you think a legislation ought to be put in place to back this or how do you intend to achieve this? Yes, but first, civil society needs to help us to bring to fore whenever a maternal death has happened and investigations into the death should be made and lessons should be learnt. I believe that would be a good outcome. It’s not to share blame really but is to learn about what has gone wrong, try to fix it and make sure it doesn’t happen again and I think that’s positive. Sir, the Nigerians who attended yester-

MATERNAL DEATHS SHOULD BE NOTIFIABLE AND WHEN A WOMAN DIES FROM MATERNAL

CAUSES, IT SHOULD BE REPORTED.

WOMAN SHOULD DIE UNNOTICED day and today’s session of the country’s caucus, already have fears that the usual Nigerian habit of impressive talks without implementation would happen. Don’t you agree with them? You know, I was also a bit skeptical initially that I would come to Kuala Lumpur with Nigerians to talk. I then felt that we should talk more about these issues in Nigeria but now I know that I’ve met several civil society members from Nigeria and we would take the conversations back home. But you see, like I also mentioned during the caucus meeting, when you look at things in Nigeria, relative to other countries, we are well endowed with

quality human resources but at times these resources do not translate into better outcomes. Why is this so? The challenges is that of execution, that is, making things happen, not talk, but actually getting things done. It’s easy to always criticize, in fact, safe to say that things are not working because you’re afraid of saying that they are getting better. But when things are getting better, you (Nigerians) should be bold to say things are getting better so that people can go and check it. There are facilities where we have posted midwives, their numbers exist and they really exist. Tokunbo (Deputy Project Director SURE-P) can give you all of these women’s details. People should be able to venture and check on these, not to stay in Abuja or Kuala Lumpur and make conclusions! We go out in the field and the media should also go out and do that. And that is the way to make progress, not to adopt the bad apple theory in which when something is not right you go chanting this is not right but rather should look at the system and try to fix it. But we don’t fix a complex system overnight. We fix a complex system by picking a few areas, working hard at it overtime, making change and the entire system will feel the impact of that change. Already, there’s been some improvement, we haven’t solved the entire problem but there’s progress. We as Nigerians, we shouldn’t take other people’s narrative, we should tell our story. Every country has its problems, Nigeria’s in the strides; she hasn’t solved all her problems but Nigeria’s problems can be solved. The Nigerian Health Bill has suffered so many setbacks. Presently there are speculations that corruption is behind these setbacks. Some stake holders in the health sector are saying government’s special interest in who’ll be in control of the enormous finances that will emanate after the bill is passed is one of the actual unseen reasons for the numerous dramas being put to prevent the bill’s passage. How true is this? Well, all stake holders should go to the public hearing, or talk to the senate or the house of representatives, it’s a legislative process and is already ongoing for almost eight years now. I know the health bill is a very important bill, all stakeholders would want to see that passed and I would not want to join the speculations as to whether there are some ulterior motives stopping the health bill. In the context of a democracy, the stakeholders being sought should be taken into account. And this is being done. Even last night, we had conversations with some of you who were here while all is being done to ensure that the bill gets passed during this legislative session. Are you saying these allegations or claims are false? We can frame things positively or negatively. In almost all countries that’s developed, you’ll discover that there was positive framing of issues even while there are challenges you should look at what is going right. There’s a legislative process, there are disagreements here and there but all is being sorted out. Let’s hope we get things right, get the bill signed into law so the resources get to where they need to be.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Experts warn against early marriage ... it threatens children, women’s lives, they say TOBORE OVUORIE

lobal health experts have disclosed that if child marriages are not stopped in Nigeria alongside other sub-Saharan African countries, children and women’s lives will continuously be threatened, thus, the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, 4 and 5 will not be met by 2015. MDGs 4 and 5 respectively call for a three-fourth reduction in child deaths and twothird reduction in maternal mortality, respectively, by 2015. However, reports indicate that Nigeria is completely off-track in these two, particularly MDG 5. According to the Demographic Health Survey on countries where girls are

married before the age of 15, Nigeria takes the sixth position after Bangladesh, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia and India respectively. Speaking in an exclusive interview with National Mirror at the recently concluded Women Deliver conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said the continuous occurrence of child marriage was a major contributor to the hindrance of the achievement of the MDGs. According to the United Nations, complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death for girls aged between 15 and 19 years in developing countries.

Of the 16 million adolescent girls who give birth annually, about 90 per cent are already married. The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, estimates about 50,000 die, almost all in low and middle income countries. The report reads in part: “Still births and newborn deaths are 50 per cent higher among mothers under 20 than in women who get pregnant in their 20s, thus worsening the prospects of achieving MDG 5. “Child marriage makes girls far more vulnerable to the profound health risks of early pregnancy and child birth just as their babies are more vulnerable to complications associated with premature labour,” UNICEF Executive Director, Antho-

ny Lake, added. However, Osotimehin, who is Nigeria’s former minister of health, noted that ending child marriage would also help countries achieve other MDGs aimed at eradicating poverty, achieving universal education and combating HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Also speaking in an interview with National Mirror, Minister of state for Health, Dr. Muhammed Pate, said: “Nigeria is completely off-track in achieving MDG 5 but isn’t alone. “The rest of the world is also affected but in our own case, child marriage is one of the challenges that we are working conscientiously to end if we would make meaningful progress in achieving MDG 5.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian doctor wins prestigious award

r. Kem Thompson, a general practitioner of Nigerian origin based in North London, has just been awarded the ‘Motivational Speaker of the Year Award’ at the 2013 Women4Africa Awards, which took place at the Kensington Town Hall, London, England. She is the first ever medical professional to win the award. The Women4Africa Awards recognises and celebrates Outstanding UK-Based African women whose efforts have positively impacted the community, in various categories. Thompson was recognised for her various Health-based motivational talks that she delivered during the previous year in various communities, which each received rave reviews. “Audiences love Dr. Thompson’s fresh, no-nonsense yet non-judgemental approach to the topics she covers, and they leave empowered with practical tools they can use to improve their health. She is becoming widely known

Thompson

as the doctor to talk to in respect of medication for such chronic illnesses such as Diabetes (type 2) and Hypertension, and also for people cultivating healthy lifestyle habits and managing weight safely. Her no-bull, down-to-earth approach gets her invited back for more presentations. Her passion is obvious when she speaks, and this is what keeps her audiences riveted,” the 2013 Award’s Committee said. “I wish to give all thanks and praise to God for giving me the gifts I possess. I thank everyone whose input has contributed to my winning this award. Special mention to Dayo Olomu for his unique role in the process.

Training for Lagos science teachers on tooth brushing

I A cross section of science teachers from across Lagos at the tooth brushing training

Nigerian dentists under-utilised –NDA President TOBORE OVUORIE

r. Clement Olojede, President, Nigerian Dental Association, NDA, has disclosed that dentists are grossly underutilised in disaster management in Nigeria because their roles have not been properly understood. He revealed this recently in Lagos to newsmen when the association formally disclosed her forthcoming annual general meeting and scientific conference, as well as partnership with Oral- B, a leading brand of Procter and Gamble Nigeria. On the reason for the

partnership with NDA, Mrs Adebusola Opanubi, Regulatory and Technical Relations Manager for Procter and Gamble, said “partnering with the Nigerian Dental Association is driven by our mutual interest in improving the Oral Health of Nigerians”. Consequently, the forthcoming annual general meeting and scientific conference of the association which will hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital would bring into focus the role of dentists in disaster management and the integration of the dental profession into the scope of protecting human lives and

other disaster management teams in the country. According to Olojede, this objective has become imperative as the role of dentists in disaster management in Nigeria has not been properly understood, thus being under-utilised. He said erudite speakers who are vast in the knowledge of the subject under probe have been carefully selected to arouse awareness of the accident and disaster managers, adding that “the meeting is aimed at sharing scientific knowledge and brainstorming to pave a pathway for the association, as well as lay a sustainable foundation for

future generations”. Tagged “Accident and Natural Disasters in Nigeria: The role of the dentists”, Olojede noted that the decision to make the theme of this year’s conference centred on disaster management was necessitated by several factors which have led to mass disasters both locally and internationally. “Some of the factors include weather disaster, incidence of terrorism globally, mishaps involving mass travel, ethnic, religious and political clashes, the unfortunate cases of building collapse across the country, cases of pipeline explosions among others” he stated.

n preparation for a world record attempt for tooth brushing, HEIT Solutions, the project team for the Lagos World Record Tooth brushing Challenge, hosted the Teacher’s Alignment Training Session for over 300 teachers at Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School, Maryland Lagos State. In this special training session, the project head Dr Lawal Bakare, a dentist and design specialist, took the teachers through the critical elements of the World Record attempt slated for July 4th this year where over 300,000 people will be gathered in multiple locations to brush their teeth simultaneously. They were informed of the Guinness World Record standards for counting the number of students brushing in each school, the designed model for the toothbrushing, as well as the waste recycling element to the attempt. To

further enlighten them, Mr. Rasheed Banire from LAWMA spoke to them on the need to inculcate proper waste disposal & recycling culture in the leaders of tomorrow and maintain Lagos state as a centre of excellence. Wecyclers, a social enterprise working to solve the urban waste management problem in Lagos is also working with HEIT Solutions and LAWMA in the area of Waste for Health Education. Mr Dexter Adeola from Unilever, makers of the Close-up brand of toothpaste and official partners of the Toothbrushing Challenge, communicated the Brand’s dedication Oral Hygiene care, saying that many families across Nigeria do not have access to Dental Health care, both due to proximity to dental clinics and cost of these services. He said one of cheapest way to ensure freedom from Dental problems was to brush twice daily, day and night.

Wednesday, June June 12, 12, 2013 2013 Wednesday,

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Arts Lounge

My album has something for everyone –Kryztal

Miss Global Nigeria Pageant gets more celebrity partners

Finding female voices in the music industry TERH AGBEDEH

n April 28, Stella Monye, one of Nigeria’s veteran female singers rolled out the drums to celebrate both her 50th birthday and her 30 years on stage. The ‘Samba Queen’, as she is well known, said during a television interview she granted in Lagos that among other reasons she is staging a comeback is the fact that there are no female singers of note anymore. Monye has, since, told our correspondent that what her statement implied was that her comeback to music is a bid to fill Mariam Makeba’s shoes left empty since the South African legend’s passing. But the question is, how has the Nigerian female singer faired in the music industry? Laolu Akins, one of Nigeria’s foremost music producers, in his response, said that even though there are quite a number of the female singers around, “you cannot place them per se in terms of ver-

THOUGH THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF FEMALE SINGERS AROUND, ONE CANNOT

PLACE THEM IN TERMS OF VERSATILITY satility. That is an artiste who is experienced enough to do all kinds of styles of music and is also creative enough to bring her own character into what she is doing”. Akins said that most of the songs one hears these days are sounding the same all through, as people are singing similar styles. “And there is mostly copying of foreign singers. I mean, if you hear an Onyeka Onwenu, you can tell that it is Onyeka singing here. You hear a Christie Essien and Veno Marioghae. When you hear a Stella Monye, she is strong, she has got character, and she’s got her own touch to what she sings. So, that is probably what she meant; female singers with tip-top character are not so many,” he said.

Makeba

He, however, concluded that there are quite a number of talented female singers with strong characters who haven’t proven themselves yet as singers. He particularly commended Kenny St. Brown, whom he said is good, “and she hasn’t ever stopped improving. Every time you hear her, she is stronger than before. That I like and I think she is working on getting better. Such character I want to find in many singers and how many of them can you mention?”, he asked rhetorically. Reminded about Asa, Akins responded that Asa is a peculiar type. Other names like Tiwa Savage, Lara George and Omawumi came up. “Tiwa Savage, yes”, the producer acquiesced, but added that these, for him, are potentials and wondered how that is reflecting in their album sales. “Omawumi is okay. She also is working towards greatness. But to be quite honest with you, these artistes mentioned are young. I am sure that hopefully, gradually, they will get to the point where we can now scream about them and wherever you go, people can talk about them. But right now, they are not at that point yet, but I can tell you that all of them have got talent and I know that they can do very well. But from the point of view of Stella Monye, maybe she is trying to say that female performers who get on stage and they can just go and still can hold on to their character and still affect people without any effort and you can remember them for their last performance. I think that is what she is saying,” he said. Monye, who insisted her comeback bid to the music industry was not because of a dearth of female artistes, said that what has been her recent mantra is the desire to fill Miriam Makeba’s shoes. “I’m not saying I’m making a comeback because there are no female artistes... of course I couldn’t have said that. I may have said that CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Tiwa Savage

Stella Monye

Omawunmi

Chidinma

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Finding female voices in the music industry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 there is a vacuum; I know I have been saying that. In recent time I have been saying that there is a need for someone to fill (Miriam) Makeba’s shoes”, she explained. Asked what she thinks of the Nigerian female artistes, particularly the new ones coming on stream. “The truth is that we don’t have a lot of them now coming up like Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Omawunmi and Kefee. The four of them are doing very well and they are great singers. In our own time, we had more women coming out to slug it out”, Monye said. On what she feels is responsible, the Samba Queen said one of the reasons is that life has become expensive. “What I mean is that in our own time, we had professional record companies, you will go through scrutiny, through every professional aspect of it before you will ever be recorded, unlike now that people just go to the market, buy tapes and begin to record by themselves and go to the market by themselves. There was nothing like that in our own time”, Monye said. She also recalled that back then, a musician had to go through a panel and the demo went through the normal process, as one did not just wake up and become a musician. She, however, said that female artistes have more opportunities now because they can do anything. “They can just wake up as long as they have funds and become anything they want to become. That is not saying they are not doing good; so it is more expensive now because you have to pay your way. I even hear that in Alaba, you will pay to put your music on the compilation and then they will sell and pocket the money”, she said. Monye explained that female artistes, more than ever before, face a bigger challenge now unlike when they had professional recording companies, A& R (Artists and Repertoire), management, marketing, in-house producers, everything. In spite of these challenges, she is

Laolu Akins

staging a comeback? “Like I said, I am not staging a comeback to be singing repetition songs. No, I am staging a comeback to fill Mariam Makeba’s shoes, the vacuum that has been there for so long. Mariam Makeba was a definite positive artiste and she took South Africa and put them on the map of the world. All the foreign concerts that I went to on behalf of Nigeria, I met her there and I know the kind of respect they accord her being who she is and coming from where she came from”, she said. For Dr. Ola Balogun, who founded and leads the Iroko band, the real problem is that there is a lack of professionalism in the music industry. “Music production is going backwards and music is more and more rudimentary. There is no attempt to compose or arrange music, so the result is a disaster”, he said. He explained that some of the musicians are products of hype, so you don’t know who is who again. “Eighty percent of them have no talent at all. They are not musicians; they are karaoke artistes who only sing along. My girl stands out, Sola Ajado, ‘Chichi’ for short, who is the lead singer for Iroko”, Balogun said. He explained that there is also a racket going on since what happens is that some of the managers of these people are very media savvy, hence they use connections in the media and can bribe their way through. Tintin Imevbore, who founded and runs iGroove Radio said much the same when he spoke to our correspondent in an earlier interview. “Many radio stations are deciding for the audience in what direction they should go. They are only playing the commercial sounding songs of today. Those songs do not represent the majority of music that comes out of Nigeria. There is a lot of live music that people don’t get to listen to”, he said. Tintin added then that starting the iGroove internet radio was his way of trying to bring back the soul in Nigerian music since a lot of Nigerian music today is too fast.

Tintin Imevbore

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LET’S

T AL K FAD with

Fidelis Duker

fidelisduker@yahoo.com; 08055662925(SMS ONLY)

Dana crash: Remembering the dead, forgetting the living

bout a week ago, Nigeria’s Federal and Lagos State Governments remembered the 153 Nigerians and other ground lives lost in the Dana Air crash around Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos. Many commentators have talked or debated the remembrance celebrated by the FG and state through the erection of cenotaphs at the crash site in Lagos and Abuja airports respectively. Since these seeming remembrances by the government, I have asked myself several questions which, to a large extent, are begging for answers. A very important one is if the aviation authority has been able to correct some and if not all the anomalies that led to the unfortunate and avoidable crash of June 3, 2012. Even as the Aviation Ministry has continued to show some proactive measures as regards safety of life in the Nigerian air space, a lot is still expected. After the Dana crash, only less than 70% of the beneficiaries of the crash have been fully compensated and some of those who are yet to be compensated have complained of how the airline has not treated them with respect and dignity. It’s also worrisome that the airline has resumed operations before the preliminary report of the root cause of the crash was released. Sadly, these are some of the issues the Federal Government, through the Aviation Ministry, has not been able to address. Some religious people with their allies in government have gone under the deceit of seeing the crash as an act of God, but I beg to differ. We must not mourn like a people without a future. Rather, government must guarantee the safety of air travellers. As we remember the dead, we must realise that the living cannot be forgotten because there are several issues begging for resolution. An example is the man that owned the printing press where the Lagos cenotaph was erected. According to reports, the Lagos State Government confiscated the land without adequate compensation from the state government or Dana Airline. The man in question has lost his property, goods and his source of livelihood and, even as I speak to you, the state government has not made any statement on the rationale for this action with the attendant outcry by the public. The man, Pastor Daniel, estimated his loss to about N500 million and he insisted he has a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the property. In a sane society, such an individual will be relocated and compensated adequately. The silence on this issue by the state government leaves a lot to be desired by a respon-

A MAN CAME OUT ON TELEVISION TO COMPLAIN THAT HIS LIVING MUM WAS LISTED AMONG THE DEAD ON THE

LAGOS

CENOTAPH sive and humane government. Another interesting scenario played out at the Lagos end of the cenotaph unveiling, where a man came out on television to complain that his living mum was listed among the dead on the cenotaph. He had repeatedly explained his mum did not use the ticket, but gave it to a cousin who used it and eventually died in the crash. The man had repeatedly tried to appeal and convince government and the airline on this mistake; according to him, the airline has turned a deaf ear. If you are discerning enough, you will realise the deaf ear is simply to avoid the payment of claims to beneficiaries which in my opinion, smacks of deceit. Even if the airline is avoiding compensation, why include the name of a living person on the cenotaph? When you weigh all these scenarios with what we see today, then the next question is to ask if we have leant our lessons as a people. This brings me to the issue of emergency response to incidents like this. How well has the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, NAMA, been empowered to respond to issues of rapid response to disaster management and prevention? How has other agencies like the National Orientation Agency, NOA, been able to create programmes to inform Nigerians on the best possible emergency response mechanism than using their mobile phones to take pictures while lives are being lost which has become a phenomenon in Nigeria? It is, therefore, important that the relevant agencies of government must, as a matter of importance, begin to address some of these issues as priority concern because it goes beyond the president saying “we will avert air crashes by all means”. Issues that have resulted in previous crashes have not been addressed; since the Dana crash, we have had other crashes involving military planes and a few commercial planes having close shaves. The fact remains it is our airspace and as we remember the dead, let us not forget the living because their safety is paramount.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

My album has something for everyone –Kryztal Kryztal is putting finishing touches to her debut album, Cindarella and she’s vowing to bring something excitingly different to the Nigerian music industry. NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

aving worked with notable names in the music industry like 2Face, Alex O, Shina Peters, African China and Gloria Ibru, to mention but a few, it is obvious that Chinenye Aharanwa aka Kryztal, backed by her record label, ‘Heavy Metal Music’, has something up her sleeves to offer the industry. Keen music lovers may have had the opportunity to have listened to some of her singles like Cindarella and Waka Waka, which have been enjoying airplay on some radio stations across the country. Kryztal’s journey in music started professionally from the ‘Star Quest reality TV’ show, where she was one of the competing housemates. Although her band did not clinch the ultimate prize, they earned first-runner-up position and that opened up great opportunities for her music career. “I will say that the experience I garnered from ‘Star Quest’ officially prepared me for what I am doing today. That reality TV show is a special one. It prepares you in a lot of aspects in music. It also takes you round all the genres of music like Reggae, Highlife, Hip-Hop and R’n’B. In the house, they also teach you things about the industry like performances and voice training; I will say that house prepared me officially”. Before her entry into ‘Star Quest’, Kryztal had graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with a BSc in Pure and Industrial Chemistry. But this, though far from music, did not, in any way, hinder her talent. “I was doing music while in the university, but I did it with wisdom and that way, one did not suffer at the expense of the other. I will say I have always loved music right from my childhood and people in my class will testify to this. I knew I liked music, but it

I LIKE TO CALL MY KIND OF MUSIC, ‘RHYTHM AND GROOVE’; WHEN YOU LISTEN TO IT, YOU WILL NOT BE IN DOUBT THAT IT IS AFRICAN

was after the ‘Star Quest’ that I became convinced that I needed to pursue it professionally”. While it would be pleasant to think that Kryztal would have teamed up with her band mates in ‘Star Quest’ to make her dreams of becoming a full-fledged musician a reality, she says proximity has sort of hindered this dream. “I believe every member of my band in the house is doing well. You know people came from all over the country for the reality music contest, but there were a few of us from Lagos. My band members are not in Lagos, but they have been doing well, trying to kick-start their careers as well”. In a few weeks, Kryztal would have concluded the shooting of an accompanying video for her album in a career that has received so much support from her father. According to her, she owes a lot of gratitude to her father who has never bothered that she left her academic qualifications to pursue music. “My father gives me money to do music. He has been very supportive. He has never been worried that I am in music and some of my younger ones are interested in music too. They are doing so out of interest and not because I am in music”. What new thing is Kryztal bringing to the music industry? “Apart from my voice, which ranges from high-pitch to

Kryztal

low-pitch, I cannot be classified into any genre of music. My forthcoming album has something for everyone because it has songs that cut across all genres of music. In fact, I like to call my kind of music, ‘Rhythm and Groove’; when you listen to it, you will not be in doubt that it is African, because it swings from Reggae to Highlife to R’n’B. The 16 tracks in the album cut across all these genres”. While she has been influenced by both local and international artistes, she says 2Face has influenced her the most. “2Face is unique. He’s flexible and has

remained relevant after all these years. I admire him a lot. I also like Omawumni. Aside her voice, she has a lot of magic and leaves you wondering what she will be up to next. Internationally, I like Toni Braxton”. Asked to project into the next 10 years of her music career, Kryztal sees herself as big on the international scene, winning awards and getting recognition. “Yes, I will want to be big, not just on the local scene, but internationally. I will want to win awards and be recognisable on the international scene”.

MIDWEEK JUMP June 12, 1993: The Annulment for release today

he release of the second instalment of the book, June 12, 1993: The Annulment by Abraham Oshoko will take place today in states across Nigeria. From the stable of Kachifo Limited, publishers of Farafina Books, it is a historical graphic novel series which tells the story of one of the most important days in Nigeria’s history, June 12, 1993 and the events surrounding it. On June 12, 1993, a presidential election, adjudged free and

fair by an overwhelming majority of observers, took place in Nigeria. A few days after, the results were suspended; and barely a week later, Nigerians got ‘annulment’, a new word added to their vocabulary. What really happened in those tumultuous days between June and November 1993? For the first time ever, the full story, with its intricacies, intrigue and complexities, is told from the perspectives of all its major players, in this full-colour graphic novel. June 12 1993: Annulment is the second in this multi-volume series by Oshoko and upon re-

lease today, it will be available in all major bookstores across the country.

NAIJAZZ artiste, Bright Gain, launches album

ce bassist, NAIJAZZ musician and director of the SPAN Academy of jazz and contemporary music in Nigeria, Bright Gain, will, today at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 6.00 p.m. be launching his latest album titled In the Name Of Jesus – A six-track work he produced in South Africa. An accomplished bass play-

er, jazz composer and arranger with hundreds of compositions to his credit, Bright has recorded, produced and performed with such artistes as Teemac, Manuk, Sotiris Papadopoulos, to mention a few. He is an award-winning jazz artiste (CMA Jazz artiste of the year 2006), has three albums to his credit, and has taught at different jazz workshops and the Tshwane University of Technology School of Music in Pretoria, SA. His performances have been at jazz festivals like the Lagos International Jazz Festival, MUSON Jazz Festival, NAIJAZZ Festival,

Jazz time and he is preparing to tour various African and European countries with his music. A 1998 scholarship recipient of Berklee college of music, CEO of Gain Entertainment Services Ltd and a director in TRADE [True and Real Artiste Development] an entertainment company in Johannesburg, South Africa, he is married to Queeneth Gain, and blessed with three children. The album launch is supported by SPAN, SCOA, Eko Hotel and Suites, Cool FM, NAIJAZZ music, Inspiro productions, igrooveradio and Smooth FM.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

FAR AND NEAR

Theatre’ll address country’s social ills –Fayemi ADENRELE NIYI

he practice of live theatre has been identified as a veritable platform to address social ills plaguing the country, apart from its huge revenue earning potential. This view was expressed by Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, while addressing industry players at the celebration to mark 40 years of the death of renowned theatre artiste, Kola Ogunmola. Between Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, Ekiti State had played host to foremost Yoruba theatre artistes, under

the aegis of Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTAP, who converged on Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Okemesi, for the two-day fiesta sponsored by the government. Erelu Fayemi charged the artistes to harness their resources by staging plays and producing films that promote moral rectitude, patriotism, equality, protection of the rights of the girl-child, among others. She charged the ANTAP members to take advantage of the tourist attractions in the state as locations while shooting films. Fayemi, who is the Chairperson of the state’s 50-member Technical Consul-

tative Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism, said that the Kayode Fayemiled administration’s renewed interest in arts and tourism industry was informed by the belief that the industry had huge potential for the state and artistes. Led by Vice President, Chief Dele Odule, ANTAP members had staged Lanke Omu, one of the plays by the late icon at a command performance on Friday at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort. The play is an adaptation of Amos Tutuola’s Palmwine Drinkard. On Saturday, the train moved to Okemesi-Ekiti, the birthplace of Ogunmola, for a memorial service and unveiling of a bust in honour of the late artiste. The cer-

Art 21 stages another breathtaking exhibition TERH AGBEDEH

“A

karaka”, an exhibition of works by the artist, Nnenna Okore is the second exhibition ever to hold in the Art21 space at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoia Island, Lagos; it is as breathtaking as the inaugural one. Olu Amoda’s exhibition opened the space that is also a platform dedicated to contemporary art in Lagos. “Akaraka” translates as destiny in Igbo and the over 20 works in the show, all of them produced this year, include: Akaraka, Onwa N’etilu Ora, Never Hurry the Sunrise, Transitions and Sweeping Circles. The works made in diverse media like broomstick and yarn, cloth, plaster and acrylic, but basically of newspaper and acrylic, also have titles like: Twist, Providence I, Transitions and Impetus, among others. The exhibiting artist told our correspondent at the reception event which opened the showcase on Saturday, June 1, that though the works themselves are not necessarily about destiny per se. “They embody the idea of movement, of interconnection, of layering, the idea of constant flow. So that was what I was really in-

terested in expressing through the works”. Okore explained that destiny is a word that holds so much mystery. “It is a question of life, where are we going to? Where are we coming from? What is our mission on earth? I have always been fascinated with the concept of Akaraka or destiny because I feel like we are all constantly in motion”, she said. The exhibition was opened to public viewing on June 4 and close on August 15. Among those who were on hand to grace the reception were the brain behind the space, Caline Chagoury, collectors: Yemisi Shyllon and Sam Olagbaju; artists, Olu Amoda, Ndidi Dike, Victor Ehikhamenor, James Uche Iroha, Thokozani Mthiyane and Taiye Idahor, among others. “Newspapers are an embodiment of our history, our narratives and I feel like it expresses our stories as our collective experiences as human beings. They tell good stories, they tell bad stories, successes, failures, and so, in a way, the material is very symbolic because it is something that also embodies the ideas of destinies, where we are going and how we all come together”, Okore said of her choice of that material.

Some of the works on display at the exhibition

emony also witnessed the planting of commemorative trees at Ita-Ode in Okemesi Ekiti. One of the children of the late theatre doyen, Peju Ogunmola, who is also a respected practitioner in the Yoruba film/ theatre industry, described her late father as a hardworking and honest man, gave his best to the industry and touched lives in his short sojourn on earth. In his remarks, Odule expressed gratitude at the level of hospitality the artistes enjoyed during their stay in the state. Ogunmola was born into the family of late Pa George and Madam Aina Ogunmola of the famous Alagbede compound in Okemesi-Ekiti. He started his career in theatre arts in 1949 and died in 1971.

Miss Global Nigeria Pageant gets more celebrity partners

Ebube

ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

s sales of entry forms for the 2013 Miss Global Nigeria pageant holding in Lagos on Sunday, July 28, kicks off, contestants who enter and qualify for the glamour and talent competition are set for an adventure with the array of top flight celebrities joining the planning team daily. Leading the list of famous collaborators for the pageant is star actress and entrepreneur, Ebube Nwagbo who recently concluded a deal with organisers of Miss Global Nigeria to come on board as the Official Hair Sponsor. The Nollywood actress, who is the sole distributor and franchise owner of international beauty and hair line, Posh Hair, will be giving each lucky contestant in camp a 22-inch Posh Hair. Speaking about her reason for supporting the pageant during a meeting in Lagos with Miss Global Nigeria pageant director, Mr. Tunde Moshood, Ms. Nwagbo said: I share a long standing relationship with the organisers and I want to make the pageant one of the best in the country. I’m supporting the 2013 Miss Global Nigeria by taking care of contestants’ hair which is one of the features for exuding beauty and glamour. I’m convinced

that with gorgeous hair-dos, contestants will have the courage and poise to dazzle judges and the audience at the grand finale”. Also to make the competition a scintillating event is the involvement of Nigeria’s frontline fashion designer, Tessy Onakala of Needlekraft Couture. The Edo State-born clothes maker is the Official Clothier and will be providing contestants with fine apparel for the evening wear segment at the grand finale. The beauty contest also has on board popular Nollywood star, Funke Akindele. However, Akindele’s level of involvement is still being kept under wraps by organisers. Though, it has been revealed the film actress/producer is one of the key actors for the pageant’s reality TV show segment. 2013 Miss Global Nigeria pageant, hosted by award winning comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st GCFR and Nollywood actress, Mary Uranta, will be held at Bespoke Events Centre, Lekki, Lagos. Owned by Olumide Mabogunje, the Events Centre is being offered as part of the company’s support and corporate social responsibility. Revered industrialist, Prince Samuel Adedoyin of Doyin Group is also giving up his new hospitality haven, Beni Hotels & Suites, Marina, Lagos, as camp for the 2013 beauty pageant contestants. Other partners for the 2013 pageant include Monumental Concepts & Displays, MC&D, (outdoor company responsible for the Miss Global billboards across Lagos and environs); TAO Suites, Parkview, Ikoyi-Lagos; Saheed Kekere-Ekun of Laredo and DJ Jimmy Jatt, among others. On the media partnership team are: MITV/Star FM, Official Broadcast Station and National Mirror, Official Newspaper. Others are City People, National Encomium, Global Excellence, High Society, Yes International Magazine, Acada, Reality Magazine, Global News, Hi People Magazine, Top Celebrities, Celebrity International and WakaAbout International. Also involved are top online publications like Nigeria Films, Ladun Liadi, Aproko, Society Reporters.com., OloriSuperGal, Stella Dimokorkus and Poddesk.blogspot.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance The Geregu II power plant has strategic significance when it comes to improving the power supply in our country as well as for the stability of Nigeria’s power grid.

The inflow of Diaspora money to Nigeria is about $10 billion. If the housing sector takes about 25 per cent of that inflow, we are expecting that about $2.5billion is coming to us in the form of inflow from Diaspora

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIGER DELTA POWER HOLDING COMPANY JAMES ABIODUN OLOTU

Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Gimba Ya’u Kumo

‘Solid minerals to surpass oil and gas as revenue earner’ CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

nformation minister, Mr. Labaran Maku has said that going by the development in the solid minerals sector, the sector will in the nearest future, fetch Nigeria more revenue than the oil and gas sector. Maku gave the hint yesterday in his remark shortly after the presentation of the mid-term report for the minerals and metals sector by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada at the ongoing ministerial platform in Abuja. This is even as Sada said recent efforts have resulted in production of about 60.54 million tonnes of mineral products including 58.41 million tonnes of industrial minerals, 0.84 million tonnes of metallic mineral among others, which have translated in increased revenue generation and increased contribution to the Federation Account. Sada disclosed that his ministry has discovered

ten additional minerals bringing the total minerals in the country to 44 and also facilitated the creation of 1,254,200 rural based jobs. The new jobs, the minister said arises from operations in 1710 quarries, 223 small scale mining operations, 195 mining leases, 845 ASM Cooperatives and 2048 exploration licenses. He also added the development of the pilot programme of the one local government one mineral

commodity programme targeted at creating at least 150,000 direct jobs and many other indirect jobs had been completed. Sada stated that government has established of 1154 new quarries bringing the total quarries to 1,710 and 127 small scale mines in several locations around the country which apart from creating more jobs has resulted in increased revenue for the nation. He said high grade iron

ore assaying 50% Fe has been discovered in Gidan Jaja, Zamfara state, Lamba in Bauchi state, Gidan Buzu in Yobe, Jaruwa in Kaduna state, Tama in Katsina state, and in Ebiya and Agbado Okudu both in Kogi state. According to Sada, enforcing the ‘Use it or lose it’ principle of Title Administration had allowed for activation of over 10,000 dormant minerals rights making active and pro-

xperts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited have said that the rising government debt, which is currently

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IRS

L-R: Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr Paul Orhii; Director, Finance and Accounts NAFDAC, Mr. Ademola Mogbojuri and representative of the Head Inspectorate of National Drug Authority of Uganda, Mr. David Nahamya, during a press briefing on seizures of counterfeit drugs and unwholesome regulated products by NAFDAC in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Experts caution against increase in nation’s fiscal deficit UDO ONYEKA

ductive even as 3007 active mineral titles have been granted within the period under review. Also, the minister said a new coal mines has been developed bring to two the number of large coal mines operating in the country, the Maiganga Coal Mine operated by Ashaka Cement and the new Eta-Zuma Coal mine. On steel development, Sada stated that apart from the ongoing reorientation of Ajaokuta Steel Company towards operationalisation with zero government funding, the ministry has also facilitated the production of 2.45 million tonnes of steel products by private steel operators.

at N8.7 trn and increase in the nation’s fiscal deficit beyond the current target of 2.85 per cent of GDP portends great danger to the economy. According to the FDC’s bi-monthly Economic and Business update for May, the impact of a decline in oil output, a further decline in global oil price to $90pb could be devastating to the economy.

The report which advised for prudent fiscal regime said global oil prices have declined 6 per cent from 107.23 pb at the end of first quarter of 20 13. “Nigeria’s bonny light crude currently trades at $107.5pb, 7.2 per cent lower than$115.3pb in the first quarter. Oil output declined to 1.94mbpd in April.

“The decline in global oil prices is largely attributed to demand concerns and the continuous uncertainty in Europe. Domestic oil output has also been negatively affected by several disruptions such as pipeline vandalism bunkering and force majeure.” The report said the above statistics imply a short fall in federal

government as a result of the country’s dependence on oil, “adding that based on our estimate, the country’s oil revenue declined by 6.8 per cent from $1.85trn in the first quarter.” “Nigerian economic output in Q1’13 from NBS’s recent GDP report indicated that growth dipped by 0.43 per cent to 6.56 per cent in from 6.99 per cent the previous quarter.

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FG, Netherlands to set up agro-industrial park in Nigeria

Chevron to sell interest in two Nigeria oil leases

From Oloibiri deep offshore with new technologies

Business Finance

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG, Netherlands to set up agro-industrial park in Nigeria OLUFEM ADEOSUN

he Federal Government and the Netherlands have commenced plans to set up a Dutch agro-industrial park in Nigeria, in line with the determination of the current administration to create jobs, generate wealth and enhance economic growth. The decision to explore the strengths of both countries for a win-win economic relationship was reached during a meeting between the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; and the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, on the sidelines of the Nigeria-Netherlands Business and Investment Forum in

the Hague, Netherlands. “The Netherlands has a well developed food processing industry. They are also the largest producers and exporters of food. This, combined with the availability of raw materials and the large market in Nigeria, will give rise to a successful partnership on the establishment of an industrial zone on food processing in Nigeria,” Aganga said. The two ministers have therefore agreed to set up a technical team to execute the project as fast as possible. The Netherlands foreign trade minister also disclosed that the country was setting up a 700m-euro growth fund to help their SMEs invest in growth areas, and agreed to the Federal Government’s proposal to put Nigeria on that list.

It was also agreed that there would be possibilities for Nigerian SMEs to access the growth fund to expand their businesses and also invest in critical and thriving sectors. The fund will be launched in January. Aganga, however, pointed out that the Netherlands had been a big trading partner for Nigeria, noting that the two countries must work together to tackle the problems, which led to a decline in the volume of trade between them in 2012. A major problem identified was the unfavourable visa regime, particularly the absence of a Consular office for the Netherlands in Nigeria. The Netherlands government promised to review the problem and also reinstate the Consular office in Nigeria. Businessmen and other visa

categories, who have to go to the Belgian embassy in Abuja and the French embassy in Lagos to get Dutch visas, said during the forum that the process was causing them pains. The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu, who also spoke to potential investors in the Hague, commended the Federal Government for putting in place policies that had continued to improve the prospects of manufacturing in Nigeria. He said, “Today, if it is necessary to grant waivers or create incentives, it goes to everybody, and this has increased confidence. Apart from Foreign Direct Investment, local industries are investing. “Government is also the listening type. The Minister of In-

dustry, Trade and Investment, said, when he was the Minister of Finance, that we should go and get our blue-print for the development of the manufacturing sector. We came up with a 90-page blue-print, and I am happy to say that, today, 40 per cent of our recommendations have been implemented. The Government indeed deserves commendation.” Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment’s Diaspora Export Programme was well received by Nigerians in the Diaspora, both in Japan and the Netherlands. The programme seeks to leverage on the high population of Nigerians in the Diaspora for the effective marketing of Nigerian goods and for the creation of wealth for Nigerians and Nigeria.

NDIC generates N1.6bn from premium collections in 8 yrs SEYI ANJORIN ABUJA

he Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation,Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has disclosed that the Corporation collected premium worth about N1.6 billion since 2005 till date from variousmicro credit institutions in the country. Ibrahim made the disclosure in his keynote address Monday in Abuja vatthe maiden edition of the Nigeria Deposit InsurL-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim; Executive Director, Operations, ance CorporationWorkshop for Mr. Aghatise Erediauwa and Director, Research, Policy And International Relations, Dr. Jacob Afolabi, at the NDIC workshop Operators in the Micro Finance for operators in the microfinance banking sub-sector in Abuja, recently. Banking sub sector withthe theme: “Microfinance Banks Role in Terms of Financial Inclusion”. The NDIC boss while speaking on the essentials of premiUDO ONYEKA terest rate has continued to ob- to revive the agricultural sector struct its aim of establishment was highly commendable but as the credit risk guarantee and that much would not come out LUFEMI ADEOSUN inister of Agriculture interest drawback fund proof it without the private sector O ABUJA and Rural Develop- gramme operated by the CBN to driving the process. he Federal Government However, the Minister disment, Dr. Akinwumi stimulate agricultural financing yesterday opened three Adesina, has decried the non- and trigger the nation’s agricul- closed that the Global Financial road project, totalling Institutions had endorsed the functionality of N450billion tural industrialisation process. Meanwhile, the Managing Di- establishment of staple crop N12.6bn in Gombe State. Nigeria Incentive-Based RiskSome of the projects include Sharing System for Agricul- rector of Dizengoff West Africa processing zones in the country, tural Lending (NIRSAL) special Limited, Mr. Richard Hargrave which according to him would rehabilitation of Gombe-Numacredit portfolio set aside by the at the forum said that agricul- attract private sector invest- Yola road section 2, emergency reinstatement of collapsed sectural sector in the country may ment in the industry. Central Bank of Nigeria. According to Adesina, the tion of Gombe Potiskum road Adesina disclosed this dur- not grow the way it should due development partners rallied and Gombe Bye-Pass road. to lack of funds for farmers. ing the inaugural meeting of Speaking while commisHargrave said it would impos- around Nigeria’s agricultural the Nigeria Agribusiness Group sible for any farmer to survive transformation efforts with sioning the projects in Gombe, (NAG). He said that following the re- with high interest rate, adding commitments, totaling $2 bil- Minister of Works, Arc Mike search carried out by the Agric that because farming is a capi- lion, including the World Bank Onolememen urged the people Ministry and stakeholders have tal intensive business, funds with $1 billion, AfDB with $500 to ensure sustainable use of the revealed that NIRSAL was yet to has been one of the biggest chal- million, USAID with $100 mil- roads. Apart from the commisfunction proper and discharge lenges to farmers and until this lion, the International Fund its purpose due to the high in- was resolved Nigeria could not for Agricultural Development sioned roads, he also promised with $100 million, and funds to work with the state governterest rate pegged on it by banks prosper in food sufficiency. He said the passion and zeal from DFID, UNDP and the Bill ment with a view to dualising allotted to disburse the funds to shown by the Minister of Agri- and Melinda Gates Founda- the airport road, maintaining farmers. that doing so would not only He lamented that the high in- culture Dr Akinwumi Adesina tion.

Minister, stakeholder decry non disbursement of N450bn NIRSAL fund by banks

um payment inthe efficiency of various financial institutions also emphasised thefact that the level of premium collection was an important issue whichthe NDIC is constantly dealing with and called for an enhancedsensitisation on the need for regular and efficient premium paymentsby operators. He said: “N4.5trillion was involved in the recent closure of somefinancial institutions while a total of about N2.5billion are beingpaid to respective customers. There is a policy still undergoing discussions and scrutiny towards the extension of financial help andaid towards microfinance banks found worthy of help in case ofbankruptcy or liquidity”, Ibrahim added.

FG delivers Gombe N12.6bn road projects

enhance business activities, but also reduce carnage on the road. While lauding Gombe State Government for providing the needed conducive environment for the speedy completion of the road projects, the minister added that Federal Government would continue to give its other projects in the state ultimate priority. He said,” “The commissioning of the three road projects is consistent with the Federal Government’s determination to open up Nigerian roads to boost economic activities. Road construction and rehabilitation are the integral part of the present administration’s transformation agenda and government will not shy away in its responsibility to bequeath to the nation, motorable roads.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chevron to sell interest in two Nigeria oil leases UDEME AKPAN

hevron Corporation, the second-largest U.S. oil company has concluded plans to sell its interest in two of the nation’s shallow-water leases in the Niger Delta. The sale of the oil-mining leases 83 and 85 is “part of a continuous process of portfolio evaluation and business prioritization is part of the firm’s moves to divest from its interests in the region. The firm’s spokesman, Mr. James Craig stated in a statement to Bloomberg that the two blocks OML 83 and OML 85 hold an estimated 200 million barrels of oil and an unknown amount of natural gas. “As part of a continuous process of portfolio evaluation and business prioritisation, Chevron

Business Finance

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Nigeria Limited ... has put forward its interests in two oil mining leases for auction he said.” Chevron owns a 40 percent stake in 13 shallow water blocks with Nigeria’s state owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and also has several deep offshore assets. The firm’s 2012 net daily production in the nation averaged 238,000 barrels of crude oil and 165 million cubic feet of natural gas. Besides Chevron, many other International Oil Companies, IOCs have divested in the region, a development which gives indigenous firms, especially the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited the opportunity to acquire more assets and increase the capacities in the industry. Bloomberg, which partly attributed the development to operating stated that: “Nigeria suffers from

widespread oil theft and at times difficult relationships with local communities onshore, driving up the costs of operating there, while a long-delayed energy bill is stuck in parliament, adding to industry uncertainty. It stated that: “Joint owners Royal Dutch Shell, Italy’s Eni and France’s Total have sold several blocks. Buyers of these included UK-listed firms Heritage Oil and Eland Oil. Chinese-owned Addax has said it is interested in buying more Nigerian assets. The agency quoted a source as stating that: “Chevron’s blocks are at the exploratory stage, unlike Shell’s already producing fields, which will make valuations less straightforward. It also added that “U.S. firm ConocoPhillips is also planning to sell its Nigerian businesses to Oando Energy for about $1.79 billion, Oil majors, which are looking more towards deepwater offshore, say they can’t invest in large new projects until the oil bill is passed.

Adequate security ’ll boost economic growth, investments - DG MESHACK IDEHEN

he strategic position of Nigeria as the economic hub and commercial centre of West Africa makes it imperative that all hands must be on deck to ensure the safety of the country security wise. Director-General of Police Assistance Committee, (PAC), Dr. Martins Oni, said this on Tuesday, adding that it has become important that some groups under the associations of tradesmen and artisans be mobilised as informants to assist security operatives in reducing crime rate prevalent in the country. Oni who spoke during the

ABUJA

We have spent N40bn on infrastructure upgrade, says NPA FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Ports Authority says it has invested in excess of N40bn in the development of port infrastructure and other common user facilities at the nation’s major seaports in the last 18 months in line with the concession agreement. The Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar had at the recent ministerial briefing on the score cards of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last two years for the transport sector, hinted that the authority has achieved a 72 percent implementation of its 2013 budget. A report by the authority on the development of port infrastructure, super structure and other

common user facilities indicates that the authority has invested over N39.2bn on some projects aimed at making the ports more efficient and use-friendly at both the Western and Eastern Ports. According to the report cited by National Mirror, the authority invested a total of N29.7bn on some projects in the Western Ports while the remaining N`9.2bn was spent on projects in the Eastern Ports, some of which have either been fully completed or at various stages of completion. Details of the report shows that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Lagos Harbour Moles was awarded to China Civil Engineering and Construction Company at the cost of N16.6bn in which Royal Haskoning, a foreign firm and Yolas Consultants were consultants to the project which is 100

percent completed. Also, the rehabilitation of the Tin Can Island Port quay walls and apron was awarded to Johnak Engineering Company at the cost of N3.7bn while Yolas was appointed for the contract, which has also been fully completed. The authority had also awarded the contract for the full rehabilitation and expansion of the authority’s Marina, Lagos headquarters building to Sageto Nigeria Limited at the cost of N5bn even as AIMS Consultant Limited was appointed the consultants job, which is more that 42 percent completed. Other contract was the remedial work for the Tin Can Island Port service lanes in Apapa valued at N526.8million awarded to P.W Nigeria Limited, which is fully complete as well as the construction of 1.6 kilometre dual carriage way within the Lagos Ports Complex also awarded to P.W Nigeria Limited at the cost ofN3bn, which is 92 percent completed.

one-day workshop on Information and intelligence gathering held to educate and train members of the public on how to assist security agencies due to the current security challenges in the country, said the PAC members are concerned about how to protect Nigeria’s economic assets on and offsho re. According to him, the objective of the on-going nationwide seminar and workshop was purely to orientate the populace to cooperate with the police and other security agencies on how to receive and disseminate vital information that could lead to arrest of criminals and hoodlums aiming to perpetuate evil through their respective trade unions.

FG reconstitutes Tax Appeal Tribunal TOLA AKINMUTIMI

L-R: Director Administration, National Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Zannah; Managing Director, EST Energy Company Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ifesemen and Business Development Manager, Mr. Ogbeide Ogunma, during the presentation of Electrical Safety Audit Report of Response House in Abuja, recently. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

he Federal Government has reconstituted the Tax Appeal Tribunal in order to strengthen it further to enable fulfil its mandate. The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, approved the reappointment of the Chairmen/ Commissioners and reconstitution of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) members. According to a statement by the Executive Secretary of the Tribunal, Yahaya Manga Abubakar, the Minister approved the reappointment of all the immediate past Chairmen and Commissioners who had not

attained the statutory disengagement age of 70 years. In order to ensure continuity, the Minister also approved the reappointment and posting of the TAT Commissioners to the zones where they served previously. It would be recalled that the first tenure of the immediate Tax Appeal Commissioners expired in February 2013. Paragraph 4 of the 5th Schedule to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007 states that: “A Tax Appeal Commissioner shall hold office for a term of three years, renewable for another term of three years only and no more, from the date on which he assumes his office or until he attains the age of 70 years whichever is earlier”.

British Airways become first airline in Europe to operate A380, B787 OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ith the scheduled delivery of Airbus 380 early next month, the oldest foreign airline flying into Nigeria, British Airways has become the first carrier in Europe to operate the aircraft with Boeing 787. The British carrier will take delivery into the United Kingdom of its first two 787s on consecutive days, June 26 and 27, followed by its first A380 on July 4. An online statement signed by the airline’s media consultant in Lagos, Nigeria yesterday and made available to aviation journalists stated that both aircraft would arrive UK in midmorning.

Speaking on the arrival of the airplanes, the Chief Executive Officer, BA, Mr. Keith Williams said that the delivery of these aircraft opens a new chapter in the annals of the airline. He added that the management was proud to be leading the way in Europe in operating the different brands of the biggest aircraft. He said, “Over the next 12 months, we will take delivery of new long-haul aircraft at an average rate of one every two weeks. These deliveries form the centrepiece of the £5bn investment British Airways is making in new aircraft, smarter cabins, superb lounges and new technologies to make travel more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Nigeria’s maritime industry can sustain Nigeria is no doubt richly endowed in terms of maritime resources, which can translate to real economic fortunes if properly tapped. Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Hajia Zaynab Kure, who bared her mind on contemporary issues in the sector in this interview with FRANCIS EZEM at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference, Houston Texas, United States, says the industry can sustain the economy if the right steps were taken at the right time.

How do you see the issue of human capacity building, which experts believe is key to Nigeria becoming a big player in the world maritime arena? So far, so good. Even beyond human capacity building, we are working with all the relevant agencies to ensure the development of the industry Like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is currently training some Nigerian youths under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). The committee is fully in support of such capacity building initiative. Because over the years there have been hues and cries over the dearth of Nigerian seafarers to man some of these ships. So we believe that after the training of these cadets, we will have enough man power to man most of these ship. This will in no small measure enhance the Federal Government’s job creation initiative. What is your committee doing about the legal and regulatory framework? In the long run, the Senate is considering enacting a legislation that makes it mandatory for all shipping companies operating in Nigeria to employ a number of Nigerian seafarers on board their vessels as part of condition for operating in the country. Such a law would of also make it mandatory for indigenous shipping to engage indigenous seafarers on board their own vessels. Of course the importers and exporters would also be expected to use indigenous shipping lines. But we want to do first thing first by training the people in order to build adequate capacity. Because come to think of it, if you make it mandatory for foreign lines to employ Nigerian seafarers on board their vessels and eventually you discover there is no qualified seafarer to employ in the first place. So I think it is a gradual process we strongly believe will come to fruition, we will get there. Everybody is beginning to realise that Nigeria has a lot of potential in the maritime industry just like the oil and gas and we are ignoring such potential because we erroneously believe that the potential in the oil and gas are enough for the country. Believe me there are so many countries that have only maritime potential and they depend and utilize them properly. But Nigeria is only depending on the oil and gas sector, which is not good enough because we need to diversify the economy. Here and there as we discuss, we should be able to articulate these ideas so that they will be able to work for Nigeria. As chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport can we have a law to compel indigenous shippers to patronise Nigerian-owned shipping companies? Yes. That was what I told you earlier. The law will cover two strategic areas such as compelling foreign shipping companies to employ Nigerian seafarers on board their vessels and I said we need to train enough seafarers first so that when the law comes on stream, there will be qualified and employable seafarers to be engaged on board such foreign ships. Another segment of the law is making it mandatory for Nigerian importers and exporters to patronise indigenous shipping companies and I also said that the only way this could be achieved is to make sure these indig-

I WOULD NOT MIND IF MEMBERS OF THE INDIGENOUS SHIP OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA WRITE US OFFICIALLY TO COMPLAIN, STATING THE PROBLEMS THEY ENCOUNTER WHILE TRYING TO ACCESS IT,

enous shipping companies have sufficient standard ocean going vessels of all types so that there will be indigenous vessels of internationally classed standards. So let us see the indigenous shipping companies acquire ships under the Coastal and Inland Shipping region. Lets see Nigerians own ships first before we can talk of such laws. Now that you talked about carriage of goods within the coastal and inland waters, I want to remind you that the Cabotage Act provides that all vessels under the scheme must be built, owned and crewed by indigenous operators. Several years after, many of these provisions have not been enforced. Why? The Cabotage is like any other legislation in Nigeria that is not enforced. I cannot begin to apportion blames here but I think that all of us Nigerians because if everybody had done what he or she ought to do, the. Law would have worked. The Act also established a Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, which value is over N40bn and as we speak, the indigenous shipping firms cannot access it. We have received reports that the fund is not being accessed by the people it is meant for. We have also read reports in the media and they keep telling us that the indigenous operators, who the fund is meant for. We have also questioned NIMASA why the people are not access the fund but they keep saying that the fund is safe and all that. As chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, I would not mind if members of the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria write us officially to complain, stating the problems they encounter why trying to access it, are such problems man-made or are they due to the exigencies of time and other logistics etc so that we have a document to work with. The reason for this is that we cannot work on speculation as a committee and so if we receive such documented evidence, we should be able to take it up from there. We cannot work based on speculations, media reports or even verbal complaints. About two years ago, NIMASA had picked four Primary Lending Institutions to ensure proper disbursement and also avoid its abuse like the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund. But it is alleged that the ruling People Democratic Party wants to use it to fund 2015 general elections. What is your take? I want to thank you for giving me more insights into the matter because there have talks about it since we came on board. Just like I said earlier, let us have a concrete issue to pursue so that when the

Kure

matter comes up, one will be able to have something to present not speculations or media reports but if someone brings it up, we will be able to meet the agency concerned. Also, unfortunately for some of us, we were not in this committee in the last session so we are taking time to learn and study the industry because it is not an industry you will go to and start to make great impact immediately. So one has to understudy the industry with a view to grasping the issues involved and that is why the anxiety is there, it is entirely a new terrain for some of us. Just like I said earlier, the maritime industry is so large and so you have to understudy and in doing that, you realise that there are a lot of issues to be tackled. Certainly I am not aware that that fund is being preserved for any other issue other than that for which it was set

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Executive Discourse

the economy if properly developed’ I AM NOT AWARE THAT THAT FUND IS BEING PRESERVED FOR ANY OTHER ISSUE OTHER THAN THAT FOR WHICH IT WAS SET UP.

BUT I KNOW THAT THERE

ARE VIEWS OUT THERE BECAUSE

NIGERIANS ARE ALREADY THINKING ALONG THAT LINE AND WHEN JOURNALISTS TALK TO US, WE QUICKLY KNOW THAT THERE ARE SUCH VIEWS OUT THERE.

up. But I know that there are views out there because Nigerians are already thinking along that line and when journalists talk to us, we quickly know that there are such views out there. It is something we are going to look into. Like I told you earlier, we try and find out why the people the fund is meant for have not started accessing it. We will try to find out what are the stumbling blocks they have encountered in the process. It is a responsibility on us. We should be able to sort it out. By the time your tenure will end as a committee, what do you hope to have achieved for the industry? As a committee, when we will be rounding off in 2015, we hope to achieve more than we had anticipated because of the anxiety that we have to see that

things are done the way they should and ensuring that things work out fine. We have been encouraging the agencies in the industry in all the areas so that we will be able to move the industry to another level. Like NIMASA, we have encouraged them as far as the NSDP programme is concerned and many other areas.

maritime security conferences and training coming up in Malaysia soon. We have encouraged them to try and attend because be believe that there is urgent need for an improvement of the nation’s territorial waters. We also believe that what is offered in terms of security at the waters is not enough. They should be able to curb the illegal oil bunkering we have been talking about. Like wise in the areas of port operations, we have been encouraging the Nigerian Ports Authority in the areas of ensuring optimum operations and ensuring that the ports not only meet the aspirations and expectations of the users but that they should also compete with their peers abroad. We have also been talking with the management of the authority on the Lekki Deep Seaport that many would believe is controversial as far as the major partners are concerned well as that of the Ibarka. Both of them are coming up. We have been encouraging and working with them to see that they are completed because Nigeria need them at he current level of development because of the opportunities these ports portend for the economy. This is especially in terms of attracting larger vessels with the attendant economies of scale, which will bring down operational cost at the ports and so make them user-friendly. For the National Inland Waterways Authority, we witnessed the Onitsha River Ports and so we would encourage them to do more in terms of opening similar ports. We have also spoken with them in terms of ensuring that it is fully utilised. Apart from media reports, the committee has been inundated with complaints by some stakeholders over the state of the port and so the committee would visit the port to see things for ourselves. We learnt they want to get some willing private investors to run the port on a Public –Private Sector Partnership (PPP) arrangement. But we have told NIWA that certain things should have been put in place before now like determining whether the port would operate on the basis of a PPP arrangement even before the award of the contract. You cannot award the contract for a project, execute it and afterwards you put it under lock and key and tell us you are looking for a PPP arrangement.

Does it concern the committee that pirates have take over Nigeria’s maritime domain and that this is a hindrance to foreign investment? We are Nigerians and so we are more concerned. We have also been encouraging NIMASA in the area of ensuring safety and security on Nigeria’s territorial waters. We have also been discussing with the management of NIMASA on the true position the need for its relevant members of staff to attend some

One of the challenges faced by the port also include the issue of security because importers are afraid that in the course of transferring their goods with barges, thieves may vandalise them because barges move slowly. I thank you for this information also. Like I told you, we learn everyday and so we will be able to thrash out all these issues so as to ensure that the objectives of the port are achieved.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Diamond Bank asks BNP to market $550m bond as index hit 40,000 points DAMILOLA AJAYI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

iamond Bank has asked France’s BNP Paribas and Afrexim Bank to lead an investor road show to Europe, the United States and Asia for a Eurobond that could go up to $550m, a banking source with knowledge of the deal told Reuters yesterday. The source said the amount the bank raises will depend on market conditions, noting that the mid-tier lender was aiming for yield of between six to eight per cent. Pricing for the bond was ex-

pected next week. The bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa told a Reuters Africa Investment Summit in Lagos in April that the bank would use funds from the debt issue to increase lending to the oil and gas, power and infrastructure sectors in Africa’s second biggest economy. Last month, rival bank Fidelity Bank issued a $300m five-year Eurobond paying a seven per cent yield. Meanwhile, the benchmark index of equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange rose to 40,000 physiological barriers on

Tuesday. The performance was led by growth in the consumer goods and banking sectors, which is expected to continue, considering good corporate actions from banks in the first quater of the year. Specifically, the All Share Index appreciated by 0.69 per cent to close at 40,012.66 points, compared to the increase of 0.44 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 39,737.80 points. Market capitalisation increased by N9bn to close at N12.85trn, lower than the appreciation of N12bn recorded the preceding

day to close at N12.76trn. Honeywell Flour led the gainers’ table with 34 kobo or ten per cent to close at N3.74 per share, followed by May and Baker Plc with 28 kobo ten per cent to close at N3.08 per share. On the flip side, Morison Plc fell by 22 kobo or 9.87 per cent to close at N2.01 per share, while Portland Paints Plc dipped by 47 kobo or 9.83 per cent to close at N4.31 per share. Oando Plc depreciated by 90 kobo or 5.97 per cent to close at N14.17 per share. A total of 988 million shares valued at N5.69bn were traded in 7,842 deals.

Unilever, Nestle’s shares raise bubble concern on valuation

nvestors are valuing shares of Nestle South Africa and Unilever’s Nigerian units at about twice the level of their European parents as faster growth in Nigeria lifts consumer stocks to record highs. The 53 per cent surge in Nestle Nigeria Plc this year pushed shares to 33 times estimated profit, almost double the ratio for Zurichlisted Nestle and up from a discount last year. For instance, Guinness Nigeria Plc is trading at a 53 per cent premium relative to its parent, Diageo Plc. Unilever Nigeria Plc has a price-to-earnings multiple of 38, compared with 18 for Unilever, which is based in London and Rotterdam.

While bulls say the gains in Nigeria are justified by the economic expansion, Hermes Fund Managers Limited and Renaissance Asset Management see the valuation gaps as a signal shares are too expensive. All three units reported profit declines in the period ended March as accelerating inflation and an Islamist insurgency in the north curbed spending by the nation’s 170 million citizens. “There may be a correction,” Lanre Buluro, the head of research at Lagosbased Primera Africa Securities Limited said, adding that people will start looking to re-evaluate and move this money somewhere else. The Nigerian Stock Ex-

change All-Share Index is valued at 13 times estimated earnings, the highest level since December 2010, after rallying 42 per cent this year. The MSCI Frontier Markets Index, the benchmark gauge for nations with an average market capitalization of $34bn, has a multiple of 11 after gaining 14 per cent in 2013. Local investors have piled into Nigeria’s stock market, accounting for 57 per cent of trades in March, compared with 39 per cent in all of 2012. Growth in the $269bn economy, Africa’s largest outside South Africa, will quicken to 7.2 per cent this year from 6.3 per cent in 2012, International

Monetary Fund projections showed. That compares with an estimated 5.6 per cent growth rate for Sub-Saharan Africa. The euro area’s economy will probably contract 0.6 percent this year, according to the European Central Bank. “Many asset managers around the world, who are not experts on Africa or on frontier markets, want to get into these markets at any cost and they’re just choosing a name which is familiar and which they perceive to be safe,” Sven Richter, who oversees about $260m as managing director of frontier markets at Renaissance Asset Management, said by phone from Johannesburg May 13.

Shareholders fault SEC, NSE on oversight function JOHNSON OKANLAWON

hareholders have accused the Securities and Exchange Comission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange of not defending investors’ rights. Speaking through the president of newly inaugurated Association of Avid Shareholders (AAS), Mr. Abayomi Obabolujo, they pointed out that there is need for both institutions to pollinate ideas, in order to achieve a desired world-class standard stock’s market. According to him, the association is ready to tackle the rot and other

forms of perceived irregularities bedevilling shareholders in the country. He noted that the fast rate of recovery in the last couple of months has necessitated proactive measures to ensuring that the past does not repeat itself. Abayomi who actively operated in the market for more than twenty years, stated that what informed the formation of the association was as a result of the way quoted companies are been managed in the country. He said, “Our target is to ensure that managers of quoted companies

sit-up and do what they are expected to do. If you know you don’t have what it takes to manage organisation to make profit within the capital market, why not resign or retire? We want to ensure that Nigerian investors don’t put their money in the companies and record loss anymore.” While explaining the strategy to be adopted in running the affairs of the association, Abayomi said that the association is currently targeting at least 1,000 investors in Lagos and more than 30 from other region across the country. “How can somebody

tell me that you are the manager of a quoted company for like six years, record loses year after year without keeping in mind the shareholders’ interest? But you keep getting your salary and other allowances, leaving shareholders stranded for years. “Companies have been delivering poor results and nobody is complaining; Myriads of primary market activities without asking questions on what happened to the initial funds raised. And investors are either not complaining or not been heard hence, they are being cheated,” he said.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 40,012.66 points Market capitalisation 12.86 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

HONYFLOUR

3.40

3.74

0.34

MAYBAKER

2.80

3.08

0.28

PAINTCOM

1.40

1.54

0.14

AIICO

1.00

1.10

0.10

15.40

16.94

1.54

CCNN

10.60

11.66

1.06

DANGSUGAR

11.60

12.76

1.16

PRESCO

34.00

37.40

3.40

FLOURMILL

95.16

104.67

9.51

NASCON

12.15

13.36

1.21

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

MORISON

2.23

2.01

0.22

PORTPAINT

4.78

4.31

0.47

IKEJAHOTEL

1.02

0.92

0.10

ETERNA

3.99

3.73

0.26

OANDO

15.07

14.17

0.90

CONTINSURE

1.25

1.20

0.05

MCNICHOLS

2.08

2.02

0.06

177.00

174.00

3.00

WEMABANK

1.20

1.18

0.02

FIDELITYBK

3.29

3.24

0.05

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

25,647.81

9.20

23-May-13

182-Days

31,246.03

12.45

23-May-13

364 -Days

50,683.60

14.30

23-May-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

125-Days

116,611.78

11.50

13-Jun-13

112-Days

19,551.50

10.19

13-Jun-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$300m

10-Jun-13

$300m

N/A

$207m

5-Jun-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

From Oloibiri to deep offshore with new technologies Many people were hopeful that the discovery of oil shortly before the nation’s political independence would culminate in rapid development. UDEME AKPAN reports that although the nation has successfully moved from Oloibiri, where production started to offshore and deep offshore, oil has created many problems, especially environmental pollution and conflicts that call for prompt intervention.

Oloibiri oil field

hen the bell that ushered in Nigeria’s independence started to toll, there were indications that many nationals answered the call with an amalgam of pride, patriotism and optimism at least for a reason. The nation which recorded a major oil find at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State in 1956 through the campaigns of Shell D’Archy, forerunner of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited had started commercial crude oil production. The oil production was fuelled by the activities of not only Shell but also some International Oil Companies, IOCs Mobil, Agip, Safrap (now Elf), Texaco and Amosea (now Texaco and Chevron) that delved into exploration and production. For instance, Mobil Exploration Nigeria Incorporated made its first oil find of substantial quantity in 1964. One year after the company became known as Mobil Producing Nigeria in 1970, it started crude oil production, at the Idoho field, offshore Akwa Ibom State. Chevron that found oil at the Escravos Bay in 1963, commenced exploration in

THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF THE OIL COMPANIES ENABLED THE COUNTRY TO EXPORT 2.0 MILLION BPD IN 1972. BY 1979, THE FIGURE HAD RISEN TO 2.4 MILLION BPD 1965. Elf which started drilling activities at Obagi in 1962 and made a find two years later. By 1966, the company was producing 40,000 barrels per day (bpd). Agip commenced exploration in 1962 and, by 1970, it had begun production. Texaco also made oil finds of commercial quantity during this period. The collective efforts of the oil companies enabled the country to export 2.0 million bpd in 1972. By 1979, the figure had risen to 2.4 million bpd. These and other feats raised hope that the nationalists who fought for the nation’s independence would be able to generate adequate foreign exchange for sustainable socio-economic development. At the early days, the Federal Government did not participate directly in exploration and production. It major roles were limited to the making of

laws, regulations, policies and incentives. This attitude of government later changed in the 1970s because of the need to effectively regulate as well as maximise the benefits of the industry for the development of the nation and its citizens. The Chairman and Managing Director of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe who confirmed the development in a telephone interview stated that: “The first major step by the government to get involved in the oil sector was the establishment, in 1971, of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC), the forerunner to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The nation also joined the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which encouraged members States to play more active roles in their industries.

Fawibe stated that the government further established Ministry of Petroleum Resources continued to perform regulatory functions. About six years later; NNOC became NNPC, with subsidiaries, namely, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC), Warri and Refinery and Petrochemical Limited (WRPC), Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemical Company (PHRC), Pipeline and products Marketing Company (PPMC), National Engineering and Technical Company Limited (NETCO) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS). Specifically, the corporation was given the responsibility to explore, produce, market crude oil as well as refine petroleum products. In 1988, NNPC, the biggest state-owned company South of the Sahara, formally became a commercial integrated oil company whose products attracted internationally competitive CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Energy Week

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From Oloibiri to deep offshore with new technologies CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 prices. The Department of Petroleum Resources, formerly an arm of NNPC was moved to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The department sets guidelines and standards for efficient and effective control of operations in the oil industry. Specifically, the department monitors activities at drilling sites, production wells, platforms, flow stations, export terminals and locations where petroleum products are stored and sold, to ensure higher standards. The managing director who held various top management positions from the early days of the industry stated that for the first time, the government started to invest in the industry. As he puts it: “The Federal Government, through NNPC, holds an average of 57 per cent equity in six multinational oil companies including the NNPC/ Shell/Agip/ELF, NNPC/Mobil, NNPC/ Chevron, NNPC/Elf and NPC/Agip/Phillips Joint Ventures, while the companies own 43 per cent. For implementation of development programmes and projects, contributions are made between NNPC and the oil companies according to equity holdings. Consequently, the government through the NNPC started to lift oil based on the same ratio. The investments were regulated by agreements such as the Joint Operating Agreement (JAO) and the Production Sharing Contract (PSC). This is to allow for easy operation of the joint ventures. The agreements give operators freedom to design programmes and implement them, with supervision from NNPC. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the companies and NNPC gives the former some incentives, which were first introduced in 1986 and revised twice in 1991 and 2000. Among the other benefits, the MOU grantees operators reasonable profit margin, regardless of market forces. There were two other forms of agreement in addition to JAO and PSC, namely, the Service Contract and the Sole Risk Contract. Under the Service Contract, an oil company funds its exploration, development and production activities. If no commercial find is made by the company after five years of activity, its relationship with NNPC is terminated without any liability to the corporation. The Sole Risk Contract, which is designed mainly for indigenous oil companies, allows operators to fund all their activities and pay petroleum profit tax (PPT) to the State. Unlike in the 1950s and 1960s when exploration and production were limited to land. The IOCs started to launch into offshore and deep offshore areas which promised to yield even more commercial reserves. This would not have been possible without the utilisation of modern technologies, including three dimensional drilling rigs. However, the Federal Government participation through NNPC was considered to be insufficient. Steps were taken to boost indigenous participation in the industry, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. For instance, between 1990 and 1994, 38 indigenous companies were licensed by the government to participate in oil exploration and production. Available records showed that 35 oil wells were drilled during the period. Between 1991 and 1998, it was learnt

Jonathan

Alison-Madueke

THE IMPACT OF OIL PRODUCTION ON NIGER DELTA IS THE WORST IN THE WHOLE WORLD, COMPLETELY DESTROYING THE SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE WHILE ENORMOUS WEALTH IS BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE REGION that about $900 million was expended on exploration activities. Records have it that three of the local companies, Consolidated Oil, Amni International and Express Petroleum started commercial oil production, thus increasing the number of indigenous firms involved in oil production to four, including Dubri Oil that started production in the 1990s. Other indigenous firms such as Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum, Atlas Petroleum, Cavendish Petroleum and Allied Energy Resources also made major oil finds. These and other giant strides were expected to enable the government raise the nation’s crude oil reserves and daily production capacity from over 30 billion barrels and 2.8 million bpd to 40 billion barrels and 4.0 million bpd, respectively by 2012. That target was not realised because of many factors, especially inadequate funding, inconsistent policies, militancy and outdated legislations. Incidentally, the nation did not pay more attention to gas development. In fact, there was no early investment targeted at developing the sector. For instance, the associated gas produced along with crude was flared at the detriment of the environment. This also culminated in the loss of significant foreign exchange. Oil firms that flare the gas preferred to pay a little penalty which the Federal Government imposed against offenders as it was cheaper than installing the required technology to harness gas for positive applications. This era of gas waste continued for several years. Incidentally, the development has attracted the comments of many observers. For instance, a United States Senator, Dr. Cale Case stated that: “An incredible amount of natural gas is wasted in Nigeria. The nation has the second highest level of natural gas waste through flaring in the world, second only to Russia in the amount of resource lost. Multiple and good reasons exist for this high level of flaring, but it boils down to two things. First, natural gas is frequently a joint by-

product of oil production so that when oil is produced, it includes so-called ‘wet’ gas. Second, there may be insufficient infrastructure to bring gas to market for use.” Case said that depending on the circumstance, natural gas flaring can be reduced in three ways. These include increase local application where a local market and proper infrastructure exists; export to distant markets where transport infrastructure abound and re-injection to enhance long term reservoir economics. The senator seemed to be pleased because of some promising investments that were made over the years. These included the Escravos gas Project, expansion of the Escravos Gas-to-liquid project and the West African Gas Pipeline Project. However, many people are not pleased because despite its status as a major crude oil and gas producer, the government has not been able to encourage investors to construct more refineries in the nation. In other words, the nation also failed to expand its downstream capacity to refine petroleum products through the construction of modern refineries. The NNPC records have it that construction of the country’s first refinery commenced in 1963, with the old Port Harcourt plant, which had initial capacity to process 35,000 bpd. The refinery, which was commissioned in 1965, produced fuel oil, gas oil, petrol and dual purpose kerosene, both for local consumption and for export. This was before 1967. Between 1967 and 1970, rising demand necessitated increase in installed capacity of the refinery to 60,000 bpd. Still, this did not meet local demand. The decision to build two new refineries, one each in Kaduna and Warri, was based on the recommendation of Oputa Commission set up to find solution to the challenge. The refineries each had installed capacity for 35,000 bpd, which were later raised to 110,000 bpd for Kaduna and 125,000 bpd for Warri, following expansion of the plants. The need, therefore, arose for a fourth refinery. Contract for the construction of the fourth re-

Andrew Yakubu

finery in Port Harcourt, which was handled by a consortium of three companies – HGC Corporation and Marubeni Corporation, both of Japan and Spie Batignolles of France – was awarded in 1984. While the government considers privalisation of the existing refineries, it has shown willingness to allow private investors to construct new plants. In 1996, it granted licenses for the establishment of two private refineries, namely, Brass Refineries Limited and Qua Petroleum Refining Limited. Expectations were that the two refineries, when operational, would add 500,000 bpd to the ones produced by the government-owned refineries. Besides, they would generate more foreign exchange for the country and create employment opportunities for Nigerians. The two refinery projects could, however, not commence, due basically to problems that have to do with funding. However, significant progress is expected when the nation’s Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, eventually becomes a reality. The Attah of Eket, His Royal Majestic, Obong E. Abia who made a presentation at a recent engagement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State stated that: “The production of hydrocarbon in Nigeria such as a significant scale that it is ranked number one in Africa and 12 globally, should be regarded as a blessing to the country, but because of mismanagement of the resources, it has turned out to be a curse. To the people of the Niger Delta, the impact of oil production is the worst in the whole world, completely destroying the source of livelihood of the people while enormous wealth is being extracted from the region.” He stated that no one with conscience should grudge the token that is passed to the region or any attempt to bring equity and fairness to the communities from which the wealth that fuels the development of the country is sourced. Abia stated that: “The Petroleum Industry Bill is a bold and courageous attempt to correct the ills of the past in the sharing of the wealth upon which our country depends and which is extracted from the Niger Delta. Yet the principles upon which this is based is applicable to any region or state where hydrocarbon is also found. The need to be fair with the people of the Delta has long been recognised by most Nigerians. What the bill seeks to do is how best this should be done.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

NCF, Chevron pledge commitment to environment

NDDC acquires tractors to promote agriculture

UDEME AKPAN

he Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF and Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL have pledged their commitment to contribute more towards the protection of environment, especially in oil and gas producing areas. The two organisations expressed the commitment at the occasion of the recent World Environment Day which is celebrated on June 5, every year to raise global awareness of the need to take positive environmental action and the importance of preserving our biodiversity. A visit to many places showed that the World Environment Day created an acceptable platform for stakeholders to tackle environmental challenges, including climate change, global warming, disasters and conflicts, harmful substances, environmental governance, ecosystem management and resource efficiency. Since 1972 when WED was inaugurated by the United nations General Assembly in Stockholm, Sweden, different themes have been chosen to mark each year and create awareness on critical issues on biodiversity. This year’s theme – Think, Eat, Save has been chosen to raise global awareness on depleting natural resources for food and energy in spite of the world population which is growing geometrically. The 2013 theme is apt as it builds

Mr. Andrew Fawthrop, Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited (right), receiving an award for environmental stewardship from Chief Philip Asiodu, the President of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation.

on the global campaign of the same title launched earlier this year by UNEP, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO and partners, to reduce food waste and loss. The event also created the opportunity to reflect on issues such as deforestation, spills, water and air pollution, global warming that have been of serious concern to stakeholders including the Government, nongovernmental organizations, communities and corporate organizations. The growing concern for the environment has remained a major challenge to the country. Investigations showed that the level of environmental conscious-

ness has increased over the years as stakeholders continue to ponder on major issues, especially environment and sustainability through the instrumentality of Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF. The NCF, which has the President and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as patron partners with many organisations, especially CNL that has continued to demonstrate commitment to the environment. Chevron is said to be a good partner as it has over the years expressed commitment to environmental matters. For instance, the company has in place a company-wide health, environment

and safety guideline to ensure that its performance is world-class. In Nigeria, CNL’s Operational Excellence obliges it to deliver industryleading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability and efficiency to achieve world-class performance. A Public Affairs official who preferred not to be named said: “CNL’s commitment to preserving the environment has left enduring landmarks in the landscape, including the Lekki Conservation Centre, LCC -a centre of excellence in environmental research and education reserved as a sanctuary CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

GE plans local content development in Nigeria

eneral Electric has started to develop human resources for electricity, oil, gas and related sectors of the economy in Nigeria. The personnel development is part of the firm’s local content development programme meant to assist stimulate the rapid transformation of the nation’s economy. The Global Supply Chain Leader of the firm, Mr. Phillip Griffith who confirmed the development in Lagos said selected candidates would be trained at its training institute which ground breaking is scheduled for Calabar, Cross River State in June 18, this year. He said GE which has concluded plans to invest $1 billion in Nigeria’s electricity and related sectors in the next seven years would draw on the expertise of the personnel and others to sustain operations in the nation. The Chain leader said the level of investment showed the commitment of GE in the nation’s economy. Griffith said: “Nigeria has a big market and high Gross Domestic Product, GDP that is

higher than many developed production. He said the company will also economies. Griffith said: “We have confi- spend an additional $800 million dence that the economy would over the next 5 years in local continue to grow in the coming sourcing of goods/services, layears, thus opening many oppor- bour, staff welfare and training. The GE boss remarked that tunities for investors.” He said GE signed a memoran- Nigerians will make up to 90 per dum of understanding with the cent of the staff and management Federal Government on invest- of GE’s planned manufacturing ment in 2009 and is committed to facility while GE’s supplier base playing its part in the sustainable is expected to increase from 10 to development of the country and 100 local suppliers. the positive impact this will have on the country and the continent. GE recently signed agreements with the Federal Government and major corporations (Honeywell, Transcorp, Dangote and Geometric) to forge partnerships in the area of power generation, transportation and healthcare. He said that GE’s investment plans include a $250 million capital expenditure that will make Nigeria a regional hub for manufacturing, service and innovation with an improved ability to support a broader range of product lines in power generation as well as oil and gas exploration and Power plant

He said a major training and capacity building center would establish in Calabar, Cross River State to develop the competencies of local personnel, thus making them employable in many areas, including welding and construction. He said GE has partnered with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN and others in order to carry out efficient operations in the nation.

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has procured over 100 tractors for distribution to state ministries of Agriculture in the nine Niger Delta states to boost food production. The Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh disclosed this in a chat with newsmen after inspecting the tractors in Port Harcourt. He announced that plans were in top gear to inaugurate 11 completed hostel blocks out of 18 in various higher institutions across the region while the Ibeno road with a 600m span bridge and sidedrains in Akwa Ibom State was ready. Making reference to the tractors set for distribution, Oboh said for Nigeria to tackle youth’s unemployment and to be self sufficient in food production, it must embrace mechanised farming. “We are determined to properly engage our youths in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President through agriculture. To support this, NDDC has acquired over 100 tractors to support various ministries of agriculture in the nine states of the region to boost food production”. Oboh said. The NDDC boss also revealed that the Commission would be partnering government of the BRACED states comprising of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta to establish rice farms. “The building of hostels in various institutions of higher learning in the nine states is one of the legacies that I felt this present board would leave behind for posterity. When we came on board, these projects were in very bad shape and nearly all the reports of various agencies had criticised the NDDC for their poor state. But thank God, today we have been able to deliver at least eleven”, he said. He commended some contractors working with the present board for timely execution of projects and advised those who are not serious to brace up or be prosecuted for non-performance. Recently, NDDC stated that its development strides would continue to guide by the Niger Delta This was the focus of his presentation at a 3-day retreat organized by the BRACED Commission in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. In his paper titled: “The imperative of regional infrastructure in the South-South”, Dr. Oboh sued for a closer tie between the BRACED States and NDDC to facilitate the development of critical infrastructure towards sustainable growth in the region.

Energy Week

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Afren Plc hits 42,000 bpd, boosts nation’s production capacity UDEME AKPAN

fren, a major oil and gas producing firm in Nigeria has realised a daily production of 42,000 barrels per day, bpd. The Chairman, Mr. Egbert Imomoh who disclosed this at the Annual General Meeting in London stated that year 2012 witnessed a lot of milestones for the company. For instance, He said that Group production grew by 123per cent to 43,059 bpd, turnover increased by 151per cent to c.US$1.5 billion, cash flow from operations increased by 177per cent to US$935 million; equivalent to US$60 per flowing barrel, a level that we believe is sustainable given the pipeline of existing production, development and appraisal opportunities within our portfolio. He said that: “Having established a proven track record as a fast-track developer of oil and gas assets through accretive low cost acquisitions, Afren demonstrated its credentials as an explorer in 2012 with discoveries at the Okoro Field Extension, Ebok North Fault Block (“Ebok NFB”), both offshore Nigeria, and at Simrit-2, located on the Ain Sifni PSC, Kurdistan region of Iraq, achievCONTINUED FROM 39 for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula. This 78-¬hectare facility is the only one of such facilities in the Lagos area and was established by CNL in partnership with NCF. He said that: “This nature reserve traverses a mosaic of vegetation types, namely: secondary forest, swamp forest and Savannah grassland. One notably impact of conserving the Lekki Conservation Centre land area over the years is the significant growth of the secondary forest since the Centre was acquired. The official quoted Emmanuel Obot, the late Executive Director of NCF, as stating that: “No fewer than one million students have visited the LCC in the last 20 years. The Centre has played significant roles in climate change mitigation and contributed to global biodiversity conservation efforts. It has also pioneered successful natural resources management in the Lekki area of Lagos. He remarked that: “In 2005, CNL established a yearly postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation. In addition, CNL hosts the annual S. L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness. The company is also working with the NCF to establish the Niger Delta Conservation Centre.” The Chairman/Managing Di-

ing an E&A success ratio in the year of 88per cent. Imomoh said the success with the drill bit in Nigeria led to a 265per cent 2P reserves replacement ratio and increase in net 2P reserves to 210 mmboe, adding that: “This was achieved while lowering our operating cost per barrel by 16per cent to US$15.0 per barrel and with a reduction in the Total Recordable Incident Rate by 33per cent to 1.47. He said using the firm’s development skills and existing infrastructure, we commenced early production from both the Okoro Field Extension and Ebok NFB within ten months of discovery and are moving towards the finalisation of full field development solutions for both discoveries. Imomoh stated that: “In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, we commenced production operations from the Barda Rash field producing our first cargo of sales specification oil to tank. To date, approximately 18,800 barrels is held in storage at the field with first sales expected shortly. We have recently commenced Phase 2 operations on the field which will involve new wells to increase production capacity. He said the firm would continue to maintain a close relation-

Imomoh

ship with the government and remain positive regarding political developments in the region towards delivering significant and sustainable oil export revenues. The Chairman said: “In East Africa, 2012 was also a period of extensive data acquisition across our portfolio and as a result, we have significantly increased our net prospective resource volume by 176per cent to 5,838 mmboe. Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will continue to de-risk our exploration acreage across our portfo-

lio through a high-impact E&A campaign targeting both frontier and established basins. He said the firm started 2013 strongly, with year-on-year growth of 14% in net production in Q1 2013 and remain firmly ontrack to achieve our production guidance of 40,000 to 47,000 boepd net to Afren. Imomoh stated that it made a successful start 2013 drilling campaign with the successful Okwok-10 and Okwok-11 appraisal wells which results were being

integrated into the field model and optimised Field Development Plan (FDP), prior to submission to the Nigerian authorities later this year. He remarked that the Group remains in a position of financial strength, with robust high-margin cash flows being generated from a growing production base supported by a strong balance sheet with the capacity and flexibility to optimally explore and develop our high-quality portfolio of growth opportunities well into the future. The Chairman said that: “In addition, as part of our active portfolio management process, we will look to farm-out and divest assets at different points in the value chain to either increase the rate of return on investment from our portfolio or to use the proceeds to recycle cash and maintain capital efficiency. In this regard, we completed the farm out of 17.14per cent participating interest in the OPL 310 licence, offshore Nigeria, to Lekoil in May 2013. An exploration well is currently being drilled at the Ogo prospect and together with a planned side-track which, in aggregate, will be targeting gross P50 prospective resources of 202 mmboe.

NCF, Chevron pledge commitment to environment rector of the firm, Mr. Andrew Fawthrop who reiterated the company’s commitment to the environment added that: “We have a record of responsible environmental stewardship everywhere we operate and have also established enduring partnerships with governments, non–governmental organizations, business organizations and communities. These partnerships and efforts have been recognized and rewarded within and outside the country.” Fawthrop stated that CNL has developed and is implementing processes to identify, assesses, mitigate and manage potentially significant risk and impacts to human health and the environment (including natural resources) associated with existing operations

Escravos Gas Project

and capital projects, including emissions, releases and wastes. The company effectively engages its stakeholders ensuring that its projects and proposals are acceptable to all. He remarked that in response to global initiatives against climate change, CNL has started to implement projects, including the threephased Escravos Gas Project, EGP, the Escravos Gas-to-Liquids project, EGTL and the West African Gas Pipeline project, WAGP which are targeted at ending routine gas flaring in its operations, while delivering other important values for Nigeria, NNPC, and for CNL. The Agbami project was also developed with zero flare. The company boss stated that CNL has upgraded its production

facilities to ensure that they maintain their high level of safety and efficiency. This platform upgrade project modernized the older installations to bring them to the highest international safety standards. The gains from the upgrade include cleaner effluent discharge from the production platforms, with performance consistently surpassing the statutory limits. He said the company has also started the implementation of process safety management standards, in addition to its existing Operational Excellence processes, to ensure that operating facilities are safe while new ones are built with high safety consideration. CNL took inventory of its old land drill sites that are not in use and embarked on priority restoration work to return the sites to their initial states and give the restored sites to their original owners. CNL has developed, and applied expertise in Mangrove restoration through a combination of modern afforestation techniques, including natural recovery and direct planting of mangroves. Chevron has also commenced the regeneration of the mangrove vegetation with a pilot scheme involving the planting of mangrove seedlings of different species

at three selected sites along the Abiteye-Escravos right-of-way. Expertise in mangrove restoration was also transferred to Nigerian Consultants. These and other strides have attracted CNL some awards, including Federal Environment Protection Agency Environmental Achievement Award, Nigerian Environmental Society Star Merit Award and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation awards for Sustained Support for Environmental Excellence and Conservation Leadership Award in 2002 and 2010 respectively. The Delta State Government has also honored CNL with the Best Oil Company in Oil Spill Management Practices award while the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria gave CNL a Corporate Good Environment Health Practice Award for the company’s “commitment to responsible environmental stewardship” in Nigeria. The firm may continue to do more as the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Deji Haastrup stated that: “Environmental conservation is a matter of common sense and at Chevron we are always willing to collaborate with stakeholders who are committed to safeguarding the environment.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday June 12, 2013

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12 Former Minister of Aviation, FEMI FANI-KAYODE, in this piece believes that the truth about June 12 and Chief MKO Abiola’s death has not been told.

mbassador Susan Rice is currently the American Ambassador to the United Nations. Her long-standing aspiration of becoming the Secretary of State for her country was dashed when the Republicans in the Senate started sharpening their knives in anticipation of her formal nomination for that position by President Barak Obama. Sensing that her nomination would not scale through the Senate and that she would not be confirmed as Secretary of State due to the role she played in the cover up of the Benghazi affair in which the American Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other American citizens were murdered by a group of Islamist terrorists, her nomination was withdrawn. Instead of Secretary of State, President Obama has now nominated her for the position of National Security Advisor which is a job that does not require Senate approval or confirmation. I wish Susan Rice well in her new assignment but I am constrained to ask the following questions: What did she put in the tea that she served to Chief MKO Abiola on July , 1998 just before he died? She was one of the last people that saw him alive, she served him some tea, he coughed violently and one hour later he dropped dead. What was in the tea? Was it Abuja ‘’green tea’’, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Liptons or some other more exotic brand? Can someone please ask Susan Rice what her role was in the death of MKO Abiola? Who sent her to do the job and who was she working for? At that time she was Assistant Secretary of State for America in President Bill Clinton’s government. Was she acting on his direct instructions or simply on the instructions of her boss and controller in Langley? Chief MKO Abiola was the winner of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections. That election took place on June 12, 1993. The following day it was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida. Shortly after that, as a consequence of the sheer outrage that was generated by the annulment, Babangida was compelled to ‘’step aside’’ and hand over power to Chief Ernest Shonekan. In what was clearly a strategic manoeuvre he left General Sani Abacha (his own Chief of Army Staff) behind to be the Minister of Defence for the incoming administration. As many had predicted a few months later, Abacha toppled the Interim National Government of Shonekan which he served and seized power for himself. Abiola was eventually arrested and detained and he was never granted his freedom again. Four years later Abacha himself was murdered by forces that are yet to be identified and General Abdulsalami Abubakar took power. Exactly 30 days after Abacha was killed, those same forces that killed him murdered Abiola as well in an attempt to ‘’balance the equation’’. These are the facts and those are the sequence of events. One thing is selfevident and cannot be denied no matter which side of the divide one may have been on in the June 12 saga – certain questions must be answered. And those

MKO

Susan Rice

WHAT DID SHE PUT IN THE TEA THAT SHE SERVED TO

CHIEF

MKO ABIOLA ON JULY, 1998 JUST BEFORE HE DIED? SHE WAS ONE OF THE LAST PEOPLE THAT SAW HIM ALIVE.

SHE SERVED HIM SOME TEA, HE

COUGHED VIOLENTLY AND ONE HOUR LATER HE DROPPED DEAD Abacha

Abiola, Susan Rice and a deadly cup of tea questions are as follows: Who killed MKO Abiola? Who killed Sani Abacha? What role, if any, did officials of the Abubakar administration play in the murder of both Abacha and Abiola? What role did the CIA (U.S. Central Inteligence Agency) play and exactly what transpired in the room when Assistant Secretary of State Susan Rice, Ambassador Thomas Pickering and two other faceless and nameless officials from the American Embassy met with Abiola on the very day that he was meant to be released. Instead of being released on that day he dropped dead in what can only be described as mysterious and questionable circumstances. This is all the more so because Abiola’s security officer and the man that was charged with looking after him and protecting him throughout the time that he was incarcerated, one ASP Zadok, told the Oputa panel in 2002 that Abiola was ‘’hale and hearty’’ and in ‘’very high spirits’’ just before going into the meeting with the Americans. As Zadok was about to enter the premises where the meeting was scheduled to be held with Abiola he was asked to leave his principal, step outside the premises and to go and pick up another car from somewhere by one of General Abdulsalami’s security officers. He promptly obeyed

but half an hour later when he came back he found Abiola in a terrible condition, coughing violently, writhing all over the floor in pain and breathing his last breath. Thirty minutes later he gave up the ghost. I have no doubt that this was murder but the question is whose call was it and why did it have to happen? Was it done in an attempt to pave the way for an Obasanjo Presidency one year later? Could General Olusegun Obasanjo have been elected President if Abiola had lived and if he had insisted on claiming his mandate? The Nigerian people have a right to know the truth and it is about time that those that have wielded power in this country for the last few decades told them. The powers that be must appreciate the fact that they cannot sweep things under the carpet forever and that one day, no matter how long it takes, they will be held accountable by the Nigerian people for the morbid and oftentimes homicidal choices and secret decisions that they made. Yet the truth is that the military operates like a cult and we may never get an honest answer from any of them about what really happened. This is because there are very few Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umars in the Nigerian military. Very few of them are prepared to break ranks with the leader-

ship and break the ‘’omerta’ code of silence like Abubakar Umar did over the June 12th election. Very few of them are prepared to call a spade a spade, speak the truth, expose the lie and damn the consequences. Most of them continue to spin the yarn and tell the dirty lie that Abacha and Abiola’s deaths were both from natural causes and that it was just a coincidence that one dropped dead on July 8, 1998, just four days before the fifth anniversary of June 12, and the other dropped dead exactly one month later on July 8,1998. As they say, ‘’the secrets are embedded in the sequence of events, the numbers and the dates’’ and, in this case, the interesting sequence of events, the numbers and the dates really do tell a revealing story. Yet no matter how hard they try to cover her up and silence her, truth is stubborn and she cannot be drowned. She is like a pack of straws that are held together and pinned down by an all-powerful hand at the bottom of a river. As long as she is held at the bottom of that river she cannot be seen or heard. Yet one day, in the fullness of time, that all-powerful hand that seeks to drown her forever will get tired and let go and at that point Lady Truth will happily float to the top of the water where she will be seen and heard by all. It is in the same way that one day the pernicious lie of “death by natural causes” or “act of God” that the powers that be have claimed are the cause of Abiola and Abacha’s deaths respectively will be exposed for what they are. And those that continue to spin that lie and conspire to hide the truth will pay a heavy price for their murderous deceit either in this world or the next. The truth is that the most filthy and despicable creature under God’s sun is the unrepentant and compulsive liar. The evil of those that bear false witness, that shed innocent blood and that seek to kill, maim, jail or destroy the innocent in the name of the state knows no bounds. Such people will surely burn in hell. And those that continue to hide the truth and spin the tale that there was nothing untoward or mischievous about the death of Chief MKO Abiola, that great son of Nigeria whose only crime was to win a free and fair election and refuse to renounce it, shall fare no better. The fact of the matter is that until these questions are answered and justice is done Nigeria will not know peace and she cannot possibly make any meaningful progress. It is a spiritual thing. He gave his life that we may have a better tomorrow yet we refuse to acknowledge it or to bring his killers to justice. We are repaying his good with evil and the consequences of that are set out in the Word of God. The fact remains that had it not been for Abiola’s great sacrifice and his gallant refusal to bow before the Nigerian military and give up his 1993 presidential mandate we would not have democracy in Nigeria today. We should do our best to ask the relevant questions, demand the appropriate answers and unearth the bitter truth. We owe MKO Abiola, his wife Kudirat (who was also murdered) and all the other June 12 foot soldiers and martyrs that much. May God give us leaders that have a conscience and that truly respect and fear Him and may Chief MKO Abiola’s beautiful and generous soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

Politics

Wednesday June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12

Lt. General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd) was one of the major actors in the June 12 struggle. The former minister (Agriculture, Transport, Water Resources), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Staff suffered personal losses as an active member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the military to a standstill. Recently, he spoke with AYODELE OJO and SINA FADARE on the June 12 struggle, his losses, and state of the nation. Excerpts: Today is the 20th anniversary of June 12, 1993 election, is there any lesson to be learnt from the historic presidential poll? I think apart from anything else, it was a torturous time for Nigeria, because it was the culmination of the disillusionment of the people against military rule and all forms of dictatorial tendencies. Therefore we are all looking for a form of government which we would all be part of. That was the hallmark of June 12. Even it was all agreed that the April 2011 elections were not as good as June 12. June 12 signified the determination of a people. Irrespective of their background, religion, cultural affinity, Nigerians spoke in one voice on what they needed and who should be their leader. Death did not allow Chief MKO Abiola to prove whether we were right or not in the action we took on the crisis, but the struggle stands on its own. It is the catalyst that enabled us get to where we are today. Do you think the democracy fought for has been achieved today? People have a lot of divergent views on whether we have actually got democracy or

My regrets over June 12 –Gen. Akinrinade Can you still re-enact your days in NADECO if situation remain hopeless as it were? You can’t foreclose such because we must get out of this mess. NADECO operated based on collective effort, decision and reflection of people of like minds who saw the need that things should not be allowed to go the way it was going then. I think it is still possible especially to move this democracy quicker towards success lane. Throughout history, people are galvanised and propelled to do certain things with conviction; get together and react to a particular situation. I think June 12 provided the platform for the amount of cohesion and the ideas that are pouring out.

Akinrinade

not. But to me I would say no, because a situation where we get freedom of movement, expression, and right to live, yet our leaders are not accountable to us, then we still have a long way to cover. The so-called representatives of the people whom most of the time are selected instead of being voted for are not accountable to the people. Therefore, democracy has fallen down on the face. Virtually everywhere you turned to in the public sector is wanton corruption in high places. When Kaduna Nzeogwu and his colleagues had the first coup, the politicians who were then accused of corruption were not in such a massive magnitude to what we are witnessing today. He was talking about corruption of the ‘ten percenters,’ but what we are witnessing today is embarrassing and there is no limit to it. Based on this, I will say we are not yet there, but what we have now is a resemblance of democracy. Democracy is what you use to make sure that people who are put into position of authority are accountable to the people? Unfortunately they failed woefully on this.

What is your regret on June 12? Abiola’s death is regrettable with all he put into the struggle to make sure that we are liberated. We just killed him and that is highly regrettable. Again to those who died during the struggle, especially those who were not known and were not sung, who lost their lives in order that democracy should be restored, and to say that here we are after 20 years with the situation remain virtually the same before the struggle, it is regrettable. Before June 12, there was the Afenifere in the West, which was strong to articulate the problem of their people, the Middle Belt Forum, the South-South and the Ijaws had the opportunity to get together in 1992 to form the Central Committee of Understanding (CCU) with the notion to see what we can do after the madness of the military and return the country to democracy. We have a lot of people there like TY Danjuma, Dan Suleiman, Joe Garba and Afenifere people, both old and young. We therefore agreed that we are going to campaign for anyone that meet our standard no matter where such a person come from, and such a person should meet us. That was my main encounter with Abiola, having met him for five minutes in his house earlier in 1975. We met about 15 people and

Nigeria practices shadow democracy –Ralph Obiorah Chief Ralph Obiorah is a prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the June 12, 1993 annulment struggle. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he speaks on the fight for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. Excerpts: My involvement in June 12 struggle I was in the forefront of the struggle to restore the mandate that Nigerians freely gave late Moshood Abiola. In the course of the struggle, I went out of the Nigerian scene to take the battle to the United States of America, where all the official representatives from NADECO in America and Canada gathered and through our effort the Western world supported NADECO for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, which later culminated in the suspension of Nigeria from Commonwealth meeting in Australia.

primary motivation was to actually see that Nigeria enjoys the freedom of democracy, which almost all the citizens of the world are enjoying.

Losses during the struggle My travail I must tell you were quite enormous. In the process, my businesses were literally grounded in Nigeria, including a vegetable oil factory and banking system. That is not an important issue; what was important is that I took part in the struggle for a better and democratic society.

My motivation

Was June 12 struggle in vain?

What motivated me then was that I was a full participant in the process that threw up Abiola as the President-Elect. And there is no controversy that democracy is the bedrock of the system to organise civil society and there is no way it can be compared with a military dictatorship. So, my

Any battle you do, especially when the principle is restoration of democracy, you can never say you regretted it. If you take the question further to say; am I pleased with the turn of event? I will say principally yes, at least we have something like democracy going on in

Obiorah

Nigeria. The other question is; I am I satisfied with the result of the democracy we have? Of course my answer will be, I am not fully satisfied. Because what I can see today is that we are practicing shadow democracy and not the real democracy that we fought for. But no matter what anyone will say, it still preferable to any form of dictatorship. Despite the fact that we are in a democratic dispensation, I am of the view that we are not performing well. I believe that where the government has laid emphasis is not the proper area to lay emphasis. I believe

Abiola came out with a vision. His vision about Nigeria tallied with ours that was why we decided to galvanise support for him to achieve his goal. Therefore to see that election annulled was an affront on us and the people. So, we confronted the military and damned the consequences. That is why most of us are emotionally attached to the June 12 struggle, whether it ended well or not, history is there to judge us. What loss did you suffer in the course of the June 12 struggle? I will not count mine as losses, when you realise that a lot of people died in this struggle unsung, people who were not even known to us who are in the centre of the struggle. That is highly regrettable. On personal loss, this house that we are inside was burnt to ashes. They said they brought kegs of petrol, wet the building before they razed it down, the only thing I lost that pained me were all my books and memoirs which I was trying to write and all what I got throughout my military career. My friend, Dan Suleiman, whose house was equally burnt, was luckier because some good Samaritans came to salvage part of the building. The funny aspect of it was that my neighbour who saw the thick smoke and realised that they did not allow the fire men to come in was a staff at the then NEPA. She went there to bring fire truck, and she was later fired from the corporation. Those are the intangible losses. The State Security Services (SSS) officer that they said allowed me to get out of the house initially got fired. To me, I can still survive the torture, but what about those who are not known but bear their brunt in silence. People like Kudiraat Abiola were killed by government agent and a host of others who died because of the struggle. Therefore for me to be alive and still witness today, personal losses are inconsequential. we need to focus on area of power because we cannot take this nation any further if we are still gambling with the quantum of energy that we have been able to deliver in our almost 14 years of democracy. I have thought that in the fifth tenure of the presidency and the current second tenure of the President that Nigerians should have at least had substantial energy because it is only through energy that we can truly lift this nation up. For Nigeria having 4,000 or 5,000 megawatts as electricity is a far cry to what the leadership should have put in place to take care of the majority of Nigerians. With what we are having on ground presently, I do not see any way forward in terms of job creation and tackling unemployment and changing the living standard of our people if we don’t give Nigerians more energy.

The way forward The way forward I believe is for our people to look inward and give the opportunity of democracy to pick out the best. I have told everybody in Nigeria that the idea or a system where one man in a state determines all the number of people that would be elected from that state is a mockery of democracy. And the more we postponed facing this reality, the more there would be problem in advancing this democracy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday June 12, 2013

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12 WORDS ON MARBLE “From now on, the struggle in Nigeria is between the people and a small clique in the military determined to cling to power at all costs… The people of Nigeria have spoken. They have loudly and firmly proclaimed their preference for democracy. They have chosen me as their president for the next four years. I fully intend to keep that date with history.” –Late Chief MKO Abiola insisting on his mandate “…It is in the supreme interest of law and order, political stability and peace that the presidential election be annulled... To continue action on the basis of the June 12, 1993 election, and to proclaim and swear in a president who encouraged a campaign of divide and rule among our ethnic groups would have been detrimental to the survival of the Third Republic. Our need is for peace, stability and continuity of politics in the interest of all our people.” –Military President Ibrahim Babangida justifying the annulment of June 12 election. “On this day, I recall especially the martyrdom of Chief M. K. O. Abiola, whose presumed victory in the 1993 Presidential election, and death, while in custody, proved to be the catalyst for the people’s pro-democracy uprising. The greatest tribute that we can pay to him, and other departed heroes of Nigeria’s democracy, is to ensure that we continue to sustain and consolidate our democratic institutions and processes, and keep Hope alive.” –President Goodluck Jonathan paying tribute to Abiola during his democracy day broadcast on May 29, 2012. Abiola coming out of a black maria during his trial.

“A very tiny but powerful cabal is toying with the future of our nation… Any further delay in making the people’s verdict official is a deliberate cultivation of chaos.” –Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, calling on the military to revalidate the June 12

After the Epetedo ceclaration.

“The nation is in danger. It is abundantly clear that the military government is leading Nigeria into a political crisis of immeasurable, chaotic proportions.” –Human rights activist, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) on the political crisis over June 12

Abiola and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, in 1993.

Pro-democracy group led by the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi during a protest.

“On my entry into the venue of the meeting, I quickly glanced at the faces of the members of the Council. Most of their faces were grim, fearful and hostile. It was General Sani Abacha who quickly asked: Did you expect us to know about the outcome of the presidential election like ordinary members of the public through your so-called scoreboard? “Following his briefing, he said a Committee was constituted with Abacha, Admiral Nyako, Generals Dongoyaro, Aliyu, Mohammed, Akilu, Brigadier David Mark, Clement Akpamgbo and himself. Abacha was the head of the Committee tasked with finding an immediate solution to the outcome of the election. “I presented to the Committee two options - expedited discharge of the court orders stopping the release of the election results and the other option of inviting Abiola to address the military hierarchy and soothe their fears. I could hardly conclude with the submission when General Sani Abacha shouted on me to stop. He uttered: Who do you think you are? You conducted a presidential election the court prohibited. You helped to cause the current political confusion without the support of the members of your commission.” –Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, on the circumstances surrounding the annulment of the June 12 election.

L-R: General Oladipo Diya, the then military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Bola Tinubu and Abiola during Abiola’s visit to Abacha in 1993.

“If he (Nwosu) knew that Chief M.K.O. Abiola won the election, why didn’t he announce the results and as the umpire, he should have announced the winner of the election or resigned and stop passing the buck.” –Senate President David Mark calling on NEC chairman, Prof Humphrey Nwosu to stop passing the buck on the annulment of June 12.

Nigerians protesting the anulment of June 12.

Compiled by: OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

Late Chief Bola Ige after being released from prison.

Politics

Wednesday June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12

Remembering not to forget June 12 Ekiti State governor, DR. KAYODE FAYEMI, was one of the major actors in the June 12 struggle. He reflects on June 12 and the symbol of the struggle, Chief MKO Abiola.

resident Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously declared December 7, 1941 – the day on which Japanese forces carried out their attack on Pearl Harbour – “a date that will live in infamy.” There are dates that stand out in the annals of time, often because they carry such import that they can simply not be forgotten. Every nation has those dates that live on, as it were, in perpetuity beyond their first appearance in a calendar year. For us in Nigeria, June 12 is one of those dates that refuse to go away quietly. It is a date that clings on stubbornly to our national memory resisting all attempts to usher it into irrelevance. One of our great failings as Nigerians is that we do not remember enough; we do not rigorously fulfill the civic duty of memory, a duty of care that is incumbent upon us to guard our own history and keep alive through remembrance events of national importance as eternal flames of consciousness. Without a sense of history, not only shall we consistently prove prone to repeating the tragedies of the past; we will also be perennially incapable of seizing the future. A sense of history gives us a vital narrative context within which to situate our journey as a nation. It is through history that we find our bearings and navigate the terrain of national evolution, for within our history lies our hope. One of the alarming developments of our time is that history is no longer rigorously taught in our schools, and a generation has arisen that knows next to nothing about June 12; of the great sacrifices that were invested to secure the freedoms that we are now enjoying. They have heard nothing of the perfidies and betrayals orchestrated by the highly placed at the time or the epic courage of ordinary people who voted in Nigeria’s freest and fairest election, and taking to the barricades when their votes were casually nullified. We have as a nation almost completely forgotten the atmosphere of terror that suffocated life under the darkest era of military dictatorship in Nigeria’s history; the crude totalitarian abbreviation of liberty and life by overzealous security agents and murderous death squads. The stories have all faded from our collective memory - of intrepid journalists who went underground to continue their calling to publish truth as guerilla journalists risking the harassment of the wives and children they left behind; of brave activists that fled into exile and those unfortunate ones that were abducted, disappeared into the regime’s dungeons or assassinated. Yes, we commemorate certain days such as Independence Day or Democracy Day or May Day. But these commemorations have been reduced to empty rituals and shallow pageantry lacking contemplative depths. They do not inspire us to reflect on the sacrifices and toils of those whose courage and patriotic selflessness made these dates worthy of commemoration. Behind each of

these national days, we will find stories of heroism, hope and faith starring Nigerians that gave their lives both figuratively and literally for a better future for their children. Sadly, the spiritual and ethical capital they stored up is inaccessible to much of the younger generation because they have not been taught. Our national anthem proclaims that the labours of our heroes shall never be in vain yet an alarming number of young Nigerians have scant idea of who these heroes are or what their labours were. Thus, we cannot draw inspiration from the past with which to contemplate our future. This devaluation of historical knowledge is worrisome if only because of the place of remembrance in the construction of a national ethos. The great nations of the world are distinguished by their assiduously maintained reservoir of national memory. The horrors of the holocaust are branded in the Israeli national consciousness. Americans look back at the words and deeds of the founding fathers in determining the contemporary essence of the American dream. South Africans can look back at a rich tapestry of suffering and struggle under apartheid that finally gave birth to a new democratic nation. Collective memory and a shared history is one of the pillars of nation-building. Nation-building is the work of generations each transmitting the wisdom and epiphany accumulated from their life downwards. With this bequest of inherited memory and wisdom, each generation is progressively wiser than its forebears because of the gift of hindsight. It means that we need not reinvent the wheel and that we can recognise pitfalls on our path and avoid them. A lack of regard for history breaks the continuum of collective wisdom, rendering us both blind to our past and to our future. A lack of historical awareness does not simply diminish the quality of education our children are receiving; it also impoverishes public discourse. Much of the tenor of public commentary and punditry on our shores these days is needlessly negative and pessimistic, largely because there is no larger contextual sense of where we are coming from. We must seriously begin to remedy this deficit in how we raise our children and in how we frame public discourse. What the commemoration of June 12 does, therefore, is that it avails us of an opportunity to interrogate a seminal event in our history, to seek out new dimensions of wisdom that can be gleaned with the benefit of hindsight. It offers us an opportunity to reflect upon how far we have come and how far we have yet to cover on the road before us as a nation.

Beyond Abiola In commemorating June 12, we are doing more than celebrating the life of Chief Moshood Abiola although his life is certainly worthy of celebration. It is impossible to discuss June 12 without dwelling however briefly on the man who was most closely connected to that date. Indeed, his personal odyssey helped imbue that date with its significance. Abiola was known as one of the wealthiest tycoons of his day, with friends and traditional chieftaincy titles from everywhere across the nation. His generosity was legendary as were his philanthropic

Fayemi

HE BECAME THE SYMBOLIC VESSEL OF A POPULAR DISCONTENT WITH THE FAILED PROMISES OF MILITARY

DICTATORSHIP.

SO FOR US TODAY, REMEMBERING JUNE 12 MEANS MORE THAN REFLECTING ON

ABIOLA’S QUEST

AND HIS HEROIC ADHERENCE TO PRINCIPLE exploits. Because his rise was a quintessential rag to riches story, it resonated with Nigerians who believe that no condition is permanent or that the circumstances of one’s birth need not necessarily dictate the opportunities of his life. Ever mindful of his beginnings, Abiola retained an earthy, empathic disposition towards the less endowed that made him accessible to the lower strata of society. His own life’s journey which had taken him from the clutches of poverty to the heights of wealth and fame also made him a complex public figure brimming with contradictions. He was a capitalist as well as a populist, as adept at boardroom maneuvers as he was with engaging with market women. He was fluent in the corporate-speak of the rarefied heights of the business world, on good terms with the civilian and military elites and had friends in every corner of the globe. Yet, he had an admirable facility with proverbs that endeared him to the common people and made him an impressive communicator. When he sought the highest office in the land in 1993, that pursuit put him on collision course with the forces of martial tyranny. The nullification of his victory and subsequent incarceration until his demise formed the final chapter of a full, event-

ful and accomplished life. Nevertheless, it would be wrong to see June 12 as being simply about Abiola’s politics. It is more than that. His pursuit of power intersected with the popular Nigerian yearning for democracy. He became the symbolic vessel of a popular discontent with the failed promises of military dictatorship. So for us today, remembering June 12 means more than reflecting on Abiola’s quest and his heroic adherence to principle even when all hope of regaining his mandate seemed to have been extinguished. It means contemplating the eruption of democratic energies that propelled Abiola to victory and sustained a pro-democracy movement for years until the end of military dictatorship. Some observers have referred to June 12 in almost mystical terms. For example, my friend, the journalist Dapo Olorunyomi wrote in 1994: “It is unlikely if politics, ethno-national relations, and social discourse can be the same again after the events of 12 June. Here is an instance of what philosophers are wont to characterise as the sudden leap in history – the turning point of time. In comparative intensity only the anti-colonial struggle and later the Nigerian civil war threw up as much passion and emotion. If there was one idea therefore that could pave the path to a Nigerian nation and by consequence, its literature and culture, June 12 had the full potential.” In a similar vein, the renowned essayist Adebayo Williams remarked: “For Nigeria, then, June 12 is the equivalent of a midnight child, a monster infant. As we have seen, it is a date imbued with mystical portents. It is a destiny. How we handle it will surely determine Nigeria’s survival.” These turns of phrase towards the metaphysical and the spiritual were simply ways by which the writers sought to convey the transcendental significance of June 12 and the momentous events that followed in its wake. In the months after the nullification of his victory, Abiola himself came to realise that June 12 transcended his entirely legitimate and rightful claim to the presidency. The quest to actualise his mandate had morphed into a broader movement embodying larger questions such as where sovereignty resides. Indeed, in one sense the June 12 debacle can be summed up as a struggle over the true location of sovereignty in Nigeria - whether it was in the bowels of a bankrupt military establishment or whether it lay with the people. The coalescence of disparate civil society actors and political players of various shades under the umbrella of a broad pro-democracy movement sought to answer that question in favour of the people. The unyielding message of the pro-democracy movement was that sovereignty belonged to the people not to a military cabal. Only the people – the authentic repository of popular will – could legitimise authority through the exercise of electoral choice and their democratic bequest of power to those they had anointed. These were some of the issues that were thrown up by the June 12 debacle. These issues transcended Abiola and account for why the pro-democracy movement did not wither away after his incarceration. TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW

Wednesday, June 12, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Clashes as Turkish police move into square

“We don’t use foreign intelligence agencies to circumvent local laws and illegally spy on our citizens.” -- NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER, JOHN KEY

Protest over lawmakers’ pay raise continue in Kenya

WORLD BULLETIN

U.S. sanctions four Hezbollah supporters in West Africa

enyan civil society groups have staged their second protest in less than a month against the decision by legislators to increase their own salaries. The protesters insist that what the members of parliament are paid is enough. Demonstrators at the Kenyan parliament Tuesday poured animal blood on the street and tossed fake printed money at the gate, symbolizing the greed of the Kenyan lawmakers. Musician Eric Wainaina, who was among more than 100 protesters, said there are other workers who deserve a pay rise more than legislators. “We are here to campaign against the higher salaries MPs want to give themselves because the economy of Kenya cannot afford it and there are so many people who need to be aligned -- the doctors and the nurses and MPs are putting themselves ahead,” he said. This is the third time that lobby groups held demonstrations against the lawmakers. Last month, they paraded pigs outside parliament as part of their protests. Gaberiel Mayeye, 58, believes demonstrations will make a difference and will stop the lawmakers from abusing their power even further. “How do we know that if we leave this to continue one day they will wake up and say that they will not leave this parliament forever? So we are just trying to prevent it before it comes worse,” said Mayeye.

Kenyan demonstrators, marching towards parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday as they protest against what they see as the greed of their legislator leaders. Photo: VOA

Nelson Mandela’s daughter, Zindzi Mandela arrives yesterday at the hospital where Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: AP

Security tightens as Mandela spends fourth day in hospital

•He is a good fighter. He’ll be with us very soon –Zuma PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

s the former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela spends his fourth day in a Pretoria hospital, security has been beefed up at the entrance and within the hospital premises, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN reports that more members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Metro Police have been deployed to the hospital where Mandela is believed to be on admission. Police are searching and scanning all cars entering the hospital premises. Meanwhile, yesterday South African President Jacob Zuma says Nelson Mandela is “very serious but stabilised” in hospital and that “all are praying” for his recovery. Zuma said the doctors were doing a “very good job”, adding that the former president was a “good fighter”. The 94-year-old is spending his fourth day in a Pretoria hospital suffering from a recurrent lung infection. Relatives, including his exwife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, visited the ailing former leader on Monday. The former president has

been in intensive care since he was admitted to the hospital on Saturday for the third time this year. Referring to Mandela as “the father of democracy in South Africa”, Zuma said: “We need him to be with us and I’m sure all the messages that have been pouring in to wish him a speedy recovery are highly welcome. “And I’m sure, knowing him as I do, he is a good fighter. He will be with us very soon.” Zuma was speaking in a televised interview broadcast on Tuesday evening, having been given a “thorough briefing” on Monday by Mr Mandela’s doctors. Zuma said: “I was very confident that they know what they are doing and they are doing a very good job, whilst he is very serious but he is stabilised and we are all praying for him, really, to recuperate quickly. “We need him to go with us,” added the ANC leader. In December, Mr Mandela spent 18 days undergoing treatment for a lung infection and gallstones. Maharaj said Mandela was receiving intensive care for doctors and other members of the medical team at the hospital. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zu-

ma, AU Commission chairperson, has added the AU’s voice to the millions of well-wishes for Mandela. The AU boss in message wishing Mandela a speedy recovery said: ``I am sending him our fervent prayers and numerous get-well-soon messages from the members of staff of the Commission, its organs and peoples of the Union. ``We are giving him courage and urging him to carry on. We will continue to pray and look forward to the Madiba’s speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and we wish him a speedy recovery just as we also pray God to give his family strength to shoulder on in this trying times,” Dlamini-Zuma said. Meanwhile, a South Africa newspaper, Sowetan has reported that Mandela’s home village of Qunu was preparing for throngs of visitors. The newspapers report that some residents were preparing to turn their homes into homestay accommodation, as they said there might not be enough place in the village should the ailing icon die. Villagers, who did not want to be named, told the newspaper there were only three bed and breakfasts (B&B) in the icon’s village home.

The United States imposed sanctions on four Lebanese citizens yesterday, accusing them of fundraising and recruiting for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in West Africa. The U.S. Treasury Department said the four men were sanctioned for effectively acting as “ambassadors” for Hezbollah, which Washington considers a terrorist group. They were acting in Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and the Gambia, it said. The sanctions mean the men are effectively cut off from the U.S. financial system and any dealings with U.S. citizens. The move is part of a multi-year probe that has exposed what the U.S. government says are tight links between South American drug traffickers and Middle Eastern militant groups such as Hezbollah.

Ethiopia dismisses Egypt’s psychological warfare on dam Ethiopia dismissed Egyptian talk of military action against a giant dam it is building on the Nile as “psychological warfare”, and said yesterday it would defend itself and carry on with the work regardless. Bellicose rhetoric between two of Africa’s most populous and fastest-growing nations has raised fears of conflict over water, though both sides are also pursuing diplomatic compromise over what would be the biggest hydro electric plant on the continent. Responding to a speech on Monday by President Mohamed Mursi, in which he said Egypt did not want “war” but would keep “all options open” to avoid losing any water, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “This sort of bragging won’t divert our attention.”

Timbuktu damage to Mali historic sites underestimated –UNESCO A team of experts in Mali says damage to Timbuktu’s unique cultural heritage under rebel control is much worse than was first estimated. The UNESCO team travelled to the city for the first time since systematic attacks by Islamist militants who occupied it until early this year. They say Timbuktu is completely degraded and that more of its famous mausoleums than previously thought are damaged. Many more manuscripts are also missing. The mission of the UNESCO team was the first step towards reconstruction of Timbuktu and the safeguarding of its heritage.

News

Riot police clash with anti-G8 protesters in London

Briefs

US whistleblower Snowden fired

Government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton said yesterday that it has fired Edward Snowden, the employee who leaked details of a secret National Security Agency surveillance program. The McLean, Va.-based firm said in a statement that it fired Snowden on Monday “for violations of the firm’s code of ethics and firm policy.” It said he had earned a salary of $122,000 a year. The firm called Snowden’s actions “shocking” and said he had been a Booz Allen employee for less than three months. Snowden has identified himself as the person who leaked topsecret information. He fled to Hong Kong in hopes of escaping criminal charges. Booz Allen provides consulting services, technology support and analysis to U.S. government agencies and departments. Last year, 98 per cent of the company’s $5.9 billion in revenue came from U.S. government contracts. Three-fourths of its 25,000 employees hold government security clearances. Half the employees have top secret clearances.

16 killed in explosion at Kabul Supreme Court A suicide bomb attack in Kabul has killed at least 16 people and injured more than 40 others outside the Supreme Court, Afghan police say. The attacker drove a car packed with explosives at buses that were carrying court staff, including judges. In a statement sent to the BBC, the Taliban said they carried out the attack, saying it had killed judges who “obey Western powers”. It is the second big attack in Kabul carried out by the group in two days. On Monday, seven insurgents, including suicide bombers, laid siege to the main airport for four hours before they were killed. The Taliban appear to be demonstrating that they can still hit high-profile targets in the city, despite a heightened alert in the run-up to a handover of full security control to the Afghan government next month.

Gorbachev in hospital for tests A spokesman for Mikhail Gorbachev says the 82-year-old former Soviet president is in the Kremlin’s hospital for tests. Vladimir Polyakov told The Associated Press that Gorbachev was taken to the hospital in suburban Moscow on Tuesday. He said the tests were routine and did not give further details. Gorbachev complained of health problems at a public lecture in March, and a month later he declined to attend the funeral for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher because of illness. Since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev has run a foundation for political, social and economic studies.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Protesters stand over the barricade during clashes in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, yesterday.

Photo: Reuters

Clashes as Turkish police move into square T

urkish riot police moved yesterday into the central Istanbul square at the heart of 10 days of anti-government protests, firing tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of protesters armed with rocks and fireworks. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan declared he would not yield to the protesters. In a further sign of the effect the crisis has had on financial markets, the central bank said it would intervene if needed to support the lira. “They say the prime minister is rough. So what was going to happen here? Were we going to kneel down in front of these (people)?” Erdogan said after the action began. “If you call this roughness, I’m sorry, but this Tayyip Erdogan won’t change.” Police backed by armoured vehicles moved soon after dawn into Taksim Square, site of the initial protest against government construction plans 10 days ago which sparked the worst un-

• Erdogan says won’t yield rest in decades. Bulldozers cleared barricades, but by early evening hundreds of protesters remained on one side and black smoke from bonfires of rubbish and plastic mingled with tear gas. Demonstrators skirmished with police. Tear gas drifted into the lobby of an upmarket hotel, overwhelming some guests who were moved to the basement. What began as a protest at redevelopment plans for Gezi Park, a leafy corner of the square, has grown into an unprecedented challenge to Erdogan. Victor in three consecutive elections, he says the protests are engineered by vandals, terrorist elements and unnamed foreign forces. His critics say his unyielding talk has made the crisis worse. “A comprehensive attack against Turkey has been carried out,” Erdogan told a parliamen-

tary group meeting of the AK Party he founded in 2001 and led to power in 2002. “The increase in interest rates, the fall in the stock markets, the deterioration in the investment environment, the intimidation of investors - the efforts to distort Turkey’s image have been put in place as a systematic project,” he said. Thousands packed into Gezi Park, now a ramshackle settlement of tents at the edge of the square; among their number leftists, environmentalists, liberals, students and professionals who see the development plan as symptomatic of overbearing government. Despite the street protests against Erdogan, he remains unrivalled as a leader in his AK party, in parliament and on the streets. Many protesters call for his resignation, but others say they just want to moderate his exercise of power.

iot police clashed with anticapitalist protesters in running confrontations through the streets of central London yesterday and arrested 32 people as activists targeted some of the world’s biggest companies before next week’s G8 summit. About 100 protesters gathered outside oil company BP Plc’s headquarters, while others chanted “war criminals” at the office of U.S. defence company Lockheed Martin Corp. Police used chainsaws to break into a four-storey block in the Soho district where the StopG8 protest group had been staying before a “Carnival Against Capitalism” to coincide with the G8 meeting in Northern Ireland. Aerial footage showed a man on the building’s flat roof confront three police officers and charge towards the edge before being wrestled to the ground. Several more police, some wearing abseiling ropes, rushed over to restrain him, inches from the roof ’s unprotected edge. More officers carried away the man, who appeared to have a bloody face. The roof-top drama came as other protesters - who had threatened to target hedge funds, banks and multinationals - played cat and mouse with riot police through some of London’s most fashionable streets. “The G8 is just a front for the corporatocracy, for the kleptocrats. It is about making them more money and dividing up the world so they can all get richer,” said a protester at Piccadilly Circus who gave his name only as Silver Fox. “The G8 should be about ending all the wars - why don’t they give peace a chance for once?” Police vans chased groups of shouting protesters down Oxford Street, one of London’s main shopping areas, to the visible shock of tourists and shoppers. Police said they had arrested 32 people for offences including criminal damage, assault on police and possession of an offensive weapon.

German floods could cost insurers $4 billion

amage from the past week’s flooding in Germany likely will lead to insurance claims of up to 3 billion euros ($4 billion), a credit rating agency said yesterday as flood levels on the Elbe river in the country’s north appeared to stabilize. Further south, the peak of the flood on the Danube — Europe’s second-longest river — moved away from the Hungarian capital, Budapest, toward Serbia. The Elbe, the Danube and other rivers have overflowed their banks following weeks of heavy rain, causing extensive damage in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Fitch Ratings said that the total cost to insurers of the floods

Houses standing in a flooded area by river Elbe in the enclosed village Fischbeck, central Germany, yesterday. Photo: AP

in Germany alone is likely to total between 2.5 billion and 3 billion euros. That’s well below the expected total cost of the flood damage, which Fitch put at about 12 billion euros. It said the difference is down to the fact that many residents in flood-prone areas may have been

unable to get insurance cover for natural hazards, at least at a reasonable price. There was no immediate estimate available of the flooding’s cost in the other central European countries affected. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the governors of the

country’s 16 states plan to discuss the aftermath of the floods at a meeting Thursday. Waters were receding on the Danube in southern Germany, while the crest of the swollen Elbe river is now making its way through a largely rural swath of the country’s northeast. Yesterday, flood levels in the eastern city of Magdeburg were more than 2 feet (about 70 centimeters) below their peak, and water levels further downstream were largely stable. The Interior Ministry said that German authorities have ordered more than 1.6 million unfilled sandbags from other European countries in recent days to help keep pace with their needs.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Amosun commends development strides in Ogun

“There are still a lot of things to be done in the education sector because, in some places in Gombe, students still study under trees.” GOMBE STATE GOVERNOR; IBRAHIM DANKWABO

Fulani herdsmen remanded for killing woman WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja has remanded two Fulani herdsmen, Anaruwa Illiyasu, and Abdulrahman Yusuf in prison custody for allegedly killing a woman, Mallama Hajo Illiyasu. The Magistrate, Mr Levi Animoku ordered that the accused persons be remanded at Koto- Karfe Prison after taking their plea.

The prosecution told the court that the duo, on June 4, conspired, armed themselves with guns; shot and killed the deceased. The deceased who was said to be on her way to Lokoja to sell milk was cut down and she fell and died on the spot. Mallama Hajo who was also the wife of the first accused, Illiyasu, was alleged to have been practising witchcraft. The accused persons were charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide

contrary to sections 97(1) and 221 of the Penal Code,even as the accused pleaded not guilty. The police Prosecutor, Mr. Ganagana submitted that investigation into the case was in progress and asked for adjournment as he opposed granting of bail to the accused. He said the alleged offence was not bailable moreso, the court had no jurisdiction to try the case and therefore urged that they be remanded in prison custody.

Animoku in his ruling, said culpable homicide was the highest known crime to our laws and it carried death penalty. He said that section 341 of the criminal procedure code precluded the court from granting bail to the accused and consequently ordered that Illiyasu and Yusuf be remanded at Federal Prisons, Kotonkarfe. Animoku adjourned the case to June 26 for further mention.

Pedestals of a flyover bridge under construction at Itoku, Ogun State

PHOTO: FRANCIS SUBERU

We are trained to manage emergency situations -Army FRANCIS SUBERU

he Nigerian Army School of Signal Corps has said its personnel are equipped at handling information as regards emergency situations especially in the wartorn northern parts of Nigeria. The Deputy Commandant and Director of Training, Colonel Kayode Umaru, made this disclosure at the inauguration of the Nigerian Army mid-year exercise for 194 trainees. Tagged ‘Exercise Hope’, the week-long exercise is to be conducted in the general area of Apapa, Mile 2, Ojo and Badagry area of Lagos State and is aimed

at testing participants at understanding of signal communication in formation headquarters deployed in the field. According to Umaru, the exercise is in line with the contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation at the moment and as such, the trainees were taken through disseminating of information in countering terrorism and insurgencies. He said, “The exercise often comes after six months training, adding that at the end of the training, students are taken to the field to test their capabilities. “The nature of the exercise lays emphasis on radio communication and it would involve movement of the troops to the

exercise but without their rifles. The exercise would test them in communication support in both in the brigade headquarters and divisional level. “After a period of six months in the classrooms with an interlude of minor exercises, we are taking them to the field where there is a semblance of realism to what they will experience in real life situations.” On the fate of trainees that might fail the exercise, Umaru stressed that they were optimistic of the success of all the candidates, adding that such measures like the after action review ensures that the weak ones are grounded before the exercise.

NDDC to boost food production SAM OLUWALANA

he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has purchased 100 tractors for distribution to ministries of agriculture in the nine Niger Delta States to boost food production. The Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh disclosed this after inspecting the tractors in Port Harcourt. He announced that plans were on to inaugurate 11 completed hostel blocks out of 18 in various higher institutions in the region, while the Ibeno road with a 600m span bridge and side-drains in Akwa Ibom State were ready. Making reference to the tractors, Dr. Oboh said for Nigeria to tackle youth unemployment and be self sufficient in food production, it must embrace mechanised farming. “We are determined to properly engage our youths in line with the transformation agenda of the President through agriculture. To support this, NDDC has acquired more than 100 tractors to support various ministries of agriculture in the nine states of the region to boost food production”. Dr. Oboh said. The NDDC Boss also revealed that the commission would be partnering government of comprising of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta to establish rice farms.

Masquerade leaders arrested for stealing KEMI OLAITAN

IBADAN

wo adherents of a masquerade in Ibadan have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly shooting and dispossessing a man of valuables worth N127, 000. Community Mirror learnt that Aare Olukunmi Egbelade of SW3/726A, Bode area and Monsuru Abiola of Ayeye were arrested with a dane gun. Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Ilobanefor , said Egbelade fired a shot into the air to scare people away,

and in the process, dispossessed a man of phone sets. A complainant (names withheld), said he saw the suspects assaulting people and warned them against the act, but rather than heed caution, they beat him up and stole a Blackberry handset valued at N75,000, a Nokia handset valued at N19,000, a Sagem handset valued at N8.000 and cash of N25,000, all valued at N127,000. It will be recalled that the police command had earlier warned leaders of the masquerades to desist from any act capable of causing public disturbance, during the ongoing annual festival.

Community Mirror

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun recently embarked on a project inspection tour in the state. In the three-day tour from June 4-6, the governor visited communities in all the 20 local government areas, as the people came out en masse to welcome his entourage. Communities visited on the first day were AyetoroOlodo-Ilara-Ijoun-EeguaIbeseIlaro-Ota-Ado-Odo, while Ilisan-Ago Iwoye -Ijebu Ode-Itele- Sagamu were visited on the second day, the third day saw him visiting Magboro-IbafoIseri-onikolobo-Onijanganjangan-Lafenwa-ItokuSapon-Abiola way The work-in-progress tour was the governor’s second since assuming office and also part of his admin-

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Amosun inspects projects istration’s demonstration to achieve great strides in all areas of the five -Cardinal Programme of Mission to Rebuild Ogun State. However, during the tour, the governor touched those five-point programmes that included affordable qualitative education, efficient healthcare delivery, increased agricultural production/industrialisation, affordable housing and urban renewal, and rural and infrastructural development/employment generation. One area obvious to the communities and visitors is the Rural and Infrastructural Development Programme. The state could be described as a huge site following construction projects in every Senatorial district. During the tour, the gov-

Amosun

ernor and his entourage visited old roads that were being rehabilitated as well as new ones being constructed. Over 400km of rural roads have been opened up in the 20 local government areas of the state. Some of the on-going projects included: Sagamu / Benin Express JunctionOba Erinwole Junction; Ilishan / Ago-Iwoye road; Moshood Abiola Way;

OGTV–Brewery Road; Ilara/Ijoun/Egua/Oja Odan/ Ilase Road; Ilo /Awela; Mobalufon – Ejinrin Road; Ojere-Asero; Abiola WayMuda Lawal Stadium; Magboro Road; Moriamo – Olorombo; Lafenwa-Ayetoro; Ofada/Mowe/Ibafo Road; and construction of flyover at Lagos Garage along Folagbade Street and Mobalufon Junction along the Sagamu – Benin Expressway. As the government’s response to the return of major missionary schools to the churches by the last administration, which pushed over 22,000 secondary school students out of school, a set of 18 model secondary schools are under construction at various locations across the state. The schools, which are the first of the 28 model schools being planned by

the state government, are at various stages of completion. Some of the communities where the schools are located are Ilaro, Onijanganjangan, Itele, Ado-Odo, Yemoji,Idi-Aba,Ifo etc. The health sector was not left out as the existing institutions are being renovated, while new ones are

being built. For instance, the government also embarked on the construction of 10 secondary hospitals across the nine federal constituencies of the state. One, which is the pilot project, has been completed in Abeokuta and is being equipped with modern hospital equipment. It will be replicated, according to the governor in all the nine federal constituencies, and are at various stages of construction.

NEMA warns of heavy rainfall in Gombe DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

he Assistant Head of Operations of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA in Gombe State, Hajiya Zainab Umar Aliyu has called on governments to take the warning by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, of possible heavy rainfall this year seriously. She stated this at an interactive session following the seasonal rainfall prediction of 2013, saying people also must heed to the warning to avoid a reoccurrence of the past.

Hajiya Aliyu said the warning is a call to adequate preparation by all stakeholders so as to minimise adverse consequences as the heavy rains may fall as predicted. “The fact that the rainy season is taking off on a normal note, is no reason to take the warning for granted. We should learn from last year’s experience when it all looked normal from the onset,” she said. She therefore advised the public never to ignore the things they hear or see in the media regarding the flooding and other natural disasters. Zainab Aliyu also reiterated the need to avoid building and dumping refuse on water ways and other activities that will constitute obstruction to free flow of water. She said NEMA will continue to ensure that Nigerians avoid disasters by taking all necessary precautionary measures.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NIPOST retirees protest non-payment of pension MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

t took several hours of appeals by the Acting PostMaster-General (PMG), Yacim Bitiyong, to pacify retirees of Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) who stormed the institution’s headquarters in Abuja yesterday to demand payment of their pensions, including gratuities and severance package. The protesters comprised retirees and those who fell victims of the 2006 downsizing policy of the Federal Government. Led by two Assistant General Secretaries of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Messrs Bunmi Ogunkolade and Ahmed Gazani, the protesters blocked the entrance of NIPOST headquarters, calling for urgent intervention from the institution’s leadership. In an interview with National Mirror, a former chief supervisor with the parastatal, Aminu Adamu, said the protest was as a result of backlog of arrears, harmonisation and failure of the relevant agency to pay the pension, among others. He said: “We have been on

North

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

this issue since 2010. We are all retirees. Federal Government approved N1.7 billion for NIPOST pensioners in February this year. There was a memorandum duly signed by the Post-MasterGeneral that this money would be paid when the budget is approved. Now, the budget has been approved and we did not hear anything. “March came; they said we should wait till April. April came; they said we should wait till May. May came; they are now telling us that there is a committee they set up. We are tired of all these. That is why we are here. We came here to remain until our problem is solved.” But the Acting PMG said: “The issue in question is a national issue and it is being handled by the government at the centre through various agencies. “The approach of management of Nigerian Postal Service has been one of understanding of the situation of the pensioners, understanding of the situation in each and every agency of government that is involved in the issue of payment of pension.

UN House bombing: FG stalls suspects’ trial ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

he long awaited trial of the four men suspected to have masterminded the August 20, 2011 bombing of the United Nations’ Building in Abuja was stalled yesterday at the instance of the Federal Government. The four accused persons are Salisu Mohammed, Inusa Mukailu, Danzumi Haruna and Abdulsalami Adamu. It will be recalled that the well-planned attack on the building killed 23 persons with several others injured. The government told

the court yesterday that the exhibits it wanted to tender in evidence for the trial was not available, while one of the two witnesses scheduled to give evidence was in Jos, the Plateau State capital. The prosecution counsel, who pleaded that her name should not be mentioned, asked the court for an adjournment on the grounds that she could not provide all the needed exhibits, including a key witness to testify in the case. It was reliably gathered that the prosecution would rely on the exploded Honda CRV Jeep, its registration

number plate Kano AV 38 NSR and photograph of the suspects as exhibits which were said to be under police custody and yet to be made available to her. She said: “My Lord, I am afraid, I am a little bit handicapped because we were unable to put our house in order. The letter we wrote to the police requesting the materials and other exhibits could not get to them on time. In view of this little constraint, I ask for a short adjournment to enable us put our house in order.” Though the prosecuting counsel brought one

witness, Mr. Ibrahim Agu, she said the other expected to testify is a Divisional Police Officer in Jos. She said: “We are bringing two witnesses in this case, one is here, but the other one is in Jos and we have sent signal to him.” But the suspects, however, protested what they described as their long detention without trial. Their counsel, Ken Obiduruzo, spoke with journalists after the case was adjourned, saying he is confident that the four suspects would get justice. The case was, however, adjourned till October 9 and 10.

Mantu heads new PDP group to propagate govt’s achievements OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ormer Senate Deputy President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, has been appointed the chairman of a new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group launched yesterday in Abuja. The group is to propagate the achievements of the PDPled Federal Government. Inaugurating the PDP Reloaded Group, the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said that the suspension of the River and Sokoto states governors was not out of vengeance, but a disciplinary measure. He urged members of the PDP to embrace peace so as to encourage the party forge ahead with its developmental programmes. Receiving the flag of authority from Tukur at the inauguration, Mantu lamented that the achievements of the PDP-led government at all levels of government had not been given enough publicity. According to him, the opposition parties had taken ad-

vantage of the poor publicity to government programmes to stress the negative aspect of governance. Meanwhile, a right activist, Daniel Richards, has flayed the leadership of the PDP over its decision to set up a panel in Taraba State to investigate the health condition of Governor Danbaba Suntai. Richard, who told journalists in Abuja that the exercise was a foul play, wondered why PDP did not set up similar panels in Enugu and Cross River states when their governors were absent from their duty posts for some months. He said: “Why didn’t the party do the same in Enugu or during the late Umaru Yar’ Adua’s illness? It is the same PDP; it is the same constitution the party is operating. It is foul play. And I challenge Bamanga Tukur and his team to tell Nigerians why they are contemplating setting a panel in Taraba State to investigate Governor Sutai’s health. “There is foul play in this and I challenge Tukur to tell me why he decided to remove some governors through dubious means.”

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, during a visit to the governor in Jos, yesterday.

WOLE ADEDEJI

ILORIN

he police in Kwara State have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 25-yearold man in Ilorin, the state capital. The man’s death was said to have been suspiciously linked to an alleged clash with a 39-year-old primary school teacher. The deceased, whose name was given as Kolawole Olanrewaju, reportedly engaged in the clash with the teacher, Bashir Aduragba, after an argument between them. The duo engaged in the argument following some refuse allegedly dumped beside the deceased’s house.

Man killed in brawl with teacher Olanrewaju’s house and the teacher’s school share boundary. It was learnt that Olanrewaju, whose wife was recently delivered of a baby, decided to stop people from dumping refuse at the site by clearing the place. But shortly after, a pupil came with some refuse to dump at the site. The pupil’s action infuriated Olanrewaju, who reportedly beat him up with a warning to stop dumping refuse at the place. When the pupil returned to the school and narrated the incident, the teacher stormed Olanrewaju’s house in a fury to challenge him. A fierce argument, which thereafter ensued between the two people, reportedly

degenerated into physical combat. An eye witness said, who did not want his name mentioned, said that shortly after the two men were separated by neighbours, the teachers returned to hit Olanrewaju hard with an object. The witness said Olanrewaju collapsed immediately and died on the spot. But another source claimed that Olanrewaju did not die on the spot. The source said Olanrewaju slumped in his room after the fight and he was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. He said that the teacher, who had gone to invite the police to arrest Olanrewaju for the bruises on his

nose, ended up being arrested by the police when they discovered that Olanrewaju had died. The police spokesman, Olufemi Fabode, confirmed the incident, adding that detectives had begun investigating the issue. Fabode said that the police are awaiting a postmortem report on the deceased to ascertain the cause of his death.

Police IG, M. D. Abubakar

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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6,000 to get free eye treatment in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

One of the beneficiaries of NEMA relief materials collecting an item from a soilder in Jere, Borno State recently.

Emergency rule: Activist, lawyer sue FG, telecoms firms

DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

he Federal Government and the four leading telecommunications companies have been taken to court because of the disruption of Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, services in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. This followed the declaration of state of emergency in the three states by President Goodluck Jonathan on May 4. The President of the Civil Rights Congress in Kaduna, Comrade Shehu Sani, and a Gombe State-based legal practitioner, Mr. Ibrahim M. Attahir, filed the suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe. Joined in the suit are MTN Nigeria Limited, Airtel Nigeria Limited, Globacom Nigeria Limited, Etisalat Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation. Though all the seven respondents were not in court when the case was mentioned, Justice Babatunde Quadri, after listening to the petitioners’ counsel, Luka

Haruna, ruled that the applicants had to seek leave of court before they could serve the respondents. Speaking with journalists later, Haruna explained that steps had been taken to rectify the process of serving the respondents. He said: “What we are to do now is to apply for the leave to serve them and to serve them outside Gombe State, that is, in Lagos and Abuja which we will do without wasting time. “The case we are here for is on behalf of the citizens of Nigeria and the entire people of the world. “We are saying that the emergency rule proclamation in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe has infringed on the rights of the people which amounts to de-

privation of right of expression for the entire citizens of Nigeria thereby violating and threatening the fundamental human right to freedom of expression including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information of the applicants and other Nigerians as guaranteed under Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).” Meanwhile, the new Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tudu Abdullahi Nma, has vowed to make criminals uncomfortable in the state. Nma made the pledge while parading 30 suspected members of “Yan-Kalare”. The commissioner, who expressed his determination

to get rid of the Yan-Kalare boys, promised to build upon the current peace in the state. He added that not a single member of the Yan-Kalare group would escape from the law. Nma said the 30 suspects, among them two young girls, had confessed to committing various atrocities, including killing and maiming several innocent people in Gombe metropolis. The commissioner promised to eradicate crime in the state, adding that he would leave no stone unturned in his bid to achieve this. Nma said his doors would remain open 24 hours for the public to furnish the command with useful information that could assist in the control of crime.

Family loses three children to Sokoto building collapse

ragedy occurred in Adarawa area of Dange town in Sokoto State when a building collapsed and killed three children of the same parents. The structure caved in as a result of wind and rainstorm in the early hours of Sunday. The victims are Zahara’u

Abu-Malam (15 years old), Yusuf Abu-Malam (nine) and Zainab Abu-Malam (seven). The Chairman of DangeShuni Local Government Area, Alhaji Magaji Bodai, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Dange yesterday that two of the children died on Sunday while the third one died on Monday at

a hospital following injuries sustained from the incident. Bodai said he had visited the area and condoled with the family of the victims. The chairman, who described the incident as an act of God, prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for the family to bear the loss.

NPC to register newborn babies in remote villages HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

he National Population Commission, NPC, said it had concluded plans to carry out registration exercise of newborn babies in remote areas in the 23 local government areas of Benue State. The state Director of NPC, Mr. Daniel Biam,

who disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Makurdi, the state capital, yesterday, also sought the cooperation of traditional rulers to ensure speedy compilation of data and success of the exercise. Biam said the exercise was aimed at having an update of the current statistics of number of children both in the urban and rural areas

as well as to record cases of deaths with a view to having the accurate figure of children in the state. The director sought the cooperation of the Benue State Traditional Council and the paramount ruler of Tiv nation, the Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula. He urged Torkula and his chiefs to enlighten their subjects on the need to embrace

the exercise in their localities. Biam, who disclosed that the exercise would soon commence across the state, said the commission would ensure that no one was left out. According to him, in the advanced countries it is only through the birth certificate that a person is identified as a citizen.

bout 6,000 people with various eye problems are expected to benefit from the N85 million free eye care treatment to be sponsored by the Niger State Government and the MTN Foundation on Eye Treatment. While the state contributes N31 million, the MTN Foundation is expected to bring in N64 million for the project. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Baba Minin Sule, who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting in Minna, said his ministry would soon embark on sensitisation of the people. Sule explained that before the treatment which would take place at the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, beneficiaries would go through

a screening exercise in the three geo-political zones of the state. The commissioner said patients in Zone ‘A’ would be screened in Bida and Mokwa councils, those in Zone ‘B’ would undergo screening in Minna and Suleja councils, while screening for patients in Zone ‘C would hold in Kontagora and New Bussa local governments. He said 2,000 people would be treated for cataract, 2,000 would be given reading glasses while another 2,000 would be treated for minor problems. Sule added that the state won the eye treatment intervention of the N64 million from the North-Central due to the numerous efforts of the state in providing healthcare for the people. This, according to him, followed an advertisement placed by the telecommunication company, calling on interested states to apply.

FG inaugurates Gombe N12.6bn road projects FEMI ADEOSUN AND DANJUMA WILLIAMS

he Federal Government yesterday inaugurated three road projects worth N12.6 billion in Gombe State. The projects include rehabilitation of Gombe Numa - Yola Road section 2, emergency reinstatement of collapsed section of Gombe Potiskum Road and Gombe by-pass. Speaking while inaugurating the projects in Gombe, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, urged the people to ensure sustainable use of the roads. Onolememen also promised to work with the state government to extend the airport road to a dual carriageway, saying doing so would not only enhance business activities, but also reduce carnage on the road. While lauding Gombe State Government for providing the needed conducive environment for the speedy completion of the road projects, the minister said the Federal Government would continue to give its other projects in the state priority attention. He said: “The commissioning of the three road projects is consistent with the Federal Government’s

determination to open up Nigerian roads to boost economic activities. “Road construction and rehabilitation are the integral part of the present administration’s transformation agenda and government will not shy away from its responsibility to bequeath to the nation, motorable roads.” Onolememen also inspected some of the ongoing road projects being carried out by the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government. Responding, Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for delivering the three road projects on time and urged him to also give priority attention to other roads in deplorable condition. He said: “I wish to express our profound appreciation to the Federal Government for rehabilitating some parts of the Gombe - Numan Road and to also remind the minister that the outstanding stretches from Gombe to Kaltungo and Yolde to Numan remain of critical importance to us in Gombe State. “The palliative repairs carried out last year at the prominent washout point at Gada Uku (KM 53) survived last year’s flood.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cocktail

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (160) “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” –Mother Teresa *** Love Is The Key Love! Love!! Love!!! Love is what makes the world go round. Love is powerful. Love never fails. Love is the key that unlocks the heart of any mortal being. I always believe that everyone needs love. As a matter of fact everyone has an invisible placard hanging on his or her neck saying, “Love me!.” I need love. You need love. That’s it! I believe that all experiences of life have come to teach us love. Love is the peak of revelation. My deepest desire in life is to know how to progressively love God, love my fellow being as I love myself. But I have also noticed that no one can really love without pain. Perhaps that’s why people love so little. The motivation should be that if we can really love, we will become so powerful and relevant in the universe just like God who is Love!

Oddities

Japanese man walks 25,000 miles around the world

Japanese man has returned to Shanghai, China, 4 1/2 years after setting out on a nearly 25,000mile, round-the-world walk. Masahito Yoshida,

32, of Tottori set out from Shanghai with his two-wheeled cart on New Year’s Day 2009 and walked to Portugal, where he then took a flight to the East Coast of the United States and

TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Woman marks 90th birthday with skyscraper walk

Canadian woman celebrated her 90th birthday by taking the Edge Walk in Toronto, walking along the 1,197 1/2-foot tall ledge of CN Tower. Betty Convery had three generations of her family on hand to

watch her daredevil stunt Sunday at the top of the Toronto skyscraper, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday. Convery said she plans to top the stunt next year by going skydiving for her 91st birthday.

Yoshida began his journey on New Year’s Day of 2009.

walked to Vancouver, British Columbia, Kyodo News reported Monday. Yoshida then hiked across Australia before starting at the southern part of Southeast Asia on his return trip to

Shanghai. Yoshida said he plans to walk another 310 miles to Taiwan before calling his journey finished and returning home to Japan in August.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

I think I am mending well and looking forward to a great outing at the Wimbledon Championship

Pillars in pole position

- BRITISH TENNIS STAR, ANDY MURRAY

Grand Prix: Okagbare expected in Warri

…USA, Jamaica arrive YEMI OLUS

N Super Eagles’ striker Brown Ideye (r) waltzing past a Kenyan defender when both sides clashed in Calabar in March. It ended 1-1.

Brazil 2014: Eagles battle warriors

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

determined Super Eagles’ squad is ready to square Brave Warriors at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek today as the African champions battle for the maximum points in the crucial World Cup 2014 qualifier slated for 7pm local time today. The home team is still mathematically in with a chance of earning the lone ticket from Group F into the 10-team African final elimination round and will give the Nigerians a fight despite losing head coach, Roger Palmgren, who resigned his job on Sunday. The Eagles, who have been in the Namibian capital since Friday shaping up for this encounter trained at 7pm local time yesterday and there was no doubting their readiness for the match that would serve as dress rehearsal for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament kicking off on Sunday in Brazil. Nigeria got the better of Kenya in Nairobi last Wednesday, thanks to a late goal by Ahmed Musa, and the West Africans are looking towards another win to consolidate in Group F which has Malawi also contending for leadership. Namibia had suffered a lone

goal defeat in the reverse fixture in Calabar, although Nigeria laboured for the win after the Southern Africans proved a hard nut to crack in the largely drab encounter. Meanwhile, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has enjoined the Eagles to go for early goals in today’s encounter to put the match the beyond the host nation. “It would be great if we can get the goals early and then control the game the way we want,” Maigari told the players after their last training session yesterday. “This is your last match before

rave Warriors’ interim coach, Ricardo Mannetti, yesterday said he is confident of getting a good result against Nigeria in their Group F World Cup 2014 qualifier in Windhoek today. Mannetti, who took charge of the team following the resignation of Roger Palmgren, said this after the Warriors’ training session last night. Mannetti’s appointment was confirmed by the Namibia Football Association on Sunday evening and he prepares to take his first bow

the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament and it would be wonderful if we can go into Brazil on a high,” the NFF boss added. Since coming into the saddle 20 months ago, Keshi has not lost a competitive match with Nigeria, the only two losses being the 3-2 defeat by Egypt in a friendly in Dubai in April 2012 and a 1-0 loss to Peru in an international friendly in Lima the following month. The Nigerian team will depart for Johannesburg tomorrow to connect a flight Sao Paolo, Brazil where they play their first Confederation Cup game with Tahiti on Monday.

igeria’s reigning queen of track, Blessing Okagbare, will make a special appearance at the 2013 CAA/Warri Grand Prix on Friday. Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, who made this disclosure in Lagos yesterday, said the top athlete’s appearance was aimed at boosting the youths that would throng the competition venue. “She will not compete, she will only serve as face of the competition to encourage the youngsters,” Nesiama explained. The AFN official, who also spoke on the National trials scheduled for next week in Calabar, said that invited athletes would fight for spots in the Nigerian team. The athletes include Gloria Asumnu, Ajoke Odumosu, Regina George, and Amaka Ogoegbunam. Others are new female discoveries, Stephanie Kalu and Ndu Ugonna, while Fred Agbaje, Nurudeen Selim, Abiola Onakoya and Noah Akwu are male athletes. Nesiama said athletes who failed to make the required standards would not get automatic tickets “Home-based athletes have

been well prepared to challenge for places in the team and might cause upsets should their compatriots abroad take them for granted,” he remarked, adding that Nigeria would send the second national male 4x400m relay team to the Grand Prix holding in Dakar, Senegal. Meanwhile, USA and Jamaica are early birds as athletes arrived yesterday commended arrival in Nigeria to compete for honour and cash at the Warri Relays and Grand Prix slated for Warri Township Stadium. Athletes from Great Britain, Ghana, Fiji Island, St. Vincent, Ethiopia, Morocco, Mauritius, and Ghana are expected to arrive in Lagos today and fly to Warri tomorrow morning. The meet’s premium events are the Men- 100m, 400m, Women-100m, 400m, 400m H with the winner going home with $4,000. Second placed athlete will receive $3,000 while those that finish third to eighth will get $2,000, $1,500, $1,000, $800, $500 and $400.

Okagbare

Namibia coach eyes victory facing an enormous task to stop Nigeria’s march to Brazil World Cup next year. He said Palmgren’s resignation came as a shock, but that he remains focused on the job at hand. “I worked with Roger for two weeks and the knowledge he has about football is enormous and I learned a lot,” Manetti said. “So for me as well it was a shock that he resigned but as a Namibian fan and a Namibian coach I think that we should not be in shock. We

should not let what happened with Roger become a stumbling block for us to give a good performance against Nigeria on Wednesday evening. “That has been my plea to the national team, that we must take hands and that we must forget about Roger. We have to roll up our sleeves, and give it our all.” Mannetti was, however, adamant the Warriors would give Nigeria a tough fight. “It will be very tough against Nigeria. We will respect them but we are not go-

ing to roll over and let them come and dictate matters here. “The boys are up for a fight and we will be warriors for the entire 90 minutes. But the Namibians’ injury list however continued to grow as Oliver Risser and Manfred Starke both seem unlikely to play, even as team doctors have assured otherwise. The recalled Risser injured his knee during training while Starke contracted a heavy bout of flu.

Sport

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SuperSport gears for Confed Cup A NDREW E KEJIUBA

Olympian Chika Chukwumerije was among the European tourists

Taekwondoists due from tour YEMI OLUS

igeria’s taekwondo practitioners who embarked on a training tour to Europe last month are expected back in the country after participating in the Swiss Opens which took place between June 7 and 8 at Lausanne, Switzerland. Current African +87kg Taekwondo Champion, Uche Chukwumerije, Joy Ekhator (-49kg), Sunday Onofe (-80kg) and Segun Olushola (-68kg) participated in the event aimed at exposing young athletes to international standards.

Chukwumerije competed in the +80kg category and won a bronze medal, having lost out in a keenly contested match to eventual gold medallist, Kristopher Robert Uy of Phillipines, in the semi finals. However Onofe, Olushola and Ekhator lost of in the first round, largely due to inexperience. Olushola lost to Canada in the sudden death round after the bout ended 5-5 in normal regulation time. He got to the second round penultimate week at the Austrian Opens. Onofe lost 7-5 to Belgium while Ekhator was defeated 13-1 by Croatia.

The athletes had previously taken part in the Austrian Open where Beijing 2008 Olympics medalist, Chika Chukwumerije, won the +87kg division while his brother, Uche, claimed silver after stepping down for the younger sibling. The three-time Olympian did not compete in Switzerland after picking up a minor ankle injury during the Austrian Opens. The International training tour is part of the build-up to the 2015 All Africa Games and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Cycling: Team Nigeria banks on Cyclefest A FOLABI GAMBARI

igeria Cycling Federation (NCF) is hoping to exploit the Cyclefest Race billed for Sunday in Lagos to discover cyclists that will represent the country in future competitions. The race, which is also sanctioned by the Lagos State Cycling Association, is the first privately- organised bicycle race in Nigeria and will be competed for in male professional, female professional, male recreational and female recreational. NCF Technical Director, Bashir Mohammed, said yesterday that the race would enable he young cyclists to showcase their talent and skills during the championship where lots of prizes await the winners. “The federation coach

hopes to use the competition to select cyclists that will represent Nigeria at the 2013 African Cycling Championship in Egypt and the ECOWAS International Cycling Tour from Lagos to Senegal in September and November respectively,” Muhammed added. Meanwhile, founding member of Lifestyle Cycling Club, Port Harcourt, Mr. T. Iboroma Akpana, has said that the sport will not remain same after the maiden race. “This bike race is inspiring a whole generation to challenge themselves to a life of better health and a sustainable environment,” he said. Organiser, CycleShop Limited, also disclosed that about 250 cyclists from 16 states and four cycling clubs would compete on 270km of roads to be covered by the different categories while of-

ficials from the NCF will keep the time. The routes will take National Stadium-Eko Bridge-Marina-Bonny Camp-Ahmadu BelloBar Beach-1004-FalomoBourdilon-Foreshore-3MBOworoshoki-Ojota-Otedola Gardens-Alausa- Awolowo Way-Allen.OpebiSheraton-Bank AnthonyAirport-Agege Motor Road-Oshodi- AnthonyMaryLand-Ikorodu RoadWestern Avenue back to stadium Participating states include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Kaduna, Gombe, Nassarawa and Borno. Others are Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Rivers and Imo. Lifestyle Cycling Club (Port Harcourt), Cycology Cycling Club (Lagos), Road Runners and Recreational Cycling Club (Lagos) and Old Bastids (Nigeria) make up the participating clubs.

s Nigeria prepares to represent in this year’s Confederation Cup tournament slated for Brazil from June 15 to 30, SuperSport has assembled football experts and analysts to provide professional coverage of the event. The team include former Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Oliseh, Shaun Barlett and Sammy Kuffour. Others are Doctor Kumalo, Mark Fish, Andre Arendse and others who will offer analysis during the competition. Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, will be expected to steer the Nigerian side to glory after his success at Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B of the FIFA Confederations Cup with Spain, South America champion Uruguay and Tahiti.

Stephen Keshi will steer Eagles’ in Brazil

The event will be staged in six venues across Brazil and will be used to test the country’s readiness for the forthcoming World Cup next year. It is a second appearance at the competition for the Eagles, who finished fourth when the tournament was held in Saudi Arabia in 1995 and was still known as King Fahd Cup. Nigeria will meet Tahiti on June 17, face Uruaguay on 20 and squares Spain on 23.

Group A has host Brazil, European championship runners-up Italy, Mexico and Japan. Brazil will get their campaign underway against Asian champions on June 15 and end the group’s campaign against Italy on 22. Group A winner meets the runner-up of Group B and vice-versa in the semi-finals, with the final to be staged at the Maracana Rio de Janeiro on June 30. Cameroun is the only African side to have reached the final of the tournament in 2003, but lost 1-0 to France. Aside from Nigeria’s fourth place finish almost two decades ago, South Africa also claimed that position on home soil in 2009, as did Cote d’Ivoire in 1992. The DSTV’s coverage would be anchored by Charles Anazodo, Robert Marawa and Neil Andrews including onehour per match build ups on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mourinho hits at Iniesta

helsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, yesterday criticised Barcelona star, , after the latter claimed that the former damaged Spanish football during his reign at Real Madrid. Mourinho’s spell in the capital was littered with controversy including rows with the press, his own players and an unsavoury incident where he poked then Barcelona assistant coach Tito Villanova in the eye. In total, Mourinho won three trophies in Spain with Barca claiming seven in the same time period but the 50-year-old still believes Iniesta’s comment was the result of sour grapes. “I damaged Spanish football by being the manager that broke Barcelona dominance,” Mourinho joked. “They were dominant and dominant and dominant and it looked like it was dominance without an end. Real Madrid won the Cup final against Barcelona, Real Madrid win the Super Cup against Barce-

lona, Real Madrid won in Barcelona ona and Real Madrid adrid won the he championship which is the historical chamampionship of 100 pointss and 121 goals.” Mourinho also nho guided Real eal to the Champions ns League semi-finalss in all three of his seasons in charge and, while he failed to o land the ultimate prize, the former Inter ter Milan boss is proud oud of his tenure.

Suarez eyes Madrid switch

ant-away Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez, has admitted that a switch to Spanish club Real Madrid would appeal to him. The Uruguay international is seeking a summer exit from Anfield after growing disillusioned with his treatment in England-on the back of a string of controversies. The Reds insist they have no intention of sanctioning a sale, but their hand may

be forced if a tempting offer is lodged and Suarez pushes for a move. He is reluctant to speculate on where he sees himself playing in 2013/14, but concedes that it would be difficult to turn down the chance to turn out alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Santiago Bernabeu. “Of course I would like to play with Cristiano Ronaldo because he’s a great player. You never know, but it’s complicated,” Suarez said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Nigeria Premier Nig League with

Cricket

IIKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com NPFL Standings – Week 7

Pillars in pole position

...Kwara, Bayelsa in chase

Pillars’ star, Rabiu Ali

he NPFL enters its 18th week as log leaders Kano Pillars lead the chase in the fixtures holding in the 10 venues across the country. Pillars maintained their summit position grabbing a point in the 1-1 draw at Dolphins on Sunday to shot their points to 32 on the log, four better than Kwara United lying on second spot. The defending champions had in the midweek encounter last week thrashed troubled Gombe United, and look too good to replicate their fine form against basement team Lobi Stars in Kano this afternoon. It will surely take a miraculous swing if the visitors claim a victory at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Pillars don’t seem to miss the services of club’s leading Gambo Mohammed, who is on national duty with the Super Eagles in Namibia, as the likes of Rabiu Ali, Kabiru Umar and Munir Ubale continue to fire in the much needed goals for the two-time league champions. Second-placed Kwara United will be visitors at Akwa United, who were banished to Rogenny Stadium, Oba, Anambra State, for the rest of the season as a result of fans’ trouble in their least league game against Warri Wolves. The fans had invaded the pitch and assaulted the centre referee causing the game to be abandoned after just 45 minutes. The odds favour Bayelsa United to get a favourable result to maintain the standing on the log. The Afonja Warriors have continued to maintain a good run this season and will surely capitalise on the LMC sledge hammer on their hosts to get a good result. Third-placed Bayelsa United had shrugged off an early indifferent showing to fight their way to the top of the log. The newly-promoted side are one of the bad travellers in the league this season but have shown great character

at home winning all their home games so far this season. The visiting Gombe United, themselves bad travellers, will surely have a mountain to climb at the Samson Siasia Stadiu, Yenagoa, on Thursday. The 2009 league champions, trailing Kwara United with just two points could upstage the Ilorin-based side should the latter falter at Akwa United and they send Gombe United back to base emptyhanded. Five clubs with same 25 points occupy the fourth place to eighth place and home victories in the fixtures involving the clubs, will only make the positions change on the log. Heartland are the only home team among the clubs and they will entertain Nasarawa United and could catapult themselves to third place should they claim outright victory. The Naze Millionaires spent just few weeks on top of the log before they capitulated to Pillars following their 1-0 loss in a rescheduled encounter in Abuja two weeks ago. The Owerri-based side will be without two key player – Benjamin Francis – who is currently on national assignment with the Super Eagles. Big striker Obinna Nwachukwu, who was dropped from the Eagles side could return in the game.# Six-time champions Enyimba, one of the five clubs on 25 points will only do themselves a world of good should be compound the woes of bottom-placed Sharks to keep a touching distance on the top of the log. Currently placed fifth on the log, the People’s Elephants have had their wages slashed as a result of poor results especially on the road and only a victory in Port Harcourt, will force the management to rescind the decision. Little or nothing will change on the log in their other fixtures involving clubs in the mid table and foot of the table.

Pos

Team

Pts

Kano Pillars

Kwara United

Heartland

Bayelsa United

-3

Enyimba

Dolphins

Nasarawa United

-3

Gombe United

-6

Rangers

Sunshine Stars

Warri Wolves

Akwa United

-2

Nembe City

-4

Kaduna United

-5

3SC

ABS F.C.

Lobi Stars

-4

El-Kanemi

-3

Wikki Tourists

-8

Sharks

-10

Akwa United slammed for crowd trouble

kwa United have come under the LMC sledgehammer for the crowd troubles that led to the abandonment of the clash against Warri Wolves last Sunday. The home fans had invaded the pitych and assaulted the centre referee who called off the game after just 45 minutes. Akwa United were leading 1-0 when the fans inexplicably spilled on the pitch and pounced on the referee, causing the game to be abandoned. Akwa United have been banished from Uyo to Rojenny Stadium Oba for the rest of the season and they are to pay the sum of 200,000 Naira to each of the assaulted match officials. Top league official Salihu Abubakar said: “Decisions have been taken over Akwa United following their fans assault on match officials during their game against Warri Wolves. “Akwa United have been banished from Uyo to Rojenny Stadium for the rest of the season and that will start with their Week 18 game against Kwara United. “The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but has been shifted to Thursday due to short notice. “They will also pay each of the assaulted match officials 200,000 Naira. They will also pay for the damaged advert board at the stadium.” Abubakar also disclosed that the assaulted match officials could go to court to sue those who assaulted them and that more sanctions may still be placed on Akwa United.

Week 18 Fixtures Today Sharks

Enyimba

3SC

Kaduna Utd

Wikki Tourists

Dolphins

Kano Pillars

Lobi Stars

El-Kanemi

Rangers

Tomorrow Heartland

Nasarawa Utd

Sunshine Stars v

Nembe City

ABS FC

Warri Wolves

Akwa Utd

Kwara Utd

Bayelsa Utd

Gombe Utd

Penalty miss shocks Odah

nugu Rangers forward, Onoriode Marshall Odah, is shocked that he failed to convert a penalty during Sunday’s derby against Heartland in the NPFL. Odah was left embarrassed by his second half spot kick cockup, but salvaged his image with a stunning goal that left Heartland substitute goalkeeper, Ebele Obi, helpless. “I was confident of scoring the penalty. However, I was surprised the ball didn’t go in,” the former Under23 striker regretted. Shortly after Odah’s miss, Heartland reduced the tally through Tochukwu Esom. However, Odah got a chance to make up for his earlier mistake and finished well to give his side a 3-1 victory.

WORLD RECORD

Water speed record (fastest boat) Vol. 03 No. 641

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

A season of controversies

his is a season of controversies generated both by individuals and group actors. First to roil the waters with his gung-ho and no- holds barred style was the former military President, Muhammadu Buhari. He was quoted to have blamed the ongoing mayhem in the country on Niger Delta militants rather than on the Boko Haram sect. For Buhari, the blame for the pervasive insecurity now lurking all over Nigeria should be placed at the doorsteps of Asari Dokubo and his co travelers rather than on Shekau and his band of jihadists. According to him, while the Niger Delta militants are fighting to dismember the country and set it back to the Stone Age, the rough and tumble band of fundamentalists in the Northeast are merely reacting to the injustices meted on them by President Goodluck Jonathan.

N150

The official world water speed record is 275.97 knots (511.11 km./h, or 317.58 mph) by Ken Warby in the unlimited-class jet-powered hydroplane Spirit of Australia on Blowering Dam Lake, New South Wales, Australia, on 8 October 1978.

he National Sports Commission (NSC) has described the development of the amateur sports as key to mass youth participation in sports activities, reports JOEL AJAYI in Abuja. Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who spoke

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

Such simplistic analogy from someone who has been a constant fixture and persistent front runner for the presidency, beggars belief and speaks volume of the nadir into which our politics and intellectual discourse have sunk. In the quest to defend what he sees as the larger interest of the North, the former general is unwittingly confirming our worst fears that his world view is coloured by a grisly perception of seeing those outside his ethnic and religious group as demons and infidels. His swashbuckling style and enduring sense of entitlement has been the propelling factor in all his political utterances and actions right from his days in the military. Given such atavistic disposition, how does one reconcile Buhari’s mirror image of a statesman with his real image of die -in –the- wool ethnic irredentist? Sadly, this later image has continued to magnify his personality and is getting worse as his desperation for office in 2015 becomes more acute. Sadly, his political stock would continue to diminish if he embarks on such divisive tendencies. While the faux pas by Buhari is still lingering, we are once again saddled with another controversy, this time by the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution headed by Senator Ike Ekweremadu. In the document, it recommended single six year term tenure for elected President, Vice President, governors and their deputies. Moreover, it stated inter alia that where a Vice President-elect or Vice President succeeds the Presidentelect or the President, he or she shall not be eligible to contest for the office of the President in any subsequent capacity.

PRESENTLY, THE FOUR YEAR TENURE IS SEEN AS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UNBROKEN CHAIN OF MEDIOCRITY AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE PAST

14 YEARS

Since going public, this document has set off shrill cries, innuendoes and even vitriolic comments from across the political divides. More disparaging is the fact that ethnic groups and regional bodies have come out to rail against it, especially the aspect calling for single six year tenure. Definitely, the recommendation was not oblivious to insinuations of ethnic and regional agenda. Like everything Nigerian, it is bound to cause and court controversy, given the various political interests involved. Opponents say it would institutionalise corruption and lousy governance by incumbents, given the fact they will not be going back for reconfirmation of mandate after expiration of their tenure. They insist that if accepted, it would open a vista for tyranny and dictatorship by office holders, as incumbents will be unencumbered by the constitution to wreak havoc on their opponents and society as a whole. Moreover, this school of thought pos-

its that infrastructural development would take a back seat in the consciousness of the incumbents, as they embark on the looting of the nation’s resources. In the end, they espoused that the present four year tenure copied from the United States of America remains the best and only way of salvation for the country. These arguments are not only academic; they contain a mish mash of baloney. There is something inescapable about the crude and provincial nature of their proponents. They see the single six year tenure as abridging their political hegemony and consigning their grip on power to the dust bin. How? They want the present system to continue as it gives them untrammeled control of government at the national level, while the six year single term tenure would keep them away from political power for longer, especially as they see it as a way to rotate the presidency among the geopolitical zones. Who says the model cannot bring out the best in any incumbent? Presently, the four year tenure is seen as responsible for the unbroken chain of mediocrity at all levels of government for the past 14 years. All we see of incumbents is that they start scheming for a second term immediately they win their first tenure. All their actions and activities are directed at securing another term at all cost. In the process, governance and welfare of the electorate have become an afterthought. It would therefore, be germane to remind those against the single six year term to know that Mexico and The Philippines practise the single six year term tenure and have been making political and economic progress. Since their presidents are aware that history would judge them irrespective of the length of tenure, they hit the road running immediately after being sworn in. Because their legacy is predicated on the 72 months in office, they strive to leave lasting monuments for which they would be judged. The problem of Nigeria is not the length of tenure, but what the leaders do with it.

Sport Extra

Commission harps on amateur sports yesterday at the on-going midterm report of 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, noted that the series of programme embarked upon by his administration would to bring the lost glory back to sports.

“During the last National Sports Festival in Lagos, I set up an athlete’s observatory group whose main task was to discover athletes with potential to be world-beater,” Abdullahi recalled.

“That is why we are focusing on the grassroots to take care of the developmental component of the festival and we have put in place mechanism for the establishment of national

under-17 games. “A better structured grassroots sports will need a larger platform like the national under -17 competition for the children to showcase their talent.”

Abdullahi

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