Tuesday, December 4, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

2013 budget: EFCC’s allocation can’t pay salaries –Lamorde Aviation Minister’s defence holds in secret

hairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday told

GEORGE OJI, TORDUE SALEM AND EMMANUEL ONANI

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the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics that the commission would not be CONTINUED ON PAGE 49>>

Fashola

Fear of epidemic looms in FESTAC town

Tuesday, Tuesday,June December 7, 2011 4, 2012

Insecurity:

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N150 N150

Foreign investment drops by $2.4bn –NESG TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, has identified the increasingly worrisome insecurity challenges in the country

as one of the major constraints to foreign direct investment inflows. Speaking at the opening session of the 18th National Economic Summit in Abuja, NESG DirectorGeneral, Mr. Frank Nweke

We’ll restore trust in public sector, says Jonathan Subsidy scam: FG recovers N29bn from suspects

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NSCIA: Ex-VC, two others jostle to succeed Adegbite P.8 Ray Ekpu, others no longer Newswatch directors, NCL tells court P.7

‘Presidency spends N25bn on flood’ Jonathan, Tambuwal, Mark meet behind closed-door P.4,6

Jonathan

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Foluso Philips; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Director-General, NESG, Mr. Frank Nweke PHOTO: NAN Jnr., at the 18th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, yesterday.

Terrorists kill teachers in classrooms 11 die as explosions rock Maiduguri, Kano FG grants 84 stock broking firms N22.6bn reprieve

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Terrorists kill teachers in classrooms AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST, INUSA NDAHI AND OMEIZA AJAYI

errorists yesterday killed at least 11 people including two school teachers in their classrooms at a private school in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Eyewitnesses said that gunmen stormed Success Private School about 10 a.m. and entered the classroom where they killed the teachers right in front of their pupils. The school is few metres away from the demolished enclave of the late Boko Haram Leader, Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf. The school proprietor, Mr. Kofi Amang, told one of our correspondents that he would close down the school. “Since the Boko Haram has killed two of my teachers today, I am considering closing the place for good” he said after the killings. In other incidents, two people suspected to be terrorists were shot dead, while three others were arrested by men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, at the main entrance of the Musa Usman State Secretariat.” This is even as multiple explosions had earlier occurred in Gwange ward but without casualties reported. According to an eyewitness and resident of Gwange, Inusa Usman,: “I was in front of my house when the double blasts happened near our house. Nobody died from the incident but people are leaving the area now.” Also in Gajigana town of Magumeri Local Government Area of the state, an All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, councillor, Abatcha Gana Gajigana, was shot dead by gunmen. Residents said the councillor was shot at his residence about 2a.m. The development came barely five days after gunmen suspected to be terrorists shot and killed the ANPP chairman of Magumeri council area. Also yesterday at the Tashan Baga area of Maiduguri metropolis, six people were shot dead at a bakery. Bitrus John, the owner

of the bakery, when contacted by journalists said: “I’m still mourning my six bakers, please call back later.” JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, was not available for comment at the time of filing in this report. The explosion forced many workers and residents in the metropolis to stay indoors for hours. The Lagos Street and Bama Road where the bombs went off at 9:06 a.m. were closed by the JTF operatives and the police. The closure of the two roads, according to JTF sources, was to prevent further attacks and killings in the metropolis, which come just a day after the security agencies killed of one of Boko Haram’s commanders, Abdulkareem Ibrahim in a morning raid. Five minutes after the blast on Bama road, soldiers attached to the St. Patrick Catholic Church and Musa Usman Secretariat Complex, Maiduguri, began shooting sporadically to intercept the fleeing suspected bombers and killed one of them while three suspects were arrested. Cyclists and their passengers in tricycles in the area were also subjected to thorough search as some of the tricycles were allegedly used by the suspected gunmen in launching attacks and bombings in Maiduguri. An eyewitness and resident of Gwange ward, Nuhu Musa, said: “Some of the gunmen use passengers in the tricycles as covers to perpetrate their heinous crimes and killings here in Maiduguri. “They were using motorcycles before, but with the ban on these motorcycles by the Borno State government, it did not prevent the Boko Haram gunmen from attacking and killing us here. Also, once they kill someone either in the market, house or any military or police post, they run into people’s houses to hide and escape from being arrested by the JTF and police.” Also, a huge explosion rocked the busy Kantin Kwari area of the ancient city of Kano, the Kano State capital, yesterday, injuring three people in the process. Among the victims of

the blast was an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, who was on duty at the mosque where he was controlling traffic when the explosion occurred about 8.30a.m. causing a huge stampede around the famous textile market as traders and passersby scampered for safety. Police said yesterday that no lives were lost in the explosion, but confirmed that three persons sustained varying degrees of shrapnel injuries. Unconfirmed report however said one person died in the

encounter. Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Magaji Majiya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the three victims were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, adding that they were in stable condition. As at the time of filing this report, the area has been condoned off by the JTF while bomb experts attached to the state police command have equally been drafted to comb the area for abandoned explosives.

It was gathered that suspected terrorists planted the bomb somewhere around Eid mosque and Plaza Cinema. It would be recalled that gunmen have been terrorizing residents in remote parts of the city resulting in the death of some civilians, the latest being a couple and their kid who were shot dead on their way to church for Sunday service. There were also reports of similar incidents in Hotoro and Yankaba area where gunmen on motorbikes have been wrecking

havoc. In the aftermath of Sunday morning’s reported killing of a top commander of the sect, Boko Haram, the State Security Service, SSS, has reaffirmed its commitment to the security of the nation, declaring that it will not bend to the demands of terrorists and that the war on terror continues. SSS Director-General, Ekpenyong Ita, said this yesterday at the Institute for Security Studies, Bwari, a suburb of Abuja, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; his Niger State counterpart, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and guest speaker, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the 1st Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Foreign investment drops by $2.4bn –NESG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Jnr, yesterday said an analysis conducted by the group had shown that the size and direction of foreign investment flows into the country in the 12 months to June 2012 fell by 19.14 per cent to $10.4bn down from the $12.8bn a year ago due to insecurity challenges. Nweke, who took participants through a critical analysis of the performance of the economy, particularly the 2012 scorecard, said that the share of foreign direct investments (that is, investments in brick-and-mortar businesses) shrank to 43 per cent in 2012 from 62 per cent recorded in the preceding year. “These results collectively echo investor perception about the extremist insurgence in the northern parts of the country and gradually renewing militancy in the Niger Delta and the resultant negative impact on

investments into the country,” he said. He, however, noted that the decline in FDI inflow had given way to more foreign portfolio investments in the capital market, which were also beneficial to the economy but were more susceptible to liquidity shocks in the event of heightened global uncertainties. Despite the security and militating challenges, including credit crunch which constituted a drawback to the country’s economic progress, the NESG’s DG noted that the country improved on its overall economic performance, scoring 4.18 points on a 10-point scale this year compared to the 3.93 per cent scored the previous year. He said: “Our analysis of Nigeria’s overall economic performance in the last 12 months to June 2012 shows that the economy scored 4.18 points on a 10-point

scale. “We can interpret this to mean that a distance of 41.8 per cent has been covered in terms of attaining all of the domestic policy targets and global developmental benchmarks observed within the review period. “And this leaves a distance of 58.2 per cent yet to be covered. Overall, this present score of 4.18 is an improvement from the 3.93 scored in the same period a year ago.” Specifically, he explained that the country had made progress in performance in eight out of 12 domains of the economy, which include financial capital, macroeconomic environment, science, technology and information communication technology (ICT), public sector governance, human capital development, infrastructure, corporate governance as well as institutional effectiveness. “Our analysis reveals

that eight out of 12 domains made progress in terms of performance and scored higher in our analysis of the last 12 months to June 2012 compared to the same period a year ago. “The domain of macroeconomic environment also made progress with a 23 per cent improvement in scores. In the last 12 months, the Federal Government has covered a 64.55 per cent distance towards attaining specific targets of economic growth, exchange rate and external reserves. “These targets were contained mostly in the NV20:2020 Implementation Plan and the Transformation Agenda,” he added. A further breakdown of the positive performance at sub-domain level showed that the highest improvement in scores came from the capital budget utilisation in science and technolCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right) and Managing Director of Stallion Group, Mr. Harpreet Singh, when the management of the company visited the governor in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti; Executive Director, Corporate Banking and Lagos/West Businesses, Uzoma Dozie; Legal Adviser and Company Secretary, Mrs. Nkechi Nwosu and Executive Director/CFO, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, at the launch of the bank’s Mobile Banking Truck in Lagos, yesterday.

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L-R: Council member, Nigerian Insurers’ Association (NIA), Mrs. Seyi Faturoti; Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Jubril Aminu; celebrant and Chairman, NIA, Mr. Oluremi Olowude and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, during the investiture of Olowude as NIA Chairman in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

L-R: Africa Editor of The Banker, Mr. Paul Wallace; Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, with the “Bank of the Year in Nigeria 2012” Award trophy from The Banker and Mr. Michael Buerk, a former CNN Correspondent and Award Host, at the presentation of the award.

National News

FG grants 84 stock broking firms N22.6bn reprieve Introduces tax waivers for the economy.

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday said forbearance has been granted 84 stock broking firms to allow their re-admission into the capital market as part of efforts aimed at repositioning the market and enable it play the critical role of providing long term funds for sustainable development of the economy. The forbearance is for huge debts arising from margin loans that went bad due to the crash of the nation’s stock market following the 2008 global economic meltdown. The debt reprieve was one of the major recommendations of the Capital Market Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, recently set up by the Federal Government with a mandate to chart an appropriate course for fast-tracking efforts to transform the market into a major source of attracting investment and long term investible funds

Speaking on the capital market revival measure at a news conference in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the Federal Government was concerned about the operational lull in the market and the negative implications for the health of the economy hence the establishment of the committee to arrest the trend. Apart from the forbearance for the affected stock broking companies the minister said the committee recommended and the government had also approved that Stamp Duties and Value Add Tax waivers should be introduced into the market as a fiscal measure to boost activities. Expatiating further on the recommendations of the committee Okonjo-Iweala said the N22.6bn relief package is to make up the shortfall of the margins loans purchased by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which value have fallen from N42.6bn to N19.96bn currently.

“AMCON had purchased these margin loans from banks for about N42.6bn, but the value of the underlying assets or collateral is worth only N19.96bn today. In furtherance of AMCON’s cleanup of the banking sector, it is necessary to wipe off the debt overhang in the capital market, as this is dampening market activity,” she said. She stressed that the forbearance would be accompanied with sanctions to discourage excessive borrowing behaviour by capital market operators in the future.

“Brokers benefiting from forbearance will not be allowed to provide any professional services to AMCON for a period not less than three years; the firms will be required to reveal to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), any dealings in any security valued at a minimum of N25m executed in a single deal or multiple deals on the same day on behalf of their clients; also as part of their net capital requirement, no broker that has received forbearance shall permit

his aggregate indebtedness to exceed 100 per cent of his net capital,” she explained. Other measures include forwarding details of the firms to the Credit Bureau Agencies, a strict requirement that imposes separation of assets and control for brokerage services and/ or future margin facilities through the use of custodians, as well as trading restrictions, which prohibits benefitting stockbrokers from taking proprietary positions or trade on their own account for one year.

She said: “I will like to announce that the Federal Government has consented to waive the 0.075 per cent stamp duties payable on stock exchange transaction fees; and exempt from VAT, commissions earned on traded values of shares, payable to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and payable to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS); by including these commissions in the list of VAT-exempt goods and services.”

Presidency spends N25bn on floods –SGF TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

ecretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, yesterday told the House of Representatives Committee on Environment that the executive spent N25 billion on flood-ravaged communities out of the Ecological Fund. He said: “About N25 billion was expended by the Ecological Fund Office,

EFO, on ecological problems arising from the floods that ravaged communities across the country.” But the Committee on Environment, headed by Hon. Uche Ekwunife (APGA-Anambra), demanded a halt in the disbursement of the fund pending the conclusion of a probe into allegations that the EFO had spent billions of the fund on projects not ecology-related. Another member of the committee, Pat Asadu

(PDP-Enugu), also called the attention of members to the absence of the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, who was supposed to have been at the session. Asadu recommended that the minister be sanctioned for “holding this committee in contempt”. Members of the committee took turns to condemn the absence of the minister who wrote to request that the hearing

be moved to another date as she had to travel to Doha on official assignment. Ekwunife noted that the fund was strictly earmarked for ecological problems facing various states across the country. She, however, noted that her committee was not impressed with the application of the funds as everywhere the committee went on oversight there were scores of abandoned projects.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Foreign investment drops by $2.4bn –NESG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ogy (+ICT) sector, which was largely attributed to low score in 2011 and improvement in the budget utilization, warranting a higher score in 2012. “The amount of documents required for export which improved as a result of Nigeria’s higher score in the 2013 Doing Business Report versus the 2012 report; albeit this was still a very low score i.e., 2.13 points out of 10. “Private sector investments and the achievement of sectoral targets also witnessed significant, aboveaverage improvements in scores. The time required to get a building permit was the area of least progress. “According to the Doing Business Report 2013, this takes about 85 days in Nigeria compared to global average of 26 days,” he said. Comparatively, the five domains that scored below the aggregate included in-

frastructure and political governance, among others, adding that the first was that the domain of corporate governance scored the highest points of 5.64 per cent followed by the domain of political governance scored the lowest points of 3.12 per cent. He explained that corporate governance made the score as a result of significant improvements in corporate ethics and disclosures as well as auditing and reporting standards especially in the financial services industry, as an aftermath of the local banking crisis, while political governance’s low score was due to the frequent impasses between the legislature and executive over budgetary matters, which causes delays in budget passage. He said the low score was also a result of the unending probes into untraceable public funds which have created a high level of pub-

lic distrust for politicians, adding that “for instance out of 144 countries, the Global Competitiveness Report ranks Nigeria as: 102nd in terms of ‘public trust for politicians’; 122nd in terms of ‘favouritism in decision making’; and 135th in terms of ‘diversion of public funds’. The group, therefore, called on government to step up measures that would create enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Nweke commended the government for sundry initiatives targeted at achieving improved performance of the economy under the ongoing transformation agenda. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday restated his administration’s commitment to instilling discipline in public sector by tackling headlong the problem of corruption and arrest the general feel-

Fuel queue on Olusegun Obasanjo Way in Garki, Abuja, yesterday.

ing amongst the populace in order to enlist all stakeholders’ support for the ongoing transformation agenda. The President, who declared the summit open, said everything would be done by his administration to promote transparency and accountability in governance as a strategic step towards creating enduring platforms for promoting the development of the country on a sustainable basis. Represented by VicePresident Namadi Sambo, the President noted that lack of trust in the public sector was an inherited burden which his administration will reverse in order to make people believe in government policies and programmes and support such initiatives in the long-term interest of the country. “Let me assure you all that as far as this administration is concerned, it is no longer business as usual. We

PHOTO: NAN

are strongly committed to rebuilding the hopes of Nigerians in the future of our country. I take seriously the trust and confidence reposed in me by Nigerians. I will discharge this sacred trust to the best of my ability, to the benefits of all people,” he said. He also stated that as a means of entrenching probity and transparency in government, his administration had instituted the policy of performance contract, as well as empowering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute those that undermine the system, no matter how highly placed. The President said: “The task of national building requires that both the leadership and the governed to demonstrate integrity and accountability in the conduct and management of national affairs. This is the guiding principles behind the determination of our administration to hold people accountable and to ensure that business in both public and private sectors are carried out responsibly in compliance with the global best practice. “To accomplish this objective, we started reforming various sectors of the economy notably oil and gas, agriculture, solid minerals, works, housing and power immediately after coming into office. We are also placing emphasis on transparency and accountability in oil and gas industry. “The newly introduced process of payment oil sub-

and under-reported”. While he conceded that Nigerians need a lot of information during crisis situation, the spy agency boss said where such information would lead to greater carnage journalists would do well to be circumspect in the writings. “It is not the job of the independent mass media to be the mouthpiece of the government but they have a duty to critically assess situations. The journalist must neither be a mouthpiece for the government nor for the terrorists,” he said, adding that journalists have a duty to assess claims made by terrorists and even security agen-

cies. Ita, who also noted that the current security situation was still under control, added that the war on terror has not abated. “The situation is not as bad as it looks. The war is on, because it is a war. Among the three people declared as terrorists by the United States, one of them has been taken out,” he said, implying that security forces had “taken down” the person. In another development, Deputy Director, Public Relations of the Service, Marilyn Ogar yesterday confirmed the bomb blast in Kano and restated that three people

sidy on the importation of refined petroleum products to marketers as well as the empowerment of the EFCC to prosecute those that are undermining the system no matter how highly placed clearly underlined our determination. “To make top government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, directors and chief executive officers of public agencies are accountable, we have introduced the Performance Management System. With the signing of Performance Contract with ministers, the first step towards achieving has been implemented. I trust that these initiatives will facilitate improvements in economic governance in our country,” the President added. While pointing out that the nation is faced with internal and external challenges, President Jonathan said Nigeria cannot isolate herself from the ugly developments in the global environment, adding that “we can only shield our economy from these crises through sustained implementation of reform measures we have initiated.” According to him, his administration is not only determined to set the right priorities, goals and targets it is also determined to create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive by involving all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, in the drive for change and transformation of our great country.

Terrorists kill teachers in classrooms

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while declaring open a workshop on “Media and National Security”. “I want to assure you that we, the security forces, are not overwhelmed. We will never be and we can never be,” he said. The JTF in Maiduguri had on Sunday said it killed a top commander of the sect, Abdulkareem Ibrahim. Ibrahim was on the wanted list of 19 terrorist commanders which the JTF recently published. JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, had stated that Ibrahim who had a N10m reward placed on his head, was killed along

with two other sub-commanders during a combined morning raid along Damboa-Biu road with members of the Department of State Security and the Nigeria Police Force Dog Section. “During the operations and in the ensuring fire fight, Abdulkareem Ibrahim and two of his subCommanders were killed and an AK47 rifle with other arms and ammunition were recovered. Abdulkareem was a notorious terrorist commander who has been responsible for the recent spates of assassinations and bomb attacks in Maiduguri,” the JTF had said.

However, Ita who lamented that a section of the media has continued to allow terrorists to thrive on the “oxygen of publicity”, added that while no one was calling for the censorship of the press, it would be professionally right to accord security agencies the same level of publicity while journalists should remain conscious of the security of the nation in headline casting and reportage. He lamented that for the most part, terrorist activities have often been “over-reported” and blown out of proportion while the successes of security agencies often “minimised

were injured, none was killed. Three persons, including a traffic warden, were reportedly injured in an early morning bomb blast at Kantin Kwari junction near the famous Kantin Kware Textile Market in Kano. Ogar said an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, concealed in a black nylon was placed in the area which was very close to the ground where officers and men of the FRSC do converge for their operational briefing. She said, fortunately, the officers had not gotten to the ground as at that time.

National News

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Epidemic looms over damaged Festac’s sewage system DAYO AYEYEMI

pidemic is looming in Festac Town as the Federal Government is yet to find a lasting solution to its degradation despite appeal by residents. Most worrisome is the estate’s central system which damaged over 27 years ago, due to lack of maintenance. As a result of this, residents had, over the years, diverted their sewage line to storm water drainage. The fear now is that faeces are found in open drains in the estate, the

•Cost of repair put at N12bn

practice, which residents said could cause major outbreak of epidemic in Festac if nothing is done to rehabilitate its central sewage system put at the cost of N12 billion. Fectac Town used to be a super estate crafted with modern architecture, building development, infrastructure and engineering. Speaking with the National Mirror, the President of Festac Residents’ Association, Mr. Jola Ogunlusi, said: “The crisis now is that many houses have diverted

their sewage line to storm water drainage, which is an underground drainage meant to carry both bath and kitchen water to the open drainage. “Many people have linked the chamber with toilet wastes, and in the process, they are now diverted to open drains which is a source of epidemic. In some areas, we will see waste busting out, messing the surrounding.” He stated that UN-Habitat’s officials with executives of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and resi-

dents’ association took a tour of the sewage system up to the treatment plant located at Satellite Town three years ago. He said the outcome of the tour revealed that it would cost N12 billion to rehabilitated the central sewage system. According to him, it was concluded that UN-Habitat could assist in rehabilitating the sewage system put at a cost of N12 billion. On what has been done since then, he said, “I am sure, UN- Habitat sent a report to the government but nothing has been done. The pumping station is no

longer functioning. FESTAC has 7 pumping stations within community 1, 2 and 3 from where waste is pumped to the treatment plant at satellite town. This is what UN-Habitat wants to help to repair,” he said. When contacted, Spokesperson for FHA, Mr. Tunde Ipinmosho, confirmed that a team of UN-Habitat recently visited Festac to access its degradation and to look at steps to address it especially the collapsed central sewage system. According to him, ait is going to be gradual process having found out that the central sewage system is capital intensive. Besides, he hinted that the issue of Festac’s degradation had gone beyond

the authority as President Goodluck Jonathan had recently sent a team of experts led by the Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Ama Peppe to carry out assessment of the estate and do a report which is to be submitted to him. According to him, the report will or must have been submitted to the president. On the current efforts by FHA to fix some of the infrastructures in Festac, he disclosed that the rehabilitation of the mini water work in FESTAC is receiving attention, adding that FHA is working with some water engineers called KOPILA to restore water supply to the estate.

President tasks African countries on global competition ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

P L-R: Chief of Staff/ Head of Corporate Division, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Bola Adeeko; Head, Lagos Zonal Office, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mrs. Uche Molokwu and Corporate Communication Manager, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Mr. Samuel Akinrinmade, during the 2012 Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s Annual Conference held at ASCON Topo Badagry in Lagos, at the weekend.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has challenged African countries to compete with developed countries by engaging in the exportation of manufactured products to the outside world. Jonathan spoke yesterday when the outgoing Ugandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Christopher Onyango Aparr, visited him at the State House

Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal meet behind closed door

N976.6m subsidy fraud: Two marketers re-arraigned

ROTIMI FADEYI

ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with the leadership of the National Assembly for over two hours behind closed door. But Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, declined to disclose the purpose of the meeting to journalists. Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, who came in when Mark and Tambuwal were already at the meeting with the President, also declined comment. Although details of the meeting were not disclosed, it was gathered that issues regarding to the on-going review of the constitution by the National Assembly were dis-

cussed. Mark and Tambuwal, after having refused to disclose the purpose of the meeting to journalists, left in the same vehicle with Amaechi. The Senate President, who was the last person to get into the car, was asked by journalists whether he had anything to say, but he kept mum and gently closed the door after him. Matters relating to the 2013 budget and the review of the 1999 Constitution are contentious issues between the Presidency and the National Assembly. Another contentious issue is the fixing of the oil benchmark. The Federal Government had fixed $75 per barrel as benchmark in the 2013 budget against differing figures ranging from $78-$80 proposed by the National Assembly.

FRANCIS FAMOROTI wo oil marketers - Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Habila Theck - were yesterday re-arraigned at an Ikeja High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The men appeared before the court on a 10-count amended charge involving fuel subsidy fraud of N976.6 million. Charged with them before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo was their company, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited. As soon as they were arraigned, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court, however, granted them bail with a directive that they should continue to enjoy the bail made in their favour when they were initially

arraigned. In the fresh information preferred against them, the men were charged to court on 10-count of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering and use of forged documents. The EFCC counsel, Mr Francis Usani, said that the defendants conspired with one Olugbenga Adesanya (still at large) to fraudulently obtain N976.6 million from the Federal Government of Nigeria. Besides, the prosecution said the defendants obtained the money as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 13.6 million litres of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS). The EFCC charge also said that the PMS was purportedly purchased from one Seatac Petro-

leum Limited and imported into Nigeria through MT Diplomat Ex MT Milleura. The defendants were also alleged to have forged a Bill of Lading and other documents which they used in facilitating the fraud. Usani said their alleged offences contravened Sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006. According to him, it also contravenes Sections 467 and 468 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003. In his ruling, Justice Onigbanjo declared that the defendants should continue to enjoy the bail granted them after their initial arraignment for the same offences on July 30. The court adjourned the matter till December 5, 2012.

in Abuja. He said: “Africa has reached a stage where we must stop exporting raw materials. Instead, we should work harder to become globally competitive, exporting finished products.” Jonathan said economic growth was necessary for political stability, adding that Nigeria focused on building and strengthening mutually beneficial economic relations with Uganda and Africa. The President commended Aparr for sustaining the warm brotherly relations between Nigeria and Uganda, while wishing him well in his next post. Earlier, the outgoing Ugandan High Commissioner thanked Jonathan for Nigeria’s assistance through the Technical Aid Corps, as well as the strong bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. Also yesterday, Jonathan played host to the outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ali Rifat Koksal. He commended Turkey for assisting Nigeria in developing human capacity through the establishment of schools in the country. Jonathan said: “Human capacity development is critical for any nation’s growth, and we appreciate your help in establishing schools in Nigeria.” The President also acknowledged the building of a Turkish hospital in Abuja.

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Ekpu, Agbese, others no longer Newswatch directors, NCL tells court K AYODE KETEFE

he Newswatch Communications Limited (NCL), publishers of Newswatch magazine, yesterday prayed a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to declare that the four exdirectors of Newswatch magazine, Messrs Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade, have since ceased to be directors and, therefore, could not legally do anything on behalf of the company. The company also asked the court to declare that the ex-directors have no competence to declare a trade dispute under the Share Purchase Agreement between them and the NCL. These submissions were made yesterday during the hearing of arguments in the case instituted by the NCL to restrain Ray Ekpu and the others from taking measures that may be inimical to the interest of the NCL. In his argument, lawyer for the NCL, Mr. Adenrele Adegorioye, urged the court to discountenance the preliminary objection the defendants had filed to contest the suit on the grounds that it was frivolous, without merit and a ploy to delay the hearing and deter-

mination of the substantive suit. Adegorioye’s words: “The defendants purport to act as shareholders but they can no longer do that. They are not the directors of the company having been legitimately removed. They are not entitled to act in that capacity. “All their submissions are not based on facts and law and they should be accordingly dismissed.” On his part, the lawyer representing the defendants, Adekunle Oyesanya SAN, faulted the claim that his clients are no longer directors. He added that there is a differ-

ABUJA

inister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, yesterday said the Federal Government is not happy with the quality of leadership provided by principals of Federal Unity Colleges for their respective schools. Wike, who spoke in Enugu yesterday while declaring open the annual general meeting (AGM) of principals of Federal Unity Colleges, said due to the low performance of principals, appointments to head schools will henceforth be based on measurable criteria. His words: “Let me make it clear to all of us that the Minister of Education and my humble self are not satisfied with the quality of leadership that you offer in the unity colleges and therefore you need to raise it in order to raise the performance and

ence between shareholding and directorship and that it is possible for a director not to hold a single share in a company. Oyesanya concluded; “I want the court to uphold our objection and dismiss the plaintiffs’ suit for being unmeritorious.” The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, who lamented the enormity of the workload before him decided he would not adjourn the case for ruling. Rather, the judge said he would adjourn for the parties to come back once again to adopt their oral and written arguments.

My Pikin mixture: We’re not responsible for late director’s misdeed, company tells court KAYODE KETEFE

he management of Barewa Pharmaceutical Company (BPC), a company being charged along with other accused persons for alleged involvement in the manufacture and distribution of an adulterated teething mixture; “My pikin” have prayed the court to strike out the name of the company from the charge. The company contended that it was not responsible for the late director’s misdeed in any way. The National Agency for

Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had arraigned some accused persons; Gbadegeshin Okunola, his company Barewa Pharmaceutical Company, Adeyemo Abiodun and Egbele Eromosele, in March, 2009, for a six-count charge. They were alleged to have manufactured an adulterated mixture with the intention to cause death or grievous bodily harm to members of the public in October, 2008. The first accused person, Muri Okunola, however, died recently, a development that made the court to strike out his name from the suit at the

last adjourned date after an application praying the court to strike out his name. Relying on this at yesterday proceedings before Federal High Court, Lagos, the management of BPC, through its lawyer, Mr. Osaro Eghobamien (SAN), prayed the court to strike out the name of the company from the suit. Eghobamien asked the presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, to strike out the name of the company that is the fourth accused in the suit, on account of the death of the first accused, Okunola, who was also a director in the company.

Toll gates back soon on Federal Roads –Onolememen KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

L-R: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Drug, Narcotic and Financial Crime, Rep. Emmanuel Udende; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde and Chairman of the committee, Hon. Adams Jagaba, during a budget defence by the EFCC in Abuja, yesterday.

Govt not satisfied with principals of Unity Colleges –Wike IJEOMA EZEIKE

News

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

achievement levels of the students. “From now on, appointment of principals to the unity colleges will be based on measurable criteria to be established and adopted soon by the Federal Ministry of Education.” The minister said the continued stay or retention of principals in office will be determined by the outcome of a summative performance evaluation to be administered annually on all principals of Federal Unity Colleges. He added that the income and expenditure accounts will be subjected to annual auditing exercise by external auditors. In his address, Chairman Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, commended the Federal Ministry of Education for taking measures to revive the Federal Unity Colleges.

N2.7bn fraud: Wogu not fit to head white paper committee –Group •Masters Energy denies link with Minister

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

group under the auspices of AntiCorruption Network (ACN), has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, as the chairman of the white paper committee on the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Task Force Committee for his interest in Pinnacles Nigeria Limited for which N2.7bn subsidy claim was allegedly paid. The group is also calling for the immediate sack of Wogu as the Minister of Labour for allegedly defrauding the government and the people of Nigeria, who he took the oath of office to serve. But yesterday, Wogu denied ownership of Pinnacle Nigeria Limited upon which the anti-graft group is calling for his removal as the chair-

man of the white paper on Petroleum task force. Reacting to the allegation of conflict of interest against him, the minister said the company was sold to Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd in March 2010. Wogu maintained that his resignation from the board of directors and shareholder of the said company was duly registered by the CAC on April 7, 2010 after his formal resignation on March 3, 2010. He noted that based on the sales of the company, the new owner assumed full responsibility for all its transactions, without recourse to him. It will be recalled that the Federal Government had at the wake of the public protest against the outright removal of subsidy on petroleum products, set up a task force committee headed by former Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to look

into the transactions in the petroleum industry. Meanwhile, the Management of Masters Energy Oil & Gas Ltd has disclaimed reports linking the Wogu family with Pinnacle Contractors Ltd, saying the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu has no stake in the firm. Masters Energy, in a statement made available to National Mirror, therefore urged those calling for the minister’s resignation, using the subsidy scam to look for credible issues to use against the minister and not the issue of ownership of Pinnacle Contractors. The statement read in part: “The Management of Masters Energy Oil & Gas Limited wishes to, and hereby refutes the false, misguided, malicious and misleading reports in the media linking the Wogu family with Pinnacle Contractors Ltd and state that we duly acquired Pinnacle Contractors Ltd from the Wogu family on the 23rd day of March 2010.

he Federal Government has reiterated its determination to re-introduce and re-construct toll gates on federal highways to guarantee their regular maintenance and sustainability. Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while on tour of the North/ South road from LagosIbadan Expressway linking Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin Roads extending to Jebba, Mokwa, Kaduna, Kano and other northern states. He said the government is ready to go ahead with its plan for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy of sustaining existing infrastructure nationwide. The minister, who addressed journalists shortly after touring the 52-kilometre Oyo-Ogbomoso Road, which is the second section of the Ibadan-Ilorin Road being handled by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) and is expected to be completed by December 2013, said toll gates would be introduced on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as soon as the on-going reconstruction and expansion works are completed by both the RCC and Julius Berger. He said the move to reintroduce toll gates on highways nationwide was basically to have funds to “sustain and maintain this road so that it would not go back to the sorry state we met it and similar others across the federation.”

South-West

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Forum urges Lagos residents to embrace alternative dispute resolution

Police arrest monarch, others over Ilaje/Ajah clash L T

FRANCIS FAMOROTI

he Lagos State Police Command said yesterday that it had arrested six suspects, including a traditional ruler, in connection with Wednesday’s Ilaje/Ajah community clash in which five persons were killed. The command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the suspects were being detained at the State

CID Panti for investigation. The spokesperson, however, said she could not immediately confirm any casualty during the clash, but that the police were on top of the situation. Ngozi said the police were looking for a seventh suspect ``who was in the habit of masterminding criminal activities in the area’’. According to her, efforts

were on to arrest the suspect popularly called “All round’’ and others who played different roles in the clash. He said armed policemen would continue to remain in the area until complete normalcy was restored. However, a source told newsmen that a peace meeting had been scheduled between the communities by the Commander

of Area J Command, ACP Felix Vwamhi, before the clash. The source, however, said that the meeting failed to hold as the rampaging youths from both sides engaged one another overnight and continued until Monday morning. The fight broke out between the communities over the control and collection of tolls at the Ilaje Motor Park.

itigants in Lagos State were yesterday urged to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in a bid to facilitate quick dispensation of justice. Chairman of Alimosho Lawyers’ Forum, Mrs. Derin Kappo, who made the call in Lagos, specifically asked residents of Alimosho Local Government Area of the state to embrace ADR. Addressing journalists in Lagos on the forthcoming 2012 Law Week of the forum, she explained that a lot of cases could be resolved through ADR speedily than through litigation. She said: ‘’Our forum wishes to urge the people of the Alimosho community to avail themselves

of the services of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) among other agencies established by the Lagos State Government for the quick dispute resolution and to bring justice closer to the people.’’ Mrs. Kappo said Alimosho, being the largest local government in Lagos State with over two million inhabitants, is an offshoot of so many disputes pending in the courts. The cases, she said included, property ownership, land matters, family matters and landlord and tenants issues among others. The chairman said all these matters could be easily resolved quickly through the ADR as against the courts which would take a longer time.

Why Nigeria’s economy won’t grow –Don FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

A L-R: Wives of Governors of South-West of Nigeria, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti), Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun), Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (Lagos) and Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, during the opening of Second Ekiti Gender Summit 2012 in AdoEkiti, yesterday.

NSCIA: Ex-VC, others jostle to succeed Adegbite SEKINAH L AWAL

he trio of the Chief Missioner of Ansarud-deen Society worldwide, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad; former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and the SecretaryGeneral of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Ustaz Shuaib Abdullahi, have been tipped as the likely successors of Dr. Lateef Adegbite as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). NSCIA is shopping for a Secretary-General following the death of Dr. Adegbite. In the quest to fill the position, the candidates involved were being tipped based on their antecedents in their various capacities. A close source at the NSCIA, who would not

want his name in print, revealed that a huge void was created at the NSCIA with the death of Dr. Adegbite. When Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki became the Sultan of Sokoto in 1988 and President-General of the NSCIA, Adegbite was appointed Secretary-General of the Council. Under the leadership of Adegbite and Dasuki, the NSCIA, which was established in 1974, was said to become more active, with the late scribe virtually becoming the face of the organisation. Adegbite, 79, who held a doctorate degree in Law, was a reputable Islamic cleric famed for his bridgebuilding efforts between Christianity and Islam. As secretary-general of the nation’s foremost Islamic body, whoever emerges must be vast in religious tolerance, selfless service,

personal piety and humility. As the NSCIA shops for a candidate to fill the vacant position, many Muslims said yesterday at the Muharram get-together organised by the Muslim Congress in Lagos that though the late Adegbite’s shoes would be difficult to fill, God would guide the NSCIA aright in selecting his successor. A Muslim cleric, who did not want his name mentioned, believes that the would-be successor must have vast knowledge of Islam and Islamic jurisprudence. He must also demonstrate ability to insulate himself from the murky waters of politics, the source said. The cleric said: “The new scribe of the NSCIA must be a man of sound temperament, who must not be given easily to anger as a result

of the very volatile nature of religion in this country.” National Mirror, however, learnt that a subterraneous succession move has broken out in the South-West and North-Central regions where some leading Islamic clerics have expressed their interest in the job.

university teacher, Prof. Omoniyi Adetiloye, yesterday said that Nigeria’s economy would continue to grope in the dark if the Federal Government still allows foreigners to dictate her policy formulation in agriculture. Prof. Adetiloye spoke at this year’s Press Week of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Abeokuta. The paper was entitled: “Tackling food security challenges in Nigeria.” Berating past government policies on agriculture, the Professor of Crops

Production from the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, said that the policies failed because the formulators were ignorant of the reality in the Nigerian context He said: “The dependence of the Federal Government on foreign experts for project formulations because we source loan from their countries means that such projects are doomed to failure from the start. “One would have expected that the Federal Government would have part of those loans targeted to university graduates to transform our agriculture from peasant to medium scale farming that can solve the unemployment problems of our youths”.

ACN members protest LG chairman’s tenure extension KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ome members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State yesterday protested what they called imposition of the caretaker chairman on them. They caused a stir by setting bonfires along the popular Sango Road in the local government and prevented the council chairman, Mr. Oladapo Popoola, from entering his office.

National Mirror learnt that the protesters’ action was against the alleged extension of the tenure of the local government chairman by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The protesters believed that Popoola should have left the office for another member of the party because they alleged that his tenure had expired. The protesters, however, laid siege on the road where Popoola was to pass yesterday morning and angrily chased him away when

they sighted his vehicle. The security men fired tear gas canisters in the direction of the protesters to disperse them.

Governor Ajimobi

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South West

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Four appear in court over attack on Fayose ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

our men were docked yesterday before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court on accusation of being part of the people that attacked supporters of former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in Efon Alaye, on November 20. The accused persons; Eniolorunda Olaoluwa (26), Adeyemi Sunday (24),

Olowe Bidemi (23) and Ojo Tunde (22), were arraigned on a two-count charge. The matter has, however, been adjourned till January 18 next year for further hearing. Magistrate S. I. Ojo while ruling on the oral application for bail, admitted each of the four persons to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety each in the same sum. The magistrate also ordered each of the sureties to submit two passport pho-

tographs to the court and that their residences must be confirmed by the police. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bamikole Olasunkanmi said; “The accused persons on November 20 at EfonAlaaye in the Efon magisterial district did conspire to commit an offence to wit assault, occasional harm and malicious damage thereby committed an offence pun-

ishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2012.” On the second count, Olasunkanmi said; “The accused persons on the same date and at the same place did unlawfully assault one Folayan Olakanmi and caused him bodily harm thereby committing an offence punishable under

Section 355 of the Criminal Code cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2012.” Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Akomolafe Taiwo, requested for bail for the accused persons since the offences were bailable. According to him, Section 118 of the Criminal Code says an accused is termed innocent until proven otherwise.

It will be recalled that some people suspected to be political thugs repeatedly attacked Fayose and his team at Oye Ekiti, Ire Ekiti, Ilawe Ekiti and Ado Ekiti, among others, during a meeting with members of the Ayodele Fayose Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2014 governorship election in the state.

Budget defence begins in Ogun tomorrow FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State House of Assembly has fixed tomorrow, Wednesday, December 12 for the commencement of the 2013 budget defence in the state. A statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta, by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Muyiwa Adenopo, said the exercise, which was earlier scheduled to start today was shifted till tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances. Adenopo also said in the statement that the exercise, which will hold at the Committee Room of the assembly complex, is expected to feature officials from ministries, departments as well as agencies in the state. National Mirror recall that the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, had on November 20, presented the 2013 budget proposal of N211.86 billion to the state lawmakers, which he christened; “Budget for sustainable growth.”

Governor Amosun has accorded education, healthcare, housing, agriculture as well as rural and infrastructural development, the highest priority in the budget. The governor also informed the citizens that the preparation of the budget was hinged on the five cardinal programmes of his administration, which is hinged on his mission to rebuild the state. He said the 2013 budget represents a 5.6 per cent increase over the 2012 budget. Governor Amosun’s cabinet members are, however, expected to face various committees of the state assembly to defend the budget for the in-coming year.

Amosun

CCDM holds convention Dec 5 RICHARD EGHAGHE

he Christ Crusaders’ Deliverance Ministries (CCDM), will on Wednesday, December 5, commence its fiveday convention tagged; “The Ark of God.” According to the CCDM, the programme is targeted at waging spiritual wars against agents of darkness that are causing hydra-headed problems for the nation. The convention, which holds at the church premises at Glory Avenue, Off Gasline Road, along the

Lambe-Matogun Road, Olambe, Ogun State, will feature special prayers and powerful ministration by highly anointed men of God. The General Overseer and founder of the CCDM, Pastor Festus Adewole, will lead other ministers in the five-day convention. Announcing the event at a press conference in Lagos during the week, the general overseer decried the rate at which evil is increasing in the country describing it as alarming. He said the church will address this spiritually during the convention.

L-R: Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ayo Akinsanmi; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe; Anyanti Josephine; Isyaku Baran and Ayo Akinsami, during the decoration of Anyanti as the Commandant, Police Training School, Ibadan at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, at the weekend.

Police arrest two highway robbers in Ondo HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

he Ondo State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested two hoodlums, who specialised in robbing motorists on the Akure-Ilesha highway. The suspected robbers were arrested in the early hours of yesterday following a tip off from members of the public. Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Aremu Adeniran, said a team of policemen was drafted to the scene where the hoodlums were seen dispossessing motorists of their valuables.

According to Aremu, the hoodlums were caught in the act along Ibuji-Ekiti Road in Igbaraoke area of the state where they blocked the road with a log of wood and intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number LAGOS XA 715 MUS which was driven by one Fadeyi Adekunle of U7 Odo Oja Street, Otun-Ekiti. He said the bus, which was loaded with plantain, was heading to Ilorin from Akure, before they ran into the robbers, who dispossessed the driver of his mobile phone and the sum of N20, 000. Aremu’s words: “A police patrol team raced to the scene and combed the

area thoroughly and engaged three robbers in a shoot-out.” He, however, said that one of the hoodlums died during the encounter while the remaining two were arrested. Items found on them include cutlasses, torchlights and items they stole from the bus driver. He said the hoodlums; Messrs Umoru Farouk, from Kwara State and Ibrahim Mamman, from Dansardo in Zamfara State, have been detained while investigation is ongoing.” Meanwhile, motorists travelling from Lagos to Benin have been experiencing difficulty between Ore and Ofosu following

the reconstruction of the highway by the Federal Government. Most of the motorists lamented the pains of travelling through the road, saying it took them over four hours to move from Ore to Ofosu, a journey that could be covered within 20 minutes. Eye witnesses said the gridlock was caused by the closure of a section of the road by the construction firm to hasten their job. The firm, however, appealed to motorists and other road users affected by the development to endure the pains and hope for a pleasurable ride when the construction would have been completed.

Group calls for inclusive integration of South-West states SINA FADARE

he Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Group (COSEG) has called on South-West governors to put Yoruba’s interest first in their agenda of governance by promoting sincere, genuine and total integration in

the region, irrespective of their political affiliation. The group, in a communiqué jointly signed by Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Olokoba, Chairman and Secretary respectively after its national meeting, pleaded its support for the growth and development of education, agriculture, technology of the geo-polit-

ical zone. The group urged the governors to intensify their efforts where they have the highest comparative advantage in these areas in governance. COSEG also called on members of the state assemblies in the South-West to ensure that they meet jointly twice a year or

as they deem fit to come up with a resolution that would promote uniform and speedy development of the region. The group also admonished the National Assembly members from the zone to agitate, in conjunction with the states governors, for a special status for Lagos.

South East

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Two killed as hoodlums attack Naval outpost in Onitsha

Okorocha budgets N197.7bn for 2013

NWABUEZE OKONKWO

CHRIS NJOKU

ONITSHA

wo persons were confirmed dead yesterday when some hoodlums attacked a Naval Outpost at Iyiowa Odepke, an outskirt of Onitsha, Anambra State. The incident occurred as the hoodlums attacked the Naval officers on routine check at the area following a distress call from the policemen from Zone 9, Umuahia that a suspect was fleeing arrest.

According to a source, who did not want his name mentioned, policemen from Zone 9, Umuahia, had stormed the Atani community in trail of a suspect whose name was given as Mmeso in connection with violent crimes. The source said: “Policemen from Zone 9 stormed this area at about 5:am and cordoned off the area in search of one suspect whose name was given as Mmeso, but the suspect resisted arrest through the help of his gang.

“As the suspect was driving towards Naval checkpoint, the policemen raised the alarm and when the Naval officers got the information, they stopped the suspect. “It was at that point that the policemen identified him as the suspect they came to arrest, but unknown to the Naval officers, the hoodlums went and regrouped and came out in full force to attack the Naval outpost. “They also attacked the personnel during which

the officers resisted their advancement and two persons were shot among them, while seven others were arrested”. Speaking on the incident, the Commanding Officer, Onitsha Naval Outpost, Navy Captain A. Amed, said the hoodlums had been terrorizing residents of the area through abduction and other criminal activities. In a related development, policemen attached to the Onitsha Area Command averted what could

have led to another bloody clash at the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha as two factional groups of revenue collectors clashed. The Onitsha Area Commander, Mr. Benjamin Wordu, who led combined team of Army and police to the scene, restored normalcy to the troubled area. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ralph Uzoigwe, confirmed the incidents and said investigations had begun.

Umeh asked to step aside as APGA chairman CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Chairman of Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Aor, has called on Chief Victor Umeh to step aside as the National Chairman of the party. He said the call became necessary for the party to conduct its congresses. Chief Nwobu-Alor, the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets and Parks, said that once Chief Umeh steps aside, the state, local government and wards congresses of the party will be conducted to elect new executive committees. He condemned the alleged verbal attacks on those pushing for the reorganisation of the party by Chief Umeh ahead of future elections. Nwobu-Alor, who spoke to National Mirror in an interview, urged Chief Umeh to note that APGA belongs to stakeholders and not to an individual. He stressed that it was the wish of every member of the party that Chief Umeh should step aside. Shedding light on the stakeholders’ position in the crisis, Nwobu-Alor said: “It is a matter between the party’s stakeholders and the National Chairman, if it is the wish of the masses to ask somebody to step aside, such a person must step aside.”

Umeh

L-R: Justice Louis Okereke; member, organising committee, Ms. Augusta Ezeodili and representative of Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Benedict Agbata, during the 2012 Law Week Lecture of the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

OWERRI

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday presented a budget proposal of N197.7 billion to the House of Assembly for the 2013 fiscal year, even as the governor lifted embargo on employment. The estimated revenue projection from recurrent sources for the year and capital receipt stand at N93,889,888,530 and N101,853,795,501 respectively. In the budget christened “Rescue Budget 2,” Governor Okorocha said an expenditure of N59,171,065,600 representing 47.29 per cent of the total capital receipt would be allocated to the economic sector, which comprises agriculture, petroleum and environment, housing, lands, commerce and industry, works, transport, public utilities and rural development. The governor explained that the 2013 budget was anchored on the 2012-2015 Medium Term Expenditure framework otherwise known as Imo Rescue Development Plan earlier approved by the state House of Assembly as the capital allocations.

American investors plan world class hospital in Anambra

Christmas: NSCDC assures of adequate security in Enugu

CHARLES OKEKE

DENNIS AGBO

AWKA

team of consultants on investment from the United States has proposed to build a world class hospital in Anambra State. The American investors made the promise when they visited Governor Peter Obi at the Government House in Awka, the state capital. The investors said the hospital, when completed,

would employ over 40 doctors and 1, 200 nurses. A member of the team, Dr. Maria Todd, said the hospital would equally create opportunities for capacity development and strengthen the development of skill and unskilled labour. Dr. Todd said that the hospital, which will be equipped with advance health facilities, would extend its services to the entire West African Sub-region. She said that the Ameri-

can investor decided to invest in Anambra because the state has the potential to drive the process. The traditional ruler of Ifite-Dunu, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, who accompanied the team during the visit, said they wanted to identify with the success story of Governor Obi’s administration and key into the commendable achievements recorded in the Health Sector. Responding, Governor Obi said Africa held the

hope for the survival of the global economy as it had huge unexplored human and material resources. He said that with the right leadership, Nigeria can effectively harness its abundant potentials to become a major player in world economy. The governor believes that establishing such world class hospital in Anambra is important, as the state moves to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Imo, EU partner on community development CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Imo State Government and European Union have entered into partnership to execute 200 micro projects in different communities in the state under the MPP9 community projects involving the nine Niger Delta states. The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. David

Macre, gave the hint at the weekend when he paid a visit to Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Government House in Owerri, the state capital. Macre said that 100 projects had been launched in the first phase while agreement had been reached to execute another 100 projects in the second phase. The ambassador explained that the choice of the projects was determined by the priority

of the communities with overriding interest on education, health and infrastructural development. Macre, however, lauded the development strides of Governor Okorocha and promised to collaborate with the government in the development of the state. Okorocha, in his reaction, expressed the readiness of the state to partner with the European Union to ensure the completion

of the projects. He also canvassed a sustainable synergy between the state government and European Union towards promoting education as the cardinal programme of his administration. Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has applauded Governor Okorocha’s developmental strides in infrastructure and education.

ENUGU

he new Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) in Enugu State, Mr. Nathaniel Ubong, has assured residents of the command’s preparedness to tackle security challenges during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Ubong spoke while inspecting a guard of honour mounted by officers and men of the command during his reception at the command headquarters in Enugu. He said: “The command will set up a crack squad for immediate response in times of crisis and in areas where subversive activities are noticed and other forms of insurrections. “The crack squad will adequately tackle these insecurity challenges henceforth and complement the efforts of other sister security agencies to ensure a hitch free Christmas celebration.”

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South-South

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

N2.3bn project: Reps move to extradite contractor TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives yesterday resolved to extradite owner of Torno Investment Company to Nigeria to recover the N2.3 billion allegedly paid for a terminated road project. The contractor after allegedly obtaining N2.3 billion failed to execute the contract and secured a court order against the Federal Government; allegedly sold all its equip-

•Summon Anenih, Ogunlewe ment before leaving the country. The committee after hearing of the development, resolved to verify the status of the company at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with a view to arresting all the Nigerian directors of Torno Investment Company, who may have been part of the plan to defraud the Nigerian government. Similarly, the House Committee on Public Accounts has, again, sum-

moned two ex-Ministers of Works and Housing, Adeseye Ogunlewe and Tony Anenih, to clarify the rationale behind the termination of the N8 billion road contracts in 1999 and 2003. Solomon Adeola, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts expressed concern over the loss of over N8 billion on various road contracts terminated without taking steps to recover the money. He specifically queried

the payment of N700 million out of N1.045 billion for rehabilitation of 55km road and the reconstruction of the 20km Enugu/ Nsukka road, but was abandoned by the contractor, who requested for its termination. The committee, which queried the misappropriation of tax payers’ money, berated the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for condoning the fraudulent activities on the termination and re-award of same contracts at a higher sum without efforts at recover-

ing the money. The committee also rebuked officials of Federal Ministry of Works for reawarding a 20km road project in Nsukka/Enugu at N700 million for N1.097 billion. According to Bala Danshehu, director of highway planning and development, the contract which attained 70 percent completion was later terminated because the ministry could not afford the N700 million variation cost requested by Enco Construction Limited.

He, however, noted that the project was re-advertised and re-awarded to a competent contractor. Danshehu further explained that N82 million has been recovered and reflected in the final account, adding that only N18 million out of the sum of N22 million requested for the retention fee was later paid to the contractor. While reacting, Adeola said; “It is fraudulent for you to request for five percent retention fee despite applying for termination of the contract.”

NDDC inaugurates 46 projects in Rivers

L-R: Chairman, PDP Delta Central, Chief Tom Amioku; former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, at the party’s expanded executive meeting in Effurun, at the weekend.

Protesting youths disrupt Agip operations in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

rass terminal of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State was yesterday invaded by aggrieved youths of TwonBrass over the non-implementation of a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed with the community. The peaceful protest by the community’s youths caused tension in the area, thereby disrupting the operations of the Italian oil firm. It was learnt that the timely arrival of some policemen to the area quelled the protest, mak-

ing the protesters to enter into negotiation with the oil firm to nip the crisis in the bud. An eye witness account told National Mirror in an interview that the protesters took the NAOC staff by surprise when they stormed the premises of the company at about 7.00am and barricaded the main entrance into the facility under the close watch of some personnel of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) guarding the area. Among the demands of the community in the GMoU were employment opportunities, payment of arrears of retirees of NAOC and the construc-

tion of shore protection in was made by the protesting youths to invade NAthe community. The oil firm in the area OC’s facility, but it was produces an estimated foiled by the police. The PPRO said rep500,000 barrel of crude oil resentatives of the comper day. Investigations by our munity, the police and oil correspondent revealed company were dialoguing that the community was over the crisis. worried by the decision of NAOC to sign and start the implementation of the GMoU signed with Okpoama, while that of Twon-Brass was yet to be implemented. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the incident, saying that the protest had been brought under control. Odunna said an attempt Governor Dickson

n keeping with its mandate to speed up the pace of development in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated 46 projects in different parts of Rivers State. The projects include roads, solar-powered pipeborne water, classroom blocks, cottage hospital/ comprehensive health centres and rural electrification. The projects, situated in various local government areas of the state, were inaugurated by the Rivers State representative on the board of the NDDC, Prof. Ibitamuno Aminigo and Dr. Enyia Akawagaga, a director in the state office on behalf of the commis-

sion’s Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh. Oboh said the board’s actions so far have been guided by President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda with special emphasis on increasing the tempo of infrastructure development in the oil-producing region. He said the NDDC would continue to commission its completed projects to erase the impression that it was not living up to expectation as an interventionist agency. In Okrika Local Government Area, where the George-Ama internal roads were inaugurated, the managing director said; “It is a thing of joy for me because I know the value of this project to this community.

Azazi heads Bayelsa’s post-flood committee EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday appointed a 15-man Post-Flood Management Committee headed by the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi. The governor is expected to swear in the appointees that include members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Medical Association, first class traditional rulers, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmund Allison-Oguru, among others, on Thursday, December 6. Non-governmental and re-

lief organisations were not included in the committee. The governor said that the new committee would take over from the Emergency Response Management Committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd.) According to Dickson, the Azazi-led committee would solicit for support, receive and manage funds and other items from public spirited individuals, corporate organisations, local and foreign donor agencies. The committee, led by the deputy governor came under sharp criticisms following the poor handling of the flood victims’ problems while in relief camps.

North

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian leaders lack Sardauna’s virtues –Govs, Gambari OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomole and his Niger State counterpart, Mu’azu Babangida Aliu and Nigeria’s former representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, yesterday eulogised the creative and selfless leadership principles of late Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello. Governor Oshiomole said Nigeria has everything, but lacks leaders that can creatively manage the nation’s resources and

deliver on the needs of the people. He also added that there was need to revisit the sharing formula in the federation account, as the gap between the 26 percent to the states and 54 percent to the Federal Government was too wide, pointing out that such gap gives room for corruption. Speaking at the first Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on Leadership and Good Governance in Abuja, Oshiomole, who was the chairman of the occasion, said; “The leadership question is still critical to

Nigeria’s quest for good governance and the consolidation of the democratic order. “This is definitely to be expected in view of the widely held notion that the problem with development in Nigeria is mainly that of leadership. “Now we have to answer the question; what has happened to leadership and where are the leaders? “This question is germane because under a democracy, it is expected that the quality of governance will be much higher than it was under the military and

that the citizens will have the benefit of accountable and transparent leadership and that the resources of the country will be managed for development. “I am not going to pretend that these are not challenging times for those of us in leadership positions and who care deeply concerned about the direction that our country is headed today. The challenges are enormous and have both domestic and global dimensions. “We have to address the often neglected imperative of attitudinal transformation on the part of the po-

litical elite, the absence of which, good governance and development will continue to be a mirage.” The Edo state governor said even though there is the problem of leadership facing the country, there should be no lamentation or excuses, adding that “to forge ahead, we must, like the late Sardauna, evoke the spirit of hard work and selflessness to confront the challenges facing us without looking back.” On his part, Governor Aliu, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sir Ahmadu

Bello Memorial Foundation, said that the nation should stand up to say no to terrorism, adding that the citizens should tell the government what to do. “During the time of Sardauna, there was nothing like this. No investors want to invest in the north. Sardauna did not discriminate in terms of religion and ethnicity. I am sure some of us will recall that security of lives and property was almost taken for granted in that era, as people went about their lives without any let or hindrance.

Suswam’s aide carpets critics of Benue LG poll HENRY IYORKASE AND SINA FADARE

L-R: Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari; Senate President, David Mark and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), during a condolence visit to Buhari over the death of his daughter in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Mark visits Buhari over daughter’s death A ZA MSUE KADUNA

enate President, Senator David Mark, yesterday condoled with former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) on the demise of his daughter, Zulaihat in Kaduna. Mark, who led a National Assembly high powered delegation to visit Gen. Buhari called on him to take heart as the National Assembly would keep the family in prayers.

According to Senator Mark; “We must glorify Him for whatever happens. So many people have died with nobody to even take their corpse to a place where they can be given a decent and befitting burial. So, when Allah gives us the opportunity to bury our own, it is also a time for us to honour Him and glorify Him. We should not question Him.” Mark’s words: “Sir, I pray that you have the courage and the fortitude to bear this loss. I also pray

that Allah increases your faith, because He is the one who has given and He is the one that has taken away. “On behalf of the Senate and the entire National Assembly, I would like to offer our very sincere condolence and sympathy. I am also informing you that we will continue to remember you in our prayers and we shall put all members of the family in prayers too.” In his response, Gen. Buhari commended the Senate President for his

gesture, even as he expressed similar appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said had called him personally and also sent him a condolence letter. Buhari equally expressed his appreciation to the Senate President for extending his condolence to the rest of the Buhari family; describing the senate president as someone he had enjoyed long time relationship with, right from his days as Governor of Niger State.

he Senior Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Wombo, has carpeted critics of the just concluded local government election in the state as people who are economical with the truth. He berated the critics for flaying the organisation of the poll and for describing it as substandard. Wombo in a session with journalists yesterday at the local government secretariat in Makurdi, asserted that the election was done within the scope of the law and anyone who is dissatisfied with the process of the conduct should go to court. He said the state government in her wisdom has inaugurated tribunals with the powers to handle election petitions arising from the conduct of the elections and enjoined anyone who is aggrieved of the conduct of the poll to seek redress at the appropriate

channels already provided in the state. The state Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) Engr. Baba Agan, had tongue-lashed the governor’s aide, saying that the statement credited to him is ill-motivated just because they have the resources and the control of state apparatus. Meanwhile, a global organisation for Nigerians residing outside the country, “Catalyst for Change” has awarded Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, its Peace and Security Award by All Nigerian Nationals in Diaspora (ANNID), The award, which was in recognition of Suswam’s “achievements in fostering initiatives as catalyst for change in the country was conferred on him recently at the Westin Hotel and Resorts, Los Angeles, USA. President Goodluck Jonathan was also honoured for his achievement for the successful conduct of the 2011 general elections which was adjudged as the freest and fairest in the country’s recent history.

FUTMINNA VC suit:sorsCourt fixes Jan 22 for hearing Ex-lawmaker flays construction of new Govt House Musa Galadima, Ada- sity’s vice-chancellor at the PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

Minna High Court has fixed hearing on the suit filed to restrain the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, from declaring any substantive vice-chancellor for the institution till January 22, 2013. The motion was filed by three professors of the institution that include, Profes-

ma and M. A. T. Suleiman, who went to the state high court to restrict the choice on of the sixth vice-chancellor for the university. They accused the university and its governing council of double standard in the process of selection. The three also challenged the publication of two different adverts with conflicting requirements for contenders to apply for the position of the univer-

expiration of the incumbent, Prof. Muhammed Audu. Audus’ tenure ended on the 26th November 2012. It will be recalled that when the case was earlier mentioned last month, Barrister Olajide Ayodele (SAN), counsel to the defendants (FUT, the governing council and council chairman), challenged the capability of a state high court to hear the case.

JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

onetime Senator representing Plateau Southern zone, Senator V. K. Dangin, has condemned the construction of a new Government House by the Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, at the cost of N6 billion, describing it as a white elephant project.

According to the elder statesman, the new building under construction should be sold immediately and the proceeds used to pay the striking local government workers in the state. Dangin in a statement in Jos, yesterday, said there was no reason why the state governor should embark on the construction of a new government

house when the existing one built by the past military administrators is good and luxurious enough. He said local government workers in the state are dying of hunger or are in hospitals because they have no money to buy drugs some have committed suicide because of sheer economic difficulties.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

SUPER TUESDAY

Politics

Why mergers of political parties are not feasible – Okorie

Boko Haram fear grips National Assembly

42&43 Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, heaved a sigh of relief last week when an Abuja High Court dismissed a suit seeking the order of the court to prosecute him for his alleged involvement in the mismanagement of the $12.4 billion oil windfall. Abuja Bureau Chief, ISE-OLUWA IGE, who has been covering the litigation reports.

$12.4BN OIL WINDFALL

Freedom for Babangida!

ast week Thursday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja finally gave judgement in the suit against the Federal Government over the management of the $12.4 billion oil windfall. In the ruling, he dismissed the public interest lawsuit instituted by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and five others.

Justice Kolawole cited want of jurisdiction as reason for his decision. Before dismissing the case, the judge first observed that the civil society groups that sued the Federal Government over the $12.4 billion oil windfall meant well for the country and wanted a country free of corruption but that they lacked the locus standi to sue. The judge, however, held that assuming without conceding that he had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, he still maintained that the suit must also fail for two reasons including that it was statute barred, having been filed more than 12 calendar months after the Pius Okigbo Panel report which was the basis of the case was submitted in 1994 or when it was claimed to have been found in 2005 and that the claims in the suit were not justiceable. He further held that the civil society groups failed to adduce admissible evidence to prove that a Dedicated and Special Accounts were maintained in the CBN where the $12.4 billion was reserved and subsequently depleted to $200 million by June 1994 by the regime of General Babangida. Justice Kolawole specifically said: “Pius Okigbo has passed on and resting in peace until this suit was filed. He should be allowed to have a short rest with the federal high court resting this matter now. “I am not saying the applicants are busy bodies. No, the applicants are not busy bodies or meddlesome interlopers but patriotic corporate bodies moved with good motives to ensure accountability and corruption free country but there is no authority to confer locus standi on them.”

SERAP rejects verdict But moment after the judgement was delivered, counsel to SERAP, Mr. Femi Fala-

Babangida

Abacha

Jonathan

TOP STORY na, hinted that the verdict would be tested at the Court of Appeal. Less than 24 hours after the judgement, SERAP itself issued a statement rejecting Justice Kolawole’s verdict The group described as “disappointing” and “a setback in the fight against large scale official corruption” the ruling by the Abuja Federal High Court dismissing an action seeking to compel former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to account for how his leadership expended the $12.4 billion oil windfall between 1988 and 1994. SERAP stated: “At a time when this country has enacted the Freedom of Information Act, the ruling on the suit seeking accountability for the missing $12.4 billion oil windfall is a major setback for victims of large scale corruption. “It potentially could encourage impunity of perpetrators of corruption. The ruling sends a wrong message that it is alright to steal public funds and that there will be no accountability for suspected perpetrators. “On the one hand, the court held that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to bring the case. On the other hand, the court stated that the plaintiffs should not be seen as

busy bodies but patriotic citizens. “The court even praised ‘the courage and dedication of SERAP in instituting the matter calling the group a serious minded organisation desirous or ridding Nigeria of all forms of corruption.’ But these statements would seem to be contradictory. “We therefore reject the ruling in its entirety as it does not reflect the correct position of the law in Nigeria today, as aptly articulated by the Court of Appeal in Fawehinmi vs President, (2007) 14 NWLR (Pt.1054) 275, to the effect that ‘the issue of locus standi, in a country like ours, should be construed liberally, so that people and organisations should not be denied access to the courts.’ “The Court of Appeal also made it clear that it is wrong for a pressure group or even a single public-spirited taxpayer to be prevented by outdated technical rules of locus standi from bringing matter to the attention of the court to vindicate the rule of law and get any unlawful conduct stopped. “The constitution or any other law can only be tested in courts; it is access to the courts for such test that will give satisfaction to the people for whom the constitution or the law is made.”

How the $12.4bn oil windfall accrued In 1988, Babangida approved the dedication of revenues accruing from sales of 65,000 barrels of crude oil per day for the fi-

nance of special priority projects including Ajaokuta Iron and Steel, Itakpe Iron Mining and Shiroro Hydro-electric projects. All the monies were kept in a dedicated account which was also to be used for external debt buy-back and build-up of reserves. The quantity of the dedicated crude oil was soon increased from 65,000 barrel per day to 105,000 bpd. In fact, in early 1994, the quantity rose to 150,000 barrels per day. Besides, a Stabilisation Account to receive the windfall of oil proceeds of the Gulf War and a Special Account for Mining Rights and Signature Bonus were opened. Altogether, $12.4 billion was received into these accounts from 1988 to June 1994 but the funds were feared to have been frittered dubiously, leaving only a balance of $206 million as of June 30, 1994 Although it was Gen Babangida that opened the dedicated accounts, they were inherited by Chief Earnest Sonekan who was on the saddle between August 26, 1993 and November 17, 1993 and late Gen. Sanni Abacha who through a palace coup displaced Shonekan on November 17, 1993.

Abacha’s probe of IBB’s dedicated account Less than two months after he became Head of State, Abacha inaugurated a Christopher Okigbo panel on January 19, 1994 to dig into the use of the dedicated account allegedly maintained by the Babangida regime where the said oil windfall was kept. The assignment given to the Okigbo panel was to insulate the CBN from the political ecology and equip it, not merely for the immediate needs of the economy but also for its expanding future responsibilities. The Okigbo panel report which was submitted to the Presidency, same year, heavily indicted Babangida and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), late Alhaji Abdukadir Ahmed of mismanaging the $12.4 billion oil windfall realised between 1988 and 1994.

Okigbo report indicted IBB A summary of the report submitted to the Federal Government revealed that Babangida’s regime conspired with top officials of the CBN to squander the entire fortune on unproductive or dubious projects. For instance, the report found that the operations of the dedicated account and the utilisation of the Stabilisation Account were stretched far beyond their original scope. The panel also established that though the list of projects to be serviced from the Dedication and other Special Accounts did indeed contain some projects of importance to the rest of the economy, there were many large projects of doubtful CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Politics

Chairman of the House of Representativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Emmanuel Liambee Jime (PDPBenue) gives an insight into the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and other burning issues of national importance in this interview with TORDOUE SALEM. Excerpts: As former Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), could you give a candid view of the PIB and the possible reasons for the controversy that has dogged it? In my estimation, the PIB is perhaps only next to the amendment of the Constitution as one of the most important legislative assignments that the 7th Assembly is undertaking. Many people may not know but in the 6th Assembly, I happened to have been the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream and in that capacity, I became very close to the workings of the petroleum industry and the PIB. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of the 7th Assembly, I had actually taken the initiative to author a bill which unfortunately did not see the light of day because we later agreed that we will allow the executive arm of government to take the initiative. I was doing this out of what I believe was my complete patriotic will. The industry as at today has operated basically in an atmosphere of secrecy to the extent that if you really want to deal corruption a blow in this country, then the reform of the oil industry should be the starting point. I think that the best way to deal that blow is perhaps to conceive the PIB with its twin concepts of liberalising the industry and ultimately deregulation and privatisation. I think that when you do this, you will be bringing the industry in tandem with international best practices. We also know that the key determinant for a thriving economy in the world today is to allow the private sector to drive the economy. This idea is of course consistent with the principles of capitalism. I am not an apologist as far as this issue is concerned because I believe that there is need for these reforms in the oil industry. It is an idea whose time has come. We just have to wake up to that realisation and then try to see how we can work within it, so that whatever area that we may find incongruent with our personal interests, we can find a common ground. We need to panel-beat this particular instrument before us in order to find answers to most of the fears a lot of people have expressed on the bill. Everybody has a right to express an opinion on this matter. I do not think that any one individual can actually presume to speak for a whole region as far as this matter is concerned. What is your take on the planned establishment of the National Frontier Exploration Agency? The establishment of the National Frontier Exploration Agency, I think is something that must be accepted with gratitude at this point in time. When I say gratitude, I do not mean that the North owes any part of the country an apology but you know that for too long, part of the problem here has always been the fact that the North is regarded as a parasite and that we are not contributing anything to the national cake. Again it depends on which side of the divide you are; I do not accept this classification. But be that as it may, we believe that if you do exploration in the North, that there are large commercial quantities of oil deposits all over Northern Nigeria. It is a common knowledge that in a place like Niger Republic which is a complete desert, oil has been found and exploration is going on. I think that once we get this agency properly funded as conceived by the PIB, it will allow oil exploration to take place in the Northern region. If we hit oil in the North then some of the other clauses that may appear in the interim, to benefit the current oil producing areas will also apply to the North gradually as time progresses. I would rather be futuristic in my thinking about the PIB because I believe that in it are ingredients that allow

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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PIB, next priority after constitution review â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jime THE

PARLIAMENT

those communities. Now, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand what the hue and cry is all about. We have 13 per cent derivation; that is as far as monies accruing to the Federation Account is concerned and then we have the NDDC and all these other intervention mechanisms which also draw funds from the Federation Account. But the Host Community Fund has nothing to do with the Federation Account and it is more or less a way of asking those companies to live up to their corporate social responsibilities in those communities. The provision is also designed to take care of situations where there is vandalism, oil spillage and other crisis in these communities. It is from this fund that these issues that amount to economic sabotage will now be addressed very quickly. When you do that, you are going to bring on board the Niger Delta communities in a way that it has never been done before. People must also remember that this money will not be sent to the states and local government councils. In fact, the state and local governments have really no responsibility on how this fund is going to be administered. The money is going directly to the communities.

Jime

THE INDUSTRY AS AT TODAY HAS OPERATED BASICALLY IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF SECRECY

... THEN THE REFORM OF THE

OIL INDUSTRY SHOULD BE THE STARTING POINT that for once that sector can actually begin to operate like a proper oil industry that can realise its real potential. I hasten to make the comparison with the telecommunication industry. All of us are living witnesses to the fact that at some time, we had only NITEL and how the monopoly of telecommunication industry degenerated to a comatose level. But the moment liberalisation and privatisation came into that industry, we know how positive the impact was on the economy. I believe that if we liberalise the oil industry, we can achieve more than 10 times the level of economic boom that we got in the telecommunication revolution. We are worried today about unemployment and if anybody is interested in changing the situation and bringing progress, then those who are kicking against a legislation that has the potential to create jobs may have to re-examine their priorities and review their position. It is an instrument that benefits the North; it benefits the South and ultimately it benefits the country. How about the opposition to the Petroleum Host Community Fund? The opposition to the Petroleum Host Community Fund is uncalled for because we should not forget that when oil is discovered in other parts of the country, those areas will also have host communities there. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. I think there is a point which we made during the debate on the PIB which people seem not to take into account. The particular section that deals with the Petroleum Host Community Fund actually provides for its source of funding. The fund is to be derived from 10 per cent of the net profit of the companies that are producing oil in

What is your take on the ongoing privatisation in the power sector? Following from my attitude to liberalisation and privatisation, I think that the way to go in driving the Nigerian economy in line with worldwide trends is to privatise. Government has really no business in business. The examples are too many for us to see where government has failed in its attempt to do business. The whole concept of privatisation is because government has failed, therefore let us allow the private sector to take over and drive the economy. But we have to ensure that we follow due process in our march towards privatisation because that is the only way our development partners and the international community will take us seriously. If you get into a contract and you suddenly terminate or pull out of the contract, I do not see how you can encourage investors to take you seriously. I do not really know what the complaints are but I doubt very much if there is so much insincerity in our privatisation process as to allow people who do not qualify to win bids. There are procedures for somebody to follow in order to win a bid. If you feel strongly and you have the evidence that somebody who does not deserve to win bid has been awarded one and that the process had been abused you go to court. Again, everyone knows that one thing that can boost the Nigerian economy in a manifold ways is an efficient power sector. I am privileged to be a member of the power committee and our position is that once the procedure has been followed to arrive at a bid and you are not satisfied with the outcome follow the legal process that is available to you to seek redress but do not frustrate the whole process of privatisation. As far as the power sector is concerned, I know that we are moving in the right direction. If you remember at the beginning of this year, the target of the government was that we should attain a target of 5,000 megawatts by the end of the year. Certainly, we have not reached the point where we should be but we have made some significant progress. What are your views on the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution? I think I can give it a very high mark. We have had constitution review processes in the past but the processes were rather highly elitist. During the military regime you will recall that it came by a decree; a situation where the opinion of one man became law. I think we are moving very well; we have left dictatorship and we are in a democracy. Now what we did in the House of Representatives where 360 members went to their constituents to engage the electorate is the right way. I can tell you with particular reference to my Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency that this is the first time that I had a crowd that I could hardly manage; there was mass participation and people were excited about the development.

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Politics

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Rotimi ASO ROCK FILE

Onagoruwa: Another casualty in power sector reform

with

Rotimi FADEYI

Jonathan’s new presidential banquet hall

ne of the contracts that generated controversy among the number of contracts awarded by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan last Wednesday was the approval of N2.2 billion for the construction of a new 150-seater Presidential Banquet Hall in the State House. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Muhammed disclosed that the hall would be provided with walkways including other facilities like security, hall conveniences, technical room and press briefing room that is more enhanced which would also allow for the recording and transmission of Presidential broadcast. But many people have kicked against the project, saying that the plan, if executed would be a sheer waste of tax-payers money. They further argued that there was nothing wrong with the existing banquet hall and accusing the government of displaying insensitivity when the nation is facing high rate of unemployment and poverty. While explaining the rationale behind the new banquet hall, Muhammed said: “We notice that it is inconvenient, it is not in tandem with what is outside the country, even smaller countries have better Banquet Halls near the Presidential residence.” The FCT Minister said that the contract for the construction of the hall has been awarded to Julius Berger Plc but this has also become another argument on whether the request for building new Presidential Banquet Hall was included in this year’s budget. Apart from the building of the Presi-

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dential Banquet Hall, the FCT Minister also disclosed that a total of N2.78 billion was approved by FEC for the rehabilitation of selected roads in Garki and Wuse 1 Districts of Abuja. He said the reconstruction work which had been scheduled in phases would include Herbert Macaulay way, IBB way, Olusegun Obasanjo way, Sultan Abubakar way, Michael Okpara way and Ladi Kwali street. Muhammad stated that the project would be able to generate about 750 employment opportunities during execution, stressing that the FCT administration has N400 million in its 2012 statutory budget to commence the project. FEC also approved N6.3 billion for the purchase and personalisation of 13 million smart cards for the National Identity Management Scheme.

ormer Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji was the first to bow out of the power sector reform process in August for conflict of interest in the privatisation exercise of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Since then, there have been major changes and drastic actions taken by the government in the power reform including the minor cabinet reshuffle on October 31, when the Minister of State for Power, Dairus Dickson Ishaku who held forte in the Power Ministry pending the appointment of a substantive minister was moved to the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced with Hajia Zainab Kuchi who was the Minister of State for Niger Delta. The two ministers who swapped positions were still trying to get familiar with their new assignments when again last Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan relieved the Director-General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa of her position. The BPE is one of the key parastatals in the privatisation process of the power sector under the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) chaired by Vice President

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; National Treasurer of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, Dr. Mathews Phosa and President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House last week.

Namadi Sambo Although reasons for the sacking of Onagoruwa were not disclosed in the twoparagraph statement announcing her sack, the purported cancellation of the Manitoba contract in the privatisation process of the power sector has been a major issue that counted against Onagoruwa. But Jonathan had to clear the air on the true state of things when he declared that the contract of Manitoba Hydro Electric and Natural Gas based in Canada has not been revoked by the Federal Government. Onagoruwa also had some issues with the Senate, which had last December recommended that she should be relieved of her appointment by the President while accusing her of gross incompetence in the management of the BPE as well as the illegal and fraudulent sale of the five per cent Federal Government’s shares in the Eleme Petrochemical Company limited, EPCL. The removal of Onagoruwa was one of the 45 recommendations by the Senate adhoc committee that investigated the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies between 1999 and 2011. The Senate Committee also called for the reprimand of three of her predecessors – Nasir el-Rufai, Julius Bala and Irene Chigbue, for various offences during their tenures. Another issue that might have cost Onagoruwa her position is the lingering crisis over the ownership of the Ikot-Abasi based Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), nearly six months after the Supreme Court had invalidated the existing Purchase Sale Agreement, PSA, between the Dayson Holdings Limited and the Federal Government on the plant. The Supreme Court had in July this year ruled on an appeal brought before it by BFI Group which challenged the earlier ruling of a lower court over the ownership of the multi-billion naira company and ordered that the BPE should ensure enforcement of the ruling which validated the position of the appellant.

Sambo in London, says Nigeria is Africa’s preferred investment destination

ice-President Namadi Sambo was in London, United Kingdom last week to attend a two-day meeting of the Honourary International Investors Council (HIIC), where he said Nigeria was making meaningful progress in the transformation agenda of the present administration. Sambo stated that the policies of the administration have made Nigeria the preferred investment destination in Africa, and attracted over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investments in recent times. At a meeting with members of the Nigerian community resident in the United Kingdom, the Vice President noted that

Nigeria has become the preferred destination for investment in Africa, ranked in the top five host economies for Foreign Direct Investment, and accounted for over 20 per cent of total FDI inflows into the continent. He said Nigeria has been included in the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index, signifying increasing investor confidence in the economy, while the World Economic Forum has upgraded the country’s ranking from 127 to 115 in the global competitive index. The Vice President also told the Nigerian community that three of the 10 thermal power stations under construction

were being fast-tracked to add 1,055MW to the national grid by the end of the year, while designs for the construction of both Mambila and Zungeru hydro plants, which would add about 3,700MW to the grid have been completed. On transportation, Sambo said Nigerians have started to enjoy rail services again, with the completion of the rehabilitation of parts of the Lagos – Kano line, while work was continuing on the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri line, and the Abuja – Kaduna line had reached 46 per cent completion. He stated that airport terminals were being remodeled, new ones planned for Abu-

Nigeria seeks peace between Sudan and South Sudan

resident Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigeria is ready to continue to work with other African Nations to ensure a peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes between Sudan and South Sudan. Jonathan spoke in Abuja last week when the Vice President of Sudan, Dr. Adam Yousuf, came to the State House to deliver a special message from President Omar ElBashir. According to him, Nigeria would work

through the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and the African Union’s Authority of Heads of State and Government to achieve a resolution of the disagreement between Sudan and South Sudan over Abyei District that would be acceptable to both countries. The President assured Yousuf that he would confer with other African leaders ahead of the next meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the Abyei dispute. Jonathan said that Nigeria was commit-

ted to ensuring that all possible options for a peaceful and enduring resolution of the dispute are fully explored. Yousuf assured Jonathan of Sudan’s readiness for continued dialogue towards the peaceful resolution of the dispute over Abyei. He told the President that Sudan was already doing its best to implement the nine agreements signed with South Sudan in Addis Ababa last month on other issues arising from the separation of both countries.

ja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Enugu, while six perishable cargo terminals would be provided to enable export of agricultural produce.

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. Vice President of Sudan, Dr. Adam Yousuf 2. Former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme 3. ANC National Treasurer, Dr. Mathews Phosa 4. PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tuukur 5. Senate President David Mark 6. Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani 7. PDP National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe 8. PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola 9. Former governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo 10. Former Defence Minister, Dr. Haliru Bello Muhammed 11. Senator Ibrahim Mantu 12. Dr. Mariam Ahmadu Ali.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-44

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Amosun bug in Ogun SOLA L AWAL

gun State’s immediate past Commissioner for Information, Sina Kawonise, must be commended for jolting our memory about the pervasive air of fetishism that dogged the administration of his erstwhile boss, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. During that era, lurid stories were told of the practice of necromancy in high places. Many of these were documented in Wale Adedayo’s book, Microseconds Away from Death. Adedayo should know. He served that government for six years, including being the Director of Communication of the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later as the media director to the former governor. Eager to prod us to remember our recent and most despicable misfortune of being saddled with the most archaic government ever, Kawonise, in a recent piece, accused Governor Ibikunle Amosun of being responsible for the “death of prominent Egba chiefs” in recent time. He did not stop at that, he also accused Amosun of “spiritually” being responsible for the carnage on federal roads, including Lagos/Ibadan road and Sagamu/Ore road. How worse can an individual exhibit intellectual stagnation! It is heart-warming to know that throughout his piece, Kawonise could not pin a single case of physical violence intent on Amosun since assumption of office. Same cannot be said of his embattled

DURING THAT ERA, LURID STORIES WERE TOLD OF THE PRACTICE OF NECROMANCY IN HIGH PLACES ex-boss. It may be necessary to recall the immediate ugly and shameful development that led to Kawonise’s emergence as information commissioner. Before him, two of his predecessors left office after major crises. Niran Malaolu allegedly got slapped by Daniel for daring to instill decorum into the governor’s activities. Kayode Samuel fled Nigeria and thereafter sent his resignation. Shortly after, Tunde Oladunjoye, erstwhile chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government council, who had fallen out with Otunba Daniel for his patriotic opposition to the pilfering of councils’ funds, Funke, the wife of then Governor Daniel, physically led some thugs to the Ijebu Ife home of Mr. Oladunjoye. Indeed, three media managers fell out with the Daniel administration in circumstances as intriguing as they were nearly bloody. This is a snippet of the general air of terror, which pervaded Ogun State in our most recent past. Is it not therefore, curious that while his three predecessors scam-

pered out of office in very strange circumstances, Kawonise, a hitherto unknown media figure, not only worked cordially with a government openly accused of murderous tendencies, but also still keeps the company of his erstwhile boss. It is a known fact that the menace of cultism and youth brigandage spiraled during the eight agonizing years of the Daniel administration. Boys, barely out of their pre-teen, were armed to unleash mayhem on opponents of that administration. The ripple outcome of this is the overwhelming possession of arms by wrong persons, a situation that has led to increased violence in the state. To meet this challenge, the Amosun administration bought many Armored Personal Carriers (APCs) as against one, dubbed “Iyalode” (for its eternal immobility), purchased by the Daniel administration. While the present administration inherited 16 Hilux patrol vans, Governor Amosun, barely a year in office, bought 182 of such vehicles. His government also bought a large number of bullet-proof vests, helmets and riffles, for the use of the police. Soon after he was sworn in, Governor Amosun ordered the recruitment of 5, 000 graduates into the state’s civil service. Unlike the practice of his predecessor in office, Governor Amosun personally coordinated the discussion with the people, who would be affected by the massive road reconstruction currently going on in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Yewaland and other places.

Many of them, particularly in Abeokuta, have received their compensation for their property affected by the exercise. The process to pay others is in top gear. The administration has boosted electricity supply to communities in the state by the purchase of 500 transformers. This gesture has greatly led to the empowerment of a large percentage of the people. The unreliable transportation system of the state has been improved with the purchase and deployment of 77 buses. They are made up of 27 units of 43-seaters luxury buses; 30 of 18-seater Toyota buses and 20 Nissan buses. This intervention has provided jobs for no fewer than 250 indigenes of the state. Unlike yester years’ practice of the arming of youths to cause havoc in the society, the Amosun administration has begun the arduous, but necessary task of steering them away from crime. In January this year, the governor flagged off the distribution of N1.8 billion worth of textbooks to private primary and secondary schools throughout the state. This was a follow-up to a similar gesture involving distribution of instructional materials such as note books, pencils, biros, file jackets and school bags among others to public primary and secondary schools. Complementing this investment is the building of 28 model schools in the three senatorial districts of the state. Lawal is publicity secretary of Ogun State chapter of the ACN

A race against itself BEN NGWAKWE

t is still ridiculous and unfortunate that the Igbo people in this 21st century are yet to put their house in order and work as one united and indivisible entity. When the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), a coalition of Igbo people in the 19 northern states and FCT, Abuja, paid a special visit to His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (OON) last year at Government House, Awka, the governor did not hide his feelings about the level of disunity existing among Ndigbo. Governor Obi bitterly expressed his anger over the development and gave examples of what the Igbo nation had lost because of this unfortunate development. He told the Igbo leaders in the North that there was never a time and no where Ndigbo had gathered as a group without one leadership crisis or another, saying that this syndrome was also apparent in pan Igbo associations abroad. The governor went on to mention states and cities abroad that have factionalized Igbo groups. He advised the Igbo leaders in the North to put their house in order and work as one united front. Some of the reasons adduced for this worrisome state by some Igbo leaders centred on the decentralized cultural democracy of the typical Igbo social setting; still living in past when the dynamics of the present time call for attitudinal change; selfishness and the individualistic nature of a successful Igbo man; and

of course, craze for materialism that has robbed an Igbo man of focus, need for unity with fellow Igbo to protect the mutual collective interest of the Igbo race. Recent developments in the South East have fuelled speculations that even among the five Igbo governors there is serious division, a development that many believe led to lack of unanimity in their positions on crucial issues like the ongoing current constitution review process. Why, many ask, is it that out of the six geopolitical zones of the country only the South East has five states? This is enough to enlist the support of our leaders of thoughts, traditional leaders, politicians, opinion leaders, religious leaders, industrialists and technocrats in getting this absurdity rectified. Very worrisome is the fact that some of these ‘big men and women’ have maintained sealed lips over the matter and are probably waiting for their dead forefathers to rise up from their graves to fight this cause for them. Look, for instance, at the issue of Boko Haram insurgency that seriously affected Ndigbo and their businesses in the North; how many Igbo governors or Igbo groups have taken decisive measures to address this grave issue, the only exception is Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA). Governor Obi personally made calls to Igbos in the North while Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Imo State governor, visited Gombe State at the heat of the insurgency. But for others, the inference is that since the crisis did not directly af-

IN THE 19 NORTHERN STATES AND ABUJA, THERE IS NO IGBO ASSOCIATION OR GROUP THAT YOU WILL NOT WITNESS FACTIONALIZED LEADERSHIP fect them or their businesses why should they show concern? The same disunity virus has extended to the northern part of the country where the majority of Igbo are residing and doing their legitimate businesses. Hardly would you see them speak in one voice in their respective states where they are domiciled, even on issues affecting them. In the 19 northern states and Abuja, there is no Igbo association or group that you will not witness factionalized leadership. Visit Bauchi, Nassarawa, Benue, Kano, Zamfara Adamawa, Niger etc it is the same faction war everywhere. Like you have in Nigeria, so it is in Ghana, France, USA and the United Kingdom. In the North, the virus has taken a different dimension; this time around it is about the perversion of the constitution. The President-General of Gombe State chapter of the Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA) has refused to handle-over to a

successor. Section six of the constitution of ICWA states that “tenure shall be two years and thereafter there shall be no circumstances that shall warrant extension”. But on 24 September, 2011, Mr. Evaristus Chukwuaku inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee to rework some sections of the constitution barely when he had less than a month to handle over to a successor. When he was supposed to leave in November 2011, Mr. Chukwuaku blatantly refused to do so, arguing that he had not accomplished the review of the constitution. However, at a stakeholders meeting held at Jubilee Hotel, Gombe on the 28th April, 2012, to discuss the crisis, the people advised him to handle-over, stressing that government is a continuous process and that the incoming administration could start from where he stopped. Mr. Chukwuaku stubbornly ignored the advice. On why he would shun the plea to hand over, many attributed it to the perks due him as President General and the high patronage he enjoys from the state government. You see how commercial interest has drawn a wedge among Igbo people? Ngakwe wrote from Gombe Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Unspeakable assaults on nation’s security J ’ M …

embers of the House of Representatives were dead right when, last Wednesday, they not only lamented the worsening insecurity in the country, but capped it with the obvious observation that nowhere is safe nationwide. The Reps spoke while discussing a motion on urgent national importance following the penultimate Sunday’s suspected Boko Haram attack on a church inside the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State, which killed scores of people and injured several others; as well as the invasion the following Monday by suspected terrorists of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention centre in Abuja, where they freed over 150 detainees, according to reports. “The state of insecurity in the country has reached an embarrassing level. What happened in Jaji and SARS headquarters is embarrassing to the leadership and people of this nation”, Rep Rapheal Nnanna was quoted as saying. Indeed, the group has consistently portrayed the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as an impotent Commanderin-Chief not capable of delivering in his primary duty of protecting the lives and property of Nigerian citizens. Since 2009, the sect has been attacking public institutions, religious houses, especially churches, media houses, telecommunica-

tion facilities, police and military formations without any hindrance. The United Nations building in Abuja was not left out. Identified critics of the group are also being assassinated. Official figures say the insurgence has claimed the lives of over 3,000 people, with hundreds of others maimed and property of inestimable value destroyed. The Federal Government is still at a loss as to how to contain the insurgence. Jonathan’s repeated assurances that the nation is safe while insurgents freely kill and maim innocent citizens are now viewed by the public as worthless presidential delusion. We had, in the past, observed that the terrorist sect operates as if no security agencies exist in the country to offer any deterrence, and has so completely outwitted and outstrategised the nation’s security apparatus. The group had consistently beaten the country’s professional policemen, intelligence officers and soldiers in spite of continuous claims to the contrary that they were on top of the situation. The violent campaign has ridiculed, humiliated and, most likely, demoralized the nation’s security agencies. The total and repeated successes of the insurgents against the nation’s security apparatus seem a clear indication that the nation’s security system has, indeed, collapsed, and no one, including Mr. President, is safe. At best the FG is still groping in the dark as to how

ONATHAN S REPEATED

ASSURANCES THAT THE NATION IS SAFE

ARE

NOW VIEWED BY THE PUBLIC AS WORTHLESS PRESIDENTIAL DELUSION to contain the monster. The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) set up to arrest the situation has been combing neighborhoods for members of the group and their arms; and placed price tags running into millions of naira on the heads of its leaders, all to no avail, an indication that the sect is properly organized, operates underground and thinks far ahead of the security agencies. Besides, the crime wave is on the increase nationwide, with violent robbery and kidnapping topping the chart. The public has never ceased to wonder the FG’s shocking impotence in dealing with the insecurity situation that is about entering the fourth year. Former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, it was, who lately stated that the insurgent group was ahead of the security agencies in terms of sophistication. What this expressly suggests is that the nation’s security agencies are not creative, are largely reactionary and less proac-

tive on how to handle the crisis at hand. Perhaps the FG should draw Okiro closer to get the details of what he meant. We, in addition, think that it will be extremely difficult dealing with the situation without close security watch on the country’s porous borders that easily enable non-Nigerians to penetrate the country. Intelligence reports have shown that some of the militants and gunmen are non-Nigerians, for instance. It is also high time the FG thoroughly investigated the alleged links between the insurgent group and Al-Shabab and Al-Qaeda. The FG might likewise need to examine the existing cooperation agreements in the Sahel region against terror, with emphasis on the possible connection of the scourge with the pervasive poverty and socio-economic crises in the region; and the levels of commitment at national and sub-regional levels to tackle socio-economic crises that pre-dispose the rural populace, especially, to providing logistic support to terror groups. These we think are germane to dealing with the terror question in Nigeria. Anarchy looms. The FG should take the bull by the horn and tame the monster if it is determined not to dialogue with the sect. No government can legitimately and morally lay claim to being in power on behalf of the people, that presides over the continued slaughtering of its innocent citizens.

ON THIS DAY December 4, 2006 The Jena Six: Six black youths assaulted a white teenager in Jena, Louisiana, United States. The court case that followed was highly celebrated. The Jena Six were six black teenagers convicted in the beating of Justin Barker, a white student at Jena High School in Jena, Louisiana. Barker was injured in the assault. The case was often cited as an example of racial injustice in the US due to the belief that the defendants were charged with tooserious offenses and had been treated unfairly.

December 4, 1991 Journalist Terry A. Anderson was released after seven years in captivity as a hostage in Beirut. He was the last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon. Anderson (born October 27, 1947) is the best known, and longest held hostage of a group of Americans believed to be captured by Shiite Hezbollah militants in an attempt to drive United States’ military forces from Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War.

December 4, 1977 Jean-Bedel Bokassa, president of the Central African Republic, crowned himself Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire. Bokassa (February 22, 1921 – November 3, 1996), was the head of state of the Central African Republic and its successor state, the Central African Empire, from his coup d’état on January 1, 1966 until September 20, 1979. Of this period, he served almost eleven years as president; and for almost three years, he reigned as emperor.

Abandoned aircraft: AON, FAAN on collision course over relocation order

FG yet to complete Group Life premium payment 37

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Tariff hike: Rice, wheat imports drop, as prices soar The decision of the Federal Government to introduce a 10 percent import duty and 100 percent levy on both brown and polished rice and a hike in duty on imported wheat in the 2013 budget respectively, which takes effect January 1, is currently taking its toll on the products as importers have reduced the volume of the goods imported. This has also led to rise in the prices of the products, reports FRANCIS EZEM.

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) Wheat and Rice

he global recession that has led to a down turn in most economies of the world including the developed ones is beginning to take its toll on the volume of imported goods into Nigeria. Only recently, Port Manager in charge of the Lagos Ports

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Complex (LPC), Apapa Mr. Joshua Asanga while briefing the newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, who undertook a tour of the western ports, raised fears over the sharp decline in the number of vessels that call at the ports as indicated by the number of vessels waiting to berth, which has dwindled substantially. The LPC, which controls Nigeria’s biggest container and bulk terminals, also controls

Starcomms’ $210m take-over deal hangs in the balance

several jetties, terminals and no fewer than two free zones, thus accounting for more than 75 percent of the nation’s container traffic and over 90 percent of her bulk cargo traffic. This decline is also worrisome given that this is first of its kind, especially in the last six years after the completion of the port reform and subsequent coming on stream of private terminal operators, who took over cargo handling functions from NPA. Current port statistics show

that the number of vessels waiting at the nation’s seaports stands between 90 and 95 ships of all types and sizes. This compares to the figures of over 130 and 145 in the last quarter of 2011, which stakeholders believe is something to worry about. According to the port manager, traditionally, the last quarter of the year, which also covers the Yuletide and New Year celebrations normally comes with CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Industrial relations: Labour urged to change confrontational approach

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Tariff hike: Rice, wheat imports drop, as prices soar CONTINUED FROM 19 increased vessel and cargo throughput. He blamed the development on two factors, which he categorised under external and internal factors. Under the external factors, according to him, the problem might not be unconnected with the general global economic recession, which has also hit Europe, America and other developed parts of the world, thus leading to the closure of many multinational firms. Under the internal factors, he noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria which introduced some tight liquidity measures, led to illiquidity in the system, which invariably reduced purchasing power and therefore, brought about low demand by the consumers. In addition, he noted that the decline in cargo volumes might not be unconnected with the current Federal Government’s tight policy on the release of fuel subsidy, which has helped to reduce the volume of money in circulation as well as its fiscal policies contained in the 2013 budget. Records also show that the worse hit in this dwindling cargo volume is rice and wheat, which throughputs have declined substantially. For instance, in November, 2011, average volume of imported rice per week was estimated at 131, 624 metric tonnes while wheat was estimated at 26, 000 metric tonnes. Meanwhile, shortly before the presentation of the budget to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan sometime in August, the average rice import per week was estimated at 256, 000 metric tonnes while wheat was estimated at 395, 952. However, in November the average rice import per week has declined to 73, 311 metric tonnes while in the case of wheat, for some weeks, nothing would come into the country, an indication that importers of both bulk cargoes have reduce their volume of imports, probably in anticipation of the likely effects of the 2013 fiscal policies. The government had in that budget proposed 10 percent import duty and 100 percent levy to be applied to both brown and polished rice. Other measures, which the President argued was to promote Nigerian agriculture and industry, include those on cassava, wheat, and machinery for the agriculture and power sectors. In line with this policy, the government announced that machinery and spare parts imported for local sugar manufacturing industries will now attract zero percent duty; while there will also be a five-year tax holiday for “sugarcane to sugar” value chain investors. Furthermore, import duty and levy on raw sugar will be 10 percent and 50 percent respectively, while refined sugar will attract 20 percent duty and 60 percent levy, all of which take effect January 1, 2013. The president had insisted that these measures were to consolidate similar earlier policies contained in the 2012 budget with the principal objective of promoting industrialisation and the growth of the manufacturing and agricultural

Habib

Jonathan

IN LINE WITH THIS POLICY, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT MACHINERY AND SPARE PARTS IMPORTED FOR LOCAL SUGAR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WILL NOW

ATTRACT ZERO PERCENT DUTY; WHILE THERE WILL ALSO BE A FIVE-YEAR TAX HOLIDAY

FOR ‘SUGARCANE TO SUGAR’ VALUE CHAIN INVESTORS

Imported bags of rice

sectors of the economy and above all to generate employment for Nigerians. This is in line with the objective of the administration’s fiscal policy in the area of tariffs and trade. While reacting to the new policy on rice, president of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, said in a telephone interview that the government was in order in its new policy, which he had argued was designed to discourage the consumption of foreign made

rice and also promote agriculture in the country. According to him, succeeding governments have over the years abandoned agriculture, which was Nigeria’s first love and relied solely on crude oil, which he noted made the country a mono-product economy, which is a dangerous trend. He argued that any serious crisis in the international oil market will affect Nigeria’s economy negatively, a development that had made it necessary for

Sanusi

the government to begin to shift focus to agriculture from the current over-dependence on crude oil export, which he feared might either finish one day or a new technology would emerge that would reduce the use of petroleum products. The ANLCA-boss had argued that beyond hiking the tariff on imported rice and wheat, efforts should be made to boost the local production of the two products, which have become staple in most Nigerian homes. Some rice dealers, who spoke on this development, also observed that the price of the product has increased an indication that consumers would have to pay more for imported rice if they must consume it, which is one of the cardinal objectives of the fiscal policy. Investigations show that a 50 kilogramme bag of high grade parboiled rice which before now sells for between N8,500 and N9,000 now sells for N10,000 and above, while super grades of rice like ‘Mama Gold’, which before now sells for N10, 000 now sells for N11,500 and above. There are also fears that the reduction in the volume of imported wheat, which is the most important raw material for baking bread may lead to a hike in the price of bread and other related products. An official of a Lagos- based bakery, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, hinted that moves by the Master Bakers Association to increase their prices owing to the change in market trends were strongly resisted by most consumers, as demand for the products declined sharply. The source noted that what many bakers have resorted to doing is to reduce either the quality, size of the product or both in order to remain profitable. What this suggests is that, government’s fiscal policy of discouraging importation of agricultural products, especially rice and wheat is yielding the expected results.

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Business & Finance

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Starcomms’ $210m take-over deal hangs in the balance KUNLE A ZEEZ

he proposed $210m take-over deal of three telecoms companies, Starcomms Plc, Multi-Links and MTS Wireless by a special purpose vehicle, Capcom, remains inconclusive until existing shareholders of Starcomms Plc endorse the planned investment, National Mirror learnt yesterday. The interim management of the ‘Starcomms’ the name of the entity which the merger of the three Code Division Multiple Access operators will be called after concluding the deal, disclosed yesterday that the hope of ensuring success of the proposed investment in the companies still lie with the existing shareholders of Starcomms Plc. Capcom will inject $98m of cash and $112m of independently valued assets into the new Starcomms with the proposed rights issue subsequently raising further cash for use as working capital.

L-R: Head, Legal and Regulatory Affair, Starcomms, Mr. Bosun Itanbolu; Acting Chief Executive Officer/ MD. Mr. Olusola Oladokun and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dem Eleso, during the media conference on corporate transaction between Starcomms and Capcom in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Necessary documentations will be presented for consideration and approval by participating shareholders at the Court-ordered Meeting, scheduled for December 28, 2012. The Annual General Meeting of Starcomms Shareholders, to approve Special Resolutions giv-

Naira strengthens against dollar, rises to 4-week high UDO ONYEKA

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he naira rose against the United States dollar to its strongest in more than four weeks on the interbank market, supported by dollar liquidity flows from four energy companies, traders said. The naira closed at 157.10 to the dollar on the interbank market, firmer than the 157.38 it closed on Friday. The naira has not been this high since October 31, when it closed at the same level. Traders said the naira was supported by dollar sales by units of ExxonMobil, which sold $50 million and Agip $5 million, while Royal Dutch Shell and Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) sold unspecified amount. “We have a lot of dollar flows to the market today from some energy companies, which helped to take out the few dollar demand and provided support for the naira,” one dealer said. Traders said demand for hard currency is gradually declining after some importers had built up their stocks for the forthcoming Christmas, and this is expected to reduce pressure on the local currency in the short term. “We see the naira stabilising at the present level of 157.10157-50 to the dollar because of

expected additional dollar flows from some oil companies and offshore investors buying treasury bills at an auction later in the week,” another dealer said. On the official window, the naira remained unchanged at 155.76 to the dollar as the central bank sold only $154.28 million compared with $200 million sold at the last auction. Meanwhile Nigeria’s Eurobond yields fell for a fourth day to a record as the country’s key export, gained and foreign-exchange reserves rose. Borrowing costs on $500 million dollar debt due January 2021 slid one basis point, or 0.01 percentage point, to 4.232 percent in London yesterday, the lowest since issuance in January 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Yields on Nigeria’s international bonds have dropped 206 basis points from a high of 6.29 percent in December 2011. Crude traded close to its highest level in almost two weeks in New York as China’s official manufacturing index rose to a seven-month high. Bonny Light Crude, Nigeria’s main export grade, added 0.41 percent to $112.92 in New York. In the same vein the nation’s foreign-exchange reserves have increased 34.9 percent this year to $44.4 billion as at November 28, according to Central Bank of Nigeria .

ing effect to the Scheme and to Capcom’s investment, will also be held on the date. Obtaining all regulatory approvals is expected to take a further four to six weeks following the shareholder meeting. Disclosing these at a press conference held in Lagos yes-

terday, the interim Chief Executive Officer, Starcomms Plc, Mr. Olusola Oladokun, said posting to shareholders, documentation relating to Capcom Limited’s proposed investment into the transactions, has commenced. He stressed that Capcom’s

turnaround strategy for Starcomms is based on a consolidation of the CDMA market and using the increased spectrum to shift its business model to the profitable data segment adding that “the transaction is contingent on Starcomms shareholder approval and regulatory approvals.” According to him, Starcomms has recently faced severe operational and financial challenges on account of the shifting competitive landscape in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, adding that the recent challenges have resulted in the Company operating with an unsustainably high level of debt and a stagnating operating performance. “As a consequence, Starcomms faces a severe liquidity crisis and the Board of Directors have therefore considered options available to introduce new capital into the Company. Without this new capital the company will fail as a going concern and shareholder value will be lost.

Arik Air adds Kinshasa, DRC to routes in Africa OLUSEGUN KOIKI

rik Air yesterday announced the expansion of its route network with the addition of new flight services from Lagos, Nigeria to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The first commercial flight on the route will take place tommorrow and subsequently operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays. The announcement means that Kinshasa has now become Arik Air’s third destination in Central Africa, following the inclusion of flights to

Luanda, Angola in 2011 and Douala, Cameroon in August this year. An online statement signed by the Communications Manager, Arik Air, Mr. Adebanji Ola stated that the Lagos-Kinshasa service would operate via Douala, Cameroon with outbound flights departing from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos at 11:10 am (local time) and arriving at Douala International Airport at 12:40 pm (local time). Ola said that flights will then continue into Kinshasa, departing from Douala at 1:25 pm (local time) and arriving at N’djili

International Airport, Kinshasa at 3:25 pm (local time). The return flights will leave Kinshasa at 4:10 pm (local time), arriving in Douala at 6:10 pm (local time) and will thereafter leave Douala at 6:55 pm (local time), arriving in Lagos at 8:25 pm (local time). Passengers he said can still take advantage of the existing thrice weekly flights between Lagos and Douala on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, which departs Lagos at 11:10 am (local time) and arrives in Douala at 12:40 (local time). The return flight departs Douala at 1:25pm (local time) and arrives in Lagos at 2:55 pm.

Construction workers want speedy action on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway MESHACK IDEHEN

orkers in the civil engineering and construction sector have urged the Federal Government to speed up the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan following the decision by the government to revoke the concession agreement for the expansion, repair and maintenance of the road granted to Bi-Courtney Highway Services. According to the workers, quick take-off of work on the road will not only create thousands of jobs for their members, but will also expressway speed up the economic devel-

opment of the region and the country. Under the auspices of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), the workers added that the revocation had been long overdue since the concession agreement granted four years ago to Bi-Courtney didn’t bring about any meaningful change to the expressway and fortunes of workers in the sector. General Secretary of the union, Mr. Babatunde Liadi, told National Mirror on Monday that Bi-Courtney refused to commence any repair or maintenance on the road, while the road continued to be a death

trap, slowing down business and keeping workers at home. Liadi added that government at all levels should, without delay embark on repairs and maintenance of roads and other infrastructural facilities to forestall the high spate of accidents throughout the country. Speaking further, the construction workers scribe condemned the refusal of governments and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to pay for construction jobs that have been certified completed, saying this action has stifled development in the civil engineering and construction sector and the nation’s economy as a whole.

Business & Finance

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

FAAN threatens to disengage corrupt security personnel at airports OLUSEGUN KOIKI

anagement of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has threatened to dismiss corrupt staff who portray the image of the agency in bad light before the public. To make this possible, FAAN said it is embarking on a massive restructuring of its staff and personnel nationwide between now and December, 2012. Disclosing this to National Mirror yesterday in his office, was the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati. He said that FAAN was desperate to fish out unscrupulous elements in its midst who daily put the name of the organisation into disrepute. He said, “This is the cause of the poor image that the organisation has been having because there are people who

came in not to be of service, who do not even understand why they are working here and that give rise to the reason there is now a re-orientation of the staff to understand why they are here and to see even their work as part of their life. “There is going to be a lot of restructuring between now and end of December in the area of security and personnel and in terms of strategy because we want to ensure that as the new facilities are coming, we should also come in with new ideas, we should also come in with professionals who will be able to meet up with the changing times because what was security 10 years ago is different now. “The challenges are different and challenges come up everyday, so you need a dynamic team because the strategy for security keeps evolving and like we always say, safety and security is not a destination,

it is a process that keeps evolving. It will be recalled that FAAN staff, especially Aviation Security (AVSEC), had been caught by security agencies at the Lagos Airport aiding money laundering out of the country to foreign lands. The personnel usually act as baggage carriers for unscrupulous elements in the society through their access to the restricted areas of the airport. On the planned construction of additional five new terminals that is expected to commence in January 2013, Dati pointed out that the airports would be built by Chinese companies under the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement. The agreement, he disclosed ,was pegged at 21 years concessionary agreement, saying that the ministry had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the companies.

L-R: Marketing Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Mr. Oludare Kafar; Winner of GOtv all expenses paid trip to watch African Cup Of Nations, 2013 in South Africa, Mr. Nwokolo Christopher; General Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa and Comedian Julius Agwu, during the GOtv commercial launch in Benin-City at the weekend.

‘Vision 20:2020 goals are not predictions, but roadmap’ TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, yesterday said Nigerians should see the Vision 20:2020 policy blueprint as a compass that is designed to guide the country in its drive towards becoming one of the leading 20 economies by year 2020 rather than specific predictions. Making this known in his paper delivered at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s (NESG’s) Summit in Abuja, the minister explained that rather than interpreting the targets set in the policy document as sacrosanct and which if not met at all costs

would mean government has failed, Nigerians should be concerned about whether or not the efforts being put to achieving the goals are yielding positive results. Usman said over the past few years, initiatives by government to grow the economy, improve governance, create enabling environment for businesses to thrive and improve the country’s competitiveness, improve the welfare of the people and achieving sustainable development have yielded substantial measurable results. On the journey so far, the Minister disclosed that good governance, infrastructure, and human capital development as key focal areas of the government Transformation

Agenda have experienced remarkable improvements. Expatiating further, the Minister stated that, “the overall goals of the Transformation agenda are; strong, inclusive, non-inflationary growth, employment generation and wealth creation and value re-orientation which, he said, were also being vigorously pursued by government” with value-addition benefits to the economy and other sectors achieved so far. According to him, “significant progress had been made in implementation of reform based initiative in the agenda in the areas of Infrastructure, human capital development and good governance even as concerted efforts were being made by government to improve physical infrastructure in the country through the development of a 30 year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria, US move to boost economic, bilateral trade ties OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

igeria and the United States of America have renewed their commitments towards increasing the economic, trade and investment relationship between both countries. Uppermost in this economic agenda is non-oil export sector which is the priority of Nigerian government. This was the highpoint of the 7th US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Agreement Council Meeting in Abuja. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who spoke at the trade forum yesterday in Abuja, said that, given the current global economic meltdown, trade and investment remained the only potent tool for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth globally.

He added that there was a need for Nigeria and the United States to deepen their trade and investment relations, especially in the areas where both countries had comparative and competitive advantage. It will be recalled that The USNigeria Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA ) was signed in 2000. It establishes the framework for structured dialogue on Trade ; Intellectual Property Rights ; flow of investment as well as partnership for cooperation and collaboration between the economic operators of the two countries. The minister said, “All over the world, Presidents and policy makers have agreed that there is only one tool that can lead to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. That tool today, is trade and Investment. Nigeria is indeed the United States’ largest trading partner in SubSaharan Africa.

Lagos to partner investors to create job opportunities MURITALA AYINLA

agos State Governor,Mr Babatunde Fashola assured investors in the state that his administration would support plans by investors to expand their businesses and create job opportunities for residents. Speaking when he played host to the Managing Director of Stallion Group, Mr Harpreet Singh at the Government House in Ikeja, Fashola pledged to create an enabling environment for investors. While urging organisations to support the government in creating the right environment for them to thrive by remitting their employees` taxes to the government promptly, the governor noted that growth of businesses meant more prosperity for the

state. He assured that the government would invest more in infrastructure to further stimulate expansion of investments. The governor commended Stallion Group fo contributing significantly to the state’s economy through its various investments in Lagos. Fashola said: “ have just learnt that your conglomerate employs about 10,000.That is quite commendable.We will support your expansion plans and those of other investors in the state. “Your group feeds our BRT system with buses. We are investing more in infrastructure. By the time we are through with the Lagos-Badagry corridor.We will be needing more buses from you and at your end,it means expansion”.

Dangote Group berths at Port Harcourt trade fair STANLEY IHEDIGBO

ompanies under the Dangote group have berthed at the ongoing Port Harcourt International Trade Fair holding at the Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt. The Group’s participation at the trade fair is part of strategies to expand market share and reach more customers especially in the South-South zone, a statement by the company said. “There are Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Flour Mill, Dangote Agrosacks,National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), Dangote Pasta, Dangote Cement, Dangote Noodles and Dansa Foods Limited. Some of the products to be displayed at the fair include Danvita, Alkama (wheat meal),

confectionary flour, noodles, sugar, salt, tomato paste, various ranges of fruit juice products and bottled water from Dansa Foods. Dangote Sugar will be offering customers its 500 gram granulated sugar at the fair. The statement also said visitors to the group pavilion at both fairs will have the opportunity of buying products of these companies at reduced prices. Dangote Noodles will be offering free samples of several varieties of its noodles to visitors to the kitchen/restaurant attached to the Dangote Stand. Dangote Flour is also holding a free sampling of Alkama wheat meal and other wheat based meals while Dangote Pasta is ready to thrill participants at the fair to pasta meals prepared in several ways.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Industrial relations: Labour urged to change confrontational approach Concerned stakeholders are of the view that industrial relations matters have become one of the most delicate and complex problems confronting the growth and development of Nigeria’s industrial society. With numerous disputes that the labour unions are currently involved in, analysts say progress is impossible without a change in the way labour leaders express their grievances, writes MESHACK IDEHEN.

ot many individuals and organisations agreed with the recent comment attributed to the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that 50 percent of the nation’s workforce in the civil service be slashed in order to free up more resources for national development. Experts and analysts have also said the “confrontational language and choice of words” deployed by organised labour as led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC),in their response to the CBN governor’s comment must not only be condenmed, but that the response of labour also brings into focus the aggressive positive that organised labour always brings to bear in its dealings and negotiations with other stakeholders, particularly the NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar Sanusi states and federal governments. In that regards, Industrial Relations LABOUR UNIONS HAVE HAD DISPUTES IN THE AVIATION Expert, Dr Peter Okhiria, said labour unions in Nigeria need to “tone down SECTOR AND PRICES OF AIRLINE TICKETS HAVE REFUSED the anger and sounds of extremist agitaTO COME DOWN NIONS HAVE DISPUTES IN THE OIL AND tions in their responses and demands”, in order to allow for easier negotiations, GAS SECTOR AND IGERIANS ARE GRAPPLING WITH and put to an end, the incessant bouts of sufferings that Nigerians are regularly PRODUCTS SCARCITY subjected to, due to the “stiff neck position of labour on most issues that affect of Nigerians is traceable to the handi- nothing about industrial relations, negoNigerians”. According to him, the industrial rela- work of union leaders and their follow- tiations or even how to build bridges”, Ezeume, who is also the President of Protions process that explains the relation- ers. He questioned what the masses of Ni- gressive Leadership Organisation Intership between employees and management, or public sector workers and the gerians usually get at the end of any ne- national added. While agreeing that the present crop government in this case, stems directly gotiations from the usual hard-line posior indirectly from union-employer relation of labour that claims to negotiate on of labour leaders lack industrial relationship, and as such must be given all behalf the nation’s workers, wondering tions skill, Human Resource Managethe respect such relations deserves by how any meaningful development can be ment Professional, Mr. Tope Awosegba, achieved when labour goes to town with said labour may be responsible for the both parties. closure or failure to operate at full capacMaking specific reference to the pe- “violence, confrontations and abuse of ity of many companies in the real sector. rennial challenges that has become asso- personalities at the expense of issues”. Criticising the NLC for calling Sanusi Awosegba cited the case of Promasciated with the exploration of crude oil, and subsequen refining and distribution “an agent of death that must be defeated sidor Nigeria Limited, saying it took asin the country, Labour Activist, Mr. Em- and crushed before he (the CBN gover- tute management strategies for labour manuel Ezeume, told National Mirror nor) further destroys the Nigerian econ- related disputes not to lead the comthat organised labour to “a large and omy”, Ezeume said labour ought to have pany to total collaspe, adding that the number of workers that would have reasonable extent”, is responsible for the come out with a better option to that of sufferings that Nigerians are facing in Sanusi, instead of pouring vituperations been thrown out of jobs would have on him. been in their thousands. the scarcity of petroleum products. “Even if the comments of the CBN According to him, “labour unions Further describing labour leaders as “selfish, egocentric, and always coming governor are the ranting of a hollow have had disputes in the aviation secfor dialogues and negotiations with pre- economist, like organised labour claims, tor, and prices of airline tickets have pared mindsets”, Ezeume said that apart was demonising him before Nigerians the refused to come down. Unions have from the scarcity of petroleum products, options labour have to offer in response? disputes in the oil and gas sector, and many other harsh parts of the daily lives Truth is, present leaders of labour know Nigerians are grappling with products

TUC President, Peter Esele

scarcity. “Labour unions have disputes with some state governments, so many state workers are at home. Labour unions have disputes with real sector operators, most companies are struggling to operate. Unions have issues with the judiciary, the courts don’t sit sometimes, how long shall we as a nation continue like this”, Awosegba said, adding in all these, it is the Nigerian masses that suffers while labour leaders find a way to take care of themselves. “Does NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other unions not go for negotiations? Do they come back empty handed whenever they do that? How many times have they returned from meetings with the government for example, and declared their returns and largesse to their members”. Job seeker, Abel Imuetinyan,said he is not surprised by the alleged beating an electricity worker and active member of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), received from the hands of the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Magatakada Wamakko recently. According to him, “the activities of labour union becomes so irritating, that it will have take the grace of God not to react like the Sokoto governor did. Labour must change its attitude to things”, he added.

Chevron says contract workers not sacked MESHACK IDEHEN

he management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has denied reports that the company has asked its labour contractors to lay off workers. General Manager, Policy Government

and Public Affairs (PGPA), of the company, Mr. Deji Haastrup, in a statement, said the clarification has become necessary in view of reports suggesting that a number of workers have been sacked, saying instead that six existing labour contracts will be expiring on December 31, 2012 and new contracts will commence immediately after, and that the transition will not lead to

redundancy.” According to him, the tender process has gone through all the appropriate phases and NAPIMS has approved and directed the award of contracts to the successful bidders, commencing on January 1, 2013. On her part, Human Resources and Medical Director of Chevron, Mrs. Ihuoma Onyearugha, said that workers will have the

opportunity to work for the new contract companies, unless they choose to retire with accrued benefits. “CNL is engaging with all stakeholders, including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), NNPC and the Ministry of Labour to find a lasting solution to the on-going industrial action”, she said.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Youth Ministry trains young entrepreneurs in agric business TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

s parts of its efforts to consolidate on the successes achieved so far by the YouWin entrepreneurial empowerment scheme, the Ministry of Youth Development has provided intensive empowerment training to 267 young entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture drawn from the six geo-political zones in the country. The Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-kadir, whose ministry conducted the training in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office, was quoted as saying during the closing ceremonies of the training by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mr. Olusola Abiola, that the capacity building initiative is of strategic importance to the ongoing agenda aimed at empowering the youths for socio-economic contributions to national development. According to him, “the programme is a deliberate policy to complement the ministry’s

Minister of Agricultue and Rural Development Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina

existing National Youth Agricultural/Vocational Skills Acquisition and Capacity Building Programme under this administration conceived to give meaning to the lives of both under-employed and un-educated youths in order to encourage their involvement in agriculture.” The minister pointed out that “empowering the youths in developing economic and leadership skills is a fulfillment of the promise made by President

Jonathan

Goodluck Jonathan under the transformation agenda to ensure youths get the necessary empowerment which would transform their lives and help them become contributors to national development.” Expatiating on the purpose of the training which was organized under the 2012 MDG/Debt Relief Gains Programme on Youth in Agri-business, Abdu-kadir said the objective was to “build up capacity for self-sustained livelihoods in youth through training

4.5 million new job seekers added to unemployed in Nigeria annually –UNIDO MESHACK IDEHEN

he Regional Director of the United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO) Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, has advised that Nigeria should develop a foreign direct investment strategy that will facilitate the creation of jobs for millions of unemployed in the country. Delivering a keynote address recently, Kormawa said though Nigeria received over $3 billion as foreign direct investment which is the highest in Africa and also records average annual growth of the economy of about seven per-

cent, the unemployment situation has remained a major challenge for the nation’s development.. He said about 4.5 million new job seekers are added to the unemployed population in Nigeria every year, adding that it is imperative that investment policy focuses on creating sustainable and descent jobs to grow the economy and put more Nigerians back to work. “Nigeria should focus on strategies to increase FDI to the manufacturing sector in the country. This will help increase the GDP, expand trade, increase employment, and support the balance of payment. Investments should be made in the necessary infrastructure, institutions, skills and innova-

he position of a Retail Broker at (www.jobsvanguardng. com),is available this week on job vacancies. The minimum qualification of a degree and experience of 1 to 3 years is also required. Responsibilities for the position include researching the financial markets, analysing complex data, consulting investment analysts and monitoring of clients’ investments and recognising market trends amongst other duties.

tion. This will also attract investors. A quick way to do this is to learn from successful countries, and adapt lessons learnt and use innovation to leap-frog. “Expand trade and improve services. Expanding trade will put more people at work if there is a vibrant modern manufacturing or service sector. In the case of Nigeria, there is need to invest in upgrading and modernising targeted industrial sectors that support export trade”, Karmawa explained. Speaking further, the UNIDO boss called for support for the acceleration of regional integration within the sub region, in order to take advantage of free movement of goods and services and market opportunities.

and thereafter empower them to start their own business and thus become employers of labour”. While charging the participants to use their acquired skills to impact the society, the minister expressed the hope that soon, they will use

the acquired skills to improve their operations and offer jobs to other youths in their communities and by implication, help to actualise government’s desire to tackle the menace of poverty and use the youths as agents of wealth creation in the country. He also explained that the ministry was working on other interventions such as the Youth Employment Programme which directed at addressing youth restiveness caused by joblessness and assured that the 2013 budget would help to leverage the ongoing drive for job creation among the youths. Some of the beneficiaries of the agri-business refresher training interviewed commended the Federal Government for providing them with the skills required to enable them contribute meaningfully to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) which

Interview tips for job seekers

etting really close to getting that interview for a job you really want? Here are steps to interview success for new tertiary education graduates Wow them on the first phone call-Your interview starts here. You are a person of interest, and this first phone call is what is referred to as a ‘screening’ call. This call is to determine whether or not what they see on your resume or in your online portfolio or what they have heard about you is real. This is your chance to make a great first impression, one that will carry through the live interview. Do your homework- There are two big complaints from recruiters and hiring managers around interviewing fresh graduates. First, the interviewee knows nothing about the company, Secondly, the interviewee doesn’t seem very clear about what he or she wants in a job or career. Don’t make these mistakes; spend a good amount of time researching the company. Prepare your ‘tell me about

yourself ’ answer- This is often the first question in an interview, it is critical that you got this answer down and practiced so that it doesn’t sound memorised. What you say in your answer will often influence the next questions during the interview. Close the interview with strength-Too often, and interview ends with the interviewer asking if you have any questions and the interviewee saying “I don’t think so”. Wrong way to end an interview! The best way to end an interview is to ask for a bit more info on one of the topics brought up during the interview. Follow up and be remembered-Over and over, we hear that thanks were not sent by the interviewee. So do that immediately, it is expected. Send personalised thanks to each interviewer, noting something that came up during the interview. This is also your opportunity to add anything that you wished you had said during the interview. Source :( yahoojobs.com)

Job vacancies Also required for the position are excellent communication skills – both verbal and written, strong analytic skills and an excellent eye for detail Also available is the post for a Warehouse Clerk (www.jobsvanguardng. com) in a firm in Lagos full-time. For this post, the company which is a supply chain management solutions firm, said the Job Responsibilities are being responsible for assisting in variety of warehouse duties, including receiving, storing and shipment of customer orders,

and ensuring material handling tool kits and equipment within the warehouse are properly maintained. The qualifications and requirements are minimum of HND supply or its equivalent, or a BSc in Business studies or purchasing and Warehouse operations, with a minimum experience of 1 year working In a Warehouse. The position of a Marketing Brand Manager (www.findjobafrica.com) to be located in Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana is also available.

Key responsibilities for this position are to lead on and off trade experiential programme, delivering inspiring 360 activation toolkits, and for the development product, pricing and packaging, including Developing and rolling out portfolio drinks strategy Key skills and experience required are relevant International brand management experience obtained from an FMCG environment most especially in Africa, education to degree level, and experience of strategic brand development.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

How data management can address environmental challenges

Flood Bayelsa Community

Stakeholders involved in environmental protection issues converged on Abuja last week for the 6th National Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), to explore the potentials of data and information management in addressing the numerous environmental challenges besieging the country. OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, who witnessed the two-day event, reports:

ecent development around the world is compelling policy makers and relevant stakeholders to see the issue of environmental disaster beyond mere ripples emanating from some forces within the ambience of nature. From the recent floods (Hurricane Sandy) in the United States of America, where property worth millions of dollars destroyed and over seven million people plunged into darkness, Japanese’s landslides and floods to Nigeria, where no fewer than 7.7million people were affected and 2.2million displayed , the world is more poised to find scientific solution to the flooding phenomenon. And Nigeria is not left out in this new way of thinking. Thus, it is along this line of thinking that the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Environment responsible for environmental protection assembled Stakeholders and sector players at its 6th National stakeholders Forum to explore the potential of data and information management in addressing the numerous environmental challenges besieging the country. The theme of this year’s forum is, “Data and Information Management in Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement.” Participants at the event are drawn from the three tiers of government-federal, state and local government, including sector players and states commissioners for environment across the 36 states of the country and the FCT.

A scene of oil spill in the Niger-Delta.

In her welcome address at the pro,gramme, Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadza Mailafia, underscored the importance of adequate and timely information and data in addressing the numerous environmental challenges confronting the nation. She said, “There is growing evidence of unprecedented environmental degradation and pollution with potential negative impacts on our economic and social development, especially for the vulnerable groups. These environmental problems are assuming new alarming dimensions in different sector of our economy. Addressing these problems will require adequate and timely information and data which play critical roles in the science-policy interface needed for the successful implementation

of programmes on environmental governance. The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Taiye Haruna, added that the recent floods that ravaged several parts of the country with their attendant human and economic loss, further reinforced the need for timely provision of adequate data and information to promote effective environmental management. On the imperative of accurate data in addressing environmental issues, she stated, “Information and data are essential in assisting policy-makers in arriving at fact-based decisions on environment and environmental management-related matters. They are necessary for effective envi-

ronmental impact assessment, vulnerability and risk assessment as well as disaster management. They provide the basis for mitigation, adaptation and rehabilitation efforts in response to environmental problems.” In a similar vein, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, in her keynote address argued that NESREA would not be able to enforce compliance of regulations meant to protect the environment against despoliation without accurate data, stressing that, “Compliance monitoring consists of a number activities ranging from surveillance, inspection, investigation and record reviews. “All these activities”, according to her, “generate massive data which if properly managed will assist NESREA and other relevant stakeholders in the maintenance of environmental standards and in ensuring that these standards are strictly complied with.” Johnson who was represented by the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Wole Edun, explained that the focus of the present administration was to mainstream information and communication technologies into all the strata of the Nigerian economy. “The overall objective of the Nigerian Government is to fully integrate information and communication technologies into the socio-economic development of Nigeria in order to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy,” she emphasised.” Dr. Ernest Afiesimama of the International Relations and Protocols Department of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), in his paper entitled, Networking and the role of key Stakeholders, including CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Watch out when buying land from Omo-onile’ DAYO AYEYEMI

and acquisition is a vital key in housing or real estate development. The involvement of any developer in housing programme begins with the acquisition of a landed property that would be sustainable for such development. Such land must have title documents whose ownership could be transferred to the allottees or eventual buyers and such property must be free of all encumbrances before it will be attractive for housing development. However, buying land from landowners popularly referred to as omo-onile in the South West of Nigeria, is not without sharp practices, as home builders may have to contend with many obstacles, if not duped at the end of the transaction. On the other hand, land acquisition from omo-onile is so simple, but you have to take a precautionary measure not to fall victim of fraudsters who might sell government land or other people’s land to unsuspecting buyers. To have a trouble-free transaction when planning to acquire land for housing development, the President/Chairman of Council, Association of Housing Corporations of Nigerian (AHCN), Dr. Ifenna Chukwujekwu, urged such buyers to take some procedural measures. According to him, land seekers must request for the layout plan of the area to determine its status whether it falls under government acquisition or village excision. In addition, he explained that intending house developer should also request

Sir Micheal Otedola Housing Estate at Odoragushin in Epe,

for the survey plan of the land to be purchased to determine its genuineness and its registration with the Surveyor General office, adding that buyer must ascertain whether a red copy of the survey plan duly signed and dated by registered surveyor is submitted. He said, “Request for other documents on the land. If the land has a title document such as Certificate of Occupancy or Registered Conveyance, you will need to conduct a search on the document to ascertain its mortgage status whether it has been used as collateral for mortgage. “You must ensure that you sight the original title document and that the property is free from any legal encumbrances before any payment is made.” If the land does not have a title docu-

ment such as C of O, Registered Conveyance or Deed of Assignment in a situation of global C of O, the AHCN boss urged buyer to engage a professional to conduct a search on the land from government’s ministry to determine the status of the land. “Here, the search will determine the status of the land whether it is under government acquisition or village excision and its purpose for user residential, industrial, agricultural, public use such as recreation etc”, he stated Besides all these, Chuwujekwu canvassed that land buyer must conduct an independent investigation on the original family or owners of the land by ensuring that he is dealing with all representatives of the family involved.

When satisfied with your investigation and search carried out, he enjoined buyer to engage a property lawyer to draft a purchase agreement that must be accepted by the two parties. He said, “After this, arrange to make payment. Ensure you are issued with the original family purchase receipt. It is always advisable to make payment with cheque for documentation purposes. “Ensure that the lawyer executes the stamp duty of the purchase receipt and agreement after payment to officially register the land with government.” After the payment, he appealed that buyer should apply for C of O, adding that if the land falls under government acquisition but has been seeded for village excision, he should start with its ratification.

Former lawmaker bemoans REDAN’s silence How data management can address environmental challenges over demolition N3bn estate CONTINUED FROM 25

Demolished Manuel Estate, Abuja

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

lmost three months after, the dust generated by the demolition of N3billion Minanuel housing estate located along airport road by the agents of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) is yet to abate, as former chairman, House of Representatives, Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Senator Osita Izunaso expressed dismay over the silence of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN). Isunaso, in a statement in Abuja, said that he would have expected that REDAN, the umbrella body for all developers in the country, had come out to publicly denounce the demolition

act. The former house member also noted that the act did not reflect the critical condition of a country with 17million housing deficit. He said,” I have watched with dismay the non-action of REDAN council on this crucial matter of demolition. The sad development in which investment of property developers are swept away by a single unguided action of the executive raises many questions than answers. “I expected REDAN to vehemently oppose the idea of demolishing completed housing estate in a country that is having a housing deficit of 17millions. REDAN is expected to champion a course of due process and rule of law on the part of government agencies.”

the Regulated Community in Data and Information Management for Effective Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, drew the attention of participants to the numerous countries and regional organisation who have developed networks to effectively manage issues of environmental monitoring and protection. Some of the countries he cited included the United States which is implementing the Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network) under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union through the European Commission, which equally in response to Europe’s environmental challenges, created the Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) in February 2008. Drawing examples from these countries, Afiesimama explained that it had become imperative for NESREA to meet current challenges in environmental data and information collection and distribution and create a collaborative solution for compliance monitoring and enforcement. He said, “The growing information needs of environmental protection, rising e-commerce expectations, and the demand for more and faster public access to environmental data and information, dictated improvements in information manage-

ment. An Exchange Network, similar to those earlier mentioned, that are based on Internet resource-approach to exchanging environmental data and information among partners and stakeholders will be the panacea in overcoming the challenges currently experienced in environmental data management in Nigeria.” However, a communiqué released at the end of the two-day event noted that the environment sector is plagued by lack of adequate data; out-model gathering and collation systems, weak integration and harmonisation of data and poor data storage, retrieval and analysis. Far-reaching recommendations which include a call on NESREA and other relevant stakeholders to step up advocacy and create greater awareness on environmental data and information management at all levels, leverage on the opportunities offered by emerging technology for improved data and information management and employ interactive web-based applications that have both spatial and non-spatial contents. The communiqué also urged private sector players to endeavour to key in and support the comprehensive information management system for environmental compliance, monitoring and enforcement as part of their corporate social responsibility for appropriate environmental reporting system and good feed-back mechanism.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Pereira targets gold, as athletics begin 53

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

Sport

Eko 2012: Ogun wins ayo, scrabble ANDREW EKEJIUBA

adia Sokunbi of the Team Ogun yesterday claimed the gold medal in the women’s singles of the Ayo event after defeating her Rivers State counterpart. Ayo is one of the five traditional sports events being showcased by the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria (TSFN) at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’. The other traditional sports are Dambe, Abula, Kokowa and Langa.

Also in scrabble, Ogun State’s Bukunmi Afolayan won gold in the women singles. Speaking to National Mirror over the feat accomplished by the two ladies, Press officer of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Rotimi Oduniyi, said the victories were a reflection of the preparedness of the athletes to make Ogun proud. Oduniyi used the opportunity to call on the organisers of the festival to improve the electricity supply to their Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka Games Village

... Delta wrestles gold SAYO OGUNDEJI

T Golden Eaglet, Bulbwa, scored the second goal against Mali in Bamako on Sunday

sentatives, Sunshine Stars. SuperSport.com also reports that another ABS’ man, Yau Hassan, is on the verge of joining Cup holder, Heartland, pending

official approval from ABS. “I have signed a N2.5 million contract here with Heartland but ABS has not released my clearance,” Hassan said.

eam Delta showed its prowess in the Greco-Roman Wrestling at the ongoing National Sports Festival by winning four gold medals yesterday in the male event while Bayelsa won two and Rivers one. Nanalue Dominic (55kg), Ituru Oke (66kg), Agiomor Ekerekemi (74kg) and Soso Tamara (96 kg) made Delta proud as they won their indi-

… As clubs threaten to boycott congress any clubs are threatening to stay away from Thursday’s NPL congress scheduled to hold in Kano. MTNFootball.com reported yesterday that as many as 15 clubs led by last season’s runners-up, Enugu Rangers, were meeting to opt out of the congress. Other clubs who have vowed not to be in Kano, according to the report are Sharks, Dolphins Lobi Stars, Heartland and Enyimba. Rather than going to Kano, the chairmen of these clubs were said to be planning to hold a separate

Of course, we have more work to do to win the trophy in Morocco. But now, we want to enjoy this moment -Golden Eaglets’ coach, Manu Garba

NPL: Enyimba pays N3.5m for Abalogu ix-time Nigerian champion, Enyimba International FC, has completed the signing of ABS striker, Andrew Abalogu, for the sum of N3.5 million, according to supersport.com report. The petite forward made his debut last season in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), scoring nine goals for the Saraki Boys. His impressive performances also saw him win the Best Rookie of the Year award at the maiden edition of the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) in Lagos in October. Abalogu, however, expressed happiness with his mega move to the People’s Elephant. “I am so glad to be here and I want to win the NPL title with Enyimba. It’s painful to have left a club like ABS who helped my career because without them, I don’t think there’s any club that would have given me a chance considering my age. “There’s no player up to 25 years at ABS and that is their secret and I want other clubs to emulate them. I miss all my (ABS) teammates and their love would continue to be in my heart,” Abalogu said. The 20-year-old will now have to face serious competition for a starting role from last season’s NPL leading scorer, Sibi Gwar and Ukeyima Akombo. Gwar joined Enyimba from relegated club, Niger Tornadoes, while Akombo teamed up from Nigeria’s last season CAF Champions League repre-

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meeting in Abuja tomorrow. The clubs alleged among other things that Kano was not safe and is not a neutral ground as Pillars were favoured to win the league last season. They were also reported not to be comfortable with a December 21 kick-off date for the 2012/2013 season because it is too close to the Christmas holidays. “We are not going to Kano. Instead we are going to Abuja. We demand a neutral venue for the congress because Pillars are playing in the league and favouritism could

come into play.” a furious Rangers general manager, Ozor Paul, said.. He added, “We are also concerned about our safety in Kano. And since we elected the board, we have the right to call the shots.” Reacting, Pillars FC spokesman, Idris Malikawa, said those who are planning to boycott the Kano Congress are anti-football and do not wish for the unity of Nigeria. “We are ready to host the congress on Thursday, but we are also aware that some clubs have threatened to stay away from it,” Malikawa said.

Governor Uduaghan

vidual events in style. Bayelsa’s Dick Enenibodize (60kg) and Samuel Nathaniel (84kg) gave their state the gold medals while Okafor Sunday made Team Rivers proud by picking the gold medal. At the medals presentation, Delta’s Ekerekemi said they were happy to have made their state proud. According to him, Delta State Government has given them good preparation which shows in the number of medals the team has won.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sport

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pool opens, Rivers’ swimmers upbeat IKENWA NNABUOGOR

Action yesterday in the men’s 200m backstroke event at the Teslim Balogun Stadium’s swimming pool

Obisia laments boxing decline IFEANYI EDUZOR

ormer national boxing coach, Obisia Nwankpa, says the quality of boxers participating at the sports festival leaves much to be desired, saying the situation needs urgent arrest. “I think we are not getting it right because I have not seen quality boxers from some of the bouts I have watched,” Nwankpa said yesterday. “It is true that some of the boxers might be physically sound, but they lack the technical qualities which a boxer requires to enable him to excel.” In some of the 4th round bouts of the boxing event, Ugo King of Abia State fighting in the 64kg defeated Awika Joseph of Borno State as Olabode Olajide of Ondo State defeated Ajanaro Owolabi of Zamfara in the same weight category. Adeniyi Korede of Kogi State beat Ashiru Abubaka of Katsina while Sayelu Olusola of Federal Capital Territory Abuja defeated Emma Agode of Delta State. Christian Abu of Lagos State defeated Akan Ifiok of Akwa

Ibom State in the 69kg class with Christian Chukwu of Enugu State outclassing Ayodeji Kazeem of Delta State. In the 75kg, Isaac Sunday of Cross River State defeated Abo-

lade Olawale of Osun State with Akintowe Micheal of Ondo beating Uche Sebastine of Anambra State, just as Apampa Muri of Borno State dismissed Iliya Sati of Plateau State.

Oyo, Delta dominate chess AFOLABI GAMBARI

he chess gold medal looks to be a straight fight between Oyo and Delta teams in the male and female categories respectively after six rounds of play following the brilliant wins they recorded at the Multi Purpose Hall of University of Lagos. The Oyo’s male team, led by Istanbul World Chess Olympiad debutant, Adeyinka Adesina, defeated Lagos 3.5-0.5 point, pushing its cumulative score to 18.5 points while Delta which also recorded same score against Bayelsa placed second with 17.5 points. In other results in the male section, Edo beat Federal Capital Territory 3-1 while Anambra edged Ogun by the same score. Imo and Ondo shared score at 2-2 to remain in the middle of the

park, as Akwa Ibom and Yobe. Abia over-powered youthful Benue team 4-0, just as Kano picked valuable 2.5-1.5 result against Rivers while Plateau secured a 2-2 result with Kwara. Delta maintained dominance in the female section after a 4-0 result against Benue, pushing its cumulative score to 20 points as against closest rival, Oyo who battled to a 2-2 result with Ogun to remain in third position with 15 points. Lagos moved to second position after the brilliant 4-0 result against Cross Riverm with Yemi Osundakin riding easily against Gladness Archibora just as Seun Olabisi beat against Beatrice Akuche and Oyewole Tuminu edged Glory Essien, as Biodun Oke rode Calista Ogboji. Play resumed yesterday as teams paired up at press time in the Nine-round Swiss event.

fter three postponements due to excess chlorine in the pool, the swimming events finally started yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, with the Team Rivers upbeat about their medals’ chances. Rivers’ swimmers told National Mirror that the team expected to win more gold medals in the pool, having enjoyed the full backing of the state government. “We boast of world class facilities and we have no choice than to win all the medals on offer,” one of the swimmers said. Swimming which was slated to begin on November 29 was shifted to December 2 and later to

yesterday because of excess chlorine used in treating water in the pool. The LOC said that high level of chlorine in the water could have adverse effect on the health of the swimmers, especially the skin, eyes and nose. In the first event yesterday, Abeng Oka from Cross River won from lane four after she returned a time of 1.08.86 in the free style. Anuoluwapo Agunbinade from Osun in lane two was second with 1.13:74 and Light Ikuloburu of Ogun in lane five placed third with 1.16:15. Technical Director of the Nigeria Swimming Federation (NSF), Gbenga Lawal, said that swimming events which had been delayed would be fasttracked to end on Saturday.

Rivers cruises to abula final

eam Rivers yesterday reached the final stage in Abula event in the male and female categories respectively at the National Stadium. The male team defeated Bauchi 3-0 while the female team beat Ogun 3-1 to qualify for final. The male team will battle Bayelsa for the final while Rivers

female team will entertain Delta State in the final. Meanwhile, Team Rivers Abula Coach, Hakeem Abdulrasak, has assured people of the state that the team would return home with all the gold medals in Abula. “We did it during Garden City Games last and we can do it again.” the coach said.

Badminton: Team Oyo rues q/final loss SAYO OGUNDEJI

ollowing its 3-1 loss to Team Ogun in the quarter finals of badminton events yesterday, Team Oyo player, John Odelabi, says technical errors cost the side the semi final ticket. Team Oyo, who is one of the favourites to win this event going by their former records, succumbed to the power playing style of the Ogun Team and Odelabi praised Ogun players for their efforts, adding that his side had all to play for in the individual events.

“We got it wrong technically at a time we should be at our best and our opponents capitalized on that which obviously has ended our hopes of getting to the finals. “They played better and in my opinion deserve to go through but we are concentrating our efforts now on the individual events which we believe we have a better chance of winning.” Meanwhile, Team Ogun Coach, Adegbite Adenekan, has praised officials at the venue for their professionalism, describing their conduct as unrivaled.

Athletes, officials get free tours, cinema AFOLABI GAMBARI

he Local Organising Committee (LOC) has resolved to offer free cinema and boat cruising to athletes and officials at the ongoing National Sports Festival which entered Day 8 today. Secretary General, Kweku Tandoh, said the activity was aimed at making participants feel the hospitality of the host state.

According the LOC chief, the UBA Park, Tinubu Hall and Moremi Hall, UNILAG, Yaba College of Technology and Federal College of Education, Akoka will host the athletes and officials to film shows. “Most of the athletes are in the mood for the games, but it is also necessary for them to relax in the evenings,” Tandoh said, stressing, “The film will start at 8pm each day till December 7 at halls in the Games Village.”

He also said that boat cruising that began on Sunday will continue on a daily basis till the end of the festival. “We will be glad if athletes and officials can avail themselves of the opportunity to be part of the experience as it is free for all athletes and officials that have been accredited for the games. “The essence is to make all participants to remember the experience in Lagos, years after the festival,” Tandoh remarked.

Coach of Kaduna Team, Sanni Ahmed (in grey shirt) dishing out instructions to his team during a game

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Real Estate & Environment

FHA, state corporations have failed in housing delivery – NIQS boss TOLA A KINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and states’ housing corporations came under heavy knocks from the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveys for their failure to deliver low-cost housing for millions of Nigerians despite their pretensions in the pursuit of the agenda over the years. Accusing the state-owned institutions as not well-focused in the implementation of their mandate while delivering his speech at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting held at the weekend in Abuja, the Institute’s President, Mr. Agele Alufohai, pointed out the existing land allocation and fiscal policies as well as the wrong strategies of the housing agencies have remained a major challenge to ongoing national drive for housing for all, particularly for poorest Nigerians. The NIQS president, said housing sector has grown to become one of the most sustainable development pillars for driving the United States, United Kingdom and Singaporean economies over the past years, argued for a holistic reforms of the existing policies, involvement of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other relevant finance institutions as a strategic step toward exploring opportunities for low cost housing in the country. Specifically, the development expert canvassed the mobilisation of savings into the National Housing Fund using a combination of fiscal and monetary incentives and improved urban planning and rapid development of infrastructure which will be financed through Urban Planning Fund and Property and Infrastructure Tax as key to achieving the national goal of providing low cost housing for millions of homeless Nigerians. Alufohai said, “The Federal Housing Authority/State Housing Corpo-

L-R: Manager, Business Services, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Muyiwa Agboola, Acting Executive Director, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Alade Adeleke and a staff of the foundation, Adedamola Ogunsesan at the commissioning of Geographical Information System Laboratory last Friday.

rations lacked a well- defined focus of the class of Nigerians they were trying to assist. It was never clear if their mandate was to improve the accommodation of the poorest Nigerians, assist the masses acquire houses or generally increase the stock of houses. “Whatever they thought their mandate was, it had no impact on the poorest Nigerians or on how a majority of Nigerians built or acquired houses. Government programmes didn’t feature in the calculations of the vast majority of citizens as they made plans about securing accommodation. “The Federal Housing Authority/ state housing corporations built “low cost” houses which were not only too expensive for the overwhelming majority of Nigerians considering the levels of income required to purchase them. They also use state power to acquire lands under the Land Use Act to plan and “allocate” land at prices that are grossly under their market value; these lands in the so-called “govern-

ment scheme” estates often ended up being acquired by the rich and powerful, including top bureaucrats”, the NIQS boss added. According to him, this approach derived from the lack of a clearly focused mandate and strategy of the institutions charged with the responsibility of housing delivery has created social inequality even as he noted that had considerations of social equity featured in the minds and discussions of Nigeria’s policy makers, housing policy is likely to have had well-defined goals. He blamed the problem of lack of affordable housing and inability of the various institutions to meet the gap, particularly the FHA and state housing corporations, to the lack of incentives for developers and poor policies of land management which, rather than being revised and made to conform to international best practices in housing sector development, are being consolidated upon with the

Oyo govt, charcoal dealers embark on tree planting campaign OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

n order to complement Federal Government’s tree planting programme, Oyo State Government in conjunction with Charcoal Dealers Association of Nigeria, a collation of producers/processors, sellers and exporters of charcoal in Nigeria, has initiated tree planting campaign in the rustic village of Idi Ayin, Oyo State. This tree planting campaign features elders of the town, local charcoal dealers and traders in and around the locality, exporters from Lagos and other states, local government officials, forestry personnel and clergy of both the Islamic and Christian faiths. Speaking during the epoch-making event, the Chairman of Charcoal Exporters Association of Nigeria, and Chairman/Managing Director of Time-point Investments Limited, Mr.

Dele Fagbola, described the event as a well thought-out programme to put Nigeria at par with other countries of the world, especially the European Union which has zero tolerance for environmental degradation. According to him, “the EU Timber Regulation is an article meant to prohibit illegally harvested timbers from finding their way to the European Union markets. This rule applies to both their local and imported timber products.” Fagbola explained that contrary to widely-held erroneous opinion, charcoals production does not in any way contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation. He blamed the beliefs linking charcoal production to degradation and deforestation on lack information and knowledge on how charcoals are made. Giving vent to this argument he said, “Only about 8percent of timber is used for charcoal production and the mass of charcoal production is essentially from

dead woods and branches of felled timbers. This is one of the awareness which the group is embarking on.” He noted that the efforts of the association are multi-dimensional in that it encompasses all activities geared toward forest sustainability. According to him, the activities included creating of specialised parks or forests where stakeholders in the charcoal business are massively planting trees and charcoal productions are restricted to those areas. According to the trio of Alhaji Wasiu Adetunji Akinyemi, Mr. Tosin Animashaun and Mr. Isah Audu -all leaders and stakeholders in the export sector of charcoal business in the country, the support of Oyo State government is worthy of emulation by other states of the federation. They stated that the association has enjoyed tremendous support of the Oyo State government in form of provision of seedlings as well as land for cultivation, since its inception in 2009

attendant negative implications for the growth of the sector. On the role of markets in housing sector development, Alufohai, who cited the cases in the United States, Singapore and other developed economies to demonstrate how markets can help to create demand for housing, argued that for Nigeria to meet the existing gap of 18 million housing units with an estimated cost of N72 trillion there was need to approach Nigeria’s housing challenges primarily as a N72 trillion economic opportunity rather than a case for charity. He explained further that given where the Nigerian Housing sector is today, policy interventions in housing sector ought to concentrate on building a system of long term mortgage which will become the means through which majority of Nigerians acquire homes and building a system of urban redevelopment closely integrated with the construction of low-cost housing To them, the charcoal business in Oyo State alone had generated not less than 100,000 employments of both indigenes and non indigenes, not to talk of revenue to government in form of taxation. What the government can do to support this trade, in their opinion, is pro-

Ajimobi

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Give your kitchen a face lift A

ccording to experts a www.homelife. com.au, you may not have the time or budget for a whole new kitchen, but a few simple changes can bring your kitchen right up to date. More than any other room in the house, the kitchen can be the first to show signs of age, both in terms of wear and tear, and design. It can also be the most expensive and time-consuming room to renovate. The good news , according to experts, is that if you’re not ready to invest in a whole new kitchen, you can modernise it with a few clever touches – some quick and easy tips, others a little more involved. Window treatments A new window treatment will freshen up your kitchen instantly and doesn’t require much time or expense. A fabric roller-blind in a light, neutral tone will let the natural light in while preserving your privacy. If it’s positioned near a sink or where it may get greasy food stains, opt for a washable fabric in a forgiving colour. Or consider timber or aluminium venetian blinds, which are easy to clean and allow you to control the amount of light coming in. Paint your timber blinds in a tone that complements your walls and cabinets for a uniform look. Paint For a fast and economical update, you can’t look past paint. It can be applied to just about any surface in the kitchen, from cabinets and floors, even to whitegoods, and can instantly transform a dark, tired kitchen. There are new innovations in paint all the time, so it’s worth visiting your paint specialist to see what’s available. Keep in mind kitchen surfaces need to be easy to clean – satin and semi-gloss paints tend to be the easiest to apply and clean.. Cupboard doors Instead of replacing dated cupboards that are still in good condition, give them a facelift by re-

lining the front of doors in a new modern material. Some of the best new laminates come from Laminex . If you prefer the look of an industrial kitchen, why not re-clad your cupboard doors in stainless steel . Alternatively, replace doors while keeping the body of cabinets intact. Benchtops The current trend is for solid wood, stone or composite benchtops, all of which can be very costly. If you’re prepared for the outlay, go for some of the finest natural ma-

A NEW WINDOW TREATMENT WILL FRESHEN UP YOUR KITCHEN INSTANTLY AND DOESN’T REQUIRE MUCH TIME OR EXPENSE

Culled from www.wisegeek.com

terials such as granite, marble, or solid timber, or quality composites. Alternatively, there are a number of cheat’s tricks to achieve the look at a fraction of the cost. Consider re-lining your existing benchtop with timber laminate, and applying matching edging to givethe appearance of solid timber. For an industrial feel, clad it in stainless steel or a brightly coloured laminate. Or to achieve the look of solid quartz, overlay your benchtop with a stone or quartz slab.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Real Estate & Environment

Firm sues FCT ministry over plan to revoke $600m contract NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

lobal Formwork Nigeria Limited, the contracting firm handling the $600 million project for 14,085 housing units at the Malaysian Gardens Estate, Saraji District, Phase III, Abuja has dragged the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, to an Abuja High Court seeking an injunction restraining the ministry from revoking the contract. In an application filed before the court, by the Vice Chairman of Board of Directors of the company, Chief George Ebom, through their appointed arbitrator, J.H.C. Okolo (SAN), the applicant, Global Formwork is praying the court to restrain the ministry, their servants, agents, privies and/or officers whosoever constituted from threatening to and/ or revoking the grant made to the company as per the aforesaid agreements unless in strict compliance with the provisions therein for any good cause which must first be established. In the 19-page application filed before the court, the applicant contended that having gone as far as setting up 1,800 units of houses out of the total of 14,085 units, all in various stages of completion as at 2010, the court should make an order compelling the respondents to forthwith effect the registration of the Addendum Lease dated May 25, 2006 and forthwith deliver an authenticated parchment thereof to the applicant company. The applicant is also seeking a dec-

L-R: Vice President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. Otis Anyaeji; Member of National Council, Mrs M.Oguntala and the Representative of the NSE President, Mr. M.B. Shehu; the Annual Conference/ General Meeting of the NSE, Lagos Branch last week.

laration that pursuant to clause I of the Development Lease Agreement of July 2, 2004 between the plaintiff company and the defendant ministry of the FCDA (with the schedule attached) and the Addendum Lease thereto dated May 25, 2006, the initial 10 years of the Lease granted commenced on October 11, 2006. An order compelling the ministry to take immediate official steps/actions ensuring peaceably possession and use of the demised area of land and by prevent-

ing the said villagers already previously paid the compensation due, from further disruption of the company’s development works on the estate. An order compelling the respondent to forthwith grant and endorse final approvals required in respect of all the relevant aforesaid working plans and drawings since duly submitted to it by the applicant company, necessary for the applicant’s continued development of the Malaysian Gardens Estate, and/

NCF launches N3m GIS unit for nature conservation

Omeife

Lekki Conservation Centre

DAYO AYEYEMI

igerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has achieved another feat. This time around, the foundation has successfully launched a multi-million naira Geographical Information System (GIS) centre to boost its operations in the area of forest management and nature conservation. Speaking during the launch of the

GIS in Lagos at the weekend, NCF’s Acting Executive Director, Mr. Alade Adeleke, said the process started 8 years ago with the support of major sponsors of the foundation, Chevron Nigeria Plc and Birdlife. According to him, the centre started in 2005 and NCF appointed a GIS specialist and sent some of its staff for training, after which it secured support from Chevron almost four years ago and Birdlife International.

Speaking on the benefits of Gis to conservation, Adeleke said it is used in conservation to identify areas of priority by using map and data from field to interprete and analyse them. According to him, GIS is also used to identify land use change detection to see how climate change affect many areas. Besides, he explained that it helps to detect or map out species availability anywhere and where there are problems, adding that it enables field people to take

or compelling the ministry to meet its aforesaid basic obligations under the development lease within and not later than one month. An order compelling the respondents to withdraw and forthwith cancel and order the Quick Fix Quarry group ongoing operations on the estate forming part of the aforesaid grant, now constituting a source of danger to the lives/safety of the prospective house owners/occupants of the estate. data and interpret it for use. One of the NCF’s GIS Specialist, Mr. Adedamola Ogunsesan, said the foundation will use the tool to impact efficiency in data collection and management. He stated that data collected through the GIS can be used to convince policy makers, to negotiate more funds, to conduct, monitor and evaluate projects, and to improve revenue for the forestry sector. Ogunsesan described GIS as a computer based tool for mapping, imaging, analysing and displaying data that have spacial or geographic dimension, adding that its components include data, software, hardware, methodology and personnel. Stating the importance of GIS to conservation, he said it helps in priotising projects because of limited resources, increase efficiency, identify problem and provide focus, adding that it could also help in carbon estimation. He stated that application of GIS to conservation includes pattern/ trend analysing, conservation planning, species distribution while decision making is enhanced. According to him, the focus of the centre will be to help in training / capacity building, assessment of projects, setting up GIS system, and making outreach to others like the state government departments and federal agencies and help schools to interprete data. Director of Study, Academics and Research, Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Survey, Professor Seyi Fabiyi, also educated the audience on the evolution of GIS and its usefulness .

Real Estate & Environment

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Real estate markets in US showing gradual improvement, says NAR

ost of the major commercial real estate sectors in the United States show gradually improving fundamentals, according to the latest property forecast report from the National Association of Realtors. According to report from Property Wire, they are easily absorbing the relatively small amount of new space that is coming online, with a full recovery already in the multifamily market, it says, as market slowly build momentum. Job creation is the key to increasing demand in the commercial real estate sectors, according to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. ‘The economy is expected to grow 2.5percent next year, and with modest job creation, assuming there is no fiscal cliff, the demand for commercial space will gradually rise. The greatest friction that remains is a tight credit environment, notably for smaller properties,’ he explained. Vacancy rates over the next four quarters are forecast to decline 1percent in the office market, 0.6percent in industrial, 0.2 per cent in retail and 0.1 per cent in multifamily. However, NAR points out that multifamily has the tightest availability and is experiencing the strongest rent increases, well above the rate of inflation. ‘The primary factor holding back greater job creation has been uncertainty over regulations and associated costs. With the elections behind us and Washington apparently resolved to prevent a fiscal cliff, it’s hoped that ambiguity over regulatory issues will clear rela-

Commercial property in the US.

tively soon so employers can understand the rules of the game and the layout of the field,’ added Yun. NAR’s latest Commercial Real Estate Outlook offers projections for four major commercial sectors and analyzes quarterly data in the office, industrial, retail and multifamily markets. Vacancy rates in the office sector are projected to fall from an estimated 16.7 per cent in the fourth quarter to 15.7 per

Tax on empty properties crippling the recovery agenda, say surveyors

ver 90 per cent of surveyors in the United Kingdom believe that charges placed on shops and offices are significantly detrimental to the recovery of the nation’s town centres. Over half also believe that charges are even a contributory factor in property owners demolishing their premises, according to a new survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). When commercial premises, such as a shop or an office, become vacant the owner is not required to pay business rates for three months. For industrials and warehouses the rates holiday is six months. However, after this period, these charges, known as Empty Property Rates (EPR), are applicable at the full rate, leaving many with a tax bill which they have no means of funding. RICS said that it is worrying that with industry still suffering, over two thirds, some 68 per cent, of respondents claimed that commercial property floor space is currently vacant for periods of over six months, meaning that the problem of unmanageable taxes is widespread at a time when businesses are most stretched. Business rates collected from ratepayers are initially passed to central government and then redistributed back to local authorities as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. These funds then contribute towards financing

local services. With the situation continuing to impact so significantly on towns across England and Wales, the knock on effect is also being felt in capital values. Some 75percent of respondents believe that the rental value of retail premises will decrease as a direct result of EPR. RICS said that it would like to see to see changes made in the government’s forthcoming Autumn Statement by way of an extended exemption period for commercial property owners. This would mean that should a retail property owner lose their tenant, no charges would be applicable for six, rather than three, months. This would be extended to 12 months for owners of harder to let property, such as offices and industrial units. The charges faced by property owners are quite simply crippling the high street and preventing businesses of all types from achieving financial stability. It is clear that in this difficult economic climate, businesses need all the help they can get, said Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist. “We would like to see the government take the initiative in the forthcoming Autumn Statement and offer property owners a longer exemption period. This would allow commercial landlords some much needed breathing space and contribute towards getting the business sector moving again”, he added. The research report also found that 89

cent in the fourth quarter of 2013. The markets with the lowest office vacancy rates presently are Washington, D.C. with a vacancy rate of 9.6 per cent, New York City at 10.1 per cent and New Orleans at 12.9 per cent. Office rent is expected to increase 2 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2013. Net absorption of office space in the US, which includes the leasing of new space coming on the market as well as space in

existing properties, is likely to total 21.7 million square feet in 2012 and 49.0 million next year. NAR says that industrial vacancy rates should decline from 10.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of this year to 9.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013. The areas with the lowest industrial vacancy rates currently are Orange County, California with a vacancy rate of 4.3 per cent, Los Angeles at 4.4 per cent and Miami at 6.5 per cent.

New Lagos land law condemns backdated receipts for land purchase DAYO AYEYEMI

new law, Land Use Act Title Documentation Regulations, that permits prospective applicants who bought land from the customary owners to obtain governor’s consent instead of private Certificate of Occupancy has been passed into law in Lagos State. The Law, Land Use Act Title Documentation Regulations, 2012 which covered by Section 34 of the Land Use Act was signed by the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. The new regulation, according to the statement signed by the Deputy Director Press/Public Relation, Lagos’ Lands Bureau, Mr. Moshood Adebisi, frowned at applicant procuring a backdated receipt, saying anyone who engages in such act shall be prosecuted. A statement by the Lagos State Lands Bureau explained that, “Applicants seeking to register their interest in respect of land bought from vendors in possession of such land before March 29, 1978, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has signed a new regulations, Land Use Act Title Documentation Regulation for the documentation for the transfer of such land. “Instead of private Certificate of Occupancy, applicants who bought land

from such vendors only need to obtain Governor’s Consent to the transfers/ transaction in line with the said new regulations”. Interested applicants are expected to submit application form obtained from Lands Bureau Registry, Land Information Certificate, Transfer of Interest document accompanied with the purchase receipt showing the actual date of purchase, survey plan, statutory fees among other things. .

Fashola

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Abandoned aircraft: AON, FAAN on collision course over relocation order The issue of abandoned aircraft at the various airports in the country has been an ongoing challenge between the owners of the aircraft and Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), on one part and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on the other hand. While AON wants FAAN to provide a graveyard for the abandoned aircraft, the agency is insisting that such a request will not be granted. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

or the umpteenth time, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), last week issued another one month ultimatum to the owners of abandoned aircraft parked at various airports in the country to remove them or risk confiscation. FAAN said the latest ultimatum was necessary in order to rid the airports of unused aircraft. FAAN also explained that the authority was constrained to embark on the exercise because owners of the abandoned aircraft have deliberately refused to remove them despite all efforts made by FAAN to make them do so, adding that it had held several meetings with them all to no avail. Speaking on the issue, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati said that the presence of abandoned aircraft within the airports negate the spirit of the current aviation master plan of the Federal Government. He said, “This exercise has become necessary because these aircraft constitute a serious safety hazard on the airside, apart from being an eyesore at these airports, as some of these aircraft have been abandoned for upwards of 10 years. “The authority is constrained to embark on this removal exercise because owners of these abandoned aircraft have deliberately refused to remove them despite all efforts made by the authority to make them do so, including meetings with the owners and publication of paid notices in various newspapers in the past five years.” However, it would be recalled that FAAN since January 2009 has consistently issued relocation order to owners of abandoned aircraft within a stipulated period and even threatened to impound the aircraft at the expiration of various ultimatums, but without success. Investigation by National Mirror revealed that there are 65 aircraft abandoned in eight airports in the country. The airports are Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja; Sam Mbakwe Cargo International Airport, Owerri; Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos; Benin Airport, Benin; Kaduna Airport, Kaduna; Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano and Maiduguri Airport, Maiduguri. Some of the airlines with aircraft abandoned at the airports include the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Chrome Air, Fresh Air, Dasab Airline, Albarka, Okada Air, Kabo Air, Triax Airline, Oriental Airlines, Sosoliso, Afrijet, Freedom Air, Capital Air, Chanchangi Airlines, Bellview Airlines and Gas Air among others. The aircraft are unserviceable and their owners who are perceived as untouchables have consistently turned deaf ears to the relocation order by FAAN. Some of the owners are Brigadier General Muhammed Buba Marwa (rtd) and Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom and many others. Although, stakeholders and professionals doubted if the current relocation order by FAAN would be obeyed by the concerned persons, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) is also insisting that the owners of the abandoned airplanes would only remove the planes when FAAN provides a graveyard for them according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations on

Uresi

Mahowu

PEOPLE SHOULD OPEN AND BROADEN THEIR MINDS TO

MODERNITY.

THE DAY AND

AGE OF BURYING THINGS IS OVER.

NOW, PEOPLE ARE

LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITIES OF RECYCLING.

WHAT

ARE THE COMPONENTS OF

AEROPLANE? IT’S PLASTIC, METAL AND ALUMINUM,

WHICH CAN BE RECYCLED AND EMPOWER THE INDUSTRIES aircraft storage and disposal. Graveyard in aviation parlance is a place where old planes are chopped up, sold for spare parts or are kept and rejuvenated until needed again by their owners. Chairman of AON, Dr. Steve Mahonwu, said that aircraft owners will remove the aircraft if FAAN obeys international practices by providing adequate graveyards for the airlines. He said, “ICAO convention provides that the agency provides adequate places for abandoned aircraft, when we have befitting places for the aircraft the airlines will move them.” Another scribe of AON, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, said there is an urgent need for FAAN to meet with the owners of the abandoned aircraft on how to remove them from where they are presently parked. Tukur, insisted that the threat by FAAN may not yield much result because the agency has not provided any place the aircraft would be moved to. Though, he agreed that the standard practices demand that such airplanes should not be allowed to rot away or constitute an eyesore within the vicinity of the airports, but explained that FAAN is ‘misinforming the public’ about the real owners of some of the old aircraft. Dati in an interview with our correspondent insisted that the agency would not provide any graveyard for owners of abandoned aircraft, which littered the airports. He queried the rationale behind the call for the provision of a graveyard for the abandoned aircraft, arguing that in other climes, rather than allow the aeroplanes to rot away, they are recycled into other products. He advised the owners of the aircraft to relocate them outside the airports, stressing that the ultimatum issued to the operators would not be extended by the agency. He said, “In the first place, I’m surprised that they are requesting for a graveyard because in this time and age, we

live in an age of recycling of facilities and there are even people who have shown interest in moving these aircraft out and at the end of the day, they would be recycled. “People should open and broaden their minds to modernity. The day and age of burying things is over. Now, people are looking at the possibilities of recycling. What are the components of aeroplane? It’s plastic, metal and aluminum, which can be recycled and empower the industries. That is why transformation is total. These aircraft where they are parked do not fit into the aviation master plan, which is delivering a world class infrastructure for the sector. “Are we saying unserviceable aircraft in other climes are abandoned at the airports? Those are issues any aviation enthusiasts will begin to wonder and ponder over. If that is what they do in other developed nations, they won’t even have a tarmac as the tarmacs would be littered with abandoned aircraft. What we are saying is that people should be responsible. If my car breaks down and I park it at the motor park, tomorrow, there would be no space.” Besides, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association (NAPA), Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu urged FAAN not to make provisions for the abandoned aircraft within the airports. He accused the airline owners of interchanging the parts of some of the abandoned aircraft with serviceable ones, saying that rather than import new spare parts for the serviceable aircraft, the owners are in the habit of tampering with the parts of the abandoned aircraft. “Why did they park the aircraft there in the first place when they knew the aircraft was not serviceable and could still be flown back to where they leased it? Why were they removing aircraft parts to put into another? They were robbing the parts for another. It is not the responsibility of FAAN to provide a graveyard for them. It is the responsibility of the owner of the aircraft to find a way to sell the aircraft as a scrap.” A member of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engr. Sheri Kyari, described the controversies generated by the abandoned aircraft as sad when one juxtaposes the number of aircraft lying fallow and the huge money invested in them. “The whole of such money is gone and staff retrenched. The government should look at the issue wholesomely so as not to make aviation a drainpipe in the country. What necessitated the abandonment in the first place is majorly caused by government’s policy summersaults. Again, did FAAN provide the owners a place where there is no moisture? “They only insisted that the aircraft should be abandoned in the bushes. The cost of those planes cn never be recovered. I will only appeal to FAAN to give the owners more time because the cost of removing them is enormous. It will also give the owners time to sell some of them to countries with capacity to dismantle them. Although, most of them are as good as gone,” he said.

Aviation

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

NAMA provides Internet services, PBS to airlines, agencies at Lagos Airport STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

n line with the directive of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has commenced provision of internet services to all airlines, stakeholders and agencies operating from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah had recently directed the agency to connect all the airports in the country with internet services, which would make communications between the airlines, pilots and control towers seamless. A meeting to inform the beneficiaries of the services was held recently at the headquarters of the agency at the Lagos Airport. Present at the meeting were representatives of all the international carriers like Egypt Air, Middle East Airlines, Emirates, Air Franc/KLM, Allied Air Cargo and a representative from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). All the beneficiaries according to the agency had been given letters of intent to decide if they would key into the new system, but noted that the sys-

Udoh

tem would be made compulsory for the beneficiaries at the end of the test run period. The Director, Finance, Mrs. Clara Elechi presided over the meeting, which lasted for several hours in the absence of the agency’s Managing Director, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh. Elechi informed those present at the meeting that the internet services was still being test run by the management and that the agency would commence billing on the system in 2013. Elechi told the representatives that apart from the provision of internet hotspot to workers at the airports in the country, the agency would also come out with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) facilities for users of the country’s air-

ports. She explained that the PBS is a communication network, which operates like the intercom telephone services and enables the airlines to communicate directly with the control towers anywhere in the country. Elechi noted that the provision of the facilities by the agency was inline with the laws establishing NAMA, stressing that the test run observed so far indicated that the facilities were working as expected. She said, “This is what we ought to have provided a long time ago according to the statutory setting up the agency. With the effective usage of these facilities, it will be easier for the airlines to link all the airports in the country and make communication more effective. That is the practice in other developed aviation countries of the world and that is what we should be doing in our country.” Elechi assured those present of the reliability of the services, stressing that if the facilities fail, there is a backup facility, which would make it effective immediately. Other agencies to benefit from the system are the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

British Airways to take delivery of Boeing 787, Airbus 380 in Q2 of 2013

ritish Airways has said that its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be delivered to it by May 2013 while the first Airbus 380 will equally be acquired by July the same year. Disclosing this in Lagos last week, was the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Keith Williams in a function organised by the carrier. Williams said that the delivery of the aircraft would further enable it to develop and grow its networks not only in the continent, but in the world as a whole, adding that it would also be able to achieve considerable fuel savings compared to the aircraft they are replacing. Also Williams at the event declared that barely two years into its five-year £5bn programme of investments, the carrier has already reached some significant milestones, which included the expansion of its network. With this, he said the airline has been able to operate into new African routes it was not hitherto

operating into, stressing that it now serves 19 routes in 16 African countries, flies more often to more places in Africa than it has ever done since it first opened routes to the continent some 80 years ago. He explained that the additional acquisition also enabled it to grow its overall route network, giving customers access to 20 more destinations, adding that it now operating the biggest Heathrow schedule in its history. Williams emphasized that new

Williams

aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 ER are coming onto the fleet, embodied with new World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins and a sophisticated in-flight entertainment system which offers nearly double the previous choice. He said that the Nigerian market is important for the airline and that the airline is pleased to offer its new OnBusiness members in Nigeria a welcome gift of 1000 OnBusiness points if they joines before November 30. He said, “Nigeria was the first market outside of the UK where we launched our new advertising campaign: To Fly. To Serve. Through our programme of investments and product and service enhancements we’re making that brand promise a reality. “We are making improvements in every cabin. The rollout of our new first is nearly complete. Bringing together balanced privacy, comfort, space and contemporary British design, it draws on the airline’s heritage, focusing on quality and attention to detail.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Why another airport for Bayelsa?

he recent budget of N13.9billion for the construction of Bayelsa International Airport in the 2013 budget by the Federal Government is giving Airside some concerns. Airside is bothered because the airport will add to the list of unviable airports in the country. As at the moment, there are 22 Federal Government airports apart from others owned by state governments. Out of these 22, only four; Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (NAA), Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) and Aminu Kano International Airport (AKIA) are viable while the rest are drain pipes. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the airport landlord, generates 75 per cent of its revenues from MMA while the other 25 per cent comes from the remaining 21 airports including the unviable ones. It is important to note that

most of these unviable airports were constructed for political reasons. For instance, the Minna international airport was constructed by former President Ibrahim Babangida when he was in power. Also, the Katsina International Airport is not a revenue making airport as it was constructed by Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua to serve him and his family members when he was in power. Others are Akure Airport, which operates without a terminal building and Ibadan Airport that is still unused due to its closeness to Lagos Airport. The construction of Bayelsa International Airport will only add more burdens to FAAN as unneeded staff would be employed and redeployed to serve in an airport without passengers except Mr. President and his family members. When will our government start doing things for economic reasons?

MMA School: FAAN, BASL fight for possession

he Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) School, Lagos has been a big tussle between the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA 2), Lagos and the airport landlord, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). While BASL argued that the school was part of the concession agreement it had with Federal Government in 2003, FAAN management in insisting that the landed property was never a part of the agreement and accused BASL of encroachment. Airside is sad. Airside is sad because of several imbroglios in the sector between the government and its many private investors. These controversies will definite-

ly send wrong signals to the international communities and foreign investors who might want to show interest not just in the sub-sector, but in the country as a whole. It is unfortunate that Nigeria as a whole lacks consistency in its policies and implementations. As it is now, private investors both foreign and local are at the whims and caprices of a sitting government and any policies a sitting government feels uncomfortable with will be terminated no matter whose ox is gored. Again, it is pertinent for both government and investors to always enter into agreements with open arms and not do such on ‘man knows man basis.’ It is when this is done that controversies trailing various agreements would be erased.

Indian Aviation Ministry looks for ways to slash jet fuel prices

he civil aviation ministry in India will try to convince the country’s petroleum ministry this week to declare jet fuel as a “notified good,” which would lead to exemption from high state taxes, providing some relief to battered local carriers. Jet fuel makes up about half of an airline’s costs. Civil aviation minister, Ajit Singh will meet petroleum minister Mr. Veerappa Moily early this week to discuss the matter, the former told reporters on Friday. State taxes of as much as 30 per cent make jet fuel more than 50 per cent expensive in India compared with the global average, and global airlines have of-

ten criticised such high taxation. In Nigeria, it will be recalled that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) recently disclosed that the price of Jet A1 otherwise known as aviation fuel has increased by 62, 000 per cent in the country in the last two decades. These revelations came from the General Secretary of AON, Capt. Mohammed Joji at the one day’s programme organised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). According to Joji, a litre of aviation fuel in the 90s was 31k, but is today N170 and N190 per litre depending on the litres and the airport an airline is buying from.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

FG yet to complete Group Life premium payment The Federal Government, in November, ordered that premium for Group Life Insurance premium be fully paid, but three weeks to the end of December, only about 25 percent has been paid. Operators in the industry are worried and uncertain on when the balance of the premium will be paid. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO reports.

hree weeks ago, the Federal Government directed that all outstanding premiums for the 2012 Group Life Assurance scheme be paid without further delay. Prior to this, the Federal Government appointed some insurance companies to arrange group life insurance policy for its employees about four months to the end of the year. Following the order that premium be paid, only N2 billion out of the N7 billion total premiums has being paid. This is about 25 per cent of the premium to provide insurance cover for civil servants in 2012. This means that government is buying insurance on credit and further translates to the fact that government employees do not have a valid life insurance cover. Section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 on premiums states that the receipt of an insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk, unless the premium paid in advance. Section 50 (2) further states that an insurance premium collected by an insurance broker in respect of an insurance business transacted through the insurance broker shall be deemed to be premium paid to the insurer involved in the transaction. Meanwhile, Section 9(3) of the Pension Act stipulates that every employer, to which the Act applies, must maintain Life Insurance Policy in favor of the employee for a minimum of three times the annual total emolument of the employee. Under the policy, total annual emolument is defined as the basic salary, transport and housing allowances and shall not include bonuses, overtime, directors’ fees or other fluctuating emoluments. Group Life Insurance Policy is a scheme that is arranged to pay a benefit called the sum assured to the next of kin or dependants of an employee who dies in active service. The employer is required to bear all costs in relation to procurement of this policy, and this shall be in addition to the contributions to be made by the employer to each employee’s Retirement Savings Account. Basically, the life insurance policy can only be effected through the purchase of a life policy issued by a Nigerian registered insurance company, licensed and authorised to conduct life insurance business by NAICOM under the Insurance Act 2003. The policy provides cover to the insured against death and the insurance cover is mandatory for all employees as long as they are in employment. This means that the policy provides for the payment of the sum assured in the event of the death of a member of the scheme from any cause, natural

Sali

THE NO PREMIUM,

Daniel

NO COVER POLICY IS CLEAR.

FROM JANUARY 1, IF YOU DO NOT PAY MONEY, YOU WILL NOT GET COVER WHETHER IT IS GOVERNMENT

AGENCIES, CORPORATE ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS and accidental. Similarly, the policy provides for the payment of the sum assured for those in common employment in the event that an insured person disappears and is not seen for a period of 12 months and there is sufficient evidence to assume that the member is dead. However, the person receiving the sum will sign an undertaking to refund it if the missing person is subsequently found to be living. However, in a bid to ensure that this section is no longer violated, NAICOM announced that from January 1, 2013, insurance cover shall be strictly provided on a cash and carry basis. These experts have said will be a test on the government, as it is expected to lead by example. The commission stated, “Only cover for which payment has being received, directly by the underwriter or indirectly through a duly licensed insur-

Osijo

ance broker, shall be recognisable as income in the books of the insurer. “Also, any insurer, who grants cover without having received premium or premium receipt notification from the relevant insurance broker, shall be liable to a fine in the sum of N50, 000 in respect of each cover so granted”. “Cover may be granted on annual or time-on-risk basis. Irrespective of the period of insurance, underwriters should ensure that at any point in time, they have received directly or indirectly, through the Insurance Broker, the premium for the cover being granted. All insurance brokers shall

within 48hours of receiving insurance premium on behalf of any insurer, notify the insurer in writing in each case, of the receipt of such insurance premium. All such notification shall be accompanied by the broker’s credit notes acknowledging indebtedness to the insurer or insurers in the case of co-insurance. “Upon the receipt of such broker’s advice, the insurer shall issue cover and forward the policy documents along with the related debit notes to the insurance broker. An insurance broker who fails to notify the insurer of any premium received on his behalf shall be liable to a fine of not less than N250, 000 in each case of failure to notify”. During a courtesy call on the Head of Service of the Federation, Isa Bello Sali by the Governing Board of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, led by its President, Mrs. Laide Osijo stated the important role of insurance brokers in the successful implementation of the Group Life Assurance scheme. Speaking as the adviser to government on insurance and as a regulator, Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Administration, Mr. George Onekhena said government is not violating any rules yet on the group life and if they do, the commission will intervene. He noted that it is a transaction between a customer and an insurance company. He, however, said all issues of nonpayment of premium as at when due will be further addressed from January immediately the directive on ‘no premium, no cover’ is strictly enforced. “The no premium, no cover policy is clear. From January 1, if you do not pay money, you will not get cover whether it is government agencies, corporate entities or individuals. “There is need for cash to flow through the insurance system and we want to make sure it flows by the time insurance cover is obtained on a cash and carry basis. “We have the requirement but we need to have an infrastructure in place to ensure it is complied with.” A broker who spoke on condition of anonymity affirmed that the total premium to be paid is about 7 billion and they have paid only 25 percent. He said, “Nothing has changed from 2008 when they bought into the Group Life till date which is not normal and encouraging for any government to be paying towards the end of policy period. He noted that the no way the ‘no premium, no cover’ cannot be effective since the government is also owing premiums. He urged insurers to continue to push and train government officials on the importance of paying premium as and when due. Another broker described it as shameful adding that government is not interested in growing insurance in the country.

Insurance

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

NIA to seek audience with Presidency on insurance issues STORIES: OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

he Governing Council of Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), is considering seeking an audience with the Presidency to table issues such as the roles of insurance to the socio-economic growth and development of the nation. Chairman of the association, Mr. Remi Olowude disclosed this the weekend during his investiture in Lagos. According to him, they would also be seeking audience with the president on how the industry and government can collaborate in areas of poverty alleviation; the need to give the industry the opportunity to contribute to the formulation of certain government policies; industry representation in appropriate government committees; among others. He said the mission of NIA as a trade group is focused on protecting and advancing the common interests of insurers in Nigeria by creating and sustaining a positive image for the industry, and contributing to legislation and decisions made by the government and other public authorities in the best interest of the industry in particular and the national economy in general. Olowude who said his inauguration signals the beginning of a new journey in the advancement of the association to the next level stated that winning the support and respect from all stakeholders in the Nigerian economy will be his priority. “In our determination to achieve our mission and objectives as a group, it has become imperative to take deliberate steps towards closer interaction and strategic partnership with all stakeholders, particularly the major arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. He pointed out that as recent events in the Nigerian financial sec-

tor have shown, no insurance company is too big to fail or too small not to matter. “Insurance companies are institutional investors which invest in equities and securities. When these entities fail, insurance companies are faced with the challenges of honouring their obligations to their customers. But unfortunately, there is nothing in place on the part of the government to bail out the insurers in times of trouble. “Similarly, we intend to initiate interactive sessions with the appropriate committees or organs of the two chambers of the National Assembly to discuss issues such as restrictive laws on insurance practice, multiple taxation, insurance awareness and penetration, development of oil and gas industry, etc”. He added that the NIA will equally strengthen relationships with the different organs of the Judiciary by organising annual or bi-annual insurance seminars for judges and the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association. The seminars he said, will focus on developments in insurance law in Nigeria, and ensure that the judiciary, legal profession, the regulators, and practitioners in the insurance industry as

Outgoing Managing Director, Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation, Mohammed Yusuf (left) and Acting MD, Dr Tijjani Garba at the handing over in Abuja recently.

CIIN inducts 134 new associates, 16 fellows

he Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), will induct 134 new Associates into the fold of Insurance professionals while 16 others will be admitted to receive the Institute’s Society of Fellows. The institute however revealed that it has 1,805 active and 815 inactive professional members as at the end of May 2012 comprising of 148 active fellows and 40 inactive Fellows, 1,667 active associates and 775 inactive associates. President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimehin who disclosed this in a statement signed by the institute Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Joseph Obah said 2012 Graduation and Awards Ceremony will hold tomorrow in Lagos. Adetimehin recalled that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Commerce has been engaged in the preparation of a list of active and inactive professionals in Nigeria for the purpose of

well as the media have a mutual understanding of insurance law and practice. The more people understand the law, the less the courts are inundated with avoidable suits. He also said that the association will pay greater attention to its partnership with the Organised Private Sector. “We will increase our participation and representation in the activities and deliberations of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Manufacturing and Agriculture, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja and Port Harcourt, and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association. “The NIA will also support the activities of the Cargo Defence Fund, an offshoot of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC). We shall collaborate with the NSC to introduce protection and indemnity insurance clubs, to monitor developments in maritime law on carriage of goods by sea and related international conventions. It is my conviction that this kind of collaboration will help to develop marine insurance generally by ensuring full protection of maritime risks, backed by authentic and strong reinsurance cover to lighten the burden of marine insurance claims”, he said.

verifying the status of professionals in the country. For this reason he said, the CIIN had categorised its professional members and submitted a list of its active professionals to the commerce ministry for inclusion in its data. He said the institute is committed to the production of fit and proper practitioners to continually drive the Insurance sub-sector of the Nigerian economy. According to him, professionalism is vital to the growth and development of the financial services industry as professionals are the custodians of the ethics and codes of conduct for all professions. He added that he is excited with the institute’s giant strides in the area of producing insurance professionals whose expertise will continue to impact positively on the sector today and in future. Director General of the CIIN, Mr. Adegboyega Adepegba while clarifying the ‘Active’, ‘Inactive” status, stated that the ac-

tive members are those who have fulfilled their financial obligation to the Institute stating that the inactive ones are those who have defaulted in the payment of their annual dues. Amongst those to receive the institute’s fellowship are, Abubakar Sabin Bello of the National Insurance Commission and Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, former President of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), who is now with the Lagos State Pensions Commission. Others are, Mr. Uche Aniago, Chairman of CIIN’s Port Harcourt chapter and Branch Manager of Union Assurance in the oil city; Mr. Kins Ekebuike, Managing Director, UnityKapital Assurance Plc; Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya of Oriwu Insurance Brokers and Mr. Ayodapo Ajayi Shoderu, Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers among others The Graduation Lecture titled, “The Professional and Nation Building,” will be delivered by Mr. Wole Oshin, Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Custodian and Allied, Mansard Insurance get A.M. Best ‘B’

.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Nigeria’s Mansard Insurance Plc, both with stable outlooks. The ratings of Mansard reflect its “strong risk-adjusted capitalisation, good business profile and strong underwriting performance,” said Best. As an offsetting factor Best cited “Mansard’s investment strategy, which has a significant concentration on both land and property under development asset;” however, Best added that it “acknowledges the efforts made by the company to reduce the property exposure.” The ratings also incorporate Best’s view of the company’s “exposure to the very high political and financial system risks associated with its operation in Nigeria. With regard to Mansard’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, Best noted that it is strongly supported by a large capital base, and although it is expected to slightly decrease going forward, it will remain supportive of the company’s ratings. Mansard paid dividends of N900 million ($4.4 million) in 2011 equating to a dividend pay ratio of 96.6 percent, and in Best’s opinion, this could negatively impact the company’s capitalization growth. Moreover, Mansard implemented a prudent reserving approach and has an adequate enterprise risk management underpinned by a triple level governance structure.” Best’s report described Mansard’s overall underwriting operating performance as “good; its return on capital and surplus during 2011 increased as well as its overall operating performance, which was driven by the strong performance of its non-life account, mainly composed of the motor business and oil and gas results. In the same vein, the agency affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb” of Nigeria’s Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, both with stable outlooks. Best said the ratings of Custodian “reflect its good risk-adjusted capitalisation, solid business profile as a commercial risk insurer based in Nigeria and its good operating performance.” As offsetting factors Best cited the company’s “weak enterprise risk management (ERM), the uncertainty associated with its reserving strategy and rapid growth plans. The ratings of Custodian also incorporate a view of its exposure to the very high political and financial system risks associated with its operation in Nigeria.” Best indicated that, “Custodian’s riskadjusted capitalisation is expected to slightly decrease going forward but still remain supportive of its ratings. The shareholders’ funds have grown considerably in the last five years partly through raises, following increases in minimum regulatory requirements. During 2010 and 2011, the growth of the shareholders’ funds has declined, but during 2012, the company received a convertible loan of $12.5 million from the International Financial Corporation (a member of World Bank Group) in order to support Custodian’s business growth plans.” In addition Best noted that “Custodian maintains a solid business profile in the commercial segment of the Nigerian insurance market. During recent years, the company business registered a continued growth; although in 2011 the gross written premiums decreased by 26.7 percent to N10 billion ($62 million).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

ASI drops 0.4% as Dangote Sugar posts N8.2bn in Q3 JOHNSON OKANLAWON AND STANLEY IHEDIGBO

rading in equities closed on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors offloaded their holdings to take profit. Specifically, the All Share Index dropped by 0.43 per cent to close at N26, 380.68 points, in contrast to the increase of 0.34 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 26,494.44 points. Market capitalisation shed N36bn to close at N8.43trn, as against the rise of N29bn recorded on Friday to close at N8.47trn. The Consumer Goods Index led sectorial indices by 1.2 per cent to close at 797.02 points, followed by the Insurance Index

with 0.2 per cent to close at 114.26 points. Lotus Islamic Index gained 0.09 per cent to close at 1,693.80 points, but the NSE 30-Index increased by 0.68 per cent to close at 1,250.01 points. The Banking Index and the Oil and Gas Index lost 1.39 per cent and 1.12 per cent to close at 300.72 points and 153.83 points respectively. AIICO Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with four kobo or 7.41 per cent to close at 58 kobo per share, followed by Eterna Oil Plc with six kbo or 4.55 per cent to close at N1.38 per share. Guinness Nigeria Plc gained N9.81 or 4.26 per cent to close at N240.00 per share, while Air Service Plc appreciated by 10 kobo or 3.85 per cent to close at N2.70 per share. Japaul Oil

Plc gained two kobo or 3.64 per cent to close at 57 kobo per share. On the flip side, Evan Medical Plc lost six kobo or five per cent to close at N1.14 per share, while NNFM Plc shed 92 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N17.51 per share. Forte Oil Plc depreciated by 44 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N8.40 per share, while Stanbic IBTC Plc declined by 58 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N11.19 per share. BOC Gas Plc dipped by 29 kobo or 4.86 per cent to close at N5.68 per share. A total of 252.6 million shares valued at N2.01bn were exchanged in 3,506 deals. Meanwhile, Dangote Sugar Plc has declared a profit after tax of N8.17bn for the third quarter end-

Nigerian Eurobond yields fall for third day

igeria’s Eurobond yields fell yesterday for a fourth day to a record as oil, the country’s key export, gained and foreign-exchange reserves rose. Borrowing costs on $500m dollar debt due January 2021 slid one basis point, or 0.01 percentage point, to 4.232 per cent, the lowest since issuance in January 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Yields on international

bonds of Africa’s biggest oil producer have dropped 206 basis points from a high of 6.29 percent in December 2011. Crude traded close to its highest level in almost two weeks in New York as China’s official manufacturing index rose to a seven-month high. Bonny Light Crude, the country’s main export grade, added 0.41 per cent to $112.92 in New York. The nation’s foreignexchange reserves have

increased 34.9 per cent this year to $44.4bn as at November 28, the Central Bank of Nigeria published on its website yesterday. The Nigerian bonds are being supported by favorable market sentiments, the elevated oil price and the continued accumulation of foreign reserves,” Samir Gadio, an emerging-markets strategist at Standard Bank Group Limited said.

Rise in factory activity lifts world shares

he euro hit a sixweek high and shares rose yesterday, as signs of growth in China and a slower contraction in Europe lifted demand but concern over the United States budget crisis capped gains. The latest readings from both official and private sector surveys of China’s vast manufacturing sector showed activity picked up November, adding to evidence the economy is reviving after seven quarters of slowing growth. Final estimates of the euro zone’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index for November showed factory activity declining at a slower rate, though the region is still on course for its worst quarter since early 2009. “We are in an environ-

ment where the big picture risks are still there; the US fiscal cliff, the euro zone and China - on two of those (China and the euro zone) arguably things have been improving,” Philip Poole, global head of macro investment strategy at HSBC Global Asset Management, said. The MSCI world equity index edged up about 0.25 per cent to 333.5 points after all the PMI data, with Wall Street set to open firmer ahead of the release of the November ISM survey of US factory activity. The Institute of Supply Management index of national factory activity, one of two PMI surveys due, is expected to decline slightly to 51.3 for November, staying above the 50line that separates expansion from contraction.

Data on Monday also showed British factory output shrank much less than expected in November. However, investors are cautious about reading too much from the surveys while there is no solution in Washington on how to avoid a package of tax rises and spending cuts due in early 2013 which could send the giant economy back into recession. “Any comment about markets in December is heavily contingent on the daily progress of the US fiscal cliff debate as well as no further accidents in Europe,” said Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Witan Investment Trust. “Both of these problems look under control, with some form of acceptable outcome/kick-

ed September 30, 2012, an increase of 85.3 per cent when compared to N4.41bn recorded in the same period of 2011. The company’s profit before tax rose by 81.5 per cent in the review period, from N6.49bn recorded in 2011 to N12.01bn. To celebrate the success recorded by the company with its customers, the incentives worth N341m were approved for them, while 173 staff were promoted with a performance bonus totaling N190m. Speaking on behalf of the staff, the chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Staff Consultative Forum, Mr. Emmanuel Sheidu expressed profound appreciation to the board and management of the company for approving the bonus. The naira weakened less than 0.1 per cent at N157.215 a dollar on the interbank market in Lagos. The currency has strengthened 3.2 per cent this year, the second-best performer in Africa, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The yield on 16.39 per cent naira debt due January 2022 fell 11 basis points to 12.19 per cent, according to yesterday’s prices on the website of the Financial Markets Dealers Association. ing of cans down the road (more) likely than a financial crisis.” Earlier gains in Asian markets had been kept in check by sluggish data on retail sales and labor demand in Australia, and weak factory activity levels in the major exporting nations of South Korea and Taiwan. Global investors steadily increased their equity positions in November as they became less concerned about fiscal woes on both sides of the Atlantic, according to the latest Reuters asset allocation poll. An overwhelming 90 per cent of poll respondents expected a deal by year-end on the US fiscal cliff and 80 per cent considered Greece will still be in the euro zone by the end of 2013, the poll of 56 leading fund managers showed.

Source: NSE

NIBOR QUOTES 30 NOVEMBER & 3 DECEMBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

3 0 -No v -1 2

3 -De c -1 2

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

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

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CUSTODYINS

1.29

1.39

0.10

7.75

UAC-PROP

11.40

12.00

0.60

5.26

AIICO

0.58

0.61

0.03

5.17

BERGER

8.40

8.82

0.42

5.00

NCR

13.09

13.74

0.65

4.97

MANSARD

1.76

1.84

0.08

4.55

MAYBAKER

1.62

1.69

0.07

4.32

TRANSCORP

0.96

1.00

0.04

4.17

UNITYBNK

0.53

0.55

0.02

3.77

ETERNA

1.86

1.93

0.07

3.76

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

JAPAULOIL

0.60

0.57

0.03

-5.00

CAP

29.84

28.35

1.49

-4.99

NEIMETH

1.08

1.03

0.05

-4.63

UBA

4.99

4.76

0.23

-4.61

CCNN

5.51

5.30

0.21

-3.81

NEM

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

WEMABANK

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

WAPIC

0.56

0.54

0.02

-3.57

OANDO

12.20

11.80

0.40

-3.28

IKEJAHOTEL

1.03

1.00

0.03

-2.91

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

41-Day

11,262.50

13.95

3-Dec-12

69-Day

31,033.65

14.50

3-Dec-12

70 -Day

27,510.50

14.50

3-Dec-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

48Days

7,302.20

14.39

3-Dec-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

3-Dec-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$150m

N/A

$150m

4-Dec-12

$150m

N/A

$150m

4-Dec-12

Capital Market

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at December 3, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

$12.4bn oil windfall: Freedom for Babangida! CONTINUED FROM 13 viability and many more of clearly misplaced priority. Okigbo report insinuated that the socalled Dedication and Special Accounts became a parallel budget for the Presidency as decisions over the use to which the monies in the accounts were put into were exclusively that of Mr. President. According to the Executive Summary Report of Okigbo panel on the accounts, some of the expenditures done from the accounts outside what they were meant for were captured to include: (1) Documentary Film on Nigeria (2) Purchase of TV/Video for the Presidency (3) Ceremonial Uniform for the Army (4) Staff Welfare at Dodan Barrack/ Aso Rock (5) Travels of the First Lady Abroad (6) President’s Travel Abroad (7) Medical (Clinic at Aso Rock) (8) Gifts (Liberia) (9) Gifts (Ghana) (10) Nigerian Embassy (London) (11) Nigerian Embassy (Riyadh) (12) Nigerian Embassy (Niamey) (13) Nigerian Embassy (Pakistan) (14) Nigerian Embassy (Israel) (15) TV Equipment for ABU (16) Ministry of Defence (17) Security (18) Defence Attaches (19) GHQ

= $2.92million = $18.30million = $3.85million = $23.98million = $0.99 million = $8.95 million = $27.25 million =$1 million = $0.50 million = $18.12 million = $14.99 million = $3.80 million = $3.80 million = $13.07 million = $17.90 million = $323.35 = $59.72 million = $25.49 million = $1.04 million

According to the report, neither the Dedication Account nor the Stabilisation Account was applied for the purpose for which it was originally designed.

Successive governments hide okigbo report But after the Okigbo panel report was submitted to the Presidency, it was not only kept away from the prying eyes of the Nigerian press and the public, up till date, the Federal Government is yet to officially release the report nor issue a white paper on it. It was suspected that the report was kept from the public because it indicted so many highly placed Nigerians. For more than a decade, there has been agitation for the probe of the account and the use to which the monies therein were put into. But successive governments had covered it up, giving the impression that some individuals in the country were above the law. In fact, during the Obasanjo era, it was alleged that the report was missing.

Jonathan promises to act, if... But as soon as President Jonathan Goodluck assumed office, there were renewed pressures on the government to revisit the issue and probe the whereabouts of the windfall. In fact, SERAP wrote a letter to the incumbent Attorney- General of the Federation, Chief Mohammed Adoke (SAN) who said that the government would act on the report if it could be produced. The challenge made SERAP to produce the report and sent it to him to act on it. But immediately a copy of the report got to Adoke, he developed cold feet.

Adoke

Report missing Adoke, in an interview with a national newspaper, reportedly said that “the government cannot verify the authenticity of the copy forwarded to it by SERAP, because the original copy of the report is still missing.” He also said, “the committee I set up met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and made efforts to get the original copy of the report but they did not get it. “Not only could they not get the report, there was no evidence that this matter was formally presented to the government nor was there evidence that it was deliberated upon at the Federal Executive Council and that the government took a position on it.”

SERAP, WADC kick But in a swift reaction, the coalition in a statement dated August 9, 2010, and jointly signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, and the Executive Director, Women Advocates and Documentation Centre, Mrs. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said it was disappointed at Adoke’s comments. “First, we have read Mr. Adoke’s statement, which is based on the report of the panel set up by him to verify the authenticity of the copy of the Okigbo report we forwarded to him in May. “The panel’s report is not more than three pages. Given the amount involved in this case and the negative impact the missing money has had on the economy and the lives of ordinary Nigerians, one would have expected the committee to have taken its mandate more seriously, and to establish the truth,” it said. The coalition said the panel had done “a terribly bad job. A three-page report on the missing $12.4 billion is a joke gone too far. This is a complete let down of Nigerians who continue to live in poverty and suffer the consequences of the disappearance of the $12.4bn accrued revenue to this country. “Rather than calling members of the panel who are alive as witnesses and checking records at the Central Bank of Nigeria to verify the authenticity of the report we submitted, the panel prematurely and unjustifiably came to a conclusion that it was unable to do this because the original could not be located.

Falana

THE APPLICANTS ARE NOT BUSY BODIES... BUT PATRIOTIC CORPORATE BODIES MOVED WITH GOOD MOTIVES TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND CORRUPTION FREE

COUNTRY, BUT THERE IS NO AUTHORITY TO CONFER LOCUS STANDI ON THEM “The Adoke panel asked the government to intensify efforts to search for the report but the panel had the chance to do just this but abdicated its oath and mandate. The panel missed an important opportunity to demonstrate the oft-expressed commitment of the President Jonathan government to fight corruption and address the impunity of perpetrators. “The panel has not accused us of forging the signatures of members of the panel, and Mr. Adoke has not denied the authenticity of the report we submitted. We reiterate that what we submitted to the government is a true copy of the original,” it added.

count relating to the spending of $12.4billion oil windfall realised between 1988 and 1994 and to publish in major national newspapers a copy of the statement of account. They also demanded for an order directing both the Federal Government and the CBN to diligently and effectively bring to justice anyone suspected of corruption and mismanagement of the said sum. They also prayed for a separate order directing the Federal Government to return to the federation account any money which is the subject matter of corruption. They equally asked the court to grant them an order directing the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide adequate reparation which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantee of non repetition to millions of Nigerians that have been denied their human rights as a result of their failure and or negligence to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of $12.4 billion of oil windfall between 1988 and 1994.

FG, CBN attack suit Two separate preliminary objections were raised against the suit by both the AGF and the CBN. They separately pleaded the court to dismiss the suit on the premise that the plaintiffs were bereft of the locus standi to approach the court for such reliefs as sought by them. The CBN insisted that the suit was non justiceable, contending that it was not covered under the fundamental rights provisions of sections 33-46 of the 1999 Constitution under which they came. The AGF and the CBN, unanimously urged the court to reject the Okigbo panel report, saying it was not admissible in law considering that it was not published in a gazette, neither was an official white paper issued on it. The respondents equally maintained that they could not find the Okigbo report, and had no duty to render account on the spending of the accrued revenue. The CBN submitted that only the AGF, as a defender of public interest, had the right to seek information on the spending of the $12.4 billion oil windfall, insisting that the plaintiffs had no such right.

IBB keeps mum Although the reliefs sought by the groups would affect IBB if granted, he neither said a word nor applied to join the suit to frustrate hearing in the case.

SERAP, others go to court

Series of adjournments

After the altercation, the six civil society groups invoked the original jurisdiction of the Abuja High Court seeking four declaratory and four injunctive reliefs including a mandamus order compelling the Federal Government to make public the statement of account relating to the spending of the oil windfall. Although the suit was filed on September 8, 2010, the Federal Government refused to react to the case until after five months. In the suit dated September 8, 2010, the applicants specifically wanted an order of the court compelling both the Attorney General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria to individually or and collectively publish detailed statement of ac-

Apart from the fact that it took both the Federal Government and the CBN five months to respond to the suit, the presiding judge, Justice Kolawole himself did not help matters as he severally adjourned judgement in the case. In fact, Kolawole, who was caught by a constitutional provision on compulsory delivery of judgement not later than three months after hearing out parties, had to direct all parties to appear before him to readopt their briefs. Although the appeal is yet to be filed, time will tell whether the court will come to the aid of SERAP to get Babangida probed over the management of the controversial fund.

Politics

In his first interview as the protem National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie tells OBIORA IFOH that UPP, has come to take over the South-East. The former chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), also explains why UPP has zoned the 2015 presidency to the South-East, plans to retire recycled politicians through democratic means, even as he dared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to toy with the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 elections. Excerpts.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why mergers of political

What is the UPP all about? UPP is the newest party on the block, it is a mass movement; it has the symbol of a tiger head which means that it has come out with the symbol of integrity, courage fearlessness, boldness, robustness and all those things that are figuratively associated with the tiger. This is a political party that is desired to be a mass movement. It is not owned by any cabal. There are no godfathers. It is for the masses. We are going to be different from other political parties because there will be high dose of internal party democracy, that is what will propel us to win elections. It has been proved in the country now that with an improved electoral process the power of the people decides who presides over the affairs of the people. The elections in Edo and Ondo states are good examples of where the people took positions and the decisions were upheld. So, we are going to build on that in promoting the UPP in future endeavours.

One will tend to see your party as supporting regional integration? No, we are talking about national integration; there is no regional integration here. Even in the United States where we copied this presidential system of government, you have the guaranteed states for the Democratic Party generally called the Blue States and you have the guaranteed states for the Republican generally called the Red States, then you have the Swing States where the parties go to struggle and fish to be able to win elections and without these swing states, you will never win the presidential election. It played out recently and I am using the American election as an example because it is the most recent one and it is still fresh in the minds of the people. In this country, it is not different from any other civilized country; there is no political party that shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a base, a springboard from where it takes control. It has never happened anywhere that a party will just be floating without having a strong base, not even the PDP. So, there is no regionalisation but a strategic positioning

Okorie

What then is the vision of the party? I mentioned that the party is a mass movement and it has come to introduce credibility, probity and accountability in the management of political party and that will be reflective in our choice of candidates, as they will emerge through the process which is in our constitution, registered with the commission. So, this is a political party that is going to restore power to the ordinary people of Nigeria. This party will challenge the status quo. This is the party that will be the miracle of 2015 and to bring the party aggressively and forcefully into contention, the National Executive Committee met on Friday, November 30 and resolved to zone the presidential slot of the party for the 2015 presidential election to the South-East. In that way, we are strategically positioned now to protect the place from being the traditional fishing ground of the other political parties. We now look for other states elsewhere; we know those states that are guaranteed for ACN, we know those states that are guaranteed for CPC/ ANPP combination because they say that they are combining. We also know the states that are for the PDP, so we have taken the South-East and we have occupied it. It is from there that we will engage the rest of the country.

TUESDAY INTERVIEW

of a political party for advantage. We are young, we are barely one month old and we are coming with a brand that must be made popular and acceptable to the Nigerian electorate. Do you foresee a situation where the population of the South-East will be divided as the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is equally popular in the zone? There is a total void in that area and that is why we are strategically positioned to fill that void. There is nothing to divide. There cannot be a former founder. I am the father and founder of APGA, but it has been been kidnapped by political kidnappers, it is demised and not even available for the next election because you can

IF THE PDP REFUSES JONATHAN THE TICKET, IT WOULD BE LIKE GIVING BOTH

JONATHAN AND THEMSELVES A RED CARD, IT WILL BE THE END OF THEIR SERIOUS CONTENTION FOR THAT OFFICE

crosscheck with INEC, there is no leadership recognised by INEC until the courts have finished their job. And the courts are not about to finish their jobs in the next couple of months. I can tell you that by the end of January, it will be too late for any party that has not taken a decision on its candidate for Anambra 2014. So, there is nothing to divide. What we have done, we have recovered the place from being the fishing ground for other political parties. We have occupied the place; we are the landlord of that area. From there we will takeoff. When we founded APGA, there was no time to prepare in the first election, but now, we have time to prepare. APGA was registered and faced election and we won a House of Representatives seat in Bayelsa State and we made inroads here and there in Igboland and if APGA crises hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come, nobody would be talking about APGA as a regional party. We would have gone beyond that. But every party has to have a base and in the case of UPP, it has already natural followership in the 36 states of Nigeria. It is a party that can boast easily of 25 per cent of registered voters in every state of Nigeria. In Anambra, we have taken it. Many people have shown interest and we will subject them to proper party primaries which will be so transparent that people will know that there is no godfather dictating the tune from a distance. Now that you have zoned the presidency to the SouthEast in the first official NWC meeting of the party, are you not afraid of been dubbed an ethnic party? It is only a mischievous person who will think so, because PDP has zoned its presidential ticket to Jonathan and anybody who contests that should step forward, let me know how Jonathan would be denied the presidential ticket of the PDP in the 2015 elections. Where has it happened in the world? If the PDP refuses Jonathan the tick-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

parties are not feasible – Okorie ing our principles and our convictions. So, I felt it is better done on a virgin platform and that is what has propelled us. If, for instance, APGA had not been hijacked, we would have no need to look for another platform because APGA started on that high note and it was growing rapidly until those planted to create trouble began to play out the script given to them by their masters. It is not an easy thing for anybody to found two political parties in his life time. We have achieved this feat under circumstances that were not our own making. The principal of the class is Chief Obafemi Awolowo who founded Action Group and UPN in two different dispensations. The next in line was Malam Aminu Kano who founded NEPU and PRP. The one whose situation was more like mine was Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim who founded NPP and he was chased out of NPP, he went and founded GNPP and became known as apostle of politics without bitterness as a result of that singular decision not to quarrel. So, I found myself in a situation where the ideals that we had in mind had been compromised, the platform had been bastardised and we decided that the answer is to find another one. So, only I and the late Waziri founded two political parties within the same dispensation.

et, it would be like giving both Jonathan and themselves a red card, it will be the end of their serious contention for that office. CPC is just an individual and they are not making any pretence about it; they are not shy about it. The ANPP even made an official statement that they are aligning with CPC to promote Buhari’s presidential ambition. Who is the leader of ACN? And this is a new party which has looked at the equation in the country and has taken a decision to position from somewhere for strategic reasons and give the entire people of the zone the opportunity, not an individual. If the parties that have zoned their tickets to individuals are not castigated, is it the party that has zoned its own to an entire zone that should now be castigated? So, we have taken a position and it was robustly deliberated upon by the National Executive Committee and you would be surprised that the mover of the motion is Alhaji Suleman Muri from Adamawa State and the seconder was the chairman of the party from Kogi State, both of them from the North. The talk about merger and alliance is ripe in the political clime; will UPP being very new and fragile attempt any merger against the proximity of the elections? The party is not fragile, the party is only new and being new does not mean being fragile. The players in the party are not new; many of us have been in this game for a long time. First of all, merger is not a possibility under the Nigerian situation. There is no successful merger in this country and none is going to be even in future so long as we are operating under the law guiding merger. There are no parties that will agree to return their certificates to INEC and wait for INEC to issue another one, giving a legal authority for a merger while they wait. I said this because this is just the blast stage of merger anyway because once you submit your certificate and wait for INEC to issue a new one, someone will be sponsored to go to court to challenge the merger process itself; and court will give INEC injunction not to issue the new certificate until the case is determined. So your certificate is with INEC; they are constrained from issuing you a new one; you have lost what you have and you have not got the new one and the election will come and go. It would be a very stupid thing to do. Not to talk of a new party like UPP which just got its certificate and you go again and submit the certificate all in the name of merger. Again, none of these parties represents our vision that would attract us to go and joining. If it is a question of join a political party for personal comfort, there is nothing that would have made me found APGA in the first place, 10 years ago. All my political associates and friends entered the PDP and I was part of the New Era Association that came together with other associations to form the PDP. I was at the International Conference Centre when the late Abubarkar Rimi moved a motion for the party to be named the PDP before applying to INEC. So, as a foundation member there was no way anybody who knows me will say that I would have been a back-bencher in any such set up and my personal comfort would have been guaranteed. So, this thing is not about personal comfort, it is not about answering chairman, it is about making your own contribution to effect a change in the society. And from where I come, you can see the hopelessness there; you can see how the area has become a fishing ground for others. We are made a caricature and our people are even used to rub it in. Can you imagine an elected governor making a statement that the Igbo people would have to wait until President Jonathan decide whether to run or not before they would have to know whether or not to contest the highest office in the land. Nothing can be insulting than that; or an official of the presidency making the same kind of statement. With over 60 political parties in existence and the fear that INEC may deregister small parties, one had expected you to move your supporters to another party instead of forming your own platform? It is not my own platform; it is the peoples’ platform. Even the parties that exist, name the party and I tell you

CAN YOU IMAGINE AN ELECTED GOVERNOR MAKING

A STATEMENT THAT THE IGBO PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL

PRESIDENT JONATHAN

DECIDE WHETHER TO RUN OR NOT BEFORE THEY WOULD HAVE TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT TO CONTEST THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND

A few days ago, the Central Bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi canvassed for the reduction of public service workers, political office holders including the National Assembly as well non creation of more states amongst others as a way to save money for the government. Do you think his postulations should be accepted? The Central Bank governor to me often delves into areas that are outside his purview. I am a little uncomfortable with his regular interventions in the political issues, whereas he has very tight schedule on how to make our monetary policies work. Having made that initial remark, let me say that reducing the work force by some kind of fiat to any percentage is the shortest route to anarchy in this country and it goes contrary to government promise to the people that it is bound to create jobs. I think the Minister of Finance has more acceptable and civilised approach to it; gradual reduction of recurrent overheads to reduce expenditure in favour of capital; and then the President has also come up with this Oronsaye’s committee that looked at moribund and duplicated MDAs for the purpose of reducing the size of government without necessarily sacking the workers but removing all those whose allowances and remuneration are so large; the type of scandalous allowances that are paid to our legislators. I support that idea. What is your view about the ongoing constitutional review process? It is often said that half bread is better than nothing. I would have like to see a national conference that would produce a completely new constitution that would be subjected to a national referendum for it to be a truly people’s constitution. But those that are opposed to that are so critical that without their support, it would never work, that is the executive and the legislative arms of government but now that they are more inclined to amending the constitution even if by piecemeal, until we get a constitution that is near to what the people want. UPP support the process, I personally support the process; we are new, we already have our memo on some of the key issues that would be submitted to the committee of the National Assembly handling these constitutional review. I therefore call on Nigerians to show active interest and participation in this process. They are following the process defined by the constitution in amending that document and so far so good.

who the owners, the cabals, the godfathers are. I can tell you, I didn’t see any platform that I and my associates can propagate our ideal and vision without compromis-

So, what should Nigerians expect from UPP? This their party; they should just join the mass movement that is going to challenge the status quo and retire so many Nigerian politicians who have been recycled so many times to the detriment of this country. UPP will retire them through democratic means.

Politics

The House of Representatives may have given Nigerians a new topic for debate, with its latest motion expressing fear that the National Assembly Complex may be the next target of the terror merchants in the country, if the President does not rise fast to checkmate the menace. TORDUE SALEM writes on the development.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Fear of Boko Haram grips National Assembly THE

PARLIAMENT

THE STATE OF INSECURITY IN THE COUNTRY HAS REACHED AN EMBARRASSING LEVEL...

WHAT HAPPENED IN JAJI AND SARS HEADQUARTERS IS EMBARRASSING... I SEE THESE PEOPLE

he tendency to be paranoid can be extremely high with privilege and power; this manifested in the House of Representatives last week. In what was a clear case of a negative situation going over heels, a member of the Green Chamber, Raphael Igbokwe (PDP-Imo), led his colleagues to warn about a possible terrorist strike on the National Assembly Complex if nothing was done to stem the spate of insecurity in the country. The motion was originally meant to recount a lethal robbery in Edo State that claimed several lives, but suddenly turned into a legislative paranoia session. The sponsor of the motion, Abubakar Momoh (ACN-Edo) recalled a robbery last Tuesday in Auchi, Edo State that claimed the lives of three soldiers, some policemen and civilians. He said that the unfortunate incident was a sign that the country was not secured and needed an immediate rescue. But Igbokwe in his contribution to the motion took a wider look at the issue, before he narrowed it down to the National Assembly. The lawmaker recalled that an unchallenged attack by gunmen on the headquarters of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja recently was a sign that government needed to do more on securing the country. He recounted that the SARS invasion came less than 24 hours after a church at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna was bombed by gunmen, with 17 people killed and several others injured. He said: “The state of insecurity in the country has reached an embarrassing level. What happened in Jaji and SARS headquarters is embarrassing to the leadership and people of this nation.” He argued that if the gunmen could lay siege on the premises of security agents, they could also invade the National Assembly, warning that “I see these people coming to the National Assembly very soon.” Minority Whip of the House, Samson Osagie (ACN-Edo) advised the government to adopt a “realistic strategy” of tackling murderous bandits. “We can’t afford to fold our hands and watch these people kill and maim people the way they are doing,” he warned. . Jerry Alagbaoso (PDP-Imo) called on security agents to re-jig their intelligence gathering strategy and throw security anachronisms overboard. He also called for an immediate purchase of highly-sophisticated arms for security agencies. “Government must improve the sophistication of arms that our security agents use, that is the only way they can overcome the current challenge. Our security

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COMING TO THE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VERY SOON Tambuwal

Dasuki

must improve on intelligence gathering, Alagbaoso said.” The House of Representatives has not been bereft of ideas on how to tackle the terror monster. At an occasion in South Africa, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, advised that to curb the insecurity problems in the country, all sectors and regions must network. The Speaker gave the advice at the 43rd conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region. “Nigeria and other countries faced with the scourge of terrorism can defeat the menace if they network and share knowledge and experiences of their successes and challenges, Good governance and active citizen participation in how they are led will also play significant part in reducing acts of terror on the continent,” Tambuwal said. According to him, “convening of town hall meetings and active participation of the citizens in legislative processes through public hearings have gone a long

way in helping the parliament achieve its set goals on tackling the menace.” Tambuwal enjoined the CPA and national parliaments to “provide enough funds in their budgets to the security sector, and at the same time follow up to ensure that the funds budgeted are properly utilised for the purpose they were meant for.” As one of the ways to address the scourge, he tasked the parliamentary association to do more in education, child and maternal mortality and in providing opportunities for children to participate in politics. It will also be recalled that the House in an unprecedented move, had in July summoned President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before a joint closed-session and address it on his efforts to tackle insecurity in the country. The invitation of the President came through a motion. Nigerians savoured the possibility that for the first time a President would appear before any chamber of the legislature on any matter other than on budget, since 1963, when Nigeria became a Republic. The motion to summon the President was raised by Yakubu Barde (PDP/Kaduna). The original motion which was amended, had urged security agencies in the country to beef up efforts on incessant bombings in Yobe and Kaduna states. Barde, who had raised the motion under a Matter of Urgent National Importance, said the incessant bloodletting by terror groups in these states needed to be stemmed if a religious war were to be avoided. He recalled that the attacks in the states that left scores dead and the equally bloody reprisals from Christian groups, was an indication of a dangerous pointer to gruesome future. In amending the motion, the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN/Lagos) led the House in summoning the President to appear before it. Gbajabiamila who proposed an “amendment to my earlier amendment to the prayers of the motion,” said that if he

did not amend the prayers to suspend the relevant sections of the Constitution and their Rules stating that the President can only appear before a joint session, it might require the concurrence of the Senate for the prayer to go. Though the motion, did not specify when the President should appear, but it was expected that once the House resolution was formally served on him on his return from the Climate Change conference he attended in Brazil, he should honour it. The motion which stirred palpable emotions in members of the House, was well received. In his contribution, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi (PDP/Enugu) noted that “what we have to accept is that Nigeria is under siege of bombers and other treasonable felons.” He recalled that the collapse of twin towers in the United States changed that country’s perception about terror, urging the Federal Government to do same. Ozomgbachi called on the House to “show Nigerians that we care.” He reminded his colleagues that “our primary responsibility is to protect lives and property.” On his part, Ini Udoka (PDP/Akwa Ibom) regretted that the phenomenon of terror was taking roots in the country. “It is unfortunate that terrorism has come to stay in Nigeria,” Udoka bemoaned. According to him, “terrorism is not a conventional warfare against the state and it does not require conventional ways to battle.” The professor of Economic History, who regretted that we have gone out of ideas on how to tackle terror, recalled that “when this matter came up at first in the House, people said it should not be discussed because they thought that they will not be affected. I am happy everybody wants it discussed now.” According to Udoka, the people who are perpetrating these crimes are known in their communities, but we have been overtaken by fear and when it gets to that point, we are doomed as a people.” On his part, Bamidele Opeyemi (ACNEkiti) advised that a National Conference, which the Federal Government has been avoiding, will provide the solution to the insecurity in the land. Alagboso on his part, reasoned that all talk and no action would only continue to embolden agents of terror against the state. Emmanuel Jime (PDP/Benue), however, regretted that “our security has abdicated their responsibility to the ordinary person on the street.” The House in concluding also summoned the then National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi, and other security chiefs to appear along with the President. But this never happened. Could the recent alarm be another case of timidity? Or is it another show of ‘patriotism’ in the arena that Nigerians have been sadly used to? Does the House and the entire National Assembly really care about tackling the insecurity menace?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Community Mirror Company empowers farmers, youths in Ogun

“Nigerians are fond of amassing wealth and corruptly enriching themselves because they have no properly delineated education.” FORMER NBA PRESIDENT, WOLE OLANIPEKUN

Lagos may exempt tricycles in restriction order MURITALA AYINLA

Pupils studying on bare floor at a primary school in Bauchi

PHOTO: NAN

here are fresh indications that the Lagos State Government is planning to exempt commercial tricycles otherwise known as ‘Keke Napep’ or ‘Keke Marwa’ in the new traffic law enforcement. A section of the law had placed total restriction of operation of both commercial motorcycles and tricycles respectively on 475 roads and bridges in the state. But following the enforcement and destruction of more than 5,000 motorcycles, operators of tricycles are now having a field day, as they are neither harassed nor arrested by enforcement officers. A source at the state secretariat, Alausa, who pleaded anonymity told Community Mirror that

20,000 smokers die every hour across the world –IQS FRANCIS SUBERU

he international coordinator, I Quit Smoking (IQS), Bart Laming, has revealed that an estimated 20,000 smokers die from complications arising from smoking every 60 minutes worldwide. Bart Laming made this known during the formal launch of IQS-Nigeria held at Tamarin Hotel, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos. Speaking at the event, Lam-

ing, an Ireland-based Scot, confessed that he began to smoke at the age of 11 and only stopped in 2011. According to him, smoking has a dual addiction – physical and psychological and contributes to most of the cardiovascular diseases that kill people across the globe every day. He said: “Though some persons feel relaxed when they smoke, the oxygen in the body is, however, threatened by the deadly gases contained in the

cigarettes. Laming told participants at the event, comprising doctors, nurses, workers from the health ministries, journalists and others, that the way out is for smokers to quit in time, and undergo tested and effective treatment options handled by IQS across the world. “These treatments involve using the endorphins system, which is expected to reduce the urge to smoke within three days without suffering any withdrawal syndrome. Within a month, the body

system of a smoker will adjust after under-going the treatment, since the receptors in the brain will become inactive,” Laming said. The Nigeria coordinator for IQS, Jide Akande, said that doctors all over the world know the dangers and deadly effects of narcotics in the human body; saying the organization is trying to partner with health officials at the local, state and federal levels to clean-up Nigeria of smokers.

Okorocha embarks on schools renovation in three LGs CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has directed the immediate renovation of all public schools in the three adjudged less advantaged local government areas in the state. The local governments are Onuimo, Ngor-Okpala and Ohaji-Egbema. Okorocha, who said this after a meeting with leaders from

the areas, decried the level of backwardness of the LGs, especially in areas of education, infrastructural development and empowerment. He said: “Today, we have declared emergency on infrastructural development and empowerment in Ngor-Okpala, Ohaji-Egbema and Onuimo. All schools in these LGs will be renovated immediately alongside the new modern schools being built in each INEC ward to ensure proper learning environment.”

The governor also assured that teachers would be posted in the areas to ensure adequate staffing and proper management of the schools. Gov. Okorocha added that priority would be given the LGs in employment and admission into the state owned tertiary institutions, to ensure their representation in the state civil service as well as in the education sector. He, however, explained that the measure was geared towards encouraging the less advantaged

LGs to catch up with others in development and education, adding that the arrangement will not in any way deny others from getting what belongs to them. The governor, who assured that no student of Imo origin will be left out in the free education programme, however directed those whose names were either omitted or not captured to immediately report to office of the commissioner for education with their traditional rulers for ratification.

government may lift restriction of tricycles on the major roads, saying criticisms that greeted the restriction on commercial motorcyclists are forcing the suspension on the operators for now. “Government can’t just enforce the restriction now, in fact, it may review the aspect of the law because people are already lamenting on the consequences of the ban of motorcyclists on major roads,’’ the source said. A banker, Mr Kevin Onojafor, while commending the state government, appealed to the government to provide more buses to cushion the effect of the restriction on commuters. He also flayed the government for the ‘selective enforcement of the law’. According to him, the government action looks like the Traffic Law is all about operation of Okada in the metropolis. “If truly the law is meant to bring sanity, safety and security, how it is the ‘Agbero’ are still collecting money from motorists on the highway? Is there any sanity in that? “What about ‘the Agbero’ that are still collecting money from motorists? What of those still selling alcohol in the motor parks? Why are tricycle operators yet to be included in the ban on highways?” He queried. Also speaking with Community Mirror, a commuter, Mrs Adeboye Ogunaike, who condemned the manner the touts violently extort commercial drivers on the highway, expressed concern over their continued existence, months after the enforcement of traffic law. She said:” The only good aspect of the law is that, restricting touting on the highways. But it is unfortunate that government is not looking in that direction. If Okada is not a good legacy for the oncoming generation, is touting a good legacy? Why is the governor not emphasising on that also?” “Does he want to leave the legacy of Agbero after he had made so much efforts to reform Lagos State and reduced needless deaths and crimes by banning okada operation?”

Community Mirror

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Company empowers farmers, youths in Ogun FRANCIS SUBERU

s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CRS, the Lafarge Cement/WAPCO Nigeria Plc has empowered 122 farmers and 107 youths with tangible working tools to aid food security and generate self employment, among others. Apart from donation of tricycles, bicycles and various working tools, the cement company also launched a dual empowerment programme for people in Ewekoro and Sagamu areas of Ogun State, where the factories are located. The programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic status of the people include, block making tagged Supaset Block Makers Empowerment Package and technical apprenticeship, tagged Lafarge Ap-

prenticeship Scheme. Supaset Block Makers Empowerment package is targeted at youths, small scale block makers and school leavers with technical skills to venture into block making vocation, while the Lafarge Apprenticeship Scheme seeks to impart technical skills in community youths to support them in their chosen endeavours. While launching the programmes at Ewekoro, the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Lafarge/WAPCO Plc, Mr. Joe Hudson, said the block making programme will help willing and committed block makers to start or expand their businesses and move from unemployment or small scale artisans to medium size entrepreneurs. He also said the apprenticeship programme would help beneficia-

ries draw their inner potentials for a positive self-determination and success, saying diploma certificates will be awarded to participants upon successful completion of training. According to him; “the initiatives are aimed at making positive social impacts within our host communities and the Nigerian society at large. Lafarge considers the community as a key stakeholder in all its businesses worldwide and that is why we placed local stakeholder’s relations at the core of our business.” In addition to the launch of the two initiatives, the company also gave bursary awards to 120 undergraduates; even as 101,600 exercise books were distributed to primary and secondary schools students in Ewekoro and Sagamu. Praising Lafarge/WAPCO for the gesture, Ogun State Commis-

sioner for Community Development and Corporate Services; Chief Samuel Durojaiye Ayedogbon, noted that most organizations are less concerned on the development of areas where they operate. He said: “We are happy with WAPCO for what they have done. I commend them for their foresight and I hope the kind gesture will be a yearly event, as it is capable of improving the socio-economy of the community and the state in general. It is expected that all organizations must participate in the socioeconomic development of their immediate environment. CSR is a way of contributing to national development. The residents should also support the company and contribute their quotato development of their areas.” In his remark, the Ogun State

Commissioner for Commerce, Otunba Abimbola Ashiru, said every company has both internal and external stakeholders who are very important to organizational success; urging the youths to cooperate with the company and ensure that peace and tranquility reign in the area. The chairman of Ewekoro Local Government, Hon. Oludele Soluade, who was represented by his vice, Biodun Adeleye, noted that “an idle hand is the devil’s workshop”; saying youth empowerment and community development are keys to socio-economic stability. He advised that the block making programme and the apprenticeship scheme be appraised every year using the first beneficiaries; even as he urged the beneficiaries not let the company and people of the community down.

Katsina distributes tricycles, crutches to disabled persons JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

he Katsina State Government through its Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief Agency, RERA, has distributed tricycles, crutches and other materials to more than 100 disabled persons in the state. Speaking at the event, the agency’s Executive Director, Sulieman Rawayau said the assistance was aimed at improving living conditions of disabled persons. Rawayau, reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing them with similar assistance in the future and to implement policies and programmes that would make disabled persons feel impact of government’s presence. He however called on beneficiaries to ensure proper use of materials given them, and to avoid selling or using same for purposes not consistent with what was intended for. In his remarks, Chairman of disabled persons in the state, Garba Mahuta called on government to create a ministry for disabled persons that would pursue programmes that are in their interest. Mahuta, represented by Abdulkadir Nagogo, said creating such ministry would do away with undue discrimination against disabled persons as well as give them sense of belonging in the state. Community Mirror reports that items distributed to the disabled persons include 40 crutches, 40 tricycles, 40 walking sticks, mats, food items, books for the blind, and several other related items.

A man sleeping under a pedestrian bridge at Palmgrove bus stop in Lagos.

AISEC holds 2012 management lecture

he AIESEC ALUMNI NIGERIA will host the 28th Omolayole Management Lecture on Thursday 6th December 2012 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The theme for this year’s lecture is “The Future of Enterprise in the Age of Collaboration”. Distinguished speakers are Alhaji Ahmed Lawan Kuru, Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director, Enterprise Bank Limited and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The occasion will be chaired by Chief (Dr.) Michael OlawaleCole, FNIM MFR, President and Chairman of Council Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) The evolution of enterprise/

business practices has become even more relevant as the country focuses more on supporting enterprises and ideas from young people with new programmes like YouWIN! (Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria) at the Federal level as well as several similar initiatives at the state and local government levels As one of its four pillars, AIESEC Alumni Nigeria (AAN) contributes to National development by such lectures which enlighten, sensitize and educate the public on the topical issues that have an impact on the economy. This audience is expected to comprise captains of industries, government ministries and departments involved in commerce, trade and invest-

ment, as well as trade and professional organisations. AIESEC Alumni Nigeria (AAN) is a nonprofit organization of graduates who were members of the world’s largest youth-run organization that allows university students to explore and develop their leadership potential. Present in over 1,700 Universities across 110 countries and territories and over 50,000 members, AIESEC aims to promote social understanding, management skills development, entrepreneurship and transformative youth leadership. Focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development, AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to be global citizens, to change the world, and to get experience and skills that matter today.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Company donates items to Bayelsa community

he Ebenanaowei of Kabeowei Clan, His Royal Highness, Hope Toru, has lauded the management of Vitafoam Nigeria Limited for coming to the aid of the flood ravaged community Chief Toru who made the remark when management of the company presented 100 mattresses and pillows following the devastating flood, noted that Trofani was one of the most-affected communities in the state. “The disaster is natural, we appreciate your support, your gesture will ever remain green in our minds”, noted the paramount ruler. Chief Collins Cocoadia, representative of the governor in Sagbama LGA, who received the items lamented that over 80 percent of the inhabitants had fled following the flood and lauded Vitafoam for the gesture. Presenting the item, Mr. Chinedu Owukwe, Vitafoam factory Manager, who expressed dismay at the level of the disaster, said the company provided the items to assist victims in the area.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

World News

Settlements row: Four EU countries summon Israeli envoys

“The country must be transformed without delay ...I would emphasise security for Mexicans and their families” - New Mexican President, Enrique Pena Nieto

Congo’s rebels return to Goma, as possible fight looms PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

s hundreds of Congolese army troops returned to the city of Goma yesterday, rebels staked out positions just 3 kilometres (1.6 miles) away and a possible fight loomed for this city of 1 million. The government soldiers arrived at the town’s main barracks in trucks, as a crowd gathered to cheer and some elated women rushed forward to kiss the soldiers. Their return is a concrete sign that President Joseph Kabila’s government may regain control of this key, provincial capital, after it fell to rebels widely believed to be backed by Rwanda two weeks ago. The strategic city may still be the site of another fight, however, as the M23 rebels remain in tactical positions in the hills above Goma. They say they are waiting for the government to respond to their demands before deciding whether or not to try to retake the city. After a nearly two-week occupation, the M23 rebels agreed to leave Goma over the weekend under intense international pressure, including fresh sanctions from the United Nations Security Council. Their commanders said they would retreat to 20 kilometres (12 miles) outside the

he 21 century has seen the rise of new forms of slavery, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned in a message to mark the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, in which he also urged member states to increase their efforts in the fight against the dehumanizing scourge. In his statement marking the day, celebrated each year on 2 December, Ban noted that despite the approval of the Slavery Convention 85 years ago in which signatories vowed to prevent and suppress the slave trade, the practice had acquired new manifestations as it adapted to an ever-changing world. “The movement against slavery brought together the international community to declare

WORLD BULLETIN

Egypt judges to oversee referendum despite boycott Egypt’s top judicial body has said it will oversee a referendum on a new constitution, state media reports. The move comes a day after another body of judges, the Judges’ Club, urged its members not to preside over the vote, scheduled for 15 December. The council has not yet commented on the report in the Mena news agency. The draft constitution and a recent decree by President Mohammed Mursi extending his powers have prompted widespread protests. The Judges’ Club, a powerful but unofficial body which represents judges across the country, has urged its members to boycott the vote, with the aim of undermining the credibility of the ballot.

Trial of Chad’s dictator begins soon Congolese police officers gathering at a stadium to be briefed by commanders, in Goma, yesterday

city on the condition that Congo’s government begins negotiations with them no later than 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon. They are threatening to retake the city if the government fails to meet their demands. As the deadline expired, journalists saw a column of rebel fighters walking to elevated positions overlooking the city, no more than a few kilometres outside the Goma city limit. Others were building a tent on a west-

ern hill. Some in groups of three took positions under the shade of trees along the road leading north from Goma. “We gave Kinshasa a 48hour deadline, and we are now waiting for these 48 hours to expire,” said rebel spokesman Col. Vianney Kazarama, when reached by telephone shortly before the deadline passed. “You should call Congo and ask them what they plan to do. They have not yet contacted

Photo: AP

us. And we are waiting to see what happens, before pronouncing ourselves.” Despite the rebels’ retreat from Goma, which was a prerequisite set by the Congolese government for negotiations, Congo’s president has not yet made clear if the government will negotiate. On Sunday, government spokesman Lambert Mende said the president would listen to M23’s grievances and then give them an answer.

UN warns of new forms of slavery that slavery practices constitute an affront to our common humanity and that no human being should be another’s property,” stated Ban. “Today, governments, civil society and the private sector must unite to eradicate all contemporary forms of slavery,” he added in his message. The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of the adoption by the General Assembly of the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others on 2 December 1949. The Day’s focus is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery,

Ki-moon

such as debt bondage, serfdom and forced labour; trafficking of persons and trafficking for the purpose of organ removal; sexual exploitation, the worst

forms of child labour, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict, but also forced marriage, the sale of wives, widow inheritance. According to the UN International Labour Organization (ILO), some 21 million women, men and children are currently trapped in slavery all over the world. Pointing to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, the SecretaryGeneral acknowledged that the UN already boasted “important tools” to advance the goal of slavery’s eradication but that maintaining adequate financing was difficult.

Victims of Chad’s ex-dictator may finally have their day in court, as a tribunal set-up to try the former leader is due to become operational in Senegal soon, human rights experts said yesterday. The special court created in Senegal in order to try Hissene Habre, who was exiled here, may start its proceedings later this month, said Reed Brody, a lawyer for New York-based Human Rights Watch. Senegal’s National Assembly is expected to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the case, said Alioune Tine, head of a West African human rights association. Habre was the president of Chad from 1982 until 1990, when he was deposed in a coup. He is accused of mass atrocities and in 1992, the Chadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission provided evidence indicating he had carried out some 40,000 political murders. He fled to Senegal, and for more than 21 years, the country has dragged its feet on bringing him to justice.

Niger’s president vows to help Mali Niger’s president says his country is ready to help Mali regain its northern region which is occupied by Islamist rebels. Niger President, Mahamadou Issoufou spoke after meeting with Mali president, Dioncounda Traore on Sunday. The leaders strongly urged all rebel movements in Mali to abandon the armed struggle, to break with the North Africa branch of al-Qaida and to recognize Mali’s territorial integrity.

World News

Briefs Japan orders inspection of tunnels after nine die in collapse Japanese officials ordered the immediate inspection of tunnels across the country yesterday after nine people were killed when concrete ceiling slabs fell from the roof of a highway tunnel onto moving vehicles below. Those killed in Sunday’s accident were travelling in three vehicles in the 4.7-kilometer (3mile) long Sasago Tunnel about 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Tokyo. The tunnel, on a highway that links the capital to central Japan, opened in 1977 and is one of many in the mountainous country. The transport ministry ordered that inspections be carried out immediately on 49 other tunnels around the country that are either on highways or roads managed by the central government and of similar construction. Police and the highway operator Central Japan Expressway Co. were investigating why the concrete slabs in the Sasago Tunnel collapsed. An inspection of the tunnel’s roof in September found nothing amiss, according to Satoshi Noguchi, a company official.

UK’s Prince William, Kate expecting baby The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby, St James’s Palace has announced. Members of the Royal Family and the duchess’s family, the Middletons, are said to be delighted. A spokesman said the duchess has been admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in central London with acute morning sickness and is expected to stay for several days. The royal baby will be born third in line to the throne, after Prince Charles and Prince William. He or she will one day be head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and subsequently head of state of 16 countries. Catherine and William were married at Westminster Abbey in April 2011. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience morning sickness, particularly during the first few months of pregnancy. But some women (around one in every 200) experience severe nausea and vomiting, which continues throughout pregnancy. This condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum or HG and needs specialist treatment and often requires a stay in hospital.

US envoy censures China’s stand in UN climate talks The top U.S. envoy to U.N. climate talks is challenging China’s demand for favourable treatment in carbon emissions, rejecting the current division between rich and poor countries for a future treaty. In his first remarks at the climate talks in Doha, Qatar, Todd Stern said yesterday the planned agreement, set to be adopted in 2015, must be based on “real-world” considerations, not “an ideology that says we’re going to draw a line down the middle of the world.”

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Settlements row: Four EU countries summon Israeli envoys F

our European nations summoned their Israeli ambassadors yesterday to denounce Israel’s latest settlement construction push, deepening the rift between the Jewish state and European allies that has cracked open over the Palestinians’ successful U.N. statehood bid, the Associated Press has reported. Although Europe considers all Israeli settlement construction illegal, the summoning of ambassadors in France, Britain, Sweden and Spain to accuse Israel of undermining already troubled peace efforts was an unusually strong expression of displeasure. It came at a time when Israel was already smarting over Europe’s failure to back the Jewish state in its campaign against the statehood move. The Europeans were furious over Israel’s announcement Friday that it would move ahead on plans to build 3,000 settler homes to punish the Palestinians for winning U.N. recognition of a state of Palestine in territories Israel captured in 1967. Israel also said it would be-

A view of the Jewish West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, with E1, background, near Jerusalem, on Sunday Photo: AP

gin planning work on an especially sensitive piece of land outside Jerusalem that it has refrained from developing because of U.S. pressure. A meeting with developers and other interested parties was to take place Wednesday, though officials have stressed that it could be years before actual construction begins. After a flurry of angry phone calls from European capitals to Israel over the weekend, France

summoned the Israeli envoy to Paris late Monday morning. France, the first major European country to announce support for the Palestinian statehood effort, also sent a letter to the Israeli government, calling the settlement decision “a considerable obstacle to the twostate solution.” Britain, which abstained in the U.N. vote, urged Israel to reverse the decision as it summoned Israeli Ambassador

Daniel Taub to the Foreign Office. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told parliament that “together with other E.U. countries we will discuss other potential steps,” but he would not elaborate. British officials said London was looking to Washington to take the lead, and that British diplomats were meeting with American counterparts yesterday. None of the four European governments openly threatened any concrete measures to punish Israel. “Our ambassadors were called in and the countries protested about the announcement about the intention to do further construction in settlements,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Paul Hirschson said. Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported earlier Monday that Britain and France were considering recalling their ambassadors to Israel in a symbolic but potent expression of dissent. Hirschson said no such intention had been communicated to Israel, and French and British officials denied the report.

Clinton pushes US bid for Czech nuclear project

.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lobbied the Czech government yesterday to approve an American bid for a $10 billion expansion of a nuclear power plant amid fierce competition from a rival Russian offer. Clinton made her pitch for the American energy giant Westinghouse Electric Co. in meetings with Prime Minister Petr Necas and other senior Czech officials in Prague. Speaking to reporters, she stressed the need for the Czech Republic to wean itself off of a dependency on Russia for fuel. “We are encouraging the Czech Republic to diversify its energy sources and suppliers,” Clinton said. “Given how long-term and strategic this investment is, the Czech people deserve the best value, the most tested and trustworthy technology, an outstanding safety record, responsible and accountable management.” The Czechs get 60 percent of their oil, 70 percent of their natural gas and all of their nuclear reactor fuel from Russia. That leaves the NATO member highly susceptible to economic and political pressure from Moscow, which dominated the Central European country from the end of World War II to the fall of the Iron Curtain. Revitalizing the Temelin nuclear power plant is a big part of the Czech agenda to radically boost its nuclear power production, defying global skepticism about the use of atomic energy in the aftermath of last year’s meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima plant. And the Obama administration is hoping to get some of the windfall by securing Westing-

Clinton receiving a photo of herself with former president Bill Clinton and former Czech president Vaclav Havel as she is met at the Foreign Ministry by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg (R) in Prague, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

house’s bid. The project could generate 9,000 American jobs, U.S. officials said. For the United States, the battle for the Temelin contract is an example of an increasingly prominent element of foreign policy: Going to bat for American compa-

nies. If this was once a less-promoted if widely understood element of private diplomatic relations, what Clinton calls “economic statecraft” has now become an endeavour U.S. officials proudly promote as part of their jobs-building effort for the United States. “We are not shy about pressing the case for Westinghouse,” Clinton said. “We believe that company offers the best option for the project in terms of technology and safety. It would clearly enhance Czech energy security and further the nuclear cooperation between our countries, and it would create jobs and economic opportunity for Czechs and Americans.” To make the case, Clinton and other officials are cautioning the Czechs about the dangers of again putting their energy future in the hands of Russia. They need only point to 2008, when Russia sharply reduced oil supplies to the Czech Republic immediately after a U.S.-Czech agreement on a missile defense installation. The Russians blamed the decline on technical problems.

Three children die; mother to be questioned

olice say they’re waiting until a hospitalized woman recovers enough to question her about the deaths of her three children in Drummondville, Quebec, in Canada. Quebec provincial police, Sgt. Christine Coulombe said the woman is an important witness in their investigation into deaths of the children, whose bodies were found Sun-

day in their home, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Police said they recovered the bodies of a 4-year-old boy and his two sisters, ages 5 and 2. The name of the mother, 33, was not released. Coulombe said the woman was taken to a hospital Sunday for reasons police hadn’t determined.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

2013 budget: EFCC’s allocation can’t pay salaries –Lamorde CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

able to meet its personnel costs next year, with the amount allocated to it in the 2013 budget. The EFCC had proposed a budget of N21.03bn to fund its operations next year but the Budget Office approved N9.32bn, N11.7bn less than the commission’s request to meet capital, personnel and overhead expenditure items. Lamorde told the House committee that slashing the commission’s proposal would make the anti-corruption agency unable to pay its staff. A breakdown of the proposed budget shows capital expenditure amounting to N11.4bn; personnel cost, N6.5bn and overhead cost, N3.1bn. The EFCC chairman said the agency’s proposal of N21.02bn as against the N9.3bn approved by the Budget Office left a shortfall of N11.7bn, which could frustrate the operations of the commission. He noted that “for 2013, the EFCC requested for N6.51bn for personnel cost and only N5.8bn was appropriated by the Budget Office, leaving a short fall of N710m. “Due to this shortfall, the commission would not be able to meet its personnel cost fully in 2013.” Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Hon. Adams Jagaba, in his reaction, lamented the poor funding of the EFCC . “It is even more saddening when funds have been appropriated for the agency in the budget of the federation by the National Assembly and the funds are not released. “We are not happy because if truly we want EFCC to work, EFCC must be funded properly. “We cannot expect the EFCC to work with nothing. For instance, during the 2012 budget consideration,

we discovered that nothing was proposed under Legal Services; the Committee then appropriated N200m for legal services, but the executive said no to that. “We are calling on those saddled with the release of budgeted funds to release the balance of your money under the 2012 budget.” Meanwhile, members of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) yesterday engaged in a running battle with the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SUREP, Dr. Christopher Kolade, over claims that the N27bn set aside by the committee for youths empowerment and job creation would serve the purpose. Kolade insisted that the committee had designed enough programmes with the money to assist in job creation and youth empowerment. The chairman of the committee, Senator Magnus Abe, said the nation had walked that path before and there was evidence that the programme would fail. Abe said: “I don’t think this your explanation will go anywhere. You collected N27bn and you say you are going to create 50,000 jobs. I think you need to have a document that actually explains how the lives of those 50,000 will be transformed and how you are going to attain from point A to B. It is not something that you can do.” On his part, Kolade maintained that “No we have the documents, it is 5,000 people that we are paying N10,000 per month.” Abe insisted: “We have done that before in this country like the issue of poverty alleviation, using N10bn. If we want to help unemployment in Nigeria, we must design a programme that actually put something into the lives of the people that is sustainable and lasting. “To now share N10,000

to people, there is no guarantee as to which people will get it. I don’t think and see how that can help.” These arguments took place yesterday during the 2013 budget defence by the SURE-P committee at the National Assembly. It was also revealed at the occasion that out of the 1,200 mass transit buses earmarked in the 2012 budget by the SURE-P committee, only 800 had been purchased so far. The committee explained that it was not able to access the N15bn it budgeted for the programme, which was supposed to be domiciled with the Infrastructure Bank. The committee was, however, unable to explain how it intended to recover the money from the beneficiaries. Also the committee had issues with the Senate on the breakdown of the N2bn budgeted for the running of the committee’s secretariat. This was also as the committee could not explain satisfactorily to the senators how it spent N75m on local tours only for the four months of its existence. In another development, journalists who gathered at the Senate Hearing Room 107 to cover the 2013 budget appropriation defence of the Ministry of Aviation were yesterday asked to leave by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma, to allow the event to take place in secret. All entreaties by some newsmen to educate Uzodinma on the dangers such precedence would create in the minds of Nigerians failed to dissuade the lawmaker from rescinding his walk-out order. Usually, occasions of budget defense provide opportunity for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to showcase their performance before the parliament in the full glare of the

media. Yesterday’s Ministry of Aviation budget defence, scheduled for 12p.m. did not commence until 30 minutes after. Once the event commenced, Uzodinma delivered his welcome address where he explained the purpose of the gathering to be the “usual annual budget ritual,” “I welcome you all to this occasion of our usual annual budget ritual for the year 2013,” the chairman said. Continuing Uzodinma said, “Basically, what we came here to do today is to collectively review the performance of the 2012 budget and agree on how to make the next year’s 2013 budget perform better.” Aviation Minister, Mrs. Stella Oduah, who spoke immediately after Uzodinma started with the review of the performance of the 2012 budget of her ministry. However, mid-way INTO her presentations the minister paused, coughed several times, while focusing her gaze on Uzodinma for some seconds. When it was apparent that Uzodinma was not interpreting her signs promptly, the minister then asked, “Mr. Chairman, can I come and confer with

you?” Once Uzodinma gave his approval, the minister immediately stood up, slowly she walked over to the chairman. The duo was locked in a tete-a-tete whispering for some minutes. Uzodinma thereafter turned to the newsmen and asked them to please excuse the committee. “Gentlemen can you please excuse us, just members of the committee, the minister and heads of parastals under the ministry that should stay behind for a closed door meeting,” Uzodinma directed. Following this appeal, the newsmen grudgingly left the venue. This was as some few reporters went to quietly register their protest before the chairman, who insisted that all the newsmen must excuse them. As the last of the reporters left the hearing room, the door was locked and one of the security men was directed to man the door and not to allow anybody to enter the place. Whatever that transpired at the meeting was only left at the imagination of the reporters as there was no effort later to brief the press on the outcome of

L-R: Acting US Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. James Mcanulty; Minister of Trade and Investment Mr. Olusegun Aganga and Minister of State, Chief Sam Ortom, during the 7th Nigeria-US trade and investment framework PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA agreement council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Subsidy Scam: FG recovers N29bn from suspects

he Federal Government says it has recovered N29 billion out of the N232 billion oil subsidy scam. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala dropped the hint in Abuja on Monday. Okonjo-Iweala spoke during a roundtable at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Conference. She said that the amount was

recovered from some marketers who allegedly defrauded the Federal Government in the oil subsidy payment scheme. The minister maintained that the recovery exercise was part of government determination to fight corrupt practices in the oil and gas sector. She said: “Now of the N232 billion that has been put forward as fraudulent claims, some of those marketers said

the parley. Earlier in her presentation and review of the performance of the 2012 budget for her ministry, Oduah disclosed that the sum of N34bn was approved as capital budget for the year, out of which N19bn had been released so far. She said regarding recurrent expenditure her ministry and parastatals under her recorded an average 87 per cent performance. The minister said her ministry has awarded a contract for the construction of the Bayelsa Airport. She also disclosed that the consultancy study report for the Abeokuta airstrip was almost ready and that before yearend, her ministry would be in receipt of the full report. In addition, Oduah said that the reconstruction of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport has been completed by her ministry working in partnership with a Chinese construction firm. Furthermore, the minister revealed that the reconstruction of the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu and the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri are both at advanced stages of completion.

government owed them money. We are right now able to hold N29 billion of that. “So instead of paying them, we are recovering what they owe us. So, my single hope is that out of this, we have recovered virtually that amount of about N29 billion and we are looking to recover the balance of the total. “Some of these people are being chased and prosecuted and

the EFCC and ICPC are still investigating this.” The minister said that about 50 marketers were being investigated over the subsidy scam. She attributed the slow pace of payment of the subsidy claims to marketers to the ongoing verification and thorough scrutiny of such claims by relevant agencies. Okonjo-Iweala reiterated that only genuine claims of oil mar-

keters would be entertained. “We have never stopped paying because all these issues about queues and so on, of course sometimes the marketers have said unless you pay us, we are not going to bring in oil. “But we have not yielded to any of that kind of stress or even blackmail, we have continued to do our work and we will continue to pay those who are clean,” she said.

Cocktail

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (55) If wishes were horses, even beggars will ride. –Anonymous *** No Something For Nothing There is no something without something. Something must give before something can come. The law of sowing and reaping is eternal. Many people become victims of fraudulent people because they want something of great value for nothing. Life is difficult. But once we accept this fact and have the intention to go at life with all it takes, things may even start looking easy in our eyes. Whatever tangible or intangible elements that we want to see in our lives, we must accept the fact that prices must be paid for them. This mentality will help us to face our responsibilities with candour and delight to bring forth positive results ultimately. TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Moustache transplants on the rise in Middle East

en in the Middle East are reportedly seeking out moustache transplants in order to give their facial hair a thicker and fuller appearance. “For some men who look young and junior, they think (a moustache) is a must to look senior ... more professional and wise,” Turkish plastic surgeon Selahattin Tulunay told CNN. “They think it is

prestigious.” Tulunay says he now performs 50 to 60 moustache implants per month on patients who largely hail from the Middle East and travel to his country as “medical tourists.” Several other surgeons told CNN they have seen an increasing number of patients seeking the procedure, with most patients ranging in age from 30 to 50.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

‘Vampire on the loose in Serbia’

et your garlic, crosses and stakes ready: a bloodsucking vampire is on the loose. Or so say villagers in the tiny western Serbian hamlet of Zarozje, nestled between lush green mountain slopes and spooky thick forests. They say rumours that a legendary vampire ghost has awakened are spreading fear — and a potential tourist opportunity — through the remote village. A local council warned villagers to put garlic in their pockets and place wooden crosses in their rooms to ward off vampires, although it appeared designed more to attract visitors to the impoverished region bordering Bosnia. Many of the villagers are aware that Sava Savanovic, Serbia’s most famous vampire, is a fairy tale. Still, they say, better to take it seriously than risk succumbing to the vampire’s fangs. “The story of Sava Savanovic is a legend, but strange things did occur

in these parts back in the old days,” said 55-year-old housewife Milka Prokic, holding a string of garlic in one hand and a large wooden stake in another, as an appropriately moody mist rose above the surrounding hills. “We have inherited this legend from our ancestors, and we keep it alive for the younger generations.” Vampire legends have played a prominent part in the Balkans for centuries — most prominently Dracula from Romania’s Transylvania region. In the 18th century, the legends sometimes triggered mass

hysteria and even public executions of those accused of being vampires. Sava Savanovic, described by the Zarozje villagers as Serbia’s first vampire, reputedly drank the blood of those who came to the small shack in the dense oak tree forest to mill their grain on the clear mountain Rogatica river. The wooden mill collapsed a few months ago — allegedly angering the vampire, who is now looking for a new place to hang his cape. Some locals claim they can hear steps cracking dry forest leaves and strange

sounds coming from the rocky mountain peaks where the vampire was purportedly killed with a sharp stake that pierced his heart — but managed to survive in spirit as a butterfly. “One should always remain calm, it’s important not to frighten him, you shouldn’t make fun of him,” said villager Mico Matic, 56, whose house is not far from the collapsed mill. “He is just one of the neighbours, you do your best to be on friendly terms with him,” he said with a wry smile, displaying garlic from both of his trouser pockets.

Milka Prokic is seen at twilight with a garland of garlic and a wooden stake, in the village of Zarozje, near the Serbian town of Bajina Basta. PHOTO: AP

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Kaduna LG poll: CPC supporters protest alleged rigging Yakowa tasks chairmen on people-friendly policies

A ZA MSUE KADUNA

undreds of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) supporters from four local government areas of Kaduna State yesterday stormed the palace of the Emir of Zazzau in Zaria to register their grievances over last Saturday’s election, which they alleged was rigged. The protest, which started from Kofar-Doka within Zaria city, ended at the emir’s palace at about 11:am. The CPC supporters said they decided to embark on the peaceful protest to the emir because the local government poll was manipulated. The Director of Buhari

Campaign Organisation in Zone One during the 2011 presidential election, Alhaji Abubakar Maiwada, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, told the emir that they were in his palace to lodged their complaints on the injustice the PDP did by announcing uncompleted local government election. They appealed to the emir to intervene in the matter for justice to prevail. Addressing the CPC protesters, the emir commended them for being peaceful. He also asked them to follow due process in pursing their grievances. Meanwhile, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State has asked the newly elected local government chairmen to initiate people-oriented policies.

Reminding the chairmen that they were elected to serve the people at a time the state was facing security challenges, Yakowa called on them to quickly implement the vision they had for their respective councils. The governor spoke yesterday during the swearing in of 23 local council chairmen at the Government House in Kawo, Kaduna. He warned the chairmen against abandoning their local councils for cities, saying the practice would not be condoned again. Yakowa said: “I expect you all to stay with your people at your respective local governments. You asked them for their votes and they gave you, and so I don’t expect you not to stay with them and listen to

them. Because you are the closest tier of government to the people, you have a big burden on you not to disappoint them. Their eyes will be on you and my own eyes will also be on you. “The just concluded elections wasn’t so much about who won or who lost, it is more on what development you are ready to impact on your councils.” Yakowa commended the people of the state for their peaceful conduct during the election. Chairman of Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM), Mrs. Hanatu Usman Biniyat, on Sunday night, announced the results of Saturday’s local government election. The Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) won in 22 local councils, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) won only in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Meanwhile, a group of accredited Domestic Election Observers yesterday called on Kaduna State Chief Judge to set up a local government petitions tribunal to enable aggrieved political parties seek redress over the state council poll. Addressing journalists in Kaduna, leaders of election observers group, Mr. Danjuma Sarki and Mr. Romanus Azubuike, said the tribunal should dispose council election petitions timely, urging political parties and their candidates to follow due process of law. They said: “We plead and counsel those that may be aggrieved by the outcome of the election to approach

the election petitions tribunal to present their cases. “We, therefore, urge the Chief Judge of Kaduna State to, as a matter of urgency, set up local government election petitions tribunal and the local government appeal tribunal. This will enable aggrieved parties have access to election materials and inspect same if they wish.” Expressing their satisfaction with the outcome of the local government election, the observers commended voters for their peaceful conduct before, during and after the poll. The said: “We are also of the firm view that despite the logistic challenges recorded in few local government areas, the outcome of the election represents the voting preference of the people of Kaduna State.”

NSE to check quackery, registers 30,000 engineers

Lagos supports investors’ expansion plans

WOLE ADEDEJI

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State says his administration will support investors wishing to expand their businesses and create jobs for residents. Fashola spoke yesterday while receiving Mr Harpreet Singh, the Managing Director of Stallion Group, at the Government House in Ikeja. He noted that significant business growth automatically corresponded to prosperity for the state, adding that the necessary infrastructure would be provided to further stimulate expansion of investment. The governor, however, urged organisations in the state to support the government in creating the right environment for investments to thrive by promptly remitting their employees` taxes. He commended Stallion Group for its investments in the state, noting that these had contributed significantly to the economy. ``I have just learnt that your conglomerate employs about 10,000. That is quite commendable. We will support your expansion plans and those of other investors in the state.

ILORIN

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has registered a total number of 30,000 engineers as a coordinating module against quackery and shoddy execution of projects across the country. NSE President, Mr. Mustapha Balarabe Shehu, stated this at a press conference to kick off the 45th annual general meeting of the Society at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. He said as a way of ensuring proper execution of engineering projects in the country, NSE had put in place a monitoring outfit to visit construction sites with a view to ensure adherence to the ethics of the engineering. Shehu said: “NSE is the umbrella body founded 54 years ago for the engineering profession, which had become the avenue for professional development for members and a vehicle for technological development of Nigeria. “NSE also promotes engineering education, research and practice in its entire ramifications so as to enhance capabilities of members and equip them to fulfill the needs of the profession.”

L-R: Director General of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri; Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and his wife, Yemisi, at the 6th Edition of Benue Food Festival in Makurdi, at the weekend.

Governors only interested in stealing public funds, says Waku HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

controversial politician, Senator Joseph Waku, has decried the poor state of development across the country, saying governors are only interested in stealing public funds instead of implementing people-oriented policies. “The vogue in place is not how much development a leadership could offer to the people, but how much money one is able to amass within the reign of his tenureship,” Waku said in a chat with National Mirror yesterday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Stressing that corrup-

tion had eaten deep into the fabric of Nigerian society, he said: “The present crop of governors in Nigeria are not disposed to offering quality service with a view to improve the well being of their people, they are rather concerned with how much they could enrich themselves at the expense of the masses.” Waku said the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan “is corrupt from the head to the toes,” adding that senior public officials compete among themselves to see who could amass wealth most. He believes that for the country to develop, Nigerians should shun their insatiable quest for quick wealth, saying otherwise

development would continue to elude the nation. Waku said: “Most of the present leaders do not bother whether other Nigerians are being fed from the trash because they were coming with motives of acquiring wealth and not to offer service which has also contributed for the lapses in almost every sector of human endeavour in the country.” According to him, the 7th National Assembly has derailed in every ramification because the glamour, which usually associated with the beauty of making legislation for the people, has disappeared, “as most lawmakers are now being accused of demanding monetary

inducements from those they are supposed to checkmate.” Waku, however, said that in spite his criticism of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s policies, he had some respect for him due to his ruggedness. He said if Obasanjo were still at the helm of affairs, he would have devoured the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Waku

For The Record

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The challenge of change: State governance, democratisation and development in Nigeria Being the text of an address delivered by the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom on November 27, 2012

he elders of my small but scenic hometown, Isan-Ekiti, had come to see me to express certain displeasure with me shortly after I was sworn-in as the Governor of Ekiti State in late 2010. At this point, while the Government House in the state capital was being renovated, I was driving to the Governor’s office from my hometown daily. The elders told me that they found it disappointing and sorely disconcerting that the people in the town were hardly aware of when I drove out of, and back into town every day. Why was this a problem, I was forced to ask them? Well, they understood my credentials as a scholar, they were also aware that I had been an activist for many years. But now I was the Governor of the Ekiti State, and this would be the first and, perhaps, the only time in a long while, that the Governor would come from their hometown. Why then was I denying them the opportunity of enjoying the pomp and circumstance of power by driving in and out of town without using the siren – if only to remind the people of the adjoining towns that their own son is the governor of the state? Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, there are countless of such stories that I can tell to illustrate both the challenges and the opportunities for change in the ethos and practices of power and governance in Nigeria. But let me first express my gratitude to the Chatham House and Alex Vines, Head of Africa Programme at Chatham House, for this invitation to speak here today. The original topic I was given was “For Better, For Worse: State Governance, Change and Unity in Nigeria.” I have decided to speak on the same issue, but to alter the title slightly by speaking to “The Challenge of Change: State Governance, Democratisation and Development in Nigeria.” I am particularly pleased to honour the invitation of the Africa Programme which has been working hard over the last decade to develop foreign policy-oriented research on issues affecting African countries, both internally and externally. I know that I am preceded by distinguished speakers and leaders from all over the African continent, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world. I am glad that this forum provides the opportunity for questions and a discussion after the main speech. I look forward to this interaction and would therefore only lay out key issues, including the fundaments, the ethos and the practices which I believe are significant in examining the challenges facing state, governance, democratisation and development in Nigeria. Change is central in all these, because social transformation is an indispensable factor in any society - even in the most developed ones. Because society is a permanent workin-progress, continuity and change must be

Fayemi

WHY THEN WAS I DENYING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY OF ENJOYING THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE OF POWER BY DRIVING IN AND OUT OF TOWN WITHOUT USING THE SIREN in a constant struggle so as to find the best direction and methods of social progress. However, no lasting social change starts outside the minds of human beings. This is why Albert Einstein stated that “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” If a political culture encourages people to think that a state governor is not “governor enough” if he does not announce his going and coming with blaring sirens, even when there is no obstructing traffic, then we have to realise that the challenges of change is multi-dimensional and I intend to touch on some of these in this lecture.

The Fundaments of the African State The last two decades of democratisation in Africa has witnessed significant social, economic and political changes on the African continent. As one who spent several years in the civil society, working with social forces in Africa and development agencies across the world to encourage change in the continent, indeed, I can confirm that Africa

is changing for the better. Of course I am not unaware that a lot has been written by Western scholars on the African predicament which oscillates between hope and despair and described in various dark grammars – failed states, collapsed states, incapable states, proforma democracies to mention but a few of such epithets. Some African scholars have equally responded to many of the dark prognoses on the African State by describing them as “collapse thesis.” Some Western scholars have even gone further, adept at what they consider to be the most sinister manifestations of the State in Africa since it fits a convenient and popular narrative, to announce that, despite all its “illogicality,” “Africa [actually] Works” – because as they conclude, “Disorder [acts] as Political Instrument” in the continent. While my intention here is not to indulge in philosophical and/or theoretical postulations about the continent, it is fitting to turn to a Marxian dictum in reacting to the (prevailing) restrictive and (popular) constraining attitude both in the academy and the international development community toward the African State. “The philosophers have only interpreted the world,” says Marx in The German Ideology, “the point, however, is to change it.” We can say the same about Africa: The philosophers have only interpreted Africa, the point, however, is to change it. We have not only been presented with the fundaments of the African State, millions of us have also lived this reality in the last half a century since independence. The challenge, therefore, is to change these conditions for the better, and through this help interested parties in recognizing key el-

ements and useful signs towards deepening democracy and achieving better governance. First, I think we all need a typology of Africa’s democratization that further interrogates the broad categories away from the Manichean divide – of success and failure, pessimism and optimism, sub-optimal performance and unprecedented progress – which is possible and indeed, necessary because of its practical implications for policy choices by African citizens, their governments and development partners. In this vein, one could clearly talk about five strands and even within them, experiences remain mixed and non-linear. One, there are states in the process of consolidating democracy and achieving better governance due to more legitimate and accountable governance, reformist economic management, rights based agenda, and a more active and demanding citizenry among other critical success factors – Botswana, Benin, Ghana will qualify here. Second are states in various stages of transitions – Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania. Third, are states in conflict or emerging out of conflict – DRC, Cote D’Ivoire, Mali, Liberia, Sierra Leone? Fourth are states in relapse or re-militarization – Comoros, Guinea Bissau, Madagascar and Mauritania and fifth, in my view, are out rightly authoritarian states. One must point out however that accurate as this typology is, it remains incomplete in its inadequate analyses of the process and dynamics of change and in its focus on outcomes. As argued elsewhere, ‘both optimists and pessimists of the African condition focus on outcomes, linking these outcomes in a linear relationship with particular reforms and assuming static environments.’ Yet, what is needed – is an understanding of the relationship between evolving economic and political contexts of reform – of how and why reforms proceed.’ Equally, we must move away from a focus on judgments pegged on macro-reforms, that is country level analyses and big ticket issues – democratization, privatization, anti-corruption, insecurity – that are often measured by large, dramatic shifts – technically appropriate but often lacking in political fit. Opportunities to accelerate change and strengthen governance structures are often missed in the context of this exclusive focus, or worse they may accelerate the challenges, inherent in the process of change, by withdrawing, for example, in the wake of partial reform. Rather than focus on short term gains, it is important to understand social change in Africa in a longer term perspective rather than through the typical binaries of success and failure. In this way, it would become clear that societal transformation in Africa in the past two decades of democratisation has led to the emergence of new social forces, changed the importance of others and consequently altered the relationships among various social and political actors whilst fostering new coalitions between the state and society. Consequently, in many parts of Africa - to different degrees, and with different forms of agency - people are engaging the state and insisting, both in violent or peaceful ways, that the state must answer to society. CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pereira targets gold, as athletics begin YEMI OLUS

he narrowly missed out of the medal zone with a fourth place finish last year in Port Harcourt but Bukola Pereira who competes for Rivers State is hoping to make amends when the athletics event commences today in the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. The 16-year-old is competing in the 5,000m, same as she did in Kaduna 2009 and Rivers 2011 and she revealed that she had trained hard and was expecting the best. “We were in camp for some time and training went very well, so I’m hoping to win a medal this

Sport

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

time and prepared for anything that happens tomorrow (today).” One of the team’s coaches, Olu Sule, is confident that Team Rivers can surpass its last performance as the host state where the team won 10 gold medals and topped the athletics event. The events taking place on Day 1 include the 20km walk for men and women, 5,000m (women), Shotput (para-athletics, men), 100m hurdles (heptathlon), Javelin (para-athletics, women), Shotput (men), 100m (women), Javelin (women), High jump (heptathlon), Discus Amputee (men), 100m (men), 100m amputee (men), 100m Amputee (women), Discus (deaf, men) and the 400m heats for men and women.

Nasarawa applauds team’s advance IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

he Nasarawa State government has praised the efforts of athletes representing the state at the National Sports Festival in Lagos. Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Daniel Ogah Ogazi, told National Mirror in Lafia yesterday that the contingent had acquitted itself well.

“Their effort is geared towards harnessing the Governor Umaru Tanko Al Makura’s promise of cash rewards to anybody that wins a medal and automatic employment to any athlete that wins a gold medal at the festival,” Ogazi, who refuted allegation that the contingent lived in poor condition in Lagos, said. “With all these packages how then could someone claim that we are not concerned about our ath-

letes’ welfare,” he queried. The commissioner, however, admitted that the state faced challenges but said resources were gathered to surmount the odds.

T/tennis: Ogundele eyes singles title YEMI OLUS

rimming with confidence after winning gold for Delta State in the women’s team event, defending champion of the women’s singles title, Rashidat Ogundele, has stated that she is in good shape to defend her crown. The 2010 winner of the Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championship initially succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Lagos State in the semis last week but benefitted from a change of fortune following the cancellation of Lagos’s result after one of its players, Fatimo Bello, was banned for three years for being in the employment of two states at the same time. Delta was upgraded to play against Abia in a new semis fixture which they won and eventually clinched gold after beating Cross River 3-2 in the final. The singles event commenced yesterday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium and Ogundele, who is the women’s top seed, said she was poised to retain the title she won at NSF last year while she was four months pregnant. “I have prepared very well and

ready to go,” she said. However it was a different stroke for Onaolapo Ojo who won the men’s title in Port Harcourt after the Ondo State was declared ineligible to participate in the festival, following his participation in a series of international events including the World Team Championships held in Germany earlier this year.

File copy of Bukola Perreira (411) competing at the Rivers 2011 National Sports Festival

Soldiers withdrawn from Dambe venue YEMI OLUS

ollowing an incident on Sunday when a Dambe practitioner, Usman Amao, was manhandled by soldiers for contesting his loss to an opponent, the Local Organising Committee has withdrawn men of the Armed Forces who were guarding the venue at the National Stadium. According to eye witnesses, Amao who competes for Lagos State, had allegedly insulted officials after losing his semi final bout against Yobe’s Sarki Shago in the 65kg category, leading to his being manhandled by the sol-

diers. The dambe event at the sports festival has been fraught with complaints about the officiating, even as a lot of coaches protested the results, claiming that officials had compromised their integrity. Amao’s coach, Lucky Izekor, claimed that his ward was robbed of fair result. “I met the referee and inquired what went wrong. He affirmed that my boy won the fight so he was surprised when it was awarded to the guy from Yobe State,” he said. “My colleagues from the north want to continue to dominate at all cost but it is not good for the sport. I don’t want to mix up with

people who do not want the progress of the sport,” he added. The 65kg was won by Samaila Shagon Alabo from Plateau State who was followed by Sarki Shago (Yobe) and Bahagon Bolgore (Kaduna) respectively. Gurumada Sanin from Kebbi won the 75kg class while Musa Lawali (Kano) came second. Edo’s Babaramiu Kyalu won the 85kg class while Shagon Skiddo from Lagos followed in second place as a Yobe State athlete came third. The 85-100kg category was won by Kyade Babangida fom Edo while Autan Skedo Abdulazeez came second and Autan Dantagaye from Kaduna finished in

Anambra faces sanction IFEANYI EDUZOR

resident of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Chimdi Ejiogu says that Anambra State will be penalised for fielding a foreigner in the weightlifting event at the on-going 18th National Sports Festival. Anambra was on Sunday stripped of three gold medals won in the 77kg category by its weightlifter, John Baptist, who was discovered to be a Cameroonian. “The state negated the principle governing the Games and appropriate sanctions will be meted out to it when the technical committee submits its report,” Ejiogu said yesterday.

Ondo hockey team barred IFEANYI EDUZOR

Team Lagos (in red) and their Borno opponents during a handball match.

PHOTOS:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

he technical committee of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria has disqualified Ondo State female hockey team for fielding ineligible players at the on-going National Sports Festival. The team was found guilty by the committee for fielding Bamitale Bamidele and Linda Nwafor who presented fake identification cards during their group game against Lagos. According to the Tournament Director, Walter Imoedemhe,

a protest letter by Lagos State prompted the federation to set up a committee to look at the players’ eligibility upon which it was discovered that the state had used the players in other group matches. He regretted that Ondo State, which suffered same fate at Rivers State 2011 after fielding ineligible players, was involved in the same offence. “This is not acceptable, especially after considering the huge amount of money spent by the state government to prepare athletes for this festival,” Imoedemhe said.

Features

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Erosion: How human activities pose Erosion has always constituted ecological and environmental problems in many communities across Nigeria. But nowhere is the menace more troubling than in Akwa Ibom State, where huge ravines and gullies are now threatening people and their means of livelihood. TONY ANICHEBE writes that unless urgent measures are brought to control the situation, whole communities may disappear.

yo, in Akwa Ibom State created in 1976 from the former Uyo Division serves a dual role of state as well as local government headquarters. Mostly populated by the Ibibios and other Nigerians, it has a population of 188,879 according to the 1991 national census but registered voters in the last general election stood at over 500,000. Today, Uyo is at the mercy of dangerous gully erosion otherwise known as ravine that is threatening to engulf the city if urgent measures are not taken in this regards. A few miles from the Government House, otherwise known as Hilltop Mansion, is the Uyo Prison built by the colonial masters. The entire area of prison is situated is gradually been taken over by ravine, already the parameter fence of the correctional facility has collapsed. The problem is made worse by the prison location in a trough which is making it amenable to landslide and erosion. Prison officials, who have continuously raised alarm at the danger posed by gully erosion, fear it could lead to jail break. Milicent Ngozi, controller of prisons in Akwa Ibom State, said she is optimistic the state government would rescue the beleaguered facility. But the government said the erosion is beyond its capacity to manage. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources said “Having seen the pathetic, sorrowful and devastating condition of the erosion around the medium security prison, I have to report to the governor, so he will authorize action to ameliorate the situation”. He appealed for intervention of the Federal Government through the ecological fund to help tackle the erosion menace. Prince Uwah told National Mirror that the situation is critical and maintained that if urgent steps A are not taken, the situation would continue to deteriorate. He opined that all the state government could do now are remedial measures to control the menace pending when a lasting solution is found. A drive through the Uyo village road which linked the Government House from the Calabar-Itu Highway is another dangerous ravine that has sacked an entire village and now inching towards a popular old school, Corneli Conerlia College (CCC Uyo). Some of the staff who spoke said it is a matter of time before the dangerous ravine overruns the school. “We are sitting out a dangerous situation here, said a security staff who claimed the

landslide has continued to advance towards the school built in the early 70’s. A resident of the community Mr. Iniobong Okon, told National Mirror,that the gully erosion is posing a major crisis occasioned by climate change and exacerbated by atmospheric pollution from gas emissions. He further attributed poor handling of wastes products, deforestation and reckless bush burning, as some of the man made factors destroying the environment. Few miles from the Corneli Cornelia College, is the University of Uyo. The town campus of the University situated on Ikpa Road is facing far more devastations from gully erosion. The advancing ravine which is about 200 meters deep has already advanced to the old Uyo Township Stadium while threatening the university’s town campus. The vice Chancellor of the university, Mrs. Comfort Ekpo, said for an institution which does not enjoy take off grant from the Federal Government to face such situation poses serious challenge which calls for urgent attention. “We are on the cliff of the ravine, while the main campus is at risk. We are appealing to the federal and state governments including public spirited individuals to come to our aid,” she said. She said the university is embarking on measures to mitigate the menace. “We have planted gmelina trees and stopped farmers from encroaching on our land. During the Second Republic, the Federal Government constructed an embankment to prevent the health clinic and adjoining buildings from being destroyed by erosion. All these did not yield tangible results due to increasing force of the erosion. Consequently, all the trees have been washed into the ravines by massive landslide, even as the embankment serve has already collapsed”. According to the Vice Chancellor, theC main drive, Victory chapel and Catholic Church, may become the next victims. She named other threatened structures to include the music department, Senior Staff Club, Health Centre, ICT Centre of the College of Health Sciences and the University Guest House. “Despite the alarming rate of the encroachment, neither the federal or state ministry of environment is doing anything tangible on the grim situation. Officials of the state Ministry of Environment came here and others have done the same, but no action has been taken,” she cried out. The Director of Works in the University, Mfon Ukotang said “we might

Gully erosion at the University of Uyo.

XXXXX

Another erosion site at the University campus

lose more areas because the ravine is active. This problem could trigger a riot among the students because if they do not get access to their lecture venues, they may become hostile”. Away from the university, the ravines have encroached on parts of Uyo urban, especially Eka Street, where buildings are in danger of collapse, even as the gullies are slowly creeping towards the Governor’s office and residence. A recent remedial measure on Eka Street by the Government saved many buildings and a community more than 10,000 people from the advancing ravine. An environmental expert, Mr. Kennedy Ebong, told National Mirror that factors causing the gully erosion are poor land use practices, especially the construction of footpaths along valley and hill slopes.

DESPITE THE ALARMING RATE OF

THE ENCROACHMENT, NEITHER THE FEDERAL OR STATE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT IS DOING ANYTHING TANGIBLE ON THE GRIM SITUATION “Many other associated ecological problems are directly traceable to gulling. The soil removed from cultivated lands on the upper valley trigger a chain of reactions down valley which are far reaching in their effects. The accumulations of sediments on the lower

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

environmental danger in Akwa Ibom UNTIL WE ARE

ABLE TO ERADICATE POVERTY,

ESPECIALLY FROM

THE RURAL AREAS, THE MINDLESS EXPLOITATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT WOULD CONTINUE

A gully near Uyo prisons

XXXXXX

Gully erosion site near Government House, Uyo.

lands impaired drainage, thus causing shortage of water in rural areas with gulled terrain.” Though the gully erosion has taken dangerous toll on lves and property overtime, the recent deaths of two people, Godwin Ime Ntuk and Samuel Akpan were heart breaking. Speaking recently, the village head of Ikot Oku in Uyo, Eteidung Godwin said, “Most streets in my community have been washed away by erosion, two of my subjects fell into one of the erosion pits and died. They were walking along edge of the pit when it suddenly gave way and they fell into it and died”. The traditional ruler further said that the poor road network has been made worse by poor drainage system, as the contractors who did the job did not provide any drainage for flood. Faced with the ravine in their neigh-

A building threatened by erosion at Corneli College, Uyo.

bourhood after several efforts to stop its menace through tree planting failed, member so the Ravine Community Welfare Association had written a “Save our Soul” lamenting that the ravines are threatening their continuous existence, even as they drew attention of the state Commissioner of Works to intervene and bring the accompanying landslide to a halt before they get swept away be gullies. The three page letter of November 12, 2012 and ref RCWA/UY/GC/VOL 1./2012, expressed worry over the deplorable condition of their community. The people who said they had lived in Etim Umana and other adjoining streets since 1986, up till the arrival of Marlum Nig. Ltd (a construction company handling construction of underground drainage connecting gully water from Oron Road to the ravine).

They reasoned that the Indian bamboos used in controlling the erosion by those living around the area had paid off until the construction company arrived. The community argued that Marlum has defaced parts of the bamboo plantations, replacing them with what could pass for a precast drainage”. They also complained that the drainage point had been cut off and washed away and the threatening large body of water has caused treacherous landslide,which is now threatening human structures around the Ravine area bordering Etim Umana Street in Emong Offot, Uyo. The letter further disclosed that the matter had been reported to one of the supervisors of Marlum Nig. Ltd but wished that the works commissioner could be disposed to see the threat the gully water was causing people living close to the Ravine area.

According to them, the large water body has washed off the precast drainage up to the middle of the ravine and the gully water from Oron road to Urua Udofia Street and into the ravine, has cut off the Indian bamboos, thereby causing severe landslide and putting people around at serious risk”. The Ravine Community Welfare Association appealed to the state government through the ministries of Environment, Natural Resources and Works to step into the matter and investigate the activities of Marlum Nig. Ltd. and the collateral damage their actions have caused. While observing that the gully water from Etim Umana Street has contributed to what they termed “disgusting landslide menace threatening houses of people in the area. They appealed to the state government to enlist Etim Umana Street among the new roads to be constructed; as such action would help curb the erosion and landslide menace in the area. They claimed that earlier letter to the Commissioner for Works, the issue of Etim Umana Street/Etim Umana Lane as well as Udo Idung Nka Street were mentioned for construction and believed that such matter would be duly considered this time around to keep the ravine landslide under check. The letter was signed by Pastor Augustine Udosen (Chairman) Evangelist Daniel B. Daniel (Vice Chairman) EE Ituen (Secretary), Sylvester Edet A. (Treasurer) and Mr. Hanson Yellow Etukudoh (PRO) of Ravine Community Welfare Association. Proffering solution to the ugly menace, Dr. Eteakamba Ukpong, a University lecturer in Uyo, said people’s penchant for felling trees for fire wood and other economic uses without planting more trees to provide shade and control erosion should be discouraged. According to him, “Nigerians are not environment- friendly owing to poverty. Poverty has made us not to understand the impact of the exploitations we carry out in our forests. Poverty is the arch-enemy causing us to destroy the environment.” “Until we are able to eradicate poverty, especially from the rural areas, the mindless exploitation of the environment would continue. “If we are to safeguard the environment, we have to solved the problem of poverty in the country,” Ukpong said.

WORLD RECORD

Largest paper aircraft Vol. 02 No. 505

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

BPE: The case of embattled DGs

he sack, recently, of the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, was yet another episode of the unfolding drama of the intrigues and power play that often characterize public office lately at the expense of the original purposes they were designed to serve. Her going was not sudden in spite of the way it was handled. The grounds for her departure had long been prepared, given the account of her prolong altercations with both members of the executives and the lawmakers who were vociferous in their demands for her to be removed. Though the lawmakers had a reason for questioning her competence

N150

The largest flying paper aircraft, with a wing span of 13.97 m (45 ft 10 in), was constructed by a team of students from the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands and flown on 16 May 1995.

he dwindling performance recorded by Nigeria’s junior international, Rabiu Ibrahim, has attracted a reprimand from Celtic coach, Neil Lennon, who has expressed disappointment with the midfielder. Ibrahim started his first game for Celtic in a 1-1 home draw with Arbroath at the weekend but per-

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

which, according to them, falls short of expectation for such a plum office. With the verdict from Senate Committee on Privatisation for her removal, the DG had no more defence but to wait for the pronouncement which came without any explanation of either the remote or immediate causes for her to go. Asking her to leave may have also made it difficult for President Goodluck Jonathan to salvage or rescue her, particularly in the light of similar demand on the DG of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh. Though the statement sacking her was silent on the reasons, but this cannot be far from developments connected to the privatisation of public enterprises. According to reports, this will not be unconnected with her handling of government’s share of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, which involved some Russian investors. There can’t be smoke without fire; there could not have been an issue if the deal had been perfectly handled in the first place. We should not have been bordered with the dust generated by the smoke in this instance without establishing what led to the fire. Just like her predecessor in office, Christopher Anyanwu also left un-

THE FACTS OF THE MATTER MUST BE RELEASED TO CLEAR DOUBTS AND TO REASSURE

NIGERIANS

THAT WE ALL HAVE EQUAL STAKES der the controversies that greeted the privatization of Nigeria Telecommunication Limited, NITEL, Ms. Onagoruwa was also consumed in a similar version by what appears more like the clash of competing interests in the privatisation exercise. What led to the exit of her predecessor after the failed deal remains a mystery till date and business continues as usual. In matters like this and in many others, it would interest the tax payers and the governed to know how the business of governance is handled these days in order to clear doubts and insinuations often associated with official decisions and actions of recent. That the DG was incompetent calls to question the integrity of the system that made it possible for her to get the job. Again, her incompetence, which

led to her exit, became an issue after interfacing with committee members of the assembly on oversight functions. Until the DG comes out of the shock to tell her own story, one may not be too sure if her case will not be as notorious and revealing as the one that led to the face–off between, the DG and the House. When Oteh let out the cat from the bag, the accuser became the accused and the rest is now history. In spite of the incompetence tag hung on her like that of her counterpart in the BPE, this DG has remained rock solid even enjoying the backing of the Presidency while calling the bluff of the lawmakers. In addition, there are DGs who enjoy the support of their geopolitical base as was the case with Oteh unlike that of the BPE who must have been isolated and left alone to fight her battle. Moreso that she is also from the South West, the zone that has continued to be marginalised in the current dispensation. Her removal has further depleted the slot of the Yoruba in the Jonathan–Sambo administration and going by the antecedent of this government, we shall wait to see if this development will not lead to head hunting of the Yoruba in the BPE who must have been labelled supporters of the former DG. Beyond the power play, the intrigues and politicking, governance must be elevated beyond the level of mediocrity it is gradually slipping to with the way official information is handled. If the appropriate punishment is for her to go, having been found culpable, why not? The facts of the matter must be released to clear doubts and to reassure Nigerians that we all have equal stakes in this government and by extension this country.

Sport Extra

Celtic coach slams ‘ineffective’ Ibrahim formed below par in Lennon’s reckoning. The coach handed starting shirts to several players for the tie against lower division Arbroath, as he focused on the Champions League tie against Spartak tomorrow. But it re-

sulted in third draw in a row for the Glasgow side. “Rabiu was very complacent. The team held a lead for 50 minutes and should have seen the game through,” Lennon said. “He was busy but to no effect

whatsoever,” the coach submitted. Ibrahim held promise as an Under-17 player in 2007 but has receded in performance. Although he shone at the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009, he was blighted by injuries which reduced him to a bit-part player.

Rabiu Ibrahim

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