Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

FG approves final bidders for power firms

Hurricane Sandy disrupts presidential campaign

Abdulsalami loses Eko, Ikeja Discos

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

Sambo

he National Council on Privatisation, NCP, has approved

Vol. 1 2 N0. 115 480

preferred bidders for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria successor Generation Companies, GENCOs, and Distribution Companies, Discos, saying that

Corruption in oil sector:

since the state governments would have a stake in the companies, the governors should not express any fear that they would be excluded

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Passengers stranded as Arik, United cancel US flights P.6,44

Tuesday, October June 7, 30, 20112012

N150 N150

Heads to roll over Ribadu report â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Presidency Jonathan orders task force to submit report on Friday

OBIORA IFOH AND ROTIMI FADEYI

he Presidency has expressed determination to punish those who have been identified by the Nuhu Ribaduled Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force on the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday also directed that the report of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Newspaper proprietors sue APCON over harassment L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa; Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council on Privatisation, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Minister of State for Power, Mr. Garius Ishaku and Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media, Umar Sani, during a press conference on the outcome of the NCP meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

17 ships arrive Lagos with 520,053 tonnes of fuel P.6

P.4

111 bombing victims discharged from hospitals

Alison-Madueke

Four killed, seven injured as gunmen storm relaxation joint in Plateau Crash: AIB storms Zaria Aviation College

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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111 bombing victims discharged from hospitals OMEIZA AJAYI, AZA MSUE AND JAMES ABRAHAM

total of 111 victims of Sunday’s bomb attack in Kaduna have been treated and discharged from three of the hospitals they were admitted. Eight persons were confirmed dead and 146 injured when a suicide bomber rammed his car on St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Unguwan Yero, Malali, in the Kaduna metropolis. The 146 victims were admitted at Barau Dikko, St. Gerard’s and 44 Military Hospitals in Kaduna. National Mirror learnt that only 35 of the injured victims were still receiving treatment at the three hospitals yesterday. The figure was released during a visit to the hospitals by officials of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. The Administrator of St. Gerard’s Hospital, Sister Theresa Dung, said that 14 victims were brought to the hospital and two had been discharged. Dung said that four of the victims on admission at the hospital were children. At the Barau Dikko

Hospital, the CAN officials were told that out of the 97 victims of the bomb blast, only 18 were still on admission. The leader of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Aly Ouattara, who was seen treating some of the victims, said that the hospital had discharged 79 patients. Officials at the Army Hospital also confirmed that 30 patients had also been discharged while five were still receiving treatment. The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Samuel Kujiyat, said: “In this situation, we are also grateful to God because we cannot question Him for allowing the attack. “We are giving thanks because the attack was not more than this and we pray for the speedy recovery of the victims.” Kujiyat dispelled the rumour on the death of the St. Rita’s Catholic Church priest, adding that “he is alive and stable at the Multiclinic Hospital in Kaduna.” The state governor, Patrick Yakowa, yesterday said terrorist group wanted to make Nigeria ungovernable. Yakowa stated this while speaking with reporters shortly after he visited hos-

pitals where victims of the attack were receiving treatment. He called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan to end terrorism in the country. Yakowa also urged residents to expose terrorists to security agencies, adding that the attack was not due to security failure. He said: “They are more than 1,000 worshippers in that church on Sunday, then imagine if they succeeded? “It is not the failure of security agents. Terrorists are bent on terrorising the state and the country. The

blast was heard even in the heart of the town.” Yakowa, however, commended the media for reporting the true situation of the attack. “We thank security agents for responding promptly. I also thank media for reporting what actually happened at the scene. “I read all the media reports. Terrorist action is to bring Northern region backward.” The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and Jama’tu Nasril Islam, JNI, yesterday condemned the bomb attack.

In an e-mailed statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, ACF said the attack was intended to destroy the current peace efforts being made by the youths in Kaduna to bring peaceful coexistence to the state. The ACF also called on aggrieved groups to stop killing others in the name of God and appealed for ceasefire. The statement reads in part: “ The news of the suicide bombing of a Catholic church in Kaduna, which took place on Sunday that resulted in the loss of about

eight people and injured many is totally condemnable because of its inhumanity, especially at a time when the leaders of all religious faiths are agreed that the act of killing oneself and other people in the name of God is not in line with God’s injunction in favour of sacred inviolability of the individual with clear sense of what is right and what is evil.” The statement appealed to religious leaders and youths not to allow the attack to discourage them from their noble efforts at CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Brand Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Atinuke Babatunde; Director, Regulatory Affairs & Special Projects, Osondu Nwokoro; VicePresident Namadi Sambo, and Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, at the concluded International Telecoms Union World Conference in Dubai, recently.

Heads to roll over Ribadu report –Presidency CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

task force should be submitted to him on Friday. The report, which leaked last week detailed massive corruption in the sector, with the alleged loss of about N4.64trn over the last decade. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Presidency said that it was committed to fighting corruption and that there would not be any cover up in the findings of the Ribadu report. He said that President Jonathan had directed that the report be submitted to him on Friday. According to him: “For the avoidance of doubt, the President has neither seen nor received any copy of the Ribadu committee report. “Essentially, what appears to have been irregularly released prematurely to the media is a draft copy,

which still requires full approval of members of the committee and clarifications and due process from the originating ministry before the official handing over to the Presidency. “President Goodluck Jonathan should be commended for his personal resolve to fight institutionalised corruption in Nigeria. “President Jonathan ordered the probe of the oil industry for the period of 10 years (2002 - 2011) which also covers the tenure of his administration. “No president in our history has gone this far and this explains why the rot in our system has persisted for so long. “President Jonathan approved the appointment of a well-known anti-corruption crusader, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who ran against him in the presidential poll on the platform of the Action Congress of

Nigeria, ACN. “It is also noteworthy that the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Supo Sasore, was a former AttorneyGeneral of Lagos State under an ACN government.” Okupe said that President Jonathan’s unwavering and commendable determination to fight corruption was clearly demonstrated by his approval of the appointment of credible Nigerian anti-corruption crusaders and members of the opposition party in the committee. He added that President Jonathan’s efforts had also helped in exposing the fraud in the petroleum subsidy regime dug up by the Aig- Imokhuede committee and that the indicted persons were currently being tried in various courts. “For the purpose of clarity, President Jonathan’s resolve to fight against corruption and dig out all the rots in the system should

not be misconstrued or politicised by the opposition as if it is his administration that is guilty of corruption, rather, he should be commended for taking the bold step that will ultimately sanitise the polity and the system,” he said. Meanwhile, the submission of the report takes place at the State House at 11 a.m. on Friday according to a statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. Two other committees set up by the Federal Government earlier this year on different aspects of the country’s petroleum industry are to also present their reports to the President. They include the committee established to design a new corporate governance code for ensuring full transparency, good governance and global best practices in the NNPC and other oil industry parastat-

als headed by Mr. Dotun Sulaiman and the Committee headed by Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, which was charged with the duty of conducting a high-level assessment of the nation’s refineries and to recommend ways of improving their efficiency and commercial viability. According to the statement, the President would receive the two reports immediately after the presentation of the report of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force. The Special Task Force was set up in February following protests by Labour and Civil Society Groups over the removal of fuel subsidy, which led to hike in the pump price of petrol from N65 per litre to N141. The government eventually reduced the pump price to N97 per litre after a week of violent protests which resulted in the loss of lives and property. The Minister of Petro-

leum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke set up the task force on the orders of the Presidency for the purpose of enthroning transparency and accountability in the petroleum industry in view of fraudulent activities from the subsidy regime The 21-member committee has former Head of Service, Mr. Steve Oronsaye as deputy chairman while other members of the task force include, Mallam Abba Kyari, Ms. Benedicta Molokwu, Mr. Supo Sasore (SAN), Mr. Tony Idigbe (SAN), Mr. Anthony George-Ikoli (SAN), Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Mr. Ituah Ighodalo, Mr. Bon Otti, Prof. Olusegun Okunnu, Mallam Samaila Zubairu, Mr. Ignatius Adegunle and Mr. Gerald Ilukwe. The team was also made up of ex-officio members representing relevant govCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Photo News

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

L-R: Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde; Conference Secretary, Rt. Rev. Dr. Raphael Opoko and Abia State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji, at the investiture of the governor as a Knight of John Wesley (KJW) in Umuahia, at the Weekend.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Ayo Obe; Mr. Bamidele Aturu and representative of Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, during the 5th annual Law and Social Development Lecture of Bamidele Aturu & Co in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

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L-R: President of International Institute for Petroleum, Energy Law and Policy, Mr. Niyi Daniels; Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar; Chairman, Governing Council, Justice Alfa Belgore and former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, during a workshop on Nigerian Judiciary and the Oil and Gas Industry held in Abuja yesterday.

Managing Director, Land Over Company, Capt. Edward Boyo (right) and Sam Iwugioku of Quits Aviation Limited, at the commissioning of General Aviation Terminal at MMA Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Newspaper proprietors sue APCON over harassment K AYODE KETEFE

he Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has filed a suit against the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) seeking to restrain the council from implementing some of the provisions of the APCON code which it considers unconstitutional. In the suit filed on behalf of NPAN by its Registered Trustees, the association is seeking for three declarations and two orders of perpetual injunctions essentially aimed at restraining APCON from giving effect to the provisions of Articles 21 and 137 (a) (b) (c) of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion which was made by the council. The Article 21 of the Code requires that all advertisement except public notices, goodwill messages, obituaries and vacancies must be presented for vetting and approval by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) before publi-

cation while Article 137 (a) and (b) imposes a “minimum fine” of N200, 000 on any media house or agency which publishes advertisements without ASP’s “certificate of approval” Section 137 (c) of the Code further provides that any advertising practitioner who publishes advertisement without ASP’s certificate of approval would be made to face APCON disciplinary procedure notwithstanding the payment of any fine by its client. Apart from APCON, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was joined as codefendant in the suit filed by Mr. A. Labi-Lawal of Tayo Oyetibi & Co. In an affidavit in support of its originating summons deposed to by the General Secretary of NPAN, Comfort Obi, the association averred that the provisions of Article 21 and 137 of the Code are not only onerous on its members, but are also against the freedom of free speech guaranteed to every citizen by the 1999 Constitution. It, therefore, prays the court to bar the council from implementing the

provisions against its members. Obi, in her affidavit, narrated the harrowing experience some media executives from Leadership and Vanguard newspapers were subjected to by the police who invited and interrogated them at different times before releasing

them on bail, apparently at the instigation of APCON. Obi added that the oppressive trend might continue unless the court stops the council and declares its controversial code illegal and unconstitutional. Obi said: “I believe that unless restrained as prayed, the defendants

would continue to harass and intimidate members of the plaintiff/association and their staff with threat of arrest and prosecution in purported implementation of the provisions of Articles 21 and 137 of the aforementioned Code. “I verily believe that APCON does not have the

power to regulate activities of members of the plaintiff or any of their employees who are not registered members of APCON or practising advertising. “I also believe that the provisions of Articles 21 and 137 of the Code are inconsistent with section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

Port Harcourt, Warri refineries get new MDs

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in a bid to reposition the corporation and its key strategic business units, has made some new appoints. In a statement made available to National Mirror and signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Fidel Pepple, NNPC approved the appointment of new Managing Directors for the Port Hacourt Refining Company (PHRC) and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). The new Managing Directors are Mr. Ian Udoh for PHRC and Mr Paul Obelley for WRPC.

The statement said a number of other management workers were also promoted while others were redeployed. It named some of those promoted to include Farouk Ahmed, former Executive Director, Commercial, PPMC, now MD NIDAS; Mr. Samuel Babatunde, former Executive Director of Operations for Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, now Project Director Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas Project; Mr. Abdullahi Dandume, former Executive Director of Operations, Nigerian Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), now Managing Director NETCO; Aliyu Z. Sambo, who

was General Manager M&P now Group General Manager Accounts and Aholu Don Beks, who was promoted Group General Manager, Information Technology Division from his previous position of General Manager Information Services Department. Also promoted are: Dr. Edwin Bako as Group General Manager Medical, Mr. Sylvester Idemudia as Group General Manager Greenfield Refineries, and Okhes K. Jonathan as GGM Power, Benjamin Obaigbena as GGM Research and Development and Dan Efebo as GGM Human Resources. Those redeployed include Gabidon Meheux,

former Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, now Managing Director, NNPC Services; Chris Osarrunwese, former Group General Manager Human Resources, now GGM Downstream Business Development; and mr, Bayo Ibirogba, former GGM Greenfield Refineries, now GGM Engineering. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the posting of five new permanent secretaries as well as the immediate redeployment of 11 others. The five permanent secretaries were sworn into office less than two weeks ago.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

FG approves final bidders for power firms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

from the exercise. The preferred bidders were initially announced on October 16 by the NCP Technical Committee subject to ratification. The NCP also announced the disqualification of Southern Electricity Distribution Company, backed by the Edo, Ekiti, Delta and Ondo state governments, for submission of multiple bids for Benin Disco while Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing, backed by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, had its four initial bid wins trimmed to two. Briefing State House correspondents at the end of its

sixth meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the Chairman Technical Committee of the NCP, Mr. Atedo Peterside, noted that after the completion of payment, the handover of the successor companies to the preferred bidders would conclude the transactions. According to Peterside, the preferred bidders for the GENCOs and Discos would be required to post an additional bid security in the form of a Letter of Credit or Bank Guarantee for 15 per cent of the transaction value within 15 business days of notification from the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE. He noted that the preferred Bidder’s Bank

Guarantee shall be from a Standard & Poors (S&P) or Moody & Fitch “A” rated foreign bank with a correspondent bank in Nigeria or a Nigerian bank rated “A” by a Rating Agency approved by Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and be valid through 21 calendar days after the stipulated proposal validity period or any extended proposal validity period. Peterside disclosed that NCP approved Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited with a bid of $132,000,000 as the preferred bidder for the core investor sale of 51 per cent shares of Geregu Power Plc. According to him, the

President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone (left) congratulating President Goodluck Jonathan shortly after he was decorated with the Honourary Grand Commander of Sierra Leone at the State House, Freetown, yesterday.

NCP also approved that Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, which offered an annual fee of $50,760,665.18 and a commencement fee of $257,000,000 as the preferred bidder for the concession of Kainji Hydro Power Plc. The council also approved that North-South Power Ltd, which offered an annual fee of $23,602,484.87 and a commencement fee of $111,654,534 as the preferred bidder for the concession of Shiroro Hydro Power Plc; The privatization body also approved Transcorp/ Woodrock/Sumbion/Medea/PSL/ Thomassen with a bid of $300,000,000 as the preferred bidder for the core investor sale of 100 per cent shares of Ughelli Power Plc while Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited with a bid of $252,000,000, was also named as the reserve bidder. Similarly, the NCP approved that CMEC/ EURAFRIC Energy JV Consortium with a bid of $201,000,000 as the preferred bidder for the core investor sale of 100 per cent shares of Sapele Power Plc as well as JBN-NESTOIL Power Services Ltd with a bid of $106,500,000 is the reserve bidder. Given that Amperion is the preferred bidder for Geregu Power Plc, NCP also

111 bombing victims discharged from hospitals CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

condemning violent conflict. JNI in a statement signed by its Secretary- General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, implored the security agents to be more vigilant and intensify measures aimed at curbing incessant bombings. “We condemned the act in its totality and call for calm and restrain. It is our prayers that the perpetrators behind the act will never succeed in causing chaos in Kaduna,” it said. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, urged the Federal Government to review its tactics in fighting terrorism in the country, saying Sunday’s deadly bombing has shown the limitation of the government’s current tactics. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the

party said the senseless suicide bombing showed that those perpetrating acts of terror in the country have yet to be curtailed, despite the chest-beating by the authorities over their supposed progress in the fight against terror. While describing as ungodly and cruel the attack that affected mostly children and women in Kaduna, it said the government must urgently evolve a measure that will protect innocent citizens, from the terrorists and the security agencies, and curtail the ability of the insurgents to strike at a time and place of their own choosing. In a related development, gunmen on Sunday night stormed a popular relaxation joint in Barki Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing four people and injuring seven others. The gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen were

said to have gone to the local bar popularly called Burukutu Joint at Gindin Akwati in Gashish District of the council area and opened fire on the customers who were inside the building. A resident, Moses Bot said: “The gunmen just opened fire on all those inside the building. Four people were killed, while seven others sustained serious injuries. The injured are receiving treatment at the Plateau Hospital. “Most of those killed were friends and were just in the bar to unwind when the gunmen struck.” Spokesman of the State Police Command, Abu Emmanuel, an assistant commissioner of police, who confirmed the incident to National Mirror in Jos said one Ali Iliya of Gashe Village lodged a report at the police station at Barkin ladi on the attack. Emmanuel further said

investigation was ongoing to unravel those behind the attack, adding that no arrest had been made. He called on residence to remain calm but vigilant and report every suspicious movement to law enforcement agents Meanwhile, Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro has assured Nigerians of the resolve of the Federal Government to continue to work towards halting the growing trend of bomb blasts and other violent crimes in the country. Moro, who condemned the attack on innocent worshippers in which at least eight lives were lost and 45 others injured, described the act as “horrific, inhuman, barbaric and unwarranted.” He, however, assured Nigerians of the determination of the current administration to bring an end to terrorism in the country.

approved that Feniks Electricity Limited would be the reserve bidder for Ughelli Power Plc subject to their bid being revised to match the reserve price. With respect to the sales of 60 per cent of government’s equity in the Discos, the privatisation body approved KANN Consortium Utility Company Ltd as preferred bidder for Abuja Distribution Company while Benin Distribution Company went to Vigeo Power Consortium as the preferred bidder; West Power & Gas was announced as the preferred bidder for the Eko Distribution Company with Honeywell was approved as the reserve bidder while Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd, was approved as the preferred bidder for Yola Distribution Company. For the Enugu Distribution Company, Interstate Electrics Ltd as the preferred bidder and Eastern Electric Nigeria Ltd approved as the reserve bidder. Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd. was also approved as the preferred bidder for Ibadan Distribution Company with NEDC/KEPCO was approved as the reserve bidder. For the Ikeja Distribution Company, New Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC)/KEPCO was approved as the preferred bidder while Vigeo Power Consortium was approved as the reserve bidder. In the cases of Jos Dis-

tribution Company, Kano Distribution Company and Port Harcourt Distribution Company respectively, Aura Energy Ltd, Sahelian Power SPV Ltd and 4Power Consortium as the preferred bidders in that order while Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd was again approved as the preferred bidder for the Ibadan Distribution Company. No mention was made about the Kaduna Distribution Company as no bidder scaled the technical hurdle while the NCP disqualified Southern Electricity Distribution Company for submission of multiple bids for Benin Disco. The governors of Edo, Ekiti, Delta and Ondo states had blasted the technical committee after the company failed in its bid for the Benin Disco and claimed the process was fraudulent while also threatening to prevent the preferred bidder from operating in their respective states. Meanwhile, Peterside had said that the designated preferred bidders would be invited for negotiations with BPE. He however said that within 15 business days after signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the Shareholders’ Agreement or the Performance Agreement, whichever is earlier, or at a mutually agreed earlier time, the Bidder shall make a down payment of 25 per cent of the share purchase price.

Heads to roll over Ribadu report –Presidency CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ernment agencies including Ministry of Finance, Justice, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Department of Petroleum Resources, and a representative of the NNPC. The committee was mandated to, among other tasks, determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes and royalties, etc.) due and payable to the Federal Government and to take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owed; to obtain agreements and enforce payment terms by all oil industry operators. Other terms of reference for the revenue taskforce

include: *To design a cross debt matrix between all agencies and parastatals of the petroleum ministry; *To develop an automated platform to enable effective tracking, monitoring and online validation of income and debt drivers of all parastatals and agencies in the petroleum ministry; *To work with world class consultants to integrate systems and technology across the production chain to determine and monitor crude oil production and exports, ensuring at all times the integrity of payments to government; and; *To submit monthly reports for ministerial review and further action.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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Ibori’s $15m bribe: Court rejects EFCC’s request to summon Clark ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday rejected a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to summon the Ijaw leader and former Information Minister, Chief Edwin Clark, to explain why he should not be jailed for commenting on a matter before the court. The EFCC specifically

accused Clark of committing contempt ex facie curiae by his scathing remarks on the role of its chairman in the handling of the subject of litigation and was pushing for his imprisonment. The court’s decision came on a day a Nigerian lawyer based in the United Kingdom begged the court vide an application not to release the US$15 million bribe to the Federal Government on the account

that another set of government officials would re-loot the money. Clark had, on September 25, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, for being untruthful in the $15 million bribe allegedly offered by former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, to Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer EFCC chairman. He also adduced reason

for his claims that the $15m bribe belonged to the Delta State Government. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Clark, who listed what he described as the contradictions and lies in the EFCC affidavit about the Ibori’s $15 million bribe, said: “The affidavit, sworn on August 10, 2012 by Bello Yahaya, a police officer attached to the EFCC on behalf of the anti-corruption agency, put the anti-corruption agency

not only in ridicule, but portrays it as an agency not transparent, competent and committed to war against corruption. “In paragraph seven of the affidavit, he claimed, ‘that I know as a fact that the said $15 million is an unclaimed property and no one has claimed or shown any link to the sum’. “This is not true as in September 2009, the Delta State Elders and Leaders’ Stakeholders’ Forum, in

a protest march that took them to the Central Bank of Nigeria premises in Abuja, submitted a written petition to the Governor of Central Bank, urging him to refund the money to the Delta State Government as James Ibori as an individual could not have raised the said huge sum.” The comment had not only diminished the integrity of the anti- graft agency but also indicted Lamorde.

17 ships arrive Lagos with 520,053 tonnes of fuel FRANCIS EZEM AND CHIDI UGWU

L-R: Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commmission (UBEC), Prof. Charles Onocha, Director-General, State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Ekpeyong Ita and Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, during the minister’s visit to the SSS headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria gets N54bn EU grant to improve governance

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he European Union, EU, yesterday granted EU260 million (about N54 billion) to Nigeria as part of its sustained efforts to improve governance and public service delivery in the country. The grant is provided for the EU Niger Delta Support Programme and the Support to State and Local Governance Reform Programme, SLOGOR. The Niger Delta Support Programme will gulp EU200 million while SLOGOR will get EU60 million. The Niger Delta Support Programme is designed to support nine states in the Niger Delta - Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo and Ondo - to address the main causes of the unrest

through improvement in governance. The programme will support the affected states to strengthen their public expenditure management systems, enhance skills and opportunity for youth employment and provide access to socio-economic services such as safe, adequate and sustainable water and sanitation, among others. SLOGOR will focus on improving transparency, accountability and quality of public finance and human resources management systems in six EU focal states of Anambra, Osun, Cross River, Yobe, Jigawa and Kano. It will build the capacities and processes of these states in public finance programming and management, and at local level, towards improvement in social services delivery. Speaking shortly before the financing agreement

was sealed between the country and the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Dr. David MacRae, the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, explained that the grant was coming at a time when its usefulness in current national development agenda could not be over-emphasised and assured the donors of judicious use of the funds through participatory involvement of all stakeholders, including benefitting communities. The minister described the signing of the agreement, which had been delayed for a while, as a proof of Nigeria’s preparedness for the implementation of the critical projects in the affected states nationwide and expressed the hope that they would impact positively on the lives of the people. In his remarks, MacRae said the additional sup-

port to Nigeria was expected to assist the country’s efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs’ targets in critical areas of safe water and sanitation in the EU focal states in particular. Noting that the delay in implementation of programmes could affect the five-year target set for the implementation of the programmes nationwide, the Envoy said EU and other development partners would do everything to ensure that the 2017 deadline was feasible. MacRae, who spoke on the targeted projects and their implementation modalities, pointed out that the fund “is a grant of the European Union and we are going to use it to assist the states, the local governments areas where we are working to help them deliver those essential services, especially to attain the MDGs”.

uel scarcity in parts of the country may soon disappear as 17 shiploads of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, have arrived at the Lagos port. Long queues of vehicles have persisted in most filling stations across the country, including Lagos and Abuja, with many of them raising petrol price from the recommended N97 per litre to between N110 and N120. Details of vessels expected at the Lagos Pilotage District released by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, showed that 17 vessels laden with 520,053 metric tonnes of the product were either discharging or

about to berth at various oil terminals within Lagos. A ship called Handy Tanker Marvel is expected to discharge 82,000 metric tonnes of petrol at the Single Buoy Mooring while another vessel, Admiral L, is to discharge 28,000 metric tonnes at the Atlas Cove Jetty. Another ship, Cape Velton, laden with 22,000 metric tonnes of petrol is to discharge at Bulk Oil Plant terminal even as MT Torm Charente is expected to discharge 29,000 metric tonnes of fuel. Similarly, MT St Petri has arrived with 35,920 metric tonnes of PMS, Cape Bacton is to discharge 32,000 metric tonnes while MT Androussa is expected to discharge 24,000 metric tonnes at the New Oil Jetty.

Passengers stranded at MMIA, as airlines cancel U.S. flights OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ore than 100 passengers were stranded yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, because of cancelation of United States-bound flights in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy. It was gathered that most of the passengers, who were supposed to fly out of the country, were informed of the cancellation of their flights because of the hurricane predicted to hit most of the cities of the East Coast of the United States yesterday. Two American carriers, United Airlines and Delta Airlines operate daily flights to Lagos from New York and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively. At press time, it was learnt that United Airlines has can-

celled its Lagos to Houston Texas flight while Delta Airlines was yet to do so. Also, the sole Nigerian carrier to the United States, Arik Air, cancelled all its flights from Lagos to New York. Apart from these airlines, those operating stopover flights from Lagos to the East Coast of U.S. like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Etihad Airways also cancelled their flights. The Arik Air spokesman, Mr. Adebanji Ola, confirmed the cancellation of flights to New York. Ola, however, said all its passengers to the United States were duly informed since Friday, adding that the airlines would only resume flight operations to the country when it was advised to do so by the appropriate authorities.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

N6.6bn contract scam uncovered in N’Delta Ministry OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

group under the auspices of the Anti-Corruption Network yesterday said that it has uncovered an alleged N6.6bn contract scam at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Some of the projects, according to the group, include contract for the Canalisation of OdoubouBololou Creek project at the Ogbaba-Gbene Burutu Local Government of Del-

ta State at N1, 259 billion, contract for Land Reclamation Shoreline Protection at Ogbobagbene at the cost of N2.431 billion and contract for Canalisation Training of FoupoloBubu Ndoro Creek Project in Burutu at the cost of N2.370 billion. Speaking with journalists on the alleged contract scam, Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption Network, Hon. Dino Melaye, said the non-existing projects were all paid for by the ministry.

Melaye alleged that the fraud would not have been perpetrated successfully without the involvement of the Ministry of Finance. His words: “The perpetrators of the deal could not have succeeded without a satanic collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.” The executive secretary, who described the level of fraud in government agencies and ministries as mind-boggling, said the

latest contract scam rocking the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs posed a serious challenge to the present administration’s fight against graft. Apart from writing a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the alleged fraud, the former House Representatives member said that the group would soon prefer charges against the minis-

try in court. “We will soon write a petition to the EFCC and the ICPC to report the monumental fraud in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The level of fraud going on in the ministry is satanic and we will not fold our arms even as our commonwealth is being siphoned before our very eyes. We are ready to expose corruption in every department, ministry and agency of government. We will continue to expose corruption at all the levels

‘Suntai’s aides responding to treatment’

Ministry partners SSS to curb books’ distribution fraud IJEOMA EZEIKE

MARCUS FATUNMOLE

ABUJA

etermined to check diversion and fraud in the distribution chain of the Federal Government/Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) free instructional materials for basic education institutions across the country, the Federal Ministry of Education yesterday entered into a working partnership with the State Security Service (SSS). Under the partnership, operatives of the SSS at the 36 state commands and Abuja will participate in the distribution of free textbooks meant for the 774 local government areas right from the handing over of the textbooks and resource materials to the states by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC officials. Speaking at the headquarters of the SSS in Abuja, during a visit to the Director-General of the SSS, Mr Ekpeyong Ita, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, said the direct involvement of security agencies at the highest command level became necessary because of the illegal actions of officials of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) found to have diverted the books meant for the less privileged Nigerian children. He appreciated the SSS for the success already recorded in Niger State where three SUBEB officials are being prosecuted for diverting books meant for the state.

of governments,” he said. Also decrying the alleged fraud, former House of Representatives member, Mr. Independence Ogunlewe, said it is high time for Nigerians to rise to up to the challenge of the fraud scourge. In particular, he said the funds that usually go to private pockets in the name of corruption was enough to provide the needed amenities that would serve public interest rather than a few who had vowed to milk the country dry.

Cross section of Kalabari National Forum during a protest on unconstitutional intent to balkanise and excise oil producing communities in Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ondo poll: ACN’ll not contest election result –Akande OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said that it would not contest the outcome of the October 20, governorship election in Ondo State, where the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, was returned for a second term. The party made its stand known in a press statement issued yesterday and signed by the party’s National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande,

saying that despite pressures from certain quarters to reject the outcome of the election, because it did not favour the ACN, it will not do that, because according to Akande, the party refused to “cynically treat our democracy as a thing to be discarded when its processes do not favour us.” His words: “We believe in the long-run, that the processes of a genuine democracy shall favour all of us, even the loser of an election. We are prepared to lose elections if the con-

test is free and the process is fair and transparent. “We know that in this manner our democracy is strengthened. No one race or political contest is worth damaging our democracy. We would rather lose the race and gain democracy than win the race and lose democracy in the process.” Akande also said that there were also pressures on the party to concede defeat, not because those behind the pressures love democracy, but because they were the political op-

ponents of the progressive stand of the ACN, adding that; “Their interests are not in justice but in appearing to be concerned about justice. “They have never exercised any degree of political conciliation or bipartisanship in their exercise of public affairs. It stands as exceedingly hypocritical that they seek from us a gift they would never give. Thus, we see no reason to entertain their counterfeit expressions and the motives behind them.”

Kidnap: Lecturers want befitting burial for dead colleague CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

ecturers of the Federal College of Education, Omoku, Rivers State, under the auspices of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), have pleaded with security operatives to help retrieve the body of Dr. Richard Ihua-Maduenyi, one

of their colleagues who was kidnapped three weeks ago, and who died in the kidnappers den, for proper burial. The late Ihua-Maduenyi was abducted together with another colleague, Dr. R. F. Quadri, in Omoku, but while Quadri regained his freedom, his late colleague was not as lucky as he could not survive the tortuous treatment meted to him by the kidnappers.

Chairman of COEASU, Comrade Peter Chima Godfrey, who spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday, was sad that since their late colleague was killed and buried in the bush by his abductors, no effort has been made by security operatives to retrieve his body so that he can be accorded a befitting burial. He lamented that since the start of 2012, a total of

seven members of staff of the institution have been kidnapped, a situation he blamed on the poor security arrangement in the area. “We have lodged several complaints about these incessant kidnappings but nothing has come out of it, but we hope that with this current alarm we are raising, security in the area will be beefed up.”

hree aides of the wounded Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, who were flown into Abuja on Sunday night are said to be responding to treatment. Spokesperson of the National Hospital, where the injured aides are currently receiving treatment, Mr. Tayo Hastrupp, confirmed to National Mirror that the patients “are in good condition, stable and are responding to treatment” in a telephone interview.” Efforts to get into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where the patients are currently receiving medical attention were resisted by the hospital’s private security guards. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the institution, Prof. Bala Shehu, was also said to be at a meeting. Unofficial sources had confided in National Mirror on Sunday that one of the governor’s Aide de Camp (ADC) Dasat Iliya, was lying unconscious at the Yola hospital. Chief Detail to the Governor, Joel Dan, another credible source also said had a fractured arm while his Chief Security Officer (CSO), Timo Dangana’s two legs, were claimed to have been badly damaged. Meanwhile, the families of the affected persons, sources claimed, doubted the ability of the National Hospital to handle the situation. “Some of the families wanted their sons to be flown abroad like the governor to help them recover quickly” the family source said.

South West

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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Lagos boat mishap: My children are still missing –Victims’ father O •Body of four-year old child recovered

Adequate power supply crucial to development –Amosun

MURITALA AYINLA

40-year-old man, Najeem Oseni, whose three children were among the victims of the canoe that capsized on Sunday morning, yesterday lamented that his children are still missing, just as another four-year-old child was recovered by the search and rescue team of the merchant navy officers attached to the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA). National Mirror reliably gathered that a 10-year-old boy paddled the canoe and could not control the wave generated by the fast moving oncoming speed boat which eventually led to the accident. Oseni said his children were coming from Idoluwo, where they had gone to celebrate the Eidel-Kabir with other members of his family when the unfortunate incident happened. When National Mirror visited the community, scores of women were

seen wailing and crying as sympathisers gathered around Oseni and other bereaved families. Each time Oseni made an attempt to speak, he would burst into tears, “Let someone tell me I am dreaming. This is terrible, losing three children at a time, when do I see them? If they have died at least, I need to know. My children are dead is better than

my children are missing. He recounted his last moment with his children; two sons and a daughter. “They were on their way back to Imude. They went to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with my relatives in our village in Idoluwo, when the waves generated by a fast moving speedboat upturned their canoe”, he added. He gave the names of the

children to be Suleiman, Wasiu and Risikat Oseni. On sighting the rescue team of the merchant navy attached to LASEMA arriving the shore, he ran to the shore to look for his missing children. He insisted that he would not leave the shore until the children are found. It took the intervention of the community’s traditional ruler and other sympathisers to move him away from the shore. Meanwhile, the Lagos

Rescue team searching for the bodies of victims of the capsized boat in Otto Awori LCDA, Lagos. Inset: Mr. Najimu Oseni who lost three children in the mishap.

Man remanded for raping nine-year-old WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

or allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl, Abosede Aluko, an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court has ordered a 32-year-old man, Akinboye Adewole, to be remanded in prison custody. Adewole was said to have committed the offence on October 14, 2012 at Olorisaoko area of Ikire, Osun State at about 11.00am. Police Prosecutor, Mr. Joshua Oladoye, told the court that the accused unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the underaged girl without her consent, thereby committing an offence punishable under the laws of the state. He said the accused committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 218 of the criminal code cap 34, vol. 11, laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of rape

State government has said that all water-bound passengers must henceforth use life jackets, including operators of canoes, boats and ferries in the riverine areas of the state, adding that enforcement of this will commence immediately. The General Manager of LASEMA who gave the order said the state government would not tolerate avoidable loss of lives as a result of the care free attitude of the operators and their passengers.

leveled against him. Attempts by counsel to the accused, Mr. Abimbola Ige, to secure bail for his client failed as the Magistrate, Olusola Aluko, who presided over the court, in his ruling, ordered the accused to be remanded in Ile-Ife prison custody and adjourned the case till November 28, 2012 for mention. Meanwhile, Aluko granted bail to a 49-year-old cleric, Tunde Cole, who was arraigned for allegedly stealing the sum of N36, 500 and other valuables belonging to Funsho Ologunaye, in Ofatedo area of Osogbo. Cole was arraigned alongside four other accomplices identified as Sherif Adeloye (35), Ganiyu Adebisi (25), Dele Thomas (25) and Ganiyu Jelili (29). Police Prosecutor, Mr. Fagboyinbo Abiodun, told the court that Cole alongside his other accomplices caused a breach of public peace at Ofatedo area of

Osogbo on October 13, 2012, when he stole the money and other items. According to him, the suspects had through their actions committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 351, 390 (9) and 249 (D) of the criminal

code cap 34, vol 11 laws of Osun State of Nigeria. The accused pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, assault and breach of peace, while his counsel, Mr. Sunday Atofarati, prayed the court to grant his client bail

gun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has said that no nation can attain development without adequate power supply, adding that it was the realisation of this that led to the liberalisation of the power sector by the Federal Government. He said small, medium and large-scale industries could only flourish with adequate energy supply. The governor disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta while declaring open the Nigerian Alternative Energy Expo, facilitated by Mathesis Consulting, United Kingdom. “Energy is central to practically all aspects of development,” he declared. The governor lamented that despite the abundance of alternative energy sources in Nigeria, the nation was yet to take advantage of them. “The hosting of this expo with its theme, “Alternative Energy for Increase Capacity and Sustainability” could not have come at a better time,” he said.

in the most liberal term, adding that if granted bail, he would provide responsible and reliable sureties. Fagboyinbo opposed the bail application on the he death has been ground that the accused has announced of Mrs. no traceable address, noting Olufunke Ponnle, that the address of the surewife of Prince Tunde ties must be well verified by Ponnle, Chairman of Micthe police before the court Com Cables and Wires would grant him bail. Limited and MicCom Golf Hotels and Resorts, Ada, Osun State. His words: “In other The late Mrs. Ponnle, an words, the rationale behind Osogbo Princess, and golf the establishment of a cattle enthusiast, died in a Cardiff, ranch at the Oloba Farm SetUnited Kingdom hospital tlement, Iwo, was primarily yesterday after a brief illtargeted at boosting agriculness at the age of 67. ture, meat and food producShe is survived by her tion, food processing and husband, Prince Ponnle and mass agro-based employchildren. ment, abattoir service, mass cattle and ram production for the ever-growing food, meat as well as beverage industries. “Yes, we know that the only attractions for many of our youth these days are the offices. But the sad reality is that these jobs are not forthcoming and the ones existing are disappearing.

MicCom chairman loses wife

Aregbesola pledges more employment opportunities WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said his administration would continue to create job opportunities for the people to boost the revenue of the state. The governor made this disclosure in a statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital, by the Director of the Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon. Aregbesola, who restated the commitment of his administration towards the development of initiatives that

will make life more comfortable for the people, also said that it was the major rationale behind the establishment of the O-BEEF project in the state. He said his administration introduced the project because of growing unemployment and dwindling national resources, which he described as a potential threat to peace. The governor said the establishment of the beef industry would aid agricultural development, self-reliance in food production as well as the creation of economic bases and plethora of job opportunities for the people of the state.

Late Mrs. Ponnle

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South-West

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Oke writes INEC for documents to challenge Mimiko’s victory HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the Ondo State governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke, has written the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, requesting the Certified True Copies of documents necessary to prosecute his case. This, according to a source, will help the PDP candidate file the petition against the declaration of Governor Olusegun

•PDP’s performance in Ondo poll okay -Tukur Mimiko as the winner of the October 20 poll by INEC. In the letter entitled: “Request for production of relevant documents,” written on behalf of Oke by the firm of Chief Olajide Ajana & Co, and addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Mr. Akin Orebiyi. Ajana disclosed that the firm was acting on the instruction of the PDP candidate to present before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, question-

ing the election and return of Mimiko as the winner of the poll. The documents requested are the list of presiding officers, the list of assistant presiding officers (poll clerks), the list of ward returning officers, the list of local government returning officers and full details of the state returning officers. The firm also requested INEC to make available all voters’ registers (manual and printed copies) used in

the 2011 presidential, National Assembly and State Assembly elections, the register of voters (manual and printed copies) used in all the units for the conduct of the October 20 governorship election in the state. It also requested INEC to make available Forms EC25 and EC40C, various protest letters submitted by the PDP or its client’s campaign organisation before, during and after the election just as the firm requested for INEC Form

EC8D for the governorship election. Other materials requested include, INEC Form EC8E for the governorship election conducted on October 20, the list of party agents submitted by all respective political parties that participated in the election, the INEC manual 2011 and the list of accredited observers. The firm, however, said it would pay the cost of production and certification in making all the documents available. Meanwhile, the PDP Na-

tional Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has commended the Ondo State chapter of the party for its brilliant performance at the governorship election. Tukur also expressed appreciation to the Hon. Ebenzer Alabi-led state executive and the people of the state for their support. He, however, dismissed insinuations that the party might be planning to dump its structures in Ondo State in preference for an alliance with Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Labour Party, LP.

Electorial body has deepened democracy with Ondo poll –Groups CHARLES OKEKE AND SEGUN ADIO

L-R: Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lekan Adegbite, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Chairman, Sagamu Local Government, Mrs. Funmilayo Efuwape, during the governor’s sensitisation visit to Sagamu on the proposed expansion of Akarigbo-Isale Oko-Cement Road, recently.

Government must improve Nigerians’ welfare -Jinadu, Olanipekun K AYODE KETEFE

overnment at all levels in the country must pay more attention to the provision of social security to improve the welfare of Nigerians. Legal experts and other stakeholders including a renowned educationist, Prof. Adele Jinadu, and the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun, made the call yesterday in Lagos at the fifth Annual Social Development Lecture. The lecture was organised by Bamidele Aturu Chambers. In his speech as the Guest Lecturer at the lecture, Jinadu described the country’s present socio-economic and political system as corruption-ridden and suppressive to the common

people. He advocated a shift toward a welfare social system that is people-focused. In his lecture entitled; “Social security: Taking the lives of Nigerians seriously,” Jinadu also chided the successive administrations for hiding under the fact that provisions of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution are not justiciable to neglect investing on peoples’ development. He said: “The retreat of the Nigerian state in the face of hegemonic neoliberal driven forces of globalisation has contributed significantly to development-related governance and social security deficits in the area of policy measures as required under Chapter II. “The excuse for lack of vigorous and people-centered policy measures to

give effect to the provisions of Chapter II is partly that they are non-justiciable, which is to say that public authorities are not legally bound to legislate and provide for them. “The alleged non-justiciability, however, neither removes nor excuses the obligations of Nigeria’s public authorities to promote and provide for what is essentially the public welfare under the constitution.” In his own speech, Olanipekun queried the rationale of guaranteeing the right to life; right to fair hearing and other rights under Chapter Four of the constitution when the socio-economic rights of the people were still made not enforceable. He said: “Of what importance is the right to fair hearing to a hungry man? How can you enjoy right to

fair hearing when you cannot afford to send your children to school? The rights under Chapter Two are about quality existence to which every human being should be entitled.”

ro-democracy groups, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, InterSociety, and the Orange Family Initiative, OFI, have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for successfully conducting the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State. In a statement issued at the weekend, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of InterSociety, Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi, commended INEC, the media, election monitors and observers for their dogged roles which made the poll a success. He said the group was happy that the outcome of the election reflected the will of the great people of Ondo State in choosing their leaders democratically. Umeagbalasi also contended that the result of the signalled the institutionali-

sation of the sanctity of the electoral ballot box in the country. He said: “The Ondo State election is demographically and scientifically incontestable. It also passed the litmus test of common sense.” Umeagbalasi expressed the hope that billions of tax payers money spent directly and indirectly during election cases would be maximally reduced in the future if elections continued to be credible. He also listed some lessons that emanated from the outcome of the election won by the incumbent, Governor Olusegun Mimiko. “One of the bitter lessons of organising credible elections in Nigeria of late, such as the Ondo election is the blatant refusal of defeated politicians and their parties to accept defeat,” Umeagbalasi added. On its part, OFI lauded INEC for the peaceful conduct of the election and also congratulated Mimiko on his re-election.

Oyo holds public hearing on constitution review

yo State Government will today begin a two-day public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, said in a statement yesterday that the public hearing would hold at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, at 9am each day. He said the public hearing, being handled by a committee constituted by the state government, would aggregate the views of the people on the areas

of the constitution marked out for amendment. According to him, individuals, civil society organisations, professional bodies and the general public are expected to appear at the public hearing. Ojo listed the areas marked out for amendment to include devolution of powers, creation of more states, recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, role of traditional rulers, local government, fiscal federalism, amendment of provisions relat-

ing to amendment of the constitution, and boundary adjustment to remove ambiguities as well as immunity clause. Other areas are the removal of Land Use Act, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and Code of Conduct from the constitution, the police, judiciary, executive, rotation of executive office, gender and special group, Mayoral Status for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, and residency and indigeneship provisions.

South East

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why corruption is rampant in Nigeria –Makinde GEORGE OPARA ABIA

relate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, has explained why corruption is rampant in Nigeria. Dr. Makinde believes that the high level of corruption and crime hampering the country’s development was due to the takeover of missionary schools by the government.

He said: “Since schools were taken over about 40 years ago by the government, they never produced good citizens as students receive education without God”. The prelate, who spoke yesterday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, after he conferred the award of Knight of John Wesley (KJW) on Governor Theodore Orji at the weekend, said that the takeover of

the missionary schools was more of a curse than a blessing to the nation. Dr. Makinde, however, commended state governments, including Abia, that have returned the schools to their original owners, saying it was a wise decision which would return the nation to the part of morality. He said: “Forty years ago, the government took over our schools and destroyed them. They destroyed the labours

of our fathers. The schools are full of decay and products are armed robbers and kidnappers because they receive education without God. They never produced good citizens. But they have decided to return the schools because they realised that they were not producing good citizens.” Makinde said that the recognition given to Governor Orji, a non-Methodist, was not political, but because of his assistance to the church

and humanity. He, therefore, advised the governor not to relent in his effort to render services to God and humanity. Praising Orji for the good work he has so far done, the prelate urged him to rehabilitate Aba township roads, a challenge the governor accepted in good faith. Makinde, however, regretted that Nigerians are not always patient with their leaders. He called on them to give

the leaders time to perform. Responding, Governor Orji said he was humbled by the gesture of the Methodist Church. He said the honour given him would propel him to do more and urged the church to continue to pray for the nation’s leaders. The governor, therefore, said: “We will soon move into Aba and change things, we will work on the roads and drainages. Every community will feel the impact of my administration before I leave office in 2015.”

Appeal court reaffirms Ekwunife’s election

•Throws out ACN’s petition DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu yesterday reaffirmed the re-election of Hon. Uche Ekwunife of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency of Anambra State. The five-man panel headed by Justice Lokulo Sodikpe upheld the judgement of the tribunal that had earlier dismissed the petition by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Mr. Dozie Nwankwo, in the rerun election in some wards in the constituency. Delivering the judgement, Justice Sodikpe upheld the ruling by the lower tribunal sitting Awka on the grounds that the petitioner could not prove his case beyond reasonable doubts.

Justice Sodikpe added that the appeal was dismissed on the ground that Nwankwo could not establish the allegation of electoral malpractices leveled against Ekwunife. He said: “The law is straight and the appellant’s claim that his case was not properly treated based on evidence and witness were incorrect because the appellants could not provide proper evidence to show that his claims were correct, but relied on the witness of the PW17” He said the judgement of the lower tribunal that dismissed the petition of Mr. Nwankwo of the ACN on the basis of lack of merit was correct and upheld the verdict and reaffirmed the election of Mrs. Ekwunife. Reacting to the judgement, Mrs. Ekwunife thanked God for giving her victory. She said the verdict was the re confirmation of the

L-R: Mr. Rob Field; Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and Mr. Piere Roussouu, during the governor’s meeting with investors in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday.

mandate given to her by the people of the constituency and extolled the boldness and fairness of the judges. She said: “It was the re confirmation of the mandate my people overwhelmingly gave me during the election and the re-election.

PDP is conclave of reactionaries, says Ngige CHARES OKEKE AWKA

he Senator representing Anambra Central, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the conclave of reactionaries. Ngige believes that PDP, as currently constituted, cannot cater for the interest of the people. The Senator said he had foreclosed the possibility of returning to PDP, a party on whose platform he ruled Anambra State between 2003 and 2006. Ngige, however, told National Mirror that it is the wish of the Action Congress

of Nigeria (ACN), which he described as progressives, to throw PDP out of power in 2015. He said: “For now, I can’t return to the PDP. We in the ACN want to throw PDP out because it is a reactionary party. We, the progressives, want to push PDP out because the party has destroyed Nigeria.” He spoke to National Mirror after receiving an award for excellent services from the Awka branch of Idemili Welfare Association. Ngige, however, said the fact that ACN did not win the Ondo State governorship election did not mean that the part was not strong. He said: “ACN is still

strong and well positioned throughout Nigeria. “ACN did not win the Ondo State governorship election because the Labour Party’s candidate and the incumbent governor, Dr Segun Mimiko, fought the battle with a better strategy and experience gathered from years of public service, both at the state and Federal levels.” Ngige revealed that many groups and individuals had been persuading him to contest the Anambra State governorship election in 2014. He said he had been consulting with stakeholders over the issue and promised to make his position known at the appropriate time.

Nigeria’s democracy threatened –CLO GEORGE OPARA ABIA

igeria’s democracy is being threatened, it was learnt yesterday. Some elements are at work to disrupt the nation’s democratic governance, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said. CLO Chairman in Abia State, Mr. Ifeanyi Onwuneme, yesterday noted that some “bad eggs are operating at various levels of government to frustrate Nigeria’s development.” Onwuneme, however, urged Nigerians to be weary

of such elements. He told journalists yesterday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, that “anti-democratic elements are identified through unpatriotic actions and outbursts on sensitive national issues.” Onwuneme said: “The recent report of the arrest of Boko Haran kingpin in the resident of a Senator is one worrisome issue because I could not understand the romance between the two when there is suspicion that some politicians are funding the group. “Problem of insecurity has denied us a lot of foreign

investments and yet some people who called themselves politicians are busy dealing with members of Boko Haran sect.’’ He urged the Senate leaders to thoroughly investigate the report, adding that prodemocracy activists were agitated over the issue. Onwuneme said: “Another issue of concern is the recent threat by the Senate Committee Chairman on Capital Market to the effect that President Goodluck Jonathan must sack Ms Arumma Oteh, the Director-General of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Awada Obosi at the kickoff of roads construction in the area. Obi said that government would soon send a bill to the state House of Assembly to provide a legal frame work for the demolition of such buildings. He also warned that own-

ers of such buildings and structures used as “magic or miracle centres” as well as the students would be arrested and prosecuted. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improve the standard of education in the state.

Anambra vows to demolish ‘magic’ exam centres

n a bid to raise the standard of education, the Anambra State Government has vowed to demolish buildings and other structures used as “magic or miracle centres.” Governor Peter Obi gave the warning yesterday in

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South South

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Guber: S’Court throws out CAP’s appeal against Dickson Verdict, confirmation of PDP’s internal democracy –Metuh

EMMANUEL ONANI, EMMA GBEMUDU AND OBIORA IFOH

he Supreme Court yesterday dismissed an appeal filed by the Change Advocacy Party, CAP, and its governorship candidate against the victory of Bayelsa Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson. Delivering judgement on the appeal, Justice Walter Onnonghen, who led other two justices of the apex

court, held that the entire appeal filed by CAP and its candidate in the February 11 governorship election, Imoro Kubor, lacked merit. Accordingly, Onnonghen dismissed the appeal in its entirety, saying that: “Appellants appeared confused as to why they are in court. “Appellants cannot be allowed to approbate and reprobate; they can’t eat their cake and have it. The entire appeal is devoid of any merit and I hereby dismiss same.”

CAP and its candidate had asked the apex court to hold that Dickson was not qualified to contest the February 11 poll. They predicated their argument on the basis that Dickson’s name was not originally on the ballot paper. Justice Muhammed Ibrahim Sirajo of the Bayelsa State Election Petitions Tribunal had on July 11 dismissed CAP’s petition challenging Dickson’s election for lacking merit; a decision that was upheld

by the Port-Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal on August 27. Reacting to the judgement, the governor’s counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said: “The fact that Dickson’s name was initially removed and later restored by the Federal High Court did not affect his candidacy, having been sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.” Oyetibo’s position was corroborated by PDP’s counsel, Chief Joe-Kyari

L-R:Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Chinedu Ikedieze and his friend, Osita Iheme (Aki and Pawpaw) during a visit to flood victims, in Asaba, yesterday.

Don’t execute death row inmates, Amnesty begs Edo CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

mnesty International has appealed to the Edo State Government to rescind its decision to carry out the death sentence on two prisoners on death row in the state. It argued that since Nigeria’s justice system was not able to provide a fair trial for many of the death row inmates, it would not be proper to still kill those who did not receive a fair trial and had been on death row for many years. The Director-General, Amnesty International, Mr. Salil Shetty, made the appeal while speaking with journalists when he visited the office of the Human Rights Social Development and Environment Foundation, HURSDEF, in Port Harcourt. He said the body was concerned that Governor

Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had indicated interest to go ahead with the execution of the two death row prisoners. Shetty regretted that the excuse the Edo State Government gave for wanting to execute the inmates was to tackle the challenge of prison congestion. He said: “Now, the argument being given in order to proceed with the death penalty in Nigeria is that the prisons are too congested. This must be the most tragic way to address prison congestion. “In the first instance, you don’t have fair trial system and people are waiting on death row for a long time, and now again you are going to execute the people because the prisons are too congested.” Shetty, an Indian, said there must be a better way to address prison congestion than to execute the people concerned.

Gadzama (SAN), who maintained that the restoration of the candidate’s name by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, “did not have any negative effect on his candidature”. An elated Dickson yesterday hailed the unanimous judgment of the Supreme Court. In a statement issued in Yenagoa by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel IworisoMarkson, the governor said his victory portrayed the judiciary as a cardinal cornerstone of the country’s democracy. There was also jubilation in the Government House as the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, and other government functionaries observed a low-key celebration and chanted victory songs. When contacted on the ruling, the CAP candidate claimed he was yet to receive a copy of the judgment thereby could not comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the PDP has described the Supreme Court judgement as an attestation of the infallibility of a just and properly constituted internal democratic process of the party. Its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement

issued in Abuja that the judgment reaffirmed Dickson as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP and also confirmed his overwhelming victory at the February governorship election. He said: “It is not only a victory for the people of Bayelsa who gave their mandate to Governor Dickson but an endorsement of the infallibility of a just and properly constituted internal democratic process of the party. “Our great party is ever mindful of the noble responsibility which our leadership position confers on us. Our determination on the entrenchment of internal democracy as fundamental to every party process is clear. This firm resolve shall not waver. This judgment of the Supreme Court is therefore an incentive on our resolve to build a better party. “The PDP rejoices with Governor Dickson and the entire people of Bayelsa on this well-deserved victory. It is our expectation that with this distraction off the way, the governor, who hit the ground running, will only increase the tempo of massive infrastructure development that has literally turned Beyelsa into a huge construction yard.”

We’ll go to war if Bayelsa takes our land –Kalabari OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

raditional rulers of the oil producing communities in Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State yesterday threatened to go to war if the disputed boundary between the kingdom and Bayelsa State was not resolved amicably. The traditional rulers, who were in Abuja to protest “malicious and unconstitutional intent” to balkanise and excise their oil

communities, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being the brain behind the dispute to increase the revenue base of Bayelsa State. Addressing newsmen, one of the paramount rulers of the kingdom, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, kicked against the alleged manipulation by Jonathan’s administration. “In the past 100 years, we have been fighting wars and we don’t want to fight war again. If the government wants to take our land we will go to war and we

will use our last blood to defend our land,” he warned. Sara-Igbe said the manipulation and the armtwisting would create reason for lawlessness, a situation the kingdom was trying to avoid. Earlier, the Chairman of Akukutoru Local Government Area Traditional Council, Chief Emmanuel Awoyesuku-Jack, said the wealth accruing from the disputed boundary was being appropriated by the Bayelsa State. He said: “We know who

are behind this and we are here to protest so that the whole world will hear. We don’t want the region to boil because it boiled before and it will boil if nothing is done. “If it is the oil wells they are looking for, they will not get it. They should leave us alone, we cannot just stand by and watch because one cannot stay in his house and somebody would come and pluck him out. We have kept quiet too long and we cannot keep quiet again. It is time for action.”

Uduaghan re-appoints seven DESOPADEC members SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

ontroversy has continued to trail the constitution of the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan re-appointed seven former members of the board.

There are indications that three members of the previous board might have been dropped because of the insistence of members of the state House of Assembly. It was learnt yesterday that Uduaghan has submitted the names of members of the board to the House for consideration. The legislature is expect-

ed to consider the nominees today. The board was dissolved by the Assembly on September 12 because of “incompetence and nonperformance”. Those whose names were re-presented by the governor include the commission’s Chairman, Mr. Oritsua Kpogho, Mr. Ede Ohoro

(Secretary), Mr. Henry Ofa, Mr. Joseph Ogeh, Mr. Michael Diden, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro and Mr. Chukwudi Eke. Those who were dropped are Mr. Johnson Boro, who was nominated in the first instance by the Deputy Governor, Amos Utuama, Mrs. Benedicta Nzuegbu-Osakunih and Peter Egedegbe.

North

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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Crash: AIB storms Zaria Aviation College A ZA MSUE AND OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he team of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) yesterday stormed the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, to probe Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai’s academic and medical records during his training at the college. Indication emerged that the team may indict the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for allegedly flouting due process in issuing Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to Suntai in 2010. Suntai, who flew Cessna 208, 5N-BJM Jet, with five

• To probe Suntai’s academic, medical records

other occupants, crashed a few meters away from the Yola Airport, Adamawa State, on Thursday evening. He was brought to the National Hospital in Abuja, but was on Saturday flown to Germany in air ambulance for special medical attention. National Mirror investigation revealed that Governor Suntai got the admission at Aviation College through back door, contrary to the age requirement of 18 to 25 years for any applicant. A source, who did not want his name mentioned, said AIB would investigate

Governor Suntai’s academic records both at the Aviation College and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ascertain his competency. The source said: “Suntai got admission at the college during the administration of the former College’s Rector, Captain Adeboye Alaba in 2010. To my knowledge, the governor passed through the process, but you know what our elite can do. “When the incumbent rector, Captain Chinyere Kalu came in, she tried to reposition the college through series of reforms. The normal age to study

at the college is between 18 and 25, if you are above that, you don’t have any business in the school except you are already in aviation sector, but Governor Suntai’s age was above the required age when he applied to the college. “The governor is not a captain, but he wears captain uniform. For you to be a captain, you must be a commercial pilot, which he is not. “We only train here, we don’t issue licence. We don’t know what happened between Suntai and NCAA in terms of pilot licence. “We got information that the AIB team was de-

ployed to the crash site near Yola Airport and others have arrived the college to probe Governor Suntai’s academic and medical records. “Suntai’s blood sample has already being taken at Abuja National hospital to determine whether it contains alcohol at the time of flight.” Efforts to speak with the college’s officials were futile. But the former NCAT Rector, Capt Araba, said Suntai’s admission to the college was without any irregularities. Araba said that the Private Pilot License (PPL) issued Suntai in 2010 had no age restriction anywhere in the world.

He explained that PPL was open to any intending pilot, adding that learning how to fly for fun was quite different from learning for making a living out of it. The former rector insisted that age limit only applied to Commercial Pilot License (CPL) category, which Suntai did not belong to. Araba said: “I can tell you authoritatively that the PPL given to Suntai has no age limit and the governor passed through the processes before he was issued the certificate to fly by us. Anybody can learn to fly under PPL even at age 90. The PPL is open to all. But, for the CPL, there is age restriction of 18 to 22 years. That is all I can say.”

Five non-indigenes make Jang’s exco JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

overnor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has appointed five non-indigenes as members of his executive committee. Those appointed are Mr. Akazamus Anakwe,

Jang

Senior Special Assistant, Community Relations on Igbo Affairs; Mr. Austin Iyere, Senior Special Assistant on South-South Affairs; Mr Lawal Ishaq, Senior Special Assistant on Hausa Affairs; Mallam Salihu Musa, Senior Special Assistant on Fulani Affairs, while Mr. Tunde Oladapo is Senior Special Assistant on Yoruba Affairs The appointments, according to the governor in a statement sign by his Director of Press Affairs, Mr. James Mannok, is meant to broaden participation of all tribes in the state’s governance. The governor also congratulates them on their appointments.

Nigeria lost N1trn to insurgency –Report AUGUSTINE MADU WEST KANO

igeria has lost over N1trillion to the security challenges posed by the violent activities of the Boko Haram Islamic sect. This was contained in the 2011 World Investment Report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The report, which was monitored yesterday in Kano, stated that the country lost over N1 trillion because of the violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in Kano

State. The report quoted the Chairman of Centre for Research and Documentation in Kano, Imam Ibrahim Yakubu, as attributing the development to the drop in nearly all businesses in the state. He said that a new programme called Enhancing Nigeria Advocacy for a Better Business environment had been initiated between the Centre and the United Kingdom for International Development (UFID) to proffer solution to the situation.

L-R: Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe; Managing Director, Eauxwell Nigeria Ltd and Representative, Grundfox Pumps, Denmark, Mr. Edwin Enwegbara; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Godknows Igali; Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri and Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa, at the presentation of solar-powered facilities to the Ministry of Water Resources to assist flood victims in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Poor implementation of 2012 budget annoying –Senator AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

ice-Chairman of Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Danladi Sankara, has expressed disappointment over the poor implementation of the 2012 budget by the executive. Sankara described the poor implementation as an act capable of eroding public confidence in government and leaders. Sankara, who represents Jigawa North West in the Senate, spoke in

Kano while commenting on the 2013 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “With all sense of responsibility, the level or percentage of the implementation of the 2012 budget is very low. We are now in October with only two month left to the end of the year, but the 2012 budget has not been implemented up to 40 per cent by the ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals. “Surprisingly, almost everywhere the necessary

funds required to match the budget proposals have not been released. It is very embarrassing. “As at the end of the September, the MDAs have not been able to secure the release of budget funds for up to 30 per cent. “You begins to wonder the reasons for the disconnect between budget proposal and the actual release of the required funds to accelerate national development.” “If budgets are drawn up and there is difficulty in getting the approved

funds to execute identified projects, then what is the essence of budgeting in the first place? It becomes a waste of time, waste of energy and resources, and of course short-changing the people when you fail to make the required funds available for the practical implantation of such budget proposals. “Certainly, something is wrong somewhere, otherwise the question of failure to release budget funds to the appropriate implementing agencies does not arise.”

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

SUPER TUESDAY

Politics

We need eﬃcient and focused political class, says Nwankpo

he long wait by Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections in the country may soon be over if the recent hint by President Goodluck Jonathan that citizens in Diaspora may vote in the 2015 general elections is anything to go by. The President made the disclosure penultimate week in Niamey, Niger Republic, when he addressed Nigerians living there during a working visit to the West African nation. According to him, the final decision on Diaspora voting would be decided next year when the ongoing amendment of the constitution is expected to be completed. He also revealed that a proposal from the Presidency is already before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to enable it study and look at the possibilities of citizens living outside the nation’s shores to take part in electioneering process as obtained in other advanced democracies. Jonathan said he proposed Diaspora voting for presidential and governorship elections for now because they would be easier to manage. His words: “I have asked INEC to work towards it by 2015. Diaspora voting is realistic. Even if it will not be possible in all elections, at least we will work towards the presidential and governorship elections. But for the parliamentary, because of the complications involved, it may be difficult.” Before the “Niamey declaration,” however, some Nigerians in the Diaspora under the aegis of Diaspora Voting Right Implementation Committee had commenced moves to enforce their voting rights through the collection of one million signatures for what they termed “Nigerian Diaspora Voting Rights Petition.” Led by Chief Gabe Okoye, the concerned citizens, earlier in the year submitted a memorandum to both the Senate and the House of Representatives committees on constitution amendment on their right to vote in elections, particularly the presidential, governorship and National Assembly elections. The President’s disclosure has already enthused reactions with most analysts and stakeholders, describing it as a step in the right direction. To them, it will afford millions of Nigerians in Diaspora to have a say in what happens back home. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the National Chairman of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), who expressed support for the plan, said his party is making efforts to open special branch offices overseas in preparation for the move. Speaking when a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) team visited him in Abuja, Onu said: “As government wants to embark on Diaspora voting, we are now computerising our membership database. We will also open up special branches in the United States of America and in our neighbouring countries.” Some other stakeholders, who also commended the move, however cautioned that

Oyo and its 18 bills of democracy dividends

14&15

2015: Will Diaspora Nigerians vote? Beyond remittances to support relatives, Nigerians abroad contribute through investment in productive activities that support economic growth and job creation. This has prompted the renewed call for the Diaspora to have the right to participate in the electoral process and, in turn, have a voice in how their home country is governed, writes FELIX NWANERI.

Jonathan

Jega

TOP STORY it should not be another opportunity to rig and manipulate elections results or to siphon public funds. “This is good news to Nigerians in the Diaspora. As soon as this happens, we would be more integrated into nation-building and the development of our various states. A working relationship will develop between the governors and the citizens of their states in Diaspora who can also act as watchdogs,” said a Canadian-based Nigerian, who spoke with National Mirror. This enthusiasm is however likely to meet a brickwall in the Senate, which had persistently posited that Nigeria is not ripe for Diaspora voting. Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, it would be recalled, had in April said that Nigerians abroad, hoping to participate in elections back home would have to wait due to consular problems. Uba told reporters after submitting the committee’s sessional report to the Senate that there was the problem of data avail-

I HAVE ASKED INEC TO WORK TOWARDS IT

2015. DIASPORA VOTING IS REALISTIC. EVEN IF IT WILL BY

NOT BE POSSIBLE

IN ALL ELECTIONS, AT LEAST WE WILL WORK TOWARDS THE PRESIDENTIAL AND GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS ability at the Nigerian embassies abroad. The foreign missions, according to him, do not have reliable records of Nigerians living in their respect countries of assignment. This, he maintained, will make it difficult to reach a conclusion on the matter. His words: “Right now there are no records of Nigerians in the embassies. Most

of them arrive there illegally and this is a problem. We are trying to ensure that we get all the records of Nigerians living abroad. It is then we can begin to consider it.” The House of Representatives, which refused to take a second reading on a bill for Diaspora voting in October last year, also cited similar reason. The effort had been championed by the House Committee on Diaspora, led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa. She had argued that Nigerians abroad deserve the opportunity to vote, considering the over $20 billion in remittances they contribute annually to the nation’s economy. But majority of the lawmakers, who opposed it, argued that the cost and logistics of the policy outweighs current federal capacity. “In as much as I appreciate the spirit of this bill, the question is, are we ready for this now? The answer is we are not there yet although we are improving. The financial implication for this may turn out to be worse than the oil subsidy,” Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor averred. Some stakeholders, who also kicked against the idea, pointed out that its implementation will create far more problems than it is meant to solve with the lack of capacity to properly police the domestic political environment. To them, taking voting rights outside the country would only add dangerous international dimensions to this local problem. A few incurable pessimists added that Diaspora voting is not one of Nigeria’s problems and that its actualisation will not benefit Nigeria or Nigerians by any means. One of them said: “Why must the poor back home pay for those in the Diaspora to vote during elections. There are always consequences for abandoning one’s homeland; not being able to vote from abroad in an election is one of such consequences. “Has anyone imagined how much it will cost Nigeria to enable people to vote from abroad? Such huge funds can be channelled to healthcare and its benefits will avail to all Nigerians. And for the votes from abroad to be legal in Nigerian elections, every Nigerian abroad must be afforded the same opportunity to vote, it shouldn’t be a situation where those in America, Canada and UK are given the opportunity to vote while those in Gabon, Cuba, Afghanistan and Somalia are denied such opportunity.” A political school of thought led by Prof. Munene Macharia of the United States International University (USIU) in further faulting Diaspora voting, argued that citizens abroad are likely to fall to political propaganda if allowed to participate in the electoral processes of their home countries. “Their votes would likely tilt the results in favour of the person who outsmarts others in propaganda directed at them,” he said. What Macharia did not make clear, however, is how this differs from domestic CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Politics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We need efficient and focused Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Technical Matters, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, extrapolates on the past, present and future of Nigeria. The presidential aide who is also the Secretary of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) tells OBIORA IFOH that the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palliative programme will peak in the first quarter of 2013. Excerpts:

What does Nigeria attaining 52 means to you? Nigeria attaining 52 means that Nigeria is an adult now, but you know the age of men are not the same thing with the age of a nation because it requires a lot of generation of men. So, Nigeria is a pretty young country. When you look at a country like China, you can imagine the number of years China has existed before attaining the level of development it has attained, but ours is an adolescent and therefore as an adolescent in the age of countries, we are doing well.

Are you by any chance supporting a return to regionalism as some people are calling for now? Yes, people are calling for regionalism in the context of Nigeria and as far as it is within the context of one Nigeria there is really no problem. Again, it depends on the contextualisation. For instance, if the regionalism is seen from the prism of economic regionalism, then that could make sense. If regionalism means a group of people trying to recover their old habit, then there is nothing wrong with that. For me, the focus should be how do you gather the strength of citizens in a manageable location to get people to relate with each other and bring their best to harness the huge potentials of each geographical location we find ourselves. The opportunity is massive, incredible and unexplored and whichever formation that can achieve that, I am okay with it. Do you agree with the call for a return to the parliamentary system of government of the First Republic, considering the cost implication and massive corruption associated with the presidential system that we now operate? Today, which system of the government dominates the world? The world is run by the presidential system of government; the United States is still the policeman of the world and so I do not know where we get the idea that parliamentary system will work better. Any other system that is

Nwankpo

But contemporaries of Nigeria like Malaysia, Singapore and India have left Nigeria behind. What does that say about our managers? Of all these countries you have mentioned, the only country that is relatively close to Nigeria is Singapore; some others are older than Nigeria. But all the same, I think that Nigeria with all its complexities and different cultures needs to blend to become one culture, because many countries are built on culture. It is actually the human conducts and behaviours and how people relate to each other as well as the very system that bind them that makes a country progress. Once you have massive cultural diversity, they need a mixing to get commonality that now allows the country to go forward. If you take the various components of Nigeria, how we are rapidly progressing right from the pre-colonial days through independence and the military era, you will see that everybody is beginning to see the value of living together as a nation. Because everybody has seen that we are really safe in one small part of Nigeria; we need a Nigeria that is all-inclusive for everybody to survive, which is a great thing to happen to us at this point in our history. So, I think Nigeria has an opportunity of maturity, what is required is an evolution of people who understands this dynamics to get to the leadership position and then to take us to the top where we ought to be.

TUESDAY INTERVIEW

not presidential is struggling, but I think that the challenge that Nigeria has, is not the system of government but the emergence of an efficient and well-focused political class. We need a political class that understands that by building the country, it is building itself. But what we have now are people who feel that by building themselves they are building the country. It is a serious logical error. I think we need a political class that can see the relationship between building the citizenship as a basis of building the country; and therefore put the citizens first before themselves. Take for instance, the flood situation in some parts of the country, the elite are not showing enough concerns, they have not seen reasons why they should assist the victims. As a presidential aide, what then is the government doing to whip the political class in line? Since he came to power, President Goodluck Jonathan has tried to restructure the country in such a way that we have a clear perspective of what the government is embarking on. The President is trying to get Nigerians back into real politics and he has been opening up the system. Look at the reforms that he is promoting in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); the expansion of party decision making process, to make it impossible for strong individuals to hijack the party structures; he is promoting democ-

WE NEED A POLITICAL CLASS THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT BY

BUILDING THE COUNTRY, IT IS BUILDING ITSELF.

BUT WHAT

WE HAVE NOW ARE PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT BY BUILDING THEMSELVES THEY ARE BUILDING THE COUNTRY racy, ensuring much transparent elections; decentralising the control of parties; promoting freedom of information; promoting participatory approach to government; that is what the President is doing and if that is the case, then we are on the right track. We have a vibrant National Assembly which seems to be having issues with the executive, how is the government handling these developments so that they do not threaten the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nascent democracy? There is the need for each of the three arms of government to look inward and face its own job. The National Assembly has its own responsibilities, based on the election of its members and based on the constitution; their responsibilities are quite clear, so also the executive and the judiciary. So, the efforts of the current government are for each unit to first step back and get its responsibilities right. When they have done that according to the law,

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Politics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

political class, says Nwankpo

ible; so you could see the party doing things that indicate that it needs to chart a new course for itself. If you read the new party constitution that has just been signed, you will see that it allows the party to actually return to the people. Then the high social value of the chairman is peculating down to the party and other members of the party, particularly the National Publicity Secretary has done such a great job that members are beginning to be carried along in almost every facet of the party’s activity. I think the PDP is now on the path of reform and it is no longer the usual bravado, it is working to create a new democratic image. The party lost election in Edo State and accepted it and advised its members to choose the path to peace.

then their interaction in other areas will get better. The advocacy that the President is pushing forward to everybody is, the voters elected the president, elected the legislators and the people in the judiciary are there through the well-defined means; the constitution expects us to do these works in definite ways. While it is a fact that we all need relationship, but it is not supposed to wipe out the individual responsibility we have towards each other. I don’t have to lobby you to do what you are expected to do for Nigerians.

Having mentioned the reformation agenda of the government, can we have an overview of the reforms going on in this government? This is a very young government and it has continued with the tradition of making good laws or creating better institutions and it is working to get the citizens to begin to make use of these laws. That is what is left, but the environment is in place now. I also think that the government needs to get more aggressive about education of citizens and compliance. Aside these two areas, the government has already taken good control of the rest. As the secretary of SURE-P, how far have you gone with the programme? The work we were given to do requires a lot of seriousness, because we have been given the assignment of making sure that the hopes of the people are not totally dashed. We are at the front end of delivering credibility to government processes. Every other part of government is working in that direction, because there is a lot of failure in the past; we are standing at the door and trying to make sure that the disbelief that has come out from the failure of the past does not complicate government ability to deliver. So far, we have done the fundamental, which is to get our sequences coordinated and then we are rolling out our programmes. Between now and the next two months, believing that the system and the weather will be supportive, you are going to see a lot of things; we are going to be a lot faster; the road programme, the hospital services, employment generation and so much. But the perception out there is that nothing is really coming out from SURE-P, having being established since February? You see, the Nigerian population needs further education on our expectations as a people and I think it is the responsibility of the media to do so, because some of these expectations are just unrealistic. For instance, if we have to fund uncompleted projects, we have to first get to know the project’s history and know why they were not completed; what we can do to complete them; and so on. First two to three months of our existence were to take over these projects, streamline them, negotiate new schedules, pay outstanding debts and then get contractors back to sites. Those ones we have done and all projects given to us, their contractors are back to the sites, because there are no longer issues and they are delivering them. We are also going into new projects and with these preliminary information given to us, we have instituted performance parameters that can help us deliver and put in the grand rules required to have them done; those ones we have done and so you can start getting positive comments on us in three months time. What is the prospect of Nigeria in the future and its roles in the comity of nations? I see a country that is now a nation, I see a Nigeria, which flag will make a meaning, I see a Nigeria which citizens will no longer be thinking in the lines of ethnic divide, rather they will have pride in thinking first as Nigerians. The primitive cleavages that have been holding us back would have been broken and when that happens, the citizens will be more important as a factor of national planning and national growth. And in the next 10 years, the wealth of Nigerians would have grown and life expectations of average Nigerians would have improved. I anticipate an influx of citizens of other nations into Nigeria because this is a land of opportunity.

I SEE A NIGERIA WHICH CITIZENS WILL NO LONGER BE THINKING IN THE LINES OF

ETHNIC DIVIDE, RATHER THEY WILL HAVE PRIDE IN THINKING FIRST AS

NIGERIANS

Do you think that this present government also shares that vision because Nigerians are seeing less of tangible ingredients of democracy dividends? How would you assess this government in the last one year? This government in the last one year has done very many critical things such as power, which he has taken out of doubt to a believable lane and now we can begin to believe that it is possible for Nigeria to have stable electricity. Nigerians are beginning to believe that free and fair election can be possible. The President has also opened up government and there is really nobody in this country who thinks he cannot be arrested for committing an offence. So, the rule of law is beginning to catch up. It hasn’t delivered everything everybody wants, but there is really nobody who walks around the country today feeling that he is above the law. He has introduced performance accountability at the highest level of government, where you now see ministers signing performance contracts; so he has opened up a door of competence in the public sector. More importantly, this President has removed reckless use of power; you now have the power of the Nigerian President which is so enormous being managed with a lot of humility that people sometimes misconstrue, so the power of the state and its alignment with the will of the people has improved tremendously and internationally, he has done a lot for the image of Nigeria. How do you see the last six months of leadership of Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which incidentally is the ruling party? One other important thing this leadership has done is that he is giving the party a new outlook that is cred-

How has this new reconciliation approach of the PDP impacted on Anambra State chapter of the party, where incidences of godfatherism still exist? Anambra State is a very robust state with its unique strength, however there are two things that I think are important in dealing with the party in the state; the party had always has goodwill towards Anambra and has always reached out to the state, but we must always take along the people of the state when dealing with their issues. The party members, who submit themselves to these so-called overlords; if you go to a man’s house and submit yourself to him and take his resources and at the end of the day he tells you what to do and you refuse and he gets angry with you, are you really right? So, I think that there are forces in Anambra State that have seen politics as a way of feeding from one man or the other and allowing such to sustain their livelihood; I think that is changing now, because Anambra people are beginning to see that that path has not helped them, because they create a competition of resources and people fight over it. Because the party has not been streamlined properly, individuals within the party at the national level also aligned with these forces. But that has changed, the people have taken back their political party; they are in their communities sorting things out, hopefully for a congress and the party is supportive of this development. I have been here for the past six years and I do not believe that we should lord over people on anything about PDP and I have promoted giving back the party to the people and that is what we are going to do, because the party belongs to the people. That is in line with what the present leadership is propounding and anybody that will work against it, is working against the entire PDP and the party can easily deal with that. What role are you likely to play in Anambra politics come 2014? I am already called here by President Jonathan to do some work and I want to focus and get it done, but I want to say that I want to be a part of critical move in making sure that in 2014, Anambra State has a good governor. I am committed to that because there is a lot at stake. The resolution of the political dynamism of Anambra in 2014 involves building on what the current governor has achieved. Peter Obi has achieved quite a lot; he has brought more sanity to the state; we can plan better, our civil service is doing well and we are well involved in the national government. So, we should build on that and we should then understand that in going forward, Anambra has a lot to do with the future of the South-East. So, it is not just about Anambra, it is about the future of the Igbo. Where do you stand on 2015 and the quest for Igbo presidency, bearing in mind that your principal, President Jonathan, may also be interested in re-contesting? I stand where the Igbo people stand. If the Igbo people settle for 2015, I am an Igbo man, but I know that President Jonathan has always been a friend of the Igbo. We have always worked together with him and I am sure that in the circumstances of 2015, if the national platform manifests that an Igbo should be president, then President Jonathan will be with us. And if it turns out that it is different we will be with President Jonathan.

Politics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Rotimi ASO ROCK FILE

Cynthia: Banning rape drug, Rophynol

with

Rotimi FADEYI

No more lamentation in sports – Jonathan

he dismal performance of Team Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics was a source of great concern to sports administrators as well as the Federal Government. The team returned to the country without any medal in all the events. But the nation was able to get consolation in the Paralympics Games when the country impressively registered its presence on the medal table by winning a total of 13 medals including six gold, five silver and two bronze medals. The lacklustre performance of Team Nigeria made the present administration to take concrete action to overhaul the sports sector in order to save the country further embarrassment and shame. Last week, sports administrators and stakeholders in the sports sector gathered at a presidential retreat held at the State House, where they brainstormed on ways to ensure that the country becomes the best sporting nation in Africa and among the top four sporting nations in the Commonwealth and ultimately rule the world. President Jonathan sat throughout the day as participants at the retreat catalogued the myriads of problems confronting the sports sector and offered suggestions on the best way the government can address the problems in order for its sportsmen and women to be able to record victory in sporting events. At the retreat, Jonathan said his vision was for the country to become the best sporting nation in Africa and be among the top four sporting nations in the Commonwealth and ultimately the world.

he United Nations Special Envoy on Financial Inclusion, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands was at the Presidential Villa last week to advocate for the Financial Inclusion Strategy aimed at facilitating job and wealth creation in the country. When Princess Maxima met with President Jonathan at the State House, she said it was important that the country has structures that would enable all Nigerians have access to financial services as well as funds. The president informed that his administration has initiated programmes targeted at empowering the youth, women and the creative industry.

He noted that no nation can afford to overlook the relevance of sports to national development and national well-being, stressing that the financial base of the industry must be increased if the country must achieve excellence. According to him, the disappointing performance at the last Olympics points to systemic failures that urgently call for a drastic and holistic review of sport policies. The President noted that the retreat was not to apportion blame but to find a way to turn the sporting sector around for the benefit of the country, saying that the successes recorded by the Paralympians in the London Olympics served as a tonic for greater honour. He said: “Let me make it clear: we are not here to apportion blame or point accusing fingers. We are not here to lament, we are here to find solutions and put in place a framework for achieving national sporting excellence.” Jonathan furthers said that “our gathering must lead to our coming up with workable solutions to the most critical issues underpinning sports development in our nation. One of the vital questions facing this retreat is: why do some countries excel in sports and others do not? Providing answers to this question is an important responsibility we must all discharge” Jonathan therefore asked states governors to identify potential where they have comparative advantages in sporting event for development while appealing to them to give support to sporting activities in the country.

n many situations in life, particularly in health related matters, prevention is always better and cheaper than cure and to guarantee a healthy nation, the control of drugs is absolutely necessary. In line with government’s decision to control the indiscriminate sale and use of drugs in the country, the Federal Executive Council last week directed the Nigerian Essential Drugs List and Natural Drug Formulary Committee, a department under the Federal Ministry of Health, to look into the possibility of banning Rophynol in the country. Rophynol was the medicine alleged to have been administered on 24-year-old Cynthia Osokogu in Lagos after which she was raped and murdered by her social media friends who are now standing trial before a Lagos Magistrate Court. The FEC also decided at its meeting last week to ensure proper management of adverse drug reactions in the country with the approval of the Nigeria National Phar-

Noting that the financial inclusion strategy designed by the Central Bank of Nigeria would enable more Nigerians have access to funds and help reduce poverty, especially in the rural areas, President Jonathan said that the present administration would support the strategy and pull the relevant departments of government to implement it for the benefit of Nigerians. He disclosed that he recognised the importance of small and medium enterprises as the major vehicle to create employment in an increasingly industrial

Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide, representing the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, took charge and provided the leadership for the Muslim community in the FCT to also have a sense of belonging at the homage visit. For Jonathan, it was another opportunity to felicitate with Muslim faithful at top level of government as well as those working directly with him as personal aides in different capacities since the occasion comes only once in a year. After prayers by Muslim clerics for the President and the entire nation, Vice-President Sambo spoke about the essence of the homage and expressed gratitude to Allah for the good health, focus and wisdom

maco-Vigilance Policy. Health Minister, Onyebuchi Chukwu, said that there was need for documentation of adverse drug reaction reports and follow-ups as well as further research into such findings. The minister explained that the issues of people reacting to particular drugs and even dying from the incidents were often not taken very seriously but government was now determined to take action on such matters. He stressed that the policy would boost ongoing efforts of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at devising ways of detecting fake drugs by the public through telephones, as well as reporting adverse drug reactions. According to him, FEC endorsed the policy following an earlier approval by the National Council on Health, the highest policy formulation body in the health sector last July at its 55th meeting in Abuja.

L-R: Deputy Imam of the National Mosque, Muhammed Kabir, being welcomed by President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, to the State House when Muslim faithful in the FCT paid him Sallah homage.

Building structures for access to financial services

In the spirit of Eid-el- Kabir celebration

reparation for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the Presidential Villa started on Wednesday last week, the last working day of the week. Though he was on a tour of flood affected sites in Benue State, the trip was planned in such a way that President Goodluck Jonathan would return to Abuja two days ahead of the occasion to join the celebration with Muslim faithful. The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, led other Muslim Ummah to the official residence of the President on their return from the praying ground to pay homage and wish him well in directing the affairs of the nation. The Minister of State for the Federal

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world, and commended the CBN for the new strategy to provide access to funds. Also speaking at the launch of Nigerian’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said lack of access to financing has been one of the major factors militating against our economic growth and development. Sambo stated that to further position the private sector for economic development, government had made considerable inroad in the areas of agriculture, power, transportation, security and acgranted Jonathan to drive the transformation agenda of the present administration on the path of success. Noting that the transformation agenda of the present administration was on the right path considering the achievements recorded so far in power supply, security, road construction, health and agriculture, Sambo expressed regret over the unfortunate flood disaster in the country but expressed optimism that the incident would turn to blessing for the country while commending the actions taken by the President on the matter. The President thanked the Muslim faithful for the homage and the honour done to him on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

cess to affordable financing for Small and Medium Enterprises among others. In her remarks, Princess Maxima, who is also a global champion for financial inclusion, stated that the initiative would change the future of millions of Nigerians, adding that Nigeria had joined 16 other countries that have already developed their own Financial Inclusion Strategy and used the opportunity to call for dedicated implementation of the strategy and for the involvement of all stakeholders in the implementation process.

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar 2. Former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bello Aliru 3. Chief of Defence Staff, Ola Ibrahim 4. Deputy Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Mohammed Kabir 5. Nwankwo Kanu 6. Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali 7. Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr. Li Jinzaqs 8. Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Peng Boqing 9. United Nations Special Envoy for Financial Inclusion, Prince Maxima of Netherlands.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-44

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Views

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

President Jonathan and the floods THE FLOODS WERE

REUBEN ABATI

PREDICTED BACK

IN MARCH BY THE

Continued from yesterday

e carried the babies, and posed for photographs with them and their mothers, the most impressive being a photograph with four new-born babies at the Makurdi camp. But the visit was not without the touch of occasional comedy. In one of the states, one gentleman who felt that the spokesperson did not convey their feelings fully enough, insisted on having a say in the matter. Some officials tried to prevent his intrusion. But when it was President Jonathan’s turn to speak, he collected the microphone and took it straight to the agitated fellow. Speak! It was with much ceremony that the man proceeded to narrate how people who were not affected were thronging the displaced persons’ camp to collect food meant for the victims and how this was already causing problems. He wanted the authorities to share the money that had been sent to the states by the Federal Government, directly among the victims in order to shut out non-victims who want “to shorten their ration”. President Jonathan deplored the cruel activities of those seeking to profit from other people’s misfortune, but patiently, told the man that he had not come to discuss food, because all the state governments were doing a lot to assist them, and nobody would die anyway in any of the camps

RELEVANT AGENCIES.

BUT WE ALL TOOK

THE PREDICTIONS FOR GRANTED because of food. While government is providing necessary short term relief, the administration is more concerned on how the people will manage their lives after the flood, how to prevent the outbreak of epidemic, and how to prevent similar tragedy in the future. Indeed, there has been so much pre-occupation with the “sharing” of either food or money, and journalistic nitpicking over the ecological fund, whereas the administration’s response to the crisis is much broader and comprehensive comprising short, medium and long-term measures. From the outset, the President had ordered an informed, multi-perspective analysis of the incident and its aftermath to guide interventions. A mapping of the affected areas has been done, the nature and extent of the damage properly studied; engineers dispatched to assess the infrastructural impact of the floods. On all his visits, President Jonathan was accompanied by the House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife and Chairman of Senate Committee on Spe-

cial Duties, Senator Clever Ikisikpo. He was also joined by the Director of Army Engineering, whose department had gone round to assess the damage and was providing the President with preliminary engineering analysis. Bridges linking communities collapsed, roads were washed away. Public infrastructures in the affected communities need to be fixed, and the military was also called in to help. In the wake of the floods, fears were expressed on the possibility of drought in the coming year. President Jonathan promptly directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to intervene, and a National Flood Recovery Production Plan was immediately launched. Under this plan, the Federal Government is providing high-yielding, flood-resistant seedlings and fertilisers to farmers, technical assistance and other incentives to boost the national yield, as well as releases from the national strategic grains reserves. Similarly, the Federal Ministries of Works, Water Resources, Health and the Environment have been directed to design other relief plans. In all of these, the Federal Government is collaborating with the state governments. In the few states where there is no State Emergency Management Agency, the President has asked NEMA to set up such agencies to further strengthen the country’s preparedness to tackle emergencies. When the floods occurred, there were also reports of a certain Cameroonian connection to wit, that due to volume of water caused by excess rainfall, the authorities had released water from Lagdo dam. Fact: The floods were predicted back in

March by the relevant agencies. But we all took the predictions for granted. Even when government advises the people accordingly about likely dangers, the natural response is to resist official wisdom and insist that in a democracy, the people have a right to everything including self-immolation. To prevent artificial contributions to the effect of climate change, nonetheless, the administration has taken the additional step of reviewing available infrastructure that can serve the purpose. To this end, President Jonathan has directed that the dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue be expedited. He has also visited the Kashimbila Dam in Taraba State, which is under construction. The buffer dam is designed to provide power and irrigation services, but more importantly to hold water released from Lake Nyos in Cameroon with a holding capacity of 18 million cubic litres. There are plans also, as part of long term intervention measures to build dams on the River Benue as well as dykes in identified vulnerable plains. The promptitude with which he has personally attended to the flood crisis has been commended by many an observer; the actual truth is that this is the nature and character of the man that Nigerians chose as their President in April 2011. He is one of the people, so he understands their feelings, and he speaks their language. Concluded. Dr Abati is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Goodluck Jonathan

Challenges of human trafficking in Nigeria NWACHUKWU ONYINYE

ince colonial era, there have being drift of resources especially humans from Africa to Europe, this then was known as slave trade, but was later abolished. But can it be truly said, that human trafficking has been abolished in Nigeria? But whatever the name, it’s the act and its effects that matters more. Human trafficking is a phenomenon that has generated a lot concern globally, especially in a country like Nigeria, where it is rampant. This involves recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other means of coercion, abduction, deception, abuse of position of vulnerability or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person, having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation could include prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery, removal of organs and more. Poverty is said to be the motivation for human trafficking and major cause for victims’ vulnerability to it. The victims most of whom are children in their pre-teen age, teenagers and females, are taken far from homes, and engaged in dehumanizing activities, all for economic benefits. The different approaches and attempts of various governments, especially the Federal Government is an indication that it is aware of this menace in the nation. Government’s must be applauded for having implemented actions and policies to curb the problems associated with poverty,

establishing a commission, and having different approaches to addressing poverty which is the driving force behind this inhuman trade. More importantly, and the establishment of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and Bank of Industry are good examples of this attempt. Laws have been passed such as Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 and Child Right Act, which deal comprehensively with the issue of child trafficking; Economic Empowerment and Reintegration Programmes, have also tried to address the problem of human trafficking, but have they achieved the results? Though Nigeria is said to be a poor country, but poverty alone cannot explain the trend in human trafficking, because it is not the poorest in Africa, so why is trade on the rise? Illiteracy, unemployment, decline in cultural and traditional values, also can be identified as other causative and contributory factors. Youth unemployment is high, thereby leading a lot of people to life of desperation. Also, collapse of protective environment as a result of security lax accounts for the increase, and more so greed and get rich quick syndrome on the side of traffickers can be said to be the most potent factor driving this modern day slavery. It is important to know that another form of trafficking is baby harvesting. There are hospitals, clinics and orphanages, doctors and nurses who give shelter to teenage and pregnant single mothers who now sell their unwanted babies for a price or premium to desperate barren couples who buy them. These mothers are forced to renounce their rights to the babies and

CLERICS HAVE GREATER ROLE TO PLAY BY TEACHING THEIR CONGREGATIONS,

ON THE VIRTUES OF ACQUIRING JUST RICHES even swear an oath never to seek custody in future. It must be pointed out is that trafficking in persons is not without effects both to the individuals and the country. Victims are exposed to physical violation, serving as beggars, hawkers and working in dangerous conditions while exposing them to sexually transmitted diseases, and organs harvesting etc. Human trafficking deprives the country of its human resources; though majority of the people trafficked are illiterates or semiliterates, and even some talented ones. Simply put, talents and human resources are taken out of the country. The result is a self-perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment that feeds crime and violence and which in turn leads to even greater poverty. Happily, there is solution to the problem which has eaten like cankerworm into the nation’s body fabric. The society started from the family and every individual belongs to a family, therefore it should be the place to start. Every family must inculcate cultural and traditional values into their children, teaching them virtues like contentment, love and also endeavour to provide them with educa-

tion and skills. Parents should personally assess and attest to the credibility of those who they assign their children and wards to and also check on them quite often. Recently, school children in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, held a rally to sensitise the public on the need to end human trafficking and child labour. Involving more schools in such rallies especially in rural areas, would enhance awareness on how to avoid being trafficked. Religious institutions are not left out. Clerics have greater role to play by teaching their congregations, on the virtues of acquiring just riches. Persons with questionable wealth should not be acknowledged and encouraged by awarding titles and other public recognition to them. Governments have long been fighting this problem through legislations, while aligning with international protocols to act as deterrents. However, much still needs to be done. The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) should be supported and encouraged. Implementing more effective strategies that will combine and balance measures like catering for the unemployed will go a long way to eradicating this human slavery. Nwachukwu Onyinye, wrote from Bida 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

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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Corruption and the Nigerian Bar

he professional misconduct of some members of the legal profession in recent times has been of grave public concern. Not quite long ago, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, expressed worries about the development. Likewise, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, who at the recent swearing-in of new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), accused lawyers, especially some SANs, of compromising their high status through unethical conduct. We also recall that roughly three years ago, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, related how some of the high profile corruption cases being prosecuted by the Commission dragged on endlessly because of the predilection of some dubious, senior members of the bar to exploit the weaknesses of the nation’s judiciary by filing frivolous applications to frustrate the trial of affected suspects, as well as how some lawyers fraudulently obtained money from their clients in the guise of delivering same as bribe to the Commission’s officers to ‘kill’ cases under investigation. Waziri’s successor, the current EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, also alleged earlier this year that

some in-house lawyers and their counterparts hired by the Commission from private law firms formed the habit of deliberately creating loopholes in corruption cases to enable affected suspects escape justice. It is against this backdrop that the recent report that a former vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was remanded in prison by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is quite disappointing and disturbing. According to reports, the lawyer, docked over charges of fraud, stealing and money laundering of over N35 million, allegedly converted a N35 million judgment money paid by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to his client, concealed the origin of the fund and used part of it to acquire 150 thousand units of First Bank of Nigeria Plc shares, acts punishable under section 14 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004. The latest dent on the image of the legal profession is neither the first nor second of such incidents, where lawyers are accused of using their vantage position to tamper with their clients’ funds. We recall that in 2010, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers struck off the name of a Lagosbased lawyer, Ike Chinwuba, from the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria over a similar conduct.

THE NATION’S LARGELY COMPROMISED JUDICIARY WILL BE ETERNALLY DOOMED IF THE BAR IS POPULATED BY LAWYERS OF QUESTIONABLE CHARACTER AND SCANT INTEGRITY Chinwuba was said to have, while acting as a solicitor to one Henry Ogugua, a tenant in a property in Festac Town, Lagos State, rented out the said property to one Chukwuebuka Jonathan for two years without the consent of the property’s owner, one Alhaji Lateef Jimoh, with Ogugua as an accomplice. We think the embarrassing trend should be of great concern to both the bar and the Nigerian public, since the judiciary, the last hope of the common man for redressing injustice, can only thrive when the bar discharges itself with integrity in the performance of its sacred duty of facilitating the dispensation of justice. Under normal circumstances, the bar and the bench, two integral

institutions, perform complementary roles in ensuring that the aggrieved sees and gets justice. The judiciary remains one of the most sacrosanct and revered institutions that can save the common man from oppression and abuse in any democracy worth its name. As the Third Estate of the Realm, the position and role of the judiciary are most sensitive and a sine qua non for ensuring the promotion of justice and fairness to all. Therefore, the nation’s largely compromised judiciary will be eternally doomed if the bar is populated by lawyers of questionable character and scant integrity. With such smart crooks as partners in the justice delivery system, public confidence will continue to erode the judiciary, because they will eventually infect what remains of integrity in the bench with the corruption virus. The relevant authorities should arrest the odious trend before the sore turns cancerous. We urge the NBA to closely monitor the case of its former vice president, and if found culpable, recommend him to the appropriate authorities for the appropriate punishment. Indeed, our hope is that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers would promptly play its interventionist and disciplinary roles in the matter whenever the chips are down.

ON THIS DAY October 30, 2005 The rebuilt Dresden Frauenkirche (destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II) was reconsecrated after a thirteen-year rebuilding project. A Lutheran church in Dresden, Germany the church was built in the 18th century. It was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. The bombing was a military attack involving more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs. The reconstruction was a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies.

October 30, 1974 The Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman took place in Kinshasa, Zaire. The Rumble in the Jungle was an historic boxing event that pitted the then World Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman against former world champion and challenger, Muhammad Ali. Ali won the battle by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. The event was one of Don King’s first ventures as a professional boxing promoter.

October 30, 1960 Michael Woodruff performed the first successful kidney transplant in the United Kingdom at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Sir Michael Francis Addison Woodruff (April 3, 1911 – March 10, 2001) was an English surgeon and scientist principally remembered for his research into organ transplantation. Though born in London, Woodruff spent his youth in Australia, where he earned degrees in electrical engineering and medicine.

GAT ownership: The unedning controversies

Budget execution vital for insurance industry growth - Efekoha

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Oil & gas stocks decline

FLIGHT SCHEDULE Air Nigeria

as sector’s clean up takes toll

The oil and gas sector accounts for 14 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product but accounts for only three percent of the market capitalisation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. JOHNSON OKANLAWON writes on the sector’s performance on the bourse in the last nine months

International (Lagos - London) Los- LGW (VK293): Tue, Thurs, Fri & Sat 11.55pm LGW-Los (VK292): Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun 10.50am

Arik Air Los-Abj: 07:15, 09:15, 10:20, 15:20, 16:20, 16:50, 18:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Abj-Los: 07:15, 09:40, 10:20, 12:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat); 12:15, 15:15, 16:15 (Sun) Los-PH: 07:15, 11:40, 14:00, 16:10, 17:15, (Mon-Fri) 07:30, 11:40, 15:50 (Sat) 11:50, 3:50, 17:05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07:15, 11:20, 15:30 (Mon-Fri) 07:15, 16:00 (Sat) 13:10, 16:00, (Sun) PH-Abj: 08:45, 12:50, 17:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:45, 17:30 (Sat) 14:40, 17:30 (Sun) Abj-Ben: 08:00, 12:10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08:55, 12:10 (Sun) Ben-Abj: 09:55, 13:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10:50, 13:30 (Sun)

Aero Contractors Trading floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange

mong the sectorial indices on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the oil and gas subsector recorded worst performance when compared with others in the third quarter of the year ended September 30, 2012. The sector lost 27.3 per cent to close at 159.95 points, from 220.11 points at which it opened the year on January 3, 2012, followed by the insurance sector with 5.21 per cent to close at 136.06 points, from 143.54 points at which it opened the year. The banking, food and beverages and the NSE 30 subsectors

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Los-Abj: 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 16:45 (Sat). Abj-Los: 07:30, 13:00, 19:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat) 10:30, 14:30, 19:30 (Sun) 18.30 (Sat) Los-Ben: 07:45, 11:00, 15:30, (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 15:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Ben-Los: 09:15, 12:30, 17:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat/Sun) 17:00 (Sat), 14:00 (Sun)

Sectorial indices performance Index title

January 3, 2012

September 30,2012

% change

Oil and Gas Index

220.11 points

159.95 points

- 27.3 %

Insurance Index

143.34 points

136.06 points

- 5.21 %

Food and Beverages Index

589.60 points

234.51 points

+ 278.9%

Banking Index

274.26 points

397.97points

+ 38.5%

NSE 30-Index

923.77 points

1,219.39 points

+ 31.9 %

recorded improvement in their shares prices. The food and beverages index gained 278.9 per cent to close the third quarter at, 234.51 points, followed by the banking subsector with 38.5 per cent to close at 397.97 points. The NSE 30-index appreciated by 31.9 per cent to close at 1,219.37 points. But the oil and gas index does not have direct impact on the direction of the All Share Index, which rose by 25.47 per cent to settle the quarter at 26,011.64

points, from the opening figure of 20,730.63 points on January 3, 2012. Market capitalisation rose by N1.75trn to close at N8.28trn, an increase by 26.8 per cent when compared to N6.53trn recorded on January 3, 2012. The companies listed under the subsector include MRS Plc, Conoil Plc, Mobil Plc, Oando Plc, Total Plc, Eterna Plc and Forte Oil Plc. In 2011 financial year, all the stocks closed negative with Oando and Conoil topping the losers’

list, while similar outlook was also recorded in the nine months of the current year with MRS and Oando making the list. In the review period, the MRS Plc dropped 26.71 points or 45.3 per cent to close at N32.29 per share, from N59.00 at which it opened the year, followed by Oando Plc with 9.79 points or 44.5 per cent to settle at N12.21 per share, from N22.00 per share in the beginning of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

EXCHANGE RATES WAUA

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Bidders fault BPE over inclusion of two firms in PHCN privatization

Unemployment: Stakeholders task ITF on job creation

Demolition of estate: Stakeholders doubt govt’s sincerity to bridge 17m housing deficit

Business & Finance

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oil & gas stocks decline, as sector’s clean up takes toll CONTINUED FROM 19 year. Conoil Plc shed 10.8 points or 34.3 per cent to close at N20.70 per share, from N31.5, while Total Plc dipped by 58.1 points or 30.9 per cent to close at N130.00 per share, from N188.1 per share on January 3. Eterna Plc depreciated by 0.46 points or 15.3 per cent in the third quarter to close at N2.54 per share, from N3.00 per share in the first trading day of the year, while Mobil Plc declined by 18.91 points or 14.1 per cent to close at N115.00 per share, from N133.91 per share on January 3. Forte Oil Plc fell 1.1 points or 9.48 per cent to close at 10.50 per share, from N11.60 per share in the beginning of the year. Market analyst attributed dismal performance in the petroleum marketing companies to the removal of fuel subsidy and the probe of some companies that engaged in fraudulent claims on importation of fuel into the country. Speaking to National Mirror, lead stock analyst at Meristem Securities Limited, an investment firm, said the companies share prices kept southward movement due to dwindling confidence of investors on the indicted companies in the oil subsidy probe. According to him, the issue on corporate governance is very important in making decision on investment and once a company trust is indoubt, there is tendency for investors to change portfolio. Besides the January nationwide strike over removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government that led to the shortage of fuel supply and subsequently scarcity, investigation by National Mirror showed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that is currently supplying fuel at a premium to the marketers is affecting their profit negatively. It was gathered that the fuel is costlier compared to when it was being imported by the independent oil dealers. Findings also revealed that financial institutions in the country have stopped financing fuel importation, which may lead to scarcity of petroleum products. A sales representative of Conoil in Lagos said that on monthly basis, the banks are generating N40m from financing the importation of fuel, but they have stopped the facilities over the controversies between oil marketers and the Federal Government. “We have exhausted most of fuel in our tanks. We rely only on the supply from the NNPC unlike before when some oil marketers would be coming here to buy fuel from us, no more activities and this is affecting the company’s profits,” he added. An independent oil marketer told National Mirror last Thursday that a litre of fuel was sold at N79.00 per litre at Folawiyo oil tank farm in Lagos, while Acorn Petroleum was sold at N97.00 per litre. According to the source, some oil dealers sell at N96.50. “There is no way there won’t be fuel scarcity in the country because the oil dealers are buying from the NNPC and sell to us at a premium compared to when we directly import the fuel,” he said. The scarcity and low confidence in the sector have affected the performance of the companies listed in the oil and gas sector on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. For instance, MRS Plc posted a decline of 67 per cent in profit after tax in the half year ended June 30, 2012, from N411.9m in the same period of 2011 to N133.6m in 2012,

Oscar

Imoukhuede

THERE IS NO WAY THERE WON’T BE FUEL SCARCITY IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THE OIL DEALERS ARE BUYING FROM THE

NNPC AND

SELL TO US AT A PREMIUM COMPARED TO WHEN WE DIRECTLY IMPORT THE FUEL while its turnover however, rose by seven per cent to N37.9bn, from N35.6bn in the corresponding period of 2011. The company’s net asset value also recorded marginal increase by 0.4 per cent to N23.2bn, from N23.1bn in 2011 half year. Also, Total Nigeria Plc unaudited result for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 showed a rise in profit after tax by 37.5 per cent to N2.92bn, from N2.13bn in the corresponding period of 2011. Its turnover also rose by 25.6 per cent to N109.8bn, from N87.49bn in the 2011 half year. While the company has a negative working capital at N3.89bn, its cash and bank balances eased to N3.65bn, from N9.65bn in the same period of 2011. Oando Plc posted a profit after tax of N6.6bn in the first half of 2012, down from N6.9bn recorded in the same period of 2011, a decline by four per cent. The company’s turnover surged by 31 per cent as it recorded N350.6bn, up from the N267.8bn recorded in the same period of 2011. Its gross profit rose by eight per cent to N33.9bn, compared toN31.5bn in 2011 half year, while profit before tax dropped by 20 per cent to N10.4bn, from N12.9bn in the 2011 half year result. Conoil half year profit dropped by 81 per cent to N663.1m, compared to N3.5bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2011. The company’s turnover also declined to N76.2bn in the review period, from N79.9bn recorded in 2011 half year. Forte Oil Plc declared N622.7m profit after tax for the half year ended June 30, 2012, as against loss after tax of N1.053bn recorded in the same period of 2011. Profit before tax stood at N803.4m in the review period, compared to loss before tax of N1.05bn in the 2011 half year. Revenue of the company dipped to N43.08bn in 2012 second quarter, from N53.27bn recorded in the same period of 2011. Mobil Nigeria Plc pre-tax profit fell 59 per cent to N1.41bn in the 2012 half year, compared to N3.41bn recorded in the same

period of 2011. But revenue at the local unit of ExxonMobil climbed to N42.57bn in the review period, compared to N29.13bn recorded in the 2011 half year. The end of negative statements that affects investors’ confidence in the sector may not be in sight as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it will file criminal proceedings against more individuals and companies accused of receiving illegal fuel-subsidy payments of N1.1trn. So far, more than 140 individuals and companies are being investigated over the illegal subsidy payments. The payments process was fraught with endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency, according to the Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Subsidy Payments. The committee was headed by the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. President Goodluck Jonathan had set up the verification committee over the mass protest on the removal of fuel subsidy in early January to verify and reconcile all claims and payments made to marketers in 2011. In the report of the technical committee, scores of marketers and importers were alleged to have committed 17 infractions that cost the country N422bn in overpayments. However, after the N422bn was subjected to reconciliation and verification by the presidential committee, N18bn was found to have been duplicated, while N21bn was cleared from the report of the technical committee, bringing down the overpayments to N382bn. The indicted companies include Alminnur Resources Limited, Brila Energy Limited, Caades Oil and Gas Limited, Eterna Oil Plc, MRS Oil Gas Plc, Capital Oil and Gas Industry Limited and Capital Oil Plc among others. Another committee headed by the former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, produced the 146-page study based on

the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ request. It covers the year 2002 to 2012. The report said that Ministers of Petroleum Resources between 2008 and 2011 handed out seven discretionary oil licences, but that $183m in signature bonuses was missing from the deals. Three of the oil licences were awarded since the current minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, took up her position in 2010, according to the report. The report alleged international oil traders sometimes buy crude without any formal contracts, and the state oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, had short-changed the Nigerian treasury billions over the last 10 years by selling crude oil and gas to itself below market rates. There was no suggestion that the oil majors or traders had done anything illegal, but the report highlighted a lack of transparency in their dealings in a nation rife with graft. Ribadu’s probe was among several set up following a week of nationwide strikes against a rise in fuel prices in January, which morphed into a campaign against oil corruption. Billions of dollars of revenue was missing in unpaid debts from signature boanuses and royalties, the report found. Analysts attributed the dwindling fortune in the oil and gas subsector to lack of transparency and the general weakness of the economy in the country, which according to them, is not favourable to any sector. The Managing Director of Lambeth Trust and Investment Company Limited Mr. David Adonri, said that subsidy crisis and the poor performance of the oil and gas sector in the first quarter 2012 are responsible for the decline in the prices of their stocks. The Managing Director of Crane Securities and Investment limited, Mr. Mike Ezeh, noted that low demand for stocks generally, induced by lack of money is also affecting petroleum marketing shares. He explained that with limited funds investors would prefer to buy shares which values are lower than oil and gas shares with higher prices. Although volume of transactions by equities on the sub-sector has been light, their stock prices have traced a down ward trend, compared with their peers especially the banking sub-sector. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, has lamented the under-listing of the oil and gas sector, saying that the sector accounts for 14 per cent but accounts for three per cent of the market capitalisation on the bourse. He said, “The oil and gas sector accounts for about 90 per cent of the country’s foreign earnings but in terms of GDP is only 14 per cent, Telecom is one of the fastest growing areas in terms of GDP and contributes significantly to the GDP in terms of company focus but contributes about five or six percent of GDP and 0.99 per cent of market capitalisation.” With the ongoing reorganisation of the NNPC and the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), requiring oil companies to disclose all payments made to the country, investors should begin to take position in the companies as the law will ensure transparency in the sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Bidders fault BPE over inclusion of two firms in PHCN privatization and were denied of proceeding to the commercial evaluation stage include three bidders for Ibadan Discos- Skipper Nigeria Limited, ICOMM Energy Limited and Electric Utilities Limited; two bidders for Ikeja Discos-SEO International and Daniel Power Plant.

UDEME AKPAN

he inclusion of two firms Interstate Electrics Limited and West Power & Gas Limited - in the list of bidders to proceed to the next stage of the ongoing privatisation process has started to attract criticisms. The firms were earlier excluded from the process at the Technical Evaluation stage carried out by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) due to their alleged inability to meet up with the stipulated condition. The complete booklet of the Technical Evaluation Report showed that Interstate Electric Limited that emerged as the preferred bidder in the commercial evaluation stage last week for Abuja and Enugu Discos was disqualified due to their failure to meet up with the minimum benchmark of 750 point as stipulated in the summary of Outcome of Technical Evaluation. Also, West Power and Gas was rated as having “Insufficient Networth” and thereby disqualified from proceeding to the commercial evaluation stage according to the summary of the technical evaluation report. According to the technical

L-R: Commercial Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms Lisa Nichols; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Seni Adelu; Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage and Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, during the press conference of the Pre-Annual General Meeting of the Company in Lagos, yesterday.

evaluation report, 29 out of 44 proposals considered for technical evaluation stage achieved the minimum 750 point benchmark to be deemed technically qualified and were recommended to proceed to the commercial evaluation stage. Consequently, they were expected to be disqualified from participating in the commercial

Osibodu retires from Union Bank, lists achievements UDO ONYEKA

s part of the new shareholding arrangement, the Group Managing Director, Union Bank, Mrs Funke Osibodu would formally bow out of office tomorrow. She is being replaced by Mr Emeka Emuwa, formerly of Citi Bank Nigeria Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Monday, Osibodu, said she was leaving a new Union Bank with a stronger liquidity ratio, sound corporate governance and capital base, stating that the management team led by her, had met the goals set by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2009. According to her, on assumption of office in 2009, the bank was fraught with breakdown of corporate governance, negative capital and liquidity crisis, stressing that the bank is now on a strong pedestal to compete favourably in the industry. As part of her achievements, the outgoing Group Managing Director stated that the management team led by her was able to get a strategic core investors, Union Global Partners; moved from negative liquidity ratio

to 90 per cent positive; moved from negative shareholders’ fund of N378 billion to N190 billion representing over 500 per cent increase, adding that the management has also cleaned up the unreconcilled accounts in excess of N3 trillion to N100 million, employed 1000 young graduates to complement the experience pool in the bank and also settling the issue of retirees’ entitlements. “Union is an interesting place to work. Both the immediate past Board and the current one have worked assiduously to put the bank in a strong footing and ensure smooth transition process. On assumption, we set up army of staff for the cleanup exercise, also set up portfolio management team. The outcome is great. I can say I am leaving a new Union Bank,” she said. She disclosed that under the current shareholding arrangement, UGP owns 65 per cent; Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) 20 per cent, existing shareholders 15 per cent, stating that among the banks that failed the regulators’ stress test, it is the Union Bank management that negotiated the best deal for its shareholders.

evaluation stage where some other contending companies ended. But findings showed that the two firms were not partly as

a result high level political connection of personalities behind them. Other companies disqualified

Also the bid submitted by NAHCO Power Consortium and ENL Consortium Limited were captured as ‘fail’ along with Interstate Electrics for Abuja Discos. A source in one of the affected firms said in a telephone interview that it was unfair for only two of the disqualified to be brought back into the process. The Chairman of the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) Mr. Atedo Peterside said the two companies were selected for commercial evaluation as a result of recommendation made by other Committees that evaluated the recommendation of the Technical Evaluation.

W/African electricity networks to gulp $26 bn CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he integration of electricity networks in West African States is estimated to gulp at least $26 billion, the Secretary General of West African Power pool (WAPP) Engr. Amadou Diallo has disclosed. Diallo who made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during the opening session of the 7th General Assembly of WAPP, noted that the organisation is working on interconnectivity system to put ECOWAS members states together through electrical network. According to him, Nigeria,

Benin, Togo, Ghana, Bourkina Faso, Cote de Voire, Niger, Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania are currently interconnected through the project. “We are ready to start implementing interconnection between Cote de Voire, Liberia, Senagal, and Nigeria in 225 kv Transmission lines with 12 sub stations. And we are also working on some hydro power plants in Mali” he said. Diallo however said the real challenge facing the project is the cost of power as countries complain about high tariff adding that power generation is cost effective business. In his remarks, the Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Engr. O.O. Akinniranye noted that this year’s session was coming at a very critical time which was the final phase of the deregulation and privatisation Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). He said the Transmission Company of Nigeria has assumed the role of Power Holding of Nigeria (PHCN) at the assembly because of the crucial moment of unbundling which the later was undergoing presently. The TCN boss expressed optimism that the assembly’s discussions at the plenary levels would be fruitful.

Visafone introduces first CDMA BlackBerry services in Nigeria KUNLE A ZEEZ

igeria’s leading Code Division Multiple Access Operator, Visafone Communications Limited has signed an agreement with the Canadabased makers of BlackBerry smartphones, Research In Motion, to launch BlackBerry services in Nigeria on the former’s CDMA mobile network. The agreement, which marked first-time availability of CDMA BlackBerry smartphones in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, and it is a first in Nigeria, will see Visafone proving the Blackberry services on three new BlackBerry smartphone

models. The two companies said, the devices including The BlackBerry Curve 9310, the BlackBerry Curve 9370 and the BlackBerry Bold 9930 smartphones will be available to customers from all the Visafone shops for pre-booking this month. According to them, the launch will benefit any Visafone customer that wants access to email, Internet and social networking apps, including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Facebook, Twitter and Social Feeds. Speaking on the partnership, Regional Director for RIM in East, Central and West Africa, Mr. Waldi Wepener, said, “We are proud to support the Nige-

rian mobile industry with the first-time availability of CDMA BlackBerry smartphones in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.” He said partnership with Visafone demonstrates RIM’s commitment to working with key partners in Africa to bring the widest range of BlackBerry services to people that want to be connected across the continent Chairman and Founder of Visafone, Mr. Jim Ovia, stated that the partnership represented a “big step forward in Africa’s mobile history and we are very excited to be at the forefront of such a ground-breaking development in the Nigerian market.”

Business & Finance

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

EFCC partners DataPro on anti- money laundering, terrorism financing UDO ONYEKA

he Chairman of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Larmode, has said that Nigeria’s efforts in fighting money laundering and financing of terrorism have earned the country improved rating by international agencies as well as improving Nigeria’s image before the international community. Speaking at the inaugural lecture series of DataPro, a financial consulting and rating firm, in Lagos recently Larmode, who was represented by Mr Hanafi Baba- Ahmed, said the country was among the nations at the forefront of anti money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in the world. He said that the commission will eagerly collaborate with any institution that is willing and has the capacity to work with it in

fighting money laundering and terrorism financing in the country. He explained that the commission has adopted the National Strategy as a road map for the country over the next five years to address the observed weaknesses in her AML/CFT regime and implement the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) core and key recommendations as defined in the FATF Low Capacity Countries Guidance (LCC). “The National Strategy document provides a coordinated approach to AML/CFT implementation and action plan that would help Nigeria address outstanding issues in its AML/ CFT mutual evaluation report with the ultimate objective of enhancing effective implementation of the country’s AML/ CFT regime. ; “The Strategy and Action Plan focus on six cardinal goals covering strategic areas of Nigeria’s AML/CFT regime, namely; promoting sustainable political will, enacting/

upgrading and implementing of robust AML/CFT legislation and regulations, establishing and strengthening of AML/CFT supporting institutions and promoting effective inter-agency cooperation and coordination mechanism. Others are ensuring effective supervision and regulation of reporting institutions and promoting effective international cooperation and strategic partnerships.” He said the country has amended legislation on the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing and allied crimes in accordance with the FATF standards and has taken steps to put in place appropriate structures to ensure their effective implementation, “ adding that Nigeria has clearly demonstrated its commitment to subjecting itself to the mutual evaluation process aimed at facilitating effective implementation of international AML/CFT standards.”

Flight delays: NAMA sensitises airlines on e-flight planning

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), last weekend organised a one day training programme for airlines in the country as part of its strategy in reducing flight delays at the nation’s airports. The programme tagged, “e-flight planning workshop for airlines” was organised by NAMA Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department and was meant to educate airline operators on the need to imbibe e-flight planning to reduce flight delays and improve services to their customers.

Lagos to concession digital centre KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Lagos State Commissioner for Since and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Madabeje, has explained why fullblown activities were yet to commence at the state state-of –theart e-learning centre. Majadeje said the ministry was shopping for the right concessionaire expected to take over the management of the centre so as to maximize its usage for better efficiency. “We are going to concession it. We don’t want to run it ourselves to ensure its efficiency. We want to get the right concessionaire to manage the centre. So, for now, we are still dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s and once this is

An online statement signed by the agency’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Supo Atobatele stated that the workshop was informed by the current drive by the management to prevent errors in the filing of flight plans by the airlines. He noted that with the proper training of the airline officials on e-flight plan, the manual way of doing so would be easily eliminated, adding that this business innovation through automation would bring about high quality service delivery to their numerous customers. Also, the Chief Information Officer, NAMA, Mr. Ogochukwu Ifeanyi indicated that the agency would organise

another workshop in November to evaluate the current usage and provide opportunity for other airlines to participate. Besides, the Managing Director, NAMA, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh described the training exercise as timely considering the ongoing automation project of the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), saying that the airlines were the central focus of the transformation from AIS to Aeronautical Information Management (AIM). The airlines that participated in the workshop according to the statement included; Bristow Helicopter, Aero Contractor, Pan African Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Air FranceKLM, Overland Airways, Lewis Cooper International Aviation and Turkish Airlines among others.

finalised, it will be open to the members of public for use,” he said. The commissioner, who provided information on the activities of his ministry during an interactive session with media over the weekend, also spoke on critical projects being executed in the state to ensure that Information and Communication Technology is leveraged to achieve development in the state. Mabadeje said the state has implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) suite application, which led to the elimination of ghost workers and streamlining of various business activities and the introduction and the Electronic Documentation Management System (EDEMS).

Dead Arik Air stowaway had local medicine, Bible on him OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he management of Arik Air yesterday disclosed that the unidentified stowaway found dead on its aircraft Airbus A340-500 from New York to Nigeria had local medicine and a Bible with an American flag drawn on the back cover. This is just as the airline insisted that the stowaway emanated from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. An online statement signed by the Public Relations and Communications Manager, Arik Air, Mr. Adebanji Ola stated that the deceased had a bottle of medicine produced

L-R: Brand Manager, High Value Segment, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Kelvin Orifa; Winner of the 2012 MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Joshua Udiminue and Creative Director Style House Files, Mrs. Omoyemi Akerele, at the Final of the 2012 MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week in Lagos at the weekend.

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

by a local pharmaceutical company on him with a Bible. The statement reads in part, “Curiously, a bottle of medicine produced by a local pharmaceutical company was found on the body laying credence to the suggestion that the stowaway may have boarded the flight from Lagos. “Also found on the body was a Bible, which has an American flag drawn on the back cover. The body of the stowaway, which has since been deposited in the morgue is awaiting autopsy.” Ola, however, said that the airline’s management was still investigating the mystery surrounding the discovery of the body on its aircraft last Friday.

NUPENG warns Shell against outsourcing fire department MESHACK IDEHEN

he National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said it is warning the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) against outsourcing its fire depart department. Furthermore, the union said it is condemning in its entirety the victimisation and severance of its union officials in the company and that the NUPENG SPDC caretaker committee chairman affected by the severance should immediately be reinstated in the interest of industrial peace and harmony. NUPENG which stated also that the management of SPDC has refused to recognise the caretaker

committee put in place by the oil workers body, and have been victimising the union officials, said the plan by Shell to outsource the fire department where majority of the workers are based will lead to industrial unrest in the oil and gas sector. Deputy President of the union, Mr. John Ossai and General Secretary Mr. Isaac Aberare, told National Mirror on Monday, that SPDC management under the guise of divestment and management business decision carried out their threat and distributed severance letters to the union officials including the chairman of the caretaker committee. They said NUPENG is taking “serious exception” to it, as a case of victimisation for union activity, adding “it is unacceptable and will be resisted by the union”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Stakeholder seek support for ITF vision on unemployment Recently empowered by the Amended ITF Act, 2011, experts say the Industrial Training Fund,(ITF) is set to fully contend the challenge of unemployment in the country through the provision of vocational and technical training, writes MESHACK IDEHEN.

or Nigeria to effectively grapple with the unemployment challenge that is currently raving the country and some other parts of the continent, stakeholders said the vision of the Industrial Training Fund,(ITF) to establish industrial skill training centers at states and zonal levels must be fully supported by government and other relevant bodies. This development is coming, following delayed expectations expressed by many employment hopefuls who had nursed the belief and rightly so, that the quality of vocational and technical training they will receive from the Fund will go a long way towards moving them from job seekers to becoming entrepreneurs and employers of labour. Moreso, in the opinion of several experts, Nigeria as a developing country with a population of over 160 million people is battling with the major challenges of food insecurity, poverty and youth unemployment. However, making reference to other countries that have similar challenges but which unlike Nigeria are having the capacity to create jobs for its citizens, other analysts explained that those countries are ahead of Nigeria, because those nations emphasised the place of vocational and technical training and education in their national development, and heavily invested resources in it. In that regard, the Director General of the Fund, Professor Longmas Sambo

Wapmuk

Aganga

GRADUATES OF THE

ITF SKILL TRAINING CENTERS FROM

ANY OF THE VOCATIONS ARE USUALLY HOT CAKES IN THE LABOUR MARKET

Wapmuk,told our correspondent, that Nigeria through the Fund have the capacity to meet and overtake the “Asian tigers” both in terms of quality manpower production, and also in term of powering economic growth and output. He explained that the opportunities that exists for a nation and its people when technical and vocational trainings are brought to bear in the development plans of the country are limitless, adding also that countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and others have all built their economies to the standards it is through those country’s emphasis on the provision of technical and

vocational training for its people. According to the ITF DG, plans have been made, and arrangements have been concluded by the Fund to see to the establishment of an industrial skill training center (ISTC) in all the states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory,(FCT),adding also that with these moves, thousands of young people including graduates of tertiary institutions will be effectively empowered t]hrough training that will take them out of the unemployment category on an annual basis. In the same vein,Wapmuk disclosed that there are also plans to establish an ad-

Soludo to speak at AUN’s 7th Founder’s Day MESHACK IDEHEN

s part of its founders day celebration, the authorities of the American University of Nigeria’s,AUN,have said one of Nigeria’s leading economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Professor Charles Soludo, will be the keynote speaker at the event. According to the university, the founder’s day recognises the achievements of the entire university community, while look-

Jonathan

ing forward to the future, and also meant to honor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, founder of the University for his Commitment to youth education and empowerment in Nigeria and Africa. Vice-President for Public Relations and Communications at AUN, Mr. Abba Tahir, told National Mirror that the AUN community has a responsibility to pay tribute to a worthy patriot for founding, continuously funding and sustaining Africa’s premier devel-

opment university, adding the day of recognition is the token of goodwill. He added that Former Vice President Abubakar, seeing a need for more quality education in Nigeria, founded AUN in 2003, disclosing that the university was recently named Africa’s leading university at the African Investments and Development Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States. Tahir said the guest speaker, Professor Soludo, who also has served as former Chief Eco-

vanced skill training center in all the six zones in the country, adding also that the advanced training centers will train and produce thousands of high quality manpower annually that will not only boost job creation, but also the economy. Urging for the support of stakeholders, the DG said when fully implemented, that the vision of the Fund will completely eradicate the problem of unemployment, particularly amongst youths, and that the curriculum that will guide the training programs in these centers have already been developed by the ITF. On his part, Recruiter and

nomic Adviser to the President, earned a B.Sc. in Economics an M.Sc. in Economics and a PhD in Econometrics and Monetary Economics from the University of Nigeria, where he also received his professorship. He said Soludo has also been a visiting professor at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick, the Brookings Institution, and Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. Soludo, according to the university’s spokesman has served on the Chief Economist Advisory Council of the World Bank as well as the Financial System Regulatory Coordinating Com-

Trainer,Mr. Sunny Agboju told National Mirror that reasons why the initiatives by the ITF must be given support, is that the multiplier effect of such vocational and technical training can always be seen through the contributions that graduates of the few ITF training centers already operating are bring into the economy. According to Agboju, “graduates of the ITF skill training centers from any of the vocations are usually hot cakes in the labour market. Government can only tackle the problem of unemployment amongst youths, if more of such centers and trainings are provided”. He disclosed that many jobs been done by expatriates in the country can actually be done by Nigerian youths or graduates, if they are provided high quality and comprehensive trainers like those provided y the Fund. Speaking in the same vein, the Registrar and Chief Executive Office of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Mr. Adeyemi Mapaderun, said the Federal Government must attempt to implement the vision of the ITF which seeks to focus on the contribution of a revitalised technical and vocational education and training with emphasis on agricultural education to improve the economic status of the country and welfare of the people. He said integrating technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in education curricula will solve the problem of widespread poverty, unemployment and national food deficit, and that urgent priority should be given to revitalizing technical and vocational education and training with top priority given to functional hands on skill as championed by the ITF.

Soludo

mittee, a regulatory body that oversees Nigeria’s financial sector.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PHCN privitisation: Chances of takeover uncertain, says SSAEAC STORIES: MESHACK IDEHEN

he Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has declared that the Federal Government’s deliberate refusal to complete discussions on the payment of severance, gratuity and pensions to employees of Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN), portend dangers, as the chances of the new investors taking over the company is uncertain, if all pending labour issues are not settled SSAEAC said further that as long as the three basic issues of severance, gratuity and pensions to employees of PHCN remained unresolved, no new investors can take over the company. National President of the association, Mr. Bede Opara and General Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Ogunsegha, told National Mirror that they are on behalf of PHCN workers demanding that the Federal Government should without further delay conclude the discussion on severance

Anyim

Opara

WE HEREBY GIVE TWO WEEKS ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO OUR DEMANDS AS

GOVERNMENT’S INABILITY TO DO SO WILL FUEL THE UNCERTAINTY PRESENTLY PERMEATING THE ENTIRE

PHCN

part with the unions and pay the benefits of all employees

of PHCN, alongside directing PHCN corporate headquarters

TUC condemns LASG over Okada ban

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said it is watching with dismay the manner Lagos State Government has chosen to implement her policy on the commercial bicycle riders (okada), in cosmopolitan Lagos. The congress said the action of the state is condemnable, considering the socioeconomic implications of the issue at stake, adding also that regardless of what the law says it should be implemented with human face. TUC President, Mr. Peter Esele, and General Secretary, Chief John Kolawole, said in a statement that the idea of impounding and destroying the bikes in the present circumstances is very unfortunate, saying also that one of the most important responsibilities of the state is to protect

properties of its citizens especially the economic ones and not destroy them. The congress said it stands to reason that these small holders must have lost so much in this few days, which will render most of them indebted and vulnerable, and that it also stand to reason that such policy that will affect livelihood and security of the state should be carried out with alternative programmes or proposals, with the buy in of the ‘to be’ affected group, more so when the assets are convertible. “We take note that there are various poverty alleviation programmes on going in the state, but no action has been taken to woe the okada riders into any, nor is there any alternative programme to absorb the shock, the policy will create.

“The TUC does not wish to be forced to take this issue as a case of ‘injury to one is injury to all’. Such may force our solidarity reaction. We therefore call on the State Governor His Excellency, Mr. Raji Fashola (SAN) to halt the ongoing action against the okada riders for more peaceful dialogue and creative means of resolving the issue”.

Fashola

to commence computation of each staff entitlements based on 2010 condition of service, including the severance payment as will be concluded. According to the union leaders, the workers are also demanding the immediate invitation of the leadership of the union so that they can be briefed about the processes used to arrive at the successful bidders of the five generating companies, as it behooves on the workers who are critical stakeholders in the sector to know how these companies became qualified as prospective owners of these facilities. “We hereby give two weeks ultimatum to Government to respond to our demands as Government’s inability to do so will fuel the uncertainty presently permeating the entire PHCN and we may not guarantee industrial peace”, SSAEAC warned According to the union, whereas the formal negotiating team set up by the government to take critical look at the union’s demands has wound up; these issues largely remain difficult to resolve because of a perceived

huge amount involved. “And the meetings which were held, but midwifed by TUC and NLC on 29th – 30th Sept, 2012 have not resolved the problems. However, it was agreed at the meeting with the Secretary to Government of the Federation that out of meeting discussions shall hold between the intervening parties , the TUC/NLC and SGF office and the outcome be made available to the unions. “We wish to reiterate our unions’ demand that employees of PHCN be properly disengaged with full payment of their benefits before actual sale of PHCN and dissolution of its Management Team which is presently the employer of these our members”, it added. Meanwhile, the association has written to the Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) to desist from its intention to shuffle the corporate headquarters of funds while the discussion of the unions with the government is yet to be concluded and the delay in concluding the discussion is attributed to government.

Tips for job interviews ob interviewing never seems to get any easier - even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively. Proper preparations which help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews and the more you prepare, the more comfortable you will be interviewing. Practice-Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typical job interview questions and answers most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy. Research-Prepare a response so you are ready for the question what do you know about this company? Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the job interview. If you’re not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions. Get ready-Make sure your in-

terview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking. Be on time-Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Here’s more on preparing for an interview. Stay calm-During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question! Show what you know-Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions. When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for. Here’s how to make a match between your expertise and the company’s requirements.

and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools, and diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem amongst others. Also from (www.jobvanguard.ngr.com),is the post for a Teacher (Art) in a firm in Lagos.

Specialising in the education and teaching/Training, industry, the minimum qualification of an N.C.E and experience of 1 - 3 years is required. Some of the responsibilities are to be able to manage the class, to be creative and innovative and be of professional and ethical standards especially when dealing with pupils, colleagues, and community.

Job vacancies

he position for a Designer -Autocad User (www. jobsvanguard,ngr.com) in a firm in Gombe is available full-time, and requires experience of between 3 - 5 years Reporting to: factory manager, some of the responsibilities are to prepare development package and color for each program utilizing software including Web PDM, and develop pre-

sentation boards and reference materials for sales team to preview the line using Adobe CS5. Others are to follow up on status to make sure the patterns and prints are executed correctly and the ability to construct dobbies and simulate fancy textures for woven fabrics For qualifications, a degree in architecture and ability to use Autocad and use of rivet software is an added advantage

On offer also s the position for an Electrician (www. jobsvanguard.ngr.com) in a firm in Plateau state, requiring a minimum qualification of an OND, and experience of 3 - 5 years. The responsibilities for the position are to assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

Demolition of N3bn estate: Stakeholders doubt govt’s willingness to bridge housing deficit

Aerial view of the demolished 500 housing units of Minanuel Estate at Lugbe Extension by FCT Development Control in Abuja.

PHOTO:ROTIMI OSASONA

Since the agents of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) rolled out its bulldozers to pull down 372 units of houses already subscribed to by low income Nigerians in Minanuel Housing Estate, people have not ceased to ask questions as to the plausibility of the action. In this report, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, examines the implications of the demolition on the government’s quest to bridge the 17million housing deficit in the country.

he outrage and condemnations that trailed the demolition of 372 units of houses valued at N3billion in Minanuel Housing Estate in Abuja by the agents of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have not simmered, even after almost one month the dastardly act was perpetrated against the low income people in the country. Since the demolition, tongues have not seized to wag regarding the sincerity of the present administration to address the huge housing deficit, which is put at over 17 million units and the workability of the Public Private Partnership arrangement in addressing the infrastructure deficit in the country. While some stakeholders viewed the demolition exercise as part of a ground designs to push ordinary people out of the FCT, others took a sweep at the present administration’s slogan of “Housing For All” as mere charade contrived to deceive ordinary Nigerians. Without prior notices, the Department of Development Control of the FCDA, had in the wake of the nation’s independent celebration, rolled out its bulldozers to pull down 372 units of houses on the pretence that the housing estate had been allocated to the National Assembly members. Apart from the protests that greeted the demolition exercise, stakeholders in the housing sector, including well meaning Nigerians have variously expressed dismay at the action of the FCT administration, describing it as sheer “economic waste of monumental proportion.”

THIS IS TOTAL ECONOMIC WASTE. THE LEVEL OF WASTE WE ARE WITNESSING HERE TODAY WILL DEFINITELY NOT HELP THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA OF

MR. PRESIDENT.

YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE

ECONOMIC STABILITY WITH

THIS KIND OF WASTAGE.

THE

NUMBER OF WORKERS THAT WILL BE LAID OFF AS A RESULT OF THIS DEMOLITION,

I AM

SURE, WILL BE MORE THAN

1,000

While the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed had belatedly come out to deny the charge of carrying out the demolition without serving notices, he had failed to convince Nigerians that pulling down the multi-million naira housing estate was the right decision for the Nige-

rian economy and for the administration of the FCT under his charge. Not even his defence that the demolition was carried out with a view to protecting the sanctity of the Abuja master plan could assuage the outrage and condemnations that followed the demolition exercise. Even in the face of public outcry, the minister has also been quoted to have boasted that he had demolished over 124,000 houses since April 2010 when he came on board, the figure he said, was higher than the total of 36,000 houses demolished by all his predecessors put together. He seems to be having strong ally in the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple. When she was confronted by journalists at the recent World Habitat Day celebration in Abuja to comment on the demolition, the minister tried to rationalise the demolition exercise. Tried as she could to parry the question, her body language suggested that she concurred with his colleague. However, the Lawyer to the Minanuel Investment Limited, the developer of the housing estate, Mr. Femi Falana(SAN) punctured the arguments in support of the demolition, even as he refuted the minister’s claim that notices were served on the developer, challenging him to come out with such if there were any. In a statement in Abuja last week Thursday, Falana had said, “By the virtue of the express provisions of the Recovery of Premises Act, Abuja Cap 544,Laws of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagosians anticipate opening of Third Mainland Bridge, Nov 6 DAYO AYEYEMI

f promise is meant to be kept, in the next six days, the Federal Government, through its Ministry of Works, will finally deliver the popular Third Mainland Bridge to the public after four months of partial closure due to major repairs. Already, members of the public, especially motorists and traders who were regular users of the bridge before now are already anticipating its opening for use. When this is done, they are sure of easy journey to their workplaces and businesses on Lagos Island while saving travelling time. The bridge was partially closed to traffic on July 6, signalling official flag off of the repairs of its eight expansion joints of the facility in Lagos. Speaking to National Mirror at the weekend, Mr. Francis Emma, lamented the gridlock on Ikorodu Road two days before the Sallah holiday, blaming it on last minute shopping by Muslim faithful and closure of the Third Mainland Bridge. He said, “There is no longer alternative road to Lagos Island and many motorists were diverted to the already busy Ikorodu Road, worsening its traffic situation. “If Third Mainland Bridge has been opened, many people, at least, would have plied the road, thereby reducing traffic situation on Ikorodu Road.” Another person, who identified herself simply as Miss Funmi, wants Federal Government to keep its promise and deliver the repairs of the bridge on time to assuage traffic jam on Ikorodu Road. The first phase of the replacement of the expansion joints commences from Lagos Island bound carriageway between Ebute metta interchange and Adeniji

Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

Adele end. The second phase of the repairs is on the Oworonsoki bound carriageway between Adeniji Adele and Ebute Metta interchange. Since the repairs took off, vehicular traffic has been diverting between phase one and two of the bridge, while alternative routes were provided by the Lagos State Government for motorists approaching from Lagos end to follow the diversion at Adeniji Adele Interchange to connect Carter Bridge, link Iddo interchange where they could easily connect Ikeja, Ojota, Ketu, Ikorodu, Agege, Lagos Ibadan expressway, Alimosho, Oshodi, Abule Egba, among others through Eko Bridge, Herbert Macaulay Road and Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. Diversion from the bridge is to allow the contractor, Messrs Borini Prono, to do the concrete casting of the expansion joints. The concrete casting and drying process, Federal Government claimed that it

required zero vibration, hence the diversion of vehicular traffic away from the bridge. It will be recalled that the flag-off for the repairs of the 3rd Mainland Bridge phase 11/Additional Works for the repairs of 8 numbers of its expansion joints commenced July 5,2012. Third Mainland Bridge measures about 11.8km in length. It is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the other two being the Eko and Carter bridges. It is the longest bridge in Nigeria. During inspection tours to the bridge, Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen , an architect had expressed satisfaction over its state of repairs, affirming that the main contractor would definitely deliver the project by the end of October since “it is one week ahead job’s schedule.” He noted that the ongoing repairs of the bridge was the first in the series of maintenance that the Federal Ministry of

Works is undertaken, adding that routine maintenance has already commenced on all other bridges in Lagos after endless reports from the public on the need to carry it out. He assured that Federal Government will, as from now embarked routine maintenance of the infrastructure, noting that in the last 30 years, the ongoing exercise was the first to be contemplated by the authority. Fielding question from journalists on why indigenous contractor was not given the job to do, the minister said the project is a specialist’s work that required a contractor with right technology such as hydrodemolition technique. This modern technology, he said prompted the authority to consider Messrs Borini Prono who had one time carried out major repairs of the bridge in 2009. He explained that the structural design of the bridge gave room for integration of cantilever that allow movement, saying that could not amount to collapse.

Onolememen

Demolition of N3bn estate: Stakeholders doubt govt’s willingness to bridge housing deficit CONTINUED FROM 25 Federation, no government, authority or person has the power to eject any person from any property in the FCT without recourse to the rule of law.” Faulting the manner of the demolition and the premise on which it was based, the human rights activist, had also said,” Since the demolition was not carried out by officers of the High Court of the FCT following a judicial determination of any dispute between the FCDA and our client, the demolition is illegal in every material particular. “Even under the military dictatorship, the Supreme Court warned governments in the case of Military Governor, Lagos State vs Ojukwu (1986) and AG, Lagos State vs AG Federation, to desist from resorting to self help in the resolution of any dispute between them and citizens. “In the light of the foregoing, we wish to submit without any fear of contradiction that the demolition of the 372 housing units belonging to our client by the FCDA through self help cannot be justified under the current democratic dispensation.” Falana is not the only one who had come out to publicly challenge the rationale behind the demolition, as the Chairperson of Real Estate Developers Association, Mrs. Binta Ibrahim,FCT chapter, who visited the demolished estate had also described the demolition as an economic waste,

Developers of Minanuel Estate Lugbe Extension protesting the demolition at the estate units in Abuja. PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

stressing that it would not in any way help the transformation agenda of the present administration. She wondered how the country could effectively address the issue of youth restiveness and insecurity, if the over 1,000 workers that are being laid off through this demolition exercise are let out on the society. She said, “This is total economic waste. The level of waste we are witnessing here today will definitely not help the transformation agenda of Mr. President. You cannot achieve economic stability with this kind of wastage. The number of workers that will be laid off as a result of this de-

molition, I am sure, will be more than 1,000. We are talking about peace and about security. I want to advise my members today that they should step down every development anywhere at the FCT so that we will not go back to square one.” Besides, the subscribers to the housing estate have not only staged series of protests at the National Assembly, they have also called for public inquiry into the matter The subscribers had alleged fraud in the exercise despite the insistence by FCT administration that it made frantic efforts to discourage the continuation of the structures with an allegation that the developers

went back to site and resumed developments at a “frenzied speed.” In a chat with journalists in Abuja last week Tuesday, the spokesman for the Minanuel Estate Subscribers Union, Mr. Festus Adebayo called for an inquisition into the whole demolition exercise to unravel the truth. He wondered why the title documents of the land was declared fake even when another estate adjacent to it that was acquired in similar circumstances was not demolished. While insisting that there was need for the minister to be called to order as his action was inimical to the growth of the nation’s economy, he argued that the demolition exercise amounted to moving the real estate sub-sector of the economy backward and sending many Nigerians out of jobs. He said, “We need to state clearly that Minanuel Estate is not in Kyami District, but is located in Gosa, Lugbe Extension 1, but for the purpose of this criminality , the area was re-designed as Kyami District. We wonder why the district will be re-designed even without the knowledge of those that have invested in the area. “How come that it is only Minanuel Estate documents that are considered fake while documents of Forte Royal Estate beside it, which was bought from the same NCR Associates with the same title, from the same person, is not fake and Forte Royal is still standing?

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Agbaje set for Dickinson flight

Sport

The London Olympics wasn’t a good competing ground for the country. It is not the kind of Games we like to look back to, but I believe we can get it right in 2016 – Quartermiler, Godday James

Venus, Serena due in Lagos today

Friendly: Keshi to invite new faces for Venezuela

uper Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, has said that he will pick several players who are yet to feature for his team for a friendly against Venezuela next month. Keshi is also expected to make public his list of call-ups for the game billed for Miami, United States of America next week. The match will be played on November 14 and forms part of Nigeria’s build-up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where the Eagles are drawn alongside defending champions, Chipolopolo of Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. Keshi said, “I have plans to invite some new legs for the Venezuela friendly. They may not be new to Nigerians but I say they are new because it would be the first time they would be playing under me.” The former Togo and Mali coach who was not willing to give away some of the names, added, “Like I have said every Nigeria player will have his chance.” However, top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have revealed to MTNFootball.com that “Keshi is looking at ways of strengthening his team and plans to bring in players like Obafemi Martins, Onyekachi Apam, Joseph Akpala and Peter Utaka.” Keshi will now set his pre-AFCON training camp in Faro, Portugal, after his choice of Zimbabwe was overruled for lack of facilities.

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

he Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, are expected in Nigeria today, for a fourday tour of Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital. National Mirror learnt that the ladies are coming under the auspices of Breaking the Mould (BTM), an “African Women’s engagement initiative that will use national and international women ‘Mould Breakers’ to showcase how women have achieved greatness across various portfolios.” The tour is expected to end on November 2, with Venus, 32, and her younger sibling, Serena, 31, addressing a press conference, attending a gala dinner, running a tennis clinic and finally facing one another in an exhibition match. According to the itinerary of the sisters sent to our correspondent, they would attend a press conference tomorrow at the Ikoyi Club, Lagos, where they would also host a special tennis clinic for kids between the ages of 8 and 14. On Thursday, the multiple tennis grand slam winning sisters will dazzle at a glamorous gala night put together in their honour at the Federal Palace Hotel before appearing in an exhibition match at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club on November 2. Currently rated 24 and 3 respectively, by the Women Tennis Association (WTA) and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), it is expected that their tour of Lagos would be a boost to the sport in Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Venus (left) and Serena arriving for a doubles tennis event at a past competition

Stephen Keshi

AWC 2012: Falcons edge Cameroun Sunshine nets N106m for CCL semis IKENWA NNABUOGOR

Falcons’ Perpetua Nkwocha

igeria’s Super Falcons struggled on a wet pitch inside the Nkoantoma Stadium in Bata to beat Cameroun 2-1 in their opening game of the African Women’s Championship (AWC) in Equatorial Guinea yesterday. The first half of the game was difficult for both sides as an earlier rainfall ensured the pitch was wet and hard for both sides to secure a goal. But Onyinyechi Ohagugha rose to the occasion just at the end of the first half to give the defend-

ing champions the lead. On resumption of the second half, the Indomitable Lionesses with the limited time they had proved what they could do as Christiana Patience Mani equalised via a penalty kick. Falcons struggled to take the lead, and it was goal queen, Perpetua Nkwocha, who scored in the 89th minute to ensure Nigeria earns a 2-1 win over Cameroun. Results E’Guinea

1-0

S/Africa

Senegal

0-1

RD Congo

Nigeria

2-1

Cameroun

unshine Stars FC of Akure will pocket $665, 000 (about N106 million) for reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. The Nigerian club on debut lost out 4-3 on aggregate to sixtime winners Al Ahly in the semifinals of this year’s competition. This year’s winner will either be defending champion, Esperance of Tunisia or Al Ahly from Egypt and they will receive a cash prize of $1, 425,000, while the beaten finalist pockets $950, 000. The cash prize of the Champions League is just a little short

of the $1.5 million paid to the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations. Third-placed teams in their two mini-groups, Algeria’s Aso Chlef (Group A) and Berekum Chelsea of Ghana (Group B) are due to receive $475, 000. Zamalek of Egypt, who finished bottom of Group B, will receive $380, 000, while it is believed that Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia, who were disqualified from the annual competition after crowd trouble in their group game against compatriots Esperance, will forfeit their own prize money.

Sport

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arsenal plans Hatem’s capture

rsenal is planning a January swoop for Newcastle star Hatem Ben Arfa, if Theo Walcott leaves the club. The Gunners are growing ever more concerned that Walcott will refuse to sign a new deal at the Emirates, increasing the likelihood he will be sold in the upcoming transfer window. And, as a result, boss Arsene Wenger is ready to step up his pursuit of fellow Frenchman Ben Arfa, according to reports.

Wenger will hope the 25-year-old can provide a more clinical edge to Arsenal’s attack, after the summer sale of Robin van Persie has left his side struggling for goals at some points this season. The north Londoners were previously linked to the France international while he was still at former club Marseille. Although Newcastle would be loathe to lose one of their main stars they have proved to be willing sellers in the past, provided they are offered the right money.

Kneeling Torres sees red

Gerrard baffled at ref’s decis

teven Gerrard admits he was baffled by the decision that denied Liverpool victory in the Merseyside derby. Luis Suarez looked to have scored an injury-time winner at Goodison Park but was wrongly flagged offside. The match finished 2-2 but Kop skipper Gerrard said: “I’ve seen it again and we can feel sorry ourselves because it was a clear goal. “We should have taken away the three points rather than just one. There is no offside and it’s difficult for me to explain it. The only person who can explain it is the linesman. “I asked him after the game if it was offside and he said ‘I think so’. That’s not good enough. If every decision in this league is based on ‘we think so’ then we’re in trouble. “The linesman got it badly wrong. The benefit of the doubt is supposed to go to the attacking player anyway. “And for their second goal, it’s a clear throw-in to us. “The linesman gives us the throw but the referee saw something different. He gave Everton the throw and their second goal came from that.” Gerrard’s midfield team-mate Joe Allen was playing in his first derby. And the Welsh ace said: “It was an exciting encounter and I’m sure that was the same for the fans as well but it was a shame we didn’t get the three points.

Hatem Ben Arfa (left) in a match with an opponent

Steven Gerrard

sion

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Ferguson backs Torres’ sending off

anchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson stuck the boot into Fernando Torres and claimed the £50million Chelsea striker deserved to be sent off for diving. The Manchester United manager was involved in a heated touchline row with Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo following Torres’ 68thminute dismissal. And he reckoned that the European champions should have had three red cards but ref Mark Clattenburg bottled sending off John Obi Mikel. Torres had already been booked for a foul on Tom Cleverley when he went down under a challenge from United defender Jonny Evans. Both Evans and Ferguson later admitted that there was contact, but the United boss insisted: “Torres could have gone on and he didn’t. “I think Jonny may have caught him just a little but you can carry on running and he chose to go down. “He could have carried on and scored, that’s what I don’t understand. I think Jonny may have caught him just a little but you can carry on running and he chose to go down. “He could have carried on and scored, that’s what I don’t understand. When I was a player, I would never have missed the chance to go through. I would have taken that opportunity to score every time. “But he’s gone down and that is the issue. And he’s already been booked, so it’s his own fault.”

C boss demands City more respect

oberto Mancini reckons he and Manchester City deserve more respect for their achievements. The T Italian was responding after some supporters booed his team off at the s break following a woeful first half in the b wake of last week’s Champions League w mauling from Ajax. m It had not been the backlash Mancini – or the fans – had been hoping for. The City boss should be more concerned C with gaining the respect of some of his w own players, who doubt him and his o methods. m Yet he went some way to achieving that after changing his tactics to eke t out o a crucial, if underwhelming, win thanks to Carlos Tevez’s fine secondt half winner. h Mancini’s decision to drop Argentine ace a Tevez into a deeper position and switch to a back three led one of his ses nior n stars to quip that it made a pleasant change to be discussing his boss’s tacc tics t in a positive light for once.

Falcons’ AWC jerseys missing

he Nigeria Football Federation has lamented the loss of a whole carton of white jerseys of the Super Falcons on transit as the team travelled to Equatorial Guinea for the 8th African Women’s Championship (AWC) finals. Speaking in Bata yesterday, after the Falcons’ deserved 2-1 defeat of the Lionesses of Cameroun at the Nkoantoma Stadium, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said the non-arrival of the carton added to the depression of Nigerian team officials at the ongoing tournament. “We arrived in Malabo to poor treatment, had to found a way to connect to Bata, were rushed into a low-quality hotel and then discovered, after changing hotel, that a whole carton of white jerseys meant for the team had got missing on transit. “It was a demoralizing situation

and we just had to find a way to keep it away from the players until after the match against Cameroon. Thank God, the girls went out to secure victory. “Since arriving in Equatorial Guinea, we have had to face a litany of troubles, but the Nigerian spirit doesn’t die and that is why the team is determined more than ever to crush every opposition on the way to retaining the title,” Sanusi concluded. The Falcons scored first through midfielder Onyinyechi Ohadugha before the Cameroonians equalized through a controversial penalty kick. Perpetua Nkwocha, four-time African Woman Player of the Year and top scorer at the last edition of the competition in South Africa two years ago, had the last laugh with a spectacular diving header in the 89th minute that sealed the three points for the Cup holders.

Tit bits...

Villas-Boas Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas told his Tottenham players he will pay for their shirts after they celebrated by throwing them into the away stand. Gareth Bale, who opened the scoring after 15 minutes, along with Brad Friedel, Sandro and Tom Huddlestone thanked the travelling supporters by throwing their shirts to them after the final whistle.

Sissoko

Newcastle have pipped a host of Premier League rivals by agreeing to sign France midfielder Moussa Sissoko. The 23-year-old’s deal at Toulouse expires at the end of the season and he is free to sign a precontract agreement from January 1. Sissoko has already committed himself to the Toon — which is bad news for Spurs, Liverpool, Everton and Fulham, who were also keen.

Suarez Luis Suarez found himself at the centre of another storm with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers fuming as his star striker was denied a winner at the death. Suarez’s stoppage-time strike after Sebastian Coates headed a Steven Gerrard free-kick across goal was wrongly chalked off for offside.

Mikel Obi (right) and Referee Mark Clattenberg

Blues rap Clattenburg over Mikel race row IKENWA NNABUOGOR

helsea Football Club has made an official complaint against referee, Mark Clattenburg and alleged he used inappropriate language to two of their players in Sunday’s 2-3 loss to Manchester United in the Barclays English Premier League. Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel, who was booked and is understood to have confronted Clattenburg, 37, in the referee’s room after the game, National Mirror learnt, is believed to be one of the Chelsea players the controversial referee was alleged to have directed the racial abuse at. A Chelsea spokesman said an official complaint has been lodged with the English FA. “We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate. The match delegate will pass the complaint to the Football Association,” the spokesman told BBC Sport. Referees’ organisation, Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO)

later issued a statement which said also revealed that is is aware of the allegations against Clattenburg. “PGMO is aware of the allegations and they are being treated with the utmost seriousness. “Mark will co-operate fully and welcomes the opportunity for the facts to be established.” All four officials - the referee, his two assistants and the fourth official - wear microphones and ear pieces that allow them to hear what each other is saying throughout the match, although what is said between them is not recorded. Clattenburg, 37, is viewed by the PGMO as one of the country’s leading officials. He regularly referees games in European competitions and was put in charge of the League Cup final in February and the Olympic final between Brazil and Mexico in August. In 2009, he was suspended over allegations about his business dealings but Clattenburg appealed and returned to officiating having served an eight-month ban.

Sport

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

On the track with

YEMI OLUS danyella172003@yahoo.com

Kipyego, Kibarus sweep Marseille-Cassis

enyans swept the podiums at the 34th edition of Marseille-Cassis, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, on Sunday in Cassis, France. Battling tremendous winds, Edwin Kipyego and Mercy Kibarus produced impressive solo runs to win the 20km race in 58:16 and 1:07:58, respectively. A group of 11 runners led by Puis Kirop soon took control of the race before the ascension of the Gineste. Kipyego kept the pace hard in the uphill. When the group was reduced to

seven, Kipyego injected a sudden acceleration after some 20 minutes, opening a 10m margin. He reached the half-way of the race at the top of the Gineste in about 30:30 and accelerated as he entered in the slope. The rest of the field would never see again Kipyego’s red shirt. The winner, 22, covered the second 10km portion of the race in less than 28 minutes and arrived in Cassis’ port. His final time, 58:16, established the first record of the newly designed course of Marseille-Cassis.

Peter Eriksson appointed UK Athletics head coach

Fred Agbaje (left) and Sean Pickstok at the Dickinso State Open track and field meet

Agbaje set for Dickinson flight

aving experienced a delay for one academic session, Dickinson State University undergraduate, Fred Agbaje has been cleared to compete for the institution once the indoor season begins. Last year the sprinter secured a track and field scholarship but was unable to officially join the Blue Hawks due to issues he had with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. As a result, he had to compete unattached during the outdoor season. He said, “Being unable to compete for my school was a disappointing period for me, and it was due to the delay in the clearing of my Transcript by the NAIA on time. But I’m happy all that has been settled now, so I’m looking forward to competing with my school team when the indoor and outdoor season begins.” Agbaje who is now in his second year was unable to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics with a sea-

son’s best of 10.31 seconds while he finished seventh in the 100m at the national trials held in Calabar, Cross River in June. Nevertheless he believes that the season did not end badly having run a new Personal Best in the 100m: “Track wise, I will say 2012 has been good so far even though I failed to qualify for the London Olympics due to an injury setback. I got injured at the wrong time, about a month to the trials. My performance was okay because I lowered my Personal Best from 10.39 to 10.31 and I also got to the finals of all Nigerian Championship, after an injury just few weeks to the Championship. I can’t complain; I’m also doing well academically”, he said. His time would have won the NAIA national championship this season and Agbaje has set his sights on winning the title come 2013: “By the Grace of God, my expectation next year is the NAIA indoor

and outdoor title. I also hope to compete in the IAAF World Championships taking place in Moscow, Russia.”

eter Eriksson will replace Charles van Commenee as UK Athletics head coach. Eriksson, 59, was the UK Paralympic head coach and helped steer the team to 120 medals at the London Games. In finishing third in the overall medal table, Britain’s medal tally was 17 more than the target which had been set by funding body UK Sport. Van Commenee, who was in his role for three years, stands down after Team GB fell two short of his own target of eight athletics medals. UK Athletics managed six medals at London 2012 with four gold medals and took fourth place in the track and field medals table, their best since 1964. Eriksson, who was born

in Sweden, takes over the role officially when Van Commenee’s contract expires in December. “It is a great privilege to be asked to take on this role. I will continue with the methods and approach that has proved so successful in the Paralympic arena”, he said. Idowu has already tweeted his approval of the new head coach, he said: “Happy for Peter Erikkson, met him in Italy a few years ago and he was actually coaching (not just a title).”

Peter Eriksson

Athletics pundits differ over NSF status

ver the years, the issue of whether the National Sports Festival should be made an open or closed event has been a subject of debate but as the 18th edition which is being hosted by Lagos State draws near, the matter has taken the front burner once more. Former quartermiler and Olympic gold medalist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, believes that making the festival open to elite athletes will attract greater participation and add more colour to the biennial event. He said, “I believe that the festival should be made open; it should be about the celebration

of our sports. An open festival will bring out the best in our athletes and the best we have to offer. It will bring out great athletes, good publicity, great marketing opportunities and government will even spend money on the festival. Once money is spent on anything, it gets bigger. That’s just the truth about it. “Making it open will bring competition; it will make the athletes more serious because they will train harder for it. The big athletes will also train very hard so they will be in top form too. You cannot expect your athletes to compete only at the Olympics where there

is no competition to keep them going. It comes every two years so it will keep them on edge and people will keep on getting discovered.” However athletics coach, Isaac Ikhaobomeh, believes that the festival should be used both to develop and to source for new talents. “The national sports festival should be closed to elite athletes. It is meant to be a developmental programme and how do we develop, is it by bringing the elite? Let us just maintain the status quo and one day we will get there. It could be rough but we will surely get there”, he maintained.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

May we know some of the challenges militating against the development of the agency in Benue State? Yes, on 5th December, 2011, I became the General Manager of the Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASA), an agency charged with the mandate of ensuring that the rural people of Benue have access to potable water, effective hygiene and improved sanitation practices. I am just about a year as the general manager of the agency. The agency is an expansion of UNICEF project aimed at assisting the people of Benue State to get water. Most of the facilities particularly, the equipment that we have were the ones that we got from UNICEF as part of their support for direct implementation of water supply and sanitation activities in the rural areas. Some of the equipments have actually aged and there is need to replace them with modern equipment that will enable the agency to achieve its mandate effectively particularly, drilling equipment in terms of drilling rigs and compressors as well as support vehicles that will enable the agency to cover the entire state. We also have the challenge of limited manpower. It is common knowledge that Benue State was created in 1976 and between then and now, most of the staff that were either inherited from Benue-Plateau or were employed massively at the creation of the state have reached retirement age. So there is a gap between service need and manpower available. So we need enough staff to be able to complement the existing ones. We also have the challenge of office accommodation. We actually have a space that can contain all the offices we need but the building that was inherited was not actually meant for an office. It was somehow residential structure that has to be improved upon.

Real Estate & Environment

‘BERWASA aims at providing 100 % access to water supply in rural areas’ Dr. James Aper, is the General Manager of the Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASA). In this interview with HENRY IYORKASE, in Makurdi, he says that water borne diseases which hitherto were a source of worry to the people of Benue South West Senatorial District has been wiped away due to interventionist measure of his agency through provision of portable water and aggressive awareness campaign on hygiene and sanitation. president gave during the commissioning of the Greater Makurdi Water Works that he will support the state to develop an adequate pipeline system for distribution of water in town. So I think when that is done, these issues will be overcome. But our own specific mandate, it’s in the area of rural water supply and sanitation.

Aper

Has the state government been able to sustain its bargain as a way of its counterpart funding? Yes, the issue of counterpart funding just as every aspect of funding in any organisation is a challenge. Since I assumed duty, we had just started the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria project that required 50 percent of state’s contribution for the project to be implemented. We have the challenge of trying to access the resources because there was no clear budget line for that fund. But since I became the head of the agency, I have seen to it that the budget for state counterpart is contained in the state budget for the agency. So the issue of counterpart funding is a challenge. We may recall that it is this lack of counterpart that made most of these organisations to pull out particularly DFID and UNICEF from the state. But since the beginning of this administration, they were encouraged to come back and I think, this time around, the state is doing everything possible to ensure that a counterpart arrangement is sustained so that the agencies will not pull out for the second time. The agency has been partly funded by the international donor agencies, to what extent have they been able to fund your organisation? The donor agencies support the organisation both in hard and soft ware. In terms of physical equipment, we are talking of two drilling rigs that were do-

nated to the agency, four set of compressors and support vehicles for implementation. The most critical support that we have right now is the implementing of the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria that is the SHAWN Project. The project is worth more than two billion naira. For capital implementation, we are expecting to spend about N1.2 billion and the state will give its own counterpart of (a little) over 600 million naira while UNICEF will fund the rest. But they are also supporting us massively in the areas of training, organising workshops, sensitisations, community mobilisations, training of Water and Sanitation Committees at community levels and all forms of human resource development that we need. These are not transferred in terms of cash to the state but they fund it directly based on proposals that are submitted to state for the activities to be implemented. So, it is also a form of cash otherwise the state should have been spending resources to train her own persons but when the agencies stand to do that and you convert it, it becomes a form of cash. So, by and large, the project is worth about two billion naira. We are also expecting funds from the Global Fund for Sanitation (GFS) which is expected to intervene in two local governments of the state. We were expecting the project will take off around July this year but up till now we are still waiting.

The agreement has already been reached and they are working on trying to nominate the consultants that will help them to implement the project in the country. I think that is what is holding the project behind. But one is amazed that Makurdi, the state capital still lacks water in spite of the river that passes through it, how would you reconcile this case? Yes, the Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASA) have a specific mandate to cover the rural areas. Urban water supply is in the purview of the Ministry of Water Resources and the Benue State Water Board and the aspect of urban sanitation is under BENSESA. So if you isolate the urban areas, the rest is covered by BERWASA. So it is not my particular responsibility as an agency but as a citizen of the state, we are seeing that the water facilities have been completed and commissioned. Because of the gap in terms of reticulation between the old system structures for water supply and the new one that has been constructed, government is making efforts to make sure that all parts of the state capital and other large towns in the state are reticulated with pipe line system so that the water that is being pumped will adequately cover the town. So I think that is the phase and I think the state government is working with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources based on the promise that the

You mentioned rural water supply, to what extent, have you been able to achieve this? The agency has been on ground for quite some time and I think elaborate efforts have been made in the area of water supply. The agency effectively supported Benue state to attain zero Guinea worm status and by March 2013, the World Health Organisation (WHO) will be coming to Benue state to give the state certification status for eradicating Guinea worm. BERWASA played a very major role in providing water in Guinea worm LGAs of Ado, Guma, Agatu and other local governments in Benue State that were infested with Guinea worm. BERWASA as an agency is currently implementing the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria project. The project is aimed at providing 100 percent access to water supply in Oju, 80 percent in Ogbadibo and Konshisha and at least, 50 percent in Tarka. The agency is also working on a scale up process because this process is just a model to portray to the state that there is a possibility of achieving 100 percent of water supply in the rural areas. So when the project becomes successful, we are working on strategies for scaling it up. Already, Guma and Ado are contributing funds for the scale up activities and we hope that this will be expanded across the entire state so that the state government will buy the project and work in conjunction with the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through local government counterpart contribution to make sure that, we carry out this project through the length and breadth of the state. So these are the major areas BERWASA is intervening. We are also in the area of advocacy because the responsibility is not just that of BERWASA and his excellency, the government is of the people and we are all part of government. We have a statutory and social responsibility of making sure that our people have water in the rural areas. Many of us in the state have either been senators, House of Representative members, commissioners, permanent secretaries, local government chairmen and all other forms of government responsibilities but we fail to understand that there is a link between government and community. So sometime what we provide to our people, they don’t even need it.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Decorating ideas for living room

living room, or in some states, you can call it a recreation room or lounge, usually serves as the focal point of a house. This is where family members meet, interact and entertain visitors. Mostly appears as a more formal room comfortable, stylish and big enough to accept incoming visitors or family members. Most of the time, the routine is watching TV, playing games, reading and leisuring. Therefore, for planning the construction or renovation of a house, you need interior decorating ideas for living room, so it can accommodate all activities of expectations. The first thing you have to do is find the total size of your living room. Is it large or limited it will be a consideration when choosing your furniture like a sofa, side tables, TV tables and more. The following will count how many family members to use the living room, if visitors often come or not, what activity is going on and so forth. Common living room sofa or at least one seat, side table, bookcase and TV table: Furniture can be added, depending on the function and appearance. You can talk with your family, what kind of style or theme you want to have in the living room. It is very important to discuss interior decorating ideas for living room, should represent most of the

Culled from: www. planforhomedesign.com

general idea that the whole family wants. In general, the colour of the paint on the wall of his living room is required or elected in the first place. This is the beginning to complete the overall theme. The colour of paint you need to match the furniture and other decorative details. If

you want a living room before, you can choose blue, apple green or pink. The white colour will make a clean single between colours, while others are warm colours like red, you will create a positive spirit and good humour. While choosing your furniture, you may consider determining the total size of all the details you want to rearrange the furniture in the living room. Describe your idea in a paper picture of where and how you want your furniture is ordered. Using the image will be a good solution so I can calculate the focal point and the flow of movement between the furniture and other people in the room; you can find it, if it is too interested in men, people, or a fine. Once done with the furniture, the next thing you have to do is fix the lighting. Provide the same lighting with lamps and decorative details. Not only create different scenes, but it seems to praise the living room as well. Another thing is the floor and carpet. In some homes, the use of carpet on the ground is not now necessary, therefore, usually replaced by decorative rugs. In addition to the practical side, it is easier to clean the floors in the day. The floor itself will be determined once you decide to use only a decorative carpet or rug. Note that the application of the ideas that adorn the interior of your living room is one of the moments that are fun to make your entire family.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Rehabilitation contract for 463km Eastern railway stalled DENNIS AGBO

ourteen months after Turkish firm, Eser West Africa Limited, arrived Enugu for contract of 10 months reactivation of the 463 kilometres Eastern railway line between Port Harcourt and Markudi, the multi-billion naira contract has hit the rock as the contractor can no longer go on with the job because of allegation and counter allegations among the firm, Eser, the Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Ishiagu community in Ebonyi State where the contractor is supposed to source granite, the material for ballast overlay of chippings along the railway line. Whereas both the Federal Ministry of Mines and Ishiagu community have in combined efforts stoped the contractor firm from blasting the quarry for the job, both the contracting firm and the Nigeria Railway Corporation are enmeshed in allegation of diverting the chippings for personal businesses as their right of mining is being queried by the community and the ministry. The Ishiagu community is reporting of heavy movement of explosives in the community in the present Nigeria circumstance of insecurity and at the same time complaining that Eser has no licence to mine the mineral resources in the community. The Nigeria Railway Corporation is however putting up an argument in defence of Eser, saying that part of the agreement for the rehabilitation of the railway was that the corporation will supply the chippings from its acclaimed quarry mines scattered all over the country like the one in Ishiagu community but the community is even saying that the railway corporation abinito has no quarry in the community, adding that, Eser was mining the ballast allotted to JS Construction Company that has the true licence to mine quarry in the community. The allegation and counter allegation have resulted to exposition of both some staff of the railway corporation and the contractors to corrupt practices and use of the quarry for personal business that has made some of the accused staff of becoming landlords of multiple houses in Enugu and Ebonyi states. Both the railway and the contractor staff are equally accusing some indigenes of the Ishiagu community of trying to make business out of them, alleging that the contractor has delivered no less than N10 million to the community for purposes of compensation and corporate social responsibility but the representatives of the community said both the railway staff and the contractors are blackmailers and have called of their bluff. Ten months have since elapsed while the job on the ground does not in any way justify the huge amount so far expended by the Federal Government in its bid to reactivate the rail transport service in Nigeria. According to the Manager of Railway Eastern District, Mr. Felix Njoku, the Ishiagu quarry site of the corporation was acquired and paid for by the corporation at the cost of 300 pounds on October 19, 1954. He also claimed that the corporation in its transaction with the community also paid the sum of 180 pounds as compensation for the farmers that were using the land. He

Collapsed railway track

maintained that the quarry site was acquired by the NRC for the peculiar nature of rehabilitation and maintenance, adding that the quarry at Ishiagu takes care of ballast needs of the tracks of the railway from Port Harcourt to Markudi. Njoku went ahead to brandish documents and diagrams that vested the Ishiagu quarry site of the railway corporation especially by the 1955 Act of the Federal republic as well as the Land Use Act of 1978 and now the Laws of the Federation 2007. “Nobody has contested this position not even the Amaeze Ishiagu community in Ivo local government, the land owners,” said Njoku. The railway eastern district manager went ahead to say that Eser west Africa was shown the NRC quarry at Ishiagu to start extraction and crushing of ballast stones for the track rehabilitation. “However on getting to the quarry site, a company M/S James J.S Construction Company Limited was found based on licence erroneously granted by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. It was also discovered on enquiry that the host community illegally granted the company permission believing that they were the land owners. They lack such powers,” Njoku said. Njoku further alleged in attempt to extort money from the Eser contracting firm, a community leader, Chief Cletus Ekene Obodo, the Ivo 1 of Ivo, organised some innocent youths to stage protest marches within the quarry site, disturbing the peace within the community, claiming that the railway quarry site belongs to him. Njoku described Chief Ekene Obodo and one Donatus Orji as gold diggers who want to extort money from failed claims and sabotage the efforts of the Federal government to rehabilitate and bring back to life the rail transport system in the country. “His interest is to make sure that all the money or the lofty community projects which Eser is doing be channelled through him,” alleged Njoku. In his own account, Chief Ekene Obodo alleged that both the contracting firm, Eser and the NRC in September this year abducted a security personnel and Federal

Ministry of Mines’ workers that came for investigation to the disputed quarry site at Ishiagu and brought them to Enugu. Obodo said that the matter was reported to the Ebonyi State Police Commissioner that sealed off the quarry site for illegal activity and security reason. The community leader stated that it was the Ministry of Mines that ordered Eser to leave the site and upon which the Ishiagu community acted to help enforce the order of the mines ministry. Chief Obodo also denied organising the youth of the Amaeze Ishiagu community that staged protest at the quarry site, explaining that he was in fact at Abuja on that October 17 day of protest, having meeting with officials of the railway corporation and the mines ministry when the demonstration took place.

He accused Eser of theft of explosives it was using in the mining of the quarry, insisting that Eser has no licence to mine quarry in his community. Obodo further accused the railway manager of diverting and sell of the chippings to individuals to make his personal money. He alleged that railway manger is building 162 rooms’ hostel blocks with the money he is making from the illegal business. He said, “I told them that in Abuja. Why should he do that if it is supposed to be for the rehabilitation of the railway?” Obodo denied that Eser has given the community N10 million or is about drilling water borehole for his people, noting that the way forward out of the imbroglio was for the contracting firm to follow due process in securing licence to mine quarry in the community.

FG orders FERMA to fix roads ahead of Yuletide OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

he Federal Emergency Road Management Agency (FERMA) yesterday said that it has received a presidential directive to utilise the approaching dry season to fix all the economically viable federal roads across the country. FERMA Managing Director, Engr. Gabriel Amuchi who spoke while inspecting the pace of work on the AbujaKaduna dual carriage way, said that the agency had set 90 days target to accomplish the task. He said that work was ongoing across the country to ensure that travelers have a smooth sail on the roads, particularly during the approaching yuletide celebration periods. “Dry season is setting in, so we are looking at not more than 90 days which is between the month of October to December, that is the target and we are aggressive about it all over the country. “FERMA is all over the country; we have an office in Maiduguri that are intervening there and the location that we have failures have been receiving attention as I speak to you because this is a

national programme. The President has directed that now that the dry season has set in, all federal roads that are in bad shape should be fixed before the end of the year to enable Nigerians travel safely,” he said Arising from the spate of devastation arising from flooding, he also stated that the President had other the agency and its parent ministry to quickly swing into action to fix the affected areas. “You are also aware that we experienced a lot of flooding this year, which is a natural phenomenon, It is natural but even at that, the presidency has intervened and has directed our parent ministry and FERMA to quickly go back to all those areas affected and see what measures we can take to reinstate them and make the roads motorable during this period,” he added. The FERMA boss also explained that the approach being adopted by the agency in providing palliative to the failed portions of the roads across the federation was aimed at providing employment for the people. According to him, young people are now being employed in the communities where the agency is carrying out its repair work

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

London’s post Olympic property regeneration embraces affordable homes

Olympic houses

he £15 billion regeneration of the area in the east of London that hosted this summer’s Olympic Games is well under way with affordable homes part of the picture. As part of this, according to report from Property Wire, a new 43 floor residential tower is due for completion in 2013 as part of a development that will provide 704 new homes available on a shared ownership basis. Property firm Genesis said that they offer excellent value for money with monthly outgoings comparing favourably with average rental prices in the area. Prices start at £53,125 for a 25 per cent share of a one bedroom apartment, based on a full market value of £212,500. The Stratford Halo project occupies a prime position at the main entrance to the Olympic Park, due to be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which is predicted to have 9.3 million visitors a year by 2016, hosting a mix of 2,000 events per year including sport and entertainment. The one, two and three bedroom apartments are available in a variety of layouts, with each home having a spacious open plan living area and its

own private balcony. The homes are finished to a high quality specification, including designer kitchens complete with Bosch appliances, and wood strip flooring and carpets. Despite its convenient location, the development enjoys a peaceful riverside setting surrounded by landscaped grounds, which include a children’s play area. A range of other new facilities and amenities, including schools, hotels, parks and health centres, are planned for the wider area.

Stratford has seen enormous change including the Westfield Stratford City centre mall which opened in the summer of 2011 with shops, cinemas, restaurants and a casino and attracts a million visitors per week. Stratford is now regarded one of London’s best connected locations thanks to huge investment in infrastructure, meaning residents can enjoy a speedy commute into Central London, the City and Canary Wharf. It is served by the Jubilee and

Central lines on the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway and overland rail services, including the High Speed domestic rail services that will allow commuters to travel into central London in just seven minutes. In future, Stratford will have a station on the Crossrail line, providing Eurostar international services. Buying under shared ownership is designed to help buyers who cannot otherwise afford to purchase their first property on the open market, allowing them

to buy the share of their home that they can afford, at least 25 per cent, and pay a subsidised rent on the remaining share of the property. They can increase their share at any time, right up to 100 per cent and outright ownership. The scheme is open to buyers whose total annual household income is less than £64,300 for one and two bedroom properties and £77,200 for three bedroom homes. They should have savings of about £3,500 to cover moving and legal costs.

Decline in student numbers: Investors in UK student accommodation undeterred

nvestment in student accommodation in the UK has increased to a record £2 billion, according to new research from property consultants CBRE. In a report by Property Wire, transactions hit £2 billion in first nine months of 2012 despite decline in number of students and overall investment is up 145 per cent compared with the first nine months of 2011. As well as rising investment, the CBRE research has pinpointed a number of

changing trends in this sector. Investors are now deploying more capital outside of London than within it, as over half of total investment in 2012 to date has been in the regions other than London. The sector is also witnessing larger deals than ever before. During the past 15 months, the market has seen five £100 million plus transactions. Before the third quarter of 2011 no single deal had exceeded £85 million. The University Partnerships Programme (UPP) Regional Portfolio typifies this, said the

firm. Dutch pension fund manager PGGM invested in a 60 per cent stake in UPP’s assets this year, worth an estimated total of £840 million. Total returns remains a key driver for investors, as they flock towards the impressive returns given by student accommodation for a second year in a row,’ said Jo Winchester, head of student advisory at CBRE. ‘Our data shows that student accommodation is outperforming other asset classes by some margin, as it has brought 9.6 per cent returns in the year to Sep-

tember 2012. This compares to 5.4 per cent for all offices and 2.2 per cent for all retail in the year to August 2012,’ she added. The increase in university fees has made a difference to the number of students attending university in 2012/2013. CBRE’s research also indicates that a low number of students deferring from last year, the lower than expected number of AAB students and changing demographics have all contributed to a decline in student numbers, yet investors remain undeterred

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

GAT ownership: The unending controversies

he Nigerian aviation industry is in for another round of battles as the two bigwigs in the country’s aviation industry are in for a titanic clash that might eventually further cripple activities in the sector. Expectedly, the reconstruction and eventual commissioning of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos last week by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim came with controversies. There has been legal tussle between the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2) and the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on the rightful owner of the terminal since BASL commenced operations as a private terminal operator of MMA2 in 2007. While the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah and some stakeholders believed the terminal was not part of the original agreement FAAN reached with the concessionaire, BASL and its protagonists are insisting that GAT was part of the agreement and warned that the continual dishonouring of contractual agreements by government most especially in the sector would spell doom for the growth of the industry in particular and Nigeria in general. At the commissioning of GAT last week, Oduah insisted that the terminal was not part of the agreement the concessionaire had with the government and said no one could hold the country to ransom. Oduah said that information at her disposal indicated that BASL was threatened by the imminent opening of the newly reconstructed and remodelled GAT. Oduah emphasised that the area where GAT is located has never been part of the area concessioned to BASL, stressing that the agreement with Bi-Courtney had a Survey Plan clearly marked in Square metres and the area of the GAT was never contemplated to be part of the area leased to the company. “It is inconceivable that anyone would not only contemplate, but also hold fast to the jaundiced belief that a nation as big and great as Nigeria ought not to progress beyond having a terminal like MMA2.” She added that despite the allegations that there are subsisting court orders restraining anybody, including FAAN, from further development of the GAT, the cases was still ongoing at the Supreme Court. But documents made available to National Mirror by the spokesman of BASL, Mr. Steve Omolale-Ajulo indicated that GAT was actually ceded to BASL by FAAN in 2007. Omolale-Ajulo in the documents revealed that FAAN and the former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-kayode had on May 17, 2007 through a letter signed by Garba Mamman, of the federal ministry of transportation (air transport), actually ceded the GAT to the concessionaire. The letter with reference number T. 4464/S.35/C.2/T3/49, titled Re: Formal notification of the use of the apron area of the current domestic terminal (the GAT area), and addressed to both Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Author-

OLUSEGUN KOIKI takes a look at the crisis between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) on the true ownership of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which was commissioned last week by the Ministry of Aviation.

New General Aviation Terminal, MMA.

Oduah

Murtala Mohammed Airport Two Complex

FAAN IS OFFERING BCC LIMITED A CONCESSION PERIOD OF 36 YEARS ON THE NEW MMA DOMESTIC TERMINAL, IKEJA, BEING DEVELOPED BY MESSRS BCC LIMITED ON BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT ity (NCAA) and the Managing Director of FAAN, reads in part, “I am directed to forward herewith a letter from Bi-Courtney Limited on the above subject and to inform you that the honourable minister of state 1 (air transport) has approved the company’s request as follows: (i.) The continued use of the old terminal’s parking space to park planes before they are ferried to the new apron for boarding; (ii.) To ferry passengers from the new terminal to the parking area for boarding.” Besides, on the tenure of the terminal, which has equally been under controversy since inception, a document obtained through Omolale-Ajulo revealed that the federal government gave approval for 36 years concession based on the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme. The document signed by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, FAAN, Dr. Jaiye Oyedotun indicated that FAAN actually offered the concessionaire the 36 years period for MMA2. A memo written on FAAN letter head with reference number FAAN/1300/ BD/402A/Vol.1, dated October 12, 2006, and addressed to the managing director of BiCourtney Consortium Limited, titled: “Re: Tenure of New MMA Domestic Terminal

By Messrs Bi-Courtney on BOT Business Arrangement,” stated that on the basis of the KPMG report, which recommended 36 years as the tenure for the concession. “FAAN is offering BCC Limited a concession period of 36 years on the new MMA domestic terminal, Ikeja, being developed by Messrs BCC Limited on build, operate and transfer business arrangement. Please, formally indicate your acceptance, or otherwise, of this concession tenure so that we may conclude the formalisation of the documentation of the project” the memo stated. A source close to the ministry confided in our correspondent that GAT was part of the agreement and was expected to be used by BASL, but wondered why the government had reneged on its earlier agreement. Besides, just recently, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, ordered the Federal Government to totally steer clear of MMA2. In a unanimous judgment, the three-man panel led by Justice Zainab Bukachuwa, had said the government did not transmit the record of the trial (at the lower court) within 30 days, if a court registrar failed to do so within the first 60 days after delivery of judgement, adding that “the applicant (Federal Government) is entitled to ask

for an extension of time after the 90 days which, the applicant did not do. The Federal Government had appealed against the judgement of Justice Anwuli Chikere of an Abuja High Court, delivered on March 3, 2009, which ordered it to stop the operations of domestic flights in or out of Lagos from any other airport other than MMA2, except if such airport is owned by Bi-Courtney Limited. Justice Chikere, in his ruling, also stopped the Federal Government from building any other airport terminal in Lagos, while ordering it to account for all the revenues it had collected from domestic flight operations in Lagos outside MMA2 since the new terminal became operational on May 7, 2007. An aviation stakeholder and head of Aviation Consult Limited, Mr. Chris Anyanwu decried the inconsistent implementation of contractual agreement by the government, saying that the act would continue to drive away potential serious investors in the sector. Anyanwu mentioned the abrupt termination of the contractual agreement between the government and Maevis Nigeria Limited and the sending away of Pan Express Limited as a concessionaire to FAAN on port charges by FAAN as some of the recent cases, which had further put the sector into disrepute. MMA2 is undoubtedly the best terminal in the sub-region and since its commissioning, it has made a great economic impact in Nigeria by generating lots of commercial and business opportunities for thousands of the public. Since inception, MMA2 has offered an unparallel air services to passengers and the facilities at the terminal is second to known in the continent. The imposing edifice has won commendations not just from the operators and passengers in the country, but from the revered Airline Council International (ACI) and was listed among the best terminals in the world by the council. The terminal is equipped with departures and arrival halls, electronic check-in counters, three dual head boarding bridges, helipad, apron facilities capable of handling fully loaded wide body aircraft, automated multi-storey car park with capacity for 800 hundred vehicles, meeting and conference room for V.I.Ps and executives, food courts, banking services for passengers and airline lounges among other features. The Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin in one of the press parleys recently, informed that the terminal was futuristically constructed to accommodate 10 million passengers annually. No doubt, the current battle between BASL and the government will go a long way in determining the future of not just the country’s aviation industry, but also the future of Public-Private Participation (PPP) in Nigeria. The government in the last one year has been moving round the globe to woo foreign investors to invest in the country, but policy summersaults and unfavourable working environments may spell doom for the country.

Aviation

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Boyo lauds FG over removal of import duties, VAT on aircraft, spare parts STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo as commended the Federal Government on the recent abolition of import duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) on commercial airplanes and their spare parts. Boyo in a statement lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for considering the recommendation of the forum of domestic airlines in the past years and removing the impediment to the growth of domestic airlines in Nigeria. Boyo stated that the new government policy would breathe life into the operations of domestic airlines in Nigeria, adding that money paid to Customs as duties could be diverted to other areas in the sector. He also thanked the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah and the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren for their persistence and perseverance to ensure that the policy became a reality. He said, “Government’s decision to implement a zero duty and VAT regime on commercial aircraft and spares demonstrates in no small measure the commitment of the administration of

Capt. Boyo

President Jonathan to achieving the objectives of the transformation agenda in the aviation sector. “We can say without equivocation that the benefits of the transformation agenda of Mr. President will be felt more in the aviation sector with the new policy.” The removal of import duties and VAT on aircraft and spares has been at the core of the recommendations of domestic airline operators to the Federal Government over the years. Meanwhile, the former President of National Cabin Crew Association of Nigeria (NACCAN), Mr. Olumide Ohunayo in an email to our correspondent expressed fear about the abuse and the implementation of the new policy.

He explained that in a bid to prevent abuse, the National Assembly should put a caveat that for any operator to benefit from the zero tariff regimes, such should have a minimum of 19-seater aircraft, adding that such aircraft should equally be Nigerian registered. “The zero tariffs that have been introduced by Mr. President is good, but my fear like others before it is the abuse and implementation. I hope legislature will put a caveat on it. The beneficiaries should be commercial airline operators with a minimum of 19-seater aircraft. “Anything short of that will be robbing the poor to pay the rich. It should also be tied to aircraft with Nigerian registration too. That will increase employment and professionalism.” The Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters, Capt. Akin Oni in a phone interview with our correspondent noted that the removal would revive the sector from its comatose state, but recalled that such proposal was made in the past without success. “It is a giant step by Mr. President towards reviving an ailing industry; if it sees the light of day. Forgive my skepticism as we have been down this path before. Hopes were dashed. The dejavu feeling comes back again.”

Arik Air awarded best security, safety-conscious airline

ne of the indigenous carriers in Nigeria, Arik Air was last week awarded the best security and safety conscious airline in West and Central Africa for the second consecutive year. A statement signed by the image maker of the airline, Mr. Banji Ola stated that the honour was bestowed on the airline at the 9th Security Watch Africa Award held in Accra, Ghana. He stated that the award was conferred on the airline because of the its commitment to high standard of security and safety in its regional operations since in-

ception as well as compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standard for aviation operations internationally. He added that the organisers found the airline’s security and safety standards exemplary in West and Central Africa. He stated that the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was among the several dignitaries from Nigeria and Ghana that witnessed the ceremony, presented the award to Arik Air’s Aviation Security Training and Standards Manager, Akeem Oladimeji.

L-R- Managing Director, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole and Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah at the Commissioning of the remodelled General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos last week.

Governor Amosun congratulated Arik Air and other award recipients and hoped it would spur them to do more exploit. Responding, Arik Air’s representative, Oladimeji, commended the organisers of the award and stated that the award bears testimony to Arik Air management’s huge investment in safety and security, stressing that the airline’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) Department is the most sophisticated in the industry and the airline’s commitment to safety is second to none in West and Central Africa. The statement reads in part, “Arik Air has invested a lot of money on itemizer equipment used to trace drugs. The airline, which has 300 security staff in its employment, is the only Nigerian airline that conducts an independent secondary screening of passengers prior to departures. “The airline also places a lot of emphasis on training and certification of its security personnel. The airline’s Aviation Security Training and Standards Manager and the Chief Security Officer are ICAO certified Aviation Security Professional Managers.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Let the passengers dance

he arrival of Med-View Airline into the airline sub-sector last week after the issuance of Air Operator’s Certificate by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has further widened the choices of air passengers at a time most can no longer fly to their destinations due to inadequate airline operators in the sector. The journey, which commenced about two years ago, eventually became a reality on the 20th October, 2012 in pomp and pageantry at both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) headquarters and the airline’s headquarters at Ikeja. While Airside will like to congratulate the management of

the airline, most especially its Managing Director, Alh. Bankole Muneer for the milestone achievement, it is pertinent to note here that the issuance of AOC to it by NCAA is the beginning of a journey, which no one prays it ends. With Med-View Airline coming into the picture air passengers can now make choices on any airline they wish to fly with again in the sector. The era of an airline behaving like a demigod and blacklisting clients may eventually be thrown into the winds with the arrival of Med-View. Airside wishes the management of the airline best flying time when they eventually commence flight operations. Now, let the passengers dance.

When did air return become a major issue again?

he media was awash recently with series of air returns involving the remaining two active indigenous carriers in the country and the efforts of both the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah and the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren to douse fear of the flying public. The reports simply indicated that the sector is not safe for flight operations and the country may witness another air crash soon after the Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012 in which over 163 victims both on board and on ground perished. In fact, every stakeholder and professional is worried about the situation. However, Airside feels the media has a major role to play in return-

ing the travelling public to the sector, rather than creating unnecessary fears in their minds. Airside wants to say here that air return is a normal and legitimate safety procedure recognised worldwide even by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and all pilots and airlines are expected to adhere strictly to this for safety purpose. Ironically, virtually all aviation correspondents have undergone some form of trainings actively sponsored by NCAA in the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria where we were tutored on air return and its necessity. At this stage, Airside thinks a responsible aviation journalist should be creative in reporting air return if at all it should be reported. Safety is everybody’s business.

Delta Air Lines launches second year of internship programme for Nigerians

elta Air Lines has welcomed its latest recruit into the second year of its Business School Internship Programme in Nigeria. The Delta-funded programme was launched in Nigeria in 2011 and now operates in a further four African countries like Ghana, Senegal, Liberia, and Kenya. An online statement signed by the airline’s media consultant in Nigeria stated that the initiative was designed by Delta in conjunction with local business schools to offer African students valuable work experience gained within a global organisation. The statement added that this year’s internship has been awarded to a graduate of the University of Lagos and originally from Ogun State, Miss Ayomide Adefioye. As part of the internship programme, the statement said Ayomide would

receive on-the-job training in a number of key business areas such as sales, marketing and administration. “We are delighted to welcome Ayomide on board and look forward to a second successful year of our internship program,” said Delta’s Commercial Manager for East and West Africa, Mr. Bobby Bryan. “By investing in young people and equipping them with the skills they need to shine in the workplace, Delta is helping to develop Nigeria’s business leaders of tomorrow.” Business interns are fully integrated into Delta’s sales force in each country, becoming a team member with specific responsibilities and projects. The end of the one-year programme culminates in a visit to the United States to meet with senior executives and learn more about how an international organization such as Delta operates.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Budget execution vital for insurance industry growth, Efekoha For the insurance industry, budget planning by the Federal Government will not have any positive impact like the execution of the budgets. In this Interview, Managing Director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Mr. Eddie Efekoha told OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO, that Government, as a major spender, could impact on insurance business if only they will execute the different projects and programmes in the budget. Kindly do a review of the Nigerian insurance industry in 2012 and projections into 2013. The year 2012 actually started with a lot of hope, as we all thought that the Federal Government transformation agenda which identified several economic reforms will spill over to insurance in terms of business generation. Government as a major spender could impact on our business if only they will execute the different projects and programmes, of course, the different sectors of the economy including insurance will benefit. We had thought that things will go upwards, but, l still do not think that will happen given that we are at the end of October, the 10th month in the year. I do not think that has happened, but suffice to say that the industry has grown as we are still providing immediate service to the general economy as a stabilizer. We have witnessed key event that should have shaken the industry. The first is the Dana air crash; secondly, we are currently experiencing what would have been said will never happen in Nigeria, which is flooding. We have not identified Nigeria as a natural disaster zone as such, and most insurers will always look at flood as special risk, whereas this kind of flood is like one coming from a leaking overhead tank, affecting both the high and the low. Even President Goodluck Jonathan’s house in the village was not spared which means it is not just my house or yours in the village or town that was flooded. This flood is no respecter of anything and the flood risk is the situation we face today, which means that the risk is with us and we must take all the measures to plan for it and to manage it effectively. How has insurers fared amidst these challenges? Truly, insurance is very challenging particularly in the light of very strong regulatory demands, but we thank God we are coping. For us at Consolidated Hallmark Insurance plc, l will say that we are happy with where we are, having achieved a very modest growth. The key driver of our business from the start is our people: the staff and the board. We have continued to improve on the hosting of our annual general meetings by investing so much on the processes. Each year we try to bring forward the time we hold our AGM and since 2007 we held the AGM in August then July. This year 2012 we held it before the first half of the year. As we move on, we will continue to improve on the time of the AGM. The numbers have grown but not as we expected because we are still under the weight of our past in terms of receivables in the industry, which has not helped anybody under a constantly changing regulatory regime. As far as this is concerned you will recall that consolidation was done on the bases of allowing companies up to N400 million receivables as part of their shareholders fund. That is in determining the N3 billion shareholders funds that is the new capital. Underwriters were allowed

Efekoha

TRULY, INSURANCE IS VERY CHALLENGING, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF VERY STRONG REGULATORY DEMANDS, BUT WE

THANK

GOD WE ARE

COPING N400 million on receivables, meaning that effectively, what was on ground was N2.6 billion. By the time that was over we came up with a regime that allowed receivables up to one year being allowed in their accounts, Then we moved on shortly after to have receivables classified into 90 days, 180 days, 270 days and 361 days and we are told that within180 days we may allow 10 to 15 per cent and there after 90, 100 and 180. Before now, you were allowed something and now, we are at the threshold of saying you are not even allowed anything again. So all of these have taken place within a span of five years. You will appreciate therefore what impact that has on the financial reporting of various companies. All we have continued to do is to comply as we are in a regulated business. Fortunately, I do not think that we are in any serious breach of regulatory requirements in terms of returns. We equally realised that this year like every other year, we have greater stake to our stakeholders particularly the policy holders. Just recently, we were involved with Chevron fire. It might look small, but it’s something. We paid a claim of about N60 million to somebody just few months ago even though the major claim has not been concluded. And as we speak, we are about settling claim of about N180 million for a fire that happened in Kano.

For us as a company, we recognise that we are in business to pay claims and therefore we must operate and ensure we do not fail. When we do that, satisfied clients will recommend themselves and other people to us. So it’s a business that is built on referrals such that existing clients will refer you when you have done this and we will continue to do that in the mist of changing environment. As at September, which is the end of third quarter we exceeded what we paid in terms of claims in the whole of 2011. That means that by the time the year runs through we must have paid out quite huge. Last year, we paid N512 million, and this year we have paid about N615 million as at September already. Also, we moved to our Head Office on Ikorodu Road this year from our Victoria Island Office which now serves as our VI branch office. Our movement here has helped our productivity because manhours that we used to spend on Lagos traffic has reduced. What is the impact of flood threats, food production on insurance market? There is no gainsaying the obvious that our market will be threatened by these events. We have had this flooding incident and no doubt some of them have been insured. However, it depends on how long the flood remains with us. May be, insurance may not be taken up on them anymore or for a long time to come. Then you will expect that premium to the industry will reduce. As we speak, there are a lot of temporary camps for many of our brothers, sisters and friends in affected areas, and this is a major challenge for the Market Development Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) when we look at growing the retail market. Now, if these are the people we are focusing on, small peasant farmers and rural population and they are battling for survival, in-

surance will be the last thing that will be in their priority list. MDRI might suffer some little setbacks because these people will need to be re established to get a decent accommodation and guarantee survival before insurance is looked into. By and large, I believe the flood will impact on the level of premium being expected into the industry. Now that flooding is taking a bigger dimension in our environment, how prepared is the industry to provide cover on this? Flooding is part of what we regard as special peril and is part of the fire policy. But whether the current flooding is what we anticipated becomes another issue because natural peril is difficult to cover and that is why government is regarded as an insurer in case of natural perils. But as far as this one is concerned, a lot of the places that were affected are not major buyers of insurance yet because each time l go out l ask - Do you have any flooding claims so far reported? And many have said they do not have, because most of the affected areas (villages) are still yet to see much development. But for a true flood, like the rain we had in Lagos some time, insurance came to the rescue – we all recall the claim from Friesland WAPCO. It is flooding but as a result of rainfall. But the current flooding is not rainfall, but as a result of other issues. So to that extent, flood is part of what we cover in insurance and each case like we say will be looked at on its own merit. Those who are affected by flood and whose properties have been destroyed by this recent case and have insurance should put up their claims and the respective insurance companies will look at it within the ambit of the policy they have issued. Are we expecting changes in the market following the new NAICOM guideline on premium receivables? The circular will take effect from January 1, 2013. So the effect will be felt then. It is hoped that it will resolve part of the problem we have with receivables in the industry. But whether it will totally eliminate that problem or not will be discussed by stakeholders later. Is claims negotiation a process in insurance business? Claims in insurance are premised on the understanding that premiums are paid and put in a pool where the unfortunate members of the pool are compensated in the event of loss. Everybody is contributing to it; therefore, the fund must be judiciously applied or used. When claims are made on that pool, they are not just paid but must be negotiated. If somebody experiences a situation of negotiation, l thinks it is normal. However, in negotiating, several conditions might prevail and the conditions may be that the premiums could have been paid after the risk has matured. In that case, somebody is saying is not responsible but because we know you have suffered loss, so we will give you 30 per cent. If you like it you take it, if you don’t you can go to NAICOM or NIA Complaint Bureau to make your case.

Insurance

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A&G Insurance pays NCAT over N1.2bn claims

…Restructure company STORIES BY OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

lliance & General Insurance (A&G) Plc is moving to restructure its business in accordance with regulatory provisions and standards of the insurance industry. This is even as the underwriting firm paid over N1.2 billion in claims to Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) for its aircraft that crashed in 2010. A&G Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Dotun Onipede disclosed this recently in Lagos. He recalled that on 23rd May, 2010 a plane belonging to NCAT crashed during the process of landing by a trainee pilot. He stated that there was no causality but the plane a model, TAMPICO TB9 plane was totally wrecked with many of

its components totally bruised, including the propeller, the engine, the sliding gear, the fartewells, the wings and the plane curling. He added that the company spent over N250 million on one of the aviation College’s prestigeous aircraft, 5N-CAG that crash landed months ago to be ferried to Denmark for repairs. “The aircraft is ready and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has gone to inspect and will soon issue a ferry-permit to allow the aircraft to be returned to Nigeria. The crash was pathetic but we thank God that no life was lost in the process and our company is ready to tackle this issue with high level of urgency required being the only training institute for pilot in Nigeria.” Onipede posited that the company’s consistency in the payment of claims has strategically placed it as a well established and

LASACO gets ISO certification for quality

ASACO Assurance plc has secured ISO 9001:2008 certification on quality management system, a position placing it as the first insurance company in the country to be certified. Managing Director of the company, Mr. Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi who made made this known recently said the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has provided independent confirmation that LASACO has met the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 certification. According to him, this makes the company first in the industry to be so certified adding that the Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, is expected to personally present the certificate to the Board of LASACO in November. “By this certification, our company has been adjudged to meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders, including all statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to our operations. These standards are universally regarded as International best practices and are published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Ladipo-Ajayi

It is administered locally by the SON. Simply put, our company is committed to the method and model of quality prescribed by the standards. “The ISO 9001:2008 deals with the fundamentals of Quality Management Systems. The certification is a powerful marketing tool because it places high priority on customer needs. It is expected to lead to superior operational perfor-

reputable insurance company. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to settle claims, adding that the aviation mishap that took place in NCAT, Zaria will be a thing of history as the company is on ground to fulfill its obligation.

Onipede

mance required from companies operating in the international domain, especially when one of our main areas of operations is the Oil and Gas Insurance as well as other Special Risks. Apart from our leadership of and participation in all other oil and gas insurance programmes, we led 23 other insurance companies to provide space insurance for the last three satelites launched by Nigeria in year 2011. We also provide cover for regional organizations like Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).” The audit process he said has also helped them to revamp their internal procedure which has resulted in improved company and product quality, improved efficiency and decreasing waste. Ladipo-Ajayi noted that this is in line with our vision to create, sustain and continually improve an exceptional brand, which provides long term value for Stakeholders. The process of developing a company and professional culture started in year 2005 when we embarked on the Transformation and Growth Strategy, he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Problems with Insurance? Send a text: 07080735854

Kids unsure what to do if home catches fire

ost U.S. parents think their children will know what to do in case there’s a fire at home, but the kids aren’t so sure, according to a new survey published by Liberty Mutual Insurance and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Fifty-four percent of parents say they’ve developed a fire safety plan in the past year, but only 36 percent have actually walked through their home with their family to identify fire hazards. Only 40 percent of children say they’ve ever practiced a home fire drill. Although 79 percent of parents say their family has a safe meeting spot to gather outside their home after an emergency, 32 percent of children cannot confirm where it is. ‘’More than 3,000 people die each year in structure fires in North America, and we need to do everything we can to reduce that number,’’ International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger said in a press statement. ‘’Having an escape plan to get your family out of a home during a fire and making sure everyone knows the escape route is crucial.’’ It can take only 30 seconds for a flame to become a major fire and two minutes from the time a smoke alarm sounds until the primary escape route is impassable. Among children who have practiced an escape plan, 84 percent are confident that they can get out of any room in their house during a fire emergency and 90 percent know how to get to the family meeting spot outside the home, according to the survey. Liberty Mutual and the International Association of Fire Fighters are calling for families to prepare and practice a home fire safety plan. ‘’Practice doesn’t just make perfect, it can mean the difference between life and death,’’ Tom Harned, a Liberty Mutual fire safety expert and the chief fire officer in Gilbertsville, Pa., said in a press statement. By insure.com

Leadway Assurance rating downgraded to “negative”

ating Services Limited, a subsidiary of A.M Best Company has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of B- (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb-” of Leadway Assurance Company Limited. The negative outlook on Leadway’s ratings reflects the ongoing uncertainty associated with the performance of its aggressive investment asset allocation with large equity and unquoted securities holdings; hence, the subsequent impact on its riskadjusted capitalisation. The ratings also consider Leadway’s exposure to the high political, economic and financial system risks associated with its operation in Nigeria. Leadway’s risk-adjusted capitalisation has weakened in 2011, due to the decline in equities revaluation reserves owing to substantial reductions in stock prices in the capital market. A.M. Best believes that Leadway’s risk-

adjusted capital position going forward is likely to remain under pressure due to the volatile domestic capital markets and Leadway’s ambitious growth targets. Leadway’s net income after taxes decreased by 25.6 per cent to N1 billion (USD 6.5 million) in 2011 due to a higher claims payout than the prior year, which was caused by large single losses. But the life segment returned to profitability in 2011, posting a gain of NGN 147 million (USD 0.9 million). Meanwhile, the company’s non-technical account continues to be negatively impacted by allowances that are created for doubtful quoted and unquoted investments as well as write offs and provisions for bad and doubtful accounts. In 2011, the proportion of equities in the investment portfolio declined to 30 per cent as against 2010 that was 39 percent. Fixedincome holdings were actively increased to 6 percent in 2010 of the total investment

portfolio. While Leadway grows its annuity business it is thriving to back its life liabilities with government bonds. Despite the reduction of equities within Leadway’s portfolio, A.M. Best believes that investment performance is likely to remain subjected to significant volatility going forward, due to the company’s large equity holdings and approximately NGN 5.8 billion (USD 36.6 million) (2010: NGN 4.1 billion) of unquoted securities as at year-end 2011. Leadway benefits from a good business profile within its local market as an established writer of non-life retail lines and larger commercial risks. Additionally, the company continues to grow its life insurance book. In 2011, the company’s total gross premiums increased by 44% to NGN 24 billion (USD 151 million), mainly driven by one

Odukale

large contract within the oil and gas industry (NNPC Insurance account). The life business grew by 75% to NGN 4.5 billion (USD 28 million) driven by a significant increase in Leadway’s annuity business, which the company had started writing in 2010. Prospectively, Leadway is likely to experience good premium growth in 2012, especially in the life segment.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

ASI rises 0.4% in bullish trading JOHNSON OKANLAWON

rading in equities closed on bullish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors’ appetite mostly on banking stocks halted three days bearish trend. Specifically, the AllShare Index rose by 0.40 per cent to close at 26,982.55 points, as against the decline of 1.25 per cent recorded the on Friday to close at 26,876.07 points. Market capitalisation appreciated by N33.9bn to close at N8.59trn, in contrast to the depreciation

of N108bn recorded on Friday to close at N8.56trn. Four sectoral indices closed positive, as the NSE 30-Index appreciated by 0.43 per cent to close at 1, 275.13 points, while the Consumer Goods Index gained 0.06 per cent to close at 2,343.71 points. The Banking Index increased by 1.16 per cent to close at 432.23 points, but the Insurance Index dropped 0.30 per cent to close at 156.63 points. The Oil and Gas Index closed flat, while the Lotus Islamic Index declined by 0.13 per cent to close at 156.63 points. Fidson Healthcare Plc

led the gainers’ table with seven kobo or 6.25 per cent to close at N1.19 per share, followed by Vitafoam Plc with 19 kobo or 4.86 per cent to close at N4.10 per share. Unity Bank Plc gained 68 kobo three kobo or 4.62 per cent to close at 68 kobo per share, while Cutix Plc appreciated by seven kobo or 4.52 per cent to close at N1.62 per share. Sterling Bank Plc increased by seven kobo or 4.37 per cent to close at N1.67 per share. On the flip side, Dangote Sugar Plc lost 44 kobo or 7.65 per cent to close at N5.31 per share, while AIICO Insurance Plc de-

Sterling Bank posts N4.5bn profit in Q3 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

terling Bank Plc has recorded 64 per cent increase in profit after tax for the third quarter result ended September 30, 2012, from N2.74bn in 2011 nine months to N4.49bn in the review period. The bank grossed N50.7bn in the review period, from N26.4bn recorded in comparable period of 201, while interest income rose to N39.6bn, compared to N18.9bn recorded in the same period of 2011. A statement from the bank said that interest expenses increased from N8.97bn to N21.4b, as net interest income also nearly doubled, from N9.88bn to N18.2bn. According to the state-

ment, non-interest income increased by 49 per cent to N11.2bn in nine months, from N7.5bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2011. Operating income rose by 78 per cent, from N15.9bn to N28.3bn, while earnings per share stood at 29 kobo in the review period, compared to 22 kobo in similar period of 2011. Customers’ deposits increased from N392.1bn to N433.9bn, while loans and advances rose to N229.4bn, from N164.3bn in the 2011 nine months, while total assets appreciated to N564.1bn, from N504.7bn in the same period of 2011. Commenting on the results, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Yemi Adeola, said the results reflected the continuing success of the bank’s stra-

tegic growth initiatives as it continued to draw benefits from the seamless integration of Equitorial Trust Bank. He said that the bank has been well positioned to capture emerging growth opportunities with customer-centric approach to financial services and products. “In line with our forecast, loans and advances grew by 23 per cent to N229.4bn on the back of our enhanced presence in the corporate banking space. We also grew customer deposits by 13 per cent to N434bn and added over 22,000 retail accounts. “Despite the 400 basis points increase in Cash Reserve Ratio in July, we recorded a 70 basis points reduction in cost of funds

clined by four kobo or 6.06 per cent to close at 62 kobo per share. Capital Hotel Plc depreciated by 33 kobo or five per cent to close at N6.27 per share, while MRS Oil Plc dropped by N1.53 or 4.99 per cent to close at N29.15 per share. Learn Africa Plc dipped by 10 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N1.91 per share. Transaction volume in equities increased by 2.13 per cent, as a total of 273.07 million shares valued at N3.01bn were exchanged in 4,956 deals, compared to 267.38 million shares worth N3.10bn traded in 4,234 deals on Friday. to six per cent,” Adeola said. He explained that the performance of the bank showed its underlying strengths, pointing out that the increase in costto-income ratio was as a result of one-off merger related expenses. Adeola noted that the growth in loans and reduction in non-performing assets were in line with the bank’s objective to grow risk assets as the economy rebounds while focusing on quality growth He assured that directors of the bank were confident they would sustain the performance. “In the last quarter of the year, we will consolidate on the progress made thus far and sustain our drive towards building our retail deposits with a view to achieving our corporate goals for yearend,” Adeola added.

US stock futures decline as East Coast braces for Sandy

nited States stockindex futures fell as Hurricane Sandy headed toward the East Coast, preventing equity markets from opening. “The market is factoring in the potential damage from the storm,” Peter Jankovskis, an Investment Officer for Oakbrook Investments in Lisle, Illinois, which manages more than $3bn, said. “It looks like it could be quite substantial. It’ll naturally have an impact on insurance companies but other companies by putting a crimp on sales in the areas affected by the storm.” Travelers Company, the

only insurer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, dropped 1.5 per cent, while Allstate Corporation, the largest publicly traded US home and auto insurer, slid 0.6 per cent in German trading. CME Group Incorporation halted stock-index futures and options. Futures on the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index expiring in December retreated 0.4 per cent to 1,402.4 points, while Dow futures dropped 61 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 12,993 points. The US securities industry canceled equity trading on all markets today, moving to protect workers, as Sandy approached New

York City with wind speeds up to 85 miles per hour and the threat of a 10-foot sea surge. “There will probably be an economic impact if Sandy does hit land at hurricane force,” said Jeremy Batstone-Carr, Head of Research at Charles Stanley Group Plc in London. “It is also probably one of the reasons why the insurance sector is under a little pressure.” The trading shutdown, announced by the Securities and Exchange Commission, may extend through to tomorrow. The last time the New York Stock Exchange cut trading hours for weath-

er was on Jan. 8, 1996, when a blizzard dropped more than 20 inches on New York City. Markets have not closed for four days in a row since the start of 2007 when, following a weekend and the New Year’s Day holiday on a Monday, they shut on January 2 to observe a day of mourning for President Gerald Ford’s death the previous week. Exchanges from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market to those run by Direct Edge Holdings LLC in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Bats Global Markets Incorporation in Lenexa.

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 24 OCTOBER & 29 OCTOBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

24-Oct-12

29-Oct-12

Market indicators Market indicators

All-Share Index 7,342,308 points All-Share Index 22,191.14 points Market capitalisation 23,066.74 trillion Market capitalisation 7,084 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

FIDSON

1.12

1.19

0.07

6.25

VITAFOAM

3.91

4.10

0.19

4.86

UNITYBNK

0.65

0.68

0.03

4.62

CUTIX

1.55

1.62

0.07

4.52

STERLNBANK

1.60

1.67

0.07

4.37

ETERNA

2.10

2.19

0.09

4.29

CAP

33.09

34.50

1.41

4.26

26.57

27.65

1.08

4.06

DIAMONDBNK

4.25

4.40

0.15

3.53

UBA

4.80

4.95

0.15

3.13

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DANGSUGAR

5.75

CLOSING 5.31

0.44

-7.65

AIICO

0.66

0.62

0.04

-6.06

CAPHOTEL

6.60

6.27

0.33

-5.00

MRS

30.68

29.15

1.53

-4.99

LEARNAFRCA

2.01

1.91

0.10

-4.98

MORISON

5.19

4.94

0.25

-4.82

AGLEVENT

1.50

1.43

0.07

-4.67

IKEJAHOTEL

1.09

1.04

0.05

-4.59

TRANSCORP

1.09

1.04

0.05

-4.59

NEIMETH

1.13

1.08

0.05

-4.42

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

34,888.90

13.95

25-Oct-12

182-Day

45,000.00

14.50

25-Oct-12

364 -Day

31,385.90

16.49

25-Oct-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

178Days

14,231.30

15.50

25-Oct-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

25-Oct-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$200m

N/A

$43m

29-Oct-12

$180m

N/A

$142m

24-Oct-12

Capital Market

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at October 29, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

CONTINUED FROM 13 propaganda. Are foreign media less corrupt than native media? Do citizens of the diaspora care less about their countries of origin than those residing in them? Do they have a greater motive to vote according to their self-interests as opposed to the nation? Some other scholars even suggested that the right of Diaspora citizens to vote, not only in Nigeria but the rest of Africa must come with the responsibility to pay taxes. Mwangi Kimenyi, a senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative was of the view that the missing link in the discussions is the responsibility of the Diaspora in supporting the operations of the governments they would help elect. He said: “In all African countries, there are no requirements for citizens living abroad to pay taxes on incomes earned abroad. Although sending remittances and investing in their home countries is a significant contribution, citizens living in Africa do the same. The citizens dwelling on the continent have the right to vote and determine how they are governed, but they also have a responsibility to pay for the operation of their governments. “Considering that members of the Diaspora have incomes higher than the median incomes of their home countries, giving them the right to vote without requiring tax payments is a luxury that African countries cannot afford. Rights must come with responsibilities. The debate then should progress beyond implementing voting to logistics of taxing the Diaspora such as allowing for deductions for taxes paid in other jurisdictions.” It is against this hard stance that Okoye urged his members to be ready for the struggle now that the constitution amendment has offered another opportunity. His words: “Let us for now not worry about what those members of the National Assembly who oppose us will do, because in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.’ So, get off the fence, get involved, take action, sign the petition and together we shall overcome it.” He also charged parents to make sure that their children; over 18 years sign the petition, saying: “This fight is also for their future, they should be able to exercise their options as full citizens of Nigeria, not as second-class citizens. We are full-fledged citizens of Nigeria by constitutional definition and it is not a crime to live outside the borders of Nigeria, in search of greener pastures. It is our right and we must fight for it. Remember, power is never given, it is taken.” Others who spoke in like manner cited examples of the major political parties, which have overseas chapters whose members contribute to their funding but lacks power to vote during the primaries to pick flagbearers as well as the main elections. “Why do parties’ gubernatorial and presidential candidates fly abroad to canvass for support from us during campaigns, but we are not allowed to vote? There are approximately eight million Nigerian Diasporans that infuse over $20 billion into the economy annually and this magnitude of socio-economic strength should not be one to be ignored at home. “In fact, the Diaspora community qualifies as the 37th state in Nigeria. Therefore, justice demands the passage of a voting right bill which is in essence a step in the

2015: Will Diaspora Nigerians vote?

Mark

Onu

THIS IS GOOD NEWS TO NIGERIANS IN THE DIASPORA. AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENS, WE WOULD BE MORE INTEGRATED INTO

NATION-BUILDING AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR VARIOUS STATES full official recognition of the Diaspora community as an integral segment of the polity,” a member of the U.S. chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who pleaded not to be mentioned told National Mirror. The chairman of PDP (Ghana Chapter) Board of Trustees, Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu, who also spoke on the issue, told National Mirror that the realisation of the Diaspora voting right will, apart from strengthening the bond between the Diaspora and the home-front, facilitate effective mobilisation and utilisation of the enormous expertise and resources in the Diaspora for the nation’s development. He said: “The fact that about 28 African countries have approved Diaspora voting for their citizens abroad implies that there are inherent socio-economic benefits in the exercise and since Nigeria cannot rank below the 28 countries, it means that the cost and readiness arguments are untenable.” Beyond the remittances to support relatives, others were of the view that Nigerian citizens abroad contribute through investment in productive activities that support economic growth and job creation and should therefore have the right to participate in electoral processes. Despite the fears of the National Assembly and those who believe that Nigeria is not yet ripe for Diaspora voting, INEC, infact, has indicated that it is ready for the exercise once the relevant legislative amendments are finalised. The commission’s chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who gave the assurance, said

Dabiri-Erewa

that electoral body is working out modalities to ensure that Nigerians living in Diaspora are afforded the opportunity to participate in the 2015 general elections. He however pointed that there was need for adequate technology to be put in place and a consensus reached on the methodology to be adopted. “It (Diaspora voting) is possible and we are not opposed to it as a commission because whatever opportunity we can make available, so long as it can be done transparently and without any likely negative consequences,” he said. The commission’s National Commissioner in charge of Logistics, Col. Mohammed Hammanga (rtd), who also spoke on the issue recently, said INEC would not want to disenfranchise Nigerians irrespective of their countries of residence. His words: “Presently, we are discussing modalities to see how we are going to see that Nigerians in Diaspora also participate in the elections that will take place in 2015. We are working on that modality and we will also invite stakeholders to carry everybody along.” Whether the modalities would sway the National Assembly in the ongoing constitution amendment process is, however, unclear, as a similar effort in 2007, by the then chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu, did

not materialise. Iwu had then proposed four Englishspeaking countries, including Britain and the U.S. as pilot countries for Diaspora voting, but the inability of the National Assembly to amend Section 77 (sub-section 2) of the constitution which provides that only Nigerians, resident in the country can register and vote in elections, frustrated the initiative. Should the present move however sail through, Nigeria would be joining countries across the world where voting from abroad is possible for Diaspora communities. Currently, there are about 115 countries and territories, including nearly all developed nations that have systems in place to allow their emigrants to vote. The number is still growing. Just last year, Camerounian citizens living abroad were granted the right to vote during presidential elections and referendums, a development members of the opposition in the Dispora described as “the end of the era of electoral apartheid.” In the same vein, the scramble for nearly three million votes of Kenyans in the Diaspora has compelled the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to kick off the process of preparing the ground for Kenyans living abroad to participate in the March 2013 national elections for the first time in history. In Ghana, the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) says it will ensure equal citizenship, if elected in the December elections. Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, its prseidential candidate in the forthcoming elections said recently: “There are thousands of dual citizens whose expertise, views, interests, ideas, and values are worthy of inclusion in our collective drive for development. We undermine democracy and our creative potential by freezing the views and expertise of some our own people, educated by taxpayers. The PPP wants to build an inclusive society and cannot exclude our dual citizens.” A 2006 study of countries that allow their emigrants to vote included: 21 African nations, 13 North and South American countries, 15 Asian countries, six Pacific countries and 36 European countries. Sixty-five of these countries allow for external voting for everyone, while about 25 place restrictions on it, based on such factors as to whether they intend to return permanently or how long they have been away. Citizens of the U.S. can vote no matter how long they stay away, while citizens of Britain are disqualified after 15 years away. France reserves seats in its parliaments for citizens who live abroad. As the debate rages, it is the consensus that members of the Diaspora hold great potential to contribute to Nigeria’s development, as is evident from other emerging economies. It is therefore expected that members of the National Assembly will shun parochial interest and focus and allow potentials of Diaspora voting in the course of the constitution amendment. The idea should not be shoved aside just because there are likely to be problems to resolve, even when 28 countries in Africa are already handling such problems. Considering the enormity of the potential voting bloc from the Diaspora, it is not unlikely that it can make a difference in future elections.

Politics

The Green Chamber may do well to avoid the shoddy past of budget padding and the resultant spats with the executive on sub-heads, as it commences sessions with agencies and departments of government on the Appropriation Bill this week, TORDUE SALEM writes

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Making 2013 budget different from previous ones THE

PARLIAMENT

presidential spokesman pronounced in 2009: “Blame the National Assembly for whatever delay on the part of the Presidency in the implementation of the Budget.” But this kind of thinking from the executive preceded 2009 and would recur for long, if the National Assembly and the Presidency do not re-jig their attitudes to budgeting in the country. Since 1999, when the country returned to democracy, there have been an avalanche of promises of change captured in budgets that have ended up unimplemented, and as much as it goes, the Presidency and the National Assembly must share the blame in this. The National Assembly on its part, though empowered by section 80 of the 1999 Constitution to overhaul budget estimates from the executive, has often gone overboard with that constitutional privilege, to cut dangerous deals with heads of agencies, where they pad the estimates for the agencies, only to go behind and cream off the ‘balance’. The lawmakers also overload the budget with too many sub-heads, bothering on constituency projects and the likes and sometimes, even cut deals with Permanent Secretaries of ministries, ministers and other heads of agencies to allow their chosen contractors execute the contracts. Failure to impliment the national budget is without doubt, an impeachable offence, but besides the ripple effect of the impeachment treat, which has the inevitable potential of reversing the fortunes of a country, it can also be extremely difficult when the National Assembly itself shares the blame in the non-implementation of budgets. In 2005, the Senate were on the spot for the pork-barrel act of jerking up sub-heads and demanding N25 million bribe from a former Minister of Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji. The deal backfired. Osuji was booted out of office and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), then headed by the blazing Mallam Nuhu Ribadu moved in and picked the then chairmen of Appropriation and Education committees. The nation was stunned as then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, went ahead to make a show of it on television. Nigerians thought that would deter the lawmakers, but as the budget rituals have rolled by, more deals are continually being cut and spats with the Presidency have continued to deepen. Many civil society organisations, besides the troubling trend of budget-padding by the National Assembly, have also observed that the National Assembly itself is not even doing enough in terms of oversight on the executive, with a view to avoiding budgets with in-built deficits and situations where key organisations continue to short-change the federation as foreign reserves and the Excess Crude Account

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan

Tambuwal

THE

2013 BUDGET

AS PRESENTED BY

PRESIDENT

JONATHAN DID NOT HAVE ANY STRATEGY TO MOVE THE

NATION’S ECONOMY FROM THE PUBLIC DOMESTIC DEBT TRAP continues to deplete. Since 2009, agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Customs and more than 20 other agencies have not been remitting to the Federation Account. The NPA, for example, has argued on many occasions that the Act establishing it, allows it to gather revenue and spend as it deems necessary. This has gone unchallenged by the National Assembly, by way of removing that clause from the Act or compelling the NPA and others like it to tow the line of section 162 of the 1999 Constitution that compels revenue-generating agencies to remit to the Federation Account. Between 2009 to date, the nation has an accumulated budget deficit of about N5 trillion, when paradoxically NPA and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have made way more than that in revenue within the three years since 2009. In 2010, the House of Representatives, under Dimeji Bankole, discovered that no fewer than 31 agencies, with the NCS and the NPA topping the list, were guilty of not remitting to the Federation Account, as stipulated by section 162 of the Constitution, part of the reason why the budget deficit had bulged that year. The blame was rightly put on the Presidency’s table, but the other side of it indicted the National Assembly for not properly doing its job of oversight and ensuring that agencies that were getting huge revenue were remitting religiously to the coffers of

the federation. There were reported cases where signature bonuses derived from Oil-Prospecting Licenses (OPL) issued on behalf of government by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), were never lodged in the Federation Account and the National Assembly Committees on Petroleum allegedly went behind to get their share and let sleeping dogs lie. But the House, however, denied the charges against it. Two weeks ago, before it embarked on a two-week break, it commenced debate on the 2013 budget estimates laid by President Goodluck Jonathan before a joint session of the National Assembly. The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin picked holes in the budget estimates, stressing that it was put together by few staff in the Presidency, without inputs from other relevant agencies and institutions of government. Commenting further on the $80 per barrel of crude oil which the House has adopted as its benchmark for the budget, he wondered why the position of the lower chamber of the National Assembly had attracted so much controversy despite the fact that the decision was taken to protect the nation’s economy from the effects of domestic public debt burden. In his own contribution to the debate, the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamilla, said he could not understand why the House should deliberate on the document, when it had not even received reports of the various committees which had embarked on oversight trips on the level of implementation of the 2012 budget. He further aligned with Jibrin that it did not make sense to lower the benchmark for the price of crude oil to $75 per barrel while embarking on external borrowing to finance the deficit in the budget. In his own contribution, Samson Osagie, said he identified fully with the speech that was delivered by the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, at the budget presentation. Tambuwal had described the executive

arm’s implementation of the 2012 budget as poor during his vote of thanks after President Jonathan’s presentation of the 2013 budget estimates. He demanded for tangible achievements that had been achieved with the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme funds (SURE-P) – an aspect of the revenue profile of the 2012 budget which was introduced after partial withdrawal of fuel subsidy early this year. He said: “This was necessary in order to justify the increment of fuel price from N65 to N97 per litre.” In his own remarks on the budget debate, Friday Itulah queried the allocation of N66 billion to the Office of the National Security Adviser, whose responsibility is merely that of coordinating the activities of the various security agencies in the country. According to him, “such a huge allocation should have been used to provide more equipment and facilities for the security agencies in the country.” Farouk Lawan, who has found his voice again after the bribery scandal he was steeped in, acknowledged that though the budget was presented early, what mattered most was whether it was implementable, adding that the 2012 budget was already suffering from the troubles of past budgets of the Federal Government. Expressing regret that the 2013 budget as presented by President Jonathan did not have any strategy to move the nation’s economy from the public domestic debt trap but rather indicated an intention to borrow more funds to finance the deficit, Lawan said that he hoped that the waivers introduced in the aviation sector of the economy, would not be hijacked by private jet owners. Pally Iriase said it was strange that the authors of the budget wanted the Federal Government to borrow funds to finance the budget at a high interest rate while at the same time saving proceeds from crude oil. Emmanuel Jime described the N81 billion allocated to the agricultural sector as too low, adding that this would not address the problem of youth unemployment so pervasive across the country. But the Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, was full of praises for the 2013 budget, stressing that President Jonathan should not only be commended for the early presentation of the document but also for the increment in the capital expenditure proposal. He added that the allocation to the education sector and other infrastructure would make a positive impact on the economy, adding that the budget emphasised consolidation on ongoing projects. He, however, disagreed with the government’s plan on domestic borrowing. In her remarks, Peace Nnaji commended the President’s budget presentation, adding that it would enhance economic growth. The House later referred the 2013 budget proposal to the House Committee on Appropriation for further consideration. The questions remains: will they avoid the pitfalls of the past and make their own contributions conscientiously to help achieve workability of the 2013 budget? Time will surely tell!

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

KEMI OLAITAN writes on the strides of the Oyo State House of Assembly in fulfilling its mandate to the people of the Pacesetter State in bringing the dividends of democracy to the people.

Politics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

o historians in the country, one of the casualities of the military dictatorship in the history of the country has been the legislative arm of government, such that 52 years into our independence, the years that the arm could be said to have existed could be counted on the fingertips. Indeed, to most Nigerians, the legislative arm in the present democratic dispensation which started in 1999 is seen more or less to be in a learning process with the legislators both at the national and state levels trying their best to enact laws not only for the smooth running of the country but also impacting positively on the lives of the generality of Nigerians. Thus when the people of Oyo State went to the polls during the last general elections, it could not be ruled out that they were of the determination to elect people with integrity as lawmakers, given what had transpired in the hallowed chambers of the state House of Assembly in the past, where hoodlums who had no business to be there held sway. Some years ago, the situation in the state House of Assembly was so bad that the lawmakers were not seen as honourables, but rather as agents of godfathers planted in the House for selfish goals. With the present House of Assembly, which is in its second year, having members cutting across three major political parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party (AP), the lawmakers, with the active support of the executive arm have ensured that they pass laws that would be in the overall interest of the people of the state. The Speaker of the House, Jumoke Sunmonu, in her acceptance speech, when she was elected the first female Speaker in the state, may have gave credence to what to be expected by the people when she said: “We shall be proactive in promoting the course of this administration and improving the living standard of the people of the state. We shall ensure the best for our society and ensure we bring the dividends of democracy to them. We shall welcome the inputs of the public and I promise that all our campaign promises will be implemented.” It was in realisation of the efforts of the lawmakers that the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, recently made public his signing of 18 bills into laws in pursuit of the efforts to restore, transform and reposition the state. The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Adebayo Ojo, who announced the signing, explained that the laws were geared towards the real development and growth of the state as they will impact positively on the lives of the people of the Pacesetter State in particular and Nigeria in general. Among the bills assented to by Ajimobi was the Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State Law 2012, which provides for the establishment , incorporation, constitution and functions of the state specialised

Oyo and its 18 bills of democracy dividends

THE

PARLIAMENT

THE GOVERNOR... SAID HIS GOVERNMENT HAD NO CHOICE THAN TO LEVERAGE ON THE MOST CURRENT FAD IN GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIP CALLED

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

university. This bill, which emanated from the executive, was to fulfil the electoral promise made by the governor to establish a state university, wholly owned by the state government, separate from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, which is jointly owned with the Osun State government. The proposed university which is expected to start functioning from this year according to government sources will see to the upgrading of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, with campuses in major zones of the state. Others are Administration of Estates (Small Estate) Application Law 2012, which provides for the grant of orders to small estates and exempt such from the grant of full letters of administration, where value of the money excluding real property is not more than N100,000; Land Use Charge Law 2012, which provided for the levying and collection of the charges on land and other matters connected therewith and Oyo State Drivers Institute Law 2012, which provides for the training of professional drivers in the state. Also signed into law was the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Law 2012, meant to give effects to the state Security Trust Fund, recently launched by the state government and geared towards making the state safe for the citizens, as the money realised at the launching and still being expected will be used to provide the necessary logistics for the state police command and other security agencies. Indeed, the state governor, Senator Ajimobi, succinctly expressed what the people of the state should expect with this law, when at the launching, he said: “Indeed, security is a key component of government and the moment a government is unable to provide security for its people, then that government ceases to be so-called. “Even though the task of securing the environment is at the core of police duties, equally fundamental problems beg for its attention. Chief among these is the implosion in the Nigerian population which calls for more sophisticated equipment and greater funding of the security of citizens. “The challenges of policing the society have thus conspired to make the police alone to be seemingly incapable or unable to address the problem of constant security challenges that are currently being witnessed in the society.” The governor, while seeking the support

Ajimobi

Sunmonu

of the private sector in addressing the security challenges of the state, said his government had no choice than to leverage on the most current fad in governmental relationship called Public-Private Partnership (PPP). His words: “PPP has become the inthing in governments all over the world, especially in developing societies. What it entails is that, leveraging on its goodwill, states can attract funds from stakeholders who not only agree to inject funds but help to stabilise government and governance. “With these as the backcloth, the state government has no choice but to call for the meeting of like minds in the private sector in the task of securing Oyo State from the hands of criminals and criminally-minded individuals. “With a partnership between the state government and the private sector operatives in pooling together resources to form the Oyo State Security Trust Fund, achieving a crime-free state appears more achievable . “Be rest assured that this Fund is not one of the proverbial bottomless pits of government which suck collective resources like a

strainer takes in water.” Other bills signed into law are the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency Law, 2012 which provides for the regulation of outdoor structures for the display of signage, hoarding and advertisement in the state; the Oyo State Solid Wastes Management Authority (Amendment) Law 2012, and the Magistrates Court Amendment Law 2012, which increased the civil jurisdiction of the Magistrate Courts from N30,000 to N5 million, the first time ever in the history of the state that the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Courts in the state is increased. With the signing of these bills into law by Governor Ajimobi, analysts believed that the number of the bills passed by the lawmakers within a year speaks volume of their determination to move the state forward and ensure that the state retains its pace-setting status. A public analyst, Femi Ogunmola, while lauding the lawmakers for passing 18 bills into law within a year, said the problem of the country as a whole is not the existence of adequate laws, but rather the implementation, with the elected public officials and the elite of the society seeing themselves as above the law. He said: “In as much as the lawmakers and the governor deserved commendation for the accomplishment of the 18 bills, it is better to adopt the wait and see attitude, most especially that it has become the norm in the country to have laws meant to change the society for the better gathering dust on the shelves of our Government Houses. “I believed that what is important is for government to embark on the necessary enlightenment programme to sensitise the people of the state on the laws and what they stand to benefit from them. If this is done as quickly as possible, the people will know that those that they elected are in offices and serving their interest.” For the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Festus Adedayo, the signing of the bills into law by Ajimobi, was borne out of the need to ensure the socio-economic development of the state through the instruments of law. According to him, it is also meant to ensure better life for the entire citizenry in the state. His words: “For instance, one of the bills signed into law was the one establishing the Oyo State Technical University, which is aimed at affording the youth the opportunity of actualising technological advancement. Besides, the OYSAA law was signed to improve the aesthetics of our towns and cities, thus erasing the negative tag of the state being the dirtiest state in Nigeria. It is also meant to ensure proper planning for outdoor advertising and shore up the revenue base of the state.” While the legislative arm and the executive could be said to be in harmony to ensure that the people of the state reap the dividends of democracy, most people however believed that it is too early in the day to say where the relationship will end, despite the speedy signing of the bills into law by the state governor.

Politics

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Hurricane Sandy disrupts presidential campaigns H urricane Sandy overran White House politicking Monday, with President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney calling off campaign rallies as the strengthening storm bore down on the East Coast. With eight days before Election Day, neither candidate could afford to totally shut down operations. The political barbs continued on the airways and between aides trying to show the upper hand in a race as tight as ever. Obama, trying to show effective leadership in a time of impending crisis across some of the country’s biggest population centres, met with federal officials monitoring the storm from a video hook-up and then addressed the country from the White House. He repeated that his administration is ready to help respond to the “big and powerful storm” and warned the consequences could be deadly if people don’t follow instructions from emergency officials. The president attempted to appear above the political fray, dismissing any notion that he’s thinking about the campaign, in response to a shouted question. “The election will take care of itself next week,” he said, pivoting back to the microphone to answer after turning to leave. “Right now, our number one prior-

ity is to make sure we are saving lives, that our search and rescue teams are going to be in place, that people are going to get the food, the water, the shelter they need in case of emergency and that we respond as quickly as possible to get the economy back on track.” Romney didn’t have official duties to tend to. But, mindful of the optics of politicking while millions of Americans faced grave hardships, the Republican nominee followed suit by cancelling all events that he and running mate Paul Ryan had scheduled for Monday night and Tuesday. “Sandy is another devastating hurricane by all accounts, and a lot of people are going to be facing some real tough times as a result of its fury,” Romney said at a campaign stop in Ohio. He also planned to stop in swing state Iowa before standing down as the storm was predicted to make landfall Monday night. Romney urged the Ohio crowd to make a contribution to Red Cross or other relief agency “in any way you can imagine to help those in harm’s way,” then added a political footnote. “I know the people of the Atlantic coast are counting on Ohio and the rest of our states,” Romney said. “But also I think the people of the entire nation are counting on Ohio because my guess is that if Ohio votes

me in as president, I’ll be the next president of the United States.” Obama rushed out of battleground Florida Monday morning ahead of a planned rally and called off Tuesday’s trip to Wisconsin. His plans to campaign Wednesday in Ohio were still on, though campaign officials said they were evaluating travel plans on

an almost hourly basis. Four critical election states are affected by the storm - North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and New Hampshire. While the impact of the storm had yet to be seen, at the very least it was a distraction as both sides were looking to make their final appeals and millions of ballots were already being cast

television ad buy by the Obama campaign to counter a new ad buy by Romney’s campaign in Minnesota suggest a tightening race in a state that turned out overwhelmingly for then-Illinois Senator Obama in 2008 – 54 per cent to Republican Sen. John McCain’s 44 per cent. Republicans believe

there is some movement in Minnesota toward the GOP while Democrats billed the ad buy as a ploy to generate buzz about a close race that does not exist. A St. Cloud State University survey of likely Minnesota voters, taken from October 15-21 and released Friday, showed Obama with

an eight point edge over Romney, 53 per cent to Romney’s 45 per cent. Obama’s advantage in the SCSU survey is within the poll’s five point sampling error. The Star Tribune poll indicates likely Minnesota voters believe Romney would better handle the economy.

Virginia counties suspend in-person absentee voting

o fewer than 10 of the 95 counties in the state of Virginia have cancelled in-person absentee voting for Monday, according to the State Board of Elections, which said that voting has not been cancelled statewide. The affected counties include: Virginia Beach, Suffolk County near Norfolk and several in the greater Washington metropolitan area: Fairfax and Loudoun,

to lose a bunch of campaign time,” Axelrod said in a conference call. “We’ll try to make it up on the back end.” Republicans concede that the storm essentially pushes a pause button on the momentum Romney had been building in key states across the country and insist they are in strong positions in battlegrounds like Ohio, Florida, Colorado and Iowa, but acknowledge that Virginia could be a problem. Romney was forced to cancel three rallies planned for the state on Sunday and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

Romney and Obama acknowledging cheers from their supporters

Poll: Obama up three points in Minnesota

new poll Sunday of likely Minnesota voters indicates a close race between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the state long considered a safe bet for Democrats. The Star Tribune survey, taken entirely after the final presidential debate, showed Obama with a three-point advantage over Romney among likely Minnesota voters. Forty-seven per cent of respondents said they would back the president and 44 per cent said they support Romney. Obama’s advantage is within the survey’s sampling error. The poll also shows Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson with two per cent support of likely voters in the state. Sunday’s survey and a

in early voting. It threatened to dilute Romney’s efforts to close the deal with voters while giving Obama a platform to show leadership in time of crisis. And power outages could end up cutting off their message in television ads and automatic phone calls in the eastern swing states. Obama advisers said they were confident in their ground game even if Obama has to curtail his campaign appearances. Senior campaign adviser David Axelrod insisted Obama is winning even if Romney’s campaign argues he’s riding a surge. “We’re obviously going

but decisions are being made on a daily basis. The state’s Board of Elections (SBE) said in a statement posted earlier on its website: “Unless conditions render the voting process unsafe for general registrars and employees and voters, SBE encourages general registrars to keep the general registrar office open and to continue the inperson voting process.” It also added that it was

“closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy and working to minimise any potential impact the storm has on absentee voting and preparations for the November 6 general election.” Virginia is considered one of the closest swing states this election cycle, and both the Obama and Romney campaigns cancelled events in the state because of the impending storm.

Romney calls for cooperation in Florida

epublican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is calling for more partisan cooperation in Washington as he rallies supporters in Florida. Romney says this is not a time to divide the country or demonise political opponents, but to “build bridges” to the other party. The comments came before thousands of supporters who gathered at the

Pensacola Civic Centre. Romney’s been toning down conservative rhetoric as he courts women and independents as Election Day looms. But the moderate tone did not last long. Romney said that Obama is “shrinking from the magnitude of the times” by focusing on “small things.” He also said that the president has shrunk from the promises he made as a candidate.

Chicago: Obama to claim victory on Election Night

onfident of victory, Obama for America, the campaign organisation of Barack Obama, yesterday announced that on Tuesday, November 6, the president

will join staff, volunteers, friends, family and supporters to claim victory at an election night watch party at McCormick Place, Lakeside Centre in Chicago, Illinois.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Goddess worshipping not idolatry –Gani Adams

“We cannot say we are brothers and sisters and still be carrying guns and machetes against one another.” OYO STATE GOVERNOR, ABIOLA AJIMOBI

Car dealer shot dead in Onitsha NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

unmen suspected to be armed robbers yesterday shot and killed a middleage car dealer in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State. The incident, which occurred in the morning hours, caused pandemonium throughout the city and its environs, particularly at Modebe Avenue by St. Johns Street where the shooting actually took place. According to the source, the four-man terror gang which oper-

ated in a light green Tayota Siena without number plate, trailed their victim, who was later identified as Chief Emeka Ekwerendu, from a Catholic Church in Odo-Akpu area of Onitsha after he dropped his children at a Primary School run by a Catholic Church in the area and shot him dead before taking away an undisclosed amount of money from his car boot. Eye witnesses told newsmen that the deceased, Ekwerendu was riding in his black Land Cruiser Jeep with registration number, Abuja ABC 202AJ when the daredevil robbers shot at his car tyres,

causing the car to lose control and hit a parked vehicle before they now moved in and shot him from the back, made straight to the car boot and took away the money from the boot. The hoodlums were said to be armed with four Ak47 Riffles, shooting sporadically into the air to scare the people away and when they succeeded in killing the man, they escaped through Anionwu Street in Onitsha. A close friend and neighbour of the deceased, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the late Ekwerendu is from Agulu in

Anaocha Local Government Area of the State. Describing the deceased as a very good man who did not want problems throughout his life time, he called on all the security agents in the state not to leave any stone unturned until those behind the dastardly act are fished out and punished according to the law. Contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha, Mr. Temitope Fahugbe confirmed the incident, but stated that he was yet to get the detailed report of the incident.

Prince petitions Fayemi over stool ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

ne of the contestants to the vacant stool of Alara of Aramoko in Ekiti State, Prince Olusegun Aderemi, has petitioned Governor Kayode Fayemi to order the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi, to stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of the town. Aderemi, in the petition dated October 19, 2012, urged the governor to direct the Bureau of Chieftaincy Matters in the state to call the monarch “to order and take necessary steps to prevent him from parading himself as the Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti or performing the functions meant for a properly installed Oba pending the hearing and determination of the suit pending at the Ado-Ekiti High Court”. This, he said, was necessary “to avoid breakdown of law and order and breach of public peace in the community.” The petition states that Prince Aderemi had dragged Prince Adeyemi, the then Alara-elect before the Ijero High Court in Suit No. HOR/16/ 2009 and through oral application of counsel, on September 9, 2009, Justice Cornellius Ajintayo had ordered all parties in the suit to maintain status quo in the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion of interlocutory injunction. According to the petition, “the implication of this interim order is that the said Prince Adegoke Adeyemi should not parade himself as the Alara of ArarmokoEkiti pending the determination of the said motion.”

Vehicles on queue for fuel at a filling station at Oba Akinjobi area of Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

Church donates borehole to community

he Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Light House, Area 6, Somolu, recently commissioned a borehole for the Oke-Ola Community in Somolu in commemoration of its 2nd anniversary. At the commissioning, Pastor Abraham Koya, the pastor in charge of the parish said the project was part of the corporate social responsibility of the church and a way of giving back to the society. The borehole, named Fountain of Life, was commissioned by Pastor (Mrs.) Adepegba O., on behalf of the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye as a fulfillment of the task assigned to RCCG pastors on community impact projects. Mr. Segun Elliot, Chairman, Oke-Ola Community Development Association, commended the church for the donation, while stressing the need for local governments and individuals to take a cue from the work done by the church. A resident, Mrs. Emiola Shabi, said the church had indeed brought a great light to the area by providing them with the borehole. The borehole is situated at 10 Onofowokan Street, off Morrocco Road, Shomolu, Lagos.

Expert urges Nigerians to acquire security knowledge BIYI ADEGOROYE

isturbed by the nation’s unimpressive security scorecard, the President of School of Management and Security, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has challenged Nigerians to acquire security knowledge to avoid falling victims that could stop them from adding value to the society. Speaking on the topic: General Security at a workshop organised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Ekhomu said with security challenges such as rapid growth in incidence of violent crimes, rapid increase in terrorist attacks, increase in frequency of attacks on oil workers, facilities and

operations, inability of military task forces and law enforcement to control insecurity, everyone needs to be more security conscious to preserve his life. He said with the incessant bombings by the Boko Harram, Niger Delta militants, armed robberies kidnapping, ritual killings and so on, Nigerians needs security education. He said the insecurity problems have further been exacerbated by culture of impunity and violence, poverty, unemployment, under employment, loss of moral fabric, absence of heroes, the nationality question and excessive love of money. Ekhomu identified such societal ills as gradual descent to anarchy, loss of faith in government, resort to self help remedy, under-reporting

of violent crimes, mistrust of law enforcers and task forces. He also listed militarization of the polity, terrorism, extremist violence, violent crimes and Cyber crimes as direct consequences of these. He regretted that such beneficial interventions as accountable guardians, capable guardianship, public safety trumps politics reliable crime statistics, National Suspicious Activity Reporting Programme (NSARP), the National Fusion Center have not yielded the required effect. To help Nigerians to be more security conscious, he gave some home security tips which include joining residents’ association, support Police Community Relations Committees, get guard dogs, install panic alarms, investigate back-

ground of domestic employees, adopt no visitor policy and train the house help on security. On child safety, he urged Nigerians not to leave children home alone, control kids while in public and ensure they are not mean to the maid. “Conduct physical examination of your child for signs of abuse, Conduct threat assessment, hire a bodyguard , create a safe haven in your home, use armored transport/ reasonable fax, train your driver and secure your country home.” Ekhomu also advised on the need to maintain a low profile and avoid night bus travel, profile passengers before entry, hold sacrificial cash for armed robbers while travelling take cover and crawl when shooting starts, answer the robbers confidently – if accosted.

Community Mirror

Tuesday, October 30, 2010

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Goddess worshipping not idolatry –Gani Adams FRANCIS SUBERU

he Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival and factional leader of Oodua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams has reiterated the importance of cultural renaissance to socio-economic development of Nigeria; even as he said the worshipping of sea goddess (Olokun) is not idolatry but a way of appreciating God, the creator of the universe. He said this during the 2012 Olokun Festival, held between October 23 and 24 at Suntan Beach, Badagry, Lagos. Gani Adams who noted that the celebration of Olokun Festival will help reawake people’s interest in traditional festivities, noted that culture is a prerequisite for communal and healthy living, saying a man without culture is a dead man. According to him; “Culture is life. It is the way we live, eat, dress, work and even in death, our culture

reflects the way we bury the dead. As you all know, Olokun Festival is organised in honour of the sea goddess. We celebrate Olokun, the goddess in charge of the seas and all the treasures in it so that she would continue to bless our nation and also to redirect our focus to the importance of our cultural festivities. “To some people who are ignorant of the truth, members of the Oodua People’s Congress, (OPC) are atheists who do not believe in the existence of God; simply because we love and appreciate our culture. But, nothing can be farther from the truth because many of our members are devout Christians, Muslims and traditional religious believers. “I want to call on Yoruba people in Diaspora to dedicate more time to teaching their children the history, culture and religions of our people. I want us all to reflect on the need to tap into this goldmine called culture which we believe can become a money-spinning machine for both individu-

Plateau fire office to gulp N132m JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

lateau State Government is to construct a new Headquarters Complex for the Directorate of Fire Services in the state at the cost of N132m. The State Executive Council, at a meeting presided over by Governor Jang, approved the award to Rittin Nigeria Ltd at a cost of N132million to be completed within 12 months. The modern complex will have both offices and a training school which will benefit the public and private sectors in the training of their manpower and in the process generate revenue. The executive council further noted that this step taken is to reposition the Fire Services Department as a modern agency with technical and befitting equipment to handle emergency situation. It also reviewed the just concluded National Good Governance Tour of the state in which five honourable ministers including Ministers of Health, Works, Police Affairs, Water Re-

sources and Information were part of the team and expressed satisfaction with the objectives of the initiative as driven by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku. The state executive council noted the strong positive comments made by the ministers and members of the team as well as the feedback from citizens from across the world through the social media, on the array of people-oriented projects executed by the state government and thanked the good people of Plateau State for the warm and enthusiastic reception given the visiting team. It therefore directed that in order to sustain the very positive impact of the NGGT, the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs are to organise a similar tour within the state. According to the council, this will enable the people of Plateau know how funds have been put to use at the local government levels and to have a say in governance.

als and our country.” Elaborating on the importance of culture to the nation’s socio-economic development, a guest lecturer at the occasion, Professor Raheem Kolawole of the University of Education, Ghana said if we continue to play down our culture and heritage, we would all suffer for it.

He said: “Except we go back to the roots, there cannot be any meaningful development in the country. That is why it is said that we should not forget the concept of Omoluwabi. We have to reflect our culture in everything we do. Even in schools, when we teach our children, we have to teach them things that can make

them appreciate our culture. “For instance, ‘A’ for apple, as being taught to pupils in nursery and primary schools is appalling because apple as a fruit is not grown in Nigeria, it is grown in Europe and by that we are already teaching them in a way that will make them appreciate European fruits and other things better

Ojodu Berger, Denro/Isasi road,Ogun State in a deplorable state.

than the local ones. True wealth can only be created when you appreciate your culture.” The Olokun Festival marked the 17th cultural festival organised and celebrated by the Gani Adamsled Oodua People’s Congress. The group celebrates up to 22 cultural festivals annually.

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

OPS okays NULGE’s suit against multiple taxation

he Organised Private Sector (OPS), has described the suit against multiplicity of taxes instituted against the Mobile Advertisers Association of Nigeria and their promoters by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (MOAN) as a step in the right direction. NULGE and MOAN had dragged the mobile advertisers to the Federal High Court, Abuja, over their decision to collect taxes not approved by the Joint

Tax Board (JTB), saying it amounted to multiple taxation. The OPS which comprise the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria (CDAN) said its members are the direct victims of the mobile advertisers’ action. Speaking through its Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji A.

Bello, the organisation noted that issue of multiple taxation had remained the bane of the private sector in the country. Also speaking through its Vice President, Chief Nike Akande, NACCIMA advised NULGE and MOAN to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion; even as it counseled NULGE to partner with the state governments to ensure that multiplicity of taxes is checked, promising that it would send its counsel to observe the proceedings of the suit. The OPS asked NULGE

to sensitise the private sector about the adverse effect of multiple taxation on their operations and stop those who engage in it. While bemoaning that their association has lost about N5.5 billion in the last few years to multiple taxes, allegedly perpetrated by fake tax collectors and hoodlums, the cattle dealers, through their National Secretary, Alhaji Rabiu Wahabu, said they would do everything legally possible to support NULGE and MOAN in their battle against the vice.

Okada riders’ union leader killed HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

branch chairman of Okada Riders’ Association in Ondo town, Ebenezer Adedeji has been killed in one of the parks by a suspected member of the association after an argument over payment for the association’s daily ticket. According to an eye witnesses who pleaded anonymity, the deceased had, prior to the incident, ac-

costed the suspect at Shora Street, Ondo town where he demanded for N100 daily ticket from the suspect. This however led to an argument between the two of them. At the height of provocation, the suspect was said to have left the scene for his house, which is located a few meters away, only to return with a cutlass. Ebenezer had, however, left the scene for the association’s meeting somewhere in the town.

The suspect, still boiling with anger laid ambush at the venue of the association’s meeting and immediately Ebenezer appeared for the meeting, he pounced on him and hacked him with his cutlass. The suspect was later held by the people in the area, before handing him over to the police. The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Enuowa Police Division, David Ehighale, a Deputy Superintendent of Police confirmed the incident. He explained

that a detachment of policemen, led by a senior police officer from the division, was drafted to the scene to maintain peace and order. He added that the suspect had been transferred to the homicide section at the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure for further investigation. He also said the remains of the deceased has been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Ondo town.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Hurricane Sandy batters US East Coast

“Freedom of expression needs to be balanced to give the right to dignity and privacy to all South Africans” - SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA

Egypt’s Coptic Church to elect new pope

WORLD BULLETIN

council of Egypt’s Coptic Christians is voting yesterday in a process that will elect a new spiritual leader for the ancient church as the community struggles to assert its identity and role amid a rising tide of Islamism that has left many Copts fearful for their future. The succession follows the March death of the charismatic Pope Shenouda III at the age of 88 and after 40 years as the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The congregation represents the majority of Egypt’s Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the country’s 83 million people. About 2,400 clergymen, community leaders and Egyptian Coptic notables are choosing Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (L) shaking hands with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from among five candidates — three monks at the presidential palace in Algiers, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS and two bishops. Their vote, widely covered by the media, at the main Coptic cathedral in Cairo will short-list three candidates on Monday. The final selection of the new pope will take place in a ceremony Sunday. Egypt’s Coptic Christians have long complained of discrimination by the state and lion, the army led a coup in Mali, fearing it could cause the country’s Muslim majority. Clashes with PAUL ARHEWE March - and in the ensuing more instability in the reMuslims over religious rituals, land disputes WITH AGENCY REPORTS chaos Islamists and their Tu- gion. or Muslim-Christian love affairs have occaS Secretary of State areg rebel allies took control But Algeria - which has sionally erupted. Hilary Clinton is of the whole of the north. the biggest army in the SaBut with the ouster of President Hosni visiting Algeria to The Islamists, who are al- hel region - has since been Mubarak in a popular uprising last year and discuss the growing threat lied to al-Qaeda in the Islamic “warming to the idea” of inShenouda’s passing in March, the community has become increasingly vocal about posed by militant Islamists Maghreb (Aqim) which has tervention, another US State its rights and emboldened to act beyond the in neighbouring Mali, US of- its roots in Algeria and is ac- Department official is quoted tive across the Sahel region, by AFP as saying. church’s hold to demand better representa- ficials say. Earlier this month, the UN have since fallen out with the “One of the things that tion in politics and freedom of worship and Security Council adopted a Tuareg groups. we’ll be talking about is... the expression. A US diplomat travelling role that Algeria could play if This became more prominent in the wake resolution paving the way of rising powers of Islamist groups long re- for an African force to end with Mrs Clinton said the ECOWAS provides the boots pressed under Mubarak, and after a series of Islamist control in northern Malian conflict would be on the ground,” the official high on the agenda of talks said. violent attacks against churches and Chris- Mali. Algeria is an important between Ms Clinton and Al“Then the rest of us have tians, including by the security forces, and a military power in the Sahel geria’s President Abdelaziz to support that and create the crackdown on freedom of expression. The election of Egypt’s Islamist Presi- region and its backing is seen Bouteflika and Foreign Min- means for it to succeed.” Last week, there were redent Mohammed Morsi heightened fears as crucial in any interven- ister Mourad Medelci. “There is a strong recogni- ports of groups of lightly among the Copts and other minorities that tion. Algerian Islamists are re- tion that Algeria has to be a foreign fighters from Algeria their rights would be curtailed, and that they ported to have joined the Ma- central part of the solution,” and Western Sahara arriving might become targets of extremist Muslim lian rebellion. a US diplomat travelling with in the northern strongholds attacks. The process of writing the country’s The trouble began last Ms Clinton said, AFP reports. of Timbuktu and Gao. constitution, dominated by Islamist groups On 12 October, the UN SeAlgeria had initially exwho are seeking to increase the role of Islam January after fighters loyal to killed Libyan leader Col pressed strong reservations curity Council gave ECOWAS in legislation, has increased those fears. Muammar Gaddafi flooded about plans by the Economic and the African Union (AU) a into northern Mali. Community of West African 45-day deadline to submit a Angered by the govern- States (ECOWAS) to send a detailed and costed plan for ment’s approach to the rebel- 3,000-strong force to northern intervention in Mali.

US seeks Algeria’s support in possible Mali intervention

ECOWAS to establish mediation facilitation division

T L-R: Candidates vying to lead the Coptic Church; Father Bakhomius, Father Rafael and Father Seraphim talking during the mass held at the Klod Bek Coptic Church in Cairo, recently. PHOTO: REUTERS

he ECOWAS Commission is in the process of establishing a Mediation Facilitation Division (MFD) within its Directorate of Political Affairs, as part of its determined effort to strengthen its mediation architecture for the sustenance of peace

and security in the region. To this end, the Commission, with the support of the United Nations and other partners, has kicked off a three-day needs assessment workshop in Lagos which began yesterday, for stakeholders to finetune the concept, mandate,

structure and requirements of the Division. The workshop will also assist in elaborating the human capacity, technical and financial requirements for the Division in the short to medium term, and propose a resource mobilisation strategy.

New test to improve HIV diagnosis in poor countries Scientists have come up with a test for the virus that causes AIDS that is ten times more sensitive and a fraction of the cost of existing methods, offering the promise of better diagnosis and treatment in the developing world. The test uses nanotechnology to give a result that can be seen with the naked eye by turning a sample red or blue, according to research from scientists at Imperial College in London published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. “Our approach affords for improved sensitivity, does not require sophisticated instrumentation and it is ten times cheaper,” Molly Stevens, who led the research, told Reuters. Simple and quick HIV tests that analyse saliva already exist but they can only pick up the virus when it reaches relatively high concentrations in the body. “We would be able to detect infection even in those cases where previous methods, such as the saliva test, were rendering a ‘false negative’ because the viral load was too low to be detected,” she said.

Libya blocks residents from returning to Bani Walid Thousands of Libyans who fled fighting in the former Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid will not be allowed to return home for several more days until work was complete to make the town safe and restore services, officials said yesterday Militias aligned with the defence ministry took control of Bani Walid - one of the last towns to fall to rebels in last year’s war - on Wednesday after fighting that has underlined the weakness of central authority a year after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was deposed. The violence sent thousands fleeing from the hilltop town of 70,000 people in scenes reminiscent of last year’s war. Uncertain of the damage their homes may have sustained, some have tried to go back - however the town remains closed off as security forces and officials say they are working on making it safe and restoring water, electricity and communications. “We want to make sure there isn’t anything left over from the military operation. Services were destroyed,” army spokesman Ali al-Sheikhi said. “We expect that in about three days (residents) will be able to go back to Bani Walid.”

World News

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Car bomb kills 10 in Syria, as warplanes strike Damascus

Briefs Taiwan arrests suspected Chinese military spies Taiwan has arrested three retired military officers suspected of spying for China, officials say. One of the officers, identified by local media as Chang Chihhsin, was the former political warfare head of the meteorology and oceanography office. The Defence Ministry has said that Mr Chang did not leak sensitive material. But local media warn his department handled highly classified data, including maps for submarines, hidden ambush zones and coastal defence areas. “Chang, who initiated contacts with Chinese mainland officials while still serving in the navy, was suspected of luring his former colleagues and making illegal gains,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The ministry had been investigating Mr Chang even before he retired in May and visited China in August, reports say.

Afghan raid against Taliban kills seven An Afghan army officer says a pre-dawn raid in the eastern province of Ghazni killed four Taliban and three civilian bystanders. Lt. Ghulam Sarwer Attai, who commanded the special army unit which carried out Monday’s raid along with NATO forces, said it was in Qalai-i-Qazi area of Ghazni. NATO said in an announcement that the raid targeted a Taliban leader and that the force was attacked by insurgents carrying assault rifles and returned fire, killing a number of them. It did not mention the number of Taliban killed or civilians. Villagers at the funeral of the civilians told reporters they included a farmer, his wife and their 14-year-old son. Video images from the funeral showed the bodies of two men and a woman.

Turkish police try to break up demonstration Police yesterday used tear gas and water cannons to try to break up a demonstration by tens of thousands of pro-secular protesters, but the march to mark the founding of the Turkish republic went on in defiance of a government ban. The Republic Day celebrations have in the past few years become a symbol of the divide between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s elected, Islamic-leaning government and its opponents who fear the country’s secular traditions are in danger. The Ankara governor’s office last week denied authorization for the march, citing security reasons, and declared the gathering illegal. Challenging the ban, tens of thousands of people assembled in the old part of Ankara, near the building housing Turkey’s first parliament, to march to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the secular republic 89 years ago after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People wading through flood water in Broad Channel as Hurricane Sandy begins to affect the area yesterday in Queens Borough of New York City. Photo: AP

Hurricane Sandy batters US East Coast •

50 million people at risk

urricane Sandy began battering the U.S. East Coast yesterday with fierce winds and driving rain, as the monster storm shut down transportation, shuttered businesses and sent thousands scrambling for higher ground hours before the worst was due to strike. About 50 million people from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada were in the path of the nearly 1,000-mile-wide (1,600-km-wide) storm, which forecasters said could be the largest to hit the mainland in U.S. history. It was expected to topple trees, damage buildings, cause power outages and trigger heavy flooding. State governors warned of the acute danger from the winds and torrential rains. “There will undoubtedly be some deaths that are caused by the intensity of this storm, by the floods, by the tidal surge, by the waves. The more responsibly

citizens act, the fewer people will die,” Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley told reporters. The U.S. stock market suffered its first weather-related closure in 27 years and many schools and businesses were closed in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. While the center of the storm was not expected to make landfall until Monday night near Atlantic City, New Jersey, it was already creating dangerous conditions and forcing rescue workers into action. Off North Carolina, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued 14 of the 16 crew members who abandoned the replica tall ship HMS Bounty, using helicopters to lift them from life rafts. The Coast Guard continued to search for the two missing crew members about 160 miles from the eye of the storm.

Corruption: Not guilty plea filed for Philippines’ ex- President

Philippine court has entered a not-guilty plea for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the former president, on charges she misused $8.8m in state lottery funds in the third corruption case against her. Arroyo, seated in a wheelchair and wearing a neck brace at the court in Manila yesterday, refused to enter a plea and prompted the judge to record a not guilty on her behalf. Nine other people, mostly former officials of the state lottery agency, are also charged in the case. They allegedly conspired with Arroyo during her last years in office to divert public funds for her personal gain. Arroyo is suffering from a neck ailment, and police brought her to the anti-corruption court from a military hospital. She was admitted days before the court served the arrest warrant against her on plunder charges early this month and ordered her confined under guard. If found guilty, they could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Arroyo’s lawyers say the witnesses against her had no personal knowledge of the transactions of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Arroyo said that she was wrongly prosecuted for crimes she did not commit, denying any involvement in the alleged misuse of funds of the PCSO during her presidency. Her lawyers have appealed to the supreme court to have the case dismissed. Arroyo finished her tumultuous nine-year term in 2010. Since then, she has been separately charged with vote fraud and in another corruption case, but posted bail. She had already spent eight months under hospital arrest before she was discharged in June. Arroyo has accused her successor, Benigno Aquino III, of pursuing a political vendetta. Al Jazeera’s reporter outside the court in Manila, said: “Arroyo is seen as the most unpopular president in current history. Her successor Benigno Aquino III has vowed to make her face justice.” Aquino was overwhelmingly elected on a promise to rid the Philippines of corruption and has pledged to prosecute Arroyo and her inner circle, blaming them for stealing money for personal gain and for a culture of impunity in which corrupt practices flourished.

Syrian government official says a car bomb in a Damascus suburb has killed 10 people. The official said the blast on Monday in Jaramana also wounded 41 people and caused heavy damage. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The U.N. tried to broker a cease-fire over the four-day Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, which ends yesterday. But the truce collapsed almost immediately after it was supposed to take effect. Meanwhile, Syrian warplanes heavily bombarded rebel targets in the suburbs of Damascus on Monday in what activists said was one of the most intense air raid campaigns around the capital since the uprising began 19 months ago. A government official said a car bomb killed 10 people on the outskirts of the city. TV footage showed firemen fighting the blaze amid wide destruction after parts of balconies fell on cars parked on a residential street. As smoke billowed, a woman was seen running away with children from the area of the blast and electricity cables dangled from poles. Activists said the air raids were launched both before and after the car bomb and were still under way. Yesterday was supposed to be the fourth and final day of a U.N.-backed cease-fire to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest periods on the Muslim calendar. But the truce was violated almost as soon as it was supposed to take effect on Friday and violence continued unabated over the holiday weekend. Activists said at least 150 people were killed Sunday, a toll similar to previous daily casualty tolls.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Nigerian sex trafficker jailed 20 years in UK ...uses ‘juju’ to terrorise young orphans after smuggling them into Britain

fetish Nigerian smuggler who used witchcraft rituals to force terrified children to work as sex slaves has been jailed for 20 years in the United Kingdom. Osezua Osolase, 42, who lived in Gravesend, Kent, preyed on poverty-stricken Nigerian orphans and tricked them into travelling to the UK with the promise of a better life. But instead the Nigerian, who has HIV, treated the victims as ‘commodities’ to be used in a form of ‘modern-day slavery’ by attempting to send them on to mainland Europe to be sexually assaulted by gangs. West African juju rituals were used to instil terror into Osolase’s three vulnerable victims, one aged just 14, who felt helpless because they feared retribution and had no-one to turn to. Juju refers to traditional West African religions involving witchcraft and ritual practices. Young victims were raped, sexually abused and subjected to voodoo-style rituals once in the clutches of the trafficking ring. One girl had hair cut from her armpits by a man wearing feathers. Others were slashed with knives, forced to drink foulsmelling potions and had blood taken with syringes to ‘cast a spell’ over them. The girls were told they would die or never bear children if they tried to escape or revealed what had happened to them. At Canterbury Crown Court on Friday, he was found guilty of five counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation, and one each of rape and sexual activity with a child. Sentencing him yesterday, Judge Adele Williams told Osolase, a recycling worker from Beaumont Drive, Gravesend, Kent, that he was ‘devoid of conscience, devoid of compassion to your victims’. Osolase, who has HIV, showed no emo-

tion as sentence was passed. She said he was responsible for a ‘cruel deception’ by promising the girls, one of whom lived under a bridge in Nigeria, a better standard of life in the UK. The judge said: ‘You were dealing in exploitation and manipulation and degradation. You have been convicted on clear and compelling evidence.’ She went on: ‘I have seen and heard you give evidence and you are undoubtedly a very, very dishonest man. You are arrogant and manipulative, you are devoid of conscience, devoid of any compassion to your victims.’ The judge said Osolase treated the girls as ‘objects’ to be sold as ‘sex slaves’. And she said the fact that he raped one girl knowing he has HIV was a ‘seriously aggravating’ feature. It was recommended that Osolase be deported once he has served his sentence. Detectives revealed that one 16-yearold girl described how a juju ceremony performed on her in Nigeria involved her having samples of blood extracted. Hair from her head and intimate parts were also cut and she was made to swear an oath of silence and smuggled into Britain before an unsuccessful attempt was made to farm her out to Italy. Witchcraft rituals are sometimes used by Nigerian traffickers to force victims into obedience or compel them to pay back vast sums of money. A senior detective said Osolase corrupted the well-established belief of juju in an attempt to ‘gain control and bend the wills’ of his young victims. During the six-week trial, Osolase, nicknamed ‘Uncle’, refused to admit trafficking the teenagers, forcing them to relive the crimes in front of a jury. Some of the girls had travelled to Britain with dreams of gaining modelling work or a better education, but prosecutors said they instead endured ‘heartless abuse’ at every turn.

Caught on film: Osolase (in baseball cap) with young trafficking victims under surveillance at Stansted Airport. The children’s faces have been obscured in order to protect their identities

Osolase

On the surface: Osolase was a recycling worker living in a terraced house in Gravesend (High Street pictured) Photo: Alamy

Police believe there were at least 25 suspected victims of the trafficking ring, which smuggled girls using fake passports and visas from Nigeria and into the UK and on to countries including Italy and Spain. Investigators said the case was difficult to bring to court because human trafficking victims often fear retribution against themselves and their families back home. Their experience of authorities in their home country often leaves them lacking confidence in the justice system but British officials said the girls were courageous in giving evidence. Painstaking inquiries were conducted on a mass of data from pre-paid credit cards, email addresses, flight records and mobile phones to prove Osolase was involved in smuggling the girls to Britain. He was stopped at Stansted Airport in Essex in April last year, leading inquiries by the UK Border Agency to then be passed to the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Investigations revealed that he was the prime suspect in multiple human trafficking offences where girls had been flown from Nigeria to the UK before being sent out to Europe. The girls, who were aged 14, 16 and 17 when they were apprehended by UKBA officials, were travelling on fraudulently obtained Nigerian passports. In mitigation, Anthony Orchard QC, defending, said Osolase suffers from glaucoma, rendering him 90 percent blind in one eye. He also said Osolase disclosed voluntarily to police that he had HIV , and that his German wife has stood by him throughout the trial process. Mr Orchard said: ‘Mr Osolase acknowledges and regrets the consequences of his actions in relation to taking the girls out of the UK, and he has to bear the consequences of those actions.’ Detective Inspector Eddie Fox said after the case that Osolase was ‘evil’ and branded him a ‘predatory paedophile’.

Britain’s sex swap patient wants to revert to male

ia Cooper made headlines last year when she became Britain’s youngest sex change patient aged 17, after years of begging her family and the NHS to turn her in to a girl. But now, having lived as a women for less than a year the 18year has decided to change back in to a man after suffering huge mental anguish as a woman. She has cancelled the full sex change operation that was scheduled for January and ceased the female hormone therapy that has seen her develop breasts saying that she has found the changes overwhelming and that they

have made her deeply unhappy. Although Ms Cooper underwent a thorough psychological assessment and counselling at Hull Royal Infirmary prior to starting her sex change therapy she has suffered such torment living as a women that she has tried to commit suicide twice. She told the UK’s Sunday Mirror: ‘The hormones have made me feel up and down. One minute I feel moody and the next minute I feel really happy.’ ‘The night I tried to slash my wrists I’d downed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and just thought about how alone I am, and how my de-

Pictured as a young boy (left) and after she began hormone therapy Photo: Caters News Agency (right)

cision has alienated my family and how I will have to become a boy again to resolve it.’ Born a male called Brad, Ms Cooper began dressing as a girl aged 12, and at 15-years-old begged doctors to help her be-

come a woman. But she has failed to find happiness as a female, even admitting to dabbling in prostitution in an attempt to counteract the loneliness she felt. Ms Cooper also says the hormone injections left her with extreme emotions and a high sex drive, but that she cannot find the love she craves with either sex. She believes she will have better luck in love as a ‘trendy’ gay man, and that returning to being a male will help heal the damaged relationships with her family.

‘I don’t want to live in isolation, away from everyone I love. This is the only way forward. I just want to be happy and this is my last chance.’ Currently jobless and sleeping on a friends floor, Ms Cooper, hopes that after she stops having her hormone injections and returns to being a boy she can join the Army and have a career in the forces. Ms Cooper who was training to be a hair dresser as Bradley, believed at the age of 16 she was old enough to make the lifechanging decision to give her ‘peace of mind’.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Adamawa suspends six officials over corruption O WOLABI A DENUSI YOLA

damawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, yesterday commended the suspension of six principal staff of the Local Apprenticeship Scheme (LAS), who were involved in shoddy deals, describing their suspension as a lesson to those entrusted with responsi-

bility. The governor said any government official found wanting in one area or the other should face the music as his administration has zerotolerance for corruption. According to Governor Nyako; “Nobody is above the law, transparency should be the watchword of those entrusted with public office.”

LAS, a poverty alleviation programme, was initiated by Governor Murtala Nyako to take care of unemployed youths in the state. The affected six principal officers were suspended for allegedly swindling the scheme with fictitious names and using LAR’s customised training kits thereby enjoying financial benefits that should accrue to the trainees.

The suspended officers include a desk officer and five monitors in charge of Michika Local Government Area of the state; they were accused of criminal conspiracy and the manipulation of figures using fictitious names with the sole aim of defrauding the scheme and the state government. State Co-coordinator of the scheme, Alhaji Sani Jada, who con-

firmed the suspension while addressing stakeholders at a forum organised by the management of the scheme to appraise its, warned that government will not spare anybody who attempts to sabotageits objectives. Jada also called on desk officers and project monitors to rededicate themselves to duty and be honest in their dealings, pointing out that the sus-

pension should be seen as a warning to any staff that might indulge in any shoddy deal. The project manager directed the Head of Service of Michika Local Government Area to take over the administration office in the area to be assisted by the respective Development Area Administration, pending final investigation into the matter.

‘North must key into national agenda’ AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

Bauchi State students waiting to collect their quarterly allowance at a ban Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

resident of the Conference of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA), Dr Ahmed Rabiu, has urged state governments and other stakeholders in the north, to key into the national agenda with a view to accelerating the development of the region. Rabiu, who delivered a lecture at a forum organised by an on-line based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Ra’ayi Initiative for Human Development yesterday in Kano, expressed optimism that the future of

Gombe plans cement plant, bio-fuel outfit, others DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

ombe State government has commenced discussion with some foreign investors for the establishment of three industries to take off soon in the state. This was disclosed yesterday by the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Alhaji Hamza

Wuroboki. According to the commissioner who said this while briefing journalists on the activities of his ministry, the industries are a mini-cement plant, a tomato canning company and a bio-fuel outfit. He said the government has entered into agreement with the Nigeria ExportImport Bank to serve as financial adviser between

it and the three groups of foreign investors. The commissioner explained further that the state government has also commenced discussion on the establishment of a garment industry with a Bangladesh investor. He said a site for the garment industry had been identified while a committee had been set up to ensure its successful take-

off, adding that the state government also plans to set up an industrial estate where 400 plots of land would be demarcated for allocation to industrialists. Wuroboki said the Ministry of Lands had been directed to provide land while all other facilities like roads, water and electricity would be provided by the government at the site.

Also, the state government, according to the commissioner had approved N500 million for disbursement as loans to traders under its Trade Intervention Fund and that the technical committee set up had identified at least 10, 000 traders from the old and new markets as well as members of the Kasuwan Kauye Traders Association in the state.

Former Kogi Deputy Speaker, others suspended ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

he crisis rocking the Kogi State House of Assembly deepened yesterday as four members of the house who are in support of the ousted Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Bello and the principal officers of the assembly were sus-

pended by their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement issued and signed by the Senatorial Zone Chairman (Kogi East), Hon. Seidu Odoma and its Secretary, Musa Alfa, which was made available to the journalists in Lokoja, the party gave the names of the suspend-

ed members to include the impeached Deputy Speaker, Emmanuel Omebije from Dekina constituency while others are the Majority Leader of the group of 13, Hon. Yakubu Yunusa, Musa Haruna Idoko and Abdullahi Zakari both of Idah and Ankpa constituencies in the state assembly.

The statement added that the decision became imperative in view of the refusal of the members of the house to follow the party’s resolutions in a meeting held on October 20, at Ayangba to live peaceably with members of the party and ensure political stability and the economic progress of the senatorial

zone. The statement continued: “Following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum and your refusal to abide by the resolutions of the PDP as regards your conduct in which you have neglected same, you are hereby suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party for 30 days and this

the region was still very bright despite the numerous challenges facing it. “There’s hope for the north. We are only troubled. But we must key into the national agenda, taking advantage of programmes like SURE-P, in which unfortunately we are lagging behind because of lack of information,” he noted. He lamented that the elite in the region are exploiting the media for their selfish interest instead of the region’s much needed development. Also speaking at the occasion, a renowned columnist and blogger, Dr Aliyu Tilde, placed the blame of the region’s backwardness on the doorstep of the educated northerners, whom he said were supposed to show the way for others to follow. “They unfortunately think like those who have never been to school. They think like roadside tea sellers. Yet we can never run away from Western education. It’s now the yardstick for gauging development. And the north will never develop until the educated ones lead the way,” he explained.

action is with immediate effect.” The crisis that has engulfed the state assembly continued to degenerate despite intervention from prominent indigenes of the state as both camps refused to shift ground, a situation that has raised the fear of a possible major political crisis in the state.

Cocktail

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

Bald head men are better leaders --Study

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (32)

It’s easier to hope it will get better than to start the process of making it better. –Jim Rohn * * * Go The Hard Way! We may really not like it, but things will rarely work or get better on their own. We will wait for ever if we want situations to change without a determination on our part. It is easier to fail than to succeed. Hoping that things will get better without our active involvement is a pipe dreaming at work! Go the seemingly hard way and create the future you want to see. Those who wait will waste. Nature abhor passivity. Where is that area in our lives where we need to see positive changes? Let’s get to work and make the change happen while the day dreamers of this world keep dreaming their lives away! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

M willing Man illi g tto pay $200,000 for penny

Florida coin trader says he would pay $200,000 for a copper penny minted in 1943. The 1943 copper penny is quite rare, as that year United States mints in Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco strucknearlyall1billionpennies in zinc-coated steel because of a copper shortage due to World War II, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. A few copper blanks were

left in the hopper from 1942 and were struck into 1943 pennies. The exact number of copper 1943 pennies in the world varies -- the U.S. Mint, which never entered the coppers in the official record, said there were 40 or more. Michael O’Higgins, 57, of Hallandale Beach, has placed an ad in a local paper offering $200,000 to anyone for one of the pennies, which can be worth more than $2 million.

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Oddities

Shark falls from sky onto golf course

obody yelled “Fore!” at a Southern California golf course when a 2-footlong shark dropped out of the sky and flopped around on the 12th tee. The 2-pound leopard shark was apparently plucked from the ocean by a bird then dropped on San Juan Hills Golf Club, Melissa McCormack, director of club operations, said Thursday. No one was teeing up when the shark fell Monday afternoon, although some golfers had just left the area, she said. A course marshal, who makes sure players maintain an appropriate pace, saw something moving around on the tee and went to investigate. He found the shark bleeding with puncture wounds, where it seems the bird had held it in its grasp. The marshal put the shark in his golf cart and drove it back to the clubhouse. “He went above and beyond,” McCormack said.

The marshal, McCormack and employee Bryan Stizer wanted to help the small shark, so they stuck it in a bucket of water. Then somebody remembered it wasn’t a fresh water animal, so they stirred up some “homemade sea water” using sea salt from

the kitchen, she said. “We knew we had to get it to the ocean as fast as possible,” McCormack said. She grabbed a photo of the shark before Stizer headed to the sea. “When Brian put it in the water, it didn’t move,” she said, “but then it flipped

and took off.” It’s the first time anyone could remember a shark falling from the sky at the golf course. “We have your typical coyotes, skunks and the occasional mountain lion, but nothing like a shark,” McCormack said.

A leopard shark that dropped out of the sky onto San Juan Hills Golf Club in San Juan Capist-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Features

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Okada ban: Leaving a trail of

BRT bus vandalised by rampaging okada operators

IT IS TOTALLY

Some of the impounded motorcycles.

The furore over the ban of Okada in Lagos State is yet to abate,especially since the destruction of 3,000 commercial motorcycles. MURITALA AYINLA has sampled the reactions of those affected by the ban and reports on the seeming anger and frustrations.

t came as surprise to many, despite publicity on the commencement of enforcing the Lagos Traffic Law 2012. Many Lagosians had thought the law will never see the light of day given the criticisms trailing its enactment on August 2, 2012. Some said it would not be effective, especially those aspects restricting the operation of commercial motorcycles, known as Okada in the state. Today, everyone has one or two things to condemn the law, as the impact is being felt by everyone and everywhere in the state. There are stories of stranded passengers at bus stops, rise in the number of helpless commuters who have resorted to trekking and people who had to visit hospitals due to stress. Three months after the Bill became law; drama has not ceased to play out from either the motor cycle unions or government on daily basis. There are stories of approval, support, disagreement and denial from the actors. While the government is doing everything to sensitize the public on need for the law and how it affects everyone, commercial motorcyclists are divided over some of the provisions that restrict their operation in the metropolis. Moreover, some union leaders had, since enactment of the law, pitched tent with the government, even when it is obvious it will affect their means of livelihood. Others rejected the provisions that prohibit their operation on the 475 major roads and bridges, as they are now challenging it in court, saying the section could not supersede the 1999 constitution that guarantees freedom of movement in

any parts of the federation. Even the union leaders who pledged support for government are not united on the complete ban of their operation in these strategic routes. While some are assuring total support, others are calling for review of section II, which restricts their operation to only nooks and crannies of the state. Of course in the past, many erring motorists have been arrested and fined, while their vehicles have been impounded in some instances, but the recent destruction of 3,000 motorcycles by the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Unit has generated strong reactions from the public, especially motorcyclists and legal luminaries. They described the destruction of the motorcycles valued at N321m, as capable of impoverishing over 3,000 families, saying the crime rate could rise, if nothing is urgently done to engage those whose means of livelihood have been affected. According to the law, only motorcycle of 200CC engine capacity and above are allowed to ply the prohibited routes. Those belonging to courier companies and those operating for distribution of newspapers are not spared. Speaking to National Mirror, a human rights actiivist, Chinaka Uzonaya, condemned the destruction of the motorcycles, saying that it smacks of insensitivity to the plight of the unemployed in the country. According to him, “It is the highest form of inhuman treatment ever seen in the country, especially when it is known that its counterparts in other states are empowering the youths through purchase

of motorcycles to enable them take care of their family.” A legal practitioner, Mr Kayode Oguntuase, flayed the government for embarking on the destruction of the motorcycles in the name of enforcing traffic laws, even when provisions of the law restricting their operation are being challenged in the court. His words: “It is totally unacceptable and an act of illegality, for a government that brands itself as trailblazer of law reforms. Lagos is noted for prosecuting criminal cases, especially those bothering on human right abuse, but unfortunately, it has turned itself to an abuser of human rights. Imagine those arrested for street trading and locked in the ‘Black Maria’ like common criminals. Also, the beggars who protested inhuman treatment by the state government are taken to prison and locked up. Should no one call this government to order?” Justifying the arrest and destruction of motorcycles, the taskforce Chairman, Bayo Sulayman, said it was a way of discouraging Okada riders from flouting the law. He added that after dismantling the motorcycles, the carcasses are taken to a crushing plant in Oshodi, where they are recycled. He said: “We are dismantling the motorcycles to enable us separate those parts that could be recycled. After, we take them to Oshodi crushing plant, where they will be recycled. The non recyclable parts will then be auctioned. Some of them were impounded after the new traffic law was signed into law. There are 3, 000 of them. Okada riders must obey our traffic law. They are fond

UNACCEPTABLE AND AN ACT OF

ILLEGALITY, FOR A GOVERNMENT THAT BRANDS ITSELF AS TRAILBLAZER OF LAW REFORMS off driving against d i i i t traffic, t ffi on kerbs k b and d several unauthorised places. The law has been passed and gazetted and there is no going back on it. “ This should serve as a warning because we won’t hesitate to impound any commercial motorcycle caught on the restricted roads.” The task force boss, however, said there were no riders to be prosecuted because owners of the impounded motorcycles abandoned them on sighting law enforcement officials. Speaking with National Mirror, a commercial motorcyclist described the arrests of their members and as inhuman. He said the seizing of motorcycles, even as the matter is pending in the courts is inhuman. “What the government is doing is against the law; many people are already affected by the ban. It is like it is saying we all should leave Lagos. Hence, angry motorcyclists recently destroyed some Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, at Onipanu axis of Ikorodu road. But irked by the criticisms, Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, insisted that operations of commercial motorcycles would remain restricted, saying those supporting unregulated Okada movement should visit emergency wards of public hospitals in the state. The governor, who spoke at the metro-

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Features

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

anger and destruction behind

Some Okada protesters

POLICE RECORD politan club, was obviously harping at the rate of accidents involving motorcyclists, which according to him, had resulted in the increase of victims at orthopedic hospitals. He reiterated that for the state to be free from needless accidents that contribute to low life expectancy, law and order must prevail, even as he stressed that there are many who have lost limbs, children, fathers and mothers to recklessness of motorcyclists. Tracing the various public transport systems that existed in the past like the L.M.T.S and L.S.T.C, he said it should agitate the minds of citizens on how the state arrived at the present state, in terms of the unbridled operation of commercial motorcyclists. According to him, in less than two decades, commercial motorcycles have gained so much prominence that it has become a phenomenon that should not have been allowed in the first place, stressing that the elite also encouraged their staff and employees to use Okada to run errands. “The only way to stop the business from flourishing is by not patronizing them. It is a business that if income from it dwindles, the attitude of those in it will change”, he said The state government has also in a statement said that 619 people were killed or maimed by commercial motorcycles in the past two years. It added that 22 out of 30 robbery incidents recorded between July and September this year were carried out by criminals riding on motorcycles. It said that investigations by the Planning and Research Department of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, showed that 107 people died, while 512 sustained serious injuries in accidents involving motorcycles. According to it, 71 of those who died in the last two years were male, while 36

REVEALED THAT A TOTAL OF

513 FATAL

ACCIDENTS CAPTURED IN THE STATE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS WERE CAUSED BY

OKADA OPERATORS

Commercial motorcyclists protesting against the new traffic law

were female. The statement reads in part: “Details of the accidents between January 2011 and October 2012 further revealed that a total of 442 commercial motorcycles, popularly called ‘Okada’, were involved in accidents across the state during the period out of which 271 occurred in 2011, while 171 occurred this year. Also, in 2011, 47 were killed and 98 others sustained serious injuries, while from January 2012 to date, 63 people were killed while 59 sustained serious injuries. Police records revealed that a total of 513 fatal accidents recorded in the state in the past two years were caused by Okada operators. According to the record, of this number, 305 happened between January and December 2011, while 208 of the fatal accidents happened between January and June this year.” Justifying destruction of the motorcycles, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipanye, said it is left with no other option than to dismantle them when abandoned by their owners, adding that the enforcement is legal. Ipaye, added that the law has been effective since August when it was passed but being magnanimous, the state is now enforcing it two months after passage. Corroborating government‘s position,

the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Abubakar Manko, accused commercial motorcyclists of perpetrating crimes, saying some of the robbery operations in the state were carried out using Okada,even as he warned that the police would not succumb to any blackmail in enforcing the law. He said: “Motorcyclists have done so much damage in the state. I am the commissioner of police and I am telling you that most of the armed robberies were carried out by commercial motorcyclists. People go to banks to collect money; these people will hang around and snatch their money, even during traffic holdups. Now that we have a law which says they should not operate in certain areas that law is going to be enforced. The state has 9,010 roads and only 400 of these are being restricted for now, which is only 25 per cent, so how can someone say it is wickedness? The law is there and I will enforce it no matter what happens.” This obviously may not be the best of time for many Lagosians who are used to commuting on Okada. They are now at the receiving end of the face-off between the government motorcycle operators. Their swelling ranks are visible at various bus stops and motor parks, while

hundreds have resorted to trekking long distances in the absence commercial motorcycles. Surprisingly, many motorcycle dealers deny ever seeing motorcycle of the 200CC engine capacity required by the law for courier service operation and distribution of mails and newspapers. Twenty five of 32 motorcycle traders, who spoke with National Mirror at Oyingbo and Agege, denied the existence 2000CC capacity motorcycle in the market. According to Mr Okoli, “The machine may exist but as I am talking, I have not seen any in the past 15 years I have been in business. If there is any, the price would make it unaffordable for many. That is why the government is making that preference. The founder of Isale Koto Motorcycle Dealer Association, Mr. Victor Ezeani, said the 200CC capacity is not available in the Nigerian market. “Besides, how many people can afford them? Right now, people are suffering with the ban, especially those of us who sell them. The spare parts dealer, mechanics, and vulcanizers have been affected by the ban. Right now, we are all suffering from poor sales. It is getting tougher to feed our families”, he lamented. Another who identified himself simply as Ibuka said: “I have not seen a 200CC motorcycle before. This ban is not only affecting Okada operators, we are also affected”.

WORLD RECORD

Largest species of camel Vol. 02 No. 480

Okada riders’ day of rage

he protest by commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders, which eventually turned violent, is a clear indication of how public protests can be counterproductive as a way to pressurize government to rescind a decision considered inimical to the interest of a group or even the larger society. The organizers of the protest march may have wanted to use the opportunity to whip up resentment of the people against some aspects of the traffic law which impinged on the operations of the operators. Good as the option may have appeared to them before embarking on what was to be a peaceful protest which slipped out of control as they vent their anger on government vehicles, particularly the BRT

N150

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The largest member of the family Camelidae is the dromedary or one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius), with a head and body length of 2.3-3.5 m (7 ft 6 in–11 ft 5 in), a tail length of 55 cm (21 in) and a weight of 450–690 kg (992–1,521 lb).

IFA yesterday revealed 23-man list for the 2012 FIFA Men’s World Player of the Year, including Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire and Italy’s Mario Balotelli. Apart from the players, the list for World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football awards was also unveiled. The players are: Sergio Agüero

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

buses which they must have seen as rivals in the commercial transport business. No matter the excuse the riders might want to give, the magnitude of that uncivilised behaviour has, indeed, made their case worse even if they had secured an injunction stopping government from implementing the laws. Vandalising public utilities is another way of declaring war against the larger society, majority of whom are also stakeholders within the economy where the riders operate. Their action, therefore, cannot be explained in any way to meet the acceptable standard in any civilised society. The traffic law, if that was their bone of contention, is not favourable to virtually everybody and this explains the reason why it has also remained the most criticized even as various groups continue to raise objections. The chaos and the confusion that would have been created if all those affected had resorted to violence will not only paralyse economic activities, but make life unbearable for the majority. If they thought that their agitation was in public interest, they have missed the point completely. Indeed, it was their penchant for breaking the law and blatant disregard for traffic regulation that led to the emergence of these prohibitive laws restricting them from the highways. The major streets and roads were virtually turned to a jungle where there exist

VANDALISING PUBLIC UTILITIES IS ANOTHER WAY OF DECLARING WAR AGAINST THE LARGER SOCIETY MAJORITY OF WHO ARE ALSO STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE ECONOMY WHERE THE RIDERS OPERATE no rules and regulations on the conduct of motorists and other road users. Prior to the emergence of the lawless reign of the Okada operators, Lagos had witnessed glorious days when commuters hardly struggle to enjoy public transportation. There is, no doubt, that due to rapid urbanisation of the city, social amenities became grossly inadequate due to the growing population on one hand and the failure of government to provide dividends of democracy in spite of promises during electioneering campaign. The Okada riders would not have posed major

problem if there had been an efficient and effective enforcement of laws and orderliness on the roads. But for a long time, they had been allowed to impose their uncivilised ways on the society, behaving as if they are above the laws of the land. They became the harbinger of bad news, causing chaos, not only on the roads, but also maiming people in their recklessness with lots of fatalities recorded in the process. The situation was so pathetic that even a ward had to be reserved for victims of Okada riders’ terror at the Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos. You may not want to condemn them outrightly, but blame the government which eventually woke up a bit too late, to its responsibilities to tame the lawlessness of this group. Implementing the traffic law should, however, not shift attention from the pathetic condition of the roads which gave rise to the menace of Okada riders in the first place. Government’s inability to fix the roads, which are littered with potholes, made the okada option very attractive and compelling to the commuters who want to conduct business quickly instead of spending hours in traffic. This has also given rise to hawkers of wares on the roads, another social malaise the government is also contending with. Except basic facilities such as good roads are provided and well maintained to eliminate bottlenecks on the road, all efforts to enforce sanity will only amount to treating the symptoms without touching the disease. Other states like Akwa Ibom and Cross River have successfully eliminated this nuisance on their roads, but not by the use of brute force but constructive engagement and provision of better alternatives to the operators and their customers. It is, again, instructive to note that some of these people were forced to earn a living the way they do by government’s policies which must have denied them access to decent lives.

Sport Extra

FIFA lists Balotelli for Ballon d’Or (Argentina), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Balotelli, Karim Benzema (France), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Drogba, Radamel Falcao (Colombia) and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovi.

Others include Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Özil (Germany), Gerard Piqué (Spain), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Yaya Touré, Robin

van Persie (Netherlands) and Spain’s Xavi. The final decisions will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football. The winners of the awards will be unveiled at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala in Zurich on January 7, 2013.

Mario Balotelli

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