Tuesday, November 20, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

GDP growth drops to 6.48%, inflation rises to 11.7% DMO says nation needs more loans for faster growth

TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND ROTIMI FADEYI

Jonathan

Vol. 21 N0. 495 115

he nation’s real gross domestic product growth rate grew by 6.48 per cent in third quarter of the current year as against

the 7.37 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2011. This is just as efforts by government to keep inflaCONTINUED ON PAGE 50>>

Tuesday, Tuesday,June November 7, 2011 20, 2012

Alison-Madueke

Total sells Nigerian offshore oil stake for $2.5bn P.21

N150 N150

FG revokes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday terminated the concession of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway granted to

Bi-Courtney Consortium on May 8, 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for poor performance. Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja,

Contract re-awarded to Julius Berger, RCC FG blames education woes on poor research

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I won’t reply critics over private jet –Oritsejafor P.10

CJN vows to deal with corrupt judges FG must clean up oil sector –Ribadu

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Fashola’s ex-aide shot dead Enugu gov’s aide dies of poisoning

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L-R: Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Niyi Otunla; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the Debt Management Office meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Fani-Kayode, ACN fault Jonathan on Boko Haram, Odi invasion SFU arrests six MDs over N24.6bn subsidy scam P.5,6

Budget 2012: Senators angry with Okonjo-Iweala

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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FG revokes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said that the termination of the concession agreement was due to the failure of the company to close financial agreement among other reasons. The concession was for N89.53bn for a period of 25 years under a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer, DBOT, scheme. The minster announced that the Federal Government has engaged the services of Julius Berger Plc and RCC Nigeria Limited to commence work immediately on the reconstruction of the expressway. According to him, due to the senseless carnage on this important expressway, which is part of Arterial Route A1, the Federal Government has also decided to embark on the emergency reconstruction of the expressway. Onolememen, who addressed journalists alongside Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, further said: “While Julius Berger would handle Section 1: from Lagos to Shagamu interchange, RCC Nigeria Limited will be responsible for Section II: from Shagamu to Ibadan.” “The Federal Government wishes to assure that while it will continue to uphold the sanctity of contracts entered into by the Federal Government, it will not shy away from implementing provisions of the contract agreement dealing with non-performance on the part of the contracting party,” Onolememen said. President Goodluck Jonathan had on Sunday during the Presidential Media Chat aired live on the network of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and radio gave the hint that government would take decisive action on the concession agreement. Jonathan said, “On the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Bi-Courtney lacks the capacity to carry out the job. The country is held to ransom. We cannot continue that way. We’ll intervene on that road,” adding that the government would also fix the Benin-Ore road. “That road has been with Bi-Courtney since we came

on board in 2007 and I think we are going to take the final decision on the matter because it is like the company is not in position to do it and I don’t think as a responsible government, we can allow Nigerians to continue to suffer.” “It is the busiest road in this country and it is beyond the South-West. Because that is the busiest road in this country and all of us in government, we feel pained that the country is held to ransom because of a transaction that probably was not handled properly because of some kind of issues. But we cannot continue like this, we will intervene on that road,” Jonathan had said. While speaking on the legal implication of terminating the concession agreement yesterday, Onolememen said: “The legal implications of this termination have been carefully considered by both the Federal Ministry of Works and indeed the Federal Government. If you recall we have been on this issue for quite sometime now and we have meticulously followed the concession agreement, the provision of relevant clauses of the agreement. “We have complied fully with the provisions of this agreement. We have had cause even in the past to write the concessioner to detail the breaches which it had committed in this agreement in this particular transaction and we have also followed the minimum and maximum number of days the contractor was expected to remedy the situation but failing which the Federal Government had no alternative but to take this course of action. “In terms of percentage payment so far, this is a concessioned project. In other words, it is different from the normal EPC contracts, so the Federal Government in a sense did not make any direct payment to BiCourtney in this particular transaction. Bi-Courtney was supposed to raise fund, he would have been able to raise the fund from the private sector and apply it to the construction of this expressway and toll it for as many as 25 years, to recoup his investment and this has not happened, and that is why today the concession has been terminated.

“For your information, under this concession the construction period is supposed to last for four years and the four years will come to a close in about six months time and right now there is nothing on ground to suggest that the company is capable.” On whether it was a mistake giving the concession to Bi-Courtney, the Minister said: “I would not want to say that it was a mistake, because though I was not in the office as at that time, perhaps at that time they had the most responsible bids, the details are best

known to the then Minister of Works and his team that handled the project. But again it is not out of place to give Nigerian companies opportunities to handle projects of this nature. This is our country, whoever has the ability and the capacity to do projects of this nature we believe should be encouraged.” On the percentage of work done on the road, Onolememen said: “I will leave that for those who use the road. As far as we are concerned, the terms of work have not been complied with”.

The poor condition of the road has been a major concern to the Federal Government and governors of the South West states considering the frequent rate of accidents on the road resulting in the loss of many lives. The governors had met with the President in May over transport infrastructure and Lagos-Ibadan expressway expressing disappointment with the state of the road and had called for a review of the concession agreement. The road, which is a vital link between the nation’s

commercial capital, Lagos and other parts of the country, was handed over to BiCourtney on May 26, 2009 to expand, modernise and maintain for a period of 25 years. Its scope of work involves the full reconstruction of the existing carriageway from Lagos to Ibadan; the provision of two additional lanes in each direction between Lagos and Sagamu Interchange, making it four lanes. The reconstruction was in four phases and planned to last four years. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Pastor John Kennedy Opara; President Goodluck Jonathan; wife of visiting President, International Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship, Vangie and her husband, Mr. Richard Shakarian during their visit to the State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

CJN vows to deal with corrupt judges EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

he Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, has threatened to deal with magistrates and area court judges found to have compromised their judicial oath of office. Justice Mukhtar’s warning was contained in an address she delivered yesterday at the opening of the 2012 biennial conference of the All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Abuja. The CJN said that magistrate, area and customary courts were the closest to the masses and the most patronised by the public. She, however, regretted that reports concerning some judges of the courts left much to be desired as allegations of “corruption and bribery especially in

exchange for grant of bail are almost becoming rampant.” The CJN, who is also the Chairman, NJI Board of Governors, threatened that “Commissions of various jurisdictions will not hesitate to administer appropriate sanctions to any judge of the lower courts found wanting. “Heads of courts receive reports and petitions concerning some judges of lower courts which are rather difficult to believe. “There have also been complaints regarding some of you on laziness in the discharge of judicial duties, lateness in sitting and non-sitting at all and so on”, she said. As a way out, Justice Mukhtar stressed the need for reform as captured in the theme of the conference: “Judicial reforms and the administration of Justice.” This is even as she in-

sisted that “we should let the reform start from the hearts of individuals concerned” “You reform yourself and allow yourself to be reformed by amending your conduct that bring dishonour to the Judiciary as an institution. Let your conduct be seen to be both ethical and impeccable.” She said: “Sit promptly, be fair to litigants and other patrons of your courts; lead your staff by example and by so doing, the image of the Judiciary will continue to receive high rating in the opinion of the public.” NJI Administrator, Justice Umaru Eri (rtd), stressed the importance of technology to the dispensation of justice in the country. He said: “The increased use of ICT among judiciaries around the world evinces to us that our judiciary must be in a position to respond to the technological, socio-economic, cul-

tural and political changes, which impact on the growth and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 21st century.” On the issue of remand, Justice Eri wondered why “courts give in to requests for remand on mere presentation of First Information Report by the Police.” The administrator noted that the judiciary is partly responsible for prison congestion, warning that this development must stop. “Year-in-year-out, we are gathered to talk-shop about congestion in our prisons. The truth must be told, that we share in the blame as well and this must stop forthwith. “From statistics, and my practical knowledge of the prisons, 50 per cent of the warrants of those awaiting trials are signed by judges of the lower courts, that is to say Magistrates, Area Courts and Customary Court Judges,” Eri disclosed.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Photo News

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

L-R: Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; Deputy Governor, Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka and Mrs. Olufemi Ogun, at the investiture of Ogun as the ninth President of the Professional Ladies Insurance Association of Nigeria in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Bert Ronhaar, United Nations’ Special Envoy on Financial Inclusion, HRH Princess Maxima of Netherlands and Managing Director of Hasal Microfinance Bank, Mr. Rogers Nwoke, during the envoy’s meeting with some customers of the bank shortly after the launch of National Financial Inclusion Strategy in Abuja, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Isa Aremu; Financial Controller, United Nigerian Textiles Ltd, Mr. Leo Poon and NLC Legal Adviser, Comrade Femi Aborisade, at a roundtable and presentation of research report to mark 2012 African Industrialisation Day, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Mrs. Bunmi Oke; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mabe Thabo; representative of the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Mosunmola Junaid and Brand Building Director, Unilever, Mr. David Okeme, at the re-launch of Vaseline in Lagos, at the weekend.

National News

Budget 2012: Senators angry with Okonjo-Iweala As MDAs decry low funds release

GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

inistries, Department and A g e n c i e s , MDAs, which appeared before the Senate yesterday to defend their 2013 appropriation proposals decried the insufficient release of funds for the implementation of the 2012 Appropriation Act by the Finance Ministry. The allegation was levelled by the ministers of Education, and Housing and Urban Development. This was as senators also frowned at the way the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disregarded the 2012 Appropriation Act, a development which accounted for the low budget performance of below 50 per cent recorded by the MDAs. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Bukar Abba Ibra-

him, while querying the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Ama Pepple, sought to know why the ministry could not realise the completion of projects to a performance figure well above 50 per cent before the expiration of the fourth quarter. He said: “I don’t understand why your ministry has been able to execute only 43 per cent of projects at this time, and we are in the fourth quarter now.” Responding, Pepple explained that the ministry was hindered by releases not yet received in the fourth quarter. She also said that quarterly releases made were not in line with quarterly figures appropriated in the 2012 Appropriation Act. “We don’t give out projects until the monies are made available. Presently, we have not received any money. We also try as much as possi-

ble to work based on the funds available to us,” the minister said. But Ibrahim said: “If the money is not available, why does the Ministry of Finance keep lying to us that 75 per cent has been released. This is a difficult thing to understand.” He expressed fears that projects might not be completed by December.

Ibrahim added that though the National Assembly had received a N22 billion proposal for the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, it appropriated and passed N41 billion for it to be able to execute projects listed in its 2012 budget. The Ministry of Finance, however, made releases not up to what was

appropriated by the National Assembly. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerijie, expressed disappointment over the low level of implementation in his speech when the Ministry of Education appeared to defend its 2013 budget. He said: “It is regret-

table however that the level of implementation of budget has remained below 50 per cent. While this holds true for all the sectors, its impact on the educational sector is most severe. It is therefore of utmost importance that the executive appreciates the imperative of releasing funds as at when due.”

FG must clean up oil sector –Ribadu WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

ormer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday said the problem in the oil sector could only be solved if there was a general clean up in the system. Ribadu spoke with journalists in Ilorin when he went to commiserate with the family of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki. He said: “In the (oil) industry of course, some improvements and changes must be made. Hopefully,

with what we have done in the probe, implementation will take place and I believe changes will come to the industry. The government wisely came up with reforms, part of which is that it invited people to come and contribute and participate like we did.” Ribadu also spoke on the nation’s polity and its inherent problems. He said: “There is hope for the country. If you see the enthusiasm, the interest that is around, you will definitely conclude that there is hope for this country. People believe in Nigeria. People are worried, people are concerned.

“They want a better life and if you have a population like that with interest and passion, certainly you will say there is hope. We are working hard and if you work you will see result. Today, all of us are concerned; all of us want to see a better tomorrow for Nigeria. This is why I say there is hope. The belief is that tomorrow will certainly be a better day than today and that we will work hard to make tomorrow better than yesterday. “Certainly, there is hope in the sense that people want a change; they want something better and I am

encouraged daily. I believe if we clean up the rot in the sector; if we do what is right and proper; if the indiscipline in the sector is removed, I believe it is big enough to go round.” Eulogising the late Saraki, he said: “As a father, he did his own part to build the democracy that we are enjoying today. We are proud of him. We owe it a duty to celebrate his life by way of condolence. We are also to testify that he did extremely well. We have seen clearly through his offspring by what they are doing; those are the people that he brought up, his political associates.”

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Fani-Kayode, ACN fault Jonathan on Boko Haram, Odi invasion AYODELE OJO AND FELIX NWANERI Loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday faulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that the 1999 Odi military operation did not solve the killing of security personnel and innocent civilians in the Niger Delta area by militants. They said that the President must have forgotten the facts or he was misinformed. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, described the conflicting statements emanating from the President and his spokespersons as a credibility deficiency syndrome that raises questions over who indeed is in charge. President Jonathan had during Sunday’s presidential media chat said the military operation in Odi, Bayelsa State, by soldiers on the order of former President Obasanjo did not solve the problem and stopped the crisis in the oil-rich region then. He added that what he saw in Odi after he went there on an official visit as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then were dead bodies of old people and children. The President added that none of the militants responsible for the killing of the soldiers and policemen, which led to the military invasion was killed by the soldiers. But the former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, in a statement made available to National Mirror faulted the claims. He said: “With the greatest respect to Mr. President this is factually incorrect. He has either forgotten the relevant facts or he has been misinformed. “Whichever way he is mistaken and it is important for those of us that proudly served the Obasanjo administration to respond to him in order to clarify the issues, clear the air and set the record straight for the sake of history and posterity. “I had the privilege of being briefed about all the facts by President Olusegun Obasanjo himself and Col. Kayode Are, the former Director-General, DG of the State Security Service, SSS, immediately after the Presidential Media Chat and I

believe that it is appropriate to share some of those facts with members of the Nigerian public given the grave assertion and serious charge that President Jonathan has made. Those facts are as follows. “Five policemen and four soldiers were killed by a group of Niger Delta militants when they tried to enter the town of Odi in Bayelsa State in order to effect their arrest. This happened in 1999. After the brutal killing of the security personnel, President Olusegun Obasanjo asked the then governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, to identify, locate, apprehend and hand over the perpetrators of that crime. “The governor said that he was unable to do so and President Obasanjo, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, took the position that security personnel could not be killed with impunity under his watch without a strong and appropriate response from the Federal Government. “Consequently, he sent the military in to uproot and kill the terrorists and to destroy their operational base which was the town of Odi. “The operation was carried out with military precision and efficiency and its objectives were fully achieved. The terrorists were either killed and those that were not killed fled their operational base in Odi, were uprooted, were weakened, were demoralised and were completely dispersed. That was the purpose of the whole exercise and that purpose was achieved. “The truth is that the killing of security agents and soldiers with impunity by the Niger Delta militants virtually stopped after the operation in Odi and remained at a bare minimum right up until the time that President Obasanjo left power eight years later in 2007. I advise those that doubt this to go and check the records.” Fani-Kayode also recalled that the same thing was done in Zaki Biam, Benue State, in 2001 after 19 soldiers were murdered by some terrorists from that area. He said that the Odi experience was akin to the Feder-

al Government’s strong military response in Zaki Biam which stopped the killing of security personnel with impunity in the area. Fani-Kayode said: “The objectives of the military operations in both Odi and Zaki Biam were to stop such killings, to eliminate and deal a fatal blow to those that perpetuated them and to discourage those that may seek to carry out such barbarous butchery and mindless violence in the future. “Those were the objectives and nothing more and clearly those objectives were achieved. There is no doubt that after Odi there was still unrest, agitations, protests, kidnappings and the blowing up and sabotage of oil pipelines in the

Niger Delta area but there were hardly any more attacks on or killing of soldiers and security personnel by the terrorists and militants because they knew that to do that would attract a swift and forceful reaction and terrible retribution from the Nigerian military.” The former minister said that Obasanjo had no other objective in sending soldiers to the areas than to stop and deter attacks and killings of security personnel, which was achieved. He saidL: “President Goodluck Jonathan was therefore in error when he said that Odi did not solve the problem of killings in the Niger Delta area by the Niger Delta militants.” He added: “Not only did

the action stop the killings, it was also an eloquent testimony of how to deal with terrorists, how to handle those that kill our security personnel with impunity and how to deter militants from killing members of our civilian population and thinking that they can get away with it. “If President Obasanjo had not taken that strong action at that time many more of our civilian population and security personnel would have been killed by the Niger Delta militants between 1999 and 2007. By doing what he did at Odi and Zaki Biam, President Obasanjo saved the lives of many and put a stop to the killings and terrorism that had taken root in the Niger Delta area previous to that

time.” On of Boko Haram, FaniKayode said it was unfortunate that Obasanjo’s comment was misconstrued. . “What he said was that a solution ought to have been found or some sort of action ought to have been taken sooner rather than allow the problem to fester over time like a bad wound and get worse. “There can be no doubt that he was right on this because, according to President Jonathan’s own Chief of Army Staff, no less that 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram in the last two years alone,” he said. This figure, he further stated, represents approximately the same number CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

L-R: Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Justice Umaru Eri and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, at the Conference of All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

FG revokes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Representatives of the sacked concessionaire had blamed the slow progress on the construction work on delays in getting final approval for the project design from government, which was finally approved on May 10, 2011; difficulties in securing the Right of Way; the long period required for the mobilisation of materials and equipment; involvement of banks and technical partners to make the project a success. The concessionaire had mobilised four gangs for the immediate rehabilitation of the highway last December following bickering between it and the Ogun State Government over the ownership of the site of its Asphalt Plant Site located in Shagamu; and two weeks

after the Minister of Works, issued an ultimatum to the firm to complete the repairs of the expressway within 60 days. The company had patched some bad spots of the road at that time. The Federal Government had been considering the cancellation of the concession since the beginning of the year but was slow in acting for fear of incurring huge legal penalties enshrined in the concession contract. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, had in a March 7 presentation to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, concluded that virtually all public infrastructure concession granted in recent times were performing poorly and should be reviewed. Other concession proj-

ects noted for poor performance in the presentation made by the Director-General of ICRC, Alhaji Mansur Ahmed, include the TBS National Facilities, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and Apapa Ports among others. The DG had told the FEC that three years after the signing of Bi-Courtney agreement the project was yet to achieve financial close. He had identified inadequate project development, non-competitiveness of the procurement process, lack of design or evidence of financing during the signing of agreement as part of the problems for which lessons must be learnt and taken into account in granting similar concessions in the future. He had also pointed out

that there was not enough due diligence (technical and financial) by grantor and that roles of other stakeholders were not taken into account at project development. On the way forward for poor performance of PPP projects in Nigeria, Ahmed had advocated that adherence to guidelines for PPP (development, procurement, and implementation) must be made mandatory, while project selection and prioritisation should be consistent with the National Planning Framework. He had also urged that project procurement must remain transparent and competitive to sustain confidence in the Nigeria PPP market and that risk analyses must be undertaken for every project and properly allocated.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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Jonathan at 55: Expect more dividends of democracy, NSGF tells Nigerians • As President leaves for D8 meeting in Pakistan ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday paid tribute to President Goodluck Jonathan, who turns 55 today, just as it asked Nigerians to expect more dividends of democracy. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said within a space of two and a half years, President Jonathan has touched the lives of Nigerians in many positive ways and has stamped a seal of excellence in all the spheres of

our national life. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, Governor Aliyu said the forum is proud of President Jonathan’s landmark achievements and remarkable leadership qualities which he has wonderfully exhibited in accelerating the growth and development of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole. The statement made reference to the progress made in critical sectors of the economy as agriculture, wealth creation, education, citizen diplomacy and other laudable programmes that are

anchored on the administration’s transformation agenda. The forum said it believes that President Jonathan has a lot more to offer Nigerians and called on all citizens to join hands with the President to move Nigeria forward. The forum prayed God to grant President Jonathan excellent health,

courage and many more years of selfless service to Nigeria and humanity. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan leaves Abuja today for Islamabad, Pakistan, to attend the summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight Developing Nations (D-8) which opens tomorrow. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media

and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan would be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Besides participating in the summit of the D-8 which was established in

1997 to foster developmental cooperation amongst member-countries, Jonathan would also hold bilateral meetings in Islamabad with the Presidents of Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and Egypt, whose countries also belong to the D-8. The President would also meet with Nigerians living in Pakistan before returning to Abuja on Friday.

N24.6bn subsidy scam: SFU arrests six MDs FRANCIS SUBERU

he Special Fraud Unit (SFU) yesterday said it has arrested the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officers (MD/CEOs) of the six oil companies referred to it by the Presidential Committee on Oil Subsidy. The arrested MD/CEO include MD Eurafric Coastal Services, Mr. Odjegba Onoriode; GMD Caades Oil & Gas Ltd; Mr. Ejiofor Innoma Chikadibia; MD/CEO Prudent Energy & Services Ltd; Mr. Sowami Abuwasin Olatunde; MD Somerset Oil & Gas Ltd; Mrs. Gladys Amaefule; MD Imad Oil & Gas Ltd; Mallam Bashir Adamu Gusau and MD Dozzy Oil & Gas Ltd, Sir Daniel Chikwudozie. In a statement released by SFU Public Relations Officer, Ngozi IsintumeAgu, investigations have revealed that the companies

benefitted in an illegal oil subsidy at different times between 2010 and 2011. According to the statement, “a total subsidy amount of N6.130 billion was paid to Eurafric Coastal Services Ltd; based on 85, 519 million litres of fuel imported between November, 2010 and 2011, in six transactions. The statement reads in part: “A total amount of N9.935 billion was due to Caades Oil & Gas Ltd, based on 13.501 million litres of PMS imported in December 2011 which comprises two transactions. “A total subsidy payment of N1, 360, 898,638.10 was paid to Prudent Energy & Services Ltd; based on a single importation of 18, 316, 767 million litres of PMS. “A total subsidy payment of N2.690 billion was paid to Somerset Oil & Gas Ltd; based on 40.165 million litres of PMS imported in two transactions.

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike; Peoples Democratic Party National Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe and Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, at the inauguration of the National Education Innovations Exhibition in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ibori’s $15m bribe: Court to rule on application for joinder, Nov 23 EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday, adjourned till November 23, ruling in an application brought by an intervener/applicant, Olalekan Bayode. The intervener, through his counsel, John Olufemi, had filed a motion seeking to be joined as interested party in the ongoing suit to determine the ownership of the $15 million allegedly offered as bribe

to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori. Ibori, who is serving a jailterm in the United Kingdom, was said to have offered the said amount with the intention of compromising investigation on money laundering allegations by the anti-graft agency. However, when the matter came up yesterday for arguments on the motion for joinder, counsel to the intervener/ applicant, Olufemi was absent in court, having written a let-

ter to other parties and the court, asking for an adjournment on health grounds. The presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, while warning counsel to desist from addressing their correspondence to the judge, as Olufemi did in the instant case, sought the opinion of respective parties in the suit on the letter seeking adjournment. While the AttorneyGeneral of Delta State, Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN) and counsel to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ogar Obeyah, urged the court to deem the appli-

Ibori

cant’s motion as properly adopted, as provided for under Order 22, Rule 9 of the Federal High Court rules, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) asked the court to strike out the motion.

Alleged insanity: Abuja court refuses Aregbesola’s application NIMASA gets seven days to pay N6.8bn into court’s account EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

ttempts by the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, to have a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to dismiss a suit alleging insanity on his part failed yesterday. A Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, had instituted a suit where it claimed that Aregbesola is insane, and

so not fit to govern Osun State. In his ruling yesterday, the trial judge, Justice A.R. Mohammed, held that; “The court cannot entertain the first defendant’s application to strike out the suit, because hearing notice was not served on the plaintiff as ordered.” Counsel to the governor, Mr. Ebuka Nwaeze, while moving the application to strike out the suit, informed the court that the plaintiff and its legal representatives

were absent in court, even when they were aware that the matter was slated for hearing. Nwaeze urged the court to apply order 19 rule 3 of the Federal High Court procedure to strike out the suit. Before adjourning hearing on the matter till December 10, Justice Mohammed requested that the bailiff, who failed to serve processes as directed by the court, be transferred.

K AYODE KETEFE

he Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to pay into the account of the court N6.8 billion being a judgment debt belonging to Hensmor Nigeria Limited. In a unanimous ruling

by the three justices, the appellate court ordered NIMASA to pay the sum into the Registrar of the Court on an interest-yielding account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria, Plc; “within seven days of this ruling”. NIMASA had on March 14, 2006, arrested the commercial vessel belonging to Hensmor Nigeria Ltd. laden with kerosene and had kept it in custody, this

had prompted Hensmor to institute the suit it eventually won at the lower court. In the ruling delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, to which the other two justices concurred, the appellate court ordered NIMASA to pay the judgment sum into the bank’s account while it adjourned the motion for appeal filed by NIMASA against the substantive judgment of the trial court till February 11, 2013.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Arms importation: Court rejects suspects’ evidence K AYODE KETEFE

judge of a Federal High Court sitting Lagos, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, yesterday rejected a contract document sought to be tendered as evidence to support the case of two accused persons standing trial for unlawful importation of firearms to Nigeria from Iran, Azim Aghajani (Iranian), and Ali Jega. The accused persons are standing trial on a fivecount charge of unlawful importation of firearms

and explosives to Nigeria. At the proceedings yesterday, the defence lawyer, Mr Chris Uche (SAN), sought to tender a document which he said was a proof of a contract agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Gambia. Uche sought to tender document through the first witness of the defence, Mr. Bavharan Mohsen, (an official of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) as he opened the defence of the accused persons yesterday. In his evidence-in-chief,

Mohsen told the court that there was an agreement for the importation of firearms between Iran and Gambia which was reduced into writing. He added that the arms were meant to be transported to the Gambia government for use by her military, but had to be shipped through Nigeria as a transit point before onward transfer to the final destination. Mohsen said: “It is very rare to find a ship in the ports in Iran going directly to Gambia. Therefore, you will need a port of

transit between Iran and Gambia” Mohsen also defended the concealment of the arms on the grounds that if they were not so concealed they were would be at risk of through the onslaught of pirates and terrorist, whom he said usually confiscates such ammunitions at sea. After that, Uche sought to tender the contract document as evidence of the transaction between the two countries, but the measure was opposed by the prosecution represented by the Director of

Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Fumilayo Fatunde. Fatunde argued that the alleged contract document between the two nations does not bear the signature and seal of either nation. She, therefore, said the document was not legally admissible and urged the court to reject it. Fatunde said: “Although a letter of authorisation allows a witness to testify on behalf of a country before the court on certain documents, but it is not this type of document. “Under Section 149 of the Evidence Act, presumption does not come into play unless and un-

til parties ratify that this document would be admissible in their country of origin without proof of seal and signature authenticating it. “There is no such proof of authenticity before my lord and as such, my lord is not in a position to accept this presumption. I urge my lord to reject this document in its entirety” In his short ruling, Justice Okeke said the document was not relevant in the case as it showed that the agreement was between two companies in Iran and Gambia, and not between the government of the Iran and Nigeria.

We target transparency in extractive industry –Jonathan

L-R: President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; author of the book, Legislative Drafting in Plain English and the Director, Legal Services National Assembly, Mr. Daniel Tongvadem and Senate President David Mark during the public presentation of the book in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Buhari, Ribadu, others storm Abeokuta, as Alake honours Tinubu FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he ancient city of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, yesterday stood still as the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, honoured the National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with chieftaincy title of Aare Ago of Egbaland. Asiwaju’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was also honoured with the chieftaincy title of Erelu

Aare Ago of Egbaland at the ceremony held at the Alake’s palace. The conferment of the chieftaincy title on the former governor of Lagos State formed part of the activities lined up to commemorate the 7th anniversary coronation of Alake’s ascension to the throne. Eminent Nigerians that thronged the Alake’s palace to rejoice with the Tinubus included the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the April 2011 general election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,

and the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Also present on the occasion were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume; House of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as former governors of Lagos and Ogun states, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Aremo Segun Osoba.

Speaking at the event, Osoba said the chieftaincy title of Aare Ago of Egbaland would have been conferred on Tinubu since seven years ago, but for the non-disposition of the administration in power which opposed it.

ABUJA

ederal Government yesterday admitted that there are myriad of challenges in the nation’s education sector. The government, however, attributed the phenomenon to poor research and innovations churned

out by tertiary institutions nationwide. President Goodluck Jonathan spoke while opening this year’s edition of National Education Innovations Exhibition in Abuja. He decried the dearth of home grown research in the education system, a trend, he said accounted

for huge budgetary allocations to the sector in the last few years. The President, represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, said stakeholders ought to entrench a system of innovations right from the basic school level, if the quest for a dynamic and eco-

Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, hinted that in the weeks ahead, he would strengthen the Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) by re-inaugurating it with senior government officials identified as a key to the reforms of the extractive sector to implement the remedial issues arising from the NEITI audit findings. The President lauded the theme of the retreat: “From Transparency to Accountability,” urging NEITI to move from its present position of enthroning transparency to recording measurable and visible impacts in the lives of Nigerians. He said: “I consider this theme very fundamental in the view of the importance of our natural resources to the economic and social well-being of Nigerians.”

S’Court in Eso’s time among world’s best –Sagay K AYODE KETEFE

T Gbadebo

FG blames nation’s education woes on poor research IJEOMA EZEIKE

he Federal Government has pledged to build better systems and procedure that would strengthen the capacity of relevant agencies and halt mismanagement, inefficiency and lack of transparency in the extractive sector. President Goodluck Jonathan, who stated this yesterday at the opening of the retreat for members of the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) held at the Le’ Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Nwaniba, noted that his administration was ready to actualise transparent extractive sector, where the revenues are accounted for and used for the benefit of Nigerians. Dr. Jonathan, represented by Akwa Ibom State

nomic driven society must be achieved. He said: “Fellow Nigerians, my administration recognises the challenges that the Nigerian education sector have been facing over the years, it is for this reason that we have consistently continued to improve budgetary allocation to the sector.

ribute has continued to pour in on the demise of the late former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kayode Eso, as a renowned lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), described the deceased as his mentor. Sagay said the Supreme Court of Nigeria during Eso tenure was among the best in the World. Sagay, who spoke in an interview with National Mirror, lauded the intellectual capacity of the departed jurist and be-

moaned his death, which he described as a great loss to Nigeria. He said men like Eso “come in short supply in Nigeria.” Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, described the late Eso as a great legal icon who believed in using law as an instrument to make the society better. Sagay said: “Those who know me well will readily say Eso is my mentor. He was a jurist par excellence and of the best justices that had ever sat on the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

South West

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-Fashola’s aide assassinated in friend’s house •Governor, Tinubu mourn FEMI OYEWESO AND MURITALA AYINLA

ormer Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Mr. Toyin Hamzat, was late Sunday night assassinated in Shagamu by yet to be identified gunmen. He was said to have been shot dead by the assailants in front of his female friend’s house at about 9:30pm in Shagamu while preparing to return to his Lagos home. Though the motive behind his assassination was yet to be established by security agents, National Mirror gathered yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, that the killing might not be unconnected with his persistent visits to the female friend’s house which had previously brought him into open

confrontation with the woman’s husband. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the death of Hamzat, but ruled out political assassination as being speculated. Adejobi said the incident was purely a murder case that has no political undertone. He said that five persons, including the female

friend, her husband as well as three drivers of the taxi owned by the husband were already in the police custody in Abeokuta. Adejobi told journalists that evidences available to the police indicted the husband of the female friend, hence the need to arrest him for interrogation. In a related development, Adejobi confirmed the death of two police officers killed yesterday in Abeokuta by armed robbers who attacked cattle

dealers in Olodo International Market in Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. He added that two other officers were injured when the robbers attacked the police post at the market and dispossessed the cattle dealers of undisclosed huge sum of money. Decrying the uncooperative attitude of the cattle dealers to strictly adhere to police advice on movement of cash at the market, Adejobi said the Commis-

sioner of Police, Ikhemefuna Okoye, had directed the Area Commander in Ilaro as well as all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state to ensure that the robbers were apprehended. Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday described the incident as shocking, saying it was a supreme irony of life that such a man of peace who gave so much in the service of his nation and community could come to

Too many rituals in Ekiti –Bishop ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

PDP wants Ekiti CP transferred ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has called on the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama. The PDP Media and Communications Director General in the state, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, said the call became imperative “to arrest violence in the coming days.” Aribisogan told journalists yesterday in AdoEkiti that the “inability of Wakama to rise to the spate of violent activities perpetrated by the supporters of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) showed that he has abdicated his responsibilities and continued to play politics with the lives and property of the people.” He listed the crimes to include disturbances over chieftaincy matters at Ilasa-Ekiti and Egbe Iro; the disruption of meetings organised by former Governor Ayodele Fayose; the attack on Fayose’s driver on Ire-Ekiti Road and the accident and death that culminated in the closure of the state-owned university.

such a violent end. Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, decried the rising insecurity in the country, even as he described as shocking the killing of Amzat by gunmen. He said: “Early this morning (yesterday), I received the shocking news of the death of one of our most illustrious sons and progressively minded politicians, Hon. Toyin Amzat, former chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area.” Urging relevant authorities to arrest Amzat’s killers, Tinubu asked security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities.

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr. Jerry Wolcson; Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo and his wife, Peace, at the opening ceremony of Kingdom Life World Conference 2012, tagged: “Grace, Grace,” at the TREM Cathedral in Lagos, at the weekend.

Oyo traders protest alleged demolition, looting KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

bout 200 traders yesterday disrupted activities at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, protesting the alleged demolition of their stalls and looting of their goods by agents of the state. The traders, carrying placards with various anti-government inscriptions such as “After

Lam’s death, Oyo people suffer; YES-O steal after demolition; ACN, call Ajimobi to order,” defied the police barricade at the entrance to the secretariat and chanted war songs. Led by the Otun Iyalaje of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Coker, the traders lamented the non-service of demolition notice to them before the government mobilised its agents to pull down their means of livelihood at

Dugbe market. Coker said: “What baffled us more was the burgling of our stores and the carting away of our wares by the YES-O cadets on Sunday afternoon. The goods were bought with loan obtained from SEAP and LAPO which was yet to be repaid. “It is at Dugbe Market that we make money to finance our students’ education. Many of these traders are widows and single mothers who fend

for their families. Now, where do we go now? “Governor Abiola Ajimobi must not scatter Dugbe market during his administration. His late mother once traded in the market. We closed down the market when he came to campaign. He removed his shoes and promised that he would never disturb us. In turn, we mobilised our members to vote for him. Now, he has pounced on us. God is watching.

Aregbesola advises judiciary on responsibility WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged the judiciary to always discharge its responsibilities as expected. He spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, while delivering a speech entitled: “Justice is a uni-

versal purpose” at the swearing in ceremony of the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Gloria Erhioyovwe Oladoke. Aregbesola pleaded with judges, who he described as representatives of God in their various courts, to ensure that the purpose of justice is served in all their pronouncements, even as he

identified injustice as the major causes of conflicts in human societies. The governor warned that any attempt to forcibly deny the people their rights could portend danger for the nation, adding that there was the need to ensure equity among the people, while the rich must refrain from oppressing

the poor. He said: “A situation in which 90 per cent of societal resources are concentrated in the hands of one per cent of the people is gross injustice that can only breed class antagonism and escalation between the rich and the poor and the rich risks violent revolt from the poor.”

he Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Femi Ajakaye, has decried the spate of fetish sacrifices in some parts of Ekiti State, describing it as waste of resources and taking the state back to the stone age. Ajakaiye, who noted that the numerous sacrifices at junctions and crossroads were baffling, said: “It is primitive and does not portray us as civilized people who have total belief in God.” The cleric, who spoke at the thanksgiving service of Ekiti Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Week 2012, also decried the rituals that local government workers and teachers engaged in during their disagreement with the state government. He said: “I saw a whole ram at a junction in UsiEkiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area, garnished with salt and palm oil. Apart from being unsightly and unhealthy, I see it as a waste of resources because I believe there must be people in that community who had not eaten meat for some time.”

Fayemi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Lagos begins child health intervention ACN blasts PDP over allegation of manipulation of LCDA appeal case A

AROWOSOLA TOSIN

he Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West for alleging that Governor Babatunde Fashola and the ACN are manipulating the appeal case in the Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA. The party said it is not surprising that such falsehood is coming from the South-West PDP, which it advised to warm up to the fact that its imposed reign in the SouthWest is done and over for good. In a release signed by the party in Lagos, the state Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said the party understands why it is arduous asking PDP to substantiate its allegation since the party believes in forging and marketing falsehood for its existence. The ACN said the PDP in the South-West is founded on such falsehood and has ceased to surprise anybody by the intensity and hollowness of their falsehood. “Our reaction to the latest falsehood is to laugh it off as yet another smear effort by the PDP to cash in on the intelligence of a people that have proved for the umpteenth time that they are

wiser than their antics. “When we saw the body of their allegation and noticed that there was nothing linking either Governor Fashola or the ACN to the laughable allegation, we felt vindicated in our age-old contention that PDP in the South-West is a huge aberration. “We would be expecting more from them if we expect them to prove their allegation, for that is the lifeblood that sustains the party at present. “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Fashola and the ACN give no heck about Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA going

he Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN) yesterday lauded the Federal Government for ignoring the negotiation offer by the deadly Boko Haram sect, describing the move as a good strategy meant to resolve the country’s security challenges. The experts argued that there was no way the Federal Government would have a favourable deal with the sect since its members still operate under cover, adding that dealing with unknown sect such as Boko Haram requires strategic approach. Briefing journalists at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Alausa, on the end of year activities of the institute, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Adeyemi Mapaderun, said

“high-impact, low-cost maternal, newborn and child health interventions.” Her words: “The maternal newborn and child health week was introduced with the objective of improving the healthcare seeking-behaviour of the whole family, especially mothers and care-givers of children under the age of five years. “The week is being celebrated with the provision of an integrated, high-impact preventive and promotive services to the whole family and these services include routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation with growth monitoring and promotion as well as

screening of under five children for malnutrition.” She added that other specific objectives of the celebration are the need to “promote the utilisation of health facilities by pregnant women, newborn and children and to mobilise pregnant women to attend four focused antennal care visits. “It is also to deliver tetanus toxoid to eligible women of productive age, provide children six to 59 months with vitamin A every six months, distribute and promote the use of long lasting insecticide treated nets for under five children, pregnant and lactating women.”

Labour Institute honours Fayemi, Orji, others in Ilorin WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

kiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is to be conferred with the fellow of the Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS) this week at an annual labour relations summit of the institute in Ilorin, Kwara State. The summit, which will also feature the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Abia State GoverL-R: Acting Chief Judge, Justice Gloria Ethieyorwe Oladoke; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and state Chairman of the Christian nor, Chief Theodore Orji, as Association of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Abraham Aladeseye, at Oladoke’s swearing-in-ceremony in Osogbo, yesterday. well as the Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, is said to be in recognition of their he Ondo State chapter of INEC’s vital documents Tunde Atere, of the Ondo immense contribution to of the Peoples Demo- and substantial non-compli- State Law Commission to sound labour relations in the enable them beat the 14 days cratic Party (PDP) ance. the Federal Government country. Adebayo said on three deadline. might not likely have the up- and the Olusola Oke CamNational Mirror gathered “This is regrettable and per hand at the purported paign Organisation have ac- occasions, the court bailiff that the summit, with the cused Governor Olusegun had met a brick wall in an unacceptable as according negotiation table. theme; ‘Social Policy, Labour According to the regis- Mimiko of evading service effort to serve both the La- to him, “It is an act of cowRelations and Transformatrar, the outcome of the ne- of notice of the petition filed bour Party (LP) and Gover- ardice and panic fueled by tion Agenda: Extending Sogotiation might not favour by the governorship candi- nor Mimiko the petitions. the guilty conscience of cial Protection in Nigeria’ is the Federal Government date of the PDP at the tribu- On these occasions, he said a governor who allegedly to focus on the contribution the governor was reported procured victory under since the members of the nal. of critical stakeholders in laIn a statement released by to be busy with state matters the basest, most corrupt sect still remain largely unbour matters in the country. the Special Adviser on Me- while the offices of secretar- and most shameful circumknown. The former National ies and officials dedicated for stances ever seen in history. His words: “Negotiation dia and Publicity of Chief President of the Academic is not the answer to Boko Olusola Oke, Kunle Ade- the governors mails were re- Which state matter should Staff Union of Nigerian be more important than Haram insurgency because bayo, the organisation berat- portedly under lock and key. Universities (ASUU), Prof. defending the legitimacy Efforts by the court bailiff the members of the sect ed the governor for evading Festus Iyayi, will among have upper hands than the service of the notice of the to also serve the LP through of government?” Adebayo other prominent speakers, Federal Government. Also, petition three times, which its state secretariat in Akure asked. speak on the topic and the “One would have expectsince nobody has been able should have signified the and its national secretariat “Issues, Prospects and Chalin Abuja, Adebayo said also ed the man who claimed to pin point their members, beginning of the trial. lenges of Social Protection Adebayo described the proved abortive as both offic- victory with clean hands to they will be in control of the in Nigeria”. jump up with genuine exaction of the governor as es were reportedly deserted. negotiation. The former Director of According to Adebayo, citement and enviable conSo, we have to adopt a contempt for the rule of law International Labour Orbetter strategy to tackle and an uncharitable con- the reason why Governor fidence and walk up to the ganisation (ILO) Regional Mimiko and the LP are temple of justice with disinsecurity problems in the duct. Office for Southern AfThe PDP candidate and dodging notice of service patch and pride,” he said. country.” rica, Harare, Zimbabwe, “We are not surprised at The institute called on his party had earlier ap- is to enable them work on Prof. Tayo Fashoyin as the Federal Government to proached the tribunal to the petition which Adebayo all because the truth about well as the pioneer Direcsaid was allegedly leaked by all the lies perpetrated duradopt a strategic issue on the challenge the victory of tor-General of MINILS array of problems confront- Mimiko on account of mal- Wole Uzzi, Director of legal ing the election is oozing out are also billed to be awardlike smoke before fire.” practices, manipulation services of INEC to Chief ing the nation. ed, the source added.

Institute lauds FG over stance on Boko Haram MURITALA AYINLA

to the PDP in a free and fair contest, but we feel that PDP cannot just be patronised because they are very desperate. “Even in our contention, we feel the judiciary still remains the best institution equipped to settle every electoral dispute, which is why we are still submitting to the primacy of the court in this matter. Neither Governor Fashola nor the ACN has done anything to sabotage this process and we remain firm that the lower tribunal erred by disallowing our legitimate votes and approving PDP’s own votes.

s the second round of this year’s Maternal Newborn and Child Health week celebration begins in Lagos State, the state government says it has designated 729 health posts made up of 287 fixed posts and 442 outreach posts for the statewide exercise. Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, who disclosed this at the weekend, urged families and care-givers to visits these posts along with their under five children during the week-long celebration to avail themselves of the services that would be provided, which she described as

Ondo guber: Mimiko dodging notice of petition -PDP

South East

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APGA crisis: Umeh accepts CAN’s dialogue offer with Obi, Bianca DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has accepted the offer by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to dialogue

between him and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu on the party’s lingering crisis. Umeh, however, warned that his acceptance of the offer should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness or surrender, but as a mark of re-

I won’t reply critics over private jet –Oritsejafor SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

he President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday declined comment over the insinuations that President Goodluck Jonathan bought a private jet for him as a gift to mark the 40th anniversary of his call to service. The General Overseer of the Later Rain Bible Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, also called for a bloody revolution to deal with some clerics, who have acquired expensive private jets. Oritsejafor, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, yesterday, however, said that he was not ready to glorify his critics with a reply. National Mirror recalls that Oritsejafor joined the elite league of Nigerian clerics, who own private jets on Saturday, November 10, 2012 when his church, Word of Life Bible Church, announced a gift of a Bombardier Jet in honour of the flamboyant cleric, who marked 40th anniversary of his call to evangelism. Jonathan was on hand at the church’s headquarters in Warri, Delta State, when the announcement of the multimillion dollar gift was made by the leaders of the church. The plane, valued at over $40million, according to reports, is a Canadian-made

Bombadier Jet with US registration number N431CB. The reports further indicated that the jet was manufactured in 1994 and hitherto owned by two individuals in the United States. It was gathered that the plane was used in New Jersey by CR BARD IN of Murry Hill, New Jersy, before it was listed for sale in July 2012. Bakare stirred controversy over the jet when he called for a bloody revolution because some religious leaders have acquired private jets. The controversial cleric said that a bloody revolution that would consume religious leaders, who acquired private jets, would soon break out in the country and called on their congregations to challenge the clerics to explain to them where and how they raised the money to procure such expensive jets. Already, CAN has cleared Oritsejafor, describing the critics of Oritsejafor as “evil minds.” But the Oritsejafor, who was contacted by National Mirror yesterday to speak on the lingering controversy over his private jet, said he was not ready to take issues with his critics. “I have no comment. I can’t be talking about such matter at this level. Please leave me alone over that matter. I can’t glorify anybody with a comment over such matter,” he said.

spect to the Christaindom. He commended CAN, particularly its Chairman in the South-East, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuman, who Chief Umeh said has consistently remained passionate on issues affecting Ndigbo and Nigeria in general. Umeh said that CAN’s offer was the first time a credible group would be offering to dialogue among the warring factions in the party crisis,

adding that since the gladiators are predominantly christians, “I and my colleagues, including the non-Christians have agreed to present ourselves to dialogue by CAN.” The APGA chieftain said that he was emotional about the party, having recorded second term victory for Governor Obi, first term victory for Rochas Okorocha in Imo, and others in the National Assembly in the 2011 general

elections. “People have just started trooping into the party after the victories and the crisis started and if peace now returns to the party, it will become even stronger. And I can assure you that after the crisis, our people will get the kind of leadership they desire,” Umeh told journalists yesterday in Enugu. He, however, urged Obi

and Bianca to open their hearts to the dialogue, recalling that without his leadership of the APGA, the party would have long ceased to exist. “I am ready to forgive and they too should be ready to forgive too. I thank Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma for being outspoken on issues of Igbo interest and I encourage him to restore peace in APGA,” Umeh said.

Eze Nri, His Majesty, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh (right), exchanging greetings with the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Sports and Women Affairs, Dr. Peter Deshi, after conferring him with the title of Ezinwanne Na Nri, in Nri, Anambra State, at the weekend.

300 Nigerians protest deportation from Bostwana DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

o fewer than 300 Nigerians living in the Republic of Botswana have been deported to Nigeria in the past few months after the authorities refused to renew their permits. The angry deportees want President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly to quickly look into the relation between Bostwana and Nigeria in order to ascertain the true conditions of Nigerians living in that country.

The deportees, most of whom had lived and worked in the Southern African country, said since Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, assumed office, Nigerians living in Bostwana had been subjected to dehumanising conditions and racial abuses. Alleging that Gen. Khama planned to get rid of innocent Nigerians doing genuine businesses in Bostwana, efforts to make the country’s authorities understand that they were peace-loving and not interested in criminal activities

fell on deaf ears. “The Bostwana Government was only interested in sending us out without any reason,” they said. Speaking on the ordeals of Nigerians in the hands of the Botswana officials, Mr. Kingsley Ndubuisi, an indigene of Anambra State, who returned to the country without his belongings in September, said all Nigerians whose permits expired were forcefully deported, leaving their property, wives and children behind. “The most annoying of

all the troubles Nigerians are facing in Bostwana is the incessant stamping of (PI), meaning Prohibited Immigrant on the passport of Nigerians by the Bostwana authorities. The implication is that such a person cannot enter that country again,” Ndubuisi said. He said some of the victims of the “flush Nigerians policy” were doctors, pharmacists and businessmen. Ndubuisi claimed that all these Nigerians were escorted to the airport in handcuff and leg chains like criminals.

Anambra varsity denies owing govt N8m taxes Ex-APCON boss, Nzeribe, is dead C HARLES O KEKE AWKA

he management of Anambra State University has denied that it owed the government N8 million unremitted taxes deducted from workers’ salaries. The university’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, said all the deductions made from

workers’ salaries were being remitted to relevant agencies and that he was not aware that the school owed such an amount. He repudiated the claim that the university was in default of remitting taxes to the appropriate authorities when he spoke with journalists on various issues affecting the institution in Awka, the

state capital. The vice-chancellor, however, said the university would admit 3000 fresh students for next academic session. He decried the situation whereby the university does not have enough money to pay salaries, adding that at times, the management was compelled to borrow money to pay salaries.

ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

former chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and the only black African recipient of the International Advertising Association (IAA) Medal of Merit, London, Dr May M. Nzeribe, is dead. He died at the age of 75. Nzeribe 75 was the

chairman and founder of one of the earliest indigenous advertising agencies, Sunrise Darcy. He was described as a man who devoted large portion of his working life to assisting in internalising practice standards in the advertising industry. He contributed to promoting an enabling environment for adequate consumer protection. Reacting to his death,

the chairman of Troyka Group, Mr Biodun Sobanjo, described it sad news. Sobanjo said: “Very, very sad. I picked the news this morning (yesterday). May his soul rest in perfect peace.” APCON Registrar, Alhaji Garba Bello-Kakanrofi, said the association would make a public announcement as soon as the council finishes discussion with the family.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-South

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Dangote to flood victims: ‘We won’t allow you to suffer’ SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

he Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation yesterday visited camps of displaced persons in Edo State, donating relief materials worth millions of naira to them. Co-Chairman of the Committee and President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who led the team, said Edo was the first in the list of affected states to be visited. Sympathising with Governor Adams Oshiomhole

and the people of Edo State over the devastating impact of the flood, Dangote said: “This committee is made up of heavyweights from the various professions. They are not here to make money out of the situation. We are trying to see if we can raise one hundred billion naira. “We had a fundraising at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and we have actually raised twelve billion. I want to assure you that the displaced Nigerians would not be left to suffer. We will come to their rescue. We will make sure that they would be better off than

they were before.” Responding, Oshiomhole thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for providing the leadership necessary to galvanize support for the displaced persons on the face of an enormous challenge posed by the flood. Oshiomhole said: “I want to appreciate Mr. President for putting up such a high-powered committee whose members have laboured to get to the level where they are and whose compassion to share part of their resources in a coordinated effort towards mitigating the sufferings

of those affected and giving them hope is not in doubt. Mr. President has done extremely well. He has helped to tell us, as Nigerians, that we should be our brothers’ keepers in our time of need.” “The challenge of the flood is enormous. In the short run, we want to make sure that our brothers and sisters are not allowed to die of starvation, after having been displaced already by the flood; their farmlands and livestock destroyed and family life destabilised.” Expressing joy over the

positive reaction of Nigerians, Oshiomhole said he was encouraged by the way Nigerians have so far reacted across the length and breadth of the country. He said: “This is a positive indication that Nigerians have shown that we are one and the same. It is important in terms of the politics of national unity.” The governor commended Dangote for showing a personal interest in the industrialisation of Edo State and for devoting time to his humanitarian efforts. He said: “I am confident that the additional relief materials, which I hear is quite a lot, will go a long way to make the camps

more comfortable. “I want to assure you that only those who deserve to benefit will benefit. Your visit will give them a lot of psychological relief that the people they have heard of and have not seen, but which this disaster has brought, have been to the local communities.” The committee donated 1, 500 bags of 5kg rice; 1, 500 bags of 5kg gari; 1, 500 cartons of noodles; 3, 000 bags of 1kg bags of salt; 2, 000 bags of water; 1, 500 1 litre packs of palm oil; 7, 500 1kg bags of sugar; 750 sanitary packs; 250 mattresses; 1, 000 blankets; 700 clothing materials for men and 700 ankara materials.

JTF denies taking bribe from oil thieves

L-R: Member, Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Hajia Fatima Abdulrahman; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; Co-Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and spokesman for the displaced persons, Mr. Omogbako Amabi, when the committee visited the displaced persons at Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday.

Group demands removal of immunity clause CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Rivers State, Peoples Encouragers Initiative (PEIN), has called for the removal of the immunity clause for President and governors from the nation’s Constitution. Speaking on the ongoing debate on the review of the

Tambuwal

1999 Constitution, the Executive Director of the organisation, Mr. Chukuma Abraham, told journalists in Port Harcourt that the removal of the immunity clause became necessary to curb the widespread corruption among all categories of public office holders in the country. He said that recent developments in the country demonstrated that governors should be probed while in office. Abraham said: “Removing the clause may not totally eradicate corruption, but will definitely reduce the brazen embezzlement going on in the country. “The practice of true federation and resource control has become imperative in Nigeria to facilitate healthy competition among

the component units of the federation. “The present system not only deprives states of autonomy, but reduces them to beggars.

“The federating states do not enjoy the autonomy they deserve to have control over their resources and how they are administered.”

he Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta on Monday described as false and baseless allegations that its personnel were bribed by oil thieves in the area. Some members of the public had alleged that personnel of the JTF had been compromised by oil thieves to regain freedom and carry on with their escapades. Brig-Gen Tukur Buratai, the Commander, 2 Brigade of the Army and Sector 2 of the JTF, denied the allegation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Buratai denied the allegation on the sidelines of a 12-kilometre road race organised in the state by the Nigerian Army. He said soldiers of the

JTF had always maintained discipline without any form of prejudice and corrupt practices in carrying out their duty of eliminating illegal bunkering in the region. ``I’m hearing this allegation for the first time; I don’t believe men of the JTF will do that (collect bribes). “Notwithstanding, since you brought it to my notice, I will investigate; but I don’t believe our Soldiers will do that. “Anyone (illegal bunkers) that is arrested and brought to my notice, nobody goes free. We take them straight to the court through the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence.” Buratai called on the public to report anyone involved in oil theft and illegal refining of crude oil to security agencies in the state.

Youths hail Maritime Academy rector’s performance TONY ANICHEBE UYO

ouths across the five local government areas of Oron in Akwa Ibom State yesterday rose from a stakeholders meeting to laud the effort of the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Joshua Okpo, in his determination to reposition the institution. The group condemned a recent petition by some people from the area to blackmail and cause disaffection

between the school and the Federal Ministry of Transport. The petition, according to the group, was skewed to cause distraction in the ongoing reforms and transformation programme being implemented by the rector. President of Essu Nlap Oro Development Organization Apostle, Etim Ante, said in the past one year, the rector had impacted positively on the people of the area and had brought his wealth of experience to

bear in the management of the school. The Oro youth leader, who stressed that the administration of Mr. Joshua Okpo had taken steps in ensuring relative peace among members of the school’s host community, described the rector as a patriotic and philanthropic Nigerian who should be encouraged rather than being vilified. He listed the achievement of the rector in the last one year to include provision of steady power and water to

the institution, increased security, provision of hostels, building new staff quarters, construction of modern Jetty, building of new classrooms, construction of medical centre for both students and staffs and installation of modern Simulators for training of Cadets. Apostle Ante added that apart from the physical development, the rector also provided regular local and international training programmes for junior and senior workers of the school.

North

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saraki, man of honour, dignity, says IBB, Abdulsalam WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

ormer Nigeria military rulers, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abubakar Abdulsalam, yesterday paid condolence visits to the family of the late Kwara State political icon, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki. They were accompanied by Alhaji Babagana

Kingibe, former Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who broke down and wept openly during the visit. Earlier in the day, another former military Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari, was in the house of the Sarakis, accompanied by the former Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari with Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who came shortly after. In his condolence speech, Babangida, who spoke in Hausa to beat the curiosity of journalists and the crowd of the political family of the late Saraki on behalf of the entourage, said the late Kwara politician was a man of honour

and dignity who lived an exemplary life with a unique style of politics. His words: “Waziri’s (Saraki) death is not a loss to the people of Ilorin alone, but to Nigerians at large. He has touched so many lives. In fact, I’m a beneficiary of the late Saraki’s humour, he tried so much.” He said; “That is the only thing that one can be best remem-

bered for after one’s death. “Saraki came into this world, we saw what he did, people talked about his deeds and it is my belief that with these testimonies, God will grant him eternal rest,” he added. The immediate past Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, who gave

the vote of thanks on behalf of the Saraki family, described the two former military of Heads of State as great men of honour. He particularly extolled the humanitarian lifestyle of General Babangida who like the late Saraki, had also touched the life of poor people through personal sponsorship of their education.

Aftermath of flooding: There won’t be food shortage –Minister JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima (right), presenting equipment to the Acting Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority, Mr. Musa Maiyaki, in Maiduguri, recently.

End open defecation, UNICEF tells Nigeria INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

nited Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Field Office in Bauchi has expressed worry at the increasing case of defecation in open places, advising the country to put an end to the menace as it has the potential of causing serious health-related diseases in the society. In a press release issued by UNICEF Communications Officer, Mr. Sammuel Kaalu, at a one-day workshop marking the World Toilet Day, with the theme: “Ending Open Defecation is Possible,” said lack of toilet remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children. He said in Nigeria, it is estimated that diarrhoea kills about 194,000 children under five every year and in addition, respiratory infections kill another 240,000. These are largely preventable with improvement in water, sanitation and hygiene. Globally, he said, UNICEF is supporting 50 countries, including Nigeria to implement the Community Approaches to Total Sanita-

tion (CATS) such as community-led total sanitation aimed at empowering communities to identify their sanitation challenges and take necessary actions to end open defecation. According to a joint UNICEF and World Health Organisation report of 2012, it is estimated that 34 million Nigerians practice open defecation and that Nigeria is among the top five countries in the world with the largest number of people defecating in the open. Community-led total sanitation aims to make all

communities free of open defecation by focusing on social and behavioural change and the use of affordable, appropriate technologies. The emphasis is on the sustainable use of sanitation facilities rather than the construction of infrastructure and the approach depends on the engagement of members of the community ranging from individuals, to schools, to traditional leaders. Communities use their own capacities to attain their objectives and take a

central role in planning and implementing improved sanitation. He added that in Nigeria alone, UNICEF in partnership with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as donors such as the European Union and the UK Aid, is supporting the implementation of community-led total sanitation in 30 states and over two million people living in more than 3,000 open defecation free communities are estimated to be using toilets as a result.

Abuja Varsity students protest non-accreditation of courses IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

ome students of the University of Abuja yesterday protested the failure of the university authorities to secure accreditation of the three programmes suspended by the Federal Government with the six months of grace. The protest disrupted semester examinations in the main campus of the university, along Airport road, Gwagwalada. This is even as the au-

thorities have dismissed reports that the university has been closed down following the protest. Confusing reports had filtered into Abuja that the university was shut down following the protest by the Engineering students. The programmes suspended about six months by the Federal Government are: Engineering, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Some of the protesting students, who spoke with National Mirror, blamed the university manage-

ment for the delay in the accreditation process. However, the protesters were mainly students of engineering, who claimed that other faculties were ahead of the Engineering Faculty in the accreditation process.

Ruqayyatu Rufai

he Federal Government yesterday allayed the fears of Nigerians that there will be food shortage in the country following the recent flood that wrecked havoc in different parts of the country. Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Bukar Tijani, who gave the assurance while flagging-off the ‘Food Relief Materials to Families of Flood Victims’ in Jos, said President Goodluck Jonathan has approved N17.6 billion for flood affected states to address the immediate challenges of displaced persons. The minister further said that in order to alleviate the problem of the flood victims, the Presi-

dent, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has put in place a National Flood Recovery Food Production Plan, adding that they will ensure that the immediate food security needs of the affected area are guaranteed as efforts will be made to address and double up production to ensure that national food security is not threatened. The minister further said that the Federal Government will procure and distribute fertilizers to farmers at a highly subsidised rate. According to the minister, a total of 40,000 metric tonnes of food items that include maize, sorghum, garri and millet are expected to be distributed to victims affected and that Plateau State will receive 1, 500 metric tonnes.

Herdsmen still killing Tiv farmers, cleric cries out HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

ndication emerged yesterday that the crisis between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv peasant farmers in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State is not yet over as the parish priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Udei, Rev. Fr. Christopher Utov, told National Mirror yesterday that scores of violence leading to the killing of innocent peasant farmers are still taking place silently by invading Fulani herdsmen. Utov narrated how the farmers are still being traumatised as suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded the villages at the wee hours of the night armed with dangerous

weapons where they wreck havoc on unsuspecting peasants. The parish priest told National Mirror that series of efforts aimed at resolving the lingering crisis appears to fall on deaf ears as the herdsmen still carry on their attacks unmolested leading to the loss of many lives and destruction of property. The cleric said despite concerted efforts by individuals, including the Benue State government to resolve the issue, the problem has defied solution. Several attempts to get the comments of the Benue State command’s police public relations officer on the hostilities could not yield any result as he was not available for comment.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

SUPER TUESDAY

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

No government has fought corruption more than me, says Jonathan

14,15 & 44

Advocates of new states in the North Central of the country, as well as the six state governments that make up the zone, seized the opportunity of the just-concluded two-day public hearing by the Senate in Makurdi, Benue State to push for their various positions in the zone, writes GEORGE OJI.

Appraising Tambuwal’s innovative approach to leadership

Constitution review: State creation takes centre stage

he turnout of people at the event was massive and impressive. Very enthusiastic Nigerians from all walks of life turned out in their large numbers to state their positions on the various issues up for review from the zone. All the six state governments that make up the zone did not only send their representatives to the event but also presented their positions on the various issues that were selected for review. Proponents of state creation were not left out either as they cashed-in on the auspicious opportunity to advance their interests. There were also members of the civil society organizations, women groups, physically challenged persons, students, market women, members of the academic communities, ethnic groups, labour unions, as well many other individuals. The conference hall of the Royal Choice Hotel, Makurdi, venue of the event, was filled to brim and recorded surging number of overflow of people. The team leader of the senate for the North Central public hearing and former Benue State governor, Senator George Akume, set the tone of the event when he read the address of the chairman of the Senate committee on constitution review, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. In it, 17 thematic areas were listed for review. These were devolution of powers, creation of states, recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, role of traditional rulers, local government autonomy, taking out the NYSC, land use act and code of conduct of the constitution and fiscal federalism. The rest are immunity clause, Nigerian police, judiciary, executive, rotation of executive officers, gender and special groups, mayoral status for the FCT administration, residency and indigene provisions as well as any other issues. In his welcome address, Governor Gabriel Suswan commended the Senate for choosing the state as the venue for the event. He appealed to the senators of the zone to lead the way by scheduling occasional meetings of the zone where issues of common interests, particularly economic interests would be discussed by the zone. “I think that the Senate should continue to make it possible for us as a zone to meet in this manner. Outside of constitution review, there are issues that directly touch and concern the North Central, which we

L-R: Senate President, David Mark, Sen. George Akume, Sen. Joshua Dariye and Sen. Barnabas Gemade, at the North Central Zone Public Hearing on the Review of 1999 Constitution in Makurdi, Benue State, at the weekend.

HIGHLIGHTS

TOP STORY are unable to address as a unit because we are unable to meet as a people as we meet here now. So, I believe that this should be a straightforward call for meeting regularly and taking interest in issues that affect us as zone,” Suswan appealed. The governor also used the occasion to restate the opposition of Benue State to the call by some people for the convocation of sovereign national conference in Nigeria. He expressed implicit confidence in the states’ representatives at the National Assembly, noting that, “We willingly as a people elected three representatives, we have members of the House of Representatives who we elected and given our own mandate, there is no basis after we elected them to speak to now turn to say they are not qualified to speak and act on our behalf.” Suswan who also declared the public hearing open, said if the state had wanted to convoke a conference whether sovereign or national, that exercise would have been done before the election of the state’s representatives.

Benue State Benue State, which was the first to make its own presentation, was represented by one of the state justices, who also chaired the state’s special committee that articu-

• State creation • State Police • Devolution of powers • Mayoral status for FCT • SIEC • NYSC • LG autonomy • Land Use Act • Immunity clause • Federalism • Geo-political zones lated the state’s position on the constitution review. In his presentation, Justice Abbah Onoh said Benue State was one on the need for Nigeria to remain united as one indivisible nation. He also expressed the state’s implicit confidence in the 1999 Constitution, noting the need for review of some of the grey areas. On the issue of devolution of powers, Onoh said the position of the state was that power, particularly from the present exclusive legislative list should be transferred to the states. He listed in particular items 11, 21, 54, 55, 56, 60, amongst others from the exclusive legislative list that should be taken away from that list and transferred to the

states. The learned justice said the state was also in agreement for the practice of true federalism by Nigeria. He said it was the position of the state that the issue of the onshore and offshore source of revenue for the country should be looked into once again. According to him, all offshore revenues must be shared by the entire components of the country whereas the oil producing states should only benefit from the onshore resources because of the environmental impact of the activities of such revenues. He, in addition, stated that it was the position of the state that the Revenue Mobilisation and Administration Fiscal and Commission (RMAFC) should collect all revenues due to the federation and ensure that such revenues are shared equally among all the federating states in the country. On judicial reforms, Onoh said the position of the state was that before any person should be appointed the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he/she must have at least 20 years practising experience as a lawyer, whereas the President of the Court of Appeal will have had 15 years experience. The state also recommended for the expansion of the jurisdiction of the customary courts. The state also supported the creation of additional states as well as mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that the president should not be the person to appoint ministers for the city. It said no CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Politics

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

No government has fought corruption Says he’ll decide on re-election in 2014 On Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan held his quarterly media chat, where he answered questions on sundry national issues, including the constitution amendment, his relationship with the National Assembly, 2015 presidency, among other salient issues. OLAJIDE OMJOLOMOJU, SINA FADARE and FELIX NWANERI bring excerpts from the media chat:

What is the President’s view on all the ranging issues, be it state creation, single term tenure or devolution of powers? The president is an individual and may have his personal view, most importantly; he is the head of government. Whatever is the interest of the president, the interest of the people matter most than any personal interest. The Alfa Belgore committee was set up to look at some of the areas that need amendment in the constitution. Different groups were brought to Abuja, at the end of the day they agreed on a number of issues that are not conclusive, we feel that before we go to the amendment of the constitution again, we must revisit the areas which Nigerians disagreed and send it to the National Assembly, the Belgore thing is not that we just get a big report and dump it on the National Assembly, no. We put those things one by one in form of bills and send it to the National Assembly in the process of amending the constitution. It will also help the National Assembly in its task. If you ask me what are the interests of the president on the issue been canvassed, I would prefer to keep quiet now and allow Nigerians to speak, because the President take the last action in the process of law making. When the National Assembly finished their work, it will still come to the president for assent. When I was the vice president, a committee was set up by the President that I was the chairman. We met all the political parties to discus at length and after our deliberations, we came up with a conclusion that there is always tension with the second term syndrome, may be if it is a single term tenure, we would reduce a lot of conflict in the polity. A governor will be focused if he knew that he has only a term to spend, unlike from day one they started fighting. We believe in that committee,

What is your comment on the constitutional amendment going on in the country particularly on the issue of referendum? It is a good development, since 1999, when we started using this constitution, the feelings of Nigerians is that the constitution was written by the military and it is not the people’s constitution, therefore the clamour for the people’s constitution. There are two issues, when a constitution has been promulgated into law, it has a guideline on how it would be amended. What the National Assembly is doing, going around the country is the normal thing to do. Whether you call it public hearing or any name, what matters is that it involved all Nigerians. All the various groups, be it religion, ethnic, human rights, socio-cultural and a host of others have the opportunity to express their views. When you mention sovereign national conference, people get frightened, but the president has the constitutional power to defend the sovereignty of the country. Whatever we do, we should keep in line with the constitution, and this is the opportunity which Nigerians have to communicate to the National Assembly what they want. If we reject the provision of the constitution, we would run into anarchy. On the issue of referendum, it has to do with key issues, we want to know the position of the people on a particular subject matter and what the National Assembly is doing is that they are going from state to state and from one zone to the other to know the thinking of the people in the area that are peculiar to them. Whether they do it in form of referendum or not, I believe that they will follow the law and listen to Nigerians. The National Assembly is a different arm of government and the members are competent to do the job.

TUESDAY INTERVIEW

THE FORMER HEADS OF STATE HAVE TO LIVE JUST LIKE ANY

OTHER CITIZEN; THAT YOU ARE THE FORMER

HEAD OF STATE

DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU

SHOULD GO AND SLEEP, YOU

NEED BUSINESS TO SURVIVE.

BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU

THAT WHETHER THE PERSON HAS BEEN A FORMER HEAD OF STATE OR NOT, IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE PROCESS probably, a single term could have solved the problem. Based on this, I made that statement of a single tenure just to solve that problem of heating up the polity. From the reactions so far, Nigerians believe that we should retain the two term system. That is why we decided to sanitise the electoral process and you will agree with me that we did that area well. Nigerian elections are now accepted as free and fair, we are now a model to other countries. The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is being invited all over the world. We believe that if we are able to sanitise the electoral process, though the tension is there but it is better, we will get there. We are amending the constitution probably, at the end of the day; we may continue the double tenure or whatever Nigerians wants. So let me keep my view to myself until Nigerians decides. You are from Bayelsa, one of the states that laid the golden egg for the nation. How would you resolve the boundary dispute between Bayelsa and River states without being partial? When I became the president of this country, I swore to an oath to treat all Nigerians equally, though I am from Bayelsa by birth, but I lived all my life in Port Harcourt. I have more friends in Rivers State than I have in Balyesa. The question whether the president would be neutral or not does not arise. I will always do justice, no matter the circumstances. Sometimes, there are misconceptions about the whole thing and the public are misinformed. People are not fair to institution of government in this country. On the issue of boundary dispute between Bayelsa and Rivers states, the area is being owned by the Kalabari in River State and the Nembe of Balyesa State. As a deputy governor of Balyesa State, we were to demarcate the boundary, but because of certain issues, we could not conclude that matter. Even before Balyesa was created, these two people fought on the disputed area. We are going to resolve it professionally and I have directed the relevant agencies of government to work on

Jonathan

this. There are procedures to be followed. When they finish their work, they would present their report to the vice president. At that level, if there is disagreement between the two governors, then I can come in to resolve it. The Fiscal and Revenue Mobilisation Commission has been trying, this is the commission that took the Federal Government to court on National Independent Power Projects (NIPPs) and it dragged on for many years. If a body can take the Federal Government to court and pursue it tenaciously, and somebody wakes up and say Mr. President would influence it, people are not just fair on this. Some of these institutions in this country are doing well; I will not do anything that will favour Bayelsa State at the expense of other state. Why do you always have a frosty relationship with the legislature putting into cognizance that the PDP is in the majority in the National Assembly? I don’t think the relationship is frosty, though there may be disagreement on some principles; it is not as bad as you people are putting it. All over the world, there are always disagreement between the executive and the legislature; it is all part of democracy. It was a democracy that we copied, it cannot all be perfect. Even in a parliamentary system, where the prime minister is a member of parliament, you cannot run away from such conflict; that is the essence of representation. The President can decide to do away with the ministers if feels so or otherwise, he has the relative control

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

more than me, says Jonathan also be mindful because the price could drop. The benchmark you paid on any commodity communicates to the world whether you are managing the economy properly or not and that you are thinking about tomorrow. It is in Nigeria that people say we should spend all the money you earn. The issue of benchmark is professionally done. There is wide consultation among all the stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Central Bank, the Bankers’ Committee among others. It is in the best interest of the country. Are you not worried with the development in the ruling party concerning poor performance in recent elections in Imo, Edo and Ondo states? The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is doing wonderfully well. Any country where you have the presidential system, and you are practicing true democracy, you do not expect the ruling party to win all the states. In fact, it is dangerous for this country, if the PDP for example controls all the states, then it means there is no democracy. Even the challenges which we have, concerning the PDP primaries, in some states, we look at the primaries and immediately you sail through, it is almost automatic at election, that is not good for the country. In the states you made reference to, the PDP worked very hard and we even got second position. With exception of Imo State, others we contested against the incumbent governors, he has his roots on the ground. Just like a sitting president, who has a day-to-day running of government, your activities market you because it is a daily affair, that is the situations we find ourselves. That of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko was a PDP man, for many years he was in the PDP. It was more or less a PDP family that was divided into two. I don’t see that as a major challenge to the PDP. It is just left with the PDP in that state to go back and put their house in order. In the next election, the PDP will come together and take over Ondo State. We would win, naturally immediately we put our house in order.

of his cabinet, but at the parliamentary level, if you are the Speaker or Senate President, you are just one among equal. They are the representatives of the people, so there will always be that tension. The executive may see things in different way, the Parliament may see it in another way, and it does not mean that we are boxing ourselves. What about the issue of oil benchmark, you did not agree on a common price. The House of Representatives insisted on $80, the Senate is saying $78 while the executive insists on $75? The executive that is proposing $75 based its proposal on econometric principle. The issue of benchmark, even on other commodity is not just arithmetic that oil will sell at $100 per barrel throughout the year. The benchmark is a key instrument you use to measure the economy of a nation. Today, let assume that the oil price, if there is a way of knowing, will go above over $110 and you put your benchmark to certain level, the world economy will downgrade you, because you give a negative outlook because it shows that you are not planning to save. We have our challenges, for instance, America is the highest buyer of our oil, there is some sort of economy stagnation in Europe, therefore America is saying that let us look inward and see how we can provide energy needs within, they can decide to reduce importation from Nigeria, though the price is still okay, but we cannot be too sure. We must

If the constitutional amendment eventually allows for two terms for the president and the governors, would you be contesting in 2015? It is too early to ask a sitting president if he would contest in 2015. It is one of the reasons why we are advocating for this one single term tenure. If a president tells you that he is contesting, it will jeopardise a lot of things. If I say I am not contesting, it also will generate a lot of issues. If I say am not contesting, some of my cabinet members will just resign and go. All of them are qualified to contest for the position. We have four years tenure which is too short, if you look at the African scenario that is the shortest. In Africa, tenure varies from four to seven years. We operate four years which is the least because we copied our system from that of America. Four years is too short a time for someone to make an impact, immediately you are talking about election, you are heating up the polity. Before you know whether Mr.

THE FIRST AND GREATEST PROBLEM THAT WE HAD IN

NIGERIA WAS THE ISSUE

OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION

NIGERIANS WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT IF MR. PRESIDENT OR A GOVERNOR AND MOST

SHOULD MANIPULATE HIMSELF INTO OFFICE WITHOUT THE

VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, HE WILL DO WHATEVER HE LIKES

Jonathan

President is contesting or not, give me till 2014. Give me some time to make sure that my cabinet and I are satisfying Nigerians. This is not the time to start talking about whether the president would contest or not. I don’t want to distract members of my cabinet. Another January 1 is around the corner, should we expect another subsidy removal? Frankly speaking, l was totally misunderstood in the statement l made. The students of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) submitted their report and they did analysis, they said that in Canada, they have 16 refineries, but in Nigeria we only have four. When l was responding, l said you cannot compare Nigeria with other countries. Immediately they made that statement l sent a note to my Chief Economic Adviser to tell me the ownership structure of those refineries in Canada. He sent a note to me that the 16 refineries in Canada are privately owned, but are managed under a regulation by the public sector. I said that if Nigeria will get to that level of Canada, we have to deregulate. We made provision for oil subsidy in the 2013 budget and if we want to deregulate as you are speculating, we would not make such a provision. All we are saying is that if we are to get to that level of Canada, the policy that exist in Canada which is completely private sector driven, if we want to adopt that in Nigeria, then deregulation will come. That was what brought about that statement. All over the country, the fuel queues are back and we don’t know why, can you tell us? Also, many individuals have been given refinery operating licences, but the refineries are nowhere to be found, what is happening? I am supposed to ask you that question. Petroleum business is a big business. We gave licences out to people to build refineries but they are not forthcoming. Why? I should ask you because you people are journalists, go and investigate. Many years back, licences have been given to people before my administration, yet no response. I have not given any licence for refinery. You can only attract the private sector to come and build refineries like they did in Canada. Government cannot do it. For those who have the licences to come and build the refinery, you must review the issue of subsidy. People want to invest where they can make profits and not where to determine what the government will pay. That CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Much ado about Ribadu report

ASO ROCK FILE

with

Rotimi FADEYI

Fuel subsidy removal and fresh threat of protests

his year which began with industrial strike by organised labour and protests by members of the civil society over the removal of the fuel subsidy may end with another round of protests going by President Goodluck Jonathan’s hint of total removal of fuel subsidy to relief the economy of the heavy burden and the reaction of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). In January, just as Nigerians were ushering in the new year and hoping that it would bring the best things of life, the government announced the hike in the pump price of petrol from N65 per litre to as much as N141 which triggered violent protests by labour and members of the civil society in which lives and valuable property were lost. Again, last week, while justifying that the subsidy removal was inevitable, Jonathan said that subsidy was unhealthy to the economy, killing four refineries which have remained comatose over a long period of time. The removal of subsidy, according to him, would make the refineries now operating at 30 per cent capacity to work at full capacity while it would also attract and encourage investors into building refineries that are private-driven. But NLC would not want to hear any of such argument, and has told Jonathan to expect the worst strike and protests. It also warned that the January protests would be a child’s play as government would be shocked at the spate of protests which the planned increment would precipitate. But Jonathan, while making case for the fuel subsidy removal at a meeting with Course Participants of the 2012 Senior Ex-

ecutive Course 34 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), noted that the action would boost the nation’s economy, saying Canada has 16 functional refineries that are functioning at full capacity because all of them are privatelyowned. “Why are people not building refineries in Nigeria, yet it is a big business, it is because of the policy of subsidy and that is why we want to get out of it,” Jonathan said. “I believe that you do not need a lifetime to change a nation. Under 10 years, Nigeria can change and people will not even believe that this is Nigeria again. Immediately you come up with strong policies in key sectors of the economy and keep it for 10 years, the change will be astronomical,” he said. The President of the NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, however argued that Jonathan’s claim that only the removal of fuel subsidy will allow for domestic refining was faulty, especially coming at this time of the year, when many see the current fuel scarcity being experienced in most parts of the country, as being artificially created. He said that rather than further inflicting pains on ordinary Nigerians, the president should dissipate energy on fighting corruption in the industry and ensure diligent prosecution of all those indicted in corrupt practices in the fuel subsidy scam, stressing that majority of them are political associates of those in power. Omar said: “Our refineries were built and operated successfully as fully public owned enterprises in the past and until the industry was massively inflicted with corruption and home for corrupt government officials and their cronies, the refineries functioned well.

ince the report of the Nuhu Ribaduled Special Task Force on Petroleum Revenue was submitted on Friday, November 2, it has continued to generate heated argument, particularly when it has to do with money. Controversy over the report started right inside the Council Chambers of the State House when Ribadu was about to submit the report to President Goodluck Jonathan when the Deputy Chairman of the committee and former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye and another member of the committee, Bernard Otti challenged the procedure of producing the report. The Ribadu report was not the only report submitted on that day, the report of the Special Task Force on Governance and Controls as well as the Special Task Force on National Refineries were also submitted and none generated controversy as the Ribadu report which has to do with money. Ribadu and Oransaye exchanged words over the report and it was after the President intervened that frayed nerves

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola-Sa’ad Ibrahim 2. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubike Ihejirika 3. Governor Peter Obi 4. Governor Theodore Oji 5. Governor Martin Elechi 6. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu 7. Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPSS), Tijani Muhammad Bande 8. Director of Studies, NIPSS, Prof. Thomas Imobighe 9. Director of Research, NIPSS, Prof. Olu Obafemi 10. President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu

the South-East states from other parts of the country. The need to ensure that there are better infrastructure for the region made governors of the South-East to engage the President in a late night closed-door meeting last week. Governor Peter Obi of Anambra disclosed after the meeting that they discussed the construction of the second Niger Bridge and roads in the region.

became calm, though both men still held their different positions on the issue. Then came more argument over the report from the opposition parties, particularly the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which accused the government of insincerity, saying that it acted in bad faith by making deliberate attempt to rubbish it. But the Presidency insisted that the ACN got it all wrong, saying government has nothing to hide as the Ribadu report and all other reports would be thoroughly and sincerely considered to demonstrate accountability, probity and transparency in the oil sector. While the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe said that there was no plan by government to dump the report, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed accused government of making deliberate attempt to rubbish it. In reaction to the raging argument over the report, the government last Thursday raised separate committees to prepare draft White Papers on the three reports.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple at a Retreat on Housing at the State House.

South-East governors’ quest for better infrastructure eople of the South East are reputed to have great flair for business and trade but even as commerce thrives in the region, it lacked necessary infrastructure, particularly good roads to facilitate trade Over the years, there have been calls from prominent indigenes of the region for the Federal Government to construct and rehabilitate most of the bad roads to

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He said: “We actually came to see the President to brief him on the situation of the South-East and mention one or two issues that are of concern to us and we had a very useful meeting. “Some of the issues are personal to us but the issue that is of main concern to us is the issue of the second Niger bridge, which the Minister of Works has been working on and has promised to deliver.” Obi said the President and the gover-

nors also discussed the issue of roads, especially the Enugu-Port-Harcourt and the Enugu-Onitsha roads. The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said the meeting afforded him the opportunity to brief the governors on the state of work on the second Niger Bridge. Apart from Obi, other governors in attendance at the meeting were Governors Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

Fresh hope for affordable housing

ith the increasing cost of accommodation in the country, particularly in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, stakeholders in the housing sector gathered recently in Abuja to brainstorm on providing affordable housing for all. At the Presidential Stakeholders Retreat on Housing and Urban Development at the Presidential Villa, stakeholders asked President Jonathan to urgently address the housing problems which they said have become an emergency situation, considering the cost of building houses and the high rent charged by landlords. They told government to quickly act as

the situation has become a heavy burden on Nigerians as it affects their productivity and well-being as well as their contribution to the growth and development of the country. But Jonathan said that his administration was determined to tackle the housing problems as part of his transformation agenda, stressing that government would continue to develop satellite towns in the country and take measures to stem unplanned development of slums. He stated that the government would also place emphasis on good urban governance, regeneration of unplanned and old cities and proper planning of urban

areas. According to him, the government must be concerned with how to meet the global benchmarks in housing, proper land use and space standards and institutionalisation of a vibrant mortgage system, based on long-term repayment terms. Jonathan said that attention must also be focused on how to overcome the issues of capacity gaps, poor quality of building materials, inappropriate technology and dearth of technological innovations, in support of mass housing delivery.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-44

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Corruption and the death penalty OLU W. ONEMOLA

coring an abysmal 2.4 on Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and ranking 143rd on it, Nigeria is today the 40th most corrupt country in the world. By this new ranking we have dropped by nine places from our 2010 placement and 13 places in 2009 when we had a score of 2.5 and rated the 50th most corrupt country in the world. From all indications we seem not to be improving – at least as far as TI’s well-thought-of CPI is concerned. With conservative estimates as of 2010 speculating that since our return to democracy, corruption has cost Nigeria over $380 billion, it not a surprise to anyone in the country today that corruption is both our public enemy number one and the most easily realizable means of accumulating wealth by anybody. Corruption or ‘the Big C’ (as I like to call it), has also become so widespread in our public sector that one of my former professors, commenting on the state of “institutionalized corruption” in Nigeria earlier this year, alluded to “not being corrupt” in Nigeria’s public sector as a “blatant abnormality.” With the aforementioned as a guide, let’s play the Devil’s Advocate:

YES, CORRUPTION KILLS, BUT SHOULD WE KILL BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION?

In a country like ours, where the Big C has become not only pervasive, but virtually intrinsic to the current state of our affairs, the November 14th, 2012 calls by the Arewa Consultative Forum for the enactment of a law that makes capital punishment the disciplinary action for corruption, is a development that should not just be taken with a grain of salt and forgotten, or approved without public discussion in the constitutional review exercise. Yes, corruption has become so pandemic in Nigeria that it is no longer a crime that perpetrators commit in secrecy - from the policeman on the street to the politician in his unnecessarilyextravagant convoy. Yes, corruption has also cost us many lives, directly or indirectly – from the hospitals stocked with subpar or non-existent equipment to the narrow interstate expressways with bumps and curves that kill people every day, because somebody in a decisionmaking capacity “took a cut” before the contract was finally awarded. Yes, cor-

ruption kills, but should we kill because of corruption? In our quest to find honest solutions to the single most prevalent problem in our society today, should we adopt the ultimate punitive action as society’s retribution for being ‘corrupt’, and as a deterrence to others that may want to commit such crimes? Should we also establish a measure or a gauge to determine the point of no return, that is the extent to which an individual’s corrupt acts will warrant the death penalty, or should we just call a spade a spade and say: “Giving a squeezed N100 note to a police officer to escape a traffic violation is as much of a ‘bribe’ as giving a Ghana-must-go filled with $15 million to the head of the EFCC to squash an investigation.” If a capital punishment law is established to punish corruption today, noting the number of public-servants that have come, seen, conquered, and squandered the public pot of our national wealth since the 1960s – with many of them still alive and enjoying the fruits for which they did not labour – should we make such a law ex post facto? In other words, if we do enact this law, should it be carried out with retroactive force, or should it take effect after it is enacted – which would basically result in a sort of blanket pardon for all corrupt acts committed before it is adopted (if it will be adopted)?

Should the law also be a “one strike” law? Meaning, should corruption be seen as a one-time-only do-and-die affair or should there be a tally system that penalizes perpetrators maybe once or twice with the third time resulting in the death penalty? It is clear that even though there are merits to the Arewa Consultative Forum’s calls for the death penalty to curb corruption in Nigeria, seeing capital punishment as the answer to our current predicament leaves us with many more questions. Even though utilizing capital punishment against corruption has (in recent history) worked for countries like China, and our next door neighbor, Ghana (under Jerry Rawlings), setting the procedural considerations aside, we must examine the moral implications and ask ourselves: “What kind of society do we want to become?” Should we be the kind of society that punishes future cases of corruption severely, when we all know that in some way, shape or form, we are all guilty – whether intentionally or accidentally? Should we be the society that accuses our neighbours of taking bribes when we too have bribed our way out of tough spots before? Onemola, a recent graduate of City Univeristy of New York Graduate School, wrote from New York.

Building enduring markets of Nigerian newspapers ABIOLA AYANKUNBI

here is apparent lack of consciousness on the part of Nigerian media owners on how best to build enduring markets for local newspapers. Most often, some of them are busy synergising with the various tiers of government on how best to enhance their stakeholder status in the entrenched patronage system. I see this development as short cut to success. The situation on ground, especially the signal from the markets, calls for a new and profound tactical approach if the industry must survive. Findings have revealed that the total daily copies of all newspapers pushed into the market nationally is under 350,000 in a country of about 160 million people, out of which copy sales are under 200,000! This is a depressing scenario. It must be known that all businesses are grown from loss to break-even point and finally to profit point over a period of time. That of the newspaper industry is even more worrisome because with all facilities put in place, including sufficient funding and good marketing drive, the gestation period before the breakeven point could be attained is about seven years. From the marketing perspective therefore, a sound marketing programme should start with identification of the various markets for the newspapers. Market here refers to people with money to spend and the willingness to spend it. Readers alone do not make a market; to

qualify for that status they must have the money to spend. Consequently, a detailed study of income levels and how such incomes are spent are very essential in any quantitative market analysis media houses must undertake. It is easy to predict the lead stories of Nigerian newspapers on a daily basis because virtually all of them carry same headlines and contents. Having known the effect of various social media networks on sales of newspapers, media owners should be interested in effectively developing various sections of their newspapers to attract the right and desired patronage. A research carried out by AbingMO3 Marketing Management Consultancy indicated that purchase of newspapers ranked between 10th and 15th position on the scale of preference of the interview sample. Items like recharge card, alcohol, cigarette, utilities, pepper soup, snacks, DSTV subscription, internet modem etc are ranked higher in the minds of the sampled readers over and above the purchase of newspapers. The spending patterns of those sampled are different because of attitudes, interests and life style factors. However, we know very little about what goes on in a reader’s mind before, during and after a newspaper purchase. Sometimes, the explanation for their spending pattern is not even discernible to these readers. Meanwhile, virtually all Nigerian newspapers tow the traditional segmentation of newspapers no matter the name it is being called. The traditional sections are politics, business,

A DETAILED STUDY OF INCOME LEVELS AND HOW SUCH INCOMES ARE SPENT ARE VERY ESSENTIAL IN ANY QUANTITATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS MEDIA HOUSES MUST UNDERTAKE news education, law, health, sports, religion, entertainment, etc. A critical look will show that nothing or little is done to woo the potential readers in each of these identifiable sections. Let us look at education section for example. The population of lecturers and students in higher institutions is in excess of two million, but copy sales daily bought by this community is less than 200 copies! Some of these students have more disposable income than the working class, yet newspaper purchase does not rank high in their scale of preference. Each of the newspapers’ section could be analysed using the same education template. The patterns that would emerge would be quite disturbing. It is not enough for media owners and managers to sit in offices and proffer solutions to market developments in order to determine who the readers are and why they

buy their newspapers, without the input from serious researching. I doubt if five percent of Nigerian newspapers can come out clean in the area of market research and the applications of such findings. It is amazing to note that top business executives go after soft sell newspapers that are considered to be for the masses. While it is true that the value of copy sales alone CANNOT meet all the financial obligations of a newspaper house, the availability and reach of any newspaper within the identified target markets help to command higher readership, thereby opening the way for an eventual influx of advert revenue. I advise media owners to heavily invest in market development. This is where the future of newspapers marketing in Nigeria lies. In other words, management should stop relying on intuition or hunches in taking critical decisions, but base such decision on the results of serious research efforts, and media practitioners should consciously add profit making to the reasons for establishing media outfits. Ayankunbi is the Managing Director/CEO, AbingMO3 Marketing Management Consultancy, Lagos 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, November 20, 2012

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

As Nigerian PhD holders, others rush drivers’ jobs

hairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, recently made a startling revelation on how 13,000 Nigerians, six of them with PhD, 704 Masters degree holders and 8,460 with Bachelors degrees, applied for truck drivers’ job; although the Group really needed only 100 of such. Dangote reportedly spoke at a recent World Bank youth mentoring forum. He said the desperate search for jobs by higher degree holders has been a recurring trend each time the group places advertisements for vacant positions, based on the attractive incentives on offer. Such rewards include N500,000 monthly salary which many companies, research institutes or universities in the country may never be able to pay a PhD holder on a monthly basis; field trip allowances, as well as the ownership of the trucks at no interests or repayments conditions after a driver clocks 300,000 kilometres (which is about 140 trips from Lagos to Kano), a feat which, according to reports, a serious-minded driver can achieve in a minimum of two years or a maximum of four years. It sounds like a fairy tale, but that is the extreme extent mass poverty, destitution, hunger, general hardship, etc., occasioned by

mass unemployment, have driven most members of the nation’s active population. It goes without saying that the incentives by the Dangote Group are mouth watering, considering present day industry standards. We are also not unmindful of the sermons that there is dignity in labour; and that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. But is it proper for Nigeria’s PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s degree holders to end up as truck drivers in the 21st Century? This seems an avoidable misfortune. A PhD takes a minimum of ten years after college to acquire; Master’s degree between six and seven years after the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSC); and Bachelor’s degree between four and six years after the SSSC. A driver’s training, on the other hand, lasts not more than six months, no matter how rigorous. We think, therefore, that a holder of PhD, Master’s or Bachelor’s degree that ended up as a truck driver is fatally under-employed, even if well-paid. University graduates are mentally and emotionally trained to deal with complex problems and situations in any society. The PhD, particularly, is the hallmark of intellectual accomplishment and, indeed, the zenith of aca-

WE ARE… NOT UNMINDFUL OF THE SERMONS THAT THERE

IS DIGNITY IN LABOUR; AND THAT AN IDLE

MIND IS THE DEVIL’S WORKSHOP demic qualifications; and the PhD programme itself is very rigorous. Why waste between four and ten years of university education and unquantifiable training just to end up as a driver for the mere sake of lucre or financial satisfaction. We consider the development a monumental waste of knowledge. Besides, such a dehumanizing means of survival can scarcely guarantee psychological stability and job satisfaction. Indeed, most Nigerian youths now desperate to acquire higher education would be devastated if they realize that employment prospects have become so grim that they would count themselves fortunate if they end up as truck drivers. It is quite puzzling a contradiction that the development is coming at a time when the Federal Government seems interested

in training more PhD holders to man the universities. It is, however, not improbable that a lot of higher degree holders would feel more fulfilled if engaged in academic work than becoming truck drivers. Therefore, the FG must guard against allowing the push factor of salary to drain the nation’s tertiary institutions of quality teachers as more moneyspinning options (similar to the Dangote VIP truck drivers) emerge outside the campuses. Besides, the evidence on ground points to national decay and backwardness. Like the ‘Okada’ menace has shown, the option of putting heavy-duty, articulated trucks and tankers on long distance routes to further damage the nation’s decrepit roads is symptomatic of a terribly sick transport system. The FG should embark on aggressive infrastructure development and initiate job-creation schemes to save the nation’s educated elite from further denigration and psychological trauma. Perhaps, more importantly, the government should redress the inhibitions in the remuneration systems of tertiary institutions in the country, which might have contributed to making driver’s job very attractive to even highly educated persons.

ON THIS DAY November 20, 2008 After critical failures in the United States’ financial system began to build up after mid-September, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached its lowest level since 1997. The financial crisis of 2007–2008, also known as the global financial crisis and 2008 financial crisis, is considered by many economists to be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, is a stock market index.

November 20, 1998 A court in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan declared accused terrorist, Osama bin Laden, “a man without a sin” in regard to the 1998 United States embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden (March 10, 1957 – May 2, 2011) was the founder of al-Qaeda, the jihadist organization that claimed responsibility for the September 11 attacks on the US, along with numerous other mass-casualty attacks against civilian and military targets.

November 20, 1985 Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released. Microsoft Windows 1.0 is a 16-bit graphical operating environment, developed by Microsoft Corporation and released into the market on November 20, 1985. It was Microsoft’s first attempt to implement a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based operating environment on the PC platform. Windows 1.0 was the first version of Windows launched. It was succeeded by Windows 2.0.

Nigerian airlines lose N29bn to absence of maintenance hangar

Tension grips CEOs as NAICOM insists on industry ethics 37

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Crisis looms over new telecoms taxes in Lagos A

pparently, there is currently no love lost between the Lagos State Government and telecoms companies which have their infrastructures installed and other facilities laid all over the length and breadth of the state. On the one hand, the state considers the operators as running away from their statutory function of obeying the laws of the state in the area of payment of levies and taxes demanded by the state government, on the other hand, the telecoms operators see demand for certain fees by the state agents as ‘indoctrinate and illegal’ and well-planned action to milk the operators in an attempt to boost its Internally Generated Revenue. The telecoms firms, through their umbrella body, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, has over the years continued to resist what they call, an attempt by the state government to regulate telecommunications activities, thereby usurping the role of the Nigerian Communications Commission, the national telecoms industry regulator. Lagos State had, in 2006, lost a legal battle to impose unfair taxes on telecommunication service providers through the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), the state agency under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, set up under the pretence that it was to protect the environment in its domain but with ‘secret’ mandate to regulating

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Plans by the Lagos State Government to introduce a new tax regime on telecommunications infrastructures in the state is generating bad blood, as telecoms operators continue to resist the move. KUNLE AZEEZ examines the issues involved.

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

Aero Contractors

A telecoms tower

telecoms sectors in the state. The ruling on the celebrated Suit No: FHC/L/CS/517/2006, was made on the February 23, 2007 in favour of ALTON and others joining as litigants in the case. On the main issues raised in the originating summons, the court held that though the LIMRA law looks innocent on the face of it, its provisions clearly seek to regulate telecoms and usurp the functions of the NCC. The court also described it, then, as an attempt by the Lagos State Government to regulate telecoms and the danger is that if allowed, similar legislations would spring up in other states of the federation.

Fuel scarcity: IPMAN seeks assurance on Sovereign debt note

In consequence, the judge declared the law unconstitutional and granted a perpetual injunction restraining the Lagos State Government and its agents from implementing the law. Fortunately the Lagos State Government filed an appeal against this ruling at the Appeal Court and ALTON won. By implication, the ruling is binding on all other states of the federation from enacting such law. Consistent on its intent to regulate into telecommunications in the state, Lagos State though the Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU) was also established to regulate the activities of telecoms operators, Internet Service Providers and banks, in

the area of masts and towers installations in the state. Through UFRU, the state government has now raised the demand for increased taxes on the over 5, 000 telecoms towers in the state, as it was gathered that the state was demanding a payment of N3million on existing base stations in the state and N1million on new ones. National Mirror, however, learnt that though the discussions were still ongoing between the operators and the UFRU, the operators were not ready to pay the new bills being canvassed by the state. Speaking on the development CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

How to identify, avoid job scammers

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

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Ogun begins groundwork for Ofada new town project

Business & Finance

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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Crisis looms over new telecoms taxes in Lagos

Adebayo

Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Eugene Juwah

CONTINUED FROM 19 in Lagos recently, President, ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said the operators would not pay the new bill, saying with about 5,000 telecoms towers built by telecoms firms including MTN, Globacom, Etisalat, Airtel, Visafone, Starcomms, Multi-Links and other private telecoms operators in the state, the operators were being targeted to make a payment of about N15billion only on existing telecoms towers alone. Meanwhile, it was learnt that before now, the state government only charged operators N40, 000 payable annually per base station. According to Adebayo, “We find it shocking and unreasonable that the state, all of a sudden, increased the charges from N40, 000 to N3million on existing base stations. However, our position is that we would be willing to pay 100 per cent of that charges, which is N8, 000. Though we are still discussing but if the talks fall through, we may head for courts to resolve the matter.” Adebayo also alleged that some of the base stations belonging to telecom operators shave been shut by the state agency, though he was silent as to which of the state agencies in particular had closed down their infrastructures and the locations. Beyond the development in Lagos, Adebayo lamented that operators were being confronted with cases of closure of their telecoms infrastructures due to Illegal demand and multiple taxation by government agencies at all levels. “We, hereby, draw the attention of the Federal Government and the general public to the continuous incessant and unlawful closure of telecommunication facility sites by some individuals, communities and indeed state authorities, in spite of the disasters that we face,” he said. Adebayo maintained that the impunity with which the government agencies employ extra-legal means to effect such closures without any regard whatsoever for the inconveniences on telecommu-

Igbokwe

WHATEVER WE ARE DOING AND PUTTING FORWARD TO THE TELECOMS OPERATORS IS DULY COVERED BY LAW AND WHILE WE WILL NOT STAND ON THEIR WAY TO THE COURTS,

WE MUST WARN THE TELECOMS OPERATORS NOT TO TAKE OUR PRESENT POSITION AS WEAKNESS TO ACT AND PERFORM OUR LAWFUL DUTY nication subscribers and the socio-economic disruptions it presents gives great concern. “We are deeply concerned by this unending illegal closure of sites, as it does not enable service recovery and maintenance activities on functional sites. It is noteworthy that the illegal closure of the sites follows the objection of the affected members of ALTON to pay disputed fees levied by the agencies of state or local governments in the name of Internally Generated Revenue. The said unlawful taxes levied on our ALTON members runs into several hundreds of millions of naira,” he said. He said the telecoms companies were uncomfortable acceding to such demands, which he described as unlawful, remarking that such demands also contravened the provisions of the taxes and levies (Approved list for collection), under the laws of the Federation of Nigeria. Speaking further, he said: “Despite the natural and manmade disasters that we are facing, ALTON finds the attempt by some states, ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs, to continue to employ extra-legal means to coerse our members to submit to the payment of illegal taxes to be most unacceptable and we respectfully call on the Federal Government and the general public to intervene to save the situation. “We acknowledge further that recourse to the law courts remains an option for arbitration of disputed tax and

levies. We, therefore, consider the recourse to extra-judicial methods of employing a task force to forcefully seal our facilities to be unacceptable, particularly in the face of the disasters faced by the country.” However, explaining the government side to the development, the General Manager of UFRU, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development had during an interactive session with stakeholders in the banking industry, telecoms, internet services providers, the NCC and other key industry players announced the take–off of UFRU, a unit in the ministry operating under Physical Planning Law No 3 of 5th June, 2010. Igbokwe noted that since then, UFRU had held several meetings with the operators to fashion out the way forward. “We have also held two meetings with NCC, including representatives of the operators to demonstrate that dialogue is better than monologue,” he said, pointing out that lots of consultations have also been made to demonstrate that, “We are partners in business who need each other to make progress.” Following this, UFRU was also said to have written letter to the banks, Internet providers, telecoms operators and others to furnish the agency with the details of their existing structures or installations to enable the state build a database for administrative convenience, as the state claims it needed such information to enable it conduct integrity tests on the

structures and to check whether they are fit to remain where they are currently built. However, while the banks were said to have responded swiftly, the telecoms operators, ISPs and others, excluding MultiLinks and Mobitel, were alleged to have been playing games with the agency. “Deceit, lies and misinformation have become their stock in trade. Hide and seek games have become the norm. At one point, they gave a promise that they were coming with the list of their installations and addresses but at another point, they told us to write to the NCC for information,” Igbokwe said. Meanwhile, the UFRU GM, had said though the operators had been going about to raise empathy on the money being charged them, the fundamental issues remain the need for operators to subject their existing structures to integrity test; the need for operators to pay permit fees; the need to obtain AS-Built permit for all existing structures in Lagos and the need for annual service/administrative charge for all installations. Explaining the justification for the administrative charges, which National Mirror learnt was the bone of contentions between the two parties, Igbokwe said it was for UFRU to be swift, quick, responsible and responsive in cases of accidents; be in the forefront of getting the operators to have maintenance plans in their lexicon; lead the settlement of disputes when the need arises : ensure one-stop payment and liase with security agencies to handle security issues during construction and even after construction of telecoms towers. Though, it was gathered that the Lagos House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Tobun Mustainu, had also invited the stakeholders the state House of Assembly to caution the operators to comply with the laws of the state in their own interest but all these are to no avail. But Igbokwe, reading riot the act to the recalcitrant operators in Lagos at the weekend, contended that the state agency had been “gentleman enough to have chosen the part of dialogue before enforcement” warning the operators not to mess up with the laws of the state. He said: “As we speak, telecoms operators continue to violate Physical Planning Laws with impunity by building without permit. They have failed to submit the list of their installations and addresses to enable us create a database for al installations. While they are pretending to be talking to us, they are busy also engaging lawyers to take their cases up in the courts. “Let it be known that telecoms operators would be deceiving themselves if they think the ministry laws can be challenged. Ministry of Physical Planning is a statutory body of Lagos State Government and it has the right to regulate telecommunications installations in the length and breadth of Lagos State. “Whatever we are doing and putting forward to the telecoms operators is duly covered by law and while we will not stand on their way to the courts, we must warn the telecoms operators not to take our present position as weakness to act and perform our lawful duty.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Total sells Usan oil field stake to Sinopec for $2.5bn UDEME APKAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

otal SA (FP), France’s largest oil company, sold its 20 per cent stake in an offshore Nigerian field to China Petrochemical Corporation for about $2.5billion, as part of an asset-disposal programme. The OML 138 block includes the Usan field, which started output in February, Parisbased Total said today in a statement. The asset accounts for about 10 per cent of Total’s Nigerian production, which averaged 287,000 barrels a day last year. The sale is part of Total’s plans to complete $15billion to $20billion of asset disposals from 2012 to 2014. China’s state-backed energy companies are seeking new oil and gas reserves abroad to feed the world’s second-largest economy, especially from regions like Africa where government scrutiny is lighter than in North America or Europe. The sale of a minority stake

L-R: Public Relations and Event Coordinator Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju; winner of Indomie Super Millionaire Promo, Ms. Rosemary Ohakwe and Member of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Jude Ughwujabo, during the presentation of the cheque in Lagos, yesterday.

in the Nigerian block is in line with Total’s policy of actively managing its portfolio, YvesLouis Darricarrere, head of exploration and production, said yesterday. The Usan field production, whose ramp up was slower than expected, could reach

FG commences food distribution from strategic grain reserve silos MESHACK IDEHEN

he Federal Government has commenced the distribution of food items from the strategic grains reserve to families affected by the recent flood disaster in parts of the country. Flagging off the distribution in Ibadan on Monday on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, said the food distribution from the strategic grains of the government marks the initiation of the first component of the programme. The minister said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has put in place a National Flood Recovery Food Production Plan, whose goal is to ensure that the food needs of the areas affected by the flood are addressed. Futhermore, the minister explained that the ministry has doubled production in areas that were not affected by floods so as to ensure that the nation’s food security is not threatened, and that the sum of N9.7bn was approved by the government to implement the plan nationwide. According to Adesina, the plan has four components

which are releasing 40,000 MT of food from the strategic grain reserves to the families affected directly by the floods, and providing improved seeds and fertilisers to farmers that are directly affected. The other parts of the plan, according to the minister, is aggressively implementing food production in states that are affected by floods but with vast areas that are unaffected which will provide improved seeds and fertilisers for farmers in unaffected areas to produce food for their states, and provision of improved seeds and fertilisers to help farmers in states unaffected by the flood double up production. A total of 40,000 MT of food items which includes maize, sorghum, garri and millet are being released and distributed from the strategic grain reserve silos located across the country, the minister said. While warning that the items being distributed free of charge by the government must not be sold, he said there must be transparency and accountability in the distribution of the food items, and that women and children should be the main beneficiaries. “Anyone caught selling or diverting the food relief items will be prosecuted and face the full weight of the law”, Adesina said.

140,000 barrels a day by the end of the year, Chief Financial Officer Patrick de la Chevardiere said in July. The French company had said it was expecting a peak rate of 180,000 barrels a day. Total rose as much as two per cent and was trading 70 cents

higher at 37.67 euros as of 3:05 p.m. in Paris yesterday. Total is also searching for a buyer for its southwestern French natural gas network known as TIGF. Current disposals could bring Total about halfway to its target, de la Chevardiere said last month.

Beijing-based Sinopec Group has also approached the French oil firm Etablissements Maurel et Prom (MAU), which operates in Gabon, about an acquisition, people familiar with the matter said this month. Sinopec’s reserves of crude oil declined from 3.3 billion barrels in 2007 to 2.8 billion barrels at the end of last year, enough for nine years of production at 2011 levels, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its parent, China Petrochemical, said in January that it will seek to produce 50 million metric tons of crude a year overseas by 2015. Last year, foreign production was 23 million tons. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is the OML 138 concession holder. Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Limited has 30 per cent, as does Esso E&P Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Nexen Petroleum Nigeria Limited has 20 per cent.

We have 5% scanner utilisation, says service provider FRANCIS EZEM

even years after Nigeria’s Destination Inspection, Global Scan System Nigeria Limited, one of the five service providers has said that less than five percent of installed scanning capacity is currently utilised. The Federal Government had in 2006 introduced Destination Inspection, which follows the suspension of the Pre-Shipment Inspection regime under which all imports into the country was inspected at port of origin, which was fraught with several inadequacies and attendant fraudulent activities.

Under the DI scheme, in which imports are now inspected at the port of destination, government contracted five service providers comprising of Cotecna, SGS, Global Scan and Webb Fountain in a seven year Build, Own Operate and Transfer Contract. These five service providers are to provide Computerised Risk Management System and scanning services for all imported goods into the country as well as training officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, who are to take over the scheme. Managing Director of Global Scan, which is in charge of providing CRMS and scanning

services at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Warri and Calabar Seaports, Seme Border and Lagos Free Zones as well as Ports Terminal Multi-purposes Limited in Lagos, Mr. Fred Udechukwu stated that the scanning capacity in these routs are less than five percent utilised. Managing Director of Cotecna, Mr. Tayo Rabiu, whose company is in charge of Apapa Ports, Ashaye Terminal in Tin Can Island Port, Banki and Jibia border stations both in the northern part of the country had said that less than 25 percent of scanner capacity was utilised

Main One, ICT experts discuss fibre cable benefits KUNLE A ZEEZ

ain One Cable Company, Nigeria’s premier and leading provider of broadband Internet services to large telecommunication companies, and other enterprises has hosted the Information and Communication Technology professionals where issued relating to the features and benefits of Main One’s submarine cable were discussed. The event, christened “Nerds UnITe” attracted operators from broadband providers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), policy makers, content distributors, trade association executives and

internet start-ups. Addressing the audience at the occasion held in Lagos recently, the Chief Technical Officer, Main One Cable, Mr. Johnnie Coleman, highlighted the 10 features that distinguish Main One amongst its peers in the industry. Coleman stated that since its inception over two years ago, Main One has maintained a 100 per cent regular uptime with zero power outage at its cable landing station (CLS) and Monacom POP. According to him, the first licensed private submarine cable in West Africa, Main One, has the highest lit capacity in the sub-region with enormous volume of traffic. Coleman disclosed that Main One’s capacity

is upgradeable to 5Tbps. He added that Main One operates Tier 3 data centres in Nigeria and Ghana with additional data centres in the works; adding that the facilities are being put in place to serve customers more effectively. Coleman said Main One’s circuit is continuously monitored by the firm’s engineers; thereby making it the most reliable terrestrial fibre in Lagos. An Internet Protocol Engineer with Main One, Peter Ehiwe, enlightened the audience on peering. Peering, according to him, is a voluntary interconnection of administrative separate internet networks for the purpose of exchanging traffic.

Business & Finance

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Fuel scarcity: IPMAN seeks assurance on Sovereign Debt Note CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

cute fuel shortage which has persisted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last few months worsened weekend with motorists spending two days queuing for petrol. The situation which has crippled economic activities in the city may not end in the near future as there is no clue to Federal Government’s efforts at bringing the situation under control. This is even as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that for the ugly situation to abate there is need for Federal Government to call a stakeholders meeting and reaffirm their confidence in sovereign debt note. The National Secretary, IPMAN Comrade Mike Osatuyi who spoke to National Mirror on phone said the sovereign debt note which ordinarily matures

within 45 days of bringing the products, is now taking almost 6 months because of the verification exercise of the subsidy committee while bank interest accumulates along the line. This he said has made private importers to completely hands off from importation of petroleum products leaving the bulk of the job to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “The problem is that private people are not importing, but the best thing is for the government to call a stakeholders meeting and reaffirm their confidence in sovereign debt note, because sovereign debt note is to mature within 45 days of bringing the product, but because of the verification exercise of this subsidy committee, the thing is taking almost 6 months. And Banks are charging interests so all the private importers they have virtually withdrawn from importation, the truth is NNPC alone is importing, so they are struggling

to meet up, and you know when there is a gap, it is always very difficult to cover that gap. We hope that before the end of the year when private people resume importation it will be over, but if private people do not resume importation it will be difficult” he said. National Mirror at the weekend, made concerted efforts to obtain an official statement from the NNPC to no avail. After several calls , the General Manager, Media Relations, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC Mr. Omar Farouk told our correspondent he was in a meeting and could not speak, but several calls and text message hours later were not responded to up till the time of filing this report. However, a source inside the NNPC who spoke to National Mirror on condition of anonymity said that some of the oil importers are being owed heavily making them to stop importing due to paucity of funds.

L-R: Group Managing Director of Skye Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, and Mrs Olufemi Adebisi Ogun at the investiture of Ogun as the 9th President of the Professional Ladies Insurance Association of Nigeria (PILA) at the weekend in Lagos.

Planning Minister tasks public officers on Vision 20:2020 goals JOEL AJAYI

ABUJA

he Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, has charged public officers in the country to offer efficient, value driven services to Nigerians and other stakeholders of the economy as a strategic step towards achieving broad-based national development, particularly in order to make the country one of the 20 most developed nations by the year 2020. The minister made the call during the inauguration of the Ministerial Servicom Unit at the National Planning Commission as part of efforts to ensure a more efficient, people-oriented service deliv-

ery in the nation’s public sector to all Nigerians and other stakeholders. Usman, while inaugurating the unit promised that service improvement and delivery tools were being used by the present administration to improve performances of the Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs) across all levels of government. He said that National Planning Commission was spearheading the President’s drive towards public service improved efficiency through Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Programme. He noted it was only through a service-conscious and service-oriented public service that delivery of service could be guaranteed to

Nigerians. According to the Minister, He added the inauguration is coming at a time when the Commission was repositioning itself as the key driver of the nation’s economy. His words: “The National Planning Commission is committed to ensuring that the provisions as stated in the Servicom charter are met. With the inauguration of this ministerial servicom unit, it is my hope that greater efforts would be made towards improved quality services to the public. “Also, I want to remind us as the driver in transformation agenda, our role in actualizing its objectives is hinged on effective service delivery, as it is only when the ordinary citizen experiences optimal government services that one would really say that transformation agenda of Federal Government has succeeded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expert canvasses independent central bank as best for Nigerian economy MESHACK IDEHEN

Legal expert with experience in legislative advocacy, Prince Anthony Olatujoye has canvassed for the maintenance of the independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), with insistence that the apex bank’s independence is best for the country’s economy. According to Olatujoye who has interfaced with various committees of both Houses of the National Assembly over the years, told National Mirror in an interview on Monday, that the proposed CBN,s Act, 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2012 and rationale for same appears unclear, and therefore capable of pushing Nigeria to unnecessarily back seat

on the fundamentals of modern Central Banking. According to him, if the proposed amendments are allowed to pass, Nigeria may be the only country in the 21st century to down play the objectives of central banking, thus pushing the virile institution into the realm of mere appendage or instrumentality of government. He said the proposed amendment hinges on essentially two principal pillars which are the composition and chairmanship of the Board of the Central Bank, as well as the power to consider and approve the Bank’s annual Budget which ultimately guarantees personnel, financial and policy independence.

Fidelity Bank adopts the Equator Principle

idelity Bank Plc, on the 1st of November, 2012, further demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability by adopting the Equator Principles. This is in keeping with our word to be corporately and socially responsible to the well being of the environment and communities in which we do business. The Equator Principles are a credit risk management framework for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risk in project finance. The Principles are adopted voluntarily by financial institutions and are applied where total project capital costs exceed US$10 million. By adopting the Equator Principles, Fidelity Bank com-

mits to providing loans only to projects that pass environment risk assessment, such that focus on profit making does not endanger human lives. The Equator Principles were launched in 2003, following the convening of nine international banks in London, together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to discuss the development of a banking industry framework for addressing environmental and social risks in project financing that could be applied globally and across all industry sectors. This framework is based on the Policy and Performance Standards and the Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines set down by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

CPC lauds Unity Bank on ‘Aim-Save-Win’ promo prizes TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Consumer Protection Council has commended Unity Bank of Nigeria Plc for redeeming its pledge to its customers on the ‘AimSave-Win’ promotional initiative which was concluded at the weekend in which three customers won the Star prize of three brand new Hyundai Verna cars, amongst others prizes won by scores of others for participating in the marketing campaign. In the promo in which thousands of the bank customers participated across the designated five zones nationwide, five children emerged winners of N1million scholarship, four customers carted home 32”LCD Television sets, two others won refrigerators just as several others went home with consolation

prizes that range from motorcycles, academic materials and phones. The car winners are, Usman Mohammed Baba of Abule-Egba branch in Lagos, Eta Obot Inyang of Ikot Ekpene Road branch in Akwa Ibom State and Professor Bulama Kabir of Gumil Branch in Borno State. Commending the Bank for redeeming the prizes of the promo during the final raffle draw to select winners of the prizes in Abuja at the weekend, a senior official of the CPC, Engr Sham Kolo, noted that “Unity Bank has demonstrated clearly that is one of the leading customerfriendly banks in the country through its various initiatives aimed at satisfying its customers across the country and what we have seen today attests to the credibility and integrity of the bank”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

sually, many job seekers that have had the misfortune of falling for the antics of job scammers during their search for employment usually put the blame squarely on the doorstep of the government for failing to protect them through the provision of timely, adequate and effective laws that could regulate the activities of employment agencies, real or otherwise operating in the country. Futhermore, largely aided by the weak and non committal response of government towards their nefarious and illegal activities, analysts told National Mirror that job scammers have taken their trade and practice to newer and more daring heights; duping hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting job seekers in the process, and adding to the challenges young graduates, or even experienced professional faces in the quest to secure employment. Mechanical Engineering Graduate, Tope Awosegba, told our correspondent that many young graduates having been duped once or twice or even thrice by job scammers, usually feel justified in also taking full time into other forms of crime and criminality that may include but not limited to advance fee fraud, internet scam, or even kidnapping and armed robbery, and that only the “grace of God” can rescue such individuals. Moreso, considering that even the nation’s military and para military institutions have not been spared the embarrassment of job scammer, with agencies like the police, customs and army openly disassociating themselves from the activities of job scammers, stakeholders said it was time employment hopefuls become more aware of how to identify and avoid them. Explaining what job seekers can do to identify and avoid job scammers, the Chief Recruiter of Purple Consulting Limited, Mr. Lucas Amachree, said the nation’s unemployment numbers keep rising as against claims of its reduction in certain circles, and that many stakeholders including himself remain petrified about the near lack of adequate regulations to guide the activities of employment agencies in the country. Amachree said also that as long as unemployment remains high with no hope in sight for millions of job seekers, that scammers will always try to

How to identify, avoid job scammers Job scammers are having field days in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country, aided in part by the lack of regulation for employment agencies, and the high level of unemployment that have pushed many job seekers into becoming easy prey. However, experts said though it can be hard to tell the difference, there are warning signs of a potential job scam that job seekers should not ignore, writes MESHACK IDEHEN.

L-R: Registrar/CEO, Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), Dr. Bola Mustapha; Mr. Ola Azeez of NITAD and 1st Vice President NITAD, Pastor Dotun Salawu at the 9th induction of new NITAD members held in Lagos recently.

NO GENUINE AND RESPONSIBLE COMPANY OR AGENCY EMPLOYING WILL DEMAND ANY FORM OF FEES OR EXTRACT PROMISE OF A FEE FROM THE JOB SEEKERS, EVEN IF THE COMPANIES

ARE RECRUITING BY THEMSELVES, OR USING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO CONDUCT THE EXERCISE take advantage of people who are looking for work. Speaking further, he said it was important for job seekers to protect themselves by avoiding dealing with companies and individuals that guarantee that they can get them (job seekers) work, especially if they (employment agencies)

charge you the job seeker a fee for the privilege. According to him, “no genuine and responsible company or agency employing will demand any form of fees or extract promise of a fee from the job seekers, even if the companies are recruiting by themselves, or using an

employment agency to conduct the exercise”. He added that job seekers also must beware of companies and individuals that want to hire the means, saying if you are told as a job seeker that a company is willing to hire you without an interview, it’s a sign that all’s not right. Also explaining in the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, said in order to avoid and beat job scammer to their game, that job seekers must never give or share any personal financial information. “As a job seeker going through an employment agency, never give out your bank account, credit card or other financial information to a company you cannot or have not found out fully about. These numbers can be used to steal from you or launder funds stolen from others through you. In the same vein, don’t also pay for services. Job seekers are to beware of employment services firms that require you to pay upfront, even if they guarantee a refund”, Adeyemi explained. On his part, Managing Director, Findjobsafrica.com, Mr. Funto Akinkugbe, said job seekers must ask questions to avoid scammers, saying most employment hopefuls do not ask questions in the haste and anxiety to secure the job available. According to him, it is also important that job seekers read the fine print and not to agree to anything before reading a copy of a job service or head-hunter’s contract. “Understand what services the firm provides, what you’ll be responsible for doing, and the terms and conditions of their policy. If verbal promises are made but don’t appear in the contract, think twice about working with the firm”. Akinkugbe said also that job seekers must learn to trust their gut. “If your initial research on a potential employer makes you feel even the slightest bit uneasy, follow up with a more thorough investigation”, saying also that taking action by victim of a job scam is one important way of avoiding them.

ICAN sets criteria for admitting foreign trained accountants MESHACK IDEHEN

he Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), has said a new condition of admitting foreign trained accountants into its membership has been introduced. According to the institute, the council of ICAN has for some time considered the modality of admitting foreign trained accountants into the membership of ICAN; and has decided to subject the practice to a review. President of the Institute, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi told National Mirror that consequently, the inductees that were recently admitted as members

will be the last set to be offered direct membership of the Institute, and that holders of foreign qualifications will be expected to write examinations in specific papers for the Nigerian needs. According to the ICAN president, recent incidents in the nation’s banking sector have again re-echoed the need for transparency in the institute’s corporate activities, with professionals across a wide spectrum of professions demonstrating indiscretion in their application of regulatory and ethical standards. He said within the accountancy profession that there is concern of inconsistencies and failure to comply with accounting and other regulatory requirements, adding also that the

prevalence of corruption and sharp practices in low and high places in the nation that has contributed to the slow pace of development of the country. “As the conscience of the nation, accounting professionals must strive to create oasis of sanity in their spheres of influence such that a virtuous society will emerge. This is a compelling mandate we must continue to discharge. Indeed, as Chartered Accountants, we must deliberately join the critical mass to support and sustain the on-going anti-corruption crusade by the government”. Owolabi said the Institute will not condone any professional misdemeanour on the part of any chartered accountant irrespective of how highly

Owolabi

or lowly placed in the profession or society.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Organised labour mobilises against total deregulation of oil sector MESHACK IDEHEN

ollowing the announcement by President Goodluck Jonathan that the country will soon witness full deregulation of the downstream sector of oil and gas industry, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has said it will mobilise affiliates and Nigerians against the move by the Federal Government. According to the NLC, the country will witness the “mother of all strikes”, should the Federal Government go ahead to implement full deregulation of the sector as it has said. President of the congress Mr. Abdulwahed Omar told National Mirror that the statement by President Jonathan claiming that only the removal of fuel subsidy will allow for domestic refining of fuel is highly disturbing. The NLC president said the crisis that would welcome any announcement of further withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products would be more monumental

and more far-reaching than envisaged by anyone, adding that the January protest of this year would be a child’s play compared to what might follow any attempt to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry. According to Omar, the government has more than enough reports and details to commence a honest process of punishing those in illegal possession of the nation’s collective wealth, rather than inflict more pains on Nigerians, while industries and virtually all public infrastructures have collapsed. He explained that the NLC has also noted that the planned deregulation has been preceded by artificial fuel scarcity in most parts of the country, and that despite the wave of revelations regarding monumental corruption in the oil and gas industry, it will be unimaginable to contemplate any other thing than focusing on ridding the industry of the endemic corruption that has become so pervasive. “More revelations on corruption keep coming out by the day.

SURE-P to employ 10,000 women, youths MESHACK IDEHEN

bout 10,000 women and youths are to be employed through the initiative that will be spearheaded by the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme of the Federal Government. In the same vein, government in collaboration with relevant stakeholders like organised labour and technical skill providers will see to the establishment of a project implementation unit for the programme that is geared towards empowering and training women and youths in different skills and vocation. A statement made available to journalists by the coordinator of the programme Mrs. Nancy Bulus, said Nigerians will soon start seeing those em-

he Hospitality sector based position of an Assistant General Manager (www.jobberman.com) in an organisation in Edo state takes off the positions available on job vacancies for this week. For this position, the minimum qualification of a degree and required experience of between seven and ten years are required, while part of the job summary are to analyse the hotel nances, provide accurate and timely reports, generate new and repeat business in alignments with sales goals, and maximise pro ts by prac-

ployments under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme before the end of the year. She said based on the policy that has been adopted by the government to empower women and youths, that there is going to be massive employment that will bring about great nation building.

Jonathan

Omar

The argument proffered that domestic refining of petroleum products is only possible under private operators cannot be defended. Our refineries were built and operated successfully as fully public owned enterprises in the past, and until the industry was massively inflicted with corruption and for corrupt government officials and their

Wogu

cronies, the refineries functioned well. “The problem with the petroleum industry is largely lack of decency and political will on the part of the government to deal with those who have already been identified as having corruptly enriched themselves with funds meant for the industry.

Tips for writing an effective resume

iring managers and recruiters say they have seen more poorly written resumes cross their desks recently than ever before. Attract more interview offers and ensure your resume doesn’t eliminate you from consideration by following tips Format your resume wiselyNo matter how well written, your resume won’t get a thorough reading the first time through. Generally a resume gets scanned for 25 seconds. Scanning is more difficult if it is hard to read, poorly organised or exceeds two pages. Use a logical format and wide margins, clean type and clear headings. Selectively apply bold and italic typeface that help guide the reader’s eye and use bullets to call attention to important points. Identify accomplishments

not just job descriptions-Hiring managers, especially in technical fields like engineering, seek candidates that can help them solve a problem or satisfy a need within their company. Consequently, you can’t be a solution to their problems without stating how you solved similar problems in other companies and situations. Quantify your accomplishments-Making too many general claims and using too much industry jargon that does not market the candidate. A resume is a marketing document designed to sell your skills and strengths rather than just portray a bio of the candidate. Include and highlight specific achievements that present a comprehensive picture of your marketability and quantify your achievements to ensure greater confidence in the hiring manager

Job vacancies ticing stringent cost controls to include labour costs through proper training and scheduling, guide the hotel in a positive direction. Other responsibilities are maintaining proper staffing levels within assigned departments, leading by example Ensuring proper security of staff and guests amongst other functions. Applicants also must be enthusiastic and energetic with a passion for hospitality pro ciency in computers to include Microsoft Word, Excel, and other hotel operating systems. From (www.jobsvanguard.

“We believe Mr. President is not being honest with Nigerians about the real problems of the industry. The same President who set up several committees to identify the crisis in the industry and who have been given detailed reports by the committees cannot validly say he is still helpless”, the NLC president said.

ngrcom),is the position for a Political Editor in a firm in Rivers, with responsibilities for copying, editing, proofreading and preparing copies for the printer, writing introductory paragraphs that sum up a story and draw the reader in and editing stories to fit a set word count Qualifications and requirements are a degree, seven years experience with the candidates for the position having strong skull for investigative reporting and strong relationship with operators and regulators. Also on offer, is the position for an Automated Corrugator Operator, (www.jobsvan-

guard.ngr.com) in a firm in Lagos. With company specialising in engineering, administration and office support, the minimum qualification of an OND and experience of between 1 and 3 years is required. Other duties associated with the position are responsibilities for operating corrugated machines, and coordinating and supervising the production process. Candidates must also have a minimum of 5 years experience operating a modern corrugation line, while candidates with technical background will be preferred.

and thereby generate interest percentages, dollars, number of employees, etc. Cater your resume for the industry-Unlike advertising and design professionals who have greater creative license in designing their resume for those fields, the mechanical engineering industry won’t be impressed and may be turned off by distinctive resume design. Err on the side of being conservative stylistically. Your accomplishments, error-free writing, grammatically-correct, clean, crisp type and paper will make the impression for you Replace your objective with a career summary-A career summary is designed to give a brief overview of who you are and what you do. Most Objectives sound similar: Seeking a challenging, interesting position in where I can use my skills to contribute to the bottom line. Not telling at all. Grab a hiring manager’s attention right from the beginning, remembering you have only 25 few seconds to make a good impression Spend time developing a summary that immediately gets their attention, and accurately and powerfully describes you as a solution to their problems Network, Network, NetworkFor unemployed candidates, handing out resumes should be a full-time job. The majority of mid- to senior-level positions are filled through networking, so contact absolutely everyone you know in addition to recruiters who are in a position to hire you or share insights. Source: (www.asme.org)

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

Ogun begins groundwork for Ofada new town project I

ndiscriminate physical developments within Mowe, Ofada and Papalanto axis of Ogun State will soon be a thing of the past if robust plan by the state government to reorder land use in the area is anything to go by. Not impressed by the chaotic development of buildings within the axis, the state government is mapping out strategy to create a new town in the region to cater for the needs of the people. Already, the state government has earmarked over 37,000 hectares of land for the project, which is expected to kick off soon. Briefing selected property editors in her office in Abeokuta, Special Adviser to Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Land Matters/ Director-General, Bureau of Land, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, disclosed that the state government has already embarked on topographic survey of the area, while details of the project are being worked out. She said the project is going to cover the entire left side of Papalanto Road from Shagamu exchange, encompassing Mowe and Ofada areas. Sokefun revealed that government is trying to put in place the location ’s master plan to guide the development of the new town. Lamenting the unregulated developments within the corridor, she noted that there were over 40 supposed estates along Mowe, Ofada, Papalanto road, and that what people could see when passing by are their frontage and signposts without housing development. “With the exception of one or two developers that have done something, what you see along the road are their frontage and facial signposts, ” she said. On existing villages, the special adviser explained that some villages are going to be given excision, while compensation will be paid to owners of property with requisite title documents that fall within the project ’s site. On the modality for the development of the new town, she explained that government will invite estate developers to buy into the project and build for people to buy. She said, “The state government is planning to coordinate physical development in the state by kick-starting a new town project that will integrate every developments in the area “We have kick-started the new town project, we are trying to do a master plan for the place. The entire left side of Papa road falls into the new town project. The state has commenced the topographic survey. At the end, government is going to invite developers to build.

In a move to reorder the use of land and curb indiscriminate physical developments on the Mowe, Ofada and Papalanto corridor of the state, Ogun State government is strategising to create a new town in the axis. DAYO AYEYEMI, reports

.Grenadines Home, Arepo

WE HAVE KICK-STARTED THE NEW TOWN PROJECT, WE ARE TRYING TO DO A MASTER PLAN FOR THE PLACE. THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF PAPA ROAD FALLS INTO THE NEW TOWN PROJECT. THE STATE HAS COMMENCED THE TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY. AT THE END, GOVERNMENT INVITE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD “The state government has about 37,000 hectares for the project and we are going to excise some villages. ” Speaking on new initiative in Land Bureau office, Sokefun said that things are already looking up in the state ’s land registry, having embarked on process review and re-engineering of various operations in the bureau. The reform, she said was hinged on the report by the International Finance Commission ranking Ogun State 36 among the states where business transaction is difficult when she came into office one and half years ago. One of the complaints, she said bordered on timeline for land transaction and administration. For this reason, she disclosed that she

went into action by embarking on major automation of the processes to make it easier for land transactions from the stage of buying land to the stage of granting the Certificate of Occupancy. She said, “We moved to automate our processes to make them easier for land transaction from buying land to the stage of getting Certificate of Occupancy. “We invited Avaizon Consultant to handle the process review and reengineering. It involves interviewing all cadres of staff and offices on how they interface and how their job is detached from one another. That took about 90 days. “So we are able to get something called workflow. The workflow shows depth to depth approaches to land transaction, every mortgage being it private Certificate

Amosun

of Occupancy, ratification for those people that bought land from third parties. ” On land matters, she emphasised that the bureau has commenced its Electronic Data Management process within while more scanners are coming in for the scanning of both and new documents. She said, “When you come in now, you go to search room, make your payment, have your code access, log in and get your information. Land transaction is meant to be effortless, that is what we are trying to do. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How climate change threatens attainment of MDGs In preparation for the forthcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC), COP 18, the Federal Government last week in Abuja assembled the country ’s negotiators and the media for training with a view to bringing into perspective the country ’s position and the reportage of it. OLUFEMI ADEOSUN who attended the two-day training programme, reports the proceedings.

n the next two weeks, the attention of the world will be shifted-from the return of Barack Obama to the White House and its implications for the global economy-to Doha, Qatar venue of the UNFCCC COP 18. The proceedings at the conference would bring together the interplay of forces between the developed economies (the major pollutants) and the developing countries, which though, have low emission production, yet suffer the most in the event of negative effects of climate change. It is with a view to understanding the nature of the various intrigues involved in the negotiation process that the Federal Government, through the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organised a training programme for the country ’s negotiators and the media. The essence of the two-day event is to enable the negotiators understand the nature of issues that are involved and the country ’s position. Apart from that, the media is also factored into the training programme to enable them have a grasp of the issues they are expected to report so that they could effectively communicate such to the Nigerian people.

Flood-In-Sagbama-Bayelsa State

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Taiye Haruna, who set the tone for the discussion, expressed concern on the negative effect of climate change which, he said had manifested in a wave of flooding across the country. While urging the participants to come up with a concerted agreement on what would be the position of the country during the conference, Haruna posited that the wave of flooding incidences that engulfed the nation in the last few weeks was capable of derailing the process of the actualisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In his speech which was read by the Acting Director, Department of Climate Change, Dr. Samuel Adejuwon, the Permanent Secretary said, “You will all agree with me that the devastating effect of climate change in recent times is a matter of serious concern. “The recent flood disasters in some parts of the country are a case in point,

apart from the painful loss of lives and properties, the gains already made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals have been seriously threatened. Socio-economic infrastructure and farmlands were destroyed, resulting in the displacement of large populations, causing a lot of human insecurity. “If we are to make an impact in the discourse of the phenomenon, we must not forget that this scourge represents a multigenerational and irreversible threat to human societies and the planet. Africa as a whole must be at alert as our region and people are particularly susceptible to the growing risk of run-away climate change, with its attendant catastrophic impacts on the natural ecosystems and humankind. ” As the anchor man for the country in the global event, Adejuwon stated that that contrary to the 2010 agreement that pegged global temperature at 2 degrees Celsius, Nigeria would push for a further

reduction to 1.5 at the conference. He explained that the position of Nigeria which all negotiators much push for is committing annex 1 countries who are the major polluters to keep global temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius. He said, “A century and a half of industrialisation, including clear-felling forests and certain farming methods, has driven up quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As populations, economies and standards of living grow, so does the cumulative level of GHG emissions. At the very heart of the response to climate change is the need to reduce emissions. ” In his paper titled, Climate Change and the Media, the Environment Editor of Daily Independent, Mr. Michael Simire, gave annotated notes on the roles of the media in telling environment stories, even as he gave hints on some of the hitches journalists on the beat face.

Ogun begins groundwork for Ofada new town project CONTINUED FROM 25 “We have been able to install racks and box files. We put files in boxes and indexed them. “We are doing our GIS to get up-to-date information from length and breadth of the state through satellite images. We picked 50 centimetres for images in developed area and 80 centimetres from the rest of the state, ” she said. Besides, she said staffs of the bureau are being trained twice in a week to build their capacity. She also decried indiscriminate sale of land on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, blaming it for slum development on the axis. Besides, she said there was a problem of multiple agencies selling land in the state before the present administration came to power, namely: Ministry of Housing, OPIC, Ogun State Housing Corporation, and Gateway Property Company Limited among others. The

development, he said did not give room for coordinated physical development especially along Lagos-Ibadan corridor. She explained, “The acquisition of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was done in 1994, it is two kilometres stretch from Berger to Shagamu interchange, the state gave it to Ogun Property Investment Company (OPIC) to manage, the agency started selling to people and that is why we find uncontrolled development in this axis. According to her, a lot of people that bought land in the location were speculators. “We have found that on Lagos-Ibadan road, people get land at ridiculous amount. You can imaging giving out 450 hectares of land at N20million, and that is why the Judicial Commission was set up to look into this, ” she said. On River View Estate Residents ‘Association ’s plight, she described the sale of the estate as a scam, saying the loca-

tion falls within the flood plain of Ogun River, She said, “The whole Riverview Estate is a scam because the location falls within River Ogun plain. Experts have been there and suggested solutions. One of the solutions is to construct an artificial lake. That will cost the state billions of naira except we have cheaper alternative. Meanwhile, Ogun State government has paid the sum of N88.07million to 69 individuals whose property are to be affected by the expansion of the Agbeloba axis of Abeokuta. This is to fulfil its promise to adequately compensate owners of properties to be demolished in the course of constructing the six lanes road. Handing over the cheques to the claimants, the Deputy Director of Lands, Mr. Isaac Akogun, said the present administration in the state followed the normal laid down procedures of non demolition

of the properties until the compensation was paid. He said the yardstick used by the bureau to authenticate who to be compensated included Certificate of Ownership (C of O), survey and building plan of the properties, noting that government contracted the valuation of the properties to a consultant on property value and payment was based on his verification and final submission. Akogun remarked that physical development was part of beautification and urban renewal, adding that after the initial discomfort, residents would benefit in the long run from the infrastructure. Speaking shortly after collecting his cheque, one of the claimants and Chairman Ansarudeen Mosque, Agbeloba, Alhaji Moshood Opebiyi appreciated the government for matching words with action, saying that it had once again displayed its commitment to the welfare of the people.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Coach unfolds Turin ‘tricks’ 28

IKENWA NNABUOGOR

Sport

5 keepers in FIFA, FIFPRO’s World XI

taly and Juventus’ goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, is top among five goalkeepers the global players’ union, FIFPro, and FIFA announced yesterday in the 2012 World XI shortlist. Also in the list are Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea), Joe Hart (England, Manchester City) and Manuel Neuer of Germany and Bayern Munich. FIFA said in a statement that the goalkeepers are part of the 55-player final shortlist to be revealed at a press conference in São Paulo on November 29. “This year, all of the individual position shortlists, including to-

day’s goalkeeper shortlist, will be announced in the two weeks leading up to the announcement of the final complete shortlist. “The shortlists for the defenders, midfielders and forwards will be announced and published on FIFA.com on 22, 26 and 29 November respectively,” the statement said.

FIFA boss, Blatter

Osun set to take Eko 2012 by storm

Mikel

rin last Saturday. The Italians are third in Champions League Group

E, a point behind Chelsea and Shaktar Donetsk.

Eaglets think return leg win over Mali

igeria U-17 National Football Team coach, Manu Garba, has said that his team will qualify for the African Junior Championship after they beat Mali 2-0 on Sunday. “We have to praise these boys for being able to play and score two goals against Mali and I’m confident we would secure the needed result in Bamako to qualify for the tournament in Morocco,” said Manu. “If we had taken some of those chances we missed, we would have

It’s not so much for the controversy that has dogged my steps. I want to be out of spotlight -Disgraced cycling star, Lance Armstrong

UCL: Di Matteo weighs Mikel, Moses’ options helsea’s manager, Roberto Di Matteo, has said that he is going to assess John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and other players in the club to raise a formidable squad that will get at least a point in Juventus, when the two sides clash in a UEFA Champions League match today. Di Matteo has stuck to a more progressive system than that which brought the Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge, but said he would change the balance to tackle the defensive frailties that let his team down against West Brom in the English Premier League on Saturday. “A lot of players have only come back (from international duty) from Europe and the rest of the world. We will assess them and see what the right selection is for Tuesday. “I think as a team we have to be better defending, you don’t defend with one player, you defend with the whole team, like you want your whole team helping when you are attacking as well,” he said yesterday. “It is a defensive organisation on the pitch that we need to look at and as I said maybe I have to do some changes.” A more defensive approach is logical given that a draw in Turin will leave Chelsea favourites to progress to the knockout stage, but Di Matteo is not underestimating the challenge. “Of course every game is massive and important, at the club that we are looking to be always competing at the top and every defeat is a problem for us. “But certainly Tuesday is going to be a massive game in the Champions League for us.” Juventus is still atop Serie A, but was denied victory by a goalkeeping master class as Lazio held out for a draw in Tu-

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scored more goals, but I’m confident we can beat them in Bamako.” The Eaglets came up against a physically bigger team but the coach insisted this cannot stop his team’s charge to next year’s finals in Morocco. “Obviously, you can all see that they are bigger than our boys but that is not our problem because we know that size doesn’t play football,” he said. This was obviously the Eaglets toughest match so far in the cam-

paign, but they could have scored more goals if not for some glaring misses particularly in the second half of the keenly contested match. But the two goals in either half of the match, scored by defender Wilfred Ndidi in the 23rd minute and Alhassan Ibrahim in the 82nd minute secured victory for the Nigerian schoolboys. Garba and his wards will resume preparations today for the return leg in Bamako in a fortnight.

eam Osun is poised to take the 18th National Sports Festival by storm, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Stephen Balogun, said yesterday. Balogun said in Lagos that the team would perform better than it did at the 17th NSF in Port Harcourt in 2011. “Our expectation is to do better than we did in Port Harcourt. I want Team Osun to surprise themselves and their

Osun State Governor, Aregbesola

fans positively. My athletes are in camp and we are getting prepared. We are taking part in 17 events and we have about 270 athletes,” he said. The commissioner, however, noted that it would be unwise to assume that other states were also not preparing for the Games. Osun finished in the 25th position at the ‘Garden City Games’ in Port Harcourt in 2011 with two gold, one silver and 13 bronze medals.

Sport

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Coach unfolds Turin ‘tricks’ …May drop Torres

Eden Hazard have been lauded for their contributions to the team’s expansive and attractive style this season. But the gaffer said one of them may be sacrificed in Turin. “We might have to go a little bit tighter to win games and make sure we don’t concede,” he said. Di Matteo also hinted early yesterday that striker Fernando Torres might be dropped from the Turin train. “I think we will have to assess the whole team and see how everybody is, and how they have recovered from the internationals. “A lot of players only came back Thursday afternoon or Friday from internationals in Europe and the rest of the world,” the coach explained.

Euro Champions League

helsea Manager, Roberto Di Matteo, has hinted strongly that the Blues may abandon their attacking style in favour of a more defensive mentality after their 2-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. The Chelsea coach is concerned about his team’s slump in form after seeing the European champion take just two points from four games and relinquish top spot in the Premier League. With the crucial Champions League game against Juventus in Turin today and the upcoming Premier League meeting with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge next weekend, Di Matteo says it is time to tighten up. Midfielders Juan Mata, Oscar and

Victor Moses

JUVENTUS VS CHELSEA

Head-to-head

Today’s fixtures

Di Matteo

Spartak

Barcelona

Benfica

Celtic

BATE

Lille

Valencia

Bayern

Galatasaray

Man Utd

Cluj

Braga

Nordsjaelland v

Shakhtar

Juventus

Chelsea

Juventus uventus struck twice to come back from two goals down to record a draw in the reverse fixture and with Chelsea level at seven points with Shakhtar, the Turin side now trails with six, leaving Group E open for the taking. The Italian champion suffered its first defeat of the season against Inter Milan a fortnight ago, but has responded well winning 4-0 against FC Nordsjælland in the Champions League and 6-1 over Pescara in the league. Last weekend, Lazio held Juve to a scoreless draw but much of that was due to a masterful display of goalkeeping. The loss to Inter was the first time Juve had been beaten in 49 consecutive league games.

finishing from Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge was the deciding factor. Fernando Torres has again shown he is not the answer for Di Matteo’s attacking scheme. Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich has given the green light to fight for Atletico Madrid’s Falcao. The 26 year old scored 36 goals last season for Atletico after being recruited to replace Sergio Aguero in a £35m deal. Victor Moses on the other hand, has been itching to find a way into the starting eleven and was the hero against Shakhtar through his injury time winner. Against West Brom however, the youngster failed to find the mark. Di Matteo fortunately does not have to deal with too many injuries but the absence of John Terry at the back has been evident.

Chelsea Since Manchester United knocked Chelsea down the totem pole, The Blues have struggled with their league form, drawing two and losing one. Last Saturday, Chelsea’s defence conceded a late goal to allow Swansea City a 1-1 draw. To add to its defensive woes, West Brom beat a lackluster Chelsea 2-1 over the weekend. The Blues however, dominated possession but poor

Prediction: Juventus has drawn with Chelsea 2-2 in their last two encounters. Chelsea won the other Champions League fixture back in 2009 1-0. Both teams have had some recent setbacks, but both have the talent to bring themselves out of their respective slumps. With Chelsea strikers missing their chances, Oscar and Mata will need to step up.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tit bits...

Messi

Lampard

MTN Football Scholar: 15 finalists emerge

Hughes Queens Park Rangers Manager, Mark Hughes, refuses to resign after their dismal defeat at home to Southampton on Saturday. “I don’t run away from challenges,” who has the backing of club hierarchy, said yesterday. “This is a huge challenge. It was a huge challenge in January when I undertook it. I knew it was going to be problematic. We all understood that.”

Sturridge Reports said yesterday that Chelsea fans turned on striker Danny Sturridge during defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The reports said Sturridge suffered a torrent of abuse from Chelsea fans after the defeat at West Brom. The Blues striker missed a host of chances and was targeted when he went to see his family in the away section. “One of the family said Daniel had had enough and could move on,” a fan, Mike Santos, Twitted yesterday.

clears rights sponsor AFOLABI GAMBARI

equel to a media publication last week that N38m due to the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) from broadcast rights sponsor Total Promotions Limited, was missing and could not be accounted for, the league has declared the publication null, void and of no effect. Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola, said in a statement in Abuja that the publication was erroneous. “The management of NPL wishes to categorically affirm that there is no N38m due it from Total Promotions Limited either missing or yet to be paid by TPL strictly in accordance with the expectations of the broadcast rights agreement,” Babalola said. “The NPL equivocally affirms that, to date, all broadcast rights payments due the league per each league season as dictated by the broadcast rights agreement has been met by TPL,” he added, stressing, “Whatever else may be arising from

payments made by TPL to league is completely the internal matter of NPL to which our board is completely dealing with through appropriate channels.” Babalola, who said the NPL would address the issue professionally, submitted: “Suffices it to say that Total Promotions Limited has met its financial obligations to the league as dictated by the broadcast rights agreement.” Meanwhile, Babalola had in a letter dated 6 November 2012 addressed to the Chief Operation Officer, Total Promotions Limited, affirmed what he called the veracity of the audited account of the transaction between the sponsor and the NPL.

NPL boss, Baribote

EKO 2012: LOC trains 500 stewards

Martinez

Porto striker, Jackson Martinez, is not getting carried away with interest from Barcelona and Chelsea. Martinez has scored 11 goals in his first 12 games, meaning he has beaten the previous records of Falcao, Hulk and Lisandro Lopez. “Rumours are normal because I am working with success in Porto and scoring goals but I am calm and focussed exclusively on my work for Porto,” Martinez said.

Rooney’s return thrills Fergie Missing fund: NPL

anchester United’s Manager, Alex Ferguson, was excited that striker Wayne Rooney returned to training yesterday ahead of today’s game against Galatasaray. Rooney was not involved in United’s surprise 1-0 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday after being laid low by tonsillitis but was assessed by club doctors on Sunday as Ferguson was keen to have the forward in his plans for the group game in Turkey. But the England international and goalkeeper David de Gea, who had a tooth Former Manremoved before weekend, both trained chester City star yesterday, having missed the shock defeat Sun Jihai has to Norwich. urged Chelsea Midfielders Shinji Kagawa and Nani, icon Frank Lampard to choose Chinese Super along with defender Jonny Evans, were League side Guizhou Renhe absent at the training session, the trio over Los Angeles Galaxy. having been struggling with knee, ham“Lampard is a world-class star in both fame and ability and he string and groin injuries respectively. United is guaranteed a place in the last has played for the world’s best clubs,” Jihai, a former Man16 of the Champions League after winchester City and Crystal Palace ning its opening four group fixtures and defender who now captains the Ferguson is expected to rest several key Chinese side, said. players against Galatasaray. Rooney “I don’t know whether his transfer has been confirmed, but it would be great if it is true,” Jihai added. Barcelona winger Pedro hopes Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or, saying the petit player deserves the award again. “My vote would go to Messi,” Pedro told journalists yesterday. “If not then I am also hoping for a Spanish win for Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas or Sergio Ramos. But my vote would be

Sport

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Some finalists of the Season 2 MTN Football Scholar with the Project Coordinator, Tom DeMao from the United States (m) after sitting for their SAT examination

eason Two of the MTN Football Scholar has ended with 15 successful candidates writing the last SAT examination to prepare them for the United States of America University Accreditations. The examination which held at the American International School, Victoria Island, Lagos, on November 10 saw the young lads beaming with the hope of becoming renowned football stars while studying in an American university. The project is open to students within the age bracket of 15 and 18.One of the youngsters, Samson Isaac, a 2011 graduate of Kings College, Lagos expressed great optimism in passing the examination with flying colours as well as securing a place in an American university. “For coming this far it is by God’s grace; out of hundreds of us that started this journey, I am part of the finalists; this is an act of God. All the same, I believe I possess both the football

skills and intellectual capacity to succeed,” he said. Apart from Isaac, 15-year-old Sanni Kehinde of the Apex Unique International College, Akure and Precious Ozoh of the Government Secondary School, Asopada, Nassarawa State are also among the finalists. MTN Football Scholar is a youth programme aimed at discovering talent who can combine active football and education, at the tertiary level, within a scholarship scheme. This year’s edition kicked-off in May with try-outs in seven cities of Port Harcourt, Enugu, Akure, Benin, Abuja, Ilorin and Lagos. Selected participants proceeded to the Academy, where they got intensive training and academic teaching under the watchful eyes of top-rated Nigerian coaches and a group of American soccer academies. The finalists will be attending soccer-oriented American universities for degree courses in due course.

he Security Sub-Committee of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 18th National Sports Festival has trained 500 stewards for the sporting fiesta in a bid to ensure a hitch-free event. Vice Chairman of the sub-committee, Tade Azeez, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gideon Akinsola, conducted the training which was held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend with about 700 applicants participating before

500 were selected. Akinsola tutored the stewards on crowd control during the festival, while Azeez lectured them on their duties at various venues of the festival with the stewards expected not to create panic while the games lasted. The training conductors, however, charged the stewards to complement security personnel’s jobs during and after the festival, adding that their conducts would be crucial to the success of the festival.

Taekwondo body floats seminar YEMI OLUS

igeria Taekwondo Federation has concluded plans for a three-day Seminar/Workshop holding from November 26 to 28 at the National Stadium, Lagos. Secretary General of the NTF, Mrs. Chinedu EzealaOgundare, who revealed this in Lagos at the weekend, said the programme would be attended by local and international referees, coaches, administrators and all other categories of officials

including table officials and score board managers. “The programme will be used to introduce all the new rules recently introduced by the World Taekwondo Federation, more so when the use of electronic score board will be introduced for the first time for scoring,” the NTF secretary explained. Over 60 participants from across the country are expected at the seminar open to all taekwondo stakeholders in the country, although the federation initially budgeted for only 30 participants.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

We plan to resettle 700, 000 flood victims in Anambra State - Presidential aide The devastation caused by flood in Anambra State is unimaginable, with over 700,000 inhabitants in 60 communities washed away by the flood. Anambra Responds is an NGO floated by Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpo, a Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters who spoke to OBIORA IFOH on how the group intends to provide succour to the flood victims. Excerpts. What is the idea behind the project, Anambra Respond? The flood is a reality. You know, when you are going to Asaba by air and you look at this flood, you get the picture of the devastation the flood has caused to people’s lives. I know communities that you see the leaves of the tallest trees; you are no longer seeing houses, everything is buried in the water. It is scary. In some communities nothing can be recovered again from the flood. So, this is a real problem. People can just look at the flood and say the water is receding. So, I said to myself there must be a platform to make people to be aware that these brothers and sisters have serious problems. Now, to do that I had to talk to one or two young people in Anambra State and this intervention is Anambra focused, because I am aware that the federation of Nigeria has got so many prominent people who are working at the federal level and the president is putting shoulders to it and there are philanthropists who have formed committees and they are assembling the corporate world to deal with this. At the state level, the governor too is doing a great job of mobilising state resources and bringing people to bear on it. But I think that the people in Anambra State should consider themselves a little bit luckier, because Anambra State is a gifted state; it is a state with talents and human resources and wealth, we have a lot of wealthy people, but most of these people are also active in their day-to-day life and they may not pay the required attention if you don’t bring it to them. So, I felt that we need to create a process, to bring Anambra to respond to this flood and that’s why we got this initiative, Anambra Responds. In other words the project is a complimentary effort by your organisation to assist the intervention agenda of the federal and state governments and how do you go about it? Yes, it is Anambra people, being called to come and help their President and their governor to assist in dealing with this monster that has crept into the lives of these people. That’s what we are doing. The initiative is focused on information, organisation, logistic and accountability. Information in the sense that we go in and we put people in to know exactly what has happened to these people. What is the magnitude of the impact of this flood on their lives? So, you need volunteers to go into the communities and identify, line by line what has happened to those communities and then who has lost his house, who has lost his belongings, who has lost a house; who has lost income. So, you are able to really touch the data, the information required to get people to appreciate the extent of damage this thing has done. Having possessed that information, then you need to get it across to people who are willing to help, so they know how to help, where to help and what is needed. So, once you do that, that information is distributed so we have a process of making sure that on Sundays, all the churches get the information, we put it on the websites, we put it on the news media, so that people can see and know. We then developed collection centres, in major cities. Like in Abuja, we have a collection centre, in Agura Hotel; we have in Lagos; somebody has given us a warehouse in Onitsha where we can store items as they come in. Right now we have got five Hilux trucks, which my friends in Port Hacourt decided to assist the project by hiring to us, at discounted rate. This strategy is such that once you set up information, logistic, ability to collect, source and deliver, then we have saved a mechanism to make sure that the needs are known and people who are willing to help can help without stress. We also need partners; the partner who can support with

clergy; we are talking to CAN to give us one; Pastor Adefarasin has also given us one of his pastors who will work with us. We shall constitute that team and they will receive cash and if anybody insists on giving us cash, they will receive and then sit back and decide, how to deal with that. That’s the process and so far, we are getting good response; we are confident that as we move forward now, publish it, get people to know about it, drive it, push it consistently, it will pick up and we expect that we are going to do this for three months. After the first three months, we will do a review and if we need to continue, then we continue. If we think the people are a bit stable, then we pull back. It is just a call to service. What precisely pushed you into this humanitarian gesture? Well, I am not sure that I have an exact answer to that. It is just that I looked at it and say, well, a lot of people were going, when this thing started and I said to myself, people were going there and I went with my own stuff. But when I got closer, I saw that this wasn’t going to solve it. So, initially I went with my beans and garri, because I learnt that they got too much rice. I also went with cows. But when you go there, you will see that this thing is beyond throwing stuff at this people, so I said, let us help.

Nwamkpo

AS A POLICY, WE DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH CASH; WE RATHER PREFER YOU PAY TO A SUPPLIER AND THE SUPPLIER GIVES US THE ITEMS logistic. So, we choose Chisco Transport, so that anywhere items are collected far from where we are operating, Chisco will send a delivery truck to and pick those items and bring them. So, if you have a collection in Lagos, Chisco will go and lift it and then drop it for us and move on. We are also talking to ABC Transport in that regard. The other set of partners are those who make sure that items are gotten at a discounted rate. We have talked talk to Mouka Foam and it has agreed to give mattresses to us at discounted rate. There is also a pharmacy company that has promised to give us drugs at distributor’s price; Emzor Pharmaceutical has also agreed to do that. There is also a construction company that we are talking to who will bring in their grader, because some of these communities have their road cut off; there are so many of them. Before government can go into contracting and start doing those roads, the people would have suffered for so long. But you can come and throw sand and then roll over it, so people can be passing while government is coming round with the due process and contracting procedures. They will come and fix these roads. So, we are talking to construction companies and some of them have agreed to bring in their rollers, their graders. We just aggregate those kinds of help and push it in and help to get this going. So, that’s what the idea is. The donors are mostly those who have something of value to give and they make us pay at a discounted rate, those discounted are published and the donors pay direct to the companies. As a policy, we don’t want to deal with cash; we prefer you pay to a supplier and the supplier gives us the items. But if you insist that you cannot pay, you aren’t in a place where you can pay and you must get money, we have talked to some faith based organisations that will assist, for instance, the Archbishop of Onitsha has agreed to nominate somebody for us. We have also spoken with the Anglican Bishop, who is around there to give us one

Is the organisation looking at resettlement, because from the picture you painted, a lot of them have lost their residence? Well, Anambra Responds isn’t going into that. That’s the responsibility of the government, they decide what to do. Resettlement means you relocate these people, but when they go back to their communities, they might find out that their houses are still standing, but the walls have been messed up and all you need to do is to repaint, you need to rewire the house, because water has messed up the electrical. That’s now the resettlement programme. So, if the person is now to get back into his house and lives a normal life, that’s a resettlement activity. We go in and see what he needs and then we would help. The person might just need two pockets of paints and you give him that. But if the government now decides that it is going to move the people out, then it will make that decision and as the government is setting in motion that activity, we will just follow behind. Our message is to tell people that you cannot abandon this problem to government. Do you have an idea of what the people have lost. Secondly, does Anambra Responds has a budget, of what it is going to spend? We aren’t yet in a position to set that kind of target, because we haven’t really gotten close. The communities, some of them started going back just last week and from the phone calls I got, the ground is still marshy. Vehicles cannot enter, the grounds are very porous. So, people are just beginning to see the effect of what happened to them. So, we aren’t in the position right now to make that kind of estimate. What we have done is to set the process on, the 120 volunteers are meeting with them hopefully this weekend because we are projecting 60 communities and we are doing two volunteers per community: one person will look at medical issues and sanitation issue, one person will look at normal materials. Those volunteers will work under two NGOs that have agreed to work with us. They will be moving through the 60 communities. Now, for those volunteers, we intend to pay them N10,000 a month, for each to help them with their basic logistics and to be able to transport themselves. We already have people who have said they are going to pay the volunteers. So, it isn’t really a tight budget thing. But my conviction is that Anambra State is beyond this thing, the state is bigger than this flood. We have men, women, with resources, energy and capacity to help people. With what government has done, if we are able to give confidence to the people of Anambra State, that this help will reach these their brothers, we will surmount this challenge.

Real Estate & Environment

he way your living room is decorated provides an inner view of your house as a whole. This is because living area is the section of the house where visitors are entertained. Living room furniture reflects your taste and sense of choosing the best for your house. You have to spend a great deal of time selecting right sofas, couch, tables and other items for the living room. Other important features of your living room are curtains and drapers. Living room curtains are capable of enhancing the overall value of the place, provided you have chosen them carefully. Here are some tips that should help you in choosing best of the furniture and curtains for your living room. The overall theme you wish to install at your living room is the main thing to consider while choosing living room furniture and curtains. If you wish to have a traditional look, you can choose bamboo furniture. For a contemporary look, you must choose the pieces of leather furniture. Wooden furniture may add a mix of traditional and modern look in your living room. The colour of your living room sofa should match with the wall colours. Choose a three or five seat sofa set on the basis of space available for installation. Make sure that your living room doesn’t look congested after installation of different furniture items. Choose matching centre table that should go together with the sofa set. A coffee table is an optional choice if you have space available. Living room curtains and curtain designs should be selected on the basis of colours and patterns of your living room furnishings. The size and shape of the living room are other factors that should help you make the right choice. It is important that the fabric you choose suit the patterns of the curtains in your mind.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Spend quality time to select right sofas, other items for the living room’ Double sided curtains are good options if you have living room windows facing the road. Tassels and tiebacks are some of the curtain styles that are in. Budget is an important thing that must be in your consideration while choosing Living room curtains and furniture. Look at different stores and compare the designs and prices to make the best purchase. Culled from b2binformation.blogspot. com

THE COLOUR OF YOUR LIVING ROOM SOFA SHOULD MATCH WITH THE WALL COLOURS. CHOOSE A THREE OR FIVE SEAT SOFA SET ON THE BASIS OF SPACE AVAILABLE FOR INSTALLATION.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Chair of world’s poorest countries charges Obama on climate change

hair of the Least Developed Countries group at the United Nations climate change negotiations, Pa Ousman Jarju, has written an open letter to United States president Barak Obama to join the European Union, the LDCs and the Alliance of Small Island States in taking on ambitious national commitments to reduce climate pollution even as representatives of the world’s nations meet in Doha, Qatar, for the annual negotiations on the UN climate change treaty later this month. In a letter entitled, “An open letter to President Obama from the world’s poorest countries”, Jarju urged the US president to go beyond the commitments he made in Copenhagen in 2009, reminding him that the climate is changing faster than people thought, and there is need to respond with increased ambition. The letter read, “As the lead negotiator for the world’s 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the United Nations climate change negotiations, I congratulate you on your re-election. I also want to express my admiration for your response to superstorm Sandy: without the preparations that you made, the impacts to those hit by the storm would have been even more devastating.” Besides, he wants Obama to provide adequate funding to help the LDCs and other vulnerable nations to adapt to this new climate reality. He said, “In 2010, the wealthiest countries directed about $1.5billion to help developing countries adapt to a changing climate. Over the same period, they spent over $400billion subsidising fossil fuel industries. They gave the main contributors to human-caused climate change more than 250 times the support they offered those whom it harms most. “Countries from Gambia and Haiti, to Malawi and Bangladesh need the “predictable and adequate” funding promised in Copenhagen so that they can take simple steps to protect their citizens. This means moving drinking water and irrigation wells away from coasts, where saltwater is intruding into aquifers; it includes developing drought-resistant crops and helping small farmers in fragile, semi-arid regions survive. “We have to prepare roads and cities, villages and farms for floods, hurricanes and heat waves. We need to equip people with the weather prediction, early warning systems and emergency response that citizens of the developed countries take for

Work in progress at the multi-billion naira first ever fly-over motor- bridge along Ibara/Ita Eko road in Abeokuta, Ogun State

WE HAVE TO PREPARE ROADS AND CITIES, VILLAGES AND FARMS FOR FLOODS, HURRICANES AND HEAT WAVES. WE NEED TO EQUIP PEOPLE WITH THE WEATHER PREDICTION, EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE THAT CITIZENS OF THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TAKE FOR GRANTED granted.” He said, “With 20 years of international climate change negotiations behind us, there is simply no longer time or cause for wealthy countries to continue to stall in taking real action to fulfil the promises they have made. Having the wealthy nations reduce their greenhouse gas emissions steeply is fundamental, but helping the poorest of us cope with its impacts is an immediate necessity”. He enjoined Obama to remind the world that the devastation of climate change is shared by all its citizens, reminding him that the reality is changeable and that they

should make changing a legacy. He remarked that as communities in the north-east work to rebuild and recover, the world has an opportunity to begin a new, reality-based conversation about climate change. He urged Obama to remember those who live in its poorest regions as this discussion continues in the world’s most developed countries. He said, “Remember that as a result of climate change, this kind of fatal weather event has become commonplace for us while we lack the infrastructure and resources to adequately protect our citizens.

“As researchers at Brown University’s climate and development lab have shown, climate-related disasters such as droughts, extreme temperatures, floods, and hurricanes have caused an estimated 1.3 million deaths since 1980. “Two-thirds of these deaths (over 909,000) occurred in the least developed countries. We are only 12 per cent of the world’s population, but we suffer the effects of climaterelated disasters more than five times as much as the world as a whole.” “Given this reality and your early commitment to leading a science-directed discussion about the changing climate, I was surprised that you only mentioned climate change in your re-election campaign a few times, and not once in your three debates with Mitt Romney. We know that 70 per cent of US citizens now recognise the reality of human-caused climate change. “As the world’s largest economy, the US has a unique opportunity and responsibility to take bold action on this issue. Indeed, the wellbeing of the citizens of your nation and mine depends on your ability to lead at this critical juncture. It is time to end the climate silence,”he said

Fayemi harps on proper drainage system

Fayemi

kiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described the various excavations of roads and drains as well as the covering of drains with concrete slabs as necessary steps towards ensuring durable roads in the state. The governor who was on inspection tour of on-going road projects in Ado Ekiti, the state capital said the excavation of blocked drains and culverts and the introduction of concrete slabs on the drains will prevent roads from retaining water and ensure their durability. Fayemi said the new development

which was introduced by Hartland construction company handling the dualisation of Old Garage- Ojumose and Atikankan- First Baptist roads shows the contractor’s competence. He added that he had got calls from people who commended government on the quality job being done on the roads. The slabs are expected to also prevent indiscriminate disposal of waste in the drains which may cause flooding. While expressing optimism that the ongoing reconstruction/rehabilitation

of 16 township roads in Ado Ekiti as well as the various roads being handled by the contractor will have been completed in two months’ time, the governor said these will make Ado Ekiti a befiting State capital. Fayemi stressed that attention will be focused on rehabilitation and reconstruction of township roads in Ikere, Ikole and Ijero Ekiti in order to give the towns a facelift and spread infrastructure development to them. This he said will begin as soon as government completes all the ongoing road projects in Ado Ekiti.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

More optimism in UK for house prices growth in 2013

Uk property

ouseholds are more optimistic that the value of their home will rise over the next year than at any time since 2010, according to the latest House Price Sentiment Index produced by Knight Frank and Markit, a leading economics consultancy. According to Property Wire report, the jump in the future HPSI, from a six month low of 50.5 in October to 55.9, came just weeks after economic data suggested that the UK economy emerged

convincingly from recession, perhaps prompting a more upbeat outlook among households. Any figure over 50 suggests prices will grow, and the higher the figure the greater the growth. Any figure under 50 signals a fall. Households in every region except Wales (45.2) expect the value of their property to rise over the next 12 months. London leads the way (63.3), followed by the South East (61.1), but perhaps more notably, households in the North West

Research reveals the huge gap in price paid by first time buyers in London

irst time buyers in London face having to pay over £100,000 more for a home, new research from the Halifax shows. Even the Local Authority with the lowest average house price and deposit in Barking and Dagenham is still more expensive than the national average. The average first time buyer deposit in Camden, at £145,148, is over five times higher than the national average of £27,537. The average house deposit in Camden actually costs £10,000 more than the average firs time buyer house at £135,468. Further to this, the Local Authority of Kensington and Chelsea is so expensive that it has priced itself out of the research, with so few first homes bought in the area that the sample size was too small to include. Despite the high prices, there are still options available to first time buyers, and the mortgage market is better than many people think, according to Stephen Noakes, Halifax mortgage director. ‘The research showed that only four in every 10 people think they could get a mortgage, yet we accept eight out of every 10 applications. The mortgage market in London isn’t what it used to be, but it isn’t as bad as many people think as lenders are still lending. In the past year alone we’ve provided over £1.5 billion in mortgages to first time buyers in Greater London,’ he explained.

‘Londoners shouldn’t just assume they won’t get a mortgage. Always speak to a mortgage advisor and find out. You can arrange an appointment with an advisor in any Halifax branch. An advisor will look at your individual circumstances and discuss the various options available, such as buying a new build property. The NewBuy scheme enables first time buyers to purchase new build properties on a higher loan to value mortgage; up to 95% in many cases. ‘There are thousands of new builds within the M25, usually costing between £160,000 and £500,000, so you could get a brand new property with a deposit as low as £8,000. There are also a number of areas that have relatively lower average house prices while still providing convenient access to work such as Southwark for the City, or Lewisham for Canary Wharf,’ he added. The research also shows that since 2007, the average first time buyer house price in London has fallen by 15% from £286,987 to £244,041. Since 2007, the average first time buyer house deposit in London has fallen by 8% from £62,216 to £57,175. The biggest percentage fall is in Greenwich, where the average first time buyer house price has dropped by 14 per cent to £200,946 and the biggest percentage increase is in Harrow, where the average first time buyer house price has increased by 8 per cent to £285,334.

(53.8) are expecting price growth for the first time in more than six months. Those aged 55 and over still remain the most cautious in their outlook for prices (53.6), although this is the first time respondents in this age bracket have said they are expecting price rises since June. Those in the 25 to 34 age bracket, the typical age for a first time buyer, expect the biggest price rises, perhaps reflecting the increased challenges they face in

order to climb onto the housing ladder. The strong recovery from the marked slump in confidence seen in October coincides with better news from the economy, with official figures suggesting that the UK not only emerged from recession, but did so at a faster pace than expected in the third quarter, said Grinne Gilmore, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank. The more upbeat economic news seems to have lifted sentiment, especially the outlook for house prices. The last time the future house prices sentiment index reached similar highs was in the summer of 2010, which coincided with 0.7percent rise in GDP in the second quarter of that year, the strongest economic performance since the initial recession, apart from the most recent 1percent rise in GDP in the third quarter of 2012, she explained. But more downbeat news is already emanating from the economy, with the Bank of England this week admitting that the country could slip back into recession in the fourth quarter. As such, there is a risk that the fillip to sentiment seen as a result of the better than expected GDP figures may unwind in the months to come, she added. According to Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, it is too early to say whether the pick up in the outlook for house prices reflects an underlying improvement in market sentiment, perhaps linked to better availability of mortgages due to the Funding For Lending Scheme.

No sign of robust recovery in the Scottish housing market

verage residential property prices in Scotland fell by 5.8% in the three months ending in October 2012, and are now 90% of the peak of 2008, the latest quarterly index from Lloyds TSB shows. On an annual, underlying basis, Scottish house prices have fallen by 0.3% and the average Scottish house price is now £155,188, the Scottish House Price Monitor also shows. Year on year prices, according to report from Property Wire, have fallen 8.4 per cent in Aberdeen, 3.8 per cent in Dundee and 1.5 per cent in the Central, Fife, Perth and Tayside region. They are up 0.2 per cent in Glasgow, 0.3 per cent in the south east, 0.4percentw in Edin-

Scotland property

burgh, 1.5 per cent in the south west and 2.6 per cent in the north of the country. It points out that the house price movement has been generated from a market with a low number of transactions. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of transactions in the Monitor is down by 26 per cent and by 11 per cent when compared to the same quarter one year ago. Prices continue to show volatility as a result. For the market as a whole, Scottish house purchases during the third quarter of 2012 showed a fall of 2.1 per cent on the same quarter of last year. For the month of September, the number of transactions fell by 7.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2011.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Nigerian airlines lose N29bn to absence of maintenance hangar

aintenance checks on airplanes are very important aspect of ensuring safe and secured flight operations anywhere in the world. Maintenance checks on aircraft ranges from A, B, C and D Checks, which are done periodically. An aircraft is subject to C Check every 15 to 18 months. This type of aircraft maintenance is a comprehensive inspection that covers hidden parts so that any damage or cracks in the internal parts of the aircraft can be detected. For Boeing 737-300 and 737-500, the C Check is conducted after 4,000 flight hours, while for Boeing 737400 and Boeing 747-400 it is conducted after 4,500 and 6,400 flight hours respectively. In the case of Airbus A-330-341 this check is done every 21 months. The most detailed inspection is the D Check. This inspection is generally an overhaul. For Boeing 737300, 737-400 and 737-500, this inspection is conducted after 24,000 flight hours. Boeing 747-400 requires a D Check after 28,000 flight hours while for Airbus A-330-341, after six years. At present, Nigerian airlines carry out C and D Checks of the aircraft in their fleet outside the shores of the country, which cost them millions of dollars to carryout periodically. There are about 60 commercial airplanes belonging to different indigenous airline operators in the Nigerian sky today and none of these carryout comprehensive checks in Nigeria. Apart from the cost of carrying out checks on the aircraft outside the country, which is put between $1million and $2million, depending on the check and aircraft type, the operators still take care of the crew that will fly the aircraft and engineers that will supervise the checks on the aircraft in the maintenance hangar. On the average, Nigerian carriers lose $180million (about N29billion) as capital flight through offshore aircraft repairs due to the non-availability of a functional national hangar in the country. However, major airline operational hubs in the world have well developed airports and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and the technical expertise to carryout major checks on aircraft. In fact, MRO facility is important to having a successful operational hub. In Africa, countries like South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ethiopia have successful MRO facilities as well as airports that operate as hubs. Many Nigerian airlines take their aircraft to these countries and others in Europe and United States for repairs at a huge cost and at such places they have to queue for weeks before such aircraft are attended to. The absence of the vital equipment many years after the liquidation of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways has been condemned by stakeholders and professionals in the sector who said that with such huge cost of carrying out maintenance abroad, Nigerian carriers will continue to struggle to remain in the air. Former Director, Flight Operations, Nigeria Airways and the President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Capt. Dele Ore, lamented the government’s failure to actualise its plan to build the maintenance facility many years ago. He said if the project was executed, Nigeria would have saved the airlines from expending huge revenue on aircraft maintenance overseas. He said half of the amount was used in ferrying the airplanes abroad, crew accommodation, allowances, over flier charges, landing and parking in the country of repair and other sundry charges. Ore observed that corporate light jets are already having solution to the maintenance hangar facilities in the country with the construction of hangar by some private jet operators like Bristow Helicopter and few others, but bigger jet operators are still faced with the problem. He said, “The bigger jets still have to fly out for

The remaining Nigerian airline operators are struggling to remain in business and are also groaning due to lack of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the country. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

Capt. Ore

Ohunayo

IT WILL BE MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE FOR AIRLINES IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THEIR AIRCRAFT CHECKS DONE HERE THAN TAKE THEM OVERSEAS AND BE ABLE TO SAVE THEMSELVES AND THE COUNTRY MONEY anything beyond check B, Check C costs a lot of money to do, check D is a total overhaul of the aircraft and because in the past, the plan was there and the defunct Nigeria Airways was already having capability for doing Check D for their 737, F28, F27, everything was being taken care of in the country. “But the airlines are crying right now. It is not enough to have customs duties removed on aircraft spares and acquisition, this is the core item because once you have to fly your aircraft out, not only are you going to pay for the maintenance, you are going to first take care of the crew that will fly the aircraft, the engineers that will supervise and you still pay for the normal check cost. “So, it’s a double-headed thing for them and when they are through, you have to fly the crew back to bring the aircraft. When they drop the aircraft, they fly back as passengers and when they want to return to the maintenance country, they fly again as passenger to go and bring the aircraft. So, when you add all this to the cost of operation, that is added to the cost of maintenance and that makes it very prohibitive for Nigerian operators. “We can not but look forward than repair organisation to develop that capability in Nigeria for most of the aircraft that we are operating. Until we do that, we will continue to spend a large chunk on maintenance of aircraft outside this country.” An aeronautic engineer with one of the domestic carriers, Engr. John Ekundayo told National Mirror that carrying out of checks on the aircraft in foreign countries make operations difficult for the airlines. He said that countries like Ethiopia, Morocco and South Africa where such checks are carried out benefits huge foreign exchange from the Nigerian airlines. He added that many of the country’s carriers had closed shop due to lack of maintenance hangar

in the country, which avoidably added to their cost of operations. Ekundayo noted that in the past, so much noise had been made about establishing a national hangar, which would be government-owned, but despite the assurances of the government to invest in that aspect of aviation, nothing tangible had come out of it. He noted that it would be more affordable for airlines in the country to have their aircraft checks done in Nigeria than take them overseas and be able to save themselves and the country money, adding that such facility is lacking in the entire West and Central Africa. He said, “But considering the thinking of the current government, which had always declared that government had no business in running businesses because of its lack of core competence in this area, it has become obvious that a national hangar in the real sense of the world can no longer be attained. “It will be much more affordable for airlines in the country to have their aircraft checks done here than take them overseas and be able to save themselves and the country money. Moreover, there is no such facility in the entire West and Central Africa. Therefore, if there is one in Nigeria, the country automatically becomes a hub of aircraft maintenance in the region, and that means more foreign exchange for the country.” Aviation stakeholder, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, said lack of coordination and opportunism by some operators and some state governors had made the hangar project unrealistic. “What we have are small hangars that handle corporate jets and act as parking bays with the aim of generating un-taxable revenue. The other hangars owned by operators have limitation in maintenance, which may not go beyond a B- check.” Also, the former Secretary General of African Airlines Association, Mr. Nick Fadugba said that a study on the construction of maintenance hangar has been in the offing for about 10 years and wondered what happened to the study despite the fact that the country’s aircraft fleet had been growing over the years. He noted that Nigeria needs a maintenance facility urgently, as there is no serious aviation nation in the world without a MRO facility. According to him, until Nigeria is able to tap into this, the nation cannot be taken as being serious in aviation.

Aviation

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Why I want to be NUATE President – Comrade Aturu

ne of the two leading candidates for the position of the President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) in the forthcoming election in Abuja, Comrade Samulson Aturu has said that his vision of the union was to bring it at par with other developed unions in the global aviation industry. He also said that unlike in the past when union groups in the country only act as pressure groups, NUATE under his leadership would collaborate with the various Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in the country’s aviation industry while also collaborating with the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah to achieve her transformation agenda for the sector. Speaking with National Mirror in an interview in Lagos last week, Aturu who is currently the Deputy President, NUATE said that he decided to vie for the new position because of his experience in the industry and unionism over the years. Aturu noted that if voted in, he would liaise with the various CEOs in the sector on how the welfare packages of the staff could be enhanced, adding that efforts to improve the travelling experiences within the country’s airports would also

Comrade Aturu

be taken with the seriousness it deserves. He also assured its members that the ongoing reforms in the sector would not lead to job loss, rather would improve the sector and create more job opportunities for unemployed and capable Nigerians. He said, “So, I want to offer

my services to the workers in the industry in order to completely transform the industry in the area of infrastructure, welfare packages for the workers, safety and security for air travellers. “I want also to team up with the current aviation minister and assist her in achieving her dreams of completely transforming the industry by upgrading the infrastructure and eradicate obsolete infrastructure in the sector to enhance safety and security in the industry.” He observed that there are several gaps in the sector, which should be filled, adding that his intention was to grow the union to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA).. “We want to make NUATE a 21st century, a union that will not just act as a pressure group, but also act as a partner for other well-meaning aviation groups in the world. Essentially, my ambition is to contribute to the growth of the industry as enunciated by ICAO and IATA. We want to be able to bring to bear all their policies so that the industry will deliver the services that are expected of it from the flying public.”

UK approves Peacock College for accreditation

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Proponents of multiple entries for foreign airlines should be careful

irside has observed with consternation that some so called stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry are daily calling on the Ministry of Aviation to grant some foreign carriers multiple designations into the country’s airports for their own selfish reasons. It was reported last week how some powerful forces in a particular region of the country wanted foreign carriers like Emirates, Etihad, Egypt Air and Ethiopian Airlines, among others, to operate directly to their door steps. While Airside agrees that Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) exist between Nigeria and some other countries on air services, it is pertinent for the advocate of multiple designations for

foreign carriers to be cautious of their demands and agitations. Allowing multiple entries for foreign carriers will not only kill the indigenous airline operators, as passengers that were supposed to be airlifted from point A to point B by the indigenous carriers would have been airlifted directly by the foreign operators, but this will also serve as capital flights out of the country by the foreign carriers. Rather than continually boost the financial purse of foreign carriers, the protagonists of multiple entries for foreign airlines should encourage ‘their much-loved carriers’ to have an agreement with indigenous carriers to airlift their passengers from Abuja, Lagos or Kano to their last destinations.

Unions in disarray

he Nigerian aviation industry in-house unions have, over the years, been a force to reckon with, most especially on issues that have to do with safety and concerns of its members. Just last month, the two leading union groups in the sector, Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), allegedly speaking on behalf of other unions in the sector, condemned some steps taken by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah. But barely three weeks after the press briefing, another union in the sector, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Corporations, Civil Service and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE),

distanced itself from the position of the unions and insisted that the two unions did not represent the views of other existing unions in the sector most especially that of ACPCTRE and its members. Airside thinks the incoherent voice among the unions is an indication of disarray in their folds. But what bothers Airside more is that if the unions can not speak in unison on pertinent issues on the industry, who will fight for the right of the workers in the sector whenever they fell their rights are being trampled upon? Airside advises that the leaderships of the unions should put their house in order before they start to wash heir dirty linens in the public. However, if they won’t adhere to this noble advice, Airside is always ready to gossip about them in the future.

Aero increases fleet to 12 with additional two Boeing 737-400 L-R Managing Director, Peacock Travels and Tours, United Kingdom, Mr. Keith Lloyd; Executive Chairman, Peacock Group, Chief Segun Philips and Principal, Peacock College, Mr. Zenon Adamek, during a courtesy visit to the British House of Commons in London last week.

eacock College United Kingdom, a subsidiary of Peacock Travel and Tours in Nigeria has been accepted for full accreditation by British Accreditation Council (BAC) in United Kingdom. This was disclosed last week in a statement signed by the Principal, Peacock College, UK, Mr. Zenon Adamek and made available to journalists. BAC accreditation is recognised by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), part of the Home Office, as a qualifying requirement for institutions wishing to enrol students on student visitor visas.

Students from outside the European Economic Area according to the statement will only secure a UK student visitor visa if they have a genuine offer from an accredited institution. Adamek stated the college has proved itself to be a genuine education institution with all resources and qualities required for accreditation. The statement reads in part, “This is a first milestone in the way to establish its presence in the UK education and training provider market. Accreditation by BAC not only opens new venues for Peacock College UK in terms of academic, profes-

sional and administrative development but also expose the college to new challenges. Peacock College UK is maintaining its high standard of teaching and constantly develops new programmes to suit the demand from customers.” Adamek said the college recently came to mutual agreement to develop and to deliver programmes for retail sector with its Chinese partners. According to him, the first group of approximately 20 participants from China is expected to arrive to the college early December and that there are more to follow.

ero said with the acquisition of another two Boeing 737-400 aircraft, its fleet has increased to 12 from the previous 10. The airline also stated that the acquisition of the two aircraft was part of its expansion programme to double the fleet and add new destinations in the coming months. An online statement signed by the airline’s media consultant in Lagos stated that the new B737-400, 144-seater aircraft are equipped with the latest navigation equipment with lower fuel burn and increased reliability making the aircraft more efficient, environmentally friendly and easier to maintain. Commenting in the press statement, the Managing Director, Aero, Capt. Akin George

stated that the additions would further consolidate the airline’s leading position both in the domestic and regional market, adding that the airline is one of the fastest growing carriers in West Africa by aircraft usage. The statement reads in part, “The arrival of these new Boeing 737 aircraft, will allow us to introduce new routes and put us in a better position to transport more passengers in this festive season. “Aero adheres strictly to the maintenance schedule for aircraft as prescribed by the manufacturers and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority {NCAA}. We will not relent in our efforts to offer the most satisfying flying experience for passengers every time they fly with us.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Insurance

Tension grips CEOs as NAICOM insists on industry ethics In a bid to restore public confidence in insurance, enthrone good corporate governance and international best practice in the industry, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)) is wielding the big stick among top management of insurance firms in the country. This is following its revelations to the House of Representatives that 10 insurance firms face financial distress, while others are being penalised for various breaches. Since this revelation, two companies have had their top management sacked. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO reports.

ale of sack by the regulatory body, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is brewing among board members and chief executive officers of insurance companies.

This is coming on the heels of the recent sack by NAICOM of board members of some companies like Goldlink Insurance Plc, Alliance and General Insurance Company Ltd, its Life Company, A&G Life Assurance Plc and its broking arm, Fidelity Bond Insurance Brokers for six months based on violations of the National Insurance Commission Act 1997 and the Insurance Act 2003. In 2010 and 2011, the commission had taken over Spring Life and Investment and Allied Insurance Plc respectively. Presently, offences which include non-rendition of accounts; non payment of claims, misrepresentation and nondisclosure of liabilities; non-remittance of premiums and commissions, corporate governance abuses among others are now treated by the regulator with severity. The commission did not stop at removing the board of companies that erred but also applied monetary sanctions as high as N50 million and insisted that all monetary sanctions paid must be stated in their accounts for the shareholders and the general public. Before the sack of A&G and Goldlink, observers had said the regulator was treating erring companies with kid glove even after it affirmed that some firms were operating below acceptable standards. Meanwhile, in the case of Goldlink, NAICOM in a statement, said it has constituted a seven-man interim board of directors to oversee the affairs of Goldlink with effect from November 1. It noted that the constitution of the interim board is sequel to the resignation of members of the board of directors of the company following anomalies discovered in the audited financial statements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2011. The board is, among other things, charged with investigating the financial reports and corporate governance failures observed in the company’s financial statement for the year ending December 31, 2011. NAICOM said the development would not affect the firm’s service delivery. In July this year, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel revealed that about 10 insurance companies had anomalies and misrepresentation in their audited financial statements while others were facing serious financial issues, which may lead to bankruptcy. Following its revelations, two companies have had their top management sacked with eight more to go. The situation, according to him, is already making the firms to operate below acceptable standards adding that the affected companies have been placed under close watch to prevent the problem from deteriorating. He said, “Ten insurance companies are currently under regulatory watch, following observed deficiencies relating to solvency.” Daniel who stated this in a speech he delivered at the House of Representatives public hearing on the industry in Abuja did not mention names of the affected firms. The commissioner also said that eight other insurance companies had been sanctioned for operational infractions,

Daniel

IF ALL THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ON THE LIST OF

COMMISSIONER HAVE ABUSED THE SYSTEM, THEY THE

SHOULD BE SANCTIONED

Former Goldlink CEO, Femi Okunniyi

while 19 companies were penalised for breach of oil and gas insurance guidelines. He added that 38 companies were penalised for failing to submit copies of evidence of their reinsurance arrangements. The commission also dealt with some companies for infractions relating to submission of audited accounts and financial statements. At another occasion while speaking on Corporate Governance, he said one of the major challenges facing the industry is poor corporate governance. He stated that although this may be considered as a general problem for companies in Nigeria and elsewhere, there has been renewed interest in the corporate governance

practices of modern corporations since 2001. According to the insurance boss, in a bid to stem the observed poor corporate governance practice in the insurance industry, and in line with international best practice, the commission in 2009 introduced a Code of Good Corporate Governance for the Insurance Industry. “The commission is aware that corporate governance issues are at the core of regulation and supervision hence will continue to ensure that good corporate governance is restored to the companies.” Meanwhile, there have been cries from the industry about the sanctions NAICOM has imposed on erring operators following the sack of top management of Goldlink and A&G although A&G has instituted a court action against the commission. NAICOM spokesman, Mr. Lucky Fiakpa told National Mirror that the commission does not want to be seen using iron hand on insurers but just want them to get their books right. Lucky noted that Goldlink and A&G are not in distress. “The two companies are not in distress but their management have failed to render proper account and engaged in other anomalies that are contrary to the Insurance Act. “The commissioner’s priority is to protect third parties and to ensure that shareholders are confident in the company and industry as a whole. He does not want them to cut corners. These companies go around declaring huge profit huge assets but do not declare dividend and we do not get to see the huge assets they declare on ground. We discovered that most of them are just cooking up their books Reacting to the development, former chairman of the Nigeria Insurers association and Managing Director of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mr. Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi said the regulator can sanction anybody or any company that is not doing well. He said, “NAICOM has its own powers in their laws and when people contravene that law, they will be punished. “It is not a question of whether they are performing or not but a question of somebody doing something wrong and the regulator coming in to sanction the person. If people don’t do anything wrong, they cannot just come and sanction them because they want to be popular or dance to the gallery. “If the regulator is sanctioning people, it is because they have been found to be doing what they ought not to do. If tomorrow five other companies fall foul of the law, they should be sanctioned. “If all the insurance companies on the list of the Commissioner have abused the system, they should be sanctioned.” The Zonal Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr Sunny Nwosu also in an interview with National Mirror said the earlier the regulator is able to expose companies that are found to be performing below standard, the better for the insuring public. He posited that the regulator should also force the companies to merge for them to be healthier. He said, “Investors must know what the true situation of insurance companies are. The most important thing is not a continuous taking over or removal of the CEOs but to force them to merge thereby make them stronger. If this happens, investors and policyholders will benefit greatly and it will boost the growth of the industry. “The work of a regulator is not to allow things to get out of hand. They are to rearrange the system, force them to form a combination of healthy and strong investors”, he said. In the same vein, the President, Nigerian Shareholders’ Renaissance Association (NSRA), Mr. Olufemi Timothy, said with the recent step by NAICOM, insurers would sit up and commended them for taking over some of the ailing firms. He said: “With the measure taken by NAICOM, underwriters would see the commission as a dog that can bark and bite. It is a good development that some people are made scapegoats. We have been complaining of uncomplimentary things going on among the underwriters.”

Insurance

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

LASACO Assurance becomes first ISO-certified underwriter STORIES: OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

he Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has issued the International ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification to Lasaco Assurance Plc making it the first insurance company in the country to get the certification. Chairman of the company, Edward Akin Leigh, at the certificate presentation in Lagos, said the company commenced the process in 2010, adding that in the past 18 months the company’s staff at all level, branch-network, business processes procedures and practices, reports and reporting standards, quality policy and management, have been subjected to world class rigorous checks, analyses and various audits both internally and by audits teams from SON. He said, “The certification conferred on the company has a unique competitive advantage and position-of-strength as it pursues growth and profitability growth. “The company would live up to expectation, to enable it retain the certification, adding that the company decided to raise the standard in the insurance industry by

‘Insurers not ready for NIID’

ormer Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi has said there are forces within the insuranceindustry hindering the success of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) He who disclosed this recently stated that the NIID could not commence due to cut-throat competition and inadequate data upload by underwriters. He also said that the information uploaded so far by operators is inadequate to flagoff of the initiative, adding that commencing with the available data would cause embarrassment to motorists whose data have not been uploaded by their insurers. The former chairman noted that unhealthy competition and ignorance have deterred most operators from sending their information to the industry database. He said: “There is no need carrying gadgets all over the places, when the people you want to monitor are not ready. The level of information uploaded on our database is not enough. The NIA Director General has been conducting checks with the Database, and he has found that the number of vehicles on the database is nothing to writehome-about. So, if we give the gadgets to policemen, they would begin to harass motorists who even have genuine particulars. “The fault is not from the NIA, but from the practitioners who have failed to recognise the wisdom of uploading their data to the database. I cannot explain why much ignorance runs in the system. I spent two years as the chairman of the association explaining how to understand business issues to insurance companies, but the industry is blindfolded by stiff competition and cut-throat price war. We need some catastrophic events - market forces to send some parking and keep others.”

Ladipo-Ajayi

applying for the certification. He noted that the company is repositioning to remain top in special risks, adding that the firm led a consortium last year to underwriter Nigerian satellite, a feat which was uncommon in time past. “What we are trying to do is to carve a niche for ourselves in the special risks, without losing sight of the everyday insurance. Special risks are the type of risks that are denominated in dollars. They are international business; they give you a window into the international realm of insurance. You have an idea of best international

practices. The major problems that Nigerian insurers face does not exist in special risk and that is prompt ensures payment of premium”, he added. The Director General’s son, Mr. Joseph Odumodu on his part, said getting ISO certification is the only thing that can change Nigerian business practice, adding that the more company are certified, the better would be the economy. He noted that SON has decided that the small and medium enterprises should benefit from been certified to boost their operations. “It is more interesting that insurance companies are getting certified and I want to congratulate LASACO for been a premier among others. Their certification indicates that we are coming up. “Other insurance companies should follow the step of LASACO with the certification, the company’s result would soon begin to show that something has changed, for the system is structured in such a way that it would help them to offer better services and once that happens, people would flock to where better results are been posted. ISO certification is simply ensuring

Adigwe urges FG to plan against famine

iss Insurance, Onyeka Adigwe has urged the Federal Government to put in place measures against the predicted famine arising from recent flood across the country. Empathising with victims of the flood that has caused destruction across the country she said the surge has taken over many communities, residences and government establishments. She urged that there should be more observation of basic hygiene in the camps, developing an enlightenment mechanism to educate the people more on the issue of environment and climate change and putting in place effective measures against the predicted famine should also be enhanced. She hopes that the disruption this plague has spread in all parts of the country would be put to a speedy halt and all economic activities will resume while she commended the government, pioneers of relief camps and compassionate citizens for rehabilitating the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Adigwe emerged winner of the Chartered Institute of Insurance (CIIN) contest to produce the Insurance Queen for 2012/2013 The Miss Insurance pageant has continued to present a veritable platform for Insurance awareness campaign as well as social engineering. Adigwe disclosed that the total budget for her pet project which begins with a tour to public Secondary schools in Lagos is N4.1 million noting that her objectives is to empower the youth in

preparation for leadership, create a sense of responsibility in the youth through a drug-free environment, build youth self-confidence through effective expression in essay writing and debates on insurance topics while she encourages the youth to choose a career in Insurance.

Adigwe

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Problems with Insurance? Send a text: 07080735854

Thanks for nothing!

nsurance coverage in the event of a catastrophe is one blessing insurance customers can be thankful for -- unless you’ve skipped some vital steps in making sure your policies reflect your life. Your goose could be cooked if you have gaps in coverage, leaving you with far less insurance money than you expected from a claim. Here are five common errors to avoid. Forgetting to add your teen driver to your auto insurance policy Typically a car insurance policy covers you and the licensed members of your household as well as anyone else to whom you give occasional permission to drive the car. To set a premium that accurately reflects risk, the insurance company needs to know about the licensed drivers who live with you, and you’re supposed to provide that information. Conveniently ‘forgetting’ to tell the insurer about a new teen driver, or any other driver in the household for that matter, is a bad idea. What happens if the unlisted driver causes an accident? Technically, if a company can prove you purposely misrepresented information, it could deny the claim based on fraud. In addition, nonstandard insurance companies that cater to risky drivers are more likely to take a hard line than insurers who market to moderate- and low-risk customers, says Robert U’Ren, senior vice president of Quality Planning, a company that helps insurers identify money-losing policies. Remodeling your house without increasing home insurance coverage Review your home insurance periodically to make sure the amount jibes with current construction costs and takes into account any improvements you make. You should insure your home for the cost to rebuild it. “Anytime you make changes -- adding a room to a house, upgrading your kitchen or bath -- notify your insurer so that these changes are reflected in the policy,” says Tully Lehman, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Network of California. Otherwise you will be underinsured. Expecting home insurance to cover your home business Just because you work at home doesn’t mean your business is covered by home insurance. Typically home insurance covers just $2,500 in business-related property, and includes no liability coverage for business activities. What if one of your business consulting clients slipped and fell on your stairs? Or a batch of cookies from your baking business sent someone to the hospital? Home insurance wouldn’t cover your legal expenses if you were sued. Never telling your beneficiaries about your life insurance policy Imagine paying thousands of dollars in premiums for life insurance, but your loved ones never collect a dime after you die. Unfortunately this happens all too frequently because policyholders fail to give their beneficiaries the information they need to file a claim. Family members often report knowing there was a policy but having no idea the type, amount or company. Make it easy for your loved ones. Give your beneficiaries the company name and policy number and let them know where you keep your important documents.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Delta State hosts capital market committee next week ASI drops 0.5% on profit taking JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Securities and Exchange Commission has said that Delta State government will host its second annual Capital Market Committee retreat slated for 25th next week of November 2012. Speaking at the press conference yesterday in Lagos, the chairperson of organising committee of the retreat, Mrs. Toyin Sanni said the event is the annual gathering of the capital market community comprising of key capital market stakeholders. According to her, the theme of the year’s retreat and conference is “The Pivot Role of the Capital Market in the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

She explained that other activities at the conference include key note address and paper presentation by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as well as panel discussion on business development and infrastructure. Sanni said that effort of past conference has resulted in the harmonious relationship in the capital market which has caused growth in the market even as operation of operators in the market has further been refined along international standard. She noted that aside the stability being witnessed in the market, the resolution from the maiden conference has helped in the growth in percentage of local investors in the market. “The key deliverables is

to get back local investors to the domestic market, and this will have been able to achieve by reducing the high incidence of foreign investors which declined from 90 per cent to 70 per cent ratio to local investors now” she added. Meanwhile, trading in equities closed on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, as some investors sold their holdings to take profit from the gains recorded on Friday. The All Share Index shed 0.5 per cent to close at 26,267.57 points, as against the increase of 0.17 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 26,400.94 points. Market capitalisation lost N43bn to close at N8.37trn, in contrast to the rise of N14bn recorded on Friday to close at N8.41trn. Bagco Plc led the gainers’ table with 13 kobo or 6.57

Sterling Bank rewards more customers JOHNSON OKANLAWON

terling Bank Plc has rewarded another set of customers in its on-going Savers’ Promo, which kicked-off in July, this year. The bank, during the monthly draw of the promo in Lagos on Friday, said 14 customers across the country have won both consolation and cash prizes for October, 2012 edition. Four customers have won a cash prize of N500, 000 each, while ten others won consolation prizes

such as refrigerators and Home Theatre electronic systems. Speaking on the promo, the Head Consumers Protection Council, Lagos Branch, Mrs Ngozika Obidike said the process of selecting winners for the promo was transparent and fair enough. He said the bank had been complying with all known rules relating to the conception and implementation of promos. She said, “There are various stages of organizing a promo. There is documentation stage in which the organizers document

all materials with the consumers’ protection council. The execution, monitoring of the draw and the presentation of certificate of credibility to the winners are other stages. “The bank has been following these stages well. We have been monitoring the bank’s promo right from the beginning. So far, the four draws have been perfectly done. The remaining two draws would follow the same pattern.” Also, the Bank’s Group Head, Liability Products, Mr John Akingbade said the promo is intended to reward loyal customers of

per cent to close at N2.11 per share, followed by Air Service Plc with 13 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N2.75 per share. Livestock Plc gained six kobo or 4.48 per cent to close at N1.40 per share, while Wema Bank Plc appreciated by two kobo or four per cent to close at 52 kobo per share. On the flip side, Academy Press Plc lost 33 kobo or 9.91 per cent to close at N3.00 per share, while Fidson Healthcare Plc shed six kobo or 5.61 per cent to close at N1.01 per share. RT Briscoe Plc dipped by seven kobo or 4.52 per cent to close at N1.48 per share, while NASCON Plc depreciated by 27 kobo or 4.17 per cent to close at N6.20 per share. A total of 194.9 million shares valued at N2.22bn were exchanged in 3,758 deals.

fiscal cliff that threatens to send the economy back into recession. MSCI’s world equity index jumped 0.7 per cent to 398.50 points, recovering part of last week’s 2.7 per cent fall, its biggest five-day drop since early June. “The thing about markets is if they can see there’s light at the end of the tunnel, then they’re going to discount that,” said Mike Ingam, market analyst at BGC Partners. “At the moment... there is very little clarity as to what the end game actually is although, of course, everybody expects there to be a com-

promise.” There was also optimism in Europe over the prospects of a deal this week to release muchneeded aid for Greece. European officials are expected to discuss a two-year funding plan for Athens at a meeting on Tuesday, which would postpone any longerterm solution until after a September 2013 German general election. European Central Bank policymaker Joerg Asmussen said at the weekend that the ministers were likely to agree the deal and leave resolution of a longer-term debt stabilization plan

NIBOR QUOTES 16 NOVEMBER & 19 NOVEMBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

1 6 -No v -1 2

1 9 -No v -1 2

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

All-Share Index 7,853,874,916 points All-Share Index 22,191.14 points Market capitalisation 24,671.47 trillion Market capitalisation 7,084 trillion

Stock Updates the bank. Akingbade said the bank is leveraging on the promo to take banking to the nooks and crannies of the country. “This is the bank’s way of promoting financial inclusion policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) so that people would have access to banking services. We have made the account opening process more convenient to customers to ensure wider accessibility of services. Four draws have been organised, with 14 winners emerging from each of the draw. So far, 56 winners have emerged from the promo”, he said.

Global shares, commodities rally on US fiscal hopes

orld share markets and commodities rose yesterday, recovering some of their sharp losses last week, on signs of progress in talks to resolve the fiscal crunch in the United States. Gains in US stock futures pointed to a firmer start on Wall Street as well, extending a rally that began on Friday. The optimism was fuelled by comments from US lawmakers who indicated that compromises are possible in negotiations to avert $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts due to start in January - the

Source: NSE

for Greece, at the heart of a disagreement with the IMF, until later. The euro rose 0.25 per cent to a high of $1.2775, well above the two-month low of $1.2661 hit last week and near the top end of its recent range, suggesting the foreign exchange market expects an agreement on Greece. “This message from the ECB would tell me that, yes, what we are heading to this week is an agreement that would keep Greece out of trouble for the next year or so,” said Gilles Moec, senior European economist at Deutsche Bank.

GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CUSTODYINS

1.29

1.39

0.10

7.75

UAC-PROP

11.40

12.00

0.60

5.26

AIICO

0.58

0.61

0.03

5.17

BERGER

8.40

8.82

0.42

5.00

NCR

13.09

13.74

0.65

4.97

MANSARD

1.76

1.84

0.08

4.55

MAYBAKER

1.62

1.69

0.07

4.32

TRANSCORP

0.96

1.00

0.04

4.17

UNITYBNK

0.53

0.55

0.02

3.77

ETERNA

1.86

1.93

0.07

3.76

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

JAPAULOIL

0.60

0.57

0.03

-5.00

CAP

29.84

28.35

1.49

-4.99

NEIMETH

1.08

1.03

0.05

-4.63

UBA

4.99

4.76

0.23

-4.61

CCNN

5.51

5.30

0.21

-3.81

NEM

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

WEMABANK

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

WAPIC

0.56

0.54

0.02

-3.57

OANDO

12.20

11.80

0.40

-3.28

IKEJAHOTEL

1.03

1.00

0.03

-2.91

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

41-Day

11,262.50

13.95

22-Nov-12

69-Day

31,033.65

14.50

22-Nov-12

70 -Day

27,510.50

14.50

22-Nov-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

48Days

7,302.20

14.39

22-Nov-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

22-Nov-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$150m

N/A

$150m

19-Nov-12

$150m

N/A

$150m

18-Nov-12

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at November 19, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Constitution review: State creation takes centre stage CONTINUED FROM 13 to state police, no also to roles for the traditional rulers in the constitution and voted yes for indigeneship. The state recommended a period of 20 years as time within which a person should reside in a place to be able to benefit from the indegeneship of the place. On the issue of immunity, Benue State voted for the retention of the present immunity for the elected executive officers.

ernments. It voted for three year renewable tenure for local government chairmen and councillors, to guarantee uniformity. According to Luka, the state voted for the retention of status quo ante on the issues of immunity, state police and traditional rulers. He said Nasarawa State turned down the inclusion of the six geo-political structure in the constitution but voted for a unicameral legislature at the centre in order to cut wastages.

Kwara State Kwara State’s position on some of the issues for review was presented by the State’s Attorney General, Adenike Akinkpelu. On the issue of devolution of powers, the state agreed with the idea that powers should be devolved. On state creation, the state also gave its nod to that but suggested that section 8 of the constitution should be amended to make it more explicit on referendum. On the inclusion of the six geopolitical zones in the constitution, the state called for caution in order that it does not cause more problems for the polity. Kwara State also agreed with the proposal to take out NYSC, land use act and the code of conduct from the constitution. It agreed with the issue of federalism, among other reasons to enable the states get more revenue. The state rejected the establishment of state police, as well as removal of immunity clause. It said the issues of indegeneship and gender and special groups have already been taken care of by the constitution.

Kogi State Kogi State’s position was articulated by J. O. Yussuf. The state supported the creation of additional states, in particular, two additional states from the present Kogi State – one for the Kogi East Senatorial District for the Igalas and another from the Kogi West Senatorial District for the Igbira people. The state also voted for a mayoral status for the FCT. The state also voted for the full implementation of the 35 per cent affirmative action for women. On indigeneship, the state’s position was that wherever one lives and pays his or her taxes and rates, the person should claim indigeneship of the place. It voted for the abrogation of States Independent National Electoral Commissions. It also voted for the rotation of political powers among the three senatorial zones of all the states. At the federal level, Kogi supported the rotation of the presidency among the six geo-political zones of the country.

Niger State Niger State’s presentation was by Abdullahi Bawa. He said the state was of the view that chapter two of the constitution, which talks about the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy should be reviewed to make the issues therein justifiable. On the creation of local governments, the state was of the view that the entire exercise should not be left in the hands of the state governments alone, but the Federal Government should also be involved. The state voted for the retention of state electoral commissions. Niger State was of the view that the issue of the rotation of presidency should not be made part of the constitution but left for the various political parties to de-

FCT

Ekweremadu

IF WE (TRADITIONAL RULERS) ARE GIVEN CONSTITUTIONAL ROLES, WE WILL

ADVISE GOVERNMENTS APPROPRIATELY termine. It also voted on the retention of the present two tenure arrangement for elected executive office holders. The state in addition expressed its support for the devolution of powers from the federal to the states and local governments. It also supported the onshore offshore revenue arrangement currently in place while calling for the review of the revenue formula to enable the states and local governments receive more. On the issue of judicial reforms, Niger State wants the states to be empowered to create their own states’ Court of Appeals to allow for speedy dispensation of cases. It also advocated the expansion of membership of the Supreme Court to 21 and the retirement age of justices at the apex court at 70 years. On indigeneship, the state is of the opinion that wherever a person resides, he or she should be entitled to the indigeneship of the place. The state would not want the issue of traditional rulers included in the constitution because the royal fathers have been captured in their various state laws and practices. It also voted for the taking out of NYSC, code of conduct and the land use act from the constitution to enable easier amendment of the legislation.

Plateau State Plateau State was represented by the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Jonah Jang and now a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gyang Nyang Pwajok. Pwajok said the state government consulted widely on all the issues up for review and there was hardly complete unanimity of views on any of the issues by the state. On the issue of devolution of powers, it was the general view that certain powers currently exercised by the Federal Government should be divulged. Regarding the recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, the lawmaker said the position of two out of the three senatorial

Suswam

zones of the state was that same was necessary but that there was the need to equally recognise new ones that may emerge in the future. There was also majority position from the state that the constitution should be amended to allow for autonomy for the local governments. Pwajok said while two senatorial districts voted for the retention of the present state INEC, the rest senatorial district voted for the abrogation of the commission. He said the state was of the view that the current status quo in the constitution regarding the issue of indigeneship should be maintained. On the issue of executive offices, Plateau State voted for the rotation of such offices and the principle should be enshrined in the constitution. It supported the retention of the status quo on the issue of immunity as well as the two term tenure for executive offices. According to Pwajok, the state supported the strengthening of the judiciary through the amendment of the relevant sections of the constitution. It voted against taking out NYSC, code of conduct and land use act from the constitution. The state supported the creation of additional states. On the state police, while one senatorial zone supported it, the rest two said no but that the state governors should be empowered to control the commissioners of police of the states.

Nasarawa State The state was represented by its Deputy Governor, Dameshi Luka. He said the state voted for fiscal federalism and in line with that recommended the creation of two offices to manage the nation’s revenue – the controller general of the federation account, which should be in charge of the distribution of all public revenues to all the states and local governments, and the accountant general for the Federal Government to administer all funds to the central government. On the issue of state police, Nasarawa voted for the retention of the status quo ante. It voted also for the retention of the present financial arrangement between the states and the local government with the slight amendment that the states should be made to hand over 10 per cent of all internally generated revenues to the local gov-

Hon. Bitrus Jisalu, a member of the House of Representatives made presentation on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Essentially, the people are seeking an amendment to section 299 of the constitution. They rejected mayoral status for the city. They are seeking for the removal of the president and the National Assembly as the governor and legislature for the city. Consequently, they are asking for a constitutional provision for the offices of the governor and deputy and House of Assembly for the city. A group, which goes by the name, Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) also made a presentation for the FCT. Their position was also that section 299 of the constitution should be amended. But in their own case, they are asking for a mayoral status for the city (2,000sq km) and special state status for the larger FCT, which land mass they put at 6,000sq km. “Implement section 299 of the 1999 Constitution fully, FCT original inhabitants are disenfranchised; democratise FCT now, govern, not administer us, original inhabitants want their own government now,” was their major demand.

State Creation The state creation agitators came out in their numbers and in style. Most of them adorned branded dresses to announce their proposed states. They also came with different musical groups to announce their presence. Also most of them choose their brightest and best- their most respected, influential and intellectual sons to articulate their demands. For instance, Edu State proponents choose Prof. Jerry Gana to present their case. Apa State agitators used retired generals I. Ejiga and A. B. J. Ikwue to represent them. Gboko State protagonists fronted the leader of the Tiv Elders and Stakeholders’ Forum to champion their own cause. In all, there were six demands for state creation from the North Central. They were Edu State from the present Niger State, Kainji State also from the present Niger State, Apa State and Gboko State from Benue State. The rest are Okura State and Igbomina State from the present Kogi State and Plateau South State from the present Plateau State.

Traditional rulers, other groups Some of the groups and individuals who made presentations at the public hearing included the National Association of people with disability who sought constitutional provision for the reservation of at least 15 per cent of all elected and appointed offices for their members. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe made presentation on behalf of the tradiCONTINUED ON PAGE 42

Politics

IMAM IMAM

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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Appraising Tambuwal’s innovative approach to leadership THE

ver the course of the year, many within and beyond the National Assembly have been astonished at the new ideas being introduced in the running of the House of Representatives by the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. It is not as if many were not expecting new ways of doing things when the members among them gave him their mandate to lead the House in June last year. Rather, what is surprising to them, and to many Nigerians, is the frequency with which new and effective methods are becoming the order of the day in the legislative scheme of things in the country. The crux of the new approach to leadership is encapsulated in the House Legislative Agenda, which was introduced by Tambuwal to initiate a new order that fosters transparency, leading to institutional integrity in the legislature in particular and the country in general. As enunciated by the Speaker himself, the legislative agenda primarily seeks to restructure the management and functions of the legislature towards adequacy in capacity and improved productivity. In addition, the Agenda seeks to design and implement the electronic parliament (e-parliament) blueprint that elevates the National Assembly operations to international best practices and ensures public access to parliamentary information and process. Importantly, the Agenda seeks to review the legislative branch budget in line with the requirements of openness, effectiveness and accountability; review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in all relevant areas in line with the aspirations of Nigerians; engage actively with other arms of government to restore public order and national security and finally to institutionalise mechanisms that facilitate effective engagement with various stakeholders including constituents and civil society organisations (CSOs). What are those things done differently by the House leadership to warrant this intervention? Let us begin with the composition of the committees of the House in September 2011. For all those familiar with how such endeavours were undertaken in the past, they will readily attest to the fact that seeds of discord among members get planted on the day the committees are announced largely because

PARLIAMENT

Tambuwal

many always felt short-changed by the outcome. Not so when Tambuwal announced the committees in the first test of his leadership acumen as Speaker. Not only did it go well, members openly praised the House leadership for taking their viewpoints into consideration, but for placing square pegs in square holes in order to maximize potential for the benefit of the polity. Take another example. The rot in the oil sector manifested in the shameful subsidy scam has been considerably unravelled to the extent that government has commenced prosecution of those indicted in the law courts. This did not just happen. It took the intervention of the House of Representatives, beginning with its historic January 8, 2012 extraordinary plenary session, to arrive at this junction. In spite of the controversy that engulfed the ad hoc committee, the report of that panel laid the foundation

THE PEOPLE’S PUBLIC SESSION ... IS TO GIVE THE COUNTRY A DOCUMENT

(CONSTITUTION) THAT WAS WRITTEN WITH THE INPUT OF THE PEOPLE for the rash of committees set up by the executive with the aim of cleansing the Augean stables. Holding that extraordinary session on a Sunday, the first of its kind in the country, set in motion various activities which have today led to stringent calls for more transparency and accountabil-

Constitution review: State creation takes centre stage CONTINUED FROM 41 tional rulers in the zone. While making a case for the inclusion of their roles in the constitution, the royal father noted that both the 1963 and 1979 constitutions recognised their roles but that suddenly, such recognition was expunged by the 1999 Constitution. He stated that the royal fathers are closer to the people and by that understand the feelings and aspirations of the people, suggesting that, “If we (traditional rulers) are given constitutional roles, we will advise governments appropriately.” He pledged that the traditional rulers would not in any way meddle in politics but help to advise and support governments appropriately. Prof. Dennis Teanga, who runs a non-

governmental organisation (NGO) based in Jos, Plateau State in his presentation said his group was concerned about good governance. He criticized some of the presenters who are campaigning for the devolution of powers from the centre but at the same time reject the retention of state electoral commission. He described such positions as anti-power devolution. He instead called for the autonomy of INEC, whether at the centre or at the state levels. The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in their presentation called for four year tenure for the third tier of government as is obtainable in the rest other two tiers. They also advocated for financial autonomy for the local governments as well as the State Houses of

Assembly. They added their voices on the need for the FCT indigenes to have opportunity of electing governors for the city. The association also made a case for FCT to have representation at the Federal Executive Council. The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Audu Ogbeh in a brief presentation voted against state police, noting that the country was not yet ripe for the practice. He also spoke in support of proper autonomy for the local government councils. He called for more national and zonal conferences on the economy, not politics because according to him, we are getting poorer and poorer and soon the crisis of poverty would explode.

ity to be institutionalised in a sector characterised by many underhand dealings. But for the bold move taken by the Speaker, we would still have been in the dark as to the true nature of the corruption that pervades the sector. Also of note here is the issue of the amendment of the 1999 Constitution currently going on in the country. When the Speaker announced last September that all the 360 members of the House of Representatives will return to their constituencies to hear directly from their people on what they want in the new constitution, many did not envisage the kind of interest the move would generate. When the People’s Public Session eventually held penultimate Saturday across the country, Nigerians did not only hail the transparency of the novel process, but identified with its overall objective which is to give the country a document (constitution) that was written with the input of the people. It is worth recalling here that each of the sessions in the 360 federal constituencies was organised by an independent steering committee of stakeholders that included the member of the House representing the constituency who served as the facilitator, members of the State House of Assembly in the particular Federal Constituency, the Local Government chairmen within the constituency and one representative of the following organisations in each federal constituency, namely the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Others were the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student groups, the National Youth Council (NYC) and other Youth Organisations, the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and other Women Organisations, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Stakeholders, such as ethnic nationalities, women, youths, students, town unions, professional organisations, civil society organisations, religious organizations, traditional institutions, political parties, artisans, labour etc, and indeed all Nigerians. No doubt, Tambuwal’s strong stance on discipline, accountability, and truth, as well as his penchant desire to do things differently, is now setting the bar and becoming an example for elected office holders in the federation. As we’ve seen times without number, his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies that had stunted our progress, is quite inspiring. For him, what matters is the nation’s interest. Call that an unyielding idealism and you won’t be wrong. *Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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I’ll decide on my re-election in 2014 –Jonathan CONTINUED FROM 15 is why they cannot build refineries. At every point there are certain policies that affect queue in our filling stations. We are very careful because the policy can affect other areas. They are businessmen, what if they manipulate the system to get more money? I am pleading with Nigerians to bear with us. I got the advance copy report from the committee last Friday, we would look into it, the payment is being done, there is argument by government that it was the marketers that are owing them and vice versa. The preliminary report we have indicated that they are owing government, experts are being brought in, to do forensic audit and all the differences will be sorted out. The human factor is also there because as we are talking today, there is no fuel queue in Benin Republic and all their fuel is from Nigeria. We have our own challenges, but l believe that by the time we complete our findings and sanitise the oil sector, this issue of fuel queue will be put behind us. We are doing our best to make sure that the queues do not exist.

On the issue of energy, has Manitoba contract been revoked? Manitoba contract has not been revoked. There were some issues raised due to misunderstanding. In 2006, when it all started, Manitoba and others bid. As at that time, it was the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) that handled the whole exercise. There was confusion and they placed procurement on Manitoba as a consultant to manage our transmission. But with the law we have now, the due process law, it has painted that procurement differently. It was just concluded as a process of privatisation, but did not follow the law strictly. Every country must keep to its law. We saw some loopholes that were not properly done and we say look, we should do it properly so that if we leave, after few years, nobody will come and ask questions. We believe that we should rectify what was not properly done, therefore give the relevant section of government up till next Tuesday to get all things sorted out, so that if it requires my authorisation, l can do it. Let me assure you that we do not cancel the Manitoba contract Why is it that former heads of state are now involved in the power sector? The former heads of state have to live just like any other citizen; that you are the former Head of State does not mean that you should go and sleep, you need business to survive. But let me assure you that whether the person has been a former head of state or not, it would not affect the process. The privatisation that is going on is not only in Nigeria, but with the involvement of the World Bank. The former heads of state may probably have a share in the company. I don’t think he has the whole company owned by him. When you read little information in the papers, people paint it in different colours and interpretations and confused Nigerians. No matter what these companies bid like any others and they assess them technically, without knowing whether former heads of states were involved or not. The greatest concern of the people is that the statistics that we are seeing should reflect on our day to day living. Is our standard of living improving? Are we getting jobs? Although we cannot get jobs over night, it is only when we stabilise the economy. Like I always say, it is the duty of the government to ensure that it comes up with programmes that will encourage the private sector, because it is when the private sector starts investing, that jobs are created. For now there are successes. Directly as a government, we also have some programmes. We have what we call the community work programmes where we have a projection to employ about 360 youths annually from all the states. That is being worked out as part of the SURE Programme. We have the You-Win Programme where we encourage young entrepreneurs. We give them grants, not loans. Over 1,000 men and women benefited in the first that we did, the second was dedi-

Jonathan

cated for women and over a 1,000 will also benefit. If one entrepreneur can employ two to three people, you can imagine the multiplier effect. It is meant to encourage young people to go into the business sector. In the agricultural sector, we have a programme by the Minister of Agriculture to transform our farmers to commercial farmers. One major problem in this country is that our farmers are getting old, any community that you go to, you don’t see young people going into farming because they see farming as a job that requires a lot of labour or meant for people who didn’t go to school. But farming is a big business. In some countries, once you say that your father is a farmer; people will begin to respect you because they know that you are coming from a wealthy family. We are saying that this is what we should have here. That is why we are now commercialising farming and encouraging young people into it. This and other areas that the government is intervening will generate lots of jobs. But the most important thing that the government is doing is also to encourage the growth of the private sector. From the statistics that we have between 2011 and now, about 54 companies registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and between October and now, we have about 71 companies, even the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said that new companies are registering as members. So, you will see that capacity utilisation has increased a little but not significantly. That shows there is positive trend in all sectors and that the private sector is expanding and it’s glad to know that the textile industry, which provided jobs for so many people in the past, especially in the North, but almost collapsed, is gradually picking up because power is stabilising. Also the footwear industry is coming up. This trend will continue as we continue to stabilise power, intervene in our road network, on our railway to make sure that the cost of doing business is reduced. On the overall, a number of things that are being done are increasing opportunities for more jobs creation. By the end of 2013, the issue of unemployment will reduce, although it will still be there, because ours is a country of about 176 million people and there is no way that you will create jobs overnight for everybody. But clearly, there is a positive trend. Are you convinced that your government is doing enough to combat corruption given the low number of trials and convictions since you were elected? If you talk about conviction, you can go to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for some research work, but I can assure Nigerians and the global community that this government is fighting corruption frontally and the results are obvious, it is just that sometimes

some people confuse Nigerians. The first and greatest problem that we had in Nigeria was the issue of political corruption and most Nigerians will agree with me that if Mr. President or a governor should manipulate himself into office without the vote of the people, he will do whatever he likes. So, the first and foremost I did was to sanitise the electoral process. I have been in politics since 1998 till date and I know that we have gone very far in sanitising the process. Manipulating elections has to do with a lot of corruption. So, for you to sanitise the electoral process means that you have dealt with corruption in that area, significantly otherwise you can’t survive it. However, it is unfortunate that no one is talking about it. We had a free and fair election in Edo and Ondo states; we can also talk about Anambra State and all of them were non-PDP states. For us to conduct those elections and the world to accept that they were free and fair, we must have dealt with the corruption in the electoral process. Look at the agric sector, before this time, we all knew what transpired about fertiliser business. It was mammoth stealing, looting and corruption. Despite the socalled subsidy that the Federal Government paid on fertilisers, they never get to the farmers. Just about 11 per cent got to the farmers. And even this percentage at times was of very poor quality. This government has sanitised that sector to the extent that others are coming to learn from us. In fact, the Bill Gates Foundation is so pleased that they are helping us and want to fund the project in other African countries. And some countries are sending the ministers of Agriculture to come and learn from us. They are coming to understudy the Electronic Wallet System, which we are using in distributing fertilisers to the farmers. The fertilizer manufacturers are happy that they are doing business. They no longer pursue one minister or the other. They are no longer coming to the Villa to know whether their fertiliser would be bought or not. Nobody is also talking about this, probably because it is an area that deals with farmers and the big boys are not involved. Look at the oil sector, though you know as journalists that the extractive industry all over the world, be it mining or oil exploration, is always associated with one corrupt practice or the other. Look at what has happened within this period, the number of probes. The House of Representatives started their and when the report got to me, I sent it to the EFCC because we cannot set up a committee to come up with a white paper because the report came from the National Assembly. I told the EFCC that it should not limit itself only to the recommendations. Even before that report, the Ministry of Petroleum set up committees to look into the sector. That means we have already started the sanitisation of the sector before the National Assembly came in. Even when I became the Acting President and dissolved the cabinet then, I told the present Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, who was the Minister of Finance then that Nigerians are not comfortable with the oil industry and he should get a professional body that is globally acclaimed to audit the sector. There is also the Aig-Imoukhuede team. So, there has never been a time that we folded our arms to what goes on in the sector. We had always attacked it from so many angles. Of course the last committee was the one chaired by Malam Nuhu Ribadu on revenue leakages in the industry. So, I believe that the efforts this government has made in terms of fighting corruption, I don’t think that any other government has done that. I am not saying that we don’t have corruption any longer in the system because there is no nation that is free from corruption; you just make sure that some people don’t do what they like. So, I believe that we have done well in fighting corruption, although in terms of perception, most people believe that corruption is responsible for all of our problems. Corruption is there, no doubt about that, but we will continue to fight it. This government has sanitised the corruption associated with elections and fertiliser distribution; we are now in the oil sector. To be continued tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror “You can’t stop people from disagreeing with you.”

Lagos to generate 3000MW electricity in two years –Commissioner

LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR, BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Fake LASTMA officers arrested, prosecuted MURITALA AYINLA

he long arm of the law has finally caught up with two men who were parading themselves as officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and they have been prosecuted for impersonation. The accused, Bolaji Adigun, 37 and Akeem Adebeshin Adebeshin , 42 were arrested at Mile 12,Ikorodu, while carrying out the illegal act. Speaking on the development, LASTMA’s General Manager, Babatunde Edu said they were arrested following a tip off by some motorists who had fallen victims to their pranks. Edu, who led the team that arrested them, said victims of the fake officers were taken to unknown destinations where they

were fraudulently fined huge sums of money. He said:” It is against this background that concerted and consistent efforts were made to arrest them and prevent the re-occurrence of such ugly situation in the future”. Recounting how they were arrested, Edu said: “the suspects had hidden under the bridge at Mile 12, waiting to apprehend motorists under the pretext of being LASTMA Task Force officials.” Edu stressed that, as at time of the arrest, the suspects had a log book which showed that more than 13 vehicles were ‘arrested’ for various offences, adding that two vehicles taken from the suspects have been deposited at the LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi. The suspects, however, claimed to be staff of Ikosi

Isheri Local Council Development Area, even as they maintained they were consultants contracted to enforce traffic regulations in the area. The LASTMA boss, however, debunked the claim, calling on the public to disregard enforce-

ment agents in plain clothes. He added: “At all times, LASTMA officers wear uniform with name tags. Besides, motorists have the right to challenge their arrest by asking questions. Meanwhile, the suspects

who appeared in front of istrate Olufemi Isaac, granted bail of N200,000 including sureties who have evidence of three tax payment, proof of means of livelihood and dent in Lagos.

Magwere each, must years legal resi-

Navy commends community for support HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

he Naval Education Board has commended the Imeri community in Ose Local Government of Ondo State, for its support in the establishment of a secondary school in the area. The Director of Naval Education, Commodore Isaac Mankilik, who made the commendation, also sought assistance of stakeholders in the community. Speaking at the reception organised by former Senator Bode Olajumoke, in honour of the first Commandant of the school, Commander Sam Ogwu, Mankilik disclosed that the Navy was impressed by the attitude of the people particularly Olajumoke, who donated a modern three classrooms block for admission of the first set of students. Noting the importance of cooperation in the task of nation building, Mankilik said the Chief of Naval Staff, had sent senior officers to assess the situation in the school, adding that they expressed satisfaction with what they saw. He said though the Navy is building the school at Imeri,

the financial contributions of Olajumoke remains unprecedented and called on other stakeholders to invest on projects that would make the school grow to the benefits of the community, Mankilik disclosed that the naval authorities had put in place all measures to ensure the institution progresses. Speaking, Dr Bode Olajumoke said the reception was planned to seek the cooperation of all stakeholders to the development of the school, saying the building of the school will help boost the economy of people of the area. Stakeholders at the reception included the Divisional Police Officers, local government chairmen of the six councils of Ondo North Senatorial Districts and Akoko Edo in Edo State, officers of the State Security Services, Controller of Fire Services, traditional rulers, officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and heads of general hospitals in the area. Olajumoke said aside the classroom blocks handed over to the Navy; he plans to build on a standard sports complex with modern facilities for VIPs.

Officials of Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board cleaning up France Road in Sabon-Gari, Kano. PHOTO: NAN

Lawmaker offers free medical services to constituents

ouse of Representatives member for Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu, has brought succour to his constituents by providing them with free medical services in appreciation of their massive electoral support. Dr. Kigbu, who is the House Committee Chairman on HIV/ AIDS, Malaria, Leprosy and Tuberculosis, said the gesture was borne out of his desire to aid the sick in his constituency who cannot afford the cost of medical treatment in private hospitals. Kigbu, who noted that more than N25 million was expended on logistics, also said in one week of the programme, over 150 people suffering from various illnesses such hernia, fibroid and cataract have been operated upon. He also noted that 200 people

have been given free counselling and testing on HIV/AIDS and four found positive were given free medication. “To this effect, the national headquarters of the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) has agreed to make Agwatashi an AIDS Centre”, he added. In his remark, the Minister of State for Health, Alhaji Mohammed Ali Pate, who was represented by the Director General of NACA, Professor John Idoko, commended Dr. Kigbu for the initiative and charged other politicians to follow his example by giving back to society rather than seeking self enrichment. Mrs. Talatu Emmanuel, a mother of twins, and Likita Kuje who were beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the House Member, saying this is the first time an elected politician has directly touched their lives.

Board blamed for poor sanitation in Lokoja ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

group, Kogi Environment, has raised alarm over the deteriorating sanitary conditions of Lokoja, the state capital. In a statement, the group blamed the management of the sanitation board for not living up to expectations, despite the enormous sums of money budgeted for environmental sanitation by successive administrations. The group chairman, Engr. Amego Andrew, lamented the lackadaisical attitude of the board which has negatively affected the sanitation strategy of the present administration. He pointed out that there are growing challenges everywhere in Lokoja, which has led to epidemics outbreak in some communities.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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Lagos plans to generate 3000MW electricity in two years MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofiq Tijani, has said that plans are underway to increase the state electricity generation to 3,000 megawatts in the next two years. The disclosure is coming, even as the lawmaker representing the Lagos East Senatorial District,

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, advocated the need for the private sector to buy into the energy industry and sponsor the training of quality manpower. Both made the disclosure at the graduation ceremony of the first set of 15 graduating electrical engineers under the Youth Energy Career Programme (YECP) of the State Electricity Board (LSEB) and sponsored by Gbenga Ashafa and Siemens. Tijani, stated that the

project is expected to be realised through continuing partnership with private sector investors in the power sector. Lagos, with 18 million populations, is estimated to be in need of 12,000MW of electricity. But it currently receives less than 1,000MW from the national grid. He, however, said that in the last couple of years, the government in partnership with some private investors had successfully executed

two Independent Power Plants, to add more megawatts to the state. Tijani added: “The state is hopeful that in the next two years, it would deliver not less than 3,000 megawatts of electricity.” On his part, Ashafa noted that as a nation, the path to sustainable development and meaningful growth is adequate power supply, adding that finding this path remains an extremely daunting task.

He said: “Critical among factors often pointed to, as the bane of efficiency in our electricity generation phase, is the dearth of expertise. With this, the local content policy of the federal government has not been allowed to run its full course in the power sector. It is in recognition of this that, the LSEB in partnership with myself and Siemens; have developed the YECP, a programme focused on providing pre-

requisite training by way of internship for energy and power graduates required for employment in the energy sector. The private sector remains the catalyst for real infrastructural development across all major sectors of the economy; however, it is important for governments, to create a conducive environment for the energy sector to witness great improvement.”

Cross River to collaborate with disaster agency OKAY OSUJI

he Cross River State Government has said it would continue to collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in pursuance of it statutory duties of disaster management. The Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham re-affirmed this while receiving relief materials donated by NEMA for victims of Lagdo Dam flooding in the state. Cobham, said the gesture of the Federal Government through NEMA, was a palliative and assured that it would become a pivot on which the traumatized victims would spring up. He emphasized that the materials would be judiciously distributed, taking cognizance of the severity, even as he asked NEMA to consider the allocation of more materials for the state, in consideration of the magnitude of the disaster. The Deputy Governor said that resources were being mobilized to bring succour to the affected persons and communities, as he stated that the flood devastation has caused enormous dislocation to the state’s economy, especially in the agriculture sector. He therefore appealed to Nigerians at home and the Diaspora to show broth-

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the Enugu State Governor on Environment, Mrs. Jane Ugwu, is dead. She died after eating a meal suspected to be poi-

erly care by extending a hand of fellowship to the affected people through the donation of clothing, food stuff, beddings, medicines, building materials and in other areas to empower the displaced persons. Presenting the relief materials, the Director- General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, said the materials were for those affected by the Lagdo Dam flooding. The DG who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, South South, Mr. Umesi Emerike, listed the items to include 500 bags of rice, 400 bags of beans, 100 keys of vegetable oil, 2 000 pieces of mattresses, 2,000 blankets, 3,000 pieces of wax prints and 2,500 pieces of towels. Others are 300 cartons of tea, 150 bags of salt and 1,000 pieces of nylon mats. Mr. Emerika was represented by the Principal Disaster Risk Reduction officer in NEMA, SouthSouth, Eric Ebhodaghe. It would be recalled that more than 212 communities were flooded in the state, displacing over 44,918 persons and destroying 1,800 houses, 82,361 farms, 15 churches, 13 schools and 18 markets. 13 persons were reported to have died, while 34 suffered different degrees of injuries.

Men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency resting due to less traffic on the highway.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Electoral commission demands for new wards CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

s the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) delineates the 27 local government areas of the state as part of preparations for the conduct of fresh council poll, many communities are bemoaning the inability to pay the N500,000 charged for creation of new electoral wards. It was gathered that the State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), is demanding money from traditional rulers to create new electoral wards. National Mirror’s inves-

tigation revealed that in many of the communities, the traditional rulers levied their subjects to raise the money and those unable to pay were reportedly made to forfeit their belongings, but such move is said to have resulted in fisticuffs. Some of the indigenes who expressed worry over the development, complained that the money demanded for the creation of electoral wards is exorbitant, stating that many communities are not financially viable to raise the said sums. However, a visit to the Commission’s office in Owerri, the state capital, traditional rulers were seen

struggling to pay the money before the deadline. When contacted, the ISIEC Chairman, Teddy Obi Akwara, explained that the Commission only collected N300, 000.00 administrative charges from the communities that indicated interest to have their own wards. He disclosed that the Commission intends to create a total of 637 electoral wards, adding that the money was for logistics and administrative costs. “There is nowhere in the country where wards are created free and any community that cannot raise the money is automatically disqualified, it means that

it has fallen short of requirements for the creation of new ward. We want to create electoral wards in all the 637 communities to bring government closer to the people”, he stated. However, the House of Assembly, claimed ignorance of the commission’s activities with respect to the creation of new wards in the state. The Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Uwajomogu, stated that, “we have not been briefed by the Commission on its activities but we have summoned the Chairman to appear to brief the lawmakers on its activities, especially on the ward creation”.

Enugu governor’s aide dies after meal at public hearing soned at the constitution public review hearing at Nsukka, Enugu State. Senator Ayogu Eze, representing EnuguNorth senatorial district had convened a town

hall meeting to articulate their views on the constitution review, where Mrs. Ugwu was allegedly poisoned by yet to be identified person. Sources close to the

family, said that the deceased came back from the event and complained of stomach ache and was rushed to Annunciation Hospital, Emene, Enugu were she

gave up the ghost after three days. Jane, who was 43 years old, hailed from Amogwu, Aku, in IgboEtiti Local Government area of Enugu State.

Sources said, the autopsy report shows that, her intestine were swollen and twisted with dark colouration lending credence to the pains she experienced before death.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

‘Israel prefers diplomacy, but ready to invade Gaza’

48 STORIES: PAUL ARHEWE WITH AGENCY REPORTS

enyan police fired bullets and tear gas in downtown Nairobi yesterday in an effort to stop rioters from fighting with ethnic Somalis one day after an improvised explosive device ripped through a bus and killed nine people. The fighting exposes increasing tensions between the sizable ethnic Somali-Kenyan community and Kenyan groups with no ties to Somalia. Tensions have been rising over the last year as attackers have carried out a series of grenade and bomb attacks in Kenya, including several on Christian churches. Strained relations with Kenyan-Somalis go back decades, to when post-colonial boundaries were drawn. But the most recent flare-up began in October 2011, when Kenya sent troops into Somalia to fight the terror group alShabaab. After that deployment, al-Shabaab threatened large-scale attacks in Kenya. Bomb and grenade attacks increased steadily. Sunday’s bomb attack ripped through a bus in Eastleigh, where Nairobi’s Somali community lives, killing nine people. Sheik Mohammed Shakul, a spokesman for Muslim leaders, said such attacks are “barbaric and un-Islamic” and don’t represent Muslims. “This terrorist wants to disrupt the Muslim/Christian and multi-ethnic coexistence that we have enjoyed in this country. Unfortunately some people are fall-

“The large number of facts tells us that if the problem of corruption becomes increasingly severe, it will lead to the ruin of the party and the country!” - New Chinese leader, Xi Jinping

Riot in Kenya after bus bombing kills nine

Somali youths throwing stones in a street in Eastleigh Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday.

ing into the trap that the terrorists have planned,” Shakul said. “They want to cause a civil war between religions. Let’s cool our emotions.” Tensions appear to be highest in and around the downtown neighbourhood of Eastleigh, sometimes referred to as Little Somalia. Njau Kariuki, 50, runs a carpentry shop in Eastleigh, where he has lived for more than 25 years. “People are angry. They are angry because of the people throwing bombs and grenades. They are blaming the Somalis. These Somalis are living with us but you cannot know their ways. They speak well and they will even

make you laugh but in darkness they will stab you,” he said. Moses Ombati, Nairobi’s police chief, confirmed the heavy suspicions between Kenya’s communities. He said the attacks have “made people annoyed at whoever they imagined” carried out the attacks. He said three people are in custody over suspicions they took part in Sunday’s attack. Police reported two injuries in Monday’s fighting, though an Associated Press reporter who saw ethnic Somalis stab a Kenyan and watched groups of young men hurl rocks at each other said it appeared likely more people were injured. Windows in homes and businesses were shattered during

WORLD BULLETIN

Sierra Leone election peaceful –Observers

Photo: AP

the hours-long street battles, and many buildings were looted. Also Monday, the Kenya army reported that three of its soldiers were shot dead in northern Kenya by gunmen believed to have links with al-Shabaab. Military spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna said the three soldiers were part of the African Union force fighting al-Shabaab in Somalia and had stopped over in the border town of Garissa on their way back into Somalia. He says the three were part of a group of five soldiers who had gone to a garage to change a punctured tire on their vehicle when seven gunmen attacked them. Two survived the attack.

Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website shuts down

he Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website has been shut down and remained inaccessible, as at yesterday. The latest development is coming four days after an insightful investigative report, published by National Mirror, revealed how Nigerian foreign missions were frustrating investors and tourists with websites that are not updated, unreachable telephone numbers and invalid email addresses. The report showed that the Foreign Ministry in its own website, http://www.mfa.gov. ng/, published these misleading information about the country’s embassies abroad. Using a search machine, yesterday, to view the minis-

An earlier print screen showing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s website

try’s website showed that the account has been suspended. Also, attempts to reach the website’s url, produced a potential virus threat, for computer system with installed antivirus. Also, mail sent to the ministry’s official email (info@mfa. gov.ng) was undelivered, with

a note saying “no such user.” In the report published last week, National Mirror made contact with 68 Nigerian Embassies, sending letters through their official listed email addresses sourced from the website of the Foreign Ministry, demanding to know what measures are being put

in place to make their services accessible to Nigerians and other viable foreign investors. Out of 68 embassies contacted, only six (Nigeria Embassy in Kuwait, Nigeria High Commission in Australia, Embassy of Nigeria in Ukraine, Nigeria Embassy in China, Nigeria Embassy in Portugal and Nigeria Embassy in Mali) acknowledged our mail, despite sending the mail twice; a week apart. It was discovered that some of the embassies operate email addresses that are invalid and are still misleading the general public with wrong information. These addresses were posted on their websites. Over 31 email addresses of the 68 embassies contacted were invalid and nonoperational.

Sierra Leone carried out a largely peaceful and well-conducted vote despite isolated reports of money changing hands and polling stations marred by bees and lack of light, observers said Monday. Saturday’s vote was the third presidential election since the end of the West African country’s brutal 11-year civil war that ended in 2002, and experts say it is a key test of how far the nation has come. While local radio stations have begun airing unofficial results from some polling stations, the National Electoral Commission has yet to announce whether the vote will go to a second round. Incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma must garner 55 percent of the ballots cast or he will face his main opponent Julius Maada Bio in a second round of voting.

DR Congo rejects rebels’ ultimatum to leave Goma The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has rejected an ultimatum by rebels to start talks, as fighting continues near the city of Goma. Rwanda, which is accused of arming the rebels, said Congolese forces fired into its territory. The M23 rebels have advanced to within a few kilometres of Goma, the main city in eastern DR Congo, causing tens of thousands of residents to flee. The rebels have given government troops 24 hours to withdraw from Goma. The UN Security Council has condemned the rebel advance the most serious since July in the resource-rich region. Soldiers have been taking up positions, while there has been firing at a roundabout in the city centre, he says.

Swaziland gets first female Anglican bishop The Anglican Church has appointed its first female bishop in Africa with the elevation of a priest in the tiny nation of Swaziland. Ellinah Wamukoya will serve as the bishop for the nation after her selection this Saturday. The 61-year-old said her focus is on bringing integrity to the church. Wamukoya told The Associated Press on Monday: “I am going to try to represent the mother attribute of God. A mother is a caring person but at the same time, a mother can be firm in doing whatever she is doing.”

World News

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

US violating detainee pact –Afghan president

Briefs Iran starts building gas pipeline to Syria Iran has started construction on a $10 billion natural gas pipeline to key ally Syria, a news agency reported yesterday, in an apparent nod of support to President Bashar Assad’s embattled regime and a further attempt by Tehran to boost energy exports battered by international sanctions. The 1,500-kilometer (750-mile) project was first announced in July 2011 as Syrian rebels began stepping up the fight to topple Assad. Many analysts predicted the pipeline would remain in the planning stages because of the countless risks involved, but Iran’s decision to start work — even just the beginning sections — is seen a public show of confidence in Assad’s ability to ride out the uprising. It also reflects Iran’s wider efforts to expand natural gas and oil pipeline to Middle East and Asian markets as Western sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program cut into sales. The United States and its allies accuse Tehran of seeking to develop atomic weapons, an allegation the Iranians deny.

Six arrested in extortion plot on Berlusconi Italian police have arrested six people accused of trying to extort ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi for 35 million ($45 million) in exchange for documents they claimed could help him in a legal case. Milan police squad chief Alessandro Giuliano said yesterday that three of the six had held one of Berlusconi’s closest advisors hostage for 11 hours in his home last month until he reached Berlusconi by phone to demand the money. Berlusconi’s attorney, Nicolo Ghedini, told reporters he spoke to the hostage-takers that day and refused to give them any money until he saw the documents. Apparently that’s all that was needed to free Berlusconi’s treasurer, Giuseppe Spinelli. Police later identified the ringleader by his red and black sneakers — colours of his favourite team AC Milan, which Berlusconi owns.

Greek PM to reshuffle cabinet after new loan tranche Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will reshuffle his cabinet once he secures a vital loan tranche to make his government more effective in a new wave of austerity measures demanded by international lenders, government officials said yesterday. Samaras will hold separate meetings with his two coalition partners, Socialist PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left chief Fotis Kouvelis, later yesterday to discuss the new cabinet, the officials told Reuters. “The reshuffle will take place after the installment,” said one government official on condition of anonymity. “The Finance Minister will not be moved.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People standing in front of a high rise housing media organizations in Gaza City, yesterday. Photo: AP

‘Israel prefers diplomacy, but ready to invade Gaza’ •

Death toll now 96

srael bombed dozens of targets in Gaza yesterday and said that while it was prepared to step up its offensive by sending in troops, it preferred a diplomatic solution that would end Palestinian rocket fire from the enclave. Mediator Egypt said a deal for a truce to end the fighting could be close. The leader of Hamas said it was up to Israel to end the new conflict it had started. Israel says its strikes are to halt Palestinian missile attacks. Israeli aircraft struck crowded areas in the Gaza Strip and killed a senior militant with a missile strike on a media center Monday, driving up the Palestinian death toll to 96, as Israel broadened its targets in the 6-day-old offensive meant to quell Hamas rocket fire on Israel. Three Israeli civilians have been killed. After an overnight lull, militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip fired 45 rockets at southern Israel, causing no casualties, police said. One damaged a school, but it was closed at the time. Among targets struck in Gaza yesterday, Israeli missiles blasted a tower block housing international media for the second straight day. One person was killed there, described by a source in militant groups Islamic Jihad as one of its fighters. Khaled Meshaal, exiled leader of Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the coastal strip, said Israel had failed to achieve its objectives. A truce was possible, but Hamas would not accept Israeli demands. Israel must first halt its strikes and lift its blockade of the enclave, he said. “The weapons of the resistance have caught the enemy off guard,” he told a news conference in Cairo. “Whoever started the war must end it,” he said, adding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for a truce, an assertion that a senior Israeli official dismissed as untrue. Although 84 percent of Israelis supported the current Gaza assault, according to a Haaretz poll, only 30 percent wanted an invasion, while 19 percent wanted their government to work on securing a truce soon. Thousands turned out on Gaza’s streets to mourn four children and five women,

among 11 people killed in an Israeli strike that flattened a three-storey home the previous day. The bodies were wrapped in Palestinian and Hamas flags. Echoes of explosions mixed with cries of grief and defiant chants of “God is greatest”. The deaths of the 11 in an air strike drew more international calls for an end to six days of hostilities and could test Western support for an offensive Israel billed as selfdefense after years of cross-border rocket attacks.

fghanistan’s president has accused U.S. forces of continuing to capture and hold Afghans in violation of an agreement signed earlier this year between the two countries. Hamid Karzai’s statement late Sunday came at a sensitive time — just days after the beginning of negotiations on a bilateral security agreement that will govern the U.S. military presence in the country after the majority of troops draw down in 2014. Karzai’s critics say he frequently strikes populist, nationalist stances that give him leverage in talks with the Americans. In the statement, the Afghan president said some detainees are still being held by U.S. forces even though Afghan judges have ruled that they be released. He also decried the continued arrest of Afghans by U.S. forces. Karzai spokesman Aimal Faizi yesterday told reporters that more than 70 detainees continue to be held by the Americans despite being ordered released by Afghan courts. The two countries signed the detainee transfer pact in March but the handover of detention facilities has been slowed by the U.S., which has argued both that the Afghans are not ready to take over their management and insisted that the Afghan government agree to hold without trial some detainees that the U.S. deems too dangerous to release. “These acts are completely against the agreement that has been signed between Afghanistan and the U.S. president,” said Karzai’s statement and urged Afghan officials to “take serious measures” to push for taking over all responsibility for the detention center on the edge of the main U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan. Detention without trial, often called administrative detention, is against Afghan law, said Faizi, the Afghan president’s spokesman.

Obama meets with Cambodia’s longtime strongman

resident Barack Obama arrived in Cambodia yesterday having just won four more years in office, but that is nothing compared to his host, Hun Sen. The 60-year-old Cambodian prime minister has held power since Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and says he’s not stepping down until he is 90. Hun Sen is known as one of Asia’s most Machiavellian politicians, with a knack for making sure his rivals end up in jail or in exile. A laudatory biography is subtitled “Strongman of Cambodia,” and some would say that’s putting it mildly. Through his country’s civil wars, a U.N. peace process and several elections, the one-time communist cadre has always managed to come out on top. Over the last decade, he has also overseen modest economic growth and stability in a country plagued by desperate poverty and nearly destroyed by the Khmer Rouge’s “killing fields.” Obama is making the first visit ever by a U.S. president to Cambodia because it is hosting the annual East Asia Summit. He went straight from the airport to a meeting with Hun Sen that White House officials described as tense, with Obama emphasizing his concerns about Cambodia’s human rights situation. According to U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, Hun Sen defended his record, telling the presi-

U.S. President Barack Obama toasting with Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen at the East Asia Summit Dinner, yesterday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo: AP

dent that Cambodia has a unique set of circumstances that influence its policies and practices, and expressed a desire to deepen his country’s ties with the U.S. Hun Sen “is intelligent, combative, tactical, and self-absorbed,” says historian David Chandler, a Cambodia expert at Australia’s Monash University and a critic of Hun Sen’s rule. These days, Hun Sen has styled himself as an elder statesman, and he is anxious to win international respectability to go along with the economic growth. Despite concerns over his autocratic style and human rights lapses, the canny Hun Sen has managed to keep flowing the international aid that still accounts for a major part of Cambodia’s national budget.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Nigerian gospel singer jailed for £120,000 online scam A

n acclaimed Nigerian gospel singer who used a dating site to steal more than £120,000 from lonely women by posing as a pilot, oil executive and grieving widower has been jailed for six-and-a-half years, Daily Mail has reported. Conman Oluwamayola Ajayi, 31, preyed on four single women on popular dating website Match.com using a series of aliases and outlandish stories to fleece them of their cash. He even sent email threats, purportedly from a captor, claiming he had been kidnapped and would be killed if a ransom was not paid. Ajayi, who was nominated for best international act at the 2011 Gospel Music Awards under his stage name MaioJoe, was jailed for conspiracy to defraud at Snaresbrook Crown Court with Judge Sarah Paneth saying that it was clear he intended to defraud his victims ‘for much more money’ than he did. He blew all the money on a luxury lifestyle, including a holiday to South Africa. Judge Paneth added: ‘This was not money these women had to spare, it was money they needed back urgently. ‘Having spent all of their money, you pursued them for more by saying you would be killed if they did not pay.’ The court heard how he gained the women’s trust before persuading them to hand over their savings to fund business enterprises insisting the cash would be repaid. His victims, who all live in America and Canada, were ‘completely taken in’ by his elaborate lies. They were left humiliated and some were financially ruined by the scam, which ran between November 2009 and August 2010. One victim handed over more than $125,000 (now £78,662) from her late husband’s life savings and dead mother’s estate, which she had earmarked for retirement. Another disabled woman from Nova Scotia was duped into giving Ajayi almost $38,000 (£23,913) after he pretended to be Tra-

Ajayi, pictured, used a string of identities including posing as a pilot, oil executive and grieving widower to fleece four women out of their cash

Ajayi

THIS WAS NOT MONEY THESE WOMEN HAD TO SPARE, IT WAS MONEY THEY NEEDED BACK URGENTLY vis David McFly, a United States Airforce pilot serving in Iraq. Prosecutor Markus Rickard said: ‘He told a story to her about some gold bars he had found and that he wanted to get them out of Iraq so they could secure their financial future. ‘This inevitably led to the woman having supplied money via an intermediary in London, to enable the gold bars to be taken from Iraq. ‘She was completely taken in by him and intended to spend the rest of her life with him. ‘At one point, she arranged to meet him at

an airport and waited for five hours for him, but he did not turn up. ‘This has left her flat broke and deeply embarrassed.’ Ajayi pocketed around $30,000 (£18,873) from another internet lover, leaving her in financial dire straits. The singer also posed as a project manager in the oil and gas industry to fleece $7,000 (£4,404) from his final victim, telling her he needed the cash for expenses including a ‘Crude Oil Lifting Licence’. He told all but one of the women that he was a white widower with children from Britain called Mark West, who was currently living in the US. Ajayi funnelled his ill-gotten gains through false bank accounts, mainly using the fictional identity of Jose Fernando Rodrigues-Guedes. Mr Rickard added: ‘The defendant systematically and repeatedly misrepresented himself to lonely females using the internet and cheated them out of £120,000 from November 2009 until August 2010.

‘The victims of his deceptions have been left embarrassed and fearful and they have all suffered substantial financial loss or ruin.’ Ajayi was arrested last August at the home he shares with his wife in Chadwell Heath, Essex. During interview in a prepared statement, he insisted one of his victims was the girlfriend of a friend who owed him money. He claimed he used an account in the name of Rodrigues-Guedes as he did not have one in his own name. The computer equipment on which police found scores of emails with money transfers, credit card details, bank statements, personal information and photographs belonged to the ‘real’ Rodrigues-Guedes, Ajayi claimed. But Rodrigues-Guedes has never been found, prompting police to believe he is simply an identity dreamed up by Ajayi to carry out his con. Ajayi denied conspiracy to defraud, fraud, concealing criminal property, using criminal property and two counts of possessing articles for use in frauds. He was unanimously convicted by a jury on all counts after a trial after admitting a single count of possessing a false identity document with intent. A spokesman for match.com has urged users to follow its safety guidelines when online dating. He said: ‘Sadly the tiny minority of people who try to exploit others is not confined to dating sites or even the internet, it’s across all walks of life. ‘We urge our members to follow the safe dating guidance we provide across our site and via email when meeting new people, whether that’s online, through friends or in a bar. ‘Most importantly, requests for money or financial assistance are not acceptable. ‘You should never send money to anyone you meet online; just as you would never give money to someone you recently met in a pub or cafe.’

Village where cows trample on people for good luck

rave locals have taken part in their annual Indian ritual - voluntarily getting trampled by running cows. To celebrate the spiritual occasion of Ekadeshi, husbands and fathers, in Badnagar, Madhya Pradesh, in central India, lined themselves on the streets as herds of running cows trampled over their bodies. Locals annually decorate their cattle in henna and colourful flowers and let them run through the town. This bizarre ritual is done in the hope the act brings prosperity to the area and everyone’s prayers are answered. It’s a traditional ritual done over centuries and always celebrated after Diwali. Locals claim no one has ever been seriously hurt durThe villagers are voluntarily getting trampled by running cows. ing the ritual.

Photos: Cover Asia Press

News

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

GDP growth drops to 6.48%, inflation rises to 11.7% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion rate at single digit still remain futile as the composite price index for October rose to 11.7 per cent compared with the 11.3 per cent rate in the preceding month. The new GDP and inflation growth rate trends, which were among the major economic highlights of the reports published by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday and signed by nation’s Statistician- General, Dr. Yemi Kale, showed that in the quarter under review, the oil sector outperformed the non-oil sector in GDP outputs for the first time in the last four quarters. The figures emerged just as the Debt Management Office, DMO, said that the nation’s economy would grow faster with inflows of investments and loans. The figures are likely to influence the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee, which has been under pressure to ease monetary policy due to its slowdown effects on growth. Analysts, however, believed that the CBN was keen on keeping inflation and foreign exchange rate under control and might keep the benchmark Monetary Policy Rate unchanged at 12 per cent in view of the inflationary threats as the Yuletide approaches. The NBS noted that the nominal GDP for the third quarter of 2012 was estimated at N10.9trn as against N9.8trn during the corresponding quarter of 2011. It added that the overall performance of the economy in GDP output from oil and non-oil sectors recorded slower growth rate as a result of declines in non-oil sector growth. This was driven by growth in activities recorded in the building and construction, cement, hotel and restaurant, and electricity sectors. The bureau said that the average daily crude oil production stood at 2.52 million barrels per day (mbpd) in the third quarter of this year as against 2.38 mbpd in the corresponding quarter of 2011 based on data received from NNPC. These figures indicated that the sector grew in real terms by 0.08 per cent in oil

GDP compared with the -0.26 per cent recorded for the same quarter last year. Despite its ebbing growth rate, the statistical agency noted that the non-oil sector is still a major driver of the economy as it recorded 7.55 per cent growth in real terms in the quarter under review compared with 8.76 per cent growth rate it recorded in the corresponding period of 2011. The decline, according to NBS, was largely attributed to declines in output in the agriculture, telecommunications, wholesale and retail trade and real estate sectors On the inflation rate trend, the NBS report disclosed further that on a year-on-year basis, the relative moderation in the headline index in September was offset by the rising cost of food items during the period even as the “Core” index continued its declining trend over the last few months, rising to 12.4 per cent in October from 13.1 per cent in September. Specifically, the CPI report for the month revealed that the food index increased to 11.1 per cent from 10.2 per cent over the same period. Since its yearon-year peak of 15.2 per cent in June of this year, it added however that the core index continues to exhibit a declining trend partially as a result of monetary policy tightening on the part of the CBN. A further decomposition of the inflation rate on urban and rural trends showed that during the month under review, the urban inflation rate was recorded at 15.3 per cent yearon-year compared to 14.2 per cent in the preceding month and the 9.1 per cent year-on-year increase recorded for the rural rate, a figure which indicated that the growth rate remained relatively unchanged from the previous month’s inflation rate. The urban and rural ‘All Items index’ increased by approximately 0.9 per cent month-on-month each, when compared with the previous month. “The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the 12-month period ending in October 2012 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelvemonth period remained

unchanged at 11.9 per cent, while the corresponding 12-month year-on-year average percentage change for urban and rural indices was 13.5 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively,” the report added. Meanwhile, Nigeria needs an inflow of about $10 billion annually to address its infrastructural deficit over the next ten years in the area of Direct Foreign Investment. The Debt Management Office, DMO, has said that the economy would grow faster with consistent flow of investment and loans to meet with developmental challenges. The Director-General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said this while briefing

State House Correspondents after a meeting of the Supervisory Board at the State House. The DMO Supervisory Board is headed by VicePresident Namadi Sambo with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the Vice Chairman. Members include Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Adoke, Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Niyi Otunla, Chief Economic Adviser to the Vice President and the Director-General DMO Nwakwo, who put the nation’s debt profile at N6.3trn as domestic debt and $6.29bn as external debt,

stated that the debt profile was sustainable. According to him, there was nothing wrong in borrowing and incurring debts as long as it is judiciously and prudently used to finance projects that would be beneficial to the people while measures are taken to reduce waste. “So, as you know Nigeria has huge infrastructural deficits and experts have estimated that you require a minimum of $10bn inflow per year, a conservative estimate, for us to close the infrastructural deficit over the next 10 years. “And every economy when you have a gap, your challenge is the best way, the ultimate way to close that gap. In our own case,

government is finding ways of making sure we maximize internal revenue for the purpose of funding our various needs including infrastructure that is why you can see that there has been a lot of improvement over the last two years in the revenue collections from various sources including the Customs and the Inland Revenue. “Government is trying to ensure that we manage our internal revenue and also take measures to reduce waste,” Nwankwo said. “Nigeria public debt will continue to be sustainable but everything should be done to ensure that the transformation programme is on course,” he added.

L-R: Newly-installed Erelu Aare Ago, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the Aare Ago (Field Marshall of Supreme Eminence), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, during the conferment of the titles on the Tinubus by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the weekend.

Fani-Kayode, ACN fault Jonathan on Boko Haram, Odi invasion CONTINUED PAGE FROM 5

of people that were killed by the IRA in Northern Ireland and the British mainland in the 100 years that the war between them and British lasted and before peace was achieved between the two sides. He insisted that the development was unacceptable and called on the Federal Government to cultivate the courage and the political will to stop the killings by Boko Haram as well as to find a permanent solution to the problem. “When President Obasanjo was in power he handled such matters decisively, with vigour and with the utmost urgency. He brought justice to the perpetrators quickly and promptly and he did whatever he had to do to protect the lives and property of the Nigerian people. The

truth is that the strategy that he adopted to fight terrorism and mass murder worked very well and it was very effective. For President Goodluck Jonathan to suggest otherwise is regrettable,” further said. The party said: “Credibility is a key issue in governance, and lack of it renders a government impotent. Perhaps this worsening credibility gap in the Jonathan administration is one of the reasons that it had so far failed to perform to expectation.” Citing the latest examples of what can be described as flip-flopping at best and sheer disinformation at worst, ACN said President Jonathan during the Media Chat, denied that his government has revoked the power contract awarded to Canadian firm, Manitoba, even though his spokesman, Reu-

ben Abati, had been widely quoted as saying unequivocally that the President has cancelled the contract. Also, the party said while the same Abati was widely quoted as saying, in August and this month, that the government was engaged in “backroom channel” talks with Boko Haram, President Jonathan was categorical in saying, that there is no dialogue with the sect because its leadership had remained faceless. ACN further pointed out that it is also instructive that the President has finally confirmed the reported illness of his wife even when his spokespersons and those of the First Lady said she was hale and hearty, and was only vacationing abroad while reports circulated that she was being treated for an illness in Germany. The party added: “We

also recall that this flipflopping and deliberate disinformation or both did not just start on Sunday, and that it has been the hallmark of the Jonathan Presidency. For instance, while some spokespersons at the presidency once described the report of the probe of the oil sector by the House of Representatives as merely of ‘advisory’ value to the Presidency, others said the Presidency has indeed started its implementation. “Also, shortly after Doyin Okupe rubbished the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force Report as inconclusive and therefore not implementable; the President announced the setting up of a White Paper Committee on the report, indicating that Okupe, in his usual exuberant disposition, may have been speaking for no one, but himself.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Borno plans 750 housing units for flood victims INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

ollowing the flood disaster that rendered thousands of residents homeless in Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, has ordered for the immediate construction of about 750 housing units in the affected riverine areas to accommodate those displaced. Mobbar is a border town with Niger Republic which is located on the off shore

of the Yobe-KomadukuHadeja River Basin. Shettima said this yesterday after returning from a three-day visit to the communities of Duchi and Gashikar wards, the most affected areas. Shettima while sympathising with the victims, who are mostly farmers said, government will not only provide the displaced people with shelter, but will compensate them in form of financial assistance in order to improve their economic fortune. Shettima said his administration will continue

to be responsive and committed to the plight and aspirations of its citizens irrespective of where they come from, adding that, when he visited the devastated areas, he had to direct that scarce resources and machinery of the state government be moved to the affected areas in order to forestall future occurrence. On those who had suffered various degrees of illness such as malaria, among other diseases due to the flood, Shettima had through the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salma

Anas Kolo, provided the victims with mosquito nets and drugs worth N15 million. The governor, who looks disturbed by the devastating effects of the flood, also called on those who had fled to Niger Republic to come back, as the houses will be completed in the next one month, even as he said that a temporary camp have been provided in Damasak in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to carter for their immediate needs.

L-R: Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed; Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Sani Burra and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, at the Triad Global Solutions demonstration of water for life in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Shema expresses worry over illicit drug use JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

atsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, has expressed concern over the proliferation of illicit drugs in institutions of learning in the state and country in general, adding that the situation was gradually becoming alarming. Shema spoke when he received in his office yesterday

the state Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs. Maryam Gambo. He said some primary schools were not exempted in the drugs proliferation, but that stakeholders, including security agencies should rise to the occasion of addressing the problem. “We have to fight illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse from different points of view, as well as attack the

supply chain to address the reduction in its usage,” the governor said. He said the state would look into the possibility of coming up with a legislation against drug abuse to make addressing it more effective as a way of ridding the state of the menace. Governor Shema, however, assured that government would support the NDLEA in the state to enhance its services and reduce the

menace among across the state.

youths

MINNA

n Acting Vice Chancellor has been appointed for the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna. He is Prof. Akim Osarhiemen Osunde. He takes over from Prof. Mohammed Salihu Audu, whose tenure ends

on Monday, November 26, 2012. The appointment of the professor of soil science was contained in a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Lydia Legbo in Minna yesterday. According to Legbo, the University’s Governing Council approved Osunde’s appointment at its

96th special meeting held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. Until his appointment, Osunde was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, of the university. The appointment takes effect from Tuesday, November 27, 2012. Meanwhile, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Audu, has ex-

IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

ustice Mrs. Okeke Agatha of the Federal High Court, Lafia, has warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against delaying the trial of Aliyu Akwe Doma and nine others accused of a N15 billion fraud by the Federal Government. The trial judge handed over the warning yesterday after the EFCC counsel, Dele Adesina (SAN), failed to produce the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation, delegating his powers to him to prosecute the matter as ordered by the judge in the last sitting of October 24, 2012. Justice Agatha, who was angry with the EFCC for flouting the court order to produce the fiat openly, said that the EFCC is delaying the trial, adding that

pressed satisfaction at the improvement recorded by the university during his tenure. He singled out the regular delivery of inaugural lectures by professors in the institution, which culminated in the delivery of 14 lectures within five years as against the practice before his assumption of office in 2007.

the court would not entertain any excuse in the next adjourned date. The judge, who refuses to grant the EFCC counsel prayers to go ahead with the trial without the fiat said that Pin Hero, who Barrister Adesina claimed to be representing him, had sent a letter seeking for adjournment. In his submission, the EFCC counsel, Adesina, who earlier urged the court to go ahead with the trial later appealed for extension of time upon which to produce the fiat at the next adjourned date after saying that he was unaware of the letter sent by his colleague, Barrister Pin Hero. He attributed the mix up to his chambers that sent to him a different fiat adding that the fiat was issued to both him and Barrister Pin Hero (SAN) to prosecute the matter.

New Kogi Assembly Speaker may emerge today ADEMU IDAKWO

T Shema

had to postpone the visit till next month, stressing that his administration, which believes in the rule of law, has to take preemptive measures as the state should not rely on the Federal Government for everything.

Doma: Judge warns EFCC against delayed trial

LOKOJA

Minna Varsity gets Acting Vice Chancellor PRISCILLA DENNIS

On whether the state government has informed the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims, Shettima said Vice-President Namadi Sambo, was to visit the state last week, but due to his tight schedule, he

he two claimants to the Speaker’s seat in the Kogi State House of Assembly may lose it to a yet-to-be-named member of the House today as the house resumes sitting after the prolonged crisis that engulfed the House following the impeachment of the former Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Bello and the other officers of the house. The house, which broke into two factions with each headed by its Speaker and principal officers were said to have agreed to resume today after the intervention of the former governor of the states, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. Though the reconciliation was said not to have ended on a good note as the legislators engaged each other in a free-for-all-fight in a hotel at

Abuja, where the meeting was held to broker peace by the former governor. But before the fight broke out, there was an agreement that Alhaji Abdullahi Bello should preside over today’s meeting to give legitimacy to the proceeding since he had alleged that the house didn’t form a quorum before he was removed. It was further learnt that he will then resign so that election can be conducted by the whole house to produce the new leadership. What it means, according to an insider, was that all the principal officers under the new leadership of Mr. Jimoh Lawal, will seize to exist and a set of new leadership will be elected by the whole house. But, tension has started rising as both camps are now reluctant to see the accord through.

Cocktail

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

Bald head men are better leaders --Study

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (46)

Nothing external to you has any power over you. –Ralph Waldo Emerson * * * MY NOTE One of the greatest insights I have ever had in life is that God almighty lives within man! If God lives within a man and the man is conscious of it, that man becomes a threat to every form of hindrances. The great 10 letter word for productivity and progress is this: IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME. Let’s think on this throughout this day!

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Obama, Maroney ‘not impressed’ U .S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney who famously scowled when she placed second in the vault, made her “not im-

pressed face” with President Barack Obama. The U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams visited Obama in the White House Thursday.

During the visit, Obama and Maroney both paid tribute to the scowl she made when she won silver in the vault, an event in which she

was heavily favored. Afterward, Maroney tweeted: “Did I just do the Not Impressed face with the President..? // Yes.”

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

Email error exposes Taliban address list

undreds of addresses on the Taliban email list were accidentally revealed when a spokesman for the insurgents hit the wrong button on his computer. Qari Yousuf Ahmedi meant to click on “bcc” while preparing to send a routine press release last week, Khaama Press reported Saturday. That would have hidden the names and email addresses of all the people receiving the release. Instead, he clicked “cc,” which let everyone who got the email see the approximately 400 other people on the list.

While many on the list were journalists, it also included a provincial governor, an Afghan legislator, academics and activists, a consultative committee in Afghanistan and a representative of an Afghan warlord. No secrets were exposed, but least one recipient wasn’t happy about the revelation, ABC News reported. Mustafa Kazemi, a journalist with 9,500 Twitter followers, tweeted: “Taliban have included all of my email addresses on the leaked distribution list. Quite reassuring to my safety.”

President Obama jokingly mimicking U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney’s “not impressed” look while greeting members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams in the Oval Office, recently. PHOTO: UPI

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Features

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Katsina: Seeking alternative

ne of the greatest setbacks, perhaps, that have kept the Nigerian State from achieving meaningful growth and development that would make her compete favorably with economically advanced nations, is the lack of adequate electricity supply. While some nations are celebrating tens of thousands of electricity megawatts that would keep their industries and other sectors of the economy humming for decades, Nigeria is still battling with a maximum of 4, 000Mw of energy consumed by no less than 150 million people. At present, the quantity of power is so low that some state capitals are said to have less than seven hours of electricity every day, while communities located away from these capitals often go without electricity for as long as five months at a stretch. For example, in Katsina State, some communities in the Daura and Sandamu local governments had recently complained that they have not had electricity in their homes for more than six months, with the situation adversely affecting economic and social life of these areas. As a way of finding lasting solution to the energy problem, the government entered into partnership with the federal government and two companies from Germany for the development of alternative energy sources in the state. With the federal government, the state is partnering for the construction of the first wind-propelled energy farm in the country, which is expected to produce more than 10 mega watts of electricity, while other collaboration is with two German firms, namely Pan African Solar and Hellious Energy. The German firms are expected to construct multi-million naira solar power plants that would collectively produce 50MW of electricity. Interestingly, two of the partnerships, that with the federal government and one to be constructed by Hellious Energy, became a reality through the efforts of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was the state governor between 1999 to 2007. Sometimes in September this year, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pan African Solar for the development of 20 MW of power project. The organization’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Peter Keller, signed for the company, while Governor Ibrahim Shema signed on behalf of government. Shema said part of the MoU, ensured that the state would not be spending any money on the project’s execution as the organization would handle needed financial demands and that 20 state indigenes will be trained in Germany so they could handle the solar project when completed. He said when completed, the 20MW project would be spread evenly between the Kankia and Funtua trans-

The need for constant and reliable power in all sectors of the Nigerian economy cannot be over emphasized. The epileptic power supply in the country has been adduced as main reason for the enduring stunted development. Due to this, the Katsina State Government is partnering the Federal Government and some German companies to build solar power projects in the state. JAMES DANJUMA witnessed a ground breaking ceremony and reports.

Solar Power, inset: Shema with microphone and German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dorothee Jenetzkewenzel at flag-off of the 30 MW solar power project.

mission lines. Mr. Keller, on his part, said the project site would need more than 30 hectares of land and that on completion, it would last from 25 to 30 years and create jobs for some 300 people; he also said that micro solar devices would be installed for use by farmers. The second alternative energy quest in the state, a 10MW wind farm project, is the partnership effort between the state and the federal government, and is being funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project which is located in Rimi Local Government Area, is being installed by Vergnet, and is at the final stages of completion, with December 2012 set as tentative date for commissioning. The third, a 30MW solar power plant to be constructed by Hellious Energy, is to cost $55 million or approximately N13.7 billion with the state and federal government, and the German government and several other international organisations expected to contribute to the project. On Monday, November 12, 2012, the groundbreaking ceremony for the solar power plant was held at a remote area in Kankia Local Government Council, where several dignities from Germany, federal and state governments representatives in attendance.

NIGERIA IS STILL BATTLING WITH A MAXIMUM OF

000MW OF ENERGY CONSUMED BY NO LESS THAN

150

MILLION PEOPLE Narrating background to the power plant, the German project coordinator, Dr. Jeremy Gaines, said that in 2008, the late President Yar’Adua delivered a speech where he said that “Nigeria needed three things for sustainable development: power, power, and power.” Gaines said the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel then promised to take the issue seriously, and that the project was being made possible through efforts of the Nigeria-German energy partnership programme. He said by the time it is completed, the solar power plant would create jobs for various categories of people including engineers and labourers, and that the technology would last 20 to 25 years. He however said that various studies needs to be carried out, especially the engineering studies to connect the plant to the national grid, the plant de-

sign and how it would fit on the field where it is to be located. The project coordinator said his firm would spend some months carrying out the studies and will come back with a plan to ensure that the 30 megawatts plant, when built would have a sustainable life for at least 25 years. “After months of study and coordination of the finance, which is basically in place for the investment necessary for the plant, we would get the various consents and contracts and agreements necessary to sell the power into the grid; it is the national grid that would buy the power, but the power would stay here in Katsina for the benefit of all the people.” He assured that within a year, the company would be back to the state to turn over the earth, to dig the trenches, to put in the posts, mount the solar panels, connect them to the grid to produce electricity. In his remark, Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Mr. Sam Amadi, revealed that the electricity feeding tariff in the country was one of the best in the world, and that the country had developed a robust regulatory framework second only to Germany. Amadi, who was represented by a commissioner in the commission, Abba Ibrahim, assured the state government that necessary assistance

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

energy source for development would be given by NERC in the area of power generation, even as he commended it for joining list of states determined to ensure sustainable power supply in the country. On her part, the Minister of State for Power, Mrs. Zainab Kuchi reiterated that the groundbreaking ceremony for the power project could not have come at a better time than now that everyone is concerned about providing power for the country. Mrs. Kuchi, represented by deputy Director of the ministry, Engineer C.O Eretu, said the quest for sustainable power is one major priority of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, and that the federal government, in order to provide sustainable power supply for the socio-economic development of the country, launched roadmap of the power sector reform in August 2010. She said the reform was aimed at departing from the “single integrated government power sector investment, to private and market driven investment sector,” and that “the power sector reform is at its conclusion stages of which the preferred bidders for generating companies and distribution companies have been announced. “Also, in other to ensure needs and security of supply, this administration is fully committed to encourage the use of renewable energy which is abundantly available to be exploited for power generation, to provide sustainable power supply in the country. In this regard, the Power Ministry has initiated some other projects in renewable energy; Katsina Wind Farm is actually one of them. There is a lot of opportunity for private investors to come to Nigeria to invest in renewable energy or in the power sector because of the large market of over 150 million people who are to be served.” The minister of state

was optimistic that the 30MW solar power project “would be realized very soon and thus improve the socio-economic growth of the state and Nigeria at large.” In a goodwill message, the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Abdu Usman Abubakar, expressed delight on the fact that the project was coming to Nigeria, and that same would serve as a reference point of Germany’s sincerity in long lasting partnership with Nigeria. Ambassador Abubakar, was also optimistic that the project would soon be completed, adding, “I hope and pray that in the coming months, we shall all gather here and to switch on the light for the benefit of the people of Katsina State.” German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dorothee Jentzkewenzel, said the project was made possible through Nigeria’s efforts at ensuring lasting power supply across the country and that it would improve NigeriaGerman relations, as well as make electricity available to many people in the state and country in general. Jentzkewenzel, however said, “We want to see power not as an end in itself, as in the final analysis,it is there to serve the people in improving their lives, in their daily chores, and the project, on completion, would create employment to the people, energise industries, agriculture, and give people and their children a better future, with education.” She also said that the project would greatly reduce the problem of frequent migration of people from rural communities to urban areas. She said her country had denounced the use of nuclear energy and is trying to greatly to enhance the use of renewable energy, including bio-mass, hydro-power and wind energy. On his part, Governor Shema, said the essence of the project is to pro-

THE PROJECT WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE PROBLEM OF FREQUENT MIGRATION OF PEOPLE FROM RURAL COMMUNITIES TO URBAN AREAS vide needed power for the nation, for commerce and other sectors of the economy. He said report showed those decades ago, the Republic of Iran had

about 4,300 MW of electricity while Nigeria at that time was having 4,700MW, but today, the Iranians have more than 40,000 MW and Nigeria is battling with less than

3,000MW. “That is something we should not accept as a nation and as government, and that is why the federal government is battling hard to ensure all aspects of energy are tapped to the fullest for the well-being of Nigeria and the development of industry. “When there is power, you encourage industries to grow; when there is power, you encourage technology to develop.

And when there is power, you provide opportunities for people to set up trades and businesses.” Shema, however called on the project handlers to reduce the construction of the solar plant from initial one-year period to eight months where possible, even as he assured that the state would give all the necessary support to ensure that the project is achieved within the shortest possible time.

ng i m Co outrrow o m To

WORLD RECORD

Most expensive bathtub Vol. 02 No. 495

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

N150

The most expensive bathtub is £530,000 ($845,000) which was cut from a 10 ton (20,000 lbs) Amazonian crystal stone and is on sale at Harrods store in London, UK. It is 2 m (6 ft 6 in) long and weighs more than 2 ton (4,000 lbs) when full.

2015: Something else about politics J

ust recently, the world watched as Americans elected their leaders for the next dispensation. In spite of the other parties that contested the elections at various stages, the Democratic and the GOP, the Republican parties, not only divided the electorate but dictated the pace of what eventually happened. As expected the election dominated world politics even as the citizens themselves focused less on international politics but more on domestic matters. The pre-election campaigns and other topical issues that featured showed the world what has made the American democracy a good example to others and particularly the emerging democratic

op racer Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Team Mercedes will have to emulate Red Bull if his new employers are to become a World Championshipwinning force in the forthcoming years. Hamilton is leaving his long-time McLaren home for their Brackley-

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

nations like Nigeria. For the period the electioneering lasted, the world and the American electorate were treated to not just high level politicking but also deep passion for the people and the country. There was no doubt that what each of the candidates displayed was worth the commitment of the electorate whose vote determined the winner. There was a thorough engagement between the candidates and the voters on the people’s expectations from government. The leaders were willing and eager to inform, educate and convince the electorate on their policies and what the people stand to gain by rejecting the opponent. They not only stimulate the interests of their targeted audience but also made politics a worthy game to engage in. What President Obama and his GOP candidate, Mitt Romney succeeded in doing was not just for their personal interests only but also to deepen the democratic culture of their supporters, and by extension, that of millions of followers of the principles guiding the American political system. Having won the first term on popular vote in 2008, President Obama was not in doubt that what would determine his re-election would depend heavily on performance in order to convince the voters that what he started he was able to complete them to enhance the living

PRESIDENT

O BA M A

WA S N O T

I N D O U B T T H AT W H AT WO U L D DETERMINE HIS RE-ELECTION

WO U L D D E P E N D H E AV I LY O N PERFORMANCE standard of voters. Unlike what obtains in our own environment where incumbency confers all the state powers to assist the re-election of a sitting President, in the US it was rather a burden more than a fortune to boost the chances of the candidates. The seriousness with which the Americans handled their polity involving both the candidates and their supporters is a clear indication of the purpose the electoral process should serve in a nation. The average American voter knows and needs not to be convinced again and again that his vote counts and those seeking for the votes even know better and will not for a moment do

what will make the electorate turned against them to jeorpadise their chances at the poll. Thus no issue is too big or small not to be debated in determining the chances of candidates in the American election. Issues bothering on funding the elections were not for once a subject of controversies not even for the incumbent President. Another beauty of that democracy was the devolution of powers to the states for the collation and counting of votes in a way that creates no room for suspicion. Not even the devastating effect of hurricane Sandy could cast doubts over the authenticity of the poll results as they were being declared. But with 2015 fast approaching, there is yet no clear signal that our leaders have learnt or were prepared to learn some tangible lessons from the American elections. Intrigues, suspicion and deliberate falsehood have taken the centre stage as the parties begin to mobilize for the next elections. The situation on ground is made worst by the absence of an organized and serious opposition parties capable of producing the desired alternative provided the people are tired of the party in power. Even with President Goodluck Jonathan suspending till 2014 his declaration for 2015, it was rather surprising that the others are far from being ready to present themselves as alternatives for the electorate. It is not enough to conclude that the standard of governance is weak in the country today without noting that the opposition parties are not better. Our politician must be told that the electorate cannot be taken for granted for too long. Unlike in previous elections, the decision of the people must count in 2015 in determining our fortunes.

Sport Extra

F1: Hamilton rates Red Bull over Mercedes based rivals at the end of the season on a three-year contract, and although he has already written off his hopes of winning his second Drivers’ title in his first year at the team, is convinced he can challenge for the sport’s top honours with the

employer over the longer term. “Red Bull took five years to be champions, so hopefully we can do it quicker than that,” Hamilton said yesterday. Hamilton said the World Champion will be the team to beat into

at least 2013 given both team and star driver Sebastian Vettel are on a strong run. “They have a strong team and Sebastian has been doing a good job with it,” the British star added.

Lewis Hamilton

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