Friday, August 31, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

ASUU strike paralyses activities on campuses nationwide OUR CORRESPONDENTS

cademic activities were yesterday paralysed on univer-

Awuzie

Vol. 2 N0. 438

sity campuses across the country as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, embarked on a one-day industrial action in solidarity with their colleagues at the Rivers State

Outrage as Jonathan’s visit shuts BeninAsaba road

University of Science and Technology, RSUST, Port Harcourt. The union had issued a directive to all its members in all universities across

...as President clears Nnaji of wrongdoing

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Friday, August 31, 2012

SSS agents’ secret data leaked online

...names, addresses, bank details exposed

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N150 AYO OLESIN

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

he names and other personal details of former and serving members of the State Security Service, SSS, have been leaked online according to a report by The Associated Press. AP said yesterday that it learnt that the personal details leaked included home addresses and names CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

.Chukwu

Patients trapped as fire guts LUTH N198.2bn agric loans disbursed

L-R: Acting Director, Regulatory & Monitoring, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Olaniran Jeminiwa; General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA and Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Larry Annetts at the MTN Ultimate Wonder Promo Draw in Lagos, yesterday.

S’West govs allay fears over state police Lagos govt gazettes new traffic laws

GOLD MEDAL, FINALLY

P.6,39 P.54

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Shell shuts Bayelsa flow station over oil spill

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Nigerian Yakubu Adesokan celebrating a new world record and gold medal in the men’s 48kg powerlifting at London 2012 Paralympic Games.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

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SSS agents’ secret data leaked online CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of immediate family members. According to AP: “The data of about more than 60 operatives of State Security Service remained easily accessible on the Internet for days. It also had details about the agency’s directorgeneral, including his mobile phone number, bank account details and contact information for his son”, The leaks, which will cause serious embarrassment to the secretive agency, allegedly “came in a threatening message that claimed to come from a radical Islamist sect that’s killed hundreds of people this year alone,” The Associated Press said, in veiled reference to Boko Haram. The AP said many of the agents it contacted on the leak said they received no official warning from the spy agency that their information had been posted online nor been otherwise alerted. According to the news agency, the material has been deleted from the comment section of a website, but the security breach astonished spy service veter-

ans. A senior Nigerian intelligence official said authorities were aware that the leak had happened and that many were embarrassed by it. He spoke on condition of anonymity as information about the leak was not to have been made public. The spokeswoman for the State Security Service, Mrs Marylin Ogar, said she would not make any official comments on the matter by challenged AP to supply the link to the leaked material. “I cannot comment on a matter that I am not aware of. Why is it only AP that saw the posting and not BBC or AFP, it smacks of mischief”, she said. Many agents for the typically secretive agency are preoccupied with concealing their identities, as most try to blend unnoticed into society. According to AP, the information leak came in two postings earlier this month on a website that provides rewritten news on Nigeria. The first posting threatened to kill agents of the State Security Service on behalf of Boko Haram,

a radical Islamist sect responsible for more than 660 killings this year alone in Nigeria. The second posting simply offered a block of text containing biographical and other details about the agents. Though the comments have been removed, the AP said it is not identifying the website involved “as cached versions of the comments remain online and intelligence service agents have been killed by Boko Haram members in the past.” The list includes former and current agents across the country, including Director-General, Mr. Ekpeyong Ita. Those reached by the AP who were willing to talk expressed disbelief

that sensitive information like that could make its way to the Internet. “I was shocked to see my details posted on the Internet,” said one former agent, who declined to be named out of safety concerns. “I’ve not heard anything from anybody. I was surprised that such information could be leaked.” Another man on the list said he simply once served as a doctor to help the agency on an on-call basis only. The list appeared to include lower-ranking agents, as well as one-time state directors for the agency. Some of those contacted suggested that the list appeared to come from the agency’s pension department, as it

mostly included retirees and listed bank account information for nearly all those named. It was not immediately clear if the information had been hacked from the outside and obtained or taken out by an agency employee or someone with access to the material. The State Security Service was created in 1986 by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and is largely responsible for internal security and protection of VIPs. Most of those on the leaked list of agents reached by the AP said no one from the federal government or the spy agency warned them that their personnel information had appeared

on the Internet. Instead, colleagues and other former agents called each other to spread the news and later contacted the State Security Service themselves to report the breach. It is unclear if the person who posted the information online really does have ties to Boko Haram, which has targeted security officials in the past. Violence has been centered mostly in the country’s Muslim north. One retired agent who spoke to AP said he was grateful he lives in the largely Christian south, away from the sect’s attacks. “It’s worrying that they have access to that,” the agent said. “Those living in Abuja (and the North) are the ones who should living in fear.”

Outrage as Jonathan shuts Benin-Asaba road SOLA ADEBAYO AND NWABUEZE OKONKWO

motions ran high among motorists on the Benin-Asaba Highway yesterday following the closure of the strategic road due to the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Anambra State. The highway, regarded as the gateway to the SouthEast and South-South, was closed at Umunede, a nearby commercial town to Agbor in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State by overzealous security personnel as early as 8a.m. National Mirror gathered that the security agents took the action despite the fact that President Jonathan was not scheduled to travel to Anambra State through the route or stop over in Edo and Delta states. National Mirror learnt that security agencies barricaded the ever-busy highway and barred motorists

from proceeding on their journeys from Umunede. Motorists were politely turned back and directed to seek alternative routes to their destinations. Findings by one of our correspondents showed that desperate motorists were forced to opt for the old Benin-Asaba Road, which momentarily became impassable due to heavy presence of vehicles. The attendant traffic gridlock forced many travellers to discontinue the journey. Motorists were stranded for hours as the security personnel snubbed pleas to relax the grip on the road to enable them to access Asaba, the Delta State capital. Road users, especially civil servants and politicians heading for their offices in Asaba, and other travellers to various states of the South-South and South-East were subjected to an agonising experience. The road was eventually opened about 1p.m.but the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Chairman, Ibeto Group, Chief Cletus Ibeto; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; President Goodluck Jonathan and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, during the President’s visit to Anambra State yesterday.

ASUU strike paralyses activities on campuses nationwide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the six geo-political zones to stay away from work for 24 hours beginning from 12 midnight on Wednesday. ASUU’s National President, Dr. Nasir Fagge Isa, said that the action was necessary to call the Visitor to the university and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, to order for “flagrant disobedience” of the institution’s rules. The governor was accused of flouting the university rule that says “a vice-chancellor can only spend a single term of five years in office” by reappointing the institution’s immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamerime Fakae as the acting VC.”

As a result of the strike, the ongoing second semester examination at the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, was suspended by the institution’s management. The story was the same at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife; University of Ibadan, UI; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso; Bayero University, BUK, Kano, among others. The 500-level students of LAUTECH who were supposed to hold their project presentations yesterday could not do so as a result of the strike. At UI, academic staff stayed away from classrooms in compliance with the ASUU directive.

When National Mirror visited the institution, the students were seen watching the ongoing female World Cup football match between Nigeria and Mexico with the classrooms deserted. At the faculties of science, education, social sciences and arts, students were seen discussing national issues. Speaking on the level of compliance, the Chairman of the university chapter of ASUU, Dr. Segun Ajiboye, while addressing a press conference, said members complied fully with the directive, saying it was an injustice which if allowed to stand, might spread to other universities

He said Prof. Fakae was “smuggled” into office in the first term with the state governor pleading with the university community to allow him to stay only for him to re-appoint him for a second term without observing due process thereby violating the university law. Ajiboye, who described the action of the governor as morally repugnant, insisted that the union would continue to fight for the rule of law and adherence to established statutes. At the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, teachers also stayed away from the classrooms. Students, who were not CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Friday, August 31, 2012

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Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Founder, Guaranty Trust Bank and African Keynote Speaker at the Africa Singapore Business Forum, Mr. Fola Adeola; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Minister in charge of Trade and Industry in the Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. S. Iswaran, at the opening ceremony of the forum in Singapore, yesterday.

L-R: Commissioner, Planning, Research and Statistics, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Alhaji Zakari Sada; former Secretary to Enugu State Government & Head Of Service, Prof. Onyema Ocheoha; Chairman, FRC, Alhaji Aliyu Jibril Yelwa and Commissioner, Legal, Investigation and Enforcement, Chief Chris Okewulonu, during the former SSG’s visit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Group Head, Human Capital Management, UBA Plc, Ben Odukwe, an inductee, Mariam Abidogun, and Director, UBA Academy, Chuks Mokogwu, during the induction/award ceremony for graduands from the UBA Academy Banking School, in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Director of Communication, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Akin Onipede, and Director-General, NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, at the launch of a book, “Nigeria Tourism” in Abuja, yesterday. pPHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

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N5,000 note: CBN has Presidency’s backing –Jonathan’s aide OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has said that the Presidency was aware and fully in support of the plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to introduce N5,000 note and to redesign the existing currency notes. Gulak disclosed this yesterday while receiving a women group, Gender Justice and Equity Initiative, led by Mrs. Nana Modupe. The special adviser said contrary to the fears expressed by some opponents of the policy, the introduction of the new currency denomination would not cause inflation. “It is a good development for this country. You can remember, a few years ago, during the Prof. Charles Soludo era, the CBN proposed a re-structuring of our Naira but due to criticisms this did not happen. At that time, just like now, people came up with all sorts of argument about inflation but I can assure you, before the policy to print N5,000 note and restructure the currency was approved

by the Presidency, all necessary analyses and economic indices were taken into consideration. There is not going to be any inflation,” he said. Gulak blamed the flurry of criticisms against the policy on the opposition parties bent on discrediting government policies to score cheap political gain. He said: “The policy is going to be good for the country’s currency and economy. What we are saying is that by the time the N5,000 note is introduced, Nigerians will see the benefit of it. If you go to Europe for example, you have 5,000 Euros and yet the Euro is still a stronger currency than Naira. “The fact that the opposition parties are against it does not make it a wrong decision because the opposition will never speak good of any project or programme undertaken by this government.” Gulak advised the opposition to borrow a leave from countries in Europe and America where opposing views were targeted at providing viable alternatives not with the aim of pulling down the government. He said: “We should not

pull down our country because of the quest for political power. Presidency is a passing phase and it could be the turn of any other person to be at the helm of affairs of the country tomorrow. “Power is transient and God gives power to anyone He wants at any time He chooses. Nigeria belongs to all of us and is bigger than any individual and God has in His wisdom made us Nigerians, there is nothing anybody can do about it than to unite and work for the common good of the country.”

The special adviser assured the women group that President Goodluck Jonathan had good intention for the people of Nigeria. He said the President was eager to pursue any programme which would improve the well-being of the citizens. Gulak said Jonathan was not unmindful of the fact that Nigerians voted for him massively and across political divides during the 2011 general elections. According to him, the present administration runs an open government

that opens its doors to opposition parties to participate and is not averse to giving priority attention to issues affecting women and youths. Gulak said the Federal Government had given women a good opportunity to contribute their quota to national development. The special adviser urged women to help government arrest the growing insecurity across the land. He said: “The President has appointed 13 female ministers with a women minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala, as the coordinating minister for the economy. It is incumbent on Nigerian women to continue to preach peace. If the country’s insecurity situation abates today, it is because the women have intervened and talked to their children.” Gulak told the women that very soon the government’s subsidy reinvestment programme, SURE-P, would unfold a development initiative which would provide opportunities for women and youths to unleash their potentials.

Insecurity: Govs must focus on human capital development –FG OMEIZA AJAYI

he Federal Government has urged governors to scale up efforts at improving the human capital development of their states to halt insecurity in parts of the country. The Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairperson of Federal and State Security Administrators, Esther Gonda, made the call at a meeting of the forum in

Abuja yesterday. Gonda also bemoaned a report indicating that about 800,000 people are shipped across the international borders annually, with Nigeria being one of the worst hit. “It is only when the citizens feel secure that the tendency to resist government is minimised. I therefore call on the state and local governments to complement what the Federal Government is doing to raise the standard of human life in Nigeria as a strategy for reducing the spate of insecurity,” she said.

Gonad said human trafficking had become another scary challenge facing the country, describing it as more savagery than slave trade. She noted that a report on the status of human trafficking shows that more than 800,000 men, women and children are being trafficked across the international borders annually. “Some of the factors that fuel the menace of human trafficking include collapse of social values, poverty unemployment, peer influence, rural - urban migra-

tion, ignorance and pervasive corruption,” Gonda added. The Chief Intelligence Officer of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters, NAPTIP, Jacob Idoko, decried the absence of relevant laws that could reduce the trend. He said: “The modern trend of establishing baby factories is not captured in the law; the present act does not address it and the smuggling of migrants because our laws are more focused on children.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Friday, August 31, 2012

ASUU strike paralyses activities on campuses nationwide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

aware of the strike, got to campus to discover that their lecturers, under the aegis of ASUU-EKSU were on strike. It caused confusion as many of them did not know the reason for the strike especially as they feared it could extend beyond yesterday. ASUU-EKSU Chairman, Dr. Ayan Adeleke, speaking at a press conference in Ado Ekiti yesterday, assured ASUU-RSUST members “that they are on just cause and our union will do everything within its powers to ensure that their rights to life, property, freedom of expression, lawful assembly” among others are protected.” The LASU chapter of the union, at a press briefing yesterday defended their action, saying it was the last resort after all peaceful efforts had failed. The chapter’s chairman, Dr. Jamiu Oluwatoki, told journalists that people may ask why other universities should be concerned about a matter that concerns RSUST “but we will like to explain to such people that university is a universal phenomenon and that whatever happens to any of our members also affects us.” According to him: “The problem with Governor

Amaechi did not just start. He had vowed to wage war against ASUU and he is making real his intention by flouting laid-down procedures. You would recall that when the ASUU-FGN agreement was signed in 2009, he was a major stumbling block to its implementation and part of the content of that agreement is what he has vowed to flout again. But as a disciplined body we are calling on all stakeholders to call the governor to order.” The strike was also effective at University of Jos. When National Mirror visited the three campuses yesterday including Bauchi Road, Permanent Site as well as Township, all located within the state capital, students were seen milling around the campuses without the lecturers to attend to them. Addressing journalists in Jos over the matter, the University of Jos branch Chairman of ASUU, Dr. David Pam Yakubu, blamed Amaechi for engineering the crisis rocking the stateowned university. Pam said it was unfortunate that a governor who parades himself as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, would resort to unconventional means to install someone as vice-chancellor when the

process of such appointment was clear. The University of Abuja branch of ASUU in its own reaction, insisted that the appointment of Prof. Fakae was done illegally. It asked Governor Amaechi, to immediately remove him in order to allow peace and tranquility to reign in the institution. Chairman, University of Abuja Chapter of the union, Dr. Clement Chup, while addressing newsmen during the one-day solidarity strike in support of RSUST chapter of ASUU, stressed that

the appointment of Fakae as the acting VC was not only illegal but against the rule of law which the union stands for. He further said that the governor has continued to threaten peace in the university following the disruption of the peaceful meeting of ASUU-RSUST chapter by security personnel and called for the immediate arrest and persecution of those involved in the disruption of the congress. The Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna also observed the one-

day warning strike. The strike action interrupted the 2011/2012 second semester examination of the university, which affected over 15,000 students that were supposed to write their examinations, yesterday. The chairman of the chapter, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, told journalists that Fakae was brought in without following due process; hence the resolution to join in the solidarity strike was to demonstrate their support for their counterparts in the institution in line with

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

(Jonathan) did not come to Anambra State by road through the Benin-Asaba Highway and he did not even stop over in either Edo or Delta State. “We have been made to suffer like this and what is our offence? We elected them into office and should we be punished for voting them into power? “Our experience today (yesterday) is horrible and uncharitable. I never imagined that a civilian government would tolerate such rubbish under the guise of protecting a president.” Meanwhile, the President yesterday formally declared Anambra, an oil producing state, following the official commissioning of the Orient Petroleum Refinery, OPR, built by the state government. The refinery, initiated by the Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration, which also constituted its board

Reports by Abiodun Nejo, Mojeed Alabi, Kemi Olaitan, Priscilla Dennis, Abraham James and Ijeoma Ezeike

L-R: Representative of Borno State Governor, Amb. Bab Jidda; Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime; his counterpart from Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; Director, German Agency for International Cooperation (GAIC), Mr. Hern Klaus Brükner; Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi; Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Jonah Jang of Plateau, during the Governors’ Forum trip to understudy the German Federal System of Government in Berlin, Germany, yesterday.

Outrage as Jonathan shuts Benin-Asaba road gridlock remained with the highway blocked for many hours in both directions. Some motorists said they were on the same spot for four hours. Sanity was yet to return to the road as at press time yesterday. One of the motorists condemned what he described as “executive recklessness.” Another one said the action was “oppressive.” In an interview with National Mirror, a motorist, Mr. Chinedu Ibekwe, said the incident was unwarranted, adding that it was unexpected of a democratically elected government. “We have lost valuable time and resources to this executive lawlessness. “What is the basis for the closure of the Benin-Warri highway just for the safety of a president who is visiting Anambra State? “Surprisingly, the man

directive from national president of ASUU. “We all know that there are laws establishing the university. ASUU believes that these laws must be respected and protected at all times by those at the helm of affairs of the university. Moving away or doing something contrary to the law is tantamount to arbitrariness which is not acceptable,” he said.

of directors led by former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, is located in AguleriOtu, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state. With the official commissioning of the refinery yesterday by the President, the oil, which was first struck in the location about 45 years ago by a multinational company, SAFRAP, now Total Plc, will now be explored by the OPR to start full scale refining to the tune of 55,000 barrels per day. The President commended the state government for initiating the project and its completion, in spite of the hiccups encountered at the inception. The President later left for Onitsha, Anambra’s commercial centre, where his light jet marked NAF541 landed on the lawn of the Federal Inland Water Ways,

in the city. On arrival at about 12.20 p.m. in company of the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and his deputy, Emeka Sibeudu; Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi and Leader, Anambra caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Jonathan rode with Obi and Sibeudu to commission the Niger River Inland Port at Onitsha. Commissioning the port, the President lauded the security situation in the South-East, saying that he felt at home each time he found himself in the zone. He said that he had been facing security challenges in some other parts of the country including his South South geo-political zone, adding that the challenge was at a time personal, as some people in his area tore his posters during the time he was campaign-

ing to be President quite unlike what he discovered in the South-East where people took his posters to decorate their homes. Jonathan disclosed that the N4.6bn river port was unique and a sign of more things to come; adding that his administration decided to embark on the development of the country’s inland waterways as a way of exploiting all avenues of enhancing both road, rail, air and water transportation in the country. “The river or marine transport must be enhanced and to do it, we need inland ports like the one in Onitsha. Our target is to link all the ports by road and rail so that doing business in Nigeria becomes easy. The river ports must be linked up to other areas of resource. Today, the process is being started and others on the drawing board must be completed,”

he said. He expressed hope that a well-developed inland water transportation system will lessen the burden on the nation’s highways. The President used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that he would deliver on his electoral promises and urged Nigerians to exercise patience and keep faith even as he commended Inter Bau Construction Company, the local contractor that executed the river port project. Earlier, Transport Minister, Senator Idris Umar had said that the Onitsha River Port complex, which was started in 2009, is another milestone in the quest to reposition the inland waterways, adding that the facility involved the construction of a new port building, staff quarters, erosion control and procurement of modern cargo handling equipment among others.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

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Stakeholders want Ernest Ndukwe appointed Power Minister KUNLE AZEEZ

L-R: Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi; Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, during the presentation of 10 Coaster buses to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation project at the ministry in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Nnaji didn’t commit any offence – Jonathan NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State, rose in defence of the immediate past Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, saying that he did not commit any offence. He said Nnaji resigned his appointment as minister and not that the Federal Government sacked him as is being speculated in some quarters. Addressing a town hall meeting of Anambra leaders and stakeholders yesterday in Onitsha, after commissioning some projects executed by the state government and some private individuals, the President said that Nnaji resigned honourably, con-

trary to speculation that he was sacked. He said Nnaji was competent and respected professional in Robotic Engineering, but that in the cause of privatisation exercise of the Federal Government which the former minister was supervising, certain things happened that had consequences on his credibility. Jonathan told the gathering he would still appoint another competent person to continue from where Nnaji stopped. According to the President, Energy and Power still remained the priority among the programmes he planned to execute in the life span of his administration. He said the rehabilitation of coal as a source of power would serve the people of

Anambra, Enugu, Benue and Kogi states better. The President, however, praised the Anambra State Government for initiating Orient Refinery, adding that he came, saw the gas and the flaring which he said has made Anambra a member of the oil producing states. He was particularly happy by the number of private companies he commissioned, as, according to him, all over the world, the private sector remained the engine of job creation. Jonathan promised his administration’s commitment to the realisation of a second Niger bridge, which he said he had promised the people of South-East and South-South. “If I am able to build that second Niger Bridge and

Fire guts Lagos University Teaching Hospital MURITALA AYINLA

ire yesterday gutted the HIV prevention unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, causing confusion and panic among patients and workers. Eyewitness accounts said the fire, which started around 7pm caused patients and staff of the clinic to scampered for safety. It was gathered that the entire bungalow

where the unit was situated was completely razed down by the inferno, while property worth several millions of naira including files, furniture and medical equipment were destroyed. For the greater part of last night, thick smoke bellowed into the air and enveloped the entire section of the hospital, while the officials of the Lagos State Fire Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, were battled for several

hours before the inferno could be curtailed. Speaking with National Mirror, the General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said no life was lost in the incident. “There was explosion from the HIV Prevention Initiative Nigeria clinic at about 7pm, but no lives were lost. Men of the fire service and LASEMA are still fighting to prevent the fire from spreading to other building, which is very close to children ward,” he said.

I am no longer in office, I will quietly go and rest, I will build it. Maybe that is how God wants it. The first was built by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and a second will also be built by another Azikiwe,” he said amidst applause. On the gully erosion ravaging the South-East, the President said the World Bank would support the region with a credit facility of $450m for erosion control. The credit facility will have a 0.05 percent service charge, 10 years of grace and a 40-year repayment period.

takeholders in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint a professional to succeed Prof. Barth Nnaji, who recently resigned as the Minister of Power. The ICT stakeholders, in separate interviews, said experts such as Former Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, who transformed the telecommunications sector, should be brought in to engender trust in the process for the benefit of the individual Nigerians and business community, which suffers most from poor power supply. The stakeholders called on the President to summon enough political will to put ‘a round peg in a round hole’ as replacement. Speaking, the President of Institute of Software Professionals of Nigeria, Dr. Chris Uwaje, said Ndukwe’s achievements stood him out. “The power sector is not so much about infrastructure, it is the totality of the economy and in the 21st century technology driven economy, and it should be properly transformed. We know that in the past 12 years power

turbines were dilapidated and Nnaji brought tested Nigerians who helped repair them,” he said. Uwaje said Ndukwe, who currently heads the Centre for Infrastructure Policy, Regulation and Advancement at Lagos Business School, “is a professional telecoms engineer, corporate executive and public servant with over 35 years of international experience in the telecom industry and in corporate executive management, majority of which have been in top management positions in private multinational companies and in government. “ The Chairman of Zinox Technologies Group, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, in his reaction, said, “Ndukwe has proven himself as a world class performer and the country is better for it and that is my prayer for Nigeria in the 21st century.” In his position, the Chairman of Wini Group, Mr. Tim Akano, said, “There is one name in Nigeria today that enjoys unparallelled public goodwill and that stands for excellence, result and credibility in public service. He is Dr. Engr. Ernest Ndukwe. Ndukwe fixed the communication sector, that has emerged as the fastest growing sector of the Nigeria economy and he made the telecom sector the fastest growing in the world in eight years.”

12 airports approved for 2012 Hajj OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Federal Government has approved 12 airports for the forthcoming Hajj exercise taking place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The government also approved five carriers for the exercise that is scheduled to begin on September 17. The approved airports are Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Gombe, Katsina, Yola, Ilorin, Minna and Lagos. Addressing journalists yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, said the industry and states

Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah

involved are ready for the exercise. He explained that in a bid to have a hitch-free exercise, the regulatory authority had been meeting with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), fuel marketers, designated carriers and states involved in the exercise. Demuren said the designated carriers, Max Air,

Meridien Air, Kabo, Mediview and Trade Kraft, have all indicated their readiness to carry out a robust exercise, adding that the country performed creditably well in the previous exercise. He said that Max Air would be using four aircraft, Meridien Air, one; Kabo, three; while Medivew had deployed two aircraft for the exercise, stressing that the operators would be using Boeing 747-200, Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 767-200 to airlift pilgrims to the holy land. According to Demuren, no fewer than 100, 000 pilgrims would be airlifted for the exercise nationwide and said the exercise is expected to be rounded up within one month.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

South West

Friday, August 31, 2012

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S’West governors allay fears over state police KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

overnors of the South-West geopolitical zone yesterday allayed the fears of the antagonists of the creation of state police, saying that there would be constitutional provisions that would guide against abuse of the security outfit. The views of the governors were articulated by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, while speaking at the 2012 Yoruba Assembly held at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ibadan. According to the governors, as long as there were laws guiding the operations of state police, those who have expressed their opposition to it should be assured that it would not be

subjected to abuse. Also, prominent Yoruba sons and daughters who met at the assembly yesterday reechoed the need to restructure the country along true federalism to allow each of the regions to develop at its own pace. In a 14-point communiqué issued after the meeting held at the Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Yoruba Assembly demanded for a single legislative list which will be the exclusive legislative list consisting only those functions ceded to the central government. Other demands include, “the adoption of the Westminster model of parliamentary government, a regional and state police force structure, establishment

of a constitutional court with jurisdiction over intergovernmental cases and petitions from elections to the National Assembly, that all public officers who currently enjoy immunity be made amenable to court processes on charges bordering on commission of crimes and informal role for traditional rulers in the political structure. “ The adoption of opensecret ballot system for voting elections, condemnation of Boko Haram’s indiscriminate violence in killing people including Yoruba in the north, the setting up by the South-West states of vigilante groups to protect them against the re-insurgence of crimes and violence perpetrated by nomadic tendencies, with each state in the region to

pass appropriate laws. “The Yoruba as an ethnic group should design and produce a common flag and anthem. This is without prejudice to the anthems and flags of each state.” Governor Ajimobi also stressed the need for Yoruba to be more aggressive in the fight against marginalisation and to be more united, adding that “the problem we are facing is the uncooperative attitude of some Yoruba people. “We must all fight for the cause of the Yoruba. We need to be more aggressive. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was so bold and courageous in his fight against marginalisation and in ensuring the progress and development of the Yoruba nation. Also, former Speaker of

the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, who spoke at the occasion, kicked against the creation of state police in the country, saying that it will be abused by state governors. He said while the security challenges facing the country at present are enormous, caution must be taken in addressing them so that more problems would not be created. He said though state police had existed in the past and used very well by the leaders of that time, the present set of politicians cannot be trusted with state police as they would make it an object to harass their political opponents. His words: “In recent time, there was a state governor who despite not having a state police used the present police structure to close down the state House of Assembly for more than one year. And despite the intervention of prominent Nigerians that included Prof. Wole Soyinka, he refused to bulge. With this sort of a thing, where do we go with state police?” In his welcome address, Convener of the Assembly,

General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd.) said that the forum was called to reflect on how to make Nigeria conducive to the development of Yoruba civilization. “Today’s meeting is not to do or say anything that will detract from the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is intended to allow us, as Yoruba sons and daughters all over the federation, to rub minds on the way out of the country’s crippling under-development, with special emphasis on the parlous state of affairs in the South-West,” he said. Other speakers at the occasion including Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN and some traditional rulers, all spoke on the need for unity among the Yoruba in order to address the issue of the marginalisation and underdevelopment of the Yoruba race. The assembly expressed the regret that Nigeria was at a crossroads after more than 50 years of independence and less than two years short of 100 years after the 1914 amalgamation.

Ogun reaffirms commitment to importing metro taxi FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

O L-R: National Treasurer, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Demola Aremu; Chairman, Ibadan branch, Dr. Segun Ajiboye; Secretary, Ibadan branch, Dr. Deji Omole, at an ASUU news conference held in Ibadan yesterday on its one-day strike over the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Lagos gazettes new traffic law, to clampdown on offenders MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State government yesterday said it has finally gazetted the new traffic law signed recently by the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola. With this, the law enforcement agencies in the state will, any time from now, commence a clampdown on motorists and other road users who run foul of the new law. Also, thousands of commercial motorcyclists, also known as Okada, who still ply the over 475 routes, highways and bridges and operate in contravention of the provisions of the law, would soon be made to face the full wrath of the law. Thelaw enforcement agencies have ex-

pressed readiness to enforce the law. To be arrested and prosecuted also are traders on highways and passengers of Okada that ply prohibited routes. Others to be prosecuted are law enforcement agents such as police and LASTMA officials who hide under the guise of enforcing the law to extort money from motorists. Speaking during the stakeholders’ meeting with traffic officers, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Councils (CDCs) and head of various departments of agriculture, in all the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, organised by the Ministry of Transport and Rural Development, the Deputy Governor, Mrs.

Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, who made the disclosure said that the state can no longer condone illegality on its roads. According to her, continuous unrestricted operation of motorcycles has wrecked havoc on many homes, saying almost every family in the state has someone receiving treatment at the orthopaedic hospitals due to injuries sustained in accidents involving Okada. She said complete psychiatric, blood and urine tests would be carried out on anyone who drives against the traffic in accordance with the dictates of the new law. Corroborating her, the state Commissioner for Transport, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, lamented the rate motorcycles are used

in perpetrating crime in the state, adding that the meeting with the community leaders was geared towards intimating them of the need to prohibit motorcyclists’ operation in their domain. He said that on no account will a motorcycle below 200 CC engine capacity be allowed to ride on Lagos highways while dispatched riders without proper registration would not also be allowed to operate within the state. He said: “When Okada accident happens in most cases, it is the passengers that bear the brunt. They are the victims in most cases, that is why we are discouraging them from allowing Okada operation in your domain, especially the prohibited areas.”

gun State government yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to simplify and solve the perennial transportation problem that has, over the years, confronted the people of the state through the importation of more metro taxis to the state. Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Amosun on Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Opesanwo, dropped the hint yesterday while featuring on an interactive television programme, ‘The new dawn’ on the state broadcasting station. Opesanwo further staid that the present administration under Governor Amosun had concluded plans for the purchase of about 100 taxis that would be shuttling all the routes in and out of the state, stressing that the state government would leave no stone unturned to achieve its desired transformation in the sector. The SSA said government is currently rehabilitating roads to ensure smooth passage of the vehicles. He stated that the new transportation scheme under which the cabs are to be incorporated, would

add to the effective mass transit of people both in and out of the state. Also featuring, the state Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Akeem Adeosun, said transport fares from various points within the state are to be adjusted and reduced to the barest minimum for commuters’ convenience. The NURTW boss stressed that the gesture was to show the support and appreciation of union members to the Governor Ibikunle Amosun led administration for introducing a people-oriented programme, the Bus Mass Transit, urging the beneficiaries of the BMT to put hands on deck and support government and other stakeholders in the transport sector to actualise the dream of making life become more bearable to the citizenry.

Governor Amosun

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South-West

Friday, August 31, 2012

Poll: Ondo PDP gets seven-man reconciliation committee OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

head of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has waded into the crisis threatening the success of the party by raising a seven-man committee to resolve contending issues with the aim of achieving a truce before the poll. The setting up of the com-

mittee followed a meeting on Wednesday of the PDP national leadership and stakeholders in Abuja where all parties in the conflict expressed their grievances. The seven-man committee comprises Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Segun Adegoke, Olaiya Oni, Dare Adeyemi and former Minister of Housing, Mrs. Mobolaji Osomo. According to the Nation-

al Organising Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Mustafa, the establishment of the committee was in consonance with the desire of members of the party to work together and reclaim the state for the party. Mustafa said that from the interaction at the meeting, the major problem in the Ondo State chapter of the party was what he described as “lack of inclusiveness.” He hoped that the committee would work

Kashamu Buruji accused of plot to destabilise party FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said that it had uncovered a plot by a factional leader, Kashamu Buruji, to distabilise the party. The newly elected party chairman, Senator Dipo Odujinrin, made the allegation while answering questions from journalists during the inauguration of civic reception organising committee to welcome home former President Olusegun Obasanjo who recently retired his chairmanship position of the party’s Board of Trustee (BOT). PDP, which also alleged that Buruji is a card-carrying member of another political party in Mushin, Lagos State, however, said it would continue to manage him, hoping that he would return to the party either in Ogun or Lagos State. The allegation was com-

ing against the backdrop of the call by the Kashamu Buruji’s faction which urged Chief Obasanjo not allow his name to be dragged in the mud by some members to perpetrate illegalities. PDP, however, inaugurated a civic reception organising committee to welcome home former President Olusegun Obasanjo who recently retired his chairmanship position of the party’s BOT. The 17-man committee, chaired by Prince Yemi Adefulu, was inaugurated by the state chairman of the party, Senator Dipo Odujinrin, with the mandate to plan and execute a befitting grand civic reception for Chief Obasanjo. It will be recalled that the former President, who resigned his position in April this year, said he did so to enable him devote more time to international affairs with which he had been involved since leaving office in May

2007. Speaking at the inauguration, Odujinrin said the state chapter of the party deemed the reception fit for Obasanjo because of his roles in keeping Nigeria united and that his tenure as BOT chairman witnessed the victory of the party in 2007 general elections. Odujinrin, who also said the committee has 90 days to submit its report, stressed that the reception, which is coming almost five months after, was not a belated one bearing in mind that his executive committee was just elected less than a month ago. In his acceptance speech, chairman of the reception committee, Adefulu described Obasanjo as “an enigma, a unique man, a great Yoruba man, a warrior, an intellectual, a military and political strategist, a statesman, a resilient man tutored by war and nurtured by experience”.

J K Randle family holds annual thanksgiving

he J.K. Randle family on Saturday 28th July held their annual thanksgiving and memorial service at The Parish of Chelsea, St. Luke’s and Christ Church, Christ Church Street, Chelsea, London As this year’s memorial service coincided with the London Olympic Games, the assistant Vicar James Heard advised members of the Randle family to emulate the contributions of their grandfather Dr. J.K. Randle, who founded the first political party in Nigeria – The Peoples Union in 1908 and made generous contribution to the development of education and sports (particu-

larly swimming). The oldest sporting competition in Nigeria is the Dr. J.K. Randle Swimming Competition which was launched in 1928. Chief J.K. Randle was the Chef-de-Mission of the Nigerian Olympic Team to Melbourne, Australia in 1956 and the Randle Hospital Surulere is named after him. He was the embodiment of the Olympic spirit of excellence through sports. He died at the age of 47. He was the Chairman of Lagos Race Club as well as the Island Club. The Vicar prayed for the enduring success and wellbeing of the Randle family, but reminded the audience

that to whom much is given, much is expected and that the least that the present generation should aspire to is to not only equal, but surpass the superlative achievements and philanthropy of their illustrious ancestors. The Vicar was emphatic that the virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work and humility do not recognise the artificial borders of race, tribe, religion, colour or gender. They are the sterling attributes which generations of Olympians have striven to enshrine as worthy of supreme effort, commitment, and devotion, not just for self gratification but for the upliftment of the spirit, soul, and humanity.

assiduously to smoothen the rough edges in the party before the election. Mustafa said: “The main problem is lack of inclusiveness. We will reform the party and there will be reconciliation to give everyone a sense of belonging. The meeting was a family affair where we told ourselves the bitter truth.” Assuring of PDP’s victory in the governorship election, Alhaji Mustafa appealed to the party members

in Ondo State to remain peaceful and law-abiding. The committee was given one week within which to submit its report. Also speaking, the PDP governorship candidate for the poll, Chief Olusola Oke, said that he was encouraged by the resolve of the national leadership to support the state chapter, adding that participants were satisfied with the step taken to set up the committee. He said: “We will take

this home and ensure that PDP will reclaim Ondo State. We are delighted over this committee saddled with responsibility of uniting every member ahead of the forthcoming election.” Among the prominent politicians present at the meeting were former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni, Senator Victor Oyofo, former members of the National Assembly and members of the state leadership of the party.

Ex-dep governor rues falling standard of education in Ekiti ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

ormer Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Abiodun Aluko, has said standard of education would continue to be on the decline in the state if the government did not focus on policies capable of transforming the sector. Aluko, who decried students’ performance in public examinations, which was 31 per cent in 2010 and slumped to 15 per cent in 2012, said the decline, which set in since the Dr Kayode Fayemi government assumed office,

had negative impacts on the future of the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain told journalists in Ikere Ekiti yesterday that among “the multifarious dimension problems that culminated in the falling education standard were the disillusionment of teachers owing to the stoppage of their 27.5 per cent increment and other inhuman treatments meted to them. Aluko, who said the “controversial competency test for teachers was ill conceived and ill-timed,” said certain things were sup-

Politics

posed to be in place before a test could be conducted. These, he said, included constant seminars to enhance and improve the output of the teachers with a view to boosting the performance of the students. Aluko said: “For teachers to do a test, they must undergo trainings, especially during holidays. “Such examination would then be used to assess the teachers and used as well for promotion purposes. The examinations should be based on their areas of specialisation, there must be a syllabus or outline.

Celebrity

2015: Battle ahead for Suswan, Gemade •The senatorial ticket for Benue East Senatorial District, Benue State, in 2015 is available only to one person, Governor Gabriel Suswam –Elders Forum, PDP, Benue East Senatorial District. •I will devour anyone who dares to stand in my way in politics –Banabas Gemade, Senator, Benue East Senatorial District

I am blessed to be beautiful Rukky Sanda

Saturday Starter N5,000 note: To be or not to be?

I I

t is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done…the N5,000 note will serve as a good pool of storage of accounts and savings and it will also be quite portable. –Dr Ayo Teriba, CEO, Economic Associates was shocked when I saw the Àgure of N40 billion proposed for printing the currency. Everything in the country is now in billions and trillions; people are now stealing public funds in billions and trillions –Chief John Oyegun, former Federal Permanent Secretary and Third Republic governor of Edo State

e should be worried about saving and productive investment; creation of wealth and jobs, diversiÀcation of economy and improvement in infrastructure and qualities of life and not about currency denominations. N5,000 note is merely to make it easy to carry notes. So, it is not the issuing of currency denomination or hiking of units that creates inÁation or that should cause so much uproar. –Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, renowned economist and former Minister of Finance

x SeTalk 22 things to do to take him there

This column is x-rated

South East

Friday, August 31, 2012

Emekuku nine: Imo govt attributes death to generator fume CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Imo State government has finally come out with its autopsy report on the nine persons, including a pregnant mother who died mysteriously on Saturday, July 8, 2012 in Umuakuru, Emekuku, in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, attributing the cause of the death to generator fume poisoning. Speaking yesterday in Owerri, in a state radio phone-in programme, Commissioner for Health, Dr.

Joe Obi-Njoku, said the family of nine died as a result of fume poisoning which they inhaled while asleep. He said the notion that the family was killed by a strange deity could not be substantiated, adding that the autopsy result revealed fume poisoning. He maintained that a visit to the place by his team of health officials on the day of the incident proved that a generating set was found close to the house. But, the commissioner said in order not to preempt the autopsy result, the gov-

ernment waited until the result was out. However, the community has disagreed with the autopsy result, saying that there was no generating set near the home on the day that the incident occurred. According to one of the village heads, who did not want his name in print, “We were with the Njoku’s family on the day of the incident and there was nothing like a generating set as claimed by the state government. “Government wants to explain away the mystery surrounding the death of

the Njoku family, but we are not swayed and we will continue searching until we unravel the truth cause of the tragic incidence.” It will be recalled that some members of Njoku family had blamed the death on one of their kinsman, who had a lingering land squabble. The nine dead persons, including the only son of the family, Paschal Njoku, his wife, Juliana and their five children, were home to bury their grandmother, Felicia Njoku, on that fateful Saturday, but none survived to tell the story.

Former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, arriving for the inauguration of Orient Petroleum in Agulei-Otu, yesterday.

Group blames leadership failure for insecurity, poverty CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he mounting insecurity and abject poverty ravaging the states in the South-East geo-political zone have been blamed on leadership failure and inability of leaders to meet its obligations to the people. A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the CLEEN Foundation International, made the disclosure during a two-day seminar titled; “Right-Based Approach to Development” held at Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Owerri, the Imo State capital. Speaking at the event, the head of the foundation in Owerri, Mr. Ifeanyi Anyanwu, noted that, “a situation where the government fails to provide basic amenities for the people, where it

fails to create employment, the only option left is for the people to resort to self help, which often times leads to crime.” According to him, the near collapse of the industrial sector in the country, particularly in the SouthEast, occasioned by bad governance, has resulted in high level of unemployment. He added “If the government provides an enabling environment through the right policies hinged on accountability, the temptation to take to crime by the nation’s youth will be drastically reduced.” The foundation also blamed ignorance on the part of the people for the poor economic and social state of the zone, saying that, “This training therefore is aimed at broadening our

knowledge of right-based approach for adoption as a tool in promoting good governance in the South-East and Nigeria at large.” Also, Chairman of the Association of Indigenous Imo Town Unions, Chief Emeka Diwe, disclosed that the collective input of the people through various organised communities in the development of the zone far outweighs that of the government, especially in the rural areas, which forms more than 80 per cent of the Igbo population and land mass. He said developmental consciousness among the Igbo has tremendously helped in laying a solid foundation for the government to actualise its development objective, but lamented that government has failed to take advantage of the situation.

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Challenge N5, 000 note in court, senator tasks NBA G EORGE OJI ABUJA

embers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have been asked to add their voice to the growing opposition against the proposed introduction of new N5, 000.00 notes by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by litigating the policy in court. A senator representing Akwa Ibom NorthEast, Senator Ita Enang, who gave this charge said the legal option has become imperative in order to ascertain whether or not the action of the CBN governor was actually within the law and the constitution. In a remark he made at a luncheon he hosted for members of the NBA (Class of ’85), to mark his 50th birthday anniversary at the Sheraton Hotel Abuja, the lawmaker said as Nigerians and trustees of this country, who have put in over 27 years of legal practice, lawyers should be interested in any matter or policy that is taken by government or any government parastatal, because it will affect their generation and the generation of their children.

His words: “I want to charge the NBA, particularly the Law Class of 1985, to take very serious interest in this matter and if need be take out writ for it to be determined in court whether powers exercised are within the powers under the law and constitution.” Some of the issues the court should be asked to determine according to Enang are whether the CBN can issue a currency and re-denominate the currency of a country without the legislature. Secondly, is the exercise of this power within the exclusive powers of the CBN? Thirdly, should the president or government in power, be parties to the new monetary policy? Fourthly, is the denomination of the currency of a country not an economic matter for that country and should standard practice all over the world not be a guide?

Sanusi

Jonathan has failed South-East, says CD CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Campaign for Democracy (CD) in the South-East yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has failed the zone in terms of Federal Government’s infrastructural development and poverty alleviation programmes even as the organisation described the second Niger Bridge as a mirage. The CD lamented the lack of viable Federal Government projects cited in any of the five states in the South-East by the present administration, despite claims by the federal lawmakers from the zone that they had attracted several federal projects in this dispensation. This was contained in a

statement signed by Dede Uzor Uzor and Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo, chairman and secretary of the SouthEast region of the CD respectively and made available to National Mirror. The human rights crusaders accused the Federal Government of playing politics with the development of the region, adding that the zone has about the highest rate of insecurity, unemployment and poverty in the country. The group also deplored the condition of Federal Government roads in the zone, stating that more lives have been lost to avoidable road accidents in the zone than any other part of the country. “We are also surprised that up till now there has been no feasibility study on the promised second Niger

Bridge and it seems to us that it is a mirage again. According to the organization; “About three presidents had promised to build the second Niger Bridge, even former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also commissioned it without a single record of the commissioning in government files.” The CD said further: “Statistics shows that out of about 8,750 kilometers of federal ‘Trunk A’ roads in the country, the SouthEast has about 3,480 kilometers, adding that only about 980 kilometers are motorable, while over 2,500 kilometers are death traps fraught with nearto-hell ditches, which it said had claimed over 1, 223 lives within a year of President Jonathan’s administration.”

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South-South

Friday, August 31, 2012

Ibori’s $15m bribe: Delta PRP boss writes Justice Kolawole SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN AND AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

hairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Delta State, Mr. Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, has written Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the alleged $15m bribe offered the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, by former Governor James Ibori. In the letter entitled: “Re:

•Keyamo wants Ribadu, Uba, Achigbu arrested Court orders CBN to release U.S. $15m bribe,” which was made available to journalists in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Emmanuel told Justice Kolawole that his decision was informed by the court order in which the judge was reported to have given 14 days deadline to anyone who wished to lay claim to the money to do so, failure of which the prayer of the applicants seeking to have the money forfeited to them would be granted. He said: “My Lord, I most

humbly submit here, that the said money belongs to the people and government of Delta State. I am a Delta by birth and I know this as a fact.” Backing up his letter with what he called facts, Emmanuel said: “As at April 2007 that this money was given to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as bribe, Chief James Onanefe Ibori was still the governor of Delta State. His Excellency, Governor James Onanefe Ibori, never brought his personal money to run the Affairs of

Delta State at any point in time. All monies spent by him for whatever purpose were money belonging to the people and government of Delta State. “The application filed by the applicants is, therefore, a deliberate and carefully calculated attempt to steal this money, which belongs to the people and government of Delta State. “It is only morally and legally just and right for the court to order the immediate and unconditionally re-

L-R: Corporate Affairs Manager of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Oyeyode, President, Chief Lugard Aimiuwu and Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, during the Institute’s visit to Oba of Benin, yesterday.

Oil spill: Shell shuts Bayelsa flow station EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

hell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) yesterday said it has shut its flow line at Nembe Creek 2 flow station and quickly deployed booms to stop the spread of the oil spill which occurred last Wednesday. In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, SPDC spokesman Precious Okolobo denied an allegation by the Nembe community that the spill impacted the environment in the area, adding that it had been contained within the flow line of the right of way. Okolobo said: “A leak was observed on a flow line that produces into Nembe Creek-2 flow station yesterday (August 29). The line was shut in, and booms were quickly deployed to stop spread of any spilled oil. The spilled oil is contained within the flow line

right-of-way, and there is no impact on the environment.” Okolobo further said a joint investigation team planned to visit the site of the spill today to determine the cause of the leak. But Chairman, Oil and

Gas Committee of Nembe Council of Chiefs, Nengi James, insisted that the spill had impact on the creeks and river in Nembe, leading to the loss of aquatic lives. James expressed dismay that fishermen in the area no longer embark on fishing

expedition because of the magnitude of the spill. The people of Nembe had faulted SPDC for failing to clean-up an oil spill that occurred in the area on August 16 this year, describing it as insensitivity on the part of the oil firm.

DPP chieftain dismisses exco dissolution claim AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

he Delta State chapter of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has described as mere wickedness the alleged dissolution of its executive. DPP described the claim as ploy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop it from participating in the forthcoming local government election in the state. DPP Chairman, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, said yesterday in Asaba that no fewer than 44 faceless persons were recruited by those he called the “party’s enemies”

to create the impression that the party was in crisis. Ezeagwu said the action of the 44 faceless persons was an aberration. He added that having gone through the records of the party from the ward to the state levels, it was discovered that the 44 faceless persons were recruited by the “enemies” to create crisis within DPP. According to Ezeagwu, the major aim of the “enemies” was to ensure that the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) did not honour correspondence from the present executive of DPP as re-

gards the forthcoming local government elections. He said: “And if you watch, it was only the 25 local government areas of Delta State that were represented there. We have 36 states in this country, only one state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is dissolving the national body of a party, is that not an aberration?” Ezeagwu stressed that it was not the right of any individual, group or sycophant to register or deregister any political party, but rather an exclusive preserve of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

turn of the said $15m to the people through the government of Delta State.” Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Festus Keyamo has called for the immediate arrest and interrogation of the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the last general election, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; a former Special Assistant on Special Duties to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Andy Uba and a businessman, Mr. Chibuike Achigbu, in respect of the $15m bribe allegedly offered by Ibori. Keyamo made the call in a statement he sent yesterday to journalists in Benin, the Edo State capital. It will be recalled that the federal and Delta State governments are currently locked in a legal tussle over the ownership of the alleged bribe. Keyamo asked why EFCC deposited the money in the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) even when it has the facilities to keep exhibits. He asked both the federal and the state governments why they were struggling to recover the exhibit of a crime without first arresting, investigating and prosecuting the culprits that have openly confessed their

role in the offence. Keyamo said: “In the meantime, James Ibori has been extradited to the United Kingdom, tried and convicted of some other offences, which do not include giving the $15m bribe or laundering that sum. In other words, if the appeal of the EFCC against Ibori succeeds at the Supreme Court, Ibori can still be tried in Nigeria for laundering the sum of $15m and giving it as bribe, since he was never tried for those offences in United Kingdom. It will not amount to double jeopardy. “It is with this state of affairs that the Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, sparked off controversy recently when it applied to court that the said money be forfeited to the Federal Government. The Delta State Government has also come forward to lay claim to the money. And a certain businessman named Chibuike Achigbu and Dr. Andy Uba, the former Special Assistant on Special Duties and Domestic Affairs to President Olusegun Obasanjo, have also claimed in court that they were the proxies through whom the money was given to Ribadu, but that it was for a different purpose other than bribe.”

Scarcity likely in Edo over fuel laboratory test SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

onsumers of petroleum products in Edo State may face another round of fuel scarcity over inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to carry out the mandatory laboratory test on the products from Port Harcourt Refinery. NNPC may, therefore, be forced to shut down its mega stations in the state because of the development. It was reliably gathered yesterday from authorities of the mega stations that the NNPC’s filling stations have been selling products without mandatory tests at the PPMC Depot in Benin City, where the laboratory quality tests were supposed to have been carried out, following the depot’s closure by the Edo State Board of Inland Revenue

three weeks ago over a N35million tax debt. Following the closure of the Warri Refinery for the purpose of routine maintenance, the NNPC mega stations in Edo State have been receiving petroleum products from the Port Harcourt Refinery. It is not known whether the management of the mega stations will also use the opportunity to put their meters, which customers have alleged are now dispensing fraudulent sales, in order. It was reliably learnt also that the sealing of the PPMC depot laboratory in Benin has resulted in the movement of the test kits from the depot to Sapele Road location of the largest and busiest mega station in the state, from where the management of the other stations queue to receive a meagre two-truck daily supply to their stations.

North

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Lokoja N1bn food storage facility almost ready’

Soldiers’ involvement in internal security bad for military –NIPR

A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, has faulted the use of military personnel to combat insecurity in the country. The NIPR President, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi, who said this in a statement yesterday, however, described moves by the Federal Government to engage the leadership of Boko Haram in dialogue as a welcome development. Abdullahi said the security situation in the country, especially in the North, should give all right thinking patriots enough cause for concern, adding that politicising it would not solve the problem. The NIPR president said deploying military personnel to help contain civil matters had exposed them to non-military life experiences. “It is not uncommon these days to find military men at the various checkpoints involved in altercations with the same civil populace that they are supposed to be protecting. This does no good for the image of the institution, even as it has the tendency to make them lose sight of their primary responsibility to the country,” he said. Abdullahi suggested proper training and funding of the police to meet with the ever-growing security challenges, stressing that some sort of intervention force between the police and the military could be set up to assist the police when the need arose.

L-R: Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Alhaji Samaila Yakawada; Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Reuben Buhari during a visit to the state secretariat in Kaduna, yesterday.

Fire guts Emir of Katsina’s palace JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

ire broke out in a section of the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, in the early hours of yesterday and destroyed property worth millions of naira. Although no life was lost, the fire, which begun about 3.15am, destroyed two buildings housing the emir’s wives.

Sources in the emirate said the emir was not around when the incident occurred, but his wives had to rush out of the buildings when they noticed the fire. The fire, the sources disclosed, was caused by an electrical fault in one of the rooms, but spread to other rooms before it was eventually put out by the fire fighters with the assistance from the emir’s servants.

The inferno lasted for about three hours due to the absence of enough hands to quench it. It was finally put out at 6am. When our correspondent visited the emirate, security agents were restricting movement into the palace, while about eight fire-fighting vehicles were stationed at strategic places in the palace’s premises. Vehicles of the State

Environmental Protection Agency, SEPA, were trying to evacuate the burnt equipment, while sympathisers gathered in groups to discuss the incident. Although the emirate refused to speak on the inferno, the Katsina State Fire Service Director, Mr. Innocent Bature, confirmed the incident. He, however, did not give details about what happened.

Ground rent: Title holders owe Nasarawa N5.2bn - Commissioner

asarawa State Government yesterday warned land title holders in the state to pay their outstanding ground rents before the expiration of a one-month grace period or face the wrath of the law. The government said it was owed over N5.2bn in ground rents. The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town

Planning, Mr. Sonny Agassi, who gave the warning, said the debts were from the over 8,000 titles issued since the creation of the state. He said: “The state government would not hesitate to invoke the relevant provisions of the law in this respect at the expiration of the grace period.” Agassi said the government would no longer con-

done a situation where citizens refused to pay rents on their titles. The commissioner said despite the issuance of demand notices on defaulters, most of them had remained adamant. He assured the public that the government was committed to ensuring effective and efficient land administration in the state.

According to him, the government has already made the acquisition of Rights of Occupancy and Certificates of Occupancy very easy. Agassi said there were many unclaimed statutory “bankable” title documents in the ministry, and advised applicants to cross-check with the ministry with a view to collecting such documents.

Jebba PHCN workers celebrate Nnaji’s exit WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

orkers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, at Jebba Hydro Power Station are still celebrating the exit of the power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who resigned

on Tuesday. The workers went wild with jubilation when they heard that the minister had thrown in the towel. They marched round the streets of Jebba on the southern side of Niger River, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: “The gods of PHCN is in action,” “Congratulations, PHCN workers, Nnaji sacked,” “The enemy of

PHCN sacked,” “The man that said that his people will not enjoy the fruit of labour dropped,” “The man who wanted to put our fate in his hands has resigned,” “The enemy of PHCN is sacked,” “The man who said that our labour will be in vain has been sacked.” The branch Chairman of NUEE, Mr. Tony Ofuokwu, who addressed the crowd, said: “We expect

that whoever that is coming in should move round the sectors of the PHCN and have first hand information of what is happening. He should not just sit and decide anything he wants. He should consult relevant stakeholders and carry them along in policy initiation and execution. “He should be a God-fearing man, who has the interest of this country at heart;

a man that will come out to tell Nigerians the truth. He should carry all stakeholders along in his tenure.” Meanwhile, a cross section of people who spoke with our correspondent in Ilorin expressed joy that power supply in the country, particularly in Kwara State, has improved, not minding whether the exit of the minister or the privatisation of the PHCN

he N1bn 25,000 tons capacity food storage facility, being constructed by the Federal Government at Zango Daji, Lokoja in Kogi State has reached 75 per cent completion. The Site Manager of the project, Mr. Isaac Oguche, made the disclosure in Lokoja yesterday while speaking with newsmen after a guided tour of the facility. He said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the completion of the facility in November, to put it in use early next year. Oguche said the contract awarded in 2008 was among the 20 projects being executed in Ilorin, Abuja, Yenogoa, Ilesa and other parts of the country. He said the facility was built under the government’s strategic grains reserve programme being supervised by the National Food Reserve Agency. Oguche said on completion, the facility would be useful to the Federal and state governments as well as the host community in employment generation. He lauded the administration of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State for making land available for the project, saying that the titles to the land were being processed by the appropriate agencies of the government.

Wada

played the magic. “We are grateful to the government that electricity is now stable. I don’t know if it is because a minister has resigned or that the government has privatised PHCN. All I know is that there is regular power supply now and we are happy,” Mallam Akeem Bello, a welder said in his workshop at Tanke area of the state capital.

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

N5,000 note: Opposition parties kick

Osun at 21: The dream and the funfare

ACN faults $40m payment to ex-militants FELIX NWANERI

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as “self serving, irresponsible, untenable and illogical” attempts to defend the handover of the nation’s maritime domain and responsibility of protecting

oil pipelines to former Niger Delta militants. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also described as “illegal, unconstitutional and indefensible” the alleged $40 million being paid annually to the ex- militants to guard the pipelines.

The party said a decision as momentous as these ought to have been a subject of rigorous national debate. It added that the transaction lacks transparency and due process and therefore passes a vote of no confidence on the nation’s armed forces and security agencies which are constitutionally mandated to pro-

vide these services. ACN pointed out that a major cause of the present over heating of the polity is the reckless manner political power is exercised and monopolised by a few individuals, regretting that some actions and inactions of the present administration have lent credence to the widely held belief that

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Ahmed Maccido; Sen. Odion Ugbesia and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Magnus Abe at a function in Abuja, recently.

Opposition alliance against PDP unrealistic – Gemade OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ormer National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Barnabas Gemade has predicted that the plot to unseat the party by the opposition parties led by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2015 general elections will be unrealistic. Fielding questions from newsmen at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, Gemade said opposition parties in the past had severally ganged up against the ruling PDP but all their machinations had been fruitless. “What is new in the gang up that you think we should be afraid of ? Haven’t the opposition been ganging up before in

good and fantastic party that has had a lot of chequered history because of its constant falling to wrong hands from time to time. Gemade identified the major problem militating against PDP as selfishness on the part of those who won election on the platform of the party who put personal interest above party interest.

it is waging and exerting power only for the benefits of a section of the country. The party recalled that it issued a press release on January 22, in which it queried the rationale behind the memo that was presented to the Federal Executive Council that month, seeking the council’s approval for a so-called strategic concessioning partnership between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Global West to enforce regulatory compliance and surveillance of the entire Nigerian maritime domain. ACN noted that it had then expressed serious concern over the Federal Government’s withdrawal of a bill before the National Assembly that would have carried out the same functions now being outsourced to a private firm, insisting that such is unacceptable. It said: “We state again emphatically that it is totally unacceptable and unconscionable – even unprecedented especially in a fragile federation like ours – for any government

CPC calls for creation of state police

the history of democracy in Nigeria?” he asked. Gemade maintained that even if the CPC and ACN are able to reach an agreement it will not affect the winning streak of the PDP because of the spread of the ruling party compared to opposition parties that are only on ground in a few states. “As far as the political equation is concerned you

are talking about six or seven states versus 23 states. So, by simple arithmetic you will tell me whether a party that is on ground in six states is likely to dethrone the one that is firmly on ground in 23 states of the federation,” he said. Responding to a question on 14 years of formation of PDP, the former National Chairman of the party, said: “This is a very

PDP has done well in 14 years – Aliyu

s the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) celebrates 14 years of existence as a political party today, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has reflected on the representative government in the country in the last 13 years with a verdict that the party is leading Nigeria in the right direction. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary,

Danladi Ndayebo, Governor Aliyu declared that the country has fared well under the party in spite of criticisms and hurtful remarks from civil societies and opposition parties. Aliyu said since PDP came into power against the background of a turbulent period of military rule which reached its heights in 1998 ,the party has made

significant progress in returning the country to the path of sustainable development and steady economic growth. He said in the last 13 years, PDP officials at all levels of government have worked tirelessly to inject fresh ideas into all sectors of the economy so as to grow the nation’s capacity in local production and im-

to handover the security of its entire maritime domain to a private firm a group of ex-militants for that matter given the far-reaching implications of such a decision for trade, security, ports and shipping of the country.” “What is the agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in allowing this to happen? Why would a government so willingly abdicate its responsibility of ensuring the security of its maritime domain? What were the ministers thinking when they approved this dangerous memo,” the party queried. It further said that “those who sought to justify the payments on the grounds that since the militants took over security of our pipelines oil theft has been on the decline and that production has gone up have completely missed the point.” The party therefore called on the National Assembly to immediately wade into the matter with a view to reversing the dangerous development in view of its national security implications.

ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to consider state police in the ongoing constitution review. The National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), added that such will help

prove the quality of service delivery. This, he said, has yielded positive results. The statement said members of the PDP and indeed Nigerians have every cause to celebrate, emphasising that under the PDP, the nation has for the first time witnessed 13 years of an uninterrupted journey to the proverbial Promised Land.

to curb the menace of insecurity confronting the country. “Because of the security challenges that we are facing there is a tendency for the people to demand for state police. “We see that in the cities in U.S. New York Police Department (NYPD), for the city of New York for instance, was very effective and the police were everywhere in the community. He, however, told NAN that for the state police to be effective, immunity clause must be removed. “Once we agree that the idea is good, we must first of all work on the psyche of Nigerian public office holders. Before you create state police, remove the immunity, that clause that makes the governors to believe that they cannot be prosecuted,” he said.

Politics

Osun State government, this week, celebrated her 21st years of existence. SINA FADARE who witnessed the event, reports.

he issue of restructuring the country took a centrestage this week when Osun State celebrated her 21st anniversary of existence. During the anniversary lecture delivered by Senator Babafemi Ojodu, the issue of federalism re-echoed again. Ojudu, vice chairman, Senate Committee on Public Service and Establishment in his lecture titled ‘strengthening grass root development through local government creation: The constitutional and legal challenges’ delivered at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, lamented that the 1999 Constitution which was imposed by the military on the people is the bane of their political uncertainty. According to him, there are no fundamental changes that can be done to the constitution that will bring the desired change because the constitution is a fraud. “We must all join the on going battle to ensure a national transformation that will lead to the writing of a new constitution by the people of Nigeria. A constitution that start with ‘we the people’ without consulting the people, such as the current one, is a fraud.” Ojodu emphasised that any attempt to subvert the people’s constitution and make some token amendments to serve the interests of the people in Abuja will fail. He said: “It is only in a people’s constitution and a truly federal one that we can have the guarantees of creating viable, effective and efficient local government areas that will genuinely lead to grassroots development. “Those who have ensured that this country is run as a unitary state under the pretext of federalism, those who have profited from the dysfunction of the Nigeria system, those who are sworn to take what they do not deserve and deny others their patrimony would do all that they can to block the possibility of a truly federal system.” The lawmaker argued that the local government which is the closest to the people is far away from the people in terms of development, adding that the imposed constitution has turned the local government councils to mere appendages of the state, instead of being autonomous as stipulated under federalism. He regretted that those who stole the mandate of the people totally bastardised the idea and ideal of the local government system to the extent that they “established a terrible precedent which needed to be corrected.” He challenged members of his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), to make a difference by starting all over and give the credibility which the local government deserve in order to carry the crusade of total emancipation of the people to their doorstep. “We cannot proclaim our democratic tenets without following it to the letter. In all the states that we control, we must make haste to ensure that elections are held in the existing government areas and that elected people are in office in all the councils. We may not like all the dimen-

Friday, August 31, 2012

OSUN AT 21

The dream and the funfare

Aregbesola

Akande

WE HAVE HOPE THAT THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER WITH THE SOLID FOUNDATION WE ARE PUTTING IN

PLACE IN THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN YOUTH BUILDING CAPACITY, OUR FUTURE IS SECURED sions of the results, but that is the price we have to pay for embracing democracy,” he explained. The lawmaker stated that it is the business of a state government to determine the number of local government areas in its jurisdiction, preferably if such councils will be viable and productive to the yearning and aspiration of its people. His words: “What most of what the local government areas spend today on overhead can be channelled to development efforts. They can help in generating employment by providing a conducive atmosphere for the growth and expansion of small scale industries. One of the ways of doing this is by being alive to their constitutional duties such as constructions and maintenance of roads, streets, drainage, parks and public highways.” Also speaking, the governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by his Deputy, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, noted that the annual celebration is not a jamboree but rather a time to rub minds together, since ideas rule the world. She added that it is a time for sober reflection on issues that bother on national security, identity, economy, political stabil-

ity and international relations. According to the governor, the ideas generated from the lecture, will dovetail into robust debates that will further culminate into policy actions to move the state forward. “Such robust debates are necessary to provoke self-appraisal and renewal of our social institutions.” Aregbesola reminded members of the National Assembly that they owe Nigerians the moral duty of examining whatever the legal, political, and constitutional constraints that impedes the creation of viable local governments in this country. He, however, maintained that local government without feasible and quality local governance amounts to mere duplication of ‘corruption centres’. The governor stated that as a result, grassroots politics then becomes the mechanism that aids and abets corruption.

The funfare The Osun school callisthenics progamme launched during the celebration added glamour and candour to the event. About 5,000 students (JSS1 and JSS2) displayed a wonderful performance at the township stadium; it was a reminiscence of the Kekere Akin introduced by the Bola Ige government in the old Oyo State in 1979. The students used their callisthenics impression to write various captions like, “welcome”, “Rauf new era”, “Ifowosowopo” in various colourful designs. Aregbesola said his government decided to engage the youths of the state in various capacity building and physical exercise that span about six months of intensive training in order to prepare them for greater future challenges. “The callisthenics programme is not only an out-of-school sports activity but a lifestyle-change project for building a new generation of students who are physically robust, mentally sound and socially welladjusted. And we are not alone in this view.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We have history to draw upon, and this is also supported by practices in other lands and climes. Even the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) regard physical education programmes as part of its crucial brief. “The Osun School Callisthenics is not a frivolous brainwave that will be swept away by the tide of time. Rather, it is a well-conceived programme as part of the overall redesign and reorganisation of the education system in the State of Osun. This administration views physical education with all seriousness, and we regard formal education as incomplete without its physical development component. Accordingly, we give it the required priority in the restructuring of education in the state” The governor pointed out that the programme was specifically design in a way to provide “a platform for fraternisation and positive integration and engagement in a worthwhile endeavour. It makes the students unavailable for potentially destructive out-of-school activities, such as political brigandage and other criminal activities. This is further underscored by the fact that sporting, besides other things, has become a big industry in our modern world. It is not only advantageous for the individual sports-person in terms of earning a living, it is also important for the sporting nation in regard to its status in the comity of nations and its performance in international sporting competitions.” He further explained that the state was able to go far in this veritable venture because of the good relationship it has with the Cuban government where the trainers came from, adding that the cultural affinity between Nigeria and Cuba has yielded fruitful result. In his comment, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Hugo Ramos, said that he was happy to have a good relationship with the people of Osun State who are culturally rich and have human resources which can be developed to international standard. He assured that the government of Cuba is ready to go to any length to assist Nigerians in the development of these potentials who are future leaders. Speaking to National Mirror on the significant of the event, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Sunday Akere noted that 21 years in the life of a state is worthy of celebrating. “When one looks back at the journey so far, one can say that the goals, aspirations and the dreams of the founding fathers have not been fully achieved, because the state have been unfortunately in the past, have the privilege of various leaders that are not really committed towards the growth and the development of the state.” According to him, the state is again lucky to have few leaders like Col. Leo Ajiborisha, Chief Bisi Akande and the present governor, Aregbesola who are truly and genuinely committed to true development of the state. “We have hope that things are getting better with the solid foundation we are putting in place in the state, especially in youth building capacity, our future is secured,” he said. The commissioner lamented that the governor is trying to squeeze water out of stone in terms of funding the numerous project going on in the state simultaneously due to his creative ability and sense of direction that are very rare to find combined with hardwork so that the fortune of the state can be turn around.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, August 31, 2012

N5,000 note: Opposition parties kick Less than four years after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) proposed the re-denomination of the nation’s currency, a policy somersault has seen it come up with a fresh plan to introduce N5,000 note into the monetary system, writes FELIX NWANERI.

THIS LAME PROJECT,

ALREADY EGREGIOUS

ondemnations have continued to trail the plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce N5,000 note, which it claimed will enhance the quality of banknotes, incorporate more effective features for the visually impaired as well as reduce the cost of production, distribution and disposal of banknotes. The bank’s governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who announced the plan last week, also revealed that the existing denomination of N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 will be redesigned with added new security features. The lower notes of N5, N10 and N20 will be converted to coins. The N5,000 note to be launched early next year, is expected to bear the faces of three prominent Nigerian female activists: Margaret Ekpo (1914 – 2006); Hajia Gambo Sawaba (1933 – 2001) and Funmilayo Kuti (1900 -1978). When introduced, the naira currency structure will become 12; six coins and six bank notes denominations. But the planned new naira note, like Sanusi’s other policies since he was appointed governor of the CBN in 2009, has evoked reactions from economy experts, stakeholders and even the opposition political parties. So far, there is a unanimous view that it is a step in the wrong direction even as the Senate has directed for its suspension. The Senate through its Committee on Banking, Currency and other Financial Institutions, ordered Sanusi, to suspend forthwith all plans to introduce the N5, 000 banknote until the National Assembly is properly briefed. The committee’s chairman, Senator Bassey Otu, said the lawmakers only learnt about the currency restructuring on the pages of the newspapers, adding: “I believe that a project of this nature requires parliamentary approval, because of the numerous and fiscal implications on the entire economy.” National Mirror x-rays the respective positions of the leading political parties, which may have prompted the Senate’s decision.

It contradicts cashless policy – ACN The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said while the introduction of the new high denomination may serve the dual purpose of raising revenue for government on one hand and reducing the cost of transactions on the other, its unintended consequences and collateral damage may far outweigh the benefits. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said there are strong historical evidence that the introduction of higher face value currency notes in an economy often signifies

INSTEAD OF CURING THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE NATION, WILL

ONLY SUCCEED IN DEEPENING THE CHASM BETWEEN THE

HAVES AND THE HAVENOTS OF THIS WELLENDOWED COUNTRY a regime of increased and sustained fiscal deficit financing. It added that issuance of such high value currency notes is likely to be perceived as an indication of government’s failure to effectively control inflation and that the N5,000 note runs counter to the recent policy of the CBN to promote a “cashless” economy by encouraging the increased use of non-cash transaction instruments. ACN noted that the policy, which is aimed at reducing the use of cash, has been justified by the need to reduce the burden of the cost of printing and distributing currency notes and therefore the introduction of a high face value currency note actually does the opposite because by reducing the unit cost of printing and transportation, it actually will promote the use of cash. The party also noted that the issuance of the new N5,000 note runs counter to the government’s often repeated commitment to fight corruption, saying: “It is widely recognised that large scale corruption tends to be facilitated by the ease with which unrecorded and large cash transactions can be made. Similarly, increased illegal/criminal, drug related and terrorist activities as well as money laundering are known to be facilitated by such unrecorded and large scale cash transaction. The ease with which the new N5,000 currency notes can be transported will make it an ideal instrument for the facilitation of these undesirable activities.” ACN cited examples of past developments in some African countries - Angola, Zaire and Zimbabwe to justify its stand on the relationship between inflation and the issuance of high value currency notes. It said: “The case of Zimbawe really depicts more graphically how rapidly things can get out of control on the introduction of high value denomination currency notes. On May 5, 2007, Zimbabwe issued currency notes with face values of Z$100 million and Z$250 million. On May 15, 2007 a new bank note of Z$500 million was issued, followed by the issue on May 20, 2007 of currency notes in denominations of Z$5 billion, Z$25 billion, and Z$50 billion. Finally, on 21 July 2007, bank notes with a face value of Z$100 billion were issued. Eventually, Zimbabwe abandoned its own currency and legalised the use of only foreign currencies. Curiously enough already in certain places in

Sanusi

gies for redirecting the nation’s commercial transactions into the virtual space. Right now, what the CBN and the Federal Government should be engaged in is establishing a clear and comprehensive electronic fraud management framework, as well as delineating of responsibility among key stakeholders, and advocating enabling laws that will inspire confidence in the country’s e-payment network, both locally and internationally; not to saddle the helpless masses with more burdens.” The party advised the Federal Government to call the CBN to order, and mandate it to streamline the resources that would be wasted in the ill-timed and unreasonable exercise into more people-friendly fiscal policies with the aim of reviving the fastwaning confidence of the masses in the government. “We believe that this lame project, instead of curing the economic problems of the nation, will only succeed in deepening the already egregious chasm between the haves and the have-nots of this well-endowed country,” the ANPP averred.

New note will increase corruption – CPC

Mohammed

Nigeria today the American dollar is the accepted legal tender.”

It will increase sufferings – ANPP The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in condemning the move described it as a calculated attempt by the Federal Government to further mop up cash in circulation and whip Nigerians just as it had done through the increase in the pump price of fuel and hike in electricity tariff. “It is an established fact that the Nigerian populace is averse to the use of coins, and therefore the decision by the Federal Government to convert some lower denomination notes to coins smells of a premeditated agenda to further mop up cash from the nation space and whip the Nigerian people in the process, just as it had done through the increase in the pump price of fuel and hike in electricity tariff. In fact, one does not need an Economics professor to know that this move will eventually cripple the value of the naira,” the party said through its spokesman, Emma Eneukwu. It added: “Going cashless has nothing to do with printing N5,000 note, but everything to do with introducing valid strate-

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in a similar reaction said that the proposed N5,000 note will further aid corruption in the country. Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, the party said: “The era of ‘Ghana-must-go bags’ dwindled with the introduction of the N500 and N1000 notes in the past. It became easier to carry millions of naira in moderately-sized brief cases and, inexorably, increasing the incidences of high-profile bribery scandals in the polity.” The party added that while it agrees with the CBN’s argument that printing of notes is more expensive than minting of coins, “it is difficult to believe that the solution lies in converting the N5, N10 and N20 notes to coins. First, the cultural values of the Nigerian people do not favour use of coins. The question is: how did we fare with the previous conversion of 50k, N1 and N2 notes to coins? In fact, those currencies tacitly went out of circulation as a result of disuse. “With an economy very susceptible to fragile macro-economic distortions, the tendency is often for the price of goods and services to be at par with the currency notes in circulation. What will invariably happen is the spiralling inflation that may cause further macro-economic distortions and unwittingly, bringing about political upheavals. The existence of the foregoing scenarios may exacerbate the already polarised Nigerian polity of have’s and havenot’s, with the systematic break-down of the middle class.” The CPC disagreed with the CBN governor’s argument that various segments of the Nigerian state will be encouraged to create avenues for the usage of coins, saying that as plausible as his position may sound, the question is: what efforts have been made in the past to mobilise these segments of the state on the usage of coins and what has been the success rate? The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to make a statement on the policy.

Editorial

Friday, August 31, 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

Beyond recovery of stolen fuel subsidy funds F T he Federal Government’s reported recovery of part of stolen fuel subsidy funds, though a plus for the anti-graft campaign, requires to be improved upon to convince the public that the FG truly appreciates the urgent need to steer the nation away from the inglorious culture of graft and impunity. The recovery process seems to center on a few marketers of petroleum products, about 25 of whom are already facing criminal charges in court for claiming purported fuel subsidy with fictitious documents for fuel not supplied. But spreading the dragnet wide enough to capture the entire rogue chain, particularly oil industry regulatory agencies, officials and financial institutions complicit in the perpetration of the economic sabotage, seems not to have been seriously addressed. It is exceptionally important for the FG to realize that without the ungodly connivance of such partners in crime, it most probably would have been impossible for criminally-minded marketers to perpetrate the massive subsidy frauds of close to N2 trillion in two years. Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State had shortly after a recent meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Abuja, confirmed that an unspecified amount of money had been recovered from the verified N400 billion out of the stolen subsidy

funds. The NEC, according to Obi, is in support of FG’s efforts to clean up the entire value chain and process in the petroleum industry. Notwithstanding the bribery scandal he splashed on his face Rep Farouk Lawan headed a House of Representatives’ probe committee that did the excellent job of exposing the rump of the rot in petroleum subsidy management. Most of the findings have since been confirmed by the report of a presidential panel headed by Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. The confirmation of the rip off and additional investigations by the anti graft agencies led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) triggered the ongoing trial of the suspects. Reports allege that subsidy theft is perpetrated through countless ways and in a chain involving the offices in the Presidency, Attorney General of the Federation, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), marketing firms, private audit firms hired at huge costs to verify claims, and financial institutions through which the stolen money is laundered. The fraudulent process involves the payment of subsidies without documents or approval by the relevant authorities. Indeed, the theft became so

OR A THOROUGH

CLEANSING OF THE

SUBSIDY RACKET, ALL

OFFICIAL REGULATORY COLLABORATORS, AGENCIES AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN THE SHAME DESERVE PROSECUTION lucrative for the subsidy fund managers that they literally went on rampage and made illegal payments amounting to N380 billion as subsidy on kerosene, long after the FG stopped kerosene subsidy payments because marketers refused to sell at the N50 per litre subsidized rate. The FG is yet to speak up on the N380 billion illegal kerosene subsidy payments. The FG’s apparent selective probe and trial seems the major reason some marketers dare the government. Secretary, Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners Association, Mr. Enoch Kanawa, for instance, reportedly expressed surprise recently that the NNPC officials, whom he claimed collected over 70 percent of the dubious trillions of naira subsidies, were yet to face the heat like marketers. The NNPC,

he said, collected N1 trillion for fuel subsidy in 2010 alone. Verification of subsidy claims and disbursements, Kanawa said, should be extended to the NNPC, PPPRA and other relevant government agencies and regulators in order to get to the root of the legendary oil industry fraud. We agree with those who commend President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for exposing the fraud epidemic in the NNPC and some of its subsidiaries, the ongoing efforts to bring the culprits to justice as well as the need to encourage the president to do more. Still, for a thorough cleansing of the subsidy racket, all official regulatory collaborators, agencies and financial institutions involved in the shame deserve prosecution to deter others. Molesting just 25 oil marketers to make refunds only trims the leaves of oil chronic industry corruption when nothing except uprooting the horrible tree seems desirable. Besides, plea bargains involving the refund of part of stolen subsidy funds in exchange for freedom are unacceptable. And we shall vehemently object to any excuses to the contrary. In addition, there exists the urgent need to gradually end the regime of real and fraudulent fuel importation by fixing the nation’s ailing refineries; while the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should provide incentives for private refiners to thrive.

ON THIS DAY August 31, 2005 A stampede on Al-Aaimmah bridge in Baghdad killed about 1,199 people. The Al-Aaimmah bridge runs across the river Tigris in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The bridge links the areas of Adhamiya, which is a majority Sunni Arab area, from its East bank, with the Shia area of Kadhimiya on its west. It was the place the deadly stampede of August 31, 2005 occurred and hundreds of Shiite pilgrims were crushed to death.

August 31, 1997 Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi AlFayed, driver Henri Paul and one other died in a car crash in Paris. Diana was the first wife of Charles, the Prince of Wales from July 29, 1981 until they divorced on August 28, 1996. On August 31, 1997, Diana died in a fatal car crash in a road tunnel in Paris, France. The accident also claimed the lives of Dodi, Henri and the acting security manager of the Hotel Ritz, Paris.

August 31, 1980 Flood in Ibadan after 12 hours of heavy downpour killed over 300 people with properties worth millions of naira destroyed. The Ogunpa River is a third-order stream with a channel length of 21.5 km and area 73.3 km2 draining the densely populated eastern part of Ibadan. It was however, the flood of 1980 that brought the river to national and international notoriety when many of the houses by its bank were swept away during the said heavy downpour.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Friday, August 31, 2012

A nation under the seizure of devaluation TOLA ADENIYI Continued from yesterday

n that era, our enlightened leaders did not consider themselves inferior to any pink skinned individual from any part of the globe. They did not behave like the latter day morons who believed that a ‘Whiteman’ was an equivalent of God. We had bright, brilliant, bold and confident men and women steering the ship of our state. Tragedy struck when morons descended on the land and like locusts, ravaged our soil. They brought the country down to their own hardly recognisable levels. They understood neither politics nor economics. And so it was difficult to decipher the sheer devilry of the EuroAmerican economic deception and they swallowed whatever the World Bank and International Monetary Fund vomited into their usually unclosed mouth. Perhaps, I should hasten to clear the air on a possible misconception: I am not saying there were no morons in the early 1960s. There were. There were people who scored E E at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level examinations, but there was no ‘do-or-die’ political machinery to force them on the people as ‘leaders’. And even these days that most of our university graduates

are poor copies, there are still very few geniuses coming out of our universities. That Nigeria has well over 30 thousand leading doctors in the US alone speaks volumes for availability of leadership materials. Now back to the morons that have hijacked power. A former Deputy President of Nigeria’s Senate once told me in a conversation that Kenya was the capital of Nairobi! And he was not joking. “Yes. I have visited Kenya several times. It is a nice city. It is the capital of Nairobi”, he insisted. Another Senator gave me a letter with Nigerian stamp affixed to it, and asked me to drop it in post for him in London for onward journey to Oxford town address! There had been military leaders who were completely intellectually barren, and yet would want you and I believe that they were intellectuals. You look at the quality of most members of the state houses of assemblies across the nation, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and you ask why God has been this unkind to Nigerians and Nigeria. How come this is the best crop that would dictate the direction for this country? Even as poor as the quality of the membership of the state and national assemblies is, I am aware that there is still a good number amongst them who are both brilliant and vibrant and are incorruptible. It is these few men and women of

A FORMER DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA’S SENATE ONCE TOLD ME IN A CONVERSATION THAT

KENYA WAS THE CAPITAL OF NAIROBI! honour and integrity who must call Mallam Sanusi, who is obviously an agent of some dark forces, to order. President Goodluck Jonathan’s Finance Minister, ‘Prime Minister’ Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala should also be constantly checked and her World Bank sponsored motives and designs thoroughly examined. We do not need a 5000 Naira bill. The money earmarked for this drunken misadventure must be utilized to create industries and enterprises that would employ our millions of unemployed graduates. Our national currency should not be further devalued and defaced. We have enough factories manufacturing toilet papers, our Central Bank should not compete with them! We have been devalued enough as human beings, whatever remains of our individual and collective human worth as Nigerians should not be thrown to the dogs. In the present circumstance, who

would summon courage and political will to fix our national currency and stop this choking devaluation of our sovereignty? Who will reverse this money guzzling presidential system of [mis-]government and restore Nigeria to the less costly parliamentary system and return Nigeria to the path of sanity? Who will give us true federalism and national fiscal responsibility? Who will give us a country led by informed and knowledgeable men and women and not nonentities slammed on our throats by international conspiracies and our local collaborators? The National Assembly, the state governors and the entire membership of the National Economic Council must rise up to stop this unmitigated madness. Nigerians must in unison stop these foreign conspiracies that are hell bent on destroying our economy, our lives and our humanity. What Mallam Sanusi should actually be considering is how to re-decimalise our currency and re-denominate the valueless 1000 Naira to 100 Naira so that 100 Naira shall be our highest denomination, and we will come back to a Naira to a Dollar regime. He should go to Ghana and see what patriotic Ghanaians have done with their re-decimalised and redenominated Cedi. Concluded Akogun Adeniyi is the Jagun Oodua of Yorubaland and former chairman, Daily Times of Nigeria

Re-Oyo lawmakers’ wives’ London jamboree FESTUS ADEDAYO

ur attention has been drawn to the well-written editorial comment published in the Sunday Mirror of August 19, 2012 headlined Oyo lawmakers’ wives London jamboree. The Oyo State government does not have any qualm with the media’s constitutional role of reporting government to the governed and indeed seeking to make the former accountable to the latter. We believe this was what your highly respected medium attempted to do in this instance. However, in the process of doing this, the said editorial comment lapsed into several assumptions and fallacies. To start with, the name of the governor of Oyo State is Abiola Ajimobi and not Ajumobi as stated in the editorial. Second, the comment is replete with inaccuracies about the state at the moment. The comment could as well have used as template the Oyo State before May, 2011. For instance, it is inaccurate to allege that Oyo state had refused to pay the federally legislated N18, 000 minimum wage. The truth on ground is that since last April, the lowest paid civil servant in the state earns N19, 100. This is verifiable. Second, the editorial board could mandate its state reporter verify the claim that government had been at loggerheads with the state branches of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This is far from the truth because, at present, there is an atmosphere of accord between government and la-

THROUGH SYSTEMIC AND SYSTEMATIC

GOVERNANCE, THE

AJIMOBI GOVERNMENT IS REMOVING FILTH FROM THE STATE AND IS SLOWLY PAINTING ITS PICTURE AS A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE bour in the state. Third, the Mirror has been one of the great media organizations which have reported and chronicled the highly applauded efforts of the Ajimobi government at forestalling the reoccurrence of the August 26, 2011 flooding in the state. In this light are about 50 streams and rivers which have so far been dredged, almost 20 collapsed bridges in various stages of reconstruction at the moment and almost 100 houses built on water plains that have been removed. Why then would the highly distinguished editorial board neglect to reckon with this highly applauded effort and instead take recourse to calling the government names? With due respect to this highly-rated board, the “indigenes” mentioned by the editorial comment as complaining of “little or no governance” in Oyo State must be the same PDP opposition in the state. The ordinary people in Oyo State see in the

Ajimobi government a return of sanity into a state which, until May 2011, was not only in a state of formlessness, Hobbesian anarchy and rot, but which had left the radar of good government and governance. We challenge the editorial board to ask the people of the state what is on ground in terms of development and progress since the PDP exited the dais. What is on ground is about 199 roads under construction; about 20 bridges under construction; 20,000 youth empowerment scheme, which though had its teething set-backs, yet remain unparalleled in the history of job intervention in the state and indeed Nigeria. There is a government in place whose operatives are undergoing self-denial for the progress of the state, as opposed to the jamboree of the past. It will interest the great National Mirror’s distinguished editorial board that in Oyo State, commissioners earn about N400, 000 total monthly take-home pay, while Permanent Secretaries under them earn far more. It is a deliberate policy of the Ajimobi government which values civil servants as the engine of growth. We are bothered by the serial denigration of progressivism, its politics and indeed the Action Congress of Nigeria in the said editorial comment. We are, however, persuaded that our great National Mirror cannot succumb to fanning the embers of partisan politics. More significantly, the great National Mirror’s editorial board can empower its correspondent to do a comparative analysis of the state of aesthetics and cleanliness of Oyo before May 2011 and now. It will be

glaring that a government that has fastforwarded the process of development of the state to this level deserves support and commendation. Right now, Oyo State, indeed the state capital, is no longer the land of filth which it got its unenviable renown for over the years. Through systemic and systematic governance, the Ajimobi government is removing filth from the state and slowly painting its picture as a beautiful landscape laced with investment opportunities. Lastly, the executive arm of Oyo State government subscribes to Baron Montesquieu principle of separation of powers and thus it should not be held responsible for the shortcomings of the state legislature. Once again, while we commend the National Mirror for upholding the timeworn principles of journalism in holding government accountable as it did in the said piece, we cannot but point out the above distortions which we are sure escaped the pen of the writers of the said piece. Dr. Adedayo is Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Mail Mirror

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gov. Obi’s water project commissioning

hanks to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State for bringing joy and happiness to the people of Nibo. Though I am not good at praising political leaders when they perform their statutory functions, I could take an exception to this given that some of the projects he has accomplished have direct impact on the local citizens of Nibo and beyond.

Tinubu on federalism

s a youth, I weep for Nigeria! Are we really in a democratic dispensation? Imagine the level of corruption. Why in the world would anyone claim that in order for us to remain together, we must not have sovereign national conference (SNC) to sort out burning issues that are eating deep into the fundamentals of our dear Nigeria. It sounds to me like that saying, “because of the dark, the child is unwilling to go and use the rest room”. With the growing restiveness in the country, a national confab of all ethnic nationalities to resolve the various national questions is inevitable. At this time of our national life, we need men of courage and action. Let them stand up to be counted. We are tired of opportunistic leaders that are concerned more with protecting their personal and geopolitical interests.

Emeka, Canada

Lamentations of a President

Y Rain-vocation: Students shielded under a convocation gown at the last convocation ceremony of the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

Iyesi, Ogun and PHCN’s crazy bills

Some community members say the refusal of PHCN to supply prepaid meters was to allow for the continuation of its disconnection gangs to extort bribes over reconnection fees for unsupplied electricity, adding that this is an ignoble way to raise revenues from the blood of innocent consumers. Unless the crazy billing is reversed immediately and prepaid meters supplied to assuage ripped off consumers, there may be crisis in the area if PHCN officials try to disconnect and carry away electricity cables of default consumers. The mostly aggrieved struggling property owners said there was no basis for this outrageous and sudden 300 per cent increase since the Iyesi Landlords Association levied each member N56, 000 to connect to electricity facilities provided and paid for by the community. The community bought the transformers, poles, and wires through self-help, with no assistance from PHCN except the connection of the community to the grid. It cost the association millions of naira to provide the facilities, which PHCN should have provided in the first instance. A member at the meeting said a PHCN official who distributed the bill said Nigerians asked for the selling of PHCN and that the jumbo bill is perhaps, PHCN re-

ho is spoiling for a fight over the planned introduction of N5,OOO note? Definitely not the thieving politician-money launderers. Their money laundering job would be made easier now by this development. Not the entertainers, who cherish being pasted with dollars, pound sterling and the local currencies. The new N5, 000 note will give their easy earnings a boost. Pick pocket will celebrate their good fortunes also because of the big haul from just one activity. I am one of those who will be at the receiving end, not necessarily because I am poor, but mainly because as a worker who gets monthly stipend by hand, falling into the hands of one-chance on a pay day might cause me huge agony. Millions of poor Nigerians will face grimmer future because of the devaluation of their real incomes, which this will cause. When I say the development will portend ill for the country, I might lack the finesse of an economist in my delivery, I rely on native wisdom to know the introduction of the N5, 000 note will worsen the state of our economy.

andlords and tenants in Iyesi, Ota Local Government of Ogun State are mobilizing to protest the crazy monthly bills of about N2,700 each distributed by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Each street in the Love Community area is being asked to name representatives to protest the about 300 per cent rise in monthly bill in July sent in August at PHCN office in Sango Ota in the outskirts of Lagos State. A representative of the property owners association said the protest would renew demand for prepaid meters, which was made two years ago, but ignored by PHCN officials, despite indications that the prepaid meters are being hoarded in PHCN stores. The decision to visit PHCN office followed last Saturday’s meeting of the association during which many members protested why a one-room apartment property owner is given a uniform bill of about N2, 700, the same amount paid by a 16-room tenement. Specifically, the bill’s breakdown for Daleko area is N2, 952 fixed monthly bill, N500 for maintenance of unsupplied meter, and N172.60 as Value Added Tax (VAT). The community regretted that the electricity they were billed for is not supplied and that power was not supplied for three weeks of the month they were overcharged by 300 per cent.

Comrade Ajai Olotu, Ikerre Ekiti, Ekiti State

Letters to the Editor

Adeola Poroye, Lagos

CBN and the N5, 000 controversy

sponse. The consensus of the community is for PHCN to provide prepaid meters to each tenement so that electricity consumers can monitor and control expenditure on hardly available electricity by switching off appliances when power is unavailable. It would be recalled that the National Electricity Regulatory Commission had assured unmetered consumers that the new tariff regime would not extend to them until PHCN provided consumers prepaid meters. Sonde Sulaimon, Unique Way, Iyesi Ota, Ogun State

On state police

am surprised to know that Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is against the creation of state police. If that is the case, he should stop using our state resources to fund the corrupt Nigeria Police Force. Our state is already giving out too much of its resources to the federal government-run police system when the bulk of who-is-who in the police force is from the North. The northern governors should fund the police force. Period. Randy Ohomina, Ozalla, Edo State

our cerebral columnist, Okay Osuji, made my day last Wednesday by his incisive piece, The lamentations of a President. I have been pained to no end by the naivety of President Goodlluck Jonathan. He has proved time without number that he might have the education necessary for leadership, but he does not have the temperament for the high pressured office of the president of a volatile country like Nigeria. Does he think Nigerians elected him to always applaud him the few occasions he would perform well his statutory functions? No. They are interested only in his mistakes and complacency? On the collapsing and decadent social infrastructure, there must be genuine display of the political will to address them. Budget is all about statistics, the action in execution is what interests Nigerians. The rehabilitation of East-West highway from Lagos to Calabar and beyond is a recurring figure in the nation’s budgets since the past Godknows-when years. Yet those who always travel through this road would never have words of praises for their national leaders that have always fed them lies. For a people that stare death face to face on daily basis through the activities of Boko Haram, vicious armed robbers, hired killers and kidnappers, angers directed at their leaders and security agents would not be seen as misdirected. President Jonathan is not elected to betray emotions, so describing himself as the most criticized leader in the world was an unnecessary emotional outburst. Leadership goes with a heavy burden, and I dare say, with unquantifiable glamour and razzmatazz. The two are inseparable. He cannot constantly be on the public glare, globe trot and budget over N2 billion yearly for choice wines and royal victuals and expect Nigerians to clap for him, even if he coughs! Samuel Anjorin, Oka, Ondo State

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

Your

FRIDAY

VOL. 2 No. 438

Friday, August 31, 2012

Flavour

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

TRIBUTE TO AMADI OGBONNA (1962 – 2012)

Critics

P. 22-23

Anguish grips family, colleagues, friends over his death • Encomiums heaped on the entertainment guru

P. 34 Ogbonna

“It was the late Hakeem Ikandu that brought Amadi into journalism and entertainment at Vanguard. Ikandu used to be the editor of Today’s Choice. He said Ogbonna was image-maker for Silverbird Group at a time, but only as a consultant. In the process of being in the entertainment industry, he was part of those reporting the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant and played an active role when Ben Murray-Bruce brought in foreign artistes like Shalamar, Cool and the Gang and so forth to the country. According to Okogene, Ogbonna, who lost his dad 10 years ago, had visited his mum only last week. He concluded by saying that the media and the entertainment industry will seriously miss Ogbonna. Mr. Benjamin Njoku, who worked closely with Ogbonna in the last three years, said he was still in shock over the death of his friend and boss. “The news

of his death is so devastating. I have had a good relationship with him. I came into the office yesterday evening to hear this bad news because I’ve been on leave for over a month now”, he explained. Njoku described Ogbonna as someone that was open-minded, gave people the opportunity to grow and did not boss them around. Musician Dele Abiodun was one of the early callers at the house on Thursday. Those who saw him said he broke down and cried. Sunny Ade was said to be on his way but did not get there till our correspondent left at noon. The family is yet to announce burial arrangements. Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when the individual breathes), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.

WEEKEND STARTERS Exquisite walks against cancer

omorrow, the Nigerian lifestyle publication, Exquisite Magazine, holds its quarterly event titled “The Exquisite Magazine Against Cancer Walk”. This event is to help increase awareness of cervical, breast and

prostate cancer. The walk will start from 8.00 a.m. at the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki to Tafawa Balewa Square. Joining the magazine publisher, Tewa Onasanya, to walk on that day are Uti Nwachukwu, Goldie, Matse, Toolz and Don Jazzy.

Beautiful Nubia live in concert

OOPL retells slavery story

A Goldie

t 8.00 p.m. tonight, the Governing Board of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Theatre in conjunction with Motherland Beckons presents a stage performance titled Odigbose… A slave story retold, a play centred on the lives of slaves. Venue is the Amphitheatre, OOPL, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta South, Ogun. The play is directed by Yemi Remi and Special Guest of honour is the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Beautiful Nubia

olk and Roots music artiste, Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band will on Sun-

day, September 10 hold a live performance at EniObanke Arts Centre, 19, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. The show will be on between 4.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m.

Denrele’s Day

haps known Ogbonna longer than most of the people present when our correspondent was at the house, said he had a long standing relationship with the one he fondly calls Dee Nne like most of his colleagues. That is Igbo for ‘the eldest of the elders’. “He is about eight years older than I, but he saw me as a small boy who just grew up because he was part of those who were writers during the days of John Player Gold Leaf and I had come as a dancer then to audition”, he said. Husseini, who now writes for The Guardian recalled that he did not win the contest then, but Ogbonna encouraged him by patting him on the back and telling him that he had a great future. “I feel so sad because we have lost a book; we can’t get that book anywhere. We have lost an encyclopaedia, a guy who has history in his head. He doesn’t need to consult any book to tell you about anyone in entertainment, so we have lost a book”, he stated. Mr. Charles Okogene of Independent Newspaper, considered to be perhaps the closest of Ogbonna’s friends, said they met in 1992 on the job in a night club and have been friends ever since. Okogene stated that Ogbonna, who has four sons, first started out as a communication writer and later moved to reporting entertainment.

P. 33

HISTORY IN HIS HEAD

Escape

A GUY WHO HAS

P. 35

he mood at the expansive 7/9, Williams Aganga Street-home of the late Group Entertainment Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Amadi Ogbonna, was somber when Friday Flavour paid a visit yesterday morning, a day after he died. Entertainment reporters, editors and senior staff of Vanguard newspapers were there to commiserate with the family. His teary-eyed wife, Remi, was beyond consolation, however. All she could do was nod in acknowledgement to the condolences from her late husband’s colleagues, their relatives, church members and well wishers. Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, editor of the newspaper where Ogbonna has worked for over 20 years, led the newspapers’ editors to his house. He detailed the moments that led to the veteran entertainment reporter’s death. “The man is gone. We will miss him. We were all together until 7.00 p.m. or thereabout yesterday (Wednesday night). I think he was preparing to go home when the attack came. Then we provided a vehicle to take him to the nearest hospital. It would have taken about five minutes minimum to get there; there was a little traffic at Berger (along Oshodi Apapa Expressway). That was it”, he said. The attack was from asthma, which close friends of Ogbonna said he had managed very well over the years. Had he survived the attack and lived to see December 5, he would have celebrated his 50th birthday. Mr. Shaibu Husseini, who has per-

WE HAVE LOST AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA,

London ARTitude

TERH AGBEDEH

Artman In The House

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We received N7 weekly to produce Each time the long-rested TV sitcom Village Headmaster comes up as a topic, references go to the late Chief Segun Olusola and rightly so. However, little has been revealed about the back-breaking work that brought the hit TV series to life. Friday Flavour’s FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON had the rare privilege to speak with (HRM) Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, Amororo 2, Kobi Odua and paramount ruler of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Ogun State, a trained film maker who spearheaded production on the series. He spoke extensively about his life and career in TV. Excerpts: Where did you have your childhood, was it fun or tough?

I was born in Ilaro in the 1930s but my childhood days were actually spent in Abeokuta in Owu area. It was a very active period for those of us who were brought up at the same time. As an active child, I wanted to get involved in everything that was happening. My parents were rich and we didn’t have the things you people grow up with these days. We had no television, radio or entertainment magazine; we created our own entertainment. I was involved in all kinds of activities; football, table tennis and other recreation. We played football on the rocks and on the main road around where the palace is now. We went swimming in the stream at Oke Sokori. Naturally, our parents did not leave us without control, but we always found our way around just like children do today. In later years, we had a ‘radio box’ that played Nigerian music and broadcast studio messages, news and other information from the colonial masters. Every household that had one would put it near the ceiling so no child could tune it, forgetting the fact that it was a mono station. Once installed, it would remain on the same wavelength forever; nobody tuned to another station or increased its volume. Those were the days of my early exposure to broadcasting. What established your attraction to the arts and entertainment?

The man stationed in Abeokuta to make radio announcements on a single microphone was an Owu man who lived close to our family house; we addressed him as Brother Adegbite. He wore knickers and a white shirt, occasionally putting on a tie. We looked at him as the elite of the society, he was indeed an elite. That secured my interest in broadcasting. Presently, I think people still look at broadcasters with an eye of superiority. I attended Owu Baptist Day School, where teachers were devoted to tutoring brilliant, hardworking and active children. The teachers were so particular about our morality; you just couldn’t mess around or run away from school. In those days, if you didn’t go to school, they would send some grown up boys to ‘visit you’. When I say grown up boys, we had people of 30 or 35 years in primary school! They were our elder brothers; some of them even married. There was one Brother Ojo, a married bicycle repairer who was about 30 years old. He came to school to learn to read and write. Each time we erred in class, the teacher would say “mount him up” and these older men threw us on their backs and the teacher would flog us. However, staying in school helped me to learn and develop academically. Outside school, what other experiences opened your eyes to the arts?

Let’s start with how I encountered late Hubert Ogunde’s theatre group; it was quite an adventure. There was a time my mother gave me one shilling to buy palm oil (red oil) and the palm oil seller gave me

Oba Dosunmu

I BECAME AN ‘OBA’ IN 2005 AS ROUGH AND COMPETITIVE AS

BECOMING AN ‘OBA’ COULD BE IN

NIGERIA

change of six pence which I put in the pocket of my knickers. She didn’t remember to ask for it and I didn’t remember to give it to her. Two months later, the late Hubert Ogunde came to the Centenary Hall in Abeokuta to stage his play, Awero. I discovered the six pence that afternoon and I was wondering who the owner was; I felt it was mine since it was in my pocket. So in the evening, I went to the hall and the gate fee for children was about three pence or thereabouts. I gave them my six pence and they gave me two kobo change. The show began at about 6.00 p.m. and I was out all night; meanwhile, they had been looking for me at home. When I got home, my mother asked “where have you been, where are you coming from”, I told her. “What did you go there to do?” I said; “To watch Ogunde” and she said; “You want to become omo oni tiata, omo oni tertainment (meaning you want to be a theatre artist or entertainer)”. My mother was an average Egba woman, she was a strict, no nonsense woman. She locked me inside and flogged me hard. So, the Ogunde experience exposed you to theatre and film production?

Yes, as well as native theatre, cultural festivals and entertainment all over the place –masquerade festivals, Orisa nla festival and all kinds of fiestas giving enter-

tainment free of charge. Then, there was no television or theatre apart from the travelling theatres like that of Ogunde and the rest. I loved Ogunde’s organised theatre and was attracted to it. During those days also, we used to visit Lagos to spend our holidays and my father’s house (where we put up) was in the Yaba area. We had the opportunity of going to Casino Cinema. Each time I watched the screen, I thought it was magic because all day long, the wall was just blank but at night, people would be talking and walking on it. I was fascinated and I wanted to be one of the magicians who were doing that on stage. But I had many problems with becoming a producer on television or radio. My mother insisted I could not be a magician. However, while in secondary school, I had been involved in acting and knew better; I had even produced a play. I had acted in Macbeth and Othello while in school and I had read Williams Shakespeare’s books. The older I grew, the more resolved I was to be a filmmaker. So, between 1962 and ‘63, the opportunity came for me to travel abroad when British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was offering scholarship to visual aid teachers to be trained in London for about six months. My boss, Christopher Kolade said I should participate though it was not about film but it was an experience. In London, it was discovered that I had interest in film and television and I ended up at the Herding College of Technology (part of London University College) where I learnt film making and television production. I was attached to the BBC Studio to learn about production and after three years, I got a degree. How did you become part of the Village Headmaster team?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Artman In The House

Friday, August 31, 2012

Village Headmaster –Oba Dosunmu •

Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu is the 13th Olowu to be crowned in Abeokuta.

her as a director. Television is never a one-man show; it is not even the show of a producer and director. It is a collective art involving other people like actors, technicians, cameramen.

•

He also holds a doctorate degree in Theological Studies.

How many episodes did you record to start off the series?

•

After an influential role in creating the popular Village Headmaster, the Oba resigned from NTA in 1972.

•

Oba Dosunmu rules over a people of proud Yoruba descent and many of Owu indigenes are notable Nigerians including expresident Olusegun Obasanjo; ex-Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and designer of the Nigerian National Flag, Mr. Taiwo Akinkunmi, amongst others.

•

The Lafarge/West African Portland Cement Factory, an economic landmark, is situated in Ewekoro, one of the Owu rural townships.

FACT FILE

Oba Dosunmu (left), receiving an award from Hon. Olulade, member, Lagos State House of Reps, at the 2012 Movietainment Achievement and Corporate Awards (MACA), held at the Lagos Airport Hotel.

Oba Dosunmu and Mr. Akinsanya, the chairman of Owu Descendants Union in UK displaying the interlocking four-arms that symbolises the four townships (Egba Alake, Oke-Oba, Gbagura and Owu) that unite the Egba nation with Chief Mrs. Baker, Iya Oba of Gbagura and Akinale, watching. While in England, I directed The Lion and the Jewel, a play written by Professor Wole Soyinka for English Stage Company; it was a huge success. It was seen by Mr. Kolade, Director of the Nigerian television station at that time. He told my agent of openings in the Nigerian Television Service but wondered if I would want to return to Nigeria. When they approached me, I said; ‘what are we waiting for? As soon as I finish this play, I would come to Nigeria”. Two months later, in December 1966, I joined NBC Television (as NTA was then known). I was employed as Senior Producer to set up a Drama and Performing Arts Department. It was a specific offer which necessitated me going through files of what had been done in the past four years. A few days later, I came across a onepage idea that was signed by the late Ambassador Segun Olusola. It was the creative concept for Village Headmaster. I pondered over it for many days thinking it could be a long-lasting drama series. I told Christopher Kolade and Segun Olusola, who owned the idea (also Head of Production in television house) that I was going to make a great television series out of it. Kolade believed in the possibility but Segun argued that there were so many details involved. I said: “This is clear, straightforward and it is good”. I couldn’t blame them

for doubting; they had been on television and understood the difficulties. A series could cost money and they had tried many times before I came without success. But they didn’t realise I had been specially trained by the college and BBC to handle things like that; I felt here was an opportunity to have drama on television. I was determined to make it a series so I asked Segun, who I reported to, how much I could have for production since he was also the Fund Manager. He said I could not get more than 3 pounds 10 (about seven naira) for weekly production of Village Headmaster. Knowing there would be difficulties, I went to friends who were reporters in Daily Times, Daily Service and other newspapers asking them to write for me. I gave them the idea of characters as written by Segun; what they needed to do was create the conversations or dialogue. They began to write and I was not paying them. The payment was to buy occasional bottles of beer for them at some joints and sit to share ideas. They wrote as they knew how to write drama and I turned it to a television series; that was how we did it. I wrote 39 to 40 episodes into a drama script within three months; I was working round the clock, they were also working round the clock; my friends made sacrifice. Casting created quite an excitement;

everybody wanted one of the four major characters. Of course, there were others like teachers in school, market women, chiefs, school children etc. I discovered almost every producer was getting involved in the casting. Some of them felt this ‘BBC man would not know the people’, but a drama producer, whether for stage, radio or television must know his characters. It is the character that you need to know as a producer, not the man. I don’t care about the man or the woman, I care about the character. Segun Olusola had explicitly described who these characters were in words and as the director, I knew exactly what I wanted these characters to do. They had never seen that kind of auditioning before, I did not look at the auditioners; I turned my back to them and gave them scripts to read. What I was looking for was their voice. How the voice sounded with the lines was more important to me than how they pronounced the words. I gave the part of the ‘Headmaster’ to Ted Mukoro; I saw the Headmaster in him. Jab Adu got the part of ‘Shop keeper’; Elsie Olusola was ‘Sisi Clara’ –she was a damn good actress, give her any role, she played it. I gave the part of ‘Fathia’ to Roselyn Bach. Everybody said ‘no, this is obviously wrong’, because Roselyn could not read the script. She could not read the lines straight without mistakes. It took her ages to read a line but she had the voice of Fathia. About 18 of them came to read that part and she had the voice. I was looking for the innocent voice of a child whose mother had died many years back. According to the play the mother who died was a Fulani; Roselyn was not Fulani but she looked exactly like a Fulani girl and her intonation was Fulani. Roselyn was like a burning flame, once she got the lines in her head that was all, I didn’t waste much time on

After I got acclimatised to technicalities of television in Nigeria, which was far from where I was coming from and financial challenges, we succeeded at recording 13 episodes for one quarter (we didn’t have money to buy tapes to record each episode so we recorded two episodes in one tape). Kolade was an astute administrator all the way. Segun is gone now but God bless him for Village Headmaster; it was his idea and he gave a vivid description of the four characters –the pivot on which the series was built. When we started running on TV, it was like a wildfire. I believe the newness and the acting gave Village Headmaster popularity. Jab Adu would go to the National Stadium at Onikan- Lagos to sit beside a Calabar man, watch him talk and imbibe it in acting. Likewise did Ted Mukoro and Fathia, like I said, was a flaming fire. We recorded 39 episodes to take care of one year. The second year, I began to train other young producers but three distinguished themselves: David Orere, I think he is now a Professor of Drama at the University of Benin; Segun Akinbola, who read Drama at the University of Ibadan, who is now an Oba in Ondo State and Tunde Oloyede. Please recount how you got onto the throne as Olowu of Owu?

It is odd that about four or five of us who were involved in Village Headmaster became obas. I think it started with Funso Adeolu (Eleyinmi) whose mother was an Owu woman and she was like my aunt. He was from Abese family in Owu but I never thought he was a prince. Then, Wole Amele and Segun Akinbola became obas too. I knew I was a prince, but I never thought I would become an ‘oba although my grandfather was Amororo 1 way back. I became an oba in 2005 as rough and competitive as becoming an oba could be in Nigeria. When the vacancy occurred, the people said they must support me and they did. But the interesting aspect is that I was the only male descent whose father had also reigned. The ‘Declaration of Olowu’ says the candidate to be considered must be a son, grandson, great grandson or great-great grandson of a former holder of the title. So, I was qualified. The thing was because I am a Christian, the kingmakers would not vote to put a Christian in the palace. They said my predecessor, who was also a Christian, had tried to impose his religion on the people. But they didn’t tell him which is the problem with the obas and chiefs around. They would not tell you when you are going wrong. You can wake up one morning and find out you are in a troubled waters, so you’ve got to know the rules. So, getting here was not easy.

Critics

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tribute

BRUCE ONABRAPKEYA@80

One year in the life of a master artist

Bruce Onobrakpeya was so swift on his feet when he stood up to say thank you at the event organised in his honour on Sunday that he could have easily been mistaken for a man half his 80 years. The event was the Art Stampede by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) with the theme: ‘From Brochure to Books, Emerging Trend in Visual Art Documentation’. TERH AGBEDEH

he many artists and lovers of art who filled the hall at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos showed up not only to honour the icon, but to also attest to his being the most documented artist in the history of art in Nigeria. Indeed, some of the artworks Nigerian children first come in contact with are made by the hand of Onobrakpeya. Some of these works adorn popular books studied in schools including: Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease, Cyprian Ekwensi’s An African Night’s Entertainment and Juju Rock and D. O. Fagunwa’s A Forest of a Thousand Demons. Eze Goes to School by Onuora Nze- One of his works displayed at the stampede kwu and Michael Crowder also carry to see why the works of Onobrakpeya, Onobrakpeya’s artworks. The unassuming Onobrakpeya, who who has executed several commissions has held exhibitions all over the world for renowned collectors and presidents, in galleries many artists only dream are in high demand all over the world. Nike Okundaye and her husband about, said he was pleased that the gathwere very kind. Onobrakpeya that has ering was “what Ben Enwonwu, our late not had a solo exhibition for many years, icon in the art advocated”. Onobrapkeya said they approached him and said: quoted Enwonwu as saying that when ‘please, could you come to show your artists celebrate birthdays and people works in our gallery?’ and he agreed. come together, it is not for social enter“I consider that to be a very great tainment, it is not for us to show off; it thing. I put together the few things that is an opportunity to make people gather I had and took them there and behold and talk about the art. And that is what what I saw pleased me very much bewe have been doing”. cause that place is really very good for Those on the panel to ‘talk about the exposure of art works,” he said. art’ as it relates to the theme for the day That exhibition, titled: Fifty Years of were: Dr. Pat Oyelola, author of NigeBruce Onobrakpeya: Window into His rian Artistry; Bisi Silva, Curator of the Art, jointly curated by Nike Okundaye, Centre for Contemporary Art; Muktar Sam Ovraiti and Bode Olaniran, closed Bakare, MD/CEO of Kachifo Limited yesterday as part of the year-long events and Sammy Olagbaju, doyen of all seriput together to celebrate Onobrakpeya ous collectors of art in the country. The at 80 including the Art Stampede last keynote address was by Kunle Filani, Sunday . The exhibition featured the artscholar artist and provost of the Federal ist’s selected works from 1957 till date, College of Education, Abeokuta and looking at the different stages of his caTunji Lardner was the moderator. All had a very engaging discussion reer like Mythical Realism (1957 – 1962), revolving round the master’s art which Sunshine Period (1962 -1967), The Mask he has painstakingly documented and and the Cross (1967 -1978), Symbols of the need for other artists to follow his Royalty (1978 -1984), The Sahelian Masexample by documenting their works querades (1984 -1988), The Mask Series as soon as they conceive them. Issues (1990 -1995), Social Unrest (1995 – 1999) were also raised around the best way to and his installations (from 1999 till date). Before Sunday, the very first event publish such documents and accuracy was this year’s edition of the Harmattan in the compilation of the same, as this Workshop in Agbarha-Otor in February. will remain even long after such an artThe artist has held this workshop for ist passes. The documents, too, they said, 10 years with participants drawn from will come in handy should such works across the globe. From May 10 to 24, there fall into the wrong hands. was a group exhibition in Dakar (SenListening to the panellists, it was easy

Onabrakpeya

THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED; WRITING IS NEVER FINISHED, CREATIVITY IS NEVER FINISHED egal) at the time of the Dakar Biennale. The Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF) also organised and held another retreat from August 5 to 18 in AgbarhaOtor, Delta State. A thanksgiving service at the All Saints’ Church in Yaba, Lagos will take place this Sunday followed by a reception at the V. Ginis Centre, Opposite the WAEC Building in Yaba. The celebration train will travel to Northern Ireland where Onobrakpeya is expected to deliver the keynote address at the SMA-sponsored Rev. Father Kevin Caroll Conference of African Christian Art at the Dromantine Conference Centre from October 5 to 8. This event is in recognition of the artist’s advocacy for the use of African art in churches and those expected to attend are John Picton of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. There will be a presentation of Onobrakpeya’s illustrations, prints and materials which are connected with Rev. Father Caroll. The New York-based Skoto Gallery in the United States will host another exhibition from October 18 to November 24. It will feature serigraphs from the Onobrakpeya’s “Sunshine Period”. The Washington DC-based National Museum of African Art will, thereafter, hold a reception in the artist’s honour.

There will be another retrospective exhibition at the University of Ibadan’s Institute of African Studies in November. This exhibition will be complemented by the launch of the book, Mask of Flaming Arrows (edited by Dele Jegede) which is a well-illustrated 446-page collection of scholarly essays on the artist from 1967 till date. He had many thanks for CORA for putting together the event to honour him and to Nigerians “who go out of their way to put up art exhibitions, to buy art works; after all, you don’t sit or sleep or walk on the art, yet people spend money on it. So, I’m very grateful to our community for making it possible for artists to indulge in creativity and to be able to produce the way they are doing today”. Like the elder that he is, Onobrakpeya said a prayer for those present at the art stampede: “I want to pray that everyone of us here will live up to 80 and beyond (a resounding amen) and for you to share in that energy that is in the universe”. He then admonished: “But one truth that is very important, the work you do, enjoy it as much as work, get value for it and don’t feel that the job is finished. The job is not finished; writing is never finished, creativity is never finished. Do what you have to do and the world will continue to live on and on”, he said. Omoba Yemisi Shyllon and artists like Mike Omoighe, Ndidi Dike, Sam Ovraiti and Mudiare Onobrakpeya (his son), among others, who had only good things to say about the artist, all agree that Onobrakpeya has done his work well and expect that he will continue to do the same for a long time to come.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Critics

Friday, August 31, 2012

Movie

Stand for something; fall for anything

Music

Heroes and Zeroes, an emotive movie that features Bimbo Manuel, Nadia Buari, Gabriel Afolayan, Olu Jacobs, Norbert Young, Akin Lewis, Funsho Adeolu and Chervel Bridgette, premieres today. It is directed by award winning director, Niji Akanni, the brain behind Aramotu and produced by Koga Studios. ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

ossessing an unusual plot and a creative storyline that explores a back-and-forth narrative technique, Heroes and Zeros is a reflection of two vital professions, film making and journalism, and the destructive path chosen by two men. Amos Fele (Bimbo Manuel) was a wealthy celebrity director in the Nigerian film industry who lives in a ramshackle flat, doing occasional low-paying TV commercials for nameless products. Though he is already 45 years old, he nurses a crazy dream of making it into the dollar-soaked world of international soccer. A boost to his sagging spirit comes when a big-budget French-Nigerian film project appoints him as director. Suddenly, the press begins to (re)celebrate him. Top actors and producers call him up. To his wife’s distress, Fele also quickly re-establishes his waning reputation as a first-class womaniser. Fele becomes obsessed with Tonia (Nadia Buari), a ravishing beauty and lead actress of the Nigerian-French film project. Ignoring the warnings of his best friend, Nnamdi (Norbert Young), a psychology professor, Fele pursues his obsession with Tonia to its tragic conclusion. On the flip is Gibu (Gabriel Afolayan) acknowledged as an excellent reporter and on the forefront of his profession although Gibu’s dreams are defined differently by his editor. Gibu has a good nose for news, but never friendly with positive news; he is an award winner in creating negative news. This direction he chooses in his career leads him to Fele and to the director’s shameful downfall, making him irrelevant once again. Meanwhile, Gibu, the reporter, rises to fame from his negative stories on Fele’s life. The movie conveys dishonesty and honesty in two respective professions, just as we have it in our society today. People sell out the truth

Akin Lewis and Gabriel Afolayan in a scene

THE MOVIE IS ZEROING IN ON THE LOSERS AND WINNERS IN BOTH MEDIA AND FILM WORLD,

WHERE SOMETIMES THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE APPLIES and fact in exchange for money; this is the extreme of our setbacks in Nigeria. Corruption and dishonesty is ripping us apart and wreaking havoc on the moral consciousness of the citizenry from the lowest to the highest level. The director of the film was able to communicate, through the movie, that even at the expense pressure and the instability in most professions (in terms of what they earn for a living) there are still people who will stand for the truth. People who will never sell their soul for money. The characters were smooth in their performances; Nadia as an aspiring actress was convincing and as an instrument to destroy Fele’s career, she succeeded with her feminine wills. Likewise, Mr. Alisa (Akin Lewis), the newspaper editor, was also an accurate interpretation of a newsman –delivering lines and relating like a true journalist. The locations and scenery complimented the plot, but the conclusion leaves viewers in nail-biting suspense –who killed Gibu? Heroes and Zeroes is zeroing in on the losers and winners in both media and film world, where sometimes the law of the jungle applies. The movie encourages honour, adherence to honest practices while downplaying excessive ambition and fleeting emotional attachments which can readily eradicate one’s life-long achievements as both Gibu and Fele experienced.

D’Banj at the Apollo London

D’Banj brings down the Apollo The foreign media say D’Banj is the biggest star in contemporary Afrobeats. Since breaking into the global music industry, D’Banj’s has entered the UK top 10 with his hit Oliver Twist. His headline performance at the Hammersmith Apollo to close the London Notting Hill Carnival is still being talked about. ALEX MACPHERSON

s he’s the figurehead of Nigerian Afrobeats, it feels appropriate that D’Banj’s debut UK headline show takes place on the final day of the Notting Hill carnival. Alongside the usual dancehall and soca, a good proportion of the anthems that fuelled this year’s sound systems and floats are the hits that have propelled the rise of Afrobeats in the UK: Atumpan’s The Thing, Ice Prince’s Oleku and, of course, D’Banj’s own Oliver Twist, a song of such popular reach that it even made it on to EastEnders. Keeping that carnival spirit going is D’Banj’s MO tonight, as is that of a significant proportion of the audience, who have hotfooted it down the road from the carnival. As an entertainer, D’Banj treads the line between suave and rambunctious with ease: his dapper yellow-lapelled blazer is swiftly shed as he starts to rival his own dancers in snake-hipped, low-grinding ability, and the gold chain follows as he plunges off stage for a spot of crowd-surfing.

By the show’s climax, D’Banj is half-naked and essaying moves that seem to refer mostly to the title of his album, Mr Endowed. After a late entrance compounded by technical difficulties leaves the crowd slightly restless, D’Banj may feel putting that level of work in is necessary – but it transpires that the music does the trick just as well. “This is not a fluke,” he announces midway through the show, perhaps mindful that not everyone present is aware of his seven-year career before Oliver Twist. Tonight, though, his older material goes down almost as well, from the call-and-response of Why Me to the lovelorn Scapegoat, and D’Banj bridges the gap between his more lilting, organic songs and his recent tougher, trancier dance-floor anthems with ease. His between-song patter has a tendency to ramble, but the show’s culmination in Oliver Twist is stellar proof that an international hit can be engineered with ease if based around a resonant, inarguable statement such as “I like Beyoncé”. Culled from The Guardian, UK.

Inside FCT

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pedestrian bridges turn markets, criminal dens MARCUS FATUNMOLE

iven apparent descent in moral consciousness and growing concerns over some Abuja residents’ drive to do ‘anything’ to make ends meet, there is an urgent need for government to step up the fight against burgeoning illicit behaviour in the nation’s capital. Unfortunately, this behaviour does not come without commensurate damaging consequences. Inside FCT’s observation within the city revealed that residents of Abuja might be courting social maladies that compelled the relocation of the nation’s capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991. Defeated by legion of social malaise freely bred and unleashed on Lagos in the ’80s, the Federal Government hurriedly whisked a bulk of its ministries and parastatals to Abuja. And, as it stands today, Abuja is also swarmed with these ills. Inside FCT now wonders what would happen if the current attitude of many people in the city makes nonsense of the relocation of the nation’s capital to Abuja. Most pedestrian bridges in the capital are being taken over by traders, many of whom deal in fairly-used and contraband materials. Under some of these bridges are street urchins who peddle prohibited substances such as hard drugs and engage in riotous behaviours which often make innocent passers-by vulnerable to being assaulted. Olufunke Adebiyi, a resident in Nyanya told our reporter, that “the guys do not come out until late in the evening when many people would crowd the area. They have customers who buy these things from them regularly. If you want to see them, come under the bridge around evening”, she said. Inside FCT had earlier reported of a particular village in the city that accommodates these people. Construction of new highways in Abuja has led to rapid increase in the number of pedestrian bridges in the capital. Hence, many pedestrians have no challenge crossing the roads any longer. This often leads to high number of people coming up and going downthe bridges. Consequently, though unlawfully, hawkers of all kind of goods, including vegetables are finding these bridges to be free market grounds. Many of them recklessly display their wares and at times block the passage-way completely. Speaking with our reporter, a vegetable seller on Lugbe pedestrian bridge, who sim-

Some of the goods on sale at Lugbe bridge

MOST PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES IN THE CAPITAL ARE BEING TAKEN OVER BY TRADERS, MANY OF WHOM DEAL IN FAIRLY-USED AND CONTRABAND MATERIALS ply identified herself as Mrs. Hassan said she found it more comfortable to sell on the bridge than on the ground. “We see more customers here than on the ground. People that are coming from work don’t have to stop at the market. They buy these things from us. When they get down the bridge, they take a bike and go directly to their homes. And here, nobody runs after us; we do not pay any money to anybody”, she said. Hawkers on highways are not different. They are skilful enough to evade oncoming vehicles aiming at their directions. In a conversation with our reporter, Musa Abubakar, who hawks on the airport road, said high cost of shop rent in town forced him to come to the road. He admitted to making good money on the road whenever the weather is bright and luck comes his way. The security check induced traffic gridlock at Kuje junction along Airport Road makes the area a hotbed for hawkers who often beat all odds to sell anything under the sun, including very costly communication gadgets. In order to avoid national embarrassment, recently, the Federal Government had to deploy officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board to the Airport Road where dignitaries were conveyed through, at the just-concluded African First Ladies’ Peace Conference in city. Pedestrian bridges such as the one at Lugbe Federal Housing junction; Galadima junction along Kubwa road and that of Dei-Dei village are now markets in the city. African proverbs say, “make hay while the sun shines” and “a stitch in time saves nine”. It is believed that the essence of law is to guide conducts of the people. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has no excuse in ensuring that the city is rid of any illicit activities. Any act that contravenes the law is punishable and if the culprit remains unpunished, then there is something wrong with the law or its custodians.

Okada operators taking a nap under Nyanya bridge.

Okada riders in display of primitive solidarity EMMANUEL ONANI

he renowned essayist and poet, Alexander Pope must have had Abuja’s commercial motorcyclists (popularly called Okada riders) in mind when he wrote the masterpiece, An Essays on Criticism (1709). This is owing to the injunction in one of the stanzas of the collection which runs thus: “A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain and drinking largely sobers us again”. Nothing foregrounds the inherent danger posed by the recklessness and the accompanying primitive solidarity of Okada riders in some suburbs of Abuja such as Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba and Jikwoyi than this. They embark on breakneck speed as if their lives have substitutes, thereby causing avoidable accidents which result in fatalities, fractures and incapacitation of passengers. Again, in the course of their recklessness –often induced by drugs and alcohol– they dent cars and in some instances, collide head-on with vehicles. Unfortunately, when these incidents occur, a mob of other bike riders builds around the driver and car involved, often culminating in lynching or, in some instances, gruesome death, as they unleash terror on their hapless victims, who in almost all instances are innocent. Instances abound where cars have been burnt alongside occupants in bare-faced display of primitive solidarity for their members. The danger is that these Okada riders adorn their emotional garbs so hurriedly that no thought is spared for fair hearing, one of the fundamental rights of every Nigerian. To them, their

A MOB BUILDS AROUND THE DRIVER AND CAR

INVOLVED, OFTEN CULMINATING IN LYNCHING OR GRUESOME DEATH members do no wrong; in fact, they are “infallible” when it comes to right of way and road usage, generally. Investigation by Inside FCT revealed that the untrained cyclists hardly possess any riding skills, as they just hit the road all in a hurried effort to meet the ‘hire purchase’ agreement they have with motorbike owners. Speaking with our correspondence in confidence, a police constable lamented this ugly development stating that in most cases, the police have had to intervene in a timely manner to rescue the situation. “The discovery is very correct; the problem is that most of the Okada riders are illiterate and so they don’t know what is right from wrong”, he said. “We have drawn the attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to the need to hold enlightenment workshops for these riders to educate them on road use and other safety precautions”, he added. When our correspondent sought the view of former Abuja Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Funmibi Olawoyin, he had this to say: “It is a very serious matter and until some of them are prosecuted and sent to jail where they are found guilty, they may not know the seriousness of what they do”. He expressed the hope that the FRSC will do everything possible to stem the ugly trend.

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Morkaz at 60: The journey so far L ATEEFAH IBRAHIM-ANIMASHAUN

orkaz is an Institute of Arabic and Islamic training situated at Agege, Lagos Nigeria which also stands as the first organised Arabic centre that issues certificates to students in the whole of Western Nigeria. It is a private, non-profit, academic, Islamic and Arabic training center, concerned with general training of Islamic and Arabic studies. The Institute was established in Abeokuta, Nigeria in the year 1952 by the then founder, late Sheikh Adam Abdullah AlIlory and was later moved to Lagos, its present location in 1955. It is independent of local politics, party orientations and ideological biases. Speaking with National Mirror, the Khalifat of the founder, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory (OON) said the first graduation done at the Morkaz for students was done in 1956

with 8 students, after which it started producing Muslim scholars of at least 700 every year. He said it is an intellectual training center working from an Islamic perspective to train, promote and support research projects and organize intellectual and training lectures. It has established a distinct intellectual trend in Islamic training which relates to the vivid legacy of the Ummah (Muslim nation), and its continuous efforts of intellectual and methodological reform. This involves a large number of lecturers and scholars from various parts of the world. According to research, the uniqueness of Morkaz was not only in the quality of education taught to its pupils, but the modern method of teaching and civilization adopted. It was Morkaz which, for the first time in the history of Arabic and Islamic learning in Nigeria, introduced the use of blackboard and chalk in teaching. It was Morkaz which formalised Islamic Education by designing a standard CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya ‘You have in the Prophet, an excellent model’

‘

erily you have, in the Prophet of Allah, an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah much.’ (33:22) ‘Say, ‘If you love Allah, follow me: then will Allah love you and forgive you your faults. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’ (3:32) In order to become the recipient of Divine grace, favours and blessings, God has taught to become His Abd (servant), those who follow His commandments. Last Friday sermon mentioned that by following God’s commandments, one comes into the category of true Abd. For this purpose, God

‘Proper institution of Zakat will reduce poverty’ 29

Morkaz, Agege Mosque

has sent numerous instructions so that we can become corroborators of ‘…So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me…’ (2:187) and gain the pleasure of being a true Abd and experience acceptance of prayers. Although there are numerous Quranic commandments to attain this objective, but human nature is such that it is more influenced by practical examples. When one claims to love someone, one tries to adopt every practice of the beloved. When faith is included in this love one wishes to please the beloved as well as secure one’s faith. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Our children, our future 28

Cross section of pupils of Dawah Schools, Low-Cost Housing Estate, Iyana Isheri B/S, Oke-Ofa, Isolo, Lagos during their end of session party recently.

‘Let love radiate in every home’ 30

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FACES OF SOME OF THE DIGNITARIES AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LIFE AND WORKS OF SHAYKH ADAM AL-ILORY AT UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN ON SATURDAY The Sultan Of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad, with the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi in a handshake while the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari looks on.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad, Shaykh Habibullahi, son of Adam Al-Ilory and Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Morkaz at 60: The journey so far CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 curriculum classifying studies into subjects. It was Morkaz which first introduced school uniform into Madrasah and used examination as a means of promotion of pupils from class to class. It was Morkaz which first issued certificate to its granduands as a measure of level of Education. It was Morkaz that offers courses like handwriting, Syntax, Phonology, Morphology, Arithmetic, Geography, History, Literature, Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Theology, Hadith, and Quran were first taught as separate subjects. It was in Morkaz that Eid and Friday sermons werer first delivered in Arabic and translated into Yoruba for better understanding by the audience. It was in Morkaz that women have the equal opportunity to acquire Islamic Education formally like their male counterparts. This was an Arabic center where the students are empowered with various vocational trainings with the primary aim of self-reliance. It is a thing of joy to graduate from an Arabic and Islamic Training Center, but it is a pride to be a product of the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Training Center (Morkaz) Agege, Nigeria. The centre upholds strong moral values among the lecturers and students in addition to quality training. For the first three years after the movement of Morkaz from Abeokuta to Agege in 1955, both the staff and the students of the Institution were observing the Friday and Eid prayers at the Agege Central Mosque. But with the increasing population of Morkaz and the need for students to gain from the knowledge of Sheikh Adam especially with respect to practical Islam, it became necessary to start the observance of Jumat and Eid prayers in Morkaz. These were started simultaneously in 1958 with Sheikh Adam himself leading and delivering sermons in Arabic Language which were translated to local languages for better understanding. Following the first graduation ceremony of 1957, coupled with the quality of knowledge acquired by the students

L-R: The ViceChancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-Haq Oloyede; Sultan Of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

Late Sheikh Adam El-Ilory

and the seal, as well as the desire to be great installed in them by Sheikh Adam, various Arabic and Islamic Institutions which can be described as the offshoot of Morkaz were established by some of Sheikh Adam’s past students in the West African sub-region. Within a couple of years, Morkaz Mosque has virtually become another Central Mosque in Agege as people started coming to observe their Jumat and Eid prayers from all parts of Lagos. Today, the population of Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory Morkaz congregation (Jumat) is not less than 50,000 ( fifty thousand) faithful at any given time and several expansion projects carried out on the mosque in the past have not really taken care of the population, which keeps on growing geometrically with both male and female faithful. Sheikh Habeebullah Al-Ilory said his father, who is the founder of the institution, was a man of discipline, a teacher of teachers, a philosopher who was always contented at every situation he found himself. Whenever he was given Zakat, he distributed the proceeds among the people and did not accumulate things for his personal benefits alone. He usually sent Zakat to Muslim clerics as far as Abeokuta, Ilorin and all who needed them. He was a courageous man and a fearless man who aimed for the reformation of the society.

Entrance to Late Sheikh Adam El-Ilory’s grave

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Friday, August 31, 2012

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH

60th Anniversary: Morkaz assures dignitaries of safety LATEEFAH IBRAHIM-ANIMASHAUN

alifah Habeebullahi Adam Al-Ilory has assured dignitaries across the world, coming for the 60th anniversary of the Islamic Training Centre, Agege-Lagos, that effective security measures have been put in place for an itch-free event throughout the three day celebration, which holds from today till Sunday. He said since insecurity is yet to be separated from

religion, every stakeholder must ensure safety for every programme it holds, especially an event which is expecting a large population of dignitaries from across the world. He said the institution will give out awards to Nigerians who have contributed to the development of the nation in their various endeavours as he stressed that the award is strictly based on merit and not for any form of financial benefit. “We looked into the profile of these people and looked at the effects they

have had on the society, not minding which facet of life they are coming from. We are including academics, politicians and people from all facets of life, as long as they have made a meaningful impact in the development of their environment”, he explained. The event will start with VIP Award for today and the Awardees includes Hon. Ahmed Belgore, Alhaji Saad Belgore and the post humous awardees for today include Sheikh Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy, Sheikh Yusuf Agbaji, Sheikh Abdul Baqi

Ganma, amongst other important personalities. The Ulama Awardees for tomorrow includes Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ilory, Sheikh Raji Suleiman, Sheikh Yunus Sanusi, Sheikh Mustapha Sanusi Zuglool and other eminent Islamic clerics. Meanwhile, the Royal Majesty Awards which will take place on Sunday will be given to Sheikh AbdurRazaq AbdurRahman Iwo, Sheikh AbdurRaheem Hamzat, Alhaja Hassan Awahu, Sheikh Muritala Alaya, among other notable scholars.

SEKINAH L AWAL

‘Spread the message’

omen who have already experienced the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding have been urged to spread the message across to others as this will be a potent way of ensuring effective and exclusive breastfeeding among women. This was disclosed by the representative of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Mrs Ada Ezeogu during the Baby show programme organised by Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10 in collaboration with UNICEF to commemorate the annual breastfeeding week held at Surulere local government, Lagos. Research has shown that in Nigeria, only 13 percent of women exclusively-breastfeed their babies within the first six month of birth which usually results into infections and abnormalities associated with the growth of the baby. Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Baby Show, Mrs. Amina Muhammed revealed that the programmed is aimed at creating the necessary sensitization and awareness among Nigerian women on the many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. She also called on nursing mothers to stop the habit of introducing water as part of meals for babies who have not clocked 6 months while she added that everything the baby needs is contained in the breast for six months.

Insecurity: MURIC lauds FG on dialogue

The Executive Director of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib and Hassan Tahir, Head, Babs-Salam Orphanage Home, Ikeja-Lagos, during the presentation of food items to the home by the Foundation during the just-concluded month of Ramadhan at the orphanage home in Ikeja.

MD/CEO Y.K.M. Products limited, Alhaji K.M. Yusuf presenting a grinding machine to a beneficiary at Zakat Distribution Ceremony held in Alausa Ikeja while the Imam of the Foundation, Ustadh Tirimidhi Jamiu looks on.

Let’s all pray for Jonathan –Shafi’i L ATEEFAH IBRAHIMANIMASHAUN

clarion call has gone to Muslims across the country, to pray for President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as it has become glaring that only God’s intervention can turn things around and also on his personal declaration of his administration as the most criticized in the world. The grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Ustaz Dhikrullahi Shafi’i, declared this during the monthly lecture

of the organisation where he urged Nigerians to stop cursing the President and his administration as he said this will only harden his mind against his subjects. He advised the government to set its priority right, give less attention to the introduction of N5,000 note and focus on pressing issues that affect development, most especially security issue. He said there is insecurity everywhere and government should settle the issue of insecurity before going into less important aspects like the new naira note

introduction. “Nigerians should not allow division in the country as all ethnic groups have their own contributions to the development of the nation. When the country splits, Yoruba will suffer more and the Muslims will suffer most because we have no leader and without a leader, there can’t be direction.” The scholar encouraged Muslims who just finished the Ramadan fast to crown it up with the six fast of Shawwal called Sitatu Shawwal which, he said, Prophet Muhammad equated with fasting for a whole year.

he recent confirmation by the Federal Government that it is currently holding talks with the dreaded Boko Haram group has been described as a welcome idea. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) stated that this is a step in the right direction as it is most likely to stop the carnage which has engulfed the nation for several months with no solution in sight. According to a press release signed by the Director of MURIC, Prof. Is-haq Akintola, government’s hesitation and precautionary measure is a small step forward for the administration and urged the Federal Government to take the giant step forward for the country in its search for durable peace by boldly transforming the ‘indirect’ talks, to direct bilateral talks capable of leading to a general amnesty, disarmament in the volatile region and an economic empowerment programme that will take the gullible and jobless youths off the streets.

“Federal Government must learn from events in other countries. America is currently having problems in Afghanistan because it chose to engage the Taliban in indirect talks via Qatar instead of direct, frank and open discussions with the second party. FG should take the bull by the horns by holding direct bilateral talks with Boko Haram. This is possible because we have precedents. Britain dialogued directly with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Italy held frank talks with the Red Brigade. Spain sat down in roundtable discussions with the Basque Separatist Movement. Britain, Italy and Spain are today reaping the fruits of their sincerity and respect for their erstwhile enemies.” MURIC also pointed out that it is on record that this country once sat down in direct talks with the Niger Delta militants as we cannot afford to underestimate any foe. “Nigeria needs a peaceful atmosphere to develop its economy. The time for direct talks is now. We must make hay while the sun shines.”

L-R: Wives of the Osun State Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively at an Iftar Saim programme held in collaboration with Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation and the Osun State House of Assembly in Osogbo recently.

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH Friday, August 31, 2012

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Our children, our future

ne of the mercies of Allah (SWT) on man is that He provides him with different types of fruits for different seasons and environments. The fruits serve a good source of vitamin in our bodies. Every man loves to eat fruit. Every man enjoys the taste of any fruit of his choice. No man likes it when it is bitter. Every fruit has its kind of root, stem, leaf, flower, fragrance, taste, outlook and specific function in the body. Fruits perform differently on different types of soil. These are facts which every man testifies to. Children are like fruits. They are gifts of Allah (SWT).They are born by different mothers and at different places. No mother can claim the child of another. Some children are legitimately born while others are born illegitimately. Some are born and properly brought up while others are reared like they are not human beings. Even animals have some level of some concern for their young ones. A hen or cat not to talk of lioness will not just allow you to toy with its chick, kitten or cob in its pres-

EVERY CHILD TODAY

APPEARS TO BE LONELY.

NO SOLACE AT HOME, NO SUCCOUR IN SCHOOL ence. Your child is your seed you nursed in the womb. It continues its growth and development after birth. You know how you cared when it was a baby so that it will not die. The same care is necessary when it becomes a boy or a teenager. Your child is a fruit that is meant to be enjoyed by the society. But what kind of fruit is your child? Is he sweet or bitter? It is time you sustained the gain of the care and attention you gave your child while at infancy. Otherwise, if the child’s character becomes bad, it will be a waste of effort. All you went through during pregnancy, labour and infancy will be in vain in this world and of course a source of punishment in the hereafter. Just as we have fruit rot, we could also have child rot. A fruit could be ripe but not

The essence of Hajj P ilgrimage or Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is undertaken to commemorate the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim and his family who founded Mecca. It normally occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are physically fit. The money for this trip should be that of Halal and not through immoral means like lottery, stealing, betting etc. The holy Qu’ran chapter 2, verses 197 – 203, chapter 3, verse 97, chapter 22, verse 27, explain extensively this important pillar of Islam. Anyone who has the means of performing hajj but fail to do so can be likened to one who observes Solat daily and regularly but fail to fast during the month of Ramadan without falling under the exceptions clause spelt out in the holy Qur’an. The most important thing expected of any intended pilgrim to the holy land is to have fear of Almighty Allah in whatever he does. Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba praising Allah together. It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bond of Islamic brotherhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. In Hajj, all are truly equal. The hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. During the hajj, the pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world. Mecca is a place that is holy to all Muslims. The holy Prophet Mohammed enjoins Muslims to embark on this trip when there is a means and good health so that both sin and poverty can be a thing of the past. Muslims need to be in a state of Ihram and be making a statement of intention thus: “Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at Your service! You have no

Arikunkewu

partner. Here I am at Your service. All praise and blessings belong to you. All dominion is Yours and You have no partner”. A pilgrim in the state of Ihram should not engage in marital relations, shave or cut nails, kill or hunt anything, fight or argue, women must not cover their faces, even if they would do so in their home country, men should not wear clothes with stitching. A man who has completed the Hajj is called a Hajji, a woman who has completed it is called a Hajjah. At the end of the Hajj, Muslims from all over the world celebrate the festival known as the Eid ul Adha or festival of the sacrifice. This festival commemorates the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim when he was ordered to sacrifice his son, Is’mail. Prophet Ibrahim proved his love and devotion to Allah by showing his willingness to kill his beloved son if Allah wished it. In the end, Ibrahim did not have to kill his son as Allah gave him a white ram to sacrifice instead. In conclusion, going on holy pilgrimage has not guaranteed any Muslim paradise as this can only be made possible by adhering strictly to Allah’s injunctions and Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). Sheikh Abdul Ganniyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of Jubatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society of Nigeria (JUBFAT)

fit for consumption, so the same your child can become a teenager or youth and be useless to the society. It is thus the decision of every parent to decide what kind of fruit he or she wants to make of the child. While it is the Islamic verdict that the responsibility of training the child lies with the mother, the father is more responsible to oversee and ensure proper attention is given to him. Our dreams of a good future or leaders lie in our hands. Let us prepare our children for what we want. Make your child an asset and not a liability to the ummah. A child whose foundation is shallow cannot be used to build societal edifice. Otherwise, it will collapse. The parents are the first culprit of societal ills because they nurture the child before he becomes responsible for himself. It is the belief of Islam that all children are born into Islam. It is the parents who make them unbelievers. Every child today appears to be lonely. No solace at home, no succour in school and no support from the society. He is further bombarded from all angles with evils that mar its future. He is exposed to a mor-

ally unfriendly environment at home and at school. It is thus our duty as parents to be sensitive and be available to let our children know the difference between good and bad programmes on TV as it affects the beauty of Islam. You should properly monitor and get feedbacks from your children as he goes to school or plays with other children. Your time is invaluable to your children at home. These children are blank pages; it is the parents who write sentences, paragraphs or chapters on them. The more time a parent spends to study the child grow and show concern for its development by actually participating in its making, the more meaningful lines are written. A parent can live with a child for years but have others imprint on his mind. Dr. Zafaran is the Director, Vanguards Academy

Fasting after Ramadan HARUNA RAZAQ

he blessed month of Ramadan 1433 AH (2012 CE) has come and gone with mixed feelings. Whenever the month of Ramadan is going to an end, the angels, animals and righteous slaves of Allah were not happy with its departure because they know many Muslims will stop the good deeds immediately after Ramadan and return to sin. And one of the major causes of this attitude is weakness of Iman (faith). The Prophet is reported to have said: “Iman increases and decreases…” it increases as a result of good deeds and decreases as a result of evil deeds. Therefore, one of the ways to increase our Iman after Ramadan is through Sunnah fasting. However, there are rules that guide fasting after Ramadan in Islam. Some of it is as follows: Fasting of six days of Shawwal (the tenth month of the Islamic calendar) as narrated by Abu Ayyub (RA) that Allah’s Messenger, (SAW), said: “He who fasts Ramadan, and six days of Shawwal, it will be (in terms of rewards) as if he fasted a whole year.” (Reported by Muslim and others) It is a misconception that these six days of fasting must be undertaken on consecutive days, because there is no hadith that support or stipulate this. Also it is not allowed to observe the six days of fasting during Shawwal beginning on the first day of Shawwal which is the day of Eid ul-Fitr. So, this is an established sunnah, which carries a great reward. These six days of fasting together with the Ramadan fasts, are equivalent to fasting “perpetually”, according to Sahih Muslim (one of the famous books of hadith). The reason behind this hadith is that a good deed in Islam is rewarded ten times, therefore fasting one month during Ramadan and six days during Shawwal is equivalent to fasting the whole year in terms of reward. Fasting on Mondays and Thurs-

HE WHO FASTS RAMADAN, AND SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL, IT WILL BE (IN TERMS OF REWARDS) AS IF HE FASTED A WHOLE YEAR days (i) it was narrated from Abu Qataadah al-Ansaari that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1162). It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (RA) said: The Prophet (SAW) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Deeds are shown (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” Fasting for three days in every month: It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: “My close friend, the Prophet (SAW) advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1124; Muslim, 721). Haruna Razaq, Chief Imam, Vanguard News papers, Lagos , 08028745366; harun1430@yahoo.com.

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Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH

Call to Worship

‘Proper institution of Zakat will reduce poverty’ Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem, former Amirah of the Criterion is a Professor/Consultant Pathologist at the Gastrointestinal/hepatopathology, Morbid Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, University of Lagos and a woman of candour and a role model to many Muslim professionals who are her contemporaries and the younger generations. In this Interview with ASSISTANT EDITOR, SEKINAH LAWAL, she speaks on many sundry issues as they affect Muslims and Islam. Is there any relationship between Islam and terrorism? Islam is derived from the Arabic word, ‘salaam’ which means peace, thus Islam means a commitment to live in peace through submission to the Will of Allah willingly. The contemporary world evolved from the 15th century European culture which rebelled against God and is one that is centred around man with pleasure and materialism overriding the main objective of man’s existence on earth. Although the ‘renaissance man’ was to explore life and live it to the fullest without inhibition by any believe in God through communism, however, this instead of resulting in happiness; produced sadness and misery with increasing rate of suicide, mental illness, social injustice, violence and crimes. The development in science and technology in addition also resulted in negative impact destroying not only the physical environment but also causing socio-economic inequality, weakening of the family unit and value system. The end result of all the above is socio-political imbalance, struggle for supremacy and insecurity. Islam is a balanced religion; a way of life in which there is a balance between spiritual and mundane life, work and worship, self-preservation and selflessness. This balance (‘adl’) is the essence of human creation wherein there is no separation between the body and the spirit. Islam seeks to maintain the balance in man and guides man to maintain balance in the physical and social environment of man. Is there any relationship between Islam and violence or terrorism? There is no relationship between Islam and terrorism or any other acts of violence. In fact, the so-called ‘Islamic terrorism’ does not exist in any of the Islamic books or traditions; it is the handiwork of enemies of Islam to associate Islam with violence or terrorism. Also, the misunderstood word, JIHAD, which people use as a reason to fight, means “STRUGGLE “and not “HOLY WAR” as it is construed to mean. Islam frowns at any of these, and does not support the use of JIHAD as a reason to fight and kill others. Can people force others to accept Islam? Islam is against compulsion in religion. The Quran clearly states that there is no compulsion in religion and thus nobody can force another person to become a Muslim. Thus Muslims are enjoined to tolerate people of other faith. Qur’an2:256 says; “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” However Islam allows fighting for self-defence and justice as a last resort when one is being oppressed: To a westerner, any Muslim is a ‘terrorist’ or ‘fundamentalist’, but a fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine. This is an erroneous creation/misinformation of the western media. A practicing Muslim should be a fundamentalist, but not a terrorist. Islamic fundamentalism does not include crimes against humanity, heinous acts of hatred, political killings, terrorism, oppression, religious extremism or zealotry, or the forcing of one’s religion on others; acts that are clearly forbidden in Islam. It is unfortunate to know that any evil act committed by a Muslim is attributed to Islam. Practicing Muslims have become ‘endangered species.’ Unfortunately, some Muslims do these un-Islamic acts claiming that it is ‘jihad’ and that Allah shall treat them as

Corruption is another major evil that opens the way for other evils. Corruption has penetrated all aspects of life in Nigeria; it involves both the leaders and the citizenry; in public and private institutions and it appears to be getting worse by the day. Unemployment is another important factor, particularly in Nigeria. It was last reported to be 23.9% in 2011. A large percentage of young graduates are unemployed; there are many more unskilled unemployed youths roaming the streets aimlessly with no future. They become armedrobbers and are used as political thugs, perpetrating violence and other vices in the society. Lack of social infrastructure is another cause. Governments do not deliver dividends of democracy to the populace, they do not provide basic amenities that will encourage entrepreneurship; education and health sectors are poorly funded; rather, monthly allocations are shared among a few people.

Abdulkareem

IT IS UNFORTUNATE TO KNOW THAT ANY EVIL ACT COMMITTED BY A

MUSLIM IS ATTRIBUTED TO ISLAM martyrs and will accept them to paradise, but this is a false promise and such acts will only lead a person to Hell. This is corroborated by the following sahih hadith reported by Abu Hurairah. “The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said: “Whoever strangles himself strangles himself into fire, and whoever stabs himself with, a spear stabs himself into fire.” (Bukhari) Islam recognises mankind’s diversity of colour, race, language and makes no distinction based on any of these. The Holy Quran states: “And among His signs are the creation of the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colours. In that surely are Signs for those who possess knowledge.”(Qur’an 30: verse 23) In another verse of the Qur’an, Allah states that individuals should be judged only by piety and righteousness rather than by the position, wealth or colour. The entire mankind, Muslims and non-Muslims are supposed to be one great brotherhood, created from Prophet Adam (AS) and we are enjoined to seek and win the pleasure of Allah through acts of righteousness and good conducts towards one another. See Qur’an 49:14. What are the causes of world’s insecurity and lack of peace? Injustice and lack of fairness are the major root causes of insecurity. Citizens are not treated fairly; there are political, economic, social injustices, human right abuses to individuals and groups of people in various parts of the world. There is fight for supremacy by the world super powers. For example, how can we describe the invasion of Iran, Afghanistan by the US and illegal occupation of Palestinian homeland by Israel, particularly the take-over of the Masjid-Aqsa which is an important monument of the Muslims other than injustice? Elections are rigged to install puppet governments controlled by super-powers. In some countries, Muslim women are denied the wearing of hijab, in some places of work even in Nigeria, some Muslims are denied the right to observe Jummah on Friday, which is a constitutional right. When there was turmoil in the Niger Delta, they were called militants, but when any violence involves Muslims, they are called terrorists. When all these acts of injustice are ignored or viewed with callous indifference by the authorities, it can result in desperate rage that transcends all culture and religion. Thus, people in such hopeless situations may take extreme measures such as suicide bombing, killing civilians, kidnapping etc to desperately seek for justice. Is government doing enough to stem the trend?

What is the way out? How can Islam restore world peace and security? As indicated above, it is obvious that many of the doctrines of Islam promote peace and security, promotes peaceful co-existence, abhors violence and injustice, enjoins good and forbids evil. Allah says in the Qur’an that Muslims are the best nation ever created (Q3:110) Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH) was sent by Allah to the whole world as a mercy to mankind (Qur’an 21:108) and was described by Allah as the excellent example for mankind. As a child, a slave, a friend, a brother, a father, a husband, a neighbour and head of state, he was perfect! Muslims should therefore exhibit these characteristics by being role models. Muslims should go back to the basics such that there will no longer be any difference between Islam and the Muslims. As Muslims, we need to trace our roots and practice pristine Islam, the way the early Muslims did. They had strong unshaken faith in Allah, they were consistent, patient and persevering and committed to Allah’s course, they were knowledgeable, took part in dawah, they had strong brotherhood, they were humble, fair and just; and the hereafter was more alluring to them than wealth acquisition. They had fear of Allah, and so were not greedy and corrupt. We should adhere strictly to Islamic tenets of peaceful coexistence. The rights of neighbors in Islam should be respected whether Muslims or non-Muslims. The prophet (SAW) taught us that a “neighbor” includes people living in forty houses to ours in all directions, not just the one next door-meaning a whole neighborhood. He described three categories of neighbours with prescribed rights towards them. “There are three categories of neighbours. First: one who has three rights upon you. This is the one who is a Muslim neighbour and also a relative. Second: One who has two rights, a Muslim neighbour and third: the Kafir neighbour who has only the rights of a neighbour.” Allah again says: “And (be good) to the neighbor who is your relative and to the neighbor who is not a relative....”(Qur’an; 4:36) Prophet Muhammad (saw) had all the three categories of neighbours around him and was very kind to them that he even showed kindness and forbearance to those non-Muslims who treated him badly. He was generous, did business, visited, and exchanged gifts with his neighbours. He ruled over Muslims and non- Muslims and the latter were not treated unjustly. His life history reflects kindness and tolerance in dealing with Muslims and non-Muslims. In Islam, having good relations with fellow beings is considered very important because we are all created by Allah from a single soul and thus we belong to one big family whether or not we are Muslims. Your advice on women issues ma? Women should be encouraged to play their primary role of proper child upbringing and restoration of family values. We should instill the Islamic personality in the souls of the nation. We should ensure that men and women that are raised are spiritually and morally sound ridding the society CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH Friday, August 31, 2012

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‘Let love radiate in every home’ The National Women Affairs Secretary of Nasrullahil Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, is an astute administrator and a role model to many young Muslims and many of her contemporaries. In this interview with LATEEFAH IBRAHIM ANIMASHAUN, she restated the commitment of NASFAT women to peace building, quality education, among other sundry issues. What is NASFAT doing to alleviate poverty among womenfolk? We have the craft, which includes bead making. We are taking them into fashion designing too. They are all happy about this because everybody needs extra money to augment the income of the family at this time. Many women need to work to take proper care of their children. We also encourage them to learn computer because children of these days are Internet-savry and for you to take proper care of them, to monitor what they are browsing and watching on the Internet, you as a mother, must also be computer-literate. Right under your nose, your children will be learning how to make bombs and other criminal activities without you knowing. If you are computer-literate, you can guide them. For example, the Quran Explorer is there to teach them how to learn the Quran. Your advice to government on poverty alleviation programmes? We have partnership with government at times, for example, we sometimes get support from the Lagos State government for our empowerment programmes. We should try to loosen up and seek partnership, because these partnerships are there. It is high time we began to look beyond the confines of our Islamic society to get benefits for our members. The government has to do more. There are so many plans from the government, but all we desire is active implementation. We are happy to know that electricity is improving and we hope that they will get better. All those we are training now will need electricity to implement what we have taught them. This will help them reduce the cost of production. Government needs to do more in providing infrastructure. What are you doing in ensuring quality health for women? The heath of women is of major concern to us. We are encouraging more of our daughters to go into the medical profession. We need them there. When circumstances arise, men treat us in the hospital. But it would have been better if we have more of female medical personnel. The female will be able to attend to us better because they will know us better. What is your stand on women in Nigerian government? We are empowering our women. We have the agenda on 35 percent of women in government and we also have to key into this because, if we fold our arms, we would start complaining that we are being marginalised. Let us encourage our women to work towards this because others will not protect our interests. If Muslim women are at the fore front, they will make people to know what Islam says. But when we are saying that they should not be there, others will not know the stand of Islam. Their decisions might be anti-Islam and we might not be able to query them. It is high time we woke up to our responsibilities. Education of our girls is very important. A girl-child education should be of great priority to us now. It is something that we have to take with all the seriousness it deserves. What will be your advice to young ladies on marriage? We used to tell our women to seek Allah with patience and prayers. We always encourage them that when they

are about choosing a life partner, they should not to do this out of frustration. Let us make sure as mothers, we train our children on the way of Allah. Let them have the fear of Allah in them. Let them be the best ambassador of Islam and the Muslims. Prepare your children well for their youth, adolescent and for their marriage. It is very important. It is disheartening that we find successful men marrying people of other faiths claiming that they are better wives and we have our girls running elsewhere. If people see many of us in Islam and tell us we are good, this means, there is beauty in Islam. This means there is something wrong in the training of those who are not representing Islam well. In NASFAT, we have our singles forum to allow our youths to meet. Another problem we have with Muslim youth is that they don’t know how to express love. We are not saying they should do adultery. At home, some of us mothers could not even say to our children, I love you. We should train them about love right from our homes. Let them appreciate others. If we don’t train our children with love at home, they won’t know how to love their spouses and that is another problem. Let love radiate in every home. Allah is a loving God. His name is Yah Wadud, the loving God and we too should be able to love. As a servant of the loving God, we too should be able to show love. What’s your advice for women on coping with career and the home front? It is lack of direction that is affecting most women, not lack of time, because we all have 24 hours in a day. If other women can do it, Muslim women can also do it. If you can, I can. It is a matter of time management. Things are so easy now. Some of us do our cooking during the weekend. We store them in a deep freezer, bring them out and warm them in a micro wave and it is as if it is freshly done. If the women say they have to be at home all the time and they are not in government, not in the business line, then we will be left behind and we cannot complain that they are not sharing it well when we are not there to play our part. So, those men that married graduates should allow them to work. What solutions will you proffer to divorce? It is rampant and disturbing to the extent that the GrandKadi of Kano lamented. For a man to be the leader in the family does not make the wife to be his servant. Look at an instance during the life of Prophet Muhammad in the treaty of Hudaybiyyah. When they were to go to Umrah in Mecca, they were refused entry and Prophet Muhammad asked them to remove their ihram, slaughter animal, and shave. For the first time, they disobeyed Prophet Muhammad. He repeated it, they were not ready to listen, then, he went to his wife and consulted her. She advised him and the advice worked out for him. This is the Prophet of Allah, which means that there should be consultation in the home. There must be trust and faithfulness. Islam allows a man to marry more than one wife, and then you should know how to plan. Be sure that you have the ability and capability to handle such family. Some men are the ones that destroy their family because they are not prepared and do not have the ability to manage such home. All we are saying is that we should know more about the deen of Islam. Let us know how to practice it well because it is a way of life.

WOMEN ARE AND WE SHOULD BE CATALYST FOR NATION BUILDING

Arogundade

Advice to the nation on insecurity There is insecurity in the whole world; it is not about Nigeria alone. Women are the most vulnerable. When our husbands are killed, we are affected, when our children are killed, we are also affected. We are the worst-hit whenever there are crisis anywhere. For this reason, we have our third women conference on peace and conflict resolution. We also have been organising programmes on how to ensure there is peace in the land. To this end, we have organised training, symposiums and conferences to make sure that our women are much informed about how to nurture, monitor and guide their children because unless the children have proper upbringing, they will be easy tools for those employing them for dastardly acts and Islam is all about peace. It shows how to establish peace with your neighbours which include so many houses in your front, your left, and your right. Islam emphasis is on peace. Let parents give proper education to their wards. We should not deny people their rights for so long as there will be a time that they will turn around and it could be violent when they are asking for such rights. We all desire peace, all that is happening today is a not a religious thing. We should not just have schools, let us think of how to modernise these schools. I give kudos to government on the transformation of the Almajiri schools. Women of NASFAT are also advocating for the transformation of the traditional Almajiris system. We should give them vocational trainings. Apart from learning the Quran, let us empower them with skills that will provide for their sustenance in future. We are advocating vocational training for them just like those in Junior Secondary Schools. When they go to Arabic school in the morning, they go for plumbing, mechanic trainings in the evening. So also, we are encouraging the women, right within the confines of their homes, even in Purdah, they can be earning a living. They should be able to augment the income of the family, nourish the family, because when the family is well-nourished, the community will be nourished and the nation will flourish. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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Friday, August 31, 2012

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH

Call to Worship

Legendary Sheikh Adam El-Ilory & the success of Morkaz WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

he main hall of the University of Ilorin central Auditorium had never been so filled to its capacity to the extent of having an overflow in recent time until Saturday, August 24, 2012 when the entire university community stood still in honour and memory of Shakyh Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, founder of Markaz ta’lim al-arabi al-islami, otherwise known as Markaz College of Islamic studies, the rarest centre of learning in Africa located in Agege-Lagos. It is the fastest growing Arabic and Islamic Centre that is vibrant, dynamic and providing spiritual and social renewal in Nigeria. That day, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Saad Abubakar led the array of dignitaries cutting across the academic, traditional institutions, politicians, captains of industries, clerics, Islamic scholars, students, people of other faiths and participants from not less than seven foreign countries including Germany, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Kuwait and Egypt among others who graced the opening ceremony of the International Conference put together by the Faculties of Arts and Education. It was a gathering of the gown, town and indeed, the crown. Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the governor of Kwara State, and many more. At the conference, with the theme: “Life And Works of Shakyh Adam Abdullahi Al-ilory, 1917-1992” the Book of Abstracts on the late Sheikh was presented containing those that were

HE WAS KNOWN TO BE A TEACHER, SCHOLAR, PREACHER, SOCIAL CRITIC, AN EDUCATIONIST, PUBLISHER, HISTORIAN, JURIST, LINGUIST, PHILOSOPHER, AN ADMINISTRATOR, AND QUINTESSENTIAL INTELLECTUAL made by over 100 scholars in English and Arabic most of whom were Islamic scholars who attested to the piety of the sage. The celebrants at the ceremony were the alumni of Markaz including the University of Ilorin Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede and Prof. Dimeji Abdulbakre who was the Chairman of the planning committee. Some of the Abstracts include an examination of the contribution of Shaykh Adam; an examination of Main Analysis in Al-Ilory’s Tawjih; An examination of Shaykh Adam’s “Ta’rf wajiz Birabitah Al-Aimmah Wal-Ulama; Fibilad Yoruba; Analysis of Content And Style of Al-Ilory’s Works on Sufisat; Falsafsafatul-Wilayah AND Tawjihud-Da wah Wa Duat- As A Case Study; Ascetism: A Trait in the Lifestyle of Abdullahi Al-Ilory, 1917-1992; Immate and Mosque Management in Islam: An Examination of the Views of Shekh Adam El-Ilory; Service to Allah And Humanity: A case Study of Shaykh Adam Al-Ilory’s Disciples; Adam Abdullahi AlIlory as an Exegete of his contribution

to Tafsir Delivery in Yorubaland and Shaykh Adam: A Public Commentator and Jurist” among others. Shekh El-Ilory who was born in 1917 held a solid relevance in Nigeria through his Centre (Markaz) and his teachings which touches on piety as a Muslim, morals generally as a human being and in governance. This was attested to and is still attested to by a large followership of admirers and students, the leading luminary was well-acclaimed internationally as one of the finest brains to ever come out of Nigeria and indeed, Africa. It is on record that the World’s first University ever, Al-Azhar University, Cairo in Egypt at a time became so fascinated by the vast intellectual endowment in this sage that it conferred on him an Award of Academic Excellence equivalent of a Noble Prize which records say was never won by any other person but the former president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak in 1989. A school of thought says El-Ilory succeeded in putting in one life, what 100 men would have been able to achieve. He was known to be a teacher, a scholar, a preacher, a social critic, an educationist, a publisher, historian, a jurist, a linguist, a philosopher, an administrator, and a quintessential intellectual. He was known to be a man of great courage whose traits penetrated insights and an unimpeachable integrity. The fame of Sheikh Adam is registered in North Africa, Middle East and South East Asia. A source told this writer that the Sheikh was about the only African of his time who speaks Arabic and an Arab would understand him distinctly. The Sheikh whose Markaz College started in Abeokuta in 1952 before moving to Agege, Lagos in 1957 will be re-

membered as one cleric that stands out against the crave for material wealth which many today will go to any length, to garner. He was a paragon of contentment who would be remembered for shunning glamour and affluence. A storey was told of how the late sage once visited Chied MKO Abiola and on his way back, his rickety car broke down which Abiola got to know and immediately sent to him another brand new Peugeot which Sheikh Adam rejected preferring to drive his old car. The car was the one he owned till his death in 1992. He died twenty years ago and the founding of Markaz is sixty years. The school has remained like a magnet that attracted the people who are in search of knowledge till date from Nigeria and in the West Africa sub-region and they are today captains in their various fields of individual endeavours. The late king Faysal of Saudi Arabia was once said to have described Sheikh Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory as “one of the fine men working for the propagation of Islam. He is well known in the Circles of Arabic (the world over). He has a pleasant conduct and he is an erudite man of letters” Prof. Stefan Reichmuth, a German Christian is a Professor of Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Philology at the RUHR University, Bochum, Germany. He was the key speaker at the Ilorin conference. In an interview with National Mirror, he described late Sheikh Adam that he met in Ilorin in 1980 when he came to Nigeria on a research work on Islam in the Yoruba Speaking states of Nigeria as a true Muslim who stood for every tenet of Islam, intelligent, disciplined, kind and thorough.

‘You have in the Prophet, an excellent model’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 We are fortunate to be included in the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who was an exemplar of all the Quranic commandments, presenting a perfect and blessed model. The aforementioned verses draw attention to this subject and command that a Muslim claiming to have faith will accomplish faith and will gain nearness to God when he or she will follow the blessed model of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Without following his blessed model, it is pointless to hope for the Hereafter, without it, piety cannot be called piety, worship is not worship. Without following his blessed model, Dikhr (remembrance of God) cannot reach that stage from which one gains nearness to God, salvation from sin is not possible without it and one cannot partake of God’s Raheemiyyat (Divine quality of being Merciful) and one cannot attain God’s love. He was the most beloved person of God and if he is not followed, one cannot attain God’s love either. Fortunately, we are Muslims but we will only derive the beneficence of being a part of the Ummah when we will try to walk in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He made is very clear that God’s nearness and love cannot be attained by following steps which

he did not practice. In the current age, it is the favour of his true and ardent devotee, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) that he has guided us to understand and indeed practice the true example of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He informed us that some new innovations of worship which are not to be seen in the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) cannot attain nearness to God because in order to attain nearness to God it is essential to follow the Prophet’s blessed model. Before presenting examples of the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) which is guidance in becoming a true Abd, here is what the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote about the status of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He wrote: ‘Say: O my servants who have committed excesses against your own selves despair not of the mercy of Allah, surely Allah will forgive all sins. [39:54] In this verse instead of: O servants of Allah; the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] was commanded to say: O my servants. This verse was revealed in this form so that God Almighty might convey the good news of limitless mercies and might comfort those who are broken-hearted in

consequence of their sins. Thus, Allah the Glorious desired to exhibit a sample of His mercies and to make it manifest to what extent He honours His faithful servant with special favours. By adopting the form: Say: O my servants; God in effect said: Look at My beloved Messenger and see at what high rank he has arrived through his perfect obedience to Me that now all that is Mine is his. He who desires salvation should become his servant. That is to say, he should obey him so perfectly as if he was his slave. Then whatever sins he might have committed will be forgiven him. The word ‘abd in Arabic idiom also means slave as it is said: ‘…even a believing slave is better than an idolater…’ [2:222] In the verse to which we have drawn attention, it is indicated that he who desires salvation should establish the relationship of a slave with this Prophet. That is to say, he should not step outside his commandment and should consider himself bound to his obedience as a slave is bound and he would then obtain salvation. One pities those benighted souls who bear such rancour towards the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] that they consider that names like Ghulam Nabi, Ghulam Rasul, Ghulam Mustafa, Ghulam Ahmad and Ghulam Muhammad, amount to associating the Holy Prophet [peace and

blessings of Allah be on him] with God, whereas the verse indicates that these names are a means of salvation. As ‘abd implies that a person so named should refrain from every kind of freedom and self-direction and should be completely obedient to his master, therefore, the seekers after truth have been urged that if they wish to attain salvation they should adapt themselves to this condition. This verse has the same connotation as the verse: ‘Say, ‘If you love Allah, follow me: then will Allah love you and forgive you your faults…’ [3:32]. Perfect following demands that devotion and full obedience which is conveyed in the expression ‘abd. The verse: Say: O my servants; means in effect: Say: O my followers, who are involved in sins, despair not of mercy of Allah; for Allah, through the blessing of your following me, will forgive all your sins. If the word servants in this verse is construed as meaning the servants of Allah, the meaning of the verse is perverted for it cannot be true that God Almighty would forgive all idol worshippers and disbelievers without their believing in and following the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]. Such an interpretation would be contrary to the express directions of the Holy Qur’an.’ TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Shawwal 13, 1433AH Friday, August 31, 2012

L-R: Chairman, Conference of Islamic Organisation (CIO), Alhaji Afolabi Abdullahi; Grand Mufti of CIO, Ustaz Dhikrullah Shafi’i and Secretary, Alhaji Balogun Lukman during their monthly lecture held at Beleke Smith Mosque, Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday.

Cross section of pupils of Dawah Schools, Iyana Isheri B/S, Oke-Ofa, Isolo, Lagos with some of their teachers during their end of session party recently.

QUIZ CORNER Who is the founder of modern chemistry? (a) Lavoisier (b) Jabir ibn Hayyan (c) Ibn Sina (d) Roger Bacon Who developed algebra? (a) Muhammad ibn Musa Khawarizmi (b) Ibn Sina (c) Euclid (d) Jabir ibn Hayyan Where are most of the Muslim countries located in Africa? (a) Southern Africa (b) Eastern Africa (c) Western Africa (d) Northern Africa

Mrs. Christy Obiazikwor of NAFDAC on behalf of NAFDAC’s Director-General,Mr. Paul Orhii, receiving from the Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye, an award of excellence given to the DG by the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) recently in recognition of his contribution to the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs.

What is the significance of the 27th of Rajab? (a) The migration to Abyssinia (b) Isra’ wal Mi’raj (c) The Migration to Madinah (d) Laylatul Qadr

‘Let love radiate in every home’ CONTINUED FROM 30 What is your stand on bombings? We enjoin Reporters to always report with the fear of Allah. There are sentiments on these reports. The insecurity in this country is not only the Boko Haram issue. We have the militants in the East; we have the problem of the area boys in the West. There is insurgence all over and everywhere. When we have the problem in Ireland with the Anglicans, no one called it religion. What of the attacks on the Mosques. We have heard of instances where Islamic Scholars were killed and these were not given screaming headlines like the other ones. That is why we are saying education is important. Let Muslims too be involved in journalism. It should not be sentimental journalism or emotional journalism. What we are saying is, find out the truth and do your reporting with the fear of almighty Allah. There was a time when someone was caught attempting to bomb a church and was found out to be a member of the church. How much of this was published in the newspaper? All we need to do is that, whether it is religious or ethnicity, we do not want violence. We do not want war. What is your advice on insecurity? Government should reach out to those perpetrating this violence. They should find out what they really want. We should all be involved. Women are married to those in power as well as those disgruntled elements. Let us use our position as

women to change them and do the right thing for mankind. On the day of judgement, we will all stand before Allah, to be judged. Let us ensure that we have good governance those in business must do the same. The distribution of wealth of this great nation is greatly distorted. Let us try as much as possible to dissuade our husbands from selfishness and greediness. We have a way of changing things with our virtues. Women are and we should be catalyst for nation building. NASFAT women, in our 13th national women’s week that will be coming up soon, that is the focus of our discussion. How can corruption be tackled in the country I enjoin all Muslims to ensure that their preaching is the true preaching of Islam. Let us preach things that will bring peace to this nation. Let people know that Allah said abundance of wealth distracts until they come to know the reality. Islam does not say you should be poor but you should be contented. Let us not be too demanding. We dissuade women from buying Aso-ebi. In NASFAT here, we wear white and blue for our outings with NASFAT hijab to match. This is at is also part of what leads to corruption. Because, when you buy 40,000 cloths this week and next week, then you are forced to look for money to buy clothes, it will eventually drive people into corruption. We should avoid all these frivolous things. Let us be as simple as possible. Islam is simple and beautiful.

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What’s your advice on unemployment in the country? Nowadays, people are just going to school to get certificate. Many are not properly educated. Graduates will come for job interviews and they are not properly educated. To that, the empowerment section of NASFAT arranges employability courses for job seekers and you find out that many of them are lacking. Secondly, many of them just go in for any course. We have o look at courses that are marketable now. The ministry of education is already looking at integrating job demand into higher education curriculum not just the University because we have to merge the job demand with the qualifications that are needed in the work place now. NASFAT have Fountain University that involves both Muslims and nonMuslims that wants their children to be properly educated and morally equipped. We have graduated the first set and some of them that have gone for job interviews succeeded. Jobs do not exist but the ones that are available are highly competitive. Islamic organisations should do more for our youths especially training, empowering and re-equipping them on how to compete in this highly competitive world. We need to really empower them. They need to learn more than they have learnt in school because if you don’t give them the necessary training and refresh them every now and then; they will not be able to compete favourably in the society.

‘Proper institution of Zakat will reduce poverty’ CONTINUED FROM 29 of corruption and other vices. Hence, the prophetic saying that if you want to know the status of a nation, you check out the women. How can we solve poverty problem? Proper institution of Zakat will take care of the poor and needy and reduce poverty and unemployment. Zakat fund can be used to take care of the destitute, the elderly, and the unemployed as the form of social security being practiced in developed countries. There should be good governance by our leaders as prescribed by Islam such that corruption is eradicated and the ruled are given their dues. The leaders should rule with the fear of Allah bearing in mind that sovereignty only belongs to Allah and that they are just vicegerent of Allah and shall give account of their stewardship to Allah in the hereafter Also, no one should take life unjustly and we should all realise that life is sacred. More importantly, the practice of Islamic economy, which is an interest free economy, will also be a boost and will reduce poverty and create more wealth. What will be your parting advice to Muslims? We must do Dawah with wisdom. Preaching and propagation of religion should be done with wisdom such that individuals believe only true self conviction as there is no compulsion in religion. The rights of other believers should be respected and no one should be treated unjustly because of his faith. All acts of violence or lawlessness should be condemned by all in clear terms and the culprits should be given fair hearing and dealt with if found guilty according to the rule of law. Also, ensuring justice in all matters is very important to ensuring peace in any nation. In several parts of the Qur’an, Allah enjoins justice even if it involves close relatives. There should be no sacred cows; the so called immunity does not apply in Islam. In today’s world that has become a global village, peace and justice can only be sustained when security of life and property is promoted and insecurity is eliminated. By following the teachings of Islam, we will recognize our God and be able to interact with God’s creation in a peaceful manner and thus find the peace that we desire.

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Escape

Friday, August 31, 2012

Travel News

A TALE OF TWO AFRICAN CITIES:

Amb. Mamabolo endorses intimate fiesta for Lagos, Jo’burg OYINKAN SOMORIN

mbassador Kingsley Mamabolo, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, has thrown his country’s weight behind A Tale of Two African Cities: Lagos and Johannesburg – that would push the frontiers of relations between the two countries. Amb. Mamabolo revealed his excitement about this initiative spearheaded by the Lagos-based Inspiro Productions during a meeting with select media personalities last month. At the Ikejabased hotel where he decided to rest before his flight to Johannesburg later that evening, Mamabolo was accompanied by two senior officers in his Lagos consulate, the Consular-General, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa and the Political Counsellor, Ms. Thandi Mgxwati. Lunch was with options of Nigerian foods; which were welcome delicacies for Mamabolo who is at home with Nigerian food particularly garri and okra soup. This is for good reason; the Nigerian garri looks like the meal called pap in South Africa (not related to the Nigerian pap.) The SA High Commissioner to Nigeria has become accustomed to Nigerian foods, which he described as an addictive acquired taste. Speaking about relationships between Nigeria and South Africa, Mamabolo expressed optimism that, A Tale of Two African Cities, a people-to-people engagement, would complement government relations. The initiative, which is enjoying generous support from the South African High Commission in Nigeria, had been in the works for the last two years as Ayoola Sadare of Inspiro and Ms. Mgxwati fine-tuned each detail for a successful outing in October 2012. He painted a picture of a growing Nigerian presence in his country. “We are beginning to have a lot of Nigerian restaurants which are mushrooming in South Africa including in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town”. Cuisine from both countries is one of the lifestyle attributes which will receive attention during the Nigeria-South Africa Week holding in Lagos. Also scheduled for celebration under the fiesta’s broad theme are arts, tourism and ex-

change of programmes.

Good Idea Describing “A Tale of Two African Cities” as a good idea, Mamabolo admitted that there are negative perceptions about the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa and dealing with the problem of perception has become a challenge to both countries. “We are very happy this project being organised by Inspiro Productions and the South African Mission will in a way deal with those issues that hamper the development of our nations. We can only do that by people-to-people engagements, no amount of government relations alone is going to help”. It is easy to see why he embraced A Tale of Two African Cities. To him, it offers a platform to answer some of the questions that have burdened him for some time. He is sure that the project will not only bring about a better understanding between the two countries, it is also expected to change the long-held perceptions. “Unfortunately sometimes, these perceptions are very bad. When you think of Nigerians, you remember narcotics, drug and human trafficking and this generalisation might be a problem. You have a whole lot of Nigerians –professors, doctors– doing good things in key institutions in South Africa. If you want to say this one bad person must represent the entire Nigeria, it becomes a problem. You are not going to get to know the good ones until when we begin to talk, write about and showcase them”. Two Nigerian social factors rate high in the consideration of the South African High Commissioner. One of them is Nollywood films; “It is very popular in the townships because it talks to the hearts of the people –the tendency to believe certain things, witchcraft and so on; somebody is struck by lightning or suddenly disappears in front of your eyes. It is the same thing with our people down there; so they associate with it”. Another very important factor is soccer; both countries are crazy about soccer. Mamabolo has a humorous way of explaining this. “When people ask me about the number of Nigerians in South Af-

rica and I say I am not quite sure about this, they laugh at me. The one measure you can use is that when Bafana Bafana plays the Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana does not have home-ground advantage, one half is Nigeria, one half is South Africa and that shows the real exchange. Soccer is a very important medium to ensure that we get to know each other better”.

SA not xenophobic Debunking the understanding in some quarters that South Africans are anti-Africa and xenophobic, Mamabolo, who has served his country in Nigeria for three years, said emphatically that it cannot be true. Explaining why his compatriots may be struggling with acceptance for Africans from other countries, the Ambassador said a good percentage of his countrymen have no knowledge of the world outside their immediate environment. SA was a closed society, cut-off from the continent and the rest of the world completely. “You had a system that did not allow our people to travel through the continent. Some did not even travel to the next province. You have people who have not been out of Gauteng; they grow and die in this one space. It takes a whole lot of education for them to understand. During those days if you saw a black man on a flight say in Kenya, London or anywhere, you knew for sure he is not a Black South African. It was unthinkable to have a Black South African travelling on a plane”. He argued that perceptions don’t just emerge, there is always a source. Xenophobia has a criminal element involved because it is all about resources on the long run. He put it this way: “South Africa’s economy has grown but we have a problem with this wealth trickling down to everybody on the streets. Here are these South Africans who have fought for their freedom; they look around and ask, what have we worked for?’ (in the meantime, there are these foreigners who own cars) and they say ‘oh!, maybe they are the ones who are taking our jobs!’. Certain jealousies will come”. Mamabolo revealed that xenophobia is always about resources, poverty and the fighting to protect what you have from

Mamabolo

outsider you assume are benefitting unduly. He went further saying xenophobia is not unique to South Africans. “It is something that can happen anywhere. Nigerians don’t want to hear this but I always say when you had your “Ghana-must-go”, that was xenophobia. It is not unique to Africans. You can see it in Croatia, these ethnic cleansing is some kind of xenophobia. People are always looking around for foreigners to blame for the woes of their countries”.

Yellow fever, visa problems? What nonsense! As the interview wound down, Mamabolo signed off with some soul-stirring statements. “We

are grateful to Nigeria. We continue to be, even when you had military dictatorship, no Nigerian government forgot that there is need to keep the South African question alive. During the apartheid years every Nigerian leader made sure that they spoke and fought against it. That is why we speak of Nigeria as one of the frontline states in those dark years”. He then asked, “When has Nigeria and South Africa ever fought? Where has yellow fever ever declared war? These are two great nations that have supported each other. We have a great history. We cannot have yellow fever and visa determining our relationship. I mean what nonsense!”

DG NTDC asks hoteliers to provide CCTV camera IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has called on hoteliers to ensure adequate security in their premises by providing among others, close circuit TV cameras in the interest of their guests and their business. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Otunba Runsewe said the call became necessary in view of the gruesome murder of a post graduate student of Nasarawa State University, Miss Cynthia Osokogu by her Facebook “friends” in a Lagos hotel. “But for the CCTV, it would most probably be difficult to trace the suspects who are now being held by the police”, the Director-General stated. The NTDC boss reminded hoteliers to register their premises with the corporation in accordance with the law revealing that from NTDC investigations, only four of the five hotels patronised by the alleged killers are registered by

the corporation. Runsewe stated that registration of hotels is important as it would enable the corporation keep data on each hotel for proper supervision. “We put all registered hotels in a database and on our website for prospective guest to know the credible ones”, he said. NTDC would work with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to get details and profile of hotels, other hospitality outfits and their owners, because according to Runsuwe, a lot of them are yet to register with the NTDC. “Some try to go CAC only but they cannot start their businesses without NTDC. We are working with CAC along this line”, he said. He noted that some hoteliers have been found to be doing other illegal businesses, using their hotels as décor warning that such hoteliers would soon be exposed as their identities would be forwarded to the appropriate security agencies. Runsewe said that the Corporation would not relent in its effort at ensuring that Nigeria is a safe destination for Nigerian and foreign tourists.

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

denrele@nationalmirroronline.net

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Naughty Notes

Passport page control

Friday, August 31, 2012

igeria Immigrations Service never ceases to befuddle me –more specifically, officers staffing the country’s exit/entry points. A study of their passport stamping modus operandi shows incongruity to standards witnessed at border points of other nations. It appears the Nigerian officers are in rigid (and unimaginative) adherence to a pattern they seem to have been repeatedly taught in training school. From Ghana just next door to Japan, Land of the Rising Sun, immigrations officers while admitting or sending off a traveller append the country’s stamp conservatively on passport pages –usually next to other ink impressions so long as there remains ‘stampable’ space. But not at home; it is unbearable and unflattering to have Nigeria’s imposing ink share the same page space with stamps from other nations. Our immigrations officer flip to a fresh page to stamp showing little or no thought to judicious or prudent usage of the 32-leaf e-passport. What does it matter sef, for the frequent Nigerian traveller, the faster stamps deface pages of your travelling document, the better for another visit to the renewal office in Ikoyi (if you get what I mean, *wink*). Perhaps, Ogas at immigrations would like to re-evaluate ancient aspects of the training protocols (written on parchment papers) used to prepare green-eared officers for 21st century challenges at modern travel hubs. While at it, may I suggest we create more immigration desks at the Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport commensurate with the volume of inflow and outflow travelling Nigeria witnesses? P.S. Strong Disclaimer: I, known by the authentic name on my ECOWAS e-passport hereby states that I had absolutely nothing to do with the commentary above and dissociate/distance myself from the entire observations. I suspect it is the handiwork of my alter ego, an expressive and somewhat free-

spirited writer who goes by the name Soldiergirl. Nigeria Immigrations Service and all her officers at seaports, airports, border patrols etc., please note: Do not persecute me for the garrulousness of another!

Full pants rock

want to make a case for full pants! Some fellow of the male gender passed unsavoury opinions about womenfolk and our attachment to ‘granny underpant’ (his words). It came via a small-scoped poll conducted by a fashion magazine sampling opinions of select celebs who understand intelligent fashion (my words) on which female/male wardrobe item belongs to the litter bin. I conceded to each informed fashion insights from eight out of the 10 except for two: the ‘full pant-hater and the other who wasn’t hooked by ‘fishnets’. The gentleman under focus must be told he speaks clearly for himself and possibly g-string loving men. Full pants have their usefulness – grip and comfort during monthly ‘red days’ and also cottony bliss on other days when g-strings are plain nuisances (often times for ample-buttocked women, the flimsy Y-shaped string sinks into the crevice of your bum and irritates the sh–t out of you). Besides, I know certain dudes who would swear in private (and kill me if they read this) that full pants, which is a rarity in underwear choices of cosmopolitan women these days, still exudes a certain erotic quality. Well, to that I say it is a function of the design and leg cut. Underwear makers are coming out with some amazing designs and I totally subscribe to their usage. So my dear fella, full pants can’t be trashed because g-strings were invented- they each serve different purposes away from delightful or repulsive imagery.

PICTURE IN A FRAME

‘Nudist Hill’ and ‘Can this be true’?

n the left is an image of a pregnant lady captured in bikini top and panties (note the semifull pant) at Monday’s AfroCaribbean fiesta, the Notting Hill Carnival held in London. My only thoughts are for her health and the foetus’. Technically, August belongs to the warm summer months but I hear the temperature in London is dropping ahead of autumn and subsequently, winter. Doctors will warn that catching a nasty chill from over exposure is not healthy for mum or unborn baby. On the flip side, I hear pregnant women generate much more body heat than normal (as a result of foetal activity inside); this may just be her way

of letting off some steam jare. Social media chatter has it that the picture on the right is either a Nigerian military torture base or a scene out of one of Nollywood’s yet-to-bereleased blockbusters. If it is the latter, Nollywood must be paying the actor fettered like a turkey for the barbecue stand zillion of dollars to play the role (even if na stunt man sef). But if for real this is a victim of torture by military officers, ehem...

words fail me o! One thing is certain, that man had better be killed because if you treat someone so inhumanely and set him free, be assured he will nurse a bad grudge like a nagging toothache and soon, we’ll have a psychotic maniac running loose eager to blow himself and everyone else to blazes! One more thing, what is the child being carried by an adult doing in such a disturbing picture? (far right corner)

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CLAPPERBOARD with

Eddie Ugbomah www.edifosafilm.com

The vultures are out I T hree weeks ago, an acting Director General, Patricia Bala, was appointed to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB); it is sad that some rejected video film producers and ‘film politicians’ are now lobbing for the already occupied job. These candidates cannot mention any good they have contributed to the growth of the industry. Right now, they are lobbying their political godfathers to pressurise the Minister of Information to give them the job. I overheard one of them saying that it is their turn to eat the ‘National Cake’ but really what they are out to do is plunge the industry into oblivion. None of these appointees care to make a statement or even find how to oppose the disgraceful mistake the country wants to make. There is a recommendation to merge Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) with Censors Board. I have worked with both parasatals as chairman and consultant/adviser and when Chief Chike wanted to merge them, Zeb Ejiro and Eddie Ugbomah told the then Minister of Information not to commit hara-kiri (Japanese suicide). Now, the ill-informed Steve Orosanye Committee wants NFC who duty is to regulate films to also do the censoring. Some political appointees which Emeka Mba brought to the Censors Board are doing their best to salvage Mba’s mistakes. As for Afolabi Adesanya someone should help me beg him that it is time to go away. Emeka left honourably when his time of six unproductive years were complete; I don’t know why all these shameless men he brought there could not follow him. The past six years has been a nasty time and I say good bye to bad dream. I wrote about the ugly scenes behind Nollywood and I am sad that some kids are shooting tele-movies/soap operas and telling us they are shooting film for the cinema. I pray they don’t bore the small admirers and lovers of video film. One thing most people don’t know is that there are political rivalries among producers in Nollywood. The guilds are mainly made up of arrogant egoists as presidents or executives who think they know it all. Whenever an industry star is sick or dies, it is an opportunity for these guild leaders to go collecting donations they never give to the family of the sick or dead star. We

F THE MOVIE

INDUSTRY SHOULD KEEP QUIET

AND ALLOW THE MERGER OF

NFC

CENSORS BOARD, THEN I WITH

SAY WE ARE ALL FOOLS all know the stealing and cheating that happened after the death of Ashley Nwosu, Ifeanyi Dike and Sam Loco. My headache now is how Patricia will tell these lobbyists and hustlers that there is no vacancy at the Censors Board. With Patricia’s vast experience in the Censors Board, we should hear and see the plans she has for the Censors Board. If there is anything good about Emeka’s period, she can amend them and carry on, or let us see something new. We should also all quickly come together and petition the Federal Government not to fall for the merger idea. If the movie industry should keep quiet and allow the merger of NFC with Censors Board, then I say we are all fools. In other countries, they have Classification Board not Censor Board as there is film classification not censorship. The Nollywood people should be ashamed that they are not contributing to the growth of this nation with the childish foreign stories they shoot. How many of their trash last over one week in the market? The movie industry is in mess because those whom government gave the supervisory job to failed. So I hope we can all support Patricia for a revival of the industry. NEXIM and BOI insulted us because we are not united nor do we support ourselves; it is a situation of ‘dog eats dog’. There is no difference between Nigeria today and the Nollywood plots. in modern times film makers and artists are used to advocate against war in Syria, Afghanistan, Tunisia Iran and Iraq, but what do our artistes do for Nigeria? Nothing! They just go round federal ministers, governors and multinationals impersonating presidents and executives.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

London ARTitude

Friday, August 31, 2012

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2012:

Nigerians take over Adela Street • Sir Shina Peters, Wande Coal, Kas, others rock the stage

ince 1966, the two-day long Notting Hill Carnival holds every August Bank Holiday. Originating in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions, it is considered to be Europe’s biggest street festival setting the streets of West London abuzz. The festival is celebrated every year, with display of an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity. This year, too, thousands of revellers thronged the streets on Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27 to bask in the music, dancing and festivities that culminated in a colourful Caribbean-inspired parade. For the past 26 years, Nigeria’s diaspora community in the UK has kept the Notting Hill Carnival tradition alive at The Nigerian Corner dishing out the best of entertainment, food, fashion and burst of carnival colours with the National Green! On Monday, last day of the carnival, The RMG Group in conjunc- Sir Shina Peters performs before a huge crowd. tion NAF, KP Express and DJAMedia with sponsorship by Western Union, organised series of events on Adela Street, London, to celebrate the world famous carnival. Thousands of Nigerians and their friends came out to see favourite celebrities from home and also witness star performers such as headliner Sir Shina Peters alongside Wande Coal, KAS, Shank, Remisnisce and a host of other acts live on stage. The show was anchored by DJ Abass alongside Cool Fm’s Freeze, Wazobia Fm’s Yaw and Alariwo of Africa while the duo of Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo D1 Adeneye were broadcasting live to Nigeria. London Artitude presents some of those L-R: Segun Sky, SSP and Ayo Shonaiya. memorable moments in pictures!

Mercy Aigbe-Gentry and Alariwo.

A proud Nigerian.

Kenny Ogungbe (l) and Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye.

Wazobia FM presenter, Yaw (l) and Nigerian artiste/producer, Kas.

DJ Abass (l) and Cool FM presenter, Freeze.

...Golborne rocks too

ast Monday in London was a day of variety at the carnival. Adela Street was not the only venue where Nigerian congregated to enjoy the atmosphere. Many others also thronged to the “Naija Corner” on Golborne Road where DJ Jimmy Jatt, alongside stand-up comedians like Gbenga Adeyinka and Princess, thrilled the crowd. Although the advertised act, Davido, could not make the show, the ambience was nevertheless enthralling at the event packaged by Reve Entertainment along with Sodium Brand Solution.

Gbenga Adeyinka (l) and Kunle Afolayan at ‘Naija Corner’ on Golborne Road.

A Nigerian lady with a Police Officer.

Wande Coal on stage.

Arty News

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Adimora-Ezeigbo, Mzobe, Pitt vie for Wole Soyinka literary prize

op three African authors have been shortlisted for the 2012 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa sponsored by telecoms company, Globacom. The three shortlisted candidates are Nigeria’s Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo, author of Roses and Bullets; South Africa’s Sifizo Mzobe who wrote Young Blood and lastly, author of The Unseen Leopard, Bridget Pitt, who is also a South African writer. The Lumina Foundation, organisers of the event, stated that the three candidates were chosen based on the quality of their works and intellectual depth of the authors. Adimora-Ezeigbo is a multiple award-winning scholar and writer. She received the first Best Researcher Award in the Arts & Humanities at the University of Lagos in 2005. She has had many fellowships including visiting Commonwealth Fellow at SOAS, University of London (1989/90); a research fellow at University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg S.A (1999/2000); and Visiting Scholar at the Centre for African Studies, University of

Bayreuth, Germany (2000). This is in addition to many literary awards in recognition of the vivid colours she has added to Nigerian Literature. Sifiso Mzobe, born in Umlazi township of Durban, studied journalism at Damelin Business Campus in Durban. He won the Sunday Times Literary Award in 2011 and currently works for a community newspaper in Durban as a journalist. Bridget Pitt is a Zimbabwe-born South African writer. Her first published work was for newspaper Grassroots, which was used by Cape Town Black communities as an organising tool in the anti-apartheid struggles during the 1980’s. She has published poetry in the Thinker magazine, short stories and two adult novels, Unbroken Wings and The Unseen Leopard shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize in 2011. Pitt also received a commonwealth nomination for a short story in 2012. The winner will be announced at the prize awards night holding at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, September 8.

Hennessy Artistry 2012 Club Tour heats up

Bantu band

Bantu, Ice Prince drop hot singles W hen you mix playful lyrics, an infectious bassline, a sing along hook and production from Freaks, one of the most-sought after Breakbeat producers, the result is Oya Oya from the Bantu Band. The 11-piece Bantu band has been in the studio cooking up enticing compositions for their new fifth album. The first entree, recently released Oya Oya is a remix of a Bantu live classic that finally made its way to the studio; it includes contributions from Jazz virtuoso, Reiner Witzel for horn arrangements and solos and Guinean master guitarist, Mandjao Fati.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Chocolate City artiste, Ice Prince Zamani released two artistically refreshing singles, Aboki and More which are produced by Chopstix. The songs, only available on Spinlet, the digital distribution platform, are throwbacks to Ice Prince’s cultural heritage and his take on love. Aboki celebrates the Northern Nigeria, successes largely unnoticed and correct stereotypes that go with the word Aboki (friend). More, the bonus track is a subtle midtempo song about a turbulent love story. One partner has lost hope in the relationship, the other wills for more in love.

ome of Nigeria’s talented and promising artistes are set to hit the road for Hennessy Artistry 2012 Club Tour as excitement reaches fever pitch. Established rappers M.I and Naeto C, will headline this year’s Hennessy Artistry project, even as organisers of the musical platform revealed spotlight will also be given to rising acts. 2face Idibia’s protégé, Dammy Krane; One in a million crooner, Solid Star, wave making Flowssick and fast-rising acts, Rayce, Burna Boy, MoEazy, L.O.S, Ms Jaie and Tunde

Flowssick

Ms. Jaie

Ednut will complete the line up for the club tour. Performances are scheduled to hold in various clubs across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt starting from today, which will culminate in a series of VIP events where Hennessy Artistry headliners, M.I and Naeto C are expected to perform. Since Hennessy Artistry was first unveiled in Nigeria

in 2007, it has since evolved from a cocktail-mixing contest between renowned bartenders to a DJ battle and is now an important platform for experimental collaborations between multi-talented artistes. Previous participating entertainers include Ice Prince, Nneka, Sir Shina Peters, Banky W, Eldee, Tiwa Savage, Jesse Jagz, Bez and Mo’Cheddah, amongst others.

Lagos CP tags piracy ‘act of immorality’

Emeruwa (r) presenting home videos to Manko

TERH AGBEDEH

he Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, has said pirating of Nigerian movie industry films is

a complete act of immorality. Manko stated this recently when he received practitioners, led by Bond Emeruwa, chairman of the Coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (CONGA) at his office. Umar Manko, who was responding to a speech by Emeruwa detailing the challenges law-abiding practitioners face even from policemen while doing their work on and off location, said his command would address the matter squarely. “Luckily, you have told us where these

people are. It is incumbent on those of us who have the responsibility of instituting law to go there and see how best to address that squarely”, Manko said. The Lagos police boss also said the command would “check the activities of our men particularly, where you complained about what happened at your location”. He said he would table the matter at the senior police officers’ meeting held every Monday. “People who go about their lawful business must be allowed to have a free environment”, he said. “We have problem with criminals only and not people

working lawfully”. Apart from seeking better relations with the command, the visitors also asked Manko to set up a unit to fight piracy, even as they commended the CP for his committent to “promoting peace, protecting lives and property in Lagos State”. Emeruwa was accompanied by Emma Isikaku, president, Film, Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) and Chike Brian, president, Screenwriters’ Guild of Nigeria, amongst others, while the meeting was facilitated by Sunny Okim, president of the Association of Movie Journalists.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 31, 2012

Skoda Auto records excellent sales growth in July

Launch of Skoda Rapid

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

koda Auto Company says it has continued to grow in sales despite an increasingly challenging economic environment. The brand increased its deliveries to customers by six per cent year on year to 72,600 (July 2011: 68,500). This is the best July sales result in the company’s 117year history. From January through July 2012, sales rose by a total of 8.1 per cent year on year to 565,600 (January through July 2011: 523,200). A statement signed by Mr. Santhosh Nair, Media and Marketing Manager, Stallion Motors, the sole distributor of Skoda products in Nigeria, said that the company has managed to continue growing and sell more cars in July despite an economic environment that is increasingly very difficult.

“We have improved ŠKODA’s position further in the first seven months of this year. However, development of demand in many European markets worries us. What we need to do now is stay our course”, said ŠKODA board member for sales and marketing, Jurgen Stackmann Despite a difficult overall market, the brand advanced significantly in major markets of Western Europe; in Great Britain in July 2012, ŠKODA delivered more than 20 per cent more cars year on year. In Denmark, too, (+24.7 per cent); Belgium (+8.2 per cent); Norway (+6.6 per cent) and France (+6.2 per cent), ŠKODA grew markedly. In Western Europe overall, SKODA sold almost 25,300 cars in July 2012 (-7.1 per cent). ŠKODA’s most popular models in Western Europe in July were the ŠKODA Octavia, which sold over 8,500 and the ŠKODA Fabia, which sold more than 6,600 units. The Citigo subcompact, which has been on the market for

several months, also fared well and sold almost 2,600 in July. In Eastern Europe, the Nair said ŠKODA again scored significant increases in July (11,400 units; +26.8 per cent), adding that in Russia, the brand was extraordinarily strong in July as it had been throughout the first half of the year. Sales he said rose 42 per cent to a total of 8,700 (July 2011: 6,100). ŠKODA’s market share in Russia rose significantly over the first seven months of 2012, reaching around 3.5 per cent. Yet one more time, ŠKODA bestselling model in Eastern European markets was the ŠKODA Octavia, posting a sales increase of 19.2 per cent to almost 5,900. Sales of the ŠKODA Yeti almost doubled (+93.7 per cent). The ŠKODA Superb (+32.1 per cent) and the ŠKODA Fabia (+22.2 per cent) also found great favour with Eastern European customers.

Suppliers praise Toyota pricing policy

oyota Motor Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. are the automakers most willing to compensate suppliers for rising raw material costs, according to a survey by IRN Inc. The Grand Rapids, Mich., consulting firm polled 92 suppliers in May and June about the raw material pricing policies of nine automakers that assemble vehicles in North America. Sixty per cent of respondents said Toyota was very likely to “satisfactorily offset (raw material price) increases”. 51 per cent said Ford was very likely to do so and 43 per cent said Honda was very likely Toyota Sienna to offset the cost increases. Chrysler Group showed the most dramatic year-to-year improvement. 37 per cent of the suppliers said Chrysler was very likely to offset raw material price increases, up from 23 per cent last year. As a group, automakers and suppliers have adopted price indexing as the preferred type of compensation. Typically, the two parties agree on a public pricing benchmark, then adjust prices accordingly every month or quarter. 55 per cent of respondents said they planned to recover their raw material costs via price indexing, while only 24 per cent said they would seek either a one-time price increase or a permanent

price hike. “Relations with automakers are on a more equal footing, now”, said IRN President, Kim Korth, author of the survey. “Before, suppliers were afraid that the automaker would get mad at them. Now, they say they have to deal with this”. Indexing has become popular because it frees automakers and suppliers from having to renegotiate contracts every time the price of a key raw material fluctuates. But indexing doesn’t work for all suppliers. Automakers typically index prices of copper, aluminium and steel, but not rubber or plastic resin. “That’s because there are no good price benchmarks for rubber or plastic resin”, Korth said.

Mirror Drive

MAINTENANCE TIPS

How to clean a car window

leaning your windows is one of the most tedious tasks you will face, but it is definitely worth doing. In addition to being a hazard, the effect of dirty glass can quickly ruin the appearance of your perfectly polished and waxed automobile. After you have completed all other detailing tasks, put the perfect touch on your car by detailing your car’s glass. Just as in the selection of car shampoo and car wax, no two car enthusiasts can agree on the ultimate auto glass cleaner for their car. Some people like ammonia cleaners, while the purists will use nothing but clear water. Whatever you use, the principles are the same: clean, dry and polish. However, some auto stakeholders highly discourage the use of ammonia-based glass cleaners on your car. While ammonia is a great glass cleaner for the home, ammonia is harmful to many car surfaces, including vinyl, rubber and leather. More importantly, the use of ammonia inside your car is harmful to your health. Use an automotive glass cleaner that specifically states it’s safe to use on window-tint film. A glass cleaner that is safe for window-tint film will not harm the plastic and vinyl surfaces on your car. Cleaning your car Start your car window cleaning with the driver’s door and front passenger’s door. If your door has a window frame, lower the window approximately one inch to allow access to the top part of the glass. This part should be cleaned and dried first. Spray with quality glass cleaner and buff dry. Now roll the window back up and clean the remainder of the window. Pay attention to the corners of the windows, as this is where you will get most smears and streaks. Don’t forget your driver’s side and passenger’s side mirrors. While you are sitting down in the passenger’s seat, clean the inside of the windshield. It is easier to clean from the passenger’s side, as your access is not obstructed by the steering wheel. Take your time around the rear view mirror, as it is only glued to your windshield. If you bump into the rear view mirror hard enough or at the right angle, you can break it loose from the glass. The inside of the rear window is the most difficult to reach and should be done last. The best technique for cleaning your rear window is to use the back side of your hand to guide your towel down into the corners.

A clean car window

Cocktail

Friday, August 31, 2012

Oddities

Police: Man attacked over missing garlic

uthorities in Florida said a man accused of attacking a pizza delivery driver said he punched the other man because he forgot the garlic knots. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said the driver called 911 Aug. 19 and reported he had been punched in the face by Vero Beach customer Robert Wheeler, 48, because he hadn’t brought garlic knots with Wheeler’s order,

TCPalm.com reported Thursday. The driver said Wheeler then told him to “give that to the person working on the phone back at the restaurant.” Deputies said Wheeler, who has the words “Fat Boy” tattooed on his arms, admitted to punching the driver in the face. Wheeler was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor battery.

Lost wallet returned after nine months

Florida woman said her wallet was returned to her with its contents intact nine months after she lost it on her way to depositing $153 cash in a bank. Katt Mucklow of Boca Raton said she lost the wallet nine months ago while she was a student at Boca Raton High School, and eventually gave up on finding it when she set off for the University of South Florida, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Thursday. Alette Saylor said she found the wallet while shop-

ping at a Whole Foods store and took it home after employees told her no one had asked about the lost item. Saylor said she used Facebook to find Mucklow. “I wrote, ‘This is your lucky day. I found your wallet. Please give me a call,” Saylor said. However, Mucklow said she did not see the message for several months. “I was really weirded out,” Mucklow said. “Now I have money, which is good, because I’m a poor college student. And I have gift cards too -- I don’t even remember how many. It’s all exciting.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World’s shortest man, woman meet

uinness World R e c o r d s , based in London, said the world’s shortest man and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time for a photo shoot.

The recordkeeping organization said 21.5-inch-tall Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, of Nepal and 24.7-inch-tall Jyoti Amge, 18, of India met for the first time, which also marked the first time in history the holders of the shortest human records have met, to shoot promotional photos for “Guinness World Records 2013,” the 57th edition of the record book.

“It was an extraordinary moment. They’re both such incredible individuals. Everyone knew this was a special moment. The atmosphere was magical,” Marco Frigatti, an official Guinness World Records adjudicator who took part in the photo shoot, said in a release. Guinness said Amge will visit Britain Sept. 13 to take part in

festivities for the release of the 2013 rec o r d book.

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance Rational investors will find it diﬃcult to invest in a company they do not have adequate information about Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema

Soaring domestic demand in economies starved, for some time, of investment and consumption will offer business exciting new markets for goods and services in the years ahead Senior Economic Adviser to Ernst & Young, Mr. Carl Astorri on Nigeria

N198.2bn agric loans disbursed so far, says CBN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he Central Bank of Nigeria has said about N198.2bn has been released so far to banks and state government out of the N200bn agricultural intervention fund since inception in 2009. It is said in a release on Wednesday that the balance of CACS funds as at July 2012 is N1.826bn while the balance of repayment account in the same month under review stands at N7.534bn respect of 16 expired facilities. “Since inception in 2009, the CBN has released the sum of N198.173bn for disbursement to 258 beneficiaries made up of 228 private promoters and 30 state governments that accessed the sum of N38.0 billion,” CBN stated. The CBN said that during the period under review, the sum of N2.589bn was released to six banks with respect to seven CACS projects bringing total releases by the CBN since inception in 2009 to N198.173bn.

According to the report, Starmark benefitted N1.5m releases through Citi Bank, Taibod Ventures Ltd; N225m through Stanbic IBTC; Psaltry International Ltd benefitted N264m from UBN; while Panyam Integrated Ltd benefitted N50m also

through UBN; Afri Ventures Ltd received N264m through Unity Bank while FBN released N210m to Guffons international Ltd. According to the CBN, the analysis of number of projects financed under CACS by value chain showed that out of the 228

CACS private sector sponsored projects; production accounted for 48.64 per cent and dominated the activities funded while processing accounted for 38.64 per cent. These activities were distantly followed by marketing, storage and input supplies which reg-

istered 7.27 per cent, five per cent and 0.45 per cent respectively. With regards to the value of funds released, processing accounted for 51.7 per cent followed by production, which accounted for 33.8 per cent of the value of enterprises financed.

he Federal Government has approved 12 airports for the forthcoming Hajj exercise

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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

L-R: Chief Finance Officer, LAPO Microfinance, Mr. Kamakhya Singh; Chief Executive Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Mr. Yomi Awobokun and Managing Director, Alitheia Capital, Ms. Tokunbo Ishmael, during the signing of on-lending loan agreement to ease the acquisition of the Oando 3kg O-Gas cylinders for low income households, in Lagos, yesterday.

FG approves 12 airports for 2012 Hajj exercise OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Air Nigeria

taking place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The government also approved five carriers for the exercise that is scheduled to commence on the 17th September. Some of the approved airports for the exercise are Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Gombe,

Katsina, Yola, Ilorin, Minna and Lagos. Briefing journalists yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren said that the industry and states involved are

CBN carpets critics of currency restructuring agenda

ready for the exercise. He explained that in a bid to have a hitchfree exercise, the regulatory authority had been meeting with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), fuel marketers, designated carriers and states involved in the exercise.

He explained further that the designated carriers, Max Air, Meridien Air, Kabo, Mediview and Trade Kraft have all indicated their readiness to carry out a good exercise, adding that the country performed creditably well in the previous exercise.

‘We’ll not lobby for Ports and Harbour Bill passage”

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

236.0395

USD

155.8

CHF

162.5965

SDR

236.8627

CFA

0.2971

GBP

246.8495

EURO

195.3888

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 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Delta to privatise moribund industries, diversify from oil ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he Delta State Economic Advisory Team (EAT), headed by the Managing Director of Financial Derivatives, Mr. Bismark Rewane, has said in the next 90 days the oilrich state will commence the process of privatising all moribund industries. This was made known yesterday through a communique and press briefing after a meeting the team had on Wednesday with the governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. With plans to set up 10 industries, the state has also identified huge potential Agriculture will have on the state. Rewane said the team has noticed that there is potential GDP in the state especially from revamping the moribund sector. “We noticed that there is potential GDP in the state. Most problems noticed are in the Moribun sectors. All you need is to reactivate these industries or dormant companies, package them, and inject equities for active investors,” said Rewane. He said further that the road the economic roadmap to achieve the set objective is anchored on five pillars, which he listed as capacity, entrepreneur, infrastructure, policy and market adding that team is in the state of action to implement the

programmes. He said the team will be working with Roland Berger Strategy Consult, a leading international consultancy with global expertise in developing creative strategies and supporting the implementation of practical solutions and other partners to lead the projects to a state where by investors could come to invest in state without any fear of losing their investment. Also, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, said the state government appointed such team of experts from various background such as Roland Berger, Rewane who are nonpolitical to assure investors of transparency, accountability, professionalism as well as due process which are key to the success of project. Other members of the Economic Advisory Team include: Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputu; Mr. Albert Okumagba; Chairman, Staco Insurance Company; Chairman/ Editor-in-Chief of Thisday and President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; Managing Director of BGL Limited and a Strategic Consultant, Mrs. Ndidi Nolly Edozien among others. The team said that the government Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) holds a lot of pros-

L-R: General Manager, Seplat Petroleum Ltd., Mr. Bright Oghor; Managing Director, Eternal Energy Service, Mr. Diran Fawibe and Coordinator, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Timothy Okon, at the conference, Energy Deregulation; Prospects and Challenges to the Economy in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

pects for the Oil and Gas sector and stakeholders were urged to co-operate with the National Assembly for its speeding passage. The team also encourage the multi-national Oil companies in Delta state that while divesting their assets, Delta indgenes should be active participants in all of such divestments. With responsibility given to Roland Berger to create structures to manage the secretariat of EAT.

Tourism Minister visits S’Africa to boost tourism relations

igeria and South Africa will re-visit the ‘Cooperation in the field of Tourism Agreement’ signed in 2008 when the two countries’ Tourism Ministers and other officials during an on-going visit. The meeting comes after an invitation from South Africa’s Tourism Minister, Mr. Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, to his Nigerian counterpart, Chief Edem Duke, for an official four-day visit to South Africa, which started yesterday. The tourism agreement between South Africa and Nigeria covers interactions between tourism and travel trade offi-

cials; the exchange of tourism research and statistics and human resource development. It also includes investment, exchange programmes, joint marketing, the establishment of a joint commission, entry formalities and environmental matters between the two countries. “It is our sincere aim to continue to forge partnerships and working relationships between Nigeria and South Africa to further boost and grow our tourism sectors to provide employment opportunities, as well as to contribute a significant percentage to the economies of our dear nations,” Duke said.

“Both Nigeria and South Africa have seen a tremendous partnership and significant engagements in areas such as telecommunications, media, tourism and aviation. This has led to more than US$3 billion in trade volume between South Africa and Nigeria. And there is further rich potential for both countries not only to maintain this mutual and symbiotic relationship, but to up the ante too,” Minister Duke added. “South Africa’s relationship with Nigeria is one of deep friendship, a strong partnership and a united determination to grow tourist arrivals not only to

Companies now adopting e-recruiting process –Dragnet Solutions MD MESHACK IDEHEN

he Managing Director of Dragnet Solutions Limited, Mr. Robert Ikazoboh said the company’s introduction and deployment of online recruitment portal has helped organisations to overcome the challenges of manual recruitment process. He said the company’s intervention in the country’s recruitment system has brought a new level of sophistication and revo-

lution that has led to computerbased testing and talent management in the country in line with global standards. Speaking during the 5th anniversary press conference of the company in Lagos on Thursday, Ikazoboh said Dragnet Solutions which specialises in the design, development and implementation of people screening solutions has since inception in 2007, been in the forefront of creating and recreating objective recruitment and application management processes.

According to him, It was a daunting task when the company started out five years ago with a mandate to revolutionise graduate recruitment process in the country, adding the days of placing vacancy adverts in the newspapers and thousands of applicants would send their CVs through post, and recruiters spending weeks or months sifting through piles of applications are over with the solutions that company has brought to bear in recruitment process.

CBN carpets critics of currency restructuring agenda TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday defended the proposed restructuring of the nation’s currency, saying most of the criticisms against the move lack economic merit. The apex bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu Okoroafor, who spoke on the implications of the implementation of the exercise for the economy, said it will ease transactions at all levels and minimise cost of currency management in terms of printing costs and other operational expenses and briquetting. In addition, the bank’s chief spokesman said the restructuring would also enhance the security features of old and proposed currencies to beat counterfeiters as well as make them user-friendly to users, especially the physically impaired. Okoroafor, who said the apex bank was ready for constructive engagement with stakeholders on how to make the exercise achieve its objectives, said the authorities of the bank had anticipated the criticisms the innovative measure has triggered over the past week but that by the time enlightenment on it is flagged off, the public will be better informed about its desirability. “We anticipate the criticisms but we are not doing a beauty contest but embarking on measures with far-reaching positive implications for the economy. As we go on with

the enlightenment campaigns on the exercise, people will be more informed about it and the benefits to the economy”, he said. On the alleged cost of N40bn of the exercise, Okoroafor said this was a figment of imagination of rumour peddlers and that journalists should base their reports on verified facts rather than on sentiments and rumours. He described the argument that introduction of N5,000 would trigger inflation as absurd, adding that to say that is “standing logic on its head. Does this mean that if we withdraw the N1,000, N500, N200 notes from the system, then inflation would come down?” According to him, the issue of inflation goes beyond just monetary measures and extend to other macroeconomic issues, including those that have to do with productivity and consumption patterns of the economy. On the summons of the CBN by the National Assembly to explain the rationale behind the exercise, Okoroafor confirmed that the bank had been discussing with the legislators, adding that the discussions would be consolidated as soon as their vacation is over. He explained that the bank did not act in violations of the provisions of its enabling Act even as he admitted that the summons of the management of the bank by the National Assembly to make clarification on the planned exercise were also in line with the oversight roles of the Legislature.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, August 31, 2012

FG distributes 1.3m oil palm seedlings to farmers TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Federal Government yesterday added another mileage to the agricultural transformation agenda drive with the distribution of over 1.3 million oil palm seedlings to 18 oil palm farming estates drawn from 11 States. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said at the agreement signing forum between government and the representatives of the 18 oil Palm Plantation in Abuja, that the initiative was part of the Growth Enhancement (GES) components to boost production of oil palm and restore its past glory as a major food and foreign exchange earnings for the country. He lamented that following prolonged years of abandonment of oil palm farming, the country had become a major importer of vegetable oil with over $500m being spent yearly on importation of over 350,000 metric tonnes of the commodity.

The minister described the trend as undesirable for the economy and restated his ministry’s determination to reverse the ugly trend by creating the enabling environment for oil palm farming to thrive. He explained that under the ATA government planned to produce a total of 240,000 hectares of oil palm in the next three years as well as improve the productivity of farmers through fertility management practices. Specifically, the minister pointed out that as part of the measures to increase the productivity and output of oil palm, the ministry would enhance the semi wild grove yield through gradual replacement of old and unproductive wild palms with improved planting materials. According to him, under the initiative which be driven on public-private partnership platform, government would provide free improved nuts or seedlings to the participating estates which would be required to nurse the seedlings for the next 10-12 months and thereaf-

ter transplant them to their own plantations. Adesina, who disclosed that the improved oil palm seedlings have high yielding capacity estimated at over 21 metric tonnes per hectare and high resistance against many tropical diseases, said government had concluded plans to also introduce motorised harvesters that can harvest 500900 fresh fruit bunches per day, as well as support the primary processors to own the Small Scale Processing Equipment [SSPE]. He stated that his ministry has begun the compilation of the list of smallholder co-operative groups interested in the equipment in order to provide them with technical support, adding that First Bank has accepted provide credit for acquisition of the equipment by such farming and cooperative associations. The 18 participating farming plantations that benefitted from the first phase of the seedling support are from Bayelsa, Abia, Kogi, Edo, Cross River, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Delta, Osun and Enugu states.

93 graduands emerge from UBA Academy Banking School

inety three new employees joined the growing number of staff of UBA Group today having passed out from a six month intensive training programme that is mandatory for all entry level employees of the bank. The graduands from the UBA Academy Banking School were formally welcomed to the UBA family at an induction/awards ceremony which held at the Amphitheatre of UBA House. According to a statement issued yesterday, the training programme is part of measures to entrench sound banking practices, strong ethics and professionalism in the operations of the bank that is widely regarded as one of the leading financial institutions in Africa with operations in 19 African countries including Nigeria. Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said the programme was designed to en-

able the institution implant the UBA DNA on the trainees as well as helping to determine the areas of the bank’s operation would best fit the inductees. “The Management Trainee Programme was conceptualized in line with the bank’s service excellence initiative and a people strategy geared towards engaging the best personnel.” UBA, he stated, has been actively recruiting top African and non-African talents from the continent and in the Diaspora to support the bank’s growth and expansion plans. He charged the graduands to be focused and committed in their new responsibilities. “You are being celebrated because the future of UBA is in your hands. As you have been selected from a large bunch of applicants, you have to prove your mettle. Today you are opening a new chapter in your lives and the fortunes of the bank’’ he added.

Japan, others for Nigeria economic conference

apan will lead other Asian countries to expand business and economic relationship with Nigeria during the 2012 Nigeria Economic Development Conference, to be held in Lagos 8-10 October. According to the organisers, the annual conference with the theme: “Beyond Security Challenges to Building National Confidence: Strategic Options to Enhance the Realisation of Nigeria’s Full Economic Potential” will address the issue of security; clearly define the policies and strategies that must be pursued to achieve comprehensive multi-sectoral economic development for Nigeria. According to the conference coordinator, Mr. Femi Agbedejobi, the primary responsibility of the

Federal Government is to ‘provide for the common defence’, stressing that it is imperative at this point in the nation that the Federal Government displays the capability to adequately provide for the security of all citizens where ever they live. He noted that 2012 is shaping up to be a defining year for Nigeria as far as increased national security threats are concerned. Nigeria has to have the right national security strategy in place and she cannot afford to gamble. Agbedejobi lamented Nigeria’s entry into a new phase of history, characterised by the Boko Haram onslaught, pointing out that this challenge has brought about different dimensions of social and economic dislocations in some parts of the country.

L-R: Managing Director, SCOA Nigeria Plc, Mr. Massad Boulos; Chairman, Mr. Henry Agbamu and Company Secretary, Mr. Michael Adeyemi, during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

MoneyGram begins Gear Up for School promo

Greener cities crucial to African food security, says FAO

ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

STANLEY IHEDIGBO

frica’s urban population is growing faster than that of any other region, but many of its cities are not keeping pace with the increasing demand for food that comes with that growth, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has said. The organisation urged that policymakers need to act now to ensure that African cities will be “green” enough to meet their nutrition and income needs in a sustainable way. According to a publication, Growing greener cities in Africa: First status report on African urban and peri-urban horticulture” - the home, school, community and

market gardens that produce fruits and vegetables in and around the continent’s cities. The report draws on surveys and case studies from 31 countries across the African continent, and makes recommendations on how cities can better prepare to face the rapidly increasing demand for food and other basic amenities. Many African countries have recorded strong, sustained economic growth over the past decade, leading to more urbanization and raising hopes of a new era of shared prosperity. But increasingly, urban areas also draw people in search of a way out of rural poverty, only to find little, if any improvement in their lives. More than half of all urban Africans live in slums, up to 200 mil-

lion survive on less than $2 a day, and poor urban children are as likely to be chronically malnourished as poor rural children. “The challenge of achieving a “zero hunger” world - in which everyone is adequately nourished and all food systems are resilient is as urgent in African cities as it is in rural areas,” reads the foreword by Modibo Traoré, FAO Assistant Director-General for Agriculture and Consumer Protection. “African policymakers need to act now to steer urbanization from its current, unsustainable path towards healthy, ‘greener’ cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens,” the foreword continues.

oneyGram International has concluded an arrangement to flag off the 2012 edition of its Gear Up for School consumer reward program. Under the corporate social responsibly programmes, MoneyGram is set to distribute learning materials to thousands of public school students drawn from the south-west and South-south regions of the country. According to the MoneyGram’s Marketing Director for Africa, Mr Sabine Bauchau, “education is one of the key reasons why customers send money to their loved ones in Africa and Nigeria. We are glad to support and encourage the aspirations of our customers to ensure the upliftment of their kith and

kin back home here in Nigeria, through education.” Also, ten (10) female undergraduates drawn from three tertiary institutions in Edo State are billed to receive monetary donations under the yearly MoneyGram Girl – Child Education Sponsorship Initiative (GESI). In addition customers of MoneyGram stand the chance to win gifts whenever they receive a MoneyGram during the period. Through its Gear Up for School project, MoneyGram in conjunction with its agent banks in the country, annually distributes educational materials at the beginning of the academic session to thousands of indigent pupils in select grassroots public primary schools.

Maritime

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We’ll not lobby for Ports and Harbour Bill passage’ More than eight years after the conclusion of the port concession programme, the Ports and Harbour Bill, which seeks to give a legal backing to the exercise and also create a commercial regulator is still pending. Senior Special Adviser to the President on Maritime Services, Mr. Leke Oyewole, in this interview with FRANCIS EZEM, speaks on the unwillingness of the Presidency to lobby the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the bill and sundry issues. At the beginning of the year, we were looking at financing substantial part of the budget through the maritime industry, about nine months into the year, how much has that been achieved? That will be for the finance people. I have not really looked at the remittances and so, it will not be proper for me to say what I am not sure of. How do you assess so far, the work of the presidential committee on port reforms headed by Professor Monye, which you are a member? The work of the committee is going on well and as you may also have noticed, the port approaches have been cleared substantially. The inside committee is working on the single window stuff to ensure that we achieve the 48-hour clearance of goods from the seaports, that one too is coming but we are waiting so as to harmonise that with the position of the Nigeria Customs Service. What we did was to carry the people along so that there will not be areas of conflict and the last part of it, which is the Customs, we found out that they have gone ahead also in the same direction. So, what we are doing now primarily is to harmonise the entire positions, parley with what Customs has on ground or what they are contemplating and that is where we are as soon as all these are sorted out, the 48hour clearance of cargo is achievable if we work well. But concerning the government agencies at the ports, most of them are no longer there and for the ones that returned, we are putting intelligence in place to ensure that we stop their activities so that they do not interfere with the clearance of goods within the ports or delay documentation in anyway. Sometime last year, a single window contract was awarded but later suspended by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala. What is this new one all about? There are superior arguments to that former one and we are taking them. Government is trying to get a better option out of the two. Still talking about 48-hour cargo clearance, the Lagos State Government enacted a new law restricting the movement of trucks between 6pm-7am and operators believe this would hamper efficient port operations. We have not left Lagos State Government out of whatever thing we are doing and I know that whenever there is need to shift grounds either on the side of the Federal Government or the Lagos State, we will do so. The ultimate goal is the betterment of the Nigerian nation. You will also agree with me that the state government is not comfortable with the kind of road traffic gridlocks that happen in the state and so they will support the Federal Government in order to achieve a free flow of traffic. Recently, there was a piracy attack that led

that we have had so far, we called the terminal operators, the port users and other relevant stakeholders. You will be sure that we will come up with a reasonable way out of the issues but in the interim, the Nigerian Ports Authority pending when the port and Harbour Bill will be passed will continue to do that job. The presidential port reform committee is canvassing a 24-hour port operation. Given the current security situation in the country, stakeholders believe that it might not be safe for a container laden truck to move at night. What do you think? The security situation at the port approaches is the same in Kano or anywhere else, so when you talk about security, it is not peculiar to the port operation alone this time around but we are talking generally about the security situation in the country. But naturally, these trucks do not even move in the day time mostly, they are used to moving out of Lagos in the night so that they continue during the day and nothing extraordinary has happened.

Oyewole

IT IS TRUE THAT THERE

WAS AN ACCIDENT AND

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF

GLOBAL WEST

DIED, BUT IT’S NOT TRUE THAT THE ACCIDENT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BOAT to the death of Managing Director of Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited, the security concession company, Mr. Romeo Itima around the Escravous and there have been doubts as to whether those boats met the capacity and specifications claimed by the company. It is true that there was an accident and the managing director of Global West died, but it’s not true that the accident has anything to do with the boat. You see, when the contract was awarded, the company was to provide boats, they went ahead to provide not just boats but they provided bullet-proof boats, which when they were attacked, saved them and even at the point of the accident. Ordinarily the boat would have capsized but it did not because it is an extremely stable boat that they also provided. When it is time for any man to die, changing it is difficult because he has to die his death. About one month after the evacuation of the trucks illegally parked on the OshodiApapa Express Way, most of them have since returned and stakeholders are wondering whether we are returning to status

quo. We relaxed the night movement thing so that we can achieve some movement of goods from the ports because terminal operators were already complaining and that is how the trucks came back but in between all these, there is a working group trying to look at the effect so that we will not stop the operations of the terminal operators and at the same time, would not congest the roads so the working group is expected to come up with the best option. While we are talking about efficiency in port operations, stakeholders are concerned about increasing cost of cargo delivery, which was caused by the Federal Government. Some terminal operators have also been accused of imposing some charges due to the absence of a commercial regulator. What is your take on this? You know there was a presidential retreat last month, where we called all the stakeholders and they all came and we are addressing all the cost-related issues through the 15-man committee that was set up at the end of the retreat. In the meetings

The last time we spoke on the presidential retreat, you said a sub-committee was put in place to harmonise the decision. How far has that gone, especially in terms of implementation? Implementation will come after approval. There was a 15-man committee set up by the president and a sub-committee to look into the major headings such as port operations, revenue, security and the Cabotage. These sub-committees are to look into the various issues under these headings and have an extensive interaction with all the stakeholders, come up with their recommendations, the 15-man committee will now send these recommendations to the president for approval. It will be that Nigerians have begged the president to approve it is not as if the government is coming at the people rather the people are suggesting to the government the way to move ahead and government is approving it and it is not like the government is coming at them without taking along. About eight years after port concession, the Port and Habour Bill has not been passed. Is the Presidency considering lobbying the National Assembly to ensure its quick passage, given its importance to the regulation of the industry? The Port and Harbour Bill is as important to the legislators as it is to the executive arm of government. We are all Nigerians and we desire better governance so, nobody is going to lobby anybody but we can keep reminding the next arm of government. Many people are worried about the length of time it has taken. Well, it is not this same people that have been there in the last eight years. But the Minister of Transport is working hard towards the passage of the bill.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Maritime

Friday, August 31, 2012

FG approves new import tariff regime to fund CRFFN STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Federal Government has approved a new import tariff regime on all categories of goods imported into the country through the air, seaports and land borders to fund the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, created about five years ago. The council, created by the CRFFN Act 2007 as part of government’s response to calls to sanitise the industry, is charged with the responsibility of registering and licensing freight forwarding practitioners, set standards of practice and also register and regulate the freight forwarding associations operating in the country, among others. The government had also approved the collection of annual registration and subscription fees on all practitioners by the CRFFN. As part of measures to ensure full compliance, the government has also directed the Central Office Planning and Information of Nigerian Ports Authority to commence immediate transmission of all cargo manifests received to the council. But some stakeholders have raised fears that crisis might be brewing between the council and freight forwarding associations over the new approval, which comes at a time that port users are already saturated with all manners of charges, which made them describe the Nigerian ports as the most expensive in the world. Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar communicated this in a letter dated July 3, 2012 and entitled RE: Report on the stakeholders’ meetings n the annual subscription and other fees to be collected by the CRFFN with reference number T.0160/S.172/1.

Under the new regime, importers will now pay N1.50 per kilo of every air cargo, N1, 000 per 20-foot container, N2,000 per each 40-foot container, N500 per car or Jeep imported into the country sand N1,000 per every truck or 20-foot equivalent. Others include, N2, 000 per truck or 40-foot equivalent, N3.50 per every ton of general cargo imported into the country and N1.00 per ton of every dry bulk cargo handled in any of the nation’s seaports The minister also approved various registration fees for freight forwarding practitioners including Nigerians and non-Nigerians, which range from N7,500 to N50,000 annually depending on the category of membership as well as annual subscription fees ranging from N10, 000 to N60, 000 for the various levels of the membership of the council. In order to facilitate ease of collection, the government

has also directed NPA to ensure that the council was represented at the daily berthing committee meetings of the authority. Meanwhile, the current approval has put paid to speculations as to whether the council is an agency of the government or a private sector organisation since government’s decision to fund it implies that it will take full control of its activities. The council had in its short history gone through one form of crisis or the other, ranging from the delay in constituting its governing council late in 2009 nearly two years after the act was enacted. CRFFN had also faced a myriads of court cases instituted some individual freight forwarders and associations who felt they were shortchanged in the scheme of things, many of which were settled out of court. But the council was thrown into yet another internal crisis

in which three top members of the council Mr. Sam Oyemelukwe, the vice- chairman of the council, Mr. Peter Obi, chairman of registration committee and Teddy Ifezue, chairman of transport committee, were suspended for allegedly engaging in activities inimical to the progress of the body. Ironically, the suspended members, who had accused the chairman, Mr. Hakeem Olarenwaju of high handedness, were said to be aggrieved by the way and manner in which the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders was given full accreditation as a member of the council without due consultation with other members of the governing council. It is expected that the council might be on its path to stability with the current development, since it was said to have been bankrupt in the last one year or thereabout.

Container-ladened ship

Ex-IMO scribe appointed AMET Varsity chancellor

dmiral Efthimios Mitropoulos, immediate past secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation, has joined the Chennaibased AMET University as its chancellor. AMET has about 3,000 students pursuing specialised courses in maritime domain out of which nearly 300 foreign students including Nigerians, especially those admitted under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme facilitated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. His appointment in one of the country’s premier maritime institutes is likely to boost the country’s contribution of merchant navy officers to the global fleet. Incidentally, in 2008 Mitropoulos inaugurated AMET as the country’s first maritime university. He completed his tenure as IMO’s Secretary General in February 2012. He was recently knighted in the UK and appointed by the Queen to be an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George in recognition of his long and outstanding services to international maritime safety, security and protection of the environment. According to Captain. S. Bharadwaj, vice-chancellor of the university, Mitropoulos’ name is well-recognised in the global shipping industry. He was earlier the Chancellor of World Maritime University. Besides the traditional Marine Engineering and Nautical Science, the university offers others BE Naval Architecture, BE Harbour Engg, BE Petroleum Engg, BE Marine Electronics, BBM Shipping, MBA Shipping and Logistics and MTech. Marine Engineering.

Single window critical to 48-hour cargo clearance –NAGAFF

reight forwarders under the aegis of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders have said the current aspiration by the Federal Government to achieve a 48-hour cargo clearance at the various Nigeria’s seaports might not be achievable unless the single window concept comes into effect in the country. The Single Window concept is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents with a single point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements. The Federal Executive Council had recently approved the introduction single window concept in the cargo processing at the seaports, about one year after it suspended a $100 million contract allegedly awarded to Single Window

Systems and Technology Limited (SWST) under controversial circumstances by former minister of finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga. President of the association, who spoke in an interview, noted that current efforts to achieve 48hour cargo clearance might not achieve the desired results until adequate structures are put in place for the concept. “How can you achieve 48-hour cargo clearance in a situation where a freight forwarder books for the examination of a container and he would be asked to wait for as much as three, five or seven days in some cases?”, he questioned. According to him, under the single window network, the data of every key stakeholder in the supply chain is known and so when one makes declaration to a shipping company and the ship starts sailing, the manifest will be available online to everybody.

He insisted that any one who believes that Nigeria can attain 48-cargo clearance should take any container number at any of the terminals and try to track the container using the number using the terminal operator’s website, arguing that such container can never be tracked under the current dispensation. In addition to the single window network, he also noted that the government must urgently strengthen the regulatory framework to ensure that the shipping companies are properly regulated and supervised to curtail some of their excesses, which help to delay cargo delivery at the ports. “Nothing will also be achieved if government treats the issue of compliance with levity and I mean compliance in terms of government ensuring that international best practices are

enthroned on the part of the importer, freight forwarder, shipping companies and even terminal operators”, he further observed. He noted that it was on the basis of this that the current management of the Nigeria Customs Service should be commended for taking the bold step in ensuring that the government approved the scheme, which he argued would greatly enhance cargo clearance. The NAGAFF-boss noted that one of the benefits of introducing the single window network is the attainment of Mutual Recognition Agreement under which Customs would write a letter of intent to the World Customs Organisation after which the stakeholders would be so recognised. Apart from awarding the contract under alleged controversial circumstance, one other

reason for the suspension was the discovery that SWST, which won the contract was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on June 10, 2010, while it submitted its proposal to the presidency on September 10, 2009, nearly one year before it became a legal entity.

Okonjo-Iweala

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 31, 2012

Conoil posts N2.79bn profit on retail network expansion JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Chairman of Conoil Plc, Dr. Mike Adenuga, has said that the company is commited to operational efficiency, adherence to corporate governance guidelines and pro-active investment. The company recorded a profit after tax of N2.95bn in the 2011 financial year, an increase by 5.73 per cent when compared to N2.79bn recorded in the same period of 2010. Speaking at the company’s 42nd Annual General Meeting in Ibadan yesterday, he told shareholders that the remarkable performance demonstrated the company’s well-grounded structures and the uniqueness to response to the volatility in

the downstream sector. He said, “We launched far-reaching initiatives to strengthen our income base in core segments of our business particularly in retail, lubricants, aviation, gas and specialised products. We pursued and sustained strategic expansion of our retail network across the length and breadth of the country.” The General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, whose views captured the mood of shareholders in attendance, remarked that the performance of the company during the period in review, further re-enforced investors’ confidence in the company. According to him, a closer look at the results showed very prudent management, strategic

planning and cost control measures, resulting in growth and improved bottom-line. “The cash flow position of the company revealed a company that is very liquid to meet its obligations and explore more profitable opportunities,” he said. The meeting ratified total dividend payment of N1.73bn to shareholders, representing a dividend payment of N2.50 per share, up from N2.00 paid the preceding year. Further analysis of the result showed that the 25 per cent increase in cash payouts was reflective of the improved performance of the company during the year in review as turnover rose by 53 per cent to N157.5bn in 2011, from N102.8bn in 2010. Conoil’s current divi-

dend yield amounted to about 12 per cent and earnings yield of about 20 per cent, thus placing the company amongst the topbracket of dividend paying stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The company’s earnings per share had been on the upward trend, increasing from N2.62 in 2008 to N3.33 and N4.02 in 2009 and 2010 respectively, while it increased cash dividend per share correspondingly from N1 in 2009 to N1.50 and N2 in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Conoil also posted a stronger balance sheet as retained earnings boosted shareholders’ funds to N16.82bn in 2011, compared to N15.3bn in 2010, while total assets rose by 49 per cent to N61.8bn in 2011, as against N41.5bn in 2010.

NSE urges building firms to meet housing needs JOHNSON OKANLAWON

uoted companies listed in the building material subsector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange have been urged to increase their efforts at meeting the housing need in the country. The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, challenged all the companies to elevate their efforts in dealing with current housing deficit confronting the country. Onyema, who spoke during the facts behind the figures of First Aluminium Plc, pointed out that official statistics currently put Nigeria’s housing deficit at about 16 million housing units.

“If we are to have a solution to this problem, companies quoted in the building materials subsector of the NSE will have to rise to the occasion by providing quality materials that are priced within the reach of average Nigerian.” He revealed that the NSE is developing an industrial goods index, which is expected to be launched by January 2014 According to him, the industrial goods sector has 27 companies, 26 of which are quoted on the Main Board and one on ASeM, saying that the year-to-date performance of the sector is 8.54 per cent. He said, “Comparing this with global indus-

trial goods performance shows that the sector can do better. FTSE 350 industrial goods and services has year-to-date of 13.23 per cent, Standard and Poor industrial index, 12.15 per cent, MSCI Egypt industrial index, 38.53 per cent and FTSE/ JSE African industrial index, 25.11 per cent. He also stressed the importance of adequate information dissemination by quoted companies saying that without timely and adequate information, financial journalists and analysts alike will be unable to appropriately represent the company in their write-ups and analyses. “More importantly, rational investors will find it difficult to invest

Indices rise further by 0.6%

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

eanwhile, trading in equities continued on bullish note on the Exchange yesterday, as investors’ appetite on stocks rose further. The All-Share index appreciated by 0.14 per cent to close at 23,704.34 points, compared to the increase by 0.59 per cent to close at

23,670.11 points. Market capitalisation increased by N10.9bn to close at N7.54trn, lower than the increase by N44.1bn recorded the preceding day to close at N7.53trn. Okomu Oil Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.50 or five per cent to close at N31.50 per share, followed by Smurfit Plc with seven kobo or 4.96

per cent to close at N1.48 per share. Roads Nigeria Plc gained 36 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N7.64 per share, while CAP Plc appreciated by N1.31 or 4.93 per cent to close at N27.89 per share. Air Service Plc rose by nine kobo or 4.89 per cent to close at N1.93 per share. On the flip side, Paints Manufacturing Compa-

in a company they do not have adequate information about. These and a lot more reasons make it imperative for companies listed on our bourse to take part actively in managing investor relations. “If stockbrokers do not have adequate information about a company -no matter how great the prospects of such a company, it will be difficult for them to appropriately price its stock.” He, however, charged quoted companies to endeavour to raise the quality of their investor relations programmes including disclosing information about their companies to stock market stakeholders regularly. ny Plc lost 11 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.09 per share, while May and Baker Plc dipped by seven kobo or five per cent to close at N1.33 per share. Transaction volume in equities rose by 33.4 per cent, as a total of 363.93 million shares valued at N2.35bn were exchanged in 4,818 deals, compared to 272.77 million shares worth N1.22bn traded in 3,800 deals the preceding day.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,704.34 points Market capitalisation 7,545,262 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

OKOMUOIL

30.00

31.50

1.50

% CHANGE 5.00

SMURFIT

1.41

1.48

0.07

4.96

ROADS

7.28

7.64

0.36

4.95

CAP

26.58

27.89

1.31

4.93

AIRSERVICE

1.84

1.93

0.09

4.89

UPL

4.11

4.31

0.20

4.87

DNMEYER

0.75

0.78

0.03

4.00

WAPIC

0.51

0.53

0.02

3.92

7UP

38.50

40.00

1.50

3.90

UACN

34.19

35.51

1.32

3.86

CHANGE

% CHANGE -5.00

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

PAINTCOM

2.20

2.09

0.11

MAYBAKER

1.40

1.33

0.07

-5.00

CUSTODYINS

1.21

1.15

0.06

-4.96

MORISON

7.39

7.03

0.36

-4.87

AGLEVENT

1.24

1.18

0.06

-4.84

JAPAULOIL

0.63

0.60

0.03

-4.76

NEIMETH

0.84

0.80

0.04

-4.76

INTBREW

8.42

8.02

0.40

-4.75

CCNN

4.43

4.22

0.21

-4.74

REDSTAREX

2.57

2.45

0.12

-4.67

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

30,647.81

13.50

23-Aug-12

182-Day

20,000.00

15.50

23-Aug-12

364 -Day

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

118 Days

34,470,71

14.08

30-Aug-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$180m

N/A

$180m

29-Aug-12

$250m

N/A

$250m

27-Aug-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 31, 2012

Capital Market

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at August 30, 2012 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror ““Results reveal that as much as 20% of the entire capital expenditure will end up in private pockets annually.” FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK, OBY EZEKWESILI

Farmers arraigned for attempting to sell minor

wo farmers, Joseph Danjuma, 43, and Victor Habu, 35, have been arraigned before an Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court for attempting to sell a minor. Police Prosecutor, Prisca Ojuanam, told the court that on July 18, the accused were appre-

hended at Giwa Hotel, Jikoyi, Abuja, where they conspired to sell the minor for unlawful purpose. Ojuanam said the accused persons had collected N100, 000 from one Mr. Ali Bwala to sell the minor to him, and Habu was providing Danjuma with

however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Mamman Audu, applied for their bail which was granted by the Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, in the sum of N100, 000 each and two sureties each in like sum, who must be

a telephone number to reach Bwala. She said the offence contravened section 287 of the Penal Code, and punishable under Section 97 of the Code. The accused persons, both of Wassa, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State,

Union urges establishment of mobile court

Puzzle trails man’s death in Awka CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

FRANCIS SUBERU WITH AGENCY REPORT

he Mararaba chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Nasarawa State has called for the introduction of `traffic mobile court’ on the Keffi-Abuja highway. Chairman of NURTW, Mr. Bernard Adeyi, said the introduction was necessary to facilitate immediate trial of reckless drivers and other road traffic offenders. “The rate at which motorists are violating traffic rules and regulations on the highway calls for serious measures and adequate attention by relevant authorities.” He said this would serve as check and deterrent to reckless road users, especially now that final months of the year are approaching. The chairman also advised the Nasarawa State Government not to encourage multiple transport unions to curb incessant quarrelling, conflicts and infighting among them unions. “The few that are operating should be brought under one umbrella for proper supervision and control. We don’t experience crisis in the Mararaba chapter. We don’t fight with fists or use lethal weapons, rather, we employ legal means if need be to settle disputes,” he said. He called on the government to assist in training union employees to enable them carry out their duties in a more and professional manner. On their contributions to welfare of road users, he said the union was doing a good job in the state, adding it is helping in ensuring the free flow of traffic on Keffi-Mararaba highway.

residents within jurisdiction of the court. Iyanna said the sureties must have genuine means of livelihood, and also provide copies of their utility bills which must be verified by the court. He adjourned the case to September 9, 2012 for further hearing.

Some porters taking naps after waiting endlessly for customers in Lagos.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

big puzzle has trailed the death of a young man, Emeka Ekwunife, a.k.a Omenyi, whose lifeless body was recently found in a pool of blood in his family home at Dike Street, Amikwo quarter, Awka, Anambra State. It was learnt that, before his sudden death, late Emeka was hale and hearty and never showed any symptom of sickness. However, it was a big tragedy for his relations as they woke to found the body in an apartment with one of the windows smashed. Investigations revealed that Emeka had a deep cut in one of his hands, from where blood gushed and littered the apartment. When Community Mirror visited Dike Street where the family compound is located, sympathisers were seen discussing the incident, just as people were bewildered over what actually caused the death.

Christian women denounce child abuse DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he Christ True Mission Church second triennial August women delegate conference has ended in Nsugbe, Anambra State, with a call on all tiers of government to tackle all forms of child abuses in the country, just as they want thefederal government to sanction states yet to domesticate the child rights act. At the four day event that attracted delegates from the 10 stations of the church across Nigeria, the women, expressed dismay at the alarming cases of child abuse in the country. In a communiqué signed by

lady Priscilla Ukekwe, chairperson, and Evang. Florence Ekwealor, secretary, the women, attributed the increasing wave of child abuse to people having more children than desired as well as the deprivation of victims rights to education. They, however, called on governments to intensify enlightenment campaign in rural communities with a view to checking the ugly trend, just as they advocated stiffer penalty for culprits, including parents found wanting in that regard. The women, had described child trafficking as a form of child abuse resulting from poverty, lack of education which according to them, portends serious

danger to the society. They therefore, resolved to join the international community to fight the menace which is gradually destroying “our children who are the leaders of tomorrow” The communiqué also condemned the continuous killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians by suspected members of Boko Haram sect, and urged the federal government to fish out their sponsors. According to them, activities of the sect, have adversely affected the image and investment opportunities in Nigeria. Speaking, the public Relations Officer of the church, Mrs. Amobi Ngozi, described the four day programme as impressive, educative

and inspiring, saying it taught them everything they needed to know about the holy Bible, church, as well as the benefit they would derived from skills acquisition training which, will go a long way in supporting their economic ventures. Declaring open the conference earlier, Primate and founder of the church, Archbishop Stephen Ufoh, extolled the women for being pillar of the church, noting that they hold the key to the transformation of the society. The event featured Bible quiz competition, short talk on love, industrial vocational seminars, talk on morals, dressing, faith clinic and lectures among other activities.

Friday, August 31, 2012

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Friday, August 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

“I declare that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never been after nuclear weapons and it will never abandon its right for peaceful use of nuclear energy” - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei TOBORE OVUORIE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

cores of Senegalese protested outside Gambia’s embassy yesterday to demand that President Yahya Jammeh halt the execution of prisoners as another 38 convicts face the firing squad in coming weeks. Demonstrators implored the international community to intervene after nine prisoners, including two Senegalese citizens, were executed for their crimes last Sunday in the tiny country which is wedged into Senegal. The protesters chanted “Yahya assassin! Jammeh criminal!” and “Jammeh to the ICC (International Criminal Court)” as a handful of riot police kept watch. “We want to alert the international community to say there are 38 people on death row and if nothing is done ... these people will be executed and thrown into mass graves,” said Alioune Tine of the Dakar-based African Assembly for the Defense of Human Rights. “As we speak no remains are in the hands of families.” Tine said the 47-year-old Gambian leader was a “modern day Idi Amin” referring to the former Ugandan dictator, and: “We must absolutely end the regime of this dictator.” The former soldier who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1994, has vowed to carry out all death sentences by mid-September. Sheriff Bojang, a Gambian journalist exiled in Dakar, like

Gambian prisoners’ mass execution: Senegal protests many of his colleagues who have fled persecution, is the first cousin of one of those executed on Sunday, Lieutenant Lamin Jarjou - one of three soldiers killed. He said his cousin was accused of involvement in a bloody counter-coup attempt in 1994, and another several years later. “That is what they said. He was tried, obviously they were beaten, coerced into signing things. We believed there was never a fair trial,” Bojang said.

Like most prisoners in Gambia, Jarjou was convicted by judges known locally as “mercenary judges”, hired by Jammeh from Nigeria. “He has the right to fire and hire them anytime, so they only do what he wants them to do.” In all the time Jarjou was in prison, the only person to see him was his brother, for 10 minutes, during a hospital stay, said Bojang. “Everybody was shocked ... nobody was aware of it,” he said

of the execution. His body has also not been returned to the family for proper Muslim burial rites. Amnesty has said many on death row were tried on “politically motivated charges and subjected to torture and other illtreatment to force confessions.” Last year eight military top brass, including the former army and intelligence chiefs and the ex-deputy head of the police force, were sentenced to death for treason.

The hijacked tanker on Nigerian waters.

South African authorities have charged 270 miners in the killings of 34 fellow workers, even though police are believed to have fired the fatal shots. The workers were arrested after the deadly clash with police and were charged under a common-law provision that faults them for being involved in the clash. Police spokesman Dennis Adrio said that some of those killed in the clash had gunshot wounds in their backs and that weapons were recovered at the scene. The August 16 clash happened after negotiations between striking miners and the mining company broke down and police decided to fence in machetearmed protesters with barbed wire, according to police.

Harare, Zimbabwe 4th world’s worst city

Senegalese protesting the mass execution outside the Gambian embassy in Senegal yesterday.

PHOTOS: AP

Greek-run hijacked oil tanker released

n oil tanker seized by pirates off the west coast of Africa has been released by the hijackers, the operators of the vessel said.

WORLD BULLETIN 270 miners charged for colleagues’ deaths

An official with Golden Energy Management, the Greek company that chartered the ship, said the Energy Centurion was released Thursday, some

PHOTOS: AP

60 miles east of Lagos, Nigeria, and was steaming toward a “safe port.” The official said all 24 crew members -- mostly Russian -who are still on board the ship are safe. They were not harmed by the hijackers, he said. The official said the Energy Centurion held 57,000 tons of gas oil on board and about 3,000 tons was stolen by the pirates. The company will also have to evaluate the state of the ship, the official said, after the pirates damaged some electronics and communications equipment. The Isle of Man-flagged vessel was hijacked early Tuesday off the coast of the Togolese capital Lome, where it was an-

chored. Once on board, the pirates exchanged gunfire with a Togo naval ship that responded to a distress call, before they disappeared off the coast of neighboring Benin. This is the second such attack in less than two weeks in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Africa. There has been an increase of attacks in the region, according to a recent report from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Center. While Somali piracy remains a serious threat, a recent report from the center said there were 32 attacks this year alone in the Gulf of Guinea.

An independent research group says Zimbabwe’s capital is the world’s fourth-worst city to live in, based on daily hardships and political risk. Cities in war zones are excluded from the “livability” index. The British-based Economist Intelligence Unit put Harare 137th out of 140 cities surveyed and gave it a 39.4 rating on a scale to 100 for ideal urban conditions. In its report available Thursday, Harare ranked marginally better than Lagos in Nigeria, Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and Dhaka, Bangladesh. In cities with a score of 50 or less “most aspects of living are severely restricted,” it said. The study aims to help businesses calculate hardship allowances for executives and employees.

Three journalists die in Eritrean jail-Rights group Three journalists jailed for over a decade have died in prison in Eritrea, the world’s worst country for press freedom, rights group Reporters Without Borders revealed yesterday. Dawit Habtemichael, Mattewos Habteab and Wedi Itay were reported to have died by former prison guards who have since fled the secretive Red Sea state, RSF said. “In Eritrea, journalists have been thrown in prison just for daring to express their opinions,” RSF said in a statement. “Some have been held for more than 10 years and are disappearing one by one.” All three had been held since late 2001, arrested in a draconian purge by Eritrea’s authoritarian leader Issaias Afeworki, when he shut down independent media.

Friday, August 31, 2011

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday, August 31, 2012

Financial discipline, my administration’s watchword – Dankwambo DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has explained that following due process, financial discipline, and strict compliance to budget and a reversal from the past could be the reason why some

people described his administration as being slow. The governor spoke at a reception organised by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to welcome him back to the state after almost a month’s absence. He said: “I swore never to take back anything that belongs to the people of

Gombe and I am repeating it now again that I will never cheat any Gombe person. Everybody will get what is due to him so that justice would reign.” Dankwambo also lashed out at those who said money was not flowing in the state. He said: “Assuming what we get as monthly

allocation from the Federation Account is about N4bn with about three million population, when about N1.3bn goes for workers’ salaries and we are expected to share the remaining, everybody in Gombe will get about N1,200 each. “How can we carry out the developmental proj-

ects and programmes that would positively affect the lives of the people with what is remaining?” The governor disclosed that he had concluded plans to tour all the constituencies in the state to assess the effect the administration was having on the people and the progress of projects being

executed. Earlier, the state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Jack Gainako Gumpi, assured Dankwambo of the party’s support and cooperation in carrying out his programmes and projects. He called on the people to continue to live in peace so that more projects could be executed.

Nasarawa, U.S. health experts join forces against HIV IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

L-R: Bauchi State Commissioners for Health, Dr. Sani Malami; Information, Alhaji Mohammed Dhamina; Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Amin and Lands, Housing, and Environment, Alhaji Hammayo Aminu, at a news conference on their achievements in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kogi’ll become oil producing state soon – Wada ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

ogi State Government will soon join the league of oil producing states in the country. Governor Idris Wada made the disclosure in a statement yesterday, after the inauguration of Orient Petroleum’s production facility in Agulere Otu, Anambra State. The governor, who

spoke through his deputy, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, said the state was excited over the inauguration of the newly established refinery. He added that Kogi would be a major stakeholder in the refinery, considering the recent discovery and exploration of oil wells in Odeke community in Ibaji Local Government Area of the state. Wada, who disclosed

that his administration was doing everything to resolve the issues surrounding the location of the oil wells with the contending states, commended Orient Petroleum for taking the bold step to build the refinery. He added that Nigeria’s economy would only develop when citizens began to invest in the country. Wada commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his local content

Kaduna LG polls hold Dec 1 AZA MSUE KADUNA

he Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, SIECOM, has fixed December 1 for the conduct of council elections in the 23 local government areas of the state. The SIECOM Chairman, Dr. Hannatu Biniyat, made the announcement yesterday in Kaduna at a press briefing. She disclosed that each

candidate for the position of local government chairman would pay a nonrefundable fee of N200,000 while the position of a councillor attracts N50,000, for the nomination forms. The chairman noted that processes leading to the conduct of the polls were in consonance with the SIECOM law which the state House of Assembly enacted recently. Dr. Biniyat said political parties wishing to field candidates for the elections

Yakowa

must conduct primaries between September 7 and October 26, while the deadline for the submission of the list of candidates is November 1.

initiative in the building of the first production of oil from an inland basin in the country as well encouraging deregulation of the petroleum industry.

asarawa State Government said it had entered into agreement with health experts from the United States to fight the mother to child transmission of the Human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, in the state. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, disclosed this yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting. The commissioner also disclosed that a team of the American Presidential Emergency Plan on Health Relief was on a visit to the state to ascertain the level of the scourge to determine the area and

level of assistance. He said: “Government is determined to ensure that HIV transmission from mother to unborn baby is pursued to a level where the state will have zero transmission before 2015. Health officials will be trained abroad in line with the programme. “Government intervention became imperative because the 7.5 per cent HIV prevalence rate in the state is posing a serious danger to the health sector of Nasarawa State hence proactive intervention is needed to curtail the menace.” Akabe said the government was worried over the situation where children were born with HIV when there were apparatuses for preventing the transmission of the virus from mother to the unborn child.

2015: Contest elective posts, lawmaker urges women PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

head of the 2015 general elections, Nigerian women have been advised to come out en masse to contest elective positions at council, state and national levels to enable them contribute their quota to the country’s growth. A lawmaker representing Mashegu constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Sa’adatu Mohammed Kolo, made the call in an interview shortly after receiving the award of the Image Mother of Gold in Nigeria, 2012 from the Evergreen Progressive

Development Foundation, EGPDF, in Minna. She urged women not to lose hope but continue to vie for elective posts even if they failed to clinch the positions they contested for. Hon. Kolo explained that the record had shown that women occupying elective positions at local, state and federal levels had proven to be hard working, honest as they continued to rise above the various challenges that came their way in the discharge of their duties to the people. She said: “I want to encourage women to continue to come out and contest for all elective offices. They should not feel discouraged

even when they contest and lose. They have proven to be hard working.” The lawmaker, who was the former Majority Chief Whip of the Assembly, also expressed joy at the award given to her, saying it would motivate her to continue to touch the lives of the people, especially children and women in her constituency and the state as a whole. Earlier, the head of the EGPDF, Mr. Godwin Olayemi, said the award was not politically-motivated, but was based on Hon. Kolo’s antecedent in contributing to putting smile on the faces of the less-privileged in the society even before her election.

TRANSITION

Friday, August 31, 2012

Pa. Thomas Arogundade T

he Arogundade and Fadare families of Ilesa and Ijebu-Jesa in Osun State, Nigeria have announced the glorious exit of their patriarch, Pa. Thomas Akinyemi Arogundade who died on July 27, 2012 at the age of 85. A statement by the family said Pa. Arogundade would be buried at Ijebu-Jesa, headquarters of Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, on Saturday October 6, 2012. According to the statement, his burial program will kick off on Friday October 5 with a lying-in-state at his residence, R3, Araromi Street; Ilesa at 3pm while there will be a Christian wake keep at 5pm. On Saturday October 6, a burial service will hold for him at 9am at R3, Araromi Street, Ilesa, immediately after which his remains will be interred at the Arogundade family compound in Oke-Iloro, Ijebu-Jesa. At 11a.m. on the same day, an interdenominational openair thanksgiving service would be held in his honour at the sports complex of Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School, Ijebu-Jesa, to be followed by a reception for guests at the same venue. As a prominent cocoa merchant in Osi-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government of Ekiti State, where he sojourned between the 1950s and the year 2002, Pa. Arogundade earned the sobriquet, Akin Onikoko. He was also for many years Treasurer and senior Lay Reader of the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in the town. Pa. Arogundade is survived by wife, Mrs. Hannah Olayoonu Arogundade; younger brother, Pastor Olu Arijesudade and children – Mrs. Titilayo Ekundare; Mr. Ayodele Arogundade; Mr. Lanre Arogundade; Mrs. Olamide Oso; Mrs. Adesola Onipede; Pastor Ayodeji Arijesudade and Mrs. Folasade Olunuga.

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Mrs. Dinah Igbokwe

member of the Cathedral of Saint Mary’s Anglican Church, Uruagu Nnewi, in Anambra State, Mrs. Dinah Igbokwe is dead. The 85-year-old social-activist and philanthropist, who was married to the late Chief D.N. Igbokwe, died on August 18, 2012. Born to the Nwakanwa family in Umudim, Nnewi, the deceased had a close family tie with the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. According to a statement by Mr. Joe Igbokwe, one of the deceased’s children, burial arrangements would be announced later. Left to mourn her, are Mr. Igbokwe, Publicity Secretary of the Lagos chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructural Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA). Others are Evang. John Igbokwe, Ikechukwu Igbokwe, Eze Igbokwe and Chinwe Igbokwe.

Chief Emmanuel Ogbuneke

hief (Elder) Emmanuel Uche Ogbunike , was born on July 16, 1934 to family of late Pa. Ogbunike Mgborie Ogonnaya and Mrs. Manassah Ogbuneke Mgborie Ogonnaya of Ezeaja Na Ozara village in Umuokogbuo Autonomous Community, Eluama, Isikwuato in Abia State. He attended Faith Tabernacle Congregation School, Nbawsi and obtained the First School Leaving Certificate with Distinction in 1945. After his primary education, he undertook secretarial studies briefly and later underwent apprenticeship in textile merchandising under his cousin, Mr. Sebastian Umahi. At tutelage, he established his own business and was a successful textile merchant in Jos before the outbreak of the civil war in 1967. In 1977, he expanded his business empire and moved to Umuahia, Abia State, where he lived till his death. His business included produce merchandise, frozen foods, real

estate development, and logistics. He was once chairman of Nigeria National Produce Buyers Association. As an industrialist, he established, directed and controlled OSCO Agro Allied Industries Ltd, which processed palm kernels for production of palm kernel cake and palm kernel oil. He was honoured with several awards, corporate fellowships, and was a member of many organisations. Some of the awards included Institute of Sales Management of Nigeria, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA), Family Support Programme(FSP); and Ridge Club, Umuahia. Chief Ogbuneke was a great community leader and his contributions to his community and society were enormous. He died on March 13, 2012 at the age of 78 years. Left to mourn are his wives and nine children.

Meles Zenawi M

eles Zenawi Asres was Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 until his death on August 20, 2012. From 1985, he was chairman of the Tigranya Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), and head of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). He was President of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995 and became Prime Minister in 1995, following general elections that year. Known as one of Africa’s strongmen, he was also an ally of the United States’ War on Terror’. Zenawi was born in Adwa, Tigray, to an Ethiopian father and a mother from Adi Quala, Eritrea. He graduated from the General Wingate High School in Addis Ababa and studied medicine at Addis Ababa University (at the time known as Haile Selassie University) for two years before interrupting his studies in 1975 to join the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). While a member of the TPLF, Zenawi founded the Marxist-Leninist League of Tigray. His first name at birth was “Legesse” (thus Legesse Zenawi).However, he eventually became better known by his nom de guerre Meles, which he later adopted in honour of the university student and fellow Tigray Meles

Tekle, who was executed by Mengistu’s government in 1975. The TPLF was one of many armed groups struggling against Lt. Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam and the Derg junta, which governed Ethiopia. Zenawi was elected Leader of the Leadership Committee in 1979 and leader of the Executive Committee in 1983. He was chairperson of both the TPLF and the EPRDF, after the EPRDF assumed power at the end of the Ethiopian Civil War in 1991. He was president of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), during which Eritrea seceeded from the country and the experiment of ethnic federalism started. Zenawi was married to Azeb Mesfin, a former rebel fighter and currently Member of Parliament and are blessed with three children. At the 33rd G8 summit in Heiligendamm in 2007, Zenawi stated that EPRDF’s victory was a triumph for the thousands of TPLF-fighters who were killed, for the millions of Ethiopians who were victims of the country’s biggest famine during the Derg regime.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Moses debuts against Atletico Madrid

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Sport

All hands are on deck to get the AFCON 2013 ticket and Liberia will not stop our march forward

- NFF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, CHRIS GREEN

Euro Champions League groups A

Porto, Dynamo Kiev, PSG, Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier

AC Milan, St Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga

Real Madrid, Man City, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund

Chelsea, Shakhtar, Juventus, FC Nordsjaelland

Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov

Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic

Man United, Braga, Galatasaray, CFR Cluj

CCL: Sunshine to miss Oboabona

Falconets’ goal scorer, Desire Oparanozie (m) doing the Usain Bolt salute while her team mates cheer on after beating Mexico 1-0 yesterday.

Japan 2012: Falconets, Nadeshiko in semis

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

igeria and host Japan are through to the semi-finals of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan after two tense and exciting quarterfinal matches in Tokyo, yesterday. The first match between Nigeria and Mexico, which the Falconets won 1-0, inside the

National Stadium in Tokyo was full of thrills and excitement. Falconets were particularly guilty of negligence in front of goal, hitting the ball against the woodwork several times while the Mexicans, who could have broken the deadlock in a spirited second-half display, were not better. The regulation 90 minutes ended scoreless, making it the first game normal time had

…Keshi wishes team well

alconets’ splendid run in the ongoing FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Japan has not gone unnoticed in the camp of the Super Eagles as Coach Stephen Keshi and his crew have kept close tabs on events in the Asian country with hopes of a final Nigerian triumph. After yesterday’s quarterfinal defeat of Mexico, Keshi declared that he foresaw the team going all the way and bringing the trophy to Nigeria. “We supported them while they were here as our daughters and we hope and pray that they will win the trophy which they narrowly lost to Germany at the last championship. So that it will help boost our

morale ahead of the Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia and also the World Cup qualifiers that come up later”, Keshi was quoted as saying by the Eagles’ spokesman, Ben Alaiya.

expired without a goal at this stage, while the additional 30 minutes was only the sixth period of extra time in the history of last-eight clashes of this tournament. At the end of the day, an extra-time goal scored by Desire Oparanozie was enough to separate the sides, prompting celebrations for the Nigerians and despair for the North Americans. Oparanozie’s match-winning goal was crucially important, as the Falconets had laid siege to the Mexican goal for more than 100 minutes without gaining any reward for their efforts. The breakthrough, however, came with just 11 minutes remaining. A precise

Oparanozie desires final ticket AFOLABI GAMBARI

corer of the lone goal with which Nigeria dumped Mexico out of the on-going Japan 2012 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Desire Oparanozie, has said that her eyes are already in the final billed for September 9. Oparanozie, who spoke yesterday shortly after helping the Falconets to a semi-final place, described the match as “the

toughest in the competition” but expressed delight at scoring the goal that made the difference. “I thought briefly about the penalty shoot-outs as the game remained deadlocked,” the forward, who had suffered goals drought in the competition, said. “It was just as well that we won the semis ticket and I can’t wait to see us in the final aiming the cup,” she added. “We played very well and the Mexicans had their goalkeeper

cross from the right flank by Ugo Njoku found Oparanozie lurking by the penalty mark and the striker outjumped her marker and powered a header just under the bar, leaving otherwise invincible Mexico goalkeeper, Cecilia Santiago, grasping at thin air. In the second quarter-final game, host Japan defeated South Korea 3-1 before cheering home fans and supporters. The South Koreans cancelled out the hosts’ early opener, but two more goals before half-time set the Young Nadeshiko on their way to victory. And thus, in their third quarter-final appearance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Japan progressed to the last four for the first time.

to thank for absorbing the pressure we piled, although all that would not have counted if we still lost the game.” Nigeria will meet winner of today’s quarter-final match between North Korea and USA, but Oparanozie is unfazed by the challenge of cruising to a second consecutive final in the U-20 World Cup. “We just need to work harder on our precision at scoring and all will be well in the semi final,” she submitted.

unshine Stars will miss suspended skipper Godfrey Oboabona and Dele Olorundare against Esperance in Sunday’s CAF Champions League clash. Both players will not be part of the Sunshine party to Tunisia after they each received a second booking at ASO Chlef of Algeria recently. The players told MTNFootball.com that they are disappointed they will miss this Group A game, but at the same time they believe the team will still do the nation proud without them. “It is painful that I will miss the game against Esperance, I can’t help the situation. I wish my teammates that will play the game well. I am sure they will do well and I want them to remain focused,” Oboabona told MTNFootball.com Battling striker Dele Olorundare also maintained that his team would do well even in their absence.

Sunshine’s coach, Ogunbote

Sport

Friday, August 31, 2012

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Golf: Runsewe woos Americans A FOLABI GAMBARI

Andres Iniesta (l) receiving his award from UEFA President, Michel Platini ,yesterday

Iniesta wins UEFA Award

arcelona and Spain international Andrés Iniesta yesterday won the UEFA European Player of the Year award ahead of Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Iniesta, representing Barcelona, missed out on La Liga winner’s medal but was part of

triumphant Spanish side in the UEFA EURO 2012 jointly hosted by Poland-Ukaraine. The petit player renowned for his nimble foot got 19 votes while Ronaldo and Messi got 17 each and is selected on the basis of voting by 53 journalists representing each of the UEFA nations.

“I feel very privileged to be part of this generation of Spanish footballers,” the talented midfielder said in a short speech after he was presented at the event staged in Monaco, France. Argentina international Messi had won the inaugural award in 2011.

irector General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has signed a pact with the Professional Golfers Association of America Tour (PGA Tour) in a move to drive golf development in the country. Runsewe, who visited the PGA Headquarters at Ponte Verda, Florida last week, said his effort was inspired by his belief in the strong ties between tourism and golf. “I have seen the huge tourism returns that my colleagues elsewhere in the world has achieved through golf channels and I think Nigeria can benefit from the over $70bn that golf tourism offers,” Runsewe said yesterday. “We only have to activate some essential aspects of the industry to excel in our quest,” he added. The NTDC director met with key directors of the PGA Tour who include Brian Woyt, Carlton Kitchens and

AFOLABI GAMBARI

nternational Master, Dapo Adu, yesterday led Team Nigeria back into reckoning at the on-going World Chess Olympiad in Turkey with a massive 4-0 win against Palestine in the second round of the Swiss event pairing tournament. The win pushed Nigeria upward as the country competed in the elite division when play resumed yesterday. But the female team players must raise their game if they hope to make anything from the event after the unimpressive

Otunba Runsewe

Le Roy due for Soccerex

Chess: Team Nigeria defeats Palestine 2-2 score line against Lebanon on Wednesday. Adu, who captained the male team, set the tone for a brilliant outing after an emphatic win against Abuitan Midha on board one. The Nigerian chess prodigy, playing in the black side of closed Sicilian, showed shade of his genius in the middle play, trapping his opponent from move 14 after the a needless ambitious attack on Adu’s King side. Participating countries will compete for honour in board order of play, team event and category of play today.

Dan Glod and sealed a deal that will see the Tour train selected Nigerian professionals in capacity building as well as help them secure international tours. No Nigerian professional player has featured in a world ranking point event in more than 12 months and none is ranked at the Official World Ranking for the professionals. “I think this is a misrepresentation of the quality of skill of Nigerian professional players,” Runsewe said, stressing that the Rio 2016 Olympics would provide opportunity for the country’s players to showcase their talent.

AFOLABI GAMBARI

rganisers of the Soccerex 2012 Seminar scheduled for September 27 and 28 in Lagos have confirmed veteran French coach Claude Le Roy as one of the participants at the two-day event. National Mirror Yakubu Adesokan (l), posing with Sports Minister, Bolaji learnt yesterday that Abdullahi, yesterday. Le Roy would take part in an exclusive one-to-one session discussing his past coaching roles and ne day after the London 2012 Paralympic the future of African Games started, Team Nigeria yesterday football. Le Roy, who has won its first gold medal. Yakubu Adesokan won the gold in the men’s coached Cameroun 48kg category by lifting 178kg weight in the pow- on two separate occasions, as well as erlifting event. The 33-year-old Adesokan did it in style by Senegal, Ghana and breaking the world record, as the 178kg is over DR Congo, achieved his greatest success three times his body weight. by guiding the Indomitable Lions to runners-up in the 1986 African Cup of he eight-day Fi- Surulere, Lagos. She is survived by Nations before windau prayer for the late Alhaja five children, includ- ning the tournament Musilimot Akanni, who ing former Nigeria in 1988. He took over Ghadied on August 24 at the International, Waidi Akanni and has since na in 2006 and led the age of 76 after a brief illness will come up to- been buried according Black Stars to 14th in the FIFA world rankday at her residence in to the Islamic rites.

Paralympics: Nigerian lifter wins gold, sets record

ings, the country’s highest ever, and has held senior positions in top European clubs, including Football Adviser at AC Milan in 1996 and Director of Football at Paris Saint-Germain from 1997 to 1998. “African football has been extremely pivotal in my life,” Le Roy said, adding, “I am looking forward to attending the Soccerex event in Lagos.” “We are thrilled that Claude will provide an incisive and detailed view on African football and he will be a huge attraction at the seminar,” Soccerex CEO, Duncan Revie, said yesterday.

Fidau for Akanni’s mum

L-R: Dapo Adu, Bomo Kigigha, Nonso Oragwu and Adeyinka Adesina during the match with Palestine yesterday

Le Roy

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Sport

Friday, August 31, 2012

Wi Window on Nigerian players abroad

with IKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Akarandut joins Stade Tunisien

Enakarhire resurrects in San Marino

ormer NPL top scorer Orok Akarandut has signed the dotted lines for Tunisian top division side, Satde Tunisien. The former Akwa United hit man returns to the North African country on a three-year contract. He signed for the Tunis-based side three days ago, thus ending his search for a club since his three-year contract with another Tunisian side CSS Sfaxien expired. Akarandut has since started pre-season with his new employers ahead of the new season which starts this weekend. The Akwa Ibom State native had spent the last six months of his Sfaxien contract on loan at Bahraini club Al-Najma, where he helped them to get to the final of the FA Cup. Akarandut returned to Nigeria on the expiration of his contract and continued to search for a new club until he was hooked by Stade Tunisien. He told National Mirror that he was glad in the country he started his career and said he would make the most of his chance. “I spent two years in Tunisia when I played for Sfaxien before I played on loan in UAE and Bahrain and it’s good to be back in a familiar terrain,” he said. “Football in Tunisia is big and I’m delighted to be part of it again. I want to prove I’m worth a bargain buy in my new club. “I have begun well by doing well in the pre-season and I hope to transform my good form when the league resumes. “It’s nostalgic to return to the country where I played for two clubs before I left for UAE. I got my fond and bad memories, but it’s all good. “The fans know me well, having played against them for Sfaxien and AS Gabes, the newly-promoted team.”

Akarandut

Victor Moses (r) in training with Chelsea.

Moses debuts against Atletico Madrid

ewly-recruited Nigeria striker Victor Moses could make his Chelsea debut today against Atletico Madrid just as he has been handed the jersey number 13. Victor Moses last weekend joined Chelsea on a long-term deal that sees him earn several times his weekly wages at Wigan. The 21-year-old forward is now in line for his Chelsea debut in the UEFA Super Cup

when Chelsea takes on Atletico Madrid in Monaco. He will also wear the jersey number 13, a spot after compatriot Mikel Obi’s number 12 shirt, for ‘The Blues’ this season. Moses’ shirt was last worn by Michael Ballack and the Nigeria star will hope he is a lot luckier at Stamford Bridge than the former Germany skipper. Born in Kaduna, Moses left

for England at the age of 11 in the wake of the religious crisis that rocked the northern city and enrolled at a school in London. Following his mouthwatering goal record at a local school, Crystal Palace snapped him up. He would start the Crystal Palace academy before graduating into the senior. He played huge roles for Wigan Athletic for four seasons before his dream switch to the London giants, Chelsea

ormer Super Eagles defender Joseph Enakarhire has surprisingly sprung up in the backwaters of world football, playing in San Marino, all in a desperate bid to pick the pieces of his fast falling football career, National Mirror can authoritatively reveal. Enakarhire, best remembered for his sterling performances for Belgian side, Standard Liege and Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, with whom he was the beaten finalists in the defunct European Cup winners’ Cup in 2005, was reportedly convinced to sign for the obscure San Marinese club, to help out in their Europa League campaign. The former Bordeaux star, whose search for a club since his departure from Greek side, Panathinaikos, appeared to be heading to eternity, agreed to sign up with the San Marinese club on the instance of the club president, who believed the former Eagles star’s experience will help salvage some pride for the unknown team. However, the Enakarhire would fail to lift the club in the first ever campaign in Europe as they were beaten both home and away by Latvian club Liepajas Metalurgs. Enakarhire played the entire duration of the ties on both legs, which the Latvian club advanced to the next round on 6-0 goal aggregate.

Nwaneri eyes Eagles’ return

ormer Super Eagles’ defender Obinna Nwaneri has told National Mirror from his Malaysian base that he wouldn’t mind returning to the national team. Nwaneri, who has won the double for his Malaysian side Kelantan said he would not make a fuss about an Eagles return, saying the national team handlers should know players who merit national call up. Nwaneri, who netted in his side’s 1-1 draw against ATM in the gfroup stage tie of the Malaysia Cup, said he had no regrets being ignored by the national team coaches, saying he contributed immensely to the team while he played. “I would not forget the last 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kenya where I bloodied my head and was urged on by Coach Shuaibu Amodu to finish the game and eventually helped my country qualify for the World, only to be dropped for the World Cup finals,” Nwaneri recalls.

“I’m happy for my contribution to the national team while I lasted but I will not make a fuss about getting recalled to the team because I believe the coaches with help of the internet know the players who are doing well. “I may be playing in Malaysia but does that matter? What matters is how much money you put in your pocket. “I may not be wrong if I say I’m paying for the money because the life of a player is short. So, I must also put those things into consideration. “I have won everything I needed to win in my short stay in Malaysia. We’re also in the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup and in the group stages of the Malaysia Cup. “I can also return to Europe to play again but that will depend on the offer. I’m happy here and doing well too.” Nwaneri left Swiss club FC Sion to have a taste of football in the Middle East, joining Kuwaiti side Kazma. He signed for the Malaysian club last season.

Nwaneri celebrates with team mate.

WORLD RECORD

Most Oscar nominations without winning - actor Vol. 02 No. 438

Peter O’Toole (Ireland b.2 August 1932) has been nominated eight times for the Best Actor award, but has never won. O’Toole’s no win span has so far lasted nearly 50 years, with Lawrence of Arabia (UK 1962); Beckett (UK 1964); The Lion in Winter (UK 1968); Goodbye Mr Chips (UK 1969); The Ruling Class (UK 1972); The Stunt Man (USA 1980); My Favourite Year (USA 1982), and Venus (UK 2006).

Friday, August 31, 2012

State Police: Anatomy of North’s vehement opposition

overnor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State who doubles as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and some of his colleagues that fancy the establishment of state police seem to be in a quagmire. Amechi, shortly after a meeting the NGF held on June 24, 2012 said all his colleagues in the country’s 36 states had voted for state police as a strategy for combating rising insecurity. Not long after (on July 26), however, governors from the North under the umbrella of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) headed by Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State withdrew their support for state police. The nation is at the crossroads with surging insecurity challenges which, in addition to routine violent robberies and other crimes, degenerated with rampant kidnapping and the Boko Haram insurgency. Why then the sudden withdrawal of support by governors of northern extraction for state police?

FRIDAYS WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) The first good guess is the Boko Haram threat that seems to have overwhelmed the FG. If the FG, with all its investment of billions of naira, police and military might, remains castrated and mocked by the Boko Haram, it would be a bad bargain for individual northern states to confront the Boko Haram Islamic sect with their meager resources under a state police arrangement. Until the Boko Haram riddle is finally resolved, it may be impossible for northern governors to lend their support to states having their own police formations. Indeed, the North’s major opposition to the 1999 Constitution review process centres on the creation of state police, the inclusion of the country’s six geopolitical zones in the Constitution, as well as rejection of the onshore/offshore dichotomy and the derivation principle as the latter applies to federal revenue sharing. It is significant to note that all the aforementioned are mutually related and reinforcing. For a part of the country that craves a monolithic North, especially the Hausa/Fulani, how would state police help their case? State police and constitutionally grouping the area into three geopolitical zones of North East, North West and North Central are potential setbacks for the monolithic dream, it does not matter that many northerners do not believe in the phantom. In addition, the clamour for the abrogation of the onshore/offshore dichotomy and the derivation principle portrays a northern Nigeria that firmly believes in the Nigerian project (whatever it is). Nor is the North excited about fiscal federal-

POTENTIAL SETBACKS FOR THE MONOLITHIC DREAM ism or resource control. My thinking is that the North is of the conviction that its interest would be best served in the corporate entity called Nigeria as presently constituted, notwithstanding the threats of secession by the likes of Dr. Junaid Salik Muhammed, Prof. Ango Abdullahi and others, who feel the region would survive on agriculture if the country breaks up. Again, the inauguration of the Northern States Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security (NSCRHS) by the NSGF mainly for the purpose of containing the Boko Haram violence seems an unambiguous demonstration of the North’s commitment to the Nigerian project. Any objection to the contrary, for this writer, is all shakara! On the surface, however, governors becoming the defacto and dejure Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of their states, which seems the major argument that goes for state police, is a great idea. For, it will lead to quicker transmission of directives to state commissioners of police as well as the immediate execution of securityrelated decisions in times of emergency. Policing might also be generally improved when policemen who understand their terrains better are recruited to police their

Sport Extra

w atch-fixing: SAFA boss admits complicity South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani, yesterday conceded that referees and players are conspiring to encourage cheating in the country’s football.

STATE POLICE... ARE

states. The main argument against state police has been that governors would abuse it by using it to annihilate political opposition, which was truly the case when the country had local police formations in the past. There were reports, for instance, of how the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara and his wife, Adanma suffered in the hands of Local Government Police in the defunct Western Region that Okpara resolved to establish Local Government Police (which was then not in existence in the Eastern Region) in 1966, but for the first military coup of January 15, 1966. Besides antagonism against the opposition and perceived political enemies, how fair would state police be when applied to states with lingering violence and acrimony associated with indigene/settler status? How about impunity occasioned by corruption and greed. In former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s Anambra State, for example, reports had it of how government officials allegedly supervised the killing of some innocent citizens by the Bakassi Boys who falsely dubbed them as criminals because the killing of more criminals attracted generous financial reward from the government, among other excesses associated with states providing security for themselves. State police may be congruent with the tenets of federalism. But Nigeria is not a federal state. It may be said with all candour that everything about Nigeria is unitary. When the country becomes a true federation, state police forces with clearly defined roles would become inevitable. But under the subsisting federalist hypocrisy, the Nigeria Police Force, though widely abused, seems the better of two devils. Nothing whatsoever suggests that the present crop of political leaders will be fair in their management of state police as can be visualized from their struggles to maintain the first position in corrupt practices and violent politics. Like the NSGF has suggested, it seems all that may be necessary is to explore ways of making governors become true CSOs of their states such that their security directives are quickly translated to action without delay and unnecessary recourse to the Inspector-General of Police.

Match-fixing: SAFA boss admits complicity

Nematandani, who spoke at a workshop on match-fixing and sports betting in Johannesburg, which involved officials from Interpol, FIFA and COSAFA, blamed what he called unethical standards for the rot.

The workshop followed stunning revelations last week which saw Kaizer Chiefs team manager Bobby Motaung arrested in connection with fraud charges relating to the building of the Mbombela Stadium, a 2010 World Cup venue

which cost around $142m to complete. “Referees are being bribed and officials are making decisions to benefit themselves and their friends rather than the good of the game,” the SAFA boss said.

“We still hear about age cheating in junior competitions and this has gone on for a long time now but we need to put effective measures in place to counter this, even as we have to invest more in governance.”

Kirsten Nematandani

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