Thursday, October 4, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

PTDF: N’Assembly summons Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi, AGF ONDO GUBER POLL .

COUNTDOWN TO

CBN faults crude oil records

GEORGE OJI, EMMANUEL ONANI AND TORDUE SALEM

Mark

Vol. 2 N0. 462

Adamawa killings:

he Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) yesterday summoned the Minister of Finance and Co-

ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Governor of Central Bank of NigeCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

October 20, 2012

ACN accuses LP of buying voters’ cards Ekiti denies importing thugs

DAYS TO GO

Thursday, October 4, 2012

P.13

N150

Outrage as FG, ASUU, senators condemn attack

OUR CORRESPONDENTS

condemnarief, tion and outrage yesterday greeted the killing of 40 students in Mubi, Adamawa State, after a prolonged shooting by gunmen on Monday night. Goodluck President Jonathan, National Assembly members, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the National Association

...NANS gives 7-day ultimatum Police begin investigation, confirm arrests

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

SOME OF THE VICTIMS 1. Charles Chikodi (HND) 2. John Kingsley (ND 1) 3. Chima (surname unavailable, HND 1) 4. Ahmed (surname unavailable, HND 2) 5. Chimonbi Festus (HND 1) 6. Lucky Emmanuel (ND2) 7. Ishaku Ibrahim (ND 2) 8. Ayo (surname unavailable, ND 1) 9. Emmanuel (surname unavailable, HND 1)

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan paddling his way to a flooded village at Anwai-Asaba, yesterday.

Otedola forfeits properties in Lagos, Abuja over N141bn debt

Lagos suit:

Court freezes PHCN bank account P.7

Otedola

TI boss describes AMCON deal as laughable

P.2

Alleged N1.5bn bribe: Presidential committee members docked

P.8

News

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Otedola forfeits properties in Lagos, Abuja over N141bn debt AYO OLESIN AND TOLA AKINMUTIMI

ontroversial business mogul, Mr. Femi Otedola, has signed off some of his choice properties and shares in African Petroleum, AP, to defray the N141bn debt owed the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON. The properties include residential and commercial developments in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja as well as tank farms, jetties and petrol stations. The deal, announced by AMCON last week, came shortly after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, technically barred banks from further granting loans to 133 companies and 419 company directors who owed banks amounts over N5bn, saying such banks would be made to make full provision for such loans in addition to other sanctions. The list included Otedola’s company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas; Arik Air, MRS Oil, Falcon Securities and Capital Oil and Gas. Under the terms of the AMCON deal, Otedola will

hand over some of his properties and an unspecified amount of cash to the asset management company for full and final settlement of the debts. The original debt totalling N192.4bn was previously owed five banks – Access Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, FCMB Plc, and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc – which was bought by AMCON as part of efforts to stabilise the banking sector. Otedola’s move became necessary to ensure free flow of credit to his businesses as he remains a key importer of petroleum products and a consortium, including Forte Oil, which he controls, had recently been named as a bid winner for one of the power generating stations. But the House of Representatives said it would probe the debt settlement deal on the grounds that it was allegedly done secretly and was, therefore, unacceptable. Although it was not immediately clear which particular set of properties Otedola released to AMCON, court papers filed earlier in respect of a lawsuit by the

businessman challenging the level of indebtedness to the banks showed that he controls a sizable real estate portfolio, which had been pledged as collateral to the banks. The properties include his private home located at 23, Mekwen Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; 5, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; Zenon Place, 13, Walter Carrington Crescent, V/I Lagos; Zenon Apartments

located at 12, Temple Road, Ikoyi; Zenon Court, 3b, Agodogba Avenue, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi; Zenon Jetty, 13, Walter Carrington Crescent, V/I, Lagos, and Zenon Gardens at 872, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, V/I, Lagos. Others are two Zenon Diesel Direct Stations located in Lagos; Zenon House, 2, Ajose Adeogun Street, V/I; Zenon Towers, 1, Cooper Road, Ikoyi; a building

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

demned the incident, describing it as “tragic, sad and shocking.” Abati said the President had expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the authorities of the institutions, stressing that an attack where people were called out and slaughtered was shocking. The issue also came up for discussion at the National Assembly as the Senate President, David Mark, called for capital punishment as a deterrent measure against the perpetrators of violence in the country. He made the call while contributing to the debate on a motion on the Mubi killings. The Senate President said the country had passed the stage of sitting back and lamenting helplessly about the activities of terror agents. He said unless severe sanctions were meted out to the perpetrators of violent crimes, the country would continue to be en-

minal 1 and 2 at Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos and Plot C21, Industrial Road, Amuwo Odofin in addition to large number of shares in AP, Zenith Bank Plc, MRS Oil and Mobil Oil. In rejecting the settlement with AMCON, the legislators said they would constitute a committee to investigate the amount and the assets transferred to AMCON. They said that it was CONTINUED ON PAGE 55>>

L-R: Special Adviser, Project Monitoring to the President, Prof. Sylvester Monye; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mohammed Sada, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Outrage as FG, ASUU, senators condemn attack of Nigerian Students, NANS, expressed deep concern over the gruesome killings of the students of various institutions in the town. Disturbed by the development, the President yesterday ordered a thorough investigation into the killings. The incident dominated the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting yesterday when the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayat Rufai, briefed the council on the killings. The students were killed outside the hostels of three different higher institutions in the state. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who briefed State House correspondents with the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, and her Solid Minerals counterpart, Mohammed Sada, stated that the President con-

at 8a, Ogalade Close, V/I; Blue Waterfront Scheme, Lekki, Lagos; Plot 9, Block 80, Off Emma Abimbola Cole, Lekki Lagos; 18, Ladipo Oluwole Street, Apapa, Lagos; Zenon Loft, 175, Sani Abacha Way, GRA, Phase 11, Port Harcourt; Plot 100, Obudu Street, Off Aso Drive, Asokoro Abuja; and 1, Madiana Close, Wuse 11, Abuja. Otedola had also pledged the Zenon Petroleum Ter-

meshed in endless crisis. Mark said: “This is a very painful moment for us as a nation and we should see it more from that perspective rather than from the perspective of politics. “The people who are involved now, that is people who have lost their lives, have done so not as a result of their own fault. “The security challenges before us in this country are serious and we will have to tackle them head-on. “On Mubi killings, it is a pity that people could go from one room to another, calling names, dragging them out and killing them, slaughtering them. “It is totally unacceptable, even if it is just attacking the symptoms now. “Those involved must be arrested and brought to book. “I know that this is a democracy and with due respect to all of us, capital punishment is still in our statute.

“This is an opportunity for us to test it and use it as a deterrent to others and that has to be done as fast and as speedily as possible. “It is not that crimes don’t take place in other countries, they do. But it is the reaction of government, the speed with which those who are involved are arrested, tried and punished accordingly. “But when they happen in this country after a week we just tend to forget it and wait for the next one to happen. “I think we have gone beyond the time for us to continue to sing these songs of lamentations every now and again. We should not be lamenting, we should be able to act and government needs to act as swiftly and as fast as possible. “Terrorists will succeed once they can stop you from doing what you want to do, if they can stop government from doing what government wants to do. Now, Nigeri-

ans will be very scared in sending their children to polytechnics and universities. “Today, it is Mubi; who knows when it is going to happen in the next town and how many policemen are you going to put in our various polytechnics and universities in this country. It is completely impossible, it does not matter how much you fund the security agencies.” The senators also observed one-minute silence for the repose of the souls of the dead. The motion on the Mubi killings was sponsored by Senator Jubrila Bindowo (Adamawa North) who brought it under Section 42 of the Senate standing rules on matters of urgent national attention. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the best way to drive home the reality of the massacre was for people to imagine for a while that those killed were their children and or relations. He described the inci-

dent as the failure of security. He said: “What happened in Mubi is a failure of security. It is the inability to secure the people that gave rise to what happened. It is bad that at this level of our development, we cannot protect our people. Our security agencies are challenged. “You imagine the amount of money used in training these students and for them to be cut off in their prime. “Police have moved from decentralisation to re-regulation. It is time for us to think twice and provide security. We need security to be able to enjoy the good things of life. We are all together in this problem. We have to jointly find solution, if it means having to move all our security forces to the area.” Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi described the massacre as the destruction of the nation’s future. He also blamed it on the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PAGE

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Good Health

HUMAN SPARE PARTS:

Will man live forever?

SAM EFERARO

ow sweet it will be. The doctor has just diagnosed that your kidneys are malfunctioning and may soon pack up altogether. “Not to worry,” he tells you. “I think we have just the right ones for you in our store. It will cost just about N125,000” Makes life more exciting won’t you say? Scientists are promising more than that in different research laboratories around the world. They are now working in various ways to create spare parts for the human body. These technologies provide assistance to individuals with physical disabilities and could also be readily available as replacements for worn parts due to old age, thus increasing the human life span. And they seem to be winning as news of breakthrough about different human body parts being grown in the laboratory are gradually becoming the norm these days. Now, scientists at the University College, London say they are focusing on growing replacement organs and body parts which can be ordered or grown using a patient’s own cells. The announcement followed reports that they have successfully grown a human nose, the first ever in the world. Led by Prof Alexander Seifalian of the varsity’s Department of Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, the scientists say when the nose is transferred to the patient, it doesn’t go directly onto the face but will be placed inside a balloon inserted beneath the skin on their arm. After four weeks, during which time skin and blood

vessels can grow and the nose can be monitored, it will then be transplanted to the face. Prof. Seifalian is being assisted by a Nigerian scientists, in the department, Dr. Adelola Oseni who told the London Daily Mail newspaper that the nose being “manufactured” by his team is expected to last longer than several other attempts in the past. “Other groups have tried to tackle nose replacement with implants but we’ve found they don’t last. They migrate, the shape of the nose changes. But our own will hold itself completely, as it’s an entire nose shape made out of polymer.” There are several other parts in the making. For instance, the journal, Science Translational Medicine published research findings recently demonstrating the capability of tissue-engineered vascular grafts that are immediately available at the time of surgery and are less likely to become infected or obstructed. This means a surgeon could easily obtain a new human vein off the shelf for use in life-saving vascular surgeries. “This new type of bioengineered vein allows them to be easily stored in hospitals so they are readily available to surgeons at the time of need,” said Dr. Alan P. Kypson, a cardiothoracic surgeon, associate professor at the Brody School of Medicine at ECU and an author of the paper. “Currently, grafting using the patient’s own veins remains the gold standard. But, harvesting a vein from the patient’s leg can lead to complications, and for patients who don’t have suitable veins, the bioengineered veins

SPARE PART: The heart

SPARE PARTS: Kidneys

SPARE PART: The eye

SPARE PART: The ear

could serve as an important new way to provide a coronary bypass.” Scientists at the Scrpps Research Institute, La Jolla, have also successfully turned skin cells into beating heart cells. Over the last decade, scientists have had increasing success in converting skin cells and other types of cells into something different, including heart and blood cells. However, Dr. Sheng Ding and his colleagues at Scripps have developed a different method that bypasses this initial transformation to the stem cell state. This is done by introducing four genes recently discovered to repro-

A bioengineered vein

gram differentiated adult cells to embryonic stem cell-like pluripotency. As if the cell one day realized that it never really wanted to grow up to be a skin cell, scientists could help revert it back to its infant—or, embryonic—state so it could have another go at life. In Stockholm, Sweden, doctors successfully gave a 36-year old man a new trachea. The 36-year old African native, Andemariam Beyene, also a Ph.D student, was diagnosed in 2008 with tracheal cancer. Despite treating it aggressively with radiation and chemotherapy the tumor continued to grow. When the tumour had grown to the size of a golf ball and began to occlude his breathing, it became clear that different measures needed to be taken or he would die. Trachea replacement was the treatment of choice but they didn’t have a donor and time was running out. So the doctors decided to make a new trachea from scratch. Indeed, scientists have reported breakthrough towards the production of human parts such as liver tissue, kidney, pancreas, knee cap among several others. The question however remains: Will the human spare parts allow man to live forever?

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

People with schizophrenia more likely to die of heart attack

he risk of death resulting from heart attack is higher in people with schizophrenia than in the general public, according to scien-

tists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). Schizophrenia is a mental illness that usually strikes in late adolescence or early adulthood, but can strike at any time in life. Symptoms include delusions hallucinations bizarre behaviour and disorganized speech among others. On average, people with schizophrenia have a lifespan 20 years shorter than the general population. This is partly due to factors such as smoking,

increased rates of diabetes, and metabolic problems brought on by the use of some antipsychotic medications. These factors often worsen once a cardiac condition arises because people with schizophrenia are less likely to make the necessary lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to offset the problem. This study, published online in Schizophrenia Research, examined mortality and access to cardiac care after heart attacks (acute myocardial infarction) in those with schizophrenia.

Dr. Paul Kurdyak, Chief, Division of General and Health Systems Psychiatry at CAMH, analyzed four years of Ontariowide patient data and tracked all incidents of heart attack among people with schizophrenia, and compared results to people without schizophrenia. “When we looked at the data, we found that people with schizophrenia were 56 per cent more likely to die after discharge from hospital following a heart attack than those who did not have schizophrenia,” says Dr. Kurdyak, also an Ad-

junct Scientist at ICES. “We also found that patients with schizophrenia, despite the increase in mortality risk after a heart attack, were half as likely to receive life-saving cardiac procedures and care from cardiologists than those without schizophrenia.” Specifically, the study found that people with schizophrenia were 50 per cent less likely to receive cardiac procedures or to see a cardiologist within 30 days of discharge from hospital. — ScienceDaily

PhotoNews

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio (left) presenting a souvenir to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi, during a courtesy call on the governor in Uyo, yesterday.

L-R: Former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN); Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; Vice-Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Abuja chapter, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN); Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Felix Yusufu Pwol and Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), during the Nigerian Lawyers’ Reception for lawyers attending the 2012 International Bar Association Conference in Dublin, on Tuesday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; former Military Governor of the old Western Region, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi and Governor Rauf Aregbesola, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo, recently.

L-R: Director, Multi Trex Integrated Group, Mr. Biodun Kola-Daisi; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dimeji Owofemi; Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Kolade Abimbola and his Trade and Investment counterpart, Mr. Kassim Adedeji, during the introduction of a new cocoa product to Oyo State Government in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National News

Budget 2013: NASS’ll receive Jonathan next week –Senate Labour act amendment bill passes second reading

GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

he Senate disclosed yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan would present the 2013 budget proposal before a joint session of the National Assembly next week. The Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who disclosed this at the close of plenary, only said the new date for the budget presentation would be next week without giving the exact day. He said: “You will recall that on September 19, 2012 a presidential communication was read by the Senate President indicating that the 2012 budget proposals will be laid before the National Assembly by the President on October 4. “The budget will not be laid on October 4 as earlier indicated; the budget will be laid sometime next week. I thought we should be clear on the status of

that presidential communication.” National Assembly sources, however, disclosed that the President would present the budget on Thursday, October 11. This was as a request by Jonathan for the approval of $7,905,690,000 for pipeline projects under the medium term (2012-2014) external borrowing plan was stood down by the Senate till another legislative day for further clarification from the executive. Meanwhile, a bill for an act to amend the existing Labour Act of 2004 passed the second reading on the floor of the Senate yesterday, with lawmakers describing as “discriminatory” the provision that prohibits the employment of women into some positions, considered to be too strenuous for them. Specifically, the bill entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004 and for Other Matters Connected Therewith 2012,” seeks to delete Section 57 of the

Labour Act, which empowers the minister of labour to make regulations prohibiting or restricting, subject to conditions as may be specified in the regulations, the employment of women in any particular type or types of industrial or other undertakings or in any process or work carried on by such undertakings. The sponsor of the bill, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,

noted that, “Although it may be argued that the above provision is to protect working women, it appears that in modern times the intention may be counterproductive as it does not match up to modern realities.” Tinubu argued that without amending Section 57 of Labour Act, Nigeria may be “unwittingly fostering the reduction of opportunities for women’s participation in the econ-

omy” since such will leave “the prospect of employment of the girl-child who is the woman of tomorrow to the sole discretion of the minister who may exercise his power arbitrarily to the detriment of women.” In his remark, the Senate President, David Mark, emphasised that the intention of the existing bill was not to discriminate against the women, but to ensure their protection. He said: “The bill has

now addressed a very genuine section in that Act.” Accordingly, he referred the bill to the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, to report back in three weeks. Other lawmakers, who contributed to the debate included Senators Ita Enang, Chris Anyanwu, Nkechi Nwogu and Smart Adeyemi, who said “the law we seek to amend is draconian”.

Daniel, leader of aggrieved members –Ogun PDP FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as misleading, the report that former Governor Gbenga Daniel has been appointed as the overall leader of the party in the state. The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Bidemi Osunbiyi, who disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent, said Daniel was appointed lead-

er of some aggrieved members trying to return to the party. He said the PDP had not inaugurated the elders’ caucus as provided for in its constitution where the overall leader of the party would emerge as against the said publication. Osunbiyi said whatever arrangement was made at the Lekki home of Chief Martins-Kuye last Tuesday was the exclusive business of the few remaining aggrieved members of the party and not that of the State

Executive Committee of Ogun PDP under the chairmanship of Dipo Odujinrin. Osunbiyi, who acknowledged that a meeting was held in Kuye’s house in Lagos, explained that the remaining aggrieved members, which included Daniel, were trying to forge a common ground for their return to the party by naming the former governor their leader. This, he said, was to enable them use Daniel to bargain for whatever they wanted and not as the lead-

er of the party in the state. The PDP spokesman, who disclosed that the party did not change its position concerning the conditions for the returnees, said they were all trying to meet the deadline, which would expire in the next two weeks. Osunbiyi explained that the tree aggrieved groups had already sent emissaries to the party leadership in Ogun, signifying their intention to appear before the reconciliation committee and pave the way for their return to the party.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, October 4, 2012

PTDF: N’Assembly summons Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi, AGF CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ria, CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi and the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, over the non-allocation of funds to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, in the past three years. The directive was given by chairman of the committee, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, who wondered how the agency had been conducting its affairs without grants since 2010. Paulker said: “The fund for PTDF is statutory. Nobody has the right to withhold this money. We are going to invite the CBN

governor, the minister of finance and the accountantgeneral, to explain to us why the funds have been withheld. We will help you locate where your money is.” He also demanded the investment portfolio of the PTDF and details of its programmes. PTDF Executive Secretary, Mr. Muttaka Rabe Darma, had told the lawmakers that the agency had been operating on a grant of $100m since 2010. He said: “If monies are not released, all the contracts, including ongoing ones, will be stopped. We have written to the Min-

istry of Finance for cash backing since 2010 but no response.” The executive secretary, however, stated that the PTDF had funds to run academic programmes for the next eight months. Startled by the revelations emanating from the ongoing oversight exercise on federal ministries, the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) yesterday summoned the AGF to appear before it over the non-release of over $200m in three years for the PTDF. The resolution to summon the accountant-general was arrived at during the

oversight visit to the ministry located at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Towers, Abuja, During which all agencies in the ministry appeared before the committee to give account of the releases so far received from the Ministry of Finance. The chairman of the committee, Hon. Ajibola Muraina, who led the committee to NNPC, expressed concern over the presentation of the PTDF Executive Secretary that releases were not made to the agency in 2009, 2010 and 2011, saying that the fund was only making use of grants.

L-R: Member, 70th Year Anniversary Committee, Yaba Baptist Church, Deacon Adebayo Adenihun; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Deacon Robert Debo Tade; Chairman, Dr. Mike Dare and Rev. Sam Olaniyi, during a press conference in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

In the presentation, Darma explained that out of the total capital vote of N44.7bn for 2012 as approved by the National Assembly, less than 30 per cent has so far been released which had been used to take care of capacity building programmes. Meanwhile, Sanusi yesterday faulted crude oil production figures submitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, before the House of Representatives. NNPC figures had indicated that crude oil production stood at 2.7 million barrels per day. The NNPC had also told the House that the projected oil benchmark for 2012 was 2.48mbpd while the current crude oil production was fixed at 2.7mbpd. But Sanusi dismissed the NNPC oil production figures on the basis that the corporation had no credible metering system to gauge production. He, however, did not provide alternative figures. The CBN governor said this while responding to question on the components of the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Strategy Paper, MTEF, being considered by the joint House Committees on Finance, Legislative Budget and Research, National Planning

and Aid, Loans and Debt Management. Sanusi, who restated CBN’s commitment to the stability of the economy, stressed the need to strengthen NEITI for more transparency in the oil sector. He explained that “oil is a commodity with a volatile price” and that the safest bet to budget security was to increase output and block leakages, especially through oil bunkering and “bombing illegal refineries in the Niger Delta.” The apex bank governor also urged the committee to meet with the finance minister to ascertain other forms of investments coming into the country. Sanusi also noted that the external reserves became necessary for servicing outside obligations including debt servicing and import bills. Hon. Abdulmumumi Jibrin, Chairman, House Committee on Finance, and other lawmakers had earlier stressed the need to reduce importation of petroleum products into the country, reduce domestic and external borrowing as well as beef up infrastructure. The lawmakers also requested for explanations on the foreign exchange rate, devaluation of currency and high interest rates. The hearing continues today.

Outrage as FG, ASUU, senators condemn attack CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

failure of political leadership, stressing that government should be able to protect the people. Adetunmbi noted that the terrorists had penetrated the military institutions, churches, mosques, “now it is the turn of innocent children in school.” Senator Oluremi Tinubu said that the nation was not only under siege but under peril. She noted that Nigeria had never witnessed anything like this in the past. Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has given a seven-day ultimatum to security agencies to fish out the killers. NANS National President, Mohammed Dauda, in a statement in Jos yesterday described the kill-

ings as barbaric and condemnable. “We are categorically demanding for an immediate probe into the circumstances surrounding the attack while giving a seven-day ultimatum to the Adamawa State government to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime,” NANS said. The association described the killings as “unprecedented and extremely barbaric. “The entire Nigerian students’ community, particularly the leadership of NANS, is still in shock and yet unable to phantom what could be the motive of the perpetrators of this ignoble act of terrorism. “We have declared three days of national mourning on all our higher institutions in honour of the memory of

our departed colleagues while we are determined to employ all legitimate means to unravel the circumstances behind the gruesome murder of the students.” Meanwhile, Governor Murtala Nyako yesterday condemned the killings and promised to work with security agents to bring the perpetrators to the book. Nyako described the incident as barbaric, noting that a responsible government would not fold its arms and allow those responsible to go unpunished. The governor condoled with the families of the victims, promising that the killers of their beloved would be brought to the book. The state government has sent a 10-man delegation to Mubi for assessment of the situation.

The delegation, led by the Head of Service, Mr. Musa Kaibo, is mandated to submit its findings to the state government on Friday. The President of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr Isa Fagge, has also called on the Federal Government to find the killers of the students. Fagge described the incident as unfortunate and disturbing. He urged the government to take urgent and decisive steps to check a recurrence. The ASUU president said: “It is an unfortunate development, especially as it concerns the future leaders of this country. “Attacking students who were staying peacefully in their hostel is sad and unheard of in any

part of the world. “Yes, we know there are security challenges currently in the country but a situation where this will pervade our academic environment is unacceptable and government must urgently find a lasting solution to it. “By now we ought to have put the issue of insecurity in our country far behind us. Indeed, we are saddened by this loss and we are calling on government to act immediately. “I think there should be concrete structures in place to address the social needs of the populace and this will be achieved if we rise up against corruption in the country,” Fagge said. Also, the National Coordinator, National Parent-Teachers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji

Babs Animashaun, condemned the incident and described it as regrettable and painful. Animashaun said that a situation whereby students were no longer safe in their schools called for concern. “It is indeed very painful and sad that students who went to school to study are now being brought back to their respective families dead. “This shows lack of security in our schools and I am pleading with the authorities to rise up immediately to this challenge by ensuring that serious action is taken in identifying and punishing the culprits to serve as deterrent,” he said. The Adamawa State Police Command has however thrown more light on CONTINUED ON PAGE 55>>

News

Thursday, October 4, 2012

FEC approves N1.49bn for Zik’s mausoleum ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved a contract to the tune of N1.49bn for the completion of Zik Mausoleum in memory of the first President of Nigeria, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, in Onitsha Anambra State. FEC considered and approved a memo presented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development that had taken over the mausoleum which has been in the works since 1996. Elaborating on the issue, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, traced the history of the project, which had originally been awarded under the Presidency and had to be cancelled three times to enable the government do a thorough job in honour of the late elder statesman and first Nigerian President. Her words: “The Federal Executive Council approved the award of contract for the completion of Zik’s Mausoleum, a mausoleum in memory of our first President. It was given out for N1, 496, 531, 483 with a completion period of 13 months. “This contract was originally under the Presidency, but was stalled and had to be cancelled three times, but in

2010 it was transferred to the Ministry of Lands and Housing Development, when it became a full-fledged ministry,” she said. She added that this time, FEC was confident that the contractors would be able to carry out the work competently and finish in the 13-month period given to them. She observed that the sum of N530 million has been provided in the 2012 budget with which the implementation of the project would take off while N1bn would be provid-

ed in the 2013 budget for the project. “It is a national monument; it is something we will want to complete before we celebrate our centenary in 2014. “So we are very hopeful that we will get the needed funds and the ministry is quite ready to ensure that we get value for money for the job that we are giving out,” Pepple said. The council also approved a new roadmap for the development of the solid mineral sector in the country.

Minister of Solid Mineral, Mohammed Sada, said with the launch of a sound regulation policy for the sector in April last year, the Federal Government considered it important to approve the roadmap to guide operators in the sector. “This government is committed to strengthening of the solid minerals sector with relevant laws. For a very long time, government has been saying that this sector is one key sector it needs to drive to improve on revenue generation,” Sada said.

n Abuja high court judge, Justice H. B. Yusuf, has issued an interim order stopping the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), a serving governor in the North-West (name withheld), a serving director of the United Bank for Africa, Alhaji Sanni Usman and two others, from entering or carrying out any activity on a disputed property located on Plot No 3, Karsana District, Gwarinpa in Abuja. The judge, who gave the exparte order after listening to legal arguments canvassed by counsel to an estate developer, Jenew Nigeria Limited, also warned them against taking any step whatsoever on the property pending the determination of an interlocutory application before him. Others who were also restrained by the order of the

Reps blame poor budget implementation for flooding TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he House of Representatives yesterday blamed the havoc flood has caused across the country on the failure by the Presidency to adequately implement the 2012 budget. The House Committee on Environment, chaired by Hon. Uche Lilian Ekwunife (APGA/Anambra), said this while meeting with officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Officials of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) sweeping the premises of the Old Peoples’ Home as part of their on-going Career Evaluation Training Programme for law enforcement officers in Lagos, yesterday.

Court bars NIA, Gov, UBA director from property ISE-OLUWA IGE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

court from taking any step in respect of the property are Dankwari Brothers Enterprises Limited and Mr. Charles Nwakama. The case file of the matter is presently with the Abuja High Court Chief Judge, Justice Lawan Gumi, for studying and possible reassignment since the case was heard during vacation. The presiding judge in the case is expected to take arguments from all the parties involved to decide on the ownership status of the property. Already, the court orders had been served on all the parties involved. An estate developer, Mr. Nelson Akubudike, together with his property consultancy firm, Jenew Nigeria Limited had invoked the jurisdiction of the Abuja high court upon discovery that men of the NIA allegedly encroached on a multimillion property they had

acquired for mass housing project for civil servants in Abuja. Akubudike, according to documents submitted before the court, explained that the purported property located in Gwarinpa, is measured 10.8 hectares and was sold to him about two years ago. He said though the property was registered in the name of PHGE Control Limited, a firm owned by Mr. Charles Nwakama, he said that he later discovered that the property was acquired by a serving governor in the North-West in the name of PHGE Control Limited owned by Mr. Nwakama. He said the serving governor, however, used the title document on the property as collateral to take a loan from a UBA director, one Alhaji Sanni Usman. He said upon discovering the facts of the land, he

not only had a meeting with the UBA director on how to offset the loan obtained from him by the serving governor but also with Nwakama on

OMEIZA AJAYI

he Police Service Commission yesterday approved the promotion of 13 new Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) in a move it said was aimed at rewarding hard work and excellent commitment to duty. At the end of its 31st plenary meeting in Abuja yesterday, Chief Information Officer of the Commission, Ferdinand Ekpe, said the members took far reaching decisions on ways to reposition the force. According to him, one

The meeting was convened to assess the implementation of the 2012 budget in the various departments and agencies in the Federal Ministry of Environment. But, according to Ekwunife, about 22 states in the country were afflicted by destructive flood, with accompanying loss of lives and property. Though, she conceded in part that climate change played a role in the tragedy, she insisted that the damage could have been less if President Goodluck Jonathan, had implemented at least 60 per cent of budgets on environment in the past 10 years. According to her, the Federal Ministry of Environment has been grossly under-funded over the years, leading to non-implementation of some basic projects such as dams and shore protection walls to safeguard the environment from uncontrolled flooding and erosion. Ekwunife also lamented the state of the Ecological Fund and requested that the fund be brought under a specific agency or commission to enhance accountability and transparency. Her words: “The purpose of budgets is to solve the perennial problems associated with people’s welfare and comfort.”

whose firm’s name the property was registered at AEGIS. He said all the parties agreed to sell the land to him and mandated Nwakama as a director of the PHGE Control Limited, on whose name the land was registered, to pre-

pare all necessary documents on the property in his favour. He said all the money he paid on the property was lodged in the accounts given him by the UBA director to offset the personal loan he gave to the serving governor.

of those decisions was to approve the promotion of the officers, which he said was part of the commission’s resolve to reward all hardworking and deserving police officers with promotion to the next ranks. He listed the new ACPs to include; Ojeka Odama Paul; Edung Patrick Ogon; Kayode Akande Sikiru; Arop Augustine; Lawal Badara Banji; Adelayo Adewoye Olukayode and Onyeka B. Nnamdi. Others are Yusuf Suleiman; Anyasinti Josephine Nneka; Godwin N; Ekot Effiom Emmanuel; Kanayochukwu Ude Stanley and Mozie Charles If-

eatu. “Similarly, the commission approved the promotion of four Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents. Also, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and an Assistant Superintendent of Police were elevated to the rank of Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent respectively. All the promotions are with effect from the 3rd of October, 2012,” Ekpe said. He quoted the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Parry Osayande, as urging the officers to live up to the new responsibilities their elevation had placed on them.

Police get 13 new ACPs

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, October 4, 2012

100,000 kids die of sickle cell annually –FG MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday decried the rate of persons who die of sickle cell disorder (SCD) in Nigeria even as it confirmed that no less than 100,000 children below 12 months old die of the disease annually. Director of Public Health in the Federal

Ministry of Health, Dr. Mansur Kabir, made this known at a symposium on sickle cell disease and formation of sickle cell clubs for secondary school students in Abuja. Kabir said: “Sickle cell disorder is among the top 10 non-communicable diseases causing high number of disabilities and deaths. “Data shows that almost 100 million people in

the world are living with sickle cell disorder and the most severe form is responsible for more than 50 per cent of the deaths. “It is also disturbing that Nigeria is first in Africa with an annual death toll of 100,000 children under one year of age, which represents eight per cent of infant deaths.” Worried by the increasing casualties and stigmatisation against persons

with the challenge, the Federal Government said it would, among other things, ensure that all secondary schools across the country have a sickle cell club. A guest speaker at the event, Dr. Uduak Essen, said there was no cure for the disease and that no research had been conducted exploring SCD. Essen noted that Nigeria was the most endemic

nation, globally, with SCD. She advised that youth alone were the solution to the problem, stressing that if young men and women understood their genotypes before getting married and followed medical advice, SCD would no more be a burden on the society. Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood

cell that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. People with the disorder have atypical haemoglobin molecules called haemoglobin “S”, which can distort red blood cell into sickle or crescent. Child bearing by affected opposite sexes increases the risk of SCD. Affected persons may resultantly have stroke, cerebrovascular

FIRS accuses Plateau SUPEB of forgery JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of the Federal Road Safety Club in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State painting a zebra crossing in Yola town, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PHCN accounts frozen as Enron case remain unresolved UDEME AKPAN

court order freezing the accounts of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), with First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank has started to affect operations in the power sector, officials said yesterday. Figures presented to the House Committee on Power, yesterday in Lagos during an oversight visit to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc and Eko Electricity Distribution Plc showed that various sums of money amounting to billions of naira may have been trapped in the account. Facts presented to the House Committee showed that the funds belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Plc alone amounted to over N460m. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Oladele Amuda, briefed the committee on the trapped fund. He said: “These funds were remitted for payment

to the government. It may not affect us directly. But certainly, it must be affecting the government, who needs such funds for various purposes.” Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, said the Committee will intervene to ensure the issue is resolved to the best interest of the nation and other stakeholders. He said it was not in the interest of everyone if the issue was not resolved without delay. It would be recalled that Lagos State government had gone to court to seek an award of damages arising from a breach of contract on the part of PHCN in a Barge Power Purchase Agreement, BPPA, and Contribution Agreement between it and PHCN. Going by the terms of the agreement, PHCN was to distribute electricity generated under the BPPA to specified areas within the territory of Lagos State as well as Capacity Payments

due from PHCN to ENRON under the BPPA. The state had issued a Direct Debit Order for capacity charges to PHCN, which was to be made from the monthly statutory allocation from the Federation Account. Upon a breach on the part of PHCN, Lagos State revoked the Direct Debit Order, but in disregard to the said revocation, PHCN continued to receive payments from the Debit Order to the tune of N14bn within the revocation period. Lagos State government had by a Notice of Arbitration dated 17th March 2010, started arbitration proceedings against the PHCN regarding the deductions made by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the applicant’s monthly statutory allocations. Nonetheless, in order to secure its claim before the arbitration tribunal and the cost of the arbitration, Lagos State went to the High Court of Lagos State, seeking protective measures in

aid of the arbitration. The applicant had asked the court to stop the PHCN from transacting, withdrawing or dealing with monies standing to its credit in accounts maintained in the two banks. The case was later resolved in favour of the state. Despite the trapped funds, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc said it has awarded contracts for 65 projects. A breakdown showed that three of the projects were carried over from 2011, while 62 are newly developed schemes. It maintained that 14 of them are presently ongoing while four have been fully completed and paid for. The firm said projects so far executed included the construction of 15 MVA 33/11KVA sub stations at Isheri Olowora, completion of similar project at Ifako and completion of an injection substation at Alaja as well as procurement and installation of distribution transformers in the area.

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday accused the management of Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board of forging its Value Added Tax (VAT) receipts in the past years The FIRS raised the allegation at the sitting of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, North Central zone sitting in Jos. FIRS has in April this year dragged Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) before the tax tribunal for the inability of SUBEB to remit withholding tax and value

added tax to it for a period of three years. When the case came up for hearing yesterday at the tribunal, counsel to FIRS, Mr. Nasir Ahmed, told the tribunal that some of the VAT receipts tendered by the defendant may have been forged, alleging that there were discrepancies between its record and the receipts tendered. Ruling on the allegation, Chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Abraham Yisa, ordered that the said forged documents and VAT receipts be handed over to the Plateau State Police Commissioner for investigation. The tribunal adjourned the matter till Novembers 26, 2012

I had no knowledge of Oct 1 bombing –Alaibe ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

ormer Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Timi Alaibe, yesterday denied before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he had prior knowledge of the October 1, 2010 twin bomb blast which claimed a couple of lives and injured many others. One of the suspects facing trial over the matter had mentioned names of prominent politicians in the South-South including former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipriye Silva and Alaibe as having foreknowledge of the blast, but refused to inform appropriate authourities to halt the incident. Silva had promptly denied the allegation, while Alaibe denied it yesterday. Alaibe, who claimed

that he knew Ewibare testified that Ewibare was associated with a specific militant group in Delta State and was an advocate of zoning of the Presidency to the North. “Ewibare and others normally come to my office. I have had cause to caution him about his political position, I once saw him on the television discussing zoning and I warned him that it was a bitter politics and that the politics is bigger than him,” Allaibe said. But Ewibare, in his testimony, stated that he had never seen or met with Henry Okah, but admitted several telephone conversations with the later. He admitted that he campaigned for former military President Ibrahim Babangida for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Primaries.

South West

Pipeline vandalism:

Amosun laments economic loss

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has decried the acute shortage of petroleum products being experienced in the South-West. Amusun noted that the situation had resulted in serious economic losses to the region and the nation in general. He called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to end the menace of pipeline vandals, whose unpatriotic activities led to the inferno at Arepo and shutdown of Mosimi depot. The governor spoke yesterday at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, when he received members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western Zone, comprising Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi, led by its Chairman, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade. Amosun explained that pipeline vandalism results in bunkering, fire explosion, loss of lives, scarcity of petroleum products, loss of valuable time at fuel stations, increase in transport fares and general economic losses, which impose further hardship on the people. While noting that the security of the pipelines is the responsibility of the Federal Government, he said Ogun State would always do everything possible to ameliorate the suffering of its people “as there are no federal citizens in Nigeria”. “We are already collaborating with the Federal Government on the security of pipelines across our state and to end the hardship being experienced by our people,” Amosun said. He cautioned against indiscriminate parking of fuel tankers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Speaking earlier, Ogunmade urged the government to intervene in fasttracking the repair of the vandalised pipeline, emphasising that the continued closure of Mosimi depot would not only result in job losses, but hinder smooth supply of petroleum products to all the Western states, as Lagos alone could not service the entire region. He commended the governor for his passion for the welfare of the people.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Alleged N1.5m bribe: Presidential committee members, others docked WALE IGBINTADE AND CAROLINE CHUKWUKA

hree members of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification - Alalade Abioye Buhari Ganiyu and Oni Oluwasola - yesterday were arraigned yesterday before a Tapa Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly receiving bribe from the Integrated Oil and Gas Limited. Others arraigned with them were the Integrated

Oil and Gas Limited, its Managing Director, Mr. Anthony Ihenacho, the Assistant General Manager Supply, Mr. Humphrey Okoh, and the Financial Controller of the company, Mr. Akinwusi Julius. Ihenacho and the others were alleged to have, on August, 30 2012 at Integrated Oil And Gas Limited, 190 Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos, conspired with others (now at large) and offered the sum of N1.5 million to members of the Presidential Committee for the performance of

their duties, an offence punishable under Section 63(1) (a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. Addressing the court, Police Prosecutor, Superintendent Effiong Asuquo of the Special Fraud Unit said that the bribe was offered to members of the Presidential Committee namely Alalade Abioye (F), Buhari Ganiy (M), Oni Oluwasola (M) and Chukwujekwu Nneka Akabueze (F). The charge reads: “That you Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Anthony Ihenacho

(M), Managing Director; Humphrey Okoh (M), Assistant General Manager, Supply; Akinwusi Julius (M), Financial Controller; and members of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification namely: Alalade Abioye (F) and Oni Oluwasola,Buhari Ganiyu (M), on or about the August 30, 2012 at Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, 190 Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos, in the Lagos Magistrate District, conspired with other persons, now at large to commit a felony, to wit, offering of

L-R: Vice-Chancellor Designate, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during a workshop in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

MURITALA AYINLA

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved the immediate construction and upgrading of existing motor parks across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas. The state government, which justified the planned introduction of uniform for commercial bus drivers and conductors, distributed copies of the traffic laws leaflets to the motorists and pedestrians in Ikeja, the state capital. It also directed property owners to, henceforth, report any abandoned vehicle around their vicinity to appropriate authorities or face full wrath of the law. Speaking at a sensitisation and safety week campaign jointly organised by the Ministry of Transportation and Vehicle Inspection Unit held at Ikeja Motor Park, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Bureau, Mr. Musilim Folami, and Director of Vehicle Inspec-

gratification to a public official and corruption by public official, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 409 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. “That you Integrated Oil And Gas Limited, Anthony Ihenacho (M), Managing Director, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Humphrey Okoh (M), Assistant General Manager, Supply, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited and Akinwusi Julius(M), Financial Controller, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited on or about August 30, 2012 at Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, 190 Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos, in the Lagos magisterial District, intentionally gave the sum of N1,500,000.00 (one million, five hundred thousand naira) to members of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification namely: Alalade Abioye (F), Buhari Ganiyu (M), Oni Oluwasola (M) and Chukwujekwu Nneka Akabueze(f) in order that the said persons may act or refrain from acting in the exercise of their duties as members of the said committee and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 64(1) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”

Lagos to upgrade motor parks across 57 councils •Justifies use of uniform for bus drivers tion Services, Mr. Gbolahan Toriola, said safety and sanity must be re-stored to the state transportation sector. They spoke on the theme campaign entitled: “The challenges and potential benefits of keeping unroadworthy vehicle off Lagos Road”. According to Folami,

the approval for the upgrading of the motor parks was part of measures by the government to further provide basic infrastructure to enable voluntary compliance with the Road Traffic Law when enforcement properly commences. He stressed that the governor was so passion-

ate about compliance to the law such that members of the executive are not exempted from compliance. On his part, Toriola said the planned introduction of uniform for conductors and drivers was aimed at capturing their data for security purpose, adding that if implemented, it would distinguish the drivers union

MURITALA AYINLA

had undergone complete reform. Addressing journalists at Idi-Araba Children Transit Home, one of the homes for the less privileged, Dr Masha promised that newly reformed law enforcement officers would no longer be aggressive as alleged by motorists. Masha, who also visited Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice in Surulere, Old People’s Home and Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Homes in Yaba with about 200 LASTMA and KIA officers, described the refor-

mation of the officials as part of the government’s efforts directed at making a life-time change in the agencies. Masha said the government had outlined different programmes for the agencies aimed at improving their relationship with the people and communities in the course of discharging their responsibilities. She said: “These trainings are designed to make them realise that they serving every day. It is another way of doing their jobs with a clear sense of community service and human dignity.

from other motorists. He appealed to motorists across the state to stop drinking alcohol while driving and re-register their vehicles with the relevant authorities. Toriola said:”Ensure your members are competent. They must have the require documents, including driving licence. You must not also carry more than required passengers.”

Govt reforms LASTMA, KAI officials

he Lagos State Government yesterday told residents that the new Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials would soon emerge on the roads. The Senior Special Assistant on Transport Education, Dr. Miriam Masha, said residents would have different stories to tell about the enforcement strategy and methodology of the state’s law enforcement personnel as officers

“The ongoing reform is to enhance capacity of the traffic and environmental operatives. Our central goal is simply tailored at making a life-time change in the state law enforcement operatives as well as agencies. And the effort will continue. We are not going to stop after this reform programme is utterly implemented”. One of the LASTMA officials, Mr. Ganiyu Akinola, told journalists that the ongoing capacity-building programme would make definite impact in the manner he would henceforth discharge his responsibilities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Cynthia: Court orders Ikoyi Prison to produce suspected killers WALE IGBINTADE AND CAROLINE CHUKWUKA

Senior Magistrate’s Court sitting at Yaba in Lagos has ordered the authorities of the Ikoyi Prison to produce before it all the suspected killers of Miss Cynthia Osokogu. Miss Osokogu, a postgraduate student of the Nasarawa State University, was allegedly killed after she was drugged and raped at a Festac hotel in Lagos on July 22. Magistrate Olalekan Aka-Bashorun gave the order yesterday following an oral application made by the prosecution team led by a Superintendent of Police, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, to consolidate all the three charges. But Aka-Bashorun pointed out that it would be impossible for the prosecution to consolidate the

charges unless all the defendants were present in court. At this stage, Agwu urged the court to issue a reproduction warrant on the authorities of the Ikoyi Prison to produce the defendants in court at the next adjourned date. Meanwhile, counsel to the defendants, Jude Ngovilie, John Aroh and Mr. I. A. Osimiri, urged the court to compel the prosecution to make available to them, proof of evidence and other documentary evidence that would be used during trial. Specifically, Aroh told the court that he had sent a written application to the prosecution to forward to defence lawyers proof of evidence, but the prosecution had failed to comply. He argued that in the spirit of fair hearing, all the defendants were presumed innocent until the contrary was proven. In his reply, Agwu

urged the court to disregard the request, arguing that it was immaterial at this stage when trial was yet to commence. He submitted that the Magistrates’ Court was only meant for remand proceedings as it lacked jurisdiction to conduct trial in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011. Acknowledging the fact that Magistrates’ Court lacked jurisdiction to try the defendants, Aka-Bashorun added that all the defence lawyers should be given ample opportunity to prepare their defence. Police had arraigned Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Ezike Olisaeloka, 23; Orji Osita, 32; and Maduakor Chukwunonso, 25, on an eight-count charge of felony, conspiracy, robbery and murder of Cynthia Osokogu. Their charge sheet stated that the suspects killed the deceased by administering

her with “Rohypnol Flunitrapezam,” binding, torturing, and strangling her. It also stated that the suspects, along with some others at large, raped and robbed the deceased of valuables that included an international passport, a mobile phone, shoes, bags, wristwatches and jewellery. Also in two separate charges, a 39-year-old taxi driver, Gideon Okechukwu and two GSM retailers, Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu (22) and Ezeaka Chinonso (27) were arraigned before the court for Cynthia’s murder. Specifically, in charge No: TA/59/2012, Okechukwu who claimed to be a taxi driver, was said to have driven the suspected killers out of the hotel. He is facing an eightcount charge of felony, conspiracy, robbery and murder and rape among others. The matter has been adjourned till October 5 for mention.

Poverty: Hold ministers responsible –Ex-lawmaker ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

oor implementation of budgets by the executive arm of government has been identified as one of the factors responsible for the many abandoned projects and increasing poverty in the country. Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Duro Faseyi, who said this, blamed it on selective implementation of the budgets by some ministers. He said: “For many years now, federal budgets are not being implemented to the letter due to selfish agenda of some ministers.” Faseyi, who represented Ekiti North Federal Constituency between 2003 and 2011, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, traced the current standoff between the executive and legislative arms of government over the presentation of 2013 budget to selective implementation. “Some ministers are bent on selecting projects to be executed despite the fact that the legislators had already passed all projects to be executed for a particular fiscal year,” he said.

The former lawmaker advised the executive arm “to allow for proper and constitution-backed oversight functions of the National Assembly to ascertain the level of budget performance in the country.” This, Faseyi said, would assist President Goodluck Jonathan in ensuring sustainable infrastructural development for the country and also in helping him to alleviate the suffering of the masses. He said: “Available data shows that some portions of 2010, 2011 and 2012 budgets are yet to be implemented while many ministries, parastatals and agencies owe contractors billions of naira.” The former chairman of the House Committee on Environment, who said the “Ministry of Environment alone is owning contractors over N9bn”, wondered why other contracts were due for presentation before the National Assembly when the outstanding ones were yet to be cleared. “If the trend continues,” he said, “there is probability that many awarded contracts in the past will still be re-awarded with more funds being allocated for same as new contracts.”

Ajimobi restates commitment to health sector transformation KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

G L–R: Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Western Zone, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and National Vice-Chairman of the association, Otunba Sali Oladiti, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Abeokuta, yesterday.

NDLEA arraigns Pakistani for importing heroin K AYODE KETEFE

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arraigned a Pakistani, Bukhari Syed Ahmed Waseem, and his alleged Nigerian accomplice, Benjamin Okereke, before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly trafficking an illicit drug, heroin, from Pakistan into Nigeria. Waseem and Okereke were arraigned before Justice James Tsoho on a three-count charge.

The anti-drug agency said investigations showed that Waseem was a specialist in the business of importing heroin and other hard drugs into Nigeria from Pakistan. The charge, dated June 7, was signed by NDLEA’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Femi Oloruntoba, while Mr. Raphael Iminkaye is prosecuting the case on behalf of the anti-drug outfit. In the count one of the charge, the accused were said to have conspired with one Chukwudi Okereke, who is said to now be at

large, to import 13 kilograms of heroin into Nigeria. The second count alleged that the second accused person (Benjamin Okereke) was said to have aided Waseem to import the said 13kg of heroin into Nigeria from Pakistan without lawful authority, contrary to Section 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004. Count three stated that: “You, Bukhari Syed Ahmed Waseem, Pakistani citizen, male, on or about February 10, 2012, at the Murtala Mohhamed International Airport, Ikeja,

Lagos, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airline flight from Pakistan, imported 13kg of heroin without lawful authority, and thereby committed an offence under Section 11 (A) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.” The alleged offences, which are said to have been committed sometimes in February in Lagos and various other places, are punishable under Section 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said that his administration was determined to transform the state health sector. Ajimobi gave the assurance in Ibadan, yesterday while receiving medical consumables and other items donated to the stateowned Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, by Oluyole Progressive Union in United Kingdom and Ireland. He also appealed to well-meaning individuals and social organisations to join him in actualising his agenda for the health sector. The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr. Segun Abolarinwa, said the current reform being carried out in the health sector could not be borne by his administration alone but that it

would require the cooperation and support of all stakeholders. He commended the initiative of the union as well as its resolve to partner with the government in improving healthcare delivery services in the state. The President of the union, Alhaji Abiodun Oloko, said the association, which he described as a charity organisation, was motivated into donating the items by the need to ensure that the people of the state had access to good and quality healthcare delivery services. He expressed the regret that facilities in most hospitals in the country were poor and could not be compared with what obtained in developed countries. Oloko expressed the union’s readiness to extend its support to other sectors so as to join the government in improving the quality of life of the people.

South East

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-militants threaten to resume armed struggle CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

x- militants in Imo State yesterday expressed worry over the delay experienced in the training and empowerment of some of the repented former agitators, three years after embracing the amnesty programme of the Federal Government. Speaking with jour-

nalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, leaders of Orashi and Enyimba camps, Emeka Igwe and Andrew Nwoketubor, said out of the 320 militants that embraced the programme in the state, only 50 per cent have been trained, saying that; “The only thing that can make us to go back to crime is when the terms of the agreement are not implemented to the letter.”

MASSOB abolishes camps in Onitsha NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

he Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday informed the general public that their camps and buildings used as MASSOB offices in the commercial city of Onitsha, particularly the ones at Kilometer 7 Onitsha/ Owerri Road and Obodoukwu Road, opposite Ogboefere Market, have been abolished and closed. A press statement issued yesterday via a Short Message Service (SMS) from MASSOB’s Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, said this directive was given by their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, as a result of increase in criminal activities in the city. The statement quoted Uwazuruike as saying that most of these anti-MASSOB or criminal activities were done or carried out in the name of MASSOB which in turn, pitch MASSOB’s genuine members against the general public and at the same time attract the wrath of security agencies. The group said the statement was to notify the public that anybody or group found camping, assembling

or holding meeting in these places are not MASSOB members, now that those camps have been abolished. It further added that MASSOB members do not carry arms or weapons such as knives and daggers, adding, “We do not engage in thuggery or constitute task forces that collect tolls from motorists, Okada riders or commercial tricyclists, neither do we collect levies from traders or involve ourselves in revenue collection.”

AWKA

zinkwo Quarters in Ogidi-Ani community in Idemili North Local Government Area, yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration in Awka against two named indigenes of Nkpor town. During the demonstration, which took place in front of the Government House gate, the commu-

Ifeanyi Nwauwa, Ifeanyi Nwobi, Funky Anele, George Igbokwe, Italian Tammah and Wahab Mmaduabuchi, among others, urged the Federal Government to sustain the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta by ensuring that no state is short-changed in the next phase of the programme. However, the ex-agitators commended the Special Assistant to President Good-

luck Jonathan on the Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, for the success of the programme. “We are happy with the Federal Government, but we are not 100 per cent satisfied until the remaining former agitators are trained and empowered and until all entitlements are paid.” Continuing, they called on the Federal Government to ensure that politicians

nity, led by Tony Obiora Okoye and a handful of placards-carrying women, accused the two Nkpor sons of alleged acts of invasion of their homes and destruction of their farm produce. They were also accused of terrorising the people of the community; illegal sale of their land, threats to their lives and a general disruption of social activities in the community.

did not hijack the third phase of the programme by insisting that only genuine ex-militants who have laid down their arms benefit from the programme. “We made sure we did arms’ mop up in 2010, submitted the arms to the appropriate quarters and those arms are verifiable and those who submitted them are also verifiable,” they said.

2015 Presidency: Monarch makes case for South-East FELIX NWANERI

s the race for the 2015 general elections gathers momentum, Nigerians have been urged to support the bid by the South-East geopolitical zone to produce the country’s next president in the spirit of equity and fairness. Eze Uche Dimgba, the Eze-Udo Ndigbo of Ikeja

Local Government Area of Lagos State, who made the call while speaking with journalists, said the appeal has become necessary because it is high time Ndigbo are given the opportunity to contribute their quota in moving the nation forward. His words: “We are appealing to other geo-political zones in the country to give us the opportunity to produce the next president in 2015. If other zones have

ruled, why not give us the opportunity to contribute to nation-building as the Igbo man has the capability and capacity to make Nigeria realise its potentials.” On the belief in some quarters that the people of the South-East would be the ones who will ruin their chances over their uncoordinated approach to such issue in the past, Eze Dimgba said: “The argument that Ndigbo are not politically organised

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, inspecting the evacuation of flood displaced persons in Umueze-Anam in the state, yesterday.

Community protests alleged invasion of their lands CHARLES OKEKE

The ex-militants noted that the issue of bunkering and kidnapping are now things of the past in the oil producing areas, stating that the delay in fast tracking the empowerment of the former agitators may force them to resume armed struggle. The former creek lords, flanked by their commanders, Oshimiri Arinze, Carlos Akaru, Igwe Martins,

does not hold water. “That we have a large number of candidates angling for the presidency shows that we have a lot of credible people. “The number of candidates that are likely to come out from the South-East should not be something to worry about because that is what democracy is all about. Nigerians are the ones that will make a choice at the end of the day.” He disclosed that notable Igbo leaders have already commenced moves to woo Nigerians from other parts of the country for the Igbo presidency project, saying: “Most of our people are moving around, convincing people to support our bid as we cannot realise it alone, and we are assuring that we are not going to disappoint them.” Dimgba also made a case for an additional state to be created for Ndigbo to bring the number of states in the area at par with other geopoiltical zones. “For anyone to say that there should not be an additional state for the SouthEast means that the person is trying to foment trouble. Ndigbo deserve a sixth state if there is to be equity, justice and fairness in the Nigerian nation,” he averred.

Red Cross inaugurates disaster rapid response committee CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

gainst the backdrop of the damages caused by flooding in Anambra State, the state chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has inaugurated a flood disaster rapid response committee. The committee was charged with the duty of responding to the immediate needs of the victims. The 32-member committee, headed by Dr Pe-

ter Emeka Katchi, was set up yesterday by the state Chairman of the Red Cross, Justice P. A. C. Obidigwe, chief judge emeritus of Anambra State. The committee is expected to raise funds and relief materials from public-spirited individuals and groups, all of which shall be shared among the estimated 250, 000 victims scattered across the 45 communities in the seven local governments areas of Anambra West, Anambra East, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Awka North, Onitsha North and

Onitsha South of the state. During the committee’s inauguration, the Red Cross also raised the alarm about the prospect of the outbreak of epidemic, if the crisis is not curtailed, at least to save the lives of the victims. Speaking during the inauguration, Justice Obidigwe regretted that over 250, 000 persons affected by the flood in Anambra State are currently taking refuge in camps across the state with no conveniences, bathing and drinking water and as such risk contacting diarrhea, cholera and

other diseases. The Red Cross chairman said what is more worrisome is that most of the victims have no option of cooking water but the same flood water that is capable of impairing their health. He said a total of seven local government areas have been affected by the flood, and that the organization, after visiting and conducting an environmental impact assessment and all needed analysis, decided to set up the committee to help the people.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Delta flood claims traditional ruler T he flood ravaging Delta State has claimed another victim. A traditional ruler in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state died while he was being evacuated from his flooded domain to a safer area. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has, therefore, directed managements of flooded local government areas to intensify efforts aimed at evacuating victims to safer places. Uduaghan also directed all political appointees to return to their respective local government areas to assist in the rehabilitation of the victims.

The monarch, whose name is still being withheld for traditional reasons, drowned when the boat he was being evacuated with capsized. Speaking during a meeting with members of the flood disaster committee, political appointees and Heads of Personnel Management (HPM) of the affected local government areas, the governor said those trapped by the flood must be evacuated within two days. In particular, he said a comprehensive report of the flooding detailing every community affected, number of displaced persons, those trapped,

casualties, rehabilitation camps, problems and challenges faced should be ready within the same period. He noted that the welfare of the displaced persons was paramount to the government, stressing that his administration would make the rehabilitation camps conducive. Uduaghan called for assistance from corporate bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations in alleviating the sufferings of the displaced people, explaining that the burden was too heavy for the government to bear alone. He said: “We are asking for assistance from other

organisations and groups because everybody needs to be involved whether they are from the affected areas or not. “So far, I have refused financial assistance from people, if any group or person has money to help the displaced people, they should convert it to tangible goods.” Briefing the governor on the activities the flood disaster committee, the chairman of the committee and deputy governor of the state, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN), said the flood situation was getting worse as almost all the coastal areas had been submerged.

Utuama said the committee had visited the affected coastal areas, opened rehabilitation camps and ensured that the relief materials were distributed to them. Meanwhile, Governor EUduaghan yesterday announced that his administration would undertake the embankment of the shoreline of coastal communities on the banks of the River Niger as part of measures to protect them from disaster. He said there would be massive sand filling and reclamation of the shoreline from the Anwai end of Asaba through the bridgehead to the Oko communities. The governor, who

spoke when members of Oko community in Oshimili South Local Government Area visited him in Asaba, said it became necessary to guard against the current and havoc caused by the river overflowing its banks. He said: “The plan we have in mind as a government is to embark on the reclamation of the environment and protection of the shoreline. This will cost us a lot of money through sand filling and erection of dike to avoid future occurrence of this ugly situation. “Whatever measures we are taking now is temporary. We intend to commence this protection of the environment after this flooding.”

Amaechi assures multinational firms of security

Members of the Luusue Sogho Original Landlords Association in Khana Local Government area of Rivers State protesting non-payment of compensation for their land acquired for banana plantation project at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Banana plantation: Landlords protest non-payment of compensation CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

ggrieved landlords in Luusue Sogho, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers, where Banana Plantation Project is located, have protested non-payment of compensation for their land acquired by the government. The landlords stormed the Government House in Port Harcourt, demanding that

overnor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has urged civil servants to join hands with his administration to promote good governance and effective service delivery. Amaechi spoke yesterday during the swearing-in of the new Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Long-John, at the Government House, Port

their compensation should be paid. In a protest letter to the state governor, members of the Luusue Sogho Original Landlords Association expressed disappointment that despite embracing the government’s banana project and surrendered their lands, when it was time for compensation they were denied their rights by a committee led by Prince Roland Nzidee. They alleged that the com-

mittee appropriated several millions of naira to their “minor children, wives, cronies and relatives who have no land in the community.” The letter signed, by the landlords’ chairman, Mr. Barikpoa Serekara, and secretary, Mr. Richard Eebee, said they have made several representations to the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, who allegedly displayed inaction and indifference.

They therefore urged Governor Chibuike Amaechi to order the payment of the compensation. The landlords also called on the governor to “call to book the Prince Roland Nzidee-led committee because its fraudulent handling of this process is justifying the initial apathy of the Ogoni people towards the banana project and defeating the goodwill of government, which is to bring development to the people of Rivers State.”

Rivers gets new Head of Service

•Governor urges support Harcourt, the state capital. Congratulating LongJohn on his appointment, the governor commended the efforts and achievements of the former Head of Service, Mrs. Esther Anucha. He assured of his administration’s commitment to

make the civil service an efficient body. Amaechi said: “I have made the decision to stabilise the civil service. Right from the time I took over power in 2007, I thought of putting in place an efficient and effective civil service to

ensure stability. We have chosen Mr. Samuel LongJohn as the most senior civil servant, this is not the time to play politics and we have taken the best decision so far.” He urged Long-John to improve on the achievements of his predecessor and set up useful structures

ivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has assured multinational companies doing businesses in the state of adequate security. Speaking at the Shell Club in Port Harcourt at a gala night in commemoration of the celebration of Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary, Amaechi said security is key in his administration’s drive to provide the enabling environment for multinationals and oil firms to operate favourably. He said: “Before 2007 when I assumed office, most of us can testify that insecurity was the order of the day, but we tried as a government to bring the situation under control, we assure you of adequate security in all your operations”. Amaechi also expressed the commitment of his administration to provide regular power supply by December this year, despite the inability of the Federal Government to conclude arrangements with the state on the distribution of power to residents. “By December this year, we shall provide regular power supply, even though

it is the responsibility of the Federal Government and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), we have decided to do that because of the commitment of this administration. “Rivers State Government has 545 mega watts of power for distribution and we promise to sustain the means of power supply to sustain your industries and businesses,” the governor said. Promising that his administrations would provide better road networks for the speedy movement of goods and services, Amaechi said that contract for the construction of Elelewno-Woji Road had been awarded, urging workers to pay their taxes to enable the government implement its policies. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, said the company is fully committed to the Nigerian project, Nigeria’s future and building upon the great partnership with the nation in order to achieve great economic and sustainable development.

that would enhance standard in line with the vision of his administration. He said: “As the new Head of Service, you need to continue the overhaul of the civil service by ensuring that it is pro-Information Communications Technology. You have the duty to make them understand that every civil servant should be ICT compliant.”

The governor expressed the commitment of his administration to enforce the distribution of computers to every ministry, department and agency to ensure full compliance by all civil servants for effective service delivery. On his part, Long-John promised to ensure that Governor Amaechi’s vision for good governance is achieved.

North

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police kill four robbers, arrest 256 suspects in Kano AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST AND AZA MSUE

etermined to sustain the relative peace Kano State has enjoyed for some time now, the state police command yesterday said it has launched massive raids on suspected flash-points and criminal hideouts in different parts of the state. State Commissioner of

• As gunmen kill corporal in Zaria Police, Ibrahim Idris, who disclosed this at a press conference yesterday, said the operation has been successful and has led to the arrest of 256 suspects within two weeks. He said four suspected armed robbers were killed in a gun duel with men of the anti-robbery squad of the command while assorted firearms were recovered

from the gunmen. The police commissioner said the special anti-robbery squad smashed a notorious robbery gang led by one Mani on Kano-Rano Road after a gun battle. “Some of the suspects were arrested with bullet wounds, one died immediately, while the second died on the way to the city.” Idris said on-the-spot

search led to the discovery of assorted weapons, including FN Herstal Belgium rifle of the SSS, two magazines, with 20 rounds of 5.56 ammunition and AK 47 with 20 rounds of ammunition. In another operation, the police commissioner said a Toyota Corolla car with four occupants was intercepted after a bitter confrontation that claimed the life of one

L-R: Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Dr. Mohammed Santuraki; Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Munir Babba and a member of the committee, Hon. Aminu Malle, during their visit to BoA in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Explosion rocks Maiduguri again, as gunmen kill one INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

n Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was suspected to have been planted by terrorists in a waste disposal site along Gwange Bridge exploded yesterday, leaving some windows of a nearby building shattered. This was coming at a time when some gunmen stormed Dikwa Low Cost Housing Estate of Maiduguri metropolis and shot dead a resident in the area. An eye witness who spoke to our correspondent

and does not want his name mentioned, said the Gwange Bridge blast was targeted at one of the JTF patrol vehicles, but the explosion went off at about 8:25 am yesterday, some few minutes after the targeted JTF patrol vehicle had past the scene by about 300 metres. Our correspondent gathered that immediately after the blast, the JTF operatives stormed the area and quickly cordoned off the major roads leading to Gwange ward to avoid further attacks and killings. Also, the Dikwa incident, it was gathered, took place around 10.29 am on

the same day when the gunmen, after killing their victim, placed the corpse on a planted IED, so that when the men of the JTF will come to carry the dead body, it will explode and kill everybody around. Fortunately, the JTF operatives, who came to carry the corpse, were informed by some public-spirited citizens in the area, and they have to defuse the IED before carrying the corpse to the mortuary of an undisclosed hospital in the troubled city. When contacted, the telephone lines of the JTF spokesman, Lieutenant-

Colonel Sagir Musa and the PPRO of the Borno State Police Command, Mr. Gideon Jubrin, were unavailable due to the network problems being experienced in the state in the last three weeks. But, a highly placed officer of the State Security Service (SSS), who did not want his name in print, confirmed that there was a blast in Maiduguri along Gwange Bridge, but said that no casualty was recorded. He also said the killing in Dikwa Low Cost Housing Estate took place same day around 10.29 am.

Plateau bye-election: Police restrict movement in Jos JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

s part of measures to ensure a hitch-free poll in the forth-coming bye election in Plateau State, the state police command has announced a ban on movement of people from midnight on the eve of the election till Saturday midnight. The Commissioner of

Police in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, who announced this during a stakeholders meeting held at the Police Officers Mess in Jos yesterday said; “Movement have been restricted from midnight Friday to 12.00 midnight on Saturday to ensure the success of the bye-election coming up on Saturday, October 6. “We have been reliably informed that, some po-

litical parties are mobilising youths of the community to cause mayhem. “We want to warn that the full wrath of the law would be meted out on any youth involved in such mayhem and their sponsors. “We notice that the previous orders were not fully complied with, therefore, we have set up a high profile investigation body to arrest and in-

vestigate whoever flouts any of the above orders no matter how highly placed.” The Commissioner of Police who is also the Chairman, Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, also warned that anybody seen carrying offensive weapons such as knives, machetes, rifles, arrows, swords would be promptly arrested and prosecuted.

of the occupants while the other three escaped into the bush. “Different arms and ammunition were recovered in that operation.” The command, he added recorded 11 cases of rape involving minors, whose ages range from six to 10; describing the development as embarrassing and called for the intervention of the government, traditional and religious institutions in the state. “One of the cases was that of a 55-year-old man, who raped his four-year-old niece, he said seven stolen vehicles were among items recovered by the police.” Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, gunmen yesterday shot dead a police officer in Zaria. An eyewitness said the incident took place at about 7.30 am at Gwangila area of the metropolis. Kaduna State Police Command Public relations Officer, Mallam Aminu Lawan, confirmed the killing. He said the police officer was shot by gunmen on a motor bike, even as he debunked the rumour of an explosion. He said, the gunmen accosted the corporal in his duty post and shot him. “As am talking to you, we are on the trail of the attackers and an investigation is ongoing,” he said. The command also paraded 29 suspected armed robbers, including two terrorist suspects arrested in different locations within Kaduna metropolis. Lawan specifically told reporters that the two suspected terrorists were arrested in Tundun Wada area of the metropolis. Parading the suspects, the spokesman said exhibits recovered from the suspects include; “Guns and automatic rifles, laptops, cables

and chemicals for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), dynamites and knives. Others include 23 rounds of military AK 47 ammunition and ipads.” Mallam Lawan said some of the suspects were involved in previous armed robbery and car theft cases, adding that the operation is ongoing to apprehend more suspects. In another development, the Kano State police command has recovered gold jewelries worth N30 million, the property of Hajiya Maryam Abacha, widow of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. The jewelries were said to have been stolen from the residence of the late Abacha family sometime ago when a five-man robbery armed gang broke into their residence in Nassarawa Quarters in Kano. Five of the armed robbers, who conspired, while armed with dangerous weapons and fire arms have been arrested, while one of them was shot during the operation. Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, while speaking to reporters in Kano yesterday, said that after a thorough investigation, which lingered for some time, one Lawan Mohammed, was arrested, during which some exhibits were recovered in his possession. Among the recovered items were, 42 pieces of gold ear rings, five pieces of gold rings, five pieces of gold pendants, five set of gold jewels and 26 pieces of golden chairs, adding that the suspects after investigations will appear in court for prosecution.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Despite enormous of resources, we’ve not done enough – Agagu

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Northern leaders must unite to tackle common challenges – Sani

PDP accuses Aregbesola of spending N4bn on poll COUNTDOWN TO

ONDO GUBER POLL October 20, 2012

DAYS TO GO

head of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has accused the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola of spending N4 billion of

• They’re jesters, says governor

the state’s resources to finance the gubernatorial election. The party in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Strategy, Diran Odeyemi, said: “We have it on good authority that each Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) controlled governors have been ordered to donate N2 billion towards Ondo State gubernatorial election, but our concern is that our own governor is donating double-N4 billion.” Odeyemi further alleged

that “three bullion vans were driven to the Government House yesterday morning under heavy police guards, after offloading the contents and within 30 minutes, a helicopter landed in the Government House apparently to take the money, said to be in naira and foreign currencies to Ondo State.” The Osun PDP, therefore, called on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay atten-

tion to the activities going on in all the ACN-controlled states as they have all been mandated to ensure the expansionist project of their sponsor. But the state government described the allegation as the figment of the imagination of the state PDP. The Director-General, Bureau of Public Communications, Governor’s Office, Semiu Okanlawon, described the PDP as jesters, who are intimidated by the rising profile of the ACN in

Ondo State. He said: “It is the usual figment of the imagination of Odeyemi and his PDP cohorts. Most people ask us why we dignify such baseless allegations with answers. Of all the allegations for which Odeyemi and PDP had been challenged to come forward with proof, give us one in which they have been bold enough to come forward with evidence. “It is a nightmare for the PDP to see the way things are yielding to the ACN in Ondo; meaning in the next few weeks, Ondo is going to join the ACN-controlled states. You must admit that PDP is well associated with lies. The other day, they alleged that helicopters were flying in and out of the Government House at

odd hours, forgetting that choppers don’t even fly at night. PDP’s robust capacity for lies and mischief knows no bound and the allegation over N4 billion for Ondo election and bullion vans and helicopters moving money is just another comedy from those Nigerians have come to see as frivolous. “If Odeyemi wants people to take him serious, he must have information on which bank the money was withdrawn from and when was the withdrawal made. Given the current control on the movement of cash put in place by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), how does Odeyemi think this his latest alarm can fly in the estimation of rightthinking people? Not everybody is a jester like him.”

Awe carpets LP over allegations OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

T L-R: Deputy governor, Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu; his wife, Mercy and National Chairman, Bisi Akande, during a rally in Ondo, yesterday.

Tinubu accuses Mimiko of buying voters’ cards

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AND OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

ndo, the hometown of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday stood still for the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rotimi Akeredolu, with all the leaders of the party urging the people of the state to vote for the party to join the progressives of the SouthWest. Speaking at the AK Field, Ademulegun road, in Ondo, the National Leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, warned against rigging and violence dur-

ing the election, saying the consequences of such would be grave. A statement issued by ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the National Leader also charged prospective voters in Ondo State to foil the rigging plan of the Labour Party (LP) with determination, adding that power shift will halt the trend of backwardness in the state. “We know he is buying voters card. We will prevent any form of rigging. Don’t sell your voters card for a little sum. It is your licence to freedom. It is your instrument for progress. It is the value of your character,” Tinubu said.

Reiterating why Governor Mimiko should not get a second term, Tinubu said Mimiko has failed the infrastructure battle in the state, hence he should be voted out on October 20. The ACN leaders stated that Ondo State deserved responsive and responsible leadership which could be offered by the party’s governorship candidate in the October 20 election. The leaders, who include the national chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, the national leader, Bola Tinubu and the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, called on the people of the state not to be left behind in the South-West. Akande said the time

has come for the people of the state to liberate themselves by voting for Akeredolu in the election. He noted that the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state is an orphan and lone ranger which has no affiliation with any other party in the country. His words: “What I witnessed yesterday and today have shown that we have won and after the election I will come back to celebrate with you, but I want to urge the people to come out on October 20 and vote for Akeredolu. “Use your votes to liberate the state, vote for ACN for freedom, don’t just vote but vote wisely for the redemption of this state.”

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has debunked allegation by the Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) that Ado-Ekiti is being used as a base to import thugs and dangerous weapons into Ondo State ahead of the October 20 governorship election. The Ekiti State chapter of the ACN, in a statement by its chairman, Jide Awe, said while the party would have loved to ignore this latest allegation coming from a Labour Party (LP) ragtag government that is daily sinking into an abyss of infamy and oblivion, the reaction became expedient because the discerning members of the public could mistake this blatant falsehood for the truth. Awe said: “The allegation of the campaign arm of the Ondo LP is not only wicked, but malicious, baseless, unfounded, illogical, hallucinatory, selfdefeatist, frivolous, hollow, pedestrian and lacking any iota of credibility. “The LP candidate,

Mimiko and his party are already drowning in the sea of non-performance and rejection by the Ondo electorate and are desperately looking for any straw to clutch in a bid to survive.” He added that Mimiko and the LP are only being haunted by mornid fear of imminent and inevitable defeat in the October 20 governorship poll, saying: “In the first place, the ACN as a party that has its foundation on democracy, justice and rule of law, believes in using legitimate avenues to articulate its policies, manifesto and beliefs for the purpose of winning election to better the lives of the people. “These include doorto-door campaign, open air campaign, public enlightenment programmes through the use of the mass media within the ambits of the law.” The Ekiti ACN chairman added that the party is one that preaches peace and would never be involved in the use of violence and other anti-democracy acts that would jeopardise the interest of the people is wishes to govern.

Politics

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Northern leaders must unite to tackle common challenges – Sani Anthony Sani is the National Publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). In this interview with AZA MSUE, he speaks on the challenges confronting the North and other national issues. Excerpts:

the six geo-political zones as federating units, Atiku canvassed for their recognition. And if Northern leaders take it out on each other publicly, then they convey an impression of a divided North, incapable of engendering peaceful coexistence and security, which is unhelpful. That is why the ACF often reminds our leaders of the need for decorum in their conduct. We always remind them that great men pursue causes higher than themselves as worthy impulse. After all, they are all members of the ACF, which is a deliberative forum, and so they should go by the spirit of democracy, which says majority have both their say and way, while minority can only have their say. For examples, the altercations between Generals Babangida and Buhari, the comments made by Useni on the person of Sambo, Northern governors and NPLF, as well as exchanges between Yakasai and Useni, are, in my view, unhelpful, especially when regard is paid to the fact that Northern leaders, both past and serving, need to close ranks and confront common challenges across the region.

The security challenges across the country are serious cause of concern to not only Nigeria but to other countries. Would you say there is something to celebrate as Nigeria clocks 52? Yes, there is something to celebrate: our co-existence and interdependence however challenged, more so, because a united large Nigeria holds a lot of promise for Nigerians. All that is required is for Nigerians to come together and unleash their synergy by working hard to overcome the differences that divide the people in order to make the most of our diversity. Other countries have done it, and so Nigeria can do it, since the situation is not beyond redemption. I would not get tired of saying adversity can be cathartic and constructive as well. What does not kill us can only make us stronger. Why is the North not favourably disposed to the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference? Let me make it clear that the North is open to any discussions that can strengthen the unity of the country. And since there is a government in place, such discussions cannot be through a Sovereign National Conference (SNC). To do it through a SNC amounts to passing vote of no confidence on our democracy and its institutions, which no group has the right to do. More distressing is that the proponents of the SNC cast ethnic nationalism in the mould of agitations for true federalism. The Ijaw National Congress and Yoruba National Assembly are examples of struggles for ethnic nationalism, not true federalism. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) organised the Arewa Conference on Peace and Unity, last year, yet the security challenges in the North continue unabated. Would you say the conference delivered on its promise? I believe it was a success because it truly brought the issues into popular consciousness for effect. And that is why most people in the North are beginning to discard the notion that the Boko Haram has something to do with religion. Most northerners now see the security problems as a collective challenge and not that of government alone. What is this talk about Roadmap by ACF? When we finished the conference, we articulated the resolutions and issued a communiqué. We also constituted several committees, including the Appraisal Committee headed by General Wushishi and Agenda Committee headed by Leman Jibril, who both articulated the papers and reduced them into resolutions that were in turn looked into by the Implementation and Monitoring Committee, headed by former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie. The Coomasie committee produced the Executive Summary of all the reports on the conference which we now call the Roadmap. The aim is to sell the Roadmap to all those in position of authority and those with influence for implementation. But Gen. J. T. Useni has berated Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the Northern governors and the Northern Leaders Political Forum as not having the clout needed to bring about peace and unity in the North. How then would the Roadmap be implemented?

Sani

Somehow, I doubt whether the General was reported correctly. And this is because in the extant case, Namadi Sambo led Northern governors to help morally, financially and organisationally to ensure the Arewa Conference on Peace and Unity succeeded. Others who equally contributed were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, some ministers and some members of the National Assembly. The ACF appreciated such effort, especially by Sambo, who has been supportive of the ACF since he was governor of Kaduna state. It is such support by the VP that encourages the belief in the ACF that he is most likely to lead the Northern leaders in positions of authority or influence to help in the implementations of the Roadmap. But if General Useni said what he was reported to have said about the VP and the Northern governors, then he may have his personal reasons, since we must concede to him the right of personal views. There is no love lost between Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari; Atiku prefers restructuring of the polity while the ACF prefers the retention of the status quo and the altercation between Useni and Tanko Yakassai. What does that portend for the unity and peace in the North? Your observations are in order because Northern leaders need to have common positions on issues of national importance for effect. For example, while the ACF and the Northern governors are opposed to recognising

NORTHERN LEADERS

TAKE IT OUT ON EACH OTHER PUBLICLY, THEN THEY

CONVEY AN IMPRESSION OF A DIVIDED

NORTH, INCAPABLE

OF ENGENDERING PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AND SECURITY

What is the position of ACF on the creation of new states and state police? There is no doubt that creation of states have brought some level of socio-economic development and have helped to stem movements to urban centres, as witnessed in the past. But the country has reached a level where states are becoming mere cost or effort centres at the expense of the development they were created to inspire. And that is why the ACF has suggested that further creation exercise of states be put on hold. Concerning state police, we agreed with Chief Edwin Clark that Nigeria is not mature for state police, considering what happens across states where state governors use State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to deny opposition parties single seat in the local councils. For example, in Nasarawa State, the opposition parties did not win a single seat during the last elections conducted by the SIEC, yet they won the governorship conducted by INEC. The experiences during the First Republic do not recommend state police. In any case, most states are not financially viable to fund state police. So, the clamour should be on how to improve the Nigerian Police Force for performance. But the South-East insists that there was an agreement at the last National Conference that an additional state be created in the zone for purpose of equity. I have read the interview by former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, to that effect, and have this to say: Decision is a function of situation, and so if the situation is no more favourable for additional states, the decision should change. Also, if land mass and population are not criteria for creation of states, then one begins to wonder what else can be used to create states for socioeconomic development. North West which they often use for comparison has landmass that is more than that of the former Eastern Region. The population of North West is 35 million while that of South-East and South-South put together is 37 million. Ekwueme’s submission that since the population of former Kano State was at par with Lagos State in the past, the population of the present Kano State without Jigawa State cannot reasonably be like that of Lagos State, ignores the relative fecundity of the two states, considering the effect of polygamy on growth of population. We just feel that the nation cannot take more states, given the economic profile of the country currently. The exercise should be put on hold.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu reminisced on his involvement in the celebration of Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960. He speaks with SAM OLUWALANA on the challenges facing the country in virtually all facets of life. Excerpts:

What do you think has been responsible for our underdevelopment? One very important attribute that we have lost is virtues. In those days; it was the desire of every community, every person to promote good things, honesty and hard work. These were attributes that were revered, cherished and respected by all. Nobody tolerated indolence. Governance has become very inefficient, right from the federal level all the way to the local government level. Government is associated with inefficiency. There is this debate that is going on now that we should go back to true

Despite enormous of resources, we’ve not done enough – Agagu in Abuja. Governance is a process in which both the ruler and the governed must participate in. If we have elected you to go and represent us, we must be watching you on a daily basis to ensure that you represent us well. I don’t think, for example, that creation of local governments, the administration of local governments should be done from Abuja. No, the two federating entities in this country are the states and the Federal Government. Let our structure be based on federal and state governments’ relationship. Let’s have a simple revenue sharing formula that is based on landmass, population and their relation. Just three basic parameters, let’s have maybe 25 to 30 per cent residing in Abuja, let the remaining 75 per cent go to the states. At the state level, let the state government create their own local governments, they should be recognised by the constitution as a third tier of government to be administered from the state level. State governments should pay their local governments. They would decide how many local governments they should have, how many wards they want to have and the kind of administrative structures they want in those local governments.

Can you share your experience on Independence Day in 1960? In 1960, I was 12 years old and I was in Ibadan. It was a day of joy for young people because it was celebrations galore. Luckily, in my part of the country at that time, , Western Region, there was television, so we could see the activities first on the screen and we later went out to the stadium to march, like we were doing on Empire Days in those days. It didn’t mean too much to us, at age 12. We didn’t quite know what independence actually was, but we saw the elderly rejoicing and it wasn’t until later, when we got more matured, five, six, 10 years later, that we got to know that it was all about being allowed to govern ourselves and charting our own destiny that we could then recall why people were rejoicing that they got freedom from outsiders ruling them and taking decisions for them at times, trodden on them and there is need for celebration every year. How will you assess the strides, economically, politically and in other spheres that we have taken since then? There is no doubt that Nigeria has moved, in terms of size, infrastructure and development, generally. Let me give you an example. In 1958, when I was leaving from Okitipupa in the present Ondo State, which is my hometown, I travelled by boat, because there was no tarred road from Okitipupa to Lagos and those who wanted to go to Lagos from Okitipupa, used to go by small ships. You will leave Okitipupa by 12p.m. in the afternoon and arrive Lagos around 9, 10 am the following morning. But of course, if you leave Okitipupa today, in two hours, you are in Lagos. We were enjoying it then because we did not know what we were losing in those days. Nigeria has moved, in my division, which is four local governments today, Okitipupa, Irele, Ese Odo and Ilaje, there were only two secondary schools. These were Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and Methodist High School. But today, we have between 40 to 50 secondary schools within that enclave now. There was no pipe borne water in the whole of Okitipupa in 1960, but now we have that. Of course, Nigeria has moved, but the question is have we moved well enough? Based on the potential that the country have, blessed with a vibrant population, fertile soil, rainfall, that is the best of it spread almost all over the year; we should be racing down the development lane. If we compare the quantum of resources we have with the rate with which we have progressed, certainly we have not done enough. There are several countries, especially in Asia, who were at our level at a time; Malaysia was at our level, South Korea was at our level at a time, Taiwan too, just like Brazil. Now they are miles ahead of us in terms of development, this is why at all times when October comes; it shouldn’t be just a season for drumming. It should be a season for sober reflection. A season to ask: where have we gone wrong? What are we doing wrong? The resources are still there, the human beings are still there, what we need is to look at our system and re-engineer it in such a way that the rate of development will be faster than it has been hitherto.

Politics

Agagu

IF WE COMPARE THE ENORMOUS OF RESOURCES WE HAVE WITH THE RATE WITH WHICH WE

HAVE PROGRESSED, CERTAINLY

WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH...

SOUTH KOREA WAS AT OUR LEVEL AT A TIME... NOW THEY ARE MILES AHEAD OF US IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT

federalism, some say, ‘let’s go back to regionalism. When the West was one region under the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we made so much progress; therefore the way to make progress is to go back to regionalism.’ These are pronouncements, to me, are well-thought-of, the only reason why we made so much progress in the West was because we had Chief Awolowo, a trail blazer, who luckily was our first leader, our first premier here who was a hardworking man, highly intelligent, a committed person who was in charge and he ran an administration that was open, focused and delivered dividends to the people. The success of the West was not because it was a region; the success of the West was because it had a leader who governed well. If Awolowo comes today to be the president of Nigeria, or to be governor of Ondo State, that entity that he is governing will progress as fast as that of the old Western region. And if the leaders we have today, have the opportunity of governing the old Western region, if we are to recreate the old Western State again, may God not let it be possible, they will ruin it faster than they are ruining their states today, so it is the fact that we have introduced inefficiency, fraud, inexperience, wrong virtues into governance, that is why things are hardly working in the country. Abuja is too far away from most Nigerians for us to be active part of governance. Governance is not by some elected or selected people, ,5000 or 10,000 people just sitting down

Before independence, we were dependent on agricultural produce like cocoa, groundnut and palm oil, but now we are totally dependent on oil. What is the danger in this? That is part of the decline in our value system in the country. Every human being wants to live with least trouble. If you can earn money without sweating, why must you sweat? In those days, most people in this part of the world were farmers. You wake up in the morning by 5a.m., all the roads are filled with people going to their farms, by 4p.m., and they are coming back. You go to the farm, you sweat to produce. Everybody was producing, whether you are a cocoa farmer, an oil palm farmer or a cassava farmer. These days, we don’t do it anymore, because when oil came, there came several avenues to make money without sweat and that unfortunately coincided with the period when we had a boom in the quantum of the number of our people who got educated. What that then translated to was that everybody now think once you are educated, your hands must not be dirty anymore. You cannot go to farm, you cannot hold a cutlass, and you can’t hold a hoe. Government also at its own level did not modernise agriculture. What is you take on state police? From my experience in the last 20 years or so in the country’s politics and from what I have heard or read, when state police was in place in the 50’s, there was peace up till the 60’s , but I think it will be very dangerous for us to start thinking of state police now, at this stage of our political development. Most of these politicians, these my colleagues that I see, if you give them power to establish a police system on their own, then the end is coming near; they will misuse and mismanage the system to the extent that there will be anarchy virtually in their various states. It is too early in our political development for us to have state police. Let the Federal Government be in charge of policing our country such that there is control at the centre to ensure that police are not used as tools for oppressing people. The system is toying with the idea of indigenising the police system that, let there be more Yoruba police officers in the West, let there be more Igbo police officers in the East. I agree with this, then they will understand the people more, they will know them, they will feel more emotionally attached to their people and therefore will try to help their people. If we efficiently introduce ideas like this to promote probity and efficiency in our society, I think that will do for now. But for the idea of state police, count me out.

Politics

Mallam Shehu Sani is the president, Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN). His activism earned him a death sentence during the regime of the late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha. Not long ago, he facilitated the visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the Boko Haram enclave in Maiduguri, to broker peace. In this interview with AZA MSUE in Kaduna, Sani x-rays Nigeria at 52, insurgency in the North, among other salient issues. Excerpts: What is your assessment of Nigeria at 52? Nigeria is one of the many other African countries that could be regarded as peers, who got their independence at around the same time. What we can say is that, we have seen our good, bad and ugly days. The journey of Nigeria is full of pains, sorrow, disappointment, missed opportunities, crisis and dashed hopes. We have come a long way that we should have a long way to go. Within these periods of our nationhood, we have experienced military dictatorship, civil war, religious crises, militancy, abrupt change of leadership and all sorts of violations of our democratic rights. What we can say as far as Nigeria is concerned, is that it is more of wasted opportunities. By this time, we should not be talking about laying any foundation, rather we should be talking about putting all the final touches or even furnishing the house. However, from one government to the other, we have seen that it has always been the issue of laying a foundation. If you look at the political manifesto of the First Republic, they were talking about water, electricity, roads, schools, and provision of houses and during the 2011 election campaigns, it was still the same thing. We have moved from a nation that was full of hopes and expectations to one that has the human and material resources to realise its own good to also one that has wasted such opportunities. Therefore, you can see the twist here. We have had changes of government from military to civilian, but it is very clear that the ruling political establishment and the system has been the same. Nigerians has consistently over the years been exploited and plundered by a very rapacious and monstrous gang of members of the Nigerian elites that have made public service to be selfserving. We have seen how nepotism and tribalism has taken us to the lowest ebb. Nigerians from the North are more passionate about their religion than they are conscious of the entity called Nigeria. Nigerians from the South are more conscious about their ethnic grouping than they are about the entity called Nigeria. However, it is all by act of divine will that the Nigerian project continue to survive. The nation has seen the extremist and fundamentalist from the North and the chauvinists and ethnic retentive from the Southern part of Nigeria, yet we have moved on through good and bad times. At this time, we ought to have said we have solved the problems of infrastructure, addressed the problems of corruption. Our people ought to have been enjoying the benefits of democracy and good governance; our nation ought to have been competing with other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. But we have seen how we have regressed, we have seen how we have sunk, we have seen how our leaders have failed us. The 52 years was a total swap, it was momentous swap; it was a period that we could have done better. The North has ruled this country for almost 32 years, so who would you blame for the nation’s woes? You see, many people use to have a wrong impression of what Nigeria is all about. The very fact that a leader comes from a part of the country and he performed badly does not means that the people of that part of the country should also be held guilty for what he has done. If President Goodluck Jonathan is mismanaging the economy of the country, and aiding and abetting corruption, and pay-

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s journey at 52, full of missed opportunities – Sani

those regimes of the past, especially the military, have contributed a lot in terms of destroying the morality, discipline and the future of Nigeria as a country. We know it very well that there were countries where dictators have contributed a lot in terms of transforming the economy of the countries and even given it some hope over other nations that are not democratic. The military regime in South Korea and the dictatorship of Mahatin Mohammed in Indonesia and Malaysia played strategic roles in building the economic transition that led to the advancement of those nations, which our own military failed to do.

Sani

WE HAVE MOVED FROM A NATION THAT WAS FULL OF HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS TO

ONE THAT HAS... WASTED SUCH OPPORTUNITIES... WE HAVE

SEEN HOW OUR LEADERS HAVE

FAILED US.

THE 52 YEARS WAS

A TOTAL SWAP ing billions of naira to former militant leaders, shielding the oil subsidy thieves, that does not mean that the common man in the Niger Delta is part of that. If the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration for eight years wasted opportunities and have been said to have entrenched corruption, it does not mean that whoever comes from the South-West must also share the blame. The very fact that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign earnings come from oil and it has been said that there were Northerners who have been in power does not mean that the money has come to Northern Nigeria. The masses of the North have never benefited much from the massive amount of money that Nigeria has made from crude oil. If you have a military or civilian ruler who has performed badly he is a representative of the ruling political elite spread across the country. Whoever that is the president of Nigeria as long as he comes from that class, his first mission is to protect and preserve the class interest of his own elite colleagues and this could be from Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw, or Igbo ethnic stock. We should look at it from this viewpoint: that a ruling class that is spread along all geographical regions has exploited the masses in Nigeria and we can see it continuously. Even if you are going to blame the North for the rots in the country, at least you should have stopped blaming them from when it was not a Northerner that is in power again. At least if we should be blaming regions and not leaders, then we should blame whichever region is in power. So, we can say it clearly that

What is your take on the security situation in the country? First, I want you to understand that in the history of every country, there are always experiences of peace, violence and war. Moreover, in the history of humanity, we are always at alternation between times of relative peace and times of crisis. The terrorism and insurgency we are facing today is part of our history as a country. What matters most is the role we all play to see to it that we stand up to the challenge of our own time. The violence that is going on today in all parts of Nigeria is not much different from other experience that we have had in the history of this country. I have heard people say that Boko Haram is worse than the Nigerian civil war, but it is not. We were not too young to know much about the Nigerian civil war, but from what we also have read, I am of the firm believe that the Nigerian civil war was the worst period in the history of our country. In addition, a nation like Nigeria was able to overcome the bloodshed and violence of the civil war; it can still endure and overcome the insurgence of Boko Haram. We have had series of challenges in the history of our country. We have had the period of military coups, we have had period of assassinations of our presidents or prime ministers, we have seasons of massive student and labour uprisings; we have had periods of riots, religious violence. We have period of militancy violence in the Niger Delta, we have had period of Bakassi boys and other periods in other part, of the country. So the Boko Haram insurgency is also a passing history of our country. However, what I always want people to understand is that, when a country is faced with challenges of any nature, you do not run away from it, rather you rally round to find solution to it. If there is an epidemic in Sokoto State, you do not say you want to remove Sokoto State and give them as gift to Niger Republic, because that part of the country is sick. If you have an outbreak of another epidemic in Cross River State or Akwa Ibom State, you do not say because such states have an epidemic, we must ostracise them and then move on. If any part of your body is sick, you will find a solution to it and not amputate that part of the body and think that is the solution, except if all that need to be done to find a solution has been done and it is not possible then you amputate. The insurgency is not capable of breaking Nigeria, because breaking a country is not simply an exclusive decision of those people living in that country. It has regional and international perspective, like will the world recognise secession? What will come out of it and all that? Therefore, what I am saying is that we should take the insurgency as a phase in our history and it should be a lesson and an experience, which we will should learn from, and to also make sure that it does not happen again. In addition, we should make sure that it would help us to come up and face any other challenge that might come up in the future. Nevertheless, what we should also understand is that, there is never a time in the history of a country that it is free from crisis. It is just like marriage, there is never a perfect marriage, there will always be problems but how we strive to always understand each other and to stand up together to end the problems is what is going to keep the marriage.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Cheerful echoes of political structuring OPINION LEADERS FROM ALL OVER

EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

THE COUNTRY SEEM NOW TO AGREE THAT

FRY

THERE IS SOMETHING

NDUBUISI fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

here are persistent and unceasing calls for the restructuring of the nation. The popular perception is that the existing political superstructure is not only anti-progress, it is at the root of the acrimonies that stare us in the face like the sword of Damocles. The gaping anomaly is that a country that was conceived and created as a federation, for various reasons, is now being run as a unitary state. It hardly surprises anybody that there is a persistent and violent agitation to address the national question. The anger and resentment that were bottled up during the military era are now oozing out in different forms from even the most unexpected quarters. I am sure that not a few Nigerians were jolted when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former minister of defence, General Theopilus Danjuma and former Nigeria’s Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule, called for the immediate restructuring of the Nigerian federation, in such a pattern that the powers at the centre would be whittled down

FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THE POLITICAL ARCHITECTURE OF

NIGERIA

considerably. In the same vein the leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and immediate past governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, called for the adoption of unicameral legislature, saying the Senate was adding no value to the advancement of our democracy. Alhaji Atiku emphatically deposed that devolution of power would not threaten the unity of Nigeria. The prevailing realities, he stressed, underscored the need for restructuring, adding that the excessive concentration of power at the centre, a situation that has made the Nigerian president the most powerful in the world, was a creation of the military. He was also emphatic that the lopsided nature of the revenue allocation formula had rendered the states impotent in social infrastruc-

ture provisioning. On the idea of state police, his position is that it is noble and that states that can afford it should be allowed to create it. This development is significant, especially coming from these unexpected quarters. It simply shows that there is now new converts in the camp of the apostles of change. Opinion leaders from all over the country seem now to agree that there is something fundamentally wrong with the political architecture of Nigeria. This present structure has been inflicting monumental wounds on the polity. It is also in the same spirit of saving Nigeria that a group of businessmen and political leaders has called for prompt action “to halt Nigeria’s looming descent to the dark era”. These leaders, which include Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, Basorun J.K. Randle and Chief Lugard Aimiwiu, made their position known during the recent 52nd yearly general conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) held in Abuja. For Governor Yuguda, the air of freedom that came with the return of the country to democracy in 1999 seems to have “opened the wounds that seem to have eaten deep into the nation’s fabric”. Agonising the sad turn of events in the country, he averred that “the binding forces of the nation as reflected in its historical antecedents, based on the philosophy of unity in diversity … had been turned into a bane rather a blessing.” Yuguda is dead right. All over the coun-

try the sentiment seems to be the same. The mushrooming of militant ethnic militia across the country is a sign of a nation that is drifting. It is sad that we have degenerated to a level where there is low premium on the sanctity of life. The nation loses valuable lives on daily basis as result of intolerance, and to some extent, what some perceive to be the inherent anomalies in the system. We have ample chance now to arrest the looming Armageddon. The cause(s) of and the pillage associated with the civil war that ended 42 years ago have remained a scar in our collective psyche. That war was fought at a time the level of consciousness about injustice and oppression in the system was at its lowest level. Things have since changed, as all Nigerians seem to realize that our warped federalism is a huge burden. The time has come for a concerted action to change things to arrest a looming carnage that might take us to the brink. There is definitely no basis for some Nigerians to be so scare–stiff of restructuring the nation, given our prevailing peculiarities. The courage to do this is like the lever that will trigger off the different potentials hidden in different parts of this federation. It is the panacea for all the centrifugal forces that are propelling us towards disintegration. A united nation pays us more than a divided one. Professor Ndubuisi, an attorney at Law, is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG

Nigeria in the wilderness for 52 years? K AYODE KETEFE

do not believe in celebrating birthdays, but I agree that it is desirable to take the stock of progress in an entity’s life at every point to assess if the cumulative accomplishments are driving the entity towards its stated objectives. Last Monday for Nigeria and Nigerians witnessed another independence anniversary ritual. Expectedly, the day came and went leaving little or no elation on the grounds. As usual, President Goodluck Jonathan addressed the nation on the occasion. I read speech thrice. It was rendered in that elevated emotional poetic style, the kind of simple but sublime utterances that penetrate into the mind and inspire the soul. It brimmed with nationalistic fervor and cliché, measured out in staccato spurts reminiscent of speeches of famous American presidents when they spoke during epoch making occasions or during moments of national tragedies. The speech was inundated with lofty adjectives of dreams and visions conceived by the nation’s founding fathers that had passed the baton to the present generation. But when analysed, it would read like an excellent speech for a nation celebrating five-year anniversary and definitely not for a nation in its 52nd year of independence! The reason is that the speech is composed of 92 per cent promises and eight per cent reference to concrete achievements! The so-called achievements being no more than putative improved profile of foreign direct investments for which Nigeria now accounts for 20 per cent of all FDIs

influx into Africa; the annual growth rate of Gross Domestic Product which averages 7.1 per cent for the second year; and the representations by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria that the ever-shrinking industrial space is now expanding with the influx of some new members. That is all. Hurray! Great achievements for a nation celebrating whopping 52 years of independence! If the speech documented scanty positive accomplishments, it was no doubt prolix in the great future that awaits us – a future anchored on a mountain of promises! On the issue of expanded electricity project to cater for our basic needs, it is a promise; improved welfare of Nigerians, another promise; alleviation of the insecurity, promise; on the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is very critical to reformation of the oil and gas sector, a promise, on the issue of overcoming the monster of corruption, a promise! There is nothing wrong with promises, especially if they are well-intended, but if year-in-year out, what people keep having are promises upon promises with hardly any substantive positives, the soul becomes very weary. By the way, the metaphor of relay race evoked by the president with the picture of the founding fathers passing on the baton to the present generation may be a very succinct representation of our nation’s predicament. However, while during their own race, the founding fathers had the finishing line on sight, albeit very far into the horizon, the present generation of runners keeps running with no end in sight! Thus, it would appear that we don’t even know where we are going.

THE IDEOLOGICAL CONCEPT OF NIGERIA IS A LOFTY DREAM, BUT THE SUBSTANTIVE

KAYODE

KETEFE

FOUNDATIONS WERE FAULTY RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING The ideological concept of Nigeria is a lofty dream, but the substantive foundations were faulty right from the beginning. When the amalgamation was executed in1914 through foggy colonial political engineering, the peoples were not prepared then to form a common nation; it was a case of forced matrimony. 1960 offered a golden opportunity to redefine the inherited union; to structurally rebuild the nation and put it on firmer and fairer grounds of social justice and mutual respect, but we simply rubberstamped the prevailing political architecture. Obviously now, we have not evolved any pragmatic national ethic that could drive integrative processes. Those who want to be cynical would point to corruption, greed, tribalism, violence et al, as our national characters, but that is not true as vices are not natives of any nation. It is when vision evaporates, when people no longer share a common dream on a project that everybody starts to superimposes parochial interests above nobler aspirations. Nigeria should first strive to win the

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

war against corruption and lay a foundation for sustainable development. We must first of all get people into believing in Nigeria. This faith can only be fostered through adored collective experiences that spawned fond memories; through consciousness of common struggles culminating into treasured achievements and through self-belief anchored on credible virtues like love, mutual respect, selflessness and work ethics. To address the problems facing Nigeria, we must get rid of the phobias preventing us from convening a honest and authentic forum where all ethnic nationalities this country would table their hopes and aspirations, specify the kind of union they want, remove all the extant anomalies in our structural and fiscal federalism. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.netmirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

LANRE OYETADE

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Confronting the perennial menace of flooding

he country, in the months of August, September and early October, 2012, made worrisome world news headlines with unprecedented and devastating flood disasters that ravaged most parts of the country. So serious was the aftermath that the authorities closed the ever busy Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway. Still trailing the calamity in all the nation’s six geopolitical zones are grief, trauma, devastation, deaths and unimaginable collateral losses. At the last count, over 5,000 farmlands had been washed away and dozens of communities submerged. The development has tellingly pressed home the truth about the nation’s helplessness and unpreparedness when faced with nature-induced tragedies. Though the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), in its 2012 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, had warned that there would be violent thunderstorm during this year’s rainy season and that the intensity of extreme weather events in the coastal areas would cause flooding and erosion. When they eventually occurred, it was apparent that the nation never girded its loins to frontally confront the challenges. While we acknowledge the fact that the nation has always grappled with the problem of flood,

the 2012 experience, in both LL TIERS OF intensity and scale, is a pointer GOVERNMENT to the increasing exposure of the nation and Nigerians to the PARASTATALS AGENCIES vagaries of climate change and the effects of self-inflicted abuse AND RESIDENTS of the environment nationwide. MUST PERSEVERE There is thus the compelling need for more proactive, prevenIN PROACTIVE AND tive and intermediation meaPRECAUTIONARY sures than has been demonstrated so far whenever the nation MEASURES TO SAVE THE picks its bits and pieces together NATION FROM WORSE from the present distressing development. Now seems the time AGONIES for the authorities to develop new perspectives to the problem. in no small way to earth warmIf more developed nations that ing. The authorities have repeatoften suffer such natural occuredly set and prevaricated on rences have been able to comdeadlines for ending the flaring mendably cope with them, the of associated gases. The latFederal Government must also est December 31, 2012 deadline been seen to be putting enough should be sacrosanct. We also efforts to tame the known causes believe that the passage of the and ameliorate the effects on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) citizenry when they occur, espewould boost the nation’s drive to cially taking into cognizance the end gas flaring. fact that natural disasters cannot By the same token, forestation be completely wished away. programmes; construction of Governments at all levels floodways and man-made chanshould see the magnitude of the nels to divert flood-water; conrecent flooding as a wakeup call struction of levees, dikes, dams to pay closer attention to the and artificial lakes and reserenvironment; and our thinking voirs to hold extra water during is that where to begin is for oil flooding should be given special companies to put a stop, forthattention. Some southern parts with, to the embarrassing gas of the country, for instance, reflaring going on in the Niger quire terracing hillsides to slow Delta region, which contributes down the flow of downhill flood.

Besides, there is the urgent need for the authorities to work on more sustainable integrated urban drainage systems to improve urban surface water drainage. It can no longer be disputed that a combination of natural factors and human negligence, as well as government’s laxity and ineptitude, combine to levy flood disasters on the nation. The government needs to intensify the dredging of rivers and streams, as well as the massive construction of bridges to ameliorate the situation. The various authorities must, in addition, begin to use flood maps to redirect investments and property development from highly vulnerable areas. For their part, state governments, as a matter of utmost urgency, should remove all structures blocking waterways. Such costly pastimes as the dumping of all manners of refuse in drains and erecting shanties on flood-plains should also attract severe punishment from the relevant authorities. Town Planning officials should be compelled to be more serious with their jobs. In essence, all tiers of government, parastatals, agencies and residents must persevere in proactive and precautionary measures to save the nation from worse agonies occasioned by flood in the future.

ON THIS DAY October 4, 2004

October 4, 1997

In the United States, SpaceShipOne won the Ansari X Prize for private spaceflight, by being the first private craft to fly into space. The Ansari X Prize was a space competition in which the X Prize Foundation offered a US$10,000,000 prize for the first non-government organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. It was modeled after early 20th-century aviation prizes with the aim of spurring development of low-cost spaceflight.

The second largest cash robbery in the United States’ history occurred at the Charlotte, North Carolina office of Loomis, Fargo and Company. A Federal Bureau of Investigation move eventually resulted in 24 convictions and the recovery of approximately 95 percent of the stolen $17.3 million in cash. The robbery involved the company’s armored car driver and vault supervisor, David Scott Ghantt and was perpetrated in the evening of October 4, 1997.

October 4, 1988 American televangelist, Jim Bakker, was indicted for fraud. James Orsen “Jim” Bakker (January 2, 1940) is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, convicted felon, and a former host (with his then-wife Tammy Faye Bakker) of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program. A sex scandal led to his resignation from the ministry. Subsequent revelations of accounting fraud brought about his imprisonment and divorce. He later remarried and returned to televangelism.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today Nine jailed for counterfeiting NECO certificate 23

Education sector still in limbo TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE and MOJEED ALABI examine the precarious state of the education sector as the country clocks 52 years and suggest solution to bail out the system from further collapse.

he Nigerian education sector has undergone many changes since the attainment of independence 52 years ago. The period, shortly after independence, marked the glorious years in the sector. The prevalent indices then, pointed to a bright future for the country, which produced well-rounded manpower on which the country’s socio-economic and technological advancement relied on. The period witnessed a strong public school system, adequate funding of the few secondary and post-secondary institutions, conducive work environment for teachers, well equipped science laboratories and libraries, among others. The system equally enjoyed non interrupted academic calendar across tiers. Higher institutions, on their part, enjoyed some levels of academic freedom and robust students’ unionism. The decade that followed the first intervention of military rule signaled the beginning of the decay in the sector. It also marked one of the deciding factors that led to the destruction of the legacies of the independence years. The policy inconsistency and disregard for intellectualism by the successive regimes, especially during the military era, led largely to such ills as brain drain, decaying infrastructures, bastardisation of the teaching profession, destruction of the public school system, workers’ strikes, frequent closures of schools, students’ laziness, cultism, among others. Just seven days ago, at the official launch of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Online Results’ Verification Portal in Lagos, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, described the state of the sector, especially at the secondary education level, as appalling. The situation, he said, Nigerians were seriously worried about. Even at that, the minister said there had been a recorded slow progress in the sector, thus showing that the country is moving away from the dark clouds that had engulfed the education system over years. The marginal improvements recorded in this year’s public examinations results of the final year secondary school students was his yardstick. “But a lot still needs to be done through the collective efforts of all stakeholders,” he said, while identifying teaching and learning, as well as elimination of examination malpractice in schools, among others, to be the most areas of focus that can lead to a credible, effective, qualitative and highly competitive education system in the country. This is the comment of a minister about the country’s education system as the country clocks 52 years of political freedom, today. On his part, the former Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, said the sector, in its 52 years, had been a variegated story of success and failure. “While noteworthy gains are recorded in quantity, quality at all levels of the system remains largely depressed. When viewed with a global lens, Nigeria does not present the worst case scenario in the quality of the education delivery system. However, the response rate to improvement by government is pitifully low. It is one of the lowest in Africa,” he said.

Street children polishing sandals for their peers who are on their way to schools at Ijaiye bus stop, Ojokoro, Lagos recently.

WHILE NOTEWORTHY GAINS ARE RECORDED IN QUANTITY,

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

QUALITY AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SYSTEM REMAINS LARGELY DEPRESSED However, each of them stressed the importance of quality education to a country. No country grows beyond its literacy level. The current national literacy rate, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is 57 per cent. The problem on this is more pronounced in the northern part and some eastern states of the country, where fewer schoolage girls enrol in schools compared to the male folk, which is due to social-cultural beliefs and economic limitation. Similarly, schoolage children flood the streets, especially in the cities, during school hours engaging in one petty trade or another while the government and relevant stakeholders behave as if such a situation is nothing to worry about. Education is a fundamental right for every child, not only in Nigeria, but elsewhere around the world. Both the federal and state governments also enshrined it as part of their laws but implementation has remained a big problem due to many factors, which include lack of political will on the part of government, poverty and ignorance on the part of parents. Another problem is the quality of teachers in our schools. The quality of teachers determines the quality of students they produce. A good teacher must be able to simplify every aspect of the language for his students to perform excellently, but this is lacking in most schools. President Goodluck Jonathan publicly, at a function recently said more than half of all the lecturers in the 124 public and private universities in the country were not qualified to be there. According to him, a university lecturer should be a doctoral degree holder, but many of them are with lower degrees and these reflect in the quality of graduates pro-

Undergraduates going home due to ASUU strike.

duced year-in and out. This situation is similar at lower levels. Some primary and secondary school teachers, especially in schools owned by individuals, employ people that have never trained as teachers. The sector is also known for poor funding. Over the years, government’s investment on education is below the one that can drive the system to appreciable heights. While the Federal Government’s yearly allocation is below 18 per cent of the total budget against the international standard, which requires for more percentage, it is lower for many state governments, the situation that has been pitching the various school workers’ unions against governments. Even nowadays, tertiary institutions rely on the funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), a Federal Government agency, set up to give complementary financial assistance than from the governments. The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, affirmed this at a recent taxpayers’ forum organised by the agency in Lagos. Another serious challenge confronting the sector across levels is the poor infrastructural facilities in terms of physical structure and instructional materials. There are situations where students, especially in the north, still havetheir CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Education Today

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

When alumni innaugurated Oyedepo Day of Service Undoubtedly, Bishop David Oyedepo is one of the world’s most influential men. As an author, preacher and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, he established Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, in 2002 as one of his over 100 educational institutions. About a decade after, the university’s alumni association launched Oyedepo Day of Service in his honour to commemorate his 58th anniversary recently. MOJEED ALABI reports:

irthday celebrations, particularly among Nigerians, are known for partying and merriments. This culture of lavishness, however, does not exempt men of God. A Nigerian pastor was once reportedly declared wanted by the UK police for lavish spending on his birthday party in London. However, in the case of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder and chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, birthday anniversaries are meant for reflections: reflections on a man’s essence and impacts on lives of people around him. To walk his talks, whenever his birthday approaches, Oyedepo always enjoins his followers, friends and well-wishers to shun any frivolous activities but to engage in service to humanity. It was to this end that the old students of the Covenant University on the platform of alumni association gathered a week ago at the institution’s African Leadership Development Centre to institutionalise David Oyedepo Day of Service (DODOS). The initiative, according to the association’s President, Mr. Muyiwa Fadugba, is to uphold the legacy of contribu-

MOJEED ALABI

tions, which he said Oyedepo epitomises. “We are gathered to institute the lifestyle of Dr. David Oyedepo as a legacy for generations to come. We have come to establish our commitment to be the extension of his hands and heart, as we subscribe to an annual day of service to humanity. We have come in this manner today to bring to birth his desires that we would do greater things than he has done in his lifetime. We have come to identify with a man who has demonstrated the greatest value in life- loving people and serving them. We have also come to pledge our allegiance and followership to his philosophy of taking the lead in meeting the needs of others,” Muyiwa pledged on behalf of his colleagues. Though, the celebrator was not in the country to be part of the memorable event, his former Personal Assistant, now the church’s now the Vice-President, the church’s Foreign Mission, Pastor Abraham Ojeme, confirmed the bishop’s endorsement of the initiative. Ojeme, who described Oyedepo as a servant leader, said; “To Oyedepo, service is not just anything but a lifestyle. He is

The alumni association members at the event.

an embodiment of love for God and love for man. The whole of his heart pants after God and after man. He is not just a man, he is an enigma; a man to be studied, who lives a life for God and for man.” On her part, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aize Obayan, said the 10-year-old ivory tower, as a fulfillment of the chancellor’s dream, was already impacting the world positively through “the eagles we release yearly since inception in 2006. “In this university, we believe education must translate to contributions to world growth and development through researches and community services. A university cannot just celebrate certificates but should ensure that contributions to societies are deposited in its graduates. This we have seen in the life of our chancellor, who has given himself to working 16 to 18 hours

SERVICE IS NOT JUST ANYTHING BUT A LIFESTYLE daily; a man who would drive through all the roads of Covenant University, making sure that things are in order; and that there should be no wastage. “So, for our alumni association to honour him in this manner is a well thought idea, commendable and inspiring,” Obayan noted. Covenant University is one of the over 100 educational institutions founded by the bishop as part of his contribution to provide well-rounded manpower for the country’s economy and beyond. Explaining the roles the initiative is meant to play in the society, the Vice-President

of Hope Foundation, another offshoot of the alumni association, Mr. Tobi David, said anybody, group or organisation willing to be part of it could decide on a service option to render to the society by registering the service form available at www.oyedepodayofservice. com. These services according to David can be in five major service areas which include environment, education, health, humanity and social services. “A man may decide to fill a pothole, plant trees, pay somebody’s hospital bill, enroll a child in school or pay his or her fees, among others,” David added. Rather than make the service delivery a yearly activity, the alumni association said it would be everyday affairs and the account of services rendered and reward for best services would annually hold on September 27 of every year.

Independence: Carol School teaches Nigeria’s history, values

upils of Carol School, Ikeja, Lagos, were last Friday engaged with series of activities including community service, artifacts presentation, documentaries, among others to mark the country’s 52nd independence anniversary. The school, which devoted the whole of the day to the celebration, said unless schools revived the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s History as a subject of study, Nigeria stands to lose her rich cultural values and practices to foreign influence. According to the school’s Head Teacher, Mrs. Bola Adeaga, the current insecurity state of the nation is not unconnected with poor moral and religious values in the society. She said to return the country to the part of peace, harmony

TO OYEDEPO,

The school’s Fine Art teacher, Mr. Garland Anthony with the pupils during the celebration.

and unity, children must have to be taught in school, the stories of “our heroes and heroines so as to appreciate where they are coming from and where they

are going.” The school’s Head of Public Relations, Mrs. Emily Udoh, said it was sad to listen to Nigerian children talking about states

and regions of America, Europe or Asia without even knowing where they live in Nigeria. She condemned the present crop of Nigerian leadership for what she termed their inability to make the country appealing to the younger generation “unlike what they benefited when they were growing up. Therefore, she said the solution lies in the hands of parents, schools and social organisations to teach more values and combat the raging wars of corruption, kidnapping, bombings and the ‘maddening craze for wealth’ among the youths. The pupils were shown documentaries about past leaders and great institutions including the giant strides once recorded in the country particularly by the defunct western region which

included, Liberty Stadium at Adamasingba, in Ibadan and the city’s 24-storey Cocoa House. “We started out with a prayer session during our normal morning assembly with series of prayers for peace and normalcy to return to troubled regions. Everyone (both staff and pupils) was dressed in green and white attires to celebrate the nation’s national colours. Later in the day, we went on a road walk to the major roads near the school environment for petty community services like cleaning of the streets. The school rounded off the event with some presentations including songs rendition, which emphasised why the unity of the country should not be compromised.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, October 4, 2012

AUN don advises Nigeria on sustainable projects T he Director of Sustainability Initiatives at American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Dr. Charles Reith, has advised governments across levels to always embark on sustainable developmental projects. He said whenever natural resources were being exploited for devel-

opment; it would naturally have such adverse side-effects as pollution, resource depletion and inequity, among others. The need, therefore, arises for sustainable, environmentally responsible and resource-efficient development--one that “meets the need of present generation without compromising the ability

of future generations to meet their needs,” he said. Charles gave the advice at a recent seminar organised by the university where he shared his first year work experience in the university. According to him, If Nigeria can set aside some revenue from its finite natural resources such as fossil fuels and miner-

als and reinvest it in solar panels and sustainable tourism rather than on consumables such as exotic cars and private jets, it will help a long way to better the lots of Nigerians now and in future. “When finite resources are frivolously consumed, the next generation’s needs are in jeopardy because the natural re-

sources will be depleted… and once they are gone, it takes centuries to replenish them,”” he stressed. He explained tha t Nigeria’s potentially renewable resources such as fresh air, fresh water, fertile soil, plants and animals need better care because their depletion will threaten the country’s capacity to provide its growing popula-

tions with food and other resources needed to fight poverty. He noted that the term “sustainability” had gone beyond economics to include resources and environment and it was only when they are used in a way that does not result in damage or depletion can development be called sustainable.

NUC heads African Quality Assurance Network IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he National Universities Commission (NUC) has been chosen to produce the next President of African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQan) and Chair of the Executive Board of the organisation. This position was arrived at, at the 3rd General Conference of the organisation held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire recently. The post will be for two years. Following this progress, the NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie has nominated Prof. Chiedu Mafiana for the two posts, which will be announced at the next general assembly meeting yet to be fixed. The Network was founded as a response to the realisation that the quality of educational provision by Higher Education Institutions (HEI) is important in providing highly skilled human resources that would drive the economic growth towards sustainable development. The objectives of the network are to promote a culture of quality assurance in higher education in Africa, foster collaboration and linkages among quality assurance bodies with Africa; advance good practice in the enhance-

ment and maintenance of quality higher education in Africa and collaborate with quality assurance bodies in Africa in capacity building. Others include facilitating research into the practice of quality assurance in higher education for purposes of improving the quality of higher education in Africa, provide advice and expertise for the development of new national and sub-regional quality assurance bodies in Africa; assist members of the Network to articulate standards of institutions operating in member countries; foster harmonisation of standards for quality assurance across countries in Africa.

The network will also facilitate international recognition of qualifications to enhance mobility of staff and students in Africa; and promote the interests of Africa in other networks and international organisations with related focus. The network, in pursuit of it objects under Article 4, shall support the development of quality assurance bodies through capacity building seminars, workshops and conferences; disseminate information through newsletters, journals, books and other documents, in print and electronic forms and participate and collaborate in research projects.

Undergraduates hold summit

he undergraduates across public and private tertiary institutions in the country will, between today and tomorrow, hold a conference at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. The forum, organised by Campus Ovation magazine, will educate students on what they could do to become agents of change now and after leaving school in the face of unemployment crisis confronting then country. A minimum of 10 representatives are expected from each of

the over 250 tertiary institutions in the country. A statement by Mr. Victor Enike, gave names of people billed to deliver lecturers at the summit to include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr Ngozi Oknojo-Iweala; her Youth Development counterpart, Mr. Bolaji Abdulahi; Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi and Chairman, Silber Bird group, Mr. Ben Bruce. Each participant will be awarded a certificate of participation at the end of the programme.

Education sector still in limbo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 lessons under trees just because of the inadequacy of classrooms. Where there are classrooms, they are overcrowded and stuffy and this prevents free movement of teachers and students when the need arises. The UNESCO’s standard on the ratio of a teacher to students for effective teaching is 1: 40 maximum. But there are many schools even in Lagos, which prides itself a model for others, including the Federal Government, that have more than 80 students in a classroom. This was even revealed at a recent meeting between the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Ola-

dunjoye and the principals of all the state-owned secondary schools held at the government secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. The problems in the sector are not limited to these. Nevertheless, something can be done to revamp the system. This has to take holistic approach. It will also involve sincerity and commitment of people concerned. The first and major step is to improve on the budgetary allocation to the sector. This, to a large extent, will arrest the decaying infrastructures at all levels. There is also a need for government to set up a mechanism whereby school ad-

Senior Vice-President and Provost, College of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Iheanyichukwu Okoro (left), with Executive Secretary, Sierra Leone’s Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Prof David Koroma during the latter’s recent visit to the university.

Teachers Day: Governments urged to advance teachers’ cause TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

s Nigeria joins the rest of the world tomorrow to celebrate this year’s edition of World Teachers’ Day, governments around the world have been advised to accord teaching profession top priority on their agendas. The Director General, UNESCO, Mrs. Bokova Irina and her International Labour Organisation’s counterpart, Mr. Guy Ryder

ministrators are held accountable for their activities. The teachers should also be well remunerated and provided with good conditions of service, not only to make them more committed, but also to attract best brains into the system. Government should equally honour all the existing agreements with various school workers from primary to the university. Incessant strikes by school workers across tiers in the last two decades have done nothing than incalculable damage to the system. The teachers, students, parents and other stakeholders, on their part, should also ensure they contribute own quota to the development of the sector and make it globally competitive.

gave the advice separately in their speeches ahead of this year’s celebration, which is themed: “Take a stand for teachers.” World Teachers’ Day is held annually on 5 October to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels. It also commemorates the anniversary of the 1966 signature of the UNESCO/ILO recommendation concerning the status of teachers. According to Irina, teachers ultimately determine our collective ability to innovate, to invent and to find solutions for tomorrow. Nothing will ever replace a good teacher and nothing is more important than supporting them. She said teachers stood as the heart of a nation and every country needs more and better qualified of them, noting that UNESCO ‘s plan is in three ways to achieve these goals. “First is by making the profession more effective, by improving the teachers’ status and their working conditions and by supporting policies to these ends and monitoring their imple-

mentations. “Second, we talk of teachers’ quality, hence the quality assurance framework and minimum standard for entry into the profession through continuous professional development and support to teachers training institutions. And lastly, UNESCO seems to lead to a global debate to ensure better and sharp public policy. We do so by generating research and knowledge and by sharing this widely through our UNESCO’s chairs, institutional networks and the associating schools’ networks. She explained that the teaching profession was changing across the world but the current dislocation remains unchanged. On his part, ILO’s Ryder described education as not only one of the most important gifts to bestow on the next generations but also one of the main pillars to sustainable economic growth and social development. He said teaching was truly a noble and high hope profession but sadly it was also a profession on the siege.

Education Today

WAEC, firm partner on e-results verification portal KUNLE A ZEEZ

ollowing the successful digitisation of its past years examinations results, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), in partnership with an Information and Communication Technology solution provider, Sidmach Technologies Limited, has developed an online results verification portal. A statement from Sidmach Technologies said the e-Results portal would domicile online results of examinations conducted by WAEC for Nigerian candidates from 1980 to date. According to the statement, details that will be captured alongside are candidates’ bio data, subjects with corresponding grades, as well as passport photographs. Described as a good resource and verifiable tool for employers of labour, institutions of higher learning, government agencies, foreign embassies and consulates, the statement said the e-results access would, among others, help curb result falsification, check impersonation and eradicate trauma associated with loss of document.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Book distribution: Minister threatens to blacklist defaulting publishers IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike has said any publisher that would not meet up with the six weeks ultimatum given by the Federal Government in distributing text books to public primary and junior secondary schools in the country would be blacklisted. This is even as he cautioned them to desist from colluding with state’s Universal Basic Education Board by not distributing the actual number of text

books they were meant to give and from repurchasing already distributed books Wike said: “Every effort made by the Federal Government to improve quality of education at basic level was been sabotaged by various people and we believe that we should call you as those who have been given the contract for the purchase of the materials with core subjects in our public primary and junior secondary schools.” He also warned them not to repeat what they did last year and in making sure that each school gets their actual number of text books.

In his words “Last year, you frustrated our efforts to deliver these books directly to the students when it was needed, most of you did not deliver on time and you started distributing books when pupils went for holidays, now it is first term, I do know that you have been given six weeks of distributing these books to various schools, so, in second week of November, government will start distributing these books, we don’t want to hear any excuses, that you have not been paid on time, if there is any sabotage, we will

tudents can improve the quality of their work, grades, social life, and save a lot of time by adopting ‘SQ3R’ technique known as: Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review in their studies. In recognition of the merits of this study tool, the Career Services office of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State, organised a workshop recently for a select group of students who will in turn act as SQ3R trainers for the university. The workshop was moderated by Ms. Jelena Zivkovic of the University’s School of Business & Entrepreneurship. Training the students with the skill others will

blacklist that publisher, no amount of pressure or blackmail will change it”. He, however, said government was going to appoint independent monitor that would help to check the number of books they would distribute to various states. “Federal government is making effort to improve quality of education, you should also support us by making sure that effort of government will not go in vain, If as you are going ahead and you have any stumbling block from UBEC please do not hesitate to let us know,

If there is impediment, do let us know,” Wike added. In his response, the President of Nigeria Publishers, Samuel Kolawale said none of their member would indulge in such practice. “We have registered membership and we have told you that publishers are real partners in progress and we want to identify with your aspirations, we believe that education is the key that will drive the country’s growth and development. We want to assure you that as soon as you give us the opportunity to serve and deliver, we will do on time,” he said.

UMYU students lament tuition fee increase JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

S L-R: Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Vincent Tenebe; Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the 2012 Conference of Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), Prof. Kehinde Obidairo and Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Bamidele Solomon during this year’s BSN conference in Abuja, recently.

Workshop equips students with study techniques TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

provide a better way to transfer study habits. “Students need help to read more effectively” said a staff member from Career Services. Ms. Zivkovic said the study technique was “just one of the numerous techniques that can be used to enhance study and encourage students to stick with what works best.” The moderator told participants that the first step in academic reading is to survey the material, rages by pages and topics by topics. The next step, she said, was to make questions out of the surveyed topics, graphs, summaries, italicized words etc. and to document them. In drafting questions, she urged participants to ask test-like questions. “There is no rule as to

the number of questions to ask. Questions that have no answers should be deleted, as you probably won’t them on your exam. When you find your answers, underline and highlight them in your book,” said Ms. Zivkovic. She emphasised Step 3; reading, noting that students do not have to read everything in their textbooks. She told the participants to always read with the essence of answering the questions they asked in Step 2. This she said is the “secret of efficient and effective study.” After reading, recitation is encouraged to store the information one has just read. After reciting comes the last step, which is to review. Reviewing is an on-going process.

The Coordinator of Career Counseling & Placement, Mrs. Grace Nwokoma, organised the weekly training sessions taught by student trainers, all students were invited to attend the session. Participants at the workshop ranged from students who have trouble reading to those who find reading boring, struggle with reading assignments, and fail to remember what they read and simply want to improve their grades or want to help others develop their reading habits. After the workshop, participants were divided into groups to test their understanding of the subject. In the groups, one participant volunteered to instruct, another volunteered to provide the instructor with feedback, while others listened.

tudents of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU), Katsina State, have described the recent increase in their school fees by management of the institution as outrageous and uncalled for. The students lamented that many of them were from poor homes and would not be able to pay the new fees, and therefore called on the relevant authorities to ensure a downward review of the fees. Management of the institution had recently announced an increase in schools fees payable by both returning and fresh students of the institutions with clearly spelt out variations between indigenes and non indigenes. A schedule of the school fees prepared by the varsity, copy of which was made available to National Mirror indicated that the fees for returning Arts-based students was jerked up from N14,500 to N32,500 whereas newly admitted science-based students who are non indigenes would pay N88,500. Speaking with journalists on the issue, the President of the Students’ Union Government of the institution,

Shamsudeen Badamasi, said the increase was outrageous and that students were against it in all its ramifications. “Most of the students are poor and engage in menial jobs while on holiday to raise money for their school fees. Therefore, this increment coming at a time like this has the tendency to force some of us into abandoning our studies.” Badamasi who urged the state government to “temper justice with mercy by ensuring a downward review of the fees” added that “we are all out for dialogue with both the state government and management of the university.” He reiterated that the student union would explore all means of dialogue until the fees are reduced. He said the union would approach relevant stakeholders should its appeal to government on downward review fails to yield desired result, insisting that the union was not consulted when the varsity’s management was planning an upward review of the fees in the first instance. Badamasi urged his colleagues to stay action on the ongoing registration exercise until negotiations on the matter are concluded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Nine jailed for counterfeiting NECO certificate IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

ine persons, including three members of staff of the National Examinations Council (NECO) out of the 10 persons accused of faking the certificate of the exam body have been sentenced to four years imprisonment. They are Kashim Danladi Tauhid, Ahmed Tijjani, Philip Emenike Ubanatu, Abdulsalam Mohammed Babangida and, Ahmed Sanni. Others and staffers of NECO include Nehemiah Andrew, Umaru Aliyu and Christian Moses. They were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court 11 in Minna, the Niger State capital and sentenced to four years imprisonment each for forgery. The tenth accused, Mr. Hassan Ayuba, who

pleaded not guilty to the three- count charge was ordered by the court to be reminded in prison custody for further hearing. The Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja said the conviction was a plus to the Federal Government in its fight against fraudsters, who had been discrediting the value of examinations in the country. The minister warned those who are desperate to possess certificates illegally to desist from the habit, saying the law would take its full course on whoever that is found wanting of the offence. It will be recalled that a few days ago, the State Security Services (SSS) in Niger state arrested 10 people who had been producing fake NECO certificates for sales. The security agents were said to

have been on their trails for many months. Wike said: “What that means is that those who are still willing to join the crime of faking results should know that the law is taking its course and that anytime the security agencies arrest anybody, we are not going to relent, we must ensure they are prosecuted. Parents should warn their children and find out what kind of businesses they are doing to make them live in affluence. Sometimes parents don’t even ask their children what kind of jobs they are doing to afford them the kind of lifestyle they live but unfortunately, most parents are comfortable to see their children in affluence without engaging in profitable business “One of the convicts was said to be living in a mansion built with the pro-

ceeds from printing of fake certificate at the detriment of the country. This is evil we must not allow to continue in the country. “So we are happy with what the security services have done, this shows that they are indeed very committed and we will work closely with them to bring an end to this fraud,” Wike assured. Prosecutor, Ahmed Danladi, who is also the Principal, state counsel in the state Ministry of justice had arraigned the culprits on a three- count charge of forgery of the Council’s SSCE certificate, forged over 730 Nos of the Council’s Certificate, over 427 Nos of NECO Examination slip print out, Niger state Certificate of indigeneship, 5 Nos statement result of the state College of Education and other documents for the purpose of selling

Nigeria bids to host 2016 World School debate IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

residential School Debate Team has appealed to the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike on the need to assist the organisation prepare well for the bidding for the hosting right of the World School Debate billed for 2016. The competition kickstarted in 2000 and the bidding for the next edition is expected to take place next January in Turkey. Making the appeal in Abuja, Mr. Ade Ayeni, Director in charge of International Programmes in Presidency’s School Debate of Nigeria, who was the leader of the team, said the organisation would need assistance in the areas of documentation, transportation, corporate sponsorship, hotel accommodation and venue of the event between Lagos and Abuja. In his response, Wike said the Federal Ministry of Education was much aware and interested in the school debate. The demands of the team, he said would be looked into as any obstacle to Nigerian winning the host right would be tackled.

Director, Lagos State Education Resource Centre, Ojodu, Mr. Joseph Olugbenga Alao (middle) with government officials and student trainees at the closing ceremony of a five-day workshop on the use of education instructional materials in schools, recently.

Kaduna goes tough on appointment of education secretaries A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he Kaduna State Government has approved new guidelines for the appointment of education secretaries as recommended by its Policy and Structure Review Committee. The Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Ishaya Akau disclosed this, saying the change had been approved by the State Executive Council. He said the new guideline was to give room for effective service delivery by the leadership of public primary schools in the state.

Akau in a statement by his Director of Social Mobilisation, Shuaib Dabo also disclosed that the council had equally approved the conduct of periodic assessment for serving education secretaries on their professional competency if in line with the new standard, adding that those who fall below expectation would be replaced. “The position of Education Secretary in the state will henceforth be advertised and committee be appointed at local government level to screen and nominate three candidates and submit same to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for scrutiny and on-

ward submission of the most suitable candidate among them to the governor for his approval,” Akau concluded.

to various agents and buyers ranging from N10,000, N25,000 and above. The third count charge was counterfeiting an official seal of NECO for the purpose of authenticating the forged documents. The offences are contrary to sections 364 and 367 of the penal code under section 79. Chief magistrate, Hassan Mohammed, however described the offence as grievous and that the punishment would serve as a deterrent to others involving in the same illegal trade. Wike, who noted that

the level of examination malpractice in the country had reduced to about 30 per cent, said the percentage was still on the high side, adding that: “We should make it a zero per cent so that Nigerians can have confidence in the exams they are writing and confidence in the certificate they are been issued.” While calling on examination bodies to put more effort in preventing exam fraud, he promised that the ministries of education would continue to give them the necessary support.

Delta: ASUU demands unconditional release of kidnapped commissioner TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

he Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Lagos branch, Akoka, has condemned the kidnap of the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, and therefore called on his abductors to release him unconditionally. The union also sympathised and condoled with the families of Eghaga’s security aide killed and driver wounded during the attack, which took place last Sunday. Prof. Eghagha was a lecturer at the University of Lagos before he was appointed commissioner by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. He was reportedly kidnapped on Abraka/Agbor Road on his way to Asaba from his village, Ughile, when his abductors allegedly intercepted the vehicle in which he was traveling at OwaEkei highway junction, in Ika North-East local gov-

ernment area of the state. A statement by ASUU’s UNILAG chairman, Dr. Oghenekaro Ogbinaka described the incident as pathetic and barbaric, especially that it happened at a time the country was celebrating its 52th years of political independence. Karo , who implored the state government and the police to secure lives and property of the people of the state, noted that Delta State is fast becoming the hub of kidnappers, particularly of academicians and high profile persons in government and their relatives. “It is now obvious that the so-called security in Delta State is more imagined than real. Delta State seems to be more secure on the media space than on the streets. While the government of the state should therefore as a matter of urgency redress this gory state of affairs, efforts should also be made to secure the release and freedom of the kidnapped professor in good stead and health,” he added.

UBA inaugurates 2nd essay contest for secondary school students

he Senior Secondary School students in the country have another opportunity of winning university educational grants from UBA Foundation. This follows the commencement of the National Essay Competition among senior secondary school students, organised by the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). The call for entries from eligible students began last week and will end on November 2, 2012. Students are

expected to write on the topic: ‘As an African President, what would your plans be for the educational sector?’ The three winning finalists, who will be selected by a panel of three Nigerian professors, will get educational grants to study in African universities of their choices. For the entries, applicants are expected to send in handwritten essay of not more than 750 words on the competition topic, with their complete contact information (name of school and address, residential address,

phone number and e-mail) to UBA Foundation in Lagos. “We are excited at hosting this competition again. As with most of our programmes and initiatives, the competition is an annual affair to the lives of some Nigerian children” said Ijeoma Aso CEO, UBA Foundation. A total of N2, 250, 000 will be doled out by the organiser. Apart from laptop gifts, the overall winner, 1st and 2nd runners- up will also get N1, 000,000; N750, 000; N500, 000, respectively.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FROM OTHER LANDS

Zambia to establish seven more varsities

ambia’s government has unveiled plans to construct seven new universities, to improve currently low levels of access to higher education. The plans were disclosed by University of Zambia Vice-chancellor, Steven Simukanga, at a graduation ceremony held in September at the institution’s main campus in the capital Lusaka. “This calls for the University of Zambia to reposition itself in the new, emerging competitive environment,” said the vice-chancellor. Simukanga said universities were not able to absorb all the schoolleavers being produced annually who wanted to enter higher education. To alleviate the growing gap between demand and supply, the University of Zambia had introduced ‘parallel’ – also known as fee-charging – programmes alongside regular courses and had expanded extension studies and distance education provision. Simukanga said by virtue of being the country’s premier institution, the University of Zambia had a duty to provide leadership as well as the staff who would be needed by the planned new universities, among other ways by reviewing its curriculum. Initially, the university’s curriculum had been tailored to produce as many bachelor degree graduates as possible. The new approach would stress postgraduate programmes that would steer teaching and research in the new public universities.

Europe, Asia varsities to collaborate on undergraduate skills acquisition

niversities in Europe and Asia must collaborate to make their graduates employable in a globalised world, with joint programmes and dual degrees paving the way for greater student mobility, heads of universities in 37 Asian and European countries said at a major conference in The Netherlands this week. Although some joint degrees exist between

European and Asian universities, Karsten Warnecke, deputy executive director of the Singaporebased Europe Asia Foundation, said there were eight times more Asian students going to Europe than European students going to Asia. With high graduate unemployment in many southern European countries, “it is not a solution for graduate unemployment in Europe for stu-

dents to go to Asia [for jobs], but they should go to Asia to increase soft skills and to get a different perspective and experience,” said Warnecke. However, “not enough European students at the moment see the advantage in going to Asia to study,” said Sibrandes Poppema, president of the University of Groningen, which hosted the third Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) of university rectors late last month.

The conference recommendations, including promoting a credit transfer system within ASEM, were agreed to by 100 heads of universities from 27 European Union countries and 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). They will feed into a meeting of ASEM education ministers in Kuala Lumpur next year. University World News

L-r, Member, Board of Trustees, Ghana Education Trust Fund, Dr. Josiah Cobbah; Director General, Tanzania Education Authority, Mrs. Rosemary Lulabuka and Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Commission, Sierra Leone, Prof. David Koroma at the Taxpayers’ Forum organised by Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund in Lagos recently. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Crisis: Scholarship advocated for Syrian students, scholars

s the 18-month conflict in Syria escalates, a growing number of higher education organisations are mounting efforts to extend scholarships and aid to students and academics who are suffering, especially those in the worsthit areas. Recently, the European Union (EU) and the Institute for International Education (IIE) both pledged support, and efforts are under way to raise more than US$5 million for projects aimed at getting Syrian scholars to safety

Freshers’ Week: Students on a night out in Aberystwyth.

at campuses around the world. Last Tuesday, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, called for international action to stop the war in Syria, describing the conflict as “a regional calamity with global ramifications”. The EU delegation in Damascus announced that its Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme would now extend to Syrian students living in and outside the country, particularly those in vulnerable situations. The programme is of-

PHOTO: ALAMY

fering three-month to three-year scholarships to Syrian students and academic and administrative staff to work in partner institutions, including the United Kingdom’s Cardiff Metropolitan University and Germany’s Technischen Universität Berlin. In New York on Tuesday, at the Clinton Global Initiative, the IIE announced a US$5 million initiative to support Syrian students and academics, in collaboration with the Illinois Institute of Technology and the newly established NGO Jusoor, which means ‘bridges’ in Arabic. The organisations committed US$2 million, and the IIE Consortium in support of high education in Syria is now seeking donours, with the goal of mobilising a total of US$5 million for the one-year project. The aid basket includes an offer of free virtual college counselling by Education USA, a network of more than 400 advising centres worldwide supported by the United

States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The IIE’s Commitment to Action for the coming year – with more provided in subsequent years – includes: IIE Scholar Rescue Fund fellowships for up to 15 senior, threatened academics from Syria; IIE Emergency Student Fund grants for up to 100 Syrian students whose education has been interrupted by the crisis; scholarships for up to 50 Syrian students to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology; and building a consortium of universities around the world who will offer scholarships to assist threatened Syrian students, with a goal of 50 new scholarships in the next year. Organisers explained that the project aims to support Syrian students until it is safe for them to return to their country, and that “it is not meant to be a ‘brain drain’ programme but rather a ‘brain save’ programme”. University World News

2015: UN secures US$1.5bn for education ahead of target

nited Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon on Tuesday secured over US$1.5 billion in commitments for a new initiative to make education a top global priority and boost progress towards the Millennium Development Goal on education. “I am encouraged and grateful for all the generous commitments made today(Tuesday), which gives Education First a boost towards achieving its goals,” said SecretaryGeneral BAN Ki-moon. “Our shared goals are simple. We want children to attend primary school and to progress toward higher education that will help them to succeed in life.” Education First seeks to make a breakthrough to mobilize all partners –both traditional and new – to achieve universal primary education ahead of the 2015 target date for the MDGs. An additional $24 billion is needed annually to cover the shortfall for children out of primary and lower secondary school. Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Timor-Leste and Denmark were among countries that pledged to intensify their support to the new global partnership called ‘Education First.’ In addition, dozens of top companies and private foundations have mobilized over US$1.5 billion in new financing to ensure all children and young people have a quality, relevant and transformative education. Western Union Foundation and the MasterCard Foundation were among the first to solidify their support for the initiative. Western Union has pledged to directly move over US$1 billion for education globally, providing US$10,000 per day in grants for 1 million days of school. Under MasterCard Foundation’s ‘Scholars Program’, the US$500 million education initiative will allow 15,000 talented, yet economically disadvantaged students, particularly from the African region, to access and complete their secondary and university education. www.globaleducationfirst .org

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

OAU final year student drowns in pool with Mojeed Alabi mojeedalabi2@yahoo.co.uk or mail@mirroronline.net

OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI LANGUAGE ARTS, OAU

t was a sad end for Kayode Omoyele, a final year student of the Department of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in Osun State, when he was found dead

in a swimming pool at a hotel- Motel Royal, along Ede-Osogbo road, last Friday. Kay, as the late student was popularly called, was already rounding off his final year project papers, but had decided to vist the hotel to cool off the academic stress. He was

reported to have gone with a friend whose identity is yet to be revealed. National Mirror learnt that Kayode was already heavily drunk before he decided to go for swimming; thus this might have affected him while in the pool. When Kayode’s friend noticed that he was no longer moving in the pool and could not answer his calls,

he was reported to have run away before he was arrested by the university’s security officials. This may have sparked off the rumour that Kayode was murdered and thrown in the pool. One of the late Kayode’s friends and a 300 level student of his department, Adeyemo Sola, simply described the incident as shocking. He said; “It

shouldn’t have been Kayode because he was such a nice person.” However, the hotel where the incident took place is said to be presently under lock while the police carry out their investigations. His friends and colleagues, last Sunday, held a candle light procession in his honour. The procession, which began at his

Kayode

house on 31, Ede Road, was rounded off at the university’s main gate.

EKSU protest: Perpetrators will pay dearly –VC MOJEED ALABI

T Some final year students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State during their picnic to Gurara Water Falls.

Nigeria’s academicians are lost to corruption –LASU don MOJEED ALABI

he Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Olubanji Fajonyomi, has criticised the country’s crop of intellectuals, alleging them of being part of the societal rot currently ravaging the nation’s socio-political and economic systems. Fajonyomi, who made this disclosure recently during the university’s 65th inaugural lecture, described Nigeria as a failed state. He titled his lecture: “When the state goes to sleep: Of citizen and state relationship.” The professor of public administration lampooned the country’s leadership for what he described as its failure to provide and guarantee basic necessities of life such as power, healthcare, water, foods, security and infrastructures. He said the foundation of the failure could be traced to the culture of avarice being built in the minds of everyone. He said in an ideal society, academicians are the conscience of a nation, who he claimed are to caution excesses and return

the society to the path of honour and glory. “Unfortunately, because of our corrupt environment, academicians also get themselves caught up in the web of corruption and this has really worsened the situation. And this thing has become a syndrome. People believe that if you don’t play along, you risk being faulted. But I say that is not correct. Academics can stand its ground and kick against what is not right, especially those of in government positions. By that, we will be setting a good example for other leaders and the entire citizenry.” Looking at Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, Fajonyomi said Nigeria was erroneously described as a growing economy in the world. “How can the fastest growing economy now accommodate 70 per cent of poor people? Something is wrong with that development.” He also challenged the citizens to rise to the occasion and rescue the country from the claws of those he described as usurpers of power. He said the fact of some unsuccessful attempts to change the system through protests and campaigns did not mean

the citizens should give up. “The power to change this society lies in you. You have the right to stand up against bad leaders through participatory budgeting, citizen report card, and community score cards, which all enhance more of citizens’ participation in affairs of governance and funding. If we allow laws to function and leaders don’t steal money, everybody will be rich in Nigeria. Some people remain poor because the society does not work well,” he added.

he Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Oladipo Aina, has vowed that all those who took part in the violent protest that rocked the institution last Friday would be made to suffer the consequences of their action. The VC, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, said he was shocked that despite his efforts to ensure peace reigns on the campus, such ‘horrible violence’ could still engulf the university. “What happened on our campus was not only condemnable, it was also uncalled for. Immediately I learnt of the accident, I personally took charge of the medical care of the affected student. I made sure he was taken to Ikere-Ekiti Specialist Hospital for attention. Two days after, a handful of his loyalists gathered

Rivers varsity crisis: ASUU set to decide

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to take its final decision on the raging crisis between its members at the Rivers State University of Science and Technologies (RSUST) and the institution’s Visitor, Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The union, which is billed to hold its National Executive Council meeting in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, will, according to the Chairman of the University of Lagos chapter, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka, debate on many other national issues. It would be recalled that the union had recently ob-

served a one-day strike in all universities across the federation in solidarity with its members at RSUST. Asked if the resolution may include another round of solidarity strikes, Dr. Ogbinaka said he could not preempt the decision of the NEC but agreed that the issue is very germane on the agenda of the meeting. He also said the union may take its position on the current insecurity situation in the country and that it may decide to agitate against the continued allocation of security vote to the governors but to the Police.

themselves together to create problem for everyone. We are in the process of unraveling the causes and the true identity of those behind it. I tell you that whoever is found guilty would be seriously dealt with,” Aina said. It would be recalled that no fewer than six vehicles, including an ambulance belonging to the university, a bus, and a security van were set ablaze by irate students on Friday. Their action followed the death of their colleague, a final year student of Accountancy Department, Abiola

Teslim Yusuf, who was knocked down by a vehicle reportedly belonging to a state government official. The official, whose identity is yet to be unraveled, was said to have entered the campus to drop off his girlfriend when the late Yusuff accosted him and demanded for bribe. The university’s agriculture farm and other buildings, including the centre for information and communication technology were not spared. The school has since been shut down indefinitely.

UNILAG Parents’ Forum holds public lecture today MOJEED ALABI

he Parents’ Forum of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, will today hold a public lecture cum fundraising event to mark the institution’s golden jubilee anniversary. According to a release by the university’s Public Relations Office, the event, which will be chaired by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, will feature the

launching of a students’ hostel project. A Professor of Education at the university’s Department of Educational Foundations, Mrs. Mopelola Olusakin is billed to speak on the topic: Adolescents’ Attitudes to Parental Discipline and the Counseling Implications. Her counterpart and Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Olugbemisola Omoegun will speak on the topic: Towards Effective Parenting in the 21st Century.

HE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 30 welcomes us to this new month with four solecisms: “Minister of Water Resources… during the flag off (sic) and sensitisation programme of the….” ‘Flag off ’ is not known to the formal English language register. It is one of those Nigerian-created noun phrases/phrasal verbs! “However, it has become one of its most fecund period (periods) in terms of intellect.” “Let me, on behalf of a grateful state, congratulate you for (on/upon) adding another year to your age.” (Full-page advert by Bayelsa State Government) By the way, is it the man that added another year to his age or God that graciously did it? Just a poser! Lastly from THE NATION ON SUNDAY under review: “African U-17 Qualifiers: NFF commends CAF over (for/on— never ‘over’) MRI test” THE GUARDIAN of July 20 disseminated a diseased line: ”… Senate may review BPE Act, says no witch-hunting (witch-hunt)” From the above edition comes the next juvenile error: “President of the Senate, David Mark, said there is (was) no political undertone to the move.” Reporters who do not know the rudiments of reported speech writing have not begun intellectual journalism. I recommend celebrity genre of the profession for such neophytes! “30% DISCOUNT on hotel accomodation when you fly Air Nigeria” (AIR NIGERIA Full Page Advert, National Mirror, July 18) No jet-lagged spelling:

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian media obsession with ‘flag off’ accommodation. “Trees as antidote against flood” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, July 18) My antidote to (not against) lexical slipshoddiness is carefulness in collocation. Another spelling interlude: “NASS seeks funds for excercise” (DAILY Sun, July 18) Spellcheck: exercise. THE NATION SPORT of July 16 boldly advertised illiteracy in just one inarticulate and lengthy paragraph that unfortunately was lifted as the quote. You can deduce the character of the two-page article from this extract: “Last year’s edition of the National Sports Festival was marred with (marred by) series (a series) of protests by many states against the medal haul (medals haul or the haul of medals) by the host which (a comma) they believe (another comma) was achieved by dubious means. States like Bayelsa, Edo and Kaduna could not hide their feelings as they pointed accusing fingers on (they pointed the finger at) the ways and manner (ways and means) by which Team Rivers dominated every event they partake (partook in).” What a scandalous and utterly embarrassing piece of sports journalism! “Kano athletes poise for war over NSF reward” I am not poised for war. This reminds me of one of the titles in the heyday of Daily Times, Poise, which was edited by vivacious Medline Tador in the 90s. Mad-

‘FLAG OFF’ IS NOT KNOWN TO THE FORMAL

ENGLISH

LANGUAGE REGISTER am, where are you? I hope you are still delectable? “Celebration galore as Mandela clocks 94” (THISDAY Banner, July 17) For the legend: celebrations galore. ‘Celebration’ is both countable and uncountable quite all right, but in the anniversary ceremonial circumstance of this global citizen, it must have been pomp celebrations. “Bereaved Nigerian mother lashes Austria over son’s death” Fixed expression: lash out at. “South African minister to clampdown on guns” Noun: clampdown; phrasal verb: clamp down (which applies here). “Rediscovering the African idiom at World Music Day” Art and Life: on World Music Day. “Otherwise, somewhere down the line with their loots, these men would continue to come back to rape the polity.” ‘Loot’ is uncountable. “Resident doctors in neighbouring Ghana went on strike less than a week before our own strike and theirs have (has) since been resolved.” “Perhaps, Babatunde Raji Fashola’s roads was (were) nev-

er meant to withstand ‘satanic’ rains, the type that has been tormenting Lagos.” “Others are outrightly ugly.” This is American corruption of language. British Standard English: Others are ugly outright. “Kidnapped people were turned into beasts of burden to cart away all RUF booties (booty).” “They point accusing fingers towards female prostitutes who are girlfriends to the armed robbers and provide those anti-social miscreants accommodation and succour to perpetuate their despicable crimes.” Delete ‘accusing’ and point the finger at (not towards) prostitutes. And this: anti-social miscreants? This is the summit of illiteracy and loose thinking! “It will present events in the two chambers, record achievements, gossips and behind-thescene moves of the assemblymen.” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable. “Shoot-at-sight order in Borno State” Get it right: shoot-onsight order “The last but not the least is about corruption” No task: the last but not least. “These children disappeared atimes from home after their parents had gone to search for daily bread.” Children for sale: at times. “No sooner had the morning papers commenced at (on) the main campus of the university at about 10 a.m.” Either at or about 10 a.m. ‘At about’ smacks of

thoughtlessness and uncertainty. “Having shown that he means business, all shades of people are quickly jumping into (on or aboard) the ‘anti-corruption’ bandwagon.” “Another feather to (in) Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s cap” “Following reports of molestation and harassment of lawabiding citizens by members of vigilante groups supposedly in anti-robbery patrol teams….” Get it right: vigilance committees/groups. “I literarily (literally) saw the yoke of military rule.” “…the officials who would be carrying files from Abuja to Lagos to treat in the morning and return them back in the evening.” No linguistic sabotage: delete ‘back’. “…several universities from across the universe were practically falling over themselves (one another) to give Mandela one honorary award or the other (another).” “Staff correspondent x-rays the government White Paper on the two organizations…and related companies in the industry. ‘White Papers’ are issued exclusively by governments. So, yank off ‘government’. Wrong: non-challance; right: nonchalance. “…the desire by the president to utilise best hands available in the running of government in these trying times....” Do you utilize what is unavailable? Just the last poser.

Folu Adeboye inaugurates Redeemer TEAP International School IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

n an effort to raise Godly leaders in the society, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Everlasting Arm Parish, Abuja, has inaugurated a new ultra-modern school building, named: “Redeemer TEAP International School”. Inaugurating the school, the wife of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Folu Adeboye, assured Nigerians that the school would be different from everyday school as everybody associated with the management of the institution was divinely chosen, adding that the students from the school would be among those that will develop Nigeria in a Godly way. Accompanied by the former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Mrs. Adeboye called on Nigerians to pray for the peace of this country, noting that the country cannot achieve her dreams in an

atmosphere of chaos. In her remark, the former minister, Mrs. Ezekwesili said government alone could not provide education, it has to be a collaborative effort, adding that “I think that the most important role government has to play is providing quality assurance, setting the standards and ensuring that those standards don’t go below the minimum that will enable citizens to compete with the rest of the world, in terms of their knowledge and competences, their attitudes”. “The more we can emphasise this collaboration between the government and private society in provision of education, the better for our nation. This is a mission school of the Redeemed Christian church of God, the idea of it is that, we need to build the kind of school the missionaries established like St. Gregory’s, Our Lady of Apostle and others, this is a school in that model, all the Redeemed Christian Church of God Parishes are encouraged

by the church to register their wards here, the idea is that we want to provide quality education to citizens, not at the market price that they would otherwise pay for it. “When you look at the school fees here, it is nothing to compared with the standard of education that is being offered. It gives children that will not have access to education of the present time the opportunity,” Ezekwesili said. Earlier, the school administrator/ principal, Mrs Ogunnaike Adekunbi said the school was a missionary school with a very strategic objective that would bring up children in the way and fear of the lord. “We are here to give the students the best opportunity so that they can come up with their character development that would be based on the tenets of the principles of holiness, and to make a difference in the world and in the society,” she said, disclosing that about N150 million had been spent so far in the construction

Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye

of the school. Also, the pastor in charge of the Everlasting Arm parish, Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili who said God had favoured the parish in so many ways maintained that they would groom the next generation of leaders from the school.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Brunson holds Lynx aces

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

The past weeks out of action of action have served me well and I can now focus on a strong return - Tennis star, Rafael Nadal

Tennis: Edem relishes RON feat YEMI OLUS

eigning African champion, Offiong Edem, who won three titles over the weekend at the Reach Out Nigeria (RON) Table Tennis Championship held in Uyo says the feat was hard to achieve. .Edem had earlier created an upset by beating former defending champion, Janet Friday and Cecelia Otu to get into the final where she defeated Fatima Kazeem 4-2. “The low standard of the facilities almost disrupted my ambition, but I managed to triumph,” Edem told National Mirror yesterday.

“The lady I played against in the final was excellent but I wouldn’t have known about her if not for this tournament,” Edem added. The 25-year old partnered with Kazeem Makanjuola of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to win the mixed doubles while she and Cecelia Otu won the women’s doubles event. Edem was ousted from the London 2012 Olympics in her first game against Egypt’s 18year old Dina Meshref while she also failed to win a single match at the recent International Table Tennis Federation Women’s World Cup in Huangshi, China.

Kanu, others get BLAG honour AFOLABI GAMBARI

F Flamingoes’ Yetunde Adeboyejo (in green shirt) will be relied on today as Nigeria meets France

FIFA U-17: Flamingoes meet France, eye semi finals YEMI OLUS

he odds favour Nigeria’s U-17 national team as it takes on its France counterpart in the quarter final match today at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. Flamengoes have amassed an impressive 15 goals in their three group matches against host Azer-

baijan, Colombia and Canada while the French side has scored 11 goals, 10 of which were claimed in its final group match against underdog, Gambia. Meanwhile, the tournament’s top scorer, Chinwendu Ihezuo, has expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to demolish France who did not qualify for the last edition of the tournament held in Trinidad and Tobago in

2010. “We are ready for France and although it will be a tough game, we will try our best to prevail,” Ihezuo, who has six goals and four assists to her credit, said. In other quarter final games, Canada will meet People’s Republic of Korea, Ghana faces Japan while Germany and Brazil will jostle for the last ticket for the semi finals.

ormer Super Eagles captain and founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation, Nwankwo Kanu, has been listed among three Nigerian entrepreneurs for honour by a non-profit organisation, Business Leadership Awareness Group (BLAG), for their contributions to humanity. Others listed for the award are Oil & Gas expert, Walter Wagbatsoma and philanthropist, Sade Okoya and the occasion that the trio would be conferred with the honour would be at an event scheduled to hold later this month in Lagos. According to Executive Director of BLAG, Ossy Otegba, the organisation is working on a yearbook that will promote the awardees with a view to encouraging them to do more for the society.

Afcon 2013: NFF banks on Eagles

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday declared that the Super Eagles will prevail over Lone Star of Liberia in their Afcon 2013 qualifier on October 13 in Calabar. Saturday’s duel in Canaan City qualifies as Nigeria’s most important football match of the past two years, but the NFF says the Super Eagles have the capacity to take the game by the scruff and turn back the visitors with plenty of goals. “In history, Liberia has never come to Nigeria to beat us at any

level and it will not happen on October 13,” NFF official, Emeka Inyama, declared. “We are satisfied that the Super Eagles will work very hard and deal decisively with the Liberians,” Inyama said, stressing, “The NFF has provided all that the team needs to excel and they will go for outright win.” In the reverse fixture of the latest encounter on September 8 in Monrovia, Liberia forced Nigeria to a 2-2 draw, making the return leg a must-win for the host in Calabar for then to make it to South Af-

rica next January. Meanwhile, Nigeria has moved five places down from its former spot to occupy 63rd position in the latest FIFA/Coca Cola rankings released yesterday by FIFA. The country’s decline may not be unconnected to the 2-2 draw recorded last month when the Eagles were forced by the Lone Star of Liberia to surrender an early lead in their Afcon 2013 qualifier in Monrovia. Cote d’Ivoire retained the first position in Africa, trailed by Algeria and Mali

Nwankwo Kanu

Kanu, who rose from a humble background but rose to fame with remarkable exploits in football and business, owns a chain of businesses with diverse interests in oil, property, hospitality and photography, in addition to his charitable work with UNICEF as ambassador. Wagbatsoma, who is one of Nigeria’s most successful businessmen in the energy sector, is the co-founder of Ontaro Oil & Gas, a pan African oil and gas company renowned for its service delivery. Okoya, wife of industrialist, Chief Akanni Rasak Okoya, is one of the nation’s most glamorous women and socialites per excellence and awards scholarships to 40 less-privileged Nigerians studying in various institutions of higher learning at home and abroad.

Sport

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Milan chases Guardiola

Tit Bits

Henry

Henry was again named th MLS Player of the Week, this time for his expl of the 2012 seas The New York supplied three a scored a goal h side to a comewin over Toronto Arena on the we Henry has no Player of the We sions this seaso 14 goals and pr sists in 22 leagu for New York.

C Milan is making a sensational move to have former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola installed as new gaffer by January. Reports said Milan President Silvio Berlusconi is already drawing up plans to restructure the football department which will include Guardiola’s arrival. The former Barcelona coach will be given total power over transfer policy, effectively making him both head coach and technical director. Last week, Guardiola’s former Brescia coach and close friend Carlo Mazzone declared he expected the Spaniard to soon move to Milan.

Silva

RDM roots for Ramos

Former AC Milan defender, Thiago Silva, is happy with his move to PSG as he is now fully s “It’s been a d but in the end th club convinced ian said yesterd “I’m convince even further tha must confess th lotti and Leonar stayed in Italy,”

helsea Manager, Roberto di Matteo, is backing the Blues bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. Reports said Ramos’ unhappiness at the Bernabeu has alerted Di Matteo, who could move for the former Seville star in January as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to part with £40m for the experienced Spain international. The Stamford Bridge side is keen to reenforce in defence following the sale of Jose Bosingwa in the summer.

Puyol

Carlos Tevez

Clichy sings Tevez praise

anchester City defender, Gael Clichy, believes Carlos Tevez has been the club’s standout performer this season after rediscovering his best form. The Argentine striker went AWOL in 2011/12 after suffering a falling out with manager Roberto Mancini during a UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, and his days at the Etihad Stadium appeared to be numbered. Tevez was, however, drafted back into the fold as City claimed the Premier League title in dramatic circumstances and has made an impressive start to the defence of that crown, with his fitness and commitment no longer in question. “He has been our best player so far this season. He’s scored goals, worked really hard. He’s just a great player,” Clichy said yesterday ahead of City’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. “What happened in Munich, and after, is nothing to do with me. It was between him and the boss. We want players who bring something extra and he does that. He can make a big difference for us this season.”

Wayne Rooney

Rooney warns Devils on slips M

anchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has acknowledged that the club cannot afford to keep falling behind in games during the opening exchanges. The Red Devils have picked up an unfortunate habit of conceding early on, with another scare suffered during a UEFA Champions League clash with CFR Cluj on Tuesday. But the club rallied to secure a 2-1 victory on Romanian soil, courtesy of a Robin van Persie brace, and has now found itself trailing on six oc-

casions already this season. Rooney acknowledges that the former EPL champion needs to tighten up and cut out the early setbacks if it is to challenge for top honours at home and abroad. “It does bother us having to come from behind because we are losing those early goals,” he said yesterday. “It is not nice and it is something that we have to stop because we cannot afford to keep letting teams get a head start on us, especially in the Champions League because it is difficult to win the game anyway,” he added.

Chicharito in Devils blues

T Sergio Ramos

he future of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez at Manchester United is in doubt. Hernández signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford last October, but he has struggled for form since scoring 20 goals in his debut season at United in 2010-11 and has subsequently slipped to fourth choice striker, behind Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, as another disappointing campaign stares him in the face.

Barcelona cap tain Carles Puyo has dislocated his left elbow, sparking anothe long layoff after from injury in the Reports said P suffered a terrib minutes during t League win ove Tuesday, is curre tests in Lisbon. Barca Preside Rosell, visited th enced player in

Johnson

USA sprint legend, Michae Johnson, has been working with Arsenal’s p The USA grea at Barcelona 92 and Sydney 200 Hertfordshire ba Gunners’ Cham clash against G piacos tonight. The likes of T Oxlade-Chamb Jenkinson will b lips at the prosp their already for

Arbeloa

Real Madrid fullback, Alvaro A beloa, has denie claims of cliques inside the locker room, insisting th simply misinform “These reports and if I say that t opposite, the pe them will not bel said. “I get on bette people in this gro ers, but this happ I do not have mu this,” he added.

loits in Week 30 son. k Red Bull star assists and himself to lead his from-behind 4-1 o FC at Red Bull eekend. ow been named eek on five occaon after scoring roviding 12 asue appearances

s settled in Paris. ifficult choice, he project of the me,” the Brazilday. ed we can go an Milan and I hat without Ancerdo I would have he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diouf nears Leeds’ extention

eports yesterday said Leeds United striker, El Hadji Diouf, is set for discussions over a new contract at the club in the next 24 hours. Diouf has been a revelation at Elland Road this season since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer. The Senegal international is currently on a short-term deal at Leeds which expires in January and his form has not gone unnoticed by rival clubs. Diouf has scored three goals for Leeds and turned in a man-of-the-match display in Leeds’ 2-1 win over high-flying Everton in the Capital One Cup last week. Leeds are looking to tie down the former Liverpool and Bolton man to a new deal and the player’s agent, Willie McKay, admits Diouf would be happy to sign a long-term contract if the terms are right. “I am meeting Neil Warnock to discuss a new deal for El Hadji as his current contract expires in January,” McKay said yesterday, adding, “I have been contacted by two Premier League clubs who have asked about his situation in January.”

ent , Sandro he vastly experihospital.

Ared s r hat the reports are med rumours. s do not help us, he situation is the ople who make ieve me,” Arbeloa

er with some oup than with othpens everywhere. uch to say about

Gateway TM quits club FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

eam Manager of the Ogun State government-owned Gateway United Club of Abeokuta, Mr. Tajudeen Disu, has resigned his appointment with the club with immediate effect. Disu, who announced his resignation in Abeokuta yesterday, said he was compelled by what he described as betrayal of his commitment to the club. “The atmosphere under which I operate is no longer conducive for effective work,” the former Nigeria international said. “I am quitting for the sake of posterity because things are not working the way I had envisioned when I joined this club few years back,” he added. “Under the tense situation that we played the league, I must tell you that the coaches, team manager and other management team gave their best but unfortunately things just didn’t go our way.” The former captain of the defunct Abiola Babes lamented his effort was not appreciated by the club management, stressing that inadequate funding for the club had also truncated progress.

er her returned e past week. Puyol, who le fall on 76 the Champions r Benfica on ently undergoing

Theo Walcott, Alex erlaim and Carl be licking their pect of improving rmidable pace.

Governor Amosun

Glo Academy set for screening

pol

players. at, who won gold 2, Atlanta 96 twice 00, was at the ase ahead of the mpions League Greek side Olym-

Sport

Thursday, October 4, 2012

El Hadj Diouf

Mwaruwari nicks new deal

creening of prospective participants for the Glo Soccer Academy will commence on October 8 in Kumasi, Ghana. A statement from Globacom in Lagos yesterday, said applicants in Kumasi and environ would be screened at the Paa Joe Stadium, Kwame Nkurumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, after which the exercise would hold in other eight venues in Ghana, Nigeria and Benin Republic. Tamale, Ghana, will take its turn on October 12 and 13 at the Tamale Sport Stadium while the Lizzy Sport Complex, East Legon, Accra will host on 17 and 18. The Sam Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Nigeria will host on October 20 while Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu will host on 27 and 28. Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt will host its screening exercise October 31 and November 1 while the Old Parade Ground, Abuja will host on 5

LG team escapes chop

ormer Zimbabwe Warriors’ captain, Benjani Mwaruwari, has signed a one-year deal with South African side SuperSport United. Mwaruwari, who is nicknamed “The Undertaker” for his predatory instinct, sealed the deal in Pretoria yesterday much to his relief after he signaled last week that he could retire from fotbal if he failed to nick the contract. Details of his financial package were not immediately available but Mwaruwari is set to be one of the best paid players in South Africa. “The deal is done and has been signed,” his management team said in a statement yesterday. “The player and the club feel they need each other and Benjani is happy to be closer to home now that he has chosen to play in South Africa,” it added. SuperSport have recently waned in its attack, scoring four goals in six league matches. “I think he is a general all-round player that can help us do a little better up front,” SuperSport United Coach, Garvin Hunt, said.

and 6. The Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will take its turn from November 9 to 11 before the train moves to Benin Republic where Stade de Rene Prive will host the screening on November 13 and the Charles de Gaulle Stadium host the next day. The Glo Soccer Academy is open to male footballers from the age of 14 to 17 years and 33 players would be picked from the screening exercises to be conducted in the nine venues, all of whom would be camped at the Glo Soccer Academy in Lagos where they would be trained by celebrity coaches from West Africa and Manchester United Football Club. Sixteen finalists would eventually be selected to attend a training tour of the Manchester United soccer schools, as well as win scholarships and prizes, even as the most valuable player would win N5m and the other finalists get N1m each.

Victor Ikpeba

urulere Local Government Football Team has escaped disbandment after beating Lagos Mainland Local Government 1-0 in the ongoing Lagos Junior League Premier League Championship last week. Chairman of the Surulere council, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide, gave the disbandment notice on September 15 when he ordered the team to win its next two games or get the chop. “The win gave us relief and we hope to build on it,” Team Manager, Akeem Ishola, said after the match. The LG boss, however, insisted on restructuring the team in the near future. “I’m still not satisfied with the team’s performance,” Ajide said.

Sport

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SLAMMING AND E-mail: folashayoezekiel@yahoo.com Phone: 08027536696

DUNKING

With SAYO OGUNDEJI

Victorious Senegalese team pose after their triumph in Dakar

Dakar 2012: Host nation beats Barnes linked with gay slur V Mali, lifts U-18 trophy T he 2012 Afrobasket for U-18 Women ended in Dakar, Senegal, over the weekend, with the host nation emerging champion of the youth competition with a 55-50 point’s victory over Mali. Nigeria, finalist in last year’s edition of the tournament, was absent after lack of funds scuttled its representatives’ trip to the West African country. The team’s absence from the cadet tournament has been described by stakeholders as a bad development which could hamper the development of basketball in Nigeria. Senegal, who started the final game rather on a shaky note, lost the first quarter to Mali by 13-19 points but gradually cut down the margin from the second quarter and never looked back until the final whistle to win their first youthful competition on their home soil. The host won the second, third and fourth quarters by 15-10, 12-09 and 15-12 points to rap-up the game at 55-50 points. Senegal forward, Aminata Kamara, led her team with a double effort of 15 points, 10 rebound and 2 assists while the duo of Ndeye Dieng and Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye added 13 and 10 points respectively. Yacine Diop was adjudged as the most valuable player (MVP) of the

tournament, posting an impressive record of 12 rebounds, 7 points and 7 assist while she was also named to the championship Top-5 honour list. Other players who made the Top5 honour list include Egyptian point guard Soraya Deghady, Mali’s duo of Mariam Kone and Aminata Traore and Tunisian Hamrouni Houda. Houda also won two more honours as she emerged the championship highest scorer with 122 points from seven games and the highest rebounder award with 67 rebounds while Mali’s Kone also won a double as she added the championship’s highest three-pointer award to her Top-5 honour. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s hope of returning home with the bronze medal of the Dakar 2012 Afrobasket for U-18 Women was dashed at the dying seconds of the over-time, allowing former champion Egypt to sweep to a 45-44 points win. Tunisia won the first and third quarters (10-04 and 19-12) while Egypt rallied its clear court vision style of play to win the second fourth and the over-time (12-04, 10-05 and 07-06) despite Tunisia forward, Hamrouni Houda, having a good run which saw her score a double of 15 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists. Egypt’s point guard, Soraya Deghady, led her team with 11 points,

4 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 steal with Farida Enam to complete the defeat of Tunisia in the bronze medal game. Tunisia’s Assistant Coach, Ahmed Yasser, expressed his disappointment at losing the game to FIBA Africa in a post match interview, even as he praised his players whom he described as the “future of the game”. Senegalese U-18 male basketball team won the last Afrobasket U-18 Men Competition earlier in the year, beating Ivory Coast 71-62. Individual awards Best Scorer: Hamrouni Houda (Tunisia) Best rebounder: Hamrouni Houda (Tunisia) Best Tri-point: Koné Mariam (Mali) MVP: Diop Yacine (Senegal) Best 5: Diop Yacine, So raia Deghady, Mariam Koné , Hamrouni Houda and Traoré Aminata Fair-play: Angola Standings Senegal (Champion) Mali Egypt Tunisia Angola Kenya

ideo from a July arrest has revealed Los Angeles Clippers forward, Matt Barnes, directing a gay slur toward police officers. Barnes, who signed with the Clippers during the offseason after playing two seasons with the Lakers, was arrested in July when a Manhattan Beach, Calif., police officer attempted to take him into custody on an outstanding warrant for driving with a

suspended license. Barnes pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of unlicensed driving and resisting arrest in September. The video, which contained the gay slur as well as other profanity, was obtained and posted by TMZ.com, which says the incident occurred on July 30, outside a restaurant where Barnes and his wife, Basketball Wives star Gloria Govan had been having dinner.

Brunson holds Lynx aces

lthough Rebekkah Brunson doesn’t get a deserved praise with Minnesota Lynx, but she’s a key reason the team still has a chance to defend its WNBA title. Brunson just missed her third straight double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds and the Lynx held off the Seattle Storm 73-72 Tuesday night to advance to the Western Conference finals. Seimone Augustus scored 21 points and Maya Moore had 20 to help Minnesota bounce back from a double-overtime loss in Game 2 and win the best-of-3 opening round series. Minnesota will host Los Angeles in the opener of the West finals Thursday night. The

Sparks swept San Antonio in their series. ‘’Survive and advance, baby. Survive and advance,’’ Lynx coach, Cheryl Reeve said. Sue Bird scored 19 points and Camille Little had 17 for Seattle, which won the championship in 2010, but lost in the conference semifinals for the seventh time in eight years.

Brunson

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance It is important for residents to ensure that their wastes are contained in nylons bags dumped in waste containers for easy evacuation by PSP operators.

We have been able to turn around our loss position of the previous years and more significantly, we now have a healthy and positive shareholders’ fund.

Spoke Person, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Folashade Kadiri

THE GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF UNION BANK, FUNKE OSIBODU

42O firms enjoy N236bn from export grant, says NEPC OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

he Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), yesterday said over 420 companies have enjoyed about N236 billion in incentivise under the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) scheme of the Federal Government. The figure, according to the NEPC is a cumulative figure that runs from 2004 till date. It would be recalled that the Federal Government had packaged the EEG scheme in form of incentives with a view to providing some compensatory bailout to exporters to make up for the strain they undergo as a result of undeveloped export infrastructure in the country. Speaking during the presentation of the report of the Technical Committee on Product Categorisation on EEG in Abuja, the Executive Director, NEPC, Mr. David Adelugba, said that the various incentives were useful because only few multinational companies could survive exporting from Nigeria without the support of government. The Technical Committee on Product Categorisation on EEG which is headed by an Assistant

Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Mr. T. Aliu, was inaugurated on April 26, 2012 to review the scheme with a view to correctly situating each product group in the proper grouping. Members of the committee include, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Organised Pri-

Expansion Grant. “This is why the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the EEG Implementation Committee in its quest to achieve greater efficiency in the administration of the scheme has provided, through this forum, the opportunity to dialogue with all stakeholders with a view to reviewing the current product categorisation and adopting new and mutually acceptable categories for export products registered on the scheme.”

vate Sector (OPS) and individuals with relevant expertise experience. Adelugba, who spoke while receiving the draft copy of the report, underscored the imperative of the scheme, stressing that its relevance to the growth and development of the country’s economy could not be over-emphasised. He said,” It is evident that only few multinational companies can survive exporting from Nigeria without government support through incentives like the Export

he Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has blamed the Federal Government and the some

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

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

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

Aero Contractors

L- R: Head of Marketing, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Abiodun Odejayi; Products Marketing Executive, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu and Head of Sales, Mr. Olumide Ojo, at the media launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Lagos, yesterday.

NUPENG blames FG, agencies for persistent fuel scarcity MESHACK IDEHEN

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

agencies, namely, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, (PPMC) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to live up to their responsibilities and stop the persistent fuel scarcity in the country now. The union said that the re-

Senators begin second reading on PIB

serve which the NNPC said it had that could last for 45 days is a ruse and said further that NUPENG is calling on the government to do the right thing and stop the current fuel scarcity. A statement made available to National Mirror on Wednesday by NUPENG, said the union is reiterating that its members, especially the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD),

were at work and not on strike, only that PTD members have no sufficient product to load at the depots for distribution. According to NUPENG, the union condemns the nonchalant approach of government in addressing the shortage, and hope it is not another strategy to introduce deregulation of petroleum products through the back door, as a litre of fuel now sells for over N110.00.

Telecoms fast-track nation’s crossing of digital divide

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

EXCHANGE RATES WAUA

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Traffic jams remain critical consumer brands sale point

Business & Finance

Thursday, October 4 , 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Lafarge Cement paid N14bn taxes post-privatisation’ OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

afarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc has paid N14billion in taxes to the various tiers of government and spent N570 million to develop its host communities since privatisation of the cement company in 2001, its Company Secretary, Ms. Uzoma Uja, has said. Receiving officials of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) who were on a monitoring visit to the enterprise at Ewekoro, Ogun State, Uja said the core investor had complied with all the covenants in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA). She said the plant with an installed capacity of 4.5 million metric tonnes, currently produces at 3.8 million MTas against the pre-privatisation capacity of 1.6 million MTs. She explained that soon after priva-

tisation, the company embarked on backward integration which has resulted in job creation with WAPCO now having a workforce of 2,000. On corporate social responsibility, Uja said the company has a robust and structured approach which focuses on different areas of development for its immediate environment and the country at large. These include education, basic infrastructure facilities, youth empowerment, agricultural aid for mechanised farming, health and safety. The company scribe added that since 2001, WAPCO had embarked on aggressive expansion programme, culminating in the construction of a 90 megawatt power plant in 2011. She stated that the firm intends to supply 30 megawatts of electricity to its immediate community of Ewekoro.

Tin Can Customs’ revenue falls N37bn in eight months FRANCIS EZEM

he Tin Can Island Port command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a N36.5bn revenue deficit in the last eight months, an indication that it might not meet the N264bn annual revenue for the 2012 fiscal year given to it by the service. The Ministry of Finance had at the beginning of the 2012 fiscal year given the service a whopping N1tr revenue target, out of which it assigned N264bn for the command, which translates to N22bn monthly. Meanwhile analysis of revenue collection released by the command for the period covering January to August, 2012 shows that a total of N139.5bn was collected for the eight-month period, out of a total of N176bn it was expected to have collected for the period, which shows a deficit of N36.5bn. Monthly details of the revenue figures show that N14.6bn was collected in January, which increased substantially to N19.3bn in February but however declined marginally to N19bn in March. The monthly revenue figures further declined to N15.2bn in April and rose to N17.1bn in May and again rose marginally to N18.3bn in the month of June. Other figures include the N17.4bn collected in July while N18.5bn was collected in August, bringing to a total of N139.5bn for the eight-month period. Public relations of the command, Mr. Chris Osunkwo Jnr., however blamed the inability of the command to meet the target on some economic issues ranging from the problem of liquidity

in the system associated with the reform of the banking industry to the increasing security challenge in the country. According to him, the on-going reforms in Nigeria’s banking sector, which has brought about tight liquidity in the system has reduced the ability or willingness of the importers to access loans from the banks with the attendant low demand, a development that has lowered consumption. Apart from the tight liquidity occasioned by the reforms in the financial system, the image-maker also noted that the high incidence of insecurity in the country, especially in the northern part has reduced the level of consumption. “Before now, there use to be scores of trucks that transport imported goods to the northern parts of the country, but that has not been happening because of the low level of economic activities in the region due to the high incidence of violence that had claimed many lives”, Osunkwo noted. Stakeholders also believe that a major reason for the failure of most of the commands, including Tin Can to meet their targets is the suspension of the controversial duty benchmark under which the service imposed uniform duty on 26 imported items, especially electrical and electronic materials.. They had argued that the suspension of the benchmarked duty collection on the orders of the presidency, which was the service’s last joker for meeting the N1tr self-imposed target, out of which it gets seven percent, would dim the service’s hope of meeting the target at the end of the year.

L-R: Executive Producer, The Headies, Mr. Ayo Animashaun; Head of Youth Segment, MTN, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed and artiste, Omawunmi, during a press briefing organised by MTN on the 2012 Hip-Hop World awards in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

She also urged the Federal Government to reverse the waiver on the taxes and duties on WAPCO’s equipment as this had led to the postponement/abandonment of

some projects. Earlier, the leader of the BPE team, Mrs. Haastrup Adetutu, had said that though the five year lockin period had lapsed, the Bureau

would from time to time visit to keep abreast of developments in the company and also to ensure that all the covenants are accomplished.

Kwara reviews performance contracts with MDAs

head of the 2013 budget estimates, the Kwara State government is reviewing compliance with performance contracts agreed with its ministries, departments and agencies in line with the Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS).

MTSS is a four-year development plan drawn up by the government which contains policy statements, high-level strategies and key performance indicators and formed the basis of performance contracts drawn up by the government last January. The eight-man committee set up by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, has received and scrutinised reports of all MDAs in the state. The reports were then cross-checked by the committee through site visits and supporting documents to ensure compliance with published work plans in line with the performance contract approach to program implementation. According to a statement by Dr. Muideen Akorede, Senior Spe-

cial Assistant on Media and Communications to the state governor, the key performance indicators and work plans contained in the contracts were derived from the MTSS which also inspired the 2012 budget provisions. “Governor Ahmed is focused on performance through optimal utilisation of resources and wants to ensure that the performance targets set out in the MTSS and as agreed with commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of agencies are adhered to as these plans such as the planned rehabilitation of Federal Roads and renovation of all general hospitals have already been communicated to the public and must be delivered on a timely and efficient basis”, said Akorede who added that early indications from submissions made to the committee which is expected to submit its report to the state governor this month were very positive. These, Akorede said, include the rehabilitation of 800 kilometres of urban and rural roads, the on-going modernisation of Ilorin,

Offa, Kaiama, Omu-Aran and Share Hospitals, supply of equipment to general hospitals and cottage hospitals, second phase of the Ilorin Water Reticulation Project, 76 urban and rural electrification projects, rehabilitation of 200 blocks of class rooms in 58 secondary schools and the rehabilitation of the Kwara State School for Special Needs The committee was set up by the state government last August to assess the performance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and to identify an implementation road map for MDAs for the next year based on current realities and needs of the people of Kwara State. Gold told committee members at their first sitting to see their assignment as a call to duty and approach their deliberations with upmost diligence, objectivity and fairness bearing in mind that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was focussed on delivering the Shared Prosperity to the people on a timely and efficient basis.

Reps task Abuja Sheraton on post privatisation plan TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Chairperson, House Committee on Commercialisation and Privatisation, Hadjia Khadijat Bukar-Ibrahim, has urged the Management of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers to liaise immediately with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for a revised Post Acquisition Plan (PAP) with timelines which would enable the hotel meet with its covenants. The chairperson, who led

members of the committee on its second leg of enterprise visits in the country, said that the review had become inevitable as result of changes in government policies which have impeded the successful execution of the covenants by the investor. According to a BPE statement issued yesterday, the legislator directed that the review should begin from 2010 to 2017 so that the investor could re-strategise to tackle the challenges in implementing the covenants. Ibrahim stated that the com-

mittee was not out to witch-hunt anybody but was determined to accelerate economic growth in Nigeria through its oversight duties. The General Manger of the Hotel, Mr. Robert Itawa, told the lawmakers that since take over, the management had put in place innovations to meet the Sheraton world-wide standards. He added that a team of experts from Sheraton International was already on ground to redesign the hotel to give it good aesthetics.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Business & Finance

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Senators begin second reading on PIB UDEME AKPAN

he Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), will soon undergo second reading at the National Assembly following the interest of lawmakers to expedite work on the Executive Bill which aims at restructuring the oil and gas industry for improved operations. The Bill has already passed through first reading at the Assembly. The first reading was undertaken immediately the legislators resumed from their vacations last month. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Magnus Abe who confirmed the development in a telephone interview said: “The BIP has just passed through first reading at the National Assembly. The second reading will soon start because we are all committed to expediting work on it.” He said: “We cannot say exactly when that will begin. It will depend on when it is scheduled to take place. But the general public should be assured that members of the National Assembly are concerned and will act in the best

interest of the nation and other stakeholders.” According to existing rule, the Bill will undergo other processes, including third reading, public hearing and Committee sessions with stakeholders making various inputs, before it is passed into law. Meanwhile, some stakeholders, especially the multinationals are said to be putting pressure on the law makers to either add or remove some clauses from the Bill which is the first comprehensive effort ever made to overhaul operations in the industry. The multinationals, especially Shell Petroleum Development Company have repeatedly picked holes in the fiscal terms as provided for in the Bill, explaining that the tax terms are uncompetitive and could make offshore oil and gas projects unattractive and unviable to operators. The Country Chair/Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, who believed the tax provisions in the PIB is ‘uncompetitive’, stressed that they are capable of stifling investment and making offshore oil and gas projects unviable if passed into law in its present form.

He said: “take local business challenges into consideration as well as the impact on existing investments. What we have seen of the draft PIB to date does not indicate a bill that fits these criteria.” The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke who provided further insight on why the Federal Government was proposing a review of the fiscal terms in the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for deep water fields in the draft PIB, explained that the increase in government take in the Deep Offshore blocks from the current level of 61 percent to a new figure of 73 per cent was necessitated by prevailing realities in the global oil and gas industry. The Chairman of NEITI, Mr. Ledum Mitee, however, made it emphatic that NEITI is the national version of the global multi-stakeholders initiative to promote transparency and accountability in the management of extractive resources with a view to aiding sustainable development with specific target on poverty reduction, elimination of social conflicts and creation of peaceful business environment.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NNPC’s Ibirogba emerges vice president of global gas association CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Group General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Greenfield Refineries Engr. Adebayo Ibirogba, has emerged the Vice President of the World Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (WLPGA) board of directors. In a statement made available to National Mirror in Abuja Wednesday by the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr. Fidel Pepple, NNPC described Engr. Ibirogba’s appointment as a welcome development that would impact positively on the nation’s gas growth and development. Pepple said Ibirogba’s appointment was ratified at the recently concluded WLPGA Annual Forum in Bali, Indonesia, and takes effect from September, 2012. He informed that the GGM Greenfield Refineries represents the NNPC on the Industry Council of the Association and described

him as a seasoned engineer with several years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Pepple disclosed that Engr. Ibirogba is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, British Institute of Management and Energy Institute of the UK with experience in Project Engineering, Refining, Petrochemicals, and International Trading amongst others. He averred that WLPGA is the authoritative and global body for LPG with the mandate to promote the use of LPG worldwide for a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous environment across the globe. The WLPGA Board of Directors is made up of leading players from the LPG Industry globally. They include Chairmen, Presidents and Chief Executives of various global brands such as Total Gas (France), Pertamina (Indonesia), Kosan Crisplant (Denmark), Astomos (Japan) and Gasco (Chile).

Minister, others for RIMA 2012 expo KUNLE A ZEEZ

L-R: Dean, Faculty of Co-operative and Community Development, Moshi University College of Co-operatives and Business Studies, Tanzania, Christian Malamsha; Director, Federal Department of Co-operatives In Nigeria, Jonathan Dangwara; Chief Executive Officer, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), Modupe Ladipo; Minister for Cooperative Development and Marketing, Kenya, Honourable Joseph Nyagah, and President, Co-operative Federation of Nigeria (CFN), Engr. Jibrin Bala, at the EFInA Co-operative Dissemination Forum, in Abuja, recently.

NATCOMS honours Obasanjo, highlights challenges KUNLE A ZEEZ

he National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, NATCOMS, honoured the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo with ‘The Nigerian Telecoms Platinum Award’ even as it highlighted challenges facing telecoms subscribers in country. He was recognised for his role as President, Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, when he created the enabling environment for the smooth take-off of Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, operations in the country after the bidding and auctioning of digital mobile licences in 2001.

The award was presented to the former president during NATCOMS’ First National Telecoms Subscriber Summit organised at the MUSON Centre, Lagos over the weekend. The award was received on behalf of the former president by the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who was also re[presented at the forum the Deputy Director, Telecoms and Postal Services in the ministry, Mrs. Ngozi Ogujiofor. Speaking on the rationale for presenting the award to the former President, NATCOMS President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said though there had been some form of private players in the nation’s telecoms sector before 2000, “Obasanjo actually displayed

the political; with the appointment of the right leadership at the Nigerian Communications Commission to drive full liberalisation policy in the telecoms sector.” According to him, although liberalisation began to manifest in the early 80s, the 90s, the most eventful period was in the Nigerian telecommunications sector was between 2000 and 2011. “However, eventful evolution in telecoms sector started between during the period with the liberalisation policy introduced by the government culminating in major auctioning of digital mobile licences in Nigeria in 2001. The policy enabled the telecom regulator to reinvigorate the regulatory framework in a way that boosted the confidence of investors.

igeria’s Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku has been confirmed as one of key stakeholders expected to speak at this year’s Records and Information Management Awareness Workshop, Awards and Exposition. At the annual expo usually organised by the Records and Information Management Awareness Foundation, (RIMA Foundation), Maku will deliver a paper titled, “Freedom of Information: Enhancing Democratic Engagement, Building Confidence in Government Institutions and Strengthening Credibility and Effectiveness.” Another key speaker expected at the event scheduled to hold between October 26 and 27, is

Cyber Crime Forensic Investigations Specialist from Canada, Mr. Hafedh Ben Hamida, who will speak on ‘Cashless Society: Social Consequences, Emerging Technologies and Security Issues.’ Other records and information management related papers including SharePoint and information management will also be presented at the event. RIMA Foundation is a nonprofit non-governmental organisation that seeks to promote proper management and security of records and information in Nigeria and Africa. The NGO carries out its activities through different awareness campaign like workshops, trainings, expositions, road-shows, publications and awards.

US marketing research group enters Nigeria ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

ollowing a recent advice by the World Federation of Advertisers that Nigeria was ripe to have an industry-based research companies, Cogniko, a New York based marketing research and digital intelligence firm, has announced the introduction of its solutions to meet the increasing demands of Nigerian marketing communication firms. Cogniko is a market leader in the delivery of marketing

analytics, research, and strategic advisory to leading institutions in developed markets and in Africa. Some global market leaders that have benefitted from Cogniko services include Chase, Pfizer, Diageo, Verizon, AT&T, Dell and General Mills. Cogniko’s core offerings span across three specialty areas: marketing analytics services, research and digital intelligence, and consulting and advisory services in specialized areas such as digital, mobile, social media, and relationship marketing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, October 4, 2012

he telecommunications sector in Nigeria has gone through different developmental phases in the past decades and has grown in leaps and bounds, with greater impact on all sectors of the economy. According to industry analysts, the first phase in telecoms evolution was the period covering over 100 years, from the colonial era through the nation’s political independence in 1960, to year 2000. From 1886 when the first telegraphic submarine cable was laid by the British firm, Cable & Wireless Limited to independence in 1960, Nigeria had 18,724 fixed telephone lines. Between 1960 and 2000, the active subscriber base grew to 400,000 fixed lines for the then estimated 120 million population. The period was characterised by several restrictions in the sector, and particularly by monopolistic approach to telecommunications business in displayed by the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, as was globally dictated then. Although liberalisation began to manifest in the early 80s, the most eventful period was the second phase of this historical evolution of the Nigerian telecommunications sector between 2000 and 2011. However, the fastest transformation in the telecoms sector started during that period with the liberalisation policy introduced by the government culminating in major auctioning of digital mobile licences in Nigeria in 2001. The policy enabled the telecoms sector regulator to reinvigorate the regulatory framework in a way that boosted the confidence of investors. Industry experts are of the view that the underlining factors that pushed this phase up the ladder of history include a strong desire on the part of a democratic government to liberalise the sector, and the subsequent enthronement of a strong independent regulatory regime sustained by professionals with clear vision and purpose about global trends in telecommunications evolution and its business potential, and how to translate them for services delivery within the country’s geographical entity. It is instructive that although the deregulation of the sector began in 1993, when the establishment of the Nigerian Communications Commission was established as prescribed by Decree 75 of 1992, some segments of the market were still restricted to the monopoly of NITEL, until the operator came under the oversight of the telecom regulator in 2001, when it was formally licensed as an operator. Meanwhile, revolutionary years in the history of Nigeria’s telecoms sector began in 2000. The decade from 2000 till date has been described as Nigeria’s telecommunications revolution, given the quantum of growth in the diverse fields of telecommunications services delivery, and regulatory advancements. “At the beginning of that decade, the new democratic government encouraged the evolution of a more focused National Telecommunications Policy, in which the private sector played very significant roles in its articulation. This policy enabled the telecom regulator to reinvigorate the regulatory framework in a way that boosted the confidence of investors,” the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah recently noted. The aggressive rollout of services by the licensed telecom operators in an environ-

Telecoms mast

Telecoms fast-track nation’s crossing of digital divide

ment where individuals and corporate or-

over 95 per cent of Nigerians lack access

Johnson

Adenuga

ganisations had been yearning for telecoms services, resulted n the revolution as the nation’s active subscription and teledensity rose dramatically. With only about 400,000 lines in 2001, with a dismal 0.4 per cent teledensity, the number of active lines by end of July, 2012 stood at 103.6 million, resulting in an impressive teledensity of 73.8 per cent, according to available industry statistics obtained by National Mirror. Access to the internet through mobile devices and other IT devices such as desktops and personal computers has also increased, though not as much as the growth recorded in the phone subscriptions, as there still exists conflicting figures on the actual number of Nigerians with internet access. For instance, while the National Bureau of Statistics has said in recent report that

to the Internet, data from the International Telecommunications Union has indicated that Nigeria currently have close to 30 per cent of the population with Internet access. In terms of economic growth, Nigeria is ranked the largest and fastest growing telecom market in Africa and among the ten fastest telecom growth markets in the world, an indication of its robustness to return on investments. From a private sector investment of about $50 million in 1999, when the democratic regime came in place, the telecoms industry has, by end of 2009, attracted more than $18bn in private sector investments, including Foreign Direct Investment. The investment profile has further increased from N18 billion to N25 billion at present, according to the NCC boss. Juwah has also recently confirmed that

As Nigeria marks her 52nd Independence anniversary, KUNLE AZEEZ takes a look at the major economic and social milestones engendered by the telecoms sector while identifying prospects and challenges facing the sector.

about N300 billion has been contributed to the government coffers through frequency spectrum sales, with Gross Domestic Product contribution surpassing six per cent. The growth in the telecommunications sector has had significant impact on other sectors of the economy. The financial sector is perhaps, the one whose activities have been deepened more by telecommunications, than any other sector in recent times. In commercial banking services, the quantum of transactions catalyzed by telecommunications services may yet be captured and it is doubtful if any bank in Nigeria is not a major beneficiary. In facilitating banking transactional services, the telecommunications industry has provided the bedrock for the finance industry. Electronic banking facilities such as Automated teller machines and Point of Sales services, online financial transactions, international credit and debit card facilities, airline ticketing and reservations, are some of the numerous ways that telecommunications industry has aided the growth, sophistication, security and quick transactions in the Nigerian financial sector. The sector, which has impacted significantly on other sectors of the economy such as education, transports, agriculture and even the media, has opened up employment opportunities to many Nigerians- skilled and semi-skilled, even as some experts contend that over three million jobs have been created by the sector in the past decade. Meanwhile, the sector, according to experts still holds even greater prospects for economic growth and development, albeit not without focusing on addressing the current challenges facing players in the sector. According to the executive Vice Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, to herald the next phase of the nation’s telecoms Information and Communication Technology policy, emphasis needs to be placed on ICT as a driver of development.

Info Tech

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Visafone controls 68% of Nigeria’s CDMA market KUNLE A ZEEZ

isafone Communication Limited continues to lead other competitors in the Code Division Multiple Access segment of the Nigeria’s telecoms market with controlling market share of over 68 per cent in total subscriber base. The leadership status maintained by Visafone was based on the available data obtained by National Mirror from the Nigerian Communications Commission, telecoms industry regulator. According to the latest operator data released by the NCC for the month of June, 2012, with total nationwide CDMA subscriptions standing at slightly over 3.5 million, Visafone had over 2.4 million on its networks representing 68 per cent of the total CDMA market. This was followed by Multi-

Links Limited with 526,426 telephone lines on its network, representing 14 per cent of the CDMA market. Starcomms came third with 475,841 active telephones lines, equivalent to 13 per cent of the market while the comatose Zoom Mobile came last with 111,077 with represents a paltry 3 per cent. Further analysis of the data revealed that overall; the CDMA networks have been witnessing declines in the past year. According to the NCC industry data, for instance, of the 5,215,131 million CDMA subscriptions in September, 2011, Visafone had 2,636,155; Starcomms had 1,083,498; Multi-Links recorded 1,050,161 while Zoom Mobile had 445,317 telephone lines on its network. In December, 2011 when total CDMA subscriptions fell to 4,601,070, Visafone controlled 2,604,038 actively telephone lines; Starcomms had 980,109;

Multi-Links had 701,304 while Zoom Mobile’s subscriptions plunged to 315,619 telephone lines. The industry subscriptions for CDMA further sank to 4,013,661 in March, 2012. Of the total, Visafone leads the pack with 2,495,790 telephone lines while Starcomms, Multi-Links and Zoom Mobile came second, third and fourth with 725,871; 680,960 and 111,077 telephone lines respectively. Though the CDMA market is plagued with a lot of challenges, making it difficult to compete favourably with Global System for Mobile Communications operators such as MTN, Glo, Etisalat and Airtel, most especially in the area of mobile subscriptions, the NCC data showed that Visafone still leads the CDMA market as at June, 2012, when Multi-Links overtook Starcomms in subscriber base, to take seco0nd position.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box LG Hom-Bot vacuum cleaner

Built for cleaner home experience

lobal leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, LG Electronis has introduced into the Nigerian market the LG Hom-Bot vacuum cleaner. The LG Hom-Bot, which was officially unveiled in Lagos over the weekend, uses advanced technology in cleaning of floors indecently, allowing people to focus on things that matter most. The LG Hom-Bot vacuum cleaner was developed to enable householders who feel the need to have a cleaners home experience “a new level of clean”. With its ultra-quiet design, the LG Hom-Bot vacuum cleaner operates at just 60 decibels, making it possible for users to work, watch television or chat on the phone. Owing to its slim profile, it can easily vacuum under beds, tables, chairs, sofas and more. The LG Hom-Bot comes with a smart 2-way camera. The dual cameras, located on the top and below the robot, enable a faster and smarter cleaning process. The docking style charger, with auto charging function, shows battery and timer settings for hassle-free charging. Speaking at the event, the Marketing Director, Home Ap-

pliances, LG Electronics, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, said the slim design of the 90mm tall LG HomBot vacuum cleaner enables it to fit under furniture and between sofa cushions in order to clean hard to clean hard-toreach points in any home. According to him, another unique feature of the vacuum cleaner is the 3 fully automatic cleaning models that ensure effective cleaning of home-conventional living spaces. “The zigzag mode is great for large areas with few obstacles like bedrooms and bathrooms. Using the camera, it can detect how to get around the obstacle to clean the other side. “The Auto cell-by-cell mode is for areas with more obstacles, such as lounge room, dining rooms while the normal mode is for uncluttered areas where there is room for maneuvering as the appliance navigates in a straight line.”

Blueberry Bold 9900

Exudes smoother touchscreen experience

L-R: Deputy Director, Banking and Payments System, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Musa Jimoh; Chief Executive Officer, EFInA, Mrs. Modupe Ladipo; Chief Financial Officer, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Yogesh Chopra; Payments Specialist, World Bank, Ms Alice Zanza and Chief Executive Officer, Eartholeum Networks, Mr. Adebola Adeyinka, at the EFInA Innovation Forum and Exhibition held in Lagos recently.

Microsoft plans 300 million jobs in Nigeria, others KUNLE A ZEEZ

icrosoft Corporation said it has launched a new global initiative, Microsoft YouthSpark, aimed to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries including Nigeria during the next three years. This companywide initiative includes citizenship and other company programmes, both new and enhanced, that empower youth to imagine and realise their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. Through Microsoft YouthSpark, the company will dedicate the majority of its cash contributions to nonprofits that serve the youth population around the world. In addition, Microsoft Youth-

Spark will include Office 365 for education, free technology tools for all teachers and students to power learning and collaboration, and Skype in the classroom, a free global community for teachers to connect their students with others around the world. As part of the initiative, Microsoft is also launching a range of new citizenship programmes including Give for Youth, a global micro-giving marketplace focused on raising funds for nonprofits that support youth causes around the world; and Microsoft YouthSpark Hub, an online space where people can explore and access all the youth services, programs and resources provided by Microsoft and its nonprofit partners. The third project, Microsoft Innovate for Good, is a global online community enabling youth to collaborate, inspire and support each other while using technology to

make a difference in their communities. Speaking on the initiatives, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft, Mr. Steve Ballmer noted that He noted that an example of an existing youth-focused programme in Africa that will now fall under YouthSpark is The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), an initiative of Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) that from 2007 to 2010 provided young people in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania with training in life skills, employability and entrepreneurship as well as hands-on experience through internships. By the end of the programme 500 youth were trained in ITC and other marketable skills, with at least 70 per cent of beneficiaries placed in jobs, incomegenerating self-employment, and/or voluntary community service.

he Bold 9900 joins the league of touch-and-type smartphones. However, it is a Blackberry at heart which explains the existence of the traditional keyboard-trackpad combo that Blackberry purists crave for in their smartphone. The 2.8-in screen houses a touchscreen with the new liquid graphics for a smoother touchscreen experience. The gorgeous display has a resolution of 640x480 which translates to a pixel density of 286ppi. As I mentioned earlier, the phone runs OS7 and under the hood is a 1.2 GHz processor and internal storage of 8GB and you can use a 32GB memory card if you need that kind of memory on your phone. And as usual all your connectivity needs are handled by the regular Wi-Fi,

3G and GPS. But the major addition to the new ‘Bold’ phone is the Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. Good move RIM! The Bold 9900 has a fixed-focus 5MP camera and can record 720p videos at 25fps. Following the Blackberry tradition the media formats that the Bold 9900 can handle are impressive with MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ to take care of your audio needs and MP4/WMV/H.263/H.264 to satiate your video cravings. However, I would have liked outof-the-box playback of XVID videos. The pre-installed apps include your chat clients Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and Gtalk. Social networking clients Twitter and Facebook are also bundled. Once again please make sure that you download the updates for each of these apps. The bundled games include Brickbreaker and Wordmole. The Bold 9900 doesn’t stray from this acknowledged fact and setting up emails was a breeze as usual. Please note that I had to go through the three day ordeal where I couldn’t access mails or use BBM.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Brands & Marketing

Traffic jams remain critical consumer brands’ sale point

otorists stuck in heavy traffic have for long time become one of the most important captive sales targets for most brands. Hence, it is a common place to find toys, clothes, framed paintings, clocks, CDs and DVDs, TV antennas, food and drink, soap, toothpaste, footballs, mobile phone airtime among many other items being hawked by vendors in heavy trafficking major highgways in cities like Lagos. As a result of the volumes of sales on the traffic in the big cities, marketing executives and distributors of major brands have relied on method to drive their direct sales strategies even despite legal impasse. Taking its origin from the traditional hawking on the street in the traditional African communities where parents send their children to the streets to hawk some goods as a way of imbuing in them an industry spirit and the need to support the family, hawking has grown from the streets sales method and have evolved to highway traffic sales where road users find their needs met without having to get to supermarket to make certain purchase of fastmoving consumer products. As a result of the high sales yield the platform offers, distributors of fast-moving goods have turned the traffic sales points to a battle field where they lock horns with competition brands and have a slice of consumer’s purse. Caused by population explosion, increasing number of cars and government failure to repair dilapidated roads which eventually culminates into traffic holdups, more brands, from small to bluechip companies, have found these spots a point-of-sales and personal selling through merchants who wants to survive the hard times by selling fast-moving brands. In what a brand magazine termed, “traffic brands”, marketing strategists are not losing sleep in exploring this channel to increase sales. According to the CEO of Shortlist Limited, Mr. Ayopo Ayodeji, “While I was Manager, Strategy/Account Planning with Centre Spread FCB Advertising, I made a presentation to our FCB team in South Africa during a strategy session. We were pitching for the Vodacom business and I stated that ‘informal markets are the engine room of Nigeria’s economy’. The traffic situation was used as a major platform to explain how a brand

As the drive for sales increase among consumer brands, more marketing departments are now exploring the traffic situation to pull their product to consumers despite the challenges of new Lagos traffic laws, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

DESPITE THE PATRONAGE ENJOYED BY THESE BRANDS AS A RESULT OF PEOPLE BEING STRANDED IN

THE TRAFFIC, THESE BRANDS ARE FACING CHALLENGES FROM THE STATE AUTHORITY

Young men hawking in traffic at Ikorodu.

can thrive and connect directly with consumers. The FCB team could not believe this as it looked strange to them. My CEO, Mr Kola Ayanwale stood up to explain how recharge cards and other brands are sold in traffic. This was a major insight for the FCB team on the Nigerian market.” The competition among traffic brands is rife and falls under different categories of brands such as the snacks, beverage and fruit juice/drinks, portable electronics,

PHOTOS: OLUFEMI AJASA

among others handy products. In a metro index report by BrandiQ magazine, some of these brands are more popular than the other in major traffic locations in Lagos such as Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Palmgrove/MaryLand, Opebi/Allen, Ajegunle, Ojota, Ikorodu, Ojodu Berger and Bariga. In the Bottled and Can Soft Drink Category, Coke is the most popular followed by Fanta, Lacasera, Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew and others. Out of these popular brands, Coke

DDB wins global ‘Luerzer’s award as team concludes training at Miami ad school ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

s Nigeria ad agencies continue to improve on creating creative concept with global endorsement, DDB Lagos, home to some of the most creative and best minds in the marketing communications industry in Nigeria has yet again affirmed its position as one of the leading agencies in the country as the agency’s creative works was named ‘Luerzer’s Archive print ad of the week.’ Luerzer’s Archive, one of the foremost advertising magazines in the world, after a painstaking process selected DDB Lagos’ ad

over hundreds of other print advert materials collated from around the globe. The “Speechless” ad was done for one of DDB’s numerous clients, Girl Hub, a nongovernmental organization, with strongly advocacy for the typical girl child in Northern Nigeria facing series of social vices such as poverty, disrespect and abuse. As such, the key purpose for their campaign was to create a clear advocacy that seeks to give a voice to the impoverished female child. DDB Lagos management, speaking on the achievement, said though they were excited about the global endorsement of its creative work as they expected nothing less. The employees, however, could not mask

their happiness and fulfillment at the arrival of the news. To them, this is a clear indication that DDB Lagos’ creative, fun and unhindered culture makes great things happen. They were happy, optimistic and hope to get more and more international recognition for their creative endeavours. Commenting on the global achievement, the Managing Director of DDB Lagos, Mrs. Ikechi Odigbo noted that apart from leveraging on the rich creative heritage of DDB worldwide as the second most awarded global network, the Lagos agency has continued to make significant investments in people development. He noted for the past 4 years, the Agency had made it a tradition to sponsor a minimum of two of its young

scored highest in terms of brand preference, followed by La Casera and Fanta. Also, in the sausage roll category, UAC Gala scored highest in terms of brand preference followed by Meaty-Hooty, Super Bite, Bigi and Rite. But in terms of brand preference during purchase according to the survey are Gala is the most frequent while Meaty-Hooty and Super Bite trail behind. Despite the patronage enjoyed by these brands as a result of people being stranded in the traffic, these brands are facing challenges from the state authority, as the hawkers are constantly being driven out of the roads in compliance with the new Lagos traffic rules and regulations which bans hawking major roads. One of the hawkers, Mr. Sammy Adejumo, who spoke with National Mirror said consumers are made to buy most of these consumers’ goods, especially drinks and snacks as a result of exhaustion caused by long hour they spend in the traffic. “So, these products meet them at the point of their needs even though we are being constantly harassed by the state authorities,” he said. Also, Mr. Chika Onourha told National Mirror that most distributors of these brands rely on these channels as a result of the quick sales and volume it offers to them. He said most hawkers preferred snacks and drinks because they are fastmoving brands than any other. promising creatives to advertising’s MECCA, the Cannes Lions Festival in Paris. Meanwhile, DDB Lagos is now taking unprecedented steps to benchmark its creative talent with global standards. Over a period of six months, the DDB Lagos creative team received intensive training courses from tutors from Miami Ad School (Germany). According to DDB Lagos management, “participants were engaged in three areas, offering six courses in Concepting/Advanced Concepting, Copywriting/Advanced Story Telling and Integrated Concepting. All six courses were handled by the seasoned tutors, many of whom are award winners and graduates of Miami Ad School themselves. Though a rigorous and demanding learning experience, the results proved satisfying as all participants completed the courses successfully.”

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, October 4, 2012

NIMN to restructure marketing practice, elects new president STORIES: ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he new President and Chairman of Governing Council of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, Mr. Rotimi Adeyeye, has expressed his determination to restructure and reposition the practice of marketing in the country which has been faced with problems of a factionalised industry association. Adeyeye, who emerged as the new president of the institute after an Annual General Meeting, induction of new members and upgrading full members into fellow’s status, said this is the time for “Restructuring and Repositioning of Marketing Practice in Nigeria”. “Our trustees had further thrust

sledge hammer into the wheel of growth and advancement of marketing by debasing the core values that had hitherto secure the confidence of marketplace for our products,”. “With 31 years of separate co-existence of the two merged bodies and four years of consolidated existence as one entity – making a total of 35 years of marketing practice in Nigeria, the institute cannot raise its head up in the comity of professional practice in Nigeria mainly due to lack/loss of focus or direction”, he said. As part of his effort to restructure the professional body, he said that he had laid a three-phased 15 years restructuring and repositioning plan for the institute. Meanwhile, the outgoing Acting Presi-

dent/Chairman of Governing Council, Mr Rilwan Aderinto, said “The term has been a very successful one both individually and corporately for us all. It has been an eventful year amidst all odds and challenges, but we can count our blessings, look back and appreciate the benevolence of God in making our dream come true”, he said. During his term in office, he said he successfully put an end to the reign of tyranny and halt the intimidation of forces of darkness over your Institute. The institute inducted 33 new associate members, six full members while six full members including the Managing Director of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mr. George Noah were upgraded to Fellow’s membership status.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dark and Lovely unveils new product Dark and Lovely beauty range from the staple of L’Oreal Central West Africa has hosted over three thousand five hundred hairstylists and dressers across south west states to unveiling the new Dark and Lovely Anti-Breakage range. Being the biggest gathering of hair professionals drawn from all the major trade associations within Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, in one day, the Marketing Director, LOREAL Central/West Africa, Mrs. Severine FadairoLemon, said “the good news for consumers from the African descent is that L’Oreal; well renowned scientists have created the perfect solution to fight breakage for Afro hair. The natural cement of the hair is the ceramide and the scientists have created s synthetic version to replenish these weak.” Explaining the rationale behind the event, Mrs. Fadairo-Lemon said “We are here today to host Nigeria hairdressers to present them with our new Dark and Lovely anti-breakage range. It is new range of full product, dedicated to afro-specific hair and to help consumers fight breakage problems they encounter.” Research shows that the natural surface of Afro hair bears the most numerous weak points because its cuticles do not perfectly overlap as a result of its twisted shapes.

Promasidor launches arts competition in primary schools

L-R: Marketing Director, Mr. Austin Ufomba; Sales Director, Mr. Udo Anya; Commercial Director, Ms. Lisa Nichols, Managing Director, Mr. Seni Adetu; all of Guinness Nigeria Plc and General Manager, Diageo Brands, Mr. Felix Enwemadu; at the 2012 Arthur Guinness Day Celebration in Lagos recently.

Banks mark customer service week with promise to improve service delivery

s organisations around the world mark this year’s Customer Service Week, Nigerian banks have joined the celebrations with plans to improve on areas where customers still lodge complaints. The Customer Service Week is an international event celebrated annually worldwide during the first full week of October to recognising the importance of customer service in service delivery and value creation. In a release by FCMB, the bank said it has created an activity with theme, Your Way, to reinforce its commitment to al-

ways put the customers at the core of its service and product offering. “As we join the world to celebrate the customer service week from October 2 to 5, 2012, we would like to use this opportunity to say a big thank you to you our esteemed customer for your continuous patronage. This year, we are we are pleased to add that each feedback we receive is an opportunity to improve our services to you,” the bank said in an e-mail to customers. The bank stated further that there are plans to improve in some areas of its service noted by the customers in the feed backs received from them.

Also, the Enterprise Bank Limited has said it will mark the annual customer service week as a way of appreciating its customers for their loyal patronage. In a statement, the bank said “Some of the activities, which will be implemented during the period, are elaborate decoration of branches, complimentary candies, sweets, chocolates and branded writing pens for walk-in-customers during the period.” First Bank of Nigeria also had its hall decorated in company colours and staff were wearing a special sash to mark the week.

Indomie Super Millionaire promo: First set of winners emerge

he first Set of Winners in the ongoing Indomie Super Millionaire promo has emerged at the inaugural draw which was held in Lagos recently. The opening draw produced seven lucky winners of the star prize money of N1Million each while several others won lofty prizes such as; I Pad, Refrigerators, Laptop, Plasma TV sets, Washing Machines, Blackberry Phones, Cooking Range, Music Systems, Air Conditioners, Microwaves and numerous others won cartons of Indomie as consolatory prizes. The first draw which took place at the head office of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Nigeria’s No.1 noodles brand -Indomie Instant Noodles located in Surulere was witnessed by the representatives of

the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), the Editor of Daily Independent Newspapers, Mr. Ikechuckwu Ameachi and other members of the media to ensure transparency and credibility. Speaking at the event, the Group Chief Marketing Officer for Tolaram Group Owners of Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Pawan Sharma disclosed that the company invited all relevant stakeholders to witness the draw to ensure transparency and authenticity of the promo to continue to uphold the company’s goodwill. Sharma disclosed that the electronic process of the draw has been tested and verified to be very effective which ensures that all

entries are captured and have equal chance of winning thereby giving all participants the opportunity to win in the Promo. At the end of the first week draws, 7 participants emerged as lucky winners of the N1 Million star prize each, while other prizes are 1 Apple I pad, 2 Refrigerators, 4 Laptops, 4 Plasma TV, 4 Washing Machines, 5 Blackberry Phones, 5 Cooking Range, 5 Music Systems, 5 Air Conditioners and 5 Microwaves while several others won cartons of Indomie as consolatory prizes. The Assistant Director/Coordinator, Lagos Zonal Office of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Obi Iregbu commended Dufil Prima Foods Plc for the high sense of integrity and sincerity on the Super Millionaire Promo.

The dearth of creative personnel in ad agencies may soon be an history in the future as Promasidor Nigeria, makers of Amila drink, has launched an arts competition tagged ‘Amila Painting Challenge’ for primary school pupils in Lagos State. Marketing Director, Promasidor, Mr. Kachi Onubogu made this known recently at the official launch affirming that the aim of the competition is to encourage the kids to paint and have fun while at it. “Arts is a field that we want to go into because you all know that the environment is developing. Growing up, I can remember how we used to love to paint and then we were all encouraged to participate in arts from primary one to three. Art is important in a child’s development. A lot of people think that Mathematics and English are what kids need in primary and nursery schools but they fail to realize that the cognitive skills, social skills and arts skills will go a long way for the child.” Onubogu explained further that the ‘Amila Painting Challenge’ is a competition amongst pupils of primary schools in Lagos and will run from October to November. “Amila Painting Challenge’ is for pupils at the primary school level in Lagos State as we intend to use Lagos as a pilot for the competition. We want to encourage the kids to paint and most especially to have fun.” The Manager, Brands Group (Food Enhancement and Beverages) of Promasidor Nigeria, Mrs. Abiola Inawo said the competition would encourage schools to put more attention on arts and also that the competition will be in three stages. “We are looking at 200 schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos. The competition will be in three stages, the first stage is at the school level where pupils will paint any art of their choice and the winner will represent the school at the local government area for the second stage. At the second stage, the overall winner from the local government level will get a branded Amila Bicycle and Promasidor goodie bags. Then the 20 finalist at the local government level will compete for the overall winner who will walk away with N250,000, 1st runner up will get N150,000, and the 3rd runner up will get N100,000 while there will be consolation prizes of N30,000 for the other 17 contestants,” Inawo said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Two Ad agencies shut in one month ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

hese are trying times for Nigeria’s advertising agencies. Within a month, the industry has witnessed the closure of Azzagai, an Insight Communications’ second line agency and Quest Publicis, SO&U’s second line agency. The chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Mr. ‘Lolu Akinwunmi had expressed worry about the health of most advertising agencies while addressing top managers of advertising agencies at the AGM of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) some months ago. AAAN had reported at its last AGM that its 100 membership list has declined to 78. According Brandcrunch re-

port, Azzagai, which was formerly known as FK:G2 was closed down barely a week after Mr. Ufot Udeme shot shut Quest Publicis, joining the growing list of agencies closing shop in the country as a result of tough business environment. Azzagai was reported to “have lost virtually all its businesses without winning any new account two years after its re-launch. The agencies, until early this year had clients like Far East Merchantile with its array of imported brands, Mantrac (Caterpillar), First Bank (Promo activation), Nordica and 28 Black among others, most of which were on ad-hoc basis. As at the time the business was being closed down early this week, only Nordica was left with the agency. According to findings, while winding down the operation, the Group HR Director, Mr. Amao Onidundun in a meeting with the

workers of the agency promised that its owners would not hold back what is due to each of them. Meanwhile, the Group CEO, SO & U Advertising group, Udeme said the decision to sack the COO of Quest Publicis and scaled down his agency was part of efforts to relocate the agency team as a cost-cutting strategy in the face of tough operating environment and business needs to scale down cost significantly. “It is not closed down. Just scaled down and the team relocated as a cost-cutting strategy. It has been a tough operating environment and the business needs to scale down cost significantly,” Udeme told National Mirror. Quest Publicis, has also faced incessant loss of business in recent time without new one coming into the agency’s kitty, National Mirror gathered.

L-R Branch Manager, Ikeja Shoprite Store, Mr. Linus Eshiet presenting a cheque to the Little Saints Orphanage Assistant Administrator, Ms. Victoria Amos, with them is the Trainees Admin Manager, Shoprite, Ms. Bridget Agbor recently. .

Brand loyalty and customer service

he customer service week is being observed globally this week but salient issues which should be object of focus are not accorded priority. I was reading the newspaper and a particular bank publicised how the week would be celebrated through branded gifts and others. I just wondered how all these translate to qualitative service delivery. Customers are the bedrock of any organisation and without them; brands cannot thrive in the market place. Customers are expected to be given utmost priority and when this is not done, there will be serious challenges for such organisations. The key issue to focus on by companies and their brands is that customer service is beyond the mundane task of distributing cakes and dishing out branded souvenirs to customers. Customer service should

not be an annual ritual during the customer service week but it should be a daily norm strictly adhered to by everyone. It is surprising that rather than give out gifts to customers, brands should devise innovative ways to feel the pulse of customers. How many times have customer fora been held to connect directly with customers? How many times have the brands gauged the perception of customers? These are critical issues to focus on and until these are done well, organisations will merely be chasing the shadows. The first step is actually to know who the customer is. When the customer is known, a relationship is built and through this, the customer becomes loyal to the brand. It is shocking that companies and brands do not know their customers and how do you make someone you know loyal to your

ad VA NT AG E icon

Odeja

r. Sola Odeja is the creative strategist and Managing Director of DMESSAGE, an Integrated Marketing Communication company. He started his advertising career at the JWT/LTC where he spent over 10 years before he moved to Media Supermart to be the Managing Director. His ability to drive agency business earned him the position of Managing Ditrector, Innovative Media Concept in 2001 before he left the agency in 2006 to start his own agency, DMESSAGE which operates in West African region. DMESSAGE as a practice was actually born out of a test to cater for the needs of advertisers to West Africa sub region. So at that point in time, there was this mass movement of advertisers for banks moving out of Nigeria

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com brand? A customer will definitely be loyal to any brand that treats him/her with dignity and respect. When customers experience excellent service, they are prepared to pay more. However, when there is poor customer service, it is possible for a customer to shift brand loyalty when getting better customer service from competing brands. Some customers do not even go further in a transaction when bad disposition is noticed. The best way to strengthen customer devotion to your brand is to treat them in a distinct way. Customer service can be a definite Unique Selling proposition (USP) in the branding strategy.

Customer centric services go a long way in deepening customer experience and building loyalty for the brand. When customer service is embedded in the branding strategy, it breathes out and translates to concrete results. Customer service should also be part of the corporate strategy .There should be Customer Value Proposition for any service. This focuses on every individual customer as crucial to the continued existence of an organization. THE ONE CUSTOMER CONCEPT I was at Sterling Bank, Aromire branch in Ikeja for a third party transaction and I was quite impressed with the

to set up footprints in some of these markets,” he said. With a vision to penetrate the region, Odeja’s DMESSAGE first point of call was Gambia. On request by global advertisers, Odeja launched the agency in the Sierra Leone market in 2007 and in Guinea Conakry. “D message as a business was set up as an integrated marketing communication company. What we noticed was in those countries out of Nigeria is that the practice is not that specialised because they are small markets so you end up having agencies ,running PR business, running the branding, running the research, running the media planning and buying, running the content, you have to do everything together. That has been the platform of which we had launched the brand” service I experienced. The staff did not know who I was but I observed the positive attitudinal disposition they exhibited. I was referred to one Mrs Oyewo to confirm the cheque and she pleasantly attended to me. I also observed the way she attended courteously to the customer ahead of me. She is a good ambassador of the brand and an embodiment of customer service. I was happy she did not change my perception of the one customer concept of Sterling Bank. My interaction with her remains indelible and even though I am not a Sterling Bank customer, the touch points I had and the others ones I have also had over the years are compelling enough for me to be one. The one customer concept of Sterling Bank focuses on the individual customer as highly important and unique to the Sterling brand.This should be the focus of every brand and not just lip service alone.

Global Business

Thursday, October 4, 2012

RBA cuts rates to lowest in 53 years

ustralia’s central bank will reduce its benchmark interest rate to the lowest in the body’s 53-year history, according to credit markets that more accurately picked yesterday’s cut than economists. Traders are pricing in an 80 percent chance the overnight cash-rate target will be 2.75 percent or less by February 5, swaps data compiled by Bloomberg show. Governor Glenn Stevens and his board lowered the rate 0.25 percentage point to 3.25 percent yesterday, a decision predicted by nine of 28 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Australia’s record-low benchmark was the 2.89 percent set in January 1960, RBA figures show. Stevens said Australia’s record mining boom will peak at a lower level than expected, as he joined peers from Europe to the U.S. seeking to boost growth. That marked a reversal from June, when he said “cheerleading” was needed to rebut pessimists. The nation’s benchmark yields are 2.93 percent, almost double the average for top-rated peers, and Australia’s dollar gained 7.3 percent over the past year even as prices plunged 39 percent for iron ore, the nation’s biggest export. “This was the first time the RBA has acknowledged the need to provide stim-

Gleenn

ulus as the mining investment boom begins to fade,” said Adam Donaldson, head of debt research in Sydney at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s largest lender. “We’ll end up seeing multiple rate cuts that may take the

benchmark to about 2.5 percent in the next year or so.” Stevens, in a June 8 speech titled “The Glass Half Full” expressed optimism about the nation’s economy and cautioned against monetary policy settings that could reignite asset bubbles. Responding to audience questions, Stevens said he felt the need to do some “cheerleading” for the economy in response to negative commentary on the nation’s prospects and weak consumer and business confidence. Since then tumbling commodity prices have spurred miners including BHP Billiton (BHP) Ltd., Xstrata Plc and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. to delay some of the projects in a resources development pipeline the Australian government estimated in June at A$500 billion ($511 billion). At the same time, companies from Bluescope Steel Ltd. to surfwear maker Billabong International Ltd. and the local unit of Ford Motor Co. have been struggling to cope with the local dollar’s strength. Stevens will probably cut interest rates again next month, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg after yesterday’s reduction, in what would be his seventh-straight move on the day of the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s richest horse race.

Global services weaken as Europe slides into recession

ervices industries from Asia to Europe cooled last month after the euro-area debt crisis pulled economies including Spain and Italy into recession and damped global growth prospects. The purchasing managers’ index fell to 53.7 in September from 56.3 in August, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing in Beijing said yesterday. That’s the lowest since at least March 2011. In the euro-area, a gauge slipped to 46.1 last month from 47.2 and a U.K. measure also fell. Readings below 50 indicate contraction. China’s weaker services number underscores a slowdown that spurred the Asian Development Bank to lower its 2012 regional growth estimate. As Europe’s economic slump deepens amid a fiscal squeeze and weakening confidence, the ADB said the threat of a “shock emanating from the unresolved euro-area sov-

In Britain, a services measure dropped more than economists forecast to 52.2 in September

ereign debt crisis” is among the biggest downside risks to Asia. “The global environment will remain challenging,” said Silvio Peruzzo, an economist at Nomura International Plc in London. “In the euro area, there’s a lack of demand because of austerity; some countries have suffered more than others. We expect the economy to shrink

again in the third quarter with a significant chance for another contraction in the fourth.” The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.3 percent today. In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.1 percent yesterday in Frankfurt. The euro was little changed versus the dollar, trading at $1.2905.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Poland unexpectedly holds rates as expansion slows

Poland President, Bronisław Komorowski

oland’s central bank unexpectedly left borrowing costs unchanged, rejecting calls to undo the European Union’s only interest-rate increase this year even after the economy expanded at the slowest pace since 2009. The Narodowy Bank Polski kept the benchmark seven-day interest rate at 4.75 percent today. Eight economists in a Bloomberg survey predicted no change, while 27 expected a 25 basis-point reduction. While central banks around the world have eased borrowing costs to avert a recession, Poland has kept rates at the highest since 2009 to tame inflation as the economy proved resistant to Europe’s debt crisis. Still, the expansion slowed in the second quarter to 2.4 percent from a year earlier, after growing 3.5 percent in the January-March period. “They decided to err on the conservative side,” Lars Christensen, a Copenhagen-based economist at Danske Bank A/S (DANSKE), said by phone yesterday. “The market was quite aggressively priced for cuts and now we have to see why they’re hanging back, but 12 months ahead, we’ll still have rates 75 to 100 basis points lower.” The zloty strengthened 0.6 percent after the decision, trading at 4.0894 per euro in Warsaw, compared with 4.1171 before the release. The five-year government bond yield jumped as much as 9 basis points after the decision and traded at 4.19 percent, up 4 basis points on the day, yesterday in Warsaw. Consumer-price growth has exceeded the bank’s 2.5 percent goal since October 2010. While inflation slowed to 3.8 percent in August from 4 percent in July, the central bank forecasts it will remain above the target until early next year.

Employment rise on restaurants in U.S doing quick service

Obama

achael Wright had culinary training, a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a dream of putting her education to work. After a couple of years waiting tables and trying to launch her career, Wright finally went where the jobs are: quick-service food. In September, she started at Protein Bar, a Chicago-based eatery specializing in low-sugar, high-fiber menus. The company says it seeks to marry fresh ingredients with convenience: Food is served in easy-to-carry bowls so customers can nosh while they walk. After multiple interviews, Wright landed an assistant man-

ager job at the company’s new store in Washington. I was looking for something in product development,” said Wright, 26. “Even if that doesn’t happen, having this background in the healthful food industry should help me along the right path instead of going from restaurant to restaurant.” Restaurants and bars are heading toward their strongest year of job growth since 2004, according to the National Restaurant Association, a Washington-based trade group, led by a proliferation of fastfood and quick-service outlets. Food services accounted for nearly 30 percent of the

96,000 jobs created in August, which also marked 19 consecutive months of growth for the sector, according to the Labor Department. The industry this year expanded payrolls by 2.9 percent as of the end of August, more than double the 1.4 percent increase in total U.S. employment, according to Labor Department data. Fast-food chains including Wendy’s Co. (WEN), snack-and-beverage shops such as Starbucks Corp. (SBUX), and a newer crop of eateries like Protein Bar and Nando’s Peri-Peri, which offer made-to-order meals, are leading the growth.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Dangote Cement, four others have free float deficiency, says NSE JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Nigerian Stock Exchange has said that Dangote Cement Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc are yet to meet up with the free float required of a listed company in the market. Others companies are Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc and Studio Press Plc. Free float are shares that are free for trading by anyone in the capital market. According to a notice from the NSE, compa-

nies listed on the Exchange must maintain a minimum free float for the set standards under which they are listed in order to ensure that there is an orderly and liquid market in their securities. It said that the free float requirement for companies on the Main Board is 20 per cent and 15 per cent for companies listed under small and medium enterprises. “The Exchange has identified five companies that have free float deficiencies. These companies applied for waivers from the Quotation

...ASI gains 0.63% in bullish trading Committee and specifically provided compliance plans with tentative timelines to support their requests. “The committee considered and approved an extended timeframe for the companies to regain compliance to this listing requirement,” the notice read in part. It added that companies are however required to provide quarterly disclosure reports to the Exchange detailing their level of implementation of the compliance plans.

Meanhwile, trading in equities continued on bullish note on the Exchange yesterday, as more investors took position in some companies. Specifically, the AllShare Index rose by 0.63 per cent to close at 26,187.61 points, compared to the increase of 0.04 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 26,023.10 points. Market capitalisation appreciated by N52.4bn to close at N8.33trn, higher than the rise of N3.65bn recorded the preceding day to close at N8.28trn.

Union Bank to hold AGM before Osibodu leaves JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Group Managing Director of Union Bank Plc, Mrs Funke Osibodu, has assured shareholders that the bank will hold Annual General Meeting for 2011 financial year. Osibodu, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday during the presentation of the bank’s facts behind the figures at the Nigerian Stock Exchange said she will retire from the bank by October 31 and the new management, will take over from November 1, 2012. She said, “We are going to have Annual General Meeting before I

leave because there are over 500,000 shareholders outside the core investors who have lost money in their investment and they have been patient with the bank.” According to her, it’s important that the shareholders have a good taste of the improved bank’s result and the new management, which will be headed by Mr. Emeka Emuwa who retired from Citibank as managing director. Speaking on the bank’s Rights Issue of December 2011, she explained that the issue was not successful and that was why the Securities and Exchange Commission counsels it. She said that the bank

opted for the rights issue at the time when the shareholders were complaining that they didn’t need core investors, that they would recapitalise their bank. Osibodu said that the cost of the rights issue was less than N100m. On the repositioning of the bank, she said that the new management installed by the Central Bank of Nigeria was successful and they are addressing the issues that led to the CBN intervention. “They are redirecting the credit infrastructure and operational infrastructure, rebranding the bank, improving the customer service and re-

juvenating existing workforce whilst also injecting a new breed of talent. “At the same time, working alongside the CBN capitalisation plan for the bank, Union Global Partners Limited, a consortium of strategically aligned group of investors, completed its $500m recapitalisation in September 2012,”she said. The outgoing group managing director reiterated that the bank is now back in profit and progressing well, adding that the new journey of transformation will result in an institution that will create lasting value for all key stakeholders.

Nigeria’s 10-year bonds gain as trading starts on JPMorgan indexes

igeria’s 10-year bonds yesterday gained on the first trading day after their inclusion in JPMorgan Chase and Company’s global emerging market benchmark indexes, pushing yields lower. Yields on the 16.39 per cent bonds maturing January 2022 dropped 16 basis points, or 0.16 percentage points, to 12.66 per cent, according to yesterday’s prices published on the Financial Markets Dealers Association website. Yields will probably drift lower in coming weeks on the back of the foreign demand and as

local institutional investors and banks seek to increase their duration exposure, Samir Gadio, an emerging markets strategist at Standard Bank Group Limited in London, said. The naira, which has been devalued twice by the central bank since 2008 because of falling oil prices and import demand, has strengthened 3.1 per cent this year, the best performer in Africa, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While inflation in Nigeria slowed to 11.7 per cent in August from a high this year of 12.9 per cent in April, it is still above the

central bank’s 10 per cent target. Meanwhile, naira firmed to its strongest in two weeks against the United States dollar on the interbank market on Wednesday, supported by dollar sales by a unit of Chevron, traders said. The currency closed at N157.20 to the dollar on the interbank, firmer than the N157.35 to the dollar it closed at on Tuesday. The local unit also closed stronger at the biweekly foreign exchange auction, where the central bank sold $177.9m at N155.77 to the dollar, compared with $200m sold at

N155.78 to the dollar at the last auction. Dealers said a unit of Chevron oil sold $61m to some banks, boosting dollar liquidity in the market and providing support for the naira. “We see the naira stabilising around the present level as we look forward to more dollar inflows from offshore investors buying local debt,” one dealer said. The inclusion of Nigeria’s debt in JP Morgan index on Monday has continued to boost participation by foreign portfolio investors’ in local debt, bringing more dollars to the economy.

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 2 OCTOBER & 3 OCTOBER 2012 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

02-Oct-12

03-Oct-12

Source: FMDA

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

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DNMEYER

1.16

1.27

0.11

9.48

FIDSON

1.06

1.13

0.07

6.60

REDSTAREX

3.02

3.18

0.16

5.30

NEIMETH

1.20

1.26

0.06

5.00

TRANSCORP

1.20

1.26

0.06

5.00

NASCON

5.80

6.09

0.29

5.00

NESTLE

573.00

601.65

28.65

5.00

GUINNESS

264.00

277.20

13.20

5.00

VITAFOAM

3.21

3.37

0.16

4.98

CONOIL

19.70

20.68

0.98

4.97

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

GUARANTY

20.98

20.11

0.87

-4.15

RTBRISCOE

1.77

1.70

0.07

-3.95

CCNN

4.90

4.75

0.15

-3.06

ETERNA

2.30

2.23

0.07

-3.04

ACCESS

8.95

8.70

0.25

-2.79

NAHCO

5.99

5.84

0.15

-2.50

ETI

11.20

11.02

0.18

-1.61

RTBRISCOE

1.82

1.73

0.09

-4.95

UBN

8.74

8.31

0.43

-4.92

MANSARD

2.06

1.96

0.10

-4.85

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

21,838.51

14.09

27-Sep-12

182-Day

59,081.14

15.05

27-Sep-12

364 -Day

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

356 Days

193,954.35

16.20

04-Oct-12

289-Days

12,963.25

16.39

04-Oct-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$200m

N/A

$177m

04-Oct-12

$200m

N/A

$200m

26-Sep-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at October 3, 2012 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Look beyond certificates –Fashola MURITALA AYINLA

orried by the growing rate of unemployment and attendant security risk, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has called on Nigerian youths to begin to think of things they can do successfully, rather than relying on their degree certificates. The governor, who also charged them to prepare for healthy competition, said they can be more productive outside their chosen carriers. This, according to him, is the first step towards changing of mindset which the nation is in dire need of. Fashola spoke at the 10Degrees Event Centre, venue of the youth stakeholders' forum and graduation of more than 900 trainees, under the Lagos State and After School Graduation Development Centre (AGDC) IGNITE Employability Project scheme III. He said:" It is only a stepping stone to the beginning of your journey of life. So, lawyers can end up doing more productive things. Accountants can be more productive in departments other than where they received degrees. That is the first step to a mindset change. I could not reconcile how we can have a challenged healthcare system and have unemployment problem". He urged youths to be focused and self-driven, rather than feeling sorry for themselves, adding that what is needed is a revolution in the minds of unemployed graduates that they can work and function in fields other than where they received formal training. He added that with the situation of things, only the best will gain employment because the process has become very competitive, stressing that it is only through that, that growth and productivity be engendered. Governor Fashola, stated that no ‘manna’ was going to fall from heaven in terms of employment, adding that only those who run and worked hardest will get it. He reiterated that the models being pursued at the Lagos State Government / AGDC training programme, are comparable to those that have driven many successful nations to prosperity. Fashola said he is not unmindful of the large number of unemployed people, stressing that he is a marathon runner who does not engage in sprinting and would ensure that the programme runs for as long as he remains in office. He said in conceiving the idea of the Health Volunteers Scheme, government was concerned on how it could bridge the gap of personnel inadequacies in the health sector without resorting to importing know how from overseas. He noted that resounding success was recorded with the graduate conversion to teachers’ programme, which has seen improvements in the West African Examination Council results. While urging the youths to believe in Nigeria, he said it is not the worst place on earth, adding that opportunities are bound here and the entire Africa continent. "The Nigerian empire is about to rise and all the new graduates who acquired skills that are not related to their fields,

Cross section of the graduating youths at the ceremony in Lagos. Below: Fashola

will have a role to play in it”. Harping on the gains of hard work, he told the hundreds of participants, that he was not born with silver spoon, saying that at a point in time, he faced difficulties, but overcame them through hard work. Speaking on calls for introduction of state Police, the governor said it is not an issue anymore because the primary responsibility of government is about safeguarding life and property. He said he has already prepared a position paper that should serve as a guide in implementing the introduction of state police, adding that fears that it will be abused are unfounded. He said the decision to centralize the police more than 40 years ago, must not continue to hold the nation down against taking a very beneficial decision, stressing it would create career path for youths in their states of origin. Earlier, Chairman of AGDC, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, said the IGNITE programme, has been a journey worth taking in the quest to tackle unemployment. She explained that the Stakeholders

Youth Forum III will showcase the results of efforts made from November last year and now, in terms of demonstrating the possibilities that exist for the young ones. The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu, said people should not be talking of unemployment anymore because several opportunities now exist out there. She said the nation should create opportunities from the challenges now being experienced, adding that under the IGNITE Employability scheme, 6,210 people applied, 3,120 people were screened, even as there was capacity to train only 400 in four different streams of 100 each, out of which 278 people are now in full employment. Under the Teachers' Conversion Programme, 1,200 graduates are currently in training, in addition to the 507 that were

turned out last year after undergoing conversion courses. The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Vocational Educational Board, Olawunmi Gasper, said the governor mandated the board to train 500 youths as vocational graduates under the AGDC scheme, but that the online applications was accessed by more than 5000 applicants, even as he said the board intends to build the next generation of small enterprises, taking into cognizance an expansion of the tax net.

16-year-old to release debut EP OSEYIZA OOGBODO

s he gears up to release his forthcoming debut EP, ‘Prince of the Throne’, 16-year-old rapper and songwriter, Kilt Kranik debuts the EP’s lead single titled ‘African Bad Boi’. Backed by Buster Keyz’ trademark drum patterns, keyboard and lush synths, Kranik rides the riotous backdrop with much ease, fluidity and experience far beyond his years, whether it be on the beguiling chorus where he produces a catchy and infectious melodic showing, or on verses where he highlights his stellar wordplay and lays down some memorable punchlines. Giving you a taste of what to expect from the forthcoming 10-track, ‘Prince Of The Throne’, African Bad Boi, sets Kranik up nicely as one to definitely watch out for in Nigeria’s pop music landscape in 2013. Signed to Gberatinrin Studios, Kranik,

The album cover

as he is fondly called, started music at the age of 13 years, when he was in junior secondary school and since then, has been growing his craft exponentially. The fast-rising all-round artist was the first signed to Gberatinrin Studios and features on the label’s #VirusdaMixTape project alongside the likes of Phizzle, New Kentro World and Mini Yong.

His debut single ‘Takeover’ was released in December 2011, and has been enjoying radio and media reviews across the country. ‘Takeover,’ was recently at the number 7 spot on Kiss FM Abuja weekly chart countdown, and is also in the top 10 of other various radio station charts. He also features on the hook of Phizzle’s massive ‘Rewind Your Mind’ single also currently enjoying good airplay. His last single, ‘Wagwan’, is also featured on the recently released #VirusdaMixtape compilation and its music video, is currently doing the rounds on TV stations, while his recent collaborative effort with fellow label mate, Mini Yong titled ‘Go Hard,’ received rave reviews from tastemaker blogs, online publications and online audiences alike. As he gears up to release his forthcoming debut EP, African Bad Boi, gives a symbolic taste of what to expect from the 16-year-old rising star.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Young & Next Generation

I am an advocate of personal development –Amusan

Promasidor launches competition for primary schools ANGELA DAVIES

romasidor Nigeria, makers of Amila drink, has launched an arts competition tagged ‘Amila Painting Challenge’ for primary school pupils. Marketing Director of the company, Mr. Kachi Onubogu, made this known at the official launch, press briefing. He stated that the aim of the competition is to encourage kids to paint and have fun while at it. “Art is a field we want to go into because the environment is developing. Growing up, I can remember how we used to love to paint and then we were all encouraged to participate in arts from primary one to three. Art is important in a child’s development. A lot of people think that Mathematics and English language, are what kids need in primary and nursery schools but fail to realise that the cognitive, social and arts skills, will go a long way for the child.” He further explained that the ‘Amila Painting Challenge’ is a competition which will hold amongst primary school pupils in Lagos and run from October to November 2012. “Amila Painting Challenge,’ is for pupils in Lagos State, as we intend to use it as a pilot test for the competition. Pupils will compete on the basis of painting different things. We want to encourage them to paint and, most especially, have fun. If there is one thing I want the school to do, it is to allow the kids have fun while they paint.” Manager, Brands Group (Food Enhancement and Beverages), Mrs. Abiola Inawo, said the competition would encourage schools to pay more attention to arts, even as she disclosed that it will be in three stages. “We are looking at 200 schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos State and the competition will be in three stages. The first stage is at the school level where pupils will paint any art of their choice, and the winner will represent the school at the local government area for the second stage. At the second stage, the overall winner from the local government level would get a branded Amila bicycle and Promasidor goodie bags. Then, the 20 finalists at the local government level will then compete for the final stage. The overall winner will walk away with N250,000, 1st runner up, N150,000, and 2nd runner up, N100,000, while there will be consolation prizes of N30,000 for other 17 contestants,” Inawo said. In his remark, representative of the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Alabi Adaramaja, commended the team saying, “We will like to commend Promasidor Nigeria, because they have been very supportive in education, through the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC). Though, initially we had doubts when they came to us, but seeing this, I want to assure that, we will support you in every way we can. We encourage you not to relent in your efforts at helping the educational sector.” Amila powder soft drink was launched into the Nigerian market in March 2009, in flavor variants of Orange, Apple Pear, Mango Appricot and Strawberry Banana, and is targeted at kids, but also ideal for all members of the family. Amila currently sponsors the ‘Amila Spelling Bee’ on Cool FM 95.9 anchored by Mannie.

Amusan

How did you start as a social entrepreneur? I can trace that back to when I was 13 years old and volunteered for an NGO (Life Vanguards) in high school. Before then, I joined the Society for women and Aids in Africa, Nigeria (SWAAN) when I was 9 years old. Though I did not know much of social entrepreneurship, I had to learn about contributing to society and helping others grow. The passion became stronger, when I was asked to write an article on "Youth Insecurity in Africa: the way forward". This was the basis for starting my own organisation, 'YOUTHS Be Secured Foundation, Africa' (YSFA) in 2005. It later evolved to 'Secure Africa Initiative' which is now the 'Olusola Amusan Company' (OAC), with central message of building SECURE people and business brands in Africa. You have been speaking on self development since 15 years of age. What is it about? At 12-years-old, I founded the Young Elites Club. By 15-years, I began planning seminars and campaigns and speaking to peers on personal discovery in Osogbo, Modakeke and Ile-Ife, in Osun State. Over the years, my platform extended to other states and still growing. Why do you think self development and personal growth are important? I am an advocate of growth. I found out that without a deliberate attempt to unlearn certain negative habits and relearning positive ones, there is no guarantee for advancement. What is Diamond Business School about? It was an initiative of the student fellowship I presided over on campus at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA). I founded the Diamond Business School and became the pioneer dean, because of my vision to see more young people learn entrepreneurial skills in school. We enjoyed support and mentorship from some of Nigeria's finest entrepreneurs and trainers. They include Olakunle Soriyan, Toyosi Akerele, Olalekan Ayejimiwo, Olumide Ayorinde, Ronke Oyewole and Kolawole Johnson, amongst others.

Recently, Olusola Amusan graduated from the Department of Computer Science of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). In his undergraduate days, he carved a niche as author, corporate trainer, farmer, on-air personality, business coach and preacher. Recently, he spoke to MOJEED ALABI, on his journey to entrepreneurship As a university fresher, you founded SDRIN-Software Developers. What is about it? I found out early, that the university syllabus was very obsolete and behind the rest of the civilized world. The solution to catch up with our colleagues in Asia, United State of America and United Kingdom inspired me to start a think-tank, training and capacity building group to learn new programming languages and tools. Over a 16 month period, we trained 4,500 people on the use of the ICT, and got a million naira training scholarship from HiiT Plc, Lagos, and won the FUTA Leadership Award of Excellence and Innovation. The products of our trainings are already affecting the society positively. What did it take you to get to where you are now? Learning, learning and learning, including lot of seminars, workshops and thinking. I make the best of friends and I am a beneficiary of God's grace. How do you handle frustration? I simply let it pass. I place my mind on the goal, with my eyes set like the flint. How do you deal with procrastination? I don't procrastinate with important things. And that makes me a workaholic. I sometimes procrastinate over fixing a dented chassis of my car or changing the battery of my wall clock... What is the best advice you ever got? A mentor told me in 2008 to “Reduce your life to one or two things". That has helped me focus my energy and avoid trying to be everywhere doing everything. What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs? There are no real excuses anywhere, not even absence of funds. I started business with the little money I made from selling toads. I am not selling toads today, but I needed the money to fund my dream. I have used my allowance several times to secure venue for events or print handbills.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Why do eyes change colour?

Y L-R: Mrs. Abiola Inawo, Manager, Brands Group (Food Enhancement and Beverages), Mr. Kachi Onubogu, Marketing Director and Mr. Justin Harris, Category Director, all of Promasidor Nigeria Limited at a press briefing on ‘Amila Painting Challenge’ in Lagos.

es, eyes can change their actual colour over years and get lighter or darker. The colours or the lights ‘bring out, various colours of your eyes (as eyes are very rarely one single colour, but usually a mixture of several) and make them seem more pronounced than the other colours, making the eyes seem to change colours with outfits. However, your eyes can and often do change colours; it is an alteration of the genes in the cells of the iris; the iris is the coloured part of the eye. There is no definite answer as to why this phenomenon occurs; no one knows how the iris cells manage to change their DNA. There is

current research going on centered on this subject, as the alteration of DNA could be used as a treatment or cure for many diseases. However, there is very little evidence to suggest that the in vivo, which literally means in life, process will be able to be reproduced in vitro, literally meaning in glass, or in the lab. Also, the timeframe coming with the process would not be ideal, and so the process would have to be sped up before it could be used. Irises also contain melanin, which is the same skin pigment that darkens to protect your body from UV light‚ in a process known as tanning. Your skin darkens as a protective measure against harmful UV rays. But other parts of your body also contain melanin, like your eyes and your hair, but they take much longer to darken.

Media

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I devote time to journalism and poetry –Lasisi Akeem Lasisi is a cultural journalist who with the pen, practices what he preaches. He grew up steeped in the Yoruba oral tradition of folklore and poetry which stayed with him till his days in the university, when the love of poetry led him to begin performing that art form to the delight of audiences. Recently, he released an album of poems featuring artistes such as Ropo Ewenla and Edaoto. Titled: Eleleture, it was followed by a video performance which has been enjoying tremendous reviews. In this interview with TERH AGBEDEH, he spoke of his love for poetry and journalism. How long have you been a performance poet? It is either called poetry performance or performance poetry and I actually started at the university back in 1991 with performing modern Yoruba poetry. Do you personally write the poems yourself? I started writing my own poetry which I was performing to audiences. And when I say modern, I am referring to that kind of poetry. How different is what you do from spoken word poetry, given that some people identify themselves as spoken word poets? Some will say they are spoken word poets and some rap poetry or ragtag, which goes to buttress the observation that rap is related to poetry. It is those who listen or watch me perform that will be able to understand. But what I do goes beyond spoken word poetry. Do you also perform poems written by other people? What I do largely are my poems, but there have been one or two occasions where I have performed poems of other people on request, or at some events where other people’s works are being read. For instance, I did that recently, for

Pa. Omo Uwaifo when he turned 80 and needed to present his collection of poetry. Your poems are rendered in the African tradition, is that a distinguishing factor from other performers? I believe so, because my poems, whether written or the ones performed, are in the African oral tradition, especially the Yoruba poetry art. I grew up in an environment where Yoruba poetry was and still relatively very lively. Some of my major inspirations are actually Yoruba performing poets, whether in the traditional mode like Alabi Ogundepo or a little more modern like Olanrewaju Adepoju. You just released an album of poems with some musicians, followed with a video for one of the tracks. What informed that? I wanted to make poetry more interesting and enjoyable. It is pertinent to understand that not many people enjoy poetry performance, which they see as a very difficult genre of literature. But because of my experience with Yoruba poetry, I believe there is a way we can present it and very many people will enjoy poetry. That informs the composition of poems I write and which is what led to my collaboration with folk singers such as Edaoto and artiste Ropo Ewenla. The idea is that, if you don’t appreciate poetry, you will like the song. The true African poet does not per-

Lasisi

form alone; he has a singer and dancer. That informed my production of Eleleture. Why stick to poetry when many are running away from it? I like poetry a lot. I have liked it since when I was in school and for the reason that it is an elevated art. If you can be painstaking and take extra step to analyse a poem, by the time you get to the root of it, you become fulfilled. It is a pity; some people have blackmailed poetry, including writers, who are obscure in the delivery of their lines. They are the ones that scare people away from poetry. They are not doing lovers of poetry a favour. In the Bible, one of the most philosophical books, Ecclesiastes, is poetry. Perhaps, that is why it is the most quoted of the books in the Bible. Are you not worried that traditional African poetry performers are becoming extinct in Nigeria? That has to worry everyone just the way every other aspect of our culture is dying out. It should worry every right

thinking Nigerian. Because, aside the fact that there are sayings of wisdom in our poetry, it is a symbol of collective memory of the people. They are not only dying out, but are becoming extinct at a faster rate, because many are turning away from our languages. That is a major problem; if you say you are a poet and are sticking to your Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa language, then you actually have very few people to actually patronise you. It is one of the old traditions that we are trying to grapple with. How do you handle hectic poetry performances and journalism? I must admit that it is tight. As active journalists, we all know you need to devote a lot of time. But never like that in poetry writing and performances as they come naturally. But you still need to do your part. For instance, on the way to Ibadan this morning, I was able to compose five potential performance poems. I was very happy because it is always easy to make out enough time to do that. But at the slightest opportunity, and with inspiration, you go ahead and do it.

Journalists to create awareness on HIV/AIDS transmission OKAY OSUJI

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

ournalists have promised to create more awareness on the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS. A publisher, Mr David Diai, who said this in Calabar, Cross River State, stated that there had been lack of information on the transmission, especially in rural areas. “The country has not created more awareness on PMTCT because the media has not lived up to its responsibility in that direction. Again, the media at the community level has to be involved in creating awareness on the issue because women in rural

areas need correct information on mother to child prevention of HIV and AIDS, “he said. Diai promised to give maximum attention and also promote the issue of HIV in his publication with more emphasis on mother to child transmission. He promised to ensure that community based newspaper form themselves into nucleus to promote PMTCT in order to make the country free of HIV infected children. “I network with numerous community newspapers; the first thing to do is to give maximum attention and promotion to PMTCT in my publication. “I will also drive the process of making sure the issue of PMTCT is reflected in all the newspapers that operate in my network.”

Diai said the attention given to community based newspapers and radio in the south was high and so called on the state governments and media owners to propagate the issue of mother and child transmission. Speaking, the Presenter, Health and Wellness on Radio Continental, Lagos, Mrs. Ify Onyegbule, and said stigma was another issue hindering the fight against HIV and AIDS in the country. Onyegbule, who also is a producer of ‘Woman of Substance’, said she would ensure the issue of stigma was addressed in all her programmes. “Although the issue of stigma is reducing, we need to do more to help expectant mothers access the HIV treatment to have babies free of the virus.”

She said when the stigma bill was passed; it would enhance the fight against the virus. Mrs. Tongnaan Bawa of Nigerian Newsday, Jos, said she learnt a lot about PMTCT during the workshop and was more determined to create awareness on the issue. Bawa, said she would write more human interest stories on babies that are born free of HIV for others to learn,even as she called on the media to ensure proper awareness creation on PMTCT, which would go a long way in the fight against scourge in the country. The workshop was for the Journalists Alliance for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (JAP), an NGO in collaboration with Child Right Information Bureau (CRIB) and UNICEF.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Minister calls for collaboration in Internet governance

Media Abroad

Three newspapers suspended in Sierra Leone

inister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has caled for international agreement and collaboration in Internet governance. Johnson spoke at a one day Nigerian Internet Governance (NIGF-2012) with the theme: Consolidating Nigeria's Position on the Global Internet Governance Forum 2012. She said increasing availability of the Internet has been accompanied by calls for international agreement on why and how it should be managed and governed. Stressing the need for a common action, the minister said the Internet has increasingly influenced the way people live, work, learn, profit, govern and communicate. "What started as a predominantly academic network has become the lifeblood of finance, commerce, and social relationships," she said. She decried the growth rate of Internet usage in the world and Africa in particular, putting it at 33.3 percent and 13.5 percent respectively, which, according to her, is unacceptable. Quoting a resolution from the first phase of the world summit on the Information Society which birthed the Internet Governance Forum, Johnson said that global management of the Internet should be multi-lateral, transparent and democratic, with full involvement of governments, private sector, civil society and international organizations. "It should ensure equitable distribution of resources, facilitate access for all and ensure a stable and secure functioning of the internet, taking into account multilingualism," she added. She charged discussants to identify and articulate the areas that needed to be addressed at a national level to help ensure that Nigeria attains these goals. Former President of ITAN, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, said there is need for Nigerians to prepare and plan ahead on issue of internet governance. "In a global sphere, Nigeria needs to strengthen the group in order to achieve the desired objective. There should be African position at the coming Cairo event with regard to how Internet usage is governed. We need to raise awareness among the youth and information sector and also need to get our policies right to improve on our present status," he added. On his part, former president of ATCON, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said that Internet is not celebrated in Nigeria, as the country is yet to embrace the internet exchange point. "We need to filter it and nobody should be restricted,

Johnson

even though some crooks are taking advantage of it. We have to look at the opportunities and access it because soon, internet will become democracy." In his presentation, Nigeria's youth IT ambassador and President of Paradigm Shift, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said that with aid of Internet, press freedom and freedom of expression have increased significantly since 1999, with more pronounced usage during the 2011 April general elections. He, however, noted that legal and political environment for traditional media remain harsh, reiterating that though, the online media has been comparatively free from restrictions, the authorities do not carry out any filtering of content and while access to information technology is still limited for many, the number of Internet users nearly quadrupled from 2008 and 2011.

he Independent Media Commission (IMC), the statutory media regulatory body on September 26, 2012 suspended for a month, three privately-owned newspapers for allegedly producing offensive publications. The newspapers, namely Independent Observer, the Senator and Awareness Times will thus, not appear on newsstands from September 26 - October 26, 2012. According to the Media Foundation for West Africa's (MFWA) correspondent, the IMC's decision to suspend the newspapers was "in respect of the recent spate of offensive publications carried by the newspapers." The IMC, in a press release on September 26, stated that they decided to suspend with immediate effect, the three newspapers for breaching several sections of the IMC Code of Practice and Act, particularly Section 23. The regulatory body also imposed a fine of two million Leones each (about $455,581) on the three newspapers which they are to pay before the expiration date of the suspension.

Book launch for today

est-selling author of the Diary of a Desperate Naija Woman series, Bola Essien-Nelson, will be involved in an October 4 book signing at the Laterna Bookshop on 13, Oko Awo Close in Lagos. This is the first time the author, who recently released the third book in the diary series titled: Diary of the Desperate Naija Woman Last Year, will be signing her books in the country. The event, which is organised by Laterna Ventures, will begin at 12 pm and is open to the public, while admission is free. Refreshments and souvenirs will be available for guests. However, the biggest prize for the day will be signed copies of Essien-Nelson's books. The Diary of a Desperate Naija Woman is a collection of random blogs written by the author in the year stated in the title. It takes the reader into the life of the author. Everyday ordinariness, viewed through her pen, assumes an extraordinary stance embedded with lessons of life. There is a lesson to be learned from every blog in the book that reads like a conversation with the author during which she celebrates her joys and analyses her losses. She is an ordinary person, like most people and is desperately chasing after an extraordinary God.

Mrs. Ify Onyegbule (m) with David Diai (l) at the workshop in Calabar, Cross River State.

President Koroma

Two journalists killed in Mogadishu

he National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is outraged by the killing of two more Somali journalists in Mogadishu. On September 28, 2012, Ahmed Abdullahi Farah, a reporter and cameraman for the Yemeni news agency SABA, was killed while traveling in a minibus in Mogadishu's southern Dharkenley district. Armed men shot Farah at a checkpoint after the journalist reportedly tried to pull out his camera to take pictures. Farah's killing took place just a day after the murder of online journalist, Abdirahman Mohamed Ali, who worked for the ciyaarahamaanta.com sport news website. Ali was abducted from his mother's home on September 26. According to his colleagues, his decapitated body was found the next morning, in the northern Mogadishu neighbourhood of Suqa Holaha, Huriwa district. "This serial killing of journalists had never before happened in our country. This is clearly a premeditated campaign to eliminate Somalia's journalists community. It is a media nightmare that requires urgent attention," said NUSOJ Secretary General. Omar Faruk Osman Ali and Farah, respectively, represent the fourteenth and fifteenth journalists killed in Somalia since January. Six journalists were killed in Mogadishu in September alone, making it the deadliest month in history for Somali journalists. NUSOJ has issued an urgent appeal to the Somali authorities and the African Union to take immediate action regarding this "media nightmare".

Cocktail

Thursday, October 4, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (15)

Activity and sadness are incompatible. **Christian Bovee * * * The Joy Of Responsibilities I have come to discover that any time we are asking for promotion, we are asking for more work! Most times it’s illusionary to think that promotion will come without more responsbility and commitments. But the joy of life is that a life that is full of responsibilities and commitments is an exciting life. Studies have shown that when a life is productive, it has more promise of longevity than an idle living. Bring more work Lord! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Dog survives 11-mile ride in car’s frame

uthorities say a dog survived an 11-mile ride from Massachusetts to Rhode Island at speeds as high as 50 mph after it was hit by a sedan and became wedged into the grille. East Providence Animal Control supervisor William Muggle says the female poodle mix ran in front of the car in Taunton on September 20. The driver

slammed on the brakes but didn’t see the dog and continued driving. Muggle tells the Taunton Daily Gazette that it wasn’t until the driver reached

East Providence, R.I., that another motorist pointed out the dog. The driver went to the police station, where animal control officials freed the

fluffy white pooch. The dog suffered a concussion and possibly a minor bladder rupture. Authorities are trying to find its owner.

Police catches runaway suspect in hot tub

uthorities say they captured a runaway suspect trying to hide in a backyard hot tub in south-wester n Michigan following a more than 100 mph chase. The Van Buren County sheriff ’s department says one of its deputies stopped

a pickup truck early Wednesday for a defective plate, but the driver took off. The department says the driver lost control and the pickup overtur ned in Almena Township, west of Kalamazoo. The driver fled on foot. The department says a Kalamazoo police

dog tracked the man and he was found hiding in a hot tub with a cover over it. The 28-year-old man was arrested on charges including fleeing police, resisting arrest, driving with a suspended license and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs. The female poodle mix that animal control officers removed from under a car’s front grill

PHOTO: AP

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Residents call for conversion of estate

“Those who don’t read have no business in governance.” RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR, CHIBUIKE AMAECHI

My role in kidnap, killing of returnee –Suspect

Suspects, L-R Oliver Nwabueze, Uche igbani, Ngozi Onuowu, Chibuzor Osuagwu, Yellow-Man and Kelvin Emenike

FRANCIS SUBERU

che Igbani, one of the six suspects in the killing of Oddi Nweze, a returnee from America, who was kidnapped and later murdered in Lagos last month, has confessed that his role in the whole episode was to provide hideouts for the gang members and their victims, as well as ensuring they did not escape from the gulag. Uche who lives in an apartment in Festac Area of Lagos, said he usually played host to the gang members and their victims until a ransom is paid. While answering questions posed by Community Mirror after

he and some gang members were paraded at the Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Manko, claimed he initially objected to nefarious acts, but gave in after a promise of financial reward. Others paraded alongside Uche are Chibuzor Osuagwu, Oliver Nwabueze, Kelvin Emenike, Yellow-Man and a lady, Ngozi Onuowu. Two members of the gang are still at large. According to Uche; “My partners are the ones who usually go out to kidnap the victims, while I stay in the house to prepare a place to keep them. After collecting money from victims’ relatives, I will be given my own

share of the proceeds. My mistake was that I did not inform the police immediately they told me of the nature of their “business.” Initially, I refused to join, but they offered to reward me with money. The first act of kidnapping fetched me N50, 000, the second, N30, 000 and the third, N50, 000. Leader of the gang, Kelvin, said he took to kidnapping after he left Abia for Lagos State in search of greener pasture. He said he took to trading in palm oil while in the east but he came to Lagos to process his visa to American and this was unsuccessful. He confessed to have participated in the kidnapping and

killing of the returnee from America, as well as four other kidnappings. “We have kidnapped only four people. At the first attempt, we collected N4million and I received N250, 000. The second person was kidnapped in FESTAC area and he paid ransom of N3million. My share was N200, 000. The third person paid N1.1million and I got N100, 000, while the fourth victim was kidnapped at Satellite Town and he paid N1.2million and I also got N100, 000,” Kelvin said. He noted that their method was to abduct victims and take them to a hideout at Ago Area of Okota, Lagos, before making any demands, saying they are usu-

ally paid a ransom in two to three days after the kidnap. While parading them, CP Manko, said the suspects were arrested after a lady was used to track down Kelvin through a social media. He said: “When the kingpin finally succumbed to the bait, he came from Port Harcourt where he was hiding to pick up the lady as agreed at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and was arrested by detectives led by the Area ‘E’ Commander, Mr. Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.” CP Manko said the suspects would be charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and murder of Oddi Nweze.

Traditional ruler, baale engage in brawl FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

first class monarch in Ogun State, Olu of Itori, Oba Akorede Akamo and another chief, Baale of Lapenleke, Adisa Akinremi, last week threw decorum to the wind as they openly engaged each other in a brawl over right to observe traditional rites in the area. The show of shame between the traditional rulers, which

was described as desecration of Yoruba culture, took place at the divisional office of the Nigeria Police, Itori, even as many people were injured, while properties were destroyed in the melee. Community Mirror gathered that trouble started when Baale Akinremi, went to the police to lodge complaints against Oba Akamo, who was alleged to have disrupted a cultural ceremony by indigenes of neighbourhood Lapenleke village, in the Ewekoro Local Government Area the night

before. Akamo was said to have been invited by the police at Itori to defend himself and during interrogation, took offence and allegedly hit Baale Akinremi on the face. In trying to retaliate, Akinremi was said to have roughly manhandled the Olu of Itori to the extent that the latter ran for dear life. It was further gathered that before then, the people of Owu in Lapenleke village, a suburb of Itori, were celebrating their annual cultural and heritage renaissance

festival, which earlier had been flagged off at the Palace of the Olowu in Abeokuta, last Monday. Oba Akamo, however was alleged to have led a group of people believed to be thugs and armed with dangerous weapons to disrupt the festival. It was, however, gathered that several people have been arrested and are being questioned by the police in connection with the disturbance of peace in the area, while those injured have been taken to hospital for treat-

ment. Both Olu of Itori and Baale Akinremi were said to have also made useful statements at the police station, even as the matter has been transferred to the state police headquarters for further investigations. Effort to get the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, to speak on the matter proved abortive, as a police source confided that the matter has been transferred to the police command.

Community Mirror

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Residents call for conversion of estate land OLUSEGUN KOIKI

esidents of Gowon Estate under the Community Development Association (CDA,) have appealed to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), to urgently grant permission for development of the remaining land space for recreation centre. The appeal is coming following disagreements over

moves by some individuals in and outside the estate to acquire the land for private development, against the interest of the community. They claim that the non-release of the land by the FHA, is discouraging foreign enterprises from helping to convert it to a recreation centre for the over 30, 000 residents. One such enterprise, Play!Ya, an independent

organisation based in Berlin, Germany, offered to help turn the vacant land into a recreation centre. According to information the expanse of land otherwise known as ‘Kuwait,’ situated on 4th Avenue, which used to be a den for criminals was secured through cooperation of the police and residents. “This expanse of land,

with football field, basketball court, churches and mechanic workshops, used to be the den for drug peddlers. In addition to the drug business, many armed robbery suspects and kidnappers were known to use the place as hideout. At various times, the NDLEA had carried out raids, but the problem persisted. The Gowon Estate Police Division also raided the dens but to

no avail”, said the CDA Chairman, Nathaniel C. Okoro. People of the community have lamented that all efforts to impress on the FHA to release the land has failed. A statement issued by the Germany based company said, “The overall aim is to maintain the Gowon Estate field as a modern sports and Recreation Park for residents

and offer focused programmes to tackle the existing social problems.” It maintained that, “The unclear status is an added challenge militating against development of the field into a full sporting facility. Our recent research shows that the FHA, the rightful owner, is more interested in selling off the available space rather than maintain it for the community.”

Group urges peace in oil producing communities CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Oil Mineral Producing Areas Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) has sued for peace between host communities and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta area. Making the call in Owerri, Imo State capital, the Association which frowned at continued disputes that had marred the relationship between the companies and their hosts, said it would embark on massive enlightenment campaign on the need to embrace peace, adding that no meaningful development can take place in a chaotic environment. Speaking with newsmen, the Association chairman, Imo State chapter and paramount ruler of Umudike community in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area, HRH

Ezeali James Nwanro, disclosed that the group was inaugurated to assist government when necessary, to protect the communities from environmental hazards due to activities of oil companies. He said the Association would also assist in fostering peace, security and mutual understanding between host communities, oil companies and government agencies. Nwanro, who decried youth restiveness in many of the communities, charged the oil companies to always be alive to their responsibilities especially in the area of youth empowerment and job creation. He appealed to the national body and oil producing states especially, Imo State, to provide the Association’s branch with requisite logistics in view of the security situation in the country.

Igbo to celebrate new yam festival STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he apex Igbo cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and Council of Ndi Eze in Lagos, have slated Saturday, October 6, 2012 to mark beginning of the new yam festival. The annual event, called ‘iri ji’ (yam eating), has become a platform for gathering of Igbo in Lagos with a view to celebrating an important event in their cultural calendar and discussing issues of common interests. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, President of Igbo Speaking Community Living in Lagos, ISCL, Chief Ebere

Ubani, said this year’s festival will mark another remarkable day in the history of Igbo cultural and traditional development and sustenance. According to him, the programme will afford Ndi Igbo, the opportunity to further strengthen their relationships and unity for their growth and development. Also, Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Lagos chapter, Chief Oliver Akubueze, said it had become necessary for unity of all Igbos in the state, despite centrifugal forces pulling to disunite the race. He added that the yam festival, is the only recognised “iri iji Ndi Igbo’ in Lagos.

Young boys riding bicycles along side cars on the busy Marina, Lagos.

Youth shot dead in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

here was panic at Ovom, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State as Police allegedly shot dead a 16 year old youth for undisclosed reasons. Investigations revealed that the police patrol teams were immediately withdrawn from the state capital following the incident. A close source and eyewitness account confirmed that after the incident, the police immediately withdrew from the area. The eyewitness, who simply identified herself as Charity, said a cop was seen running away after shooting the teenager on the head. She also claimed that the late teenager’s girl friend has been arrested by the police. Her words: “We saw the boy running along the

road and also a policeman chasing him with a gun. Suddenly we heard gunshots and the boy fell on the ground in a pool of blood”. Charity said the corpse was abandoned on the road for more than one hour before a patrol van attached to “A” Division, took it to the mortuary. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the incident, even as he was yet to know the circumstances leading to death of the youth. He said: “I can confirm the death of a youth because I was driving when I saw the corpse on the road. I then called the Police Division in charge of the area to remove it”. Odunna, said the remains of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy while investigations continue.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

NGO organises computer training for students

he Women’s Technology Empowerment CentreW.TEC has held its fifth Girls’ Technology Camp in Lagos. According to the Director, Mrs Somolu, a new set of beneficiaries of the computer workshop were awarded certificates at a graduation ceremony. Mrs. Somolu, said all the participants were trained in Computer Foundation, Graphic Design, Video Appreciation & Techniques, Blogging and Web Design,even as this year’s partners include the World Bank, Adobe Youth Foundation, Microsoft, Swift Networks, Omatek Computers and Laureates College. The W-TEC Technology Camp is a mentoring programme, which

is aimed at helping girls from JSS 2 to SSS 2 within the age brackets of 1117 years develop an early interest in computers and other information technology. While in camp, the girls participated in technology workshops, which long-term objective is to increase the number of women and girls using technology for learning, professional and leadership activities. The non-governmental organization, is aimed at encouraging Nigerian girls and women to use information and communication technology (ICT) to empower themselves socially and e c o n o m i c a l l y, t h r o u g h technology literacy training, technology-based projects, mentoring work placement and research.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Suicide bombers kill 48 in Syria

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

our Nigerian peacekeepers have been killed and eight wounded in an ambush in Sudan’s western Darfur region, according to the joint UN-African Union mission Unamid. The troops were attacked about 2km (1.5 miles) from mission headquarters in the town of Geneina, Unamid said. Their convoy came under fire from several directions, a spokesman said. More than 16,000 Unamid troops are currently based in Darfur, tasked with protecting civilians since 2007. The ambush happened on Tuesday night, Unamid said. It urged Sudan’s government to prosecute the gunmen. Some 78 Unamid troops have been killed in Darfur since its mandate started five years ago. Violence in Darfur has come down from its peak after civil war broke out in 2003, but there are still clashes between government forces, rebels and rival ethnic groups. But tensions have again escalated since South Sudan seceded and broke off from the north last year. Armed robbers and bandits

“It will be clear we are on the reform path. (Government is) putting in place systems and procedures to deny people the opportunity to be corrupt.” – Indian Finance Minister, P Chidambaram

Four Nigerian peacekeepers killed in Darfur ambush

Nigerian soldiers are among UN peacekeeping troops in Darfur.

are also at large in western Darfur, taking advantage of the area’s lack of security. Last month dozens of people were reportedly left dead after Sudanese forces clashed with Darfur rebels. Sudan’s government accuses South Sudan of supporting anti-

government rebels in Darfur charges it denies. Last year Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir signed a peace agreement with a group of small rebel factions, but the larger opposition groups have refused to be part of the deal. President Bashir and other

PHOTO: AP

Sudanese officials are wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Darfur. They deny the charges, saying the scale of the suffering in Darfur has been exaggerated for political reasons.

Liberia’s opposition outraged at President Sirleaf’s remark

iberia’s opposition is outraged by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ’s recent admission that some of her supporters hid their sons’ cards to prevent them from voting against her in 2005. Sirleaf said some Liberian women cheated to help her in the 2005 election race against retired international soccer star George Weah, according to FrontPage Africa, a leading Liberian daily and internet news provider.

Sirleaf

Sirleaf made the disclosure last week when she addressed a women’s fundraiser while in New York attending the United Nations General Assembly. The fundraiser to support of Sirleaf ’s Market Women Project, was held at a public school in Harlem. The president said that some women market-sellers in Monrovia prevented their sons from voting the 2005 elections because they were afraid the young men would vote for Weah.

“Knowing then that they had young sons who would all be the followers of one of the young candidates, they took all their voter cards from them in the night to make sure that they were not able to go to vote,” said Sirleaf. The president is further quoted as saying: “They (the women) even did some unorthodox things, as they confessed to me later on ... and I can say it now since I am not running again.” Sirleaf, who turns 74 on October 29, is serving her second and final term. In the 2005 election — the first after the end of Liberia’s 14-year civil war — Weah came in first in the first round but was defeated in the second round by Sirleaf who got 56 percent of the vote while Weah received 46 percent, according to the electoral commission. Weah and his Congress for Democratic Change party protested and charged deliberate cheating and “ballot stuffing” in

favour of Sirleaf. Sirleaf ’s new admission has rekindled the opposition’s anger. Acarous Gray, a Member of the House of Representatives from Weah’s party said Monday the president’s remarks about women stealing their sons’ voter cards “have brought the presidency to public disrepute” and the president “deserves resignation.” “As I speak to you,” Gray said, “we are speaking to like-minded lawmakers besides the Congress for Democratic Change along with a crack team of lawyers to ensure whether we can get a possible bill of impeachment during our January sitting against the president of Liberia.” He said although the president’s statement “is not a surprise,” it “does not only embarrass the international community’s declaration of the election being free, fair and transparent; it also undermines the president’s ability to fight corruption.”

WORLD BULLETIN Malawian President, Banda, cuts own salary Malawi President Joyce Banda announced that she will take a 30 percent pay cut to show that she will sacrifice personally as part of her government’s austerity measures. Banda, Africa’s second female president after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, came to power in April following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika. Banda and Vice-President Khumbo Kachali will both cut their salaries by 30 percent, but Banda said she will not force the rest of her cabinet to do so, saying it was up to them to choose. Banda confirmed that her government will sell the controversial presidential jet in two weeks. The purchase of the jet three years ago by Mutharika angered donors. Banda said that she will never fly in the plane, which she called wasteful.

South Africa postpones probe into mine violence South Africa’s inquiry into violence that killed at least 44 people at Lonmin’s Marikana mine is postponed until the end of October. The Marikana Commission of Inquiry Wednesday said the delay will allow lawyers to consult with clients and allow family members of the dead to travel to the hearings in the northern city of Rustenburg. Many of the families live in the Eastern Cape region. The investigation began Monday with a tour of the site where police shot dead 34 striking miners on Aug. 16. It continued Tuesday with an inspection of the miners’ living quarters. The 4-month inquiry will resume on Oct. 22 to determine the roles played by the police, Lonmin PLC, and two major unions in the violence, and whether they could have prevented it.

Mali hardliners carry out public execution Ultra-conservatives in Mali’s northern city of Timbuktu have publicly executed a man accused of murder, a punishment witnessed by about 600 people. On Tuesday evening, the convicted man was shot in the back, but did not die until several hours later, said Timbuktu resident Oumar Maiga. The convicted man’s family had offered compensation to the victim’s family but it had not been accepted. The man was brought in handcuffs to an area between two hotels in Timbuktu and seated with his legs pointed toward Mecca before a judge then ordered the sentence to be carried out.

World News

WORLD BULLETIN US election: Obama, Romney meet for debate US President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney met yesterday for the first of three crucial presidential debates. With just 34 days to go until election day, yesterday’s Denver debate focused on domestic policy issues. Mr Romney has long criticised the president for his economic record, but is likely to face questions over his own tax plans and immigration policy. Mr Obama has opened up a narrow lead in the race over the past month. He leads Mr Romney in national polls and in many recent polls conducted in the swing states that will decide the election. The latest national survey, released on Tuesday by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, shows Mr Obama leading, but by just 49% to 46%.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suicide bombers kill 48 in Syria T hree suicide car bombs and a mortar barrage ripped through a government-controlled district of central Aleppo housing a military officers’ club yesterday, killing 48 people according to activists. The coordinated attacks hit just days after rebels launched an offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in Syria’s biggest city, leading to heavy fighting and a fire which gutted a large part of its medieval covered market, the Associated Press has reported. The state news agency SANA said suicide bombers detonated two explosive-laden cars in the

main square, Saadallah al-Jabiri, which is lined on its eastern flank by the military club, two hotels and a telecoms office. The explosions reduced at least one building to a flattened wreck of twisted concrete and metal, and were followed by a volley of mortar bombs into the square and attempted suicide bombings by three rebels carrying explosives, it said. Another bomb blew up a few hundred meters (yards) away on the edge of the Old City, where rebels have been battling Assad’s forces. State television showed three dead men disguised as soldiers in army fatigues who it

said were shot by security forces before they could detonate explosive-packed belts they were wearing. One appeared to have a trigger device strapped to his wrist. Another pro-Assad station, alIkhbariya TV, broadcast footage of four dead men, including one dust-covered body being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building and loaded onto the back of a pickup truck. The facades of many buildings overlooking the square were ripped off and a deep crater was gouged in the road. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 48 people were killed, mostly from the security forces, while

‘Saudi religious police losing some powers’ The director of Saudi Arabia’s powerful religious police says his forces are losing some of their key powers, including arrests, investigations and raiding houses. Abdul-Latif al-Sheikh was quoted yesterday by the Saudi pan-Arab online newspaper Al-Hayat as saying some powers will be reassigned to regular police or to judicial authorities. He admitted that there have been complaints about his force’s behaviour. The religious police enforce a ban on mingling by unrelated men and women, and they patrol public places to ensure women are dressed modestly and that men go to mosques for prayers. Saudi authorities instructed the religious police, run by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, to draw up guidelines to keep individual officers from imposing their personal interpretations of Islamic rules.

My tweet was a mistake – French First Lady France’s first lady says in an interview published yesterday that she regrets posting on Twitter a comment that many French read as a not-so-veiled dig against the mother of President Francois Hollande’s four children. Nearly four months after causing the stir now dubbed “Tweetgate” in France, Valerie Trierweiler told regional newspaper OuestFrance that her comment on Twitter was a “mistake” and she’s learned from it. During France’s legislative elections in June, Trierweiler sent tongues wagging by tweeting words of encouragement to a dissident Socialist who was running against Segolene Royal — Hollande’s former partner. Royal was vying to represent a region in western France, and ended up losing. Trierweiler, a professional journalist who once hosted her own cable TV show, admitted that she had been clumsy, and hadn’t yet realized that after Hollande took office in May she was “no more just a simple citizen.”

SANA put the death toll at 31. Yesterday’s attacks in Aleppo followed last week’s bombing of the military staff headquarters in Damascus, another strike by Assad’s outgunned opponents against bulwarks of his power. In July, rebels killed four of Assad’s senior security officials including Assad’s brother-in-law, the defence minister and a general in a Damascus bombing which coincided with a rebel offensive in the capital. Government forces have since pushed rebel fighters back to the outskirts of Damascus. But they have lost control of swathes of northern Syria as well as several border crossings with Turkey and Iraq and failed to push the fighters out of Aleppo. A pro-Assad Lebanese paper said on Tuesday that Assad was visiting the city to take a firsthand look at the fighting and had ordered 30,000 more troops into the battle.

‘Butler stole papers pope wanted destroyed’

P Men walking on a road amid wreckage, after blasts ripped through Aleppo’s main Saadallah al-Jabari Square, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Chinese firm sues Obama over wind farm project

Chinese-owned company has filed a lawsuit against US President Barack Obama for blocking its purchase of wind farms near a US military base on national security grounds, court documents showed. Obama signed the decree on Friday banning the sale of four wind farms in Oregon to the Ralls Corp and its Chinese affiliate, Sany Group. In the decree, Obama said companies linked to Chinese nationals “might take action that

Obama

threatens to impair the national security of the United States”. In a complaint filed on Monday in a US federal court, Ralls Corp argued that Obama had “exceeded his limited authority to “suspend or prohibit a “covered transaction” by dictating the terms of the sales, allowing the government to inspect all aspects of its operations and not treating the company equally as required under the law. It asked the court to declare the executive order “arbitrary and capricious” in contending

that the transaction posed national security risks to the United States. “We believe the lawsuit has no merit, and we intend to defend the case vigorously,” the US Treasury Department said. The presidential order blocked Ralls’ purchase of the Lower Ridge Windfarm, High Plateau Windfarm, Mule Hollow Windfarm and Pine City Windfarm, which are near the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman in Oregon. Ralls is incorporated in Delaware, but controlled by Chinese citizens through the Sany Group, according to US officials. Ralls defended the wind farm project as one that will generate jobs in Oregon “at a time when American people need more jobs.” In filing its complaint, the company said, “Ralls continues to show its profound faith in transparency and due process, and seeks only fair treatment under the law and the constitution.” The dispute comes just weeks before US presidential elections in which US trade relations with China have figured prominently.

ope Benedict’s former butler stole highly sensitive papers the pontiff had marked “to be destroyed” and compromised Vatican security through his actions, the Holy See’s police told his trial yesterday. On the third day of Paolo Gabriele’s trial, testimony depicted a man fascinated by the occult, Masonic lodges, secret services and past Italian and Vatican scandals. “You can understand our unease when we saw these documents. This was a total violation of the privacy of the papal family,” said police agent Stefano De Santis, one of the four agents who said they found the papers in Gabriele’s home, using a Vatican term for the pope’s closest aides. Gabriele’s leak to an Italian journalist of sensitive documents, some of them alleging corruption in the Vatican, caused one of the biggest crises of Pope Benedict’s papacy. It threw an unflattering spotlight on the inner workings of a city-state eager to shake off a series of scandals involving sexual abuse of minors by clerics around the world and mismanagement at its bank. Gabriele, a trusted servant who served the pope meals, helped him dress and rode in the popemobile, has admitted passing papers to the journalist at secret meetings, but told the court at a previous hearing he did not see this as a crime. The former butler sat impassively and occasionally smiled during Wednesday’s 75-minute session as Vatican policemen told the court how they searched his apartment in the Vatican on May 23, the night of his arrest, and what they found.

The mass of incriminating documents, most of which were hidden

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Search for realistic foreign policy PAUL ARHEWE

igerian foreign policy since the dawn of the country’s independence in 1960 puts on a garb with vague conceptualisation and colourations. Each regime that reigned during and after this historical epoch took to the formulation of course of actions to manipulate and propel national interest in the international community; with the foreboding of forging identity for the government in place. No wonder, the prevalence of dynamism and conservative foreign policy took a centre stage to measure the strength of how governments at the chequered history of the country have actively or passively influenced the country’s interests at the international scene. While governments of the Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon and Shehu Shagari were termed by foreign policy analysts as conservative, the administrations of Muritala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo (during his military regime in 1976-79) operated dynamic foreign policies. However, observers of Nigeria’s interaction with the international community may have confused radicalism for dynamism, hence, faulting this conceptualisation as a virile tool for measuring an effective policy. The erstwhile Nigerian shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Anthony Enahoro was attributed as being a proponent of dynamism in Nigerian foreign policy. He is reported to having moved a motion and prompted the country’s first post independence legislative house, where he argued that the August 20, 1960 foreign policy adopted by the house lacked dynamics and regretted that government’s interpretation and conduct of the policy, which to him “is out of step with progressive opinion of Africa.” The August 20, 1960 official statement of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa at the Federal House of Assembly stated that Nigeria is “adopting clear and practical policies with regard to Africa; it will be our aim to assist any country to find solution to its problem”. Nevertheless, observers and analysts are of the view that the country’s foreign policy lacks in explicit conceptualisation.

Africa as centrepiece of Nigerian foreign policy By adopting an Afrocentric policy Nigeria aimed to engage the international community through Africa’s interests and issues that tend to be of benefits

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru; President Goodluck Jonathan, going through a book at the exhibition stand during the seminar to review Nigeria’s foreign policy in Abuja, in August, last year. With them is Director, Library and Documentation Services, NIIA, Mrs Abimbola Dada. PHOTO: NAN

THE PEOPLE MUST COME FIRST, SO

NIGERIANS AT HOME AND IN THE

DIASPORA

SHOULD BE THE CENTRE OF OUR POLICY THRUST

Dabiri-Erewa

to the continent. Nigerians first Foreign Minister, Jaja Wachukwu threw more perspectives to this Afrocentricism posture of the country, when in his words, he said “charity begins at home and therefore any Nigerian foreign policy that does not take into consideration the peculiar position of Africa is unrealistic”. Nigeria under this policy framework contributed immensely in the struggles that led to the independence of Angola, Mozabique, Namibia and participated in the anti-apartheid struggles in South Africa. Nigeria also played a crucial role in the establishment of continental and regional organisations. For the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) in May 25, 1963 Nigeria aided in ensuring it attains its two major objectives, which included the quick decolonization of colonies in Africa and facilitating the rapid socio-economic growth and development of African countries. Similarly, the creation of Eco-

nomic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in May 28, 1975 saw Nigeria taking a fundamental economic role in spearheading the integration of neighbouring countries’ resources to enhance regional prosperity. Nigeria under the leadership of General Yakubu Gowon led the formation of the 16-member regional body who signed the treaty that formed ECOWAS. Nigeria further played a significant role in military peace-keeping operations in the continent. The country contributed immensely both financially and human resources in its involvement in ECOWAS monitoring Group (ECOMOG) peace-keeping operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and other military missions to Congo, Chad and several others.

New policy thrust in economic and citizen diplomacy Nigeria’s foreign policy over the years has nosedived after many decades of concentration on afrocentric posture. The interventions to restore peace in Liberia, Sierra Leone and the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola amid other

missions of mediating in conflict prone countries like Gambia , Mali, Burkina Faso among others after coup d’etats signify the height in foreign interventions in past decades. Of recent, the country’s foreign relations has become tamed, mainly due to internally overwhelming problems associated with finding footings for our nascent democracy amid pressing economic malaise. The military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda conceptualised the new face to Nigeria’s foreign policy where economic diplomacy would enhance the promotion of export trade, investment and increased financial assistance from friendly countries. The then Foreign Affairs Minister, Ike Nwachukwu in June 1988 buttressed that “it is the responsibility of our foreign policy apparatus to advance the course of our national economic recovery.” It was during the democratically elected regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo the country’s foreign policy was refocused in a way which deemphasised the explicitly African bias. His administration announced the appointment of ambassadors in 1999 and admonished them that “Nigeria’s foreign policy today extends, however, far beyond our concern for the well being of our continent, Africa”. Obasanjo, in addition pointed that “The debt burden, for instance, is not an exclusively African predicament. Many countries in Asia, the Caribbean and the South America are facing similar problems. It is imperative; therefore, that these regions harmonize their efforts in the search for a fairer deal from the industrialized nations of the west; and this requires of us a more global

approach to world affairs than was previously the case. Last year, the current government paved a new path for the country’s foreign policy thrust, by embracing the policy that promotes growth and national development. In this new policy both private partnership and foreign missions would be utilised as new vanguards in economic diplomacy. Hence, the collapsing of both economic and citizen diplomacy by the current administration, this is geared towards attaining national economic development and growth where the citizenry at home and abroad are used as impetus to achieving policy goals . Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, while throwing more lights on the new paradigm shift said last year that: “We will redress existing imbalances and forge a strong partnership with OPS to assist economic growth. Consequently, members of OPS would frequently constitute part of any bilateral discussions between our governments and other foreign delegations, so that Nigeria can benefit from visits to and from other countries.” “Our envoys would be directed to drive this new focus of our foreign policy by spending more time and effort on the attraction of foreign investment to Nigeria. Simply put, our ambassadors would be the foot-soldiers in this new approach for the purpose of achieving our Vision 20:2020 and bringing economic benefits to Nigeria.” When National Mirror contacted Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora in a telephone chat she said “Any country’s foreign policy should be for the benefits of the people. I will say Nigerian foreign policy is not really doing badly and not getting worse. Though sometimes we may not be getting it right and in other times we do get it right.” “The people must come first, so Nigerians at home and those in Diaspora should be the centre of our policy thrust. The current Nigerian Foreign Minister has really done much and is putting a lot in fashioning a policy that would be effective in championing the interest of Nigerians.” Nigeria was faced with huge challenge during the military era where its public image was relegated. The country’s foreign policy couldn’t stand as imperative tool for image building, especially, where dictatorial rule and clampdowns on human rights were strongly opposed by the western world.

North

Thursday, October 4, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

400 communities submerged in Kogi –NEMA ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

bout 400 communities have been submerged by flood which ravaged nine local government areas of Kogi State in the past two weeks. The North Central Coordinator and Head of Operations, National Emer-

Let Sharia legal system work –CJ JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

he Chief Judge, CJ, of Katsina State, Justice Sadiq Mahuta, has called on all the stakeholders to allow the Sharia legal system to work and develop in the state. Speaking at the commencement of the 2012/2013 new legal year, Mahuta said the call became necessary in order to meet the justice demands of the society. He said: “The best we can do is to work toward improving and developing the Sharia system to meet the justice demands of this society.” The CJ said organising refresher courses for Sharia court judges and other personnel manning the courts would be a continuous process. Earlier, Governor Ibrahim Shema reminded judicial officers and staff of the judiciary that the society had very high expectations from them. He said: “Integrity, transparency and good conduct are qualities that you must imbibe and maintain in the course of your career.” The governor called on the Katsina State Judicial Service Commission to deal with corrupt and incompetent judicial officers, and commended the judiciary for creating an enabling environment for the executive to provide dividends of democracy for the people. Shema promised that his administration would continue to respect the independence of the judiciary so that it could be responsive and remain the last hope of the common man.

Church donates N50m police station in Nasarawa

community leader in Ojiala village, said the devastation caused by the flood which had swept away 76 villages in Ibaji council did not receive IGBAWASE UKUMBA the required response from LAFIA the Federal Government. he Living Faith The community leader Church of Nigeria bemoaned a situation where has constructed and over 300,000 people were donated a modern police claimed to have been evacustation worth about N50m ated within a short time. for the establishment of a Divisional Police Station at Auta-Baleifi community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Speaking at the inauguration of the police station yesterday, the President of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, said the gesture would help to assist the police fight crime. He said: “Considering the prevailing security situation in the country, the church thought it wise to assist the police in providing an enabling environment for them to tackle crime and criminality bedevilling our society.” The police station built within the vicinity of the church in Goshen City, Auta-Balefi community has the DPO’s office, canter, cell room and office for other L-R: Former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; Chief Protocol Officer to Taraba State governor, Mr. Kabiru police officers. Marafa and former Chairman, National Boundary Commission, Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo, during the North East Unity and Development Also, the structure is Forum’s visit to Governor Danbaba Suntai in Jalingo, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN provided with a fence, transformer and office furniture, among others. eral deposits. said that a 1980 survey by oil and uranium.” Oyedepo, who spoke JAMES DANJUMA On his part, the Speaker, He reiterated that the the Federal Government through the Vice-President KATSINA had indicated rich pres- council had abundant oil Hon. Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, of the church, Bishop atsina State House ence of oil and uranium and uranium, urging gov- directed the Committee David Abiyoye, said the of Assembly has deposits in the council. ernment to start exploring on Special Duties to visit church donated the buildsaid that it would Yusuf said the survey same for the benefit of the the council and meet with ing as part of its contriverify the claim by a law- was conducted the same country. stakeholders on the issue. bution towards national maker of the existence of Gwajo-Gwajo said the development and enhanceThe lawmaker, however, time with that of Niger oil and uranium deposits Republic within the same gave an assurance of the legislature would do every- ment of security. in Mashi Local Govern- year, and that “if Niger readiness of the people of thing within its power to According to him, secument Area of the state. Republic can explore oil, the area to give full cooper- push for exploration of the rity is a collective responThe claim was made we should not allow our- ation to any policy of gov- oil and uranium because it sibility which every citizen yesterday on the floor of selves to continue to lose ernment that would lead to would be in the interest of must take seriously. the House by Hon. Nazif in exploring the abundant the exploration of the min- state and the country. He explained that it was Yusuf (PDP, Mashi), who the policy of the Living Faith Church to identify with its host community The commandant, how- through the provision of management of the college didn’t know how to read and AZA MSUE ever, demanded an apology basic social facilities, saycollected bribe before admit- write,” he said. KADUNA Rufa’I also disclosed that from the newspaper, saying ing that the church would ting the recruits. he Nigeria Police “The Nigeria Police Col- the college received over the duty of the college was soon build a filling staCollege, Kaduna, lege did not dismiss 150 re- 4,000 recruits in this year’s to train recruits. tion and a medical facility yesterday denied the cruits as being reported by exercise. He said: “Our duty here apart from providing job report that it dismissed 150 a newspaper. The story is a He said: “The reporter is to train police recruits. for youths in the area. recruits. fiction and was fabricated said efforts to contact me We discharged them after a Receiving the facility The Commandant of the by the reporter. were not successful; that thorough screening. We are on behalf of the Inspector college, Mr. Sanusi Rufa’I, “What I know is that was a false claim. I stay in not aware of bribe before General of Police, the who made the denial at a since we received the re- my office 24 hours and no- recruitment into Nasarawa State Commispress conference in Kaduna, cruits here, only 25 were body came or called me for the Nigerian Police sioner of Police, Abayomi said only 25 recruits were discharged on the grounds confirmation of that story. Force; they are rumours Akeremale, said the protecdischarged from the college, of robbery cases against We want a befitting police and speculations without tion of lives and property contrary to the report. them through petitions. college and police that Nige- evidence to prove. We want was a collective responRufa’I, who is also a com- Some were discharged be- rians will have confidence the story to be retracted and sibility hence the police missioner of police, also de- cause of overage or certifi- in. We received over 4,000 put on front page of that would work assiduously to nied the allegation that the cate borrowing while some recruits in this college.” newspaper.” ensure a crime-free society. gency Management Agency, NEMA, Abuja, Mr. Ishaya Isah Chonoko, disclosed this yesterday in Lokoja while briefing journalists on the activities of the organisation in the state. Chonoko said the agency, as rescue and emergency organisation, had established 36 relief camps in the affected council areas.

Admitting the likelihood of an outbreak of epidemics in the state owing to the flood, he said the agency had taken delivery of N17m worth of drugs to be distributed to the relief camps. Bemoaning the travails of the residents of Ibaji Local Government Area, Chonoko disclosed that 3,647 people had been rescued by NEMA.

He, however, appealed to well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the communities. Meanwhile, one of the prominent indigenes of Ibaji council, Mr. John Ibrahim, has accused the Federal Government of paying lipservice to the disaster which occurred in the area. Ibrahim, who is also a

Katsina to verify oil, uranium deposits in Mashi LG

Kaduna Police College didn’t dismiss 150 recruits –Commandant

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Otedola forfeits properties in Lagos, Abuja over N141bn debt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“curious that AMCON, being a government establishment which is under the purview of the National Assembly, could do that without the knowledge of the House.” There are, however, indications that the legislators may be trying to get back at Otedola for his role in $620,000 Farouk Lawan bribery saga. The businessman’s revelations of how he paid money to Lawan triggered a major scandal and Lawan’s arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Lawan was heading the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, to ensure the removal of his companies from the list of those indicted for wrongdoing in the fuel import programme. AMCON Managing Director, Mr. Mustapha ChikeObi, however, said that both parties were satisfied with the settlement and that he would not be used as a tool by the National Assembly to fight Otedola. Speaking with National Mirror yesterday, he said: “The settlement with Femi Otedola started six months ago. Two valuers were engaged and there were negotiations back and forth, it did not happen yesterday,” he said. The AMCON boss said that it was unfair for people to speculate on the issue of valuation of the forfeited properties when they had not seen the terms of the settlement, saying that the recovery of the properties was the best action that could be taken in the cir-

cumstances. He said: “If a man owes and he says that he cannot pay, what do you do? You take his assets. That is all we can do legally and that is what we have done. We cannot take his blood or take his children, it is just the assets. “The banks had failed to collect the loans, that is why they came to us. I have restructured 900 loans, including Arik Air which was a year ago, why was the House of Representatives not interested in that? “I will not be used as a tool to fight Femi Otedola, we went to the board of directors and they approved the transfer and we are all happy with the agreement.” Chike-Obi, however, said that other companies had approached AMCON for settlement of the debts but that the process would take between three and six months. “Others have approached us but it is long process, I am not likely to have any announcement in less than three months,” he said, when asked if other debtors had expressed willingess to settle. However, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre CISLAC, Barrister Auwal Ibrahim, described the reported payment as laughable and intended to further shield Otedola and others from facing probes for various economic crimes traced to them. Auwal specifically blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for the increasing level of corrup-

tion in the society and his inability to contain the menace. He lamented that those who were destroying the socio-economic fabric through anti-social behaviour were the same being honoured by a government that lacked the political will to fight corruption in the society. The CISLAC boss, who is also the spokesperson of Transparency International in Nigeria, said nothing could further attested to the failure of the leadership to instill discipline in governance, adding that the planned move by the National Assembly to probe the payment was welcome “since it falls within the scope of its oversight functions.” “What you have heard so far about Otedola and others after their indictment by the presidential panel on fuel subsidy probe and the publications of their names over unpaid debts to banks and many other economic crimes linked to them will tell you clearly that the President and his government lacked political will to fight corruption. “In other societies where rule of law and transparency hallmark public governance, people like Otedola should not have even qualified to bid for the PHCN successor companies, one of which his company has been announced as preferred bidder. “It is shameful that the present administration is allowing this level of corruption to thrive. “How do you justify the

conferment of the second highest national award to a man whose actions have over the years not justified? “It was only yesterday that the Transparency International had to deny what the President said about the current corruption index of the country. “It is a national embarrassment which tells much about the moral rectitude of our leaders,” Auwal said. He described the planned investigations of the payment of N141bn by Otedola to AMCON by the House of Representatives as a step in the right direction as “it may help to unravel some facts about the whole saga which may not be known to the public now.” A legal practitioner and public policy analysts,

Headquarters. Mohammed explained that ongoing investigation revealed that the attackers invaded the houses of their victims and called them by their names before gruesomely murdering them. “We visited all the houses in Wuro Patuji area where the attack took place with the Commissioner of Police, the Brigade Commander and the Director, State Security Services, SSS; the relatives of the victims confirmed to the police commissioner that the attackers called their victims’ by their

names, as they came out, they just killed them. “Honestly, there is an insider in these killings. Really, we cannot rule out the possibility that the attack was carried out by one of these groups; Boko Haram, cultists, politicians, but investigation will reveal the real perpetrators of the crimes, because the majority of the victims were slaughtered like goats, while others were killed by gun shots,” he said. Ibrahim explained that among those killed were students who recently won

elections, including the newly-elected leader of the student union at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, making the police to think that the massacre might be in connection with the outcome of the election. He said: “There have been arrests; we cannot say that those we arrested are the perpetrators of the crime. And we will not disclose the number of the arrested people as we don’t want to jeopardise our investigation.” The police spokesman stressed that the killings

Mr. Kayode Adaramoye, said the planned probe should be pursued vigorously since “that will help in knowing exactly what transpired in the past two weeks between Otedola and AMCON, especially at a time when Nigerians are no longer happy with the government over mismanagement of national resources that should have been used to improve the lot of ordinary Nigerians.” Adaramoye described Otedola and some other businessmen as people that had been responsible for the balkanisation of national assets. He said his participation in the privatisation exercise which led to one of his companies winning a bid “could only happen in a country where rule of law and decency in public

governance have been jettisoned while the leadership is less concerned about reversing the ugly trend.” It appears, however, that the law establishing AMCON grants it a high level of independence in its operations. Specifically, Section 1 (4) of the AMCON Act 2010 provides that: “Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Corporation shall be independent in the discharge of its functions.” Section 6 (3) says that “Except otherwise provided in this Act, the Corporation may carry out any of its functions without the consent or approval of any other person or authority.” The lawmakers are expected to start the probe after they return from their current oversight tours nationwide.

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (left), presenting a cheque to Benedict, son of the late Leading Seaman Buba Birdling and his widow, Ruth, during presentation of Group Life Assurance Programme cheques to the next of kins of personnel killed in action in 2012, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Outrage as FG, ASUU, senators condemn attack CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

the killings. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Command, DSP Ibrahim Mohammed told journalists in his office yesterday that the massacre was a highly organised crime, considering the way it was planned to beat security operatives in the area and almost everybody. He also confirmed that some arrests have been made, noting that the outcome of the investigation would be made known to the public by the Force

would not be treated with kid gloves, adding that the closure of the institution would not affect police investigation as there would not be a hiding place for the perpetrators. On why the JTF and other security agents enforcing the curfew in Mubi could not fend off the attack, Mohammed said: “Mubi is a very big town and if you look at the area where the incident took place, you will find out that the terrain is bad; not all vehicles can go there.

It was an organised crime and planned in such a way to beat everybody.” The PPRO pointed out that the assailants might have hatched their dare devil plans on the mountains bordering Mubi and the Cameroun Republic before descending on the ill-fated night to unleash terror on the students. Reports by: Augustine Madu-West, George Oji, Rotimi Fadeyi, Emmanuel Onani, James Abraham and Owolabi Adenusi

WORLD RECORD

Largest photography competition Vol. 02 No. 463

Thursday, October 4, 2012

N150

The largest photography competition was held by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company (Japan) and attracted a total of 126,521 entries from 40,784 participants from 1 October 2008 to 31 January 2009.

Unlocking Nigeria’s potentials with power P

ower is the key to the development of our country. Ditto for every country. Electricity is the universal key for unlocking the doors of industrial growth and development. No nation with low power generation and weak distribution machinery can make rapid economic and technological progress. Until now, we as a nation have toyed with our power sector. No government before the current democratic dispensation found it necessary to treat the development of the sector as a priority and thus address the rot bedeviling it for decades. President Goodluck Jonathan seems to have done an accurate diagnosis of the malady that had crippled the power sector and found for it the right medication. That medication, packaged as the Power Road Map, is proving an effective remedy for an obviously embarrassing national morass. There is now considerable improvement in power generation and distribution; and

he camera which Olympic champion Usain Bolt playfully took from a photographer and used to snap pictures of teammate Yohan Blake after winning the 200 meters at the London Olympics is up for auction. Bidding for the Nikon D4 cam-

Guest Columnist

Amos

Alechenu

consumers’ hope for better days ahead has been rekindled. A lot has happened and a lot more is expected to happen in the power sector given the huge amount of financial investment being currently committed to it. Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku, Minister of State for Power, who is currently driving the federal government’s power rejuvenation programme, has used every opportunity he has had to inform Nigerians that the dawn of the era of stable power has finally come. Monday September 24 at the launch of the Graduate Skills Development Programme of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja, was one of such occasions. Speaking on the nation’s power dream and the expected explosion in the sector, he told Nigerians that the time of exhilaration was already here. The envisaged power explosion would be far more monumental and beneficial to the country and its people than what has happened in the telecommunications sector following its deregulation. Ishaku wants Nigerians to prepare themselves for this explosion and to take advantage of it to develop their businesses and create employment opportunities. The Graduate Skills Development Programme, designed by NAPTIN for engineering graduates, is one of the ways the Ministry of Power is preparing for the power explosion. It is an intensive one year programme to equip participants with the practical knowledge needed for them to meet the needs of the new power dispensation in the country. Two hundred and forty young engi-

UNTIL NOW, WE AS A NATION HAVE TOYED WITH OUR POWER SECTOR neers, including five women, are taking part in the programme. All states in the federation are represented in the scheme, which Ishaku said was a pointer to NAPTIN’s readiness to take engineering training to higher grounds as the nation prepares for an era of stable power supply. Many other stakeholders in the power sector spoke glowingly of NAPTIN’s training scheme. They included Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, Head of Service of the Federation, who said the NAPTIN’s training programme was a product of foresight and urged participants not to allow the investment in their training to end up a waste of effort and resources. Reuben Okeke, Director General of NAPTIN, said the process of selecting participants for the training was rigorous and transparent and those who finally made it were among the best engineering graduates in the country. James Abiodun Olotu, chief executive officer of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, (NDPHC), said access to electricity had become a basic human requirement worldwide and argued that any step that could lead to stability in electricity supply should be encouraged. The NAPTIN’s graduate scheme, he said, was one of

such efforts that could help in enhancing and consolidating stability of electricity supply in Nigeria by providing the human resources needed to operate, maintain and manage infrastructural back-up for the new power dream. On September 25, another fundamental step towards actualising the nation’s power dream, the opening of bids earlier submitted by companies wishing to be part of the new power dispensation in the country, was taken. The privatisation of the power sector is a critical focus of the Power Road Map. Under the programme, power generation, transmission and distribution are to be placed in the hands of private companies. This led to the involvement of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), which earlier called for expression of interest from companies wishing to be part of the process. That process yielded its first fruits on that day with the emergence of Transcorp, CME/EURAFRIC Energy, Amperion Power Distribution Limited, Mainstream Energy Solutions and North South Power as preferred bidders for the nation’s six power generating companies located in Sapele, Ugheli, Geregu, Kainji and Shiroro. All the companies are together bringing into the sector over $1 billion of investment. In a few weeks from now, companies that would acquire and run the other arms of the electricity chain would be known through a similar process. This would complete a process that would put the power sector operations in the hands of private companies and the nation can then sit back and watch the transformation of the sector happen. And, as Ishaku has always said, the process would have prepared Nigeria to take its proper place in the comity of nations that has attained the enviable status of self-sufficiency in electricity. But Ishaku is not oblivious of the fact that even with the efficiency that private participation would bring to bear on the power sector, self-sufficiency in electricity will not happen in one day soon. Alechenu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja

Sport Extra

Bolt’s London 2012 camera goes for auction

era has already passed $7,000 for the eBay sale, which is set to end October 9. The auction was set up by Jimmy Wixtrom, the Swedish photographer whose camera Bolt took in the moments after the race.

Bolt, who snapped a number of photographs of Blake and the horde of photographers assembled at Olympic Stadium, later etched his name into the top of the camera with a screwdriver. The Swede admitted it was his

idea for Bolt to take the camera as he wanted the act to happen on the world’s biggest stage. According to Wixtrom, proceeds from the sale will go to the Swedish Cancer Society and Bolt’s Jamaican charity.

Usain Bolt

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.