Tuesday, February 26, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Intrigues as NGF postpones chairmanship election till May OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, will elect its new leadership in May after the

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expiration of the tenure of the current executive. In a two-paragraph statement issued at the end of its meeting attended by virtually all the 36 state governors, the Chairman of the forum

and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said the NGF resolved to postpone the election till May when the incumbent’s initial two years tenure would expire. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Abubakar

Boko Haram releases video of kidnapped French family P.55

Tuesday, Tuesday,June February 7, 2011 26, 2013

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Jonathan okays judge’s sack over misconduct EFCC re-arrests Akingbola

Salami may not be reinstated –Investigation

ROTIMI FADEYI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, for the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos. The NJC, headed by Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Murktar, had last Thursday announced the suspension of Archibong and Justice Thomas Naron of the High Court of Justice, Plateau State and requested the President and the Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, to retire the two judges. The council also set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations levelled against Justice Abubakar Talba of the

Fashola

Lagos shuts Ladipo market

...9 ‘Bakassi Boys’ arrested P.8

No going back on N4bn First Ladies’ House –Presidency P.4

Low-key burial for Goldie, fans pay tributes P.7

L-R: Governors Idris Wada (Kogi); Aliyu Babangida (Niger); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and others, PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA after the Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

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Soldiers shoot four varsity students dead Terrorists kill mobile police commander in Kano

Reps, NNPC disagree on $1.5bn loan

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News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Soldiers shoot four varsity students dead IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

bout four students of the Nasarawa State University, Lafia, were allegedly shot dead by soldiers while scores were injured during a protest over scarcity of water on the campus yesterday. The soldiers, from the 177 Battalion in Keffi Barracks, were alleged to have opened fire on the students who were on peaceful protest. The circumstances of the shootings were not immediately clear but National Mirror learnt that the students had mounted a road block on the KeffiAkwanga federal highway from Keffi roundabout down to the main entrance of the university, disrupting traffic flow on the ever-busy road which links Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and the eastern parts of the country. Our correspondent learnt that the bodies of the dead students and those injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Lafia, the state capital. President, Students Union Government, SUG, of the university, Rabiu Tijani Omameh, said the campus had been without water for more than three weeks. “Water is life without

which we cannot continue with our education and it will make the environment harsh and hectic for us. “This is a civil and peaceful protest; we don’t want to see the military men here. Why should they come and shoot our students? Nevertheless, I have taken the report before the school authorities,” he said. The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Abayomi Akeremale, who was travelling to Abuja on official assignment, was trapped in the gridlock. In a bid to forestall further breakdown of law and order, the university authorities had shut the institution indefinitely. The closure was announced in a statement signed by the Registrar, Alhaji Dalhatu Mamman. He urged the students to vacate the campuses immediately until further notice. The statement said any student who remained on or around the campus would be doing so at his or her own risk. The statement, however, added that the closure did not affect other normal functions of the university and that members of staff were expected to report to their duty posts as usual. The state police command spokesman, Michael Ada, confirmed the killing

of the students but denied that they were shot by police officers. Meanwhile, Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has condemned the killing, noting that it amounted to grave crime against humanity and must not go unpunished. HURIWA urged the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, NHRC, to commence independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deployment of armed soldiers by government to unleash violence on peaceful protesters. In a statement jointly signed by the National Coor-

dinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Director, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, to explain the rationale behind the deployment of troops to quell a peaceful demonstration by unarmed students. “This is a sad commentary on Nigeria’s democracy and marks a turning point which signposts that government may be plotting to emasculate the fundamental freedoms belonging to the citizenry that are inherent and inviolable. “This is especially as tension builds up over the excruciating economic con-

dition in Nigeria brought about by corruption and misgovernance at all levels of government in Nigeria. “We in the human rights community will be disappointed if the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission fails to use its new found independence and operational power to probe the brutal killing by armed soldiers of peaceful demonstrators in this era of democracy when it was clear that the lives of the soldiers did not come under any threat since the protesting students merely carried placards and fresh tree leaves. “How come that the po-

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and United Nations Special Representative to Guinea Bissau, Mr Jose Ramos-Horta, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Jonathan okays judge’s sack over misconduct CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Federal Capital Territory High Court in the police pension scam case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against a senior civil servant, Mr. John Yusuf. Justice Talba had passed a controversial two year sentence with an option of a N750,000 fine on Yakubu, after the convict pleaded guilty to stealing N32.8bn from the pension office. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), told State House correspondents yesterday that the President had approved the compulsory retirement of Archibong in line with the recommendation of NJC. He said: “It is to inform you that President Goodluck Jonathan is in receipt of a recommendation from the National Judicial

Council recommending the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong and Mr. President has approved that it should take immediate effect. “It is Mr. President’s belief that once we are able to cleanse the judiciary of corruption, then our fight against corruption in its entirety will take a firm root and will be on its way to success.” However, the fate of Justice Naron is yet to be determined as only the governor of the state is constitutionally empowered to approve the recommendation of NJC that he should be retired. A statement issued last Thursday by NJC Acting Director, Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said that Archibong was recommended for compulsory retirement because of “findings by the council on the following complaints levelled against

lice that ought to maintain law and order were not deployed to ensure that the students demonstration went about peacefully and if at any time external hoodlums sabotage the protest, then the police can at the worst case scenario use only plastic bullets or water cannons to disperse the demonstrators if they turn rowdy and out of control? “This killing of innocent students as widely reported by eyewitnesses should be thoroughly investigated and any soldier found wanting must be flushed out of the Army and prosecuted for crimes against humanity.”

him: *That the judge dismissed the grievous charges against an accused without taking his plea; *that he refused to release the certified true copy of his ruling to the lawyers and that the judge issued a bench warrant on some officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for contempt even when the counsel who was directed by the court to serve them filed an affidavit that he had not been able to serve the contempt application.” Achibong was also indicted for making unfounded and caustic remarks on the professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs. The five senior advocates, including the then President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Daudu, were described by Justice

Archibong as grossly incompetent. Others were Dr. Koyinsola Ajayi, Emmanuel Ukala, A.B Mahmoud and Damien Dodo. Archibong, while dismissing a 26-count charge brought against the former chief executive officer of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, had described the team of lawyers instructed by the EFCC to prosecute the case as incompetent and directed the AGF to disband and debrief them. But NJC noted that there were glaring procedural irregularities, which showed that Archibong did not have a full grasp of the law and procedures of the court. It also noted that the judge “granted the leave sought for in the originating summons that had no written address of

the parties and without hearing both parties in the originating summons after he had earlier on overruled the preliminary objection.” For Justice Naron, the NJC recommended his retirement to Jang because of the role he played as Chairman of the first Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Naron had presided over the hearing of a petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, candidate in the 2007 governorship election, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, against the declaration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the PDP as winner of the election. The tribunal had in its ruling upheld Oyinlola’s election but Aregbesola petitioned the NJC, alleging impropriety on the part of the tribunal. The NJC’s findings showed that there were constant and regular voice

calls and exchange of mms (multi-media) and SMS (text) messages between Justice Naron and one of the lead counsels to the parties to the election petition in Osun State. This is contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vide Section 292(1((b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arrested Akingbola. National Mirror learnt that he was being held at the commission’s facility in Ikoyi, Lagos. Akingbola, according to sources, will be arraigned today before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court on fresh charges of stealing. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Photo News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

L-R: Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Mr. Ben Akabueze; new British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Leslie Carter; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje and Education and Science and Technology commissioner, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, during a courtesy call on the Governor by the Ambassador in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant (Political) to the Delta State Government, Barrister Fred Majemite; a renowned Gospel Musician, Miss Anne Emmanuel Ibrahim; her counterpart and son of the late Justus Esiri, Mr. Sidney Onoriode Esiri (Dr. Sid); wife, Mrs. Omiete Esiri; Representative of the Delta State Governor and the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barrister Richard Mofe-Damijo and a renowned musician, Sammy Okposo, during the condolence visit to the family of the late Esiri in Lagos yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Head of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Lagos Office, Mr. Isaac Ighure and Librarian, Mrs. Stella Ejiogu, during the presentation of the book; For Law For Country: Conversation with the Bar and the Bench, at NAN’s office in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Provost, Grace Springs Bible College, Pastor Kayode Ebenezer; Senior Pastors, Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Nomthi and Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, during the graduation ceremony of the Bible College, held at the church, Ilupeju Lagos recently.

National News

No going back on N4bn First Ladies Peace Mission building –Presidency ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Presidency yesterday defended the proposed N4 billion African First Ladies’ Peace Mission building project, saying that to abandon the project would not augur well for the image of the country. Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady, Mr. Ayo Osinlu told State House Correspondents that despite the pressure being mounted on the National Assembly not to approve the Peace Mission building, there was no going back on the project. According to him, the office of the First Lady would rather do whatever it can to sensitise the public and the legislature on the importance of the project. Osinlu said that the project was not for the office of the First Lady to defend as the Federal Capital Territory Ministry has responded appropriately.

He said: “I can assure you, without any doubt that it is far from the preference and far from the objective of the first lady to have the project turned down. One, it will amount to an abdication of responsibility by Nigeria and the diplomatic recklessness will be worst for the country. Certainly, the First Lady

will not expect Nigeria to behave in such a reckless manner. “The First Lady would not also want the project abandoned because it is an undertaking that the country has made to the continent. It means therefore that the credibility of Nigeria will drop significantly if it goes back on its delib-

erate and willing commitment to host such an organ for the continent and at the request of the continent. “Africa First Ladies Mission said, give us a secretariat and you agreed that you will do it and then five years after, you wake up and say you don’t want to do it again. I don’t think that level of

irresponsibility would be expected of Nigeria and the first lady won’t encourage that at all. “What I want to do here is to sound a note of warning and to read a public alert. This is to the degree that we must be very careful and very observant and not allow ourselves to be seen by certain persons as in-

struments to drive very private and very personal political objectives. “If there are politicians and other persons in the society who desire to make gains out of this kind of confusion, we should be careful and not let them see and use us as instruments to drive such objectives,” he said.

In the first official statement released by the late actor’s family since he passed on one week ago, members of the Esiri family urged the nation’s youths to imbibe their father’s attitude to work and service to the nation so as to bring the much needed change in the country. The statement which was signed by Sidney Esiri, popularly called Dr Sid read: “He was a strong believer in family values, and a great supporter of Nollywood.

While we mourn the loss of a great man we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to the youth to work hard to achieve their dreams, and play their own part in building a greater nation. “For those who may ask what they can do to honour Chief Justus Esiri, we simply request that you honour his example of service, accomplishment and modesty and the next time you turn on your television and see his face we ask

that you keep his memory alive.” Justus Esiri, according to the statement passed on February 19 at the age of 70 after battling with diabetes. Popular for his role as the ‘Village Headmaster’ in the rested television series by that title, the actor hailed from Abraka, Delta State. He was conferred with the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and the Otun Amuludun of the Source in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Esiri’s burial holds in April NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

ustus Esiri, who passed on last week after battling with diabetes, will be buried in the third week of April, according to George Esiri, the late actor’s younger brother. In a phone interview with National Mirror, George said the family decided to postpone the burial till April because of the Lent, currently being observed by Christians all over the world. “We have resolved to

bury him in the third week of April, because of the Lent. His first son, Junior, who lives in the United Kingdom will not return until then. The burial will hold in three towns-Lagos, Abraka and Warri. The service of songs will hold in Lagos. Before then, the family will come out with a detailed burial plan for everyone,” he said. Meanwhile Nigerian youths have been advised to emulate Justus Esiri’s sterling qualities in order to move the nation forward.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Reps, NNPC disagree on $1.5bn loan TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he House of Representatives has opposed a proposal by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to take a loan of about $1.56bn (N240bn) to clear its liabilities. The controversial loan is being packaged by a consortium of 10 international and local

banks with 15,000 barrels of oil per day production pledged as collateral. However, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, yesterday insisted before a House joint committee investigating the matter that the proposal was not for a loan. He explained that the company simply sought to obtain the amount from the pool of the NNPC and pay

back from profits derived from future oil sales. The GMD reiterated the position of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, that NNPC was adopting a “forward sales agreement structure” between it and its trading partners in regard to the corporation’s indebtedness to them. He told lawmakers that once obtained, the amount would be used to offset

demurrage charges on refined crude imports and other liabilities. According to him: “The arrangement is based on a forward sale, which allows a future sale of agreed quantities of 15,000 barrels per day of crude oil to a Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV, for about five years considering the $1.5bn paid by the SPV to NNPC. “The $1.5bn will be used to offset part of the

L-R: Representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Isiaka Bawa; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Andrew Yakubu and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, at a public hearing on proposed $1.5bn loan for the corporation in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

petroleum imports bills.” The Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who opened the probe session yesterday, stated that the proposed loan was not captured in the 2013-2015 Medium Term Framework and the 2013 budget. He said: “The issue before us today for consideration, the proposed $1.56bn loan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is very important. “Its importance is predicated on the fact that the proposed loan was neither captured in the 2013-2015 Medium Term Framework nor in the 2013 budget. “As a parliament, we believe that if we continue on the path of truth, history shall vindicate us. I assure you that members of the Seventh Assembly are fully committed to bringing the dividends of democracy to our people and ensuring that we have a policy that we shall all be proud of. “It is on account of this belief that the House in its wisdom referred this matter to the committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Aids, Loans and Debt Management and

Justice to investigate fully and report to the House. “We are convinced that your findings and recommendations will greatly influence the direction that the House will take and, therefore, urge you to do a thorough job. “As leaders, we must be sensitive to the needs of our people and do only those things that will reflect us in a positive light.” He urged the joint committee to dig deep on the issue and come up with facts to enable the House decide. The Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and lead Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Ajibola Muraina (PDPOyo), allayed the fears of the Ministry of Petroleum and other invitees to the hearing committee that the House was out to blackmail them on the issue. But Hon. Fort Dike (PDP-Anambra), who was displeased by what he thought was a deliberate attempt by the NNPC to confuse lawmakers, insisted that the company took a loan without the approval of the National Assembly.

Jonathan okays judge’s sack over misconduct CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

The re-arraignment is sequel to the elevation of the former trial judge Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court to the Court of Appeal. In another development, indications have emerged that the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Ayo Isa Salami may not return to the exalted office he occupied until August 18, 2011, when he was axed by the NJC. National Mirror gathered exclusively from a reliable source at the NJC that part of the measures to frustrate Justice Salami’s return was to renew the tenure of Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa as acting PCA until October when he (Salami) would have attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. To buttress this position, our correspondent learnt that the council, at its emergency meeting on February 20, had

recommended to President Jonathan that the acting appointment of Bulkachuwa be renewed. NJC’s action satisfies section 238 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which stipulates that “Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect, after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appoint a person whose appointment has lapsed.” Bulkachuwa was sworn in on November 23, 2012. She succeeded Justice Dalhatu Adamu, whose tenure as acting PCA was renewed five times. According to the source, “NJC has recommended the renewal of Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa’s tenure as acting president of the Court of Appeal. I

think this may continue.” When reminded that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja would on March 11 deliver judgement on a suit seeking to compel NJC to recall Salami, he simply asked:”Is there no room for appeal?” Salami was suspended for “gross misconduct” and refusal to apologise to former CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. Justice Adamu Bello will on March 11 deliver judgement in a suit instituted by the Registered Trustees of the Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration. In an originating summons brought pursuant to the inherent rules of the Federal High Court, the plaintiffs (numbering 11), had prayed the court to hold that the NJC, by virtue of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, has the exclusive power to mete out sanctions against judicial officers. Such powers, it added,

include discipline and recall. In the light of this, the plaintiffs want an order of mandamus compelling the NJC to recall Justice Salami. Plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Jitobo Akanike, said that President Jonathan (1st defendant) and Adoke (2nd defendant) had no business in matters of discipline of a judicial officer, pointing out that the earlier pronouncement reinstating Salami by the NJC did not need any approval or endorsement by the President for it to carry the force of law. In their separate responses, however, counsel to the President and the AGF, Mr. Matthew Echo, urged the trial judge to dismiss the plaintiffs’ originating summons on the grounds that they lacked the locus standi to institute the matter. Echo told the court that the first and the second

defendants’ objections were brought pursuant to order 26, rules 1, 2 and 3 of the Federal High Court rules. He maintained that “the plaintiffs have not shown any sufficient interest above any other Nigerian in the matter” to warrant grant of their reliefs. The court was, therefore, enjoined to “uphold our counter-affidavit and dismiss the suit as mere academics, indeterminable and a waste of the time of the court.” Counsel to NJC (third defendant), Dr. A. A. Kanah, urged the court to arrive at a decision that would best serve the interest of justice. But Salami’s counsel, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) aligned with the submission of the plaintiffs. He persuaded the court to dismiss defendants’ preliminary objection “as not representing the current status of the law on locus standi.” Akintola told the court

that the NJC had “also admitted that it has the power of discipline of judicial officers. “This court has the inherent jurisdiction to grant an order of mandamus compelling the third defendant to perform its constitutional duty to save the judiciary from ridicule. “The failure of the third defendant to reinstate the fourth defendant by wrongly and unlawfully referring it to the first defendant for approval when indeed the first defendant lacks such power under the constitution has diminished the status and influence of the third defendant in the public domain. “This court has the unique opportunity to redeem and restore the dented image of the judiciary through the grant of the prayers sought by the plaintiffs,” Akintola had said.

News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Court to hear Babalakin’s application March 27

Governors’ Forum shifts election to May

KENNY ODUNUKAN

ABUJA

n Ikeja High Court yesterday fixed March 27 for the hearing of an application by the Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), asking it to quash all the 27 charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo fixed the date shortly after he ruled that Babalakin should file a consolidated application on his request to quash the charges. Babalakin was charged alongside Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited, and Renix Nigeria Limited, for fraudulently transferring N4.7 billion on behalf of the convicted former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori. At the resumed hearing of the case, Babalakin’s counsel, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), told Onigbanjo that there were two different pending applications before the court. Fagbemi disclosed that the applications were challenging the legality of the charges filed against his client, arguing that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the charge. The lawyer also submitted that the first application filed on January 17 equally challenged the competence of the charges, he therefore urged the court quash them. He also said the second application dated February 21, was seeking the court’s nod to quash the charges preferred against Babalakin, based on the argument that his rights had been trampled upon and abused. According to him, the EFCC improperly used the court process for the oppression, harassment and abuse of the defendant. Fagbemi urged the court to hear the two applications at the same time. However, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), raised an objection and argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear two applications at the same time. He said: “It is a gross abuse of court process to file two pending applications before the court even though they are based on different grounds.”

OBIORA IFOH

he Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, will elect its new leadership in May after the expiration of the tenure of the current executive. In a two-paragraph statement issued at the end of its meeting attended by virtually all the 36 state governors, the Chairman of the forum and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amae-

chi, said the NGF resolved to postpone the election till May when the incumbent initial two years tenure would expire. The statement reads: “Members reviewed the affairs of the forum in the past 21 months, detailing activities, achievements and challenges experienced during the period. “Aft exhaustive deliberation of the issues regarding filling vacant positions, the forum resolved that elec-

tion in this regard be postponed until May when the chairman’s initial two-year tenure will expire.” Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the ViceChairman of the NGF and Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, said the meeting decided to postpone the election to allow the current executive run out its tenure. He said: “We postponed the meeting last time because the constitution said that the chairman must

give a detailed account of his stewardship of his tenure before the new election and today that account was presented, which was adopted and accepted by all. “In the wisdom of the collective number, everybody said since it is a meeting of equals, why do we have to hold election before the expiration of the tenure; why don’t we wait till the month of May, the month the tenure is expiring?” On whether the incum-

bent has the power to recontest, Obi said unless the constitution was changed, Rotimi had the power to recontest. The governors that attended included those of Borno (deputy), Lagos (deputy), Rivers, Delta, Niger, Enugu (deputy), Bayelsa, Zamfara (deputy), Ebonyi, Ondo, Anambra, Abia, Ekiti, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe (deputy), Kano, Kogi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Nasarawa, Edo, Cross River (deputy), Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, Kwara, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Osun and Imo.

Pension probe: Maina’s supporters storm NASS EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

Founder, Courage to Dare Foundation and a breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Juliet Aguwa, distributing breast cancer awareness leaflets to teachers of PHOTO: NAN St. Anthony of Padua High School, Nkpor in Anambra State, yesterday.

PDP forms alliance with police, INEC, judiciary –Buhari OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ormer Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had already merged with the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Judiciary. Buhari’s allegation came days after his party, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and some opposition parties fused into the All Progressive Change, APC. The former military leader also said that other members of the alliance with the PDP, were the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the Pension Fund. He, however, said the merger arrangement between his party and others was on the verge of success. Speaking at CPC interactive dialogue with its elected representatives in Abuja yesterday, Buhari said he believed that merger was

the only way to prevent the continuation of the bad governance in Nigeria. He added that the only way to stabilise the country was for the opposition parties to merge and face the PDP. Addressing the legislators, the CPC of the Board of Trustees chairman said it was only in his party that the legislators were genuinely elected and not rigged into office. He said: “You were actu-

ally elected. You did not use police to intimidate voters; you did not use INEC staff to inflate your votes. You won despite all attempts by government to rig you out. “How many PDP lawmakers can say that? Very, very few! You can, therefore, hold your heads high and regard yourselves as genuine representatives of your constituents. You are the true sons of democracy, your position is even more important than party officials and

party leaders - because you are the face of CPC. “The call to duty for you today is to regard yourselves as the arrow-head of this movement. And, therefore, act with speed and purpose to reach our goal. “Without your leadership and effort, our fight for democracy will not succeed. Each one of us in this hall should regard himself as part of the great movement to come together and unseat the PDP.”

upporters of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday blocked the entrance to the National Assembly to protest his ordeals. The protesters’ spokesman, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams, said: “Maina recovered N251 billion from suspected fraudsters and the recovered amount is lodged with the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The claim of the mismanagement of N469 billion of pension fund by Alhaji Maina-led pension task team is not true. “Maina needs to be commended for sanitising the pension system in the Office of the Head of Service rather than being hounded. After all, he is responsible for the prosecution of John Yakubu and other pension thieves.”

Reps to audit ministries, agencies TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he House of Representatives said yesterday that it would soon set up a committee to audit Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of government. The Chairman of the Finance Committee, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (PDPKano), disclosed this at a resumed hearing on the finances of the 60 revenue-

generating agencies at the National Assembly. He, however, regretted that most of the agencies invited by the committee to the hearing into remittances gave “technical reasons” why they could not pay the stipulated 25 per cent of their gross earnings into the Federation Account. Jibrin said the audit committee would make public its findings on claims by the agencies

that they were operating at a loss and therefore could not remit funds to the Federation Account as stipulated in Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution. The committee, however, rebuked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for its habitual non-remittance of operating surpluses to the Federation Account. It also said that the NNPC and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria,

FMBN, would be placed under “special investigation.” In its earlier presentation, the FMBN angered the committee when it said that it would take it nine months to present its audited account for 2012. The committee, however, hailed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s declaration that it would soon pay an additional N30 billion operating surplus to the coffers of the Federal Government.

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National News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Audit probe: NNPC, PPPRA, others shun Reps’ invitation TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

epresentatives of the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and other agencies were yesterday driven out of a probe session by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Solomon Adeola-Olamilekan, had invited (NNPC), DPR, PPPRA, the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) and Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to appear with the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to defend queries raises against their audited accounts by the Office of the Auditor General

of the Federation (AGoF) for the year 2007. At the probe session yesterday, only the Accountant-General of the Federation, Niyi Otunla, appeared in person, as most of the agencies did not even send letters to be excused. The committee was informed that the Customs Service sent a letter last Friday, requesting for attendance on March 21, but that the request was turned down because the meeting had already been fixed and that all other agencies were to appear with the AGF. Ironically, the GMD of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, was also expected to appear before the Joint House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Aids, Loans and Debt Management and Justice, same day and same time, to answer questions on the proposed $1.56

billion Loan sought by the Corporation. Members of the panel expressed anger over the development, flaying the respective principals of the affected agencies for contempt of legislature. The Head of the Committee, Hon. Adeola-Olamilekan, the agencies that they must appear unfailingly next Monday or face the consequences. He said: “In the absence of any other contribution by members, I like to state categorically that the representatives of the affected organisation will not be allowed to address us as they lacked capacity to do so. I, however, want to make it clear to them that they have queries to answer and they must answer them. “If anybody feels we should embarrass him, we will gladly do that.”

Goldie: Low-key burial rattles fans amid tributes NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

any fans of Oluwabimpe Susan “Goldie” Harvey, who passed on February 14, appear rattled by the quiet burial accorded the music star in spite of expectations of fanfare. The late hip-hop artiste was buried yesterday at the Vaults and Gardens Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos, at a funeral attended by close friends and family members. Those present at the funeral included Andrew Harvey, her husband; Kenny Ogungbe (the owner of Kennis Music, her record label) Dele Momodu, Denrele Edun, Idowu Ogungbe, Shola Idowu (Weird MC), Karen Igho, Kenny St Brown and Essence, who are her mates on the record label. Her controversial house mate at the Big Brother Africa, Kenyan born Prezzo, was absent. Prior to the burial, there were expectations that Goldie’s funeral would not only attract a tribute night by fellow artistes but also

a commemorative musical recording by her colleagues in the music industry. Her record label would offer no explanation why this was so. But her husband Andrew Harvey, who came into the country two days ago in his tribute described the years he spent with her as the best years of his life. He said: “Susan, you walked into my life, it was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said

‘Love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack on the Titanic. Forget about love, just have friendship and live long.’ Overtime our love grew to a depth I have never known. You were the best years of my life, your smile, your desire to live your dream.” Denrele Edun, who constantly fought emotions during the funeral, described the late singer with very moving words, saying: “My lifeline, my lexicon, therapist and support system.”

L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; National President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu; Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Managing Director, Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki and Chairman, Mr. Timothy Farinre, during the inspection of the company by the minister in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Northern governors beg terrorists to embrace peace OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

orthern states governors have decried senseless killings of innocent Nigerians by terrorists. The governors have, therefore, appealed to the terrorists threatening the country’s peace to stop their violent activities. Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Dr. Babangida Aliyu, said that the violent activities of the terrorists are hampering peace in the North.

Aliyu said the senseless killing of innocent citizens by the terrorists from Thursday last week through the weekend in various parts of the North negated all efforts to restore peace to the region. The Niger State governor said that a situation where aggrieved individuals take laws into their hands would not advance the course of peace. In a statement signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, the NSGF expressed concern at the renewed attacks on citizens,

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beginning from a fire incident caused by bomb blast at Gamboru Market in Borno State on Thursday, as well as the killing of 10 people at Kogom village in Plateau State on the same day. The NSGF said it was equally alarmed at the killing of five young men playing card game in Gombe town on Friday and the killing of another five persons and burning of houses when Hausas and Jikuns reportedly engaged one another in a bloody clash in Wukari, Taraba State, on Saturday.

February 26: On this day in 1926— Carter G. Woodson Declares Negro History Week, Becomes Black History Month! Carter Godwin Woodson was born on 1875 in New Canton, Virginia, to Anna

Eliza and James Woodson. The first son of nine children, the young Woodson worked as a sharecropper and a miner to help his family. He began high school in his late teens and proved to be an excellent student, completing a four-year course of study in less than two years. After attending Berea College in Kentucky, Woodson worked for the U.S. government as an education superintendent in the Philippines and traveled extensively before returning to the U.S. Woodson then earned his bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Chicago and went on to receive a doctorate from Harvard University in 1912—becoming the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from the prestigious institution, after W.E.B. Du Bois. After finishing his education, Woodson dedicated himself to the field of African-American history, working to make sure that the subject was taught in schools and studied by scholars. For his efforts, Woodson is often known as the “Father of Black History.”

South West

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Traders stranded as Lagos govt shuts down Ladipo Market •Arrests nine gang members, others

MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State government yesterday shut down the popular Ladipo Auto Spareparts Market Mushin, for harbouring criminals and constituting environment nuisance in the state. Nine of the suspected ‘Bakassi Boys,’ alleged to have been terrorising the market

and its environs, were also arrested by men of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, who stormed the market as early as 4.00 am. The leaders of the market were also accused of running a parallel government and engaging in the proliferation of ammunition which they use in laying ambush on innocent buyers, local government officials and perceived enemies,

Fayemi charges new commissioners, others on service delivery ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

kiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday inaugurated the state’s new executive with a charge to them to gird their loins and hit the ground running immediately. He, however, told the State Executive Council, SEC, members, including 19 commissioners and 11 special advisers, that he would not hesitate to replace any of them found wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities. The governor, who spoke while swearing in the commissioners and special advisers, advised them not to abandon the people in their various localities, saying: “You have to interact with them regularly and educate them fully on the programmes and policies of our government. “You should remember also that we rode to power on the crescendo of people’s will, support and unquantifiable sacrifices, when we were all in the trenches. “This government is, in all ramifications, the government of the people. We must therefore show them our practical demonstration of love and respect through constant interactions in the discharge of our responsibilities as bottom-top approach is our style of programme conceptualisation and execution,” the governor said. Governor Fayemi charged the returning commissioners to see their reappointment as call to service and not mere hon-

orifics of expanding their curriculum vitae, saying: “You have to prove that you are not spent forces by scoring more goals. You must take full advantage of your past experiences to be more strategic, innovative and purposeful in accelerating your speed for spectacular performances.” The commissioners are: Hon. Funminiyi Afuye (Integration and Inter-governmental Affairs); Mr. Dapo Kolawole (Finance); Mr. Debo Ajayi (Trade and Investment); Dr Olusola Fasubaa (Health); Mrs. Eniola Ajayi (Environment); Mr. Paul Omotoso (Local Government Affairs); Mr. Wale Fapohunda (Justice) and Mr. Kehinde Ojo (Education). Others are Mr. Apalara Wole Adewumi (Special Duties); Mr. Folorunso Olabode (Rural Development); Mr. Biodun Oyebanji (Budget); Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan (Youth and Sports); Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi (Women Affairs); Mr. Sola Adebayo (Works and Transport); Mr. Jide Arowosafe (Agriculture); Mr. Remi Olorunleke (Housing and Physical Planning); Mrs. Ronke Okusanya (Art and Culture); Mr. Oluwole Ariyo (Rural Development) and Mr. Tayo Ekundayo (Information). The special advisers are: Hon. Tale Oguntoyinbo; Chief Babatunde Odetola; Chief Aderemi Ajayi; Prince Akin Olayisade; Hon. Biodun Omoleye; Chief Dayo Fadipe; Mr. Adebayo Kelekun; Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami; Mr. Kayode Jegede; Hon. Karounwi Oladapo and Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu.

among others. As early as 9.00am, the ever busy market had become a ghost of itself as hundreds of fully armed taskforce officials led by its Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, besieged the market to carry out the government’s order. Recalcitrant traders were dispersed with several canisters of tear-gas being shot into the air to ward off the traders as many of them were kept at bay by the armed policemen. Few of the unruly traders were arrested and locked in a Black Maria stationed at the Toyota end of the OshodiApapa Expressway. Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs and fierce-looking officers from the Rapid Respond Squad, RRS, and the taskforce were stationed at the Toyota end of the expressway and the Matori end of the Mushin-Ladipo Road.

Meanwhile, it took the men of the taskforce and RRS about three hours to gain access to the notorious Aguyi Ironsi section of the market where members of the Bakassi Boys were said to be hiding ammunition. Briefing journalists, the Taskforce Chairman, Sulaiman said the state government is fed up with the atrocities being committed by the traders and the hooligans among them, saying those who control the market had taken laws into their hands. “Ladipo is not outside Lagos State we cannot allow criminals to take over the market. The state government officials were here last week to see the rate of the environmental degradation in the market. The officials of the market did not show up. “There are serious trading going on in the streets and there are lots of shanties here also. We will make sure

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that this time around, proper sanitation is done by the traders before this market will be re-opened and they have to submit to the chairman of Mushin Local Government. “We received information about some hoodlums in the market who are challenging us to come after them if we can. I was personally confronted by them. That is why we came to let them know that they can’t be more than the government. We are charging them to court. “We will not be in haste to re-open the market this time around until we get results. They have to stop repairing vehicles on the road; the canal must be cleared by them because it is the taxpayers’ money that the government is using to maintain it. The set back must also be observed.” On his part, the Chairman, Mushin Local Government Area, Olatunde Adepitan, said the hoodlums in the market had almost taken over the government. He said he was practically booed out of the market premises when he came to the market to read the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to the traders.

“The leaders of this market have taken the law into their hand, believing that they are a government on their own. They are running a parallel government within Mushin Local Government. It is a good thing that the state has really come in, because we don’t have the machinery that the state government has to fight them. “We will liaise with the taskforce officials to ensure that before re-opening this market, registration forms will be given to the people so that we can know who is who and those who are trading here because inside the Aguiyi Ironsi Market here, there are criminals. There are arms in the market and there are Bakassi Boys living inside this market,” he explained. National Mirror gathered that the Chairman of the market, one Jonathan Okoli, also collected N30, 000 from each 2, 335 shops in the market. Items recovered from the hoodlums and suspected Bakassi Boys include charms, charmed rings, charmed belts also known as, knives and several machetes.

Aregbesola rounds off US visit

A cross section of new Ekiti State commissioners, during their swearing in by the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Afenifere factions close ranks, reunite in Akure HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

he two factions of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, yesterday met in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to close their ranks. The meeting, which was called at the instance of the leaders of the group was organised to chart a way forward for the group and the nation. Addressing the group during the meeting, Afenifere leader, Chief Rueben Fasoranti, welcomed the other faction back into Afenifere’s fold, saying the

primary motive of the reunion is to move the group forward. Fasoranti said there was no better time for the group to come together than this period when the South-West region and the nation as a whole desired better leadership. His words: “I want you, more than before, to join us fully in moving Afenifere forward. Loyalty, honesty, sacrifice, love to the people and respect for one another are some of the hallmarks of our association. “These were some of the qualities AD leaders

who found themselves in office then lacked which almost led to the demise of the association. “Now that you are back we want you to strengthen those virtues I have enumerated which earned us the respect of the people.” The leader also called on other members to forget the past and join the group to help in strengthening the association, urging them to come with open minds to serve like “great leaders.” Fasoranti, however, commended some loyalist of the group who stood with the group during the trying periods.

harvest of partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, await Osun State as investors from American and Nigerians in the Diaspora, have signified their intentions to join hands with the state in the areas of information technology, youth development and tourism. These were some of the results of the one-week working visit of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as he rounds off his visit to the United States today. Also at a dinner with Tim McNulty, the Vice-President, Government Relations of Carnegie Melon University, it was agreed that McNulty will visit Osun State for an on-the-spot assessment with the intent to partner with the state on information technology and setting up a campus of the university in the state. In the same vein, the government also received commendations for innovation in governance from officials of Allegheny County, at The Courthouse, the county’s headquarters, where they explored areas of partnership and exchange with the governor.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

South West

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Oniro of Iro-Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Afolabi Felix Adeniyi, has alleged threat to his life by unknown armed gang, who had earlier attacked him in his palace. Oba Adeniyi said that after the armed attack, the persistent text messages he received from the gang informing him they were monitoring his movement and demanding ransom for his life forced him to flee the community since August 20,

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ekiti monarch flees palace following threat to life last year. The monarch, flanked by his chiefs, told journalists yesterday in Ado-Ekiti , the state capital, that the attack and incessant threats to his life were possibly owing to absence of police formation in the community. According to him, the nearest police station was over 20 kilometres away. Oba Adeniyi said: “I have not heard in the history of Yoruba that armed gang invaded Oba’s palace. When the Oba’s palace is not safe, the community is in prob-

lem. I have relocated from my community, Iro-Ekiti, to elsewhere for my life. I only go there on the community traditional council meetings and other special occasions. More worrisome was the self-confession even before the police at Ode-Ekiti by an indigene of the community that he was sent and paid by a dead person to kill the monarch. The monarch said: “The dead cannot pay or send somebody who is alive to go and invade the Oba’s palace and made away with cash

and valuable property. “There is no police station in Iro-Ekiti, which makes the security of the town porous to all evils. IroEkiti only accesses the police at the Divisional Police Headquarters at Ode-Ekiti, which is over 20 kilometers away.” He appealed to the state government, law enforcement and the people to save his life and the whole community from the armed invaders. Oba Adeniyi said that the gunmen had, on July 3

last year, invaded his palace, which he described as sacred, shot sporadically and chased away the occupants, as well made away with valuable items, including money and beads. The monarch said he and the Oniro-in-Council immediately reported the case to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ode-Ekiti, but later withdrew the case based on the pressure from home that the matter would be handled traditionally. According to him, shortly after traditional rites had

been performed, one Lasisi Ibrahim, a native of the community, came to confess to him that some people made a part-payment of N30, 000 to him and others to kill the monarch. Oba Adeniyi said Ibrahim had asked for N30,000 so that he could refund those who gave him the “contract.” But he said he was surprised when he summoned his chiefs to listen to Ibrahim’s confession and the culprit twisted his statement that he was sent by the dead to kill him.

Ajimobi grants 13 prisoners amnesty

Mimiko dissolves cabinet

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has granted amnesty to 13 inmates in Agodi prisons in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration. A statement issued yesterday by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, stated that eight of the prisoners, who had been on death row, had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. The remaining five, who had been serving jail terms, were granted total freedom by the governor. The prisoners, who regained their freedom, are Ibrahim Wakili, Ismaila Mufutau, Sina Aborisade, Asimiyu Alabi and Oluseyi Akande. Those who had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment included Musiliu Suleiman, Sgt. Paul Faforiji, Mathew Johnson, Funso Olanipekun, Asimiyu Babatunde, Olabode Emmanuel, Olusina Ajayi and Obasi Onyeye. According to Ojo, the granting of the amnesty was in the exercise of the power conferred on the governor by the 1999 Constitution and subject to the advice of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. “Under section 212(1) of the constitution, the governor is empowered to pardon, free, grant respite or substitute a severe punishment with lesser one as a form of amnesty for the convicts,’’ he said.

AKURE

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI

New Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa (left), receiving hand over notes from his predecessor, Mr. Johnson Mbu, in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Alaafin is living encyclopedia, philosopher –Ola Makinde KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

relate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, yesterday described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, as a living encyclopedia, whose doctrines and philosophies remain a rallying point in the nation’s body polity.” Dr. Makinde spoke when he led four other bishops to sympathise with the monarch over the fire that gutted the palace recent. He said: “You (Alaafin) are a great philosopher, staunch supporter and advocate of justice, fairness and truth. Your imperial majesty is never afraid or fear to talk to anyone, even those in po-

sitions of authority. You are blunt and thorough in advising and calling to order the excesses of those in authority whenever they want to go astray. Your knowledge cuts across all shades of discipline. Your contributions to peace, progress and development is indeed unrivalled.” The cleric praised Oba Adeyemi for his large heartedness in accommodating all religions, adding that the Methodist Church would continue to be grateful and remember the monarch for his assistance towards its development in the town. Dr. Makinde said: “What is more amazing about the Alaafin is his dexterity and prowess of Yoruba language. Whenever he speaks, you will be carried away by the

intonations he uses to communicate; you will no doubt know that he is an embodiment of Yoruba culture and tradition. “I also want to call on the governments not to allow Yoruba language to go into extinction; hence it must be adequately promoted and allowed to be spoken in schools.” The Alaafin, who thanked the Prelate and his entourage for the visit, also extolled the virtues of Makinde, saying: “He is a Minister of God with a vision and mission. He is assertive, committed and determined towards human advancement. He is a living example of justice and truthfulness.” He also reiterated his commitment to serve humanity

‘IART executive director not fraudulent’ WALE IGBINTADE

he Federal Government has cleared the Executive Director of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR

&T) Ibadan, Prof. B A Ogunbodede, of fraud and abuse of power. Two separate reports released by the Office of the Accountant -General of the Federation and Federal Min-

istry of Agricultural and Natural Resources stated that the allegation levelled against Prof. Ogunbodede was baseless. The parent body of IAR &T, Obafemi Awolowo Uni-

and justice, noting that as a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, he is not opposed to any religion, but owes it as a duty to preserve the deities. Oba Adeyemi said: “It is indeed very important to properly preserve our cultural heritage in order not to lose our identity. These artifacts, sculptures and other antiquities were seen as the main obstacle to the spread of white religion and as a result, various unsuitable terminological descriptions were employed to devalue them. They were erroneously and variously described as graven images, idols, fetish or devilish objects. They were regarded as mere woods and therefore of no spiritual or aesthetic value.”

versity, Ile-Ife, said that the concurrent findings of the panel of the Minister of Agricultural and that of the Accountant-General of the Federation “should not be disturbed”.

ess than 24 hours after his inauguration for the second term in office, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday announced the dissolution of the state executive council. The dissolution also affected members of statutory boards and parastatals. The announcement, which was contained in a statement issued from the Office of the Governor and signed by Eni Akinsola, Mimiko appreciated the outgoing cabinet members and political office holders for selfless service and dedication to the state. Mimiko said: “I have always said that the good work we have been able to achieve has been as a result of the synergy and team effort put in by all of us at the cabinet as well as in other positions of responsibilities we have found ourselves since we came on board,” . The governor also commended the members of the dissolved executives and special advisers for their dedication towards the development of the state, saying: “Through our collective efforts, rich debates, engaging arguments, agreements sometimes disagreements; we have provided responsible and dedicated leadership to the people. Diligence has been our watchword and for this I am very grateful to all of you.” He listed the affected office holders as commissioners, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals; senior special assistants, special assistants and others who have served in positions other than statutory commissions.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Imo: Gunmen kill two policemen, abduct businessman CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

wo policemen were reportedly killed at the weekend when a six-man gang invaded Oguta community, Imo State and abducted a business mogul, Emeka Aseme. The policemen were shot dead in a gun duel

with the abductors, which forced the residents to run into safety. A reliable source in the community told our correspondent that the incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, caused anxiety among the residents as the gunmen were shooting indiscriminately. Aseme, who is the pro-

prietor of the popular Niger Plaza, Oguta, was abducted by the hoodlums, who appeared in full military uniform and a Hilux Toyota van to deceive the local vigilance group manning the town. The bandits reportedly entered the town through the Egbu-Oma Road linking the town with Owerri,

the state capital. The source, who described the shooting as the worst in the history of the town, said on sighting their victim, the gunmen began to shoot to scare the people away. However, some policemen attached to the Police Division in Oguta Local Government, who later

engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle reportedly lost two of their men in the encounter. The abductors later escaped through the adjoining Egbu-Oma Road. A witness said Aseme was shot several times in the leg before being taken away. When our correspon-

dent called the new Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Katsina, who on assumption promised to deal ruthlessly with kidnappers, refused to pick his calls. Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Vitalis Onugu, did not respond to calls for confirmation of the incident.

Okwu not our member –APGA chairman DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

L-R: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Women Leader, Enugu State, Chief Queen Nwankwo; the state Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change, Mr. Emeka Okafor; Brig.-Gen. Josef Okoloagu (rtd) and ACN senatorial candidate in Enugu East, Dr. Ben Nwoye, addressing a news conference on 2015 general elections in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Vehicle crushes four at Awka robbery scene CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

our people were reportedly crushed at the weekend during a robbery operation at Agu-Awka area of Awka, Anambra State capital. The victims of the incident, which occurred about 9.30pm include

bankers returning to their stations after attending a course in Enugu. Sources said they were killed by a vehicle whose driver was trying to escape from being robbed by a gang which laid siege to the road. It was discovered that when the mass transit

bus conveying the victims ran into the gang at Agu-Awka, the robbers ordered the passengers to disembark and lie down. The victims were still lying on the road when an on-coming vehicle, which the robbers wanted to stop, crushed them. It was also gathered that when the hoodlums

saw what happened, they jumped in to their operational vehicle parked beside the road and fled from the scene. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident. He said four people were crushed to death during the incident.

Declare state of emergency on IMSU, lawmakers tell Okorocha CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

embers of the Imo State House of Assembly have called on Governor Rochas Okorocha to declare a state of emergency on the Faculty of Law of the state university. The call, made at the weekend, came on the heels of the crisis rocking the Imo State University, IMSU, over the poor performance of its Faculty of Law, which led to the loss of its accreditation. The lawmakers also asked the executive to put in place all materials and equipment required for the smooth running of the

university to ensure that all the faculties yet to be accredited receive accreditation soon. The lawmaker representing Ezinihitte Mbaise state constituency, Hon. Obioma Ekennia, who raised the motion of the state of the institution, said the Faculty of Law was de-accredited by the Council for Legal Education owing to inadequate teaching personnel and shortfall in other required facilities. Ekennia admitted that though there were many projects going on in the state, it was equally important that the issue of accreditation of courses in the university be given

urgent attention. He added that the de-accreditation of the faculty was an embarrassment not only to the government, but to the governor and other citizens of the state. Other lawmakers, who spoke in favour of the motion, said that of all the faculties in IMSU, the Faculty of Law was the only one which had produced many first-class graduates in the Nigerian Law School. They added that the faculty was the image of the university and called on well-meaning citizens of the state to assist the government to redeem the institution.

The legislators said t the situation did not just develop, pointing out that previous administrations allowed the university to degenerate to that pitiable state. They urged Okorocha’s administration to rise to the challenge and present itself as a government responsive to the yearnings of the people. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, directed the Committee on Education to interface with the management of IMSU and then furnish the House with all the details of what prevented the Faculty of Law and others from being accredited.

nugu State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, said Chief Maxi Okwu was not its member, adding that he was expelled eight years ago. The state Chairman of APGA, Chief Okechukwu Nkoloagu, who addressed a press conference yesterday, said whatever paper Okwu was carrying in the guise of APGA membership card was fake. Nkoloagu said Okwu had not been readmitted into the party and urged all members of the party to distance themselves from the factional chairman. The chairman said Okwu joined the Citizens Popular Party, CPP, after his expulsion and no longer had any stake in APGA. According to him, since Okwu has not returned to APGA, whatever he must have been doing using the name of the party, is “null

and void, unconstitutional and of no effect.” He said: “Maxi Okwu’s name has not appeared in any register at the ward, local government or state level in Enugu State chapter of APGA where I am the chairman since 2005 when he was expelled with our former Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie. “This purported recall and membership claim by Maxi is quite false.” Nkoloagu recalled that Okorie challenged his expulsion up to the Supreme Court but that Okwu did not which, according to him, means that he accepted the Abuja High Court judgement that affirmed his expulsion. The chairman added that when Okorie approached the Appeal Court and sought to nullify their expulsion, Okwu at the time asked Okorie to withdraw his name from the case as he was reportedly not interested in furthering the case to the Appeal Court.

Merger talks will succeed –CPC CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

he Anambra State chapter of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, has expressed optimism over the outcome of the merger involving it, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. The CPC said it was working hard to ensure that it was fully on ground by the time the merger, which had already led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was concluded. The Anambra State Chairman of CPC, Prince Chuba Ikeagwu, told our correspondent that although it had been very difficult for parties to successfully merge in Nigeria, the present move would succeed, in view of the fact that Nigerians were yearning for a strong opposition party that would be

able to challenge the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hegemony. He said: “The merger talk is still going on and modalities are being discussed and when it is concluded, everybody will know the outcome. But we believe that at the end of the day, everything will work out fine.” Ikeagwu, who disclosed that the party was now being reorganised in readiness for the local government elections, advised the proponents of zoning of key political office to their area to reach out to other power blocs and negotiate their demand. In a related development, a chieftain of the party from Umuomaku in Orumba South local government area, Dr. Igwebuike Ifeanyi Hygers, has announced his intention to contest for the governorship post on the CPC platform.

South South

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tour: Maku visits Edo, shuns Oshiomhole SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

he decision by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State to shun the sponsoring of the state leg of the Good Governance Tour organised by the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr. Labaran Maku, may not have gone down well with the Federal Government spokesperson. National Mirror gathered yesterday at the Government House in Benin that Maku did not only keep Oshiomhole waiting for an already scheduled courtesy visit, but failed to show up before he unilaterally rescheduled the same for another day, which may

not hold as the governor already has an event scheduled for about the same time. It was learnt that Oshiomhole, who had spent part of the weekend in his hometown, rushed down to the Government House yesterday morning for the minister’s visit fixed for 1:30pm. As Governor Oshiomhole waited endlessly for the visiting team that never showed up, his aides learnt later that the minister could no longer come as scheduled because he was inspecting a Federal Government project at Sobe and that he had decided to reschedule the visit for another day. Sources said the governor thereafter travelled

to Abuja for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting scheduled for yesterday night. It will be recalled that Oshiomhole last weekend rejected a N130 million proposal from the minister asking the state government to bankroll the Edo State leg of the tour after describing it as a waste of public fund. Oshiomhole had said: “The resources accruable to Edo State cannot afford to accommodate the expenses of hosting the Minister of Information and his good governance tour team. Why should I take Edo State tax payers money to finance a Federal Government project? I don’t need Abuja to help me to

tell Edo State people what I am doing in the state. Anytime a state official goes for official duty in Abuja, the state takes responsibilities for the expenses. So, I expect the Federal Government to finance its own official tour.” National Mirror, however, learnt that the proposed tour would have cost the government about N180 million, which the governor said he would find difficult to reconcile with the state’s lean resources. Owing to the governor’s refusal to sponsor the state leg of the tour, Maku decided to still go ahead with the inspection, but with plans to cover only Federal Government projects in the state.

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Delta inaugurates waterways security committee EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

he Delta State Government yesterday inaugurated a waterways security committee and advisory council to assist security agencies on intelligence gathering as part of the measures to ensure protection of lives and property. The state Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, inaugurated the committee at the Government House in Warri. Utuama noted that the absence of the committee, which was dissolved sometime ago, had created a loophole in security information gathering. He said security agents alone could not tackle the rising security challenges, urging everyone to support the security personnel for effective service delivery. According to him, the work of the committee include alerting relevant security agencies of any possible threat

to peace and security in the state and also taking necessary measures to nip such threats in the bud. Utuama stressed that since members of the committee were drawn from different communities and localities, it was incumbent on them to quickly alert the security agencies of acts likely to cause a breach of the peace in their areas. He said that when a member failed to take necessary measures that could have doused tension, such a member would be held liable. The deputy governor said that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration was committed to delivering on his three-point development agenda and would not want insecurity to impede the drive. Uduaghan had last week said that the state government was deploying a multi-pronged security strategy aimed at addressing cases of insecurity and other violent crimes.

Lawmaker flays incessant sea piracy attacks in Bayelsa

In spite of the presence of member of the Bayelsa State House security agencies in many of Assembly, Hon. parts of state, sea piracy and Abraham Ngobere, has be- kidnappings have been on rated the incessant activities the increase thereby raising of sea pirate in Akassa wa- concerns among residents. Even the death penalty terways in Brass Local Govslammed on kidnappers by ernment Area of the state. Ngobere, who represents the state government has L-R: Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd),Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Brass Constituency 3 in the not helped matters as the Utuama and former governor of the state, Chief Felix Ibru, during a workshop for traditional rulers held in Abraka, recently. House, lamented that the kidnapping and sea piracy sea pirates had carted away business are flourishing in engines and valuables be- the creeks. But the governor’s aide longing to boat drivers and Speaking on the villagers do not see any- the Economic and Finanpassengers in recent times, on security, Kenebai, said TONY A NICHEBE theme: “Deterring crude thing wrong in what they cial Crime Commission UYO described the situation as the state government had (EFCC) and Nigerian oil theft and pipeline are doing. procured 15 armored boats unfortunate. he Nigeria Navy vandalism in Nigeria: Administra“As these refineries Maritime to tackle sea piracy and kidThe lawmaker spoke at says it has de- A panacea for national are destroyed and as tion and Safety Agency nappings in the waterways. the weekend in Yenagoa, the stroyed over 7,378 economic prosperity,” the Navy personnel turn (NMASA), the Navy had National Mirror learnt state capital, when he visited illegal refineries and 908 Okojie lamented that the their backs, you will dis- not received any feedthat the Nigerian Navy perthe Special Adviser to the deep canoes popularly war against illegal refin- cover that thousands back with respect to prossonnel would ply the secuGovernor on Security Matcalled Cotonuo boats. ers of crude oil is enor- more of these illegal re- ecution. rity boats in the creeks to ters, Col. Bernard Kenebai The Navy also arrested mous as villagers see oil fineries resurface.” Okojie called for coopcheck sea piracy and other (rtd). over 40 vessels and many bunkering as their leThe Naval officer said eration among the Navy related crimes. Ngobere, therefore, apbadges used for the van- gitimate means of liveli- the total volume of oil and other agencies for efpealed to the security dalisation of oil facilities hood. stolen last year amounted fective service delivery. agencies and the state govin the last six months. He advised oil comHe said: “In the last to 9,831,520, noting that Commodore Joseph six months of 2012, the the losses in the black wa- panies and National Oil ernment to tackle the chalOkojie stated this on Nigeria Navy has de- ters were more than what Spill Detection and Re- lenges, saying that his conMonday during the Ni- stroyed over 7378 illegal the country was losing in sponse Agency and Na- stituents are no longer safe while travelling along the gerian Navy Retreat for refineries and 908 deep the offshore. tional Environmental waterways. Maritime Stakehold- canoes commonly called Standards and RegulaHe lamented that of Maritime workers in the ers held at Government Cotonuo boats. all the people arrested tions Enforcement Agenstate are living in fear owing House Banquet Hall in “Everybody in the vil- and handed over to ap- cy to clean up polluted to rampant attacks by sea piUyo, the Akwa Ibom lage where these activi- propriate enforcement soils and waters in Niger rates in the waterways. State capital. ties occur has a boat. The agencies like the police, Delta region. Bayelsa State Gov. S. Dickson

Navy destroyed 7,378 illegal refineries in 2012

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

SUPER TUESDAY 2015 Presidency: Nigerian constitution supersedes any agreement –Mbadinuju

EFCC: Losing the grip on ‘corrupt politicians’

igerians were shocked recently when a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, sentenced a former director of the Police Pension Office, John Yusuf, to a two-year jail sentence for conniving with others to defraud the office and pensioners of N32.8 billion. Yusuf admitted to stealing N2 billion of the money, but he would not spend the two years in jail as the presiding judge, Justice Abubakar Talba gave him an option of fine in the sum of N750,000 for the three offences he pleaded guilty to. Each of the three offences attracts a two-year jail term or N250, 000 fine. Whereas Yusuf has been rearraigned on fresh charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and presently in prison custody pending the determination of his bail application, most Nigerians seem to be losing hope on the ability of the present administration to fight corruption. The conviction of this pessimists stems from the inability of the two antigraft agencies; the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to review and prosecute all cases of corruption pending since 2007.

Alao-Akala

Kalu

Dariye

Haruna

Pending cases Top among the cases are the trials of former Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Orji Kalu (Abia), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Sani Ahmed (Zamfara), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa) and Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto). These former governors were swooped on by the EFCC then under the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu immediately after they left office in 2007. But, no headway has been made in their prosecution till date, even as some of them have gone ahead to contest and win elections and are in the National Assembly as senators. In the case of Kalu, he was specifically arraigned on July 27, 2007 before an Abuja High Court on a 107-count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion. After he pleaded not guilty to the charges and his counsel asked for bail, the court presided over by Justice Binta Muritala Nyako ordered his detention in Kuje prison in Abuja. He however regained his freedom four days later. A court order obtained by the EFCC to

Politics

Foreigners aid oil theft –Anyanwu

14&15

FELIX NWANERI, takes a look at the delay in the prosecution of former governors and other public office holders accused of corrupt practices, which has cast a slur on the fight against corruption.

TOP STORY freeze his key assets and hand them over to the Abia State government if he is unable to prove that the funds used to establish his companies were not proceeds of graft is yet to be effected as the matter is still pending in court. Another pending case is that of Dariye, who is presently representing Plateau Central in the Senate. Arraigned before an Abuja High Court on a 23-count charge involving the sum of N700 million, the former governor pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him and was subsequent granted bail. He later challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him, contending that the offence he allegedly committed took place

Politicians Boni Haruna Danjuma Goje Gbenga Daniel Saminu Turaki Adebayo Alao-Akala Abdullahi Adamu Chimaroke Nnamani Orji Kalu Abubakar Audu Jolly Nyame Dimeji Bankole Joshua Dariye Ayo Fayose

Alleged looted fund N93 billion N70 billion N58 billion N36 billion N25 billion N15 billion N5.3 billion N5 billion N4 billion N1.3billion N894 million N700 million N416 million

in Plateau State and the funds involved belonged to the state, so his trial ought to take place in the state, and not in Abuja. While the presiding judge dismissed

the objections, Dariye approached the Court of Appeal with the same application but the appellate court threw it out and ordered him to go and face his trial. While the case is still pending before the court and has suffered series of adjournments, mostly at the former governor’s instance, Dariye won a senatorial seat in the 2011 elections. Nyame, in the same vein was docked on a 41-court charge in July 2007. He was alleged to have embezzled N1.3 billion. A graphic illustration of how he perpetuated the act was given by one Dennis Nev, a staff of the Taraba State Government House at his trial. The witness told the court how Nyame directed him to raise the sum of N100 million being an amount proposed for the preparations for the visit of then President Olusegun Obasanjo to the state in 2006. He also told the court how he used discretion and raised three different memos for the former governor in which he requested for N323 million, N27 million and N42 million respectively, listing vehicle maintenance, overhaul of power generating sets, security arrangements, general facelift of the capital city (Jalingo), sanitation, civil works, souvenirs and honorarium as the purposes for which the money was to be used. Nev further told the court that upon the receipt of the three memos, Nyame approved the release of the funds and ordered him to bring the monies to his office, an order he complied with and added that the funds were never used for the purposes for which they were approved. The former governor was also alleged to have collected N180 million from USAB International Nigeria Limited, a kick back money from a N250 million contract awarded to the company for the supply of stationeries to the state government between January and February 2005. In Turaki’s case, he was docked on a 32-count charge on allegations that he stole about N36 billion from the treasury over an eight-year period and charged along with three companies accused of being used to siphon the funds as accomplices. The companies are INC National Resources Limited, Arkel Construction Nigeria Limited and Wildcat Construction Limited. He was however granted bail after a brief detention in the sum of N100 million on July 27, 2007 by Justice Nyako although his bail was vigorously contested by the EFCC which accused him of possessing multiple nationality and capable of jumping bail. Soon after securing his CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Politics

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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2015 Presidency: Nigerian constitution Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju was former governor of Anambra State between 1999 and 2003. In this interview with FELIX NWANERI, he speaks on the furore over the singleterm agreement allegedly signed by President Goodluck Jonathan with governors, the emergence of the All Progressive Congress (APC), constitution amendment, immunity clause, Igbo presidency in 2015, among other issues. Excerpts:

How do you see the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC)? Merging of political parties to gain strength and be able to win elections is nothing new. For now, the emergence of APC, if registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a clear admission that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is indeed the party to beat in the electoral contest in Nigeria. So, the coming together or ganging up against the PDP is nothing new here. The APC is like a new wine in an old bottle and we expect nothing but explosion. Marriage of strange bed fellows is also nothing new. And gang up for the purpose of trying to win an election leads to more disaster. Even God is against “gang up” or “gathering” to play dirty politics or to do something unorthodox against well conceived party programmes or projects. God condemns this kind of approach in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 54 verse 15, God spoke through his prophet saying “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fail for thy sake”. It is to us that God addressed his word. Obviously, the gathering of APC to stop PDP, and to stop President Goodluck Jonathan when God has not so ordered or ordained amounts to “gathering” against God and they shall fail. President Jonathan may not be a priest but he likes the things of God, both him and his house. Many people have seen Mr. President kneeling down before God, and not before man, at many church altars to honour God and to respect him as creator, and in all this he got blessed and energised for the work ahead both in serving God and serving man too. The President becomes an intermediary between God Himself and Nigerian people whom God placed in his hand to nurture them, and rule over them with justice, fairness and righteousness. And God says as long as his servant President Jonathan, is directed by the Holy Spirit to do good and not evil, then any one ganging up against him as APC is trying to do, God says that the party is gathering against Him and against the President and his party, the PDP, and that such gathering shall fail. So, this is the way God sees what the APC is trying to do, and God says they shall fail. What

more can anyone say against the word of God.

Are you then very sure that APC will still not pose a serious threat or challenge to PDP’s dominance in the polity? No doubt the APC will try to do their best, may be in their spirit of do-or-die. But it won’t be easy to dislodge PDP if they do things right. The President has done his best since he came into office. He follows the rule of law and due process, and has been fair and equitable in approaching the issue of governance. If he keeps to these democratic norms and try to do the right thing at all times, then God shall continue to fight for him to victory. The APC will surely challenge the PDP. The question is: who wins at the end? PDP is so widespread in all the corners of this country, they can’t just lose in one day. APC may be a party for the future if PDP fails to put their house in order. But for now, the APC may be gunning for that which PDP already has, and with a better grounding the odd is in favour of PDP. My worry is whether the APC will be prepared to accept defeat in the polls as their components have done in past elections. But do you think the merger will succeed at all? The people behind the APC are seasoned politicians and heavyweights in political circles. They know the nooks and crannies in the political field. They make impossibilities become possible. So, I wouldn’t have any doubt they’ll meet with INEC rules and conditions to get registered. But if events turn against them and APC could not be registered for whatever reason then it would be “to your tents oh Israel”. With the crisis in the PDP, how can the party ward off the APC threat? Politics is like a football game, in fact both are games, and you often cannot predict the outcome of the match till the final whistle goes. So, in this case we can say that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. It’s only the trial that will convince you. Both PDP and APC have heavyweights. But PDP has more experienced members who know how to win elections with or without wuruwuru or magomago (dubious means). The APC being an assemblage of good footballers without blending yet into a team; they have good individual players, and when they play selfish game, the team loses even with their array of talented players. So, we see that the APC has talents in the game of politics but they may lose out competing with more experienced PDP as APC; they may fail to work together or harmonise for victory as the coach may say. So, we see that the PDP, more than any other party understands the political terrain, they are the old war horses, they understand easily because of practice. They have existing leaders, respectful and who understand the rules of the game. Their leaders don’t go on leave or transfer. I give the PDP the edge over APC and others. What’s your take on the pension scam,

Mbadinuju

WHETHER THE

PRESIDENT SIGNED OR DID NOT SIGN, THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THE CONSTITUTION WHICH BINDS EVERYONE MAKES PROVISION FOR TWO TERMS IN OFFICE the trial, especially giving a convict who stole N32.8 billion a fine of N750, 000? I think this matter is getting overflogged like many other things. The press knows how to bury and how to resurrect issues as they please. So, there’s little the reading public can do. In this case, Justice Talba of the Abuja High Court gave a ruling supposedly based on the facts and the law of the case before him. Anyone who was aggrieved was free to go on appeal. But coming to a man who stole such a staggering amount of N32 billion, what would he do with such amount of money? It is possible the man is sick and therefore needs the prayers of every Nigerian. His case may be beyond man and the judge must have been confused what to do between

a grade one thieve standing before him and our law not being able to teach the man a lesson he would never forget. So, over to our lawmakers who are charged by our constitution and duty to correct such anomalies. However, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has of recent set up an investigation panel to probe the Justice Talba handling or mishandling as the case may be, the interested public can only wait and see the outcome. Are you contesting the Anambra governorship election coming up in 2014? Actually the election is coming up this year 2013 by November. Whoever wins would be sworn in early in 2014. This is just for information. But whether I’ll contest or not is a question I cannot answer. The party in a “gentleman’s agreement” decided that all founding PDP governors should have automatic ticket for second term. There was no condition attached to this. When the then President Olusegun Obasanjo visited our state on infrastructural inspection he awarded the state “A”, and at a national competition which the same former President presided over Anambra State, under my watch was given a gold cup “A+” in security, and “B+” in infrastructure. This does not mean “failure” but exceptional performance. But everyone was surprised to

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Politics

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

supersedes any agreement –Mbadinuju It is hard for a non-participant in a contentious issue like this to say exactly how it all happened. The President is well able to speak for himself and he has said several times he’ll do so next year (2014) to avoid losing track of his job and responsibilities to Nigerians. This to me has come from a leader who cares about the people he leads. Next year is not a century and I can’t understand why everybody seems to be in a hurry in this matter. Whether the President signed or did not sign, the conclusion is that the constitution which binds everyone makes provision for two terms in office. President Jonathan is doing his first term in office and our constitution grants him another four years. The same constitution says that a vice president should complete the term of a president in case of death and that’s what happened in the case of late Umaru Yar’Adua. Jonathan, by the constitution, completed Yar’Adua’s tenure. These are two different provisions. You can’t take Yar’Adua’s leftover tenure and call it a tenure for another person. A tenure without four years is no tenure by our constitution. Let us not overheat our political landscape for no just cause than greed.

hear the same former President, who as the party leader was instrumental to “the gentleman’s agreement,” turned round and announced that every other governor could go on the free ticket but counted me out and said I could not join others, even after I went through party primaries and won it three times, I was disqualified three times by the then President. So, where is rule of law, due process and equity? The powers that be have blocked me from any political appointment for 11 years now. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano contested the 2003 election but was rigged out. After election, the former President called Kwankwaso and appointed him Minister of Defence, and after four years PDP gave him the ticket to contest and the party supported him to win and he’s now doing his second term, but I’m still a good party man but doing nothing, and this is purely out of hatred and a classic case of injustice. So, any time the PDP and the government decide to do to me what they did for my colleague, Kwankwaso, I’ll thank them and thank God, and I believe that one day ‘a Daniel will come to judgement’. I hope I have answered your question. It is well. One issue generating furore in the polity is the allegation that President Jonathan signed a one-term agreement with governors. What is your take on it?

How feasible is the Igbo presidency in 2015 election? We Igbo are at a very tight corner. Igbo are Jonathan’s brothers. But Igbo are friends of the North, South and West. As our brother with the name of Ebele, we can’t abandon him at a time like this. He didn’t answer Ebele now, his father gave him the name and such identification with us cannot be forgotten nor taken for granted. The functional acting leader of Igbo today may be Anambra’s governor Peter Obi by virtue of his role at the death of our revered Peoples General, Ikemba Nnewi. By not merging his APGA with the other parties is in preparation for bloc vote for President Jonathan. Many people don’t understand Obi’s politics but he is on course. Soon after President Jonathan declares whether to run or not, Igbo will follow next and tell the nation where they stand. There’s no need shooting and wasting our ammunition when the game has not kicked off. What do you say about the security situation in the country today? Nigeria has all it takes to secure her citizens but the time we are in is evil. Nigeria is not the only victim of insecurity. From America to Latin America to Europe to Asia, to all places in Africa, who can say that his country is safe? But at the same time we must do all that is possible and within our means to protect and secure our population. Indeed, most acts of insecurity perpetrated today in Nigeria are not by Nigerians. We are the most security conscious people and everything must be done to keep it at that level. It shall surely be well with Nigeria. The constitution review by the National Assembly is ongoing. Even at that, there

are demands for a national conference. What is the way out? The National Assembly is acting within their powers and legislative functions in their attempt to amend the 1999 Constitution. It has not been easy for them because of various interests and this is the main reason for the persistent calls for a national conference, where different ethnic and other groups can sit down and decide on the fate of over 160 million people. The National Assembly claimed that they are the only legitimate power that can amend the constitution as guaranteed by the constitution itself. But the other side of the coin represented by the eminent Nigerians led by Ben Nwabueze and Nigeria’s former permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Maitama Sule, has insisted that the real issue now is no longer amending a constitution that is ab initio faulty and irredeemable. They insist that Nigeria must go back to square one and pick up the pieces of what is left of the entity called Nigeria; summon a national conference of equal federating groups to dialogue till a people’s constitution is produced. They feel that the product of what the National Assembly will produce will be something like “patch patch” work, so why not go for the original and get it done once and for all. To me, there is merit on both sides though the position of the Eminent Group appears quite persuasive. That Americans have amended their constitution several times is because the original was made by the people of America, convoked by their chosen representatives. The problem is who will bell the cat. The National Assembly is not listening to the eminent Nigerians as they keep saying that once elected to the National Assembly, it becomes their sole responsibility to amend or not to amend the constitution. That’s a good constitutional position for them. But what is the use of amending a constitution deemed to be faulty from the scratch, according to the views of the other side. But Nigeria cannot afford to throw away the views of our seniors and elders. They have worn the constitutional shoe for so many years and they now know where it pinches.

JONATHAN, BY THE CONSTITUTION, COMPLETED

YAR’ADUA’S TENURE... YOU CAN’T TAKE YAR’ADUA’S LEFTOVER TENURE AND CALL IT A TENURE FOR ANOTHER PERSON.

A TENURE

WITHOUT FOUR YEARS IS NO TENURE BY OUR CONSTITUTION

My conciliatory position is to go the way of the elders and work together with our elected representatives and try and fashion out a constitution that will endure for a long time to come, subject to amendments as the occasion warrants. I suggest that the government of the day should play a good role and to avoid accusing the Federal Government of selfish domineering influence, President Jonathan, towards the last years of his second term in office should set the ball rolling and before his exit, he would have completed the process of a new constitution as the people wanted it. A president coming after President Jonathan shall operate a new brand of people’s constitution. What we have now does not satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians, otherwise why should some zones in the federation have seven states, others have six states while only one zone has five states. Is this fair and equitable. By the principle of equality of zones, should each zone not have seven states for the balance? It is because the present constitution is faulty and beyond repair or amendment that they say it might take over 35 years from now for the South-East to produce a President. Where is the rule of law, due process, equity and fair play? One of the most contentious and controversial provisions in our constitution is the immunity clause whereby the president and his vice, and state governors and their deputies are immune from criminal prosecution. The framers of the constitution were sure they were doing the right thing. The rationale was to avoid multiplicity of cases in court against the president and governors and in many cases they might end up going in and out of court without attending to their main job of administering the country or the states. But it now appears that things have fallen on evil days. In the United States, whose presidential constitution we somehow adopted, immunity was granted to just the president and we have even seen some American presidents and state governors CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

All set to ensure stable power supply

ASO ROCK FILE with

Rotimi FADEYI

Dame Patience: Raised from T the dead, living in Aso Rock

n the biblical account of the life of Jesus Christ, He died for three days and later resurrected. Before His own death and resurrection, He had raised Lazarus, His friend, who had been dead for four days. Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, narrated the biblical story as her own life experience and only a few have this kind of experience in their lifetime. Dame Jonathan said she was dead for seven days but that God brought her back to life to tell the story. She stood in front of the congregation at the Aso Villa chapel last week Sunday where she opened up on her medical sojourn in Germany when she declined to read from a prepared speech. It took four months after her return to the country to have the courage to tell the story to the world what she went through. Dame Jonathan on her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport dismissed reports that she was away from the country for seven weeks to seek for medical treatment. “I read in the media where they said I was in the hospital. God Almighty knows I have never been to that hospital. I don’t even know the hospital they mentioned. “I have to explain what God has done for me. I don’t have any terminal illness. I did not go for cosmetic surgery or tummy tuck. My husband loves me as I am and I am pleased with how God created me,” she had said at the airport on her arrival. But on last week Sunday, the First Lady said: “It was not an easy experience for me. I actually died; I passed out for more than a week. My intestines and tummy were opened,” Patience said. She continued: “I am not Lazarus but my experience was similar to his. My doctors said all hope was lost.

“I know that some people somehow leaked the information that I was dead. They are people that I trust and rely on; to them, I was dead and I would never return to the country alive. Some of them even sold my things off” “People are always afraid of operation (surgery) but in my own case, while my travail lasted, I was begging for it (surgery) after the third operation because I was going to the theatre everyday. “It was God who saw me through. I did eight or nine operations within one month. It was not an easy one. The day I came back, I said God I have nothing to say, I offer myself to you. I will be doing things that will touch the lives of the less privilege. “God gave me a second chance because I reached there. He knew I have not completed the assignments He gave me. That was why I was sent back,” she said.

he stage is now set to stop the noise and smoke pollution from different kinds of electricity generators in the country as private power companies have signed sale purchase agreement with the Federal Government to take over the generation and distribution of electricity in the country. The National Council on Privatization (NCP) formally signed Sale and Purchase Agreement with the preferred bidders for the 10 Distribution Companies (DISCOS) and five Generation Companies (GENCOS) in line with the process of privatising the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). With the signing of the agreement, the DISCOS and GENCOS would be handed over to the preferred bidders upon down payment of 25 per cent of the share purchase price within 15 business days after signing, as well as payment of the outstanding 75 per cent within 90 working days after the signing. In 2005, the Federal Government com-

menced the process of reforming the power sector with the enactment of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act that eventually paved way for the privatization of the PHCN successor companies. At the beginning of the privatization of the Discos and Gencos in 2011, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) received 301 Expression of Interests (EOIs) and later shortlisted 207 firms that met the minimum qualification standards set but only 163 firms purchased bid documents. Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is also the chairman of the NCP, described the event as “important landmark”, saying it marked several important milestones in the ongoing reform of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry. Sambo, who spoke through the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, assured that the government will take all necessary steps to ensure that the expectations of the Nigerian people in terms of improved service delivery are achieved. The Vice President expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its support towards making the agreements bankable through the provision of Partial Risk Guarantee credit support instrument. Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of Transcorp /Woodwork, the preferred bidder for the Ughelli Power Plant described the signing as very significant for the country in its quest to generate enough electricity for the populace. Acting Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, said the ceremony “underscores President Jonathan’s commitment to move Nigeria from darkness to light. Today’s signing ceremony is a clear indication that where there is a will, there is always a way.”

Presidential Villa’s visitors L-R: Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe; Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Managing Director of Uganda National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Dr. Willam Huhairwe and Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputu at the Presidential Summit on Water at the State House.

In search of better funding for water sector ater remains one of the essential requirements for the sustenance of life. Every living object needs water to remain well and alive. The need to ensure adequate provision of water was the focus for discussion at the Presidential Summit on Water at the State House last week. President Goodluck Jonathan who said it would require about N350 billion ($1.91 billion) annually to meet water and sanitation targets of the growing population of the country maintained that access to clean water in the rural areas remain unacceptable and a great challenge. According to him, in line with the transformation agenda of his government, it has become necessary to implement a more cooperative, more radical programme of action to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the sector. He noted that investments have been made to boost various aspects of the sector from the line budget and special funds dedicated to ecological matters and

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

natural resources development and also through the repair and rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure. The President charged the summit to identify the major issues militating against optimal water infrastructure development and its sustainability, as well as evolve innovative funding to ameliorate this situation. Also speaking on the occasion, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said that the provision of water is very essential and should not be taken as business as usual. He therefore stated that the provision of water should not be left in the hands of politicians, the private sector, civil society and financial institutions, saying that all hands should be on deck to ensure that water is made available to majority of the people. Obasanjo stressed that solution to water problem was long overdue, adding that water remain an essential aspect of sanitation as well as in the area of agriculture and transportation.

For former Ghanaian President, John Kufuor, provision of water would prevent water borne diseases which had claimed the lives of many people. Senate President David Mark expressed sadness that millions of Nigerians who have no access to potable pipe borne water depend on dirty and contaminated water for domestic use, saying that millions die every year from water borne diseases. The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, in her welcome address emphasised the need to explore alternative sources of funding to scale up the implementation of the road map in the water sector and achieve the MDGs. Ochekpe, who explained that the implementation of the road map had brought to the fore, the huge funding gap in the sector, maintained that annual appropriations by the three tiers of government would not be sufficient to develop the sector in line with global trends, hence the need to explore alternative sources of funding for the sector.

President of Brazil, Madam Dilma Rousseff

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President John Kufuor of Ghana

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar

Former First Lady, Justice Fati Abubakar

Former First Lady, Mariam Abacha

Chairman, Water Initiative, Mr. Kevin Mcgovern

Director General, Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Tijani Barde.

11.

Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lt. General Mohamad Saleem

12.

Mr. David Jonathan Richardson of Australia

13.

Mr. Joao Andre Pinto Dias Lima of Brazil.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-43

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Views

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Improving our media-military relationship SAGIR MUSA Continued from last Friday

t may be right to state that there are still firm believers of press censorship in the Nigerian Armed Forces. Bowdlerization of information or outright denials of information to the press are some of the trademarks of military in developing countries. Hence, the culture, and to a certain extent, the goals of the media – military institutions are different and hostile. The journalists seek to tell a story of interest to the public in good time and without any hindrance. The military is, however, to pursue national objectives by fulfilling specific missions assigned by the constitution and political leaders. The mechanism by which the military performs its roles is war or the threat of war, which are dreadful, planned and executed in secrecy and with maximum surprise. The belief in military circles that reporters are proletarians in fundamentals of military profession, also lack the most elementary notions of military secrecy and invariably hostile to military values and missions is just only recently beginning to decrease in acceptance and practice in developing countries. The notion that reporters are psychologically unprepared to deal with the realities of combat and the fear that in quests for sensationalism rather than truth, reporters may also publish stories or images that breach security, cost lives or undermine public support, is still ingrained in

THE MILITARY MUST RECOGNISE THAT THE MEDIA

IS A FACT OF LIFE, FUNDAMENTAL AND CENTRAL TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT the skulls of some military commanders in developing and emerging nations. On the other hand, as Douglas Porch correctly posited, “reporters insist upon their professional obligation and constitutional duty to report news, they consider the military culture closed, insistence on operational secrecy exaggerated and its “command clime” a barrier to outside scrutiny.” These dichotomies are in themselves the raw materials for deterioration of the media – military relationship in Nigeria. With our ongoing national transformation and attitudinal changes in the military, particularly in the army, there seems to be growing interest in the society that media scrutiny is an aspect of a healthy civilian control of the military and also an exercise of free speech, both cornerstone of the constitution which the military personnel have sworn to uphold. The media familiarizes the public with the military and the complexities of its tasks and reports of successes and progress strengthens and extends public support to the military.

This was recently noticed in Abia State at the height of insecurity occasioned by kidnappings, armed robberies and pockets of communal and state line disputes which led to the Nigerian Army’s intervention through a special operation code named ‘OPERATION JUBILEE’. At that time, the media had objectively exposed the tasks, conduct and complex nature of military operations in the jungles and built up areas in the state. The media objectively reported the achievements of the Task Force to the appreciation of members of the public. It also offered the military unquantifiable opportunity to showcase or tell its own side of the stories. On the other hand, the media on its own need the cooperation of the military to report military affairs effectively. The Military must recognize that the media is a fact of life, fundamental and central to national development. The earlier the military people remove the “toga of hostility” or “mistrust” bordering sometimes on paranoia of the press, the better for the success of military and its operations. The earlier the press removes the miasma of the past and assists the military in its effort to secure the nation, the better for media – military relationship and the nation at large. It is therefore, in this context that they both have reasons to work in a symbiotic relationship. After all, information that does not pose any threat to national security needs not to be treated like gold; instead, it should be shared and consumed even on a selective basis. As an institution that defends the nation from internal and ex-

ternal enemies, the military is also obliged to keep the public informed of the safety of the nation and its sons and daughters in uniform. As the most primed national asset, the military in Nigeria must continue to inspire trust, build peoples’ confidence and have the interest of the people at heart. The military must consistently demonstrate that they have the interest of the nation at heart by identifying with the citizens and their interests. I have no doubt that the military had performed, is performing and will continue to perform well in this regard. The only way to perpetuate it is through excellent cordial civil – military relations anchored on professionalism, adherence to constitution, subservient to civil authority and free flow of information on a regular basis. Nigeria and Nigerians have gone through stages of transformation in which citizens are becoming more educated, inquisitive, audacious and demanding right to exercise some level of control over institutions that once governed them. So also the military has variously passed through transformations and visions that placed emphasis on training and retraining, troops’ welfare and excellent civil–military relations. It is therefore, commendable that the nation’s armed forces are obviously concerned about their image and reputation and are doing a lot to deepen, sustain and guard it. Concluded Lt Col is the spokesman of Maiduguribased Joint Military Task Force

On Akwa Ibom chiefs’ visit to NASS EMMANUEL EDET

ast week, the paramount rulers and elders from Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Nsit Ubium, all in the six coastal areas of Akwa Ibom State, were at the National Assembly, Abuja to protest the idea driven by some indigenes for the creation of Oil Rivers State to be made up of Obolo and Ibeno people of the state with the Ijaw in River State. For the uninitiated the Abuja trip was an innocent move by some community leaders to press home their demands. However a closer look will reveal that there is more to this protest than meets the eye. Akwa Ibom State has been the cynosure of all eyes in the last couple of years. The administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio has brought about uncommon transformation that has fairly spread monumental development across the entire state. Now the Akpabio tenure would end in 2015, the prayer of all is that God should provide a worthy successor. Even this does not detract from the subsisting zoning arrangement that makes it imperative for Akwa Ibom South, otherwise known as Eket Senatorial District, to produce the next governor. Notable names on the on the list Eket governorship materials, include Obong Nsima Ekere, Rt. Hon Okpolupm Etteh, Bishop Sam Akpan, Chief Assam Assam, Barr Effiong Abia, and Senator Helen Esuene, Otu Ita Toyo,Chief Edet Nkpubre, Senator Udoma Udoma, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu.

With such an array of potential governors, why would anybody or groups say that Eket lacks credible governorship materials? As part of the grand agenda to pursue this line of thinking, in the last couple of months, most of the people listed above have been subject of sustained media attacks, originating from a highly placed government official from Uyo senatorial district. Back to the Abuja trip. The chiefs were received by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. The major prayer in their petition was a repudiation of the move to have Oil Rivers State that bring together parts of Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State and the Ijaw in Rivers State.Not only was the visit unnecessary and wasteful, it amounted to jumping the gun. Like the Deputy Senate President noted, no new state can be the without the consent of the component LGAs; and part of the due process includes a referendum on the subject. So with this in view, why the visit? In the procedure for state creation, the petition must get 2/3 majority support in the State House of Assembly. The question the elders should first answer is how possible is it for the present Akwa Ibom House of Assembly to unanimously accede to the ceding of parts of the state to another state? Looking at the content of their petition, it is sad to note that a great seed of discord is being sown in the state. How can anyone

HOW CAN ANYONE REFER TO IBENO OR EASTERN OBOLO PEOPLE AS ‘SOJOURNERS’ WHO SHOULD BE CHASED AWAY FROM THEIR

ANCESTRAL HOME? refer to Ibeno or Eastern Obolo people as ‘sojourners’ who should be chased away from their ancestral home? This is a time bomb waiting to explode. It is a comment that has no place in the 21st century. It is even funny that the highest traditional ruler in Nsit Ubium LGA that is not even in the affected senatorial district also signed the petition declaring their own brothers and sisters from Eastern Obolo and Ibeno persona non grata in their own state. So, are they now saying that people from Eastern Obolo are not eligible to aspire to the governorship of Akwa Ibom because they are ‘strangers’ in their fatherland even when they are favoured by the current zoning system? Instructively, the Oron people had equally clamoured for the creation of Mangrove State that will merge them with some LGAs from Cross River State. Will they also be chased out of the state? What

about sections of Eket Senatorial District that were asking for Atlantic State, will the rest of the state now rise up in arms against them and chase them out for this particular reason? The Eket elders have been wrongly advised in this particular assignment. They have allowed themselves to be misled from the task of uniting to agitate for the shift of political power to their Senatorial District. Luckily, the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, himself a product of zoning, has told the ‘Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio’, a foremost socio cultural group in the state that he is still in strong support of zoning in the state, and that he would favour Eket Senatorial District if the area brings out credible and experienced hands. With the 2015 governorship election still two years away, I believe that whosoever wants to throw his hat into the ring has a right to do so, but politicians and moneybags should avoid using their positions and influence to create chaos in the very state they aspire to govern. Edet wrote from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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Celebrating the centenary of Nigeria

n January 1, 2014, the nation would have crossed the 100 years threshold of existence as a nation state. President Goodluck Jonathan has expansively elaborated on the determination of his government to use the occasion to draw global attention on the country, its history, peoples, achievements, and aspirations. His administration has also planned commemoration projects. In demonstration of this resolve, a 19-man Planning Committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, was inaugurated to fashion out a year-long programme of activities. However, the strongest indication that the President’s plan enjoys popular support was the presence of many former heads of state at the inauguration ceremony. Even the leadership of the National Assembly only gives the plan qualified endorsement: the Presidency could go ahead provided it would not commit public funds into it. In private and public, critical opinion leaders, elder statesmen and members of the civil society organizations are averse to it. For many of the critics, their opposition is based on the fact that Nigeria, a product of the amalgamation, is a fraud, a contraption of the British colonialists to further their country’s economic

interests. For some others, there is no reason to celebrate. We find it very unsettling that a programme of this magnitude does not enjoy the support of the broad spectrum of Nigerians. The executive arm of the Federal Government is just the senior stakeholder in the Nigerian project. Other critical stakeholders include NASS, state governments, opposition parties, civil society groups and indeed all Nigerians. That the FG could not pursue a bipartisan approach to the programme speaks volume on the low premium it places on robust engagement. For us, our position is that the centenary celebration is not a bad concept. The history of Nigeria is not about her adversities, it includes her blessings and aspirations. The 1914 amalgamation of the diverse and disparate people occupying the entity called Nigeria might not have been orchestrated without recourse to the people, it was, however, a momentous development in the evolution of modern Africa. The aggregated population, natural endowment and geographical size of our country has conferred deserved recognition on us from the global community, a recognition founded on our potentials for greatness and the leverage to which this could be deployed. The glorious part we played in the decolonization

IF ALL WE CARE ABOUT ARE OUR

ADVERSITIES, WE ARE ONLY BEING

NARROW-MINDED IN OUR EXPECTATIONS process in Africa would not have been possible without our size and resources. However, we admit that our experience as a nation state has been underlined by severe twists and turns. The immense possibilities from our togetherness have been undermined by the underperformance of our past and present leaders, who have failed in leveraging on our strengths, preferring instead in exacerbating our differences for their selfish interests. They have also failed woefully to convert our enormous economic potentials into socioeconomic dividends that would have lifted the people socioeconomically, preferring instead in pillaging available resources in the most brazen manner, thereby sinking the nation deeper in the mire. Our unmet expectations and the rising frustration there from are responsible for the current alienation of majority of Nigerians. But this is only one side of

our history and story: the ugly side. If all we care about are our adversities, we are only being narrow-minded in our expectations. The other glorious side, no matter how insignificant, need to be appreciated. Nigeria shares the same historical and political experiences with several other nation states of the world. The former Union of Soviet, Socialist Republics (USSR) formed after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution did not endure for 100 years before it dissolved into 17 separate republics. Many of the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, such as Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia have violently dissolved into their original entities. Coming closer home in Africa, Sudan, also a former colony of Britain, recently found it expedient to break into two separate countries after years of bitter civil war. But Nigeria has remained, despite all the odds. The significance of the centenary celebrations therefore, should not be about project designs and execution and other grandiose plans, which the FG has planned. Rather, the emphasis must be on the reorientation of our values to change our attitudes and world views. Nigerians are too negative about Nigeria; and the popular perception of uncaring, self capacity of the leaders to deliver on promises is responsible. This must change.

ON THIS DAY February 26, 2009 President Barack Obama tells US congressional leaders all American combat troops would be pulled out of Iraq by August 2010. In a meeting at the White House, Obama told the lawmakers that he plans to keep a range of 35,000 to 50,000 support troops on the ground in Iraq after combat operations are over. All U.S. troops will have to be out of Iraq by December 31st, 2011.

February 26, 1993 A car bomb which exploded in an underground garage at the World Trade Center, New York City, killed six people and left over 100 injured. The explosion caused the collapse of several floors in the underground garage of the 110 story towers and tore a hole in the ceiling of an adjoining subway. It is thought Islamic extremists are responsible. In May 1994, four men, Mohammed Salameh, Nidal Ayyad, Mahmud Abouhalima and Ahmad Ajaj, got life for the bombing.

February 26, 1990 Nicaragua held its first free elections in the post Daniel Ortega era. The effects of allowing people to freely vote for their leaders had been very well demonstrated. Anyone running under the Sandinistas ticket had lost. This happened after a year of opposition by the U.S., as well as Nicaragua’s own people. The Sandinista party was a form of communist rule established shortly after Daniel Ortega became president.

Release of crashes’ report: Matters arising

Poor insurance penetration worries operators, others 37

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Concerns deepen over HSE standards by companies A

few months ago when the loading gantry of Aiteo Energy’s depot was engulfed in an inferno that resulted in the death of one person and injured others, various opinions were raised by stakeholders concerning what can be done to prevent the incident and also future occurrences of such nature. To the analysts, who spoke with National Mirror, strict compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) standards are essential for preventing not just fire accidents at petroleum depots and other industrial facilities. Effective enforcement of such standards are also urgently and critically required, in order to stem the tide of catastrophes and avoidable tragedies being annually recorded in the manufacturing, productive sector and other areas of the nation’s economy. Occupational hazards specialist, Dr. Peter Okhiria, said that companies in the public and private sectors operating need to step up their HSE commitment levels so that the lives of workers within the companies are protected, while residents within the environment where such firms or manufacturing outfits are located can also live in safety. However, National Mirror gathered that many of the companies, large and small particularly those in Lagos State have not heeded the calls for serious commitments to their HSE standards.

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Though the issue of responsible behaviour on health, safety and environment by companies does not usually attract much attention, except in cases of industrial disasters, experts say non-compliance with global standards on HSE has almost done substantial damage to the country’s economic sustainability initiatives. MESHACK IDEHEN reports.

Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun). Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15,17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun)Lag-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) AbvBeni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/ Sat)08.56, 12.10(Sun)

Aero Contractors Lag-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) LagBenin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat)

IRS

Tank farm

Okhiria, who is a former Senior Lecturer with Michael Imodu Institute of Labour Studies in Ilorin, Kwara state told National Mirror that should the authorities choose to carry out a “proper” HSE investigations or assessment on the companies prone to hazards in Lagos State alone, that it will amaze Nigerians to find out that more than 80 per cent of companies operating in the state are not HSE compliant, and thus open to

any form of disasters, particularly those that are likely to be triggered by industrial activities. According to him, “Millions of people in Lagos and environs live, work sleep and eat a few yards from major points of potential industrial disasters daily. The authorities have simply overlooked these facts, because of the gains the economic activities of those firms generate, and also because of the failure

of appropriate authorities to initiate and implement proper HSE standards”. Citing incessant fire outbreaks in business and industrial premises and the resultant environmental damage communities that are close to such establishments go through silently, Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Emeka

Lagos-Abuja 7.30 8.30 7.45 8.45 09.30 10.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 13.30 14.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Lagos-Kano 08.00 09.15 10.30 11.45 14.30 15.40 18.15 19.30 Los-Maid&Yola (Mon-Thur) 09.30 11.30 Fri- Sun 10.30 12.30 Kano-Lagos 07.30 08.45 14.00 15.15 17.30 18.45 Kano-Abj 10.45 11.30 Abj-Lagos 09.00 10.30 11.00 12.00 12.00 13.00

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

FG plans to recapitalise BoI

How to avoid long job search

Eko Atlantic Project: Construction begins as developers reclaim land

Business & Finance

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Concerns deepen over HSE standards by companies

Wogu

Esele

Jamodu

CONTINUED FROM 20 Ifezulike, said though everyone agrees companies can do better in their HSE activities, that it is the economy that is being gradually damaged in the longer term. Maintaining that attention should shift from the constant focus on the oil and gas multinationals, especially those in the Niger Delta parts of the country, Ifezulike said many of the “unknown” manufacturing companies in the country, and Lagos in particular have successfully blocked all the canals within the city, and contaminated the waterways with the discharge of effluents. Ifezulike explained that several of such incidents were recorded last year at some depots in the same Apapa area, which houses virtually all the petroleum depots of major and independent oil marketers in the country. He explained that the Nigerian environmental laws which provide that companies that engage in business activities in both the upstream and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry shall comply with all environmental health and safety laws, regulations, guidelines or directives have been abandoned, and even the clause that said companies are required by law to conduct their operations in accordance with internationally accepted principles of sustainable development have been completely forgotten. Bemoaning the lack of safety equipment of internationally approved

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN LAGOS AND ENVIRONS LIVE, WORK SLEEP AND EAT A FEW YARDS FROM MAJOR POINTS OF

POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL DISASTERS DAILY.

THE AUTHORITIES HAVE SIMPLY OVERLOOKED THESE FACTS, BECAUSE OF THE GAINS THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THOSE FIRMS GENERATE standards in almost all the companies visited in Lagos within June and October last year, former Safety and Occupational Hazards’ Director in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Eric Dumebi, said HSE has been relegated to the background due largely in part to the dearth of safety mangers in many organisations engaged in production activities. He recalls that as a director in the labour ministry, getting companies to comply with these relevant environmental policies in their operating environments was a major challenge, because many of them (companies)take advantage of the prevailing tense economic situation responsible for mass unemployment to deny the workers a decent and safe workplace. Recently, even the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream, chaired by Hon. Clever Ikisikpo, dur-

ing an inspection of depots and tank farms in Lagos, observed that most of the facilities were in deplorable condition and could not meet the prescribed HSE standards. Speaking further after that inspection, the committee said it is wondering what the Lagos State Government is doing with its environmental laws, when you cannot even go into a tank farm. While calling on all the regulatory agencies concerned to take the issue of Health Safety and Environment (HSE) seriously, by getting the oil firms and manufacturing companies to act in a more responsible and responsive way, and to adhere strictly to good HSE practices, President of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele, said it was imperative for organisations to adopt and imbibe good HSE culture in order to guarantee employees safety

NLC President, Omar Waheed

and wellbeing, and also building the economy in a sustainable way. According to the TUC president, a positive HSE culture is that which is aimed towards saving lives, ensuring sustainable development while supporting economic growth and happiness of future generation. “ It is pertinent for not just tank farms operators to be HSE-conscious so as to prevent accidents and minimise environmental impact, but for all companies involved in all and any form of production and all that, so that safety of lives in the workplace be assured,” he says. He admitted though that the question of adequate Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) has remained controversial and divisive in the country, adding it will take sensitisation to make more organisations buy in and see HSE compliance as an integral part of the operational survival in the immediate and long term. “Health, Safety and Environment issues are at the heart of the drive for the sustainability of life and economy. If organisations understand that in the long run, if we do not factor in the environment, health and safety in our calculations, we shall all experience a collective loss that may make life and living on earth very tenuous. “The price to pay for neglecting these issues is heavy and its incidence is on everybody, no individual or group has the capacity to avoid it”, Esele added.

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Business & Finance

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

FG plans to recapitalise BoI KUNLE A ZEEZ AND STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he Federal Government said it was considering recapitalising the Bank of Industry (BoI) as part of its effort to better reposition it to support country’s manufacturing industry towards realising the local content agenda of current administration. The country’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed the auspicious move during his official visit to Omatek Computers Plc’s factory, in Lagos, yesterday. “The Bank of Industry has been helping the country to drive its economic development through the disbursement of special fund for key sectors of the economy to thrive, especially manufacturing sector. We hope to take this further by looking for how we can recapistalise the BoI to be able to deliver more for the various sectors of the economy,” he said. While expressing the commitment’s government to support manufacturing companies, including those in the Information and Communication Technology Industry, Aganga promised to support the nation’s leading indigenous computer manufacturer, Omatek, to make available made-in-Nigeria computers to educational institutions across the country. He said that the partnership was in line with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan and the

L-R: Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu; Senior Associate, CWC Group, Mr. Alirio Parra and Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference 2013 in Abuja recently.

Local Patronage Initiative of the Ministry of Trade and Investment. “We will be able to achieve the much-needed linkage between our abundant natural resources and the application of appropriate technology and production processes through the application of ICT in our Schools and Industries. We are, therefore, designing a strategy for a workable partnership between government, Omatek and the banks to make available your Made-in-Nigeria computers to all our Schools and Colleges.” Speaking, the Managing Director, Omatek, Mrs. Florence Seriki, said her company was ready to promote local contents, reduce

How Julius Berger emerged winner of 2nd Niger Bridge- Minister DAYO AYEYEMI

etails of how construction giant, Messrs Julius Berger- African Infrastructure Investment Managers Consortium emerged the winner for the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge among five bidders have been revealed by the Minister of Work, Mr. Mike Onolomemen. According to the minister, among five companies that bidded for the construction of the bridge, Julius Berge-AIIM emerged the preferred bidders. This, according to a statement by the Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr. Theodore Ogaziechi, foreclosed the first phase of the efforts in the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge. Explaining further, Onolomemen disclosed that Messrs Roughton International Limited emerged as the Transaction

Advisor while amongst Messrs Arm, Bouygnes, Chine Habour and Johnson Matiere, Julius Berger-AIIM emerged the preferred bidders. Onolomemen explained that the bid for the 2nd phase of bridge would be concluded in the next few weeks, adding that it would address detailed hydrological, topographical and geotechnical surveys that will lead to the final bridge design, while also detailing the environmental impact assessment of the project and traffic survey among others. The minister used this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Federal Government towards delivering the 2nd Niger Bridge. He promised that the Federal Government will do everything possible to create a conducive environment for the private sector to move into road sector so as to deliver world- class roads to the Nigerian public.

unemployment, boost technology transfer through various ICT innovations Omatek is embarking, saying that achieving all these required government supports in terms of patronage and favourable policies.

“We are positioned as a company to deliver quality ICT products for Nigerians. This we have been doing for almost two decades. Favourable policy in monetary policy is needed to drive our business. Currently we source for funds out-

UBN names new chairman, others JOHNSON OKANLAWON

nion Bank of Nigeria yesterday announced the appointment of a new Chairman of the Board of Directors in addition to new non-executive directors. A statement from the bank said Senator Udoma Udo Udoma becomes the new chairman of the board, taking over from Mr. Richard Kramer. Senator Udoma is currently the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie, a corporate law firm, established by him in 1983. He is currently Chairman of UAC of Nigeria Plc and a Direc-

tor of Unilever Nigeria PLC and is Japan’s Honorary Consul in Lagos. As a two term Senator of the Federal Republic (1999 – 2003 & 2003 – 2007), he served in a leadership position on a number of Senate committees. Besides Senator Udoma, Mr. John C. Botts, Cyril Akporuere Odu and Mr. Douglas Tawanda Munatsi also joined the board both as non executive directors respectively. John C. Botts (representing Corsair Capital) is currently a senior advisor with Allen and Company, London, Corsair Capital, London, Director and Chairman of the United Business Media Limited and Botts and Company

side the shore of Nigeria as sourcing fund at double-digit rate is not going to encourage the growth of manufacturing industry,” she said. Meanwhile, while acknowledging the giant strides so far made by the company, especially in pioneering local production of computers, the minister assured local manufacturers of the Federal Government’s support and commitment towards providing an enabling environment for their businesses to flourish. He said, “I am delighted that this ongoing success story is being championed by a woman of high entrepreneurial repute in the person of Mrs. Florence Seriki. Partnering with government to actualise the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is, indeed, a noble initiative. “Let me re-iterate here that the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda is a project which recognizes the need to consciously nurture Nigerian industries in the quest for a sound economy developed on the back of industrial growth. We are therefore assuring Omatek of the necessary support all the way.” Limited, a London based corporate finance and private equity investment company founded in 1987 in association with Allen and Company in New York. He had held management and business development positions with Citibank in New York, Johannesburg, Montreal, Casablanca/Middle East, Brussels and London. Botts was the Chief Executive of Citicorp Investment Bank and Business Manager for Citibank`s Global Investment Bank in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Cyril Akporuere Odu (representing Africa Capital Alliance), was until recently Vice Chairman of the Board of Mobil Producing Nigeria and CFO for Exxon Mobil Upstream Companies in Nigeria.

NEXIM Bank seeks improved flow of trade in ECOWAS TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Nigerian Export-Import Bank has canvassed the need for governments in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to implement existing protocols and other agreements on trade and free movement of persons, goods and services in order to improve the investment climate and economic development of the sub-region. The Managing Director of the Bank, Roberts Orya, gave a case for further opening of the national borders at the annual conference of the Borderless Alliance tagged ‘Connecting Markets’ in Ghana even as he also

reaffirmed the commitment of NEXIM bank to removing trade barriers and promoting seamless commercial exchanges among ECOWAS member- states Orya, in a statement issued by the bank, called on ECOWAS members to intensify activities on Corridor Management and Border Information Centres to reduce incidences of non-tariff measures. He explained that for the desired socio-economic transformation of the sub-region to be achieved, the African Development Bank’s 2011 – 2015 Regional Integration Strategy Paper for West Africa (RISP), particularly its component on investment in road corridors; transport and trade facilitation

initiatives must be pursued and implemented with the required political will of the sub-regional leaders. Orya, in his keynote address at the forum, lauded the partners of the Alliance and lauded the initiative of the ECOWAS Commission targeted at creating an enabling environment to attract investment within the Region. He said: “Such frameworks espouses Common Investment market initiatives such as the ECOWAS Investment Policy Framework (IPF) are designed to nurture and facilitate the creation of a healthy business environment that would be attractive to all investors as well as foster the pursuance of effective key investment policy.

Business & Finance

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

FG forecloses granting national carrier license FRANCIS EZEM

he Federal Government has ruled out the possibility of granting a national carrier license to any indigenous shipping line for now, insisting that none of them has met the laid conditions for such license to be granted. This is an indication that a major crisis might be brewing between the members of Indigenous Ship Owners Association, which floated the ISAN Shipping Line Limited and had been waiting to be granted a national carrier status. Executive director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in charge of labour and Cabotage service, Mr. Obi Callistus, who spoke in Lagos, said the agency was not considering granting any such license to anybody atleast for now. Section 35 of the NIMASA Act, 2007 provides that the Min-

ister of Transport on the advice of NIMASA may grant national carrier status to a shipping company if the Nigerian individuals or enterprises fully owned by Nigerian individuals own at least 60 percent of its equity shares of any vessel owned by the company and the shipping company is registered in Nigeria. This section also provides that the company owns at least one ocean going vessel of not less that 5,000 net registered tonnage. In addition, the Act provides that the vessel owned by the Nigerian company must operate on international route, the deep sea and not in Nigerian coastal or inland waterways. According to the executive director, no Nigerian shipping company has fulfilled these conditions, especially the ownership of a vessel of 5, 000 net registered tonnage. In obvious response to insinuations by the association that

it has met the conditions, the executive director said: “It appears ISAN is trying to muscle NIMASA to do its bidding at all times, that is not possible”. “We have always told the association, when you have a programme, bring transparency into it, we are working for ISAN for the benefit of its members but we get every day is criticisms on the pages of newspapers despite the fact that we have explained to them”, the executive director noted. The executive director, who admitted that the agency has received applications for the granting of national carrier licenses, however ruled out the possibility of approving that now, citing serious statutory inadequacies. The indigenous association had following unsuccessful attempts by individual members to acquire standard vessels had floated the ISAN Shipping, which is jointly owned by the 45 members of the association.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos motorcycle policy threatens courier firms - LCCI STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has raised the alarm that the Lagos State Government’s traffic law which mandated 200cc motorcycles for dispatch riders is posing a major threat to the businesses of courier companies and other stakeholders. According to statement made available to National Mirror, the Director General, Mr. Muda Yusuf, stated that non –availability and high cost of the 200cc motorcycles mandated for the companies that engage in-house dispatch riders for prompt delivery of sensitive documents and servicing of customer outlets are currently in a dilemma. He said, 200cc capacity motorcycles are generally not available in the country as they are in the range of power bikes, not com-

NIA, VIO collaborate on tracking fake motor certificate JOHNSON OKANLAWON

L-R: Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Akhil Gupta; Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; MD & CEO International, Mr. Manoj Kohli; Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; Chairman, Mr. Sunil Mittal and Director, Regulatory Affairs & Special Projects, Mr. Osondu Nwokoro, at the inauguration of the Airtel Pavilion at the Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.

UBA deepens e-banking with new prepaid card JOHNSON OKANLAWON

nited Bank for Africa has introduced a reloadable prepaid card offering customers financial control, convenience and security. The prepaid card which is available in Nigeria and 18 African countries where the bank has presence is accepted at all VISA acceptance points, on over 1 million ATMs, 30 million POS/merchant terminals in over 179 countries across the world. A statement from the bank yesterday explained that the card, which is the first of its kind in the industry, is one of the most prestigious prepaid cards in the world.

According to the statement, the card gives user full control over personal finances as it is not linked to any bank account and therefore attracts no minimum balance. Commenting on the new product, Head, e-banking of the bank, Dr. Adeyinka Adedeji stressed that the card helps customers control spending and be in control of their funds, making it ideal for budgeting and travel. He added that it is also ideal for students and even employees or casual workers who may not have a bank account. Other key benefits of the card, he said, include efficiently allowing customers that cannot get approval for a current account to have access to financial services and

deepen financial inclusion. He added that bank customers can still use the prepaid card to effectively manage their spending to what they have loaded on the card. “In addition, they can limit their account exposure by using prepaid card online or at locations where they do not trust safety of their information. Travellers can load naira and be able to spend as much as $40,000 equivalent per annum on the secure card which is protected with the CHIP and PIN technology,” he said. The bank’s Head of Prepaid Cards, Mr. Esaie Diei, said that prepaid cards are a fastgrowing form of providing financial services and facilitating payments.

monly used for mail delivery and other commercial purposes. This scarcity has created room for all manner of malpractices including falsification and relabeling of lower capacity motorbikes as 200cc and above. “The cost of a motorcycle of 200cc capacity and above, where available, is in the region of N500, 000 to N1 million, depending on the brand. This implies that for a firm that needs to replace 10 of the motorcycles, a minimum of N5 million to N10million will be required. Many courier companies have an upwards of 50 motorcycles.” The chamber DG added that for most of the small players in that sector, this may be the end of the road for their enterprises; also commitment of such resources to the purchase of 200cc motorcycles is a big drain on the resources of courier companies.

he Nigerian Insurers Association has presented mobile devices to the Vehicle Inspection Officers in Ogun Sate to track insurance certificates. The mobile devices, a product of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) will help for easy identification of genuine insurance documents by law enforcement agencies and relevant authorised persons. A statement from the association yesterday quoted a Council Member, Mr. Sakiru Oyefeso, as saying that the nation’s insurance industry is worried about the inability of Nigerian’s to enjoy the

social and economic benefits of genuine insurance as a result of the activities of fake operators. According to him, the situation is worrisome to the extent that in the event of accident or loss there is no compensation to victims or their dependants to enable them recuperate from their loss, having been given fake insurance certificate by people who do not have bearing with insurance. “This to a very large extent has brought bad image to the insurance industry. What we have done with this data base is to ensure that all genuine insurance covers are documented and verifiable at any given time, and this we have done,” he said.

Sterling Bank launches new customer friendly product

n line with the Bank’s objective of making its services available to everyone in the country irrespective of socioeconomic status and in conformity with the new Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations set out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Sterling Bank has announced its Kia Kia Account for all to enjoy. KIA KIA account according to a statement from the bank, gives people in the low income bracket such as artisans and other unbanked people in the country easy and instant access to top class banking services as offered by Sterling Bank. The account is distinguished by the immense ease and convenience associated with its opening process as it can be opened on the spot even without the

customer being physically present at the branch with little or no Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation required. The Know your customer (KYC) requirement for the lower end of the population has always been a challenge as experienced with opening an account. Sterling KIA – KIA account affords the customers the opportunity to open an account without hassles, which implies that prospective customers can complete their savings account opening process and start running the account instantly by filling a simple form onsite at branches or online. Customers can open a Sterling KIA KIA account with zero balance and there is no minimum balance requirement on the account once it starts to operate.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A familiar challenge amongst job seekers is usually the length of time spent searching for employment. However, experts say when approached in the right way, that long and unending job search can be banished, MESHACK IDEHEN writes

How to avoid a long job search

ith fresh graduates and non graduate job seekers alike looking for work, and experienced professionals looking to switch jobs or industry, analysts said the labour market will become “tighter ” and that there is a belief that looking for job is not fun, considering that the exercise could be lonely, frustrating and near discouraging. However, while admitting that it is possible to get a good job on time in today ’s labour market due to “various factors ” even when job seekers are not doing everything the right way; and despite the challenges identified with a job search venture, experts in jobs and career development said there are ways by which job seekers can go about looking for work that will increase their chances of finding a good job on time. Recruitment Specialist and Managing Director of Prot Recruitment Services Limited, Mr. Sunny Agboju, told National Mirror that long job search can be more challenging for experienced professionals since losing previous job can be devastating in the first place and such individual will have to grapple with loss of income, loss of health insurance, and the feeling of rejection amongst other issues. In that regards, Agboju said finding a job quickly becomes critical, because the hardest part of being out of work for an extended period of time will be keeping a positive attitude when job search turns from weeks into months. According to him, it is imperative that job seekers keep a positive attitude both for his own emotional wellbeing as well as for the impression to give to potential employers, adding that positive attitude will take the employment hopeful from the road of long job search. Furthermore, he explained that poor conduct and presentation on the job seekers part will add months if not years to his effort to get a job, because according to him, though qualifications and certifications are important, it is the person that the company recruiting is interesting in. “How does that person come across? How enthusiastic is this person. How positive is this individual? That is also important. It is not only about what you will say, but also about how you say it, including non-verbal expression. “ Findings upon findings indicated that within the first few minutes of any personal meeting with somebody who has the power to hire you or screen you out, the decision has pretty much been made ”, he added. On his part, Managing Partner of Find Jobs Africa, Mr. Funto Akinkugbe, explained that a job seeker ’s personality and traits will also go a long way to help avoid a long job search. Insisting on the job seekers mental stability to remain

Job queue

stable, Akinkugbe said employers have their way of discovering people with extreme behaviour of any type. He noted that inability to stay focused on an issue, disorganisation beyond the normal range, personal drive for success and achievement, honesty and integrity, people and interpersonal skills, dependability, loyalty, sense of responsibility are all noticeable to most recruiters, adding “good candidates who cannot effectively communicate their goodness have lost out in the race for good jobs notwithstanding their impressive credentials. The Find jobs Africa boss explained that poor interview skills and competence can be responsible for the long job search that many potential employees are grappling with, saying further that, “if a job seeker does not have ready and immediate answers to questions like

why are you here? What can you do for us? What kind of a person are you? What distinguishes you from the other if people who have the same ability as you have? , and can we afford you?, before any interview, that such candidates has not started to look for work ”. Speaking in the same vein, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Mr. Adeyemi Mapaderun, said the fundamental of job hunt strategy that job seekers should adopt in order to avoid a long job search, is to determine what their job target and objectives are. “Which job would you want to do? Where, in terms of which sector or industry or company or geographic locale. To avoid a long and unending job search, job seekers need to construct a thoughtful, practical and achievable job target and objective statement. “Job seekers who want to succeed will have to do the knocking, the digging, searching. It must be done actively or better still, pro-actively. You have to develop your own leads, and figure out the best way to follow them up. Most job hunters rely on the conventional route. Unfortunately, the conventional route is in job hunting is crowded. The odds are long, and the going is slow ”, he explained. He added that one of the worst mistakes any job seeker can make is to stop moving forward and sit back and wait for jobs or job leads to locate them, for employers, for recruitment agencies to call, for job advertisements that appeal to you to appear in the newspapers. Most job seekers spend 90 per cent of their time working hard to fail by doing just that, Mapaderun added.

identify your target employers and then address their needs in terms of how you can meet them better than anyone else. Don ’t wait around for a company to advertise for a job that is perfect for you. Rather, go out there and seek out a company where you are confident you can make a positive impact, especially one measurable in dollars saved or made. Persistence and perseverance-The early bird, the first candidate to impress the decision maker, has a competitive advantage. So, be the one to create a new job just for you by introducing yourself to employers you want to work for. This also means staying in contact with individuals with whom you “clicked ” but didn ’t reach an

employment agreement for whatever reason. That positive interpersonal chemistry can make or break a situation in your favor so don ’t let a good relationship slip away because the timing was off for hiring you. Use different methods to stay in touch varying phone, email, snail-mail, an article or clipping, invitations, face to face, etc. according to the recipient preferences. Remember that in networking, maintaining contact is key to results —out of touch can mean out of mind. Ask your contacts for advice, introductions and information —not directly for a job. Rely on your professional network and return favours generously.

IF A JOB SEEKER DOES NOT HAVE READY AND IMMEDIATE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS LIKE WHY ARE YOU HERE?

US?

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR

WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU? WHAT DISTINGUISH YOU

FROM THE OTHER IF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ABILITY AS YOU HAVE?

The Ps of job search

ob hunting has striking similarities to marketing a product. Like the four Ps of branding, the “P ”-words for a successful campaign are positioning, process, and persistence followed closely by performance, personality, and pricing. The product is the candidate. Positioning-The first step to launching a successful campaign and propelling it forward is to identify what makes you a unique candidate. With such stiff competition, it is imperative that candidates distinguish themselves. This means creating a message or an identity that is remarkable and memorable, one that will separate you from the pack of resumes hitting recruiters ’ desks. Process-The swiftest route to a new opportunity is to

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Best interview tips for job-seekers

aving successfully mastered how to do cover letters, resumes, and file in job applications invitations for interviews are sure to come. Understanding how to succeed during job interview can get a job seeker closer to his goal of obtaining one or more job offers. Conduct research on the employer, hiring manager, job opportunity-Success in any job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the job-seeker ’s part. You should understand the employer, the requirements of the job, and the background of the person (or people) interviewing you. The more research you conduct, the more you ’ll understand the employer, and the better you ’ll be able to answer interview questions.Information sources include the organization ’s Website and other published materials, search engines, research tools, and your network of contacts. Review common interview questions and prepare responses- Another key to interview success is preparing responses to expected interview questions. First, inquire as to the type of interview to expect. Your goal is composing detailed yet concise responses, focusing on specific examples and accomplishments. A good tool for remembering your responses is to put them into story form that you can tell in the interview. No need to memorize responses . Dress for success- Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organisation and its culture, striving for the most professional appearance you can accomplish. Remember that it ’s always better to be overdressed than under, and to wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview -,and if possible, brush your teeth or use mouthwash. Arrive on time for the interview -There is no excuse for ever arriving late for an interview -other than some sort of disaster. Strive to arrive about 15 minutes

before your scheduled interview to complete additional paperwork and allow yourself time to get settled. Arriving a bit early is also a chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace. The day before the interview, pack up extra copies of your resume or CV and reference list. If you have a portfolio or samples of your work, bring those along too. Finally, remember to pack several pens and a pad of paper to jot notes. Make good first impressions- A cardinal rule of interviewing: Be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet -from parking attendant or receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious how job applicants treat staff members -- and your job offer could easily be derailed if you ’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff. Be authentic, upbeat, focused, confident, candid, and concise- Once the interview starts, the key to success is the quality and delivery of your responses. Your goal should always be authenticity, responding truthfully to interview questions. At the same time, your goal is to get to the next step, so you ’ll want to provide focused responses that showcase your skills, experience, and fit -- with the job and the em-

ployer. Provide solid examples of solutions and accomplishments -- but keep your responses short and to the point. Remember body language, avoiding bad habits- While the content of your interview responses is paramount, poor body language can be a distraction at best -- or a reason not to hire you at worst. Effective forms of body language: smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active listening, nodding. Detrimental forms of body language: slouching, looking off in the distance, playing with pen, fidgeting in chair, brushing back hair, touching face, chewing gum, mumbling. Ask insightful questionsStudies continually show that employers make a judgment about an applicant ’s interest in the job by whether or not the interviewee asks questions. Thus, even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening and what is expected, you must ask a few questions. The smart job-seeker prepares questions to ask days before the interview, adding any additional queries that might arise from the interview. Source: (www.quintcareers. com)

Tips to improve career development Could your career development and management use help to gain momentum? People who are the most successful and satisfied in their careers have proactively determined what they want from work. Here are a few tips to help improve careers Proactively engage your manager in a discussion about your career goals, and collaborate to create a career development plan. The most significant opportunity to exert influence is to involve your manager in the career planning process.

Job vacancies 1,750 openings at NIMC

Managing Director, FindjobAfrica, Funto Akinkugbe

Investigate short- and longterm skill requirements- If your goal is to be the Vice President of Human Resources, understand the education, skills, technology and experience requirements, and develop interim career plans for achieving your long-term career goal. Volunteer to complete challenging projects and assignments- One of the best ways to advance your career is to identify an organizational problem and propose a solution. By offering to implement the solution, you will

not only increase your visibility as a problem-solver in the organization, but you might also expand your skills in the process. Consult the human resources department to learn about career development and job opportunities such as tuition reimbursement for a college degree or certification, in-house technical or professional training courses and available job openings. Take advantage of available opportunities. Source: (humanresources. about.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

pening job vacancies this week are over 1,750 career civil service jobs at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Aiming to provide Nigerians with a biometric identity system, the commission said NIMC is opening the enrolment centres in its state offices nationwide. The positions are for various categories that candidates are expected to be administered a computer based test, alongside other examinations and aptitude tests. Employing Laptop Engineers (www.jobvanguard. ng.com) is a firm in Lagos that specializes in information technology. The minimum qualification required is OND, while required experience is between 3 - 5 years Some of the responsibilities for the positions are repair of damaged laptops, resolve any problem related to laptops or desktops and performing every other duty assigned. IT savvy, ability to work with minimal supervision is qualities needed. Qualified medical doctors and nurses (www.jobsvanguardngr.com) are also required for full time in a firm in Lagos. With specialization in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, the recruiting company said the minimum qualification is an MBBS, and required experience is between 1 and 3 years The responsibilities for the doctors, amongst other calls, are to conduct general medical clinic at the hospital, be available for after clinics emergency care and refer complicated cases to the flagship hospital. As for the nurses, the qualifications and requirements a minimum of 2-3 years experience and minimum of a degree from a reputable nursing institution The responsibilities for the nurses are to identify patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients and other persons in a position to understand care requirements, and to establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families. From (www.jobberman. com are positions for Marketing Officers) in a company operating in the banking and financial services sector

The minimum qualification required is an HND, while required experience is between 3-5 years, with responsibilities for communicating with target audiences and managing client relationships, doing house to house door to door delivery services and contributing to and developing marketing plans and strategies for effective sales initiatives. Well trained Air Conditioner Technicians to be based in Lagos and two other locations in various parts of the country are also required (www.jobberman.com) The position of a Chief Executive Officer (www.findjobafrica.com) which is to be based in Lagos is available. The company which is a fast growing telecommunication solutions provider in Africa said its looking for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for their Nigerian Country Office (NCO).The successful candidate will manage it ’s turnkey telecommunication network infrastructure solutions; which includes supply of equipment, installation and testing, commissioning and maintenance of telecommunication networks to Telecommunications Companies operating in Nigeria and the Region. For qualifications, the incoming CEO must have a first degree in a management or engineering discipline with extensive professional training to suffice. Relevant professional trainings, Certificate in relevant software utility packages etc would be an added advantage, plus 15 years previous leadership experience as a General Manager, Deputy CEO and Corporate Affairs, Strategy and Commercial Director, preferably in the Telecommunications Industry. Sales Representatives on (www.jobberman,com) are required to work in Lagos for a company in the Hospitality and Leisure industry, with minimum qualification of a degree and required experience of 3 years. The responsibilities are to plan and manage business portfolio and territory according to an agreed market development strategy, and manage product, pricing and margins according to agreed aims. Maintain and develop existing and new customers through appropriate propositions and sales methods, and relevant internal liaison, to optimise quality of service, business growth, and customer satisfaction.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

Reclaimed 5,000,000 square metres of land for Eko Atlantic city.

Eko Atlantic Project: Construction begins after land reclaimation Developers of the ambitious Eko Atlantic Project declared at the weekend during the celebration of 5 million square metres of land reclaimed from sea for the project that the feat marked the commencement of construction of the new city. DAYO AYEYEMI, writes “So today, we are on 5,000,000 square metres of land reclaimed from the sea for Eko Atlantic City. We have the Great Wall of Lagos that protects the city and Victoria Island. So we are on turning point on where real construction will commence. ”

hose were the words of the Executive Chairman of Eko Atlantic, Mr. Roland Chagoury, during the dedication ceremony of 5 million square metres of reclaimed land from the sea for the project in Lagos at the weekend. In an elaborate ceremony which had in attendance, President Goodluck Jonathan, former American president, Bill Clinton, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former governors of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Ndubuisi Kanu, Obafemi Otudeko, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former Minister of Works, Alhaji Femi Okunu and host of others, Chagoury canvassed support of everybody, saying that building a city of the calibre of Eko Atlantic could only be achieved by putting hands together. He told the audience that the construction of the city has commenced, adding that by the time the city is completed, Lagos and Nigeria in particular, will be-

come the financial centre of Africa. He stated, “Today, Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria, and pray by your blessing Mr. President, to become the economic and financial centre of Africa in the near future. ” He recalled that the involvement of his company came after a call from the former governor Bola Tinubu in 2005, urging him to look for permanent solution to the massive erosion of the that was threatening the entire Victoria island and Ikoyi. Chagoury urged major investors to avail themselves the opportunities make available by the new city. Eko Atlantic is designed to provide the space and infrastructure to house 250,000 people and become the workplace for a further 150,000 in Lagos.

The developer has achieved a major milestone with the reclamation of 5 million square metres of land; 50 per cent of the total area to be reclaimed. The Great Wall of Lagos, which is being built a mile and a half offshore and had reached 4.5 kilometres in length by early 2013 is now protecting 5 million square metres of Eko Atlantic and Victoria Island as a whole. One of the investors at the event, who did not want his name in print, told National Mirror confidentially that, ‘Our firm has started pilling work on our plots at Eko Atlantic. Many other companies are moving in to take possession, we hope that the new city will definitely redefine the landscape of Lagos. Deputy Managing Director, FCMB, Mr. Segun Odusanya, applauded the feat

OUR FIRM HAS STARTED PILLING WORK ON OUR PLOTS AT EKO ATLANTIC. MANY OTHER COMPANIES ARE MOVING IN TO TAKE POSSESSION, WE HOPE THAT THE NEW CITY

WILL DEFINITELY REDEFINE THE LANDSCAPE OF

LAGOS

achieved by the developer, saying his bank is supporting the project by making funds available and by providing financial advice where necessary. According to him, the project worths more than $1billion adding that he was at the event to support the bank ’s customers who they have offered substantial financial assistance to since inception. He said his bank has confidence in the future of the project as it has positive impact ranging from environmental, tourism and jobs. Eko Atlantic City started in 2003 when the Lagos State Government was in search of a way to protect Bar Beach from the effects of severe coastal erosion and to safeguard Victoria Island from the threat of flooding. Between 2003 and 2005, South Energy, Nigeria Limited, the developers and city planners of Eko Atlantic engaged in a feasibility study with experts to solve the problem once and for all. Lagos and Eko Atlantic are expected to become the new financial epicentre of West Africa by the year 2020. By that time, Nigeria will be one of the world ’s 20 largest economies. The new city will combine an impressive blend of aesthetic beauty and seamless practicality. The city will be spread across seven districts, combining residential, commercial, financial and tourist development. They will all share the same standards of urban planning, infraCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ignorance, cause of incessant re outbreaks –Experts DAYO AYEYEMI

gnorance has remained a major challenge at preventing or overcoming fire outbreak in Nigeria, National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Kunle Awobodu, has said. Driving home his point, he stated that people have found it difficult to learn from their neighbours who houses have been razed. He said, “Whatever affects our neighbours hardly becomes a lesson to us. Most people usually wish fire disaster away. ” He observed that fire detectors and extinguishers are not in many houses and offices, pointing out that most people who have extinguishers in their vehicles have failed to have them at home. “If not for the traffic regulation, those selling extinguishers would have been out of business, ”he said. According to him, government and NGOs should renew efforts at creating awareness. He said, “Electrical faults, power surge and storing fuel in offices and homes are major causes of fire in our environment. ” Landlords and tenants, he urged should educate themselves on causes and prevention of fire, adding that knowledge on how to control fire from spreading is also important. He advised that combustible building materials should not be used for construction, adding that observing building setback regulation that provides adequate spaces between buildings would

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, addressing members of the Island Fashion Dealers Association during an inspection visit to Balogun Market in Lagos Island last week.

prevent spread of fire. He said, “Poor planning of streets, that is, narrow streets and unnecessary cul-de-sacs obstructs movement of fire engines. ” President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr Chucks Omeife, said there were measures clearly spelt out in the National Building Code (NBC), to prevent and reduce the impact in the event of any. He also pointed out that the building code specifies measures to reduce the

spread of same by use of certain quality of materials. He said, “The specifications as contained in the NBC cover these areas. It is important to mention that strict compliance to the provisions of the code will reduce to the bearest minimum the incidences of fire outbreak and its attendant hazards. ” On what steps to be taken to avert fire accidents, the NIOB president said, “Accidents sometimes cannot be avoided but enforcement of existing

safety regulations is very important in the prevention and management of fire outbreaks. “A typical scenario is the absence of escape staircase in most residential of 2 and 3 storey houses. The issue of fire protection system in houses is another serious matter that government should look into. Government can gradually insist that existing houses provide this facilities as time goes on while enforcing their provisions at the design stage. ”

Construction begins after land reclaimation CONTINUED FROM 25 structure and architectural excellence. According to the developers, the new city would feature tree-lined boulevards, waterways, manicured gardens, elegant plazas, three marinas and a stunning ocean front promenade. Speaking at the site of the project, President Jonathan expressed support for the ongoing Eko Atlantic City project, describing it as the best civil engineering job in Africa. The president said he had heard much about the project but “today, I am seeing it korokoro, ”adding that the project is a good tiding to the nation following the just concluded African Cup of Nations won by Nigeria. “So the good news has begun, I thank Chaguory Group, financial institutions like First Bank, GT bank, others and Lagos State Government for the initiative, ” he said. Jonathan noted that the construction of EAC is benefiting from the climate change effect as a result of incessant erosion and flooding of the Lagos coast, saying his government is pleased with the project as it is set to be an attractive site to promote tourism, housing, commerce and job opportunities. He said, “It is a way of transforming

Great Wall of Lagos.

waste land to asset ”, imploring other state governments to borrow a leave from the initiative, saying new cities could be built to compliment the old ones. He said, “New cities are good, new cities are smart, new cities help to improve our thinking and lives. It encourages urban renewal and where necessary, new cities must be built to complement old ones ”,

He disclosed that the Federal Government is coming up with three new cities that would be better than the existing ones in the next three to five years. One of them, he said would be the Abuja Centenary City. Former president Bill Clinton, lauded Lagos State government and developers of Eko Atlantic City for the commitment shown to build the city and the amazing Great Eko Wall.

He said the commitment by the developers would help to brand Nigeria as a 21 Century nation. He pointed out that the new city would create a lot of opportunities for Nigerians, pointing out that all over the world, coastal regions have always been places of commerce, tourist attractions, study and research. He said, “This is an ingenious engineering skill. I am convinced that in the next 5 years, people will come here to see the Wall of Lagos. ” Governor Fashola said although it was yet to be finished, the project has already become a success story especially with the dedication of the recovered land, adding that because it is fuelled by the support of men of goodwill, the project continues to overcome the various challenges that have confronted it since inception. “A new city will now emerge from what was once a devastated area as a result of nature ’s onslaught and that devastation is now history. Our ultimate triumph now beckons; the human spirit will yet again prevail because of a few good men who have demonstrated tremendous goodwill ”, the governor said. He described the project as the symbol of man ’s untiring spirit in Lagos to conquer nature.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

AFN moves for relay revival

Sport

‘Mba, Agbim are Wolves’

Igiebor renews documents, set for Betis I KENWA N NABUOGOR

“Consequently, the ownership of the players is not subject to any controversy and any club who require their services should contact the management of Warri Wolves,” continued the letter from the league body. Similarly, Nigeria ace, Fegor Ogude, hopes to quit Norway in the summer with Italy or Germany his preferred destination. The versatile player was prominent in Nigeria’s midfield in the Eagles’ first three games at the recent AFCON in South Africa. Ogude told MTNFootball.com, “I am really hopeful that this would be my last season in Norway. I believe my performance at the Nations Cup would have earned me a move away from Norway. My agent says he is getting some offers, but I would not disclose the clubs for some reasons.” The former Warri Wolves star noted that he would love to take his battling midfield style to either Italy or Germany.

he Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has ruled that Super Eagles’ players, Sunday Mba and Chigozie Agbim, belong to Warri Wolves. Enugu Rangers FC has laid claim to 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hero, Mba, insisting he has always been their player and has been training with them before the Nations Cup in South Africa. However, in a letter signed by the NPFL Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, Mba and goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim have been declared as players of Warri Wolves. “We are in receipt of your correspondence on the above subject. From our records, it is established that Chigozie Agbim and Sunday Mba are bonafide players of Warri Wolves FC.” The League Interim Management Committee has therefore warned any club interested in the players to contact Warri Wolves.

Nosa Igiebor

Foreign pros join F/Eagles Thursday

he Flying Eagles training camp in Tunisia will bubble on Thursday with the expected arrival of three Europebased pros. The overseas pros are Mikel Agu (FC Porto/Portugal), Saliu Popoola Sodiq (FC Metz/France) and Edafe Egbedi (AGF Aarhus/ Denmark). They will thus complete the 30man provisional squad recently named for the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria. Sodiq featured for 36 Lions of Lagos before he bagged a contract in France. He is widely regarded as an exciting addition to the team because of his creativity in midfield. Defensive midfielder, Mikel Agu, who is with the Porto U-19 team, has already trained with the team during their training tour of the eastern part of Nigeria recently. Egbedi was part of the victorious Flying Eagles to the 2011 tournament in South Africa. Coach John Obuh is expected to name a final 21-man squad for

We only need to get back quickly to the consistent level and every other thing will fall in place - Chelsea Manager, Rafa Benitez

uper Eagles’ midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, is set to depart for his base in Spain this week after being held up in Nigeria due to issues bordering on his expired documents, National Mirror can exclusively report. The 2013 AFCON-winning star was sent back to Nigeria by German immigration officials last week at the Frankfurt International Airport while on transit to his base in Seville, Spain. Igiebor was questioned by immigration officials after they found out that his Spanish documents were expired and was bundled into a flight back to Lagos to sort his travelling documents. The Real Betis star told National Mirror that he was surprised over his prevention from flying to his base, saying the said document was not just a big issue as the overzealous German immigration officials made it to look like. “It’s just a temporary document my club gave me since my Spanish work permit is still being processed and it’s renewable every month,” Igiebor explained. “I didn’t know it had expired because I was in South Africa for the AFCON and I thought the immigration officials in Frankfurt would have understood since it wasn’t a work permit per se. “If I had been in Spain, my club would have renewed it for me and there wouldn’t have been any need for this. “Those immigration officials knew quite well that I was an AFCON champion having checked the internet and seen everything, yet they refused me board, saying they could lose their jobs.” Igiebor was a guest at the Spanish Embassy in Abuja on arrival, where his papers were being sorted. He will return to the embassy today to collect the renewed documents.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

the 2013 AYC by the CAF deadline of March 6. Obuh has said that the team will step up their preparations for the defence of their AYC crown in Tunisia. “The training will be very intensive and whoever cannot cope, will be asked to go home. We have a big task ahead of us as we will be the team to beat in Algeria as the defending champions and so we must do everything to keep our championship,” Obuh said.

Falcons to get new coach soon –Amadu

to hire a new coach for the Super Falcons. The team will be totally overhauled in terms of the playing personnel and the coaching crew. “It is the objective of the NFF to return the Super Falcons to the pinnacle of the game in Africa. I am confident that by the time we announce the coaching crew, they would be able to prepare the girls well to qualify for the World Cup in Canada in 2015,’’ he said.

ecretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu, has disclosed that a new coach would soon be appointed for Super Falcons to enhance their World Cup preparation. Amadu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that arrangements were nearing conclusion for the engagement of the coach to give direction to the team. “There are ongoing plans

Blatter lauds Maigari on AFCON victory

IFA President, Mr. Joseph Blatter, has congratulated the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, on the success of the Super Eagles at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa. In a letter dated 14th February and addressed to Maigari, the FIFA boss said, “Allow me to offer you my warmest congratulations on Nigeria’s triumph in the Af-

rica Cup of Nations last Sunday – your third title overall and your first for nearly 20 years. It is great to see the Super Eagles back as one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations. “Please convey my warmest wishes to all of the players, the technical and medical staff, and in particular to Stephen Keshi – only the second man to lift the trophy as both captain and na-

tional team coach. Stephen is a great example to other African associations of what they can achieve through long-term planning and employing local coaches, and I commend your appointment. I would also like to extend special greetings and thanks to the Nigeria fans present at the final, whose support not only willed their team on to victory but also lit up the match as a spectacle.”

Sport

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi

El Clasico: Messi, Ronaldo in Copa battle

arcelona’s inspirational forward, Lionel Messi, admits that the club needs to raise its level after two below par performances in today’s Clasico in the Spanish Cup against a Real Madrid side desperate for a morale boost. Barcelona made an almost faultless start to the season only dropping points in the league before Christmas with a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, while the club also lost against Celtic in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, as signs of tiredness are beginning to set in. “Against Madrid we will have to produce our best football as we will be against a great rival. We need to be at our best in order to get into the final,” Messi said yesterday, ahead of the semi-final showdown in the Catalan capital with the scores 1-1 from the first leg at the Bernabeu. The teams then go go head-to-head again in in the league at the weekend but with Mad r i d traili n g Barc e lona by 16 points in the table there is little more than pride at stake. While Barca was expected to roll over AC Milan last week in the Champions League in typical fashion, the team failed to break down a well-organised but not remarkable defence as it lacked the move-

ment and the speed of passing. Even the four-time world player of the year Messi was largely anonymous as the side had plenty of possession but was well contained. At the back its defence was opened up on the rare occasions that Milan attacked and the homers got two goals to give them a significant advantage ahead of the return leg. Barcelona again lacked potency in attack in the first half against Sevilla at the weekend and went behind before turning the game around in the second half with goals from David Villa and Messi. “We need to get back to playing how we were doing before and not think about what happened in Milan or the Sevilla game,” Messi said. Meanwhile, Real Madrid faces the first of two make or break games with w wi th h the h other oth t e coming in the Champions Ch ham ampi pion ns League against Manchester Ma anc nche heste hest he er United. The MourinhoTh T he Jose Jo tutored tu uto tore tore ed club clu cl ub struggled once ub again away a gai ga ain a aw w way y to t Deportivo La Coruna C Co oru r na at the weekend with w wi th a weakened side and d Cristiano Ronaldo was among ald those brought on th in the second half to turn the game around and give aro ar o tthem th hem a 2-1 win. “We have a big “W squad squ uad and the coach wanted wa anted to put out the freshest players,” th he fre winger Cristiano Ronaldo said. sa “We are really up for the game tomorand fully row (today) (t motivated as we know motiva that the next few weeks will be crucial for us u with the cup and the Chaman nd then t pions pion on ns League game,” added. he a he dd

Sammy Ameobi (right) during a league game while he was at Newcastle

Skrtel crossed with Reds

Shaw gets Blues look-in

iverpool defender, Martin Skrtel, yesterday admitted to frustrations at the Anfield club. For the first time in his Anfield career, the Slovak has found himself relegated to the bench under Brendan Rodgers in recent weeks. “When I was healthy, I was training with the team, giving 100 per cent and doing all I could to prove to the coach that I belonged in the starting XI. I was waiting for a chance, one then came in St Petersburg, but then I was not playing again,” he said. “However, now I’m injured and we’ll see

Skrtel

what happens when I’m back fit. I have come across such views that it would not be correct to consider leaving a club where you have been on the bench in four or five fixtures. On the other hand, it is hard to put up with it.” Despite signing a new long-term deal late last year, Skrtel has been linked with a move, including possibly back to Russia with former club Zenit St Petersburg and Anzhi Makhachkala reported as admirers.

Toon to keep Arfa

ewcastle will attempt to fight off interest from Liverpool for Hatem Ben Arfa by offering its French star a new contract, according to reports yesterday. The 25-year-old has been injured for large parts of the 2012/13 season but Alan Pardew is keen to see him spend his best years at St James’ Park. Reports had claimed that Liverpool targeted Ben Arfa as part of a swap deal that would take £35million striker Andy Carroll back to

the North East. Nonetheless, Ben Arfa has previously stated a desire to play for the rich, Qatari-backed club Paris Saint-Germain. On his return from injury, however, he said: “It’s really special to be back. I think we can turn this into a better season than it might have seemed. I’d love to win titles, silverware.” On the Toon’s new recruits, the returnee said: “I feel a great sense of pride to see all the French players arriving. We’ve recruited very well.”

helsea wants Luke Shaw to succeed Ashley Cole as the Blues first-choice left back after opening talks over a summer move. It has been revealed that the Blues had a £10million offer for the England U-21 defender rejected by Southampton in January. Chelsea also failed with a move for Shaw during the summer transfer window. However, talks over a bigmoney move for Shaw are continuing, with Chelsea increasingly confident of landing the highly rated 17-yearold. Despite the uncertainty surrounding who will be in charge at Stamford Bridge next season, Shaw remains a priority signing. Having signed a 12-month extension to his contract, Cole’s position as Chelsea’s first-choice left back is secure until the end of next season. But Chelsea will still look to complete a deal for Shaw this summer and could loan the teenager back to Saints Shaw next season.

Dzeko eyes Germ

anchester City striker, Edin Dzeko, has admitted that he will return to the German Bundesliga at some point in his career. Dzeko, who has scored 13 league goals this season, was an unused substitute for City in their 2-0 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sun-

day, and ha frustration Roberto M The B national, reigning P champions Bundesliga burg in 2 lion, and d desire to league. “I love

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ameobi lands Boro deal

iddlesbrough has signed Newcastle forward, Sammy Ameobi, on loan until the end of the season. The 20-year-old is likely to be included in the squad for the clash with Championship leaders Cardiff on Saturday. Ameobi is cup tied and will not be available for the visit of Chelsea for the FA Cup tie tomorrow. Boro has reached an agreement with Newcastle that will allow Ameobi’s loan deal to be extended should the team reach the play-offs this season. “He gives us a different option and more options in a similar way to Muzzy Carayol,” Manager Tony Mowbray said yesterday, adding, “He will hopefully give some players a lift and create some competition.”

Toure Manchester City is ready to hand Yaya Toure a new contract worth £55million for five years. Toure has two years left on his current contract in the summer and City is determined to hold on to him. It is understood Toure can look forward to a bumper offer of around £11m a year– £220,000 a week–if he signs the deal.

Lampard

Real Madrid Coach, Jose Mourinho, will insist Frank Lampard is handed new terms if he takes charge of Chelsea as widely reported in the summer. Mourinho is being linked with a return to Stamford Bridge. “If he returns to Chelsea, it’s certain that he will insist that Lampard stays,” a source close to the Portuguese coach told journalists yesterday.

the Bundesliga

and I will return to the Bundesliga. I can just not say when I will return. I have still two years on my contract. We will see what happens”, he said. Borussia Dortmund Manager, Jurgen Klopp, recently described Dzeko as extraordinary but admitted it would be a financial strain on the club to sign him.

Sponsor Mr. Tony Obot (in black cap) and winner of the Boys singles Kehinde Afolabi at the 2nd Kandaval Table Tennis Championship in Lagos last weekend

T/tennis: Mahroof, Afolabi rule Lagos schools AFOLABI GAMBARI

ration of the applauding fans. But Afolabi had to work hard for his the title against Dare Gbadamosi in the encounter which kept dignitaries on the edge of their seats. After winning the first game 11-6 easily, Gbadamosi turned forcefully in the second before the eventual winner leveled, only for Gbadamosi to take another lead before succumbing to the champion’s fire power to lose 15-13. Managing Director/CEO of Kandaval Communications Limited, Mr. Tony Obot, ex-

pressed confidence that the competition sponsored by his frontline sports programme production outfit would be sustained. “It’s a demonstration of our commitment to grassroots sports development and we will not relent in our effort to lift Nigerian table tennis,” Obot said, even as former national coach, Babatunde Obisanya, who was the special guest at the occasion, called on philanthropists in the country to emulate Kandaval’s gesture.

Manchester United fullback, Patrice Evra, has hit out at his critics who argue that he is caught out of position too often and no longer offers a real threat down the left-flank. “Maybe in the last two years people have forgotten the player that I was,” The France international said yesterday. “This year I have just felt confident and my standard is always to try to be the best left-back in the league.”

Mata

Confed Cup: Guinness backs Eagles ambition

Chelsea midfielder, Juan Mata, says he can handle the constant changes at the club. Mata is playing under his third manager since moving to Chelsea almost 18 months ago. “You have to adapt,” the Spain international said yesterday. “As a player you have to play at your best no matter who the manager is because you play for the club.”

as spoken of his n at his role in Mancini’s squad. Bosnian inter26, joined the Premier League s in 2011 from a side Wolfs2011 for £27mildeclared of his return to the

Tit bits...

Evra

many return

Sport

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Reo-Coker Former Aston Villa midfielder, Nigel Reo-Coker, is delighted with his move to MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend. “I am delighted, it will be a new experience and I can’t wait,” the Sierra Leonean-born English man said yesterday. “I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of the fouryear contract and I have spoken to lots of guys I played with who are here.”

he 2nd Kandaval InterSchool Table Tennis Championship ended in Lagos over the weekend with Zainab Mahroof and Kehinde Afolabi emerging champions in the Girls and Boys singles events respectively. Mahroof, a junior player of Isheri Junior School, was in superb form against her senior counterpart, Amdalat Sanni, in the girls’ final which she won 11-9, 11-8 to the admi-

IKENWA NNABUOGOR

ajor sponsor of the Super Eagles, Guinness Nigeria Plc, has maintained that it will continue to support the national team ahead of the FIFA Confederation Cup scheduled for June in Brazil. According to Managing Director/CEO of the brewery company, Mr. Seni Adetu, the Eagles deserved all the support they could garner as the reigning African champions and the sponsor would not waiver in its support. “We are proud to have been associated with the Eagles at a time when they lacked adequate support and we are even more proud that they have won the AFCON 2013 finals,” Adetu said. “It is our belief that the Eagles will sustain their success at the Confederation Cup and we believe that Nigerians should also not relent in supporting the

team.” Guinness and the Lagos State government had organised a reception for the Eagles and their officials in Lagos last week as the nation’s representatives were rewarded by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. Adetu, who spoke at the occasion, recalled the beginning of the partnership between Guinness and the Super Eagles,

saying the companionship had yielded commendable dividends. “We ventured into the partnership when other corporate bodies were skeptical and we have had no cause to regret our action,” the managing director said, adding, “We have started and completed the ‘Fly with the Eagles’ campaign and we intend to do much more.”

Nigeria’s head coach Stephen Keshi (C) is carried by players as they celebrate winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations

Sport

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

On the track with

YEMI OLUS danyella172003@yahoo.com

Pistorius reports to police

spokeswoman for Oscar Pistorius, Lunice Johnston, said yesterday that the beleaguered athlete had reported to authorities in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, under the bail terms in the murder case against him. According to Johnston, the double-amputee Olympic athlete visited correctional officers. But she did not specify their location in the city. Pistorius, who was released on bail last Friday and is staying at the home of his uncle, Arnold, in the affluent suburb of Waterkloof in Pretoria, is accused of premeditated murder in the shooting to death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of February 14. Prosecutors said the pair had an argument before Steenkamp was killed but Pistorius said he mistook her for an intruder and shot her accidentally. The 26-year-old double amputee athlete known as the “Blade Runner” was released on one million rand (£73,000) bond. As part of his bail conditions, he must report to the police every Monday and Friday between 5am GMT and 11am GMT. He was also forced to surrender his passports, while he is banned from drinking alcohol, leaving Pretoria or returning to the house where Miss Steenkamp was killed. He is due back in court on June 4.

Pistorius

Nigeria’s Bukola Abogunloko and Margaret Etim competing at the last World Championships in Daegu, South Korea

AFN moves for relay revival

equel to Nigeria’s failure to excel in 4x100 and 4x400 men’s events at the London 2012 Games, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Solomon Ogba, has said that the federation will evolve ways to reclaim lost ground in the event. According to Ogba, a series of relay events will be organised on the domestic scene while other athletes would compete in international relay events like the Penn and Mt. Sac Relays, where national athletes featured in last year. “In this year’s programme, we have introduced a relay series, which will include the sprint medleys and distance medleys,” Ogba told National Mirror. “They are events we are not used to running here but they

are part of training for the individual athletes. The first one is going to be in Sagamu while the second one will be used to test run the stadium facilities and the timing device which we are bringing from Belgium for the African Youth Championships. “We will also run the relays in the Golden League while the best eight teams will run in the Warri Relays and Grand Prix in June. Those days we used to have invitational relays in schools but right now we are struggling to qualify for events. “We are going for the Mt. Sac Relays because right now we have not qualified for the 4x100 and 4x400m relays for men. For the women there is no problem. We are going to start early this year to run a lot of relays because we believe that it is an event we should qualify for eas-

Varsity counts on Akwu

iddle Tennessee State University (MTSU) athlete, Noah Akwu is expected to shine at the 2013 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships that started last Sunday on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Last month, the Olympian was named the Sun Belt Male Track Athlete of the Week as he won both the men’s 60 metre and 200m dash titles at the Kentucky earlier this year. He had earlier captured the Sun Belt 200m and

400m titles in 2011. This season, Akwu has the top spot in the 200 metres with a time of 20.91 seconds with Raiders Head Coach, Dean Hayes, described the athlete’s leadership as important. Akwu (6.555) was seventh in the men’s 55-metres prelims and third in the final qualifiers of the 200m. The Lady Raiders are hoping for their second conference title in a row, while the men are going for their third in five seasons in the two-day event.

Akwu

ily.” Eight of the 13 medals Nigeria has won in track and field at the Olympics were secured in the relays. The men’s 4x400m team at the 1984 Olympics won a bronze medal while the quartet of Olapade Adeniken, Davidson Ezinwa, Chidi Imoh and Oluyemi Kayode won silver in the 4x100m in 1992 in Barcelona. Their female counterparts won bronze in the same event that year as well. Bisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf, Charity Opara and Falilat

Ogunkoya won silver in the 4x400m in 1996 in Atlanta while the men’s 4x400m team won gold in Sydney 2000. Olusoji Fasuba, Uchenna Emedolu, Aaron Egbele and Deji Aliu picked bronze in 2004 in the 4x100m while the 4x400m team made up of Godday James, Musa Audu, Saul Weigopwa and Enefiok Udo-Obong also picked another bronze medal in Athens. Franca Idoko, Gloria Kemasuode, Halimat Ismaila and Damola Osayomi picked bronze in Beijing 2008.

NSSF talent listed for AYC

he 16 athletes selected during last month’s National Schools Sports Festival (NSSF) in Port Harcourt will be among Nigeria’s representatives that will feature in the maiden Confederation of African Athletics Youth Championship holding in Warri, Delta State from March 23 to 28. They will be joined by those that will be picked from the D.K Olukoya National U-18 Athletics Championship which has been re-scheduled to hold between March 7 and 8 at the Sports Complex of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. The 3rd edition of the competition was meant to be a threeday event. According to the Assistant Secretary of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Olu-

femi Ajao, the earlier dates of March 6 and 9 were no longer feasible due to logistics reasons. “The AFN decided to reschedule the D.K. Olukoya National Under-18 to allow the athletes that will participate in the African Youth Athletics Championships in Warri ample time to be ready for the continental event,” Ajao said. Meanwhile, the AFN has restated that only athletes below 17 years are eligible to participate in the maiden African Youth Championships billed for Warri, Delta between March 23 and 28. Previously the D.K Olukoya Championships were open to Under-18 athletes but the AFN reduced the age-limit as the AYC is opened to only Under-17 athletes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Real Estate & Environment

‘Demolition of illegal structures in Oyo is for development ’ Why the on-going demolitions exercise around Ibadan, the state capital? Like I have always being saying, you will discover that Ibadan for some years now has become what you can call a glorified village and in any place or state of this nature hardly would it develop, in other words where people live as if they are in jungle society. A state where people had no respect for law and its enforcement, a state where some believe that some people are above the law and can do whatever they want, a state where you see dirt all around, it will not invite good people in the society to come and settle in that area. Aside that, investors that will always improve the economy of any state or country will not want to come to such state for investment, that is the reason I was appointed as the Commissioner and in line with the executive decision with the policies of the Oyo state government, I studied the past records, laws, rules and regulations and I discovered that we have not being executing these laws and its enforcement. The more reason while I said if really we want to improve the state and we want good people to come and live with us and invest in our state, we should take a bold step to ensure strict compliance with laws, environmental laws in particular and rules and regulation. What is your take on the accusation that the government is only demolishing without a thought of relocating those affected? We have not demolished any structures but we are only clearing the shanties within the state particularly the capital now and if you will see, most of those places that we went to, you will discover that we have made a place for them to resettle them. Immediately we started the clearing especially at the setbacks, highways ,under the tension wires, we relocated them to a very suitable places. For example, people that were trading under the Molete bridge and the Challenge axis, you will discover that immediately we asked them to leave the place and clear all their shanties, we relocated them to Scout camp area. If you get to that place now, what we did was that despite the fact that those places have been given to the contactors. we don ’t want a situation whereby they will be staying in their houses without working pending the time the contractors would complete those projects, we now say alright, let us make it in such a way .that it will not be so difficult for them to continue with their trading in part of those places we provided and in the other side, the contractors will be going on with the project. Go to Scout camp, Eleyele waterworks, old Ife road and other areas, you will see that people are really happy with their trading there. I mean development is going on in these places and people are making their trading activities. And concerning those who are saying we are demolishing their structures, they are telling lies. You know the position of law is so clear about it, ever since the floods that have been claiming the lives of our people since 1980, government had decided to enact laws which will protect lives and property of our people in the state and the law says that for anybody to have shop around Ogunpa river or stream, for anybody to have a structure, it should be about 45 metres away from that stream or river and that has been in existence. But our people based on who you know or how

Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Mr. Lowo Obisesan, a lawyer, in this interview with KEMI OLAITAN, speaks on the on-going demolition of illegal structures in Ibadan, the state capital and its expected extension to other major towns in the state among others.

Obisesan

powerful you are in the society, they neglected the position of the law and engaged in whatever they like. The oppositions are threatened by what we are doing and the more reason they are making falsification of facts against us that we are demolishing upstairs, there is no structure that look like storey building of all the structures that we cleared along the Ogunpa River and streams. Concerning the picture published in a national daily recently, you will see that it is quite clear that the building does not look like a storey building., it is a shop very close to the stream which we believe can endanger the lives of the people and we owe them that duty of care and the reason while we are taking that bold step of demolishing the shanties. The traders have accused the governor of reneging on his electioneering campaign of not demolishing shops and houses if elected, don ’t you see that as a betrayal of the people ’s trust in him? I must be honest with you, people are misconstruing the statement that the governor made while we were campaigning, if we say that we will not demolish any structure, it is something that is clear to anybody who has a vision that what the government or the governor was trying to say that time was that no legal structure will be demolished, why should we destroy the property of those people that voted for us ? But any structure that is illegal, I mean if actually we wanted to serve the people we should do things the way it is supposed to be done. Like we said in our campaign, we are not demolishing any structure legally located, what we are doing is demolishing, for good development in the state. If development entails demolition, should we not do it? For example, if we want to move from the old order to a better one, like improving on our roads, how do we do it if we don ’t demolish some structures that are on the setbacks. To do otherwise would not be part of the promise that our amiable governor made at that time, what he promised we are complying

IF YOU WANT TO CORRECT SOMETHING THAT IS WRONG IN THE SOCIETY, YOU START

FROM THE HEAD, BY THE TIME YOU MAKE SURE THAT THE HEAD

HAS BEEN CLEAN, THEN YOU CAN NOW GO TO

THE ARM, TO THE LEG AND PROBABLY OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY SO THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETE by them.. Go to Ogun State, they are demolishing whether legal or illegal structures for the purpose of development, we have not gone to that, we are just trying to clear those that are illegally built on the setbacks, those that we discovered from our records that their approval were not properly taken. If we want to serve the people of Oyo State, we should not encourage unlawful exercises or illegal acts of doing things. The promise we made , we are trying to stand by it and what we are doing is in line with what the people of Oyo State should expect from us by the fact that they voted for us to be able to do all these good things. For how long should the people of the state expect these things ? For as long as we want to continue with the development of the state For example, my own house where I am living, I have the C of O and if government discovered that the area deserve a hospital for the overriding public interest and they tell me they wanted to demolish it, so be it. What I know is that the government will not hesitate to pay compensation if my house is legally

built, that is have all approvals and the house is not on a setback. But if it should be otherwise, there will be no compensation, because you cannot build something on nothing. If you have your property in a place that government does not approve or the land belongs to government, if they want to demolish it, you are not entitled to compensation As a lawyer, I have discovered that this country in general needs serious prayer. Indeed, this country in general and Oyo State in particular need total overhauling, overhauling in the sense that I must be honest with you that I have handled numbers of cases wherein it has to do with land matters, wherein some people will claim to have C of O and by the time you want to go for evidence in court, to be sure that all documents you are having are authentic, we discovered that most of the C of O are fake. Many people have come here wherein I have faulted their papers, when they brought those things, I will look into them and said I want the originals from the Ministry of Lands and Housing, they will not come back because they know that what they are bringing along are fake documents and that is what is common here and that is what we are trying to correct in the state. There is no way anybody can get C of O on a setback, it is not possible except such a person is just telling lie. Should the other parts of the state expect the demolition exercise also? We are going to extend to other major towns in the state, I am the Commissioner for Environment and Habitat for the whole state and not for Ibadan as the capital alone. If you want to correct something that is wrong in the society, you start from the head, by the time you make sure that the head has been clean, then you can now go to the arm, to the leg and probably other parts of the body so that it will be complete. By the second week in February, we will move to Oyo Alaafin and when we get there, we will inform the Alaafin to help get the market men and women to let them know why we must demolish in the town. After Oyo, we would do the same thing in Ogbomoso. Everything is about lawlessness, for example look at Ogbomoso, there is a modern market there and yet the people have decline to use it, you will rather see them on the main road and trailer has claimed lives of many people there. So it is important, we should go to that place to enforce the policies of government there in line with the environmental laws, rules and regulations of the state. Don ’t you think the demolition exercise may have negative impact on the second term ambition of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, if he wants to re-contest in 2015? It is only God that can install a person to become the king or leader of his people, what I am trying to say is that people are making mistake to hold such a view, on my own part, if I should listen to what people are saying that I may want to contest for political office in the nearest future, I would not do my job. It is not impossible that the governor might want to go for second term, but it is not something that is very compulsory for him, I know him very well, he wants to serve his people by the time we do something that is good, our people will still say come back as .nobody will want to be in the old age that we used to be.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Increase your home value, grow beautiful roses Growing beautiful roses, according to experts at www. rose. org, begins with proper rose planting techniques and requires neither great rose gardening skills nor experience.. Selecting a site to plant your roses First, choose a sunny area of the garden that gets at least four to five hours of sun. Do not crowd your rose with other trees and plants. Some roses, such as climbers and shrubs, don ’t mind company, but most like to mix with other roses or other non-invasive plants. If you ’re replacing an older rose bush, it is important to remove an 18 cubic inch area of soil and replace it with fresh soil. A newly planted rose doesn ’t like to grow in the same soil that an older rose bush has been in. Step by step instructions for planting roses • If you have a bare root plant, soak it in a bucket of water before planting. For roses that are potted, you can water the pot thoroughly and let it sit until ready to plant. • Dig a hole approximately 15 inches

deep and 18 inches wide. If planting bare root roses, form a small mound of soil in the centre of the planting hole. If you live in a colder area, plant a bit deeper and consult with your local garden centre. • Add a small handful of bone meal to

DO NOT CROWD YOUR ROSE WITH OTHER TREES AND PLANTS.

SOME

ROSES, SUCH AS CLIMBERS AND SHRUBS, DON ’T MIND COMPANY, BUT MOST

LIKE TO MIX WITH OTHER ROSES OR OTHER NON-

Culled from: www.divinecaroline.com

INVASIVE PLANTS

the planting hole. Spade in some compost or peatmoss to loosen the soil. Mix the soil you took out of the hole with more compost or peat moss. • Remove the rose from the pot. Carefully place in the hole and shovel the extra soil around the new plant. Plant the

rose with the crown slightly deeper than the original soil. The crown or bud union should be about 1 inch under the soil • Gently firm the rose into its new home and water well. Stand back and watch it grow!

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Real Estate & Environment

Plant a tree, get a gift, organisation urges Lagosians DAYO AYEYEMI

practical measure to ensure the provision of green areas in the suburban areas in Lagos State has been launched in Lagos. Known as “Eko Green Dream Initiative ”, the sensitisation programme, heralding the take off of the project was put together by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry for the Environment at the weekend. The programme gave opportunity to various speakers in the environment sector to generate ideas on how the initiative would not only succeed, but also be sustained. Revealing her plan of action, the initiator of the Eko Green Dream Initiative, Mrs. Fadera Williams, said the organisation has introduced what she called Eko Green Card for the tree planting campaign to attract residents. She explained that the promo involves getting gifts from some manufacturing organisations, for a number of trees planted by individual, either the landlord, tenants or corporate organisation. The essence of the promo, according to Williams, is to motivate people to key into the vision of tree planting and protection of the existing ones. She said her team has identified three local government areas where 6000 trees are to be planted. The identified local governments are Kosofe, where 27 streets were identified; Ikotun-Igando, 16 streets and Isolo where 18 streets were also picked. She said although the ultimate goal was how to prevent the suburbs from being over used for physical development to the detriment of environmental protection, especially, tree planting and open space; but to seize the opportunity in the identified three local governments before we carry the campaign to the suburbs that included Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Badagy, among others. She disclosed that about 250 volunteers have been recruited for the exercise. In her address, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, expressed her joy at the efforts of Governor Babatunde Fashola on environmental matters, especially beautifi-

L-R: Representative of the Lagos State Governor and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Adebola Afun ; Environment Ambassador and Head, Sustainable Green Lagos Forum (SGLF), Mrs Faderera Adebimpe Williams ; and Erelu Dosunmu Abiola during the Eko Green Dream Initiative Campaign launch last week.

cation exercises. She, however, urged government to put in place a structure that would ensure the sustenance of the current efforts. President, Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria, Dr. Tunji Adejumo, pointed out that global warming is a reality, noting that climate change anomalies have come to stay. On the need for tree consciousness, he noted that it has been established in 2002 that one tree mops up 1.4 to 54.5 kg carbon per year depending on species. Speaking on the importance of planting tree in home, he said, “One fruit tree in your house helps solve food insecurity. One herbal tree can give you a breathing space. One shade tree at the south west of your property saves cooling cost. “One flowering and scented tree increase the value of your property, ” urging people to catch a good breath by

planting tree. He said that the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Law No.13 of 2011 has made it mandatory for tenement owners and occupiers to landscape and beautify the perimeter areas of their properties. Section 19 of the law reads, “As from the commencement of this Law, all tenement owners and occupiers shall landscape and beautify the perimeter areas of their properties. ” Guest lecturer, Professor Olaniyi Okedele, canvassed the integration of green infrastructure options which include green urban architecture code; green building code; green eco-friendly infrastructure policies; pragmatic mass transit system that keeps cars off streets; non-motorised transportation alternatives, and accommodation of renewable energy at planning and design stages to create employment opportunities for the youth. Okedele is a lecturer at the Depart-

Ipaja-Ayobo road gets new completion date

esidents and commuters have been assured of the completion of the on-going upgrade and reconstruction of the Mosalasi-GateIpaja Ayobo Road by the Lagos State Government. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat during an unscheduled inspection of the project. He noted that the confidence he expressed on the completion date is as a result of the quantum of work already done and the resolution of all the issues that had hitherto delayed the

project execution. Hamzat stated that the relocation of essential services such as power lines, water mains, and the presence of NNPC pipe and gas lines had hindered progress. He assured road users of the commitment of the state government to reconstructing, maintaining and providing user friendly road facilities across the state, adding that the process of seeking the consent of Federal authorities often confront delivery of projects. The commissioner also said the over 7kilometres road is the second

phase of the reconstruction efforts that has seen the state rehabilitate Mosalasi to Ikotun through Isheri Roundabout. Hamzat solicited the support of citizens in maintaining public facilities, saying that “when communities do not pay attention but allows vandalisation, state resources suffer. We will again need to deploy resources to rehabilitate even when many projects are begging and competing for attention. ” While stating that the project will finally link up to Ogun State through

ment of Architecture, University of Lagos, He disclosed that it was not enough to plant a tree but to plant the right tree at the right place. He lauded the initiative, noting that the Lagos State government has done much in the planting of trees and beautification exercise in public places in the metropolis, but the private space has to be carried out. He maintained that when human system is properly integrated into ecosystem, a sustainable city is developed, defining a sustainable city as one where the human system is properly grafted on the existing ecosystem without diminishing its resources today and tomorrow. He described city as a living organism that needs lung (tree) to remove pollutants including poisonous gases, particles, saying that vegetation in city ecosystem performed the role of lungs. Aiyetoro Community, Hamzat explained that this will be under the Phase III of the programme. The representative of Plycon Nig. Limited, Mr. Farouk Agoro, assured the commissioner on the provision of access to communities by adopting a work plan that will not totally seal off the road. The road with 16.0 metres width was awarded to Plycon Nigeria Limited and was in a deplorable state over the years due to inadequate drainage system and increase in vehicular movement along the axis. At completion, it is hoped that the project will abate flooding, improve standard of living and enhance property values along the corridor.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group calls for clarication over planned changes to the UK building code

UK property

as this would introduce more stringent energy efficiency standards in new builds from this year. ‘Developers are starting to consider how they will react to these proposed changes but as with all energy policy delays it creates uncertainty and clarity will be welcomed, ’ said Michael Verity, head of resources and energy at Strutt & Parker. ‘We are advising on the heating solution for a new village extension

where mains gas is not available and it is currently a fine economic line between a biomass district heating system or individual oil boilers, clarity on Part L would help this decision, ’ he explained. He pointed out that it would also provide more detail on how the government will work towards achieving its target for all new properties to meet zero carbon standards, by 2016 in the case of residential property and by 2019 for commercial property. The Labour team is arguing that the government needs to clarify to what extent energy efficiency standards will be uplifted this year. If there is no uplift this year, they warn, then there is the difficult prospect of a very sizeable uplift needed in 2016 if the commitment is to be met.Speculation has been circulating that the government might be planning to water down the new regulations. ‘As the economy bumps along the bottom and we face the biggest housing crisis in a generation, the last thing the house building industry needs is massive uncertainty caused by the endless dithering and delay of this government, ’ said Labour ’s Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey. As well as an announcement on Part L of the building code, he also said clarity is urgently needed on the allowable solutions policy, which would enable developers to pay into a pot for all the carbon they can ’t mitigate on the site of the development.

group of Labour MPs has urged the UK government to clarify its planned changes to the building code in order to boost growth. According to report from Property Wire, labour has urged the government to say where it stands on zero carbon homes amid claims a lack of clarity is holding back new house building. Senior opposition figures signed an open letter to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, which called for action to

end the ‘dithering and delay ’ on amendments to the Building Regulations. The letter was signed by the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Caroline Flint and Jack Dromey, the Shadow Housing Minister. As well as hitting residential property building programmes, the delay is also hindering jobs and economic growth, they claim. Part L of the building code is the key area of contention,

How to save money on apartment living

t is a known fact that apartment dwellers have many expenses during their lease term, and sometimes they can seem overwhelming. Their monthly rent payments are probably a large part of their take-home pay, and they got utility bills and other expenses, such as grocery shopping, to consider as well. Not only is it important to keep on top of what you owe each month, but if you can figure out ways to keep more of your hard-earned money, Ron Leshnower,an expert at about.com guide says there are ways you can make your apartment experience more affordable. 1. Create a household budget: Creating a budget isn ’t just about knowing what types of things you ’ve spent your money on, or helping you remember all your upcoming expenses. Budgets help you do all that, but they also keep you disciplined

and enable you to figure out ways to spend less and save more. Many people put off creating a budget because they don ’t think they ’re the type of person who stands to benefit from one. But, even if you ’re the only person in your household or your finances are straightforward, creating and maintaining a budget can help you save money -- and it probably requires less time and effort than you think. 2. Consider purchasing renter ’s insurance Sometimes, spending a little money can help you save a lot down the road. That ’s the idea behind buying a renter ’s insurance policy, which covers you for liability claims and potentially large losses to your personal property. It ’s also why, if you al-

ready have a renter ’s insurance policy, letting it lapse in order to save money might be a big mistake. Renter ’s insurance isn ’t expensive and, on top of potential savings, it offers peace of mind to renters who don ’t have the cash on hand to, say, replace all their belongings in the unfortunate event of a fire or theft. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about why you should consider purchasing renter ’s insurance. 3. Add a roommate to share expenses: It can be tough handling all your apartment expenses on your own. If you currently don ’t have a roommate, consider adding one to make the finances easier. You might already know someone who would be compatible, or you can use online services to

find a good roommate fast. Adding a roommate will let you see immediately savings in your rent and other expenses. Plus, you might enjoy the companionship and other benefits that come with sharing an apartment with another person. 4. Lower your heating bill with low-cost purchases If you could spend a small amount of money on a product that can save you a lot off your heating bill, would you? Some simple, innovative products exist to help you stay warm in the winter without throwing away more than you need to heat your apartment. Find out about low-cost purchases you can make to help lower your heating bill during the winter.

New man made island in Dubai to have world ’s tallest ferris wheel

lans for a new US$1.6 billion island project featuring the world ’s largest ferris wheel at its centre has been approved in Dubai. It will join the other lavish man made developments that have been characteristic of the emirate including the Palm and the World. It is being seen as a sign that Dubai ’s property market is well on the way to recovery after a tough few years when prices dropped by up to 60 per cent in certain locations. The Bluewaters Island development

will feature a 210 metre high ferris wheel to be called the Dubai Eye. The wheel, which will cost one billion dirhams, is inspired by the 135 metre high London Eye on the River Thames. State owned developers Meraas Holding will develop the project with construction due to start in April and work on the ferris wheel due to start in the second quarter of this year. South Korea ’s Hyundai Contracting and Starneth Engineering, whose engineers helped build the London Eye, have been appointed primary contrac-

tors for the design and construction of the Dubai Eye. Meraas is also developing a 10 billion dirham complex of five theme parks, including one focused on India ’s Bollywood cinema industry, as Dubai bids to boost its tourism sector. It is hoped that the wheel will attract three million visitors a year when it opens to the public in 2015. ‘The Dubai Eye will distinctively dominate the Dubai skyline. This project will continue to build on the emirate ’s reputation as a leader in the global

entertainment and retail landscape, ’ said Abdullah Al Habbai, chairman of developers Meraas Holding. ‘We have a clear mission and vision to strengthen Dubai ’s global position in the tourism sector. This project will continue to build on the emirate ’s reputation as leaders in the global entertainment and retail landscape. Through Meraas ’s continued investment into similar mixed used developments, we aim to draw sustained investment and tourism from around the world, ’ he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Release of crashes ’ reports: Matters arising Since the release of some reports of past accidents in the Nigerian aviation industry about two weeks ago by the Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB), there have been ripples in the sector with some airlines claiming that the reports were doctored. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes

he release of some of the reports of recent accidents in the Nigerian aviation industry by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), expectedly is raising some dusts in the sector. While a section of professionals and stakeholders in the industry thumped up for the agency for releasing the reports, others, especially the affected airlines feel some aspects of the reports were doctored by the agency. Although, no mention was made of the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash at the Iju-Ishaga Area of Lagos that claimed 163 souls on board and on ground, which has received more attention than any of the previous ones in the sector, but the release of some of the reports have finally brought to an end the mysteries surrounding some of the crashes. Most of the affected airlines have however closed shops due to various reasons, but despite the fact that Bellview Airlines stopped operations in December 2009, its management still reacted to some of the issues raised by AIB. AIB in the report as it concerns Bellview Airline aircraft Boeing 737-200 with registration number 5N-BFN that crashed at Lisa Village on October 22, 2005 had said that the aircraft had some technical defects before it crashed and that it should not have been dispatched for either the accident flight or earlier flights. The report added that though the investigation considered several factors that could explain the accident, which included the PIC training of the captain before taking command on the B737 aircraft which was inadequate, the cumulative flight hours of the pilot in the days before the accident, which was indicative of excessive workload that could lead to fatigue. The report stated further that the operator could not maintain the continuing airworthiness of its aircraft, in ensuring compliance of its flight and maintenance personnel with the regulatory requirements. On the captain ’s hour log records, the investigation revealed that there were a lot of ambiguities in the hours given by Bellview airlines and that given by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), personnel file of the pilot. The report reads in part, “The absence of forensic evidence prevented the determination of the captain ’s medical condition at the time of the accident. The missing flight recorders to reconstruct the flight also precluded the determination of his performance during the flight. Due to lack of evidence, the investigation

Odukoya

Ohunayo

THE DOCTORING ALLEGATION IS A SAD ONE, AND ALSO A POSSIBILITY DUE TO THE DELAY IN PRESENTATION.

THOUGH, IT IS JUST AN ALLEGATION, I STILL WANT TO COMMEND AIB FOR AN EXCELLENT JOB could not determine the effect, if any, of the atmospheric disturbances on the airplane or the flight crew ’s ability to maintain continued flight. “There were ambiguities in the hour log given to AIB by Bellview airlines and those contained in NCAA personnel file of the captain. Bellview gave a total flying hours of 11,053 hrs, while records from NCAA personnel file indicated 13,429.15 hrs as at 28/06/05. “Between 28/01/88 to 11/08/88 which was 6½ months, he flew 1869.74 hrs equivalents to 287.65 hrs per month, which amount to 9.59 hrs per day. ” But, the management of the airline in a swift response vehemently disagreed with the investigation of AIB and accused it of allowing internal politics within it to distort and biased their interpretation of the material facts of the accident. Speaking on behalf of the airline, Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Terver-Uzer Luke emphasised that in 2009, the management of AIB had circulated a draft final report with the reference number 2/2009 (BLV 2005/10/22) to the relevant authorities including the state of design and its management in 2009. Luke insisted that the report presented to it in 2009 had now been doctored four years after without inviting it to

comment on the fundamental alteration to the original report in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13. The management of the airline once again refuted the report of AIB on the qualification and experience of the pilot, saying that the crashed captain was trained on the aircraft in the United States of America with over 10, 000 hours flight time. It also denied that the crews were overworked by the management as presented by AIB, maintaining that the crew average duty time over the last six months was less than 90hours a month and on the day of the accident, both crew had been on duty for less than four hours. The released alleged that this doctored report was geared to make Bellview the scapegoat with the aim of abandoning further investigation to find the true cause of the accident, stressing that the agency had said in its report that the cause of the accident was still unknown and still went ahead to make speculative allusions. But AIB said it stands by the reports posted on its website. Speaking with our correspondent by phone, the Head, Media Relations, AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi said, “We are looking at the issues raised by Bellview Airlines

management. The report that was posted on our website remains our position on the issue. Any issue they want to raise is already answered on the website. ” Commenting on the issue, the President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Capt. Dele Ore said that the disagreement of Bellview Airlines management with the report was not out of place as ICAO standards and practices allowed them to have a report and a fair comment before the report was made public. He, however, said that what was released by AIB was not contrary to what was released to stakeholders earlier by the agency, but noted that the report was dissimilar to the normal accident investigation purpose as the report tried to indict, which may destroy the culture of accident investigation in the future. He said, “I don ’t see any big issue in all that we have said; Bellview is exercising the right under ICAO practices. Under Annex 13 that allowed them to have a report and a fair comment before the report is made clear to the public. So it is not out of place for Bellview to disagree and I believe that this is not contrary to the report we had last year. “But I want to say that the report is contrary to the normal accident investigation purpose, because this report is indicting and will destroy the culture of accident investigation. In the future, people will not come up with facts and information when accidents occur because of fear of being blamed. “Things have moved beyond the past because what we have today is far beyond what we had before. We should be careful because if we throw stress into the system, it will cause more accidents. Looking at the report, anything they said (AIB) was speculative. They said when the accident happened, the regulatory authority did not do their job, but that was a long time ago, it ’s like beating about the bush. The problem of AIB is not internal politics, but people trying to prove that they are working or they can do the job. ” Also, the Head, Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo said that the delay was unnecessary, called for full autonomy for the accident investigator in order to perform its duties without interference. On the allegation that the report was doctored, Ohunayo said this was possible due to the delay in presentation, but commended the investigator for eventually releasing the results to the public years after the accidents occurred. “It has been unnecessarily delayed due to the authorisation needed from the Presidency. The autonomy of AIB to investigate can only be complete if they are also given the powers to release the results immediately. The reports are meant to inform, improve safety and avoid recurrence. Delay in the report obviously, is a disservice to the nation and air safety in general. ” “The doctoring allegation is a sad one and also a possibility due to the long delay in presentation. Though, it is just an allegation, I still want to commend AIB for an excellent job. We need to get them out of Aso Rock appendage. ”

Aviation

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Aviation roadmap: We ’re just starting – Minister OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Nigeria aviation industry is set to achieve unprecedented milestone with the implementation of the various roadmaps set for the sector by the Ministry of Aviation. The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah stated this last Tuesday in Lagos during the conferment of award of Champion Man of the Year 2012 on her by the management of Champion Newspaper in Lagos. Shortly after receiving the award from the management of the newspaper, Oduah in her acceptance speech said that the team set various targets to be achieved within the next one year for itself, just as she tasked all the Chief Executive Officers in the agencies to brace up for more challenges ahead. She explained that the ministry would continue to remain resolute in its drive to bestow to the nation convenient and userfriendly airport environments and emphasised that the dream of the management was to create an industry that would play pivotal role to economic development of the country. Oduah commended President

Oduah

Goodluck Jonathan for the support given to the sector since July 4, 2011 when she was appointed a minister in the sector. She also lauded members of the National Assembly for their support over the years, stressing that they have been able to propel the industry forward with their oversight functions on the industry. She said, “I don ’t feel I ’m doing anything extra-ordinary with my performance in the industry. I was appointed to improve the sector and once I ’m do-

ing this, I don ’t think I should be honoured for it, but if the people say I deserve it, I think I should receive it. “With this award today, I can ’t afford to fail Nigerians and I want to say this will serve as a tonic to ginger us up. The credit of this award should go to President Goodluck Jonathan for his full support and guidance. The modest achievements we have made would not have been possible without his support and that of the National Assembly who have acted as our partners and the media who have consistently critic our perfor mance in the sector. “Aviation is pivotal to the economic growth of any nation and we are deter mined to refocus and rebuild that platfor m for everybody. Aviation is to create value change for all to have better life and that is our future and plans. ” Oduah is the third person to be conferred with the Man of the Year Award by the newspaper and the first woman to win it. Previous winners are Governors of Lagos and Edo states, Barrister Babatunde Fashola and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole respectively.

Ore commends court over GAT ruling, calls for renegotiation

he President Aviation Round Table (ART), Capt. Dele Ore has commended the Federal High Court, Abuja for striking out the suit filed by the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) over the ownership of the controversial General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos. Ore, however, said that none of the parties involved should jubilate yet as the case could go as far as the Supreme Court, but enjoined both parties to embrace dialogue in the interest of the workers and the nation in general. He said, “FAAN or the ministry can disobey laws or court orders, but on the long run, when you have a contract, a contract is a contract, no matter what the terms of the contract is, you can not start expanding the goal post after the game has started. “So, let ’s wait and see, whatever it is the judgment, they will go on Appeal and on the long run, the case will go to the Supreme Court and when it gets there, there is no more appeal anywhere under

They didn ’t have the interest of the public at heart, but I must commend the ruling. ” Also, the Secretary General of Nigeria Aviation Professional Association (NAPA), Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu in a statement, described the judgement as “well-thought-out and a triumph of truth. ” Saidu stated that NAPA had always insisted that agreements signed by FAAN must be obeyed to the letter, adding that there are clauses that make provisions for how to settle any disagreement in such agreements. Ore

the sun as far as Nigeria is concerned. “I don ’t believe there is nothing that can ’t be renegotiated. When you have contracts, parties should be allowed to sit down, but in our own case here, we just want to destroy one and other, rather than an amicable settlement, but who normally suffers? Of course, it is the staff that will suffer. “No call for celebration from any of the parties, but I want to say that those people that signed on the side of the government, they did a lousy job, a bad job.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Immigration ’s snail speed of processing passengers

lobally, airport environments are the first contact for any traveller using the airspace and the impressions created at the entry port last longer in the minds of such traveller. The plan of the Federal Government is to make the country ’s airports most especially the international ones hubs for airline operators and in order to achieve this, the facilities and the airport environments should be conducive for users. While the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah can be commended for improving on the existing facilities at the airport, the same can not be said of the personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who are the officials in charge of ‘welcoming ’ visitors into the country.

Airside was at the arrival hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos last week, but was not impressed by the processing of foreign passengers by the agency. Airside observed that apart from the fact that only one counter is allocated for the profiling of foreign citizens at the immigration area, they still are unnecessarily delayed by the officers through spurious interrogations. A passenger spends about 15 to 20 minutes at the immigration desk before such could be allowed to go. While Airside agrees that not every visitor has genuine reason for wanting to gain entry into a country, those at the helms of affairs should do their job diligently without time wastage.

What does NAAPE want?

rofessional bodies anywhere in the world are expected to evaluate issues with fairness, openness and objectivity, but it seems the reverse is the case with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) which for the past few weeks has embarked on Pull-Him-Down (PHD) syndrome against the leadership of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). NAAPE in their sponsored write-ups cast aspersion on the person of the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, saying that he was not fit right from the outset to occupy the position, alleged that the maintenance hangar his company owns was gotten under frivolous arrangement. In fact, for its officials the only ‘enlightened ’ body or association in the sector is NAAPE and no one else. But, Airside has some few questions for the association,

which was purportedly sponsored against Air Nigeria by a rival airline to ensure that the airline abruptly suspended its operations; Where was NAAPE and its officers in 2005 when Demuren was ‘erroneously ’ appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo after the twin air crashes involving hundreds of souls? Why did it take NAAPE this long to disclose to the public that Demuren was not ‘qualified ’ to be the helmsman in the sector after seven years and two months in the saddle? Why didn ’t NAAPE protest when Demuren ’s tenure expired in February 2012 before it was renewed by the Presidency? What does the issue of maintenance hangar has to do with safety concerns in the sector? Why did the romance between the two turn sour after the Dana Air crash and at a time some elements in the sector are calling for unjustifiable removal of Demuren?

SAA maintains certication for 11 years running

outh African Airways (SAA) has been awarded the 4-Star Airline ranking for 2013 by Skytrax, the independent, global airline rating organisation. The 4-Star Airline ranking recognises continued quality improvement in South African Airways onboard product and service, together with a number of changes to the home base airport customer experience in terms of product and service levels. A statement signed by the

airline ’s media agent in Nigeria stated that the Chief Executive Officer, Skytrax, Edward Plaisted said the airline has managed to maintain quality levels throughout the past year, adding that it is equally delivering a solid product and service standard to their customers, making their 4-Star ranking well-deserved. Skytrax is known worldwide as the leading, independent authority on airline quality and assessment, and has been completing flight

checks with South African Airways during 2012, examining in detail all product and service delivery areas across both international and domestic routes. South African Airways 4-Star Airline ranking signifies that the airline has achieved a good standard of product across all travel categories, with standards of staff service delivery in both the onboard and airport environments also being well ranked.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Poor insurance penetration worries operators, others Following disclosure that the insurance industry in Nigeria after about 90 years of existence insured only 750 000 lives, experts said the “dwindling fortunes ” of the sector is due to its low penetration amongst the populace, MESHACK IDEHEN writes.

ompared to other sectors of the Nigerian economy, experts said the insurance sector when fully activated, has the capacity to rival and surpass the activities of the banking and manufacturing sectors put together in the light of contributions that can be made towards the sustainable economic development of the country. Sadly though, many of the experts in the same vein, said the sector has not only been a huge disappointment, they insisted that fundamental issues, including the belief held by many Nigerians that insurance companies never pay claims no matter how genuine, are part of the biggest challenges the sector is grappling with, considering in particular that the vast majority of Nigerians have simply refused to identify with the sector. Consequently, it was not surprising that the poor penetration index of insurance amongst Nigerians was brought to the fore last week, as many stakeholders were stunned to learn that the sector in more than 90 years of existence in Nigeria have been able to insure less than a million life assurance clients out of a potential market of over 150 million people, a figure that excludes expatriates and other foreign nationals and professionals working and living in the country. Stressing the need for insurance operators to pay more attention to the development of retail insurance with a view of penetrating the grassroot, the Managing Director, Union Assurance Company Limited, Mr. Godwin Odah, said a lot still needs to be done to bring insurance to the subconscious of everyone. According to him, operators have to go the way of retail market by creating products and services that will add value to the people, products that people can see the benefits directly, when you do that, people will take insurance. He said there was no reason insurance should be a struggling sector in the country, because there is hardly anything anyone does that does not involve risk and these risks are risks that the average Nigerian does not need to bear by himself, but by his or her insurance companies, adding insurance firms need to think about addressing the needs of every Nigerian, so that it will be more attractive to the populace. He noted that the insurance sector is the only industry that exists solely for helping other industries to survive, the sector helps to generate confidence and gives the business impetus to exist without bordering about failure. It generates enough entrepreneurial confidence in them. According to Odah, in an economic downturn, the first priority is usually on how to survive, what that translates to, is that this is where insurance should come forth because an entrepreneur ’s ability to survive hard times is taken care of by insurance if only he is properly insured. On his part, while also agreeing that insurance penetration is low in Nigeria,

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel

Ogunbiyi

IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLICIES ISSUED IN THE LAST 90 YEARS THAT INSURANCE HAS COME INTO THIS COUNTRY, TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL POLICIES ISSUED IS ABOUT 750,000, NOT UP TO ONE MILLION. YOU CAN SEE THE INSURANCE GAP the Managing Director, FBN Life Assurance Company Plc, Mr. Val Ojuma, said life Insurance is below 0.3 per cent and non-life slightly above 0.5 per cent. Explaining that the National Insurance Commission (NIC) and industry op-

erators are working together to increase insurance education and awareness among the Nigeria public, the regulators are presently encouraging operators to redesign the various products offerings to make them more consumer friendly.

He said the challenge of distribution remains daunting with poor state of infrastructure for premium collection. Overall, most operators have become aware that the size of the uninsured public offer great potentials for premium growth and will therefore increase penetration, ” he said. According to him, raising insurance penetration in Nigeria would require that operators build confidence amongst Nigerians, increase market penetration and visibility, enhance industry contribution to overall economy, and position the sector for global competitiveness. Explaining that insurance forms the bedrock of any economy, while lamenting that the penetration level of the sector, especially that of life assurance was abysmally poor, the Group Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, said while insurance is an avenue where long term funds can be pulled together for investment, the future of the insurance industry lies in life underwriting. According to him, in developed countries, including South Africa and Europe, the relevance of the life insurance business is emphasised, because it is in life underwriting that long term fund can be secured that will be invested in the economy. “If you look at the policies issued in the last 90 years that insurance has come into this country, total number of individual policies issued is about 750,000, not up to one million. You can see the insurance gap. ” According to him, this low penetration was one of the reasons why the sector still contributes less than one per cent to the country ’s Gross Domestic Product. He said that in developed economies of the world, insurance is a basic point of making value, alleviating poverty and empowering people through the pool of resources that the life funds generate.

Insurers seek compliance certicate to enforce MDRI MESHACK IDEHEN

he President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimehin said the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), needs to introduce compliance certificate in its review of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), to ensure full enforcement of compulsory insurance. According to him, the introduction of the certificate would make the public bidding for government ’s businesses comply with the law on compulsory insurance in the country. Adetimehim explained that the MDRI needs law enforcement to thrive, saying also that the presentation of compliance certificates by individuals bidding for government ’s businesses, have helped in adherence to group life policy of the Pension Reform Act 2004, and that for the

public to comply with the compulsory insurance, NAICOM should ensure there is a law. On his part, President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Laide Osijo, called for collaboration with the government in the enforcement of compulsory insurances in the MDRI. She noted that though NAICOM has helped to make some insurance compulsory, effort should be intensified on the enforcement of the laws. According to her, the government has a lot to do. “Some of the compulsory insurance is not enforced. NAICOM has tried in supporting the industry, by making some businesses to be compulsory under the MDRI. But the implementation and enforcement lie with the government at state and federal levels. ” It would be recalled that the commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, said recently that NAICOM will review

Adetimehin

the guidelines of the MDRI to align it for better performance, and that the review is one of the commission ’s programmes for the year.

Insurance

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

N12bn paid by PFAs into life annuity accounts, says PenCom STORIES: MESHACK IDEHEN

he Head of Benefits and Insurance, National Pension Commission, Mr. Olulana Loyinmi, said Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), paid N12.09 billion to life insurance companies for life annuity bought by retirees as at December 31, 2012. He said, Section 4 of the Pension Reform Act 2004, has provided that an employee can on retirement, make withdrawals from his Retirement Savings Account (RSA) without any hassles. Speaking to journalists during a workshop on marketing of retirement annuities in Lagos, he said such withdrawal, Loyinmi could be monthly or quarterly based on the retirees life expectancy of life annuity bought from a life insurance company. not less than 50 per cent of his yearly reAccording to him, retired workers can muneration at the date of retirement. He explained that retirement by life also withdraw a lump sum from the balance in his or her RSA account, provided annuity under contributory pension that the amount left in the account after scheme started in 2010, adding that as at the withdrawal is enough to fund the life last year, only 10 life assurance firms in the country were licensed to transact reannuity or a programmed withdrawal of

Mutual Benets aims high

he management of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc said it has positioned the company to take over as the leading insurance firm in the country within the next three years, and that the firm has undertaken strategic investments in various sectors of the economy. The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, in a statement said with a lot of successes already recorded in the retail space of the insurance market, that Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, is expanding beyond insurance into property, housing development; mass transportation and investment in other subsidiaries within and outside the shores of Nigeria, and that the company want to be number one in the industry by 2015 in all fundamentals. On the company ’s performance in 2012, the Ogunbiyi said though the result has not been released, he is sure the company would record about 35 per cent growth in premium volume, adding that the company achieved premium income of N10.7 billion in 2011, and made a profit before tax of N916.9 million, as against N892.2 million in 2010. He explained that the company ’s profit after tax rose from N758.4 million in 2010 to N763.8 million in 2011, while claims settle-

ment increased from N731.5 million in 2010 to N1.02 billion in the 2011 financial period. According to him, the underwriting firm has invested N3bn in the development of Mutual Alpha Courts at Costain, Lagos, adding that the work had reached about 75 per cent completion stage, disclosing also that the firm ’s investment in marginal oil field was almost at its completion stage, while other investments were yielding returns in line with its projection. He said further that with a workforce in excess of 4,000, that the firm is pulling long terms funds that leave room for more expansion in other sectors of the economy, while at the same time, adding the company ’s success story is also hinged on the quality of its product offerings. “What we have done is to design our products to reach the mass market. The premiums are as low as N50 daily and these have offered the lower class of the society, the market women and the artisans the opportunity to get insured ” According to him, beyond its huge investment in the Lagos Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, it has invested in the Imo State Transport Company (ITC).

‘Pension contributors should inform PFAs four months to retirement ’

ontributors to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), have been urged to inform their Pension Fund Operators, four months to their retirement so that payment of pension will not be unduly delayed. The Executive Director Technical, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, who stated this in Lagos recently, said delays observed in assessment of pension benefits often stem from the retirees.

According to her, if retirees ’ documents are received by LASPEC four months before their retirement, their accrued rights would be credited into their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) at the time they are retiring. She urged workers approaching retirement to commence the process of their retirement six months to their exit, while disclosing that LASPEC is working out ways to enable retirees ’ access their pensions a month after their retirement.

Anohu-Amazu

tirement annuity business. The PenCom official stated that as at the end of 2012, 2,343 retirees were on annuity, while the total life annuity premium paid amounted to N12.09 billion and total monthly pension by annuity averaged N118.06 million.

On her part, Acting Director-General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said a major challenge facing annuity business in the country is inadequate sensitisation and public enlightenment on the expectations from stakeholders. She explained that annuity remains a contract between the annuitant and a service provider, usually an insurance company for the payment of an agreed amount of money at given intervals to the annuitant. She said there are different types of annuity, but the one recommended under the Pension Reform Act 2004, is life annuity, which seeks to guarantee income for retirees until they die. According to her, life annuity is one of the modes of withdrawing retirement benefits under the pension reform law and it is a regular income received from a life insurance firm in consideration for payment of premium, or transfer of the accumulated savings standing in the retirement savings of a worker or part of it at the time of retirement.

Tips for doing life insurance

ome people compare life insurance to a type of gamble. It sounds odd, but that is how some people think. Do not put your family in a dire financial situation by failing to invest smartly when it comes to your life insurance coverage. • If you want to save the most amount of money on a life insurance policy, you need to buy the policy from a reputable and financially stable company. Independent agencies will do research and then provide customers with ratings for various insurance companies ratings. • Did you know it ’s possible to use your life insurance to help fund your retirement? If this idea appeals to you, then read up on policies that offer a return on premiums. You essentially have to pay your premiums for a predetermined number of years. If you have not passed away when that time expires,. • The majority of the time, you don ’t need a policy with a huge payout. In fact, invest-

ing in this type of plan may provide a great deal of money after your death, but only at your expense during your lifetime. Buy an affordable policy that adequately covers your family in the case of an unforeseen death. • Be sure you are aware of your family history prior to looking for life insurance. If your family doesn ’t have any major genetic defects, insurance companies may give a lower rate. Your personal medical history will also influence your premiums. Excellent medical histories equal excellent rates. • If you qualify as “high-risk ” when it comes to life insurance, explore all of your options before purchasing a policy. Don ’t be turned off by one company stating a high price for coverage. • You will want to assess your family ’s needs and the lifestyle they are used to when calculating how much life insurance you will need to purchase. Everyone ’s needs are different when it comes to what their family needs following their death.

Buying insurance in 2013

ost people buy insurance the wrong way. They buy it in piecemeal. They buy a little bit of this here and a little bit of that there. They buy too much in some areas and not enough in others. • If you are exposed to any chance of severe flooding, even if you don ’t live anywhere near a body of water, talk to your agent about flood insurance and check out the government flood insurance website,etc. • Homeowners policies, besides covering your building and contents, also cover personal liability, including liability for guests injured on your home premises. • Most people are underinsured for lawsuits. If your liability limits are low, contact your insurance agent right away and get those limits raised to more real-

istic figures. Raising liability coverage is surprisingly minimal in cost. • When you raise your liability limits on your car insurance, don ’t stop. Raise your limits on your home, cabin, boats, snowmobiles, etc., to the same amount. You don ’t know where the lawsuit may come from. You want the same amount of money protecting you, so it won ’t matter where it comes from. • Raise your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your car insurance to the same levels as your liability coverage for people you hurt. • Save money by dropping collision and comprehensive coverage of older vehicles you can comfortably afford to replace without car insurance. Make sure you save enough money to make it worth the risk.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

SEC excludes banks from margin list JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has excluded banks from the list of securities that can be used to determine the credit that is due in a margin account. A margin loan or a margin account is a loan made by a brokerage house to a client that allows the borrower to buy stocks on credit. Speaking to National Mirror, the Special Adviser to the SEC ’s DirectorGeneral, Mr. Obi Adindu, explained that the banks are excluded from the list to prevent their exposure to margin loans, which got some banks into trouble in 2009. According to him, SEC is trying to prevent fraud, as some banks have the potential to divert the margin loan to other uses In a statement from SEC yesterday, bank equities can be traded within a margin account but will not be used

to determine the credit that is due in a margin account. “The list is made up of securities that have the highest trading profile in the market. Banks are excluded from the list at this time but this may change over time, ” the statement said. It said that the SEC guidelines provide rules for the administration of margin activity from the shared perspective of regulators and operators. The statement said that rule 22 of the guidelines addresses eligibility criteria for the margin list which include 12 month trading history, three months trading volume, 10 day trading volume, a minimum price of 75 kobo and the exclusion of Initial Public Offer, IPOs) from being funded through margin loans. The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) recently disclosed that margin loans represented 40 per cent of toxic assets amounting to as much as N414bn in its first phase of asset repair, saying that it became clear that

systems and understanding of margin activity was inadequate from an operator, financier and regulator perspective. To enlighten its staff, SEC held a sensitisation workshop in 2012 for market operators about the exclusion of banks from the margin list and is organising an internal sensitisation and capacity building workshop on margin list for its executive management cadre. Others are staff extracted from other cadres who will serve as desk officers in matters concerning the margin list. The statement from SEC stressed that the intensive training is intended to strengthen the capacity of staff of the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market on the range of issues which the list addresses. “The training will flash back to the issues that led to the melt down, the centrality of unregulated and unsupervised margin lending to the mix of causal factors( which led to the melt down) and how the new structures will limit the risk of mar-

gin transactions on capital market activity. “The capacity – building workshop will also introduce participants to the value propositions which the Margin List holds for other capital market stakeholders such as notional size of the market for margin activity, implications for operators, impact on the NSE ’s data classifications, particularly as it relates to liquidity, and consequences for / impact on the NSEs basket of securities, ” it said. The statement said that the workshop will also define the various arms of the Commission that will use the analytics part of the margin list application for the purpose of ensuring that surveillance activities are proactive rather than reactive. It added that participants will be introduced to a broad picture of the nature and role the interface between the SEC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banks, market makers and high volume traders through the list.

Equities shed N3bn in bullish trading JOHNSON OKANLAWON

rading in equities closed on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded on Friday. The All Share Index

dropped by 0.25 per cent to close at 33,811.08 points, as against the increase of 1.16 points recorded on Friday to close at 33,895.08 points. Market capitalisation dipped by N3bn to close at N10.8trn, in contrast to the rise of N13bn recorded on Friday to close at N10.8trn. All sectorial indices

closed negative except the Banking Index which appreciated by 0.07 per cent to close at 409.83 points. The NSE 30-Index lost 0.19 per cent to close at 1,612.96 points, while the Consumer Goods Index declined by 0.38 per cent to close at 977.70 points. The Insurance Index fell

by 1.08 per cent to close at 152.17 points, while the Oil and Gas Index depreciated by 0.62 per cent to close at 186.53 points. Lotus Islamic Index depreciated by 0.11 per cent to close at 2,186.03 points. A total of 361.9 million shares valued at N4.03bn were traded in 5,678 deals.

European shares up as investors bet on clear win in Italy

talian banks were among the top risers in Europe yesterday, as investors started to bet on a centre-left victory a closely-fought general election, seen as crucial to efforts to dig the euro zone out of crisis. Opinion polls have suggested the pro-reform, centre-left Democratic Party of Pierluigi Bersani could secure a narrow victory in the recession-hit country, the euro zone ’s third-largest economy. “Everybody is expecting that the left wing will be the winner of the election. It is not yet sure but it is in the price, ” said Oliver Roth, head trader at Close Brothers Seydler. Italy ’s benchmark index

rallied 1.8 per cent led by banks such as Unicredit and Intesa SanPaolo, as concerns of a victory for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi eased. One note of caution, however, were signs of a surge in protest votes that added to the risk of an unstable outcome and Italy ’s broader economic problems remain a huge challenge for the incoming administration, whatever its makeup. “In the short term ... only a hung Parliament ... has the potential to rock the boat at this stage, ” said Nicola Marinelli, fund manager at Glendevon King. “Longer term is more challenging, because the Italian (economic) prob-

lems that (former prime minister) Mario Monti had just started to tackle are all still there. ” Marinelli said he remained happy to hold some Italian assets in the shortterm, although he favoured corporate credit more than government bonds. Demand for Italy ’s state debt held firm at a sale on Monday with the state ’s borrowing costs only slightly up from a month earlier and lower than rates on secondary markets. The more buoyant mood in Italy fed through to the broader market where the FTSEurofirst 300 rose 8.21 points, 0.5 per cent, to 1,173.79 points. Sentiment was also

helped by more signs from the Federal Reserve late last week that soothed concerns it may withdraw economic stimulus sooner than previously expected. A broader outlook for continuing ultra-easy policy in both Japan and the United States continues to underpin markets. And Britain ’s FTSE 100 also rallied 0.7 per cent, shrugging off the loss of the first of the country ’s triple-A credit ratings late on Friday, which knocked both sterling and UK government bond prices. Berenberg Bank said the downgrade is likely to mean slightly looser monetary and fiscal policy, which usually benefits equities.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 10,819.3 points Market capitalisation 33.9 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

HONYFLOUR

2.81

2.95

0.14

% CHANGE 4.98

CUTIX

1.81

1.90

0.09

4.97

GUINNESS

276.30

290.00

13.70

4.96

MAYBAKER

2.28

2.39

0.11

4.82

MCNICHOLS

0.85

0.89

0.04

4.71

NPFMCRFBK

1.09

1.14

0.05

4.59

EVANSMED

1.54

1.61

0.07

4.55

JOHNHOLT

1.59

1.66

0.07

4.40

VITAFOAM

3.51

3.66

0.15

4.27

TRANSCORP

1.59

1.65

0.06

3.77

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

WEMABANK

1.10

0.99

0.11

-10.00

ROYALEX

0.98

0.89

0.09

-9.18

PRESTIGE

0.88

0.80

0.08

-9.09

UNITYBNK

0.80

0.73

0.07

-8.75

PRESCO

21.85

20.12

1.73

-7.92

AIICO

0.96

0.89

0.07

-7.29

FIDELITYBK

3.38

3.16

0.22

-6.51

CORNERST

0.60

0.57

0.03

-5.00

BERGER

10.22

9.71

0.51

-4.99

CCNN

11.12

10.57

0.55

-4.95

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N ’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

30,647.81

12.40

21-Feb-13

182-Days

20,000.00

15.55

21-Feb-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N ’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

98-Days

145,675.77

13.56

28-Feb-13

37-Days

36,301.00

12.65

28-Feb-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$150m

N/A

$150m

25-Feb-13

$120m

N/A

$120m

20-Feb-13

Capital Market

Tuesday, February 26 , 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at February 25, 2013 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, February 26, 2013

EFCC: Losing the grip on ‘corrupt politicians’ CONTINUED FROM 13 bail, Turaki, who was a senator between 2007 and 2011, successfully secured the transfer of his trial to his home state – Jigawa. Nnamani, who equally spent four years in the Senate (2007 – 2011), was also arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 105-count charge for allegedly stealing the sum of N5.3 billion. Like others, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently granted bail with the case still pending. In the case of Haruna, he was arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on an amended 28-count charge of embezzlement of public funds amounting to N93 billion, but he equally pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes and like others, secured a bail from the court. The matter is equally pending. Another instance of alleged corrupt enrichment is the case of Adamu (now a senator), who was arraigned before an Asaba High Court on March 3, 2010 alongside 18 others on a 149-count charge of fraud involving over N15 billion. Similar to others before it, the case suffered delay right from the beginning with four adjournments between May 24 and September 28, 2011. The matter is now at the Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal, where it has also suffered four adjournments. The trial of Abubakar Audu, former governor of Kogi State (1999-2003), who was originally arraigned on November 30, 2006 on an 80-count charge of fraud and embezzlement of over N4 billion has equally suffered several setbacks as the accused had thrice approached the Supreme Court and returned to the Kogi State High Court where his trial is ongoing before Justice Saidu Tanko Hussani. The same delay has been witnessed in the case of Fayose, who was recently rearraigned over misappropriation of state funds totalling N416 million. The former governor of Ekiti State, who was earlier arraigned on an 80-count charge, has been persistently accused by the EFCC of employing delay ploys to frustrate his trial.

An endless list The pending corruption cases are not only limited to the governors who served between 1999 and 2007. Attempts by the EFCC to have some of their predecessors and other former ranking government officials to answer graft related charges are yet to yield positive results. Among those in this category include the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his then deputy, Usman Nafada; former Governors Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano) and Danjuma Goje (Gombe). The N894 million contract inflation case the EFCC preferred against Bankole could not hold the last time (September 2012) it came up for hearing due to the transfer of the trial judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja to Taraba State. National Mirror gathered that while the case file has been returned to the registrar of the court for re-assignment, the former Speaker prefers that Okoro-

Goje

wo be allowed to continue with the case even while in Taraba. According to him, the progress recorded in the matter will amount to naught if the judge is not allowed to continue with it. The trial of Daniel on a 38 criminal charges bordering on illegal conversion of property to personal use and outright stealing of N58 billion during his eightyear tenure in Ogun State, only resumed in December last year at an Abeokuta High Court, two months after the last sitting with the accused urging the court to strike out counts one to 13 of the charges against him on the grounds that the Ogun State government set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry, which have already indicted him on the counts. The same delay has characterised Alao-Akala’s case involving N25 billion, His trial could not proceed penultimate Monday due to the imminent retirement of the trial judge, Justice Akintunde Boade. This is coming on the heels of the EFCC’s battle to quash the request by Goje to transfer his trial from the Federal High Court, Gombe to Abuja. He is alleged to have stolen N70 billion.

Pockets of conviction so far Under Ribadu, the EFCC, for the first time in the annals of Nigeria’s history, successfully aided and abetted the prosecution and eventual impeachment of two former governors, Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa) and Dariye. The commission also prosecuted and secured the conviction of a former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, who pleaded guilty to an eight count charge of money laundering to the tune of N16 billion in 2005 and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. Lucky Igbinedion (a former governor of Edo State), however is the only former governor that has paid back part of the money he stole into the state coffers through a plea bargain. He was arraigned by the anti-graft agency before the Federal High Court, Enugu on a 191-count charge of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement of N2.9 billion in 2008. But in a plea bargain arrangement, the EFCC through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, reduced the 191-count charge to a one-count charge of neglect to declare his interest in an account with a new generation bank in the declaration of his assets, an offence punishable under section

Daniel

Nnamani

THE NATION HAS EXPERIENCED A SITUATION WHEREBY CORRUPTION TRIALS DO NOT GO BEYOND

THE PLEA STAGE, SOME FOR AS LONG AS SIX YEARS AFTER FIRST ARRAIGNMENT 27(3) of the EFCC Act 2004. Interestingly, part of the terms of the plea bargain was that Igbinedion would refund N3.5 million, three properties and plead guilty to the one-count charge which he agreed to, paid up the amount and subsequently let off the hook by the court.

Civil societies kick Decrying the lukewarm attitude of the present leadership of the EFCC, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) in a statement by its executive chairman, Debo Adeniran, called on President Goodluck Jonathan and the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, to review all pending corruption cases since 2006 and intensify effort at prosecuting those involved. The group said: “Since the exit of Ribadu, the nation has experienced a situation whereby corruption trials do not go beyond the plea stage, some for as long as six years after first arraignment in court and the reasons are not far-fetched as the EFCC’s shoddy investigation of cases it filed for trial and the anti-graft agency’s penchant to repeatedly file for amendment of charges against accused persons after their arraignment. Also, the lawyers to the accused persons always seize the opportunity of the demand for the amendments of the charges to ask for adjournments to enable them study and respond to the new charges. “Moreover, unending demands for adjournments and amendments of corruption charges by lawyers engaged by EFCC have contributed to the setbacks experienced in prosecuting its cases and suspicions that many of the lawyers hired by EFCC for prosecution of cases

may be conniving with the defence teams for elongation of cases, especially those involving highly placed persons for their mutual benefit. Also, former governors on trial followed a familiar pattern and adopted it which became a trend by challenging the jurisdiction of courts trying them.” CACOL however added that the EFCC complaints of not getting enough funds to embark on investigations of its cases and prosecute indicted corrupt persons, shows a clear demonstration of the government’s near-nil support for the war against corruption, as the commission revealed that the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police spent more money to successfully prosecute the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, currently serving a 13-year jail term than the amount allocated to the agency for a whole year. Also decrying the snail-speed at which corruption cases are prosecuted by the relevant government agencies, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), said the essence of trying and sentencing accused persons is to punish offenders and deter would be offenders. Secretary General of the group, Willy Ezugwu, told National Mirror that no amount of plea for leniency or plea bargaining should earn any self-confessed thief the pampering that has made mockery of Nigerians who worked hard daily for their income. His words: “We have been clamouring for the judiciary to give teeth to the fight against corruption because of the compromised executive arm of government that is presently in place, but it is now obvious that there will be no positive steps in that direction. This makes Nigerians deride the judiciary, asking that its functions be outsourced to the UK where former Delta State governor, James Ibori got the kind of prison sentence that can truly deter thieves.”

Challenge to President Jonathan CACOL urged the President to show serious commitment, zeal and determination in the war against corruption by fully supporting the EFCC morally, financially and technically to prosecute the accused former governors and other indicted public officials including serving ministers in his cabinet who have been trailed by variCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

THE

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Foreigners aid oil theft –Anyanwu party’s position on the merger? I belong to any place or vehicle that will make Nigeria a better place, give Nigerian citizens more values for their efforts and hopes. It doesn’t matter what we have, it could be a multi-party system, it could be amalgam of all the party or all the party coming under one house so long as it is giving us more value under our democratic system. There are a few things that need to change in our democratic system, right now, we have a multi-party system but we have a party that has absolute majority such that you don’t have any other party to do whatever you want to do. There is a sense where that becomes a problem because you relax too much, you do not reach out to other players, politics becomes a winner takes it all game, you exclude others, they don’t have sense of belonging, they don’t have any stake in the success of the system. In fact, in the Nigerian situation, you see people get frustrated to a point that they even wish their leaders ill and all they want is for one group to go out and another can come in. There is a disadvantage in that, I think a party system in which there is a narrower majority or no absolute majority will work well for Nigeria, because everybody will sit up, there will be a need for coalition building, there will be a need for those that have slim majority to include others, there will be more inclusiveness and a higher sense of belonging; people will have higher stake in the success of the system and the coalition will be like a fire war to check and balance the system and you are likely to have a higher accountability from executive in a situation like this.

PARLIAMENT Senator Chris Anyanwu (Imo East) is a two-time senator and the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Navy. Recently, she fielded questions from newsmen in Abuja on some national issues, GEORGE OJI reports. Very often Nigeria spends huge human and material resources on peace-keeping operations without commensurate economic gains and now we are in Mali on such operations. What in your opinion can Nigeria benefit economically by being in Mali? Very few countries in the world spend their money keeping peace without having other motives or gains that go along with it. America never goes anywhere without its businessmen. Even when there is war, who provides the tools of war? When they overcome a city, who reconnects electricity? When they went to Libya, at the end of the day, they used Libya oil to get back their money. Nobody jokes with that. In Liberia, we spent a lot of lives and resources, all arms of our armed forces were involved in the liberation of Liberia but we came out with very little, today, it is China that is tapping into the huge resources in that place. Even the few traders we have there are not doing well because Nigeria is not showing interest in that area of engagement. We feel that Nigeria, where it goes, as the army goes, businessmen should also go and look at opportunities that are there and that can help us. In Liberia, their agriculture is hardly touched, they have very rich land and nobody is farming there, we have human resources in abundance, if you were to have an understanding with their government, we can go into agriculture, which will be one way of engaging our people. Besides that, Nigerian Forces left a lot of children there; that is more reason we should invest seriously in Liberia. We should go into developing schools for Liberian’ children, not just helping them maintain peace but also help them shape a better future that will connect them properly with Nigeria. As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, do you intend to visit Mali? That is going to be Defence and Army engagement, the committee chairmen will decide if they are going. I think we should go and see what they are doing; it will raise their morale, and I will be agreeable to that, after all, we should not send people without caring about the troopes. Oil theft and pipeline vandalism has become a recurring decimals in our territorial waters, what is the Navy doing to curb this menace? The issue of oil bunkering, oil theft and pipeline vandalism is not a new development. As a correspondence for NTA, I did a special documentary on bunkering. I remembered a scene when I went to Port Harcourt and they took me to some waters

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anyanwu

THESE WHOLE THINGS ARE AIDED AND ABETTED BY FOREIGN

OIL MEN.

WHEN THEY

MOCK US AND TALK

ABOUT CORRUPTION, WE HAVE TO KNOW AND TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE PART OF THIS ILLEGALITY and showed me men in canoe drilling holes in the pipe line to draw crude oil or refined oil. That was far in the 80s, these things have been there, growing incrementally but in the typical Nigerian way, problems are not addressed when they are small, they are allowed to grow until they become a national issue. Now, it has grown from a practice by a few men in canoe to a major industry. In Niger Delta, you see young men setting up their refineries. I can tell you that a combination of oil theft, bunkering and pipe line vandalism have joined to affect our economy drastically. This is what we see in budget and inability to implement budget fully because you need to have the money to implement budget fully. This is my own saying but I know that given the degree of this illegality, there is no way it will not affect things negatively and that is the reason the President was concerned and he commanded the Chief of Naval Staff to deal with these

problems. These whole things are aided and abetted by foreign oil men. When they mock us and talk about corruption, we have to know and tell them that they are part of this illegality but the moment we are able to control the source at home, it will dry out the oil that goes into those illegal tankers in the high sea. For you to chase people, you need to have the right vessels to give them chase. We have to be present and dominant every inch of our territorial water and our territorial water is massive, one third of the country’s landmark. It will take a lot of money to equip our Navy. What is your take on Igbo Presidency, is it feasible? Is it feasible? All things are possible if people do the right thing at the right time but the question is whether the right thing is being done and whether the time is ripe. Power is not given, it is taken. You have to prepare yourself, say the right thing, form coalition, you have to lobby others and have them buy into your idea and mission. Today, we have President Goodluck Jonathan, not just because people sat down and say ‘it is our entitlement’ but also because others bought into that mission. If this is going to happen, others must be made to buy into that mission and that is a lot of work. You have to work on your neighbours, this is a nation of great diversity, different tribes, religions and cultures. You must make a cross section of Nigerians buy into that mission and that is possible but whether it is now is what I cannot say. As a member of APGA what is your

What is going on now is not all together bad, if it works out in such a way that we will have all these elements that I have talked about, I think that will stabilise the system, ensure economic development and give Nigerians a good life that democracy promises. APGA has already taken a position, that anybody who wants to go to APC can go and join as individual and those who joined in the past have joined on their own cognizance, not as a party because also, there was not the consultation that would have happened before they joined and that is undemocratic. We have to imbibe the spirit of democracy, there must be consultation, consensus building, we cannot run authoritarian system under the guise of democracy, it will not happen and that is what has been the problem of many democracies in Africa. So, if you want to join a new political party and you want the party to go along with you, you have to convene a meeting of stakeholders and say, ‘this is what I am thinking’, some will agree, some will disagree but then, everybody will have a say and then, majority can then do what they want to do. This did not happen; therefore, many of us assumed that nothing has happened. if in future I want to join any party, I join as individual. A lot of people are speculating that I have done this or that, I have not shifted on inch from where I was yesterday but I know what is good for the system, even when it is coming from the opposite side, I will say that it is good so long as it goes along this way.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

2013 budget: Can NASS THE call the President’s bluff? PARLIAMENT W P resident Goodluck Jonathan has so far made the record as the most difficult Head of State since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, in terms of assent to bills; especially money bills from the National Assembly. This presidential obstinacy appears to be warranted by two vices: executive arrogance and legislative timidity. United States of America’s 42nd President, Bill Clinton was vetoed by congress 36 times on key bills. Though the United States Constitution is not express on veto days, a veto takes just 10 days to be overridden by a parliament in session. The National Assembly in Nigeria has, however, failed to bite for patriotism’s sake, and the Presidency has longed noticed that since the legislature cannot assert itself in public interest and stand firm against its excesses, then the circus of budget delays and rigmarole will go on. President Jonathan, instead of signing the budget as passed by the National Assembly, has tapped the Attorney General of the Federation to interpret who has powers over appropriation; a clear case of an arm of government begging a crucial question. But on appropriation, section 58 subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution states that “Where a Bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within 30 days thereof, signify that he withholds assent,” section 5 adds that “Where the President withholds assent and the bill is again passed by each house by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required.” On the specific issue of the national budget, section 80 subsection 3 of the constitution clearly gives the legislature powers over the national budget. The section states that: “No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.” What the latter section, from a direct interpretation presupposes is that, whatever the National Assembly decides as budget stands, except some compromises are necessarily made. The House of Representatives through its spokesman, Zakari Muhammed (PDPKwara), gave a weak warning of a veto override on the 2013 Appropriation Bill this week, if the President doesn’t sign the money bill by last week. Zakari, at a press briefing last week, said the two chambers would give the presidency a one-week grace before moving to declare the budget law without his assent in line with the constitution. According to the spokesman, “right now as we speak, the leadership of the National Assembly are interacting with the President about the 2013 budget and by next week, if nothing has been achieved, we are going to apply the constitution that gives us powers to override his veto. “We are not afraid to take that decision, we must explore all means available before taking a decision. We still have time before we go into that. The National As-

E MUST EXPLORE

ALL MEANS AVAILABLE BEFORE TAKING A

DECISION. WE STILL HAVE TIME BEFORE WE GO INTO THAT. THE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WILL ACT AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME

Jonathan

Mark

sembly will act at an appropriate time.” Zakari disclosed that some of the reasons why the President was yet to sign the budget was because of “the issue of benchmark which has been lingering for sometime now, the unresolved issue of the Director General of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the issue of rollover of the 2012 budget.” He said: “What it means is that even the fourth quarter allocation that was done few days ago would definitely be utilised properly because the implication is that if we end the budget by December 31 it means that some money may have to be returned to the treasury and as the case with some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the rush of getting their records together might led to some monies even being misapplied.” On the expiration of the 30 days stipulated by the constitution, he said: “The constitution demands 30 working days, as far as we are concerned, it is not yet time. It is criminal to change anything in the budget, unless the House reconvenes and deliberates on it before taking a decision.” He countered the argument that the 30 days included weekend, insisting that as far as the House was concerned, “the constitution demands 30 working days, as far as we are concerned, it is not yet time.” The budget was transmitted to the president on January 14, 2013, meaning that at the time Mohammed was briefing journalists, the bill had surpassed the 30day warning in the constitution.

Recall that the House of Representatives denied the SEC votes in the 2013 budget, and insisted that President Jonathan must remove the SEC DG, Ms. Arunma Oteh, before the commission’s budget can be considered. Earlier, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, John Owan Enoh (PDP-Cross Rivers) had declared that the National Assembly had enormous constitutional powers that required no further court interpretation to override President Jonathan’s veto on the 2013 Appropriation Bill. Enoh, who spoke with newsmen at the House, said: “We (the National Assembly) have no doubt on the constitutional powers we have, and so would not approach the court,” adding that the federal legislature had been offered 30 days constitutionally to override the President’s veto and that the House would stick to it. Both the Senate and the House had separately passed the 2013 Appropriation Bill of N4.987 trillion on December 20, 2012 but was yet to be assented to by President Jonathan over differences. But Enoh said both the National Assembly and the Presidency would try to resolve the logjam to avoid unnecessary fight that would make the country’s economy suffer. According to him, the allegation that the budget bill was returned by the Presidency to the National Assembly was untrue, as he noted that “the channel of returning any bill, not just the Appropriation Bill is usually formal, and that has not been done,” explaining that if the assent is done soon, there was hope that the country would do better in terms of budget implementation than the previous years. He, however, admitted that he was personally disturbed as a lawmaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation that his work and other well-meaning colleagues was being delayed. He said the appropriation business would remain incomplete, until the bill becomes law. He debunked the claims that the budget was ‘padded’ by the House and the Senate for selfish reasons. “The word padding (of budget) is not a civil language in a democracy,” he said, pointing out that if some proposals in the opinion of standing committees were cut and re-distributed to somewhere else where such may prevent a project from being abandoned, it would be agreed that there were adjustments for the benefit of Nigerians. He added that his committee

did not get any directive to pad the budget, and neither did it have the powers to do so. He also dismissed the impression that the executive was reluctant to sign the budget over alleged insertion of “unimplementable” constituency projects by members of the National Assembly, as he accused the executive of deliberate lack of will to train agencies of government and to develop a “template” for the implementation of projects in the budget over the years. “What is lacking is the will to do what is needed by the MDAs, and this is something that has come out of lingering issues of who have greater powers on the budget. This has being a repeated issue and what is expected is for the MDAs to develop a template for the implementation of projects,” Enoh said. The lawmaker also denied the allegation that the crude oil benchmark price was increased by the National Assembly from what the executive proposed as a stratagem to raise money and increase their allowances by fiat, adding that the National Assembly budget had been maintained at N150 billion since 2011. “The argument made no sense,” he stated, as according to him, the legislature do not benefit from first line percentage charge or the statutory transfer arrangements as in the case of the judiciary and other institutions. The issue of budget padding, constituency projects and allocation or sub-head swapping or virements have been part of budget making in the National Assembly since 1999. Meanwhile, the Presidency had last week said that the delay in the signing of the budget is to allow the executive and the legislature resolve all the grey areas in order to ensure that the budget serves the interest of the people. Speaking after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last week, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, explained that there are no conflict or disagreement between the two arms of government. Abati said: “On the issue of the budget, the position remains the same as articulated previously by the Minister of Finance that there are grey areas in the document that are being discussed by the executive and the legislature and that once these are clarified, the budget will go to the next stage. So, there is no problem” President Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly met Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa to further discuss issues regarding the budget. Also, the President met with the National Assembly leadership, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, the Director-General of Budget, Bright Okogwu and the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Mrs Joy Emordi over the impasse on the budget. Though the National Assembly has its excesses, the compelling question is: do they have powers over the budget? The answer is obvious. And the specific question is: can the National Assembly for once summon the courage this week, if necessary, to veto the President and pronounce the budget law?

Politics

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: APC can’t dislodge PDP –Mbadinuju

CONTINUED FROM 15 investigated and even removed from office as in the case of Richard Nixon and Vice President Agnew. There is nothing wrong adapting or borrowing from other nations some clauses and mix them up with our own to make a whole. What is wrong and even unfortunate is to borrow the letters of the constitution without the spirit and conventions of it. For me, I don’t see what makes it sacrosanct for a sitting governor charged with a criminal offence not to go to court and defend himself, or get jailed if convicted. I don’t see the wisdom of a governor who can be sued in civil matters but not in a criminal one. Both should be treated the same. Only the president and perhaps his vice should be covered by immunity and no one else. Immunity to only some categories of citizens makes it look like George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” where all animals are equal but some are more equal than others. This immediately discards the age-long democratic principle of equality before the law and added to the rule of law, due process, equity and fair play. To some governors, immunity is usually misused, as it easily runs into impunity of “I don care”. I can draw some examples from my years as governor of Anambra State. For example, a man and his wife were murdered at Awka in my absence, as I was attending a meeting in the United States. I abruptly left the meeting, rushed back to try to manage the terrible situation. I invited the state Chief Judge to consider appointing reputable people in a judicial committee to help unravel the mystery of the killing. Surprisingly, one of the Bar associa-

CONTINUED FROM 41 ous allegations of corruption. It said: “We maintain that the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke is a clog in the wheel of progress of the EFCC, therefore the anti-graft agencies in the country should be given autonomy from the influence of the AGF if corruption must be reduced in the civil and public service. “This is also to put Lamorde and his team on their toes for a renewed and rejuvenated cause in the annals of antigraft crusade of Nigeria history, which will serve as deterrent to others and put a check on the wanton impunity at which the corrupt elements in our society loot our collective patrimony and commonwealth.”

tions in the state issued a statement that lawyers would not appear at my tribunal as they suspected that the governor who was in Houston, Texas the night the couple were killed in Onitsha had a hand in the killing. There and then I cancelled the idea of judicial panel and surrendered myself to the Police for investigation and for all other necessary actions, and in so doing, I informed the police I had given up my constitutional immunity and ready to be investigated and tried in court if found culpable. I made a 20-page police statement and a total of 14 suspects were interrogated including me as state governor. After about 15 weeks of intensive investigation, the police final report was to set me free, stating that they found as fact that I was abroad and couldn’t have killed the couple at Onitsha on the night of the incident, and secondly that throughout their investigation, no one said I conspired with him or her to kill the couple. The Police therefore set me free, and that was in 2003, my last year in office as governor. Then I went on leave abroad after obtaining permission from the then President and the then Inspector General of Police. If I didn’t go on leave, my opponents would still say that my stay at Awka was to intimidate the police to set me free. And actually when I returned from my leave in 2005, Sunday Ehindero, the then IG,

acting on orders from above, according to him, arrested me for the same crime they cleared me of, and dragged me to five different courts, shopping for a judge to convict me but found none. The Police did two reports, one in 2003, and then Ehindero’s final report, which also set me free in 2009, not indicted. If I had gone to speak long grammar of how I had immunity and therefore would not make any statement or be interrogated by Police, because I was governor with immunity, some people might have concluded that I had a hand in it. I did what I did for posterity, for record, for history, and for example. Any governor can do the same thing despite the immunity we have. I regret the death of the Igwe couple, who were one of my best friends at Onitsha Bar. But should I have died for them in sympathy as I had no hand at all in it? In any case, they were not spirits that killed the Igwes but humans who are still alive and roaming the streets and looking for more to kill whether physically or spiritually. Finally, even as governor I was investigated for money laundering and financial irregularities to the tune of N3.5 billon. I was invited into the President’s office when the petition was handed over to Mr. President. I protested but to no avail and the NDLEA, CBN, Police and other agencies were sent to Rus-

THE APC WILL SURELY CHALLENGE THE PDP. THE QUESTION IS: WHO WINS AT THE END? PDP IS SO WIDESPREAD IN ALL THE CORNERS OF THIS COUNTRY, THEY CAN’T JUST LOSE IN ONE DAY

sia, Europe and America to see where I lodged the amount in any bank and they saw nothing. I told Baba (Olusegun Obasanjo) that I never saw N3.5 billion while in Awka, that what they could find was £3 I left in my account as a student in London and see if they could also recover it. At the end, the then President called me and said “Governor Anambra, the investigation found nothing against you. You should walk with your head high, nothing was found. You can come and take a copy of the report and clear your name. I did just that and thanked Baba for his mercies. But this is one governor and this is his immunity. So, “Nigeria go better”. It’s perhaps the current Transformation Agenda of the present administration that will make the much expected and desired difference between the past, the present and the future and so I say: “It shall surely be well with Nigeria”.

EFCC: Losing the grip on ‘corrupt politicians’

Lamorde’s defence While Nigerians have continued to fault the plea bargain arrangement and the lingering cases, the EFCC chairman recently explained that big fraudsters – mostly former governors and politicians – have continued to evade justice, as result of their huge loots, which they deploy to lengthen cases filed against them. Lamorde said over 200 convictions were recorded in 2012 alone, but National Mirror findings revealed that nearly all those involved were relatively low-scale pilferers, 419 scammers, Yahoo Yahoo boys and dubious bank officials. When it comes to multi-billion naira fraudsters,

Mbadinuju

Lamorde

Nyame

the stolen resources have been deployed to delay justice. Lamorde, who justified this, said: “The truth is that no case has been concluded. But I don’t think it is correct to say that the charges were not properly framed or the prosecution is not putting the case properly. We have example of a case we charged to court in 2006. For this very case, we have gone to the Supreme Court twice on just interlocutory applications.” He further explained that when such

cases are lost, the Supreme Court orders it be returned to the trial judge for continuation, adding that a fresh application will emerge anew. “They will come with another application and certainly for lawyers among us, we know how long it takes for a trial to go to the Court of Appeal and get listed, then go to the Supreme Court, get it listed and decided upon. This is the fate of most of the cases we have in court,” he said. To put a stop to the frustration, Lam-

orde said the commission’s priority now is to forfeit the assets of the accused, to freeze the resources that would have been deployed in prolonging cases. He said: “The first thing we do now is that we try to recover and confiscate the assets of individuals that we are investigating because it is only when you deprive them of their resources that you will be able to force them to stand trial. Once they have access to their resources and asset, they will use it to continue to delay and drag some of these trials.” He also raised the issue of poor funding, which has impacted adversely on the operation of the agency. The agency’s proposed budget for 2013 is over N21 billion - capital expenditure, N11 billion; personnel cost, N6 billion and overhead cost, N3 billion - out of which N9.3 billion was approved by the Budget Office of the Federation, leaving a gap of N11.3 billion. This surely will hinder the commission’s effectiveness. Against this backdrop and the recent ranking of Nigeria as the 35th most country in the world by the global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), and with the 2015 general elections fast approaching, Nigerians cannot wait longer to see the conclusion of all the pending corruption cases, as some of the accused persons have already started oiling their political machineries to get elected into various public offices.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Judge orders psychiatric test on prison inmates

46 OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he Ore Magistrate’s Court has ordered that a 21 yearold housewife, Hannah Akinwalehinmi, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly stealing one Destiny Ohunayo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ohunnayo. It was learnt the offence was committed on February 11, 2013 at no 10 Rainbow Street, Ore, Ondo State. The prosecution said Hannah had visited one of her friends sim-

PDP is one family where you have people who believe in Nigeria with passion. We avoid anything that will bring anything bad to Nigeria. JIGAWA STATE GOVERNOR, ALHAJI SULE LAMIDO

Court remands housewife for child theft ply known as Taiye, living in the same house with mother of the child, Mrs. Fadekemi Ohunnayo, when she allegedly committed the offence. The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under section 37[1] of the Criminal Code ,Cap 37,vol 1, Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006 as well as Section 30[3] of the Ondo State child’s right laws, 2007. The accused pleaded not guilty

to the offence but however, told the court she did not know what pushed her to committing the crime. ‘’I love playing with babies. I do not know why I steal children. Only when I am caught or arrested and the child involved is retrieved that I become conscious of my actions,’’ she said. Destiny who had since been reunited with her mother was the third victim of Hannah, according

to the prosecution. Barrister Uche Abangwu and his partner, Ikechukwu Ananuba, who represented the accused made frantic efforts to secure her bail but Magistrate Banji Ayeomoni averred that she constitutes a threat to children and parents around her. Parents of the accused said before the court that they were aware their daughter had committed similar offence twice in the past. The Magistrate had wanted to

keep the accused in the juvenile remand home at Akure but on contact with the home, she was rejected on the ground that she is an adult. Although her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Akintola Akinwalehinmi, told the court that they did not notice any sign of mental illness in their daughter, the court ordered that she be kept in remand for three weeks during which she would undergo necessary tests.

Yero inaugurates relief for flood victims A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has kicked off the distribution of relief materials to victims of flood disaster in the state, even as he adviced the committee and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to ensure effective monitoring and distribution of relief materials to the affected persons. He advised residents on water ways to relocate to avoid being rendered homeless in future flooding. It would be recalled that the Presidential Committee on Flood had givenN400 million to compliment the state government’s efforts aimed at providing relief to victims in the 17 local government areas of Kaduna State last year. The government had constituted a seven -man committee to carry out assessment and identification of victims, after providing immediate relief through SEMA. Earlier, SEMA Executive Secretary, Mr. Ishaku Dogo Makama, said the committee on flood has identified 5,694 persons and properties worth millions of naira affected by the disaster across the state.

An accident scene on Airport Road at Lugbe in Abuja.

FRANCIS SUBERU

he proprietor of Beni Hotels, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, has picked holes in the petition by some aggrieved residents of Olowogbowo, against erecting a gate on Wiwo Onatere Street, behind Elephant House on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The petitioners had, in a letter to Lagos State Government, claimed the gate has been restricting their movement and denying them easy access to Broad Street; even as they described it as illegal. Reacting to the allegations, Prince Adedoyin said the gate could not have been hindering

Hotel proprietor debunks petition on Olowogbowo gate people’s movement as it is always open to traffic. Adedoyin, who said the gate was necessary for security and environmental beautification, stressed that wider consultations were made with residents through the landlords association before it was built. He said; “we want to emphasise that we do not close the road to the public. We need the gate for protection of clients in the hotel, given that some of them usually complain that the place was not safe. We decided to involve the police for security and also thought we should erect a gate, so that from mid-night to morning, the gate could be

locked to make lodgers feel safe. Before constructing the gate, we met and sought the consent of residents. We are now surprised regarding their petition. The gate is always open. How can a gate that is open all the time hamper peoples’ movement? Before then, we wrote a letter to them and they replied, while an agreement was reached. In order to beautify the area, we renovated all nearby buildings, even as we engaged persons in the community to execute the project. We have correspondences on meetings held with them and even the commendations for building a hotel and renovating

the place. We are not violent and have never quarreled with anyone living in the area. In fact, I am a community elder, as I lived there while growing up. We are not discriminating against them, or else we will not invest in the area.” According to Prince Adedoyin, if the business survives, it would benefit the residents, saying he is only contributing his quotas to development of the area, since it has been designated a Business District by the government. “As an industrialist, I felt I should contribute towards development of the area; more so since an investor like Dr. Ji-

moh Ibrahim is there. We are inviting banks and other businesses to invest in the area. Definitely, I want debunk all insinuations that the Kabiyesi, Oba Rilwan Akinolu intervened in the matter. I never discussed it with him and he never asked the local government chairman not take any action on the gate. Since I have known him, he is a respectable Oba. I do not want to drag him and local government chairman into the matter. We are law abiding citizens who pay taxes and help develop the city along others to make the government achieve its aims of making Lagos an international city.”

Community Mirror

FRSC has reduced road accidents- Head of Operations FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Head of Operations of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ogun State, Mrs. Cecilia Alao has said that the agency is making progress at reducing the accidents on Nigeria roads since inception. The FRSC made this disclosure during a sensitisation rally held at major motor parks in Abeokuta, the state capital as part of activities to commemorate its 25 years of existence. Alao, who is also the Ogun Acting Sector Commander, further revealed that the commission has been able to reduce road crashes which stood at 26, 000 a year before establishment in 1988 to 4, 600 in 2012. Similarly, the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA) also organised a rally at Panseke motor-park in Abeokuta metropolis, to educate and enlighten motorists and other road users. At some of the motor-parks, the Ogun State chapter of ROSOWA was received by the leaders of the two transport unions who appreciated the efforts of the association in carrying out the rally. Addressing the transporters, ROSOWA National President, Mrs. Chidoma Chidoka, appealed to them to desist from overloading, over-speeding as well as consumption of alcohol before and when driving. Mrs. Chidoka who was represented by the Ogun State chairperson, Mrs. Olubukola Ige urged taxi drivers to cultivate the habit of fastening their seat belts while driving, as a way of reducing road accidents. Prior to the rally, the association had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the state General Hospital in Ijaye, where the chairperson presented gift items to the patients. Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Adetiloye, represented by Dr. Adelakun congratulated FRSC and ROSOWA on behalf of the management and pray for their progress. ROSOWA had earlier worshipped at churches and mosques as part of activities to mark the silver jubilee anniversary. At the Special Jumat prayer at the Secretariat Mosque Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta, the Chief Imam, Alhaji Asiru congratulated the FRSC, as he charged them to be more commitment to the humanitarian job that they have chosen. Alhaji Ashiru, further prayed the Almighty Allah to reward them for saving the lives of Nigerians on the highways.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Judge orders psychiatric test on prison inmates OYEWALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

he Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah has directed prison authorities to conduct proper psychiatric examinations on two inmates at Kabba Prisons to determine their mental fitness to undergo trial. Ajanah, who gave directive while reviewing the warrants of 36 Awaiting Trial inmates, stressed that the fundamental human rights of individual must not be impeded.

The Chief Judge also ordered that the evaluation test be conducted in two weeks saying, “The earlier a man knows his fate the better.” The Chief Judge expressed disappointment that a similar directive in February, 2012 for an inmate, Friday Olorunfemi to be taken to a psychiatric hospital for examination was not carried out. While the mental condition of Olorunfemi had apparently deteriorated, the Chief Judge met a worse case of Abdullahi Umoru, who allegedly killed his

brother and reported himself to the police. Ajanah, said he had no choice than to order for the examination, especially for Umoru, who according prison officials, now eats his own feaces,even as he has become violent and a threat to other inmates. Similarlt, the Chief Judge also granted bail to two inmates, Dare Timothy and Lanre Aremu, with the former standing trial for culpable homicide,while the latter has spent two years awaiting trial for rape.

He said, unlike the KotonKarfe prison, Kabba was being underutilised, saying it was built to accommodate 200 inmates but presently has 71 inmates comprising 35 convicts and 36 Awaiting Trials. Ajanah, said most of the reviewed cases were for very serious offences like culpable homicide and armed robbery. “Much as we owe the accused persons a duty to ensure they have a fair trial, we also owe the society a duty to ensure that they are safe from any criminal activities, “he said.

Environmental protection agency officials at the site of polluted Suma River in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Prostitution: NAPTIP arraigns two alleged pimps K AYODE KETEFE

ational Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned two alleged prostitution pimps, Odigie Gideon and Adokie Ikara, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for having allegedly offered young women for prostitution in a hotel. Gideon, 50 and Ikara 43, were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on a sevencount charge, comprising alleged offences of keeping a brothel and offering young ladies for prostitution. The alleged offences were said to have contravened sections 15 (a) and (b) of the Traffic in Persons (Prohibition) Law (Enforcement and Administration) Act, 2003. They both pleaded not guilty to the charge. In the charge, the alleged racketeers were said to have

offered three ladies Jennifer Obi, 25, Esoke Mikeal, 25 and Odion Imina to male patrons for commercial sex. The brothel they were alleged to have committed the act was said to be “Hotel Rosey” situated at No. 30, Adaranijo Street, Shomolu, Bairiga, Lagos State. It would be recalled, that the two men had earlier been arraigned by NAPTIP for the same offences before Justice Stephen Adah of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja and had earlier been granted bail. But the fresh arraignment before Justice Idris became necessary following the elevation of Justice Adah to the Court of Appeal. After their arraignment, it was revealed by the prosecution, represented by Mrs. Kehinde Falade, that the surety of the first accused, (Gideon) had written to the court to withdraw the surety ship. The court consequently or-

dered that the first accused be remanded in prison until time he is able to produce a qualified surety that would stand for him in accordance with the conditions of bail earlier granted by Justice Adah. However, after listening to the defence lawyer, Mr. Ambrose Nwabueze, who prayed the court to allow the second accused person, Ikara, to continue to enjoy his former bail as it had not been revoked, the court granted the request and adjourned the case till April 15, 2013. A count among the four against the first accused read “ That you Odigie Gideon, male 50 years old of No 30 Adaranijo Street, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos State on or about 15th September 2011, at a brothel “Hotel Rosey” situated at No 30, Adaranijo Street, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos State, offered one Jennifer Obi (Female) 25 year old, for the purpose of prostitution and thereby committed an of-

fence contrary to 15 (a) and (b) of the Traffic in Persons (Prohibition) Law (Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003, (as amended) and punishable under same section of the Act” A count among the three against the second accused read ““ That you Adokie Ikara, male 43 years old of No 30 Adaranijo Street, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos State on or about 15th September 2011, at a brothel “Hotel Rosey” situated at No 30, Adaranijo Street, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, offered one Esoke Mikeal (aka Patricia Victor) (Female) 25 year old, of 34 Afuwa Street, Ugbowa Benin City, Edo State, for the purpose of prostitution and thereby committed an offence contrary to 15 (a) of the Traffic in Persons (Prohibition) Law (Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003, (as amended) and punishable under same section of the Act”

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

UK’s top Catholic cardinal resigns, won’t elect new pope

“We’re ready for a dialogue with anyone who’s willing for it” - Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid al-Moallem

PAUL ARHEWE,

WORLD BULLETIN

Niger arrests doctors in graft probe at Bill Gates charity

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

group of striking mine workers gathered near a river on a dark night to undergo a series of rituals that would make it impossible for bullets to penetrate their bodies when fired at. This was evidence led before the Marikana Commission of Inquiry by police lawyer Ishmael Semenya during cross-examination of mine worker Siphethe Phatsha, a survivor of the shooting on 16 August, last year that left 34 people dead. The miners, under the supervision of a medicine man, bathed in the river, then put two sheep, one black and another white, in a fire while they were still alive. The ashes from the fire were then rubbed into incisions made on their ears by the medicine man. To illustrate that the ritual had the required effect, bullets were fired at a box and didn’t penetrate it. The commission is investigating the circumstances that led to the deaths of 44 people who were killed violently during a strike by rock-drill operators employed by platinum mining giant Lonmin. Semenya said a witness, known as Mr X, was going to present the above evidence before the commission. Different sources have alluded to the presence of a medicine man who conducted rituals on the striking mine workers, which convinced them they would be invincible. The commission has also seen video footage and aerial photographs of naked men standing in

Some of the Marikana strikers during protest

South African miners made ritual for bulletproof –Police line near the koppie, being sprinkled with a liquid substance believed to be muti. Semenya is arguing that Phatsha and his group of armed strikers had declared war against the police. Meanwhile, ROCK-drill operator Phatsha yesterday denied that the striking Lonmin Marikana workers took part in a traditional ritual before the shooting on August 16 last year. Police counsel Ishmael Semenya SC was cross-examining Phatsha who was part of a group, captured by media cameras, being fired on by police officers during an unprotected strike at Marikana on the afternoon of August 16. That shooting left 16 people dead but Mr Phatsha managed to escape.

Semenya told the commission at the beginning of the hearings that evidence would be led about a ritual some of the men underwent in the belief that they it would make them invincible and invulnerable. Semenya said at the time that this vaguely attempted to explain the inexplicable conduct of the strikers charging at the police with spears, despite the force being displayed by the police. Yesterday, Semenya asked Mr Phatsha about the photographs of the naked men who had assembled at the koppie in Marikana. Semenya said a group of 50 men had decided to have a bath at the same time, 4pm. “If a person wants to wash, he decides when,” Phatsha said.

He said although there were no taps, people were sent to a nearby settlement to bring water for the men to use. Semenya showed Phatsha photographs of a postmortem of one of the miners who was killed in the shooting on August 16, Mgcineni “Mambush” Noki. The photographs showed body cuttings which were ritual incisions. Semenya said such incisions were seen on 17 other bodies. Phatsha said he would not know why they had incisions because he did not make the ritual incisions. “My information is that you have incisions on your chest. Do you want to show the commission the incisions?” Semenya asked.

$44m scam: FBI captures Nigerian on US most wanted list

notorious US born Nigerian fraudster who was placed on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ‘Most Wanted list’ has been captured after eluding authorities for over four years, a news agency has reported. Tobechukwu Enyinna Onwuhara, 33, described as ‘a criminal mind’ by the FBI for stealing $44 million dollars from US banks using sophisticated methods, including stealing bank customers’ personal information, Home Equity Lines of Credit details and account numbers, was nabbed in far away Australia, The Will has reported. It was previously reported how

the conman escaped arrest in the state of Florida and went underground afterwards. The FBI did not say how and when Onwuhara was captured but a mug shot of the scammer on its website listed him as ‘captured.’ FBI agents say Onwuhara was born in Houston and sent to live with his wealthy Nigerian father, Prince Doris Onwuhara who the Bureau say is a ‘well-known con man who made a fortune from the notorious Nigerian 419 scheme’ before returning to the United States when he reached his teenage years in 1999. Having settled in the southern state of Texas, he got a job with

Onwuhara

US lender, Capital One Financial Corporation where authorities believe he gained insider knowledge on how to work the US financial system. His first brush with the law happened in April 2002 when he was arrested by Lewisville city police in Lewisville, Texas after police got a tipoff that he may be

using stolen identification to steal money from credit card accounts. When police raided his apartment, they found stolen credit card account numbers, fake driver’s licenses and materials used to forge identification. Same year in December in the western state of Seattle, FBI said ‘Onwuhara walked into a local bank and tried to max out the cash withdrawal limit on a stolen credit card’ but fled the bank when he sensed trouble. He was said to have jumped into a waiting car driven by a friend of his, Abel Nnabue and they led Seattle police on a high-speed chase but were eventually caught when they tried to flee on foot.

Niger arrested about 20 doctors suspected of embezzling funds from a charity promoting vaccination in poor countries, set up by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, judicial and police sources said yesterday. Niger’s government has made tackling corruption a priority since taking office in 2011, and last year President Mahamadou Issoufou fired two ministers suspected of illegally awarding state contracts. The new investigation centers on some $1.5 million donated between 2007 and 2010 by the GAVI Alliance, backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, UNICEF, donor governments and others.

Zimbabwean boy, 12, killed in political attack

A 12-year-old boy was burnt to death in eastern Zimbabwe in a suspected case of political violence ahead of a referendum next month, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party said yesterday. The son of Shepherd Maisiri, a senior regional official of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), died when the hut he was sleeping in was fire-bombed in the rural town of Headlands on Saturday. The MDC suspects that activists from President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National UnionPatriotic Front (ZANU-PF) were behind the attack. “This politically motivated murder bears the signature of ZANU-PF and we call upon the police to investigate this case and bring the perpetrators to book,” MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said.

French planes bomb Malian rebels, four wounded

French warplanes attacked an Islamist base in north Mali at the weekend, wounding four members of the Arab Movement of the Azawad (MAA), after the extremists clashed with Tuareg rebels, MAA and security sources said yesterday. “Four fighters of the MAA were wounded during bombing by the French air force [on Sunday] against our base at Infara,” 30km from the border with Algeria, Boubacar Ould Taleb, a leader of the MAA, told AFP in the capital Bamako by telephone. “They were French planes [...] that bombed our base. Five vehicles belonging to our movement were also destroyed,” Ould Taleb added, denouncing the “open support” France was giving to the Tuareg rebel National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).

World News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cuba’s Raul Castro announces retirement in 2018

WORLD BULLETIN

Four earthquakes rattle Japan Four earthquakes, three with epicenters in the Honshu region, shook parts of Japan yesterday but no tsunami warnings were issued, officials said. There were no early reports of injuries or property damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Tochigi prefecture in eastern Japan, Kyodo News reported. Train service was temporarily suspended because of the quake, which was about 6.2 miles deep, East Japan Railway Co. said. A 5.7-magnitude earthquake was reported in eastern Honshu, about 20 miles north-northeast of Numata, and 22 miles west-northwest of Nikko, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The depth was 6.2 miles. A second earthquake in Honshu, with a magnitude of 4.5 and a depth of 6.2 miles, was about 39 miles north of Maebashi, 61 miles east-northeast of Nagano and 94 miles north-northwest of Tokyo, the USGS said.

Italy’s election: Centre-left ahead in polls Early exit polls from Italy’s general election show a lead for the centre-left bloc led by Pier Luigi Bersani. The polls suggest Mr Bersani’s alliance has taken around 34% of the vote for parliament’s lower house, ahead of Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right group with 29%, Sky Italia reports. Beppe Grillo’s protest movement is projected to take nearly 20% of votes. The two-day vote is seen as crucial for efforts to tackle Italy’s economic problems, as well as for the eurozone. The election was called two months ahead of schedule, after Mr Berlusconi’s party withdrew its support for Mario Monti’s technocratic government. The first results based on partial vote counts are due in the next few hours. Shortly after voting ended at 15:00 (14:00 GMT), exit polls for both Sky and Rai television gave the centre-left a roughly 5.5-point lead in the lower house and a sixpoint lead in the Senate.

Uproar against Iceland’s plan to ban Internet porn The government of the tiny North Atlantic nation is drafting plans to ban pornography, in print and online, in an attempt to protect children from a tide of violent sexual imagery. The proposal by Interior Minister Ogmundur Jonasson has caused an uproar. Opponents say the move will censor the Web, encourage authoritarian regimes and undermine Iceland’s reputation as a Scandinavian bastion of free speech. Advocates say it is a sensible measure that will shelter children from serious harm.

Pope Benedict XVI, right, is greeted by Cardinal Keith O’Brien in Edinburgh, Scotland, recently.

Photo: AP

UK’s top Catholic cardinal resigns, won’t elect new pope B ritain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric resigned yesterday following allegations he behaved in an inappropriate way with priests, and said he would not take part in the election of Pope Benedict’s replacement. Cardinal Keith O’Brien said he had tendered his resignation some months ago, ahead of his 75th birthday in March and because he was suffering from “indifferent health”. The Vatican said the pope, who steps down on Thursday, had accepted O’Brien’s resignation as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. O’Brien, an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, has been

reported to the Vatican over allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back 30 years, according to Britain’s Observer newspaper. The cardinal, who last week advocated allowing Catholic priests to marry as many found it difficult to cope with celibacy, rejected the allegations and was seeking legal advice, his spokesman said. “Looking back over my years of ministry: For any good I have been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologise to all whom I have offended,” O’Brien said in a statement, which made no reference to the recent allegations. He said he would not attend the election next month of a new pope, saying: “I do not wish media atten-

tion in Rome to be focussed on me - but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor.” The Observer, which gave little detail on the claims, said three priests and a former priest, from a Scottish diocese, had complained over incidents dating back to 1980. One said the cardinal formed an “inappropriate relationship” with him while another complained of unwanted behaviour by O’Brien after a late-night drinking session. Last year, O’Brien’s comments labelling gay marriage a “grotesque subversion” landed him with a “Bigot of the Year” award from British gay rights group Stonewall.

South Korea swears in first female president

ark Geun-Hye, the daughter of South Korea’s late military ruler, has been sworn in as the country’s first female president. Monday’s two-and-a-half hour inauguration ceremony included a 21-gun salute and a performance by Korean rapper Psy, whose song “Gangnam Style” was the global hit of 2012. As leader of Asia’s fourthlargest economy, Park, 61, faces significant challenges, including a nuclearised North Korea, a slowing economy and soaring welfare costs in one of the world’s most rapidly ageing societies. “North Korea’s recent nuclear test is a challenge to the survival and future of the Korean people,” Park said in her inauguration speech. “I urge North Korea to aban-

President Geun-hye during her inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. Photo: AP

don its nuclear ambitions without delay and embark on the path to peace and shared development.” Park had campaigned on a promise of greater, “trust-based” engagement with Pyongyang. Observers say her hands have been tied by the international outcry over Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test, which will have em-

boldened members of her ruling conservative party who oppose closer engagement. John Delury, a professor of International Relations at Yonsei University in Seoul, told Al Jazeera North Korea “is notoriously a difficult country to engage with”, but despite that “expectations are high” among the South

aul Castro has announced that he will step down as Cuba’s president in 2018 following a final five-year term, for the first time putting a date on the end of the Castro era. He tapped rising star Miguel Diaz-Canel as his top lieutenant and first in the line of succession. The 81-year-old Castro also said he hopes to establish two-term limits and age caps for political offices including the presidency — an astonishing prospect for a nation led by Castro or his older brother Fidel since their 1959 revolution. The 52-year-old Diaz-Canel is now a heartbeat from the presidency and has risen higher than any other Cuban official who didn’t directly participate in the heady days of the revolution. “This will be my last term,” Castro said, his voice firm, shortly after National Assembly elected him to a second term. In his 35-minute speech, Castro hinted at other changes to the constitution, some so dramatic that they will have to be ratified by the Cuban people in a referendum. Still, he scotched any idea that the country would soon abandon socialism, saying he had not assumed the presidency in order to destroy Cuba’s system. “I was not chosen to be president to restore capitalism to Cuba,” he said. “I was elected to defend, maintain and continue to perfect socialism, not destroy it.” Castro fuelled interest in Sunday’s legislative gathering after mentioning on Friday his possible retirement and suggesting lightheartedly that he had plans to resign at some point.

Korean public. “But, she has to start by reopening the channels of dialogue directly with North Korea and through that find the steps to improve relations,” he said. Al Jazeera’s reporter in Seoul said Park’s approval rating before the inauguration “dropped from 51 to 50 percent, which is pretty low compared to previous approval ratings - but that’s more an assessment of her at the time, not to do with hopes for her presidency”. Park is taking office a little more than 50 years after her father, Park Chung-He, seized power in a military coup. He went on to rule the country with an iron fist for the next 18 years until his eventual assassination, and remains a divisive figure - credited with lifting the country out of poverty but reviled for his regime’s human rights abuses. His daughter’s political career has always been shadowed by her father’s legacy - a fact played both to her advantage and her detriment.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The sleeping area of the aircraft, which could originally seat 120 passengers

Dutch transforms disused Soviet aircraft into luxurious hotel suite

A The disused Ilyushin aircraft has undergone a transformation into a luxury holiday suite Photos: Barcroft Media

The cockpit area of the disused Ilyushin 18 aircraft has been left intact

An opulent interior

The dining area is elegant, but staring into your loves eyes over dinner may prove difficult as the seats are side-by-side

The designers even incorporated a jacuzzi and sauna

disused East German aircraft has been turned into a hotel suite by a hotel chain known for offering stays in bizarre locations. The Soviet-made Ilyushin II-18 is now luxury accommodation complete with Jacuzzi, sauna, bar, luxury kitchen diner and a flatscreen television. German news site The Local reported that the cockpit of the aircraft has been left intact, so guests can go straight from the luxury quarters to the pilot’s seat. The plane was originally used by East German leaders, and may have even transported former East German leader Erich Honecker. Dutch entrepreneur Ben Thijssen, whose company hotelsuites.nl also offers stays in other unusual places such as prisons and boats, said he had been looking for a plane to turn into a hotel for years. When he found the Ilyushin it was already serving an unusual purpose - it was being used as a restaurant in a village near the old East German border. He bought it and shipped it across Germany to the Dutch village of Tegue. The renovation cost hundreds of thousands of euros

and the plane can now sleep two in luxury. He said: ‘You can sleep in all kinds of accommodation, but not in an airplane. I decided this was perfect.’ The plane, which once flew for the nowdefunct East German state airline Interflug, is said to have carried leaders such as Erich Honecker. Thijssen said he had seen photos which seemed to show Honecker on the plane. ‘There’s actually not much known about it, especially because it was part of the East German government and they tried to keep such things secret,’ he said. Its history makes it popular with Germany history enthusiasts, who often bring photos of their lives before the fall of the Berlin Wall with them for their stay. A former Ilyushin pilot showed up for a night and was delighted to find the cockpit was as exactly as he remembered. Mr Thijsen said: ‘One man even showed up in a pilot’s uniform then spent the day in the on-board sauna. The next day, he was dressed normally and his wife was in a flight attendant’s uniform.’ A stay in the plane starts at 350 euros per night.

Cocktail

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (102)

It doesn’t matter how many pails of milk you spill, just so you don’t lose the cow. –Harvey Mackay’s father *** Never Vote Against Yourself! Let me tell you something fundamental about this life: no matter how perfect you want to become in life, you will still make mistakes. And in fact, some mistakes may be so serious that you may be tempted to stop believing in yourself. Please don’t! Your vote for yourself counts in all the experiences of life. The moment you stop believing in yourself, you begin to go downhill and you may fade out completely. Never stop believing that you can make it to your promised land. Yes, you have made a mistake. Yes, it is a serious mistake. But then life goes on and your story can still change. And if you are willing to correct yourself and begin again, you will laugh again. Yes, you will! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Woman, 104, forced to lie about age on Facebook

acebook is apologizing for a problem that makes a 104-year-old Michigan woman lie about her age on the social media website. Marguerite Joseph’s granddaughter says Facebook won’t let Joseph list her real age. Gail Marlow says when she tries inputting her grandmother’s birth year as 1908, Facebook changes

it to 1928. So for the past two years, the Grosse Pointe Shores centenarian has remained 99 — online, anyway. Joseph is legally blind and can’t hear well, but Marlow reads and responds to all her Facebook messages. Marlow tells WDIV-TV she’d “love to see” Joseph’s real age posted and chalks it up to “a glitch in the system.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Britain to India: Diamond in royal crown is ours

ritish Prime Minister David Cameron says a giant diamond his country forced India to hand over in the colonial era that was set in a royal crown will not be returned. Speaking on the third and final day of a visit to India aimed at drumming up trade and investment, Cameron ruled out handing back the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond, now on display in the Tower of London. The diamond had been set in the crown of the current Queen Elizabeth’s late mother. One of the world’s largest diamonds, some Indians - including independence leader Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson - have demanded its return to atone for Britain’s colonial past. “I don’t think that’s the right approach,” Cameron told reporters on Wednesday after becoming the first serving British prime minister to voice regret about one of the bloodiest episodes in colonial India, a massacre of unarmed civilians in the city of Amritsar in 1919. “It is the same question with the Elgin Marbles,”

he said, referring to the classical Greek marble sculptures that Athens has long demanded be given back. “The right answer is for the British Museum and other cultural institutions to do exactly what they do, which is to link up with other institutions around the world to make sure that the things which we have and look after so well are properly shared with people

around the world. “I certainly don’t believe in ‘returnism’, as it were. I don’t think that’s sensible.” Britain’s then colonial governor-general of India arranged for the huge diamond to be presented to Queen Victoria in 1850. If Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, eventually becomes queen consort she will don the crown holding

the diamond on official occasions. When Elizabeth II made a state visit to India to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s independence from Britain in 1997, many Indians demanded the return of the diamond. Cameron is keen to tap into India’s economic rise, but says he is anxious to focus on the present and future rather than “reach back” into the past.

The crown of Queen Elizabeth made of platinum and containing the Famous Koh-i-noor Diamond along with other gems. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gunmen abduct UNIMAID lecturer in error, demand N5m ransom INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

he University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, lecturer, Dr. Abba Kagu, who was abducted on Saturday by gunmen in Maiduguri, was mistaken for an inlaw of a top official of Borno State Government. But to regain his freedom, his abductors said the family must cough up N5 million, sources have said. Investigation by National Mirror showed that the abductors had initially demanded N100 million ransom for the freedom of the supposed target, who is the brother in-law to a very senior elected office holder in the state. The abductors, according to the lecturer’s colleagues, realised they

North

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

were holding the wrong person when they read yesterday’s newspapers where the true identity of the lecturer was disclosed. “When they called us on phone this morning, we pleaded with them to kindly release him since they now realised he was not their target. “But they insisted that we must pay a reduced sum of N5 million instead of N100 million,” a UNIMAID lecturer, who craved anonymity, said. Efforts to get comments from security officials proved abortive. In recent times, abduction has become a source of concern to the people of Maiduguri, as businessmen, and well-to-do individuals have been kidnapped but later freed after their families paid ransom.

2015: Advocates of bloody polls must stop –Abdulsalami A ZA MSUE KADUNA

ormer Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday warned advocates of bloody elections in 2015 to have a rethink. Abubakar also urged Nigerians to expose terrorists. The former Head of State, who spoke with journalists shortly after the 34th Kaduna International Trade Fair seminar held in Kaduna, dismissed the fear of bloody polls, saying the country’s present insecurity should be a concern for all Nigerians. Abubakar faulted claim

that poverty is the cause of security challenges, adding that people should join forces with the government to rescue the country from insecurity. He said: “Who are these Nigerians who think that 2015 election is going to be bloody. Those people who think the election will be bloody should think twice; nobody hopes for any bloodletting in whatever situation. “Not only as a Head of State but a Nigerian and a citizen, like everybody concerned, we should be worried about the insecurity because it is a senseless act. We keep killing ourselves,

we keep destroying our economy and in the long run we would have to come and rebuild it. “It is a matter of concern that we look into what could be done to restore security. “Like the lecturer was saying this morning, poverty is not an excuse for criminality and I believe most of the insecurity we are facing is criminal and I think all Nigerians should wake up and join the government in order to rescue this country because all these criminals are living among us and we should do our best to expose them. “With due respect, the government receives all

sort of advice through people like you in the media and through all citizens and you will agree with me the insecurity has considerably reduced, so I think they are taking action and I want them to continue that way. “You know as a military leader there are certain things that you do and get away with it but when it comes to democracy you are accountable to the people so you must be very careful the way you handle things. “Although you want to deliver security, you want to deliver the economy to the nation; there are certain things you, as a democrat, must be careful of.”

No conspiracy, blackmail can stop me –Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

overnor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has raised the alarm over plot to blackmail him because of his perceived interest in the presidential seat in 2015. Aliyu said every Nigerian had the right to aspire for any elective position in the country therefore no amount of conspiracy could stop him. He said: “Now, you cannot make a statement without people saying you are looking for the presidency. The whole process has now resorted to blackmail, where they want to silence you. “Some of us have a belief system, to forget the noise around. We will continue to agitate; we will continue to ask questions. No conspiracy will succeed, except God allows it.” The governor, who spoke in Minna, when addressing a rally by the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, also said if more money was channelled to the grassroots, it would reduce the tension currently witnessed at the federal level. Aliyu faulted the current revenue sharing formula, where the Federal Government takes the larger

chunk of what is accrued from the Federal Account, leaving the balance to be shared between the states and the councils. He said: “Local government is the foundation of democracy and if the foundation is bad, you expect things to be bad with democracy. If more is given, there will be no strive as we see in Abuja; people will concentrate on the grassroots. “This is why you hear us make noise about revenue sharing formula. “In democracy, those of us who are courageous must continue to talk and if you have a better argument, bring it forward for the development of the nation. “You must continue to make your point because in democracy, if you don’t, people will feel you are satisfied.”

L-R: President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Dr. Abdul-Alimi Bello; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Vice-Chancellor, Veritas University, Prof. Mike Kwanashie, at the 34th Kaduna Internatinal Trade Fair seminar in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

We’ll defend ourselves, Southern Kaduna warns AZA MSUE KADUNA

he Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, yesterday said its people were ready to defend their ancestral homes

Kogi flood victims get N144m OYEWALE ADEBAYO LOKOJA

ogi State Government has presented cheques worth N144.050 million to flood victims in the nine affected local government areas of the state. The beneficiaries included those still remaining in the relief camps. Governor Idris Wada, who spoke through his dep-

uty, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, described the exercise as first phase of the rehabilitation of the victims. He said N139.500 million was for the affected local government areas while the remaining was for those in the relief camps, stressing that government would not renege in its promises. Wada added that more funds would be spent on intervention areas such as in the

with their last blood if the Kaduna State Government failed to stop the ongoing genocide in the area. Also, the Southern Kaduna Progressive Youth Movement, SKPYM, has accused Governor Mukhtar Ramatransport, education, health, and agriculture, among other sectors. He said schools affected and used as relief camps during the flood were being renovated, while roads destroyed during by the flood were being accessed for rehabilitation. The governor disclosed that his administration was also opening up alternative roads, east and west of the state, to avoid the suffering encountered by commuters during the flood.

lan Yero of abandoning victims of Saturday attacks in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna which claimed five people. Addressing a world press conference in Kaduna over the Zango Kataf killings, the SOKAPU National President, Mr. Ephriam Goje, said that since last April, no fewer than 100 people had been killed in 25 separate gun attacks in Southern Kaduna. Urging the people to remain calm and be vigilant, Goje said the Saturday assault should be the last, warning that the youths were running out of patience. He said: “We call on Kaduna State Government to

fully protect Southern Kaduna as other parts of the state. But if government fails, we are ready to defend ourselves with our last blood. “Our youths are becoming restive and we always calm them down when there are killings of our people. We should not be blamed if our youths disregard us. “Government should not take security of lives and property in Southern Kaduna for granted. We had a series of attacks up to 25 in two years with not less than 100 people killed, although police have the exact figures. “On Saturday last week gunmen in military uniform attacked and killed five people, injured 10.

North

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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NDLEA arrests policeman, three other suspects OYEWALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

he Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested four suspected drug dealers, including a police officer. The agency said it has also seized 575.5 kilogrammes of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa within the last one week.

•Seizes 575.5 kg of cannabis sativa

State NDLEA Commander, Alhaji Idris Bello, who disclosed this while parading four suspects arrested in connection with the seizures in Lokoja yesterday, said 10.2kg of the drug was neatly concealed in a car bumper. Bello said NDLEA officers on patrol at the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway arrested one Tajudeen Yakubu, with 16 blockwraps of the suspected drug weighing 10.2 kg wrapped in

black polythene bags. He added that the wraps were concealed in the rear bumper and false compartment of the Volkswagen Golf car marked EDO: AU 285 USL in which the suspect was taking the drugs to Abuja. The NDLEA boss noted that the operatives of the agency also arrested Laide Salau, the driver of a light green Toyota Hiace bus

marked DELTA: KA 702 URA, carrying 70 bags and three black polythene bags of the dried leaves weighing 520.9kg. Bello said the drugs were covered with a bunch of unripe plantain, but Salau who claimed to be a mechanic, said he was unaware of the contents, adding that he was called to repair the vehicle when it broke down on the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway.

Another suspect, Yakubu Salau, caught by the Nigerian Army patrol team and handed over to the NDLEA according to Bello, was apprehended with six bags of the dried weeds weighing 39.3 kg. The suspect, who had earlier escaped NDLEA’s arrest was said to have concealed the consignment in the booth of his Volkswagen Golf station wagon with registration number KADUNA: DKA 343 AA and was on his

way to Abuja. The fourth suspect paraded was a serving Nigeria Police corporal arrested in a J5 bus as a passenger with a sack and black polythene bag of the weeds weighing 5.1 kg who claimed to be on special assignment in Damaturu, Yobe State. Bello maintained that a total of 575.5 kg of the harmful substance was recovered from the four suspects while a total of 2,020.701kg had so far been recovered this year.

Improve on your IGR, Dankwambo tells new LG chairmen

Bauchi teachers vow to boycott WAEC, NECO others

DANJUMA WILLIAMS

EZEKIEL TITUS

BAUCHI

GOMBE

ombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has called on newly sworn-in local government chairmen in the state to improve on their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, so as to reduce over dependence on grants from the Federation Account. The governor made the call yesterday at the Pantami Township Stadium during the swearing-in ceremony of the local government chairmen that were elected last Saturday. In the election last Saturday, the ruling PDP beat the CPC in all the 11 chairmanship and 114 councillorship seats in the state. The governor told the council chairmen to block all the loopholes that allowed pilfering by revenue collectors and other officials and strictly monitor the revenue generated in their various councils. He also advised them to maintain the tempo exhibited by their predecessors in the execution of projects, especially joint capital projects in order to improve the living standards of the people. He said the administration has been doing its best in supporting security operatives in the state and therefore called on them to attach great importance to issues of security by addressing security issues squarely in their respective areas. “While you are coordinating the activities of the community-based security committees, prompt and timely reports should be sent to the state government to ensure that peace and order is maintained in all parts of the state no matter how remote,” the governor stressed.

L-R: Representative of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun; Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh and Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Niseer Aliyu, during a workshop for traditional and religious leaders on promoting Immunisation, Polio Eradication and Maternal Health Services in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Demolition not targeted at churches, says Al-Makura IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

asarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has debunked insinuations that the ongoing demolition exercise in the state is targeted at Christians and their worship centres. According to him; “No single church was demolished in the course of the exercise from Maraba up to Auta Balaifi. We are only demolishing illegal structures and makeshift shops built

on drainages and roads that are making vehicular movement difficult.” The governor’s statement was contained in a press statement signed and made available to journalists yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Press Affairs, Sani Musa Mairiga. The statement added that the demolished structures were also not befitting of a capital city, especially those along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway and that no church was involved.

The governor continued: “I want to appeal to all those spreading wrong information regarding the demolition exercise to desist from such because they are capable of heating up the polity. They should stop making inflammatory remarks capable of causing disaffection among the citizens of the state.” He enjoined religious leaders not to allow politicians use them for their selfish interests. He also called on citizens of the state to live together in peace irre-

spective of their religion, adding that “our state and country would be better served if our religious leaders ensure that religion is taken away from politics and politicians should stop dragging politics into religion.” He, however, reiterated his administration’s desire to transform Nasarawa State even as he called on the people of the state to be their brothers’ keepers by shunning all forms of violence so as to move the state forward.

NPC targets 45 Kwara households for health survey WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

he National Population Commission, NPC, has concluded arrangements to embark on scientific random selection of 45 households in Kwara State in preparation for the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS. Answering questions from journalists in Ilorin

yesterday, the NPC Federal Commissioner in Kwara State, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene, said a team of the commission’s trained supervisors and interviewers would conduct the survey in 12 out of the 16 local government areas of the state. Ndakene, who said women aged between 15 and 49 years and men aged between 15 and 49 would be interviewed in 23 clusters

of the state, adding that the survey would provide demographic data for national planning. “The NDHS provides detailed information on the levels and trends of fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and STIs/ HIV/AIDS in the country every five years,” he said. He said the information on the demographic and health status of the popula-

tion would be useful in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of intervention programmes in the health and social sectors. The NPC boss, who said that all information collected during the interviews would be treated with confidentiality, appealed to people of the area to cooperate with the interview team for the success of the programme.

he Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, yesterday said it will boycott WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and JAMB examinations this year, should Governor Isa Yuguda fail to listen to the yearnings of the striking teachers and carry out their demand. One of their demands is the immediate resignation of the state Commissioner for Justice. ASUSS Chairman in the state, Abduallahi Muhammad Tanko Ningi, who made the statement while briefing journalists yesterday, said their new position followed government’s decision to threaten the striking teachers with disengagement letters should they fail to report for work yesterday. Ningi added that the demand for the immediate resignation of the justice commissioner has to do with what the teachers described as a breach of his oath of office when he wrongly advised the government on a matter that was still in court, a clear violation of the rule of law and an abuse of legal practice. Ningi urges the teachers to remain focused, resolute and continue with the strike until further directives from the union and not the government or any individual with an option to give teachers their compulsory retirement letter as well as benefits. The union, however, urged Governor Yuguda not to allow himself to be misled by sycophants as ASUSS is not ready to negotiate with anybody until the governor intervenes in the crisis.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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News

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Boko Haram releases video of kidnapped French family PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

video showing seven French citizens, including four children, kidnapped in northern Cameroun last week, has been posted on the internet. The video, posted on YouTube, appears to show the Moulin-Fournier family – a couple, their children aged five, eight, 10 and 12, and an uncle – who were seized on February 19 after visiting the Waza National Park, a wildlife sanctuary in northern Cameroun. Three adults are seen sitting cross-legged with four children in front of them, guarded by two armed men in camouflage. A male hostage reads in French from a

written statement, saying the group was taken by the Nigerian Islamist group, Boko Haram, who demand the release of militants being held in Nigeria and Cameroun. One of the guards speaks in Arabic in the video, claiming Boko Haram seized the group in retaliation for the French military intervention in Mali. He says the hostages will be killed if their demands are not met. France’s Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said experts were examining the video to determine whether it was authentic. “[We] have received information that the group Boko Haram is claiming to be holding the French family,” Ayrault told reporters. The film, if authentic, is the first time images of the

family have been made public since they were kidnapped by six gunmen on three motorbikes close to the Nigerian border in northern Cameroun a week ago. Last week, the French government was forced to retract a statement saying the family had been freed. The family were visiting from Cameroun’s capital, Yaounde, where the father, Tanguy Moulin-Fournier, worked as an executive with the French gas company GDF Suez. The attack raised concerns that Boko Haram, whose name is often translated as “western education is sinful”, is increasing activities in other West African countries. Witnesses in Mali described seeing Boko Haram members supporting al-

Qaida-linked groups fighting there. Over the weekend, the French government changed travel advice to Benin, which borders Nigeria to the west, in light of the possibility of Boko Haram attacks against tourists. But Boko Haram, which declared a ceasefire five weeks ago, has denied involvement in the kidnapping. At a press conference on Sunday in Maiduguri, a Boko Haram stronghold, spokesman Sheikh Abu Muhammad Ibn Abdulazeez said: “We have been hearing of late how people are linking us with the kidnap of the seven French nationals in Cameroun. We have nothing to do with the French people or their abductors.”

Illegal importation: Court releases 15 Russian sailors to envoy KAYODE KETEFE

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday released 15 Russian sailors charged with alleged unlawful importation of arms into the country to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria. The 15 expatriates had been arraigned by the Federal Government before Justice Okechukwu Okeke, on the allegation of illegal importation of arms and ammunition into Nigeria. The Russians are; Myre Seadiver, Zhelyazkov Andrey, Savchenko Sergel, Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskly Nikolay. The others are; Mishin

Pavel, Llia Shubov, Dimitry Bannyrh, Alexander Tsarikov, Kononov Sergel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail and Stepan Oleksiuk. They were arraigned on a four-count charge, comprising the alleged offences of entry into the Nigerian territorial waters without due clearance and licence and illegal importation of firearms and ammunition into the country. They are also charged with non-declaration of the goods carried on board their ship named MV Myre Seadiver. The alleged offences are said to contravene both the provisions of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the miscellaneous offence Act, Cap M17 Laws of the

Police, DPP rivalry cause of prison congestion –CJ

14-year-old boy died after taking My Pikin –Witness K AYODE KETEFE

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

prosecution witness testifying in the case of the alleged killer teething mixture which the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, had filed against three Nigerians, Mrs. Titilope Ogunrohunmu, yesterday disclosed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, that one Mr. Chidi Njoku, reported to the agency that his 14-month-old son died after taking the alleged killer drug. Ogunrohumun, who is an employee of NAFDAC, disclosed this while giving evidence in a suit filed by the agency against Barewa Pharmaceutical Company Limited and two others, for the production of “My pikin.” The company had been charged alongside two of its employees, Ebele Eromosele and Adeyemo Abiodun, on a six-count charge of manufacturing and distribution of dangerous medication. They had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The witness, while being cross-examined by the defence counsel, Mr. Osaro Eghobamien, told the court that in November 2008, the said Njoku had brought to NAFDAC office the remainder of the teething substance which led to the death of his child.

Members of a French family kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram militants appear in a video posted on You Tube yesterday.

FG introduces new ‘Yellow Card’ MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Federal Government has introduced a new International Certificate of Vaccination popularly called Yellow Card. Production of the new card, the Federal Government said, would be the sole responsibility of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, against its present multiple sources of production. Speaking at the launch which also coincided with pre-National Council on Health, NCH, meeting in Abuja, yesterday, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the decision was part of last year’s 55th NCH resolution. He said: “One of the key resolutions approved for im-

plementation by the council at the 55th NCH, was for the Federal Ministry of Health to proceed with the introduction of the new International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, which should have an advanced security features. “The card was to be produced centrally by the Federal Ministry of Health, while a transition period of six months was to be allowed to withdraw the old cards after the introduction of the new card. “I am glad to inform this gathering that the Federal Ministry of Health has come up with the new International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (Yellow Card) with an enhanced security feature. “This, I believe, will put an end to the issue of fake

“yellow cards” issued from multiple sources and the embarrassment it has caused Nigeria all over the world. This is another great milestone for the health sector,” Chukwu said. The minister promised that mass vaccination on yellow fever would commence nationwide in May this year, while people in high risk states would be given priority. In a paper presentation on the significance of the card, Director of Public Health in the ministry, Mrs. Bridget Okoegwali, said; “ICVP is one of the instruments employed in international health to reduce the risk of vaccine preventable diseases. It may be requested from an international traveller at entry points such as airports, seaports and land borders of countries if the traveller is coming from

an area considered to be at risk of transmission of diseases, including Yellow Fever. “A Yellow Card is issued and signed by an authorised health worker bearing the official stamp of the designated vaccination centre after vaccination. Valid Yellow Fever vaccination is given at least 10 days before travel and valid for 10 years. “Valid CSM vaccination is given at least 10 days before travel and valid for three years, especially during Hajj. “The initial production of Yellow Cards was at the federal level, including the standardisation of the stamps. “Following the approval of the decentralisation of issuance of Yellow Cards by the National Council on Health, NCH, in 1988, Yellow Card issuance emanated from multiple sources in Nigeria.

he Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Justice Lawal H. Gummi, has attributed the delay in the administration of criminal justice and the attendant prison congestion in the country to the dispute between the police and the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP. Justice Gummi also lamented the absence of synergy and coordination among agencies involved in criminal justice administration, saying until there was inter-agency cooperation, not much would be achieved in the area of reform in the criminal justice sector reform. Gummi made the observation at the Wider Stakeholders Conference on Speeding up Criminal Justice System Project in the FCT, held at Maitama High Court. He decried the present trend where concerned agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Ministry of Justice, Prisons, among others, pursue their tasks on their own. In another discovery, the chief judge said that; “I saw trials which were stalled for over a year simply because the accused person had no legal representation in spite of the fact that the court had ordered the Legal Aid Council to so provide.”

WORLD RECORD

Oldest branding (packaging)

Vol. 03 No. 565

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

N150

The oldest branding (packaging) for a brand is Tate and Lyle’s Golden Syrup (UK). The same packaging has been maintained since 1885 with only slight technical changes during the war due to shortages of materials.

The N4bn controversial mansion

mong other things, one of the major purposes of early preparation of the 2013 Budget was to break the jinx of late passage into law of the Appropriation Bill by the National Assembly. The essence was to avoid the stalemate currently being witnessed in getting the bill ready to beat the records of the previous years. But while that consideration was on, the Presidency stirred the hornets’ nest with the introduction of some controversial items for consideration. Except for those actively involved in this controversy, getting to unravel the exact motives behind the latest quagmire that has become the lot of the bill may be a herculean task.

NETWORK,

att Kuchar has dethroned defending champion Hunter Mahan as he won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, beating his fellow American in a well-attended final on Sunday. In the feat, Kuchar, 34, claimed his first victory at a World Golf Championships event and the

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

In the latest submission to the National Assembly, the sum of N4 billion was slated for the construction of the African First Ladies Peace Mission also known as First Ladies Mansion, a place to serve as the secretariat for the wives of Presidents of African countries and also provide accommodation for international conferences. From inception, the concept of the project had been enmeshed in controversies even before now. The project which was first initiated during the tenure of the wife of the former President, the late Umar Yar’Adua has since been a subject of many controversies. Before the latest round of protests which has pitched the opposition parties, human rights groups and activists against the project and by extension the government, even securing the land allocation led to altercations between the incumbent and the former First Lady. The initial war was over who takes the credit for the project which was initially under the purview of the wife of the late president before the responsibility shifted to the incumbent and wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience. For those opposed to such project at this point in the life of this administration, the concern was over the huge amount earmarked for such a mansion whose mission and intervention in alleviating the suffering and the growing pov-

EVEN WIVES OF MOST OF THE AFRICAN LEADERS, WHOSE COUNTRIES ARE ALREADY RAVAGED BY POVERTY, LACK

AND WANT WILL NOT AGREE LESS THAT THIS HUGE SUM BE USED TO ELEVATE THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THEIR PEOPLE FIRST BEFORE THE LUXURY OF A MANSION erty among the people has not been explained. And what the proponents of this project has also failed to consider is the alternative to getting the money outside of budget provision. Even wives of most of the African leaders, whose countries are already ravaged by poverty, lack and want will not agree less that this huge sum be used to elevate the standard of liv-

ing of their people first before the luxury of a mansion. Though the Federal Capital Territory enjoys the constitutional right to embark on such project to generate revenue as it has done in similar circumstances in the past, as the proponents would say, but this argument will not nullify the uproar which has so far trailed it. This has called for a justification of the benefits it will have on the well being of the average citizen. The battle line appears drawn with the stand of the Office of the First Lady against the wish of the people represented by the decision of the lawmakers to question the appropriateness of funding this mansion with state fund. Given the prospects of the proposed mansion which is also meant to provide facilities apart from serving as the secretariat of the Peace Mission, it is surely going to be a worthwhile venture on completion. This can still be achieved without using public fund to execute the project. At a time like this, rather than confrontation, what is needed is reasoning together to consider other viable option of achieving a better result even in a more grandiose way. There are numerous projects executed through funding from private sector participation where government agencies and parastatals as regulators come-in as partners to source for fund and get the project running. Raising fund in this way eliminates complexities and ensures transparency in executing public projects. Above all, it removes the tendency for suscipicion and agitations against such spending. And it is only in situations where there are ulterior motives that state officials will labour extensively to go against the public opinion on matters of this nature. Truly issues like this end up in heating the polity even before sense of reasoning prevails. There is no assurance that even if the money is today provided for in the budget, that the project will end during the

Sport Extra

Golf: Mahan falls to Kuchar on world tour fifth PGA Tour title of his career. Kuchar, who roundly defeated Jason Day in the semi-finals to reach the championship match, defied the windy Arizona to produce a consistent display in the final that was ultimately too

much for Mahan. The duo halved the opening three holes in par, but the previously unflappable Mahan then rather came unstuck with bogeys at four, five and six to fall three behind. Losing the fourth hole, Ma-

han trailed at the event for the first time since last year’s first round clash with Zach Johnson, after 169 consecutive holes. Things got even worse for the Californian as Kuchar made a birdie to reach the turn in just 35 strokes.

Hunter Mahan

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