Wednesday, April 3, 2013

We’ll meet in court, pension boss, Maina, tells Senate

My Oga at the top:

Why NSCDC redeployed Lagos commandant, Obafaiye

We’ve not seen copy of judgement –Police

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

Vol. 3 N0. 591

Bad loans:

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he chairman of the disbanded Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr. Abdulrasheed

Maina, has dared the Senate to go ahead with its plan to challenge the March CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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No more rescue for banks, says AMCON Shareholders back IMF’s call to wind up corporation World Bank President advocates end to poverty by 2030

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JOHNSON OKANLAWON

BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT

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he Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, has said that banks will now bear the full cost of bad loans. The corporation said it stopped purchases of non-performing loans about six months ago.

The Managing Director of the corporation, Mr. Mustapha Chike-Obi, said yesterday that the stoppage of bad loans purchases was aimed at discouraging excessive risk-taking in the banking sector after the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Pastor, 6 others paraded over MMIA robbery P.10

Abubakar

Igbo’ll produce President after Jonathan –Anyaoku Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka (left) and Mama HID Awolowo during a condolence visit to the family in Ikenne over the death of Nigerian Tribune Publisher, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, yesterday.

Only force will end Boko Haram –Chief of Army Staff ….as Lagos plans takeover of abandoned properties

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Diabetes now world’s most threatening epidemic

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PDP crisis: I’ve no apology for my actions –Tukur

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Only force will end Boko Haram –Chief of Army Staff SEGUN ADIO, WOLE ADEDEJI AND CHIDI UGWU

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hief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has said that the use of force will continue until the terrorists sheath their swords.

The army chief said this yesterday in Lagos, at an interactive session with the theme, “Enhancing Military-Media Relations Towards Improved Security,” held at the 81 Division Auditorium, Marina, Lagos.

The army chief maintained that jettisoning the use of force to fight insurgents or terrorists groups like Boko Haram may be counterproductive.

He said: “Curbing terrorism, like every other complex problem, requires multi-faceted approach.

There is no tested solution that you could describe as solution to the menace.

There is no country where terrorism has been curbed that force was not applied.

There is none in history.

We have proven cases in history where government efforts relaxed and the terrorists use the opportunity to regroup and re-equipped.

I talk so much about force because that is my own line of business. I am to destroy the terrorists if I am able to find them. Also to curtail their movements generally,” he said.

Commenting on the call by some sections of Nigerians to dialogue with the group, Gen. Ihejirika urged those leading that call to, on their won, engage the terrorists in dialogue; a move he said would be supported by the Federal Government.

“The government has made its position repeatedly clear that it is open to dialogue and discussion.

I can even add that even those calling for dialogue on their own can undertake dialogue. Nobody is stopping anybody from dialoguing with anybody. If a leader, politician has been able to come up with a solution government will buy it,” he said.

The army chief also told journalists that the Nigerian government has every evidence that the Boko Haram group are trained, financed and supplied weapons by similar group in the Maghreb region.

His words: “It has also been established that they (Boko Haram) get their funding from bank robberies, payment of protection fees through intimidation of individuals and through external funding. There is also a strong link between the Boko Haram and terrorist in Maghreb including the rebels in Mali who provide them with training, funding and weapons.”

In another development, Minister of Information

Mr. Labaran Maku has said that amnesty for Boko Haram can only be considered through a process of dialogue and negotiation.

Maku stated that amnesty cannot be considered as the first option when nobody has come out to discuss with the Federal Government.

Speaking in a live programme on Channels Television monitored by National Mirror yesterday, Maku explained that amnesty is usually an outcome of discussions and negotiations whereby those being offered amnesty would accept it in principle with conditions attached.

He said nowhere in the world was amnesty offered unconditionally to a group that did not even come out to negotiate with the government.

“Amnesty could be part of the solution but can only come out of the process of dialogue and negotiations but offering it unconditionally is not known.

“How does the President and Commander-in-Chief announce amnesty without prior conversation, without prior negotiation, without agreeing on anything, what it would mean is that the President has given up and that’s a complete abdication,” he said.

the Federal Government must grant amnesty to the sect to halt wanton destruction of lives and property by the group.

The NBA through its state chairman, Rafiu Balogun, said after the 2013 Biennial Continuing Legal Education Retreat in Ilorin, the state capital, that since the efforts of the Joint Task Force, JTF, has not really helped in dousing the menace, it would be expedient for the government to explore other means.

Such means he suggested included the amnesty option to restore peace to the troubled zones in the

The Minister therefore called on Nigerians, especially the political class not to politicise the call for amnesty but to treat it as urgent matter of national security.

Maku recalled that it was the Federal Government that first offered dialogue with the group after it received the report of the Gaji Galtimari Committee which was set up in the wake of the insurgency in the North-East but that nobody from the group responded to the government’s call for dialogue.

But the Kwara State branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, said that

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.A Ihejirika and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), during an interactive session with the theme: “Enhancing Military-Media Relations Towards Improved Security” held in Lagos, yesterday.

Bad loans: No more rescue for banks, says AMCON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

2009 financial crisis.

According to him, AMCON, which was set up in 2010 to clean up the banking system following a $4bn rescue of nine banks that came close to collapse, would no longer serve as a lifeline to banks with bad loans.

Non-performing loans made up about 50 per cent of banks’ total loan portfolio before AMCON took over but the quantum of such loans have since fallen to within its target of five per cent.

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, had in its 2012 Article IV consultation on Nigeria released at the weekend, commended country’s success in stabilising its banking sector, but recommended that AM-

CON wind down its operations to curb moral hazard, whereby a party is more willing to take a risk, knowing that the potential costs of taking such a risk will be borne by others.

Chike-Obi, who had faulted the IMF’s recommendation describing it as baffling, however said banks will now bear the full risk of loans that turn bad.

He said: “They must make full provision on their balance sheets or sell bad loans to a third party. We are not buying any more non-performing loans; the bank had not done so for six months.

“We have cleaned up the banking system, bad loans are under five per cent and we want to make sure that everybody adheres to the prudential guidelines.”

AMCON issued a total of N1.7trn in bonds to buy nonperforming loans which were valued at N2.2trn during the 2009 bank bailout.

Reacting to the IMF’s recommendation, the AMCON boss said: “I find it very surprising that an institution as serious as IMF will make such recommendation like that without telling us how to do it and in what time frame and what assistance they can offer for us to wind down.

“We are aware that IMF has its hands full on banking crisis all over the Euro zone that they have been struggling to resolve.

Therefore, it is strange to hear such a comment in a country where the crisis has been resolved. It is part of our plan to slow down AMCON’s activities, but

the comment they made is baffling.”

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, described the IMF’s recommendation as “absolutely unnecessary,” saying “there is no reason for that”.

According to Rewane, AMCON is both a distress resolution vehicle as well as an institution set up to prevent systemic risks.

“AMCON is just two years and they are suggesting we wind down. Are they saying if there is another crisis, we should set up another AMCON? If AMCON is there, anytime there is a systemic risk, it can take it off.

“I am not aware of any part of the world where a

distress resolution vehicle is set up and after two years, you shut it down. You can ask AMCON to slow down its activities, which to me is what it is doing now. So, I totally disagree with IMF,” Rewane said.

The corporation, which declared N2.73trn as operating loss for the 2011 financial year is already seeking other non-government sources of funding to cover the losses, which was due to its having to buy more bad loans than initially envisaged.

Indeed, analysts are worried about how AMCON will refinance a N1.7trn zero-coupon bond that will mature at the end of this year as it could mean that government will have to pay investors.

Only last week, it said it

was considering floating a dollar-denominated bond to fill its refinancing gap.

The proposed instrument would enable AMCON to fill a N5trn refinancing gap, which was created by its acquisition of non-performing loans of banks.

The corporation had also sought the services of professional debt recovery agents to pursue debtors after a drastic move to shame the high-profile debtors by publishing their names in newspaper yielded little result.

According to Ms Razia Khan, Head of Africa Research at Standard Chartered Bank, the loss was a “wake-up call” that the banking sector’s problems will not be resolved as easily as first thought and that CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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Mandela’s battle with lung infection PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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he relapsing health challenges of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, one of the world’s renowned personalities have caused serious anxiety in South Africa and the worldwide, as the elder statesman spent his seventh day in hospital yesterday.

Mandela, 94, was re-admitted to an unidentified hospital on March 28 due to the recurrence of his lung infection.

This was the second time that he would be hospitalised in one month, and third times since December.

On March 9, Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria for a scheduled medical check-up to manage existing conditions in line with his age. He was discharged one day later. South Africans revered him for his nationalistic and forefront struggle to halt apartheid in South Africa.

Mandela’s failing health has been the focus of attention in the past recent years. Would he survive this continuous deterioration in his health, is a question many would love to get an answer.

Even amidst report that his condition is improving in the latest bout with the sickness, according to Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for President Jacob Zuma, doctors withdrew excess fluid that had accumulated in the space surrounding his lungs as a result of an infection.

On December 8, he was taken into a Pretoria hospital for a lung infection and gallstones. He underwent a successful surgery to have the gallstones removed after doctors attended to his lung infection.

He was discharged from hospital on December 26 to undergo home- based high care at his Houghton home. This was Mandela’s longest hospital stay since 2001 when he underwent seven weeks of radiotherapy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Get-well messages worldwide have shown the level of concern for the quick recovery of this global icon. The United States President Barack Obama said he’s concerned about Nelson Mandela’s health, but that the anti-apartheid leader is as strong physically as he has been in leadership and character.

According to Obama, he’s sending his thoughts and prayers to Mandela, who is back in the hospital for the third time in months with a chronic lung infection.

Obama says Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, is a hero and an inspiration who gave everything to his people.

African Union commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said she “joined world leaders” in wishing Mandela speedy recovery.

“As the African Union we join the people of South Africa, Africa and indeed the world in extending our thoughts and prayers to one of the revered leaders that the continent of Africa has produced, Nelson Mandela,” said Dlamini-Zuma in a statement.

“The African Union, as does the rest of Africa and the world, wishes him a speedy recovery while expressing its great confi-

•Spends 7th day in hospital

Mandela

Mandela reading

ACCORDING TO OBAMA, HE’S SENDING HIS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO

MANDELA,

WHO IS BACK IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN MONTHS WITH A CHRONIC LUNG INFECTION dence in the ability of the medical team attending to his health,” she said.

Meanwhile on Twitter, Vampire Diaries American actor Ian Somerhalder tweeted his best wishes to Mandela, saying the world still needed him.

“Please please please get better Mr Mandela. We need you and we love you.

You inspire us all to love one another...”

Another tweeter, Mario Rojas from Honduras, tweeted that “heroes don’t always wear capes and masks #Mandela.”

Masemene Moses from Limpopo in South African tweeted his gratitude to Mandela for giving South Africa freedom: “If u fill like resting its fine.bt ur legacy wil remain #madiba [sic]”, he posted.

Shereen H Aljarrah from Pakistan thanked Madiba for being “An Inspuration For #Peace lovers around the world [sic]” But there was also a level of resignation about Mandela’s fate, in contrast to the panic of previous health scares, and a sense that Mandela must now be left in peace.

The anti-apartheid hero and Nobel Peace Prize laureate was flown from his home village of Qunu in the southeast of the country to a hospital in the capital Pretoria on Saturday. The once spry boxer, who stayed fit during his 27 years in prison by doing calisthenics in his cell, has grown increasingly frail. But his stature as one of the world’s most famous and loved public figures remains undimmed.

“We wish him a speedy recovery,” said Ntanyongwana Mdzeki, an octogenarian neighbour of Mandela in Qunu village.

With his family.

With children

“We still need him to be around because he changed our lives.”

Mandela was born 18 July 1918 in Mvezo, a small village situated in the district of Umtata, Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. His linage is traced to the cadet branch of the Thembu dynasty.

His patrilineal great-grandfather Ngubengcuka (who died in 1832), ruled as king of the Thembu people. One of the king’s sons, named Mandela, became Nelson’s grandfather and the source of his surname.

Mandela’s father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, served as chief of the

town of Mvezo. However, upon alienating the colonial authorities, they deprived Mphakanyiswa of his position, and moved his family to Qunu. Mandela spent much of his childhood. His traditional name Rolihlahla means “to pull a branch of a tree”, or more colloquially, “troublemaker”.

Mandela became the first member of his family to attend a school, where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the English name “Nelson”.

In South Africa, Mandela is often known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name; or as tata meaning father in Xhosa.

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Photo News

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda (left) and Chairman of the state’s Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Lawi Pokti, during the Easter homage to the governor in Bauchi, yesterday.

L-R: Representative of the Minister of Health, Dr Wapada Balami; President, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Abuja, Prof Oladapo Ladipo and spokesperson for Endometriosis in Nigeria, Chief Adenike Oshinowo, during a seminar on the Pains of Endometriosis in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai (left) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ogwu, addressing a pre-convocation news conference in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chairman, Borkir Energy Company Limited, Alhaji Sani Dangote and the Managing Director, Nigeria Gas Company, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, at an agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, recently.

National News

Corruption not peculiar to us –Police OMEIZA AJAYI & JOEL AJAYI

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he Nigeria Police yesterday hit back at its critics and recent poll results which indicated that the force was one of the most corrupt agencies of government, explaining that corruption is more of a societal problem than a police issue.

Pioneer Chaplain of the Nigeria Police Force Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Raphael Fagbohun, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, said corruption in the police is not an institutional phenomenon and therefore not peculiar to the police alone as it is a societal and personal issue.

Fagbohun, who spoke yesterday at the seventh anniversary celebration of the force chaplaincy in Abuja, also charged Nigerians to use their ethnic and religious leanings to promote the unity and continued co-existence of the country.

According to him, the singular purpose of establishing the chaplaincy was to eradicate corruption in the police through the instrument of spirituality to transform the officers and men.

He said corruption occurs both at a personal level and at the societal level, wondering why people tend to single out the police for public bashing and ridicule.

Fagbohun, who also declared that the force was not corrupt, said the organisation has dismissed so many of its personnel found wanting. He argued that the force has the highest rate of such dismissals not because its men were the most corrupt, but because it does not condone corruption and other vices.

“It is a societal issue that has to do with Nigeria as a whole. It is a personal one that has to do with individuals.

Every wise person knows that corruption is a Nigerian problem and

not a police issue. The police happens to be a part of the Nigerian society with corrupt individuals who are personnel of the force, which does not condone corruption.

“The Nigeria Police as an organisation is not corrupt but upholds high discipline even till date. A clear example is that it is the organisation with the highest number of dismissal rate of indiscipline officers in the public or civil service. You can check out this statistical fact,” he said.

The former chaplain said the force currently has 102 trained pastors and imams while places of worship for officers and their families have been established in all police formations and barracks throughout the country to enable them easily connect spiritually with God. “No cross no crown,” they say. There is no success without challenge; the chaplaincy has got its successes and failures to learn

from and become better in the future,” Fagbohun noted, adding that the force has outlined measures to ensure the continued growth of the chaplaincy.

He said the easy accessibility to places of worship is of huge benefit to the officers, who do not have to leave the places of their assignment in order to fulfil their spiritual and

religious obligations.

Fagbohun also warned other religious leaders not to attempt to take over the police chaplaincy, saying no particular denomination could lay claim to its ownership. He said such moves would be viewed as trespass and an attempt to take over police administration of the chaplaincy.

“Our stand in dealing

with this, which we still reiterate here, is that the police chaplaincy is not a religious organisation or an appendage of a particular denomination.

“It is purely an administrative section of the Nigeria Police meant to oversee the spiritual growth of the officers and men while coordinating religious matters within the force.”

‘Abuja explosion, not act of terrorism’ OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has dismissed insinuations that Monday’s explosion in Karu was an act of terrorism. The police said the incident was not also a bomb blast.

FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Femi Ogunbayode, told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the explosive that went off was not an Improvised Explosive Device,

IED, but a commercial explosive used in road construction and rock blasting.

“It is very necessary for us to clear the air about what happened on Monday at Karu,” Ogunbayode stated.

He assured residents of the territory of the resolve of the police to carry out its activities diligently, urging members of the public to go about their normal duties without fear of any attack.

The popular Karu Shopping Plaza, which

also houses a major eatery and another nearby plaza were affected by the explosion. The development had forced funseekers at the eatery to scamper for safety, leaving their loved ones to their fate.

“Initially it was thought that the explosion took place in Mr BIGGs eatery, but when police responded quickly to the explosion, it was discovered that the incident occurred at an uncompleted site beside the eatery house.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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World Bank President advocates end to poverty by 2030 TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, yesterday tasked leaders in developed and developing countries to vigorously pursue programmes that would facilitate inclusive growth in their economies as a strategic step towards ending poverty across geo-political frontiers globally.

Kim, in a speech delivered at Georgetown University, outlined a bold agenda for the global community toward ending extreme poverty by 2030 and promoting shared prosperity to boost the incomes of the poorest 40 per cent of the population in each country.

While calling for ambitious new goals to help the most vulnerable, Kim noted that the world was going through an auspicious moment in history when the successes of past decades and an increasingly favourable economic outlook combine to give developing countries a chance - for the first time ever - to end extreme poverty within a gen-

eration.

Kim said the collective duty of global leaders now must be to ensure that the favourable circumstances are matched with deliberate decisions to realise this historic opportunity.

Speaking in advance of the upcoming World Bank/ IMF Spring Meetings, Kim observed that developing economies rebounded quickly from the crisis and are now in a fundamentally sound position, thanks to greater macroeconomic stability, a stronger rule of law, and increased investments in human capital and infrastructure Kim noted that the first Millennium Development Goal, MDG, to halve extreme poverty, was achieved in 2010, five years ahead of time, after developing countries spent years investing in social safety nets and working hard to build the fiscal space and create the macroeconomic buffers to respond effectively if a crisis hit.

To achieve the more difficult goal of virtually eliminating extreme poverty, he listed three factors as im-

Bad loans: No more rescue for banks, says AMCON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

banks may end up paying a higher contribution towards its resolution.

AMCON’s Executive Director, Finance, Mrs. Mofoluke Dosumu had said: “The non-performing loans that we bought were four times larger … which shows you that what was disclosed as NPLs (non-performing loans) on the books of the banks were (below) what we found when they started selling to us.”

“We bought four times what we initially envisaged,” she added.

Meanwhile, shareholders of the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Finbank Nigeria Plc, Equitorial Trust Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Bank PHB, Spring Bank Nigeria and Afribank Nigeria Plc have urged the Federal Government to wind down the AMCON. Speaking to National Mirror, President of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association, Mr. Timothy Adesiyan, said the shareholders have not seen posi-

tive effects of AMCON on their investments, saying that the people who ruined their investment in the bridged banks are stagemanaging the corporation.

He said: “I hope the Federal Government will heed to the advice because we have been unjustifiably punished, though the corporation is established to bring relief to the capital market at the expense of investors.”

Adesiyan said that the corporation took over their assets in the nationalised banks without compensation, adding: “We shall continue to struggle until the government pay us the reasonable value of our investment.”

The banks that metamorphosed from the defunct nationalised banks are Mainstreet Bank Limited, Keystone Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited.

AMCON injected N111bn to Enterprise Bank Limited, N285bn to Mainstreet Bank Limited and N283bn to Keystone Bank Limited.

perative.

According to him, to reach the goal by 2030 will require an acceleration of the growth rate observed over the past 15 years, and in particular sustained high growth in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.∙ Secondly, the World Bank boss explained that it will also require efforts to enhance inclusiveness and curb inequality, and ensure that growth translates into

poverty reduction, most importantly through job creation.∙ And third, it will require that potential shocks – such as new food, fuel, or financial crises and climatic disasters – be averted or mitigated.

Noting that many global leaders, over many decades, have spoken about ending poverty, Kim recognised that to realise this vision will take a commitment

from the entire global development community that matches the scope of the challenge, and he hailed recent calls from global leaders to take action.

“Recently a number of courageous politicians have committed to ending poverty in their countries, including Dilma Rousseff in Brazil and Joyce Banda in Malawi. Similarly, US President Barack Obama

and UK Prime Minister David Cameron endorsed the vision of ending extreme poverty globally. These bold calls demand action,” said Kim. He pointed out that the date of 2030 is highly ambitious, adding that to reach the 2030 goal, “we must halve poverty once, then halve it again, and then nearly halve it a third time – all in less than one generation.

Shoppers at Wuse Market as normal business activities resumed after the Easter holiday in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Only force will end Boko Haram –Chief of Army Staff CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

country.

Meanwhile, all abandoned or uncompleted buildings in Lagos State may be revoked and become property of the state government as part of efforts to checkmate terrorism in the state.

This was disclosed

by Governor Babatunde Fashola while addressing officers and men of the Nigerian Army during the military-media relations seminar held at the 81 Divi-

sion of the Nigeria Army.

Governor Fashola, who said his administration will continue to sensitise owners of such abandoned properties and uncompleted buildings in the state to build them up, maintained that recent events have shown that these properties are likely targets and breeding grounds for terrorists.

He said: “We have sensitised people in the state about the need to build up the properties they own, abandoned buildings and

undeveloped parcels of land providing the breeding grounds for these criminals to hide. In the next few weeks and months, we will be compelled to repossess or revoke those titles in the public interest,” he said.

The governor also added that efforts are afoot to outlaw sleeping in market places in the state. “Market places and other places where some people sleep overnight is going to be outlawed. We will continue to urge the citizens that after

the market is closed, they must all vacate the area.

Because our operatives will be going around to search those markets because they give concern about the possibility to launch attacks,” the governor said.

The Lagos State government, he maintained, has solicited and got the support of union leaders in motor parks and markets across the state to strengthen their security mechanism in their areas of operations.

We’ll meet in court, pension boss, Maina, tells Senate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

27 judgement, which restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, from executing a warrant of arrest issued against him.

This is even as the Force headquarters has said that it was yet to see a copy of the judgement.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had granted one of Maina’s reliefs for a perpetual injunction, restraining the IGP from arresting him, in compliance with the February 2 resolution of the Senate, which was

personally signed by the Senate President, David Mark.

Speaking with National Mirror yesterday counsel to Maina, Mr. M.A Magaji (SAN), said his client is ready to enter his response, once he is served with a notice of appeal.

Magaji said: “We are ready for any appeal. But, until we see the notice of appeal, we will then prepare our defence of the judgement.”

In a related development, National Mirror learnt that the IGP, who was listed as a co-defendant, was yet to

“see” a copy of the judgement.

In a brief telephone conversation with our correspondent yesterday, Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Mr. Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police said: “I have read about the judgement, just like every other citizen, but I’m yet to see a copy of the judgement.”

Mba continued: “Of course, when we get the judgement, we will study it and make appropriate response.”

Following Justice Adamu Bello’s order of per-

petual injunction, in favour of Maina’s motion for the enforcement of his fundamental human right against possible arrest and “intimidation”, Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba, had said that the upper legislative chamber will “certainly” challenge the March 27 judgement of the court.

Delivering his judgement, Justice Bello had held that the police could not arrest Maina based on the aforesaid resolution, which he maintained, was neither gazetted nor published in the Senate’s journal.

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Alamieyeseigha: Anti-graft war’ll look meaningless –Onaiyekan JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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he Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, yesterday said the recent pardon granted by the Federal Government to former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and others, who were convicted for corruption would remove Nigerians’ confidence in the government’s crusade

against corruption.

The cleric also condemned calls for amnesty for the Boko Haram sect, saying government must explore all possible avenues to stop the incessant killings in the North.

Onaiyekan, who said this in Abuja yesterday, noted that although government had the power to give state pardon to criminals, it must be done with ultimate caution.

He said: “Obviously, the state must handle very care-

fully whatever powers it has to forgive criminals otherwise, the whole structure of law and order in the society will be seriously compromised.

“There may be political considerations but these cannot be allowed to overthrow moral imperatives.”

Onaiyekan added that for any pardon to be granted, there were some conditions that must be followed.

He said: “There ought to be some form of repentance, which should be clear to ev-

eryone. Furthermore, a sincere effort must be made to pay back as much as possible of what has been stolen.

“It is alleged that a lot of the stolen money is not lost.

It is said to be somewhere invested in one way or the other. That money belongs to the Nigerian people and it must be given back to them.

How this will be done should be part of the conditions that would have to be worked out in the process for pardon.

“Whatever government decides to do in this matter,

it must not forget that the issue of massive corruption in high places is of major concern to Nigerians. Much has been said about fighting corruption. But people are fast losing confidence in the sincerity of government to turn the tide.

“Pardon for high profile corruption cases will certainly reduce further whatever is left of the confidence of the people. This has serious political and social fallout that government cannot afford to ignore.”

On amnesty for Boko Haram sect, Onaiyekan wondered why government would decide to pardon those who kill people at will.

He said: “How does the state forgive murderers?

How can the government grant amnesty to people who have killed innocent citizens, some in their places of worship?

“The Boko Haram may claim to have all kinds of grievances, but the fact is that they have killed innocent people.”

Nigeria, U.S. relationship intact –Presidency OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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A bulldozer demolishing structures built on pipeline at Ijegun in Lagos, yesterday.

Soyinka, Uduaghan, Aregbesola, Afenifere, others visit Awo’s family FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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minent Nigerians thronged the Ikenne home of the Awolowo dynasty to condole with the family over the death of the publisher of Nigerian Tribune, Evangelist Oluwole Awolowo.

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, were among the dignitaries who went to commiserate with the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Yeye Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo.

Aside the politicians and the academician, a delegation of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, led by its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, also visited the family.

They described late Oluwole Awolowo as a true Nigerian who remained committed to the country’s unity.

Soyinka, who had a private discussion with Mama HID before signing the condolence register, urged members of the family to take heart.

Uduaghan said the late Oluwole Awolowo was concerned about Nigeria’s unity.

“He was an elder brother, I remember him very well because of two or three occasions, I had private discussions with him and he was concerned with the unity of Nigeria.

“Uncle Wole was also concerned about the development and progress of Nigeria and used the opportunity of being a newspaper proprietor to propagate this’.

“Aside from this, we knew who his father was; somebody who gave us, especially me, the opportunity of going to school. I grew up in a community where there was no light, no water and other amenities, but there was a school and I was opportune to have attended the school, free of charge,’’ Uduaghan said.

The governor also said

he had an emotional attachment to the Awolowo family.

On his part, Aregbesola described Oluwole’s death as colossal loss to the country.

He said: “One clear lesson is the transience of life itself; it is not about him but it is about the fact that death is a certainty that must come to every living being, not necessarily human; every living thing would pass on.

“To me, the morals, the lesson here is the courage of the matriarch of this dynasty and her fortitude, her strength of character and spirit, her ability to endure this and I will pray that the Almighty will further strengthen her, imbue her with the capacity to weather this. ‘’It is not easy for a human being to have the experience she has had but God in His omniscience will provide her the capacity to bear it. We must all join in praying for her for greater fortitude. To the family, my wish and prayer is that this experience will never hap-

pen again.’’

Also, Bankole, who led a delegation which included three members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Job Akintan, Hon. John Obafemi and Hon. Remmy Hazzan, urged Mama HID to take heart.

Bankole was also on the visit with Senator Lekan Mustapha and Hon. Dave Salako.

He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

he Federal Government and the United States of have no major disagreement on issues of bilateral relationship and will continue to work together, especially on the operations of the Bi National Commission.

The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said this while playing host to the American Political Counsellor in Nigeria, Mr. Gregory Lawless, who was in his office on a courtesy call.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Okupe explained that the ties between the United States and Nigeria had been built around issues of mutual interests and cooperation on economy, security and good governance and could not be destroyed by disagreement on one or two issues.

Assuring the visiting American official of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to tackling problems of insecurity occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, the SSA explained that government would ensure that

Nigerians and foreigners in Nigeria live in safety in every part of the country.

He added that the United States appreciated the role of the Nigerian government in the ongoing military operation in Mali, adding that the Jonathan administration would continue to partner with the international community on ways of guaranteeing regional security.

On the fight against corruption, the presidential spokesman said “the Goodluck Jonathan administration has ensured that anti-graft agencies operate without any form of manipulations from government in order to entrench the principles of separation of powers as provided in the 1999 constitution.”

According to him, Nigeria and the United States are irrevocably committed to the success of the Bi-National Commission, which was initiated by the two countries in 2010 and which has a mandate to promote issues of security, power and energy, governance and institutional integrity, food security as well as sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta region.

Egbin Power Plant: BPE offers KEPCO 70% shares

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he Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, has given a letter of offer to KEPCO Energy Resources for 70 per cent sale of Federal Government’s shares in Egbin Power Plant.

BPE’s Head of Public Communications, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

Anichebe said the 70 per cent sale was for $407.3 million.

He added that at its second meeting for 2013, the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, approved the sale of 70 per cent of Federal Govern-

ment’s shares in Egbin Power Plant to KEPCO Energy Resources for that amount.

The BPE spokesman said the council asked KEPCO to pay 51 per cent of the plant’s shares at the 2007 valuation of $549.01 million.

He added that KEPCO was to pay for the additional 19 per cent of the shares at the current valuation of $670 million.

According to Anichebe, KEPCO is expected to pay 25 per cent of the money within 15 working days.

The BPE spokesman noted that on receipt of the offer let-

ter, it was expected to pay the balance of 75 per cent within 90 working days.

He said: “In the approval, the council directed that the BPE reserves 10 per cent of the remaining 30 per cent for the workers and that the additional 90 per cent of the remaining 30 per cent shares be sold to the Nigerian people through Initial Public Offer, IPO, at a later date.’’

The privatisation of the power company was earlier concluded with KEPCO Energy Resources for the sale of 51 per cent on May 17, 2007 for $280 million.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

‘ Why NSCDC redeployed Lagos Commandant’ OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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resh facts emerged yesterday as to why the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) redeployed its Lagos State Commandant, Mr. Shem Obafaye.

Although NSCDC told journalists that Obafaye’s redeployment was part of the routine in the Corps, an impeccable source said in Abuja that the commandant was not redeployed because of the ill-fated interview he granted to Channels Television.

According to the source, Obafaye personally applied to be redeployed from Lagos State in the wake of the bad publicity generated as a result of the television interview.

The source said because of the overwhelming negative publicity generated by the interview, Obafaye applied to be allowed to swap positions with his Oyo State counterpart, Mr. Adesuyi Clement.

He said: “Mr. Obafaye actually applied to be redeployed due to the bad publicity he got after that interview. So, he is going to be in charge in neighbouring Oyo State. He merely swapped with his

Oyo State counterpart, having obtained approval to do so from the appropriate quarters.

“If you were the one in the circumstance, I guess you will want to opt out.

Naturally, he is very media shy. Then the clash with the police also came up, focusing a lot of media attention on the command again. He was not redeployed as a form of punishment.”

NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh, said that for reasons which could

hinder one’s official operations, an officer of that cadre is free to make such an application.

Obafaye became an object of public ridicule after he could not recollect his organisation’s website during a breakfast show on Channels Television.

When the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Olu Abolurin, visited Lagos State at the weekend over the recent killings of two of his men, he introduced Mr. Adesuyi to journalists as Obafaye’s succes-

AWKA

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he dispute between Anambra State and Kogi State governments over the oil wells being harnessed by Orient Petroleum Company has escalated with reports of armed men invading the boundary coastal community of Aguleri, destroying houses and other valuable properties, as well killing persons.

Sources said no fewer than seven people had been killed and over 52 houses burnt in a bloody clash over land dispute between Enugu-Otu Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government and Ashonwo/Odeke in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

A community leader in Enugu-Otu Aguleri con-

es, lauds other security agencies and stakeholders for collaborating with the Corps in fighting the elements that bent on frustrating the nation’s economy.

The commandantgeneral recalled that the NSCDC is mandated by Section 3 of the NSCDC Act No 2 of 2003 and Section 3 of the Corps Amendment Act No 6 of 2007 to maintain 24-hour surveillance over infrastructure, sites, and projects for the federal, state and local governments.

Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mr. Abba Kyari (left), receiving a Certificate of Courage from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umaru Manko, in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: FRANCIS SUBERU

Seven killed, 52 houses burnt in Anambra, Kogi oil clash CHARLES OKEKE

sor.

Abolurin did not give reasons for Obafaye’s replacement, but many connected the action to his “embarrassing” outing on the TV guest show.

However, following Dr Abolurin’s visit to Lagos, the NSCDC said it had evolved new strategies aimed at curtailing the activities of oil pipeline vandals.

Dr. Abolurin, while appraising the efforts of the Corps in curtailing the activities of vandals, oil theft and other social vic-

fided to journalists that some people from Ashonwo/Odeke invaded the community on Wednesday last week at about 1:30am with sporadic gun shots and burnt houses.

He said residents were sleeping when they started hearing gunshot and as some of them came out to find out what was happening, they saw their houses on fire.

The source added that the invaders, who allegedly hailed from Kogi State, also killed some residents.

He said: “We heard the invaders saying that the land belonged to them.

They claimed that Aguleri people could not take the land from them, they invaded our community and started killing people and burning houses.”

It was also learnt that three Aguleri people were allegedly kidnapped dur-

ing the incident.

The Aguleri indigenes have, however, threatened that they would not fold their hands while their kinsmen were being attacked for no just cause.

Speaking on the incident, the Anambra State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, who said he did not know anything about the reported casualties, assured of restoration of peace to the warring communities.

The Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, decried what he described as the heavy destruction of lives and property in Aguleri community by the people of Kogi State.

He said the Anambra State Government had deployed soldiers to the area to restore peace.

9

Mother, son electrocuted in Osogbo A DEOLU A DEYEMO OSOGBO

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esidents of AbeObi area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, wept on Monday night when a woman and her son got electrocuted.

Investigation by National Mirror revealed that the woman, Sikiatu Awisu (35) and her son, Afeez Awisu (14) got electrocuted while trying to run for safety from an electric spark that occurred in the area.

It was gathered that the electric spark threw the entire people of the area into confusion as they reportedly fled the scene.

Luck, however, ran against the woman and her son as they rammed into an electric pole with life wire.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Folasade Odoro, said that the police had responded promptly to the incident.

She said that the woman and her son died when “they rammed into an electric wire that fell down in the area. Both of them got electrocuted and died immediately.”

NDDC abandoned 86 projects in Edo –Report S EBASTINE E BHUOM HAN BENIN

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he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has abandoned about 86 projects valued at N6 billion in Edo State.

Contracts for many of the projects were alleged to have been awarded in 2004.

A summary of the projects include roads linking oil and gas producing communities as well as their local government headquarters, water supply schemes, erosion control contracts, rural electricity and comprehensive health centre projects.

The revelation is contained in the 2005 to 2011 report of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on the NDDC submit-

ted recently to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

According to the committee’s report, of about 609 projects said to have been undertaken by the commission and inspected, only 222 have been completed. About 102 were said to be on-going while about 285 were abandoned with 99 in Cross Rivers State and 126 in Rivers State.

It will be recalled that the Oba of Benin, Oba Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, last week decried the spate of abandoned projects in Edo State when the state Commissioner on NDDC Board, Mr. Henry Okhuarobo, paid him a courtesy visit on the occasion of his 34th coronation anniversary.

Oba Erediauwa had asked the NDDC to justi-

fy the reason for its creation by implementing people-oriented projects in Niger Delta and by providing jobs youths.

Erediauwa had said: “We were all happy when NDDC was created, but people are now worried that not much development had been achieved.

“Though we are seeing improvements, we need more so as to justify the reasons for its creation. We want development in the Niger Delta and we should get it through NDDC, which is saddled with that responsibility.”

A fortnight ago, some angry youths disrupted the commissioning of the 24km ObazogbeAbudu Road, a project its contractor allegedly abandoned at Obagie, a few kilometres from the take-off point.

10

South West

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Pastor, six others held over MMIA robbery FRANCIS SUBERU

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Pastor and the General Overseer of The Way of Joy Church, Ibikunle Olanrewaju John, was one the seven suspects paraded yesterday by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Umaru Manko, over the March 13, 2013 robbery attack at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, in which two policemen were killed.

The same gang of armed robbers was responsible for the February 10, 2012 attack at the airport where about N600 million was carted away.

Ibikunle was paraded alongside six others including; Atoba Adeniyi, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Kazeem Aderibigbe, Saheed Adekunle, Christian Joshua and Saheed Okunlo.

Police investigation revealed that he normally provides spiritual support for the suspects and help in keeping their weapons and ammunition. He was also alleged to have driven the suspects to MMIA during their last operation.

Briefing journalists on how the suspects were apprehended, the commissioner of police said following the attack in which two police officers were killed and several innocent others were injured, police officers attached to the special anti-robbery squad swung into action by following up on a document obtained from one of the rob-

bers, Teslim Okunola, who was shot dead by the deceased police officers.

Manko added that; “On March 13, at about 7:30pm, an incident happened, where robbers went to International Airport and killed two policemen.

“Those two policemen served at Apapa command.

They went on official engagement and got killed by the bandits who came to rob the international airport. The robbers succeeded in wrecking havoc.

“But before he was killed, one of the policemen fought gallantly, killing one of the robbers. He also made sure that other members of the robbery gang were not able to take his corpse away. It was that corpse that led to the arrest of the gang.

“These robbers are not based in Lagos. They’re from Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun. They also attacked

Pastor Ibikunle

the airport last year, making away with $2 million, valued in Nigerian currency to be N600 million.

“All the suspects have confessed to the armed robbery at the airport and several other deadly robberies in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Kwara States.

“The robberies include such as the Oro First Bank/ Union Bank armed robbery in Kwara State in January 2013; First Bank/Wema Bank armed robbery in Ikirun in Osun State on December 2012;

and the bullion van armed robbery attack at Odogbolu Junction along Lagos-IjebuOde Expressway in January, 2013 However, in an interview with journalists, Pastor Ibikunle said he has never followed the other suspects to any robbery scene but confessed to knowing that they were armed robbers. He also said he normally prepare the suspects for oath taking. He said he was given N500, 000 for his effort in the MMIA robbery.

Another of the suspects, Ibrahim, who said he was a truck pusher at the international airport, said his function in the gang was to provide them with information as to cash movements within the airport.

He said he joined the gang after he returned from a prison term of three years and was desperately looking for means to start up again.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Minimum wage: NLC suspends four-day warning strike ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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four-day warning strike embarked upon by workers in the Osun State civil service was yesterday suspended by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC. The leadership of the two unions, Comrade Saka Adesiyan of the NLC and Comrade Francis Adetunji, of the TUC while addressing the state workers who attended the congress at Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, said that the suspension of the strike was as a result of the state government’s readiness to dialogue with them on how their outstanding entitlements and the new minimum wage will be paid.

Adesiyan said at the venue of the meeting that; “Following the readiness of the gov-

L-R: Owa-Ooye of Imesi-Ile, Oba Enoch Akinyemi; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Commissioner for Agriculture and Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin and Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Adeloye Agunbiade, during a meeting with members of the Ijesa North Traditional Council at Ibokun, yesterday.

ernment to commence negotiation with labour on April 15, the congress has hereby suspended the four-day warning strike.

“I want to tell you today that we are going to communicate with the government that we have suspended the strike. So work would resume today.

“Negotiation cannot hold if we are still on strike, which just entered its first day today. The labour laws say that when the aggrieved parties have resolved to dialogue or wants to negotiate, the industrial action must stop to pave way for negotiation.”

He said the state government, had in a letter dated March 30, 2013, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, Mr. L. O. Oyeniran and forwarded to the labour unions, hinted that; “Governor Rauf Aregbesola has graciously approved the composition of members of the negotiating team on the actualisation of agreement on minimum wage in Osun State.”

Adesiyan, who commended the steps taken by the workers in the state to support their move on the matter, assured that their interest would be protected by the unions.

“We thank you for your cooperation and understanding and we pledged that the protection of your welfare and interest would always be paramount to the labour leaders in the state.”

Ex-Oyo SSG denies master-minding guard’s death Ekiti 2014: Fayose to submit letter of intent tomorrow KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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ormer Secretary to the Oyo State Government, SSG, Mr. Ayodele Adigun, yesterday debunked the allegation that he stage-managed the death of his security guard last week in Ibadan, the state capital.

It will be recalled that the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, had alleged in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, that his Akobo residence which was invaded by gunmen who killed his security guard was stage-managed.

Adigun, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan, declared that the statement is not only

uncharitable, barbaric but imbecilic, of the maker.

His words: “Making such a statement has also shown the level of depravity which the mind of Mr. Kolawole had sunk to. He has indeed judged me with his own values and that of his party which unfortunately is not applicable to my person.

“Alleging that I stagemanaged the death of my security guard who had worked with me for 12 years

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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ishop of Akure Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rev. Simeon Borokini, yesterday called on members of the Boko Haram sect to come out of hiding and embrace dialogue.

to gain publicity for Accord Party, a party where I lead the mobilisation committee is barbaric.”

He stated further that; “as a practising Roman Catholic, I value and uphold the sanctity of human life and as I take politics as a hobby and not a do or die affair, it is unimaginable that I can subscribe to the satanic notion that reigns supreme in the field of imagination of Mr. Kolawole and his party.”

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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ormer governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose, will tomorrow take his letter of intent for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship ticket to the state secretariat of the party in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Fayose, who spoke with National Mirror yesterday, in Abuja, revealed that arrangements have been con-

cluded for the occasion.

According to him, many PDP chieftains from the South-West geo-political zone would accompany him to the party secretariat in Ekiti State. Also, about 7, 000 loyalists of the former governor would be at the secretariat with him.

Fayose was removed from office as governor in October 2006, by the members of the state House of Assembly and his elected successor, Chief Segun Oni,

Cleric urges Boko Haram to embrace dialogue The cleric, who made this call in Akure, Ondo State, said it will be difficult to give amnesty to a faceless group with no specific demand from the Federal Government.

He condemned the killings by the sect, saying that

the activities of the group were responsible for the level of insecurity in the country, especially in the north.

Borokini said for any meaningful step to be taken and for them to press home their demand, the group needs to come out of hiding

and embrace dialogue, saying this would aid any discussion that anybody may want to have with them.

The bishop urged the Federal Government to take decisive steps in putting a stop to the killing of innocent citizens in the country.

was also removed from office by the Appeal Court in October, 2010.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, succeeded Oni as the state governor.

However, since Ayo Fayose returned back to the PDP and got a waiver in 2011, the ACN is said to be jittery.

Other aspirants for the PDP governorship ticket include; Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, former deputy governor, Chief Bisi Omoyeni; Senator Ayo Arise, Mr. Femi Bamisile and the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd).

Speaking yesterday, Fayosesaid; “I will on Thursday go to my party state secretariat with my letter of intent to contest the governorship ticket of the party for next year’s election.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

11

N9bn suit: Court grants ex- Interior Minister’s application WALE IGBINTADE

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Lagos High Court has granted the application filed by a former Interior Minister, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, seeking the leave of

court to deliver originating processes at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Apapa, Lagos.

Justice Adebayo Oyebanji gave the order in a N9 billion suit instituted

by the Iheanacho against NIMASA and its Director General, Zikade Patrick Akpobolokemi; Executive Director in charge of Maritime, Labour and Cabotage Services, Callistus Nwabueze Obi and the agency’s Head of Public

Relations, Hajia Tumaka.

The claimant is also demanding N349 million for an alleged assault and false imprisonment.

In a motion ex-parte filed by his lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the applicant told the

L-R: Wife of the President, Ibadan Grammar School Old Students Association, Mrs. Tola Aworh; Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Olu Sanu; Chief Folake Solanke; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olubunmi Olateru-Olagbegi and Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji, at the Centenary Award Dinner of Ibadan Grammar School held in Ibadan, on Monday.

court that the sheriff of the court had made four attempts to serve the 2nd to 4th defendants, but they were said not to be in the office.

He urged the court to exercise its power and order a substituted service on the defendants since the court could not assume jurisdiction to hear the suit until affected parties had been properly served.

Ayorinde said: “There is uncontroverted evidence before the court that the Sheriff of Court made four unsuccessful attempts to serve the 2nd to 4th defendants in their places of work.

In the suit, Iheanacho, who is a retired Captain of the Merchant Navy and a former Vice President of the Indigenous Ship Owners’ Association, said hat the need to seek judicial redress was as a result of the invasion of his farm tank at Ibafon, Lagos, between August 29

and September 28, 2012 by 30 policemen under the command of NIMASA on the allegation that stolen oil products were stored in his premises.

Ayorinde said his client’s arrest and detention at NIMASA’s Search/ Rescue/Resource Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, and later at the State Security Services (SSS) office at Shangisha, Lagos, was a violation of his fundamental human rights.

He added that a world press conference addressed by Tumaka on the allegation, which formed the report in all national newspapers and social media networks, was injurious to him as a person and his company.

Ayorinde said: “MT Grace, which discharged the 3000.349 metric tonnes of diesel oil in his farm tank on the request of PDR Ventures Limited had the written permissions of all relevant authorities to do so.

PHOTO: NAN

‘Osun’s policies structured for economic development’

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sun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, has said that the government’s policies were structured for economic development.

She said that collective wisdom demonstrated, especially by the royal institution, was needed for the stability and progress of the state.

Mrs Laoye-Tomori spoke at an interactive session with Ijesha North Traditional Council and residents of the area in Aregbesola's Campaign Office at Ibokun in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.

She said the state government would continue to consider positive thoughts and ideas of traditional leaders in the implementations of its policies.

Describing the forum as strategic in placing government on its toe and keeping it on the right path, the deputy governor said the interactive forum was a milestone in inclusive style of the state government.

She said that the meeting would be held in the nine Federal constituencies across the state with a view to carry all stakehold-

ers along in government’s decision making.

The gathering, which afforded participants the opportunity to raise questions on issues bothering on community development, witnessed massive turned out of youths and elders.

The deputy governor, however, urged the royal fathers to prevail on youths in their communities to embrace agriculture.

She stressed that rather than searching for scarce white jobs, the state government had created lots of opportunities for the youths to excel in agriculture.

Police quiz Ekiti ACN chair for murder ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Ekiti State Police Command has quizzed the chairman of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over the murder of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Mr Olu Jeje.

Jeje was allegedly killed on Saturday night in Erinjiyan-Ekiti.

The police spokesman, Mr Victor Babayemi Olu, confirmed that the ACN

chairman, who is an indigene of the community, was invited for interrogation yesterday in respect of the killing.

Jeje, who was to publicly defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside many others on Sunday, was killed on Saturday night by some individuals believed to be ACN thugs, while others sustained gunshot injuries.

Earlier at a press conference yesterday, PDP accused the ACN chairman of masterminding the killing.

It called on the police to arrest the ACN chairman for prosecution.

PDP Chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, said PDP had ample evidence of the involvement of the ACN chairman and his lieutenants in the murder.

Ogundipe, who said the murder was a ploy by ACN to prevent its members from defecting to PDP due to its failure to meet the yearnings of the people, wondered why the ruling party should always resort to unleashing

violence on PDP members without provocation.

One of those set to defect to PDP that Sunday, Mr Segun Adewumi, told journalists yesterday that the assailants, who he described as ACN members, were out on a killing spree of PDP supporters.

Adewumi, whose 76-yearold mother, Mrs Julianah Adewumi, sustained gunshot injury that night, said 18 bullets were extracted from her leg at the Federal Medical Centre in Ido-Ekiti.

NUJ president, secretary’s luggage stolen on Air Maroc flight OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the alleged maltreatment of its members by the management of Air Maroc Airlines when they went for a conference in Casablanca, Morocco, last week.

Addressing journalists on arrival yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos, NUJ National President, Mallam Garba Mohammed, alleged that apart from the fact that the aircraft deployed to the route was not properly maintained, the members’ luggage were tampered with.

Mohammed, who was accompanied by other national executive members and the leadership of Lagos NUJ, told journalists that his luggage was tampered with by the ground handlers in Casablanca with N150, 000 stolen from it while the luggage of the National Secretary, Mr. Liman Shuaib, was still missing five days after takeoff from Lagos, Nigeria.

He, however, said the airline manager in Casablanca had been notified on the developments, just as he gave two weeks ultimatum to the airline to return the missing luggage.

Mohammed said: "The officials of the airline in

Casablanca were hostile to us as there was no one to complain to by our team when we discovered that our luggage had been tampered with. However, we eventually met with the airline's manager in Morocco who gave us a form to fill.

"But up till now, nothing has been done on the pilfering of my luggage while the missing luggage of the national secretary is yet to be found despite the assurances from the airline.

“I think it is high time we exposed these airlines and the manner they treat our people."

Mohammed, however, expressed worry over the deplorableworkingconditionsinsome media houses in the country.

He bemoaned the inability of some of the media managers to pay salaries to journalists regularly.

Mohammed insisted that for journalism to be properly sanitised, journalists should be paid their entitlements as at when due.

He, however, gave media houses that are indebted to their workers two weeks ultimatum to pay up or risk sanction.

He said: "We are talking of sanitising the profession and eradication of brown envelops. How can this be achieved when workers are owed over six months’ salaries? NUJ will no longer accept a situation whereby salaries are owed our members.

12

South East

NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

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ormer Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has said that it is the turn of Ndigbo to produce the next president of the country after President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure.

He said a President of Igbo extraction must take over the mantle of leadership from President Jonathan whenever his tenure comes to an end.

Anyaoku, who stated this in a interview with journalists in his country home,

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Presidency: It’s Ndigbo’s turn, says Anyaoku

Obosi, Anambra State at the weekend, during his 80th birthday anniversary celebration, said that whether Jonathan is leaving office in 2015 or in 2019, should he contest and win a second tenure election, an Igbo president should take over from him.

The former Commonwealth scribe insisted that equity demands that Ndigbo must produce the next president and take over from Jonathan because all other geopolitical zones of the country

have produced the president at one time or the other except Ndigbo, who make up the South-East geo-political zone.

According to him; “It does not matter whether Jonathan is leaving office in 2015 or 2019, what matters is that an Igbo president should take over from him as a mark of equity and fair-play since no Igbo man has ever been elected as president but other geo-political zones have produced the president at various times.”

Earlier, in a church service to mark the occasion, Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Nicholas Okoh, described the life of Chief Anyaoku as worth living; a life full of God’s favour and kindness.

The prelate asked him to rededicate the remaining part of his life to the service of the black race.

Okoh said although the country is passing through a lot of security challenges, it could still stand if only the

leaders become servant-leaders who will be ready to devote their lives to the service of God and humanity.

He said for a man to live up to a ripe age of 80 and at the same time maintain 50 years of peaceful marriage actually calls for a double celebration of this nature, even as he congratulated the couple for being married for 50 years in the face of current challenges that include gay marriage, divorce and other societal ills.

The cleric therefore urged

the Anyaokus to always remember that they were kept together by God for the purpose of protecting the society as well as protecting the black race, adding; “Your ability to say and stand by the truth must always be impeccable and doing that, you must be the servant of the people.”

In his goodwill message, President Goodluck Jonathan prayed God to protect them and grant them more fruitful years to serve the country.

EFCC urged to probe Okorocha’s administration CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

T

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Eshi of Nkwerre, Eze Chijioke Okwara and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, during a visit to the monarch at Nkwerre, Imo State, recently.

Blame Imo Deputy Gov’s sack on constitutional lapse –Ahamba urged the National Assembly to ‘alter’ the aforesaid provisions, for purposes of fair hearing.

His words: “You will find that the provisions of section 188 (2) (3) (5) and (10) are procedurally most unjust and unfair to a public office holder in the caliber of deputy governor, against whom an impeachment proceeding has been initiated.

“That is because of the application of the word ‘within’ in the said sub-sections, save for 10, which is the one that denies jurisdiction,” he noted.

According to the senior ad-

vocate; “You have a situation where the Speaker is given seven days to serve the office holder and then within 14 days from the date on which the complaint was served on him, cause the matter to be debated in the House.

“The 14 days include the seven days he had to serve the person complained against.

“The Speaker could choose to serve the person on the sixth day of the seventh day, as the office holder has no specific time within which he is allowed to respond to the complaints against him,” he stated.

foremost constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, has said that the recent impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso, should be blamed on section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which he said put such office holders in a disadvantageous position.

Ahamba, who spoke with National Mirror on phone, against the backdrop of last week’s sack of Agbaso by the Imo State House of Assem-

bly, in the face of a pending suit, regretted that sub-sections 2, 3, 5 and 10 of section 188 do not accord the holder of the position of deputy governor fair hearing.

In his reasoning, the said provisions, which require service of notice of allegations within seven days, are so tilted in favour of the Assembly that its Speaker could afford to serve the office holder on the sixth day, thereby denying him sufficient time to study the charges, with a view to responding appropriately.

In order to cure the perceived ‘mischief,’ Ahamba

DENNIS AGBO

Jonathan anchors success on prayers

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

A

ENUGU

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has said that all the successes recorded by his administration are predicated on prayers being made for his administration by the people.

He said that the prayers have helped to ginger the administration in toeing the

path of righteousness while trying to enthrone good governance in the country.

The President made the disclosure at the wedding ceremony of the son of the Minister for Power, Chimdindu Nebo, with his heartthrob, former Miss Nneka Ani, at St Andrews Anglican Church, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

Represented by the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, Jonathan expressed gratitude to the church and the people of the South-East for their consistent prayers for the present administration in the country.

Wogu said President Jonathan would have preferred to be present at the wedding but for his tight schedule, he

has to come and stand in for him.

He said the President will ever remain grateful to the church and the people of Nigeria, the South East zone and others, generally for their consistent prayers that have given him the spiritual prowess in piloting the affairs of the country.

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other anti-graft agencies in the country to beam their searchlight on the administration of Imo State Governor, Rochas Okoroca.

The party said this has become necessary as the investigation and impeachment of the former deputy governor of the state, Sir Jude Agbaso, over misappropriation of public funds has shown that there may be other ‘monumental fraud’ going on in the state.

The PDP in a statement signed by the state Chairman and Secretary, Chief Eze Duruiheoma and Sir George Eguh respectively, urged the EFCC and other related agencies to dig deeper as they would unearth other mind-boggling cases

of embezzlement of state funds that has been cleverly concealed by the Okorocha administration.

The statement further disclosed that the findings of the Ad-hoc Committee of the state House of Assembly which investigated abandoned road projects, suggest that the state may be heading towards economic collapse if nothing urgent is done to stem the alarming rate of corruption being perpetrated by the administration.

The party also condemned in strong terms, the state government’s disregard of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal, Owerri, on the tenure of elected chairmen and councillors, adding that the recent use of armed militia to oust the chairmen from office by the government to install sole administrators is contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended.)

PDP membership drive begins on shaky ground CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he fresh membership registration exercise being sponsored by the Anambra State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Prince Ken Emeakayi, has commenced on a shaky ground in Awka and other cities in the state.

Checks made by National Mirror showed that the exercise has not commenced in most of the cities and towns as at yesterday.

Findings by our correspondent at the key wards in Awka and Amawbia, where the exercise is expected to have commenced since Sunday, also showed that none of

the party members and the registration officials were present for the exercise.

At the Amikwo Ward 6, in Awka, Awka South Local Government Area, there was no sign that the exercise has commenced at all, as the main registration centres of Ogbugbankwa and Ezi Ibi, were bereft of any activity when our correspondent visited the areas, which were hitherto the hub of political activities during such event.

Speaking on the exercise, a chieftain of the PDP from Amikwo, who did not want his name in print and who holds a key position in the local government executive committee of the party, said they are not aware of the exercise.

Wednesday April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Jude Agbaso: The politics, controversies, denials of Imo Deputy Governor’s impeachment

14,15

ACN raises alarm over plot to scuttle 2015 polls Presidency denies plan to frustrate APC

FELIX NWANERI

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday raised fears over plans by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to scuttle the 2015 general elections by stoking the fire of violence across the country.

Reacting to a newspaper

report of a presidential directive to stop the merger of the opposition parties, the party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that no executive order can stop the coming together of progressive forces in the country to democratically take power from the PDP in 2015.

The party said: “The re-

port by the national newspaper confirms what we already knew, including the sinister plan to stop Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2015 elections. We will like to add that part of this plan is to hurt his business interests, scare off most of his business partners and political associates, try to pin some activities of Boko Haram on him and generally go

after the leading figures including governors in the APC initiative.

“But there is also another plan, which is to ensure that elections either do not hold in 2015 or that they will hold under curfew. To achieve this, those who have now succumbed to a mortal fear of the APC (All Progressives Congress) are stoking the fire of violence across the country, either through incompetent han-

Acting National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Maxi Okwu (left) and National Chairman, United People’s Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie (right), during the party leaders’ meeting in Enugu, yesterday.

PDP crisis: I’ve no apology for my actions, says Tukur Anenih briefs Jonathan on reconciliation tour

OBIORA IFOH AND ROTIMI FADEYI

T

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, yesterday stated that he has no apology for all his actions as the party’s helmsan.

Tukur said he would continue to serve the interest of the party to the best of his ability, insisting that the agenda of reconciliation by his leadership was the only solution to the rumblings among members He also vowed to continue to conduct the party’s affairs with transparency and openness.

Tukur said every action he took since he became the chairman was in the interest of the party, and in line

with the set agenda of Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding of the party at all levels in Nigeria.

Tukur, in a statement issued in London yesterday, against the backdrop of reports of moves to ease him out of PDP, stressed that there was noting he had done to wrong any member of the party to warrant any gang up against him.

He said: “As the chairman, I love my party. If I am serving PDP at my age, the reason is not because I want anything as gains, the reason is that serving the ruling party amounts to serving my nation. I have my nation to serve and diligently too, because the country has made me. So for me, it is a payback time for the country that made me who I am. So why would

I complain in the face of stiff challenges.

“Yes, as the chairman, I had taken decisions which had metamorphosed in the reconciliation moves we have been making. We want every member to see the party as his or her own and as a party that bestow pride on all. Many people would not like such. In that case, I have no apology for doing good to PDP. “I appreciate Mr. President who has been a major pillar of support for the PDP. The President had endorsed every action we took with conviction that they were all in the good interest of the PDP. The governors have been supportive too.

We have been in touch and they keep on assuring me of their support.

“While I take care of my

health, I urge party members to continue to support the National Working Committee (NWC) in its drive towards re-launching PDP into a more formidable structure capable of winning elections without stress.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Although details of the meeting were not made public, inside sources told National Mirror that Anenih was at the Villa to brief the President on the outcome of the reconciliation tour he embarked on.

The tour, which is similar to the one embarked by Tukur is believed to be successful as some of the governors visited may have accepted to work with the party.

dling of existing crisis or by instigating fresh ones. With the North-East and the North-West in the throes of violence, the South-West is their next target in this regard, and we will reveal the full details of their shenanigans in due course.”

Vowing to resist attempts to stop the opposition’s alliance, ACN said: “No force on earth has ever been able to stop an idea which time has come, which is what the APC represents. It is therefore futile for anyone to embark on such an impossible task.

“Nigerians are yearning for change. Therefore targeting our leaders won’t help the disappearing behemoth, whose so-called reconciliation efforts have even worsened its plight; needless to say that every attempt or attack on perceived political opponents by the government and its apparatchiks will be revealed, contested and resisted.

“The leaders of APC know what they are up against and are mindful that the battle ahead may be rough and difficult, yet they are irrevocably committed to establishing a party that will sound the death knell of the bumbling PDP and bring development to Nigeria.”

ACN said it is aware that all the attempts to derail the registration of the APC, by sponsored impostors were masterminded from the seat of power and the highest echelon of the PDP which have abandoned governance for dirty politics.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has denied reports linking it with plans to frustrate the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in a statement yesterday debunked the claim that President Jonathan had given directives to some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to thwart the registration.

Okupe said the claim was false, mischievous and ran against common sense.

President Goodluck Jonathan, he said, is a democrat who has refused to interfere in the activities of other political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The President does not give unlawful directives and has nothing to fear about the proposed merger that will necessitate him planning anything against the business interest of opposition figures as claimed by the newspaper,” he maintained.

Mantu, Jibrin, others accused of destabilising PDP OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

F

our prominent members of the kitchen cabinet of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, have been singled out by the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for destabilising the ruling party.

The aides which have been accused of usurping the details and duties of the NWC members include Tukur’s Principal Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Idah, and Political Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau; former Dep-

uty Senate President Ibrahim Mantu and Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin.

National Mirror gathered from two members of the NWC that the four men have held the PDP national chairman hostage and have created a wide gulf between him and other members of the NWC. Mantu, who is practically in charge of Tukur’s operation in the North, and Jibrin were said to have advised Tukur to cripple the NWC members by making sure that meetings were not held regularly and if it had to hold it must be in his residence.

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Politics

Wednesday April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jude Agbaso: The politics, controversies, denials In the past few weeks, attention was on Imo State over the impeachment plot against the Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso and his subsequent sack from the Douglas Government House on Thursday, March 28. CHRIS NJOKU, in Owerri, reports on the undercurrents that led to his exit.

S

ir Jude Agbaso, Imo State former deputy governor, is today a worried man. Only few months ago he was the newest kid on the bloc of governance in Imo State. Not only that he was the number two man in the state, but he also held the strategic ministry as Commissioner for Works and transport. For him and his friends, it was time to celebrate.

But today Agbaso had a burden on his mind. His worry arose from his impeachment and the taint on his name. On Thursday March 28, 2013, he was shown the way out of Douglas House over alleged financial misconduct in a contract deal despite his plea of innocence.

The beginning The battle for Agbaso’s impeachment has been intriguingly hot but the process was more of a drama. But how did it all began. The impeachment proceedings started like a mere harassment but it turned out to be reality.

This followed a complaint raised by a member of the House at a plenary on Wednesday February 20, 2013 that both Messrs JPROS International Nigeria Limited and Timik Construction Company abandoned work on road projects at Warehouse Road Junction, Odunze-Aba Road, Amaigbo Street to Old Nekede Road and dualisation of Orlu Main Town after collecting over 100 per cent payments.

Based on the complaint, the State House of Assembly set up a six-man Ad hoc Committee to investigate the remote causes of stoppage/abandonment of work on the road projects.

As part of holding the bull by the horn, the committee met with the former deputy governor; Commissioner for Finance, Principal Secretary to Governor Rochas Okorocha; the state Accountant-General; permanent secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport and directors/line officers and representatives of JPROS International Nig. Ltd and Timik Construction company Ltd implicated in the deal for interrogation.

Officials, contractors appear before the House All those invited were interrogated except the representative of Timik Construction Company who claimed that he was “deadly sick” and was receiving treatment in a hospital in Lagos with an unfulfilled promise to meet the committee once he recovered.

In his evidence before the committee, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr. Alex Nlebedum submitted a letter Ref. MOW/COMM/18/S.1/ V1/57 dated February 1, 2012 addressed to Governor Okorocha to show how the road contracts being handled by JPROS International Nig. Ltd was renegotiated down-

ward from N1.3 million to N1.5 million.

He also said that the principal secretary to the governor, Dr. Pascal Obi, through a letter informed Agbaso of the governor’s approval for the release of N1.3 million to the ministry of works.

However, the committee found out in its investigation that while the deal was being renegotiated, JPROS International Nig. Ltd which had earlier expressed interest for the job at the sum of N1.5 million before the contract was renegotiated downward had already received N200 million first advance payment.

Shockingly, the commissioner for finance, Deacon Chike Okafor, told the committee that he paid JPROS International Nig. Ltd N1.5 million without heeding the directive signed by the principal secretary to the governor expressly stating that the money be paid to the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Also, the Accountant-General, George Eche, who paid the controversial contractor without certificate, a condition precedent for raising payment voucher, submitted that his duty as accountant-general arises only after governor’s approval. In this case, he said he received consent of the governor through a letter dated February 3, 2012 by the Principal Secretary to the governor, arguing that “it is the duty of the ministry to ensure necessary certificates are earned before raising payment vouchers for purposes of applying for governor’s approval and release of money to the contractor.”

However, the managing director of JPROS International Nig. Ltd, Joseph Dina informed the committee that he did not apply for the payment but that he was nevertheless not surprised as the governor had always assured him to continue work that he would pay him 100 per cent.

As to why he abandoned the contract, he stated that he did not abandon the job, but agreed that the job was slow due to the fact that he was short of funds.

Dina, however, shocked the committee when he informed members that his company could not continue with the project due to the directive he received from Agbaso to deposit N458 million into his personal account as kickback for another 15-kilometre road in two local government areas. He said for this reason, the company became enmeshed in financial crisis to deliver the contract in question.

The Lebanese-born managing director of the firm went on to provide the committee with his bank statement from Diamond Bank indicating the transfer of both the first and second tranches of payment, photocopies of the cheques he issued to Diamond Bank Plc in order to make the e-payment to the accounts sent to him through short message service (SMS) from Sir Agbaso’s phone No 08033144421 and a copy of hand written statement detailing how he used the money.

In his submission, Agbaso agreed that the contractor was appraised and appointed by the ministry though “they did not emerge through tender.” He blamed the Commissioner for Finance and Accountant-general for not following due process as they failed to send the money through the Ministry of Works as contained in the approval as conveyed by Obi, the principal secretary to the governor.

He contended that had the money been

Okorocha

Agbaso

HE INFORMED MEMBERS THAT HIS COMPANY COULD NOT CONTINUE WITH THE PROJECT DUE TO THE DIRECTIVE HE RECEIVED FROM

AGBASO TO DEPOSIT N458 MILLION INTO HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT AS KICKBACK sent to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the overpayment and unearned money would have been noticed and avoided.

Besides, he said there would have been need to observe compliance with due process by ensuring that payments are based on milestones achieved by the contractor.

The committee disagreed with him, saying he failed in his duty by not advising the Accountant-General’s office to stop payment knowing that the contractor has not earned the requisite certificates.

Agbaso accuses Okorocha It was at this stage that Agbaso suspected that something sinister was hanging in the air and decided to accuse the state governor who was about to travel abroad as being behind a plot to impeach him, having bribed the House members. He said it was a plot to get him out of office ahead of 2015 governorship election.

The governor who said he was jolted by the accusation decided to cancel his proposed trip and headed back to Owerri from Abuja.

It was gathered that the governor had to summon the House committee members, elders and advisers in his cabinet to his dinning room where they met with the deputy governor who repeated his suspicion before the people.

At this juncture, the committee chairman, Hon. Simeon Iwunze, told the audience that the committee was oblivious of any attempt to impeach the deputy governor and felt scandalized by Agbaso’s allegation that they have been paid by the governor to impeach him.

As a way to wash clean their hands, the

committee chairman decided to set bait for the former deputy governor. He sought permission from the governor to examine him in the presence of the elders on the issue of money he personally raised sue moto. The governor granted the chairman’s request and it was agreed that if Agbaso elected to answer the cross examination it would be deemed as an evidence before the committee.

A vote of no confidence After the cross examination, the committee concluded that the former deputy governor was guilty and passed a vote of no confidence on him.

Two days after the vote, the Speaker of the House, Benjamin Uwajumogu wrote the state Chief Judge, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, to set up a judicial panel to investigate Agbaso’s gross misconduct.

The panel led by Justice Godwin Ihekire summoned Agbaso to appear before it but he instead sent in a two-page letter through one Barrister Emperor Iwuala.

In the letter dated March 28, 2013, Agbaso said he had not been served any summons as stipulated by law, adding that there were two pending suits instituted by him at the Imo State High Court, Owerri, concerning the purported impeachment proceedings against him.

Furthermore, he stated that “since the matters you have been directed to investigate are subjudice, your panel should respect the pendency of these suits, allow the law to take its course or allow the legal or judicial processes to run their full courses.

Doing otherwise will be tantamount to preempting the decisions of the high court in the two pending suits.”

Abduction of major witness The panel, however, ignored the former deputy governor plea and went ahead with its sitting even though the principal witness in the matter, the MD of JPROS International Nigeria Limited, Joseph Dina who was to be interviewed the same day with Agbaso, failed to appear before the panel.

Dina, who was represented by his counsel, Giles Ugwunwaezem, was allegedly abducted by unknown persons.

Ugwunwaezem said: “Dina could not attend the panel sitting because of circumstances beyond him as he was reportedly abducted by some unknown men. The information reaching me shows that he may

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday April 3, 2013

15

of Imo Deputy Governor’s impeachment his associates and paid into his foreign accounts in Lebanon and Dubai,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria has reached a point where those who relish in brazen breach of others’ rights must realise that it is no longer business as usual. “You can’t do something despicable and think it will be business as usual. We’ve left that era of satanic behaviour. Governor Okorocha has the power as the governor of Imo State to do whatever he likes and as he deems fit. But he does not have the power to tarnish the image of my family and what is uppermost now is to clear my family name,” he said.

Reactions

L-R: Justice Njemanze administrating the oath of office on Madumere taking oath of office during his swearing-in.

be in the custody of EFCC.” He, however, pleaded with the panel to accept the written submission by Dina as evidence.

After the submissions, the chairman of the panel, Justice Iheikire, concluded that the panel will examine all the evidences before it and write its report.

Agbaso impeached, Madumere cleared Less than three hours after the court struck out Agbaso’s suits for lacking in merit, 23 out of the 27 members of the House endorsed the motion, which was moved by the Majority leader Adaku Ihuoma, representing Ahiazu Mbaise Constituency and was seconded by the Minority Leader, Pat Ekeji, representing Aboh Mbaise to impeach Agbaso.

Also the House cleared the former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Eze Madumere as the new deputy governor of the state, following a letter of nomination forwarded to the House by Okorocha.

Madumere on board On Saturday March 30, Madumere, was sworn-in as the 6th deputy governor of Imo State.

In his acceptance speech, the new deputy governor said circumstances brought him on board.

“Circumstances have made me today a deputy governor of Imo State. To God be the glory. I was comfortable with my job as Chief of Staff to the governor, which kept me in close contact and relationship with His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who for long has been and remained my mentor and leader,” he said.

He said that his task as the deputy governor will be easy because he is an apostle of the Rescue Mission government of Okorocha. He said he will remain a humble servant as he knows the dangers of power and its transitory nature.

Madumere, however, wished his predecessor, Agbaso, well despite the unpleasant circumstances that saw him out of office.

Okorocha, in his remark, said the emergence of Madumere as deputy governor was as a result of his belief in selfless service and sacrifices for which the Rescue Mission government is known. He encouraged the new deputy governor to remain resolute in the path of honour.

Agbaso family to fight on The Agbaso family has resolved to fight

against the impeachment with the last drop of their blood.

Chief Martin Agbaso, the former deputy governor’s elder brother, last week employed the services of forensic auditors who discovered that the controversial accounts were traceable to bank accounts belonging to JPROS International Nigeria Limited in Lebanon and Dubai.

He said in interview with National Mirror that the case which is now before the Appeal Court would be contested to its logical conclusion. “By the time we finish we will know those who will go into hiding,” he said.

He said findings by the experts also showed that one of Okorocha’s special advisers and the chairman of the state’s Committee on Monitoring and Implementation of Road Projects, Mr. Mac- Donald Akano, is on the board of the contracting firm and its second highest shareholder.

Agbaso further disclosed that checks with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), however, showed that Akano was put on the board of the company at about the time the signing and payment of the contract in question took place.

He added that the report of the forensic auditors has been forwarded to appropriate quarters, including the Police and the State Security Service (SSS).

According to the findings as presented

by Agbaso, “Mr. Dina (managing director of JPROS International Ltd) first paid the sum of N325 million into the Three Brother’s Concept Ltd GTB account.

The money was used to raise the sum of US$1.93 million, which was subsequently transferred through Dubai on February 21, 2012 to Mr. Joseph Dina’s account no: LB55001400002302300179- 018010 with the Kaslik Branch of Blom Bank Sal in Lebanon. The purpose of the transfer as stated in the transfer document was ‘to import construction equipment’.

“The second tranche of N133 million was similarly paid into the IHSAN BDG Ltd’s account no: 1015334698 with the UBA

by Mr. Dina. Again, the money was used to raise US$800,000 transferred to Mr. Dina’s Account no: AE60200000036374395130 with HSBC Middle East Ltd at Dubai Internet City, Sheik Zayed Rd, Dubai.

“So, while Mr. Dina was accusing the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Mr. Jude Agbaso, of demanding and receiving a bribe of N458 million, the said money had been converted by Mr. Dina himself and

Some political observers described the former deputy governor’s impeachment as hasty.

Uche Ekweremadu, a legal practitioner, said the whole thing looks like a wellwritten script. “An Owerri High Court dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction on Thursday, the panel completed sitting the same day and the House impeached the deputy governor the same Thursday, why the haste?” he asked.

But the governor’s camp said the impeachment followed due process. “A complaint was lodged against the former deputy governor, an ad hoc committee was set up by the House, where Agbaso was given the benefit of doubt more than once, a panel was set up by the Chief Judge of the state where he was equally invited. So, how can you describe this process as hasty?” an aide of the governor told National Mirror.

This argument was also the premise on which the court gave its ruling.

Delivering the ruling on the matter, the presiding judge, Justice Florence Duruohaigwe, said that after going through the submissions of the respondents, she was convinced that the applicant, Agbaso, was given fair hearing by the committee that investigated him.

She noted that from the submissions, the former deputy governor was duly invited by the committee and he appeared before it more than once and wondered what amounted to breach of fundamental human rights to fair hearing which the applicant sought the court to enforce.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

WHILE MR. DINA WAS ACCUSING THE

DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE, MR. JUDE AGBASO, OF DEMANDING AND RECEIVING A BRIBE OF

N458 MILLION, THE

SAID MONEY HAD BEEN CONVERTED BY MR.

DINA HIMSELF AND

HIS ASSOCIATES AND PAID INTO HIS FOREIGN

ACCOUNTS IN LEBANON AND DUBAI

said that the impeachment has exposed the corrupt practices in the administration that preaches zero tolerance on corruption.

Dr. Goddy Okwu, administrative secretary of PDP in Imo State, said: “Although the impeachment may not be PDP’s problem, it exposes corrupt practices in the administration of Governor Okorocha who at the beginning of his administration talked so much of zero tolerance on corruption.”

Vitalis Ajumbe, the state chairman of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), agreed with the view of Okwu. He said: “It has exposed so many misdeeds in the government. It has exposed how the state money is being siphoned by a government that preaches zero tolerance on corruption.

“It is not only impeaching Jude Agbaso that is the matter but how N458 million was paid to a company that did not do any job, even N200 million overpaid to it. It means a lot of the state money have been siphoned in this way, even though Agbaso has been used as a scapegoat.”

Equally, the State Secretary of All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Barrister Enyinnaya Onuegbu, explained that the impeachment was a plot hatched by Governor Okorocha and the House members because of his political ambition in 2015. “That was why the case was tried last working days. But the issue borders on corruption and Imo taxpayers’ money that has been siphoned by government that has been pretentious about fighting corruption.”

He condemned the “yes attitude” of the Imo State House of Assembly. “In fact Okorocha is not qualified to talk about anti-corruption, because we know that one of his aides owns JPROS International Nig. Ltd.,” Onuegbou said The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) through its Administrative Secretary, Ebere Oguoma called on Governor Okorocha to hand over the former deputy governor to the Economic Financial Corruption Commission (EFCC) if actually a case of corruption was established.

The state secretary of the party, Mr. Christian Oguoma said: “The state government as a matter of priority should make sure that the money is recovered. Our position is that the man should be made to answer the allegations since it is a case of corruption.”

But the state government appears to be beating its chest in triumph as it said that what the governor has done has never been experienced in any part of the country.

Okorocha’s media aide, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, said any person or group that says the current administration is corrupt is only being mischievous. “For the fact that the governor stayed clear and allowed the House to carry out its oversight function, he deserves kudos because it has not happened anywhere in the country. So, whoever is trying to insinuate that the entire system is corrupt is just mischievous,” he said.

All for 2015 guber poll The former deputy governor attributed his travails to the 2015 election. According to Agbaso, his elder brother , Martin, has a written agreement with the governor that Okorocha would do one term in office and allow him to take over from him in 2015. The impeached deputy governor said this was why Okorocha wanted him out by all means ahead of the 2015 elections.

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Editorial

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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FG, labour and planned fuel price hike

rganised Labour in the country has threatened to begin the kind of nationwide mass protests witnessed in January 2012 in a few days time in response to alleged plans by the Federal Government to hike the pump prices of petroleum products, often disguised as fuel subsidy removal, according to recent reports. Following the January1, 2012 increase of petrol price from N65 per litre to N141 per litre, Nigerians had taken to the streets in spectacular mass protests staged by labour and civil society groups.

Work and virtually all economic activities nationwide were grounded as a result of the one week protests, which came to a fragile end when the government reduced the increment from N141 per litre to N97 per litre.

It was reported that President Goodluck Jonathan, not long ago in Lagos, stated that his government would go ahead to remove fuel subsidy “after due consultations with Nigerians.”

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku and virtually all members of the president’s economic team, including the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, appear to be in firm support of the purported subsidy removal plot that will naturally

NO ELECTED GOVERNMENT DESERVES SACRIFICES FROM THE PEOPLE,

THAT CHOOSES TO BE SO INSENSITIVE translate to another agonizing fuel price increase.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as well as the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates say, however, that they will commence nationwide mass protests on April 10 over the planned price increase.

Members of other unions, like the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and public servants were also said to be ready to join the protests now at the mobilisation stage.

It is quite strange to ordinary Nigerians that the president and his economic managers are relentlessly advocating further increases in the pump prices of petroleum products without taking cognisance of the hardship and misery past increases visited on the populace. While we do not understand what

President Jonathan meant by “after due consultations with Nigerians”, it is very obvious that the same Nigerians, cutting across ethnic and economic divides, have consistently resisted reckless increases in the pump prices of the products, even before Jonathan came to power.

Such increases shot up the costs of living and doing business, and had contributed in unimaginable proportions to worsening poverty and destitution in the country.

Worse still, the FG often settles for the convenient option of repeated fuel price increases without any tangible effort, to public knowledge, to repair the nation’s refineries and make them function at installed capacity, or facilitating the building of new refineries, whether publicly or privately owned, to enable Nigerians enjoy their oil wealth.

How can a government whose deadly corrupt officials now steal trillions of Naira not be able to afford modern refineries? This is baffling! Besides, past increases in fuel pump prices have never yielded any meaningful dividend for ordinary Nigerians. At best, accruals from such hikes are funneled into the servicing of government’s ridiculously bloated current expenditure.

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme

(SURE-P), a direct fallout of the January 2012 protests meant to cushion the effects of that year’s price increase, is yet to make any tangible impact on the lives of the average Nigerian, while no concrete information is forthcoming on the recovery of the trillions of Naira stolen by subsidy thieves, or how effective their prosecution and punishment have been. Without sincerely addressing the above and related issues, the FG has no moral justification to increase fuel prices through whatever name called.

With an election year fast approaching; and reports indicating that the government is always in financial predicament, it is not unlikely that the FG might settle for even a ridiculous option to thrive. But only an uncaring government scourges its people with scorpions instead of catering for their welfare. No elected government deserves sacrifices from the people, that chooses to be so insensitive and incapable of reciprocating same. The country is already in jeopardy and the atmosphere charged, in addition to daunting security breaches.

The FG should not allow the planned mass protests to worsen the situation. President Jonathan and his advisers should plug all leakages and seek more creative ways of making money.

ON THIS DAY April 3, 2008 Texas law enforcement officers cordoned off the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ (FLDS) Yearning for Zion (YFZ) Ranch. About 533 women and children were then removed and taken into state custody. The FLDS, known to some as Mormon Fundamentalists, is one of the largest fundamentalist denominations as well as one of the largest organizations in the United States whose members practice polygamy.

April 3, 2008 ATA Airlines, once one of the 10 largest United States’ passenger airlines and largest charter airline, filed for bankruptcy for the second time in five years and ceased all operations. ATA Airlines, Inc., formerly known as American Trans Air, was an American lowcost scheduled service and charter airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ATA operated scheduled passenger flights throughout the US mainland and Hawaii.

April 3, 2000 United States v. Microsoft: Microsoft was ruled to have violated United States’ antitrust laws by keeping “an oppressive thumb” on its competitors. The United States v. Microsoft case was a set of civil actions filed against Microsoft Corporation pursuant to the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, Sections 1 and 2 on May 18, 1998 by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and 20 states. Joel I. Klein was the lead prosecutor.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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United States and the Guatanamo Bay PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

T

he United States of America created and has been sustaining the Guatanamo Bay in Cuba. It is a detention centre for persons alleged to be involved in terrorist activities. It emerged in context of the onslaught on terror networks. The Al-Qaeda network was identified by the US as the most visible and vicious terrorist network in the world. The terror attacks had occurred in the United States; the 9/11 experience, the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, et cetera. The Mali crisis, the role of islamists and Tuareg rebels and Al Shabab has raised further fears on the global terror networks. The foregoing forms the bases of the responses by victims of terror attacks, including the United States.

For the avoidance of doubt, terror activities are despicable, preposterous and constitute serious threat to global peace and security. It has resulted in the perception of certain countries - North Korea, Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan - as the ‘axis of evil’ by the United States. These States are

O

ladipo Diya, the Odogbolu-born army general is in the news again after many years of silence and licking of wounds. In the last one week or so, newspapers were awash with the interview he granted some journalists in which he raised issues bordering on the type of security guards befitting his status as a former Chief of Defence Staff and alleged unpaid allowances. Diya’s interview came on the heels of the pardon President Goodluck Jonathan granted him alongside the thieving Alamieseigha.

It should be recalled that the lucky Diya was the Chief of General Staff during the overlordship of General Sanni Abacha until he was cashiered off by the regime he tirelessly worked for as its number two man. General Diya, Tajudeen Olarewaju and Abdulkareem Adisa (Abacha’s ministers of communications and works respectively) were arrested, tried and found guilty of conspiring with others to violently topple the government of Abacha. They were sentenced to death by a Military Tribunal.

But following pressures from several quarters within and outside Nigeria, the death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment. However, the death of Abacha paved way for the eventual release of Diya from prison.

The Odogbolu-born army general was the hatchet man that saw to it that the June 12,1993, presidential election won by Chief M.K.O Abiola, who incidentally was his kinsman, would not be revalidated. The struggle for the revalidation of Abiola’s mandate freely given to him by the Nigerian people took such a national dimension that surprised the likes of Diya who were on the other side of the divide. The strug-

perceived by the West to support and fund terror activities in different parts of the world. The communist government in Pyongyang, Libya under Moammer Gaddafi and the Taliban rebels in Afghanistan are viewed as major actors in the terrorist network. Al-Shabab, Boko Haram and Ansaru in Somalia and Nigeria respectively have emerged as new threats to regional peace and security.

Despite the threat of terror, the United States President Barrack Obama promised at the last presidential elections to shut the Guatanamo Bay. The President, however, has not kept to his election promise. The United States is still keeping the detention centre that has often abused the rights of detainees. Since the creation of the detention centre, 779,000 detainees had been kept at the bay. At the moment, there are 68,000 detainees at the centre. There had been allegations by attorneys of the detainees of rights abuses, including torture, isolation, and in extreme cases, death of detainees.

Furthermore, there are allegations of denial of worship by detainees who are Muslims and desecration of the Holy Quran by American soldiers. The US government should shut the Guatanamo Bay in line with its posture as a democracy committed to human rights and the rule of law. The Bay has been kept from scrutiny by human rights organizations and lacking respect for human dignity. It is contradictory for the

THERE HAD BEEN ALLEGATIONS BY ATTORNEYS OF THE DETAINEES OF RIGHTS ABUSES, INCLUDING

TORTURE, ISOLATION, AND IN EXTREME

CASES, DEATH OF DETAINEES United States to deal with terror through rights violation and dehumanization of its detainees. The retention of Guatanamo Bay offends the sensibilities of the global populace who appreciates human dignity, personal freedom and the supremacy of law.

The United States government must shut this detention centre without delay.

Zimbabwe and its recent referendum Zimbabweans penultimate week conducted a referendum on the future of its constitution. The mass of people opted to reduce the powers of the President, Robert Mugabe, in consonance with the struggle for political reforms in the polity. The referendum outcome is commendable and will likely strengthen the

struggle for democratization in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the country had been in the grip of President Mugabe since independence. He has stultified political opposition, manipulated the constitution and mismanaged the economy. The national currency is heavily devalued amidst mass unemployment and material poverty.

The Zimbabwean leader is serving a fifth term against the backdrop of protests that characterized previous elections. These social struggles led to power sharing with the opposition. There are fears, however, on the commitment of Robert Mugabe to the power sharing arrangement. Nigeria should learn from the Zimbabwe experience and submit its constitutional reforms to a referendum.

The process of referendum is useful to gauge public preference and legitimates the constitution as a legal document.

The Nigerian state did not conduct referendum to legitimate previous grund norms. The 1999 Nigerian constitution, for instance, was designed by the military and imposed on the Nigerian people. This lacuna probably explains the contradictions in this document and the recurring agitation for a new political and constitutional architecture for the country. The writer, however, subscribes to a new constitution that addresses the national question.

Diya: The lachrymose general IT MAY NOT BE SURPRISING IF IN A FEW YEARS TIME

DIYA IS MADE THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA gle, anchored by the politically resourceful and resolute Campaign for Democracy (CD), was so intense that General Ibrahim Babangida, the man who annulled the election, had to ‘step aside’, and appointed the hapless Interim National Government (ING) headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Instructively, General Abacha rode on the back of ING to power.

Most Nigerians might not have known that it was this same Diya that went to the Embassies with documents purported to have emanated from the June 12 campaigners calling for a military solution to the lock jam that the June12, 1993 election crisis had become.

The Campaign for Democracy was the first casualty in the intrigues engineered

by Diya and his cohorts, the group and some of the cells that were relevant in the strident opposition given to the Military have not been able to recover their voices arising from the bilious and divisive stratagems that Diya injected into the CD platform. Today, the CD is a shell and shadow of its former self.

Having conquered CD and fought other opposition groups like NADECO, Diya was seen strutting about the length and

breadth of Nigeria providing Abacha with the strategies and tactics to bomb the opposition to complete surrender. In the South-Western part of the country where he comes from, he tried to upstage the authentic Yoruba political establishment ably represented by the Afenifere by creating the ill-fated, second eleven IMERI group. acha-embossed badges to display their loyalty to their boss.

It should also be remembered that in those dark days of Abacha’s dictatorship, Diya, Adisa and others of their ilk had been shown in a video cowering like wounded dogs, kneeling, crying and begging Abacha for forgiveness thereby portraying themselves as chocolate soldiers. They never denied participating in the alleged coup, but were only weeping and paying their allegiance to their boss, Abacha. Many discerning Nigerians saw it as a comeuppance to a set of people who went even beyond reason to ingratiate themselves to Abacha with a view to enjoying the available lucre on the table for members of the inner Cabinet of Sanni Abacha.

Now, Diya has started another canticle asking for military guards as opposed to the police security he is currently enjoying.

He has suddenly remembered that he rose to the position of Chief of Defence Staff and therefore must be treated as such. The military authorities will soon be asked to compute all his allowances and be paid to a man who should always be thankful to providence for its intervention in his life after all he did to ensure that Abiola never became the President of Nigeria.

Does Diya even think about those thousands of Nigerians who died prematurely

Point Of Order er

CHIJIOKE

UWASOMBA

cjsomba@yahoo.co.uk (08037058775 SMS only)

as a result of the brutal activities of the regime that he served with everything that he had? There is no limit to chicaneries in Nigeria among its ruling elite! He is complaining of police security and looks forward to a military one very soon. Does he know about many Nigerians killed every day for lack of security? Does he remember about the goons that were stuffing out the lives of Nigerians when he was the CGS? Does he really believe himself in his recent interview? Is it not better he remains silent and thanks his God for being alive today?

Many Nigerians are not as lucky as Oladipo Diya. It may not be surprising if in a few years time Diya is made the President of Nigeria. After all, Nigeria is a country of many possibilities.

Uwasomba, cjsomba@yahoo.co.uk, is of the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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Mail Mirror

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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Calling on Gov. Mimiko P Useful lessons from Nigeria/ Kenya World Cup Qualifier

lease, permit me to use this medium to tell amiable Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to concentrate more attention on building road network,

create more job opportunities and empower our youths so that they would no more become nuisance to the state, their parents and themselves.

The governor

should remember Ondo South zone, especially Irele, Okiti Pupa, Ese Odo, Ilaje Local Government areas. These areas need your immediate attention, sir.

God will continue to be with you, inspire you with special anointing so that you will excel.

Bamidele Akindele, Lagos

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he last Saturday Super Eagles of Nigeria and Harambee Stars of Kenya 2014 World Cup qualifying match at U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar should teach the players lessons in humility. But for Nnamdi Oduamadi who leveled up on the dot of regulatory 90 minutes, the African champions would have suffered a most embarrassing humiliation.

There was too much of hype created over the match with our players treating the Kenyans with contempt as if it was going to be a one sided affair.

In modern football, the home advantage myth has been imploded. The two nil Arsenal handed Bayern Munich in their home turf and the earlier 3-1 humiliation the Germans meted to Arsenal at home are the latest of such deconstructions.

All the foreign imports Coach Stephen Keshi brought in to tinker with the team he sent to South Africa 2013 did not add the necessary bite to the Super Eagles attack. Skippo should have been better educated from that outcome.

Our dream as Nigerians is that our flag must be hoisted in Brazil, the host of the 2014 World Cup finals. We cannot be Africa champions and be missing in action in the most thrilling football completion in the world. So, let the NFF and coaching crew of the Super Eagles get their acts right and deliver 2014 World Cup qualification to Nigeria and Nigerians.

Musa Tijani, Abuja

John Obuh

Give us our daily bread‌ A cockerel pick a rat, during the demolition of illegal structures on Petroleum Product Pipeline at Awori Bus Stop, Abule Egba, Lagos. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Only truth will save Nigeria

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ruth is bitter, but undying.

If the politicians in this country should stand for the truth all time, most of our problems would be over by now. Some

of our politicians find this problem of Boko Haram-induced insecurity as an opportunity to bring the Federal Government to ridicule and lampoon it instead of seeing the

Governor Akpabio and his spending habit

I

have followed the controversy created by the sundry donations of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State. I feel bad that some of our leaders do not appreciate the borderline between philanthropy or charity and good governance.

Most of the donations are hypocritical and self serving acts that do not aid the cause of governance in his state.

Before the ruling PDP tips the Akwa Ibom governor over and make him a global laughing stock, I appeal to Akpabio to check himself. While he has

Letters to the Editor

the right to spend his personal money the way he deems fit, he has no right to squander the state funds on frivolities. Many Akwa Ibom people have married within and outside the state, how many of them got the type of gesture extended to 2face Dibia who got an SUV gift simply because he was getting married to a lady from the state?

Government is founded on equity.

Anything less is crass discrimination and hypocrisy.

Akpan John, Lagos

issue as a general one demanding the contribution of all Nigerians.

As some old politicians who have ruled this country before and failed are doing by calling for the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan, my reaction is that if they come back as president there

is not much they can do to stop crime in the country.

The call for amnesty for Boko Haram is dirty politics. Even if you call them and grant them amnesty, can this guarantee the end of insurgency?

Chinedu Ofunwa,

Oshiomhole vs Works Minister

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Mr. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works need fruitful engagement and not fruitless bellicosity as both of them are illustrious sons of Edo State. Only in that way will both complement each other to give the state a befitting development look.

However, it is bad politics for the Federal Ministry of Works to lay claim to the ongoing construction of Ofosu-Benin City Highway, including the 5-Junction in the state capital. Though it is a federal road, the ongoing construction at the 5-Junction is being undertaken by the state government.

There are many federal projects begging for attention in the state and if Onolememen wants cheap popularity his hands will be full with jobs. One of these projects is the Sabogida Ora-Sobe road in Owan West Local Government Area of the state. The road, which links Okada to Sabogida Ora connects Okeluse, Ute and Ijagba, all in Ondo State, to either Sobe or Okada. It is an important road that will bring development and commerce to the two states.

In September last year during a campaign tour to Sobe, Governor Oshiomhole challenged the works minister to complete the road, especially the Sabo-Sobe part and gave him up till the end of 2012 to do so or else the state government would take over.

There are many of such ongoing federal projects that should keep Onolememen very busy. They are votes winning projects if handled very well. It is not only development in Benin City, because of the influence of the Benin monarch that will sway popular support for politicians and their political parties.

Benson Atakpo, Warri, Delta State

Fashola is challenged on security

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he penultimate Thursday arrest of two suspected Boko Haram operatives in Ijora, Lagos is a pointer to how porous the country is. Governor Babatunde Fashola must leave no stone unturned in ridding the state of undesirable elements.

Lagos as the commercial hub of the nation is a natural nectar for all imaginable elements, local and foreign alike. It is for this reason that the prospect of Boko Haram infiltration is real. Therefore, the Department of State Security, Police, Military Intelligence and even the neighbourhood watch groups must

brace up for the big challenge of securing Lagos.

For a start, all the foreigners from neighboring West African and African countries must be fished out and screened, and the illegal ones deported without delay. Second, the horde of beggars in the state must be effectively monitored and controlled. And third, the wheel barrow pushing traders must be put under effective surveillance.

The last Saturday aborted explosive attack in Kano is instructive. It took the vigilance of the security agents to foil it.

While it is true that alms giving is an act of charity

which all religions sanction, the situation in the country now calls for caution. In almost all the BRT terminal, beggars are seen in their scores, Lagos State government should rid the terminal and public motor parks of these beggars. Mobile commerce on the Third Mainland Bridge and in all other bridges in the Island should be banned.

More importantly, all the entry points to the state must be effectively policed and scanning machines deployed to screen people coming into the state.

Ms Titilayo Adediran, Mushin, Lagos

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

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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Health & Wellbeing Sedatives not best treatment for sleeplessness –Psychiatrist

TB awareness must be year round, not annual

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Diabetes rising fast!

•Overtakes HIV/AIDS as world’s most threatening epidemic!

•Most prevalent in Nigeria, other Sub-Sahara African countries •Many GP’s ignorant about management

Dr. Adeyemi-Doro

A diabetes patient administering insulin

SAM EFERARO

T

here are strong indications that diabetes mellitus may have become the world’s most threatening epidemic following its rapid increase worldwide and revelation by the world Health Organisation (WHO), that the disease now kills no fewer than 10,000 people every day. In 2010 alone, diabetes accounted for about 4 million deaths or 6.8% of the total number of deaths worldwide. In contrast HIV/AIDS reportedly killed only 2 million people worldwide in 2008.

A report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has also revealed that no fewer than 366 million people have diabetes worldwide and this will rise to 552 million by 2030. According to the Federation, the number of diabetes cases is increasing in every country with the sub-Saharan African countries worse hit. Nigeria, with about six million cases tops the list of the top five countries with the highest number of people affected by the disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Others include South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

IDF also estimates that only 15% of people with diabetes have been diagnosed, showing that current figures, including Nigeria’s six million could be a gross underestimation. The complications are also on the increase. According to IDF, a wide range of diabetes complications in the region, based on the 15% diagnosed cases are being reported in different countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For instance, it is estimated that no fewer than 4.51 million people with diabetes have eye complications. Also, about 2.23 million of the patient require dialysis because of kidney

Blood sugar monitority, a key step in diabetes management

damage while 907,500 have cardiovascular disease.

An estimated 423,500 people in the region are already blind because of diabetes just as no 399,300 have cardiovascular disease while 169,400 have lost a foot because of amputation.

Experts have attributed the global increase in Type 2 diabetes in African populations to the increase in obesity and other factors such as an increase in development, increase in disposable income, urbanization, mechanization, globalisation of food markets, along with the changes in lifestyles and behaviours.

The problem is worsened by ignorance and general lack of knowledge about the disease which, according to the experts is responsible for late treatments as people with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa often do not receive diagnosis until the illness has progressed and complications requiring hospital treatment have developed.

In an exclusive interview with National Mirror, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi-Doro, the Medical Affairs, Regulatory and Global Projects Manager (middle Africa), Novo Nordisk Pharma Limited, a leading global healthcare company in diabetes care, disclosed that most diabetic patients in the developing countries are not receiving adequate information they require for the manage-

ment of the condition.

In Nigeria, like most other African countries, not even the general medical practitioners who are usually the first to see the diabetes patient, are left out of the general ignorance among the populace, about the disease and its management. For instance, Dr. AdeyemiDoro disclosed that while many patients could commence treatment with oral medication (tablets) at the onset, they will always require insulin to achieve control of their blood sugar level at a point.

“The earlier they use insulin, the better the control, to avoid complications,” he stressed adding however that most General Practitioners do not understand insulin and would therefore not start insulin therapy on time.

“Doctors tend to start insulin late. Since they have little knowledge about diabetes and how to use insulin properly and they don’t want to create any harm, they tend not to want to place their patients on insulin. The patients also don’t understand what insulin does so they want to avoid it.”.

He however emphasised the need for proper blood sugar control among people with diabetes saying the doctors have to take the lead to help achieve this.

“Because of the major rise in diabetes, it is essential for the GPs and specialists to be familiar with how to control blood sugar. We need to match our learning with the major disease we see. It should be compulsory for every doctor to be conversant with how to manage blood sugar and how to use insulin.” Dr. Adeyemi-Doror futher said. WHO describes diabetes as a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectiveCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Prevention

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imple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should: • achieve and maintain healthy

body weight; • be physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderateintensity activity on most days.

More activity is required for weight control; • eat a healthy diet of between

three and five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and reduce sugar and saturated fats intake; • avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

–WHO

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Diabetes rising fast!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 ly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. There are three types: Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge. According to WHO, Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia),

constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes and fatigue. These symptoms may occur suddenly.

Type 2 diabetes : This is the most common type of diabetes. Formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset, Type 2 diabetes results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Symptoms may be similar to those of Type 1 diabetes, but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, once complications have already arisen.

Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children.

Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes are similar to Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is most often diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than reported symptoms.

Experts say management of diabetes should be geared mainly towards the control of the individual’s blood sugar.

This involves, eating the right food at the right time and appropriate quantity, physical exercise and recommended medication.

Dr. Adeyemi-Doro described insulin therapy as major component of diabetes management. Insulin is the hormone needed to enable glucose to enter the cells and provide energy. It is also important in keeping blood glucose levels within the acceptable limits. According to him, the commercially available human insulin is 100% identical to the

Children with sleep apnea SCIENCE have higher risk of behavioural, learning problems

A

new study found that obstructive sleep apnea, a common form of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), is associated with increased rates of ADHD-like behavioral problems in children as well as other adaptive and learning problems.

This study provides some helpful information for medical professionals consulting with parents about treatment options for children with SDB that, although it may remit, there are considerable behavioral risks associated with continued SDB,” said Michelle Perfect, PhD, the study’s lead author and assistant professor in the school psychology program in the department of disability and psychoeducational studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson. “School personnel should also consider the possibility that SDB contributes to difficulties with hyperactivity, learning and behavioral and emotional dysregulation in the classroom.”

The five-year study, which appears in the April issue of the journal SLEEP, utilized data from a longitudinal cohort, the Tucson Children’s Assessment of Sleep Apnea Study (TuCASA). The TuCASA study prospectively examined Hispanic and Caucasian children between 6 and 11 years of age to determine the prevalence and incidence of SDB and its effects on neurobehavioral functioning. The study involved 263 children who completed an overnight sleep study and a neurobehav-

ioral battery of assessments that included parent and youth reported rating scales.

Results show that 23 children had incident sleep apnea that developed during the study period, and 21 children had persistent sleep apnea throughout the entire study.

Another 41 children who initially had sleep apnea no longer had breathing problems during sleep at the five-year follow-up.

The odds of having behavioral problems were four to five times higher in children with incident sleep apnea and six times higher in children who had persistent sleep apnea. Compared to youth who never had SDB, children with sleep apnea were more likely to have parent-reported prob-

lems in the areas of hyperactivity, attention, disruptive behaviors, communication, social competency and selfcare. Children with persistent sleep apnea also were seven times more likely to have parent-reported learning problems and three times more likely to have school grades of C or lower.

The authors report that this is the first sleep-related study to use a standardized questionnaire to assess adaptive functioning in typically developing youth with and without SDB. “Even though SDB appears to decline into adolescence, taking a wait and see approach is risky and families and clinicians alike should identify potential treatments,” said Perfect.

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one produced by the body. He stated that insulin is injected by people with type 1 diabetes in whom the cells that produce insulin have been destroyed or in type 2 diabetes, where the body needs more insulin than it can produce.

Estrogen, progestin use linked with increased breast cancer incidence

strogen plus progestin use is linked with increased breast cancer incidence. In addition, prognosis is similar for both users and nonusers of combined hormone therapy, suggesting that mortality from breast cancer may be higher for hormone therapy users as well, according to a study published March 29 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) randomized trial, estrogen plus progestin was associated with an increase in both breast cancer incidence and mortality. However, most observational studies have linked estrogen plus progestin with more positive outcomes.

In order to determine the differences between the WHI trial and other observational studies, Rowan T. Chlebowski, M.D., Ph.D., Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed) lead researcher and colleagues, looked at postmenopausal women with no prior hysterectomy with negative mammograms within two years who were either users or non-users of estrogen and progestin combined therapy.

The researchers found that breast cancer incidence was higher in estrogen plus progestin users than incidence in nonusers. Women who started hormone therapy closer to menopause had a higher breast cancer risk with a weakening influence as the time from menopause

increased.

“Because survival after breast cancer diagnosis did not differ between estrogen plus progestin users and nonusers, the higher breast cancer incidence of those using estrogen plus progestin may lead to increased breast cancer mortality on a population basis,” the authors write. wIn an accompanying editorial, Catherine Schairer, Ph.D., and Louise A. Brinton, Ph.D., both of the National Cancer Institute, write that questions remain about whether the data analyzed from the WHI observational study resolves the differences in tumor prognosis and tumor characteristics when compared to the WHI randomized trial.

They write that, “In general, tumors in estrogen plus progestin users in the WHI Observational Study were not significantly different from those in non-hormone users with regard to number of positive lymph nodes or tumor size, but were more likely to be well differentiated and positive for hormone receptors, findings which are similar to other observational studies.”

This, however, did not translate into a survival benefit. They recommend further analyses in this and other datasets of currency and duration of hormone use in relationship to tumor development to fully resolve the issue of tumor characteristics associated with estrogen plus progestin therapy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Banji Adesoji explains the causes, symptoms and management of sleeplessness, known in medical parlance as insomnia and warns against the use of sedatives without prescription as remedy. In this interview with LATEEFAH IBRAHIM-ANIMASHAUN, he gives some tips on how to prevent or cope with the condition. EXCERPTS. As a psychiatrist, how will you explain insomnia?

Insomnia or sleeplessness means that there is either a decrease in the quantity of sleep or quality. So, when a person suffers from either not sleeping enough or sleeps enough but has problem with the quality of sleep, this means he has insomnia. I, as a psychiatrist, will not call someone who does not sleep for 2 days insomnia. It has to last for at least a week, consistently. If one does not sleep for 2-3 days, it is not yet a problem. Insomnia has types. There is primary and the secondary type. The secondary type is as a result of something else which means it has become a major symptom of a person who has another illness. Sometimes, you will have to treat it as part of the treatment of the ailment. Sometimes, someone who has a primary type could see a general practitioner because he only has the problem of not being able to sleep. It is when it has been treated for a while and it doesn’t go, then he will have to see a psychiatrist but most times, psychiatrists mostly deal with the secondary type which is caused by something else.

What are the causes?

The causes includes things like psychiatric disorders which includes anxiety disorders, depression, maniac, schizophrenia, substance abuse which includes the use of cocaine, stimulants like amphetamines. Usually, those are the things that cause it. It also occurs when someone has an organic problem-when there is a brain tumor or cancer. Also anything that causes pain will cause insomnia because such person is unable to sleep and there are many causes arising from this.

How does the use of stimulants and tobacco cause insomnia?

Stimulants includes things like amphetamines called speed in America which is not very common here but the truth is that it is not common but it is coming to Nigeria because people use it because they want to read for long hours. It gives them a lot more energy but the problem with it is that it also causes sleeplessness. The common one that we have here is caffeine. i.e. alcohol which every one takes but some tends to use it because they want to sleep, they want to read. We also have the energy drinks which all has caffeine in them. e.g. power horse, bullet, red bulls among others. Panadol extra, caffeine in itself does not cause too much of stimulation but sometimes it can keep some people awake because it acts as a stimulant to the nervous system.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

21

Sedatives not best treatment for sleeplessness –Psychiatrist then there is a break down. It could bring about sickness and psychiatric disorder in a case when the person has a genetic predisposition. May be there is a family history of mental illness or has been taking substances or things that can cause mental illness.

Adesoji

SLEEPLESSNESS IN ITSELF CANNOT

LEAD TO DEATH.

BUT

WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE SLEEPLESSNESS IS WHAT WE NEED TO CHECK There are different types and there are different categories. We have the early insomnia because the person has difficulty in sleeping. So, people stay up awake from like 1a.m but after he gets to sleep, there is no problem. The other problem could be that there is early morning weakness after sleeping. When someone wakes in the middle of the sleep, does not get to sleep back.

When there is also decrease in the quality of sleep. Also when there is decrease in the number of hours he used in sleeping or wakes up feeling tired. Sometimes, there is total insomnia where the person cannot get to sleep for days and weeks.

What are the extreme cases of insomnia?

There is an illness called maniac. In maniac, the person has high energy, high or irritable mood feels very strong and have a lot of thoughts coming in which brings about decrease need for sleep. The person sleeps for two hours and he is fine. A time will come when the person does not sleep for a whole day which makes him to become aggressive and destructive. He start scattering things in the house and start behaving irrationally and then people will have to bring them to the hospital. Sleeplessness in itself is not a reason why you might bring a person to the hospitals.

Sleeplessness in itself cannot lead to death. But whatever is causing the sleeplessness is what we need to check. If it is

as a result of addiction to stimulants, then, stimulants can lead to death because it can make the heart work faster which can lead to a situation where the heart fails.

How can the primary insomnia be prevented?

What we find out in primary insomnia is that it is related to stress because the stress level determines your body’s ability to refresh itself. If at a point, the body needs to rest and get back itself and stress increases at this point. This has been found to be related to primary insomnia. Stress can come from physical stress which is the one that people know and they forget about the emotional stress. If the person is able to manage stress better, insomnia becomes easier to deal with. Emotional stress could include stress of getting married. A lot of people want to get married because they think marriage is fine. Sometimes the wedding process stretches their emotions which bring about emotional stress. Emotional stress could also include the loss of a spouse, breaking up of a relationship, loss of a child, divorce, marital problems, usually things that will affect the hormones which is why we call it emotional stress.

At what point does stress affect the mental health?

What is stressful to you is different from what is stressful to me. When stress is accumulated and it gets to the breaking point, then it becomes a problem. My breaking point is different from yours because we do not have the same genetic makeup and we do not handle stress the same way. There is a point you get to that your body starts giving, you the signals that enough is enough. The first way it tell you is that it takes away your sleep which means you need to re-adjust and when you get to that point and you still continue, you do not take time to sit back and re evaluate,

So how do you manage it?

The first thing to do is to find out what insomnia is all about. We take a history of what the person’s problems are. It is important to find out what the person’s typical day is like to access stress levels. We find out if he has been taking substances, we find out if he has a family history of mental illness too. The first thing we try to do is to do the non-drugs treatment. Things like bio-feedbacks. It means a situation where you are able to measure your stress level which will be used to inform yourself of the things to change e.g. taking a cold bath at night, seeing that your environment is clean and conducive, ensuring there is no television in your room because it has been found that those who sleep at night with the TV on usually, will have difficulty falling asleep. Making sure you get to bed at a particular time so that it regulates your body. Taking warm drinks like Bournvita, Milo etc. When all that fails, we start taking drugs. We use sedatives but the only thing is that they can only be given after a doctor has seen them. You cannot take those drugs for too long because if you do, after a while, you will not be able to sleep again because the body will develop tolerance to the drugs and after a while, the drug stops working. The most common thing that we find out is that those who have been abusing valium get to a point where they cannot sleep again even when they use valium. The insomnia that is as a result of secondary causes is being treated by treating what caused it. It could be as a result of abusing substances and psychiatric disorder e.g. If you treat the psychiatric disorder, the insomnia will naturally go.

What is your advice to patients?

What I would say is that don’t be scared if you find yourself not being able to sleep for the first two or three days, check your stress level, listen to your body, don’t take sedatives from friend or relatives because you might become dependent as a result of that. The simplest way of treating sleeplessness does not come from the use of drugs. Sleeplessness, for those who have history of psychiatric disorders happens to be the first symptom before they have a relapse. So what we tell our clients who have mental illness is that the minute you cannot sleep, even if it is not yet time for you to see your doctor, come.

Usually, that is the first signal that usually comes before there is a relapse. Like someone who has strange voices disturbing him. When these voices come, they can’t sleep because it keeps them awake throughout the day and as a result of that, they break down further. As such they begin to have strange belief that some people want to hurt them which makes them become more violent.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TB awareness must be year round, not annual • Total Drug Resistant TB discovered TOBORE OVUORIE

I

n a bid to end the spread and incident rate of tuberculosis in the country, experts have called on Nigerians to create awareness about the condition throughout the year and not only during the World Tuberculosis Day commemoration.

Speaking at a symposium organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) in Lagos recently, Olayide Akanni, Executive Director, JAAIDS, disclosed that TB only enjoys attention March every year dur-

ing it’s annual commemoration.

World TB Day is observed March 24th every year in order to create more awareness about the health condition.

According to Akanni, this is one of the reasons the condition is on the increase in the country as awareness about it is still very low.

“Let’s continuously draw awareness about the condition and prompt people to seek cure. It’s curable and the treatment is free”.

Besides insufficient attention, Dr. Abdul Razzak, Coordinator, Lagos state TB, Leprosy and BU control further disclosed that TB is still rampant in the country

Japanese Govt partners Lagos State to tackle maternal, child mortality rates L ATEEFAH IBRAHIMANIMASHAUN

T

he Japanese Government has declared its intention to collaborate with the Lagos State Government to reduce maternal and child mortality rates through the provision of medical equipment.

This was reflected in an agreement signed by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji, and the Special Adviser to Gov. Babatunde Fashola on Public Health Dr Yewande Adeshina, who signed for Lagos State.

The Japanese envoy disclosed that the aim of the project being signed is to provide medical equipment, such as delivery beds and ECG machines, which measures the rate and regularity of heartbeats.

He stated that the project was designed to synchronise with the technical assistance project for improving maternal, newborn and child health in the state and that the equipment would be given to 10 Primary Healthcare Centres among the 57 in Lagos State.

He decried the bad situation of maternal and child health in Nigeria which he referred to as being worrisome.

“It is worthy to note that mortality rate is very high due to lack of healthcare facilities, medical equipment

and medical practitioners.

“I hope that this project will contribute to reducing maternal and child mortality rate,” he said.

“We wish to remedy this situation by forming a partnership with the Nigerian people, especially to complement the efforts being made by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in tackling these issues,” he said.

On her part, Dr Adeshina said that the grant had come a time when the state government was revitalising the primary healthcare system to tackle the issue of accessibility to healthcare delivery.

She said the idea of revitalising PHC system was to refurbish, renovate, equip and properly staff, at least one primary healthcare centre in each of the 57 local governments and local council development areas.

According to her, this will address the basic preventable health issues and maternal and child healthcare.

Adeshina commended the gesture of the Japanese Government in helping Lagos to improve on its maternal and child care, assuring the envoy that the equipment would be judiciously used.

She added that the Ministry of Health was looking forward to more assistance from the Japanese people in improving maternal and child care indices.

because Nigerians are not utilising the Direct Observation Therapy (DOT) centres being created.

“There is DOTS centre expansion in all state health facilities and many of them now offer TB treatment services. More PPM facilities are going to be engaged very soon. We are expanding but the problem is that people are not coming forward to use these facili-

ties” he stated.

Also speaking at the occassion, immediate past Director General of NIMR, Prof. Oni Idigbe lamented that though the nation has been battling with the disease for a very long time, it has remained a public health problem.

According to him, MDRTB and HIV has worsened the situation and Total Drug Resistant TB was reported

in South Africa last week.

As the way forward, Idigbe advised that there is still need to “educate the masses on how to know the signs and where to access treatment. They’re all free. We all need to inform the public and let them be better educated”.

Dr. Olusoji Daniel, National Officer for Tuberculosis, World Health Organisation, South-West zone,

Nigeria further advised that: “ “people should please refer anyone who has been coughing for about two weeks to a health centre for diagnosis, and the affected persons should go and adhere to treatment if tested to be having the condition.

That way, we can reduce drastically the spread and subsequent incident rate of the condition which is fast becoming a scourge.

... New diagnosis machine now available in Nigeria L ATEEFAH IBRAHIMANIMASHAUN

T

he Medical Adviser of the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association, Dr Charles Nwafor has disclosed that a new machine

which is capable of diagnosing tuberculosis within two hours is now available in Nigeria.

The representative of the association in Enugu State, Dr Charles Nwafor said this recently in Enugu at a forum to mark the 2013 World Tuberculosis Day.

Nwafor said the machine was now available at Annunciation Hospital in Enugu. ``With this, it is clear that scientists will in no distant time come out with a vaccine that can protect people against the disease. Treatment is available in the 17

Local Government Areas’ Health Centres, as well as the Teaching Hospitals in the state,’’ he said.

The medical adviser made it clear that tuberculosis was not hereditary but a curable infection as he appealed to the people to visit a nearby health facility in their community for the treatment of the disease.

The medical adviser also urged the people to maintain good hygiene by keeping their environment clean.

Nwafor appealed to state and local governments to provide adequate funds for the procurement of drugs and equipment for effective treatment and reduction of the disease.

Liberia seeks Nigeria’s support to build School of Medicine MARCUS FATUNMOLE Some students on queue waiting to see the dentist to assess the condition of their teeth during the World Oral Health Day Commemoration held in Chrisland Primary School, Opebi, Lagos recently.

NMA calls for establishment of National Centre for Disease Control MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

T

he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advised the federal government to establish a National Centre for Disease Control (CDC) for effective surveillance and control of diseases in Nigeria.

The association made the call in a release at the weekend to mark this year’s World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. Call for the national CDC came from the group as the only operating CDC in the country is owned and funded by the US. NMA also called on government to invest in TB as part of its plans for next year’s centenary celebration.

The group noted that

“Nigeria has the highest TB disease burden in Africa and 10th largest in the whole world (WHO, 2010).

“The pain of this fact is further aggravated by the realization that TB is an entirely preventable and easily curable disease if simple public health regulations, hygiene practices and the treatment guidelines are strictly adhered to.

“With the estimated population of Nigeria in 2011 as 162million, 190,000 Nigerians were diagnosed with the disease in 2011 at the incidence rate of 118/100,000. Out of these, 27,000 died (mortality rate of 17/100,000). 84,263 new TB cases were reported while 8787 TB were retreated on account of relapse, treatment failure or default.

“Lagos, Kano, Oyo and

Benue states had the highest prevalence in descending order whereas Ekiti and Bayelsa states had the least,” NMA said.

It advised that government explore the potentials of medical personnel and scientists in the country to help foster research into activities towards the discovery of the much-needed anti-TB vaccine.

“This they can do by bridging the funding gaps in NTP budgets and instituting endowments to universities and other research institutions/organizations to motivate scientists for the task of discoveries and breakthroughs,” NMA counselled.

The group also called on research and private organizations to give greater attention to the disease.

ABUJA

T

he Republic of Liberia has sought the support of Nigerian government as it plans to establish its College of Medicine.

The West African country made the request recently at a meeting with the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu through its Deputy Minister of Health, Bernice Dahn.

Dahn said: “We want to start a College of Medicine by September (this year). The government of Liberia is taking some loan from the World Bank, and the government is committing a portion of that loan to the college that we hope to establish. As for Liberia, we do not have enormous resources to establish the college, but we are having some discussion with the West African College of Surgeon.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

I sold 200 Oga at the Top shirts in 4 hours –Wole

NTDC to honour 50 Nigerian artistes ...celebrates Kollington Ayinla’s 50 years on stage

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TERH AGBEDEH

P

enultimate Sunday at the Freedom Park in Lagos, the Committee for Relevant Art, CORA, celebrated its 100th stampede which essentially constitutes a panel of industry stakeholders discussing burning issues in order to chart a way forward.

This event was in conjunction with the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival, iREP, in its third edition, which took place over a four-day period with awards, talks and film screenings, among other activities. Moderated by film journalist, Mr. Shuaibu Husseini, the panel constituted filmmakers like: Mr. Tunde Kelani, Mr. Francis Onwochei, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun and Mr. Charles Novia. Also on the panel was founder of the Eko International Film Festival, Mr. Hope Opara.

Secretary General of CORA, Mr. Toyin Akinosho, who read a portion from Charlexs Novia’s new book, Nollywood till November highlighting the challenges filmmakers go through while working on a project, said CORA’s focus is conversations on culture and the stampede is a converging of culture producers to focus on burning issues in Nigerian arts.

“The truth is that no matter how well we supposedly are, we need to pay bills and that is where the whole economic issue comes to the fore. We are reviewing the challenges around corporate funding and partnerships”, he said.

He made reference to the entertainment fund made available to the industry

by President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that a film has been made from a loan from the fund, also that a cinema hall was being built. “The point is, in the last 52 years of moviemaking in Nigeria, how have people found money to make movies and how do they pay back? How can the process get better?” Akinosho posed the questions before Husseini set the ball rolling on the discussion.

Kelani was the first to tell his story in funding, which went something like one of his films. For the well-known filmmaker, who works mostly on adaptations from books, his primary source of funding is provided by himself, “because I have delayed everything about my life... my wife and I lived in the studio for 10 years to save money”.

Kelani explained that he told his wife, who was at the event, from the get-go that their children would not attend expensive schools, would not be driven to school, as they would have to go on their own. “So, that is my primary source of funding and I have to make sure that I don’t disappoint any of the people who have invested their life in fuelling my own creative fantasy”, he said.

Onwochei said it was important to note that he made quite a number of

Ali-Balogun

Kelani

Novia

Funding for Nollywood on front burner

independent films, where he sourced finance from his personal coffers, family and friends long before he got funding from a French agency to shoot a film the moderator mentioned. He lamented that there was no form of institutional support in Nigeria for filmmakers and adding that the very first fund a Nigerian filmmaker would get will be from outside the country. Onwochei related an experience where an African filmmaker of his pedigree was very upset with a funding organisation in his country because he was given only $10,000 to do research work on the script for his film.

“Nigeria at that time did not have any sort of policy to support motion picture works. I am aware that a few of my colleagues have had cause to enjoy some governmental intervention. It is not 100 percent correct that government organisations are not supporting but perhaps we can begin to ask, is it sufficient? Could it have been better?” Onwochei said.

On whether Nollywood is a bankable project, Novia, who was involved in the Nollywood Project affair with Ecobank spoke on the subject. Essentially, Ecobank gave him and three other colleagues what initially was called a grant in 2006, which became a loan, and which terms and conditions changed many times as the date of release for the films they were to do drew near.

“At the height of Nollywood being very vibrant 10 years ago, the Idumota marketers will on release dates, which was mostly on Mondays, tell you how hundreds of millions of naira would land in the bank accounts in Idumota from these movie marketers. So, you cannot say that Nollywood, by that structure, is not bankable. What they are doing is that they use the oil and gas industry template to assess a creative

IN THE LAST 52 YEARS OF MOVIEMAKING IN

NIGERIA, HOW HAVE PEOPLE FOUND MONEY TO MAKE MOVIES AND HOW DO THEY PAY BACK industry, and that is wrong”, he said.

Ali-Balogun, who made the awardwinning Tango With Me, said the kind of funding a filmmaker gets will determine the decisions he or she puts in place for any film. “When it comes to funding of films in Nigeria, I don’t think the bankers are saying that Nollywood is not bankable. The steps we put in place before and after we make our films is the issue. What kind of funding are you looking for?” he said.

Ali-Balogun explained that Nollywood is modelled after Hollywood, which means it is commercial and therefore, the filmmaker must get his material together. “You have to put in place how you want to market the film, how you want to recoup the money. And if you are not able to convince them, they will not give you the money”, he stated. The filmmaker said that there are other options for getting funding and while preparing for **Tango with Me**, Ali-Balogun went all over the country trying to get things worked out. The filmmaker paid a professional over half a million naira to write a 92-page business proposal, which he took all over the world. Unfortunately,

until he had finished post production work, no funds really came his way. The international funding agencies refused him since there were only Nigerian actors cast in the film. Banks asked him to bring collateral.

“Because I consult for some blue-chip companies, I took the bull by the horns and put my mouth where my money is.

In terms of getting support from some of the people you saw on my poster, while I was shooting the film, I went to some of them and when I finished and saw that it was good, I took it to some of them. They were wowed”, he said. He said all the support he got was after the movie was shot, “because it was a good product that is why they gave me money and I do not owe anybody”. Ali-Balogun concluded that distribution is key to getting funding and that no filmmaker should expect someone to fund his business.

Opara said it was not feasible to get a loan from the bank to run his film festival which is just about to do the fourth edition. He said it was very different from a film festival like the one in Berlin which makes a lot of money from ticket sales and endorsements.

“Film festivals are just coming up in Nigeria and people are getting aware. I am very excited that more people want to understand what is going on in the industry. Support should be coming from the Federal Government because I think that the beneficiary of the film festival is the government since it brings tourists to the country from all over the world”, he said.

It is a good thing that like Onwochei pointed out, things have changed for the better when it comes to funding in Nollywood and with the Federal Government’s stance on provider funds for the practitioners, things can only get better.

Arts Lounge

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

VOICES

What relevance is African art? (Part II ) MORGAN CHIMA NWANGUMA

T

wentieth century art took a dramatic turn, yielding completely to a new direction which is mainly expressionism. Some of the early and important examples are as seen in the works of Picasso, Braque, Soutine, Matisse, Kandinsky and even a more ‘recent’ Willem de Kooning, etc. But perhaps these were the same feelings that lent genuine expressions in the sculptures and decorative art of the Africans even though not contemporaneous with what the Europeans began to do later.

We should be able to draw a line between a people’s folk/traditional art and their ‘modern’ art practice. There is the possibility of a deliberate return to primitivism even when an artist has had a form of formal or modern training. But the difference is always there,and that is even different anyway. There are traditional arts everywhere as well as primitive art too. Therefore, traditional African art should not be used as a blanket definition or representation of what African art is or should be.

While the World art, especially in the West, yearns for the products of modern contemporary artists from Africa, the overriding consensus has been to try and pretend they do not exist. Therefore, there is no ‘African art’ or Black art, just as there would be no ‘European art’ or rather ‘White art’ in any definite form except for reason of location. There is universal art and African art is nothing else but the art products of Africa. There should be no deliberate, conscious restrictions aimed at tying down the African artist to primitivism and fetishism or to any form of misconceived neo-africanism. Rather, it is good the artist is responsive and responsible to projecting as well as documenting the essence of events and philosophies, and rituals of his culture and milieus. By so doing, in no way will his art be lacking in terms of relevance.

Landscape painting, nature and or representational expression is never a sole preserve of the Western artist, because the African also has a good dose of inspiring landscapes all around him or her; no topic or concept can ever be exhausted let alone monopolised. The great English landscapist – Constable and others painted Salisbury Cathedral and returned to it several times. Thus, the artist must be free to express himself on a universal platform and not necessarily tied down to his so-called roots. And what is American or Western in the works of Jackson Pollock, or Motherwell for instance? The point remains that the art of Africa is greatly endangered and faces the risk of perpetual lack of growth and imminent black-out if this deliberate negative delineating of artistic roles persists.

The African should be able to define and project his or her art and self as should be. If we do not openly and consciously counter the derogatory attitude of those behind this drive to stifle the flowering of

OUR ART SHOULD NOT BE SOLELY GEARED TOWARDS THE SATISFACTION OF TOURISTS OR TO BE USED AS A MEANS OF ENTERTAINMENT a genuine and pure modern African creativity and growth, then another form of neo-colonialism and cultural imperialism will certainly set in. We should be clear with ourselves as to what we want and who we are, instead of somebody else telling us and the entire world what African art and sensibilities ought to be.

Our art should not be solely geared towards the satisfaction of tourists or to be used as a means of entertainment. This attitude is what we get to see as promoted in most international arena by charlatans and cultural hoodwinkers. One will not also fail to mention here that so far, only a few outstanding efforts have been made by the Nigerian people or governments towards projecting the real artistic currents of this country.

Some of these few genuine efforts include among others, the SNA leadership’s pioneering collaboration with the federal Ministry of Information and Culture in 1995, in Geneva – Switzerland; we have also witnessed efforts of the present SNA leadership in the annual feast tagged ARUSEVA, as well as the burgeoning yearly Art Expo that comes up in Lagos.

At such events, our artistic expression is given free rein to naturally rear itself and we look forward to more of this kind of deliberate energy investment in order to counter the erroneous impressions sold to us and to the whole world.

Nwanguma is a Lagos-based artist and culture advocate.

Terracotta Nok art such as this at the Louvre Paris, appeared in Nigeria around 1000 BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LET’S

T AL K FAD with

Fidelis Duker

fidelisduker@yahoo.com; 08055662925(SMS ONLY)

Nollywood’s N3bn grant: An industry of propagandists

S

ometimes, when I reflect on Nollywood as an industry, I begin to wonder why assumed professionals still thrive on lies and propaganda as a means of making themselves relevant and important within the Nollywood family and the outside world.

When President Goodluck Jonathan announced the N3 billion grant to Nollywood at the presidential dinner, there was wild jubilation from the industry but as usual, a few issues cropped up.

There were no details on procedure and guidelines for the disbursement or assessing the ‘Project Nollywood’ grant, as it was called by Mr. President who also said the funds will be domiciled and managed by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture.

Ironically, this was the same scenario that played out during the $200 million loan for the creative industry by the president in 2011; it was announced without the proper setting up of appropriate guidelines. You will recall the President initially announced N200 million at the Silverbird’s 25th Anniversary event in Lagos before the then Minister of Finance, Agaga Williams called the President’s attention to the fact that the facility for the creative industry is actually 200 million dollars and not naira.

Now to the issue of how some of my colleagues have trivialised this decision by government to support the industry through this innovative initiative of grants. It is on record that this is the first time in the history of Nigeria film industry (since 1903 when the first film was screened at Glover Hall in Lagos) that any form of grant has been offered to the industry. It was, therefore, shocking when a group of colleagues started questioning the criteria for the selection of the committee by the Ministry of Finance which was charged with the responsibility of putting together the guidelines. The committee had only Amaka Igwe, Jide Kosoko and Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa from the industry, among the 11-member committee that drew its membership from other sector. My question to those who have questioned the rationale behind the selection of these practitioners is simply, what makes you better or more qualified than Amaka, Stephanie and Jide? My answer is simply stupidity and ignorance because what should be their worry is that their interest as practitioners and stakeholders is protected by their selected colleagues in the committee.

Sadly, rather than commend colleagues who last week decided to call

IGNORANCE AND FALSEHOOD HAS CHARACTERISED

NOLLYWOOD IN THE LAST 20 YEARS a focus committee meeting to address an aspect of the brief by the government which was on distribution, this group went to town in their normal ne’er-do-well attitude. They, led by two former presidents of the producers’ association whose stock in trade is to lie and spread falsehood, said some members of the committee and those invited for the focus meeting had balkanised and shared the N3 billion. I beg to ask if the government will give or deposit an industry grant in a personal account of an individual. This has been the ignorance and falsehood that has characterised Nollywood in the last 20 years.

The idea of the focus was as a result of a questionnaire that Amaka sent out requesting for contributions. As usual, the response to the questionnaire was poor and in Amaka’s wisdom, she sought my opinion on a way forward for a more broad-based and holistic report on distribution, in which I suggested we have a formal meeting of producers, distributors and facility owners. To be sincere, it was one of the best focus meeting that brought together some of the most outstanding creative minds in the industry and from the financial sector. Some of those who made up the focus team included Jide Kosoko, Fidelis Duker, Obi Asika, Kene Mkparu, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Remmy Jess, Cosmos Ndulue, Norbert Ajegbu, Hope Yongo, Foluke Daramola, Eddie Ugboma, Chico Ejiro, Charles Igwe, Gabosky, Alex Eyengho, Yinka Ogundaisi, Bayo Awala, Emma Isikaku, Zik Zulu, Andy Amenechi, Emem Isong, Sonny McdonW and Ojoma Chai of British Council, amongst others. We spent hours to arrive at a comprehensive, broad-based document on distribution which will be presented to the government for implementation hopefully.

My personal advice to the ne’erdo-well group is to realise this is one great opportunity we should not miss with our unnecessary internal bickering; we must respect this goodwill from this government. Next week, I will discuss the grant which has been fashioned after the ‘YOUWIN’ project of the Ministry of Finance.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I sold 200 Oga at the Top shirts in 4 hours –Wole As social media increasingly becomes part of mainstream media, it is no longer surprising to see breaking news litter platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs among others. Some of such news may become a massively trending topic shaping the lifestyle of people in the society.

OLUFEMI AJASA AND YINKA ADEPARUSI

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classic example of how social media is affecting lifestyle choices happened a few weeks ago, when Nigerians went on different social media platforms to discuss the famous interview Channels Television, an urban TV station based in Lagos, held with the Lagos State Commander of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr. Obafaiye Shem.

Ironically, while responding to questions about NSCDC’s website address, the state commander made reference to his Oga at the Top and the subsequent debacle around his answer including clips from the interview went viral online.

Social media backlash quickly followed this interview and the My Oga at the Top was an instant hit, adding to local parlance catch-phrases. The creative industry jumped on it and several entertainers tapped into the commercial aspect of the situation, using the viral catchphrase to produce music, T-shirts, short documentaries, funny quotes, graphics and more.

On the frontline of this innovative parlance is Chief Executive of Wa a Gba Clothier, Wole Shodipe-Dosunmu, who said the slogan has increased sales at Wa a Gba greatly while maintaining that more orders for T-Shirts carrying My Oga at the Top,’ inscription is the order of the day for his business. For Wole, the whole thing actually started as a joke on the social media. But it became financially rewarding when the idea to meet an instant need of so many clients came to him.

“You can’t imagine the sales I have made. It started around 12 noon on that day; I designed a specimen and used the picture as my BlackBerry display picture, immediately clients showed interest. At first, I sold

more than 200 pieces in just four hours, after which they kept on ordering for more”.

The T-Shirt goes for a price of N5000 and the young clothier confessed that he has been able to make hundreds of thousands in sales. “I don’t know for how long the order for the shirt will last, but I have sold more than 600 pieces in just a few days.

This is what I call good business and it is simply what every clothier desires”.

Prior to the emergence of My Oga at the Top line, Wa a Gba designs are often seen on top-notch artistes in the music industry like Wizkid, Wande Coal, Sarz, Reminisce, Shina Rambo, Ice Prince, Davido and others..

Speaking on the NSCDC boss’ gaffe, the versatile designer said: “It shows the level of the understanding of our institutions by people in higher places.

Good for me though, I’m making money from his mistake, but to say the truth, this shows how much leadership challenge we have in the country”.

The Lagos-born designer is inspired by his homeland’s traditions and has a deep appreciation for the arts. His collections can’t be exclusively placed under the urban spectrum; it is a fusion of Western and pure traditional styles. He uses Western fabrics, accessories and tools, but his pattern of cutting clothes and the fittings of his designs on people is undoubtedly a portrayal of the African lifestyle. Wole described his works as a mix of western and ancient embellishment techniques.

To cope with rising competition in the fashion sphere, Wa a Gba (which in English means ‘You’ll be impressed’) consistently dedicates time to studying his immediate environment, picking up designs from things he sees in natural settings and combining the ideas to whatever is trending in the global fashion market. “I love travelling and I believe rapid change in one’s place of living is vital to inspiring a fashion designer’s choice of materials and the outcome of their creations”, he said.

Shodipe-Dosunmu

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Models in My Oga at the Top T-Shirts by Wa a Gba

Unlike others who acquire formal training in fashion designing, Wole studied Communication Technology at the School of Communication, Lagos State University, LASU. He stumbled upon a career in clothes-making after several mistakes and learning from his experiences –from conquering the huge cost of buying classic designers, identifying fake materials in the jam-packed Nigerian market to attending exhibitions to see creative works and pick up innovative ideas in the fashion industry.

Like every other young entrepreneur in Nigeria, Wole highlighted the unavailability of capital and lack of reliable credit services from banks as one of the major challenges for his business and other small scale business outfits in the country. However, he recounted how, with discipline, 40% of his proceeds is saved and ploughed

MIDWEEK JUMP Entries open for Naija Writers’ Coach Essay Competition 2013

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igerian undergraduates are encouraged to send in essay entries (between 600 and 1000 words) for the Naija Writers’ Coach Essay Competition which avails an opportunity to win mouth-watering cash prizes.

The theme is: “Does The Nigerian Education System Prepare Students for the Work Environment?”. It has been observed that there is increasing importance and preference attached to educational certificates in Nigeria over the acquisition of critical life skills, educational values and practical work-place know-how, and as such, many students graduate still unemployable. Students who are most affected by this trend are invited to share their views on the malady and all other issues related to it.

Each entry must be an essay.

Poems, short stories, fictions, etc. are not acceptable. Entries will be judged based on content (quality and relevance of arguments), organisation (logical and orderly presentation of points), grammatical expressions and mechanical accuracy.

Submissions should be made online at www.NaijaWritersCoach.com/NWC-2013-essaycompetition. Submissions by email would not be accepted.

The deadline for submission of entries is April 20 (by 11.59 p.m.).

Entries will be judged by distinguished essay writers like Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, Abimbola Adelakun and Akande Hafiz.

AWF invites participants for Writers’ Workshop

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

back into the business which he credits as one of the several stringent approaches to funding Wa a Gba. Over the years, the business has made impressive sales from popular slogans but according to the designer, My Oga at the Top comes in as second highest selling slogan after Superman which reigned in 2012. “Apart from the common slogans prevalent in contemporary fashion, I also founded and popularised some exclusively on my clothing line, like Greedy man, Highlife, Egunje, Leopard jean, etc”.

In the future, Wole plans to have a factory and produce self-designed fabrics; just like the Kente of Ghana, Anger of Tivland and Aso Oke of Yorubaland, the young clothier has promised not to relent until he achieves the Wa a Gba fabric which he intends to market first in Africa and later in the international market.

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pplicants seeking requisite skills in prose, poetry and drama are invited to express their interest with an e-mail for the Writers Workshop organised by the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF).

Over four Saturdays in April (6th, 13th, 20th and 27th), participants will get the opportunity to develop their writing skills in any of the aforementioned genres. They would be working with a group of dedicated resource persons like Bob Majiri Oghene - poet, short story writer and public commentator, who will handle the Fiction module; Anthony Abu, who will handle the Drama module, is a Development Communication Expert who has worked on development projects of the UKaid, British Council and Action. Dr. Emman Usman Shehu will take care of the Poetry module, bringing his wealth of experience teaching creative writing at the Usman Dan Fodio University to the fore.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

NTDC to honour 50 Nigerian artistes ...Celebrates Kollington Ayinla’s 50 years on stage IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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igerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, says it has concluded arrangements to honour 50 distinguished Nigerian artistes.

The Director General of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe stated this in Abuja last week while receiving General Kollington Ayinla, a veteran musician, who was on a courtesy call to the Corporation.

Runsewe disclosed that the 50 artistes were to be drawn from all genres of music, especially the elderly musicians who had used their music to pass messages across for the transformation of the country.

The NTDC boss, who noted that

Kollington

Nigeria as a nation rarely appreciates her citizens, said that it was high time veterans were celebrated in their lifetime and not in death.

According to him: “People who have brought glory to Nigeria, promoted the country’s culture and showcased Nigeria positively, needed to be celebrated.

If Nigeria as a country does not recognise its artistes, other countries would rubbish them. Most veteran Nigerian artistes are suffering in poverty and we need to do something about it by giving the honour due to them”.

However, Runsewe commended Gen. Ayinla for bringing honour to Nigeria through music and promised that NTDC would do everything possible to support his music foundation.

Earlier, Kollington Ayinla, popularly called Keben Kwara who is also the President of Fuji Musicians in Nigeria, said he was at the tourism village to intimate the NTDC boss about the celebration of his 50 years on stage as a performer and the establishment of his music foundation aimed at training young musicians.

Ayinla said the Nigerian government should learn to celebrate musicians who had contributed their quota –and are still contributing– to nation building.

Ayinla’s 50 years on stage and music foundation launch is slated for April 28, 2013 and will have on stage other great artistes like King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Femi Kuti, among others.

Oyo Kingdom is the custodian of arts –Kalilu ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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ontroversy on whether Ile-ife, the cradle of Yorubas and the old Oyo Empire is the custodian of arts resurfaced last Wednesday at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho as a Professor of Arts and Arts History, Olatunde Kalilu affirmed that Oyo-Ile is the progenitor of arts as it has its headquarters in the old Oyo kingdom.

Prof Kalilu, while delivering the 10th Inaugural Lecture of the university entitled “Art from Art: Conceptualising Existence in the Space of the Visual Arts”, charged members of the public to disregard the claims that Ile-Ife is the custodian of art in Yorubaland.

“The theory of contemporary Yoruba art styles having their roots in Ile-Ife is not supported by visual evidence which indicates that the majority of contemporary Yoruba art forms and styles resulted from the old Oyo attraction. Found within the territory of old Oyo Empire is a large collection

of steatite stone sculptures”, the don expounded.

“Visual evidence did not support a direct migration from Ile-Ife to OyoIle and functionally, art featured in all aspects of the life of old Oyo. Art was deployed in the commission of the human space within and around the Kingdom and the Empire. Specifically, art objects featured as decorations, emblems and devices in architectural, clothing, personal adornments, religious and utilitarian contexts among other numerous functions.”

Kalilu argued further that most countries of Africa have the origin of their art traced to Oyo Kingdom, stressing that art was introduced to other countries in Africa and West Africa in particular by people from Oyo Kingdom that were sold into slavery.

He maintained that “the old Oyo Kingdom was a spring that watered the sheds of art in West Africa. All ethnic groups in the country are blessed with arts which have formed parts of artefacts used for cultural and traditional purpose in the country”.

Arojah Royal Theatre Troupe performing

WPD 2013: Celebrating women and poetry IZUCHUKWU OKEKE

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ach year, March 21 is earmarked by the United Nations to celebrate poetry in the World Poetry Day, WPD, globally and Nigeria was not left out of this celebration of the spoken word.

In the last three years, the Korean Cultural Centre Abuja in collaboration with Abujabased Arojah Concepts has been hosting poetry lovers and enthusiasts to events marking the WPD in the capital city.

The 2013 edition of the event held at the exhibition hall of the Korean Cultural Centre drawing a powerful clan of poetry lovers who came to celebrate the beauty of the poetic words. But not only poetry; the day was also used to celebrate the ‘woman’, as the theme of this year’s celebration was “Womanhood”, hence poems honouring women were drawn and rendered by performance poets on the day.

The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike led a strong delegation of bureaucrats to the occasion. The Minister of Culture and Tourism Chief Edem Duke was represented by Mr. George Ufot of the ministry. On hand to receive the guests was the chief host of the day, His Excellency Choi Jong-hyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria.

The day opened with opera music performance by an Abuja based Philharmonica, followed by group poetry performance by Arojah Royal Theatre Troupe.

Making a speech afterwards, the Korean ambassador, Choi Jong-Hyun observed that

the theme of this year’s WPD is significant in many ways. “Celebrating women and poetry together is creative thinking to me”, he said.

“I invite all of us to reflect on the power of language and the role every woman plays in the world. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how we have treated women in our world; women who have been the pillar of support for us in our various homes and the larger society”, he said.

While appreciating the theme of the day, the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike remarked that no nation will grow until it has recognised the binding forces of the arts, which poetry is one, and the role of women. He also said that the federal government was working hard to improve the reading culture in Nigeria. Mr. Wike ended with a rendition of the popular ‘Still, I rise’, a poem by America’s Maya Angelo.

The highlight of the World Poetry Day celebration in Abuja was the presentation of cash prizes, branded materials and certificates to winners of a poetry competition that preceded the day.

Wike at the event

David Zaslav to present keynote address at MIPTV

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IPTV recently announced that David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications, will present a keynote address on Tuesday, April 9, as part of MIPTV’s Media Mastermind keynotes series. Organised by Reed MIDEM, MIPTV will take place in Cannes from April 8 to 11.

Founded in 1963, MIPTV is the annual international market and creative forum for content on every screen. It brings professionals from the global TV and online content industry to Cannes, France, for four days of exhibition, conferences, screenings and networking. It is a key market for buying and selling content and early-stage content development.

At MIPTV, Zaslav will discuss the global content environment, recent international

M&A activity and his strategy for continued growth at the world’s largest pay-TV programmer.

At Discovery Communications, Zaslav sets the strategy and oversees all operations of the nonfiction media company that reaches more than 1.8 billion cumulative subscribers in nearly 220 countries and territories.

Prior to Discovery, Zaslav had a distinguished career at NBC Universal. In 2007, he received a Trustees Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). Under Zaslav’s leadership, in September 2008, Discovery began trading as a public company on the Nasdaq stock exchange and has since delivered average double-digit profit growth over the past five years.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Speculations, nothing but speculations. I am committed to my club and I really love it here

Lobi Stars eye victory

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- MANCHESTER CITY MIDFIELDER, YAYA TOURE

AYAC fallout: Team Nigeria returns to camp YEMI OLUS

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Sunday Mba (r), dispossesing a Malian player of the ball in the semi-final match of the 2013 AFCON.

espite the feat achieved by Team Nigerian athletes at the maiden edition of the African Youth Athletics Championships, officials said yesterday that they will return to camp after a one-week break ahead of subsequent competitions.

Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, told National Mirror that the officials’ resolve was aimed at enabling the athletes to refresh and get motivated.

“The summer holidays will now be used for camping athletes who are in secondary schools while those who are out of school will return to camp immediately after the competition,” Nesiama, who was also the Competition Director at the Warri meet, said.

“It’s the decision of the technical board of which I am a member and there is no room for any

change.

“If there is any reason for it to change the rules, we will communicate such. But we want to do the right things to ensure that our athletes excel.”

The athletes are expected to represent the country at the ECOWAS Games, African Junior Athletics Championships in South Africa in June and the World Youth Championships billed for Ukraine in July.

Meanwhile each of the Nigerian gold medalists at AYAC has been given $500 by President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, who said his gesture was motivated by the athletes’ performance.

Nigeria country survived an onslaught from Egypt during the early days of the championship but rallied to win eight gold medals on the final day on Sunday.

Overall, the host won 13 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals while Egypt and Ethiopia followed in second and third positions respectively.

AJC: Onaolapo, others advance to semis Gabriel Reuben (in green shirt) heading clear during a World Cup 2014 qualifier between Super Eagles and Brave Warriors of Namibia in Calabar last November

YEMI OLUS

Transfer: Reuben, Idris N make Kilmarnock switch IKENWA NNABUOGOR

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he transfer dust surrounding two former Kano Pillars players Gabriel Rueben and Papa Idris has finally settled with the duo signing three-year contracts with the Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock after Manager Kenny Shiels confirmed that the players have officially joined the club.

National Mirror gathered yesterday from the biggest television network in Scotland, STV, that the SPL club has also secured “work permit endorsements” from the Scottish Football Association for the Nigeria internationals.

“The Rugby Park side have gained work permit endorse-

ments from the Scottish FA for the pair, who are both free agents having left Kano Pillars earlier in the season,” various Scottish media also reported yesterday.

According to Shiels, the paperwork for Reuben has been concluded while Idris’ document was facing “some last-minute work.”

“They’ve both signed and at the moment, everything is through for Reuben,” the manager said.

“They are experienced international players, they are young and we are hoping they can bring their experience to bear on our style of play.”

Reuben has already been training with the Ayrshire side since his arrival at the Rugby Park last month.

Shiels, who has junior Nigeria international, Rabiu Ibrahim, in his team described the number of players from the West African nation as adequate.

“We have three and that is enough. It is totally adequate and it is something we can manage and work with,” he said.

Reuben, who made the Nigerian team to the recent AFCON finals in South Africa but did not play a match due to illness, is already in line to make his debut for Killie against St Mirren today or against Dundee United next Monday.

“I am eager to make my debut and as always, I look forward to putting in my best when I am offered my chance,” Reuben said.

igeria’s U-21 boys team yesterday overcame their loss to Egypt to qualify for the semifinals of the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Junior Championships taking place in Nabeul, Tunisia.

The team comprising Onaolapo, Olajide Omotayo, Sunday Ayodele and Kehine Awobajo thrashed Congo Brazzaville and South Africa 3-2 and 3-0 respectively to finish second in Group 1 behind top seeds, Egypt.

The Nigerians had earlier succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Egypt on the first day of the competition.

Tunisia and Algeria qualified from Group 2 to complete the semis fixtures.

It was also a good day for Esther Oribamise and Onyinyechi Mbah competing in the cadet girls’ category after they qualified for the next round despite a 3-2 loss to Egypt on Tuesday. Oribamise won her two games two games (3-1, 3-1) but lost to 0-3 to Yousry Amira 1-3, 0-3 while Mbah lost her two games.

Nigeria had defeated Tunisia (3-0) and Congo Brazzaville (3-0)

on the first day of the competition and finished second in the group comprising of Egypt, Tunisia and Congo Brazzaville. Tunisia placed third while Congo Brazzaville finished at the bottom of Group B while Angola topped Group A, trailed by Algeria, South Africa and Morocco.

Omotayo, who is the reigning West African junior champion, said he expected the challenges at the AJC but assured that the team would emerge victorius.

“We trained for the championships but we knew it would be competitive because we would be up against players from different countries.

Ojo Onaolapo

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Sport Spo o rt

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mourinho dreams ‘goal rain’

Malag

Madri

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eal Madrid Coach, Jose Mourinho, is hoping his goalshy team rediscovers its goalscoring form in the first-leg of its sc UEFA Champions League quarterU final against Turkish giant Galatasaray today.

Star winger Cristiano Ronaldo kept up his imperious form with his 43rd goal of the season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Real Zaragoza, but the lack of goals from other areas of the t pitch concerns Mourinho.

“Perhaps that is one of the differences this season,” the Portuguese said yesterday.

“Last “La season with four chances we would score three thr goals, we were scoring goals with great ease and a the only one who has maintained a similar average averag has been Cristiano,” he added.

Indeed since sinc the turn of the year, Ronaldo has nearly outscored his team-mates single handedly outsco with 21 goals to t their combined 23.

However, M Mourinho is particularly concerned about the form of strikers Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain.

“All the others have gone down in their numbers oth of goals and obviously the team feels the consequences. The goals will come, but it is a reality that g we are having ssome difficulties in scoring goals.

Mourinho also al indicated that Iker Casillas would against the Turkish champions despite not be involved a training following a hand injury. returning to train Varane and Fabio Coentrao are expected But Raphael Va missing the Real Zaragoza league game to return after mi with slight muscle iinjuries and Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria will start after being weekend. rested at the weeken his side take a lead to Istanbul Mourinho is determined dete on its nerves as it did in the previous rather than living o Manchester United where it drew the first round against Manc leg in Madrid 1-1. but we must try and get a positive result “It will be tough, bu at home in the first leg. leg While some might have felt Galatasaray is one of the easier teams to draw, I am not of that opinion,” he further said. used to the Champions League and who “This is a team that is u not only have two former winners of this competition, Drogba and Sneijder, but also players who have played for other top clubs.”

USA President, Barack Obama displaying ball skill when members of the Los Angeles Galaxy paid him a courtesy visit at the White House last weekend.

PHOTO: FIFA.com

Pell Dor

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Terim

Terim discards ‘friendship’

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alatasaray’s Manager, Fatih Terim, has put his close friendship with Jose Mourinho aside ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash and mocked Real Madrid for playing a style of football that a six-year-old would understand.

Terim, branded as The Emperor by his loyal supporters, says there are no secrets ahead of the first quarter-final between these sides at the Bernabeu.

“There’s not much point talking about Real Madrid and everyone knows what they’re about,” Terim said.

“I always watch Real Madrid as it’s the smartest way to keep improving as a coach.

I never miss any. In the last week alone, I’ve watched six or seven videos, but there are no secrets.

Terim is a colourful man who does not mince his word, and he will not change his

style in preparation for facing one of the best teams in the world.

“Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two best teams in the world and nearly always show it. We’re going to play in a way that will make people proud and earn everyone’s respect. I refuse to change our style and we aren’t afraid of anyone. We’ll look to take the game to them, keep the ball and pick our way through any gaps they leave us.”

Meanwhile, Galatasaray’s new signing, Didier Drogba, will be reunited with his old friend from Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, although this time the Special One will be in the opposing dug-out.

“Drogba is a very special player, capable of proving his greatness at any moment.

Granted, it’s not ideal that he and Wesley Sneijder were out of action for so long,” Terim admitted.

Sanchez pledges ‘good show’

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alaga winger, Joaquin Sanchez, is promising a big performance from his side today as the Spanish side hosts Borussia Dortmund in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final in its first ever appearance in the competition.

“We’ll go out aggressive and look for a result at home, but not even an 8-0 win would allow us to relax in Germany,” Sanchez said yesterday.

“These are the games that footballers want to play in, we’re very happy to enjoy this atmosphere and that the fans can join in, you can sense the club’s dreams everywhere you go here. These are games in which the big teams prove themselves”, the former Spain added.

The form of Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero has been decisive for Champions League progress and in Malaga boasting La Liga’s second best defensive record, and the his form will be key if Borussia is to be thwarted in La Rosaleda Stadium.

“We have to be up for it and play Borussia on equal terms. That will be difficult because they are a team that attacks well and have a whole lot more. For us it’s a dream but we must be strong in the home game, we all must be on top of our game and find out how where we can hurt them,” Caballero said.

The goalkeeper will come face to face with in-form striker Robert Lewandowski, who has scored in nine consecutive Bundesliga outings and has 13 goals in his past 13 games for the club.

ga’s u mance so far antici agains The of AC and A knocko in its m ing off quarte “No start a sponde yesterd “We repres the sid been w “I a Dortm The fa teams very p mise t play to

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Sanchez

The Polish international got the winner on Saturday as Borussia won 2-1 at Stuttgart to deny Bayern Munich an early celebration of the Bundesliga title.

Borussia trails Munich by a massive 20 points but remains in contention to finish second, sitting four points clear of Bayer Leverkusen, with three wins in the last four.

Malaga is also in contention for qualification to next season’s competition currently sitting fifth in La Liga, but the Costa del Sol club is currently banned by UEFA from next season’s competition, barring an appeal, for outstanding debts.

ond fa Jose M the UE The gnant season his ca Mouri at Inte For experi former than th the fir 2009.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Tit bits...

Schmelzer

Today’s fixtures

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vs

Dortmund

d

vs

Galatasaray

Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Schmelzer was set to travel to Malaga yesterday for today’s Champions League quarter-final first leg as doctored battled over his fitness.

Schmelzer will need to wear a facemask after breaking his nose in the league on Saturday.

“It is up the medical staff to have the final word,” official said at the team’s departure from Germany.

“We just hope for the best,” the club added in a statement.

legrini eager for rtmund

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alaga Coach, Manuel Pellegrini, has voiced his delight with Malaunexpectedly good perfores in the Champions League r this term, and is eagerly pating the quarter-final tie st Borussia Dortmund. e Boquerones finished ahead C Milan, Zenit St Petersburg Anderlecht to qualify for the out stages of the competition maiden campaign, before seef Porto to book a ticket for the er-finals. obody gave us a chance at the and yet the players have reed so well,” Pellegrini said day. e eliminated Porto and that sented a huge achievement for de. The merits this season have won out on the pitch. am delighted to be playing mund as creative as they are. ans will see a great game. Both like to have the ball and are powerful. We will try to minitheir strengths while trying to o ours.

eijder reveres mer coach

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alatasaray midfielder, Wesley Sneijder, says he will be going up against his ‘secather’ when his side faces Mourinho’s Real Madrid in EFA Champions League. e tie will be particularly poifor Sneijder, who spent two ns at the Bernabeu earlier in areer and also featured under inho during his glittering stint er Milan. r the Holland international, the ience of going up against his r boss will hold more meaning he fact that he is facing Real for rst time since his departure in

ked if he has more fondness Mourinho or Real, he said: rinho is like a second father to

e is a powerhouse. In football ve powerhouses who are playnd ever since I met Mourinho, an say that there are powers who are managers. And he nly is, without any doubt at all. e is a very special person for s a coach he is incredible, numne. It was he who gave me confiand I enjoyed playing football ever before. And as a person he es you much more than in his s coach. Mourinho is a friend.”

Malaga players celebrate after seeing off Porto in the round of 16

Malaga chases Dortmund’s scalp

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ebutant Malaga has toppled European giants AC Milan and Porto on its way to the Champions League quarter-finals and has another former winner in its sights when it hosts Borussia Dortmund today.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini and his players have propelled the Costa del Sol club to unprecedented success despite uncertainty over the commitment of its Qatari owner and cash-flow problems that prompted a ban from UEFA competition from next season.

Chilean Pellegrini has moulded a squad of experienced campaigners including Joaquin, Martin Demichelis, Jeremy Toulalan and Roque Santa Cruz into a highly efficient outfit, with promising youngsters like Isco providing a creative spark.

After beating seven-times European champions Milan 1-0 at the Rosaleda

stadium on the way to topping Group C, Malaga dispatched 2004 winner Porto 2-0 in the last round on a festive night for local fans including Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas.

They Spanish side is brimming with confidence ahead of today’s game against the 1997 champion.

Malaga’s success is in large measure down to its well-drilled defence, one of the meanest in La Liga this season, and preventing Dortmund from scoring an away goal could be key to its chances of progressing after next week’s return leg.

Malaga has kept nine clean sheets in its 12 European home games, including against Milan in October and the success against Porto last month.

If the home side reaches the semifinals, it will match the debut-season achievement of La Liga rival Villarreal under Pellegrini in the 2005-06 season.

Reus eyes Wembleyy final

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orussia Dortmund d striker, Marco Reus, insistss his side can win the Champions hampions League ahead of today’ss quarterfinal clash with Malaga.

The reigning Bundesliga champion came through a group including ding Manchester City, Ajax and Reall Madrid before dismantling Shakhtar htar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16.

Jurgen Klopp’s side is now ow four games away from the final al and, speaking ahead of Dortmund’s mund’s next European test againstt the Liga side, Reus is convinced d the side can win the tournament. t.

“I believe we can do it because we have done well to come this far and at this stage age of the Champions League you have ve the ability to win it.

“Everything feels possible sible now.

Small things will decide the e outcome but we can definitely go much ch further.

I’ve never played in London on before.

That would not be a bad way y to start a game in London–with a Chamampions League final.”

Reus also refused to rule ule out the prospect of leaving the club in the future, with rumours ours continuing to link a number ber of Europe’s biggest sides with a bid for his services.

“We have plans to win trophies here.

Samba

Queens Park Rangers centre back, Chris Samba, has hit out after being racially abused on Twitter, sequel two costly mistakes during his side’s 3-2 defeat to Fulham.

Despite apologising for his performance, the Congolese was allegedly called ‘a negro’.

“As for the racist abuse I receive last night I did not deserve at all, called it a early day today to be called a negro for a game of football,” he said.

Bale

Former France international, Zinedine Zidane, has lavished praise on Tottenham Hotspur’s star Gareth Bale, describing the Welshman as the best player in Europe this year.

Zidane, who is now director of football at former club Real Madrid, spoke ahead of the Spanish champion’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray tonight.

Nasri throws Mancini jibes

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anchester City midfielder, Samir Nasri, has reacted with disappointment to Roberto Mancini’s quip that he wanted to punch the French midfielder due to his inconsistency.

Nasri, who formerly played for Arsenal, was outstanding for City in their 4-0 weekend win over Newcastle in the Premier League.

However, he has struggled to string together impressive displays for last season’s champions and City manager Mancini expressed his frustration over Nasri after the crushing win over Alan Pardew’s men.

Mancini was widely quoted as saying: “I would like to give him a punch. Because a player like him should play like this always.”

Mancini also said he felt some City players were only playing at 50% of their ability this season.

Nasri concedes he has been far from his best this season, but he feels Mancini was wrong to say he wanted to punch him.

“I’ve not had a good season, I know it, I’m aware of that. I am the first to be self-critical. But it’s not true that I’m playing at 50%,” the petit player said.

“I think the coach still doesn’t handle English very well and sometimes uses expressions that aren’t really suitable.”

Di Canio

Paolo Di Canio has launched an Italian takeover at the Sunderland in his first full day in charge at the Stadium of Light.

Following his controversial appointment, the Italian has been given full rein to pick his back room staff.

Fabrizio Piccareta has joined him as first-team coach, who was his assistant at previous club Swindon Town, Domenico Doardo joins as goalkeeping coach, Claudio Donatelli joins as fitness coach, and Giulio Viscardi finishes up the new-look backroom staff as physiotherapist and masseur.

Khedira

Reus

Sami Khedira believes the recent success of Bundesliga teams in the Champions League is not a coincidence.

The Real Madrid midfielder has applauded youth football in Germany, admiring the dedication and success of academies in his homeland in their production of players.

“Dortmund and Bayern are very strong, not only last season but also this, and they play very well at European level,” Khedira said yesterday.

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Nasri

Sport

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Nigeria Premier Nig League

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cricket

with

IIKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Olawale aims high with Dolphins

Week 6 Fixtures Wednesday, April 10 Wikki Tourists vs

ABS

Kwara United vs

Nasarawa Utd

Kano Pillars

vs

Sunshine Stars

Dolphins

vs

Heartland

El-Kanemi

vs

Akwa United

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Thursday, April 11 Bayelsa Utd

vs

3SC

Kaduna Utd

vs

Enyimba

Warri Wolves

vs

Nembe City

Gombe Utd

vs

Rangers

Lobi Stars

vs

Sharks

NPFL Week 5 Results Enyimba

0-0

Warri Wolves

Heartland

4-0

Gombe United

Nasarawa

3-1

Kaduna United

Akwa United

3-0

Bayelsa United

Sharks

0-0

Dolphins

Sunshine

vs

Lobi Stars (postponed)

3SC

3-2

Wikki

ABS

2-3

Kano Pillars

Rangers

3-1

Kwara United

Nembe City

2-1

El-Kanemi

Pillars to unleash AYC star on Congo’s Leopards

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ano Pillars have said they will unleash Flying Eagles defensive midfielder, Shehu Abdullahi on their Caf Champions League opponents, the Athletic Club Leopards de Dolisie of Congo this weekend.

The Kano club won the first fixture, first round encounter 4-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

Abdullahi was vital in the middle of coach John Obuh’s Flying Eagles that finished third at the just concluded Africa Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria. The side are expected in the country on Tuesday.

An official of the side, Idris Malikawa said the midfielder will be part and parcel of the squad to confront the Congolese side once he arrived on time to meet the team’s departure arrangement and was fit for the crunch encounter.

“We hope to feature Shehu Abdullahi against AC Leopards but that depends on the arrival time of the Flying Eagles in the country and whether he’ll be satisfied fit for the encounter. If he’s approved for the encounter we would like to have him, he’s one of our regulars in the middle,” he said to supersport.com.

Tony Okpotu

Lobi Stars eye victory in Mozambique

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ne of Nigeria’s representatives in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, Lobi Stars, have declared they are in a mission for outright victory in the return leg first round game against Liga Muçulmana de Maputo holding on Friday in Maputo.

The Makurdi side beat their Mozambican counterparts 3-1 in the first leg at home a fortnight ago, to open a two-goal advantage going into the Friday’s return leg.

Lobi Stars’ team made of 18 players and a number of officials departed Abuja International Airport on Monday ahead of the game.

The Makurdi-based side hit Abuja on road same day to catch the evening fight to the former Portuguese colony.

Star striker Tony Okpotu, who recently rejoined the team after a failed attempt to sign for a Norwegian side, told National Mirror the team was in top shape to beat the Mozambicans in their background, to complete 100 percent re-

cord against them.

“We have prepared well for the return leg and that was why we had to depart to Mozambique early enough to acclimatize well ahead of the game,” Okpotu said.

“We have a two-goal advantage going into the game and we only have to capitalize on it to go for broke.

“We got a very strong, determined team that has been together for some time and we’re set to complete the job in Maputo.

“Our team is equal to the task and with God on our side, we will prevail in Maputo.”

Lobi Stars were drawn bye in the preliminary round and began their campaign in a good note beating the Mozambican team in the second round.

Should Lobi Stars scale this hurdle, they are likely to meet ASEC Mimosas who take a 2-1 away advantage into their return tie against Rail Club du Kadiogo in Abidjan on Saturday.

Odita hails ref’s officiating in closed door tie

K

wara United central defence Okey Odita has described the officiating in the Week 4 tie against Rangers played in closed doors in Enugu last Sunday, as good and encouraging. The former Rangers captain though picked holes with the hosts’ third goal from the spot describing it as dubious, saying that the referee gave them undue advantage to make the three points safe.

Odita told National Mirror that the two goals Rangers scored in the first half were good goals and they have nothing against the referee that

Odita

handled the game except for the soft penalty he gave him to help them secure three points.

“We missed the drumming of our supporters but gave our best in the game that was not watched by any spectator,” Odita said.

“The Rangers players and

coach knew that the penalty was dubious because our defender that cleared the ball was nowhere near the Rangers striker.

“They feared we could equalize and snatch a point because the score stood at 2-1 then and referee just helped to make the game safe.”

Rangers came under the NPFL’s sledge hammer when two of their players attacked the centre referee in their Week 3 tie against visiting Warri Wolves that snatched a point in a goalless draw.

The two players involved were also fined for their misconduct.

olphins midfielder and Sand Eagles captain says he’s confident Dolphins will bounce back and gun for honours this season. The former Kwara United star told National Mirror that his club would be the team to beat this season.

Olawale, who is spending his second season at Dolphins, says he believes so much in the ability of the both the old and newly recruited players, maintaining they’re in the best competitive form to end the season on a high.

“We may have lost our last league game to ABS but I must tell you that we’re still focused on our mission,” he declared.

“We have recruited well and what’s left of us to do is playing as a unit and the rest will be left for to do. I bet we will get there.”

Meanwhile, Bulgaria returnee Deniran Ortega has left Dolphins but his whereabouts are still not yet determined.

The former Levski Sofia striker may have returned to Europe in search of a club and fresh start.

He returned home last season to play for Dolphins after he was out of contract in Europe. He has also played in Mexico, Armenia and Guatamela.

In another shock development yesterday, the players have decided to embark on an indefinite strike to press home demands over the non-payment of their signing-on fees for the 2011/12 football season.

This will be the second time in just over a month that players of the club will be embarking on a strike over unpaid financial entitlements.

A senior member of the Dolphins team, who spoke exclusively to supersport.com on Monday evening on condition of anonymity, said the players have resolved not to train until their wages have been paid.

“We will not train (on Tuesday). The Commissioner (for Sports in Rivers State, Fred Igwe) promised that we will be paid our monies by the end of March. This is April and nobody has told us anything so we will only commence training when we have been paid,” the disgruntled player stated.

Dolphins sit in 14th place on the NPFL log with five points from five matches.

Isiaka Olawale

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Business & Finance Private Sector should play a bigger role in infrastructure development Acting Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Gaji Bello

Inadequate funds, major challenge to local content in oil industry TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, CHROME GROUP, ADEBANJI BABARINDE

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Solid minerals sector accounts for lowest contributions to GDP TOLA AKIMUTIMI ABUJA

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espite efforts by the Federal Government to use the huge solid minerals endowments in the country to leverage non-oil sector’s contributions to the nation’s GDP, indications have shown that the efforts are yet to translate to real gains as the solid minerals contributions to the GDP remained the lowest amongst other sectoral contributions as at December 2012.

Investigations by National Mirror showed that the sector’s performance in 2012 only translated to 0.38 per cent of the GDP at 1990 Constant Basic Prices, representing a mere 0.02 per cent increase over its total contributions in the preceding year.

At the current Basic Prices Percentage Distribution, the contributions amounted to a mere 0.15 per cent compared with 0.14 per cent achieved in 2011.

A quarter by quarter analysis of the sector’s performance indicated that in Q1 2012, its contributions

stood at 0.32 per cent compared with the 0.38 per cent of Q2, while Q3 and Q4 contributions stood at 0.43 and 0.37 per cent respectively.

The bulk of the activities was in mining and quarrying operations.

In monetary terms, the sector’s contributions at 1990 Constant Basic Prices in 2012 stood at about N3.35 billion with quarrying and other mining activities accounting for over 98

per cent of the earned revenues, while Coal mining contributed about N22 million during the review period. In 2011, the contribution was about N2.98 billion.

At current basic prices, the sector’s total contributions stood at N59.33 billion with Coal Mining accounting for N99 million.

This low performance in GDP contributions by the sector falls below the tar-

get set for the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in the ongoing Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, especially in using it as one of the key levers to enhance non-oil sector contributions to overall growth of the economy.

For instance, some of the key targets for the ministry under the ongoing agenda are, to develop coal as a fuel for coal fired pow-

A

ero Airlines yesterday ordered all its over 1,000 staff to submit their Curriculum Vitae for assessment, which will

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

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

IRS

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Deepak Srivastava (right), receiving the Telecoms Company of the Year Award from the Ikoloba of Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, during the 16th City People Awards in Lagos recently.

Aero Airlines orders staff to submit CV for assessment OLUSEGUN KOIKI

er plants, contributing 30 per cent to power generation by 2015 among other uses, to revitalise the entire steel sector for the operation and production of three million tonnes of liquid steel per annum by 2015; to facilitate the exploitation of bitumen to meet local demand and for export by 2015.

Although findings indicate that the ministry is doing a lot of work to meet the steel and coal development and utilisation targets, its efforts to explore the potential of mining and quarrying activities seem yet to really improve productivity on a large scale.

enable the management to find a suitable role for them within the company as applicable.

A letter signed by the Managing Director, Aero Airlines, Mr. Obaro Ibru, to one of the leading unions, the Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and made available to journalists stated that the

assessment became necessary as part of the resolutions reached at a meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Aviation last Thursday in Abuja.

Others copied by the airlines are the Chairman, Senate Committee, Minister of Aviation, State Controller, Ministry of Labour and the Managing Director of

the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

The letter with reference number: FA/ma/ HRD/L.0046/13 dated April 2, 2013 the theme: ‘Resolution of the Senate Committee on Aviation: Ongoing Reorganisation Exercise of Aero Contractors,’ also stated that all the staff had been told to return their dismissal

letters by yesterday.

The airlines also notified the union that the salaries of the workers would be paid at the appropriate time.

The statement reads in part, “All the affected staff have been formally communicated with and also notified that they are to undergo an assessment for a suitable role within the company as applicable.”

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

Expatriate quota abuse worries construction workers

Why we imposed pollution levy on IOCs –NIMASA

How delay in fuel importation will affect economy

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Business Finance

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expatriate quota abuse worries construction workers MESHACK IDEHEN

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onstruction workers under the auspices of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), said they are calling for government’s intervention in the abuse of expatriate quota by employers in the country.

The workers said also that

the implementation of the quota is not in tandem with the Nigerian Content Development Act, which states that Nigerians should be considered first in any employment before foreigners or expatriates.

The President of the union, Oba Samuel Adeoye and General Secretary, Mr. Babatunde Liadi, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity

must ensure that there is need for expatriates in any company before granting work permit to any foreigner.

They said also that the government should step up efforts to check the influx of expatriates into the country, and that the understudy clause in the Nigeria Expatriate Quota law be respected, while many of the companies should comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Content Development Act.

According to the construction union leaders, unemployment is one of the greatest problems facing the country, thus the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment must encourage local and foreign private investors on job creation, while saving the available jobs for qualified Nigerians willing and able to work.

They explained they are calling for more concession to be

granted on essential imported raw materials that cannot be locally sourced by manufacturing companies to jumpstart the economy as this will enable them generate more jobs in the country.

According to them, the government needs to be more practical in her focus on the agricultural sector, to enhance employment and job creation, stimulate food security and alleviate poverty as well as reduce it.

Cashless: Inlaks unveils latest ATM, mobile money solutions KUNLE A ZEEZ

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Human Resource Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Benin City, Mr. Joseph Enwezor (right) presenting an air conditioner to Mr. Uche Edeh, at the Indomie Sub-Distributors Draw, held in Benin, recently.

FG urged to adopt e-wallet model for MDAs KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Federal Government has been urged to adopt its electronic wallet based agricultural scheme model for use by various government ministries, departments and agencies in order to ensure that their programmes reach actual target audiences.

This view was canvassed by the Chief Executive Officer, Cellulant Nigeria, Mr. Goke Akinboro, whose firm has been providing the technology that is driving the e-wallet programme since its inception in 2012.

According to him, the e-wallet scheme, which is part of the Growth Enhancement Support programme under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan, provides many advantages over current methods for reaching target audiences effectively.

Akinboro noted that the e-wallet scheme provides an easy method of identifying and reeaching people without the problem of duplication and impersonation which often charac-

terises such schemes in Nigeria.

He noted that the scheme was successful because it was based on mobile phones which people already have with unique phone numbers.

According to Akinboro, “mobile communications technology is now the world’s most common way of transmitting voice, data and services in the developing world. Mobile applications and services hold significant potential for advancing national development.

“In Agriculture and Rural development, they provide a ubiquitous way for millions of farmers to access information regarding markets, finance, technology, agro-inputs, weather, crops and livestock previously unavailable to them on a consistent basis.”

He said under the e-wallet scheme in 2012, Cellulant effected $294 million worth of subsidy disbursements on behalf of the federal and state governments into the wallets of farmers.

“Also, farmers, who participated in the scheme, used $55 million worth of the subsidy deposits while agro-dealers received $50 million as matching

funds from farmers and $192 million of unused funds,” he said.

The Cellulant added that with such unprecedented success, that there was hope that other government ministries, departments and agencies could make more Nigerians to benefit directly from government programmes through the right application of mobile technology.

“Given the success of the programme within a period of six months only in the previous year, Akinboro said thatNigeria could record greater success in the coming planting season.which has led to improved food production. He added that government can also deploy e-wallet in other ways to benefit the populace.

“At Cellulant, we believe that the success that we have achieved in Agricultural sector through the use of the e-wallet under the Growth Enhancement Support scheme can be replicated in other sectors of the economy with proper adaptation,” he noted.

The e-wallet, according to him, brings to MDAs the capacity to implement programmes and service deliver activities that put the targeted recipients at the center.

nlaks Computers Limited, a foremost Information and Communication Technology infrastructure solutions provider in West African region has showcased some of its latest Automated Teller Machine offerings and mobile technologies that will assist the financial services operators revolutionise mobile money and deliver quick returns on investment.

The company, which is the business representative of Temenos, a leading software vendor in the region, said the latest technologies underscore its readiness to partner other stakeholders in the country’s financial sector to accelerate the success of cashless initiative.

The new e-solutions were unveiled at the recent AITEC’s Banking and Mobile Money West African Conference held in Lagos recently.

The event with the theme: “The Challenges and Opportunities of Mobile Money” focused on banks’ great challenge in overcoming their heritage of colonial banking, latest international developments in payment technologies, best practices in Information Technology project deployment, and latest trends in customer service delivery.

Speaking at the forum, Director, Mobile Banking, Temenos, Mr. Phil Sorrel, in his presentation emphasised that mobile money is hugely an untapped opportunity in the country, hinging mobile money success on a wide acceptability of mobile device.

According to him, the success recorded in Kenya could also be surpassed with favourable government policy and reliable network infrastructure operators.

“Mobile banking and mobile money is breaking down boundaries and with Temenos banking and cloud solutions, we can attain success in these schemes,” he said.

Hotel workers want urgent FG action on economy, welfare MESHACK IDEHEN

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he Association of Senior Staff of Hotels and Personnel Services (ASSHPS), has appealed to the National Assembly to give teeth to the enforcement of laws guiding hotel operations, in order to protect workers in the industry.

ASSHPS’ President, Mr. Isaac Micah, made the appeal in an interview with National Mirror on Tuesday in Lagos, saying that the enforcement of the law by the federal legislators would further enhance unionism and efficiency among the stakeholders in the sector.

He said that some of the operators in the sector did not adhere to stipulated labour laws guiding the business, and that most of the hotel owners in the country have also denied workers in the sector the right to associate, and to belong to a union.

According to him, “The law

says that workers are free to belong to any union. However, only about 40 hotels in Nigeria are unionised. In some hotels, the employees work for 15 hours and earn as low as N10, 000 a mo nth.

“These are against labour standard, as some of the hotel operators lacked the professionalism. The work time is eight hours a day,” Micah said.

The hotel workers union chief lamented it was regrettable that some of the operators did not pay the minimum wage, and also failed to remit deduction of pension to any of the Pension Fund Administrators.

The union urged to the lawmakers to make the labour law flexible, so that slavery in the industry can be checked, and that the Federal Government should help in the reduction of multiple taxation and levies, hindering the growth and development of the business.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Finance

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Why we imposed pollution levy on IOCs –NIMASA FRANCIS EZEM

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he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that its decision to impose pollution levy on International Oil Companies and other relevant stakeholders operating in Nigeria is in line with the implementation International Maritime Organisation Convention on Sea Protection.

The agency had released the guidelines on the implementation of the offshore waste reception facilities, which takes effect from April 2, 2013.

Under the guidelines, IOCs are expected to pay N15 million for each offshore oil installation per annum while oil wells for exploration would attract N10 million per annum from first day of

April every year.

Also, pipelines would attract a flat levy of N1, 500 per cubic metre of pipe line volume from high water mark to the termination point offshore, among several others.

Director General of the agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, who made the disclosure, said the move was in line with the IMO Marine Environment Management Regulations 52 and 53 on sea Protection Levy and Offshore Waste Reception Facilities.

He also insisted that the Sea Protection Levy would be introduced and must be paid by oil companies with loading and receiving buoys, oil rigs and pipe lines.

The declaration was made at a meeting between NIMASA and oil companies operating in Nigeria waters.

Akpobolokemi who was represented by the Executive Director in charge of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Obi Callistus said: “The implementation of the Sea Protection Levy (SPL) has already commenced”.

“The Federal Government is committed to ensuring the protection of the marine environment and its resources, which led to the ratification of the Marine Pollution (MARPOL) Convention which was the major instrument of the IMO on the prevention of pollution of the marine environment”, he further noted..

According to him, the convention was domesticated in 2012 to prevent degradation of land and destruction of the ecosystem with attendant economic implications which oil pollution has caused in Nigeria.

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FG sets new standard to monitor ICT sector KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Federal Government has set fresh Key Performance Indicators aimed at monitoring progress in the nation’s Information and Communication Technology sector.

Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, reeled out the KPIs in Lagos.

In the new KPIs, the country’s teledensity for fixed and mobile subscriptions which stood at 1.5 per cent and 80.85 per cent in 2012 is expected to hit 10 per cent and 97.69 per cent by 2015 in that order.

Also, the number of population with access to the internet, currently standing at around 32.40 per cent, is expected to hit 41.62 per cent by 2015. In 2011, percent-

age of population with internet access in Nigeria was 29 per cent.

Consistent with the country’s Strategic Management Planning for ICT industry, the percentage of mobile phone coverage of rural areas is to be monitored towards ensuring that 60 per cent is covered with ICT access by 2015 and 100 per cent by 2017.

The government also released a target of what is expedited to be the cost of accessing broadband internet services by 2015.

According to the information gathered, cost of broadband subscription which currently stands at N72, 000 for 3Gb of data package per year, is expected to witness 50 per cent reduction to N36, 000.

As at 2011, the cost of access broadband internet service was around N93, 000 for 3Gb of data package per year.

‘Jail employers who owe salaries’ MESHACK IDEHEN

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L-R: Programme Coordinator, Publish What You Pay, Mr. Moses Oluwaseyi; Programme Coordinator, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Mr. Monday Osasa and Executive Director, ACLSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, during a roundtable meeting on Transparency and Accountability in the Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria in Abuja recently.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Nigeria, Turkey trade volume hits $1.3 in 2012 STANLEY IHEDIGBO

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rade between Nigeria and Turkey stood at $1.3billion in 2012, the National President of Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Herbert Ajayi, has said.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, he said the figure represented the volume of trade between the two countries last year.

He added that Nigeria’s main imports from Turkey are clothing, food, engine & automobile parts and pharmaceuticals, while Turkey’s imports from Nigeria include sesame seeds, raw and semiprocessed leather, rubber, etc.

NACCIMA boss stated that there is need to further ex-

pand and strengthen the existing relationship between Nigeria and Turkey through the formation of joint venture investment projects.

According to him the trade statistics revealed that the balance of trade between the two countries is in favour of Turkey, but the fact remains that the existence and continuous annual growth in the volume of trade between both countries is a testimony of the trust, reliability and confidence the countries have in each other and in their products and services.

In the same vein, Vice President of the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON), Mr. Ahmet Ciqer, said that Turkey which is the 1st largest- economy in the world with its al-

most 1.125 $ trillion GDP, more than 10.223 $ GDP per capita, may be considered as an important business destination for business people from ECOWAS countries.

He added that through his organizations as; “TurkiyeAfrica Trade Bridges” and “Trade and Investment Delegations”, their aim was to introduce Africa to Turkish people. At the same time, share their technology, experience with African business partners.

According to him, Nigeria has more than 55 percent total capital of ECOWAS countries and around 80 percent of the total GDP, adding that it has strong economy and great potential to develop much more with other ECOWAS countries.

he General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE), Mr. Phillip Agbonkonkon, said workers in the country are in support of the proposed bill to imprison employers of labour for not paying their workers’ salaries.

Describing the move as “proper” the union leader said the Bill which also seeks to sanction employers for delaying the salaries of workers, said the bill is a step in the right direction.

Agbonkonkon told National Mirror on Tuesday in Lagos, that the bill which is currently before the House of Represen-

tatives would go a long way towards making employers meet their obligations to workers on time, while employers on the other hand, can demand the best from their employees; a situation that will improve productivity.

National Mirror gathered that the proposed bill was sponsored by the Minority leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila representing the CAN from Lagos State.

Explaining further, the labour leader said the bill partly stipulates that any employer risk one year imprisonment and loss of 30 per cent of wage value if he or she delays or fails to pay employees salaries.

The bill aims to be enforceable to workers in both public and private sectors when it is eventually legalised.

3.75G network pioneering status earns Airtel new recognitions KUNLE A ZEEZ

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irtel, one of Nigeria’s mobile service providers, has received a new recognition for being the pioneer operator of 3.75G Internet network covering in the country.

The recognition came as the company was ‘Telecoms Company of the Year’ while its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya was declared emerged as ‘CEO of the Year’ in the 2013 edition of the City People magazine annual award.

A citation read in honour of Airtel at the occasion commended the telecoms firm for blazing the trail and for revolutionising the telecommunications sector in Nigeria with groundbreaking value offerings, innovative services and for covering Nigeria with the widest and largest 3.75G Network.

The event organisers also

lauded Airtel for implementing a robust Corporate Social Responsibility initiative aimed at uplifting underprivileged children in the country.

Organisers of the event also said Ogunsanya’s winning of the CEO of the Year was attributed to his inspirational leadership and past achievements at leading multinational organisations to attaining business success.

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Airtel Nigeria of Airtel Mr. Deepak Srivastava received the award on behalf of the company and thanked the organizers for creating respected awards’ platforms in honour of outstanding achievements in the Nigerian society.

Receiving the awards, Srivastava used the opportunity to assure telecoms consumers at the occasion that Airtel was committed to maintaining its position as true innovation pioneers in the Nigerian Telecoms Industry.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

Delay in Q2 fuel importation raises fears of imminent shortages Many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief at the beginning of this year when the Federal Government budgeted N971bn for fuel subsidy, as well as promising to sanitise the sector. But UDEME AKPAN reports that another round of shortage may occur as marketers complain of depleting stocks while waiting for second quarter importation to begin.

Fuel tanker

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ith its four refineries having installed capacities to process 445,000 barrels per day, Nigeria probably would not have the need to import fuel from the global market at least for a reason. The output of the plants would have gone a long way to meeting domestic demand, currently estimated at 36 million liters per day.

But this has not been the case. The nation has been involved in massive fuel importation because the locally refined fuel is not sufficient to meet domestic demand. This explains why the government engaged 32 oil firms to handle the importation in the first quarter of 2013.

The companies include: The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alteo, Ascon Oil, Avidor Oil & Gas, A-Z Petroleum, Bovas Limited, Conoil Plc, Dee Jones Petroleum and Gas, Dozzy Oil and Gas, Folawiyo Energy, Fresh Synergy Limited, Forte Oil Plc, First Deepwater Discovery Limited, Gulf Treasure Ltd,

OPERATORS AND OTHERS DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW HOW FUNDAMENTALS ARE DRIVING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR.

THINGS SEEMED TO HAVE MOVED

FROM GOOD TO BAD AS THE WEBSITE FINALLY CRASHED LAST WEEK Heyden Petroleum, Ibafon Oil Ltd, Integrated Oil and Gas Industries, IPMAN Refining and Marketing Ltd; Mobil Oil Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, NIPCO Plc, Northwest Petroleum & Gas Ltd, Oando Plc, Obat Petroleum Ltd, RainOil Ltd, Rahamaniyya Oil & Gas, Sahara Energy Ltd, Shorelink Oil, Swift Oil Ltd, Techno Oil Ltd, Total Nigeria Plc, Trafigura, Glencore and Vitol.

Arrangements for second quarter importation expected to have been completed in February; has not been concluded. A source in the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, (PPPRA) who confirmed that

the agency had finished compiling the list stated that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was still vetting it. Investigations showed many stakeholders in the downstream sector, involving refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products are worried.

For instance, a marketer who preferred not to be named said: “We were encouraged to indicate interest to participate when we got to know that the government has budgeted N971billion for fuel importation this year. We were also encouraged when the government promised that irregularities of

the past would be addressed this year. We are however surprised that that it is taking this long for the government to make the list public.”

He said that there has been no communication with stakeholders, including major and independent marketers who deserve to be carried along. This is worsened by the fact that the PPPRA template that used to provide information on the workings of the sector has not been updated since last December when the nation’s fuel subsidy increased by about 11 per cent to N1.71 billion per day following an increase in crude oil prices.

The PPPRA, statistics showed then that government subsidy, which stood at N42.96 per litre in November, had increased to N47.66 in December. Based on the estimated daily consumption of 36 million litres of petrol per day, the subsidy cost have risen from N1.54 billion per day to N1.71 billion per day within a CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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Energy Week

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How delay in Q2 fuel importation will affect economy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 month.

Market watchers said the rise in crude oil prices culminated in high prices of petroleum products, especially petrol, as refiners had to incur higher cost in the process of procuring, refining and marketing of fuel. Available figures showed that the nation attracts a greater part of the cost as bulk of its fuel is imported from the world market.

The PPPRA puts the landing cost, including traders’ margin, lightering expenses, NPA charges, financing, jetty depot and storage charge at N129.17. The agency added that distribution margins, including retailers, transporters, dealers, bridging fund, marine transport average and administrative charge at N15.49, raising total cost to N144.66 per a litre. Consequently, at the regulated price of N97, the Federal Government subsidy on the product amounts to N47.66 per litre.

Since then, operators and others do not seem to know how fundamentals are driving developments in the sector. Things seemed to have moved from good to bad as the website finally crashed last week. A regular visitor to the website said: “Since last week, it has not been possible for people to visit it anymore because it is completely down. This has completely made it impossible to feel the pulse of the sector through the agency.”

However, PPPRA officials prefer to keep sealed lips. For instance, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mr. Reginald Stanley did not take phone calls or respond to text messages sent to him. Earlier, Stanley stated that 4.22 billion litres of fuel would be imported during the period. The PPPRA stated that it would effectively monitor the operations of firms selected for the exercise in order to ensure that they carry out their activities according to set rules and regulations.

This has attracted the comments of some close watchers. For instance, the National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi stated that: “The fuel should have been imported for consumption in this quarter. If arrangements have not yet been concluded, it therefore means that the development would have negative impact on the nation.”

He said there is a need for the government to ensure that the list is released so

Jonathan

that oil marketers can start the importation, targeted at bringing about availability of fuel for local consumption. Obasi stated that if action was not taken immediately the nation may witness another round of self imposed shortage.

However, the expected negative impact may soon come as marketers who spoke with National Mirror indicated that their fuel stocks could be depleted in the next few weeks. This could through the nation into another round of fuel shortage, meaning that consumers of the product, especially transporters would not have adequate supplies anymore. As traditionally the case, illegal marketers may emerge to sell the product in jerry cans at exorbitant prices. Transporters who patronise them would charge relatively high fares. Commuters, including farmers and traders would pass the high cost to others in form of high prices.

It is against this understanding that the government has been tasked to commit resources into the maintenance of the nation’s for refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Warri, Delta State and Kaduna, Kaduna State. The Executive director of Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri whose advocacy group is focusing on petroleum and other sectors of the economy said in a telephone interview that there is a great need to rehabilitate all existing refineries in order to boost their operational capacities.

Available data showed that some of the

Stanley

Yabuku

ILLEGAL MARKETERS MAY EMERGE TO SELL THE PRODUCT IN JERRY CANS AT EXORBITANT PRICES refineries are not operating at their optimum level. For instance, the NNPC last October which is the most current stated that: “This month, 297.06 thousand mt of dry Crude Oil, Condensate and Slop was received by the three Refineries, KRPC, PHRC and WRPC. With an opening stock of 370.73 thousand mt, total Crude Oil available for processing was 667.78 thousand mt, out of which 233.37 thousand mt was processed. The respective average capacity utilization during the month was 34.11per cent, 8.667 per cent and 0.00per cent for KRPC, PHRC and WRPC respectively.

The report also stated that: “Total national domestic refining produced 205.14 thousand mt of finished and intermediate products. PPMC which lifts products from the refineries evacuated 307.31 thousand mt of products. Altogether 27,516 mt of products was used by the three (3) refineries as fuel and loss. Consumption as fuel was 10.65per cent while loss and flare accounted for 1.14per cent of production.”

Increased rehabilitation of the plants is expected to boost operational capacities

NEITI focuses on oil theft, bunkering and vandalism

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he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) is to redirect its attention to the issue of oil theft, oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the nation’s oil and gas industry, as a result of the implication of these huge revenue losses to the Country.

The Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mittee unveiled the target at a meeting on NEITI and its activities with Political and Economic Counselors of the European Union member countries. He explained that absence of reliable baseline information and data on the actual quantity of crude either lost through theft, bunkering or pipeline vandalism is responsible for the poor response and speculations over facts and fig-

ures required to deal with these complex problems.

Mittee affirmed that, “full disclosure and public understanding of the quantity of crude oil either lost through vandalism, bunkering or outright stealing and the enormous cost to the economy in financial terms will help draw national and international attention to the urgent need for solutions”.

The NEITI Chairman added that NEITI hopes to include as part of its independent audit template to capture the quantity of crude stolen, quantity lost through bunkering and others through vandalism and conspiracy. By such an exercise, it will be easier to quantify the loss and provide information publicly to raise the public consciousness.

Mittee disclosed that NEITI’s target is to transit its activities from mere focusing on transparency through accountability to ensuring measurable impact arising from its operations with a view to ensuring that oil and gas revenues translate to good roads, electricity, water, employment opportunities and poverty reduction.

The Head of Political Section of the European Union, Mrs. Belen Calvo –Uyarra explained that the decision for NEITI to address the political and economic counselors meeting was for member countries of European Union to seek ways of supporting the efforts of NEITI in enthroning transparency and accountability in the nation’s extractive sector.

of the plants, thus reducing over reliance on imported products. The government has also been tasked to encourage the construction of modern refineries in the nation. Observers said this would not be accomplished without the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), that is presently before the National Assembly. Consequently, the legislators have also been urged to ensure the bill is passed into law without much delay.

Meanwhile, the NNPC stated that efforts have been intensified to rehabilitate the nation’s 21 petroleum products depots, including Aba, Enugu, Markudi, Warri, Benin, Mosimi, Ejigbo, Ibadan, Ore, Ilorin, Kaduna, Minna and Suleja. The NNPC stated that on completion, it would be possible to move petroleum products, including petrol from one part of the nation to another through major pipelines most of which were vandalized in the past.

The Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, who confirmed the development stated that: “So far, the aggressive facilities rehabilitation programme has witnessed the revamping of the hitherto comatose PPMC Benin Depot – re-commissioned complete with the rehabilitation of the 89.9km Warri- Benin pipeline; Aba Depot has also been re-commissioned with the recovery of the Port Harcourt – Aba pipeline to restore product supply to the depot. Also, the Okrika PPMC Jetty has also been rehabilitated and re-commissioned while rehabilitation and expansion of the Atlas Cove Jetty is also ongoing.

He unfolded short and long term measures being implemented to improve the operational capacities of downstream facilities in the industry.

These included the mobilisation of engineers to clamp and fix the ruptured pipelines as well as continued clearing of the Corporation’s Pipeline Right of Way to make the areas difficult for oil thieves and vandals to operate. While commending the bold steps, Stakeholders, including marketers called the institutions of proactive measures capable of ensuring constant supply of fuel and other products in the nation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

37

Decline in oil demand to affect Nigeria’s revenues UDEME AKPAN

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he Federal Government has been charged to be cautious as the United States plan to stop oil import from Nigeria would impact negatively on the nation’s economy.

The Financial Derivatives Company Limited that made this known in its latest report stated that the US intends to stop importing sweet light crude, meaning a halt to US importation of Nigerian oil.

It stated that a possible decline in oil prices would impact negatively on government’s oil revenues which in turn translate to in-creased government borrowing and fiscal deficit.

The report stated that: “In fact, the Q4’12 budget implementation report shows that revenues generated from oil sales stood at N905.69bn, 9.61per cent lower than the quarterly estimate of N1trn, despite oil prices of $110pb.

The report stated that: “In addition, our analysis reveals that a decline in oil (Brent) prices from the Feb’13 average of $116pb to $90pb would lead to a reduction in oil revenues by about 38 per cent. Yet, the FGN has failed to take cognizance of this disturbing fact by setting the benchmark oil price at $79pb, which is a whopping 9.72per cent above the $72pb proposed in 2012 budget.

According to the report, as America imports less of Nigerian oil, Nigeria will have to compete for the Asian markets with other African oil-producing countries like Angola and Ghana.

It maintained that: “The negative outlook on oil drives the government’s efforts to diversify the economy. Data shows that Nigeria improved exports of the animal products segment of agriculture in

Alison Madueke

PRESENTLY, THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF AN UPTURN IN OIL PRODUCTION LEVELS AS PIPELINE VANDALISM AND THEFT REMAIN A THREAT 2012. In 2013, the government will continue to direct efforts at the development of the agricultural sector and this might translate to far more exports of agricultural products.

The report stressed that about 80 per cent of the nation’s revenue comes from oil and the benchmark oil price of $79 per barrel leaves the government little margin to make substantial oil revenues in case oil prices fall.

The report stated that: “Consequently, the estimated fiscal deficit and domestic borrowing in the 2013 budget may not be achievable since the government would have to finance the budget through in-

creased borrowing if revenues decline.

It stated that the destruction of pipelines and oil theft, despite government’s efforts in finding a solution, continues to be a major impediment to improving oil earnings as oil production remains below potential.

The report has it that in Q4’12, the budget office implementation report revealed that oil production reached 2.2mbpd, which shows that the government failed to achieve its oil projection of 2.48mbpd in the 2012 budget.

It stated that: “Presently, there are no signs of an upturn in oil production levels as pipeline vandal-ism and theft remain a threat. Hence, it is likely the government will also fail to meet its 2013 oil production projection of 2.53mbpd unless it fur-ther intensifies efforts to fight vandalism/ oil theft coupled with the pas-sage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which seeks to promote investment in the oil sector.”

Source: Oilprice.com

OPEC to slash exports on refinery maintenance

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he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will trim crude shipments through to the middle of next month while refiners perform seasonal maintenance work, according to tanker-tracker Oil Movements.

The group that supplies about 40 percent of the world’s oil will reduce crude exports by 370,000 barrels a day, or 1.5 percent, to 23.69 million a day in the four weeks to April 13, the researcher said today in an e-mailed report. The figures exclude

Angola and Ecuador.

“April is definitely the low point of the second quarter,” Roy Mason, the company’s founder, said by phone from Halifax, England. “The refinery maintenance season peaks in April and drags on into May. The recovery in refining capacity and the increase in crude demand it generates doesn’t really show up in loadings until early May.” Global refinery output in the second quarter was forecast at 74.8 million barrels a day, by the International Energy Agency in its month report on March

13. “Asian maintenance will constrain crude runs through mid-May. Only in June are runs forecast to rebound in a big way,” the IEA said.

Middle East shipments will decrease by 2 percent to 17.35 million barrels a day in the period, compared with 17.7 million in the four weeks to March 16, according to Oil Movements. That figure includes non-OPEC members Oman and Yemen.

Crude on board tankers will average 475.46 million barrels, up 0.4 percent on the previous period, the data show. Oil

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

95.58

+0.77

+0.81%

08:26:50

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

108.26

+0.13

+0.12%

08:26:24

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

61,280.00

+180.00

+0.39%

08:28:44

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

3.87

+0.02

+0.23%

08:26:11

Source: Bloomberg

Movements calculates the volumes by tallying tanker bookings. Its figures exclude crude held on vessels for storage.

OPEC comprises Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. The organization is next scheduled to meet in May. Meanwhile, the price of OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at $106.79 per barrel over the weekend compared with $105.86 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

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Energy Week

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NIPCO explains hitch in product supply in 2012

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he Managing Director, Nipco plc, an emerging integrated oil and gas company, Mr. Venkataraman Venkatapathy has observed that the scores of acrimonious challenges that bedeviled the downstream sector of the nation’s hydrocarbon industry accounted principally for the hitch in petroleum products supply in 2012 He said the challenges, some routine and others highly pernicious and diversionary led to the serious disruptions and hiccups in the overall supply of petroleum products in the country with the attendant effect on product availability at filling stations. Mr. Venkatapathy made the observations while addressing shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting [AGM] held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

He noted that the series of investigations, invitations from several agencies and bodies left a sour taste in the buds of operators but Nipco noted for its professionalism and operational excellence nudged on.

He affirmed that the company did not only confront the challenges headlong and emerged unscathed at the end of the rigorous and excruciating exercise but also forged ahead to the delight of stakeholders.

Venkatapathy noted that the successful emergence from the rubbles of interrogations and probes, lends eloquent credence to the painstaking diligence deployed by the company’s management in its operations.

According to him, the company was given a clean bill of health with commendations and appreciations from relevant government agencies and we became a reference point at the end of the grueling and forensic investigations.

He disclosed that during the year under review, Nipco’s quest for profession-

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Oil rises on U.S. growth, capping longest rally of 2013

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NIPCO storage tanks

alism and excellence did not go unnoticed as awards and recognitions continued to come in torrents for the company.

The awards, he enumerated include: the Nigerian Ports Authority [NPA] best Health, Safety & Environment [HSE] compliant terminal in Lagos area where more than 80per cent of fuel depots are located, CSR Education Support award

by Lagos State Government [through Apapa Local Government, Independent Marketers Branch [IMB] of NUPENG special recognition of excellence etc .

He expressed profound gratitude to the company’s shareholders who remained major catalyst in the phenomenal growth of the organization even as he assured them of building on the implicit confidence reposed in the management

in their quest for improved performance in 2013 and beyond.

Earlier, the shareholders had approved a dividend payout of N3.25 k per share for the financial year ended 31st December ,2012 ,25k higher than that of 2011 with the cumulative dividend for all shareholders in the year under review standing at N609 .9m as against N563.0m .

The total turnover of N125.3b was declared representing a sales growth of 64% over that of 2011 which stood at N76.8b in spite of the scores of challenges in the sector during the period.

The shareholders also approved a profit before tax of N2.77b as against N2.49b of 2011 .a leap of over 11per cent while profit after tax rose from N2.11b to N2.38b, an increase of 13per cent.

Forties trades at two-year low; Asia boosts West African crude orth Sea Forties crude dropped to the lowest in more than two years as Vitol Group sold two cargoes of the grade. There were no bids or offers for Russian Urals blend for a second day.

Refiners in Asia will increase imports of West African crude for loading in April as India boosted purchases of Nigerian grades to the most in 10 months while Japan bought a record amount.

Vitol sold Forties to Total for loading from April 12 to April 14 at 90 cents a barrel less than Dated Brent, according to a Bloomberg survey of traders and brokers monitoring the Platts pricing window.

That compares with a trade yesterday at minus 65 cents to the benchmark and is the lowest since at least Jan. 31 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Total also bought crude for loading April 16 to April 18 from Vitol at a 70-cent discount, the survey showed.

Reported crude trading typically occurs during the Platts window, which ended at 12:30 p.m. London time, four hours earlier than usual because of the Easter holiday weekend in Europe. Forties loading in 10 to 25 days narrowed by 5 cents to a dis-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VITOL SOLD FORTIES TO TOTAL FOR LOADING FROM APRIL 12 TO APRIL 14 AT 90 CENTS A BARREL LESS THAN DATED BRENT, ACCORDING TO A BLOOMBERG SURVEY OF TRADERS AND BROKERS

MONITORING THE PLATTS PRICING WINDOW count of 63 cents a barrel to Dated Brent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Brent for May settlement traded at $109.01 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London at the close of the window, compared with $109.29 in the previous session. The June contract was at $108.71, a discount of 30 cents to May. One more Forties cargo for loading in April has been advanced, according to two

people with knowledge of the matter. A total of 14 of the 21 cargoes for loading next month will now be shipped earlier than originally scheduled, they said, asking not to be identified as the information is confidential.

There were no bids or offers for Russian Urals, the Platts survey showed.

The Urals discount to Dated Brent in the Mediterranean widened by 5 cents to $1.10 a barrel, data compiled by Bloomberg show. In northwest Europe, the discount was at $2.15 a barrel, compared with minus $2.08 in the previous session.

That’s the widest since March 12.

Benchmark Nigerian Qua Iboe blend rose by 3 cents to $3.25 a barrel more than Dated Brent, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Asia bought 57 cargoes totaling 1.74 million barrels a day from Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana and Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a survey of five traders and an analysis of loading plans obtained

by Bloomberg News. That compares with 1.6 million in March and is the most since 1.8 million in January.

est Texas Intermediate oil climbed for a fifth day, capping the longest rally this year, as the United State economy grew at a faster pace than previously estimated in the fourth quarter.

Prices reached a six-week high as gross domestic product rose at a 0.4 percent annual rate, up from prior estimate of 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington. Oil demand in the U.S., the biggest crude-consuming country, increased by the most since December in the seven days ended March 22, the Energy Information Administration said yesterday. WTI’s discount to Brent shrank to the smallest since July.

“GDP is better than earlier estimates and a strong economy is bullish for oil,” said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research in Winchester, Massachusetts. “It looks like the spread will keep contracting.”

WTI for May delivery gained 65 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $97.23 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest settlement since Feb. 14. The rally since March 21 was the longest since December 20 and brought crude’s advance for the quarter to 5.9 percent.

The volume of all futures traded was 26 percent below the 100-day average at this time of day at 3:26 p.m. Prices increased 3.8 percent this week, a fourth consecutive rally. They were 5.6 percent higher this month. The market will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday.

Brent for May settlement rose 33 cents, or 0.3 percent, to end the session at $110.02 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The volume of all contracts traded was 14 percent below the 100-day average. Prices gained 2.2 percent this week. They fell 1.2 percent in March and 1 percent in the quarter.

The European benchmark grade’s premium to WTI shrank $12.79 a barrel, the narrowest since June 25.

The 0.4 percent rate of economic growth in the fourth quarter followed a 3.1 percent pace in the third, revised Commerce Department figures showed.

The slowdown was because of the biggest slump in military spending since 1972 and a cut in the rate of inventory building.

“GDP is better than it was,” said Kyle Cooper, director of commodities research at IAF Advisors in Houston. “The spread still has further room to contract. It could easily trade back down to $5 within the next 12 to 24 months.

The U.S. accounted for 21 percent of global oil consumption in 2011, according to BP Plc (BP/)’s Statistical Review of World Energy.

Petroleum demand in the U.S. increased 6.2 percent to 18.9 million barrels a day, the most since Feb. 8, the EIA, the Energy Department’s statistical arm, said yesterday.

Oil also gained as OPEC crude production slipped to a 16- month low in March as output from Nigeria dropped to the least in more than three years, a Bloomberg survey showed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to clear the 10.2 hectares of land in Polaku community, outskirts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State for the construction of the proposed Pipe mill.

A source in NCDMB who confirmed the development over the weekend said the clearing would kick start the execution of the project.

He said: “The pipe mill is a very important project that demands immediate implementation in order to attract expected dividend to stakeholders, including the nation.”

The site has a shore line for the construction of a jetty and is close to the Shell Gbaran Gas Plant and the National Integrated Power Plant being developed by the Federal Government in Gbaran.

The land acquisition marked the commencement of the project as the Board will immediately begin preparation of the site ahead of the detailed investment.

Speaking during the symbolic cheque presentation for the land to the Ezewaribo Family and transfer of deed to NCDMB at the Board’s Headquarters in Yenagoa, the Executive Secretary, Engr. Ernest Nwapa thanked the community for being supportive of the project.

He noted that the establishment of the pipe mill was one of the mid-term targets set for the industry by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and would help define the success of the Nigerian

Energy experts to examine oil, gas reforms at ESQ Summit

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ey players in the Nigeria Oil & Gas sector are set to discuss the recent reforms in the industry, particularly in the light of the rising profile of local players as major IOCs divest their assets in onshore fields.

The event, the ESQ Oil & Gas Conference 2013, is the second in the series and brings together energy, finance and legal experts to examine regulatory and business issues in Oil & Gas in Nigeria. The Conference theme is, “Beyond the Wave of Reforms: Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria.”

Speaking to journalists, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Blitz, publishers of ESQ Legal Practice Magazine, Mr. Lere Fashola, whose firm is the organizers of the summit, said the two-day conference presents a dynamic forum to promote strategies for open business model, business mentorship, collaborations, ideas and knowledge sharing among industry players and networking among companies.

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

NCDMB moves to clear site for pipe mill project in Bayelsa

Stakeholders back NIGEEM 2013

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Oil workers on duty

Content Act. Nwapa who was represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Akintunde Adelana explained that the project’s construction as well as operations would drive development in the oil and gas industry and provide thousands of training and employment opportunities for members of the community and other Nigerians.

“The pipe mill project will be a major economic activity. It is one of the key industries that has been lacking in the Nigerian oil

and gas sector and your community is lucky that it will be established in your vicinity,” he added.

In his response, the leader of the Ezewaribo Family, Chief Martins Aweibo thanked the Board for attracting the pipe mill project to the community and expressed hope that it will help transform the fortunes of the populace.

“We want the project to take off immediately because it will benefit my family, Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general,” he stated.

Aweibo also assured the Board and the proposed investors that

members of the community were peaceful and would not present any problems to the project.

Officials of the Board confirmed that the formal groundbreaking ceremony of the project will be held soon as all hands were on deck to kick start the project.

When established, the pipe mill will help meet the annual industry line pipe demand estimated at over 800,000 tons per annum, arising from the projected demands from Gas Master Plan, replacement of aged pipes and development of new fields.

Customers besiege DISCOs for electricity meters UDEME AKPAN

E

lectricity consumers who paid for the new meters since last year have besieged electricity distribution companies for the facility.

A visit to some companies, including Eko Electricity Distribution Plc and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc, showed that there are many customers who have not yet gotten the meters.

However, the roll out of electricity meters is set to receive a major boost as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) gaves the go ahead to commence implementation of an alternative funding scheme that will see to the rapid deployment of electricity meters.

This is coming at the heels of a presentation made yesterday

by Dr. Sam Amadi – Chairman/ CEO of NERC, to the Presidential Action Committee on Power (PACP). The PACP has agreed with the recommendations made

by NERC, and has asked for the immediate implementation of this scheme known as “Credit

Advance Payment for Meter Installation – CAPMI”.

The scheme was designed as an alternative for customers who are willing to advance money to their distribution companies for speedy installation of prepayment meters. One of the top priorities of the Commission is ensuring that the huge number of unmetered customers is reduced as rapidly as possible, and within the shortest possible time. By doing so, the menace of “crazy billing” and other commercial losses will be greatly curtailed.

Analogue electricity meter

In June 2012, NERC had announced that customers were no longer required to pay for electricity meters because the new tariff, at the time, had incorporated the cost of the meter in the fixed charge component of the bill. This unfortunately, has not worked as well as the Commission had expected, and nine months after the announcement, an unacceptable number of Nigerians still remain without meters. This prompted NERC to act quickly in coming up with customer centered alternatives.

39

takeholders in different sectors of the economy have expressed their support for this year’s Nigeria’s international exclusive and specialised offshore oil and gas, electricity, alternative energy, environment and maritime technology trade exhibition and investment expo.

The stakeholders who have expressed their intentions not only to participate but also invest in major sectors of the economy, including petroleum, power, environment, maritime and commerce when the event opens in Warri, Delta State from April 2227, this year.

AOC Biocycles Limited and Hillcrest Energy, the organisers of Nigeria’s International Integrated Expo who confirmed the development in a statement stated that investors and potential investors look forward to the event, particularly as it will create the opportunity for them to know new policies as well as network and share relevant information and data with others.

Specifically, the Coordinator of the event, Sir Aiyegbeni Omonhinmin stated that: “NIGEEM is Nigeria’s international annual exclusive and specialized offshore oil and gas, electricity, alternative energy, environment, maritime technology, trade exhibition and investment expo targeted at showcasing made in Nigeria equipment and services.

He maintained that the expo enjoys the support of relevant Federal and state government ministries, departments, agencies, institutions, trade and professional associations and driven by the organized private sector.

Omonhinmin stated that NIGEEM is a business to business networking platform that attracts global players, professionals, investors, designers, fabricators and development experts and institutions, thus creating the right atmosphere for the formation of partnerships and alliances needed to expand various investments.

Already, many government and other institutions, including Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, National Business and Technical Examination Board, National Office of Technological Acquisition and Promotion, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigerian Entrepreneurs Forum, National Universities Commission and Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria have risen to support the programme, especially because of its expected impact on the nation’s economy.

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Energy Week

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oil and Angola’s time on the cross (1) Ossie

Esiemokai E-mail: anthonyossie52@yahoo.com Tel: 08023021212 (SMS only)

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he Angolan Civil War was basically fought for the right of inheritance of the oil reserves as well as control of the financial resources it would yield for the State and as is common in these parts of the world, for self and progeny. As one Special Adviser to an African President and later Senator once retorted when an ‘impudent’ journalist asked him: ‘Is it true Sir, that you people in government are cumulating illicit wealth?’ ‘My friend, the charismatic SA shot back ‘Should we be cumulating illicit poverty?’ As at the time the civil war erupted, the promise of vast amounts of oil on-shore and offshore Cabinda and the mainland was known. The first to find oil in commercial quantities and exploit it was the Belgian outfit known as Petrofina, which went into partnership with Fina Petroeos de Angola (Petrangol). The latter colonial company is the predecessor of Sonangol, the present day Angolan national oil corporation. There existed at this point in time considerable amount of seismic and other data already acquired by the overt oil prospectors and certain of their more covert ‘cousins’, plus the odd rogue surveyor and test driller. More studies of geological formations on the nation’s littorals were also beginning to show the Belgian outfit known as Petrofina, promise of related fissure lines and basin alignments.

Generally, the world of oil field prospecting and development, from information available to us in the twenty-five odd years of intensely researching this field, plus disclosures to us by those who swore us to anonymity, for theirs and our own good, is shrouded in confidentiality and secrecy even more than the world of State Intelligence. In the global Oil and Gas industry, their corporate reticence and frightening secretiveness could and we are convinced,

Militants

BEFORE AN OIL COMPANY COULD BE GRANTED

CONCESSION, IT MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH

THE BIDDING PROCESS.

THIS IS NOT, HOWEVER, ALWAYS THE CASE, AT LEAST IN AFRICA derive from their need to manage their internal and public affairs, in such near opaque manner, due to the high stakes involved in their operations.

We would illustrate the point above with the following abstract scenario. It must be borne in mind that all members of Big Oil (Seven Sisters) were and remain publicly quoted companies. To investors in their shares and stocks – explorations, finds or discoveries, test drillings, spuds, rig counts, reserves especially proven reserves and field productions expressed in barrels or cubic feet per day of oil and gas is the staple of their buy, hold or sell decisions through their stockbrokers on the NYSE, London Stock Exchange and the Bourses in Paris,

Frankfurt, Tokyo or Hong Kong. It stands to reason that any inadvertent leakage of information into the public domain that may be misinterpreted or its facts misconstrued, could lead to conclusions that could roil the markets and prove costly to share price movement and company’s reputation.

It could also lead to shareholder losses that can put the corporation in harm’s way in the form of individual, corporate or class action liability law suits.

The second point is that before an oil company could be granted concession, it must have gone through the bidding process. This is not however always the case, at least in Africa. It stands to reason that an exploration and production company that fails to protect or mismanages the information regarding ‘what promise’ its prospected Block 234 holds, could create an ‘alert’ among competitors and jeopardize its chance of successfully bidding for the adjunct or adjacent Blocks 235 or 233.

This writer remembers a similar situation from his college days. On inter-house sports day, in 1968, he gloatingly told a passerby co-student that ‘Can you imagine? We are about to do the triple jump event and there are only three of us competitors!’

The informed simply asked the informant

‘In which House are you?’ ‘Saint Anthony’, ‘I am in Saint Joseph!’. Before the loosemouth returned from changing into his kits, there the new guy was standing as the fourth jumper in full school uniform and on bare feet. He beat his information benefactor to the bronze medal that year and the silver medal in 1969. The moral here, simply don’t talk.

So those North American and the two European corporations that were privy to the huge hydrocarbon possibilities in the Angolan on-shore and off-shore play kept it closely to heart and lock up the geological data and graphs safely in their Houston, San Francisco, San Ramon, The Hague, Netherland and Paris headquarters’ armored vaults. An extant fact is that this explains the mixed multitude of protagonists and sponsors in the Angolan War of Independence against the Portuguese colonialists who were understandably determined to hold on to a possession with such oily potentials.

The consequent bush wars bled its lean metropolitan purse in Lisbon. A group of progressive and realistic military officers removed Caetano in the Carnation Revolution and pulled out of Angola and other colonies such as Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau.

Well, it was not yet Uhuru. Who said casting away the colonial yoke was what the armed uprising was all about? With the contrived abdication of the Portuguese, the coast – including the oil-soaked littoral coast - was now clear for the MPLA under Augustinho Neto (backed by the Soviet Union, Nigeria and Cuba); UNITA led by Dr. Jonas Savimbi massively backed by the United States Government, which was strategically committed at that point in time with containment of the Soviet’s project of exporting Communism. The brilliant, doctorate degree holder in Political Science was also massively supported by the then apartheid South African government. The possibility of a truly independent, oil rich kafir nation on its northern borders was frightening to the Boers. At that point in time, the racists who ran that nation could only think in terms of ‘Bantustans’.

Exxon pipeline leaks thousands of barrels of Canadian oil in Arkansas

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xxon Mobil was working to clean up thousands of barrels of oil in Mayflower, Arkansas, after a pipeline carrying heavy Canadian crude ruptured, a major spill likely to stoke debate over transporting Canada’s oil to the United States.

Exxon shut the Pegasus pipeline, which can carry more than 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from Pakota, Illinois, to Nederland, Texas, after the leak was discovered on Friday afternoon, the company said in a statement.

Exxon, hit with a $1.7 million fine by regulators this week over a 2011 spill in the Yellowstone River, said a few thousand barrels of oil had been observed.

A company spokesman confirmed the line was carrying Canadian Wabasca Heavy crude. That grade is a heavy bitumen crude diluted with lighter liquids to allow it to flow through pipelines, ac-

cording to the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA), which referred to Wabasca as “oil sands” in a report.

The spill occurred as the U.S. State Department is considering the fate of the 800,000 bpd Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry crude from Canada’s oil sands to the Gulf Coast. Environmentalists, concerned about the impact of developing the oil sands, have sought to block its approval. Supporters say Keystone will help bring down the cost of fuel in the United States.

The Arkansas spill was the second incident this week where Canadian crude has spilled in the United States. On Wednesday, a train carrying Canadian crude derailed in Minnesota, spilling 15,000 gallons of oil.

Exxon expanded the Pegasus pipeline in 2009 to carry more Canadian crude from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast refin-

ing hub and installed what it called new “leak detection technology”.

Exxon said federal, state and local officials were on site and the company said it was staging a response for a spill of more than 10,000 barrels “to be conservative”.

Clean-up crews had recovered approximately 4,500 barrels of oil and water.

“The air quality does not likely present a human health risk, with the exception of the high pooling areas, where cleanup crews are working with safety equipment,” Exxon said in a statement.

U.S. media said the spill was in a subdivision. Mayflower city police said the oil had not reached Lake Conway nearby.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency categorized the rupture as a “major spill,” Exxon said, and 22 homes were evacuated following the incident.

A spokesman for the Department of Transportation confirmed that an in-

spector from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration had been sent to the scene to determine what caused the failure. The Environmental Protection Agency is the federal on-scene coordinator for the spill.

Some environmentalists argue that oil sands crudes are more corrosive than conventional oil, although a CEPA report, put together by oil and gas consultancy Penspen, argued diluted bitumen is no more corrosive than other heavy crude.

The U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this week proposed a fine of 1.7 million for Exxon over pipeline safety violations relating to a 2011 oil spill in the Yellowstone River. Exxon’s Silvertip pipeline, which carries 40,000 barrels per day of crude in Montana, leaked about 1,500 barrels of oil into the river in July 2011 after heavy flooding in the area.

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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Private Sector should play a bigger role in The Acting Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Gaji Bello, bares his mind on issues, challenges involved in fixing the nation’s infrastructure. He spoke with TOLA AKINMUTIMI Can you say precisely what the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission is established to do based on the provisions of its enabling Act? Thank you very much. ICRC is acronym for Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission. It is an agency of government that was established by an Act of Parliament through the ICRC establishment Act 2005. The dissolved Board was not inaugurated until November 28th 2008 and the Board then was headed by no other person than one time former Head of State of this great country. The Board was dissolved on the 27th November 2012 and since that day I have been asked by the government to pilot the affairs of the Commission in an acting capacity. But coming to the meat of the question itself, what is ICRC all about, what should people know about it?

Basically, ICRC is an institution of government that is called in order to address the infrastructure gap by using the Private Public Partnership procurement model in order to get the private sector to come and participate in the development of the country’s infrastructure.

In a nutshell, the intention is that the private sector should come and play a key role in the development of the infrastructure of this country and it does not necessarily mean only local investors it can be both local and international investors. I don’t mind if Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, all the banks can put the resources together to do some of these. We don’t have to call for only foreign investors at the same time we are creating a level playing field for both foreign and local investors as players. What is important is that all what the country needs is that we have this gap, we have this demand, we have this urge, we need that urge to be satisfied and the only way government feels that could be done is to have the major stakeholders who have the money to come in and actually assist. I think in a nutshell, that is the purpose for the creation of this agency.

Could you give us insight into the present level of the funding required to fill the infrastructure gap given the fact that over the last one year the Federal Government has been able to attract substantial funds from external source?

First of all let us say that the figure that was given actually was an estimate of money that might be needed. I don’t have any figure right now off hand that I will tell you right here but all I know is that from a simple assessment, there is a huge gap that one cannot quantify to put figures and say this is exactly what amount you need. No matter how much you bring it will always be consumed. There is just a huge gap and I think, a huge demand that is what I know. In terms of putting real figures, I think it is an estimate and that estimate I don’t know how it was arrived at but certainly there is a huge demand and if you want, one can give you a catalogue of the kind of things we need to do that we have not done but that we should be able to do.

From the inception of the ICRC what has been the response of the private sector to government’s call to partner with it in term of delivering infrastructure?

That is an excellent question. First of all, let me say that there have been quite a number of interests in what we are doing. However, the process itself is a little bit cumbersome and because the process is cumbersome as well as other challenges that exist

I DON’T MIND IF ALIKO DANGOTE, JIM OVIA ALL THE BANKS CAN PUT THE RESOURCES TOGETHER TO DO SOME OF THESE.

WE DON’T

HAVE TO CALL FOR ONLY FOREIGN INVESTORS AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE CREATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR BOTH FOREIGN AND LOCAL INVESTORS AS PLAYERS in our environment, it is not as easy as we think it ought to be. So, there is that challenge. Secondly, the MDAs are supposed to be the actual drivers of the process itself we are supposed to be a regulatory agency and if we are a regulatory agency, we also have to bear at the back of our mind that because it is a new concept, it is not even well understood by the agencies themselves that is, the Ministries, the Departments. Tomorrow we are going to hold a 2-day National Workshop in the State House auditorium in order to build in more capacity to the MDAs whereby I think we have invited about 100 MDAs. The whole essence is first of all we need to build capacity. So, part of the problem is that there is lack of capacity which we are trying to address.

Then, there are other challenges which I don’t have to go into details. Thirdly, the process itself is a bit cumbersome but let also quickly add that there are a lot of interests. We are doing a lot in terms of publicity so that we bring out into the public domain exactly where we want the private sector to come.

We also have a website but frankly as you say there are interests but the process is cumbersome and the process is cumbersome simply because internal knowledge in the various MDAs is not there. For instance, this afternoon we have a request from Ministry of Education involving some gentlemen I think from Nigeria Mathematical Centre who want to build a hostel for their students plus a common room and a laundry and they want to build on PPP but they don’t know how to proceed from there. So, they wrote to us, asking that is this PPP and can we pre-qualify them? So, we invited them to come and have a chat with us. They came in and we sat down and we said ok, tell us what the story is. They told us this is what we want to do but we said we need more information for us to be able to guide you. However, let us just tell you that we want that project to succeed for a variety of reasons. One, if it succeeds it means that we will replicate that model in all the universities around. We have about 127 universities now. Even if we can just build hostels, it will decongest and it will give the universities a semblance of decency because somebody said in our days we were four in a room, somebody was doing our laundry; we were eating chicken, I think, twice in a week. Presently, all of us here I think without any exemption everybody will have to think twice before you send your children to any secondary school, you have to look at are the Lecturers there and ask yourself are there facilities available, are the equipment there.

Bello

Otherwise you would rather send your child to Ghana or send him to Malaysia and they are not better than us. So, we discussed with them and in that effort we say look please give us more information, it is a do-able project. We will try and see how we can assist you, how we can break the barriers, how we can shorten the cumbersome process because once you succeed, even if it is just let says 500 rooms that a contractor is building and is going to recoup his investment and is happy doing that, that would be off from the National budget then Nigeria Mathematical Centre will not ask the Ministry of Education to factor that into their budget and then ask the National Assembly for funding. So, there would be a big relief and I say if you can do that for just one institution you can imagine the impact. But you know you have to do it, get everybody to understand it and do it and once people see it is workable before you realize, people will do it. In fact, presently I think some universities are doing it except that it is not formalized. People that are close to universities they will say look there is need for accommodation I will build a hostel, I will charge. The only difference this time around is that it is not structured along PPP lines but certainly there is private sector supplementation of accommodation issues but this time around somebody wants to structure it. Once he does it, then he will now get his payment. So, it is a novel concept, it is a good model, but like I always say it is new and because it is new, certainly you

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Executive Discourse

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infrastructure development – ICRC boss

THE POLICY THRUST OF GOVERNMENT IS TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY

NIGERIANS AS

POSSIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

IN

THE COUNTRY know nobody likes change because of the fears of the unknown.

The policy thrust of government is to encourage as many Nigerians as possible to participate in infrastructure development and capital project management in the country. If you look at the domestic environment do you think Nigerian engineers and other are positioned in a way they can act competitively given the fiscal regime and high cost of funds?

I think candidly I am a believer in self development, I am a believer in self help and also I am a believer that nobody is going to develop you or de-

velop your environment or develop your country unless yourself. Having said that, I want to say we have engineers that are highly skilled and competent. In fact, one good thing is that wherever you go and you meet Nigerians they always excel in their outfits.

Now as to whether they have been giving the opportunity I think they have been given the opportunity. I will like them to be given the opportunity and that is why once you have the private sector who are coming in, they will certainly try to get people who are on ground to be able to assist them to do that.

So, what I am saying is that I believe firmly that if given the opportunity, the skills that we have on ground whether Engineers, Lawyers, Accountants or whatever they can compete with any similar agencies or personnel anywhere in the world. The issue is sometimes, I hope I am not going to get myself into controversy, is that at some level we don’t have confidence about trying our own people and I think we need to reverse it.

On capacity building, an important agency like yours is important to the realisation of the ongoing transformation agenda. This presupposes that the ICRC needs well trained, highly motivated personnel to man your operations.

Can you give an insight into how you are handling this critical input in your operations?

First of all, I would like to say that I am proud of the kind of personnel we have on ground. We are a small, in terms of the number of people, outfit.

We have probably between just 50 and 80. I think we are just 60 and the remaining are supportive staff.

At the inception of the commission, the Act wanted a high breed institution that is made up of highly skilled personnel that will drive the process that is going to be a public institution with a private sector mentality. That is why perhaps, the former head of state who was self made in UAC, who had reached the pinnacle in private sector, was asked to come and head the institution. Others were also successful in their own capacities. If you look at the assemblage that was brought, certainly you cannot get any better than that.

Similarly, the personnel are people that have either worked in what I can consider Grade A institutions or people that are coming, that we have actually poached from other successful organisations. In terms of that we don’t have any problem.

The area that we have, if any, problem is the concept itself is a new concept, PPPs are new not only in Nigeria they are new all over the world but there are success stories. If you go to Malaysia, they can show you a million and one projects they have done on PPP. Even in South Africa, there are projects they have executed in PPP. India has also done a marvelous job on PPP, especially in terms of road and power sectors of their economy. Brazil also has done quite a lot. So, there is no reason why Nigeria should be an exemption. If all those countries that I have mentioned have tried it and it has worked, then, we have to find out how to make it work.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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Global Business

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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uropean finance ministers voiced confidence that Greece will pull off a successful bond buyback, the key element in a revamped effort to stem the debt crisis in the country where it started.

Greece began the 10 billion-euro ($13 billion) repurchase of bonds maturing from 2023 to 2042 on Monday, offering a higher-than-planned price in order to increase demand for the debt-reduction measure.

“I’m confident it will go well,” French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici told reporters after euro-area finance chiefs met in Brussels. “It seems to be happening under satisfactory conditions.”

European governments are counting on the buyback as a market-based way of cutting Greece’s debt, paving the way for continued aid payouts.

Finance ministers set a December 13 meeting to release the next 34.4 billion euros for Greece and possibly wrap up bailout talks with Cyprus, which would become the fifth country to tap international aid since the crisis erupted in late 2009.

Euro finance chiefs confident of Greek buyback success

Moscovici

Once dismissed by European officials as a high-risk, low- reward method of debt reduction, the buyback became part of the Greek package after Germa-

Hollande loses bond market as growth stalls

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rench President Francois Hollande’s honeymoon with bond investors may be ending as economic reality bites.

Hollande, who returned from a 15-day summer break last week, faces an economy that hasn’t grown in three quarters, rising joblessness, a ballooning trade deficit and the task of coming up with a plan in the next few weeks to plug a budget hole of more than 30 billion euros ($37 billion) for next year.

The challenges ahead may undermine the rally in French bonds that has allowed the country to sell bills at negative yields for the first time. During Hollande’s first 100 days in office, the premium demanded to hold French 10year debt rather than comparable German securities fell to the lowest in more than a year. That trend may be reversing.

“France’s fundamentals -- rising unemployment, widening current account deficit and budget deficit -- would not support its bonds,” said Jamie Stuttard, head of international bond investments at Fidelity Investments in London, which has $1.6 trillion under management.

“The more expensive French bonds go, the harder the case becomes for French government debt.”

The French 10-year yield is at 2.06 percent, near the record-low of 2 percent reached on August 3 and down from 2.89 percent on the last trading day before Hollande’s election on May 6. While the premium France pays over Germany to borrow for a decade fell below 60 basis points for the first time in more than a year on August. 15, it’s rising again. It was 73 basis points yesterday.

French government securities returned 0.34 percent this month after earning investors 3.98 percent in July, trailing bonds from Belgium, Ireland and Portugal, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch data.

Sovereign debt from France, which was stripped of its AAA rating by Standard & Poor’s in January, got more expensive throughout 2012 -- notably since

45

ny rejected the writeoff of official loans as a way of easing the country’s financial plight. The euro fetched $1.3070 as of 7:47 a.m. in London from $1.3054 yes-

Connecticut homes biggest losers as Wall Street cuts jobs

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Hollande

Hollande’s victory. The rally came as the European Central Bank cut its main interest rate to a record low and reduced its deposit rate to zero as the euro area teetered on the verge of recession and Spanish and Italian 10-year bond yields climbed above 6 percent.

terday, when it touched $1.3076, the most since October. 23.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has since indicated, in a Dec. 2 Bild newspaper interview, that official debt relief might be in the offing, as long as Greece starts posting operating budget surpluses in 2014 or 2015. That timeline would put off a decision to lump German taxpayers with losses on loans to Greece -- something Merkel promised would never happen -- until after a German election in late 2013.

To persuade the International Monetary Fund to continue chipping in a third of the Greek loans, the euro ministers last week announced debt-reduction steps including lower bailout loan rates and a recycling of the European Central Bank’s profits on Greek bonds back to the Athens treasury.

onnecticut, for 25 years the state with the highest per capita income in the United States, is now leading the nation in home-price declines as Wall Street trims jobs and bonuses that had driven multimillion-dollar property sales.

Prices in the Fairfield County area, home of the banker bedroom communities of Greenwich and New Canaan, tumbled 12.9 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, the biggest decline of the 147 U.S. metropolitan areas measured by the National Association of Realtors.

While the number of home purchased within the state financed with conventional mortgages rose 8.4 percent in the first half, deals using jumbo loans for pricier properties slid 9.4 percent, according to Warren Group, a real estate tracker.

“We’re in a tough slog here relative to everybody else, which is surprising given where we’re located, near New York and Boston,” said Terence Beatty, director of the new homes and land division of Prudential Connecticut Realty in Wallingford.

The state, which hosts the world’s two largest bank trading floors within UBS

AG (UBSN) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS)’s Stamford offices, is falling behind a U.S. housing recovery after losing 3,900 financial-services jobs since July 2011, the most of any industry.

Connecticut also is struggling with rising foreclosures, posting the nation’s secondbiggest jump in notices of default and repossession last month.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy

Brezhnev bonds haunt Putin as investors hunt $785 billion

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he European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ordered Russia last month to pay Yuriy Lobanov, a septuagenarian from the Ivanovo region near Moscow, 37,150 euros ($46,497) in compensation for the 1982 notes he held, or about 140 times the average monthly pension. Mariya Andreyeva, a 95-year-old survivor of the Nazi blockade of Leningrad, won a preliminary 4,300 euros on the bonds, which doubled as lottery tickets.

The securities are part of the 25 trillion rubles ($785 billion), equal to almost half of Russian economic output, the government says it still owes the public from lost Soviet savings. Putin is stalling, most recently signing an order in April to halt

payments on the notes until at least 2015.

Now, armed with court rulings, veteran speculators are joining pensioners in seeking to cash in.

“This all should have been settled back in the 1990s,” said Boris Kheyfets, a Soviet debt specialist at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Economics in Moscow. “How do you assume a debt that huge?

It would collapse everything immediately.”

Soviet authorities began selling the 20year certificates in 1982 for 25, 50 or 100 rubles, partly to redeem earlier bonds and partly to sop up cash from a command economy with few consumer goods. The State Domestic Lottery Bonds offered a token 3 percent interest and a chance at

payouts of as much as 10,000 rubles, Kheyfets said. The top winners were entitled to a “chic” Volga sedan, while second prize was a Zhiguli.

Unlike other former Soviet republics that settled similar debts in the 1990s at a fraction of what was lost, Russia pledged to cover the whole amount. President Boris Yeltsin signed a law in 1995 ordering the government to restore savings via bank deposits and Soviet bonds based on what those holdings could have purchased in 1990. Payments started in earnest during Putin’s first term, when surging oil prices pushed the budget into surplus. Now Putin is back in the Kremlin for a third term and the budget is barely breaking even.

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Capital Market

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Zenith, GTBank post N188bn profits in 2012 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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enith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc have posted a profit after tax of N100.7bn and N87.3bn respectively for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

Specifically, Zenith Bank announced a profit after tax of N100.7bn for the year, an increase of 106.7 per cent when compared to N48.7bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

A statement from the bank yesterday said the result confirmed the bank’s leadership position in the industry as it became the first to cross the N100bn profit after tax in a financial year.

The bank’s total assets plus contingents stood at

N2.60trn, representing a 12.7 per cent increase over the N2.30bn recorded in 2011 and the directors of the bank are proposing a dividend payout of N1.60 per share.

Gross earnings, according to the results, rose by 25.88 per cent, from N243.9bn in 2011 to N307.1bn in 2012.

The statement explained that the result also showed the bank’s commitment to prudent debt management yielding positive results, as total non-performing credit facilities to total credit facilities stood at three per cent, compared to six per cent recorded in 2011.

The bank’s cost-to-income ratio fell to 54 per cent in 2012 from 63 per cent in 2011.

The Chief Executive Of-

ficer of the bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said, “Amid the challenging business environment witnessed in 2012, notably the restrictive monetary policies and the double- digit headline inflation rates, Zenith bank delivered yet another year of strong performance.”

He added that efficiency in the bank’s operations led to the significant improvement in the costto- income ratio.

Meanwhile, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc posted a profit after tax of N87.3bn in the 2012 financial year, an increase of 68.7 per cent when compared to N51.7bn recorded in 2011.

The bank’s gross earnings stood at N221.9bn in the review period, from N182.4bn recorded in 2011, while taxation stood

at N16.3bn in 2012, from N14.3bn recorded in 2011.

The bank’s interest income rose by 34.7 per cent, from N126.5bn in 2011 to N170.3bn in 2012, while interest expense dropped by 41.6 per cent, from N27.9bn in 2011 to N39.6bn in 2012.

According to the result, the bank’s profit for the year from discontinued operations stood at N609.1m in 2012, from N393.8bn in 2011.

The bank’s net assets sttod at N283.4bn in 2012, from N230.4bn in 2011, while deposits stood at N11.7bn, from N1.06bn recorded in 2011.

The bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Segun Agbaje had in March last year said it planned to grow its loan book 15 per cent in 2012 and achieve a return on equity of 25 per cent.

NSE appoints Stanbic IBTC, 12 others supplemental market makers

Index rises by 2.4% DAMILOLA AJAYI

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday appointed Stanbic IBTC, Capital Access, Investment One, FSDH Securities, supplemental market makers.

Others appointed are UBA Stockbrokers, FCSL Asset Management, Rencap Securities, Capital Bancorp, Magnartis Finance, FBN Securities, Codros Capital, Greenwich Securities and Partnership Investment.

Speaking on the appointment, the Executive Director, Business Development, of the NSE, Mr. Jalo Waziri said the timely initiative would help create a favorable environment for competition and rapid transformation of the capital market.

The Head of Surveillance

of the NSE, Mr. Abdulazeez Babalola explained that the 13 companies emerged from the rigorous process, saying that phase one of the market making focused on the financial capital base of the firms, while the Exchange considered the compliance history, operational capability and performance history of the firms in phase two.

He added that the thirteen companies scaled through the criteria from 23 companies that applied as supplementary market makers.

Meanwhile, trading in equities continued on bullish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as investors’ appetite on stocks rose further.

The All Share Index appreciated by 2.43 per cent to close at 34,351.87 points, compared to the increase

of 0.20 per cent recorded on Thursday to close at 33,536.25 points.

Market capitalisation gained N26bn to close at N10.99trn, higher than the rise of N3bn recorded on Thursday to close at N10.73trn.

The Oil and Gas index led the sectorial indices by 3.75 per cent to close at 205.63 points, followed by the Banking index with 2.57 per cent to close at 422.96 points.

The NSE 30-Index increased by 2.41 per cent to close at 1641.44 points, while the Lotus Islamic Index rose by 2.17 per cent to close at 2269.45 points.

The Consumer Goods index appreciated by 1.02 per cent to close at 993.72 points, while the Insurance index shed 1.31 per cent to close at 152.50 points.

Eterna Oil Plc led the gainers’ table with 33 kobo

or 10 per cent to close at N3.63 per share, followed

by Okomu Oil Plc with N7.25 or 10 per cent to close at N79.75 per share.

African Prudential Plc appreciated by 16 kobo or 9.88 per cent to close at N1.78 per share, while the ABC Transport Plc gained six kobo or 9.84 per cent to close at 67 kobo per share.

Ja Paul Oil Plc closed at six kobo per share, up by 71 kobo or 9.23 per cent.

On the flip side, PharmaDeko Plc lost 23 kobo or 10 per cent to close at N2.07 per share, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc shed 74 kobo or 9.88 per cent to close at N6.75 per share.

Livestock Plc declined by26 kobo or 9.74 per cent to close at N2.41 per share, while Ikeja Hotel dropped by nine kobo or 9.68 per cent to close at 84 kobo per share.

Global stocks rally as commodities retreat

M

ajor stock markets rose yesterday, with the United States Standard and Poor 500 index nearing its alltime intraday high, while the dollar rallied from a onemonth low against the yen on bets the Bank of Japan will announce further monetary easing steps this week.

Gold fell to a two and half week low, pressured by a strengthening dollar and as investors moved

away from safe havens and bought stocks.

Other commodities retreated, with copper falling to a seven-month low on worries about global economic growth.

Investors looked toward policy meetings this week by the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank, along with the US government’s release on Friday of its payrolls report for March.

On Wall Street, stocks rebounded from the previous session’s decline.

Healthcare shares surged on brighter earnings prospects as the US government dropped plans to decrease payments for private Medicare Advantage insurers, opting instead to raise them by 3.3 per cent.

“Given how lean these companies are, this news is pretty significant and could mean a 10 to 15 per cent in-

crease in earnings,” said Phil Orlando, chief equity market strategist at Federated Investors in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average finance/markets/index gained 93.40 points, or 0.64 per cent, to 14,666.25. The benchmark Standard and Poor’s 500 Index rose 10.03 points, or 0.64 per cent, to 1,572.20. The Nasdaq Composite index added 25.11 points, or 0.78 per cent, to 3,264.28.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 34,351.87 points Market capitalisation 10.99 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

ETERNA

3.30

3.63

0.33

OKOMUOIL

72.50

79.75

7.25

AFRIPRUD

1.62

1.78

0.16

ABCTRANS

0.61

0.67

0.06

JAPAULOIL

0.65

0.71

0.06

MAYBAKER

2.19

2.39

0.20

UAC-PROP

14.80

16.00

1.20

UACN

55.00

59.00

4.00

OANDO

16.80

18.00

1.20

PAINTCOM

1.45

1.55

0.10

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

PHARMDEKO

2.30

2.07

0.23

NAHCO

7.49

6.75

0.74

LIVESTOCK

2.67

2.41

0.26

IKEJAHOTEL

0.93

0.84

0.09

WAPIC

1.39

1.26

0.13

ROYALEX

0.76

0.69

0.07

RTBRISCOE

2.19

2.01

0.18

NEM

0.84

0.78

0.06

FTNCOCOA

0.53

0.50

0.03

JBERGER

53.00

51.00

2.00

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

32,549.40

15.05

28-Mar-13

335-Days

92,093.70

14.50

28-Mar-13

90 -Days

57,860.87

12.25

28-Mar-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

357-Days

47,494.49

15.06

4-Apr-13

339-Days

51,759.76

14.40

4-Apr-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$300m

27-Mar-13

$300m

N/A

$276m

20-Mar-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at April 2, 2013 1st Tier Securities

Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals Quotation(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

47

Cocktail

48

xx

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (121) “John David Rockefeller made his fortune during the Great Depression. So did the Kennedy family. Today, we have financial icons like Warren Buffet who are buying up everything in sight.

Warren’s motto is simple, “when everyone is greedy, sell, when everyone is scared, buy.”

–T.Harv Eker +++ Life Is As You See It I have always believed that there is no reality but perception.

Life is as you see it and take it. Life is to you what you think it is to you.

A similar life event will make some people and break another set of people. A lot of positive things can happen for us if we make up our mind to see crisis as opportunity and see disappointments as appointments in disguise.

Life is full of choices. We can go for a positive life in the midst of negativity and despair and prevail or we can be content with the status quo and live a mediocre life.

Many times light is of no use until there is darkness. Yes, these are tough days, but you are tougher. Yes, things are so hazy now, but you are the light of the world and no darkness can bury you!

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

PPurse thief thi f crashes h th through gh gl glass

P

olice in Australia have released video footage of a purse snatcher who crashed through a plate glass window while making his getaway.

Western Australia police released footage of the Sunday incident, which involved an unidentified man taking a woman’s purse at a news

agency at a shopping center in Ballajura, a suburb of Perth, and crashing through a plate glass window next to a sliding glass door while fleeing, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday.

The video shows bystanders helping the man to his feet without realizing he had just stolen a purse.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

White House uses kid president in April fool prank T

he White House released an April Fools’ Day “special message” Monday from a 9-year-old known as the “kid president.”

The White House posted to its Twitter account Monday, saying “This morning, the White House released a special video message from the President,” but the video in question instead starred Robbie Novak, a 9-yearold self-described “kid president” whose motivational YouTube videos made him a viral star this year, CNN reported.

“It’s looks look like you were expecting somebody else. April Fools on all y’all,” Novak says after stepping up to the mikes in the video.

“I’m the kid president, and I hope every-

one has an awesome day,” he says. “It’s everyone’s dream to give

the world a reason to dance.”

The White House said

Novak would be a guest Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

President Barack Obama touching the Rosa Parks statue after the unveiling during a ceremony in Statuary Hall at the U.S. PHOTO: WHITE HOUSE Capitol in Washington, D.C., recently

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

49

Community Mirror Police arrest pipeline vandals; recover 50 stolen products

“You cannot talk about good governance where the elections of people are manipulated; you cannot steal a mandate and turn round to say you can govern well.”

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Man to die by hanging for killing farmer OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

A

middle aged man, Ayo Adegbite, has been sentenced to death by an Akure High Court in the Ondo State capital for the murder of a farmer, Afolabi Theophilus.

Adegbite was said to have attacked and poured acid on the deceased on Ilu-Abo /Ajegunle Road in Akure Magisterial District on November 7, 2009.

It was learnt that the substance severely burnt the deceased, resulting in his death on December 6, 2009.

When the convict was arraigned on March 28, 2012, he pleaded not guilty to the one count charge against him.

But in her testimony, the first prosecution witness and wife of the deceased, Caroline Afolabi Theophilus, told the court that at 6 am on November 8, 2009, her daughter called and informed of the attack on her husband by the convict.

She said her daughter told her to go to the General Hospital, Akure, where she met the deceased severely burnt.

According to her, she reported the matter to the police, after

which Adegbite was arrested based on narration of the incident by her husband.

Caroline further told the court, that the deceased was transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan where he later died.

She stressed that until his death, her late husband was unable to hold her hands and insisted that Adegbite attacked and poured the acid substance on him.

She said the deceased told her that on November 7, 2009, he went to see his friend, one Falana, in the neighboring village of Ilu –Abo, and on the way back,

Adegbite suddenly jumped out of the bush and attacked him.

Pronouncing the death sentence, the trial Judge, Justice David Kolawole, held that the prosecution had proved the murder charge against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced Adegbiteto death by hanging. .

The court held that the accused intended to cause the deceased grievous bodily harm when he attacked him on the road between Ilu-Abo and Ajegunle on the fateful day, concluding that Adegbite was guilty of the offence and therefore deserved to die.

Arms and ammunition recovered from armed robbery suspects who were paraded yesterday at the Police Command Headquarters, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: FRANCIS SUBERU

Court jails man for assaulting FRSC officials FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

A

n Ogun Magistrate’s Court III sitting in Isabo Area of Abeokuta has sentenced a 32-yearold driver identified as Chimezie Udoh, to three months imprisonment for assaulting officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. The convict was said to have committed the offence on March 19, 2013, while driving on the Abeokuta Shagamu Expressway The FRSC prosecuting of-

ficer, Uzoma Enwereuzo, told the court that Udoh physically assaulted Corps officials and thereby obstructed them from carrying out official duties on the said date.

Enwereuzo, further told the court that the convict refused to stop when flagged down, which prompted the officials to give him a chase with their patrol vehicle and consequently forced him to stop.

“When he eventually stopped, he assaulted the team leader and officers on duty. He snatched the mobile

phones of the team leader and even invited some other people to assault them before the police and SSS men arrived at the scene”.

The prosecutor said the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 10 (9) of the FRSC establishment Act, 2007 and Item 1 and 21 on the FRSC notice of offence sheet.

Udoh, who pleaded guilty to the two count charge of obstructing and assaulting marshals on duty, was however, not represented by a counsel. He also pleaded for

clemency from the court.

Udoh said: “I did not know what came over me to misbehave that way. Please temper justice with mercy, I have learnt my lessons”.

Delivering judgement, Magistrate Akinyemi held that evidences before him against the convict clearly showed that Udoh violated the laws of the land as well as the constituted authorities.

He thereafter, sentenced him to three months imprisonment with an option of N13, 000 fine.

Monarch, others extol Fajuyi’s virtues ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

T

he Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, has said that the virtues of patriotism, loyalty and courage which former military governor of the defunct Western Region, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, lived and died for, are lacking in many Nigerians.

The monarch, who attributed the parlous state of affairs in the country to the absence of virtues, said according late Fajuyi such befitting recognition would always serve as reminder of his legacies, especially to present and future generations.

Oba Adejugbe, who spoke at a forum to announce plans to host the maiden edition of the Adekunle Fajuyi Festival in Ado-Ekiti, said the late military leader was synonymous to the unity of Nigeria.

According to him, despite having the opportunity to save his own life when coup plotters came to kill then head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi, Fajuyi refused to release Ironsi to be killed by the coup plotters.

Also speaking at the forum, Chairman of Ado Local Government, Mr. Tope Olanipekun, said the council would always support any effort at remembering the life and times of Fajuyi in the history of Nigeria.

The council boss said the urgent need to accord Fajuyi better recognition and imbibe his great virtues could not be overemphasised.

Director of the Festival, Mr. Femi Alufa, said the annual event had become necessary so that the legacies of the departed officer will not be forgotten, adding that it “will be the ultimate honour to celebrate the universal value of peace, patriotism, selfless leadership, and courage which Fajuyi symbolised”.

A son of the late Fajuyi, Donald, who expressed hoped that the sacrifice his father made in keeping Nigeria one would not be in vain, appealed to governments and corporate bodies to support the initiative, saying the country’s heroes should not be confined to a corner in the history of the country.

50

Community Mirror

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police arrest pipeline vandals; recover stolen products FRANCIS SUBERU

P

olice personnel attached to the Special Task Force on AntiPipeline Vandalism Unit, last Sunday, ar rested five pipeline vandals and recovered 33, 000 litres of stolen premium motor spirit, PMS. The suspects, Komuko Ayekede, Oluwafemi Bamidele, James Awolowo, Eugene Stanley and Kunle Ogushe, were ar rested at 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos with 270 bags of 120 litres of PMS. The vandals, who had stolen the product from a vandalised NNPC pipeline at Oke Agemo, Ijedodo Area of Iba Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, were crossing the river at Festac Town when a police surveillance team spotted them.

Parading the suspects, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of the unit, Friday Ibadin said, when they received intelligence reports that vandals were stealing fuel at Ijedodo, his men immediately swung into action.

According to him: “Policemen, led by the Sector Commander, Lagos, DSP, Onaghise Osayande, cordoned of f the area and while on patrol, spotted them. They were ar rested and several bags of stolen PMS were recovered. I wish to use this medium to implore Nigerians to stay away from all NNPC pipelines, as the police is determined to reduce the rate of pipeline vandalism.”

However, in his statement, the gang leader, Komuko claimed to be a palm wine tapper.

He said: “I am a palm wine tapper and while working, I noticed several bags of fuel lying on water. I knew it was vandals that abandoned them because anytime I am on the tree tapping wine; I would see them stealing the product. After two days, I discovered the products were still there. I immediately ar ranged with some people to move them to a possible buyer.”

On how they move the products, Komuko said using gallons was very difficult because of the water

OSOGBO

T

he Osun State chapter of Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation, AGF, has donated gift items in support of orphans to commemorate the birthday anniversary of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Comrade Adeboye Adebayo, the state co-ordinator of the organization, who led other members to the Orphanage Home at Testing Ground, Osogbo, said the gifts was in line with the generosity and philanthropic nature of Asiwaju Tinubu.

He described the ACN national leader who turned 61 last Friday as’’ a dogged fighter for freedom, a committed democrat and passionate believer in the evolution of a just and

many buyers at Apapa. The dif ficult par t is getting the product and fer rying it successfully across the river, especially through Festac canal. If you can cross that path then, it is smooth sail to Apapa. That is why we usually work at night”.

“At Apapa, there are lots of buyers with their tanks waiting for us. In this business, I prefer working with women because security operatives hardly apprehend them and you are guaranteed that you will collect your money. Someone like

Youths during the “I Go Clean Orile”environmental exercise at Orile bus stop, Lagos.

Group distributes items in honour of Tinubu ADEOLU ADEYEMO

level, hence the use of nylon bags. “Each bag contains 125 litres of either petrol or diesel. The bags would be tied to each other and pulled with canoe.

“Usually, we lift 270 bags per trip. The truth is that I am working for Ebi and he would give me a token of N60, 000 after each trip.”

On how they dispose the product, Kumuko said there are always buyers waiting at Apapa to buy them at N6, 000 per 125 litres.

“Selling the product is not a problem. There are so

egalitarian society’’.

Adeboye, noted that the sterling qualities of Asiwaju Tinubu has continued to endear him to millions of people across the world. “Whenever you come in contact with Asiwaju Tinubu, you will never remain the same politically, economically and socially. We are here to identify with that inspirational leadership that transforms lives by sharing, with these less fortunate children on a day like this”, he said.

Receiving the gift items on behalf of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, an officer at the orphanage home, Mr. Olusegun Akande, appreciated the foundation for remembering the less privilege in the society and pray that God will continue to guide the foundation in its future endeavours.

Iyin Ekiti donates building to NSCDC

T

he Iyin-Ekiti Community in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has donated a building to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ekiti Command, to boost security in the area.

Announcing this, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Augustine Obiekwe, called on other communities in the country to emulate the gesture, as he said it would further enhance effective security in their areas.

While thanking the traditional ruler, Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, and the community for the gesture, Obiekwe reiterated efforts of the agency to curb crimes in the society.

Iya Tope and Iya Bode are our major buyers for years.

They buy 250 sacks of 125 litres of fuel for N1.5million and sell to petrol stations or to small scale marketers.

But since June last year, business dwindled as a lot of people have been ar rested by security operatives who have refused to give us breathing space. The fear of being caught is responsible for most of those fire outbreak. If we have the opportunity to work undetected, so many people will rush to the site.”

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Septuagenarian rescued from kidnappers SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

A

77-year old woman, Madam Grace Agbonkpolor, has been rescued by the Edo State Police Command from kidnappers after spending four days in captivity.

The septuagenarian, who is said to be the mother of a Benin-based transporter, was rescued by the command’s Anti- Kidnap Unit, following the arrest of one of the kidnapers who came to collect the ransom from the family at Obarenti Village, on Benin—Sapele Road.

Community Mirror gath-

ered that Madam Agbonkpolo was alleged to have earlier been kidnapped on 23, December 2010 before the latest incident. She was similarly held and later released after payment of an undisclosed ransom.

While expressing gratitude for rescuing her and arresting one of the kidnappers, the traumatised septuagenarian, appealed for protection against the other members of the kidnap gang still at large.

The rising incidence of kidnappings in Edo State and some others in the country, has generated calls for law to make it a capital punishment.

Wednesday April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

World News

North Korea to restart nuclear reactor in weapons bid

52

“The U.S. and Russia should overcome their cold spell by focusing on their common economic and security challenges” –FORMER U.S. AMBASSADORS TO RUSSIA, JAMES COLLINS

UN approves first-ever global arms trade treaty PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

T

he 193-nation U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved yesterday the first-ever treaty on global arms trade that seeks to regulate the $70 billion international business in conventional arms ranging from light weapons to battle tanks and warships.

There were 154 votes in favour, 3 against and 23 abstentions.

Iran, Syria and North Korea last week prevented a treatydrafting conference at U.N. headquarters from reaching the required consensus to adopt the treaty. That left delegations that support it no choice but to turn to a General Assembly vote to adopt it.

The treaty will be open for signature June 3 and will enter into force 90 days after the 50th signatory ratifies it.

Major arms producers China and Russia joined Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and other countries in abstaining.

A number of countries complained that the treaty favours exporting over importing states.

A soldier removing a weapon from a pile of confiscated weapons, which are about to be destroyed, at a foundry in Santiago.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The United States, the world’s No. 1 arms exporter, said last week it would vote in favour of the treaty despite opposition from the National Rifle Association, a powerful U.S. pro-gun lobbying group.

The NRA opposes the treaty and has vowed to fight to prevent its ratification by the U.S.

Senate when it reaches Washington. The NRA says the treaty would undermine domestic gunownership rights, a view the U.S. government rejects.

Syrian U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari repeated that his government opposes the arms trade treaty because it does not ban the sale of weapons to non-

South African troops withdrawn from CAR

M

ost of the 200 South African troops in the Central African Republic have been withdrawn from the country where 13 died as rebels ousted the president, the soldiers’ union said yesterday.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Xolani Mabanga said he could not comment on reports that the soldiers had been moved to either Congo or Uganda.

“I will only confirm that we still have troops and equipment in the Central African Republic,” he said. He refused to say how many soldiers remained.

The news comes amid strident debate about why the troops were deployed and accusations that they were sent to protect the business interests of a company allied to the governing African National Congress — charges President Jacob Zuma denied yesterday.

Meanwhile, Central African Republic’s prime minister vowed to press ahead yesterday with his new government after members of nine opposition parties said they were withdrawing from the coalition now dominated by for-

mer rebels.

Nicolas Tiangaye, who has remained prime minister since thousands of armed fighters toppled long time President Francois Bozize more than a week ago, says he and other opposition figures will still take part.

“Those who don’t want to work in the government will not be forced to do so,” he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Tiangaye will represent Central African Republic at talks scheduled for Wednesday in

neighbouring Chad, where regional mediators are due to discuss the country’s ongoing political crisis.

Pikkie Greeff, national secretary of the South African National Defence Union, told The Associated Press that “the biggest bulk” of the 200 soldiers had been withdrawn during the weekend. He said they had been taken across the Ubangui River into Congo.

Other media reports suggested the soldiers had been taken to Uganda.

Mourners weeping during a memorial service for 13 South African soldiers killed in Central African Republic last week, at an air force base in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

state actors and “terrorists” like the ones active in Syria, where a two-year-old civil war has claimed at least 70,000 lives, according to U.N. estimates.

Syria routinely refers to rebels trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad as “terrorists” supported by foreign governments.

Greeff said it was unclear whether the soldiers were to be deployed in other countries where South African troops are participating in peacekeeping missions, or whether they were being prepared for an attack on Bangui, the Central African capital. South African defence officials say some 200 soldiers fought off about 3,000 rebels who entered the capital on March 23 and eventually overthrew the government. Hundreds of rebels including youngsters were killed before the rebels called a truce.

President Jacob Zuma had resisted calls to bring the troops home. The country’s biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has said it will table a resolution in Parliament on Tuesday to compel Zuma to withdraw the troops. Greeff ’s union last week threatened to go to the constitutional court to ask it to rule the deployment unconstitutional.

At a memorial service for the dead servicemen, Zuma lambasted his critics, accusing them of “trying to dishonour the memory of our heroes by peddling various unfounded allegations and conspiracy theories.”

WORLD BULLETIN

Bomb hits Somalia’s biggest bank, cash transfer agency

A bomb exploded outside the headquarters of Somalia’s biggest bank and money transfer agency yesterday, wounding at least two people hours after al Qaeda-linked militants ordered the company to cease operations in areas under its control.

Police said they were still searching the rubble outside Dahabshiil’s office in the capital Mogadishu. Its doors were shattered by the blast but it was not immediately clear whether anyone had been killed.

“A remote-controlled bomb planted in front of Mogadishu’s Dahabshiil bank and money transfer headquarters injured two guards,” police captain Nur Hassan told Reuters.

Money transfer agencies like Dahabshiil have become increasingly important to the Horn of Africa country’s fractured economy, which lacks a developed banking sector after 20 years of civil conflict.

Top US officials visit Mali

United States Sens. John McCain and Sheldon Whitehouse arrived in Mali’s capital, Bamako, yesterday for a two-day visit to assess the country’s battle against Islamic extremist rebels in the north.

The Arizona Republican and the Rhode Island Democrat met with Mali’s acting President Dioncounda Traore and interim Prime Minister Diango Cissoko yesterday.

The senators “arrived in Bamako to take in the situation on the ground to better understand the present challenges so that they can foster the most appropriate contribution from America,” said a statement issued by the United States embassy in Bamako.

Mali’s northern half was overrun by rebels from al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb last year. The senators are touring the capital as a French-led military intervention to expel the extremists enters its third month.

Mandela still in hospital

Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in a hospital, where he is being treated for pneumonia for a sixth day.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said yesterday that Mandela continues to recuperate under hospital care.

The 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader was admitted late on March 27 to a hospital in the South African capital, Pretoria. Doctors drained fluid from Mandela’s lung area, making it easier for him to breathe.

It is Mandela’s third trip to a hospital since December, when he was treated for a lung infection and also had a procedure to remove gallstones. Earlier in March, he spent a night in a hospital for what officials said was a scheduled medical test.

52

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

13 children die in Myanmar mosque fire

Police in Myanmar said they are investigating the head of a mosque and a Muslim teacher for possible negligence after a pre-dawn fire swept a religious dormitory yesterday, killing 13 children in a blaze that raised new concern over sectarian tensions that have plagued the country since anti-Muslim violence hit its heartland last month.

Authorities blamed the fire on an electrical short circuit and deployed riot police to maintain calm. But some Muslims remained suspicious, saying it was set intentionally.

Myanmar has been on edge after sectarian unrest between Buddhists and Muslims erupted in the central city of Meikhtila in March, killing dozens of people and displacing more than 12,000, mostly Muslims. The violence has since spread to several other towns where extremist Buddhist mobs have torched or ransacked mosques and Muslim-owned property.

Police said 71 children lived in the burned compound in eastern Yangon — which encompasses a mosque, a school and a dormitory — and most were able to escape by running out of a door that rescue workers knocked open. Security bars blocked most of the building’s windows, which were still stained by black smoke hours after firefighters put out the flames.

Mosque member Soe Myint said most of the children, who had been sent to the religious boarding school by their parents, were sleeping on the ground floor when the blaze began and were able to flee.

But 16 were sleeping in a small loft and were trapped when the stairs to it caught fire. Three boys jumped to safety and the rest died, he said.

Soe Myint, who said he helped carry the dead out of the mosque, said he did not believe the fire was caused by a short circuit and urged authorities to launch a thorough investigation.

“The whole mosque smelled of diesel,” he said. “We don’t use diesel at the school.”

Hamas’ leader, Mashaal re-elected Palestinian militant group Hamas has confirmed the re-election of long time leader Khaled Mashaal in a vote held in Cairo.

In a statement yesterday, the group said the election came after voting by leaders from Gaza, in the West Bank, in exile and those in Israeli jails.

Mashaal, 56, led the group since 1996. He is a relative pragmatist who enjoys the backing of regional powers Turkey, Egypt and Qatar. He is expected to tackle the stalled reconciliation with West Bank leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Hamas wrested Gaza from Abbas in 2007. Since then, the rivals have established separate governments in the West Bank and Gaza.

Two Hamas officials said Mashaal ran unopposed in the Monday vote, winning the support of a majority in Hamas’ Shura Council which has about 60 members.

Wednesday April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North Korea to restart nuclear reactor in weapons bid

N

orth Korea said on Tuesday it would revive a mothballed nuclear reactor able to produce bombgrade plutonium but stressed it was seeking a deterrent capacity and did not repeat recent threats to attack South Korea and the United States.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the crisis over North Korea had gone too far and he appealed for dialogue and negotiation to resolve the situation.

“Nuclear threats are not a game. Aggressive rhetoric and military posturing only result in counter-actions, and fuel fear and instability,” Ban, a South Korean, told a news conference during a visit to Andorra.

The crisis flared after Pyongyang was hit with U.S. sanctions for conducting a third nuclear test in February and the United States and South Korea staged military drills that North Korea viewed as “hostile”.

Pyongyang then threatened a nuclear strike on the

United States, missile strikes on its Pacific bases and war with South Korea, prompting Washington to bolster forces in the region.

The state-owned KCNA news agency announced on Tuesday that North Korea would relaunch all nuclear facilities for both electricity and military uses.

One of the most isolated and unpredictable states in the world, North Korea carried out its third nuclear test since 2006 but is seen as some years away from producing a deliverable nuclear weapon, although it claims to have a deterrent.

A speech by the North’s young leader, Kim Jong-un, given on Sunday but published in full by KCNA on Tuesday, appeared to dampen any prospect of a direct confrontation with the United States by emphasizing that nuclear weapons would ensure the country’s safety as a deterrent.

“Our nuclear strength is a reliable war deterrent and a guarantee to protect our sovereignty,” Kim said. “It is on the basis of

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

a strong nuclear strength that peace and prosperity can exist and so can the happiness of people’s lives.”

Kim’s speech, delivered to the central committee meeting of the ruling Workers Party of Korea, hinted at a small shift away from threats against Seoul and Washington, but it remained some distance from calling any kind of end to the crisis.

Madonna opens Malawi school project

S

choolchildren joined by hundreds of villagers danced around pop diva, Madonna and serenaded her with praise songs yesterday as she inspected school blocks she helped to construct in the central Kasungu district.

“Zikomo! (Thank you!)” said the singer as the Malawians people danced around her at Nkoko Primary School where she worked with the non-profit organization, BuildOn, to build classrooms.

Madonna initially planned to build a $15 million 500-bed Raising Malawi Academy for girls, before changing plans to help fund several community schools to benefit more Malawians. She arrived in Malawi Monday to tour the 10 school wings she has helped to build.

“I love Malawi, I am committed to help end poverty here,” she said.

Madonna is the “biggest global philanthropist” Malawi has ever

had, said Trevor Neilson, president of the Global Philanthropy Group that is managing the pop star’s projects in Malawi. She is exploring more projects she can work on in Malawi, said Neilson.

Madonna’s efforts have provided new classrooms for more than 4, 000 children who previously were learning under trees.

“Madonna is happy that the communities are appreciating her efforts,” he said.

Cyprus Finance Minister resigns after bailout deal

C

ypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris resigned yesterday after completing talks on a controversial bailout deal.

Sarris, 66, will be replaced by Labour Minister Haris Georgiades, reports in the local media suggest.

The 10bn-euro (£8,5bn; $13bn) deal - agreed by the EU and IMF - originally envisaged a levy on all Cypriot bank depositors, triggering public anger.

Sarris

Under the revised deal, Bank of Cyprus depositors with more than 100,000 euros could now lose up to 60% of savings.

Yesterday, the Cypriot government said that President Nicos Anastasiades had accepted the resignation of Mr Sarris, who had been under fire for his handling of the bailout deal.

Sarris said that an inquiry ordered by the president into what led the island nation to the brink of bankruptcy before the bailout

was agreed was a factor in his decision to step down.

“I believe that in order to facilitate the work of (investigators) the right thing would be to place my resignation at the disposal of the president of the republic, which I did,” he said.

The inquiry would be carried out by a three-judge panel, President Anastasiades said.

Sarris was appointed finance minister in February.

Last year he was the head of the country’s second-largest bank, Laiki, whose performance was a major factor in Cyprus’ near financial collapse.

Big depositors at Laiki now could face an even tougher “haircut” than those with the Bank of Cyprus. However, no details have been released.

In a separate development, Cyprus announced a partial relaxation of capital controls, raising the ceiling for financial transactions that did not require central bank approval and allowing the use of cheques to 9,000 euros per month.

However, other restrictions are still in place.

“The fact that this (speech) was made at the party central committee meeting, which is the highest policy-setting organ, indicates an attempt to highlight economic problems and shift the focus from security to the economy,” said Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

Italy’s wise men seek to end political crisis

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talian President Giorgio Napolitano expressed despair yesterday at fierce criticism of his latest plan to end a post-election deadlock that has raised fears of months of instability in the euro zone’s third largest economy.

Two groups of “wise men” appointed by Napolitano to try to forge a policy compromise between squabbling parties to end the impasse since the February 24-25 election started work on Tuesday. Napolitano said they would report back in 8-10 days.

The 87-year-old head of state reacted angrily to suggestions from the center-right of Silvio Berlusconi that his plan, which came after all other efforts to find a government failed, were a useless waste of time which the economy could ill afford.

“After seven years I am ending my mandate in a surreal way, finding myself the subject of absurd reactions, suspicions and incomprehensible paranoias, from the harmless to the unhinged,” Napolitano was quoted as saying

by Corriere della Sera daily.

Italy is deep in its longest recession for 20 years and although markets have so far remained relatively sanguine about the political deadlock, the economy desperately needs a stable government to unblock decades of sluggish growth.

There are also fears Italy’s borrowing costs could shoot up dangerously if the impasse finally starts to spook investors.

Since the election, the parties have refused to budge at all from irreconcilable positions that “made one despair of the possibility of governing this country,” Napolitano said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Wednesday April 3, 2013

53

Zimbabwe don’t trade with Nigeria –Ambassador How healthy is Nigeria-Zimbabwe bilateral trade?

Sadly, there is very little trade going on right now between Zimbabwe and Nigeria simply because we produce almost the same products. We are both agro-based economies. Most of our products come from agriculture with huge industrial base. But, basically, we don’t trade with Nigeria at all.

The little business we are doing with Nigeria is through Nigerians in Zimbabwe. We have a lot of Nigerians who trade in Zimbabwe; not between Nigerians and Zimbabwe but in Zimbabwe. And, there a lot of Nigerians who are into real estate in Zimbabwe. I think that is our trade engagement with Nigeria so far.

In this interview with PAUL ARHEWE and MARCUS FATUNMOLE, the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mabed Ngulani, explained the level of his country’s bilateral relationship with Nigeria and discussed other political, economic and socio-cultural developments in his country. Excerpt.

What are the present administration priorities at the moment?

It is education. We focus most on education. We try to focus on job creation but factories have been closing down because of competition from within and outside, we can’t underplay that. And, machineries of most factories have to be retooled and refurbished. We are also focusing a lot on agriculture.

How large is Zimbabwean investors in Nigeria?

We have a lot of Zimbabweans here who are working in Nigeria. A lot of our corporate organizations are in Lagos; insurance, banking, telecommunication and quite a lot. We have a lot of Zimbabweans farmers in different parts of Nigeria in states like Kwara, Kaduna, Plateau and quite a number of them. So our people are here already doing businesses.

What areas of cultural similarities that exist between Nigeria and your country?

In terms of cultural activities, awareness and orientation, Nigeria is 20 steps ahead of us. Zimbabweans were so westernised and almost got killed up with western cultures. Nigeria is doing very well in terms of culture from what I have seen.

Our cultures are very similar. We have similarities in traditional dances, crafts among others; but Nigeria is well ahead.

What would intending Nigerian tourists and prospective business persons get to benefit from your country?

So many Nigerians are interested in going to Zimbabwe. In November last year, we had a conference for 120 Nigerians who intended leaving for Zimbabwe. You go there, most of them want to see the Victoria Falls; it is a UN endorsed site. They want to see Hwange National Park. They want to see great Zimbabwe from which the name Zimbabwe came from. They want to see Nyanga and Matobo National Parks. There are lots of tourist attractions; of course the Hwange national park where all species of animals are doing well.

There are reports of arrests and harassment of opposition in Zimbabwe. Has the power sharing deal brokered in 2008 failed?

It has not failed. In fact, we can say it rescued the country from the economic abuse that we were going into. Yes, it is true; there have been reports of arrests in certain part of the political spectrum. But, the political principals of the government of National Unity are busy addressing that issue right now. I am sure it is something that will be taken care of before next election. So we are working towards having free, fair, credible, internationally acceptable election results.

Are you saying there won’t be any more arrest of opposition party members?

I did not say there won’t be any; I said they are working to prevent the arrest of

hospitals were operating, businesses and schools were open and the economy is growing; I think it was by 9.4 percent last year which is baffling in Economics. If you read from economists from the US last week who wrote on how an economy could grow at such a rate in a country passing through a crucial stage, you would discover our economy has not been doing badly at all. We are the first diamond producer in the world. We have every mineral; we are the second or third largest producer of platinum in the world. So we have income coming from all these resources we find in our country.

How is your country addressing the challenges with youth restiveness?

I think government is now working not just on youth empowerment but the focus has been on the majority of the population. There are schemes targeted at getting the youth to get skills and there must be advance money to enable them manage their own business.

Ngulani

members.

How has your country managed the economy recession in recent years?

I am sure you are talking about the period between 2007 to February 2009. Then our inflation level became unprecedented. I think we managed it by abolishing our currency which was worth nothing and we adopted a multi-currency regime.

Since then, things have been working fine in Zimbabwe.

Reports say Zimbabwe’s foreign reserve was almost down to zero. Is the country’s economy plunging into another recession?

That statement came from the Minister.

The Minister was trying to emphasize our foreign reserve was very low. He said we did not have enough money to do referendum and election. That was what he was trying to emphasise.

Zimbabweans recently approved changes in your constitution. Was this to limit the powers of President Robert Mugabe?

A point of correction: the constitution was not designed to limit the powers of President Mugabe. The constitution was designed to limit the tenure of any future President of Zimbabwe whether it is Mugabe, Peter or Mary. The Zimbabweans people are saying the powers are too much. It is not for any particular President but for anyone who wants to become President in the future to be bound by that constitution.

Does Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai

stand any chance of succeeding Mugabe?

In politics, you don’t guess; you wait for results. We have an election coming up sometimes in June or July. When they set the date, someone is going to become the President, we don’t know yet; the voters will decide. For now, I don’t know. I can’t speculate while sitting here in Abuja because I am very far from Harare.

Recently, the European Union lifted ban on some of your country’s officials and firms, what prompted this sudden decision?

I think if I remember very well, the Europe particularly said they were watching how we were going about that our referendum. If they believed we conducted it freely and if it was fair, and the result reflected the will of the people; then, they were going to lift some of the sanctions.

They pronounced our referendum as free, fair and reflecting the will of the people. I will assume that is one of their considerations. The countries are a bloc in Europe, not just only one country in Europe took that decision. Those were sanctions that were taken by individual countries, using their own considerations. Only few people now remain on the sanction list. From my understanding, may be two companies remain on the list but the rest are being taken off that list now.

After the 2009 recession in your country, what is the standard of living of an average Zimbabwean now?

After 2009, things picked up. Before 2009, things were bad; I don’t want to underplay that. After that period, things picked up,

How about health services in your country?

Compared to other African countries, I believe we are doing relatively well except in the period between 2007 – 2009 when things were very bad. If you compare that with our standard of education and our literate rate, in all now, we have the highest literacy rate in Africa. We have 96 percent literacy rate. Education is the area where we are functioning very well. Soon after independence, we embarked on schools and hospitals building programme. And, we embarked on huge teachers training so that every school has a trained teacher.

In Zimbabwe, the first seven years, grade one to seven, are for primary education, the next six years, secondary; and the next four years are for university education. I think now we have ten universities; four of which are private run and six are state universities.

What are the present challenges your country intend to overcome?

They are many. Let’s not underplay them. We need to resuscitate our economy which is very low. We need to create employment not only for the youth, but for everybody. We have about 80 percent unemployment rate right now. We need to pump more money into health not only for the mothers and children, but for everybody.

We need to make sure that books are available for children in schools from grade one. Last year, we supplied every child with his own book. Right now, we are targeting secondary schools. Those are our major challenges for now. We want to keep our infrastructure alright; the roads are good but we need to resurface some of them so that we will be safe on the highways.

54

South South

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tambuwal, Tinubu, others to attend Oshiomhole’s 60th birthday symposium SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

S Governor Adams Oshiomhole addressing a rally at Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area at the flag-off of ACN campaign for the April 20 Local Government elections in the state, yesterday.

11 missing, 1,800 displaced as gendarmes attack Bakassi village RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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bout 11 people have been declared missing with 1,800 being displaced as Camerounian gendarmes attacked Efot Ebot Ikot village in Bakassi Peninsula in Cross River State.

Former Senator representing Southern Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, disclosed this while addressing journalists after she visited the displaced people of Bakassi at St. Mark’s Primary School, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Ita-Giwa, who described the situation at the camp as unbearable, said the people were living in deplorable con-

dition as children and pregnant women had no access to water, food, clothing or medicines.

She urged the Federal Government and international community to take proactive steps to resettle the people at Dayspring Island where the refugees wanted to be resettled.

“Is it their fault that the land was ceded to the Cameroon? Our people don’t want to remain here and continue to beg for alms but they want to be resettled in a place where they can become self-sustaining,” she said.

Confirming that 11 people were still missing, the Camp Master of the displaced people of Bakassi, Chief Etim Okon Ene, said the people needed to be resettled in line with the Green Tree Agreement.

Also speaking, the par-

amount ruler of Bakassi, His Royal Highness Etiyin Etim Okon Edet, said he was happy that President Goodluck Jonathan set up the Presidential Committee on Resettlement of Bakassi People which Ita-Giwa was a member but regretted that the implementation process had been very slow.

The Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Vincent Aquah, said the relief materials being donated were part of efforts by the Governor Liyel Imoke administration to give succour to the displaced people.

The materials included mattresses, cartons of noodles, bags of salt, rice, garri and blankets.

Aquah urged the people to remain calm as the

state government was aware of their plight.

He said the government would soon direct Akpabuyo and Bakassi council authorities to come up with palliative measures that would alleviate the suffering of the people.

The Liaison Officer, National Union for Nigeria and Cameroon, Prince Aston Joseph, regretted that his people, who could fish within the length and breadth of the waters, were no longer allowed to go to the areas where they could make enough cash.

Josehp disclosed that the people had lost over 300 fishing boats and fishing nets to the gendarmes.

He urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of three women who had given birth to babies at the camp.

NASS must give monarchs greater roles -Amanyanabo SAM OLUWALANA

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he National Assembly has been advised to create more meaningful roles for traditional rulers in the country in its efforts to review the constitution.

The immediate past chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, RSTRC, Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, King T. J. T. Princewill, gave the advice at the weekend at his home town of Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government.

He spoke during his 11th

anniversary as the Amanyanabo of the ancient kingdom.

Princewill said he had held several meetings within and outside the state to convince other monarchs on the need to continue to press for constitutional recognition for traditional rulers.

He said: “As the chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, we had several meetings which generated a lot of ideas on what should be the role of the traditional rulers in the new constitution. We visited several states preaching the same thing.

“We have not seen the revised copy of the constitution but we believe that when it comes out, we will see the position of the monarchs in the new constitution.”

The former University of Port Harcourt lecturer said traditional rulers could help in solving internal security problems.

He expressed the belief that in the new dispensation, traditional rulers would be given greater roles.

The monarch advised the National Assembly to use the opportunity of the ongoing constitution review process to reflect the role of the

traditional rulers.

According to him, the functions of the royal fathers cannot be undermined by any given democracy, taking into cognizance their ability and effectiveness in settling communal crisis in the society.

Princewill said efforts had been directed towards making government realise the importance of the traditional rulers in the constitution.

He explained that it was necessary for the leadership of the National Assembly to consider the role of the traditional rulers in the constitution.

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, will tomorrow lead a pack of dignitaries to a symposium to mark Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s 60th birthday anniversary in Benin.

The theme of the symposium, to be chaired by the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, is: “Deepening Democracy and Enhancing Public Welfare.”

Other speakers expected at the symposium include the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the

Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

Comrade Issa Aremu and Kayode Komolafe said yesterday in a statement issued on behalf of the Planning Sub-Committee, Friends of Adams Oshiomhole, that the symposium would hold at the Imaguero College Hall, Benin from 11:00am.

Oshiomhole was born to the late Alhaji Ibimaho and Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole on April 4, 1953 in Iyamho-Uzairue near Auchi in Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He later rose from a modest upbringing to become a labour unionist.

The governor was elected twice as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.

Akwa Ibom LG to train 2,000 youths TONY ANICHEBE UYO

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sit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has said that it would empower 2,000 youths in skill Acquisition Programme and invest massively in the agricultural sector.

The council Chairman, Mr. Ibanga Etang, said this at a press briefing at the council hall in Esit Eket.

The chairman disclosed that the empowerment and the investment in agriculture had been captured in the N3.5 billion budget of the council for 2013 fiscal year.

He said: “We will empower about 2,000 youths in various skill acquisition programmes like carpentry, Information Communication Technology, ICT, electrical installation, welding, shoe making, hat making, bead making and barbing.’’

Etang noted that the financial proposal presented to the legislature in Esit Eket tagged: “Budget of a new dawn,’’ will transform the area.

He said the budget was predicated on the desire to achieve a considerable level of macro-economic stability to create wealth, reduce poverty, generate employment and achieve aspects of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. The chairman ex-

plained that the 2013 budget was 15 per cent higher than the 2012 budget of N3,121,000,000 which he inherited, showing an increase of N470,100,000.

Etang said the 2013 budget consisted of estimated recurrent revenue of N3,345,000,000 and capital receipts of N246,100,000, adding that out of the total budget size, non-debt recurrent expenditure was expected to gulp N1,730,000,000 while capital expenditure was proposed to stand at N1,861,100,000.

Analysing the recurrent expenditure, the chairman said N320,000,000 was meant to service personnel cost while overhead cost was expected to gulp N360,000,000.

He added that consolidated revenue fund charges of N980,000,000 was meant for the payment of salaries of political office holders, pensions, training funds for local government staff, traditional rulers’ stipends, funding of primary education, settlement of internal debts, payment of gratuities to retired staff of local government and primary school teachers, administration charges and security as well as bank COT. Ettang also said that his administration budgeted N1,861,100,000 for execution of capital project in all sectors of the economy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

55

UNIJOS holds 26th convocation, graduates 7,946 JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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L-R: National President, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Alhaji Ali Sokoto; National Chairman, Niggas Rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Centre, Mallam Niga Rigasua and Executive Director, Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, Pastor Yohanna Buru, at the Muslims and Christians’ Reconciliation meeting in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Southern Kaduna killings must stop now, Reps tell FG A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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embers of the House of Representatives from Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State yesterday called on the Federal Government to immediately bring to an end the incessant attacks on the people of the area.

Representatives of Kaura, Jaba/Zango Kataf, Kauru, Jema’a/ Sanga and Kachia/ Kagarko, who met and

reviewed the renewed attacks in the zone, condemned the latest incident which claimed several lives.

This is contained in an online statement signed by Gideon Gwani, Godfrey Gaiya, Adams Jagaba Adams, Simon Arabo and Shehu Garba.

Commiserating with the victims, the lawmakers called on relevant government agencies to provide relief materials to cushion the effects of the attacks on the dis-

placed people, particularly women and children, sheltered at the various primary schools in Kaura Local Government Area.

The legislators asked Kaduna State Government to deploy further detachment of armed security men to the affected areas to ensure peace and to secure lives and property.

The statement reads in part: “We condemn in its entirety the renewed

Let’s live in peace, Aliyu urges Nigerians PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

P

eople need to understand the basic tenets of the religion they profess to be able to understand one another and live in peace for the country to develop.

Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said this when the management of Nurul Huda Islamiyya, Zaria, paid him a courtesy visit in Minna.

Aliyu said insecurity in the country, especially in the North in the name of religion, was a result of ignorance on the part of the perpetrators.

He said: “Now, Nigerians, especially the northerners, are wor-

ried over the security challenges facing the nation. And that is why we need to understand our religions, so that we can leave in peace with one another.

“Many are ignorant of their religion, if not, how can a Muslim kill his fellow man in the name of religion. To me, that means the person is not a Muslim. It is good to know your religion and to also know the rights of others in the society.”

Earlier, the leader of the Nurul Huda Islamiyya, Sheikh Ismaila, told the governor that the management of the Islamic school was in the state to pay visit him because of his leadership qualities, especially as the chairman of the

attacks on Southern Kaduna villages particularly the one that happened in Kaura that claimed more than 20 lives already, with four villages totally burnt down by unknown assailants.”

The lawmakers pleaded with the people to remain calm, orderly and peaceful even in the face of the unnecessary attacks being visited on them.

They, however, urged the residents to be vigilant.

bout 7,946 graduates of the University of Jos, UNIJOS, will be conferred with different degrees during the institution’s 26th convocation on Saturday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, disclosed this yesterday during a pre-convocation press conference in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Giving a breakdown of the various categories of graduating students, Mafuyai said out of 5,709 students graduating with first degrees, nine made First Class while 613 made Second Class Upper Division.

He added that 50 would be awarded doctoral degree, 491 would receive master’s degree while 67 would get postgraduate diploma.

The vice-chancellor also disclosed that the university Senate had approved the conferment of honorary degrees on three eminent per-

Nasarawa CJ frees 12 inmates

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he Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Suleiman Dikko, yesterday released 12 inmates serving various jail terms or awaiting trial.

Dikko freed the inmates when he visited all prisons in the state.

A breakdown of those released showed two persons had been convicted, while the remaining 10 had been in remand for more than three years.

“The 10 inmates have spent over three years awaiting trial for minor offences,” the chief judge said.

He noted that some of the prison inmates were awaiting trial for “offences which are either bailable or attract not more than one year in jail.”

Dikko, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said it was wrong to have kept the inmates for the

Northern State Governors’ Forum as well as invite him to grace the graduation of the institution.

According to him, Nigeria needs leaders like Aliyu who are detribalised and who shun religious sentiment, but ready to embrace all for the country’s peace, unity and progress.

Ismaila, who decried

the spate of insecurity in the country, recalled that, “before now, there used to be peace and unity between Christians and Muslims in the North.

“The problem needs to be addressed for us to make progress and we see in Governor Aliyu, a man that is without tribal or religious sentiments.”

IGBAWASE UKUMBA

Support Al-Makura, emir urges subjects

LAFIA

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mir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Ahamed Hassan, has called on his subjects to give Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura their unflinching support to enable him complete the laudable programmes he has embarked upon.

Hassan said the co-

operation of the people, irrespective of their social and political differences, was necessary for the governor to move the state forward.

The emir made this call yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, when he led a delegation of traditional rulers from the Nasarawa Emirate Council

sonalities, including Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).

This, he said, was in recognition of not only his outstanding achievements in the Law profession but also for his exemplary contribution towards the development of education in Nigeria through the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

Also to be conferred with honorary degrees are two notable and longstanding icons of national service, Alhaji Ahmed Joda (CFR) and Da Bitrus Pam Kim (MFR) who will be conferred with the Doctor of Letters (Honoris causa) and Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) respectively.

Mafuyai, who enumerated various achievements of the university as the only institution that runs its entire network with the public Internet Protocol addresses and currently deploys all of its ICT services, said UNIJOS would continue to maintain its standard to achieve the objectives for which it was established.

on a courtesy visit to AlMAkura.

He said: “This has become imperative with regards to the unprecedented level of development in almost every part of the state in the less than two years since Al-Makura became governor, particularly in the areas of potable water supply and

period, attributing the high number of those awaiting trial to delays by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP. He said: “This is based on the failure to give advice on time.’’

Dikko, however, warned those released not to go back to their bad ways, saying such an act would make them come back to prison again.

Earlier, the Controller of Lafia Prison, Mr. Solomon Tukura, thanked the chief judge and his team for the visit.

He said: “It is also a thing of concern to us the way inmates are staying for too long awaiting trial.”

Members of the Human Rights Commission in the state, officials of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and lawyers were on the visit with the chief judge.

road construction.”

The emir, who commended the governor for solving the perennial water problem in Nasarawa town, said he was optimistic that Al-Makura would complete and commission the abandoned Nasarawa Water Scheme Project before leaving office.

WORLD RECORD

Most environmentally friendly bomb detectors Vol. 03 No. 591

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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

N150

A team at the University of Colorado, USA, led by Professor June Medford, has developed plants that can detect bombs. Based on the fact that the receptor proteins in plant DNA respond to threatening stimuli by releasing chemicals called terpenoids, which cause changes in a plant’s leaf, this natural defence reaction has been the basis of work into detecting explosives.

Horsemen of the Apocalypse

here is a familiar ring to what is happening in Nigeria today and that prophesied in Revelation, the last book of the Holy Bible. No one needs tell us that the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, symbolising Conquest, War, Famine and Death are already at the gate. From the look of things, it would only take divine intervention to stave off these agents of destruction now stalking the land. Matters are not helped by the fact that our collective actions have been giving momentum to a hastening of this demise. From politics to economics and from the sublime to the ridiculous, the country has continued to tether on the brinks, especially since the advent of this republic. Every day adds a miasma of problems to an already parlous and combustible situation.

Nigeria has become a byword for violence

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

and monumental disorder that even the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis 1, has added it to list of countries needing the fervent prayers of the international community to overcome the present ghastly existence. Curiously, Nigeria cannot be said to be in the midst of a flown blown war like Syria or Afghanistan, but the mere fact that the internal cycle of violence has now acquired a life on its own qualifies it to be seen as such. Before now, the country was rightly or wrongly seen by the outside world as a notorious haven for crooks and corruption, even as we have continued to reinforce such negative tendencies. But the current insurrection by the Boko Haram sect and other faceless militants from across the borders is helping to hasten the prophetic prediction that the country would become a failed state by 2015.

Increasingly, many observers are seeing this spate of violence as ethno-religiously motivated by some politically desperate persons, desiring to perpetuate their stranglehold on the country’s destiny. The fallout from this mayhem is that the economy is steadily becoming comatose, while the impending implosions are sending shock waves far beyond the country’s shores. With the exception of the oil industry, most foreign investors now loathe venturing into other sectors of the economy. This dire situation is compounded by the fact that the entire infrastructure to support any internal investment has either collapsed or become rickety. Probably, those behind the increasing spate of violence may have calculated

AS THIS CHICKEN AND MOUSE GAME IS BEING PLAYED OUT,

THE COUNTRY IS NOT ONLY HELD BY THE

JUGULAR, BUT SLOWLY GROUNDING TO A HALT that after snatching victory, they would then embark on reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure.

But that could turn out to be a pyrrhic victory after all, as no one is certain how it would end. Even when it has become a war to be won at all cost, those perpetrating the act and their handlers should spare a thought to the increasing carnage, and more so victims of collateral damage, whose only crime is being at the wrong place when an explosion or fire fight is taking place. How then to end this madness and nightmare?

Here, opinions are divided as are persons.

While some have called for blanket amnesty for the militants now waging war on the country, others have cautioned against what they see as an invitation to anarchy if implemented. Proponents are of the view that a presidential amnesty would encourage those now fighting to lay down their arms and embrace peace. They posit that these combatants are afraid of what fate awaits

them should they unilaterally stop fighting and renounce violence.

So, only President Goodluck Jonathan could demonstrate the sincerity of his administration in ending this undeclared war.

They back their position with the fact that former militants in the Niger Delta, were able to come out of the creeks when an amnesty was extended to them. Incidentally, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad, is a prominent proponent of this position. On the other hand, opponents have debunked the logic as naïve and out of tune with prevailing circumstance. Their argument is that the Niger Delta militants not only made bold their demands of controlling the crude oil in their area, they alleged continued marginalisation and pillage of their environment for their destructive action. Conversely, members of the Boko Haram are not only faceless, but are yet to hold on to any enduring reason on why they have taken up arms. So, granting them amnesty would amount to dining with unseen ghosts. As expected, President Jonathan and his cohorts are leading this charge.

As this chicken and mouse game is being played out, the country is not only held by the jugular, but slowly grounding to a halt.

Sadly, the impasse has not only emboldened these militants, they are increasingly taking advantage of the logjam to engage in more bloody escapades. Also, their sponsors with eye on 2015 would do nothing to upturn the apple cart, but will do everything to encourage the orgy of killings. And that portends danger for the country, given that recent attacks are slowly taking an ethnocentric dimension, whereby persons from certain geopolitical zones are becoming victims and may stage bloody reprisals. Such tit for tat killings have a way of slipping out of hand to plunge the country into another civil war by default. Even as some past leaders have been voicing concern over the grim predicaments, it is not enough of them shouting from the safe confines of their castles without calling these ‘Horsemen of Apocalypse’ to order.

Sport Extra

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aris Saint Germain president, Nasser AlKhelaifi, has sensationally declared his interest in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, although he denied making a formal approach.

Al-Khelaifi, who spoke ahead of the Parisian side’s

Rooney attracts PSG’s interest quarter final clash with Barcelona tonight, said he was delighted to see bigname players linked with the club.

“Thankfully there are a lot of players really interest-

ed in the club, this was not the case when we bought the club,” he said yesterday.

Prodded to talk on PSG’s reported interest in Rooney, Al-Khelaifi admitted: “I think he is a great player

and one of the best strikers in the world.

“Everyone would like to have him but if you want to talk about the fact, we didn’t approach him.”

Although PSG has also

been linked with the possible appointment of Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger, Al-Khelaifi played the move down, saying, “Wenger has a contract at Arsenal”.

Champions League Results Bayern

2-0

Juventus

PSG

2-2

Barcelona

Wayne Rooney

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