Wednesday, September 19,2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

2012 budget: Reps suspend plenary to probe ministries

Oando, Honeywell, others to submit financial bids for power companies

Insist Oteh must go

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

Tambuwal

Vol. 2 N0. 451

N5,000 note:

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday declared that

the House would suspend its sittings for one week for its 90 committees to investigate the level of imCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Sambo

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

N150 GEORGE OJI, EMMANUEL ONANI AND TORDUE SALEM

Senate blasts Sanusi T

he Senate yesterday lambasted the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for insisting on introducing the new N5,000 note and minting of N5, N10 and N20 coins. Senator Smart Adeyemi described Sanusi’s remark that N5,000 note was not meant for all Nigerians as not only “ungodly and satanic but immoral.” Also, the lawmakers

...asks Jonathan to stop CBN

I HAVE LISTENED TO ARGUMENTS OF THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT, BUT THOSE ARGUMENTS APPEAR TO ME NOT CONVINCING; THEY APPEAR TO ME TO BE HIGHLY THEORETICAL, TECHNICAL IN NATURE AND THEY DO NOT ADDRESS ANY PRACTICAL ISSUES ON GROUND

– David Mark

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Hope for the aged as Nigeria finally gets geriatrics centre P.19 L-R: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; President Goodluck Jonathan; author of the book, The Jurisprudence of the Living Oracles, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite; his wife, Grace; President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, during the book presentation in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Atiku, Danjuma, Tinubu call for nation’s restructuring

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Nollywood actor jailed for sodomy

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NICON Insurance delights brokers with new productsP.6

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Atiku, Danjuma, Tinubu call for nation’s restructuring OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Defence Minister, Gen Theophilus Danjuma; former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Maitama Sule and Prof. Pat Utomi yesterday called for the immediate restructuring of Nigerian federation in a way the would whittle down the powers of the Federal Government. In the same vein, former

governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the immediate scrapping of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, the Senate, as its existence serves no useful purpose in the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria in a way that would strengthen the federating units of the country. They all spoke at the Leadership Newspaper Conference and Awards ceremony held in Abuja. While expressing support for restructuring, the former vice president dis-

missed the fears that decentralisation of power could threaten unity or lead to disintegration of the country. Abubakar said the merits of restructuring in the light of changing realities of Nigeria should be carefully considered. He said the excessive concentration of powers at the centre, which was created by the military, had made Nigerian leaders the most powerful President in the world. With such excessive powers, he argued, the Presi-

dent could unleash security agencies on individuals and organisations or turn the National Assembly or even the Judiciary into stooges in his hand. The former vice president said he is now converted to the idea of restructuring because rapidly changing realities make it inevitable. According to him, too much concentration of power and resources at the centre undermines the ability of other federating units to deliver social services effectively.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Kachalla (left) and Vice-President Namadi Sambo during the meeting of the National Council on Privatisation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

In his speech, Danjuma called for a restructuring that will check the excesses of the state governors, who he said had enormous powers that could make or break the aspiration of any individual. He said that the belief that power is concentrated at the centre can no longer be substantiated as governors in Nigeria are like sole administrators. “They have the enormous powers to remove local government chairman and ignore the constitution. There is no one in Nigeria who can emerge as the President including you (referring to Atiku) unless the governors want him. “Governors are the most powerful group of Nigerians and until we deal with that awesome power and check some of these excesses and find solutions, we are all in trouble.” Also speaking, Dr. Paul Unongo, said that the presidential system is due for restructuring and that the system as it is presently does something to the ego of those who practice it. He said that besides the fact that the presidential system is very expensive, it is high time Nigerians held people in the authority

responsible to their actions and inactions while in government. He said: “It is no longer speculative that presidential system is very expensive, it has been revealed that the cost is four times higher than the parliamentary system we practiced. “We have attempted to practice democracy and it has shown steady structure and we have gotten to a point where we can analyse the progress to know where we have gone wrong and make the necessary amendment. “We must look critically at the political class, if we do not hold them responsible for the actions and inactions and for all they promised the electorate before their election, some people have predicted that Nigeria will not last for then 10 years but I tell you, this nation will not last the five years. “The corruption and stealing in government are massive. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and other heroes of this nation resolved that Nigeria should be one, let us remain as one but let the opposition be given the opportunity to steer the government. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

N5,000 note: Senate blasts Sanusi, asks Jonathan to stop CBN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

directed President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the currency restructuring by the apex bank. The senators arrived at the decision after an exhaustive debate on a motion sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Senator Eta Inang and supported by 108 senators. They explained that their resolution to stop the implementation of the currency restructuring by the CBN, was predicated on the rejection of the policy by their various constituents across the country. The lawmakers in a unanimous resolution passed yesterday “urged the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the CBN to stop all actions on the issuance of the proposed N5,000 note and all matters connected therewith.” The senators noted that

their opposition to the proposed monetary policy was also because the action of the CBN directly contravenes Section 4 (2) of the constitution, which vests on the National Assembly, the sole right to legislate on the nation’s currency coinage, promissory notes and all legal tenders. Senate President David Mark, who was billed to read a welcome address yesterday, suspended the address so as not to water down the impact of the resolution. In his brief remarks before the resolution, Mark said: “I think the important thing is if Nigerians say they do not want a particular policy at a given moment, there is no harm in government retracing its stand on the issue. “I have listened to arguments of those who support it but those arguments appear to me not convincing; they appear to me to be highly theoretical, techni-

cal in nature and they do not address any practical issues on the ground because any economic policy that does not address issues directly but just talking about indices that you cannot verify, I think for now should wait because we have not reached that level. “We are just talking about hypothetical thesis all the time. I think the disadvantage of the introduction of the N5,000 note at the moment far out-weighs not introducing it and on balance we should not go for it. “Also from the contributions on the floor, we are in support of the fact that the timing is wrong, the policy is unnecessary at the moment and the arguments at the moment being advanced are not convincing and there is no urgent need for it to take place now.” One of the prayers contained in the motion by Inang sought for a public

hearing to be conducted by the Senate Joint Committees on Banking and Currency and Finance on the matter. But the lawmakers voted against that prayer following a suggestion by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, that in view of the broad-based opposition to the proposed policy by Nigerians, who they (senators) represent, there was no need to go ahead with the public hearing. Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who opened debate on the motion after Inang had finished his lead presentation, admitted that he was not an economist but stated that in any democracy no matter how strong and convincing a policy or issue appears; it must be subjected to the dictates of the people. He said nobody must claim monopoly of knowledge on the issue no matter how intelligent the

person might be. “Even if the policy is good and the people say they do not want it, it is their right to say they do not want it. Some former heads of states in Nigeria like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Yakubu Gowon may not be economists, but with the knowledge of managing the country’s economy for many years, we must listen to them,” he said. He said the proposed N5,000 note will make a mockery of the fight against corruption because it will make it convenient for people to move about with millions of naira in their pockets. Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi in his contributions condemned the comments credited to the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Atedo Peterside, that the introduction of the N5,000 note will address the issue of dollarisation as a store of value for

Nigerians who were fond of buying foreign currencies to save their money would now look inwards to do their savings with the new naira notes. The lawmakers also criticised the policy as being contrary to the cashless policy of the CBN, noting that, “if the introduction of the cashless policy was meant to reduce the cost of currency management, this policy then contravenes the cashless policy.” Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu looked at the issue from the point of view of the sovereignty of the country and noted that any government that fails to listen to the people is courting trouble, saying disaster is looming because “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” He added his voice to the argument that the motion should not be subjected to public hearing since they represent the people of CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Midweek Interview

2015: Jonathan’s endorsement premature – Ikedife

The people of the South-East have said that the next president of this country must come from their area, that is not negotiable and the pendulum must swing in that direction. And if we want this country to claim responsibility to any sense of equity, fairness and justice, it is imperative that the pendulum must swing to the South-East; every other group aspiring for the position, should abandon such dream. If they are thinking about it, let them stop thinking, and if they are planning and dreaming about it, let them stop planning for it. But, if fairness has been killed and buried, then of course, then it becomes each person for himself and God for all of us.

Dr. Dozie Ikedife, the immediate past President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, is the Chairman of Anambra State Elders’ Council. In this interview with CHARLES OKEKE, he speaks on critical issues affecting Ndigbo, endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by some groups and individuals, among other issues. Excerpts: The leaders of South-South and a section of the SouthEast have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term. What is your position on this? I think the purported endorsement is very premature, because endorsement should be dependent on performance. President Jonathan was sworn-in about a year and five months ago for a term of four years; he has not done half of the tenure and you have started to endorse him. Endorse him, based on what? If we are realistic, we will watch the man go three quarters of his term, that is, at the end of his third year, then we will be in a better position to say yes, he has performed or that, he has delivered his promises and that he must be allowed to complete his programmes, or that he has failed and therefore should not be supported again. Many times, we jump the gun on issues. What is the hurry in endorsing Jonathan? In the United States of America, for example, it is only recently that the Republican Party confirmed their candidate, and less than six months to the election that the Democrats endorsed Barack Obama, why are we so much in a hurry? Is it to claim that we are the first to say this? So, as far as I am concerned, endorsement or no endorsement, all are premature. And let me put it this way: these endorsements are not likely to have any effect on what happens in 2015. Don’t forget that in a political calendar, six months is almost like a life-time, it is a very long time, even three months, even two weeks is a long time in political activities. So, endorsements now, I think is an exercise in jumping the gun. And whatever you do, be conscious of the consequences, because events can happen that those endorsing now can change their minds and start opposing him in 2014. The quest for Igbo presidency has remained in the front burner of contemporary politics. Do you think this quest will be realised in the light of recent happenings in the South-East? It still boils down to what I have said. Endorsements of the president for now are premature and I can tell you that it would have no effect whatsoever on 2015, because so many things are yet to be factored into the equation before you can predict the outcome. What is your advice to potential presidential aspirants from the South-East in the light of your assertion that the endorsements have no effect? Let them keep their gun powder dry, so that when they are going into the fray, they would be able to sustain the adventure. Do you support an alliance between the South-East and other regions in the march towards realising its 2015 presidential ambition? Yes. Of course, without alliances, it will be impossible

Considering the security challenges confronting the nation, do you see 2015 as a possibility? There is no reason why the elections will not hold in 2015. Countries have had more upheavals than what we have in Nigeria today and they still successfully ran their elections. There has been no massive general uprising in Nigeria, but look at places like Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Sudan, they have been able to conduct elections, so why not in Nigeria that is relatively enjoying peace. Of course, it should be successful, but Nigerians must work to allow it to be, but it is very easy to destroy and very difficult to rebuild.

Ikedife

THESE ENDORSEMENTS ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE ANY EFFECT ON WHAT HAPPENS IN

2015. DON’T FORGET THAT IN A POLITICAL CALENDAR, SIX MONTHS IS ALMOST LIKE A LIFE-TIME

for any geo-political zone to bring out a candidate and hope that without the support and cooperation of others, it can clinch the presidency. Nigeria is a big country and a tree does not make a forest in Nigeria, at least, an individual or single state or even a single political zone out of the six that says that it must take and others say no, then I mean the answer will remain no, but if other geo-political zones say yes, then of course, the chances of the geo-political zone succeeding becomes brighter; it is directly proportional to the number of geo-political zones that gives you support. And in the light of this, I will advise that the Igbos cultivate friends, make contacts, let people know that they are not different in any way; if they are different, it is in a positive way. Let people understand you better, spread the gospel of sense of equity and fair play, spread the gospel of sense of accommodation and sense of belonging, which is part of or one of the planks the Igbos are using to promote their quest for the presidency of this country come 2015 or whenever it becomes due. With the present political calculations and agitations, where do you think the presidential pendulum will swing in 2015?

What is your take on the ongoing efforts at amending the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly? I don’t know the details of the ongoing constitutional amendment, but as for the necessity of constitutional review or amendment, it is certainly due and necessary. We can’t go on groping without knowing ourselves, who we are? So, we must first of all get our acts together, because the aim is to have a people’s constitution, drawn by the people for the people and that is the spirit and essence of democracy. A new constitution should be on the ground before 2015; we should have it so that people will understand it before the election. The ideal thing is for it to be available in early 2014, so that people will be familiar with it before the election year. We must have a true federation, we must allow the regions to move at their own pace and that will ginger the spirit of competition, which will ignite progress. But there are issues like state police; apart from the fact that we have vigilance groups in various states, the state police in one sense is risky and dangerous for the fear of being misused, the person who may be proposing it now, may be doing it with good intention, but knowing the the Nigerian factor, a tyrant can use the state police to even confront the Federal Government; he can use that to molest and handicap and bully his opponents. This is the danger. We are not ripe politically for a state police that will not be abused and used to harass and run opponents out of town. What is your reaction to the controversies trailing the status of Anambra State as an oil producing state, especially with some states claiming ownership to oil wells in the state? For those laying claim to oil wells in Anambra, it shouldn’t raise any dust at all. We have surveyors and geologists who should know the boundary between Anambra and Kogi states, and between Anambra and Enugu states. The boundaries should be well demarcated long before now, and geologists will tell us where they found the oil: it is not a matter of going to the United Nations or to The Hague or carrying placards and disturbing people. That is the way I see it. If there are benefits that follow being an oil producing state, let that be given to Anambra State, simple. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Photo News

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande; former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the 2012 Annual Leadership Conference and Award Ceremony in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Financial System Stability, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu; CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Deputy Governor, Monetary Policy Mrs. Sarah Alade, at a press briefing on the outcome of Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina and Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Bukar Tijani, at the signing of cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the foundation in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Executive Secretary, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba and Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, at a one-day training workshop on human trafficking for heads of federal information centres and state directorates of NOA in Abuja, yesterday.

National News

Power firms: Oando, Honeywell, others to submit financial bids ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he National Council on Privatisation, NCP, has given the approval for the submission of financial bids for the 11 power distribution companies slated for privatisation under the ongoing Power Sector Reform

programme by October 10. The companies invited to submit financial bids had been pre-qualified by scaling the technical evaluation hurdle. An NCP member and Chairman of IBTC Bank, Mr. Atedo Peterside, who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting of the Council

yesterday in Abuja, said the Ikeja Distribution Company attracted the most interest with 10 firms such as Oando Consortium, Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, Vigeo

Holdings, Gumco, African Corporation AFC & CESC, Kepco/NEDC Consortium, West Power and Gas, and Rockson Engineering Limited named as bidders. He listed Western Consortium, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company and Kepco/ NEDC Consortium as final bidders for the Ibadan Dis-

Lagos deserves a special status –Jonathan TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE AND MURITALA AYINLA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that his administration would continue to give special preference to Lagos State by ensuring cordial relationship between the Federal Government and the state. According to him, the Federal Government depends so much on Lagos State for economic survival of the country. Speaking at the launch of a book titled: “The Jurisprudence of the Living Oracles,” written by Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, in Lagos, Jonathan said consid-

ering the contribution to the economy of the country, Lagos State deserved a special consideration since Nigeria’s economy depended largely on the Centre of Excellence. He said: “There is no President that will joke with Lagos State because Lagos State contributes so much to the economy of the country. Lagos is very important to us. According to a recent Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, analysis, Lagos controls about 52 per cent of the national economy. So the state, which is the commercial nerve centre of the country, is too important to be ignored. “Anything that happens

to Lagos will have a negative impact on the nation, so no President will toy with the state. We will continue to encourage cordial relationship between the Federal Government and Lagos State.” Jonathan also suggested meaningful dialogue among Nigerians as the best instrument for building Nigerian democracy, stressing that without dialogue it might be difficult to provide solution to the various issues militating against the progress of Nigeria. He also expressed the commitment of his administration toward strengthening the union of the entities making up Nigeria and ensuring that rule of law prevails.

Jonathan noted that Braithwaite, who turned 79 on Monday, had successfully emphasised the need for the judiciary to ensure the laws of the land serve its purpose in the administration of justice in the country. He said: “This argument is not against the rule of law; it is mainly that essentially the law must be applied in a way that justice will not only be done, but must be seen to have been done. As someone who has fought for the downtrodden all his life, Dr. Braithwaite is in a very good position to discuss the subject which is of great interest to many Nigerians who look up to the law and relevant institutions for protection and reassurance.”

tribution Company. Approved firms for the Abuja Distribution Company are Kann Consortium Utility Company Limited and Interstate Electrics Limited. Rensmart Power Limited, Proglobal Power International Consortium, Electrics Limited and Eastern Electric Nigeria Limited were asked to submit bid for the Enugu Distribution Company while Aura Energy Limited was asked to submit its financial bid for Jos Distribution Company. For Eko Power Distribution Company, the firms invited to bid are Oando Consortium, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, Sepco-Pacific Energy Consortium, Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited, Kepco/NEDC Consortium, and West Power and Gas. Power Consortium and Rockson Engineering Limited were invited to bid for Port Harcourt Distribution Company while Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company and

Sahelian Power SPV Limited are for Yola and Kano Distribution companies, respectively. Invited bidders for Benin Power Distribution Company are Southern Electricity Distribution Company, Rensmart Power Limited, Vigeo Power Consortium, and Rockson Engineering Limited. Peterside, however, disclosed that for the Kaduna Distribution Centre, none of the two bids received was technically qualified; stressing that the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, would invite fresh bids from all the prequalified bidders shortlisted upon the payment of $20,000 fee for the bid documents. Companies that are successful at the financial bid stage and are able to pay will take majority shareholding and management control of the distribution companies. Twenty five bidders have submitted technical proposals for the privatisation of the generation companies and successful bidder will soon be announced, according to the BPE.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

2012 budget: Reps suspend plenary to probe ministries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

plementation of the 2012 budget by every agency and ministry. The Speaker, who made the announcement at the resumption of the lawmakers from a two-month recess, reiterated the House’s dissatisfaction with the poor implementation of budget by the executive. He said: “In the course of the week, a day will be set aside to deliberate in plenary session, the level of budget implementation as collated by the various committees. “Budget in Nigeria has become a yearly ritual. The Appropriation Act is observed more in the breach than in execution. “It is time to remind us all that Appropriation Act is a law passed by the National Assembly and assented by the President. It is not a document of convenience to be executed as officials deem necessary. “It is a solemn legal commitment of government to intervene in various areas

of need of our people. “It is the instrument of infrastructural and economic development. The budget allocates resources and guides governmental activities in a given year. “When this House insists on budget implementation by the executive, it is never meant to witch-hunt anybody.” The Speaker said the House was pushing for the implementation of Appropriation Act because the budget remained the only way representatives could touch the lives of their constituents. “Budget implementation is the only way Nigerians can feel the direct impact of government in their daily lives. Our people have given us a clear mandate to represent them and advance their interest. We are resolved to fulfill the terms of that contract, and to do so with integrity and honour. “We cannot continue to pay lip service to the idea of a better Nigeria, rid of the twin evils of poverty and disease. What do we show

Atiku, Danjuma, Tinubu call for nation’s restructuring CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

opposition has no hope and the government in power is all domineering and there is nothing anybody can do.” Unongo, a Second Republic Minister of Power and Steel, warned that the early retirement of some political leaders is unfortunate and cannot help the deepening of democracy in Nigeria. “If the leaders do not intervene, this country would possibly fight another civil war because all the regions are strong enough to hold on their own. Stay, don’t retire, all we need is an alternative,” he said. In his lecture titled, ‘The Opposition, a serious alternative’, Utomi wondered why there still exists weak culture of opposition in Nigerian politics. “People believe that it is not ideas that win election in Nigeria but who outsmarts who. We need to move away from politics as a self-serving effort if we indeed want the opposition to survive,” he said. Utomi, a former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega

Party, SDMP, also called for a restructuring of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to meet with the electoral values and expectations of Nigerians. He also called for direct funding of the political parties. Tinubu, in his contributions, said that the Senate as it is constituted is not useful to Nigerians and should be scrapped. The former governor, who was once a senator and whose wife, Remi, is a serving senator, said that the House of Representatives is well-suited to speak for the people than the Senate and wondered why Nigeria needs the two houses. He also called for an immediate review of the constitution. Other notable Nigerians, who converged on Tuesday at the Leadership Newspaper Conference and Awards ceremony, include Governor Dambaba Suntai of Taraba State; former Military Governor of Anambra State, Brig-General Atom Kpera (rtd); Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye among others.

our people at the end of our tenure as our achievements? In what specific ways can we show our people that we have contributed to their economic, social and political well-being? “Can we in good conscience go back to our people after four years to ask for yet another mandate if we are unable to show what we have done? This is the challenge facing us as elected representatives,” he added. He said the decision of the Presidency to monitor

performance of ministries and agencies was in tune with a long-held conviction of the House. He said: “May I also acknowledge the performance contract initiated by Mr. President to regulate the conduct of ministers. “This performance contract is a vindication of our position and resolution on budget implementation. “With specific reference to the 2012 budget, we have asked all committees of the House to collate informa-

tion on the level of funding and implementation by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.” The House had, before it adjourned for a two-month recess on July 19, issued a warning to the President to implement the 2012 budget 100 per cent by September or face impeachment on their resumption. Meanwhile, the lawmakers yesterday demanded the sack of embattled Securities and Exchange Commis-

sion, SEC, Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh. A motion reminding the House of its resolution on July 19, 2012 recommending Oteh’s removal by the President was passed after a short debate. The motion, sponsored by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, regretted that nearly two months after the resolution on Oteh was served the President, nothing was yet to be done to ask her to leave office on allegations CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

L-R: Director of Music, Lagos West Baptist Convention, Rev. Isaac Oladimeji; Chairman, Rev. Jacob Aremu; Mrs. Mary Adeniji and President, Rev. Julius Adeniji, at the 4th edition of the Life Way Conference in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Senate blasts Sanusi, asks Jonathan to stop CBN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

their various constituencies, who have expressed their opposition to the policy. He said at a time that poverty is ravaging a lot of Nigerians; the policy can only inflict psychological pains on the people if implemented. He challenged Sanusi to channel his reported intelligence and expertise in addressing the issue of the falling value of the naira. Adeyemi described Sanusi as one of those who are deceiving and misleading the president and cautioned Jonathan to be wary of such people. The lawmaker recalled that when he assumed office as the CBN governor, the naira was exchanging at N130 to the dollar, noting that now, the exchange rate hovers in the neighbourhood of N163. Adeyemi accused Sanusi of championing the agenda of the West with the proposed introduction of the N5,000 note. He also accused the CBN governor of not consulting the

National Assembly before embarking on the restructuring of the nation’s currency as required by law. While supporting the motion, he disclosed that his constituency was united in rejecting the new monetary policy. Senator Ihigie Uzamere, while contributing to the motion described the proposed monetary policy as dead on arrival, noting that the policy if implemented will, “reduce the Ghana must go to Ghana must come.” He said as a blue-blooded person, Sanusi does not know what poverty is all about. Also yesterday, the House of Representatives directed the CBN to put a hold to the proposal to print the N5,000 note and restructure the lower currencies. Lawmakers including Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman House Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale and Chairman House Committee on Banking and Currency, Jones Onyeleri, ex-

pressed displeasure over the currency issue. During the debate on the N5,000 notes, some of the lawmakers, who spoke against the move, stressed the need for the intervention of the House to stop the CBN. After a tense debate on the motion titled: “Planned Restructuring of the Nigerian Currency by the CBN - a Cashless Policy Somersault”, the House mandated its Committee on Banking and Currency to conduct an investigative public hearing on the subject matter, and report back to it within four weeks. In his lead debate, Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Sam Tsokwa, lamented the insistence of CBN to carry on with the policy in spite of public outcry and series of protest across the country. Tsokwa noted that the planned introduction was part of the restructuring of the Nigerian currency and contradicts the recently introduced cashless

economy policy aimed at reducing the volume of cash transactions in the country. His words: “The House is concerned by the views expressed by some economists and other professionals that the policy will cause hyper inflation, reduce purchasing power, currency devaluation and a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Further concerned that the policy is also inconsistent with international best practice as leading economies like the United States, Britain and China do not have such high currency notes in circulation also aware that the largest denomination of the British Pound currently in circulation is the £50 note while that of US is the $100 bill.” In his own contribution, Patrick Ikhariale argued that the policy is tantamount to economic genocide as it will further impoverish majority of Nigerians, who live below poverty level, adding that coins are no longer in use.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

NICON Insurance delights brokers with new products

n its bid to maintain its leadership position in the insurance industry, NICON Insurance Limited has introduced four new specialised insurance products to brokers. The products are: Overseas Travel Insurance Policy (OTIP), Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance (DOLI), Events Management Insurance (EMI) and Travelers Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (TIPAS) At an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), the Ibadan chapter, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Emmanuel Jegede, who unveiled the new products, promised generous brokerage commissions on

them. He said: “On all these, we pay generous rates as brokers’ commissions. We solicit your patronage and support. We assure you that our services in payment of claims and commissions are prompt, efficient and professional.” According to him, NICON Insurance underwrites OTIP in collaboration with Europ Assistance, a medical assistance company based in Portugal, adding that the product meets and provides more than the usual SHENGEN requirements. It provides Nigerian passengers, among other benefits, financial succour in case of death, permanent disability, surgery and medical expenses resulting from hospitalisation

while abroad, he added. DOLI, the company’s second product, Jegede said, was designed to cover executives, non-executive directors and officers in managerial/supervisory capacities. The NICON Insurance boss also said that the policy provides legal defence costs for these categories of people when sued for their actions and inactions in the course of their employment. He further stated that the company also introduced EMI that would put smiles on the faces of events planners, organisers, individuals and corporate bodies and governments. “This policy covers various types of events such as: marriage ceremonies, gettogether parties, burial cer-

emonies, festivals, religious programmes, political parties’ conventions and town hall meetings. Professional and academic events, trade fairs, seminars, workshops and exhibitions are also inclusive,” Jegede said. According to him, EMI promises compensation for death, injury and damage to property of the event planners, organisers, invited guests and the general public NICON Insurance, Jegede said, also re-introduced TIPAS into the market for organised transporters, especially the Mass Transit Buses, moving passengers within and outside the states, adding that the cover pays compensation for accidental death, permanent disability and medical expenses of the passengers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jang alleges terrorists’ plot to attack Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

lateau State Governor Jonah Jang yesterday raised the alarm over fresh plot by some terrorists to attack the state. Governor Jang, who was speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Rayfield Government House in Jos, the state capital, said: “Just today (yesterday) before leaving my office, I received a security report that some Fulani were planning to attack some natives and that some people should be put on the alert. Let me say that we must resist any further attack on any of our population. “I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government that we have the right to be protected, that we cannot be left at the mercy of marauders and terrorists. As a government, we will continue to strengthen the structures of dialogue at all levels and asking stakeholders to step

up peace-building efforts to assist the government.” According to the governor, the Presidency must do more to avert any fresh plot by terrorists to attack his people. He said: “Plateau people this time around will defend themselves till the last man drops dead or wins the battle. “Plateau State is one of the states of the federation and as such, we demand protection from the Federal Government through security agencies that have been put in place by the tax payers’ money.” Jang, however, wondered why there are lots of discrimination against the people of Plateau State at the federal level. The governor insisted that whoever settles on Plateau land must respect the customs and traditions of the people. He said: “Plateau State does not stop anybody from contesting elective offices, contrary to false impression created by those who did not wish the people of Plateau well.”

Subsidy protests manipulated by few Nigerians, says Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI AND GEORGE OJI

P L-R: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; Permanent Secretary, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru; former Ghanaian President John Kufour, at the 52nd Independence Anniversary Lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, yesterday.

Fuel tank owners threaten to withdraw services UDEME AKPAN

fforts by the Federal Government to tackle the present scarcity of fuel in different parts of the nation may be scuttled as members of the Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JEPFTON) yesterday vowed to disrupt opera-

tions in the downstream sector. They said they were angered by the continued military occupation of the premises of Integrated Oil & Gas Limited over alleged involvement in oil theft. The JEPFTON members have, however, issued an ultimatum on the Federal Government to withdraw the soldiers from the firm’s

premises. The JEPFTON said it would embark on strike, vowing to withdraw its members from providing essential services nationwide. JEPFTON Executive Secretary, Mr E. B. Kanawa, who addressed journalists yesterday in Apapa, said the decision to embark on the strike

was based on the alleged undemocratic approach of NIMASA. He said: “The action of NIMASA is illegal, unlawful in the seizure of the depots and facilities of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, its head office in total disregard to the safety and sensitive nature of such homogenous assets in the country.”

Bill seeking UNILAG name-change passes second reading TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he House of Representatives yesterday read for the second time the proposed bill seeking to rename the University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola Univer-

sity (MAUL). An earlier attempt to rename the university through the President’s fiat sparked protests in Lagos and other parts of the country. The protests would resonate with a legal suit to boot last week, when the

authorities of the university dragged the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyat Rufai, to court for referring to the institution as MAUL. Even the Senate has joined the debate on the attempted name change, insisting that it must be

done through an Act of Parliament. A member of the House of Representatives, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “The House is likely to throw out the bill, which is slated for consideration next week.”

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the January fuel subsidy protests were manipulated by a class of Nigerians who were interested in maintaining the high rate of corruption in the oil sector. He said the protests were not staged by Nigerians who wanted to express their grievances over the deregulation of the oil sector. Jonathan spoke in Abuja at the 52nd Independence anniversary lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The President said that a situation where citizens abuse the privileges guaranteed by the government was detrimental to the development of the country. Jonathan said as the 2015 general elections have become a matter of serious interest among politicians, the media was being used to abuse the Freedom of Informa-

tion (FoI) Act to the point of overheating the polity. He said: “Look at the demonstrations back home, look at the areas this demonstrations are coming from, you begin to ask, are these the ordinary citizens that are demonstrating? Or are people pushing them to demonstrate. “Take the case of Lagos, Lagos is the critical state in the nation’s economy, it controls about 53 per cent of the economy and all tribes are there. The demonstration in Lagos, people were given bottled water that people in my village don’t have access to, people were given expensive food that the ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat. So even going to eat free alone attracts people. They go and hire the best musician to come and play and the best comedian to come and entertain, is that demonstration? Are you telling me that that is a demonstration from ordinary masses in Nigeria who want to communicate something to government?”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EMMANUEL ONANI AND NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

n Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court sitting in Karu, yesterday sentenced a self-proclaimed Nollywood actor, Bestwood Chukwuemeka, to a prison term of three months for engaging in sexual intercourse with another man. The sentence is without an option of fine. The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Nafisatu Buba, handed down the sentence shortly after Mr. Chukwuemeka, 28, changed his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty”. While pleading with the court for leniency, Chukwuemeka, a resident of Orozo, a suburb of Abuja, said: “I am guilty of the charge against me; I was under the influence of alcohol and I want the court to temper justice with mercy.” Police Prosecutor, Mohammed Umar, told the court that the accused person committed the act sometime in August this year; an offence contrary to Section

News

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Nollywood actor jailed for sodomy •Mixed reactions as Actors’ Guild disclaims convict 284 of the Penal Code. Mohammed pleaded with the court for a “summary trial”, in accordance with the guilty plea already entered. Delivering her judgement, Magistrate Buba noted that; “This would serve as a warning to other youths who hide under the influence of alcohol to commit crime.” She cautioned youths against indulging in antisocial behaviour, even as she warned that homosexuality and lesbianism are acts that are alien to Nigeria.” It will be recalled that on November 2011, the Senate passed into law a bill banning same-sex marriage in Nigeria as well as public show of love by people of same sex. In passing the bill, which prescribed a jail term of 14 years for convicts, the upper chamber stated thus: “Persons who entered into a same sex marriage contract

or civil union commits an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment. “Any person, who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisation, or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationships in Nigeria commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.” Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after Chukwuemeka became the first casualty of the newly-passed law, film practitioners have been lashing out against the development. Many Nollywood stakeholders, condemning the development, called for Mr.

Chukwuemeka’s suspension for dragging the name of the industry in the mud. This was coming four days after John Okafor (aka Mr. Ibu) cried out about the invasion of Nollywood by homosexuals. In a telephone interview with the Chairman of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abuja chapter, Mr. Agility Onwurah, he told National Mirror that he had never encountered such a person in all his years as a member of the guild. “I have been answering this question since morning and I need to set the records straight. We do not have any member by the name Bestwood Chukwuemeka. I was the Task Force leader in 2004, moving from loca-

tion to location to monitor how members are comporting themselves on film locations. “I was also the Chief Whip in 2007 before I became the chairman and I can tell you that I have never encountered anyone by that name. He has not appeared in any movie, which I have watched. “He may have claimed to be a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria for convenience sake and may be an actor only in his own imagination. Check very well to know where he acts, whether it is on screen or stage or his mind,” he said. The AGN National President, Emmanuel Oguguah also called Na-

tional Mirror to say that Mr. Bestwood Chukwuemeka’s name is not on the master list of members of the guild nationally and as such cannot be called an actor. According to him, many people now use the name of the industry to get by. “However, I will urge law enforcement agents to always make sure that whoever claims whatever must have our Identity Card which can be verified when the relevant offices are contacted either at the state or national level.” As at press time, the Association of Nollywood Core Producers, headed by Comrade Alex Eyengho, said it was making efforts to issue a directive to its members to make sure such a name is excluded from all their future productions.

Fresh row over debt owed police contractors OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ontroversy trailing the payment of police contractors under the auspices of the Association of Police Contractors (APC) has taken a new dimension as the contractors and authorities of the Police Affairs Ministry are in a fresh face off over disparity in figures of the amount approved for payment. It will be recalled that three weeks ago, the contractors had threatened to embark on protest as a means of securing the payment of over N7.4bn owed them by the Ministry of Police Affairs. After series of meetings with the contractors, it was gathered that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had approved that the sum of N2bn be paid to 93 members out of the 370 aggrieved contractors. In what looks like a twist of fate however, the Director of Finance and Account (DFA) in the ministry was alleged to have claimed that there was no such directive from the Inspector-General of Police. The director was said to

have declared that the police are not sincere in their dealings with the contractors, refuting claims by the group that the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has approved N2bn for payments to its members. He was said to have disclosed this when the group sent a fact finding delegation of about 40 members to his office, where he insisted that, contrary to the claims by the Commissioner for Works, that the IGP had approved the sum N2bn; that what was approved is N900 million to be paid to contractors who executed contracts less than N3 million, adding that their monies will be paid in installments. The finance and accounts director also claimed to have held a meeting with the IGP and other senior police officers where it was resolved to pay the sum of N900 million for contracts worth less than N3 million and this has not gone down well with the contractors. The fact finding team revealed that the Commissioner in the Works Department, Oladejo Oyelowo, said they never held such a meeting with the DFA.

L-R: Treasurer, Institute Chartered of Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Titus Soetan; President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi and member, Mrs. Comfort Eyitayo, at a symposium on Federal Government of Nigeria’s Budgets in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Controversial oil fields belong to north, says ACF AZA MSUE KADUNA

he apex northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the South-East geo-political zone may soon be at loggerheads over the oil fields recently discovered between the borders of Anambra and Kogi States. Already, a crisis is brewing between the two regions as the ACF yesterday declared its readiness to reclaim the oil fields, saying that they belong to the northern region. The forum said it would do everything possible to reclaim them. ACF Chairman, Alhaji

Aliko Muhammed, made this known when a Kogi State group under the auspices of the Network of Kogi State Associations (NOKSA) visited the forum’s headquarters in Kaduna, to press home their ownership of the oil fields being disputed by the two states. Alhaji Muhammed said: “Certainly, you can count on the support of the ACF in this respect, we know that the boundary commission which is a Federal Government body knows the truth and everybody will rely on them, so if there is an oil well in this place, everybody knows where it is, the local government, zone and so on. The ACF leader contin-

ued: “We will certainly support you and anything that is for the north; we will ensure that it doesn’t go anywhere, part of the reason is the fact that the oil company is from Ananbra State and they got the licence. “We will certainly work with you, support you and also make sure that nobody takes away the oil from the north.” He added: “Other states have always laid claim to oil wells, now the north has oil and northerners are going to be considered as an oil producing area. Be rest assured that we will support you and that your oil well cannot be taken away,” he declared.

The ACF further assured that it would support the people of Kogi State in the fight towards the recovery of what legitimately belonged to them and ensure that the state is the 10th oil producing state in Nigeria. Earlier, NOKSA Coordinator, Chief Umar Aku Goodman, had told ACF that the oil wells are located in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State as it debunked claim by the Anambra State government that the oil belonged to the state, which subsequently led President Goodluck Jonathan to name Anambra State as the 10th oil producing state in Nigeria as opposed to Kogi State.

South West

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos robbery: Police arrest two suspected gang members FRANCIS SUBERU

wo suspected members of an armed robbery gang who laid siege on Lagos on September 9, 2012 and killed many people, including two policemen have been arrested. They were paraded yesterday by the Lagos State Police Command. The suspects - Rasheed Suleimon and Kazeem Enifolabi -were arrested by police officers following a tip-off. While Rasheed was arrested at Dopemu area of Lagos, Kazeem, alias Oshomo, was arrested at Os-

hodi, also in Lagos. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, the suspects, who were arrested on September 12, 2012, confessed knowing the armed robbers who carried out the attack, but insisted that they did not participate in the incident. The police spokesperson, however, told journalists that the suspects were privy to the robbery and were rewarded for keeping quiet. Ngozi said: “We have been able to get two of the gang members who took part in the robbery operations of Sunday and they have confessed to the crime,

though they said they did not actually participate in the attack, they confessed that they planned the robbery together with the other members of the gang. “One of the suspects, Rasheed, confessed that he was privy to the robbery and that the gang leader actually sent him N3, 000 recharge card after the operations. He also took SARS detectives to their hideouts where we were able to recover two Honda Civic cars and two Ak-47 riffles with about 200 rounds of ammunitions. “For strategic reasons, because investigation is still on, we would not be able to reveal everything

we have got and how far we have gone with our investigation. We want to assure members of the public that all the suspects will be arrested. “The Commissioner of Police has vowed to arrest all the suspects and we are sure that very soon they will be arrested. “The dare devil armed robbers were able to escape because we were mindful of civilian casualties. The robbers were shooting sporadically and we didn’t want innocent people on the street to die, that was why they were able to escape. Police shooting is different from that of criminals. When we shoot,

we aim to save lives not to destroy lives.” But Rasheed denied being member of the gang. He said he was not privy to the robbery before the operations, but was informed the following day and given N3, 000 recharge card to keep his mouth shut. He said: “They are about 10 in the gang that robbed on that Sunday, I didn’t follow them. I was only told by Yemi on Monday when he called me to say that they have successfully completed the operations and that they killed many police officers. He didn’t give me detail, but he sent N3000 recharge card to me so that I will keep shut.”

The suspect said there was a woman in gang that operated on the day of the incident and that the gang normally robs in different military and paramilitary uniforms; adding that he got to know the armed robbery gang at a joint where they normally meet. “I got to know them in our joint. We normally meet there regularly. The joint is Wahabi at Akerele, Sango Agege. I am not a member of the gang, I just know them in the joint and the gang leader just like me because I am a robber too. I normally rob people of handsets before I was arrested on Tuesday,” Rasheed said.

We ’re not responsible for driver’s death –LASTMA MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has dismissed a claim that its officials were responsible for the death of a commercial driver who was reported killed yesterday by some law enforcement officers at Anthony Area of Ilupeju. The driver, Monday Jacob, was killed around Town Planning junction area of Ilupeju at about 9am. Eye witnesses said the driver collapsed after he was hit by police officers who intercepted him. The police officers were said to be operating through another commercial bus known as “Danfo”. Addresing journalists on the development, the General Manager of LASTMA,

Mr. Babatunde Edu, said the police officers, who were on different mission, were responsible for the killing of the driver, saying the bus conductor and the eyewitness account could testify to that. Edu said: “It was not LASTMA officials and it has nothing to do with LASTMA at all. The police officers who were involved in the incident have been handed over to Ilupeju Police Station. “The rumour making the round that LASTMA officials killed a driver is far from being truth. Anyone who cares to know the true side of the story should go to Ilupeju Police Station, the officers in charge will confirm it. Those officers responsible for the killing of the driver were not operating with LASTMA at all, they were operating on their own.

L-R: Founder, Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network [LEARN], Dame Abimbola Fashola; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo and Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, during the closing ceremony of LEARN 5th Edition of Summer School, in Lagos yesterday.

MTN, Lafarge donate patrol vans, classrooms to Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

elecommunications giant MTN Nigeria and Lafarge WAPCO Cement Plc yesterday demonstrated their supports

LASU students stage protest over fees MOJEED ALABI

tudents of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, yesterday trooped to the streets, protesting the recent announcement of the payable fees for 200 level students when they resume for the next academic session. The protesters, who are mostly 100 level students, had decided to boycott the ongoing second semester examination as they barricaded the busy Ojo/

Badagry Expressway for some hours in the morning. They mobilised themselves on the platform of the Joint Committee of Class Governors of 100 level students, and were dispersed by armed mobile policemen, who later ordered them to return to the campus. The university had, on Monday, issued a bulleting announcing the new fees for the incoming 200 level students as follows: Arts and Education (N151, 250); Social

and Management Sciences (N181, 250); Law (N206, 250); Communication and Transport Department (N196, 250); Sciences (N216, 250); Engineering (N256, 250) and College of Medicine (N326, 250). The new fees, according to one of the students, who did not want his name mentioned, amount to three per cent reduction in the fees they paid in the current academic session. According to the bulletin, the fees are to be paid in two installments.

for the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State through the donation of security patrol vans and blocks of classrooms. While MTN Nigeria through the MTN Foundation donated five fully equipped security vans, Lafarge commissioned 17 renovated blocks of classrooms in Shagamu area of the state as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. At the commissioning of the security van in Abeokuta, the state capital, Director of MTN Foundation, Mr. Goodluck Akinwale, said the initiative was aimed at contributing to government’s efforts at improving security operations across the country. Akinwale said that the Foundation had provided 60 fully equipped security

patrol vehicles with communication gadgets to 11 state governments. He further stated that the communication industry is expanding the scope and depth of the unique model of Corporate Social Responsibility in a way to add “true value to society by addressing real needs of the people”. Akinwale, who expressed appreciation to the Amosun’s administration for facilitating the MTN’s verification visit to health facilities in six local government areas, said the state had received MTN Foundations scheme for students. In his remarks, Governor Amosun commended the MTN Foundation for its effort at improving security in the state and expressed optimism that business would develop as a result of the improved security situ-

ation. Meanwhile, the renovated blocks of classrooms by Lafarge are in AUD Primary School, Isale-Oko, St Paul Primary School, Ijoku as well as Local Government Primary School in Kanuyi. The commissioning of the classrooms, which was held at AUD primary School, Isale Oko Motor Park, Shagamu, also featured distribution of 176, 000 exercise books to pupils by Lafarge.

Amosun

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Lagos Chief Judge frees 233 Kirikiri Prison inmates

agos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, yesterday freed a total of 233 inmates of the Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Security Prisons in Lagos, during her visit to the facilities. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while 130 inmates were released at the maximum facility, 103 were set free at the medium prison. Phillips, however, admonished the pardoned inmates to “go and sin no more.” NAN reports that the visit to the prison was part of activities marking the commencement of the 2012/2013

Legal Year of the Lagos State Judiciary. The chief judge said the gesture was aimed at reducing congestion in the prisons, as well as releasing some of the inmates who had been awaiting trial for many years. “This is our own little way of reducing congestion in our prisons. “There is a maxim we have in law that it is better for 10 guilty persons to go free than for one innocent person to be unjustly incarcerated. “For those of you who are lucky to be released today, I admonish you to go and sin

no more. “I want you to go and make your mark positively in the society”, the chief judge advised the elated inmates. Phillips, however, cautioned against the arbitrary release of prisoners, stressing that a thorough screening must be done before any such act of clemency could be implemented. Earlier in his address of welcome, the Deputy Controller, Maximum Security Prison, Mr. Tinu Oye, said the prison, which had a capacity to accommodate 1, 056 prisoners, was home to only 763.

Oye said some of the inmates had spent over 12 years in the prison awaiting trial even for minor offences. He urged the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, which was set up by the Federal Government to visit the prisons regularly to address such cases. Oye’s words: “My Lord, please give this people a second chance. “A lot of our inmates are doing their General Certificate of Education examinations. Some are students of the National Open University and need scholarships to complete their studies.” On his part, the Deputy

Controller of the medium prison, Tunde Ladipo, said the number of inmates released was unprecedented. Ladipo said 2, 370 out of the 2, 502 inmates of the prison were awaiting trial. Betram Anwagu, 54, who was one of the freed inmates, told NAN that he was remanded in the prison on July 20, 2005, after he was arrested for alleged armed robbery. Anwagu said: “I was selling provisions at CMS and one day I fought with another trader and the police came to arrest us. “The next day, they brought two other men to

Oyo trains 3,000 YES-O cadets as teachers

PDP lauds national body for granting Fayose waiver

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has praised the national leadership of the party for ratifying the return of former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, into the party as a bonafide member effective from September last year. A statement from the party’s state Public Relations Officer, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said the consideration given to Fayose would further strengthen the PDP to enable it reclaim the seats it lost in previous elections. The PDP praised “the maturity, boldness and sense of direction displayed by the national leadership of PDP under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, at pacifying aggrieved members and bringing them back into fold.” It also lauded the former governor and the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-West), Chief Segun Oni, for his support, love and magnanimity to the party. According to the state PDP, with the action of the National Working Committee (NWC), Fayose is now cleared to enjoy all rights and privileges of members of the PDP without hindrance. The step will further boost the party’s image and reconciliatory efforts and as well enhance the electoral fortunes of PDP in the state in 2014.

the cell and later took the four of us to court for robbery. “That is how I found myself here and even the woman I was planning to marry abandoned me.” NAN reports that the clemency is pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act, CAP C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. The law empowers the chief judge to release inmates awaiting trial for a long duration and others that have shown genuine remorse for their offences.

Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi-Laoye Tomori and Secretary, Ifedayo Local Government Area, Prince Kunle Ayantoye, during the swearing-in ceremony of the Executive Secretaries of various local government areas in Osun State, yesterday

50 feared dead, several others injured in Ogun auto crash FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

o fewer than 50 persons were feared dead, while scores of others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an auto accident, which happened at the Mabolufon junction in the Ijebu Ode on the Lagos Benin Expressway yesterday evening. National Mirror gathered that the accident occurred when a truck loaded with flour rammed into a passenger bus heading to Lagos from Ondo and thereafter rammed into other people at the junction. Most of the victims, according to eyewitnesses

were roadside traders and commuters waiting to board vehicles. Wreckage of wares, as well as horrifying mangled human bodies and blood stains littered the scene of the accident. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, the police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, were also said to be busy at the scene evacuating both the dead and the injured to hospitals within Ijebu Ode and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. It was further gathered that the remains of seven

persons, which included a pregnant woman, were deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, while medical personnel were busy battling to save the lives of over 20 persons who were critically injured as at 8:30pm yesterday. An official of the FRSC declined to tell inquisitive journalists the number of casualties, but the state police command confirmed that the accident was caused by a trailer coming from Ikorodu. Command spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the truck attempted to enter the expressway at a time another truck and an unmarked bullion van coming from Lagos were already

at close range and on speed. Adejobi said further that the truck coming from Lagos, in a bid to avoid ramming into the one from Ikorodu, swerved and ran into many people standing by the roadside. He added that the driver of one of the trucks, Mr. Adebayo Adedayo, has been arrested while the youths of Mabolufon community acting on the supposition that the police caused the accident, attempted to mob police officers from the Obalende Division who were dispatched to the scene. According to him, the police have no hand in the series of action that led to the accident.

register for the October 20, governorship election in Ondo State. The electoral body said it would use the 2011 voters’ register for the election, adding that only 55 persons had requested for

the transfer of their voters’ cards. The state Residential Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, disclosed this at a forum yesterday in Akure, the state capital.

He said 30 persons had made requests for the transfer of their voters’ cards from other states to Ondo State, while 25 requested for the transfer of their voters’ cards within the state.

Ondo guber race: INEC releases voters’ register tomorrow OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow publish the official voters’

yo State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun, yesterday said that the state government has commenced moves to address the shortage of teachers in public schools as it has started a oneweek training programme for 3, 000 YES-O education cadets in all the three senatorial districts of the state. Fayokun, who flagged off the training programme in Ibadan, the state capital, said the cadets, who are all graduates of education, will be deployed to various public primary and secondary schools immediately after the completion of their training. She said it was aimed at ensuring that the cadets were well equipped with requisite skills and knowledge to function in their respective places of assignment. The commissioner said the state government was determined to ensure a total turn-around of the education sector, stating that the YES-O education cadets would serve as the purveyors and actualisers of that objective. Her words: “May I state that the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration is committed to the transformation of the education sector and it is our hope that the YES-O team will be at the vanguard of this desired change.” She enjoined the cadets to make the best use of the training so as to prepare themselves for the tasks ahead and make a lasting impact in the lives of the students.

South East

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Terrorism: Police, Hausa traders clash in Owerri CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

andemonium broke out yesterday morning in parts of Owerri, the Imo State capital, as policemen, members of a vigilance group and traders of northern extraction clashed over an attempt to forcefully eject the traders from their place of business. The armed policemen and members of the vigilance group, who stormed Douglas Road, where most Hausa traders transact their business, shot can-

isters of teargas to scare people away. They were reportedly acting on a security report that some members of the terrorist group might have infiltrated the state in the guise of coming to trade. But the operation led to a free-for-all which left scores of the traders and passers-by wounded, as the Hausa traders vehemently resisted the security operatives numbering over 20, insisting that they were doing their legitimate business. A witness told our

correspondent that the incident, which happened about 10am, was initially mistaken to be a clampdown on suspected terrorists. This created a stampede as commuters and motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled. One of the passers-by, who pleaded anonymity, said the Hausa traders fought the security agents with different weapons. He added that the continued stay of the traders in the area posed danger to the safety of the residents. According to a source, the traders had been served

quit notice to relocate from the place as a result of traffic gridlock and avoidable accidents caused by their business activities. “They really constitute a great nuisance in the area. The current security situation in the country demands that the people should be monitored closely,” the source said. However, one of the Hausa traders, who simply identified himself as Farouk, said the operation was tribally motivated as they were never served with any quit notice. He said: “We are not

Boko Haram members; we are law-abiding Nigerians doing our lawful business.” But a government source said the traders were asked to vacate the place by the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The source added that after the expiration of the notice, members of the task force moved in to enforce the order but were resisted by the adamant traders. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Vitalis Onugu, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

Police ban firing of gunshots in Enugu DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

olice have banned firing of gunshots either at private or public functions in Enugu State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebere Amarizu, said in a statement yesterday that the firing of gunshots indiscriminately was capable of diverting attention of the security operatives and make them not to know when something wrong was going on. The state Police Command said it had therefore directed all its Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, to fish out all those who contravened the order and bring them to book. The police also directed members of the Neighbourhood Watch and vigilance groups to be guided by the order. The statement reads in part: “Anyone caught violating the law will be made to face the music in accordance with the provisions of the sections of the law irrespective of organisation or status. “The commissioner of police enjoins all to be lawabiding and to go about their normal lawful businesses.”

L-R: South-East Zonal Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Damaris Onwuka; Executive Director, Subsidy Re-Investment Project (SURE-P), Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo and SURE-P Maternal and Child Health Coordinator, Dr. Ugo Okoli, at the 2nd South-East training for midwives and health workers in Enugu, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

NBA raises panel on Awka branch crisis, freezes accounts CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

he national leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has stepped in to resolve the crisis bedevilling the Awka branch of the body. On Monday, the NBA 1st Vice President, O. J. Erhabor, visited Awka, where he held a dispute-resolution meeting with the branch Chairman, S. U. S. Mbanaso, and leaders of the factions in the body. A faction of the branch, which called itself Free D Bar, had at a meeting held on September 1 passed a reso-

lution removing Mbanaso from his position as chairman of Awka branch. The development came at a time when Mbanaso had sued seven of those challenging him. The anti-Mbanaso faction celebrated his alleged removal from office with different text messages to members. Some of the messages read: “As sanity is restored to the capital bar, join in congratulating the chairman emeritus for his timely removal with no option for reinstatement,” “Long life the capital bar.” Sources at the September

17 meeting held in Awka, said after brain-storming with leaders and members of the feuding factions on how to resolve the crisis, Erhabor, who presided over the parley, directed the Awka branch Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Ezeno, to take over as acting chairman for two weeks. The meeting also set up a special committee made of elders and key senior lawyers of the branch to finally resolve the lingering crisis, which has created distrust and antagonism among members. It was also gathered that the national leadership of NBA may eventually take

over the affairs of Awka branch, if the committee failed at the end of the twoweek period to restore normalcy to the branch. Sources also said that the meeting also took another key decision on the need to safeguard the accounts of the branch in various banks. The concerned banks, the sources added, were directed not to grant any request for withdrawal of money during the crisis period. Meanwhile, the Anambra State 2012 legal year will begin on September 24 with a special court session to be held in the High Court premises in Awka.

Obi orders detention of trailers loaded with human beings CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

nambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has called on the residents of the state to be vigilant and security conscious. His call followed the interception of two trailers full of human beings at the

Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, yesterday. The governor made the call while answering questions from journalists on the interception of the two trailers. Obi thanked the publicspirited Anambra residents for bringing the information to him as soon

as the trailers stopped at Upper Iweka to offload their human cargoes. He also called for increased vigilance in all the communities in the state, while charging the communities to always report unusual movement and suspicious faces to law enforcement agen-

cies. On the fate of those that were conveyed by the trailers, the governor said he had directed law enforcement agencies to impound the trailers as well as keep the people in custody pending investigations on who they were, where they were go-

ing and where they came from. Obi reiterated his personal commitment to security in Anambra State, adding that he would remain awake in order to sustain the gains recorded in recent times against crime and criminality in the state.

Anambra launches blueprint on erosion, flood control CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

overnor Peter Obi of Anambra State yesterday launched the blueprint for control of flood, erosion and water conservation. The operational document, the Anambra State Flood, Erosion Control and Water Conservation Technical Guidelines, was launched at a stakeholders’ meeting at the J. Jumal Hotel in Awka. Speaking at the event, Obi said necessary measures were being put in place to reduce Anambra’s vulnerability to environmental and ecological disasters. The governor, who disclosed that his administration was working with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, on the programme, said the policy document was aimed at providing information on flood management, techniques and measures to protect the environment from devastation. Obi urged the people to be alert and conscious of the warning from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on threat of flooding which he said was already manifesting in Ogbaru, Anambra East and West. He also advised that communities should take precautionary measures while soliciting external intervention. The governor also announced the cancellation of all bids for school projects in various communities and said that henceforth, contracts for school and primary health centre projects in any community would be executed by people from the communities involved. He said this measure would enable government to hold people of the community responsible if anything went wrong. In her speech, the state Chairman, MDGs Implementation Committee and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Chinyere Okuna, said the decision on contracts would encourage communities to take full ownership of the projects.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

‘We dissolved DESOPADEC board for lack of performance’ •As rights group calls on EFCC to probe commission

AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

he Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, has debunked the allegation that the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) was dissolved because members of the assembly were not favoured in the award of contracts by the commission. He said the board was dissolved for lack of performance and that the assembly was only acting within the law. The house had last week dissolved the board for what it described as lack of performance, an action that has been generating ripples

across the state. Moving the motion to dissolve the board, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Johnson Erijo, representing Isoko South Constituency 11, said it was due to lack of performance and inefficiency hinged on section 12 of the law setting up the interventionist agency. “I move this day that this honourable house in accordance with Section 12 of the law as amended, do hereby resolve to dissolve the commission with immediate effect due to lack of performance and inefficiency.” According to the House, the dissolution would take effect from Friday September 14, 2012, when the dissolved board members are expected to hand over all official prop-

erty in their possession to the secretary of the board. Meanwhile, the House Speaker, Hon. Victor Ochei, has defended the decision of the house. In a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday, the speaker said; “There is no time someone will do something and people will not say one thing or the other. Has the board awarded any contract, I think they only advertised and the time has been extended.” But the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHD) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the finances of the dissolved board of the commission. In a statement by the

group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Oghenejabo Ikimi and made available to our correspondent in Asaba, the group commended the lawmakers’ action on the board. The group added that though the action was almost belated as there was nothing on ground in terms of infrastructural and human capital development in the oil bearing communities to justify the billions of naira allocated yearly to the commission by the state government. “I am calling on the EFCC to immediately investigate the finances of the commission with a view to bringing persons found culpable to book in the interest of the poverty stricken and traumatised people of the oil bearing communities of the state.”he said.

L-R: Commissioner for Transport, Tolofari George; Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and state Commissioner for Works, Victor Giadom, during the governor’s inspection of the site of the collapsed retaining wall of the Airforce Bridge in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Amaechi promises permanent CLO alleges lapses in Bayelsa’s budgetary process solution to failed bridge

ivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has assured that a permanent solution would be sought for the Airforce Bridge which retaining wall partly caved in, in Port Harcourt on Sunday night, after a heavy downpour. Governor Amaechi stated this yesterday during an unscheduled inspection of the bridge where a section of its retaining wall collapsed. The Airforce Bridge was constructed in 2006 by the Governor Peter Odili administration. Amaechi’s words: “The bridge itself did not collapse, what collapsed was the retaining wall. Government was still negotiating and going through the due process to ensure that we get the right price for the recon-

struction of the flyover. “Obviously, the last contractor didn’t do a very good work and there was a need to rebuild the embankment to the bridge and redirect traffic”, he said. Governor Amaechi also said talks were on with RCC to take over the reconstruction of the bridge. Speaking on other road projects in the state, the governor dispelled speculations that roads built by his administration are not durable, noting that the complaints about ChobaRumuokwuta Road was because the road has not been completed. According to him, “The problem with Choba Road is that first, it has not been completed, secondly, we have not directed the water from the drain away.”

EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ayelsa State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), yesterday alleged that there were lapses in the budgetary process of the state government, occasioned by poor participation and implementation. The group advocated for a people-oriented budget where every civil society organisation, government representatives, traditional rulers, various representatives of the local government and others, would be involved in the budget. State Chairman of the CLO, Chief Nengi James, was speaking in Yenagoa, at a one-day training programme on ensuring deep-

er and more meaningful citizens’ participation in the budgetary process in Bayelsa State. The programme was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development in conjunction with PACT Nigeria. His words: “We have observed in the past that there are lapses and criminalities in Bayelsa State government budgetary process. The Commissioner For Economic and Budget Planning has a task to do. “The commissioner should tell the executive council to be transparent, accountable and of high probity. Government should go back and harmonise the issue involving policy making organization, especially budgeting.”

Uduaghan inaugurates special courts for kidnappers, others AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

elta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday took a drastic measure in tackling the wave of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state with the setting up of two special courts to prosecute offenders of such crimes. Uduaghan, represented by his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, made this known when the state Chief Judge, Justice Zai-Laye Smith, led other judges on a courtesy call to the governor as part of activities marking the beginning of the 2012/2013 legal year. The governor, who apologised to the judiciary over the kidnapping of one of them recently, said his administration was tackling the problem headlong. According to Uduaghan, his administration, worried by the spate of kidnapping in the state, has acquired equipment and gadgets that would enable security agencies track perpetrators of crimes. He commended the judiciary for acknowledging that it has a role to play in dealing with insecurity and other criminal activities that endanger the security of the people.

“I’m happy that you have started implementing what we discussed. Talking of security, good governance cannot be enthroned in an atmosphere of insecurity. There cannot be peace without security. Unsecured environment breeds anarchy. Security is a public good that must be sold and be bought by government and the people respectively. “It is in this regard that we have always asked for the decentralisation of the police. In the ongoing constitutional review, Delta State strongly advocated for state police. We need a state police that we can deploy, that are disciplined.” Uduaghan reiterated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring that the judiciary remains independent and financially autonomous, explaining that the judiciary remains the bastion of democracy. Speaking earlier, the Chief Judge, Justice ZaiLaye Smith, told the governor that; “Because of the spate of insecurity, two courts have been set aside to operate in Asaba, to handle murder, armed robbery and kidnapping. These two courts will only deal with criminal matters.”

Ex-militants urge FG to release detained members EMMA GBEMUDU

YENAGOA

x-militants under the auspices of the Third Phase Amnesty in Bayelsa State yesterday renewed its appeal to the Federal Government to release some of its leaders still wallowing in detention. The group recalled that these ex-militants were arrested during the critical period of agitation for the implementation of the third phase amnesty that has been resisted by the government. State Chairman of the Third Phase Amnesty, Ebi John, disclosed this to National Mirror in an interview in Yenagoa, he said the detained ex-militants were not criminals, but agitators fighting for their rights. John regretted that Niger Delta communities were impoverished, even as crude oil was extracted for many

years as he enjoined the Federal Government to have a rethink of its policies. The chairman regretted that the list of proposed ex-militants that would undergo training in the third phase amnesty was small compared with the number of agitators that dropped their arms to embrace the Federal Government’s amnesty programme. John appealed to the Federal Government to be transparent in its dealings with the third phase amnesty, stressing that they should visit each of the states to verify the actual number of youths that dropped their arms to the appropriate security agencies. His words: “We advise that the coordinator of the Amnesty Office in Abuja, Kingsley Kuku, should be careful enough to know the real men that truly dropped their arms.”

North

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gunmen kill Borno AG, ex-Prisons Comptroller-General INUSA NDAHI AND EZEKIEL TITUS

unmen have shot and killed the Borno State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Zannah Mallam Gana. Gana, 63, was assassinated in his home town of Bama in Bama Local Government Area of the state. Also, gunmen have killed a former Comptroller-General of Prison, Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma, and his guard at Azare in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State. In Borno State, the late

Attorney-General, who was on his way to Maiduguri, was forced to cancel his trip halfway after receiving information that the road linking Bama to Maidguri was blocked by security agents following a bomb explosion on Sunday targeted at the JTF vehicle which seriously wounded two soldiers. Unknown to him, when he returned to Bama on Monday night, the assailants were waiting for him at his popular joint where he used to chat with his friends and associates. It was gathered that the gunmen, who rode on a motorcycle, searched the late commissioner, removed

the money found on him and fired several shots at him before they fled. Governor Kashim Shettima, who was in Abuja, had to fly back to Maiduguri to attend Gana’s burial. The governor wept profusely during the burial rites. The funeral prayer took place at the palace of the Shehu of Bama about 3pm. It was led by Imam Idayn of Borno, Adam El-Sanusiyya. Leading other top government functionaries including Shettima, his deputy, Zanna Umar Mustapha, the Shehu of Borno and politicians during the funeral prayers, El-Sanusiyya

prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest. Confirming the incident, the state police commissioner told our correspondent in a telephone interview that Gana was killed by suspected terrorists. Meanwhile, the two gunmen, who killed Jarma and his guard on Monday night, also injured a prison warder. A family source said the assailants shot Jarma in his arm and leg as he came out from the mosque after the night prayer. The residents said they heard gunshots which caused pandemonium as many people fled into safety. Efforts to speak with

the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Ladan, failed as he did not pick calls to his phone. A security source, however, confirmed the killing, which came a day after gunmen murdered nine members of the Sayawa ethnic group in Zango area of Bauchi State. Meanwhile, Governor Isa Yuguda has released N2m and foodstuff to the families of the victims of Sunday’s attacks in Zango.

Overcoming insecurity requires joint efforts - Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State on Education, Mr. Mathew Gwazah; Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mohammed Usman and Director, State Scholarship Board, Mrs. Esther Jimen, at the inauguration of 2011/2012 Payment of Students’ Allowance in Kaduna, yesterday.

Boko Haram was planning massive attack on Kano –JTF Confirms arrest of two sect leaders

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

he Joint Task Force, JTF, said yesterday that the dreaded Boko Haram sect was, before the Monday raid, planning a massive attack on the city of Kano. The JTF spokesman, Lt. Ikedichi Iweha, who said this in a statement, also confirmed the arrest of two leaders of the sect in Monday’s raid on its hideout in Kano State. He said the attack would have wrecked havoc on the commercial city of Kano. Iweha said one of the arrested Boko Haram gunmen was its media coordinator, adding that they were captured after a fierce gun battle by the combined team of personnel of the Kano State Directorate of State Secu-

rity Service, SSS, and men of the JTF. He, however, did not disclose the identity of the arrested Boko Haram media coordinator. It was speculated that Abu Qaqa, the spokesman of the sect, was killed in that operation, while its Commander, Abubakar Sheku, was captured. The statement from Bukavu barracks, headquarters of the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, which coordinates the operations of JTF reads in part: “Following further operation in the suspect heavily wired IED hideout, the following items were recovered, two AK47 rifles, two pump action rifles, one Berretta rifle, one smoke discharger.” Other weapons recovered were 433 rounds of 7.62 NATO ammunition, 80 rounds of 7.62 special am-

munition, two AK47 magazines, 36 prepared high calibre explosives, 13 laptops, and two motorcycles. Four printers, one photocopier, one 33 slots of Zenith disk writer, two decoders, two satellite dish, two bags of Ured fertiliser, one dry cell 12v battery, 10 hand held Motorola radios and five batteries chargers, were also seized in the operation.

Iweha said the latest encounter with the terrorist group had foiled its planned attack to wreck havoc on Kano State, adding that JTF had also depleted the capacity of the sect to operate. He said: “The JTF would like to use this medium to restate its resolve to continue to work assiduously towards the protection of lives and property in Kano.”

The state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Lawi Poskti, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Bauchi, yesterday. Poskti said the monetary donation was to ensure that the victims were given befitting burials by their families. He added that the five survivors of the attack, still receiving treatment in the hospital, would be given assistance.

iger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has called on all stakeholders to join hands and put an end to the security challenges confronting the country. The governor said that rather than narrowing the issue to sectional or zonal matter, everyone should be involved in finding a lasting solution to it. Aliyu, who is also the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, said this during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, to invite him to speak at a colloquium to be held in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, before the end of the year. Aliyu explained that in view of the security threat in the northern part of the country, the 19 state governors from the region should be invited for the colloquium because of the serious nature of security. The governor regretted that Nigeria was being looked down on in the comity of nations as a country with a lot of negative social vices

such as violence, corruption, fraud, prostitution, among others. He said: “Corruption is no longer an epidemic in the nation; it has become a culture which must be fought. “Corruption has eaten deep into the nation and we need to get it out. We take so many things for granted in this country and that is the way we look at corruption. But corruption should not be taken with levity; it should be fought against and we should start at the root, the family.” Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Abuja Council of the NUJ, Comrade Chuks Ehirim, said since the advent of the present democratic dispensation in the last 12 years, the political class had not fared well in the area of welfare and security of lives and property of the citizens of the country. He also explained that members of the council were in the state to establish a synergy, where thoughts could be shared in promoting cooperation between the media and the political class on how to work together to move the country forward.

2015: Performance will give PDP victory –Kaduna SSG A ZA MSUE KADUNA

aduna State Government said yesterday that the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, would soon be forgotten in the state, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would get massive votes in 2015 general elections because of its performance.

The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada, disclosed this while answering questions from journalists at the Government House on the outcome of the Zaria state assembly by-election at the weekend. The PDP won the poll. Yakawada, however, dismissed the speculations that the PDP bar-

gained for the by-election seat, saying Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa’s performance gave victory to the party. He said: “I hope and pray... there will be no CPC in Kaduna come 2015. Certainly, as a bona fide PDP member, I will always want my party to win and if you think I will have a contrary opinion, I think you are mistaken

but I think we want to do it formally, rightly and sincerely. As a sitting and performing government, we want to see appreciation from people by voting the party.” The state House of Assembly by-election held last Saturday was won by Alhaji Shehu Malami Nuhu-Babajo of the PDP. He defeated the CPC candidate, Kasimu Iliyasu.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Power reform: The untold story of Nnaji’s resignation

2015: Aliyu in the eyes of the storm

Revenue: Reps to strip Jonathan of approval powers TORDUE SALEM ABUJA.

he House of Representatives has considered an amendment to the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Law to empower the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) to approve revenue sharing formula for federal and state

governments. The power of approval of the formula is presently vested in the Presidency. The piece of legislation titled: “A Bill for the Amendment of Section 162(2) the 1999 Constitution” scaled the second reading yesterday. Before its overwhelming passage, the sponsor of the bill and the chairman, House Committee on Rules

We won’t relocate electoral institute, says INEC OMEIZA AJAYI

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it has no plans to relocate its electoral institute in Abuja to Oghara in Delta State, describing as misplaced, reports alleging that it is bent on taking such action. Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu in a statement yesterday said the Oghara facility is only an annex of The Electoral Institute (TEI). “This is to correct the misrepresentation of comments made by National Commissioner, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, on plans by the commission for the Oghara facility, as reported in some newspapers on Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

“The Oghara facility has for many years been an annex of the TEI which is headquartered in Abuja, but it had been virtually abandoned and disused. But with the ongoing reform and restructuring of INEC, and particularly the TEI, the Oghara centre will be reactivated and made fully functional as a training facility,” the commission stated. The statement added that the “TEI, as Commissioner Igbani said, is being reorganised into a fullfledged institution for the training of electoral staff, towards professionalising election administration. Its services will not be limited to the staff of INEC; they will be extended to States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as well as other Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in Africa.”

Politics has overshadowed governance in Ondo – Oke OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, yesterday declared that politics has overshadowed governance in the state. The PDP gubernatorial candidate lamented what he described as the parlous state of infrastructure in the state in general. Oke spoke on Monday

at Ilutitun in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state during the party’s ward to ward campaign. He said: “I am very sure that the people of Ondo State would chase Governor Olusegun Mimiko out of government with their votes because the present government has abandoned them. What we have in Ondo State is a situation where politics has overshadowed governance.”

and Business, Albert SamTsokwa, said the current arrangement conferred too many powers on the executive and allowed for too much red tape. According to him, the option given to the commission to present the proposal to the President before he forwards it to the National Assembly was erroneous. In his contribution, the chairman, House Committee on Finance, John Enoh,

noted that it was unfortunate for the House not to have reviewed the revenue sharing formula since 1999, contrary to constitutional provision that stipulates five year review by the legislators. His words: “It is unfortunate that the House has not debated the distribution of the revenue since 1999, it is a shame but I can assure that the RMFAC is ready and willing to present its

proposals to the National Assembly if mandated to do so.” Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who emphasised that “something has to change,” noted that the concept of true federalism has been negated by the current arrangement whereby the Federal Government takes too much compared to the other tiers of government. She said being an interested party, the President

ought not to be given the powers to act on the revenue sharing proposal before presenting it to the legislature. Dakuku Peterside submitted that timing should be considered in the presentation of the proposal to the National Assembly in order to curtail unnecessary bickering, while Hassan El Badawi sought constitutional cover for the RMFAC from executive meddling.

Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu (3rd from right) with members of the House of Representatives from the state, during the lawmakers visit at the weekend.

House suspend plenary to probe ministries

CONTINUED FROM 5 of official misconduct. “This resolution of the House was conveyed to the Executive arm of the Federal Government on July 19, 2012, by the Clerk of the National Assembly, CNA. “The resolution, among other issues, requested the President to terminate the appointment of Ms. Arunma Oteh, the Director-General, DG, of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, for being unqualified by law to serve as the DG of SEC, for incompetence and inability to manage the Commission and regulatory failures, which may lead to the collapse of the Capital Market, if unchecked,” Ossai reminded the plenary. The House, in its motion yesterday, said it was

“worried that the President recalled Ms. Arunma Oteh from suspension immediately the report of the Ad hoc Committee, which indicted her was made public, in flagrant contempt of the House and the feelings of the Nigerian people and investors who lost money in the capital market.” The lawmakers also said they were worried that despite the fact that “the staff of Securities and Exchange Commission protested the recall of Oteh and even the letter by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, recalling her, cautioned her against flouting of the extant rules and administrative procedures in the conduct of all official transactions,” the “president has repeatedly refused

to implement important resolutions”. The House thereby resolved that in line with sections 3(2) (a) and section 38(1)(b), 2 and 3, and section 315 of the Investment and Securities Act(ISA), 2007, sack the DG SEC for incompetence and non-qualification to hold the office. The House also warned that, “the House of Representatives or any of its Committees shall henceforth, cease to accord any recognition or deal with Ms. Arunma Oteh as Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission.” The House also directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to, within 14 days report to the House on the compliance to the di-

rective to the President. It will be recalled that the House had had a protracted battle with the SEC DG in the course of its three-month investigations into the cause of the capital market crash. The probe sessions which began with a substantive Committee on Capital Market, headed by the Hon. Herman Hembe, degenerated into a fiasco following an allegation by Oteh that legislators had demanded bribes from her for which Hembe is facing trial. Hon. Ibrahim Tukur Elsudi would later take over the probe and end it on a shuddering note, where Oteh was marked for sack on the basis of incompetence.

Politics

PRISCILLA DENNIS writes on the crises rocking Niger State over the state government’s planned sale of some estates, over which critics and supporters of the Babangida Aliyuled administration are having a field day.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

2015: Aliyu in the eyes of the storm THOSE CALLING FOR

he political ambiance of Niger State became stormy recently, due to what analysts described as the build up to the 2015 elections. The seemingly tranquillity in the state was unruffled by an advertorial placed by the state government on August 13, putting up for sale some state landed properties to finance the construction of the contentious Three Arms Zone. The properties put up for disposal include 29 units of ‘Type A Quarters”, in the Elite Housing Estate, presently occupied by top state government functionaries. The other estate offered for sale is the 28 unit Legislative Quarters, occupied by the members of the state House of Assembly. Two weeks after the contentious advertorial, it became a topic for debate in the state, with the political class in the state singing discordant tunes. Criticism and support trailed the government decision; criticism from the opposition political parties and from within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and support from the supporters and members of the ruling PDP. On August 28, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), though polarise into various factions as a result of the internal squabbles within its camp, reacted strongly against the decision. Speaking through its governorship candidate in the 2011 election, David Umaru, the party condemned in strong terms the planned sale of the two estates for the construction of the Three Arms Zone, at a time the populace in the state are wallowing in abject poverty. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) followed up the ANPP tirade. The CPC state chairman, Shuaibu Umar, said that Niger State does not need the Three Arms Zone, as existing structures on ground are adequate enough for the government to operate, especially in view of what it called the decaying infrastructure that dotted the state. Umar said: “We are baffled by the motives behind the proposed sale of those important landed properties. Given the infrastructural decay everywhere in the state, and other myriads of problems bedevilling our dear state.” He noted that if the state is in dearth of finance that would result in the selling of the houses, the funds accrued should be channelled to other areas, rather than the Three Arms Zone as proposed. The CPC explained that the Three Arms Zone is usually associated with national capital cities, where the Presidential Complex, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are sited in an area, adding that even in Abuja, where the concept operates, the plan is presently distorted. The CPC said that it was deeply troubled over this obvious disconnect of the Babangida Aliyu administration from

HIS IMPEACHMENT

MAY HAVE A POINT.

IMAGINE IN MINNA ALONE, THE ONLY GOOD ROADS ARE THE ONES LEADING TO HIS OFFICE,

PRIVATE RESIDENCE AND FARM... OTHER ROADS ARE LEFT UNATTENDED TO

Aliyu

ordinary people who are faced with many glaring problems daily. The party therefore called on the state House of Assembly to perform its oversight function on the controversial matter. But before the dust raised on the issue by the two opposition parties could settle, a group simply known as the Concerned Citizens of Niger State (CCNS), which is made up of mostly members of the PDP, also stormed the state House of Assembly, calling for the impeachment of the state governor, over alleged financial misappropriation by his government. The CCNS, whose membership cuts across the three senatorial zones of the state, was led by its chairman, Mohammed Muade Usman, who alongside its principal officers, presented copies of its petition to the clerk of the House, Mohammed Kagara, and demanded the immediate removal of Aliyu for allegedly wasting public funds. The six-page petition raised questions over the N252 billion and the N246 billion that accrued to both the state and the 25 local governments from the federation account in the last five years of Aliyu’s administration in the state and its usage, saying that there was nothing on ground to show for what had accrued to the state. The group stated that the government had borrowed between N50 and N90 billion from the capital market just to finance the construction of roads in the 25 councils of the state and the one linking Gwada to Kaduna. It added that the loan was supposed to cover the Muazu Farm to Bida road, the construction of the Kwakuti-Kaffinkoro road, which had all failed to see the light of the day. The group also accused the House of being part of the mismanagement of funds in the state, since the legislative arm has continued to hide all the shoddy deals allegedly perpetrated by the ad-

ministration. It was also accused of passing the state appropriation bills without proper scrutiny in the last five years, calling the House a ‘toothless bulldog’. The CCNS called on the House to as a matter of urgency salvage its dwindling image, by coming out to shed light on all the budgets it had passed and how the budgets have performed. The group asked: “Are members of the state House of Assembly aware or involved in the arrangement for these loans? Are they involved in the arrangement for these failed projects? If not, why has the Assembly failed to raise these issues on its floor? Why has the House failed to organise public hearings on these so as to expose these shoddy dealings? And the cardinal question is: What has happened to the House Committee on Finance? Has the committee ceased to function?” The huge finances, according to Usman, have not reflected in key areas such as education, youth empowerment with over 1.6 million unemployed youths roaming the streets. He lamented that while the government expends money on trivialities; the governor has refused to implement the N18, 000 National Minimum Wage Act and the 142 per cent arrears to the state pensioners, particularly those on level 07 and above. The CCNS further said that the issues it raised in its petition were made to serve as guide to the House in its final decision to commence the impeachment process of the governor, warning that failure of the House to take action immediately it resumes from its recess on September 18, would lead to peaceful protests across the state. But rising in defence of the state government the same day, at a media briefing at its secretariat, the state PDP threw its weight behind the government’s plan to dispose off the property and use the proceeds to finance the development of the Three Arms Zone in the state. The state PDP chairman, Abdulrahaman Enagi, told journalists that those opposing the sale of the houses were only

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being mischievous and were against the development of the state. Wondering why nobody had opposed the move, especially when government’s decision to sell the houses was clearly indicated in the 2012 Appropriation Bill sent to the state House of Assembly before it was passed into law, Enagi said: “The state PDP Central Working Committee has met and passed a vote of confidence in the administration of Governor Aliyu, we are fully in support of government policies. We always feel proud to associate ourselves with this administration; Aliyu has done us proud.” The PDP said that this was not the first time government houses and quarters would be sold in Niger State, saying: “Between 1984 and 2007 no less than 1,585 units of houses were sold by different governments with nobody raising any eyebrow.” The party therefore called on critics of Aliyu to always get their facts and figures accurate before embarking on any criticism of the policies and programmes of government. A group, known as Talba Success Movement (TSM), a pro-Aliyu group, made up of political office holders in the state, also fired back at critics. The TSM, led by its chairman, Hamisu Jankaro, also went to the House and presented copies of its reaction to the petition written by the CCNS. Jankaro urged the House not to allow itself to be used in creating unnecessary political tension in the state and consequently called on the House to disregard the petition by those he described as faceless, who were out to seek for political relevance and angling for patronage. But the state Commissioner for Information, Danladi Abdulhameed, said that what is happening should not be unexpected as the 2015 election approaches, adding that a lot of mischief and condemnation of the government by those he described as critics would come to the fore. Abdulhameed said that despite all these challenges, the governor has remained focused and determined to provide dividends of democracy to the Niger people who elected him to serve them. Aliyu, alongside Senate President David Mark, Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are said to be among those eyeing the presidency on the platform of the PDP come 2015. Meanwhile, reacting to the call by the leader of the Yoruba community on him to vie for the presidency in 2015, Aliyu said though he is yet to make up his mind, he would not hesitate to heed the call of the people to serve his country, should he be called upon to participate in the 2015 elections. Reacting to the development, Malik Mohammed, a businessman, cautioned the government to always listen to the people and do what the electorate want. His words: “Well, those calling for his impeachment may have a point. Imagine in Minna alone, the only good roads are the ones leading to his office, private residence and farm, like the Bay Clinic, Neteco and Mandela roads respectively. Apart from those roads, the only good road is the Maiduguri road, while the Top Medical, Sabon Gari and other roads are left unattended to.”

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Politics

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

ABDULLAH GARBA

t was really enraging to hear that shortly after the forced resignation of Bart Nnaji from the Power Portfolio, a group of foreign “investors” in the ongoing power reform and privatisation programme assembled into a pressure group and stormed the power ministry to show their concern over the minister’s resignation and declare their confidence in his supposedly singular capacity to implement the programme successfully. Tongues-in-cheek, the mainly European Nnaji’s freaks were posturing belligerently over the resignation as if to say “we no go gree”. Well, agreed they had to, not only because they have no choice but also because, as agents of certain transnational contractors interested in the mega-billion naira power contracts, their selfish motives were glaring. This incident is a pointer to the level of propaganda and photo-trick that has been triggered all in a bid to depict Nnaji with a holier-than-thou aura of indispensability that he does not exude. In putting the Nnaji affair in correct perspective, we must first discard the unwarranted ambivalence of President Goodluck Jonathan on the circumstances of the resignation of the professor if only to save the president from the mess that spews from this authenticated version of events. Politically – and even humanly – it would have been foolhardy to go to Onitsha amid the humiliation of their prominent son without providing some sort of a soft-landing for him, such as to say he did nothing wrong when he so obviously ended up a misfit for that matter. Considering the strategic sensitivity of the power sector reform in the Jonathan Transformation Agenda, it will take more than a slight misdemeanour to sustain the shocks of confidence and credibility that rattled the reform process as a direct fallout of Nnaji’s sudden resignation. Be that as it may, there is no denying the well-established involvement of Nnaji in big-time business dealings in the nation’s power sector in general and electricity in particular before he became a minister and so the assignment of the Power Ministry to him, though well-intentioned, was a calculated error in the first place. One can still recall the shrill protests from the power trade unions which had more than a casual insight into these and other sticky points from the professor’s previous appointments in the sector. It was therefore

POWER REFORM

The untold story of Nnaji’s resignation GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS CIRCLES ARE BUZZING WITH THE SHIELDED DETAILS OF WHAT CULMINATED IN THE INDUCED RESIGNATION OF

BARTH NNAJI FROM THE JONATHAN CABINET

Nnaji

hardly surprising that the circumstances of his resignation were not unconnected to his pecuniary interest in the handling of the implementation process of the power sector reform which is now an open secret. Government and business circles are buzzing with the shielded details of what culminated in the induced resignation of Nnaji from the Jonathan cabinet. The most credible account revolves around the Afam Power Station whose planned privatisation and the barely concealed interest of a company owned by the former minister became an Achille’s heel. The whole issue of disclosure of pecuniary interest and so-called blind trust referred to in feeble defense of the professor pale into not only irrelevance but insignificance, given the established fact that such moves were made belatedly. In fact, the said company had already participated in the process and even emerged a successful bidder for the Afam station and it was in outrage that the other bidders raised dust about the matter. Notwithstanding the fact that the Australian company, which was supposedly engaged to champion the bid had

no link whatsoever with Skipper, the minister’s company. Bemused staff of the Power Ministry reportedly took special interest in capturing the identity of the lady who came to submit the bid for the Afam station for the said company in view of her matrimonial relationship with the former minister. Worse still, Power Ministry staff were not impressed at all by the fact that their ministry was represented in the handling of the bidding process by so-called assistants employed by the professor. But this episode only provided a peep hole into more startling snippets of indiscretions associated with the former minister’s involvement with the Afam Power station’s unbundling process. While his company was neck-deep in acquiring the station by compromising the bidding process, the minister was busy pushing a memo seeking Federal Executive Council approval to expend over N7 billion on revamping the out-of-service Afam Power Station into an operational status that would have amounted to a surreptitious rehabilitation subsidy for his company that was poised to win the bidding process. He was actually so confident of getting the FEC approval that he gave go-ahead to Siemens Company to proceed with preliminary rehabilitation of the gas turbine and auxiliary components of the station

with an approval to spend a large chunk of money. At the end of the day, his memo failed to secure FEC approval, scuttling his anticipatory commitment of Siemens and leaving the German firm with the dilemma of an unsecured liability of N420 million it now has a zero chance of recovering except from the former minister. Latest reports indicate that the firm is frantically seeking an inroad into the power sector reform projects as a means of recovering this bad debt from the ill-fated Afam preliminary rehabilitation works. It is certainly part of the ploy that those European “investors” organised their diplomatic picketing of the Power Ministry after Nnaji’s exit but given the murkiness of the core issues of the Nnaji Affair it is bound to be an exercise in futility. While these issues stick out prominently like the proverbial sore thumb in the Nnaji Affair, it is no less unsettling to learn that the former minister’s response has been far from remorseful as he not only activated grand designs within the power sector parastatals where his protégés were strategically planted earlier in order to sustain the bogey of innocence and indispensability that he vainly hopes will rewrite history and turn back the hands of time in his unceremoniouslyterminated ministerial tenure, but is frantically making efforts to drag the hardearned reputation of some distinguished Nigerians to the mud through sponsored media onslaught. Tongues have ultimately been wagging over the roles of Nolsrem and Bulk Trader chief executives supposedly planted by Nnaji as a prelude to gaining absolute control in the power privatisation process. Of course, this is still Nigeria where anything can happen but certain established facts and indicting precedents just cannot be wished away, particularly under the Jonathan administration’s much-touted transformation agenda hinged as it is on fighting corruption and salvaging the comatose power sector. With the commitment of the president towards successfully completing the power privatisation programme coupled with the zeal and determination of his subordinates, we are confident that these inherent minor challenges orchestrated by smalltime mischief-makers will soon be a thing of the past while the ovation for a successful reform is being celebrated. Garba can be reached at Abdullahi_ garba@yahoo.com

2015: Jonathan’s endorsements are premature – Ikedife CONTINUED FROM 3 There is agitation for the rotation of Anambra governorship. Do you subscribe to this? I think what Anambra needs is a government that would bring responsible governance, development and even distribution of infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state. I think the issue of zoning of the governorship should not be over-politicised. For me, it doesn’t matter where the governor comes from as long the government is beneficial to every citizen of the state. I am advising the proponents of that idea to open up their minds rather than

narrowing it down. We want progress, we want development, and above all, we want peace for Anambra State. We are talking about a new state, let us concentrate on that, when we get the new state, we can talk about who rules it and who doesn’t. In fact, if the new Orimili State becomes a reality, it is in mainly Anambra North Senatorial zone, with a bit of Anambra Central. The Anambra Elders’ Council, which you head, has been silent in recent times. What exactly is the situation of things with the Council? The group is active, we are not sycophantic noise makers; we work quietly, at times we bring something to the notice

of the public, we discuss serious issues; issues that are of interest to the people of Anambra, and part of the problems we have had to deal with is re-entrenching discipline within the body politics, within the town unions, village meetings, family meetings, re-introduction of sanction process that is aimed at sanitising the public and brings us in line, to respect our customs and traditions, to respect the laws and be less avaricious in the pursuit of material things, this is a big challenge to us, we are dealing with it and we hope with time, we will solve the problem of indiscipline considerably. As a medical doctor, what do you think is

the panacea to trend whereby Nigerians troop to foreign countries for medical attention? It is an unfortunate situation. But I think the Federal Government, the state governments and even private individuals need to invest more in the health care industry. I believe that it is not because of inferiority of manpower, personnel knowledge, but inferiority of equipment. A law should also be promulgated barring our leaders from travelling abroad for medical care, unless such cannot be handled locally in the country. I think people who indulge in this act are still manacled in what I called colonial mentality.

Editorial

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

LANRE OYETADE

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Trial of capital market fraudsters

ndications that the culprits who wrecked the capital market between 2006 and 2008 would eventually not escape justice after destroying the lifetime savings and investments of many Nigerians is, to say the least, heartening. It is a refreshing development that, if diligently prosecuted, would improve investor confidence and interest in the capital market. The regulatory Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to reports, is putting finishing touches to the case files of registrars, banks and stock-broking firms accused of the malpractices worth about N86 billion. Those found culpable would be tried at the Lagos, Enugu and Abuja zones of the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST). Many banks and their stock-broking firms allegedly colluded to defraud unsuspecting investors through the manipulation of share value in the stock market. About six years ago, controversial regulations and policy somersault of the regulators namely: SEC under Musa al-Faki; Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) under Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke; as well as the then Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, contributed to eroding investors’ confidence in the capital market, which led to panic withdrawal of investments by domestic and foreign investors. Reckless marginal loan disbursement by criminally-minded bank

chief executives, who used the illicitly acquired loans to fraudulently and illegally buy back own bank shares, thereby shoring up artificially their stock prices, was the last straw that brought the market down on its knees in 2008. Bank stocks then accounted for about 85 percent of total NSE capitalization. The executives of one bank reportedly used six law firms to suddenly incorporate 95 firms to transfer N25 billion depositors’ funds to buy back own shares with the innocent depositors ultimately losing their deposits in a dubious deal they were ignorant of, for example. It may be simply stated, therefore, that the distress which arose from banks’ illicit deals crushed the market. Rather than rein in capital flight by putting in place sound policies and apprehending dishonest individual and corporate entities, the regulators had engaged in buck passing. In a fell swoop, about $15 billion investment was lost and the market’s capitalization crashed from roughly N12 trillion to about N5 trillion. Apparently because the regulators were complicit in the capital market corruption, no notable individual or firm is known to have been successfully prosecuted and sanctioned to serve as deterrent. The malpractices, we recall, festered to the extent that the bubbling capital market nearly col-

THE MALPRACTICES, WE RECALL, FESTERED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BUBBLING CAPITAL MARKET NEARLY

COLLAPSED, WITH MANY SHAREHOLDERS NOT ONLY LOSING THEIR LIFE AND PENSION SAVINGS

AND INVESTMENTS, BUT ALSO THEIR LIVES lapsed, with many shareholders not only losing their life and pension savings and investments, but also their lives in the convulsive after-market shocks. Many banks collapsed, while some bank owners and managers smiled home with the booty from the sweat and blood of investors. All efforts to revive investors’ confidence have availed little, so far. While domestic regulators were inept in the performance of their regulatory functions, some wounded parties got justice from abroad. A court in the United Kingdom, for instance, recently ordered Erastus Akingbola, the chief executive of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, to forfeit over N170 billion he got from fraudu-

lent insider deals. In Nigeria, the cases against Akingbola are still dragging with public apprehension that he might escape justice, considering the lackluster attitude of the nation’s incorrigibly compromised judicial system to dispensing justice. Till date, unfortunately, the capital market is yet to recover from the assault because of the lack of diligent investigation and prosecution by the regulatory authorities, precisely the NSE, SEC, and IST, in what many had viewed as an ungodly conspiracy to let the capital market crooks off the hook. It is, however, instructive that the SEC under its current leadership led by Ms. Aruma Oteh, has implored the Nigeria Police Force to set up a squad to ensure the effective policing of market infractions and enhance the speedy apprehension and prosecution of culprits. Coupled with the proposed IST trial of pending cases, the current moves by Oteh’s SEC has the capacity to restore public/investor confidence and make the capital market come alive again. Of profound importance is the need to ensure that all the bank chiefs, law firms, SEC, CBN, NSE and other regulatory officials, who shielded criminality alongside market operators, are brought to justice. The IST must be above board and indeed, should be closely monitored as it confronts this historical assignment. Besides, justice must not be delayed.

ON THIS DAY September 19, 2010 The leaking oil well in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was sealed. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and might have continued to seep. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. The spill stemmed from a sea-floor oil gusher that resulted from the April 20, 2010 explosion of Deepwater Horizon, which drilled on the BP-operated Macondo Prospect.

September 19, 1990 Delhi University student, Rajiv Goswami, attempt self immolation (setting one’s self on fire) during the Anti-Reservation agitation in India. Though he survived, his self immolation inspired nearly 150 self immolation bids and indirectly led to the resignation of the government of the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. V. P. Singh. Goswami was a former commerce student at the Deshbandhu College, Delhi University in India.

September 19, 1946 The Council of Europe was founded following a speech by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. The Council of Europe is an international organization promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation. It is a sepatae body from the European Union (EU), has 47 member states with about 800 million citizens.

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Views

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Imperative of Internet censorship PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

nternet is a milestone in the globalization process. It contributes largely to bridging gaps among societies, fostering interpenetration, increasing interdependency, and transcending natural and artificial barriers. It is a major contribution to communications in a sense that time and space is bridged. The phenomenon of globalization is largely predicated on the speedy and efficient exchange of information and ideas among peoples with a view to promoting international cooperation and understanding. The internet is fostering individual and group relations and interactions to the extent that global diversities are now better understood and appreciated. The internet largely enhances political, economic, financial and cultural globalization. It fosters political exchanges on governance, types of governmental systems, imperative of popular inclusion and pluralism. Internet has raised political consciousness through the social media, especially in hitherto authoritarian states. The role of social media in the revolts in North Africa and Middle East cannot be over emphasized. The social media were largely exploited in the Arab springs, especially in Egypt, Tu-

nisia and Libya. They became tools for mobilizing and organizing actions against despots and as platforms for canvassing economic and political reforms. However, internet responds to the logic of dominant capitalist system whereby the cyber space is inundated with western political and economic values. These are posed as universal principles and models of governance. The neo-liberal ideology is often posed as a superior political model. It is attached to loans and development assistance to adjusting states. This political conditionality somewhat imposes western liberal values without due cognizance of the historical specificities of the adjusting countries. The expansion in financial relations, especially portfolio investment, has increased the capitalization levels of stock markets in different economies. We cannot ignore, however, the recent global financial crisis and the Euro-zone crisis. The foregoing suggests the vulnerability of capitalism to crisis as against Francis Fukuyama’s ‘End of History’ thesis. Furthermore, the process of cultural globalization has engendered cooperation, protest and hybridization. There are sub-cultures that protest the seeming hegemonic nature of the western neo-liberal philosophy. This explains why the G8 Summit and the World Economic Forum often attract counter protests, rallies and alternative conferences. The World Social Forum also emerged in this context. Critics have described the process of globalization as triadization, Americanization and Europeanization. These scholars refer to the hegemony of the core capitalist states on global economic, political, military and cultural relations. The

THE STATE SHOULD

PLAY REGULATORY ROLE IN PEOPLE’S ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND DEFINE WHAT IS INJURIOUS TO SOCIAL RELATIONS AND STABILITY criticisms against the World Trade Organization (WTO) also emerged in this context. Internet is been exploited to perpetuate financial scams and related frauds. The e-transactions and credit card system are often abused and subverted. Internet fraud has become a major global issue. Young minds that are jobless, but desperate for living, resort to hacking and other forms of financial malpractices. The Nigerian state, for instance, has had her image severely hurt as a result of this phenomenon. She created the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and succeeded, to a little extent, in prosecuting some high profile cases of online financial scams. It is problematic, however, to police the users of the internet. This gap is exploited to sustain this underground culture. The state security agents, at a point, resorted to arresting users of cyber cafes. This approach has not been far-reaching enough and effective. Pornographies that are accessible to the under age and teenage population can be assessed cheaply from internet. Though facebook and twitter has increased individual

and group friendship, these social media have equally facilitated criminalities. The widely reported death of Cynthia Osokogu typifies the horrendous dimension of the social media. Internet facilitated the access to the American movie that purportedly mocks Prophet Mohammed and the resultant mass violent protests in North Africa and the Middle East that consumed American envoy to Libya and three other embassy staff in Benghazi. US President Barack Obama had apologized for the offensive movie, though criticized by the Republican Presidential candidate, Willard Mitt Romney. This movie saga has renewed debate on internet censorship. There should be limited state censorship of application of social media. The state should play regulatory role in people’s access to the internet and define what is injurious to social relations and stability. The damaging impact of the internet in drugs, increased violence, financial scam and murder, supports the case for its censorship. This approach is not inconsistent with democratic principles and pluralism; it is informed by the logic of state interventionist role in the public interest. The Nigerian state should rethink the internet space and develop mechanisms to monitor and regulate exchanges in order to safeguard our cultures, values, identity and personality. The issue has assumed a critical national imperative in several states and Nigeria should respond to this shift. It should develop the capacity to respond, otherwise, the state and society in Nigeria would be at serious risk.

Newswatch: Let us bring back the glory BOLU JOHN FOLAYAN Continued from last week

ear what Mr. Ray Ekpu said recently at the launch of one of his new books: “We thought Ibrahim came to journalism to help journalism, not to harm it. We thought he came to support journalism, not to scuttle it. We thought he came to buy and build and not buy and bury our dear magazine…when you kill a publication, you kill the hopes and aspirations of millions of readers, advertisers, distributors, vendors, researchers and the general public”. Excellent prose, the trademark that made Ray Ekpu a household name. Unfortunately, doing business is far away from rhetoric and creative writing. Where are the millions of readers today for a magazine that sold less than 5,000 copies nationwide weekly? Where are the advertisers when in 20 editions of Newswatch you hardly would find three full page of adverts? So, where are the readers and general public he alluded to? I cannot understand the logic in saying Jimoh Ibrahim is stripping the assets of the company. Which asset? The only tangible asset Newswatch has is the land in Oregun, which is already on a long lease. NICON Insurance, which belongs to Jimoh

LET US FACE THE BRUTAL FACT: THE PROBLEM OF

NEWSWATCH

COMMUNICATIONS LTD IS NOT MONEY BUT MANAGEMENT Ibrahim alone is worth more than N40 billion in assets. Ibrahim owns at least 20 houses in Victoria Garden City alone, and I wonder what this land at Oregun will add to his asset base. Why do you prefer to blackmail a young man who has good intentions just because you are patently ignorant of elementary business praxis and rules? How will Jimoh make back the money he invested in the business if he killed the magazine? Or did he donate the money to Ray Ekpu and co as charity? Of what benefit will killing Newswatch be to Jimoh Ibrahim? Let me end this piece by telling my journalism heroes that in the next few months, they will see the dream of Dele Giwa in the new Newswatch. In the new Newswatch, the starting point of a graduate cannot be N25, 000 monthly as it was before Jimoh stopped it. In the old Newswatch, a graduate of 10 years earned N38, 000 monthly. How can that be after Ibrahim has carried

out his surgery, when in fact, in his Global Fleet Group, that is about the start-up monthly pay of an Office Assistant. But it is NOT just a matter of increasing salaries. You had to re-position the company to generate income to pay the new salaries. Prince Emeka Obasi, who sold National Mirror to Jimoh Ibrahim a few years ago, today holds his heads high when he sees what it has become now. After purchasing the company, Jimoh did not change the staff; he only appointed a new Managing Director. The old National Mirror ran for about a year and it could not move out of the doldrums. Ibrahim temporarily closed it down and took it to the theatre for corporate surgery. The result is startling. Prince Obasi went on to establish Business Hallmark, which is doing well today. Just few days ago, Ibrahim did a similar thing to his own company, Air Nigeria. He did it at a time Air Nigeria recorded full capacity to and fro London. Was he stupid? Now is the time for us (journalists) to combine the skills of writing with management. Ray Ekpu and Co should face the brutal fact that they no longer own Newswatch. It has been sold, signed and delivered. May be there could be hope if they can prove that they signed off under duress; I am not a lawyer. And if they think they were foolish in selling (no one is perfect), they should plead with the new owner on how much reprieve he may give them.

After Russian government sold some of its companies to Roman Abrahamovic, it had a rethink and wanted the companies back, probably for security reasons. Rather than blackmail the new owner, the government negotiated with him, and got the companies back. Let us face the brutal fact: the problem of Newswatch Communications Ltd is not money but management. The most beautiful prose in the world and the cheapest blackmail ever posted on the internet will not bring Newswatch back to the path of glory. So why not leave the owner of the company to do what he knows how best to do: bring back life to Newswatch. The bad news is that it has entered into the state of coma. I know it will survive, going by the pedigree of the chief surgeon. There is hope. I am confident that once again I will relive my exciting undergraduate years when Newswatch was the pride of journalism in Nigeria! Dr. Folayan is Executive Director, Newswatch Daily Newspapers Ltd 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.

Mail Mirror

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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Suspicious decamping in Ogun

want to draw the attention of the good people of Ogun State to the

recent decamping of some PDP members of the Ogun State of Assembly to the

ruling party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. This action might be a plot

by the ACN-controlled government to get enough votes in the state house of

assembly to secure the controversial N10 billion bond and put the state in debt. Ola, Ago Abeokuta

Oko,

Keep Ndigbo out of bondage

t is only bigots and traitors like a former Anambra state governor that will back Jonathan for second term. Shame on him! The likes of the former governor can keep his household on the bondage of Nigeria, but they should stop putting Ndigbo there with their evil cohorts! Austin Chinwoke, Asaba, Delta State

That anti-rape condom

am in favour of the new rape axe. I commend everyone behind the making of the condom. Good stuff. Fantastic! Sakaya Ibrahim, Kwara State

Ilorin,

*** *** *** ime will prove the safety and user friendliness of the new anti-rape condom for women. However, for now, the advantages look greater than the disadvantages.

Adenrele Ibiduni, Sagamu, Ogun state

Thank you, Gov. Amosun

he residents of Ojo Community Development Association wish to express our profound appreciation and gratitude to the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for his government’s benevolence in providing our community with electric transformer. It is our prayer that Almighty God will not leave the governor alone at his time of need Amen. As he puts smiles and joy to our faces and heart, we pray that things of joy will not cease in hs family and government. Amen. O.Elegbede, Ag.Chairman, Ojo CDA, Ogun State

Knock out, as two Dambe traditional kick boxers slog it out in Sango, Ogun State.

Boko Haram: Who’s fooling who?

he fact remains that Nigeria government has never been sincere with anything. They said they are in dialogue with the Boko Haram and they still reportedly killed the sect’s spokesman. So, why should

the security agents kill someone representing the people the government is trying to reach peaceful agreement with? God will save this country one day. Pius, Minna, Niger State

New Householder on board

had a hearty laugh after reading the story of a Queen, former wife of the hiphop star, Soul-E who claimed to have gone back to her former church, the Household of God Church. She ceased to be a pastor after abandoning her flock and putting the sheep in disarray. The church had to close shop for lack of a shepherd. I wonder why I can’t stop thinking that the main reason she is going back to the Household of God now could be that because the senior pastor of

that church, Chris Okotie, is now single. I can sense in my spirit that she may be next in line for a “miracle”. Mike Ajao, Agidingbi, Ikeja, lagos

Letters to the Editor Gov. Amosu

Oro can’t disrupt WAEC exams

ro is a tradition that dates back centuries ever before the existence of Islam or Christianity in Nigeria. I honestly don’t see how the Oro adherents would disrupt WAEC exams as their activity usually takes place at night. After all, they too have children who would be taking

the examination on that day. Even if they do, Muslim or Christian groups should not comment as their own activities (Christians and Muslims) often disrupt the entire nation, especially during Christian and Muslim celebrations. This is just another attempt at religious and cultural intoler-

Why is Jonathan intolerant

read where some Nor ther n women activists said the for mer Speaker of

Since then, I’ve been keeping it in my mind because what I know that whatever the Man of God says will surely come to pass in Jesus name.

the House of Re presentatives, Ghali Na’aba, should stop distracting President Jonathan. We are in a democracy and there is freedom of speech. Jonathan is the most biased and intolerant leader we have ever witnessed in this country. Norther ners cannot and will never vote for him again.

mutsa topera (wwwovi.com), Harare, Zimbabwe

Sunusi Lawal Sunusi, Kano, Kano State

Keeping my dream alive enjoy watching Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s programmes on television, even though, I am a Zimbabwean. I read his sermon on your website on keeping our dreams alive. After that, I dreamt that Daddy G.O (Adeboye) told me that I would be a prophetess.

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

ance as the Oro represents an integral part of our cultural heritage. To refer to worshippers of the Oro as cultists is an insult. If this insult were to be passed on Muslims or Islam, I’m sure it will cause problems. Yosola Aleshe, Osogbo, Osun State

Kudos to SSS, police

doff ma hat to a big mentor and a helper, Chief Chris O Ezike for tracking the suspected killers Oshiomhole’s aide down with his able team. I also thank the State Security Service (SSS) men and the Nigerian police force for joining hands in the fight against crime and immorality in Nigeria. School Boy Ezike ( e b u k a e z i k e s w o rl d . com.uk)

Send your letters or mails to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and info@nationalmirroronline.net or, 07033375481, 08035640907 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject letters or photographs. Psuedonyms may be used, but must be clearly marked as such.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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Health & Wellbeing Pharmacist seeks truly produced African drug

Parental divorce linked to stroke in males

ll is now set for the commissioning of Nigeria’s Geriatric Centre in November by the nation’s premier tertiary hospital, the University College Hospital Ibadan (UCH). News of the establishment of the purpose-built centre to cater exclusively for the aged was revealed by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Temitope Alonge in an exclusive interview with National Mirror recently in Ibadan. Health & Wellbeing had in a scoop on February 2011 revealed that no hospital in the country had a geriatric unit while the nation could also not boast of a single geriatrician, a doctor that specialises in the care of people aged 65 and above. But Prof. Alonge, an Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon said UCH is set to redress the situation as a Nigerian Geriatrician, a lady, based in England had agreed to return home to run the centre. She will be assisted by two other consultants with some training in Geriatric Medicine in the hospital. “Already, we are putting finishing touches for her to resume; we are just ensuring that things are really put in place with the right population for her to set up the department. When she is on ground, these other two consultants would be able to go for full training. Besides these consultants, well trained nurses geriatric care are already on standby awaiting the elderly’s arrival when the centre finally kicks off.” The timing of the centre is even more appropriate as Nigeria is reported to have more senior citizens requiring specialised medical attention. “We are getting more of older patients. Part of the reasons why we are setting up the centre is because the average life expectancy in Nigeria is not what is being reported. The report of 47 years is a skewed presentation because the mortality between 5 and 10 years is so high that when added, the average life expectancy comes to between 47 and 50. But if we exclude deaths recorded below ten years of age, our life expectancy comes to a minimum of 60 years,” Prof. Alonge said. “Often, the aged have peculiar pre-morbid conditions; it is very rare to have elderly

SENIOR CITIZENS: UCH offers better life

At last! Nigeria gets geriatrics centre who do not have hypertension and diabetes, problem with their sight, hearing, and osteoarthritis among other complaints. When they come to the hospital, they come with bucketful of their drugs. They really need someone who will listen to them and understand their needs to help address these needs in a way they would be able to place their trust and reliance. So, we should look after them before they finally go to their graves.” Indeed, Health & Wellbeing had, in its exclusive report last year, drawn attention to the fact that the care of the aged in Nigeria was totally in the hands of doctors who are not trained on the specific health needs of the elderly. We cited a paper by Dr. Martin Leicht, an American Geriatrician at Jeanes Hospital, Philadephia, stating that the practice of Geriatrics requires that individuals be assessed and evaluated in every aspect so they can be treated properly. “A patient’s treatment is adjusted to physical, social and emotional needs. Our goal is to maximize the patient’s ability to be as independent as possible. Time is very

Prof. Alonge

crucial in geriatrics because small changes can make big differences. We address preventive issues as well. Geriatricians can discuss with patients how to slow down the aging process by finding the right exercise

programs or lifestyles. Geriatric practice is about helping patients make the transitions to later life as easy and meaningful as possible. “Most of these problems are simply problems of worn out and overused body parts. It is easy to understand that a heart that has been faithfully pumping oxygenated blood and nutrients to a body eighty or ninety years of age are somewhat worn and less vital as before. Some of these are preventable and some are not. Yet, the body is not run by a set of unrelated organs and systems, it is a serviced by well coordinated system that work as a team. “The most common health problems of old age are related to circulatory disorders resulting in coronary artery disease, strokes, heart attacks; metabolic disorders resulting in diabetes, skeletal malfunctions, and gastric and intestinal diseases. Of course, that takes in about all of the body. Why? In old age health is more fragile” the Genatrician said. Full interview on page 21

h ke-

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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Parental divorce linked to stroke in males SCIENCE

Children adolescents, and families are powerful agents in HIV prevention and eduaction

More ways to prevent HIV, STIs P

eople who suspect they have an STI should see a trained health worker promptly to be diagnosed and treated. They should avoid sexual intercourse or practice safer sex (non-penetrative sex or sex using a male or female condom). Correct and consistent use of male and female condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse – vaginal, anal or oral – can greatly reduce the spread of most STIs, including HIV. People who have an STI should tell their partner(s). Unless both partners are treated for an STI, they will continue infecting each other. Most STIs are curable. Some STI symptoms: A man may have pain while urinating; a discharge from his penis; or sores, blisters, bumps or rashes on the genitals or inside the mouth. A woman may have vaginal discharge that has a strange colour or bad smell, pain or itching around the genital area, and pain or bleeding from the vagina during or after intercourse. More severe infections can cause fever, pain in the abdomen and infertility. Many STIs in women and some in men produce no noticeable symptoms. Not every problem in the genital area is an STI. Some infections, such as candidiasis (yeast infection) and urinary tract infections are not spread by sexual intercourse. But they can cause great discomfort in the genital area. HIV can be spread by unsterilized, contaminated needles or syringes, most often those used for injecting drugs, and by other instruments: An unsterilized needle or syringe can pass HIV and other infections, such as hepatitis, from one person to another if contaminated with infected blood. Nothing should be used to pierce a person’s skin unless it has been sterilized. People who inject themselves with drugs or have unprotected sex with injecting drug users are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. People who inject drugs should al-

ways use a clean needle and syringe. They should never use another person’s needle or syringe. Injections should be given only by a trained health worker using an auto-disable syringe (a syringe that can be used only once). Any kind of cut using an unsterilized object such as a razor or knife can transmit HIV. The cutting instrument must be fully sterilized for each person, including family members, or rinsed with bleach and/or boiling water. Equipment for dental treatment, tattooing, facial marking, ear or body piercing, and acupuncture is not safe unless the equipment is sterilized for each person. The person performing the procedure should take care to avoid any contact with blood during the procedure. 7. Children and adolescents should actively participate in making and implementing decisions on HIV prevention, care and support that affect them, their families and their communities. Children, adolescents, youth and families can be powerful agents of change in HIV prevention and education and reducing stigma and discrimination. They need to be a central part of defining and implementing responses to HIV. Children and young people can raise awareness of HIV and compassion for those living with HIV. They often gain confidence and self-esteem in the process of working with their peers and in their communities. Child forums and other events provide opportunities for children and young people to mobilize communities to create supportive and caring environments for children and families living with and affected by HIV. Schools and non-formal educational activities can help children form peer-topeer support groups and children’s clubs.

en with divorced parents are significantly more likely to suffer a stroke than men from intact families, shows a new study from the University of Toronto. The study, to be published this month in the International Journal of Stroke, shows that adult men who had experienced parental divorce before they turned 18are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than men whose parents did not divorce. Women from divorced families did not have a higher risk of stroke than women from intact families. “The strong association we found for males between parental divorce and stroke is extremely concerning,” says lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, Sandra Rotman Chair at University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Department of Family and Community Medicine. “It is particularly perplexing in light of the fact we excluded from our study individuals who had been exposed to any form of family violence or parental addictions. We had anticipated that the association between the childhood experience of parental divorce and stroke may have been due to other factors such as riskier health behaviors or lower socioeconomic status among men whose parents had divorced,” explains University of Toronto recent graduate and co-author Angela Dalton. “However, we controlled statistically for most of the

known risk factors for stroke, including age, race, income and education, adult health behaviors (smoking, exercise, obesity, and alcohol use) social support, mental health status and health care coverage. Even after these adjustments, parental divorce was still associated with a threefold risk of stroke among males.” Researchers cannot say with certainty why men from divorced families had triple the risk of stroke, but one possibility lies in the body’s regulation of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Fuller-Thomson explains the elevated rate of stroke could be linked to a process known as biological embedding. “It is possible that exposure to the stress of parental divorce may have biological implications that change the way these boys react to stress for the rest of their lives,” says Fuller-Thomson. As with all scientific research, it is essential for many researchers to replicate findings from this study in prospective studies before it is safe to draw any conclusions about causality. Fuller-Thomson notes that eventually, the results of this study could potentially affect current stroke education policy. “If these findings are replicated in other studies,” says Fuller Thomson, “then perhaps health professionals will include information on a patient’s parental divorce status to improve targeting of stroke prevention education.” Internationally, stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases account for 10 per cent of deaths, making stroke the second leading cause of death.

Feeling stressed by your job? Don’t blame your employer –Study

ork stress, job satisfaction and health problems due to high stress have more to do with genes than you might think, according to research by Timothy Judge, professor of management at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. The lead author of “Genetic influences on core self-evaluations, job satisfaction, work stress, and employee health: A behavioral genetics mediated model,” published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Judge studied nearly 600 twins -- some identical, some fraternal -- who were raised together and reared apart. He found that being raised in the same environment had very little effect on personality, stress and health. Shared genes turned out to be about four times as important as shared environment. “Assume James and Sandy both work in the same organization,” Judge says. “James reports more stress than Sandy. Does it mean that James’ job is objectively more stressful than Sandy’s? Not necessarily. Our study suggests strong heritabilities to work stress and the outcomes of stress. This means that stress may have less to do with the objective

features of the environment than to the genetic ‘code’ of the individual.” The battle of nature vs. nurture shows that even at work, nature wins. Changing a job to free yourself of stress is probably not going to do the trick unless you appreciate your own predispositions toward stress. “This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do things as employers or individuals to avoid stressful jobs,” Judge says. “However, we also shouldn’t assume that we’re ‘a blank slate’ and therefore be overly optimistic about what the work environment can and can’t do as far as stress is concerned. More of it has to do with what’s inside of us than what we encounter outside in the work environment.” Specializing in personality, leadership, moods, emotions and career and life success, Judge has published more than 130 articles in refereed journals, including more than 80 in top-tier journals. His studies “Do Nice Guys -- and Gals -Really Finish Last?” and “On the Value of Aiming High: The Causes and Consequences of Ambition,” both published last year, were widely cited in the media. — Science Daily

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

We are getting more elderly patients –CMD, UCH Prof. Temitope Alonge, an Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, is the Chief Medical Director of Nigeria’s first teaching hospital, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan-Oyo State. In this interview with Assistant Editor, SEKINAH LAWAL, he spoke on the proposed take-off of the hospital’s geriatric centre, the first in the country, and other giant strides being taken to make UCH, one of the best tertiary institutions in Africa. Sir, how will you assess the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria? There are many challenges really but for UCH to be rated among the nine best in the 2011 SCimago Institutions Ranking World Reports, it is quite commendable despite the challenges. Some of these challenges include electricity supply, water and fund. We are working towards having a rebirth of excellence in UCH. We intend to sustain the tertiary nature of this place and go beyond mediocrity. There is in place here now the biggest Cardiac Laboratory in the whole of Africa. We have been rated the best among 62 institutions in Africa recognised for research development. In addition, in order to ensure total quality management, we have put in place thirty lines serving as HelpLine 24/7 to offer help and send ambulances when required. Once people dial 0700UCH, there are people to attend to their needs at any period of the day. What is your take on the attitude of many Nigerians to care of the aged? The needs of the older people are indeed very special but most times younger people do not understand these needs and tend to treat them with some disdain. As an Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, half of my patients are geriatrics (old people) who often fall and have broken knees or limbs and would need knee replacement. Most of the time, because they have put their trust in their doctors, they are so confident and would respect your judgment about their condition. Based on the need to look after our aged, we are setting up the first purpose-built Geriatric Centre to be commissioned in

on training and workshop for all cadres of staff so as to ensure efficiency, quality service delivery, new innovations and staff commitment..

Prof. Alonge

November this year. This special project is a passion that I’d nursed before now but which I could not get started before now. The Geriatrics Centre is a day care centre for old people. Old men and women who have no one to stay at home with, could be brought in by their children when they are leaving for work. At the centre, they will have the opportunity to mix with their colleagues, play games, share stories and chat. Sir, does that implies that the hospital is recording more of elderly patients? Yes, that is the situation. We are getting more of older patients. Part of the reasons why we are setting up the centre is because the average life expectancy in Nigeria is not what is being reported. The report of 47years is a skewed presentation because the mortality between 5 and 10 years is so high that when added, the average life expectancy comes to between 47 and 50. But if we exclude deaths recorded below ten years of age, our life expectancy comes to a minimum of 60 years! From the office of the bureau of statistics, we find out that deaths of under ten is what has reduced our life expectancy much more than those we are not taking cognisance of; hence when we are making provisions, we exclude the aged by not making provisions for them . Simply because it is assumed that the life expec-

tancy is 47. This is not correct in the real sense of it. We usually have some complaints regarding the quality of care patients get as well as rising cost of treatment, what are you doing to address this issue? The issue of quality control and quality assurance is key to the services that we render . I don’t think many teaching hospitals, if any at all, has a 4D-Ultra Sound machines. If we are to go by the cost of the machines, a 4D-UltraSound test for a pregnant woman should not attract less than N3, 000; with a 2D, one can see the shape of the baby, but a 4D allows the reconstruction of the baby. There are Anomaly Scan Services which can scan the foetus totally and discover hitherto hidden defects. We have just added another state of the art twelve modern Incubators. Likewise, the disposable packs that we use in the theatre cost N10, 000 but if we need to make purchase singly, it would cost much more. There is a Day-care Centre for pregnant women where they can be attended to even when it is not their clinic day. Also, in order to improve service delivery, more qualified nurses were employed recently. In my 18 months in office now, it has been the spirit of teamwork that is making things work. We always dialogue with all stakeholders through the town hall meetings. With over 4, 000 staff, about 78million has been spent

No hospital can treat all diseases – CMD, BSUTH on needless overseas medical treatment HENRY IYORKASE BENUE

he Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Prof. Abraham Orkurga Malu has warned that Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment could be doing so at their peril, saying many of them chose to be treated abroad not because they cannot be managed in Nigeria but just to conceal their ailments. In a chat with National Mirror in Makurdi Monday,

Prof. Malu hinted that no one hospital in the world could ever boast of having every equipment required to prevent or stop a human being from dying, adding that even the best Hospitals in the world still refer some peculiar ailments elsewhere. According to him, no hospital has the monopoly of treating every type of disease, noting that in some instances medical experts in developed countries still refer cases of stubborn ailments to another hospital. “Our indigenous clinics are equally good and qualitative. They are also comparable to other hospitals

You mention fund as part of the challenges facing the institution, what is the revenue of UCH like? The internally-generated revenue is in two-phases: Those from services that include admission form, those not involving revolving funds, would generate very small amount of money, less than N20m a year. However, the revolving funds, the monies that are being used to fuel the services after an initial capital investment, sometimes, we generate close to a N100m; like we have in non-routine immunisation schedules where people have to pay to obtain, such as vaccines for Hepatitis, Cervical Cancer etc. The budget from government varies, from about N650m per month. To maximise what we have, we are converting our sewage waste into biological waste, we use waste to fertilise our farm reaping foods abundantly. From the UCH Ventures, we now have the best block around here, there is the Bakery, BottledWater Factory among others. It is Solarpowered Vaccine storage that we are using now and 90% of our 850-900 bed space capacity is always occupied at a point in time. What is your administration doing sir to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates in UCH? With regards to this issue, we have set up the Morbid and Mortality Committee to be looking into all death and morbid reports and probe unwarranted deaths or medical errors in order to punish offenders and avoid re-occurrence of such cases in future. I can tell you categorically that there is no cover-up in UCH any longer. I am also part of the committee and we ensure that all cases are thoroughly investigated. We have just procured 52million naira worth of Surgical instruments because we realised that the availability of consumables has reduced the waiting time as well as the rate of infection. We also put great premium on service delivery, new innovation and staff welfare. We are building new blocks of accommodation for our House Officers and a Multi-purpose Hall to enhance staff welfare, organising training and re-training for all members of staff in order to improve service delivery and it is going to be a continuous programme. The Continued Professional Development Centre is there to upgrade staff.

elsewhere in the world. Some people seek medical attention abroad for the show of opulence as well as concealment of the ailment bothering them, “ he said. Prof. Malu further disclosed that the Benue State University Teaching Hospital offers quality health delivery in the area of out-patients, emergency, radiology, laboratory and physiotherapy among several others. “I bet you, the quality of services rendered in this hospital, even though is relatively new, could be compared to the older existing teaching hospitals in the country and even beyond” Dr. Malu however stressed the need for government to resuscitate some of the ailing hospitals and also pleaded to those in authority to fund and equip Nigerian hospitals just like what obtains in advanced countries of the world.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Pharmacist seeks truly produced African drug DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

rofessor of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. (Mrs.) Patience Osadabe, has canvassed that both industrial players and research academia should a as a matter of urgency put heads together to produce a truly African drug.

Prof. Osadabe said that not having what could be referred to as originally produced African drug does not tell good story of African drug researchers and pharmaceutical industrialists even when they have giant strides in drug research development. Osadabe who threw up the challenge when she delivered the 69th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria at Princess Alexandria Audito-

rium, stated that the major challenge of the pharmaceutical world in Nigeria today is to see if the industrial players and research stakeholders could have a synergy that would result into an indigenously produced drug. Delivering the lecture titled “From the laboratory bench through the gardens of Apothecary: Journey so far,” the Pharmacist regretted that even when NICOSAN

has been developed, and registered, the drug is not yet in circulation, stressing the very need for industrial-academic collaboration for the purpose of translation of the thousands of the research findings in the various academic and research institutions to marketable products. The Don suggested that some of the medical plants with validated activities will need to be cultivated in large expanse of land for industrial exploitation. “This is the only way steady supply of such can be sustained and industrial development of products from them worthwhile,” she said.

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300,000 to brush teeth simultaneously TOBORE OVUORIE

agos State government has disclosed that over 300, 000 secondary school students will simultaneously compete in the Lagos World Record Tooth Brushing Challenge in December, aimed at creating a new Guinness Book of Records in tooth brushing across the world. Revealing this at a world press conference recently in Lagos during the World Oral Health Day celebration, Special Adviser to the Lagos state governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, said the project would commence with the establishment of a preventive dental health care department in the entire Primary Health Care, PHCs, in the state.

According to her, two centres would be ready for use by next month. The current record of 177, 003 in tooth brushing challenge was set by India in 2007. Adeshina noted that; “The toothbrush challenge programme tagged ‘Do not wait: address your future now,’ is not just solely aimed on shattering the world record on December 5 alone, but the challenge will also provide vital information for future research baseline on oral health planning in the state.” On his part, project head of the world record challenge, Dr. Bakare Lawal, said 300,000 students drawn from various secondary schools in the state would converge in schools across the state to partake in the tooth brushing contest.

Doctors must be business-like –Prof. Femi-Pearse L-R: Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Nestle Nig. Dr. Samuel Adenekan; Corporate Communications; Public affairs Manager, Nestle Central and West Africa, Mrs. Benita Mbake and Director, Finance and Control, Nestle Plc, Mr. Martin Kruegal, during a press briefing on Creating Shared Value (CSV) forum in Lagos, recently. PHOTOS: OLUFEMI AJASA

Access to clean water still bleak in Africa –UNICEF

espite the ravaging floods and abundant rains, the United Nations Children Fund, (UNI-

CEF) has raised an alarm that an estimated 605 million people, especially those in Africa will still not have

access to clean water by 2015. The Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs) would draw to a close by

Expert blames upsurge in sudden deaths on unhealthy lifestyles TOBORE OVUORIE

nutrition expert and Chief Executive, Justy Confectionaries and Foods Limited, Mr. George Ekeh has blamed the upsurge in sudden deaths in the country on unhealthy lifestyles. According to him, 99 per cent of the deaths were preventable if measures were taken to eat right and live right. Addressing participants at the flag-off of its campaign on Healthy living tagged: “Why Die Now?” Eke queried why Nigerians continued to die at the age of 30 and 50 years, blaming it on poor attitude to health. “Why die young? Why do

people import toxins into their bodies? Why are Nigerians not taking exercise? Many of the best tasting foods are the worst foods for people” he added. He stressed that good food can be healthy food and vice versa but eating well and healthy would give the body a chance and keep it working well for a long time. Noting the dangers posed by fat tummy, he stated: “It is one major source of diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, kidney failure, and diabetes etc. For instance, belly fat has been implicated in High blood pressure.” Lamenting the low life expectancy in the country, he noted that in the past,

Nigerians lived above 100 years even as they fed only on natural foods. “Our fore-fathers ate natural foods, they trekked and use bicycles. Today, many Nigerians no longer exercise. They choose westernised foods over the local foods. They ignorantly import toxins into their systems. All these misbehaviours are the reasons why Nigerians are dying young,” he said. Encouraging Nigerians to eat right and exercise, Ekeh announced that the nationwide campaign, would be taking around all communities in Lagos including, Badagry, Epe, Lekki, Surulere, Ikotun, Agege, Yaba amongst others.

that year. In a release to mark the 2012 World Water Week, UNICEF reiterated the principles of “The Human Right to Water” endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2010, saying that, “drinking water should be affordable, reliable, safe, accessible and available in a sufficient quantity to meet basic needs.” The world body however lamented that despite tremendous progress in the last two decades in bringing access to improved drinking water sources to billions of people, finishing the task is not going to be easy, pointing out that its report on Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012, shows that “those still without access are the hardest to reach, poorest people in urban slums or deep rural areas.” UNICEF contended that when water is not available on premises and has to be collected, women and girls are much more likely to be the main water carriers for families.

SEKINAH L AWAL

clarion call has gone to Nigerian doctors to begin to think like business people. This call came from the erudite scholar, Prof. Deji Femi-Pearse while delivering his lecture on “Emergency Preparedness and Management”, at the 3rd Biennial Faculty Day/Scientific Conference of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences recently. According to him, doctors should be more concerned about their customers who are the patients. “Customer care, service delivery and proper monitoring are very crucial for business to succeed. We must begin to see our practice as business in order to perform excellently. For instance if there is going to be any delay in treatment, there should be proper com-

munication between the patients, caregivers and relatives so as to avoid misunderstanding.” He also reminded the care givers on the need to take the right decisions quickly in case of emergencies. Also speaking, the Medical Director, General Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Habib Balogun who represented the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, reiterated the need for care givers to know the areas to expect emergencies such as plane crash, road accident, workplace, relaxation spots, collapsed building, ruptured ectopic, embolism, stroke, appendicitis among others and be well-prepared. He said that though due to improper planning, getting ambulances and fire fighters to places of emergencies could be difficult, the state government would continue to see how best to handle those emergencies.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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Arts Lounge

I wrote my first script before the age of 10 –Williams

TIFF: Tribeca Film acquires How To Make Money Selling Drugs

WIM: Social media takes on age-old culture At the 2012 edition of Women in Media (WIM) Conference/ Award which held on Friday, September 14 in Lagos, failing receptiveness to indigenous culture practices took the flak for many of the ills emerging in society. The annual event, which has been ongoing for the past five years is organised by the Clout Media Ltd. led by Mrs. Daisy Madu-Chikwendu; but issues raised relate to modern day and the perceived incursion of foreign cultural elements. ADENRELE NIYI AND OYINKAN SOMORIN

he WIN 2012 conference/award was themed “Women Got Involved… Media Got Better”, to celebrate women and their achievement in the media. The forum addressed issues of common interest relating to the workplace and women shared experiences and ideas which could facilitate career development. As part of its organisational goals, WIM strives to promote and enshrine professionalism, ethics and social responsibility in the media without ignoring the acknowledgement and celebration of achievement in the media. Consequently, WIM ensures that women in the media must get to the point of branding themselves so that communication to the mass audience would transcend the visual, verbal and written to become experiential. In that regard, this year’s edition held two panel discussions centred on different topics. The first panel talked on the topic: “Brand Strategy: Dominating the Market Place using the Social Media” and the second tackled: “Re-engineering women in Media –Importance of branding”. While treating both topics, panelists, which included management consultant, artist and author, Haddasah Osimen; filmmaker Madu Chikwendu, CEO, MCM Group; Mr. MondayMichaels Ashibogwu, Head, Marketing & Advert, National Mirror; Ms. Simbo Kale, ex-journalist and MD Link-up educational consultants; Ms. Clara Okoro, CEO, Brand World Ventures; Efere Ozako, entertainment lawyer and Mrs. Odum Oruoma, Snr. Lecturer, Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), delved into the issue of using the social media to the advantage of rebranding the society. But the thrust of both panel discussions centred on users of the social

Clara Okoro

Joke Silva

IT (SOCIAL MEDIA) IS A WORLD CULTURE WE ARE TALKING

ABOUT HERE; IT IS NO LONGER FOREIGN AND IT DOESN’T BELONG TO ANYONE media –the younger generation, and the likelihood of abuse as can be seen with the recent tragic demise of Cynthia Osokogu (24), who became a murder victim of male friends she made on Facebook, a social networking site. While delivering her keynote address at the event titled: “Women in the Media: An exceptional brand”, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, the Group Managing Director, Goals & Ideas, expressed apprehension at the growing negligence of the older generation, in particular female media practitioners and mothers, to rear the younger females in true cultural values. “The reason I raised Cynthia’s story is because it is a sign of the times we are in today and the role women in media and mothers have to play. It grieves my heart that our society and our girls are being shaped by the way they are portrayed in the media”, stated Mrs. Ogunde. However, the question raised was; ‘how does one fix what is happening in the society when culture is thrown to the winds by parents who are expected to give children the fundamental introduction to tradition’? Instead, these young ones are left to school training and according to the panel discussants, indigenous tradition is being killed by modernasition. Similarly, the discussants alluded that there were probably

Efere Okaro

many young ladies who had suffered the same fate as Cynthia but their deaths remained unheard and unresolved. The panel discussions also centred on traditional trends that are vanishing in modern society lately and a debate ensued querying the benefits of the social media for the youth, while it was suggested that mothers teach their female children rules abiding within respective cultures of origin. Parents were advised to avoid raising their children on foreign lifestyles and foreign languages solely. Fashion and the power of role model association also came under scrutiny. Examples came from the local film industry, known as Nollywood and the entertainment sector, whose glamourous and popular female brands grace movie jackets or magazine covers. Exposed to such glossy and provocative imagery, young ladies find these women attractive and the tendency is to copy the lifestyle. According to the WIM panelists, culture and tradition is dying fast in the country and

mothers should hold themselves responsible for ingraining culture into the lives of their children if they want them to tread the right part. However, sharing her views with Arts Lounge yesterday, Ms. Joke Silva, veteran film and stage actor and founder, Lufodo Arts Academy, partially agreed with the panel discussants on some of their conjectures. Ms. Silva opined that the damaged psyche and a warped sense of family nurturing had indeed affected our society. “There is a culture of no sanction for bad behaviour from bottom to top”, the award winning thespian said. On the other hand, she argued that making a case for return to ‘our’ tradition was negating the essence of culture in itself. “It (social media) is a world culture we are talking about here; it is no longer foreign and it doesn’t belong to anyone. Cultural practice is changing and culture itself is dynamic. How many people of the old generation know how to use the computer? It is like foreign language to them. The transition is like going from telegram to telephone or from silent films to ‘talkies’ (films with sound)”, Silva expounded. Regarding dress sense by women in film and the public eye, Silva stated that it would be unfair for anyone to legislate on how people should dress because “the way you dress is also a way of expressing yourself”. She did concur though that everyone, whether male or female, ought to dress decently in a way “where things are not hanging out”. But what about the insistence that we should go back to former ways and dress ethnically? Silva then said, “Culturally, in the olden days, maidens used to go barechested so that negates the argument”. Conclusively, Silva emphatically said the tragedy suffered by the Osokogu family was enough without putting blame to it. Her strong opinion was that worldwide, solutions should be found to protect children and other users of the social media from predators. “This kind of incidence is not peculiar to Nigeria alone; it is being battled with in the U.S. and U.K. as well. They are even setting age limits for social media usage in particular schools. The issue is to find policies that would protect individuals”, Silva averred. As for the Nigerian woman who wants to be rebranded, they two WIM panels suggested abiding with culture and tradition to improve their lifestyle and that of their generations. The national duty of disseminating cultural values still rests on the National Institute of Cultural Orientation (NICO) and while some camps yearn for a return to dying indigenous practices which entrench sound values, NICO is called upon to intensify its orientation drive to give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and identity with the national brand.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

VOICES

Youth creativity in leadership development BOB MANUEL-UDOKWU

f our youths have no vision of the future and development, then Nigeria has no vision of the future and development, because you, the youths are the future Nigeria and future Nigeria is you As the future of Nigeria, the youths must have ideas and ideals of making Nigeria great, they must search and secure an intellectual underpinning for it and they must work assiduously for it. One peculiar characteristic of the Nigeria population is that it is a youthful population. With ages 0 – 24 constituting 62 percent of the total population (NPC, 2009), this has serious implications for development. This means that government would have to invest more on the provision of social services in education and health than in the provision of infrastructure for sustainable development. The youths are products of a society that is largely corrupt; they are bound to be influenced by the corrupt practices of their elders. Youths must resolve to rise above the prevailing corrupt practices and where they offer themselves for leadership positions, they must be prepared to lead an exemplary life even though the negative circumstances around them may be overwhelming (Ake 2003). Only in this way can youths begin the task of reform to give Nigeria true leadership in the future. More than these, the youths cannot afford to defer everything to the elected leadership. Astute and vigilant followership is needed to ensure that the ideals of leadership are not inverted and that the goals which both the leadership and followership are pursuing are kept constant on the horizon. Creativity is a function of the state of mind. A tensed youth is not likely to be very creative in terms of exploiting opportunities, being imaginative, resourceful and adventurous. To ensure this, ample facilities for recreation are a necessity to enhance their mental capability and capacities and enable the release of creative energies that have been dammed up for so long. For this to happen, considerable resources would need to be allocated towards the provision of facilities necessary to create the appropriate climate to enable the youths undertake deep reflections. While government has a strong part to play in this regard, these facilities must be rooted more in the local community

Bob Manuel-Udokwu

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MEMORABLE READS

A TENSED YOUTH IS NOT LIKELY TO BE VERY CREATIVE IN TERMS OF EXPLOITING OPPORTUNITIES such that the latter can exert strong pressure on government to ensure continuity of resource allocation for running the facilities not as government property, but as the property of the community. This will also enable the community to take a more positive and concerned attitude towards the maintenance of such facilities. The existence of such facilities in every community should take the youths off the streets and guarantee them places where they can usefully interact relax and cool off when they do feel frustrated, alienated and agitated. What the present situation in the country calls for is greater understanding of the fact that each generation has its own role to play in the development of society. Youths with ideas have the duty of seeking out their uncles, fathers or relations who are either politicians, bureaucrats, military men or policy makers and engage them in dialogues to impress them with their own points of view. This should not involve recriminations and accusations, but should be a conscious attempt at mutual understanding. The process might be long and tedious, the result might be painfully slow, but the tenacity of purpose with which individual youths pursue this objective will eventually determine how useful it proves. It is only those who endure to the last that will gain the understanding and wisdom that are the prerequisites for successful leadership of their generation and the necessary development of the country. The key role that education plays in the process of social and economic development cannot be over emphasised. Education is critical to the future of the youth, as the World Bank (1988) puts it: “Without education development will not occur; only educated people can command the skills necessary for sustainable economic growth and for a better quality of life”. No doubt, education prepares individuals for stable and secure employment, for higher earnings and healthier lives for themselves and their offspring. Conversely, illiteracy and lack of education are major obstacles to development and poverty eradication. Government should prioritise entrepreneurial training for young women and men in urban and rural areas to guarantee sustainable livelihoods to the innumerable youths in the country. Community youth centres should be established at every community with a state-of-the-art centre for youth development, training, sports and other forms of recreation with appropriate skilled personnel. The youths that will play a positive role in the economic survival of a nation must be educated, skilful and focused. We must take action, not only at government level, but also individually. The responsibility lies just as much with our government as with us as youths. Young people are the future leaders of the nation. Government shall recognise their special needs and make appropriate provision for their growth and development and meaningful participation in national development, including the provision of an enabling environment for gainful employment. Nigeria’s young people will be the driving force behind economic prosperity in future decades, our common responsibility is to create together a sustainable human centred development. It is only when these are done that our youths shall make meaningful contribution for the economic survival of Nigeria. Being excerpt of a paper presented by Mr. Udokwu at the Department of English, Anambra State University in August.

BONGOS IKWUE Legendary songwriter

singer,

What is the most memorable book you’ve read? It has to be The Autobiography of Malcom X. He has a very simple way of putting some much information into few sentences. He would say something like; “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today” or “You like to draw a circle and stay in there; me I’m out of it. He means the world is constantly changing and you need to get out of your circle and move or be left behind. I think the book is very instructive. Then in my secondary school days I read books on the Sherlock Holmes series, the Greek mythology and philosophical literature. Who is your favourite author? In books not really but if you ask about music, my favourite musician is Sam Cooke (deceased). I think he was deep and a wonderful writer; again he condensed ideas into simple words. Although Sam Cooke smoked, I didn’t. He would say a thing like, “I wish a match box could take all my clothes; I have a long way to go and a short time to get there”. That’s very powerful. What is your view of the reading culture in Nigeria? It is a challenge for Blacks to read; we don’t read. We are very quick to make decisions based on nothing. We hurry up to draw conclusions on matters because we don’t consider various aspects before taking decision and it is a lack of leadership. If you’re in a train or car abroad, the Black man is just sitting staring into space. Even school level children don’t read. When they’re behind the computer on the Internet, they are not reading but chatting away! It is a serious matter. Do you have a personal library? No I don’t. I’m pretty careless with keeping things from the past; that’s my most undoing. I refer to my daughters for things from the past. You can imagine, girls that I gave birth to have more record of me than I have. I’m more concerned about today because yesterday is gone; I don’t live in the past.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I wrote my first script before the age of 10 –Williams Controversial movie titling is one the many techniques Oreofe Williams, also known as Olori Awo Jesu (Head of Jesus Cult), has used to create impact in the Nigerian moviemaking world. His latest work Okunkun Funfun (Darkness in the Light) addresses many upheavals in the Nigerian society, especially in the University setting. OLAYIWOLA AWAKAN

ne of the many dexterous young minds who have deployed the techniques of controversial titles, plots and styles through the medium of movie making to effect positive change in the religious, political and moral milieu of our complex society is Oreofe Williams, a producer, playwright, actor, director and head of Oreofe Films and Theatre Productions This storyteller, who hails from Ososa Ijebu, Ogun state, hometown of the legendary doyen of theatre, late Hubert Ogunde, has in a short while been able to command respect in the religious and secular film making industry. As a graduate of English and Performing Arts from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State and Masters Degree holder in Dramatic Literature from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, he is presently serving dishes of powerful storylines, among which is the evangelical movie titled Awo Jesu. In sharing his early passion for the scriptwriting craft, Oreofe said, “When I was much younger I developed an interest in theatre arts. Then, I used to ask if there was any course like theatre arts in school, where people could do drama. But I began in the church. The passion is just there and God has been my source of inspiration. I wrote my first script even before I was 10 years; I struggled to create characters and dialogue. When I got to the higher institution, I did more productions on stage”. In analysing Oreofe’s story, one would be quick to conclude that his film making company is solely a gospel venture. But he counters; “You cannot categorically state that it is a typically gospel company because what we do is acceptable and celebrated by all. We have the message; specifically we are doing God wants us to do. This is the only movie company that will ever make use of both gospel and secular actors”. Seven years ago, when the gifted theatre practitioner entered the film industry with Awo Jesu, his use of secular

actors in the evangelical movie ie e and the very contentious title e sprouted criticism among gospel film makers and Christians in general. Nevertheless, he stood his ground. Little did the critics know that other tiitles like Anointed but Broke, PasPa astors on Strike, The Second Death ea ath of Christ, Ina Inu Omi, A holiday in n Helll and Joy to the Wise to mention a few with h more secular actors were on the way from the same producer. od ducer. “Right now, I have over 30 controversial titles. I will always alw ys tell people peop e that your packaging starts from the e title; let the title makes the sense, then let the story be good. If the story is very good and the title is not attractive, people do not get it. I am inspired per second and that is divine inspiration”, he said. Oreofe started as a stage actor but set his perspective on film making eventually. “When it comes to delivery, aesthetics and artistry, the stage is better because it challenges and you get immediate feedback from the audience. On stage, all parts of your body are acting. If you want to be a good actor and you have never gone on stage, you can never be one. But, you can be more lenient on screen; the camera will do the magic for you after several takes. Film production is becoming more appreciated because economically, you may not do well if you are only a stage actor”, he revealed. According to him, reviving the theatre must start from the academics. Students who stage plays on campus should be encouraged to take it out of the campus for commercial purposes.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A GOOD ACTOR AND YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ON STAGE, YOU CAN NEVER BE ONE

Williams Willi

Oreofe, a creative writing lecturer in the Department of English and Performing Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, originated “Christotheatre”, a terminology that describes stories on stage and screen meant to propagate the gospel of Christ. “I don’t just believe in the name ‘Christian Drama’. I have always asked the meaning of Christian drama because drama is drama. It is just the message that is different. Do you have Christian shoes, Christian shirts, so what is Christian about drama? But the fact remains that theatre is theatre. In this case the message that we are passing is about Christ. That was actually what led to “Christ on theatre” (Christotheatre). Oreofe’s latest work, Okunkun Funfun is a powerful movie which reveals the deeds of evil purveyors in tertiary institutions. It is a movie that treats the themes of power tussle, ritualism, religious fanatism, betrayal, appraisal of indigenous languages in literature and others. The title is inspired by the fact that evildoers have over shadowed tertiary institutions where future leaders of the nation are meant to be nurtured. According to him, ““Literature or drama should not be art for art sake; it should serve a utilitarian purpose. This is a movie for all to see”.

MIDWEEK JUMP

CORA launches 14th LABAF

oyin Akinosho, Secretary General of the CORA Art and Cultural Foundation, has announced the dates for the 14th Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF). The festival would hold from November 16 to 18 at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island with a preevent Publishers’ Forum and Cocktail holding on the 15th. The theme this year is: ‘The Narrative of Conflict’- which focuses on how the written word and the literacy it engenders interrogates the different conflicts that surround our current existence and recent past. The festival is dedicated to the veteran

artist, Bruce Onabrakpeya, who turned 80 this year and whose work and dedication to the arts continue to be a source of inspiration to generations of Nigerians. LABAF is a landmark event on the nation’s culture calendar with sprawling book displays, exhibitions, live music and drama performances and, of course, nuanced literary events that take time out to dig deep into the content of books. “LABAF is self-styled as Africa’s Biggest Culture Picnic because we don’t just put together a book fair, a performance concert, a literary festival or an art expo, what we do is a healthy fusion of all four in a festival atmosphere, and for the past 14 years, the festival has become an important des-

tination for families, literary and art enthusiasts, culture producers, children and even lovers”, Akinosho said.

DADA plans open space workshop

ream Arts and Design Agency (DADA), in association with Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) is calling for creative ideas on climate resilient strategies for environmental design with a view to organising an open space workshop where these ideas and proposals would be articulated. The aim is to proffer and develop practical low cost solutions for flood resilient buildings and environmental design

in low income and informal settlement areas to reduce displacement and other negative effects of flooding. It is desirable that proffered solutions address the pertinent question: “in what ways can critical design and innovative creative thinking reduce displacement, disruption of mobility and other forms of discomfort associated with flooding, especially for the poor and disadvantaged citizens of Lagos?” Applications are expected from the general public, including creative thinkers, development workers, architects, urban designers and planners, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors and innovators. Professionals, academics, students and residents of affected areas who may have

ideas borne out of direct experience may also apply. Deadline for submission is October 5. Shortlisted proposals will be worked on during the breakout sessions of an Open Space Workshop, which will hold from November 29 to December 1. The Open Space Workshop will serve as a platform for refining and expanding these ideas with critical input from professionals. The most innovative and promising ideas will receive a moderate financial assistance from hbs for a consultation process with possible host communities to adapt the projects to local needs and interests. After community consultations the projects will be presented to possible funders and documented in a book form.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Imo to build heritage gallery

FAR AND NEAR

TIFF: Tribeca Film acquires How To Make Money Selling Drugs T ribeca Film has acquired U.S. rights to How to Make Money Selling Drugs, the Bert Marcus Productions which had its world premiere on Friday, September 7 at the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF. The provocative documentary offers an in-depth look at the high-stakes world of drug dealing and drug enforcement by blending authentic reportage with pop culture references. Directed by Matthew Cooke, the film reunites producers Bert Marcus of Bert Marcus Productions and Adrian Grenier (HBO’s Entourage), the team that created the breakout hit Teenage Paparazzo. The film is a captivating glimpse into the lives of those on both sides of the “war on drugs,” delivering a diverse and unique perspective on the controversial subject through interviews with 50 Cent, The Wire producer, David Simon, Arianna Huffington, Woody Harrelson, Eminem and Susan Sarandon, as well as infamous drug kingpin “Freeway” Rick Ross. Presenting a shockingly candid examination of how a street dealer can rise to cartel lord with relative ease, the documentary reveals how public policy and government drug enforcement have struggled to creatively adapt to and effectively disincentive Americans from dealing drugs.

50 Cents

Bert Marcus Productions was granted unprecedented access from top-ranking government officials, from the U.S. Drug Czar to the Drug Enforcement Agency, all providing unique and honest viewpoints on this pervasive global topic. “This is a work that resonates with truth, anger and insight by an extremely talented filmmaker”, said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “From politics to the

police and drug dealers to drug users, the scope of Matthew Cooke’s examination of these illicit networks is extraordinary”. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Tribeca Film”, said Bert Marcus, Chief Executive Officer of Bert Marcus Productions. “Given the history of Tribeca Film as an industry pioneer with an esteemed track record of connecting audiences to unique, thought-provoking work, we cannot think of a bet-

ter home for our documentary that seeks to enlighten and entertain audiences about the complexities of the ‘war on drugs’”, With America consuming a majority of the marijuana and 40% of the world’s cocaine while simultaneously incarcerating more of its citizens than any country in the history of the world, Tribeca Film hopes to encourage a national conversation on one of the worst public policy failures of the last 50 years. “And do so in a way that’s engaging, entertaining and inspiring”, Cooke said. Tribeca Film plans a 2013 theatrical release day and date with ondemand platforms, where it will be available in more than 40 million homes through a variety of video-on-demand offerings, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU and Xbox. Meanwhile, distributors bought nearly 40 films at the Toronto International Film Festival, festival officials said. “We’re pleased that the festival continues to provide opportunities for buyers to see films in a strong environment which facilitates film sales”, Justin Cutler, senior manager of TIFF’s sales and industry office, said in the announcement last Saturday. “It had been a particularly robust year for sales and we’re happy that the festival’s official selection will reach film lovers across the world”.

CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

mo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has reiterated the state government’s plan to resuscitate the Igbo’s cultural heritage and language through the establishment of the “Imo City: Gallery of Igbo Heritage”, a world class edifice that would take people through the evolution of Igbo race. The governor’s Special Assistant on Lagos Liaison, Hon. Lisa Asugha, who made this known while unveiling the state government’s blueprint for the Imo State Liaison office in Lagos to newsmen, said the “Imo City: Gallery of Igbo heritage”, would be the first of its kind in Africa. According to her, it would help children understand what the life and culture of the Igbo people used to be in the past as it would reflect the different stages of transition and evolution. “It will show life in the villages before the advent of colonialism and after colonialism”. Apart from creating job opportunity, she also said the edifice would house statues of past Igbo heroes like Cyprian Ekwensi and late Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to attract tourists from around the world.

Fawehinmi, Ifedigbo launch books in Lagos TERH AGBEDEH

wo book presentation events that walked slightly away from the norm held in Lagos last Saturday. The first, which had Yetunde Fawehinmi present her first children book titled Ranga, took place at ‘W’ on Oduduwa Crescent, Ikeja, while the second featured Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Head, Corporate Affairs, Mobitel, present his collection of short stories to the public. The second event held at the Kongi Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park on Broad Street. Fawehinmi, who also turned 40 on the day, presented her book in an ambience typical of an ‘Owambe’ party complete with a band singing her praise. It was not just about the publication but also a celebration of her achievements that include establishing the Leaves Green Nursery and Primary School located in Magodo area of Lagos.

Friends and well-wishers, including pupils from the school, came to felicitate with the author and school owner. Guests included Hon. Toyin Hamzat, who represented Senator Ashafa. Also in attendance, among others, were Mrs. Oluremi Fawehinmi, Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi, Mr. Olumide Fawehinmi and Mr. Saheed Fawehinmi. The pupils performed traditional dances to entertain the guests. Hon. Hamzat went on to present the book and launched it with N100,000. The author said she was excited about turning 40 and releasing the book that was published in the United Kingdom. She said it is folktale, the first in the series and based on the character of Ranga, a rabbit. “I noticed that children in primary school are exposed to only foreign books so I felt it was high time Nigerian authors told children stories from the Nigerian perspective”, she said of the book that is set in her home state

Ifedigbo

of Ondo. Ifedigbo’s book, published by Dada Books, is titled The Funeral Did Not End. The event of the launch included reading excerpts from the short stories, performance by the spoken word poet, Efe Paul Azino, goodwill messages from friends, colleagues and well wishers and remarks from the author. Artistes David Nnaji and Segun Adefila read from the short stories, while comedian Déjà vu set ribs cracking before the author came out to talk about the stories, stating the circumstances that led to writing each of the stories. The writer’s father, also named Sylva Ifedigbo, was in attendance. The older Ifedigbo bought copies during the auction that followed and gave some of them away. Rather than launch the book as is tradition at such events, they

Fawehinmi

were auctioned to the guests in attendance. Those in attendance included the publisher, Ayo Arigbabu; the people at Mobitel, who came along with free Wi-Fi Internet; Mr. Ken Ezenwa and Mr. Tony Dennis, among others.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Why I’ve delayed my marriage –Oluwafemiayo 30

Obafemi Martins during his reign in the Super Eagles. He is struggling to return to the team

McCarthy eyes early return

rlando Pirates striker and South Africa international, Benni McCarthy, is hoping to return from injury sooner than expected. The widely travelled striker tore his hamstring in Bafana Bafana’s international friendly against Brazil in Sao Paulo on September 7 when he lasted just 10 minutes before pulling up following a tussle with Chelsea defender David Luiz, and was on crutches after the game. According to Pirates’ medical team, McCarthy will be out of action for about five weeks. “I still feel a bit of pain but it’s getting better by the day,” the forward said yesterday. “Sitting out for five weeks is a long time, especially for a player like me who enjoys being on the field. Happily, I’ve already started rehabilitation which will obviously speed up my recovery process.”

at Rubin Kazan but that’s a closed chapter,” he said. “I want to capitalise on this new opportunity and prove that I still have a lot to offer,” the player who had 17 goals in 32 caps for Nigeria added.

Pirates are struggling upfront without McCarthy having only scored once in their last five games.

McCarthy

Sport

NSSF stages Lagos workshop ANDREW EKEJIUBA

AFOLABI GAMBARI

back then,” Chukwu recalled. “He had great striking qualities but something seems to have gone wrong with him,” the gaffer added. Martins is, however, far from giving up. “Things didn’t work out for me

Again, I am asking Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to be careful with the foreign-based players he’s relying on –Sports critic, Dayo Lawal

Martins faces tough return to Eagles espite his latest signing by La Liga club Levante, Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, faces struggling days ahead as he tries to rediscover his old form that saw him make great impact at Italian club Inter Milan. Martins, who scored 46 goals in 125 matches for Inter, switched to the English Premier League in 2006 when he joined Newcastle, where he his scoring form saw him netting 35 goals in three seasons after which joined German Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg in 2009. His career took on anything but a rising turn at the German set-up and he took a quick decision to quit after just one season, heading to less-fancied but lucrative Russian league where some fellow Nigerians have become local idols, starring for Rubin Kazan in an $11nm dollar deal. But a spate of injuries soon forced the power-playing diminutive striker to Rubin’s reserves as he plotted another decision to quit the league with a view to rescuing his fast flagging career. Yet, despite teaming up with Levante, he has been left out of the club’s Europa squad, a testimony to his poor form at the moment; even as sources close to him insist that he latest move is aimed at clearing his path to the Super Eagles as Nigeria aims qualification for the Afcon 2013 finals in South Africa. Interestingly, BBC reported on Monday that former Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, who gave 27-year-old Martins his international début in 2004, has lamented the player’s decline. “Obafemi was full of energy and was unstoppable when he came to my team

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

he Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) yesterday began a three-day national workshop for school sports officers and teachers in Lagos with the theme, “Total Identification and Development of School Sports”. Dignitaries from across the country graced the occasion held at the National Institute for Sports, Lagos. President of NSSF, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, who spoke during the opening ceremony, charged sports administrators and schools sports officers to curb the activities of age cheats in the sector, saying declaration of athletes’ true ages would help the effort. “The idea of an athlete representing the nation for more than four Olympic events even with nothing to show for it indicates that our sports development policy is faulty,” Mohamed observed. “Recycling athletes for major international sporting events is not only unhealthy, but it denies upcoming talents the opportunity to develop and showcase their talent,” he added, stressing that the aimed at empowering sports officers in schools with the necessary tools to discover and nurture

talents at the grassroots without distorting their academic pursuit. “It is also important that records of our athletes in schools are well kept by sports officers or games masters/games mistresses from schools where they graduated, in order to make reference to them when the need arises as this will discourage age falsification,” Mohammed further said. Dr. Femi Adegbesan and Dr. Tunde Morakinyo delivered papers on “Understanding the psychology of the child athlete: A key to talent identification in school sports,” and “Administrative and family challenges influencing talent identification and development in school sports” respectively during yesterday’s session. Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Obajimi, Dr. Awoyinfa and Mr. Cyprian Egbuetu will deliver papers today, while a communiqué will be issued at the end of the event tomorrow.

Abdullahi

Onazi seeks Spurs’ scalp

azio forward, Ogenyi Onazi, has said he will shine against Tottenham in their looming Europa League tie to prove to the London club erred to let him go after he signed a three-year contract. The former Nigeria junior international told MTNFootball.com yesterday that he would strive to be at his best against Spurs in the

clash. “We reached a precontract agreement but I don’t know what went wrong that the move did not work,” Onazi disclosed. “I am looking forward to the game against Tottenham so I could show them what they are missing for not having me,” the player, who is targeting a Super Eagles’ invitation, added.

Sport

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UCL Special… UCL Special… UCL Special…

Red Devils won’t take chances

Blues kickstart Euro glory defence

urprisingly eliminated from last season’s group stage, Manchester United won’t be underestimating its seemingly easy start to the Champions League tonight with Turkish side Galatasaray at the Old Trafford. Last year, FC Basel and Benfica finished ahead of United in one of the biggest shocks in the Champions League. “If we don’t go through, we will be criticized and pilloried for it and quite rightly,” United manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday. “We’ve had our warning and I don’t anticipate going out this time. Certainly, we’ll do better than last year. No question about that.” United has a memorable history with Galatasaray, with fans of the Turkish club greeting their English counterparts with the banner “Welcome to Hell” when Ferguson’s side visited Istanbul for a European match in 1993. “I remember it vividly. It’s one of those memories that will always stick with you,” United midfielder Ryan Giggs said. “There were things thrown at us when we were driving away on the coach, fans outside the hotel chanting all night making sure we didn’t get any sleep and people phoning the hotel rooms. It had everything.” United has won its last three matches in the Premier League to climb to second place behind Chelsea, while new striker Robin van Persie will be refreshed about being rested for the 4-0 win against Wigan on Saturday. Defender Patrice Evra returned to training yesterday ahead of this tie and is in line to start.

Giggs tips RVP, Kagawa

anchester United veteran, Ryan Giggs, is expecting new boys Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa to give the club an edge in Europe this season. Van Persie’s appearance off the bench in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League win over Wigan showed the Dutchman has no lingering effects from the groin injury that curtailed his international involvement. “Robin has the experience of playing in Europe with Arsenal,” the 38-year-old Welshman said ahead of tonight’s opener with Galatasaray. “The goals he has got will hopefully give us that extra edge this season. “Shinji is that kind of player who will thrive in Europe, where possession is key. He keeps the ball and gets into positions where he is hard to pick up. “I am sure they will both be very good additions in Europe for us.”

Xavi

In-form

Hazard

our months after ending its agonizing wait to win the Champions League, Chelsea begins the defense of its title with a remodeled attacking unit and a burning desire to create a dynasty in Europe’s elite club competition. ‘’It’s fantastic to have the cup in the bank but we can’t relax on that if we want to be a club that creates a real mark in Europe,’’ Chelsea midfielder and assistant captain Frank Lampard said yesterday ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge tonight. ‘’We’ve done it once and we want more but we’re not looking that far ahead. We have to concentrate right from the start on getting through the group. ‘’We need to find the right balance between the strength and power that has always been Chelsea’s forte and the ability to score us some goals. Shakhtar Donetsk and Nordsjaelland, the Danish champions who are one of three debutants in this season’s competition, make up Group E but it will be a major surprise if the teams who meet at Stamford Bridge today don’t emerge

as the two qualifiers. Juventus, the European champion in 1985 and 1996, returns to the Champions League after a three-year absence and as the standout team in Italy once again. Sunday’s 3-1 win at Genoa stretched its Serie A unbeaten streak to 42 matches and left the team top of the standings, just like Chelsea is in England a month into the new season. ‘’Chelsea has lost a key piece up front with the departure of Didier Drogba, but it is a strong group and we have to be careful,’’ Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci said yesterday. ‘’We’re in London with the knowledge that we’re a strong squad, but with the humility that we have to have,” he added. Meanwhile, Chelsea defender and captain, John Terry, is fit for the game despite needing treatment on his left knee in the latter stages of Saturday’s Premier League draw at Queens Park Rangers while John Obi Mikel, who has a slight back injury, is fit as Juan Mata is available after being rested at the weekend.

Van Persie and Kagawa

Downcast Bayern seeks lift

Evra

ayern Munich will begin its Champions League campaign against Valencia today full of confidence after its best start to a season in 12 years-when it went on to win the European title against the Spanish team. Bayern’s dramatic loss on penalties to Chelsea in the Champions League final on May 19 prompted the German powerhouse to embark on a spending spree. It then won its first five competitive matches of the season with a club record 12 goals from its opening three Bundesliga games. “It was a game that you never forget, it stays with you a lifetime,” Bayern defender Holger Badstuber said of the match against Chelsea. “It was a heavy blow but we’ve coped with it. Every player took his own conclusions from it. It should spur us on and not hamper us. It’s a new season now. We have new targets to aim for.” But no Bayern player is underestimating Valencia, most likely the Germans’ chief rival to top the group. “They’re a very good team, not Madrid or Barcelona, but not very far off,” midfielder Arjen Robben, who looks to have overcome a troublesome lower back injury to play, said yesterday.

fter han perfect look to pions League w Spartak Moscow The Spanish winning all fou ing the Spanish opened up an e domestic rival. “Vilanova m Guardiola,” Ba quets said yeste “He always r the opponent’s Vilanova wil Iniesta and Car and Jordi Alba club’s visit to th haven’t lost a m 2-1 loss to anoth in October 2009 Meanwhile, D leg injury behin scored for the s win at Getafe, w stitute to take with a pair of s Spartak coac well after havi Almeria in Spa club. But the S to secure a vict Barcelona.

TO Chelsea Shakhtar Celtic Barcelona Man United Braga Lille Bayern

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tit Bits

AFOLABI GAMBARI

Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, believes his side d can record d its i first win of the season when it hosts Manchester United on Sunday. The Reds have two points to their name after four Barclays Premiership games courtesy of their draw against Manchester City and the most recent 1-1 draw against Sunderland.

Everton Manager, David Moyes, was a frustrated man after seeing his team pegged back to a 2-2 draw against Newcastle. The Toffees had looked set to win it after Victor Anichebe had scored late on but substitute Demba Ba netted his second of the evening in the final minute to claim a share of the points after Marouane Fellaini had an effort ruled out for a marginal offside call before Anichebe sparked another goal-line technology debate.

nding coach Tito Vilanova a league start, Barcelona will extend its form to the Chamwhen it opens Group G against w today. h team leads the league after ur of its games and, despite losh Super Cup to Real Madrid, has eight-point lead over its biggest

ore or less does the same as Pep arcelona midfielder Sergio Buserday. relies on the system more than way of playing.” ll be without the injured pair of rles Puyol, while Alexis Sanchez remain doubts for the Russian he Camp Nou, where the hosts match in 16 outings. That was a her Russian club, Rubin Kazan, 9. David Villa continues to put his nd him as the Barcelona striker second time this season in a 4-1 where Messi came on as a subhis season tally to eight goals scores. ch Unai Emery knows his rival ing coached for Valencia and ain before joining the Russian Spanish coach never managed tory in his 12 matches against

ODAY’S FIXTURES v

Juventus

Nordsjaelland

Benfica

Spartak

Galatasaray

Cluj

BATE

Valencia

Walcott

Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has admitted he is worried about Theo Walcott’s contract situation at the Emirates. Walcott is out of contract at the end of the season and talks over a new deal have stalled. The England international was given a mixed reception by some Gunners fans when he came off the bench to score against Southampton at the weekend due to the uncertainty over his long-term future.

Pardew

Newcastle Manager, Alan Pardew, has renewed calls for goal-line technology after sympathising with Everton counterpart David Moyes following his side’s two disallowed goals. Second-half Magpies substitute Demba Ba had cancelled out Leighton Baines’ opener before Marouane Fellaini had an effort wrongly chalked off for offside in Monday night’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Harper

Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper was grateful for his stroke of luck following the 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park. Harper turned Victor Anichebe’s goalbound header onto the underside of the crossbar and it bounced down, seemingly over the line, before Mike Williamson cleared. The goal was not given and though Anichebe later put the Toffees 2-1 up, Newcastle substitute Demba Ba equalised with his second goal of the match.

Oliseh, Kuffour listed for Soccerex

Gerrard

Moyes

Barca on fire

Sport

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

rganizers of the Lagos Soccerex Seminar have announced that the event scheduled for September 27 and 28 will witness football some legends discuss football business in West Africa and relive glory days. National Mirror learnt yesterday that former Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh will be joined by Ghana and Netherlands internationals Sammy Kuffour and Pierre van Hooijdonk during the two-day seminar. “There is an endless wealth of talent in Nigeria but there is still much work to do in order to create an appropriate environment for such talent to blossom,” Oliseh said yesterday, adding, “I am delighted to contribute to the inaugu- Sunday Oliseh ral Soccerex Seminar in Lagos.” “I’m looking forward to seeing how the event offers international businesses a platform to develop new contacts and ultimately invest in West African football,” Karembeu also said. Chairman of Nigerian Premier League, Victor Rumson Baribote, President of Fourteen SA and World Cup-winning former player, Christian Karembeu, International Advisor to TP Mazembe, Jerome Champagne, and Managing Director of ASEC Mimosas, Benoit You, will also speak on different sessions at the seminar with the target to develop football in West Africa. According to the organizers, topics such as “Developing Africa’s next star” and “Successfully running a Professional League” will Sammy 0Kuffor be addressed while a session on “Football in Nigeria” will feature Football Federation, Aminu MaiChairman of the Lagos State Foot- gari. The seminar will feature a mix ball Association, Seyi Akinwunmi, of football’s leading decisionand the President of the Nigerian

Eko 2012: Sokoto, Zamfara dominate North West AFOLABI GAMBARI

okoto and Zamfara States started off well in the National Sports Festival North West Zone elimination holding in Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State. While Sokoto State confirmed its domination in Cricket in both the male and the female categories, Zamfara State dominated in male basketball and female volleyball. In the men’s Basketball, Zamfara State narrowly defeated host Kebbi 22-21 but lost to Kebbi in the men’s Handball 23-20. Zamfara State beat Sokoto 2-0 in a keenly contested men’s football match watched by a

large crowd at the Birni Kebbi Stadium. Sokoto defeated host Kebbi 3-1 in the cricket female category while the men walked over their Kebbi counterparts. Kebbi however showed superiority in men’s volleyball, beating Sokoto 3-0 while the host also defeated Zamfara 2320 in the men’s handball. Meanwhile, Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Shehu Gusau, has expressed satisfaction with the competition, saying the zone will compete favourably with others at the Lagos festival. “I am confident states in this zone will perform well at the festival,” he said, as the permanent secretaries in Kebbi and Zamfara States’ ministries of Youth and Sports concured.

makers joining business experts for an in-depth event made up of conference, networking and social events.

Council boss flays team

hairman of Surulere Local Gover nment, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide Yusuf, has expressed dismay over the two consecutive defeats suffered by the council’s players in the ongoing Lagos Junior League Championship. Yusuf threatened to disband the entire team and recruit another set of players if the slide continued. “Nobody will like to associate with failure,” the ex-academical defender, who featured for many clubs in Lagos State, said. Team’s coach and former Nigeria inter-

national, Lukmon Oshun, however blamed lack of training ground as the club’s bane while appealing to the council boss to assist the team in future assignments. Apapa defeated Surulere 2-0 in front of its vocal fans in their Week 2 match at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. The Lagos State government has encouraged youth players to compete among themselves in the state’s bid to develop their talent with a view to helping them maximise their potential.

Sport

Wednesday, September 19,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why I’ve delayed my marriage –Oluwafemiayo Considering your gallant efforts in London, do you think the President’s gesture justified your performance? The president has shown that he is indeed a father to all of us because this is the first time a President is hosting all the athletes who went for the Paralympics, not just those who won medals. Past dispensations only rewarded medallists but he showed that he was proud of us. We are very happy that he went this far by rewarding us and making us feel appreciated. I specifically do not have any complaints.

Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who sensationally missed out of a gold medal despite breaking the World and Paralympic record at the London 2012 Games, was among the Paralympians honoured by President Goodluck Jonathan over the weekend when she got N2m for her silver effort. The Ondo State-born lifter spoke to YEMI OLUS on her London experience and sundry issues

What plans have you drawn up for the cash award? The money will go towards getting a roof over my head because I will be relocating to Lagos very soon. I am based in Abuja because that is where my mum resides. However, I will be getting married next month, God-willing, and I am using this medium to inform you about the development. So, part of the money will definitely be used in preparing for the wedding. We have not fixed the date though. Who is the lucky man? I am engaged to Tolulope Taiwo Owolabi and he is also into powerlifing. We met in 2007 at the national camp. He talked to me but I turned him down and told him I wanted to be on my own. He insisted but it was only last year I agreed to his proposal. Our introduction was held in April this

Folashade Oluwafemiayo greeting the audience after her lift at the Paralympic Games

year in Jos. Did other guys make overtures before you met him? Yes they did, but those that were coming were just after my

money. Many of them thought that because of this issue of my disability, they would have easy access to my money and they kept telling me about how they were in need of one thing or

‘Williams’ sisters will empower women’ AFOLABI GAMBARI

he scheduled visit of the renowned African-American tennis duo, Serena and Venus Williams, to Lagos in October will have enduring impact on the African women, according to the Managing Director of Connect Marketing Services, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka. Serena and Venus Williams are scheduled to arrive in Lagos on October 30 for a three-day tour that would see them meeting diverse people as well as engage in an exhibition match. Adeyinka, who spoke to National Mirror in Lagos yesterday, said the African women had come a long way in the pursuit of recognition for the achievements garnered in their different endeavours. “The fact that the Williams’ impending visit is a part of the first leg of the recently launched Breaking the Mould (BTM) campaign, a women’s empowerment initiative currently attracting international support, tells the

whole story,” he said, adding, “The exhibition match will be the first time that the sisters will meet each other anywhere in Africa.” According to Connect Marketing Services, Octagon SA’s West African affiliate, coordinator of the tour, the Williams sisters will inspire, motivate and mentor a broad range of audiences through a series of supporting initiatives that include a gala dinner and a tennis clinic. Managing Director of Connect Marketing Services, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, said yesterday in Lagos.

Meanwhile, Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Nigeria, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, has said that the tour will boost Lagos State as a destination for global sports tourism. “Their visit will validate Lagos as a premium destination for business and leisure,” Opayemi said, adding, “For this to come at a time that Lagos is planning to host the National Sports Festival represents a major boost for the state as it will also rub off positively on the corporate brands that are involved in the festival.”

Serena (l) and Venus Williams

the other. In a relationship you are meant to help each other; it shouldn’t be one-sided but after helping them with one or two things they just disappeared. So I said, ‘let me settle down and wait for God’s time’ and I’m thankful that God has sent the right person to me. How will you assess the London 2012 Paralympic Games? This was my first Paralympics outing and I thank God for our performance because it seemed that God destined this year’s edition for Nigerian powerlifters. So, glory be to God. When did you start to get involved in the sport? I started in the year 2000. I started it in Jos, Plateau State. I was introduced to the sport by Coach John Oguntoye and my first outing was at the National Sports Festival in 2000 which was hosted by Edo State. I won a silver medal but subsequently, I won gold medals. After the incident at the London 2012 where you lost the gold medal, did you feel Nigerians should officiate in the Paralympics? Yes, I think so because if a Nigerian was among the officials, such a thing would never have happened. I am pleading with our government to send our ref-

erees to go on courses so that we don’t keep losing medals in curious ways. I wouldn’t mind going for such a course in future after my professional career if I get the sponsorship. When did you join the national team? I joined the team in 2007 just before the All-Africa Games in Algeria but the host country later said they would not accommodate powerlifting as an event so we were all decamped and went back home. We later went for trials in Dubai and I won gold in all three qualifiers. What has kept you going in sport, despite of your disability? Sports is a matter of determination. When you are determined, you will succeed in everything if God is behind you. I want to encourage people with disabilities not to give up because a special person like me can do what an able bodied person can do as well. They can do anything they set out to achieve. What is next for you? We will commence training for 2016 and personally I will continue with my training. I’m not going to relax just because London 2012 is over. Our preparation prior to the games was very good so I hope the next one will be better.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance The figure for active subscribers in the mobile networks is around 100 million lines and may surpass 105 million by end of December 2012.

Nigeria needs 160,000 mobile mony agents nationwide Managing Partner, One Network, Sola Bikersteth

Former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission Ernest Ndukwe

42-43

CBN retains MPR at 12%, keeps watch on inflation trend TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday concluded its two-day meeting with a unanimous vote by members that the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) which currently is 12 per cent with +/-200 basis

points corridor should be retained. This is even as committee also resolved to retain the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 12.0 per cent, and retain the Net Open Position at 1.0 per cent. Briefing journalists at the end of the MPC meeting in Abuja, the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,

hinged the decision of the committee partly on the moderation in headline inflation which, he pointed out “has not been accompanied by a significant decline in core inflation. As a result, giving the unpredictability of food prices, there is a need to watch this trend as we approach year-end before altering the present monetary stance.”

He also said that external reserves, which stood at $37.16bn as at July 2012, is now above the $40 bnmark while a recent report from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, shows that Real Gross Domestic Product, GDP, has grown by 6.28 per cent on an aggregate basis in the second quarter of 2012, despite the disruptive

L-R: President, Pediatrics Association of Nigeria, Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo; Professor of Pediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Matthias Egri-Okwaji; Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Eshikena and Consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Elizabeth Disu, during the Olu Akinkugbe WAMCO Nutrition Seminar tagged, “Helping Infants Achieve their Full Growth Potentials: The Role of Nutrition” in Lagos, yesterday.

security situation in the country and depressive performances of major economies in Europe, Asia and America in the recent past. The committee expressed satisfaction that the decisions taken at the July meeting are beginning to yield positive results as reserve level is growing, inflation is trending downwards and exchange rate is stable and also commended the Federal Government for improvement in electricity supply, progress in privatization, prudent fiscal stance and sustained fraud investigation in the subsidy regime The CBN boss, who explained that the decisions taken at the July meeting have been showing some positive impact in a number of areas including deceleration in year-on-year inflation in August 2012; stability of short term interest rates around the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR); build up in external reserves and stability in the exchange rate. He noted that this was after interest rates in all segments of the money markets rose initially, in response to the increase in the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) by 400 basis points at the MPC meeting of July 21 and 22, 2012.”

‘Nigeria’s breweries sector investment in excess of $3bn’ ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he chairman of Beer Sectoral Group, of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Mr. Nicolaas

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LAGOS: 01-8446073, 08094331171, 08023133084, 08034019884 ABUJA: 08033020395, 08036321014

Vervelde, has said the capital investments in the sector have surpassed the $3billion (N450bn) mark. Vervelde revealed this yesterday at a summit organised by Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) on Management of the Potential Impact of Alcoholic Beverage Mar-

keting and Marketing Communications on the society. According to him, the beer manufactures have a vital role in the economy of Nigeria, providing about 35,000 direct jobs and means of livelihood for over four million families indirectly. “The contributions of members to the economy

Union petitions presidency over planned automation of aviation sector

in form of various taxes, duties, and levies stand in excess of N100m per annum, while capital investments of the sector are in excess of $3bn,” he said. It will be recalled that Guinness has reported that Nigerians are the highest drinker of its Stout brand. BSG is the umbrella

body for brewing companies in Nigeria such as Nigerian Breweries Plc, Consolidated Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc and International Breweries Plc among others. He stated that though the huge market growth has come under serious attack from non-governmental organisations as a result of abuse.

Anxiety mounts over viability of Onitsha River Port

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 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)

EXCHANGE RATES WAUA

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Stakeholders propose options to end fuel scarcity

Business Finance

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Union petitions Presidency over planned automation of aviation sector OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he last may not have been heard of the planned automation of all the agencies in the Nigerian aviation industry by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, as the industry union, Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), has petitioned the Presidency to stop the move A petition dated September 4, 2012 and jointly signed by the ATSSSAN President and Deputy Secretary, Comrade Benjamin Okewu and Comrade Olayinka Olu Abioye respectively, urged the president to closely look at the operations of various agencies in the aviation industry with a view to ascertaining their functions. The union also issued a 21-day ultimatum to Oduah to reverse the planned automation of the agencies or face the union’s wrath. The union in the petition made available to National Mirror yesterday argued that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was already operating on Automated Direct Debit payment system, which was being ware-

L-R: Director, Banking Supervision Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins; Managing Director/CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Sola David Borha; Managing Director/CEO, Digital Jewels, Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa; Chief Information Officer, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Ifeayi Ogochukwu and Chief Executive Officer, Sahara Group and Director Digital Jewels, Mr. Tonye Cole, during the unveiling of 2nd edition of Information Value Chain Publication in Lagos, yesterday.

housed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Besides, the petitioner argued that the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), Cargo Service Charge and sundry charges like examination fees, license fees among others remained sources of revenue for NCAA and were collected by air-

ICAN rates govt low on budgets implementation TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria carpeted the Federal Government over poor implementation of yearly budgets and canvassed a new approach that would make public sector finance have direct bearing on the socio-economic well being of ordinary Nigerians. Raising the alarm at its symposium on the budgets of the Federal Government of Nigeria held in Abuja, the institute noted with dismay that despite substantial funds committed yearly on programmes on projects, the citizenry had been worse off in terms of their socio-economic conditions as the years roll by. The President of the Institute, Mr. Doyin Owolabi, who spoke on the performances of recent budgets, therefore, called for an urgent review of the implementation in order to guarantee improved efficiency of the yearly budgets. He explained: “As a stakeholder in the economy, ICAN is deeply concerned about how the nation is plunged to poverty in the midst of wealth. The nation is richly endowed with human and natural resources and therefore has no reason to be a

poor spectre of poverty in the economic development space. “Each year, brilliant and good budget proposals are presented by the government to and persistently approved with tremendous drive by the National Assembly. Yet, as year ends not much appeared to have been achieved both at micro and macro levels if the rates of unemployment, poverty, inflation etc are anything to go by. “The huge budget deficits financed mainly by borrowings from the banking system has continued to negatively impact on cost of funds in the economy. Capacity utilisation in the real sector has not improved phenomenally. Availability of efficient infrastructural facilities has remained a dream as capital allocations have remained disproportionate to the extent of need. “The level of budget implementation has not given any cheer to stakeholders while the budget cycle has remained unpredictable. Inevitably the quality of life of the average Nigerian has continued to decline while the cost of governance has continued to soar. As a nation, we have continued to witness economic growth without development”, Owolabi lamented.

lines in trust at the point of selling tickets. The union insisted that there was no need for government to waste $15m and statutory payments of five per cent commission

of revenue collected for five to 10 years to third parties for collection services as being proposed by the minister. On Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), ATSSSAN

declared that there was no need for separate automation of the agency’s payment system since its major customers were airport users, adding that since IATA took over the revenue point of the agency there have not been discrepancies, so there was no need to transfer the responsibility to an “unknown agent.” Also, the union said it was aware that NAMA was operating a ‘Pay As You Go’ facility where all its customers pay or deposit money upfront for the anticipated service. According to ATSSSAN, the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) scheme of the agency has the capability and capacity to generate electronic billing for all its services through the automatic billing system as it was capable of capturing all aircraft within its area. The union advised that all existing portals of the TRACON should be connected to the airport automated payment system and save the country billions of naira that is planned to be wasted by the ministry.

We are not responsible for fuel scarcity in Lagos, says NUPENG MESHACK IDEHEN

he National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), said the union is not responsible for the current petroleum products scarcity being experienced in most parts of the country. NUPENG said also that until the Federal Government takes critical steps to address irregularities in the oil and gas sector, that petroleum products scarcity will continually be a recurring situation in the country; and that fuel scarcity will not add any socio econom-

ic benefits to the country in the immediate and long term. Speaking with National Mirror in Lagos on Tuesday, the General Secretary of NUPENG, Mr. Isaac Aberare, said it was important that the oil workers union set the records straight, as NUPENG may be blamed by those not aware of the true situation for the scarcity of petroleum products being experienced in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country. The NUPENG general secretary explained that it was the oil marketers and the government that have issues between them that have created the current situation, saying further

that the scarcity has nothing to do with NUPENG. Aberare said the union like most other Nigerians was surprised to see that scarcity of products was being experienced, because NUPENG has done everything within its power to avoid situation that will bring untold hardship to Nigerians, adding however that the situation will soon be over. Speaking further, the oil workers scribe urged marketers to open up their filling stations to motorists, and to cease hoarding of the products, since NUPENG was not on strike, and the situation of scarcity artificial.

20 Indian ICT firms seek partnerships in Nigeria KUNLE A ZEEZ

bout 20 leading Information and Communication Technology firms have stormed Nigeria to forge business partnership with players in the nation’s ICT industry. The Indian firms, under the auspices of the National Association of Computer and Software Companies of Indian, NASSCOM, were on Monday in a daylong business discussion with the Information Technology Association of Nigeria, ITAN, which represents IT firms in the country. With the theme ‘Empowering and Resuscitating Local IT Entrepreneurs via Local Con-

tent Development and Funding’, stakeholders, who attended the business summit, discussed various areas of partnership relating to technology transfers, domestication, deployment of local latent by Indian firms and the need to support local IT entrepreneurs to grow. Speaking at the forum, the President, ITAN, Mrs. Florence Seriki, said the objective of the summit, which is an annual meetings between the two bodies was to serve as a statement of need to sustain the creation of platform for local ICT organisations to synergise and collaborate among key international ICT players. She said: “We want to grow into partnership with Indian firms and go into localising some

of the technologies foreign IT firms are producing and bringing into Nigeria. “Indeed, our goal ultimately is to bridge the digital divide in competitive capacity development of the local enterprises, by also creating education, by also creating education opportunities, influencing policy formulations in ICT development, promotion. And enhancement of the Nigerian ICT industry with other relevant stakeholders.” She explained further that local ICT companies currently deserve a lot of private and public sector support in terms of increasing their demand for goods and services supplied, and engendering adequate partnership to promoting local content.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Finance

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

PIB: Union faults creation of multiple regulatory agencies MESHACK IDEHEN

he Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed concern about the creation of multiple regulatory agencies in the technical and commercial sections of the Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). In a statement made available to National Mirror in Lagos on Tuesday, PENGASSAN’s Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) branch leader, Mr. Isah Ibrahim, said the new PIB that is still before the National Assembly provides for multiple regulatory agencies as against the clamour in some quarters for a

single functional regulatory agency for the oil and gas sector. According to Ibrahim, the oil workers union had expected the DPR, which forms the nucleus of the technical committee set up on the PIB by Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to have effected such change before the bill got to its present stage. While describing the PIB as a remarkable document that contains all the legal framework and requirements that will apply to the entire petroleum industry in Nigeria, Ibrahim said that the current development is a clear departure from the main thrust and intent for reforms that seeks to make clear the different roles of government

agencies that often have overlapping responsibilities in the oil and gas sector. According to him, the government should create a single regulatory agency to be instituted with clear-cut mandate of what is required in order to eliminate confusion and help the industry work more efficiently and effectively for the benefits of Nigerians and other stakeholders. He explained that the advantage of having a single regulatory agency is that it is cost saving and free from unnecessary encumbrances, since the global oil and gas industry have consolidated into technology-driven industry that is optimally policed by a single and efficient government regulatory

FG urges Nigerians to embrace interest-free banking TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday urged corporate entities and individual investors in the country to explore the opportunities availed by non-interest banking to leverage their operations through its zero interest loan and other benefits. Giving the advice at a seminar on ‘Developing Islamic Financial Institutions in Nigeria’ organised by Mutual Benefits As-

surance Plc, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama, said government was committed to making sure that the banking system takes strong footing in the country and provides people with good alternatives. Ngama, who debunked the insinuation and misconceptions that noninterest banking was designed to serve the interest of muslims , disclosed that available information on the level of patronage by depositors and

other customers indicated that Christians were even patronising Jaiz Bank as Muslims. Speaking further on the benefits of the Islamic financing system, the minister noted that the banking model would help to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, adding that “in the Islamic banking system, there is transparency in the process just as secrecy is not allowed from any of the parties. In this system, everybody is his brother’s keeper.”

Fidelity emerges best telecoms financing bank JOHNSON OKANLAWON

idelity Bank Plc has said it was adjudged the ‘Best Telecoms Financing Bank’ in the country. A statement from the bank on Friday said the bank emerged tops among three banks that were nominated for the award at the 8th Annual Nigerian Telecom Awards, which took place in Lagos at the weekend. Other banks nominated according to the state-

ment were Access Bank Plc and First Bank Plc. Both financial institutions emerged first and second runners-up respectively in the Banking and Financial Services category. It said, “The organisers said that Fidelity Bank was recognised for its overall contribution to total loans and advances to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and telecommunications sectors. In their assessment, the portion of the banks support to

ICT within the period under review clearly surpassed those of its competitors.” Receiving the award on behalf of Fidelity Bank, its Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Mr. John Obi, thanked the organisers of the event for the recognition. “We are committed to the development of the industry and the economy at large,” he said while dedicating the feat to the staff of the bank for their hard work and commitment.

body. Ibrahim added that the union is vehemently opposed the development as a multiplicity of responsibilities in the sector, adding the PIB provides for the establishment of a Petroleum Technical Bureau; an Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate, a Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency and National Petroleum Assets Management Corporation amongst others which are simply too many for stakeholders to grapple with. “The same regulatory principles are applicable both in the upstream and downstream sectors particularly in the case of Nigeria where consolidated regulatory body would assure optimal utilisation of available resources”, he added.

NNPC, security agencies plan maintenance of Arepo pipeline UDEME AKPAN

uel supply in Lagos and its environs may stabilise as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and security agencies have started mapping out strategies to provide adequate security backup for the maintenance of Arepo pipeline in Ogun State. The facility was vandalised by people desirous to steal petrol. An attempt to rehabilitate the pipeline was scuttled by vandals who launched an attack which culminated in the passing on of two NNPC engineers. The inability of the apex oil corporation to rehabilitate the facility resulted to fuel shortage which affected motorists and other consumers in the area, thus compelling it to deplore 920 tankers to lift petrol and other products from private depots for distribution

at higher cost. However, NNPC that considered the tankers option as a short term measure has concluded plans with security agencies to return to site in order to carry out full rehabilitation of the pipeline. The pipeline is important as it has the capacity to carry between nine and 11 million litres of the product. The General Manager in the Group Public Affairs Division of the firm, Dr. Omar Faruok who confirmed the development said: “We have not forgotten about the maintenance of Arepo pipeline which was disrupted by vandals. The corporation has been consulting with security agencies.” He said: “Once the right atmosphere is created, our team would mobilise to carry out the rehabilitation. We are committed to ensuring that the facility is made to work as soon as possible.”

Business Finance

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Anxiety mounts over viability of Onitsha River Port FRANCIS EZEM

wo weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan officially commissioned the Onitsha River Port, expected to boost inland transportation, stakeholders are raising serious doubts over the workability of the port. Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar had told Nigerians penultimate Thursday during the commissioning ceremony that the Federal Government spent a whooping N4.7billion on the rehabilitation of the port, located in Anambra State, which was once commissioned by former President Shehu Shagari in 1983 or thereabout. President of the National

Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr. Eugene Nweke, who spoke in an interview, said following the commissioning of the river port, the association’s secretariat located in Apapa has been awash with enquiries from importers and exporters, who are potential users of the facility. In reaction to these enquiries, it was gathered that the association is putting finishing touches to plans to write the National Inland Waterways Authority, which regulates inland transportation in Nigeria in order for the agency to address some of the concerns raised by the port users, which range from provision of barges, security as well cost of movement of goods by barges compared

to road transportation. He disclosed that these shippers (importers and exporters) have raised serious doubts over the workability of the port, saying that the Federal and Anambra State Governments ought to have given the shipping community what he described as ‘operational and quality assurance’. According to him, operationally, the importers and exporters would want to know whose responsibility it is to provide the barges that would be required to move the cargoes for instance from Apapa or Onne Port to the river port before moving them to the importer’s warehouse in Aba or Onitsha Main Market.

L-R: Director, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Economic Empowerment Portfolio Manager, MTNF, Mrs. Foyinsola Oyebola, at the presentation of security patrol vehicles by MTNF to Ogun State at Government House, Abeokuta, yesterday.

FG set up committee over Mainstreet Bank, ex-workers’ dispute MESHACK IDEHEN

he Federal Government said it has set up a new committee to look into ways of settling the dispute between the over 800 workers of the defunct Afribank Plc that were recently sacked by the management of Mainstreet Bank, and that the committee has one month to work out the entitlements of the affected workers Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos, said he has summoned all the parties involved in the industrial dispute, including the workers sacked by the management of Mainstreet bank; the leadership of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Finan-

cial Institutions (ASSBIFI), the management of the bank and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) to a closed door meeting in Abuja to resolve the lingering crisis. The minister said the government would not fold its arms and watch a simple matter of workers dispute with management of the bank assume a different dimension, adding the matter would be resolved as soon as possible to the satisfaction of all concerned. Speaking at the event, the National President of ASSBIFI Mr. Sunday Salako said the outcome of the closed door meeting with government will go a long way to assist towards resolving the dispute, and that the new committee put in place by the minister will work out the entitlements of the affected

workers amicably. Salako said the Federal Government after reviewing the presentations made by all parties involved in the crisis in Mainstreet bank, saw the need to settle the workers sacked by the management of Bank, saying further that members of the new committee are made up of officers from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mainstreet bank and the two in-house unions in the affected bank, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (NUBIFIE).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NPA removes wrecks from PH – Bonny Channel CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

he Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has removed wrecks, considered critical, along the Port Harcourt – Bonny water channels, which have made navigation a dangerous venture, while constituting obstruction to easy vessel access to port areas. According to Mr. Lawrence Alabi, who supervised the operation, the removal of these wrecks will afford vessels easier access to the Port Harcourt Port, as they have before now had been a major challenge on the water channels. “These wrecks on the water channels from Port Harcourt to Bonny, were the ones that affect

us in Berth 8 of Port Harcourt Ports”, he stated. He noted that the removal of the wrecks, through the commitment of federal government and support of NPA Management, has brought big relieve to operators and ocean liners. “Let me tell you, that since the removal of these obstructions, it has made the berths safer for vessels to sail to these berths”, the Port Manager said. He added that even though Berth 8 had collapsed in 2010 due to aging, it has been repaired and with the removal of the five major wrecks on the water channels linking Port Harcourt Ports and Bonny, navigation in and out of that berth will improve.

MTN presents last prizes in Goodwill Automania KUNLE A ZEEZ

TN Nigeria made good its promise of giving out 100 brand new Hyundai ix35 SUVs to 100 of its customers in 100 days in a promo tagged Goodwill Automania Game. The promotion, which started in June this year, was rounded up at a glamorous event at Oceanview Restaurant, Lagos last week, where the last set of 13 winners drove home their brand new SUVs. The lucky winners who cut across all walks of life could not hide their excitement as they were joined by the regulators, celebrities, the media as well as a good number of MTN customers to pour out unreserved encomiums on the telecoms company for its life enriching initiatives. A police officer from Epe Division of Lagos Police Command, Mr. Oladiti Ezekiel,

was very exceptional, he made sure his voice was not lost in the crowd as he continuously shouted “MTN the best connection.” According to him, MTN has done the unexpected in his life, “MTN has renewed my life, the company is giving me a new life, in fact I thank MTN for this great help and I pray that God Almighty will continue to be the company.” In the same vein, a driver from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr. Thankgod Elijah Nnah, revealed that the new Hyundai ix35 SUV he won would make life more meaningful to him. The 26-year old said that MTN has given him a new status, “I am a commercial driver, I have never thought of buying a brand new vehicle in my life, this is unbelievable, as from today I will never use any other network except MTN. The company has made me a star”, he declared

MasterCard partners WFP to deliver digital food JOHNSON OKANLAWON

asterCard has partnered the World Food Programme (WFP) to use digital innovation to help people around the world break the cycle of hunger and poverty. The game-changing partnership will combine MasterCard’s expertise in electronic payments systems with WFP’s global reach among the world’s hungriest populations to meet the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable. According to WFP Director of Communications, Public Policy and Private Partnerships, Mrs. Nancy Roman, the partnership with MasterCard is a great example of how transformative private sector partner-

ships innovate against hunger. Shed explained that by drawing on MasterCard’s technical know-how and international reach, WFP will further develop both its electronic voucher programme that enables hungry families around the globe to buy nutritious food in local markets. Roman added that its online donation mechanism that engages individuals and brands in a global community will work together to solve hunger. “Where markets are stable, WFP often distributes vouchers that are redeemable in local shops for food and other staple items. These vouchers help boost local economies while allowing poor communities to receive food assistance with dignity,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

Fuel queues

Stakeholders propose options to end fuel scarcity Unexpectedly, fuel shortage has spread from Abuja to Lagos and some other parts of the nation. UDEME AKPAN looks at proposals made to find lasting solutions to the recurring problem.

few weeks ago, fuel shortage visited Abuja, the Federal Capital when members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), involved in the movement of the product from one part of the nation to another embarked on strike, demanding payment of fuel subsidy to oil marketers. The strike which caught residents unawares during the Eid el Fitri, scuttled supply to many outlets, leading to shortage and increase in transportation fares. The union argued that the alleged nonpayment of fuel subsidy affected salaries and employment of its members. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala and the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, felt the union was being used by some oil marketers to fight the Federal Government. Ngama had remarked that their intention was mainly to blackmail the government in order to escape sanction. The President of NUPENG, Mr. Achese Igwe, denied any external influence on the

union. However, the fuel shortage did not end. Sadly, it continued in Abuja and some parts of the nation. These included Lagos, where it was expected to worsen as workers resumed work this week at least for a reason. Of the estimated 35 million liters of fuel consumed daily in the country, Lagos and its environs take a greater chunk mainly because of high population and significant socio-economic activities. But this may not be anymore, especially as a result of the intervention of the Ni-

gerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Corporation has deployed over 920 tankers for distribution of petrol and other petroleum products in the country. A visit to some major locations showed that the tankers have already started work. Some stations that were starved of fuel before have started to take delivery of the product. The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Mr. Fidel Pepple said “I want to assure Nigerians that NNPC has stepped

WE HAVE RAISED THE DAILY SUPPLY OF FUEL

FOLAWIYO TANK FARM FROM 150 TANKERS TO 250 TANKERS, MRS FROM 100 TO 200 TANKERS, CAPITAL OIL TO 300 TANKERS, NIPCO TO 70 TANKERS AND AITEO TO 100

FROM

TANKERS

up fuel supply to marketers and distributors for effective and efficient supply of fuel to Nigerians. As I speak, we have raised the daily supply of fuel from Folawiyo tank farm from 150 tankers to 250 tankers, MRS from 100 to 200 tankers, Capital Oil to 300 tankers, NIPCO to 70 tankers and AITEO to 100 tankers,” Pepple disclosed. He stated that fuel delivery and supply to Port Harcourt, Aba and Calabar has also been augmented saying that bridging to the North has equally enjoyed robust supply. Pepple added that as at Thursday last week, the NNPC had 32 days sufficiency of petroleum products. Pepple called on motorists and other buyers to stop panic buying as there was commercial quantity of petrol and other products to meet demand. Farouk said: “There is no point for consumers to panic. We have sufficient stocks that can last for several days.” Already, 20 vessels have started discharging imported fuel in the Lagos area. The current Nigerian Ports Authority Shipping PoCONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders propose options to end fuel scarcity

Jonathan

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 sition, indicated that 20 ships were waiting to discharge petrol at various oil terminals within the Lagos ports. These actions have attracted the comments of many stakeholders. For instance, the National President of the Oil and gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), Mr. Colman Obasi remarked: “We have to commend the apex oil corporation for the swift intervention. We hope that the desired impact would be felt in the next few days.” Obasi stated that the task of sustaining fuel supply should not be the business of the corporation alone. He called on several others, including tanker drivers, owners and marketers to cooperate with not only

Olorunshola

Yakubu

THERE SHOULD ALSO BE IMPROVED MONITORING, PARTICULARLY THROUGH

INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF COMMUNITIES, SECURITY AGENCIES AND APPLICATION OF MODERN DEVICES the NNPC but also relevant authorities, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), that has the responsibility to monitor operations and eliminate sharp practices in the industry. But there are also others who believe that the government should look beyond the international market for supplies. With about

Eni contains oil spill in Niger Delta

talian oil firm, Eni said it has success- it currently amounts to only 1% of Eni’s tofully contained an oil spill near its facili- tal crude oil production. In 2007, oil and natural gas production ties in the Niger Delta, even though local people said the pollution has spread and for the full year averaged 1.74 million barrels per day, making Eni Europe’s third disrupt fishing activities. Eni said the spill occurred last week largest refiner, after Royal Dutch Shell and about 10 km (six miles) from the Obama Total S.A. The firm carried out several hydrocarflow station in Bayelsa state. Reuters quoted an unnamed spokesman bon discoveries in recent years; the main as stating that: “We do not yet have infor- discoveries were made in: Angola, Brazil, mation either on the causes or the amount Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Scotland, the Gulf of Mexico and of oil affected.” Oil spills are common in Nigeria, where Alaska. In 2007, a total of 81 new exploratory enforcement of environmental regulations is lax and armed gangs frequently damage wells were drilled. The company acquired assets in the Gulf of Mexico from Dominpipelines to steal crude. Local community leaders said the spill ion Resources and in onshore Congo from came from an Eni pipeline and had spread Maurel & Prom with total expenditures, into creeks and waterways. They com- amounting to N4.52 billion. In January plained oil companies had not properly 2010, a consortium led by Eni was awarded a license to develop the Zubair field, one of cleaned up previous spills. “Oil companies operating in the Niger the largest oil fields in Iraq. Delta are now using a harmful chemical ... which is injurious to both sea foods, living organisms and human beings,” said Nengi James, Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee of Nembe Kingdom. Decades of oil production in the delta, where Africa’s second-longest river empties into the Atlantic, have turned parts of it into a wasteland of oily water and dead mangroves. Thousands of barrels are spilled every year. Its crude oil production comes primarily from nations such as Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, the Congo, the North Sea, and Angola, with smaller amounts of crude oil production in Tunisia and in the United States. Eni’s China production began in 1992, although Oil spillage

37 billion barrels and 187 trillion standard cubic feet of oil and gas reserves respectively, this school of thought believe that the nation should have no business importing fuel and other products. In fact, the school believes that the nation that produces about 2.5 million barrels daily should have since expanded its indigenous capacity to refine petroleum products for local consumption. Their argument is that the refineries are desirable, particularly as it has the promise to reduce dependence on others as well as create many multiplier effects, especially in the areas of jobs creation, technology acquisition and capacity building. These and other suggestions deserve consideration at least for a reason. The nation’s refining capacity has remained constant since the 1980’s mainly because no major refinery has been build apart from illegal plants that litter the landscape of the Niger Delta. This shows that the founding fathers of the nation and those who took over showed much interest in the construction of refineries than their modern counterparts. In fact, with the making of commercial oil find in 1956, the need for the commencement of downstream operations – refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products – became obvious. In 1959, the government commissioned a survey for the construction of a refinery. The construction of the old Port Harcourt refinery which commenced in 1963 was commissioned in 1965 to refine fuel oil, gas oil, petrol and dual purpose kerosene for local consumption and for export. Available data showed that the initial 35, 000 barrels was increased to 60,000 bpd. Still, this did not meet local demand. Fuel shortage nearly held sway in the 70s, prompting the government to set up the Oputa Commission of Inquiry to proffer solutions to the problem. At the end of its seating, the commission recommended the establishment of two new refineries in Kaduna and Warri. The refineries each had installed capacity for 35,000 bpd, which were later raised to 110,000 bpd for Kaduna and 125,000 bpd for Warri, following expansion of the plants. The increase in the installed capacity of the

Obasi

two refineries, which brought installed capacity of the nations’s three refineries to 295,000 bpd, did not meet rising demand. This compelled the government to embark on offshore refining of its crude oil. Still, demand outstripped supply by as much as 260,000 bpd, thereby, justifying the need for the fourth refinery. The contract for the construction of the fourth refinery, in Port Harcourt, which was handled by a consortium of three companies – HGC Corporation and Marubeni Corporation, both of Japan and Spie Batignolles of France – was awarded in 1984. With the four plants, expectations were high that shortage of petroleum products would be a thing of the past. This was not so, as shortage continued, particularly in the early 1990s. This was as a result of irregular maintenance of the plants and sabotage by some people who profited from causing breakdowns through fires and damage to the plants. But none of these factors created the kind of impact that was felt in 1993, when oil workers, under the aegis of NUPENG, embarked on a nationwide strike to protest the annulment of the June 12 presidential election believed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. The strike crippled the economy for two months. The country suffered losses in foreign exchange from non-sale of crude oil while the strike lasted. The period of inactivity in the oil industry caused further damage to the four refineries, thus, causing the nation to increase importation aimed at meeting domestic shortfall. In the last few years, the government has considered a number of alternatives as a way of finding a lasting solution to the perennial shortage. These included leasing, management contract and privatisation of existing plants. It has also shown willingness to allow private investors to construct new plants. In 1996, it granted licenses for the establishment of two private refineries, namely, Brass Refineries Limited and Qua Petroleum Refining Limited. Indeed, expectations were that the two refineries, when operational, would add 500,000 bpd to the ones produced by the government-owned refineries. Besides, they would generate more foreign exchange for the country and create employment opportunities for Nigerians. The two refinery projects could, however, not commence due basically to problems that have to do with funding. Other licenses were granted to another CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

OPEC daily basket price stands at $113.47 a barrel UDEME AKPAN WITH AGENCY REPORT

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of 12 crudes stood at $113.47 per barrel over the weekend, compared with $113.36 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). Oil prices rose over the weekend but settled below four-month highs hit in the session as concerns that high energy costs could threaten economic growth tempered hopes for stronger demand after the Federal Reserve launched its latest economic stimulus program. Brent crude rose a seventh straight session and Brent and U.S. crude futures posted weekly gains as the dollar fell broadly, dropping to a four-month low versus the euro, after the Fed’s Thursday announcement of a third bond-buying programme. A weaker U.S. currency is usually supportive to dollar-denominated commodities such as oil and industrial feedstock copper, which jumped to a 4-1/2 month peak. Equities also received a lift from the U.S. central bank’s action, with U.S. stocks u p a fourth straight day a nd European shares jumping to a 14-month high. “The market is exhausted after rising so much, and the IEA (International Energy Agency) economist worrying about high oil prices probably helped pull prices back some,” said Dan Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. Current oil prices could push the global economy into recession, Fatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency said on Friday. Birol said Europe and China are most vulnerable to high prices but declined to say whether this latest price jump could

Alison-Madueke

prompt the IEA to release oil reserves. He said the agency was monitoring markets very closely. Front-month November Brent crude rose 78 cents to settle at $116.66 a barrel, after reaching $117.95, the highest since prices reached touched $118.45 on May 3. U.S. October crude, up 2.7 percent for the week, rose 69 cents to settle at $99 a barrel. The United States crude reached $100.42, its first time over $100 since May 4 when it touched $102.72. U.S. total crude trading volumes were a robust 51 percent a bove the 30-day average and outpaced Brent, which lagged its 30-day average by 6 percent. Money managers raised their net long U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to September 11, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

said on Friday. Crude futures prices are up about 2 percent this month after surging 9 percent in August and 7 percent in July, on revived geopolitical tensions and an anticipated maintenance-related drop in North Sea crude oil production in September. “The Fed will be indirectly adding more liquidity into the asset markets and that money will need to go somewhere and part of it will go into commodities, even if current commodity prices are already at demand-destruction levels,” said Olivier Jakob at Petromatrix in Zug, Switzerland. Highlighting the economic risk from surging oil prices, a jump in gasoline costs pushed up U.S. consumer prices in August at the fastest pace in more than three years and squeezed spending on other items. Industrial production dropped 1.2 percent in August, the biggest decline since March 2009. The consumer price index increased 0.6 percent, the first rise in five months and the biggest since June 2009. Gasoline prices, which also recorded their largest increase since June 2009, accounted for about 80 percent of the rise in consumer inflation last month, the Labor Department said. In contrast to those cautionary reports, U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly improved in early September as Americans anticipated better economic and employment prospects, a survey showed. U.S. gasoline futures rallied 1.8 percent, moving back above $3 a gallon after falling the previous two sessions. Heating oil, the benchmark distillate futures contract, rose nearly 1 percent.

Source: Oilprice.com

West Africa crude demand pushes differentials higher

he benchmark West African crude oil grade Qua Iboe extended gains on Friday, with traders citing. Indian buying interest and a strong recovery in European refining margins as the main drivers. Most of the cargoes listed in the programmes of Africa’s top two oil exporters Nigeria and Angola are now sold out, traders said, and sellers have raised their offers for the remaining cargoes given the healthy demand picture. Two Indian refiners are in the market for

sweet crudes loading in November and both may take West African barrels, especially if differentials remain as depressed as they have been with the absence of many U.S. end-consumers. European gasoil margins have also strengthened considerably in recent weeks and on Friday traded above $19 a barrel, up from around $13-$14 a barrel in mid-August. For Qua Iboe, it was not clear if BP and Exxon had sold their cargoes for loading in late October. But traders deemed that they Source: Bloomberg

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl) Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

96.09 114.25 96.62

-0.53 0.02 -2.38

-0.55% 0.02% -2.40%

07:35 07:32 09/17

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

316.25 295.26

-0.09 0.93

-0.03% 0.32%

07:34 07:34

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

2.86 2.83 2.90

-0.01 -0.11 -0.02

-0.17% -3.74% -0.68%

07:35 09/17 09/17

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

25.27 32.29 30.38

-0.63 2.42 0.88

-2.43% 8.10% 2.98%

09/14 09/17 09/14

OIL (¢/gal) Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future

NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu) Nymex Henry Hub Future Henry Hub Spot New York City Gate Spot

ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour) Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON

were likely to trade near the latest offers at dated Brent plus $2.50-$2.60 a barrel. “They are probably achieving numbers close to that,” said a trader. This grade had previously traded near dated plus $2 a barrel early in the week. Nigeria raised the official selling prices (OSP) for its Qua Iboe and Bonny Light grades in October to dated Brent plus $1.70 a barrel, the state oil firm said on Friday. Prices for these grades were 50 cents lower at dated plus $1.20 a barrel in September, a price list sent by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation showed. Only nine of 26 grades listed by NNPC were priced at discounts to dated Brent, the list showed. These included Usan, Antan, Akpo and Agbami. Five cargoes loading in October were still unplaced, traders said, comprising Kissanje, Girassol, Saxi, Palanca and Cabinda. Kissanje: Exxon offered a cargo at dated Brent plus 30 cents with bids said to be close to below dated Brent. Girassol: Total offered an end-October Girassol cargo at dated Brent plus 60 cents, but buying indications were seen around plus 20 cents and doable levels somewhere in the middle of this range, traders said.

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Use PIB to promote local content, Fatona tells senators The lawmakers have returned from their break to consider several issues, one of which is the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). In this interview with UDEME AKPAN, the Managing Director of Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc, Dr. Layi Fatona tasked them to produce the bill in a form that will boost local content development in the industry. What motivated your company to go into business, particularly at a time many indigenous firms did not think it was necessary to do so? We are relatively small player that is working hard to make impact in the industry. Niger Delta Exploration & Production Plc (NDEP), is a publicly owned, integrated independent oil and gas focused investment company, with a range of assets. It was established as an investment vehicle for Nigerians to participate in the country’s foremost income generator, the oil and gas sector. As an independent Nigerian company, NDEP has a sincere concern for the environment it operates in, evident in all aspects of its investments. Our vision is to efficiently identify and sustainably exploit small to medium sized oil fields located within the upstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves. The company, originally registered as Midas Exploration & Drilling Fund Plc, was incorporated as a public limited liability company in 1992. In 1996, its name was changed to NDEP to reflect the company’s principal operational activities in the Niger Delta region. Although NDEP is a public company, it is not yet listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR) - is the operator of the Ogbele Joint Venture created prior to a Farm-out Agreement dated August 7, 2000

Stakeholders propose options to end fuel scarcity

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 set of investors. Like the first, they failed to establish new plants mainly because of issues that have to do with policy inconsistency and legislation. In other words, investors and other stakeholders were of the opinion that the environment would not encourage the thriving of their investments, particularly in terms of pricing which only total deregulation can guarantee. Efforts to achieve that ambition was frustrated by the civil society and labour who felt deregulation would shoot prices beyond the roofs at the detriment of the masses. However, the Federal Government signed an agreement with an American and Nigerian joint venture group, Vulcan Petroleum Resources Limited and Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve Limited to construct six modular refineries. The six refineries, which are estimated to gulp $4.5billion (N697.5bn), will have a combined capacity of refining 180,000 barrels of oil per day. Two of the refineries are expected to be completed within the next 12 months, while the others will be completed later. The refineries are to be located in areas where there are crude oil pipelines and will be built in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. When completed, each modular refinery will refine up to 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produce up to five million litres of petrol, diesel and kerosene. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Vice-President/Director, Vulcan Petroleum Resources, Mr. Jim Mansfield, and Chairman, Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve, Mr. Edozie Njoku, signed on behalf of their respective companies. At present, NNPC and other players seem bent on enhancing distribution. This is constrained by inadequate facilities most of which have been vandalized in different parts of the nation. From all indications, efforts should be made to rehabilitate the pipelines and other facilities. There should also be improved monitoring, particularly through increased involvement of communities, security agencies and application of modern devices if the nation is to provide uninterruptible fuel supply to its citizens at all times.

Fatona

involving the Farm-Out Area of the Ogbele Field, located in the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture’s OML 54. ND Gas Development Company Limited - a wholly owned subsidiary, was established to pursue investment opportunities in the gas sector and ND Properties Limited, also a wholly owned subsidiary, was established to pursue NDEP’s property interests. What milestones have been made over the years? We pioneered the development of marginal fields. The Niger Delta oil-producing region is characterised by many non-producing oil and gas assets, which are considered too small and thus not desirable enough to be considered economically viable investments by larger operating companies. In our attempt to take advantage of these development opportunities, NDEP, through its operating company, NDPR, has taken the initiative to set up a tight knit, highly skilled team of exploration and production professionals. Backed by robust funding and an experienced management team, NDEP has been the pioneering force in the successful acquisition of these highly profitable smaller assets in the nation. Although we had identified several dormant marginal field assets within the portfolios of many multinational oil companies, we saw Chevron Nigeria Limited as a company which shared our desire and vision to implement new operational models providing sustained and profitable revenue from these dormant oil assets. In 1996, a FarmOut Agreement was negotiated purely on commercial terms, the first of such in Nigeria, between NDPR and the NNPC/Chevron JV. In 2000, the Farm-Out Agreement was executed for the assignment of the Ogbele Field in OML 54 and the right of first refusal on the Omerelu Field, in OML 53. This agreement was the first of such in the history of the Nigerian petroleum industry, in effect making NDEP the pioneering force in the independent acquisition of marginal oil field assets. As part of our aim to sustainably develop and capture maximum value from the oil and gas chain, NDEP, through its operating company, NDPR, also engages gas exploitation. NDEP through its operating subsidiary is harnessing the gas resources in its first producing field to derive maximum value from its operations. In addition, it aims at full compliance with the Federal Government’s zero gas flaring policy ahead of the January 2012 deadline. NDPR has invested in extensive gas processing infrastructure and concluded a pioneering Gas Sales Agreement to formalise the supply of gas to the NLNG Train 6 at Bonny, Nigeria. This agreement will allow NDEP to boost Nigeria’s gas conservation and utilisation while also achieving zero gas flare from its producing assets. To further increase NDEP’s resources and production, NDEP, through its operating company NDPR, has started refining crude oil, through the installation of a 1000 bpd Diesel Topping Plant. Can you provide more details, especially in the areas of oil and gas exploration and production efforts? Recently, we celebrated 10 years of our operations without any major accident. We set out under the leadership of our former Chairman; the late Mr. Aret Adams. He has been succeeded by Mr. Ben Osuno. I am delighted that a lot have been accomplished. For instance, Ogbele Field project is the first field development investment in NDEP’s small to medium sized oil and gas field develop-

ment programme. It is located in Chevron’s northern delta OML 54, originally granted to Chevron Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture. The NNPC/Chevron Join Venture remained the license holder for OML 54 until it was relinquished in 2008, with only the Ogbele Field area, carried out and FarmedOut to Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR) the operating company and a wholly owned subsidiary of NDEP. The Ogbele Field is now recognised as a Farm-Out Area (FOA) of the old OML 54. The field is located on all season dry land 4 km west of the Sombreiro River, within the Ogbele /Otari / Obumeze Communities, some 45km northwest of Port Harcourt, in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, some 5km off the Ahoada -Degema Road. It lies within the Central Swamp I Depobelt of the geological province of the Niger Delta. In terms of production, NDPR, the wholly owned subsidiary of NDEP, is the operator of OML 54, Ogbele oil and gas field and has the right of first refusal for Omerelu oil and gas field, in OML 53. Both fields are in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. NDEP and its operating company believe in extracting maximum value from the oil and gas production process, which is reflected in the company’s production capabilities: 5 producing wells have been drilled and completed within the Ogbele Field, with more wells planned for the near future. A fully managed flow station has been installed, with a capacity of 10,000 bbls per day NDPR has embarked on a Gas Utilisation Project, with the installation of a 100mmscf/d Gas Processing Plant at Ogbele in addition to a 20km gas pipeline to the NLNG Manifold at Rumuji A mini diesel refinery ‘Topping Plant’ has been installed, with a capacity of 1000 bbls per day. In terms of exploration, the Board, management and staff of NDEP and NDPR are constantly looking for new ways to increase the company’s reserves and assets base. At the moment, the company’s operations are based in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The company is well placed to pursue new emerging opportunities within the African continent. By 2011, the company will have an extensive range of projects to ensure a diversified production and revenue base. These projects include the delivery of cooking gas, propane, gas condensate and the sale of tail (dry) gas, as part of the Gas Utilisation Project as well as Diesel produced from the company’s own mini diesel refinery, the NDPR ‘Topping Plant’ at Ogbele. NDPR strives to obtain the maximum value from both existing and new investments with strong focus in state of the art capabilities in mapping, infrastructure and technology. The company also invests heavily in its staff development and training. The future growth of NDEP and NDPR hinges on further investments in exploration to increase reserves. Near future planned investment opportunities will include the development of the Omerelu Oil Field (OML 53), acquisition of new exploration assets in sub-Saharan Africa and Joint Venture (JV) participation in non-African producing assets. What about the challenges indigenous operators encounter? There are a few challenges. For instance, there are many institutions whose roles conflict in the industry. The new PIB has already identified them for restructuring. There are also other fundamental issues, especially those that have to do with security of facilities and personnel. How can these and other problems be addressed? From all indications, these and other matters are not insurmountable. For instance, operators and other stakeholders should assist to make adequate input into the new PIB. The legislators and other interest groups should ensure they passed it into law without much delay. I believe this is the first step that is needed to stimulate sustainable development of the industry at least for a reason. The new law would put in place adequate structures for orderly development and operations in the industry.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Fuel subsidy falls to N70 per litre UDEME AKPAN

he Federal Government’s subsidy on petrol has fallen from N72 to N70.61 per liter, partly as a result of the stabilise crude oil prices at about $113 per barrel. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency template puts landing cost at N152.12 per liter. A breakdown showed that cost and insurance, trader’s margin, lightering expenses, Nigerian Ports Authority charge, financing jetty depot thru put charge and storage charge at N139.33, N1.19, N4.03, N0.62, N2.55, N0.80 and N3.00 per liter respectively. Distributors’ margins, consisting of retailers, transporters, dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and admin charge stand at N4.60, N2.99 and N1.75, N5.85, N0.15, N0.15 respectively. These amounted to N15.49. These increased total cost to N167.61 while official ex depot price stands at N81.51, leaving government subsidy at N70.61. Last month, the PPPRA template showed that total cost of importing petrol into the country amounted to N169.13 per litre while subsidy stood at N72.31 per litre. The agency puts the landing cost, including cost and insurance, trader’s margin, lightering expenses, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, charge, financing, jetty depot through put charge and storage charge at

N153.64 per litre while distributors margins, including retailers, transporters dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and administrative charge added up toN15.49 per litre. The Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr. Reginald Stanley said then that: “The partial deregulation was carried out to, among other things, enable government reduce its commitment into subsidising petrol. But the government still commits more funds into funding the subsidy because of rising crude oil prices at the global market. “Rising prices of crude enables the nation to generate more foreign exchange, but it also leads to high prices of petroleum products, part of which is imported from the global market.” Consequently, fears have heightened again that the funds set aside for payments of fuel subsidy in the 2012 budget may be exhausted before the end of the year. The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had warned that the amount set aside for fuel subsidy in the 2012 budget would run out before the year ends due to high oil prices. He said: “If I was asked for advice I would simply say pay what you have in the budget and simply stop paying. (If not), take the money from the excess crude account (or) you’ve got to borrow money.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed banks to refund excess charges on loans collected from importers of petroleum products under the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF, scheme.

Oboh tasks United States on security, oil production

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has called on the United States of America to assist in maintaining sustainable peace in the Niger Delta. This aims at insuring continuous production and export of petroleum. The Managing Director of the commission, Dr Christian Oboh has urged the American government to play more active role in the security and stability of the Niger Delta region. Speaking when the American Consul-General, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins paid him a visit, Oboh noted that the strategic economic importance of the region to Nigeria, U.S and other parts of the world makes it necessary for all stakeholders to ensure that the region was crisis free. He said though the NDDC has a mandate to address the problem of under development in the region; the commission cannot achieve this in isolation without the collaboration and understanding of other stakeholders including the United States. The NDDC boss who identified difficult terrain, dearth of infrastructure and unemployment as some of the problems of the region called for closer collaboration between the U.S, Nigeria and by extension, the NDDC in the areas of funding, capacity building and youth development. Oboh said: “We appeal to the American Consul-General to assist the NDDC in getting access to foreign donor funds to pursue more development projects in the Niger Delta.” Responding, Hawkins described the Niger Delta as “an extremely important part of Nigeria and the source of a great deal of the nation’s wealth, which also harbours majority of U.S. investments”. Hawkins said: “Nigeria and U.S have looked into the troubled areas of the country and have set up a bi-national commission to discussion issues of mutual interest; one of such areas is the Niger Delta problem.” Meanwhile, the commission has commenced the process for the implementation of the 2nd batch of 29 mega projects sited across the region. The projects are sited in Abia State, eight in Akwa Ibom, two in Bayelsa, one in Cross River and seven in Delta state. Edo state has one, Imo has four and Rivers four. Speaking at a meeting between officials of the commission and the project contractors and consultants, Oboh said the commission has put all machinery in motion to ensure the effective implementation of the projects.

Oboh

The commission has warned the contractors against indulging in sharp practices that will impede the successful execution of the projects. Oboh said: “Where contractors choose to circumvent laid down procedures and execute their projects below expectations, they shall be demolished at their own expense.” The NDDC boss frowned at incidents of variation, warning that where requests for variation are not justified, such projects shall be determined, re-advertised and re-awarded to serious contractors. He implored consultants and resident supervisor to ensure that their staff were not only qualified but always around to monitor progress of work by contractors. “Where consultants choose to send inexperienced or non engineers to supervise engineering projects, such contracts shall be terminated without notice, same fate apply to consultants in other fields”, Oboh further warned. Also speaking, the Director, Projects Monitoring and Supervision, Arch Alex Okenwa stated that for smooth implementation of projects, contractors must work with the Directorate of Community and Rural Development particularly in areas of site handover and takeover to avoid friction with benefitting communities. According to him, there must also be a well defined project implementation plan, detailing the various work execution stages, adding that a joint inspection/measurement of works is a must for any payment of certificate.

Energy Week

Oil market report (September 2012) The OPEC Reference Basket continued its upward movement in August to settle at $109.52/b, pushed higher by the market’s bullish sentiment. Basket components rose by $8.00-1200. ICE Brent front-month prices also increased in August by 10per cent to settle at $112.68/b, while Nymex WTI rose by 7per cent to stand at $94.16/b. The return of significantly higher speculative activity, constraints in North Sea supply, declines in crude oil stockpiles in the US, hopes for further monetary easing from major central banks, and geopolitical factors have all contributed to the increase in crude oil prices. Oil markets were also supported by unexpected positive economic data from the US. Weather related factors pushed prices higher, as Hurricane Isaac threatened oil operations in the US Gulf. On 10 September, the OPEC Basket stood at $112.32/b. Growth expectations for the world economy in 2012 and 2013 remain unchanged at 3.3per cent and 3.2per cent, respectively. The US is forecast to grow by 2.3per cent in 2012 and 2.0per cent in 2013. Japan is expected to decelerate from 2.7per cent this year to 1.2per cent in 2013. The Euro-zone is seen returning to growth of 0.1per cent, following a contraction of 0.4per cent in 2012. Growth expectations for China stand at 8.1per cent for 2012 and 8.0per cent in 2013, while India’s expansion is forecast at 6.3% in 2012 and 6.6per cent in 2013. World oil demand growth in 2012 is forecast at 0.9 mb/d, unchanged from the previous report. Global economic turbulence has not slowed oil consumption seasonality from its summer trend. World oil demand rose in July, leading to growth of 1.1 mb/d in the third quarter y-o-y. Non-OECD consumed 42.9 mb/d of oil in July, an increase of 1.0 mb/d y-o-y. In 2013, world oil demand is forecast to grow at a slightly lower 0.8 mb/d compared to the previous year. Downside risk exists as the economic slowdown in the developed countries could increasingly spill over into the non-OECD. Non-OPEC supply is anticipated to increase by 0.7 mb/d in 2012. Growth is supported by expected gains in the US, Canada, Brazil, Russia, China, and Colombia, while output from South Sudan and Sudan, Syria, the UK and Norway is projected to decline. In 2013, non-OPEC oil supply is forecast to grow by 0.9 mb/d. OPEC NGLs and non-conventional oils are expected to average 5.7 mb/d in 2012 and 5.9 mb/d in 2013, representing growth of 0.4 mb/d and 0.2 mb/d, respectively. In August, OPEC crude oil production stood at 31.41 mb/d, representing an increase of 254 tb/d from the previous month, according to secondary sources. Product market sentiment remained healthy and became stronger worldwide in August, with light distillates exhibiting a positive performance on the back of tightening downstream supply generated by the shutdown of several refineries worldwide and the recovery in gasoline demand in the Atlantic Basin, as well as naphtha consumption in the petrochemical sector in Asia. The positive performance of light distillates allowed margins to continue increasing, despite weaker fuel oil demand. In the tanker market, a general negative trend was affecting dirty tankers, as lower tonnage demand and ample vessel supply drove spot freight rates to lower levels. The VLCC and Aframax markets saw slow activities, while Suezmax freight rates in August reached the lowest level this year. Clean tanker spot freight rates rose in the west and declined in the east. Sailings from OPEC were almost steady in August to average 24 mb/d. Arrivals in North America, Europe and West Asia increased, while in the Far East arrivals declined. Both global and OPEC spot fixtures decreased in August from the previous month by 3.4 mb/d and 1.0 mb/d, respectively. US commercial oil inventories fell for the second consecutive month in August, declining by 13.3 mb. This drop was attributed solely to crude stocks, which fell by 16.5 mb, while product inventories rose by 2.9 mb. Despite the drop, US commercial stocks remained 17.2 mb above the five-year average. The most recent monthly data for Japan shows that commercial oil inventories rose by 0.9 mb in July for the fifth consecutive month, driven by an increase in products of 3.0 mb. Crude stocks limited the build, dropping by 2.2 mb. Japan’s commercial inventories remain 2.8 mb below the five-year average. Demand for OPEC crude for 2012 has remained virtually unchanged from the previous assessment to stand at 29.9 mb/d. This represents a decline of 0.2 mb/d from the previous year. Demand for OPEC crude in 2013 is projected to average 29.5 mb/d, also unchanged from the previous report and 0.4 mb/d lower than the 2012 level. Since the 2008 financial crisis, global refinery throughput has increased by more than 3.0 mb/d, reflecting the improvement in world oil demand. This reCONTINUED ON PAGE 40

Energy Week

Oil market report (September 2012)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39 covery in global oil consumption has been mainly due to growth in non-OECD countries, as OECD demand has declined by more than 4 mb/d from the peak seen in 2005. Non-OECD countries, particularly those in Asia, have expanded their refinery capacity, leading to a change in the regional supply/ demand balance and resulting in some Asian countries, such as India, becoming product exporters. In line with contracting demand, refinery utilization rates in many OECD countries have dropped in recent years, mainly in Europe where refineries have suffered from poor economic performance due to weak margins in the Atlantic Basin. In 2011, OECD gasoline demand was particularly disappointing, dropping by 3per cent from the 5-year average to almost 14 mb/d, with US consumption falling to 8.4 mb/d in January, the lowest level in years. In addition to lower gasoline consumption, the supply side has been subjected to pressure from the substitution of non-refined products, mainly natural gas liquids (NGLs) and biofuels. Source: OPEC

Moni Pulo restates commitment to HSE CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

Moni Pulo Limited, foremost indigenous oil Exploration and Production Company has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its very high Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, even as the company’s no Lost Time Incidents statistics continue to grow. Mrs. Julia Oku Jacks, head of corporate affairs of the company said as at July 2012 Moni Pulo has achieved over 3 million man-hours of no lost time incident to injury, up from one million in January 2003. She told National Mirror that the company’s membership of the British Safety Council is a manifestation of its strong uncompromising disposition and commitment to health, safety and environment issues, which is also why the company submits itself to regular HSE audits from renowned international bodies such as the BSC and Lloyds. The British Safety Council is a global health, safety and environmental charity that work with businesses to improve their health, safety and environmental management. Its vision is that no one should be killed, injured or made ill by work activities. The BSC Five Star audit is applied by organisations worldwide to benchmark their safety management system against current best practice. This Five Star audit is best suited to organisations that require a detailed and objective evaluation of their occupational health and safety management system. The audit identifies areas of strength and weakness and provides a structured approach to continuous improvement. “In 2003 the British Safety Council (BSC) conducted a Five-Star audit on Moni Pulo’s Oil Mining Lease (OML) 114 facility which earned Agbani Floating Production Facility (FPF) a two-star over available 5-star.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Power supply stabilises at 4,000mw UDEME AKPAN

he nation’s power generation has stabilised at over 4,000 megawatts (mw) over the weekend, according to authoritative figures the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The supply, excluding spinning reserves, has culminated in improved supply to consumers nationwide. A breakdown showed that while the older stations of the PHCN, including Egbin, apparently the biggest in the country, accounted for about 3,000mw, the newly constructed plants under the Integrated Power Scheme accounted for 1,000mw. The improvement is said to be fuelled by a combination of factors, especially increased water levels at the various hydro stations in the country. It is also said to be a function of improved gas supply. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed its commitment to boosting domestic gas utilisation in the country. This aims at enhancing the success of the Federal Government transformation agenda and the recent Performance Contract signed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku

with President Goodluck Jonathan and NNPC. The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, made this disclosure during a dinner in his honour and Dr. Peter Nmadu, the Group Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Corporation in Abuja. He remarked that the NNPC was committed to increasing gas utilisation in order to stimulate industrialisation in the country. Yakubu said: “In line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda and the recent Performance Contract signed by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the NNPC is already pursuing greater domestic gas utilisation to

support the Federal Government’s drive for stable and sustainable power supply and national economic growth.” The GMD said Nigeria’s abundant gas resources can realise and sustain the nation’s dream of stable national power supply while gas supply to light industries and plants such as cement, fertilizer, petrochemical plants and domestic users is expected to increase gas utilization and support economic growth. He opined that in the Corporation’s drive to achieve the strategic economic objectives, the NNPC is committed to the core values of transparency and accountability at all levels. The NNPC helmsman said the Corporation under his watch was pursuing a new agenda to reposition the company for more efficient performance. Yakubu said: “NNPC must be commercially focused and aligned with the Nigerian economic growth aspirations. We must therefore raise our operational and financial standards to enable us operate competitively in the entire oil and gas value chain within and outside Nigeria.” The Vice President Namadi Sambo who was represented by Mallam Aminu Dabo implored the GMD to run the NNPC transparently and de-

scribed the Corporation as the most strategic agency of the federal government. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State assured the management of NNPC of the support of the Governors Forum for it to reposition the oil industry and described the petroleum sector as the backbone of the Nigerian economy. Speaking in similar vein, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, applauded President Jonathan for the appointment of the GMD and his team and implored them to find a lasting solution to the lingering challenges in the oil and gas sector. In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Tony Anenih congratulated the GMD and the GED, Dr. Peter Nmadu on their well deserved appointments and sued for prayers from Nigerians for them to succeed in their onerous task of transforming the petroleum industry. In his goodwill message, Chief Edwin Clarke expressed the confidence that with the GMD at the helm of affairs at the NNPC, he was optimistic of positive changes in the oil and gas industry and urged the management of the Corporation to discharge their assignment without fear or favour.

Total partners with PHCCIMA

otal Exploration and Production (E&P) Upstream Limited has expressed delight with the growth in relationship between Total and the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA in the past few years, adding that the commissioning of four economic empowerment projects in Obite was the product of the relationship that has blossomed over the years. The Director, International Operations, Total Regional Development, Paris, Mr. Guy Loup Motte, stated this Tuesday when he led a delegation from Total on a visit to the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA. Motte commended PHCCIMA for supporting Total economic empowerment and business growth ventures in the state, assuring that the company will facilitate the visit of a delegation of businessmen from France to Port Harcourt next year, even as he pointed out that the success of any nation rests heavily on entrepreneurship. The Total Director assured that his firm will continue to work with PHCCIMA to promote investments between Ni-

geria and Europe, revealing that, Total was already working on a small business centre with young amateur companies to grow their businesses. According to him, if the project proves successful, Total will replicate the centre in other parts of the state. He explained that projects slated for commissioning in Obite include, an SME Development Network centre, Egi Technical Centre, HP Micro credit Accelerated centre and Egi Centre for Arts and Culture. Motte assured the people of the state and the organized business sector of its commitment to the economic empowerment of its host communities and the growth of investment and industries in Nigeria. Earlier on, the president of PHCCIMA, Dr. Vincent Furo had expressed satisfaction that the projects conceived through PHCCIMA a few years ago had come to fruition. He commended Total for being able to resolve issues with its host communities after the recent explosion in its facilities in Egi which claimed lives and expressed confidence that Total will continue to bring sustainable progress to the communities and state they operate largely due to their in-depth understanding

Oil rig

and major concern for sustainable development of the people of their host communities. Meanwhile, Total has made it public that its gas trading affiliate Total Gas & Power Limited has signed an agreement with South Korean national company Kogas (Korea Gas Corporation) for the purchase of 0.7 million metric tons per year of LNG from the Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana for a duration of twenty years. The LNG will be lifted following the startup of the Sabine Pass terminal’s liquefaction train 3, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2017.

Total is a leading producer in the LNG sector, with strong and diversified positions along the LNG chain. Total is active in most of the major LNG producing regions as well as main LNG consuming markets and continues to develop LNG as a key component of its growth strategy. In addition to Australia, the Group has interests in LNG projects in Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Angola and Russia. The Group has also secured long-term access to LNG re-gasification capacity located in key LNG importing countries.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Executive Discourse

Let us have an assessment of the performance of the mobile money operators since they were licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The licencees are actively preparing to launch and what people should keep in mind is that when GSM licences were issued about 12 years ago, it took about two years for the GSM operators to actually hit everywhere. When MTN started, it was first available on the Victoria Island, before it extended to some parts of Lagos and later started covering the whole of Lagos and they later moved to Abuja. So, it took two years before it came to a point where services were available but today, we take it for granted because we forget that this thing does not happen overnight. For me, the same thing is happening in the mobile money sector. The 16 licensed operators have started acquiring customers. A number of them are doing serious transactions already because they are operating in a closed community. Some church members use mobile money services now to pay tithe and you will be shocked at the level of transactions that take place in those kind of environment. Some are focusing on campuses and some are extending their platforms to existing bank customers. So, we take these things for granted but in practice, when you add all those numbers together, as at today, even though there are no specific numbers, we can say there are about 3 to 4 million active mobile money account users and by any industry standard, that is a very good. What needs to happen is activation of services, which is one of the key roles that one network is trying to play in the industry. One of the challenges that everybody has to face is that fact that the agent network is not yet everywhere. Nigeria needs about 160,000 mobile money agents all over the country. But like I said, it is going to take about two years before we would get to that stage where there will be mobile money agents attending to you. But we believe that once One Network start rolling out, which we are about to commence in few weeks time, then, we would have agents all over the country that will quickly accelerate the activities of mobile money operators and will also help in other related financial inclusion initiatives that the CBN is currently driving. For instance, the CBN is trying to start agency banking, the new Identity Card scheme by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, is about to start and all these need a network agents attending to people in every nook and cranny of the country. But by and large, there is progress and before Nigerians know it, it would become strange to go to the bank and deposit N20,000 into somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account as this will now be seen as a waste of time sooner than later. Do you agree with stakeholders calling for alliance among the licencees and what kind of alliance do you think we should expect for their effective take-off? It is totally correct. Once again, that is what One Network is all about. If an individual mobile money operator is trying to build its own network of agents, they would succeed and they are all succeeding. But remember, there are 16 of them and you can imagine if each of them succeeded in building a network of 10,000 agents and that is a lot. But it would now be better if they are able to combine those 10,000 agents in

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigeria needs 160,000 Mr. Sola Bikersteth is the Managing Partner of One Network, a structured agent management organisation recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, committed to building technical infrastructure that will be used to manage a nationwide network of up to 160,000 neighbourhood agent locations that provide public access to citizen and financial services. In this interview with KUNLE AZEEZ, he says Nigeria requires a robust agent network for the success of its mobile money scheme, among others. Excerpts:

Bikersteth

16 places. That means that at the end of the day 160,000 agents would be available for all of them as against one who will just have 10,000. It is like the way the Automated Teller Machine works: A bank deploys its own ATM machine but its customers are also able to use all other ATM network. That is the concept of One Network. Therefore, it is correct to say that the mobile operators need such a network that will bring about that collaboration. We are engaging all of them just to make sure that they are all able to take advantage of the value of that collaboration. Even at the international level, there is discussion about collaboration among international mobile money operators but the key thing is that today, if you have a Visa card, you can work into any shop in London and use your Visa card the way you would have used it in Nigeria. The thinking generally now is that very soon, with your mobile phone, you can work into anywhere in the world and use your mobile phone to make transactions and you can use your mobile phone to send money to anybody around the world irrespective of location. For instance, somebody in London can just send pounds to somebody in Nigeria and the person will just work down to an agent and collect the money. That is the whole idea of our operations to allow for interoperability of the operators and strengthen collaborations among them for them to take advantage of the shared

THE THINKING GENERALLY NOW IS THAT VERY SOON, WITH YOUR MOBILE PHONE, YOU CAN WALK INTO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND USE YOUR MOBILE PHONE TO MAKE TRANSACTIONS services platform that we are providing. So, robust agent network is crucial to mobile money services and success in Nigeria. Do you see funding as one of the major problem confronting proper take-off of mobile money operators and do you think there is any help government can render to them as assistance? They are private companies and nobody was co-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

mobile money agents nationwide’ erced when applying for the licences. Everybody saw an opportunity and applied for a licence. My take is that we cannot generalise. You have mentioned about five to six orgainsations that are well-funded. If you count the ones that are backed by the banks, you can be sure that they are well funded and I think there are about five or six banks that are behind some of the mobile money operators and of course there are a number of them you cannot easily identity in terms of the bank backing them. So, on a general basis, you can think that there are about nine of them that are well funded from that perspective. However, mobile money business is not necessarily a function of funding. As I earlier said, I can apply for mobile money licence just to target students and on that basis; I don’t need to invest on infrastructures that will target the whole of Nigerians. I just need an infrastructure that will target campuses. On that basis, my investment requirement would be much lower than that of the person, who wants to provide services for the whole of Nigeria. That is what we need to keep in mind. There are a lot of niche markets. You can imagine a state government that decides that its citizens should start paying tax through mobile money and it engages me as its mobile money operator. I don’t need a lot money on infrastructures because I just need to cover that state and that is it and it may just be a god business for me than even trying to go all over the country, which is the value in number because it would allow the big operators to target everybody. It would also allow the small operators to focus on their niche markets which may not require them to make noise or to invest in excessive infrastructure. Some of the infrastructures already exist and what they need to put their mobile money platform for the use of their mobile money survives users. So, I want to believe that as long as you can identify up to seven or eight operators that are doing business now, that is okay and may even be more than enough to drive mobile money market. As at today, there are no specific figure. But we are made to understand that the largest agent network in the country is about 3,000 members for one of the mobile money operators. Most of them are still hovering around 500 agents. The challenge is that, for an agent, when you are representing only one mobile money operator, the business is not worth, but when you are now able to represent not only all the mobile money operators but other financial institutions on One Network platform, as long as you want to send money, if I go into One Network location, you know that I can send to all mobile operators, when somebody walk in, I will be able to attend to them and I would be able to more money and I joke than, in the near future, some chemists will begin to close their shops for mobile money business because money is the most essential commodity anywhere in the world as long as anybody is dealing in money, he or she cannot go out of business. What do you see as peculiar challenges to mobile money operators in Nigeria which you think require urgent attention? I think we need to keep in mind that it took five years for Kenya to get to where it is now. Kenya didn’t launch mobile money today and the next day, everybody took it up. No. It took two years after mobile money was launched in Kenya for people to start knowing that something was happening in Kenya. It took five years for mobile money to become felt everywhere. The same thing in Nigeria, so people may think there is no noticeable progress. There is a lot of progress. I can assure you of that. Of course, of the advantages that Kenya has was that it was practically a monopoly by Safaricom. There was no competition. In Nigeria, there are 16 operators. I call it a world record because I don’t think there is any country in the world that has 16 mobile money operators trying to compete. But it is healthy because it

PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY USING MOBILE MONEY SERVICES IN CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS, BUT BECAUSE THEY OPERATE IN CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS, PEOPLE GENERALLY DON’T NOTICE IT assures us that people will go into the areas that nobody else is thinking of; and that is what is happening already. People are actually using mobile money in closed environment but because they operate in closed environment, people generally don’t notice it. If I had a mobile money amount and I send money to my son in school, I won’t announce it to the world. So, people are individually using mobile money service eve those who have bank accounts already. We don’t announce it because we do it privately but you can be sure that there is progress. ‘Attention’ is probably not the word. Support is the word. Most of the time, the most important component that is lacking is an extended agent network and once again, that is the purpose of One Network: to work to solve that important layer of the whole industry and keep in mind that One Network was started as an industry initiative. I just happen to have been the chairman of the committee and I resigned from one of the leading mobile money operator at that time to take up this responsibility because of the importance to the entire industry. So, we believe that once we start, we would make that difference and before you know it, agent network will be everywhere. What are the key activities of One Network, since it was established to drive financial inclusion in the country? First of all, let me make it clear that One Network is more than mobile money. Central Bank of Nigeria is working to introduce agency banking in Nigeria. They are trying to work out a situation which will be able to make it possible to work into chemist shop and deposit money into your bank account, which-

ever bank you are using and from the location; you can also apply for a loan. That is already ongoing, as part of the whole financial inclusion initiatives. So, One Network is much more than mobile money. We provide financial and requisite services of which mobile money is one of them. We are committee to deploty our instrcuture to build robust network of about 160,000 agents for the mobile operators. In doing this, location agents will be administered through an integrated network of about 4,000 agent supervisor locations made up of post offices, Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) and bank branches. A typical One Network neighbourhood location, is like a human ATM machine; allowing much more functionalities similar to that of a mini-bank branch, in addition; providing numerous financial related value added services such as the Mobile money transfer, bill payments, public identity, micro credit, online business solutions and much more. Agency banking is also one of them and microfinance is one of them. So, in the area of mobile money, we are engaging the mobile money operators at a go for all of them to join One Network and share the agent network that we are building among themselves. In the area of agent banking, we are engaging the banks so that they can extend their banking services to every nook and cranny of Nigeria and they can now shut down any of their branches they cannot run profitably. In the area of microfinance, we are talking to microfinance institutions as a group so that they are able to also extend their services everywhere in the country. Of course, we are working closely with the Nigeria Postal services, NIPOST, because NIPOST network is the largest agent network. It has all the government back-ups. So, we are working very closely with NIPOST to make it as efficient as it can and of course we also provide its own layer. We are working with the National Identity Management Commission’s front end partners because identity management management is also a key factor in making financial services inclusion accessible otherwise, people will commit fraud and you cannot trace them. We are also working with insurance companies because we also want a situation where you can walk into a place and apply for health insurance, mortgage, life insurance and all these other insurance services, among other services that we provide at One Network.

Global Business

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

German investor confidence rises first time since April

erman investor confidence rose for the first time in five months in September after the European Central Bank unveiled a plan to buy government bonds to stem the sovereign debt crisis. The ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim said its index of investor and analyst expectations, which aims to predict economic developments six months in advance, climbed to minus 18.2 from minus 25.5 in August. Economists forecast a gain to minus 20, according to the median of 41 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey. German stocks have risen to a 14-month high since ECB President Mario Draghi said on Sept. 6 the bank may buy unlimited amounts of government bonds to contain yields in countries that seek assistance from Europe’s bailout fund. Market sentiment has also been boosted by Germany’s constitutional court clearing the way for ratification of the permanent rescue fund, and by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s announcement of a third round of asset purchases to stimulate growth and employment

Draghi

in the world’s largest economy. “Draghi may have saved Germany,” said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank in London. “The gain in ZEW investor confidence today is the first tentative sign that the ECB, by vowing to run an effective rather than a toothless monetary policy in the future, will keep Germany out of

RBA saw high currency dimming growth outlook, minutes show

RBA Governor, Glenn Stevens

he Reserve Bank of Australia saw the strength of the local currency and slowing growth in China as risks to the domestic economy, signaling scope to cut interest rates if necessary, minutes of its September 4 meeting showed. “The current assessment of the inflation outlook continued to provide scope to adjust policy in response to any significant

deterioration in the outlook for growth,” according to the minutes released today in Sydney. The overnight cash rate target was held at 3.5 percent. While borrowing costs were unchanged for a third straight meeting, the minutes signaled policy makers were monitoring weaker commodity prices and a global economy still “subject to significant downside risks.” In its assessment of the domestic outlook, RBA officials discussed signs that labor demand had softened “a little further,” housing showed some improvement while a higher currency was taking a toll, according to the minutes. “Members discussed the possibility that the high level of the exchange rate was weighing more heavily on the economy than might be expected,” the minutes showed. “Overall, despite the ongoing structural change, the unemployment rate had remained relatively low to date.” Adding to the case for no rate change was a staff assessment on mining investment plans that showed expectations for “a substantial increase in resource investment over the next year or so,” the minutes showed.

Europe banks fail to cut as Draghi loans defer deleverage

enders in the euro area increased assets by 7 percent to 34.4 trillion euros ($45 trillion) in the year ended July 31, according to data compiled by the European Central Bank. BNP Paribas SA (BNP), Banco Santander (SAN) SA, and UniCredit (UCG) SpA, the biggest banks in France, Spain and Italy, all expanded their balance sheets in the 12 months through the end of June. They have Mario Draghi to thank. The ECB president’s decision nine months ago to provide more than 1 trillion euros of three-year loans to banks eased the pressure to sell assets at depressed prices. The infusion, designed to encourage firms to lend, succeeded in averting a short-term credit crunch by reducing their reliance on markets for funding. It also may be making Europe-

an lenders dependent on more centralbank aid. “Deleveraging isn’t taking place, especially in Spain and Italy,” said Simon Maughan, a bank analyst at Olivetree Securities Ltd. in London. “The fact that we haven’t got on with it, or very slowly, suggests that when the time comes we’ll need another ECB injection to roll over the first one, just to keep the balance sheets of Italian banks in business.” European banks said last year they would cut assets within two years by more than 950 billion euros, about 3 percent of the total, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. By selling divisions and loans and reining in lending, the firms were seeking to reassure investors they would be able to reduce short-term funding needs and increase capital.

recession.” Still, ZEW’s gauge of the current situation fell to 12.6, the lowest since June 2010, from 18.2 in August. The euro declined after the report to at $1.3060 at noon in Frankfurt, down 0.4 percent on the day. European stocks dropped the most in two weeks amid mounting concern

that bond yields will rise if Spain delays seeking a bailout, signaling the region’s debt crisis is far from over. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.7 percent to 273.01. U.S. index futures and Asian shares also fell. The rise in the main ZEW index “clearly reflects the positive reaction to the ECB’s announcement of the new bond- buying program,” said Aline Schuiling, an economist at ABN Amro NV in Amsterdam. “Nevertheless, we expect the German economy to grow only moderately in the second half this year, as exports and the industrial sector will continue to feel the consequences of a weak euro-zone economy and sluggish world trade growth.” Growth in Europe’s largest economy will slow to 0.8 percent this year from 3 percent last year before picking up to 1.1 percent in 2013, the Kiel-based Institute for the World Economy said on Sept. 13. The pace of expansion eased to 0.3 percent in the second quarter from 0.5 percent in the first as budget cuts and recessions in euro-area trading partners eroded demand for German exports.

Fed’s Evans says QE3 will make economy more resilient

ederal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said the central bank’s third round of quantitative easing will help the economy keep growing despite headwinds from Europe’s debt crisis as well as potential U.S. tax increases and spending cuts. “Given the slow and fragile recovery, the large resource gaps that still exist, and the large risks we face, it remains clear that we needed a more resilient economy,” Evans said today according to prepared text of a speech in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Fed’s actions last week “provided a more accommodative monetary policy that can help us achieve such resilience.” Evans has been among the most outspoken advocates for additional monetary stimulus from the Fed in the past year. In an Aug. 27 speech he called for the Federal Open Market Committee to engage in open-ended asset purchases, a strategy that was adopted by the Fed in its Sept. 13 decision to purchase $40 billion a month in mortgage debt until the labor market improves. “We’re going to look at the labor market and the way the economy is going and also inflation pressures, and if it seems like we need to continue to do this, we’ll continue to do this next year,” Evans said in response to audience questions. The central bank will have to consider continuing the mortgage-debt purchases into 2013 and should purchase additional Treasuries once the central bank’s Operation Twist program expires in December, Evans said. The Fed maintained Operation Twist, selling about $45 billion of short-term Treasury securities a month and buying about $45 billion of longer-term Treasuries, even as it began purchasing $40

Evans

billion a month of mortgage-backed securities. Evans told reporters after the speech that a pace of $85 billion in mortgagebacked securities and Treasury securities may be appropriate into 2013. “We’re looking for stronger employment growth, some beginning declines in the unemployment rate and stronger growth,” Evans said. “I’d be surprised if we would see enough evidence of that by the end of this year. So under that conditioning, I would expect that we would continue at something like an $85 billion pace of purchases post December.” The Chicago Fed chief renewed his call for the policy makers to provide accommodation as long as unemployment remains above 7 percent and the inflation outlook is under 3 percent. Evans said that although the Fed did not adopt this policy last week he supports the QE3 decision “wholeheartedly.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global Business

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

nternational purchases of U.S. financial assets rose more than sevenfold in July as investors sought shelter from the debt crisis in Europe. Net buying of long-term equities, notes and bonds totaled $67 billion during the month, up from net purchases of $9.3 billion in June, the Treasury Department said today in Washington. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg projected net buying of $27.5 billion of long-term assets, according to the median estimate. “The data suggest that European private investors used Treasuries and agencies to protect against deterioration in the euro financial markets in July,” said Guy LeBas, chief fixed- income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC in Philadelphia. “That trend will likely continue into August’s data.” U.S. assets have maintained their attraction as Spanish banks are hemorrhaging deposits and European leaders are still squabbling over the next steps needed to overcome the sovereign debt crisis. A Sept. 14 European Union finance ministers meeting in the Cypriot

International demand for U.S. assets rises on Europe

Obama

capital of Nicosia deadlocked over the timetable for a more unified EU banking sector. Including short-term securities such

Indonesia commission approves increase in power tariff

n Indonesian parliament commission approved a government plan to raise the price of electricity, potentially reducing subsidy costs and encouraging investment in the nation’s power grid that is needed to boost economic growth. The energy commission agreed to include an electricity subsidy of 78.6 trillion rupiah ($8.3 billion) in the 2013 state budget, Chairman Sutan Bhatoegana said yesterday after a meeting with the commission and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. That equates to a 15 percent increase in electricity prices. Households consuming less than 900 voltamperes will be exempt from the higher rates, he said. The measure must still be approved by parliament. An increase in electricity prices would boost state utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Rubiandini Negara’s ability to invest in power plants in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, nounced at yesterday’s meeting. “The issue is not with the availability where about 74 percent of the population was connected as of March, according to of funds,” Fauzi Ichsan, a senior econodata from Listrik Negara. That’s lower mist at Standard Chartered Plc in Jathan the electrification ratio of Thailand karta, said in a phone interview today. with 99.3 percent and Vietnam with 97.6 “Even without raising electricity prices or fuel prices, infrastructure projects are percent. “We have agreed that spending for delayed because of problems such as land infrastructure is too small,” Deputy Fi- acquisition.” nance Minister Mahendra Siregar said today. “It will be one of our priorities.” Electricity demand in Indonesia is uropean Central Bank Governexpected to grow by 9 percent next year, ing Council member Luc Coene Deputy Energy and Mineral Resourcsaid rising bond yields may force es Minister Rudi Rubiandini said in a presentation during the meeting. The Spain into asking for aid and submitgovernment will increase its capital ting to the ECB’s conditions for grantspending by 15 percent in 2013 to boost ing it. If “markets see that Spain will not” infrastructure that is needed to ensure sustainable growth, President Susilo ask for assistance, “then it will not last Bambang Yudhoyono said in his Aug. 16 long before spreads will rise again, and then Spain will be somewhat forced to budget speech. To contain energy subsidies and make come back on its decision and submit more funds available for spending that to the conditionality program,” Coene will benefit the economy, Yudhoyono pro- said at a panel discussion in London posed adjusting power tariffs automati- yesterday. Spanish bond yields climbed past cally every quarter starting in January. The method of implementation for next 6 percent yesterday for the first time year’s electricity rate increase wasn’t an- since Sept. 7, the day after ECB Presi-

as stock swaps, foreigners bought a net $73.7 billion in July, compared with net purchases of $15.1 billion the previous month.

Spain’s financial industry is already backstopped by Europe to the tune of 100 billion euros ($131 billion), and is reliant on 412 billion euros of gross borrowings from the ECB. Shrinking deposits are undermining the ability of banks to support economic growth even as the government debates whether to seek a bailout. Estimates of foreign purchases of long-term U.S. assets in July ranged from net buying of $20 billion to $70 billion, according to four economists surveyed by Bloomberg before the report. China remained the biggest foreign owner of U.S. Treasuries in July after its holdings rose $2.6 billion to $1.15 trillion, according to the Treasury. Hong Kong, counted separately from China, raised its holdings of Treasuries by $700 million to $136.7 billion.

U.K. inflation slows on furniture, clothing, energy prices

nited Kingdom inflation slowed in August as prices for furniture and clothes rose less than a year earlier and increases in gas and electricity weren’t repeated. Consumer prices rose 2.5 percent in August from the same month in 2011, compared with 2.6 percent in July, the Office for National Statistics said today in London. That matched the median forecast of 32 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. From the previous month, prices advanced 0.5 percent. While the Bank of England has forecast that inflation will continue to ease toward its 2 percent target, upward pressures have emerged as oil costs increase and a drought in the U.S. pushes up foodcommodity prices. That may open divisions among policy makers over whether they should expand their stimulus program again. “The rise in oil prices and food commodities presents some risks for headline inflation in coming months, but with the weak economy implying only limited corporate pricing power, we still expect inflation to fall back to 2 percent by the end of the year,” James Knightley, an

economist at ING Bank NV, said in a research note. “The Bank of England will have room to implement more quantitative easing.” The pound traded at $1.6240 against the dollar as of 10:03 a.m. in London, little changed from yesterday.

United Kingdon Prime Minister, David Cameroon

ECB’s Coene says widening spreads may force Spain to ask for aid

dent Mario Draghi gave details of the central bank’s new government bond purchase plan. After falling to a fivemonth low of 5.55 percent on Sept. 10, the yield jumped as much as 46 basis points to a high of 6.01 percent yesterday, with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy reluctant to seek aid. Under the plan, the ECB would buy government bonds in tandem with Europe’s bailout funds to stem rising borrowing costs as long as countries asked for help and agreed to conditions. The Spanish 10-year yield reached a euro-era record 7.75 percent on July 25, before Draghi pledged the next day to do “whatever it takes” to safeguard the

monetary union. Coene stressed that if Spain does not ask for assistance, then “we will not buy its bonds.” The ECB would stop buying immediately if countries reneged on their agreements with the bank, he said. Coene said many officials in the ECB were reluctant to engage in bond purchases at all because “it enables profligate governments” to keep up spending. The only reason the central bank has started the Outright Monetary Transactions program is because it buys governments time and allows them “to take structural measures,” he said.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Index rises further by 0.3% on low cap stocks JOHNSON OKANLAWON

s market makers commenced operation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, the value of equities rose further as most small and mid-cap stocks led the bullish trend. Specifically, the All Share index appreciated by 0.32 points to close at 25,456.01 points, compared to the increase of 0.14 per cent the preceding day to close at 25,373.83 points. Market capitalisation gained N26bn to close at N8.103trn, higher than the rise of N11.7bn re-

corded the preceding day to close at N8.07trn. Lotus Islamic index led sectorial indices by 2.09 per cent to close at 1,513.25 points, followed by the insurance index with 2.07 per cent to close at 129.67 points. The NSE 30-index gained 0.21 per cent to close at 1,196.15 points, while the consumer goods index appreciated by 0.13 per cent to close at 2,207.43 points. The banking and oil and gas indices declined by 0.18 per cent to close at 397.43 points and 166.37 points respectively. International Breweries Plc led the gain-

ers’ table with N1.42 or 9.94 per cent to close at N15.70 per share, followed by BAGCO Plc with 16 kobo or 8.70 per cent to close at N2.00 per share. Diamond Bank Plc gained 26 kobo or 7.58 per cent to close at N3.69 per share, while Fidson Healthcare Plc appreciated by eight kobo or 7.27 per cent to close at N1.18 per share. LafargeWAPCO Plc rose by N2.60 or 5.20 per cent to close at N52.60 per share. On the flip side, WAPIC Insurance Plc dipped by three kobo or 4.92 per cent to close at 58 kobo per share, while Portland Paints Plc

dropped by 15 kobo or 4.72 per cent to close at N3.03 per share. RT Briscoe Plc lost nine kobo or 4.71 per cent to close at N1.82 per share, while May and Baker Plc depreciated by seven kobo or 4.46 per cent to close at N1.50 per share. AG Leventis Plc declined by five kobo or 3.88 per cent to close at N1.24 per share. Transaction volume increased by 43.2 per cent, as a total of 517.95 million shares valued at N3.06bn were exchanged in 5,172 deals, compared to 361.66 million shares worth N2.56bn traded in 4,636 deals the preceding day.

Flour Mills proposes 90% acquisition of Rom Oil Mills JOHNSON OKANLAWON

lour Mills of Nigeria Plc is proposing acquisition of 90 per cent equity of ROM Oil Limited, in furtherance of its focus on food and agro-allied businesses. In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, the company said it intends to enhance sustained profitability in this regard by acquiring the 90 per cent shareholding in ROM Oil, a mid-sized oil milling company based in Ibadan. According to the notice, the acquisition will further enhance Flour Mills’ group synergies as a substantial part of the

raw materials used in the production of refined edible oils and associated products. The company shareholders had on September 12 approved its bid to acquire 90 per cent equity shareholding in ROM Oil Mills Limited. The approval was given at the company’s 52nd Annual General Meeting in Lagos. Th President, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association, Mr. Timothy Adesiyan, commended the company for its strategic investment plans that are aimed at increasing its holdings and growing its capital base. He noted specifically that the company was investing in agricultural

and farming businesses in line with the Federal Government’s focus on the agricultural sector as means of channeling more foreign direct investments into the country. The National Co-ordinator, Independent Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sunny Nwosu, lauded the company on its move geared towards re-branding the company and improving its profitability. The chairman of the company, Mr. George Coumantaros, noted that the acquisition of ROM Oils was taken in furtherance of the company’s focus on its food and agro-allied business, consistent with the Federal Government

agriculture transformation agenda. He said, “The acquisition is subject to obtaining necessary regulatory approval and the company will continue to operate as a separate entity after the acquisition. “The proposed investment will further improve group synergies as part of the raw materials used in the production of refined edible oils and associated products will be sourced from the group’s commercial farming business.” He noted that shareholders would record increased dividend in the coming years when returns on their strategic investments would have begun to roll in.

US stocks fall as investors watch efforts on Europe

nited States stocks fell after the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index climbed to the highest level since 2007 last week and as investors watched European leaders’ efforts to resolve the region’s debt crisis. FedEx Corporation dropped 2.3 per cent as it reduced its profit outlook after quarterly earnings fell, while Advanced Micro Devices Incorporation dropped 8.5 per cent after announcing its chief financial officer will resign. Apple Incorporation surpassed $700 for the first time in intraday trading.

The S&P 500 retreated 0.3 per cent to 1,456.72 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 10.88 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 13,542.22 points. Trading in S&P 500 companies was 14 per cent above the 30-day average. “We’re looking for the market to flatten out and hold where it is until the US election,” Thomas Nyheim, a Wilmington, Delaware-based fund manager for Christiana Trust, said. “Europe is an overhang that’s still there on the U.S. market. Their debt crisis is not being handled, it’s Band-Aids here and there. It’s slow-

ing us down.” The S&P 500 is trading at 14.1 times the estimated earnings of its constituent members, close to its highest price multiple since the end of 2010, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The equity benchmark rose to its highest level since December 2007 on September 14 after the Federal Reserve said it will buy mortgage securities to support economic growth. Bearish options contracts on the S&P 500 have dropped to the cheapest level in more than three years. The S&P 500 fell 0.3

per cent on Monday after a meeting of European Union finance ministers in Cyprus on September 14 and 15 failed to agree on a timetable for a more unified banking industry, the terms of bailout requests and the role played by the European Central Bank. ECB Governing Council member Luc Coene said Spain may have to ask the European Commission for aid and submit to conditions imposed by its creditors if bond yields continue to increase. Coene spoke at a panel discussion in London on Monday.

Source: NSE

NIBOR QUOTES 17 SEPTEMBER & 18 SEPTEMBER 2012 25.00 24.00 23.00 22.00 21.00 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00

17-Sep-12

18-Sep-12

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

All-Share Index 7,490,286 points All-Share Index 22,191.14 points Market capitalisation 23,531.63 trillion Market capitalisation 7,084 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

INTBREW

11.21

11.77

0.56

5.00

ROADS

8.02

8.42

0.40

4.99

BAGCO

1.89

1.98

0.09

4.76

AGLEVENT

1.35

1.41

0.06

4.44

TRANSCORP

0.75

0.78

0.03

4.00

LIVESTOCK

1.34

1.39

0.05

3.73

STERLNBANK

1.16

1.20

0.04

3.45

ACCESS

8.50

8.74

0.24

2.82

UNILEVER

37.99

38.91

0.92

2.42

GOLDINSURE

0.50

0.51

0.01

2.00

CHANGE

% CHANGE -4.99

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

NASCON

5.21

4.95

0.26

UBA

4.42

4.20

0.22

-4.98

CADBURY

20.90

19.86

1.04

-4.98

NEIMETH

0.82

0.78

0.04

-4.88

ASHAKACEM

11.74

11.17

0.57

-4.86

DANGSUGAR

4.75

4.52

0.23

-4.84

CCNN

4.97

4.73

0.24

-4.83

UBN

6.51

6.21

0.30

-4.61

CUSTODYINS

1.17

1.12

0.05

-4.27

UTC

0.57

0.55

0.02

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

32,970.71

14.10

20-Sep-12

182-Day

50,000.00

15.40

19-Sep-12

364 -Day

60,000.00

9.05

20-Sep-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

48Days

7,302.20

14.39

17-Sep-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

23-Aug-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$180m

N/A

$180m

17-Sep-12

$200m

N/A

$200m

12-Sep-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at September 18, 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)

Cocktail

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (5) “The most influential person who will talk to you all day is you, so you should be very careful about what you say to you!” **Zig Ziglar * * * Vote For Yourself Daily! Consider this: every time you think positive, you are voting for yourself. Every time you think negative, you are voting against yourself. Any time you choose to speak positive, you are on your own side. Any time you speak negative, you are on the side of your enemy. Each time you act positive, you are voting for your destiny. And each time you act negative, you are voting against your success. Vote for yourself daily no matter what! Most of the time, life is a self fulfilling prophecy. If we will not accept certain things through our thoughts, utterances, and actions, they will never come to us whether positive or negative. We should always try to consciously respect ourselves by voting for our own progress daily through our thoughts, words and actions. God Will Help Us! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

G dS Good Samaritan it hhelps l man twice in eight years

n Ohio man is thankful for the intervention of a Good Samaritan — the same one who helped him once before, eight years ago. Gerald Gronowski had a flat tyre east of Cleveland recently when a man named Christopher Manacci stopped to help. During the encounter, Gronowski began talking about an-

other stranger eight years before who had helped him pull out a hook that got stuck in his hand while he was fishing. They then figured out that Manacci was that same man. He had been kayaking nearby. Gronowski tells The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer that he feels it’s now his job to help someone else.

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Oddities

New monkey species discovered after 28 years

cientists in the Democratic Republic of Congo claim they have discovered a new species of monkey, making it only the second such discovery in nearly 30 years. The claim is published in the journal Plos One, in which the team of U.S. scientists have named the find Cercopithecus Lomamiensis. The team says the monkey, which locals call the Lesula, has been known among inhabitants of the Congo’s Lomami forest basin for years but had never been seen by the outside world until now. “We never expected to find a new species there,” said the project’s lead scientist, John Hart. “But the Lomami basin is a very large block that has had very little exploration by biologists.” The Lesula has large yellow eyes, a long narrow nose and a pink-coloured face under its golden fur. It is reportedly very shy, requiring Hart’s team to set up remote monitoring devices to detect the animals in their natural habitat.

Interestingly, the team first made its apparent discovery when scientists came across an unidentified monkey tethered to a post and belonging to the daughter of a local schoolteacher. “Right away I saw that this was something different,” Hart said. “It looked a bit like a monkey from much further east, but the colour-

ing was so different and the range was so different.” For three years, Hart worked with geneticists and anthropologists as he laboured to determine whether the monkey actually belonged to a previously unclassified species. “I knew it was important to have a collaborative team of experts,” he said.

A new species of monkey called the Lesula has reportedly been discovered.

Eventually an ancient, common genetic ancestry was linked between the Lesula and the Owl Face monkey. Scientists at New York University and Florida Atlantic University say they believe the species’ split may have occurred after a series of rivers broke apart the animal’s natural habitat.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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Community Mirror Minister aborts journey due to bad roads

“Absence of reliable data on pollution in Niger-Delta had prevented the international community from assisting in clean up the environment.”

DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN

Bank offers loans to cooperative farmers JAMES ABRAHAM

JOS

total of 87 farmers cooperative groups in Plateau State are to benefit from various loans from Stanbic IBTC Bank, through an initiative by the Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC). Ms. Susan Bentu, Secretary of ASTC, who made the disclosure in Mangu, said the loan would increase productivity and boost the income of peasant farmers. “The 87 co-operative outfits are those registered with the ASTC; it is a tripartite agreement between the ASTC, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Grand Cereals and Oil Mills Limited. We believe that this deal will make farming more attractive and raise the level of youths’ participation,’’ she said. Susan Bentu explained that under the agreement, ASTC would provide farmers with mechanized farming support from cultivation to harvest, while Stanbic IBTC would provide cash loans. She said that Grand Cereals and Oil Mills Limited would serve as the buyer and marketer of the farmers’ produce. “All that is required from farmers, who wish to benefit, is for them to form co-operatives and register with ASTC”, Bentu said. Speaking at the meeting, Mr.

Steven Barko, Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture, reiterated the government’s commitment toward a mechanized agriculture to create more job opportunties and maximise the exploitation of natural resources. “With this agreement, government is confident of a reliable and trusted partner in ASTC and want to challenge farmers to use the opportunity to expand production towards achieving higher yield,’’ Barko said. Mr. Naom Herz, General Manager, ASTC, while commending the administration for its tireless efforts toward making agriculture financially attractive, assured all stakeholders of making huge returns on investment. “This agreement is necessitated by the desire to make agriculture viable, simple, economical and attractive to farmers in Plateau State, especially the younger generation. Together, we shall attain selfsufficiency in food production through the application of modern and scientific practices, management, production training and marketing,`` he said. Also, Mr. Jerry Gushop, Head of Agricultural Banking, Sales and Distribution, Stanbic IBTC, re-affirmed the bank’s commitment to the agreement. Gushop revealed plans not only to finance the projects, but also

offer technical and professional advice to the farmers, even as he described the partnership as the best ever entered into in the development of agriculture in the state. In his speech, Mr. Timothy Makeri, Procurement Manager, Grand Cereal and Oil Mills Limited, said his company would encourage a market-driven agricultural production for the farmers

by purchasing their produce. “Through farmer’s improved quality of products through ASTC mechanized agricultural services, Grand Cereals will henceforth procure more of its agricultural produce from Plateau,’’ he said. Mr. Nde Gobak, the Chairman of ASTC, advised farmers to have a positive attitude toward farming as the organization was

out to increase agricultural production and improve the living standard of farmers. Some of the farmers at the meeting expressed joy at the initiative by the ASTC. According to them, agriculture is the state’s most dependable and sustainable source for income and avenue for massive employment and should be encouraged.

SUICIDE RIDE: Two conductors perching precariously outside their commercial buses on Oshodi-Abeokuta Expressway. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

District head laments Court frees council boss from litigations marginalisation NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

he Kodape community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has cried out over the non inclusion of the area in the recent upgrading of communities to chiefdom status. District head of Kodape, Mr. Sabo Fyeunu, said this at Auta Baleifi, headquarters of the district, even as he said that in spite of the massive support to Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura during 2011 elections, he chose to marginalize them. According to him, “Kodape is overdue for a chiefdom status, considering its numerical

strength of over 50,000 people with forty villages within the Abuja area. He attributed the origin of the community’s marginalization to the previous administrations of former governors Abdullahi Adamu and Aliyu Akwe Doma, as he lamented the prolonged neglect the present and past administrations have meted on the people despite its existence for more than 42 years, coupled with its status as the hub for internal revenue generation of the state. However, the district head appealed to Governor Al-Makura to create Kodape chiefdom, so as to enable the community have a sense of belonging.

vacation court sitting at Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, presided over by Justice J. I. Nweze, has struck out the name of Barrister Raphael Nnabuife as the sixth respondent in the application filed by Prince Christopher Arthur Udoh, the proprietors of Arthur Garden Hotels, Nkpor, , against the police for his detention and closure of his hotels. In his ruling shortly after hearing from both counsel to the applicant, M. C. Ilondu and that of the sixth respondent, A. C. Aneke, Justice Nweze awarded N10,000 cost against the applicant, in favour of the sixth respondent. Udoh had in an affidavit in support of his application for

his release and re-opening of his hotels, deposed to on his behalf, by his wife, Nkechi, prayed the court to order the respondents, their agents or privies whosoever called to release him forthwith from the police custody where he was detained since August 9, without justification. In the application in which the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police Anambra State, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), SP James Nwafor (O/C SARS Awkuzu), CSP Kanayo Uzuegbu DPO Ogidi Police Station and Mr. Raphael Nnabuife Transitional Chairman, Idemili North Local Government Area, were listed as first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents, Udoh is also claiming the sum of N5 million as damages from the respondents jointly and severally for his

detention and sealing of his hotels. But in a counter-affidavit filed by his legal counsel, A. C. Aneke and deposed to by himself, Nnabuife, the sixth respondent, said he is not a police officer, neither was the applicant detained in his own custody, adding that he did not make any complaint or write any petition to the first to fifth respondents against the applicant as to warrant his name being included as a respondent in the application. Nnabuife further deposed that he never instigated the first to fifth respondents on August 9 to arrest and detain the applicant, neither did he close the applicant’s hotels and business premises at Onitsha and Nkpor on August 5 and August 9, 2012 respectively, adding that he has no such powers or authority, or absolutely has any interest in the affairs of the applicant.

Community Mirror

Family petitions CP over threat to life WALE IGBINTADE

he Eleku family of Oko-Olomi, Bogije Area of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government of Lagos State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State over alleged threat to their life and property. A petition written by their counsel, Barr. S. O. Ajetunmobi, alleged that on August 2, 2012 at about 5pm, some hoodlums came into the village of Oko-Olomi and started shooting indiscriminately. The petition stated that residents left their house and ran, even as bullets allegedly hit one Rasheed Ismail on the right chest and right hand. They added that the matter was reported at Elemoro Police Station and was subsequently, transferred to SCID, Panti Street, Yaba. The family further stated that till date, nothing has been done on the case while the suspects are moving around free. The petition, written on behalf of Chief Tajudeen Eleku, Segun Eleku, Princess Toyin Eleku, Mr. Femi Bakare, Chief Samson Otunla, Hakeem Otunla and Babatunde Kunfuli (Baale of Olowu), also alleged that a prominent traditional ruler in the area was behind the attacks. Consequently, the petitioners asked the Lagos Police boss to intervene as their lives are in danger.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Minister aborts journey due to bad roads HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

he deplorable condition of roads in Benue State has forced the Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe to cut short her tour of Otukpo and

parts of Benue South Senatorial District. Emichi village in Otukpo Local Government is one of the villages which seems to have been lost in time, as it lacks every form of electricity, pipe borne water and medical facilities.

Mrs Ochekpe, who visited the state to flag-off two water facilities at KatsinaAla and Anyiin had tried to get to Otukpo, but was forced to abort the journey due to terrible condition of the road occasioned by the continued torrential rain. A source who spoke to

Community Mirror, said the minister’s convoy turned back after getting stuck on the way. Some residents have decried a situation where the minister and even Senate President, David Mark who are from the area have failed to rehabilitate the

Fish sellers, indefiance of the ‘No trading, No hawking’ sign doing business at Mile 12, Lagos.

Union calls for probe of ex-leader FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

perators of commercial motorcycle popularly called ‘Okada’ have called for the probe of their former national president, Alhaji Mohammed Hassan, over his comment that restrictions placed on commercial motorcyclists by some governments would turn them into ready tools for

extreme religious sects. Operators, under the aegis of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (ACOMORAN), had dissociated themselves from the statement as widely reported. The National Secretary of the union, Dr. Francis Banji Ayeni, stated this while speaking at the end of the meeting of the union,

Western Zone at Sango – Ota, Ogun State. ACOMORAN said, its members are coordinated, responsive, disciplined and have cultivated the attitude of exploring all lawful means to resolve whatever issues they have with any arm of government, rather than seeking the assistance of any militant sect to settle disputes with the govern-

roads, thereby leaving them as death traps. They, however, called on the minister and other prominent citizens to bring the dividends of democracy to Emichi and other adjoining villages, including Okpomaju and Amla, OtukpoIcho/Odudaje and others.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA.

ment. Ayeni, however, condemned attempt by the former president of ACOMORAN, Hassan to portray the members as willing tools, stressing that the restriction of Okada on some Nigerians roads by the federal and state governments did not take away their business. Reiterating that the step was to ensure safety of the public, including that of Okada riders, the Secretary, stressed that Hassan

had served his tenure and as such, lacked the power to speak for ACOMORAN. He further maintained that Alhaji Shehu Babangida is the authentic National President of the union, who has been representing the association at various fora that included recent representation at the National Assembly on issues bordering on the drivers’ licence, transport business and its administration in Nigeria.

agencies to realise the administration’s goal. He explained: “I like to draw your attention to the massive construction of roads across major towns and communities, as well as provision of other landmark infrastructure which we consider our administration’s efforts to create jobs, fast track development and encourage investors to the state”. Earlier, Chairman of the agency, Chief Ibidapo Awojolu, asserted that Ekiti ranks as one of the best performing states as shown in the report

sent to the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala by the World Bank Country representative, Ms Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly. Awojolu, said the newly launched projects cut across education, gender, environment, rural electrification, health, water and transport among others. He commended the governor for approving the payment of $100 Million for the 2010 counterpart fund and another $100 Million for 2011.

Fayemi spends N238 for development projects

kiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has presented cheques worth N238 million for Community Development Projects of the State Community and Social Development Agency (EKSCDA). Presenting the cheques in Ado Ekiti, Dr. Fayemi said the gesture is not only a proactive measure aimed at improving the well being of the grassroots, but also part of the fulfillment of his administration’s effort to reduce poverty as en-

capsulated the eight -point agenda. Fayemi, who said that through the plan, 26 communities would be executing a minimum of three micro projects, expressed optimism that they will further enhance community development, even as 78 projects with direct impact on the people would be financed through the initiative. He added that the choice of Ekiti as one of the states implementing the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP,) is consistent

with the mission of his administration to put poverty to flight in the state. While commending EKSCDA for the transformational projects it has embarked in the past three years, the governor stated that the provision of basic social-economic infrastructure which would ensure minimum comfort and good living standards for the masses is a collective responsibility of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Governor Fayemi de-

scribed the agency as a key component in the collective drive to transform Ekiti strategically; saying that it is a tool for the transformation and empowerment of the people at the grassroots. He urged necessary MDAs to ensure that the projects especially the health centres, are adequately staffed and equipped to achieve the expected outcome when completed, even as he stressed that the government would spare no effort in its determination to continue the worthy partnership with relevant

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North

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Taraba flood: NEMA registers 13,428 displaced persons

Niger promises support for workers’ training PRISCILLA DENNIS

• 30 communities submerged • 16 LGs affected in Katsina OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

JAMES DANJUMA

KATSINA

s some states in the Northern part of the country continue to experience devastating flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has registered 13,428 internally displaced people as well as 30 communities that were submerged in Taraba State. The affected communities are in Ibi and Wukari Local Government Area of the state. While conducting a rapid response assessment during the tours of the local governments, NEMA said it discovered that bridges linking various communities were cut off by the flood due to overflow of River Benue as well as the release of water from the Kiri Dam in Adamawa State and from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroun.

Others affected areas, according to NEMA, were places of worship, farmlands, hospitals, schools and markets. Some of the communities can only be reached by canoes and boats as rescue and emergency officers have so far visited worst affected areas, especially in Chinkai, Andoyako, Warawa, Dampar, Ibi town, Badodo,Chaschangi, Isini, Mai itache, unguwan danbaki,Sai, Gungun Abdullahi Unguwan makeri, Wazirin bannu, Sai Danpar-unguwan saraki, Unguwan Kabawa, Sarkin Noma, Unguwan Maisanko, Baruwa, Unguwan Nufawa etc. The traditional ruler of Ibi, Alhaji Abubakar Danbawo, said: “For the past 38 years, we have never witnessed a disaster of this magnitude that touched everything: places of worship, houses, roads and farmlands.” The NEMA officers are

still at camps in Danpar, Chinkai and Ibi registering and providing relief materials to the displaced people. In Katsina State, about 16 local government areas were affected by the recent flood. No fewer than 10 people were killed and property worth several millions of naira destroyed in the incident. A statement issued from the Office of the Deputy Governor of the state said that the government released N25m to assist the victims. The statement, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Sani Kabomo, said the money would be used to purchase relief materials for onward distribution to those affected by the flood. It stated that the money was an addition to earlier cash approved by the government, adding that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

also provided assistance in form of relief materials. Meanwhile, the Federal Government said it is making efforts to tackle the problem of flood disasters across the country. The Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, gave the assurance yesterday when she led a delegation to visit some areas affected by flood in Plateau State. Mailafia said she had visited other states affected by flood and was in Plateau State to assess the situation so as to look at ways government could assist the victims. Speaking at the Rayfield Government House, Jos, when she visited Governor Jonah Jang, the minister, who was on the tour with the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, and other senior officials, said the Federal Government was looking into ways to prevent flood in any part of the state.

MINNA

he Niger State Government has promised to support its work force on professional development training for effective service delivery. Speaking at the opening of the retreat for Local Government Directors, Administrative Secretaries of Development Areas in Minna, Governor Babangida Aliyu said it was against this back drop that his administration embarked on a comprehensive policy and adopted a new operational guideline towards realising the transformational agenda of the state. Aliyu said that the new policy thrust was aimed at returning to merit-based recruitment and promotion system not only in local government services, but the state civil service

as well. The decision, according to him, was taken out of the belief that no government can achieve beyond the quality of its civil servants by creating opportunities that will strengthen their capacity for higher productivity and optimum performance. He said: “We hope this retreat will produce a critical mass of change agents who will be the vanguard of the new paradigm shift for effective and efficient service delivery at the local government level.

Katsina teachers set for strike over 27.5% TSS JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

L-R: North-East Zonal Consultant, Midwives Services Scheme (MSS), Dr.Danjuma Sulai; Coordinator, Performance and Result, SURE-P, Mr. Ali Fatoma and Senior Administrative Assistant, Sure-P, Mrs. Bibian Igboabuchi, at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Orientation programme for midwives and community health extension workers in North-East held in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Aliyu

he stage may have been set for strike by teachers in Katsina State following the government’s reluctance to re-introduce the 27.5 per cent Teachers Salary Scale (TSS). The state local branch of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday condemned the removal of the 27.5 per cent from the teachers’ salary with the demand that same should be reintroduced. National Mirror learnt that failure on the part of government to re-introduce the TSS in

the coming weeks may lead to a strike by the teachers. Addressing journalists in Katsina, NUT Secretary, Mr. Jamilu Aliyu, said the 27.5 per cent was removed from the teachers’ salary following the implementation of the N18, 000 new minimum wage. He noted that payment of the TSS was an issue agreed upon by the union and state government. Aliyu, however, wondered why the agreement should be reneged when government began paying the new minimum wage to its workforce.

ACN flays Governor Ahmed’s claim on 25,000 teachers

he Kwara State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday dismissed as falsehood Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed’s claim that the state has 25,000 teachers in its employ. The party also said Ahmed’s claim that his administration has employed additional 1,410 teachers in the last one year “is a needless lie.” The ACN Chairman in the state, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, said

in a statement in Ilorin that the governor and his men should refrain from making claims capable of exposing indigenes to national disgrace. The statement read: “It has become imperative to again react to the lies of Kwara State Government officials, including Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed himself, who seize every opportunity to grab public attention while doing nothing meaningful for public good.

“Yesterday, September 17, the Herald quoted the governor as saying that Kwara has 25,000 teachers in its employ across the state primary school! He was also quoted as saying that Kwara State Government employed 1,410 teachers in the last one year. “The claim of 25,000 teachers is totally inconceivable except the government can present evidence to back it up. Is the government saying the state

has up to 500 primary schools, each having an average of 50 teachers? It is a needless lie and gives fillip to allegations that government might actually be the brain behind so-called ghost workers’ syndrome. “Also, when did the government employ the 1,410 teachers? Were these vacancies advertised at all? When and through which media? As is the practice for such exercise, when did the applicants for the teaching ap-

pointment write test or attend interview that qualified them for the job? “These claims are not only false and laughable. This penchant for outright falsehood is disrespectful to the people of Kwara State who this government continues to expose national ridicule. That the governor and his men resort to falsehood and deceit is a clear indication that they cannot be trusted.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Traditional medicine practitioners seek FG’s recognition STORIES BY TOBORE OVUORIE

igerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners, TMPs are seeking official recognition by the Federal Government with a view to complementing efforts of orthodox medicine practitioners in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services. The call for legislation came during the 2012 African Traditional Medicine Day in Lagos, coupled with seeking legislation to integrate and recognise TMP in primary healthcare services.

Speaking during the occasion, the guest speaker, Prof. of Pharmacognosy, Olukemi Odukoya, noted that besides the international recognition for traditional medicine in primary health care, the Nigerian populace had for long depended on indigenous system of medicine for relief. Odukoya who noted that 80 per cent of people in developing countries including Nigeria still depend on traditional medicine blamed it on the fact that orthodox medicine is mostly out of reach. Urging the Lagos State government to domesticate the

World Health Organisation, WHO and African Union, AU, recommendations on traditional medicine in the first decade of African Traditional Medicine, she noted that the second decade (2011-2020) provides another opportunity for Nigeria to make health for all possible through traditional medicine. “In some rural areas, TBAs are the only source of assistance and care and deliver over 90 per cent of the births. The workforce presented by TMPs and TBAs is an important resource for the delivery of PHC.” Odukoya added that “AU’s

support for traditional medicine in Africa had, in fact, led to improvement in the area of education, training and research, and expansive use of TM in Nigeria in the last 10 years”. Despite this acceptance, however, she expressed worry that herbal medicines had not yet been officially integrated with necessary legal backing. “The political will of governments to develop traditional medicine and medicinal plants is paramount. The government/ legislative assemblies should as a matter of urgency sign into law, the regulation and recogni-

tion of the practice and use of these medicines.” Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi noted the growing evidence that traditional remedies for the treatment of common ailments, including some priority diseases, is effective. He said THPs currently enjoy considerable social status within their local communities and could play important role in curative, preventive and rehabilitative measures of many diseases as well as in health education and promotion.

500 benefit from free health programme

uccour came the way of over 500 hundred residents of Oregun community, Onigbogbo area of Lagos recently, when Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, rendered free health care services ranging from consultancy, de-worming, anti malaria drug and other health checks. Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Company, Mr. Emmanuel Ekunno, the Chief Engineer, Engr. Olayinka Obafemi said the screening for malaria in the community, was aimed at reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combat malaria and ensure a sustainable hygiene culture in the host community. The exercise tagged: “Touching every home in our host community” began with a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness Oba Lamidi Olorunfunmi (Olabisi I), the Oba of Oregun. Services provided include mass deworming for children not above 14 years, malaria intervention/

treatment, and maternal healthcare among others. “We believe not only in reaping in a community but also give back something in the community where we are operating as well as better the lives of the people. This is one practical way to show that our company really cares for her host community. Neimeth has operated in Oregun Community for over 15 years and is determined to consolidate genuine good will through an enduring legacy of caring for Oregun people” he added. Counsellor representing the community, Hon. Seyi Lawal who commended the company for the exercise said Neimeth should see the community as partner in progress. and should ensure that its presence is felt in the community like other companies and churches located in the area. A lecture entitled; Worm and how to prevent it”, stressed the importance of de-worming.

L-R:Mr. Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Environment; Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos state governor and Mr. Lateef ibirogba, Commissioner for Information, Lagos state inspecting some Public Health Centres (PHC) in the state recently. PHOTOS: NAN

Why NEMA is inefficient in disaster management

ack of efficiency on the part of agencies collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in managing disaster has been identified as a major reason why the agency has been inactive in disaster management. This was made known by the

Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi in a speech presented at the August Ordinary General Meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. Sidi who was represented by Mr. Benjamin Okehnna, said

Alisimie community donates health centre to Ika South LGAment cost

n ultra modern health centre built by the people of Alisimie community in Agbor, Ika South local government area of the Delta State has been formally handed over to the authorities of Ika South local government council, according to NAN report. Handing over the state-ofthe-art edifice to the council at an elaborate ceremony within the premises of the health centre in Alisimie community, the Agbasogun of Agbor Kingdom, Chief Augustine Apaokwueze said that the medical facility was built by the community through self help initiative. Chief Apaokwueze urged

the authorities of the local government council to make good use of the health centre by sending dedicated medical personnel to the health care centre in order to promote community health in the area to an enviable height. He called for the upgrading of the health centre to a hospital, adding that the community has earmarked a large expanse of land that could be used to build any structure for the hospital if the health centre was upgraded. Earlier, the Secretary, Executive Working Committee of Alisimie Community, Mr. Philip Bitokwu disclosed that the health centre built some

years ago through self help initiative had positively affected the health of the people in the community. Mr. Bitokwu paid glowing tribute to one of the illustrious sons of Alisimie community, Engr. Vincent Ebuh for the monumental role he played towards the speedy completion of the health care facility even as he commended other well meaning sons and daughters of Alisimie community for their contributions towards the proper functioning of the health centre. Expressing optimism that the health centre would translate into effective health care services for the people of the

community, the Secretary who intimated the Council officials that the community has been paying little salaries to Messrs Andrew Agwaze and John Odudu for guarding the health centre, however, appealed passionately to the council to integrate the two security personnel into the unified local government system by giving them appointment letters. Responding after taking over the medical facility, Head of Personnel Management (HPM) in the council, Mr. G.N Okonta expressed appreciation to the people of Alisimie community for partnering with the council and the state government in the area of health care delivery.

“disaster management is multisectoral and multidisciplinary and can be properly managed through collaboration with other agencies such as the police, health departments. Speaking on the challenges faced by NEMA, he disclosed that most states do not even have required equipments, such as, ambulance, fire extinguisher and host of others, for disaster management. Thus, called for manpower capacity building at all levels of government. Consultant Traumatologist and Head of Department Accident and Emergency Department, LUTH, Dr. Kunle Badmus also identified the best ways to prevent disaster. According to him, it could be achieved only through education and proper legislation. “Anybody can respond to disaster including the community in which it occurred and organizations within, government agencies, private sectors, fire services and so on”. He however urged communities to be contributing in managing disasters as it is multisectoral.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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World News

Al-Qaeda threatens attacks on US diplomats

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

gypt’s general prosecutor issued arrest warrants yesterday for seven Egyptian Coptic Christians and a Floridabased American pastor and referred them to trial on charges linked to an anti-Islam film that has sparked riots across the Muslim world. The case is largely symbolic since the seven men and one woman are believed to be outside of Egypt and unlikely to travel to the country to face the charges. Instead, the prosecutor’s decision to take legal appears aimed at absorbing at least some of the public anger over the amateur film, which portrays the Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, womanizer and buffoon. The prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the accused, which includes the film’s alleged producer, face charges of harming national unity, insulting and publicly attacking Islam and spreading false information. The office said they could face the death penalty, if convicted. No date for the trial has been set. Among those charged is Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, an Egyptian Copt living in southern California and believed to be behind the film. Florida-based Pastor Terry Jones, who has said he was contacted by the filmmaker to promote the video, as well as Morris Sadek, a conservative Coptic Christian in the U.S. who pushed the video on

“Every day when you are engaged in war, there are serious risks that confront those who fight the war. We will do all we can to minimize those risks but we will not lose sight of the fundamental mission here (Afghanistan)” – United States Defence Secretary, Leon Panetta

Egypt to try seven Copts, US pastor over Prophet film his website, are also among those charged. The connection of the other five accused in the case to the film was not immediately clear. Ultraconservative Salafi lawyer Mamdouh Ismail praised the prosecutor’s decision. While recognizing that the eight will be tried in absentia, Ismail said referring them to trial will help curb public anger. “Now these are legal measures instead of angry reactions, whose consequences are undeter-

mined,” he said. “This would also set a deterrent for them and anyone else who may fall into this” offense. The prosecutor’s statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, said that after studying the film investigators have determined that it contains scenes offensive to Islam and state institutions. It also says they questioned 10 plaintiffs before issuing the charges. Nakoula, 55, told the AP in an interview last week outside Los Angeles that he was the manager

of the company that produced “Innocence of Muslims.” Jones also told AP that he was contacted by Nakoula to promote the movie. The film, clips of it appeared on YouTube, mocked the Prophet Muhammad and drove small but angry crowds to protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and an attack on the American Consulate in Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador. Other protests have erupted across the Muslim world over the video, including Afghanistan, Yemen and Indonesia.

A teenage girl fresh out of high school has won a seat in Uganda’s parliament, adding to the ruling party’s majority but embarrassing some who say her success lowers expectations of lawmakers in the East African country. Proscovia Oromait, 19, contested elections deep in eastern Uganda to fill the seat left vacant after her father’s death. President Yoweri Museveni’s ruling party had been desperate for a win there, having lost seven in eight parliamentary by-elections this year. The polls are widely seen as a test of Museveni’s popularity, and some calculated that she would win with a sympathy vote. The result was Uganda’s youngest lawmaker ever — and a boost for Museveni’s party.

S’Africa miners to resume work after pay rise

Egyptian protesters hurling stones at riot police in Cairo, Egypt, during protest against a film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad recently. PHOTO: AP

Eight South Africans killed in Afghan blast

he International Affairs Ministry says eight South African citizens were killed in a suicide bomb blast in Afghanistan. Spokesman Nelson Kgwete told The Associated Press that the victims are believed to have been employed by a South African aviation company based at Rand Airport in Johannesburg. A suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a mini-bus carrying foreign aviation workers to the airport in Kabul early yesterday, killing at least nine people in an attack that a militant group said was revenge for an anti-Islam film that ridicules the Prophet Muhammad. The powerful early morning blast was the first in Kabul since a video clip of the film was posted on the Internet last week, sparking angry protests across the

WORLD BULLETIN Teenager wins parliamentary seat in Uganda

Afghan investigators inspecting the wreckage of the suicide bomber’s car yesterday in Kabul, Afghanistan. PHOTO: AP

Muslim world including in Afghanistan. It was also the second — and deadliest — attack that Afghan militants have said they carried out as revenge strikes in response to the film. Haroon Zarghoon, a spokesman for the Islamist militant

group Hizb-i-Islami, claimed responsibility for the dawn attack in telephone call to The Associated Press. He said it was carried out by a 22-year-old woman named Fatima. Suicide bombings carried out by women are extremely rare in Afghanistan

— and few if any women drive cars. “The anti-Islam film hurt our religious sentiments and we cannot tolerate it,” Zarghoon said. “There had been several young men who wanted to take revenge but Fatima also volunteered and we wanted to give a chance to a girl for the attack to tell the world we cannot ignore any anti-Islam attack.” Zarghoon warned of more attacks against foreigners working for NATO and said Hizb-i-Islami had been scouting targets since a video clip of the film was posted on the Internet last week. The bombing was a worrisome escalation of violence in the capital, where most attacks are usually blamed on the Haqqani network — a Pakistan-based militant group affiliated with the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Striking workers at South Africa’s Lonmin platinum mine say they will return to work on Thursday after accepting a pay rise of 22 per cent. The planned return to work, announced yesterday, will end more than five weeks of crippling and bloody industrial action that left at least 34 miners dead in a police crackdown last month. Workers gathered at a football pitch near the Marikana mine cheered when they were informed of the pay offer, the Reuters news agency reported.

Burkina Faso ambassador resigns amid probe Burkina Faso’s ambassador to France, Joseph Pare, has resigned following the publication of the findings of the country’s antifraud body which accused him of embezzling 260 million West African francs ($518,000) while he was minister of education. The resignation was announced late Monday in Paris by Foreign Affairs Minister Djibril Bassole, who accompanied President Blaise Compaore on an official visit. Bassole said in a declaration broadcast on state TV that “Pare submitted a letter to the president two weeks ago asking to be relieved of his functions so that he may concentrate himself to his defence.” Pare, a university professor, was appointed ambassador last year. Many countries in Africa have set up anti-fraud units but they rarely lead to prosecutions.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Al-Qaeda threatens attacks on US diplomats

l-Qaeda’s branch in North Africa yesterday called for attacks on U.S. diplomats and an escalation of protests against an anti-Islam video that was produced in the United States and triggered a wave of demonstrations and riots in the Middle East and beyond. While demonstrations have tapered off in nations including Egypt and Tunisia, protests against the film turned violent in Pakistan and Indian-controlled

Kashmir and hundreds of people rallied in Indonesia and Thailand. In Kabul, the Afghan capital, a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a mini-bus carrying South African aviation workers to the airport, killing at least 12 people in an attack that a militant group said was revenge for the film “Innocence of Muslims,” which was made by an Egyptian-born American citizen. Afghan President Hamid Kar-

zai said the attack killed eight South Africans, three Afghans and a Kyrgyzstani. At least 10 protesters have died in riots in several countries, bringing the total number of deaths linked to unrest over the film to 22. U.S. officials describe the video as offensive, but the American government’s protection of free speech rights has clashed with the anger of Muslims abroad who are furious over the depiction of the

Pakistani protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Barack Obama during the anti -Prophet Muhammad film protest, near the US consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, womanizer and paedophile. In a statement, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb praised the killing of Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi on Sept. 11. The group threatened attacks in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania, and condemned the United States for “lying to Muslims for more than 10 years, saying its war was against terrorism and not Islam.” The group urged Muslims to pull down and burn American flags at embassies, and kill or expel American diplomats to “purge our land of their filth in revenge for the honour of the Prophet.” Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula recently issued a similar call for attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities. It is alQaida’s most active branch in the Middle East. An Islamist militant group, Hizb-i-Islami, claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul. The group is headed by 65-year-old former warlord Gubuddin Hekmatyar, a former Afghan prime minister and one-time U.S. ally who is now listed as a terrorist by Washington. The militia has thousands of fighters and followers across the country’s north and east.

Middle East peace unthinkable – Romney

S Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said that Palestinians “have no interest whatsoever” in peace with Israel, seemingly dismissing the two-state solution, in hidden camera video from May that only now has become public. The footage, which was posted online yesterday, shows Romney responding to a question about the “Palestinian problem” that was posed to him at a reportedly lavish $50,000-a-plate fundraiser in Florida, on May 17. “The Palestinians have no interest whatsoever in establishing peace, and ... the pathway to peace is almost unthinkable to accomplish,” Romney said. “I look at the Palestinians not wanting to see peace anyway, for political purposes, committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel, and these thorny issues, and I say: There’s just no way. “[So] you move things along the best way you can. You hope for some degree of stability, but you recognise that this is going to remain an unsolved problem,” he said. The remarks, in a video clip posted on the website of Mother Jones magazine, follow an ealier clip from the same event in which Romney says that almost half of Americans, particularly Barack Obama supporters, “believe that

they are victims”. “The idea of pushing on the Israelis to give something up to get the Palestinians to act is the worst idea in the world,’’ Romney said, according to the magazine. Mother Jones did not provide video of that comment. On Tuesday, Mother Jones website quoted Romney as saying he was against applying any pressure on Israel to give up disputed territory for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. Romney also criticised Obama’s foreign policy approach. “The president’s foreign policy, in my opinion, is formed in part by a perception he has that his magnetism, and his charm, and

his persuasiveness is so compelling that he can sit down with people like [Vladimir] Putin and [Hugo] Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and that they’ll find that we’re such wonderful people that they’ll go on with us, and they’ll stop doing bad things,” Romney says. “And it’s an extraordinarily naive perception.” In the earlier clip released on Monday, Romney scorned Obama voters. “There are 47 per cent of the people who will vote for the president [Obama] no matter what ... there are 47 per cent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe

Romney

the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to youname-it,” he said.

Two British policewomen killed, wanted man arrested

wo female police officers have died during a “routine” call-out which led to the arrest of a man wanted by Greater Manchester Police. Police said both unarmed officers suffered fatal injuries during the incident in Mottram, Tameside. A witness at the scene in Abbey Gardens reported hearing 13 gunshots and an explosion. Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the officers’ deaths and two previous murders. He was arrested when he

walked into Hyde police station a short time after the incident. Police said one of the officers died at the scene and the second was critically injured and died afterwards. The scene has been cordoned off and there is a heavy police presence in the area, including a bomb disposal team. A police helicopter is also on patrol overhead. The witness who described the shots, a window cleaner who worked in the area, said the property the officers were called to had been unoccupied for some months.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said it was “a tragic day” for Greater Manchester Police. “A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers’ families, friends and colleagues. “We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks.” The BBC’s North of England reporter Danny Savage said he had spoken to an eyewitness who said they saw a police car outside shortly after 10:15 BST.

WORLD BULLETIN Court gives injunction over Kate’s topless photos A court has banned a French magazine from re-publishing or distributing photographs in France of the Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing topless. Closer magazine’s publishers must hand over the original photographs within 24 hours or face a daily fine of 10,000 euros (£8,000). The royal couple’s injunction against publishers Mondadori was granted after the photos were published on Friday. Royal officials said the couple welcomed the decision. They said Prince William and Catherine “always believed the law had been broken” and they were entitled to their privacy. A judgement from three magistrates at the court in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre said publication of the latest edition of Closer should cease immediately.

‘China reserves right to act on disputed islands’ China’s national defence minister warned yesterday that Beijing reserves the right to take further action against Japan in the ongoing dispute over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, The Associated Press has reported. Standing next to U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, Gen. Liang Guanglie said Japan should bear full responsibility for the dispute, which has triggered violent protests in China against the Japanese. Panetta has been pressing both Liang and defence leaders in Japan to find ways to resolve the problem peacefully and diplomatically. Liang, however, made it clear during a press conference that while China still would like to see a negotiated solution, he hopes the Japanese government “will undo its mistakes and come back to the right track of negotiations.”

Pakistani PM agrees to court demand in graft case Pakistan’s prime minister told the Supreme Court yesterday that the government would comply with a longstanding demand to reopen an old corruption case against the president, defusing a conflict that has roiled the country’s political system and led to the ouster of the last premier. President Asif Ali Zardari is likely in little immediate danger from the case in Switzerland, where he is recognized as enjoying immunity from prosecution as a foreign head of state. But the decision came as somewhat of a surprise to many in Pakistan, given the government had refused for months to follow the court’s order to write a letter to Swiss authorities asking them to reopen the case. Both sides have come under public criticism for their focus on the case, rather than dealing with what are perceived as more serious problems facing the country.

WORLD RECORD

Largest Van de Graaf generator Vol. 02 No. 451

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

N150

ThelargestVandeGraaf generatorwasbuiltbyDr.RobertJ.VandeGraaf in1931attheMassachussettsInstitute of Technology.Itwasoriginallyusedtoresearchhigh-energyX-raysandatomsmashing,butisnowonpermanent displayattheThomsonTheaterof ElectricityattheBostonMuseumof Science,whereitisdemonstratedeveryday.

Of miseries and regrets at 52

“ There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries”. –Brutus robably, the great English bard, William Shakespeare, had Nigeria in mind when he penned these immutable words on marble. At 52, Nigeria is like a middle aged man caught in the throes of midlife crisis. In quiet moments, he finds himself angry at all the past missed opportunities and even gets bewildered at the laundry list of things yet to be done. And given the reality of his mortality, he wishes he had another opportunity to live all over again. Countries also, are like human beings and they pass through processes of regrets, transformation and sobriety at various times in their epochs. But unlike humans, many are lucky to be endowed with im-

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

mortality, in that they live without end, even when generations of humanity have passed through them. And even like man, some have had their mortality terminated by forces beyond their control. All these are evident the world over, where many once great civilizations are now mere footnotes of history. Many of such former countries and empires became extinct not because of a conscious decision to self destruct or by embarking on a process of calibrated atrophy, but have disappeared due to a refusal to meaningfully engage the dynamic forces of change that confronted them at the time. In Africa and even Europe, once geographical entities that were around as countries less than 20 years ago, have split into more states due to wars or intractable political disputes. Here, the likes of Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Yugoslavia and Soviet Union readily come to mind. Nigeria has been lucky to live into the middle age, especially given the experiences of passing through a violent and traumatic adolescent age wracked by a gruesome civil war and decades of horrendous military rule. Even with a return to civil rule, the country is still grappling with the difficulty of adjusting to normal life, a situation brought about by the sudden attainment of middle age, without going through the crucibles of a well adjusted youth, having squandered all the opportunities of building a sustainable economic and political progress. Now,

NOW, NIGERIA IS BEHAVING MORE LIKE A PRODIGAL SON,

WHO SPENT ALL HIS DAYS CAVORTING WITH PERSONS OF EASY VIRTUE Nigeria is behaving more like a prodigal son, who spent all his days cavorting with persons of easy virtue, with scant regard for the consequences of such bawdy and hedonistic living. Less than two weeks to another Independence anniversary, Nigeria could be excused for being angry at herself and if there is any moral suasion left, would be ruminating over those wasted years that should have been put into productive ventures in return for bumper harvests of political, economic and social progress. In 1960, the citizens looked through the crystal balls and saw a rosy and eventful future that held lots of promises for them and generations to come. They saw the geographical expanse, stretching from Badagry to Sokoto and from Maiduguri to Calabar as home and with the mosaic quilt of ethnic nationalities belonging to one big happy family. No citizen was seen as a foreigner in this land, because those oppressive British colonialists were finally gone. The millions

of flags and buntings that flew happily in the breeze of Marina in Lagos to the creeks of Niger Delta and even atop the minarets of Sokoto and the hills of Enugu attested to the happy mood of a people pumped up with very giddy feelings of being free at last. At the time, Nigerians took to nation building and so with gusto and common purpose, trusted and fraternized with each other and could eat at the same table without using long spoons. But like an evil child destined for eventual destruction, all the cheers and laughter died at the drop of a pin and a once peaceful people became implacable enemies overnight. The situation has not changed anywhere for the better. The fallout is what we see on the national stage today, where the battle for political control has become vicious. In the ensuing war, every ethnic and religious tool is put to maximum use, in the bid to destroy or incapacitate the other person. Definitely the situation is one where everybody is against everyone. So, in the 52 years of flag independence, all we can show for our tortuous progress are a failed economy, dilapidated infrastructure, pervasive insecurity, religious extremism, ethnic irredentism and a country that has lost its way. Sadly, the present state does not augur well for the future and despite platitudes and stem winding speeches from those in power, Nigeria looks stuck in a quandary. Many will look back in nostalgia and curse the day that brought us to this pass. Is there any way out? Without sounding alarmist, the take is that it would get worse than this, given the bile and bad blood that have poisoned our politics and relationship as a people. Then what should be done? Nigerians must discuss their association both with the country and among themselves. We must have a country that all believe in. Without a project called Nigeria, where everyone would contribute the building blocks, we are condemned to living another 52 years in miseries and regrets.

Sport Extra

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS Dinamo Zagreb

0-2

FC Porto

Paris S.G.

4-1

Dynamo Kyiv

Montpellier

1-2

Arsenal

Olympiakos Piraeus

1-2

Schalke

AC Milan

0-0

Anderlecht

Malaga

3-0

Zenit St. Petersburg

Borussia Dortmund

1-0

Ajax Amsterdam

Real Madrid

3-2

Manchester C.

Golf: Westwood denies McIlroy rift

op golfer, Lee Westwood, yesterday laughed off speculation of a rift between himself and Rory McIlroy and insists he would love to play alongside the world number one at the

upcoming the Ryder Cup. Talk of ill-feeling between the pair has been rife since McIlroy quit the management company Westwood has been with for 20 years, with the two then exchanging views

over the split on Twitter. But according to Westwood, both remain friends and he would love to play alongside the in-form Northern Irishman in Medinah next week. “I said to Rory, ‘have you

had any thoughts about who you are playing with a Medinah? Because if nobody else wants to play with you and you’re desperate, I really don’t mind filling in’, and we had a laugh about that,” Westwood said.

Lee Westwood

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