Friday, January 25, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Newswatch: Shareholders lose bid to stop newspaper publication

Ezekwesili laments squandering of $67bn national savings

DENNIS AGBO

Court says ‘put them on notice’

Ekpu

Vol. 2 N0. 543

he Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has refused to grant an ex-parte application by Prof. Jibril Aminu and one Mr. Nuhu Wada Aruwa, who claimed to be shareholders in Newswatch Communi-

cations Limited, seeking to stop the publication of the newspaper version of the foremost media brand. Both plaintiffs had approached the court to grant an order restraining NewsCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

ENUGU

ormer minister in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned the squandering of $45bn in

Friday, January 25, 2013

foreign reserves account and $22bn in Excess Crude Account by the two successive administrations. The former minister regretted that the frittering away of resources underlined Nigeria’s failure to CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Ex-militants meet over Jonathan’s re-election

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Presidency worries as parley holds in Lagos

Anenih, Orubebe, Oghiadomhe lobby participants SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

ggrieved ex-Ijaw militant commanders in the Niger Delta are meeting in Lagos on Sunday to decide their stance towards President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid. National Mirror learnt yesterday that the Presidency is worried about the outcome of the meeting as the support of the ex-warlords is considered a key success factor in the election. Reliable sources close to the conveners of the meeting told National Mirror yesterday that the forum would undertake a critical appraisal of the performance of the Jonathan administration, the development of the region and competence of some key CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Catholic bishops blast Oritsejafor Sultan, CAN lackeys of Jonathan’s govt –Shehu Sani P.6,51

SA 2013: Nigeria tackles Zambia in Nelspruit P.53

L-R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; former Governor Olusegun Osoba; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso; National Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Suraj Adekunbi and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the inauguration of the first flyover in Abeokuta, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Governors more dictatorial than military –Clark

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20 feared dead, houses razed in Plateau violence Gowon, Babangida, others boycott northern summit

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Nigeria, prime target for Malian terrorists –FG

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News

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 feared dead, houses razed in Plateau violence AUGUSTIN MADU WEST AND JAMES ABRAHAM

t least 20 people were feared killed yesterday as fresh hostilities erupted between Dompar and Kurmin Dashe communities in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. Wase is in the southern part of the state and about 250 kilometres from Jos, the state capital. Eyewitnesses said the

communal clash was between the natives and Fulani herdsmen. It will be recalled that the communities were engulfed in series of crises about nine years ago, prompting former President Olusegun Obasanjo to declared a state of emergency in the state in May 2004. In the latest crisis, National Mirror gathered that trouble started in the early hours of yesterday after the discovery of a decomposing corpse in a bush, which led to a reprisal that claimed the

lives of 18 other people. National Mirror also learnt that a meeting was held between the native Tarok and the Fulani herdsmen a few days ago where they resolved to sustain peace among themselves. Our correspondent also gathered that about 20 houses were razed in the fracas. Also at Foron Junction of Hepiang village of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state, two corpses were also discovered. The victims were suspected to have been killed by

Fulani herdsmen. A resident, Mark Lipdo and Coordinator of Stefanus Foundation, a Jos-based non-governmental organisation, gave the name of one of the deceased as Pam Rwang while another victim, Pam Dalyop whom he said sustained serious injuries was receiving treatment at Vom Christian Hospital. This development, National Mirror learnt, created tension in the locality as most residents remained indoors during the Eid Maulud celebration.

L-R: Mr. Sam Nwabosi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, during a media briefing on the Nigeria’s ‘Centenary Project’ in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

2015: Ex-militants decide Jonathan’s fate on Sunday CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

government functionaries, especially the ministers, whose portfolios had a bearing with the well-being of the oil-rich belt. Findings showed that the performance of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe and his Petroluem Resources counterpart, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, would be x-rayed by the exfighters. Our correspondent learnt that the Presidency had been thrown into a state of anxiety as the circular of the meeting was made public. Reports available to National Mirror yesterday indicated that top officials of the Presidency and key loyalists of Jonathan had been lobbying the conveners of the forum to influence a favourable outcome. It was gathered that a popular ex-militant leader, Chief Ateke Tom, would host the forum at his Festac

Town, Lagos residence. Other notable ex-warlords expected at the meeting include the Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujarhedeen AsariDokubo, Mr. Ebikabowei Victor Ben, a.k.a. Boyloaf and Egberi Papa. National Mirror gathered that the ex-militants are meeting under the aegis of Izon Ikemi, a grassroots group formed by some aggrieved former fighters to challenge another one founded by a notable exmilitant commander, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, called Oporoza House. Tompolo is being excluded from the meeting apparently because of his closeness to Jonathan, who was accused of according him preferential treatment. A Niger Delta activist and environmentalist, Mr. Tony Uranta, is the interim leader of Izon Ikemi. Tom and Boyloaf hinted

about Sunday’s meeting in a recent publication in which they appraised Jonathan and scored him low. They had said: “So far in summary, we believe the government of President Jonathan has not done its best in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, who overwhelmingly voted for him. “We, his own people, are seriously dissatisfied with the way things are going and may be left with no option than to withdraw our support for his government in the best interest of Nigerians. “In furtherance to our genuine desire for the development of the region, we seek (to) call for an emergency meeting of Izon Ikemi to further discuss and deliberate on the above mentioned issues as they affect our people.” Our correspondent sighted the notice of the meeting in Warri, Delta State, yesterday. It was signed by Izon

Ikemi’s National Secretary, Mr. Akpos Mezeh. It reads: “I am directed to invite you to attend a leadership meeting of Izon Ikemi (Grassroots of the Ijaw Nation) scheduled for Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 8p.m. prompt. Usual venue: Festac, Lagos. Attendance is strictly on invitation pls.” Already, members of the kitchen cabinet of Jonathan were reported to have established contacts with the leadership of the group apparently to ensure a soft landing for their benefactor. Specifically, a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Chief Tony Anenih, Orubebe and Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, had contacted the key players in the group to ensure that the outcome of the meeting favoured Jonathan. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Also at Ladura village of Du district, where Governor Jonah Jang hails from, another person was killed while returning from his farm. The spokesman of the Special Task Force, STF, Capt. Mustapha Salisu, confirmed the Barkin Ladi and Ladura Du attacks but said that he could not say if there had been another at Wase LGA. He said: “I have heard that there was an incident around Wase but I have not found out what exactly happened. “I have also learnt that the sector commander in charge of the area has gone to the scene along with the council chairman and other officials. “As soon as I get the details, I will furnish you with them.” The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, said he had deployed men to the scene to contain the situation, adding, however, that he was yet to confirm the casualty figure. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abraham Ayomanor, also confirmed the incident. “We are aware of the attack, but we are yet to get the full details and cannot

be sure of the number of casualties,” he said. Special Adviser to Governor Jang on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayuba Pam, said although government was yet to get details of the incident, he, however, condemned the killings. He said: “Government received the news of the killings with shock, especially coming at a time when efforts are being made to consolidate the peace in the state. “The killings are of great concern to us and as a government, we condemn them. We believe that the means of settling redress whenever a wrong is noticed is not through attacks and counter- attacks. The people must learn to live in peace and tolerate one another. “As a government, we promise to investigate the matter to ensure that no such clashes occur among the people in the future.” Meanwhile, eminent northern leaders including governors from the region, boycotted yesterday’s Northern Leaders Summit held at the African Hall of the Kano State Government House. Conspicuously missing at the summit were former CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Newswatch: Shareholders lose bid to stop newspaper publication CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

watch from publishing Saturday, Sunday and Daily editions, via an ex-parte application. In a suit that is already before the court, all parties are expected to put up an appearance, it was surprising to note that one of the parties is going by way of ex-parte, Newswatch management said in a press release issued yesterday. The court, however, refused to grant the order of interim injunction against the publication and ordered that the plaintiffs, Aruwa and Aminu, should put the defendants on notice and adjourned the suit for January 28, 2013, with an abridged order to the motion on notice. Justice I.N. Buba also ordered that the abridged response to the motion on notice be served on the defendants.

Ex-parte orders have been heavily criticised in Nigeria as an abuse of the justice system on the grounds that if the parties have nothing to hide, they ought to put the other party on notice. The release stated that “the order sought to be restrained had been completed, before the action was instituted. “Equitable reliefs are not usually granted to restrain an action that has been completed for equity does not act in vain.” Newswatch has filed a preliminary objection that shareholders who own less than one per cent of the entire share structure of the company cannot challenge a contractual agreement entered into by that company on the ground of locus standi. “The plaintiffs and like their big brothers are just wasting their time,” the release stated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, January 25, 2012

Photo News

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Deputy Governor, Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo.

The Pioneer Bishop of the Missionary Diocese (Anglican Communion) of Ifo, Ogun State, The Right Reverend J. Akin Odejide (rtd); Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh and Odejide’s wife, ‘Bunmi, after a thanksgiving service to mark Odejide’s retirement at the mandatory age of 70 at Ifo, recently. PHOTO: SUNMI SMART-COLE

L-R: Former Board member, Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Samuel Amoye; representative of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Omololu Soyombo; author of the book, ‘MicroIndustrial Economics,’ Dr. Abiola Loto; Managing Director, Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, Mr. Segun Omosehin and Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, during the presentation of the book in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Member, Pediatric Association of Nigeria, Dr. Agozie Ubesie, Regulatory & Technical Relations Manager, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Mrs. Adebusola Opanubi, President, Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo and Research Scientist, Dr. Aloysius Ononye, during the 44th Annual Conference of the association in Enugu, yesterday

National News

Centenary celebration‘ll showcase Nigeria to the world –Anyim FELIX NWANERI

he centenary celebration will provide all Nigerians the opportunity to share in Nigeria’s story of freedom, achievements and aspirations as well as showcase the country in proper perspective to the world. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said this yesterday at an interactive session with media executives in Lagos. Anyim also reassured Nigerians that the celebration would not be funded by the Federal Government. The SGF, who disclosed that events marking the celebration would begin on February 4, added that the event would also provide the opportunity to put in place, legacy projects that would set the country on the path for renewal.

The centenary is to celebrate the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates by the then British colonial representative, Lord Lugard, which gave birth to Nigeria. The SGF listed the legacy projects to include erection of a new City Gate in Abuja; Centenary City also in Abuja, which will attract investments totalling $15 billion from the private sector; generation of over 15,000 jobs; a unity square in every state capital and medical diagnostic centres in each of the six geo-political zones of the country. According to him, the projects also include ICT centres in all the universities that are yet to have one; a modern library in a university in each of the zones; police crime laboratories, one in each of the zones; building and renovation of sports facilities in each of the federal universities as well as renovation, naming or

renaming of colonial sites in the country. Others are the renovation/upgrade of the National War Museum in Umuahia, Colonial History museums in Lokoja and Aba, the National Museum inside the Old Residency in Calabar and establishment of a dialysis centre in each of the zones. On the Centenary City to be built in Abuja, Anyim explained that the town, which would be replica of Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen, Singapore and lately Songdo, would occupy a space of more than 1,000 hectares of virgin land on the Airport Road in Abuja, “making it the second largest ‘private city’ development in history, after Songdo International Business District in South Korea.” The SGF promised that the land for the project would be acquired in accordance with the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Land Swap Agreement.

He said: “Being a private sector-driven project, government will not put any money into it. It is also not a concessioning arrangement since government will outsource the project to a company that has secured land allocation in accordance with FCT land swap programme.” Anyim explained that the proposed city was conceived to focus the attention of the investing world on Nigeria in a way that had never been done before, saying cities like that had “provided strongest social, political and economic tool for securing foreign investment, promoting positive international attention and indeed signalling a new national economic awakening.” He added that the centenary celebration with the theme; “One Nigeria: Great Promise and Mission To Re-inspire the Unity of Nigeria,” was being packaged to show case Ni-

geria to the world, depicting her past, present and future while highlighting the rich heritage in cultures, languages, ethnic diversity and yet, unity in diversity. The festivity, he noted, would not be about the government and its achievements. He said: “We are going to celebrate Nigeria in the next 20 months, not the administration or the government.” On the need for the celebration against opposition in some quarters, Anyim said it was important to underscore the fact that the amalgamation was the foundation and beginning of Nigeria’s journey as a nation with the centennial. He said: “At our age and experience as a people, we know that there is no country like Nigeria… If we cannot celebrate Nigeria, then it means that we are not proud of Nigeria…. “We must use the occasion of our centenary celebration to affirm to our-

selves that Nigeria is not an accident. Indeed, in the words of Lord Lugard on the occasion of the amalgamation, ‘Nigeria is the product of a long and mature consideration.’ “We must celebrate because our unity is the common symbol of our collective existence that has put the nation on the path of development and potential global ascendancy. “We must celebrate because without Nigeria, we will not have the largest and most vibrant parliament in Africa, in tandem with other maturing political institutions with deep and rich traditions. “We must celebrate because if not Nigeria, we would not be the largest black nation and the seventh most populous nation in the world. “We must celebrate Nigeria because if we cannot underscore the essence and advantages of our unity, it means we plan to promote disintegration.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Friday, January 25, 2013

2015: Ex-militants decide Jonathan’s fate on Sunday CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Reliable sources close to Ateke Tom told National Mirror that Anenih contacted the ex-warlord on the phone from abroad last week and persuaded him to observe a ceasefire. Anenih was reported to have assured Tom that he would deal with their grievances as soon as he returned to the country. It was also gathered that Sunday’s meeting was one of the issues discussed when Ogiadhomhe met with Asari-Dokubo, on Tuesday, in Abuja. Unconfirmed reports also stated that Jonathan had personally met Ateke Tom. National Mirror gathered that Jonathan’s men had mustered efforts to convince the ex-fighters that their recent criticisms of the President had not only reduced his profile but had also sent

negative signals to the rest of the country about his eligibility for re-election. “The Presidency is on our necks because of our meeting coming up in Lagos on Sunday, where we are going to decide the fate of President Jonathan and make public our position on his re-election bid in 2015. “Some notable associates of Jonathan have been reaching out to some of us to ensure that the outcome of the meeting favours Mr. President. “The President’s men were dangling carrots, including juicy oil contracts and award of oil blocs to some of us if we can endorse the President for a second term. “They want us to recant our earlier publications on the performance of President Jonathan and pronounce our support

for his election. They are saying that further negative pronouncements and publications by us would damage the political career of the President.

“But the issue is beyond the political career of President Jonathan, it is rooted in the development of the Niger Delta, which was the reason

make right developmental choices. Ezekwesili, a former Vice-President (Africa) at the World Bank, spoke at the 42nd convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria, UNN, Nsukka, yesterday. She said that Nigerians had lost dignity because of ravaging poverty due to poor choices by the elite, corruption and lack of investment in education. Noting that Nigeria had enjoyed five cycles of oil boom, she decried the failure to convert oil income to renewable assets through development of human capital and other sectors of the economy or by investment in foreign assets as other resource-rich countries did with their oil income. Ezekwesili, a founding director of Transparency International, TI, stressed that the present cycle of boom of the 2010s was however much more vexing than the other four that happened in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. She said: “This is because we are still caught up in it and it is more egregious than the other peri-

ods in revealing that we learned absolutely nothing from the previous massive failures.” The former Minister of Solid Minerals and later Education lamented the squandering of the significant sum of $45bn in foreign reserve account and another $22bn in the Excess Crude Account, being direct savings from increased earnings from oil that the Obasanjo administration handed over to the successor government in 2007. She added: “Six years after the administration I served handed over such humongous national wealth to another one, most Nigerians, especially the poor, continue to suffer the effects of failing public health and education systems as well as decrepit infrastructure and battered institutions. “One cannot but ask what exactly does that symbolise with this level of brazen misappropriation of public resources? Where did all that money go? Where is the accountability for the use of these resources and the additional several hundreds of millions of dollars realised from oil sales by the two

and take the issue of development of the region seriously,” of the conveners of the meeting who did not want his name mentioned, said.

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (centre); his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo (left) and others during the ‘Ajumorin Walk’ as part of the activities lined up for this year’s Samodun Festival, in Ibadan, yesterday.

Ezekwesili laments squandering of $67bn national savings CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

for our fight in the first instance. But the situation has not changed. The only way we can support Jonathan is if he can wake from his slumber

administrations that have governed our nation in the last five years? How were these resources applied or more appropriately misapplied?” Ezekwesili asked graduating students of UNN and other educated young people to become the turning point generation of young and educated Nigerians willing to make the right choices by serving or having a say in political affairs of the country. She stressed that sorting out the “Nigerian political mess is critical as there is a strong correlation between politics and economic development.” The ex-minister explained that university graduates account for 4.3 per cent of Nigeria’s youthful population in 2013, a slight increase from the three per cent when she graduated in 1985. “This compares unfavourably with opportunity for university education in other countries put at 37.5 per cent in Chile, 33.7 per cent for Singapore, 28.2 per cent for Malaysia and 16.5 per cent for Brazil,” she said. Ezekwesili linked Nigeria’s poor capital formation to the low develop-

20 feared dead, houses razed in Plateau violence

ment of its people through education. “Our lag in tertiary education enrolment is quite revealing and could be interpreted as the basis of the competitiveness gap between the same set of countries and Nigeria. “The countries with the most highly educated citizens are also some of the wealthiest in the world in a study by the OECD published by the Wall Street Journal last year. “The appropriate response to the revenue extracted from our oil over the period from 1959 to date would have been to use it in accumulating productive investment in the form of globally competitive human capital and physical assets of all types of infrastructure and institutions. “Such translation from one form of non-renewable asset to renewable capital would have been the right replacement strategy for a wasting asset like oil. “Unfortunately, unbridled profligacy has made us spend and continue to spend the free money from oil like a tragic Rentier state that we are called in development circles. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

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heads of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was expected to chair the occasion; ex-president Shehu Shagari, former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, ex-head of state, Gen. Abubakar Abdusalami and former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar. Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who was designated special guest of honour, was also missing at the occasion as well as Senate President David Mark, Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambulwah and Chairman, Speakers’ Forum of Nigeria, Hon. Inuwa Garba. None of the northern governors gave reasons for their absence at such an important gathering which was widely publicised. The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was the only invited guest among those listed in the programme of events who turned up and was asked to chair the occasion in the absence Gowon. The event is slated to last for three days from yesterday with the theme: “Northern Development Focus Initiative, NDFI.” However, the NDFI Chairman and former

military administrator of North-West Region, Alhaji Usman Farouk, noted in his opening remarks that similar efforts in the past, aimed at bringing the North together to discuss issues affecting the region fell short of people’s expectation because they were more of academic exercises without tangible solution to the region problems. He said the NDFI, having noted the security and socioeconomic situation in the region, is determined to use the forum to find solutions to the problems afflicting the region, stressing that it was the duty of everyone to pool resources together to ensure the noble objective. The gathering called on the Federal Government to institute a judicial commission of enquiry into the remote and immediate causes of the Boko Haram saga, including how it started, those who patronised and benefitted from it. It also demanded that the Federal Government immediately set up a Northern Nigeria Restoration, Reformation and Rehabilitation Programme unconditionally with members of Boko Haram and other youths in the North as was done to the Niger Delta militants and youth groups.

National News

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oritsejafor’s approach rebellious, say Catholic bishops EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

he Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has asked the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to exercise moderation in its approach to national issues. In a telephone interview with National Mirror yesterday, President of CBCN and Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev (Dr) Ignatius Kaigama, said the “Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor-led CAN has adopted an approach rebellious in style and fiery in character; a trend that does not promote the muchneeded religious unity and

peaceful co-existence the country needs at these trying times.” According to Archbishop Kaigama, the hasty reaction to the decision of the Catholic Church to temporarily pull out of CAN by the association’s spokesman in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Mr. Sunday Oibe, was a confirmation of the combative tendency that has become the norm. He said: “It is a wrong and false premise for him (Oibe) to start commenting on something that is wrong and that is the kind of rebellious attitude we (the Catholic Bishops) are up against.

“That is the style that characterises CAN now; the association is fiery and rebellious and that is not good enough for Christian unity. “If the CAN spokesman has started using gutter language on the Catholic faith, we wish him good luck.” In the meantime, the CBCN has clarified that its letter to Oritsejafor was to announce its temporary withdrawal from activities of CAN at the national level, as the church has since directed its members at state levels to continue to participate actively in the association’s functions. This is even as it warned

CAN to desist from its attempt to further link the withdrawal of the church to the failure of the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, to clinch the presidency of CAN for a second term. He described such allusion as an insult to the Catholic Church and a diversionary tactic of shying away from addressing the very serious issues of integrity raised against CAN’s leadership. Kaigama said: “I think CAN is just pursuing shadows and we in the Catholic Church consider that an insult to say that about Cardinal Onaiyekan. “Cardinal Onaiyekan is

not looking for any job or dignity from anybody, as he is a man that is fulfilled and internationally recognised. He has been President of CAN and because of his outstanding intellectual and spiritual endowments, he was consecrated Cardinal by the Holy Father. “We believe that the allegation is diversionary and they are kind of avoiding the issues we are raising. Let them use same as points of meditation because, in the Catholic Church, dialogue is our name. “During Onaiyekan’s presidency of CAN, he never looked for money or anything. This is just to call a dog a bad name and hang it. ” It will be recalled that the CBCN announced it was suspending participation in CAN meetings at the national level until such a time the leadership of CAN reversed to the original

vision, mission and objectives of the body. But Oibe, who addressed journalists in Abuja, had accused the catholic church of “arrogance,” saying that its decision may not be unconnected with the failed efforts by Cardinal Onaiyekan to become President of CAN for second term. His words: “The problem of Catholics is that they always display arrogance of knowledge. They don’t want to be under anybody, but they want everybody to be under them. It doesn’t work like that because there is no seniority in CAN. “There is no division in CAN and we are all speaking with one language. There are some certain elements in the leadership of CAN, led by Cardinal John Onaiyekan because he lost the CAN Presidency to Oritsejafor who has recorded a lot of achievements.”

FG to handover PHCN firms in May UDEME AKPAN

T Vice-President Namadi Sambo (left) and former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, during the condolence visit by the vice-president to Dasuki over the death of his wife, Goggo, in Kaduna, yesterday

Ezekwesili laments squandering of $67bn national savings CONTINUED FROM 5 “Resource wealth has tragically reduced your nation, my nation, to a mere parable of prodigality,” Ezekwesili said. She asserted that nothing undignifies nations and their citizens like self-inflicted failure. “Our abundance of oil, people and geography should have worked favourably and placed us on the top echelons of the global economic ladder by now.” Ezekwesili noted that it was up to the younger generation to restore the dignity of Nigeria by making the right choices to lift the nation out of poverty. The former World Bank executive de-

scribed Nigeria as a paradox with the kind of wealth that breeds penury, stressing that the trend of Nigeria’s population in poverty since 1980 to 2010 suggests that the more she earned from oil the larger the population of poor citizens. According to her, the figures of the poor in Nigeria grew from 17.1 million in 1980 to 34.5 million in 1985, 39.2 million in 1992, 67.1 million in 1996, to 68.7 million in 2004 and 112.47 million in 2010. Ezekwesili, however, espoused a new vision for Nigeria under the theme: “We believe in dignity.” She said the resurgence of entrepreneur-

ial spirit based on hard work and sound education were critical factors to changing Nigeria. According to her, “For Nigeria’s dignity to be restored, your generation must build a coalition of young entrepreneurial minds that are ready to ask and respond to the question: what does it take for nations to become rich? “Throughout economic history, the factors that determine which nations became rich and improved the standard of living of their citizens read like a Dignity Treatise in that they all revolve around the choices that ordinary citizens made in defining the value constructs of their nation.”

The UNN convocation ceremonies commenced on Thursday with the convocation lecture and the prize and awards night for distinguished graduands. The 18,150 first degree holders would receive their certificates on Friday while higher degrees and honorary awards would be celebrated on Saturday and conferred on 1,730 recipients. There are 116 first class honours recipients and 195 doctorate degrees. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barth Okolo, had disclosed on Monday that the university was rebuilding its intellectual capital by offering employment to 300 first class honours graduates over the last three years.

he Federal Government has begun move to handover the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in May. The firms to be handed over include six electricity generation, (GENCOs) and 11 distribution companies (DISCOs.) The Chairman, Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Mr. Atedo Peterside, who confirmed the development said: “When we met last November, we put the target at six months away. The six months should mature in November, this year.” Peterside who pledged the commitment of NCP and others, said the realisation of the target would enable the government boost power generation, transmission and distribution through active participation of investors. A Presidency source said the new Minister of Power, expected to assume office next week, would join others to work towards the successful handing over of the companies. He said local and foreign investors would be duly informed and invited to witness the historic handing over of the companies. Already, the government

has started finalising negotiations with preferred bidders, thus raising hope for the handing over of the firms. The Acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, confirmed the development at the pre-negotiation engagement with the bidders in Abuja last week, adding: “Government wants to assure all preferred bidders and their financiers that it is working assiduously to ensure effective handover of these enterprises.” Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says that electricity generation has hit 4,286 megawatts as against the 3,700 MW that is been insinuated in the country. TCN’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs Dave Ifabiyi, said the drop in power generation on Monday was due to the oneday shutdown of a power plant. Ifabiyi, who made the clarifications in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, said that power generation dropped by 460 megawatts on Monday. “The 460 megawatts drop in power generation on Monday was due to the oneday shutdown of the Okpai Power Plant owned by Agip Oil Company in Delta.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, January 25, 2013

South-West

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Eid-el-Malud: Reflect on nation’s challenges, Muslims enjoined

Health workers divided over call for Minister’s sack

WOLE ADEDEJI AND PRISCILLA DENNIS

MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

uslims in the country have been called upon to use the occasion of the Eid-elMaulud festival to soberly reflect on the various challenges confronting the nation by asking God for solutions to the problems. The Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, made the call in a press statement by its Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu. The statement was signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo. The forum urged Muslims to continue to follow the exemplary life led by the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) so as to engender the peace that is needed for growth and development. The 19 northern governors also called on all Muslims in particular and Nigerians in general to share with one another and spread the virtues of peace, love and charity, which the holy Prophet lived for. According to the forum, “Prophet Muhammed (SAW) lived a complete life worthy of emulation by all; hence Muslims should endevour to imbibe such exemplary qualities so as to earn maximum reward in the hereafter.” The forum also pledged their commitment to individually and collectively promote the welfare of all citizens under their watch, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation while ensuring the protection of lives and property. Also, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has urged Muslims in the country to imbibe the enduring qualities of Prophet Muhammed, whose birth was celebrated yesterday.

CHUKS COLLINS AWKA

ust two days after the evacuation of the mystery dead bodies that appeared in Ezu River in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, four more bodies surfaced yesterday.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (2nd left), being conducted round the premises of the Nigeria Breweries Plc, Iganmu by the Brewery Manager, Lagos, Mrs. Ethel Uche and others, during the governor’s visit to the company in Iganmu, yesterday.

Nigeria is prime target for Malian terrorists –FG ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday said that Nigeria was the ultimate target of terrorists currently operating in northern Mali. Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, during an interview at the sidelines of the ongoing African Union, AU, summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said that the deployment of Nigerian troops to Mali was in the best interest of Nigeria. According to Ashiru, the government would do everything possible to ensure that the terrorists do not achieve their aim. “The events in Mali, if we don’t quickly stop it, will have effect on the whole of West Africa and Nigeria is the prime target. So, we need to act quickly, forcefully in Mali to stop them, to contain them, to destroy their capability to be able to launch any counter offensive within the sub-region,” Ashiru said. The minister stated

that the troops already on ground in Mali would soon advance from the central part of the country to dislodge the terrorists in the northern part. According to him, criminals, armed gangs and terrorists would have no hiding place in the West African sub-region. On the financial implication of the intervention in Mali to Nigeria, Ashiru noted that even though a number of countries and international organisations were involved, Nigeria would be expected to commit her funds initially into the operation but such financial commitments was in the interest of national security. “When you compare our intervention in Sierra Leone, in Liberia to our intervention in Mali today, the intervention in Mali today is to ensure the survival of Nigeria. The intervention in Sierra Leone and Liberia was to enthrone democracy, rule of law and good order. “Those two places, the campaign there did not have any security im-

pact directly on Nigeria as such. It is just that we wanted peace in the subregion to ensure refugees did not flood to Nigeria. Even with that, they still came to Nigeria because we had lots that still came to Nigeria. So, these are part of the problems you. “But for Mali, our intervention is borne out of our own national interest, the survival of our own country because terrorists know no boundary. They have no boundary. They move anywhere. Once they are able to cause instability in that area, they move there and the ultimate prize is to destabilize the country. “So, our intervention in Mali must be seen in that context, that is to ensure the survival of our country, it is to ensure that we contain the terrorists from spreading from northern Mali to come southwards. “As regards financial implication, that is why Nigeria did not act alone. it was not a unilateral action by Nigeria, it is an Economic Community

of West African States, ECOWAS-led intervention, supported by the African Union, AU, supported by the United Nations, UN. “There will be funding from all these organisations. Initially, Nigeria will have to throw in all sorts of funding but we have to do that in the context of our own national security. So, I don’t think you should bother yourself too much about that, you should bother yourself about the survival of our country,” Ashiru said. The minister also spoke on the proposed African Standby Force, saying that its establishment was necessary to ensure quick military action in troubled places on the continent. “I think it has dawn on most countries today that the creation of a standby force must be accelerated. Events in Mali, events in Central African Republic, events in Congo will show you the need for the standby force to be in place today,” Ashiru said.

he call for the sack of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, by the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, may soon suffer a setback if the content of a release made available yesterday by a group known as the Committee for the Campaign for the Good of the Health Workers, CCGHW, and signed by its coordinators, Joshua Mende, Akachukwu Ukoha and A. A. Borishade, is true. The release noted that JOHESU had derailed from its objective which it said was to fight for the welfare of its members and had started delving into politics. JOHESU had at a massive demonstration in Abuja, late last year, and recently in different parts of the country, including press releases, demanded for the sack of the minister for “wrecking havoc in the health sector,” and for “inciting different groups in the sector against one another.” The statement alleged that some persons were using the union to extort money from opposition politicians and using its members as articles of trade to distort activities in the health sector. The statement reads in part: “JOHESU now has a mandate from its financiers to help discredit the present Federal Government with a promise of financing such campaigns and also of nominating the Minister of Health should the opposition win in 2015. “As a way of demonstrating seriousness, JOHESU received N50 million to organise a demonstration in Abuja recently. It has now received N150 million to organise a nationwide rally at the states and a final one in Abuja between January 20 and 3, 12013.”

More mystery bodies surface on River Ezu This development shows that more bodies may still surface, or might have been swept away unnoticed. According to the traditional ruler of Amansea, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo, the community closest to the river, whose subjects

were worried of the health hazard the putrid stench from the streams, tributaries of the Ezu River serves as means of drinking and domestic uses, the community had thought that the bodies have finished only to be shocked that more bod-

ies are surfacing. Senator Chris Ngige who paid a sudden visit to the area yesterday has therefore called on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to the location. Ngige calmed down the

people over what happened, assuring that NEMA would soon come to their aid with medical attention and other forms of assistance. His words: “I have also discussed with the state Police Commissioner and the State Director of the State

Security Service, SSS. I also come to find out if any Awka North person was indentified among the corpses in the River. However this is an indication of a security breach, and it is not good for our people.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday January 25, 2013

Explosion: Arepo residents aid vandals – Abolurin FRANCIS SUBERU

he Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, has said the entire Arepo community in Ogun State had been compromised as most residents aided vandals operating in the area. Abolurin said this yes-

terday during a visit to the scene of Arepo pipeline explosion. The commandant, who took a walk round the community, discovered some buildings have pipes which extend to the stream where the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines are. There is a storey building on Frank Ogbor Close, which has a burnt pipe

that was laid from the compound to the stream. According to Abolurin, vandals use most of the structures as cover to siphon petroleum products from the NNPC pipelines. Although no resident was found in the building, the commandant said there were indications that vandals were hiding inside the uncompleted building to carry out their nefarious

activities. Abolurin said some house owners in the community had contravened the law by erecting structures near the pipelines. He said: “There should not be any structure around here but as you can see, they even built their houses very close to the pipeline zone. “Some of the houses are not yet occupied but I can

assure you that the vandals come during the night to carry out their nefarious activities, using the buildings as cover. “As you can see, the NNPC has erected a signboard long time ago warning people of the dangers associating with erecting structures close to NNPC pipelines. But the signboard had been pulled down and relocated to

another place; while residents have encroached on the pipeline areas.” Abolurin, who said about 15 vandals had been arrested in the past one week in respect of Arepo explosion, called for collaboration with governors, relevant security operatives and the community to always give vital information about the activities of the vandals.

NDLEA nabs clearing agents for exporting narcotics Osun re-opens Ila College of Education OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday announced the arrest of three clearing agents at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, export seat of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. The NDLEA said the suspects were apprehended when they attempted to smuggle two consignments of methamphetamine on an Emirate flight to Malaysia. The drug weighing 36.44kg was concealed in foodstuffs and laptop bags declared as personal effects by the consignor. An online statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspects claimed they thought the consignment contained a food seasoning, a theory

which the anti-narcotic agency dismissed immediately. Speaking on the arrest, the NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, disclosed that the seizure was made during a search at the export processing section. He said: “Following the discovery of the drug, we arrested three clearing agents currently being interrogated. “Their names are Bolarinwa Labaika, 31 years, and Abiodun Ofunaya (30) held in connection with 6.955kg as well as Ugochukwu Amagbu (39) arrested in connection with 29.485kg. “The total weight of methamphetamine found in both packages is 36.44kg. The first consignment of methamphetamine hidden in garri, dry fish and yams weighed 6.955kg while the second weighing 29.485kg was hidden in laptop bags.” Also, the Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahma-

du Giade, warned clearing agents and urged them to know their customers as the law would run its full course if they were found wanting. He said: “Agents are expected to take necessary precautionary measures such as knowing their customers and conducting checks on any consignment for shipment. “The agency will continue to prosecute agents whenever we detect drugs in any cargo that they are processing. “Investigation has commenced and we hope to apprehend other persons connected with the illegal shipment.” Ofoyeju disclosed that the suspects were cooperating with narcotic investigators in charge of the cases and would soon be prosecuted for unlawful export of narcotics. According to him, all suspects have volunteered their statements and offi-

Amosun inaugurates first flyover in Ogun

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday opened a flyover in Abeokuta, the state capital. The bridge was the first ever constructed by any administration since the creation of the state in 1976. The four-lane overhead bridge begins at the end of Lalubu Road and opens into the elaborate, international standard six-lane Ibara - Totoro Road, which is complete with modern features such as drains, median, greenbelt, walkway, street lights, modern bus stop and pedestrian bridge with air-conditioner. Speaking at the ceremony, Amosun said the massive investment in infrastructure was in ful-

filment of his electoral promises to the people. The governor noted that the new bridge would aid movement of goods and services, ease flow of traffic, reduce manpowertime wasted on the road, thereby improving the productive time of every individual plying the road. He said: “Our goal is to put our state in the league of advanced economies and make it investors’ destination of choice not only in Nigeria but sub-Saharan Africa. “To achieve this, we will continue to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and construct not just modern but high-tech infrastructure that will enhance the magnificence of our environment and act as a catalyst for our socio-

economic development.” Expressing gratitude to the residents, “especially those whose properties gave way to these beautiful edifices that we are constructing across the state,” Amosun urged them to exercise more patience and continue to support the administration in its Mission to Rebuild Ogun State. The governor called on the Organised Private Sector to take advantage of the enabling environment being provided and partner with the state government to create wealth and achieve good returns on investment. Amosun commended the past governors of the state, especially former Governor Olusegun Osoba for their achievements.

ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

sun State Government has announced the re-opening of the state College of Education, Ila-Orangun three months after its closure. The institution witnessed a violent protest staged by students in October last year as a result of the death of their colleagues in an auto crash on their way to the campus

before its closure. The unrest, which threw the entire institution into a state of confusion, led to the destruction of the office of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in the town, vandalism of properties of host community members and those of the college. However, the state government directed that all students of the institution should resume on January 28 after due consulta-

tion and appeal by relevant stakeholders. It directed the management of the college to reopen the institution and commence registration of students for the continuation of the 2011/2012 academic session. The Public Relations Officer of the college, Mr. Olayinka Ogungbemi, in a statement on Wednesday, directed all NCE and degree students of the college to resume and register.

Politics

Calling for Sanusi’s head As a Nigerian, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has the right to air his views, no matter how unpopular such views may be. But I don’t support banning of ethno-religious organisations. We are in a democratic dispensation and the constitution allows freedom of association. –Member of ACF’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai. I would appeal to him to always reason very well before he talks. He should realise that whatever he says as CBN governor carries so much weight. I think we should call him to order and advise him to confine himself to issues pertaining to the economy. –National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. He should be able to tell us why and what to ban. If for example, Boko Haram is traceable to ethnic nationalities; if all the kidnappings in the country are due to ethnic nationalities...then I would say ban them. –Former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.

Justina drops Pack your load Saturday Starter Squalor in the barracks The outcome of President Goodluck Jonathan’s unscheduled visit to the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos has since become a topic of fiery debates across the nation. The temperature of the debates will, however, go haywire if some of the analysts and catalysts could visit any of the police formations in Nigeria. Saturday Mirror takes you round the edifices that house the men in black and their families. Prepare to be heartbroken!

x SeTalk TThe State of Sex 2012: What happened in bedrooms last year?

South West

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Unbanked’ adult population to drop by 20% –CBN MOJEED ALABI

L-R: The Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during a visit to the Alaafin over the recent fire that engulfed parts of Alaafin’s palace in Oyo, yesterday.

Fayemi, Adebayo, others pay tribute to Adetiloye ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

ributes flowed yesterday for the late former Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Abiodun Adetiloye, as Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former military Governor of old Western Region, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo; traditional rulers and clergymen extolled the virtues of the departed cleric. Governor Kayode Fayemi described the late Adetiloye as “a man of such immense spiritual and moral authority” and a “consistent, determined man willing to stand on the stand of the people at all times,” adding that “he was our own version of Archbishop Desmond Tutu”. Fayemi, who spoke at a programme tagged “An Afternoon of Tributes” organised by the Ekiti State Government in honour of

the late former Anglican primate, said: “Papa lived well, served well and died well”. Revd Adetiloye died on December 14, last year at his Odo-Owa Ekiti home at the age of 83. The governor, while recalling the Adetiloye’s role during the movement and struggle against oppressive military rules in Nigeria, said: “We owe him a duty to continue to pursue the values which the late cleric represented”. Adetiloye will be buried today at his home town in Ekiti State. Son of the late cleric, Mr. Adeola Adetiloye, who said the first three loves of his father were “church, church and church,” described him as a “very courageous fighter and a man of immense faith”. Adeola lauded the state government for the honour done his late father and “particularly honouring him at

the state government-owned Abiodun Adetiloye Hall. The Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, lauded the departed Adetiloye for his various contributions to the growth of the church, saying: “He cannot be forgotten because of what he did”. Okoh, who traced the spread of evangelism in Church of Nigeria to Adetiloye, said: “The issue of evangelism that we are pursuing today is the brainchild of the man. The new era of evangelism brought new lease of life into the church”. The Anglican primate, who said Adetiloye served his generation, the church and humanity, thanked God for the legacies left behind by the departed cleric. The Anglican Bishop of Lagos West, Most Rev Awelewa Adebiyi, said: “This man was faithful and dogged. He told us not to be

afraid of anybody when it is time to tell the truth,” adding: “The late cleric will be remembered for fighting and disrupting Ogboni fraternity and secret cult activities in Ekiti State and indeed in the church.” Gen. Adebayo praised the late Adetiloye for his spiritual contributions during the uprising of the Yoruba militant group - The Agbekoya. According to him, the late cleric contributed to the establishment of vicarages and the growth of Christianity in the Nigerian Army. Adetiloye’s friends, including chiefs Bamidele Falegan and Deji Fasuan paid glowing tributes to the man and his contribution to the development of Ekiti through his genuine love and patriotism as an Ekiti man. Earlier yesterday, a commendation service was held for the late cleric at the The Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti.

Attack on Emir of Kano embarrassing –Alaafin KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, yesterday condemned the recent attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, by some suspected terrorists, describing the incident as embarrassing. The monarch, who condemned the act while speaking with journalists after hosting members of

the Ondo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the Emir of Kano was never known to be a controversial traditional ruler and did not deserve such an attack from any group whatsoever. The Ondo State traditional rulers, comprising the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo

respectively, were on sympathy visit to Oba Adeyemi over the recent fire during which part of his palace got burnt. The Alaafin extolled the virtues of Alhaji Bayero, lamenting that if a traditional ruler of his status could not move freely in his community, then nobody is safe in Nigeria. He also expressed worries over the level of attention being paid to security matters in the country, re-

calling the ambush laid for the contingent of soldiers going on peace-keeping mission to Mali during which three soldiers were reportedly killed. He said: “This is embarrassing as the attackers were not said to have been apprehended, yet the attack, which could not have lasted less than 15 minutes or even more, did not happen in thick forest. Such could not have taken place in the foreign countries”.

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it intends to reduce the country’s unbanked population by 20 per cent before year 2020. The plan is part of the apex bank’s financial strategy aimed at ensuring greater participation in the nation’s financial sector. The percentage figure of Nigeria’s unbanked population currently stands at 46.3 per cent. The CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, stated this while presenting a paper entitled: “Mobile Money in Nigeria: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges,” at the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria in Lagos. He said CBN would ensure the success of the strategy. According to him, a survey carried out in 2008 by an international agency, Enhancing Finan-

cial Innovation and Access (EFInA), on access to financial services in the country revealed that banking penetration was relatively low with only 21 per cent of adult population having access to banking services, while 74 per cent had never been banked. The remaining five per cent, previously banked, in other words, had left the banking system, Fatokun added. Reasons adduced for lack of bank accounts by many are proximity to financial service outlets, product complexity and cost of service. He said: “The concerns for financial inclusion are valid as no nation can progress and develop if majority of its population is under banked or has no access to financial services. “A good example is Kenya where it has been proved that a half percentage increase in its national Gross Domestic Product growth is attributable to mobile money transactions.

Oyo to boost education with three model schools KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

s part of its efforts to provide friendly learning environment, the Oyo State Government is planning to build three model schools across the senatorial districts of the state. The state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, disclosed this yesterday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, adding that provisions were made for the projects in this year’s budget. She said the schools, which would communicate the dream of the current administration on the standards of public schools, would be built in each of the three senatorial districts. The commissioner explained that construction of the schools became apparent in view of the dilapidating structures, poor academic performance, emergence of mushroom private schools and other woes that bedevilled public schools in the country. Mrs Fayokun added that efforts by the state government had begun yielding

positive results for pupils by way of improved performance in the last West African Examinations Council (WAEC) during which Oyo State moved from 34th to 23nd position nationwide. She said the model schools would afford the government the opportunity to demonstrate how schools should look like and be run. According to her, aside rebuilding infrastructure across secondary schools and motivation of teachers in various ways, the government also approved payment of the counterpart funds to access funds from the Universal Basic Education (UBE) for projects in primary schools. She said Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration was committed to the development of education. The commissioner said with friendly learning environment, extra-mural lessons for pupils preparing for public axaminations, free exercise books for pupils and motivation of teachers, the government was committed to restoring the glory of Oyo State as a pace- setting state, particularly in the area of education.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Friday, January 25, 2013

Released Chime’s picture is fake – Save Enugu Group TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

socio-political group, the Save Enugu Group, SEG, yesterday said that the picture of Governor Sulivan Chime of Enugu State released on Tuesday by the state government is fake. The group said some of the governors shown in the picture could not have been in London on that day unless they have the gift of bilocation. SEG in a statement made available to journalists yesterday by its convener, Chief Maxi Okwu, described the released picture of the governor as a panic response by the state government to meet SEG’s two week deadline to reveal the

location and status of the governor. The statement reads in part: “There is an obvious misconception and naked attempt by government and its sympathisers or agents to misconstrue our campaign and engage in name calling or labeling. “We do not wish Governor Chime dead or evil. Nothing in our campaign suggests that and indeed, we have been of invaluable assistance by laying to rest, the ghost of his demise. The issue here is not about the peace of Enugu State or that government is working. “It all comes down to the right of a people to know what their leaders are up to and how they are deploying tax payers’ money. It’s

the issue of due process and transparency in governance; democratic engagement under the rule of law and constitutionalism. “The picture released by the state government shows a seemingly fit Governor Chime with his colleagues. Vanguard newspapers of the same day also reported a phone conversation between the governor and the newspaper. This development to us is a classic replay of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s song ‘government magic.’ “No doubt, this was a panic response by the Enugu State government to meet our two-week deadline to reveal the location and status of our governor. If that was the purpose then it has failed woefully.

“We have come to the conclusion that the picture posted by the government as having been taken on Tuesday January 22, 2013, is fake and tells a lie about itself. Some of the governors shown in that picture could not have been in London on that day unless they have the gift of bi-location. “Secondly and more seriously, if Governor Chime is as fit as shown, what is he still doing far away from his duty post for over four months? “We chose to believe our working governor is not that irresponsible. Again the telephone conversation reported by Vanguard has done great injury to that paper. Many of us will remember the Yar’Adua phantom interview with BBC. Is this a replay here?

Ohanaeze poll fallout: Igbo youths caution leaders NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

gbo youths, under the auspices of Association of Igbo Youths, AIYO, have condemned the intrigues which led to the fallout of the election of a new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. In a communiqué issued yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State, shortly after their emergency meeting, a copy of which was made available to journalists by their Anambra State chapter Secretary, George Onyisi, AIYO said they are surprised that an election that belongs to the Igbo family could not be performed with one spirit, love and brotherhood. AIYO’s communiqué which was jointly signed by their respective state coordinators, including Udensi Okoro for Abia, Victor Uzegbu for Imo, Emeka Ominyi Uga for Anambra, Amobi

Mba for Enugu and Onyeka Chukwu for Ebonyi States, declared: “If the youths cannot learn the spirit of unity, togetherness and brotherhood from the elders, what then does the leaders have to offer the youths?” According to the group, “Igbo leaders have gradually lost its relevance since it started engaging itself in disagreement and disunity among fellow Ndigbo and it is very unfortunate that instead of uniting to solve their problems, they always fight themselves and in the process, lose valuable positions in the Nigerian contest.” They wondered how Ndigbo could unite again to achieve the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that the best thing is for the authorities concerned to unite now before the youths become disrespectful to them.

Orji reads official charges to council bosses GEORGE OPARA ABIA

bia State Governor, Theodore Orji, yesterday handed over official charges to the newly appointed 17 transition committee chairmen of the local government areas in the state. The charges were meant to guide their work and the attendant responsibilities and expectations. At a dinner held on Wednesday at the state executive council chambers, Orji, who had a warm interaction with the council chairmen, warned them to shun corruption, indiscipline, power intoxication, misappropriation and abuse of their monthly allocations. He said such revenue and the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, accruing from their respective councils are meant for the development of the respective local government areas. The governor also advised them to live in their council areas rather than working from the comfort of distant hotel rooms in the metropolis. Orji also admonished them to treat people at the grassroots with respect. This, he said was necessary, because, according to him, the grassroots are the target

of every state election. “They must have access to you. Make them your priority. Take note that you are building your own career. You are already in politics. Don’t walk people out of your office. Make sure the image of your party is intact and work in the interest of your party. Don’t leak official secrets to prying politicians’ the governor advised. Against the backdrop of the allegation that the state meddles with councils’ monthly allocation from the federation account, Orji told them that the state does not tamper with the local government allocations. His words: “We don’t interfere with your allocations. So, I’m urging you to ensure that you perform.” In retrospect, the governor said no council chairman has ever furnished him with how much was realised from the IGR in their local councils. He, therefore, directed them to shore up their IGR and to periodically let him know how much their respective IGR is. He noticed that the pay roll officers in the council areas don’t pay taxes and keep their contract papers invisible. He warned all pay roll officers and auditors in the council areas to submit their working papers to the appropriate authority.

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi (left), presenting a booklet of projects executed by his administration to the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, during a courtesy visit by the National Good Governance Team in Awka, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Maku lauds South-East entrepreneurship drive CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

he Minister of Information and C o m m u n i c at i o n , Labaran Maku, yesterday commended the SouthEast geo-political zone for their entrepreneurship. He said such positive development is capable of turning the Igbo nation into the Taiwan of Africa, for country’s transformation. Speaking at the Government House, Awka, when he paid a courtesy call on the Anambra State

Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, the minister applauded both the state government and the private sector for being agents of development. Maku expressed happiness that a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the security challenges facing Anambra State, particularly through the reinvigoration of the police in the state. He urged the state government to consolidate on the gains of democracy by instituting more developmental projects.

The minister, who leads the National Good Governance Team to inspect and evaluate projects executed by the Federal and Anambra State governments, also commended Governor Obi on his developmental strides. Responding, the governor, who described the initiative as a positive tool for showcasing the activities of all the tiers of government, said the visit would enable the citizens to make a constructive appraisal of what government does with their money.

Obi said that the hallmark of government is proper budgeting and execution of projects. He disclosed that the state was among the first state that carried out proper statistics on poverty mapping, to enhance planning. He said that Anambra State has the best road network; an indication of continuous process of development. At the end of the visit, the team proceeded on the inspection of projects in towns and communities with government projects.

South South

Friday January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mystery fire kills mother, seven-year-old daughter EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

L-R: Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; National President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele; National President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN) and Senator Chris Ngige, during the first National Health Summit in Asaba, recently.

Fear grips N’Delta govs over agitation for 13% derivation • Uduaghan summons agitators to emergency meeting SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

ndications emerged yesterday that the governors of the Niger Delta States have been gripped by fear over the agitation for the reversal of the payment of the 13 per cent derivation funds to the oil and gas bearing communities for better management. Already, the embattled governors of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo and Rivers States have mandated their counterpart in Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to call the agitators to order. Consequently, Uduaghan has summoned the agitators, under the auspices of the Oil and Gas Communities of Nigeria,

OGCN, to an emergency meeting in Warri, the commercial hub of the state, tomorrow. Uduaghan asked the leaders of the group, cochaired by the pioneer Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Wellington Okirika and a former member of the National Assembly, Senator Francis. Okpozo, to report at Government House Annex, Warri, along with eight other top members of the group, by 11.00 am on Saturday. The group had alleged that the governors had squandered about N7.280 trillion, which they had received as derivation funds in the past 13 years, adding that the governors could

not justify the allocation of such huge resources to the region. The oil communities said they no longer have confidence in the ability of the governors to manage the funds to serve their wellbeing. It was gathered that the governors, who reviewed the activities of OGCN, were no longer comfortable with its antics. Reliable sources told National Mirror that the governors were of the opinion that Uduaghan was in the best position to quell the insurrection against them since the leaders of the group hails from his state. The sources also stated that the governors concluded that it would be counter-productive to al-

low the leaders of the oil communities to sustain the campaign. It was learnt yesterday that the governors were upset that the campaign had gained the support and backing of some credible stakeholders, including the South-South Leader and a former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark. The OGCN has been in the forefront of the agitation of the direct payment of the 13 per cent derivation fund to the oil communities through an administrative committee as obtained during the Shagari administration when 1.5 per cent approved for oil communities was managed through a presidential administrative committee headed by Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji.

Otuoke community still recovering from flood disaster – Monarch MARCUS FATUNMOLE BAYELSA

tuoke, the country home of President Goodluck Jonathan, is still recovering from the flood disaster that ravaged Bayelsa State, including several others in the country last year, the traditional ruler of the town, Justin Ogiasa Oke 10, told National Mirror yesterday in the community. The monarch, whose residence was built at the foot of the Otuoke River was

much affected by the flood, said he had just relocated into the house few weeks back. His words: “The flood was a big disaster. Nobody expected it. Many of our people were taken to temporary camps within the community. People from other affected neighbouring communities, who came to Otuoke as a result of the influence the community has discovered that the whole place had been overtaken by the flood. “They could not stay but

had to leave. See my house, I am just moving in. I left for my son’s house in the community and before I knew what was happening, the water had also taken over the place. The water was everywhere. I had to share the suffering of the time with my people. The first floor of my house was completely submerged. Even the President’s house across the road was taken over by the flood. As I am talking to you now, I have not moved many of my things into this house.” While thanking govern-

ment and non-governmental organisations that offered relief to the victims, he noted that many of the affected persons were yet unable to secure accommodation since the incident occurred. According to him, the farmlands, seedlings and fishing activities which engage a larger percentage of the people in the community were negatively affected by the deluge. He expressed fear over how farming activities would be carried out in the community this year.

mystery fire that occurred at Akenfa, Yenagoa, in Bayelsa State, yesterday claimed the lives a 38-yearold mother and her seven year-old-daughter. An eyewitness account said the deceased mother, identified as Mrs. Elimiyegha Winipre, was consumed by the inferno while attempting to rescue her daughter, Elizabeth, in their makeshift one-room apartment. The incident which is currently generating tension in the neighbourhood, was said to have started at about 3.00am even as the cause of the fire was still uncertain as at the time of filing this report. It was gathered that an explosion from a private generating set may have been linked to the fire,

but, sympathisers claimed that the generating set was not switched on during the incident. Investigation by National Mirror revealed that the husband of the deceased, Francis Winipre, reportedly escaped unhurt with one of his children as he cried out to his wife. The man enquired about their second daughter from his wife, making the late woman to rush back to rescue her, but was trapped by the fire. In an interview, a brother to the bereaved husband, Ebi James, told our Correspondent that the husband would have gone into the fire to rescue his wife and child, but was prevented by sympathisers that thronged the area. The bereaved was to be receiving medical treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, from injuries sustained during the incident.

N’Delta people seek Minister’s sack over East-West Road GODWIN OKONKWO PORT HARCOURT

he Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has come under criticism for last weekend’s verbal attack on the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, over the slow pace of work on the East-West road with many people in the region, particularly Rivers State calling for his removal. Orubebe is being widely criticised for his poor performance in the ministry which was established in 2008 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration to fast track the development of the Niger Delta region as the ministry has no visible completed project in any part of the nine states of the region to justify the huge amount of funds allocated to it since he took over the ministry. Following his verbal attack on Governor Amaechi, who had expressed disappointment and frustration on the long delay in completing the project, especially the Bayelsa-Rivers States sections of the road, Orubebe attracted the anger of the people, whose minds, Governor Amaechi had seemingly spoken, on the state of the road.

Speaking to our Correspondent in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the Congress of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Rivers and Bayelsa States, Dr. Meniabi Dagogo-Jack, called for the resignation of Orubebe and the transfer of the EastWest road rehabilitation project to the Federal Ministry of Works. “I also listened to Orubebe that the non-completion of the East-West road was as a result of insecurity. My take on that is that Orubebe is indirectly indicting the Federal Government for not being able to curb insecurity in Nigeria. “He was speaking as it were, as if he was speaking in favour of the President and on the other hand also indicting the Federal Government under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan for not being able to handle the insecurity challenges in the Niger Delta.” Continuing, Dagogo-Jack indicted the Niger Delta Ministry for its lukewarm attitude towards the project. “Again Orubebe’s statement shows that the Niger Delta ministry has no personal commitment to that project - the only project that concerns the Niger Delta states; the only project that connects us.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Nigerians must reap the gains of democracy –Tambuwal

14,15

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics Lamentations of ex–Sultan Dasuki

Nigerian govs more dictatorial than military, says Clark OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he activities of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have come under a heavy attack by the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark who said that they have not only constituted themselves as an opposition to the Federal Government

but also have become more dictatorial than the military governors. The elder statesman in an open letter to the NGF said that most of the activities of the governors are driving the country to madness even as he noted that they do not care so long as they achieve their purpose and the Forum’s overbearing influence on the Peoples

Benue govt berates ACN over propaganda against Suswam OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

he Benue State government has berated the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over its vile propaganda against the state governor, Gabriel Suswam, saying that it was not surprised at this recent onslaught on the governor as it was typical of the ACN’s brand of politics, which thrives on false propaganda, misinformation and deceit. The state government was reacting to a statement by the ACN over Suswam’s recent visit to the United States of America (USA) where he was part of the activities marking the celebration of the late Martins Luther King Jr. and was as well conferred with a United Nations’ Children Education Fund (UNICEF) award. The ACN had in the statement denounced “a publicised foreign award conferred on Suswam by the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Centre, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and advices the management of the Centre to withdraw the award immediately.”

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Suswam, Cletus Akwaya, the government said that ordinarily, it would not have dignified the ACN’s with any response over its tissue of lies, but found it necessary to set the records straight, saying that since the ACN involved the MLK Centre, it becomes necessary to correct the erroneous impression which the party seeks to create in the minds of some unsuspecting members of the Nigerian public and indeed the international community. While condemning the campaign of calumny launched against the MLK Centre and Suswam, Akwaya said that the ACN needs to be told that it cannot rubbish the impeccable reputation of the Centre, just as it cannot bring down Suswam, who “has established himself as one of the most promising young Nigerian leaders, whose credentials as a public officer of repute is unmistakable and beyond the parochial politics of hate, mudslinging and mischief which the ACN unfortunately represents.”

Democratic Party (PDP), the supremacy of which they have hijacked. He said: “The Governors’ Forum is now acting as an opposition party to the Federal Government. It deliberately breach with impunity, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the constitution of the PDP, without any challenges. The Forum has now become a threat to the peace and stability of Nigeria. Most of the governors today, are more dictatorial than the then military governors.

“I have seen and made enquiries about your counterparts in the United States of America. A governors’ association called the National Governors Association, (NGA), does exist, but their existence and operations are practiced and operated within the confines of the law of the land. This body which was formed as far back as 1908 has never been a thorn in the flesh of the country. They are not politically ambitious. Each of the governors of the 50 States in the USA,

who wants to become the President of the country, does not use the Forum to achieve this ambition. “Whereas the Governors Forum is said to have a peer review mechanism, the Forum is not known to have ever prevailed upon any of its erring members to do what is right. The governors made no comments about Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State all through his trial and conviction based on corruption both in Nigeria and in London. Neither did they condemn their

L-R: Chairman, Accord Party, Ibadan South West Local Government, Alhaji Rasheed Akanmu; former Oyo State Governor, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja and Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyan, at the opening of the party’s office in the local government, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Sokoto State colleague who was accused of beating up a fellow Nigerian in this civilized world, but conspicuously support their colleagues for no good reasons. “The controversy in Adamawa State is being fuelled by the Governors Forum by declaring its unholy support for the Governor of the state, MurtalaNyako. The Forum did not see anything wrong with Governor Nyako’s ambition of nominating his wife as the Chief Judge of the state.” He also noted that the 36 Houses of Assembly members in the country are selected by the governors and not elected by the parties or by the electorate. “The governors even chose the Principal Officers of the House. Is it not ridiculous and unbelievable that these powerless members of the Houses of Assembly have refused to take advantage of last year’s constitutional amendment exercise to extricate themselves from the hands of the governors by opting to become independent of the governors so as to control their finances?

Ogun: PDP expels Buruji, Sodipo, suspends factional chair FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he crisis in the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday took another dimension, as the party expelled its major financier, Kashamu Buruji and one Semiu Sodipo for their failure to appear before its disciplinary committee. The PDP also suspended for three years, one-

time factional chairman of the party, Bayo Dayo. A press statement issued and signed yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital by the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Bidemi Osunbiyi, said that the decision to expel the duo of Buruji and Sodipo as well as the suspension of Dayo was reached at the meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP, yesterday. Osunbiyi also said that

the expulsion of Bururji and Sodipo and the suspension of Dayo were in line with Section 58 of the party’s constitution, adding that the disciplinary action taken against the trio was appropriate. Although no further reasons were advanced for the disciplinary action, National Mirror however, gathered that it might not be unconnected with allegation of gross act of indiscipline earlier

levelled against the party stalwarts. Earlier in November 2012, the Dipo Odujinrinled state executive committee of PDP in Ogun had suspended Buruji along with three other party stalwarts. They were also ordered to appear before the disciplinary committee set up to look into their case within 30 days, but which Osunbiyi said they failed to comply with, except one of them.

Politics

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LG autonomy’ll be abused –Gbolarunmi

No, it was beyond that. If there is a party that has internal democracy today in its fold, it is the PDP. Go and do your research about that. We lost those states, particularly Oyo, because of the internal wrangling among us and nobody want to see things from other people’s perspective. We told the governor to leave the grassroots to the respective leaders and not to impose people on them, but he would not listen. Take for instance, an aspirant who was supposed to team up with members in his ward, will be running to the Government House for endorsement, instead of selling his candidacy to his community. That was the crux of the matter. So, the moment Adebayo Alao-Akala started dictating, things fell apart and the centre could not hold. As far as I am concerned, we have all learnt our lessons. Alao-Akala did well to the best of my knowledge, but things have gone the way they went by our making. In all honesty, the people of the state liked Alao-Akala and he did his best, but at party level, we felt that he did not carry some of the grassroots leaders along, since a tree does not make a forest and at the end of the day, we all paid for it.

Azeem Gbolarunmi, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, was a close associate of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Lamidi Adedibu. He tells SINA FADARE, in this interview, that Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has learnt its lesson and will emerge stronger to face the political challenges ahead. Excerpts: How will you describe politics in Oyo State without the late Lamidi Adedibu? It has been a bit difficult because we all miss him. When he was around, Adedibu was a central figure as far as politics was concerned. He was my father, mentor and everything I achieved in the political arena was due to him. It has not been easy. Since his demise, it has been difficult to have an arrowhead and somebody that will be a rallying point. The problem of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not have degenerated to what it is in the state if Adedibu was alive. Everybody wants to be the leader; even a councillor in the party will tell you that he is also qualified to head the party. Why is it difficult to find someone to continue from where he left? When he was alive, we all believed that Adedibu was our leader. When he died, there was a vacuum, which everybody want to occupy. It is very difficult to see somebody who will step into his shoes. As you are aware, Baba was a special person. For somebody to say he want to do it the way Adedibu did it, no way; if you can behave like him, you cannot do all that he did as a leader. He had his own uniqueness that I so much doubt if there is anybody who can step into his shoes. We have been finding it difficult because Adedibu trained many people. Again, everybody wants to step into his shoes as a leader that is where there is problem. Most of the crises your party, the PDP have experienced were always internal, what account for this? We should all expect that. We have a very large party where you cannot run away from internal conflicts within the family. Here, you have a common interest and that is the hallmark of politics, many people looking for the same thing, there is bound to be conflicts. Nobody can boast that he is the most qualified, and that is always the crux of the matter. Everyone believes that the moment you are the flag bearer of the party, you have won the election. So, it is normal since we belong to the same big family. There is nothing unusual about it. But you lost the whole South-West because of these crises you called normal? We did not lose all the states in the South-West through election, but by court verdicts. In Oyo State, there were internal problems within the party and we defeated ourselves. The then governor stepped on many toes and we paid for it. But ordinarily, people like the PDP in the state, but because of the personalities that were involved, the political calculation changed and that was how we lost the state to the opposition. If not for the internal crisis, we would have won Oyo State. What is the true position of things now? There is no more problem now, though there is that challenge of who is going to be the leader, who will be a rallying point within the party. But soonest we are going to resolve that so that we can reclaim our state from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Are you sure the party has learnt its lesson? Yes, I thinks so. As soon as we are able to fix the problem of a leader within the party, all other things will fall in place. We know why and how we fell in the past and we are going to be learning every day. The problem

Gbolarunmi

we had in the past was that some people wanted to be the leader of the party and at the same time the leader of government. The two cannot go together. There is no way that can work again in the party. You cannot combine the two. Take for instance, you are the governor of the state, you should be able to leave the leadership of the party to the people at the grassroots. In the past, some people were the governors, the leader of the party and whatever they say was binding on all; people were not allowed to contribute, such a thing cannot happen in the party again. You cannot do it alone, you need to consult others, these are the areas which we did not live up to the expectation in the past, and we are seriously addressing that now. We have to leave the running of the party to the grassroots people who know the contribution of each member and the people that can be trusted with power, not that somebody will just come from nowhere and impose himself on others because he is from the governor, no way; that can no longer work in the party. Can we say that lack of internal democracy in the PDP was responsible for the loss of some states in the South-West?

Are you comfortable that the South-West is marginalised within your party and the country at large? Of course, I am not comfortable. I implore our national leaders, who are in the cabinet to address this issue. They need to tell all those that are concerned that we are marginalised, there are no two ways about it. If they constantly make mention of this at the corridor of power, I am sure with time, it is going to be addressed. As a grassroots politician, what is your take on the scrapping of the local government system, as suggested by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the CBN governor? You cannot blame Sanusi because he was not a politician. He has forgotten that the local government system is in the constitution and it is the closest system of government to the people. I don’t think he knows what he was saying. If he knows, he would not suggest that it should be scrapped. Do you agree that the local government councils should be autonomous? I don’t think autonomy should be given to the local government. The reason is simple, it will be abused. It had been done once, it did not work. It was tried during the Ibrahim Babangida regime, it did not work. It cannot work because there will be clash of interest. There will be no checks and balances which is the hall mark of governance.

Nigerians must reap the gains Below is the address of Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives, on January 16, to welcome lawmakers from the Christmas break.

t is my great pleasure to welcome you back after the Christmas and New Year break. I do hope that the holiday, though pretty short, has been invigorating because there is so much work to do. As we begin a New Year, we hope to be able to improve remarkably on the modest efforts we have made towards raising the quality of legislation in this country and the way we have handled issues arising from our oversight functions. Fellow colleagues, this Honourable House has a contract with the Nigerian people to make sure they reap

from the gains of our hard earned democracy and as you all know our goal has always been to fulfil that mandate to the best of our capacity. When we came in, we promised to pursue an aggressive legislative agenda that will reposition this House, not just as a key branch of government determined to deliver on its mandate, but as a veritable defender of the rights of the people. These include: their right to life wherever they choose to live, their right to gainful employment. Their right to quality education and medical care and their right to worship without fear or recrimination. We did not create these rights. These are the fundamental rights of every citizen and the enabling vehicles thereof as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are under oath to defend these rights and we have resolved to succeed whatever the challenges. We began with the simple premise

that the House of Representatives. or rather, the National Assembly, more than any branch of government, is the repository of the peoples’ trust, their representatives in government. It is on that basis that we have always acted the way we have; always concerned with the way the affairs of our people are managed. We believe that in order to achieve all these, we should amend the Constitution and make it a document more attuned to the needs and yearnings of our people. Consequently, we decided to hold public hearings in every federal constituency in the country. From the overwhelming response of the people, we are convinced, more than ever before, that the work of the Seventh Assembly would not be complete until we can provide Nigerians with an amended constitution. While we acknowledge that no single document can satisfy the expectations of the over 160 million people,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Politics

Friday, January 25, 2013

ormer Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki has berated the creation of 36 states, saying that the development has been responsible for the slow pace of the nation’s progressive after 52 years of independence. Although, the National Assembly and Nigerians have begun a historical journey to amend the 1999 Constitution, top on the agenda of the various sections of the country is the demand for more states, as according to the Senate, about 67 requests for states creation have been received, while 27 of such requests are before the House of Representatives. From the memoranda collated by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, issues to be considered include: devolution of powers, state creation, recognition of the six geopolitical zones in the constitution, roles for traditional rulers, local government autonomy, removal of the following from the constitution: the Land Use Act; NYSC Act; and Code of Conduct. Others include fiscal federalism, amendment of provisions relating to amendment of the constitution; boundary adjustment to remove ambiguities, immunity clause, and creation of state police among others. Significant as these issues are, the most discordant are fiscal federalism, state creation, immunity clause, judicial reforms and state police. As the usual culture, lobbyists and politicians with different intentions have begun to push for their agenda. But, Dasuki slammed the creation of 19 states for the North and in general the 36 states as well as 774 local governments in the country. He identified high cost in running the affairs of governance at all levels in Nigeria as one of the impediments denying the country to be among the top 20 developed nations. He also said that unless the jumbo pay enjoyed since the advent of democracy from 1999 till date is reviewed, Nigeria will continue to be in the woods. Dasuki, who was the 18th Sultan of Sokoto and was deposed during the late Gen.

Lamentations of ex–Sultan Dasuki

Dasuki

Sani Abacha’s military junta, also kicked against fresh agitations for more states to balance ethnic and regional equation. Addressing journalists last week while marking the 47th anniversary of the assassination of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello in Kaduna, the former Sultan noted that in spite of the huge amount of money allocated to the states and local governments in the country, they have not impacted on the generality of people as a result of corruption. The 89-year-old Dasuki argued that the current political structure is a drain on the national resources rather than providing the needed dividends of democracy. He recalled that the then Northern Region administration under late Sardauna of Sokoto with a minister, recorded more development than the present system. He said: “You can imagine a wife of a local government chairman given huge amount of money as wardrobe allowance, for what? Even councillors get the same allowance. Is that in the constitution? “The whole thing is mixed up. Look at the local government funds. The chairmen have been marginalised. All they do is to

go and sign the money in Abuja and they don’t know what happens to the money. “They will say, ‘well I was told to sign, and I did, I don’t know what will happen to the money.’ So the money does not get to the people down there. That is why the governors are pushing for a joint account with the local governments. “I was the only Permanent Secretary for Local Government in the entire Northern Region, with only one minister during Sardauna. Today, there are 19 commissioners, with 19 permanent secretaries.” Dasuki recalled that credible people did not take over after the 1966 military coup that claimed the lives of the Sardauna and others, adding that those who executed the coup had no idea about the enermours task of governance. His words: “From one region, we now have 19 states. Tell me, what progress have we made. The cost of administration and the task of ensuring accountability are too huge. The problem with Nigeria is the 36 states and the 774 governments. We don’t need them, if we want to develop. “Why should we have 774 local governments, 36 states with 19 for the North? It is

of democracy –Tambuwal

Tambuwal

we hope that we can arrange our affairs in such a manner that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians would be reasonably satisfied. We are convinced now more than ever

before, that a situation where majority of the citizens continue to live in abject poverty while an insignificant minority corner the commonwealth is not only unjust but unacceptable. In this regard, we shall continue to adopt a pragmatic and functional approach to ensure that the war against corruption is removed from the realm of rhetorics by exercising absolute diligence in our oversight function so as to enhance transparency and accountability in both high and low strata. We all noticed the general feeling of optimism over the early passage of this year’s budget. It was proof, if any was needed, that the National Assembly and the executive arm of government will always work together for the well-being of our people. We take the promise by Mr. President that the budget will be carefully implemented seriously and we are resolved to help ensure that this happens. Let me note in passing that the budget for the National Assembly, which encompasses the Senate, the House of Represen-

tatives, the Management of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Institute and the National Assembly Service Commission, has never been increased in the last few years. We have, in this way, striven to lead by example in the efforts to curb costs, despite the fact that the National Assembly has been growing and evolving into an even more dynamic legislative body. In the consideration of the 2013 Appropriation Bill, we took due cognizance of the job creation element encapsulated therein and reinforced in appropriate deserving cases. It is our conviction that rather than continue to lament over our mono-product economy, we must take concrete steps to stimulate the private sector which is better placed to create jobs more rapidly. We can further do this by way of a revolutionary approach to agriculture as well as massive attack on our infrastructure deficit, especially power, transportation and vocational development. We have endeavoured in the last one and a half year to re-invigorate the committee

all about greed and not about service. We have 19 governors, 19 deputy governors, 19 chief judges, everything 19 for the North alone. Imagine the cost of running them. The courts are corrupt; people buy justice now in this country. Only in this country we have over 700 first ladies from the president, governors to local government council chairmen’s wives.” “Just imagine the money for allowances. What is left for development? Moreso those that became governors didn’t come prepared. They came by chance, so they have no plans for development. So, I think the problem is the present structures. Little wonder there were all kinds of confusion that led to the civil war. And since then, we have not had credible leadership in Nigeria,” he added. The deposed traditional ruler also reiterated his earlier call against state police, saying: “State police will not help; governors will run state police like local government councils.” On insecurity, he accused Northern governors of not taking the issue serious. “I sent 10 copies of my Peaceful Co-existence Plan to the Northern governors but none of them showed interest, only the Federal Government and Kaduna State showed interest in the book. Kaduna State government set up a committee to that effect. “The security system is a license for oppression. Think of someone arrested on an unproved offence. He would be asked to pay something before he could be given bail. Or think of the recent past where security officers write fake reports on someone and then collect large sums of money to establish the truth of that given case. They go to their villages, keep the money, and come back with another false report in order to collect more money. This will go on and on until they report that person they were pursuing had died in a car accident. That is the end of the matter. We used to have got very cheap and unbiased security system through the traditional institutions,” he maintained.

system in the House to ensure that they function as the engine room of the House, being the major vehicle through which thorough work is done on bills before they get passed into law. Over time, parliaments all over the world have evolved in such a manner that committees have become indispensable in the law making process. Indeed, the quality of a law is invariably tied to the quality of work done on a bill at the committee stage. Therefore, the leadership of this House is determined to ensure that our committees get all they need to function properly. As we strive to bring the House of Representatives at par with best practices the world over, we shall be reconstituting a number of parliamentary friendship groups and adding a few more in the coming days. These parliamentary groups will be announced soon. Let me also commend the media, civil society organisations and our development partners for their invaluable cooperation. We shall continue to partner with every group that has the interest of this country at heart. Above all, let me commend all Nigerians for their patience, tolerance, perseverance and faith that the end shall be better than the beginning.

Editorial

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

‘The Patriots’ alarm on state of the nation

uite recently, a group of eminent Nigerians under the aegis of ‘The Patriots’ implored President Goodluck Jonathan to take revolutionary steps to halt the country’s accelerated descent into the club of failed states. In a press statement on the ‘State of the Nation’ in Lagos, the group said the call became imperative because of the great unease and increasing loss of confidence by Nigerians in the ability of the Federal Government to tackle effectively the numerous problems confronting the nation. Renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, who read The Patriots’ statement, called on the president to “reconstruct his government immediately and appoint a competent, energetic, selfless, patriotic team…” that will assist him in initiating a peaceful but far-reaching revolution. On the obvious face-off between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Jonathan on how best to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency in the country, the eminent persons fingered the security of lives and property as the foremost challenge for the Jonathan government and said the Boko Haram challenge was not being tackled effectively by the FG; and that more actions needed to be taken to firm up the nation’s security. Believing that

time is running out of a peaceful, well-managed change, The Patriots also warned as follows: “In order to avoid the horrors of descent into a very bloody and destructive anarchy, there is the need for a revolutionary change of attitude amongst key elements of the national leadership; and the emergence of a reawakened and revitalized responsive government.” A “horrendous holocaust” is threatening the nation, the group warned. Earlier, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, had likewise observed that the Boko Haram insurgency and the social upheavals threatening the survival of the country were all signs of a failing state. Musdapher, who spoke at the Second Anniversary Lecture and Book Presentation of this newspaper last December, expressed worry that the terrorism scourge in the country was overwhelming the security establishment and disintegrating the nation’s moral fabric. He said the nation’s slide into anarchy had assumed “dangerous dimensions, perhaps beyond the capacity of our security agencies to deal with effectively”. There have been several of such frank, yet alarming observations and pieces of advice, that the Jonathan government should brace up and tackle the

PRESIDENT

JONATHAN SHOULD HEARKEN TO THE OVERFLOWING WORDS OF WISDOM POURING IN FROM EMINENT AND CONCERNED

NIGERIANS

menace of terrorism and sundry violent crimes that threaten the corporate existence of the country. It is now obvious that the situation is tasking the capacity of the nation’s security apparatus to its limit. Cognizance must also be taken of President Jonathan’s acceptance, recently, that there is a real security threat to the peaceful co-existence of the federating units in the country. In the letter he wrote to the Senate, in which he sought approval to deploy troops to Mali, Jonathan stressed Nigeria’s current security challenges and the inherent danger posed by the country’s proximity to the Sahel region. It is also common knowledge that some members of the Boko Haram sect receive training in Mali. Our thinking, therefore, is that it is high time the president jettisoned whatever con-

siderations that have been restraining him from effectively confronting, headlong and effectively, the elements of destruction and disruption in the country. For almost two years in office after being sworn in as president following the 2011 elections, the Jonathan administration has been running from pillar to post, battling with both ‘internal’ and ‘external’ foes. He suspects that some members of his government are in alliance with the Boko Haram, for example. Besides, while the President has been harping on delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, some of his ministers are busier plotting how to become governors or clinch higher elective offices come 2015; meaning that resources that ought to be channeled into welfare services are being wasted on selfish political ambitions. Indeed, it strongly appears that Jonathan is not on the same page with even some of his key men in government, and any house that is divided against itself is bound to crumble. President Jonathan should hearken to the overflowing words of wisdom pouring in from eminent and concerned Nigerians on how best to restore security and order in the land. Decisive and pragmatic steps have become exceptionally and absolutely necessary.

ON THIS DAY January 25, 2011 The first wave of the Egyptian revolution began in Egypt, with series of street demonstrations, marches, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, riots, labour strikes, and violent clashes in Cairo, Alexandria, and throughout other cities in Egypt. Millions of protesters from a variety of socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of the regime of the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.

Letters to the Editor

January 25, 2006 Mexican professional wrestler, Juana Barraza, was arrested in connection with the serial killing of at least 10 elderly women. Barraza (born 1956) is a Mexican professional wrestler and serial killer dubbed La Mataviejitas (The Old Lady Killer) sentenced to 759 years in jail for killing eleven elderly women. There are various estimates as to the total number of the killer’s victims, with estimated totals ranging from 24 to 49 deaths.

January 25, 2005 A stampede at the Mandher Devi temple in Mandhradevi, India, killed at least 258 people. The temple is popular among Hindus who undertake the annual Kalubai Jatra pilgrimage over a ten-day period every January. The main event is a 24-hour-long festival on the day of the full moon thatPresident includesJonathan animal sacrifices. The religious event usually draws more than 300,000 devotees. The annual fair is in honour of Kaleshwari Devi, fondly called Kalubai by the faithful.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Friday, January 25, 2013

Nigeria and the Malian crisis THEOPHILUS ILEVBARE

he Nigerian Senate gave constitutional approval to the deployment of 1,200 troops for combat mission as part of the Africa International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) to support her against Islamist rebels in the northern part of the country. The mission was authorized with UN Security Council Resolution 2085, passed on 20 December 2012. Nigerian troops had already been deployed by President Goodluck Jonathan before a letter was transferred to the Senate for approval. This action in itself raises serious constitutional questions. The swift dispatch of troops belies the security challenges at home. It is now habitual for Nigerian governments to solve crises in neighbouring African countries faster than the insurgency at home. If the federal government had responded in similar manner to the Boko Haram menace during its formative years, its activities would have been nipped in the bud. The “brilliant record” of Nigeria’s participation in peace mission in neighbouring African countries counts for nothing when compared to the insurmountable security challenges at home. There is nothing ‘responsible’ about being proactive in regional conflicts when the Boko Haram menace has claimed over 3,000 lives and still counting. The present security challenges at home does not warrant any form of peace-keeping outside the shores of the country. The conflict in Mali was birthed by

the emergence of three Islamist groups now active in northern Mali – Ansar Dine, al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb, and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad, all beefed up by an influx of mercenary fighters from Libya about a year ago. Defeats by Tuareg separatist aided by Islamist fighters coming back to Mali after the fall of Gaddafi triggered a military coup in March 2012. The Malian army retreated from the vast deserts of the north, leaving the coast free for extremist militants to take control of a vast area as big as France. For a country fettered with poverty, its citizens in perpetual pangs of hunger, and most Malians practising a temperate form of Islam, the insurgents in Mali were able to operate in shadow manner, their presence undetected for years in the forests and deserts with strong ties with and financial backing from al-Qaeda in the Middle East (AQIM). These Islamist rebels were also engendered by the subsequent destabilization of northern Africa after the war in Libya leading to the proliferation of arms and ammunition to groups masquerading as Libyan freedom fighters. I expected Nigerian government to take a cue from the reluctance of some European countries, particularly Britain whose ministers were ordered to the House of Commons to stress that UK troops would not ‘undertake a combat role’ in the crisis in Africa, amid fears they could be sucked into a long, bloody conflict, opting rather for logistical air assistance to France. The US played an active role in ousting Muammar Gaddafi without putting boots

THERE IS NOTHING ‘RESPONSIBLE’ ABOUT BEING PROACTIVE IN REGIONAL CONFLICTS WHEN THE

BOKO

HARAM MENACE HAS CLAIMED OVER 3,000 LIVES AND STILL COUNTING on the ground. Nigeria could have explored similar possibilities. The suggestion by some senators that it is high time Nigeria considered her economic interest in foreign policies like the world super powers, US in particular, was instructive. We need not go on foreign missions without reaping the maximum benefits of our sacrifices. The remark by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Azubuike Ihejirika that Mali trained terrorists have crossed the border into Nigeria is rather preposterous as he gave no evidence of their presence. Actually, Nigeria does not share its border with Mali. Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo are her closest neighbours. If all these nations did not report terrorist immigrants, then on what basis did the COAS raise such alarm? A ruse it turned out to justify the deployment of troops to Mali. There are real threats of retaliatory strikes of western targets across Africa and beyond, countries whose troops

are part of the combined effort to flush out the terrorists. Mali may not play a significant role in world economy, but it is surrounded, on far and near sides, by countries that do. Nigeria and Algeria with the largest and second largest gas reserves respectively in Africa, suppliers of petrochemicals and minerals, make them potential targets of reprisals. Recently, al-Moulathamine, a group affiliated to AQIM, has since claimed responsibility for the attack on a gas field in southern Algeria run by BP, Statoil and the Algerian state oil company Sonatrach. Now the big question is what is the strategy of the Nigerian troops, nay the AFISMA in Mali? Is it to crush the terrorist or chase them out? Whichever of the tactics they deploy, reprisals from splinter and allied terrorist networks in Nigeria, like the Kogi state attack indicated, are a cinch. But if their strategy is to push them out, which is the obvious tactics from days of fighting in Mali, border countries should be prepare against the influx of fleeing Islamist rebels. To stay ahead of the game in the fight against terrorism, Nigeria needs to be proactive on the home front. Have we deployed troops to protect or fortify our porous borders? Did we count the cost of an economic spill over of a full blown war in Mali, or of a military impasse or casualty? From the foregoing, the deployment of Nigerian troops to Mali has raised more questions than answers. Ilevbare, a public affair analyst and writer, wrote from Lagos

On call for dissolution of Oyo ACN EXCO ABDUL A ZEEZ BOLAJI B.

he current hoopla raised by some disgruntled elements calling for the disbandment of the executives of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at all levels in Oyo State is, to say the least, appalling and irritating. For what it is worth, the present crop of the state EXCO has been, in the popular imagination, effective in maintaining party unity, internal cohesion and internal democracy. It is worthy of note that Oyo State ACN EXCO, under the leadership of Chief Akin Oke, contrary to these irredentist elements, played a pivotal and very crucial role in midwifing the surprise victory of Governor Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi in the 2011 general elections. Need we remind these naysayers that in the said governorship election, our party could not secure a decisive victory even in Gov Ajimobi’s Ibadanland. Had it not been for the effectiveness of the party machinery in Chief Akin Oke’s home base in Ogbomoso, in spite of what was universally acknowledged as the almost insurmountable odds, could the then sitting Governor Adebayo Alao Akala have lost the election? To set the record straight, in 2007 when Otunba Alao-Akala was just a Deputy Governor with limited power and access to the state resources, he garnered over 195,000 votes from Ogbomoso zone alone to clinch

GOVERNOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI WILL BE WELL ADVISED TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THESE

CHARACTERS, LEST THEY UNDERMINE AND DIMINISH HIS STATURE IN THE PARTY the governorship mandate. Conversely, in the 2011 Election, after Alao Akala had not only served for four uninterrupted and politically active years as governor, he as incumbent governor and member of the marauding PDP virtually presided over the 2011 Election exercise .Despite his overwhelming advantages, however, and contrary to his natural desire and expectations, Alao Akala’s vote tally from his Ogbomoso home base, but which is also the home base of Akin Oke, was drastically reduced by over 50 percent. If one may ask, what was Governor Ajimobi’s margin of victory over the then incumbent Gov Alao Akala in that election? If the Oke-led EXCO, along with others, worked so assiduously to snatch victory

from the jaws of defeat, should their reward be castigation and threats of removal? The Oke-led team secured the coveted crown for our party in the face of no-holds -barred onslaught from a well oiled competitor with almost unlimited power, huge patronage and awesome state resource-based war chest and financial muscle. But even more importantly, we must acknowledge the dexterity, willingness, effectiveness and courage, combined with the ruthlessness of the opponents to deploy same, as evidenced for instance, by the abduction of 160 accredited ACN party agents from their respective accredited polling units across Ogbomoso zone on the election day! By these abductions, ACN was thus denied the services of the polling agents of numerous polling units, with obvious implications for the outcome of polling at the affected units. It is a fact that while almost every political party in the state has been bedeviled by one unending crisis or another, the Chief Akin Oke-led EXCO has deepened cohesion in ACN and continued to work on further popularising our party among the electorate. It is therefore, a disgraceful act for some set of political scavengers and prostitutes, who dubbed themselves “Integrity Parliament”, to call for the disbandment of the state EXCO of our party. Such group that never existed before now, obviously does not wish our party well. Otherwise, how can any rational mind situate their call for dis-

bandment of our party’s team of winners? Differences of opinion is the norm in politics. However, when they do occur, matured, disciplined and loyal party members channel such for consideration by appropriate party organs, rather than seeking to bully and blackmail others into submission through issuances of libelous news releases and/or levying of jaundiced and unfounded accusations against otherwise respected organs of the party. One cannot but conclude that given the high level of embarrassment caused by these shenanigans and the deep seated animosities that these individuals have, by their actions, sought to engender in our party, serious disciplinary action must be considered against them. Additionally, Governor Abiola Ajimobi will be well advised to distance himself from these characters, lest they undermine and diminish his stature in the party that has given him this wonderful opportunity of a lifetime. Abdul Azeez, Chairman, The Progressive Mind of Oyo State ACN, wrote from Ibadan, 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.

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Friday, January 25, 2013

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Why is it Senator Ibikunle Amosun?

W Rot in Police College

urs is a nation of scandals and impunity. The recent rot in Police College, Ikeja as exposed by Channels TV, is enough to end the career of some officers of the Nigerian Police Force. But you and I know nothing of such will happen. How responsible do we expect police recruits trained in such inhospitable environment to be? We now know why the “roger syndrome” in the police force will continue to fester. After the expose, we heard cries of shame from the Presidency and the National Assembly, and there have been promises of probe into the shame. But we have a committee in each of the two chambers of NASS on police affairs. Why do they not perform their oversight functions? What about the Police Service Commission? Our leaders should be serious if this country will make progress. The nation is awaiting the outcome of the promised probes. Anslem Okojie, Iruekpen, Edo State.

FEC, this is poor thinking

aughable and very laughable, the Federal Executive council, at its last Wednesday meeting, resolved to institute a training policy for convoy drivers of governors, ministers, heads of agencies and permanent secretaries. Good thinking. But what about the safety of the 99.99 percent of Nigerian who are at the mercy of commuter drivers? Their lives do not count. Mr. President and his cabinet should note that their offices are relevant and important to the extent that there are Nigerians to constitute the electorate that drive the nation’s democratic process. What we need is a general training programme for all drivers to secure the safety of all road users. Collins Sagir, Makurdi, Benue State

hat should I say about my own governor at this important moment? I do not know how to praise-sing. At any rate, Amosun does not like praise singers. That is why he has refused to take any chieftaincy title. “If I deserve one, let me be given after I leave office,” he says. But I should throw these questions to the public, especially the good people of Ogun State. What would have been the fate of our state today if Amosun is not the one in power at this time? Why is it the government of Amosun that has built the first ever flyover bridge by any state government since

the creation of Ogun in 1976? Why is it Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) that thought it necessary to introduce functional free education to school pupils after the era of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo in the Second Republic? Why is it Amosun that has constructed the first ever international standard road - complete with modern features such as drains, median, greenbelt, walkway, street light, pedestrian bridge with an air-conditioner and CCTV (the only component yet to be installed)? Why is it SIA, as governor, that distributed 500 transformers to bring back to life comatose Small and Medium

Scale Enterprises in Ogun in one, single iconic gesture? Has that ever happened anywhere in Nigeria? Why is it Governor Amosun that introduced for the very first time in Ogun modern luxury buses, under the Bus Mass Transit scheme (BMT)? Why is Ogun, under SIA, the first state government in Nigeria to purchase the very latest technology of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and make the “maximum donation” of security equipment in at one fell swoop that the Inspector General of Police said he had never witnessed “since I have been serving as a Police officer”? Why is it under the roof

of Amosun that the idea of taking the 2012 Best WAEC students from the 20 Local Governments in the state on “merit excursion” to the United Kingdom was conceived and all the 20 pupils are from public schools? Said the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, “This is a laudable initiative that is worthy of emulation by other states in Nigeria. Let me state categorically that this is the first time ever that students are being brought to the United Kingdom on educational merits.” What would have been the state of our State today if Amosun had not been elected Governor in 2011? Therefore, as Senator Ibikunle Amosun (FCA) attains the age of 55 today, I believe he can look back and thank God for a good life, robust health and for being associated with many firsts in the history of Ogun State. I wish SIA a happy birthday and all the pleasant returns of this Day. Soyombo Opeyemi, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Let’s call the governors bluff

I Break time

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

NNPC and Arepo scandal

gain, fire guts NNPC pipeline. That was the screaming headline in cover of yesterday edition of your popular newspaper. This was the second fire in less than one month. This is the strongest indication that Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State is right when he accused NNPC of complicity in the disgraceful bunkering that is going on in Arepo. Recall that the assertion by the governor had drawn acerbic attacks from spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ms Tunmini Green, who accused him of “engaging in a blame game, when every responsible Nigerian citizen is wondering about Arepo, which is in his domain.’’ The unguarded statement of Ms Green was not only unwarranted, it was an affront of the

Letters to the Editor

worst order on a top political office holder in the country. While it is true that the heads of the executive arms of government in the three tiers – President, Governor, Council Chairman – are the chief security officers within their domain, it unthinkable that a federal government agency or corporation would expect the protection of its facilities to be the responsibility of the state in which it is located. Particularly, for the aberration that is the Nigerian federation, the question to ask is who bears the cost of that security coverage? The earlier NNPC should appreciate the fact that it must work out appropriate security template for its facilities, the better for the country. If it is contracting out the protection of pipelines in the Niger Delta to else ‘warlords’ for huge fees, Ms Green should tell

Nigerians why the oil pipelines in the South West are left exposed. As a federal corporation, the NNCP has unlimited security assets to dip into. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has been mandated to give security coverage to these facilities. To be efficient on the job, the NNPC should motivate the operatives. The police force, navy and army are at the beck and call of the corporation. How have they been utilized? More importantly, why is the corporation not deploying the latest technological innovation to give watertight security coverage to its facilities? May the National Assembly should begin look at this aspect of NNCP lapses in spite of the huge funds available to it. Akintunde Awogbemila, Ikotun, Lagos

f we expect the governors to support the autonomy of local government councils, it means we do not understand the mentality of the average Nigerian politician. The monthly statutory allocation to the local government councils is treated by many of the governors as their pocket money. This strengthened by the constitutional provision that creates the joint state/ local government account. What many of the governors do is to give only what is enough to settle the monthly recurrent expenditure of the councils and wire the rest into their personal accounts. It would be a profound shake up if the governors are denied access to the councils’ funds. This is possible through the proposed autonomy for local government councils. However, the mechanism must be put in place to ensure that the council chairman deploy the freed money into projects and programmes that would lift the people in their domains. Richard Heineken, Warri, Delta State

Send your letters or mails to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and info@nationalmirroronline.net or 08056180209, 07033375481 (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

Flavour

January 25, 2013

FEDERATION TO PERFORM AT THE HISTORIC CELEBRATION

Ajilo

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

n Sunday at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, the legendary 83-year-old Chris Ajilo will present to the public his autobiography titled: Chris Ajilo: Reminiscences of a Nigerian Pioneer Musicologist. The originator of Eko o Gba Gbere song also had a hand in the development of not just Highlife, but Nigerian music as well. Ajilo’s ageless tracks were anthems of a sort in Lagos, most of the West Coast of Africa and all over the country in the 50s, when he returned to the country, and beyond. Such tunes include: Oju Rere at’Emi Mimo, Iku Eko, O ti lo waju, Oh Christiana, Ladies Beware, Susie, Gbo Temi Sisi and Ariwo. In most of his recorded works, Ajilo displayed his passion for Lagos and how to lift the city. He won for himself awards of excellence in the course of duty and has been honoured for bringing to limelight young, talented Lagos-based artistes, whose albums he willingly produced, in his commitment to further

grow the industry in the country. Ajilo is, no doubt, one of Nigeria’s legends of highlife, dance music and jazz, having contributed indelibly to the steady growth, development and consequent professionalism in the nation’s entertainment industry. The legend studied music as a chosen career in the United Kingdom and took pains to establish similar institutions in Nigeria in his determination to encourage professionalism. He attended the famous Central School of Music, later known as the Eric Gilder School of Music, London, where he studied both the theory and composition of music. Having formally commenced music, playing in Lagos on the formation of the West End Cool Cats Orchestra, after which he launched the Chris Ajilo and His Cubanos on August 1, 1955, it is worthy of mention that Ajilo gracefully led the band on playing tours to several cities and towns in Nigeria and the West African Coast in the same year of formation. He eventually embarked on a global escapade from where he bagged international fame and laurels. Between 1955 and 1958, Ajilo was a notable recording artiste with Decca West Africa Limited. At Nigeria’s Independence on October 1, 1960, Ajilo led the 25-piece National Orchestra, comprising musicians from all over the federation commissioned by the Federal Government to perform at the historic celebration. Born Christopher Abiodun Isola Ajilo on December 26, 1929 in Lagos to the renowned Ajilo family of IjebuJesa ancestry, young Chris attended Saint Peter’s School,

Critics P. 34

MUSICIANS FROM ALL OVER THE

Denrele’s Day

AT INDEPENDENCE, ON OCTOBER 1, 1960, AJILO LED THE 25-PIECE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA, COMPRISING

Faji, Lagos (1935-1940); Christ Church Cathedral School (1941-1942); C.M.S. Grammar School, Lagos (1943-1946) and Birmingham Technical College, England (19471948). Between 1949 and 1954, he was at Central School of Music / Eric Gilder School of Music, West Street, West End, London studying theory and composition under world renowned Composer, Eric Gilder. For clarinet, he understudied Aubrey Frank; saxophone under Johnny Dankworth, Kenny Graham and Don Randell. He played with Kenny Graham, an Afrocubist Band, Arthur Rowebury Band in Nottingham, returning to Lagos in 1955 to lead the West End Cool Cats Orchestra. Involved in several radio and television programmes in the country, for instance, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC’s Dance Orchestra, which came into existence shortly before the nation’s Independence in 1960 was led by Ajilo. When the Nigerian Television Service, NTS started in those days, it was being handled at inception by an American company and Ajilo happened to be one of those who pioneered the musical section. And later, when Art Alade of blessed memory came up with his popular Television Show, Ajilo led the Jazz Preacher, appearing on the screen every week for over three years between 1972 and 1976. Ajilo with his band also played at the Premier Hotel in Ibadan during the period. He played the flute or clarinet in the Pit Orchestra of the University of Ibadan Arts Theatre. He taught Music at the Musician Foundation School of Music and the Saint John’s School, Ikorodu Road, Lagos. He was instructor and performer at the 1977 World Black Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC held in Lagos. Between 1977 and 1979, he was director of music at the Nigerian Institute of Music and Culture. Also between 1979 and 1989, he was staff producer of Polygram Records. He consulted for Premier and Polygram records from 1989 to 1991. He was consultant with Premier Records Limited in 1992 before he served as the general manager of PMRS between 1997 and 2007. Chris Ajilo was inducted into the PMAN Hall of Fame in 2002. There is no doubt that readers will find Ajilo’s 150page autobiography, edited by Dele Ogunyemi, irresistible. They will find in there, in more expansive volumes, the details of his life.

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Chris Ajilo: A passionate Lagosian pens autobiography

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

Escape

VOL. 2 No. 543

WEEKEND STARTERS One Mic Naija returns

ational Association of Nigerian Theatre Art Practitioners, NANTAP, opens the 3-day 2013 Festival of Nigerian Plays, FESTINA, today at the Cinema Hall II, National Theatre, Lagos by 4.00 p.m with Beyond the Sunset, a play by Lekan Balogun, directed by Williams Ekpo. Stage dramas continue tomorrow and on Sunday at the award night/closing ceremony. Other festival plays include: Isiburu, written by Elechi Amadi and directed by Ebi Pre Bai. Call for Me my Osheni by Seyi Adigun and directed by Zubair Jide Attah. Human Cargo, written by Fred Agbeyegbe and directed by Muyiwa Oshinaike, will bring the festival to a close. 2013 FESTINA is in honour of Mallam Kabir Yusuf, General Manager, National Theatre for his extraordinary support for the Arts in Nigeria.

Seyi Shay

‘O C

ne Mic Naija’, the live band talent music show returns

in 2013 with an exciting line up of performers set to thrill fans on Sunday. This edition’s performers include Ajebutter, Baby Boi, Luni, singers Pheel, Seyi Shay, Tillaman and cohost Kel. ‘One Mic Naija’ holds at Browns’ Cafe, Ikeja, Lagos. The initiative is a product of WePlugGoodMusic and powered by M.et.al and s.h.a.r.e.

Party for Jahman tonight

ulture Advocates Caucus, CAC, hosts an event today in continuance of the month-long celebration for Jahman Anikulapo, former Editor, Sunday Guardian, who is also celebrating his 50 birthday this month. The evening event

tagged Stripped Bare: Jahman Anikulapo, Warts & All, holds at Quintessence Bookstore, Falomo Shopping Complex, IkoyiLagos starting by 5.00 p.m. It is a face-off between the celebrant and a whistle blowing talk-show host. No holds barred!

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he MTV Base VJ Search grand finale will take place today as finalists, Kemi Owatemi, Ada Ogun- MTV VJ Search finalists: Kemi, keye and Ehizo- Ehis and Ada jia Okoeguale, go by Burna Boy, Ice Prince through the concluding and Iyanya, the crowd stage of the competition moves to Don Jazzy’z during a live taping show POP Club, also in Victoat Club One Eleven, Vic- ria Island, for the glam toria Island, Lagos by finale party, starting by 6.00 p.m. After judges 9.00 p.m. The new MTV Banky W, Funke Akin- VJ goes home with a N10 dele, Toolz and Tim Hor- million contract and a wood announce the win- brand new car, among ner and performances other exciting prizes.

3 days of Nigerian plays

Mirror Mongers

MTV VJ Search finals

Artman In The House

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I care more about leaving a legacy

A resting place for the family filled with Shyllon’s collection of artworks.

I HOPE OUR LEADERS WILL LEARN... BUILDING HOUSES AND PUTTING MONEY IN THE BANK DOES NOT

CUT IT, BUT WHAT YOU DID TO ADD VALUE TO SOCIETY

Shyllon

Prince Yemisi Shyllon, art collector, legal practitioner and engineer, exercises in his expansive paradise-like home for 45 minutes every day. When Friday Flavour’s TERH AGBEDEH called on him for this interview, he was close to the end of the routine with two artists, Olu Amoda and Jagun Kehinde in tow. Shyllon, whose Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), will hold the second edition of its lecture series tomorrow in Lagos, spoke about the event and so much more in this interview. Excerpts: The abstract of the OYASAF lecture titled: “Contemporary Art in Nigeria: Contextual Navigation through the Web of History”, comes across as academic. Who is it for exactly? It is for people of like mind who are stakeholders in art. It’s for curators, collectors, art scholars but not students because it’s of a higher intellectual plane. So I’m going to have such academics like Dr. Peju Layiwola, with a mix of curators like Bisi Silva, Bolanle Austen-Peters and collectors like Sammy Olagbaju and Rasheed Gbadamosi. So, it’s a forum discussing issues that have to do with the practice of art in Nigeria and the position of African art within the context of world artists. Since art in Nigeria has not caught up

with Europe for instance, shouldn’t a forum like this hold more often? I’m already doing it quarterly; it is the first quarterly OYASAF lecture for this year. But it’s the second because I added it to programmes run by OYASAF. We used to have this kind of forum in the past with scholars from abroad under the OYASAF fellowship programme. When the scholars come, they interact with Nigerian artists, museums, galleries and institutions and at the end of the day, I put them in a conference room and we interact. We learn from each other. I also have something for Nigerians in terms of the annual workshop I sponsor at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, as well as some other internship programmes for Nigerians in the Diaspora who hold this wrong

belief that everything about us is bad and they want to remain abroad. But I thought that was not enough, so I needed to also do something within; that is, see how we can grow. That is why I started the lecture series last November and I said from this year, I will do it every quarter. Already, we have everything slated for the remaining three quarters of the year. What is the state of OYASAF fellowship at the moment? I’m supposed to take three people every year and it’s an intensive programme. Once they come, everything stops because I take personal interest. I take them around to meet artists, provide an element of safety, which makes me get involved. There’s also the element of me gathering more knowledge as a person. The fellows spend 30 days of intense travelling, so you can imagine what it takes to have three of those scholars. Last year, I had three and there’s already a notice on the internet for this year. I have Kimberly Grant, who is arriving here in April as the first scholar this year. The period of application has not ended. But the three scholars don’t arrive at the same time? Why should I accept three at the same time? You want to kill me? It’s very intensive. Somebody came for instance to study museum development and Akinola Lasekan. It means I have to take her to the National Museum in Lagos, the museum in Ife, in Ibadan and also locate the

works of Lasekan in different places. Then, again, when they come like that, they don’t limit their search to what they are doing for their Ph.D; they want to relate with Nigerian artists, they want to see them working in studios because they also want to network. And I’ve got to help build the network for Nigerian artists to go out. What yardstick do you use to measure the impact of OYASAF fellowship programme? There’s no question about yardstick, the first scholar I had here in 2009 came back. I facilitated through my recommendation for her to get a Fulbright Scholarship, she came back to spend one year here and curated two major exhibitions on the ONA School of Art. It was through her academic enquiry that the problem of who founded the ONA School came up. That is Ms. Janine Systma, who first came to Nigeria through OYASAF Fellowship Grant. She has been back twice and is now at the Smithsonian Institute of Art, Washington DC as a fellow propagating ONA School Art. There has been significant impact from the fellowship. For instance, someone came all the way from Austria to study Yoruba indigenous religion. That generated a lot of interest in Ifa Study and OYASAF will do a radio programme in the third quarter of this year on propagating Ifa as a religion already recognised by UNESCO as one of the living human treasures. It’s refreshing to hear about this impact but still many Nigerian artists have not been recognised. Only recently, you and stakeholders in art called for a national honour for Akinola Lasekan… Nigeria will change. You only get results if you start something. Things happen only if you make them happen. You can’t sit, fold your hands and expect things to happen. As I speak to you, I’ve been given a doctor of letters by the University of Port Harcourt by virtue of my contribution to art. So, don’t say that people are not honoured. OYASAF worked with the family of Akinola Lasekan to organise that exhibition event. We brought

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Artman In The House

Friday, January 25, 2013

than recognition –Shyllon to light the role Akinola Lasekan played in the fight for our independence from the colonial government of Britain. He was a cartoonist for the West African Pilot, a close friend of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and we were all pleasantly surprised to learn about the many things that man did from just drawings. As to whether anybody or government is going to recognise individuals, you leave that. I don’t care about recognition; I care about making a difference, leaving a legacy. I hope that our leaders will learn that building houses and putting money in the bank does not cut it, what matters is what you did to add value to the society. China made 4 trillion Yuan from culture last year, up from the year before. Reports say that Europe is doing well with culture as well. But it doesn’t seem like we are making any progress with culture? We don’t have the right people to help us propagate that big gold mine of our country. It’s one thing to have Zuma Rock and another thing to create an environment around it, attract people to come there. Zuma Rock is not different from Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State. During my tenure as chairman of the Ogun State Tourism Corporation with the leadership of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, we were able to design the Olumo Rock and make it a big tourist attraction. The problem we have is that we don’t put round pegs in round holes and we play our politics based on political parties, not on merit. People are put in position not because they know what they are doing but because they belong to the political party and contributed to the political system. Which is a problem of democracy in Africa. In Africa, Egypt, South Africa and Senegal make huge money from culture. Senegal makes about two fifth of its GDP from culture, art and tourism. The third biggest contributor to South Africa’s GDP is tourism, which is driven by art and culture. When Egypt had the Arab Spring riots, the big fear was that they would lose money from tourism, which is the second biggest contribution to its economy. Now, to Europe, if you remove the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Picasso Museum, among others, France will lose nothing less than 20 percent of its GDP. It’s the same in Germany. My country has a very great potential in Calabar, Cross River State, where you find the best historical museum and a modern slave museum. There’s also a well designed boat ride to Mary Slessor’s Grave. There’s Tinapa with a three-star hotel, the Obudu Cattle Ranch… But people don’t seem to be coming to these places? It’s because we are not propagating the strengths we have in this country, not propagating the beauty of our country. At what point did you decide to become a collector? I started when I was in school. When I left school, there was a period of interregnum, then I continued and I built. We are talking about 36 years.

Do you commission artists? Of course, this is one of them (Sculptor Mosaic Artist, Jagun Kehinde Alade) waiting to be commissioned. Olu Amoda, I commission him, he’s one of Nigeria’s greatest sculptors. There are many of his works in the garden and in the house. I go round exhibitions and galleries to get works too. But not Igun Road in Benin City? The people in Igun Street are vendors, they vend their crafts, they don’t produce art they produce craft. So, people go there and buy their craft. I commissioned this work in Igun Street. They are supposed to make craft but because I didn’t know who could make bronze works for me, I went to Igun Street in Benin and asked them to make this and that work in my early days as a collector. And they produced what they thought was art. Which is part of my history. Do you also have works from foreign artists? I have works from different parts of the world. How easy is it to ship such works from abroad? If it’s a painting, you wrap it up and bring it in. I’ve never brought in a sculpture from abroad. It’s not easy to send sculptures outside Nigeria or bring them in. The freight cost is prohibitive. Isn’t that one of the reasons Nigerian artists and their works are not fully represented abroad? That’s not it. I have a work being exhibited right now in the New York Museum of African Art. It’s been exhibited now for two and half years. The fact that something is difficult does not mean that it’s impossible. That was meant in the sense that perhaps that is why until recently with the Ben Enwonwu sculpture, no Nigerian artist has sold a work for N28 million. The N28 million is nothing compared to what El Anatsui work was sold for in London on Bond Street at £584,000.

FACT FILE •

Born in 1952 in Lagos State, Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Claudius Shyllon is an engineer, art collector and legal practitioner.

•

Married with three children, he is a descendant of the Sogbulu and Ogunfayo family genealogy of the Laarun Ruling House of Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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He obtained a B.Sc Engineering,University of Ibadan (1977); MBA with specialisation in Finance and Marketing Management –Best Student of 44, University of Ife (1980) and an LLB (Upper Division)-Best Student in Class –University of Lagos (1990).

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Other qualifications include a BL (Bachelor At Law) Nigeria Law School (1991) and ThreePart Qualification Exams of The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria – March 2005.

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He is fellow of several professional bodies home and abroad including: The Institute of Directors (F.I.O.D), Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM) and Authorised Dealing Stock Broker of The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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The OYASAF lecture holds at Prince Shyllon’s conference centre located in his house at Maryland, Lagos.

When will that happen; when will Nigerian artists sell at such a price? When you were born, did you walk, did you run? You staggered, crawled before you could walk. Why do you then expect us to run? We are just over 50 years old as a nation and even art in this country is just beginning to be recognised. We started art auction in Nigeria in 1999. It stopped for sometime before the Arthouse Contemporary revived it in 2008. So, please, give it time. Nigerian art will get to that level. There are other art houses that are doing auctions like Nike Art Gallery and Terra Kulture. As a collector, are you also a businessman? I’m not a businessman. You are not going to offload some of the works you’ve collected into the art market in the future? I want to emphasise that I’m not a business man. I’m just a technocrat, an investment consultant, a legal practitioner and engineer. My works are not for sale, it’s for the enjoyment of great great grand children.

Different art works in the garden of Shyllon household.

Critics

Book

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Making Nigeria Work T book, The Way We Are: Ideas for a Better Nigeria written by Sir The JJonas Odocha, the former Group General Manager of the NNPC and former General Manager of Nigeria LNG and published by Eagleman Books, was launched in Abuja last December. It is a surprising, treasure trove of information.

THIS BOOK IS THE MOST

AUTHORITATIVE... COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF

NIGERIA’S ‘TROUBLES’ I HAVE READ IN RECENT TIMES

AKACHI ADIMORA-EZEIGBO

ne has lost count of the number of books published in recent times on the subject of Nigeria and the challenge of building a strong, united and prosperous nation. So when I was asked to review a new book, The Way We Are: Ideas for a Better Nigeria, on the same subject, I was not enthusiastic. However, a close look at the book and its content compelled me to read it and I am glad I did. This 265-page book of 27 chapters held me spellbound for two days. The book is illuminating and of profound relevance to the present moment. It is a gripping read and should be made available to every Nigerian and to lovers of Nigeria. Sir Odocha has a compelling style that draws the reader like magnet. But perhaps what is so amazing about the book is that, though the subject matter – Nigeria and the challenge of nationhood – is a serious one, the reader derives great pleasure going through the book. This is largely a result of the author’s style: a combination of humour and a type of native intelligence that I have encountered only in few writers who have written about the same subject. Some of the issues the author analyses with remarkable competence are the climate of insecurity, violence and the culture of mediocrity that have beclouded and arrested Nigeria’s development; the failure of leadership at different levels in the country; the acts of injustice inflicted on Nigerians, especially N’digbo, before the Civil War, during the war and since after war; and the bewildering periodic and meticulously planned massacres of people of different religious or ethnic origins. The book is quite readable and different from others that deal with the same subject because of its structure, content and form. The 27 chapters are essentially essays written at different times which have now been gathered in this precious publication. The essays represent Odocha’s analysis of different issues that are of national and sometimes international import. Having served Nigeria in different capacities and various locations, and having travelled and lived in several parts of the country in the course of rendering this service, the author is in a vantage position to perceive, understand and analyse the multiple problems that have plagued the country over the years. Most of the essays focus on

Nigeria but a few, like the South-Asian Tsunami and the hurricane that swept across Haiti, take up global issues that made world headlines. It is important to note, also, that the actual writing of the essays, before they were collected in a book form, was done between 1998 and 2011, with each essay examining certain issues that affected and still affect the country’s socio-political, economic and moral growth since independence in 1960. The date when each essay was written was stated at the end of the text, helping us to put it in context and appreciate the realities surrounding its conception and articulation. The impression given is that things worked better for Nigeria in the colonial days and that the downward descent into anarchy, violence, indiscipline, corruption and irresponsibility in the nation reached the lowest ebb in recent times. This parlous situation is attributed to the visionless leadership Nigeria has been saddled with over the years. The author makes us understand that other factors responsible for the country’s abject condition are ethnic chauvinism, moral bankruptcy, individual and collective acts of injustice meted out to fellow Nigerians. Apart from the topicality of the essays, especially in relation to the time they were written, the literary quality of each essay is commendable. The author is not only bent on informing us about the problems but is also conscious of conveying the ideas in a succinct and effective style. Take for example the first chapter entitled: The Bee, the Butterfly and the Wasp. The beautiful metaphor of the lower creatures is used to teach human beings to live a life of service and integrity just like bees. This mode of living is considered superior and preferable to the life of selfishness and cruelty exemplified by wasps. This metaphor captures vividly the condition and attitude of human beings on earth – either living a useful life or a life of greed and selfishness. The choice is ours. Odocha uses another metaphor to teach his readers about the importance of diligence, discipline and commitment. The Anthill Colony graphically illustrates the effectiveness of good organisation and industry in the successful development of a nation. By using the analogy of the termite community, he demonstrates how these ants manage an anthill efficiently through effective organisation and responsible action by each member of the group – workers, soldiers, male attendants and the queen. Odocha stresses the importance of government building and developing Nigeria by partnering with professional bodies as is done in Western countries. Constructing his thesis around key subject areas, the distinguished author first identifies, then high-

lights and examines the various problems facing the country. We can thus classify them under the following headings: corruption; moral failings under which the author groups indiscipline, cultism, greed and loss of cultural orientation and values; security and safety consciousness; social responsibility; effective communication and the use of dialogue to solve problems. The various chapters are hinged on the issues or subjects listed above. We will site a few examples to illustrate the point being made here. On the theme of morality, the author observes that Nigerians see oath of office and swearing-in as mere rituals, for they have no moral obligation to abide by the oath. In addition, probe panels are usually set up to investigate corrupt acts but no one is ever convicted or found culpable; no one is punished. On the subject of corruption, the author has a lot to say. He argues that everyone is implicated. He highlights the various avenues through which corruption manifests and they include: lack of discipline and loss of family values; workers defrauding the government; retirees being defrauded of their pensions; policemen exploiting Nigerian citizens; certificate racketeering; examination malpractices and many more. While discussing the need for social responsibility on the part of government and the individual, he touches on the deprivations and damage suffered by the people of the Niger Delta and the price they have had to pay for the petroleum resources located in their home land which is exploited for the benefit of the whole country. He calls for a people-oriented government keen on setting up adequate development strategy, especially in the Niger Delta. He advocates dialogue as a way of getting the cooperation of the people. On the other hand, he calls on wealthy Nigerians to come to the aid of the poor. He decries the paradox of wealth and poverty in the country. In the midst of stupendous wealth earned from petroleum products, most Nigerians wallow in abject poverty. He suggests that the lapses in the petroleum industry should be tackled by government and everyone concerned by eliminating corruption, privileging maintenance culture to increase the productivity of the existing refineries, thus limiting the massive importation of products which has been the norm. He castigates the Nigerian government and those in authority for the many acts of injustice and the neglect of various parts of the country which he claims are caused by ‘’our glorification of corruption, our inordinate ambition, our small-mindedness and our ethnic and religious bigotry’’ (p. 34). Odocha dwells at length on the acts of injustice inflicted on N’digbo, in Nigeria, such as the marginalisation and the neglect their zone have suffered since after the Civil War; the ‘’lack of federal presence’’ in Igbo land; the economic and political emasculation of N’digbo; the hurriedly executed indigenisation policy when Igbo business men and women were economically strangulated after the war; and the ‘abandoned property’ debacle through which N’digbo lost many choice properties in some parts of the country after the war; the denial of parity to the south-east zone regarding the number of states each of the zones in the country has and the genocide and spate of massacres that N’digbo have suffered in some parts of the country, especially in northern Nigeria. It is interesting that many of these same issues have been raised in Chinua Achebe’s recent publication, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra, which has generated controversies in many circles in and outside Nigeria. These acts of injustice have left

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Critics

Friday, January 25, 2013

N’digbo demoralised and disoriented, leading to youth restiveness, kidnapping of people for ransom and some other societal vices. The author believes that the suffering of N’digbo today is caused by two factors: a gang-up against them by the rest of the country and the current rudderless and visionless leadership situation of N’digbo. He advises the Igbo people to rally round and change the condition in the south east. However, he does not believe that the situation is irredeemable, for he ends on a positive note with the aphorism “No condition is permanent”, meaning that the fallen may yet rise again; or in the words of the prophet Ezekiel, “Dry bones will live again”. Other subjects that receive Odocha’s attention in this well-written book include the loss of Bakassi; Nigeria’s overdependence on oil and neglect of agriculture; poor maintenance of public roads; exploring alternative sources of transportation; curbing fuel shortages and looking for alternative sources of energy; recruiting people into job positions based on merit; accountability in office; eliminating cultism in the institutions of learning and raising the standard of education; admitting only qualified candidates in the various institutions; the proliferation of churches for commercial purposes manifesting in the uncommon greed evident in the lives of some Christian leaders or priests; natural and man-made disasters plaguing the world today; lack of security consciousness in Nigerians leading to domestic and factory accidents; and other disasters like the Ikeja Cantonment explosion, crisis management and world energy resources and their impact on the environment. The Way We Are is an interesting and informative book. It gives incisive analysis of the challenges facing Nigeria today and proffers solutions to most of them. Odocha’s style is riveting. He raises an issue and gives concrete examples of its occurrence in our national and private lives and then relates it to similar issues in Nigeria and suggests remedies or ways the problem can be tackled or confronted. He is like a medical doctor who does not stop at diagnosing a disease, but goes ahead to find a cure. For Odocha, the keywords are ‘attitudinal change’ and this involves self-reliance, looking inwards, doing it ourselves; developing the ‘’can do’’ spirit, in the words of Barack Obama, the great American President. The author believes and says so resoundingly: that the key ingredient in national development is human resources. This is a book I can say has little or no flaws. Some people might consider it preachy in some portions, especially in those passages where the author moralises or provides footnotes for the reader. This might be considered redundant or unnecessary by some readers, especially as the essays are written in simple language that is easy to understand. However, the author might be forgiven this propensity simply because he is only trying to make his point clearly by restating them as unambiguously as possible, thus ensuring that his reader grasps the idea being conveyed, at the end of each essay. Indeed, this remarkable book is written in a clear, vivid and captivating style spiced up with humour and anecdotes. I find the penultimate chapter, ‘‘The Village Clown’’, supremely engaging and hilarious. The chapter, narrated with humour and great wit, has a moral underpinning that sparkles and compliments the solutions proffered in other chapters, to resolve issues with dialogue, effective communication and peace. This is the most authoritative, engrossing, insightful and comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s ‘troubles’ I have read in recent times. I recommend the book to every Nigerian and to anyone who has the interest of Nigeria at heart. Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo is lecturer, prolific novelist and poet.

Stage

Revealing the craze for lotteries It was moments of laughter for the audience who went all out to get entertained by watching the stage production of The Lottery Ticket written by Prof. Ahmed Yerima and performed by members of the Wazobia Theatre House at Terra Kulture, recently. OLAYIWOLA AWAKAN

he current position of theatre productions in the state embarked upon by creative young minds is an indication that theatre will soon become the major rendezvous where quality entertainment could be derived. Many people are beginning to class stage productions high among their sources of entertainment, relaxation and dramatic enlightenment. Series of stage plays in comedy, tragedy, farce, tragi-comedy and other genres have been lined up by various independent theatre companies to make the year entertaining, incisive and nerves-relaxing for lovers of theatre. There was an exciting and ribcracking stage production of Prof. Ahmed Yerima’s The Lottery Ticket as directed by Ikenna Jude Okpala and performed by members of Wazobia Theatre House on Sunday, January 20 at Terra Kulture, Lagos. The performance was an eye opener to the numerous tricks that people pull to make fortune through lottery games. The play, one of the many creatively written by Ahmed Yerima, is another standard work of art with hilarious technique to treat topical issues relating to man, lottery game and money. Before the play was unveiled, JStanley, a solo guitarist did some songs after which Oluwapelumi Baba took the audience on a journey

Scene from the stage play

IT WAS LAUGHTER GALORE IN THE AUDITORIUM AS EACH OF THE CHARACTERS KEPT THE AUDIENCE TICKLED of Yoruba lyrical and rhythmical rap, with the intent of preparing the audience for the Command performance. The One Act play eventually assumed the performance arena. The play started with the introduction of the ‘landlord’ who shares a space with ‘Baba Tailor’ and ‘Mama Lizi’, a fast food seller. The landlord, who has been waiting patiently to hear the result of the lottery game which he entered for, reveals his plan to marry Lizi if he wins the N1 million lottery. Lizi, on the other hand is interested in ‘Danger’, a rascal who torments the entire neighbourhood. Mama Lizzy approves of her daughter’s interest in Danger at the expense of Baba Landlord’s show of admiration, because there is a chance of the former winning the lottery ticket. Baba Tailor, a poor and frustrated old man who has been battling with numerous ailments, is also a participant in the lottery game. Every one awaits the result! At last the result is been announced

and the winner of the N1 million lottery is Baba Tailor. Ironically, on hearing the result, the winner falls and dies. That is the beginning of tricks and ploy by other participants to get rid of the dead man and in turn claim and share the prize. Greed, as a dynamic in man then came to play. In the course of creating a strategy and fashioning out a sharing ratio, Danger also meets with his death. The involvement of a Sergeant explores the scourge of corruption, bribery, craze for money and position and other issues. It was laughter galore in the auditorium as each of the characters kept the audience tickled. According to Okpala, CEO of Wazobia Theatre House, “The reason why the play was chosen was because it is different, the language is written in Pidgin English which is general to all Nigerians and it addresses the poor, rich, Muslims and Christians and the nation at large in a funny but thought-provoking manner. Also the fact that the play talks about people doing anything to get money, either by stealing, Lottery or any means, was one of the reasons. And it does not condemn the act of Lottery, but man’s greedy nature. I am more passionate about promoting theatre in Nigeria”. One would, in no small measure, commend the effort of the management of Terra Kulture for creating a platform for theatre companies to showcase their stuff, thereby bringing back the sweet culture of stage.

Inside FCT

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Private hospitals dominate medical services MARCUS FATUNMOLE

DEARTH OF BED

SPACES AT MANY

t is trying times for many public health facilities in Abuja, as private health institutions now dominate the sector. On one hand, stakeholders believe it is a good omen for the sector in the country; however, the rate at which public health institutions are being abandoned for the private hospitals calls for government’s serious attention. Private specialist hospitals offer different medical services which include surgeries such as trauma, neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive, ophthalmic, ENT orthopaedic, obstetrics, multiple sclerosis, among others. They dot the landscape of the nation’s capital and are easily located and patronised by people from all parts of Nigeria. Some of the major challenges identified by Inside FCT in public health facilities include dearth of equipment and sufficient manpower; availability of power supply; industrial crisis; availability of medical officials and willingness by these officials to render acceptable services to the patients, among others. Given the number of people who patronise public hospitals daily, bed space often becomes a great challenge at public hospitals. Take for instance the Garki General Hospital, Abuja which is currently managed by public-private partnership and the Maitama General Hospital, population of people at the hospital would discourage anyone who has the wherewithal to turn to a private hospital. It has often been alleged that dearth of bed spaces at many public hospitals in the nation’s capital has led to referral of simple health cases that could have been taken care of within minutes. From all indications, public health is affordable to the common man, but the services are often alleged to be very poor. Last year, some doctors were disengaged from the services of the National Hospital for allegedly offering deficient services to a particular patient at the hospital. Also, the attitude of many health workers will never draw some citizens near the gates of public hospitals in Nigeria. Corruption is also a major issue that must be tackled in public health institutions in the country, most especially in Abuja. No less than N800billion is said to be lost to foreign medical trips in Nigeria. Political leaders and some rich Nigerians never see anything good in the public health services in Nigeria. While nations such as Germany, India and China rake in huge revenues from Nigerians, our health sector at home

PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN THE NATION’S

CAPITAL HAS LED TO REFERRAL OF SIMPLE HEALTH CASES continues to suffer. Government’s commitment to the sector is still very low. Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada demonstrated good leadership when, against citizens’ anticipation of being jetted abroad like his colleagues for medical treatment, he chose to be treated by Nigerian doctors at a private hospital in Abuja. Wada’s SUV was involved in a ghastly crash while returning from a function at Anyingba on his way to Lokoja. The vehicle somersaulted severally before plunging into an uncompleted building at Elete Emi Woro between Prime Polytechnic and Salem University in Ajaokuta-Lokoja Local Government Area of the state. Tragically, his Aide de Camp, ADC, Idris Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, died in the crash, but miraculously, the governor sustained serious thigh injury. The governor’s choice of a private hospital, however, is a testimony to state of public health in the country. President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark and other prominent leaders and persons in the country visited the governor during his four-day stay at the hospital. What may also generate further criticisms in the health sector was the demise of the Siamese twins born last Thursday by a 17-year -old woman, Safiya Sani, at the Mararaba Medical Centre, Mararaba Gurkuin, Nasarawa State. The babies were referred to Abuja National Hospital for medical attention, but they died after spending three days at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Medical superintendent of the health centre, Dr. Angela Smart had said: “While we were taking the delivery, we discovered that she could not do so through her vagina, so we took her to the theatre and that was where we discovered that the babies were joined”. Smart said the babies were, however, referred to the National Hospital since there were no facilities at the Maraba hospital to separate the babies. But, the babies died at the National Hospital, four days later.

One of the several counter-terrorism road blocks

Where check points punish road users OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

ree-flowing traffic, one of the major attractions to the Federal Capital Territory, is fast ebbing away. Now, moving along some major roads, particularly, those linking commuters, business owners and public servants to major MDAs, the Three Arms zones and strategic security locations, can be likened to commuting along the old Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State. Unfortunately, this traffic situation is neither occasioned by poor road network nor bad roads; rather it is as a result of heavy road blocks manned by gun-toting military officers who are ready to pull the trigger at the slightest provocation. Yet, the situation was different some five years ago when the issue of bombing was a distant affair Nigerians only heard about from international news. Even when members of Nigeria’s terrorist Islamic sect were bombing places of worships and security outfits, killing hundreds and destroying properties in millions in some parts of the Northern states, there was an illusionary belief that the FCT, with all its military formations and artilleries, was insulated against attacks. But the Christmas Eve bombing of Madalla, one of the major relaxation centres at the FCT, sent jitters up the spines of Abuja residents, including security officers. Subsequently, in order to avoid being caught napping again, they now mount road blocks and erect barricades at the slightest security report of impending attacks. Even in some extreme cases, major roads are closed to traffic. The situation is not only taking a toll on movement in the FCT, but also affecting business and government activities. Speaking on the traffic situation,

ROAD BLOCK

SITUATION IS TAKING A TOLL ON MOVEMENT IN THE

FCT

an Abuja-based rights activist, Biodun Adeta, said it seems that blocking of roads and mounting of barricades at every mention of Boko Haram, has done little or nothing to prevent attacks. He said, “I wonder for how long would security officers in the FCT continue to mount barricades whenever members of the terrorist sect cough. From my little experience, members of the group are Nigerians who live among us and, as such, they also garner information on their planned attacks. Once they know some areas have been condoned, they will not come there. All they would do is to wait till the security situation is relaxed. “As it is mainly done in other civilised climes, I think the best thing to do is to engage in serious and aggressive intelligence gathering to nip the menace of bomb attacks in the bud rather than subjecting people to untold hardship as it manifests in Abuja now”. Also, a middle aged man, who simply identified himself as Tunde, shared his experience with our reporter. Tunde recounted being trapped for several hours last week Sunday at the city centre because all roads leading to his church were shut down to traffic. He explained that while he recognised that officers who mounted the road blocks were discharging their duties, he frowned at the fact that no prior notice was given to road users. According to him, he could have stayed back in Kubwa or worship at any nearby church, instead of spending money to come to town and be stranded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH Friday, January 25, 2013

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

aj-ul-Masjid is a mosque situated in Bhopal, India. The mosque is also used as a madrasah (Islamic school) during the day time. “Taj-ul-Masjid” literally means “The Crown of Mosques”. The construction of the mosque was initiated during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafarby Nawab Shah Jahan Begum (1844- 1860 and 1868-1901) of Bhopal (wife of Baqi Mohammad Khan) and continued to be built by her daughter Sultan Jahan Begum, till her lifetime. The mosque was not completed due to lack of funds, and after a long lay-off after the War of 1857, construction was resumed in 1971 by great efforts of Allama Mohammad Imran Khan Nadwi Azhari of Bhopal. The construction was completed by 1985 and the entrance (eastern) gate was renovated grandly using ancient motifs from circa 1250 Syrian mosques by the contribution of the Emir of Kuwait to commemorate the memory of his departed wife. The mosque has a pink facade topped by two 18-storey high octagonal minarets with marble domes. The mosque also has three huge bulbous domes, an impressive main hallway with attractive pillars and marble flooring resembling Mughal architecture the likes of Jama Masjid in Delhi and the huge Badshahi Mosqueof Lahore. It has a courtyard with a large tank in the centre. It has a double-storeyed gateway with four recessed archways and nine cusped multifold openings in the main prayer hall. The Qibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with eleven recessed arches and has fine screens of trellis work. The massive pillars in the hall hold 27 ceilings through squinted arches of which 16 ceilings are decorated with ornate petaled designs.

Behold Taj-ul-Masjid Hadith

Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, “Which of you loves the property of his heir more than he loves his own property?” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, there is none of us who does not love his own property more.” He said, “His property is what he sends ahead (i.e. gives in the way of Allah), and the property of his heir is what he keeps back.” [al-Bukhari]

Behold Taj-ul-Masjid

Quiz Corner debuts

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Why Section 6 (6c) must go 26

Means of attaining object of man’s life

he fifth means of achieving the purpose of life appointed by God Almighty, is striving in His cause; that is to say, we should seek God by spending our wealth in His cause, and by employing all our faculties in furthering His cause, and by laying down our lives in His cause, and by employing our reason in His cause; as He has said to strive in His way with your wealth and your lives and with all your faculties: Whatever We have bestowed upon you of intelligence and knowledge and understanding and art, employ it in Our cause. We surely guide along Our ways those who strive after Us. The sixth means of achieving this purpose has been described as steadfastness, meaning that a seeker should not get tired

Zakat payment increases one’s wealth, Shopehin-Akande 28

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya or disheartened and should not be afraid of being tried, as God has said that - upon those who affirm - God is our Lord, and turn away from false gods and are steadfast, remain firm under trials and calamities, descend angels, reassuring them: Fear not nor grieve, and be filled with happiness; CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Mawlid Nabiyy: Birthday or Birthdate 30

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why Section 6 (6c) must go

08055102994

conomic growth of any country can mainly be enhanced by quality education. Thus, the simplest strategy for us as a nation is first of all, to increase the percentage of budget to be devoted to education at the primary, secondary and tertiary level and ensuring quality education for all irrespective of status. Education, without doubt, can affect a person’s future and a nation’s development. Many job opportunities are opened for those who are well-educated. Education is definitely one of the most important factors in the development of a country because it increases our living standard. A proper education teaches people skills and knowledge they will need in their careers and lives generally. Hence, they cannot be easily attracted to crimes.

If education is one of the most important factors in the development of a country, how do we explain a situation whereby Nigerian leaders are “legally” empowered in the constitution to deny Nigerians of quality education? Chapter II of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 18 states that; (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. (2) Government shall promote science and technology (3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end, Government shall as and when practicable provide (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education; (b) free secondary education; (c) free university education; and (d) free adult literacy programme. However, there is the issue of non-justifiability of rights provided for under chapter 2 of the constitution. This limitation can be found in the provisions of section 6 (6c) which provides thus; “The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of

Hi young ones, test your knowledge!

Prophet born? * What is the name of *What is the name of our Holy Prophet? *What is the name of the Holy Prophet’s father? *When did the father of first Prophet? *What is the name of the our Holy Prophet (SAW) passed away? last Prophet? *What is the fam*Is there any Prophet after our Holy Prophet ily background of Hadhrat Abdullah? (SAW)? *What is the name of the *How many months are tribe of our Holy Prophet in Islamic Calendar? *What is the third month (SAW)? *What is the name of our of the Islamic Calendar? Holy Prophet’s mother? *What is the date of *What is the name of birth of our Holy Prophet our Holy Prophet’s nurse? (SAW)? *What is the name of *In Arabic History, what is the name of Year when grandfather of the Prophet our Beloved Prophet Sallal- (SAW)? *Who took care of the lahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam was Prophet (SAW), when he born? *In which city was the lost his mother at the age Answers to these questions will be published next week

of 6 years? *Who took care of the Prophet after his grandfather passed away? *In which city did the Prophet (SAW) passed away? *Should we visit the tomb of our Beloved Prophet? *Should you love your Beloved Prophet (SAW)? *What is the old name of Madinah-tul-Munawarah? *How many sons has the Prophet (SAW)? *How many daughters has the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam? *What is the name of the youngest daughter of our Holy Prophet (SAW)?

THE

CONSTITUTION MUST

BE ONE THAT WILL MAKE

NIGERIANS TAKE THEIR LEADERS TO COURT FOR THE ROTS IN ALL SECTORS AND WIN THEIR CASES this section shall not, except otherwise provided by this constitution, extend to issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the fundamental objectives and Directives principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of this constitution.” The effect of the above section is that the constitution has taken away all the rights given to Nigerians in chapter II. What a big fraud! As a result, the seeming commitment towards further amendment of the Constitution should address some of these anomalies. The

House Committee on Constitution Review has received memoranda covering a wide range of issues including federalism, political restructuring, devolution of powers, local government administration, electoral reforms, states creation, judicial reforms, national security and police, among others, the justifiability of chapter 2 of the constitution must be of priority. Working in collaboration with the Senate and the state houses of Assembly, a fresh set of amendments to the Constitution this year must be one that will make Nigerians take their leaders to court for the rots in all sectors and win their cases for us to have a better nation. And those involved would be remembered for living a good legacy. The rich should not feel comfortable that they can afford to send their children to the best of schools while the poor are left to their fate. They should always remember that the uneducated ones will turn out to be pains on the neck of the rich and their children as a result of crime and insecurity all over the land.

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MMPN holds lecture on leadership

orried by the increasing leadership failures in the country, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) yesterday held its seventh Mawlud Nabiyy lecture on exemplary leadership style of Prophet Muhammad. In a statement by the chairman of MMPN in Abuja, Alhaji AbdurRahman Balogun, the

theme of the association’s 2013 Mawlud Nabiyy lecture was “Muhammad: The Exemplary Leader.” The lecture which took place at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja on Thursday January 24, was delivered by an Abuja-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim. Stakeholders invited include the Speaker, House of Repre-

sentatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Special Guest of Honour while the Director –General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Abubakar Jijiwa was the chairman. The FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Muhammed, is the Chief Host. MMPN is a registered religious body of Muslims working in various media organisations in Nigeria.

Alhaji Apampa marks 91st birthday in style

lhaji AbdulRahman Apampa, Chief Imam Ahmadiyyah Jamah, Ebute-Metta, Lagos will tomorrow 26th of January, 2013, marked his 92nd birthday with prayers at his EbuteMetta residence and a visit to motherless babies’ home. Alhaji Apampa, an accomplished Structural Engineer has served his fatherland in various capacities. According to a press release signed by Chief

Kola Animasaun, Alhaji Apampa has been a source of inspiration and succour to many, touched so many lives by his thoughtful deeds. “We should thank him for giving a true meaning to our lives. May he continue to find strength in the ties that bind family together as he clocked 92.” He is a champion of the ideals of good governance, service and common good. He was highly regarded among his contemporaries.

Members of Fatima Charity Foundation during the special prayer session organised by the foundation recently.

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Friday, January 25, 2013 Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH

‘Celebrate the Prophet by following Qur’an, Hadith’ SEKINAH L AWAL

uslims have been urged to celebrate Prophet Muhammed by truly following the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah of the Prophet. This call was made by Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf of the University of Lagos who was the guest lecturer at the 2013 Maulud Nabbiyy celebration organized by the Muslim Community of Lagos State at the Tafawa Balewa Square yesterday. Dr. Yusuf said Muslims should reflect on the legacies of our noble Prophet Muhammed and access themselves based on how well they are following his legacies. “Until we made Qur’an and Hadith the sources of guidance, we will continue to have many challenges. Individuals, families, society and nations must make this a top priority in order to be fully at peace.” He reminded all that the Prophet was sent as a mercy to the whole of mankind in order to set the best of examples in all human endeavour be it economy, matrimonial, governance among others and that he achieved all the goals. “He left an enduring legacy for us and the Prophet should be a role model for all of us.” Dr. Yusuf also called on Muslim parents to see their children as trusts from almighty Allah who should

not be abused but well-trained on the path of the Lord and also be good citizens. “We should be good examples and role model to them in terms of worship, interactions with people in deeds and thought.” Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaja Romlat Muri-Okunola called on women to take education of their children as priority and stop the habit of buying “Aso-Ebi” while their children do not have textbooks and good food to eat. Eminent men and women in the Islamic world came from different parts of the state to commemorate the birth of Prophet, Muhammed (PBUH). On ground also were students and pupils from many Arabic and Qur’anic schools. The Thursday’s gathering, organised by the Muslim Community of Lagos State, was eventful going by the caliber of personalities at the venue and the grandeur that accompanied the event. The venue was filled to the brim. Passersby and those who transact businesses around the arena wondered where such crowd emanated from. The guests looked splendid in various African and Islamic attires. They included Senator Hassan Fasinro; Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou; Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola; former Dean, Faculty of Art, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi; former

Attorney-General of Lagos, Alhaja Wonu Folami; wife of late High Court Judge, Alhaja Ramdat Muri-Okunola; Lagos Commissioner for Education, represented by UmmuKulthum Musa among others. The event featured Qur’an reading competition; lectures; match past; presentation of trophies and special prayer for Lagos and the nation. Earlier in his welcome address, representative of Alhaji Babalola, Alhaji Saheed Timehin urged Muslims to follow and celebrate the Prophet in thoughts and deeds by fasting on their birthdays as the Prophet used to do, encourage their females to use Hijab, be of good manners among other virtues. He urged Nigerians especially leaders to rededicate themselves to the Prophet’s lofty ideals on honesty, integrity, simplicity and selflessness. “A man without morals is a dangerous person; a man with morals is a noble person. Allah said ‘the noblest among you is the most pious.’ So, a nation with moral beings will be the pride and envy of the world.” Prof Gbadamosi, who is the Chairman, Joint Technical Committee, MCLS said the body has now been duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission and enjoined all Muslims to be united irrespective of their perceived differences.

Call to Worship

FACES OF DIGNITARIES AT THE 2013 MAULUD NABBIYY CELEBRATION ORGANIZED BY THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF LAGOS STATE AT THE TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE YESTERDAY

L-R: Osupa Adinni of Lagos, Alhaji S.B. Daranijo; Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole; representative of Alhaji Babalola, Alhaji Saheed Timehin and Alhaji AbdulRasheed Yusuf

L-R: Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou; Senator Hassan Fasinro and Sheikh Hussein Muhammed.

Senator Hassan Fasinro; Sheikh Hussein Muhammed and Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf of the University of Lagos

Ogun State Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salith (third right) presenting a complete computer set, generator, printing machine and scanner to Mikail Adesanya during the Third Zakat Distribution organised by Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) at Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque Hall, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State . With them are Ogun State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Hon Tola Banjo (second right) ZSF Executive Director Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib (left) and Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Hon Rasaq Daddah (right).

Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Water Resources, Hon. Waheed Ottun (second right) presenting a cheque to Mutairu Sodiq at the Third Zakat Distribution Hall, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State . With them are ZSF Chairman, Prince Sulayman Olagunju (right) and ZSF Executive Director, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib (left).

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Alhaja Romlat Muri-Okunola; Alhaja Yoyinsola Makanjuola and former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Alhaja Muibat Wonu-Folami.

L-R: A guest; UmmuKulthum Musa representing Lagos Commissioner for Education; representative of Alhaja Fatima Tinubu represented by Alhaja Muyibat Shittu and Alhaja Ramdat MuriOkunola;

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH

Friday, January 25, 2013

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Zakat payment increases one’s wealth –Akande Alhaja Muinat Alake Shopehin-Akande is a business tycoon, member, Board of Trustees, Al-Fatih-ul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria, a philanthropist of no small caliber and a role model to many, in this interview with Assistant Editor, SEKINAH LAWAL, speaks on many issues bothering on women, their homes and businesses; insecurity, Hajj and Zakat administration, among others. Excerpts: Ma, what should be our main focus as a nation in order to ensure peace and development? Good and quality education is very key to any nation’s development. We need to ensure that our children irrespective of their parents’ status have access to good education and making sure that there are employment opportunities for all. Buttressing the importance of education in the glorious Qur’an, Almighty Allah says; “Read! In the name of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) Who created man, out of a leechlike clot: Read! And your Rabb is Most Bountiful Who has taught (the use of) pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.” (Qur’an, 96:1-5). This is just to show us that the almighty Creator values education. And when we have graduates, there must be job opportunities everywhere. Or how do we explain a situation where God has so much blessed us with good weather, climate, natural and human resources and many Nigerians will still be suffering. Our leaders need to do something very urgent about this. It does not make any economic sense that God has given us resources and we have to take our crude oil outside the country to refine when we can actually provide a lot of job opportunities for our citizens if we are refining right here in our country. Our leaders should fear Allah, not be selfish and do the right thing. These also rob off on the insecurity situation we are experiencing now, if our youths are gainfully occupied, they won’t have time for criminal acts. Devil finds job for idle hands. I believe that Allah is our Protector and the Most-Powerful but our leaders and the security agencies should look inward and find a lasting solution to the security problems. There is nothing Islamic about this because Islam does not preach violence but peace. There is a lot of sins and ritual killings and it has been stated that if the sinners are being punished, the saints will also share part of it. Many Muslims are still not paying their Zakat despite the goods inherent in its payment, what is the way out? Allah (SWT) commanded us to establish regular prayer and give Zakat and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, promising us that whatever good we do is for our own souls, because we will be given better and greater reward. Many people are scared of paying Zakat believing that it will reduce their wealth whereas, reverse is the case. I have seen cases where people refused to pay their Zakat and later lost much more money than they would have used to pay Zakat. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said that a man’s property does not become less on account of sadaqah. So, we should be willing to pay our Zakat to the right people. I must also commend Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for the good work they are doing and all our Islamic organizations should do more in terms of educating their members on the essence of Zakat payment and the punishment for not doing so. Allah is so merciful on to us, we are not paying 10% and the 2.5% we are paying will be after carrying out all responsibilities.

Alhaja Shopehin-Akande

GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE WORKING HOURS FLEXIBLE FOR NURSING MOTHERS AND MARRIED WOMEN On Mahram and Hajj issues? Allah has commanded all believers to observe regular Salat, give the obligatory charity (Zakat) and perform Hajj. On what happened during 2012 Hajj, I think the federal government should resolve the issue with the Saudi authority, obey their rules while preparing Nigerians for Hajj in order to prevent a reoccurrence of such scenario. For those not paying Zakat, they should remember that any good we do is for our own souls and we will find it with Allah, the Seer of everything. What is your advice to busy mothers in order to ensure proper children upbringing? Parents’ responsibilities for the care and upbringing of their children are mentioned in several verses of the Quran, as well as in the Hadeeth. Almighty Allah says; “O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” [Quran 66:6]. How do we ward off that fire from our families? We need to show them the right way and teach them the difference between right and wrong. And if as mothers, we are not always around to monitor and guide them, how do we hope to achieve our goals? We need to teach them not to ascribe divine powers to anything other than Allah, be

good and kind to parents, understand that all our deeds, however minor, are recorded and will be brought to light, to be constant in prayers, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, bear what befalls them with patience, avoid pride, arrogance and boastfulness and be modest in manner and speech. Mothers have a great role to play and must always find time for their children. It should not be about money, money alone because if the children are not well-taken care of, they will later become source of problems. Government should make working hours flexible for nursing mothers and married women. Also, our men should not leave the home responsibilities to the women. Nigerian women are really trying and they must be encouraged. Children are a trust given to us. Parents will be held accountable for this trust on the Day of Judgment. Parents are essentially responsible for the moral, ethical, basic and essential religious teachings of their children. If parents fulfill this responsibility, they will be free of the consequences on the Day of Judgment. Children will become better citizens and a pleasure to the eyes of their parents and the nation, first in this life, and in the Hereafter. This parental responsibility belongs not only to the mother. The Prophet is reported to have said: “Take care! Each of you is a shepherd and each of you shall be asked concerning his flock; a leader is a shepherd of his people, and

ALLAH’S MESSENGER (PBUH) SAID THAT A MAN’S PROPERTY DOES NOT BECOME LESS ON ACCOUNT OF SADAQAH

he shall be asked concerning his flock; and a man is a shepherd of the people of his house, and he shall be asked concerning his flock; and a woman is a shepherd of the house of her husband and over their children, and she shall be asked concerning them.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Mother’s role is even greater: while the children are young they are very close to her and dependent upon her, and they spend more time with her than with anyone else. The mother as the first school may be a good school, an indifferent or even a bad school. She may even be unaware that she is serving as a role model in her behavior, and her attitudes. Every mother should be conscious of her role and do her best to make it beneficial for the development of her children as they set out on the journey of life. Some parents nowadays become so preoccupied with their jobs, trade or social lives that their children are often neglected. Husbands should take good care of their wives too. Parents should give maximum time and adhere to Islamic teachings, regularly offering all prayers, reading Quran, not earning haram or eating haram food etc. Treating people well, letting them understand good moral behaviours. The heart of a child must be filled with faith. A child’s mind must be engraved with proper guidance, knowledge and wisdom. The most important and lasting gift or inheritance that we can give to our children is knowledge of Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) makes it very clear that we are accountable to our respective families/ children. It is only through Islam that they can become righteous and be of service to Allah. Educating the children should be done from the early age, starting with the Qur’anic memorization, supplications, etiquettes and manners. They should be related stories of the Prophets of the past nations and specifically our Prophet Muhammad (PHUB). Parents should be very careful about, whom they mix with and with whom they befriend. One cannot underestimate the importance of instilling strong Eeman in our children. Strong belief in Allah will deter them from wrongdoings. How can we expect them to defend and follow Islam if they don’t really understand the how’s and why’s? Consistency is the key with everything. If we want our children to be righteous and be successful Muslims, we must learn and teach our children authentic knowledge of Islam, which is one that is based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Some words to our leaders and Muslims in particular. Our religious leaders should always tell the people and politicians the truth. Politicians should feel for the poor because if the rich train their children and live the poor, the children of the poor who are not properly-trained will become security threat to them. Muslims should take their Salat seriously whether in their offices, homes or market places. Maulud should be marked by all same day and we should truly follow the Prophet in deeds and thought.

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Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH Friday, January 25, 2013

Why the need for a different approach as opposed to what is the common practice? Proper implementation of the manual given to us by the Most-High, Allah (SWT), which is the Qur’an, will go a long way in solving a lot of human problems. When we buy man-made products, we follow the manuals strictly but refused to follow the manual given to us by our Creator. There is a dire need to move from what we are practicing as a nation because nothing much has been achieved so far simply because we jettison the divine laws to embrace our man-made laws to the detriment of the whole society. Islam is a complete religion where every issue has a judgement and each problem has a solution. This is clearly explained in chapter 16 verse 89 of the glorious Qur’an thus; “And We have revealed the Book (the Qur’an) to you as an explanation of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and good news for the Muslims.” It is a complete way of life outlined by almighty Allah to be followed by man in order to succeed in this world and the hereafter. And the almighty Creator went further to say in Qur’an 5 verse 3 that; “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” What will you then describe as an enduring remedy? An enduring remedy will be a lasting solution to a given problem or condition and this can only be obtained in the divine laws. It is a comprehensive system (Nizamu Shamil) that has realistic principles and enduring guidance for human relationship with the Creator, fellow human beings, groups, organisations and nations. According to Imam Hassan Al-Banna, Islam is a comprehensive system, dealing with all spheres of life; it is a state and a homeland, or a government and a nation; it is morality and power, or mercy and justice; it is a culture and a law, or gain and prosperity; it is jihad and a call, or army and a mission; and finally, it is true belief and worship. And the characteristics of such solution will include nobility of purpose, comprehensiveness, stability, permanence and flexibility in application. Every aspect of Islamic solution aims at a great objective; that of safeguarding the best interests of both the individual and society and warding off what is to their detriment. Islamic solution is also a divine revelation. All the injunctions of Islamic Law are revelations from Allah, who knows best what will be of benefit to His creations, both in this world and the hereafter. It is comprehensive and general in its scope. It preserves five necessities: life, religion, intellect, honour and property. It is a focus on two worlds; concerned with the future of human beings, not only in this worldly life but also in the eternal life to come, by enjoining acts of worship that must be carried out by every believer in this faith. They all rest upon a set of stable, unchanging principles and is derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah. The texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah contain general injunctions for legislation without going into the precise details relating to application. While the difference between Islam and man-made solutions include the fact that man-made laws address immediate problems while Islamic laws focus on eternal problems. Man-made solution safeguards interests of few people/nation and is sub-

Call to Worship

‘Islam is the enduring remedy’ Dr. Bilqis Atobatele is a Senior Medical Officer at the Epe General Hospital, Lagos State. In this exclusive interview with SEKINAH LAWAL, during the formal opening of the annual training forum of Al-Mu’minaat, she bares her mind on issues relating to social maladies, Islamic remedies vis-à-vis man-made solutions. Excerpts: must be for all. Let us ensure eradication of illiteracy; widening the scope of study to take care of all our needs. Towards achieving these, religious study should be a core course. We will also need to repackage the schools’ curricula, making teaching aids and textbooks available. We should also put in place policies to ensure training & retraining of teachers, have a clear vision and mission for our educational programmes and policies, rewriting Islamic books that proffer solution to various modern challenges as well as sponsor research in various fields of human endeavours.

Dr. Atobatele

jects to frequent changes to solve new problems/issues. On the other hand, Islamic principle safeguards the interest of humanity, does not change and is applicable to all issues and times. While man-made laws are dominated by prejudices, Islamic laws are free from personal prejudices. Also, man-made solution does not possess spiritual reverence and reward system but acts on violation of rights. Islamic solution is dominated by spiritual reward and punishment system, nourishes ethical and moral values and has legal code. How will you describe the world of man today? It is exactly as described in chapter 30 verse 41 of the holy Qur’an where Allah (SWT) says; “Evil (sins and disobedience of Allâh, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allâh may make them taste a part of that which they have done, In order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging his Pardon).” Poverty, materialism, embezzlement, fraud, corruption, bribery among other vices have affected people’s health and their economic wellbeing as many are into gambling, they take Riba, engage in nudity, rape, Zina, pregnancy outside wedlock, disrespect for elders, failure of the homes, diseases, insecurity, kidnapping, assassination and the likes. As expected, it always resulted into vices gaining ascendancy, injustices all over the land, falsehood, deceit, nudity and political instability. Both the rich and the poor are living in fear of the unknown. There is chaos everywhere and many are moving away from the path of

ISLAMIC PRINCIPLE

SAFEGUARDS THE INTEREST OF HUMANITY their Creator. It seems many people do not really understand some of these Islamic principles? Islamic laws or principles is not just that an adulterer should be stoned or that a thief ’s hand must be amputated or taking the life of a murderer. These provisions or laws are an integral part of the Islamic solution. They are inevitable and indispensable. However, it does not represent the totality of the Islamic solution. So what will you say are the failure of other options? Militarily, there are decrees, flouting of human rights among other vices. Politically, the parties are neither ethical nor principled; there is massive corruption, riggings during elections, waste of resources, imposition, god-fatherism and the likes. Economically, there is global economic meltdown; we have spiritual deceptions and miracles among others. Whereas, the Islamic remedy will herald era of good moral conducts, godliness, steadfastness, team-work, virtues, honesty and trustworthiness, justice & equity, joining of family ties & good neighbourliness, truthfulness, humility & dignity, moderation in all things, generosity, love, chastity & modesty, perseverance & persistence. In order for us to enjoy peace and blessings in all endeavours of human lives, we need to be proud of Islam and all its teachings, revive the role of the masjid, empower the scholars, and engage so much in educational enlightenment. Education

What can be done regarding the social aspect? We need to revive the role of Muslim women starting from the home front. There is the need to eradicate child abuse, promote child rights, youth training and empowerment, eliminate alien ideologies and practices such as homosexualism, lesbianism and the likes. We must check free mixing & undue intermingling of males and females, discourage nudity and crazy wears, encourage early marriage but not at ages that is risky healthwise such as resulting in VVF for young girls. There is also a dire need to reduce divorce, prohibit alcohols, gambling and strip dancer’s club, eradicate bribery and corruption among other vices. And what about economy and finance? Islamic banking and economy must be encouraged while we eradicate usury. Government must provide job opportunities for all, build new refineries, ensure constant electricity supply, pay commensurate salaries & wages, ensure adequate collection & distribution of Zakat and other dues, provide social amenities & infrastructures as well as ensure zero tolerance for corruption by confiscating assets acquired through corrupt means. In addition, there should be more seriousness about asset declaration by public officers; we must discourage unnecessary display of affluence & extravagance, close gaps between the rich and the poor. In the same vein, rural development must be given a priority so also is better resource generation and management. A small piece on security? Yes, until we really obey the almighty Allah by ruling according to His manual which is the glorious Qur’an, promote rule of law, free and fair election, promote human rights, respect sovereignty of nations and protect the minority. On foreign policies League of Islamic nations should be formed while all independent struggles in the occupied Muslim nations should be supported in order to ensure peaceful coexistence between all nations. We should not be disintegrated Islam must be the goal, not a mere means or tool because obeying Allah should be the ultimate goal in life. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mawlid Nabiyy: Birthday or Birthdate? S A ll Muslims without any doubt, at least in speech and storytelling, love Prophet Muhammad (SAW) more than any other mortal in the world. But it is also very obvious that they are mostly far cry from practically living their lives as he did. It is common these days to see some Muslims involve in some extreme practices as regards showing love for the Prophet. As far as authentic records of Islam are concerned, there is no better way to show love for the Prophet (SAW) than emulating his way of life. “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad), you have a good example to follow for Him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (Q33:21) Drawing inferences from the scriptures and historical records, the greatest personality that ever lived is none but Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He is one man with all virtues and realities. Celebrating his birthday is outside the purview of his guidance. What is generally acceptable to exponents of birthdays is that the person is alive, how then do we describe those who do otherwise for their dead ones? This so-called Mawlid Nabiy “was unknown to Muslims for six centuries and a quarter of a century i.e beginning from the start of revelation up until the start of the seventh century of the hijrah. After the departure of the favoured generations of Muslims then surfaced the innovation of Mawlid (celebration of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday) as a manifestation of weakness and deviation among Muslims. The first celebration of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday was organized by Muzaffar,

UCH WILL BE THE FATE OF MEN WHO FAIL TO

HEED THE WARNINGS OF THE MESSENGERS OF TRUTH

who was then the king of Irbil in Damascus, in 604 Hijrah. The first person to author a book on Mawlid was Abul- Khattab bn Dahiyyah titled: “At-Tanweer Fi Mawlidil- Basheer Nadheer” (The enlightenment on the birth of the bearer of glad tidings and the warner) which he presented to the king who then rewarded him with one thousand dinar (an old form of currency). Imam As-Suyutiyy described that Muzaffar- the innovator of Mawlid, at one of the Mawlid celebration he organized, spread banquet table filled with five thousand heads of grilled sheep, ten thousand chickens, one hundred horses, one hundred thousand bowls, and thirty thousand dishes of sweets. He organised an audition show for the Sufis from noon till dawn where he personally participated dancing with the dancers. The Prophet never did nor commanded it, no one among the companions practised it, likewise the immediate generation after them and those after them. In fact it was not practised by anyone in Islam throughout the favoured generations of Muslims. It equally represents imitation of Christians in their celebration of the birth of Jesus (AS) an act which Muslims have been warned against. The prophet said: “Whoever imitates a people is of them”

Mark Mawlud by extolling his virtures

uslims worldwide are in celebration mood following the euphoria that greeted the birthday of the holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW). It would be recalled that he was born on the 12th day of Robil Awal; the third month of the Islamic calendar. This coincides with Thursday 24, 2012. Prophet Muhammed’s (SAW) coming was foretold by Prophet Isa and Chapter 34:28 of the glorious Qu’ran makes it known that Prophet Muhammed was sent to the whole world and not Arab’s tribe only. Abdulahi, the father of the Prophet died while on a business trip; it was his grand father, Abdul-Mutalib who named him Mohammed as earlier prophesised. Also, his mother, Aminat died the Prophet was six years old, becoming an orpan at the age of six. Responsiblity of taking care of the Prophet fell on his grand father who also died when he was eight years old. Before his call as a messenger of Almighty Allah, he was a sherpered and a trader. He could neither write nor read but he was highly knowledgeable to pass Allah’s message to mankind undilluted. He started propagating Islam when he was forty years of age and died when he was sixty three years old, being a messenger of Allah for twenty three years. During his life time, he performed many miracles. For example, when people were thirsty, Allah caused water to come out

from his fingers until everybody drank to their satisfaction. Also, he made it possible for one thousand people to eat from a very small quantity of food satisfactorily, commanded trees and stones to talk. It was during his time that the glorious Qu’ran which is the total way of life was revealed. He never said anything that is not based on Almighty Allah’s instruction. He brought clear messages from Allah of which its strict adherence will make this world a better place to live. Commendation must however be given to the Federal government for declaring a public holiday in respect of this celebration. This celebration is not that of eating and drinking but that of extolling the virtues of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) which are worthy of emulation. Muslims are enjoined not to use the occassion for fund raising and it should not be an endless celebration. It is the opinion of this writer that all activities tailored towards marking his birthday should be concluded on or before the end of this third Islamic month. In conclusion, if Islam is practised accordingly and the model of the Prophet was followed strictly by Muslims, the enemies of Islam would have turned a new leaf. Sheikh Abdul Gannyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of Jubulatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society of Nigeria (JUBAT)

Equally, there is no consensus on his birthday, how then can such be a day assigned for a great act of worship of getting closer to God. Such celebrations also witness grave sins and outrageous practices, providing opportunity for people of lowly desires to satisfy their desires for ecstasy, music, freely mix of the two sexes and others. Some of the reasons put forward among many others include its being an annual anniversary where Muslims remember the Prophet (SAW). This reason could have been acceptable if Muslims were not engaged in the remembrance of the Prophet dozens of times daily, a situation which would have necessitated the need for an annual or monthly remembrance. A Muslim regularly remembers the Prophet in his Salat day and night, the Adhan- call to prayer and Iqamah are also made with prophet’s remembrance inclusive. Obviously, annual anniversary would be appropriate for fear of being forgotten for someone who is not remembered or talked about however, that would be inappropriate for someone who is regularly mentioned and remembered. Being an avenue to listen to some of the qualities of the Prophet (SAW) and learn about his lineage and history is an inadequate reason for the celebration. It is not enough to make listening to his attributes and qualities a mere annual event. What benefit does an annual experience give on a matter which is an integral part of the Islamic ideology of faith? It is a personal duty on every Muslim man and woman to learn the prophet’s lineage and attributes, ordinary listening to readings of story of Mawlid once a year is grossly insufficient. The reason of being a manifestion of Joy over birth of the Prophet (SAW) is a baseless excuse. Such joy could either be one of two possibilities- Expression of happiness over the Prophet personality or an expression of happiness over the day he was born. However, if the joy is for the person of the prophet, then it should be continuous, whenever the Prophet is mentioned or remembered, rather than being a time bound affair. On the other hand, if the second possibility is the case, then, that was the same day he died. It is not rationally right for someone to joyously celebrate the day his beloved dies. Hence, the death of the messenger was the greatest calamity that befell the Muslims. In addition to that, death is natural “Man rejoices over a

newborn the day he is born and grieves over him the day he dies. As an avenue to provide a banquet is a commanded act which possesses great reward especially when done with the intention of showing gratitude to God. This reason is weaker than those above. Feeding people is encouraged practice whenever occasion calls for it, a Muslim entertains guests, feeds the hungry persons and dispenses charity throughout the year, and therefore there is no need for creating a day in year specifically for feeding people. Thus this argument holds no water for inventing an innovation in any way. Another proof they use is that narration which states that the Prophet (SAW) do fasts on Monday and Thursdays. He gave the reason for that by saying: (As for Monday, it was the day I was born and commissioned as a messenger, and Thursday is the day where deeds are presented to Allah, thus I wish to be fasting when my deeds are presented to my Lord). Therefore, if the intention for Mawlid is to show gratitude to Allah on the birth of the prophet, then it will be reasonable for the practice to align with the practice of the prophet in showing gratitude to Allah by observing fast on that day the same way he did. Unfortunately, the proponents of Mawlid celebration would not observe the fast because fasting strengthens the soul by depriving it of the enjoyment of food and drink.” May Allah guide us on and to the right cause. Birthday is faulty as people celebrate birth-date instead of the day; Prophet (SAW) was born on a Monday, why then, if it is justifiable at all, do we celebrate on other days? How then do we even celebrate it outside the month in which he was born? If he fasted the day he was born (Monday), why then do we make it a merrymaking time - printing envelope, singing, dancing, wasting resources, shouting, etc? There is really need for individuals to turn over the pages of Sirah and compare their lives to all that this noblest of men enjoined. Allahummma Salli alyhi wassllim. Dr. Zafaran is the Director, Vanguards Academy

ZAKAT IS 2.5% OF YOUR TOTAL WEALTH KNOWN AS NISAB AFTER HAVING FULFILLED ALL OBLIGATIONS, PAY YOUR ZAKAT

Executive members of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit at the just concluded 94th edition of the Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) held recently at the Human Capital Development Centre (HCDC), Epe

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Friday, January 25, 2013

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH

Call to Worship

‘Islam is the enduring remedy’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 What are the obstacles to having Islamic remedies? It is difficult because of disunity of the Ummah, ignorance, external influence, corruption, inadequate legal system and inappropriate educational policies. Secularists, liberalists, capitalists and democrats are all enemies of the Islamic solutions. They do not realize the fact that embracing Islamic solutions will bring a lot of gains in terms of Allah’s Barakah, achieve our faith and moderate living pattern, solve the problems, raise Muslim personalities, achieve socio-political stability,

unity and solidarity, revive Islamic spirit, self-esteem, dignity and total independence as the almighty has promised that; Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion which He has chosen for them. And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear if they worship Me and do not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the rebellious.[ Q24: 55]

L-R: Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf; Alhaja Muinat Alake Shopehin-Akande and another member of Fatima Charity Foundation during the special prayer session organised by the foundation recently.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 and rejoice that you have inherited the joy that you had been promised. We are your friends in this life and in the hereafter.” These verses indicate that steadfastness wins the pleasure of God Almighty. It is true, as has been said, that steadfastness is more than a miracle. The perfection of steadfastness is that when one is encircled by calamities and life and honour and good name are all in peril in the cause of Allah, and no means of comfort are available, so much so, that even visions and dreams and revelation are suspended by God as a trial, and one is left helpless among terrible dangers, at such a time one should not lose heart nor retreat like a coward, nor let one’s faithfulness be put in doubt in the least. One should not let one’s sincerity and perseverance be weakened, one should be pleased with one’s dis-

L-R: Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Naib Amir, North, Dr. Yaqeen Habibu; Representative of the late Ambassador Abiola, Captain Raji Hassan and Naib Amir, Special Duties, Alhaji Ahmed Al Hassan, during the handover of borehole donated by the late Ambassador Abiola family for the Jamia School in IIaro recently.

L-R: Obaladi of Afon, Oba Buseri Adetona, Orimadegun 111; former Amir, Engr. Hussein Sunmonu; Amir, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola and Naib Amir, South East, Dr. Abdul Ganniyi Enahoro, during the ceremony.

Means of attaining object of man’s life GOD ALMIGHTY CAUSES A LIGHT TO DESCEND UPON THE

HEARTS OF THOSE HE LOVES grace; one should be reconciled to death; one should not wait for a friend to lend one his support in order to keep one firm; nor seek glad tidings from God because of the severity of the trial. One should stand straight and firm despite one’s helplessness and weakness, and lack of comfort from any direction. Come what may, one should present oneself for sacrifice and should be completely rec-

L-R: Graduands, Madrasatu-Tahfizil-Qur’an Lil-Bannat (Female wing), Amotu-Quddus Ariyo; Amotu Haqqi Sanni; lecturer, Mrs. Rafiat Olayinola; Amotu Salam Babalola; lecturer, Mrs. Monsurat Akewugberu; Hibatul-Hadi Adigun and Amotul-Majeeb Ahmad, during their graduation ceremony in IIaro, Ogun State, recently.

onciled to divine decrees, and one should exhibit no restlessness nor utter any complaint, right till the end of the trial. This is the steadfastness which leads to God. This is the perfume of which still reaches us from the dust of Messengers and Prophets and faithful ones and Martyrs. This is also indicated in the following supplication: Guide us along the path of steadfastness, the path that attracts Thy bounties and favours and by treading along which one wins Thy pleasure. Another verse also indicates the same: “Lord, send down on us steadfastness in this time of trial and cause us to die in a state of submission to Thee.” It should be realised that at a time of misfortunes and hardships, God Almighty causes a light to descend upon the hearts of those He loves; by being strengthened with this light, they face those misfortunes with great serenity; and out of the sweetness of faith, they kiss the chains that fetter them. When a godly person is afflicted and the signs of death become manifest, he does not start a contention with his Beneficent Lord, that he might be delivered from that condition, in as much as to persist in a supplication for security in such a condition means fighting God’s Decree and is inconsistent with complete submission. A true lover goes further forward under misfortunes and holding life as nothing at such a time, and saying goodbye to it, submits completely to the Will of God and seeks only His pleasure. Concerning such people, God Almighty has said that he whom God loves offers his life in the cause of God in return for God’s pleasure. Such people win the compassion of God. This is the spirit

of steadfastness through which one meets God. Let him who will understand. The seventh means of achieving the purpose of life is to keep company of the righteous, and to observe their perfect example. One of the needs for the advent of prophets is that man naturally desires a perfect example, and such an example fosters zeal and promotes high resolve. He who does not follow an example becomes slothful and is led astray. This is indicated by Allah, the glorious, in the verse about keeping company with the righteous; and in the verse about guiding us along the path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy favours. You should keep company with the righteous and learn the ways of those who have been the recipients of grace before you. The eighth means of achieving the purpose of life are visions and true dreams and revelation. As the path that leads to God Almighty is a difficult one, and is studded with misfortunes and hardships, and it is possible that a person might go astray while treading along this unfamiliar, path and might begin to despair and stop going forward, the Mercy of God desires to keep comforting him and encouraging him So, it is His way that from time to time He comforts such people with His Word and His revelation, and makes it manifest to them that He is with them. Thus, they are strengthened and go forward eagerly on this journey. He has said that the Holy Qur’an has set forth several other means for the achievement of the purpose of life, but we refrain from setting them down here out of consideration of space.

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 13, 1434AH Friday, January 25, 2013

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‘We must all ensure peace reigns in Palestine’ SEKINAH L AWAL

he magnificent open field of the National stadium in Lagos could not contain the gathering. From Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Edo, Kwara, Edo, and some northern states, came a motley crowd of Muslim faithful. As early as 9:00am, all the roads leading to the venue teemed with well dressed male and female Muslims from all walks of life. In no time, the expansive field was filled to its capacity. In fact, many had to watch the event on a projector. They converged to mark the 2013 Aqsa Day. The occasion featured recitation of the Holy Quran, drama, lecture and several goodwill messages. It was organised by the Muslim Awareness International, (MAI), a nongovernmental organisation, to educate Nigerians on the crisis in the Middle East. Of particular interest to the group is the sad fate of the Aqsa in the whole of the Palestine crisis. Aqsa, located in Pales-

tine, is home to the third most sacred Mosque in Islam. It was in this mosque that Prophet Muhammad led other Prophets to ascend to heaven, where he received the five daily prayers, Salat which Muslims observe till today. The event also turned out to be an eye opener as the gathering watched video clips of events in Palestine. In his welcome address, Ustadh Luqman Balogun stated that the crisis in the Middle East should not be viewed from religion perspective alone. Going into history, Balogun, MAI Director, explained that the Jews who, forcefully settled in Palestine in 1948 during the ‘Balfour Declarations’, have taken over almost 80 per cent of the land from the original inhabitants. He likened the usurpers action to what the white farmers did in Zimbabwe. “It is no news that the partitioning did not succeed except with merciless and brutal massacre of thousands of both Muslim and Christian Palestinians including women and children who were civilians.

“The evil being perpetrated in Palestine is irrespective of religion. Our call has nothing to do with bias for the Muslims community; it is all about the defilement of human dignity. “From what you have seen, you will notice that adherents of both faiths are calling on the United Nations to stop the Israeli atrocities,” he stated. According to Thanni, there is however a correlation between the birth of Prophet Muhammad and the coming of Jesus Christ, as the two great men had come to preach peace and eschew oppression. “So what is happening in Palestine has to do with oppression. We should all stand against it because it violates human rights,” he noted. Shafi’i, the guest speaker, bemoaned the continuous silence of the United Nations over the plight of the Palestinians, which he described as a slap on humanity. “This is a shame to the United Nations, European Union, Arab League and the whole of mankind. “Where are the human rights activists?” He called on Nigerians to support the

Palestinian people. He said that the Aqsa mosque, being one of the historical inheritances of Muslims, should be returned to its formal state. The move, he added, would enable Muslims on pilgrimage to visit the site like Prophet Muhammad did in his time. He also urged faithful to be steadfast and uphold the tenet of Islam. PALESTINE is the land of the PROPHETS OF ALLAH (some born, lived, preached and died there) PALESTINE house Al-Aqsa Mosque, the 3rd holy shrine of Islam preceded by Al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. A prayer in AlAqsa Mosque, Muslims

first qibla, is equal to 500 prayers offered elsewhere. Al-Aqsa is the place of Isra’ wal Miraj, the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Allah and lots of importance to the Muslims and the world. For over six decades now, the holy land has been a place of blood-shed, tears and suffering. Palestine, including Al-Aqsa Mosque has been under siege since the illegal creation of the State of Israel in 1948. This year’s AQSA DAY tagged, “THE TRUTH LAID BARE”. 1st Speaker: Imam Luqman AbdulRaheem, the National Ameer of the Muslim Congress (TMC) spoke on Arab Spring and the

Palestinian Cause while the 2nd Speaker: Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, the Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) dwelled on; Gazatun ‘Izzatun (Gaza: Mighty and Honourable) Its report suggested the importance of delegating Muslim religious figures to meet with Arab and Muslim leaders to urge them to take resolute action that protect the Aqsa Mosque and urged the Arab League and the CIO to raised the issue of the Israeli violations against Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque at the UN and its Security Council and called for a serious inquiry committee to probe these infringements.

Director, Muslim Awareness International (MAI) Mallam Luqman Balogun and Coordinator, Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Lagos chapter, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib during the Aqsa Day organized by MAI at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, yesterday.

Alhaja Ogunbule (2nd right) presenting a deep freezer to Mrs. Sekinat Hassan during the Third Zakat Distribution organised by Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (Z&SF) at Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque Hall, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State . With them are Dr. Bilkis Atobatele (left) and ZSF National Female Coordinator, Alhaja Fatimo AbdulWahab (right).

L-R: Guest Speaker, Amir (President) The Muslim Congress Mallam Luqman AbdurRaheem; Director, Muslim Awareness International (MAI) Mallam Luqman Balogun and Coordinator, Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Lagos chapter, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib during the Aqsa Day organized by MAI at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, yesterday.

Alhaja M Abbas, right, presenting a grinding machine to Mrs. Aolat Sanni, with them are Z&SF National Female Coordinator, Alhaja Fatimo AbdulWahab and Z&SF Lagos Coordinator, Hajia Khadijat Hussein 2nd left.

Hajia Khadijat middle with some of the graduating students at the empowerment training in soapmaking organised by the Lagos state Ministry of Women Affairs recently.

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Kosoko, Joseph Benjamin, Christopher Okagbue and Ifan Ifeanyi Michael to mention a few, the movie is the story of a young man, Lotanna, who discovers at an early age that he has to offset a N20 million debt owed by his late father to a mysterious stranger called Don Creflo. The titular character goes through a myriad of trials and challenges that stand to either break or make him; Lotanna is aided by an unbreakable resolve to succeed, a sonorous voice, friends, enemies and mysterious individuals he meets along the way.

L-R: Ireti Doyle, Bimbo Manuel and a child actor in a scene from the movie.

....Osoba, .. Bankole lead guests to event

Barrister

s Barry Day 2013 draws closer, eminent Nigerians have expressed their readiness to grace the occasion. The event organised by The Ayinde Barrister Legacy Group is promoted to honour the late Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Balogun (MFR), who died on December 16, 2010 in London. According to the president of the group, Mr Kayode Adejumo-Bello and chairman, Local Organising Committee, Wasiu Popoola, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and former Speaker of the House of Representatives are among the notable Nigerians set to attend the ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, February 8. Adejumo-Bello said, “We just don’t want a crowd –we want people who will stand up and be counted for the sustenance of the Barry legacy. We want people who after the event will move to get governments –states and federal– to rise up and do what is right for Barry legacy. I am talking about those who will facilitate the Museum

project, the Barry Centre project, the academic chair endowment, publication of books, etc. in memory of SAB”. Guests drawn from all facets of life will be treated to a lecture to be delivered by Prof. Kunle Lawal, Professor of History, University of Ibadan. Titled: “Music as a Commentary on the Society: Life and Times of Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (MFR)”, the lecture will dwell on many issues and reveal why Barrister occupies a special place in the history of Nigerian music. “The choice of the guest lecturer is deliberate on account of the close relationship the Professor had with Barrister in his lifetime. So, our guests will hear and learn more about the durable music of Barrister”, the president assured. Adejumo-Bello also urged members of the group to engage in prayer for a successful outing befitting the memory of Barrister. He suggested seven prayer points as a guide to stress the significance of the prayer on the programme. Popoola also said the event had kicked off late last year with the unveiling of the event logo at a brief ceremony held at Ogba, Lagos, and a visit to the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun and Chief Adisa Osiefa, a bosom friend of Barrister. Members, he said, also visited, another friend of Barrister’s, Chief Kola Oyadeji in Ada, Osun State where other friends converged to receive the members and expressed their support for the event. “The trip to Ada opened our eyes that Barrister is blessed with some true friends who are ready to identify with him under any circumstance. It was a day of eulogy as the friends told us a lot of things about the personality of Barrister”, Popoola said.

Celebs on philanthropic visit to Primary School

Line.Sign.Symbol opens Jan 31 at AAF

TeeGee ‘s Da Unusual Foundation spearheads visit

ADENRELE NIYI

bevy of music and entertainment stars are scheduled for a philanthropic visit to Ikeja Primary School, Lagos on Wednesday, January 30 lead by music artiste and comedian Tony Maduabuchi Green, a.k.a TeeGee Da Unusual. The visit, which will see an entourage of famous names such as Alibaba, DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Humility, 2face, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Solidstar, Harrysong and Weird MC, has been initiated by Da Unusual Foundation to bring succour and respite to the under-privileged members of the society. According to TeeGee, on that day, the nonprofit foundation would give out free medical kits, checkups and treatments, drugs, recommended glasses, stationeries as well as renovate the school. This gesture, TeeGee said, would not be a one-off thing as the foundation plans to sustain this visit by touching other schools and institutions that cater for the less privileged. As to what inspired this initiative, TeeGee said; “I suffered as a child, things were hard; I am a product of the streets. I know what my fellow street kids go through and the experi-

Boost for Barry Day 2013

Pre-release of Lotanna creates buzz CS Entertainment is creating buzz ahead of the upcoming premiere of its star-studded movie title Lotonna, which producers say captures the scenery of the mid 70’s and 80’s. Produced by Ifan Ifeanyi Michael and Christopher Okagbue, the movie is directed by George Sunom Kura with screenplay by Godson Ukaegbu and Seun Kentebe. Award-winning photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi provides cover photography shot. Starring Ireti Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Beverly Naya, Chris Attoh, Jide

Arty News

Friday, January 25, 2013

ence has inspired me to put smiles on the faces of those that have lost hope”. For Da Unusual Foundation, the resources and expertise needed to pull off this goodwill visit would be sourced from celebrities, corporate bodies and individuals who see a need to invest in the younger generation as well as restore their pride. According to TeeGee, “We are not asking celebrities for money…though that will go a long way; we are only asking for their presence”. He is hopeful this will trigger the spirit of neighbourliness rather than waiting on the government to help those at our doorsteps. Other celebrities expected on the day include Praiz, Yemi Alade, Timi Dakolo, J-Martins, Nedo, Uzo, Igos (Wazobia FM family), Elenu, Patrick Ellis, MC Abbey, Sotayo and many others. TeeGee

TERH AGBEDEH he exhibition titled: Line.Sign.Symbol by Uche Uzorka will open at the African Artists’ Foundation, AAF, gallery on January 31 at 7.00 p.m. with an opening reception and run till February 23. It is the artist’s second solo exhibition and the press statement by AAF said it focuses on his works on paper, “a significant departure from his established practice of large-scale collage”. In Uzorka’s meticulous and ornately constructed ink drawings, he approaches a meditative reflection of the signs, symbols and figures of Nigerian urban street culture. AAF, located in Ikoyi, Lagos, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of contemporary African art and artists. Established in 2007, the foundation aims to encourage the highest standard of art in Africa, organises art exhibitions, competitions and workshops with the aim of unearthing and developing talent, creating societal awareness and providing a platform to express creativity. By providing assistance to professional and emerging artists in Africa and support to international exhibitions and community outreach programmes, the AAF views the contribution to a strong cultural landscape in Africa as a transformative element in driving social change.

’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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Friday, January 25, 2013

Naughty Notes

My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world at large with surprise and horror –W. Somerset Maugham

Free your mind

tell anyone who knows me remotely well that I’m the last person to be enmeshed in a love triangle with another woman over a man if we are jostling for his love; as the case may be. I don’t subscribe to polygamy or multiple sex partners, but I simply love and respect my gender and will not denigrate my type because of a man- a different gender. Whenever I make strong assertions of genuinely liking women, I get teased by male friends about being a closet lele –lesbian. The fact that I make efforts to be cordial with every woman I meet, regardless of the circumstance, does not make me gay. By the way, I have been aggressively propositioned by gorgeous lesbians- unfortunately women aren’t my scene in that arena and no, I’m not homophobic. Since the turn of the century, the debate about sexuality and rights to expressing your sexual preference has taken very heated dimensions on both ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ sexual liberty camps. Traditionally, Nigerians are way less outspoken and experimental about what goes on ‘between the sheets’ (*rolling my eyes* –not like people restrict themselves strictly to the bed any longer sha) than our Western World counterparts. Additionally, in my time of travel on the continent, I’ve discovered one African country, South Africa, as highly tolerable to people whose sexual orientation takes a curve from the usual course. I’ll paint a picture of how permissive that society is. I arrived the Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg from Lagos and had a two-hour wait to catch a local flight to Durban, another S’African city. My friends and I were savouring our oven-fresh croissants and sipping on steaming hot café au lait at a charming open bistro in the departure section of the expansive airport when an intimate exchange of ‘I’ve-missedyou-like-crazy’ French kiss between two guys caught our attention. Now, if you’ve been in an airport at the peak of arrivals and departures, you’ll understand the human traffic thronging the different levels is as dense as Oshodi Market at the peak of shopping hours. But the astounding thing is nearly every other person just side-stepped the smooching couples while us, the three Nigerians to whom this was a spectacle and perhaps an aberration, gawked rudely at the kissing couple.

Which brings me to wonder how Nigerians who are stridently opposed to homosexuality keep it together witnessing a sight as described above in a foreign country... Put a machete or gun to the hedonists’ heads? Not likely, because in spite of welling irritation or disgust, we can check prejudice and control our emotions in a foreign country with foreign culture. Maybe we should also learn to be more accommodating in our country rather than killing one another over divergent religious beliefs, tribal sentiments and even sexual orientation.

Birthday blues with Olamide

Lamide (R) and Adenrele

ast Friday was a significant day in my life- another year added to my time on planet earth. While I decided I wasn’t going to do any partying or rambunctious celebrations in honour of some young people who tragically lost their lives recently, apparently, someone special had a bit of surprise in store for me. This extraordinary man is so attuned with my work and looks out for ways to enhance my functionality on the job. So, for my birthday, he arranged a late evening hang-out with one of Nigeria’s rave artistes, Olamide –the hip hop star who is touted to be the next big indigenous singer to grace the microphone since late Dagrin. It was a private gathering – exclusive to Olamide’s intimate circle of friends and mine, chit chatting, a few drinks, plenty of hearty banter and scheduling of a later interview date. As birthday celebrations go, this was a modest evening, but it resonated deeply in my heart that someone cares enough to facilitate encounters that would enhance my career. But I have juicy gist from the meeting; Olamide is not all peaches and cream. I wonder what plans he structured for the night after we departed and he was all alone in a hotel suite with three gorgeous young ladies –trust me, they’re not hookers. Who knows, they probably watched an adrenalinepumping film like Django Unchained, and went to bed exhausted *wink*! Love and peace for the weekend.

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CLAPPERBOARD with

Eddie Ugbomah www.edifosafilm.com

Getting down to art business

here is nothing sweeter than democracy; if it is not abused. I like most of our art writers who have come up with arguments of who is fit and who is not fit. If there are any people who want free lunch, it is Nigerian artistes. They think the government owes them a living so they must get everything free or they release their dogs –art writers– on them. Imagine a recent essay by Hassan Momoh in The Guardian where every Director-General was faulty while only Tunde Babawale and Barclays Ayakoroma were in his good books. I am glad Senator Babafemi Ojodu was not happy with the budget defence of the Edem Duke-led directors. For over 30 years, artistes have not been able to set up an art fund or foundation and film makers have allowed tribalism, and nepotism to trip them over the over-due film fund. The Cultural Policy that came out with the aim of guiding the cultural sector has never been approved or put into practice. What then is Hassan saying? That the present directors should be sacked and those who were removed for dubious reasons should be called back? As for efforts by Yusuf Kabiru, General Manager of the National Theatre, I know many arts promoter who would rather go to MUSON Centre or Eko Hotel just to spite National Theatre’s management. I know many of Theatre employees who want to remain in employment and also be contractors. Most of them used the Cooperative fund to borrow money and to pay back, they expect the General Manager to pay their taxes for them... from which account? So, like some artistes, they want to eat their cake and have it. I have said it again that inside bickering is killing the entire ministry. The Minister of Culture and Tourism needs to call his Otunba Runsewe to order; this is a man who runs the National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), as his own personal property. The Minister must use Senator Ojodu to raise money so that his directors can be Father Christmas to lazy, ambitionless Nigerian artistes. There is a young man I know with his dance troupe who is getting more shows than the National Troupe. I am very glad to read Hassan’s essay, but he should try to get more details and facts before taking part in issues. The big renovation jobs going on at the Theatre beg for publicity so users can see what is at the Theatre now. I can tell Edem Duke that art writers can help to expose the difficulties of his men if they can try to tolerate the excesses of artistes especially those know-it-all ones in Lagos. The writers should not take tribal or personal part in their writing. I am sure we

MINISTRY OF

INFORMATION HAS DONE NOTHING GOOD FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY THAT HAS MADE A GOOD NAME FOR THIS COUNTRY all know the pure decay that the past two art professors left in the Theatre and National Troupe. I want these critics to get up and show examples of what they can do by setting up rival troupes or theatres to compete and show their know-how. If only the Federal Government and National Assembly know the value of culture and arts in Nigeria, they will vote more money into the arts. Look at the Ministry of Information which has done nothing good for the film industry that has made a good name for this country. The same tears we shed about the management of National Films Commission, NFC, and Censors’ Board. We are looking to Patricia Bala, the new DG for the Censors’ Board, to reactivate the dead parastatal. We also hope that the two terms of six years of Afolabi Adesanya, NFC Managing Director, will soon come to an end. Like I have said, Nigeria deserves these men just as we deserve the type of police force and government we have. As for the civil servants, they know that they are to serve the nation but most of them are power drunk with their godfathers backing them in politics. Nigerian artistes are bad managers so we should concentrate on our creativity and be unbiased watchdogs. My advice is that artistes should join forces with administrators; that is if arrogance will let them allow us. I am appealing once more that Senator Babafemi uses his Committee chairmanship to get more money for the arts. Yusuf Kabiru must start publicity for the Theatre; the DG of National Troupe should go out to raise money from banks and multinationals to produce shows. If Odia Ofeimun can be producing his poems on stage successfully, then what is the National Troupe doing? After renovating the National Theatre, which is a feat compared to the past general managers, Kabiru should then face selling the theatre halls to promoters and artistes to raise money for lighting, overtime and maintain the facility. Some artistes are crying because they can’t have the hall free even after Kabiru has given us 50% discount. Come boys, stop crying; let us work and improve our profession rather than running Nigeria down.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Mongers

Friday, January 25, 2013

AmaechiOrubebe feud

Cossy the marriage counsellor

f course, there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, but what is brewing in the Niger Delta zone may last for a long time. While the buzz has been in the coolers that the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of the Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe have some bones to grind, which always make them avoid each other, it appeared like something that was cooked up by political enemies. But Rotimi Amaechi, known for his ‘blunt attitude’, confirmed the buzz by his mien. During a town hall meeting in Houston, Texas, with the indigenes of Rivers State, he carpeted Orubebe in a way that suggested that Orubebe was not only incompetent but also corrupt. According to Amaechi, Orubebe is one of the problems of development in the region, having done nothing except feathering his own nest. He also said that Orubebe was busy acquiring mansions and that he (Amaechi) could point at the mansions Orubebe has acquired so far! Meanwhile, Orubebe’s followers are also firing back, describing the incident as ‘kettle calling the pot black’. They have also accused Amaechi of spending the resources of the state in intensifying his bid to become a vice president to a northern candidate in 2015. This is happening a few days after the rumour mills fingered the governor in the high-flying lifestyle of an actress in Nollywood. As the Amaechi-Orubebe feud enlarges, it is pertinent to note that exmilitants in the Niger Delta region have also heaped the problem of development in the region on Orubebe.

W Eke

Ebuka

Uru Eke charms on TV show

ru Eke is fast becoming an actor to watch in Nollywood. Her acting career is picking up steadily especially with regular appearances on hit TV show Tinsel and her screen role in Obi Emelonye’s big-budget 2012 film Last Flight to Abuja. Moreso, as the guest interviewee during the last episode of Rubbin’ Minds aired on Channels Television last Monday, January 21,Uru did show she has the sass and spunk to hold her own in the entertainment industry where it is easy for stars to spiral out of control. Hosted by charming lawyer and entertainment personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Rubbin’ Minds is an influential TV talkshow for young Nigerians and Uru’s moment in the ‘Ebuka’s 10 Questions’ segment proved to be the highlight with her tongue-in-cheek responses to many of the question. Uru displayed adept skills at evading potentially implicating questions and fired

some veiled salvos of her own at the topsy-turvy lifestyle of some of our favourite celebrities as can be seen in the excerpts reproduced here. (Rubbin’ Minds is a production of Y! TV; interview text appears courtesy of Red Media) Do you wish you were sometimes Tonto Dikeh? No (Laughter). I can’t deal with that much drama. You’ve heard about the Tonto-Iyanya-Yvonne Nelson love drama. Would you fight for Iyanya? Oh, no way. Because he is not my ‘spec’ (laughter). Who is a better actress - Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji or Nse Ikpe-Etim? (Long laughter) No, you can’t do that to me. None of the above… oh, sorry I mean all of the above. All of the above please! Who will you take home: Dbanj, Jim Iyke, Iyanya or me? You, of course. You should know that already. We are

both from Okija now! Amala or Ugba? Ugba definitely. But I can’t make it. I didn’t go with my mum into the kitchen when she was making it. Which actor won’t you be caught dead with? Baba Suwe; I feel he will make me look like an idiot! What is your state of mind right now? That you don’t ask me another question I can’t answer. Did you see the recent Channels TV documentary on the Ikeja Police College? What are your thoughts? Sad. I felt ashamed, so ashamed. I could go on… If you had to be born again, what country will it be? America. I love the United States; I love the country. The spirit, the vibe. I’ll be moving there at some point. What other talent do you have, singing? None; maybe dancing. Yes, I’d like to dance for PSquare. That would be fun!

ONE-SECOND Q&A

hen one is sick he seeks a doctor, but if one has a marital issue, would you refer him or her to Cossy Orjiakor, the actress who is blazing a trail with her semi-nude photos? Well, that is the idea the actress has been trying to sell, according to MM sources. Barely one week after she showed remorse for the semi-nude photos she posted on Twitter, the actress said that she is documenting marriage tips for women who want to have a fulfilling relationship. It is coming in the form of a book alright, but what Cossy is yet to divulge is if the tips would be all about using one’s body to maintain a healthy marriage or otherwise. For people who would be wondering why Cossy is not married yet, she swore that it would not take her one week to get married any day she decides to.

Cossy

DINO MELAYE

After losing re-election bid to the House, Honourable Dino Melaye has turned his attention to the fight against corruption in Nigeria, drawing insinuations that it is a reaction to his political frustrations. Melaye speaks on his motivation: Did you become an anti-corruption czar because you have no job?

Melaye

hese are rumours and figments of the imagination of those we exposed their shady deals. Before we took to this path, we understood clearly the negative resultant effects. We also knew that when you fight corruption, corruption would fight back at you. We were also aware that there would be blackmails, intimidations, arrests, re-arrests and all manner of negativities. But honestly speaking, we are not disturbed. If you say I do not have the moral obligation to do what I am doing, you must state clearly what my moral shortcomings are. What are my criminal records? Today, President Olusegun Obasanjo is championing anti-corruption in Nigeria and we will support him. We are not looking for a good man in Nigeria because not all good men can make a good President. Those who feel that through blackmail they can make us back down are wasting their time. We have been tried like this before. When we were at the National Assembly and tried to insist on due process, we were blackmailed. When we brought the document against Ibrahim Idris, they called us names.

Escape

Friday, January 25, 2013

Minna city gate

The Central mosque at Minna

Minna, mosques, a call to worship PELU AWOFESO

FRIDAY MAY BE

AN IMPORTANT

osques, like churches, come in dissimilar shapes and sizes. I have admired many from both faiths and entered a few churches. But I have yet to see the insides of a mosque. So, while I toured in Minna, Niger State, I chose to visit the city’s Central Mosque, a gleaming white structure topped by two minarets and two Gold-plated domes, said to have been built with generous contributions from individuals like Aminu Dantata and M.K.O Abiola. It is one hour before the Friday Juma’at prayers when I made my move. I sauntered through Kuta Street, a slightly jagged road busy with motorcycle dealers hard at work in the sweltering afternoon heat. I had spotted the domes and minarets while sightseeing on Bosso Road, one of the city’s major thoroughfares and was curious to know what the vicinity would look – and– feel like. It’s the sort of thoughts that sprouts in a mind weary of wandering and wanting a moment to relax. The mosque sits on a large expanse of land fronted by an equally large forecourt. I entered the compound through a small gate and made straight for one of the dozen or so trees that give the forecourt its widespread shade. The one I chose to sit under is the type that sheds its leaves seasonally and a species I grew up seeing in my neighbourhood in Lagos but which name I don’t know. Within minutes of being seated I felt myself go from being hot and sweaty to cool and dry. I was not the only one there: there were people who needed

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WORSHIP DAY FOR

MUSLIMS

BUT FOR SOME IT IS ALSO A DAY FOR BUSINESS to be there: pockets of men and women, many of them traders setting up ‘shop’ before the premises peaked with worshippers. One young man pushed his wheelbarrow across the field and past where I was comfortably seated. The ‘barrow contains a sac which contents I couldn’t guess; and tied to it was a pole supporting a green parasol and a loudhailer. More ‘barrows came along, each pulled about or stationed at a strategic spot by its owner and each stocked a different set of goods for sale. Other traders spread their wares on the sandy floor: One in particular had loads of caps of all shapes, sizes and colours, all meticulously arranged; elsewhere there were herbal concoctions in pet bottles; soon a local pedicurist strolled into view, his scissors clanking rhythmically; three others like him came along shortly. Friday may be an important worship day for Muslims but for these men, it is also a day for business. Closer to me, I saw an old man shuffle along on a locallyfabricated walking stick. To my left a pair of worshippers was already seated, legs folded and ready to talk to God. Behind them stretched rows upon rows of brightly-

Public art in Minna

coloured synthetic mats that would surely be filled in a matter of minutes. The younger of the two, dressed in a brown and black overall and likely in his fifties, was already reciting his prayers, praying beads held in both hands, in that familiar sotto voce fashion; his older companion, decked in white native costume, sat in graceful silence. A group of Almajiris wandered about in the vicinity, some stopping near where I was seated to bandy jokes. They are mostly under 20 and each one was either holding a plastic bowl (for alms begging and food) or has it dangling from his neck. Except for a few wearing rubber sandals, the boys were mostly in flip-flops. After them, a herd of sheep strutted sluggishly towards the exit to the forecourt, snapping up fallen leaves on their way. A motorcycle zoomed past behind me, tooting its horn, disrupting the serene atmosphere for some seconds. And that very

moment, the sun became more intense and with that came a strong wind, blowing wilted leaves and litter southwards.

By the time I made my way out of the premises, it was already teeming with more people. I noticed a band of teenagers cheerfully sharing polyethylene bags to worshippers around. As has been the tradition, whoever collected one of those was bound to put some money in it for the Talakawa in the society. “There is a financial committee instituted by the mosque leadership which duty it is to collect all such donations”, said my friend and Minna native Alkasim Abdulkadir. On the dot of 2 .00 p.m. – the holy hour - I was already on a bike and headed towards the city gate. The human traffic towards the mosque at the time had gone from a trickle to a flood, so to speak: hundreds of adherents, gripping their praying mats, walked briskly towards the praying grounds. Further down on Paiko Road, far removed from the Central Mosque, the rush continued. Here, it was the median that served as the praying turf. And come to think of it: Allah is Omnipresent, isn’t He? Pelu Awofeso is a travel journalist and travel-book author based in Lagos.

Travel News

Nigeria ready for Madrid’s Fitur IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

reparation is in top gear for a befitting outing for Nigeria at this year’s annual tourism, hospitality and travel fair known as FITUR holding in Madrid, Spain at the end of January to early February. In a press release issued in Abuja at the weekend, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said the corporation was putting final touches and perfecting its plan for the outing which would create magnetic attraction to

the Nigerian pavilion. The fair which is reported to be among the three leading tourism fairs in the world will attract thousands of participants, buyers and sellers from at least 156 countries of the world. This year, Nigeria will retain the space of 70-square metre but with a new design of its stand which is expected to reflect Nigerian architecture. According to Otunba Runsewe, the pavilion would be adorned with stunning pictures of local tourist sites and clusters, while artefacts, sculptures and artistic drawings depicting Nigerian cultures and images would add colour to the entire edifice.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday January 25, 2013

Mirror Drive

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

or those who admire the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, but want just a little bit more sportiness, there exists the V8 Vantage S roadster. The model starts with the smallest, lightest, most agile drop-top in Aston Martin’s line up and adds just a dab more power and slightly better brakes and tyres while simultaneously losing a small amount of weight. Power in the 4.7-litre aluminium V8 is up marginally, from 420 to 430 horsepower, while torque rises from 346 to 361 lb-ft compared with the starter kit Vantage. New mufflers, improved intake airflow, and new programming that keep the exhaust system’s bypass valves open longer are responsible for the power increases. The engine upgrades, along with a weight savings of 100 pounds, help the car rocket from zero to 60 m/ph in about 4.0 seconds.

V8 Vantage S Roadster Though fuel economy is not much of a concern in this segment, it is worth noting that the Vantage S Roadster is rated at 14 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, but all the same, the car is built for user who care much about style and vigour. Unfortunately, those hoping for a manual gearbox must look elsewhere. The V8 Vantage S Roadster, unlike the normal Vantage Roadster, is only available with a seven-speed Graziano automatic that makes do with a single clutch. Many of Aston’s competitors switched to dual clutch designs years ago. The transmission routes power through a limited slip rear differential. Tyres are upgraded to Bridgestone Potenzas, 245/40 at the front and 285/35 at the rear, riding on 19-inch cast aluminium wheels. The standard brakes are up-sized for duty in the V8 Vantage S Roadster, with 15-inch front rotors clamped by six-piston callipers and 13-inch rear rotors with four-piston callipers. The rotors are vented and grooved for improved performance. Visually, the car is differentiated from its lesser siblings by V12 Vantage-inspired rockers, decklid and front and rear fascias. Only the most astute Aston aficionados will be able

to spot the differences from the base model, however. Dynamic revisions to the V8 Vantage S Roadster include quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car along with more aggressively tuned springs and dampers. Other additions include a new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module with features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). The V8 Vantage S Roadster utilises a soft-top, a setup that arguably sacrifices style year-round capability for more cargo space and a significantly lower weight than a hardtop design.

Cabin Standard interior features include full grain leather throughout, embroidered “Vantage S” seat and carpet logos, an Iridium Silver centre console with Graphite inner finish, organic electroluminescent displays, a weave alloy fascia trim, an a HDD navigation system, Bluetooth and much more. Standard audio arrives in the form of a 160-watt Aston Martin audio system with six-CD changer, iPod integration and USB connector. Options include special lightweight seats, front memory seats and mirrors, alternative fascia finishes, an alcantaratrimmed steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, a healthy 700-watt Aston Martin Premium Audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II, or a 1,000 watt Bang & Olufsen Beosound audio system and the quintessentially British “boot mounted umbrella”. The engine has been modified to provide a maximum

VANTAGE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CARS IN THE WORLD

–AGGRESSIVE

ELEGANCE, PERFECTLY PROPORTIONED

power of 430 hp (436 hp / 321 kW) at 7200 rpm and maximum torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.-ft.) at 5000 rpm, an increase of 10 hp and 20 Nm respectively, and can be delivered to a full black engine. The increase was achieved through a system of air intake valve and an aggressive strategy of sparks.

Design The Vantage has become one of the most beautiful cars in the world –aggressive elegance, perfectly proportioned and controlled with a deliberately low position. The V8 Vantage S uses the beauty of the Vantage and is combined with design details of the voltage V12 Vantage, which affects the potential for increasing the car’s performance. Aston Martin V8 Vantage S “style largely in the form of supply model, which serves the needs of others” “performance variant of S. Front hand-laid carbon fibre front splitter creates a ground-hugging position suggests agility, but also provides a larger area to give the engine and brakes with more air. The machine operates with a high rear deck lid “flip” to create up-down power of speed. Side profile of a wider sills, which are derived the program GT4 race car, it helps to reduce rear lift, and therefore greater stability at high speeds, preventing the air, which flows along the side of the car to be paid on the car. The rear bumper has shown a strong attitude, and behind the car’s proportions. It is a coupe, the cover of the bridge includes a powerful “flip”, which promotes stability at high speeds, reducing rear lift. The rear bumper features a diffuser in carbon fiber by hand using the air flow coming out from under the car to maintain a low pressure area at the rear of the car, which helps reduce lift and increases stability at high speeds. The new standard 19-inch wheels are unique to Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, and a V-spoke design with a diamond turned surface provides a clearer differentiation of the standard car. One option forged aluminium wheels are available to save a book by the wheel in unsprung weight for improved comfort and handling extra.

Cocktail

Friday, January 25, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (86)

You lose a lot of time hating people. –Marian Anderson * * * MY NOTE: Man is never to be hated or feared but to be loved. Many of us are waiting for feelings before we can love our fellow beings, but true love does not depend on feelings. True love depends on faith. I think it will help us to know that we are as powerful as our decision, determination and ability to love our fellow beings.

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

Flower-eating goat cleared of vandalism

ary the flower-eating goat’s graze with Australian police has ended with his comedian owner getting the last laugh in court. A Sydney judge ruled Wednesday that neither the goat nor his owner could be found guilty of vandalism over an August incident when Gary decided to snack on a flowerbed outside a city museum. Police at the time leveled

a fine of 440 Australian dollars ($465) against owner Jim Dezarnaul, a comedian known as Jimbo Bazoobi. But man and goat got their day in court, with Gary arriving resplendent in a colorful hat on Wednesday. The brownand-white goat didn’t testify, but he had his own lawyer. Owner Dezarnaul said the case serves as a lesson to overzealous authorities, “and that’s ‘Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Smallest house in Brussels up for auction

osy might be the best word to describe the smallest house in Brussels, which is about to go up for auction. The centuriesold former furniture workshop and creperie a stone’s throw from the Belgian capital’s picturesque central square is just 2.75 meters wide and has a ground floor only 1.75 meters (5 foot 9 inches) across. “There’s a lot of interest and there are also a lot of tourists who want to see it,” said Claude Rotsart de Hertaing, a Brussels pensioner who works part time showing prospective buyers around houses. The dilapidated fivefloor Belgian townhouse, just off the central Grand Place square, has “La plus petite maison de Bruxelles” (The smallest house in Brussels) written across a faded wooden sign above the entrance. It is not Europe’s narrowest however, which tourist officials in Slovakia believe could be

a 1.3 meter wide house in its capital Bratislava. The Brussels house, squeezed between a pizzeria and a souvenir shop, has floors each of about 16 meters squared,

apart from the ground floor which is even tighter as it has a pathway running to a courtyard down the side. On one floor it has a potentially inviting

fireplace, but you might singe your knees if you sat facing it on an armchair. The house will be auctioned on February 6, starting at a price of 146,200 euros ($194,700).

A woman walking past the smallest house in Brussels (C) on a street just off Brussels’ main square, recently. PHOTO: REUTERS

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance The capital market is not driven by euphoria, but by fundamentals of diﬀerent sectors of the economy represented on the Exchange Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh

Nigerians remain one of the most optimistic groups of consumers among those surveyed by MasterCard on the continent, with an Index score of 91.4 points Country Manager, West Africa MasterCard Worldwide, Omokehinde Ojomuyide

CBN introduces flexible KYC for financial inclusion UDO ONYEKA

“The three-tiered KYC regime seeks to implement a flexible account opening requirements for low value and medium –value account holders subject to caps and transactions restrictions.” The circular directed banks and other financial institution to adopt the three tiered KYC requirement as embodied in the attached guidelines in ad-

dition to the provisions of the CBN AML/CFT regulation 2009(as amended), “adding that this circular supersedes our circular reference FPR/DIR/ GEN/EXP/01/001 of May 22, 2012 on similar matter.” “Available statistics indicate that about 64.1 percent of adult Nigerians (56.3million) do not have access to financial

services. Various factors that account for this level of financial exclusion include irregular income, unemployment, distance and low level of bank branches and cumbersome account opening requirements/procedures. “It is worthy to note that the enforcement often excludes some segments of the population from financial services.

This is particularly among the lower income earner, poor and socially disadvantaged segment of the population, majority of who live in the rural areas,” the circular said. It would be recalled that the in October last included the voters’ registration identification card as acceptable identification for banks customers.

he Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) having recognised that access to banking facilities and other, financial services is necessary in achieving its policy on financial inclusion has introduced a three tiered Know Your Customer(KYC). It said the step has been taken to ensure that the socially and financially disadvantaged persons should not be precluded from opening accounts or obtaining other financial services for lack of acceptable means of identification. The CBN in a circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Chris Chukwu, said it has become expedient to issue three-tiered KYC requirement for compliance by banks and other financial institutions in order to L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Limited, Mr. Bolaji Balogun; Executive Director, Market Operations Technology, Nigerian further promote financial Stock Exchange, Mr. Adeolu Bajomo; Vice President, International Finance Corporation, Mr. Jingdong Hua and Executive Director, inclusion. Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, at the Bell Ringing Ceremony in commemoration of IFC Bond Issuance in Lagos, yesterday.

... Says lending rates grew by 0.05% in November UDO ONYEKA

he recent by Central Bank of Nigeria has said that the average prime and maximum lending rates in the country

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rose by 0.03 and 0.05 percent point to 16.51 and 24.70 percent respectively. This was contained in the CBN’s economy report for November 2012 posted on the bank’s website on Tuesday. The data which indicated mixed developments in deposits rates showed that both maximum and prime lending

rates rose during the month. According to the report the average savings deposit rate declined 1.76 percent in the preceding month to 1.65 percent in November 2012. “With the exception of the 12-months and over 12-month deposit rates, which decline by 0.4 and 0.63 percentage point to 6.17 and 7.11 percent, re-

Nigeria’s GDP growth rate can’t tackle poverty - World Bank

spectively, all other rates on deposits of various maturities rose from a range of 4.96 – 8.72 percent, to a range of 5.25 – 8.98 percent . The report said however the spread between average term deposit and average maximum lending rates narrowed by 0.5 percentage point to 17.32 percent in November 2012. The mar-

gin between the average savings deposit and maximum lending rates widened to 23.05 percentage points in the review month from 22.89 percentages points in the preceding months.” The survey said that at the inter-bank call, the average rate, which stood 11.42 percent in October, rose by 0.44 percentage point to 11.86 percent at end November 2012.

Local Content, a lofty policy, poorly implemented - Ekong

Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun). Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15,17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun)Lag-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) AbvBeni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/ Sat)08.56, 12.10(Sun)

Aero Contractors Lag-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) LagBenin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat)

IRS Lagos-Abuja 7.30 8.30 7.45 8.45 09.30 10.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 13.30 14.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Lagos-Kano 08.00 09.15 10.30 11.45 14.30 15.40 18.15 19.30 Los-Maid&Yola (Mon-Thur) 09.30 11.30 Fri- Sun 10.30 12.30 Kano-Lagos 07.30 08.45 14.00 15.15 17.30 18.45 Kano-Abj 10.45 11.30 Abj-Lagos 09.00 10.30 11.00 12.00 12.00 13.00

Business News

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s GDP growth rate can’t tackle poverty - World Bank TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he World Bank has expressed serious concern over the high poverty level in the country and called for intensification of reform initiatives in critical sectors of the economy as a strategic step towards alleviating its burden on the ordinary Nigerians. This even as it noted that even when Nigeria’s GDP growth rate promised great sustainable development potential, its current trend remains largely inadequate to tackle the high level of poverty in the country. The Bank believes that whereas governments’ policy reform agenda remain critical to attainment of the socio-economic policy goals of the current administration, there is a growing need to do more in areas of power and infrastructure development in order to improve lift millions out of the poverty trap. Proposing its economic palliatives as imperative to leverage the modest achievements of the country’s reforms at an

L-R: President/Chief Executive Officer, Master Card Worldwide, Mr. Ajay Banga; Assistant General Manager/ Group, Head E-Banking, Fidelity Bank ,Mrs. Carolyn Folami and MasterCard Worldwide, Country Manager West Africa, Ms. Omokehinde Ojomuyide at a thought leadership session in Abuja recently.

interactive session with journalists during his visit to Nigeria recently, the Bank’s Vice President for African region, Makhtar Diop, said the Bank’s initiatives aimed at supporting the Federal Government in the power reform drive were aimed

at socio-economic empowerment of all productive agents and improving the nation’s GDP growth He explained: “My personal assessment shows that the country is in the right direction. There has been sustaining

growth of eight per cent for the recent years. Is it sufficient? No. Is it sufficient to reduce poverty at the rate that Nigerian authorities want it, hence the people of Nigeria want it? No. Can it be accelerated? Yes, there are some possibilities. How can we accel-

erate it? “It can be accelerated by tackling some of the obstacles. The most critical of these obstacles is power. Power not only for the big companies and manufacturers, when I am talking about power, I am talking as an African who knows what it is when there is power shortage. “It means that my sister who is working at a corner trying to have some ice-cream to sell as a trade; the tailor who is trying to finish his work for the next holiday celebration; the person who is trying to study at night cannot have electricity. So, for me, power is not a matter of only big producers and manufacturers, it’s the daily life of every single Nigerian”, Diop said. According to him, what motivates the Bank’s involvement in the power sector development is the desires to see that not only a few people in some parts of the country are not connected to the grid but to works towards connecting all those are all important and need all to be connected to the grid.

Churchgate shuts down N156bn World Trade Centre construction site Dana Air victims’ families, solicitors commend

onstruction of the N156bn World Trade Centre complex in Abuja may witness some delays as management of the construction firm, the Churchgate Group, locked the construction site against artisanal workers on Thursday. The 37-floor project has reached the 22nd floor of construction in two of its wings, but is expected to be completed in 2013. Sitting on 6.102 hectares of land in the Abuja Central Business District, the project was flagged off in the third quarter of 2011. Notices pasted at the gate of the construction site on Thursday said the premises were closed to effect “reorgan-

isation”. One of the notices advised the workers who reported for work in the hope of collecting a backlog of their unpaid salaries to report at the Churchgate offices adjacent to the site to collect their pay. One of the artisanal workers who pleaded anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the financiers of the project pays the Churchgate Group, represented by First Continental Properties Ltd., 100 dollars (N15, 800) as daily pay to each artisanal worker. He alleged that the contractor, however, pays N2,500 to each of the workers and that they had not been paid in the last five weeks.

The worker told NAN that: “I started work here more than a year ago and from foundation to the 22nd floor we have reached on one of the blocks, they keep paying us N2,500 daily. “We demanded for increased payment and they stopped paying altogether.” When we now got to work today (Thursday) we found the gates locked and a heavy presence of policemen deployed in the area to stop us from entering the site. “They also put signboards at the gate to inform us about a re-organisation and instructing us to go and collect the arrears of our salaries at Churchgate; that is why we are here.’’

Again, Lagos Airport conveyor belts break down OLUSEGUN KOIKI

or the second time in three weeks, one of the conveyor belts at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos has packed up completely, thereby making easier luggage reclaim by passengers practically impossible. Also, the air conditioners installed at the strategic areas of the arrival wing have all collapsed and passengers sweat profusely once they arrive the immigration desk of

the airport for passport verification. A source close to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday confided in National Mirror that throughout Wednesday and Thursday, passengers arriving the MMIA could not reclaim their luggage at the D Finger of the airport. Airlines and their ground handling agents had to divert all luggage to the E Finger for passengers to reclaim. However, the diversion of every luggage of passengers to E finger caused untold delay

for arriving passengers who had to use just one conveyor belt to process passengers. Some of the carriers affected by these are British Airways, United Continental Airline and Delta Air Lines among others. The source said, “It is pathetic that D finger conveyor belt has not been working since Wednesday. In fact, it has packed up completely and E finger is the only one being used by the airlines now for passengers to reclaim their luggage at the luggage reclaims area.

NCAA over compensation payment

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he family members of the victims of the Dana Airlines plane crash of June 3, 2012 at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos and their solicitors have commended the management of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the prompt handling of their compensations. The victims specifically mentioned the fast-tracking of the remaining balance of the $70,000 compensation to them by the regulatory agency. The victims’ families had earlier received the initial payment of $30,000 within a month of the crash as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in one of its annexes. This commendation came during a meeting hosted by the authority yesterday in its annex. The victims’ families and their solicitors also met with the officials from the Lagos State Probate Registry, which fast tracked the process of the issuance of the letter of Administration as earlier solicited on their behalf by the Director-General, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren. Solicitors to one of the victims, Bunmi Ibraheem, observed that NCAA had worked assiduously with the Lagos State

Government and other relevant agencies to ensure that the compensations were duly paid. Ibraheem said that the DG NCAA has impressed the families and their solicitors by keeping the promises he made during the two previous meetings they had with him. According to her, the DG promised to appeal to Lagos State Chief judge for waivers of charges in the processing of Letters of Administration from the Probate Registry, which is the prerequisite for administering this compensation, which has been attended to. She said, “He also promised to bring down to NCAA the probate registry where all the victims’ family will come and fill forms for the processing of the letter of administration and the submission of other required documents and this is what we are witnessing today 23rd of January,2013.” In the same vein, another solicitor, Mr Kola Olapoju (Alpha & Partners Solicitors) was full of praise to the Director-General and his team for doing what he said no government agency have done before. “It was the commitment, love and compassion displayed by the DG NCAA and that of the Lagos State Government on the plight of the victims’ families that got him involved to offer his services for free.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, January 25, 2013

Telecoms operators face SMS revenue decline KUNLE AZEEZ

eelcoms operators in Nigeria face decline in their Short Message Service, SMS, revenue, as the Nigerian Communications Commission set a price cap of N4 per message for all domestic off-net SMS with effect from February 5, 2013. The fresh directive, which was contained in separate letters dated January 3, 2013 and communicated to all telecoms operators, was signed by the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of NCC, Ms. Josephine Amuwa. However, the Commission will not place a price cap on International SMS at this time. Amuwa said said the Commission arrived at the new price cap after due considerations of the submissions made by the operators at various consultative meetings. She said having evaluated and analyzed SMS traffic information

…As NCC sets price cap for SMS provided by the operators, the Commission noted that, “There was a general recognition that the cost of SMS is too high, especially in view of the interconnection rate of N1.02 for SMS as determined by the Commission in 2009. ” She also noted that the operators had proposed a price cap ranging between N5-10 per message for off-net SMS. The operators had also urged the Commission not to set a cap for international SMS due to the fact that Interconnect rates for International SMS are outside their control as it is terminated through international carrier service providers in various jurisdictions. Speaking further, Amuwa said that based on these considerations and in the interest of striking a balance between sustaining operator ’s profitability and ensuring consumer satisfaction, and

also in accordance with the powers conferred on the Commission under Sections 4 and Chapter V11 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, the Commission had come up with a number of determinations. “All these are that, the Commission hereby sets a price cap of N4.for off-net SMS; that the new rate shall be implemented within 30 days from the date of the directive; and that the Commission will not place a price cap on International SMS at this time but would encourage operators to work towards lowering the cost of International SMS, ” she said. In the directive, the regulator also informed operators that the Commission will monitor compliance by the operators, and noted that failure to comply with the determination will be penalized as provided by section 111 of the NCA 2003.

Cashew association, FG to oat N10bn fund MESHACK IDEHEN

he President of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr Tola Faseru, has disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the association are set to float a N10 billion development fund to develop the crop in Nigeria. Faseru said the funds, which would be sourced from local and international financial organisations will be loaned to 50 processing factories across the country, adding that each factory, would process 2,000 metric tonnes yearly which would result to production increase of 100,000 metric tonnes annually. Explaining further that this move will increase the amount of cashew processed locally to 75 per cent, Faseru said both the association and the government were optimistic that the fund would help to revolutionise ca-

shew cultivation in the country, insisting however that the industry needs investment to boost supplies and farmer ’s contribution to the economy. According to him, there is need for stakeholders to direct resources at improving infrastructure towards making agriculture more efficient, saying moreso that the improvement of infrastructure, such as roads, electricity and extension services were important if the nation was to make agriculture more productive and profitable. The cashew associate president explained that the biggest difficulties facing the cashew industry in Nigeria currently were unstable supply source of raw materials for export and shrinking cashew acreage, including low productivity and output, adding further challenges include products are not diverse, weak domestic market , rising input costs ,backward technologies, and business scales are small.

FAAN commences evacuation of abandoned aircraft OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Workers of the World Trade Centre waiting for their pay, as the site closes for reorganisation in Abuja recently..

NACCIMA rues CBN ’s 12% interest rate benchmark KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, the official voice of private business community in Nigeria has said the newly approved 12 per cent Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) was not desirable for an developing economy such as Nigeria. President, NACCIMA, Mr. Ademola Ajayi, spoke with National Mirror on the sideline of a twoday digital print solution exhibition by a Japanese automation company, Monica Minolta, which ended in Lagos yesterday. Ajayi, while noting that though the CBN had, on Monday, maintained its monetary policy stance,

though the apex bank ’s Monetary Policy Committee, a single-digit interest rate was still considered appropriate for an economy like Nigeria. The MPC for the eighth time in a row, resolved to leave the MPR, which is the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent with a corridor of +/-200 basis points. It also left banks ’ Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) unchanged at 12 per cent and retained the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent. CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had revealed that eight members of the committee voted to retain the MPR at 12 per cent while two members favoured a reduction of the MPR by 25 basis points. However, Ajayi insisted that the only way for CBN to help the economy is to ultimately bring the

interest rate to a single-digit index. He said: “The CBVN governor has told that the apex bank will still maintain the 12 per cent MPR, and I believe that is, for the time being. We have to work with CBN governor as Nigerians and watch it closely because I am sure as things go on, the CBN will want to look at this interest rate thing. “We feel that industry can only move forwards especially in the commercial world, referring to the private sector, when access to fund, cost of borrowing are moderate or they are affordable. It makes the economy to move upwards. So, we are hoping that the interest rate will be examined from time to time, depending on what is happening in terms of Gross Domestic product and other factors. ”

s threatened last week by the special task force committee on the evacuation of abandoned aircraft at the various airports in the country, the committee yesterday commenced the evacuation exercise. The evacuation exercise began from the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos and it is expected to move to Abuja airport after the completion of the exercise in Lagos. The abandoned aircraft, 13 in all at the Lagos airport is expected to be dismantled within the next 10 days. After the dismantling, the aircraft would be transported

to a steel company for recycling into other industrial use. Speaking to journalists yesterday at the site, one of the contractors handling the project at the Lagos airport, AAYU Steel Mills said the aircraft would be recycled in Lagos before being transported to the company in Kebbi State. The Logistics Officer of the company, Mr. Bashir Haruna explained that out of the 13 aircraft on ground, eight were Boeing 737-200 aircraft and assured that the company would do its job diligently. Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati said that the company is expected to finish its work in less than two weeks.

NRC recruits more rail level crossing keepers

he Director of Administration and Human Resources, Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC), Mr Aminu Gusua, says the Corporation will recruit more level crossing keepers to minimise rail accident. Gusua disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos. He said that the NRC was in the process of hiring new level crossing keepers to reduce incidence of people being killed while crossing the rail line. He said that there was also the need for public enlightenment on how to cross the rail line to minimize accident and death. Gusau said that when the gate keepers are hired, they would be trained to meet the expectations of the reforms going on in the

rail transport sector. He also said that rail tracks would not be left unused after undergoing repairs, to forestall further damage. That is why the corporation will soon start the recruitment of new workers to enhance rail service. The more people with new knowledge and approach are employed, the better the service they will render, ’ ’ he said. The director said that with efficient service, the NRC would make more profit, especially in freight services. He appealed to private business operators like the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dangote Group and Floor Mills, to patronise the corporation in transporting their goods across the country.

Maritime

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Local Content a lofty policy, poorly implemented’ What is Brisco Technology all about? It is about oil and gas, maritime and aviation security. At the moment, we have a contract with Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and an expanded contract to provide communication at all the major airports in this country. It is the most reliable way to talk; it is the most professional way to talk. We have that dedication of purpose, which makes it uniquely unique. I am proud to tell you that this network we have in Nigeria is the only one in the continent of Africa. There is no other one similar to it yet, it is something very novel. When we conceived it and decided to go ahead and make it available here, most of the oil and gas companies and aviation companies were surprised to know that on their arrival in Nigeria, they will have a technology that they left behind at home that they have never found anywhere else and they hit the road running, getting the same if not better services. Given the increasing spate of crimes on Nigeria’s waters, how can this technology be deployed to curb this menace? You know, your strength is your weakest link. You can make a decision of a cause of action work. But however, if the individuals that are to utilise that resource under-utilise it or do not utilise it at all, the system will not catch the criminal or the crime, but if somebody is willing to take action to stop or slow down perpetration of crimes on Nigeria’s shores, the resources are everywhere or else every civillised society. This same technology has been deployed for policing in Europe, the protection of President Barrack Obama and so on. When the FBI guys are talking, they are not talking for anybody to listen, they are talking to themselves. So it is really something we are very proud of, we are really proud of it. Since its deployment, the patronage and quality has been very un paralleled because you know the oil companies will spare no penny in investing in whatever that will help them in making more money and one area which they do not joke about is their communication. So, for them to have outsourced that responsibility to my organisation over the years is a huge honour. It only goes a long way to assure anybody else, that we can. There are possibilities, we just need to get out there, pray, be dedicated and decided. But there is also need for the provision of the enabling environment. There is no place in this world where you have to provide your own power, Policemen, everything you have to provide yourself because the government cannot just do that. So if you can make it here, the rest of the world is a piece of cake. There are huge opportunities in this country yet untapped. So much of what we Nigerians should be doing here is still being done by foreigners and as soon as we step up and step in to do them of course we will have the advantage. Like in the oil industry, the Local Content Act, which ensures that for every transaction in that sector, a certain percentage is reserved for Nigerians. Whether we come in there and disguise and sell our birth right is entirely our own funeral because we have companies that are not owned by Nigerians but Nigerians should be directors there but we seen foreigners coming to take advantage of us. But there are opportunities. This

Three years after the introduction of Nigerian Content Policy, experts believe the policy could transform Nigeria’s economic landscape if properly implemented. Chairman, Briscoe Technologies and Essential Logistics, Dr. Emmanuel Ekong, one of such experts in this interview with FRANCIS EZEM says government should make a scape goat of those trying to subvert the policy no matter how highly placed for others to take a queue. The Nigerian Ports Authority in conjunction with Akwa Ibom State Government is building a deep seaport in the state. How do you see this? Some of the allocation of these official resources is over politicised. Akwa Ibom has the potential of being an industrial hub where things either coming from outside the shores or things are within our country. Then there should be a description of such an investment and there will be immediate benefits in the short, medium and long term. We need the impact of such resources that would be employed. You know there is a seaport in Port Harcourt a stone throw from here to me is an over kill. Again, I do not think that all the relevant statistics were gathered before taking that decision. There is an airport in Uyo and airport in Calabar. You can harmonise them but the one in Uyo has taken the shine off the one in Calabar. From the economic standpoint there were some things that were not done.

Ekong

country has a lot of as reserves. The gas we have here is sufficient to run our power system till the next so many generations to come. Investment in that even from the private sector is quite enormous. Still on the Local Content policy, what would you say when foreigners with the connivance of some Nigerians would come here, set up a company and call it a Nigerian company and at the end of the year, they repatriate all their profits abroad? Yes, that is like every things the government does here. We will have lofty ideas and policies, which never work at the end of the day. Somebody has to be made an example goat for others to learn. Nigerian companies that are used by foreigners to abuse our resources should be dealt with decisively. But how would pot call a kettle black, when it black itself ? The law enforcers and other people that should discipline the erring companies have so much dirt on them that they dare not charge someone else who is doing the wrong thing because what they are doing is too little compared with what the law enforcers themselves do. The Nigerian guy who gets that contract will take care of some relatives, so the circulation of the resources is local and therefore it has a better multiplier effects but anything that is siphoned out of our system is gone and gone for good, it will only go and stimulate the economies of those people. One lives in a country that you cannot open your mouth too wide because those guys are mafia. In this country you cannot take the government to court and still live here, you have to relocate immediately. You cannot even take a local government chairman to court.

MOST OF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY OPERATORS IN THE NON OIL EXPORT

SECTOR ARE DOMESTIC; THEY HAVE TO DO WITH SUSTAINING QUALITY BECAUSE SOME FARMERS MAY NOT MEET THAT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD You seem to be angry about how things are going in this country. Yes it is a natural feeling, it is not entirely unusual but if you live outside this country there are other issues out there that would minimise the challenges we have here. How can you go out there and have the privileges you have here. Here, I have the privilege to see what I should have got that I am not getting but there you do not even have the privilege to see anything because you are not a citizen. We have Nigerians with fine degrees driving taxis in Europe, America and others. This is what you call under-employment. How can somebody with PhD be doing what an unlearned person should do? Most of them do not have the guts to come back home and face the lesser challenges.

What are some of the challenges you encounter in your non-oil export business? Most of the problems faced by operators in the non oil export sector are domestic; they have to do with sustaining quality because some farmers may not meet that international standard. You also know that some other countries bring similar products to the market so there is this competition issue. But there are some other products that come from here that are doing very well, especially shrimps. That is also because they are caught and packaged offshore. Oil money has taken away that resourcefulness in our people therefore we are not getting as much of what we should get and when you are not having sustainable quality to compete with others, forget it. How did you come into business? I tell you something, I have never been employed in my life. I have never received a penny from a paid job. When I was in the university, during the holidays, it is either I am somewhere in Nigeria or abroad attending exhibitions. When I decoded what my father’s interest in my growth, it was easy for me to tap into it and it became my guide. In my house for instance, we do not celebrate birthdays, it has nothing to do with religion; it has to do with agreement and understanding in the house. We have three terms in one year, you name what you want at the beginning of the term and I name what I want at the end of the term and that is how I built my children’s academic pursuit. I see it as an investment that has a terminal date, because by the time you groom them to see excellence as a way of life, they will not have any other way of doing things other than in an excellent fashion. My father had that way of encouraging us. My father did everything he could for us to go to school but he has never encouraged any one of us to take paid jobs.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

Maritime

Friday, January 25, 2013

he Nigerian Ports Authority has said that the Integrated Port Community Information System (IPCIS), its pet project would enhance efficiency in port operations and therefore, boost the authority’s revenue generation. The IPCIS, which is a Public –Private Partnership project being worked out in conjunction with GDS Inc., a United States –based firm is designed to achieve maritime system, domain awareness. Managing Director of the authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, who spoke at a one-day sensitisation seminar for the maritime stakeholders in Lagos, said apart from checking access control to the ports, the new system would enhance operational efficiency at the nations various seaports. The managing director, who disclosed to stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Transport, its supervising ministry has already approved the project insisted that it would make things easier at the ports both for the regulators, port service providers and users and every other stakeholder in the port community. “Both in terms of turn around time of vessels and cargo dwell time, the new system when fully operational would totally transform the way the port business is carried out”, he insisted. According to him, the overall benefit of the benefit of the new system, which

Integrated Port Information Solution will enhance efficiency, says NPA would also restructure the authority both in terms of management and operations would in the long run facilitate efficiency and thus boosting revenue. Michael Smith, executive director GDS, who made a presentation on the new information system, says his company has been involved in complex management, noting that its huge experience would be brought to bear on the project. Citing the example of Singapore, which operates one of the most efficient port system in the world, attributed the growth of the nation’s cargo traffic over the years to introduction of the same information solution being proposed for Nigeria. “The impact of the system increased Singapore’s Trade Net as well as revenue generation by facilitating the single window process, lower cost and also enhanced customs cargo clearance by removing delays within the system”, he further noted. While citing the example of India, where the system has been deployed, he disclosed that the country has a total of 13 major seaports and 25 minor ones, adding that the system had drastically reduced delays in cargo delivery while boosting revenue generation. Statistics released by the company

showed that the IPCIS when deployed to Indian ports reduced cargo dwell time which hovered between two and seven days to less than one minute while container release cost, which was $6 increased to $13 and later crashed to $2.10 cents even as the number of documents reduce from four to two and later to one electronic document. While going down the memory lane, Goldsmith noted that in 2006, the US government assisted the Ministry of Transport and NPA and that in June, 2011 some staff of the company spent time talking to port stakeholders after which the company came up with a review of the port system. The was borne out the company’s discovery through interaction with the relevant stakeholders that the ports lack Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), no single window or one stop shop facility as well as an Information Technology system that would manage human capital. He, therefore, assured that the project, which would be divided into three phases, targeting three or four ports in the first phase will bring about centralized port management system, build a trade facilitation centre and by so doing enhance national security.

Nigerian seaports are disorganised –Transport Minister

he Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar could not hide his frustrations over the uncoordinated nature of the nation’s seaports, saying they operate just like a disorganised market. The minister, who was at the Tin Can Island Port Apapa to inspect some road projects ran into a long queue of trucks parked along the Apapa Mile 2 Express Road as well as most other access roads within the port complex, which delayed his convoy for hours. According to him, many operators behave in the ports as if they mad and that the seaport is one disorganised market, which is unacceptable to the Federal Government. “The Nigerian ports operate like a disorganised market, at a time one could not hide his frustrations the business of the ports was conducted in the most unorganised manner, which will no longer be tolerated”, the minister warned, “The Presidential Committee on Port Decongestion and Reform came here with a single mandate from the president, which is that the ports must be made to work for honest Nigerians who are prepared to do business, anything short of this is not acceptable to the government”, he further said. While challenging the NPA to take up its role as the landlord of the ports, he restated the commit-

A section of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos

ment of the government towards revamping the operations of the ports towards improved service delivery, port efficiency and increased revenue generation. The minister, who took a swipe at port concessionaires over the imposition of arbitrary charges on port service users as well as use of obsolete plants and equipment, which delay the release of cargo at the seaports, warned that the government would no longer tolerate it. He spoke against the background of allegations by some clearing agents during the un-

scheduled visit to the port in Lagos to inspect some road projects that some concessionaires were fond of imposing arbitrary charges on them The agents, who had confronted the minister with documented evidence of imposition of unjustifiable charges by the concessionaires, especially demurrage charge, had urged him to put a stop to it. The minister, who addressed stakeholders in Lagos shortly after the visit to the ports, observed that there are much abnormalities at the ports.

“Many a time we hear of allegations of imposition of charges on port users and some time one is made to believe that they are not true, but I tell you, many of them are true even though they might exaggerated”, he lamented The minister also said: “We were at a terminal within the Lagos Ports Complex, Apapa and some agents confronted us with documented evidence and when we met the management of the concessionaire company, they admitted imposing such charges, especially demurrage, which is not proper”.

IMO urges sustained anti-piracy efforts

Sekimizu

he International Maritime Organisation, the International Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, the International Parcel Tankers Association and the International Shipping Federation, welcome the recent decrease in the number of attempted and successful attacks against ships by Somalia-based pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean. This decrease may be attributed to a combination of factors, including: the presence of naval forces disrupting pirate operations; implementation of selfprotection measures on board merchant ships and better situational awareness of where the threats are; coupled with more effective action ashore in Somalia by the Somali authorities and the international community. The above-mentioned organizations remain convinced that the only long-term solution to piracy is to establish effective government and implement the rule of law ashore in Somalia. However, until that is achieved, there can be no room for complacency. Any reduction in the level of protection of merchant ships could lead to a resurgence of pirate activities. Piracy must continue to be suppressed through the visible presence of and robust action by, the world’s navies, consistent with international law. The organisations therefore urge shipowners, shipping companies, ship operators, masters and crews to continue to take all appropriate and recommended measures to protect their ships and those on board from pirates and armed robbers, through sustained and full implementation of the relevant IMO guidance and industry-developed Best Management Practices for protection against Somalia-based piracy.

Global Business

he index of U.S. leading indicators rose in December by the most in three months, showing the world ’s largest economy is poised to keep growing through the first half of this year. The Conference Board ’s gauge of the outlook for the next three to six months increased 0.5 percent after the November reading was revised to unchanged from a previously reported decline, the New Yorkbased group said today. Economists projected the gauge would rise 0.4 percent last month, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. The recovery in residential real estate, sustained job growth and stock-market gains that are extending through this month are giving Americans the wherewithal to spend. At the same time, higher payroll taxes and possible budget cutbacks threaten to limit how fast the expansion can advance. “There ’s a potential for much stronger growth at some point as we take up a lot of the slack but we just don ’t see it coming about anytime soon, ” said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James & Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida. “There ’ve been issues with the election, the fiscal cliff, and now the debt ceiling, all these uncertainties weighing on the market. ” Stocks rose, sending the Standard &

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Index of leading economic indicators in U.S. increases 0.5%

Obama

Poor ’s 500 Index higher for a seventh straight day. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3 percent to 1,498.87 at 10:35 a.m. in New York. Estimates from 48 economists in the

Bloomberg survey ranged from increases of 0.2 percent to 1 percent after a previously reported 0.2 percent decrease in November.

Five-Year Low Claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly dropped last week to a five-year low, highlighting the challenges in adjusting the data for swings at the start of a year, another report showed. Applications for unemployment insurance payments decreased by 5,000 to 330,000 in the week ended Jan. 19, the fewest since the same week in 2008, the Labor Department reported today in Washington. Economists forecast 355,000 claims, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. “The swings are attributable to the calendar, ” said Brian Jones, senior U.S. economist at Societe Generale in New York, who projected a drop to 328,000. He said the numbers probably will rise at the end of the month as the calendar returns to normal. “We ’re going to pay for this, ” he said. Five of the 10 indicators in the leading index contributed to the increase, helped by fewer jobless claims and higher stock prices.

Japan reveals record 2012 trade decit

Time for UK to consider Plan B –IMF boss

apan ’s annual trade deficit rose to a record $78 billion in 2012, according to official data from the Ministry of Finance. Japan, a nation whose export-driven wealth has traditionally been built on trade surpluses, had a second straight year of trade deficits thanks to a persistently high yen, trouble with trading partner China and weakening demand in the euro zone.

Exports fell 5.8 per cent in December 2012 compared to a year earlier due in large part to a strong yen which makes Japanese exports more expensive overseas. A protracted territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea has also seen Beijing slow its imports of Japanese goods. Japan ’s exports to the country plunged 10.8 per cent in December year-on-year. Imports grew 1.9 per cent over the same period, with mineral fuels including oil ac-

counting for 34.1 per cent -- and the majority -- of Japan ’s total imports for the year. Late last year, then-prime ministerial candidate Shinzo Abe campaigned on a mission to turn his country ’s economy around. His government unveiled $117 billion in new stimulus earlier this month. “Beating deflation and curbing the yen ’s appreciation is crucially important, ” Abe said on January 10 and that a “daring monetary policy is essential. ” Earlier this week, the Bank of Japan signed on to Abe ’s plan to raise inflation to 2 per cent, with the hope of pulling the world ’s third largest economy out of a two-decade slump of deflation. Since mid-November, Japan ’s currency has weakened more than 9 per cent and to a two-and-a-half year low -- boding well for Japan ’s exporters.

China manufacturing grows at 2-year high

hina ’s manufacturing sector continues to expand in 2013, according to a closely-watched indicator -- another recent sign that the world ’s second largest economy is picking up steam. HSBC ’s initial China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers ’ Index (PMI) rose to a two-year high of 51.9 in January. Any reading over 50 indicates acceleration in growth. “Thanks to the continuous gains in new business, manufacturers accelerated production by additional hiring and more purchases, ” HSBC ’s Chief China Economist Qu Hongbin wrote in a statement. “Despite the still tepid external demand, the domestic-driven restocking process is likely to add steam to China ’s ongoing recovery in the coming months. ” The data from HSBC showed China ’s manufacturers are seeing a pickup in

Qu Hongbin

new orders and employment, signs there may be growing optimism for the sector in 2013. HSBC ’s China PMI is seen as a forward-looking indicator, based on surveys with executives in over 420 manufacturing companies. The full reading will come out on February 1.

he IMF chief economist has told the BBC that Chancellor George Osborne should consider slowing down austerity measures in his March budget. “We think this would be a good time to take stock, ” said Olivier Blanchard yesterday in a radio programme. He also said the global economy was “not out of the woods yet ”. In October, Mr Blanchard claimed in an IMF report that austerity had hurt wealthy countries such as the UK far more than most analysts had expected. His comments come the day after the IMF cut its 2013 forecast for UK economic growth to 1 per cent from the 1.1 per cent predicted in October, and will put pressure on the chancellor as he prepares to deliver a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos later on Thursday. Mr Osborne is likely to come under further pressure to change economic policy on Friday, when official figures are expected to show that the UK economy contracted again at the end of 2012, after only three months of expansion. Chancellor George Osborne will still be in Davos when the first estimate for growth in the last three months of 2012 is released tomorrow. If that is as weak as many fear, the IMF seems to think that the Budget in March will be the time for the chancellor to take stock ” And Monday ’s figures showing a slight year-on-year increase in public sector net borrowing have fuelled fears that the UK could lose its coveted AAA credit rating, thereby potentially increasing the government ’s cost of borrowing. But Prime Minister David Cameron defended his government ’s economic record in his Davos speech recently. “How do we succeed when other nations are growing, changing, innovating so fast? A lot of the answers are clear. Deal with

Osborne

your debts. Cut business taxes. Tackle the bloat in welfare. And crucially: make sure your schools and universities are truly world class. “In the UK we ’ve been doing all these things. Less than three years in and we ’ve cut the deficit by a quarter. Our corporation tax rate is the lowest in the G7. ” Talking to London ’s LBC Radio, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “I agree with Blanchard when he says we need to be steady and sensible and pragmatic, not dogmatic, not ideological, in trying to balance the books. “If tax receipts go down and welfare payments go up, we are not going to just keep chasing our tail. We are going to allow borrowing to go up to cover those costs in a sensible and pragmatic way. ” But Ed Balls, Labour ’s shadow chancellor, told the BBC: “David Cameron and George Osborne must finally heed the IMF ’s advice. “They have repeatedly warned that a change of course would be needed in Britain if the economy turns out worse than expected. After two-and-a-half years of flat lining and a double-dip recession the IMF is now clearly losing patience.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, January 25, 2013

Nigeria’s foreign reserves hit $45.3bn JOHNSON OKANLAWON

igeria’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed to their highest in more than three and half years, hitting $45.26bn by January 21, up 33.27 per cent yearon-year, figures from the central bank showed on Wednesday. The forex reserves of

Africa’s top energy and gas exporter rose two per cent from $44.33bn on a month earlier. They were $33.96bn this time last year. The last recorded date when reserves were this high was January 26, 2009, when they stood at $50.58bn, but after that there was a blackout in the data for six months, during a time when former President Umaru

Musa Yar’Adua was sick and Nigeria’s currency was falling sharply. The next available data after that period is July 1 of the same year, by which time reserves had fallen to $43.31bn. Central bank Governor Lamido Sanusi said on Monday the increase in the level of foreign reserves was driven mainly by proceeds from crude oil and gas

exports. Sanusi said the reduced funding of the official twice-weekly foreign exchange auction on account of the huge inflow of foreign portfolio investments also contributed to the growth in the reserves. The current foreign reserves level could finance about 9 months of imports, the central bank said.

Source: NSE

Financial experts meet on international trade finance, others next week JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ankers and financial experts from Nigeria and other West African countries will converge in Abuja next week to discuss on international trade finance, payment and compliance regulations. At the workshop organized by Deutsche Bank, experts will brainstorm on issues including international trade finance, international payments, agriculture funding and compliance regulations and operations. T he wo rk sho p i s ai med at addi ng va lu e

t o i nve s t m e n t b a nki n g o p e r at i o n s i n the We s t A f r i c a n s u b-region. The Head, Deutsche Bank, Nigeria, Mr. Charles Weller said that over the past years, the bank has hosted close to 500 West African bankers at the training events. He said, “Deutsche Bank experts across the globe will be presenting and speaking at the event, highlighting the ever increasing importance of Nigeria and West Africa in the international financial space”. The bank’s Deputy Head in Nigeria, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, said the

workshop is aimed at putting the country and the region more firmly on the Deutsche Bank map and equally cementing and increasing relationship with the bank’s clients and customers in the West African sub-region. “Deutsche has a global history covering hundreds of years and we have been in Nigeria for 35 years. We are keen to share our experiences with our partner banks in West Africa and equally learn from theirs,” Azeez said. With more than 135 years experience in investment banking and presence in over 70 countries across the

globe, Deutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services with track record of strength and resilience and a proven ability to drive long term, sustainable success. The bank has a long, successful history of arranging structured trade and export finance solutions for buyers and borrowers in sub-Saharan Africa. Its representative office in Nigeria has been undertaking trading and product structuring across a wide range of financial products, including bonds, equities and equity-linked products for over three decades.

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,105.05 points Market capitalisation 7,354 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

UNITYBNK

0.60

0.66

0.06

10.00

JBERGER

42.59

46.84

4.25

9.98

PRESCO

23.60

25.50

1.90

8.05

UACN

47.25

50.00

2.75

5.82

AIICO

0.75

0.79

0.04

5.33

CCNN

8.85

9.29

0.44

4.97

BOCGAS

6.24

6.55

0.31

4.97

12.52

13.14

0.62

4.95

ETERNA

3.64

3.82

0.18

4.95

HONYFLOUR

2.71

2.84

0.13

4.80

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

East Africa Exchange launched at Davos JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he East Africa Exchange was introduced to the international community at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Nicolas Berggruen of Berggruen Holdings and Jendayi Frazer of 50 Ventures also representing Heirs Holdings, presented the project at a press conference yesterday. EAX Rwanda is the first part of a regional exchange intended to increase transparency in the region’s commodity markets, a statement issued by the promoters said. Through private-sectorled investment and under the terms of an agreement signed with the Government of Rwanda, the East Africa Exchange aims to increase regional market efficiency and liquidity as well

as giving the region’s population of 130 million, especially smallholder farmers, better access to markets. The exchange will initially focus on establishing an auction facility and spot trading for agriculture and non-agriculture commodities, but will also develop futures trading across East Africa. Its investors are Berggruen Holdings, Heirs Holdings, a pan-African investment company, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, 50 Ventures and Rwandan led Ngali Holdings. EAX will complement the East Africa Community’s (EAC) goal of regional economic integration as set out by the Common Market Protocol, increasing liquidity and sustainability of regional financial and commodity markets, supporting the EAC’s competitiveness globally. EAX will also uplift national and regional economies by reducing

market barriers to trading, providing a transparent regional economy through a secure mechanism that facilitates financing to farmers and traders. EAX will be powered by NASDAQ OMX’s X-stream Trading and Clearing platforms. “This is a significant honor for us to be chosen to help launch a new exchange in Africa,” said Lars Ottersgård, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Technology. “As the East Africa Exchange grows and expands its vision for greater market efficiency, liquidity and transparency, we are dedicated to supporting its efforts through our proven trading and clearing technology.” According to Nicolas Berggruen, the founder and president of Berggruen Holdings, said, “A transparent, modern exchange will make such investment

much more likely. Agriculture is key to Africa’s prosperity, and so aiding the flow of information and finance within the agricultural sector will be especially helpful.” The chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu said, “The East Africa Exchange showcases our desire to embrace global opportunities and practices, while ensuring that much of the value adding aspects of Africa’s resource wealth stays on our continent.” Jendayi Frazer, who headed the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs and was Senior Director of African Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, is president of 50 Ventures. She said: “The East Africa Exchange brings together African expertise, African and global financing, and world-class technology to advance the integration and competitiveness of the East Africa Community’s market.”

% CHANGE

OPENING

CLOSING

OANDO

15.97

14.40

1.57

-9.83

AIRSERVICE

5.90

5.50

0.40

-6.78

TRANSCORP

1.10

1.04

0.06

-5.45

UPL

4.80

4.56

0.24

-5.00

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

34,999.90

12.88

24-Jan-13

182-Day

60,000.00

14.94

24-Jan-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

76 Days

49,565.48

13.81

24-Jan-13

85 Days

77,114.34

14.06

24-Jan-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$150m

N/A

$150m

23-Jan-13

$100m

N/A

$00m

21-Jan-13

Capital Market

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at January 23, 2013 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, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror “Nigeria has no territorial interest in Mali. Going to Mali does not mean that we are trying to extend our territorial control of the country.” PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Gunmen kidnap doctor in Enugu DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

hree suspected gunmen have abducted a 70-yearold medical doctor, Walter Madike, of Almond Medical Hospital at No 3 Metu Street,

Achara layout Enugu. The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,Ebere Amaraizu, said the medical practitioner was allegedly abducted in the hospital premises alongside a girl and driven away in a Land Rov-

er jeep by yet-to-be identified gunmen According to police report, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the command, in conjunction with other security operatives were immediately alerted leading to frantic man-

hunt, as the search led to tracking down the vehicle with registration number FKJ124AX at a petrol filling station. Police said the alleged gunmen had entered the station to purchase fuel and on sighting the police patrol took to their

heels abandoning the vehicle. “On searching the vehicle, a lady identified as Mrs Maryrose Okafor was found in the boot,even as the woman revealed that she was abducted at Amawbia in Anambra State on her way home,” the PPRO said.

Carpenters laud Fashola for training programme

A bad portion on the Trans Amadi road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

PHOTO: NAN

Emulate Ejigbo LCDA –Lagos Speaker MURTALA AYINLA

he Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has lauded Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, just as he urged other local governments to emulate it to fully deliver dividends of democracy at the grassroots in the state. Speaking while presenting a book containing bye laws at the council secretariat, Ikuforiji stated that Ejigbo LCDA, under Kehinde Bamigbetan, has demonstrated what is expected of a visionary government. He added that the council’s determination to enhance lawmaking business at the grassroots, through its numerous legislative initiatives, which

include the compilation of all the bye laws, is clear indication of the quality of leadership the council is endowed with. Ikuforiji, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Remi Omotola, stressed that the initiative would avail residents, the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the bye laws. While commending Bamigbetan for letting councilors perform their roles, Ikuforiji reminded residents that enactment of laws is very important in the business of government, since, without them, there will be anarchy and indiscipline in the society. He urged them to embrace the bye laws in the overall interest of the council. In his remarks, Bamigbetan stated that with the public presentation of the bye laws and activation of the council’s custom-

ary court in December last year, his administration has been able to inject life into the three arms of government in Ejigbo LCDA, with each performing their constitutional roles to the people. He recalled that under his administration, the council was the first to organise public hearing for residents, where they were allowed to contribute to process of formulation of the bye laws. He also stated that the council was first in the state to establish ward offices for councilors, apart from their legislative building situated within the council secretariat. He expressed appreciation to the Lagos State House of Assembly for restoring the power of the 37 LCDA’s to make bye laws, and also congratulated the councilors for putting together the publication.

he governor of Professional Carpenters and Furniture makers’ Association (PCFA), Ifako Ijaiye chapter, Lagos, Mr. Akeem Oladimeji Gbadamosi, has lauded the re-training efforts of artisans by the Lagos State Government at the Government Technical Colleges. He said artisans, which include mechanics, carpenters, bricklayers etc, have gained a lot from the re-training initiative, as the re-training has exposed them to new equipments being used globally, even as it has helped the members to improve their trade. He, however, appealed to the government to assist the association in securing loans to buy modern equipment that will improve the quality of their products. Gbadamosi said his chapter will take the bold step in establishing, among other things, a cooperative society as advised by Governor Babatunde Fashola, to be able to access loans and other initiatives from government. He said his tenure is poised to assist members in achieving their various goals, adding that he has started membership drive in Oko Oba, Agric, Abbatoir, Old Akute Road, among other places,as he urged members to attend the association’s meetings regularly in order to update their industrial skills.

Traders praise Gov Obi for beautification exercise NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

raders at the Bridge-head Market, Onitsha, have expressed satisfaction at on-going effort by the state government to clean the market, hitherto taken over by filth. Working under aegis of Bridgehead Market Stakeholders’ Forum, with the Council of Patrons, the traders commended Governor Obi for giving the market a face-lift. The forum observed that the exercise was the first of its kind since inception of the market. The traders confessed that they misunderstood government’s plan for beautification of the environment, as they had earlier flayed the government for demolition of structures tagged illegal. They contended that after series of meetings with the transition Committee Chairman of Onitsha

South Area, Barrister Ugochukwu Ezeani, they came to realize the misunderstanding was due to communication gap between the market leadership and government. The forum, which spoke through the chairman, Sir Peter Okala, and council of patrons led by Ichie Francis Okoye respectively, gave assurance that they would continue to support the administration in sanitizing markets in the state. In a statement, they said: “Our findings have revealed that the series of crises that had engulfed the market recently, which pitted the traders and government, was a result of inability of the market leadership to carry the traders along on the plans of government. The same gap in leadership has also been responsible for the ethno-religious crises that have become rampant in the market.

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

North Korea to target U.S. with nuclear, rocket tests

“Government has uncovered plot by groups that have infiltrated the country. The unidentified groups intended to attack me or the National Assembly President.”

Mali’s rebel group splits as French pressure intensifies PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

ali’s rebel movement showed new signs of discord yesterday in the wake of punishing French air strikes, with one wing of the Ansar Dine group now pledging to negotiate an end to the country’s crisis and possibly even fight against its former comrades-in-arms. France’s air and land campaign that began two weeks ago to save Mali’s embattled interim government has shaken up the military landscape and put the internation-

al spotlight on the former French colony. Mali’s government was on a new political defensive, urging its soldiers to respect human rights after new allegations that they had carried out summary executions in zones of battle against the radical Islamists. Three al-Qaida-linked extremist groups have controlled Mali’s vast northeast for months, capitalizing on chaos that followed a coup d’etat in Mali’s capital, Bamako, in March. But in a new sign of splintering, former Ansar Dine leader Alghabass Ag Intalla told the Associated Press yes-

terday that he and his men were breaking off from Ansar Dine “so that we can be in control of our own fate.” “We are neither AQIM or MUJAO,” he said of the other groups, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and the Movement for the Unity and Jihad in West Africa, known by its French-language acronym. “We are a group of people from the north of Mali who have a set of grievances that date back at least 50 years.” The comments suggested that at least some of Islamist fighters are searching for an exit in the wake

French soldiers patrolling in armoured vehicles, in the outskirts of Sevare, Mali, on Wednesday.

Nigerian who fought in Burma in WWII remembered

riends and family have held a service to remember one of the last remaining Nigerians who fought for the British in Burma during World War II. Isaac Fadoyebo ran away from his home at the age of 16 to join the British forces that fought against the Japanese in the latter half of the war. Fadoyebo later was wounded and spent months behind enemy lines, hidden by locals, until the British fought their way through. Fadoyebo died in November at the age of 86. His Yoruba family held his funeral rites and services over the last few days. Fadoyebo ended up writing a book about his experiences called “A Stroke of Unbelievable Luck.”

PHOTO: AP

–Venezuela’s Vice President, Nicolas Maduro of the French airstrikes. French radio RFI reported earlier Thursday that Intalla’s new group will be called the Islamic Movement for the Azawad, a Tuareg term for northern Mali, and his men are willing to fight their former comrades-in-arms in Ansar Dine. “We are not terrorists. We are ready to negotiate,” Intalla told the AP. Late last year, Ansar Dine held talks in neighbouring Burkina Faso with Malian government representatives, and one of the sticking points was a disagreement over whether Malian law or Islamic Shariah law would be applied. Rebels have at times applied their interpretation of Shariah to carry out public executions, amputations, and whippings — for infractions ranging from possessing cigarettes to women going out without headscarves. Intalla suggested a new flexibility: “Shariah is our religion, we cannot renounce our religion. But whatever causes problems within it, we’re willing to take a look at.” Intalla is an ethnic Tuareg. On Jan. 19, the group said in a statement on a jihadist forum that “the people of northern Mali are prepared to sacrifice everything in order to live under Shariah-based governance,” according to SITE Intelligence Group. It also said that “it had no intention to take over the capital, Bamako, and push to the south, and that France used those allegations to justify its colonial ambitions,” SITE said.

Congo’s M23 rebels say peace talks at standstill

eace talks between the Congolese government and rebels believed to be backed by Rwanda have reached a standstill and could fail if regional governments deploy a neutral international force in eastern Congo, a lawyer for the M23 rebel movement said yesterday. The government and M23 rebels are reviewing the terms of a March 23, 2009 agreement that the rebels accuse Congo’s government of failing to honour. In November the rebels took the eastern city of Goma before withdrawing under international pressure. The rebellion forced thousands of villagers in Congo’s North Kivu province to flee their homes. Jean Baptiste Rudaseswa, the legal adviser for the M23 delegation to the peace talks, said he

sees no progress in the negotiations. He said their last meeting was on Jan. 18, and that the M23 representatives now spend more time relaxing at their hotel. It was not immediately possible to get a comment from Crispus Kiyonga, the Ugandan government minister who is me-

diating the talks. M23 representatives and the Congolese government have been meeting in Uganda since Dec. 9 under the banner of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, or ICGLR, a regional bloc of which Congo is a member.

Colonel Sultani Makenga (seated), leader of M23 rebel group, speaking with the press, recently. PHOTO: REUTERS

WORLD BULLETIN

15,000 crocodiles escape from South African farm

About 15,000 crocodiles have reportedly escaped from a farm in South Africa’s far north amid heavy rains and flooding. The owner was forced to open the crocodile farm’s gates on Sunday to prevent a storm surge, the local Beeld newspaper says. Many of the crocodiles have been recaptured, but more than half are still on the loose, it says. The floods have killed at least 10 people in Limpopo province. The crocodiles escaped from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm, a tourist site about 15km (nine miles) from the small town of Pontdrif, which borders Botswana. Zane Langman, the son-inlaw of the farm’s owner, told the newspaper that many of the crocodiles had escaped into dense bush and the Limpopo River, the second biggest in South Africa. “There used to be only a few crocodiles in the Limpopo River. Now, there are a lot. We go to catch them as soon as farmers call us to inform us about crocodiles,” said Mr Langman. “I heard there were crocodiles in Musina [about 120km away] on the school’s rugby field.”

‘France orders special forces to protect Niger uranium’

France has ordered special forces to protect uranium sites run by state-owned Areva in Niger as the threat of attacks on its interests rises after its intervention against rebels in Mali, a military source said yesterday. Paris launched air strikes and sent hundreds of soldiers into Niger’s neighbour Mali this month to drive back al-Qaeda-linked rebels it said could turn the West African country into a base for international attacks. The insurgents have threatened to hit French targets across the Sahel region in revenge and, days after the French assault, militants stormed a desert gas plant in Algeria and took hostages. The military source confirmed a report in weekly magazine Le Point that special forces and equipment would be sent to Areva’s uranium production sites in Imouraren and Arlit very quickly, but declined to go into further details. Defence ministry officials declined to comment on the report and Areva said it did not talk about security issues. Seven workers, including five French nationals, were kidnapped in Arlit by al Qaeda’s North African arm AQIM in September 2010. It later released three of the hostages but four French citizens are still being held. An official at the defence ministry said that for the moment Nigerien authorities had not yet approved the measure.

World News

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North Korea to target U.S. with nuclear, rocket tests N orth Korea said yesterday it would carry out further rocket launches and a nuclear test that would target the United States, dramatically stepping up its threats against a country it called its “sworn enemy”. The announcement by the country’s top military body came a day after the U.N. Security Council agreed to a U.S.-backed resolution to censure and sanction North Korea for a rocket launch in December that breached U.N. rules. North Korea is not believed to have the technology to deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting the continental United States, although its December launch showed it

had the capacity to deliver a rocket that could travel 10,000 km (6,200 miles), potentially putting San Francisco in range, according to an intelligence assessment by South Korea. “We are not disguising the fact that the various satellites and long-range rockets that we will fire and the high-level nuclear test we will carry out are targeted at the United States,” North Korea’s National Defence Commission said, according to state news agency KCNA. North Korea is believed by South Korea and other observers to be “technically ready” for a third nuclear test, and the decision to go ahead rests with leader Kim Jong-un, who pressed ahead with the December

rocket launch in defiance of the U.N. sanctions. China, the one major diplomatic ally of the isolated and impoverished North, agreed to the U.S.backed resolution and it also supported resolutions in 2006 and 2009 after Pyongyang’s two earlier nuclear tests. Yesterday’s statement by North Korea represents a huge challenge to Beijing as it undergoes a leadership transition, with Xi Jinping due to take office in March. China’s Foreign Ministry called for calm and restraint and a return to six-party talks, but effectively singled out North Korea, urging the “relevant party” not to

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaking during a banquet for the launch of the Unha-3 (Milky Way 3) rocket. PHOTO: REUTERS

take any steps that would raise tensions. “We hope the relevant party can remain calm and act and speak in a cautious and prudent way and not take any steps which may further worsen the situation,”

ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a regular press briefing. North Korea has rejected proposals to restart the talks aimed at reining in its nuclear capacity. The United States,

Space For Sale

China, Russia, Japan and the two Koreas are the six parties involved. “After all these years and numerous rounds of six-party talks we can see that China’s influence over North Korea is actually very limited. All China can do is try to persuade them not to carry out their threats,” said Cai Jian, an expert on Korea at Fudan University in Shanghai. Analysts said the North could test as early as February as South Korea prepares to install a new, untested president or that it could choose to stage a nuclear explosion to coincide with former ruler Kim Jong-il’s Feb 16 birthday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday January 25, 2013

Niger votes N3.1bn for infrastructural development PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

iger State Government has announced plans to spend over N3.1 billion on the construction of infrastructural projects in various parts of the state. The Commissioner for Livestock and Fisheries Development, Dr. Isah Yahaya Vatsa, disclosed this at a media briefing in Minna, the state capital. Vasta, who spoke on behalf of his Works counterpart, said while the extension the Bida - Dokoza Road into a dual carriageway would gulp N1.7 billion, the construction of access roads in Gauraka in Tafa Local Government Area would cost N58 million. He also explained that N84 million would be spent to upgrade the Lagos Road in Kontagora for it to meet the standard of a Trunk ‘A’ road in the state. The commissioner said all the contracts for the road projects had been awarded

to various companies, adding that work had already started. Vasta also called on the contractors to ensure the work meet the terms of agreement. The commissioner also reiterated the commitment of Governor Babangida Aliyu’s administration to invest in the area of infrastructural development as part of efforts to stop ruralurban migration as well as ease the movement of goods and services in various parts of the state. Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Niger State Road Maintenance Agency, Alhaji Umar Sani, disclosed that the agency had spent over N600 million on the rehabilitation and maintenance of failed sections of roads in the state. According to him, some of the projects carried out by the agency include the rehabilitation of the Minna to Bida road, reconstruction of the washed out sections of the Bida Road as well as the bridge at Kpakungu, a suburb of Minna.

Kano sets up task force to enforce Okada ban carrying of passengers AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

ano State Government has set up a task force to ensure compliance with the ban on operations of commercial motorcyclists, otherwise called Okada riders, in Kano metropolis. The task force comprises the police, the Joint Security Task Force and other sister security agencies. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majia, said in a statement that any motorcycle found carrying passenger in the state would be confiscated and destroyed. He said: “We can recall that on Saturday 19th January, 2013 some gunmen on motorcycles attacked the convoy of HRH the Emir of Kano, Dr. Ado Bayero. “These miscreants have been using motorcycles as means of conveyance and have caused a lot of hardship, terror and the lives of our loved ones which were brutally taken by these miscreants using motorcycles. “Sequel to this trend, the Kano State Security Council convened a meeting on the same date and unanimously resolved to ban the

on motorcycles across the Kano metropolis with effect from 6am of Thursday 24th January, 2013. Anyone found violating the order; his motorcycle will be seized and destroyed. “A Task Force has been formed comprising the Police, JTF, other security agencies as well as stateestablished organisations such as Hisbah, Vigilante group and KAROTA, and had been jointly directed to enforce this ban with effect from 24th January, 2013 by 6am. Any person found violating this order will be arrested.”

L-R: Chief Imam, Abuja Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Inuwa; Special Adviser to Plateau State governor on Peace Building, Mr. Timothy Parlong and member, the state House of Assembly, Mr. Ibrahim Hassan, at the 44th Annual Maulud Celebration at the Jos Central Mosque, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Sultan, CAN lackeys of Jonathan’s govt – Shehu Sani A ZA MSUE KADUNA

resident, Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, CRCN, Mallam Shehu Sani, yesterday said the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, SCIA, had become political stooges of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Sani said in an email statement that the decision of Catholic Church to pull out of CAN was commendable, adding that religious bodies should not be involved in politics as being practiced now. He noted that SCIA, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, had lost it voice to defend the interest of the common people, especially in the North.

Sani accused the sultan of remaining silent when the Federal Government and state governors were wasting country’s resources. He, however, urged the Kano State Government to urgently transfer the ordinary victims of the Saturday attack from the government hospitals in Kano to the London hospital where the emir and his sons were receiving treatment. The statement reads in part: “This is to commend the leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria for pulling out of the Christian Association of Nigeria. “The reasons advanced for the withdrawal is symbolic of principle, responsibility and godliness. An important religious body like CAN must not be reduced to a spiritual wing of the ruling party. “Religious bodies should

be nothing but a human reflection of the will of God and the wishes of the people. The CAN in its present state has been stripped of its spiritual relevance and sunk into the murky sea of mercantile politics. “CAN had in the past played a heroic role in the struggle for democracy, justice and freedom for all Nigerians more than any other religious body but it has today been relegated to the role of a chorister for the incumbent. “The leadership of CAN used to ride with the aspiration of the people; now it flies above their plight. “I’m equally concerned that the Sultan of Sokoto and the leadership of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs have become lackeys of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. “The body is found ab-

sent in moment of need for the ordinary man. It has lost its voice to defend the interest of the common people especially in northern Nigeria. “The sultan has taken to the road of evasion and deflection by shifting blames and calling a spade a spoon. Our state governors are wasting our resources and the voice of the sultan and his traditional and spiritual clerics are inaudible. “I will also use this opportunity to wish the Emir of Kano and his two sons speedy recovery in the London hospital. And I demand that the government of Kano State should in the name of its popular claim also transfer the ordinary victims of the violence from the government hospitals in Kano to the London hospital where the emir and his sons are receiving treatment.”

Poor funding hinders Jos Technology Incubation Centre – Manager

he Centre Manager, Technology Incubation Centre, Jos, Mr. Kefas Dashe, has identified poor funding as the centre’s major constraint toward massive industrialisation. Dashe told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Jos that the technology-based centre, with the mandate to commercialise research and development, and create jobs, was being held back by inadequate funding outlets. According to him, the

centre is expected to help the entrepreneurs sell and market their products after manufacturing same at the industrial outlets established within. He said: “We are expected to take such products to trade fairs to ensure exposure and effective advert, but we just can’t do that because the resources are not there. In fact, the centre does not even have a vehicle to carry that out even within the state. “To be effective, we must

not only create an atmosphere for the production of goods, but also help in promoting sales via advertising, trade fairs and jingles. We have not been able to do that.” Dashe identified other constraints to include lack of internet facility that would enable its staff carry out research work. He said: “We are basically research oriented and should at least be connected to the internet so as to reach out to the world and also

take on fresh developments if we are to be optimal. But we can’t do that either.” The manager lamented the dearth of consumables to be used in the quality control laboratory in the centre. He said their availability was necessary to ascertain that products produced in the centre met the required standard. Dashe appealed to the Plateau State Government to come to the aid of the centre by fencing its plot as encroachers were erecting

structures on the property given to it by the government. Some of the entrepreneurs at the centre, who spoke to NAN, also identified limited funding as a major impediment to their growth. Mr. Dalylop Fom, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Wisdom Cottage Industry, specialist in the production of chalk, POP ceilings, tailors’ chalks, gypsum boards and POP rosettes, said his major challenge was funding.

North

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dankwambo advises youths to shun violence DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has advised youths to shun violence. The governor asked them to channel their energy to productive enterprise instead engaging in destructive activities. Governor Dankwambo’s advice followed the disruption of his tour of Kwami Local Government Area of the state by some hoodlums popularly called kalare boys in local parlance. He told the youths not to dissipate their energy in free-for-all fight, but preserve it for profitable fight which carries a big price and credible name when the state Youth Development Centre will be ready.

Governor Dankwambo, who spoke at Bojude in Kwami East State Constituency in continuation of his tour, wondered if Kwami Local Government Area still haboured the dreaded and disbanded kalare boys. He said the free-for-all fight exhibited in his presence by the Kwami youths left a lot to be desired as he had not seen free-for-all fighters rewarded profitably. According to the governor, 12 of the 16 trades being developed for unemployed youths in the state would function under the Youth Development Centre (YDC) where they would focus on sporting activities with boxing as one of them. He said: “Those youths with flare for fight would have the opportunity to do so profitably”.

134 armed robbers, 103 hoodlums held in Katsina JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

he Katsina State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 134 suspected armed robbers and 103 hoodlums in the last one year. The state Commissioner of police, Mr. Abdullahi Magaji, who stated this in a news conference in Katsina town, said the hood-

lums, popularly known as “Kauraye,” were arrested for allegedly terrorizing innocent residents. Magaji said guns, money and several dangerous weapons were recovered from the armed robbers and hoodlums. According to the commissioner, the suspected armed robbers and the hoodlums are currently facing various charges before a court.

Students of Madrasatu Islamic Centre in Kaduna, during the Maulud Nabiyy celebration in Kaduna, yesterday.

Niger opposition parties indolent, frustrated –PDP PRISCILLA D ENNIS MINNA

he Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated opposition parties in the state for their continued criticism of Governor Babangida Aliyu-led administration, describing them as indolent and frustrated entities. The PDP also accused the opposition parties of merely over-heating the polity to paint the picture that all is not well in the state through

Australia, Katsina to partner on mineral deposit exploration JAMES DANJUMA KATINA

he Katsina State Government says it has commenced discussion with the Australian Government for exploration of mineral deposits, including crude oil and diamonds. The mineral deposits, according to the government, abound in some parts of the state. The state Commissioner for Resource Development, Mr Musa Nashuni, stated this shortly after defending his ministry’s budget before the House of Assembly Appropriation Committee. Nashuni said a team of experts from Australia is expected to visit

the state before January 31 to finalize agreement on the commencement of exploration. He said information available to the government revealed that the state is blessed with several mineral deposits, including crude oil and about 20 other minerals. The commissioner said a survey carried out indicated that petroleum

Gov. Shema

PHOTO: NAN

is found in some villages close to the border between the state and Niger Republic. According to him, the survey had been conducted many years ago, but previous state governments failed to use the survey to benefit of the state. The Chairman of the House of Assembly Appropriation Committee, Hon. Abdu Dan-Shehu, called on the ministry to intensify effort toward exploration of mineral deposits in the state. Dan-Shehu said such effort became necessary as it would enable the state government to generate enough revenue for execution of development projects.

what it called unwarranted and inscrutable allegations against the government. In a press statement made available to National Mirror yesterday in Minna, the state capital, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Saba, described the allegation of impropriety in key projects initiated by the administration of Governor Aliyu as idle talk from a warped mind. It will be recalled that the major opposition parties - the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) - earlier in the week jointly sent a petition to the state House of Assembly urging it to look into the modalities used in awarding contracts as well as investigate

how much was invested in the execution of projects initiated across the state by Governor Aliyu. As a result of the petition, the House of Assembly Committee on Public Petition Ethics and Privileges was mandated by the Speaker, Hon. Adamu Usman, to look into the issue and report back to the House. The PDP Publicity Secretary, however, said that time has come for the CPC, ACN and ANPP to be told to their faces that the party would not sit back and watch the opposition rubbish the administration of Governor Aliyu with falsehood. He explained that the accusation of disregard for due process in the execution of projects by the government had been severally ad-

dressed by both Governor Aliyu’s spokesman and the state House of Assembly, which dismissed a similar petition sometime last year. He said: “While we agree that government at all levels should be criticized constructively, we must say that political parties like CPC, ACN and ANPP lack moral rights to turn themselves into perpetual critics of every action of the state government. Such a cheap black mail can only come from lazy opposition parties trying to overheat the polity. “While we do not intend to abridge the right of the opposition to criticize government activities, we believe that blackmailing the government is not in any way synonymous with constructive criticism.”

Plateau screens 700 intending pilgrims

bout 700 intending Christians pilgrims were screened in Jos yesterday and certified fit for the religious exercise by the Plateau State Government, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Our correspondent, who covered the exercise, reports that the intending pilgrims assembled as early as 7.00am for the exercise, which began around 9.00am at the state’s Christian Welfare Board.

Among the screening personnel were the board’s medical team and the national commission’s officials, who checked the health status and traveling documents of the intending pilgrims. Mr. Ibrahim Kafi, the Board’s Executive Secretary, told NAN after the exercise that it was “very smooth” and “successful.” He said: “We are happy that the intending pilgrims have availed themselves for the screening, which is

a vital criterion for qualification to perform the pilgrimage. “We have not recorded any hitch. By the Grace of God, the exercise shall be concluded successfully. “We are optimistic that before or at the middle of next month, the exercise will start.” According to him, the eight months local government workers’ strike last year affected the state’s preparation for the 2012 exercise.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Australian Open: Djokovic rides Ferrer to final

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Tricky or not, the importance of today’s match with Zambia will not be underestimated in any way - SUPER EAGLES STRIKER, IKE UCHE

We’re on mission, says Keshi IKENWA NNABUOGOR

uper Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi has declared that his team will prosecute today’s Group C crucial tie with Zambia with a mission to succeed. National Mirror was informed that Keshi, who made this declaration while speaking at the pre-match media briefing at the team’s Ingwenyama Sports Resort in Nelspruit yesterday, said he foresaw a difficult game but was sure that his wards would come out winners. “We are playing against the defending champions and we know they are very good but we

Amokachi, others visit primary school

he Super Eagles yesterday took time off their training schedule to visit the Valencia Park Primary School in Nelspruit, where they were told about the school’s plans to develop a football culture mixed with astute education. Assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, led the team of coaches and players that included Coaches Sylvanus Okpala, Hydounou Valere and Ike Shorunmi, with organisers of the event declaring that it was meant to blend football skills with geometrics and help marry the game with education. Pupils of the school who were quite excited to see the Nigerian national team, said they learnt a lot from the exploits of the Nigerian players over the years and were ready for grooming to attain the heroics of the Eagles over the years with education as the bedrock. Assistant captain, Vincent Enyeama, thereafter presented five balls to the school on behalf of the team to the joy of the pupils and teachers of the elite primary school.

Amokachi

also know our potential and we are sure to come clean at the end of the day,” Keshi said. Keshi praised the output of the team in the last game against Burkina Faso and again pleaded with Nigerians to give his team time to blossom. “Nigerians must understand that every national team that has achieved took time to build and they must give this Super Eagles side time to grow,” he said.

We will overcome – Maigari

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari said yesterday that he had no doubt that the Super Eagles would overpower their Zambian counterparts when both teams clash at the Mbombela Stadium today. Speaking at his Emnotweni Hotel in Nelspruit as Nigeria football’s top hierarchy countenanced today’s clash of the titans, Maigari insisted that nothing had been lost and won by any of the teams in the group and that it would be like a fresh start this evening. “We have one goal for, one against and a point, just as each of the other three teams in the group. Yes, we would have loved to have the three points against Burkina Faso, moreso when we came so close to doing so, but football sometimes presents unexpected and dazzling conclusions. “Nigerians don’t cry over spilt milk; it is not our attitude. So we take it that everyone is equal and nothing definite has happened in the group. Everyone is starting on a fresh note and the Super Eagles are ready to make hay,” Maigari said. NFF top officials refused to be bothered by a statement credited to Zambia Coach Herve Renard on the sideline of the tournament, to the effect that Eagles were ordinary. “That statement has no weight; the young man was only playing mind games, but our own coach’s refusal to even dignify him with a reply shows uncommon maturity. I think such maturity by our players on the field on Friday will determine the match in our favour,” stated Chief Emeka Inyama, chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee.

L-R: Skipper Joseph Yobo, his deputy, Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Mikel Obi, seemingly in last minute on-the-field strategy session yesterday, on how to beat the Chipolopolo.

SA 2013: Nigeria at war with Zambia in Nelspruit EVEREST ONYEWUCHI WITH AGENCY REPORT

quarter-finals spot, revenge and bragging rights are at stake today as Nigeria battles Zambia inside the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, in the second Group C match of the ongoing South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Both teams were pegged back by less fancied opponents in their opening games, with the defending champions, Chipolopolo, stunned by an exciting Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia side, while the Super Eagles were also cancelled out at the death by the Stallions of Burkina Faso. Last Monday’s results left the group very wide open as all four teams are on equal footing, but after this evening’s match-ups, a clearer picture in the race for quarter-finals places would emerge. Overall, the teams have met 16 times at full international level with both claiming victory in five games, while six matches ended in a draw. Zambia’s coach, Herve Renard, fuelled the growing rivalry between the two teams when he said that he was not impressed with the Eagles against debutants Cape Verde in a warm-

up game in Portugal. Was Renard playing mind games? Nigeria’s coach, Stephen Keshi, who celebrated his 51st birthday on Wednesday, said he was not interested and that scores would have to be settled on the pitch from 4pm Nigerian time today. Incidentally, Keshi recorded his first win as Eagles coach against the Chipolopolo in November 2011 in a friendly played in the northern Nigeria city of Kaduna. Goals by the Uche brothers, Kalu and Ikechukwu, lifted the Eagles above a team that would go on to surprise everyone to win the Nations Cup in Gabon three months later. But even in defeat in Kaduna, Zambia were the more cohesive team and outplayed their hosts for most periods with playmaker Rainford Kalaba running the show. The Chipolopolo also enjoyed more possession when the Eagles eliminated them at the quarter-finals of the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola via penalty shootout. Other notable clashes between these teams were the 1994 final in Tunisia, which Nigeria won 2-1 to claim their second Nations Cup trophy, as well as a 2-0 win over the Zambians in the 1990 tournament in Algeria.

Sport

Friday, January 25, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ghana edges Mali, eyes q-finals

solitary penalty strike from Mubarak Wakaso was enough to hand Ghana their first win in the 2013 African Cup of Nations as the Black Stars beat Mali 1-0 in a Group B match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday. The first 45 saw Ghana playing the better quality football, but for all their promise and swift passing they actually struggled to create many decent opportunities on goal from open play. One of the biggest talking points of the half happened as early as the seventh minute when many would have argued that the Black Stars goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda, should have been show a straight red card, but instead the referee opted to show some kindness and branded the yellow card. From the resulting free-kick Keita came within inches of giving Mali the lead when his 20-yard effort whispered past the left-hand post. The Ghanaians fashioned an opening goal as Asamoah Gyan slipped Agyemang-Badu through on goal, but he was recklessly pulled down inside the box by Mali’s Adama Tamboura and the referee did not hesitate to point to Mubarak Wakaso (R) slotting in the penalty that gave Black Stars a 1-0 victory over Mali yesterday the spot.

Lungu boost for Chipolopolo

‘How Eagles can win AFCON’

Toure

Elephants foresee tough challenge

fter beating Togo 2-1 on Tuesday in their opening AFCON 2013 clash, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire have admitted that there are tougher days ahead. It took a desperate 88th minute goal by Gervinho for the 1992 champions to edge past a stubborn Togo side inspired by Tottenham Hotspur striker, Emmanuel Adebayor. “We lacked tempo, rhythm,” Wilfried Bonya admitted at the end of the match. “We made a lot of mistakes,” captain Didier Drogba also bemoaned. “It was difficult, but we managed to win the three points,” Didier Ya Konan said. “The essential was the three points and we managed to get it and it felt good to win,” Max Gradel observed. Nonetheless, the Elephants have promised to grow in strength as the tournament progresses. “We came here to win six matches and we are satisfied that the first step has been taken successfully,” Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Youre said, adding, “We have to concentrate on the remaining five matches.”

ambia Coach, Herve Renard, yesterday declared midfielder Chisamba Lungu fit to face Nigeria today after resting on Wednesday due to a left bone injury. Lungu was rested after Zambia’s opening Group C match against Ethiopia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. “He had a knock on the foot he needed to rest for 24 hours he trained today (yesterday) and will be ready for selection tomorrow (today),” Renard said. Lungu’s recovery is a boost for

AFOLABI GAMBARI

P Lungu

Renard ahead of the crucial showdown with Nigeria. Despite being at the centre of Ethiopia’s penalty following a challenge on Saladin Said in the 23nd minute, Lungu went on to be one of Zambia’s stand-out performers in that match that ended 1-1.

Bishaw wary of Stallions

alya Antelopes Coach, Sewnet Bishaw, says he expects Burkina Faso to give the Ethiopians a difficult game. Both teams clash in their second Group C game today at the Mbombela Stadium. “They are fine especially when they are attacking and coming from the right wing,” Bishaw said yesterday. They are physically good so we will try and see what we can do. “They prefer the long ball so we will try and counter that.” Ethiopia and Burkina Faso are both searching for their first three points after 1-1 draws against Zambia and Nigeria respectively. Meanwhile, Bishaw has described his star striker, Saladin Said, as a natural born thriller. Saladin, 24, lit-up Group C after

an outstanding performance in the 1-1 draw against Zambia on January 21. “Saladin is born to the talented and is working hard,” the coach said, adding, “You might see him at Manchester United or Arsenal soon.” Said’s form has been impressive considering that he has not played competitive football for over a year at Wadi Degla with the Egyptian league on a yearlong recess. He produced a man of the match performance that he almost atoned with a goal via a penalty saved by Kennedy Mweene in the 23rd minute, even as he also set up Adane Girma for the equaliser in the 66th minute with Ethiopia down to 10 men and down 1-0.

resident of All Stars International FC of Lagos, Barrister Dele Ibrahim, has said that the Super Eagles will require discipline to go all the way in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Nigeria walks a tight rope after failing to take a 65-minute advantage that saw Burkina Faso leveled score at 1-1 in the added time after 90 minutes and must beat Zambia in their Group C match today to restore hope. “The Nigerian team

needs to do extra work and show the rest of Africa that they are the first among equals when it comes to football on the continent,” Ibrahim said yesterday. He, however, faulted Nigerians for what he called unnecessary piling of pressure on the team. “It could prove counterproductive because it’s obvious that Stephen Keshi and his wards realize the enormous task before them and should prove equal to the task,” he said. “I don’t see Zambia posing any threat to our march in the competition and I want Nigerians to rally the team,” the All Stars’ boss submitted. In a related development, former Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Patrick Udoh, has advised the Eagles not to underrate the Zambians in today’s encounter. “It is not enough that many Nigerians have given it to the Eagles. Our players must work hard to justify their rating and not take chances like they did against Burkina Faso,” Udoh said.” RESULTS

Mikel

Ghana

1-0

Mali

Niger

0-0

DR Congo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Friday, January 25, 2013

Tit bits...

Australian Open…

Ronaldo Real Madrid defender, Pepe, is confident that the beleaguered Cristiano Ronaldo will stay. Ronaldo is stalling on signing a new deal, which has alerted the interest of Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG. “Cristiano is happy at Real Madrid and focused on helping the team. I’m sure he’ll extend his contract,” Pepe told journalists yesterday.

Henry

Arsenal hat-trick hero, Theo Walcott, has credited club legend Thierry Henry for his new lease of form in recent time. Walcott has benefitted from practising alongside Arsenal legend Henry, who is currently training with Arsenal and is expected to sign a short-term loan deal from the New York Red Bulls next month. “I’ve learned a lot from Thierry and just to have him around in training is great. Hopefully, his loan contract can be sorted out soon.”

Kagawa

Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has expressed pleasure with Shinji Kagawa’s return to action. The Japan international was handed a first start in two months after recovering from injury. “You expect him to tire with it being his first game for a couple of months but he did a great job working, especially immediately after his return from the spell,” Ferguson said.

Guardiola Former Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, expects Pep Guardiola to return to the dugout this year. “I think Pep will return as coach next year. He has a great personality, very clear ideas and he is very intelligent,” Laporta, who is still close to Guardiola, said yesterday. “He is the best coach in the world and all the big clubs would love to have him on board,” Laporta added.

Maldini AC Milan legend, Paolo Maldini, has revealed he turned down several attempts by the Rossoneri for him to return. Maldini hit out at Milan’s management structure, claiming vice-president Adriano Galliani is now behind the times. “I’d like to destroy this myth that I am ‘one of the family’ at Milan. They don’t particularly want me there and everything we created together that has fallen apart,” the former Milan captain said yesterday.

Hazard with the sprawling ballboy

Hazard makes kick apology

helsea midfielder, Eden Hazard, has apologised to the ballboy who was centre of attention in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Swansea on Wednesday, which finished goalless. With time running out and Chelsea heading out of the competition, Hazard was sent off after kicking out at the prostrate youth who was lying on top of the ball at the side of the pitch at the Liberty Stadium. South Wales police questioned the 17-year-old Charlie Morgan-and his father-Swansea Director Martin Morgan-after the game but will not take the matter any further. “The boy put his whole body onto the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball and I think I kicked the ball and not the boy but I apologise,” Hazard said yesterday. “The ballboy came in the changing room and we had a quick chat and I apologised and the boy apolo-

gised as well, and it is over.” Meanwhile, Chelsea Manager, Rafa Benitez, has said that the ballboy’s ploy was aimed “delaying proceeding”. “The boy was apologising for time wasting. Hazard was frustrated and tried to get the ball. He was kicking the ball and getting the ball,” the manager said, adding, “We can analyse it for half an hour but we know that both are wrong.” Benitez said that Hazard’s actions would be dealt with internally by the club but reacted angrily when he was accused of attempting to condone Hazard’s a c tions.

Baggies chief harps on Osaze stay

est Brom striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, will not be allowed to leave before the end of the current transfer window, Sporting and Technical Director, Richard Garlick, said yesterday. The Baggies are believed to have rejected a two million pound offer from QPR for the Super Eagles outcast, but Garlick has hinted that bids would have to be substantial in order to be considered. “Last summer there were supposedly players leaving but we kept hold of most of them,” the sports director explained. “We don’t have to sell any of our players. It’s only on our terms. It’s well documented about Peter. We had an offer and we don’t intend to sell any of our players. “When an offer comes in, we speak to the player out of courtesy. We’ve had that chat with Peter and he knows the situation.” Garlick, however, revealed

t h at t h e Baggies are unlikely to add to the squad before the end of the transfer window. “We’re happy with the squad we’ve got and there are no immediate plans to bring anyone in,” he continued. “If an opportunity presents itself, then we will look at that, but we’re looking more towards the summer.”

Novak Djokovic gesturing to the crowd after his victory over David Ferrer in Melbourne yesterday.

Djokovic rides Ferrer to final W

orld number one, Novak Djokovic, is through to the Australian Open final following a ruthless 6-2 6-2 6-1 victory over number four seed David Ferrer yesterday. The Serb, who is bidding to become the first man in the Open Era to win three consecutive titles in Melbourne, will now face the winner of today’s second semi-final between US Open winner Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Djokovic needed only an hour and 29 minutes to inflict a chastening defeat on Ferrer who has now lost all five of his grand slam semi-final appearances. In total Djokovic surrendered just seven points on serve as he produced a virtually flawless display that he would later describe as one of the best of his career. Having won the toss and opted to serve Ferrer made a solid enough start as the first three games went with service, but Djokovic then began to open his shoulders and, having broken for the first time to move 3-2 ahead, proved simply too strong. With the Spaniard

throwing in more and more unforced errors as his opponent turned the screw, Djokovic reeled off four games on the trot with ease to clinch the first set in under half an hour. Ferrer held in the opening game of the second set, but Djokovic was dictating from baseline, all too aware of his superiority and it was little surprise when the Spaniard netted first a forehand and then a backhand as his opponent broke to forge 2-1 ahead. The set followed a similar pattern to the first with Ferrer refusing or simply unable to vary his tactics, allowing Djokovic to move him around at will whilst remaining utterly unchallenged on his own delivery. At one point Djokovic rattled off 12 points on the spin, the top seed confirming a double-break when his hapless and beleaguered opponent threw in a double-fault when 0-40 down. Having closed out the second, Djokovic all but ended the contest as he broke in the opening game of the third set, a scrambling Ferrer sending a backhand long to seal his fate.

WORLD RECORD

Largest touch/mini/tag rugby tournament

Vol. 03 No. 543

Friday, January 25, 2013

N150

Nigeria and corruption: America’s bold step

he yet-to-be-refuted report that the authorities in the United States have barred former Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State from entering America seems a flattering indication that there are countries that deeply sympathise with Nigerians on the large scale stealing of public funds by their leaders. SaharaReporters had in a recent revelation, stated that the American consular authorities wrote to Igbinedion to inform him that he was no longer welcome in the US; and that his visa had been revoked. The development might not be unconnected with the corrupt charges the former governor confessed to when he left office in 2007. Coming at a time when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, is saying that some former public office holders, especially past governors accused of huge theft of public funds between 1999

FRIDAYS WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) and 2007, are too powerful to be brought to book, the bold step taken by America has rekindled the hope that judgment day could still come for past public office holders who criminally betrayed public trust, but are still jostling to remain politically relevant. Indeed, roughly 70 percent of the governors that served between 1999 and 2007 were indicted for massive theft of public funds. But like Lamorde has said, many of them have been deploying their loot since 2008 to frustrate their trial in court. It is, nonetheless, a sad commentary that the two major respite for justice so far recorded in recent times by the nation’s anti-graft campaign are from foreign lands, the first being the trial and imprisonment of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, by a London court last year for money laundering, after Nigerian courts absolved him of all wrong doings, and despite all his desperate attempts to evade United Kingdom’s security dragnet. By insisting on keeping at a distance the former Edo governor, who quite unlike his dubious colleagues, accepted ab initio to face the law, and freed himself through plea bargain, America simply made a statement that crimes against the state deserve firm punishment, irrespective of where it is committed. The other leg of it is the assumption that if a corrupt Nigerian mixes up freely with US citizens, he would most probably infect them with the virus of corruption, fraud and crookedness. Worse

he London Grand Prix athletics event will take place at the Olympic Stadium on July 27 after it was moved from its usual home at Crystal Palace. The Grand Prix, which is part of the Diamond League series, will be the first sporting event at the venue since

IF THEY CLAIM THEY HAD NO SKELETONS IN THEIR CLOSETS, WHY ARE SOME FORMER GOVERNORS DODGING

TRIAL? WHY ARE THEY AFRAID TO FACE THE LAW?

still, the American decision could mean the country’s subtle vote of no confidence in the nation’s entire anti-graft agencies, as well as the Nigerian judiciary that has for long slumped. It is common knowledge that past and present public office holders deft in stealing public funds use foreign countries as sanctuaries for their loot. In those foreign lands could be found their expansive castles – out-of-this-world mansions acquired with stolen state funds, posh cars and other luxuries. Denying them access to such illicit acquisitions may not totally solve the problem of corruption in the country, but not a few public office occupants will think twice before dipping their hands into public coffers. With the lead America has taken, the FG and EFCC should seek similar gestures from other choice countries of the nation’s corrupt public office occupants,

past and present, across Europe, America, Asia, and even Africa, among others, where they settle and live in scandalous profligacy after impoverishing their people. Besides, though deemed innocent before the law until found guilty or convicted by a competent court, it is obvious from complaints by EFCC’s leadership since the arraignment of some past governors in 2008, that they have been indulging in all manner of subterfuge to frustrate their trial. Those who crave equity ought to approach it with clean hands. If they claim they had no skeletons in their closets, why are some former governors dodging trial? Why are they afraid to face the law? It is clear, even to the blind, therefore, the fraudulent extent of their so-called innocence before the law. And having been indicted and, indeed, arraigned in court for alleged stealing of public funds, such characters should be restrained from further insulting the public with their desperation to join leading political parties or run for political offices again. For, it is morally reprehensible, even at this stage of their trial, for any political party with a modicum of integrity to accept the membership of any past or present political office holder charged with criminal betrayal of trust – fraud, misappropriation of fund, money laundering, et cetera. Even if accepted as a member, such an errant past leader should be a bench-warmer that must not be heard. It is sacrilegious in any sane society to permit such suspected wolves to run for any public office, even at the party level, after squandering public trust on the altar of avarice while in office. But should political parties fail to police and place such dangerous fellows where they rightly belong, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be alert to keep the gate by disqualifying their candidacy whenever parties field them; until they stand trial and are truly discharged, acquitted and declared innocent by competent courts. This seems the surest way the nation can keep elected kleptocrats and looters in check.

Sport Extra

The largest mini rugby tournament was 2,610 participants, and was organised by the Hong Kong Mini Rugby Football Union at the Hong Kong Football Club/Happy Valley in Hong Kong, China, on 30 October 2010.

Olympics Stadium set for Grand Prix the London 2012 Games and it marks the anniversary weekend of the Opening Ceremony. “It’s great that the fans and athletes will experience London 2012 again so soon af-

ter the Games,” Britain’s Mo Farah, who won gold medals in the 10,000 metres and 5,000m at the Olympics, said yesterday. “It will be perfect preparation for the World Champi-

onships in August,” Farah added. “It will give those who had the most incredible experiences on the track and field an opportunity to re-live a few memories,” Olympic hep-

tathlon champion Jessica Ennis said. “It will be a great atmosphere,” Mayor of London and chairman of the London Legacy Development Corporation, Boris Johnson, said.

Johnson

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