Friday, August 24, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

FG recovers part of N400bn oil subsidy fraud NEC backs trial of indicted marketers T ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA Jonathan

Vol. 2 N0. 433

he Federal Government has started the recovery of over N400bn fraudulently

Govs’ meeting deadlocked again over state police

claimed by oil marketers as subsidy for fuel not imported into the country. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Amaechi

Friday, August 24, 2012

CBN introduces N5,000 note Fela’s mother, Margaret Ekpo, Sawaba Gambo’s pictures to adorn new currency

We’re ready for Boko Haram

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N150 TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday announced the restructuring of the nation’s currencies, with a plan to introduce N5,000 banknote, N5, N10 and N20 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

DENOMINATIONS Coins 50k N1 N2 N5 N10 N20

WHY WE PARADED SUSPECTS IN SAME CLOTHES –SSS

Notes N50 N100 N200 N500 N1000 N5000

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–Yoruba elders

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ACF condemns $39.5m pay for Dokubo, Tompolo, others P.52

NUPENG suspends strike P.7

Above: Suspects paraded by the State Security Service, SSS, on March 14 in connection with the kidnap and murder of a Briton, Christopher McManus and his Italian counterpart, Franco Lamolinara, in Sokoto. Below: Six persons arrested in connection with the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, a private secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The suspects’ attire could not have been a coincidence.

ARMLESS TERRORISTS: Babagana Mali (alias Bulama) and Babagana Ismail Kwaljima (alias Abu Summaya).

How we tracked Oshiomhole’s –Police aide’s killers Kuramo: We haven’t given up on missing victims –LASEMA

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News

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How we tracked Oshiomhole’s aide’s killers –Police OMEIZA AJAYI AND SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

he controversy surrounding the May 4 murder of the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, continued yesterday with the police insisting that the incident was a clear case of assassination. This came even as the Department of State Security Service, SSS, also explained that the incident was a robbery case. The police said they had evidence pointing to the fact that social activist, Rev. David Ugolor, a close ally of Oyerinde, was involved in the murder. The police explained that the arrest of one Mohammed Baba Yelwa led to a chain of other arrests which eventually linked Ugolor to the murder. The police said investigators toured Adamawa, Kano, Kebbi, Delta, Lagos states and several parts of Edo State and in the end got Ugolor as its principal suspect. Interestingly, however, both the police and SSS said they were working in collaboration to harmonise the two case files. Meanwhile, police source confided in National Mirror that the SSS yesterday afternoon handed over the six suspects in its custody to the Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, in Abuja. As at the time of filing this report, our correspondent could not immediately verify whether the SARS had taken delivery of the suspects. “Efforts are ongoing at a very top level to consolidate and harmonise the two case files,” the police said. On Wednesday, August 1, SSS had paraded six suspects namely, Sani Abdullahi Abubakar, a Nigerien; Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite Origbo, Chikezie Edeh, Saidu Yakubu (a.k.a. Imam), and Hassan Bashiru. SSS Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, had disclosed that “Oyerinde was murdered in cold blood by the trio of Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite Origbo and Chikezie

Edeh.” She said the three other suspects, Saidu Yakubu (a.k.a. Imam), Sani Abdullahi Abubakar and Hassan Bashiru were habitual buyers of stolen items. But the police yesterday listed eight suspects as being involved in the murder. Force Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, however, stated that two of the suspects, Hassan Bashiru and Abubakar Lawal, were at present in the custody of the SSS. Among the remaining six, Mba said four of them were physically involved in the killing of Oyerinde. He also gave their names as Danjuma Musa, Murtala Usman, Auta Umoru and Moses Asama Okoro (a.k.a. Moses Auchi). Mba said: “With the aid of technological assistance, they (team which was headed by DCP Chris Ezike and under the direct supervision of DIG Peter Gana of FCID) were able to trace and track one Mohammed Baba Yelwa. “He was traced to Girei Village in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State. He was arrested on June 26, 2012 and Oyerinde’s Blackberry Bold Five was recovered from him. That particular phone was inquisitively identified with its PIN and its IMEI number.” He said with the arrests of more suspects, investigators were able to track down one Moses Asama Okoro, whose confession actually brought a new twist to the case. “Okoro, alias Moses Auchi, was eventually picked up on July 11. Under interrogation, he confessed wholly to the crime. “He said Maisamari masterminded the crime. But Moses made a confession that instantly brought a new twist to the entire investigation. Before then, investigators had proceeded under the hypothesis that this was a pure case of armed robbery that resulted in the killing of Oyerinde. “From the beginning of the case up to this point, that hypothesis had stood solidly but at this point after the arrest of Moses Auchi, he made the confession that not only did they carry out the robbery operation and the killing of Oyerinde,

but that they did so at the instance of Maisamari, who had told them that an unknown person had promised to pay them N20m if they executed the man. “At this point in time, investigators had no choice other than to test the veracity of this allegation. “It may interest you to note that Moses Auchi also made other startling revelations. First of all, he confessed to being part of an

armed robbery gang that attacked and raided Agenebode police station in 2010 and stole some AK47 rifles and that in that particular incident, a female police constable was shot dead. “He went on to say that he was part of an armed robbery operation that took place in Agenebode Local Council where N4.5m belonging to pensioners was stolen. “He added that he also participated in another

armed robbery operation that led to the killing of one Alhaji Ismaila Aliu, a bureau de change operator in Benin. “Now, investigators tried to cross-check these other confessions before testing the veracity of his earlier claim about the Oyerinde case. “Investigators had to bring back Maisamari for re-interrogation. He was subjected to further inter-

rogation and he now confessed that indeed Moses told the truth and that there was a man called David, who contracted them to actually kill Oyerinde. He said the man promised to pay them N20m and gave them a part payment of N250,000. “On the strength of his description of the David in question, investigators narrowed it down to Rev. David CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: H. I. D. Awolowo (sitting left); former Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Bola Ajibola(standing left); Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade (sitting right); Dr. Kunle olajide ( standing 2nd left); Rt. Revd. Bolanle Gbonigi (standing 3rd right); Alhaji Ganiyu Ayinde (standing 2nd right) and Chief Dekola Adeyeye(standing right) at the conference. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

CBN introduces N5,000 note CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

coins. Other denominations will also experience significant changes in their features. The new banknote, coins and redesigned currencies are proposed for circulation into the economy gradually with effect from the first quarter of 2013. Giving the hint at a media briefing in Abuja, the CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, said the introduction of the higher denomination banknote would complement the bank’s cashless policy by reducing the volume of currency in circulation in the long term. He explained that the redesigning of other old notes and redenomination of others into coins would enhance their security and other transactional features. The apex bank’s boss said that the restructuring exercise, which had been code-named ‘Project Cure’, would ultimately change the naira currency struc-

ture to 12, comprising of six coins and six banknote denominations. He explained that the N5,000 banknote would have pictures of three Nigerian heroine and nationalists, namely Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978), Mrs. Margaret Ekpo (19142006) and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (1933-2001) on the front while the National Assembly pictures would be the illustrations at its back. Citing many international economies where introduction of higher denomination of banknotes has not led to higher inflation rate, Sanusi said rather the exercise would translate to immeasurable gains for the country based on the cost-saving and other benefits to the economy in the long run. He said: “On November 28, 2011, the CBN board considered and approved the new currency series. It subsequently sought and on December 19, 2011 obtained the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Under the structure, the existing denominations of N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 will be designed with added security features. “It is our pleasure to inform you that a new high currency denomination will also be introduced. It is the N5,000 note. “In the same vein, the lower banknote denominations of N5, N10 and N20 will be coined. “Consequently, the naira currency structure will now be 12; these are six coins and six banknote denominations,” Sanusi added. The coins, he said, would include 50k, N1, N2, N5, N10 and N20. He listed the objectives of the exercise to include upgrading the design of the entire range of currency denominations in order to enhance the quality and integrity of the banknotes; incorporating a more effective feature for the visually challenged; and introduction of new security features on the redesigned

banknotes to enable the bank take ownership and control of the new features on the series and eliminate payment of royalties on patented security features. Other benefits of the restructuring process are: achieving an optimal currency structure that will ensure cost effectiveness and balanced mix and utilisation of all the currency denominations; introducing new series of coins that would be generally acceptable for purposes of transaction; and reducing the cost of production, distribution and disposal of banknotes. Sanusi said the apex bank, in collaboration with other stakeholders, had carried out extensive researches before coming out with the restructuring exercise. He added that in order to ensure hitch-free, userfriendly implementation, the phasing out of the existing old denominations would be gradual to ensure that the overall interest of Nigerians was not undermined in the process.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (right) presenting souvenir of Uncommon Transformation to the Ambassador of Ireland, Dr, Patrick Fay, during a courtesy visit to the ambassador in Abuja.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), Mr. Emmanuel Obaigbona; Executive Director/Group Chief Operating Officer, UBA Plc, Mr. Femi Olaloku; and Executive Director, Commercial Banking, North, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ibrahim Kwargana , at the NeFF

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Prince Lawal Obelawo; Chairperson, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Federal House of Representatives, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori

L-R: Director of Special Duties to the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Mohammed Hamidu; Minister of State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide and Chairman, Ministerial Committee on the Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative, Engr. Tukur Bakori,

National News

Murder of Oyerinde, Italian: Why we paraded suspects in the same clothes –SSS OMEIZA AJAYI

he Department of State Security Service, SSS, yesterday formally broke its silence on the controversy surrounding the similarity of two sets of suspects in the murder of two expatriate workers earlier in the year and the recent murder of the Principal Private Secretary of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde. Criticisms had trailed the parade of six suspects on August 1 with three of the suspects wearing the same set of clothes earlier worn on March 14 by the three suspects who were linked with the murder of two Italian staff of Stabilini Visioni Construction Company – Christopher McManus and Franco Lamolinara. The SSS described such criticisms as a deliberate misrepresentation and manipulation of facts. SSS spokeswoman, Mar-

ilyn Ogar, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the SSS would never recycle suspects. “We have supplies and most of these supplies are made in bulk. Most of the supplies could be made from the open market or elsewhere. “Even though some of the suspects were paraded in the same clothes, they are in no way the same and any attempt to link both groups together is diversionary and intended to trivialise and politicise the murder of Oyerinde, thereby aggravating the pains and agony of his family and friends,” Ogar said. Ogar had on August 5 told National Mirror that the semblance of apparel worn by the two set of suspects did not detract from the different facts of the two cases. She had said: “It is a deliberate act of mischief. Is it just one shirt that they sell in the market? We have a human face and if

we paraded them the way we caught them, some of you (journalists) would not have been able to stay there on that day. “Is it the dress that matters or the fact that the life of a young man was caught down?” However, at a media parley, tagged “Putting the facts straight,” Ogar reiterated her earlier position that the service would not want a situation whereby a suspect died in its custody. She explained that the SSS would never ill-treat anyone in its detention facilities. “We called this interactive session so that you can tell us whether you want us to parade them in boxers. “We are completely at a loss as to what journalists want. After the UN House blast, they said we paraded amputees because those we paraded wore ‘Jalabiyas’, which covered their arms. “When we paraded Kabiru Sokoto, we gave him a

jeans trousers and a shirt. People called us and were asking us what point we wanted to prove by giving him designer’s clothing. “When we paraded kidnappers from Osun, it was ‘Osun-Osogbo aso ebi kidnappers.’ When these new suspects were paraded, it was also trivialised. And that is why we are asking how best it will please you to parade our suspects,” said an obviously displeased Ogar. She recalled that it was after the service paraded kidnappers from Osun State last year and the way their clothing was trivialised that SSS decided to henceforth clothe its suspects. She said it was widely circulated that the service arrested “band boys” because of the nature of their attire. Ogar explained that the SSS had a unit in charge of clothing and general welfare of the suspects. “And that is why we can proudly say that no sus-

pect has ever died in our custody,” adding that the suspects would soon be handed over to the police. While she displayed different sets of other attires acquired by the service for such purposes, Ogar again presented the different set of suspects who were involved in the two incidents to buttress her point. She added: “Certain interests have exploited both social and print media to peddle false insinuations that some of the suspects paraded on August 1, 2012 in connection with Oyerinde’s killing had been earlier paraded by this service on March 14, 2012 as they appear to have been dressed alike. “It is pertinent to state that the suspects paraded on March 14, 2012 were three young men between the ages of 19 and 20 years who were discovered to have conducted surveillance on two expatriate staff of Stabilini Visioni Construction Company, namely Christopher Mc-

Manus and Franco Lamolinara, before their abduction,” she said. She went to list the names of the three suspects as Bashir Ibrahim (a.k.a. Adda’u), Ibrahim Habibu and Gambo Maiborodi. In the case of Oyerinde, she again listed and physically presented the suspects as Sani Abdullahi Abubakar, a Nigerien; Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite Origbo, Chikezie Edeh, Saidu Yakubu (aka Imam) and Hassan Bashiru. “For the avoidance of doubt, both groups have no link whatsoever as they were apprehended for different offences, at separate locations and at different times. “Also, the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap of the expatriates were between the ages of 19 and 20 years while those apprehended over Oyerinde’s killing are between the ages of 26 and 46 years.” Ogar said.

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Friday, August 24, 2012

FG recovers part of N400bn oil subsidy fraud CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Briefing State House correspondents yesterday after the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday, Anambra State Governor and Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, Mr. Peter Obi, said that the companies had started paying back the money. “From the report we got today, some have started refunding, it is a serious case that people were paid for vessels that were not anywhere near the Nigerian waters. “And I think when the Federal Government do a thing that is courageous and right, they should be encouraged and can at least give them the courage to do more,” Obi said. He stated that the council supported the on-going prosecution of oil marketers in the fuel subsidy scam and the determination of government to recover the money paid to the oil marketers for which supply was not made. “Council went further to commend the Federal Government on its present stand in the prosecution of those

who were wrongly paid subsidy money and on the need for them to refund it fully. “We support the Federal Government in its effort to clean up the entire value chain and process of petroleum industry,” Obi added. About 25 oil companies and their chief executives indicted in the fuel subsidy scam are presently facing criminal trial in court for allegedly claiming payments for fuel consignments brought in by ships but which investigations revealed were either non-existent or were somewhere else in the world. Obi also explained that the NEC meeting, chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, also considered a presentation by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, on the planned non-partisan ‘Good Governance Publicity Tour’ being jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Planning Commission. He said that the tour was meant to monitor, evaluate and showcase federal and states projects across the six geopolitical zones.

Obi noted that all governors would be involved in the tour, stressing that NEC deemed it worthwhile not only for its potential to showcase best practice in project implementation and value delivery, but also for the prospect of exposing the investment opportunities in each state. The governor said that the council directed the governors’ forum to set up a committee that would meet

with the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Planning Committee to review the logistics for the tour and agree on the date of commencement. Obi noted that an interest-free medium term soft loan of $500m had been sourced from the World Bank to check gully erosion in the South-East and other parts of the country. Apart from being interest-free, Obi added that the

medium term soft loan was repayable within 40 years and 10 years moratorium. “A joint presentation by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Minister for Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, on the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, on the interestfree $500m facility was also reviewed by the council.

“On the issue of pending loans, the council directed the Ministry of Finance and the governors’ forum to hold further discussions, beginning from tomorrow, August 24, 2012. “This is to facilitate states’ access to such facilities, considering their benefits in reducing vulnerability to soil erosion, promoting agriculture and infrastructural development as well as creating employment opportunities.”

L-R: Zamfara State Governor, Abdul-Aziz Yari; Yobe State Deputy Governor, Abubakar Aliyu; Taraba State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi; Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wammako and Plateau State Deputy Governor, Mr. Ignatius Longman at the opening of the National Economic Council in Abuja, yesterday.

How we tracked Oshiomhole’s aide’s killers –Police CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Ugolor. A lot of people have asked: why David Ugolor when there are so many other Davids? “Our experience as investigators, as police officers and people in the prevention, investigation and management of crime is that crimes such as homicide, rape, defilement usually are linked or committed by people that know the victims. “They are usually committed by friends, business associates, acquaintances and others. “Our preliminary investigation also showed us that Ugolor and the deceased were out on a social function the day previous to his killing and we decided to pick him up. “But in order to guarantee fairness and protect him from unnecessary abuse, we made sure that he never had contact with his accusers until we conducted an identification parade. So, what we simply did was to line up people in an identification parade and place Ugolor in that identification parade and that was

the only time that his accusers had the opportunity of ever coming in contact with him. “That parade was conducted on July 27 at the Police Command in Benin in the presence of two of Rev. Ugolor’s lawyers and the head of administrative department in his office. “During that parade, Maisamari positively identified Ugolor. Though Ugolor, after his identification denied the allegation, the police considered and still consider the allegations weighty enough to warrant his arrest and detention. We were guided by the simple test of reasonableness.” On the issue of a perceived inter-agency rivalry, Mba said: “The police and the SSS are tied together. Our destinies are intrinsically linked together. The issue of rivalry does not arise. “The SSS is our baby. We saw them through their gestation and lactation period. We helped them to crawl, work and run. And today, they are flying. “The police stand in a paternalistic relationship

with the SSS. No responsible father will be jealous that his son is doing well. There is no element of rivalry here. We are glad at their huge contribution to the security of the nation.” Also at a separate parley with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Ogar said there was no friction between the SSS and the police. “We will soon hand over these suspects to the police to marry their facts. We are not working at cross purposes. We are trying to unravel those who killed Oyerinde and if the suspects we have claimed they went to Oyerinde’s house to rob and in the process killed them, we will hand them over to the police. We are handing over six suspects”, she said. Meanwhile, the police are presently analysing the gun and cartridges recovered in the home of Oyerinde. This was made known on Thursday at an Edo State High Court as Justice Esther Edigin listened to counsel in the continuation of the N500m suit instituted by the detained activist, Ugolor

against the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation for the aggravated damages from his continuous detention in connection with Oyerinde’s murder. Addressing the court, Mr. David Abuo, the counsel to IGP Mohammed Abubakar, told the court in a 15-paragraph counteraffidavit on the suit marked Suit No. B/488M/12 deposed to by a police officer, Mr. Moses Jolugbo, that a Ballistician was presently analysing a locally- made, cut-to-size gun and four empty cartridges recovered from the scene of the crime. Abuo said that the police recovered three of the four cartridges, while the other one was recovered at the scene by SSS officials and “forwarded to our team for consolidation of investigation.” The police affidavit stated that “it is the Ballistician report that will say whether the said gun was what was used to fire the fatal shots or not.” He also told the court that in furtherance of in-

vestigation, “the deceased’s telephone handsets, a blackberry Bold 5 with IMIE No. 356841048771569, PIN No. 28E435B2 on telephone No. 08035137162 was recovered by us at Girei in Yola, Adamawa State.” Abuo further explained that one of the suspects sold the stolen handset to another, a resident of Benin City, who in turn handed the phone to another of the suspects from whom the handset was finally recovered in Yola. Abuo also told the court that the police were still gathering information in the process of analysing the call logs, bank accounts as well as record of transactions of Ugolor and the others connected with the matter. He gave the names of the seven suspects who the police described in the affidavit as “self-confessed armed robbers” but who were allegedly hired to eliminate the governor’s late aide in the affidavit as: Messrs Garba Usman Maisamari, Hassan Aliyu, Idris Abdulhamid, Danjuma Musa, Muritala Usman, Auta Umaru and Moses Asamah Okoro.

Abuo stated that Maisamari had made statements explaining how Ugolor allegedly hired him to eliminate Oyerinde. Justice Edigin said the first thing that the police should have done was to release Ugolor on bail as a court of law duly ordered. The judge rejected the police’s request for an adjournment, which Ugolor’s lawyer, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, described as an attempt to merely buy time, because it was not filed within five days as provided by Order 2, Rule 6 of Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009. Afolabi, who noted that the police were still detaining Ugolor, added: “In my motion on notice, we are claiming N500m as damages and a declaration that Ugolor’s arrest and detention are illegal. “The police have no reason for flouting the ruling of the court. The ruling must be obeyed by the police to protect the integrity of the court and to uphold and ensure the effectiveness of justice.”

National News

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

State police: Again, NGF’s meeting ends in deadlock OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

C L-R: Representative of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Henry Akpan; Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Ify Umenyi, at the launch of Products and Services Listing and Monitoring Programme in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

We’re ready for Boko Haram – Yoruba leaders AYO ESAN AND FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

oruba leaders said yesterday that appropriate steps had been taken to prepare against possible infiltration of the region by the Boko Haram sect. The elders, who met in Ikenne, under the aegis of the Yoruba Unity Forum, said the steps taken would not be disclosed publicly. A communiqué issued and signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, and Secretary, Senator Femi Okurounmu, said it would be suicidal to disclose the details to the public. The meeting held un-

der the leadership of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief H. I. D. Awolowo, however, assured the people of the zone that the race would not be caught unawares by any threat of insecurity from any quarter. The forum also received and adopted the report of a delegation to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where it participated in a joint meeting with other delegates from SouthSouth and South-East, during which the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly, SNPA, was set up. The delegation said that the SNPA meeting, which had Second Republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, as leader of

Jonathan approves NCC, NBC merger KUNLE AZEEZ

he Federal Government has endorsed the merger of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, paving the way for the collapse of the two federal agencies into one entity. It was, however, learnt that the approval is in principle as an enabling law is required to provide a legal backing to the entity expected to emerge from the ‘marriage’ of the two agencies. It was learnt that Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, lasted into the night and

brushed aside strong objections to the merger by the Ministry of Information. But sources at the meeting said President Jonathan was wielding his political will to position the Information and Communication Technology industry as economy-driver and ostensibly to cut waste. According to the sources, the Ministry of Communications Technology put forward profound argument for the merger which impressed the President. “The Ministry of Communications Technology pointed to digitisation programme and insisted that streamlining the regulators would be a requisite to achieving the country’s target of fully migrating to digital broadcast by 2015,” the sources said.

the South-East and Chief Edwin Clark, leading the South-South zone, was aimed at creating a new platform for unity and development for the people of Southern Nigeria. It also presented a draft constitution of SNPA as well as that of the Forum, which it said would be ratified at future meetings after accommodating the various submissions and comments. The meeting resolved that it would intensify efforts so that other Yo-

ruba leaders yet to identify with the forum were brought into the fold soon. Speaking on the marginalisation of the Yoruba race by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the forum said it had already met with the President and expressed optimism that the glaring imbalance would be addressed soon. It, however, called for patience, stressing that the injustice would soon be addressed.

Nigeria gets IFAD’s $105m credit to boost agric TOLA A KINMUTIMI ABUJA

igeria yesterday secured $105m credit to support the implementation of the various programmes under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, of the Federal Government. The government signed the financing agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD. According to the parties to the deal, the agreement will enable IFAD to provide financial support over the next six years for specific projects expected to boost the agricultural value chain. Speaking on the import of the agreement, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the IFAD credit would be of immense

benefit to the country as it would help create jobs and help in leveraging the current drive towards national food sufficiency and sustainable development of the agricultural sector. According to the minister, the agreement comprises an IFAD credit of $74m which attracts zero interest rate and a repayment period of 40 years as well as a grant of $0.5m. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted that the credit was on soft terms, adding that the Federal Government, states and local governments will provide counterpart contribution to the tune of $31.2m. She said: “We are signing this credit to underscore the importance of IFAD’s commitment to the development of agriculture in this country and it also demonstrates that our relationship with IFAD is yielding benefits to this country.”

ontroversy trailing the proposed creation of the state police is threatening the unity of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, as majority of the governors stayed away from the Wednesday rescheduled meeting in Abuja. The NGF Chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who could not hide his disappointment, failed to address the press at the close of the meeting. Also, the attendees, including nine governors and eight deputies, left the Rivers State Lodge venue of the meeting without a word to journalists. The governors include those of Rivers, Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano and Kogi states. The deputy governors of Niger, Adamawa, Yobe, Jigawa, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Nasarawa states also attended the meeting. The forum had at its last meeting of August 8 deferred its debate on the on-

going constitution amendment until the end of the Ramadan, saying that most of its members had travelled out for the lesser Hajj. Amaechi promised that the forum would continue the debate on the constitution amendment particularly the vexed issue of state police, tearing the NGF apart. The 19 northern state governors had, shortly after the position of NGF on the issue, reneged by insisting that the North would no longer support the state police. Instead, they asked the Federal Government to increase the funding of the force. The northern governors had earlier on Wednesday constituted a 40-man committee which would, among other things, propose ways of achieving peace in the region and deal with the insecurity situation bedevilling the North. The date of the next meeting was not announced but National Mirror gathered that underground lobbying is ongoing to ensure that the NGF is refocused.

FG votes $300m for Zungeru power plant ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

are being exploited. We have also reached an advanced stage in the construction of Zungeru power plant which would add 700 megawatts. “Already the Federal Government had earmarked $300m as its counterpart funding and the China EXIM Bank will fund this project with the partnership of the Islamic Development Bank. “We are also working on several of small and medium hydro-power projects that will add about 300 megawatts.” The President said his administration had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with SEIMENS of Germany for the production 450 megawatts of electricity.

he Federal Government has approved $300m as counterpart funding for the construction of Zungeru hydro-power plant in Niger State. President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the launch of Sustainable Energy for all: Towards full access to energy. Jonathan, who spoke through Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said the project which would be financed by China EXIM Bank in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank, when completed, would inject 700 megawatts of electricity into the National Grid. The President said construction work on Mambila hydro-power plant, expected to generate 3,050mw, would commence in the first quarter of 2013. He said: “I would also like to share with you the fact that all other alternative power generation sources Jonathan

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Friday, August 24, 2012

FRCN workers protest non-payment of four months’ salaries KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ctivities at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Ibadan were paralysed yesterday as workers protested non-payment of their four-month salary. The workers, with placards, barricaded the entrance of the corporation as early as 8:00am, chanting solidarity songs while blaming the non-payment of their salaries on an Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPIS) which the Federal Government is now using in paying the workers. They described the integrated payroll as defective and inconsistent. The placards had inscriptions such as: “IPPIS pay our four months’ salary,” “IPPIS is highly incompetent,” “IPPIS issues fake pay-slips” and more. The chairman of the FRCN chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Tunde Ojenike, said the workers’ anger was not against the man-

agement, but against the promoters of IPPIS. He said the protest was meant to send signal to the appropriate quarters on their plight. Ojenike said: “We are not pleased at all by the modus operandi of the system. Since its introduction in May, majority of us have not received our salaries. We are here to intimate management of FRCN of our displeasure with the IPPIS, which has made

us to go about hungry. We appeal to the Federal Government to do something about these anomalies immediately because a hungry man is an angry man.” The chairman of the corporation’s Radio, Television and Theater Workers Union (RATTAWU), Mr. Ademola Akanni, decried non-intervention of national headquarters to the workers’ plight. He said: “The situation has become unbear-

able for members. It is no longer easy to cope with the economic situation of the country. We are not saboteurs and we have no intention of paralyzing the system, but we cannot shy away from the welfare of our workers, which is paramount. We are not saying that the system is totally bad, but the Federal Government should ensure that the technocrats involved make the IPPIS work.”

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

fter more than six hours of closed door meeting and intense negotiations between the Federal Government and labour, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday called off its ongoing strike in Abuja. The four-day old strike had paralysed business activities in the FCT, with a litre of fuel selling for N400 at the black market. As a result of the suspension, the union subsequently directed tanker drivers to resume fuel lifting, while it also suspended the planned nationwide strike. After the meeting, which started at about 2 pm and ended at exactly 9:30pm, a communiqué suspending the strike was read by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu. The communiqué was signed by the acting President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade, Promise Adewusi, NU-

Teachers shortchanged during MDGs training –Minister admits IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he Federal Government has admitted that it shortchanged the 125,000 teachers who were trained for 2011 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the tune of N1.44bn. Speaking when the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) led by its President, Mr. Michael Olukoya, visited her office in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqquayat Rufa’I, admitted that the teachers were not paid their due allowance during the training. She said: “That was a mistake on our part and we have to admit that, but what we should be concerned about now is the way out of the mistake already committed. “I have asked the National Teachers Institute (NTI) to use the resources as its disposal whenever the institute have a training programme for teachL-R: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Deputy Governor Serah ers. Alade at a press conference on introduction of N5,000 note with image of three Nigerian women “NTI cannot call a in Abuja, yesterday.

NUPENG suspends strike, directs tankers to resume fuel lifting PENG President, Achese Igwe, Oando representative, Awobokun Abayomi, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Reginald Stanley, National Secretary, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN , Mike Osatuyi, Wogu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim. The communiqué said the meeting between the government, NUPENG, NLC, depot owners and oil marketers was cordial and fruitful, and that government and the unions agreed to work together towards finding a lasting solution to all the issues in dispute. They also agreed that all those accused in the fuel subsidy scam should submit to the ongoing verification exercise, while the meeting confirmed that the Federal Government has been paying all verified claims and would continue to pay all claims so verified. Also, the meeting set up two sub-committees to look into issues concerning unfair labour practices

in Shell Petroleum and the penalty clauses in the PPPRA rules. The Federal Government also agreed to provide a platform for government, labour and all critical stakeholders to meet and discuss efforts being made in the provision of infrastructure and rehabilitation of refineries, while it also agreed for a continuous engagement between government

and the unions. Deport owners and oil marketers agreed to keep their facilities opened and pay the salaries of their workers, while the meeting agreed to meet in two weeks to review the status of implementation “In view of the above understanding, the ongoing strike by NUPENG is hereby called off,” the communiqué said.

teacher for a training programme unless it has all the allowances of the teachers ready because it cannot expect a teacher to have the money to pay for her transport to the training venue, accommodation and all other expenses. “You cannot call for a training programme if you don’t have the money. The money is very critical in this respect.” Speaking earlier, NUT President Olukoya commended the minister for always giving audience to teachers. He said the balance of the N1.44bn for the 125,000 teachers shortchanged should be paid without further delay. Olukoya said: “Teachers were to be paid a stipend of N14,000 per participant for the sixday training programme organised for teachers nationwide by NTI under the auspices of 2011 MDGs programme. The institute rather shortchanged the teachers by paying N2, 500 to each participant.

BHS Iwo 83 set holds re-union meeting

he 1983 set of Baptist High School (BHS), Iwo in Osun State, will hold its reunion meeting between August 24 and 25. A statement issued yesterday by the secretary of the set, Mr. Dele Oyadotun, explained that the meeting would hold at the school premises.

Oyadotun, who urged members to attend the meeting, said sundry issues, such as the growth and development of school would be discussed. “All members should come with ideas and suggestions on how to take our prestigious Alma Mata to the next level,” he said.

School rehabilitation: Oyo warns contractors against default KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ny contractor that defaults in the execution of Oyo State Government’s school rehabilitation project will be blacklisted. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun, stated this yesterday at a stakeholders meeting held Ibadan with contractors handling the various public schools rehabilitation. She said a task force had been set up to monitor the execution of the contracts. To this end, the commissioner directed the con-

tractors to complete their projects before September 10 in readiness for the schools resumption date, which has already been fixed for September 17. She also warned against re-selling the contracts. Stressing that the government would follow due process in its relationship with contractors, Mrs. Fayokun said the state has no zero tolerance for abandonment of project in whatever form. She said: “The Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led government sees the contractors as its major stakeholders to building a new Oyo State, hence they should strive

to deliver quality and efficient jobs. “We are passionate about quality job. Everybody should also be ready to deliver by the 10th of September. Contractors

Gov. Ajumobi

who default in meeting the deadline will be blacklisted”. She also promised to reduce all the noticeable bottlenecks in effecting payment for the executed contracts. The commissioner said: “As we ensure adherence to due process, we will also strive to fast track the processes of monitoring and evaluation by reducing the bottlenecks. We have no hidden agenda, but due process has to be followed as nobody wants to be picked up by any agency long after the projects would have been delivered.”

South-West

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ocean surge: We haven’t given up on missing victims –LASEMA MURITALA AYINLA

he General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Dr Femi-Oke Osanyintolu, yesterday said that the government had not foreclosed its recovery effort of the remaining missing victims of the Saturday’s ocean surge at the Kuramo Beach. About 10 of the 16 bodies of the victims swept away by the ocean surge have been found by emergency rescue agencies and the local divers, while the victims’ bodied had been deposited at the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos

Speaking with National Mirror yesterday, Osanyintolu said contrary to the reports in some media, the state emergency management had not abandoned the stopped the search for the remaining missing victims, insisting that efforts are still on top gear to uncover the whereabouts of other victims. According to him, apart from the ongoing efforts by the emergency apparatus, the local emergency management committee of the Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area is also embarking on frantic search for other victims. He said: “We have not abandoned the recovery ef-

forts our men are still on ground. Don’t forget that we now have local emergency management at various councils. These teams of emergency management are to respond to any emergency situation in their councils. That LASEMA team are no longer on the Beach again does not mean we don’t have people at local government level whose job is to respond to emergency needs. “We are not personalising emergency management in the state. It does not mean if LASEMA or its GM is not on the ground, emergency response team are not on site working.” Osanyintolu added that

the 15 persons earlier reported to be missing were based on the information given by the residents, saying the agency cannot categorically affirm that more people are still missing. He said: “Remember, we have just inaugurated emergency management committees in all the local governments in the state and the essence is to involve the grassroots in the management of disasters. “So, if the Chairman of Victoria Island LCDA and other members of the LCDA’s emergency management committees have been on ground since the surge occurred, will you say LASEMA is not on ground?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aregbesola assures investors of adequate security WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has assured prospective investors of adequate security and friendly environment. Aregbesola gave the assurance yesterday in Osogbo in an address delivered on his behalf by the deputy governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the Nigerian Diaspora Trade and Investment Summit held at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo, the state capital. Describing the state as a gold mine of investment opportunities, the governor said that his administration recently launched a new security outfit equipped with armoured personnel carriers and patrol vehicles to complement existing security capacity. His words: “On the security front, we are not taking for grated the fact that our state is safe. We are proactively complementing and beefing up our existing se-

curity capacity. “In this regard, we have recently launched a new security outfit equipped with armoured personnel carriers and patrol vehicles. This is to further enhance the security component of our development policy environment.” Stressing that his administration had designed policies aimed at engendering economic development of the state and provided sound governance atmosphere that will ensure the full realization of potentials, Aregbesola urged the Diaspora community to see the state not only as an opportunity to make their investment worthwhile, but also as a welcome contribution to the development of their father land.

Aregbesola

Tomorrow’s sanitation is a must, Lagosians told MURITLA AYINLA

T L-R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and others at the inauguration of the state’s Mass Transit Bus Scheme in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Ogun PDP prays tribunal to nullify LG election FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday prayed the tribunal set up to hear petitions on the July 21 local government election to nullify the poll for non-compliance with electoral law. The Senator Dipo Odujirin-led executive committee of PDP, represented by Mr. Wale Ajayi, was seeking the nullification of two councillorship seat in the Ogun Central Senatorial District. Ajayi told the tribunal that PDP candidate in Odeda Ward VI scored the highest number of votes and should be declared winner of the election as against the

declaration of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate as winner. The counsel also told the three-man tribunal that Adekanbi Nurudeen, who was declared winner in Abeokuta South Ward III, was not qualified to contest the election. Also, the Bayo Dayo-led faction, which was represented at the tribunal by Mrs. Ifeoma Esom in a joint petition number EPT/AB/ CH/01/2012, argued that his faction was unlawfully excluded from fielding candidates for the election by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC). Mrs. Esom said members of Bayo Dayo-led executive were the authentic candi-

dates of the PDP in Ogun State who were lawfully nominated by the party to contest the election. She said that the electoral body failed to comply with the provision of electoral law of Ogun State in the conduct of the election. Mrs. Esom said: “We are seeking for an order of the tribunal to nullify the entire election and for another election to be ordered within the space of 21 days.” But reacting to the allegation by the Dayo-led executive, the spokesperson to the electoral body, Mr Mutiu Agboke, said the allegation was unfounded and an attempt to discredit the integrity of the commission. Agboke said that the allegation was a matter of opin-

ion of those who felt that their faction was unlawfully excluded, adding that issue of election is a matter of law and procedure and that participants must comply with the law and the procedure.

he Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, has said that the monthly sanitation exercise holding tomorrow is a must for all residents. Urging the residents to prepare for the August break, Bello urged them and leaders of various communities to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that canals and drains are clean and desilted. The commissioner, who said the task of ensuring flood- free Lagos is a collec-

tive responsibility of everyone, urged all the residents to come out in large numbers to participate in tomorrow’s sanitation exercise. He said: “We are now in the unusual times as indicated by global events with unusual and intense rainfall ravaging the world, coupled with other natural disasters like tsunamis, cyclone, earth tremours and massive flooding world”. Bello said Lagos, despite being a coastal state, would not be affected with massive flooding, if residents supported the government in ensuring that drains are clean at all times.

Ekiti group makes case for industrial growth ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Ekiti State Government has been urged to step up efforts in helping industrialists in accessing funds from development institutions so as to engender industrial growth of the state. An Ekiti State-based group, JKF Total Support Group, said the state remained the least beneficiaries of the industrial devel-

opment loans because of the stringent conditions for access to the funds. The group’s coordinator, Mr Deleoba Osise, listed the institutions to include Nigeria Industrial Development Bank, Nigeria Export-Import Bank and National Economic Reconstruction Fund to engender industrial development in the state. Osise said yesterday at a press conference in AdoEkiti that poor access to loans in agro-based in-

dustrial financial institutions by Ekiti industrialists had been hindering industrial development of the state. He praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for instituting social security scheme for the elderly and taking step for the resuscitation of moribund industries, including Ire Burnt Brick, Road Materials Construction Company (ROMACO) and Orin Farm settlement to add to economic value to the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-West

Friday, August 24, 2012

Fix federal roads in Ogun, Amosun begs FG •Launches mass transit scheme, bemoans loss of lives G overnor Ibikunle Amosun has blamed the poor state of federal roads for the high rate of motor accidents in Ogun State. The governor, who said this yesterday at the launch of the Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Scheme, BMTS, at the Memorial Arcade, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, described the state of the federal roads in Ogun as “worrisome.” He called on the Federal

Ministry of Works to speedily fix the roads. The BMTS took off with 77 buses to cater for the intra- and inter-city transport needs of the people. Amosun said at the event that: “Let me seize this opportunity to express concern on an issue that affects public transportation system, particularly in our state. This concerns the state of the federal roads in

the state. It saddens me to say that out of the 465,000 deaths and 18,095 injuries recorded in 5,330 road accidents in Nigeria in 2010, 649 of such deaths, 1,333 injuries and 1,980 accidents occurred in Ogun State alone. This translates to 16 per cent of fatalities, 8 per cent of injuries, and 37 per cent of road accidents, respectively. “Of course, this is due to the fact that the longest

Lagos: Two suspects in police net for snatching N2.2m OLUSEGUN KOIKI

otorcycle riders yesterday assisted the police to apprehend two middleaged men who robbed bureau de change operators at the Hajj and Cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The men, who pretended to change $13,900 to naira, stole N2.2m from the bureau de change operators. The two men approached the bureau de change operators at the terminal in a Honda Accord with Lagos registration number GZA 38 APP to change dollars to naira. After their arrest, the police at the Ajao Estate Police Station on the Murtala Mohammed Airport Road, Lagos, found different number plates in the booth of their car, but the cash stolen from the bureau de

change operators and their guns were not found on them. The Chairman of Bureau de Change Operators at the Hajj and Cargo terminal, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, told journalists at the police station that when his colleagues brought out the naira equivalent of the $13,900, the men snatched the money, zoomed off and started shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away. Usman said despite the shootings, commercial motorcyclists gave them a hot chase and in the process, the robbers started throwing up the money to facilitate their escape. However, luck ran out on the robbers when they met a gridlock at the Ajao Estate Junction, which made the riders to catch up with them. He said: “Some riders pursued them with the help of the police. They then

started throwing the money to people on the road, but people did not relent in their efforts to catch them. By the time they got to Ajao Estate Junction, they were caught by the people and they took them to the police station. “On getting to the station, police commenced their investigations into the matter and surprisingly, they could not find any money on them. Also, their guns had disappeared. What we discovered was that they threw the guns into the bush. We don’t know what they did with the money. “However, they said that they would send their wives to go and bring the money for us at the station.” Speaking on the issue, a police source said the suspects would be transferred to Area D from where they would be transferred to the Special Anti-robbery Squad in the state.

Ekiti TUC crisis: Let’s embrace peace, chairman urges members ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he leadership of the Trade Union Congress, TUC in Ekiti State, has appealed to the warring members to sheathe their swords and embrace peace in the interests of all workers. The state Acting Chairman of TUC, Comrade Ayodeji Ladeji, whose elevation by the TUC national body is a subject of controversy, who made the call, said “our mandate is to maintain peace and we are for peace”. In an interview with journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Ladeji appealed

to the former chairman, Comrade Kolawole Olaiya, to shelve the idea of resorting to litigation in resolving the crisis trailing the May 25 congress in the state. Ladeji, who traced the crisis rocking the union in the state to Olaiya’s alleged highhandedness, said it could have been averted if the former chairman had behaved like a statesman during the May 25 botched Delegates Conference in Ekiti. Olaiya, who said he remained the state TUC chairman, had threatened to take the TUC national leadership and the Ladeji-led state executive to court to stop the latter from parading himself as the

acting chairman of the union. “By the grace of God, I will complete my action in court before the end of this week and they will be served accordingly. My relief is not to banish them from TUC, but to stop Comrade Ladeji from parading himself as acting chairman,” Olaiya had said. But Ladeji said his elevation was justifiable and constitutional contrary to Olaiya’s claim. He said: “My predecessor, Comrade Olaiya, is not in charge of TUC in Ekiti, because my elevation as acting chairman has invalidated the Akure resolution, which was informal ab initio.”

sections of the two busiest highways in Nigeria, the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway, that links the busiest air and sea ports of Nigeria in Lagos with the rest of Nigeria, and the Sagamu - Ore - Benin Expressway that links the western and eastern parts of Nigeria, traverse the length of our state. “The state of disrepair of these roads and the other federal roads in Ogun State

are worrisome. I, therefore, plead with the Federal Government, and most especially the Federal Ministry of Works to pay attention to these roads, as a matter of urgency. This is the only way this mass transit project could be sustainable.” The governor also restated his administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of the people of the state. He said: “At this juncture,

let me restate our administration’s unwavering commitment to the development of Ogun State, and the wellbeing of our people. As we have continued to renovate existing roads, we are also constructing new ones. The flagship of the already constructed roads is the already completed six-lane Ibara Ita-Eko, Totoro Road, which is being linked with the Oke-Ilewo Road, with the ongoing overhead bridge, the first in the state capital.”

Ondo PDP factions trade words over governorship poll HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

factional leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Dr. Akin Olowookere, has vowed not to support the candidature of Chief Olusola Oke, the party’s standard bearer in the October 20 governorship poll. He said the party was not positioned to win the governorship election. Olowookere said the state leadership of the party was responsible for the crisis after the PDP lost power to the Labour Party.

He specifically blamed former Governor Olusegun Agagu for the present situation the partyfound itself. The factional chairman described the process which led to the emergence of Oke as the party standard bearer in the election as illegal and not acceptable to his group. But in a swift reaction, the state PDP Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, described the claims as a fallacy and the ranting of fifth columnists purporting to be members of the party “but who have consistently constituted mere irritants to the party in re-

Politics ‘Honours to those deserving them’ •Recipients of national honours should be above board –Chekwas Okorie, national chairman, United progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) •Withdrawing the honours is shaming corrupt recipients of the award and we are in support of it –Comrade Debo Adeniran, chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) •Withdrawing the honours is a sure way of curbing corruption –Fred Agbaje, Lagos based lawyer and human rights activist

InThe

cent times”. Fadaka said that ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State, the camp of the PDP in the state had continued to receive a boost just as some groups from Irele and Akure South local government areas of the state defected to the party. The groups were led into the party by the younger brother of the chairman of the Interim Committee of the Irele council, Dr. Sunday Akinbiola, and Prince Kunle Obafemi, who said they decided to join PDP with the groups after considering the achievements recorded by the party in the state.

Spotlight

Nigerians yet to recover from 1966 coup

hen you have 13 years of unbroken reign of the military in a very young country like Nigeria, the damage done is enormous. No matter what anybody says, I believe that the coming of the military to power in 1966 was the beginning of our problem in Nigeria. With the coming of the military there was also a civil war. Once a country goes on a civil war, the situation may not be the same again because people are exposed to violence, hardship and other acts. That to me was the beginning of Nigeria’s problem. –Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com

Celebrity

I don’t blow my own trumpet Jimmy

Woman

I never knew I could live this long

– Sheila Solarin

Jatt J a x SeTalk Riding your mornings to glorious sex

This column is x-rated

South East

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Robbers kill 22-year-old girl for resisting rape NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

ome suspected armed robber have killed a 22-year-old girl for resisting rape at Awka-Etiti community in Idemili South Local Government Area of the Anambra State. The incident, according to sources, occurred when the five-man robbery gang swooped on their victim’s parent in their Awka-Etiti residence at about 4.30am.

According to the source, the robbers allegedly stormed the victims’ premises with guns, cutlasses, cudgels and other dangerous weapons, forced their doors open, dispossessed them of their cash and other valuables before attempting to rape the deceased, whose name was given as Miss Francisca Ngozi Okoli. It was learnt efforts by the suspects to rape the deceased failed, as she resisted them vehemently until they became angry and decided

to pay her back with death by hitting her with pestle on the head, neck and waist until she went into coma. The suspects fled thereafter. The deceased was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by members of a vigilance group where she was certified death. Dr. Donald Nwasike, who received the body at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Awka-Etiti, confirmed that her body was brought into the hospital “BID,” which means in

medical parlance Broughtin-Dead. Dr. Nwasike said the lady was badly hit with objects. Confirming the incident to newsmen, the parent of the late Francisca, Mr. and Mrs. George Okoli, said they were shocked beyond imagination at the incident and could not explain the reason behind the attack. According to the father, the suspects broke into their house about 4.30am on the fateful day, searched everywhere and cash and valu-

ables before dragging her late daughter to a nearby detached room beside the bungalow where they insisted on gang-raping her. Okoli said his attempt to save her daughter failed when the robbers gave him the beating of his life and chased him out of the small room. Angered by her continued resistance, Okoli said the robbers made good their threat to kill her by hitting her with pestle on the head, neck and waist.

Umeh to PDP: Allow peace in Imo CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

ational Chairman of the All Prog ressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has appealed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow peace to reign in Imo State. Addressing journalists yesterday, after the inauguration of the Board of Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu Centre in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Chief Umeh said that PDP should allow APGA to run its government in the state since the Imo people did not vote for the former in 2011. He said: “The party should allow judicial process to take its cause in Imo State as the court has declared that the Oguta representative in the rerun election should not be sworn-in until the matter before the court is determined. That is the rule of law.” According to him, many members of the opposition parties have been praising APGA for providing good governance for the people of Imo State, adding: “Why are they jittery that APGA is serving the people well, they should give us peace and wait till 2015.”

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (2nd right); Chief Executive Officer of Orange Drugs, Chief Tony Ezenna (middle); his wife, Elizabeth (right) and others, during the inspection of Orange Drugs facilities which is to be commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan later in the month in Anambra State.

InterSociety wants traffic control agency banned CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

nternational Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) has called on Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to proscribe the state Traffic Control Agency (ASTA) for allegedly engaging in sundry lawless activities. The group described ASTA’s office at the Onitsha Bridgehead as a den of robbers, abductors, thieves, fake revenue collectors, touts and assault offenders. InterSociety, however, urged the governor to shut ASTA office under the Ni-

ger Headbridge and get the agency scrapped, describing its activities as “a big dent on the governor’s reputation.” It accused some commissioners and special advisers of involvement in alleged fraud and self-enrichment. InterSociety said: “It is observed that every ministry and agency have become a revenue collection body, yet at the month end, little or nothing is returned to the government coffers. This suggests that such revenues end up in the private pockets of some of the commissioners, special assistants and their unconventional revenue agents

and contractors”. The group called on the governor to investigate the commissioners and impose serious sanctions on those found guilty. In a protest letter sent to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government yesterday, InterSociety alleged that ASTA, an agency set up four years ago to control traffic and enforce traffic regulations, had grossly deviated from its statutory duties, as it became a lucrative unconventional revenue source for those running it and their allies. InterSociety specifically queried the purport-

ed involvement of ASTA agents in the collection of revenue items like drivers and conductors badge clearance receipt of N10, 000. The group cited the case of one Chief Peter Onyenelisi, who was allegedly ambushed by some suspected ASTA operatives. InterSociety said the case of Chief Onyenelisi was one out of many that took place daily, adding that investigations revealed that 10 innocent people, mostly private vehicle owners, were daily victims who lost between N15,000 to N100,00m the ASTA officials.

Ojukwu wasn’t a secessionist, says Okorocha CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged Nigerians not to see the civil war fought by the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as an act of secession, but a course he believed in. The governor spoke yesterday during the inauguration of the Board of Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu Centre in Owerri, the state capital. He said: “Ikemba represented an ideal Igbo who fought for a course that he believed in. He never fought for secession, but for the course he believed in and not self centered.” Stressing that Ndigbo were constantly misunderstood by other Nigerians, Okorocha described them as the nation’s economic strength. He, however, regretted that Ndigbo were always at the receiving end of violence in the country. The governor asked members of the board to always preserve and protect the Igbo culture. The 18-member board, drawn from the seven Igbo speaking states, include the former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. George Obiozor (Chairman), Prof. Fabian Osuji (Director and Chief Executive) and former Minister of Health Prof. Alphonsus Nwosu.

Gov. Okorocha

Ex-Anambra deputy governor’s body expected home CHARLES OKEKE

AWKA

he body of the former deputy governor of Anambra State, Mr. Vincent Aniagor, who died recently in United States, is expected

home. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has released money to facilitate the return of the body from Miami, the United States. This was announced by the former Commissioner for the Environment, Dr.

Michael Egbebike, while addressing journalists at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, after collecting the cheque on behalf of Aniagor’s family. Mr. Aniagor, who hailed from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area,

was the deputy of the last Military Governor of the Old Anambra State, Colonel Robort Akonobi. He was also the deputy to the first Military Administrator of the new Anambra State, Navy Captain Joseph Abulu in

1991. Aniagor died while on visit to Miami, United States. Dr Egbebuike, however, said that Governor Obi released enough money to ensure that Aniagor’s body was flown to the

state without burden to the family. The former commissioner recalled that the governor’s gesture was in line with what was done for the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-South

Friday, August 24, 2012

Fresh crisis brews in Delta PDP over exco

SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

resh crisis is brewing in the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the composition of its state executive. The inauguration of three members of the executive, who were elected in the March 17 congress of the party, was suspended, while others were replaced by those who did not participate in the congress at yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony.

The swearing-in was presided over by the PDP South-South Zonal Chairman, Dr. Steve Oru, and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The new executive, whose inauguration had been delayed twice, emerged from the two factions of the party in the state led by the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark and Uduaghan. It was a byproduct of the reconciliation and harmonisation of the two feuding groups. A mild drama ensued during yesterday’s in-

auguration ceremony held at the Government House, Asaba, when it was announced that the swearing-in of the elected Treasurer, Chief Akpos Edafevwotu; Vice Chairman, South Senatorial District, Mr. Ekenwan Akwagbe; and Legal Adviser, Mr. John Ishaka; had been suspended pending further directives from the Wadata Plaza National Headquarters of the party. Besides, some other elected officers, including the state Assistant Secretary, Delta Central

Senatorial District, Mr. Patrick Edatire, were replaced by fresh nominees by Clark. The March 17 congress became controversial following Clark’s rejection of some members of the state working committee, who emerged from the congress. Clark, who was abroad during the congress, objected to those who emerged as members of the executive from his own faction of the party, insisting that they were alien to his group.

The former minister of information questioned the judgement of a prominent member of his faction and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who sealed the deal with Uduaghan, on behalf of his group. Efforts to pacify Clark were futile as he dispatched petition to the national headquarters of the party, seeking the annulment of the election of the new executive members. In the petition sent to the National Chairman

of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and copied Uduaghan, Orubebe, Oru and the state Chairman of the party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, Clark insisted that the elected executive members be replaced by his preferred loyalists, whose names he attached to the petition. However, Udughan’s loyalists and a few others, who enjoyed the backing of Clark, were inaugurated as members of the working committee of the party in the state yesterday.

Be accountable, ACN tells Dickson’s commissioners, aides EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

L-R: Deputy Director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Mr. Leo Atakpu, and South-South Youth League, Comrade Omobude Agho, at a press conference on the release of Rev. David Ugolor who was arrested and detained in connection with the murder of Comrade Olaitan, in Benin, Wednesday.

Two suspected assassins die of gunshot wounds in Bayelsa E MMA G BEMUDU YENAGOA

wo suspected assassins, who sustained gunshot wounds in an attack on the police on Monday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, died yesterday. The suspects, identified as Gbafare Gold and Ayi Benjamin, were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Yenagoa last Monday by the police for treatment as a result of bullet injuries sustained during the encounter. The state Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omire, disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Yenagoa while

parading 24 other suspects allegedly involved in other crimes in the state. He said the suspected assassins had confessed to the killing of Orlando Owodo and British Egena at Azikoro village on July 16. Omire said investigations showed that the suspects had an armoury at Igbogene in Yenagoa and led the Police to area. The commissioner said that some gunmen working for the suspects, who had laid an ambush for the police, opened fire at his men. He noted that the policemen were saved by a whisker, adding that the

suspects could not escape because they were chained to the back of the vehicle which was riddled with bullets. Owodo and Egena, who were inside a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, with registration number GBJ 154 AA, were shot at close range by gunmen wearing bulletproof vests. “We didn’t know it was a plot to kill the police officers and escape. The police operatives had a close shave with death. They (the suspects) were chained to the back of the vehicle so there was no way they would have been able to jump out while only two of the detec-

tives were in that vehicle. Two of the suspects who were at the back were hit,” the commissioner said.

he Bayelsa State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, yesterday asked the 27 commissioners appointed by Governor Seriake Dickson to show accountability in the discharge of their duties. The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Christopher Abarowei, made the call in an interview with our correspondent in Yenagoa. He observed that the commissioners and other aides were yet to present detailed reports of their activities in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, since they were inaugurated. Applauding Dickson’s monthly public disclosure of the state income and expenditure, Abarowei said the commissioners should emulate the governor by giving account of their stewardship. The ACN spokesman argued that the issues of income and expenditure

would be more open when Dickson’s aides embraced transparency and accountability, since the MDAs were involved in the execution of policies and projects. He said: “The commissioners have squeezed themselves under the canopy of Dickson’s monthly transparency briefings. The governor’s transparency initiative could only make impact when the commissioners replicate the exercise in their ministries. The decision of Governor Seriake Dickson to make public the income and expenditure of Bayelsa State every month is laudable. It is a hallmark of governance and service delivery. “If Dickson’s lofty idea of transparency initiative will make any meaningful impact and capture the realities on ground in Bayelsa State, where works will be assessed based on performance and not propaganda, then the commissioners must also carry out transparency briefings at their ministries.”

INEC appoints new REC for Edo SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has appointed a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Baritor Kpagih, for Edo State. Kpagih, a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, who replaces Barrister Kassim Gaidam, has already assumed duty in Benin City. The former REC, it was learnt, has been sent to Ad-

amawa State. Handing over to Kpagih, Gaidam said the challenge that the new REC would face was mostly the conduct of the planned continuous voters registration exercise. He said the first attempt to carry out the exercise before the governorship election was cancelled to allay the fears and apprehensions of the residents of the state. Gaidam therefore advised the new REC to be impartial and transparent, adding that the virtues were

very critical success factors in electoral process. In his remark, Kpagih commended his predecessor on the successful conduct of the July 14 governorship poll in Edo State. He said the election had made Nigerians, especially those working in INEC proud because it was free, fair and credible. He therefore appealed to the staff of INEC to give him even more support than they gave the former REC which brought about the electoral success.

North

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Herdsmen kill two villagers, injure one in Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

ulani herdsmen yesterday attacked Sho village in Barki Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing two people while one person

sustained gunshot wounds. Also on Wednesday, the herdsmen destroyed some farmlands belonging to the villagers and set their livestock ablaze in what many people believe was a reprisal attack for the recent killing of three of their

kinsmen by unknown gunmen in the area. It was gathered that the victims of the latest attack on Sho had gone into the bush to fetch firewood before they were ambushed and gunned down by the assailants.

The Executive Director of Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, told our correspondent that suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked people in their farms and destroyed their farms. He said: “They came

into the village with their guns, shooting at villagers. Two villagers died while one was injured in the leg.” The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Abuh, who confirmed the latest incident, said security agents were

on the trail of the culprits. He, however, said no arrest had been made. Abuh said the victims had gone to their farm, but on their way back, they were waylaid and shot dead by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.

2015: Senatorial ticket divides Suswam, Gemade GEORGE OJI ABUJA

he battle line seems to have been drawn between Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and Senator Barnabas Gemade over the senatorial ticket for the Benue North-East senatorial district. This followed the reported endorsement of the governor as the preferred candidate by some elders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the zone. Gemade, who just returned to the country a few days ago from his annual vacation abroad, has described the action of the elders who endorsed Suswam for the slot as “mischievous”. An aide to Gemade, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday in Abuja on the issue, alleged that the governor took advantage of the senator’s trip abroad, gathered and bribed a few of the socalled elders to issue the declaration. He said on returning to the country, the former chairman of the PDP was

so incensed by the development that he confronted a few of the people reported to have made the declaration. According to the aide, the said elders dissociated themselves from the endorsement and instead pledged their loyalty to Gemade. The aide said Gemade was irked by the elders’ reported action because of the pivotal role he played in ensuring that Suswam was re-elected in 2011 despite all the odds against him. He said: “Considering all the troubles and risks the senator went through to ensure the re-election of Suswam in the face of the daunting and combined opposition against his return, it will be the highest show of ingratitude for him (the governor) to want to eye the senatorial seat when Gemade is just on his first term in office and is still interested in returning to the Senate. “The least the governor could do is to exercise patience until Gemade finishes his second term just like they allowed the governor to do.”

L-R: Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero; Director-General, National Productivity Centre, Dr. Paul Bdliya and Chairman of the occasion, Malam Abidu Yazid, at the 12th Kaduna State Productivity Day and Honours Award in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Violence: FG seeks solution through traditional, religious leaders JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

he Federal Government said it was ready to engage the services of traditional rulers and religious leaders as well as civil society organ-

Plateau by-election: INEC, parties disagree on date JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and political parties in Plateau State yesterday disagreed on the date for the senatorial election in the state. INEC had earlier fixed September 15 as the date for the by-election in Plateau North Senatorial which became vacant following the death of Senator Gyang Dantong. But at a meeting with state chairmen of political parties held at the INEC office in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the parties rejected the date,

Governor Jang

saying they were not consulted before it was fixed. “It is wrong for INEC to fix the date without consulting the parties. The September 15 date is not feasible because it is too close and will not give enough room for parties to select their candidates and conduct the campaigns,” the state Chairman of the

Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Alhaji Yusuf Kanam, told our correspondent after the meeting. Most of those who spoke favoured a shift in date to enable them prepare adequately for the election. At the end, it was agreed that the election be conducted in October but no particular date was arrived at as the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Habu Zarma, who presided over the meeting, told the party chieftains that a new date would be communicated to them after due consultation with INEC office in Abuja.

isations in tackling the security challenge facing the country. The Acting Minister of Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, disclosed this yesterday while addressing members of the Special Task Force, STF, at their headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital. The minister, who was on a working visit to the state, told the soldiers that the Defence Headquarters was aware of the security measures which the STF

had put in place to end the crisis in the state, added that arrangements were being made to supply them with more working equipment such as kits and medical materials to enhance their performance. She said: “I am here to encourage you on the role you are playing to bring lasting peace in Plateau State and you should abide by the rules of engagement to avoid unnecessary collateral damage as much as possible.

“Plateau State was a destination of joy for many people due to its peaceful nature and good atmospheric weather condition, hence the need for lasting peace is paramount.” Mrs. Obada said the Federal Government was not unaware of the political dimension to the violence in the state. She disclosed that the government was also making frantic efforts to find political solution to the crisis.

Kwara to demolish structures under PHCN high-tension wires

wara State Government has warned the residents against building houses and shops under hightension electricity lines belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Mohammed Babakpan, gave the warning in a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday. Babakpan noted that some people in the state,

especially those in rural areas, erected structures without considering the consequences of their action. The commissioner said government officials would embark on inspection visits to ensure that structures under hightension power lines were removed He said: “Many shops are built under high-tension cables in which the owners did not critically take into consideration

the implications on their lives and property. “It is extremely dangerous to build or carry out any activity under high-tension power lines or close to PHCN equipment because people stand the risk of electrocution in case of wire cut and radiation from the power line.” The commissioner also said that his ministry would embark on enlightenment campaign to check the menace.

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Politics

FG, Delta govt fight over Ibori’s $15m bribe money

Jonathan govt, a disaster for Nigeria, says Tinubu AYODELE OJO

resident Goodluck Jonathan has received hard knocks in faraway Washington, United States, as former governor of Lagos State and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described his government “as a failure, disaster and disappointment.”

Tinubu, who spoke on “The Role of the Opposition in Meeting Nigeria’s challenges,” told an American audience of scholars, academics, advisors, researchers and members of the business community on Wednesday that President Jonathan’s errant policies have awakened Nigerians to the grave mistake they made when they handed him the staff of office. He said President Jona-

than would lose if an election were conducted today in Nigeria. His words: “If an election were held today, Jonathan would not win. To all Nigerians, his administration has been a disappointment. If it continues as it is, they will come to see it as a manifold disaster. “By his policies; political and economic, the people believe he has turned his back on them, that he has

broken the contract between the government and the governed. If given a viable alternative, they are more than ready to turn their back on him and his party. The opposition now is ready to provide that alternative.” Tinubu noted that under Jonathan’s watch, Nigeria has become a dangerous place to live. “Nigeria is fast becoming one of the most dangerous places on

L-R: Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi and Senator James Manager, during the inauguration of PDP Central Working Committee exco members in Asaba, yesterday.

earth. The stories of militia killings, brutal attacks and bombings we thought restricted to Afghanistan, Iraq or Somalia are now daily fare in Nigeria. In Boko Haram, Nigeria confronts a creeping, low-grade, brutal insurgency. These extremists oppose more than the current administration; they threaten Nigerian democracy. Large parts of the country now lie outside the authority and control of Federal Government.” The ACN leader, however, urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of bad governance at the centre and the insecurity unleashed on the land by extremist group, Boko Haram. “I assure you that the challenges we know face is a passing phase and Nigeria will overcome. We are not known to be fundamentalists. Nigeria will overcome the Boko Haram menace. “Government must be ready to tackle the root cause of this type of radicalism, provide jobs for the people, ensure that intelligence gathering is excellent and lead with courage and vision,” he said. Tinubu said the issues

of justice and fairness, economic justice, true federalism and free and fair elections will continue to top the agenda of those that want to see a different country as against the present situation where “Nigeria currently is tossed by four distinct but related storms. First, we exist in political limbo. Although uniformed generals no longer formally control the levers of government, the ways and manner of military rule still dominate the political landscape. We hold elections in Nigeria. But that isolated fact does not make democracy.” He also decried the politics of the ruling party. He said: “Political competition in Nigeria is no longer primarily driven by personal rivalry or ethnic considerations. Democratic policy and principle drive the politics of my party. On one side, there stands the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governing aristocracy. Their vision for the nation is neither caring nor democratic. Their vision is to impress the vast majority into the service of small elite.”

are witnessing at RSUST, is unacceptable. “To say the least, the reappointment of Fakae as acting vice chancellor is morally repugnant and legally indefensive,” Isa said. He said that Fakae’s appointment by Amaechi in 2008 was illegal as it was not the responsibility of the governor to do so but that of the university’s governing council. He said the appointment of the VC did not follow due process and when the matter was challenged by the RSUST branch of ASUU, the governor, who attended the congress of the union, pleaded that the matter be laid to rest. He said members of the union then, felt that the governor should be given the benefit of the doubt as ASUU was not a

body that “prided itself in rubbing in the mud the noses of leaders.” Isa said the ASUU leadership had declared Thursday, August 30, as a day of solidarity with its members in RSUST and had directed all its members nationwide to stay away from work on that day. The ASUU leader also accused Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, of doing the governor’s bidding in the matter. “Another surprise was that Justice Karibi-Whyte started inventing rationales and justifications for the re-appointment of Prof. Fakae as if he is oblivious of the Visitor’s gentleman’s agreement with the university community,” it said.

Ekiti denies short-changing LG workers ASUU slams Amaechi for re-appointing VC FELIX NWANERI

he Ekiti State government has dismissed claims by the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) that it is starving councils in the state of funds, insisting that the workers are getting the funds due to them from the federation account. The state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, who stated this, described the allegation as “spurious, unfounded, illogical, baseless and a calculated attempt to blackmail a government that puts the interest of workers on the front burner of its agenda.”

The state chapter of NULGE had alleged in a notice of 14-day ultimatum served on the government that it is short-changing them of receipts from the federation account. But Afuye explained: “According to a record of data on the council allocations shared by the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) within the purview of local government and state representatives, there was nothing held back by the state government. “Rather, the state at all times had augmented any shortfall to assist the local governments in the spirit of workers’ welfare and industrial harmony.” The commissioner maintained that the records of what local gov-

ernment councils are getting are available at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, adding: “What we have been saying is that the state government is interested in the welfare of its workers and that is why all categories of workers have been paid minimum wage. “The biometric registration of workers to know their number has not been completed at the council level. But for the purpose of welfare, the government has not shirked its responsibilities of giving workers at all levels what is due to them even though it is the responsibilities of the local government councils to take care of their workers.”

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers of meddling in the running of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST). The President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa, said at a media briefing yesterday in Abuja that the governor had shown a clear violation of the statutes establishing the university by the “undeserved and illegal re-appointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as the Vice Chancellor (VC). “A university is a product of law. Such a law must be respected and protected at all times by those the people have entrusted to govern the university. Anything short of that, as we

Politics

EMMANUEL ONANI writes on the battle between the Federal and Delta State governments to take possession of the $15 million bribe money allegedly offered the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, by former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori.

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG, Delta govt fight over Ibori’s $15m bribe money

he circumstances surrounding the $15 million bribe allegedly offered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori are seemingly a theatrical projection of Nigeria as a nation of absurdities. No better scenario mirrors these internal contradictions than the unfolding drama on the Ibori bribe saga.

Ibori

Genesis Former chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had made a startling revelation that Ibori offered him a bribe in the sum of $15 million ostensibly to compromise the EFCC’s investigation of money laundering offences against him. Ribadu made this claim in a witness statement on oath to the Metropolitan Police of London, thereby underscoring its veracity and reliability. Delta State, in its affidavit, insisted that Ribadu asked Ibori to meet him at the residence of the former Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Andy Uba, in the Villa where the “set-up” deal was sealed. Ribadu was said to have directed Messrs Ibrahim Lamorde (current chairman of the EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and five other officers to come to Uba’s house to pick up the bribe, which was later domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to be used as exhibit in court, whenever trial will commence.

Lamorde confirmed ‘transaction’ Attached to the supporting affidavit as exhibit is a statement said to have been made by Lamorde, who was then EFCC‘s Director of Operation. It reads: “My name is Ibrahim Lamorde. I am the Director of Operation of the EFCC. On the 25th of April, 2007, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu told me that there was the sum of $15 million (USD) in cash given to him and the commission by Mr. James Ibori, the then governor of Delta State. He explained further that the money was in Dr. Andy Uba’s residence in the Villa area. He directed that I should make arrangement to collect the money and deposit same with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). I, therefore, drafted a letter addressed to the branch controller of CBN Garki. I gave the letter to Mr. James Garba a CBN staff currently.”

Crisis point In the face of these facts lies the denial of ownership of the money and attendant culpability by Ibori. This development left the EFCC with no choice but to approach a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for an order of forfeiture of the $15 million to the Federal Gov-

Uduaghan Ribadu

ernment, since the money was not claimed at the expiration of 14 days given for prospective claimants to come forward with facts to grant them right of ownership. This prayer was granted by Justice Gabriel Kolawole on July 24. The commission had, in the motion filed by its counsel, Chief Rotimi Jacobs dated July 5, 2012, asked the court for “an interim order forfeiting the $15 million being an unclaimed property in possession of the CBN to the Federal Government, pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for the final forfeiture order of the said property”, even as it claimed that , “if left untouched and unspent in the state it was kept in the strong room since April 2007, may eventually be destroyed, defaced, mutilated and become useless.” In a 14-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Bello Yahaya, the EFCC averred among others that: “While the investigation was going on, on April 25, 2007, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the then Executive Chairman of the EFCC called the investigation team headed by Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, the then Director of Operations, to pick up cash in the sum of $15, 000, 000. 00 given to him and the Commission through an undisclosed agent of the said James Ibori. “That upon picking up the said $15 million, we deposited same on April 26, 2007 with the Central Bank of Nigeria which was duly acknowledged and signed for by one M.M El-Yallud, a staff working in strong room 1 of the CBN. “That from the said April 26, 2007, the money remained in the custody of the CBN till date. The issue of giving bribe was raised by me in my affidavit sworn to on January 9, 2008 in opposition to James Ibori’s bail application when he was eventually charged to court for Money Laundering Offences. “James Ibori denied through his reply to

counter affidavit dated January 10, 2008, of giving the sum of $15 million to EFCC or its officials. That ever since April 2007, no one has claimed ownership of the said sum and it has since remained unclaimed money in the strong room of the CBN. “That the said sum if left untouched and unspent in the state it was kept in the strong room since April, 2007, may eventually be destroyed, defaced, mutilated and become useless. “That it is in the interest of justice to, in the interim, make an order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria and allow publication to be made in the national newspaper to alert any interested member of the public to come out within 14 days to show their interest, failure to which this honourable court will make an order of final forfeiture in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria. “That the EFCC is ready to abide by the order that this honourable court will eventually make. It is in the interest of justice to grant this application.” In granting the order of interim forfeiture, Justice Gabriel Kolawole directed

FOR

DELTA STATE TO

QUALIFY TO RECEIVE THE MONEY, IBORI

MUST BE CONVICTED OF BEING THE GIVER OF THE BRIBE AS WELL AS THE MONEY BEING SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN STOLEN FROM

STATE

DELTA

that, “for anyone who is interested in the property to appear before the court to show cause within 14 days while the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.” He noted that, “the commission on 26th April, 2007 deposited the said cash of $15, 000, 000 into the strong room of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “James Ibori has since denied giving the said cash of $15million to the commission or any of its officers.” Consequently, the judge fixed September 17 to hear the motion on notice for the final forfeiture of the $15 million, even as he warned that the money would be finally forfeited to the Federal Government as proceed of fraud if nobody laid claim to it.

Delta government came knocking On Monday, August 13, the AttorneyGeneral of Delta State, Chief Charles Ajuyah (SAN) moved a motion dated August 10, seeking an order awarding the $15 million bribe sum to the state. The motion was supported by a 35-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Nikiru Bridget Emakpor, a legal officer in the Delta State Ministry of Justice. In the said motion, Delta State argued that the amount in question belongs to it, since it was doled out by Ibori when he held sway as the chief executive of the oil-rich state. It cited instances where the Federal Government awarded such forfeited funds to Plateau and Bayelsa states, when Chiefs Joshua Dariye and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as respective governors of the two states, were found to have mismanaged state funds. The supporting affidavit filed to show cause and to establish the claim of Delta state government to the $15 millio received CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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FG, Delta govt fight over Ibori’s $15m bribe money CONTINUED FROM 14 by the EFCC states: “That the said $15 million is the property of Delta State government and Delta State government is entitled to collect the said amount as the bonafide owner of the said money. “That the applicants commenced investigations against Chief James Onanefe Ibori during his term in office. “That on or about the 11th of December, 2007, the applicants filed a criminal charge at the Federal High Court against Chief James Onanefe Ibori in Charge No. FHC/KD/81C/2007 and on 13th December, 2007 Chief James Onanefe Ibori and others were arraigned before the Federal High Court, Kaduna. “That on 17th December, 2007 Chief James Ibori filed an application for bail and the applicants opposed the application and exchanged affidavits including the two affidavits exhibited along with the Motion Ex Parte herein. “That in the proof of evidence filed along with the charges, Ibrahim Lamorde, who is currently the chairman of the 3rd applicant, stated that the said sum was collected by him from Dr. Andy Uba. The said statement is exhibited and marked as “Exhibit DTSG 1. “That on 11th February, 2008 the Federal High Court admitted Chief James Ibori to bail. “That thereafter the applicants applied to amend the charges filed against Chief James Ibori and that the amendment of the charges occurred severally on 11th January, 2008 increasing the counts from 103 t0 129 counts and on 12th March, 2008 from 129 to 170 counts. “Notwithstanding the depositions contained in the affidavit sworn to by Chief James Ibori in his affidavit of 10th January, 2008, the applicants did not accept the facts deposed by Chief James Ibori. The applicants pressed on the charge in respect of the $15 million and Chief James Ibori was put on trial on that count among others. “That on 18th February, 2008 Chief James Ibori requested for the transfer of the case from the Federal High Court Kaduna Judicial Division to the Asaba Judicial Division, which application was refused by the trial Judge but subsequently granted on appeal to the Court of Appeal, Kaduna on 19th December, 2008. “The Applicants’ appeal against the decision of the Court of Appealis still pending at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in APPEAL NO. SC/136/2009.

Lawyers disagree on ownership The claims made by the Federal and Delta State governments to the ownership of the $15 million allegedly offered Ibori have attracted mixed reactions from some senior lawyers. While some support the position that the controversial bribe sum belongs to Delta State, others are of the opinion that it is nobody’s money and so should be awarded to the Federal Government. Lawyers who spoke to National Mirror on the issue include Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), Abuja branch chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, Chiefs Awa Kalu (SAN), Solo Akuma (SAN) and Israel Olorundare (SAN). Whereas Ahamba and Osigwe opposed

Lamorde Uba

Delta State claim of ownership of the bribe money on the ground that Ibori had earlier denied knowledge of it, Kalu, Akuma and Olorundare supported it, saying the money belongs to the state, more so that it was offered for bribe when Ibori held sway as governor. Ahamba said: “Delta state government has to establish how James Ibori got the money out of Delta treasury. This is important because, Ibori denied ever giving the money to former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu and there was no hearing where it was conclusively decided that Ibori actually gave the said amount of money to Ribadu. Until this fact is established, the money becomes bona vacantia (nobody’s money) and so belongs to the Federal government.” Osigwe, who is also against the return of the money to Delta State government, said: “No, I don’t support the return of the alleged $15 million bribe to Delta State. You will recall that Ibori denied ever giving the alleged bribe to Nuhu Ribadu. Therefore, for Delta State to qualify to receive the money, Ibori must be convicted of being the giver of the bribe as well as the money being shown to have been stolen from Delta State. Delta State cannot lay claim to the money neither can it admit on Ibori’s behalf that the bribe money was given to Ribadu.” But Kalu is of the view that “once it is determined that Ibori gave the money as bribe and as governor of Delta State then, it would be my view that the money be returned to Delta State. Note that Ibori was not convicted of any crime in that court.” Akuma said: “The Federal Government can’t take the money because it’s money from Delta State and can’t be personal money of Ibori. It would have been otherwise if Ibori had been convicted of an offence based on that money and no charge of bribery was brought against him; it would have been otherwise if he was charged and convicted on the offence of bribery, only then would a court have made an order awarding the money to Federal Government.” For Olorundare, “if the money is from Delta State definitely the money has to be returned to Delta State. Nuhu Ribadu did

the proper thing at that time and there should be no controversy about that at all. The Federal Government cannot lay claim to it because it belongs to Delta State and should be returned to Delta State.”

Delta stakeholders speak Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, supported the state government, saying that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was right to have demanded for the repatriation of the funds to the state. Clark said it would be unfair and unjust to pay the money into the coffers of the Federal Government to be shared with other states of the federation. Clark said: “The money belongs to Delta State government since it is not Ibori’s personal money. The salaries and other entitlements of Ibori in eight years is not up to one tenth of that money. The money is our money given to Ribadu as bribe, even if he (Ibori) denied it. If Ribadu is not an honest man, he won’t return the money to the Central Bank.” “The money should be returned to Delta and no other state government should claim the money. We are supporting the governor in claiming the money; the Federal Government do not have any money there. Money own by Delta State govern-

WE SUGGEST THAT THE MONEY BE KEPT IN AN INTEREST YIELDING ACCOUNT OR AN ESCROW ACCOUNT DEVOID OF THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT OR THE UDUAGHAN- LED GOVERNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF DELTANS

ment, being stolen by a governor, will only revert to the state government where the money was stolen. It will be unfair and unjust to pay the money into the federation account, where everybody will share it. We support the governor in a bid to claim the money,” Clark added. The Chairman of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in Delta State, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, also supported Clark, that the money be released to the state government. “The money should be released to the state because Ibori gave the money as bribe. It will be unfair to deprive the state of its right. DPP intends to join the suit because Delta State money has to be released to Delta State and not Federal Government,” Ezeagwu noted. But the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHD) disagreed with Clark. FJHD’s National Coordinator, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, said it was laughable that Uduaghan, who denied that Ibori gave out the state’s money as bribe to Ribadu was demanding the same money. Ikimi, in an e-mail to National Mirror, stated, “We describe the U-turn by the Emmanuel Uduaghan-led Delta State Government on the issue as both comical and an open admission and a confirmation that Chief James Ibori gave the money in question to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the then Chairman of the EFCC as a bribe. We are not oblivious of the fact that when sometime in the year 2009 when the EFCC arraigned Chief James Ibori at the Federal High Court Asaba with a 174-count charge of money laundering including attempting to bribe Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief James Ibori filed a counter-affidavit through his lawyers to the effect that he never sent any official of the Delta State government to deliver the said money to Nuhu Ribadu even when ordinary Deltans knew that Chief Ibori was been economical with the true. “As a matter of facts the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan- led government gave tacit support to Chief Ibori and even organised a thanksgiving party for him when Justice Awokulehin discharged Ibori of all the 174-count charge including the count alleging the said bribe of $15 million. EFCC had no option than to keep the said money with the CBN for safe keeping while the Delta State government kept mute as it took sides with Chief Ibori. “At the London Crown Court, Chief Ibori was never tried or charged for attempting to bribe Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the above sum as a count and as such the Delta State government’s argument that Chief Ibori robbed the state of the said sum having been convicted in London of money laundering is of no moment. In the light of the above, we suggest that the money be kept in an interest yielding account or an escrow account devoid of the Federal Government or the Uduaghan- led government for the benefit of Deltans till 2016 when a new governor will be sworn in. We are assembling our team of lawyers to see the possibility of joining the suit with a view to pressing our arguments for Deltans.” While the dramatis personae gear up for a “performance” before the court on September 17, the public waits with bated breath to see which way the pendulum swings.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Friday, August 24, 2012

Electricity: Tackling a perennial national shame DAKUKU PETERSIDE

here is a universal consensus on the central role of electricity in the economic growth of a nation and its people’s prosperity. Production and productivity, human development such as life expectancy, knowledge and decent standard of living, depend on it. Electricity makes it possible to achieve the full potentials of any society and makes life worthwhile in a modern society. Unfortunately, Nigeria does not only have a problem with electricity generation, the problem appears to have no solution. This is more painful and worrisome given the fact of our robust national endowment of oil and gas deposits and hydropower potentials. The pertinent question is if there is nothing that can be done to tackle this national embarrassment and provide regular, safe and reliable electricity to 160 million Nigerians. A few weeks ago, I stumbled on the history of electricity development in Nigeria and how the first power plant was built in 1898 in Lagos. I also read about how the British colonial administration passed the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) Ordinance No.15 of 1950, which sought to integrate electricity supply to make it more efficient. One significant development since then was the merger of ECN and Niger Dam Authority in1972 to become National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). For many years, and curiously under the military administrations of the 1970s, NEPA tried to keep faith as the driving

force of Nigeria’s socio-economic agenda. Relatively too, the power company acquitted itself with this new role by steering Nigeria into a greater industrial society. It also positively affected the quality of life of the average Nigerian family with good life and opportunities offered by power. But the glorious era of the 1970s appears to be the end of the good old story. As the country moved into the 1980s era, new power supply challenges emerged. First, domestic demand for electricity outstripped supply; second, mismanagement set in; and finally, politicization of strategic power issues, including insensitivity about the clear signals to transit to private sector driven business model, became the order of the day. While I ruminated over the interesting story of this power behemoth, I was also agitated at the seeming success it recorded both during the colonial and immediate post colonial Nigeria. At the centre of NEPA’s success story were careful planning, patriotism of its personnel, hard work and discipline. Today, NEPA has an offspring whose story is radically different. In the eyes of most Nigerians, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is inefficient, corrupt, indolent, irresponsible and unpatriotic. However, the unfortunate side to Nigeria’s recurring electricity problem is the obvious lack of immediate solution in the horizon. The story has remained the same since the Olusegun Obasanjo era that came with a lot of expectations and promises; and particularly with the heavy

THERE IS EVEN A JOKE, THOUGH AN EXPENSIVE ONE WHICH CLAIMS THAT

NIGERIA’S 160

MILLION POPULATION USES AS MUCH POWER AS A TINY AREA

NARITA AIRPORT IN TOKYO AROUND

investments made during this democratic dispensation. With this visible turnaround input, it is pertinent to ask why this electricity supply problem has persisted. Many people have attributed this intractable electricity crisis to so many factors, and they include resources deficit and lack of political will on the part of the leadership. However, I have my reservations as a concerned Nigerian. Money to my mind is not a major obstacle towards building an effective and efficient power sector. Nigeria is among eight top OPEC oil revenue earners. She is also believed to have natural gas reserve of 184 trillion cubic feet, the largest in Africa and the seventh largest in the world. This gas resource is a critical national endowment that could propel self sufficiency in electricity generation.

However, one truth of our national life in comparison with other countries is our abysmally low electricity generating capacity. Egypt, Belgium, Iran, South-Africa, South Korea and Malaysia are all countries with far smaller populations but with very intimidating power generating capacity. This development exposes our embarrassing shortfall in electricity generation. There is even a joke, though an expensive one which claims that Nigeria’s 160 million population uses as much power as a tiny area around Narita Airport in Tokyo. But the fact that South-Africa’s 49 million people consume 55 times more energy per head than Nigeria is no joke. I appreciate the fact that South Africa has its own share of this electricity challenge too. I think what has happened over the years with our power generation is a manifestation of our collective failure in certain critical sectors of our national life. Like most Nigerians of my generation, I still remember vividly NEPA’s embarrassing nickname: ‘Never Expect Power Always” and the organization unfortunately lived up to that expectation in those days. Regrettably, the reality is even harsher today. The acronym of rebranded ‘PHCN’ is derisively said to be Please Have Candle Nearby. To be continued Hon. Peterside is Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream)

Appraising the problems in Nigeria’s education sector BELLO A. SALAMI

igerians are complaining of falling standard of education and the very low global rating of their universities. This is unfortunate when viewed from the fact that in the 1960s and early 1970s, students from different parts of Africa and indeed the world, came to Nigeria to pursue higher education. What could have happened to our education sector that today, we hardly see foreign students in our higher institutions, but our children rather run to other countries, some not known for high quality education in the past, to pursue higher education? For me, all stakeholders - the government, teachers, parents and the students – are guilty. The government places too much emphasis on paper qualification and low emphasis on competence. This same government finds it difficult to provide suitable environment for teaching and learning. In the past, a classroom was meant to contain a maximum of 35 children, but today, we have over 100 in a class. We have witnessed situations where teachers cannot identify their pupils when they meet outside the schools. Motivation for teaching, especially at primary and post primary levels, is nonexistence. Teachers are poorly paid and they are poorly supervised. Many children who should repeat a class are not allowed to do so because of the policy of automatic promotion. Then we have the problem of

A MOST PAINFUL TREND NOWADAYS IS THAT MANY PARENTS DO NOT HAVE QUALITY TIME FOR THEIR CHILDREN proliferation of private schools. This has been harmful to standards and quality. The few good private schools are priced out of the reach of poor people. The policy of maximum profitability has been used to bring down standards. Our higher institutions are not globally competitive, especially in the area of research. But parents do not care much for standards. Many just want higher education for their children. Such parents go to any length to achieve their aim; after all, what matters to them is the certificate. This type of at-all-cost- parents are in the forefront of those whose wards should not repeat a class. Some will go to the extent of choosing and forcing a course of study on their children when seeking admission even when such courses run counter to the interest and ability of such children. Parents like these are among those ready to use any means to achieve their objectives. A most painful trend nowadays is that many parents do not have quality time for their children. They do not monitor and follow their children’s performances in

the school, or supervise their after-schoolhours assignments. For those who can afford the cost of private schools, their concern is prompt payment of school fees. Whether or not they get value for the money is not their concern. One thing they are sure of is success for their children at the end of the day, deserved or not. Many teachers on their parts use the excuse of poor and irregular salaries to turn the school environment into a market place. Some are not well grounded in the subjects they teach and do not prepare lesson notes well before going to class. In the quest for reputation of the school as a centre academic excellence or good results, many schools engage criminal means to help both brilliant and less brilliant students to pass well in both the school and external examinations. A lot of students do not know that in order to do well in examinations, hard work is required. They spend their quality time in unproductive activities. But at examination periods, this sect of children waits for external help or ‘expo’ to pass their exams. A lot of people and parents believe that children cannot pass examinations without cheating. Until all concerned decide to play their individual parts well, we may continue, God forbid, to search for an elusive high standard of education in the country. The time has come to deemphasize paper qualification. Rather, ability to perform a task should be given prime consideration as a matter of national pol-

icy. Students who do not show sufficient understanding and thus do not deserve promotion should be made to repeat the class. Not all pupils can go directly from primary to secondary schools and from the secondary schools to tertiary institutions successfully. There are late developers. They need to be given time to develop their potentials. Government should support the current system whereby some higher institutions are running pre-degree or pre-diploma programmes. It is time to consider the establishment of intermediary institutions between the different levels of schools for late developers. The existing technical schools should be improved to make it attractive for both primary school leavers and/or secondary school dropouts. Guidance counsellors are needed in all secondary schools to help students discover and develop their potentials. Of course, more money should be earmarked for education in the annual budgets of the three tiers of government. Salami, a retired teacher and ICAN examiner, wrote from Lagos Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE



MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU



ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA



DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI



SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI



SATURDAY EDITOR

LANRE OYETADE



GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA



COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA



CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE



EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE



ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR



SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH



HEAD, GRAPHICS

FG and 17 million housing deficit

he Federal Government has reechoed its long unfulfilled promise to build one million housing units per year to rectify the country’s 17 million housing deficit. Briefing newsmen after a recent Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said the new policy replaced the 1991 Housing Policy as well as the Urban Development Policy initiated in 1997. His Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Ms. Ama Pepple, also stated that the failure of the moribund policies informed the setting up of a committee mandated to come up with a new housing policy for the country. She said the new housing policy hoped to bring about real mass housing with the private sector leading the initiative and the government playing mainly regulatory roles. The promise of providing one million housing per year is, however, not new. It dates back to the beginning of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration. The failure of the nation’s political leadership to redress the gross and worsening housing deficits since the past 13 years of democratic governance is a reminder of the cavalier attitude of some past military regimes to pressing national problems. The failure cuts

across the 36 states and 774 local governments. But for individual efforts that account for roughly 90 per cent of residential accommodation in the country, the statistics of the homeless would have been horrific. In Europe and America which the leadership apes as models, individuals scarcely build own houses from the scratch without the support of reliable mortgage institutions which provide facilities repayable by installment for some years. Access to land and certification of ownership are also easy and make private mortgage institutions thrive. A potential home-owner can live in a decent house of his dream for between 10 and 30 years until the required mortgage repayment is completed. The reverse is, however, the case in Nigeria where many home-owners’ graves adorn their real estates as a result of the stress of developing one property for donkey’s years under severe economic hardship. Consequently, the FG must go beyond reiterating the glib talk of providing “housing for all by the year 2000”, the empty, yet official song of the 1980s when it seemed year 2000 would be eternity. The new committee set up by the FG should come out with realistic modalities on how the one million houses per year policy can be achieved. The nation is yet to come to terms

THE FG MAY NEED TO REVIVE ITS ABANDONED

“SITE AND SERVICES” SCHEME MUTED IN

THE 1990S BUT NEVER IMPLEMENTED with why the Federal Mortgage system turned out a huge failure since its 25 years of existence; and after literally extorting billions of naira compulsorily deducted from hapless private and public sector workers, for example. What has the National Assembly done to the obnoxious Land Use Act, which makes it extremely difficult for individuals, corporate organisations, and even the FG to secure land for development in the states? Time was when the FG, under ex- President Shehu Shagari’s administration, had difficulty in getting state governments controlled by the opposition to provide land for federal housing schemes. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) places land control on state governments, some of which worsen the challenge of making land freely available to citizens. What has the government done to ensure the securitization of legal ownership of land through unencumbered certificate of occupancy, which

seems one of the major reasons mortgage institutions in the country failed to thrive? Banks refuse lending for housing because most borrowers have no legal document to land or property ownership as collateral for loan. Regrettably, individuals who take the risk of investing their lifetime savings on housing sometimes have their houses demolished on flimsy excuses by the same government. A World Bank specialist, Dr. Michael Wong, says Nigeria’s housing demand is growing at 20 per cent rate annually; and that out of the 720,000 housing units’ requirements per year, Lagos State alone accounts for 60 per cent or 430,000. The FG may need to revive its abandoned “site and services” scheme muted in the 1990s but never implemented, in which the government opens up the hinterlands by providing roads and electricity and cutting surveyed lands into plots for sale to individuals wishing to build own houses. This appears a better option than the FG providing houses at inflated costs, which are often hijacked by briefcase property owners. That was the lot of most of the unoccupied Shagari estates in the past. Perhaps, the FG’s ultimate emphasis should be on making land easily accessible to individuals, corporate and mortgage institutions, etc., to invest in property development.

ON THIS DAY August 24, 2010 In San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, 72 illegal immigrants were killed by Los Zetas and eventually found dead by Mexican authorities. Los Zetas (Zetas, Zs) is a powerful and violent criminal syndicate in Mexico, and is considered by the United States government to be the “most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico.” The origin of Los Zetas dates back to 1999.

August 24, 2004

August 24, 1991

Russian aircraft bombings: Eighty-nine passengers died when two airliners exploded after flying out of the Domodedovo International Airport, near Moscow. The explosions were caused by suicide bombers (reportedly female) from the Russian Republic of Chechnya. The first to crash was Volga-AviaExpress Flight 1303, a Tu-134 aircraft, registered RA-65080. Just minutes after the first crash, Siberia Airlines Flight 1047 followed.

Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as head of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Gorbachov (born March 2, 1931), is a former Soviet statesman, having served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the Soviet Union from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991. He was the only general secretary in the history of the Soviet Union to have been born during the Communist rule.

Your

FRIDAY

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

opes of peace reigning in the entertainment industry may remain a mirage as members of the various guilds making up the entertainment industry in Nigeria are engulfed in one form of intra-guild strife or the other. This development has given way to increased activities in terms of petitions, allegations of fraud, and litigations. According to Friday Flavour checks, the bodies primarily simmering in conflict include the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTP, Association of Movie Producers, AMP, and Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. In ANTP, petitions have already been written to the Osun and Oyo State Police Commands against Prince Jide Kosoko and Dele Odule bordering on impersonation and fraud. The petition being championed by Comrade Victor Ashaolu alleged that Prince

WEEKEND STARTERS

his Saturday in Port Harcourt, an ultra modern event centre, Aztech Arcum located on Stadium Road, opens to the public with a power-packed music concert. In the line up for the music concerts are famous Nigerian music artistes such as Naeto C, Iyanya, Burna Boy, Chindinma, Rayce, D.J Neptune, Mr. 2 Kay and a host of many others. The Atech Arcum is located on stadium road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Tango with Me goes to UK

Art Stampede for Onobrakpeya at 80

Aztech Arcum opens in P/H

Onobrakpeya

he Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) will on Sunday hold an art stampede in honour of Bruce Onobrakpeya, MFR, who was cited in the 1990s by Dele Jegede, an art historian, as the most published and publicised artist in Nigeria.

Titled: ‘From Brochure to Books; Emerging Trend in Visual Art Documentation’, the stampede will feature panelists discussing the challenging process of production. The event begins by 2.00 p.m. at the Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos.

ango with Me, the award winning film by Mahmood Ali Balogun starring Genevieve Nnaji, Joke Silva, Tina Mba Joseph Benjamin and others, will

Unilag holds fest for late Osanyin at 72

oday at the University of Lagos, the Department of Creative Arts presents A Bash for the Bard, a post humous celebra-

tion of the 72nd birthday of virtuoso scholar, artist and teacher Bode Osanyin. The event will feature performances of some of his works by

be released in cinemas around the United Kingdom from this Friday, August 24. The melodrama about the aftermath of a wedding-night rape is the latest film to reach beyond VHS and DVD-led distribution, opting for the kind of overseas theatrical release needed to help legitimise Nigerian cinema. the Crown Troupe of Africa, Footprint of David, Arts in Motion, Sinmi, Ijo boys, Students of the Creative Arts Department and lots more starting by 4.00 p.m.

Celebrities niteout with Sarah Owatemi

edia Serve, manager, Sarah Owatemi presents her entertainment initiative known as Celebrities Niteout the event which is to celebrate the birthday for Nigerian Stars and to give opportunity to upcoming artiste is taking place on Saturday, August 25 at Urban Cowboy Club, Ogba. The all-night affair is scheduled to have performances from King Wadada, Snow Alapomeji, D.J Ryder, Raskie and a host of others.

Escape P. 34

tion against Jide Kosoko and his group to forestall their attempts to conduct another election after he had emerged as the national president. According to him, the raging issue borders on how they have been using the association to advance their own personal enterprise. “The matter in court which he is talking about was instituted by me to prevent them from conducting another election after I was elected. They are not challenging my legitimacy. When they realised that their expectation did not work out during the elections, they tried to rubbish the election and hold another one, but I went to court to challenge that. But the issue on the ground is about fraud and impersonation. Police have been looking for them. They have been invited and they have refused to honour the invitation by the police. They visited government houses and the evidences are there on TV and some newspapers that they were handed gifts. We saw the bags, and we are demanding to know what they have in the bags. It is

Denrele’s Day

Jide Kosoko and Dele Odule have been visiting government houses without the permission of the body, under the guise that they are still the national president and vice president of the association respectively. But in a quick reaction, Jide Kosoko told Friday Flavour that Victor Ashaolau and his group cannot lay claim to the executive of ANTP since the matter was still in court. “I know the story you are talking about. The truth is that the matter is currently in court, so they cannot lay claim to the headship of the association. It would even amount to contempt of court for me to be speaking on it, because the judge is yet to give a ruling. If the court gives a ruling today to recognise him as the president, then, he would have the right to be making such allegations. Until then, he does not have the right because that election is not binding”. While acknowledging that there is a pending court case, Victor Ashaolu said he was the person who instituted the ac-

Guild politics: Peace eludes ANTP, AMP, AGN

P. 24-25

Kosoko

Inside FCT

Fiberesima

impersonation and we are going to get to the root of this.” At the Association of Movie Producers, AMP, Friday Flavour gathered that the same songs of legal tussle are also everywhere. Already the national president of the association, Zik Zulu Okafor has threatened to drag one of the members of the Board of Trustees, Chief Eddy Ugbomah to court for slander in connection with issues being raised following the association’s visit to the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo some weeks back. Friday Flavour sources saw text messages being exchanged between various parties in connection with the threats, which among other things are also alleging that the Zik Zulu-led regime is yet to set the ball rolling for the association since it came into office. According to sources, unless a timely truce is arrived at, this may be snarling the efforts of the association in terms of the plans for the proposed Nollywood at 20 event, for which it is hunting for N5b. For the Actors Guild of Nigeria, which had a bitter outing at Benin in April 2012 for an election (marred by intimidation and voodoo), the steps towards peace are still shaky. With about N15m required to organise a fresh election and give the guild a sound footing, the interim leaders of the guild are considering conducting the election in batches as a way of saving costs, which some parties consider unconstitutional. Emmanuel Oguguah, the acting national president of the guild in an interview with Friday Flavour, admitted that it was unconstitutional to do so, but said the interim leadership was planning to explore that option with the consent of the various contestants. Intra-guild politics has become increasingly fierce in the entertainment sector as the leadership of guilds in the entertainment industry continue to see their positions as a platform to negotiate for favours from the various government houses.

P. 32-33

16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND

P. 26

Rollas

Flavour

Mirror Mongers

Friday, August 24, 2012

VOL. 2 No. 433

Artman In The House

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

My ancestors asked me to do a On the eve of his 69th birthday on July 29, Dr. Ola Balogun, one of the pioneering filmmakers in Nigeria, released a ninepoint statement which detailed how he would celebrate the occasion. It included a visit from an egungun (masquerade) representing the spirit of his late father, Barrister Olatunde Olarewaju Balogun, taking children to the cinema and saying mass for his late mother, Mrs. Ibironke Epiphania Balogun (nee Ajayi), among other things. Friday Flavour was at his place on his birthday where he granted TERH AGBEDEH this interview. Why did you suddenly leave the civil service? Not to get involved in corruption. I had two small children, was living in a house owned by the government and I had no other source of income. This man, (Alhaji MD Yusuf) gave me a house to live in with my wife for one year. It was a crucial moment of my life and he did so many good things for me. We were so close that whenever he came to Paris (France), he would come to eat in my house. Even now that I’m not in Paris; my wife is still there, when he goes to Paris he calls my wife and goes there to eat. You were a scriptwriter for the government and then you went abroad… Let me tell you how that came about. My permanent secretary at that time was Alhaji Ahmed Joda and he heard a lot about me. They called me and said that your knowledge of French is more useful to the Nigerian government at this point in time than your filmmaking skill. They challenged me to take up this position as information officer at the Nigerian Embassy in Paris. That was when the propaganda war with Biafra was hottest. France didn’t back Nigeria in that war and you were there in Paris? France was backing Odumegwu Ojukwu and Biafra had this powerful public relations outfit and they used the genocide propaganda to the utmost. When I got there, I decided to publish a newsletter and there was no money for that in the budget but there was money for entertainment. So, I took the money for the entertainment vote and started publishing the newsletter. I was doing the newsletter and somebody had the guts to tell me that I didn’t do something called ‘virement’. I could have taken the money and spent it but I decided to fight the war the way it should be fought. That’s how my parents brought me up, ‘do what you think is best according to your conscience. If you can justify it go ahead, people can come later and criticise.’ You said that you left because you did not want to be corrupted? They had not recognised my value as I was occupying a high position on a very low salary scale but that is not the issue. Alhaji Joda and his deputy at the time tried to get the Civil Service Commission to bring me up at least four grades but it was taking a lengthy time. Unfortunately for them, Prof. Hezekiah Oluwasanmi of the University of Ife then came to head-hunt me. In fact, that university should be named after him. He was a hardworking head of an administration. He would go round the campus on foot and before a toilet is broken, he has already seen it. So, there cannot be any riot. Prof. Oluwasanmi always found time to gather some of the key people on his staff and even visitors to sit round a table, have a meal and talk about anything and everything. That is the leaders in most top countries in the

Balogun

IF YOU GO TO CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, FILMS FROM THE SO-CALLED THIRD LARGEST

is Nigeria; give him a few to do and do the bulk. But I said no; I don’t come from that kind of family so I prepared my letter of resignation and presented it. That was how I left the civil service.

FILM INDUSTRY IN THE WORLD

Wasn’t there another way to deal with the situation? There was no option but to deal with that situation the way I dealt with it. I cannot allow anything to besmirch the reputation of my name and family. Even $100 million cannot buy me. But it was a heavy decision to make; nine out of 10 people will not have the courage to make that decision. I admit that not everybody should do that.

IS NOT BEING SHOWN THERE world operate. It was at the Institute of African Studies then and the professor brought a number of us like Ola Rotimi, myself, Agbo Folarin, Wole Soyinka and Yemi Ogunbiyi. It was a boiler pot of intellectualism, artistic creativity and research. It was very fruitful because I went so deep into Sango worship. I went to Arochukwu and wrote a major paper on the Ibini Ukpabi divinity; that’s what they call the long juju of Arochukwu. I was a research fellow then. I came back to the government because there was a position open to head an audiovisual department in the Nigerian museum called the Department of Antiquities then. I was employed and went to the budget section of the government and they found my plans wonderful. I said we should not just have a museum where you just hang masks on the wall; you have to have side-by-side television monitors displaying documentaries about what the masks stand for. These people were enthralled and they approved every kobo I had asked for both recurrent and capital. I went back to the place and Ekpo Eyo called me and said that as the head of the place, he needed to appoint some contractors that will buy the equipment that I was to use. I said you don’t know anything about my field; in any case, there is a procedure for acquiring things in the civil service. You can’t by pass that procedure. The permanent secretary said this

On July 19 at Eko Hotel in Lagos, you were at a gathering where you were said to have been assaulted. What really happened? It is abnormal that someone who does not know us, who is not in culture, who has no connection is organising conference. What I read later in The Guardian is that they had budgeted N150 million for that conference in Lagos. So that is what it is all about. How did you get to attend the conference? I was sitting in my house here when the Director of Culture, George Ufot, (Ufot and I are close no matter what), phoned me the week before the conference to say that he would be in Lagos. He came to my house and told me they were in Lagos to attend a stakeholders of culture conference and said I’m one of the important people who must be there. I told him I didn’t have time. He gave me the bait which I swallowed; he said the culture minister would be there. I had wanted to see the minister (Edem Duke) for one or two reasons. I had met him once after he was appointed at his office in Abuja.

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Artman In The House

Friday, August 24, 2012

proper festival –Ola Balogun Since that time, I had been unable to reach him on telephone. When he said the minister would be coming, I said that would be a good opportunity to tell him about my forthcoming festival. That was when I decided to go but it was after a lot of pleading on the part of Ufot that I should come. When I got there I saw a very old friend of mine, Nike Okundaye (of Nike Art Centre) who told me that she also didn’t know about this meeting and it was that morning Ufot (again), went to her house and begged her to come. We were intrigued because we didn’t see any of our people in culture. Ben Murray-Bruce came but he is not one of us per se. But he was the only person they recognised and introduced with a lot of brouhaha. But we who are in culture were not recognised. The people they put on the high table were from the British Council, Central Bank of Nigeria. They had announced that the Central Bank governor would be there as well as the Minister of Finance. But these people were not there. I asked the question; what has the Central Bank got to do with Nigerian art? Nobody could answer. One other person came from the Lagos Business School. I noticed that the man from the Central Bank was touting the usual rubbish that Nollywood is making trillions of naira income. So I wanted to speak but they refused. The man talked for about one hour. The lady from the British Council also stood up and spoke for over one hour. I was begging them let me talk to correct the wrong impression they were creating. Eventually, they said they would allow me speak but that I should wait till all these people have spoken. Another man stood up and talked about how they were training filmmakers. Eventually, Beni Uche, who works with the U.S. Consulate, convinced them to give me the microphone as I’m a pioneer filmmaker; they didn’t even know that. Very reluctantly, they gave me the microphone. I told them they were supposed to say that artists should be trained to paint better rather than become a trader; not training Nigerian artistes to be begging in a bank. To the man from the Central Bank I asked, “who gave you the statistics you were quoting that Nollywood is bringing in N3trn per year”? I can tell you that all these figures and information that Nigeria is the third largest movie country in the world is created by some illiterate people from Onitsha Market. It’s like comparing bananas and crocodiles because what you are making here, you yourself say is video and not film. If you go to Cannes Film Festival, films from the so-called third largest film industry in the world is not being shown there. Are you going to say that Nigeria is producing more films than Hong Kong or France or Italy? So, what is the statistics? How many films are being produced in France or Italy in a year? You didn’t quote that in your presentation but you say you are making more than them. On what grounds? How many are you making yourself ? There are no statistics; they don’t know how many videos are being produced in this Nollywood. What they are making is video, which is a substitute for soap opera. Film universally is something that is made and shown in cinemas. You actually put it to him like that? No, I’m developing but I put it that this man, his statistics and what he was saying about Nollywood is absolute not true and have no basis in reality. They didn’t allow me to develop or expatiate and after two minutes they stopped me. I said okay, before I go I composed a song for Ambassador Segun Olusola and I have somebody who can sing that song and they said no. That was what started the trouble. I wanted to sing for Ambassador Olusola because this was the first gathering of people of culture after that man’s death. They don’t know who Segun Olusola is; they don’t know anything about us. They were trying to pull the microphone from me and I resisted. They sent a bouncer to come and throw me out. The bouncer came up to me and held my shirt in a bid to

FACT FILE •

Born in Aba, Nigeria to Yoruba parents, Dr. Olatunbosun Balogun speaks fluent Igbo, French, Yoruba and English.

•

He attended King’s College, Lagos; University of Dakar, Senegal and University of Caen, France. He also studied at the French Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinematographiques and it was while in France that he became interested in making films as he was exposed to various art films exhibited in cultural centres.

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A pioneer of Nigerian filmmaking, Balogun, whose movie Aiye, an adaptation of Duro Ladipo’s play was a major cinematic event in shaping Nigeria’s horror genre, made his early films in the 1970s. He was the producer of one of the earliest Yoruba and Igbo movies, Ajani Ogun and Amadi.

•

Balogun said his ancestors came from Oyo but ended up in Badagry, explained that his family are war generals of the category called Esho. “The generals at that time, when they go to war they were to go and conquer or die there”, he said.

push me out of the place but I shocked them because they didn’t realise that I’m very vigorous for my age. Nobody can push me around and it was a big mistake in close combat for somebody to come close to you. Even if he is holding a gun –if he is close to you, you can disarm him. If he is going to come close to you, he should first stun you with a blow or with something that dazes you. But the bouncer came and held my shirt! Of course, I gave him a dirty slap that threw him about 10 yards away. I was defending myself because that man held my shirt and was trying to push me away. So, he was dazed, which is what I wanted him to be, and I was going to follow up; if I could have given him a blow I would have put him down and hurt him because that’s the law of jungle fight. Somebody has attacked me physically, I don’t know whether he has a knife in his pocket or how many of them there are, so to protect myself I have to put him out of action as soon as possible. That was why I first of all did something to destabilise him. Once I get him on the ground, he is going to hurt very badly. And it is not that I’m aggressive, I’m defending myself because I don’t know what will happen next. People interposed and I began to leave the hall. The person who organised the event, one (Dr. Ikenna) Nwosu, took the microphone and apologised that I was not invited. He said he is the Chief Executive of Moregate. I turned back from the gate of the hall and said, ‘what do you mean I was not invited?’ I told him in Igbo that he is a rascal and left. That is how it went. Was the minister not there when this happened? The minister was not there. Once that session began, about 15 minutes later, the minister announced that some investors who came to look for him from abroad had gone to Abuja and when they realised they had missed him, came to Lagos. He announced he was going to attend to them for 10 minutes but we never saw him again. I sent him a text message that after he left the hall that some people tried to beat me up but till today, there has been no reply. I also sent a copy of the email I sent to the press to the Personal Assistant to the minister but still no reply. You are planning an African Roots International Arts and Culture Festival in September; what it is all about? There needs to be a festival and I have decided to do one. It’s a sacrifice I’m making and we are not going to take one kobo from any government anywhere. My ancestors told me that I must do this work. I tried to dodge it; I couldn’t. They gave me this one last task to do a proper festival for the whole of the black world.

His father, Olatunde Balogun

Book presented to his father upon his return from the United Kingdom

The coffee book table he authored about Nigeria.

Balogun who still drives himself in his car.

PHOTOS: TERH AGBEDEH

Critics

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Exhibition

Art from students of an adept teacher Children are akin to students; they both read and learn from the open books their parents or teachers portend. But only a teacher who has groomed his students properly will present them to the world not as children but as masters. TERH AGBEDEH

ost people agree that children are precious gift that should be treated as such but only a few, like the teacher and artist, Kent Onah, go the extra mile to celebrate them. He has made it his duty to celebrate young ones by not only giving them a sense of purpose but also guiding them to become better adults. It is little wonder that his students have great things to say about him, though most of it is in hindsight. Perhaps Onah’s love for the celebration of children is due to his having spent over 25 years mentoring them into full fledged artists thereby having no choice in the matter. This is not correct considering that as a successful artist who has had several exhibitions all over the world, he could have walked away from it all long ago. Evidently, he loves what he does culminating in his current project titled: The Innocents of the World and Nature Game. Onah, who is principal art lecturer, School of Art and Industrial Design, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State,

assembled some of these artists in an exhibition titled: Children of the World, which held at the Goethe-Institut in Lagos recently. Exhibiting alongside their mentor in a showcase that lasted for a week were: Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, Chika Idu, Dudu Emmanuel and Harrison Ugwu. Others were: Jonathan Ikpoza, Klara-Nze Okhide, Michael Kpodo and Ola Balogun. Most of them are studio artists, while some are teachers, but what was a common denominator in the works is the fact that children were at the forefront of the proceedings. It is no surprise that Onah counts children as vulnerable and innocent. And this, he insists, has nothing to do with the crisis ridden world that leaves children at the mercy of the repercussions of their parents’ everyday mistakes. Life, after all, has always been like that. He mentioned the Niger Delta crisis, Jos, Islamic fundamentalists, kidnappings, child slavery, forced labour, teenage prostitution and countless other evils against the child. Thankfully, except for one or two, the images dwell on the positive, a dream of what a perfect childhood could be. The

Theatre

A scene from the movie

OYINKAN SOMORIN

espite how the movie industries has taken over stage business, there are some companies and individuals who are still interested in the stage and its performances, one of such is Seeing Through the Arts (STTA) a company that develops contents using the art for public awareness. STTA, supported by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Person and other Related Matters (NANTIP), an agency that fights against child traffick-

Onah (r) with Goethe-Institut Director, Marc-Andre Schmachtel at the exhibition.

exhibition was not about the artists but the children that dotted every space in their works. Like Onah stated in his write up in the exhibition brochure, ‘this art project creates a platform for the participants to freely express in his/her own medium art works that address issues concerning the children of the world’. The works, consisting of painting and mixed media, do just that, presenting children at play, at work and all over the place doing the things that children like to do in colours that are bits of ingenuity and flashes of genius. Also showcased were symbolic works for which Onah is well known. In Innocents of the World (oil on canvas), he becomes a child in depicting the guilt of the people of the world against the backdrop of the impact on the innocents. The painting could have been done by a child but there is no doubt

that it is the creativity of the artist that is at play. Uwagboe’s Music Boy (acrylic on canvas) is not just a child clutching music notes and a keyboard, he stands against a striking background that will appeal even to a child and may even be dancing or attempting a balancing act. Idu’s Break Time (oil on canvas) depicts school children on break from their studies. They were having fun like in the rest of the works. One painting has a girl child with a teddy bear, another has children on bicycles, in one other children play with cows. This exhibition proves Kpodo right about Onah when he states: “He is a master colourist, a prolific art teacher, disciplined and dedicated lecturer”. He has to be all these and more to put this show together without fear that his students may outshine him.

Batonga: Cry of an African child ing and rehabilitates children who have recovered from like situations, has put the play Batonga on live stage throughout the month of August. This unique dance drama does not only glorify the cultural wealth of the nation, but also presents the facts of child abuse, poverty, maltreatment, selfishness, pain, suffering, hunger, frustration and fear that affects children that have been taken away from home to unknown cities under the guise of greener pasture. The play is written by Jo Demmer and directed by Gbenga Yusuf. The play centres on a young girl called Abike (Oluwo Furo Mary) who was taken into child trafficking by a city lady known as Rachel (Dolapo Phillips). Rachel describes to the young Abike how beautiful life will be when she gets to Lagos and how she will bring pride to her almost frustrated father. This is a different story when the girl gets to Lagos and sees that she is in a danger zone instead of the world filled with milk and honey as she is made to believe. She gets the opportunity to meet other children who have also passed through child abuse. A scene from the play shows a brief story from Kate (Celina Nneka Umeigbo), one of the abused children, about aunty (Anthonia Onugba) an area woman who takes vagrant children and puts them into hard labour. Kate’s story is about the other forms of abuse female children pass through at the hands of guardians. Unfortunately for Abike, she gets entangled in a worse condition when she runs away from aunty to met John (Emmanuel Luka). Fortunately for her, Abike is rescued by her father who has been searching for her. One of the most intriguing aspects of the play is

the style used by the director; the play is practically a drama filled with dance where only the narrator spoke and the characters are given very few words. Music was used for expression which voiced out the true feelings of the characters. The forms of music used are not the commonly known drum beating of theatre, but the use of songs from artiste both local and foreign. The dance movements in particular did not specify a particular tribe in the country, but the use of mixed culture from the Nigerian tribes to the Caribbean’s dance to the famous Kenya war dance known as the Zulu dance. Batonga has a very energetic performance and high dexterity of telepathic movements arranged to enhance aesthetics of the piece and to pass its message across. The performance which runs every Sunday of the month of August promises to be a success as it shows off the rich heritage of different cultures that forms its content. It is different from what has been seen over the years when it comes to theatrical performances. The performance I saw ended with a brief lecture from the NAPTIP director, Mr. Ezekiel Kaura, who made known the level of poverty and child trafficking ravaging the country. Ezekiel stated that 1.2 million children, especially females, are in child labour through close friends and relations, or people who appear helpful (like Rachael in the play). It is also known that another strong force to child labour is poverty which brings in hunger. At the end, picture slides were projected to show the condition of children who are trafficked; to see their pains and the aftermath for these young one who endure so much labour.

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Critics

Friday, August 24, 2012

Book CONTINUED FROM LAST EDITION

A book of controversies There is an intense debate presently raging in art circles. At the centre of the debate is the book, In a New Light: Conversation with Nine Nigerian Artists and Curators written by Kazeem Adeleke. A collection of interviews with nine Nigerian artists and curators, the book explores their deepest thoughts, especially what drives their passion for the arts. REX LAWSON

ow does gender politics in the Nigeria art scenes affect the representation of Nigerianbased female artists on the international art scenes? What is the correlation between local gender politics and the international art scene? Like many other scholars, Adeleke asserts that, besides the disparagement of the Nigerian-based female artists by Western curators, the reason many outstanding Nigerian-based female artists have not made greater impact in the West is because some of the male historians, critics and curators who perpetuated misogyny while in Nigeria have in the last two decades made their ways into Western institutions and have continued in their patriarchal ways by focusing mainly on male artists. “In their writings and practice, they have continued to disparage these Nigerian-based female artists, excluding them from exhibitions”, comments Adeleke. The book author argues that the consequences of such power relationship propagated by these Western–based Nigerian intellectuals is even greater because “they have helped fostered the impression that there are no great women artists in Nigeria”. Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo seems to agree with Adeleke. But while she acknowledges the focus of Western curators on male artists like Bruce Onabrakpeya and El Anatsui amongst many others, she is of the opinion that as soon as Nigerian female artists begin to create works that are of high standard, they will get recognition in the global exhibition space. Nwosu-Igbo says female Nigerian artists should stop blaming men for all their woes, but instead focus more on excelling by creating works that are ideas and content oriented. “Women must seek higher standard of perfection in their works for this is the only way they can gain recognition and the respect they need from the art community”. Peju Layiwola shares Igbo’s view that female artists must make the effort to create exceptional works to gain recognition. She, however, argues that before female artists can achieve that high level of excellence and succeed in the art profession, certain obstacles have to be removed. One of the obstacles is family life. She notes that the “demands of family life impinge on the productivity of female artists”. For female artists to survive, several support systems must be put in place. Such system must include grants, studio spaces, loans and adequate celebration of women. The nature of global art politics and discourses also comes to the fore in this section. On the power of the West to dominate the discourse on contemporary Nigerian and indeed African art, Kelechi Amadi-Obi disagrees with many African scholars and all those who have for years blamed Western nations for dictating the direction of Nigerian and African art. Instead, he blames African nations: “I believe Africans should not begrudge the West for expressing their own opinion

Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo’s Top Gear, 2005, mixed media on canvass

AFRICANS MUST MAKE THE EFFORT TO COUNTER WESTERN PORTRAYAL OF AFRICAN ART BY CREATING EFFECTIVE PARALLEL DISCOURSE rather we should put more priority on the way our art is promoted”. Even though he agrees that the West has an upper hand in advocating a position on African art because they have all the necessary infrastructure to amplify their position, Africans, Obi expressed, must make the effort to counter Western portrayal of African art by creating effective parallel discourse and finding ways to effectively promote contemporary Africa art because the issue is all, “about who can make the most noise”. Olu Amoda, a renowned sculptor, agrees with Amadi-Obi but extends the idea even further. For any art to progress, he says, there must be sufficient encouragement from the home front. The only way Nigerianbased artists can insert themselves into global art politics is if wealthy Nigerians patronise Nigerian artists, he notes. Amoda is, however, quick to acknowledge that the limited visibility of Nigerian–based artists in the international art arena should not be misconstrued as a lack of engagement with globalisation. Part two of the book; Outsiders on the Inside focuses on three Nigerian artists living and practicing in the West. While two of them, Victor Ehikhamenor and Onyeka Ibe live in the United States, Emeka Udemba lives in Germany. In these interviews, they talk about their experiences living in a foreign land. They address questions on discrimination, race, prejudices and identity. As outsiders on the inside, the notion of identity is evidently very important to these artists. They are particularly disenchanted by the fact that critics continue to stereotype and characterise them based on their African background. For Udemba, the effort of critics to stereotype and categorise them is aimed at establishing a false sense of authenticity. “As a visual artist from Africa, I have always had great faith in the meaning of individual histories and collective heritages. I am interested in identity as a dynamic rather than as destiny or an essential given”. Udemba notes that in many of his works, he attempts to deconstruct the faulty line of static identity that has been deeply entrenched into cultural history through hegemonic colonial writings and art. Ehikhamenor discusses the ubiquitous debate about hierarchy among academically trained artists and self-taught artists. Such disparity based on hierarchy, for Ehikhamenor, is grounded in ignorance. “The sad

Peju Layiwola’s Forth Month, 1998, bronze.

thing about trained versus untrained is that those who did not go to a formal art school are the ones painting and producing works, while those that spent years training as artists now spend time as gatemen holding them back”, he says. Ehikhamenor also addresses the role of the artist in the society. For Ehikhamenor, art must have a purpose beyond aesthetics. Artists, he contends, must be the mirror of the society and shine the light on issues and realities of the environment in which they find themselves at any point in time. The curators focuses on two Nigerian born curators based in the United States. Although they live in the United States, they can be considered world citizens as they transverse the world curating exhibitions, attending workshops and giving lectures. The interviews in this section spotlight their encounters and experiences in their travels executing different projects. Nkiru Nzegwu and Okwui Enwezor provide insights into the inside politics of curatorial decisions and policies within cultural institutions. Nkiru Nzegwu, a professor and author, has written extensively on contemporary African art, gender issues, and global art politics. The lack of profound books about African art and the repeated stereotyping of Africa as a continent still living in the past were some of the reasons she started writing books about issues on Africa. The selective discourse about modernism, which points to the West as the only centre of modernity, is at the core of Nzegwu’s argument in this section of the book. She argues that modernity should be discussed in specificity because its development has peculiarity in each culture. Therefore, she contends that Africa’s modernity should be discussed based on the developments on the continent. Compared with other books on contemporary Nigerian art, In A New Light: Conversations with Nine Nigerian Artists and Curators, stands out in many ways. For one, it is honest and pragmatic. The style is also formal. Adeleke evidently has a deep knowledge of the artists and curators and effectively used the interview format to give them a voice. Instead of speaking through a third person, they speak directly to the reader in their own voices and tones. The spread of the people interviewed is another strong point of this book: it allows for divergent views and insight because the artists and curators live and practice in different parts of the world. Although, the issues they addressed are similar, their experiences are different. In their specificity, the issues are complex and riveting. They provoke a rethink of issues of contemporary Nigerian art and indeed contemporary African art as it relates to issues of identity, race, gender, globalisation and global art politics. Rex Lawson wrote in from Lagos. CONCLUDED.

Inside FCT

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Cars on a long queue at an Abuja petrol station during the Sallah holiday.

Fuel scarcity, insecurity, rain, mar Sallah celebration GEORGE OJI AND ROTIMI FADEYI

t was generally a dull and low scale celebration throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs during the Eid-El-Fitri. Even the Federal Government’s directive which led to payment of workers’ salaries before the Sallah festival did not change anything. The strike embarked on by National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), particularly tanker drivers, completely cut off supply of fuel to filling stations in the city and motorists had to face hard times searching for fuel wherever available. A situation which brought back ‘black market’ operators and the thriving business of selling fuel in jerry cans at high prices ranging between N200 and N350 per litre. Besides the fact that official price of a litre of petrol remains N97, there is no assurance that such streetpeddled petrol had not been mixed with diesel or other substances which may damage car engines. Though there were no commercial activities at various private companies and government establishments in the city because of the two-day public holiday declared by the Federal Government for the Eid-El-Fitri celebration, social activities were hampered. Abuja residents experienced difficulties in movement as a result of the fuel scarcity while commercial vehicle operators who bought fuel from the ‘black marketers’ charged high fares. At the Presidential Villa, President Goodluck Jonathan hosted both Christian and Muslim clerics and other faithfuls who came to pay homage during the Eid El Fitri period. President Jonathan urged Nigerians to live in peace and unity in order to ensure the progress and speedy development of the country. But before he left Abuja for Bayelsa, his home state, Jonathan had already directed the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to meet with the aggrieved marketers,

MANY PEOPLE ARE AFRAID FOR THEIR LIVES AND WOULD NOT WANT TO COME TO PLACES LIKE THIS DURING HOLIDAYS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE ATTACK union members and other stakeholders in the downstream sector to resolve all the matters responsible for the fuel scarcity. Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe in the heat of the scarcity had issued a statement that Okonjo-Iweala had relocated to Lagos to meet with the stakeholders involved in the distribution of fuel. A commercial bus operator, who simply identified himself as Bello, said that the fuel scarcity had affected his business as many people decided to stay indoors. “Even when you buy the fuel from the hawkers at high prices, there are no passengers and we have to give returns to the bus owner. It is unfortunate and the scarcity is only in Abuja as there is fuel in other states outside the FCT”, Bello lamented. He advised the government to quickly bring the problem to an end, saying that it should not be allowed to continue after the Sallah break when workers resume and commercial activities are expected to come alive again in the city. Added to the problem of fuel was the issue of insecurity, which has been a growing concern in the city since Abuja witnessed its first bomb blast during the October 1, 2010 Independence Day celebration. Sallah revellers who would perhaps have found a way round the fuel scarcity but fearing any possible incidents of blasts and other forms of man-induced mishaps decided to remain indoors. Even some of those who braved the twin challenges of fuel scarcity and insecurity to visit relaxation and

recreation sports in the city, particularly at the public parks and gardens, had to contend with the problem of rainfall, which was the order of the day throughout the period. The result was that the Sallah celebration, which used to be an occasion for FCT dwellers to pour out onto the streets and have fun, was characterised by low turnout this year. Most of the parks, recreational centres, gardens and the children zoo visited by Inside FCT witnessed low patronage. Outside the confines of the Presidential Villa, there were a small number of fun seekers at the popular Millennium Park, which is just a short distance away. However, compared to when fuel was not an issue, it was a drastic reduction in the number of visitors which turn up at the park (a beehive of human presence and activities) during celebrations like this. The absence of a crowd of fun-seekers at the park was due to the fear of insecurity as attested to by some of the few persons who spoke to our reporters. One of the visitors to the park, who identified himself as simply Aliero, said he was not surprised by the low turnout of people at the park for the Sallah celebrations. “My brother, you know that many people are afraid for their lives and would not want to come to places like this during holidays because of possible attack by these terrorists. That I am here is because I was bored staying at home these past four days doing nothing. I thought I could catch some fun while watching my back. I know it is a big risk that I am taking being here. But what can the son of man do? Sometimes you can’t but take some risks, because life itself is full of risks”, Aliero said. Indeed, it was difficult finding people of means at the Millennium Park who had come to hang out. Notwithstanding, there were heavy presence of security agents who kept vigil to ensure the park was safe and to avert any possible incidence of security challenge. Ibrahim Musa, another fun seeker at the park, while speaking with Inside FCT, lamented the hardship he and mem-

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Inside FCT

Friday, August 24, 2012

Mass exodus hits Mpape community MPAPE’S

MARCUS FATUNMOLE

DEMOLITION IS A

Children playing at the Millennium Park, Abuja during the Eid-El-Fitri celebrations.

Revellers at the entrance to the Millennium Park under the rain. PHOTOS: ROTIMI OSASONA

bers of his family had to face as a result of the fuel scarcity, saying that he was forced to come out because of his children who didn’t want to stay at home during the two-day public holiday “The cost of coming to this park is so high, whether you are coming in your vehicle or commercial vehicle. Petrol is scarce in Abuja; there is no fuel at the filling stations, you only get from hawkers who sell at very high price. The situation may become worse when work resumes after the holidays”, he forecasted. At the Wonderland Park, another popular but privately run park near the National Stadium, the turn out was also low and moderate compared to what the place used to be before now. There was a larger presence of security agents who took time to search and screen visitors to the park before allowing them in. Perhaps because of the high cost of patronage at the park, the visitors were more elitist than those that visited other parks in the city. Children,

whose parents could afford the exorbitant costs, engaged in car-racing, horse-riding, train rides, etc. The visitors also had to contend with the high cost of popcorns, ice creams and other snacks sold at the park. At other gardens that dot the city, adults, mainly males, were seen in small groups eating and drinking with background music to spice up the places. In a few instances, there were live bands playing to the delight of patrons. At some of the hotels visited by Inside FCT, particularly Nicon Luxury Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Bolingo Hotel, Chelsea Hotel among others, their swimming pool side provided the highest place of attraction and patronage. Many parents were seen with their children swimming at the pools and buying edibles, particularly snacks for their children to enjoy. On a general note, this year’s Sallah celebrations in the FCT was one that was celebrated with a high degree of caution and low turnout.

midst the tactical execution of the demolition exercise of Mpape community by the Federal Capital Territory administration, mass exodus of its residents is being witnessed daily as other ‘lucky’, albeit, less-dignified communities in the nation’s capital absorb the victims. Mpape is a relatively emerging ‘city’ in Abuja, which boastfully parades considerable good infrastructure and beautifullyfurnished edifices. More than many satellite communities in the capital, Mpape provides accommodation for several wellto-do people –features which could earn such a community the consideration or status of a special district in the nation’s capital. But government has announced that Mpape inhabitants have constructed on the land unlawfully –that the acquisition of the land by owners of structures did not go through lawful process. Demolition exercise in the community, including 18 other villages listed by the FCT authority might further worsen security situations in the nation’s capital, according to some senior security officials who confided in our reporter and did not want their names in print. One of them told Inside FCT: “We are afraid everyday with the policies of government in this country. You know when a thing of this kind happens, it seems government is not taking into consideration its impact on the nation’s security. “We do not expect this policy at this time that our men are almost overstretched to contain any criminal acts in the city. Take the issue of Boko Haram

SURGING OCEAN THAT MIGHT LEAVE DISASTERS OF UNIMAGINABLE PROPORTIONS IN ITS TRAIL for instance, many people believe it started as a result of unpopular policies and social injustice; when there is injustice or a policy does not enjoy popular will, many frustrated minds could use the opportunity to desecrate even the most sacred thing”, he remarked. Against all public pleas, FCT administration began the demolition of illegal structures in Mpape district, including its market, last week. The FCTA had said it would demolish 10,288 houses in the area. On the day the exercise was carried out, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke cautioned the FCT minister on the need to consider the legal implication of his action, since litigation was pending before a competent court of law on the issue. One thing is certain in Abuja, once residents settle down; it is usually difficult to leave the city. It has been observed that all demolition exercises in the city have only led to relocation of residents from one part of the city to another, though usually with heavy losses on the victims. Speaking with our reporter, Mr. John Okoro, a father of three and resident of Mpape, said he would have to send his children to his aged parents in

Scene of a demolition exercise in Abuja.

the village before he could deal with the challenge of finding alternative accommodation. He, however, said he would not leave Abuja. Mr. Jerry Akaga, a fleeing resident of Mpape, referred to the demolition as “a surging ocean that might leave disasters of unimaginable proportions in its trail”. According to him, “the FCT administration’s unbending resolve to flatten many villages in the nation’s capital would bring greater tragedies given the prevailing socio-economic conditions of many of the victims”. The day the exercise commenced, a middle aged man identified as Mr. Abdullahi and his wife were among the people who reportedly lost their lives during the demotion of the market in the community. Mrs. Abdullahi, was reported to have been in the market during the invasion by FCTA authority; she rushed home to inform her husband about the exercise. On hearing the news, her spouse, Abdullahi, was said to have collapsed immediately. Witnesses claim failed attempts by his wife to resuscitate him also led to her death. Meanwhile, in a twist of events, house rents that had dropped in the city’s villages as a result of resurgent flattening exercise in the city are now on the rise, as victims of communities whose houses have been demolished or marked for demolition engage in a rush for alternative accommodation. However, five residents, Messrs Jacob Obor, Olasogba John, Isreal Awoyemi, Young Okeugo and Macos Gabriel, on behalf of other residents and themselves, are challenging the plan by the FCT administration to demolish Mpape.

Mirror Mongers

Jimeta’s 22 years old grouse

Summer Jam Fest: Matters arising L

ast weekend obviously witnessed some measure of fun in the entertainment sector with the Summer Jam Fest which held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, which paraded most of all, American rapper, Rick Ross. The dust that was raised by the show is yet to settle indeed.

Rick Ross

While organisers of the show said it was done to promote ‘healthy lifestyle’, it has left tongues wagging if Rick Ross is the appropriate figure (or character?) to deliver such a message. For starters, Ross had been previously accused of not honouring a show in Cross Rivers State after collecting his fee upfront; he was however forced to make refunds later. In case this has little to do with ‘healthy lifestyle’, perhaps the fact that he had seizures twice in one day sometime last year, should be particularly worrisome as some health experts allegedly attributed such conditions to state of fitness. Aside ‘the personality and the message’, Mirror Mongers scooped that popular Lagos on-air-personality, Olisa Adibua, who made news a few months back for beating his colleague in the office almost created a scene over who should introduce Rick Ross to the audience. Another on-air-personality was supposed to have done that but Olisa did not allow that to happen. Thank God it did not end in fisticuffs eventually.

Jimeta

f course, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida has proven in more ways than one that he is an intriguing character. He remains one of the few Nigerian personalities whose birthdays are launch pads for national discourse. In 2011, his birthday spawned a media backlash between him and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo over who utilised federal funds more meaningfully during each tenure. For the 2012 birthday, it is not surprising that the issue of state police has come to the fore. While IBB has joined in the call for state police, his subordinate, Gambo Jimeta, who was the Inspector General of Police between 1986 and 1990, has

the mandatory six months long (it used to be one full year) funeral rites were copiously violated by Bianca. Mirror Mongers learnt that under normal circumstances, Bianca Ojukwu who was named an ambassador ought not to have been sworn in or resumed until the mourning period was over. Of course, this has pitched some opinion leaders against one another in the town.

seized the opportunity to vent his anger on his former boss. Incidentally, this is coming a few days after he joined other retired inspectors general to hold a security parley with President Goodluck Jonathan at Aso Rock. Jimeta used several adjectives to berate IBB whom he expressly accused of working against the police in Nigeria! His words: “I must say that while we were in office, (serving with him), we had serious differences on a lot of law and order issues and the differences in our position as operators and commanders of the system at that time. It was very clear to me that there was and as it is today, a lot of misunderstanding and total ignorance of the establishment of a law and order agency in a democracy”. Jimeta did not end there, he also called IBB ‘mafia’, making people feel that he may have been nursing some personal grudges against the military president who relieved him of his position in 1990 (exactly 22 years ago).

Team Nigeria’s shopping appetite

Mourning rites for Ikemba ast week, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, widow of late Ikemba of Nnewi, ended the funeral rites for her late husband, Odumegwu Ojukwu, with the end of the mourning period. She extended calls to leaders to emulate the principles of the late Ikemba Nnewi in terms of transparency in order to gain public confidence and trust. But tongues are also wagging that certain portions of

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Friday, August 24, 2012

Bianca Ojukwu and President Jonathan

ONE-SECOND Q&A

hile failure will remain always an orphan, members of Team Nigeria at the 2012 Olympics may be undaunted about this. With Nigerians still groaning that the country ‘wasted’ N2bn (or thereabouts) on the 2012 London Olympics, Mirror Mongers scooped that the inability to get medals seemed not to be the primary concern of the members of the team judging from the luggage they were carrying when they returned to Nigeria. Sources said some of the athletes who travelled with few bags returned with ‘excess luggage’, an indication that shopping (from N2bn) is worth more than silver and gold.

OLUBUNMI ADETUMBI

The issue of state police has spawned a heated debate on the polity in the past few weeks; Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi of Ekiti North reacts to the idea: What is your take on the debate for state police raging across the country now?

T Adetumbi

his is a unique opportunity for Nigeria to address some of the historical imbalances in the federalism that we are practicing, especially as it affects key institutions of a state of which the police are a major one. And I am not surprised that in recent times, there has been a lot of debate for and against, which in itself, is a healthy development. Crime is as pervasive as in any other place. But the chances that you commit a crime and get away with it is very limited and if there is anything to go by, it is always to learn from areas where they have done well. So, it is against this backdrop that I am uncomfortable with this debate all over the country by some groups of people who argue that Nigeria does not need a state police.

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 6, 1433AH Friday, August 24, 2012

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Call to Worship

On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of All, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” RELATED BY BUKHARI AND MUSLIM

Mosque of Dallas

Hadith

Every Friday

Abu Hurairah narrates: “Whenever a Muslim is afflicted with a hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression – even a thorn’s prick, Allah expiates his sins because of it”

with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Become true servants of Allah (2) CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

ith the commandment to fast, God has mentioned the commandment to hearken to Him and this hearkening should continue between one Ramadan and the next. Then alone will it bring spiritual dividends. If we do not think on these lines and we do not make an effort to attain this objective, then we cannot be included in the category of those who are called Abd. The process of becoming an Abd is not a process of a few days or a month; it is a continuous process and because a believer

Be a Rabbaniyy, not a Ramadaniyy 28

is specifically drawn to such matter during Ramadan, that is why attention is drawn to this matter in conjunction with fasting. God has declared how one can spiritually progress and become an Abd by stating in the Qur’an: ‘Say, ‘We will adopt the religion of Allah; and who is better than Allah in teaching religion, and Him alone do we worship.’ (2:139) Adopting the [religion] colour of God signifies to instill God’s attributes in oneself and this is essential to become a true Abd. In worldly terms, let alone loving and blood relationships even in a CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Be your brother’s keeper –Shafii

Central Mosque of Dallas T he Mosque offers Dawah programmes, a free medical clinic and out-reach programs. A yearly magazine, Image, is published on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. Group discussion meetings are held regularly. The mosque offers Sunday school for Islamic students and summer programs for children. Two major holidays are important at the mosque, Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, at the time of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca around 65 days after Eid al-Fitr. A small group of concerned Muslims used to meet weekly to offer prayers to-

gether in various houses in rotation. This group formed the Islamic Association of North Texas Incorporated and registered with the State of Texas and obtained tax-exempt status with the IRS. The association purchased some houses in Grand Prairie, Texas under the Inc. to offer prayers and other services for the rest of the Muslims in Dallas/Fort Worth. Finally, Inc. purchased land in Richardson and built the mosque in the present location in 1985. Since then, the Islamic Association of North Texas has been home to the Dallas Central Mosque. It is now the largest Islamic Center in Texas.

Fasting after Ramadan 29

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 6, 1433AH Friday, August 24, 2012

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Be a Rabbaniyy, not a Ramadaniyy R T .L he whole Muslim world celebrated the end of Ramadan on Sunday by attending eid praying grounds in their multitudes. They all gathered to pray for themselves and the nation. Now, everyone is back to work and normal life. It is time to prove our worth as Ramadan graduates. The so-called global village has afforded the non-Muslims to even know Islam more than some Muslims. It is a good thing that what Islam is, is not obscure to the global villagers, so no Muslim has any hideout to misrepresent Islam. They will be able to quarantine him as a black sheep of Islam. The Ramadan time was really fulfilling. People attained high level of closeness to Allah (SWT). They demonstrated Islamic brotherhood. They observed the daily prayers in congregation. They assisted the poor and the needy. They enlivened the mosque with their presence, performance of voluntary prayers and

AMADAN HAS

ELEVATED US

ET US

NOT RELAPSE INTO THE ABYSMAL PIT OF SINFULNESS circles of Quranic exegeses. Hearts were purified, tongues were safeguarded from sinfulness and the eyes avoided all evils. Our great precursors in faith have informed us that the sign of the acceptability of a good deed is that the performer follows it with another good deed. In other words, it will be continuous. The sign of its rejection is that the person follows it up with sinful acts. The essence of the fast of Ramadan was to make us Godly at all time and not that we limit those good things you have done to the month. It is a serious spiritual malady to devote

What to expect after Holy month

amadan is gone. The Holy month of forgiveness and spiritual victories has come and gone. The God-fearing Muslims have utilised the opportunity to attain the pleasure of Allah, while others await another opportunity. They await another opportunity which might never come again. This is because Allah has not given us the assurance that we are going to be alive till next year to witness another Ramadan. While celebrating our achievements in terms of spiritual victories, we must stop to review some of the most important lessons we should have learned from this exercise. There was spiritual routine of fasting, vigils, recitation of the Qur’an and other devotions were meant to inculcate in us, a true sense of spiritual identity. It was primarily meant to teach us who we really are; why we are here in this world; and where we go from here. Ramadan awaken our spiritual roots; it taught us that what makes us truly human is not our material possessions, passions or physical cravings, but also, our spiritual and moral essence. It took us away from tilting towards the materialistic part of our lives and made the spiritual core of our personalities, more pronounced. Our perception about life changed. In this vision of Islam, there is no room for materialism, there is no time to be caught up in the rat race, there is no room for greed, and there is no justification for oppressing others. Our spiritual disciplines in Ramadan taught us how to keep the thought of Allah and the Last Day always in our mind, whatever activities we are engaged in. A Muslim who is recharged during Ramadan is ever conscious of his standing before the Lord. Such a true believer cannot take any life which Allah has declared as sacrosanct; he cannot rob others of what they possess; and he cannot but treat everyone as he himself would like to be treated. This is the essence of what it means to be a true Muslim. The second most important lesson of Ramadan is to be compassionate and caring. Ramadan exposed us to hunger and

oneself to Allah (SWT) in Ramadan and disobeys Him in other months. Our noble Prophet (SAW) was asked which of the deeds is the best? He said: “the one that is constant even if it is little.” We should therefore hold tenaciously to all that we have gained and learnt in the month of Ramadan. A cascading spiritual decline is a reality in human society today. Ramadan has elevated us. Let us not relapse into the abysmal pit of sinfulness. Man is a product of different substances. He can do good or bad, smile or cry, befriend or fight, conceal secret or reveal it and be patient or impatient. He has a nature of changing from one state to another. This starts from the point of fertilization through varied metamorphoses till birth, and from then through infancy till old age and eventual death. His body, after death also changes from what was once beautiful body to a smelling corpse. Allah (SWT) created man and sent him to this world to worship Him and not to populate the world with crimes. He empowered man with divine knowledge to live in peace with himself and other fellow men. His ultimate success lies in adherence to his spiritual essence. On the contrary too, his jeopardy lies in its decline. Ramadan has restored our true nature of being Allah’s Vicegerent. Let us maintain it. Let the purity our hearts, brains and tongues have attained be maintained. A thirty day spiritual journey is a great thing. Not retaining Ramadan spirit will make you a caricature of untrue Islamic

personality. Sincerity is indispensable in the success of anything in life. This was a major course in Ramadan school. Let this lesson radiate in all your dealings. Allah (SWT) grants this as a mercy for those who genuinely strive in His cause. Ramadan has come and gone and just time for all Muslims to live by Islam and stop serving as pawns in the destruction of the Islamic edifice. The time has come for us to realise that Islam will remain what it is, no matter how we try to dent its legacies in the mud. The time has come for us to re-enliven the basic ethics of our religion and purify our hearts. The time has come for us to change the course of history. We can, there is no doubt about it but we must live above the sloganeering of challenges and panaceas. The time has come for us to reposition the train of justice in the right direction. Let individual establish justice in their hearts for it to reign on the earth. The time has come for us to work, act and move. This is not the moment for theorising or lethargy. The time has come for us to launch the shuttle of faith to guide and direct the entire humanity. This we can do with the compass of Ramadan. Dr. Zafaran is the Director, Vanguards Academy

Arikunkewu

A TRUE MUSLIM CAN NEVER BE APATHETIC TO THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS thirst. After feeling the pangs of hunger and thirst, we should have become more empathetic to the plight of millions of less fortunate people around the globe. A true Muslim can never be apathetic to the suffering of others. To put this into practice, we as Muslims must take responsibility and get involved in real projects that are aimed at fighting poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Unfortunately, such problems do exist in every corner of the world. We have religious and civic obligation to help make the whole world a better place for all of Allah’s Creation. This cannot be a marginal issue, when we know how serious it is in the sight of Allah. We can no longer remain selfish and inward looking. We must contribute to the mainstream. Another important lesson of Ramadan is the collective responsibility for building a more ethical and moral society. This can only be done if we stand together and become united on ideals and values we cherish. Sheik Abdul Gannyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/ National Chief Missioner of Jubulatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society of Nigeria (JUBFAT)

L-R: Sheikhul, Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Sheikh Yakub Abdulai; Sheikh Abdul-Raham Saaro and Academic Principal of the Islamic institute, Sheikh Yunus Yakub, during the annual Layalatul Quadri (Night of Majesty) of the Arabic and Islamic Training Center (Markaz) in Lagos on recently.

L-R: Mother of the rector, Alhja. Adam Abdul-El-llori; wife, Hadjia Habibulah Adam and Mrs Bilqees Onaopepo at the event.

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Friday, August 24, 2012

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 6, 1433AH

Be your brother’s keeper –Shafii SEKINAH LAWAL

renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafii has advised Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and warned politicians and religious leaders to avoid statement dangerous to continuous unity of Nigeria as a nation. Sheikh Shafii gave the admonition during his sermon at the Eid-il-Fitr prayer in Lagos, saying none of the ethnic or religious groups in Nigeria would benefit

if the country breaks-up. “The composition of various ethno-religious groups into one entity called Nigeria is not by accident because nothing happened without the knowledge of Allah. We should always see ourselves as brothers irrespective of political or religious affiliations and work towards the unity of our nation,” he said. “There are things Allah has given each group that others do not possess. The combination of human and material resources in the Northern and Southern

part of the country is of immense benefit to our greatness as a nation, hence, we should not toy with the word – break up,” he said. He said even if the larger population has not benefitted from the huge resources due to absence of visionary leaders and lack of political will by emerging ones to curb corruption, our role in sustaining peace in African cannot be over-emphasised. Sheikh Shafii, the Spiritual Leader of the Muslim Congress, expressed sadness over the involvement

of religious leaders in calls for break up, warning that such comments are not good. He urged the youths to always project a positive picture of Nigeria in whatever situation they found themselves. “For us to progress, there must be peace and I believe that even the challenges we are passing through, we will overcome them if we are united and embrace peace.” He chided political leaders who have benefitted from the resources of the country for not using them to better the lots of the larger masses.

‘Be God conscious beyond Ramadan’ L ATEEFAH IBRAHIMANIMASHAUN

he Chief Imam of Mobile Police Barracks Central Mosque, Ogudu-Lagos has enjoined Muslims to desist from being conscious of Allah during the Ramadan period alone but to extend good acts to the remaining parts of the year to achieve the aim of the fast which is fear of Allah. Imam Monsur Hassan said this during his Eid-elfitr Khutbah held on the open field of the Mosque where he enjoined Muslims to see Ramadan as an institution that has come to train them to be committed to the worship of Allah, be more steadfast and kind to humanity at large. “Ramadan will be gone until next 11 months from now, but fortunately we always have Islam, a practical guide. Islam is about participation and the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions only serve to attest to this”, he added. He urged Muslims to practise Islam as a whole which he said involves sacrifice, struggle and concern for fellow human being; these skills, he said, should have been picked up in Ramadan and now is the time to implement them. He lamented how Muslims are being slaughtered in Burma in Ramadan and expressed dissatisfaction over the way United Nations is silence about the matter.

Baba Adinni celebrates 90 in style

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Baba Adinni of Lagos State, Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu and another dignitary at the special Jumat prayer to commemorate the 90th birthday anniversary of Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Abou.

R – L: Administrative Secretary, Zakat & Sadaqat Foundation, ZSF, Mallam Ahmed Maruf; Chief Imam of Pobe, Republic of Benin & other Imams at Iftar Soim (Feeding fasting Muslims) organized by Zakat & Sadaqat Foundation at Pobe in Republic of Benin.

L-R: Chief Imam Alaguntan Central Mosque, Alhaji Moshood Alamorieda; Chairman, Council of Imam, Eti-Osa and Chief Imam of Olomu Central Mosque, Alhaji Barri Yussuf Afini, Chief Imam Ikate Central Mosque and Vice Chairman, Council of Imams, Eti-Osa, Alhaji Yisa Olowo and Chief Imam, Okeira-Nla Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Balogun during a Special Prayer held for Alhaji Aremu Gawat at Olomu/Ajiran Central Mosque recently.

he 90th birthday of the Baba Adinni of Lagos State and the first Nigerian to obtain Post-Graduate degree from Al-Azhar University, Cairo-Egypt, Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Abou was celebrated in style recently at the Lagos Central Mosque, Idumota, LagosIsland. The Lagos Chief Imam, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim held a special prayer to commemorate his 90th birthday anniversary during the weekly Jumat service. Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou, is one of the few Nigerians from South-West to graduate from Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest operating universities in the world, founded in 970 in Cairo, Egypt. He was the first Nigeria to obtain a Post-Graduate degree with “Licentiate in Islamic Law” from the same institution at the age of 32. The President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar ably represented by Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu, commended the celebrant

for his steadfastness and piety. The Mufasir of the Central Mosque, Sheikh Mujitaba Giwa in a short sermon congratulated the celebrant saying to clock 90 years on earth is rare this day. “It is a blessing on few people to attain this special age bracket even when life expectancy is put below 50. I thanked Allah for your life our dear Baba Adinni,” he stated. He urged the congregation to emulate the celebrant’s selfless service and move closer to him to tap from his wealth of experience. “Some of us that have been relating with him over the years can testify to his magnanimity and God-consciousness. We could not but wish him more fruitful years on earth.” Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola prayed for longevity of the celebrant and hailed Sheikh Abou on his role to move the state forward. He seized opportunity of the occasion to appeal to Lagos residents to always abide by the new traffic laws. In his own remark, the celebrant thanked Allah for sparing his life.

L-R: Bashorun Sikiru Macfoy; Alhaji Shitta Bey and Alhaji Sinari Dranijo at the special Jumat prayer to commemorate the 90th birthday anniversary of Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Abou.

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 6, 1433AH Friday, August 24, 2012

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Become true servants of Allah (2) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 master servant relationship, the servant adopts the master’s preferences. In an anecdote about a king and his courtier the king receives some aubergines (egg plants) as a gift. The aubergines are highly appreciated and the king starts eating them every day. The courtier starts praising the aubergines in extremely exaggerated terms. Eventually the king falls ill due to eating the vegetable every day. As a result the king criticises the aubergines, and the courtier joins in the criticism. The king asks the courtier how he could criticise the aubergines after praising them so much. The courtier replies, ‘my lord, I am your servant and not servant to the aubergines.’ However, when one adopts/imbues/instills the colour of God one adorns one’s life in this world as well as one’s ending. By adopting Divine attributes a person gains nearness to God. When a believer imbues God’s colour he or she attain his or her purpose of creation. He or she tries to practice that which God likes and tries and resists what God dislikes. The commandment ‘to adopt the religion/colour of God’ signifies that God has put the capacity in humans to adopt His attributes within their own sphere and to also demonstrate them. For example, man can adopt the Divine qualities of Malikiyyat (quality of being the Master), Rahmaniyyat (quality of being Gracious), Raheemiyyat (quality of being Merciful) and Rububiyyat (quality of being the Sustainer/Nurturer) on human level. Man can adopt the quality of being Sattar (One Who covers the faults of others) and of Wahab (the Bestower), in fact these qualities are sometimes demonstrated in the life of an ordinary person. A

BY ADOPTING DIVINE ATTRIBUTES A PERSON GAINS NEARNESS TO

GOD

true believer imbues the colours/qualities of God to attract His love. It is essential to demonstrate these qualities to attract the love of God, to save humanity from sin and to attain the purpose of one’s creation. Ultimately, this demonstration becomes a source of merit in God’s sight. The verse commanding to adopt the religion/colour of God goes on to say that believers should announce that ‘…Him alone do we worship…’ because the object is to attain His pleasure and to spend life in accordance to His commandments. This commandment is not for one month; rather every moment of a believer’s life should be spent following it. We should reflect on this matter during this Ramadan as we try to bring pious changes in ourselves, we should reflect on the Divine attributes during this Ramadan and also try and put these attributes in practice during this Ramadan, we should pay the dues of worship of God during this Ramadan and we should pledge and try to link all of this to the next Ramadan. When all this will happen, we will be the recipient of the glad-tiding of ‘I am near’ as well as observe manifestation of ‘I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me.’ The focal point of our prayers should not be just our worldly needs. Rather, having adopted Divine attributes we should be inclined to those virtues to which we have been commanded. By stating ‘they should hearken to Me’ God draws our attention to

Missionary-in-charge, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Maulana Abdulkhalique Nayyar (r) and Amir, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle-Fashola, during the Eid-el-Fitri prayer in Lagos on Sunday.

Cross section of the members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, during the prayer in Lagos.

His commandments and to the fact that a believer should understand his or her responsibilities. Next Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih expounded the moral responsibilities as well as responsibilities towards people of those who hearken to God. God states: ‘… you enjoin what is good and forbid evil and believe in Allah…’ (3:11) Only those will practice this in the true sense who practice virtues and avoid what is bad. It is true that keeping an eye on self-reflection draws one to adopt Divine attributes. This is a huge responsibility ascribed to believers. Hearts are more inclined to fear and awe of God during Ramadan and reflection on one’s deeds. If one reflects and ponders over the standard God has fixed for one who wishes and prays to be true believer, one will be drawn to bring about pious changes in oneself. One should always keep the following Divine pronouncement in view: ‘Most hateful is it in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.’ (61:4). There is a great need for us to self-reflect during these days. In particular, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih addressed office-holders of all levels, of central administration as well as of the auxiliaries and Waaqfeen e Zindagi that they need to self-reflect. This is also applicable to Ahmadis in general that if they counsel something, its influence should also be evident in their own lives. If this commandment to enjoin what is good and forbid evil is for Muslims in general how much more do those who are appointed to the task need to be mindful of its obligation? If the standards of worship of the office-holders only improve during Ramadan, it is tantamount to contradiction in word and deed and it is most disliked by God. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih often draws

the attention of office-holders in meetings that if the office-holders on every level, of every auxiliary enhance their standards of worship, the current attendance at mosques can increase two to three times. Similarly there are other commandments that require attention. There is the commandment to be equitable even if one has to give testimony against oneself or against one’s parents or close relations. If we analyse, generally speaking, we do not see this standard. On one hand we seek signs of acceptance of prayer, wish to be included in God’s servants but when it is time to give testimony, we find ways to save our own from being found guilty. Rather, at times effort is made to save oneself and one’s relatives and somehow apportion guilt on another person. At times people write in that such and such office-holders were mentioned or shortcomings at Jalsa etc. are pointed out. Rather than the officeholders or the relevant department reform itself, investigations are launched into who made the complaint. This should not be their concern, it is not their business. If the said shortcoming exists, they should try and remove it and even if it does not exist they should engage in Istaghfar so that God may save from punishment of sin that is not committed and correct report should be submitted. It is up to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih how he responds to the person who makes the complaint or whether he responds or not. Anonymous complaints are not worthy of attention any way. It is incumbent on the office-holders to accomplish their pledges and their trusts and to properly fulfil when they have been entrusted with. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

L: Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle-Fashola and members, at the Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Lagos.

L-R: National General Affairs Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Muyili Olagunju, Hafiz Syed Saheed Ahmad, and General Secretary, Mr. Dauda Raji, during the prayer. PHOTOS: BAYOOR EWUOSO

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arty News

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror photojournalist, others vie for Future Awards on Sunday ...as Timi Dakolo premieres Great Nation video at event ADENRELE NIYI

ational Mirror’s multiaward winning photojournalist, Oluyinka Adeparusi and 104 other nominees vying for a chance to win the coveted The Future Awards will be on centre stage at the event holding this weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Earlier in the week, the Central Working Committee (CWC) had unveiled the shortlist of five people per category for the Awards. There are 21 categories; Adeparusi has been nominated in the Excellence in Service (Journalism) category alongside professional colleagues Chiemelie Ezeobi (Thisday); Alkasim Abdulkadir (CNN); Toyosi Ogunseye (The Punch) and Tomi Oladipo (BBC). Other potential winners across the various categories include Cobams Asuquo (CAMP); Mohammed Abbagana (Painter); Tomiwa Adesida (Sahara Group); Jason Njoku (Iroko TV); Peter and Paul

Okoye (Psquare); Tonto Dikeh (Actor) and Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru (Beat FM) amongst others. “It’s, as usual, been an intense eight weeks”, says Chude Jideonwo, Executive Director of The Future Project. “After the nominations, there was the process of administering nomination forms where we also interviewed the nominees, secured references, conducted independent research and held random inspections of books, finances and so on. We also got evidence of all the nominees’ ages and had a two-week period for any complaints from the public. Simultaneous with voting, the Board of Judges -30 young media influencers from across the country– sat for a full day and produced the shortlist, which goes to the Independent Audit Committee. The names will then return to the Board of Judges who will choose the final winners”. Members of the Independent Audit Committee include TV host Mo Abudu; External Relations Director of the Nigeria

Elumelu

LNG, Sienne Alwell-Brown; politician Jimi Agbaje; Stanbic IBTC director, Yemi Osindero and LEAP Africa founder Ndidi Nwuneli. Finalists and winners of each category will be unveiled on Sunday where the Keynote Speaker is Tony O. Elumelu (MFR), Chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Future Awards 2012 is hosted by the Rivers State Government.

Meanwhile, talented singer, Timi Dakolo will premiere the video for Great Nation (the unofficial national anthem of Nigeria) at the prestigious Future Awards this weekend. The first winner of West Africa Idol, who has a philosophy of making good music to set outstanding standards, is a strong believer in the unity of Nigeria. “Music is not just for entertainment, it’s so much more”, reiterated Timi Dakolo. Also,

Adeparusi

Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Now Muzik, believes that, Great Nation is the latest in Timi’s strings of captivating classics. It is an epic musical material and resonates with people.” Great Nation, a single off his Beautiful Noise album released in 2011, by virtue of the emotion it evokes and the strength of its lyrics, is set to rebuild and restore us as a country in midst of the current political and economic situation.

Spinlet out with Wyclef, Sound Sultan collabo

2face meets Papa Wemba, Daddy Owen, AY in Kenya

his Saturday, Nigeria’s superstar artiste, 2Face Idibia will be sharing the stage with Congolese Soukous star, Papa Wemba, Kenyan singer, Daddy Owen and Tanzania’s AY at the Airtel Rising Stars soccer competition finals at Nairobi City Stadium. They artistes will light up the stage with popular music in culmination of the competition to spot soccer talents across the continent. Speaking of the Africa championships, Airtel’s CEO (International), Manoj Kohli said, “The Airtel Africa Championship is a natural product of the exciting and dazzling skills which we have seen showcased in the on-going Airtel Rising Stars initiative. The tournament provides the perfect melting pot of talent, cultures and passion exhibited during the Airtel Rising across Africa. By designing a bigger stage for the teams and future stars, Airtel is sending a message to the participants, coaches, soccer enthusiasts on our long term support for sports and activities that empower and celebrate talent”. Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga was the guest of honour at the event’s launch last week; dignitaries from all across Africa were

Dikeh

Papa Wemba

also present. The winners of the competition will receive a wild card invitation to the Manchester United and Arsenal soccer clinics. Reportedly, the clinics will be held in Nairobi and Accra respectively. The Soccer clinics will provide technical expertise to aspiring stars chosen by top coaches in the 15 African countries.

ward winning Haitian American singer, Wyclef Jean and Nigeria’s Hip Hop Ninja, Sound Sultan have once again collaborated on another massive hit called People Bad which is now exclusively available on Spinlet, Nigeria’s premier digital music distribution service. People Bad, produced by Jaysleek with writing credits going to both artistes is another eclectic hip-hop fusion and is the fourth time Sound Sultan will be collaborating musically with Wyclef Jean. “Sound Sultan is one of Nigeria’s finest stars and the collaboration provides another opportunity for Nigeria to showcase her incredible talent and is sure to be a favourite amongst their devoted fans”, notes Mark Redguard, Chief Marketing Officer of Spinlet. “It is our intention to continue supporting African artists on local and international

platforms. We want them to fully exploit their talent and position them as super stars set to dominate the world stage”. Sound Sultan who had previously collaborated with Wyclef on three singles was full of praise for the star, “I had a blast on this recent song with Wyclef. He is an incredibly talented and supportive artiste and I’m really looking forward to other opportunities to work again with him and other international artistes”.

Escape

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abeokuta woos visitors with June BUNMI OLALEYE

cultural centre is a rallying point for all stakeholders; those who have bias for the arts and many others as well as a citadel for the preservation and presentation of a particular society’s arts and culture to the outside world. For a state like Ogun, naturally endowed with diverse cultural heritage and tourist centres such as the Olumo Rock Tourist Complex, the Osuru Water Spring, Imeko, Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine, Ijebu and the famous Adire textile industry at Itoku, Abeokuta, just to mention a few, the cultural centre acts as a harnessing point. In June, amid fanfare and excitement, the ancient city of Abeokuta hosted the first ever indigenous award in the Yoruba movie industry at its newly-renovated June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto. Sponsored by the Ogun State government under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and supported by Zmirage Multimedia, the event held inside the Herbert Ogunde Hall was to showcase the indigenous African culture of Nigeria, especially the Yoruba culture to the world. The organisers took advantage of the rich cultural props in the venue to create a colourful display of Yoruba heritage for guests. The Red Carpet was decorated with local mats, beads and African artifacts’, while the backdrop on stage for photographs was made out of our Adire fabric with the logo of Oduduwa inscribed on. For a first timer in Abeokuta, the beautiful and serene environment of the state is a marvel particularly if the visitor resides in a busy metropolitan. A tourist can be assured that he or she would be well catered to –in terms of hospitality and accommodation at various eye-catching hotels across the state. On this trip to the June 12 Cultural Centre, I decided to stay at a mid-budget hotel named Omega Kingmod. It has a capacity of about 20 rooms, a standard gymnasium for exercise enthusiasts, a bush bar and a restaurant. The standard room which I occupied was fairly adequate for an economical budget (cost about N7,000 per night minus breakfast) but it lacked provision of basic toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shower cap) for guests who may not have come with theirs. One plus for the hotel is that it is situated in a discreet neighbourhood in Kuto with proximity to the major roads in the city. I arrived Abeokuta late in the evening but it was another plus to find out that as at 2.00 a.m., one could still get to eat hot Amala the local yam flour delicacy of the Egbas at the popular ‘Lafenwa’ joint, which is some few kilometres from the state secretariat. The place which operates a 24 hours non-stop eating environment that serves purely African dishes, especially the Egba delicacy Lafun (white Amala) accompanied with assorted beef cuttings and fresh fish according to the diner’s preference. Different brands of cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are also available to soothe parched throats. Prior to the advent of the present administration in Ogun State, the Ogun Cultural Centre under the supervision of the Ogun State Council for Arts and Culture was just a physical edifice put in place and commissioned in 1992. According to the state commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Olu Odeyemi, who as part of his familiarisation and on-the-spot assessment of tourist sites in the state visited the cultural centre at inception of the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, the state of the centre was lamentable, “..the seats were dilapidated, the walls were giving way; it was in real shambles”, he noted. To turn the ugly situation around, the state government embarked on a massive rehabilitation of the centre; this facelift was not just on the existing structure as new and modern structures have been put in place. Making up the improved centre are an ultra-modern gate post, re-designed main entrance, a dual carriage way into the centre. A professional station displaying artistic structures which depict the various professions where indigenes of Ogun State have excelled also oc-

Walkway into the cultural centre

I ARRIVED ABEOKUTA LATE IN THE EVENING BUT IT WAS ANOTHER PLUS TO FIND OUT THAT AS AT 2.00 A.M., ONE COULD

STILL GET TO EAT HOT

AMALA

cupies a portion of the centre. Banking and finance is symbolised by a cowry shell and Otunba Subomi Balogun, an icon in the field. Artistic representations of Dr. Adisa Olowu, synonymous with Architecture and Dr. Olukoye Ransome Kuti, a name to be reckoned with in the field of Medicine, take up their fitting space. Also to be found in the Theatre Arts section symbolised by a sculpted mask, are late Hubert Ogunde, Akin Ogungbe, Wale Adenuga and Wole Soyinka, whose contributions to theatre arts in Nigeria cannot be forgotten. Others include, Segun Odegbami and Falilat Ogunkoya on sports station; Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Tunde Bakare on activism station; Bishop Jasper Akinola and Alhaji (Dr.) Lateef Adegbite on religion station; Aina Onabolu on painting and Chief Obafemi Awolowo on politics. Other attractions within the premises of the centre include a swimming pool, children’s play ground, funfare arena which is a blend of the contemporary amusement park and the traditional local café built and decorated using local accessories like thatch, calabashes, wooden stools, traditional musical instruments, artificial and natural trees, pool side bars, wooden sofa for relaxation and water fountain. party arena for mini social celebrations parties and a changing room are also part of the innovation of the rehabilitation of the cultural centre. The Hubert Ogunde Hall was also given a face-lift in the areas of accessories and equipments such as a standard and complete lighting system of international stan-

FACT FILE •

Abeokuta is the capital of Ogun State, created in February 1976

•

It comprises of old Abeokuta and ljebu provinces.

•

It was one of the 19 states created out of the former 12 state structures of 1967.

•

The state shares an international boundary with the Republic of Benin to the West and interstate boundaries with Oyo State in the north, Lagos State in the south and Ondo State in the east.

•

Oòdua first appeared as one of the divinities of the Yoruba theology; The narrative indicates that Oduduwa denotes “the essence of behaviour” (Odu-ti-o-da-Iwa) or “the reservoir of culture or manners”(Odu-ti-o-du-iwa).

dard, permanent projectors for Power Point presentation and several LCD television sets put at strategic places. The seats inside the hall have been replaced with a set of 1,500 modern and colourful ones. The old cemented floors and staircases are now laid with marble and ceramic tiles, making the entire hall aesthetically pleasing. Apart from the renovations, a new ultra-modern Events Centre is also under construction at the centre. The existing hall of fame at the centre which houses architectural busts of both past and living legends of the state was also decorated and upgraded to a tourist site. A walk into the new Ogun state June 12 Cultural Centre at night is no doubt fascinating as the well-lit premises adds to its aesthetics. For those desiring more information about Ogun State’s heritage, the new June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta is the place to visit as a start. Ms. Olaleye is an undergraduate of Mass Communications.

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Escape

Friday, August 24, 2012

12 Cultural Centre

Travel News

International Council of Tourism Partners welcomes Sudan

T Hallway

Sculpted fountain

A masquerade welcomes guest for the first ever Yoruba Movie Awards

The children’s play area under construction

A section of the funfare arena

he International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP), announced that the Sudanese Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has become the first destination member from Sudan. Sudan’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife performs its activities in integration with several units, consisting of a central ministry, wildlife preservation department, tourism police forces department, international Sudanese tourism company, and international Quasr Company. The ministry set up tourism law and the regulation in order to organise tourism activity and work, and to confirm the authorisation of the federal ministry in controlling and inspecting tourist institutions and establishments on federal and states levels, keeping standardisation and specification in the hotels and in tourism establishments. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife also works to protect wildlife, as well as administering national game reserve parks, with the view to preserving the environment and diverse resources of Sudan. The Ministry sees wildlife as a national resource of promotion to activate domestic and external tourism. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to preserve national tourist destinations and establishments, as well as promoting tourism within the framework of a good atmosphere of social and cultural interaction with other people. Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of ICTP, said: “When peace comes to the region, Sudan will have real unused capacity to boost its economy through travels and to take advantage of its unspoiled landscapes and deep cultural heritage. ICTP increasingly has the means to help in this process”. ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “Sudan’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife aims to keep Sudanese values and traditions in mind as it builds its tourism sector. The ministry understands that tourism will help to boost the economy and provide job opportunities”. Sudan has six national parks covering a total area of 60,370 sq.km and19 game reserves with a total area of 35,500 sq. km. Thus, a total area of around 100,000 sq. km are designated for wildlife protection areas. Sudan enjoys a wide spectrum of climatic and environmental conditions that are manifested in the existence of a great wealth of animals and birds species. It would be recalled that in July 2012, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), joined the ICTP as a destination member. Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of NTDC, had this to say about Nigeria’s registration as a destination member of ICTP: “Nigeria is blessed with abundant cultural tourism and diversity. To complement this legacy is the uncommon warmth and hospitality of Nigerians. Foreigners are often amazed when they visit Nigeria and experience the Nigerian hospitality and they always look forward to coming back”. ICTP is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green). ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support.

Denrele’s Day Adenrele Niyi Denrele’s Day is a collection of witty & sincere articles inspired by a zany imagination

denrele@nationalmirroronline.net

08059100422 (SMS only)

Friday, August 24, 2012

Handouts on a string

walls. Again, our group sought and received approval from Lagos State Government to initiate rehabilitation of schools around the Ikeja axis. Opening a school kitty, it soon ballooned with monthly deductions from our private income –we raised sufficient funds to rebuild schools, donate modern school lab equipment and provide borehole so children would have access to clean water on their welve years ago, I made my first visit school premises. All accomplished minus to an orphanage, one I would prefer to fanfare, press releases or on-the-hour media cloak in anonymity but which is the blitz. Some of these things I’ve never quite better known home in Lagos for abandoned discussed outside of my immediate group orphaned children. I went as part of a group until this writing. Moreover, I have done of young professionals (at that period, some nothing to boast of or anywhere close to the members were in-between jobs) who, spurred benevolence of the Bill Gates of this world by humanitarian ideals and goals, united to who will off more than half of their wealth affect our environment in definitive and life- to fight malaria, cancer, drought, build altering ways. The group still exists, our vi- schools and medical research institutes. It brings me to ask what this fad of jamsion and its quiet execution endures. At the time of this visit, none of us was boree-benevolence creeping into our entercelebrating a birthday, marriage anniversary, tainment industry aims to achieve? Must we ‘washing’ a new contract, vehicle or house. roll out the red carpet, sound the trumpets We had merely reached a fundamental deci- and fill every newspapers’ entertainment sion during one of our meetings to routinely page to ostentatiously and patronisingly share time, worldly possession, access to announce our ‘magnanimous’ act of spendqualitative-health care and skills with repu- ing once-in-a-year birthdays with the ‘under table centres and facilities (specially set up by privileged’? Is a thought given to how the ‘under privileged’ fares selfless Nigerians) offerin the long months being succour and shelter T BRINGS ME TO fore the next birthday? to those for whom life Hosting the crème-deitself is a luxury. ASK WHAT THIS la-crème to a birthday What I saw on that FAD OF JAMBOREE party where bottles of trip haunted me several fine, pricey liqueur/ years after. My heartBENEVOLENCE champagne is downed strings was wrenched barely eight hours afby the sight of the 15 or CREEPING INTO OUR ter a visit to orphans or more children occupyENTERTAINMENT widows is not the sort ing communal living of reflective pose exspace sectioned by beds INDUSTRY AIMS pected from a genuine and play area. Observheart devoted to public ing the hygienic enviTO ACHIEVE service. However, it is ronment and warmth of the celebrants’ prerogathe child minders, there was no doubt the home’s altruistic founder tive to party whichever way they please. Popular sentiments suggest that trumis a 101 percent committed to creating a preferable life for the little angels in comparison peted donations and charitable actions are a to what their fate would have been if unres- function of mixed motivations; more to boost cued. However, it doesn’t nullify the fact that the donors’ reputation than to sincerely help being raised within a proper and healthy others. Hiding your philanthropic activities family structure creates the right founda- could hurt too -if others know what you’re doing, it might increase the likelihood they tion for a well-adjusted growing child. One of the male children, about three do the same. But utilising your star power years old, was particularly clingy refusing for advocacy and vocal support of a charity to disengage from the embrace of a male can equally draw potential donors. Rural widows have it tougher than their member who carried him. The pair cut a tearjerking image eternally etched in my mates in urban areas. Some of them are memory. At that moment, it sunk into my subjected to dehumanising torments under mind that apart from raising my biologi- the guise of tradition. Many are left to culcal children, I very likely would be adopt- tivate their husbands’ farmlands (the faming children to nurture them exactly like ily’s mainstay) unaided and less fortunate they came out of my womb. My emotional women lose the lands to greedy, opportunisconnection to orphanages was too real and tic relatives. Donations of clothing, money, food items, overpowering but I sustained my benevolent interaction with the children through singing birthday songs, eating the chocolate birthday cake and donning finery will cheer proxies and friends. Similarly, a few years following the ig- them up... but only temporarily. What is crunominious armoury explosion at Ikeja cial to keeping that smile fixed on their faces Military Cantonment which set off a snow- is someone with the courage and resilience to ball of catastrophic effects including mass fight their cause and stop this shameful persestampede of panicked Lagos residents into cution of widows in our society. 365 days, the full course of another birthday, is too long a an Oshodi canal and total destruction of residences and schools around the epicenter time to wait for another session of attentionof the blast, thousands of young school chil- seeking posturing of altruism –far too long. Love and peace for the weekend! dren were sitting in classes without roofs or

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your charitable deed may be in secret...” Matthew 6 verse 3 (NKJV)

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CLAPPERBOARD with

Eddie Ugbomah www.edifosafilm.com

Behind the scene in Nollywood

n 2008, Madu Chikwendu the then President of Association of Movie Producers (AMP) said that he has banned me Chief Eddie Ugbomah from the movie industry, he then temporary banned Zeb Ejiro from AMP. Imagine the joke; banning me the pioneer, icon, pillar and Zeb, the ‘Sheik of Home Video’ from the industry. Madu tried as much as he could to register a new AMP with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and failed woefully. Eddie Ugbomah, Kenneth Nnebue, Amaka Igwe, Joe Dudu, Zeb Ejiro and Sola Adeyemo are the owners of AMP registered by the CAC. Jide Kosoko and Adebayo Salami were founding members of AMP, but when they were not elected as President and Treasurer, they left and started a nasty campaign to stop the registration of AMP by declaring it was an Igbo Association. Lari Williams started what is today the trouble making Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), but because he couldn’t buy buy his way through, the young ones took over and made it an Igbo property. Since Ibinabo Fiberesima has been trying to yank AGN from the Igbos, it has been impossible to hold a genuine election. It must be Emeka Rollas, Emeka Ike or an Igbo because they use that position to make money from the State, FG and big business people. I’ve been wrong to ignore the political crisis in Nollywood and the country. I ought to be contributing to the script been written by the Houses of Assembly –Jonathan must-go-jokes. Look at our shameless House members threatening to impeach a sleeping Tiger. Our lives have been hell because of past and present leaders who are serving for personal gains not for us as promised. Why?, because they paid for the votes. How can legislators riddled with scandals and disrepute have the guts to say that they will impeach Mr. President? As we all know that they want the return of “Ghana Must Go” bags to cover the direct cash they are used to ‘chopping’. There are 70% of PDP members in both houses and they forgot how hard it is to impeach a Nigerian President. Members of the House are just flying a flag of hunger and lean pockets. All the rich Nigerians today made money from the ‘Father Xmas’ called Federal or

IF I CAN SURVIVE THE IGBO MAN IN NOLLYWOOD, THEN I KNOW FOR SURE, JONATHAN CAN SURVIVE THE

‘SHARKS’ IN THE HOUSE

State government or stole it when they were in military. Nollywood’s politics of comedy, tribalism, envy and hatred is taking an example from the father of all political intrigues. Imagine two top Nigerians using Nollywood to get into government, acquire wealth and are now threatening to sue anybody who tells the truth about them. These people organised campaigns for Jonathan, made lots of cash but gave peanuts to those used to achieve their objectives. Money they say is the root of all evils but for these Nollywood hustlers, money is the only language they understand. There were so many impeachment struggles in AGN but when cash changed hands, all the gladiators suddenly went to bed. Due to the way AMP was registered, the original Board of Trustees cannot be bullied, abused, re-registered, renewed or changed. Three past Presidents of AMP have tried this revolution and failed woefully. If I can survive the Igbo man in Nollywood, then I know for sure, Jonathan can survive the ‘sharks’ in the House. Home video financiers tried everything to get rid of me; they used kidnappers and cash inducement but failed. Finally, they held a meeting in Enugu and Onitsha telling investors not to give me cash to make home videos. Unfortunately Eddie Ugbomah was not disturbed as he was very busy assisting Mrs. Roselyn Odeh to sanctify movie production. Those were the days we had ritualistic and bloodletting films being released which projected the country negatively. Thank God all the ‘bloody’ home videos were discourage with the popular expunge by the National Film and Video Censors Board and I am now a big movie politician, ombudsman and a national critic.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People In The Mirror

Friday, August 24, 2012

Celebs storm Hennessy Artistry video premiere

Rotary Club of Egbeda installs 10th president The Egbeda-Lagos chapter of Rotary Club International on Sunday, July 29, installed Rotarian Chuks Mike Okonkwo as the 10th President of the club. The investiture and new members induction ceremony was held amid merriment at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos.

The anticipated music video for the Hennessy Artistry 2012 theme song, Bartender directed by Clarence Peters and featuring M.I and Naeto C premiered at a star-studded cocktail event on Thursday, August 16, at Villa Picasso, Victoria Island, Lagos. Prominent individuals in media and entertainment industries were present to show support for the Hennessy brand and its remarkable contributions to the art of music making in Nigeria. L-R: Lynxxx, Ngozi Pere Okotie and Nedu Director, Internal Affairs, Rotary Club of Egbeda, Rotn. Paul Okoye (L) and representative of the Managing Director of Intercontinental Distillers Ltd, Mr. Hope Gbagi.

L-R: Naeto C, Yvonne â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vixenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ekwere and Clarence Peters L-R: Rotn. Victor Udegbe, Rotn. Tijani Shuaibu and Mrs. Rita Famoroti.

Chief and Lolo Uchenna Mbanugo.

Ex-President, Rotary Club of Egbeda, Rotn. Sylvester Bakare presenting the Outstanding Service Award to Rotr. Kunle Adeniran

Father of the Day, Engr. Peter Okonkwo (L) and representative of the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Mrs. Kehinde Oginni. Marie Miller

Hip hop star, Sasha

Hennessy Marketing Manager, Tokini Peterside

Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director of Syndicated Metal Industries Ltd., Mr Paul Erinne (L) and the new President of Rotary Club of Egbeda, Rotn. Mike Okonkwo.

Chief Marketing Officer, Spinlet, Mark Redguard

L-R: Club Admin Chair, Rotn. Isioma Julius; Assistant Secretary, Rotn Jude Coleman and newly inducted member, Rotn. Joy Onome.

L-R: Rotn. Bakare; Rotn. Okonkwo and Charter President, Rotn. Abdullahi Lawal, at the installation. PHOTOS: YINKA ADEPARUSI

A-List comedian, Tee A

Music artiste Dammy Krane (L) and Ms. Jaie

Friday, August 24, 2012

Mirror Drive

2012 Range Rover: The power of cutting edge presence OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he 2012 Range Rover Evoque is truly the first sumptuous Sport Utility Vehicle in history as its shake up the class with an exceptionally powerful engine and the optional two-door coupe body style and its intimidating $44, 000 (estimated at N7m) price tag. The 2012 Evoque emerged as the smallest model the automaker has ever produced. There is a four-door base model, which does not look as unusual when compared with other luxury crossovers, but the twodoor body style will be an unexpected twist for many shoppers as it brings some muchneeded diversity to the class. The Range Rover Evoque has a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine and is much smaller in body size compared with its competitors. Auto stakeholders say the Evoque’s petite frame and respectable 240 horsepower make it one of the most nimble vehicles in the category. Like other Range Rovers, the Evoque has a Terrain Response system that allows the driver to change the powertrain and suspension responses based on road condi-

tions. The 2012 Evoque draws on some of the genes of today’s Range Rover LR2, which itself is kin to the Volvo XC60. But the Evoque has been lowered, shortened and widened into a distinct package that is consciously smaller outside and less spacious inside than its sibling, all in the name of fashion. The cabin does not suffer much for the downsizing. It is still quite comfortable for the front passengers, who ride on poweradjustable seats with coolly-styled, cutdown bolsters and on some versions, bold stitching. Head room is not as lavish as you will get in the usual Range Rover package, but even with the panoramic sunroof fitted (standard on many models), the Evoque still allows for a higher seating position and enough vertical space for six-foot occupants. Elbow room is not an issue since the Evoque is a few inches wider than the LR2. It is a bit tighter in back in the fivedoor Evoque. The low ride height will cue tall passengers to duck on their way into the back seat and once they are there, the well-shaped seats will provide enough support against their backs. The seat bottom

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is shorter to carve out more leg room on the spec sheet, but in practical use, those mythical six-footers will be rubbing knees against the front seat backs and their heads against part of the glass roof ’s frame. The three-door Evoque has the same wheelbase as the five-door, so it is less a shock that its seats are almost as comfortable as the ones on the five-door. It is the entry and exit that could tax an older passenger. Storage space is still quite good and despite its cut and creased body, it has more cargo room than some taller luxury crossovers. The three-door Evoque sports 19.4 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats and 47.6 cubic feet when those seats

are folded down. The five-door has marginally more space at 20.3 cubic feet with the seats up and 51.0 cubic feet with them down. The cabin has a big centre console bin with cup holders hidden under a tambor and a fairly deep bin under the armrest. A nicely sized glove-box and decent door-panel pockets give drivers some places to stash stuff out of sight.

Interior Inside, the Evoque lives up to its Range Rover heritage with an interior that is equipped with features that most buyers seek. Not only is the cabin stocked full of standard goodies like Bluetooth and two USB

INSIDE, THE EVOQUE LIVES UP TO ITS RANGE ROVER HERITAGE WITH AN INTERIOR THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH FEATURES THAT MOST BUYERS SEEK

interior

MAINTENANCE TIPS

How to clean a car’s interior

leaning the inside of a car is something that can easily get overlooked because people are mostly worried about how their car looks on the outside or they just want to save some money when going to their local car wash. You can save the cost of a professional detailing by getting out the vacuum cleaner and a few household products. Here are a few tips on how

to detail your car’s interior. First, remove the floor mats from the car. Shake them to remove any debris sticking to them. Then, using the hose attachment of a shop vacuum, vacuum all seat cushions, paying special attention to the crevices where cushions meet. Be sure to vacuum the bottom and back of the seats. Check beneath seats for coins and trash before vacuuming.

Vacuum the floor of the car, including the area beneath the seats still using the hose attachment. Also, vacuum the floor mats. When finished, give the mats a final shake to remove any remaining debris, then return them to the car. If any fabric seat cushions or carpets are stained, use a damp towel to apply a small amount of carpet shampoo to the stain. Work the carpet shampoo into a

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Mirror Drive

Friday, August 24, 2012 creases considerably. When seating five, both models have about 20 cubic feet which is a number typical for midsize sedans, but poor for an SUV. The majority of small SUVS have more than 20 cubic feet fe with all seats in use.

Fuel economy

ports, auto but stakeholders say that t k h ld th t overall, the Evoque’s interior quality and luxurious amenities make the cabin one of its strongest characteristics.

Seating With two body styles (four doors and two doors), seat comfort for rear passengers varies. But for the most part, auto users are satisfied with the amount of space available in the back row. Like most SUVs and sedans, they suggest limiting the back seat to two passengers and add that many six-foot tall passengers will be comfortable. If you are interested in the two-door, be sure to assess for headroom because the rear dimensions are different. Also keep in mind that passengers will probably have a hard time accessing the second row without the extra doors. There is less information available on front seat comfort, but one reviewer notes that tall drivers can sit comfortably in the two-door.

Cargo With a maximum of 47.6 cubic feet in the coupe model and 51 cubic feet of available space in the fourdoor model, the Evoque has a good amount of cargo space, but with the rear seats in use, that space de-

Normally, a sport-utility vehicle veh or crossover has to do something somethin fairly extraordinary to receive a good other new green score. Like some oth crossovers for 2012, the Range Rover Evoque rates highly not hig because it is a hybrid or o a diesel, but because it is smaller than the typical offering offerin from Range Rover and has a suitably downsized engine to eng boot. Its 2.0-litre, direc direct-injected and turbocharged turbocharge fourcylinder is something that somethi auto stakeholders have ha seen before in other crossovers. cro In fact, it is closely related to the EcoBoost engines in eng the 2012 Ford Explorer and Explo Ford Edge, a legacy of Ford’s ownership ow of Range Rover until a few years ago. The a Evoque’s output is i similar at 240 horsepower and its fuel economy ends up comparable com to that of the EcoBoost Explorer--an Expl EPA-estimated 19/28 mpg. By RovB shrinking h i ki the th size i off the th vehicle, hi l Range R er argues it is also been able to go with the fourcylinder and to cut weight all over the vehicle. The Evoque’s curb weight checks in at just about 3600 pounds, without the kind of exotic aluminium construction that gets the Jaguar XJ sedan in the same weight class.

Safety As a brand-new vehicle, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque has not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Auto drivers base their score on the Evoque’s available safety features, which include standard front, side and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control; and user-selectable all-wheel drive with hill-descent control and trailerstability assist, both of which use anti-lock braking to stabilise the Evoque in more extreme driving or towing situations. Even though it is a tall vehicle with stylishly tapered glass, visibility is surprisingly good in the Evoque, though the rear headrests and rear pillars create medium-sized blind spots.

light lather. Sponge away the shampoo with a damp sponge and allow to air dry. Don’t use carpet shampoo on leather. Besides, clean all the windows using a window cleaner and newspaper or paper towels. Vacuum or wipe debris from the dashboard and doors. Spray a small amount of car-interior or vinyl protectant on a towel or rag. With the moistened rag, gently wipe the dashboard, door handles and all vinyl parts. Finally, allow to air dry. Warning: Do not clean leather seats with carpet shampoo. It is too harsh and will take the colour out of leather. Use a cleaner specially designed for leather car seats, available at an autoparts store.

Stallion Motors unveils European cars

tallion Motors over the weekend unveiled three brands of European cars, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda range of automobiles to Nigerian shoppers while auto journalists took 12 different ranges of vehicle on display for a test drive. Some of the vehicles were Audi A6, A4, A8 and Q7 models. Volkswagen brands included Polo, Passat TSI, Toures V6, Tiguan TSI, Amarok TSI, while the Skoda brands test drove were Octavia MPI Fabia and Superb TSI. The drive, which lasted for over four hours started from Kofo Abayomi Street on Victoria Island, moved to Banana Island Estate through Chevron Pavilion and Lekki Peninsula in Lagos. Unlike their Asian counterparts, the European brands of vehicles are made for Nigerian terrain and weather with a touch of excellence for shoppers with class for quality products. Organisers of the event said that the essence of the test drive was to acquaint journalists of the ideals, values and standards of European brand of vehicles when viewed against rival brands especially from Asia. Commenting, the Deputy Managing Director, European Brands, Stallion Motors, Mr. Julian Hardy said that the dealership is not only interested in selling cars, but dispensing valuable information that could help end users derive optimum value from any brand of vehicle purchased from the Stallion group. Hardy said that the test drive was one of its numerous showstoppers to herald the ‘Stallion European Motor Show’ slated for September 2012, adding that all the

brands of vehicles can adequately maintained in Nigeria with engineers in its company. In a bid to encourage auto users to the products, he said next month the company would commence a free service clinic for VWs, Audi and Skoda vehicles in all its workshops in Nigeria, stressing that the exercise is aimed to reunite the company with old and new customers and solve whatever challenges they may have encountered with the brands. “European engineered vehicles are value-driven cars with exceptional inputs to deliver optimum value while also reassuring on sophistication and comfort. Top European car manufacturers like Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen produce some of the best performing vehicles on the road and are evidence in many consumer reports’ that have shown how sturdier in design and build strength European brands of vehicles are”, he said. Hardy was accompanied to the briefing by Mr. Anurag Shah, Sales and Marketing Director, Audi and VW Centre; Mr. Amit Sharma, Sales and Marketing director, Volkswagen Commercial; Mr. Snajay Rupani, Sales and Marketing Director, Skoda World and Mr. Munish Sharma, Service Manager, European brands, Stallion Motors. In all, test drivers rated the brands A+ saying European vehicles are generally safer because of their shorter braking distances in case of serious accident. They have better acceleration, impressive handling, matchless performance and exceptional steering response.

Cocktail

Friday, August 24, 2012

Oddities

Nepali man bites snake to death in revenge attack

Nepali man who was bitten by a cobra snake bit it back and killed the reptile in a tit-for-tat attack, a newspaper said on Thursday. Nepali daily Annapurna Post said Mohamed Salmo Miya chased the snake, which bit him in his rice paddy on Tuesday, caught it and bit it until it died. “I could have killed it with a stick but bit it with my teeth instead because I was angry,” the 55-year-old Miya, who lives in a village some

200 km (125 miles) southeast of the Nepali capital of Kathmandu, was quoted by the daily as saying. The snake, called “goman” in Nepal, is also known as the Common Cobra. Police official Niraj Shahi said the man, who was being treated at a village health post and was not in danger of dying, would not be charged with killing the snake because the reptile was not among snake species listed as endangered in Nepal.

Man still in prison two years after conviction overturned

aniel Larsen had his conviction overturned but remains in prison. (Innocencemarch.com)Daniel Larsen had his felony conviction overturned more than two years ago. But the California man continues to sit in a California prison while the state attorney general appeals a federal magistrate’s decision to release the 45-yearold from jail.

“It’s reflexive, it’s just what they do,” Larsen’s attorney Jan Stiglitz told Southern California Public Radio. “They have never been willing to sit down and interview our witnesses.” On Monday, the California Innocence Project and Larsen’s fiancée delivered 100,000 petition signatures from individuals demanding an immediate release for Larsen.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gibbons on helium sing like opera stars

ibbons are jungle divas. The small apes use the same technique to project their songs through the forests of Southeast Asia as top sopranos singing at the New York Metropolitan Opera or La Scala in Milan. That was the conclusion of research by Japanese scientists who tested the effect of helium gas on gibbon calls to see how their singing changed when their voices sounded abnormally high-pitched. Just like professional singers, the experiment found the animals were able to amplify the higher sounds by adjusting the shape of their vocal tract, including the mouth and tongue. It is a skill only mastered by a few humans, yet gibbons are able to do it with minimal effort, according to Takeshi Nishimura from the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University. Singing is particularly important to gibbons, which use loud calls and songs to communicate across the dense jungle. Their exchanges, described by

primatologists as “duets”, can carry as far as two kilometres (just over one mile). “Our data indicate that acoustic and physiological mechanisms used in gibbon singing are analogous to human soprano singing, a professional operatic technique,” Nishimura and colleagues wrote in a study in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology on

Thursday. Professional sopranos’ ability to fine-tune their vocal tract resonances allows them to maintain their volume when they hit the high notes. The fact that gibbons can do the same thing suggests the complexity of human speech may not have needed specific modifications in our vocal anatomy. Making gibbons sing on

helium may sound eccentric but Nishimura said it was a logical way to test how the animals controlled vocalization when the resonance frequencies in the vocal tract were shifted upwards. “Using the helium environment, we can easily see how the resonance works and how the gibbon makes its loud pure-tone calls,” he said in an interview.

A white-handed Gibbon swings on a rope on at ‘Tiergarten Schoenbrunn’ Zoo in Vienna

PHOTO: REUTERS

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance This government is sworn to be a far departure from what we have hitherto understood governance to be. We are committed to engaging the good people of Nigeria through various platforms and we are ready to listen to and act on your pertinent propositions. Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The principle of diversification of resources is good, because if you are holding all your foreign reserves in one currency or one asset, whether it is the dollar or the euro, you run the risk of losing the value of your reserves in the event of fluctuations CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Investment summit: Aregbesola plans massive boost for agriculture AYO OLESIN

the mainstay of his administration, the state is set to compete at a global level to increase output of cash crops such as cocoa and palm oil among others which were once renowned for contributing more than 50 per cent to national Gross Domestic Products (GDP). “The state is primarily an agrarian society that is favoured with fertile soil which supports a di-

verse range of agricultural produce, both cash and food crops. These include yam, maize, cassava, millet, plantain and rice. Cocoa and palm produce are our main cash crops. At current production levels, Osun is second only to Ondo State in cocoa production,” Aregbesola said. He stated further, “We have since the inception of our government

designed policies and programmes aimed at engendering economic development in the State of Osun. These policies are already in full implementation. We are focusing on our areas of comparative advantage vis-à-vis agriculture and tourism.” According to the governor, the Osun Rural Enterprises and Agricultural Programme

(O’REAP) is developing policy framework to precipitate a revolution in the agriculture sector. “We are preparing the sector for full industrial development. We are fully aware that modern farming is no longer restricted to feeding alone; it is also motivated by money, where farmers will get good value for their produce.

he Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has unveiled massive plan by its administration to boost the state agriculture through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and partnership with Nigerians in the diaspora. Aregbesola, who was represented by the state Deputy Governor, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the Nigerian Diaspora Trade and Investment Summit held at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osun, Osogbo yesterday said his government has already embarked on strategic intervention by revamping the old farm settlements that were key elements of the success recorded in agriculture in the old Western Region. With stable polity and arable lands, Aregbesola L-R: Customer Service Representative, Mouka, Ms. Ebunoluwa Adeyemi; Deputy General Manager, Marketing, Lekki Free Zone said through investment Development Company, Mr. Oyewole Adegoke and Product Manager, Mouka Ltd, Mr. Stephen Uwazota, during the Eko Expo in agriculture which is 2012 at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, recently.

South African investors seek alliance with NNPC UDEME AKPAN

strong contingent of business men from Bloemfontein, the capital city of the Free State Province

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of South Africa are billed to visit Nigeria shortly to engage the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in areas of mutual interest and cooperation. The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, who paid a courtesy visit to the NNPC Towers in Abuja, said the proposed

visit was informed by the need to further strengthen economic ties with Nigeria in the spirit of African brotherliness and economic integration. The High Commissioner who was received by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr. Andy Yakubu, noted that it is very important for the two brotherly African nations

Telecoms firms spend N178bn on diesel annually

to look inward and work together so as to harness the abundant mineral and human resources of the continent in order to develop Africa and its people. The High Commissioner said, “With the economic crises in the European countries, it is high time we came together and strengthened our eco-

nomic relationship for the benefit of the continent.” Speaking on the various interactions the Corporation has had with South African government and companies, the GMD said the NNPC is always ready to work hand-in-hand with them, stressing that the mutual relationship would ultimately impact on the growth of Africa.

‘Absence of national policy, bane of Nigeria’s transport development’

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

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

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

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Business News

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Telecoms firms spend N178bn on diesel annually KUNLE A ZEEZ

stimated cost of purchasing diesel by telecommunications companies in Nigeria to power their over 22, 000 base transceiver stations, BTS, scattered across the country may have increased to N177.7bn annually, according to fresh investigation by National Mirror. A BTS is a piece of equipment that facilitates wireless communication between user equipment and a network. Investigations showed that the operators currently have combined 22, 000 heavy-duty generators, given that at each base station site, a generator is deployed to keep the site running, which is the case currently in the nation’s telecoms sector. It was also gathered the capacity of the generating sets installed at each site ranges from 20KV and 25KV with at least one generator in a site. This followed poor supply of electricity in the country amid market demand for the operators to constantly maintain a roundthe-clock operations of their base stations to provide seamless telecoms services for the current over 102 million active telephone subscribers in the country. According to investigations, with an average of eight litres of diesel consumed by the generating set per hour at an average retail pump price of N165 per litre, coupled with the need to keep the generating set running for an average of 17 hours daily, telecoms operators spend about N22, 440 in

maintain a generator stationed at a site daily. On a monthly basis, it cost operators about N673, 200 to keep a base station up and running and this skyrocket to about N8m annually. Further findings showed that if the estimated N8m spent in maintaining base station annually is multiplied by the total number of base stations already deployed in the country – 22, 000, it costs telecoms firms an accumulated N178bn annually. According to findings, all the operators, comprising the Global System for Mobile Communications operators, the Code Division Multiple Access operators and their fixed line counterparts have had to deploy at least a power generating set to support their site. It was gathered that some of the operators are already embracing hybrid approach of using diesel- powered generators and solar power sources to run some of their sites. A large chunk of their overheads in base station maintenance is consumed by increase cost of purchasing diesel to fuel the base stations. Reacting, the National President, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, told National Mirror that power issues had indeed necessitated two generators at each of their sites, and which is compounded by frequent theft of generators and diesel. “The huge amount spent on diesel, generating sets and other associated expenses could other-

L-R: British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter West; Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Mrs. Cherie Blair and Vice President, Nokia West-Africa, Mr. James Rutherford, at the Nokia Business Women Launch in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

wise be spent on network investment towards the provision of qualitative services to Nigerians,” he said. As recent as March, 2012, the former President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, had estimated that “At a current pump price of N153 per litre of diesel, operators will spend N3.82bn to fuel their generators monthly and N45.9bn in 2012.” He noted then that telecoms operators use 25 million litres of diesel monthly to fuel 20,000 generators located at over 15,000 cell sites in the country.

Association proposes joint committee to stem substandard oil MESHACK IDEHEN

he Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria, (LUPAN) is proposing to set up a committee of key stakeholders and regulatory agencies to help stem the influx of substandard and fake lubricants into the country. LUPAN also said government agencies like the Directorate of Petroleum Resources, (DPR), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), and others will

be invited to join the campaign by the association to stem the tide of fake and substandard lubricants that keep finding their way into the country. LUPAN’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Emeka Obidike, said in an interview with National Mirror on Thursday that the association is greatly concerned over the threat to the lubricant industry in Nigeria due to indiscriminate importation of substandard lubricants and the faking of member’s products. He explained that problems threatening the lubricant indus-

FG urged to bridge digital divide KUNLE A ZEEZ

anaftel Wireless, an indigenous data communication company in the country, has said there was a need for the Federal Government to fast-track measure towards bridging the existing divide within the country if it intends to achieve its muchtouted Vision 20: 2020. The Chairman of the com-

pany, Mr. Oluremi Sogbetun, stated this during a media interaction to announce the business operations of the company in Lagos recently. Sogbetun, who pointed out this during an interaction in Lagos recently, noted that that Nigeria was still behind in the global Internet penetration due to poor voice and data services. He, however, said it had highly imperative to bridge the gap if the country must consolidate

try in Nigeria include instances where base oil, (the chief ingredient for oil production) is being packaged and sold as blended product to unsuspecting consumers. Speaking further, Obadike also requested for a policy regime from the Federal Government, whereby all importers of lubricants will be duly authorised by DPR, using criteria like the granting of import permit for lubricants, importer’s full data, analysis report on each products, list of products among other key issues.

on the gains of telecommunications sector and deepen access to telecoms services in the country. Speaking on the activities of Panaftel, Sogbetun said the company has rolled out mobile broadband solutions aimed boosting Nigeria’s online content through improved data services. He said that the company’s mobile broadband network was built to deliver true broadband services, focusing on converged video, voice, data and mobility.

NCAA denies suspension of Dana Air’s AOC ...says FG responsible for its grounding OLUSEGUN KOIKI

s aviation stakeholders and professionals in the industry are asking the Federal Government to lift the suspension placed on the operations of Dana Air following its crash on June 3, 2012 at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, there seems to be a controversy on who actually suspended its Air Operators Certificate. Before now, the players in the industry were informed that the Federal Government through the industry regulator, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority suspended the AOC of the airline, but the Director-General, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, vehemently denied such suspension by the authority. Rather, Demuren said the airline was suspended by the government and not the agency. Furious Demuren in a telephone interview with National Mirror insisted that the agency was not responsible for the suspension of the airline and directed the correspondent to contact the ministry for clarification on suspension. He said, “Did you see any letter signed by NCAA announcing the suspension of the airline? Why did you say such a thing? Ask Dana management who suspended its operations. It is the ministry and ask them, don’t ask me, ask them. “It is the government that suspended its operations and not the authority. After the wake of the accident, a lot of vibes was written in the news papers that various things were bad in the industry and the airline, so, what do you want the government to do? Did you say they should continue? What you should be talking now is the lifting of the

suspension order, which is a different story from its AOC. Please get your statement right.” Speaking on the issue, the former Director of Flight Operations in the defunct Nigeria Airways, Capt. Dele Ore, decried that the autonomy of NCAA has been usurped by the government. Ore in an interview with National Mirror said that the usurpation of the agency’s power is against the stand of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Like Demuren, Ore emphasised that it was the Federal Government that suspended the operations of the airline and not NCAA. He said, “Government succumbed to public sentiment and took over the job of the civil aviation regulatory body. In line with international best practices, if Dana had another type of aircraft in its fleet, the type not involved in accident should have been allowed to continue commercial operation. “Everywhere, safety must be the very first priority and that is why the quest for a fully autonomous Civil Aviation Authority is best embarked upon so as to ensure the required powers, independence, sustainable sources of funding and resources to carry out effective safety oversight and regulation of the aviation industry over their states. Unfortunately, this is what most African ministers responsible for aviation who are incidentally political appointees only pay lip service rather than embracing it.” All attempt to get the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah to comment on the issue proved abortive as her Special Assistant, Mr. Joe Obi promised to get back to our correspondent, but never did for over two days.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, August 24, 2012

Women farmers cry foul over fertilizers, seeds distribution MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

omen farmers from states of the federation have cried foul over the current arrangement between the Federal Government and some private firms on farm inputs distribution across the country. The farmers, who made their grievances known in Abuja, yesterday, at a two-day Capacity Building Training on Network and Coalition Building and Policy Advocacy for Women Farmer Groups organised by Actionaid, maintained that they were being short-changed by the policy. Speaking with National Mirror at the event, Mrs. Jumai Yohanna, a commercial farmer from Nasarawa State, said the intention of government was good, but the private firms often short-changed them. She said, “These people come to us, they collect our names and phone numbers; they only use them to get more fertilizers

and other farm inputs from the government, those things never get to us. Sometimes, we see the trailers with the fertilizers in our localities. When they offload them, the fertilizer will disappear. Even when some of these things come to the farmers at the grassroots, they come around August, when the harvests are already taking place.” Yohanna added that only the rich are benefitting from the scheme. However, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture at the programme, Sunday Uhiene, said the ministry was never aware of such behaviour among the various firms vested with the distribution. He promised that prompt investigation would be carried out on the complaint. In her address, Country Representative, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Dr. Louise Setshwaelo, advocated the need to close gender gap for agricultural development in Africa.

She urged Federal Government to prioritise the women, whom she referred to as bedrock of food production on the continent, in its agricultural revolution geared towards meeting the 2020: 20 transformation agenda. Setshwaelo frowned at the manner in which major government policies on agriculture on the continent usually favour the men alone. Programme Coordinator for Actionaid, Mrs. Constance Okeke, said the workshop was designed to bring farmers across the geographical zones of the country together to help create platform for leveraging on the policies of government and promote common pursuits among women farmers in Nigeria. It would be recalled that the Federal Government had announced its withdrawal from direct distribution of fertilizer and seeds which it claimed would reduce corruption that had bedeviled the success of the scheme.

NANDTF wants public to support its empowerment programme STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he National Association of Nigerian Disabled Trader and Farmers (NANDTF), has appealed to the general public including organised private Sector, financial institutions, governmental agencies to come to their aid by supporting its empowerment programme for the physically challenged Nigerians. Its National Coordinator, Mr. Ojo Akande, made the appeal at the association’s first Business/ Economic Roundtable seminar held in Lagos, yesterday, disclosing that the group has decided to come together as a strong body to cater for their needs instead of be-

ing a nuisance and liability to the society. Akande said the purpose of the event was to appeal to the general public’s to give support to the various programme of empowering their members. He added that the group had obtained acres of land in remote villages for farming such as fish rearing and snail breeding, adding that experts among them would be the instructors to teach other disabled Nigerians. He said, “The only thing we are sourcing for from the general public is equipment, tools and funds. We believe with motivation and encouragement, a revolution we have started will soon begin to yield fruits.”

HP Nigeria reinforces anti-counterfeit technology KUNLE A ZEEZ

ith counterfeiting becoming a significant threat to its business in the country, Hewlett-Packard Nigeria Limited, a global Information Technology company, has strengthened measures aimed at protecting Nigerian consumers with increased awareness on its anti-counterfeit technology. The sophisticated security technology featured at local HP Demo Day in Lagos yesterday and now available on LaserJet products, helps protect customers against counterfeit print cartridges. The Channel Development Manager, Imaging and Printing Group, HP English West Africa, Mrs. Rita Amuchienwa, who showcased the anti-counterfeit technology at the forum, noted counterfeit activities supplies were undermining legitimate business standards and practices in the country and defrauding Nigerians, who believe they are buying original brand-

name quality. She said a newly released HPcommissioned research from Forrester has confirmed that Nigeria is home to the highest number of African businesses that have either been offered or unintentionally purchased counterfeit cartridges, as cited by 50 per cent of business survey respondents. According to her, printer failure was reported as the primary concern when buying printing supplies as indicated by 64 per cent of the respondent. She said, “While original manufacturers in various industries are considering how to protect their customers against counterfeit goods, HP has already deployed a number of measures to ensure that its customers receive only authentic HP printing supplies. “HP is dedicated to ensuring that customers are able to identify counterfeit inkjet and LaserJet cartridges, protecting them from unreliable and compromised print quality, both prior to and after purchase.”

Amobi now AIAE executive director

L-R: Group Executive Director, Intecon Partnership Limited, Mr. Wale Lagunju; Chairman, Chief Olumuyiwa Ajibola and representative of Business Systems Conformance Impartial Certification India, Mr Lalit Tandan, during the presentation of Iso 9001 Certification to Intecon in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Investment in agric R&D is key to youth empowerment, economic growth in Africa –IFAD boss

ncreasing investments in agricultural research for development (R4D) could bring the much-awaited agricultural transformation to Africa and help address the rising wave of youth unemployment and its attendant poverty, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze, has said. Delivering a talk at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Dr. Nwanze said Africa and indeed Nigeria should not shy

away from committing more resources to agricultural research and development if they really want to witness an African Green Revolution. “Agric research is the cornerstone of development; it is the vehicle that conveys development and we must invest in it,” he said. Nwanze, who completed his visit to IITA yesterday, also supported calls for investments to rejuvenate research institutions such as IITA—a position earlier made by Nigeria’s former President Olusegun

Obasanjo. According to him, such investments will have a positive trickle down effect on the youths by way of generating improved technologies that could attract youths to agriculture and also build their capacities in solving both present and future challenges to food security. Citing research studies, Nwanze said that for every dollar invested in agricultural research, returns on investments were about US$9 in sub-Saharan Africa.

he Board of Directors of the African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE) has approved the appointment of Dr. Ifediora Chimezie Amobi as the new Executive Director of the Institute with immediate effect. With over 25 years of professional experience, Amobi has served in different capacities including Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Development Matters, in the Office of the Vice President, Abuja from 2007 to 2011. He was the Investment Policy Adviser for the UK Department for International Development (DfID) funded programme, Growth and Employment in States (GEMS3) and Managing Consultant/Executive Director of Skoup and Company Limited, Enugu. Amobi has a Doctorate Degree in Economics from Howard University, Washington, DC, United States of America (USA), Masters Degree (M.Sc.) in Economics from

Amobi Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA and also Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Economics from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE, USA. AIAE is an independent international research institute devoted to promoting evidencebased decision making through research, sound economic analysis, policy dialogue and private sector development activities.

Maritime

Friday, August 24, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Absence of national policy, bane of Nigeria’s transport development’ The lack of inter-modal nature of Nigeria’s transport system has been blamed on the absence of a clear-cut transport policy. Mr. Francis Ehiguese, national executive director of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria in this interview with FRANCIS EZEM, speaks of the spiral effect of this on the economy and sundry issues. Nigeria does not have any clear-cut transport policy what people call the multi-modal system. What can you make of this? Well, in 1993 the first National Transport Policy was presented to the Federal Government and as today, it remains a draft. The Bill has not been passed into law. There have been so many versions that the Federal Ministry of Transport tried to put together but like I said, it is still a draft as at today. Of the so many National Transport Council meetings, I have attended some of them. The states and the other tiers of government, talking about the local governments and other stakeholders tried to make their contributions to the National Transport Policy so that we will have one that would be able to take the various interests that we have. But unfortunately, this is yet to materialise. I am also aware that one of the versions was presented to the Federal Executive Council, which was turned back to the Federal Ministry of Transport to make some inputs. In terms of transport policy, we have been trying to have a policy that is acceptable or that is able to take care of all the aspects of transportation. But having said that, you did ask a question about the modal transport system, if you look at the mete that was introduced that is the master plan for integrated transportation in Nigeria, it tends to identify the infrastructural gap that made it difficult to achieve multi-modal transport system. Today, you look at the seaports, none of them is linked to the rails; the roads not so linked to the rails so to speak in such a way that we are looking at so that we have a railroad integration so that you know where the rails stop and where the roads take over, there is still that problem and it is basically weak or absence of infrastructure. And that is where you see that the policy framework is very important and so from now on, we should be thinking of more of integration than solo or what I will call stand-alone transportation system. How do you rate logistics business in Nigeria, in terms of cost and efficiency like moving a container from Lagos to Onitsha or Aba given the absence of multi-modalism? There is no way the logistic of transport, cargo or passenger movement will be affected when there is no linkage between these different modes of transportation. In other parts of the world that I have visited, we use one ticket to travel by road, rail and sea. It is actually more of road-rail, you can buy a ticket for one month or so depending on your frequency of use, in Nigeria, it is once, I see the Lagos Transport Management Authority; that is the LAG Bus is trying to practice this duration ticket system but it is still limited to the bus only. Now when it comes to logistics, the major area we have had a problem is infrastructural defect that has made it impossible to have

efficient logistics. Secondly, in terms of skill with which to deliver logistic services, there is also a problem. I was discussing with some people some time ago on how to identify the skill gaps in the logistic, transport or supply chain industry and it became obvious that Nigeria will have a lot of problems. In the oil and gas industry, we have seen a lot of logistic services, because we do not have the required skills, the foreigners keep dominating that corridor; that area of transport industry, except road of course, which Nigerians have taken over and there is nothing anyone can do about that but I want to say also that efficient logistic services cannot be achieved when there is lack of skill, weak or absence of infrastructure, weak institutional framework, when you see that necessary regulations to regulate the industry are absent, there is the issue of trying to put in place a National Transport to regulate the industry, again that has been frustrated because of the intrigues among the parastatals due to fears among them that if such commission is created, it is going to superintend over and above others so that has made it impossible. With all these weaknesses, there is no way we will not have a lot of problems as far as logistics delivery is concerned. I also want to say that because of these problems, the cost of rendering logistic services has increased geometrically and I have seen a number of operators crying wolf. Now when it comes to logistic services in road transportation, we have discovered that because the drivers that have remained an important segment of the transport chain have remained either untrained or even if they are trained, they deliberately decide to cause problem within the logistic chain because they felt that either they are not given their right of place or they want to become dubious. They just want to cause problems within the logistic chain, so we have said there is need to establish a pool or organisations that are licensed through which drivers can be hired and you now go to such organisations that can vouch for the character of the driver so unless that organisation that has been so licensed to recommend a driver, they will not be allowed to drive public transport. You talked about infrastructural decay what is the effect? Let us start from the roads. We have discovered that of the stock or roads that we have in Nigeria, 17 percent belongs to the Federal Government, 27 percent to states while about 56 percent belong the local governments but we know that the local government roads are earthen roads, which they just grade while negligible percent are tarred. But the inter-state roads, that is the highways that belong to the Federal Government are supposed to be tarred but there have been a lot of failures for all these road corridors almost all the

Ehiguese

NIGERIA LOSES NOTHING LESS THAN 30 PERCENT OF HER TOTAL GDP TO FAILED TRANSPORT SYSTEM time. Roads that were tarred two years ago have deteriorated to the effect that they now cause a hindrance. Go to LagosIbandan Express Road, it has failed, the brinks have collapsed. One thing I have always said is that as long as the axle carriage of the trucks are not monitored, it is the same road that everybody uses, there is no way they will not damage. For instance, a road is constructed for say 30-tonnes vehicles but you find 40 tonnes, 80 tonnes plying them and the regularity of these vehicles is also a factor. Another problem is that these 40-tonne vehicles you find them overloading those vehicles and ply these roads and as such they keep getting weak. Granted that the materials used for construction may not have been a quality one that will ensure durability, the regularity of these trucks also contribute to road failures. If you look at the road networks between Lagos and Benin City, look at the point at along Ore, some areas after Sagamu, they have all failed. Go to the eastern axis, a number of the roads have also failed. Now AbujaOkenne we have just looked at they are just working on it has failed; culminating into drivers spending three days on the roads for a journey that would have taken about eight hours, sometimes they spend about one week as a result of road failures. Accidents that we record today road failures contribute more than 50 percent. Though I do not really have the figures but when you look at the regularity of accidents on our roads, it is not just that the drivers are careless alone, we agree that the drivers should drive in line with the road condition, but at times, whether we like it or not, however careful the driver is, there are environmental factors that would make the drivers not to be able to predict the road condition. How do you assess the rail system in Nigeria? I want to say that the human resource issue in the rail system is being addressed.

Because I have been associated with what they are doing, I can say this. The government has been able to put in place a process that ensures quality human resource in the Nigeria Railway Corporation. Secondly, the rehabilitation of the rail tracks is on. I am sure that between now and the end of the year, we might be enjoying Lagos-Kano. The standard gauge they are putting together is on course, Abuja-Kaduna route has also reached an advanced stage, with all these I will say the rail system is beginning to wake up and we believe that if these efforts of the Federal Government are sustained, it will be possible for Nigerians to sing halleluiah very soon as far as rail actually plays its strategic role in long range haulage and again in the freight carriage system. I also want to quickly say that the investment of over N10bn in the rail system will begin to yield results in the next few months. In all these, what do you think Nigeria loses economically annually? Though I do not have the accurate statistics, I want to paint the picture in this manner, I want to start from the individual that goes to work everyday, a man works in Victoria Island and he lives in Surulere, hitherto he pays N100 but because of the problem in transportation he now pays N200, he is loosing N100, which is 100 percent of what he is supposed to pay. Now a logistic firm delivers its services at N1million in a year and suddenly, because of factors outside its control, 50 percent cost is now added, which is transferred to the consumer. Now for the government, if the roads have failed, the rails are not working as they should, Nigerians not having a fair share of both the domestic and international air traffic, among others, the country loses nothing less than 30 percent of her total GDP to failed transport system.

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Maritime

Friday, August 24, 2012

Two directors scramble over replacement of NSC boss STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

trong indications have emerged that there is serious scramble over the replacement of the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Captain Adamu Biu, who is billed to retire in November. The Federal Military Government promulgated the Nigerian Shippers’ Decree 13 of 1978 now Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, as a means of protecting the indigenous shippers (importers and exporters), who are weak and fragmented against the intrigues of the well established and better organised foreign shipping lines. Biu was appointed some time in October, 2003 or thereabout to replace Chief Adebayo Sarumi, who was seconded to the Nigerian Ports Authority to conclude the port reform programme of the Federal Government. Authoritative industry sources hinted however that serious scramble has ensued for the replacement of the outgoing Shippers Council boss. According to the source, at the centre of the scramble are two top directors of the council, both of northern extraction. It was also gathered one of the directors is a lady even as both of them have engaged in an intensive lobby at the Federal Ministry of Transport, the supervising ministry for the support of their candidacy for the plum job. Apart from exploring their contacts the ministry, the two top contenders are also using the traditional ruler and the

political class in their various states in a desperate bid to secure the job. Investigation also showed that there is another school of thought within the council which is of the firm belief that the plum job should not go back to the northern part of the country, since the outgoing chief executive officer is from the same region. This school of thought cited the example of Chief Sarumi, being of the Yoruba extraction succeeding someone from the eastern part of the country before the coming on stream of Biu, arguing that the race should be between the east and western parts of the country. Meanwhile when contacted, the deputy director in charge of public relations of the council, Mr. Ignatius Nweke said he was aware that the executive secretary is about to retire. Nweke, who spoke in a tele-

phone interview, noted that he was out of town as at the time of the interview. It would be recalled that the outgoing chief executive has championed the protection of the interest of the Nigerian shippers. For instance, he was instrumental to the directive of former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman to the council for abolition of over seven illegal charges imposed on Nigerian importers by port concessionaires and shipping companies. Some of these charges include Cost on Turnover, Tally clerk charge and weekend charges, among several others. Biu is currently making frantic efforts designed to review the NSC Act, as the new Bill is currently at the National Assembly to give the council powers to punish erring practitioners in the industry, absence

Biu

o which had made the council a toothless bulldog. The council under Biu is also jostling to be appointed a commercial regulator of the privatised seaports following the failure of the National Assembly to pass the National Transport Commission Bill, which had been with it for over seven years following the completion of the port reforms. On its functions, the NSC is charged with the responsibility of providing a forum for the protection of the interest of cargo owners; the shippers on matters affecting the shipment of imports and exports into and out of Nigeria, to provide a forum for consultation between Conference and non-Conference Liners, Tramp owners, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Government on matters of common interest and to encourage the formation of associations of shippers all over the federation. It is also to liaise with the appropriate arms of government of the federation and other corporate bodies in assessing the stability and adequacy of exiting services and make appropriate recommendations to the government, advise the Federal Government through the minister on matters relating to freight rate, adequacy and availability of shipping space, frequency of sailings, terms of shipment, class and quality of vessel, port charges and facilities, negotiate and enter into agreements with Conference and non-Conference Lines, ship owners, NPA and any other body on matters affecting the interest of shippers, among several others.

CRFFN to clampdown on unregistered freight forwarders

he Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria is putting finishing touches to plans to begin a clampdown on un-registered freight forwarders both individual and corporate in line with the CRFFN Act 2007, the enabling legislation for the council. The Act, which is Federal Government’s response to calls for the sanitisation of the industry, empowers the council to register and license freight forwarding practitioners, set standards of practice and also register and regulate the freight forwarding associations operating in the country. The commencement of the clampdown on the illegal practitioners is sequel to the induction of over 4, 000 freight forwarders comprising both corporate and individual members, who are adjudged to have met the necessary criteria and conditions for registration. As part of measures to effect

the clampdown, the various enforcement units of the council have established structures at the nation’s seaports and land borders to serve as a springboard for these enforcement units to perform their functions, which includes ridding the system of illegal and un-registered operators in line with the provisions of the enabling Act. Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the council, Mr. Mike Jukwe, spoke in Lagos while receiving the report of the Freight Forwarders Consultative Forum, which incorporates the enforcement units, that will form the basis for the action of the council in sanitising the freight forwarding industry. The consultative forum had met recently in Lagos to receive, discuss and adopt reports of its sub-committees on the billing system, template and harmonised standard service charges, categorisation of freight forwarders

and standard trading conditions for registered freight forwarders operating in Nigeria. It was gathered that prior to the submission of the reports, the sub committees had exhaustively discussed all the recommendations, amended some where necessary before submission to the governing council of CRFFN for further discussions and approval. Subject to the approval of the governing council, these recommendations would be presented to the Federal Ministry of Transport for final approval and subsequent gazeting after which a formal blueprint would be presented to the public as the basis of operation. Jukwe, who thanked members of the committees for a selfless job urged the members to see their work as part of contributions for laying the necessary foundations for the eventual successful takeoff of the standardisation, regulation and monitoring of the freight

forwarding practice in Nigeria, in compliance to international best practices. According to him, the enforcement arm of the CRFFN is already in place and ready to start work as soon as the committees’ recommendations have been given official seal. As part of measures to separate the wheat from the chaff, Jukwe advised both corporate and individual registered freight forwarders to ensure that they inscribe their official reference numbers as well as the council’s logo which indicate that they are duly licensed on their letter heads and business cards for easy identification. The CRFFN-boss had dispelled rumours that the council has foreclosed the registration of freight forwarding association, saying that the registration door could not have been shut against any group that meets the requirements.

Lagos traffic law will erode gains of port reform –AMATO

he Association of Maritime Truck Owners has said that the new traffic legislation enacted by the Lagos State Government would have scores of negative effects on the port reform programme concluded seven years ago by the Federal Government. The Lagos State House of Assembly had passed an executive bill from the ministry of transportation, which was assented to penultimate week by Governor Babatunde Fashola, which introduced strict traffic regulations in the state such as banning making and receiving calls while driving. The new legislation, which outlawed smoking and eating while driving also restricted the movement of container laden trucks to between 6pm to 7am, as part of measures to rid the state of traffic gridlocks which the government believes hampers economic activities in the state, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre. Chief Remi Ogungbemi, national chairman of AMATO, who spoke in a telephone chat, noted that the new legislation would erode the gains of port reform in the country, which among several other benefits has brought about a level of efficiency in the delivery of goods in and out of the seaports in the state. According to him, Lagos houses two biggest and most critical of the nation’s eight seaports, arguing that the new legislation will work against the seaport industry, which he said, is the second highest revenue earner for the government after the oil and gas sector. “The state legislators by restricting container laden trucks to only night journeys did not consider the effect of their action on the maritime industry, which is the second highest revenue earner for the Federal Government”, he remarked. “In signing the concession agreement with the Federal Government, the seaport terminal operators did not know that they will do only night operation and so what will the trucks be doing between 6am-6pm when the new law permits them to move on Lagos roads”, Ogungbemi questioned rhetorically.

Governor Babatunde Fashola

Global Business

hina’s manufacturing may contract at a faster pace in August, a private survey showed, signaling more monetary and fiscal stimulus may be needed to secure a second-half rebound in economic growth. The preliminary reading was 47.8 for a purchasing managers’ index released today by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics, after July’s final 49.3 figure. If confirmed, it would be the weakest level since November and extend to 10 months the longest run of readings below the expansion-contraction dividing line of 50 in the index’s eight-year history. This data underscores risks that growth in the world’s second-biggest economy may slow for a seventh quarter, pushing the government to step up stimulus after two interest-rate cuts and accelerated investment approvals. Central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan yesterday said further rate adjustments can’t be ruled out while Shen Danyang, a Commerce Ministry spokesman, said last week that China’s trade situation will be “more grim” in the second half. “Chinese producers are still struggling with strong global headwinds,” said Qu Hongbin, Hong Kong-based chief China economist for HSBC, said

Friday, August 24, 2012

China’s manufacturing may contract at faster pace in August

Zhou Xiaochuan

in a statement. “To achieve the stated policy goal of stabilising growth and the jobs market, Beijing must step up policy easing to lift infrastructure investment in the coming months.”

South Korea unemployment falls to 7-month low on service jobs

outh Korea’s unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to a seven-month low on increasing numbers of self-employed workers and service-sector jobs even as Europe’s debt crisis dragged down exports. The jobless rate was at 3.1 percent in July, compared with 3.2 percent in June, Statistics Korea said yesterday in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. The median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 14 economists was for a rate of 3.3 percent. The outlook for the labor market is clouded by signs that Asia’s fourth-largest economy is losing steam. A decline in exports in July was the steepest since 2009 and the central bank said August. 9 that domestic demand is also weakening. “Jobs are increasing in the service sector

and the self- employed are lifting the total number of workers, but Europe’s fiscal crisis is taking a toll on company hiring,” said Sun Yoo, an economist Woori Investment & Securities Company in Seoul. “The quality of the job market is deteriorating with more people taking non-salaried work.” The won weakened 0.3 percent to 1,133.00 per dollar at yesterday open in Seoul and the benchmark Kospi stock index was little changed. The number of employed people increased by 470,000 to 25.1 million in July, with the self-employed and public services providing 318,000 of those new jobs. The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate was also at 3.1 percent in July, compared with 3.2 percent in June, yesterday’s report showed.

Budget standoff causing economic gloom

ravelers Cos. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Fishman said that businesses are curbing spending and hiring because United State lawmakers haven’t addressed fiscal imbalances the country faces in the next decade. “The best thing that could happen right now is a bipartisan solution” to the nation’s mounting debt and widening deficit, Fishman, 59, said in an interview for Bloomberg Radio’s “A Closer Look With Arthur Levitt” to be aired next month. “The sense of gloom and despair would lift and, in fact, businesspeople would be more optimistic.” Executives including BlackRock Incorporated Laurence D. Fink and Pacific Investment Management Co.’s Mohamed El-Erian have warned that Congress’s inaction on fiscal policy will hurt economic growth in the world’s largest economy. Businesses see chal-

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Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto

lenges beyond the end of this year, when the U.S. faces a so-called fiscal cliff of automatic spending cuts and tax increases, said Fishman, whose New York-based firm provides insurance coverage to almost a million companies in the country.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index of stocks fell after the release, down 0.4 percent yesterday China’s export growth collapsed to 1 percent in July from a year earlier after an 11.3

percent gain in June, while industrial production and lending missed economists’ forecasts, data released earlier this month showed. China Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Holdings Ltd., the country’s largest shipbuilder outside state control, this week reported an 82 percent drop in first-half profit and said it received orders for two vessels in the first half compared with 24 a year earlier. Cotton consumption in China may shrink 11 percent this year as demand falters, Zhang Hongxia, chairman of Hong Kong-listed Weiqiao Textile Company China’s largest cotton-textile maker, said in an interview this week. “The Chinese economy is only at the beginning of a harsh winter,” Zhang said. The preliminary reading, called the Flash PMI, is based on 85 percent to 90 percent of responses to a survey of more than 420 companies, according to HSBC. The final figure for August will be released September. 3.

Fed’s Evans urges more accommodation

ederal Reserve Bank of Chicago President, Charles Evans urged easier monetary policy around the world, including in China, to guard against economic shocks, broadening his call for more stimulus in the United States. “I don’t need to see any more data to know that I think we should have more accommodation,” Evans said to reporters yesterday in Beijing, referring to the U.S. “I certainly would applaud anybody who takes action in order to strengthen their economies” around the world, including China, he said. Many Fed policy makers said additional stimulus would probably be needed soon unless the U.S. economy shows signs of a durable pickup, according to minutes of their most recent meeting released yesterday. Evans, who doesn’t vote on the policysetting Federal Open Market Committee this year, has been among the most vocal proponents of more accommodation. “This is a time where the most vibrant economies possible would be a good defense against unanticipated negative shocks,” Evans said in a press briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. A private survey indicated that China’s manufacturing is weakening, adding pressure on Premier Wen Jiabao to introduce more stimulus to secure a second-half economic rebound. China cut interest rates in June and July and has lowered the reserve- requirement ratio for banks three times from November to May. Central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said yesterday that more adjustments to rates and the ratio can’t be ruled out. Stocks advanced around the world today and gold climbed to a 16-week high on speculation central banks in the U.S. and China will ease monetary policy to support growth. Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, who last month said the central bank may buy

Evans

more bonds to cut borrowing costs, has an opportunity to clarify his views in an Aug. 31 speech to the Kansas City Fed’s annual symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The FOMC is scheduled to next meet on September. 12-13. While U.S. employment data picked up in July and was better than anticipated, it was still “not nearly good enough,” Evans said. The economy needs to generate 300,000 to 400,000 new jobs a month “to get back to where we ought to be,” compared with 163,000 in July, he said. Last month’s rise in the jobless rate to 8.3 percent may have been “transitory,” Evans said. A third round of asset purchases by the Fed would “provide confidence to markets that we are intending to be accommodative for quite some time,” Evans said yesterday. The Chicago Fed chief has repeatedly called on his colleagues to make their commitment to low interest rates more explicit, arguing that that the central bank should say it won’t raise rates until the unemployment rate falls below 7 percent or inflation rises above 3 percent.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shareholders approve Geo Fluids listing on NSE STORIES: JOHNSON OKANLAWON

hareholders of Geo- Fluids Plc have approved proposed plan by its Board of Directors to list shares on the Nigerian stock Exchange. The shareholders equally commended the company over its return to profitability, and tasked the management to maintain the impressive performance for the current year so as to be able to declare dividend. Speaking at the 4th Annual General Meeting of the company in Port Harcourt yesterday, the shareholders said that the company has bounce back to profitability from a loss position. They said, “We are supporting the board for the proposed restructuring of our business into four distinct companies

Capital Market

Friday, August 24, 2012

with between 3-4 business units/profits centres each. We also support the listing of our company’s shares on the Exchange. “We are happy to note that arrangements have reached advanced stage for foreign partners to inject over $100m into the various functional business units of the group over the next one year, through a mix of equity and debt in a manner which does not pose threat to us or dilute our ownership.” The chairman of the company, Mr. Odoliyi Lolomari, said, “The impact of the combined factors of the global economic meltdown and domestic political challenges seems to be simmering down considerably. Consequently, there was an enhanced exploration activity by the oil operators in more

peaceful and stable environment. While explaining the financial position of the company for the period ended December 31, 2011, he explained that consequent upon improved situation, the profit and loss account showed enhanced recovery from a consolidated loss before profit of N118.6m and loss after tax of N210.3m in the same period of 2010. He said that the consolidated profit before tax stood at N116.8m for the 2011 finanacial year, while consolidated profit after tax stood at N15.2m in the review period. According to him, earnings per 50 kobo share value was in a loss position of three kobo in 2010, was 30 kobo per share in 2011, while shareholders fund rose to N5.43bn in 2011, from

N5.4bn in 2010. On the future outlook of the company, Lolomari said, “The proposed restructuring of the business unit is meant to ensure greater efficiency in the deployment of resources within the group and also create an internal integration designed to ensure robustness in revenue/profit base. Furthermore, the injection of fresh funds will assist to deepen our pockets to take advantage of the huge business opportunity coming our way and also position Geo-Fluids Plc as a formidable and foremost player in the subsector.” The Managing Director of the company, Dr. Ala A.Ibanibo said, “We are optimistic that the process of navigating out of years of recession will continue. 2012 is already showing exciting signs of recovery and greater profitability. We are sure stakeholders will smile in 2012 business year.

RT Briscoe posts N123m, equities shed N3.9bn

T Briscoe Plc has declared a profit of N123m for the half year ended June 30, 2012, an increase by 35.5 per cent when compared to N90m recorded in the same period of 2010. The company’s revenue rose by 25.7 per cent to N11.2bn, from N8.91bn in the corresponding period of 2010, while taxation stood at N57.9m in 2012 half year, from

N42.8m in 2011 half year. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, net assets increased to N3.71bn in 2012, from N3.59bn in 2011 half year, while the value of stocks dropped from N6.67bn in 2011 half year to N4.79bn in 2012, a decline by 28 per cent. Meanwhile, trading in equities closed on a

bearish note on NSE yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded in the last four days. The All-Share index dipped by 0.05 per cent to close at 23,186.72 points, compared to the increase by 0.32 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 23,199.03 points. Market capitalisation lost N3.91bn to close

Analyst rates UACN ‘buy’

inancial Derivatives Company has said that the United African Company of Nigeria will reinforce its position in the Nigerian Stock Exchange following its recent acquisitions and joint ventures. A report from the FDC noted that the company is growing both organically with the strategic joint venture with Tiger brand and the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Livestock Feeds Plc and Portland Paints to acquire significant part of both businesses. The research firm noted

that the company has undergone serious downturn and is now re-emerging to be the giant and household name it once was. According to the firm, the company paid good dividend yield of 4.43 per cent in the 2011 financial year, relatively higher than other conglomerates and fast moving consumer goods companies. The firm said that its peer’s dividend yields in the review period were 4.0 per cent, Unilever; 1.56 per cent, Dangote Flour Mill and 3.08 per cent, Flour Mills of Nigeria. It added that the compa-

ny capacity upgrade in its food unit is another value enhancer for investors. “From January 1, 2012, to August 17, 2012, the diversified conglomerate’s stock has gone up 8.6 per cent, while the All Share Index, the benchmark that most stocks are measured against, has risen 11.6 per cent in that same time period. “This means UACN has underperformed the market in the period. The company’s recently released half-year result has reinforced the company’s position in both the food and real estate sector,” the firm

at N7.38trn, as against the appreciation of N18.44bn recorded the preceding day to close at N7.38trn. Transaction volume in equities droped by 47 per cent, as a total of 215.84 million shares valued at N3.13bn were exchanged in 3,839 deals, compared to 410.72 million shares worth N3.87bn traded in 3,620 deals the preceding day. said. The report stressed that the company has a diversified portfolio, a large conglomerate with operations in multiple sectors. It said, “UACN stocks are one of the most defensive on the index. When the market is in trouble, most people sell their risky investments and flock to large, stable companies like UACN. “While big companies will still experience losses if the market crashes, they fall less because, in most cases, it is these stocks that people hang on to for the long term. UACN is also a pick for value investors as it is the cheapest conglomerate in terms of price earning.”

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 22 AUGUST & 23 AUGUST 2012 25.00 24.00 23.00 22.00 21.00 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00

22-Aug-12

23-Aug-12

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 7,342,308 points Market capitalisation 23,066.74 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DNMEYER

0.60

0.63

0.03

5.00

INTBREW

7.64

8.02

0.38

4.97

UPL

4.30

4.51

0.21

4.88

LONGMAN

1.94

2.03

0.09

4.64

JAPAULOIL

0.57

0.59

0.02

3.51

NEIMETH

0.87

0.90

0.03

3.45

BAGCO

1.54

1.59

0.05

3.25

FIRSTBANK

12.54

12.93

0.39

3.11

DANGSUGAR

4.39

4.50

0.11

2.51

NAHCO

5.90

6.00

0.10

1.69

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

AGLEVENT

1.20

CLOSING 1.14

0.06

-5.00

CONOIL

21.85

20.76

1.09

-4.99

7UP

40.12

38.12

2.00

-4.99

ETERNA

2.50

2.38

0.12

-4.80

FIDSON

0.85

0.81

0.04

-4.71

RTBRISCOE

1.72

1.64

0.08

-4.65

CUTIX

1.58

1.51

0.07

-4.43

UBN

4.91

4.80

0.11

-2.24

IBTC

6.60

6.46

0.14

-2.12

WAPIC

0.53

0.52

0.01

-1.89

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

30,647.81

13.50

23-Aug-12

182-Day

20,000

15.50

23-Aug-12

364 -Day

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

178Days

14,231.30

15.50

23-Aug-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

23-Aug-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$200m

N/A

$126m

15-Aug-12

$180m

N/A

$147m

13-Aug-12

Capital Market

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at August 23, 2012 1st Tier Securities Sector

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Friday, August 24, 2012

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Community Mirror “God will expose those financing evil. Those behind problems and pains that Nigerians are going through will be exposed.” PRESIDENT OF CAN, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR

Three-month-old baby stolen in church HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

three month old baby has been allegedly stolen by an unidentified woman at the St Theresa Catholic Church, Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. Community Mirror gathered

that mother of the child, Mrs. Mbatumun Oseh, had on the fateful day implored the suspect to assist in carrying her baby during church service, while she waited for the baby sitter. The development caught everyone by surprise including the parishioners, given that such had never happened in the church for more

than 30 years since inauguration. A parishioner, who preferred anonymity, said it was one of such heinous acts ever to be perpetrated in the area, lamenting that everyone was touched by the sad development as he invoked nemesis on the offender. It was however gathered that the suspect planned the heinous

act by sending the babysitter to buy some sweets outside the church, after which on return, it was discovered the culprit and baby were gone. In his reaction, the parish priest, Rev Fr Bernard Achuku, told the congregation that he was shocked at the incident, adding that efforts are being made to

unmask the brain behind the heinous act and bring the perpetrator to book. Meanwhile, the matter has been reported to the police, even as the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the development, saying investigations have already commenced.

LG embarks on staff audit ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

he Ogori-Mangogo Local Government in Kogi State, has explained reason behind the on-going staff audit in the council which has been generating protests among the workers. Chairman of the Interim Management Committee, Major Okeowo Akerejola (rtd), said in Lokoja, that the work force is over bloated through illegal recruitment by some unscrupulous officials who did not take into consideration the financial status of the council. Akerejola disclosed that the

situation has made it impossible for the local government to pay the workers monthly wages, even as the liaison officer alleged that appointment into the local government has been politicised, lamenting that people working elsewhere have their names on pay roll of the local government. He said before commencement of the screening exercise, staff strength of the council stood at 1,310 and only few reported daily to work. The former military officer, debunked rumour that the new management was planning to retrench workers, describing it as a dangerous insinuation by mischief makers.

Council boss urges intervention on flood disaster EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

he caretaker chairman of Dass Local Government Area in Bauchi State, Alhaji Sadig Alhassan, has urged the government to urgently come to the aid of the council in order to ameliorate the predicament of people ravaged by floods. Alhassan who made the plea in Bauchi said the intervention has become necessary in view of the damages suffered by the people when their houses and farmlands were adversely affected. The council boss stated that the disaster occurred in several villages due to constant heavy rain fall, which has become an annual problem, thereby inhibiting development in the area. He stressed that the council has exhausted all it has to reset-

tle victims in very conducive environment, even as he lamented the financial constraints faced by the council in shouldering the responsibilities, especially with increasing number of people seeking shelter. The caretaker chairman explained that already Local emergency Management Agency, LEMA, had mobilized people in line with the government’s inauguration of sanitation exercise to open all existing drainages as proactive measures for prevention of flood disaster. Alhassan therefore praised the state administration for placing priority on plight of the people, given that similar gestures were made to victims of flood disaster in other local government areas. He called on people to co-operate with the government to enable it provide the dividends of democracy.

A concrete electric pole falling on rows of vehicles in Lagos. PHOTO: NAN

FG to reactivate youth development centres TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Federal Government has restated its commitment to youth empowerment through skills acquisition by re-activating existing youth development centers in the country, even as it charged the state governments to prioritise youth-oriented programmes, including establishing development centres to complement the initiative. Making the submission to mark the 2012 International Youth Week in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, said the event presented another opportunity to renew its resolve

and commitment towards creating an enabling environment for Nigerian youths to realise their aspirations. He explained that the ministry in conjunction with other MDAs and international agencies was doing everything possible to reduce the challenge of unemployment among the youths. He said: “As we use the 2012 International Youth Day to take stock of the progress made, I am happy to reiterate the Federal Government’s preparedness and commitment to consolidate efforts geared towards capacity building of young people and improving their living standards, to enable them compete with their counterparts in the advanced economies of the

world.” While acknowledging the challenge of empowering millions of youths in the country, the minister said, government would be willing to partner youth-focused interest groups, including civil society organisations, corporate entities, religious leaders and individuals, to effectively implement the National Youth Policy and other regional and international instruments on youth development. On the need for states to replicate youth empowerment programmes, Abdul-Kadir canvassed for the establishment of parliaments to give more voice to youths in national development at all levels of government.

Friday, August 24, 2012

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Friday, August 24, 2012

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World News

“In these circumstances where I am seeing recycled again false and defamatory material attacking my character, I have determined that I will deal with these issues” – Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

outh African President Jacob Zuma has given details of the commission that will investigate the circumstances around the deaths of 44 people at the Marikana platinum mine. The actions of mining company Lonmin, the government, police, unions, and individuals will all be examined. Thousands of people, some crying uncontrollably, earlier attended a memorial service for the dead. Thirty-four were shot dead by police during a strike over pay last week. Previously 10 people, two of them police officers, had died in violent clashes. Reports of worker action at two other platinum mines have added to industry fears that the unrest is spreading. The price of platinum has jumped amid concerns about disruptions to supply. Preachers, church leaders and traditional leaders took turns to pay their respects to the 44 killed. The mood was one of terrible grief and loss with some relatives passing out, and many of the women crying uncontrollably. At one point the health minister was seen supporting some of those who had collapsed in tears. There is a palpable sense of anger too - particularly directed at the government. One woman said: “We are expected to grieve our men yet it was the government who sent the police to kill

Zuma unveils deadly mine inquiry details us - they killed our men within minutes.” The police have kept their distance from the site - there is no visible police presence. The miners had warned them to stay away as tensions remain high and there are rumours that some in the community want to take revenge. The commission “has been directed to investigate matters

of public, national and international concern rising out of the events in Marikana which led to the deaths of approximately 44 people, the injury of more than 70 persons and the arrest of more than 250 people,” Zuma said in a televised statement. He said the commission would have the power to enter premises, compel witnesses to appear

and demand documents. Not only security issues but issues surrounding labour policies and working conditions would also come under its remit, he added. Retired appeals court judge Ian Farlam will head the threeperson commission, along with two other senior advocates who are also former judges, reported Agence France-Presse.

Troops and tanks swept into a restive town near Damascus yesterday in an assault aimed at crushing opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, whose struggle to keep power has dragged Syria into an increasingly bloody civil war. Artillery and helicopters hammered the Sunni Muslim town of Daraya for 24 hours, killing 15 people and wounding 150, before soldiers moved in and raided houses, opposition sources said. About 100 people, including 59 civilians, were killed in violence across the country, according to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Some 200 were killed on Wednesday. There was little resistance as Assad’s forces pushed toward the center of Daraya, on the southwest edge of Damascus. Armed rebels had apparently already left, activists in Damascus said.

Cuban cultural delegation arrives in Nigeria

Mine workers singing and dancing during a memorial service at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Egyptian editor charged with insulting president Cairo court yesterday ordered the chief editor of an Egyptian newspaper detained pending trial on charges of insulting the country’s president and potentially harming the public interest. The case against Islam Afifi of the privately-owned el-Dustour daily is one of several lawsuits brought mainly by Egypt’s Islamists against journalists, accusing them of inflammatory coverage and inciting the public against the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s largest political group. In a noisy court session, the head prosecutor from Cairo’s Criminal Court ordered Afifi held in custody and scheduled his trial for mid-September. He read out a long list of defamation charges including “insulting the president via a publication” and “spreading

WORLD BULLETIN Syria’s clashes claim 100 lives

rumors that could disturb public safety and harm public interest.” Supporters of the defendant shouted in protest as the decision was read to the packed courtroom. Rights groups quickly expressed indignation at the decision, and the national journalist association, the Press Syndicate, called for an emergency meeting. “Insulting the president is a vague accusation that can be easily politicized,” tweeted leading youth activist Wael Ghonim, a former Google executive who played a key role in Egypt’s uprising last year. “Tomorrow, when someone writes his opinion and calls Morsi a weak president ... he will be prosecuted for insulting the president,” he added. A human rights group called The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights expressed its

“shock” and said there is no need to detain the journalist since he is already banned from travel outside the country. Another prominent case is that of TV presenter Tawfiq Okasha who was charged with suggesting the murder of President Mohammed Morsi during a talk show

aired on private el-Faraeen TV earlier this month. The network was taken off the air and Okasha was banned from travel pending his trial in early September. Lawsuits have also been brought against chief editors of el-Fagr and Sawt el-Umma weeklies on similar accusations.

Mohammed Asad - Islam Afifi, the chief editor of el-Dustour newspaper, center, attends a court hearing in Cairo yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Cuban cultural delegation has arrived in Nigeria for a tour. The group consists of the Latin American country’s cultural delegation formed by the musical female group Obiní Batá, a representation of the Cuban Cultural Heritage Fund, a journalist of the Cuban television information system, as well as an official from the Ministry of Culture of Cuba. Under the patronage of the artist, Tar Ukoh, better known by his stage name of Mambissa, the Cuban delegation will tour with its art several Nigerian States and it will transmit how close the Nigerian and the Cuban people are in the cultural sphere.

Turkish-Cypriot tycoon gets 10 years jail term Turkish-Cypriot tycoon Asil Nadir, once one of Britain’s most notorious fugitives, was yesterday jailed for ten years for stealing millions of pounds from his international business empire. The flamboyant 71-year-old was convicted in London this week on ten charges of theft from his now-defunct conglomerate, Polly Peck International, between 1987 and 1990. Nadir’s thefts totalled £28.8 million, the equivalent of more than £61.6 million ($97.8 million, 77.9 million euros) in today’s terms. “You were a wealthy man who stole out of pure greed,” Judge Tim Holroyde told Nadir at London’s Old Bailey court. Holroyde said Nadir would serve only half of his prison sentence before being eligible for release on licence.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Space for Sale

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Space for Sale

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Popoola remains Offa LG chairman –Kwara ACN WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State has described as “travesty of justice” the tribunal ruling which nullified the election of the Offa Local Government Chairman, Prince Saheed Popoola. Kwara ACN chairman, Kayode Olawepo, said in a statement issued yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, that the party is appealing the ruling and warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government against any provocative moves. An election petition tribunal had on Wednesday nullified Popoola’s election and ordered a rerun in the only council governed by opposition ACN. The tribunal nullified the election mainly because the ruling PDP claimed it was not properly notified of the rerun election which was held in January. Olawepo urged the people of Offa to remain peaceful and orderly as nothing has changed the status quo. He said: “And until that time when the court rules

on the appeal, the law is that Popoola remains the executive chairman and he exercises full legal authority in Offa Local Government. “Kwara ACN deems the ruling of the lower tribunal as a travesty of justice. The ruling clearly does not enjoy public support whatsoever as demonstrated by the reaction in Offa town where people spontaneously took to the street to register their displeasure at the tribunal ruling. “As a law abiding party with strong belief in the rule of law, we urge the people of Offa to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding. “We warn the PDP and its government against any attempt to usurp the law. It is our hope that the status quo will be maintained and nothing provocative will be done to test the will of the people in the interest of peace and order.” Meanwhile, tension has risen in the town following the nullification of the election. Thousands of people took to the streets protest the removal of the local government chairman by the election petition tribunal.

KANO

o fewer than 458 drug suspects have been arrested in Kano in the last eight months. About 2.233 tons of banned and dangerous drugs were impounded within the city by the Kano and Airport commands of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). One hundred and ten persons have also been convicted by the Federal High Court in Kano for drugs and drug-related offences. These were revealed yesterday by the Kano Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Sumaila Ethan, at the public destruction of 220,949.411kgs of dangerous drugs seized by the agency from January till date. In his address on the occasion, Ethan recalled that in 2008 a total of 5,159.295kgs of hard drugs seized by the Kano and Malam Aminu Kano International Airport

PRICILLA DENNIS MINNA

nspector-General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Abubakar has berated the Northern governors for not doing enough to proffering solutions to the lingering insecurity rocking the region. Abubakar, spoke during a visit to the Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu in Minna, the

capital, said the security challenges were as a result of high level of poverty, the gap between the wealthy people and the poor as well as corruption. On the call for the creation of state police, the IGP warned against setting it up, saying Nigeria was not ripe or political matured for the state police. He wondered why the agitation for the state po-

lice when countries such as Britain and the United States and thers which operate county police are planning to establish national police to tackle security challenges confronting them. Abubakar said of the nations of the world, Nigeria gives less attention to the issues of security, noting that despite agreement reached by states and the Federal Government

to jointly fund it, only the latter has honoured the agreement so far. In his remarks, Governor Aliyu said the agitation for the establishment the state police was needless. He said: “We don’t need the state police now; we should not kill the national police. This is because, calling for state police by extension means, killing the one we have now.’’

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike (left) and Deputy Commissioner of Police In-Charge of Operations, Mr. Austin Agbonlahor, at a press briefing held in Kaduna, yesterday.

•Arrests 480, convicts 110 commands were publicly destroyed. He described yesterday’s burning of 220,949.411kgs as the largest so far for a single destruction in Kano. The commander said: “Piled up for destruction this afternoon (yesterday) is the whooping 220,494.411kgs of narcotics, which cases were completed and destruction approved by the Federal High Court Kano. “Analysis of the exhibits shows that cannabis sativa, otherwise known as hemp constitutes the largest with 20,248.973kgs psychotropic substances are next with 688.622kgs, while cocaine is 11.221kgs and heroine 595.47gms”. He said the Kano State Command of NDLEA impounded 20,922.954kgs, while Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Special Area Command confiscated 457kgs. Ethan said: “Such savage cruelty dealt to the state by

IGP Abubakar berates Northern governors over insecurity

NDLEA destroys 220,949 kgs drugs in Kano AUGUSTINE MADU WEST

North

Friday, August 24, 2012

venal narcotics crime entrepreneurs at the expense of public health and safety shocks the conscience of a sane person. “Millions of youths are annually trapped in the vortex of the scourge, thus destroying gradually the most productive part of the nation’s labour force”. In his own speech on the occasion, NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said the destruction was one of the strategy to keep the society drug-free, pointing out that the agency’s 2011 report shows that Kano State had the highest number of drug case and arrest in the country. Giade said: “A total of 1,281 suspected male drug traffickers were apprehended with 4,921.582kg of narcotics. Cannabis has the largest share with 4,531.52kg. Psychotropic substances followed with 383.289kg while cocaine and heroin have 5.1kg and 1.67kg respectively”.

Paying ex-militants $39.5m contravenes national unity –ACF

•Shehu Sani says appeasing few individuals is economic disaster AZA MSUE KADUNA

he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that the $39.5m public money paid to former Niger Delta militant leaders by the Federal Government contravened national solidarity and unity. In a statement signed in Kaduna by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, ACF said the Federal Government’s action was against the nation’s constitution. Sani said: “I have read the complaints that some ex-militants have become extant billionaires as a result of undue access to national resources accorded them by this administration in contravention of the constitutional provision, which states that for purpose of command of loyalty of all interest of con-

stituent parts of Nigeria needed for national solidarity and unity, no individuals, groups or section of the country should be allowed undue access to national resources to the chagrin of others.” President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN), Mallam Shehu Sani, however, described the action as political and economic disasters. In an emailed statement issued yesterday by Mallam Sani in Kaduna, he said the public funds allegedly paid the former militants ought to have been spent on health, education and infrastructure so as to alleviate the sufferings of the Niger Delta people, rather than appeasing a few individuals. The statement reads in part: “The widely revealed and reported payment of billions of tax payers’ money to leaders of the Niger

Delta militants stands condemned. The appeasement of the militant is an act of irresponsible governance and a recipe for political and economic disaster. “The huge and scandalous payment to pacify the militants clearly demonstrates that the agitation in the Niger Delta is not about the plights of the suffering people there, but a mercantile and bogus approach to state extortion and blackmail. “The revelation clearly exposes the facade and the inherent fraud in the truce and the amnesty programme. There is nowhere in the world where freedom fighters are paid for fighting”. He stressed that the Niger Delta agitation had become lucrative business draining the economy of the nation with no good to the ordinary masses of South-South.

TRANSITION

Friday, August 24, 2012

Most Rev Emmanuel Otteh

ost Rev Emmanuel Otteh, Bishop Emeritus of Issele- Uku, died July 27, 2012, at St Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha after a brief illness at the age of 85 years. The late Bishop Otteh was ordained priest on July 30, 1961; Ordained bishop (Auxiliary of Onitsha Archdiocese) on September 2, 1990; Appointed bishop of Issele- Uku on November 8, 1996 and retired on November 14, 2003. On November, 30 1996, Bishop Anthony Gbuji was transferred to Enugu Diocese, Enugu State. So, on the 9th of February, 1997. Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Otteh was installed as the second Bishop of Issele-Uku diocese. Knowing fully

Morohunfayo Ifemade

well the enormous pastoral task to face, Bishop Otteh shepherded the Diocese for Seven years, during which, the tree planted by his predecessor matured and bore sweet fruits. Bishop Otteh’s administration embraced thousands of development in the diocese, especially that of St. Felix Minor Seminary Ejeme-Aniogor. As nature would and can never be cheated, Bishop Otteh was retired from the position of the Local Ordinary of the Diocese in 2003. On the August 13, a funeral Mass was held at Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State. Another one was held at St Paul’s Cathedral, Issele-Uku, Delta State followed by an all-Night wake at the Cathedral with Masses at 12 mid night and 6.00 am the following day. Also on Tuesday, August, 14 there was funeral Mass, St Paul`s Cathedral, Issele-Uku followed by internment in the Cathedral. Telling the story of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, who is the Archbishop did write: “The story of our privileged heritage would be grossly incomplete without the name and the role of His Excellency, the Most Rev. Emmanuel N. Otteh. When Father Otteh returned from further studies in Rome, he was sent to the Junior Seminary where he later became the Rector for more than a decade. Father Otteh as he was called, influenced the church in this part of the world by living an indelible positive mark on his students. He knew all his students by name. He had eyes for details and neglected nothing. He was a born teacher, an accomplished formator, a builder and a loving father. He

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wanted the best for the seminary and for each student. “When in 1975 the then Archbishop Arinze appointed Bishop Otteh, the administrator of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, he came with his working zeal, competence and fines. Many of the structures at and around the Cathedral were erected during his period in office. The Shanahan hall though conceived before his arrival as administrator was maximally built during his period of service to his credit. The Brothers of St. Stephen’s Generalate was started and completed under him. The Sancta Maria Primary School was reconstructed and refurbished. The Centenary field was constructed and turned into a multi-purpose stadium under his administrative guidance. The entire Cathedral compound was walled by Bishop Otteh. Everybody agreed that Bishop Otteh was an efficient manager and exceptional administrator. “On the field of catechesis and youth formation, it is on record that during the time of Bishop Otteh (then Monsignor Otteh), Holy Trinity Parish sent between 2030 qualified candidates to the junior seminary annually. Bishop created out-stations from Holy Trinity. He introduced many programmes that made the people very proud of their parish as well as very satisfied that they were approaching life of holiness. “Francis Cardinal Arinze summarized Bishop Otteh’s work by saying that he turned Holy Trinity into a model parish especially in matters of catechetical, organizational, orderliness and retreats. In fact Bishop Otteh passed on the heroic legacy as you cannot work with him without feeling that this man seeks perfection in his work to the glory of God.”

Maj. Willie Ikpi Akpama

ate Maj. Willie Ikpi Akpama (Rtd) was born on August 28, 1937 at Nko, Yakurr LGA of Cross River State. Having passed his primary education, he enrolled at Boys Vocational School, Ididep in 1958. Later, he taught for two years as a Grade ‘C’ Teacher from 1959 to 1960 at Adun Central School. In May, 1961, he enlisted into the Nigerian Army, and on graduation was posted to Pay and Records Office, Apapa. He was promoted to rank of Corporal in 1966, and became a Sergeant in 1967. During the civil war of 1967-70, late Maj. Akpama served with the 3rd Marine Commando Division. He was promoted Staff Sergeant in 1968 and Warrant Officer Class II (WO2) in 1969. On August 1, 1970 he was commissioned as Lieutenant and later promoted to Captain in 1972. In 1973, late Akpama, became the Admin Officer, Quarter Master and Pay Master of the Nigerian Army and was posted to serve as Officer –in-Charge of Second Division records till 1976. He was promoted Major in 1978 on return from a military course in England; Willie Ikpi Akpama served as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General with the Ordinance Directorate, and at one time became the Deputy Commander Records. He also served as Commanding Officer of the Central Documentation Office, Apapa, Lagos. He was Supervisor of the Army records till 1989, when he was made Commanding Officer, 6 Records Office, Bida, Niger State.

He retired from the Army after 35 years of meritorious service. During his life time, late Akpama was awarded, the Nigerian Independent Medal, the Republic Medal, National Service Medal and the Forces Service Star (FSS). He served for many years as Vice President of Yakurr Progressive Union, Lagos. He was appointed Treasurer, Yakurr Progressive Union and was former President, Etombe Development Union, Lagos and one time Treasurer, Command Mess of the Nigerian Army, Apapa,Lagos.

Opeyemi Ogunmodede

n educationist and retired principal, Mrs. Morohunfayo Ifemade has died. She was married to the ex-Special Adviser to Lagos State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Olalekan Ifemade. She was aged 59 years. Late Morohunfayo was the principal of Tolu High School, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos and active member of ANCOPSS and Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO). A devout Christian, she was until her death the president of Ladies Friendly Society, Methodist Church, Odi-Olowo. She is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren.

HE remains of Elder Isaac Opeyemi Ogunmodede would be buried on Friday, the family has announced. Elder Ogunmodede took the final bow on August 9 after a protracted illness. According to a statement by the family, the burial, slated for his house in Magboro, will be preceded by a Christian Wake on Thursday at 2, Olayemi Adegoke, off Miracle Avenue, Magboro. The statement signed by Mr. Bunmi Ogunmodede, said a Christian outing service is scheduled for the Magboro Assembly of The Apostolic Church, opposite Eleja, on Magboro Road immediately after the interment. Aged 53, the late Ogunmodede is survived by wife, children, aged mother and siblings.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Moses’ move to Chelsea not done deal yet – Wigan coach

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Sport

I think looking back to London, I really could have done better than I did. But life goes on

- SOUTH AFRICAN ATHLETE, CASTER SEMENYA

London 2012 Paralympic Games’ tickets sell out

Coach Stephen Keshi (third right) addressing his players in Niamey, Niger on August 15.

n extra 140,000 Paralympic Games tickets which went on sale on Wednesday as part of the London 2012 Olympics sold out in a matter of hours. Organisers said 100,000 ground entry tickets to the Olympic Park and 40,000 sports tickets were snapped up in about two to three hours. More tickets will go on sale before the August 29 opening ceremony and extra tickets should go on sale during the Games which run until September 9. More than 2.3 million of 2.5 million tickets for the Games have been sold. Ticket sales have outstripped any previous Paralympics, with the International Paralympic Committee hoping the Games will enjoy the first sell-out in its 52-year history. The Park tickets that went on sale on Wednesday allowed holders the chance to visit the Olympic Park for up to five hours but not to enter any of the sporting arenas. At the time, Seb Coe, chair of Games organizers, said, “I’m thrilled that we can give even more people the opportunity to experience the Olympic Park, soak up the atmosphere and perhaps catch some Paralympic action on the big screen. “We wanted to give as many people as possible the opportunity to visit the Olympic Park and releasing more tickets is part of this commitment.”

Battle of Monrovia: Eagles’ list out tomorrow AFOLABI GAMBARI

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced yesterday that the Super Eagles’ 18-man list for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Lone Star of Liberia will be released tomorrow by the Head Coach, Stephen Keshi. The first leg encounter is scheduled for September 8 in Monrovia, while the second leg will come up in Calabar in October. Spokesman for the NFF, Ademola Olajire, told National Mirror yesterday that the federation had scheduled the list release to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos tomorrow, 24 hours before the Federation Cup final at the same venue. “The NFF Technical Sub-Committee will deliberate on the list submitted by Keshi tomorrow (today) after which it will be made public on Saturday,” Olajire said. “There is no misunderstanding as some people are trying to make out. It is a matter of procedure as the technical committee has the responsibility to screen the list,” he added. “The curiosity is about which foreign-based players will come for the match but I think that should not be an issue at all.” According Olajire, the Eagles will depart to Monrovia on a chartered flight from Abuja on September 6 to have 48 hours familiarisation before the crucial match scheduled for the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, Monrovia. Meanwhile, Coach Stephen Keshi, has declared that he is not afraid of being sacked. Keshi spoke against the backdrop of Sports Minister BolajiAbdullahi’s directive that the Eagles must qualify for the 2013 AFCON edition in South Africa. Keshi told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that if he got sacked as the Eagles’ handler, depending on the outcome of the match, it would not be the first time a coach would lose his job. “I will not be the first coach in the world and I will not be the last if I am to be sacked. I qualified the Eagles with former Coach Amodu Shuaibu in 2002, but we did not go to the World Cup,” he said. Keshi added, “Sacking is not a big thing in our job because you are hired today and tomorrow you are fired, so what is the big deal?”

AYC: Eaglets build confidence for Niger

igeria’s male U-17 national football team, Golden Eaglets, have started training to build the s confidence necessary to conc front their Nigerien counterf parts on September 9, in the p qualifier for the 2013 African q U-17 Youth Championship. U The team’s goalkeeper trainer, Emeka Amadi, said the manE agement had also saddled him a with an added responsibility as w Eaglets’ psychologist, to accomE plish the “Confidence-Building p Training.” T Eaglets are currently camped in i Calabar, ahead of the qualifiers, with the first round, first f leg l of the encounter holding in Niamey . N Amadi told the News Agency of o Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Calabar that it was imd portant for the technical crew p to t prepare the players for the “`psychological warfare” in the “ qualifiers. q He said it was proper for the players to be battle-ready, since p many of them would be travelm ling outside the country for the l first time. f

“Part of our responsibilities as coaches is to boost the selfesteem of these lads. We need to prepare them physically, mentally and above all psychologically, so they can cope with whatever is thrown at them by our oppo-

nents,” Amadi said. Amadi, who was in goal for the national U-20 team in the 1989 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, said it was even more important for the four goalkeepers in the camp to be mentally alert.

Egbunike urges minister support YEMI OLUS

ead Coach of Team Nigeria track and field team to the London 2012 Olympic Games, Innocent Egbunike, has enjoined Nigerians to support the impending restructuring by the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. Egbunike asserted that the verve and resolve of the incumbent minister had helped to reinvigorate the dying spirit of sports in the country, saying the spirit of continuity should also be imbibed by stakeholders who desired a sustainable future. “We have had about 14 ministers since 1999 and I think this cannot augur well for sports development,” Egbunike said.

“Let us borrow from countries abroad who embrace continuity in the administration of sports to maximum benefit,” the former athlete added. “In fairness, we cannot expect Mallam Abdullahi to quickly right the wrong that has been perpetuated for many years and I think he deserves more time in the saddle. “Let him be allowed to lay a solid foundation for our sports to flourish.” Abdullahi had stated during the London games his desire to restructure sports in Nigeria along the line of ensuring a clear vision to drive the ailing sector. But he is yet to disclose the template upon which the restructuring will operate effectively.

Sport

Friday, August 24, 2012

Fed Cup tickets go on sale

Mark’s team makes NNL bow

AFOLABI GAMBARI

rganisers said yesterday that tickets for the final of this year’s Federation Cup will be on sale tomorrow at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, 24 hours before the match scheduled for Sunday. According to the Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee for the match, Oluyomi Oluwasanmi, efforts have been intensified to fill up the 23, 000-capacity stadium with spectators. “Fans can pick up the tickets for the third place and final matches at the stadium,” the secretary said. “We are also expecting local councils and local council development areas in Lagos to mobilise fans to the stadium for both matches and as I talk to you, we have assurance in this respect,” she said. The secretary told National Mirror that the final would witness a mixture of sports and entertainment, saying top artistes in the country had been lined up to perform at the stadium. Prime FC of Osogbo and Kano Pillars will play the third place match before Lobi Stars of Makurdi squares HeartHeartland’s captain Chinedu Efugh will have land of Owa huge task against Lobi Stars in Sunday’s erri in the final. final in Lagos

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Luiz

‘Luiz not on City radar’

he pet team sponsored by the Senate President, David Mark, Apa United, has booked a Nigeria National League (NNL) ticket after walloping DSS Football Club of Kaduna 7-0 in Otukpo on Wednesday. Apa United finished on 32 points same as Doro United but with a superior goals difference to join DSS as the two teams from the Nationwide Division 1 group D in the National League next season. Coordinator of Apa United, Gabriel Onyilo, said that Senator Mark was delighted at the club’s promotion, saying a playing tour of Europe is on the card for the team. “The Senate President has also awarded contract for the upgrading of Otukpo Township Stadium, Benue State as part of the preparation for the team,” Onyilo said while enjoining the Idoma people to support the team’s quest for glory. “The team belongs to the Idoma Kingdom and we are calling on all Idomas to support it,” he added.

eports yesterday indicated that Manchester City has yet to make a bid for Chelsea’s utility player, David Luiz, and does not have an interest in signing the Brazil international. Interestingly, earlier reports had claimed that City had launched a £30m bid for the player who contributed to Chelsea’s glorious run last season as the Eastlanders were understood to be shopping for a new central defender. Luiz joined Chelsea in January 2011 when the Blues paid over £20m for his signature. The rock star-looking player has gone on to become a cult figure at the club with its fans.

Mark

Eto’o gets FECAFOOT reprieve

aptain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun, Samuel Eto’o yesterday had his eightmonth suspension lifted by the Federation de Cameroun Football (FECAFOOT). Controversy had trailed the star’s suspension after the federation p charged him for propelling a boycott of a friendly with Fennecs of Algeria last November, a situation that cost the FECAFOOT heavily as the Algerians demanded $1.5m compensation. With this development, Eto’o will now be available for the Cameroon versus Cape Verde AFCON 2013 qualifier for scheduled September 8. After being responheld sible and then heavily sanctioned in the after math of the incidents

that took place in Marrakech in November 2011, which led to the boycott of the friendly between the Lions and the Fennecs of Algeria, the Anzhi Makhachkala player has now served his eight-month suspension. “Having served his period of sanction,, Samuel Eto’o,, his club and his lawyer have been notified by FECAFOOT that the period has national come to an end,” the nat Communications Ofteam’s Communication ficer, Linus Pascal Fouda, Fo said in Yaounde yesterday yesterda . federation Meanwhile, the federa is scheduled to release a relea 23-man list today t ahead of the th Lions’ preparaprep tion for the September Septem qualifier. q alifi qu

US Open: Murray gets easy prey

hird seed Andy Murray will play Alex Bogomolov Jr in the first round of the US Open, which starts next Monday. The Russian world number 73 beat Murray in 2011’s Sony Ericsson Open, breaking serve seven times in a 6-1 7-5 victory. Murray could face world

number one and top seed Roger Federer in the semifinals, after the pair were drawn in the same half of the draw. In the women’s tournament, Olympic mixed doubles silver medallist Laura Robson opens against a qualifier. Robson, 18, could then

face three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters in the second round. Clijsters, 29, will retire after the US Open , but the 2009 and 2010 champion is looking to continue a 21-match unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows after missing the 2011 tournament through injury.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Friday, August 24, 2012

Wi Window on Nigerian players abroad

with IKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Nwankwo dreams goals for new team

ormer Rangers’ striker Kingsley Nwankwo is confident he will have a good harvest of goals for his new Turkish side, Boluspor. The stocky Enugu-born striker recently signed a contract with his second Turkish club and arrived on time for the pre-season. Nwankwo, who played for Tavsanlı Linyitspor last season, says he’s ready for the league opener against Adana Demirspor and believes his debut will mark the beginning of his goals aspirations. Nwankwo teamed up with Akeem Agbetu, who also joined up this summer for his fifth Turkish club, as both compatriots get set to form a deadly twin strike force for their team. “With Agbetu, who’s got great profile in Turkey, my club will be guaranteed good return of goals,”

Nigerian youngster looks beyond Poland

oland-based Nigerian striker Charles Okere has told National Mirror he would love to take his game beyond Poland and on to greater things. Okere arrived in Poland from Austria three years ago to begin his professional career. He signed for third division side LKS Spojnia after his impressive goals harvest in his previous clubs convinced the club officials he was the target man that will guarantee a promotion ticket. But the plans went awry for Okere and his ambitious club as they were relegated at the end of last season, forcing the youngster to take

Nwankwo promised. “I’m fully fit now and only waiting for the season to start to explode. I suffered injuries in my former team and that limited my chances at goal. “Agbetu is a class twin striker who complements his partner and just like he did with Simon Zenke, two seasons ago at Samsunspor, opponents will only be prepared for us. “I can’t wait for the season to start to team up with Agbetu to do our thing. There’s no doubt the goals will rain.” Nwankwo also targets the Super Eagles and believes he will get his time as soon as his goals start rolling in. “I’ve got a lot to offer for my country and I will only wait for my time. That’s my target now and I hope to get there soon.” his game out of Poland where he reckoned he would get the required attention he craved for. “I started from the ranks in Poland and turned in lots of goals but truth be told that Poland is indeed not the ideal place in terms of quality and monetary games for a young player like me,” Okere said. “We got relegated and I refused to go down with them because I believed I would be better off playing outside Poland. “I have also attended trials at clubs in Hungary and nothing concrete came out of it. My agent is still working on some openings for me. “I believe I will hit off with a top club in mainstream Europe soon. I’m happy to have gone through the developmental stages Poland have offered me and I’m good to go. “I idolise Cote d’Ivoire international Didier Drogba and I try to emulate him. I have similar style as him.”

Victor Moses (middle) with his team mates

Moses’ move to Chelsea not done deal yet – Wigan coach W igan manager Roberto Martinez has reported no change in Victor Moses’ situation, with Chelsea still yet to match the Latics’ valuation of their forward. The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Moses throughout the summer but have so far failed to make an offer in line with Wigan’s asking price, believed to be in the region of £9million, with only a few days left in the transfer window. The 21-year-old Nigeria international put in an impressive performance against Chelsea in the

Obasi races against time for fitness

hile his team-mates were away on holiday during the close season, Chinedu Obasi was having a pin removed from his left tibia, the remnant of a stress fracture he sustained playing for Hoffenheim in November 2010. The former Hoffenheim striker told his club’s website that he was full of delight coming back slowly to fitness after a long injury lay off. “I’m glad to be back out on the pitch again with the boys. It’s a very nice feeling,” Obasi said. “I’m making good progress but I’m not back to my full performance level yet so I’m working hard with our rehab and athletic trainers to find my form again as quickly as possible.” Obasi reckons he wouldn’t want to

rush things to return to fitness, maintaining he has to follow the doctor’s instructions. “I don’t want to rush things so I’m not setting myself any specific targets for a return to Bundesliga action. “It’s important to take one step at a time and to do that without any selfimposed pressure because that won’t achieve anything. “I want to be fully fit when I return so I can show the fans what I can do. At the moment I can take part in some of the sessions, I just can’t do everything yet.” Typically, Obasi has had to make do with training on his own while his mates train on the pitch, a situation the former youth international admits it’s tough. “That’s really tough and no fun at all but I’m trying to make the best of it.

There’s no point getting in a bad mood about it. My training programme is bringing me on. “I see it all like a competition with the goal of finding my way back into the team.” Many fans wouldn’t have realised that Obasi played in pain during his first six months in a blue-and-white shirt but he believes his first full season won’t be like starting all over again. “Obviously I want to improve my performance this season and I’m confident I can do that. It’s not easy to play football when you’re in pain but I gritted my teeth and carried on. “We’re all very ambitious and want to win as many games as possible. Third place last season was a good result and we want to reaffirm that.”

London outfit’s 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at the DW Stadium on Sunday. But speaking yesterday at a press conference to preview his side’s trip to Southampton on Saturday, Martinez said nothing had changed with regard to the matter. Asked if there had been any further developments on the Moses front, the Spaniard said “not at all”, and pressed as to whether or not he had heard anything from Chelsea, Martinez replied: “No. You are asking the wrong man, in that respect.” The Latics boss stressed that until an acceptable bid was made, all speculation on the subject was simply “cheap talk”. He said: “You will get all sorts of speculation and talk, but the reality is, every player has a valuation. If a club matches that valuation, then maybe you have to sit down with the player and there is a decision to be made. “Here, for all the talk and speculation, we have never had an offer which matches what the club wants - so at that point, all the rest is cheap talk. “Victor is an incredible young man and I think the maturity he showed on Sunday is not normal in a 21-year-old. “It has been a real joy to see him grow over the last few seasons. We made a massive investment in him as a young man and we are very proud of him. “If there is nothing to consider, it is not an issue.” Moses joined Wigan from Crystal Palace on a three-and-a-half-year deal midway through the 2009-10 season for a reported fee of £2.5million.

WORLD RECORD

Most currencies featuring the same individual Vol. 02 No. 433

The image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Born 1926) appears on the coinage of at least 35 different countries - more countries than any other living monarch. Elizabeth II is Queen of the United Kingdom and head of the Commonwealth.

Friday, August 24, 2012

NUPENG: When might seems not right

gain, the nation is approaching the crossroads, this time not with the Boko Haram campaign of violence and the seeming official helplessness in determining how to restore peace, but with looming fuel scarcity and possible unrest about to be imposed on the nation by sections of organized labour. For many, the just concluded Eid el-Fitri celebration in Abuja, the nation’s capital, was a frustrating spectacle made possible by fuel scarcity. Reports said filling stations in the city were shut, while commercial vehicle operators hiked their fares by over 100 per cent as a result. Lots of Muslim fateful anxious to travel either had a nightmare doing so or were denied the joy of marking the end of their month-long fasting the ways they planned it. The strike embarked upon by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to press for the payment of fuel subsidy to some ‘oil marketers’, among

FRIDAYS WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) others, which led to the withdrawal of tankers from lifting fuel, was blamed for the development. Last Monday when he addressed newsmen in Lagos, the National President of NUPENG, Achese Igwe, confirmed the involvement of his union in the Abuja fuel scarcity over the non-payment of fuel subsidy to the affected marketers. Achese took what appeared serious exception to what he called “the outbursts of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the union was being used by oil marketers to perpetrate strike because of alleged nonpayment of subsidy claims. His major argument was that the jobs of some members of NUPENG were at stake following the inability of the marketers to meet their financial obligations to the employees as a result of the non-payment. Some of the marketers were said to owe workers’ salaries for about five months. The union seemed foresworn to commence a nationwide strike this weekend should the Federal Government fail to pay the marketers by Wednesday (two days ago). The FG, however, insists that NUPENG is being goaded by dishonest fuel subsidy beneficiaries to threaten the nation. Okonjo-Iweala was quoted as saying on Tuesday, for instance, that “NUPENG is anti-Nigerians. NUPENG is siding with the wrong people. There is no reason for NUPENG to hold Nigerians to ransom on behalf of people who have been taking public money for fuel they did not supply”. Besides, the Min-

MORE CONVINCING ister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, had earlier stated last weekend that the FG did not owe any marketer whose claims had been verified by the appropriate authorities. He said the NUPENG strike was instigated by fuel marketers who were indicted by the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led FG committee that investigated fuel subsidy payments. “Their obvious intention is to blackmail the Federal Government in order to escape sanctions for the crimes they have committed”, Ngama said. Considering the weighty allegation by the FG of complicity with fuel subsidy fraudsters against the NUPENG leadership, it seems to have become absolutely necessary for the government to publish the list of marketers whose claims have been verified and settled alongside those indicted by the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee, since doing so would help understand the roots of NUPENG’s seeming antagonism, as well as the veracity of FG’s claims. Indeed, the union’s leadership may deserve no less punishment as the type reserved for economic saboteurs if truly found to

Sport Extra

w op golfer Sergio Garcia could not be happier with his form heading into the FedEx Cup play-offs and the Ryder Cup. The Spaniard won the Wyndham Championship last weekend to earn his

THE CLAIMS OF OKONJO-IWEALA AND NGAMA AGAINST NUPENG APPEAR

be fronting for individuals and oil marketing companies that have contributed in no small measure to ruining the nation’s economy and making a mockery of the entire citizenry through fraudulent acquisition of billions of hard currency for fuel not imported. Achese, the NUPENG chairman, might well be honest with his claim that the union was not under pressure by fraudulent oil marketers to foist a strike (that would worsen fuel scarcity and shoot up the pump price of the product) on the nation. Yet the timing of the strike and the reasons being canvassed by NUPENG as necessitating it appear suspect. If the major reason for contemplating the strike is because some marketers owe NUPENG members salaries, does the union imply that the FG must continue to pay subsidy to such marketers even if they had benefitted fraudulently in the past and remained indicted? Have such marketers and their staff not enjoyed enough of the fraud? Should they not be remorseful and refund their illicit earnings to the government, and indeed, face prosecution and punishment in countries where justice is allowed to prevail? Why is NUPENG pressing so hard for more subsidy payments when investigations on subsidy frauds involving many dubious oil marketers are still ongoing? The claims of Okonjo-Iweala and Ngama against NUPENG appear more convincing, considering the desperation of some indicted marketers to get off the hook. Still fresh are tales of $3m bribe, out of which $620, 000 was allegedly paid; and attempts by some of the culprits arraigned in court to blackmail the FG with claims that they used their loot to bankroll the 2011 general elections, perhaps with President Goodluck Jonathan and some governors as the prime targets. Nor can any immunity be seen that protects NUPENG from being used by desperate subsidy thieves. In any case, the NUPENG threat seems a good opportunity for the FG to rethink its embarrassing failure to revamp rail transportation to ease the bulk movement of products and free the nation from the vice grip of road haulage cartels, among other alternatives.

Golf: Resurgent Garcia eyes 2012 lift

place on Jose Maria Olazabal’s European team for the Medinah clash next month. It also leaves him in a good place to challenge for the big money on offer in

the FedEx Cup series over the next few weeks, starting at the Barclays. “I got a nice win and was able to achieve a couple of big things,” Gracia said yesterday. “Obviously I’m

playing well coming into the playoffs and, at the same time, I secured my Ryder Cup spot for Chicago which was huge for me. “Hopefully I can ride a bit of that momentum and

see if we can have another good week here.” Victories at the Castello Masters and the Andalucia Masters gave Garcia the boost that he has carried into 2012.

Sergio Garcia

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