Friday, March 15, 2013

NCAA: Presidency nominates Akinkuotu to replace Demuren

Pope Francis holds first mass

FAAN evacuates bureaux de change operators

GEORGE OJI AND OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Captain Fola Akinkuotu for screening and confirmation by the

Senate as the new Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

...pays hotel bill

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N150

Again, FG goofs on state pardon for ex-convicts ...Diya, Adisa, Fadipe granted clemency since 1999 As NLC, civil society mobilise against Jonathan

TOLA AKINMUTIMI OBIORA IFOH, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE AND A ZA MSUE

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Jega

APC adamant on name registration

...as another APC unveils logo

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Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (right) presenting a souvenir to President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Kadre Ouedraogo, during a courtesy a visit to the governor in Uyo on Wednesday.

Budget 2013: FG releases N400bn for capital projects Govt, states, LGs shared N888.4bn in Feb, says FAAC

Help to crush Boko Haram, ACF tells EU

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Attack on Warri prison: Death toll rises P.11

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s outrage continues to trail the state pardon granted former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and other ex-convicts, fresh facts have emerged that some of those pardoned had already been granted clemency.

It was gathered that the government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar had since March 1999 granted the late General Shehu Musa Yar Adua and former President Olusegun Obasanjo clemency for their involvement

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Budget 2013: FG releases N400bn for capital projects TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday released N400bn for first quarter 2013 capital projects implantation as part of its efforts to ensure that ongoing projects and other contracts that may be awarded in the first quarter are funded.

The amount represents 25 per cent of the N1.62trn earmarked for capital expenditure in this year’s budget.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a statement said the timely release of the funds was specifically aimed at giving fresh impetus to the execution of projects captured in budget 2013.

She explained that of this amount, N120bn had been frontloaded to cater for two important initiatives, namely N75bn for retiring bonds which have come due and N45bn for the payment of Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s workers.

The minister stated further that the release for the

retiring bonds was made in line with the government’s new debt management strategy which focuses on reducing the stock and flow of debt in a proactive manner.

Okonjo-Iweala, at the budget 2013 media briefing last week, had restated Federal Government’s determination to ensure that ongoing capital projects are not abandoned even as more attention would be given to the infrastructure development in view of its critical roles in driving the economic transformation agenda of the government She said: “We recognise that Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit remains one of the binding constraints to growth in the economy.

Therefore, our strategy is to prioritise infrastructure investments in the budget, and also to leverage additional external financing for infrastructure investments in the country.

“For example, Budget 2013 has some important infrastructure projects in the transportation sector, such as the second Niger Bridge.

We plan to augment our domestic resources with a

proposed $1bn Eurobond as well as a Nigeria Diaspora Bond which will harness savings from Nigerians abroad.

“These additional financial resources will be invested in various infrastructure projects such as building the country’s gas to power infrastructure.

We plan to use PPPs aggressively, working with the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which will attract co-investors from home and abroad such as pension funds, institutional investors and so on,” the minister assured.

According to the government, the major thrusts of the N1.62trn provisioned

for capital expenditure are completing ongoing capital projects; reducing administrative-type capital expenditure from budget; leveraging on private sector funds through PPP arrangements; and continued re-balancing of spending in favour of developmental capital.

Speaking at the FAAC meeting earlier yesterday, the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, corroborated the minister’s stance on the need to sustain capital project implementation stressing that the implementation of the 2013 capital CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Pope Francis (right) celebrating his inaugural Mass with cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican, yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

Again, FG goofs on state pardon for ex-convicts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in a phantom coup.

Also three former Army officers accused of plotting to overthrow the late General Sani Abacha - Oladipo Diya, a former Chief of General Staff; Major-General Abdulkareem Adisa, former Minister of Works and Major Fadipe, Diya’s former chief security officer - had been granted clemency by the same government.

The officers were among the 49 Nigerians pardoned, released from prison or had their sentences revoked by virtue of an order made on March 4, 1999 by Gen Abdulsalami.

Some of those pardoned also include Maj.-Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Col. Y. Bako, Senator Chris Anyanwu and Mr. Niran Malaolu.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the civil society groups have been mobilising against President Goodluck Jonathan following the state pardon granted Alamieyeseigha and the other ex-convicts.

A coalition of civil soci-

ety groups, under the aegis of Civil Society Groups on Anti-Corruption and Good Governance, yesterday threatened to embark on a nationwide mass protest against the decision.

Leaders of the groups, including the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Mr. Ibrahim Musa; the National Coordinator, United Action for Democracy, UAD, Jaye Gaskia; and the National Secretary, Zero Corruption Coalition, at a news briefing in Abuja faulted the President’s reprieve.

The groups said yesterday that the action was a veiled move to clear the coast for the realisation of the political ambition of the former governor in 2015 elections and other scheming.

Specifically, they blamed the President for the increasing level of corruption and the poverty the country, adding that by his latest decision, the President had exhibited “the highest level of political indiscretion and demonstrated clearly that those who plunder the national resources and steal the people’s common-

wealth can continue their parasitic despoliation with impunity.”

In the coalition’s statement read by the CISLAC boss, the groups called for the immediate reversal of what they termed “politically obnoxious decision by the President”, failing which they would protest along with other Nigerians to defend the integrity of the nation through demonstrations.

Noting that Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution conferred the right on the President to grant pardon to deserving convicts, who might have been unjustifiably convicted, the civil society chieftains said the present instance could not be justified and that it was “nothing but a naked dance in the public by the political leadership.”

Musa said: “We in the civil society are convinced that the focus of the whole presidential pardon of President Jonathan was Alamieyeseigha, except that it was only deceitfully window-dressed by adding a few other names.

“The action has simply exposed his administration’s open support for cor-

ruption, instead of fighting it.

“While the civil society appreciates the constitutionality of prerogative of mercy as provided for in Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the decision by the Jonathan administration is immoral, as much as it puts a question mark on the sincerity of the administration in battling corruption.

“This is all more so because Alamieyeseigha’s case about corrupt enrichment and money laundering on which he skipped bail in the United Kingdom is still pending.”

The group expressed grave concern over the moral foundation of the Presidency and noted that the decision also “portends grave implications for the myriad corruption cases as well as the potential to demotivate the anti-corruption agencies, particularly the EFCC and the ICPC, in their fight against corruption in the country.”

In order to avert nationwide protests, the civil society chieftains, who also include the Advocacy and Communications Manager of ActionAid Nigeria,

Tunde Aremu; Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, Ezenwa Nwagwu and the Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development, Mallam Y. Z. Ya’u, called for the reversal of pardon granted Alamieyeseigha and President Jonathan’s apology to Nigerians and the international community for its pro-corruption stance.

They also asked the Jonathan administration to regain the confidence of Nigerians “who are already becoming more disillusioned about the government’s the war against corruption.”

The activists urged the international community to join Nigerians in condemning the action of the President and his government “in view of the disgraceful embarrassment it has caused the country.”

On when the nationwide protests would commence, the civil society groups said they would first create maximum awareness among the people and that as soon as all strategies had been perfected; they would call Nigerians out for the anti-corruption nationwide

protests.

Also, the NLC has asked President Jonathan to withdraw the state pardon for Alamieyeseigha.

NLC said that the Council of State should have been more circumspect in acceding to the proposition by the Presidency.

In a statement signed by the NLC President, Abdulwahed Omar, the congress noted that while the President had the constitutional rights to grant reprieve to any offender, it was totally unacceptable according such to perpetrators of economic crimes.

Part of the statement reads: “We are alarmed by the decision of the National Council of State to pardon Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached as governor of Bayelsa State and eventually convicted by a properly constituted court for stealing public funds; and Mr. Shetima Bulama, a former Managing Director of the Bank of the North, who was also convicted for misappropriating the bank’s funds.

“While we appreciate that the Council of State does have a constitutional CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Friday, March 15, 2013

L-R: Director of Programmes, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), Mr. Vincent Tohbi; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and former Chairman, South Africa National Election Commission, Mr. Johann Kriegler, at the 7th EISA Symposium held in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim; representative of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Adamu Ismaila; Zonal Director, Julius Berger, Mr. Hamut Wanke and Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of FCT, on Legal Affairs, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hudeyin, at the inauguration of Abuja @ 50 Pavilion Peace Park in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Consultant plastic surgeon and member, Kidney Foundation for Africa, Prof. Olufemi Showemimo; Prof. Manoj Ramsharan of Nephrology Department, Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, India; Executive Director, Kidney Foundation for Africa, Mr. Clinton Peters and member, Advisory Board, Dr. Adeyemi Adewole, at the World Kidney Day celebration held in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Vice-President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Gen. India Garba; Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Przmyslaw Niesiolowski and President, ABUCCIMA, Dr. Solomon Nyag, during the visit of the Polish business delegation to ABUCCIMA in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News

Jonathan, Mark, CAN, others congratulate Pope Francis GEORGE OJI, ROTIMI FADEYI, TORDUE SALEM, TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE AND JOEL AJAYI

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina on his historic election as the first Pope from the Americas and 265th successor to the Chair of St Peter.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said that with Cardinal Bergoglio’s glowing antecedents as a great scholar, teacher, Catholic philosopher and very humane leader of the Church, he welcomed his election as successor to Pope Benedict XVI as a divinely inspired choice by the College of Cardinals and an unequivocal testimony of God’s abiding presence in His Church and the world.

The President said that on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, he joined Catholics in Nigeria and

other countries of the world in praying for God’s blessings and Divine guidance for Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis as he assumes the papacy, Jonathan expressed confidence that he would put his acclaimed qualities and devoutness to the best possible use in resolutely guiding the Church through the many challenges it currently faces.

The President said Jonathan he look forward to further enhancing the already cordial and excellent relationship between Nigeria and the Vatican under the leadership of Pope Francis, the beloved champion of the underprivileged and renowned crusader for global equity and social justice.

He also said he looks forward to collaborating with Pope Francis and the Holy See in working towards the realization of a much more secure, peaceful and just world order.

Senate President David Mark, in his own message, described the emergence of the new Pope as a divine response to the yearnings of the Catholic faithful.

Mark, who spoke yesterday during the morning mass to celebrate the election of Pope Francis at the St. Mulumba Chaplaincy, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja said: “God has once again shown the world that He is the Lord that knows the heart desire of His people.

“God has once again shown the world His mercy.

In the Bible, He entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of God to Peter, His vicar on earth. His Holiness, Pope Francis is the 266th in succession, counting from Peter the Apostle. His emergence came quicker more than many had expected.

This is a sign that God answers prayers as of old.

“The God we serve is full of surprises and is unpredictable. His ways are not our ways, neither are our thoughts his thoughts. He chooses whomever he wills to be His instrument for the actuation of His divine plans.”

Mark noted that the voice of Pope Francis shows the universality of the Catholic Church urging political class to emulate

the sincerity and humility displayed by electing the new Roman Pontiff.

“The prayerful and peaceful nature of the process of the selection of the Pope is to be emulated, especially by developing democracies. I urge religious and political leaders to take advantage of this.”

To the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pope Francis is an instrument of reconciliation, justice and peace that would bring forth joy, hope, peace and harmony in the world.

In a statement issued by Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the President of CAN, Rev. Kenny Ashaka, the association quoted its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, as saying that the new Pope should represent the church’s commitment to the poor and disenfranchised.

The cleric advised Christians across the globe to join hands together in solidarity with the new Pope in the common pursuit of caring for one another, adding that Pope should strives to make the Cardinals who elected him and, indeed,

the millions of people who believe in his ideas feel the message of faith in God. The CAN leader said: “On behalf of Christians in Nigeria, I, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), congratulates His Holiness, Pope Francis 1 as the first Pope from Latin America to ascend the chair of papacy, just as I do to the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and people of Catholic faith all over the world.

“Going through his biography, I believe that as a doctrinal conservative and a man after social justice, Pope Francis 1 is coming into the papacy with distinctive spiritual charisma, one that is based on positive interfaith and intercultural dialogue and a desire to serve the Catholic community worldwide in order to gain God’s good pleasure”, Pastor Oritsejafor added.

The House of Representatives hailed the successful election of the new Catholic head.

A member of the House, Hon. Friday Itulah, raised Order 7(56) of the House

Standing Rules to inform his colleague of the election and the need to join other well meaning world leaders and peace lovers in congratulating the new pope.

Itulah reminded his colleagues that the election of the Pope was a success worth identifying with.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Haruna Kigbu.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, before ruling on the motion, said he watched the proceedings when the announcement of the new Pope was made and listened to the Pope’s acceptance speech.

Tambuwal said: “I believe that this is a very clear motion that we congratulate the new Pope.”

Also yesterday, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) congratulated the new Pope.

APGA, in a statement by its interim National Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu, said that the emergence of the new Pope marks a watershed in the annals of the universal church.

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NCAA: Presidency nominates Akinkuotu to replace Demuren CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Akinkuotu is to replace Dr. Harold Demuren who was sacked on Tuesday by the President as the NCAA boss.

Incidentally, Demuren and Akinkuotu hail from the South-West.

President Jonathan in the letter to the Senate President David Mark explained that Demuren was relieved of his appointment following growing concerns by aviation stakeholders on perceived poor internal audit and quality assurance within the NCAA. He added that the removal was part of the Federal Government’s efforts at restructuring the authority for better and more efficient service delivery.

The President also said that the sack of Demuren was in line with the provisions of Section 8(3)(a) and (c) of the Civil Aviation Acts of 2006, stressing that the appointment of Akinkuotu was in line with the Act. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had differently recommended the sack of De-

muren and it was believed that his removal by the President was in keeping with the resolution of the members of the National Assembly.

Akinkuotu began his aviation career in 1969 with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways Limited.

He got the Federal Government’s scholarship to study and has worked with several airlines.

Capt. Akinkuotu was appointed the Rector, International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara State, in January 2012.

Before then, Akinkuotu had worked with Kabo airlines as a pilot between 1986 and 1991. He also served as both the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at IRS airlines between 2001 and 2002.

He worked as the Director of Flight Operations in Virgin Nigeria from February 2010 to January 2011.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Suleiman Barau as the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

His appointment followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, which screened and recommended him.

Barau, who hails from Kaduna State, is serving his second tenure as the Deputy Governor of the apex bank.

In another development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has evacuated bureaux de change, BDC, operators at all the airports in the country.

This followed Wednesday’s armed robbery attack at the Terminal Zero Car Park of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, where no fewer than three people lost their lives.

FAAN insisted that the activities of the BDC at the airport attracted unscrupulous elements to the airports.

The robbery attack lasted for about 30 minutes.

Our correspondents noted that four escort vehicles stained with blood, bullet holes, shattered windscreens and deflated tyres belonging to the police were still at the terminal.

The vehicles are Mitsubishi Jeep Pajero with Lagos number: CN 929 APP; Mitsubishi Pick-Up van, PF 039 SPY; Volkswagen Tuareg Jeep, Lagos: SW 455 AAA and Toyota Camry, Lagos: ER 75 LSR. The vehicles with policemen inside were first attacked by the armed robbers before the onslaught on the BDC operators who carted away money in local and foreign currencies.

In a bid to forestall a recurrence, FAAN held airport security meeting yesterday with the other stakeholders at the airport, but the outcome of the meeting could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati, confirmed that one of the corpses of the robbers had been recovered along with some casualties from the Police.

Dati noted that the latest attack on the airport had made FAAN management to send the BDC operators packing from the terminal with immediate effect, insisting that there was no going back on the decision.

He insisted that the car parks should be strictly made for parking vehicles and not for any other purpose.

The Chief Security Officer, MMIA, Col. Carl Dalud Onaro (rtd), said that the attack was a planned one and that the targets were the BDC operators at the terminal.

He, however, added that the sporadic gun shots between the policemen and robbers startled the travellers inside the terminal and they were all ordered to lie

down to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

He reaffirmed that the FAAN Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi, had given approval for the evacuation of the BDC operators at the airport premises, adding that some of the robbers escaped with the Toyota Sienna Bus with which they came for the operation.

Onaro said the armed robbers came in camouflage uniforms to deceive the airport users and the security operatives at the airport.

He could not, however, say if the closed circuit television, CCTV, cameras mounted at the car park captured the activities.

As at the time of filing this report, the Airport Police Command was yet to respond to the enquiries from the media.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Aliyu Gwandu, did not respond to text messages sent to his mobile phone.

Again, FG goofs on state pardon for ex-convicts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

responsibility to pardon citizens who have obviously been convicted or punished in the past for offenw ces, it is totally unacceptable that those who committed economic crimes in such magnitude that affected public interest be granted state pardon.

“We still wonder what message the National Council of State is sending to Nigerians if at the height of unprecedented corruption in the country those who have been prosecuted and jailed for stealing public money are granted state pardon.

“The congress finds it incongruous the state pardon granted to Alamieyeseigha and Bulama.

“While like other citizens, they may be entitled to state pardon, congress believes that the crimes committed are too weighty for state pardon.

“It is our view that state pardon remains an act of mercy or reprieve dispassionately exercised or granted by the highest authority in the land for and on behalf of the government and people, and it should be a last act of mer-

cy sparingly exercised for the good of the nation.

“State pardon is recognised across the world not for its own sake but for its potential and capacity for redressing judicial guilt, rewarding penitence or for initiating reconciliation and in some instances, for ensuring restoration, but never losing sight of national interest.

“In particular, the congress expressed grave concern that eminent members of the National Council of State could not have deeper reflections on the list brought before them by the Presidency before giving their endorsement.”

But the Presidency yesterday expressed shock at the controversy being generated by the state pardon, explaining that Presidential pardon are not intended for nobility or saints, but meant for people who have actually committed crimes or breached the laws of the land.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while appealing for openmindedness said that such issues were not a justiciable affair, but exercised discretionally.

L-R: Chairman, NDIC Board of Directors, Amb. Hassan Adamu, Wakilin Adamawa, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta and Managing Director/CEO. NDIC, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim, at the NDIC Sensitisation Seminar for Judges in Abuja, yesterday.

Budget 2013: FG releases N400bn for capital projects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

budget has commenced.

Otunla, while briefing the media on the decisions taken at the meeting, said the formal implementation of the 2013 budget had commenced automatically after the FAAC meeting, where the three tiers of government collected their cheques totalling N886.4bn from the Federation Account to finance capital and recurrent obligations.

The fund were sourced from statutory Value Added Tax, VAT, and other accrued revenues of the Federation Account in February.

The month’s distributions to the various governments represented an increase of N310.9bn or 54.03 per cent over the N575.4bn

shared by them in the preceding month.

Giving a breakdown of the revenue accruals to the Federation Account and the shared sums during the month in review at the end of the FAAC meeting which was presided over by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, the Accountant General of the Federation, Otunla, disclosed that the sum of N121.4bn was also transferred into the Excess Crude Account.

With the transfer, the cumulative new balance in the account stood at $8.061bn.

He explained further that the gross revenue of N571.67bn received for the month was lower than the N651.26bn received

in the previous month by N79.58bn even as oil production was equally hampered by pipeline vandalism at Bonny, Forcados and Brass terminals.

The AGF said N445.84bn was shared under statutory allocation while VAT distributions amounted to N62.7bn just as N173.6bn was used to augment the shortfall in revenue.

Further decomposition of the revenue profile and distributions indicated that N35.5bn was provided for Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, N7.61bn being refund of debt owed the Federation Account by the NNPC, as well as arrears of N156.7bn for the month of January owing to the

late implementation of the budget.

According to Otunla, out of the N445.26bn statutory allocation, the Federal Government got N209.8bn representing 52.68 per cent; the states got N106.44bn or 26.72 per cent; while the local government areas were given N82.06bn or 20.6 per cent.

Similarly, he said N47.48bn was shared to the nine oil producing states based on the 13 per cent principle of derivation.

Of the VAT distributions totalling N60.19bn, the Federal Government got N9.03bn or 15 per cent compared to the states’ N30.1bn, which accounted for 50 per cent of the earnings, while local governments shared N21.07bn.

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Friday, March 15, 2013

2013 appropriation: Reps summon DG Budget Office over breach TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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he House of Representatives has summoned the Director-General, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogwu, to appear before its Committees on Appropriation and Finance, to explain allegations that he breached the 2013 Appropriation Act. Okogwu, according to a motion by Minority Whip, Hon. Samson Osagie (ACN, Edo), allegedly wrote a memo to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, directing them to ignore the 2013 Appropriation Act but implement the

amended version, yet to be sent to National Assembly.

The motion was moved under matters of urgent national importance by Osagie, who expressed shock that shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan signed the 2013 Appropriation Bill, there would be a memo from the DG Budget Office to all MDAs “instructing them to ignore the contents of the Appropriation Act and implement what is referred to as amended budget, which is only being purpose to be laid before National Assembly”.

He wondered why the Budget Office would engage in such a breach of

the money law, “capable of destroying the growing rapport and spirit of cooperation between the legislature and the executive”.

Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba (PDP, Kaduna) described the DG’s action as “executive recklessness,” adding that a higher authority must have given him the backing to carry out the directive.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (ACN, Lagos) said the development was fraudulent hence the House should scrutinise the entire budget, invite the DG and sanction him appropriately.

Also, Hon. Jerry Manwe

(PDP, Taraba), however, put the blame for executive breach of the budget on the National Assembly for trading off its power to the DG, who is holding sway over appropriations.

Others, who supported the motion, were Hon. Sunday Adepoju (ACN, Oyo), Hon. Musa Sarkin Adah (PDP, Sokoto).

Hon. Patrick Asadu (PDP, Enugu), however, cautioned the House against taking a hasty decision.

He demanded that the letter be read.

Also, Deputy Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) called for a close scrutiny of the letter.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Child healthcare gets Japan’s N443m boost MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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apanese Government yesterday boosted child survival interventions in Nigeria with $2.8 million (about N443 million) grant.

The grant was handed over to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, to prosecute health programmes aimed at enhancing well-being of Nigerian child, especially routine immunisation and disease prevention.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement in Abuja, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ruichi Shoji, said his country had joined in the efforts to reduce child killer diseases in Nigeria since 2000.

He said: “Japan’s accumulated financial contribution to the fight against polio, malaria and other infectious diseases in Nigeria is so far more than eight billion yen, approximately N13 billion at the current exchange rate.

“Today, I am absolutely honoured to be here once again to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to stand by the Federal Government

of Nigeria in its fight against polio to the end, by signing the Exchange of Notes of 259 million Yen, which is equivalent to N443 million.

“In relation to infectious diseases in Nigeria, Japan also contributes to the malaria prevention programme in Nigeria by providing $2.5 million through UNICEF this year.

“In addition, earlier this week, Japan signed a grant with the National Planning Commission to provide N440 million to donate wheelchairs and walking support wheels for the welfare of those who require mobility aid.”

Responding, UNICEF Deputy Representative and Officer in Charge, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Jacques Boyer, said the support from Japan remained the most valuable contribution to joint efforts to give every Nigerian child a chance to survive.

Urging Nigeria to tackle existing challenges in its child healthcare programmes headlong, the agency noted the grant would help in fighting child killer diseases in the country.

Reps move to grant auditor-general financial autonomy TORDUE SALEM ABUJA A fuel tanker which crashed at Coconut bus stop on Oshodi - Apapa Expressway in Lagos, yesterday.

Piracy: IG creates maritime command OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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isturbed by the growing wave of sea piracy in parts of the country, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has created a Maritime Police Command to be headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Mark A. Idakwo.

The command would have three subsidiary commands which would be supervised by officers at the level of a commissioner of police.

This is as the IG also redeployed seven Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, to various police commands and formations across the country.

The Maritime Command which will be domiciled at the Louis Edet Force Headquarters, Abuja, is under the operational control of ‘B’ Department.

•Redeploys seven AIGs Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja that the new command would also enjoy the status of a zone.

He said: “It is a fusion of the Marine Police Command, the Police Ports Authority Command and the Inland Waterways Formation. The Maritime Police Command is further broken into Western Maritime Command with headquarters in Lagos, the Eastern Maritime Command with headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and the Marine Command with headquarters also situated in Lagos.

“Each of these subsidiary commands under the Maritime Police Command is headed by a Commissioner of Police.”

Mba added that the

Maritime Command was charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and providing adequate security at the ports and harbours.

He said: “The new command is also saddled with the task of tackling contemporary security challenges such as armed robbery, piracy, kidnapping, gunrunning and other related crimes in our creeks, harbours and territorial waterways.”

Meanwhile, in the redeployment, AIG Jonathan Johnson is posted to Zone 6, comprising Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers State Police Commands with headquarters in Calabar, AIG Christopher Dega, now heads Zone 8, Lokoja which comprises Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara State Police Commands, Zone 3 with headquarters in Yola and comprising of Adamawa,

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Gombe and Taraba State Police Commands, now have AIG Mohammed J. Abubakar, as its new head, while AIG Tambari Y. Mohammed is the new AIG Zone 9 comprising Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo State Police Commands.

Also, Zone 10 with headquarters in Sokoto which covers Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara State Police Commands is now headed by AIG Sule Mamman, while Police Academy, POLAC, situated in Wudil, Kano, now has AIG Adisa Baba Bolanta, as its new commandant.

The statement said: “The posting of the AIGs, which is in line with ongoing reformation and restructuring of the Force for better performance and greater efficiency, takes immediate effect.

“The affected AIGs are expected to assume duty in their respective new offices on or before 18th March, 2013.”

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bill to grant the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, OAGF, financial autonomy scaled second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The OAGF at present depends on allocations from the Budget Office in the Presidency.

He also takes directives from the Ministry of Finance, as against the spirit of the position of the Audit Chief of the Federation.

The bill to grant the office financial independence as sponsored by the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Adeola Solomon Olamilekan (ACN, Lagos), is titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to place the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the first line charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

The bill was supported for second reading by Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe

(PDP, Imo).

Making a case for the bill yesterday, Olamilekan informed the House that the OAGF was weakened by the executive.

He said: “The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation is nothing to write home about, because there is no proper funding for the office.”

The legislator regretted that while the National Assembly approved N2.1 billlion for the Auditor General’s office in 2012, the Budget Office in the Presidency reduced the budget to a meagre N892 million.

Olamilekan appealed to his colleagues to support the passage of the bill to amend Section 85 of 1999 Constitution to grant the office financial autonomy to make the audit of government offices more effective.

The PAC chairman regretted that the Auditor General of the Federation was made to answer to queries and directives from the Minister of Finance, when the reverse should be the case.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Friday, March 15, 2013

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Reps probe illegal release of drug peddlers from prisons TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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motion to probe into an alleged unlawful release of 197 convicted drug offenders from Nigeria prisons, yesterday scaled through at the House of Representatives. The motion was sponsored by Hon. Hassan Saleh (PDP- Benue).

The House, after a short

debate on the matter, mandated its committees on Justice, Interior, Drug, Narcotics and Financial Crimes to determine the statistics of all those prosecuted and convicted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, from its inception to date and determine where they served their terms.

The lawmakers also mandated the relevant com-

mittees to determine the circumstances leading to the unlawful release from custody of those persons who have been lawfully convicted and all those who were behind these unlawful and shameful act as contained in the Justice Gilbert Obayan’s committee report and recommend appropriate sanction for them.

While making a case for his motion, Saleh ob-

Subsidy fraud: Arisekola Alao’s son re-arraigned, granted bail KENNY ODUNUKAN

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday re-arraigned Abdullahi Alao, the son of Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, Ibadan-based billionaire before an Ikeja High Court on a six-count charge of fuel subsidy fraud worth over N2 billion.

The anti-graft commission accused Abdullahi Alao and his company, Axe Energy Ltd; of fraudulently obtaining payments for the importation of 33, 000 litres of fuel from the Federal Government in 2011, which however was not imported.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the sixcount charges.

The defendants were first arraigned sometimes in August 2012, before Justice Habeeb Abiru, whose elevation to the Court of Appeal has led to cases scheduled in his court being re-assigned to other judges.

EFCC counsel, Francis Usani, requested that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the commencement of trial.

Counsel to defendants, Prof. Taiwo Oshipitan, SAN, however, objected to the application of the EFCC. He further urged the court to allow his client to continue on the bail granted him by the previous judge, or impose softer conditions.

According to him; “I urge the court not to give stiffer conditions. The defendant was granted bail on August 1, 2012; he remained in the custody of the EFCC for 14 days. Once he’s granted bail, everyday in custody affects his liberty,” Osipitan added.

On the contrary, Usani urged the court to disregard the defendant’s request to continue on bail.

According to him “The issue of bail is discretionary, and the law is that the court should treat any case before it on its own merit, and not whether the accused had been granted bail earlier. I refuse the bail

on the grounds that there are not sufficient materials before the court,” However, Osipitan accused the EFCC counsel as a ‘persecutor,’ adding that he was acting like he has a personal interest in the matter.

He continued: “The only materials before the court are our own material. The EFCC don’t have any conflicting material. We have shown that the defendant is a responsible Nigerian, a breadwinner, who has many dependants, not convicted of any criminal offence before.

Ruling, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, noted that the alleged crime is bailable and that she was bound by the ruling of the former trial judge.

The judge, however, granted the defendant bail in like sum of N100 million; two sureties who must possess tax clearance certificates; deposit their travel documents with the Chief Registrar; and EFCC investigators verifying the addresses of the sureties.

Fashola inaugurates model primary health centre MURITALA AYINLA

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agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday commissioned the Iga-Idunganran Model Primary Health Centre, PHC, built by Zenith Bank PLC, just as he gave plank traders at Oko-Baba market 25metres space to stack their planks.

The governor at another occasion also urged well meaning Nigerians to give back to their alma-matter as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Speaking while inaugurating the facility on Lagos Island, Fashola said the health centre was the first out of the 57 flagship model proposed PHCs by the state

government under his administration.

He described the inauguration as a demonstration of his government’s commitment to strengthening qualitative health care services at the grassroots.

Stressing that the delivery of the 24-hour facility was in redemption of his electoral promise, Fashola explained that the model health centre is aimed at offering comprehensive healthcare services to patients and other care seekers at the grassroots.

His words: “I promised sometime ago that we would support the local governments, strengthen the PHC system in a partnership on shared responsibility basis.

“I promised you then that we would in the first in-

stance, we would deliver 57 flagship PHCs that would offer a 24-hour service in each of the local governments and local council development areas.

“The truth is that there are several hundreds of PHCs scattered across the state and some of them do not have enough staff because the local governments cannot afford it.

“Some of them do not have the equipment in full supply; some of them do not even have the funding, o keep their PHCs running for the full day and the night.

“Some of them are still struggling either to renovate, rehabilitate and so on, but we said we will work with you and take one and make it a flagship in each local government.”

served that over the years, the NDLEA had prosecuted some suspected drug traffickers in court who were convicted to serve various terms in our nation’s prisons, but along the line, were left off the hook.

According to him, “About 197 persons convicted for drug trafficking-related offences were said not to be serving their prison terms in

the prisons; this allegation was substantiated in the report of a committee set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which was headed

by Justice Gilbert Obayan in 2006.”

He said according to the committee’s report, out of 143 drug convicts for the year 2006, 96 of them were never brought to the prison while another set of 101 drug

convicts for year 2005 were also not taken to the prison, bringing the total to 197.

He further asserted that those unlawfully released from prison custody were alleged to have been lawfully prosecuted by the NDLEA and convicted by courts of law but were unlawfully released from prison, thereby undermining the nation’s criminal justice system.

Court removes Chief Imam of Ososa FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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n Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode yesterday ordered the Chief Imam of Ososa Muslim Community, in Odogbolu Local Government Area, Alhaji Taoreed Oluwakemi Idris, to stop parading himself as the Chief Imam of the town.

Delivering judgement in the suit filed by the former Chief Imam himself, Alhaji Idris, against the Acting Chief Imam, Alhaji Akeem

Abiodun Amusa, Justice O. A. Onafowokan, held that the embattled Islamic leader was appropriately selected, appointed and installed as the leader of the community by the Ososa Muslim Council, hence he was duty bound to abide by the decision of his employers to remove him.

The judge also said that the claimants’ case and evidence lacked substance.

National Mirror recalled that the Muslim Community in Ososa, the home town of the late Nigerian doyen of theatre, Chief Hurbert Ogunde, has since 2009 been

engulfed in leadership tussle.

The development had also forced the Ibikunle Amosun administration in the state to ban Islamic functions, particularly the Eid-el-Kabir prayers following a fight which broke out between the two leaders and consequently caused division among the adherent of the faith in the town.

The deposed Alhaji Idris had approached the court in 2009 challenging his removal as the duly elected Chief Imam of Ososa Muslim Community by the Muslim Council.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oluwo stool: Ruling houses at war over choice of candidate ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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ension continues to mount in the ancient town of Iwo about who occupies the throne of the Oluwo of Iwo, as members of the ruling houses in the town are now at loggerheads over which family presents candidate for the throne.

Contestants for the vacant seat, National Mirror

investigation revealed, are equally on the neck of the kingmakers as they reportedly now keep vigil in their houses whether they could be considered for the throne.

National Mirror also gathered that the development has turned the kingmakers and members of the ruling houses against each other as personal and sectional interests continued to dominate the selection process.

One ruling house that laid claim to the throne was described by another as not entitled to it, maintaining that it is the turn of his ruling house and the issue was yet to be resolved as at the time of filing this report.

Palace sources said that; “Already three ruling houses have presented candidates for the vacant stool, but the intention of the ruling house that produced the late monarch to present a candidate is currently

generating rumpus in the town.”

“The Ogunmakinde Ande house that presented Prof. Gbolagade Ajagbe, claimed that it is the turn of the ruling house to produce the next Oluwo of Iwo, but the family was being challenged by the Adegunodo ruling house which produced Oba Tadese, the immediate past Oluwo of Iwo. “The Adegunodo family claimed that the late monarch, though was presented

by the family in 1992, he later traced his origin to the Tadese ruling house, and this was contained in a government gazette of September 25, 2008.”

Speaking on the development, the paramount head of the ruling house, Prince Adio Bamigboye, said it was the turn of the Adegunodo to present the next Oluwo of Iwo going by the 2008 gazette, which he said supersedes other government gazette.

He further revealed that

five persons from the ruling house had already signified their intention to vie for the vacant stool, adding that the Ogunmakinde Ande ruling house countered the position of the Adegunodo ruling house.

He said the ruling house had its turn when it presented Oba Tadese in 1992, hence it was its own turn going by the chronological order used in the selection of the Oluwo.

‘Lagos’ll continue to improve on WEAC results’ TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc; Godwin Emefiele and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, during a facility tour at the inauguration of Iga Idunganran Primary Health Care Centre in Lagos, yesterday.

OPC leader wants amnesty for Boko Haram members KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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ational Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, yesterday threw his weight behind the calls for dialogue with the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, urging President Goodluck Jonathan, to open up dialogue with members of the sect with a view to granting them amnesty.

He made this call while speaking with journalists during the 2013 Oke-Ibadan Festival organised by the

OPC and Olokun Festival Foundation, which took place at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan, insisting on the promotion of history and culture as panacea to the socio-political and economic problems militating against the country.

The OPC leader, who supported the recent call by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, that members of the Boko Haram sect should be granted amnesty by the Federal Government, maintained that the call by the Sultan was in the best interest of the country.

He lamented that the lingering Boko Haram crisis has continued to give millions of Nigerians sleepless nights and has become a source of embarrassment to the country in the international community.

He said if granting amnesty to members of the sect will bring a lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace, it will not be out of place for the President to consider it.

Adams while maintaining that whatever that could be done to ensure peace in the country will not be too much for the Federal Government

to do, enjoined President Jonathan to consider the Sultan’s suggestion.

He said if amnesty could be granted to militants in the Niger Delta, the same should be extended to members of the Boko Haram in the interest of peaceful co-existence of the country.

His words: “My position on the comment by the Sultan of Sokoto is that I support his suggestion. His suggestion was in order if it will bring a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crisis. After war-war, we should create a room for dialogue.

Nigerian judges are endangered, says retired judge K AYODE KETEFE

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retired justice of the Federal High Court, Justice Barbara Molokwu, of Lagos jurisdiction, has lamented that Nigerian judges are gradually becoming endangered species.

The judge then called on the authorities to reverse the trend so as not to endanger the administration of justice in the

country.

Justice Molokwu made said this yesterday during a valedictory court session held in her honour at the premises of the court in Lagos.

The valedictory session, which was organised by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, OFR, had in attendance the Attorney-General of Delta State, Mr. Charles Ajuya, SAN, among other digni-

taries.

At the well attended forum, Justice Molokwu lamented that frivolous petitions are now being regularly filed against judges, who end up been compulsorily retired, without being given fair hearing.

The jurist added that unless this trend is checked, it would place judges in difficult position as they might not be able to exercise their unfettered discretion without

fear.

She stressed that free exercise of discretion without fear or favour is a sine qua non for efficient and dynamic judiciary.

Justice Molokwu also lamented the rising incidence of kidnapping of judges, describing it as very unfortunate. She called on the government to enhance the personal security of judges so as to avert the tragic scourge of judges getting kidnapped.

agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has re-assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to commit more resources to the education sector.

He gave the assurance yesterday at the state’s 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards ceremony organised by the state Ministry of Education to appreciate companies, institutions and individual philanthropists that have, in one way or the other, contributed to the development of education in the state in the last one year.

He noted that the massive investments by the state government and philanthropic organisations and individuals in the sector so far have yielded appreciable results.

Fashola said there had been a steady improvement in students’ performance in the Senior Secondary

School Certificate Examinations conducted particularly by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, in the last six years except two years ago, when there was a lull.

According to him; “It was just only five per cent of candidates, who wrote the SSCE’s WAEC exam from Lagos State in 2008 that had a minimum credit pass in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics at one sitting, the figure jumped to 11 per cent in 2008, 18 per cent in 2009, and 21 per cent in 2010.

“Sadly, the figure went down to 19 per cent in 2011 and rose again and doubled the number. I mean the record for last year was 39 per cent.

“But even at that, the state is not where it is going on students’ performance in WAEC and that is why my administration will continue to commit more resources in that respect and other areas of education and get to a greater height,” he added.

Police arrest hijacker of petrol tanker FRANCIS SUBERU

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he Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested a member of the gang that attempted to rob a petrol-laden tanker at Kirikiri Waterside area of Lagos.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who disclosed this to journalists in a statement, said a police patrol team attached to Kirikiri Division, arrested the suspect on Monday, at about 7.45pm, while three others escaped after their plan was foiled by the police.

According to her: “Items recovered from

the suspect were one walkie-talkie, four Nokia cell phones, one merchant navy ID card, one Seaman club identify card and N17, 320 and 2, 000 Chileans currency.”

It will be recalled that on February 26, 2013, four persons were alleged to have conspired with some men in army uniform to hijack a tanker loaded with kerosene, while discharging its products.

The suspects carried out the operation when the tanker driver was discharging the products at AP Filling Station, along Governors Road, Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Killing: IGP asked to weed out bad eggs from Force ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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nspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar, has been urged to weed out bad eggs from the Nigerian Police Force.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Dr Peter Obafemi, said the manner in which the police at Oye Ekiti killed a student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Mr Seyi Fasere, a fortnight ago showed that bad eggs were still in the Force.

In a statement made available yesterday in AdoEkiti yesterday, Obafemi, said: “The authorities must ensure that the bad ones are weeded out of the police to stop corrupting the good ones.”

He queried the whereabouts of the N100,000 school fees that the late student’s family gave him at

his lupeju-Ekiti residence before he was killed.

Asking the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Sotonye Wakama, to ensure that the policeman accused of killing Seyi is arrested for prosecution, Obafemi said: “The killing of Mr Seyi Fasere, a 400 level student of Business Administration and Management of EKSU, Ado Ekiti, is another in the long list of extra judicial killing in this country.

“The boy was arrested after a gang of robbers raided a bank in Oye-Ekiti and killed the following day at a police station. This is summary execution and should not be allowed to continue.

“Seyi’s killing has brought sorrow on his parents, siblings and relations, who toiled to educate him.

“Nigerians want to know how this boy was killed. The Inspector-General of Police must ensure

•Driver dead, two injured in Ekiti auto crash that the case is not swept under the carpet. A particular photograph of Seyi’s body his family said they took at the police station showed that his two hands were tied to the back”.

Meanwhile, a driver died yesterday in a lone accident involving a truck laden with earth-moving equip-

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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ndo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Labour Party (LP) yesterday closed their defence before the Justice Andovar Kaka’an-led Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital.

Mimiko and the LP

• Atiku lauds transformation of Ibadan

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tion, Independent Power Project, Cotton Plantation, agro-chemicals, possibility of citing a transformer factory in the state, as well as the state’s Ikere Gorge Dam. The Dam is conceived by the administration to provide electricity, portable water and irrigation for the state.

Governor Ajimobi will also, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week, visit a Shanghai vehicleproducing company and an automobile company called Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Group.

Meanwhile, former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar has lauded the transformation of Ibadan from its former rural-urban setting to a modern state capital, prais-

ing Ajimobi for the feat.

Atiku, who spoke a visit to the governor on Wednesday in Ibadan, said he had lived in the state capital for some time and knew what the ancient city used to be which had earned it the stigma of being the dirtiest city in Nigeria.

He, however, said he was impressed with the newlook which Ibadan was wearing, saying: “I have seen a lot of changes, with cleaner streets and green environment’’.

The former vice-president also commended the governor for the distribution of 320 tractors to local government areas, a feat which he said would boost agriculture and ensure food security.

Three illegal miners held in Osun

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he Osun State Government has begun raiding of illegal gold miners across the state, as it arrested three persons on Wednesday evening.

The raid, which was led by the Coordinator, Office of Mineral and Natural Resources, Mr. Tunde Ajilore, saw a combined team of security operatives storming Itagunmodi and Aruwa communities in Atakumosa West Local Government area where

the illegal gold miners carry out their activities.

The illegal gold mining site in Itagunmodi was said to have been operated by a group of Chinese, while the other one at Aruwa village is being operated illegally by one Alhaji Aruna, who has his base in Ile-Ife. While no one was met at the site being operated by the Chinese, scores of labourers engaged by Alhaji Aruna at the site in Aruwa were apprehended.

They, however, took to

ing a steep portion of the Aramoko – Ado Ekiti Road, thus forcing the truck to somersault severally just as the bulldozer fell off the trailer.

The driver, who was said to have flung out of the vehicle in the process, was unfortunate as his skull was shattered by the tyres

Ondo guber poll: Mimiko, LP close defence

Ajimobi takes investment drive to China overnor Abiola Ajimobi will this weekend lead a joint Oyo State-First Bank Nigeria Plc. Business Delegation to the Republic of China.

The visit, sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria, will last for 10 days.

This was disclosed yesterday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Dr. Festus Adedayo.

According to the statement, the governor will on Monday, March 18, and Tuesday 19, 2013 visit the China National Machinery Industry Complete Engineering Group of Beijing and Mountain Agro Group and Xian Panlong Group to discuss the Ibadan Mega Market project of his administra-

ment at Aramoko-Ekiti in the Ekiti West Council area of Ekiti State.

The two other occupants of the truck, who were injured in the crash, were rushed to the General Hospital in Aramoko-Ekiti.

The trailer attached to the truck detached while the vehicle was descend-

of his vehicle.

Eyewitnesses said the driver had negotiated the bend on slope with high speed, thus causing a tilt in the bulldozer on the trailer which eventually compelled the trailer to detach from the truck belonging to Seeignal Construction Company.

The police spokesman, Mr Victor Babayemi Olu confirmed the accident.

their heels at the sight of security operatives and officials from the Office of Mineral and Natural Resources.

An old man, Akinola Samuel, was arrested at the site to join two other labourers - Mutari Lemo and Abdulahi Ashimu - who were caught earlier on the way to the site.

It was noted that the sites at Itagunmodi and Aruwa had suffered massive degradation as a result of prolonged illegal mining operations.

decided to close their cases after presenting 13 witnesses for crossexamination by the petitioners.

Addressing the Justice Andovar Kaka’anled tribunal, counsel to Governor Mimiko, Mr. John Bayeisheia (SAN), said after analysing the situation, he found it unnecessary to continue the defence.

Both Mimiko and the LP on Tuesday opened their defence and were expected to present more witnesses before the tribunal until Baiyeshea

and the LP’s lawyer, Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju, told the tribunal their intention to close the defence.

Addressing the court, Baiyeshea said that his client decided to close his case “having critically analysing the situation on ground” He said: “My client finds it more convenient not to continue his defence.”

Olanrewaju also told the panel that his client, LP, was equally willing to close its case.

But counsel to the Independent National Elec-

Politics

INEC registration:

toral Commission (INEC), Mr. Tunde Fasola, described the development as surprising and asked the tribunal to give him till today to open INEC’s defence.

In his ruling, the Justice Kaka’an urged INEC not to delay the proceedings at the tribunal.

Meanwhile, all the witnesses brought before the panel confirmed that the October 20, 2012 governorship poll in the state was free, fair and credible as it was devoid of any form of harassment, intimidation, coercion or protest.

DID You

HEAR?

APC in the eye of the storm Nobody has the right to delay the registration of any political party that meets up with the requirements of INEC. –Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra State.

Clearly, INEC is on a mission of mischief and its paymaster is PDP which has been having sleepless nights since the merger arrangement was announced –Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN national publicity secretary How can a group who could not conclude the basics as in due registration of its name be able to manage the affairs of Nigeria at this moment of critical challenge?

–Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP national publicity secretary

Celebrity ‘It is difÀcult to recoup investment in Nollywood’

Daniel Ademinokan

Genevieve

...Uproar over AMVCA dress

•Retta Rich tipped for something big •MI signs female DJ •Sheyman quits Trybe Records •Wale Thompson to drop No Rival •Timaya, Tiwa Savage release highly anticipated videos

Why are blokes obsessed with boobs?

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Okorocha’s govt has misappropriated N26bn – ALGON CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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ssociation of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has accused Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha of misappropriating N26.27 billion left by his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim, in various bank accounts.

The state chapter of ALGON also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest and investigate wife of the governor, Nkechi, and

•Asks EFCC to investigate gov’s wife

other principal officers involved in the Agbasogate contract.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, the legal counsel to ALGON, Chief Cyprian O. C. Akaolisa, disclosed that by the time the former governor left office, several funds were deposited in various banks including N13.3 billion bond proceeds in UBA Plc, N3 billion in the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB,

project accounts with BankPHB now Keystone Bank, N488 million VAT account in Zenith Bank Plc, N450 internally generated revenue with Zenith Bank, N2.5 billion local government joint account with BankPHB. Other funds include N500 million agriculture loan account with Access Bank, N250 million fertiliser sales account with Oceanic Bank Plc, N3.6 million JAAC account with BankPHB, N500 million MDG projects ac-

counts with Fidelity Bank Plc, N1 billion Education Trust Fund, ETF, with Zenith Bank and N670 million Imo Children Education Funds.

The association alleged that these funds were never appropriated in any budget as they were illegally spent without the knowledge of Imo citizens.

“Suffice to say that this is a clear case of crass abuse of office, criminal conspiracy and outright stealing of

public funds which should attract very serious sanctions,” Akaolisa said.

Reacting, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Chinedu Offor, described ALGON’s statement as unpatriotic, adding that the contracts, including the one that indicted the deputy governor, were properly awarded.

He said: “The contracts are not phony; they were duly awarded and paid for.

The issue is that a contractor alleging he paid a bribe to the deputy governor of Imo

Awka residents protest threemonth blackout

APGA national convention to hold April 8 OBIORA IFOH

CHARLES OKEKE

ABUJA

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AWKA

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cores of people yesterday stormed the Awka business office of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to protest its poor services and constant power outages in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The protesters, numbering over 600 and mainly drawn from key residential areas of Emma Nnaemeka Street, Arthur Eze Avenue and Odor-Agba, all in Awka, said they had been living without electricity in the last three months.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “PHCN give us light,” “Wicked PHCN, come and restore our light.”

The angry electricity consumers, who traded words with the PHCN workers on duty, accused the company of inefficiency and negligence of duty.

The protesters said their transformer was vandalised in January by unknown persons. They also threatened to stop paying electricity bills until their light was restored.

The protesters, led by one Amechi, regretted that despite all the complaints they made to the management of PHCN, it did nothing to ameliorate their plight.

However, addressing the people, the Business Manager of Awka Office of PHCN, Mr. Dim Emmanuel, blamed the situation on constant vandalism of electrical installations in the affected areas.

Emmanuel appealed to the protesters to exercise restraint as their complaints had been noted.

State.

“If ALGON is patriotic it should commend the government for its zero corruption policy.”

But on the N458 million allegedly collected by the Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso, from a contractor, ALGON called on EFCC to wade in to thoroughly investigate the case since there were other road projects in the state where funds were looted.

It wondered how a threekilometre road could be awarded for N1.2 billion at N400 million per kilometre.

L-R: Director-General, Enugu Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Emeka Okereke; President, Dr. Theo Okonkwo and Accounts Officer, Mrs. Ifenyiwa Agu, at the pre-trade fair briefing in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Tukur, South-East PDP stakeholders meet tomorrow DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is expected to hold a crucial meeting with stakeholders of the party in Enugu tomorrow.

Those expected to attend the meeting include the PDP governors of Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi states, the deputy Senate president, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, leg-

islators at both national and state levels, ministers, commissioners, zonal executive committee members, women and youth groups.

The South-East Zonal Chairman of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), said the meeting scheduled for Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, would be an important opportunity for the zone to consolidate on the successes it had recorded in the last one year in reconciling aggrieved members and setting agenda for reform.

Akobundu said party members had been adequately mobilised to give the

national chairman and the National Working Committee, NWC, members a rousing reception.

He expressed optimism that the meeting would achieve constructive results.

The zonal chairman said that the zone remained a strong PDP stronghold where internal party crises had proved to be more manageable, attributing it to the maturity of leaders in the zone and their willingness to make personal sacrifices for the progress of the people.

He said: “The national chairman’s visit will be

the icing on the cake. Considering the progress we have made in reconciling aggrieved individuals and groups in the zone, the meeting will afford everyone an opportunity to make inputs on ways to move the party forward.

“Our doors are open to returning members but no returnee will be treated as if he or she is above the party’s constitution.

“PDP is the home of south easterners. We are comfortable with the party’s developmental strides, which is why we support the President’s Transformation Agenda.

Over 70% Nigerians at risk of glaucoma –Surgeon GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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ore than 70 per cent of Nigerians are at the risk of facing visual impairment resulting from glaucoma disease.

An optometric surgeon, Rev. Christiana Ubaka, said this at a seminar organised for more than 250 people, including glaucoma patients,

at St Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Umuahia, Abia State capital.

According to her, more than seven out of 10 people, especially those above 40 years, often have one sign suggesting that they would develop glaucoma disease.

Ubaka noted that of four types of glaucoma, the primary open angel glaucoma was common in Nigeria.

She said: “With this pri-

mary open angel, the victims do not feel anything until the vision is reduced or lost’’.

Ubaka, who is the Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Eyes Hospital, Mgbirichi, Imo State, said three other types, primary closed angel glaucoma, childhood glaucoma and secondary glaucoma, were also noticed among patients.

She said that anyone could develop glaucoma especially those above 40 years

of age.

Other lifestyle activities that increase the risk of glaucoma are; playing high wind instruments (flutes), drinking of coffee and alcohol, weight lifting and wearing of tight neck ties among others.

She said that glaucoma was a genetic disease, adding that family history of glaucoma and family history of blindness and short-sightedness were other risk factors.

he All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, disclosed yesterday that it had corrected the constitutional lapses in its earlier notice for a national convention to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The party said it had fixed April 8 for the convention, which would be held in Enugu.

The national convention of APGA was last held in 2004.

Factional National Chairman of APGA, Chief Maxi Okwu, explained that the leadership took the decision in response to INEC’s stand on the issue and to correct the observed constitutional lapses in line with Article 22 of the party’s constitution.

He also said that local government elections would hold in Anambra State in June if all the security concerns which hitherto had delayed the polls were tackled.

The factional chairman also boasted that APGA would sweep the pools.

Okwu also said the current interim leadership was working to reverse the ugly financial reports on the party by INEC during the leadership of Chief Victor Umeh, where the commission said that the party operated without any regard to accountability.

He disclosed that with the successful hosting of a meeting of the state chairmen of the party, which led to a series of meeting at ward, local government and state levels in the last couple of days.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Friday, March 15, 2013

11

Death toll rises in Warri prison officials’ attack SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

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eath toll in Wednesday’s attack on the escort team of the Federal Prisons, Warri, Delta State, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen has risen to six.

It was gathered that two inmates of the prisons, who were among nine suspects being taken to Warri High Court for trial, died in the early hours of yesterday.

They were among the injured rushed to Warri Gen-

eral Hospital in the wake of the bloody encounter.

Two of the prisons wardens accompanying the suspects on the ill-fated trip died in the incident on Wednesday while three other prison officials sustained gunshot injuries.

They were at the intensive care unit of the Warri General Hospital at press time.

One of the inmates also died on the spot.

An official of the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Mr. Julius Ogung-

bemi, also died in the attack.

Ogungbemi was killed by the gunmen, who snatched his Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, at Effurun, the headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, apparently in desperation to evade the security agents.

His SUV was later recovered by the police at Isiokolo, the headquarters of Ethiope East Local Government.

Gunmen attacked the Black Maria conveying nine high profile suspects to court

on Wednesday. The gunmen, who apparently had a foreknowledge of the movement, ambushed the team on Esisi Road, a few metres from Okere Road base of the prisons yard and other security agencies such as the police, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, to free their colleagues, who were arrested in connection with kidnapping and armed robbery cases.

The gunmen escaped with five of their colleagues and service rifles of the pris-

on officials.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, appeared to have shunned the police over the incident.

It was learnt that the NPS had declined information required by the police in connection with the incident.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Adaba, admitted the uncooperative posture of NPS in a text message to our correspondent yesterday.

In his account of the in-

cident, Adaba said: “Armed men suspected to be kidnappers/armed robbers ambushed a prison escort conveying prisoners to court with a view to rescuing their colleagues. Some prison officers and prisoners were fatally injured.

“The prison authority is yet to give details of (the) casualty figure and number of prisoners rescued.”

The commissioner, however, hinted that the police had recorded a level of success on the incident.

ASUU lambasts Bayelsa over new tax regime EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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L-R: Deputy Customs Public Relations Officer, Mr. Attah Joseph; Deputy Comptroller in Charge of Customs Anti-Smuggling Task Force, Mr. Shallangwa Hassan and Officer in Charge of Federal Ocean Terminal Gate, Onne Seaport, Mr. Gummi Hamza, during the task force’s visit to the port in Rivers State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Oyerinde: ‘Police report contains no autopsy record’ SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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he report of the police force on the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, the Principal Private Secretary to Edo State governor, presented to the House Committee on Public Petitions, contains no autopsy report.

The committee heard a petition on an alleged police cover up of the murder penultimate week.

Obtaining an autopsy report is a global norm in the

investigation of murder or any other death. However, the non-presentation of an autopsy record along with the police report of the murder, according to experts, has cast more doubts on the work of the police.

Attempt yesterday to get police reaction on why the autopsy report was not attached did not result as the Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, refused to pick his calls.

But reviewing the report, the Executive Director of

the African Network on Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, said he believed it was deliberately omitted from the report to bungle it and confuse the already puzzled general public the more.

Ugolor, a known Federal Government critic named a principal suspect in the murder by the police, was freed last year by the court and awarded N5 million damages for unlawful detention.

The rights activist attend-

ed the public hearing on the petition, where he obtained the police report.

He said: “One thing that I must put on record is that in the entire report, the police deliberately tried to bungle the investigation of Oyerinde’s killing.

“For example, there was no autopsy report on the murder. There was no autopsy report and the police deliberately misled the public by either not carrying out an autopsy or showing no autopsy it carried out.

Woman petitions IG over alleged rape in police custody SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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woman, Mrs. Ese Isaiah Ozegbe, who said she was serially raped by four men while being detained at the Abraka Police Station, Delta State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, for justice.

In the petition delivered to the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, Zone 5,

Benin City by her counsel, Mr. Ejomasuvwe Efe of E. J. Efe & Co., the victim specifically accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and men of the station of inhuman treatment, negligence and failure to protect her.

She narrated how her painful experience began.

Mrs. Isaiah said her ordeal started after a fight between her and a neighbour, Mama Afoke, following which police from the

station came to arrest her, acting on a complaint from the said neighbour.

The petitioner added that during her detention, efforts by her husband, Mr. Isaiah Ozegbe, to bail her were rebuffed by the DPO and the DCO who intimidated, abused and thereafter pushed him out of the station.

The petition reads in part: “Shortly after Mr. Isaiah left the Abraka Police Station, the Police IPO

instructed the police at the counter to take Mrs. Ese Ozegbe to the police cell and delivered her into a cell where there are two men already inside the cell. As soon as the police locked the gate of the cell, two younger boys came into the cell where Ese and the other two men were kept and immediately they started caressing her, she protested that she is a married woman and mother of five children.

he Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday knocked the Bayelsa State Government over the process it employed to implement the Personal Income Tax Act, PITA. Accusing the government of using the new tax regime to cut down salaries of its workforce to boost its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, the ASUU chapter at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, said the government did not make proper consultation and described the tax as a burden on workers in the employ of the state government.

In a statement issued in

Yenagoa, the branch Chairman of ASUU, Dr. Sese Beke, said the union was against the new tax regime, noting that it was difficult to understand the tax policy of the state. But the Special Adviser to the governor on Treasury Accounts and Revenue Matters, Timipre Seipulo, faulted ASUU’s claims.

He argued that the new tax system was workersfriendly and in line with the country’s constitution.

But Sese said: “As a union, we are not against the new tax system which is a constitutional obligation.

The stance of the state government on the non-negotiability of the new tax law with the state labour movement left much to be desired as it was not in the true spirit of democracy.

Indian hemp makes me eat well –Suspect SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

“Y

es, I smoke Indian hemp before I work. It makes me to eat well.”

This was the confession of a suspect, Mr. Kennedy Eromosele, arrested by men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in Benin yesterday.

Eromosele was one of the five suspects arrested when the JTF, codenamed Operation Thunder Storm, raided a criminal hideout at Obehi Avenue, off 2nd Ugbor Road in the Government Reserved Area, GRA, Benin.

Other arrested suspects are: Nosa Okoro, Noruwa Okoro, Miss Precious Aimusu and Miss Sharon Ehiorobo.

Parading the suspects, the Public Relations Officer of 4th Mechanised Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Capt. Roslyn Oluwaseun Managbe, said four big size

cutlasses, one big hammer, a wrap of substance suspected to be Indian hemp and one military kit bag in which the cutlasses and the hammer were hidden, were recovered at the hideout.

Managbe explained that the owner of the apartment was on the run.

She said: “There were marks of footprints on the wall close to a manhole in the ceiling, indicating frequent entry and exit through the ceiling.

“The suspects could not explain what the ceiling was used for. The five suspects also claimed not to be staying in the house permanently.”

Speaking on behalf of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Pat Akem, Managbe appealed to the public to always give security agencies vital information that will assist in the fight against crime in Edo State.

12

North

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Boko Haram: ACF seeks EU’s intelligence help A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Northern apex socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday called on the European Union to help the Federal Government with security intelligence that will end the Boko Haram insurgency in the North ACF spokesman, Mr Anthony Sani, made the call when the Forum hosted

European Union Ambassador David Macrae at the Forum’s headquarters on Sokoto Road, Kaduna.

ACF said the call became necessary in view of continued terrorist activities that had ruined the economic and social activities of the North.

ACF said: “Although the country is facing abnormal time, but the situation is not beyond redemption. It is our view that the Europe-

an Union should help us to end the Boko Haram insurgency. The European Union security intelligence should be shared with the Federal Government because the insurgency will also affect not only Nigeria. It is a situation that transcends national boundaries; it concerns the European Union and the United States.

“We said it before, force will not work because it failed in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other terror-

ist countries and we said dialogue remain the only solution .If you looked at what happened, hundreds of Boko Haram members have been killed, but violence continue” ACF said to maintain national unity, it had visited other geo-political regions for interaction and mutual understanding among the nation’s diverse ethnic nationalities.

On his part, EU Am-

bassador David Macrae said his country has good working relationship with Nigeria government, adding that he would assist to tackle the challenges.

Ambassador Macrae said EU had begun discussion with the Federal Government on short, medium and long terms action plan that would benefit the two nations.

He said: “I have a special interest on how we could engage with the North, and

I believe anything we want to do have to be with the executives of ACF, it has to be with you. I want to say when we bring people here, I mean big people giving the situation in Nigeria today, the high level people can appreciate the situation. I don’t want to go into details but am encouraged about our future co operation.”

National Mirror, however, noted tight security around ACF vicinity to prevent likely terrorist attack.

Criticism hauled at PDP a wake-up call –Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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L-R: Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, during the opening ceremony of the Minna National Discourse on Corruption held at the Idris Legbo International Conference Center in Minna, yesterday.

Our N41bn judgement debt non-negotiable, say Zaki-Biam victims EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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ictims of the 2001 invasion of ZakiIbiam by soldiers have again insisted on the full payment of the N41 billion damages awarded against the Federal Government.

The victims asked President Goodluck Jonathan not to deal on their behalf with the Benue State Government, adding that they had not appointed any person or government to serve as a facilitator.

On the claim that the Federal Government had indicated its intention to pay N8 billion, the victims denied knowledge of same, even as they pointed out that anything short of the amount awarded by the court would not be accepted.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, counsel to the victims, Mr. Sebastine Hon (SAN) and Chris Alashi, expressed concern over the sudden interest of the Benue State Government in the matter, which they noted was not a party to the suit.

It was, indeed, an emotional sight at the venue

of the press conference, as some of the victims came with chopped hands, amputated legs and other disabilities, which were left in the trail of the invasion.

Regretting the delay in payment of compensation to the victims about six years after the judgement was entered in their favour, Hon said: “Rather than comply with the terms of the judgement, the Federal Government asked for time to settle the matter out of court, which was

obliged to by my clients and other parties in the suit, who had no cause to doubt the sincerity of the Federal Government.

“However, when my first letter dated 20/2/2013 reached the President, media reports started springing up that the Federal Government had reached an agreement with the Benue State Government to pay N8 billion to the victims.”

He drew attention to sorry state of the victims,

one of whom he said had died out of the permanent injuries and trauma.

“I hereby state categorically that whatever settlement the Federal Government and the Benue State Government have reached is not binding on my clients, who reject same without the slightest equivocation.

“My clients were neither consulted nor did they consent to the terms of that so-called settlement; hence reject it in its entirety.

overnor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has described the criticism hauled at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a clarion call on members to shun anti-party activities.

“The criticism is a call on members to build a united party and improve it,” the governor said.

Governor Aliyu spoke yesterday at a forum in Minna, the Niger State capital.

One of the discussants at the forum, Alhaji Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, warned that if nothing is done to tackle the rot in the ruling PDP, it may head to extinction.

Baba-Ahmed, who was one of the discussants on the paper presented by former Minister of Foreign, Affairs, Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi, said that the PDP-led Federal Government had ruined the nation’s foundation since the past 14 years

Kano promises ICPC support in war against graft AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

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he Kano State Government has promised to support the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in its drive to fight corruption in the country.

The state governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, made the promise yesterday when the ICPC Chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta, visited him at the Government House in Kano.

He said the proposal rolled out by the ICPC on

Systems Study would go a long way in addressing the challenges associated with corruption.

Kwankwaso said: “We will partner with you on the fight against corruption, which is a major challenge to all of us. We are working hard, not only to minimize corruption, but to ensure a free-corrupt Kano State.”

The governor added that his administration had put in place a structure to discipline in the management of the state’s finance.

He said: “To me, corruption is almost zero in Kano State because of the 2012

budget implementation which attained 80 per cent performance.

ICPC boss, who was represented by an executive member of the commission, Prof. Olu Aina, said the major focus of the commission is to stamp out corruption in Nigeria by taking preventive measures, one of which is adoption of the Systems Study to find out why corruption strives in the country.

He said: “In a country that is so poor, where corruption strives, there is the need to remove those

causes through systems study, which have assisted some states like Katsina, which is not generating enough revenue, adopted the system.

“We want 100 per cent implementation of the budget in the country. We are ready to assist states to achieve it, particularly on budget preparation, in the area of legislation, where we would want to use the Governor’s Forum to share ideas by inviting governors to share ideas, experiences that would minimize or eradicate corruption in the society.”

that the party had been in power.

He told members of PDP at the forum that: “Your party is heading for the rock. If you can save it, please do so because there are other ships around.”

Baba-Ahmed, who is also the Executive ViceChairman of Qura Mandate Consulting, faulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to grant state pardon to former Bayelsa State Governor DSP Alameiseigha, who was convicted for stealing billions of naira from the state treasury while he was in power.

The retired permanent secretary also identified corruption in the electoral process as another major corruption eating the fabric of the nation, aside financial corruption.

He, however, warned the ruling PDP against manipulating the 2015 general elections, saying that attempts by the ruling party to tamper with the elections process would be resisted.

But Governor Aliyu described the criticism hauled at the PDP as a call on members to put their grievances aside and work for the interest of the party.

He said despite the barrage of criticisms passed on the PDP, no other party would fare better.

The governor said: “ I don’t see what you what described as an attack on my party of which I am a loyal member, but a piece of advice for the party to wake up to its responsibilities to the nation. And having being in power for 14 years, you expect such criticisms from the people.”

Friday, March 15, 2013

14 ABUJA

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it would go ahead with the registration of the party, insisting on retaining the acronym APC. The coalition party said it has satisfied all legal and constitutional requirements to form the All Progressives Congress.

The merging party noted that necessary search was carried out on existing names of parties in the country, insisting that the acronym APC remained an intellectual property of the merging political parties.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the Chairman of the merger committee of the APC, Chief Tom Ikimi, said

13

Politics

Amaechi vs Presidency: Kindred spirit at play

Burble bursts for Agbaso in Imo

STORIES BY OBIORA IFOH

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

15

Registration: APC adamant on name theirs was a merger arrangement and not a fresh registration.

“All legal and constitutional processes required to formalise the merger and register our new party with INEC in the name of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are already in progress, in top gear and includes our earlier announcement on February 6, 2013 of the decision of the three parties.

“Prior to the adoption of the name we had carried out a careful search of the existing names of all political parties with extant registration in Nigeria and finding out that none had the name All Progressives Congress nor the acronym, APC; hence, we chose the

name and unveiled it.

“Thus by that public announcement the name All Progressives Congress and the acronym APC became our intellectual property which we shall guard zealously,” the text of the press conference jointly signed

by Ikimi, Ibrahim Shekarau, Annie Okonkwo and Garba Mahammed Gida said in part.

The group said that it came to them as a rude shock that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would announce receipt of a letter from what is now known to be a faceless and unknown political group ostensibly driven by sheer mischief purporting to request for registration with the name African Peoples Congress.

“The obvious motive of this letter is to attempt, albeit in futility, to scuttle the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has been widely publicised and well received to the discomfort of the establishment.”

The party said that its message is very clear. “We have informed the whole world of our decision to

merge under the name All Progressives Congress, with the acronym, APC. We are determined to pursue the process to its logical conclusion in the interest of our dear fatherland. The feeble attempt by any other entity to pretend to use the same acronym is an exercise in futility which must fail because it amounts to what, in law, is called Passing Off.”

...another APC unveils logo

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he leadership of the newly formed African Progressive Congress (APC) yesterday accused leading political parties in Nigeria of being the greatest problem to Nigeria.

The new political association said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) among other political parties have taken Nigeria on a journey to nowhere.

The party which unveiled its logo also said it has completed all requirements for registration as a political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The hitherto faceless promoters of the new party whose acronym clashes with that of the opposition coalition, suddenly threw the doors of its party office open to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.

The party headquarters located opposite the Apo Legislative Quarters in the Gudu District of the Federal Capital territory (FCT) had all the trappings of a well-packaged outfit.

Addressing reporters, the Protem National Chairman, Chief Onyinye

Ikeagwuonu said the new party has completed all necessary requirements for INEC registration and that it is optimistic that the commission will issue it with certificate of registration in a matter of days.

“Today, we have submitted the long list of requirements as prescribed by INEC and have completed constitutional demand on us for registration as a political party. Accordingly, INEC has duly acknowledged our submission and this is the INEC letter to that effect,” he said.

Ikeagwuonu challenged the opposition coalition to show evidence of application for the registration or registration material to INEC. He wondered how grandstanding, constructive knowledge or public knowledge of the merger group forming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could translate to application with INEC. While explaining the apparent faceless posture of the group, Ikeagwuonu said the leadership preferred to busy itself working out details of its political engagement rather than go on talking on the pages of newspaper.

L-R: Alhaji Garba Gadi, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lai Mohammed, during a press conference on the INEC registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

FCT: PDP alleges plan by opposition to rig election

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that opposition parties and accredited observer groups plan to rig Saturday’s council poll in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The party’s Deputy Na-

tional Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, who made the allegation yesterday in Abuja, said the party has uncovered the calculated design by opposition parties to truncate the conduct of credible polls in the area councils as well as subverting the will of the people by instigating vio-

lence during the polls.

Jaja alleged that almost all the 19 election observer groups accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the area council election are promoted by known members of opposition parties.

“We wish to note that

Group tasks terrorists to embrace dialogue SINA FADARE

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he Democratic Advancement Option (DAO) has called on all terrorist groups in the country to make themselves available for dialogue with the Federal Government.

DAO in a statement issued by its secretary, Mr. Godfrey Ishegbe and made available to National Mirror noted that since the Federal Government is

ready to dialogue with the terrorists, it is necessary that they unmask themselves for open negotiation.

According to the group, “We believe if Boko Haram is sincere in its dealings, it should come out to negotiate rather than embark on kamikaze style where there are conflicting signals from the group as to the authenticity and veracity of the ceasefire.”

Speaking on the issue of state pardon, DAO noted that the step taken by the Federal Government was

commendable as it would heal old wounds. The group stated that: “There is nothing wrong in granting amnesty to a Nigerian by the President of Nigeria for an offence committed in Nigeria.

“The sudden trivialisation of the powers of the President by some members of the opposition is certainly very unfortunate. These are exercisable powers even by judges, governors etc. in the due discharge of their duties. What stops the President from doing so?”

this sad development rather than contribute to the conduct of free and fair election is a deliberate strategy by the opposition to ensure that the will of the people is altered and that the elections are rigged against the PDP. “The PDP is greatly concerned by this covert move by the opposition parties.

Their intention is to use these observer groups which they have specifically positioned for a hatchet job against our party and the people,” Jaja said.

The party implored INEC to take urgent steps to protect the will of the people and the nation’s democracy.

He warned that the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to free and fair polls should not serve as an opportunity for the opposition to foist a fraudulent process on the electorate.

14

Politics

The deputy governor of Imo State, Jude Agbaso, has been in the spotlight for weeks over alleged bribery, threat of impeachment and his reported resignation from office. FELIX NWANERI writes on the unfolding political drama in the ‘Eastern Heartland.’

Friday, March 15, 2013

Burble bursts for Agbaso in Imo

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aduna State was the first to blaze the trail when its House of Assembly brought the full force of the provisions of the constitution as regards the impeachment of elected public office holders to bear on former Governor Balarabe Musa, three decades ago.

In a move that largely surprised political observers then, Musa was thrown out of office on June 23, 1981. He was barely two years in office. Since then, the gale of impeachment has continued to blow across the polity with governors and their deputies; Senate Presidents and House speakers; states Assembly speakers and even local government chairmen as casualties.

While Sections 143 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), spelt out how a president could be removed from office, Section 188 stated how a governor or deputy governor of a state can also be removed from office.

The section in sub-section 1 and 2, particularly stated: “The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly stating that the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.”

To avoid ambiguity, sub-section 11 of the section defined “gross misconduct” as “a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion in the House of Assembly to gross misconduct.”

It is this section that the Imo State House, which has had a robust relationship with executive led by Governor Rochas Okorocha since coming on board in 2011, has invoked in its bid to unseat the state’s deputy governor, Jude Agbaso.

The burble had burst when the Hon. Stan Dara (Orsu Constituency)-led Joint Committee on State and Local Government Project Monitoring, indicted Agbaso of having demanded and received the sum of N458 million as gratification from one of the contractors in the state, Messrs JPROS International Nigeria Ltd. The committee had in the course of its investigation had not only summoned JIPROS Ltd but Timik Construction Ltd, the state commissioners for Work and Transport, and Finance as well as other relevant officials.

The Managing Director of JPROS, Mr. Joseph Dina confessed how the deputy governor demanded N458 million, which he paid in two parts. According to the committee’s report, the account numbers, which Agbaso was reported to have been sent through an SMS with phone 08033444421 are as follows: Three brothers Concept Ltd, Bank: GT Bank Plc with

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Agbaso

Account No: 0045630151 with sort code 058266511. Amount paid was N325 million, while N133 million was paid to IHSAN BDC Ltd, Account no 1015334698 with sort code, 033153351, UBA PLC, 27 Wharf Road, Apapa, Lagos State.

It was due to the substantial evidence, which emanated from the investigation that the House deemed it proper to investigate further. But after waiting in vain for a convincing defence from the deputy governor, the Assembly served a notice of impeachment for gross misconduct.

During deliberation on the report of the committee last Thursday, the House adopted that the action of the deputy governor contributed to the abandonment and slow progress of work in some ongoing projects in Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu municipalities of the state.

Against this backdrop, the Ben Uwajimogu-led Assembly resolved “that a vote of no confidence be passed on the deputy governor for acts unbecoming of his person and office; that the Head of Service should immediately commence disciplinary action in accordance with civil service rules against the permanent secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr. Alex Nlebedum; Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and Resident Engineer attached to the contract for criminal negligence in the performance of their duties and report to the Assembly within 14 days.

It also resolved “that the state and local governments of the state should blacklist Messrs JPROS International Nigeria Ltd from doing business with them in future after completion of the existing contracts.”

This is despite the fact that Governor Okorocha had cut short his trip for medical check-up abroad to save the deputy from the embarrassment, a gesture, said to have been rebuffed by him (Agbaso).

Insisting that his ordeal was political, Agbaso, who cited the agreement signed between his elder brother, Martin Agbaso and Okorocha, told journalists in a recent interactive session that “this whole thing stems from the various players’ agitation as to the situation in 2015.”

He added: “At no time did I demand N458 million or any sum of money from any contractor whatsoever in Imo State.

J-PROS

INTERNATIONAL LTD CONFESSED THAT THEY ABANDONED THEIR SITE BECAUSE THE DEPUTY

GOVERNOR, SIR JUDE AGBASSO DEMANDED AND COLLECTED THE

SUM OF N458 MILLION ONLY FROM HIM And at no time did the contractor, Joseph Dina of JPRO, pay me the cumulative sum of N458 million.

“JPRO is the contractor that is working on the present day Sam Mbakwe road.

I never knew the construction company or the owners of the company. They are a company that was introduced to the state

by Governor Rochas Okorocha, who gave the permission for a contract of the magnitude of N1.5 billion. Thereafter, when I was away on a trip to India, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, applied for the final approval of the job so that the governor would give the final approval.

“This was communicated to the governor, who gave the approval but went beyond to give approval for the payment of N1.5 billion to the contractor via the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works.

“Incidentally, his (governor’s) approval was communicated to the Commissioner for Finance who, instead of routing the money through the coffers of the Ministry of Works for onward certification and raising of vouchers to pay to the construction company after due processes would have been fulfilled, routed the money through the office of the Accountant General and paid directly to the contractor.

“So, at no point did I give approval for the payment of the money. At no point did I communicate the approval for the payment of the money. At no point did I pay the money to the contractor. So, the question that comes to mind is: why would this contractor pay me N458 million, for doing

what?”

He also dismissed his alleged resignation, saying: “Let me put it on record and very categorical, too, that, at no time have I contemplated resigning as the deputy governor of Imo State.

“The mandate was freely and massively given to me by the people of the state. So, I never resigned, I never intend to resign and I will continue to serve the people of Imo State until the mandate they gave me elapses.”

But contrary to his claim of innocence, the state Assembly on Monday insisted that he (Agabso) stole the said sum and affirmed that the impeachment process already commenced against him will take its course as prescribed by the constitution.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information in a statement, Hon. Acho Ihim, who spoke in Owerri, the state capital, also denied that the impeachment move was linked to permutations on the 2015 general elections, explaining that it was in pursuant of the resolve of the House to stamp out corruption from all facets of the state.

His words: “For the avoidance of doubt, the travails of His Excellency, Sir Jude Agbasso has nothing to do with 2015 rivalry, ethnic or zonal politics and indeed whipping up undue sentiments.”

Ihim also disclosed that the indictment of the deputy governor followed due process pursuant to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and after a resolution of the House accepting the report of a special committee that investigated him.

He said: “That in the cause of Interaction and investigation, J-Pros International Ltd (Mr Joseph Dina -it’s Managing Director) confessed that they abandoned their site because the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbasso demanded and collected the sum of N458 million only from him, it is therefore mischievous, sacrilegious and cheap blackmail for anybody or indeed group of persons to try to divert attention from the real issues at stake.”

Some analysts and groups, who spoke on the issue, also blamed the deputy governor for linking “his financial recklessness and bribery scandal” to politics.

The Nigerian Watch for Good Governance, which held this view, particularly called on the state House of Assembly to ensure that Agbaso is rooted out of government if found culpable.

Speaking through its coordinator, Mba Ogbonnaya, the group said it will be a dent to the Okorocha-led government, should any official whether appointed or elected is found dipping his or her hands into the people’s purse.

Ogbonnaya insisted that no sentiment should be entertained in trying to get to the root of the matter. He said: “From our records, the House of Assembly has much more work to do. From our finds, the man has cases to answer. How can a deputy governor dupe himself to the extent he squandered even money paid for road construction in his own domain.

“We should be talking about over N2 billion fraud and not paltry N456 million.

That is the height of irresponsibility. We are watching and if Owelle means his words for zero tolerance on corruption, then he should hands off the case and allow justice take its course.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FELIX NWANERI writes on the torrent of support for Governor Rotimi Amaechi by his people, as the row between him and the Presidency deepens.

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Politics

Friday, March 15, 2013

his is not the best of times for the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who is presently locked in a power battle with the Presidency over the soul of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

The group, comprising of governors of the nation’s 36 states, has over the years grown to become one of the most influential power blocs in the country. Little wonder the enormous influence Amaechi wields in the polity, as its helmsman.

However, it is the clout associated with the office of the NGF’s chairman that has pitched Amaechi against some powers that be in the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who are determined to remove him.

While Amaechi survived the removal plot, his camp have alleged another conspiracy to stop him from getting another term as the NGF chairman in order to weaken him politically, ahead of the 2015 elections by the Presidency, which sees him as a threat to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term agenda.

Part of the plot, the governor’s camp alleged is the plan to discredit his administration by arresting the state’s officials on phantom allegations of corruption. The plot, it was further alleged would first involve the circulation in the social media and several dubious websites and blogs, fake and doctored documents of alleged financial infractions and ‘monumental’ corruption in Rivers State by the state’s officials and Amaechi.

This, Amaechi’s camp said would be followed by sponsored, paid for articles and advertorials in the social media, newspapers and magazines, loudly alleging corruption and corrupt activities by Amaechi and the state’s officials and calling for their prosecution by security agencies and anticorruption bodies.

But Amaechi seems not perturbed by this thickening cloud, as he has continued to enjoy enormous support at home. In the past week alone, three major strata, which represents a vast majority of the people of the state openly showed their support for the governor and stated emphatically that whatever he is doing or saying is for the interest of Rivers State and her people.

The first set of people who rose in defence of Amaechi and pledged support for him was the Rivers State Caucus in the House of Representatives. Twelve out of the 13-member caucus, who paid a solidarity visit to the governor last week, declared through their leader, Hon. Asita O. Asita: “We are here to express and declare our support and appreciation to you, on how you have successfully and wonderfully managed the affairs of the state.

“In the past five years and four months, we are satisfied with the level of implementation and vision that you have shown, we are satisfied and indeed thankful to God for giving you to our state at such a time as this, and wish to congratulate you for the show of uncommon courage and statesmanship in the face of uncovered hostilities towards your person as governor.”

Speaking on the issue of PDP leadership in Rivers State, the caucus stated that

15

Amaechi vs Presidency: Kindred spirit at play THE PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE DO HEREIN RESTATE OUR TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE PERSON, LEADERSHIP,

DISPOSITION, AND RESPONSE OF

GOVERNOR AMAECHI TO THE CENTRIPETAL POLITICAL FORCES OF THE Amaechi

it cannot be silent in the face of obvious injustice, saying that they were among delegates who participated in the state congress organised by eminent and notable leaders from the national secretariat of the party to elect the Chief Godspower Ake-led state executive.

The support is on the heels of the action of a handful of PDP members in the state, purportedly backed by a minister from the state to challenge the election of the Akeled executive in court.

Asita said: “Your Excellency, at trying times such as this, it is expected that as elected National Assembly representatives of Rivers people our positions are known for history and posterity concerning the various issues of mutual concern of which in recent times has taken a life of their own.

“We cannot be silent in the face of an obvious injustice, and wish to state that we were all delegates who participated with other delegates at the state congress organised by PDP eminent and notable honourable leaders from the national secretariat of the party, and at the end of that congress, the Godspower Ake-led state executive was duly and properly elected.”

The federal lawmakers commended Amaechi for fearlessly defending their collective mandate and assured him that they would join him in the fight against immorality and impunity against the will of Rivers people.

On issues concerning the East-West road under construction, Asita said that as primary beneficiaries of the road traversing the state, the Rivers caucus of the House of Representatives should be seen as stakeholders and interested party in the execution of the project.

“At different times, notable personalities in this region have expressed fear and concern over the slow and unserious nature of the execution of the East-West road construction project, we are happy that you (Amaechi) agree no less with us, and challenge detractors of the Niger Delta people who have suffered so much loss on this road to show proof to the contrary.

“We are still worried that the road is still very deplorable and nothing signifi-

NIGERIAN STATE

cant has been done before and after you made those harmless rather patriotic comments that attracted unnecessary political interpretations,” Asita said.

The delegation equally urged Amaechi to challenge the unwholesome attempt to cede Rivers State territory to other states, saying: “We encourage you to be steadfast, especially at times like this, so that one does not go to bed a citizen of Rivers State and wake up the following morning, a citizen of another state, or have our land ceded because of oil. We join all other well-meaning indigenes of the state to say no resources should be spared in this pursuit.”

Next was the Ogbakor Ikwerre Oganisation Worldwide, the supreme socio-cultural body of the Ikwerre ethnic group; the largest ethnic group in the state. Amaechi is from the Ikwerre ethnic group as well as Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, who is reportedly behind the suit to remove the Ake-led PDP executive in the state.

The President-General of Ogbakor Ikwerre, Prof. Augustine Onyeozu, who spoke on behalf of the group described the performance of the governor as superlative and excellent, urging him to disregard negative comments and remain focused and courageous.

Pledging the group’s support and loyalty to Amaechi, Onyeozu said: “Your Excellency, in recent times we have observed the misinterpretations being given to some of your executive actions and statements. As your parents, we know you keep your words and that you mean what you say. In our clime unfortunately, not many appreciate being told the truth and very many prefer those who deceive them. Remain focused, courageous and objective in all your undertakings.

“We want to assure you that the Ikwerre people will stand by you in any and all actions you may take to uphold the spirit and letters of the oath of office you swore to. Delivering on your mandate is non-negotiable.

We are proud to say to you today, we are very proud of your scorecard as the executive governor of Rivers State. We wish you continued success in office and God’s eternal blessing.”

However, the biggest endorsement and support for Amaechi came last Thursday,

when the 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly overwhelming passed a vote of confidence on him. The lawmakers, in strongly worded words expressed their confidence and support for Amaechi, his conduct, actions and statements.

In a motion by the House Leader, Chidi Lloyd, the state legislature urged President Jonathan not to allow political jobbers to distract him, recalling that the state gave him the highest votes in the 2011 presidential election.

His words: “Rivers people condemn in strong terms the recent unwarranted but premeditated attacks on the person and office of the governor of Rivers State.

That the people of Rivers State do herein restate our total confidence in the person, leadership, disposition, and response of Governor Amaechi to the centripetal political forces of the Nigerian State.

“You will recall that in the recent past, our governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum has come under premeditated political attacks by reason of his principled position in presenting issues that affect the vision and mission of Rivers people.

“Rivers people did not vote for the governor to sit in the Government House and watch sister states excise from us, sections of our people, and property. Again, Rivers people did not vote for the governor to sit in the Government House and watch the East-West road devalue the Rivers economy and/or our people roasted like chicken in recurrent but avoidable accidents on the East-West Road.”

One after the other, the House members extolled the virtues of Amaechi and individually pledged their support. The House also voted in favour of a special session to be held with the governor to enable the Assembly convey the confidence vote and commend him over his leadership of the state.

A source close to the governor described the three separate events as gratifying and humbling in diverse ways.

He said: “It is humbling for Governor Amaechi that all these persons, group and lawmakers, both state and federal, representing the vast majority of Rivers people would show this kind of solidarity and support for him, support for his leadership style, his achievements, his actions, his policies, his programmes, his statements and stance on both state and national issues.

“Their solidarity and support is the voice of the people and it is gratifying to the governor to know that Rivers people are solidly behind him in all that he is doing and saying. And its understandably so, because Rivers people know that whatever Governor Amaechi is doing or saying is for the interest and general good of Rivers people.

“They know that Rivers interest supersedes every other interest; that Rivers State and its people come first and that the governor will continue to guard that jealously, no matter the amount of intimidation, threat or harassment. That was what he was elected by the people to do.”

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Editorial

Friday, March 15, 2013

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

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North’s amnesty demand for Boko Haram

he President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government and prominent leaders from the North have of late been locked in a controversy over whether or not to grant amnesty to the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram. Persistent agitations by northern professionals, groups and individuals that the kind of amnesty the FG extended to Niger Delta militants be given to members of the Islamist sect got a fillip recently when the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 added his voice in support of the amnesty option.

Nigeria, widely reputed for its robust ethno-religious diversity and cultures, has gone through very challenging crises, including a 30-month civil war (1967 – 1970). The lingering Boko Haram insurgency up North is yet another violent conflict that has claimed lots of lives (over 3,000 by November last year, according to official figures). It has grounded socio-economic activities; and has made the North generally unsafe for even the privileged. For these reasons and more, the North’s clamour for amnesty for the terrorist insurgents seems understandable. Ending the violence means security and peace would return to the North. Businesses and social life would pick up and inves-

tor confidence restored. More importantly, perhaps, the threat to the nation’s coexistence and unity would be redressed. But notwithstanding the tempting amnesty option, care must be taken by the FG not to turn amnesty to a loose carrot that can be offered to errant citizens indulged in grave crimes against the state.

Amnesty may be ridiculed when it is used to absolve felons from responsibility and punishment for their crimes against the state.

President Jonathan’s remark while visiting Yobe and Borno states a couple of days ago, that no government would contemplate amnesty for a faceless group, would help explain the difference between the Boko Haram sect and Niger Delta militants.

Niger Delta militants (both leaders and members) were identifiable. They also gave concrete reasons, whether justifiable or otherwise, for taking up arms against the nation. On the other hand, the Boko Haram leadership and its foot soldiers are masked.

The sect’s reasons for engaging in violent campaigns are also not clear. At best, the Boko Haram relied more on fanatical religious and unrealistic political sentiments to justify its cruel campaigns that have wasted the lives and means of livelihood of thou-

FG SHOULD EXPLORE HOW BEST TO CREATIVELY INTERVENE TO BRING SUCCOUR TO THE

NORTH, EVEN IF IT INVOLVES GRANTING AMNESTY TO

BOKO

HARAM

sands of innocent Nigerians and their families.

Indeed, the amnesty programme initiated for Niger Delta militants by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was possible because the fallen president had leaders of the militants he could negotiate with. They were invited to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on several occasions for parleys with the then president. Even before Yar’Adua, former President Olusegun Obasanjo held several meetings with some the leaders of the militants. The militants’ leadership attended such meetings physically, not by proxy.

Sadly, however, the same cannot be said of the Boko Haram, its leadership and membership; which is why the popular perception of the sect is that it parades ‘rebels without a cause’. Indeed, the sect has

repeatedly given Nigerians the impression that its members are heartless killers and unconscionable vandals.

In addition, the pervasive poverty in the North is acclaimed even by eminent and most respected northern leaders to be the handiwork of uncaring, extremely selfish political leaders from the region, who, over the years, elevated selfish interests and grossly neglected the development of the region and its people. This appears the major reason many feel the clamour for amnesty represents a ploy to arm-twist or blackmail the Jonathan administration into filling the socio-economic void arising from the ineptitude of North’s political leadership.

In spite of all the failings, however, our thinking is that the FG should explore how best to creatively intervene to bring succour to the North, even if it involves granting amnesty to Boko Haram members. But it is imperative that northern leaders prevail on the Boko Haram leadership and members to remove their veils and physically show up before such amnesty can be consummated. The sect should, in addition, apologise to Nigerians and the nation for the unprovoked killings, pains and miseries, trauma and ruination of property it inflicted on innocent people.

ON THIS DAY March 15, 2011

March 15, 1986

March 15, 1961

The Syrian civil war, also commonly known as the Syrian uprising, an ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Syrian Ba’ath Party government and those seeking to oust it, began. The conflict commenced with nationwide demonstrations, as part of the wider protest movement known as the Arab Spring.

Protestersdemandedtheresignationof PresidentBasharal-Assad, whose family has held the presidency in Syria since 1971.

The ‘Hotel New World’ Disaster. About 33 people died when the Hotel New World in Singapore collapsed. The Hotel New World disaster was Singapore’s deadliest civil disaster since the Spyros disaster of October 12, 1978. The six-story building situated at the junction of Serangoon Road and Owen Road rapidly collapsed, trapping 50 people beneath the rubble. 17 were rescued, while 33 were killed.

South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organPresident Jonathan isation of 54 independent member states. All members except Mozambique and Rwanda were part of the British Empire, out of which the Commonwealth developed.

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17

Much ado about APC BEN NANAGHAN

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or the older folks, the acronym APC conjures the relics of a past medical history for the treatment of cold and feverish symptoms, especially headache.

APC is a mixture of Aspirin, phenacetin and caffeine. This “big tablet” was later banned due its damaging effect on the kidney, the result of its phenacetin component.

Aspirin was later discovered to have some carcinogeneous properties, and of course, the use of caffeine has been discouraged worldwide due to its effect on the central nervous system.

APC also stands for Armoured Personnel Carrier which the military or police use to move their officers during mass crises or social upheavals. But this article is all about its use as acronym for the All Progressive Congress (APC), the so-called mega party formed through the fusion of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Nigeria’s biggest opposition parties.

An effusive Senator Alli Bonu Sheriff, former Borno State governor and chairman Board of Trustees of ANPP, has described the merger as a done deal. “All interests have been adequately balanced in the marriage and fears of perceived hidden individual agenda have been assuaged”, he had boasted.

This very simplistic conclusion by Bonu Sheriff for a very complex situation is

rather unfortunate and pathetic. The former governor has opted for the ostrich option as he has buried his head in the sand pretending to be oblivious of his surroundings. It is an unthinkable political naivety to surmise that an association formed by four different political parties would result in a perfect union without the bigger ACN and CPC dominating the ANPP and already divided APGA. Even today within the four merged parties, there is none without internal problems. The CPC is even worse as it has two factions. One is led by Senator Rufai Hanga, the other by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). The ANPP has bred more political prostitutes than any other party in Nigeria and is therefore, a spy house for other political parties. The party is like a transit camp for the nation’s angry politicians.

My deposition is that all political parties have their own peculiar problems, and so for such parties to go into alliance without putting their houses in order is sheer hypocrisy and tantamount to political hara-kiri. Even in most advanced countries of the world, no political party is problemfree.

If the aim of APC is to wrest power from the PDP then the merger is already dead on arrival! But if the merger is to give the PDP a good fight for the nation’s electoral votes, then the venture is worth all the efforts.

Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, PDP’s erstwhile national chairman once prophesied that his party would rule Nigeria for 60

THE ANPP HAS BRED MORE POLITICAL PROSTITUTES THAN ANY OTHER PARTY

NIGERIA AND IS THEREFORE, A SPY

IN

HOUSE FOR OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES years without a break. I can see this frustrating and vexatious prophecy coming to pass even as 14 years have gone by.

And so what is this noise about progressives? Can they reverse this prevailing ominous trend? Do they have the political paraphernalia and capacity to change the dominant and hegemonic status the PDP is currently enjoying?

Whether the other parties agree or not the most powerful partner in the so-called mega party is the ACN. They have more members in the National Assembly; more governors. They also have more solid political structures on the ground and of courses, more resources, the main thing in the highly monetized Nigerian politics.

Can we really say this ACN is a progressive party or can we even say its leaders are progressives? A Tinubu supporter described him as a progressive because he was a National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, a two time gover-

nor and a former senator. In my view the above cannot be used to decide the progressive credentials of the former Lagos State governor.

At best, the ACN is a cultural association which accords the elderly unquestionable loyalty and followership. And because of this, both Chief Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Tinubu have vigorously defended the lack of internal democracy in the party on this strength. All ACN governors, senators, Representatives, local government chairmen, commissioners etc, were handpicked by the Asiwaju. He could be a good leader of the Yoruba, but definitely not fit as a leader of a 21st century political party.

The other major partner in the APC, the CPC, is led by former military leader, Buhari, who cannot be called a progressive. His undemocratic inflexibility and rigidity, his inability to compromise and mend fences with political rivals and colleagues have all conspired to make him very unprogressive and irrelevant in today’s ‘internet” politics.

My advice therefore, is that serious minded Nigerians should plan for a strong grassroots’ party to act as the vanguard for mobilization against the PDP in any elections after 2015. I dare say the APC is already carrying the seeds of its own destruction just like the aspirin, phenacetin and even caffeine properties that led to the demise of the APC drug.

Nanaghan, bennanaghan@yahoo. com, wrote from Lagos

T.A. Orji: Why are the gods raging?

OSSAI U. ADIMORA

I

follow with utter dismay the deliberate but unnecessary campaign of calumny mounted in a section of the nation’s media against Governor Theodore A. Orji of Abia State, who probably has no time to engage in such media war. While not holding brief for him, I believe that no patriotic and well-meaning Nigerian should wait to be told before he can speak out against such unwholesome and irritant politics which comes in many hues and forms of which campaign of calumny is the most monstrous and abominable.

The travails of Abia governor spring mainly from his quarrel with his former boss and predecessor, Chief Orij Uzor Kalu (OUK), who may have sworn to run him down and possibly crush him, using the pages of newspapers. The situation becomes all the more irritating when political jobbers and others who are not Abians and therefore strangers to the crux of the matter begin to dabble headlong in the whole affair. These people cannot but display abject ignorance leading, of course, to famished analyses, biased conclusions and a jaundiced stand that only worsen the situation.

A typical example is the case of Rev. Father Patrick Ogu of the Ahiara Parish of the Mbaise Diocese of the Catholic Church, which the Daily Sun of March 7, 2013 under the headline, Catholic priest slams Governor Orji for witch-hunting Kalu, carried. My

WHAT HAS A PARISH PRIEST BASED IN A REMOTE VILLAGE IN

MBAISE, IMO STATE, GOT TO DO WITH THE

OUK/T.A ORJI DISAGREEMENT?

immediate reaction to Father Ogu’s “witchhunt” charge against T.A. Orji was that of surprise and indignation. What has a parish priest based in a remote village in Mbaise, Imo State, got to do with the OUK/T.A Orji disagreement, when the clergy and laity in Abia State who are really conversant with the nitty-gritty of the matter, have deliberately refused to intervene because OUK still behaves as if he is a political deity to be worshiped by Abians in particular and Ndigbo in general.

Notice how, in flagrant disregard and negation of the Ohaneze Ndigbo’s principled stand on the quest for Igbo president vis-àvis Jonathan’s tenure, OUK has declared his presidential ambition, formed a parallel organization and named it Njiko Igbo - whatever that means – under whose canopy his campaign train has since hit the ground. At the same time he appears desperate about returning to a Bamanga Tukur-led PDP that has no room for nonconformist former

members like OUK that habour explicit anti-Jonathan sentiments. In fact, OUK knows deep down that the road to the PDP was closed to him that very moment he publicly declared his candidacy for the 2015 presidential contest in which the PDP may field Jonathan.

So all this noise about his quest to return to the PDP may be only aimed at attracting publicity and distracting Governor Orji who has made a lot of developmental strides including the arrest of the menace of kidnapers and the culture of unbridled hooliganism inherited from the OUK era.

Ill-informed elements accuse the governor of “witch-hunting Kalu” and “armtwisting the state university”, but there is no iota of truth in such allegations. Abia State University is an autonomous institution with powers to review its policies and up-date its records from time to time. If in the process of doing so this time around the interest of an eminent citizen like OUK is affected it could be pure coincidence and therefore, nobody should attribute it to any “witch-hunting” or “arm-twisting” by anybody. As regards the issue of “gratitude” which Father Ogu raised who, between OUK and T. A. Orji, owes gratitude to whom? Has anybody taken time to verify the truth?

How can T. A. Orji’s traducers say that he owes gratitude to OUK when in fact it should be the other way round? Anyway, living as he does in faraway Imo State, Father Ogu may not know that as Kalu’s Chief of Staff, T.A. Orji’s incarceration ordeal be-

fore the 2007 general elections, was a tragic blackmail by a vindictive Federal Government that was hell-bent on tackling and jailing OUK like they did James Ibori, based on elaborate corruption charge. But the gambit failed and they had to let T.A. Orji go when, to their utter dismay, it became clear that as a principled and descent Igbo man he could not betray his boss or be used in any way against him.

That was the singular act that won T.A. Orji popular sympathy in Abia State and which translated to his victory in the pending gubernatorial poll in 2007. That victory had nothing to do with any PPA miracle or OUK influence. So, I laughed it off when recently a newsman in the OUK camp claimed that it was by the grace of his intervention and ultimate contact with an influential figure in Abuja, at Kalu’s behest, that fetched T.A. Orji freedom from detention.

If one may ask, since when did it become the place of newsmen to broker the release of politicians from detention? All this sterile propaganda and blatant disinformation should stop.

Adimora wrote from Umuahia 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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Now that Demuren is sacked

P

West region, would make eventual exodus of party wigs inevitable.

The luck beneficiary of such fissure will be APC. So, making the registration of the new mega party cumbersome is attractive to the PDP hierarchs.

But let no one take the mood of the nation for granted. The prevailing national mood favours a change and no one can stand on the path of this change momentum without getting crushed. Nigerians deserve the best from their leaders.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has finally bowed to the senators and approved the sack of Harold Demuren, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).The sack was announced last Monday and all the newspapers carried the news item the following day.

Demuren’s sack might though have appeased the gods at the Upper House of the National Assembly, it however, highlights the perfidious double standard in the nation’s corridors of power. You will recall similar resolution by the House of Representatives calling on President Jonathan to sack the DG of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Aruma Oteh, was ignored. She still retains her office because she has the support of the de facto Prime Minister of Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and some senior ministers in the federal cabinet.

So, the NCAA boss is an expendable tool while the SEC DG is not. Nobody is indispensable and so if Demuren errs the laws should be fully applied. What is bad is selective application of the laws of the land.

Since Mr. President has the courage to sack Demuren, he must demonstrate that same courage by asking Aruma Oteh to go because what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

If he fails to so act, the South West allegation of ethnic cleansing by Jonathan-led Federal Government is well founded.

Julius Betiku, Akure, Ondo State.

Comrade Lucky Jones, Benin City, Edo State

Reopening of Ladipo Market

T

he prevailing economic reality of Nigeria demands that leaders weigh their policy options. I am particularly piqued by the incessant closure of public markets in Lagos State. We have witnessed such closure before. If it is not Mile 12 Market, Ketu, it will be Tejuoso Market, Yaba or even Ladipo Market Mushin.

The latest one was the February 25, 2013 closure of the popular Auto Spare Parts Market in Ladipo, Mushin Local Government Area without any consideration to the effects of such closure on the traders, their dependants and customers. We thank God that this time around the closure did not last months.

Economic diplomacy and brinkmanship prevailed and made Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos to reopen it last Monday.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Imo State governor and President General, Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya O. Anya, deserve commendation for the role they played in ensuring the speedy reopening of the market. Governor Fashola also deserves commendation for his pragmatism.

However, the truth must be told that the recourse to closure to fix a problem is bad governance. What is needed is to set up institutions and ensure that they work to achieve set goals.

All issues of environmental sanitation in all markets in Lagos should be addressed at the weekly Thursday clean up that lasts from 7-10 am, and should there be noticeable lapses appropriate sanctions should be imposed on the relevant bodies involved in the dereliction of duties. More importantly, the sanitation department of the local government councils or the state Task Force on Environment and the leadership of the market association should be held accountable.

It is only in this way we shall avoid the perennial headlong clashes that push the state government to resort to unnecessary show of power, which the closure is all about.

Aaron Tochukwu, Badia, Lagos State

Ijora-

Way to Cameroun…

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Politics of APC registration

T

he survival of Nigerian democracy in the years ahead depends on the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The registration of the new mega party, All Progressive Congress (APC), will be the acid test of how impartial the apex electoral body of the country is. The subterfuge and chicaneries that are trailing the bid for the registration of APC are not good for the political health of the nation.

Professor Attahiru Jega, INEC chairman has been overreaching himself of late in the way he has moved to shrink the political space through the delisting of some socalled non-performing political parties. It is not within his purview

to decide on the political parties that should live or die. That role is for the Nigerian electorate. We should wean ourselves from the misconception that a political party’s sole interest is to capture political power. Political parties exist for so many reasons.

I encourage the leaders of the parties that have been delisted to fight the legal battle to the Supreme Court level. The activism of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, particularly the legal battle he fought with the late Dr. Abel Guobadia, the then INEC chairman, up to the Supreme Court, over the party registration issue, has made such meddlesomeness

by INEC unwarranted.

After such epic battle, Jega should not begin to gloat in his make be-

lief power to set guidelines for party registration. Nigeria has gone beyond that stage.

Let the APC leaders be on red alert to thwart all the desperate acts being put forward by the ruling PDP to deny them the registration of their party.

The fate that befell the Progressive People’s Party in 1983 when the late Justice Victor Ovie-Whisky, the then Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) refused to register it must be guarded against.

There is no disputing the fact that PDP is jittery over the emergence of APC. The internal crises brewing in the party over the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan and some other sundry issues like the marginalization of the South

...how sincere are the founders

I

f it true that the All Progressive Congress (APC) has determined to deliver Nigeria from what its founders call the suffocating grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Nigeria then they must answer these questions. First, are they going to re-

Letters to the Editor

verse pump head price of PMS back to N65 per litre? Second, are they going to scrap the office of First Lady?

Could they make a law that will compel the executive arm of government at the three levels to reduce the number of aides to the chief executive to half of what

they are now? And lastly, will they pay N50, 000 as minimum wage for public servants? I ask these questions because these founders of APC are the most vocal critics of PDP government on these issues.

Ola Ago, Oko Abeokuta, Ogun State

God bless Pope Francis 1

C

atholics all over the world in general and Nigeria in particular, should rejoice over the stress free process of getting a new pope to lead them. As the only universal church founded by the lord Jesus Christ with the pope as the chief shepherd, the emergence of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the 266th Pope of the church has further solidified the church.

This is particularly so because the new Pope is from outside the hitherto catchment continent, Europe. One day, Africa may have its turn.

Our prayer is that God

should grant Pope Francis 1 the health of mind and body to provide the Catholic faithful spiritual leadership to walk on the path of salvation; offer both the clergy and laity the exemplary leadership that would further unite the church and rid it of all likely destructive inanities.

I wish to add that the global ecumenical push should witness a new leap in his time so that one universal church for all Christians should crystallize.

Peter Aigbokare, Oko Oba, Lagos

Send your letters or or mails mailsto toPMB PMB10001, 10001,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,ororour ourEmail: Email:mirrorlagos@yahoo.com mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and info@nationalmirroronline.netor or 08056180209, 07033375481 and info@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275, 07033375481 (SMS (SMS only).Editor The Editor reserves thetoright edit and letters reject letters or photographs.

Psuedonyms may be but used, butbe must be clearly marked as such. only). The reserves the right edit to and reject or photographs.

Psuedonyms may be used, must clearly marked as such.

Your

FRIDAY

Flavour

Friday, March 15, 2013

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

Who’s Nollywood’s highest-paid male artiste? ...find out who’s paid what best to a film project.

Richard Mofe Damijo, who is now a commissioner in Delta State, according to the producers, commands fees in excess of N1 million, although ‘he hardly works these days’.

Unarguably one of the mostrespected actors in the industry, RMD is also one of the actors that demand extra care from movie producers. “If he is on your set, the money you will pay as his fees will not be the only expense you should expect. You have to keep him in a very good hotel and also make arrangements for a special car that would take him to the location”, one of the producers averred.

Comedian Nkem Owoh, according to the producers, has a very formal approach when it comes to bargains for movie projects. He is also strict about his terms of payment. For the fact that his films usually attract huge sales, Nkem, fondly

called ‘Osuofia’ goes between N1.5m to N2m depending on the project. He would also demand all his fees upfront, but in some special cases he could get 75% upfront payment if it is a producer he has worked with before. One of the producers mentioned how Nkem Owoh bargains. “To get him, you pay into his account and arrange to meet him with the bank teller and the movie script. The fact that he often does his dialogue has helped him to bargain. He only gets a situation in the movie scripts and offers his dialogues”.

On account of his high demand, Osuofia once got 37 scripts in three months and one of the producers described it as ‘his most stressful moment in the industry’.

One would be wondering what Ghanaians have to do with Nollywood, but Majid Michel and Van Vicker are no pushovers. The reason is

simple: “Ghanaian market contributes so much to the sales of Nigerian home videos, owing to their stable electricity supply.

Nigerian producers often target their market, which is enhanced by featuring any of the popular stars”.

These two actors, go for between N800,000 and N1m and are always paid in US dollars.

John Okafor, fondly called Mr. Ibu, has also found a lot of favour amongst producers albeit movie fans, especially in Southern and Eastern African countries, a factor that has made him an item for producers targeting those markets.

Getting him, according to the producers, depend on the geographical location of the film project. For movies shot in Lagos, Okafor, who started out as a production manager (before being discovered as an actor), could settle for N1million. But since his bitter experience in the hands of kidnappers in the

south east, Okafor only agrees to work in the southeast with extra fees and police protection all borne by the producer.

An actor like Olu Jacob is also in high demand for his friendly working relationship. According to the producers, he has no airs and makes movie production seem easy because of his high sense of discipline. “On many occasions, he contributes his ideas to the projects and strives to make every project a success for the producers. That is why he is an actor of choice”.

Stars like Chidi Mokeme, Jim Iyke, Emeka Ike and Desmond Elliot also have a place of pride, but Desmond is gradually dropping the toga of acting for directing.

In this assessment, the duo of Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme are the ones whose fees are in opposite direction to their sizes. “Theirs is a classic example of size being inversely proportional to fees.

Getting them on your set or show takes millions and they are always getting such roles.

They are very recognisable and loved all over the world”.

As a reader, put yourself in the shoes of a producer and tell us who you would pay most and why?

WEEKEND STARTERS Asiwaju Club marks 3rd year

T

he third anniversary of the Asiwaju Consensus Up-front Club of Nigeria is scheduled for tomorrow at EbutteMeta, Lagos.

The anniversary, initially billed for January 27, had to be moved to March 16. Established in March 2011, the club

T

hose who missed the scintillating performance by Ade Bantu in conversation with the elders during the Goethe-Institut Nigeria Lagos Life Art Festival have another opportunity to see a different version of the event today at Freedom Park, Lagos. The Life House teams up with Pako Productions to make possible the event, Bantu & Friends. It will feature Siji and Aduke and begins at exactly 7.00 p.m.

Organisers said it is going to be an evening of live music, cool breeze and palm wine.

T

he March edition of Artmosphere will consider literature as a vehicle for conversation. The monthly event organised by WriteHouse Collective and supported by Ibridge Hub, will take place tomorrow at NuStreams

is to keep the masses, particularly the youths, abreast of the good works of their national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Organising committe has said the anniversary will also commemorate Tinubu’s forthcoming birthday, which comes up on March 29.

Writers to read at Patabah Bookshop

T

wo writers with medical science background, Sylva Nze Ifedigbo and Nwachukwu Egbunike, will be reading from their works at Patabah Bookshop, Surulere, Lagos, tomorrow from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Ifedigbo’s short story collection, The Funeral

Artmosphere of conversation tomorrow Conference and Culture Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State. To feature Victor Ehikhamenor, Emmanuel Iduma, Emmanuel Uweru Okoh and Kayode Taiwo Olla, the event holds from 3.00 p.m. to

6.00 p.m. Ehikhamenor’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The Washington Post, AGNI Magazine, Wasafiri, The Literary Magazine, Per Contra and elsewhere.

Iduma works mainly as

a writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry and has won awards and received recognition in each genre. Okoh is a Nigerian- based writer and author of Gardens and Caves, a poetry collection. Olla is known for his dramatic poetry.

P. 26

Afropolitan Vibes rock Lagos today

P. 34

Van Vicker

Denrele’s Day

O

f course, everyone is curious to know who earns the most in Nigeria’s motion picture industry. It is a question that is as old as the industry.

But who else would know better than the producers who sign contracts with them? While recognising that divulging such information violates professional ethics, they made very startling revelations including the fact that fees are subject to the actors’ bargaining power and of course, his desirability in the particular film project.

The names which came up for this analysis are those of Desmond Elliot, Saidi Balogun, Nkem Owoh, Olu Jacobs, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Majid Michel, Van Vicker, Jim Iyke, Kenneth Okonkwo, Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Chidi Mokeme, John Okafor and Emeka Ike, who in actual sense of the word bestride the industry.

The interesting revelation is that all these actors command at least N500,000 for a film project that would be completed in less than two weeks, but some stand taller than others and demand extra pecks in order to give their

Majid Michel

P. 24-25

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

Nkem Owoh

Inside FCT

RMD

did not End has been making waves since it was published in mid 2012. Egbunike’s Dyed Thoughts is a collection of essays that mirror the author’s view on the state of the Nigerian society.

Mirror Mongers

Olu Jacobs

Escape

P. 32-33

VOL. 3 No. 578

19

20

Artman In The House

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

At 77, I find fulfilment writing my Kaye Whiteman, veteran journalist and writer of the book: Lagos: A Cultural and Historical Companion, was the centre of a panel discussion consisting of the writers: Toni Kan, Tolu Ogunlesi and Femke van Zeiji, moderated by Deji Toye. The event was an Arthouse Forum organised by the Committee for Relevant Art, CORA in honour of Whiteman at 77 on March 7 at Freedom Park, Lagos. The event was as exciting as it was engaging with an after party at the park’s food court. Whiteman granted this interesting interview during the course of the event to Friday Flavour’s TERH AGBEDEH. The first time you came to Nigeria was in 1964. How did you come and what was your impression of Lagos then?

In 1964, I flew in to Kano on a DC 10 of British Overseas Airways, as it was then called and they had to stop in Kano because they could not fly to Lagos. So, I went to Kano, Kaduna, before coming to Lagos. So, I came in actually from Kaduna and my impression of Lagos was already pretty different, but I found that the lagoon stopped at the Marina and it was containable and manageable. There were a lot of people that were in the first flush of independence, people still felt that this was a country going places, even in spite of political crisis. It was not long before the election took place. I believe I went to night clubs as I remember. I was at Daily Times, it was a big paper and they were the people who showed me around like the editor of Daily Times, Peter Enahoro. I had a guide called Kunle Animashaun, who also took me to Ibadan. I went to Ibadan and it was also a remarkable city. I enjoyed it.

When anybody sets out from the west to Nigeria these days, what comes to mind is the bad press that the country has abroad. What were the stories that were told about the country back then when you set out to come to Nigeria?

It was different. I think in those days, the Western press was particularly concerned to write about crisis and Nigeria. Athough Nigeria was having political problems but because it was considered to be pro-western, certainly, the British press wrote about it more favourably than Ghana, which was the great target of everybody’s opinion. (Kwameh) Nkrumah’s dictatorship, blah, blah, blah. But Nigeria, I don’t think got very much coverage, to say the truth. It was only during the civil war, where the country took on the foreign press. There was tension and conflict about the reporting and it caused a lot of people in this country to grow up properly and to realise that the world was not an easy place to live.

Would you say it was your experience of Nigeria past and present that informed your writing the book, LAGOS: A Cultural and Historical Companion?

Not really, I wrote the book on Lagos first of all because I was asked to do it and I liked the idea. I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t lived here because you need to live in a city to understand and know it. I can’t say I understand Lagos, but at least to try to understand it. The experience of living here made a difference for me to want to write the book. However, the difference between then and now is that there are several different aspects of West Africa as a region. They call it a sub region, but the West African area which was a long time my stumping ground, was what I really got to know about in two different ways. The French-

Whiteman

I WROTE THE BOOK ON LAGOS BECAUSE I WAS ASKED TO DO IT AND I LIKED THE IDEA speaking countries had a particular fascination for me for some reason, to go to Dakar or Abidjan. These were very different. And, also, the whole question of observing history in the making, for instance, I covered the famous OAU (Organisation of African Unity) summit in Accra in October 1965, which was a remarkable decisive summit. It was the last one before Nkrumah was overthrown. Nkrumah was there and at that stage, he was hoping to actually achieve his continental government and he was rudely awakened by his colleagues.

You could actually see people like Abdel Nasser and Haile Selassie counselling him, saying, ‘no Kwameh, these things take time, it’s not possible’. It was a historic event which I was witnessing.

You were here when the euphoria of independence was still on and came back a couple of times perhaps even during the oil boom days, which had its own level of euphoria. What do you think went wrong with Nigeria?

It was a crisis of time, of growth and of managing a country so large and complex. There was the curse of oil, as they call it; the oil boom had a lot of side effects.

But Nigeria has been through a lot of extremely trying times, through the whole experience of military rule and the crisis of independence that, in a way, could

not have been avoided. But after 1999, I think Nigeria entered a new phase. There are still some of the old symptoms as it were, but there are a lot of different possibilities now. I was always optimistic about Nigeria in spite of the crises I felt that it has the potential, the people and the talent that was going to make the country work. I see no reason why it shouldn’t get there.

You have just turned 77, how does it feel carrying the weight of those years?

The famous musician has a song titled, age is just a number and I often don’t feel more than 35. But I have had the sober reality of having been unwell, having to have surgery. These are things that come when you are in old age. You get to be very philosophical in the whole perspective of life and death. You never know when you are going to go, so you have to carry on doing what you feel you are moved to do. I mean, having myself been a peddler of words all my life. I have concentrated especially in the last 10 years, only on writing and arranging words together in the way that I like.

One was always expected to do administration and management, management particularly is a word that sends chills through my bones. But I had to do it. Becoming a writer, remaining a writer and concentrating on it. To some extent, in the last 10 years, I have found more fulfilment in being able to finally write a book of my own. But I have written so many articles all over different publications but now, haven done this book, I feel moved to be able to do more. There is no reason why I can’t do three or more books. I have my memoirs to do and I want to collect my writings in volumes.

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Artman In The House

Friday, March 15, 2013

21

own book finally –Whiteman FACT FILE •

Kaye Whiteman is a columnist for the Lagos-based BusinessDay newspaper.

He is 77.

•

Mr Kaye Whiteman has been Editor, then Editorin-Chief of the weekly magazine West Africa since 1982. He recently edited a book of extracts from the magazine, West Africa Over 75 Years, and has been researching its history. He is also currently planning a book on France’s relations with Africa over the past 30 years.

•

Whiteman’s book, which he said at the gathering, will have a Nigeria edition this year, chronicles the history of the city, explores its many different founding stories, founders, traditions, lore and culture. Not only does Whiteman shed light on the history of Lagos, he also explores its modern

day image as a commercial centre, a growing metropolis, a cultural capital for West Africa and a city that still has its traditions at heart.

•

For the book, he interviewed Governor Babatunde Fashola, former governor Bola Tinubu, Oba of Lagos HRM Rilwanu Akiolu, culture advocates Jahman Anikulapo and Toyin Akinosho, among many others.

•

Critics are already saying that he has painstakingly produced a work that would continue to be a reference point for many years.

•

Kaye Whiteman is a writer on West African affairs, and for many years was editor of West Africa magazine.

•

Whiteman with the panelist and moderator, L-R: Tolu Ogunlesi, Femke van Zeiji, Deji Toye and Toni Kan.

He has also been director of information at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Even the columns in BusinessDay, I see no reason why they should not make a small volume. Some of them may be wrong, some of them are up to date.

What did you do other than journalism?

I have always been a journalist from the time I finished at university in 1960. I come from a family of journalists and I thought of no reason why I should do something else. I did have two interludes where I joined international bureaucracy, I went to work in Brussels at the EU. It was then a mystery to me, it still remains a mystery to me. I did two very fine years at the Commonwealth secretariat with Emeka Anyaoku as secretary general. I was very happy that he was able to accommodate me for a time because that was a new dimension to my experience. But essentially, I am a writer and I know nothing else.

Have done poetry as well?

I did write a song when I was here and I haven’t really published my poetry, and I ought to. I have a few poems. The song is referred to in this book, it is not a long song.

It needs to be performed and I used to perform it with Tunde Kuboye of Jazz 38 when he used to play a Nimbus. I don’t think anybody ever recorded it.

Is it a love song?

No, it has the title: Oyibo where you dey go? if you look in the book, I refer to it because it comes from Lagos. It is three times, Oyibo where

Jahman Anikulapo and Dejumo Lewis

you dey go? and then Na People’s Hotel Ajegunle. I need the right orchestra to have as background to sing it.

Because your song is in Pidgin English, do you speak any Nigerian language?

No, I should have learnt them, but I only have a smattering of words in the other languages and pidgin I picked up when I was living here. I ought to have done, but I didn’t. There are some white people who come to a country and they learn the language completely. But for me, it was a question of, if you like. I have, maybe, several personalities existing in me at the same time. And I had a personality. But I still know where I came from, know my identity and I just feel that my identity somehow, was transferable to this place.

A cross section of guests at the event including from L-R: veteran actor, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett; writers, Igoni Barrett and Victor Ehikhamenor.

PHOTOS: TERH AGBEDEH

22

Critics

Book

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

50 shades of Achebe A writer should not be an accomplice to lies. Even when thorns infect the land, a writer must embody and defend the perennial destiny of high values and principles is the submission in this well-researched piece which reviews Prof. Chinua Achebe’s book, There Was a Country.

PITIES, CHEAP SYMPATHY, SLOPPY SENTIMENTALISM, ONESIDED VICTIMHOOD ARE WHAT ARE ON SALE THROUGHOUT

ACHEBE’S BOOK

DAMOLA AWOYOKUN

I

t is not the business of a writer to side with the powerless against the powerful; the powerless can be thoughtless and wrong (the Nazi party was once a powerless group). A writer should not prefer falsehoods to reality just because they serve patriotic ends.

In times of great upheavals in a multi-ethnic society, a writer should get out and warn the society that the more perfect the answer, the more terrifying its consequences. Pride in one’s ethnic identity is good, patriotism is fantastic but when they are not properly moderated by other higher considerations, they can prove more destructive than nuclear weapons.

I was in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife when another round of the war of self-determination and secession broke out between Modakeke and Ife. As the war escalated, a single bullet wasn’t enough to kill the ‘enemy’, he had to be butchered into little pieces and the severed heads displayed at each other’s market squares to huge approval and celebration. Such was the power of the mutual hatred unleashed from their pride in their respective ethnic identities that these two communities were not rebuked by the fact that they were both Yoruba, both Nigerians or that the massacres were being conducted around the famed cradle of Yoruba civilisation.

Patriotism when deployed must always be simultaneously governed by something higher and lower than itself like the arms of a democratic government.

These provide checks and balances so that patriotism doesn’t become a false conception of greatness at the expense of other tribes or nations. It is for this reason that we proceed to discuss Achebe’s patriotic autobiography, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra in the light of something higher than it: 21,000 pages of Confidential, Secret, Top Secret US State De-

partment Central Files on Nigeria-Biafra 1967 to 1969 and something lower: The Education of a British Protected Child by Chinua Achebe himself. “…A Country” is written for modern day Igbos to know from where the injustice of their existence originated.

Achebe’s logic is neat but too simple: Africa began to suffer 500 years ago when Europe discovered it (that is, there was no suffering or intertribal wars before then in Africa!) Nigeria began to suffer when Lord Lugard amalgamated it. And Igbos began to suffer because of the event surrounding the Biafran secession. To Achebe, there should have been more countries in the behemoth Lord Lugard cobbled together called Nigeria. What Achebe does not take into account is the role rabid tribalism plays in doing violence to social cohesion which makes every region counter productively seek a perfect answer in demanding its own nation state. There are over 250 tribes in Nigeria and there cannot be over 250 countries in Nigeria. There are officially 645 distinctive tribes in India and only one country. All over the world, there are tens of thousands of tribes and there are only 206 countries. What the tribes that constitute Nigeria need to learn for the unity of the country is the democratisation of their tribal loyalties. And that inevitably leads to gradual detribalisation of consciousness which makes it possible to treat a personas an individual and not basically a member of another tribe. That is the first error of Achebe.

Instead of writing the book as a writer who is Igbo, Achebe wrote the book as an Igbo writer hence, working himself into a Zugzwang bind. In chess, once you are in this bind, every step you make weakens your position further and further. All the places that should alarm the moral consciousness of any writer, Achebe is either indifferent to or dismisses them outright because the victims are not his people. However, in every encounter that shows Igbos being killed or resented

by Nigerians or by the Yoruba in particular, Achebe intensifies the spotlight, deploying stratospheric rhetoric, amassing quotes from foreign authors with further elaborations in endnotes to show he is not partial.

Achebe calls upon powerfully coercive emotive words and phrasings to dignify what is clearly repugnant to reason. Furthermore, not only does he take pride in ignoring the findings of common sense, he allocates prime time attention to facts-free rants just because they say his people are the most superior tribe in Nigeria. The book, to say the least, is a masterpiece of propaganda and sycophancy. And yet, it is not a writer’s business to be an accomplice to lies.

First let’s take Achebe’s Christopher Okigbo.

Throughout the book, Achebe presents Okigbo in loving moments complete with tender details: Okigbo attending to Achebe’s wife during labour; Okigbo order-

ing opulent room service dishes for Achebe’s wife in a swank hotel while Achebe was out of the country; Okigbo being a dearly beloved uncle to Achebe’s children; Okigbo opening a publishing house in the middle of the war. Out of the blue, he writes that he hears on Radio Nigeria the death of Major Christopher Okigbo.

Major? The reader is completely shocked and feels revulsion for the side that killed him and sympathy for the side that lost him. Unlike other accounts like Obi Nwakanma’s definitive biography of Okigbo, Achebe skips details of Okigbo running arms and ammunition from Birmingham to Biafra and also from place to place in Biafra; he suppresses the fact that Okigbo knew of the January 1966 coup beforehand through Emmanuel Ifeajuna; he omits the fact that Okigbo was an active-duty guerrilla fighter killing the other side before he himself got killed. Like many other episodes recounted in the book, Achebe photoshops the true picture so that readers would allocate early enough which side should merit their sympathy, which side should be slated for revulsion. Pities, cheap sympathy, sloppy sentimentalism, one-sided victimhood are what are on sale throughout the book. Achebe of course is preparing the reader for his agenda at the end of the book.

To Achebe, the final straw that led to secession was the alleged 30,000 Igbos killed in the North. He carefully structures the narrative to locate the reason for this systematic killing/pogrom/ethnic-cleansing in the socalled usual resentment of Igbos and not from the fallout of the first coup in the history of Nigeria. Achebe dismisses the targeted assassinations as not an Igbo coup. The two reasons Achebe gives are because there was a Yoruba officer among the coup plotters and that the alleged leader of the coup, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was Igbo in name only. “Not only was he born in Kaduna, the capital of the Muslim North, he was widely known as someone who saw himself as a Northerner, spoke fluent Hausa and little Igbo, and wore the Northern traditional dress when not in uniform (pg 79)”.

Really? First, it was not mysterious that Azikiwe left the country in October 1965 on an endless medical cruise to Britain and the Caribbean. Dr. Idemudia Idehen, his personal doctor, abandoned him when he got tired of the endless medical trip. Not even the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference never held outside London but hosted in Lagos for the first time in early January was incentive enough for Azikiwe to return and yet he was the president of the nation. In a revelation contained in the American secret documents, it was Azikiwe’s presidential bodyguards from Federal Guards that Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the coup’s mastermind, used to capture the Prime Minister, Abubakar Balewa. Once Ifeajuna and Major Donatus Okafor, the Commanding officer of the Federal Guards tipped off Azikiwe about the planned bloodshed, Okafor, Godfrey Ezedigbo and other Guards became freer to meet in Ifeajuna’s house in Apapa to take the plan to the next level. The recruitment for the ringleaders was done between August and October 1965.

Immediately Azikiwe left, planning and training for the execution began.

Second, the eastern leadership was spared when others were brutally wasted. Third, the head of state Major-General Aguyi-Ironsi, an Igbo, didn’t try and execute the coup plotters as was the practice if it were a pure military affair (Ojukwu told Suzanne Cronje, the British-South African author that he asked AguyiIronsi to take over and told him how to unite the army behind him. That was the reason he made him the governor of Eastern Region). Four, when Awolowo, Bola

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Ige, Anthony Enahoro, Lateef Jakande, etc were imprisoned for sedition, they served their terms in Calabar away from their regions as was the normal practice. When Wole Soyinka was imprisoned for activities at the beginning of the civil war, he was sent to faraway Kaduna and Jos prisons but the ring leaders of coup plotters were moved from Lagos back to the Eastern Region, among their people on the advice of Ojukwu.

Five, during the Aburi negotiations, why was full reprieve for the coup plotters put on the table? Six, a freed Nzeogwu by April 1967 before the secession declaration joined in training recruits in Abakaliki for the inevitable war with Nigeria. He later died on the Nsukka front fighting for Biafra. Yet, that was Achebe’s Hausa-speaking, kaftan-wearing Kaduna man, who was Igbo in name only. It was an Igbo coup (the same repackaging was attempted for the invasion and occupation of the Midwest. It was called liberation of the Midwest from Hausa-Fulani domination when it was simply another Igbo coup for Igbo ends planned in Enugu albeit headed by a Yoruba, Colonel Victor Banjo).

The January coup didn’t foment a much more viscera response in Western Region since their assassinated political leader was part of the corrupt, troublesome, election-rigging class. To Westerners, the coup was good riddance to bad rubbish. However, to the Northerners who were feudal in their social organisation and Hobbesian in their consciousness, it was different matter. Sir Ahmadu Bello, the slain Sardauna of Sokoto was their all in all; he was the heir to the powerful Sokoto Caliphate and descendant of Usman dan Fodio. More than Azikiwe and Awolowo, Sardauna was the most powerful politician in Nigeria (pg 46).

Murdering him was murdering the pride of a people. Achebe chooses to ignore this perspective and more importantly was the fact that Igbos in the North were widely taunting their hosts on the loss of their leaders with Rex Lawson’s song, Ewu Ne Ba Akwa (goats are crying) and others celebrating “Igbo power”, the “January Victory”. Posters, stickers, postcards, cartoons displaying the murdered Sardauna begging Nzeogwu at the gates of heaven or Balewa burning outright in pits of hell or Nzeogwu standing St. George-like on Sardauna the defeated dragon began to show up across Northern towns and cities. These provocations were so pervasive that they warranted the promulgation of Decree 40 of 1966 banning them.

Critics

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Igbos didn’t stop. Azikiwe is more honest than Achebe.

In his pamphlet, The Origins of the Civil War, he writes: “… some Ibo elements who were domiciled in Northern Nigeria taunted Northerners by defaming their leaders through means of records or songs or pictures.

They also published pamphlets and postcards which displayed a peculiar representation of certain Northerners, living or dead, in a manner likely to provoke disaffection”. It was these images and songs that eventually led to the so-called pogroms/ ethnic-cleansing/genocide not the coup. The coup was in January, the pogroms started late in May and the provocations were in between.

However Igbos in the East did not sit idly by. They started the massacre of innocent Northerners in their midst. Achebe chose to ignore this account since it doesn’t serve his agenda so we return to Azikiwe: “Between August and September 1966, either by chance or by design, hundreds of Hausa, Fulani, Nupe and Igalla-speaking peoples of Northern Nigeria origin residing in the Eastern Nigeria were abducted and massacred in Aba, Abakaliki, Enugu, Onitsha and Port Harcourt.”

It is important to note that these Northerners never published nor circulated irreverent or taunting pictures of Eastern leaders unlike the Igbos of the North, they were just massacred for being Northerners. The government of Eastern Region did not stop these massacres.

Neither did the Igbo intellectuals. Ojukwu, the military administrator even made a radio broadcast saying that he can no longer guarantee the security of non-Eastern Nigerians in the East, Easterners who did not return to Igboland would be looked on as traitors. This was when Professor Sam Aluko who was the head of Economics department at University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a personal friend of Ojukwu fled back to the West. Azikiwe continues in his book: “Eyewitnesses gave on-the-spot accounts of corpses floating in the Imo River and River Niger. [Faraway]Radio Cotonou broadcast this macabre news, which was suppressed by Enugu Radio. Then Radio Kaduna relayed it and this sparked off the massacres of September – October 1966 [in the North]”.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK Damola Awoyokun, a Structural and Marine Engineer in London is also the Executive Editor of Pwc Review. He can be reached at executiveeditor@pwc-review.com (Read full text on www.nationalmirroronline)

23

Music

Patriotic campaign for peace

That Nigeria needs peace is an understatement. That a youth group has realised this and approached it from an artistic perspective is laudable.

Enter the world of CHYDAN. NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

C

HYDAN is not your everyday artiste, dreaming to make hits and top charts. It may also not be crazy about building an impressive fan base as far as music is concerned.

Far from being on a melodious mission, it is primarily concerned with patriotism, which is unique in every sense of the word.

CHYDAN is short for Champions Youths Development Association of Nigeria. It is a group of Nigerian youths, who have taken it upon themselves to sing about one virtue that is needed in the country at the moment, peace. They have done this in a new song they recorded titled, Campaign for Peace.

As a musical piece, this work stands out in that it has a message everyone is preaching. Far from waiting for the political elites to employ a strategy for stemming the tide of violence rocking the entire country, this group has identified the pivotal role of the youth in this whole problem and has in this work directed their attention to them.

From the first verse of the song, written in both English and Pidgin English, the song used several instances to remind the youths of Nigeria that they n o t aly should low anyone e to use them as tools for violence. e.

Particularly truthuthful about the lyrics is the portion that reminds youths off the need for education, while admonishing those, e s p e cially t h e elites who o have been teaching that Western education is taboo. The message iss clear that elites who are preaching against education are great beneficiaries of the system and are simply on a mission to put the youths down perpetually. Interesting is the idea that while they are all training their children in schools aboard, they are busy misinforming impoverished youths with the ‘no school’ idea.

Of course, hearing the song instantly reminds one of the problems afflicting the northern part of the country and this group, with this song, clearly avoided calling the name of the group often blamed for the violence. This is every inch a wise decision. Someone cannot be on a restoration move and still fuel crisis. CHYDAN must be commended for this, because doing otherwise may leave them either vulnerable or evoke more crisis.

The song in one of its lines also cautioned youths about revolution. According to the song, “revolution is not the solution but unity of purpose”. But this is quite debatable. The group

THE SONG IS TIMELY COMING ON THE HEELS OF

THE NATION’S

CENTENARY

CELEBRATIONS should have explained further with words, how positive revolution can bring positive changes.

For instance, it is clear that the nation can make do with youths with broad-mined faculty of how things should run. Getting them to think in this direction means revolution. In other words, the song simply failed to identify when revolution is positive or negative.

Another aspect of this production that would impress the audience is the language of choice in delivering this message. CHYDAN used English and Pidgin, the most commonly spoken languages in the country. While one would wonder why they did not bother to use the three main languages – Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba- the truth inherent in this is that Nigeria should move beyond the three main tribes and recognise that the country has over 250 ethnic groups, who are all important in the project called Nigeria. May be it is high time we began recognise to re wh a t our lingua franca should be. But t h i s a l s o leaves question a q about getting audience the au being ttargeted message. to get the m The truth is that bulk of those used to troubles, esferment troubl northern Nipecially in north understand geria, hardly und CHYDAN may English. But CHYDA have suc- ceeded in addressing their sponsors all the same.

Peace that Another aspect of Campaign for Pea fact that it would leave some sour taste is the fac left something fundamental about the sspate of violence in the country. While researches have blamed the violence on the imbalance in terms of opportunities and incomes, the song left the root of the problem to talk about the symptoms.

This may have influenced their statement about the project: “Considering the high rate of killing of innocent youths in the country and as worried youths, it has become imperative to produce this music and promote it on the major radio stations across the federation for the hearing of the general public. By so doing, we may change the mindset of those youths who have made themselves willing tools of violence in the hands of evildoers”.

The song is also timely, coming on the heels of the nation’s Centenary celebrations which was flagged off recently. Hopefully, this piece of work would find airplay in most of the radio stations, even if the dance floors do not find it melodious enough to shake to. Efforts like this should be encouraged by everyone. Kudos CHYDAN!

24

Inside FCT

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Corps members laud FCDA over renovated camp JOEL A JAYI

T

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), orientation camp located in Kubwa, has been in deplorable condition for several months given the dilapidated, non-functional facilities, such as toilets, the kitchen, dining hall and the road network that constituted an eye-sore and discomfort to visitors and corps members.

In fact, observers have argued that the kind of environment is not hygienic for humans, especially the youths who are just coming to have their first post-academic experience in service to their fatherland.

Following the deplorable situation at the orientation camp, some corps members of the 2012 Batch C were reported to have decried the poor state of the camp in order to put a stop to the open defecation by corps members.

Camp Coordinator, Mr. Frank Ekpunobi, who lamented the deplorable state of the camp, said the NYSC had made several appeals for the rehabilitation of the camp in order to reduce the stress of corps members occasioned by the poor toilets and bathrooms, among others.

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide who recently inspected the ongoing renovation work at the camp disclosed that the appeal made by concerned stakeholders and management of the camp attracted the attention of her administration and brought about a decision to offer the needed help In her remarks, the minister said she got a report that ‘the facilities were crumbling, unhygienic and no longer safe for our young people, hence, the intervention of the FCTA in the camp’.

According to her, the ongoing renovation work is the phase one of the project to enable corps members use the camp for orientation exercise which commenced on March 5, adding that the renovation would be completed after the orientation exercise.

“It is the statutory duty of the administration to provide a befitting camp for the FCT corps members”, she added that it would thereafter, be handed over to the NYSC officials to manage.

“I was expecting to see a stateof-the-art camp, since it is in the FCT, but I was shocked to find that apart from the toilets, the road network, the kitchen and dining hall are in terrible shape and we

GOVERNMENT’S ROLE SHOULD NOT END WITH THE PROVISION OF THESE FACILITIES BUT PEOPLE SHOULD ALSO BE TOLD HOW THE FACILITIES WILL BE MAINTAINED don’t need to put a price on the health and safety of our children”, she lamented.

Some of the Batch A corps members who spoke to Inside FCT lauded the FCTA for giving them a befitting place and promised to maintain the facilities put in place by the administration.

Fatimah Abdulraheem, from Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, said the toilets, security doors and other newly-provided facilities were good and that this clearly indicated that the administration is working to improve the standard of living of people.

She said that government’s role should not end with the provision of these facilities but in order to achieve the ultimate aim of building, people should also be told how these facilities will be maintained.

Another corps member from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Ayansina Odunayo, said he was satisfied with the infrastructure being put in place by the FCT, noting however that epileptic power still remained one of the major problems faced by corps members, especially during this time of the year when the weather is hot and stifling.

Odunayo, therefore, appealed to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), to make sure that there is constant light for them to enjoy the facilities on ground.

“I think the present administration wants to create an enabling environment for people to pursue their legitimate goals through infrastructure and social amenities”, he added Faith Odinaka, a graduate of Sociology from University of Benin, explained that apart from epileptic power supply that made it hard for them to pump water from the boreholes, the other facilities are good and commended the FCDA for its intervention in the camp.

One of the makeshift canteens

A typical fruit stall at Zuba

CHOGM village

CHIDI UGWU

I

f they had alternative means of transportation within the metropolis, residents of the Federal Capital Territory, would certainly recommend total ban of the commercial transports vehicles, whether it is SURE-P (otherwise known as ‘Subsidy’, ‘Araba’) or ElRufai buses.

This followed the increasing spate of accidents on Abuja roads caused by the recklessness of drivers of these buses over the past few months. This situation has become more disturbing to residents whose lives are under threat in areas with high human traffic and major highways linking the metropolis to its satellite towns.

The dilapidated state of the buses, barely one year after they were deployed for service, is testimony to the recklessness of drivers whose notoriety compels other road users avoid them like a plague. The development also accentuates the growing saying that ‘the fear of these so-called ‘subsidy’ bus drivers in Abuja is the beginning of wisdom’.

Inside FCT investigations reveal that tales of avoidable accidents cut across the various road networks in the FCT as recklessness of drivers and pervasive ignorance of basic traffic rules have truncated the dreams of hundreds of commuters.

It is no longer news to residents that every day, reports of deaths arising from these avoidable accidents emerge even when construction works are still

SURE-P on-going on many of the roads.

Last Friday afternoon, few metres to the National Secretariat in the Central Area, there was an auto crash that stunned everyone who witnessed the incident. Our reporter was on the spot.

Under the heavy rain, the driver had lost control of the vehicle just before the overhead bridge leading to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and like a scene from a movie, the bus veered off the highway, flew off ground, climbed the culvert, somersaulted and landed by its side.

No fewer than 59 passengers almost lost their lives in that unfortunate accident involving a fully-loaded luxury bus which was conveying passengers from Wuse area to Mararaba, a suburb of the FCT. While many witnesses attributed the accident to poor visibility due to the heavy downpour, the driver explained that he was trying not to run over a cab which carelessly overtook him when the bus suddenly climbed the demarcation culvert to the Secretariat Bridge.

Survivors escaped through the broken windscreen of the vehicle which lay on its side.

One of the passengers, who gave his name as Lawrence Abugu, said it was barely five minutes after he called his wife to intimate her that he was on his way home that the accident happened.

He, however, thanked God that the accident was not fatal.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, March 15, 2013

25

Tussle for CHOGM crafts village heats up OMEIZA AJAYI

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is battling an alleged attempt by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), to take possession of the CHOGM Arts and Crafts Village located in Abuja’s Central Business District.

A top official of the FCT Administration who would not want his name in print, told Inside FCT that the secretariat is aware of desperate efforts by the National Council For Arts and Culture to assume ownership of the village, pointing out that, “it is not possible for the NCAC to do so because the structures on that piece of land were put there by the FCT administration as a social safety net for talented young men and women to exhibit their craft and to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage to the world”.

He said the CHOGM Crafts Village is a historical edifice for the FCTA, which was built by the Mallam Nasir El-Rufai administration as part of the events marking the visit of Queen Elizabeth of England to Nigeria during the Commonwealth Heads of States meeting held in Abuja in 2007.

HOW CAN NCAC

EMERGE SUDDENLY AND LAY CLAIM TO THE CRAFTS VILLAGE WHICH IS

FCT ADMINISTRATION?

OWNED BY THE

“How can NCAC emerge suddenly and lay claim to the crafts village which is owned by the FCT Administration and it is being managed by the social development secretariat. As I speak to you, we have an officer who is permanently stationed there to supervise every activity going on in the crafts village”.

When Inside FCT visited the area, it was observed that a fencing project around the crafts village allegedly started by the NCAC was stopped by the FCT Department of Development Control.

Public Relations Officer of the department, Mrs. Josie Mudashiru said the department has not given approval for the building of a fence at the village. As of the time of going to press, our reporter was

yet to get an official reaction to this development from the management of NCAC. However, in a related development, the African Crafts and Heritage Association, an umbrella body of over 500 craftsmen working in the village, has petitioned the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed as well as the National Assembly to save them from being thrown into the unemployment market by the alleged move to take over the crafts village and demolish their shops.

In a letter signed by its President, Muazu Yakubu Maaji and made available to journalists in Abuja at the weekend, the association recalled that the FCT Administration took its members off the streets and assembled them in the village to make Nigeria proud during the Queen’s visit to the country. Maaji said it would be unfair to humiliate them now that they have developed the village to one of the best tourists destinations in the FCT and the country at large, adding that dozens of important dignitaries and visitors throng the village daily to appreciate Nigerian artefacts.

The association said the crafts village is a Commonwealth legacy which must not be forsaken by the FCT administration, stressing that the edifice is an important historical land mark in the territory.

drivers’ recklessness spurs road mishap “This is the way people die; it was not up to five minutes after I called my wife to tell her I had left Wuse for home that this happened”.

At least 15 people died in a road crash along Nyanya/Maraba road, by Kugbo junction on Tuesday.

FCTA had on Monday, January 14, clampdowned on mini-buses popularly called ‘araba’ but had to reverse the policy following protest by commuters who felt the buses were a necessary evil which must be allowed to operate in spite of associated pains.

Meanwhile, Abuja is fast assuming a chaotic status, what with the traffic blanket that has since overwhelmed it. These days, it has become a nightmare to drive in the city with the needless traffic gridlocks occasioned by factors such as impatience and recklessness on the part of motorists, absence of traffic wardens at intersections and other strategic junctions as well as dysfunctional traffic lights, resulting from lack of maintenance.

A drive through the heart of the city such as Federal Secretariat, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse Market, parts of Maitama, Asokoro, Garki and other choice areas, leaves much to be desired in the area of traffic control and order. The resultant effect is seen in the disorder and avoidable accidents, most of which are fatal.

This disorder is exacerbated on Fridays where some of the roads lead-

A LOT HAS GONE WRONG IN ABUJA AND THIS IS NOW POSING AS DIFFICULTIES FOR US TO GET OUR ACTS RIGHT ing to the Abuja Central Mosque are blocked for many hours. The weekly blockade is ostensibly to ensure the security of Vice President Namadi Sambo, who does not fail to attend Friday Jumat services.

Without doubt, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA), must collaborate with the FRSC and the Department of Road Traffic Service (otherwise known as VIO) to restore order on Abuja roads and major streets.

Of importance is the need to whip motorists, especially bus drivers, into line. These ‘outlaws’ must be made to understand that being behind the wheels is not a passport for recklessness and disobedience of traffic rules.

This point cannot be overemphasised in view of the discovery that most drivers of the ‘green monsters’ are often under the influence of alcohol and other tendencies that fill them with “Dutch courage”.

Speaking with Inside FCT on condition of anonymity, a senior official of

Sure-P bus

the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), observed that, “a lot has gone wrong in Abuja and this is now posing as difficulties for us to get our acts right”.

According to him, “To begin with, a lot has to be done in the area of enlightenment on the part of the FRSC. Although, we are able and willing, this cannot be achieved without the release of adequate funds. Side by

side with value re-orientation, the FCDA must ensure that all the dilapidated traffic lights are fixed and traffic wardens deployed to areas where there are no traffic lights”, he maintained.

It must be stated that the increasing rate of intra-city mishaps, coupled with near collapse of infrastructure, is a testimony of what a mega city like Abuja should not be.

26

Mirror Mongers

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Press-shy Aondoakaa

S

ince he was gradually eased out of government, following the death of exPresident Umaru Yar’Adua, people have been wondering what has been happening to former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, the man whose image loomed larger than life in that regime.

Tuface and Annie

Aftermath of Eket wedding L

ast week was a spectacular one for indigenes of the oil-rich Eket in Akwa Ibom State. The city may not have witnessed such a galaxy of entertainment and political stars in recent times. What do you expect when they gave out their daughter, Annie Macaulay, in marriage to Innocent Idibia, fondly called 2Face?

As a mark of honour, the town was aglow as several dignitaries came to felicitate with the couple.

But the upscale guest list at the venue was not the only part of the event that would go down in history. The Governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, who was at the event, clad in a jacket (he was visibly the only dignitary who dressed in formal English wears for a native wedding) also announced superlative gifts for the couple. MM gathered that Akpabio offered to buy them two Toyota Prado SUVs, (not minding if they had a need for that) as well as sponsoring a ‘contingent’ that would grace the couple’s white wedding in Dubai, U.A.E., next week. Of course, tongues are wagging!

Did Akpabio do so from his pocket, the Akwa Ibom State pocket or the pocket of the newlyformed PDP Governors’ Forum?

But that is not all that made the wedding tick.

MM gathered that in spite of the ‘tested and trusted virility’ associated with 2Face who has sired six (known) kids from three (known) women, he was asked to step to a podium and hold his groin to show off what he has in order to convince the Eket indigenes that he has what it takes to satisfy their daughter. But like the proverbial old woman, who is good at her dance steps, 2Face never missed a rhythm. Some scored him 110%!

While some people said he slipped out of the country to avoid any altercation with the government in power, Aondoakaa, who was also stripped of his Senior Advocate of Nigeria status, resurfaced last week at a flag-off of a huge road construction going on in Benue State, his home state.

The project is one of the roads approved for construction this year to link the North Central to Obudu in Cross River State.

The Governor, Gabriel Suswam was, however, absent to receive the likes of Works Minister, Mike Onolememen and Senator Barnabas Germade.

But Aondoakaa showed he has changed by refusing to speak with the press. That is a huge contrast from what he personified during the days of ‘Doctrine of Necessity’.

Okocha

Jay Jay’s battle with best pal

T Fear of bars in Enugu T Aondoakaa

he beginning of wisdom for most people is the fear of God, but in Enugu it may also be the fear of beer parlours. Since the assassination of Police Commissioner, Chinwike Asadu, life has become hell for the indigenes who like to indulge in beer parlours either for beer or the local liquor which Enugu is known for. MM learnt that the police authorities, determined to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, have been combing all the joints in the area and arresting people, as if the men who pulled the trigger at Asadu did so from a beer parlour.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, M.D Abuba-

ONE-SECOND Q&A

kar was in the state earlier in the week to reassure indigenes that his office was ‘on top of the situation’, but since he left, his men are still raiding the drinking joints.

Tonye Ebitbituwa, CP Enugu.

he concern in the sports circle is how the duo of Jay Jay Okocha and his best pal, Friday Nwankwo Kuja can get back their groove after many years of friendship which is currently on the brink of collapse, from what MM gathered. For starters, Friday Kuja was so close to the ex-soccer star that while in Europe playing and making money, Friday held sway in Okocha’s business group, controlling his interests in automobile distribution, security doors retailing, housing estate and night clubbing. As a manager, MM gathered that Friday, who hails from Abagana in Anambra State, did so much to help Okocha’s business grow to the appreciation of his fellow footballers.

Friction, however, heightened when Okocha’s wife, Nkechi came into the picture to take a more direct interest in running the business. Several quarrels had ensued culminating in the latest where the Okochas had to supervise the ouster of Friday from their office in Victoria Island, Lagos, as his things were tossed out. Yes, Friday has concluded plans to challenge this in the court and may have briefed his lawyers already.

CHINWOKE MBADINUJU

With the emergence of the All Progressive Congress (APC), a mega party, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, former governor of Anambra State between 1999 and 2003, speaks on the chances of APC in challenging the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its hold in major sectors of public governance.

Are you sure that APC will still not pose a serious threat or challenge to PDP’s dominance in the polity?

N

Mbadinuju

o doubt, the APC will try to do their best, maybe in their spirit of do-or-die. The APC will surely challenge the PDP. The question is: who wins at the end? PDP is so widespread in all the corners of this country, they can’t just lose in one day. APC may be a party for the future if PDP fails to put their house in order. But for now, the APC may be gunning for that which PDP already has, and with a better grounding, the odd is in favour of PDP. My worry is whether the APC will be prepared to accept defeat in the polls as their components have done in past elections.

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Jumada Al-Awwal 4, 1434AH Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

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

T

he Prophet’s Mosque, built by Prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina, is the second holiest site in Islam (the first being the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca). It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. After an expansion during the reign of al-Walid I, it also now incorporates the site of the final resting place of Muhammad and early Muslim leaders, Abu Bakr and Umar.

The site was originally adjacent to Muhammad’s house; he settled there after his Hijra (emigration) to Medina in 622.

He shared in the heavy work of construction. The original mosque was an openair building. The basic plan of the building has been adopted in the building of other mosques throughout the world.

The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school.

There was a raised platform for the people who taught the Quran. Subsequent Islamic rulers greatly expanded and decorated it. In 1909, it became the first place in the Arabian Peninsula to be provided with electrical lights. The mosque is under the control of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

One of the most notable features of the site is the Green Dome in the southeast corner of the mosque, originally Aisha’s house, where the tomb of Muhammad is located. In 1279 AD, a wooden cupola was built over the tomb, which was later rebuilt and renovated multiple times in late 15th century and once in 1817. The dome was first painted green in 1837, and later became known as the Green Dome.

The Prophet’s Mosque Qur’an 107:1-2

Have you seen him who denies religion? That is he who repulses the orphan. (Al-Maun 107:1-2)

Prophet’s Mosque

Quiz Corner debuts

Be part of Mirror MusliMart

NOTE: Islamic Schools can be part of The Quiz Corner by encouraging their students to be part of this as they stand the chance of winning valuable gifts.

Also, Islamic organizations, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals can be part of this through gifts and promotional items. For further information, please contact SEKINAH LAWAL on: 08055102994 or email: sakinah207@yahoo.com.

We are introducing a Muslim Shoppers’ Guide, showcasing Islamic fashion, halal foods, finance, arts and music, inspirational and motivational CDs, books, events, conferences, Muslim social diaries, seminars, matrimonial, household items, medical/health materials etc.

For further information, contact +234-8055102994 or email: sakinah207@yahoo.com

Women, Endometriosis, pains and infertility 28

Abuse over Hijab: Learning from history 29

Law in this Life and the Next (2)

Y

ou observe how all paths are lit up and the heights and depressions become distinct when the day dawns. In the same way perfect man is the day of spiritual light, by his advent, every path becomes clearly distinguishable. He points out the right path, for he himself is the bright day of truth and righteousness. Similarly, you observe how the night accommodates the weary and how the labourers, after working hard during the day, sleep in the gracious lap of the night and rest from their labours. The night also covers up all defects and imperfections. In the same way, the perfect servants of God come to provide comfort for people and the recipients of revelation relieve all wise people of extreme effort. Through them, great problems of insight are easily re-

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya solved. Also, Divine revelation covers up the defects of human reason and, like the night, does not let its faults to become known, in as much as wise people correct their mistakes on their own in the light of revelation, and thus through the blessings of God’s holy revelation save themselves from being exposed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Orphans, widows deserve special care 29

28

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Jumada Al-Awwal 4, 1434AH Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Women, Endometriosis, pains and infertility 08055102994 Strong women wear their pains like stilettos. No matter how much it hurts, all you see is the beauty–Harriet Morgan. his is indeed a true quote as thousands of women on a monthly basis go through excruciating pains simply because of their menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, many still take this as something ‘normal’ which should be tolerated.

As we celebrate women all over the world, today’s mothers should be more concerned about menstrual pain of their girl child and stop seeing it as a ‘normal’ thing.

According to the Medical Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi and Chief Nike Osinowo, who is a living testimony of Endometriosis, many cases of this condition still go undiagnosed. Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body. Unfortunately, many women are suffering from Endometriosis unknowingly because of cases of misdiagnoses.

Hence, there is a dire need to be more enlightened about Endometriosis. Mothers should endeavour to seek for medical attention on time if their girls keep complaining of stomach ache before or during menses as there is nothing normal in pains, it only indicates that something is wrong and the need to be sure it is not Endometriosis. We need to do this on time in order to reduce the many ad-

T

verse effects of Endometriosis which include excruciating pains and infertility.

Statistics shows that Endometriosis affects over 70 million women worldwide. It is the presence of endometrial-like tissue (the womb lining tissue) found outside the uterus, which induces a chronic, inflammatory reaction and is associated with pain, infertility and impaired quality of life. Its prevalence in the female population is said to be 8-10 per cent of women in reproductive years and 2050 per cent of those with infertility. It usually leads to pain, irregular bleeding and problems getting pregnant.

It is said to be common in about 5–10% of women within reproductive age group (15-44 years) worldwide. Women with this condition have 20% less chances of having children.

The condition has been either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. Even in developed countries, a woman may have suffered from the condition for up to eight years before proper diagnosis is done. In Africa, the situation is worse because, very little is known about the condition. Therefore, a lot of women live with it without ever being diagnosed as the condition was believed not to be common among blacks before now. Over the years, it has been discovered that no race is left out of this excruciating ordeal.

As a socially-responsible organisation, Nordica Fertility Center Lagos, a foremost Assisted-Conception Center with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Asaba, in conjunction with the Endometriosis Support Group (the only support group for Endometriosis in subSaharan Africa) have joined other organisations in the world to comfort these women and tell them that despite the pain, they are

MOTHERS SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT MENSTRUAL PAIN OF THEIR GIRL CHILD AND STOP SEEING IT AS A ‘NORMAL’ THING not alone. Other free and open activities include; Nurses’ Forum at the Lagos office on the 20th of March followed by the Endometriosis Walk on the 23rd of March from the City Mall to Falomo Bridge and back to Nordica office on Norman Williams Steet, Ikoyi, Lagos. 1st of April is for Doctor’s Forum in Abuja office at Queen Elizabeth Street, off Yakubu Gowon Crescent, by Aso Rock Villa Gate, off J.F. Kennedy Street, Asokoro, Abuja while 2nd of April is for Endometriosis Talk at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, which will be facilitated by Dr. Keith

Isaacson, immediate past President, American Association of Gynaecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and the main objective is to create the needed awareness on Endometriosis among members of the medical profession and the general public. Nordica will also be celebrating her tenth year anniversary this April and is willing to give back to the society as it has done in the past.

Endometriosis is associated with severe dysmenorrhea (painful periods), deep dysparunia (painful intercourse), chronic pelvic pain, ovulation pain, infertility and chronic fatigue. Also, research shows that as many as half of all menstruating women are affected by period pain; 10 per cent have severe pain, which limits activities for certain days per month. So, for every woman going through any of these symptoms, their best bet is to seek for proper medical examination to be sure it is not Endometriosis.

MSSN commends Nigerians over hijab in public schools

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he Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit has commended Nigerians for throwing their weight behind the use of hijab in public schools.

The commendation came following an overwhelming 65 per cent ‘Yes’ vote in an on-going online opinion poll being conducted by The Punch Newspaper which seeks to know Nigerians’ view concerning whether pupils should be allowed to wear hijab to public schools.

As at 12.45pm on Friday March 8, 2013, six hundred and seventy-three (673) out of one thousand and forty-two (1042) total respondents said ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Should pupils be allowed to wear Hijab to public schools?’ while 355, representing 35 per cent responded ‘No’. The remaining 14 representing one per cent of the total respondents were undecided.

The survey opened on Thursday, February 28, 2013, a day members of the MSSN Lagos State Area Unit from secondary schools and higher institutions across the

state stormed the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja in protest against the victimisation of Muslim girls wearing hijab in Lagos public schools.

A statement signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sulaimon Alamutu, said the result of the poll, though unscientific, was a reflection of Nigerians’ belief in, and respect for the fundamental human rights of Muslims to practice and manifest their religion without interference from any quarters.

It said the Lagos State government should take a cue from the opinions of Nigerians and take necessary steps towards addressing the persecution of Muslim girls currently being molested because of hijab by school principals across the state.

‘We have said it severally that the issue of hijab is a fundamental right issue which no law or administrative procedure could override. So, the result of the Punch’s survey showed that Nigerians are rational human beings who will not allow myopic reasoning overshadow their sense of justice.”

GHMI partners AnalizaDx on cancer

S Cross section of beneficiaries at the widows and Orphans Empowerment and Fund-raising Programme organised by the Here and Hereafter Foundation (HHF) at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

L-R: Director, Bureau of Lands, OPIC, Alhaja Sidiqah Alaba Ibironke, presenting a cheque to Mrs. Hawa Haroon at the widows and Orphans Empowerment and Fund-raising Programme

imple blood-based cancer diagnostics screening tests to enable early and effective treatment while reducing unnecessary procedures will soon land in Africa.

This is courtesy of a partnership announced recently between Global Health Management Informatics (GHMI), a Houston-based company focusing on advancing effective and affordable healthcare solutions, and AnalizaDx, a Cleveland-based company developing a pipeline of nextgeneration cancer diagnostics products.

Under the partnership terms, GHMI has entered into exclusive license agreement with AnalizaDx to offer its cancer tests in Africa and Islands of the Caribbean. “With operations in the U.S. and Africa, we plan to enable smooth transfer of technology and diagnostics products in the near future.”

According to Mr. Debo Awosika-Olumo, CEO of GHMI, under the terms of the license agreement, GHMI will enter markets in Africa, beginning with Nigeria and South Africa. Through its network of collaborations with leading hospitals and clinical laboratories, GHMI will begin offering AnalizaDx’s PSA/SIA, a next generation

prostate cancer test that has demonstrated superior performance in differentiating between prostate cancer and other benign conditions using blood sample. Follow-on tests will target breast, colon, ovarian, and other cancers.

“With operations in the U.S. and Africa, we plan to enable smooth transfer of technology and diagnostics products in the near future. Effective, low-cost diagnostics and screening tests in cancer are especially important in regions in which wide access to advanced, expensive diagnostics tools and procedures is not readily available or affordable,” said Arnon Chait, Ph.D., President of AnalizaDx, “Our technology platform provides lab-based solutions that could bring definitive answers to millions using blood-based analysis of protein biomarker structure.”

“We are pleased to enter into this ground-breaking agreement to allow us to offer a series of advanced low-cost cancer tests throughout the African continent.

We believe this partnership will result in many saved lives, while making good use of precious healthcare resources in both developed and emerging markets in Africa.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, March 15, 2013

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Jumada Al-Awwal 4, 1434AH

Call to Worship

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Abuse over Hijab: Learning from history D NYSC “T ,M yranny over the minds and hearts of men is a cardinal evil which operates like a cancer in the human community, and is bound - if permitted to grow unchecked in our environment - to spread everywhere and affect everybody…Thus Muslims cannot stand by while it is practised in their neighbourhood.

If Muslims fail to see the importance of combating tyranny and oppression when it is practised next door, they will pay dearly for it; in due course, their own freedom of worship may be utterly denied to them, and no house of God will be spared from destruction.” [Zakaria Bashier: Hijra, Story and Significance, p.15] It is high time we appreciated the lesson of history. Injustice and oppression have never given birth to peace. Security situations in the country today are defying all logics. The most pathetic one in the past week was that of gunning down a whole Commissioner of Police. There are always several unheard and untold cases of ordinary men who are killed in their houses. The country is battling with the menace or even the hell of Boko Haram.

Kidnapping is going on unabated. But we have always failed to ask or answer the following questions. When did it start? Why did it start? What has it caused? Who is the next victim?

Analyses or vituperations of the best lawyer can never bring the dead alive or heal the pain of the families whose members are killed. The real causes are lack of moral consciousness and justice. All other things are addenda. We must be made to sincerely conscious about our accountability to God. Our prayer is that Boko Haram never comes to our environment. Same prayer may not be said of kidnapping and disappearance of

URING CAMPS USLIM SISTERS GO THROUGH HELL TO SUSTAIN THEIR IDENTITY

people in the South West today as it is already happening.

It is an open secret that virtually every family in the Yoruba speaking states has Muslims and Christians. One of the two may be more in number in one than the other. It will also be observed that some of the Muslim political leaders who hold sensitive posts have Christians as wives; the reverse is mostly not the case. It is also a known fact that this part of the country has enjoined a religious co-existence and harmony more than its northern counterpart. This is not to say that there are no suppression or fanaticism of some religious sycophants. Muslims have always been at the receiving end. They have either always demonstrated maturity or understanding to allow several issues pass by.

The day a so-called Christian lady pastor entered the University of Ibadan Central mosque while the faithful were engaged in solemn Friday prayer to preach on the top of her voice that everybody should accept Jesus as Lord is fresh in the minds of those of us who were in the mosque that day. Heaven was not let loose as the Muslim students’ society and the leadership of the community were very understanding. In most of our higher institutions, unless it has stopped now, it is the Christians that always turn lecture rooms to preaching centers. In public buses, they are also the one who disturb the peace

Orphans, widows deserve special care

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ur noble Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to care for orphans and he used to ask his companions to protect them and to treat them well. He also showed the merits that come from that.

Al-Bukhari narrated that Prophet Muhammad, said: “I and the custodian of an orphan are like this (together) in Paradise”, and he joined his forefinger and middle finger together.

IbnMajah also narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that Prophet Muhammad said: “The best Muslim house is a house in which an orphan is well treated; and the worst Muslim house is a house in which an orphan is badly treated.”

The above Prophetic Hadiths show clearly that if someone takes good care of an orphan, he is sure to enter paradise by his good care. A person who takes an orphan under his custody and guardianship will be with Prophet Muhammad in Paradise; and similarly, a widow who devotes herself to bring up her children will be with Prophet Muhammad in Paradise.Abu Huraira narrated that a man came to Prophet Muhammad complaining about being hard hearted, so Prophet Muhammad advised him: “Tap on the heads of orphans, and feed the needy one.” (Ahmad) An orphan should not be repulsed, but should be treated kindly and gently.

Every believer should be a parent for the orphan who lost one or both of his parents. If this orphan feels that people have mercy on him and treat him kindly, he will like them whether they are of their parent’s relatives or friends. In other words, the community of believers is cooperative and helpful to one another. God says in the Quran: {Have you seen him who denies religion? That is he who repulses the orphan.} (Al-Maun 107:1-2) An orphan should not be repulsed, but should be treated kindly and gently. It is a great mistake to treat an orphan badly, but it is even worse to repulse him harshly, to humiliate him, or treat him unkindly.

Finally, Abu Hurairanarrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), said: “He who looks after a widow and a needy person is like a fighter for the Cause of Allah.”

He also said: “Like someone who stands up the night in prayer and worship and someone who is always fasting.” (Bukhari) Allah (swt) urges us to do everything in our power to help the orphans and widows.

That means not only material help but also help with their worldly affairs. Allah (SWT) will rewards us very well for these deeds.

Sheikh Abdul Ganniyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of JubatuRohfatuLlahi Islamic Society Of Nigeria (JUBFAT)

of others by enforcing listening on the passengers. During Christmas, the carols rent the air even in Government owned radio and television stations. Nigeria is said to be a mutli-religious (or hypocritically a secular) state, but the Christians have always have their worship days ( Saturdays and Sundays) as weekends while the Muslim Friday is a working day. In the spirit of justice, the day should have also been declared free. The socalled 1:00-3:00 pm work/lecture free time has always been violated by bosses at work or lecturers at schools who fix lecture/examination for Jumat period.

During NYSC camps, Muslim sisters go through hell to sustain their identity. During data capturing or picture taking for election,

admission, etc, Muslim females have always been molested and embarrassed that they must allow their ears show or forfeit their fundamental human right; in some instances, an outright removal of their Hijab is even demanded by the authority or the person acting in that capacity.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK Dr. Zafaran is the Director, Vanguards Academy

L-R: Senior Lecturer, University of Lagos, Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf; GM, Sterling Bank, Alhaji AbdulFatai Amoo; Chairman, HHF Board of Trustees, Imam Abdur-Rahman Ahmad; COO, Meristem Wealth, Alhaji Sulaiman Adedokun and Alhaji Abdul-Afeez Toriola at the widows and orphans empowerment and fund-raising programme organised by the Here and Hereafter Foundation (HHF) at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

Muslims should be more organised –Ahmad

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he Muslim Ummah has been told to stop agonising and complaining and be more focused and organised.

He gave this advice at the widows and orphans Empowerment and Fund-raising Programme organised by the Here and Hereafter Foundation (HHF) at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

“Taking care of widows and orphans is the responsibility of all of us as we will all be beneficiaries simply because no one knows who will stand to benefit from it. We should all imagine dying and living behind our young and vulnerable children whom we love so much and are deeply concerned, who will be their pillar of support?”

Imam Ahmad said that as an Ummah, Muslims must be able to build a society that will give the needed support. “We should stop being sympathisers, but active participants.

I therefore commend the noble effort of this foundation. Our society keeps oppressing the needy instead of taking care of them and some people have to take up the responsibility as HHF is doing now.”

Some of the beneficiaries (widows), who narrated their ordeal after losing their husbands to National Mirror, expressed their appreciation and gratitude to those who came

up with the idea of the foundation and urged other Muslims to emulate the good gesture by contributing to the foundation. Those who are willing to do so can pay into HHF for W&O at Guaranty Trust Bank, Account number 0005910158, Awolowo Road, IkoyiLagos.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Complete Football, Alhaji Mumin Alao called on well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to support the foundation in order to put smile on the faces widows and orphans.

L-R: Alhaji Abdulrasaq Asaju and Managing Director of Complete Football, Alhaji Mumin Alao at the Widows and Orphans Empowerment and Fund-raising Programme.

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Call to Worship CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

That is the reason why no Muslim philosopher offered the sacrifice of a rooster to an idol as was done by Plato. Plato was misled as he was deprived of the light of revelation and despite being a great philosopher he perpetrated such a stupid and hateful act.

The following of our lord and master the Holy Prophet (saw) safeguarded the Muslim philosophers against such stupid and unholy practices. This shows how Divine revelation covers up, like the night, the deficiencies of the wise.

You are also aware that the perfect servants of God provide, like heaven, shelter for every weary one. His prophets and the recipients of His revelation pour down the rain of their beneficence like the sky, and they also possess the qualities of the earth.

Diverse types of trees of high knowledge spring forth from their fine souls, from the shade and flowers and fruits of which people derive benefit. Thus, this visible law of nature which is displayed before our eyes is a witness of the hidden law whose testimony God Almighty has cited in these verses by way of oaths. Reflect, therefore, how full of wisdom is the Word that is found in the Holy Qur’an and which issued from the mouth of an unlettered dweller of the desert. Had it not been the Word of God, the wise ones and those who are called highly educated, being confronted with this fine insight, would not have made it the subject of criticism. It is a common experience that when a person is unable to appreciate something on the basis of his finite reason he criticises that which is based on wisdom and his criticism becomes proof that that point of wisdom is above and beyond the reach of average minds. That is why those who are accounted wise raised an objection

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Jumada Al-Awwal 4, 1434AH Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law in this Life and the Next (2) GOD ALMIGHTY HAS SET FORTH A WELL-

KNOWN LAW OF NATURE IN SUPPORT OF THE TRUTH OF THE HOLY QUR’AN against this phenomenon; but now that the mystery has been resolved no reasonable person will criticise it, but will derive pleasure from it.

The Holy Qur’an has, at another place, recited such an oath for the purpose of citing an instance of the law of nature in support of the phenomenon of revelation, and has said: we call to witness the heaven that sends down rain and the earth that sprouts diverse types of vegetation with the help of such rain, that the Qur’an is God’s word and His revelation, and that it decides between Truth and falsehood and is not vain talk, that is to say, it has not been revealed out of time and has come like seasonable rain.

Here, God Almighty has set forth a wellknown law of nature in support of the Truth of the Holy Qur’an, which is His Word. It is a matter of common observation that at a time of need rain comes down from heaven and that the vegetation of the earth all depends upon rain. When rain is held back then gradually the wells also run dry, so that the water in the earth also depends upon rain from heaven. That is why in the rainy season the level of the water in the wells also rises, the reason for which is that heavenly water exercises a pull upon earthly water. The same is the relationship be-

tween divine revelation and human reason.

Divine revelation is heavenly water and reason is earthly water which receives sustenance from heavenly water. When heavenly water, that is to say, divine revelation, is held back, the earthly water also dries up gradually. That is the reason why, when a long time passes and no recipient of revelation appears on the earth, the reason of the wise is corrupted, as earthly water is corrupted and dries up. To appreciate this phenomenon, it would be enough to cast a glance at the condition of the world immediately before the advent of the Holy Prophet(saw). As six hundred years had passed after the time

of Jesus(as), and no recipient of revelation had appeared during the interval, the whole world had been corrupted. The history of every country shows that before the advent of the Holy Prophet(saw), falsehood had become current throughout the world. Why did this happen? This happened because divine revelation had been held back for a long time and the kingdom of heaven had fallen into the hands of human reason alone. No one is unaware of the corruption in which the people were involved by following defective reason. Thus, when the rain of revelation did not descend for a period, the water of reason dried up.

Muslim leader calls for equal treatment for all

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he Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, HadhratMirzaMasroor Ahmad, has highlighted the importance of prayer in light of the perilous and chaotic state of the world today. The Muslim leader also appealed to all leaders to treat their citizens with compassion, justice and equality.

While delivering his weekly Friday Sermon from the BaitulFutuh Mosque in SouthWest London recently, HadhratMirzaMasroor Ahmad stated that it was imperative that Ahmadi Muslims prayed for ‘Hasana’, an Arabic term, which represents all forms of good and blessings.

HadhratMirzaMasroor Ahmad said:“In certain countries, the opponents of our Jamaat [community] desire that Ahmadi Muslims be deprived of all of God’s blessings.

Thus we should pray that our neighbours do not cause us any distress and we should pray that our cities and our countries are a source

of happiness and contentment for us.”

“In some Muslim countries we find that it is the rulers who are sources of torment and despair for their people. Thus we should pray that the leaders of all countries discharge the rights of the people, be compassionate, righteous and just. If they are unable to reform themselves, then we should pray that they be replaced by leaders and governments that do bear these hallmarks.”

The world leader also expressed his appreciation for people outside of the Ahmadiyya Community who had shown their support and compassion to Ahmadi Muslims irrespective of differences of belief.He said:“In Pakistan and certain other countries, while there are those who are influenced by the extremist clerics and so try to cause harm to Ahmadi Muslims, there is also a significant population of people who have proved to be our good and loyal friends. They are genuinely sympathetic towards us, they wish us well and help us in times of difficulty or trial.”

L-R: Circuit President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Ibadan, Engr. Abdul Ganiyyu Olaleye; Naib Amir North Zone, Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb, former Amir, Engr. Hussain Sunmonu and Naib Amir East Zone, Dr. Abdul Ganiyyu Enahoro, during the 14th Annual National Workshop Majlis Ansarullah in Lagos recently.

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Alhaji Abdul Fatah Apoyin; Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya and Naib Amir, Special Duties, Alhaji Ahmed Alhassan.

Principal Jamia School, IIaro, Maulana Zikrullah Ayuba; General Secretary, Alhaji Raji Dauda and guest lecturer and Chief Medical Director, State Hospital Ota, Dr. Babatunde Fatai Banuso.

L-R: Consultant, Obs and Gym NNPC Clinic, Lagos and lecturer at the occasion, Dr. Tajudeen Bamgbopa; Consultant, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Dr. Bello N.A and former Sadr. Khudam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Bro. Abdul-Wahab Matepo.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arty News

Friday, March 15, 2013

Ekpe, the geo-poet emerges TERH AGBEDEH

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odwin Ekpe, the 1998 graduate of geology from the University of Calabar, UNICAL, Cross River State, who also holds a master’s degree in Geophysics from the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, has ventured into the deep world of poetry with the release of two collections.

Ekpe, a native of Akwa Ibom State, will on March 30, at the Utimanik Suites, 74 Grace Bill Road, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, present the two books of poetry, The Mirror of Self and The Soul of a Poet.

As a geologist, who has had extensive experience in the oil and mining exploration industry, Ekpe decides not to restrict himself to the wooded world of rocks and earth’s underlays, but to be very relevant in society’s goings on.

Thus, some of the poems dwell on patriotism and nationalism, love and romance, religion and the supernatural, while some are based on the beauty and the economic values of planet earth.

Yet, in quite a number of the poems, the author assumes a crusader-town-crier disposition and lampoons those in positions of authority and leadership.

Ekpe said the poems are poised to “comfort the distressed; stimulate ra-

ADENRELE NIYI

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ncomium Weekly, Nigeria’s foremost lifestyle magazine has announced plans for the anticipated 4th edition of the ‘Black and White Ball’.

Intimating the media about preparations through its publisher, Kunle

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he annual I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival aka iREP Docu Film Feast, will hold March 21to 24, at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, according to a recent press release by organisers.

Dedicated to promoting awareness about the power of documentary films to serve as a means of deepening and sharing social and cultural education, as well as encouraging participatory democracy in our societies, the generic theme for iREP 2013 –as is the tradition for every edition– is “Africa in Self-Conversation”. However, the theme for the 2013 edition is “Reconnections”, where over 30 popular and award winning documentaries sourced from notable and new filmmakers around Africa and its Diaspora, Europe and the USA, will be screened

Nigeria Idol 3: Contestants celebrate Nigerian Music Week

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Ekpe

tional thinking and practice within the polity; charge, encourage, and promote attitudinal reorientation on ethics and moral values, and above all, foster love for piety and respect for the dignity of humans and nature”.

Certainly, Ekpe is a poet to watch out for. This much Comrade John Ukam, fiery activist and veteran lecturer, himself a poet, confirmed when he said of Ekpe’s book, The Mirror of Self. “The writer’s art is sometimes very mysterious. In other times, it becomes so tangled

with human activities, so much so that one begins to wonder why it is so…. To consider a geologist and a geophysicist like Godwin Ekpe to consider writing a worthwhile venture is really interesting.

He is not into ordinary writing…”.

On the book, The Soul of a Poet, Dr. Ndee Ehirim, an accomplished lecturer, scholar and writer, had this to say: “The author as a richly talented and highly focused ambidextrous personality raring to stamp his identity on Nigeria’s literary garden, especially in the poetry genre”.

Plans in gear for 2013 Black and White Ball

Bakare

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Bakare, the Lagos-based publication says it is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the ‘Black and White Ball’ is top-notch as every detail of the event will depict style and panache.

“The six-hour extravaganza promises to surpass previous editions”, says Kunle Bakare.

Although a date has not been disclosed yet, the event already boasts of a robust guest list of over a thousand people which will include Nigeria’s favourite celebreties, captains of industries and entertainment aficionados in a majestic marquee situated in the heart of Lagos State.

Encomium’s ‘Black and White Ball’ has hosted many stars over the years, including Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, Dele Momodu, Genevieve Nnaji, Dayo Adeneye and Keke Ogungbe.

To highlight the event, there will be a showcase of fabulous pieces from some of Nigeria’s most gifted designers. Similarly, pioneers and forerunners in the fashion and style business who have made elegance desirable will be awarded by a select committee comprising a panel of Encomium Weekly readers and in house team members.

The six-hour event will kick off with an elaborate red carpet reception and guests will also be treated to choice food and exquisite drinks.

Founded in May 1997, Encomium Weekly steadily rose to become one of the hottest celebrity journals on the newsstands. From the purely black and white layout (with only colour covers) at inception, Encomium has morphed to a magazine with coloured multiple pages.

ontestants of Etisalat-sponsored reality TV show, Nigerian Idol 3 gave their ethnic best in celebration of the Nigerian Music Week during the Top 6 Gala Show. The Top 6 is made up of three ladies -Safeeyat, Debbie Rise and Efezino and three men, Jay Feel, Abasi Akang and Moses.

Sunday night’s show opened with laughter when the audience viewed baby pictures of the three judges, Femi Kuti, Jeffrey Daniels and Yinka Davies, and host, Ill Rhymz.

The judges also welcomed ace broadcaster and voiceover artiste, Femi Sowoolu, who brought a fresh perspective to the show. The contestants chose songs that paid tribute to Nigeria’s music industry, mixing old hit singles with the newest pop songs. Decked in ethnic, but funky outfits, the contestants began performances with a cover of Odyssey’s Going back to my Roots.

The first performance of the night was by Efezino who did an impressive cover of Seyi Shay’s Loving your Way. With a red tint in his new hairstyle, Moses arrived next to throw the audience into a frenzy with his ‘azonto’ dance steps, with the judges also joining him as he rendered a thrilling version of D’Banj’s Oliver Twist. Debbie Rise, Jay Feel, Safeeyat and Abasi Akang performed songs by other popular singers including Omawumi and Chuddy K. One outstanding feature of the night was the special duet segment. The first duet was by an unlikely pair, Efezino and Abasiakan, who performed Asa and Jeremiah Gyang’s Long Ago. Moses and Debbie Rise got the audience singing along to their rendition of Omawumi and Flavour’s Bottom Belle while Safeeyat and Jay Feel stormed the stage with Tiwa Savaga and Don Jazzy’s Without My Heart.

Following the performances, the viewing public is now left to decide the contestants strong enough to escape the next phase of eviction. Already, six contestants have said their goodbyes, with Kome and Danny Angus being the latest evictees.

3rd iRep Docu Film Fest to reconnect Africa during the festival.

The films all essentially treat themes that concern developments and realities around Africa and its peoples. Specifically, the films deal with issues of spirituality, religion, politics, culture, conflict, gender discrimination and affirmations, among others.

On the line-up for screening in the course of the festival is United States of Hoodoo by Oliver Hardt, which has been selected as the ‘opening film ‘for the festival on Thursday, March 21. Others include Orisha by notable Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan; Ifa of the Yoruba People by the renowned filmmaker, Tunde Kelani; Urban Prayers by Sabrina

Dittrus; Crackles of our Times by Sibylle Dahrendorf; Oranian by Tobias Lindern and Fatai Roling Dollars: A Legend Unplugged by Femi Odugbemi. In addition all the 10 finalists in the Afrinolly Shortfilm Competion will be screened in a special section of the festival.

Special guests to the Festival include the actor, director, filmmaker and scholar of Africana Studies, Prof. Awam Amkpa of the New York University, USA, who is a specialist on Africa and its Diasporas; and post coloniality. He will deliver the keynote of the festival on theme; “Reconnections: Africa’s Post-colonial Journey to Identity”. Prof. Femi Okire-

muette Shaka, author of “Modernity and the African Cinema”, will speak on “Documentary Film and African Spirituality and Politics”.

The Festival’s selection of film will be co-curated by the Festival Director, Femi Odugbemi and Prof. Niyi Coker, documentary filmmaker and executive director of the Africa World Documentary Film Festival, AWDFF. Prof. Coker will also make a presentation on “Documentary Films and The Africa Disapora”.

The Festival will also feature various workshops, training sessions and master classes to be handled by experts from Europe, the US, South Africa and Nigeria.

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Escape

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Presidential getaway: A tour PELU AWOFESO

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ne Saturday morning in January 2013, former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria conducted visiting former President of Ghana, John Kufour on a swift tour of The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, situated off Presidential Boulevard, Oke-Mosan, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Escorted by a long convoy of protocol officers and police officers, both men drove uphill to see some of the structures dotting the sprawling complex.

The OOPL is still very much a work in progress. Workmen can be seen around the complex moulding concrete slabs, watering the fledgling gardens and installing water-heaters in the 156room Green Legacy Resort (which will be officially commissioned this May). That notwithstanding, the OOPL is partially open for business.

Already, 75 rooms of the resort, an imposing brick-and-cement structure billed as a 4-star affair, are furnished and available for reservations and bookings.

One of the packages that go with group bookings is a guided tour of the facility. For the time being, a tour of the OOPL include stops at the Presidential Library (still being constructed); a museum of military hardware from the civil war (star attractions include a helicopter and Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, said to have been flown and driven respectively, by then young Obasanjo); a 24-foot deep dam (think boat cruises); and a room of photographic exhibitions.

The tour naturally ends on the Rock of Inspiration & Meditation, the top of which is reached by a flight of 74 steps. The walking tour lasts roughly an hour and is an excellent way to exercise.

“The OOPL sits on 32 hectares of land. It will be officially commissioned in January 2014”, says a member of staff, who did not want to be named.

“It is the 14th presidential Library in the world but the first of its kind in Africa”.

President Obasanjo is said to be bent on making every part of the OOPL ooze African ideals.

So it is no surprise that there is an ‘African Village’ and the Adire and African Fabrics Centre, AAFC, which also stocks locally-made crafts and keepsakes. The 900-seater auditorium, which doubles as a cinema and on weekends screens only Nigerian made films exclusively at the moment.

“This place is almost like a country”, says a guest, who had just been taken round the complex.

Also within the premises, there’s a bookshop, a chapel, a mosque, an amphitheatre and the ‘Category 2’ UNESCO Institute for African Culture & International Understanding.

“There is also a ‘Bamboo Grove’”, says a staff in the Admin department. “A gala was hosted there recently and President Obasanjo was present, dancing to the live performance by a local group called Sweet Banana”.

The Bamboo Grove is one of the fascinating spots in the complex. A gentle stream runs through a rock-lined pathway, adding a soothing atmosphere to the ambience. Here, guests can sit at a green bench, or on the surrounding grass, completely at peace and away from the busy areas.

“This Library Complex is going to change the face of Abeokuta completely”, one guest says, while admiring the surroundings.

The belief is that it would even also change the face of Nigeria as well.

Culled from www.wakaabout.net. Pelu Awofeso is a travel journalist and travel-book author based in Lagos.

Fura de nono, a local drink made from guinea corn, on sale on a street in Kaduna main market

Presidential Lodge

FACT FILE •

Conceived in 1988, the idea to establish the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library remained just an idea until 10 years later, when the man in whose honour the project is meant to immortalise was released from incarceration for a crime that never was.

•

As Nigeria’s second elected Executive President, Chief Obasanjo established the Office of Presidential Libraries (Libraries, Research and Documentation) which mission was in part to see the OOPL idea translated into reality.

•

A primary concern for the establishment of a presidential library is first to acknowledge the contributions of, at any one time, the occupier of Nigeria’s most important political office.

•

It is also to foster understanding of the life, career and Presidential administration of Olusegun Obasanjo and through this exposition, promote the ideals of democracy, good governance and leadership; facilitate critical reflection on best practices in public service.

•

Getting to OOPL, air travellers from out of town can use Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos (or local terminals). Major car rental firms are conveniently located at the airport; OOPL is a about an hour’s drive from the airport.

•

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Theatre and Troupe celebrated its first year anniversary and the 51st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria in grand style with Nigerian kings, government functionaries and high chiefs in attendance.

The Dam area of th OOPL

Tourists enjoying the view from the Rock of inspiration & Meditation (OOPL)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Escape

Friday, March 15, 2013

of the OOPL

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Oke Ibadan fest: Ancient city set to host culture lovers

...as Eagles Aromatic Schnapps supports the cultural event

T

Abdullahi the Mai Shayi

he ancient city of Ibadan is set to witness another round of unprecedented festivities mood as it celebrates this year’s Oke Ibadan Festival, a traditional festival that is popular among locals, enthusiasts and neighbours who take part in the cultural events annually. The festival’s name, which translates to “Hill of Ibadan” includes legends about the original site of Ibadan, which was located on a hill.

According to the history of the largest city in West Africa, the settlers from the East and North of the city, congregated on the hill during the 18th century and the town was founded. The hill has been deserted since then, but the legacy thrives. Oke Ibadan festival includes fertility rites homage to the founders of Ibadan and the goddess of the hill.

Meanwhile, this year’s edition of the worldclass festival is taking a new dimension with the support of Eagle Aromatic Schnapps, one of the leading brands from the stable of Intercontinental Distillers Ltd. Over the years, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps has been noted for

its resounding support for indigenous festivals across the Nigerian landscape.

Oke Ibadan Festival has been identified by Intercontinental Distillers as one of the key engagement platforms to connect with its customers in Ibadan, a significant and influential town in the South-west, of Nigeria. It has been a tradition of the company to identify with the people’s cultural heritage in order to enliven the spirit of the people.

Speaking on the rationale for the support, the Head of Marketing of the company, Innocent Oboh, declared that, Eagle schnapps is naturally a drink that connects with African traditional and cultural values. “It is a drink that associates with indigenous African values, so it is natural for us to support the ancient city, in its annual Oke Ibadan Festival”, he declares.

Okebadan festival is an important festival cherished by the people of Ibadan, Oyo State. It is an event that features a lot of cultural activities like; the ‘Ekuru Night’, traditional songs and dance, parade, homage to the traditional ruler, the Olubadan of Ibadan among others.

Room view, Green Legacy Resort

Lagos Market. Ndidi Dike. C_Print ‘’Head’’ Series No. 8. by Taiye Ida- ‘’Our Reflection’’ by Charles on Canvas and Mixed Media on hor.(2012.)PET Bottles,newspaper Okereke.(2009). Photography.

Aluminium. 2010. and acrylic paint on 89cmx68cm

CCA Lagos makes 1st appearance at Art Dubai 2013

T Tourists climbing to the Rock of Inspiration & meditation OOPL

L-R: Mrs. Bola Obasanjo and her husband, ex-President Obasanjo at the 1st anniversary of the OOPL theatre.

he Centre for Contemporary Art, CCA, Lagos, is to take part in the upcoming Art Dubai Fair holding in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate from March 19 to 23.

A statement released by the centre explained that Art Dubai 2013 includes a special focus on the arts scenes of West Africa. Each year, Marker—a curated selection of booths located within the gallery halls at Madinat Jumeirah— focuses on a particular theme or geography.

The statement further said that in 2013, the programme highlights the dynamism of a group of organisations from West Africa, selected by curator Bisi Silva (Director, CCA Lagos).

Marker brings five art spaces from across West Africa exhibiting together at an international art fair for the first time. Bisi Silva’s programme is curated around the theme of ‘cities in transition’, with a particular focus on the work of dynamic independent organisations and artists dealing with specific identities and localities.

The artworks featured in Marker 2013 reflect the wide diversity of artistic practice in West Africa and across the continent and are presented through painting, photography, sculpture, sound art, and film.

CCALagos will be presenting a selection of works by six Nigerian artists; Ndidi Dike, Emeka Ogboh, Ade Adekola, Karo Akopiere, Charles Okereke and Taiye Idahor.

CCALagos is an independent visual art organisation set up in December 2007 to provide a platform for the development, presentation, and dis-

cussion of contemporary visual art and culture.

Born in London, Dike studied painting at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, where she earned her degree in 1984 majoring in mixed media. Since leaving Nsukka, Dike has established herself as one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary artists.

Okereke is a Nigerian multimedia artist born in 1966 in Kano State, Nigeria. After a three-year art apprenticeship, he studied visual arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria majoring in sculpture in 1996.

Adekola is a conceptual artist born in Nigeria and raised in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He graduated in 1992 from the Architectural Association in London specialising in architecture, technology and design.

Idahor was born in Lagos in 1984 and hails from Edo State, Nigeria. She studied art at the Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, Lagos and graduated in 2007 specialising in sculpture.

Akpokiere was born in Lagos in 1981. His enthusiasm for drawing meant he constantly surrounded himself with dozens of cartoons, comic books and drawings. With the support he received from his parents he abandoned a possible career in science to focus on taking courses in art and design from YABATECH, Lagos in 2000.

Born and raised in Lagos, where he continues to live and work, Ogboh received a BA in Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2001.

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

Friday, March 15, 2013

Selective discrimination

denrele@nationalmirroronline.net Follow on Twitter@MizNiyi

O

ne of the greatest weaknesses of an opinionist is the inability to be unbiased and balanced in his or her passion-driven conjectures –which is not too much of a surprise since facts are sacred and opinions are commonplace.

Ask the road side mechanic or the street hawker what his or her thought is about a topical issue and it would be a rarity to receive an answer like: “Abeg, no vex o, I no sabi wetin the matta be so I no go fit talk my own” (I’m sorry, but I don’t have information about this subject so I can’t give an opinion). Rather people just feel compelled as a matter of pretension to deep-thinking to offer their twokobo (and really, some opinions come that cheap) views on subjects they have no clue about or are analysing from the prism of the opinionist’s world-view.

A few days back, I read on a popular Nigerian blog that a certain Pentecostal pastor had made spiritual assertions (it wasn’t stated whether during a church sermon, in an audio or a visual recording) that oral sex, lesbianism, prostitution, adultery, fornication, bestiality and incest were potential ‘human glory robbers’ (my paraphrase).

“Homosexualism, lesbianism, beslialism (sic) and incest will disfigure your glory. God hates them. Prostitution, adultery and fornication will grieve a glorious destiny. May I equally add that men and women sucking their private parts are damaging their glories. Demonic partners have done a lot of havoc through this act. Honestly, it is simply unhygienic and dirty”.

While I hold personal spiritual opinions (like I said, everyone has something to say about anything) vis-a-vis the statement quoted above and credited to the 21st century minister of the Gospel, it was the blogger’s comment which basically pooh-poohed the minister’s tirade that caught my attention. The blogger’s view is that if oral sex is condemned with those adjectives used in the minister’s sermon (?), then ‘unhygienic’ and ‘dirty’ is it for her.

A couple of entries later on the same blog, the blogger went on to draw attention to Rowland Jide Macaulay, a U.Kbased, but locally detested openly-gay Pentecostal pastor (not the previously mentioned pastor o) of Nigerian origin.

While categorically stating that sexual orientation wasn’t exactly a big issue, the blog made reference to born-again (?) pastors of the same sex marrying each other openly and queried the wisdom of a Man of God who knows ‘God and the scripture, someone who should lead people to the right path in life; is it okay to be shacking up with other men, and doing it openly?’

I don’t have qualms with how anyone chooses to get their sexual kicks or heighten under-the-sheets experiences.

But surely, there are general rules about what is considered personal sexual preference and what is downright perverse.

The problem is with each sophisticated development of the sexual appetite, people just come up with more innovations in how they express their desires. Which is why I encourage dynamism in thought processes –there really is no hard and

fast rule to life. It is like fashion; what is trend today may altogether become fashion faux pas tomorrow if you get too comfortable with the style.

Now, both blog entries I mentioned got me thinking on two levels. One, a while earlier, she had opened another ‘man of God’ up to the crossfire of her followers who sent in comments for or against oral sex and few of the commentators virulently gave unflattering blanket ‘opinions’ of preachers.

I thought; how convenient it is to shun the tenets and teachings of Christianity when it expects compliance from us.

On the other hand, it is easy for us to lay ‘heavy yokes’ of human expectation upon our ‘men-of-God’ who we acknowledge only by lip-service and then put them in the court of public opinion the moment they fall short of our expectations. Pray, tell, would it have been more acceptable for the pastor to be living secretly in sin with his male partner and not be open about it? There is really no room for selective discrimination or hiding prejudice under the cloak of so-longas-homosexuals-don’t-disturb-me-I-cantolerate-them. What happens the day a lesbian decides to make an aggressive pass at you –the latent prejudice will come to fore, that’s the likely outcome.

Allow me to bring my argument even closer home. In my family is this young, bubbly and outspoken female relative whose feisty personality frequently throws her into conflicts with her otherwise unostentatious and timorous mother. By reason of the intimacy shared between me and this family, I’ve often had to play the role of peace-broker in their many mother-daughter frays –and almost all the time, discretion and understanding of our cultural values guides me to rule in favour of the mother.

They’ve had quarrels over everything from the kind of clothes her daughter opts for (the mum is into our native designs); hair styles (mum would rather native designs like ‘didi’ and ‘shuku’ to hair weaves); how her daughter relates with friends, to which neighbour the daughter greets or does not greet. Believe me, it goes on and on.

Then one ‘blessed day’ (as we say in local parlance), I saw her mother in a state of partial undress and observed she was adorned around the derriere and upper arm area with local tattoo symbols... the tattoos looked well-worn for years but decoratively done all the same. Upon my enquiry, she bashfully revealed they were done as part of her beauty enhancement in youthful days. That was the opening to go at her for giving her children flak for considering getting a tattoo... let’s be truthful, what is the difference both body arts?

We pass over the opportunity of global cultural relevance and significance because practices from yore-days are never sustained nor passed on to coming generations. When the Whiteman now comes with a re-packaged variation of what may have been ours initially and sell to our children who lap it up, we shout ‘neocolonisation’ and ‘western-influence’!

Maybe what we should be doing is to be more reflective and thorough with our thoughts before we speak; my opinion strictly.

Love and peace for the weekend!

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CLAPPERBOARD with

Eddie Ugbomah www.edifosafilm.com

Ride on Jonathan, e no easy

O

n March 2nd, I was invited to dine with Mr. & Mrs. President at the Lagos State House; my third time of going into the Marina State House. The first was when I joined the Governor General’s children to eat, play, and swim; next was when I used one of the offices there to shoot my epic film “Death of a Black President” and the third time was the March 2, 2013.

To get into this fortress, we drove into Tafawa Balewa Square TBS by 6.30 p.m., it took one hour to search cars and then drive us 200 yards into the State House.

We were screened on entering the compound, then the agony of getting a table to listen to wrong movie history and a book (pictorial) published without the input of the godfather and pioneer of the industry Dr. Chief Eddie Ugbomah, OON. I pity these people that nearly ruined the nice event. The problem started with the MC telling us lies about the origin of Nollywood and the founder of home video. Poor Kenneth Nnebue was shameless to be introduced as father of Nollywood. This is a man who buys empty VHS cassettes to dub Yoruba films and sell. Clever as usual, he took the risk shooting a video film, Living in Bondage, a big hit which made Kenneth rich. But the producer, Okey Ogunjiofor has nothing to show from the film that grossed N40 million. Today, Kenneth has quit the industry.

Another wrong part of the night was when two non-card carrying members were the only ones allowed to speak.

Thank God Amaka Igwe talked sense, but when last did she attend any Nollywood meeting? She only concentrates on her yearly BOBTV. What made the night tolerable was the calmness of the Nollywood people and Mr. President gave Nollywood the big N3billion. He told us to forget the Bank of Industry, BoI and NEXIM’s $200million.

Godswill Akpabio, the People’s Governor, added his own N50million. Now, my fear is that I hope our friends that hijacked the Nollywood party won’t misdirect this fund. As for me I have given two proposals to two top people in the Presidency and Ministry, I pray that the committee picked to monitor and control this fund will not let us down.

I hope the bickering, backbiting and double crossing in the industry won’t make them lose this mighty fund. I hope the committee will have the courtesy to invite me for free advice and consultation. To cut the long story short, let us challenge Nollywood with N1billion cash and wait for them in the cinema houses.

This is Nollywood’s cash and it is totally meant for epic movies that will be box office hits and can refund the presidential

MY DEAR JONATHAN, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU OF NOLLYWOOD AND ELDERS’ FORUM’S SUPPORT COME 2015 input. They must be films by stakeholders to celebrate Nollywood at 20, l think they have been pre-empted and crushed by the powers to be.

All I am waiting for is my share to shoot my two Nigerian epics and establish the three Halls of Fame for posterity.

Justus Esiri is dead; that is the Nigerian end but shame to the ingrate. His portrait and last interview is mounted and kept in the Hall of Fame building along Badagry Expressway. I am trying to get a house in Abuja to mount these portraits and screen the interviews to visitors. For now, we are going to exhibit these portraits on April 25 at Grotto Galleries, Abuja.

Coming back to the dinner, I want more of this type of State House “come chop” but I still prefer the N3billion and I am going to ask questions to know how it will be spent. My happiness is that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was there taking notes in case the Senate invites her to defend the N3billion. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, please continue to be our friend and it is not only Nollywood that makes film. There are some Nigerians who are too arrogant to mix with Nollywood, Kannywood, and Yoruwood. There is a very serious association called Elders’ Forum made up of top producers, director, actors, writers and cinematographers. This association needs good money to shoot films, documentaries and TV soaps.

My dear Jonathan, I can guarantee you of Nollywood and Elders’ Forum’s support come 2015, but we have to lay our hands on that fund to create jobs, propagate, educate and entertain Nigerians. One thing Mr. President is doing is to use movies and the entertainment sector to unity this nation.

Entertainment doesn’t need tribe or language; we all watch Indian films, Chinese films and enjoy them. We must make good Nigerian films that can be distributed in Africa, Europe, America, Canada and the Caribbeans. I mean good films with good money; so, give me N200million and I will give Nigeria epics that will remain in our memory like my old films Oyenusi, Black President, Oil Doom and The Mask. Not the so-called foreign imitations the kids are churning out.

Mr. President, thank you very much but watch your back and know your true friends. On behalf of all real motion picture people in Nigeria, I salute you.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People In The Mirror

Friday, March 15, 2013

35

COSON flags off table tennis contest

It was star parade at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Sunday, March 10 as the preliminaries of the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out took off. Celebrities and media executives turned out in numbers for the beginning of the 10-week battle for the COSON trophy and the million naira cash prize. The finals of the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out on May 23 will be one of the seven big events of the COSON Week holding from May 19 to 25.

Fuji Music Star, Adewale Ayuba playing table tennis.

Yes! Magazine Publisher, Azuh Arinze; Star actress, Shaun George; COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji and singer, Evaezi on the red carpet at the event.

Rap music star, Mr. Raw; Azuh Arinze, Editor, Entertainment Express, Azuh Amatus; Ovation Monthly Editor, Mike Effiong and Communication guru, Chris Kehinde (CKN) at the event.

President, Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima preparing to slam a ping-pong at her opponent.

Wave making singer, Olamide (right) and rap artiste, Ruggedman at the back of a customised COSON kekemobile convertible, also at the event.

Jumia gives kids food, hope In giving back to the community, Nigeria’s leading online retailer, Jumia, carried out a CSR initiative named ‘Jumia Feeds Lagos’ last Sunday involving 500 volunteers, including Jumia staff, partners and personalities from media, entertainment and others. Volunteers converged on Okobaba playing field in Ebute Metta early in the day to cook for the less privileged.

There was also games and music from DJ Skillz to spice up the day, with highlight being volunteers interacting one on one with the less privileged.

L-R: Ibinabo Fiberesima, Queen Ure and Chief Tony Okoroji

SLCF presented to the public

Splendid Literature & Culture Foundation, SLCF, held its official public presentation/ launch recently at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, at an event chaired by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori ably represented by Dr. Ayodele Owoade. High points of the programme included announcement of winners of the 2012 SLCF Writers’ Series. SLCF’s founder, Mrs Mobolaji Adenubi, an author, educationist and administrator, also gave a breakdown of SLCF’s activities in 2012.

L-R: Some Members of the Board of Trustees - Mr. Lanre Idowu, Mrs. Ronke Orimolade and Barr. Lanre Adebayo.

Dr. Ayodele Owoade delivering the deputy governor’s address.

Mrs. Mobolaji Adenubi

Excited children from Makoko at the event.

L-R: PR Manager, Jumia.com, Afam Anyika; music artiste Djinee; actor Joseph Benjamin; representative of the Okobaba playing field, Elder Wale; international music star, Jeffery Daniels and Offline Manager, Jumia.com, Wale Adetula.

xxx Tosin Bucknor and Jeffery Daniels serving a child.

Some students of Kings’ College at the event.

A cross section of students at the event.

Friday, March 15, 2013

36

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Drive

2013 Honda Accord

Honda Accord 2013: The king of midsize sedans OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he latest Honda Accord 2013 will definitely appeal to a broad range of midsize car buyers with its extensive powertrain lineup and upscale interior, which is intentionally built to take auto shoppers off their feet.

The current Honda Accord is the 9th generation of the series from the first launch in 1976. Honda auto manufacturing company has no doubt improved on the performance of the Accord from the first generation to the latest and still remains the high selling brand in the mid-seize segment.

A new four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission make their way into the Honda Accord’s powertrain lineup for 2013. With this, Honda Honda gets the job done, kicking

engine i revs sky-high k hi h when h n a drivdrriivdri d iv ver need to pass power.

The new Accord interior is one of the most spacious and comfortable in the class. With more standard features than many rivals, like a rearview camera and hands-free text messaging capability, auto stakeholders are impressed with the increase in value over the 2012 model, as well as the high-end materials and hightech available safety features.

The Honda Accord 2013, which was released to the auto market in October 2013 was last week unveiled in Nigeria by The Honda Place Nigeria (THPL) with its test drive to auto journalists by the sole dealer of the brand in Nigeria.

Speaking on the unveiling, the Sales Manager, Honda, Mr. Abayomi Oko-osi said that there are lots of the local contents in

the 2013 brand.

He informed that for 27 times, Honda Accord has been among the top 10 in the world since it first came into the market in 1976.

Oko-Osi noted Honda Accord provides buyers with a distinctively different choice and de-

scribed it as the king of midsize sedan in the industry.

Loaded with distinctive features such as blue tooth, parking sensors, retractable side mirrors, the new Accord replaces the eighth generation model, which bestrode the global automobile

marketplace from 2008 to 2012.

Honda meticulously improved the 2013 model not only to outperform competitions, but to reintegrate the sporty driving dynamics of much earlier Accords.

Currently one of the most aggressive models in the Honda line-up, the Accord was for the first time, during the seventh generation (2004-2006), significantly reviewed with freshened exterior styling, more power and stability control, as did minor modifications to trim level organization.

The ninth generation Accord is indeed a significant improvement over its predecessor especially when viewed against the backdrop of innovations like

Interior

MAINTENANCE TIPS

How to change a car ignition switch L ocated d on either i h the h d dash h or the steering column, the ignition switch serves several functions, including activating the starter solenoid and engaging the ignition system, as well as routing current to accessories, such as the radio.

An ignition switch that has failed may result in any of the following symptoms: the engine will not crank or start, the engine will not shut off after the ignition key is turned off, or the starter does not disengage when the key is returned to “run.” Changing an ignition switch is usually a

straightforward i hf d job–sometimes j b i the hardest part is just getting to it.

The first thing a car user needs to do is to remove the steering column housing by removing the screws that hold it on then prying it off. Next, remove the fasteners that hold the steering column to the dash. Drop the column down and detach the wiring harness connected to the ignition switch.

The wiring harness is usually located on top of and about halfway down the steering column.

Test the ignition switch now that you have it exposed by touch-

light. light iing the h test li h The h test li h should glow only when the key is turned to the “start” position. Repeat this step with the test light, touching it to the “run” terminal.

Make sure that the light does not glow at all, when touching any terminal, while the key is in the “off” position. If the switch passes the test, you know that your problem lies elsewhere.

Also, change the switch if it fails the test. Remove the small nuts or screws that secure the ignition switch to the steering column. Take out the faulty switch and install a new one in the same

position i i as the old one. Make sure the holes are lined up; otherwise, the switch will not work with the fasteners.

Then, secure the new switch by screwing or bolting the switch into place with the fasteners previously removed. Attach the wiring harness, then put the steering column in its upright position and replace its housing after restoring the fasteners previously removed.

Remove the tumbler, or lock mechanism, after removing the dash, by locating the small screws on the underside of the dash.

Remove the screws with a screw-

driver and pry the dash off, being careful to keep it intact. Insert a small piece of wire into the hole built into the tumbler and exposed after removal of the dash. With the wire inserted, turn the key. The tumbler should just pull out.

Disconnect the wires leading to the ignition switch, replace the existing switch with the new switch, attach the wires and replace the tumbler and dash.

Install the tumbler first then put the dash back in its original place in the reverse order of removal.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE NEW ACCORD IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER ITS PREDECESSOR ESPECIALLY VIEWED AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF INNOVATIONS

Performance Performa Auto stakeholders say the Accord’s handling is on the 2013 Acco side of the spectrum, and sporty sid that the car is composed and smooth. The electric steering good feedback and the new gives goo engine has base four-cylinder fou ample power. po Acceleration and Power Accelerat 2013 Accord sedan The base b 185-horsepower four-cylinhas a 185 der engine engin and six-speed manual transmission, though a contransmiss tinuously variable transmission (CVT) is available. The four-cylinder Sport Spo model offers slightly at 189. EPA fuel more horsepower hor economy ranges from 27/36 mpg city/highway for the four-cylincity/hig der model.

The Accord has an mo ECON button drivers can push to maximise fuel efficiency. max Handling Handli and Braking The Th Accord has a new suspension for 2013, and auto suspen players player say it’s competent and provides provid a smooth ride.

Interior The 2013 Honda Accord’s redesigned designe cabin receives positive comments commen from the automotive most reviewers players. Overall, O with the high-qualare impressed impre and clean design. ity materials mater

class leading cabin space, excellent fuel economy and almost a cubic foot more cargo volume.

Couple with these is incomparable cockpit-like interior and improved three-eye instrument panel with large dial plate.

Other attractive innovations are the car’s new electric power steering with non-contact torque sensor for linear steering feel and world’s first steel and aluminum bonded front surface.

In the Nigerian market, only the standard LX and EXL 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine with 173 bhp, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission (A/T) would be available according to the Head, Sales and Marketing, The Honda Place, Mr. Deepak Daryanani.

Mirror Drive

Friday, March 15, 2013

Interior Features The base Accord sedan comes standard with a rearview camera, bluetooth, hands-free text messaging capability, USB and auxiliary audio jacks and Pandora Internet radio compatibility. Higher trims on the model has features like a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, satellite radio, navigation, HondaLink multimedia system, premium audio system with subwoofer and a multi-angle rearview camera.

Honda’s optional safety features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning and Honda LaneWatch, which uses a camera mounted under the passenger side mirror to show the driver what’s in his or her blind spot via the larger touch screen.

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Korean’s SsangYong brands in road test in Lagos STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

N

o fewer than four diff ifferent brands of Korean’ss automobiles last weekend d experienced drive test from auto journalists in Nigeria.

Some of the SsangYong ng models in the test drive ve were the 104kw (139 hp)) Kyron midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV), the stylish and modern Korando SUV with strong charismatic presence and the e new Actyon Sports Pick-up up utility truck that is uniquely uely designed to out-manoeuvre e competitions with its atypical al kerb weight of 1, 944kg (which is approximately 400kg more than several other contenders in its class).

The Head, Sales and Marketing, SsangYong Motors Nigeria, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni, after the auto drive informed that the SsangYong vehicles are not entirely new in the global marketplace after it debuted 30 years ago, when the first generation models were introduced in 1983 – 1996, which was followed by the second generation SsangYong in 1996 – 2006.

Now in the third production generation, the Korean automaker claimed SsangYong have what it takes to compete in the global automobile marketplace.

Nadkarni also described SsangYong as one of the by-products of an acquisition partner-

SsangYong Kyron

ship with Daimler-Benz. He said SsangYong had in the quest for outstanding engineering prowess brokered quick-witted partnership with Daimler-Benz to use Mercedes Benz know-how.

He said, “You surely will discover what I am talking about soon as you get behind the wheel.

I mean the feel, the drive and the comfort compare to most luxury vehicles you possibly may have encountered in the course of your duty.”

The SsangYong Kyron for example is smart and sassy, offering competitive SUV package that is refined to drive though roomy and attractively priced.

The cabin of the Kyron reveals how supremely spacious and well finished the inside is. The switchgear inside has a pleasant design, and the big chunky switches give

another dose of manly strength to match the stylish, tough exterior lines.

However, the rear seat accommodation is similarly practical and could recline by up to 15 degrees while the decently sized boot includes a neat under-floor storage compartment.

Also handy in the Kryon are cruise control, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with controls for the audio system as well as electric folding side mirrors, automatic air conditioning and a climate control function.

An electronic sunroof with an anti-trap blind, tilting front headrests with a battery saver feature and front fully adjustable electric heated seats with memory and lumbar support positions equates it with a luxury SUV.

Hyundai Sonata ranked most dependable midsize car

Sonata

H

yundai’s Sonata received the distinct honour of most dependable midsize car by J.D. Power and Associates in their 2013 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS).

Released recently, the annual Vehicle Dependability Study shows Sonata ranked highest in its class, beating out leading competitors.

The Sonata offers striking fluidic design, high fuel efficiency and comes equipped with Hyundai’s own Blue Link infotainment system. The Sonata recently broke its all-time yearly sales record in 2012 sur-

passing the 225,000 mark.

“In one of the most competitive segments within the industry, Sonata places highest in its class,” said the director of engineering and quality, Hyundai Motor America, Erwin Raphael. “Hyundai is committed to providing customers with high-value vehicles that withstand the test of time. The quality and dependability of our models is important to reassuring owners that we care about their Hyundai experience beyond their initial purchase at the dealership.”

Sonata builds on its trailblazing recipe of high-design and high fuel efficiency with more features, higher value and advanced technology. Sonata is powered by the

original Theta II GDI 2.4-litre fourcylinder engine with a Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) fuel delivery system, contributing to an overall improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

The Sonata sets the benchmark for midsize sedans offering sleek design, class-leading interior comfort, functionality and practicality all at an incredible high value.

The J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2010 model year) vehicles includes 202 specific problem symptoms grouped into eight major vehicle systems.

Cocktail

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x

Friday, March 15, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (111) “Money is everywhere!”

–Mike Murdock * * * How To Make Money Money is a reward for solving problems. If you are not afraid of confronting problems, you will always have money. Money is nothing but the creation of value.

When you make it a daily goal to always focus on adding value to people and things, you will always have money. Money flows to where value is.

Each of us can be creative and creativity is a money magnet. Just as the air we breathe is all around us, money is all around us all the time.

Think of this last statement throughout today.

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

B k returned Book t d tto library 69 years late

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n Estonian man has returned a library book 69 years late, partly blaming a World War II aerial bombing that damaged the library for the late return.

Ivika Turkson of the Tallinn Central Library says that last week the man in his mid-80s returned the overdue book — which was checked out on March 7,

1944, while Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany — along with an apology and an offer to pay a late fee.

Turkson said Tuesday that the library waived any penalty for the late return of the tome, which still contained the original emblem and serial number, allowing librarians to identify it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Man survives fall into golf sinkhole M ark Mihal was having a good opening day on the links when he noticed an unusual depression on the 14th fairway at Annbriar Golf Club in southern Illinois. Remarking to his friends how awkward it would be to have to hit out of it, he went over for a closer look.

One step onto the pocked section and the 43-year-old mortgage broker plunged into a sinkhole. He landed 18 feet down with a painful thud, and his friends managed to hoist him to safety with a rope after about 20 minutes.

But Friday’s experience gave Mihal quite a fright, particularly after the recent death of a Florida man whose body hasn’t been found since a sinkhole swallowed him and his bedroom.

“I feel lucky just to come out of it with a shoulder injury, falling that far and not knowing what I was going to hit,” Mihal, from the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur, told The Associated Press before heading off to learn whether he’ll need surgery. “It was absolutely

crazy.”

Annbriar general manager Russ Nobbe described the sinkhole as “an extremely unfortunate event, an event we feel is an act of nature.”

“We don’t feel there is any way we could have foreseen this happening,” he told a

Tuesday news conference.

Mihal said it was a real downer on what had been a fine outing.

With winter finally nearing an end, “it was the first day to get to play in a long time,” he said. “So I wasn’t expecting too much.”

Golfing with buddies,

Mihal was waiting to hit his third shot, some 100 yards from the pin on the par 5, when he noticed a bathtublooking indentation about knee deep just behind him on the fairway. At just one over par for the round, the golfer with a 6 handicap was on a roll.

Golf players looking into the 18-foot-deep and 10-foot- wide sinkhole that golfer Minhal fell into.

PHOTO: AP

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

39

Business & Finance This payment is only for PHCN staff, and in determining who should benefit, labour and government conducted a biometric exercise. The number of people benefiting is clearly defined by this agreement.

Let us put in place enough resources that will allow value addition so that post harvest wastages can be minimised Former consultant to UNESCO, DFID, Professor Sola Aliu

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, RUBEN ABATI

West Power & Gas pays $33.7m deposit for Eko DISCO UDEME APKAN

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distribution companies (Discos) created out of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. By March 4, 2011, the deadline for submission of EOIs, 180 applications were received for the 11 Discos.

Following the evaluation of the applications, 80 bidders were shortlisted.

At the deadline for the payment of the data room access fees, 72 out of the 80 shortlisted bidders each paid the mandatory $20, 000 fee to purchase the Request for Proposals (RFP), have access to the data room and proceed to the next stage of

the transaction.

All the prequalified bidders were given access to the virtual data room from September 1, 2011 to the proposal submission date of July 31, 2012. Prequalified bidders were also allowed to visit the distribution companies and physical data rooms that were located within the franchise area of each distribution company.

By the bid submission deadline of 5pm on July 31.2012, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) received 54 proposals from pre-qualified bidders.

The received bids were opened and sorted out on August 1, 2012. All the 54 bids were confirmed to be complete in terms of having both commercial and technical proposals.

Out of the 54 bids, 10 of them failed the first test of completeness and responsiveness. The remaining 44 bids were then subjected to full technical evaluation.

Out of the 44 bids, 32 bids submitted by 20 different bidders scored the minimum of 75 per cent that was required to progress to the next stage in the process.

The final approval of the preferred bidders by NCP and its announcement for the successor companies was done on October 23, 2012 for the Discos.

The Nigerian electricity industry has been unbundled into generation and distribution companies and a single transmission company with a view to encouraging private sector participation and attracting foreign and local investment into the Nigerian power sector to ensure economic and reliable electricity supply.

he preferred bidder for the Eko Distribution Company, West Power & Gas, has paid $33.75m, being the mandatory 25 per cent of the total cost of the transaction value. The valuation for 60 per cent equity of the company is $135m.

The Bureau for Public Enterprises said yesterday that West Power & Gas made the payment in two tranches ahead of the March 21, 2013 deadline for the bidders to pay the mandatory 25 percent of the total cost of the transaction value.

It is expected to pay the remaining 75 percent of the total cost within six months.

The consortium comprises Alpha Consortium Limited, Atlantic Meridean, Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 Mauritius and Siemens Limited of German BPE said.

It would be recalled that in December 2010, the NCP advertised for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from prospective core investors interested L-R: Chairman Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Ikeja District, Mr. Patrick Sanni; Managing Director, Mouka Limited, in acquiring controlling Mrs. Peju Adebajo and ICAN president, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi, during the courtesy visit by ICAN to Mouka Limited, yesterday. stake in the 11 successor

Nigeria’s cargo volume grows 22% in four years - Minister FRANCIS EZEM

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igeria’s eight seaports recorded a 22 per cent growth in terms of cargo throughput in the last four years, says the Federal Govern-

ADVERT HOTLINES: For advert bookings and information, please contact the following:

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

ment.

Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, who spoke at the ongoing Nigeria Maritime Exhibition and Conference tagged NIMAREX Expo 2013, holding in Lagos, disclosed that Nigeria’s volume of trade grew steadily from 82 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2008 to 100 million metric tonnes at the end of 2012, representing a

21.95 growth rate.

The cargo volume had also grown from 82 million metric tonnes in 2008 and peaked at 93.7 million metric tonnes in 2009 and further rose to 100 million metric tonnes three years after.

Statistics also show that Nigeria’s container traffic peaked at 1.4million Twenty Equivalent Units at the end of 2011.

Experts call for easing of benchmark interest rate

40

The minister, who declared the three-day event with the theme: ‘Nigeria’s Maritime Industry: ‘Invest Now’ open on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that the maritime industry plays a significant role in the global economy with over 90 percent of world trade being carried by sea.

He also noted that Nigeria generates in excess of

70 percent of ship traffic and cargo throughput as well as volume of trade in the West and Central African sub-regions, which underscores the importance of the industry.

“The maritime industry is therefore growing and will no doubt position Nigeria in no distant future as the maritime hub for Africa”, the minister assured.

Port and Harbour Bill unending regulatory vacuum

42

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

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Business News

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Experts call for easing of benchmark interest

UDO ONYEKA

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s the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria meets on Monday, analysts have described the meeting as most anticipated meeting in recent times considering the public outcry for interest rate reduction.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has maintained a contractionary monetary stance since October 2011 due to persistent inflationary pressures; as a result, the benchmark interest rate (MPR) has been left unchanged to date, to further minimise liquidity in the banking sector.

The interest rate has been kept at 12 per cent and as result many Nigerians with much delight welcome this period of declining inflationary pressures as it is believed that the MPC would bring down the monetary policy rate (MPR) at its meeting on Monday.

According to Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane,

L-R: Past Presidents, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Mr. Victor Eburajulo; Mr. Bunmi Oni; President/ Chairman of Council, CIPM’s new head office, Mr. Abiola Popoola and Pioneer President and Chairman of occasion, Dr. Micheal Omolayole, during the groundbreaking ceremony of CIPM in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

the MPC has limited choices in its current conservative stance, “hence, we expect a marginal cut in the benchmark interest rate by 100bps at its next meeting.

“The MPC may succumb and bring down the monetary policy

How to improve natural resources management - Study DAYO AYEYEMI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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n international effort to ensure good governance of natural resources could do more to improve accountability and sustainability, according to research in the oil and gas-rich Caspian Sea Region published yesterday by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The research relates to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which requires countries to declare the revenues they receive from compa-

nies in the oil, gas and mining sectors, and requires companies to declare what they pay.

In May, heads of state, government ministers and business leaders will gather in Sydney, Australia for the EITI’s biennial conference, where they will agree new rules that will shape the future of the initiative.

IIED’s research suggests several ways for these new rules to help reduce poverty, improve lives and ensure that extractive industries operate in a sustainable, environmentally responsible way.

The report focuses on three countries: Azerbaijan – the first

rate (MPR) at its meeting. Presently, there is a disconnect between the policy rate and market rates. That is, market rates are currently falling though the monetary policy rate remains high at 12 per cent. The Open Buy Back country globally to become EITI Compliant; Kazakhstan – an EITI Candidate country that seeks to become compliant; and Turkmenistan, which has not signed up to the EITI, but has expressed an interest in learning more about this initiative, in the light of recent developments in its oil and gas sector.

“Countries in the Caspian region have considerable natural wealth in the form of oil and gas deposits that can provide the basis for great improvements in national development, so long as there are strong institutions, greater transparency and accountability, and enforcement mechanisms in place,” says co-author of the report, Professor Ingilab Ahmadov of Azerbaijan’s Khazar University.

Right policies, key to poverty alleviation – Experts TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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eading development experts, including the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Hussaini Abdu, and a lawmaker, Senator Ali Ndume, have canvassed the fashioning of the right macroeconomic policy tools as the panacea to the ravaging impact of poverty and underutilisation of huge development potentials of the nation’s economy.

The experts, who made the submissions at the First National Annual Dialogue on Poverty in Nigeria organised by ActionAid Nigeria in Abuja, said there was no way current efforts targeted at alleviating poverty and achieving macroeconomic stability can be

achieved under the current topdown-bottom policy regime which continues to support the rich but impoverishes millions of ordinary Nigerians.

The way out of the socio-economic crisis, according to them, lies in the rapid development of the agricultural and other non-oil sectors of the economy.

In his keynote address at the forum, the ActionAid Nigeria Country Director noted that despite various efforts by governments over the past 12 years to tackle poverty through the procurement of motorbikes and by so doing instigating urban migration of millions of youths it had been proven that such initiative was nothing more than investment in “insecurity infrastructure”

He said: “While economic growth has been stable in the past few years, poverty, inequality and unemployment have continued to escalate”, adding that even with the Q4 2012 GDP growth rate standing at 7.1 per cent despite the crisis of infrastructure and corruption the economy has been contending with, the biggest challenge of the country is how to translate the growth into substantial improvement in the lives of the citizenry.

In his contribution at the forum, Senator Ndume who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) specifically lamented the level of poverty in the country and called for urgent fiscal measures that will increase capital allocations in yearly budgets.

(OBB) rate fell by 38bps to 10.25 per cent p.a. as at the end of February, from 10.63 per cent p.a .recorded in the previous month.

“Similarly, the Overnight (ON) call rate declined by 58bps to 10.42 per cent p.a. whiles the 91-day rate

declined by 164bps to 9.20 per cent p.a. from 10.84 per cent p.a. in the period under review. Stakeholders have called on reduction of the rate based on the recent statistics coming from t National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which recorded an inflation rate of 9 percent in January from The drop from 12 percent inflation rate of December 2012.

Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce Industry (LCCI), Mr Yusuf Musa, said that for the country to obtain a desired level of growth, some other critical factors apart from cut in interest rate need to be taken. While calling for the easing of the rate Musa said availability of good infrastructure is an important factor for growth.

Also Director General, Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr John Isemede said the high interest rate environment has slowed down business activities and frustrated growth in the economy. He therefore noted is the need for the MPC to ease rate so that companies can access funds from the banks.

NERC unveils CAPMI to close metering gap CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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igerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said it has concluded arrangements to unveil the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) in order meet the metering gap in electricity sector of the country.

Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi stated this yesterday in Abuja during a stakeholders meeting on consumer metering, noting that a solution to the problems of metering gap would eliminate the issues of estimated bill.

He said the new metering scheme became necessary following complaints by consumers about estimated billing and other components of service delivery.

According to Amadi, a critical assessment of the performance of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) introduce June 1, last year showed the result so far was as satisfactory as expected.

Hence, the commission has come up with new plan which is aims to fast track the closing gap of effectively metering the sector.

The NERC boss maintained that under the new CAPMI arrangement meter remained free of charge, as these advance payments are subsequently refunded through a rebate on the fixed charge element of their electricity bills.

“Essentially this new plan is not new at all, the policy remains

the same, that once you are paying your bill you are not paying additionally for meter. But what we are doing is a plan to help consumers who have called upon us to say that they are prepared to collaborate with the distribution companies to provide meter for themselves, faster than the roll out plan or the distribution companies could take.

So the only change here is that we are providing regulatory support so that those willing consumers would fast track their metering and not become victims of the unintended consequences of some decisions that were reached in the interest of the sector”.

Giving a technical presentation of how the new plan would work, the Deputy General Manager, Engineering Safety and Standards, Mr. Emmanuel Ezekwere, noted that CAPMI allows willing customers to advance funds for the purchase and installation of meters, stressing that the scheme is optional.

Ezekwere said that the cost of meters and associated installation costs is as approved by NERC and no profit shall accrue to the DISCOs which shall follow a transparent and competitive procurement process determined by NERC and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in selecting the vendors and installers of the meters.

He added that CAPMI is designed to provide all urban areas within Nigeria with smart metering with prepayment functionality and upgradeable software.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, March 15, 2013

Aero workers yet to call off strike OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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wenty four hours after the workers of Aero Airlines embarked on protest against some perceived irregularities in their conditions of service, the airline is yet to resume for flight operations.

National Mirror was at the terminal building of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos yesterday and observed that all the counters dedicated to the airlines were empty.

Also, the booking desks of the airlines were deserted without officials or clients making enquiries.

Ironically, the absence of Aero Airlines did not dampen activities at MMA2 as few passengers were seen patronising the other airlines that operate within the terminal.

The protesting workers had

vowed to continue their action until the irregularities are addressed by the management while the management also labelled the workers protected by the unions as anti-change.

The workers led by the industry unions; the Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) had down tools since Wednesday in fulfillment of their threat issued the management of the airline over 21 days ago.

The unions had given the airline’s management 21 days to reverse the redeployment of at least 41 vehicle drivers of the airline to another company or down tools from yesterday.

But the management in a statement sent by the airline’s media agent, SY&T Communications stated that it was already engaging the unions in discussion to find a quick and

amicable resolution to the crisis.

The statement reads in part, “Aero management wishes to apologise for the inconvenience suffered by our highly esteemed customers due to an abrupt industrial action by our staff, which has led to grounding of all our scheduled operations. We are engaging with the unions to find a quick and amicable resolution. Further details will be given in due course.”

The statement further stated that the management was on a reorganisation drive to ensure a more efficient, dependable, reliable, safe workforce and accused the unions of resisting and unwilling to sit and talk with its management.

It added that it is a known strategy of unions to use blackmail to achieve undesired goals and this should be rebuffed in line with the law.

MTN to give out $100,000 in Afrinolly competition KUNLE A ZEEZ

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TN said it was ready to present prizes to winners of the two categories of the inaugural MTN Afrinolly Film competitions at a ceremony scheduled for Friday, this week in Lagos.

With cash prizes totalling $100,000, the digital-based competition, which began on November 1, 2012 and closed the receipt of entries on January 31, 2013, was open to Africans, who are, at least, 18 years of age and resident on the continent or in the diaspora.

According to a statement from MTN, the aim was to give up-coming African film makers the opportunity to express their talents and build their capacity with a view to competing favourably with the rest of the World. And MTN, Africa’s larg-

Nigeria, lucrative zone for international commerce - DHL KUNLE A ZEEZ

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frican countries particularly Nigeria have been described as the last bastion for business globally and will prove its potential as a stable, lucrative continent for international commerce over the next few years.

Chief Executive Officer of DHL Express, a global express and logistics provider, Mr. Ken Allen, made the observation during his visit to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The countries include Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, even as the operator continues to expand into the continent and increase its already vast footprint into the far-flung, rural areas.

He will also attend DHL’s internal employee celebration in Livingstone, Zambia, which ac-

knowledges the company’s ‘superstars’ from over 60 countries.

Allen’s visit follows the March 5, 2013 announcement by Deutsche Post DHL that the DHL Express division made an EBIT contribution of 1.11 billion euros in 2012, a 21 per cent improvement over 2011.

He is also upbeat about commerce in Africa and eager to use this proven global business approach to further entrench DHL in the continent, spurring on trade and connecting the markets to increase the continent’s global competitiveness.

He said: “Much has been said around Africa’s potential and, while it currently only contributes 3 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product, it is still the fastest growing continent.

“We have seen positive economic indicators from countries across Sub-Saharan Africa such

as Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda to name a few, and I believe we will continue to see Africa improve its standing on the international business stage.”

He, however, pointed out the major challenge facing logistics industry’s operations in Africa.

According to him, “The major challenge for Africa and, primarily for us as logistics operators, is to improve infrastructure, whether this is road infrastructure or air capacity.

“Current road conditions are responsible for approximately 40 per cent of transport costs in coastal countries and 60 per cent in landlocked countries, and we know that transport costs can make up 50 to 75 per cent of the actual retail price of goods in countries such as Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda.”

est telecommunications company, has been in the forefront of this initiative.

“Basically, the MTN Afrinolly Film Competition was divided into two categories. These categories are short movie and documentary. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 in each of the top two categories, at the presentation ceremony.

“The top nominees are the select entrants, adjudged outstanding by the judging panel comprising international film and documentary experts, from various African countries and the United States, before a wide online voting to select the final 20, in both categories.”

According to the statement, the panel of judges includes Mr. Femi Odugbemi, Mr. Tunde Kelani, Juliet Yaa Ashante, Bongiwe Selane, Franklin Leonard, Mahen Bonetti, amongst others.

Glo receives Telecoms Company of the Year award KUNLE A ZEEZ

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L-R: Winner of Samsung Ecobubble washing machine, Ms. Oluwafisayomi Ojurongbe, her mother Mrs. Olajumoke Ojurongbe; Director, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Sunil Kumar; Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim and Nollywood actress and producer, Mrs. Funke Akindele-Oloyede, at Samsung’s Ecobubble Mothers’ Day Event in Lagos recently.

41

igeria’s indigenous telecoms service provider, Globacom has been named the Best Telecoms Company of the Year for ‘its innovation, resilience and pocket friendly-products.’ \The company received the recognition at the Excellence Awards 2013 event held in Lagos over the weekend, attended by prominent socialites and top government functionaries including the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji .

In a statement by Globacom management, the organisers described the telecoms firm as the catalyst which triggered the revolution in the Nigerian telecoms sector.

“Globacom has been in the forefront of the pocket-friendly

tariff revolution and rural penetration of telecoms since its inception in 2003,”read the citation.

According to the statement, the network was also singled out for praise in the industry for pioneering several technological innovations like Magic Plus, Blackberry, Vehicle Tracking, GPRS, MultiMedia Messaging Service (MMS) among others.

Globacom , it was noted, has contributed a lot more than telecoms to the Nigerian Society by its economic empowerment schemes aimed at poverty alleviation across the country and its sponsorship of sports in the country.

The award was received on behalf of Globacom by Business Director, Lagos 2 Region, Mr. Kunle Akanmu and General Manager, Customer Care Department, Mr. Issac Thomas.

Kano Airport to be commissioned on Friday OLSUEGUN KOIKI

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he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has disclosed that plans are in top gear to commission the remodelled Mallam Aminu International Airport (MAIA), Kano.

FAAN said the airport would be commissioned today by the delegate of the Federal and the Kano State’s Governments.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati stated in a statement yesterday that the terminal, which is the fourth remodeled terminal to be commissioned, in the last five months, has a full complement of modern facilities, including a walkway on the airside, a new cooling system, conveyor belt, check in counters, and an ultra modern VIP lounge.

Dati stated that the remodeling of the terminal, which is the oldest in the country, also involved the extension of the departures lounge, to increase its seating capacity, and refurbishment of it upper floor, for better ambience.

It will be recalled that the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano is one of the eleven airports earmarked for remodeling in the first phase of the Airport Remodeling Project of the Federal Government, designed to modernize all airports in the country, in line with existing international standards and practices.

Remodelled airports that have already been commissioned are Domestic Terminal I, MMA on October 22 2013; General Aviation Terminal, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on January 4, 2013, and Benin Airport Terminal on March 8, 2013.

42

Maritime

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Port and Harbour Bill : Unending regulatory vacuum The recent acrimonious public exchange of words between the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar and Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the Ports and Harbour Bill, which has been stuck at the National Assembly for over seven years, has raised fears that the bill may experience more delays. FRANCIS EZEM examines the issues.

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ore than eight years after the completion of the port reform, the Port and Harbour Bill, which is expected to give a legal backing to the exercise and create a port regulator, is yet to be passed into law. This development has no doubt taken its toll on the efficient operations of the ports.

Before last year, most stakeholders had given up hope for the passage of the bill, which many described as one of the oldest bill inherited from the immediate past session of the National Assembly. But there appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel when the legislators dusted the bill and commenced work on it again. This led to its passing the second reading process.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, who spoke in an interview, had hinted on some of the reasons for the undue delay of the passage of the bill.

According to him, the bill, which was initiated by the House, precisely himself and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, a one time chairman of the committee, was in the process of being passed into law when some stakeholders came up with some serious issues.

“Everything about the passage of the bill went on fine until it got to the public hearing stage when the stakeholders adopted a position that would conflict with other fiscal laws of the country”, he disclosed.

He noted that if such a position is taken, the Nigerian Ports Authority would have to depend on annual appropriation, which would starve it of funds, which would not be good enough for the system considering the functions performed by the authority.

The chairman assured that the House would want to reconcile the new legislation with other existing laws in order not to cause any conflict after the passage of the bill.

With these explanations, most stakeholders believed that the bill might be passed any moment from now.

But this hope was dashed following the emergence of a twist in the passage of the bill.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Mr.. Nebolisa

Bello

Chairman STOAN, Mrs. Vicky Hastruup,

WHY IS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCING ANOTHER PORTS AND HARBOURS BILL WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE ONE HERE AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY? ARE YOU PEOPLE NOT AWARE THAT THERE’S A PORTS AND HARBOUR BILL HERE SPONSORED BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER AND CO-SPONSORED BY ME, AND, WHICH HAS PASSED SECOND READING? Emodi, who represented the Minister, Mallam Idris Umar, while speaking at a joint public hearing on the auction of overtime cargo organised by the House Committees on Finance, Marine Transport and Customs, disclosed that the ministry was working on a new Ports and Harbour Bill.

The minister hinted: “The Federal Executive Council will soon submit a bill to the National Assembly, seeks to the Nigerian Ports Authority Act of 1999 and enact the Nigerian Ports and Harbours Act”.

He also said, “This bill envisages the provision of ownership, management, operation, development and control of ports and harbours, make the Ports and Harbour Authority the technical regulator and promote private participation”.

However, Ugwuanyi, would not allow the minister drop the microphone before he took him on, describing the new bill as a mere duplication.

“Why is the executive producing another Ports and Harbours Bill when we already have one here at the National Assembly? Are you people not aware that there’s a Ports and Harbour Bill here sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and co-sponsored by me, and, which has passed second reading? So, is it your own that the Senate will pass or the one sent from the House to the Senate?, he queried angrily.

This recent development points to the fact that port stakeholders would

have to wait longer for the Ports and Harbour Bill to be passed into law. This no doubt will continue to have negative implications on the industry, which the proposed legislation is expected to strengthen.

Some concessionaires had expressed fears over the non passage of the bill, which would ultimately legalise the port concession programme concluded more than eight year ago.

This obvious but genuine fear, which had influenced most of the decisions and actions of the concessionaires, had made some of them always eager to recoup their investment within the shortest possible time.

This feeling of insecurity and uncertainty had made some of them introduce some illegal exorbitant charges, which the clearing agents promptly resisted.

Former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman had directed the Nigerian Shippers Council to abolish some illegal charges imposed by some of these concessionaires on port users.

These illegal charges include service charge, bank charge, concessionaires’ service charge, tally clerk charge, Commission on Turnover (COT), port administrative charge and sorting charge, among several others.

Only recently, newly appointed executive secretary/CEO of Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, had said that the total absence of regulatory

Ugwuanyi

framework in Nigeria’s transport sector nearly eight years after the conclusion of the port reform accounts for most of the challenges faced in the sector.

“The Federal Government regulated the insurance industry, the banking sector and even the telecommunications sector, so, the transport sector should not be different”, he insisted.

He noted that most of the challenges and hiccups experienced on the nation’s ever-busy roads were primarily because the sector is not regulated.

He also observed that both the service providers such as the shipping companies and terminal operators on the one part and service users such as clearing agents and freight forwarding are all complaining, arguing that it is now the duty of the regulator to attend to the needs of all the stakeholders.

Most stakeholders have, however, blamed the Bureau of Public Enterprise, which handled the port privatisation programme for doing a shoddy job.

The stakeholders had argued that the port reforms programme in its concept and objective was not bad but said that the legal framework would have been put in place before the exercise, describing the entire issue as putting the cart before the horse.

The stakeholders also recalled that the BPE ignored recommendation by the World Bank Consultant; Haskonings, advised that Nigeria should spread the programme over a period of time, in which it would do a pilot scheme and monitor it for a while.

But this is not the best time to apportion blames. It is rather time to come together to iron out all the issues in the overall interest of the Nigerian nation.

This, therefore, makes it expedient on the chairman and the minister to bury their differences and forge a common front. But frankly, sending a brand new Port and Harbour Bill will be like taking the port industry back by eight years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

M

ore than seven years after the conclusion of the port reform programme and the subsequent emergence of private terminal operators, there is still a high level of inefficiency in port operations as well as high cost of doing business, which fuels diversion of Nigeria-bound cargo to neighbouring competing seaports, Nigeria Maritime Expo said.

The Federal Government had sometime in 2003 embarked on a reform of the seaports in the country, which stripped the Nigerian Ports Authority of its cargo handling functions, which were given to private terminal operators with a view to enhancing efficiency and reduction in cost of operation.

Chairman, planning committee of the just concluded 2013 edition of Nigeria Maritime Exhibition and Conference with the theme: ‘Nigeria Maritime Industry: Invest Now’, Mrs. Margaret Oraekwusi, who spoke at the event lamented the growing trend in the diversion of cargo meant for Nigerian market through other seaports in neighbouring countries due to the cumbersome port operations and attendant high cost of doing business at the ports.

According to her, with a popu-

Maritime

Friday, March 15, 2013

Port inefficiency, high operational cost fuel cargo diversion

Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar (left) and Senior Special Adviser to President on Marine Services, Mr. Leke Oyewole at the just concluded Marine exhibition tagged, NIMAREX 2013 held in Lagos.

lation of over 160 million people, more than 70 percent of cargo throughput into West and Central African sub-region is consumed in Nigeria but an insignificant portion of this cargo volume comes through her seaports due to high operational charges and bottlenecks.

“Another worrisome area that needs to be addressed if we are going to succeed in attracting foreign investments is the high cost of doing business at our ports

and high level of inefficiency”, she lamented.

While appealing to the Federal Government to introduce some trade facilitation measures to reduce cost and cargo dwell time, she insisted that Nigeria is well positioned to be hub centre for the entire sub-region.

“Operators are encouraged to invest in line with the transformation agenda of the government with a view to making the maritime industry a haven for

Lagos woos FG on rail rehabilitation

T

he Lagos State Government has said it is willing to partner the Federal Government to enhance the revitalisation of the nation’s rail system, which is currently in a state of comatose, despite huge investments made in the industry.

The Federal Executive Council had last year, approved the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail Double Track with Double Formation under Addendum No. two of the modernisation of Lagos-Kano railway project.

The contracts were awarded in favour of China Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Ltd in the sum of $ 1.5 billion payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment, inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 36 months.

FEC had also approved the variation of the scope of the contract for design and construction of Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project from the initial work span of 60.67km to 45.245km, which implies a reduction of the contract sum from $841.7 million 645,898.00 to $823.6 million.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, who spoke in Lagos, noted that more than ever before, it has become

expedient to rehabilitate the rail lines to achieve integrated transport system.

According to him, fixing the rail line will also engender the proper management of the haulage segment of the nation’s seaport operations.

“There is need for a better management of the haulage segment of the port operations. Apapa –Oshodi Expressway is under intense pressure and this brings about high cost of maintenance”, Opeifa noted.

“The Lagos State Government is willing to partner the Federal Government to reduce the pressure on the roads. Because of the heavy duty trucks, the roads get bad easily. All the old rail lines are still available, so the two governments can work out modalities to fix them up for a better and efficient transport system”, he further appealed.

He noted that transportation is key to the development of any economy, which he disclosed informed the government’s decision to work out an integrated transport system.

“We are working on integrated transport system driven by the public sector. We intend to capture the West African market, we made huge investments in the past and we are still investing in

the transport sector”, the commissioner said.

While commenting on the available maritime potential in the country, he noted that Lagos State does not have oil but has abundant maritime resources, which it is doing everything to fully utilise.

Opeifa restated the commitment of the Babatunde Fasholaled government to ensure the completion of the Lekki Deep Seaport project, which is part of its joker towards capturing the West African market, warning that if the government does not act fast, other West African countries will capture the market over and above Nigeria.

It was also gathered that the state’s light rail project would soon be completed, which will also enhance the proposed transport integration.

He, however, said these projects would not function optimally if the rail transport system was not made functional.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku had admitted that the failure of successive governments in the country to fix its rail transport system over the years remains one of Nigeria’s areas of shame in her march towards socio-economic development.

foreign direct investment and further position the industry as a source of increased Gross Domestic Product”, she noted.

“To attract investment, there must be a favourable and secure environment as this is sine qua non for the promotion of investment in any country, a lot more is needed in this direction and we rely on the support of the government”, Oraekwusi said.

The government had anticipated that the reform, which

43

stripped the Nigerian Ports Authority of its cargo handling functions, gave same to private terminal operators comprising both indigenous and foreign ones would enhance efficiency and thereby reduce cost.

This, regrettably has remained in the realm of projection, as it still takes between 21-30 days for a consignment to leave the seaports, a development that had been blamed on the inability of many of the terminal operators to acquire state of the art cargo handling equipment.

Also, due to a combination of the absence of a commercial regulator and the delays in cargo clearing, cost of clearing has gone to the roof tops, which has earned Nigeria’s seaports as one of the most expensive in the world.

On the deplorable state of most port access roads, she noted that there was urgent need for the government to rehabilitate this road infrastructure, which have become an eyesore and therefore inhibit port efficiency.

“Permit me to reiterate the need to rehabilitate the road infrastructure leading to the seaports. The deplorable condition of these roads has caused unquantifiable loss the national economy due to congestion. The roads have a negative effect on our drive for investment and this requires urgent attention”, she insisted.

Antwerp port seeks Chinese traffic and investment

T

he Belgian port of Antwerp, the second-biggest in Europe, is not only seeking to increase Chinese traffic, but also urging Chinese investors to get involved in a multibillion-euro expansion of the port.

Officials from Antwerp Port Authority have been in Ningbo, in Zhejiang province, and Shanghai to attract Chinese business partners and shipping companies, and have more visits planned in other Chinese port cities this year.

Luc Arnouts, its chief commercial officer, said he aims to attract Chinese interest to a city which is considered an ideal springboard to Europe.

He said that 60 percent of European purchasing power is located within a 500 kilometer radius of Antwerp, and the port is highly cost-efficient compared to other European sites.

Another highlight of his pitch to potential Chinese business partners is that Antwerp is serviced by one of the longest navigation channels in Europe, at 100 kilometers, enabling it to receive the very largest container vessels.

He said Chinese investors are being invited to participate in all the projects being planned at the

port, including new logistics, loading and downloading services.

However, despite having more than 900 companies operating in the port area, only a handful are Chinese, including China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co and a few logistics companies.

Arnouts said the port is perfectly located to handle goods destined for France and Germany, particularly.

“We are always correcting the wrong impression that we are a port in a small country, Belgium.

In fact, we are the second-biggest European port,” said Arnouts.

“This is very important for Chinese commercial decision makers, and we visit here three times a year to reinforce this message.”

IMO Secretary General, Koji Sekimizu

44

Capital Market

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at March 14, 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)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEC approves sukuk as Senegal seeks to become WA hub for Islamic finance JOHNSON OKANLAWON WITH AGENCY REPORT

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission has approved selling sukuk, an Islamic financial certificate, similar to a bond in Western finance, which complies with Sharia, Islamic religious law.

Bloomberg reported yesterday that South Africa and Nigeria are among nations looking to Islamic finance to raise money for development and both have rules in place to sell the debt.

Senegal is trying to position itself as a centre for Islamic finance in West Africa, where about 52 per cent of the population is Muslim, as the government pursues changes

Capital Market

Friday, March 15, 2013

that will enable the first sales of sukuk.

According to Managing Director of the African Institute of Islamic Finance, Mr Mouhamadou Lamine Mbacke, Senegal still needs to adjust its policies to be able to sell debt that complies with Islam’s ban on interest after postponing a plan last year to sell such bonds.

He said that in the eight-nation West African currency union, Senegal stands out for relative stability after electing a new president last year and the need to finance everything from energy to infrastructure and agriculture.

“As we have relative political stability, we want investors to invest

in Senegal and then use Senegal as a place from which to invest in West Africa, Dakar could become a hub for Islamic finance,” Mbacke said.

Senegal, with a $14bn is making a push with the global market for Islam-compliant financing set to double to $3trn by 2015, according to Standard and Poor’s.

The U.K. is considering reviving plans to sell Islamic bonds as part of an initiative to boost Britain’s role as a centre for Shariah- compliant financing, according to a Treasury statement March 11.

Absa Group Limited, a unit of Barclays Plc, offers Islamic banking services and is prospecting in West African mar-

kets.

Mbacke said, “As far as market potential, West Africa is better positioned than South Africa because it has a bigger Muslim population.”

In South Africa, less than two per cent of the 52 million people in the country are Muslim, while Nigeria’s population of 160 million is split roughly between Christianity and Islam.

The market for bonds that comply with Islam’s ban on interest is expanding as borrowing costs plunge.

The average yield on sovereign sukuk tumbled 126 basis points, or 1.26 percentage points, last year to 2.65 per cent, according to the HSBC/ Nasdaq Dubai Sovereign US Dollar Sukuk Index.

The yield was 2.87 per cent March 12, the index shows.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 10,626.0 points Market capitalisation 33.4 trillion

ASI drops 0.45% on profit taking JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he bench mark index of equities shed some weight on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, halting the five days uptrend as some investors took profit from the previous gains.

Specifically, the All Share index dropped by 0.45 per cent to close at 33,207.02 points, as against the increase of 0.02 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 33,357.16 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated by N5bn to close at N10.6trn, in contrast to

the appreciation of N2bn recorded the preceding day to close at N10. 7trn.

Lotus Islamic Index led the sectorial index with 0.57 per cent to close at 2, 115.54 points, followed by the Insurance Index with 0.07 per cent to close at 157.38 points.

The NSE 30-Index lost 0.48 per cent to close at 1,591.11 points, while the Consumer Goods Index shed 0.76 per cent to close at 972.27 points.

The Banking Index depreciated by 0.63 per cent to close at 419.63 per cent, while the Insurance Index declined by 0.07 per cent to

close at 157.38 points.

ABC Transport Plc led the gainers’ table with six kobo or 9.84 per cent to close at 67 kobo per share, followed by RT Briscoe Plc with 17 kobo or 8.02 per cent to close at N2.29 per share.

Wapic Insurance Plc rose by seven kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N1.49 per share, while Champion Breweries Plc declined by 22 kobo or 4.82 per cent to close at N4.78 per share. Evans Medical Plc appreciated by eight kobo or 4.79 per cent to close at N1.75 per share.

On the flip side, Oando Nigeria Plc lost N1.80 or

Stock Updates GAINERS 9.73 per cent to close at N16.70 per share, while Fidson Healthcare Plc fell by 15 kobo or 8.93 per cent to close at N1.53 per share.

Prestige Insurance Plc dipped by seven kobo or 8.33 per cent to close at 77 kobo per share, while Transcorp Plc declined by eight kobo or 5.16 per cent to close at N1.47 per share. CI Leasing Plc depreciated by three kobo or 4.62 per cent to close at 62 kobo per share.

A total of 638.4 million shares valued at N6.27bn were exchanged in 5,879 deals.

Decline in US jobless claims spurs equity rally

G

lobal equity markets and the United States dollar rose yesterday, with the iconic Dow set to extend its winning streak to 10 days, after a report pointed to a stronger labour market and a steady recovery by the US economy.

The dollar rose to a seven-month high against a basket of currencies and a three-month peak versus the euro, helped by data showing the US current account deficit, a broad measure of international trade, narrowed in the fourth quarter.

The dollar later retreated a bit.

Wall Street followed gains that pushed European shares to a four and half year high after the Labour Department said initial claims for state unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell in the latest week.

A better measure of labour market trends - the four-week moving average for new claims - fell to the lowest level in five years.

“Every week that claims stay down, it confirms it’s not an anomaly, and this is pretty important,” said Jack De Gan, chief investment officer at Harbour Advisory Corporation in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The downward trend

in jobless claims is one of the reasons the market has been strong year to date,” he said.

A 10-day string of gains by blue chip stocks would be the longest since 1996. US equities have rallied since the start of the year on an improving economy and the Federal Reserve’s easy monetary policy.

“At this point, it’s just pure momentum,” said Brian Gendreau, market strategist at Cetera Financial Group, based in Los Angeles.

The S&P 500 at midday was less than 5 points away from an all-time closing high of 1,565.15 points.

The Dow Jones indus-

45

trial average was up 58.86 points, or 0.41 per cent, at 14,514.14 points. The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index was up 5.98 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 1,560.50 points.

The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 9.92 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 3,255.04 points.

The European FTSEurofirst 300 of leading regional shares was at its highest level since mid-2008, up 1 percent, lifted by the view on the US economy.

“The current rally is due to the cyclical expectations for the US economy as it recovers,” said Didier Duret, chief investment officer at ABN Amro in Amsterdam.

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

ABCTRANS

0.61

0.67

0.06

% CHANGE 9.84

RTBRISCOE

2.12

2.29

0.17

8.02

WAPIC

1.42

1.49

0.07

4.93

CHAMPION

4.56

4.78

0.22

4.82

EVANSMED

1.67

1.75

0.08

4.79

LIVESTOCK

2.22

2.32

0.10

4.50

UTC

0.75

0.78

0.03

4.00

CONTINSURE

1.05

1.09

0.04

3.81

CUTIX

1.79

1.85

0.06

3.35

ETERNA

3.79

3.90

0.11

2.90

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

OANDO

18.50

16.70

1.80

-9.73

FIDSON

1.68

1.53

0.15

-8.93

PRESTIGE

0.84

0.77

0.07

-8.33

TRANSCORP

1.55

1.47

0.08

-5.16

CILEASING

0.65

0.62

0.03

-4.62

CUSTODYINS

2.07

1.99

0.08

-3.86

UNITYBNK

0.87

0.84

0.03

-3.45

NAHCO

8.19

7.95

0.24

-2.93

MAYBAKER

2.48

2.41

0.07

-2.82

NEM

0.95

0.93

0.02

-2.11

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

32,488.72

11.95

7-Mar-13

182-Days

20,000.00

13.80

7-Mar-13

364-Days

57,119.37

15.57

7-Mar-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

355-Days

75,273.10

15.37

14-Feb-13

97-Days

63,681.00

13.37

14-Feb-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$180m

N/A

$180m

13-Mar-13

$180m

N/A

$180m

11-Mar-13

46

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror “There is need to build resilience on infrastructure, housing, and transportation among others.”

LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR, BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Illegal lottery operators jailed MURITALA AYINLA

T

he Lagos State Special Offences Court has sentenced two illegal lottery operators, Biodun Adegbola and Ahmed Toro to 730 days in prison with an option of N500,000.00 fine.

The convicted persons were arrested on February 20 and 21, 2013, at Isokoko, Agege for operating illegal lottery, using coupon.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Lotteries Board, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, reiterated that the board would not relent in its effort at ridding the state of illegal lottery activities.

He added that approved and authorised public online lottery operators in Lagos State are - Premier Lotto Limited, Winners Golden Chance Venture and Winlot Global Resources Limited, even as patronising illegal

operators is a punishable offence.

He described lottery as a lucrative venture for potential investors, as he advised all illegal and unlicenced operators in the state to regularise their operation on or before Friday, March 29, 2013.

The state had, in January this year, arrested a Serbian, Mr. Nenad Inkovic and 10 other persons for operating illegal lottery and online sports betting without license from

the board. Inkovic was arrested at Ilaje Street, Ajah area of the state. The others were arrested while carrying out illegal lottery operations at Iju, ishaga, Ojodu Berger, Lagos Island, Ajah, Ikeja and Olowo Ira. Section 43 (1) (b) of the Lagos State Lotteries Law forbids illegal lotteries. Hence, the government had vowed that it would not relent until all illegal lottery activities in the state are stamped out.

Demolition of illegal structures on Petroleum Product Pipeline of the NNPC at Awori Bus Stop, Abule Egba, Lagos, yesterday.

Group assaults community leader NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

T

here was confusion in Oraukwu community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, when a group of disbanded vigilance group beat a community leader, Chief Augustine Ajilibi into coma.

According to the source, Ajilibi is currently recuperating at an undisclosed hospital in Fegge, Onitsha following bodily injuries he sustained from the beating.

Investigations revealed that the incident occurred when the leaders of Amada village in Oraukwu mandated Ajilibi to announce that all vigilance groups in the area have been disbanded

and were no longer needed in the community.

The source stated that as Ajilibi was making the announcement, one of the groups attacked and beat him into coma.

Confirming the incident, chairman of the village, Sir Christopher Obiora, said the group that manhandled Ajilibi has been disbanded by the village union after the members were found guilty of gross misconduct.

Obiora, also confirmed that it was the village executive that mandated Ajilibi to make the announcement disbanding all security outfit in the area, even as he disclosed that they will report the matter to the police after Ajilibi is discharged from the hospital.

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Women asked to embrace vocational skills JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

R

ural women in Katsina State have been called upon to embrace vocational skills as a way of combating poverty and improving the welfare of their families.

Speaking to commemorate the Women’s Day celebration, wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Fatima Shema, said embracing vocational skills would enable them become self reliant and less dependent on handouts.

Mrs. Shema said it was in furtherance to this, that the government introduced vocational skills centres, where women could learn, includ-

ing receiving financial assistance.

She assured that the state would continue to work at improving the lives of the women folk, particularly the less privileged, in the 34 council areas.

The Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs. Asamau Abdullahi, identified violence, diseases and poverty as some of the challenges facing women globally and in Nigeria.

Mrs. Abdullahi however called on stakeholders to work towards reducing the hardship faced by many women in the country.

The event witnessed distribution of sewing and grinding machines, as well as 34 three wheeler motorcycles.

Businessman petitions over property demolition KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

S

ix years after his business premises at Dugbe Alawo, Ogunpa Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was destroyed, an Ibadan-based businessman , Mr Dapo Davies, has again petitioned the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over the demolition of his property worth several millions of naira.

In the petition dated February 22, 2013 by his counsel, Mr. Victor Adewole, from the Michael Folorunso Lana Chambers, Davies condemned the conduct of the Coordinator of the Youths Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O) on Environment, Mr. S. Oyewo, accusing him of converting the programme of the government into a rent tribunal court.

He said, “Though the YES-O programme of the state administration is commendable, the conduct of the Coordinator in steering the laudable programme is questionable and same needs to be investigated and corrected for it to achieve the objectives.”

He explained that his shops on Dugbe Alawo Ogunpa Road, were leased from A.G Leventis Plc , but due to minor disagreement between him and the property owner, the latter, through its property manager, Mrs. Grace Adeliyi, allegedly instigated the YES-O Coordinator to forcefully take over lease of the said shops.

He lamented that “without any notice and under instigation, Mr. Oyewo, demolished the said property on February 14, 2013, so that our client would be forced out of the property for him to occupy.”

While alleging that the YES-O coordinator allowed his personal interest to override the sense of duty, Davies stated that the demolished property was not under any power line or built on water way or drainage.

He maintained further that Oyewo did not only demolish the said property belonging to A.G Leventis, but also extended the exercise to his adjoining business premises at No.1 Lebanon Street, which he had been occupying for more than 14 years, without violating any environmental law.

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Friday, March 15, 2013

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49

World News

New style of papacy: Pope Francis pays hotel bill

50

PAUL ARHEWE,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

D

efeated presidential contender Raila Odinga will today file a petition challenging the result of Kenya’s election, alleging collusion between the president-elect and the electoral commission, his allies said yesterday.

Odinga, the prime minister, has refused to concede the vote which saw Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces international charges for crimes against humanity, declared the winner in a tightly fought election on March 4.

But there has been no repeat of deadly tribal violence that shattered Kenya after a disputed 2007 election result. Odinga has urged backers to stay calm while he challenges the latest outcome in the top court and says he will accept its decision.

Odinga’s petition will prove that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Kenyatta’s TNA party conspired to rig the outcome, according to James Orengo, a senior official in Odinga’s CORD coalition.

“We are going to allege fraud.

There was collusion between the IEBC and TNA. They entered into some sort of fraudulent enterprise and we are going to be able to show that,” Orengo, Kenya’s outgoing lands minister, told Reuters.

The IEBC has repeatedly called the vote credible despite a

“Hungary’s democratic institutions are strong enough to defend themselves” –Hungary Prime Minister, Viktor Orban

Kenya poll: Odinga to file Supreme Court petition today

Odinga

series of technological glitches on voting day and during the tallying of ballots. International observers have also said the vote was broadly credible.

The commission has said it is ready for any legal scrutiny. Calls to the IEBC spokeswoman went unanswered.

Odinga has said he will appeal to nullify Kenyatta’s victory in what will be the first significant case for a new Supreme Court set up under a constitution adopted in a 2010 referendum.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Kenyatta comfortably beat Odinga in terms of votes won but only narrowly avoided a runoff after winning just 8,100 votes more than the 50 percent needed to be declared the winner outright.

Odinga’s petition will focus on what they called flaws in the registration of voters, the failure of a new electronic system for transmitting results and, his camp said, the subsequent doctoring of results that were delivered by hand.

Asked where rigging in the count occurred, Orengo said: “All the way from the polling stations to the constituency level with the returning officer right up to the national tallying center.”

Five years ago Odinga lost another presidential election that he also said was stolen. He called for peaceful mass action from supporters because he did not trust the judiciary to be fair, but violence spread across the country. More than 1,200 people were killed.

More South African girls have HIV –Minister

A

t least 28% of South African schoolgirls are HIV positive compared with 4% of boys because “sugar daddies” are exploiting them, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has said.

Some South African schoolgirls.

He said 94,000 schoolgirls also fell pregnant in 2011, and 77,000 had abortions at state facilities, The Sowetan newspaper reports.

About 10% of South Africans are living with HIV, official statistics show.

Motsoaledi has been widely praised for his efforts to curb the disease.

South Africa has run the world’s largest anti-retroviral (ARV) programme since President Jacob Zuma appointed him Health Minister in 2009.

The number of HIV-positive people receiving life-saving ARV drugs more than doubled from 678,500 to 1.5 million after he took office, according to official statistics.

The government of former President Thabo Mbeki, who questioned the link between HIV and AIds, had argued it could not afford to roll out this treatment to all the South Africans who needed it.

Speaking at a public meeting in the town of Carolina in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, Mr Motsoaledi said the large

number of young girls who were HIV-positive “destroyed my soul”.

“It is clear that it is not young boys who are sleeping with these girls. It is old men,” The Sowetan quotes him as saying.

“We must take a stand against sugar daddies because they are destroying our children.”

Motsoaledi said some pregnant girls - aged between 10 and 14 years of age - also tested positive for HIV. “[About] 77 000 girls had abortions at public facilities. We can no longer live like that. We want to put an end to it,” he said.

More than five million people in South Africa are HIV-positive about 10% of the total population.

Last year more than 260,000 people with Aids died - almost half the figure of all those who died in the country.

WORLD BULLETIN China says no $8 billion aid offer to South Sudan

China never promised South Sudan $8 billion in development funds when South Sudanese President Salva Kiir visited Beijing in April, but much more than this could be offered if the country achieves lasting peace, a senior diplomat said yesterday.

South Sudan’s government announced the figure following the trip, and until now Beijing has neither confirmed nor denied it.

Speaking to Reuters in an interview, China’s special envoy to Africa, Zhong Jianhua, who has helped in mediation efforts between the two Sudans and knows both countries well, said there was no $8 billion development deal.

“If there was any promise, it was that after South Sudan achieves peace with Sudan then it is a very promising country and can ramp up development, and then China is willing to play a development role in South Sudan and help them. But those plans have to wait for peace before we can talk about this,” Zhong said, sitting in a meeting room inside the Foreign Ministry.

Malawi treason suspects released on bail

A lawyer in Malawi says 11 top government officials and former Cabinet ministers who were charged with treason for an alleged coup plot have been released on bail.

Defence lawyer Kaleken Kaphale said yesterday that the suspects were released on bond of about $18,000 each and they also had to surrender travel documents. No date was set for the next court hearing in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.

Prosecutors believe the suspects conspired after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika to undermine his deputy, Joyce Banda, and prevent her from becoming president.

Banda, now president, had fallen out with Mutharika, who wanted his younger brother, Peter, to take over after his scheduled retirement in 2014.

US raises concerns over Mali’s arrest of editor The United States ambassador to Mali says she has concerns about press freedom in the West African nation after authorities arrested a newspaper editor.

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard told journalists on a telephone conference call yesterday that she and the U.S. had “great concern” about the arrest of Boukary Daou, the editor-in-chief of The Republican newspaper. Leonard said: “There’s a vital role for media and we urge the utmost protection of free expression and rights under the law.”

Daou was detained by agents from Mali’s intelligence service on March 6. His arrest came soon after his newspaper published a letter from an army officer denouncing coup leader Capt.

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World News

WORLD BULLETIN

Bulgarian sets self ablaze in anger against corruption

Security cameras captured the moment when a Bulgarian man, disgusted by corruption in his provincial hometown, quietly doused himself in gasoline and then set himself ablaze. This week, another man — the fourth in less than a month — carried out the same act of desperation in front of the presidential headquarters in the capital.

The dramatic self-immolations, three of which were fatal, bear a striking resemblance to events half a century ago in Eastern Europe when mostly young intellectuals rebelled against Soviet communist rule by setting themselves on fire, demanding freedom and democracy.

A quarter century after the fall of communism in Bulgaria, dreams of prosperity have turned sour in the Balkan country, which is the poorest in the European Union.

One in five Bulgarians lives below the poverty line, unemployment is at record levels, incomes are half the European average and bribe-taking, sleaze and a woefully inadequate justice system are part of daily life.

Plamen Goranov, a 36-yearold man protesting against graft in his hometown of Varna, died after pouring gasoline and setting himself on fire in front of a public building on Feb. 20.

Khmer Rouge’s accused dies amid genocide trial Ieng Sary, who co-founded the communist Khmer Rouge regime responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians in the 1970s, and who decades later became one of its few leaders to be put on trial, died Thursday before his case could be finished. He was 87.

Ieng Sary was the brother-inlaw of late Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot. His death dashed hopes that he would be punished for his alleged crimes against humanity during the darkest chapter in his country’s history.

Chea Leang, a co-prosecutor at the Cambodian-international tribunal that had been trying Ieng Sary, said he died of cardiac failure. The trial began in late 2011 with four defendants and now has only two.

Pakistani activist shot dead in Karachi

Gunmen shot and killed a pioneering Pakistani activist in Karachi who helped bring services like sewer and water to the city’s poorest neighborhoods, a police official said yesterday.

The killing was a sign of the escalating chaos that has gripped Pakistan’s largest city.

Perween Rahman, the director of the Orangi Pilot Project, was on her way home Wednesday night when she was shot and killed by gunmen on a motorcycle, said senior police officer Javed Odho.

She was struck four times in the chest and neck and died on the way to the hospital, he said. Rahman, 54, was an architect who left private practice early in her career to help the poor.

Through her work, she became one of the authority figures on the ever-expanding Karachi and the struggles of millions of poor people who try to eke out a living in some of the most neglected neighbourhoods.

Friday, March 15, 2013

P

ope Francis put his humility on display during his first day as pontiff yesterday, stopping by his hotel to pick up his luggage and pay the bill himself in a decidedly different style of papacy than his tradition-minded predecessor who tended to stay ensconced in the frescoed halls of the Vatican.

The break from Benedict XVI’s pontificate was evident even in Francis’ wardrobe choices: He kept the simple iron pectoral cross of his days as bishop and eschewed the red cape that Benedict wore when he was presented to the world for the first time in 2005 — choosing instead the simple white cassock of the papacy.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has warned the Catholic Church would become “a compassionate NGO” without spiritual renewal.

In a Sistine Chapel Mass with cardinals on his first day as Church leader, the pontiff said: “If we do not confess to Christ, what would we be?

“We would end up a compassionate NGO. What would happen would be like when children make sand castles and then it all falls down.”

In his first Mass yesterday, Francis showed how different he would be as a pastor, giving an off-the-cuff homily about the

New style of papacy: Pope Francis pays hotel bill •Holds his first mass

Roman Catholics celebrating the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope Francis I, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PHOTO: AP

need to walk with God, build up his church and confess — at one point referring to children building sand castles on the beach.

It was a far simpler message than the dense, three-page discourse Benedict delivered in Latin during his first Mass as

pope in 2005.

The difference in style was a sign of Francis’ belief that the Catholic Church needs to be at one with the people it serves and not impose its message on a society that often doesn’t want to hear it, Francis’ authorized bi-

Attack on Iraqi Justice Ministry kills 24

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string of explosions tore through central Baghdad within minutes of each other yesterday, followed by a coordinated assault by gunmen who raided a government building and battled security forces in the streets. The attack left at least 24 people dead and scores wounded.

The fighting lasted about an hour, ending with security forces storming the building, killing the gunmen and evacuating hundreds of people who had hunkered down in their offices, according to police.

The large and complex assault on Justice Ministry offices in the heart of downtown Baghdad came less than a week before the 10-year anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, showing how vulnerable this country remains to insurgent

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

attacks.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida’s Iraqi arm. The group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, frequently uses car bombs and coordinated blasts in an effort to undermine Iraqis’ confidence in the Shiite-led government.

The attack erupted shortly after midday in Baghdad’s Allawi area, a largely commercial area is home to the Iraqi National Museum and the city’s main bus station.

At least two blasts, including one car bomb and another believed to be from a suicide bomber, went off near a building currently housing the Justice Ministry. A police officer who was among the troops sent to clear the area said that approximately six gunmen wear-

Security officers gathering near the scene of the blast in Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

ing police uniforms quickly entered the building.

“Everybody panicked (after the first blast) and seconds later we heard a second explosion. I looked through the window and I saw some gunmen wearing police uniforms entering the building. We knew that these policemen were fake,” said Asmaa Abbas, a Justice Ministry employee who was working in her third-floor office.

A gun battle broke out between the intruders and security forces, as other explosions went off near the bus station and the headquarters for a VIP protection force that provides bodyguards for lawmakers, government ministers and other senior officials.

After about an hour, security forces stormed the building and some of the gunmen detonated explosives they were wearing, the officer on the scene said.

“It was the longest hour in my life,” said Abbas, the employee.

Deputy Justice Minister Busho Ibrahim said there were more than 1,000 people in the four-story building at the time of the attack. He said the minister is abroad and was not inside.

“When the explosions and shooting started, the guards evacuated me out a back door, and I have no idea what happened after that,” he said, speaking over the telephone from outside the building.

ographer, Sergio Rubin, said in an interview yesterday with The Associated Press.

“It seems to me for now what is certain is it’s a great change of style, which for us isn’t a small thing,” Rubin said, recalling how the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio would celebrate Masses with homeless people and prostitutes in Buenos Aires.

“He believes the church has to go to the streets,” he said, “to express this closeness of the church and this accompaniment with those who are suffering.”

Francis began his first day as pope making an early morning visit in a simple Vatican car to a Roman basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary and prayed before an icon of the Madonna.

Assad ready to use chemical weapons –Israel

I

srael’s military intelligence chief says Syria’s embattled president, Bashar Assad, is preparing to use chemical weapons.

Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi told a security conference in the coastal town of Herzliya that Assad is stepping up his offensive against rebels trying to oust him.

Kochavi claims Assad is making advanced preparations to use chemical weapons, but has not yet given the order to deploy them.

He did not disclose information about why he thinks Assad is preparing to use them.

Israel has long expressed concerns that Assad’s stockpile of chemical weapons could end up in the hands of groups hostile to Israel like Hezbollah or al-Qaida inspired organizations.

Israel has kept out of Syria’s civil war, but it is concerned that violence could spill over the border into northern Israel.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday, March 15, 2013

Nigeria loses $500bn to corruption since 1960 –Akinyemi PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

F

ormer Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has said that the country has lost more than $500 billion in revenue since 1960.

He said the money has been lost to corruption as whopping sums of money had been siphoned and freighted abroad at various times by the country’s leaders and politicians.

Akinyemi said between

1960 and 1999, about $400 billion was stolen, while another $100 billion was siphoned from 1999 to date, thereby placing Nigeria in the 156th position out of 186, on the Human Development Index, HDI. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day seminar on the “Trends of Corruption, Indiscipline and Disregard to Rules and Regulations” in Minna, Niger State.

The communiqué said

corruption, indiscipline, disregard for rule and decline in ethics in both the public and private sector, was responsible for lack of growth and endemic poverty in the country.

It continued: “When individuals think that they are stealing on behalf of their people, they invariably ended up leaving their people and everyone impoverished.”

According to the communiqué, corruption has become invidious and

insidious virus afflicting Nigeria; and the bane of its development and unity that has also fuel a lack of faith in the survival of the country as a united nation.

It also said corruption became deeply entrenched in Nigerians’ polity since 1962 when the concept of the good of the region was replaced with the good of the individuals who made up the party in power.

To move forward, it

stressed the need for exemplary leadership, independence of the judiciary, strengthening of capacities of anti-corruption institutions and values and ethical re-orientation.

It also stressed the need to adopt a 25-year development plan broadly set out

by Prof. Akinyemi who was the lead paper presenter at the seminar, as well as to ensure strict application of penalties for those found guilty of corruption, among others.

Nasarawa Poly matriculates 4,530 students IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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o fewer than 4, 530 students of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, were yesterday matriculated into the various colleges of the institution for the 2012/2013 academic session.

In his address at the occasion, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Emmanuel Jatau, said out of the number, 4, 441 students were for National Diploma, ND, programmes while 89 were being matriculated for Higher National Diploma, HND. He urged the matriculating students to adhere strictly to the spirit of the oath of allegiance they swore to by exhibiting exemplary character worthy of emulation.

His words: “It is important for you all to get yourselves equipped for the years ahead by cultivating and displaying exemplary character in addition to the academic goal you have set to attain in the polytechnic, “It is the combination of good character and good academic achievement that will make you the type of leaders Nigeria needs.”

Jatau appealed to the matriculating students to join in the fight against social vices such as examination malpractices, cultism, violence and disregard to constituted authorities.

The rector said the institution would not condone indecent dressing and violation of other stipulated codes of ethics, stressing that appropriate sanction would be meted out to anyone found trying to bring the image of the institution down.

L-R: Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for Control of Tuberculosis, Malaria and AIDS, Dr. Mohammed Liman; Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh and wife of the governor and Chief Executive Officer, Challenge Your Disability Initiative, Hajiya Abiodun Yuguda and Commissioner for Special Duties, PHOTO: NAN Alhaji Bappah Azare, at the inauguration of Miri health facility in Bauchi, yesterday.

LG poll: Lawmaker, PDP chieftain fight over candidates’ imposition WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

A

mild drama ensued yesterday at the Government House, Lokoja, when members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi State, engaged themselves in physical combat over allegation of imposition of candidates in the forthcoming council poll in the state.

Trouble was said to have started at the Government House shortly after the stakeholders’ meeting that was held at the instance of the state governor, Idris Wada, on Wednesday.

National Mirror gathered that minutes after the governor left the hall, a serving House of Assembly member, Hon. Suleiman Babadoko, was said to have confronted the PDP Zonal Vice-Chairman for the West Senatorial District, Abdulrahman Muhammed Balga, alleging that the latter has fraudulently compiled the list of delegates for the PDP primaries against the wish of the people.

of the PDP state Chairman Hassan Salawu and other party members to separate the duo who were engaged in a shouting match, threatening to engage in physical combat.

The situation became worsened as members who were loyal to both parties were calling for the heads of their presumed enemies.

A member of the party from Lokoja, who did not want his name in print, described the scenario as unfortunate and a show of shame.

Benue miffed

by HIV/AIDS prevalence rate HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

B

enue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation; Mr. Conrad Wergba, has expressed shock over the upsurge of HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the state despite concerted efforts by federal and state governments as well as donor agencies to stem the tide.

The commissioner said this yesterday at a joint workshop organised by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Benue State Action Committee on AIDS, BENSACA, in Makurdi, to assist media practitioners in disseminating information on the dangers of HIV/ AIDS. The commissioner, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hyacinth Kyaagba, regretted that in spite of the huge investments made by the state to curb the spread of the deadly virus, the state still came second in HIVAIDS prevalence rate in the country.

Kyaagba recalled that in 2006, the then government of George Akume had sent a delegation to Uganda to seek for solutions to the pandemic ravaging the people of the state. Uganda then was facing a very serious HIVAIDS challenge, but the condition has since improved today.

“For instance, the state was said to have 708, 640 adults infected with the disease in 2011, out of which 21, 259 cases were new infections. In the same year, 17, 139 women were found positive while the number of children requiring, Anti Retro-Viral, ARV, was 318, 888.”

It was gathered that Babadoko accused Balga of conniving with the state Commissioner of Information, Yabagi Bologi, in compiling the names of the three-man ad-hoc committee members for the said election without the knowledge of other stakeholders in the area.

His words: “It was most annoying for Balga to tell us that there was nothing anyone can do about it, since he has the instruction of a former senator from the area, Tunde Ogbeha.”

The lawmaker, who lamented that some members of the party are threatening to move to other parties if nothing is done to address the issue, hence his intervention.

“This issue of imposition has always caused problems in Lokoja. That is why we always find it difficult to win any election here. Some of our members are already saying that they will go to another party if the matter is not addressed,” he lamented.

It took the intervention

IGBAWASE UKUMBA

NMA tasks governments on oral health

LAFIA

T

he Dental Health Committee of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has appealed to government at all levels in the country to accord oral health the priority it deserves, being one of the 10 components of primary health care system.

President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, stated this yesterday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, through the Chairman of the NMA Dental Health Committee, Clement Onwube, at a press

conference in respect of the forthcoming 2013 World Oral Day celebration.

The body equally observed with sadness that primary oral health care is yet to be incorporated into the country’s primary health care system. According to him; “Our people can only access oral health care in the tertiary health care facilities and very few secondary health care facilities across the country.”

Aware that the task of achieving optimum oral

health care for all Nigerians is a huge one and cannot be done by government alone, Enabulele said; “NMA as a responsive professional body charged with the mandate of attaining overall health for our people, have decided to take the lead by contributing its own quota to this life saving project.”

Consequently, Enabulele said NMA has approved that the first time national world mouth day celebration be held in Lafia, on March

51

20, 2013 to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and government to take action to reduce the burden of oral diseases.

“This year, our efforts will focus on protecting the teeth and mouth of the population throughout life, from young children to the increasing elderly population by offering preventive measures such as good diet, good brushing habits and regular dental check,” he said.

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Transition

Friday, March 15, 2013

Professor JOC Ezeilo

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meritus professor of mathematics, Professor James Okoye Chukuka Ezeilo (popularly called JOC) was born on January 17, 1930 at Nanka in Anambra State, Nigeria and died on January 4, 2013. He was married with four children.

He was an academician per excellence as he bagged many degrees during his life time. These include: B.Sc. in Mathematics with First Class Hons. in 1953; B.Sc. Advanced and passed with distinction in 1954; M.Sc. (1955) all from the University of London.

He got his Ph.D. in 1958 at Cambridge University, England; D.Sc. in 1989 from the University of Maiduguri; D. Tech. in 1995 from the Federal University of Technology, Akure; D.Sc. in 1996 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and D.Sc. in 2008 from Anambra State University, Uli. Professor Ezeilo started his academic career as a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Ibadan in 1958 and rose to the rank of a full professor of Mathematics in 1964. In 1963, he was a visiting lecturer and research associate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA after which he became a professor of Mathematics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1966 – 1988.

Between 1967 – 1978 at the University of Nigeria, he was Head of Department (HOD), Department of Mathematics and later became the Acting Vice-Chancellor and ViceChancellor of the university. He was also the Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano and Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities between 1978 – 1979.

Late Professor JOC Ezeilo belonged to the following societies: Member, Nigerian Mathematical Society (President 1984 – 1991); Member, Mathematical Association of Ni-

Agnes Ariyo

L

ate Mrs. Agnes Olufunmilayo Ariyo was born on August 3, 1960 to the family of Late Pa Ezekiel Olurotimi Ojo and Princess Eunice Ojo of Erusu-Akoko, Akoko North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

She attended the United Primary

geria (President 1972 – 1974); Member, Mathematical Association of America; Member, London Mathematical Society; Member, Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics; Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Sciences; Fellow, Third World Academy of Sciences; Fellow, African Academy of Sciences; Fellow, Mathematical Association of Nigeria.

He published over 87 scientific papers in learned journals. Also, he had various academic prizes and awards.

These include: University Major Scholar, University College, Ibadan, Nigeria (1949 – 1953); Ayrton Premium Award for a publication in the 1963 proceedings of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (U.K.) (1964); National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger by the Federal Military Government (1979); He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

School, Ajowa-Akoko, Ondo State (1967 to 1973) from where she proceeded to Mount Carmel Grammar School, Ikare-Akoko and graduated in 1979.

She furthered her studies at St Peters College, Akure, where she received her Grade II Teacher’s certificate in 1984.

She worked briefly before obtaining her Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in mathematics in 1994 at the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna after which she took up a teaching job at St Andrew’s Primary School, Alade-Idanre, in Ondo State.

She also taught in the following schools; Araromi Prmary School, Gbagada, Lagos, Irepodun Primary School, Ketu, Lagos; Oke-Ifako Primary School, Gbagada, Lagos and Local Government Primary School, Igando where she was until her death.

Funlayo was an embodiment of humility and loyalty which she exhibited by showing great respect for her husband and in-laws. She was also a peaceful and intelligent woman.

She is survived by her husband, three children, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

T

he death has been announced of Dr. John Nwodo Eze, the father of the Features and Commune Editor of the Nigerian Compass Newspaper.

The late Eze was the Chief Medical Director of Eze Hope Rising Clinic, Agbure in Ogun Waterside Area of Ogun State.

Born on February 9, 1938, Eze died on February 27, 2013 after a protracted illness. He was aged 75 years.

Trained as an obstetrician, the late Eze has been in the medical profession for over 30 years and was until his death, a Christian and prominent member of Jehovah’s Witness.

A very famous medical practitioner in Ogun State and Nsukka, his homestead, Eze has been described as a “kind and humble person, who was generous to a fault.”

A community leader per excellence the late Eze would be sorely missed by not just his nuclear and extended families, but the entire communities that make up his local government of residence in Ogun State.

His belief in education made him ensure that all his children were qualitatively educated.

He is survived by his only brother, Augustine Chukwuma Eze, his wife, Stella and seven children, among who are: Ngozi, Shedrach, a Photo

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

John Nwodo Eze

Editor with Bisi Olatilo Show (BOS) International magazine, Faith, Jonathan, the Features and Commune editor of the Nigerian Compass newspaper, Sarah, Deborah and Ruth.

Eze would be buried on April 13, 2013 at his country home, Aju-Ona Obukpa, Nsukka while funeral ceremony will hold at his residence at Ngboko, Obukpa, Nsukka.

Bernice Anoke

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he death has been announced of Mrs. Bernice Adaeze Odii Anoke who died on Monday, February 25, 2013 after a brief illness. She was aged 81.

She is survived by eight children, five sons and three daughters with 34 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Mama Bernice Adaeze would be buried on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at her country home.

Gertrude Fawehinmi

T Philip Achebe

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hilip Achiebe, better known as P. O. C. Achebe died in Atlanta Georgia, U.S.A on March 9, 2013 at the age of

86.

He was said to have died of prostate cancer-related illness.

The late P. O. C. Achebe was Secretary General of Nigeria Football Association between 1971 and 1973, and also between 1975 and 1976, and finally between 1991 and 1992.

The astute administrator was said to have left for the United States of America about 15 years ago.

He is survived by his wife and children.

he family of Honourable Justice Rasheed Olabamidele Fawehinmi (rtd) of Ondo Town in Ondo State has announced the death of their wife, mother and grandmother, Mrs. Gertrude Ebun Ololade Fawehinmi who passed away at the age of 84.

Born on September 17, 1929, Mama Gertrude Fawehinmi died after a brief illness on March 4, 2013.

Burial arrangement, as announced by the family, kicks off with a vigil mass/wake keeping at Membi hall, Oba Ajosowo Close, Laje Road, Ondo town by 5pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

The requiem mass will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church, OndoIfe Road, Ondo town on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 10am.

She is survived by her husband, Honourable Justice R. O. Fawehinmi (rtd), and children including Dr. Olawale Fawehinmi, Mr. Olaitan Fawehinmi, Mrs Iyabo Arinola Awokoya and several grandchildren.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Shittu delighted with his goal, thinks Wembley

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

I don’t think of records that I broke. I just think of how to sustain my game and make the fans happy

BARCELONA FORWARD, LIONEL MESSI

55

Why I bypassed technical committee – Keshi

S

uper Eagles’ boss, Stephen Keshi, has explained why he submitted his 2013 Africa Cup of Nations report and list of invited players for the World Cup qualifier against Kenya directly to the NFF secretariat.

Reacting to some reports in the media (not National Mirror) quoting him as saying that he bypassed the Technical Committee of the NFF because it was dissolved and there was no committee to report to, Keshi declared that he was quoted out of context.

“What I said at the media chat was that I followed due process in the submission of my list to the NFF Secretariat and that the committee at that time was not sitting.

“How can I talk of dissolution of a committee which, I didn’t set it up in the first place. Those who want to maintain constant squabble in Nigerian football should

Keshi

be careful because I have had enough distraction of this nature since coming on board,” Keshi said in a statement yesterday.

He called for total concentration for the game against Kenya, which he said is what is on his mind now and asked all stakeholders to unite in the drive to pick a 2014 World Cup ticket instead of causing quarrels among key officials of football in the country.

Similarly, NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barr.

Chris Green, said there was never a time the committee disagreed with the team list submitted by Keshi, adding however that individual members of the committee who have misgivings are free to air them but they should not drag the committee into any controversy.

Meanwhile, Keshi has released players to the four clubs representing Nigeria in continental outings this weekend. Rangers International of Enugu and Kano Pillars are involved in the CAF Champions League, while Heartland of Owerri and Lobi Stars of Makurdi have CAF Confederation Cup ties.

The players, including Chigozie Agbim, Papa Idris and Ubale Munir, are expected back in camp by Monday.

Mba set for transfer reprieve AFOLABI GAMBARI

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final decision will be made today on the transfer saga involving Super Eagles’ midfielder, Sunday Mba. Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers have engaged in a bitter feud for ownership of the beleaguered player and both clubs have employed the services of lawyers to find a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Mba is currently in the Eagles’ training camp in Abuja ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Kenya in Calabar.

Spokesman of the Eagles, Ben Alaiya, told National Mirror yesterday that the team

had been informed that a final resolution on the crisis would be reached today.

“We understand that the parties would spend the greater part of today (yesterday) ironing out the issues and by tomorrow (today) the Nigeria Football Federation would deliver a final verdict on which of the clubs has the right over Mba,” Alaiya said.

“On our part, we are hoping that an amicable resolution is agreed upon so that Mba will be able to concentrate on the national task.

Of course, he is one of our reliable players at the moment and we will want to have his services against the Kenyans,” the spokesman added.

FIFA ranking: Nigeria still 30th

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igeria still occupies the 30th position in the latest edition of the FIFA World Ranking released yesterday The position means that Nigeria is still No.4 in Africa behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Mali in that order, despite winning the AFCON in South Africa in February.

FIFA’s latest ranking also shows very few changes in the upper reaches, with Spain continuing to hold a comfortable lead at the top over Germany and Argentina.

The first movement in the ranking is in positions six and seven, as Colombia has now pulled away from Portugal, with whom it was level last month, to move into 6th place on their own.

A total of 18 ‘A’ international matches were taken into account for the March edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Virtually all of the games in recent weeks have been played in the AFC, with 15 of the 18 games being AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. This takes the total number of ‘A’ international matches played in 2013 so far to 155.

Eagles hit Calabar Monday without Ambrose

FIFA RANKING MARCH 2013

Efe Ambrose

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

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igeria’s Super Eagles will leave Abuja for Calabar, Cross River State capital next Monday for their final preparations ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

But the African champions will not travel with Scotland-based Efe Ambrose, who is on suspension.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed yesterday that the Celtic defender will not be part of the contingent because he is serving out a one-match ban from accumulated yellow cards earned in earlier World Cup qualifying matches.

Ambrose got a yellow card against Namibia in Calabar in June last year and was also yellowcarded in the game away to Malawi in Blantyre same month.

Coach Stephen Keshi has been working with 24 home-based players in Abuja since Tuesday, with

the 15 overseas-based invitees expected to join the team this weekend.

NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, said yesterday that a final selection of the home-based and foreign-based contingent would make the trip to the Canaan City, where the Eagles will be lodged at Transcorp Hotels, formerly Metropolitan Hotel.

FIFA has already appointed Botswanan official, Joshua Bondo, to take charge of the big match, from which the Super Eagles need the three points to solidify their leadership of Group F. National Mirror learnt yesterday that the NFF president, Aminu Maigari, will lead Super Eagles delegation to present to Governor Liyel Imoke in his office on March 21, where the governor will receive the AFCON trophy.

It has also been confirmed that following assurance of security by the Cross River State Government, the trophy will be on display at the U.J. Esuene Stadium during the World Cup qualifier.

No.

Countries

1

Spain

2

Germany

3

Argentina

4

England

5

Italy

6

Colombia

7

Portugal

8

Netherlands

9

Croatia

10

Russia

11

Ecuador

12

Greece

13

Côte d’Ivoire

14

Switzerland

15

Mexico

16

Uruguay

17

France

18

Brazil

19

Belgium

20

Ghana

21

Sweden

22

Chile

23

Bosnia-Herzegovina

24

Mali

25

Denmark

26

Japan

27

Czech Republic

28

Montenegro

29

Norway

30

Nigeria

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Sport

Friday, March 15, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CRIN holds 3SC in Babalola League

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he 2013 Afe Babalola Champions League Tournament has kicked off at the Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan with 3SC Starlet and CRIN FC settling for a 1-1 draw.

Both teams are among the 16 that qualified to play in the competition from the pool of 80 clubs that featured in the 914 matches Ibadan Football Association (IFA) League 2011/2012 season.

Immigration FC beat Olagoke Rocks 1-0 in a match that preceded the CRIN, 3SC game.

Caretaker Chairman, Oluyole Local Government, Prince Abass Aleshinloye, who kickedoff the tournament, commended the IFA on grassroots development in and around Ibadan

before donating plasma television and DVD sets to the football association.

According to the IFA’s head of media and strategy, Folorunsho Oyelakin, the competition, sponsored by legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN will feature 24 matches in the first round, four in the quarter finals, two in the semis, in addition the third place and final matches.

Chairman of IFA, Alhaji Banji Akintayo, also commended the sponsor’s support for the association over the years.

“We can only call on all spirited individuals to assist the IFA in developing players at the grassroots,” Akintayo said.

I fell short in Dubai –Onaolapo YEMI OLUS

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aralympics gold winner and record holder in the women’s -52kg category in powerlifting, Joy Onaolapo, has expressed displeasure with the silver medal she won at the Fazaa International Powerlifting Championships last month in Dubai.

Onaolapo, who broke the Paralympic record with a lift of 130 kg in London last year and further broke the World Record with a lift of 131kg, and seven others competed in the Fazaa Championships which had about 150 athletes from 22 countries participating in the event that held from February 23 to 27.

Twelve world records

Onaolapo

were broken at the championships and though a lot of people expected Nigeria to dominate the event just as it was in London, Egypt took control with nine top finishes while Namibia had four first-place finishes.

“We did not really prepare for the championships and though I won silver, I really wasn’t happy with my result,” Onaolapo said yesterday.

“I am the record holder in my event and people expected a lot from me but that was not the case, unfortunately,” she added.

Ivory Nwokorie, who won gold in London, set a new world-best lift of 90kg in the -45kg category while Folashade Oluwafemiayo recorded a new best of 125kg in the -79kg category at the United Arab Emirates.

Ijebu-Ode bubbles for All-Nigeria Relays Athletes set for a relay race in a recent national festival

YEMI OLUS

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he first leg of the All-Nigeria Relays Challenge will take place at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State tomorrow to kick off the relay series in the 2013 athletics season.

The event was initially billed to hold in Sagamu but the venue was changed due to logistic reasons.

Registration of athletes for the competition open to clubs and states of the country will precede the races billed for the Dipo Dina International Stadium.

National Mirror gathered yesterday that among the events that

would feature include 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and the 4x800m.

Other races listed for the meet include over-distance races like 150m, 300m, 600m and 3000m in both men and women categories.

According to President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, the relay culture in Nigeria requires urgent revival even as he says that plans are underway to ensure the relay teams’ qualification for the World Championships in good time.

“Some seniors will be included with the athletes discovered at the Olukoya U-18 and School Sports Festival who are in camp at the

High Performance Centre in Port Harcourt because we want to commence our preparation for our qualification for the relays,” Ogba said.

“They will also go for the international relays (Mt Sac and Penn Relays) in April so we need to start preparing now. We intend to qualify in April or May so that we don’t struggle towards the World Championships,” the AFN boss added.

The second leg of the event will hold in Warri, DeltaState on March 23 at the refurbished City Stadium and will be used to test run facilities for the African Youth Championships.

Alaafin gets Unity Cup honour AFOLABI GAMBARI

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oncerned by the decline in Nigeria’s sports, Links Youth Sports International of Nigeria (LYSIN) has unfolded plan to institute a sports foundation in honour of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. President of LYSIN, Niyi Dada, who disclosed the sports body’s plan during a visit to the monarch in his palace, said the decision to institute a tournament tagged Oba Adeyemi U-13 Unity Cup was in line with the monarch’s antecedent as a young footballer around Lagos Island in the early 1950s before he opted for boxing for which he is renowned.

“We did our research well before arriving at this juncture and we believe the tournament will reverberate in no distant future,” Dada said.

The Alaafin commended the LYSIN’s gesture, saying it was timely and would be beneficial to football develop-

President, Links Youth Sports International, Niyi Dada (l) presenting the Oba Adeyemi Under-13 Football Tournament to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III at the monarch’s palace in Oyo, yesterday

ment in Nigeria.

“If there was an organisation like this during my days as a footballer, perhaps I could have become a great star in world football,” Oba Adeyemi said.

“I recall how people always appreciated my football skills during my youthful days when I was popularly known as ‘Ade one’,” the monarch add-

ed, even as he blamed government for paying lip service to grassroots development.

“We are not getting the desired results because lack of sincerity with the grassroots development but I think this is a step in the right direction and I want you to intensify efforts at discovering more football talents.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Friday, March 15, 2013

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Debut game excites Sarki

Ogu hits Eagles’ camp next week

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ew Super Eagles’ invite John Ugochukwu Ogu has told National Mirror he would hit the country early next week ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar on March 23.

The Portugal-based midfielder is one of the two uncapped players named in the 15-man foreign pro list released by coach Stephen Keshi last week.

Ogu said his actual date of arrival was still not yet clear as he was still waiting for his Spanish agents to sort his travelling arrangements.

Ogu however said that his agents were on top of the situation and would get a clearer picture before the weekend.

“The agency based in Spain will fix the ticket for me and I’m still waiting to hear from them and until then I don’t know how my itinerary will be,” Ogu told National Mirror exclusively.

“I have also received the official fax for my invitation from my club and the management and fans were all happy with me.

“I will most likely hit the camp on Monday or even later depending on the arrangement. I’m still yet to know how it will be routed. But things are taking shape gradually.

“I’m so happy for this invite and I can’t wait to hit the camp and join my mates for the game. I’m really looking forward to the game and I want to give my all.”

Danny Shittu (second left)

Shittu delighted with his goal, thinks Wembley M

illwall centre back and captain Danny Shittu says he’s happy netting the lone goal that secured the FA Cup semifinals ticket for his side against fellow Championship team Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.

The big Nigerian defender who excused himself from the AFCON duty with the Super Eagles last month to concentrate on his Lions’ promotion drive and FA Cup campaign, fired in the only goal in the 42nd minute in the replay at Erwood Park to send the travelling Millwall fans into wild celebrations. Shittu was cautioned for pulling his shirt as he wheeled away in wild jubilation.

Shittu, National Mirror learnt from close sources, was hosted to a party at Manchester night club and bar later that night which also had his Eagles pal and injured Blackburn Rover midfielder Dickson Etuhu in attendance.

Etuhu was in the stands to watch his team lose the semi-finals ticket to the Shittu-inspired Championship side.

Shittu would later take to his Facebook account to express his feelings on the great feat.

I Emenike

isla Krakow of Poland new signing Emmanuel Sarki has expressed his happiness over his league debut for his new side last weekend. Sarki, signed alongside a Polish goalkeeper, saw 35 minutes of action in Wisla’s impressive 2-1 away win at Polonnia Warsaw as his struggling side improved their standing on the log. Sarki replaced Bosnian defender Gordon Bunoza as Wisla Krakow added more attacking bite in the game to consolidate on their 51st minute 2-1 lead and that proved enough to hand them the much needed victory The former Ashdod winger followed up with another appearance in the FA Cup with yet another sub appearance as Wisla claimed another impressive 4-2 away victory at Ugo Ukah’s Jagiellonia Białystok on Tuesday night.

Sarki is happy he started his Wisla career on a sound note, promising he will give his best to improve the fortunes of the former Polish champions.

“I’m glad to start on a good note for my new team not only making my debut but doing it in style, by winning two games on a trot,” Sarki said.

“It’s great to be back in the game again and I couldn’t have asked for a better start like this. I’m happy with my performance and I’m ready to do more.

“Wisla are a great club with experiences in Europe as well. It also had Nigerians in their payroll in the past, so I was told.

“I was fascinated with the exploits of Kalu Uche, Martins Ekwueme and the other Nigerians and I want to continue the Nigerian tradition.

“I have been well received at the club and things are going well. I want to achieve something here and with God on my side, I will.”

“I thank God firstly, my mum, the gaffer, the supporters, my team mates, love you guys,” Shittu beamed.

“We worked hard tonight and got what we deserved. Wembley, here we come! Now let’s get more points on board.”

The former QPR strongman said he had targeted Wembley for the final but said they must face the Wigan challenge in the semis on April 13, also to be staged at Wembley.

“Shittu is so happy with himself particularly the goal he scored that sent them to the FA Cup semi finals,” the source continued.

“He says he’s targeting the final in Wembley because according to him, it would the greatest moment of his career.

“He has done well to propel his team this far, promising he will continue doing his best to help his side qualify for the final.

“He said they were looking forward to the game against Wigan which he thought would be difficult but said they were confident.”

Millwall will be eyeing the second FA Cup final after losing 3-0 to Manchester United in the final in 2004.

Sarki

Emenike returns next month

njured Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike is set to start jogging in the coming days as he continues his rehabilitation following his muscle injury he copped at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last month, National Mirror has learnt.

Spartak coach, Valery Karpin further disclosed that the Super Eagle will fully recover from injury in the next one month.

Spartak’s official website quoted team doctor Michael Vartapetov early this week as saying that, Emenike’s rehabilitation was going according to plan and he would start jogging exercises in the coming days.

Emenike was unavailable for Spartak Moscow’s last game in the domestic championship against Terek Grozny.

It will be recalled that the 25-year-old striker missed the Africa Cup of Nations final match against Burkina Faso after damaging one of the muscles of the front of the thigh.

With five goals in 15 games, Emenike is the second highest goalscorer for the capital side in the Russian Premier League. Russia international midfielder Dmitri Kombarov is the club’s leading scorer with six goals in 19 league outings.

WORLD RECORD

Fastest circumnavigation by passenger aircraft Vol. 03 No. 578

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Friday, March 15, 2013

House of Reps’ race for immunity

any Nigerians have been wondering with rage why members of the House of Representatives are no longer veiling in any guise their desperation to shield themselves with immunity.

But before joining the fray, it may interest the reader to partake in sharing these sad tales about lawmakers in a few advanced countries, beginning with the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Expenses Scandal. The UK parliamentary expenses scandal was a major political scandal triggered by the leak and subsequent publication by the Telegraph Group in 2009, of dubious expenses claims made by members of the United Kingdom Parliament for several years. The disclosures of alleged monumental misuse of permitted allowances and expenses claimed by Members of Parliament (MPs) caused widespread public outrage following failed attempts

FRIDAYS WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) by the parliament to suppress the information under the Freedom of Information legislation.

The scandal was trailed by widespread anger among the UK public against the MPs; and a loss of confidence in the country’s politics. It resulted in a large number of resignations, sackings, de-selections and retirement announcements; as well as public apologies and the repayment of expenses. Several members or former members of the House of Commons; and members of the House of Lords were prosecuted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The scandal also created pressure for political reforms extending beyond the issue of expenses; and led to the Parliament elected in 2005 being referred to as the ‘Rotten Parliament’. Just two years ago (May 2011), former MP and Labour Party minister, Elliot Morley, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment for claiming more than £30,000 in false mortgage payments after pleading guilty to the charge. Gross misuse of the expenses system for personal gains by MPs is said to be rampant in the UK. In the United States, too, Jesse Jackson, Jr., a Democrat congressman pleaded guilty on February 20 this year to one count of wire and mail fraud in connection with his misuse of $750,000 of campaign funds. Jackson, Jr. used about $750,000 in campaign money for personal expenses that included a Michael Jackson

rsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, yesterday insisted that he intends to fulfill his contract with the Emirates club, which currently runs until 2014.

The French manager’s position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent

REPRESENTING A PEOPLE IS NOT THE SAME AS ERECTING BRICK WALLS TO

BLOCK THEIR ‘VIEW’ AND ‘VIEWS’

fedora and cashmere capes. The Justice Department filed the charges on February 15, 2013; while sentencing is scheduled for June 28, 2013. A year earlier (March 2012), another Democrats congressman, Rod Blagojevich, began serving a 14-year sentence in a US federal prison following his conviction for corruption, including soliciting for bribes for political appointments. Blagojevich was a US Rep (19972003) before being elected as the Governor of Illinois (2003-2009) when he resigned.

Indeed, under the George W. Bush’s (2001 – 2009) Presidency, 18 American lawmakers were convicted for similar offences; Bill Clinton (1993 – 2001), 14; George H. W. Bush (1989 – 1993), 3; and Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1989), 15. Since 2004, 24 MPs have also been convicted in Italy; and at least 27 in Australia between 1987 and now; among others. The point being made is that lawmakers all over the world seem to be people not to be trusted when it comes to the betrayal of public trust through

bribes, frauds and sundry sleazy deals.

And when caught in countries where the law is no respecter of persons, they are punished for their crimes. The situation cannot be different in Nigeria.

Therefore, Nigerians ought not to necessarily worry about the obvious self-preservation mission of the House of Representatives; or its members’ desire (which is an inescapable nature of man) to be where they are not, especially when the dream place to be is considered blissful. The real intentions of the Reps that have driven their desire for constitutional immunity so far should be the real suspect. The immunity bill scaled the Second Reading a couple of days ago, according to reports. One of its chief sponsors and Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Ali Ahmed, in defending the development, reportedly complained that while the executive and judiciary enjoy the privilege of immunity, the legislature does not; while the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, says the immunity the legislature wants is different from the type being enjoyed by the President, governors and their deputies; which exempts them from criminal and civil court proceedings.

It may be difficult at this stage to pinpoint the direction the lawmakers are headed. However, if the immunity the House is gunning for is meant to prohibit lawful inquiry into the errant activities of its members, many of whom have made greater marks in bribe taking and scandalous frauds than in truly representing their people, then, the Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha-led House has misled itself. It should embrace the reality, which is the fact that representing a people is not the same as erecting brick walls to block their ‘view’ and ‘views’.

The House should retrace its steps. By now, the House of Reps ought to have realised that power goes with reciprocal obligations, as well as moral imperatives.

Sport Extra

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The fastest flight under the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) rules, which permit flights that exceed the length of the Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn (36,787.6 km or 22,858.8 miles), was one of 31 hrs 27 mins 49 secs by an Air France Concorde (Capts. Michel Dupont and Claude Hetru) from JFK airport in New York, USA.

Defiant Wenger vows Arsenal stay times, with some Arsenal fans growing frustrated with the side’s lack of success, especially not in any final of a major tournament since the 2006 Champions League final.

Having bowed out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, the Gunners have now gone eight years without silverware, although they have not finished outside the Premier

League’s top four since 1996.

Wenger remains a highly-respected coach and he is continually linked with rival clubs, with Real Madrid and Paris St Germain among those mentioned in

recent months.

But he has remained steadfastly loyal to Arsenal, a stance that does not look like changing soon.

“I still have the desire to stay on,” the manager said yesterday, adding, “I am fully committed to fulfilling my contract.”

Arsene Wenger

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