Friday, February 8, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Budget: 160 lawmakers threaten to override President’s veto TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

ne hundred and sixty members of the House of Representatives yesterday

Tambuwal

Vol. 3 N0. 553

Unremitted IGR:

threatened to push for an override of President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto in signing the N4.987trn 2013 Budget passed by the National Assembly in December last year.

The Senate and the House had passed the budget about two months ago and can, as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, override his veto on the budget and CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Mixed reactions trail Chime’s return P.4

Friday, February 8, 2013

N150

Reps indict 60 govt agencies over N8.8trn

...NNPC, CBN, NPA, others to face sanctions TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he report of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance has revealed how 60 federal revenue generating agencies short-changed the Federal Government of N8.8trn as remittances between 2009 and 2011 The report submitted to the House yesterday revealed that the agencies AGENCIES

AMOUNT

NNPC

N6.1trn

FCT

N7.7bn

CBN

N45.5bn

FAAN

N6.9bn

NIMASA

N1.4bn

NAFDAC

N1bn

NPA

N11.1bn

NCC

N3.3bn

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Eagles land in Jo’bourg, begin training

... Dangote rewards team with N130m

P.53

L-R: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; Chairman of occasion and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Masari; former Head of State, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi at the public presentation of “The accidental public servant” written by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai in Abuja, yesterday.

Buhari tackles Jonathan PARADOXICALLY, WE NEED STRONG PEOPLE TO REBUILD THE INSTITUTIONS.. NOT THOSE WHO TALK GLIBLY ABOUT THIS NATION AND THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO DEVELOP THE NATION

P.2

Lagos white cap chief shot dead

P.8

News

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari tackles Jonathan on governance OBIORA IFOH ABUJA.

ormer military Head of State and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, presidential candidate in the 2011 election, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday tackled President Goodluck Jonathan on governance. He specifically rejected the notion that the country needed strong institutions to excel, saying what Nigeria actually needed was a strong leader. This is even as the opposition political parties for the third time within the week gathered to address the way forward on national issues. President Goodluck Jonathan has always harped on the need to develop strong institutions to place Nigeria on the appropriate pedestal for development. But the former Head of State, speaking in Abuja as a co-presenter of The Accidental Public Servant, a book written by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, agreed that while there was the need for strong institutions, “those of Nigeria have been destroyed and now required

strong hands to rebuild.” He noted that institutions were strong in other countries because “the technocrats there allow the politicians to mess up themselves but make sure the right thing is done, but here in Nigeria, those who think they are strong destroy the institutions.” He added: “Paradoxically, we need strong people back to rebuild the institutions.” In a veiled reference to the present administration, the former presidential candidate said that so much money was being appropriated to security to the detriment of other vital sectors of the nation’s economy without the desired result. He noted that while the late Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, allocated 43 per cent of the budget to education and his colleague in the Western Region devoted more than 55 per cent, the present government was allocating two or five per cent of its budget to education “and the rest on security.” Buhari said that the country did not need leaders “who talk glibly about this nation and they don’t know how to develop the nation.” “The institutions have

been destroyed and now we have problems and we need strong people to rebuild them. What we need now should only be visionary leadership, committed toward sustainable development “I believe that quality education is very important and should be given maximum concentration. But when you spend less than 10 per cent of the budget on education and the rest on security it means trouble to the economy,” he noted. Speaking on the book, he praised the courage of the author, saying el-Rufai “is indeed a controversial person,” adding that the

general perception of the former minister “is that he is arrogant, disrespectful, but despite this, he is simply a man you cannot ignore, a man who is frank to a fault.” Buhari also said that the merger of opposition political parties was to mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general elections to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Buhari offered the explanation to newsmen shortly after the public presentation of the book. “To be fair to those in the committee in charge of the parties participating in the merger, we (CPC) have

given them terms of reference and so we should allow them to formally report back to us otherwise we will be undermining the authority we have given them. “The bottom line is that we want to mobilise Nigerians against 2015 elections to secure and manage the country,” he said. Governor Babatunde Fashola, the chief presenter at the book launch, said the book was a narrative of a man who showed reverence to everyone around him. His words: “It is a book about how the most important sector, the public sector is managed. It is a book

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC; Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA; Industrial Training Fund, ITF; Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC; Bank of Industry, BoI; and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB. According to the report, NNPC and its subsidiaries generated N6.132trn between 2009 and 2011 as internally generated revenue, IGR, and remitted no part of it to the Federal government. Findings by the House of Representatives revealed that the amount excluded what was generated from the sales of crude oil and gas. A report submitted and adopted by the House yesterday also indicted the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, for mixing up figures for its independent revenue in 2009. While N5.6trn was declared by FIRS in 2009, the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, during the arrival of the President at Heathrow Airport in London on Wednesday. PHOTO: NANS

Reps indict 60 govt agencies over N8.8trn collected N9.3trn as revenues in the period under review but only remitted N174.7bn to the government coffers. The indicted agencies include, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA; Nigerian Port Authority, NPA; Federal Mortgage Bank, FMBN; the Federal Capital Territory, FCT; Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; and Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC. Others are West African Examination Council, WAEC; National Sports Commission, NSC; Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON; Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC; Federal Housing Authority, FHA; Nigeria Shippers Council, NSC;

about how projects fail and about how they succeed, about errors that were made and successes recorded. “When people talk of the death of leadership in our country, I totally disagree because we have demonstrated leadership in our small sectors, only that such leadership was not impactful. “So our compelling necessity is to bring those champions from the private sector into the public sector because that is where the largest impact is felt.” Fashola urged El-Rufai to go back to school “but not as a student, but to teach so that this generation can

legislators said that the agency’s audited account was reviewed and another sub-head of N323bn was discovered. The House Committee on Finance’s findings also tallied with the submission of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, FRC, that most of the reviewed agencies were found guilty of not sufficiently making returns to the treasury and were also preparing different sets of accounts. The report explained that the agencies would prepare one account for the FRC and another for the Auditor-General’s Office. Part of the report reads: “N3.06trn was generated in 2009 by the 60 agencies as independent revenue but remitted N46.8bn or 1.53 per cent. “In 2010, the agencies generated N3.07trn but remitted N54.1bn or 1.76 per cent to the Federal Gov-

ernment.” The Hon. Jubril Abdulmumini-led committee added that “N3.17trn was generated in 2011 of which 2.33 per cent or 73.8bn was remitted to the treasury.” Specifically, the following agencies had the corresponding shortfall in their remittances: FCT, N7.7b; CBN, N45.5b; FAAN, N6.9b; NIMASA, N1.4b; NAFDAC, N1b; NPA, N11.1b; NCC, N3.3b; NBC, N211.7m; FMBN, N300.4m; WAEC, N2.5b; NSC, N3.7m; SON, N252.7m; FRSC, N410.9m; FHA, N221.2m; N6.4m; NDIC, N8.8b; NAMA, N3.6b; ITF, N4b; CAC, N2b; BoI, N3b; and JAMB, N1.4b. The report, therefore, “mandated the Finance Committee to work on the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 within four weeks to check various loopholes that enable government agencies spend what they generate without recourse to the National Assembly.”

The report also recommended that the “Committee on Finance should commence further investigation of other agencies that were not captured in this exercise to ascertain their status. “Agencies that have refused to cooperate with the Finance Committee should be compelled to do so within seven days or Section 89 of the constitution would be invoked on them. “The Ministry of Finance should compel agencies which have outstanding balances to be paid to pay all outstanding remittances without further delay and that stringent disciplinary action should be taken against any agency found to be spending outside budgetary provisions.” Other recommendations are: “All revenues due to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government must be

NBC

N211.7m

FMBN

N300.4m

WAEC

N2.5bn

NSC

N3.7m

SON

N252.7m

FRSC

N410.9m

FHA

N221.2m

NSC

N6.4m

NDIC

N8.8bn

NAMA

N3.6bn

ITF

N4bn

CAC

N2bn

BoI

N3bn

JAMB

N1.4bn

paid as and when due. “The Accountant-General of the Federation should submit to the Finance Committee a detailed monthly report of remittances of Federal Government independent revenue. “The FRC should sanction any agency that fails to submit their audited annual accounts as and when due. “All agencies should henceforth present evidence of remittances into the Consolidated Revenue CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 8, 2013

Photo News

Friday, February 8, 2013

L-R: Winner of Etisalat Prize for Innovation 2012 (Most Innovative Idea), Mr. Oyehmi Begho; Director, Product & Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Lucas Dada; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Steven Evans; winner of Etisalat Prize for Innovation 2012 (Most Innovative Product/Service), Mr. Olaseni Odebiyi and Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Wael Ammar, at the 2013 Etisalat Prize for Innovative Press Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Hajia Zainab Ahmed; Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ledum Mitee and Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, at the launch of Tugar Scoping of Anti-Corruption and Governance Measures in Public Finance Management in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left), exchanging pleasantries with some investors after a breakfast meeting with Existing/Potential Investors in Ogun at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta, yesterday.

L-R: Former Minister, National Planning, Prof. Osita Ogbu; Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Prof. Bartho Okolo and UNESCO Desk Officer on Biotechnology, Ms Lucy Hoareau, during the inaugural Biotechnology Conference organised by the International Centre for Biotechnology, UNESCO Category 2 at the UNN, Nsukka, yesterday.

National News

Mixed reactions trail Chime’s return OBIORA IFOH, FELIX NWANERI, DENNIS AGBO AND AZA MSUE

ixed reactions yesterday greeted the return of Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, to the country after five months of absence. Chime arrived the country yesterday morning and was reported to be in Abuja, with a plan to return to Enugu today. The governor left Enugu State on September 19 after handing over the reins of governance to his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi. Initial government position had been that the governor had embarked on an accumulated leave, but it was later discovered that he actually went to attend to his health challenges. After months of speculations on the actual date of his return, the Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, had last Sunday announced that the ailing governor would be back to the country within days.

An Enugu-based rights group, Save Enugu Group, which has been in the forefront of the agitation to know the whereabouts of the governor, said it received with joy the news of his return. In a statement by its leaders, Maxi Okwu and five others, the group noted that “this event is taking place exactly one month after we first sounded the alarm of prolonged and unexplained absence. “We acclaim this as falling within desired responsive action of leaders in a democracy. “If the further information on the frail condition of the governor is reliable, we wish to state that Governor Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ in good health institutions if the right things were done first and before questions arose. “In that respect, we, as other good people of Enugu State, stand to hold those responsible for primitive lies and needless cover ups responsible. We wish our Governor Sullivan I.

Chime well and full recovery.” The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, expressed joy at the return of the governor. In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the love shown to the governor by all and sundry during his period of incapacitation was a clear indication that the people appreciated the good work that he had been doing. He said: “We are confident that the governor shall consolidate on the tremendous achievements of his administration now that he is back to work.” Metuh said the party received with great joy, the news of the return of the governor from medical treatment. He added: “We welcome the governor back and we thank God Almighty for restoring the governor to good health in order to continue with the excellent work he is doing in Enugu State. “We sincerely thank all the functionaries of the

Enugu State government and the state PDP officers for their loyalty and commitment to the ideals of the party and the PDP Chimeled administration.” However, former Governor of old Kaduna State and Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said the governor must explain to Nigerians his true health condition. In a telephone interview with our correspondent, Musa said Chime’s return after months of being away from duty post showed how the PDP-led government misled Nigerians on every issue. He said: “The Enugu State Commissioner for Information said on radio that Governor Sullivan Chime’s long absence was purely a vacation trip contrary to Chime’s health challenges as being reported by the media. “The Governors’ Forum delegation and other individuals visited him, why are they visiting him in a foreign land? The gover-

nor should explain to the people of Enugu State and Nigerians in general what happened.” Musa, however, challenged Nigerian leaders to adopt an open policy of governance to regain the lost confidence of the people. He said: “PDP government did it during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health problems. “We are all human beings, heath problem may come our way at anytime but we should be opened to ourselves; not to hide.” Meanwhile, a Niger Delta-based socio-political group, Centre for Awareness on Good Governance, has commended Akpabio for his integrity following Chime’s return, as he had assured last week that the ailing governor would return in 10 days. The group, which had earlier said that the inclusion of Akpabio on the delegation that visited Chime last month, cleared the air on the Enugu State gov-

ernor’s health, noted in a statement yesterday that the Akwa Ibom governor had proved the group and his followers right on his integrity as a leader. Its President, Chief Ben James, said the group had been vindicated for saying that Akpabio towered above other governors in terms of integrity. He said: “Chief Akpabio surprised a lot of people by saying that Chime would return to the country fit to govern within 10 days, especially at a time that Enugu State had become tensed up. “We also gathered that not a few media houses doubted the photograph which the Akwa Ibom State governor took with his Rivers and Benue states’ counterparts in London because they were convinced that Akpabio is not a man that would toy with his integrity. “The return of Chime less than 10 days after Akpabio’s statement has lent credence to Akpabio’s personality as a leader that can be trusted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari tackles Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

benefit from intellects like you.” Governor Tanko AlMakura of Nasarawa State, who also spoke at the launch, described the book as the same with ElRufai’s personality, saying “it is a book that cannot be ignored.” Al-Makura urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to come back and join hands in bringing the country back to its former glory. Governor Kayode Fayemi said there were lots of lessons in the book for all to learn. He described the book as “one dully prepared for public servants and helps a leader in building a succession of followers.” “The book has enumerated the importance of knowledge when one is prepared to join public service. It also speaks of commitment and compassion,” he said. Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu noted that the recent merger of four opposition political parties was welcome as it would ensure that “riffraffs do not find their way to positions of authority in the country.” The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, stated that the problem with the country “is our total disregard for merit and competence.” He added: “We should stop asking where one is from or what religion he belongs but what do you have to offer. We should begin to judge people by their character and not by their affiliation.” Sanusi also said that people should be honest enough to tell their bosses the truth rather than be sycophants. Sanusi said that for Nigeria to move forward, “we have to stop talking about ethnicity and religion.” The CBN governor said: “The biggest problem facing us as a country is our total disregard for merit and competence. The problem is not corruption or ethnicity, but qualification to handle tasks. “We should start by asking ourselves what we have to offer and how suited we are for the role we are playing. This is because everything that divides us, be it ethnicity or religion, is a

News

Friday, February 8, 2013

tool in the hands of those who have nothing to offer.” Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said that the book had opened a door that “leads us into seeing up, close and personal, what Nigeria is and how those that wield power behave and misbehave.” According to him: “Thanks to Nasir, we now know that most of our leaders are soon overcome and consumed by their unbridled lust to power and that the public or Nigerians are mere irritants. “Their protests and complaints are insignificant in a situation of absolute power and too much money. The resources of the country that ought to have been deployed to better the lives of the people are being used against them to perpetuate them in poverty and political enslavement.” Represented by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he said the book confirmed some of “what we knew happened and which we fought against. “Sadly, the Nigerian narrative has not changed from what it was during the time Nasir has written about. The narrative has unfortunately worsened whereby Nigerians are saddled with a government concerned more about its survival, elongation in power and fighting imagined enemies than applying itself to running the country properly. “What we have now are wayfarers, scavengers in the corridor of power and apologists, professionals whose ethics evaporate the moment they come in contact with the paraphernalia of power. But there is help coming. “Help is on the way as the opposition moves to form a broad based coalition that will send these characters out of power and put into gear the Nigerian project.” The reviewer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, said in writing the book, El-Rufai had transformed from a politician to a statesman. The book, which has been criticised by some past public office holders, contained mostly the sojourning of El-Rufai in public office. One of those who have criticised the voluminous book is former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Reps indict 60 govt agencies over N8.8trn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Account to the relevant committees of the House during their budget performance defence. “The Federal Ministry of Finance should, with immediate effect, ensure that all funds hidden in various agencies’ bank accounts should be mopped up and promptly remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and report to the Finance Committee within three months.” The House also recommended stiffer penalties against agencies for expenditure of public funds without appropriation by the National Assembly.

In adopting the recommendations, the House called on the committee to immediately commence further investigation of other agencies that were not captured in the exercise to ascertain their status of remittance. Meanwhile, all agencies that failed to appear before the committee have been given seven days to comply or face the risk of invocation of the relevant sections of the Act. Addressing the House at the Committee of the Whole, Abdulmumin Jibrin (PDP-Kano), said that out of the 500 agencies, the committee investigat-

ed 60. He said that government must take deliberate step to ensure that IGR by government agencies was remitted to the consolidated federation account. Part of the report adopted by the House reads: “All agencies which have outstanding balances should be compelled by the Ministry of Finance. “All agencies should henceforth present evidence of remittances into the consolidated account to the relevant committees of the House during their budget performance defence. “The Fiscal Respon-

sibility Commission should sanction any agency that failed to submit their audited monthly annual accounts as at when due. “The Accountant-General of the Federation should submit to the Finance Committee a detailed monthly report of remittances of Federal Government independent revenue.” Recall that the House committee on Finance was mandated by the House in May last year to conduct a public hearing on remittances by revenue generating agencies of government.

L-R: Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Musa Ibeto; Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Telle Ikuru and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at a meeting on mass transit framework in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

2013 Budget: 160 lawmakers threaten to override President’s veto CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

pronounce it law. The 160 members of the opposition parties’ caucus after a closed-door meeting yesterday threatened to vote for an override of the President’s veto on the bill. The legislators also backed the merger of four opposition parties against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 general elections. Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiala (ACN, Lagos) said: “We call on Mr. President to quickly sign the 2013 budget and we will work with him on this if there are genuine grey areas. “We are already in February and a situation where the legislature will have to override his presidential veto as constitutionally

provided is not a good way to start the year or foster a good legislative-executive relationship. “We also ask that Mr. President begins to respect official resolutions from an equal arm of government as these resolutions are always in national interest. “If two heads are better than one, then surely 360 heads are better than one. The delay in signing the 2013 budget has been subject of a lot of meetings in the National Assembly,” the caucus said. However, Uche Ekwunife (APGA-Anambra) gave reasons why the President refused to sign the budget to include disagreements between him and the National Assembly on the oil benchmark, constituency projects and the lack of budget for the Securities and Ex-

change Commission, SEC. On the merger of the four opposition parties, the lawmakers said: “We members of the opposition in the House want to make it abundantly clear that we are fully and totally in support and are committed to merging our various parties for the singular purpose of the true transformation of Nigeria. “On Tuesday, 10 governors belonging to various parties met and publicly declared their support. That was one level or tier of governance. Today, over 160 legislators of the House of Representatives from different parties have just met to confirm their unflinching support for the merger. “We find this public affirmation necessary so as to continue to give Nigerians the much-needed con-

fidence that indeed help is on the way and they should keep hope alive.” Meanwhile, Zakari Mohammed (PDP-Kwara), Chairman of the House committee on Media and Public Affairs, said that the 2013 budget was not before the National Assembly. Zakari, who made this known at a news briefing, said that he was not in a position to answer any questions on the budget since it was not before the Assembly. “As far as I am concerned, we are not in custody of the budget,” he said. He added that the National Assembly would always scrutinise every document brought before it. “You don’t expect the budget to come here and be rubber-stamped and sent out,” he said.

News

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alleged terrorism: Ndume seeks stay of proceedings EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

enator Mohammed Ali Ndume yesterday, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to stay proceedings on charges of terrorism preferred against him by the Federal Government. The lawmaker’s application was sequel to an appeal he filed challenging the court to admit in evidence some documents tendered by prosecution at the last proceeding. Although, trial judge,

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, had adjourned for continuation of hearing yesterday, counsel to the accused, A. O. Jolawo, informed the court that he had a pending appeal before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, against the December 11 and 14 rulings. On the said dates, Justice Kolawole had admitted in evidence certain DVDs containing call-data records, including findings based on investigations carried out by a Special Investigation Panel, SIP, of the State Security

Ndume

Service, SSS. Responding to the motion for stay, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Thompson Olatigbe, confirmed service of the notice of appeal. He, however, prayed

the court to go ahead with the cross- examination of prosecuting witness, more so that the motion for stay was not ripe for hearing. Consequently, Kolawole adjourned the case to February 19, to hear the application. This is even as he was hesitant to grant prosecution’s request for continuation of cross-examination. The judge, nonetheless, directed prosecution to file reply within five days, while ordering defense to, within three days of service, reply on points of

law. The SSS had earlier told the court that there were 73 communications between Ndume and the convicted spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Umar Konduga. A Nokia E7 phone allegedly belonging to Ndume, was said to have been used in communicating with Konduga, whose phone identity was given as Nokia 2700. During cross examination, a Forensic Examiner attached to the SSS, Aliyu Usman, had testified that,

while carrying out analysis of the mobile phones given to him by the Chairman of the SIP, James Ene Izi, it was discovered that the duo had variously exchanged Short Message Service, SMS, multi-media messages and placed voice calls between October 3, 2011 and November 3, 2011. He further gave two different International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, on December 11 and 14, when he read out the last four digits of the IMEI for the Nokia E7 which he insisted, belongs to Ndume.

FG earmarks N15bn for mass transit operators ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Government has taken steps to encourage the patronage of locally manufactured Mass Transit Buses as it has earmarked N15 billion to be drawn from the Infrastructure Bank, Public Mass Transit Revolving Fund, PMTF, at zero-percent interest for access by operators of mass transit services in the country for the specific purchase of these buses. Speaking yesterday at the meeting of the Special Committee on National Mass Transit Framework, held at the State House, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, noted that the funds were meant specifically for the purchase of locally manufactured buses. The vice-president said it was important for the government to provide access to cheap financing to encourage local manufacture of the mass transit buses, saying; “There is a specific zero-percent interest rate money for the transporters to access but only to buy from local manufacturers. Sambo, however, directed the Ministry of Trade and Investment to meet with local automobile manufactures to ascertain their true production capacity to meet demand by operators. He said that the funds would also be extended to mass transit services in the country’s waterways and the railways. The vice-president also set up a committee under the Chairmanship of the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, which is expected

to come up with terms and conditions for easy access to the funds by the operators. The committee is to submit its report in two weeks. Other members are the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Director-General, National Automotive Council, CBN Governor, Chairman Bankers Committee, the Bank of Infrastructure and the Presidents of NURTW and NARTO. Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Nasir Yassin, who also attended the meeting, has appealed to the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for provision of necessary infrastructure before implementing the ban on minibuses in the metropolis. Speaking with State House Correspondents, Yassin said that the FCT transport system should make sure that the necessary infrastructure is put in place before they implement the system. According to him, the long and high capacity buses are not enough to convey commuters to and within the city, saying that the FCT administration should create dedicated lanes for the buses in order to ensure fast and easy transportation of commuters from the satellite towns to the city centre. On the excesses of commercial bus drivers in the cities, Yassin said the law enforcement agencies should ensure that discipline was enforced by implementing the traffic laws.

L-R: Former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina and National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, at the consultative preparatory meeting of the UN 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

NSCIA searches for Adegbite’s successor SEKINAH L AWAL

he Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, is combing every nook and cranny in the South-West as it continues its search for a new a new Secretary-General following the death of its former scribe, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite. In a chat with National Mirror, a very close source to the council, who did not want his name mentioned, confided in our Correspondent that the Sultan has given his words that he was not going to impose any candidate on the Ummah and has, therefore, asked the Muslim leaders in the zone to come up with a consensus candidate.

The source, however, hinted that the South-West has not been able to come up with a consensus candidate because of some issues that have to do with factional interests. According to the source, many are in favour of a vibrant and outspoken person with age on his side while some are in support of a more elderly candidate. He said there are also issues regarding one of the best and preferred candidates from Ilorin, Kwara State, who is not considered to be from the South-West, where the position is zoned to. Commenting on the issue, Chairman of the Council of Ulamas, Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Thanni, advised those who are in-charge to put all prejudices aside and make

the interest of Islam their priority. “It is a position that requires somebody who is very vast in Islamic knowledge, Islamic jurisprudence and practices, very dynamic, vibrant, vast in Nigerian languages and foreign issues and a person with high intellect, irrespective of his tribe or state. He must also demonstrate ability to insulate himself from the murky waters of politics.” Sheikh Thanni said the new scribe of the NSCIA must be a man of sound temperament, who must not be given to anger as a result of the very volatile nature of religion in this country. He then cautioned that those in charge of the selection should not take personal interest into consideration.

A huge void was created at the NSCIA with the death of the erstwhile Secretary-General of the Council. In the quest to fill the position, candidates involved were being tipped based on their antecedents in their various capacities. The likes of the Chief Missioner of Ansar-Uddeen Society worldwide, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad; the former ViceChancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede; the SecretaryGeneral of the Conference of Islamic Organisations, CIO, Ustaz Shuaib Abdullahi; the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Prof. Dawud Noibi and others have been tipped as likely successors to Dr. Adegbite as the new secretarygeneral.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Friday, February 8, 2013

$620,000 bribe: Court decides Lawan’s bail application today EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court will today deliver ruling on a bail application filed by the embattled Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime, Hon. Farouk Lawan, and the Secretary, Mr. Emenalo Boniface. The trial judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, adjourned for ruling today, after counsel to Lawan and Boniface, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), moved the bail ap-

plication, which he said was brought pursuant to sections 95 and 96 (5) of the Constitution as well as sections 340 and 341 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). The motion for bail, which was supported by a 26-paragraph affidavit, prayed the court to grant the accused persons bail on “self-recognition”, even as it drew its attention to the fact that Lawan has been a member of the House since 1999. According to Tarfa, the fact that the accused persons never failed to report to the police in the course of investigation into the

criminal offence, coupled with their numerous trips abroad and back, were testimonies that they would not jump bail. He reminded the court that grant of bail was the sole discretion of the judge and that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to show why bail should not be granted. Tarfa said: “The burden is on the prosecution to show how the accused persons will not be able to appear to stand trial. We urge your Lordship to grant the accused persons bail on very liberal terms and on self-recognition.”

But the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), opposed the bail application, arguing that the offences with which the accused persons were charged with “are not ordinarily bailable.” Amomolo stressed that sections 10, 17 and 23 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act 2000, prescribes two to seven years prison terms as punishment. He said: “An application for bail is an application for equity, which requires your Lordship to exercise your discretion judicially and ju-

L-R: Head of Aviation Security Department, Muritala Muhammed Airport, Col Carl Onalo (rtd); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru and Head of Protocol, presidential wing of the airport, Mr Afolabi Oduniyi, during the press conference on development on movement of foreigners in and out of the country-cum improved foreign relation with others countries held in Lagos, yesterday.

El-Rufai’s book fictitious, reflection of selective memory –Atiku FELIX NWANERI

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused former Minister of the Federal Capital territory (FCT), Malam Nasir ElRufai, of writing a fiction for self-glorification at the expense of truth. Atiku, who reacted to ElRufai’s book entitled: “The Accidental Public Servant,” launched yesterday in Abuja, described it as a collection of fiction, half-truths, exaggeration and reflection of selective memory. He also dismissed ElRufai’s claim that former President Olusegun Obasanjo went on bended knees before him (Atiku) to seek his cooperation for a second term in 2003, saying

the assertion was a figment of the former minister’s imagination. He said such claim lacked credibility because he and Obasanjo were alone together behind closed doors and that they alone knew what actually transpired between them, wondering whether El-Rufai was a fly on the wall to discuss the details of a private meeting. Speaking through a statement by his Media Office, the former vicepresident said he was particularly piqued by El-Rufai’s claim that he almost resigned as the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) because of alleged persistent pressure and interference by him (Atiku), then the chairman of the Na-

tional Council on Privatization. He further expressed disbelief that the former minister forgot soon what he said at the Senate Public Hearing on BPE in 2011. Atiku recalled El-Rufai claimed that he had a special relationship with Obasanjo, which gave him a direct access and the discretion to bypass the Council on Privatization in order to get his approval and wondered how he could reconcile his threat of resignation with the accounts of the latitude of freedom he enjoyed at BPE because of his closeness to Obasanjo. But El-Rufai urged Atiku and his likes to read the book properly and respond to the facts therein, insisting that he is not the only witness to the sordid incident then.

diciously.” Amomolo added that the accused persons, in their affidavits, did not make an undertaking that, if allowed to go back to the House and to head committee, they will not ask for another bribe sum, or even higher than the one with which they were standing trial. He said: “What prompted them to demand for N3 mil-

lion bribe may still prompt them to demand for N10 million bribe...The right of liberty given to Nigerian citizens by Section 35 of the Constitution is not absolute. I urge your Lordship to refuse the accused bail.” ICPC arraigned the suspects on a seven-count charge of violating the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Lagos advises prospective retirees on Will preparation MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Government yesterday urged prospective retirees in the public service to prepare their Wills to enable their next-of-kin access to the property and dues left behind by their benefactor. Speaking during the preretirement seminar held for over 1,000 workers who will retire from the Public Service between January and June, this year, Chairman of the Lagos State Pension Commission, Mr. Rotimi Adekunle Hussain, urged the prospective retirees to prepare their Wills. He said the state pension scheme had continued to record huge success, adding that that about 2,604 retirees in the state public service under the scheme had had been paid N14.5 billion between October 2010

and December 2012. Hussain said: “Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask you this worthy question? Have you prepared your Will? The erroneous belief in many quarters that if you prepare a Will, you will die early. This is not the case, preparation of Will is not a licence to early death rather, it is an essential document which allows beneficiaries or next of kin unfettered access to the estate left behind by their benefactor. “If a person dies without a Will, the beneficiaries will be required to provide a letter of administration from probate registry of a court before the beneficiaries can access the balance in the retirement savings account. “Obtaining the letter of administration is a very difficult task, considering the time and finances involved with it.

This Day in African American History

February 8: On this day in 1865—Dr. Martin Robinson Delany Becomes First Black Major in U.S. Army! Dr. Martin Delany was a remarkable figure in American history. Born a slave in Charleston, Virginia, on May 6, 1812, his mother instilled the value of education in him at a young age and illegally taught him to read; slaves were banned from reading or writing. His father purchased the family’s freedom in 1823. Delany moved to Pittsburgh when he was 19 and after graduating from Bethel Church School, he began working as an assistant to a local doctor named Andrew McDowell. In 1843 Delany be-

came involved with the abolitionist movement and began publishing the anti-slavery newspaper, The Mystery. Four years later, Delany joined the North Star, Frederick Douglass’ renowned anti-slavery publication.

While continuing support for the abolitionist movement and the North Start, Delany attended Harvard Medical School and, after graduation in 1852, began practicing as a doctor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the Civil War Delany joined the 104th Colored Unit and recruited soldiers for the Union Army. In 1865 he obtained the rank of Major, becoming the first African American to receive a regular army commission. After the war he worked for the Freemen’s Bureau. Major Delany’s extraordinary rise from slavery and commitment to social justice and public service is a testament to American military heritage.

South West

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UI moves to eject retired lecturers from staff quarters KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Hon. Bashiru Ajibola and Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Wale Adedoyin, during the inspection of exhibition stand, South–West Expo Grassroots Business & Investment Forum in Osogbo, yesterday.

Lagos white cap chief assassinated FRANCIS SUBERU

ragedy struck yesterday at Iga Iduganran Street, Isale-Eko on Lagos Island, when gunmen shot dead a white-cap chief, Chief Kayode Adeshina, the Onimole of Lagos. The 73-year-old chief was said to have been killed around 3.00am yesterday in his palace at 5, Onimole Palace, Iga Iduganran Street.

Children and relatives, who were with the deceased when the gunmen came calling, said they were terrified and could not do anything to help the old man, several minutes after he was shot. According to one of his children, Oyinlola Ikuforiji, the gunmen stormed the palace around 3.00am and made straight for the chief ’s room where they found him sleeping. She said he was woken up from sleep and a gun was pointed at him.

Fashola to enforce traffic law MURITALA AYINLA

he administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said it will intensify the enforcement of the state traffic law. According to the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, this may start with commercial motorcycle operators; especially those found contravening some of the provisions of the law. The state government, had sometimes ago, warned owners of abandoned vehicles to remove them or risk impoundment, it also charged members of public to desist from contravening the law. On the state traffic law, Ipaye said the state government would intensify the prosecution of various offenders in the state. His words: “What I dis-

covered is that they still operate without crash helmets, riders’ card or proper plate numbers. Many of them still carry more than one passenger, etc. All of these are a contravention of the law for which they can be arrested. “Be that as it may, we have recorded 60 per cent reduction in crime as compared to the pre-Traffic Law era. Also, there has been 35.9 to 70 per cent reduction in the number of vehicles apprehended from November to December. “This shows increasing voluntary compliance among motorists for which we commended Lagosians.” Ipaye, who warned that “small crimes are as important as big crimes,” said the state would intensify prosecution of anyone who runs foul of the law. “More people are still making calls, counting money while driving while. Smoking while driving also remains illegal.”

He pleaded with them to spare his life, but they in turn demanded that he gave them money. He was reported to have said that he had no money on him and was afterwards shot dead. It was gathered that after shooting him, the killers started roaming the palace, even as they locked up the entire house, including the room where the bleeding old man was. After they were done, the murderers took away some valuables, including his

phones, clothes and jewelries and left with no traces. The deceased was then rushed to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead. Eldest daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Mosaku Abiola, told journalists that she could not say whether her father’s killing had to do with murder or robbery; saying police would find that out during their investigation. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Lagos State Command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, saying police have commenced investigations into the matter, even as she assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime will soon be apprehended and brought to book.

Vandalisation: 11 fishermen arraigned for illegal deal KAYODE KETEFE

leven fishermen were yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for the alleged offences of vandalisation of a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The accused are Sidi Egbayelo, 29; Sunday Shadrach, 39; Edem Okon, 30; Godwin Kofa, 28; Rosemon Neito, 30; Ejona Kpamkpam, 23 and Moses Victor, 28. Others are Chris Sunday 29, Peter Gay 21, Remo Uchugwu 23, and Mike Sabato 29. The accused, who were arraigned by the Federal Government on a four-count charge, however, pleaded “not guilty” to all the counts in the charge. The alleged offences were said to have contravened sec-

tions 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution, represented by Mr. Justin Enang, had alleged that the accused were apprehended by a team of the policemen on December 21, 2012 at about 1.00pm at Atlas Cove, within the Lagos suburb. After the raid by the police, about 220 drums of petrol valued at N5.335 million were allegedly recovered from the accused, who had been in police custody since then. Lawyer to the accused, Mr. M. Anthony, made an application for the accused to be granted bail in liberal terms, stressing that they knew nothing of the alleged vandalisation. He added the case was one of mistaken identity as the accused were ordinary fishermen who were going about their duty before they were arrested by the overzealous police team.

he management of the University of Ibadan has reiterated its determination to eject from the staff quarters any lecturer or administrative staff who had disengaged from the services of the institution through voluntary or statutory retirement. This was contained in a bulletin dated January 30, 2013, signed by the University’s Registrar, Mr. Olujimi Olukoya. The bulletin aptly titled; “Announcement from the Senior Staff Housing Committee: Extension of Vacation Notice to Retirees who overstay in their Residential Quarters”, expressed concern that some retirees had failed to plan for their future while in the service by not putting up personal struc-

tures in anticipation of retirement. The five-paragraph statement reads in part: “Management has noted that some retirees who had earlier been requested to vacate university quarters on or before December 31, 2012 had appealed for an extension of the notice given. “To this end, management has graciously extended the vacation notice till June, 2013 after which there will be no more extension. “Furthermore, management wishes to reiterate that the existing regulation which provides for a maximum of three-month stay in the university quarters after retirement should be enforced. “In the light of this situation, management admonishes that all staff should plan for their future in terms of building houses to live in after retirement.”

CAN raises the alarm over religious crisis in Oyo KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

religious crisis may be brewing in the OkeOgun area of Oyo State as the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Sepeteri branch, has petitioned the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, over the burning down of the Oore Ofe Baptist Church, Oke Taasi in the area. The church was allegedly set ablaze by some Muslim faithful last December, but CAN is urging the state government and law enforcement agencies to wade into the matter to forestall a breakdown of law and order. The association, in a letter dated January 10, 2013, and signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Rev. Bola Oyetunji and Francis Ogunlola respectively, implored Mbu and Ajimobi to act fast following alleged threat that the burnt church, which was already undergoing reconstruction has again been slated for destruction. CAN, which said it prevailed on its members not to retaliate, but allow security agents handle the situation, said should the church be burnt again; “We are not going to surrender to any threat by any group or be cowed by their campaign of calumny, we are ready for any type of force.”

The Christian body had in the petition said it “acquired a landed property in the Ode area of Sepeteri in Saki East Local Government as far back as 1973 with the consent, approval and imprimatur of the Baale of Sepeteri, the family of the land owners, as well as the representatives of the church. Several other steps were taken since then to concretise the hold by the church without any opposition, let or hindrance by any persons, groups or association. “However, in 2011 when the said church decided to mark its centenary anniversary and use the building of a new church as a memorial, the Muslims in the community, who are well aware of the acquisition of the land and even the purpose for which the same was earmarked, suddenly began mudslinging, claiming that they have a Quranic school and a mosque opposite the land. The Sepeteri CAN said despite the series of peace moves it made and the reports made to the police in the area, “all efforts toward getting the culprits arrested have failed, no action has been taken by the authorities concerned, thus further encouraging the miscreants in the garb of religious hegemony and chauvinism to threaten innocent citizens in the community.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, February 8, 2013

taxations Lagos recorded 427 rape cases in 2012 Ogun moves to end multiple •Woos investors

MURITALA AYINLA

o fewer than 427 rape cases were recorded in Lagos State last year. As a result, the Lagos State Government has advised parents and to guardians to pay special attention to their children.

Addressing journalists yesterday on the activities of the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said that the 427 rape cases were recorded by the Office of Public Defence (OPD). The commissioner, who said the Lagos State Government had intensified efforts

to prosecute rapists and other criminals, urged the parents to assist the government by exposing them.. Ipaye said: “During the period under review, the office of the Public Defence intervened in the pathetic cases of an 11- year old girl, who was allegedly defiled by a pastor. The pastor was alleged to have procured

Oyo hospital to get diagnostic centre

s part of the efforts to revolutionise the health sector in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has promised that his administration would establish an ultra-modern diagnostic centre at the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan. The governor made the promise yesterday, while inaugurating the Florence Ajimobi Alaanu House, which was dedicated to the memory of his mother, Alhaji Dhikrat Abeje Ajimobi, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. He said the diagnostic centre would boost health service in the state and complement the efforts of the UCH which he described as

the pioneer health institution in the country. Ajimobi commended his wife, the initiator of the project, for her compassion and commitment to improving the lives of the people. He recalled that even before he became governor, his wife had always taken it upon herself to carry out some humanitarian services, including the donation of buildings to orphanages. The governor urged wealthy individuals to imbibe the culture of giving back to the society part of what the society had given to them. Ajimobi said: “The point I am making here is that we must continue to give back

to the society part of what we have benefitted from the society. And you will discover that as you grow old, most of the things you think you need when you have money; when the money comes, doctors will tell you that you don’t need them. “Therefore, you must take more joy in the service to humanity. Give as much back to the society as you have taken. We should all realize the fact that the greatest form of Godliness is service to humanity.’’ In her address, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Ajimobi, who was conferred with the title of Ambassador of Peace and Humanity by the management of UCH, said she was

abortion for the girl three times in 2012. OPD promptly got the pastor arrested and he has since been charged to court. The growing incidence of rape and defilement of minors justify a warning to parents. “A lot of these happen, but the people or families affected always want to cover it up for some reasons.”

motivated to donate the building to UCH when, during one of her visits to the hospital, she saw relatives of the sick “sprawling very awkwardly’’ in every available space, not minding the sheer discomfort they were going through because they had no place to lay their heads. She said: “On inquiry, I learnt that though there was provision made to accommodate relatives of patients who are on admission in the hospital, it is grossly inadequate to cope with the number of people who have to sleep over to see to the needs of their loved ones and so, they have to make do with hanging around for as long as necessary.”

overnor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has stated that taxes and levies payable by companies operating in the state are being harmonised and automated. Amosun said the government would soon publish the taxes to end the problem of multiple taxations. He said his administration invested massively in road construction, power, security, environment, human capital as well as land reforms in order to turn the state into the industrial hub of the country. The governor spoke yesterday during a breakfast meeting with investors at the Government House in Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta,the state capital. Amosun called on local and foreign investors to take the advantage of the enabling environment created by his administration by establishing businesses in the state. He said that his administration had bought

13 state-of-the-art Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), 240 Hilux vans fitted with modern communication gadgets, among others for security agencies to enhance protection of lifes and property. The governor said: “Power is crucial to business success. Investors can take advantage of the gas hubs in Olorunsogo, Onijanganjangan, Sagamu and Ota; and we are ready to partner with you to lay pipes to these gas plants.” He expressed his readiness to collaborate with investors to build power plants and roads that could be tolled. Amosun cited the example of partnership with SHELL whereby the government paid 60 per cent and the company contributed 40 per cent to fix a road in Ota. He said: “We are also fixing some federal roads all in a bid to provide an enabling environment for investments in Ogun State.”

‘Aregbesola’s administration forward-looking’

ormer AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, and former Governor of old Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, have described the administration of Osun State Governor, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, as forward-looking. They praised the governor for giving preference to capital over recurrent expenditure in budget planning. The duo, who were guests at the on-going South-West Agric Expo organised by the CEEDEE Resources and Vintage Press Limited, equally commended Aregbesola for generating 20,000 jobs through the youth empowerment scheme popularly called “OYES.” They said Governor Aregbesola had demonstrated

that he is the Omoluabi of Oodualand. Ajibola referred to the 2013 budget presented before the state House of Assembly in which 65 per cent of it was dedicated to capital expenditure, while 35 per cent is for recurrent expenditure. The former minister said by giving preference to capital over recurrent expenditure, Aregbesola has broken away from the usual tradition of overhead cost overshooting budget to provide service for the people. He said: “This is progress. In some parts of Nigeria, it is the other way round, where we spend so much on administrative over capital expenditure. “It is worthy of note that economic development is growing up in this state and that is the initiative of

Omoluabi of Oodua land.” On his part, Olunloyo said that it was not by accident that Aregbesola is performing to expectations because he has a clear picture of what he was coming to do in office. He singled out the efforts of the administration towards rebuilding education system, saying that the governor has been acting as Chief Obafemi Awolowo did. Olunloyo said: “It is not by accident that Aregbesola is performing well, but because he understands what he was coming to do. He had a full eight years thorough tutelage in Lagos. “I like us in Yoruba land. We like to be exploiting the name of Awolowo, but that is enough. We need to act as Aregbesola is doing now”.

Ekiti pensioners seek medical centre for elders ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

ensioners in Ekiti State have called on the government to establish a medical centre for the elderly people within the vicinity of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) secretariat in Ado-Ekiti. The NUP Chairman in

Ekiti State, Elder Ayo Kumapayi, said the medical centre would enable doctors to come at designated periods to conduct medical check-up and treatment of old people, including pensioners. In a statement issued yesterday Ado-Ekiti, Kumapayi said that the medical centre would further enhance the welfare of the elderly and

promote the government’s social security programme. The statement reads: “The entire pensioners in Ekiti State could be constituted into a community to benefit from the government’s free mobile community health programme being periodically rotated around the various local governments, using facilities of NUP secretariat”.

Politics

DID You

Is APC the messiah?

•Susan drops Dance Floor

HEAR?

PDP is the only party that fields candidates in every polling booth in the country. We are the only party that has wide acceptance. We are not saying that because we are in the majority we don’t want opposition. Our actions have forced the opposition to react. –PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The endorsement by the 10 governors is a most welcome development. I have argued before along this line that without the input of the governors, the merger talks would not go far. The governors have enormous resources available to them. -National leader of the Citizen Popular Party (CPP), Chief Maxi Okwu. InThe

•Zee World to hold birthday concert •Goldie, Denrelee ow start reality show •Soul E turns to gospel music

Stephanie... e... My VVF story

Spotlight

Bakassi: God used me to save Nigeria from war –Bola Ajibola I thank God for using me in a way that did not throw the whole nation into warfare and armed conflict, not only with Cameroon but all other important nations supporting Cameroon in a subterranean manner that could have destroyed the whole entity called Nigeria … I was involved in the Bakassi issue for 22 years and I could see the doom coming ahead, looming large, because there were forces against Nigeria from outside... Read more of Ajibola’s explosive views on Bakassi and other bburning national issues only in Saturday Mirror tomorrow bu

x SeTalk

20 steamy phallic facts

South East

CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

olice in Imo State yesterday paraded two people, who allegedly abducted and murdered the Protocol Director of the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Laz Anyanwu. Parading the suspects, whose names were given

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Two held over murder of Imo deputy gov’s aide as Udoka Ibe (28) and Chigemuze Onyenwenu (27) both from the state, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Vitalis Onugu, said they were arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Anambra State Command.

According to him, the suspects were arrested by SARS in connection with another robbery and kidnapping case, when one of them confessed to the killing of the deputy governor’s aide. The protocol director, whose remains were in-

terred yesterday in Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State, was abducted by gunmen in his residence and found dead two days later. Narrating how the late aide was murdered by his abductors, Onugu said: “When they kidnapped

the man, he was struggling with the suspects until he fell down from the bus with one of them, who quickly picked up his gun and shot him and they abandoned his lifeless body by the side of the road and fled.” He disclosed that dur-

ing a search on the homes of the suspects, the police recovered three AK47 riffles, 280 rounds of live ammunition and 23 magazines. Onugu added that investigation was ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

Imo gov reshuffles cabinet CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi and new state Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nathaniel Ubong, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday

Protesters demand Okorocha’s resignation over failed campaign promises CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

undreds of angry youths from Amiri community in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State yesterday barricaded the ever busy Onitsha/Owerri Expressway to protest alleged marginalisation by the state government. The protesters chanted war songs and called for the resignation of Governor Rochas Okorocha for failing to keep his promises to the community. The youths, dressed in war regalia and fully armed,

defied the plea of stranded travellers who were forced to spend several hours on the road. Last week, similar demonstration took place on the same route when a neighbouring community of Awo-Omamma, in the same local government, barricaded the road to protest decayed infrastructure in the area. The protesters, who also ignored threats by security agents, descended on drivers who attempted to drive through the roadblock. The leader of the youths, Mr. Charles Udoji, told our correspondent that the indi-

genes of Amiri community had endured the deceit of the state government for a long time. He said: “Our roads have been totally washed away by erosion and the rains are gradually coming. We can hardly go to our villages because the roads are no longer accessible so we cannot take that anymore. We have suffered enough. “At a church service during one of his visits to the community, the governor promised to award the contract for the road but one year after, we have not seen anything or heard from him.”

Udoji called on Okorocha to resign over what he called “promise and fail” administration. “We have suffered great marginalisation under the current administration. The only road leading to Amiri has been cut off by erosion. Okorocha should either award the road today or face more protests,” he added. The protest, however, turned violent when Mobile policemen, with an unidentified government official in a black Land Cruiser jeep with tinted glasses and covered number plate, attempted to remove the blockade.

Extra-judicial killings: MASSOB petitions Jonathan, Obama, UN CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

he Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has petitioned the United Nations and President Goodluck Jonathan over the alleged illegal killing of its members by security agents in Anambra State. MASSOB therefore appealed to President Jona-

than, President Barack Obama of the United States and the Secretary General, UN, Mr. Ban ki Moon, to intervene and save its members from extermination. In the petition dated February 7, 2003 and signed by MASSOB Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, the group complained that nine of its members, Basil Ogbu, Michael Ogwa, Sunday Omogo, Philip Nwankpa, Eze

Ndubuisi, Ebuka Eze, Obinna Ofor, Joseph Udoh and Uchechukwu Ejiofor, had been missing since their arrest in Onitsha by security agents on November 9, 2012. It added that efforts made to ensure the release of its detained members were abortive. The petition reads in part: “Some of our members and relations of the detained members were denied access to them, includ-

ing medical assistance. We got information that harmless MASSOB members were secretly killed.” MASSOB also alleged that it suspected that some bodies found on Ezu River might be those of its missing members. “We suspect that some dead bodies found at Ezu River, at Awka, Anambra State might be our members,” the director of information said.

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle and merged some ministries to enhance service delivery and keep the rescue mission on track. Okorocha, who announced the cabinet reshuffle after the State Executive Council meeting yesterday, disclosed that some of the commissioners swapped positions while others would head merged ministries. Hon. Uche Nwosu, the governor’s son-in-law, is now the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, while the former Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Nic Opara Ndudu, is now the Commissioner for Works and Transport. Former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,

Mrs. Ugochi NnannaOkoro, is now the Commissioner for Community Government, while Mr. Chinedu Offor is now the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism. Former Commissioner for Community Government, Prof. Chima Iwuchukwu, is now the Commissioner for Planning, and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is now the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Public Safety and Youth Empowerment, while former Commissioner for Housing, Prince Charles Onuoha, is now Commissioner for Special Duties. Okorocha has also approved the appointment of former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ichie Best Mbanaso as the new Deputy Chief of Staff.

Libel: Appeal Court to hear Chime’s application April 29 WALE IGBINTADE

he Court of Appeal, Lagos division, yesterday adjourned till April 29 hearing of an appeal filed by Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, challenging the judgement of Justice Kazeem Alogba of a Lagos High Court. At the resumed hearing of the appeal, the appellate court, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, informed counsel that the suit emanated from the 2011 election. Saulawa also told counsel that a new panel would hear the appeal since it was an offshoot of election matters. Chime had instituted N1.5 billion libel suit against his opponent in the 2007 gubernatorial election, Chief Okechukwu Ezea and The Guardian Newspapers Limited. However, in his judgement, Alogba dismissed the

suit and awarded a cost of N100,000 against the applicant (governor) in favour of the two defendants. The court also held that the actions of the defendants were not defamatory. Chime had in his statement of claim filed by his lawyer, Dr. Gbolahan Elias, accused Ezea of addressing a press conference on or about August 11, 2007, attended by numerous representatives of the press in Abuja, where he allegedly accused the governor of wanting to kill him. The governor averred that his personal and leadership reputation had been seriously damaged, adding that he had suffered considerable distress and embarrassment. He therefore demanded N1 billion as damages from Ezea and N500,000 from The Guardian, being damages for alleged libel contained on page seven of the newspaper of August 14, 2007.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Tuesday, February 8, 2013

Construction of N3.4bn projects begins in UNIPORT

he Federal Government yesterday kicked off the construction of buildings worth N3.4 billion in three faculties at the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT. The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, laid the foundation stone of the projects in Port Harcourt. Wike said the projects were the Faculty of Law and the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and would be completed in September. The third project, the Faculty of Social Science building, expected to be completed in 44 months, would have offices, conference halls, ICT centre, a 400-sitter-auditorium, restaurants and shops. Wike said the Federal Government was committed to improving infrastructure in universities across the country. He said: “The shortage of infrastructure in universities is a major challenge that has slowed down the growth of the universities across the country. “The Federal Government through the Education Trust Fund is aggressively building infrastructure in universities to guarantee an environment that is conducive

for learning. “Education is very important to national development and hence there is need to improve facilities in our universities so that lecturers will have offices and enough classrooms for students.” On research and development, the minister said President Goodluck Jonathan, as a former lecturer, had identified research and development as key to national development. According to him, research is very important because no country can develop without research and it requires a lot of funding too. Wike disclosed that government had released funds for research, saying: “the funds may not be enough but let it be that we have started”. The minister said the Federal Government had embarked on a special scholarship programme that awarded scholarship to First Class graduates across the country.

Wike

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right) and Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral J O Aikhomu, when he paid a courtesy call on the governor in Uyo, yesterday.

Insecurity hindering Niger Delta development –Orubebe M

inister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, said yesterday that insecurity was hampering efforts of the Federal Government to bring rapid development to the region. Orubebe pointed out that kidnapping of foreigners and workers of contracting firms was a serious impediment to the provision of infrastructure in the area. The minister, who spoke in Lagos, also disclosed that the controversial East-West Road would be delivered by December 2014. On the state of insecu-

JTF probes soldiers over kerosene theft allegation E MMA G BEMUDU YENAGOA

he headquarters of the Joint Military Task Force JTF, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has set up of a panel of enquiry to look into the alleged theft of kerosene by some of its personnel at Ososike, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. The JTF Commander, Maj. Gen. Bata Debiro, said the panel would be headed by the Commander of Sector 2 of the task force. He said the panel would investigate the accused soldiers attached to the 29th Battalion in Rivers State. The JTF spokesman,

Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said at a press briefing yesterday in Yenagoa that the accused soldiers were on official duties and deployed to the area by their Commanding Officer, Col. Peter Mala. He said: “Contrary to perception and false alarm by the team of Hydro Carbon Pollution Restoration Project, HYSERP, which culminated in the unconfirmed report, the soldiers were officially detailed to protect the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline that was vandalised in the mentioned area.” Nwachukwu added that the deployment of the soldiers followed a

tip-off about 2.20am on February 6, in which a joint inspection visit was conducted by a combined team of senior personnel of the military. He said: “Soldiers were deployed to protect the vandalised point against those who want to scoop the product. Though, the protection of the damaged site includes preventing unauthorised persons from accessing the facilities, the soldiers had stopped the visiting HYSERP delegation from accessing the location and the denial of access by the soldiers must have angered the team and triggered the erroneous perception that solders were involved in a theft.”

rity in the South-South, Orubebe noted that many firms had turned down offer of contract execution, while many people were afraid of coming to the region to work as a result of the fear of kidnapping of their staff. He noted that for each expatriate working on some government contracts, there were at least five soldiers attached to him or her to provide security. The minister regretted that even that had not deterred the criminals. Orubebe said he had been meeting, on a weekly basis, with traditional rulers and community leaders in the area on the need to urge their people to co-

operate with government and contractors by stopping kidnapping of workers. The minister said the East – West Road had achieved 53 per cent completion, even as he said that lack of fund had been the major problem militating against early completion of the road. Orubebe said when the road was awarded in 2006 for N234 billion, only N1.2 billion was released to the contractor, noting that it was only in 2010 that major work started on the road, after it was handed over to the Niger Delta Ministry in 2009. He said: “The project was expected to have been completed in 2009. And a

project of this magnitude requires a survey and detailed design that will take not less than one year. “But because of the pressure, the President gave the contractors only two weeks and they came back with what we call just ordinary base line survey. The contractors had no money, it was in 2009, when this project was handed over to the Ministry of Niger Delta that we had to spend the whole of 2009 and 2010 to draw detailed design for the project. “There were no funding programmes for this project and later the detailed designs were completed in 2010. It was from 2010 that had financial grant for the road.”

PTDF trains 15 drilling engineers to boost local content

ifteen drilling engineers trained at the French Institute of Petroleum, IFP, in France yesterday in Abuja received their certificates from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF. The Acting PTDF Executive Secretary, Mr. Jolomi Arenyeka, presented the certificates to the graduates. Arenyeka said the training was part of the organisation’s effort to ensure greater participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry. He said: “The programme evolved due to the intention of the Fund to fill

identified gaps and ensure adequate capacity building in the area of oil and gas drilling/production operations. “This is to ultimately enhance Nigerian content development in the oil and gas industry.” Arenyeka explained that the 15 trainees were selected from across the country to attend the four-month programme at the IFP after a rigorous selection process. He said: “I am pleased to inform you that all the 15 trainees sponsored for the programme were successful and are today being presented with their certifi-

cates.’’ The I5 engineers, including five staff of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, attended the training which held from August to December 2012. Arenyeka said the Fund had concluded arrangements to place the engineers on a post-training attachment programme at NPDC, which is the exploration and production subsidiary of NNPC. He called on stakeholders in the sector to ensure the engagement of the certified drilling engineers on completion of their posttraining attachment.

North

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police arrest three for kidnapping baby in Nasarawa

he Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested three persons for allegedly kidnapping a three-monthold baby girl. The suspects, two men and a woman (names withheld) from Ugwieme in Ehgor Local Government Area of Edo, were arrested by one Cpl. Halinu Abubakar attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The Officer in Charge of ‘A’ Division in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Mr. John Emego, said that the suspects were arrested with

the help of a commercial motorist and his conductor on February 5, 2013. Emego said that the suspects, who are now in custody at ‘A’ Division, would soon have their case transferred to Asokoro Police Station in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the crime was committed for further investigation. The mother of the baby, Mrs. Elizabeth Amos of Asokoro Guruduma village in the FCT, said she knew the female suspect through one of her neighours, who claimed to be her boyfriend.

Mrs. Amos said that she was with her baby, Gift Solomon, in her shop when the female suspect came in with one other person, whom she claimed to be her brother. “She said: “The suspect insisted that she wanted to greet my baby and before I knew it she had taken my baby away. “My first child drew my attention to what had happened and I started looking for her and to my greatest surprise, I did not see her.’’ Mrs. Amos further explained that she then called on his brother, Joseph, to

go to Asokoro Motor Park to look for the woman and her friend. Mrs. Amos said: “When we got there, the boyfriend told me that he did not see her, he later decided to call her, but we could not locate her. “To my surprise, the police called to inform me that my baby had been found and now in Mararaba Police Station.’’ Emego told NAN that the suspects rode in a motorcycle to Asokoro Motor Park where they boarded a bus to Mararaba in Nasarawa State to meet with their

L-R: Consultant/Project Manager, Mr. Jamiu Faworaja; Kwara State Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako; Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Muhammed Aliyu Lade; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed and Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, during the foundation laying of the institution’s College of Science and Technology complex in Malete, yesterday.

Killing: Task force to probe soldier-suspect JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

board of inquiry has been set up by the Special Task Force on Jos crisis to look into the murder of a police inspector by an Army corporal in Tunkus, Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State. The Army corporal,

whose name was given as Mohammad Sherrif, shot Inspector Nimbar Dul at a checkpoint in Mikang after an argument. The task force spokesman, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, said the board, which is made up of military personnel and officials from other security outfits, would either be sitting in Jos or along Langtang Mi-

kang axis to enable it have access to witnesses. He said the board would commence sitting immediately. Meanwhile, Commander of the Special Task Force, Maj-Gen. Henry Ayoola, has paid a condolence visit to the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, over the killing of the po-

lice inspector. Maj-Gen. Ayoola expressed sadness that one of his men killed a police inspector, assuring that appropriate action would be taken against the offender. The police commissioner, on his part, appealed to the task force to hand over the suspect to the police for prosecution.

Demolition victims asked to shun campaign of calumny

ictims of last year’s demolition exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been asked to shun campaign of calumny against the government. The victims’ co-ordinator, Chief Gabriel Ayodele, asked them to shun the

campaign, which he believed was orchestrated by those he described as mischief makers to lure them into unscrupulous activities by backing the opposition in the forthcoming council election. Ayodele also asked the victims to be patient as the government had promised

to look into their plight and rehabilitate them. He said: “Even former administrations without human face still managed to rehabilitate victims let alone the present listening administration.” The co-ordinator, however, asked the victims to shun anyone or group who

may want to recruit them as thugs for their selfish interests during the forthcoming council poll. He asked the victims to have confidence in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan just as he assured them that the government would look into their plight.

accomplice. He said that the baby was crying helplessly in the bus and the conductor overheard their conversation on how to drop at Mararaba in order to feed the baby with milk. Emego said both the driver and the conductor insisted that the suspects should be questioned, say-

ing that was when Mr Halinu Abubakar identified himself as a police officer. He then insisted that they must all follow him to the police station where the suspects later confessed. Emego advised parents to always watch the person they associated with in order to avert such unpleasant situation.

Sambo orders review of report on FCT border communities ROTIMI FADEY ABUJA

ice-President Namadi Sambo has directed the Presidential Committee on Federal Government Intervention for Infrastructural Development of Peri-FCT Communities to fix time frame within which to come up with recommendations for the development of communities in the contiguous states. Sambo, who gave the directive yesterday during the meeting of the committee at the State House in Abuja, said that the financial involvement of the Federal Government, the states concerned and the local governments should be clearly stated, adding that the duration of the completion of projects should also be indicated in the recommendations. He, therefor,e set up another committee headed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Bala Mohammed, to work on the report presented by the main committee. The vice-president noted that the idea of complimentary intervention of the Peri-FCT communities was not to build new towns, but to develop the ghettos in the boundary communities to the FCT, urging the committee not to go beyond the communities surrounding the city. He cautioned that building schools to be jointly managed by the contiguous states and the FCT would not be necessary, particularly when the Federal Government is building the Universal Basic Education in all states and communities in the country. Sambo said the immediate basic needs to consider are transportation, electricity, housing, portable water, health issues and sanitation.

In his presentation, the FCT minister said a combination of factors, particularly those associated with uncontrolled human population influx had created development challenges in the Peri-FCT communities of Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states resulting in infrastructural gaps Muhammed said that the FCT and the states are to operate a joint account to address infrastructural deficiencies, stressing that the joint account would enable the Federal Government collaborate with the states in the provision of infrastructure and services. He said: “What we are doing is to bring synergy, collaboration in the development and provision of infrastructure and services to all the states contiguous to FCT or Peri-states around the Federal Capital Territory.” The minister noted that that there was the unwholesome problem of population growth in those states and the challenges and over stretching of the facilities which they may not be able to bear. He stated that the main community being proposed for Federal Government complimentary intervention for infrastructure development is Suleja and its environs in Niger State; Karu/Mararaba axis in Nasarawa State and Chikara in Kogi State; while for FCT, the satellite communities of Karshi, Jikwoyi, Nyanya, Karu and Zuba are to be considered.

Sambo

Friday, February 8, 2013

PDP challenges APC to debates on national issues

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes on the celebration of the former Minister of Transport and Director of Organisation of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Ebenezer Babatope who clocked 70 recently.

Politics

“As representatives of the people, we... have all agreed to work enthusiastically in support of this national rescue mission” –Senator George Akume

Celebrating Ebino Topsy @ 70 WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM BABATOPE IS TO BE IDEOLOGICAL IN

OUR POLITICS...

aturday, January 26 was a remarkable day in the ancient city of Ilesha in Osun State, as eminent Nigerians, especially political gladiators, converged to celebrate the former Director of Organisation of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and former Minister of Transportation, Ebenezer Abayomi Babatope, on his 70th birthday anniversary. The occasion, which Babatope had earlier told National Mirror would be a small party to dine and wine with friends and associates, turned out to be a political carnival of sort as politicians from across political parties and groups came to rejoice with Ebino Topsy, as the celebrant is fondly called by his associates. Dressed in a milk coloured Guinea brocade flowing agbada with a cap to match, Babatope, a die-hard Awoist and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was full of excitement throughout the event, responding to cheers by admirers, who travelled from far and near down to Ilesha to honour him. During the ceremony, political gladiators, friends of the celebrant, media practitioners, traditional rulers, Nollywood stars, among others extolled Babatope’s virtues as a versatile and dogged politician, administrator, social crusader, activist, public commentator, historian, journalist and prolific writer. Among those present at the ceremony were; Minister ofState for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the PDP and former governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni; former Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya; former governors of Oyo, Osun and Ogun, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Gbenga Daniel respectively; former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Taoheed Adedoja; former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Raji Rasaki. Others in attendance were former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Shuaibu Oyedokun, former National Vice Chairmen (South-West of the PDP), Yinka Omilani and Tajudeen Oladipo; National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lai Mohammed; Senators Iyiola Omisore, Isiaka Adeleke, Anthony Adefuye, Lekan Balogun, Ayo Otegbola, Femi Okunrounmu; former deputy governor of Lagos

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MANY

OF THOSE WE HAVE IN PUBLIC OFFICES TODAY ARE MAKING THE PLACE UNRULY

Babatope

State, Kofoworola Buknor Akerele; Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, among others. President Goodluck Jonathan in his goodwill message to the celebrant, described Babatope as a respected politician and one of Nigeria’s living icons whose great contributions to democratic ideals would remain indelible in the history of Nigeria. Jonathan, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Public Relations, Olusanya Awosan, while showering encomiums on Babatope, tasked Nigerians, especially politicians, to emulate the political style of the former Minister of Transport in making useful contributions towards enhancing Nigeria’s growth and development. His words: “The price Babatope had paid through his involvement in democratic struggles was enormous. A son of respectable Methodist clergyman from Ilesha but whose birth took place in IfakiEkiti exactly 70 years ago, Babatope’s contribution to Nigerian journalism cannot be overlooked. To some of us that grew in the area of print and electronic media only, we knew how well refined and how our lives have been shaped and brought to the force of political, socio-cultural and economic knowledge by the versatile mind of Ebenezer’s political panorama.” In his own address, the chairman of the occasion and immediate past governor of Oyo State, Alao-Akala, showered encomiums on the celebrant, describing him as a great nationalist who has contributed immensely to many sectors in the country as a politician, journalist, writer and activist. He said Babatope is a dogged personality who gave his all to whatever he believes in and succeeded despite the

daunting challenges of life. He therefore urged all politicians to see Babatope as a role model worth of emulating considering his good virtues and active political experience of over 40 years. Alao-Akala, recalled Babatope’s ordeal in the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s detention centres in Kirikiri, Jos and Yola prisons in the 1980s, stressing that he (Babatope), as a dogged personality has paid his dues as a versatile politician, journalist and historian with his ‘Political Panorama’ column in the Nigerian Tribune, on burning national issues for many years. He also noted that considering Ebino Topsy’s wealth of experience, Nigerians have strong belief and confidence in hisreservoir of knowledge, personality and historical antecedents. Erelu Obada also praised the celebrant to high heavens, describing him as a brother and political mentor. She noted that the immense roles and contributions of the former Minister of Transportation in the emancipation of the country cannot be forgotten. The Minister of State for Defence, while speaking on Babatope’s political virtues, described him as a politician whose opinions are well respected by other politicians across parties because of his wealth of experience in politics. Former governor of Ogun State, Daniel, described Babatope as a great leader. His words: “Chief Ebenezer Babatope is a great leader and someone who have played active role to better our society. I met him in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and my over 30-year relationship with him has shown that he is a versatile politician, administrator and activist. I will use this medium to appeal to all Nigerian politicians to emulate Babatope’s style of politics, which is politics based on ideology and principle.” In his view, former Minister of Sports, Adedoja, described Babatope as a faithful and trustworthy politician. He attributed patience as one of the good virtues that has distinguished Babatope from all his contemporaries and therefore urged Nigerian politicians to always be patient

while in public office. Adedoja said: “Babatope is truthful, faithful and trustworthy. He is somebody I like so much and he has paid his dues in Nigerian politics. I think one of the attributes that has distinguished Babatope from many politicians in Nigeria is patience. He is very patient in handling situations and I think that has helped him to achieve a lot in his life time.” A PDP chieftain, Balogun, described Babatope as a principled and ideological person, saying: “Ebenezer Babatope has been my friend for over 40 years. He is a wonderful man, a principled man, very ideological and upright. I love him a lot. I think what we can learn from Babatope is to be ideological in our politics. We must have ideological pursuit in our politics. Many of those we have in public offices today are making the place unruly at the moment. We must learn that we need to be ideological and principled in pursuing our goals.” Oyedokun, while showering encomiums on the former Director of Organisation of the defunct UPN, recalled his long association with Babatope. He pointed out that the celebrant was a pragmatic personality, who demonstrated brilliance in all his activities during the Second Republic. Oyedokun said: “I have known Babatope for many years as a friend and we met in politics. In those days we belong to different political parties; he was in the UPN while I was in the defunct National arty of Nigeria (NPN), but despite our political differences, I respect him a lot and some NPN members also feared him because of the ways he analysed issues during his days as UPN Director of Organisation. “In those days, if Babatope released a statement, many of us will not sleep overnight because of how he will present facts and figures in his report. What he is doing to our party then is like what Lai Mohammed of the ACN is doing to the PDP today. In the present dispensation, we were both PDP members and the party has benefitted a lot from Babatope’s political experience.” In his response to the avalanche of encomiums, Babatope appreciated those who honoured him with their presence. His words: “I thank everybody for coming to rejoice with me on my 70th birthday. I never knew that I will live to the age of 70 but by God’s grace I am 70 today. Very early in life, I was diagnosed to be hypertensive and as a young man, I never knew the repercussion of hypertension until much later in life. That I am able to survive till 70, I have all cause to glorify God. I thank you all and I can assure you that if God grant me more years, anytime you all are celebrating events like this, I will be there.”

Politics

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FORMATION OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

PDP challenges APC to debates on national issues Says it remains the party to beat

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that with the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigerians expect to see robust debates on the economy and other issues of governance in the general interest of the country. While congratulating the opposition parties for their successful merger and formation of the new party, the PDP said it welcomes the development as an indication that the nation’s democracy has come of age and is deepening. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday said: “We congratulate the opposition for their successful merger and the formation of the All Progressives Congress. This is yet another victory to our

democracy. It shows that our democracy has come of age. We hope that from now we will see robust debates on the economy and other issues of governance.” Charging the opposition to use the vehicle of their new party to challenge the PDP elected and appointed officers to debates on government projects and achievements so that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries of the nation’s political developments, the PDP said: “We are ready, willing and able at any time to debate on any issue pertaining to the economy and any other issue of governance. We want useful and constructive debates so that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries.” It, however, said that as the ruling party, committed to the stability and development of the country, it will

Merger’ll reposition Nigeria –Rep Abia opposition ready to join APC

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE AND GEORGE OPARA

he merger of four opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been described by the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights, Rotimi Makinde, as the only option to reposition Nigeria. This is as the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the 2011 general elections in Abia State and former member of the House of Representatives, Stanley Ohajuruka, has declared that opposition parties in the state are poised to join the APC, with the belief that such conglomerate of opposition will engender positive developments for the benefit of all Nigerians. Makinde, in a statement made available to journalists yesterday, noted that the merger is a golden chance for the Nigerian people to be left off the hook of the PDP, which according to him has continued to drag the nation backward. He urged the leaders of the merging parties to jettison individual differences and personal interest and ambition for national in-

terest, so that the merger would lay a solid foundation for the country. Makinde, who represents Ife Federal Constituency on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), believed that the merger will lay a very good foundation for the country. He said that “some members of the PDP who are tired of the antics of the party since 1999 will soon join the progressive boat of APC to liberate the country from the jaw of the PDP.” Ohajuruka, who decried the dominance of one political party since the advent of the present democratic experience, said the merger is “an initiative that should be embraced by all the well meaning Nigerians because its success was hinged on genuine desire to enthrone good governance, anchored on accountability and justice.” Promising an ‘earthshaking’ registration of members into the new party in Abia, the former speaker of Abia State House of Assembly said: “Our desire is to give citizens and residents of the state the type of leaders that will translate the dreams of the founding fathers of the state into reality.”

not dwell on the shortcomings of the merger arrangement but will continue to focus on the welfare of the people, adding that it continues to be the truly democratic party and the party to beat in elections. Four political parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress

for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progress Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday merged into the APC. Announcing the merger on Wednesday, Tom Ikimi, who read the position paper of the merger committee said: “At no time in our

national life has radical change become more urgent. And to meet the challenge of that change, we, the following progressive political parties namely ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC have resolved to merge forthwith and become the All Progressives Congress (APC) and offer to our beleaguered

people a recipe for peace and prosperity.” The PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur had dismissed the merger insisting that PDP is the party to beat and that no amount of conspiracy and alignment by the opposition parties can dethrone the ruling party.

L-R: Woman Leader, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Hajia Ramatu Aliyu; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; former governor of Yobe State, Bukar Abba Ibrahim and former governor of Kano State and former Presidential candidate of the ANPP, Ibrahim Shekarau during a visit of the National Rebuilding and Inter-Party Committee of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to Governor Oshiomhole in Benin City, yesterday.

How new party’ll succeed, by Oshiomhole

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday said the new mega party, All Progressives Congress (APC), will succeed when leaders of the party sacrifice their personal aspirations in the interest of the nation. Speaking during a visit to him by the former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who led a high-powered delegation of the ANPP on a visit to him in Government House, Benin, Oshiomhole said: “All of us as leaders and followers should recognise for a merger to be fruitful, a level of sacrifices will be required and everyone will

be required to moderate his aspiration and people must be ready to submit their personal interest to bigger national interest. “I have no doubt that all those involved in the process recognise that these are the irreducible minimum and we are all determined to make those sacrifices. At the end of the day, it is all about Nigeria, not about individuals or party; it’s about giving our people an alternative base to choose from. That the electorate have the power to reward or sanction and those who wish to be in power have to listen to the yearnings of the electorate.” The governor, who praised the emergence of

the APC further said: “It is healthy, having recognised that we all accept there is no better alternative than democracy and the best evidence that democracy works is when people are able to choose from one political party or the other so that they can compare and contrast.” Oshiomhole said in matured democracies all over the world where governance has changed from one political party to another, one will find two major political parties and they may also have a third fringe party which chooses to go into alliance as in the case of a parliamentary system. Leader of the delegation, Shekarau said one of the major assignments of the

National Rebuilding and Inter-Party Committee of the ANPP is to reach out to other political parties of like minds to enrich the democratic process and give Nigerians an alternative choice. He noted that the formation of the APC by four frontline progressive parties is a major breakthrough in the country and he assured that the ANPP is committed to providing the people an alternative platform in the country. He said: “ANPP is committed to this new change and this new progressive development to provide Nigerians with an alternative platform to ensure that the aspirations of Nigerians for good governance at the centre is realised.”

ACN youths embrace merger of opposition parties ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he youth wing of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday endorsed the merger of opposition parties to form a formidable political party, saying that the All progressives Congress (APC) has come to stay and is

positioned to rescue Nigeria from total ruin. The ACN National Youth Leader, Ebikibina Miriki, who said the merger was necessary to come out with a new agenda to move Nigeria forward, said the youth wing of the party had been adequately sensitised and had embraced the merger. Miriki, who is lead-

ing South-West leaders of the ACN youth wing on a sensitisation visit to the states in the geopolitical zone, spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday after a meeting with youth leaders and tour of some projects embarked on by the Kayode Fayemi-led administration. He said that the ACN leaders and their coun-

terparts in other opposition parties, including Muhammed Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu and the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, had started fraternising at the national level on the new mega party, saying there is need for such political cohabitation to trickle down to the grassroots.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, February 8, 2013

FORMATION OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

APC should not be a failed marriage –Sani A ZA MSUE KADUNA

ivil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN) president, Shehu Sani, yesterday urged major opposition parties to sustain the new merger party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it should not be a failed marriage. Sani, in an e-mailed message commending the merger decision, said the APC would give strength to the opposition politics in Nigeria, adding that merger was long overdue and its success is a demonstration of principled commitment to democracy and the eventual establishment of a people’s government in Nigeria. Sani, who said that the APC came at a time Nigerians are yearning for a potent change of leadership, advised the APC to imbibe the culture of internal democracy that would be a shade for all those who cherish a truly democratic, progressive and prosperous Nigeria. He said: “As a nation and as a people we have regressed and sunk to irrelevance, poverty and disunity. Nigerians have in the last 13 years been subjected to hardships and arbitrariness under a succession of corrupt, manipulative, deceptive and suffocating governments. “The newly formed APC should lead for genuine democracy and a new order for social justice, good governance and a corrupt free society. The APC should be a marriage that must not fail. It should be a marriage that will galvanise the people, seize power and bring about the much-needed change and development the nation so desired.”

Opposition senators endorse APC GEORGE OJI ABUJA

pposition senators have endorsed the merger announced Wednesday by leaders of the five political parties, which dissolved into a new political association called All Progressives Congress (APC). The senators are those elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP). The lawmakers, who met in Abuja on Wednesday night, addressed senate correspondents yesterday

to announce the outcome of their meeting. Before the commencement of the press conference proper, the opposition senators were asked to introduce themselves. A mild drama ensured when Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) as part of her introduction, described herself as the in-coming Deputy Senate President (DSP), a remark that immediately elicited murmuring and chuckling by her colleagues. Senate Minority Leader and former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume who read the outcome of their meeting said all the senators met and decided to support the action of their various political leaders. Flanked by other op-

PORT HARCOURT

he Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said that the successful merger of opposition political parties ahead of the 2015 general elections will bring to an end the era of one-party system operation-

gressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) met and discussed the ongoing merger talks among the progressive parties in Nigeria. “We observe that these talks are aimed at salvaging the political, social and economic situation in Nigeria with a view to rescuing our nation from the rot and corruption bedeviling her and from the fangs of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) mal-administration. “As representatives of the people, we senators of the earlier mentioned political parties have all agreed to work enthusiastically in support of this national rescue mission, which is a step in the right direction.

“We support our leaders; we applaud their wisdom and patriotism in their epochal drive to stem this declining tide. We also appreciate the courage of our governors. “We call on all the members of our parties in our senatorial districts, our political associates and followers to work assiduously towards the realisation of this national redemption project. “All progressive-minded Nigerians are called upon regardless of political platform to join this progressive political train. “It is our faith in the collective worthwhile and noble endeavour will lead all Nigerians to realise the dreams of our founding fathers to have a country that works for all and sundry.”

PDP’s end in sight –ACN OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

T Akume

Aliyu

Tukur

Aliyu: Opposition gang up can’t defeat PDP

overnor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State yesterday described the merger of the nation’s frontline opposition parties as normal, noting that alignments and realignments are simple political intercourse expected in every emerging democracy. Aliyu, who is also the chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), however said the merger of opposition parties in the country cannot

defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Governor Aliyu, who spoke in Abuja at the opening of a one day PreImplementation workshop for the 2013 Conditional Grant Scheme of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), maintained that such arrangements were necessary for the growth and development of our democracy. The Niger State helmsman said while he agreed that no democracy can grow

‘Merger will end one-party system in Rivers’ GODWIN OKONKWO

position senators, Akume urged all Nigerians to support the merger because, according to him, the new political association is out to make a difference. He described the merger as, “Out of many, one party.” Absent from the press conference were senators elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). Akume who was asked to explain the absence of the party assured that the Labour Party would soon come on board. The five paragraph statement by Akume read, “We, senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of the following political parties, to with: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), All Pro-

al in the state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement signed by its state publicity secretary, Jerry Needam, the party said the move will also mark the end of flagrant disregard for the rule of law, self centredness and acts of prodigality in the state which had been ruled by the PDP since the turn of the current po-

litical dispensation in 1999. Describing the merger as a welcome development and pledging total commitment to the arrangement, Needam said that the merger “shall entrust political leadership of Rivers State in the hands of progressives, God-fearing democrats and men and women with the highest sense of frugality with respect to taxpayers’ money.”

without a credible opposition, the PDP has become a national party that is rooted across the country and it would be difficult for the merger of the opposition to defeat the party even if all opposition parties were to come together. “I agree that no democracy grows without a credible opposition, but let me say that the PDP is a national party that cuts across all sections of this country and has touched the lives of the people positively. So, it will be difficult for these four or even all the opposition parties to defeat the PDP at the polls in 2015,” Aliyu said. He said the current PDP internal crisis would strengthen the party, adding that the seeming disagreement among the party stalwarts was healthy for democracy, emphasising that the party would come out stronger.

he emergence of the All progressives Congress (APC) from the merger of four major opposition parties has been heartily welcomed by the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The ACN, speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe said that it was one of the few positive developments that have come to Nigerians in the grief-stricken, badly managed country and urged all Nigerians to ensure that the new party is allowed to end the tales of misery, anguish and pain, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unleashed on Nigeria in the past 14 years. The party said that the emergence of the APC signalled the beginning of the end of the PDP. Igbokwe warned all members and supporters of the new party to be wary of the antics of the PDP, which has demonstrated clear anxiety over the merger and urged all to look out for primordial tactics the PDP will employ to sow bad blood among the rank and file of the new party as a way of sustaining the rot it has employed as a tool to despoil a well endowed country in 14 years of harrowing leadership. He said: “Our reaction to the emergence of the APC is that this a job well

done considering the fact that the various parties that came together handled the merger mandate with an uncommon dexterity that defied the well known tricks the PDP employs as divisive ploys to frustrate similar moves in the past. We bet that as the PDP never believed we have come this far.” The party said that the merger is coming at a time “official looting and plundering, insecurity and impunity, decay and unrestrained rot have become directive principles of state policy under the disastrous watch of the PDP,” indicated that there was a flicker of hope for Nigerians. Igbokwe added: “We want to assure Nigerians that there is still hope in a country where youth unemployment has become a norm, where life has become so terribly cheap, where infrastructures continue to deteriorate, where cleansing of state resources has become the order of the day, where power outages, incessant increment in fuel prices, hardship and other forms of suffering have become tools of governance. We want to assure the Nigerian people that the new party best approximates their hopes and desires for a credible alternative to a PDP that exists as first, a vote stealing machine and second, as a looting agency where extreme greed and inordinate selfishness prevail.”

Editorial

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Issues from Ota factory explosion

recent boiler explosion at the Nigerian Distilleries Ltd (NDL) Ota, Ogun State left four persons dead and more than 20 others injured. This development has once again raised the critical issue of monitoring and enforcement of workplace health and safety standards in the country. According to available reports on the deadly explosion, the incident at the ageing distillery was caused by negligence on the part of its managers who failed to change the boilers said to have expired and due for replacement. Though the owners and operators of the distillery are culpable, the bigger blame is on the agencies of government responsible for enforcing compliance with workplace/ occupational health and safety standards. As it is in the workplace, so it is in the management of our environment. Many Nigerians live with both industrial and environmental hazards. There is poisonous gaseous pollution everywhere from factories and vehicles. Last year in Zamfara State, lead poisoning from the operations of mining companies led to the death of 150 children. Residents of some Plateau and Nasarawa communities have long raised the issue of their exposure to radioactive emissions of min-

ing companies. In Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, communities close to huge quarry companies are under the siege of earth vibration and flying stone pellets. And in the Niger Delta region, oil producing communities are constantly assaulted by oil spills. In all of this, the authorities have shown provocative nonchalance. The Ota explosion is therefore, a wakeup call for all concerned. Where to begin is getting President Goodluck Jonathan to assent to the Occupational Safety and Health Bill 2012 since long passed. The bill seeks to protect workers from hazards associated with their jobs and repeals and re-enacts the Factory Act, 2004 to make comprehensive provisions for securing the safety, health and welfare of persons at work. Assenting to it would go a long way in imposing considerable responsibilities on entrepreneurs and regulatory authorities. The National Assembly, labour unions and civil society groups should prevail on Mr. President to assent to the bill. In the interim, there is urgent need to investigate the working conditions in many factories around the country where a large population of young and able bodied Nigerians toil for their daily bread. It is saddening that many local

MANY NIGERIANS LIVE WITH BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

HAZARDS.

THERE

IS POISONOUS GASEOUS POLLUTION EVERYWHERE FROM FACTORIES AND VEHICLES industrial concerns operate without proper supervision and monitoring to ensure full compliance with established standards of occupational health and safety. It is not uncommon to find factories with expired fire extinguishers and whose workers are not taken through fire drills to forestall fire outbreak, nor are there guidelines and communication on health risks and hazards of working in some peculiar industries. In situations where employees work in dingy, uncongenial environment without the necessary protective wears, helmets, gadget and gears or where the factory design, work floor and exit allowances do not take cognizance of emergencies, they lay the ground for future disasters as in the Ota incident.

The victims of the explosion should not die in vain. We urge their families and next of kin to push for adequate compensation. The company should be sanctioned and all supervisory agencies found culpable penalized for dereliction of duty. For, it is apparent that the absence or neglect of the regulatory and inspection mechanism that allowed the distillery to continue operating the outdated boiler that led to the disaster. Most reports of work place accidents, industrial pollution, waste water and effluents discharged into the public drains, which eventually end up in the water bodies are usually not taken seriously by the agencies concerned with protecting the environment and public health. Perhaps, except such compromise of public and environmental health affects the special economic or private interest of some powerful individuals are proactive measures taken to prosecute the erring facilities. The concern of the authorities and the public should be that the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms of the regulatory agencies must not only be to ensure full compliance with environmental and public health and safety laws, they should also guarantee the safety of the lives and properties of the citizens.

ON THIS DAY February 8, 1994 A cargo plane had its engine burst into flames during takeoff and crashed into a market place in Kinshasa, Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), killing hundreds of people and injuring 500. Among the dead were two of the six crew members. The operators of the market took a failed action against the airport authorities.

Letters to the Editor

February 8, 1974

February 8, 1922

After 84 days in space, the three US astronauts of the first American space station Skylab, Dr Edward Gibson, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Carr and Lieutenant Colonel William Pogue, returned safely to Earth. They thus broke the previous record for staying in space. Skylab represented the United States’ first effort at long human space missions.

The White House, America’s seat of power, was thrown into ecstasy following the installation of a radio there by President Warren G. Harding. At the time, radio was the hottest technology President Jonathan there was. Two years later, his successor, Calvin Coolidge, became the first president to broadcast from the White House.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Friday, February 8, 2013

Is Demuren a villain or victim? ADEOLA FADAIRO Continued from yesterday

lobally, Dr. Demuren has won accolades not just for giving the 240-member International Air Transport Association (IATA) a home in Lagos, but for being a strong advocate of its Operating Safety Audit (IOSA). Not just for Nigerian but also for African carriers. The historic attainment of US FAA Category One Certification for Nigeria in 2010 remains a game changer, unthreatened not even after the tragic Dana crash. It has kept Nigeria firmly in the Premier League of global aviation. He is the only African on the Board of Governors of Flight Safety Foundation and President of its West Africa Chapter, 1998. And Senator Uzodinma’s Committee says he is not qualified to lead our CAA and the ‘Amen corner’ in the Senate concurred. In their misguided rush to hang Dr. Demuren, the Joint Committee claimed that he is not type rated on any aircraft! If it had mattered to the Committee, they should have known that Dr. Demuren is both a design and maintenance engineer. He is type rated on Russian aircraft, Ilushin 62, with NK-8 engines. But in Uzodinma’s books, that doesn’t count for anything. Nor the fact that Dr. Demuren holds a doctoral degree from the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA following undergraduate and graduate studies (M.SC, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) in the famous Kiev Institute of Aviation Engineers in 1972. It also doesn’t matter to Uzodinma that

the NCAA D-G possesses professional qualifications, including senior membership of the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He is a chartered engineer of the United Kingdom and a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Aeronautical Society, which incorporates aeronautical engineers, helicopter association and licensed aircraft engineers. Dr. Demuren is also a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Engineering. In addition, he holds several certificates for aircraft maintenance, airworthiness and training on a variety of engines including by Roll Royce, Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and U.K Civil Aviation Authority during a distinguished exclusive aviation safety career that has spanned over 40 years. If you are genuinely interested in “transforming the sector and moving it forward,” this should matter. For the same twisted logic of “moving the sector forward”, Uzodinma and his committee have sought to tar other dedicated NCAA professionals with the same filthy brush. They claim that most NCAA inspectors are not licensed or type rated on aircraft. Unspeakable ignorance! All they needed to do was ask. Well, NCAA has put paid to this by publishing qualified inspectors (in MD 80 Series aircraft, the type that crashed) in its service in national newspapers, complete with names, pictures, ratings and qualifications. Over 20 years ago, Nigerian aviation was tottering on the brink, nearly brought down by acute shortage of funds; government’s subventions the agencies were running out. Dr. Demuren came to the rescue

IN 2010, A MAN WHOSE OVER-AGE AIRCRAFT WAS DENIED REGISTRATION STORMED

DR.

DEMUREN’S OFFICES WITH A LOADED

PISTOL.

HE WASN’T THERE FOR TEA; HE MEANT TO KILL HIM, AND HE SAID SO by suggesting the introduction of the five per cent ticket sales tax. Government bought the idea and the drift was halted. Today, the tax remains the main source of revenue shared monthly by all the government agencies in the industry. Air safety administrators are not movie stars. Being the policeman of the industry is not a popularity contest; it doesn’t earn you many friends. But even the worst of Dr. Demuren’s adversaries would dare not say he is unqualified for the job. And as would be expected, he is not short of enemies, fierce ones. In 2010, a man whose over-age aircraft was denied registration stormed Dr. Demuren’s offices with a loaded pistol. He wasn’t there for tea; he meant to kill him, and he said so. God saved the NCAA DG, using his aide who is a retired Group

Captain. But it did not weaken his resolve and the aircraft was not registered. The posturing of Senator Uzodinma and his Reps counterpart, Hon. Nkiruka Onyeajeocha is a big stain on the other well respected members of the committee and indeed the Senate. These two have drowned out the voices of the other well meaning members by sheer propaganda, bullying and intimidation. They are acting a script, a script completely at variance with the overall interests of the industry. Libel law forbids me from discussing it. Still, it is beyond me how the Committee could have successfully sold this to the entire National Assembly. Even usually cooler and wiser heads in both Houses bought into this curious proposal. Yet the legislature is an indispensable partner in the administration and oversight of the nation’s air safety systems. It has always been. Not just in appropriation but especially in legislation. Without legislative support that resulted in the timely passing of the 2006 Civil Aviation Act, Nigeria would have failed the all-important ICAO Safety Audit that year. Now the law has become a model. Reportedly, South Africa and other countries are adapting it for their respective industries. The legislation is so critical that it is the first item in ICAO’s Eight Critical Elements of State’s Safety Oversight System. Concluded Fadairo, adeola_fadairo@yahoo. com, a journalist and media consultant, wrote from Lagos

Dissecting Attah’s attack on Akpabio FELIX AWOSEYI

n unbridled hatred for what is good, a venomous abhorrence of progress and a mendacious personality are all it takes to be a hypocrite. And hypocrisy does have a twin brother; it is mediocrity; so the anatomy of hypocrisy is an embodiment of retrogression, stagnation and ingratitude rolled into one. So, hypocrisy appears the only word that can aptly describe the recent tirade launched against the Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, by his predecessor in office, Obong Victor Attah. For Attah, a man who governed the state for eight years and is now expected to be an elder statesman, the sapient saying by James Clarke that “a politician thinks of next election; a statesman of next generation,” would be expected to hold sway, but to Attah, the next generation and indeed a better one, personified by his performing successor, would rather be antagonised and rubbished even without a justifiable reason. As a former governor, he should not only have worked towards having a successful successor, he should be working and be seen to be working towards the success of his successor. But the reality of Akwa Ibom State politics and indeed the ways of Chief Attah, have revealed to the contrary. But why is Attah acting as if he cares for the state, when he never did, not while he was in office or thereafter—why his sudden spokesman role as shown in his misrepresented view about Akwa Ibom people’s anger? While the exercise of his right of

IT WAS THUS SELFSERVING AND OUT RIGHTLY UNFAIR FOR THE FORMER GOVERNOR TO HAVE CLAIMED HE BUILT THE AIRPORT AND OTHER PROJECTS WHICH HE ABANDONED AT INFANCY reply to Governor Akpabio’s interview was necessary for the polity, the former governor should have weighed his words before sending them to the public space. Ever since I read the former governor’s tirade, questions have continued to build up in my mind, questions whose answers will reveal the mendacity of a one-time public officer and an elder. If Akpabio said he fell out with the former governor for ‘over-advising’ him and the former governor felt it was not so, why should branding him ‘unintelligent’ be the latter’s response? If Akpabio said he constructed a road with his money, does he have to be a commissioner for works to do that? Why not simply present facts and evidences to prove him wrong? If Akpabio was not one of the intellectuals in Attah’s government and “his perceived inadequacies saw him moving

from one ministry to another,” Obong Attah failed to tell the world why he indulged him for six years. And if a commissioner could not contribute a single policy drive in any of three ministries, what use would have made such remain in government for six years out of eight? Attah raised these questions by his response, but he failed to answer them. Through that response, the former governor demonstrated that he had mastered the stock-in-trade of retrogressive politics—hypocrisy and double speak. Having grown up and lived in Akwa Ibom for 35 years, I can say I was know enough of the two terms of Chief Attah; what he did and failed to do, while I have also seen the efforts of the present government. It was thus self-serving and out rightly unfair for the former governor to have claimed he built the airport and other projects which he abandoned at infancy, with the man who he described as not qualified to advise him being the one to complete them to the satisfaction of the people. Akpabio served in Attah’s cabinet as commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs; petroleum resources and lands and housing, and today, as the former governor rightly said, the people of the state are angry and indeed for a different reason, not at Akpabio but at Attah because he knew a man had ‘inadequacies’ and kept him in his cabinet for six years. The word among Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the state is that Akpabio was the campaign coordinator for Attah’s reelection and that of President Obasanjo in 2003. Attah should tell the world if this was true. But how could a

‘low-intellect’ person be saddled with such responsibility? Facts also abound about how Akpabio was treated with great dignity when he was serving as a commissioner, as he was the only commissioner with a security detail, even when the former governor’s son-inlaw was in the same government. It was the same dignity and wisdom of Akpabio that got Attah reelected, as Akpabio was said to have prevailed on the now-newly-foundlove of Chief Attah, John James Udoedehe, who nearly overran Attah before he was prevailed upon by Akpabio to step down before the PDP primaries. Attah should tell us whether this, too, was true. Surely, Akpabio might not have been a genius while he served Attah, he does have the necessary ingenuity to transform Akwa Ibom State to its present level where human capacity is improved, physical infrastructure is developed and the story of the state rewritten. Akpabio to Attah, may not have operated at the ‘Albert Einstein’ level of intelligence while in government as a commissioner, he surely operated at a level of a performer without stain—he is a promise keeper and a man of his words. Awoseyi, sent this piece from Calabar Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Mail Mirror

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

El Rufai’s insincere apology

Ibrahim Lamorde

Yahoo boys and EFCC

e have read the interesting apology by Mallam Nasir el Rufai. Any discerning reader will perceive a distinct fragrance of arrogance and self-righteousness in the so called apology. He is surprisingly “taken aback by the extent of desperate misrepresentation of what was an innocuous attempt to show the godlessness of the Jonathanians to denigrate anyone that dares to ask them to be accountable.” The above shows he is unrepentant and still basking in his igno-

rance and arrogance. Part of his apology posted on his facebook page also reads “To those who were genuinely offended by the retweet, I apologise. I did not mean to offend anyone, neither did the @zeebook I know and featured as one of the Young Voices in my Friday Column. Jesus or Isa Alaihis Salaam is a respected prophet of Islam. Every Muslim accepts this in addition to his miraculous virgin birth. It is therefore, absurd for any Muslim believer to disrespect Jesus Christ.”

It is obvious el Rufai completely missed the point, this further exposes his innate nature and careless attitude, showing utter disregard for the religious sentiments of Christians. The anger as expressed by those who reacted to his heresy, can neither be called ‘desperate’, and the implication of his statement can’t be perceived or viewed as” innocuous”. Further in his so called apology he tongue lashed those he branded “warriors of God who misinterpret the scriptures”. War-

riors or not, how else can one interpret the blasphemy that suggests that our Lord Jesus Christ “slept with Mary Magdalene”. He should also leave President Goodluck Jonathan out of this. el Rufai is lucky that he is a Muslim and from the north , otherwise by now he and his kin would have been buried by dawn today. We may take his apology, but we have seen what El Rufai really is. Dr Thomas Agande, a cleric

was elated by the reported arraignment of 20 suspected internet fraudsters aka Yahoo boys in Benin yesterday by the EFCC. No nation makes progress when its youths look for easy road to success. In all our urban centres, the biggest business for the youth is internet surfing for victims of 419. This is followed by kidnap for ransom. We must join the security agencies and EFCC to arrest this trend. These young boys who like walking on the fast lane are giving bad name to our country.

God bless our Super Eagles

T Washing Stream: Children washing clothes at a water borhole site in Bauchi.

Shameless politicians

Hurrah, a new party is born

Audu Kogi

Bamaiyi,

Lokoja,

do not know which between hunger for publicity and outright mischief making drives the former minister of Federal Capital Territory and former boss of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mallam Nasir el Rufai. He relishes controversies and continuously stokes them to maintain constant visibility in the press. His new pastime of stoking embers of religious fire is nothing but an end game enterprise for him. He has committed heresy in denigrating Jesus Christ the way he did. Even when CAN called him to order, he never showed remorse, rather he showed how uncouth he is by arrogantly trivializing a very serious matter. Why the security agencies have not picked him up for conduct likely to cause breach of peace beats my imagination. Let those who love him advise him to retrace his steps. Muslims do not have the monopoly of violence. A word is enough for the wise. Pastor Timothy Anjorin, Okene, Kogi State

Shane Agbebaku, Ozalla, Edo State

he story on page 4 of your yesterday edition titled $620, 000 bribe: Politicians, groups visit Lawan at Kuje prison, makes me really sad after reading it. Those politicians and groups that pay solidarity visit to Farouk Lawan of the House of Representatives, have no sense of shame. So, Lawan has become a national hero after all he did to compromise the working and processes of the House and betrayed the confidence and trust reposed in him. Why demonise our institutions that want to correct the ills of this country? The outrage over the light sentence received by John Yakubu Yusuf, the former assistant director in Police Pension Office, is not genuine, therefore.

... He should be more circumspect

ost Nigerian national dailies led yesterday with story of the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC). The political parties that fused to birth this new political party include Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP); All Progressive Grand Alliance; and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). There is no doubt that the overriding interest to get the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of power at the centre in 2015 is behind the birth of APC. In as much as this drive is altruistic

Letters to the Editor

given the rape the PDP has visited on Nigeria since this democratic dispensation, I am afraid that the present set up does not offer a viable alternative to PDP. While it is true that some of the political parties have been well tested and the states they control have shown flashes of progress and development, the question to ask is what parameters will the new political party and its leaders set for the choice of the presidential candidate in the 2015 general elections? Will equity, justice and fairness prevail at the end of the day? We

would wish to have a Nigeria where ethnicity and religious creed do not count in selecting candidates for political offices, but only ability and efficiency. All of us know that this is wishful thinking.

Nobody should expropriate the executive powers of the country. Nature abhors vacuum. Unless the ministers are jittery over planned cabinet reshuffle and many took time off their offices to ‘find’ solutions to the impending disaster, the meeting ought to have held.

he Super Eagles, our senior national football team campaigning for honours in the ongoing African Cup of Nations holding in South Africa, have proved all bookmakers wrong in the way they improve with every match. Since they shrugged off the challenge at the preliminary stage and advanced into the knockout stage before berthing for next Sunday final after a comprehensive mauling of Mali, the team has made all Nigerians proud. Of course, the Stephen Keshi-led coaching crew has received overwhelming support, even from unusual quarters. It is the first time in many years our senior soccer team would have all Nigerians lined up behind them. What this has gone to prove is that if we replicate this spirit in our politics and shun invidious geopolitical manipulations, Nigeria will excel. Team selection has helped our football and other sports, why must we not do the same for political offices?

Mary Kate, Benin City, Edo State

Alhaji Abiodun Awoyokun, Ilorin, Kwara State

PHOTO: NAN

By the blow of INEC’s whistle for the proper race for 2015 to begin, we shall know if APC is a house of cards or a house of concrete. Johnson Aliu, Mayland, Lagos State

Did Jonathan pocket his government?

resident Goodluck Jonathan is reported to have travelled out, which is not unusual. What is, however, unusual is that the Federal Executive Council failed yesterday to hold its Wednesday meeting. If the account of National Mirror is to be believed, if the President is away and the Vice President is around, why did the FEC meeting not hold?

Send your your letters letters or or mails mails to to PMB PMB 10001, 10001, Ikoyi, Ikoyi, or or our our Email: Email: mirrorlagos@yahoo.com mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and and info@nationalmirroronline.net info@nationalmirroronline.net or or 08056180209, 08054103275, 07033375481 07033375481 Send (SMS only). only). The The Editor Editor reserves reserves the the right right to to edit edit and and reject reject letters letters or or photographs. photographs. Psuedonyms Psuedonyms may may be be used, used, but but must must be be clearly clearly marked marked as as such. such. (SMS

Your

FRIDAY

Friday, February 8, 2013

Flavour

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

FEEDING THE HUNGRY tional Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos where under the “COSON Lecture” programme, Professor Helge Ronning of the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo, Norway would deliver a paper. Helge Ronning, who is chairman of the Norwegian Copyright Development Association, NORCODE, will be delivering the lecture to an audience of Nigeria’s social, communication, legal and creative communities. May 21 would see many of the artistes getting involved in community services as a way of giving back to the society. They would line the streets of major Lagos towns like Ikeja, Surulere, Tafawa Balewa Square, Maryland and Festac to engage in activities like traffic control, cleaning of gutters and feeding the less-privileged members of the society. “Lagosians will enjoy a special treat as COSON hits the streets of Lagos in a way never been seen. Imagine the best known stars of Nigerian music

WEEKEND STARTERS Alliance Francaise unplugs Nneka

Valentine fair at the Mobile Market

omorrow, another edition of Mobile Market, the monthly fair organised to help vendors advertise their products and link customers to retailers will take place at GRA, Ikeja-Lagos from 12.00 noon to 6.00 p.m. The fair, which is themed, Valentine Day Fair 2013, is packaged specially for the season of love where buying and selling of all kinds of stuff will be sold and also a chance to win N15,000 worth of shopping vouchers.

Nneka

oday, the new edition of Alliance Francaise Unplugged will be bringing in the female musi-

cian, Nneka. The event will be holding at The AF Yaba building, where Nneka will be delivering her resonant universal message to her fans. The show will start by 4.30 p.m. and admission is free for every individual with open donations to the artiste.

Art for Life exhibition for charity

charity exhibition of drawings and paintings titled: Art for Life by Stacey Ejiro Okparavero opens tomorrow at Watersworth Gallery, 3b, Unity Close, Lekki Phase I, Lagos at 5.00 p.m.

The exhibition, which is in memory of late Miss Ogaga Okparavero, will run till February 17. It is organised by the Stacey Okparavero Project in conjunction with the Watersworth Gallery.

Denrele’s Day P. 24-25

he Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, has initiated a programme to celebrate the blossoming music industry in Nigeria, with a weeklong series of activities, involving every facet of the entertainment industry in the nation. Scheduled for May 2013, the event tagged COSON Week, was announced at a world press conference earlier in the week by chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. According to Chief Okoroji, musicians, actors, comedians, the media and friends of the entertainment industry in business, politics and religion would also be fully involved in the series of activities that would officially kick off on May 19 and last till May 25, 2013, culminating in the COSON Song Award. The first day of the event, May 19, tagged COSON in the Church would have the industry assembling at the Household of God Church, headed by Reverend Chris Okotie for a day of prayer and worship to surrender the industry in the hands of God. Gospel artistes, Sammie Okposo and Panam Percy Paul would be headlining the event alongside other gospel artistes who would also be on parade. Plans are also underway to beam the “COSON in the Church” activities live to television audiences in the country. The next day, May 20, the event would assume an academic dimension as the intellectual property hot heads in the country would assemble at the Na-

controlling traffic in Lagos, cleaning the drains, driving garbage trucks, fixing dilapidated schools, feeding the hungry, giving meaning to the dignity of labour and finally having a throw down on the streets. From TBS on the Island to Festac; from Surulere through Maryland to Ikeja, at least 100 of Nigerians hottest musicians will be on parade to draw attention to the needs of the less-privileged in the city of over 20 million people. It will be a day the musicians of Nigeria will meet their fans on the streets, a day they give back to society”, Okoroji stated. The event would move to the MUSON Centre at Onikan, Lagos on May 23 for the “COSON Green Ball” to herald the official launch of “COSON Music Foundation” with guest draped in attires that reflect Nigeria’s national colours. For the “COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out”, a sporting aspect of the event which comes up on May 24, stars from the movie industry, comedy, music and the media would be interlocked in a competition for the COSON Trophy which would see winners smiling home with millions of naira in cash rewards at the tennis tourney that would be coordinated by the officials of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association. After the worship at mosques across the federation on May 24 by members of the entertainment industry who are Muslims, the event would ultimately return to the Eko Hotel and Suites for the grand event tagged “COSON Song Awards” which holds on May 25, where creativity would be celebrated with pomp and pageantry.

Inside FCT

LAGOSIANS WILL ENJOY A SPECIAL TREAT...STARS OF NIGERIAN MUSIC WILL BE CONTROLLING TRAFFIC, CLEANING THE DRAINS, DRIVING GARBAGE TRUCKS,

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

P. 26

COSON unveils week-long event to celebrate Nigerian music

Mirror Mongers

Stars at the big World Press Conference and unveiling of the events of ‘COSON Week’: COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji and Chief Okoroji (R). L-R: Koffi, Azeezat, Chidinma, Ruggedman, Evaezi and Segun Obe.

A hostess displaying a dummy of the Nigerian Music Machine, the special 300-page all gloss magazine to be published during the COSON Week.

P. 34

Escape

P. 32-33

VOL. 3 No. 553

Artman In The House

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Writing is not about winning Chika Unigwe is a writer and winner of the 2012 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature worth $100,000 for her book, On Black Sisters’ Street. She was honoured at a public presentation at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Enugu State on January 29. Friday Flavour’s TERH AGBEDEH caught up with her in Lagos for this interview before she left for her base in Belgium. Congratulations Chika. What will you do with the prize money…groom young writers? I have some projects in mind. I do that already online, I have some writers that I mentor online. But I spoke to the Governor of Anambra State and he has promised to partner with me to set up a writer’s centre in Awka. So, we’ll see how that goes. You tinker with something you call the Igbo dictionary on Facebook. What is that all about? We are updating the Igbo dictionary. There are five of us in the core group and over a total of a thousand of us. What we do is extract words from the dictionary. For every word, we try to find an Igbo one, where Igbo was not existing already, we try to find an appropriate word for it. It’s a labour of love and I love languages. The ghost of the protagonist in On Black Sister’s Street for which you won the NLNG prize hovers over Lagos after she meets a brutal death in Belgium. If you had to write the novel all over again, would you invoke the ghost? I guess at the point when my agent sold it, we were both satisfied that it was ready. The impression here in Nigeria is that as a black writer, it’s difficult to get published in Europe. Is that true from your experience? Yeah, it’s a very competitive market, especially if you are going through the commercial publishing route, it’s difficult. First, you have to find an agent and the agent has to sell your work. So, yes it’s difficult. A lot of people out here would like to become writers, get the kind of success you have found. What would you suggest that they do? I think success in writing also depends on luck and you can’t predict luck. Most of the people here tried their luck the self-publishing way. Do you think that is one way to go? For some people, self-publishing works, but self-publishing is a lot of work. One, because you have to make sure that

Unigwe

you invest in editing, as well. Then, you have to self-distribute your work as well. And as one person, there is only so much you can do with distribution. Nigerian writing has basically won everything there is to win in the world. But it’s film industry, Nollywood, does not seem to be getting it right. Recently, though Half of a Yellow Sun has been adapted into a movie. Do you think that’s the direction to go for our movies to be fully accepted internationally? I don’t know. I really can’t talk on Nollywood because I’m not a Nollywood person and I’m not an expert in Nollywood. But I think that what is happening at the moment is that we have too many movies being churned out. And some of the movies that are being churned out you can see that there isn’t much effort being put into them, just somebody with a camera.

If a Nollywood filmmaker were to come to you for the rights of On Black Sister’s Street, would you sell? Why not? They’d have to go through my agent and if he is satisfied that they will do a good job, why not? Your husband seems to be in the background? Well, at his work place, I’m also at the background. It’s because there is no reason for him to be at the forefront. He has his own job, his own life. How do you balance family with work life? Kids have bedtimes and once they go to bed, it’s my time. You write mostly at night? Sometimes at night; sometimes early in the morning but I always try to make out time to write, it’s a job and not my hobby. It’s my career, so I treat it like a nine-to-five.

How did you become a writer? I wasn’t really a writer at first because it was my hobby; it wasn’t really a career. I was an undergraduate and was just trying to get through with school and get a first class if I could. But I couldn’t. What I had was a collection of poems published while I was an undergraduate. But it was self-published. What happened to that collection? It was something I did as a kid. It is something like having an ugly boyfriend with a famous last name and you just drop the name and hope people don’t ever get to meet him. What are the opportunities abroad that Nigerian writers could subscribe to? There are online writing groups, there are agents who receive submissions online, there are magazines they can send their works to. Online liter-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Artman In The House

Friday, February 8, 2013

prizes –Chika Unigwe

Making her acceptance speech in Nsukka where she declared that the novel is not dead.

Unigwe (1st right) signing an autograph at the presentation event in Nsukka.

ary magazines are scouting ground for literary agents. They go there, if they see what they like, they go for it. They could also send their works to magazines abroad if they are looking for audience abroad. Traditionally, people who win awards like you come back and teach workshops in writing like Helon Habila and Chimamanda Adichie. Is that somewhere in your future? Chimamanda’s workshop and Habila have sponsors. They are not investing their own money in it. If anybody is willing to sponsor me, sure. But are you willing to do a proposal for instance to have that happen? I also think that we should support those already there, I taught at Chimamanda’s workshop and at a workshop in Abuja. I don’t think it’s important to duplicate what is already there. I think it’s important to help those who have already started something. It’s not a bad thing that they have started, it’s not a bad thing that we encourage what they have started in any way that we can. Nigeria has a lot of budding talent, particularly in writing but there does not seem to be that many opportunities they can latch onto. What do you think can be done about that? I don’t know that there are no prizes or grants. I live in Belgium and we don’t have that many prizes in Belgium. And I don’t think that you write to win prizes. If you win, it’s very good; it’s a validation of your work. People who live in Nigeria are not excluded from the grants that are available out there. I have had friends who have applied for grants while living in Nigeria. Adamu Abubakar is in Columbia right now, he lives here. Jonathan John was going for the Caine Workshop in South Africa, he lives in Nigeria. It’s just people putting in the effort. The information is out there and if people put in the effort, they find the information that they need. Igoni Barret was at the Bellagio Centre in Italy, he left from here. Uche Umezurike was at the Civitella Centre in Italy and he was at the Ohio one, he does not live in a big city. He lives in Abia State, I think. I’m not knocking Abia State though. If you put in the effort, you will find a lot of information on social media. I try to post as much information as I can find on calls for workshops and residencies. So if people use the social media wisely, they will find all the information they need. Still, few of those opportunities are available here.

FACT FILE •

Unigwe has a Ph.D in Literature from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.

•

Her debut novel, De Feniks (The Phoenix) was published in 2005 by Meulenhoff and Manteau (of Amsterdam and Antwerp) and was shortlisted for the Vrouw en Kultuur debuutprijs for the Best First Novel by a Female Writer.

•

The married mother of four children is also the author of two children’s books published by Macmillan, London.

can come from Okija (Anambra State) and be flown there for the workshop. So we shouldn’t fixate on it not being here, the ones that are out there, let’s make use of them. There is a church element in your book, The Phoenix. Are you a church person? I don’t put myself in my books. The only thing I have in common with the protagonist of The Phoenix is that she doesn’t like mushrooms. I don’t like mushrooms at all. But that’s the only thing. I don’t put myself in my books and I don’t spend 24 hours in a church either.

•

She has published short fiction in several anthologies, journals and magazines including Wasafiri (University of London), Moving Worlds (University of Leeds), Per Contra, Voices of the University of Wisconsin and Okike of the University of Nigeria.

•

In 2003, she was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing.

What was your experience while researching for On Black Sister’s Street? Initially, it was a bit uncomfortable being there as a woman, knowing that you were being looked at as someone who was willing to sell themselves for money. So it was a bit uncomfortable. But it was something I had to do, I wanted to feel how uncomfortable Sissy or Ama or any of my other characters felt being there for the first time. I had to forget about my own feelings of discomfort to get through it.

•

In 2004, she won the BBC Short Story Competition and a Commonwealth Short Story Competition award. In the same year, her short story made the top 10 of the Million Writers Award for best online fiction.

Do those women in the book exist? No they don’t, they are just composites of different people. I mean, I don’t think I could write good non-fiction so I didn’t set out to write non-fiction.

•

In 2005, she won the third prize in the Equiano Fiction Contest. Her second novel, Fata Morgana (On Black Sisters’ Street), was published in Dutch in 2008 and has since been released in English.

•

Her first novel, published in Dutch in September 2005, is the first book of fiction, written by a Flemish author of African origin.

•

If she were not writing, Unigwe says she would be a teacher.

It’s not a bad thing for a Nigerian writer to leave Abakiliki or Okigwe (Imo State) and be flown to Italy to meet with other professional writers. The infrastructure, it will be good if they were here, but they don’t have to be here. But there is Ebedi for example in Iseyin (Oyo State). So, these things are coming but while they are not here, let’s make use of the ones that are out there. The people have put in money and have invested. There is one in Singapore for example, for a year and they want international writers, you don’t have to live in Singapore, you

Does that mean there is no memoir coming in the future? No, I’m a private person. Do you think there is something Nigerian writers are doing wrong with their writing considering that those in the Diaspora like you tend to be winning prizes that are available here in recent time? I think that because you are in Nigeria it’s very easy to self-publish. So, when you self-publish, your work hasn’t gone through the rigorous checks that people who publish abroad, especially with commercial publishers going through, which is the advantage that we have. Nigerians who live in Nigeria but publish abroad also have this advantage like Adaobi Nwaubani and Lola Shoneyin. Your book goes through so many rigorous checks because the reputation of the publisher, editor is at stake. But with a self-published book, nobody’s reputation is at stake since all they owe you is to deliver the service. So, unless you have publishers who are committed to quality, which is what I think Cassava Republic, Farafina and Parrasia are doing.

Critics

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Autobiography

Music

Moji Makanjuola:

When young Moji Makanjuola got employed into the then newly formed Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), little did she know the distance she would walk as a journalist. The journey which started then in Ilorin in 1977, has led her to becoming the doyen of the industry, an institution in health reporting. These years of experience, garnered mostly on the health beat, have yielded a book which will be a reference material in many years to come. IZUCHUKWU OKEKE

Di’Ja’s ‘rude boy’ flavour Di’Ja has a new single, Dan’ Iska. The lyrics will surely ruffle a few feathers, when weighed against her looks and background; but the future still looks very bright. NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

ome artistes are born to be a total package; someone who has a little of everything in a proportion that leaves all things complementing one another. That is what Di’Ja, this Canada-based African singer and songwriter has, perhaps above her peers in the music industry. Born Hadiza Blell to a Kaduna Stateborn mother and Sierra Leonean-Lebanese father, she is surely pushing to be the next big African female act on the global stage. With the phenomenal success that followed her first single, Rock Steady, which garnered accolades like nomination for the “Best Urban/R&B Single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards” and the “2008 Best New Artiste” award at the Beat Awards, fans literally looked up to Di’Ja to know what she would have up her sleeves next. But this came to the forefront earlier this week, when Dan Iska (Hausa word for ‘rude boy’) dropped. The song, which featured Mastronomy, is a mixture of afro-pop beat, laced with soulful voice, and comes in a style that somewhat fits Di’Ja’s African heritage with her base in North America (Canada and United States). This must have been a result of her appetite to appeal to the two cultures. While this has its own advantages and disadvantages, Di’Ja should be reminded that more African ladies have attained global reckoning in music by projecting their heritage first. Such typical examples as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Nayanka Bell, Angelique Kidjo and Brenda Fassie come readily to everyone’s mind in this regard. Blessed with the looks of a diva, a young age and a consummate heritage that brings several cultures into play, Di’Ja has all the wide space she needs to play up these into her own advantage without losing sight of where she is going. This brings to the fore some of the words that

formed the lyrics of Di’ Ja’s new single. Despite that she was singing about a ‘rude boy’, it would have come out better without idolising the rude boy, which she tried to do with words like “… Give me the rude boy thing…I no get time for suegbe…boy with the heart of a soldier..boy wey sabi…knows how to put it on me….” These words can be boldly spelt as lewd, and Di’Ja could have matched her soulful voice with something cleaner that would also set her apart in her traditionally conservative Northern Nigerian scene. She could have put the message across without these expressions and this would only point to one thing: that she wants to stir a controversy that would get her noticed, especially with regulatory authorities like the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. With lyrics like this, what would the video of this song be when it is finally unleashed on the music scene? Of course, Di’Ja and her producer must be looking at the commercial side of music, but the truth is that her skills and talent are enough to drive her into super stardom without touching the ‘nerves of morality’. Her decision to feature the artiste called Mastronomy is commendable. Though relatively unknown, especially in the Nigerian music circle, he sounded confident with his ‘ragga toast’ and rubs off like one who knows what he is doing. Perhaps, Di’Ja, should come up with more of these collaborations with some other known artistes in Nigeria. Someone like Phyno and Olamide, with what they did in the song Ghostmode, would pep up, Dan Iska. It may not be late to look in this direction as regards another version of this song indeed. One big thing Di’Ja needs to do is to infuse a lot of Hausa words into this song. It may not be enough to run with this title only to drop Hausa words at the end of the song. In spite of this, Di’Ja is rubbing off as one of the next big things from this clime.

ealth Journalism: A journey with Moji Makanjuola is a welcome book authored by Moji Makanjuola, herself one of the leading Nigerian health reporters. It is a highly informative publication which both the health sector operators and media, especially those covering the all important health beat and even the common man seeking knowledge, will find a great companion. Health and healthy living are very important issues in modern discourse. Yet, not many discourses are focused on how the media has shaped the perception of Nigerians on their health, how access or lack of it to health information has contributed to how healthy Nigerians live then and now. So ev-

Book

eryone who has opportunity to read this book will concur that it could not have come at a better time. The book has two threads of narratives running side by side, yet intertwined in one person, Moji, from whose eyes we see the narratives. The first thread of the narrative is about herself; how she sojourned into the media and how that journey diverted to the health beat which she became one of its pioneers in Nigeria. The second is about the health sector and the media in Nigeria; governments, people, policies, results and lack of it, especially the roles the media has played or failed to play in the health outcomes in Nigeria since the 60s. So, the book is not just an autobiography, which a flipping reader can easily conclude on by mere looking at the title. It combines, with brief biography,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Critics

Friday, February 8, 2013

Telling a worthy story of health journalism theories, advocacies, discourses and analyses on the state of health of Nigerians, the media and its role to making health a part of daily discourse in the country. The autobiographical narrative is limited to the author’s journey in NTA which started in Ilorin and led eventually to the NTA Network Service. From pioneering work in Social/Health Desk in 1997, she eventually also pioneered the newly created Health Desk of the NTA, in 2004. Her years of reporting health led her to meet and work with various stakeholders in the health ministry; ministers, directors generals, development agencies, staff of agencies of government and other individuals. The years of experience make her sum up that she has become “the honourary pharmacist, the doctor, the nurse, the laboratory technologist, working with all the experts in the sector”. Her involvement aided her deeper understanding of the various health issues she discussed in details in the book, which will surely be beneficial to the sector operators today. The preliminary chapter of the book titled Prelude is dedicated to telling the story of the

IT IS FASTIDIOUS TO SEE THIS BOOK TAKING ON STAKEHOLDERS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR ON THE ROLE THE MEDIA SHOULD PLAY IN DISPENSING OF HEALTH INFORMATION journalist’s journey with the media and how it eventually ended in the health desk of NTA Network Service. The other chapters, one to eight, deal with different aspects of issues on health, media and health reporting in Nigeria. There are titles here like; Overview of the Nigerian Health Sector, Environment of Health Reporting, The Media and Health Reporting, Challenges of Health Reporting in Nigeria, On the field, Health Issues and the Role of the Media in Addressing Them and Strengthening the National Health System: The Media Standpoint. Under these titles, she discusses many salient issues on the health of Nigerians, government policies and the role of the media in achieving the best of results. Indeed, no one will question the essence and relevance of this book, as no one will deny the importance of health and healthy living in any society. The all pervading media has

become a tool of development in modern world. So, the role of the media in combating diseases needs to be underscored and emphasised, which is what the author set out to achieve. It is also fastidious to see a document like this taking on stakeholders in the health sector on the role the media should play in dispensing of health information, thereby saving the lives of Nigerians. In fact, not a few health practitioners will have issues with such a book as this, because the sector keeps secrets as part of its ethics. Information dispensation as a means of providing health is, indeed, one which many practitioners are wary of. While it is plausible that everyone cannot be doctor, the book argues that the agencies of government which have put more information in the hand of the common man, have achieved more in making Nigerians healthy. This book will also surely

be beneficial to younger generation of health reporters who will learn a lot from Moji’s experience. To researchers, this book is a strong theoretical and reference document on health and health reporting in Nigeria. Well edited, straight to the point; without unnecessarily

skirting around issues, clearly and cleanly printed, with tables and figures to prove arguments. This book indeed merits a space in all libraries and especially health libraries in Nigeria and beyond. It is indeed worthy of all acclaim it gets now.

God’Fessions: A book that keeps giving back Every once in a while, a book comes along and strikes at the very centre of what is held to be norm and therefore commonsense. God’Fessions by Goke Coker is one such book and it is written to touch lives. TERH AGBEDEH

f like they say, everyday is a new day, then Goke Coker’s book, God’Fessions has the reader covered for 90 days. The new book, available in bookshops and online, comes with 90 daily confessions of God’s word and promises over the life of the reader. The 188-page book takes the reader through a journey with 90 stops on the way. Such stops include: Turn Around, Joy Unspeakable, Distinction, Supernatural Safety, Clarity of Vision, Increase and Lifted for Life. If one may call them chapters, each chapter begins with the words, ‘Today I speak over my life and my household that God’s abiding presence will be with me and make a difference in my life’. Goes on to make declaration on the subject matter around the topic, then almost always ends with the words, ‘I believe and I say amen’. Truly, only a few books touch lives and this is one of them. If heaven needed keys to get into there is no doubt that 90 of those keys would be found in this book, but these are also oases to navigate the dense desert of the life that many a human being leads. The plot, if it is to be referred to as that, primarily

THIS IS ONE BOOK EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD SHOULD READ EVERYDAY IF ONLY TO KNOW THESE PROMISES dwells on lifting the reader from the ‘Point A’ of the vicissitudes of life to the ‘Point B’ of stable ground of God’s certainty. The focus, therefore, is to connect the reader to God and hold the almighty to promises made over the ages. This is one book everyone who believes in God should read everyday if only to know these promises. But reading it alone is not enough; one must meditate on the words, own them and believe them. What is after all the essence of prayer, if not to connect with God? In End of Struggles on page 96 one finds: ‘Suffering has ended. My seasons of lack and want are over and the curse of generational poverty is broken. I enter into plenty’. What could be more poetic than that? Lines like these ones are found on every page of the book. It is not just about the poetry, but there is also the scriptural promises that abound on the odd number pages on the right. The writer is careful to suggest several scripture from the Bible that speak of

the promises made by God. There is also a selected affirmation found at the bottom of each page of the suggested scripture, which, more or less, summarises what is found on the even number left pages. So creative is Coker, a senior associate pastor with the House on the Rock, Lagos, that it is impossible to find a prayer repeated. He writes as one who has command of the subject he has elected to write about. The reader’s reason for reading God’Fessions again and again is not just for the fine prose that often lands on the borderline of poetry, it must also be for the high quality of print that is completely devoid of typos except if you count line 15 on page 148. This is definitely not a book that was put together in a hurry. The cover glows and the pages are as inviting as they are inspiring. This is to be commended for a book published by AuthorHouse, a self-confessed, self-publishing company. But this is no ordinary book, not just because of content, but also because it displays an ISBN number and has been catalogued in the Library of Congress as well. What is more, in this season of giving God’Fessions makes for a very impressive gift item. This is also one gift that will keep giving everyday for 90 days and then all over again.

Inside FCT

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Women Dev. Centre adopts ‘Park and Pay’ policy for revenue IJEOMA EZEIKE

ast year, when the ‘Park and Pay’ Policy was introduced in Abuja, residents were apprehensive of the outcome- wondering the kind of hardship it will bring to commuters plying the Federal Capital Territory roads. A year down the line, the misgivings that trailed it has not entirely subsided. The scheme seems to be a blessing in disguise for some corporate organisations and some government agencies as they have used the opportunity to generate funds for their companies. The National Women Development Centre (NWDC), situated in the Central Area of Abuja is one of such government agencies generating funds through this venture. People have been wondering what must have motivated a government agency to indulge in such activity but when Inside FCT visited NWDC, a

staff of the centre who did not want her name in print said that NWDC has been a self-sustained organisation and that apart from their training school, the centre has been looking for other ways to generate funds. The source said that they introduced ‘Park and Pay’ policy to curb insecurity and other nefarious activities. “People come in here, park their car without informing us and leave a car sometimes for two weeks without anybody coming to claim it. We now entered into agreement with ‘Park and Pay’ policy to help us curb the excesses. “Before now, we have been sustaining ourselves but when we discussed ways of generating funds for the centre, we decided to invite FCT officials handling ‘Park and Pay’. It has really helped us because now, those parking cars tell us who they are and when they exceed their parking time, we apply security measures”, she said.

The NWDC official also stated that the decision was taken for ‘the betterment of the sector’. “We are not collecting money from our staff and students including guests that came to lodge in the hotel. We have had ugly experience in the past and we decided that such cannot continue. Since then, sanity has returned to our premises”. However, the source said NWDC is not the only organisation making such radical choices and “that theirs would not be an exception”. But Mr. Chudi Ngwonye who spoke from another point of view said: “There is no justification for what they are doing, Women Development Centre is a public place; people host events in their conference hall. Do they charge parking toll from people who attend events? It is wrong and a form of extortion. Instead of them to be rendering services, rather they are extorting money from people”. ‘Park and Pay’ sign outside the Women Development Centre

Residents of Mpape watching the demolition bulldozer

Disposed residents moving their belongings during demolition in Mpape

Mpape: Where tenants pay rent in arrears OMEIZA AJAYI

he issue of rent in Abuja has often taken the front burner of national discourse so much so that the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, has consistently disclosed of its resolve to ensure the enactment of a Property Tax Law as well as institute several other rent control measures. For the most part, the average Nigerian in Abuja can be said to be “working” for his or her landlord (or lady) as an average tenant gathers between four to eight months of his salary to pay his annual rent. In most cases, Shylock landlords in the city demand for the payment of two years rent at a go.

However, the tide seems to be turning against some of the landlords in a section of the FCT. Mpape, a hilly town of over a million people is under the Bwari Area Council of the FCT but its close to Maitama. Mpape’s clement weather has become its major undoing as many power brokers in the country have fallen in love with it, making the inhabitants feel that the recent threat and even partial demolition of some structures in the area must have been instigated by the “big guys” ostensibly to take over the land. Although, Inside FCT also gathered that the official security report on Mpape is such that would make every Abuja resident sleep with one eye opened, hence, the decision

to demolish it. While the ‘caterpillars’ of demolition roared, most inhabitants sought alternative accommodation in other parts of the territory with most houseowners abandoning their properties to fate. Some tenants, who decided to stay back in areas marked for demolition, fought their landlords to have their rents refunded especially many who had just paid. This development led to a crash in the cost of rent as both landlords and tenants were no longer certain of when the bulldozers would call again. Today, the situation is such that most tenants now pay their rent in arrears. With no one sure of when next the bulldozers would be rolled out,

there seems to be an unwritten agreement now that tenants would only pay rent after the month has ended. Abdul Ohi is a judiciary staff and has lived in Mpape since 2010 when he was employed. “I like the situation. This is how rent payment in the country should be; before, I used to pay N200,000 yearly but today, I pay N10,000 per month and I make the payments after the month must have ended. For instance, I just paid for the month of December barely 10 days ago. I mean, why should I pay for the months that I am not even sure of ? What if I pay for the whole year only for the government to come and demolish this house next week? So, the payment method is good as it stands and I even wish that this method is adopted across the country irrespective of whether there is demolition or not”, he stated. Vivian Baiye is also a tenant who wants the government to institutionalise the monthly method of paying rents, rather than the situation in most parts of Abuja where tenants are made to pay for two years. She said: “As a Youth Corp

member, I think this payment method is good. I was not offered accommodation in my place of primary assignment, so I had to look for my own house pending when my office would make a room available for me. If I am now made to pay for one year, what happens when by next month, my office gives me an accommodation? Will the landlord agree to a refund? I think the government should back this system up with a legislation”. Interestingly, Israel Abraham said he is disenchanted because he is on the verge of losing his investment except the situation is reversed. According to him, he had borrowed some money to augment his savings with which he was able to erect a 10-room structure in the town. “Now, only six of the rooms are occupied; the rest are still vacant. The ones that have been occupied, I have not even seen the money to collect because now they (tenants) pay in arrears. Unfortunately, I completed this house six months ago. In deed, tenants here are now kings. I pray they stop this demolition nonsense, so that I can get my money back”, he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, February 8, 2013

Water scarcity plagues Abuja residents MARCUS FATUNMOLE

FCT residents shrug off MEND’s threat ROTIMI FADEYI

he threat by a faction of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), to resume hostilities following the January 21 conviction of its leader, Mr. Henry Okah by a South African court for the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja has again raised serious concerns about the protection of lives and property. The group threatened that it would launch renewed attack as a way to express its dissatisfaction with the conviction of its leader which it said may have been orchestrated by the Nigerian government. The Federal Government through Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, while reacting to the threat of MEND, denied any involvement or collaboration by the Nigerian government with the South African authorities to secure the conviction of Okah. Though the group is yet to reveal the method of attack, seen as a means to force the FG to intervene before Okah received sentencing by the South African court. MEND is well known for carrying out attack on oil installations in the Niger Delta area of the country as well as taking oil company workers, especially expatriates, hostage. Specifically, while issuing its threat, the group said it would launch fresh attack on government officials and institutions in order to make the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan intervene in the matter before Okah is sentenced by the South African court. MEND also warned South African companies to leave the country, saying that it would carry out aggressive campaign on companies owned, operated and affiliated to South African citizens or their government both in Nigeria, Western and Southern Africa respectively. The group threatened to carry out attacks on government officials who served from 1999 to date and members of their families as a retaliatory measure against the military invasion of Odi in November 1999, while it also placed a ban on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,

MEND MIGHT NOT HAVE OPPORTUNITY OF CARRYING

OUT ATTACKS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE PRESENCE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL ON MAJOR ROADS IN FCT

Mr. Godsday Orubebe, from visiting the Niger Delta, saying that MEND is now more sophisticated and deadlier than before. Considering that the bomb attack for which Okah was convicted in South Africa took place in Abuja, the FG is not taking chances on the threat of MEND as it has beefed up security, especially in Abuja. Some residents of the FCT who spoke to Inside FCT said with the security arrangement in the city, it would be difficult for MEND to strike. For Ademola Ayoola who lives in Kubwa, a satellite town in the FCT, he said MEND might not have opportunity of carrying out attacks, particularly with the presence of military personnel on major roads in the city. According to him, the security arrangement in the city has helped to check the movement of explosives into the city, saying that it has reduced the possible incident of bomb attack. Another resident who simply identified himself as Uche, said there is no reason for anyone in the city to lose sleep over the threat of MEND, stressing that, “they can resume their hostilities in the Niger Delta region but not in Abuja” He noted that the bombing incident of the 2010 Independence Day really galvanised the government into taking serious action on the issue of security in the FCT, saying that the threat of fresh attack by MEND was of no issue. A civil servant who prefers anonymity said though there may be provision for security in the FCT, government needs to do more by ensuring that security was also provided for other states in the country because they could be the target of attacks.

t is trying times for many residents of the nation’s capital like other citizens across diverse communities in Nigeria at the moment, as water scarcity drives them to fetch water from noxious streams and trenches. Sadly, 21 years after Nigeria’s capital was relocated from Lagos to Abuja, water remains one of the basic commodities not affordable to many less privileged in the city, while each dry season compounds the problem across the city’s satellite communities. Abuja’s soaring population seems to validate Malthusian’s geometrical population growth theory, where the number of people overshadows basic essentials for living, including food and water. Tens of satellite communities increasingly sprawl across the border of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where major socio-political activities are conducted. The communities exist provided with few and mostly dysfunctional basic infrastructure to improve the lives of residents. Investigations by Inside FCT across communities such as Nyanya, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Lugbe and Kubwa which are prominent satellite towns in Abuja revealed that many residents currently find it difficult to cope with the dearth of water. While the Municipal Council has little challenge with accessibility and affordability of potable water and other basic amenities, concern of many residents remains the ability of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and other five local councils in the capital to convince anyone that those villages and towns are part of the city. Given all development indices, these councils appear to exist in nomenclatures alone. It is noteworthy that many indigenes, till today, do not use any other source of water than rain and river, regardless of the colour and condition of such water. It is either persons who use this option do not have access to healthy water or are perpetually abandoned to continue in a lifestyle many would regard as from the Stone Age. A drive along the Airport road, Gwagwalada, Bwari and many other communities in the city often reveals children and adults who freely bathe in dirty rivers which are hosts to

bacteria –with no concern by the authority about the health implications of such action. With the members of these affected communities high vulnerability to water-borne diseases, fewer of the communities have basic health facilities that can attend to health needs should the unexpected arises. At present, most boreholes in Abuja do not run. The wells are dry, while many people in the city turn to the trenches to seek water. “My siblings and I come to the stream very early in the morning before going to school to dig the ditch for water”, said Nkechi Akpan who lives at Sauka village along the Airport road. “We wake around 5.00 a.m. and bring our basins to the riverside before we get water. Our boreholes in the village do not work while our wells are without water. We find it difficult to buy 20-litre water for N40 every day. Imagine the number of that we would use in the family of seven, daily. While we buy water for drinking from the men who sell along the streets, we come to this river to get for our domestic use”, she added. Meanwhile, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has called for support from stakeholders in the sector to help repair 2,000 boreholes across Nigeria. Ochekpe, who made the call in Abuja earlier in the week, said the ministry had already repaired 1,000 dysfunctional boreholes in 18 states in 2012 and now seeks support from the ‘Development Partners’ to continue with the project. According to her, the repaired boreholes have contributed to addressing the dearth of water and prevalent water borne diseases in the affected states in Nigeria. She noted that the 2013 budgetary allocation for the ministry would not be sufficient to repair the 2000 boreholes; hence, the need to seek additional source of funding from partners. Some of the partners expected to provide succour for the project include, World Bank, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and World Health Organisation (WHO), among others. Nonetheless, one major challenge among Nigerians is a lack of maintenance culture. It behoves the citizens to take responsibility for protecting public facilities at their disposals for the common good.

Mirror Mongers

Friday, February 8, 2013

Ini, the African woman in Nollywood

FRSC: No license, no salary

ollywood is a world of various virtues and vices. While some actresses have been doing a lot to maintain their weight (which is a prerequisite for starring roles in other industries), others are busy ‘packing’ the weight. For actress Ini Edo, the first time it became apparent that somebody was ‘overindulging’ was at the birthday bash hosted by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ibinabo Fiberisima. People who saw Ini’s bulging tummy had initially assumed that it was a baby bump, considering that Ini and Philip have been married since 2009; but some of her people were quick to dispel that rumour, hinting that it was ‘just fat’. People, especially her fans did not want to believe this until Ini appeared again at Eko Hotel last week when the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AFMVC, nominees’ list was announced. Of course, that reminded fans of Nollywood how difficult it would be for any

Ini Edo at AFMVC event

Nollywood actress to do roles in American action movies, like Jennifer Lopez did in the 2002 action thriller, Enough. Trust Ini who comes from a background where brides are made to undergo the ‘rites of the fattening room’ after marriage, she swiftly defended herself by stressing that she wants to be an African lady with curves.

he Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has a way of driving on precarious pathways. Once, they had a disagreement with the Nigeria Police and some state government agencies over who should be empowered to issue vehicle documents. As if that was not enough, the Commission is now turning its searchlight on its workers. They have announced that their officials would only collect salaries if they have obtained driving licenses. Of course, some of them have been grumbling about it saying their case is akin to the Immigration Service decreeing that every member of staff must obtain travelling documents whether they want to travel or not. However, that is not the only ugly situation the new rule is throwing up. MM gathered that the new rule has also unveiled the fact that many of the FRSC workers who applied to obtain their li-

in Abuja, a move some analysts believe could trigger the inflow of prostitutes from other parts of Nigeria into the FCT. Although the modalities for this proposed rehabilitation is yet to be unfolded, tongues are already wagging that this sort of empowerment must have spawned the promise made by the Association of Nigerian Prostitutes last week to declare free sex to the Super Eagles squad for one week as a way of giving back. But the huge question is how much of the total budget will the FCT use to empower the farmers in the remote parts of the FCT.

ONE-SECOND Q&A

Osita Chidoka, FRSC Corp Marshal

censes do not know anything about road signs. The buzz is that some of them have been failing their tests repeatedly- in spite of their desperation, since their January salary was tied to the ownership of a driver’s license.

Chidinma, the pinging queen

Developing Abuja prostitutes

ala Mohammed, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is one politician who knows what to say and when to say it. When eyebrows were raised about the 2013 budget for the Federal Capital Territory, he pointedly declared that N50billion will not be enough for the infrastructure needed in the FCT. But now that the budget has been passed, some salient lines in the budget are showing how prudent the FCT Minister is indeed. Aside the N4billion budgeted for the First Lady Mission building, the FCT also earmarked N5billion for commercial sex hawkers

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chidinma

ou have heard Chidinma doing her popular song, Kedike, right? But her attachment to Blackberry smartphones would make her fans wonder why she was not part of the cast of Blackberry Babes, the Nollywood movie or even part of the group that sang about having someone’s’ pin code. Well the truth is that Chidinma, the diminutive but talented singer who has continued to blossom in music after she emerged tops at the MTN Project Fame 2010, narrowly missed being on the stage to collect her KORA Award for the “Best Female Act in West Africa”, on account of pinging. MM gathered that while the award event was going on in Cote d’Ivoire, she was engrossed with the keyboards of her smartphone and did not even know when her name was mentioned. She merely looked at the screen and suddenly realised that the camera was focused on her.

SMART ADEYEMI

Many Nigerians have continued to call for the review of the constitution to give local government councils fiscal autonomy from the state governors. Senator Smart Adeyemi reacts to the issue: What’s your take on joint accounts being operated by states and local governments?

Adeyemi

he joint account as it is being operated in the country today is fraudulent. The joint account is not supposed to be run in such a manner that will take all the rights of the local government, by extension, you swallow the allocation. Let me tell you this: I have met a local government chairman that confessed to me that they had been made to sign for allocation far less than one quarter of what they take from the Federation Account. There was a case of a local government chairman who told me that he was supposed to collect about N155 million for that particular month but he signed for N40 million. He got N40 million but signed for N155 million and I want the chairman of the Governors’ Forum to hear this. Now, if we speak from this end, we do not speak on the ground of any local environment, we speak from the collective contributions coming across the country and that is the difference between the man who is in Abuja and the man who is not in Abuja. We will look at issues from the national point of view; they will look at issues perhaps from their own states.

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 27, 1434AH Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Call to Worship

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

l-Masjid al-Haram (“The Holy Mosque”; also known as al-Haram Mosque, Haram al-Sharif, Masjid al-Sharif and the Haram) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest mosque in the world and the primary destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The Haram was built in the 7th century and has been modified, rebuilt, and expanded on a regular basis ever since. Major expansions took place in the 1980s and further work is going on today. During the reign of Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan (644-656), the prayer area was enlarged and covered with a simple roof supported by wooden columns and arches. In 777, a major rebuild took place under Abbasid Caliph al-Mahdi (775-785) to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The existing mosque was demolished along with more houses in the area and a new mosque was constructed in its place. Between 1955 and 1973, the first of many extensions under the Saudi kings was commissioned by King Abdul Aziz (1932-1953). As part of the renovations, the Mas’a gallery connecting the Rock of al-Safa’ with alMarwah was extended to reach the mosque. The two-storey extension was built of reinforced concrete arches, clad in carved marble and artificial stone, which communicates with the street and the mosque via eleven doors. A major extension, sponsored by King Fahd (1982-present), consisted of a new wing and an outdoor prayer area on the southeast side of the mosque. In the twostorey wing, air conditioning circulates below the tiled floors and is supplied through ventilation grids located at the base of each column. The facade of the extension blends in with the previous constructions, with gray marble facing from the Fatimah Mountains and carved white marble bands.

Inside Al-Masjid al-Haram Hadith

Qur’an 2:97 Say, “Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought the Qur’an down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah , confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers.”

View of the Haram Mosque, Mecca

Quiz Corner debuts

Be part of Mirror’s 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

Man sins, man sinks 28

Every Law student should study Sharia Law 29

Married for lust or sacrifice? (2) CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

n this way, she would receive a longer opportunity to educate, train and preach among the Muslim women. Fourth: She was born into Islam, due to which the teachings of Islam were part of her life since childhood. From the time of her birth, she learned Islamic habits and customs and was a very fine model of Islamic teachings. Fifth: After the Holy Prophet (saw), she was the daughter of the Awwalul Mu’minin (the first of the believers) and the Afdalul-Muslimin (the best of the Muslims), due to which her training was outstanding and absolute, and was in complete accordance with the Islamic traditions. For this reason, she was particularly suitable to become a model for the women. Due to these reasons, Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra)

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya was the most suitable of all to become the wife of the Holy Prophet (saw). It is for these very reasons that Allah the Exalted selected her for the Holy Prophet (saw). Consequently, these qualities brought forth their fruits and we see that the community of Muhammad (saw) acquired extraordinary benefit from the person CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

2013 Hajj: Yero reads riot act 29

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 27, 1434AH

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Man sins, man sinks Nay! Man desires to continue committing sins [Q75: 5] he premium value of life is to be sinless. Since man is a mortal and cannot but to sin, then he should be penitent. All sins are disobedience to and disrespect for Allah (SWT). Some sins are however more grievous than others. Hence, punishment for sins shall be to the extent at which it affects the individual and other creatures. The nature of human soul makes it to always feel bad when it commits sins. At that point, one is expected to immediately repent and turn to one’s Lord. But man today appears to enjoy sinning and breaking all bounds of decency, morality, modesty, etc. This without any doubt explains why our society is getting more insecure, ungodly, criminalistic, paganistic, etc. Every man is busy with what seems good to him even if the whole world will be ruined. Men’s desires are becoming more voracious and insatiable. It is in their nature to strive in different ways. Were it not for Allah’s wisdom and mercy that He has made the night as a cover, the day for toils and sleep for rest, men would have definitely continued to toil. Every man wants to acquire what he does not have as well as increase the ones he has. This struggle will only end when he entres the grave. Man was born alone. He will die alone and will be raised up for accountability alone. Man’s return to his Lord with all his deeds is inevitable. One of the early Muslims has advised that “O son of man, your

YOU CONTINUE TO COMMIT SINS UNTIL THEY BECOME VERY EASY FOR YOU AND SEEM INSIGNIFICANT IN YOUR HEART toiling is feeble, whoever is able to commit his toiling in obedience to Allah let him do, there is no power except by Allah” The furtherance of a man of no conscience in sin is jeopardy of his future. Man’s attachment to the world has made him obsessed in iniquities. This had made him oblivious of the short time he has in the world. The threat and pang of resurrection and the Judgement Day are just too unbearable for the evil doer. He does not want this occurrence. Yet, he sails on in sins with impunity. If he has control over the coming of Qiyaamah, he would have definitely haltered it. His heart is gripped with the threat of this day but not with the evil he is perpetrating. Whereas a man of pious conscience will want this day to come so that he can meet his Lord and enjoy his highest bounties. Every true Believer wants the day to come. Hence he works towards it. The heart of a man of evil is never willing to return to his Lord. His rejection of meeting his Lord is to make him continue in his wrongdoings. He is overwhelmed by lusts and sins. He becomes desolated of true religion and good character. He lives like an animal having

only concern for beastly desires. Continuous sinning has its consequences. Its effect on the soul is very serious. The Scholars of Islam have thus identified effects of this as paraphrased below: “It prevents beneficial knowledge. It is a light which Allah (SWT) casts into the heart. Committing sins extinguishes this light. Imaam Shaafi‘i said: “I complained to Waqi‘ about the weakness of my memory, so he ordered me to abandon disobedience. And informed me that the light of Allah is not given to the disobedient.’’ “Sins weaken the heart’s will. Desire for disobedience becomes strong and the desire to repent becomes weak bit by bit until the desire to repent is removed from the heart completely.” “You continue to commit sins until they become very easy for you and seem insignificant in your heart and this is a sign of destruction. Every time a sin becomes insignificant in the sight of a servant, it becomes great in the sight of Allah.” “Ibn Mas‘ud (RA) said: ‘Indeed, the believer sees his sins as if he was standing at the bottom of a mountain fearing that it will fall upon him and the sinner sees his sins like a fly which passes by his nose so he tries to remove it by waving his hand around.’’ “Sins corrupt the intellect. The intellect has light but sin extinguishes this light. When the light of the intellect is extinguished, it becomes weak and deficient.” “Sins cause the various types of corruption to occur in the land. Corruption of the

waters, the air, the plants, the fruits and the dwelling places. The Exalted said: ‘fasad has appeared on the land and sea on account of what the hand of men have earned that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done in order that they may return. [Rum 30:41] “The disappearance of modesty, which is the essence of the life of the heart and is the basis of every good. Its disappearance is the disappearance of all that is good. It is authentic from the Messenger (SAW) that he said: ‘’ modesty is all goodness.’’ [Bukhari and Muslim]. A Poet said: ‘’And by Allah, there is no good in life or in the world when there is no modesty.’’ “Sins weaken and reduce the magnification of Allah, the Mighty in the heart of the servant.” “Committing sins makes Allah (SWT) to abandon one. You are left to yourself and Shaytaan will take over your life and become your controller.” “Sins remove the servant from the realm of Ihsan (doing good) and he is prevented from (obtaining) the reward of those who do good. When Ihsan fills the heart it prevents it from disobedience.” Dr. Zafaran is the Director, Vanguards Academy

Lessons and significance of Jumat

umat is one of the Islamic festivals; although a small one. Friday prayer is among the greatest principles and signs of Islam. Other big gatherings of Muslims are eid prayers. Since Friday prayer is performed every week, it is of great importance for Muslims because it makes them come together like an eid (festival) day. This piece will address the significance of Jumat Solat, the purpose of attending sermon and the reason which makes it so special. Jumat prayer, which is two rakats, is compulsory for all Muslims who are of sound minds, matured and believers in Allah and all His Prophets. Any Muslim that misses this prayer will observe four rakats of prayer as Suhr and not Jumat again. Minimum of twelve faithful can form a Jumat prayer. It is therefore expected of all Muslims to be in the mosque early so that they can listen to sermon. Friday is so significant in Islam to the extent that it was reported that Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (SAW) said: “The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. Adam was created on Friday, he entered Paradise on Friday, he was expelled from Paradise on Friday and the last day for both living and non-living things shall come to pass on Friday.” Also, Abu Lubanah al-Badri relates that Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said that “the most prominent of the days & the most honoured in Allah’s sight is Friday. It has five significance over other days thus: Allah created Adam on this day; on this day Allah sent Adam down to the earth; on this day Allah caused Adam to die; on this day, there is a time during

which if anyone asks anything of Allah it will be granted to him unless he asks for something which is forbidden; and on this day, the last hour will be established”. It is therefore expected of every Muslim to perform Ghusl (bath) on Friday, purify himself, usesperfume and go to the Mosque while properly dressed. Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 62, verses 9-10 that “O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly) hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah and leave off business (and traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew! And when the Prayer is finished then may ye disperse through the land and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper”. In conclusion, Friday is the weekly eid day of Muslims; the rewards and merits of that day are too many to count. Therefore, Muslims should pay attention to their worship on Friday like every other day. There are rewards f or helping the poor and giving them money. Friday is the day of preaching. The issues mentioned in the preaching before the adhan and in the sermon; khutbah on Friday should shed light on the problems of Muslims and everybody should try to correct their mistakes during this spiritual enlightenment. Allah chose Ramadan among the months, Lailatul Qadr among the nights, Makkah among the cities in the world, Prophet Mohammed (SAW) among people and Friday among the days. Sheikh Abdul Gannyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of Jubulatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society of Nigeria (JUBAT)

National President of Al-Fathi-ul-Quareeb, Alhaji Muhideen Adeola adressing the new Board of Trustee members after their inauguration recently.

National Missioner of Al-Fathi-ul-Quareeb, Dr. Kehinde Fadlu-Rahmon Tijani addressing the new Board of Trustee members.

Cross section of female members of Al-Fathi-ul-Quareeb at the inauguration.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEKINAH L AWAL

enowned Professor of Arabic Studies, Prof. Dawud Noibi has called on all students of Law to endeavour to study the Islamic Sharia Law in order to have a broader view of the divine laws. Speaking recently at the monthly joint Usrah of the Companion, which took place at the Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque, Prof. Noibi said that proper understanding of the Sharia Laws will go a

Friday, February 8, 2013

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 27, 1434AH

Every Law student should study Sharia Law judgement delivered on pension fraud, he urged the national assembly to do something about many faulty aspects of our laws. The don advised the Federal Government to dialogue with the BokoHaram group as done with MEND in Niger Delta for peace to reign. Prof. Noibi also gave the assurance that the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is

long way in removing many misconceptions about the divine laws. Prof. Noibi also emphasized the need to keep providing full opportunities for young Muslims to understand their religion thoroughly in the course of their education so as to guarantee that their adult life will be righteous and beneficial to themselves, society and humanity in general. Speaking on the recent

working hard to ensure a worthy successor assumes the position of the NSCIA’s Secretary-General and will soon announce someone to carry on the good works of the late Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite. Also speaking at the event, the National DeputyAmir of the Companion, Barrister Musbaudeen Oyefeso called for further investigations into the allegation of misappropriation leveled against the

federal government by Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister, over the wastage of $67 billion left in the Federation Account by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime. “This is not an issue to be swept under the carpet as usual. Nigerians deserve thorough explanation and those found guilty should be brought to book.” Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan who led Osun 2012 Hajj Operation Committee, also called on the Judiciary to

put their house in order and ensure that justice is done to all, irrespective of class or status. He also gave the assurance that works are in progress to ensure that the issue of Mahram for women during Hajj does not cause hiccups this year. According to him, heads of Hajj operation from some countries do serve as Mahram for their female pilgrims and wondered why Nigerian situation is different.

JOMAF prays for the nation

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Prof. Dawud Noibi; Naibul-Amir, the Companion, Lagos District, Alhaji Nojeemdeen Jimoh; Director of Dawah, Alhaji Noheem Eko, Barrister Dhikrullahi Hassan and Barrister Musbaudeen Oyefeso at the joint Usrah lecture of the Companion recently.

Quareeb inaugurates BOT OLADELE LUQMON

embers of Al Fathi-ul-Quareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria were full of praises to almighty Allah for giving them yet another opportunity to witness the inauguration of Board of Trustees (BOT) of the organization recently. The main hall of the headquarter central mosque, located inside Ajayi Farms compound on Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Ikeja-Lagos was filled to the brim as all members from all parts of the state and beyond were in attendance to thank Allah for giving them opportunity to witness another inauguration. In his address, the National Missioner of the organization, Dr. KehindeFadluRahmonTijani implored new members to be diligent and above board in all their dealings with human beings and that their appointment was based on their efforts in the propagation of Islam and their positions in the society. He said: “Those of you who are being appointed today are believed to be men of respected characters in

the society, you have been uplifting Islam in your various ways, this is yet another opportunity to do more, bring in your wealth of experience that you have put in the secular world to bare spiritually. You should always realized that being a BOT member means uprightness, foresight and more responsibility in the service of Allah and the trust repose in you must not be betrayed. “You should always remember what Q48:10 says that: “Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muhammad] - they are ac-

tually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allah - He will give him a great reward.” This verse should be your watchword and I pray Allah to be with you,” he said. In their response, they promised to do their best and pray that almighty Allah will help them in their new assignment. Finally, certificates were presented to the new BOT members, prayers

Hi, young ones. Test your knowledge!

*Which member of the Prophet’s family passed away very soon after him? *What is the name of the first wife of the Prophet? *What was the name of his youngest wife? *What is the name of the Prophet’s wife who was never married before? *What were the ages of Sayyidina Muhammad (SAW) and Sayyidatina Khadijah (RA) when they got married? *What are the names of the Prophet’s sons? *What are the names of

four daughters of our Holy Prophet? *What is the name of the Prophet’s uncle who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud? *Who did our Holy Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam first tell his experience of revelation? *Give the names of the two blessed grandsons of the Prophet. *What was the age of the Prophet when he received first revelation from Allah (SWT)? *How old our Holy Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam

were also offered for them, the organization as a whole and the country in general. Members of the Board of Trustees are; Dr. KehindeFadlu-RahmonTijani – Chairman, HRH Oba Abdul Razaq Afolabi, Olojoku of Ojoku, Kwara State, HRH Oba Abdul Gafar Tijani, Prof. Abdul Ganiy Oladosu, Chief Imam of University of Ilorin Central Mosque, Alhaji Raji Mohammed, Alhaji Imam Bashir Solihu (OON), AlhajiAkindele Shittu, Alhaji Olalere Sikirulah, Alhaja Idayat Bola Muse and Alhaja Khadija Odeju. was, when he migrated from City of Makkah to City of Medina? *After migration from City of Makkah to City of Madinah, how many years our Holy Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam lived in the City of Madinah? *What were the two main tribes living in Madinah when our Beloved Prophet mirgrated from Makkah to Madinah? *What is the name of first Battle of Islam? *What is the name of second Battle of Islam?

n the face of growing insecurity in the country, the Joint Muslims’ Action Forum (JOMAF), Osun State Chapter will, tomorrow, organise a prayer for the nation. The programme, tagged The Nation Prays, will hold at the Government College, Osogbo, Osun State capital. The trio of Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof Is-haq Lakin Akintola; The Nation newspaper columnist, Dr Femi Abbas and Ustaz Abdul Rasheed Buwaed are the guests speakers. Likewise, goodwill messages would be delivered by President-General, League of Imams and Alfas, South-West, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Mustapha Ajisafe; President, Osun State Muslim Community, Sheikh Salaudeen

Olayiwola and National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad. According to the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Kola Usaamat, the prayer is aimed at seeking Allah’s blessings for the nation to achieve peace and security. Hence, religious leaders from various Islamic organisations under JOMAF deemed it fit to come together and pray for a lasting peace in the country. He disclosed that Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will be the Special Guest of Honour, the Royal Father of the day is Oba Abdul Wahab Adedotun, the Orangun of Ila, while Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Khamis Olatunde Badmus will be the Chief Host.

2013 Hajj: Yero reads riot act A ZA MSUE KADUNA

aduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has disclosed that all intending female pilgrims must have Chaperon before being registered for 2013 Hajj to avoid any hitches. Yero stated this while receiving the 2012 Hajj report in his office. He said his administration would implement the recommendations of the team in the interest of the pilgrims and to sustain the state’s enviable records. In a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, he said Hajj exercise is not an easy task, but they would continue to improve on it. He said he was aware of some of the challenges

such as the use of the International Trade Fair Complex instead of the Hajj Camp, but stressed that with the financial assistance given, government expects them to vacate the place to give room for its renovation for use by the pilgrims and stressed that henceforth, government would not tolerate certain indolence as selection of officials would be on merit to give room for those with service interest to partake in the exercise. Earlier, the 2012 Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Manir Ja’afar identified the review of the law that established the pilgrims board, the transit camp problem, early saving scheme, appointment of officials and their numbers, and the choice of aircraft and contractors as some of the problems that should be looked into”

Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Rabi Al-Awwal 27, 1434AH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Married for lust or sacrifice? (2)

of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra). The portion of Hadith which directly relates to the issues of women is, for the most part, based on the sayings and narrations of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra). Not only this, she also possesses a great status in general religious matters as well. Hence, it is narrated: “Even the eminent companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) would turn to the sayings of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra), and would seek religious verdicts from her.” Therefore, the actual and long-term proposal of the Holy Prophet (saw) was for Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra), and she was most worthy of this lofty position. Now remains the marriage of Hadhrat Saudah bint Zam‘ah (ra). As we have alluded above, this was a sacrifice made by the Holy Prophet (saw). This marriage was governed by a unique principle of guardianship, which is conclusive evidence of the heart-felt love, affection and true mercy of the Holy Prophet (saw), which he extended to his servants and their relatives. This is not limited to the marriage of Hadhrat Saudah (ra) alone, and we shall see as we proceed further that following the demise of Hadhrat Khadijah (ra), with the exception of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah’s (ra) marriage, which was intended in itself, the rest of the marriages of the Holy Prophet (saw) took place under special circumstances, certain requirements and particular wisdom. Moreover, the dream of the Holy Prophet (saw) also expresses the same concept, in which only the picture of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra) was shown to him, and the following words were said, “Now this is your wife in this world and in the hereafter.” It is for this reason that the Holy Prophet (saw) especially loved Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra). Thus, there is a narration that on one occasion someone asked the Holy Prophet (saw), “O Messenger of Allah! From among the people, whom do you love most?” The Holy Prophet (saw) responded, “‘A’ishah.” He asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Who is it from among the men?” The Holy Prophet (saw) responded, “The father of ‘A’ishah.” The marriage of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra) and Hadhrat Saudah (ra) took place in Shawwal 10 Nabawi. According to general narrations,

FOR A TRUE MUSLIM, A SECOND MARRIAGE CANNOT BE A MEANS OF PLEASURE AND LUST.

Hadhrat Saudah’s (ra) marriage ceremony took place a few days prior to the marriage of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra). At that time, the Holy Prophet (saw) was fifty years of age. Brief Note on Polygamy In allusion to the marriage of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra) and Hadhrat Saudah (ra), the issue of polygamy must have rattled the hearts of our non-Muslim readers. However, a brief note on this issue here shall be equally helpful. It should be understood that in their prejudice, opponents have raised allegations against many principles of Islam, but have never contemplated their reality with a cool heart, nor have they examined them in light of experience or observation. Among them, polygamy is also one issue, which is generally considered to be against nature. In this regard, first and foremost, it should be understood that ‘nature’ is no doubt a light, which Allah the Exalted has instilled into every human being for the purpose of guidance. However, at times, this light, suppressed by conflicting elements, is weakened or exhausted, and in the following case, its verdict cannot be accepted, until it is purified of prejudice. Thus, regarding the concept of divorce, the Christian nature was weakened by the suppression of conflicting elements. Consequently, to this day, the precedent verdict has been that with the exception of a wife committing adultery, it is unlawful to seek divorce. Therefore, Christians made alterations to their laws accordingly. However, now, after being jostled by observation and experience, their sleeping nature has awakened to some extent. They are beginning to realise that, not only adultery, rather, other circumstances in this world can also make it difficult for a husband and wife to live together in domestic harmony. Therefore, in accordance with Islamic

L-R: Guest lecturer, Alhaji AbdulAzeze Alatoye; Coordinator, Lagos State Missionary, Muallim Muhammad Qasim Oyekola and Alhaji Raji Dauda during the Seeratu-Nabiyyi 2013 in Lagos recently.

Cross section of members at the seminar.

Friday, February 8, 2013

teachings, Christian countries are now beginning to pass laws regarding divorce. The fact of the matter is that there are many things which seem beneficial to the ear and the heart experiences an inclination towards them, but in actuality they are deception, because the secrets of their reality are revealed in the practical world. Among them is the issue of divorce, which has been mentioned above, and among them is the issue of polygamy, about which this brief note is being written. As a mere assertion, it seems like a very good teaching that in all events, an individual keeps only one wife, and should not have the permission to keep more than one wife in any circumstance. However, if we contemplate further, and look towards the various requirements of mankind, it must be accepted that, in certain cases, man is confronted with such circumstances as not only himself, but the prosperity and benefit of society demand that he marry more than one wife. For example: 1. There is a man who has one wife, but due to a physical defect, she is unable to bear children. 2. She does have children, but due to an ailment of the mother, the children die time and time again. 3. There is a man whose wife has fallen victim to a disease, due to which she is deserving of her husband’s special sympathy and attention, but is no longer capable of rightful spousal intercourse. 4. A man, on account of his unique circumstances, cannot maintain his level of righteousness and morality with one wife alone. 5. With a man’s second marriage, there is a domestic or national benefit attached. 6. In a particular era, if the circumstances of a country or people demand that men generally marry more than once, for the progression of progeny or for the protection of national morality. 7. If there are any other reasonable grounds behind a second marriage, which common sense declares permissible. In such circumstances, the conscience of any man in his rightful mind, provided that it has not been suppressed by prejudice and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

died, will not only accept polygamy as lawful, but will deem it necessary. Moreover, in such circumstances, it shall be expected of both men and women that they prepare themselves to sacrifice their passions for the acquisition of higher purposes. Islam is a practical religion and fulfils the lawful requirements of mankind. Furthermore, gratitude is due here for the fact that after centuries of stumbling, the Christian world is slowly but surely progressing towards Islamic teachings. That day is not far when the entire world shall realise that the pure and complete teaching, which remained the target of allegations for centuries on account of religious prejudice and politics, is the only one which is capable of establishing the true foundation of peace by satisfying all of the lawful requirements of mankind. Alas! Opponents have falsely concluded, without due consideration and contemplation, that the Islamic issue of polygamy is, God forbid, a pathway to pleasure and lust, opened by Islam for its followers. If the conditions with which Islam has permitted polygamy are closely analysed, it becomes evidently apparent that for a true Muslim, a second marriage cannot be a means of pleasure and lust. Rather, in actuality, this is a sacrifice which must be made under special circumstances and requirements. If a Muslim breaks these conditions and marries more than once for the fulfillment of his pleasure and lust, this is his individual action, and cannot be considered Islamic conduct. He commits a deed, just as the liberal people of other religions do, who do not permit polygamy in any case, but incur dishonour upon themselves here and there through illicit intercourse, while their wives remain at home. In addition to this, it must not be forgotten that Islam has not commanded polygamy, in other words, it has not been declared obligatory that every Muslim must marry more than once. Instead, this is an exception, which has been made lawful in special circumstances. However, practically, a better part of the Muslims today limit themselves to one marriage alone.

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Alhaji AbdulAzeze Alatoye; General Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Raji Dauda; Amir, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola and Bro. Muhammed Badr, a Legal Practitioner, during the Seeratu-Nabiyyi 2013 in Lagos recently.

L-R: Timi of Ede land, Oba Munirudeen Lawal; Chief Imam, Ansarudeen, Alhaji Ibrahim Adekunle; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, at the official commissioning of Ansarudeen Central Mosque in Ede, Osun State recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arty News

Friday, February 8, 2013

Don Jazzy, Iyanya, Yvonne Nelson join Banky W in concert ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

anky W is throwing another Lagos party –this time for the release of his hugely anticipated album R&BW, under the Empire Mates Entertainment, EME, imprint. The singer, songwriter and businessman has spent the last few years grooming protégées like Wizkid, Skales and Niyola and running EME label- one of Nigeria’s top music power house. The EME boss is now ready to present his new body of work to millions of fans around the world, setting it off with an intimate concert this Valentine title, “The Grand Love” Concert. Holding at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, February 15, it features special guest appearances by Don Jazzy and Yvonne Nelson. Banky W will also be joined by Wande Coal, Darey, Tiwa Savage, Bez, Blackky and Faze. Other star performers, according

Nelson

to EME, include Lynxxx, Sound Sultan, Iyanya, Praiz, Omawumi, Waje, J Martins, May D and Chidinma. EME label artistes, Wizkid, Skales, DJ Xclusive, and Shaydee are also on the bill, as well as first lady Niyola. “This is the year of R&BW”, Banky says, adding that the Civic Centre concert is ‘one of many events’ that will mark the arrival of the long awaited album. Banky W’s lead singles Yes/No and Good, good loving are already spreading across Nigeria and beyond, with the video for Yes/No topping charts for many weeks.

ADENRELE NIYI

Marvellous Benjy, Alarm Blow for ‘Love and Comedy Show’

Marvellous Benjy

ll is set for the Love and Comedy Show 2013, which holds on February 14, at the Tasia Hotel and Bar, Ogba, Lagos. According to organisers, apart from the younger artistes who would be on parade to showcase their talent, others expected at the event include: Marvellous Benjy, Alarm Blow, Alaba Suru, D Saint, Choco Girl, D Cross, MC ‘Okansoso’, Labi Olayori, (presenter, Entertainment Splash) Madu Chikwendu, Stanley Okorokwor, (Initiator, Nollywood Outstanding Personality Awards, NOPA) Harris Chuma, (founder Igbo Film Forum, IFF)

Yaw presents The Bar Features MI, Iyanya, Funke Akindele, Olamide and Africa China

s part of line up for the fifth annual edition of Yaw live on stage comedy show!, popular comedian, Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu presents a stage play titled The Bar, which will feature Nollywood top actress, Funke Akindele aka ‘Jenifa holding on Sunday, March 3 at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. “The Bar, is a satire that deals with the happenings in the country presented in a humorous pattern to educate

Nigerians without being offensive to anyone, group of people or government of the day”, Yaw explained. Hosts for the day are veteran comedian/MC Ali Baba and stand-up comic, Bovi. While the audience will be treated to live performances from M.I, Iyanya, Brymo, African China, Olamide, Phyno, Nosa and leading Nigerian comedians like Akpororo, Klint D Drunk, Funnybone, Senator and MC Abbey.

Yaw

Real Husbands of Hollywood debuts across Africa on BET …Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke star in the fakest reality show ever

Banky W

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

and Charity Wills Diamen. Explaining the reasons behind the annual Love and Comedy Show, Steve Akpos, the chief executive officer of the project, said that it avails the ambience to celebrate love, as well as a platform to expose the talent of young artistes to the world. “The show is tasked with the huge responsibility of creating an unrivalled platform to showcase and promote those endowed with untapped talent. With the influx of talented artistes into the industry at large, many might be finding it extremely thorny to maintain a promising future. It is challenges militating against potential music stars that the show seeks to redress”.

S-born funnyman and actor, Kevin Hart, has teamed up with Black Entertainment Television, BET, to create one of the funniest comedy shows on television, Real Husbands of Hollywood. Billed as the “fakest reality show ever”, the semi-scripted series follows a group of genuine Hollywood husbands as they live their over-the-top existences. Viewers will see it from the husband’s point of view and enjoy the ride as these guys take on all challenges that life throws at them. Parodying and lampooning the human caricatures in popular US reality shows, Real Husbands of Hollywood features a cast of real-life entertainment figures, all playing loosely fictionalised versions of themselves. Starring in the show are Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon (husband of superstar Mariah Carey); Boris Kodjoe (husband of actress Nicole Ari Parker); Duane Martin (husband of actress Tisha Campbell-Martin); J. B. Smoove (husband of the songstress Shahidah Omar) and Robin Thicke (husband of actress Paula Patton). There are special guest appearances by television, film, music and sport’s biggest stars, with cameos from Jay Leno, Ed O’Neill, Shaquille O’Neal, Nelly, Faizon Love, Common, Trey Songz, Cedric the Entertainer and several other A-list surprises. “Kevin Hart leads an incredible cast in this show that turns all of the conventions you hate to love in those wives’ shows on their collective ear. We are proud to be working with this all-star production team”, said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials. Real Husbands of Hollywood premiered on BET International on Wednesday, January 13.

Ara on location for 1st movie ADENRELE NIYI

oremost female drummer and singer, Ara, is currently on location in Osun State working on the set of her first movie, titled Osunfunke. Produced by Ara Entertainment Productions, the movie plot is developed around the cultural phenomenon of ‘Arugba’; a prominent female symbol of the Osun-Osogbo festival and one of Osun’s fascinating traditional lore. Speaking exclusively with Arty News yesterday, Ara said Osunfunke is the story of the young, talented and educated lady who gives the movie its name. She is from the Arugba family of Osun and her life journey throws travails her way, eventually finding reprieve through her talent. “The story is woven around the sights and sounds of Osun to project the rich cultural heritage of the state. I intend to shoot five movies in five years; i.e. a movie per year. My target is highlighting iconic and key cultural sites in Nigeria”, she stated. Besides Ara, who plays Osunfunke, the female protagonist, the movie will also feature Peju Ogunmola, Richardo Agbor, Doris Simeon, hip-hop artiste Olamide, DJ Tee, Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande) and Muyiwa Londoner, among others. Directed by DJ Tee and Kola Olaiya, Osunfunke is billed for premiere in August 2013 during the OsunOsogbo Festival. Ara has also said she will take the movie along as she travels on performance tours.

Escape

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sensational list of acts for 2013 Cape ADENRELE NIYI

hree-time US-born Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, New York Times best-selling poet and critically acclaimed actress, Jill Scott, joins the bill for this year’s annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), as one of the headline acts. Scott, who had to withdraw from the festival last year due to filming commitments, joins nearly 40 other world-class acts from 12 countries for a line-up of diverse live-music from traditional jazz to funk, pop, soul and more. This year’s stellar event takes place in Cape Town on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Speaking in Johannesburg, Rashid Lombard, Festival Director and espAfrika CEO said: “Jazz and popular music luminaries from every continent will be represented at this year’s event in keeping with the CTIJF’s ever-growing standing as one of the world’s major music gatherings and Africa’s premier lifestyle event. We are also extremely proud that this year, half of our line-up hails from Africa”. Kicking off the line-up announcement, Lombard said jazz aficionados can look forward to a top quality selection of US greats, including Grammy Awardwinning jazz guitarist, Norman Brown; Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist, Kirk Whalum and renowned jazz trumpeter, Rick Braun, who together will perform as BWB, an act that has been described as astounding. In addition, Kirk Whalum Romance Language, Whalum’s modern day recreation of a collection of duets recorded in 1963 by iconic jazz saxophonist, John Coltrane and vocalist, Johnny Hartman, is also on the bill, as well as France’s undisputed master of jazz and rock violin Jean-Luc Ponty, a graduate of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris who has performed across the globe to great acclaim and Steve Turre, one of the world’s preeminent jazz innovators, trombonist and seashellist who has worked with Ray Charles, Stephen Scott, Woody Shaw and Blakey. Adding some hip-hop flavour to this year’s line-up is Brother Ali (USA) whose 2007 release, The Undisputed Truth, was a springboard for his headlining tours in the US, Canada and Australia.

Scott

Whalum

From further south comes the voice of CéU from Brazil, combining samba, reggae, dub and electronica with amazing tunefulness. CéU has stunned audiences at home and internationally for several years. With high-energy from across the oceans comes Dubmarine (Australia), a nine-piece group that brings together dub, dancehall, reggae, drum ‘n bass

and rock and fuses it with other elements of music from all around the world to produce a distinctive heavy sound. From the nearby Netherlands comes Chef ’Special, which in the space of three years has grown into a solid, ambitious band of funk, hip hop, rock, reggae and orchestral excesses.

Travel News

India, Nigeria cement cultural ties via Abuja Carnival IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he India High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mahesh Sachdev, last week said his country has been using the avenue of participating in the Abuja National Carnival to sustain the long-term cordial relationship and cement cultural ties that exist between Nigeria and India. The envoy also made known that his country had been making effort to ensure the relationship between both countries is sustained for the sake of posterity. Sachdev stated this at the commemoration of the 63rd Anniversary of India in Abuja, while adding that his country had concluded plans to invite an Indian academy of performing arts to have a joint venture with the Nigeria company in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, so as to train professionals in cinematography, acting,

directing and other aspects of performing arts. He said: “Many of Nigeria’s successful young entrepreneurs in India are leveraging Nigeria culture in India. A Nigerian couple has opened a fashion centre in India to give people Nigeria styles and designs and our citizens have love for Nigeria cultures because they are merging Indian style with Nigerian designs. “Nigeria culture is very fascinating with a mileage of 350 tribes of many ethnic groups and many languages. It is not monolithic but multi cultural; each of your culture has a proud traditional dress, food and unique dancing steps. I feel your culture is similar to India culture in its diversity”. Also at the event, The commission used the opportunity to unveil their annual magazine entitled Infities which treats cultural ties and showcases Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry and Bollywood, its counterpart.

Previous Meetings Africa

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Escape

Friday, February 8, 2013

Town International Jazz Festival WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD THAT THIS YEAR, HALF OF OUR LINE-UP HAILS FROM AFRICA

Mazwai

From the home-grown soil of South Africa comes five incredible women – Sonti, Thandiswa Mazwai, Auriol Hays, Claire Phillips and Pu2ma for this year’s festival. Sonti has fast become a top name in South Africa. While living in exile, she met Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba and is blessed with the rare experi-

ence of working with two of SA’s great legends. Her incredible voice has seen her take the limelight with international music icons like Peter Gabriel, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Sade, Paul Simon and Donna Summer. Thandiswa Mazwai was recently described by The Guardian as South Africa’s finest female contemporary singer. Combining traditional Xhosa rhythms, mbaqanga, reggae, kwaito, funk and jazz, Thandiswa believes that through music she can have meaningful conversations about African identity. Auriol Hays’ debut album Behind Closed Doors earned her a 2009 SAMA nomination and was selected by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 20 albums. SAMA winner, singer, songwriter and musician Claire Phillips has an instantly recognisable voice and her album Say My Name hit the top of the local music charts. Phillips has performed alongside Sasha-Lee David’s, Brandon October, Jimmy Dludlu and Joe Mc Bride to name but a few. Few words can describe the vocal prowess of Pu2ma who shared the stage with Hugh Masekela at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz in 2011 and has performed internationally at the infamous jazz club in Shanghai, China (the JZ Club). Adding to the extraordinary variety of this year’s event is Zen-funk quintet Ronin (Switzerland), performing what they call “ritual groove music”. In 2011, the Wall Street Journal chose Ronin’s live show as one of the six best live shows together with Björk, Radiohead, Patti Smith, Feist and Anna Calvi. Described as a compelling performer with an energy and personality to match that of the early Bob Marley, Senegalese maverick Cheikh Lô, also joins the bill, having nurtured styles and cultures from all over the globe and incorporating Brazilian rhythms and Senegalese groove into his song writing. This year will also see a much-anticipated performance by the recently re-grouped Mafikizolo, featuring male-female duo, Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza, two of the original members. Other South African jazz greats taking centre stage at the CTIJF include, Louis Moholo who presents 4

Blokes and 1 Girl, Ibrahim Khalil Shihab, Afrika Mkhize, Jonathan Rubain and Don Vino, and Ben Sharpa and Pure Solid. Cape Town-born Louis Moholo first made a mark on the jazz percussion scene with the band, The Blue Notes. Moholo went on to become one of SA’s leading jazz drummers. In 1994, he was honoured by Straight No Chaser magazine for his contribution to the freedom of South Africa through music. Ibrahim Khalil Shihab is a jazz pianist, composer and singer, readily recognised in South African jazz circles. He has worked extensively throughout southern Africa and across the Middle and Far East, sharing the spotlight with both South African and international stars. Also at the keyboard is Afrika Mkhize, last year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner, described as the exciting new face of South African jazz and definitely a rising star. Two of Cape Town’s top musicians, Jonathan Rubain (bass) and Don Vino (sax) pool their talent at the CTIJF to wow festival-goers with a blend of bass ‘n sax never heard before. Rubain is bass player of choice for legends such as Mac McKenzie, Errol Dyers, Robbie Jansen and David Kramer and Donvino has played with greats including Ernie Smith, Loyiso Bala, Jimmy Dludlu, Wanda Baloyi, Victor Masondo and Lady Smith Black Mambazo. Considered as one of the African Continent’s most accomplished lyricists, hip-hop artist Ben Sharpa, has dedicated his life to his art. He won a nation-wide freestyle battle competition in 2003 and became an instant hit in South Africa. The award also launched his career internationally. Sharpa has since performed at Glastonbury Festival and other well-established festivals across Europe. He performs at the CTIJF with Cape Town-based audio-visual electro dub duo, Pure Solid. Rounding off the South African sets is the reggaeinfused Afro-beat band, Trenton and the Free Radicals, whose music is described as seductive, acoustic and urban with a contemporary African sound of universal appeal. Previously announced in December 2012, other international artistes that will take to the stage at the 2013 CTIJF include, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club featuring Omara Portuondo (Cuba); Brand New Heavies (UK); Chano Domínguez (Spain); Gregory Porter (USA); the Jack DeJohnette Trio featuring Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison (USA) and the Robert Glasper Experiment (USA).

Continent showcases to the world at Meetings Africa 2013

or this year edition of Meetings Africa 2013, a distinctly pan-African flavour will pervade trade show exhibitions, seminars and networking between February 18 and 21 when it will be holding. Meetings Africa is being hosted by the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) and will showcase Africa’s diverse business events product offering. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, executive manager of SANCB, said the strategy is to make Meetings Africa a truly African showcase, to grow the capacity of the collective African business events industry and transform regional Africa into one of the world’s business events powerhouses. The theme of this year’s event is Advancing Africa together. ‘We want to work with our business event partners on the African

continent and want more global and African associations to use the great resources we have in Africa to bolster business event hosting and delivery”, she said. She added that Meetings Africa offered the industry and exhibitors an opportunity to see the best of the continent’s business events industry under one roof: ‘It’s the perfect platform for business events industry professionals to meet, network and create mutually-beneficial business partnerships’. “Meetings Africa needs to be the Africa show like GIBTM in Abu Dhabi is the Middle East show”, she explained. The 2013 event will see more than 50 African association buyers, 200 international hosted buyers and 200 local corporate and government buyers in attendance.

International Conference and Incentive Travel Research (ICR) was appointed by SANCB to evaluate and screen international hosted buyers for Meetings Africa 2013 to ensure those that attend have a real interest in bringing their business events and incentives to Africa. Several changes have been made to the Meetings Africa format to ensure buyers and exhibitors get as much as possible out of the event. SANCB has introduced a dedicated ‘Seminar Day’ on February 18 -before the actual trade exhibition starts- to enable buyers and exhibitors attend the various targeted seminar sessions. The ‘Meetings Africa Association Day’ will also be held on February 18 and is a must-attend event for African Association leaders. It is designed to energise and engage

association executives. Among its aims are to build the national and pan-African association communities and promote their engagement with international associations. A new event at Meetings Africa 2013 is the ‘Decision Makers Forum’ that will be held on February 19. It is a platform for key decision makers and industry leaders to engage to better understand the pivotal role business events can play in generating economic prosperity in South Africa’s cities, municipalities and provinces. The Meetings Africa Golf Day will take place on February 21, providing networking opportunities in a different way for corporate executives, hosted buyers and exhibitors In 2010, 10,000 association meetings rotated around the world. South Africa attracted 86 of those and Africa 304.

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

denrele@nationalmirroronline.net Follow on Twitter@MizNiyi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 8, 2013

More money, less problems

CLAPPERBOARD with

ECONOMIC

et your umbrella out because WATCHERS SHOULD the entertainment industry is about to make it rain much PREPARE FOR more money! Young, creative Nigerians are A SHIFT IN THE coming into their own as financial FINANCIAL POWER independents and easy as it is to be a skceptic or ‘hater’, I’m more disBASE ENTERTAINERS posed to saluting the business inventiveness emerging from this fledgling ARE THE NEXT industry. The amazing fact is that we POWER BROKERS are only scratching the surface of potentials within the sector, but if the present is any indication of future age valued at N8 million! (which goes trends, economic watchers in Nige- to affirm that dreams do come true). ria should prepare for a shift in the A media friend also confirmed to me financial power base- entertainers that Linda bought a multi-million are the country’s next power brokers. 5-bedroom duplex in Surulere for her For instance, I’m a great admirer parents just two months ago. A post she put on her blog announcof Linda Ikeji’s success; more for the ‘fairy tale’-like element to her accent ing the arrival of the ‘new baby’ to into reckoning in the entertainment join the older 2008 Toyota Camry she sector. In knuckle-bare and unedited drives read thus: “...I decided to spoil myself..Ha ha! terms, Linda is what we refer to (in local parlance) as a tataafo– no of- Bought myself the 2011 Infiniti FX 35 fence to her. She minds everybody’s - the premium package. Got it on Fribusiness and pries into social media day for 8 million naira. Call me Linda accounts of celebrities et al to keep ‘Chopping Life’ Ikeji. Lol! My sisters tabs on them and retrieve juicy gist wanted me to get a Range, but I’ve aland developments for her fast-grow- ways loved this SUV and now I own ing community of followers on the one! Amazing stuff !!!”. The most astounding part of this announcement award-winning Linda Ikeji Blog. Who would have thought that a gos- she made is the fact that a record 1,671 sip blogger (or an amebo sef) would congratulatory comments followed it! Really, the entertainment indusgain widespread popularity and commercial affluence in Nigeria?– which try in Nigeria is a virile field where I daresay Linda is demonstrating as the smart-thinking and innovatively a possibility. Well, I, for one, never distinct individual can attain what is saw it coming; hers is a career path akin to overnight stardom resulting too far-left (if I may borrow the politi- in multi-millionaire status. However, cal lingo) for consideration in a ‘far- the first comers are not necessarily rightish’ professional environment those who will make the best of the inwhich Nigeria exemplifies. But it is dustry– younger, emerging talents are debuting with fresher ideas, more proa career path meeting the desires of a specific demographic (the voyeuris- fessional outlook and a cosmopolitan tic, pop culture-influenced group) creative energy. Their motivation does which happens to be in the vocal ma- not want to be ‘local champions’ or big jority and to whom the big name com- fishes in small ponds. The thrust is to conquer Nigeria, Africa and then take panies target their adverts. From making moderate headway over the world stage! Metaphorically, in modelling and magazine publica- Ghanaian writer, Ayi Kwei Armah, tion, Linda stumbled on blogging in captures my sentiments precisely with the title of his career-defining novel, 2006 and although her early days of raking up muck about famous names The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. While not begrudging Ms. Ikeji (and did not give her instant fame and other financially liberated entertainwealth, her persistence did pay off eventually by 2010. The blog began ers) every inch of blessings reaped to attract traffic and you know where from her hard work (rather than reaphuman traffic goes, advertisers and ing proceeds of being pampered girlmoney are not far behind. Linda’s friend to a senator, state governor or some filthily rich drug baron who blog reportedly rakes in an average of N3m a month from adverts from vari- lives in Banana Island), I am expectant ous brands and online ad networks, for the emergence of Nigeria’s world which makes her the highest earning dominating superstars! Love and peace for the weekend blogger in Nigeria. Her bank account nko..? Robust! To confirm the bulky bank balance, the celebrity blogger recently acquired her dream automobile; a 2011 Infiniti FX 35 - the Linda poses between her 2011 Infiniti FX 35 and her older 2008 premium pack- Toyota Camry.

Eddie Ugbomah www.edifosafilm.com

Re-colonialisation of Nigeria (2)

hen South Africans sneaked into Nigeria, they were offering big dishes and poles to us and they were charging high. Many Nigerians were showing their class by installing thesedishes in their compounds. As usual I opposed them and their agent Emeka Mba appealed that I should give them a chance. They started to get into the Nigerian Film Makers just to prove me wrong. The MultiChoice people introduced young directors, their benefactorswere very happy. They then introduced “Doctors Quarters”, a TV series. These clever South Africans were paying good money per episode with the conditions that you cannot query them or argue here in Nigeria; if you are not satisfied with anything you must report to South Africa. Finally, they brought in Tinsel paying N200,000 per episode. All our shameless, spineless Nigerian actors rushed there. Now the big money has gone, the soap is now being produced and directed by Nigerians. It is not too late if Nigerian artistes, producers, actors will join together and get rid of these oppressors. Nowhere will a sensible country allow broadcasting in their country by foreign stations but we watch DStv, MultiChoice and African Magic, which kill our culture. They murdered our football league with their SuperSports and our people know more of the English, Spanish, BundesLiga than even their own country Nigeria. How many Nigerian musicians can tell you about Orlando Julius, Dele Ojo, Ali Chukwuma, Comfort Omoge or Bala Miller etc, but they can tell you the story of Snoop Dogg, 50 Cents, Usher and R Kelly because these foreign stations choke them down our throats. When theSouth African media and mobile people came into Nigeria, they guaranteed to help us improve the growth of Nigerian filmmaking. Two white South Africans, Eddie and Philip were brought to my house; they agreed to finance my dream film Aba Women Riot. After agreeing to this deal, Okeke urged them not to finance the production, they were advised to buy finished Nigerian video films and repackage them for distribution. They packaged Amaka Igwe, RMD, Jetta Films and from nowhere they established African Magic and Channel O and used these channels to totally ruin Nigerian films and video production. They transmit from South African satellite and the Nigerian staff is just fronting for them. The assistance they promised now has become exploitation and they don’t care because we have all been compromised. A typical insult is the AFCON games going on now. South Africa paid $2m (dollars) to broadcast the football matches but they want the Nigerians to pay £8m (Euros) which we can use to buy medication, train Nigerians in school or even given to me to make a world class movie and earn $20m (dollars). Nollywood is a name given to Nigerian film makers by an Indian woman but today,

I AM CALLING ON NIGERIANS TO JOIN ME AND GET RID OF THESE LEECHES EATING US the whole of Africa has become ‘wood’ and they are burning up fast. Why do we have to copy everything from Hollywood? The insult is the destruction of the movie industry, which is affecting the growth. In Nollywood’s early teething days, the stories were nice, meaningful and interesting. The Igbo films investors brought in their greed for money and killed the style, decency and stories and technical inputs went to the dogs. Yoruba movie makers didn’t want to be left behind, so they came out with the native doctors and superstitious, voodoo stories. The Igbos then jumped into blood-letting and computer techniques, dividing their stories into part one to four just to make more money from one simple story. The result is that they are all shooting rubbish; simple stories have been killed. They go to location on Monday, release into Idumota and Eweka on Friday and the film dies next Monday. The Yorubas started coming out with films like biscuits, they too bring out films that they call cinema. Their brothers from the North took their camcorder to start their own. You need to see the total rubbish they shoot out trying to imitate Indian films. With such a big market in the entire North of Africa, these boys cannot make a good film. They just watch the industry die in the name of the cankerworm called tribalism. South Africans are still going strong, improving and winning our audience. The Nigerian audience wants to be entertained and they don’t care where it comes from. We have our TV stations which are dormant and fill their airtime with telenovellas from Mexico. When Indians were not accepted in Europe and America, they upped their acts, added kisses, more modern dance steps, bigger budgets and now they have acquired cinema halls in Europe and America to show their films. Indian stories are gradually getting into the American films industry. The famous ‘24’ TV series had a complete season starring 12 Indian stars. Two India-based films have won Oscars in 2010 and 2012; the hard work of the Indian investors and government. But what do we do here? We just talk and bicker, collecting peanuts and dying gradually. I am sad that this is a nation of two laws; one for the rich and another for the poor. The movie industry can create 50,000 jobs if the government knows its value, power and import of motion picture. We must stop talking and do something, I am calling on all Nigerians to join me and get rid of these leeches eating us up gradually.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People In The Mirror

Friday February 8, 2013

MTV Base throws star-studded gig for VJ Search winner MTV Base threw a star-studded party for Ehizojia “Ehiz” Okoeguale who was crowned winner of the MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria on Friday, January 25. Guests were hosted to an after party that held at Don Jazzy‘s new POP club, Victoria Island, Lagos. Ehiz won the big prize that came with a job contract with MTV Base worth N10m and a brand new car. He was chosen by a panel of judges comprising Banky W, Toolz, Funke Akindele and MTV Base’s Tim Horwood.

Ehiz being announced as winner of MTV VJ Search

VJ Search judges L-R Tim Horwood, Funke Akindele, Banky W and Toolz.

Burna Boy (L) and DJ Humility Sharon Ojong.

VJ Search finalists L-R Ada, Ehiz and Kemi.

MTV Base VJ Nomuzi Toni Tones and Uche Odoh (R)

Emma Nyra and Iyanya (R)

Naeto C (L) and Ikechukwu.

Zakki (L) and Goldie

Some guests at the party

Da Prince performing at the event

MTV Base officials L-R Avani Bhanchawat, Alex Okosi and Colette Otusheso.

Friday February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Drive

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: automaker builds when it wants to spare no expense. And considering that MercedesBenz spares no expense, a buyer will be hardrawing on Mercedes-Benz’s heritage pressed to find something more purposeful yet completely modern in every re- and luxurious this side of half a million dolspect, the SLS AMG is a unique of- lars. The space-frame chassis composed of fering in the super sports car arena and not lightweight aluminium, a hand-built engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission just because it comes with gull-wing doors. Like most supercars, the SLS AMG is mounted at the rear to help provide a nearborn from a unique and bespoke platform, ideal 47-53 front-rear weight ratio. The SLS AMG will hit 60 mph from rest and in this case was gilded by the tuning gods at AMG, the official in-house tuner of in just 3.7 seconds, going all the way to 197 Mercedes-Benz and the company respon- mph before hitting its electronic speed limiter. This puts the SLS AMG in direct comsible for its fastest models. It also gets copious amounts of power petition with cars like the Audi R8, Porsche and torque, a heady 563 horsepower and 479 911 and Maserati GranTurismo. However, anyone considering exotics like pound-feet of torque, all of which is generated by a naturally-aspirated 6.3-litre V-8 en- the Ferrari California or Lamborghini Gallardo should also consider the SLS AMG. gine. The car is not without its faults, albeit While there are numerous models to be had with similar outputs these days, the they are minor ones. The SLS AMG is big SLS AMG is unique in that it features a pair for a two-seater sports car, which means it of ‘gull-wing’ doors, making it a genuine may not feel as nimble as some of the comsuccessor to the legendary 300SL launched petition. And despite its size, the car is rathmore than half a century ago. And, like the er tight in its beautifully-appointed cabin. Taller drivers may find it a bit short on original 300SL, the SLS AMG is also availhead and leg room. That is partially due to able as a convertible. The SLS AMG is also the type of car an the gull-wing doors, which also require rela-

STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

CONSIDERING THAT MERCEDES-BENZ SPARES NO EXPENSE, A BUYER WILL BE

HARD-PRESSED TO FIND SOMETHING MORE PURPOSEFUL AND LUXURIOUS tively tall sills that make getting in and out harder than it should be. Opting for the softtop convertible alleviates some of the claustrophobic feeling. The SLS AMG was all-new for 2012 so there have not been many major updates on newer models. The 2012 model year introduced the SLS AMG Roadster as well as some new paint colours and an optional three-mode AMG Adaptive Suspension.

Powertrains and performance Powering Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is

a hand-built 6.2-litre V8 that produces 563 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. A sevenspeed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox is the only transmission available, and it features aluminium shift paddles on the steering wheel and a choice of several modes that range from efficiency to high performance.

Safety Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, side airbags, side curtain airbags (coupe only), knee airbags, blind-spot monitoring and Mercedes-Benz’s “mbrace” emergency telematics system. As expected, the SLS’s brakes are very powerful and the tyres deliver very good grip, bringing the car to a stop in just 98 feet from 60 mph. Such braking performance is truly impressive, given that only a few cars can come to a halt from 60 mph in less than 100 feet.

Interior design and special features The SLS coupe’s gull-wing-style doors swing upward, revealing a larger, less obstructed opening than is typical of cars with conventional doors. This advantage

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Drive

Friday February 8, 2013

i offset is ff t somewhat h tb by th the wide id sill ill th thatt must be navigated before you can lower yourself into the cockpit, and the fact that there is a long reach up to close the door. The SLS Roadster features conventionally hinged doors. The interior features finely stitched leather not only on the seats but also on the dash, console and doors. Driving impressions Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has the balance of a sports car, thanks to a weight distribution of 47 per cent front/53 per cent rear. It steers quickly into a corner like a sports car, yet has the straight-line stability of a GT car. Odds are you will run out of talent a lot quicker than the SLS will, though some drivers might find the stability control a bit too intrusive in its default mode. Although the suspension is on the firm side, it is still compliant enough to take the edge off of broken pavement. Thankfully, ground clearance is not the issue it is in most low-slung exotics, allowing the SLS to enter driveways or parking structures without the requisite gritted teeth and occasional scraping noises.

tallion Motors, the approved distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Nigeria, last week unveiled four different brands of 2013 Hyundai models to the Nigerian public. This is just as the company disclosed that it sold 6,300 units of Hyundai vehicles in 2012 thereby becoming the third most popular car on the road in Nigeria. The vehicles unveiled by the leading automobile company are Hyundai Veloster, Santa Fe, Azera and Genesis, which the company said are already on display at its 12 Hyundai showrooms across the country. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, the Director, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni said that the 2013 models launched have taken different forms from the previous models, adding that the vehicles are fitted to the Nigerian terrain and weather. Nadkarni explained that Hyundai Motors Company has a modern premium brands in the global auto market and persistently received favourable feedback on its vehicles from its clients. He assured the auto shoppers of the availability of spare parts for the new brands in the country. Talking on the new brands, he said the Hyundai Veloster is an entirely fashionable funky hatchback three-door sportlike sedan (one on the driver side and two

Stallion unveils 2013 Hyundai models

on the passenger side) designed for drivers who want something uniquely different and stimulating. The 2013 Veloster comes with a 1.6-litre four cylinder engine that produces 138 hp and 132 Ib-ft of torque mated to a six-speed traditional automatic transmission with low roofline. He said, “Before we decided to bring in the Veloster, we have carried out our research and discovered that Nigerians will be attracted to it and so far, we are not disappointed. “From the driver’s side, the Veloster looks like a regular two-door but when turned 180 degrees through, it looks like a four-door - thanks to the perfectly normal-looking rear door”. On the other hand, the redesigned Santa Fe SUV adopts the automaker’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design incorporating a third row of seats that increases the passenger count to seven thus effectively replacing the outgoing Hyundai Veracruz. Although the new Santa Fe comes in three variants of 2.4-litre four cylinders, a turbocharged 2.4-litre and 3.3-litre V6, only the 2.4-litre and 3.3-litre variants are

available in the Nigerian market, he said. Nadkarni noted that the 2013 Santa Fe will be targeted at the family because of its ample leg room and passengers’ space especially in the first two rows that conveniently accommodate taller adults. Drivers with predilection for details are also expected to like Santa Fe’s admirable interior materials as well as intuitive controls and extensive number of standard and optional features that distinguishes the new SUV. Nadkarni also added that the 250 hp 3.0-litre Azera mid-to-up-scale sedan is stylishly designed to emit all the trappings of a luxury that is unprecedented in its class. He said Azera is the result of Hyundai’s relentless R&D testing and visionary thinking which seeks to always reflect the will of Hyundai Motor Company to create new possibilities to benefit the world and its people by encouraging and developing new thinking. Also unveiled at the exhibition is Genesis, Hyundai’s class leading 3.8-litre V6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Honda brands win superior performance awards

ecently, two hot-selling Honda vehicles, the Honda Civic and the Honda CR-V, earned Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards for “superior performance in owner retention.” With a record number of customers buying both the Honda Civic and the Honda CR-V last year, it is obvious that each vehicle is attracting a steady stream of new customers. “Honda’s wins this year are a great example of their commitment to owner loyalty”, said the Director of Polk’s Loyalty Management Practice, Mr. Brad Smith. “Retaining customers in a competitive marketplace is extremely challenging and Honda’s product offerings, combined with their customer engagement strategies, have resulted in high rates of repurchase loyalty”. In addition, Honda also was singled out for its appeal to Hispanic buyers; with recognition as the top brand in 2012 for “Hispanic Market Loyalty to Make”, Honda has now won that acclaim for two straight years—and three times overall. It certainly helps that the fun-to-drive Civic and CR-V offer some of the highest values and best fuel-economy marks in their segments, as well as strong evidence of the automaker’s commitment to continuous improvement.

2013 Hyundai Azera

MAINTENANCE TIPS

How to replace fuel hose

ne of the many ways in which our mechanics rip us off is through fuel hose. Mechanics in Nigeria are always joyous when they discover that their clients or a particular car user is ignorant of minor technical details in their motor vehicles and tend to scare users away with mechanical jargons in order to destabilise the user. Maintenance Tips intends to educate motor vehicle users on how to replace a fuel hose of their cars. A fuel hose transfers fuel to the motor of an internal combustion engine. A fuel hose, made of a braided rubber compound, is made to withstand the pressure of modern pressurised fuel delivery systems. It can also be mounted on small engines between the tank and the carburettor. A fuel hose whether it is on a car, truck or small

engine, should be replaced when it begins to crack or leak. In a order to replace the fuel hose of your car, a driver should park his/her vehicle or place its small engine in a very well ventilated area, preferably outside and turn off the fuel line from the fuel tank as many small engines have a fuel valve that can be turned off, and some automobiles and trucks have a fuel line disable valve that can be activated. The driver should refer to the owner’s manual to see which option is applicable to his engine. The driver can also remove the fuel pump fuse, start his/her engine and allow it to run until it stops. This action will purge the fuel lines of fuel. Again, locate the fuel hose because in cars and trucks, fuel hoses are directly attached to a carburettor or fuel injection port, located beneath the air cleaner. On small engines it will be easily found leading from the gas tank to the carburettor. Continued next week

Cocktail

Friday, February 8, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (93)

Life is too short not to do something that matters. –Hugh Macleod *** MY NOTE: We all need to keep looking into our souls and ask from time to time, “Am I really living the life I am created to live? None of us will escape this life alive, so why not brave it and do what really matters no matter the sacrifice we have to make. It is a tragedy not to live a life that matters because of excuses. TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Couple honoured for 80-year marriage

Connecticut couple married for 80 years were honoured as the winners of the 2013 Longest Married Couple Project, which is based on nominations. Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the Christian organization behind the project, said John and Ann Betar of Fairfield have the longest marriage of any of the couples nominated by friends and family members. The Betars said they married Nov. 25, 1932, to

prevent Ann Betar from having to marry a different man chosen by her father. “Some people said it would never last. We showed them,” John Betar said. “It is truly an honour and a privilege to recognize John and Ann Betar for their commitment to marriage,” said Ron and Judy Pekny, the United States Ecclesial Team for WWME. “We are looking forward to personally recognizing them on Feb. 9 in their hometown of Fairfield.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Pastors protest adultery billboard N early a dozen Philadelphia pastors participated in a protest against a billboard advertising an adulterypromoting website. The ministers gathered Tuesday at the entrance to Steen Outdoor Advertising to protest the advertisement for A r r a n g e m e n t F i n d e r s. com, a website aimed at facilitating extramarital affairs, the Philadelphia Daily News reported yesterday. “Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,” the ad reads, with the word “not” crossed out. Debra Hamilton, head of sales and marketing at Steen, said the company was also upset by the advertisement, but officials can’t review content for the hundreds of advertisements put up by the firm. However, A.J. Perkins, a marketing representative for

the website, said the company had to approve the ad before it went up. “They actually own the sign; they approve

what goes up,” he said. “Otherwise, it would have been a lot more risque, trust me.” Perkins said the sign

Help, don’t erase me! Photo: creativenerds.co.uk

has led to a 600 percent increase in the number of Philadelphia-area members since it was erected.

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance Main One’s pedigree as a provider of dependable and affordable broadband service places NGCOM at a vantage point to offer fast and efficient services to its customers.

We have the sea-link project; a sea-link project is basically a maritime transport infrastructure; we are looking at how we can enhance the volumes of trade that falls within the ECOWAS sub-region and even the Central African region.

Chief Executive Officer, Main One Cable Company, Funke Opeke

NEXIM BANK MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROBERTS ORYA

NAICOM to unveil micro insurance framework AYO OLESIN

opment agencies, which showed huge gaps in the market among the low income groups. Some of the channels for selling micro insurance, he said would include cooperative societies, banks and microfinance banks, community associations and other means to be determined by sellers. He noted that the whole insurance sector in Nigeria contributed less than

one per cent to Gross Domestic Product at present, “adding that insurance could easily eclipse the banking sector if a larger percentage of the population bought insurance products.” He attributed the low insurance penetration to a number of factors including limited public awareness, prescriptive orientation of the Insurance Act 2003 and lack of confidence

in insurance operators by the insuring and non insuring public. Other measures being taken to expand the insurance sector, according to Daniel, include the adoption of Takaful Insurance, which guidelines have already been exposed to stakeholders for input. The Takaful concept is similar to non-interest banking, where insured persons or entities get a

share of premiums paid if no claims are made unlike the conventional insurance where the insurers hold on to premiums. The Commissioner also said the industry was taking advantage of the opportunities made available under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act to increase the level of participation of local insurers in the energy sector.

he National Insurance Commission is in the concluding stages of developing a reliable micro insurance framework aimed at deepening insurance penetration in the country, particularly at tbe grassroots. The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, who disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the opening of seminar for senior financial journalists, said that the document will spell out clear rules for investments and give insurance firms the required flexibility to deploy innovative means of reaching the underserved segment of the insurance market. According to him, the development of the micro insurance sector was crucial to realising the objective of unlocking the huge potential of the sector. He said that the framework was a result of the comprehensive study carL-R: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Stockholders Limited, Mr. Dele Sotubo; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings ried out in collaboration Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Boha and Head, Global Market Sales, Mr. Akeem Oyewale, during the press conference on Standard Bank’s with international devel- upcoming 2013 West Africa Investors’ Conference on Febuary 7, 2013 in Lagos, yesterday.

Demand rises for Nigeria’s crude oil grades UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

emand for the nation’s crude oil grades which witnessed a lull in the past few weeks has increased significantly following a

ADVERT HOTLINES: For advert bookings and information, please contact the following:

LAGOS: 01-8446073, 08094331171, 08023133084, 08034019884 ABUJA: 08033020395, 08036321014

rise in consumption of refined petroleum products at the global market. Reuters stated that three lots of Forcados, two of Bonga and one each of Agbami, Brass River, Erha and Usan remain available, they said. That compares with 21 cargoes for February loading that were unsold as of Jan. 10, three trad-

ers said at the time. The agency stated that: “Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, plans to export 69 shipments in March, totaling 2.05 million barrels a day, the lowest in four months, according to loading programs obtained by Bloomberg News. That compares with 65 lots or 2.13 million barrels a day

NUEE cautions employers on workers’ gratuity

this month. It maintained that increased demand from European refiners for the nation’s crude was sparked by higher gasoline margins, according to the people. Nigerian grades are typically light and sweet, or have lower sulfur, and yield a higher proportion of transportation fuels than heavy,

sour blends. The agency stated that gasoline’s crack in Europe, or premium to Dated Brent, has almost doubled since Jan. 15 to be at $12.93 a barrel today, according to PVM Oil Associates Ltd., a London-based broker. It climbed to the highest in four months at $13.92 a barrel on Jan. 30, the data showed. The region is the biggest exporter of the fuel to America.

Nigeria: Maritime, oil and gas giant without a ship

Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun). Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15,17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun)Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri) 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) AbvBeni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/ Sat)08.56, 12.10(Sun)

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) LagBenin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat)

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

Business News

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Heritage Bank begins payment to Societe Generale Bank customers JOHNSON OKANLAWON

eritage Banking Company has commenced payment to customers of the defunct Societe Generale Bank, whose accounts have been successfully validated. A statement from the bank yesterday said the exercise was in two parts: verification of accounts and instant issuance of payment cheques for those who preferred to collect the balances in their accounts. It said owners of successfully validated accounts had the option of retaining their money with the new Heritage Bank, which will begin operations before the first quarter of the year ends. According to the statement, the management of Heritage Bank has put everything in place to ensure that all SGBN customers who turn up for the month-long exercise go back satisfied.

L-R: General Manager, Sales and Marketing, NIPCO, Mr. Bakhtriar Nariewala; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum, Mr. Abdullahi Musa, and Chief Executive Officer Oando Marketing, Mr. Yomi Awobokun, at the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Strategic Policy Summit organized by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja, recently.

It said, “Management has made adequate arrangement for everybody and we have the financial strength to pay everybody if the need arises.” On the modality for account

validation, the statement explained that savings account holders were expected to come with means of identification such as driver’s licence, passport or national identity card,

IT contracts: BPP, CPN set to tackle quackery KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, have joined forces to ensure that only Information Technology firms, registered with government establishments such as the CPN are awarded government’s ICT-related projects. The collaboration was announced in a statement made available to National Mirror yesterday by the Head, Media and Corporate Communication, CPN, Mr. Amoo Akanni. Through the collaboration, Akanni said the effort of Council at ensuring that only registered

members both corporate and individual, of the profession are considered for the award of Information Technology contracts in both private and public sector had received a boost. According to him, “As we all know, the Public Procurement Act 2007 established the Bureau of Public Procurement as the regulatory authority responsible for the monitoring and oversight of public procurement as well as harmonization of the existing government policies and practices by regulating, setting standards and developing the legal framework as well as professional capacity for public procurement in Nigeria.” Akanbi said presently, the BPP is conducting an exercise to verify the professional membership claims of

some contractors that are dealing with the Federal Government and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). “Towards this end, the CPN Secretariat is presently working with the officials of the establishment who came to request for the electronic and hard copy of the list of registered members of the profession in order to authenticate the claims before it. “CPN is compiling the list of financially update members for onward delivery to Bureau of Public Procurement. Therefore, all members are advised to pay up their outstanding subscription as soon as possible,” he said.

NUEE cautions employers on workers’ gratuity MESHACK IDEHEN

he National Union of Electricity Employees, (NUEE), said on Thursday that no employer can deny workers the right to gratuity using the Pension Reform Act of 2004 that gave birth to the Contributory Pension Scheme, (CPS). According to UEE, the agreement between the Federal Government and Labour on the payment of pension and gratuity to Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN) workers, is already faulted, because before the agreement ahead of the privatization of PHCN’s assets, there had been fierce debate between government/employers and organised

labour on whether or not PRA 2004 abolished gratuity. NUEE said also that following the agreement, employers who had mischievously contested that the PRA 2004 had abolished gratuity, even when the PRA did not say such, should pay their workers their gratuity. General Secretary of NUEE and Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, said the battle won over the gratuity in the power sector over was not for PHCN workers alone but, entire workers in Nigeria. According to him, the union took time to do some major researches on the items that constitute pension and items that constitute gratuity; decided the issue of gratuity was a call to duty for Nige-

rian workers, and knew it needed to set that precedence because it was convinced that the union was not doing it for PHCN workers alone but for Nigerian workers. “If they were being intimidated in other sectors to abandon gratuity which was becoming the norm, there was the need for us to prove that the Pension Reform Act 2004 at no time merged gratuity with pension. The government seemed to have captured many areas, so we decided to prove that PRA 2004 did not abolish pension. “By this landmark achievement, every sector will know that the issue of being gratuitous, which is a one off payment, at the end of service, cannot be confused with pension, which is payment for life”.

as well as their cash withdrawal forms and deposit slips. For current and corporate accounts, customers are expected to present their cheque books or cheque stumps.

“The process is simple, hassle-free and technology-driven to ensure that customers that turn up do not have to wait endlessly. We just call up the customer’s number from our server base at the head office. “Once this appears, the customer’s picture is taken and stored and the form is passed on to the validation officer through the control officer, for the account to be verified, including the balance in such account. Once this is done, the customer is referred to the cashiers who instantly write cheques for those that want their account balance paid,” the statement read in part. It will be recalled that Heritage Banking Company, which was licensed recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate under a regional banking status, had announced the commencement of a one-month account validation exercise for customers of the old SGBN.

NSE: Investors transact 10.94 billion shares in January

nvestors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in January, bought and sold 10.94 billion shares worth N81.8 billion traded in 128,489 deals, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The statistics from the NSE, for the period under review, on Thursday, showed this is against the 5.15 billion shares valued at N46.55 billion exchanged in 72,421 deals in December. The statistics also showed that the difference in the turnover volumes is 5.89 billion shares higher or 112.43 per cent higher than that of December. Also, the net-worth of investors, on the NSE, appreciated by 13.44 per cent in January while the All-Share Index closed higher at 31,853.19 from the 28,078.81 achieved in December. The market capitalisation also rose by N1.22 trillion to close at N10.19 trillion as against the N8.97 trillion recorded in December. NAN reports that the rise the capital market indices is due to price gains posted by blue chips. The index measures the growth of the bourse, while the capitalisation captures the daily worth of all listed securities. Eterna Oil, during the period under review, appreciated by 144.72 per cent to close at N4.87 per share. Forte Oil grew by 116.43 per cent to close at N16.73 while CCNN increased by 92.83 per

cent to close at N10.22 per share. On the other hand, John Holt recorded the highest lost of 50 per cent to close at N1.7 per share. Morrison depreciated by 25.65 per cent to close at N2.58 while DN Meyer declined by 18.71 per cent to close at N1.26 per share. Some stakeholders attributed the market growth in January to rising investors’ confidence and expectations of improved 2012 full year results. Mr David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust & Investment Co. Ltd, Lagos, claimed that investors’ confidence had been restored in the market. According to Adonri, rising domestic investors’ confidence together with huge foreign portfolio investment inflow are the main factors behind the upbeat. He said that the market vibrancy could be sustained without over-heating it if the market makers were able to manage the cash and stocks liquidity appropriately. Malam Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., Lagos, attributed the growth to stability in foreign exchange and increase in foreign reserve. Kurfi, however, called on investors to trade with caution and invest in companies with strong fundamentals and those trading at fair value.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, February 8, 2013

Aviation, Power grab N181bn intervention fund JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Central Bank of Nigeria has disbursed N181bn out of N300bn Power and Airline Intervention Fund (PAIF) as at December 31, 2012. The fund is set aside by the CBN to help sustain private sector investment in the two sectors. According to a notice posted at the CBN website, 15 airline projects benefited a total of N90.9bn from the fund, while a total of N90.5bn was also disbursed to 21 power projects as at December. The CBN had on November 8, 2012 revised guidelines on the N300bn intervention fund. In a circular signed by Director , Development Finance Department, Mr. Paul Eluhaiwe, the apex bank said that power projects by any corporate entity, duly

registered in Nigeria, involved in electricity power supply value chain, including power generation, transmission, distribution, gas-to-power projects and associated services, are eligible to apply for the fund. This could imply that companies that won bids for controlling equity in Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, successor companies being privatised by the Federal Government could be eligible for such loans in the future after initial meeting payment criteria. The circular said eligible projects could be promoted by private or public sector sponsors or a combination of both, but must be structured either as profitoriented business or a public service, provided that contracted cash-flows or financing support exist to ensure repayment of principal and interest, as well as

long term viability. It said the project company might also offer appropriate credit enhancement options to support its financial obligations and that power companies would only be eligible if the investments were not older than two years from the date of the application. On the eligibility of airlines, the CBN said any airline duly incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 and operating in Nigeria could apply. Types of facilities to be financed in aviation include long term loans (for new power projects), refinancing of existing loans (power and airline projects), refinancing of existing leases (power and airline projects) and working capital (for existing power and airline projects only).

Mantrac, Stanbic Bank collaborate on financing construction sector OLUFEMI AJASA

n a bid to meet customers’ need in Nigeria’s fast growing construction market, Mantrac-Unatrac Group, Cat Financial and Stanbic IBTC Bank officially launched their collaboration in providing customers with finance solutions. Speaking on the innovation in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Mantrac Unatrac Group, Mr. Loutfy Mansour, said the collaboration would make it possible for clients to enjoy financial solutions and would also entrench the company as the first choice distributor of Cat equipment in African region. He said, “We are pleased to be part of this collaboration with Cat Financial and Stanbic Bank. Our customers not only want us to provide them with

FG’s failure to release loan may affect cassava output, say farmers MESHACK IDEHEN

armers under the auspices of Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), Oyo state chapter has said the Federal Government should urgently redeem its promise of giving them loan for massive cultivation of cassava in 2013. Speaking Chairman of Oyo State branch of the association said that the release of the loan would save farmers from poor output this season. He said the Federal Government had promised to give the members of the association a N205, 000 loans on every hect-

are of cassava land cultivated by each farmer in the state, adding the promise was based on the required compulsory registration of members of the NCGA which they had completed at the end of 2012. Muideen explained the government had said that the loan would attract an interest of nine per cent on the total amount collected by each farmer. Urging the government to quickly release the promised facility, the cassava grower’s boss said the association have directed its members in the state to cultivate at least five hectares of cassava each in order to meet the federal government target of doubling

food production in the cassava transformation program. He said further that NCGA is raising the alarm that if by February ending the preparation of land for cassava had not begun that the output might be affected at the end of the day, adding that there was urgent need to release funds now for farmers to start farming activities. “Now, the rains are here. And anything we farmers want to do we should have started. People have been shouting that cassava output will be high now with support from the Federal Government, but this is not possible without the necessary financial assistance”.

the right equipment, but also want us to be able to offer them integrated equipment purchasing solutions and partnering with them to help their business succeed.” Accordingly, Managing Director, Mantrac Nigeria, Edmund Martin-Lawson, explained that all caterpillar products that are sold by Mantrac come with benefit of a finance package to support businesses and economic development in the country. Edmund described that economic development in Nigeria is developing at a fast rate, in areas like building construction, road construction, power, and oil and gas development just to name a few. Most of these developments, he said involved the use of generators, construction machines and material handling equipment.

Nigerian firm wins SAP innovation award KUNLE A ZEEZ

L–R: Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph; Nutritionist, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Dr. Bartholomew Brai and Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria, Mr. Martin Woolnough, during a courtesy visit to the management of Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos recently.

igerian-based managed network solutions provider, Chappal Waddi, has been recognised for the startup’s winning idea of rapid processing and analysis of big data in the recent African chapter of the SAP Startup Focus programme. SAP HANA, the platform under which the SAP Startup Focus programme is being run, is a next-generation database platform that delivers unprecedented value by delivering real-time insight into businesses and is key to making Chappal Waddi’s vision a reality. Chappal Waddi indicated that SAP HANA will form a great part of many of the solutions the startup will roll out in the future and the success of these future solutions will be largely depen-

dent on the real-time functionality that SAP HANA offers. With the SAP Startup Challenge program, Chappal Waddi will get a reduction in SAP HANA® licensing and training costs as well as technical support, which the company says is an added incentive. From 50 startup companies across Africa, eight finalists were chosen to pitch their ideas as how to best leverage the real-time capabilities of SAP HANA. The judging panel included the Vice President, Global Program Lead, SAP Startup Focus Program , Kaustav Mitra, who is based in Palo Alto, California, as well as SAP Africa Public Sector Lead, Alvin Paules; SAP HANA Market Unit Champion, Rudi de Louw; Global Services Director, SAP West Africa, Mobolaji Abolarin and Partner, Hasso Plattner Ventures, Marc Balkin.

Interswitch’s Reward Money boosts PoS usage KUNLE A ZEEZ

nterswitch, an integrated payment and transaction processing company, through a relationship with several established merchants in the country, has said the use of Point of Sales (PoS) terminals by shoppers is being boosted by its ongoing Reward Money loyalty programme with merchants. Director, Switching and Processing at Interswitch, Mr. Akeem Lawal, disclosed this while speaking at the activation of the loyalty programme at merchant locations at Surulere Shopping mall at the weekend. According to him, “There is nothing more exciting to dedicat-

ed shoppers than being rewarded for shopping through a loyalty scheme such as Reward Money loyalty programme by Interswitch, which is aimed at giving back to customers every time they go shopping.” He said Interswitch has intensified the campaign of its Reward Money loyalty programme with the merchants in a bid to reward Verve cardholders, thereby encouraging card culture in Nigeria in line with the current policy of the Central bank of Nigeria to encourage a cashless economy. The first in-mall activation took place at the Ikeja Shopping Mall with some of these merchants such as US Polo, Accessories to die for, KFC and other merchants.

Maritime

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria: Maritime, oil and gas giant without a ship More than 18 years after the liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, the nation ’s former national carrier, the vacuum created by that is yet to be filled up. This development, which portends a great danger to Nigeria ’s shipping industry, has led to renewed calls for the re-floating of a new national carrier. FRANCIS EZEM writes.

he demise of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, Nigeria ’s former national carrier, no doubt portends a great danger for the nation both as importdependent nation and world ’s sixth largest producer of crude oil. For instance, with a population of over 160 million people, Nigeria depends on imported goods ranging from consumer goods, medicines and other industrial equipment to sustain the economy. Yet, as a former member of the Category C of the council of the International Maritime Organisation, world ’s maritime regulatory organ, Nigeria does not have a single vessel on her fleet. Recent statistics show that the country loses in excess of N2.2 trillion to capital flight in the freighting of her crude oil, while the country also loses over five million jobs yearly to foreign ship owners arising from the failure of Nigerian-owned vessels to lift her rich oil and gas deposits, which have been made exclusive preserve foreign shipping firms. Records show that as a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Nigeria exports between 2.4 million and 2.6 million barrels per day at the freight cost of $2.5 per barrel of the product, which is the benchmark charged by the foreign shipping companies to freight the product. The importance of a national carrier for a country like Nigeria, both in terms of sea time training of maritime cadets churned out of her many maritime institutions and carriage of her imports and exports cannot be over-emphasised. Chairman, Cargo Defence Fund, Captain Cosmos Niagwan, in an interview underscored the importance of a national carrier when he said: ”Let me tell you this, during the war, Elder Demster Line used to bring arms for us from Europe but when the civil war became tough, they stopped, it was NNSL that was going to bring those arms for Nigeria. In such a critical situation like war, foreign companies will not come or else they double their freight, but if we have our own, some will sink, explode but we will continue to keep our lifeline, which is the sale of crude oil open. So, we need to have that if not, one day, with all these problems all over the world, ships will not come here and within one month, our pocket will run dry ”. While recalling the circumstances that led to the demise of the NNSL, he said the former national carrier failed primarily because of personal interest involved. According to him, government interference in the day-day running of the firm was just too much.

Container Vessel arriving Tin Can Island Port in Lagos

DURING THE WAR, ELDER DEMSTER LINE USED TO BRING ARMS FOR US FROM EUROPE, BUT WHEN THE CIVIL WAR BECAME TOUGH, THEY STOPPED, IT WAS NNSL THAT WAS GOING TO BRING THOSE ARMS FOR NIGERIA Niagwan, a former director in charge of shipping development of the defunct National Maritime Authority and government -appointed liquidator of the NNSL, which at a time had over 26 ships on her fleet also said: “Within the last 11 years of the company, there were seven managing directors, none of them had anything to do with the maritime industry, they came there just to create job for the boys ”. It was gathered that out of these 11 managing directors, there were two Admirals of the Nigerian Navy and one other Army General, who knew next to nothing about shipping were appointed to run the defunct national carrier. Government had also following the demise of NNSL, floated another national carrier, the Nigerian Unity Line, which also went under a few years after due to a combination of government interference and the attendant poor management. It was probably in a bid to address these issues that the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, umbrella body for over 50 indigenous shipping firms about five years ago took the bold initiative to form the ISAN Shipping Line. ISAN had floated the shipping line in 2007 with an initial Paid Up Share Capital of N50 billion raised on the basis of N1 billion contributed by members, who also make up the shareholders of the company. Chairman of ISAN, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, had while on the establishment of the private-sector led mega shipping company disclosed that it was to enable it acquire sophisticated ships like Very Large Crude Carriers to enable Nigerian ship owners participate in the lucrative crude oil trade currently reserved for foreigners. Part of the decision of the association to

make it a private firm was to avoid the mistake of both the NNSL and the NUL Regrettably, nearly after all the processes of registration were concluded, the company is yet to be granted a national carrier status. This development had left most stakeholders wondering what the issue might be. During a recent visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria ’s apex maritime regulatory body and the agency statutorily empowered to grant national carrier status to qualified indigenous shipping companies, Jolapamo renewed the call for the ISAN Shipping Line to be granted the status, having fulfilled all the relevant conditions for the granting a national carrier status. Section 22 of the NIMASA Act 2007, empowers the apex maritime regulatory agency to appoint national carriers, which among other benefit would carry about 50 percent of cargo belonging the Federal, state and local governments in the country and their agencies. The association ’s request follows a recent meeting where members adopted a new constitution to enable it adapt to the dynamics of modern shipping practice and also accommodate all other Nigerians who play active role in the industry. “ISAN Shipping Line was set up to enable Nigerian ship owners participate effectively in the lifting of the nation ’s cargo including crude oil because the indigenous operators in the shipping industry have been in a sorry state ”, Jolapamo said. “The industry has been floundering like a rudderless ship for a very long time and we appear helpless. We are not only helpless now but are now spectators in an industry where we should be calling the

shots and this is the major challenge for seasoned players whose fortunes are dwindling by the day ”, he lamented. It was gathered that NIMASA ’s executive director in charge of Cabotage and Maritime Labour, Mr. Obi Callistus Nwabueze witnessed the adoption of the new constitution. The ISAN-boss had also told the NIMASA management in the course of the meeting that the non-disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), which has been sitting in banks for several years constitute a major challenge to the indigenous shipping firms. He also lamented the non-implementation of the vessel repair and maintenance subsidy, which makes it increasingly more difficult for the indigenous operators to service their vessels and so reinforces the foreigners grip on the industry. “We are all here to secure our maritime freedom and I implore every one of us to rise up to this challenge of moving this industry forward for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians ”, he said. However, recent discovery that the company is yet to be granted a national carrier status came to many stakeholders as a rude shock. This is because the discovery came nearly two years after NIMASA assured that it was planning to grant the status to the ISAN Shipping Line. Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi had during a stakeholders ’ meeting in Lagos, said that the agency was favourably disposed to the company becoming a national carrier in view of its ownership structure, which makes it more or less a public company. Akpobolokemi also said that granting ISAN Plc a national carrier status will enable NIMASA to effectively carry out some of its statutory duties, especially in presenting a common front to the government on issues that concern the stakeholders. The NIMASA boss said at the stakeholders ’ meeting, which was at the instance of the agency, said it was designed to harmonise their views on the issue with a view to presenting a common position of the stakeholders to the government. According to him, there was nothing wrong with granting such a status to the company, given that its ownership cuts across various interests in the industry and a private company belonging to an individual and therefore urged stakeholders to support the move. “We must put national interest above personal and parochial interests. National interest should take precedent over personal views ”, the MIMASA boss insisted. Captain Niagwan believes that what government should do is to give cargo support to private Nigerian firms. He said: “If the banks, the shipyards know that you have cargo, the banks will be ready to finance you, the shipyards will be willing to build ships for you, it is all about trust but if you do not have cargo, why should they build a ship for you? Our problem is lack of political will, we have what it takes, we have the money, we have the technology to run a ship ”. Stakeholders are, however, looking up to NIMASA to fulfill this pledge. The earlier this is done, the better for Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Tin Can Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it collected a total of N206.4bn revenue into Federal Government coffers between January-December 2012. The management of the service had given the command a N264bn revenue target for the 2012 fiscal year out of its N1trillion total target, which translates to N22bn per month. Though the command was not able to make the targeted revenue benchmark of N264bn for the 2012 fiscal year, it was able to surpass the N193.4bn collected in the previous year by over N13bn. Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Mr. Tunji Aremu, who briefed newsmen on the activities of the command in the past fiscal year, observed that the beginning of the year was characterised by low cargo volumes as shown by the number of vessels that called at the port within the first quarter of the year. He noted that in tandem with the current modernisation process of the service geared towards international best practices, the command adopted strategies that repositioned it to effectively surmount the challenges, which led to its impressive performance in terms of revenue generation,

Maritime

Friday, February 8, 2013

Tin Can Customs nets N207bn revenue in one year

Aremu

trade facilitation and anti-smuggling. Details of the revenue profile show that N14.6bn was generated in January, N19.3bn in February and N19.1bn in the month of March, 2012 apiece as against the N13.7bn, N12.6bn and N16.5bn collected in the comparative period of 2011.

Abdullahi

Similarly, N15.2bn was collected in April 2012, N17.1bn in May while N18.4bn was collected in June as against the N13.7bn collected in April 2011, N16.6bn in May and N17.4bn in the month of June, 2011. Other details show that in July 2012, N17.4bn was generated, N18.5bn in August while N15.2bn

Uneasy calm at Apapa Port over billboard launch

trong indications emerged that there is uneasy calm at the Lagos Ports Complex, Apapa over the decision of the immediate past management of the port complex, which houses Nigeria ’s largest container terminal to embark on an expensive and lavish launch of an already existing bill board. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi had penultimate week, announced a major shakeup in which about 26 general managers as well as all the port managers, excluding one were redeployed. Meanwhile, immediate past port manager of the LPC Mr. Joshua Asanga, who was redeployed to the headquarters had embarked an expensive and lavish launch programme for a bill that was installed over two years and had been operational, in which hundreds of millions of public funds were wasted. The first phase of the launch held at the banquet hall of Rockview Hotel, Apapa, in which less than 20 stakeholders were in attendance, while the second phase held at the LPC Administrative Building located inside the port, which was also characterised by poor attendance. Authoritative sources close

Asanga

the complex, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the new management of the port is at loss as to why such huge sums of money would be wasted on an old bill board. According to the source, the new management was further confused by the fact that the immediate past port manager, Asanga had been re-deployed to the headquarters and ought to have handed over as at the dates both launch programmes were held. “One does not really understand why a port manager should be organising a party for a bill board that has actually been in use for over two years at a time he ought to have resumed at his new place of posting ”, the source won-

dered. The source noted that the NPA management should as a matter of urgency, unravel the circumstances surrounding the controversial launch of an existing billboard, especially when the officer in charge had been posted out of the port. He noted that the management gave the redeployed officers a time limit to handover to the incoming officers, which Asanga defied and chose to launch an old billboard. It was also gathered that the billboard is not serving the purpose of displaying vital information like vessels expected to berth or depart, container positions and available berth spaces, among others for which it was installed as it is off most of the time, thus defeating the purpose for its establishment. Meanwhile, public relations officer of the port, Mrs. Irene Udolisa, who spoke in a telephone chat, noted that the management of the port had all the while been test-running the bill board since November. According to her, shortly before the launch, the port manager hired the services of a consultant and also set up a committee that handled both launch of the billboard.

was collected in September as against the N15.7bn, N17.9bn and the N20.1bn collected in the comparative period of 2011. The command in the last quarter of 2012 collected a total of N51.8bn comprising of N16.4bn in October, N18.5bn in November and N16.9bn in December as against the N49.4bn collected in

the comparative period of 2011 comprising of N16.1bn collected in October, N16.3bn collected in November and N17bn collected in the month of December. On anti-smuggling, the TCIP Customs-boss said the command intensified its anti-smuggling operations, which led to seizure of 18 un-parked vehicles, 51 units of 40-foot containers and 42 units of 20-foot containers laden with various types of contraband goods such as falsely declared vehicles, used tyres, new fridges and washing machines, kitchen cabinet and boxes of recorded audio and video compact discs. Others include; electric ovens, pop corn machines, computer bags, used clothes, furniture, snoops, new and used electronics new ladies shoes and bags, among several others put at a duty paid value of N347.4million. On trade facilitation, the CAC said: “As a major player in the World Customs Modernisation process, the command can boast of a robust ICT Centre and two scanning sites made up of a fixed sand mobile canner sites ”. It was gathered that a total of 34, 381 units of containers were scanned at the command in 2012. Experts however blamed the inability of the command to meet the target on some economic issues ranging from the reform of the banks to the increasing insecurity in the country.

Ford plans to make India export hub, to ship cars to 50 markets

nites States car major, Ford has said it will make India its export hub with plans to sell its products in more than 50 countries over a period of time. The company, which has committed a total investment of $2 billion in India so far, also said 40 per cent of its engines produced in the country will be sold overseas. “We are creating an export hub in India. Our small car Figo is exported to 35 markets around the world and our plan is to increase this to 50 markets over a period of time, ” Joginder Singh, who will take over as the new President and Managing Director of Ford India from December 1, told reporters. Singh will replace Michael Boneham, who has been heading the Indian subsidiary of Ford Motor for about five years. “Our new compact sports utility vehicle EcoSport will also be exported from India. We will launch the vehicle next year, ” Singh said. Talking about engine production plans of Ford India, he said: “With the Sanand facility in Gujarat coming up, the combined engine output will be over 6 lakh units annually. Out of that, 40 per cent will be exported... We are de-

lighted to have India as the export hub. ” Besides its existing facility in Chennai, Ford India is investing $1 billion to set up its second production site in the country. With the upcoming plant, which will start production by 2014, the combined vehicle assembly capacity will go up to 4.4 lakh units per year. When asked about Ford ’s miniscule presence in Indian automobile market even after its entry nearly 17 years ago, Singh said: “As per SIAM data, our current market share is under 3 per cent. We are on the verge of great things to happen. We expect a significant jump in market share with our plans to have eight new models by middle of this decade. ” With more products, higher production capacity and expanded dealer network, the company will see accelerated growth in future, he added. Singh said its Ford ’s plans regarding India are “on track ”. The company will double the touch points to 500 by 2015 from 250 at present. “The industry ’s 40 per cent sales are coming from Tier II and III cities. Our focus will also be the same while going forward, ” he added.

Capital Market

Rand Merchant Bank has no plan to list on NSE, says MD JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Group Chief Executive Officer of Rand Merchant Bank, Mr. Alan Pullinger, has said that the bank is not ready to list on the Nigeria Stock Exchange yesterday. Pullinger, who rang the closing bell of the Exchange in commemoration of the launch of the bank in Lagos yesterday, said that the bank is rather ready to support its clients to list. He said, “At the moment, we hope to support a number of our clients either they want to list in the market or they want to expand their activities in

the equities as well as the debt markets. “We are ready to do that and we are also going to develop new products to support the growth and liquidity of the Nigerian market. ” According to him, Nigerian banks are very strong, very competitive and have a number of products, but it is also important for a developing economy to bring in new companies for more competition. He added that the bank is also planning to partner with the Nigerian banks in order to advance the economy. “We see a lot of opportunities in the banking reform by the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 8, 2013

Central Bank of Nigeria in various sectors such as power, oil and gas and agriculture. We want to support the growth of the country, particularly the capital market. “We believe that with the technology, the human resources and the capital we have, we should be able to make our presence felt in the country. We want to support all the industries we believe in Nigeria, ” he said. Pullinger stressed that the Nigerian capital market is a ripe for further development of new products, to attract more foreign investors. He said, “The bourse is a vibrant and a very liquid market. If you look at the

growth rate Nigeria is achieving, we believe it is going to be one of the key markets in the continent. That is why we are looking at various opportunities to invest in the market. ” On the initial capital of the bank, he pointed out that the CBN requires $110m for a start and the bank has already involved in a number of projects in various areas. “We hope to bring in more capital hence the business justifies, ” he added. The CBN had in November last year issued the country ’s first merchant banking licences in more than a decade to South Africa ’s FirstRand and local firm First Securities Discount House. They are the first since the regulatory distinction between merchant and commercial banking was axed twelve years ago.

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 06 FEBRUARY 2013 & 07 FEBRUARY 2013 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

6 -Fe b -1 3

7 -Fe b -1 3

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 10,628.4 points Market capitalisation 33.3 trillion

Index sheds 0.7% on prot taking JOHNSON OKANLAWON

rofit taking by some investors halted the seven days of bullish run in the equities segment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The NSE All-Share Index fell by 0.72 per cent to close at 33,219.20 points, as against the increase of 1.20 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 33,460.14 points. Market capitalisation depreciated by N77.1bn to close at N10.6trn, in contrast to the appreciation of N126.6bn recorded the preceding day to close at

N10.7trn. On the sectorial indices, the NSE 30-Index lost 0.74 per cent to close at 1,595.75 points, while the Oil and Gas Index shed 0.10 per cent to close at 182.54 points. The Consumer Goods Index dropped by 0.20 per cent to close at N980.83 points, while the Insurance Index rose by 1.74 per cent to close at N156.36 points. The Banking Index fell by 2.77 per cent to close at 411.19 points, while the Lotus Islamic Index dipped by 0.10 per cent to close at N2, 100.81 points. Wema Bank Plc led the

gainers ’ table with 12 kobo or 9.84 per cent to close at N1.34 per share, followed by DN Meyer Plc with 12 kobo or 9.68 per cent to close at N1.36 per share. Prestige Insurance Plc rose by nine kobo or 9.68 per cent to close at N1.02 per share, while Royal Exchange Plc gained seven kobo or 8.97 per cent to close at 85 kobo per share. Fidson Healthcare Plc appreciated by 12 kobo or 7.79 per cent to close at N1.66 per share. On the flip side, Transcorp Plc lost 80 kobo or 7.69 per cent to close at N1.71 per share, while NASCON Plc shed 73 kobo

Stock Updates GAINERS or 7.13 per cent to close at N9.51 per share. Chellaram Plc dipped by 73 kobo or 7.13 per cent to close at N5.43 per share, while Eterna Oil Plc declined by 20 kobo or 4.78 per cent to close at N3.98 per share. Union Bank of Nigeria Plc depreciated by 80 kobo or 7.69 per cent to close at N9.60 per share. Transaction volume in equities dropped by 25.7 per cent, as a total of 710.48 million shares worth N3.98bn were exchanged in 7,293 deals, compared to 944.10 million shares valued at N6.52bn traded in 8,485 deals the preceding day.

Kolade to address investors at Stanbic IBTC ’s conference

rowth and investment prospects in Nigeria ’s power sector will dominate proceedings at the 2012 Stanbic IBTC investors conference holding in Ghana and Lagos this month. The Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Sola DavidBorha, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday said that the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme committee, Dr. Christopher Kolade, is billed to address investors on the state of power sector in the country.

According to her, the conference will link up the investors to both the corporate organisation and the regulators in West Africa countries. She explained that the conference has recorded success so far as it enables the investors to identify opportunities in various capital markets. The Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, said that Ghana Finance Minister is going to declare the conference open in Ghana and about 10 corporate investors will ad-

dress the gathering. He added that the Chairman of the bank, Mr. Atedo Peterside is expected to also address the investors on the power reform, considering his role in the sector. Sotubo pointed out that the conference is an opportunity for investors to have information on the companies they want to invest their funds. The Head, Global Market Sales of the bank, Mr. Oyewale Akeem, noted that the conference will give investors value on their

investments, as West African stock markets are moving towards integration. He said, “The conference will give a lot of investors the opportunity to visit both countries and we shall allow them to have access to regulators on investments in both markets. ” Akeem added that over 40 investors have signed off for the conference and 50 different companies from Europe, Asian, America and African countries have showed interest in the conference.

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

WEMABANK

1.22

1.34

0.12

% CHANGE 9.84

DNMEYER

1.24

1.36

0.12

9.68

PRESTIGE

0.93

1.02

0.09

9.68

ROYALEX

0.78

0.85

0.07

8.97

FIDSON

1.54

1.66

0.12

7.79

REDSTAREX

3.83

4.12

0.29

7.57

ASHAKACEM

24.35

26.03

1.68

6.90

UACN

49.00

51.94

2.94

6.00

CAP

30.61

32.14

1.53

5.00

MRS

26.12

27.42

1.30

4.98

CHANGE

% CHANGE -9.52

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

TRANSCORP

1.89

1.71

0.18

UBN

10.40

9.60

0.80

-7.69

NASCON

10.24

9.51

0.73

-7.13

CHELLARAM

5.71

5.43

0.28

-4.90

ETERNA

4.18

3.98

0.20

-4.78

JOHNHOLT

1.47

1.40

0.07

-4.76

GLAXOSMITH

49.36

47.13

2.23

-4.52

STERLNBANK

2.93

2.80

0.13

-4.44

DANGSUGAR

8.99

8.61

0.38

-4.23

OANDO

13.90

13.33

0.57

-4.10

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N ’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

39,057.21

12.75

7-Feb-13

182-Days

50,000.00

15.30

7-Feb-13

364-Days

67,219.06

16.90

7-Feb-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N ’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

73-Days

112,862.21

13.46

7-Feb-13

844-Days

16,905.50

15.55

7-Feb-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$120m

N/A

$112m

6-Feb-13

$150m

N/A

$150m

4-Feb-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, February 8, 2013

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at February 7, 2013 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror “This victory is well deserved. You brought pride to the nation and we shall do our own part to honour you.”

Mercenaries attack Al-Makura’s village

SENATE PRESIDENT, DAVID MARK

Woman delivers baby inside ‘Keke Marwa’ A woman, Mrs. Mutiat Aileru has delivered a baby girl in a tricycle, popularly called Keke Marwa, in AbuleEgba area of Lagos. The woman was delivered of the baby at about 5p.m. around Awori bus. Passersby were attracted to the scene when a woman suddenly ran out of the commercial tricycle and raised

the alarm that her relative was delivering a baby inside the tricycle they had boarded. She had called for urgent help from passersby and roadside shop owners who quickly gathered and shielded the woman in labour with their wrappers. The women rushed to pick the child up, some cleaning her while others were cuddling and others yet

bringing accessories to assist in the delivery. Driver of the Keke, one Mr. Ariyo Ajibola a Prophet of a C&S Church in Ijaiye-Ojokoro, said he picked the woman and her companion from Ikeja when they begged him to assist them to a hospital in Abule Egba. “At first, I was reluctant, but when they began to plead, I

obliged. When we got past Agege, the pregnant woman began to moan in labour. She became hysterical and her people began to panic. But I was praying silently for God’s intervention and also calming the women down. Then, suddenly I heard the noise of a rushing liquid, immediately we passed Abule-Egba bus stop and the other women

began to raise the alarm that a baby had just been delivered. And they began calling for help. I just thank God for what has happened. It is a miracle and I will give a special thanksgiving and testimony in our church. I asked them to pay N1000 but they offered N700 and I accepted. But even if they don’t pay me, I won’t be unhappy.”

Cross River donates computers to teachers OKAY OSUJI

The new born baby girl

2,000 deaf, blind students sleep on bare floor Farmer appeals for assistance over burnt farm A ZA MSUE KADUNA

o fewer than 2,000 blind and deaf students of Kaduna State Special Education are presently sleeping on bare floor due to insufficient bed spaces as many face the prospect of contracting pneumonia. The Special Education School on Katsina Road in Kaduna metropolis was established in 1971, to cater for physically challenged students. Investigations by Community Mirror showed that the school was initially meant to accomodate 300 students, but it presently has more than 2,500 students in both primary and junior secondary without additional facilities. It was also gathered that after several memos to the state ministry of education through

the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, over the living condition of the students, it had failed to address the issues through yearly budgetary allocations. Some of the deaf students confirmed that many of them sleep on bare floor, while others sleep on the few beds, even as they lamented that the harmattan season has affected them. One of the students wrote “We find it difficult to sleep. Many of my school mates sleep on the floor. We have female and male dormitories. The government should help our school because of the cold. Our teachers are good; they take good care of us.” However, the State SUBEB Director for Social Mobilization, Shuaib Dabo, declined any comment when asked on the issue.

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ollowing a devastating fire outbreak that razed 12 silos containing more than N11million worth of dry maize in a farm at Owo River of Shasha in Oje Owode area of Saki East Local Government of Oyo State, a farmer, Alhaji Mufutau Banire , has appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, for urgent assistance to revive his agriculture business, even as cause of the fire is still unknown. The maize silos were reported gutted by fire and it burnt for three days with fire fighters unable to put it out. Alhaji Banire lamented that some unscrupulous elements may have intentionally set fire on the farm during hunting activities which resulted in the

huge losses. He therefore appealed to the authorities for urgent intervention to enable him revive his business. He said, “I am appealing to the authorities, especially the state government to come to my aid in rebuilding the maize farm. The loss is unbearable and 80 of my workers are now jobless. The entire silos were destroyed before fire fighters could find their way to the farm. I hope this harrowing condition would be mitigated lest the effect could lead to severe consequences.” Banire, said a bag of maize which cost N6, 000 the incident, now sells for N6, 500 because of shortage of farm produce in the area. According to him, if government urgently intervenes, the economy as well as welfare of the workers would improved.

he Cross River State Government has inaugurated the ‘Teachers’ Laptop Computer Distribution’ in the E-learning and Digital Literacy Programme, with the presentation of 10,000 computers to teachers in the state. Speaking while presenting the computers at West African People’s Institute (WAPI) Calabar, the Acting Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham, said it is state’s quest to transform its educational system and bequeath a worthy legacy to posterity. Cobham, said the gesture was borne out of desire to belong to the league of nations that have got it right in education revolution and transformation, since any nation that neglects education would remain under-developed. He disclosed that because of high premium, the state places on education, it has made enough budgetary provisions for it. He said to become a leading state will remain a mirage if it does not recognise and accord education a top priority it deserves, which is why since inception of the administration in 2007, it provided an enabling environment to enhance proper learning and teaching. He said, “Armed with resolution, we plunged into comprehensive renovation of schools where the 60 secondary schools in phase 1 were renovated and conducive environment created for teaching and learning to take place”. He explained that four laboratories for the basic sciences, namely, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Computer Science, have been equipped with state-of –the-art equipment in all the schools, while the processes for award of contract for the second phase comprising additional 41 schools have commenced.

Community Mirror

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mercenaries attack Al-Makura’s village IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

he village of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Kwandere has been attacked by unknown gunmen, leaving scores of inhabitants dead or wounded. The scenario led to the complete paralysis of economic activities in Lafia, the state capital, as thousands of people

scampered for safety, even as parents rushed to pick their children and wards from schools. Kwadere is seven kilometres from Lafia and is the traditional seat of a first class chief that was recently upgraded by Governor Al-Makura amidst spontaneous protest across the state. Investigations revealed that the attack was not unconnected with the alleged habouring of Fulani mercenaries in the

Ekititodiscourageopendefecation ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

enceforth, all communities in Ekiti State have been mandated to take provision of toilets serious to discourage defecation in the open. Permanent Secretary in Ekiti State Bureau of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr Funso Daramola, lamented that open defecation had exposed millions of people to preventable diseases. He said open defecation polluted water sources, adding that the issue of sanitation should be given priority, if the nation wanted to get the best out of the citizens. Daramola, who spoke at a two-day workshop on Community-led Total

Sanitation (CLTS) organised by United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), said all communities in the state must take the provision of toilets serious. While saying that the state was targeting 100 per cent open defecation free status, he said safe drinking water supply without having toilets and stopping the practice of open defecation would amount to nothing. According to him, good sanitation and hygienic practices could reduce the incidences of diarrhoea by nearly 37 per cent, adding: “The importance of water and sanitation in any society cannot be overemphasised as water is life, equally water without good sanitation and hygiene is zero”.

village, who were linked with the massacre of indigenous natives. When contacted, Nasarawa State Police Command’s Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Cornelius Ocholi, confirmed the incident, but said the Lafia Area Commander has moblised to the scene while normalcy has been restored, even as he denied any deaths. Further investigation revealed that suspected Fulani mercenaries at-

tacked Eggon settlements at Burumbum, Randa and Rilley, killing many natives and burning houses belonging to them. Meantime, the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dameshi Barau Luka, has called on people of the state to remain calm and go about their normal businesses, assuring that government is on top of the situation. He gave the assurance saying that the call became necessary owing to

tension in the state, as a result of the skirmishes in Kwandere. The message read “On behalf of the government and people of Nasarawa State, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the general public over the situation in town presently. It has come to our notice that a lot of tension has been generated as a result of the skirmishes that took place in Kwandere, where upon hearing that,

people began to run helter- skelter. I want to assure the people, that government has taken adequate measure to arrest the situation. Presently, all security agencies have been mobilised and they are on top of the situation. He therefore called on the public to disregard further rumours that have been going round creating panic and fears in the minds of the people.

Amuloko residents petition govt over road KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

iqued by the consistent traffic congestion on the Olorunsogo/Amuloko Road to Akanran in the Ona Ara Local Government Area owing to the deplorable state, the residents under the aegis of “Amuloko Parapo Community”, have sent an urgent message to the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi , to reconstruct the Amuloko road linking Alakia on Ife Road in Egbeda Local Government through Faosin, Aba Otun and Olode communities.

Residents of the Amuloko area, as well as staff of Ona Ara Local Government Council , have been having a hectic time moving in and out of the area in morning rush hours, as well as evening due to increasing population and bad condition of many access roads. Many residents of Amuloko and Akanran, who could easily link Iyana Agbala, Alakia, Airport area, all in Egbeda Local Government Area, now go through Ife and Osogbo in Osun State, without getting to Olorunsogo and Iwo Road. Members of the almost half a million population

with over 20 communities including Amuloko, Kure, Akinrinmisa, Gbaga, Aba Otun, Faosin, among others, under the chairmanship of Mr. A.M. Olaojo, made the passionate appeal, at a general meeting in which the Divisional Police Officer of Akanran, Mr. Moses Aikuola, represented by the Divisional Crime Officer, Mr, Rasheed Aare, other executive members of the community, and many other eminent personalities were in attendance. Olaojo, whose address entitled: “Amuloko Parapo Community- A Neglect”, was read on his behalf by

the Vice Chairman, Comrade Michael Akinrinola, said “the major road from Amuloko junction to Olode is in a pitiable condition. All efforts to attract the attention of the local government and Oyo State Government have not yielded any positive result. “This major road from Amuloko junction to Olode should be given utmost priority. Construction of this road should commence with good drainage immediately, as the rainy season is approaching. If this is not addressed immediately, the area may be cut off from the entire state”, Olaojo said.

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News “I won’t accept an EU budget deal unless further cuts are made in negotiations in Brussels.”

Palestinian oﬃcials urge Obama to push for peace

–British Prime Minister, David Cameron

French troops withdraw from Timbuktu •Hunt for extremists in Gao

PAUL ARHEWE, WITH AGENCY REPORTS

rench troops began to withdraw from Timbuktu yesterday after securing the fabled city as they ramped up their mission in another northern Mali city, searching for Islamic extremists who may be mixing among the local population. French military spokesman Col. Thierry Burkhard said yesterday that the operation to secure Gao is still under way, nearly two weeks after French and Malian troops moved into the area. New clashes nearby raised questions about how solid a hold the

French military has on the strategic area. There is a risk of “residual presence” of terrorists mixed among the population, Burkhard said from Paris. Extremists fired rocket launchers at French troops near Gao on Tuesday. In a sign of heightened security, authorities briefly detained three Tuareg men in Gao yesterday who were stopped after they did not have their identity papers. The men, who came from a nearby village, were in Gao because they had missed their bus to a nearby market. The mayor intervened and the men were released. As the withdrawal process be-

gan, soldiers in fatigues could be seen pushing an artillery cannon onto the barge crossing the Niger River, located on the southern perimeter of Timbuktu. France has commandeered the river crossing, and yesterday small convoys of military vehicles were lining up, waiting for the barge, including armoured cars, trucks covered with camouflage-coloured tarps, and vehicles loaded with supplies, like cartons of bottled water. While the population of Timbuktu is anxious, worrying that the departure of French troops will open the door for the Islamists to return, French military officials said they had fulfilled their mission here. “We have succeeded in handing

A Malian soldier displaying ammunition seized from Islamists rebels after their departure from Timbuktu, recently. PHOTO: REUTERS

over the majority of our responsibilities to the Malian army and now she will assume our duties. But we will not leave the city of Timbuktu completely,” said Capt. Franck, an official with the French operation codenamed Serval, after a sub-Saharan wildcat. He gave only his first name in keeping with military protocol. He said some French forces will stay because “once we are gone, these people will come back in order to trouble the population. At the same time, we can’t stay indefinitely.” France launched a military operation in Mali on Jan. 11 to help the Malian government restore control. Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida had imposed severe rule in northern Mali then started pushing toward the capital last month. French president Francois Hollande has said France could begin withdrawing its 4,000 troops from Mali as early as March. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius reiterated that stance Thursday, saying the administration was sticking to its schedule and emphasizing the need for political as well as military action. “Our objective cannot be achieved with arms only,” Fabius said in an interview on French television BFM. Fabius said France had carefully studied foreign interventions elsewhere in the world before undertaking the Mali mission.

Tunisian workers call for strike action over Belaid’s killing

unisia’s labour unions have called for a general strike today, to protest against the killing of opposition politician Shokri Belaid. Al Jazeera’s reporter in Tunis said the decision to strike was a “significant move forward”. “The last general strike took place in 1978 and basically, this is something that crippled Tunisia and over the past three decades, the government have always tried to maintain good ties with the unions,” said Ahelbarra. The strike also comes on the back of the country’s ruling Islamist Ennahda party rejecting Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali’s proposal to dissolve the government and install a cabinet of technocrats in a bid to restore calm after Shokri’s assassination outside his home on Wednesday.

“The prime minister did not ask the opinion of his party,” said Abdelhamid Jelassi, Ennahda’s vice-president yesterday. “We in Ennahda believe Tunisia needs a political government now. We will continue discussions with others parties about forming a coalition government” “We in Ennahda believe Tunisia needs a political government now. We will continue discussions with others parties about forming a coalition government.” Tunisian police meanwhile fired teargas on Thursday to disperse hundreds of people near the Interior Ministry in Tunis as violent protests over Shokri’s killing continued for a second day. Demonstrators were throwing stones and chanting slogans calling on Jebali to resign. Jebali had announced he

was dissolving the government in the immediate aftermath of Shokri’s death. Al Jazeera’s reporter in Tunis,

said that security reinforcements have arrived at the French embassy in the heart of Tunis, where protesters have gathered.

People looking at the flowers placed at the site, just outside his home, where opposition leader Chokri Belaid was killed, yesterday in Tunis. PHOTO: AP

WORLD BULLETIN

At least 51 killed in Zambia’s bus crash

Police in Zambia say at least 51 people have been killed after a bus crashed into a semi-truck north of the country’s capital of Lusaka. Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Kanjela said the crash happened Thursday morning at Chifamba, a town about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Lusaka. Kanjela said the crash involved a bus run by Zambia’s postal service, which provides passenger service on buses that also carry the country’s mail. She said police were still investigating the crash and that bodies may still be inside the wreckage. It wasn’t immediately clear what the cause of the crash was, though it happened on a two-lane highway known for having high traffic, even during the night.

ICC orders Libya to hand over ex-spy chief Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ordered Libyan authorities to immediately hand over Abdullah al-Senussi, deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief. The written order published yesterday sets up the latest legal showdown between the Haguebased court and Libyan authorities, who say they plan to put Senussi on trial themselves. The ICC has indicted Senussi on crimes against humanity charges for the murder and persecution of protesters in the early days of the uprising that eventually toppled Gaddafi in 2011. “Libya remains under obligation to comply with the surrender request,” the judges said in their statement. They would decide later how to respond if the North African state continues to hold Senussi, the judges added.

Plotters wanted to overthrow Congolese leader –Court Nineteen alleged members of a Congolese rebel group — including one U.S. citizen — sought help in their effort to overthrow Congolese President Joseph Kabila, offering mining rights in their resource-rich country in exchange for weapons and training, a prosecutor said yesterday. But the men the 19 found in South Africa to help their cause were not mercenaries. They were undercover police officers. Belonging to an organization called the Union of Nationalists for Renewal, the men sent an email “wish list” asking for machine guns, radios and even surfaceto-air missiles and arranged for a training camp, prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told a magistrate judge at a court hearing in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital. The alleged conspirators remained under watch by officers for months but never made it to their training camp.

World News

Iran’s leader rejects US nuclear talks offer

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Palestinian officials urge Obama to push for peace

ran’s supreme leader has dismissed a US offer of oneto-one talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech posted online that the US was proposing talks while “pointing a gun at Iran”. On Saturday, US Vice-President Joe Biden suggested direct talks, separate to the wider international discussions due to take place later this month. But the US widened sanctions on Iran on Wednesday, aiming to tighten a squeeze on Tehran’s ability to spend oil cash. Iran, which is subject to an array of international sanctions, has long argued that its nuclear programme is for energy generation and research. Tehran’s critics believe the government is developing nuclear weapons. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have held a series of negotiations with Iran over the years. But they have often ended with Iran demanding the West lifts sanctions as a condition to any nuclear move, and the Western powers refusing. Iran is expected to attend another round of negotiations on 26 February in Kazakhstan. Mr Biden made his offer of direct talks during a security conference in Germany last weekend.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talking with US President Barack Obama outside the Oval Office of the White House in 2010. PHOTO: AP

alestinian officials said yesterday they hope President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to the region signals readiness to re-engage in Mideast peace efforts, but that negotiations can only resume if Washington is ready to get tough with Israel. The Palestinians have long been anxious for the U.S. to revive serious talks with Israel. Their expectations were dampened following a White House statement that Obama will not pursue any new peace initiatives on his visit, expected in late March. Jibril Rajoub, a former Palestinian security chief and prominent West Bank official, told Isra-

el’s Army Radio that Washington is the only one that can “build a bridge of trust” between the two sides. “If there is anyone who can press the Israelis to change their attitude, it’s the American president,” Rajoub, speaking Hebrew, said yesterday. “I see his visit as important. We all need it. I hope something will come of it.” Peace talks between the two sides collapsed in 2008. Palestinians refuse to negotiate until Israel stops building settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, areas they want for a future state. Israel has refused to halt settlement construction in the two ar-

eas, which it captured in the 1967 Mideast war, saying there should be no preconditions for talks. Under heavy U.S. pressure, Israel agreed to a temporary slowdown in building that helped Obama to restart talks in 2010. But those negotiations collapsed after several weeks when the Israeli moratorium expired. The Palestinians hope to establish an independent state in all territories captured by Israel in 1967, a position widely backed by the international community. Netanyahu opposes a return to the 1967 lines. Given the wide gaps between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,

talks have remained at a standstill and the U.S. has remained largely on the sidelines. The Palestinians believe they don’t have enough common ground with Netanyahu for successful negotiations. They also fear the Israeli leader wants negotiations more to ease diplomatic pressure on Israel than to truly seek a deal. A final agreement would require difficult concessions, including a division of Jerusalem. Israel, for its part, believes the Palestinians are to blame for refusing to return to the peace table without preconditions. Netanyahu has said peace talks cannot be fruitful if the Palestinians continue to refuse to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland. Abbas and his aides argue that negotiations can only resume if the U.S. engages fully and if Obama is willing to spend political capital on pressuring Netanyahu. Wednesday’s White House comments suggest that such involvement is unlikely in the near future. Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, said Thursday that she hopes Obama’s visit “signals an American promise to become an honest and impartial peace broker.” “The U.S. can play this positive role by engaging in an effective and constructive manner rather than by repeating the same policy of negotiations for their own sake,” she said.

Canada’s African adventure takes a colonial turn What do we call the thing Canada is doing in Africa? t involves our largest corporations, the federal government, public- and private-sector aid agencies, and sometimes the military. And their activities are increasingly connected, sometimes by choice, often by force of circumstance. This week saw Ed Fast, the Minister of International Trade, touring some of the scores of city-sized mining, oil and infrastructure developments that Canada is creating in Nigeria and Ghana, and the development and aid activities that we’ve brought in to surround them. He’s the third cabinet minister to visit those countries since October. If you follow his steps, you realize Canada is no longer simply “doing business” or “providing aid” in Africa. What we’re doing is something that bears a striking resemblance to the things Britain and France were doing in Canada two centuries ago. First came the exploiters, in search of mineral wealth. Though most Canadians don’t realize it, Canada is now the largest foreign mining operator in the continent, exceeding even China: We have almost $25-billion in investments in hundreds of huge projects. Our petroleum companies are gigantic players, too. And along with those miners came the people building roads and

dams and buildings: Our engineering firms are among the largest on the continent. Then came the trouble. The taking of resources is a rough business that tends to occur among vulnerable populations. It involves spreading money around, often paying off key people to acquire rights and win the co-operation of local groups. This is inevitably a political process, and it’s often dirty. As a result, Canadian companies can’t seem to keep out of trouble in Africa. This week, we learned that a Calgary oil company, Griffiths Energy International Inc., had paid a $2-million bribe in a resource deal with the government of Chad. Two weeks earlier, a detailed report from Human Rights Watch revealed that a mine in Eritrea owned by Canadian mining company Nevsun Resources had been built in part by unpaid forced labourers provided by the Eritrean government. And Quebec engineering firm SNC-Lavalin, one of the largest contractors in the world, faces continuing criticism for the huge sums it paid to Muammar Gaddafi and his family in exchange for contracts worth billions, including the construction of a prison. And that’s just January: There have been scores of other humanitarian, political and ecological storms kicked up by Canadian companies in Africa. While

their investments have created immeasurable fiscal and employment benefits, their mining colonies and drilling towns have too often become centres of scandal. So then came the government. Even though Ottawa had shifted its foreign-aid focus away from Africa a few years ago, the government has come back in force, with a new large-scale aid strategy in which its agencies work with resource companies, alongside charities and private aid groups, in a way that, in the words of International Co-operation Minister Julian Fantino, “addresses social and environmental issues of extractive sector development” and helps countries “use resource rents and investment to spur economic diversification in local communities, often focused on agricultural and agribusiness development.” It makes some sense: Canada ought to be providing this sort of aid to the people it’s contacting – sometimes beneficially, sometimes otherwise – with its resource-taking activities. But the end effect is that Canada has landed in Africa in a big way: tearing up the land, building new towns, creating roads and pipelines and airports, and bringing in new forms of government and administration to create new economies and enforce human rights and democratic standards. This bears a strong resemblance to what

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

the military calls counterinsurgency: To make the local population tolerate your forceful acts and embrace your cause, you win over their hearts and minds by building roads, schools, water supplies and better farms. In the process, though, you become something like a colonial government. Canada, not yet fully free from its own years as a colony, is far from comfortable with this role. We ought to find some other name, and some other shape, for our African project. • By Doug Saunders (The Globe and Mail)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday, February 8, 2013

Dearth of funds hampers malaria control project DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

L-R: A district head receiving a T-shirt on peace from the spokesman, Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order in Borno State, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa and Deputy Director, Civil and Military Relations, Defence Headquarters, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju, at a town hall meeting in Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Jonathan asked to prevail on PENCOM over unpaid gratuities OYEWALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

etired prison officials under the Contributory Pension Scheme has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on PENCOM and Premium Pension Limited to pay their pension and gratuities. In a statement signed by the leader of the group in Kogi State, Musa Egbunu, the retired officials said some of them are facing serious health challenges as a result of the non-

payment of their terminal benefits. Egbunu noted that PENCOM and Premium Pension Limited have been withholding two thirds of their total pension and gratuities that has accrued to them which was calculated on the Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure, CONPASS. He also said that PENCOM, against laid down rules as it affects salaries and terminal benefits, decided to pay them on HAPAS, which was lower, leaving out the bulk of the

money approved by the government. Egbunu said while the two bodies have refused to implement the increase in salary by the Federal Government to paramilitary organisations in July 2010, he said they have also ignored the letter dated August 5, 2010 from the Salaries and Wages Commission directing them to pay the money. He lamented that their children are withdrawing from schools by the day for their inability to pay their school fees, calling on the

President to prevail on the agency to pay the accruing pension and gratuities while they are alive. “PENCOM and Premium Pension Limited have refused to release the remaining two-third of our benefit to us while alive. We are using this medium to crave the indulgence of Mr. President and the two chambers of the National Assembly to urge them to pay us our entitlements while we are alive to enable us pay our children school fees and meet other obligations,” he stressed.

JTF on manhunt for fleeing gunmen AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

s the military-led Joint Task Force, JTF, and the police in Kano State intensified their house-to-house search for suspected militants of the Boko Haram sect, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday said his men are on the trail of two fleeing suspects, who abandoned assorted explosives and firearms when they were being chased by security agents. Addressing journalists at the Bompai Headquarters of the Kano State Police Command, Idris said the command received a distress call from some residents in Kawaji area that two young men carrying a large bag were seen in the area in a manner that was

suspicious. The control room was informed and immediately patrol vehicles were sent towards the area, Idris said, adding that on sighting the police patrol team, the suspects abandoned the bag and took to their heels. He said on further scrutiny, it was found to contain assorted dangerous weapons, including six A K 47 assault rifles, two assault rifles, pistols, riot gunners, Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, 723 of 5.56 live ammunition and 152 of 7.6 live ammunition, among other dangerous items. The police boss said the intercepted IEDs were detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit, BDU, of the command while one Adamu Sefianu, has been declared wanted in connection with the discovery.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the JTF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, told our Correspondent on phone yesterday that the ongoing raid on flashpoints and hideouts of suspected terrorists by the JTF operatives have been revealing, adding that the operation is taking his men to Jigawa State for further action. It will recalled that three suspected kingpins of the Boko Haram sect are being detained by military authorities in Kano, following the discovery of a bomb factory in one of the raids carried out by the JTF in Chiranchi area in the state capital. Other dangerous weapons allegedly found in the bomb factory that had been demolished by the JTF were assorted arms and ammunition, including four AK 47 assault rifles. Details of the ongoing

raids in suspected flashpoints and hideouts of militants of the sect were sketchy as at press time as Captain Iweha said he would issue official statement on the development as soon as the operations were concluded. It will also be recalled that gunmen, suspected to be members of the sect shot and killed two policemen, while the third victim of the attack sustained gunshot injuries in an attack that questioned the sincerity of the ceasefire declaration by the sect as it occurred a day after the pronouncement. Our Correspondent also gathered that following the latest gun attack at a JTF check-point, operatives of the squad have been combing the nooks and crannies of the state capital and beyond for suspects.

he Project Coordinator of the Gombe State Malaria Control Booster Project, Dr. Arnold Abel, has identified lack of funds as the greatest impediment to the state’s malaria control programme. He said the programme is facing a huge setback due to paucity of funds as it lacks the capacity to push through its programmes. The coordinator, who dropped the hint at a oneday interactive session with journalists held at the Jewel Hotel, Kaltungo, however, said that in spite of the poor funding, the project, which is co-funded by the World Bank and Gombe State government, achieved 70 out of the 80 per cent target set by

Abuja. The coordinator said the enormous success achieved by the project were through community intervention, especially in the areas of renovation of primary health care clinics and the effective utilisation of the patent medicine vendors as an intervention agent in distribution of the ACT antimalaria drugs. He called for increased support from the state and local government areas in terms of finance considering the acceptance of the project and the success being recorded in the state. Dr. Abel said the training of the project staff and its involvement in the monitoring of insecticides resistance as well as few other factors was responsible for the success which the project achieved in 2012.

NDLEA seeks partnership with Kogi over illicit drugs OYEWALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ogi State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Bello, has appealed to the state government to collaborate with the agency in its bid to make the state free of illicit drugs. Bello, who made this call while speaking in an interview with National Mirror at his office in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital yesterday, said that the fight against

drug abuse is the collective responsibility of all. He said the NDLEA is a federal agency that needs the collaborative assistance of states, local governments and individuals for the success of the agency in the country. He pointed out that the central location of Kogi State and its gateway status to the north and south of the country has made the state vulnerable, even as it has become a consumer state following the number of human and vehicular movements in and out of the state.

Nasarawa crisis: Armed men attack Al-Makura’s village IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

wandere, the village of Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was reported to have been attacked by gunmen yesterday, living scores of inhabitants either dead or wounded. The attack also paralyses socio-economic activities in Lafia, the state capital, as thousands of people scampered for safety with parents rushing to schools to bring their children home. Kwadere village is about seven kilometres from Lafia and is the traditional seat of a first class chief that was recently upgraded by Governor Al-Makura amidst spontaneous protest within the state. Findings by our Corre-

spondent revealed that the attack may not be unconnected with an alleged habouring of Fulani mercenaries in the village who were linked to the ongoing massacre of indigenous natives running to two years. When contacted, the Nasarawa State Police Command Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Cornelius Ocholi, confirmed the incident, but said the Lafia Area Commander of the force has moblised his men to the scene, adding that normalcy has since been restored as according to him, no death was recorded. Further investigation revealed that suspected Fulani mercenaries had since Monday been attacking Eggon settlements at Burumbum, Randa and Rilley, killing many natives and burning houses.

Transition

Friday, February 8, 2013

Elder Gilbert Soremi

he death has been announced of the Deputy Baba Aladura of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, His Eminence, Elder Gilbert Salako Soremi, age 89. Elder Soremi started his career as a patent medicine seller and later developed his stuff into a balm ointment called ‘Alayo Balm’. The ointment was known throughout the entire SouthEast at the period he was resident in Enugu, Enugu State. Pa Soremi had his elementary education at Abeokuta, his native home after which he undertook an intensive course in printing. He was later trained in the act of herbal medicine as a result of which he was able to come up with his own patent drug. He left South East for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during the civil war, but continued to produce and send the ointment to the East. Pa Soremi became a member of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in 1948 and rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Baba Aladura in 2004. However, the entire Cherubim and Seraphim Church worldwide is expected to converge on his Ibadan home today before moving to his Obantoko, Abeokuta home in Ogun State. He will be interred in his residence, after a funeral at the Muda Lawal Stadium, Abeokuta. Late Pa Soremi is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

enator Olayiwola Adedapo was born on May 25, 1927 at Aare Alasa Village in the present Ona-Ara Local Government area of Oyo State. He started his education at Wesley College Practicing School, Elekuro, Ibadan from 1938 to 1946 before he proceeded to Wesley College, Ibadan in 1949. He left in 1950. He was there again between 1953 and 1954 after which he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1957 to 1960. He worked variously as a teacher, head teacher, education secretary and civil servant during his life time. His career in the Civil Service took him to different parts of the world where he led Old Oyo State delegates to different school sports competitions. He voluntarily retired from service in January 1980 into full partisan politics. Layi Fawole, as he was fondly called by his friends and political associates, was one of the few young men at Elekuro that was close to Mr. Hughes – a Methodist missionary and principal of Wesley College, Ibadan. Through Hughes mentorship, he became a Christian and a strong member of Methodist church. He influenced the conversion of the Fawole family into Christianity of the Methodist faith. He also assisted in the sustenance of Methodist churches in villages, especially Aare Alasa where he hailed from. He held many position in the church, among which were: Junior Local Church Steward 1962 – 1965, Foundation President, Men’s Fellowship at both local and circuit levels for 10 years. Altogether, he served as circuit steward for 35 years. Layi Fawole started his political career in 1960. He

was the secretary of the Action Group in the S4 ward of the old Ibadan Municipal Government. He was very active in the Second Republic when he belonged to the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). He later crossed to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) along with Chief SM Afolabi and Chief Busari Adelakun. It was on the platform of the party that he was elected Senator. He is survived by wife, children and grand children.

ate Samiat Ololade Asande was born in 1920 to the family of Alhaji Sanni Aro of Aapomu land. She got married to Pa Salami Isabowale, a retired civil servant in 1946. She made her first journey to Mecca in 1976 with late General Murtala Mohammed. Alhaja Samiat was popularly known as Alhaja Sami Iya Nure Alaso during her life time. She is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, among whom are Pastor Demola Salami, Alhaja Nuratu Ayoke and others.

Elizabeth Ajibola Aina

Olayiwola Adedapo

David Idah

Samiat Ololade

lizabeth Ajibola Aina Okeya was born on July 17, 1930 to late Pa James Olowookere Ige and late Mrs. Beatrice Adebola Omoseke of Imila and Oroke respectively in Itapa-Ekiti in Ekiti State. She attended the adult education school in Itapa-Ekiti where she learnt arithmetic and moral knowledge, which assisted her in taking over her mother’s profession of buying and selling. She travelled with her mother to the present day Kwara State, trading in sundry wares in the 1940s.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

After marriage in 1952, she moved to Igbemo Ekiti with her husband, where she was trading in cocoa, palm oil and kolanut. She later returned to Itapa Ekiti in 1976 and set up a canteen, and thus, becoming the first woman to open and operate a canteen in the town. She died on December 21, 2012 at the age of 82 years. She is survived by seven children, 34 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mama Okeya will be laid to rest tomorrow at her home after a funeral service at the St. James’ African Church, Itapa Ekiti.

he death has been announced of Mr. David Onyilokwu Idah, a foremost educationist in Benue State. He died at the age of 82 years. Late Idah, a native of Otukpo, was until his death, a member of the Board of Directors of Otukpo Micro-Finance Bank and was founder of Ewulo College, Otukpo and retired as Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Government. He was a pioneer Provost at Benue State College of Education, Katsina Ala, and also principal of Government Colleges at Keffi and Katsina Ala. The late Idah, who was once Chairman, Nasco Fiber Products, Jos, also served on the management boards several organisations in the country, including Benue State Civil Service, Director of Nigerian Yeast and Alcohol Manufacturing Company, Kwara State and Taraku Mills, Benue State. At a time, he was Commissioner with the Benue State Civil Service Commission. To appreciate his exemplary service, he was recently conferred with the posthumous title of Akumada I of Otukpo by the Och’Otukpo-InCouncil. Idah, whose remains will be buried tomorrow, is survived by 24 children and 20 grand children among whom are Mr. Sylvester Idah of the Federal Government College, Keffi, Hajia Halimah Amali of the University of Maiduguri, Audu Idah of Daewoo, Warri, among others.

Friday, February 8, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

- DISGRACED CYCLIST, LANCE ARMSTRONG

Keita concedes supremacy to Nigeria

Mikel ‘ll win golden ball – Kalu

Eagles land in Jo’burg, begin training Nigeria’s Elderson Echiejile (L) battling with Mali’s Modibo Maiga during their semi-final match on Wednesday.

Third Place

EVEREST O NYEWUCHI Mali

fter the comprehensive 4-1 semi-final victory over the Malian Eagles on Wednesday in Durban, Nigeria’s Super Eagles yesterday afternoon landed in Johannesburg in readiness for Sunday’s final against Burkina Faso. The team arrived in Johannesburg at about 1:45pm local time (12:45pm Nigerian time) aboard a South African Airways plane. In the plane with the team were the NFF Executive Committee member, Mr. Deji Tinubu, NFF Technical Director, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and Special Ad-

Ghana

7pm

Sunday’s Final Nigeria

Burkina Faso

7pm

viser to Lagos State Governor, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, among other dignitaries. Eagles were immediately driven to their Garden Court Milpark Hotel abode from the airport and after having lunch, got set for the day’s training session. Team spokesman, Ben Alaiya, told National Mirror that Coach Stephen Keshi charged the players before training commenced at 5:30pm (Nigerian time) that there was no time to

waste ahead of Sunday’s final expected to be watched by several Nigerian and international dignitaries including President Goodluck Jonathan, his South African colleague, Mr. Jacob Zuma and the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter. Meanwhile, Keshi has said that there is no panic over the duo of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike, who picked up knocks in the semi-final duel against Mali. “The medical team here is working round the clock to ensure that they will be ready for the final on Sunday and they will advise us on what to do at the appropriate time,” Keshi said.

ormer Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday said that creative midfield maestro, John Mikel Obi, would win the AFCON 2013 Golden Ball trophy. In a statement, Kalu, whose previous predictions that the Super Eagles would win a medal at this tournament, came to pass, said Mikel is the “Field Marshall” of the Nations Cup that ends on Sunday. The ex-governor said, “Mikel Obi is a silent killer. In the field he puts on no airs, his touches are pinpoint, the young man is the hub of the Eagles. Yet he carries everybody along. If the Nations Cup were another World War, Iwould call him Field Marshall Montgomery. I see a crown on his head as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of this tournament.” Kalu praised the Ivorian Elephants for giving honour to Mikel in particular, and the Nigerian team in general, despite their quarter-finals elimination by the Eagles. “Kudos to Cheik Tiote, Didier Drogba and Lassina Traore. They admitted Nigeria’s superiority in the game. Tiote singled out Mikel for cutting off balls to Drogba and Yaya Toure. Mikel was so effective in the middle that almighty Cote d’Ivoire looked like fish out of water. I give credit to all the Eagles as well, for a job well done,” Kalu added.

…Dangote rewards team with N130m

P Keita

Sport

No matter what anyone may say, I think I have done the best to bring my ugly past to the fore

Battle of Jo’burg: Nigeria sweats on Moses

ali’s captain, Seydou Keita, has admitted Nigeria’s supremacy in Wednesday’s 4-1 white-wash of his team by the Super Eagles in the semi-final match of the ongoing AFCON 2013. Keita yesterday, charged his team mates to get over the hangover of defeat when they travel to Port Elizabeth for the classification game on Saturday. Mali’s 4-1 defeat to Nigeria means they will now play Ghana at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This is the second consecutive tournament the Malian Eagles have lost in the last four stage of the continental showpiece. “There is no point in trying to point fingers at other people. I don’t need to make excuses. The problem is that we played against a very good team and we didn’t really handle them well. Today we failed to win; it is not about individuals but about a collective effort. We were very happy against South Africa because we played as a team. Tonight we didn’t play well and we must all share responsibility,” Keita said. He gave credit to the Nigerians. The former Barcelona man said he was disappointed about the fact that their dream to reach the final of the 2013 AFCON at the National Stadium had ended abruptly. “It is difficult to have a fair analysis in this situation. They (Nigeria) have a good team, they have won and they were a better team than us. Right now I’m still very emotional,” Keita said.

resident/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has splashed the sum of N130million on the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles, for reaching the final of the ongoing 29thAfrica Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa. A statement from the Dangote Group explained that the gesture was part of Dangote Group’s corporate social re-

sponsibility (CSR) to promote and encourage sports development in Nigeria. The donation is to acknowledge the exploits of the national team at the AFCON and stimulate them to bring home the coveted trophy. Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abudllahi, speaking on the donation said, “Dangote has always demonstrated commitment to government and people of Nigeria. We are happy over

the gesture shown to the players and the coaching crew. It is an example for other well-meaning Nigerians to follow.” Dangote, a renowned philanthropist, uses the Dangote Foundation as a vehicle to drive his CSR initiatives. Each year, he spends hundreds of millions of Naira in donations that add value to the society both within and outside the shores of the Nigeria.

Mikel

Sport

Friday, February 8, 2013

Burkina makes Pitroipa appeal

Laloko hails PFA’s impact

fficials of the Burkinabe football federation have appealed the red card issued inspirational player Jonathan Pitroipa in the semi final against Ghana, which ruled the Rennes midfielder out of the final with Nigeria on Sunday. The Stallions’ Director, Gualbert Kabore, said yesterday that the playmaker was unjustly sent off by the referee Slim Jedidi and a complaint was filed to the continent’s football governing body after the match, won 3-2 by Burkina Faso in a penalty shootout. The 26-year-old former Hamburger SV player was shown a second yellow card for simulation by the Tunisian referee after he crashed into the Ghanaian box in a situation many pundits argue should have been a penalty for Burkina Faso. “We lodged an appeal im-

AFOLABI GAMBARI

ormer Technical Director of Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Dr. Kashimawo Laloko, has said that the performance of Pepsi Football Academy (PFA) products in the Super Eagles signals a bright future for Nigeria. The duo of defender Elderson Echiejile and midfielder Sunday Mba were former students of the Pepsi academy who passed through the national U-17 team to the Super Eagles. Mba netted the winning goal for Nigeria against Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter final last Sunday while Echiejile opened scoring in the 4-1 bashing of Mali in Wednesday’s semi final match. “I am impressed by both players’ performance in the Nations Cup so far,” an excited Laloko told National Mirror after the surprisingly one-sided affair at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. “I think it will be right to say that the future of Nigerian football belongs to the Pepsi Football Academy, considering that we have consistently produced players for the national team,” the administrator added, apparently inferring on the likes of John Obi Mikel Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie, Joseph Akpala and Stephen Makinwa, among others who have played or currently playing in the Eagles. The Pepsi academy had at various times in the past sought a good working relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but the latter has spurned several attempts at sealing a sustainable pact.

eports from the Super Eagles’ camp yesterday said the coaches and players have resolved to postpone celebration of the win over Mali on Wednesday to enable full concentration on the final match billed for Sunday. National Mirror also learnt yesterday that the national team, whose members had celebrated wildly on the pitch after qualifying for the first fi-

Pitroipa

mediately after the match,” Kabore said. “Our FA’s secretary general sent a fax to CAF within two hours after the game according to the regulations. The referee’s decision was outrageous. We are confident of a favourable outcome and Pitroipa would be able to play the final,” he said. “We will fight and do everything within the rules and regulations to bring justice.” CAF said yesterday that the Burkina Faso appeal would be deliberated on tomorrow.

Adedoja greets Eagles, seeks prayers TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

F Victor Moses (in green shirt) battling with Cote d’Ivoire’s Romaric Ndri during their AFCON 2013 quarter-final match in Rustenburg last Sunday

Battle of Jo’burg: Nigeria sweats on Moses A FOL ABI G AMBARI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

igeria is hoping that Victor Moses will be fit enough to play in the final of the Africa Cup of Na-

Eagles shelve s/final’s bash I KENWA N NABUOGOR

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

nal in 13 years, switched to a sober mood immediately after, realising the enormous task ahead as they tackle Stallions of Burkina Faso in the epic final. “Keshi didn’t mince words when he reminded everyone that the job was not completed,” a source said. “The boys remembered the coach telling them they haven’t won anything yet. Having come this far, they now want to win it and will not take anything for granted.”

tions against Burkina Faso on Sunday. The Chelsea forward was substituted in the second half of the semi final against Mali in Wednesday’s 4-1 win after pulling up with an injury to his ankle. Moses, who created Nigeria’s first goal through a cross that was headed home by left back Elderson Echiejile, has played an influential part in the team’s progress throughout the competition and he will be sorely needed in their final encounter against the Stallions. “The doctors are working on him and he should be fit to play on Sunday,” team Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, said yesterday. Moses missed the Super Eagles’ opening game of the tour nament against Burkina Faso which ended 1-1 after he was suspected to be injured.

ormer Sports Minister, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has congratulated the Super Eagles following the team’s qualification for the AFCON 2013 final scheduled for Sunday at the Soccer City in Johannesburg. Adedoja, who spoke to National Mirror yesterday, however tasked the team’s crew and players to double their efforts towards winning the trophy when they confront the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the winner-takes-all. “The Eagles made me

proud for defeating the Malian team in resounding fashion and I am happy for their feat,” the sports administrator said. “I also congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and all Nigerians for this wonderful achievement that we last attained in 1994 and I believe that with God’s help and hard work, we will win the trophy.” Adedoja said the national team had imbibed the spirit of unity and purpose to contest with the Burkinabes in the Sunday’s final, saying Nigeriasns should not relent in prayer until the objective was achieved.

Super Eagles’ players in prayerful jubilation after beating Mali.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Friday, February 8, 2013

Lampard nears deal extension

Osaze

Palace cools Osaze interest

rystal Palace Manager, Ian Holloway, has played down talk that West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie is set for a move to Selhurst Park. Odemwingie drove to Loftus Road on deadline day in the hope of securing a move to QPR, an act described by Baggies boss Steve Clarke as ‘total lunacy’, with the two Premier League clubs unable to agree terms. The 31-year-old, who missed West Brom’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham last Sunday, has been linked with a loan switch to the Eagles, with a view to securing a possible permanent summer move if the club is promoted. “I haven’t got a clue about that. Someone contacted the chairman,” Holloway said yesterday, when asked about the Championship club being linked to Odemwingie. “I don’t really think that’s a realistic target for us personally,” he added. Odemwingie launched numerous Twitter outbursts against West Brom after having his transfer request rejected, but Clarke will be aware that the Nigeria international’s departure would reduce his options.

eports from Stamford Bridge yesterday suggested that Chelsea is yet to confirm if the club would offer midfielder Frank Lampard a contract extension. The 34-year-old’s deal at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer and there have been few signs the club’s hierarchy was willing to keep hold of the midfielder. The latest reports are sequel to Lampard’s winning goal in the England’s friendly against Brazil on Wednesday whereupon the Blues were said to be set to open talks over a new contract. “Chelsea does not comment on speculation about players or their contracts,” Head of Communications, Steve Atkins, said yesterday. Lampard has been in a top form in recent weeks, coming off the bench to curl in a goal in the 2-1 win over Brazil in his 94th appearance for England, in addition to scoring eight goals in his last13 Chelsea appearances.

NBBF targets new head office JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

igeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President, Alhaji Tijani Umar, yesterday said that the federation had resolved at the National Youth Programme Forum to build the basketball headquarters in Abuja with a view to improving the sport in the country. Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has approved a land in the Federal Capital for the NBBF as government’s contribution to the development of basketball. “We are happy the minister has approved our plan,” Umar said. “We want to first implement the Road map for our Olympic Games qualification in 2012 as work has reached advantage stage on our four-year strategic plan. “The plan for 2013-2016 will be targeted at creating a window for our national and

Umar

international programmes.” Umar revealed that the mission and vision of the federation would entail what he called strategising and scrutinising the plans on the ground objectively.

Urhobo eyes AFN top job YEMI OLUS

ormer Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) boss, Toni Urhobo, has described himself as the best candidate to salvage Nigeria’s track and field from the doldrums, considering his experience as a former athlete, coach and AFN helmsman between 1997 and 1998. Urhobo, who disclosed his intention online yesterday, however said that only a call from the presidency could make him take up the position. “Track and Field is big business and as someone with a good track record in administration and with a professional qualification in Busi-

ness Management, I can definitely do a better job than most past and recent occupants of that position,” he remarked. “I have gone through all stages of development (as an athlete, a state chief and national Chief Track and Field Coach, a past President of the AFN and also an ITO and a Grade 1 Senior IAAF coach. But only a call from the Presidency under specific conditions will make me consider taking the post as the risks are just not worth taking.” Urhobo, who was a pole-vaulter during his days as an athlete, decried the current state of athletics, stressing the need for the sport to be revived to an enviable state which would place it among the leading nations in the world.

Lampard

Tit bits...

Wenger Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, could have £70 million to spend this summer. Reports said yesterday that the potential loss of £35 million in revenue from the Champions League would clearly damage those ambitions but Arsenal remains confident it would still have the resources to

Ronaldo Real Madrid winger, Cristiano Ronaldo, is not pushing for new contract talks, according to reports. The reports also said Ronaldo is happier at the club than he was in the first-half of the season and he feels more appreciated by the Bernabeu crowd as he targets going down as a club legend if he can win the tenth Champions League for the club.

compete for the best players even without that income next season. The club’s financial position should take Wenger’s available transfer budget to around d £70 milil lion.

Kagawa

Manchester United has added a friendly with Cerezo Osaka on its summer Far East tour. It is the second fixture during a short stint in Japan, which is bound to be well received given the presence of Shinji Kagawa in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad. Kagawa made 125 appearances for Cerezo between 2006 and 2010, scoring 55 goals before moving to Borussia Dortmund.

Golfers teeing off at a golf course

64 golfers ready for Bolingo tourney

he Bolingo Singles Amateur Golf Tournament will tee-off on Saturday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja with 64 golfers participating. Captain of the Club, Mr. Tony Azogu, told newsmen in Abuja that the competition, which will feature only the male category, would be played on a knockout format. According to him, the Bolingo singles tournament is introduced to create more avenues for members of the club to come together and play golf in another form. “It will be 32 players against 32 players.

The second round will be made up of 16 players on each side, while the final round (semi-finals and final) will take place in March. This format is the first in the history of the club,” Azogu said. He added that apart from tournaments organised for members, the executive committee was working hard to return the club to what it was originally known for. Public Relations Manager of Bolingo Holdings, sponsor of the tournament, Adamu Ahmed, said the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to develop sports in the country.

WORLD RECORD

Most iron bars bent in one minute

Vol. 03 No. 553

N150

Friday, February 8, 2013

Ugly side of immunity: Imo example

he Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, recently embarked on an official visit to the United States of America purely for the purpose of retail propaganda against his predecessor. The governor travelled at the same time the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly escaped to India to avoid EFCC’s arrest. On Thursday January 23rd 2013, the EFCC arrested the Clerk of Imo House of Assembly over the N13.3 billion bond money left behind by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim. The bond money was taken for income yielding infrastructural investments, such as the Imo connectivity motor way, which transverses 19 local government areas and has 13 toll gates. Interest rates on bonds are significantly lower than those of loans sourced from commercial banks. Generally, commercial banks’ interest rates in Nigeria

Guest Columnist hover between 22 percent and 27 percent, but bonds are generally under double digit interest rates. This is why they are specifically tied to development projects and strictly monitored by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Imo State got approval for N40 billion Development Bond, and the first tranche of N18.5 billion was released in the tail end of the Ohakim administration. Of this, Ohakim used N5.2 billion; the evidence can be seen in the renovation of the Oguta Lake Motel and the 70 percent completion of the dual carriage Imo inter connectively motor way. Ohakim handed over a total of N28.3 billion to Okorocha and this was captured in the hand over note. The breakdown of the monies handed over is as follows: The N13.3 billion bond money; N3 billion SUBEB money (in SUBEB account); N6 billion in local government joint local government account; N1 billion in Education Trust Fund Account; and N5 billion in Agric loan account. Surprising, none of these funds was captured in the 2012 or 2013 Appropriation Bills of the state. Investigation revealed that these funds had been spent without being captured in any budget law. Sometime last year, in response to the continued vilification of the administration I served, I posted on the Igboville page that Ohakim left N13.3 billion bond money to the present governor. Yes, eyebrows were raised, but most commentators on the Igboville page did not believe me and I was called several names by some of these commentators, many of who are Imo indigenes in Diaspora under the pay of Okorocha government.

iverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has announced he will retire from football at the end of the season. The 35-year-old, who arrived at Anfield as a trainee in 1994, has made 723 appearances since making his Reds debut in January 1997.

Kelechi

Okpaleke DURING THE PENDENCY OF EFCC’S INVESTIGATION, IMO GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR FINANCE, APPLIED TO SEC FOR CHANGE OF PURPOSE. IT WAS PROMPTLY DENIED.

THE DENIAL WAS APPEALED

However, when members of the Okorocha administration became aware of the posting, they started denying that Ohakim left any bond money. This prompted a petition to EFCC to investigate. Shockingly, it was found out that the money had been spent. During the pendency of EFCC’s investigation, Imo government, through the office of the commissioner for finance, applied to SEC for change of purpose. It was promptly denied. The denial was appealed. Meanwhile, immediately after the application for the change of purpose, for the first time, the commissioner for finance admitted in a publication in The Sun that Ohakim administration actually left N13.3 billion of bond money, but that

the administration of Okorocha had applied for a change of purpose. Because the change of purpose was applied after the money had been misapplied, the EFCC then started a new investigation to find out more about the money – if it was still in its UBA account. It was discovered that the money had been withdrawn and no trace of it anywhere. A further investigation revealed that such huge amount of money was not captured in any appropriation bill. This was part of the reason for the arrest and detention of the state commissioner for finance and accountant general. Meanwhile, the cover-up started in earnest, and Okorocha had to involve the legislature. The Clerk of the House of Assembly was made to forge a House document which it claimed was a resolution by the House giving the executive the power to divert the bond funds to other uses. The state commissioner for information, in the Tuesday January 22, 2013 edition of The Sun, stated that the bond money was used to build a classroom block in each of the 305 INEC wards of Imo State! However, investigations showed that completed classroom blocks were in less than 20 wards of the state. Also, when the governor informed Imo people that he had leased Adapalm to Roche for N3.5 billion, he did state at the time that Roche would use the N3.5 billion to build school blocks in the 305 INEC wards of the state. This is why the N3.5 billion of Adapalm was not captured in any appropriation bill as income to Imo State. It has also emerged that the Owerri Township School on Wethdral Road built by Roche was paid for with the SUBEB money left by the Ohakim administration. The Clerk of Imo House of Assembly entered EFCC dragnet because he forged a resolution document of Imo House of Assembly that never took place. But Governor Okorocha, as a result of his immunity, cannot be touched or questioned by EFCC. Dr. Okpalaeke wrote from Owerri, Imo state

Sport Extra

The most irons bars bent in a minute is 24 and was achieved by Alexander Muromskiy (Russia) at Global city shopping centre, in Moscow, Russia, on 30 April 2011.

Carragher unfolds retirement plans “This will be my last season at Liverpool and my last as a professional footballer,” Carragher said yesterday. “I’m making this announcement now because

I don’t want the manager or the club to answer questions on my future when I’ve already decided what I am going to do. “I will be fully committed between now and the

end of the season for Liverpool Football Club, as I’ve done my entire career since joining aged just nine-years-old. The Reds legend had quit his England career

in May 2007 and was persuaded to make a U-turn by manager Fabio Capello in 2010 before going on to play two group games in the World Cup in South Africa before retiring again.

Jamie Carragher

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net. Editor: SEYI FASUGBA. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos. Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Ondo State. ISSN 0794-232X.