Wednesday, 10th October, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Capital Oil boss, Uba, arrested for fuel subsidy fraud ONDO .

Lagos courts grant bail to eight oil marketers

SAM OLUWALANA, KAYODE KETEFE AND EMMANUEL ONANI

Uba

he Special AntiFraud Unit, SFU, yesterday arrested the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Industries

Vol. 2 N0. 466

Limited, Ifeanyi Uba, and commenced criminal investigation of three other major oil marketers involved CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Group asks COUNTDOWN TO IGP to disband Mimiko’s GUBER POLL security outfit October 20, 2012

DAYS TO GO

Jega to meet candidates, stakeholders

P.13

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

UNIPORT 4:

N150

Students on rampage ...vandalise vehicles, burn houses NANS’ protest blocks East-West road, sacks varsity community Senate laments killing , Reps summon IG OIL MARKETERS GRANTED BAIL

GEORGE OJI,

CHINEDUM EMEANA,

EMMANUEL ONANI AND TORDUE SALEM

tudents of the University of Port Harcourt yesterday went on rampage to protest the killing of four of their colleagues. The visibly angry students vandalised properties including vehicles, residential and business premises along Omuokiri road, Aluu in Rivers State. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Lagos destroys 3,000 motorcycles P.8 Bankole Biodun

Awolowo

Ngozi Ekeoma

Achebe

Samuel Aro Bamidele

Jonathan releases N17.6bn for flood control

Civil war: Achebe lied P.14,23 ...presents Budget 2013 today on Awo, says Adebanjo Artiste calls for ban of Things Fall Apart

Senators commend Osun’s education policies

P.2,4 P.8

News

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan releases N17.6bn for flood control …Bayelsa gov closes schools

ROTIMI FADEYI AND EMMA GBEMUDU

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved N17.6bn for states and government agencies to ameliorate the devastating effect of the flood that had claimed many lives and destroyed valuable property. In a nationwide broadcast, the President said N13.3bn would be in direct financial assistance to the affected states, while N4.3bn would go to government agencies responsible for disaster management to intensify their efforts in managing the situation. The President also commiserated with those who lost loved ones and property as well as all the affected communities and institutions. He added that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, had so far spent N1.314bn to provide relief materials, while the Ministry of Works had spent N556m on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of bye-passes. The Ministry of Environment, the President explained, had also spent N95m on sundry relief measures. President Jonathan also explained that based on the assessment of the impact of the flood, the states had been categorised into four groups He said that states in Category A, including Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra, would receive N500m, while Category B states, which would receive N400m, were Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River, Edo, Lagos and Imo. States in category C, which would receive N300m are Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers states. Those to receive N250m are Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Enugu, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. President Jonathan

Some flood victims queue to be registered in Bayelsa State yesterday.

Flooded Ayakoromo community in Delta State.

also listed government agencies that would share N4.3bn to include the Ministry of Works (N2.6bn), NEMA, N1.1bn, Ministry of Environment (N250m), National Commission for Refugees (N150m), while the Technical Committee on Flood Impact Assessment would receive N100m. He assured of the commitment of his administration to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians, stressing that when the Presidential Technical Committee that the Federal Government would also initiate measures to check future flood disasters. The President also announced the setting up of a 34-member National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation with the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and human rights activist, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba as cochairman, while the Chairman of Globacom Telecommunication, Dr. Mike Adenuga, would serve as the Chief Funds Mobiliser. Also listed as members are Alhaji Karami Isiaku Rabiu, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Ngo Hannatu Cholum, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija and Prof. Dora Akunyili Mr. Tony Elumelu, Mr. Tunde Lemo (Representing

the CBN), Ms. Fatima Wali, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa are also members of the committee. Also listed as members are secretary-general, Nigerian Red Cross, representatives of CAN, NSCIA, UNDP, the European Union, DFID and USAID. Other members are permanent secretaries of Federal Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Works, Agriculture, Health and Finance. Also listed as members are directors-general, National Planning and NEMA; Acting Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees; Permanent Secretary, Ecological Funds Office; Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties; Chairman, House Committee on Environment; representatives of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and that of National Council of Women’s Societies. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would provide a secretariat for the committee. The committee, which has been given one year to conclude its assignment, has the mandate to raise funds to complement government’s resources for

PHOTO: NAN

Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (middle) and members of the State Flood Management Committee, during their visit to Ogodobiri community.

Flood victims at Oharisi Primary School camp in Ughelli, Delta State

the provision of relief to flood victims and the postimpact rehabilitation of affected persons and communities. It is also expected to advise government on the judicious utilisation of funds raised and to co-opt any other persons or organisations that it may find useful in carrying out its assignment. The President thanked state governments, members of the National Assembly, private individuals, agencies of government, private sector institutions, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and philanthropic groups who individually and collectively assisted in providing aid to persons and communities affected by the floods. He noted that the humanitarian and compassionate spirit displayed in the past few weeks reassured the government that at critical moments, Nigerians would come together in pursuit of a common goal. Meanwhile, worried by the rising flood in Bayelsa State and its negative effect on the populace, Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday ordered the immediate and indefinite closure of all schools in the state. The governor said the

decision was taken to safeguard the lives of children and keep them away from possible dangers that could arise from the flood. In a statement issued in Yenagoa by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the state government appealed to parents and guardians to accept the closure, noting that the decision was taken in the interest of all Bayelsans. “We want to assure you that, normal academic activities will resume as soon as the situation is brought under control. “His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, wishes to reassure the people of the state of government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of Bayelsans of all ages, especially at these trying times,” the statement read. Displaced persons are still trooping out of Yenagoa to other states, but there has been shortage of commuter vehicles to convey passengers. In the same vein, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, has commiserated with the governor on the disaster, urging him not be overwhelmed by the ugly development. National Mirror inves-

tigations revealed that Amaechi had visited some communities impacted by the flood in Ahoada West Local Government. Meanwhile, a senator representing Bayelsa Central Constituency, Emmanuel Paulker, has appealed to the flooded communities to be their brothers’ keeper, stressing that government could not shoulder the responsibility alone. The senator was accompanied by other lawmakers in the state legislature from the senatorial district on an assessment of flooded communities, comprising Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Southern Ijaw local government areas He said: “The people should remain calm because this is a natural disaster and governments at all levels are doing all they could to curtail the situation. “Only God can stop this situation going by its magnitude and its spread across Nigeria. “We plead for calm and share in your grief moment by this devastation of property and farmlands. “I believe strongly that epidemics like waterborne diseases resulting from this calamity cannot be ruled out and will advice government to avert such crisis.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Midweek Interview Nigeria deserves true federation – Ogbemudia Former military and civilian governor of old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia recently turned 80. In this interview with VINCENT OLAWALE in Benin, he shares his thought about Nigeria and her 52nd independence anniversary. Excerpts:

who cannot fit into any sector easily found brigandage as a past time. These challenges have betrayed the porosity of the security arrangements in the country and lay bare the weakness of those who had been saddled with the responsibility of providing security. I believe that the government should not dissipate energy in trying to quell the uprising but to address the issues which necessitated it in the first place, this is why the American government has refused to label Boko Haram a terrorist organisation. Ordinarily, I cannot give credence to wanton destruction of lives and worship places based on ethnocentric feelings. For this reason, Boko Haram has stepped beyond the bound of common sense.

Can you share with us your experience of Nigeria at independence in 1960? In 1960, when Nigeria attained independence and the Union Jack was lowered down and in its place the GreenWhite-Green went up, I had already joined the Army in April 1953. So, at independence, I was already a cadet and on parade on that particular day. I enjoyed the celebration because many of us who were already cadets took it as an important milestone in Nigeria’s development towards nationhood. How would you assess the country’s development stride at 52? I think Nigeria has made progress. What we have today in terms of development were better than what the British left for us. I remember very well that to get to Lagos from Benin, we had to pass through Ife, Ibadan, Abeokuta but thereafter Nigerian government made it shorter, now we go from Benin, Ore, Ijebu Ode, Shagamu to Lagos. If we compare that with every other thing I think we have made progress, but that is not to say that is the best that we should have done, but I think within the available resources we got what we wanted. Would you then say there’s cause for celebration? O yes, there’s cause for celebration that we are alive, that we have had no earthquake, that we have had no calamity. About the civil war we fought, we have been more united than we have ever been. At 52 will you say Nigeria has achieved the dreams of her founding fathers? Well, I do not know the dreams of the founding fathers, but I am aware that all our leaders were interested in getting Nigeria independence and making sure that the welfare package go round the population and I think within the resources available and within the knowledge, human knowledge also available, we have done our best. Do you think we have been able to harness our potentials as a nation? It is not possible for any country to tap every potential, but from all that are visible I think we have done well. Do you think we have learnt any lesson from the civil war going by the call for a sovereign national conference by some people? Personally, I think that the purpose of the civil war from what General Yakubu Gowon, the leader at the time, said was to keep Nigeria one and that battle was fought to keep Nigeria one, but if there is going to be a sovereign conference, then the people will have to decide where they want to go and as long as they do it without quarrelling, without fighting it’s alright by me. So, you don’t mind if Nigeria breaks up, as long as it is done peacefully? It is not my intention that Nigeria should break up, but if at the constitutional conference that is their decision, so be it. What is your take on the security situation in the country? The government is already fighting it, what has not been done I believe is that the population is not giving the

Are you contended with the Nigeria’s federal structure? I am not happy with it. I believe that we do not have a true federation and that the proposed national conference should ensure that all the ingredients necessary to build a strong and good federation is put in place. So, are you in support of a sovereign national conference? I support a national conference not a sovereign conference. How would you rate democracy so far? Well, we have done the best we can and I do not believe the presidential system is good for Nigeria because it’s very expensive. I believe we should return to parliamentary system and if anybody is interested in rendering service, he should go and contest election.

Ogbemudia

WE HAVE DONE THE BEST WE CAN AND

I DO NOT BELIEVE

THE PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM IS

NIGERIA BECAUSE IT’S VERY EXPENSIVE. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD

GOOD FOR

RETURN TO PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM AND IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED IN RENDERING

SERVICE, HE SHOULD GO AND CONTEST ELECTION government the cooperation it deserves to be able to fight the insurgency. If everybody’s hand is on deck, the government will be able to overcome it. There is no time in Nigeria’s history when security could be said to be okay. The problem has always stared us in the face. From the minority agitation in the early 60s to the insecurity generated by the secessionist regime in the 70s. In the 80s, armed robbery was widespread leading to the popular Anini saga. Between 1999 and 2009 the various groups in the Delta grew into armed militants agitating for control of the oil. For this reason, hostage-taking and kidnapping became the order of the day even up till date. The above appeared to be isolated cases, compared to the emergence of Boko Haram which has taken its toll on human and material resources and thereby rendered asunder the peace in Northern Nigeria. These are products of consequences of underdevelopment, illiteracy and wants in the face of plenty. We cannot expect anything less. Agriculture has been abandoned; sports have been left to lurk as mere entertaining ventures rather than money making business for the country and the participants. For those

How do you feel at 80? At 80, one will be quick to conclude that his life has been spent, but to me 80 is still quite recent because mine has been laden with activities and the quest to achieve more, surmount problems and formulate policies for societal development keeps me hoping for more years. I do hope God will oblige me. However, I belong to a rare bred of humans who exude strength and energy; I do not easily throw in the towel even if it is necessary to do so. I never retreat when victory is imminent rather I beat the drum of advancement for whatever cause I uphold. At this age, I will count myself lucky and that is why I have always remained grateful to God for crowning all my endeavours with success. Regrettably most of my mates have been called home who may never have gone to battlefields. I have prosecuted wars and commanded troops, dealt with all known fifth columnists, meandered my ways through flying bullets and yet emerged unscathed. Is God not great? These are sufficient to make me happy. Do you have any regrets so far; are there things you have done that if you had another opportunity, you will do differently. My only regret is about the civil war. If I knew that Nigeria would be what it is today maybe I would not have fought on the side of the Federal, but I did. Again, I have no regrets for doing that, because at that time everything before me showed that Nigeria had to stay together. How was your growing up like? Some persons think that I belonged to the category of children born with silver spoons in their hands. I was never of noble birth. I had a humble beginning in life. Like every other child, I grew up steadily in the village, helping my parents who were both carpenter and a farmer. I was seriously drilled by my father who was a disciplinarian. He never wanted us to be lazy and so would occupy me with my share of domestic jobs for the day. From sunrise to sunset I would be busy carrying them out in stages. Mistakes were bound to be made and corrections were bound to be shown with smacks.

Photo News

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Rivers State Governor Chubike Amaechi (left) and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr. Vince Cable, during the courtesy visit on business opportunities in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

L-R: Director General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr.; Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. John Baird; Chairman, NESG, Mr. Folusho Philips and Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, during the NESG cocktail dinner in honour of Baird in Lagos on Monday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam (left) and Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia, Dr. Nathaniel Olorunfemi, at a special investment forum in Windhoek, Namibia on Monday.

L-R: Rev. Juliana Olagodo; Pastor Dayo Adewumi of Foursquare Gospel Church, Omole, Lagos, and Pastor Victor Riebelle, during a press conference on the 25th anniversary of the church in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Bakassi: Mixed reactions trail FG’s action ISE-OLUWA IGE, EMMANUEL ONANI AND TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

ixed reactions have continued to trail the Federal Government’s refusal to lodge an appeal against the October 10, 2002 decision of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, ceding the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to the republic of Cameroon. Pro National Conference Organisation, PRONACO, in a statement by its spokesperson, Olawale Okunniyi said the Federal Government’s position

amounted to betrayal as the people of Bakassi prefer to remain in Nigeria. It accused the government of timidity and conspiracy against the people of the area. The statement reads in part: “The FG erred in stating there is no new fact to enable an appeal for judicial review of the ICJ ruling on Bakassi in spite of the international rights of the Bakassi people and the current demonstration of their interest and desire to remain in Nigeria instead of Cameroon. Is there not a sufficient emergent development to warrant a judicial review if the FG is

indeed educated about the rights of indigenous people like Bakassi as enshrined in United Nations law, which is binding on both Nigeria and Cameroon? “With all our bogus and expensive retinue of officials, consultants and advisers, It is very worrisome that Nigeria remains the only country globally that has refused to catch up with modern constitutional trend. “So, if it is true and real that the Nigerian government elected by the people, their aspirations and interests should have been FG priority and not any other survivalist external

Jonathan presents 2013 budget to N’Assembly today

resident Goodluck Jonathan will today present the 2013 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. The President in a letter addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, yesterday in Abuja, urged the National Assembly to allow him to present the budget by 10a.m. The letter reads in part: “As a follow up to my let-

ter of September 21, 2012, I write to crave your kind indulgence to grant me the slot of 10a.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. “This is to enable me formerly address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2013 budget.” President Jonathan thanked the senators for their constant support and assured them of his highest esteem.

It will be recalled that the President had earlier sought the approval of the lawmakers to present the budget on October 4, but the date had to be shifted. The Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, moved a motion, which was unanimously adopted, that the senators move to the House of Representatives Chamber on Wednesday to receive the document.

considerations because In all the Bakassi saga the decisive point according to the UN Charter is the resolve and interest of the Bakassi people.” PRONACO assured the people of Bakassi and others that the platform has already commenced local and foreign consultations on how best to help them achieve political autonomy and self-determination within their territories Also respondent, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba regretted that the Federal Government failed to take advantage of the window of appeal, as provided for in Article 61 (5) of the ICJ statute, saying history will be the ultimate judge. “I wish we had taken the opportunity of the window for review. Now I can only hope and pray that time and history will vindicate government’s position”, he stated. Also reacting in an emotion-laden voice, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, observed that the fate of the people of Bakassi would have been different, if they be-

longed to the Hausa/Fulani or Yoruba stock. He said: “My opinion on the refusal of the Federal Government to appeal the ICJ judgement on Bakassi is simple: If Bakassi had been part of Yorubaland or part of Hausa/Fulani, the Federal Government of Nigeria would not have let it go so easily.” Another Senior Advocate, Sir Mike Ahamba noted that, “Nigerians must learn that there is always merit in being honourable. Since Nigeria submitted to the International Court of Justice when she had the option not to submit, honour demands that we respect the court’s decision. Why did Nigeria and Nigerians suddenly remembered it now?” In his own comment, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, commended the Federal Government for its stand. Ozekhome who had earlier asked President Goodluck Jonathan to act on the demand of the people said going on appeal in the matter would amount to ‘specious gamble.’ “To me, law operates

on cold facts as distinct from public emotion and sentiment, which may be regarded as mob action when the tension is high. “Definitely, I believe that every Nigerian will want Bakassi to remain part of Nigeria. But the judgment of the International Court of Justice given ten years ago, being grounded on facts and law and also being based on earlier agreements and treaties, is certainly unassailable. “No amount of public effusion will change the truth of what is on ground. I sympathise with the people of Bakassi and the entire Cross River State. “But like the Attorney General had said, it will amount to a specious gamble and odium before the international community for us to resurrect the ghost of a corpse that had long decomposed. It will serve no useful purpose. “We should rather blame past governors for not tackling the issue adequately ten years ago when it arose. It is too late in the day to cry over spilt milk,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Capital Oil boss, Uba, arrested for fuel subsidy fraud CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in the oil subsidy scam. Uba was brought to the SFU premises, Milverton Road, Lagos, around midday and was later whisked into the interrogation room where he was grilled for hours. His company was alleged to have received N43.26bn illegally and was one of those indicted by the presidential committee on the subsidy scam. Dressed in a blue French suit, Uba was interrogated until about 6.30p.m. yesterday. The report of the Presi-

dential Audit Unit that checked the books of Capital Oil reportedly claimed that it had supplied about 538.7 million litres of PMS last year in 26 transactions. Other members of the company’s management being interrogated by the police unit include the Executive Director (Operations), Joseph Orji; the Executive Director ( Special Duties), Afam Azubuike; General Manager (Operations), Chibuzor Ogbaokiri; Deputy Manager, Geoffrey Okori and the Head, Trading, Nsikam Usoro. Uba was later detained at the

SFU. The top management staff of Heyden Petroleum, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dayo Abiodun, and its Head of Finance Department, Adeshina Koiki, were also interrogated by the unit’s investigators, while those of Matrix Energy Limited, had been grilled earlier by the police unit. But officials of Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited risk the possibility of being declared wanted by the police unit as they have refused to honour the invitation of the police anti-

fraud unit. Heyden Petroleum is facing interrogation over N4.8bn alleged subsidy scam, while Matrix Energy Limited has N23bn against it. Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited’s involvement in the subsidy oil scam was said to be about N44.1bn and its management staff, including Uchechukwu Samson Ogah (President) and Felix Eribo are yet to show up at the unit’s office. An impeccable source at the unit, however, told National Mirror that investigations would be speeded

Vice-President Namadi Sambo (left) being welcomed by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda at the country’s 50th golden jubilee celebration in Kampala, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

in the four cases and that Energy Limited. In another development, they might be arraigned in efforts by the Economic court next week. SFU Public Relations and Financial Crimes ComOfficer, Ngozi Isitume, con- mission, EFCC, to arraign firmed Uba’s arrest and four suspects in connecinterrogation, adding that tion with fuel subsidy fraud the oil magnate was still were stalled yesterday, as with the interrogators as at one of the suspects, Alhaji Saminu Rabiu was said to press time. “I can confirm that we have difficulty in hearing. Trial judge, Justice Adehave Chief Ifeanyi Uba, bukola Banjoko, adjourned the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Indus- the criminal case till Octotries Limited, with us and ber 17, with a directive to he is being interrogated at the suspect’s counsel, Blessing Omoague, to ensure the moment by the team of investigators assigned to that her client , who is the the case. We shall update on first accused person, get subsequent development as hearing aid to take his plea along with others. we go on,” she said. Other accused persons to It will be recalled that the anti-corruption agency be arraigned on October 17 had on October 5 arraigned are Jubril Rowaye, Almin13 other suspects before a nur Resources Limited and Lagos High Court on simi- Brila Energy Limited. They are facing a 17-count lar charges. They were Aro Samuel charge of bordering on Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode conspiracy and obtaining Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, N1,051,030,434: 63k from the Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Petroleum Support Fund, Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Ali- PSF, as payment for the puryu Maula, George Ogbonna ported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium and Emmanuel Morah. Companies involved in Motor Spirit, PMS. Prosecuting counsel, Sylthe alleged scam include A.S.B. Investment Com- vanus Tahir, and counsel to pany Limited, Anosyke the second and fourth acGroup of Companies Lim- cused persons, Babs Akinited, Dell Energy Lim- wummi, did not oppose ited, Downstream Energy the oral application for adSources Limited and Rocky CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

UNIPORT 4: Students on rampage, vandalise properties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The students, who matched down in droves to the Omuokiri village, also razed houses, including private hostels housing UNIPORT students. The students, however, did not encounter any resistance as many residents of Aluu had fled the town, anticipating trouble in the community following the killing of the students by indigenes of the area. They also blocked the East-West road and adjourning NTA leading to the main gate of the university’s campus and the Aluu community to protest the murder of their colleagues, demanding that the culprits be brought to book. The protest took many hours before security agents in over 10 Hilux vans dispersed the students. The protest attracted heavy presence of security personnel, comprising the military and the police. The protesters, led by

the national and zonal executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, also called for the removal of the ViceChancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Ajienka. They said the VC had not been able to protect the interest and welfare of students under his care. NANS Treasurer, Zone B (South-South/ South-East), Mr. Prosper Iyere, alleged that the vicechancellor had refused to see the executive of the association since the incident happened. He said: “Yesterday (Monday), we met with some other executives in the school, they told us what happened and to that effect we put a call across to the VC of the school. “He told us categorically that he did not have anything to do with NANS; that he could take care of his school that there was nothing happening; that the students were criminals and that they deserved whatev-

er they got. “Nigerian students are saying even if they are criminals, they don’t deserve such punishment, jungle justice is not supposed to be meted to Nigerian students; it’s an aberration to the development we clamour for across the state and the country at large.. “The vice president of NANS is here, the coordinator of Zone B, South-South/ South-East is here; I am here, the secretary-general is here, the director of external affairs is here, all the executives are here. “What we demand is that the VC should come here and explain to the mammoth crowd we have here what happened to the students under his care. “And the governor should also come and tell us the steps he has taken on the issue. “We need justice. Those culprits must be brought to book to serve as deterrent. We want peace in every in-

stitution.” Iyere said that the students would maintain the road block and the protest even till tomorrow (Wednesday) until their demands were met. “We are young men; we are never going to be tired. We are ever conscious, ever vigilant, if it means staying here till tomorrow until our demands are met,” the NANS treasurer said. The Deputy Coordinator, NANS Zone B, Mr. Okorie Ikechukwu, told National Mirror that what was happening at UNIPORT was a coordinated national NANS’ action. He said: “We arrived yesterday (Monday) and our mission here is that we have come to demand for justice. “Our demand is that those people that committed the atrocity must be brought to book. We hear that they have been arrested, before you know it by tomorrow they will be

free. We want them to be brought to book either by hanging or burnt. “In this country, we are losing confidence in the judicial process, we don’t want any judicial process; an eye for an eye, and that is what we believe.” The NANS executives, however, assured that the protests would not be violent. “As you can see, we have been trying to calm everybody down. Everything is peaceful. We have a very good conducive environment. In fact, you can sleep here and nothing will happen to you,” Ikechukwu said. Also, the Senate yesterday condemned the killing of the four students and tasked the police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the crime. The resolution of the senators followed the adoption of the motion sponsored by Senator Ayogu Eze

(Enugu North) on the dastardly killing. Also yesterday, Mrs. Chinwe Biringa, the mother of one of the students killed, Chiadika Biringa (a second-year theatre arts student), petitioned the Senate President, David Mark, over the killing. In the petition, which was entitled, “Gruesome murder of my son at Aluu, UNIPORT host community,” Mrs. Biringa urged the Senate President to ensure that the killing was not swept under the carpet like most Nigerian investigations. “We seek the help and intervention of the Senate to ensure that justice is done. “Justice is the only thing that can assuage the pains and emotional trauma consuming us and clear the name of our son so that he can rest in peace,” the mother said in the petition. Mark used the occasion to reiterate the call for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

News

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UNIPORT 4: Students on rampage, vandalise properties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

establishment of state police to complement the existing federal police structure. The Senate President explained that his support for state police followed recent developments in the country. He noted that he had found out that the advantages of state police far outweigh its disadvantages. Mark also condemned the remarks by some senators that Nigeria had become a failed state. He said: “There is no doubt that this act is condemnable. We feel for the students, who have lost their lives; we feel for the parents of the students.

“It is not that crimes don’t happen elsewhere but the difference between crimes elsewhere and crimes in Nigeria is that outside this country, the perpetrators are arrested as quickly as possible and brought to book. “The reason why people don’t want to commit crime is the fear of punishment, that is the consequence of it. “I must also emphasise that the legislature exists in this country, the judiciary is there and the executive is there and these clearly are not signs of failed states. “If we have not reached where we ought to reach and where we want to be, that doesn’t make us a

failed state. “I must emphasise that the mere fact that we can sit down here and debate is a clear indication of democracy at work. “In a failed state, you will never have an institution like this; everyone will be out on the street with guns and machetes and knives. “This clearly shows the merits and demerits of the social media. One thing that has come out of it is that those who were there can easily be arrested by the police. The video is there and they can easily be identified and so they should as quickly as possible bring them to book as a lesson for others. “Otherwise, another time again we will be sit-

ting here and debating over some other students who were killed elsewhere or some Nigerians who were killed somewhere else with impunity. We can’t allow that to happen.” Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, while condemning the act said that today it was Aluu, tomorrow nobody knew which community or persons turn it would be. He said the incident was the result of the failure of security. Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, noted that the killing was coming shortly after the Senate condemned the Mubi killings, involving over 26 students. The lawmaker attributed

L-R: Winner of Felabration Schools Debate, Master Temitope Ejide of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu; Director of Education, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mercy Olaoye and Yeni, daughter of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, during the presentation of prizes as part of activities to mark the Felabration Week, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Capital Oil boss, Uba, arrested for fuel subsidy fraud CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

journment. Meanwhile, temporary reprieve came the way of eight of the marketers in the fuel subsidy scam as an Ikeja High Court, presided over by Justices Lateefah Okunnu and Habeeb Abiru, yesterday, granted bail to them in two separate trials. They were alleged to have conspired to forge, fraudulently uttered document and obtained over N3bn from the Federal Government for subsidy under the PSF. In the first of the two separate proceedings, the defence counsel, Anthony Idigbe (SAN), prayed the court to grant his two clients bail in liberal terms. The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), did not oppose the bail application but asked the court to im-

pose stringent conditions to ensure that the defendants always appear for trial. Justice Okunnu granted two of the oil marketers, Bamidele and Bankole, bail in the sum of N100m each with three sureties in like sum. Justice Okunnu also ordered that the sureties swear an affidavit of means indicating their financial details and that they could pay the bail bond. She added that the sureties must be resident in Lagos; two of them must have landed property in Lagos, while the third must be a director in a public and private registered company operating in Nigeria. They must also show evidence of tax payment for three years preceeding the year of trial. Justice Okunnu also ordered that they must not

travel out of the country without the court’s permission and must deposit their international passports and report at the EFCC office at a specified date and time once every month throughout the duration of the trial. Justifying her decision, Justice Okunnu said that “a defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court of law.” At the second proceedings, Justice Abiru granted three of the marketers, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ikeoma, bail in the sum of N75m and two sureties in like sum. The judge added that the sureties must have landed properties in Lagos and they must be gainfully employed. Furthermore, the sureties were required to show evidence of tax payment

for three years and all documents must be verified by an EFCC operative while their international passports must be deposited with the court. Justice Abiru also granted bail to another three - Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah, in the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum. Other conditions are that the sureties must be resident in Lagos, must show evidence for tax payment for three years and must have landed property not less than N50m in value. Justice Okunnu adjourned the case till November 22, 27 and 28, while Justice Abiru adjourned till November 26, 28 and 29 for trial. All the defendants are, however, to remain in EFCC custody until they perfect their bail terms.

the recent event to what he described as the collapse of social values. He said: “As we squander the lives of young men and women, we are squandering the future of our country and that the way we are going, we may not have any future again. “Every day, people are killed in most bizarre manner, some arrested and never prosecuted. That impunity has been gradually accepted as a normal way of live in the country.” He said that people must be made to pay for their offences and crimes. Meanwhile, UNIPORT registrar has denied that the VC called the murdered students criminals. He added that two of the deceased were related to the vice chancellor and that there was no way he would have said they were criminals. “The VC just finished a meeting with NANS (3:45 p.m.) and at no time was the issue of criminality mentioned. I am just hearing this from you for the first time”. Mr. J.N. Ibezim, the police officer in charge of security operation, said that the students’ action was spontaneous. He said that though the killing was painful, the students’ action was causing serious suffering to road users. A driver, Mr. Campbell Isaac, told National Mirror that he had been stuck in traffic for over two hours. He said: “I don’t know about the students’ grievance beyond reports that a village community killed four of their mates. “But I don’t think they should take it out on innocent motorists who just happen to be passing by. We are not the villagers who committed the crime.” Another driver, Akin, was not happy about the situation but was determined to remain at the blocked junction until the students or security agents cleared the road. “I will not go and pass through Elele because that route is too far,” he said. In another development, the House of Representatives has invited the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, over the recent killing of

students of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, and last weekend’s murder of four UNIPORT students. Though no date was fixed by the House, the IG would face the House Committee on Police Affairs to explain the perceived late or outright absence of response of the police and other security agencies while the attacks lasted. A motion to summon the IGP was moved by Hon. Abubakar Wamba, who expressed serious concerns on the mystery surrounding the murder of over 40 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State. The House, which observed a minute silence in honour of the slain students, has also resolved to set up a visitation team to Mubi, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri where over 30 people, including soldiers were killed on Monday to commiserate with governments and families of the victims. Wamba and other members, who spoke on the motion, expressed surprise that the Mubi attack that lasted for hours could not draw the attention of any security agencies. While urging the Federal Government to set up a high powered committee on the ugly incidents, the House also directed religious leaders to urgently convene a peace conference where issues of religious tolerance could be addressed. In their separate contributions to debate on the motion, Aliyu Sani Madaki, Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters, Jerry Manwe, and the Minority Whip of the House, Samson Osagie said that the manner in which the Mubi attack was executed went beyond a mere dispute over students’ union election, and that the security agencies should go deeper in their investigation, and have the perpetrators punished as a way of deterrent to others. Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa in her contribution, said the actions of both Port Harcourt and Mubi attackers had gone far to demonstrating the fast degenerating level of our value system, blaming the security agencies for not rising to the occasion.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Test: Ekiti derecognises teachers as NUT members ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Ekiti State Government has stopped recognising teachers in its payroll as members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT). The government took the decision following their refusal to write the Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) otherwise called Competency Test. Commissioner for Information, Hon Funminiyi Afuye, said the decision followed “the security threat posed by the unguarded

•Police arraign Oni’s aide for alleged incitement activities of the state’s chapter of the NUT,” adding that “the government would deal directly with teachers in its employment and not through the association. But NUT chairman, Mr. Samuel Akosile, said “dereecognising the union means derecognising teachers in the state. NUT is an affiliate of a national body. We are only the voice of teachers; we speak what they want”. This is even as the media aide to former Governor Segun Oni, Mr. Lere Olayinka,

was yesterday arraigned at an Ado Ekiti Magistrate’s Court on a four-count charge including inciting the public school teachers against the government. No fewer than 100 of about 100,000 primary school teachers in the state turned up for the competency test yesterday at the various centres designated for the exercise. At the court, police prosecutor, O. A. Onaji, said Oni’s media aide, sometime in October, at Nova Road, Basiri area of AdoEkiti, “did publish a sedi-

tious matter against the Governor of Ekiti State and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 50 (2) (a) and punishable under Section 51 (1) (c) of the Criminal Code Cap 77, LFN, 2004. On the second count, Olayinka was accused of conducting himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 77, LFN, 2004. The third count read that the accused person did pro-

mote feelings of ill will and hostility between teachers in the employ of the state government against the state government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 50 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 51 (1) (c) of the Criminal Code Cap 77, LFN, 2004. The fourth count was that Olayinka did unlawfully incite the teachers in the service of the state government against the TDNA examination and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 51 (c) of the

Criminal Code Cap 77, LFN, 2004. The prosecutor said he had seven witnesses to call to butress his case and sought the indulgence of the court for an adjournment. But defence counsel, Messrs Bunmi Olugbade and Sule Longe, sought bail for the accused person. However, Magistrate Soji Adegboye asked the defence team to come up with a written application for bail. He subsequently adjourned the matter till Monday and ordered Olayinka to be kept in police custody.

ACN flays Jonathan’s cover-up of wife’s ailment FELIX NWANERI

L-R: Senator Atiku Bagudu; Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Olusola Adeyeye; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Senator Sunny Ogbuoji, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osun State, yesterday.

HIV: Court awards woman N7m against doctor K AYODE KETEFE

Lagos State High Court has given judgement on a first Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) case to be judicially determined in Nigeria by awarding N7 million in favour of an HIVinfected woman, Mrs. Georgina Ahamefule, against a Lagos-based hospital, Imperial Medical Centre (IMC) and its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Alex Molokwu. The judgement was delivered by Justice Yetunde Idowu in the suit instituted on behalf of Mrs. Ahamefule by a non-governmental organisation, Social Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) 12 years ago. The Executive Director of SERAC, Mr. Felix Morka, was Georgina’s lawyer in the suit. SERAC had filed the suit

on July 14, 2000 to contest the termination of Georgina Ahamefule’s employment as an auxiliary nurse by the Imperial Medical Centre and Dr. Molokwu on the grounds of her HIV status. According to her statement of claim, Georgina had joined the IMC as an auxiliary nurse in 1989. She got pregnant in 1995 and developed boils on her skin. She consequently sought the medical attention from

her employer Dr. Molokwu, who carried medical examinations and diagnostic tests without disclosing the nature of the tests to her. The doctor further referred Georgina for further testing to one Dr. Okanny at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital with a note in a sealed envelope. Dr. Okanny carried out the tests without disclosing the nature of same to Georgina. She was, however,

subsequently informed of her status while the IMC headed by Dr. Molokwu, promptly terminated her appointment. She also lost her pregnancy to miscarriage as a result of trauma she underwent Georgina was never given any form of counseling before and after the tests and diagnoses were carried out on her as required by medical ethics.

FG may tax airlines, phone users to fund anti-HIV/AIDS campaign MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Federal Government may soon consider taxing air passengers and phone users as one of the ways to raise money to fund anti- HIV/ AIDS campaign. Director General of National Agency for the

Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof. John Idoko, made this known yesterday at a meeting with stakeholders on Resource Mobilisation Mapping and Strategy in Abuja. Participants deliberated on alternative and homesourced financing for the disease. One of the Consultants who helped NACA

on the planned policy, Tomas Lievens, said Nigeria needed to move away from financing paradigm which made it depend on foreign donors. He said the country should look inward as, according to him, many of the nations who assist the country “are undergoing some economic crises.”

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as a belated attempt at damage control the Presidency’s decision to show on the national television network, a video clip of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to his wife in Germany. In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party insisted that the video has not addressed the demand for full disclosure on the First Lady’s seven-week disappearance. It also said the comments attributed to presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati,

concerning the video also shows that the Presidency either does not understand the issues at stake, or is deliberately playing the ostrich. ACN said: “Let’s be clear, there is nothing to be ashamed of in someone being sick since we are all human and anyone can fall ill at any time. In particular, people occupying the public space, including the First Lady, who take ill, deserve nothing but our prayers and sympathy. “However, where information about such persons is withheld or deliberately distorted, people tend to shift their focus to unravelling the truth about the situation, which is the case with our First Lady.”

Koku, ex-Perm Sec, Industrial Court Judge, passes on

r. Simeon Olujimi Koku, pioneer judge of the National Industrial Court and retired federal permanent secretary, has passed on. He died yesterday, aged 87. A pioneer recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, in 1965, Mr. Koku attended the CMS Grammar School Lagos and Leeds University in the UK. He was appointed a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour in 1968. He joined the Department of Labour in 1949 rising to become permanent secretary in 1977 and was appointed a pioneer judge of the National Industrial Court in 1988.

He was seconded to the Government of the Gambia as a Labour Adviser from October 1960 to April 1961 and later as Commissioner of Labour/Secretary to The Gambia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare from September 1961 to October 1963. In June 1970, he was elected as the Chairman of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.) thus becoming the second African candidate to attain that high office.

Koku

South West

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Traffic law: Lagos destroys 3,000 motorcycles MURITALA AYINLA

o demonstrate its determination to enforce the new traffic law, the Lagos State Government yesterday destroyed over 3,000 motorcycles impounded on the 475 prohibited routes in the state. The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force on En-

vironmental and Other Special Offences, Supol Bayo Sulaimon, who supervised the crunching in Alausa, said the motorcycles were impounded between August and September. He added that the government was determined to go all out to ensure that motorcycle operators, otherwise called Okada riders, comply with the dictates of the law.

The task force chairman listed some of the offences to include riding on kerbs, riding against traffic and unauthorised places, operating at late hours, etc. Sulaimon urged operators to either comply with the law or face its wrath. He said: “The task force has commenced gradual enforcement; we have not even enforced it fully. But this should serve as a

warning to them because we won’t hesitate to impound any okada or tricycles found on the prohibited roads. “This is to inform the operators that the law has started and there is no going back. The law has been passed, signed and gazetted and we are going to crush all the crushable at our crushing plant in Oshodi to show our seriousness

about enforcing the law. The ones that cannot be crushed will be auctioned, but not in the state, so that they don’t constitute a nuisance again.” Sulaimon disclosed that owners of the destroyed motorcycles were not arrested as many of them abandoned their motorcycles and fled on sighting law enforcement agents. Commenting on the pro-

test staged by concerned motorcycle riders to the office of the governor on Monday, he said: “They have the right to protest, but the government will be firm in what they do. It doesn’t in any way stop our job, those who intend not to obey the law, we are coming after them. They will be arrested one after the other and we will be out there on a daily basis.”

Second anniversary: Fayemi lays ‘legacy projects’ foundation

L-R: Acting Vice Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Saburi Adesanya; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Segun Oshin, during the 17th- 21st Combined Convocation Ceremonies of the university in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, yesterday.

Senators commend Osun’s education policies

he Senate Committee on Education on yesterday gave a pass mark to the initiatives of Osun State government in the education sector. Members of the committee, who visited the state on oversight function on Tuesday, challenged other governors of the federation to learn from the educational policies being put in place in Osun if indeed, they are prepared to set their states on the path of educational glory. Senator Uche Chukwumerijie, while leading the committee at a courtesy call on Governor Rauf Aregbesola advised other states to drop their party affiliations and sentiments because what is happening in Osun is capable of rescuing the country’s rotten education sector. This was even as Aregbesola held that Nigeria will not make an appreciable progress if her focus is only on the executive arm of government. Chukwumerijie along with Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Olusola Adeyeye, Atiku Bagudu among others said the visit is a mark of respect and solidarity in

showing appreciation for the wonders and feat that the young administration of Aregbesola has achieved in Osun. His words: “The states and the country owed Governor Aregbesola a lot of gratitude for promptly laying a formidable foundation for education in the state. I will like to use this opportunity to advise other states irrespective of your political affiliation. You must drop your ego and learn from the people-oriented

projects and programmes of Governor Aregbesola.” The senator described the collapse of education in the country as a national challenge and appealed to all to muster the courage to address the decay in the educational sector. According to the lawmaker, “The governor of Osun is God-sent to his people. Aregbesola, as a fresh governor, has shown that he is a serious-minded person. For the first time, the education policy of Og-

beni Aregbesola remains the best in the country, even ahead that of Lagos State.” Responding, Governor Aregbesola said when he got into power, his intention was to close down schools for about a year because of what he met. “What was on ground was dilapidated school buildings not fit for human habitation. The conditions of teachers were nothing to write home about plus the condition of other infrastructure.”

overnor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State yesterday laid the foundation of five “legacy projects” to kick start activities marking his second year anniversary. The five projects are a new Government House, Governor’s Office, an Ultramodern State Pavilion, Samsung Engineering Academy and a Civic Centre. They are to be completed by the end of 2013. Four of the projects are expected to be funded from the N20bn bond obtained by the state from the bond market earlier in the year. Speaking at the kick off of the construction work in Ado-Ekiti, Fayemi said his administration was committed to transforming the state so that it could become a choice destination for all and sundry. He said this became imperative for the administration since everyone “wants to work and play in a decent environment”. Justifying the decision

CAC pastors re-arraigned for forgery KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he trial of three pastors of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, on a five-count charge of forgery at the Federal High Court, Ibadan took a new twist yesterday with the re-arraignment of the clerics. The development followed the transfer of the trial judge, Justice Jonathan Shakharo, from Ibadan Federal High Court Division. The immediate past Pres-

ident of the church, Pastor Elijah Olusheye, along with Pastors Johnson Olabisi and Gideon Okegwemeh, as well as an employee of the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Mr. AbdulHakeem Mohammed, were re-arraigned before the new trial judge, Justice Agnes Obaseki-Adejumo, for the charges. They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges of deceiving the government with forged documents to obtain a new certificate of registration for the church. The judge informed the

two parties that hearing the case du lovu became imperative since the former judge could not go with the case to his new court. She then upheld the bail earlier granted the accused and adjourned next hearing to November 12 and 18. Shakharo had granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 each with one surety each in the like sum. The five-count charge against them includes alleged forgery of documents in 1991 and in 1995 to fraudulently obtain another cer-

tificate of registration of the church, having fallen apart with others the previous year. The documents were alleged to have been used to deceive the Corporate Affairs Commission into issuing a new certificate on the strength of affidavits and other documents under the pretence that the original certificate could not be retrieved from the Court of Appeal whereas the original certificate was in the custody of the then General Secretary, Pastor N. E. Udofia.

for a new Governor’s Office, Fayemi asserted that the present office was originally designed by the Niyi Adebayo-led administration to be a hotel but was converted by the successive administration. The governor added that the office had stayed far away from the state Secretariat for too long as it affected communication in governance. He said that many of the projects whose foundations were laid were envisioned to be “timeless” and serve all successive administrations and people. Fayemi also said the choice of the old Ado-Ekiti Prison as the location for the 7000sq metre Civic Centre and Museum was because the government wanted to preserve the remain of the old prison, which was demolished in April for historical and aesthetic purposes. The Civic Centre is expected to house, among other things, a museum, amphitheatre, event centre, a modern library and a civic centre. According to Fayemi, the civic centre will not only attract international communities to the state but also generate employment opportunities for its teeming unemployed populace.

Fayemi

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South West

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

NDLEA uncovers 60 hectares of cannabis farmland in Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered 60 hectares of farmland filled with cannabis sativa in Ijebu Igbo area of Ogun East Senatorial District. NDLEA also arrested one suspect identified as

Patrick Osu in connection with the expanse of farmlands said to have been located inside a government forestry reserve near Arinkinkin village in IjebuIgbo area. The operation, which led to the discovery and subsequent arrest of the suspect by the NDLEA officials, was said to have been possible with the joint efforts of

a detachment of the police mobile team that accompanied the anti-drug agency into the forestry reserve. In an interview with journalists, the suspect confirmed to be in charge of one of the drug farms, adding that one of his friends, whom he refused to mention, introduced him into the illegal trade. Osu, who said he hailed

from Kwale in Delta State, claimed that he was a refrigerator repairer, but was lured into the drug business because of some financial problems confronting him. He said that he, with some of his friends who are now at large, were working for some people whose name he declined to mention.

Osu said: “I own one of the farms here; some of my friends introduced me into this business when I had problems. I am a refrigerator repairer, but as I said, I was lured into the business because of some problems, we are working for some people that I cannot mention now.” NDLEA Commander, Mr. Mohammed Moham-

med, said the farmlands were discovered as a result of intelligence reports and that the area was notorious for planting of such illicit drugs. Mohammed said: “If we commence the destruction from now till December, we may not finish the exercise unless we employ the use of helicopter to spray the farmland.”

Ajimobi wants Oyo’s education intervention fund increased KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

yo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to jerk up the state’s education intervention fund. Ajimobi said the appeal became necessary to assist his administration execute its education policies. He made the appeal in Ibadan while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Education led by the Chairman, Senator Uche Chukwumerije. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, said substantial fund was required to reposition the education sector, stressing that Oyo was one of the states with the highest number of public schools in the country, hence the need for increase in the intervention fund. Ajimobi described education as the bedrock of meaningful development in any society, adding that

no nation could develop without the provision of quality education. Senator Chukwumerije said the visit was in fulfillment of his committee’s oversight function aimed at ensuring the judicious use of intervention fund by various educational institutions in the state. He lauded the visionary leadership of Ajimobi and the various achievements so far recorded by his administration, urging him to continue to execute people-oriented programmes. L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Tianjin Yuyang Construction Company, China, Mr. Hu Fang; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka; Governor Kayode Fayemi and Project Architect, Mr. Sola Oyelade, during the foundation laying ceremony of the state’s Civic Centre in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Senate plans to enhance security in tertiary institutions WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

T Ajimobi

Lagos targets 25% food production MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Government yesterday said that plans are underway to produce 25 per cent of the food consumed by the state’s over 21 million residents. The government is also planning to establish a cooperative college for farmers to enhance their skills and provide necessary supports to accomplish the target. Addressing journalists on the programmes slated for the 2012 World Food Day at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Coopera-

tive, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said measures were already in place to meet the target. Gbolahan said the state would explore all available means to accomplish the objective, adding that the government would increase the 20,000 tone capacity of rice production yearly. He said: “Soon, Lagos State will produce 25 percent of the food consumed by its over 20 million residents. “We have engaged 120 youths in rice production and additional 250 people would be engaged in the various agricultural programmes to boost food production.

he Senate Committee on Education has resolved to embark on an effort to ensure security of lives and property in the nation’s tertiary institutions. The Senate plans to sponsor a bill to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the institutions. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Educa-

tion, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, dropped this hint yesterday at the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, during the committee’s visit to the university. He said the bill would make case for budgetary provision of special fund for increase security in the tertiary institutions so as to curb the wave of violence which has been claiming the lives of students in recent time.

Condemning the violence which had ravaged some tertiary institutions recently in the country, Chukwumerije decried the recent killing of students in Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State; and University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He said: “The committee is totally committed to advancing education in the country because the future of any nation depends on its quality of education.”

The Senator commended the management of OAU for the success recorded so far at the institution particularly in the area of internally generated revenue and physical development. Welcoming members of the committee to the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tale Omole, identified underfunding and disruption of academic calendar as some of the major challenges confronting the institution.

‘MAPOLY rector, others not involved in N100m fraud’ FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, yesterday absolved three principal officers of the institution from an alleged N100 million fraud as reported in the media. The management said that the principal officers the Rector, Mr. Tokunbo Fowode; the Registrar, Yemi

Olumide and the immediate past Bursar, Oyeniyi Oyesiku, did not collect any money to compromise investigation into the alleged fraud as claimed by the media report. In a statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta, the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sulaimon Adebiyi, said it was the management that instituted the case of fraud and financial recklessness against three former union officials.

Acknowledging the arrest of some former executive members of the institution’s Non-Academic Staff Union in connection with the fraud, Adebiyi said the management had set up a Financial and Allied Matters Misconduct Committee which investigated the case independent of the Non-Academic Staff Union’s probe panel. He said that the management had earlier suspended the affected polytechnic officials pending

the outcome of the Staff Disciplinary Committee which later found them guilty. “While the management wishes to confirm the fact that arrests were made in respect of the fraud, it, however, intends to set the record straight and correct the impression created through the newspaper that at no point was the named principal officers of the polytechnic given any money as a compromise,” Adebiyi said.

South East

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Contract scam: BPP saves FG N350bn –DG CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, said yesterday that it had saved the Federal Government over N350bn which would have been spent on contract scams. The BPP Director-General, Mr. Emeka Muoma Ezeh, disclosed this at the commissioning of the Public Procurement Centre at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO. Ezeh said through the ef-

forts of the BPP, the government debt profile had been reduced. He said: “It implies that more monies have been provided for infrastructure like schools, health centres, roads and other utilities.” The DG disclosed that the BPP was determined to entrench accountability in public procurement in the country. He said the ongoing procurement reform had provided a level playing ground for bidders, adding that aggrieved parties were

now free to complain to the bureau. Ezeh disclosed that the reform was set out to prevent over 60 per cent losses encountered in Federal Government expenditure from the Country Procurement Assessment Review, adding that the BPP would ensure probity, accountability, competition and valuefor-money in procurement process. In his welcome address, the FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, described the BPP as an ef-

fective government agency set up to ensure the use of best principles in the award of contract. According to him, the essence is to ensure that the country receives commensurate value for money invested or spent on all projects executed and services procured by government agencies. He said: “Over the years, the BPP has been serving as a catalyst in ensuring prudent and transparent management of the nation’s scarce resources and also

playing a leading role in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.” In her speech, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, stressed the need for Nigerians to take interest in the BPP. She condemned the attitude of some agencies who never wanted their activities to be checked, adding that such practices would not allow accountability and best practices in government businesses.

NIPOST bemoans dearth of letter writing GEORGE OPARA ABIA

tudents’ poor performance, particularly in English Language has been attributed to lack of letter writing in the school system. The Area Postal Manager of Abia Territory of the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, Ignatius Umeadi, who said this yesterday in Umuahia, advised the state and federal ministries of education to encourage letter writing by the students. He said the use of all manners of abbreviation to send text messages was negatively affecting the standard of written English by Nigerian students. Umeadi, who spoke at the 2012 World Post Day/ Customer Forum for Abia Territory, decried the negative impact of short message system, SMS, on Nigerian students. To this end, he challenged parents and teachers to encourage students to write letters, saying that the dearth of letter writing was also negatively affecting the business of NIPOST as too little letters were being posted these days. According to him, in Europe and other overseas nations, letter writing is still very much in vogue and wondered why the art is being allowed to die in Nigeria, even with its attendant negative effect. Umeadi, who disclosed that the territory has 35 functioning post offices, urged the staff to take their work as “personal work and not as government work”.

L-R: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Globacom, Ms. Ben Ayede, during the commissioning of the block of classrooms built by the company at the Metropolitan College, Onitsha, yesterday.

Bishop predicts famine, gives relief materials to flood victims DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he Bishop of the Niger Diocese, Anglican Communion, Onitsha, Rt. Rev. Owen Dozie Nwokolo, has presented essential relief materials, including drugs, to victims of flood disaster in four local government areas of Anambra State. Presenting the materials at the refugee camps in the state, Nwokolo said that one way man could demonstrate the purpose for his creation was by lifting a heavy burden on his unknown neighbour and wip-

ing his tears. Also speaking at a thanksgiving service held at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Eteleson Group, Onitsha, Nwokolo called on Nigerians and multinationals within and outside the country to assist the victims with relief materials such as food, medicine, clothes and shelter. He described the flooding of farmlands and several homes as a monumental disaster and first of its kind in Nigeria. The cleric advised Nigerians to store food, as there

might be famine next year, because of the destruction of several farmlands in the North, South and Eastern parts of the country. Nwokolo urged Nigerians to emulate the Eteleson family of Onitsha in supporting the advancement of evangelism, adding that the relief materials recently distributed to flood victims in parts of Anambra State by the diocese, was to alleviate their suffering. He commended Governor Peter Obi for also providing succour to the victims of flood. Earlier at a business

convention organised as part of activities to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Eteleson Group held at its International Conference Centre in Onitsha, the company’s Chairman, Sir Alfred Nworah Etele and the Group Managing Director, Obinna Etele, in their joint address, expressed joy that a business which was started in 1962 by the late Pa Alfred Nwabukaodigbo as a mere music records shop, had blossomed into a multinational company with seven branches in Nigeria, United Kingdom and the United States.

Globacom donates block of classrooms to Anambra

nambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has inaugurated a block of classrooms in Onitsha donated by the telecommunications giant, Globacom. Obi commended the company for embarking on projects aimed at helping

to build a better Nigeria. The block of classrooms was donated to the Metropolitan College, Onitsha as part of Globacom’s sponsorship of the Ofala Festival. The governor noted that Globacom had done a lot in Nigeria and had demon-

strated that “it is a company that truly cares about the future of this great country”. Obi said that the burden would be less on government, “if corporate organisations can do what Globacom is doing and partner with the people and the government to bring about

a better society. “I must confess that this structure and the facilities therein go to show the passion Globacom has for this country, because when you train the young ones and give them a solid foundation, you can but have a better future and society.”

UNN didn’t hike tuition fees, says Registrar DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, has denied the allegation that it increased tuition fees, saying it only introduced internet service charge of N12,000 per session. The denial came on the heels of students’ protest on Monday over alleged hike in school fees. The UNN Registrar, Anthony Okonta, said in a statement that the institution introduced a service charge for its 24hour Internet service on both Nsukka and Enugu campuses. He said the introduction of the service charge followed a restriction and near shutdown of Internet in the last academic session when various stakeholders prevailed on the UNN management to reintroduce the service given its benefits to all users. Okonta disclosed that the Students’ Union led a delegation to the ViceChancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, to make a case for the service and agreed on a minimal cost for it. He said: “University of Nigeria then introduced a service charge of N12,000 per session as Internet Service Charge, and this translates to N1,000 per month for always-on Internet service. “We note that majority of students are at peace with this fee, given the high cost of the alternatives, as well as the need to recover a minimum cost to ensure continuous running and maintenance of the Internet service.” The Registrar, however, described as unfortunate the demonstration by about 40 students at the Enugu Campus, especially with the return to normal academic calendar at UNN for the first time in nearly a decade. UNN resumed for studies on September 27 for fresh students and October 4 for existing students and would vacate for the 2012/2013 academic year on June 30, 2013.

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South South

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Six die in Ovia River trying to escape armed robbery attack STORIES BY SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

o fewer than six persons died last weekend after they jumped into the popular Ovia River in Edo State while attempting to escape armed robbery attack. The victims were among the passengers of a fully loaded bus travelling from Lagos State to Owerri, the Imo State capital. National Mirror reliably learnt that the vehicle, which registration number

and other particulars could not be obtained as at the time of filing this report, somersaulted and landed on its side on the tiny Ovia River bridge. The armed robbers, shooting sporadically into the air, approached the fallen vehicle with the aim of dispossessing the passengers of their valuables. The confusion that trailed the shooting forced the six passengers to jump into the river in a bid to escape being attacked. Fishermen, however, recovered two of the bodies of

the victims after they were washed ashore. They, thereafter, alerted the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). FRSC Commander, Mr. Adewale Ameen, led some officials to take the two bodies to the mortuary. Ameen confirmed the accident to journalists, but said two of the dead passengers had been recovered. He said: “It is true that there was an accident involving a bus coming from Lagos and going to Owerri. We have recovered only two bodies while we are still in

search of the remaining four or so bodies that we believed jumped into the river. “The bus took off at about 12.00am. The accident occurred at about 5.00am when many people were still asleep. The bus obviously took off in Lagos at about midnight. FRSC have always warned against night journey. “Had it been that this accident occurred in the day time, rescue or quick treatment could have come for the passengers. Again, as this accident and death have shown, people must avoid travelling in the night.”

Disquiet in Asari Dokubo’s NDPSF

ll seems not to be well with the Niger Delta People Salvation Front (NDPSF), a group formed by the freedom fighter Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo. Members of the group in Edo and Delta states have called for the immediate removal of its leader, Mr. Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro, to prevent a crisis that could result from what they called the “leader’s unethical conduct and greed.” In a five-point allegation made available to National Mirror in Benin, the aggrieved members alleged that Anighoro was found of amassing about 60 per cent of

the group’s proceeds to himself and his family. He was also accused of mismanagement and extortion. The statement containing the allegation was signed by four members Messrs Aaron Emarievwe, Peter Oshasha, Sunny Emekpu and Cyril Bobi. They accused Anighoro of using his personal bank account in place of the group’s bank account to enrich himself. The aggrieved members, therefore, called on Dokubo to remove Anighoro because, according to them, he has betrayed the trust reposed in him.

Tribunal strikes out Airhiavbere’s application •Adjourns till October 23 the petition had to do with the

Omuokiri Road in Aluu, the community where four students were killed last weekend, deserted, yesterday.

he petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, Maj-Gen. Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere, suffered more setbacks yesterday as the election petitions tribunal struck out his application seeking to enter additional witnesses and amend statements of witnesses. The tribunal also struck out more paragraphs of the petition and thereafter adjourned next hearing till October 23. The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Suleiman Ambrusa, said the tribunal was unable to grant the request for more statements from witnesses as requested by the petitioner because that paragraph of

issue of qualification of Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, which the tribunal had already struck out on September 27, 2012. Justice Ambrusa urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the voters’ register was made available to the petitioner as he requested in order to have an uninterrupted hearing. But opposing Airhiavbere’s request for extension of time by two weeks, counsel to Oshiomhole, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), said: “The petitioner has no reason to delay the hearing no matter the carcass still remaining in the petition. There are 192 wards in Edo State. All the wards they alluded to as missing are 47; not up to one-quarter.

Oshiomhole sacks 20 teachers over truancy Relief as Eghagha speaks from kidnappers’ den

o fewer than 20 teachers were sacked yesterday by the Edo State Government for truancy. The teachers’ absence was exposed following Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s unscheduled visit to some schools in Benin, the state capital. The schools are: Asoro Primary School, Emokpae Model Primary School, Western Boys High School, George Idah Model School and Esonere Primary School. Oshiomhole, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Sir Joseph Emabino and other senior public officials, also ordered the salaries of those who resumed after 8:am be deducted. Frowning at the lacka-

daisical attitude of some teachers to work, the governor said: “The state government has provided suitable environment in schools; the teachers are paid good wages and inducement allowances, these beautiful classrooms are useless if teachers don’t teach the pupils.” At Asoro Primary School, the governor went through the teachers’ attendance register at 7.45am and discovered that names of teachers who were not present were already signed in. He then directed that adequate punishment be meted out to those who filled in the names of the absent teachers. He also queried the long stay of some teachers in a particular school before being posted out to

other schools and directed the SUBEB to ensure fairness and transparency in the transfer of teachers. Oshiomhole said: “Any time a teacher does not show up in school, the students’ time will be wasted. The headmistress will be queried because she has the responsibility to explain to me why people are allowed to sign fraudulently on the register when they are not present.” At Western Boys High School, the governor condemned the improper dressing by some teachers. He said the state government has the responsibility to protect the future of the children with quality education and improvement of the environment and he urged the teachers to complement that effort.

SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

amily members and associates of the abducted Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, have heaved a sigh of relief as the abductors of the former university don allowed him to speak with them from their den. Findings by National Mirror revealed that the embattled commissioner was allowed to speak with his highly traumatised wife, a few members of his extended family and senior government officials from an unknown hideout. It was gathered that the agreement to allow Eghagha to speak to a few persons was brokered in the ongoing negotiation between some senior public officials and the hoodlums over the fate of the commissioner.

It was learnt that the government insisted that it must be convinced that Eghagha was alive as a pre-condition for agreeing on the way forward with them. Specifically, National Mirror learnt that the action was initiated to douse tension and allay fears over the safety of the commissioner, who was abducted at Abavo, along Effurun/Agbor Highway on Sunday, September 30, on his way to Asaba. The commissioner, whose police orderly was killed in the deadly encounter, was yet to regain his freedom, nine days after the incident yesterday. But the kidnappers, who kept the government and relations of the commissioner in suspense for one week, finally contacted and commenced negotiation for his freedom on Monday. The hoodlums are demanding N100m ransom to

free the embattled commissioner. A younger brother to the commissioner, Mr. Ejiro Eghagha, had confirmed in an earlier interview with National Mirror that the abductors had established contacts and commenced talks with the government. It was learnt that the gesture of the kidnappers had boosted the spirit of the family members and associates of the commissioner. It was gathered that they were in high spirit, moment after the commissioner spoke with some of them, yesterday. One of the family sources said: “The kidnappers have graciously allowed some members of the family, especially the wife and some top public officials speak with our brother (Eghagha) and we are excited by that development which is a signal that our nightmare would soon come to an end.”

South West

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Traffic law: Lagos destroys 3,000 motorcycles MURITALA AYINLA

Second anniversary: Fayemi lays ‘legacy projects’ foundation

Senators commend Osun’s education policies

CAC pastors re-arraigned for forgery KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

Fayemi

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

The genocidal Biafran war still haunts Nigeria

Civil war: Achebe lied on Awo, says Adebanjo

Group asks IGP to disband Mimiko’s security outfit COUNTDOWN TO

ONDO GUBER POLL October 20, 2012

DAYS TO GO

OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he Arogbo-Ijaw People’s Assembly (APA) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar, to immediately disband the newly created waterway security outfit, Gallery Security Services, in order to ensure peace in the riverine areas of Ondo State. The security outfit, which is led by a former militant, Bibopere Ajube,

was said to have been heavily funded by the state government. The group hinged its call on what it described as “heavy build up of arms and ammunition by the so-called Gallery Security outfit under the guise of securing the waterways of Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.” Questioning the motive of Governor Olusegun Mimiko for setting up the security outfit a few days to the October 20 governorship election in the state, the APA, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Deinkumo Kimiebi, yesterday in Akure, said Mimiko has funded Ajube to cause chaos during the forthcoming election through the award of a security contract worth about N100 million monthly. The statement said:

“This so-called former militant leader, agent of the Mimiko- led state government, is bent on harassing, maiming, molesting and intimidating the peaceloving people of the coastal communities of the state, especially the Ijaw speaking people of Ese-Odo Local Government Area, before, during and after the election. “The Arogbo-Ijaw people and other residents of Ese-

Odo have not seen the purported developmental projects of the three and half years of Mimiko’s administration, only for the governor to now encourage the re-arming of former militants for the sole purpose of rigging election in his favour in the riverine communities that have been so neglected. “The Arogbo-Ijaw people challenged the governor to come up with the list of

project(s) either on-going or completed in any of the coastal communities in the state before he can seek the votes of the people again. He should stop planting seeds of discord among genuine leaders like Kingsley Kuku and Arogbo people.” The group described as laughable the statement credited to Governor Mimiko that the Special Adviser to President Goodluck

Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kuku, has been using the amnesty programme as a tool to secure votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Olusola Oke, in the October election. APA said Kuku, who is a native of Arogbo town, has rather used his office to bring laudable projects to the riverine communities not minding political affiliations.

Jega to meet candidates, stakeholders next Tuesday HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE.

n preparation for the forthcoming October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attaihiru Jega will visit the state next week, Tuesday, October 16. Disclosing this yesterday during a press conference in Akure, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in the state, Akin Orebiyi informed that the INEC boss will be meeting politicians and other stakeholders in the state over the forthcoming election. Orebiyi said the meeting between INEC and the stakeholders has become imperative in order to educate all concerned and to ensure a free and fair election. The meeting is coming on the heels of alleged plans by some politicians to rig the coming election.

Orebiyi said those expected at the meeting include governorship candidates of the 13 political parties contesting the election and other stakeholders. He added that the commission, as an electoral umpire, has done all within its power to ensure a hitch free election in the state, saying that the commission has met with politicians and stakeholder in the state more than eight times, educating them on how to ensure a free and fair election.

Jega

AKURE.

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Olusola Oke, has said that he will prevent wastages if elected. Oke, who stated this yesterday at Iju/Itaogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of the state during the local govern-

Mimiko

Voters’ cards: Court rules on bail application Oct 22 OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

uling on the application for bail brought before an Akure Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by Magistrate J. O. Adelegan, by the Labour Party (LP) chieftain,

Oke pledges to block wastages HAKEEM GBADAMOSI

Abubakar

ment rally of the PDP, said the resources of the state government should be judiciously allocated to add value in every government expenditure. He said extravagance of the government should be curbed to the barest minimum, adding that unnecessary allocation of position to create jobs for those that cannot add value to the state would be prevented.

Olaolu Oladapo, and his coaccused, Omolade Rapheal, was yesterday reserved till October 22. The two accused persons were charged to court on Monday for conspiracy and unlawful possession of 1,123 voters’ cards, an offence alleged to have been

Promising the people of the area a robust policy that will make fund available to the farmers, Oke said: “We will cut all these unwanted allocation of resources to 500 Special Advisers and retinue of aides paraded by the present administration. We will run an efficient and value-driven administration that will create wealth for the state and increase productivity.”

committed on October 5 at about 4.30p.m. at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ondo town. The Police prosecutor objected to the bail application of the accused on the ground that it was the INEC or its appointed lawyer that could prosecute electoral offenders by virtue of Section 150(2) under the Electoral Act. The police prosecutor, who said he could not under the law respond to the application, sought for an adjournment to contact the electoral body to take over the case or appoint a prosecutor. Magistrate Adelegan requested for the 1,123 voters cards recovered from the suspect which were placed

before the court before adjourning the case. Among the exhibits recovered from the suspect and placed before the court were items and souvenirs of the LP, after which the court ordered the accused to be remanded in prison till October 22. Reacting after the court session, an Akure-based lawyer and human rights activist, Titiloye Charles, called on Prof. Attahiru Jega to immediately direct the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Akin Orebiyi, to liaise with the police towards proper prosecution of the case by the commission. Titiloye also urged Jega to investigate the complicity of INEC staff in this matter.

Politics

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil war: Achebe lied on Awo, says Adebanjo Chief Ayo Adebanjo was one of the close associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In this piece, he dismissed Prof. Chinua Achebe’s allegations against the former premier of Western Region on the civil war.

am sad and distressed that a literary giant and an elder statesman such as Prof. Chinua Achebe should be credited with the statement attributed to him in his latest book on the Nigerian Civil War at this time in Nigeria’s political history, over 40 years after the end of the Nigeria Civil War. His statements, however, are not unfamiliar to those of us who were around during the civil war, and who knew what falsehood and half-truths were bandied around then especially from “Biafra Radio” and supporters of the Biafra cause, notable amongst whom was Prof. Chinua Achebe. Some thought they were effusions from supporters of Biafra in order to enlist international support for Ojukwu but many, on the other hand attributed Achebe’s position to his pathological hatred for Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Yoruba race. Achebe has accused Chief Awolowo of being part of General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet that initiated pogrom and genocide as a policy against the Igbo. Yet, Achebe cannot claim ignorance of the fact that specific recorded instances of pogrom and genocide were a consequence of the 2nd military coup of July 1966 in which the Northern soldiers and Northerners committed series of atrocities against the Igbo in the North. At this time Chief Awolowo was still in Calabar prison, serving his jail term for treasonable felony; it was after his release from prison that Gowon invited him to join his cabinet as vice chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Minister of Finance. The war was already brewing at such time. At the risk of his life, and against the advice of his cabinet colleagues, Chief Awolowo made contact with Ojukwu and met him in Enugu to dissuade him from going to war. In his one-on-one meeting with Ojukwu, Chief Awolowo tried to persuade Ojukwu to come to a round table conference with the Federal Government to iron out his differences with the government. But despite of the assurances Ojukwu gave to Chief Awolowo that he had accepted to dialogue, Ojukwu reneged and a few weeks later attacked the Midwest and thus declared war against the Federal Government. This was how the civil war became inevitable. The above facts are verifiable. Fairminded persons cannot accuse Chief Awolowo of being part of the intellectual arm of a cabinet that intentionally initiated the pogrom of the Igbo, when in fact the record shows he took positive steps to persuade Ojukwu to avoid the conflict. Whilst the war was raging after the liberation of part of the then South-East, which then included Port Harcourt and Calabar, Chief Awolowo visited Enugu and Port Harcourt where he saw Kwashiorkor (malnourished) victims for the first time. He wondered how this could happen in view of the quantity

Adebanjo

IT IS CLEAR FROM THE HISTORICAL RECORD THAT AWO HAD NO

IGBOPHOBIA, IT IS PROFESSOR ACHEBE THAT HAS TO BE CURED OF HIS AWOPHOBIA

of food items sent through international agencies to the civilians in these areas. He was then informed that the food never got to the civilians, the food items were cornered by the soldiers who were feeding to the detriment of the civilians. One can imagine such a report being provided to a cabinet filled with military officers conducting a war. It should not be surprising that to avoid feeding enemy soldiers, the Federal Government at the time put a stop to the delivery of food meant for the civilians population that was being hijacked by Biafran soldiers. This is what Achebe mischievously called the deliberate starvation of the Igbo. I would like Prof. Achebe, if he can, to make reference to any publication where Awolowo made the statement that starvation was a legitimate tool of war. Furthermore, if such starvation ended with the end of the war, Achebe should explain why, if the specific objective of the policy was to reduce Chief Awolowo’s enemies, why did he not influence the continuation or doubling up on such policy when Nigerian troops had control of Biafran territory at the end of the war. One would have thought the charge of genocide should have been better directed at the leaders of Biafra who had firsthand knowledge of the starvation in the area they controlled, and yet did not as they could, bring an end to the war sooner before two million people, mainly members of future generations had died of starvation as Achebe claimed. Also, during the war it became known that the Nigerian currency which Biafran soldiers had looted from Central Bank locations in Biafra occupied areas were being exchanged to buy arms for the Biafran army. To put a stop to this, Awolowo, as the Federal Commissioner for Finance, suddenly changed the Nigerian currency without the prior knowledge of members

Awolowo

of the cabinet. Even General Gowon, who was the Head of State, was informed only a day before the announcement. These two major policies of stopping food meant for civilians which was being ambushed by the Biafrans soldiers and the sudden change of Nigerian currency were two factors that quickly brought the misery of the civil war to an end. It should be noted that Chief Awolowo’s prudent management of the Nigerian economy made it possible for the Federal Government to prosecute the civil war without borrowing a kobo from the outside world. This achievement was acclaimed globally. It is this policy that quickly put an end to the insurgence that Prof. Achebe has interpreted as punitive measure against the Igbo. At the end of the civil war, a problem did arose with respect as to how to verify the amounts creditable to Biafrans who made claims to money held in Nigerian banks before the declaration of war. Unfortunately, there were no records to confirm the amount in savings or current accounts held by a good number of such Biafran claimants. As a result, a committee was set up by the Central Bank, the members of which were unknown to Chief Awolowo. Such committee recommended an across the board payment of 20 pounds to every claimant. It is therefore most uncharitable for Prof. Achebe to put the blame of the payment of this amount on Chief Awolowo. It is noteworthy that after the division of the country to 12 states by General Gowon in 1968, the East Central State composed mainly of Igbo emerged. Chief Awolowo then diligently saved the monthly allocation due to Igbo during the war and released same to them at the end of the war. The African Continental Bank (ACB) and the Cooperative Bank for Eastern Nigeria, the two main financial institutions of the Igbo at the time and which had become moribund during the civil war, were rejuvenated by Chief Awolowo by his releasing substantial funds to them for active operation. Achebe would have to explain how these actions beneficial to the Igbo emanate from somebody who he claims has hatred for the Igbo or harboured an intent to deliberately and systematically exterminate the Igbos or deny their right of existence as a group. After the civil war, Achebe cannot claim ignorance of the fact that Awolowo personally wrote to prominent Igbo, including

Achebe himself, who had fled the country during the war to come back home. One of those who responded to the call and whose home coming was facilitated personally by Chief Awolowo was the late Chief M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, the former editor of Dr. Azikiwe’s newspaper, The West African Pilot, and his wife, a medical doctor who were then based in Germany. Awolowo facilitated the employment of the wife at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and also latter employed Chief Ajuluchukwu himself as the director of research and publicity of his party – the Unity Party of Nigeria. If it is true that Awolowo was such an architect of pogrom and genocide against the Igbo, how would Achebe explain the fact that there were no incidents of pogrom or genocide against the Igbo in any part of the then Western Region composed mainly of the Yoruba, and Chief Awolowo’s primary sphere of influence. Rather, the Igbo who fled the West on the clarion call of Ojukwu for them to return to the East had their properties kept safe for them, with the rents collected on the properties duly accounted for at the end of the civil war and paid to such Igbo owners. It should be noted that no incidents of “abandoned property” occurred in the Western Region – Chief Awolowo’s zone, rather the controversy around such property were restricted to areas such as Port Harcourt and the Northern region. Whilst it is true to say Chief Awolowo had the ambition to rule the country, it is unkind to say he wanted to achieve this by wiping out the Igbo whom he considered an impediment. On the contrary, Chief Awolowo’s position has always been to rule the country with other progressive elements from all parts of the country including the Igbo. This he demonstrated in 1959 after the pre-independence general election when he offered to serve under the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as prime minister, with him as Minister of Finance. The NCNC (the party led by Dr. Azikiwe) turned the offer down and preferred an alliance with the NPC under the late Saudana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. The late Dr. M.I Okpara, former premier of the defunct Eastern Region, said he will regret to the last day of his life that he did not support the alliance between the Action Group and the NCNC which could have made Dr. Azikwe the prime minister and Chief Awolowo the Minister of Finance. Even before the general election of 1983, there were attempts to form an alliance between the UPN led by Chief Awolowo and NPP led by Dr. Azikiwe all in an attempt to have progressive forces form an alliance against the conservative NPC. Again, this attempt did not materialise due to the opposition by the Yoruba leaders in the NPP at the time. It is also interesting to recollect that at the demise of Chief Awolowo, Ojukwu himself remarked that “Awolowo was the best president Nigeria never had.” None of the foregoing suggest a man with hatred for the Igbo. Yoruba leaders, led by the late Senator Abraham Adesanya have been working in close political collaboration with prominent Igbo leaders like Admiral Ndubisi Kanu, a former governor of Lagos State, and Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe, a former Chief of General Staff and Prof. Ben Nwabueze CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Politics

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

CHINUA ACHEBE

he persecution of the Igbos didn’t end with the Biafran conflict. Until the nation faces up to this, its mediocrity will continue Almost 30 years before Rwanda, before Darfur, more than 2 million people – mothers, children, babies, civilians – lost their lives as a result of the blatantly callous and unnecessary policies enacted by the leaders of the Federal Government of Nigeria. As a writer, I believe that it is fundamentally important, indeed essential to our humanity, to ask the hard questions, in order to better understand ourselves and our neighbours. Where there is justification for further investigation, justice should be served. In the case of the Nigeria-Biafra war there is precious little relevant literature that helps answer these questions. Did the Federal Government of Nigeria engage in the genocide of its Igbo citizens – who set up the Republic of Biafra in 1967 – through punitive policies, the most notorious being “starvation as a legitimate weapon of war”? Is the information blockade around the war a case of calculated historical suppression? Why has the war not been discussed, or taught to the young, more than 40 years after its end? Are we perpetually doomed to repeat the errors of the past because we are too stubborn to learn from them? The Oxford English Dictionary defines genocide as “the deliberate and systematic extermination of an ethnic or national group ...”. The UN general assembly defined it in 1946 as “... a denial of the right of existence of entire human groups”. Throughout the conflict, the Biafrans consistently charged that the Nigerians had a design to exterminate the Igbo people from the face of the earth. This calculation, the Biafrans insisted, was predicated on a holy jihad proclaimed by mainly Islamic extremists in the Nigerian Army and supported by the policies of economic blockade that prevented shipments of humanitarian aid, food and supplies to the needy in Biafra.

Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, expresses concerns over the furore generated by Achebe’s new book: There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra.

mong the Yoruba and the Igbo, the wise course, today, is realisationreconciliation-peace and solidarity. Yet ancient gladiators are itching to bring back yesterday. It is not just a matter of allowing sleeping dogs to lie. It is a matter of political maturity and wisdom. How should we react to historical facts which are out of alignment with our current as-

The genocidal Biafran war still haunts Nigeria Supporters of the Federal Government position maintain that a war was being waged and the premise of all wars is for one side to emerge as the victor. Overly ambitious actors may have “taken actions unbecoming of international conventions of human rights, but these things happen everywhere”. This same group often cites findings, from organisations (sanctioned by the Federal Government) that sent observers during the crisis, that there “was no clear intent on behalf of the Nigerian troops to wipe out the Igbo people ... pointing out that over 30,000 Igbos still lived in Lagos, and half a million in the mid-west”. But if the diabolical disregard for human life seen during the war was not due to the northern military elite’s jihadist or genocidal obsession, then why were there more small arms used on Biafran soil than during the entire second world war? Why were there 100,000 casualties on the much larger Nigerian side compared with more than two million – mainly children – Biafrans killed? It is important to point out that most Nigerians were against the war and abhorred the senseless violence that ensued. The wartime cabinet of General Gowon, the military ruler, it should also be remembered, was full of intellectuals like Chief Obafemi Awolowo among others who came up with a boatload of infamous and regrettable policies. A statement credited to Awolowo and echoed by his cohorts is the most callous and unfortunate: all is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder. It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing

wrong with those aspirations. However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbos at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose – the Nigeria-Biafra war – his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation — eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations. The Federal Government’s actions soon after the war could be seen not as conciliatory but as outright hostile. After the conflict ended, the same hardliners in the Nigerian government cast Igbos in the role of treasonable felons and wreckers of the nation – and got the regime to adopt a banking policy that nullified any bank account operated during the war by the Biafrans. A flat

sum of 20 Nigerian pounds was approved for each Igbo depositor, regardless of the amount of deposit. If there was ever a measure put in place to stunt, or even obliterate, the economy of a people, this was it. After that outrageous charade, Nigeria’s leaders sought to devastate the resilient and emerging eastern commercial sector even further by banning the import of secondhand clothing and stockfish – two trade items that they knew the burgeoning market towns of Onitsha, Aba and Nnewi needed to re-emerge. Their fear was that these communities, fully reconstituted, would then serve as the economic engines for the reconstruction of the entire Eastern Region. There are many international observers who believe that Gowon’s actions after the war were magnanimous and laudable. There are tons of treatises that talk about how the Igbo were wonderfully integrated into Nigeria. Well, I have news for them: The Igbos were not and continue not to be reintegrated into Nigeria, one of the main reasons for the country’s continued backwardness. Borrowing from the Marshall plan for Europe after the Second World War, the Federal Government launched an elaborate scheme highlighted by three Rs – for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation. The only difference is that, while the Americans actually carried out all three prongs of the strategy, Nigeria’s Federal Government did not. What has consistently escaped most Nigerians in this entire travesty is the fact that mediocrity destroys the very fabric of a country as surely as a war – ushering in all sorts of banality, ineptitude, corruption and debauchery. Nations enshrine mediocrity as their modus operandi, and create the fertile ground for the rise of tyrants and other base elements of the society, by silently assenting to the dismantling of systems of excellence because they do not immediately benefit one specific ethnic, racial, political, or special-interest group. That, in my humble opinion, is precisely where Nigeria finds itself today.

Sheath your swords, Ezeife tells leaders pirations? There are many such facts: In 1952, Zik won election which would have led to his becoming Leader of Government Business in the Western Region. There were carpet crossings and Zik had to go back to the East where he upset the government of Eyo Ita, causing a decadelong problem, which has only just been laid to rest. Zik refused Awo’s offer for AG/NCNC alliance with Zik as Prime Minister after the post-independence election (alleging that Awo was making a similar offer to Ahmadu Bello). Only God knows the cost to Nigeria of the outcome. It was said that Awo had threatened that if the East was forced out or to war,

Civil war: Achebe lied on Awo, says Adebanjo CONTINUED FROM 14 in an honest attempt to find equitable solutions to the problems of the country. The leaders of both ethnic groups have been putting their heads together for the emergence of a progressive Nigeria in peace and unity. It is sad that instead of Achebe joining in this progressive movement, he

Achebe

has chosen to bring into the front burner the dark period of Nigeria’s history. What he stands to gain by repeating such falsehood, I cannot honestly comprehend. I believe however it is clear from the historical record that Awo had no Igbophobia, it is Professor Achebe that has to be cured of his Awophobia.

the West would join on the side of the East but did not fulfill the threat (because, it was said, he was not taken into confidence on the declaration of Biafra). Only 20 pounds was approved by Gowon Government (on assumed advice of Awo) to be paid to Igbo depositors by the banks if even millions are in the deposits. There was also the mention of starvation as a weapon of war. The indigenisation was adopted and implemented when the Igbo were not in any position to meaningfully participate. When, after the 1962-63 census controversy, the Northern figure finally doubled from 14.5 million to 29 million, the Western press acquiesced when finally (because of Akintola’s defection) the West was dashed two million, thus increasing the Western figure from its original eight million to 10 million, leaving the East with its original 11.5 million. The Southern majority of 19.5 million as against North’s 14.5 million turned to Northern majority of North 29 million, South 21.5 million. The same overturning of census figures which Mr. Arnold Smith said had happened after the colonial census exercise found the South

larger than the North. It is also the fact that the East and West (with Awo leading the West) were in unhealthy rivalry forcing them to operate as parallel lines (and thus becoming parallel slaves) in the Nigerian system. Another fact, not often mentioned, was that more Igbo landlords, on return from the war, received rent for their property in the West than from any other part of Nigeria. What do we do when historical facts which are hostile to our current aspirations and proper direction crop up? Those who want to rekindle the fire of ancient disastrous antagonisms should beware. Our youths may not look on with only benign concern. If you are not ashamed of the ugly result you had achieved, you should regret the anguish you had inflicted on generations, and merely note some of the unsavoury historical facts. They were the results of our past folly. There is no sense in going back to them. The unrestrained reactions so far, from both sides, have been unreasonable, unintelligent, thoughtless and unproductive – except of negatives!!! A word is enough for the wise!!!

Editorial

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

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YELE AKINROLABU

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KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Corruption, official ineptitude and abandoned projects

he recent Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (PPAC) report that up to 11, 886 projects initiated by the Federal Government were abandoned midway by supervisory ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) after being paid for is unsettling, to say the least. When similar unaudited abandoned projects by the nation’s 36 states and 774 local governments are summed up, the figure would truly reflect how wasteful the government has been. It is yet unclear; the reason President Goodluck Jonathan initiated the audit. But arresting the trend and redressing the root causes of the legendary failure and huge waste of public funds by the nation’s bureaucracy are direly needed. In the past couple of months, some top government functionaries, especially from the executive and the legislature, have been harping on the roughly N7.8 trillion needed by the FG to complete abandoned projects. From the assessment of the PPAC set up in March 2011, it might take more than five years’ federal capital projects’ votes, at N1.5 trillion per year, uninterrupted, to complete the said projects. Taking it from the report credited to the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, that rudderless ego trip rather than service delivery, is the real motive behind

initiating most new government projects and abandoning old ones by successive administrations over the years, it may then be rightly concluded that corruption, more than anything else, is responsible for the 11, 886 projects now littered across the country’s length and breadth. And like Maku did say, the embarrassing situation might forestall new contracts for federal projects in 2014 and 2015 until current ones are completed. It is not unlikely that the said abandoned projects would include independent power projects on which billions of dollars had been committed with virtually no electricity produced in return to justify the huge spending, road, rail, and water transportation infrastructure, education and health institutions’ provisioning, as well as food and fuel supply infrastructure, all of which affect the nation’s economy and the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The road to project abandonment often starts with the conception of mostly dubious or white elephant projects that have no relevance to the needs of the populace, incoherent planning, preparations and procurement procedures, poor budgeting, delay in the release of project funds which leads to project execution delays, a vicious cycle of increased contract cost variation and ultimate abandonment.

IT IS NAUSEATING WHEN THE GOVERNMENT COMPLAINS REPEATEDLY OF CHRONIC AILMENTS WHOSE ROOT CAUSES ARE WELL KNOWN TO IT Most times, too, project monitoring is non-existent, or is at best entrusted to inept or highly compromised civil servants. It bleeds the heart that despite the existence of the Public Procurement Act (2007); the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP); and the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP) - the regulatory authorities charged with the monitoring of procurement and implementation of federal projects nationwide, unbridled corruption and the looting of public treasury by government officials through new bogus projects, upfront payments (often laundered overseas) for unexecuted contracts, have continued to thrive. It is no longer strange that such vital socio-economic projects like road, electricity, rail transportation or refinery repairs are often awarded to incompetent contractors having dishonest links with the bureaucracy; or to political cronies with

no requisite experience. Oftentimes, nearly 100 percent of the contract value gets paid up front and shared with official collaboration. Worse still; and ostensibly because of official complicity, the FG has demonstrated zero guts in bringing to public disgrace the contractors behind abandoned projects, or compelling them to cough up underserved payments made to them. We think the FG can do better than just charging the PPAC with merely taking the inventory of abandoned projects and announcing mind-boggling funds needed to complete them, etc. The FG should return to the less corrupt Due Process and Certification initiative started by the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit under former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili’s superintendence. Besides, the Presidency and the National Assembly must swallow their pride and own up to contributing immensely to the abandoned projects mess by their failures, over the years, in passing yearly appropriation bills on time to allow ample space for project conception, appraisal, planning, funding and implementation, as well as monitoring. It is nauseating when the government complains repeatedly of chronic ailments whose root causes are well known to it, but refuses to take bold steps to heal the wounds.

ON THIS DAY October 10, 2010

October 10, 1973

The Netherlands Antilles (islands) were dissolved as a country. The Netherlands Antilles, also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Though the country has dissolved, the islands are all still under the Kingdom with different legal status and the term is still used to refer to these Dutch Caribbean islands. There were two island groups in the Netherlands Antilles, both in the Lesser Antilles.

Vice President of the United States, Spiro Agnew, resigned his position after being charged with federal income tax evasion. Agnew (November 9, 1918 – September 17, 1996) was the 39th Vice President of the United States (1969–1973), serving under President Richard Nixon, and the 55th Governor of Maryland (1967–1969). He was the first Greek American to hold these offices. During his fifth year as Vice President, in the late summer of 1973, Agnew came under investigation.

October 10, 1944 Holocaust: 800 Gypsy children were murdered at Auschwitz concentration camp. The Romani are an ethnic group living mostly in Europe, with their origins traced to the Indian Subcontinent. Romani are widely known in the English-speaking world by the exonym Gypsies (or Gipsies). Auschwitz concentration camp was a network of concentration and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Decline of governance in the Nigerian state PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

he Nigerian state is increasingly unsecured amidst killings, kidnap and other forms of violence. The state actors are largely helpless and often issue condemnatory remarks and disdain at the callous acts. The spate of violence occurs unabated to the extent that the psyches of Nigerians are now dulled by these bizarre developments. The killing of 40 students in three institutions of higher learning in Mubi, Adamawa State, by unidentified gunmen, is outrageous and disgusting. The barbaric acts have been posted on the internet thus eliciting further national and international outrage and anger. Why would gunmen kill students? No sooner the Mubi killings occurred than four students of the University of Port Harcourt were burnt to death in a suburb of the Rivers State capital allegedly for stealing laptops and cell phones. The Port Harcourt killings are illegal, extra judicial and typify the psyche of Nigerians for dissipating anger on each other. The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji. M.D. Abubakar, should investigate the Mubi and

Port Harcourt killings, and the culprits brought to book. The foregoing had occurred against the backdrop of the growing Boko Haram induced insurgency in northern Nigeria. This group has been altering it is tactics amid the onslaught by the Joint Task Force (JTF). The reported killing of Abu Qaqa has no doubt jolted the group and it is threatening further attacks. The killings of a secretary to a local government council and a law lecturer of the Ekiti State University in Maiduguri again underscore the security deficit in the country. The killings drew the anger and protest of students at the Ekiti State University. The media recently reported the kidnap of the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Hope Eghagha. It also reported that his aide was killed during the abduction. The professor of English at the University of Lagos is a fine gentleman, articulate and profound scholar. The police and Delta State government should reconcile efforts to secure his release at all cost. No cost is too high to secure his release. It is regrettable that the country has descended to the level that might is superior to intellect. The questions to pose at this juncture are the safety of Nigerians, especially the poor. How effectively are the security organizations dealing with the security deficit in Nigeria? Why are the incidences of kidnap on the increase? How often do security agencies resolve cases of kidnap, murder and assassinations? The state actors have largely failed to secure lives and property in Nigeria. The

WE NEED A SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN

PEOPLE TO DISCUSS AND CORRECT THE STRUCTURAL DISTORTIONS AND IMBALANCES IN THE COUNTRY security gap has largely provoked the agitation for state police to address growing insurgencies and insecurity. The country is a federation and should practise federal principles as espoused by its earliest scholars such as K. C. Wheare, W.S. Livingstone, et al. To this extent, the on-going debate on state police is imperative. The state police force is consistent with federal principle and should co-exist with the federal police. The Nigerian federation is not an exemption and should respond to the logic of federalism that is mainly predicated on power sharing between or among the federating units. The country is being ravaged by flood. The flood led to traffic log jam on the Abuja- Lokoja highway. It has destroyed farmlands and property in Edo, Benue, Kogi, Adamawa, Anambra, Rivers, and Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Delta and Niger states. It is regrettable that the various tiers of govern-

ment did not respond to the predictions of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on likely flooding this year. The media has reported that the federal government is mobilizing about $110 million to be shared among the affected states. We hope the monies would not accrue to the predatory political class whose primary concern has been primitive accumulation. The foregoing suggests a failing state and alienating attributes of the Nigerian state. The challenge is to develop a capable state that responds to the country’s development needs and global realities. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed new service chiefs except the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ihiejirika. The appointments are short term responses to the security question in Nigeria. The Presidency should concede to the reality of ascendency of national question in Nigeria. The growing centrifugal forces will not likely be largely dealt with through military option. We need a sovereign national conference of the Nigerian people to discuss and correct the structural distortions and imbalances in the country. The constitution review process is flawed and unreflective of the gamut of issues that affects the country’s political economy. The Presidency should rethink its governance tactics; adopt new approaches and methods that respond to the dictates and preferences of the greater member of Nigerians. It should bear in mind that the country is in a precipice and tokenism in national issues would not assist.

On Jonathan and 2015 presidential election BERNARD-THOMPSON IKEGWUOHA

he Constitution Drafting Committee responsible for crafting the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria carried out a post mortem analysis of the causes of the demise of the First and Second republics and came up with the presidential system that would produce a national leadership capable of commanding the loyalty of Nigeria’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious characteristics as well as evoking national trust as the father of the nation and chief determiner of national goals. This choice was a repudiation of the Westminster or Parliamentary system inherited at independence in October 1, 1960. In this regard therefore, the elected president is expected to rise above the contradictions of either ethnic politics of partisanship on condition that the electorate that elected him into office would not be identified with his own tribe since the entire country is his electorate. Luckily, Mr. President won his first term in office in 2011, by fulfilling all the requirements of the electoral laws of the land. Since being elected, several stakeholders, especially from the north, have indicated that the election that propelled President Goodluck Jonathan into office in 2011 was his second term in office. In the United States, when a vice president takes over after the death or incapacitation of a sitting president, in so far as he will not be in office for more than two years before that tenure of office of his

THE OPPOSITION PARTY LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE ETHNIC CHAUVINISM, REGIONAL PARTICULARISM AND RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY deceased predecessor runs out, he is entitled to two terms of office of eight years in addition to the two years left to complete the tenure of his predecessor. It is generally well known that President Jonathan was in office for only one year to complete the one term tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. This does not in any way mean that Jonathan completed his first term in office by completing just one year left of Yar’Adua’s tenure. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which in summary says: “If a person was elected as Vice President but the person elected President died before taking office, the Vice President becomes the President and serves the now-dead President’s term. Afterwards he/she can still run and be elected President in two subsequent elections…” is very clear on this. While I agree that it is undemocratic to rotate the presidency, I also agree that

in order to give the six geopolitical zones of the country a sense of belonging, it is imperative to rotate the presidency at the federal government level. In that rotational arrangement, no one should lose sight of the fact that Nigeria is a republic and must operate within constitutional framework and rule of law. That brings me to the ascendancy to the presidency by Dr. Jonathan, coming from the South– South geopolitical zone after the untimely death of President Yar’Adua. The Constitution approves such alternation of power for the sake of continuity. I thought that this constitutional arrangement should not have in any way led to crisis of national leadership, which supposedly engendered the current security challenge the nation is facing. It is common knowledge that soon after Jonathan was declared winner of the April 2011 presidential election, Major General Buhari, the CPC presidential flag bearer vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable. Nigeria has since become ungovernable. We can rightly say the opposition political parties have not demonstrated the right spirit that is in democratic competition and political pluralism. The opposition party leaders are expected to rise above ethnic chauvinism, regional particularism and religious bigotry. The above traits exhibited by our political elite are the reason national unity has eluded us. People like General Buhari, Mallam Nasir el Rufai and others feel that Dr. Jonathan is not Nigerian

enough to be President and CommanderIn-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially coming from one of the smallest states of the federation, Bayelsa State. I see them as apostles of divisive politics. It is incontestable that Bayelsa State and indeed the Niger Delta region of the country have remained the “golden geese” that have been laying the golden eggs for Nigeria. If Bayelsa is good enough to produce the oil and gas that generate foreign exchange that is shared statutorily among the component parts of the Nigerian federation, I suppose that a son of Niger Delta region of SouthSouth geopolitical zone can also be the President of Nigeria, all things being equal. Nigeria must continue to be one united country indissoluble and it should be a nation where leadership corresponds to party lines and other cleavages in the society. At the same time, leaders in the rural areas should not revolve around unelected local leaders, many of whom are sycophants, religious and tribal bigots. Prof. Ikegwuoha, is of the University of Maryland, Adelphi, Maryland, USA 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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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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NANS kicks over students’ killing T

he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) hereby condemns in strong terms the killing of

four students of the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. We are strongly against jungle justice. We are hereby issuing

a 7-day ultimatum to the state and the Federal governments as well as security agencies to investigate and bring to book the per-

petrators of this crime. We also urge all students to remain calm and law abiding meanwhile. Enough of the killing of students! We are

the leaders of tomorrow. Kolade, President, (08035837763)

Senate NANS

Forget Bakassi

t is a waste of time and resources for the Federal Government to appeal the Bakassi case at the eleventh hour. The government should rather focus on how to better the lives of the citizens. President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision not to re-visit the 2002 judgement of the International Court of Justice on the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun is a good step in the right direction. He should not mind those calling for government to appeal the judgement because they want to use the avenue to embezzle government money Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State

Prof Ihonvbere and ACN

ince intelligent people like Prof Julius Ihonvbere are celebrities in civilized world, it is advisable for the national leader and national chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to invite him for talks. Sunny Aigbudu (08072563742)

Dame Jonathan in Germany

ell, we thank God for Horst Schmidt Klinik, taking care of our dear First Lady. But, where lies the hope of the common man in good healthcare delivery if our first couple can be seeking medical attention abroad? When they refused to take care and equip our hospitals, whenever they are sick, they quickly hop into the plane and off they go. I pray that one day, Nigeria will have a replica of such health institution on our own soil. But it’s really a big shame that our First Lady will have to be taken abroad for medical care. I wonder what our Professors of Medicine are doing. I won’t be surprised if President Goodluck Jonathan decides to appoint foreign doctors as his medical team. The poor man is in trouble in this country. Pray you don’t fall sick. May God help us all. Sonnie Oputa, Abuja

Don’t play with fire...

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Govt’s free distribution of seedlings to farmers

s reported in the October 5, 2012 edition of your newspaper, while in Niger State, the Honourable Minister for Agriculture reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment in the area of providing free seedlings to farmers as part of efforts to enhance food production. This policy is an excellent one! But if I may ask the Honourable Minister, what control measure is in place to ensure that the output of the free seedlings get to the masses at the appropriate prices? If none, I will then like to advice that a body similar to the old marketing board be set up to monitor the

utilization of the seedlings and also see to the procurement of the outputs from the farmers for onward sales

and distribution to the masses at the price(s). By this, the masses will benefit and the cost of those seedlings recov-

Pls assist flood victims Please, the government should do something to compensate the people involved in the flooding in Anambra. Visiting them

alone cannot just help them. These people need assistance. I, however, give kudos to the people’s governor, Gov Peter Obi for vol-

Hand them over to EFCC

want to thank Hon. Kingsley Kuku for facilitating the arrest and handing over of the fraudulent ex-militant leaders of the Phase Two

Letters to the Editor

amnesty programme to the State Security Service (SSS) operatives. These men have been diverting our monthly stipends since January this

ered for next season’s use. We should be prudent in our spending and policies.

unteering the Government House to house victims of the flooding in Anambra. Odikpo, Awka, Anambra State

year till date to their personal account. I want him to also hand them over to the EFCC for trial. Gabriel Tongbanturi, Emadadja town, War

No to national confab

he national confab being proposed by some people should not hold unless if the people going there to represent us will finance themselves there. I don’t see any reason why these agitators who were the same people that voted the senators and Reps into power now say they that they are not representing the people. The agitators should first call for the abolition of the two chambers before calling for any confab. Why should the Senate and Reps be there wasting billions of Naira if they cannot represent the interest of the people again? Ola, Ago Oko, Abeokuta

Send your letters or mails to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and info@nationalmirroronline.net or, 07033375481, 08035640907 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject letters or photographs. Psuedonyms may be used, but must be clearly marked as such.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Health & Wellbeing Over 100,000 children die yearly of sickle cell in Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C;FG

FG cautions over increasing deaths from heart diseases

nt o il vi-

Why your body needs vitamins SAM EFERARO

ccording to the experts, the human body consists of millions of cells and in each cell, multiple biomedical reactions occur every second. Since vitamins participate in many of these reactions, they are essential to basic life processes, such as the conversion of food to energy, tissue growth and repair and resistance to disease. Vitamins must be present in the proper proportions in order for the body to function correctly. If anyone vitamin is missing, the reactions that depend on it cannot take place.

Fortunately, most of these vitamins can be obtained through diets. Many of them can be obtained from vegetables and fruits which are in abundance in this country. Experts however say a large number of these vitamins and nutrients are destroyed through cooking and other processes to which we subject our foods before they are eaten thus making a daily vitamin supplement very important to any health conscious individual. In reality, nutrient value is one of the last things people consider when they shop for, prepare and eat food. Among the priorities governing food selection, the primary considerations are: taste, cost and convenience. The nutritional

value is considered only after these primary concerns have been satisfied. But we must pay attention to vitamins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if we must remain in good health all the time. We must make converted efforts to ensure that they re obtained either through our diets, where possible or through nutritional supplement. Here are some tips on a few of the essential vitamins and where to obtain them.

Vitamin A Vitamin a is a fat soluble nutrient which, according to the experts, has profound effect on nearly every tissue of the body, It is very important in maintaining the health of the human tissues, especially in maintaining good vision. It is also required for bone growth, re-

production and foetal development and also aids the maintenance of skin and mucous membrane, practically all yellow vegetables or yellow plants contain a pigment that can be converted by the body into Vitamin A. This vitamin can also be obtained from carrot, palm oil, liver, eggs, milk, butter, margarine. Vitamin A deficiency disease is considered to be one of the major causes of child mortality and blindness (xerophthalmia) in the world today, afflicting as many as a million children per year in underdeveloped countries. Apart from children, others at risk of Vitamin a deficiency include pregnant and lactating women, regular alcohol drinkers, people with disease and infection s and those engaged on physical exertion or stress. According to the WHO, an estimated 250 million preschool children are vitamin A deficient and it is likely that in vitamin A deficient areas a substantial proportion of pregnant women is vitamin A deficient. Also, an estimated 250 000 to 500 000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight.

Vitamin B1 The vitamin B complex consists of eight water soluble vitamins which all work together to boost metabolism, enhance the immune system and CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Your body and vitamins

veloping some of these conditions. The evidence that taking vitamin C supplements will help or prevent any of these conditions is lacking, however.

Beta-carotene

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 nervous system, keep the skin and muscles healthy, encourage cell growth and division, and other benefits to the body. Vitamin B1, known as thiamine, in particular, serves as a catalyst in carbohydrate metabolism and helps synthesize nerve-regulating substances. Deficiency can cause heart swelling, leg cramps, and muscular weakness. Rich food sources high in thiamine include liver, heart, and kidney meats, eggs, leafy green vegetables, nuts, legumes, berries, wheat germs, and enriched cereals. Deficiency in Vitamin B1 could lead to nervous disorder and beriberi. Those mostly at risk include dieters, people with chronic infection, pregnant and lactating women. Those engaged in physical exerting/stress, regular alcohol drinkers, cigarette smokers, women on oral contraceptives and the elderly.

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic acid) Discovered by a physician in the British Royal Navy, Dr. James Lind in 1753, this substance became known as Vitamin C in 1920 and was later called “Ascorbic Acid” in 1933. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that it is not stored by the human body. Rather, it is obtainable from food. It is an antioxidant which helps in keeping the body cells healthy. It is essential for the maintenance of the immune system, healthy gums, teeth, blood capillaries and connective tissues and also the absorption of iron. Vitamin C also contains certain substances which helps protect against cataracts, cardiovascular diseases and also improves resistance against cold and flu. Vitamin C is also taken by many people to enhance wound healing and to stimulate the immune system during

infect ion or the common cold. This vitamin can be found in many fruits such as oranges, tomatoes and strawberries and vegetables such as potatoes, broccoli and cabbage. Smoking cigarettes lowers the amount of vitamin C in the body, so smokers are at a higher risk of deficiency. Signs of vitamin deficiency include dry and splitting hair; gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and bleeding gums; rough, dry, scaly skin; decreased wound-healing rate, easy bruising; nosebleeds; and a decreased ability to ward off infection. A severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy. Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with a number of conditions, including high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers, and atherosclerosis (the build-up plaque in blood vessels that can lead to heart attack and stroke). Getting enough vitamin C from your diet (by eating lots of fruit and vegetables) may help reduce the risk of de-

This vitamin is also found in carrots, spinach and many other vegetables. It has the ability to clear excessive or harmful radicals from the body and prevent their formation. There is an increasing evidence that beta carotene could prevent certain cancers , in particular, lung cancer which of course is related to smoking and stomach cancer. People mostly at risk of beta-carotene deficiency include cigarette smokers, people with cardiovascular diseases anf cancer and the elderly.

Vitamin E Vitamin E” is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with distinctive antioxidant activities. Some members of the vitamin E family are called tocopherols. These members include alpha tocopherol, beta tocopherol, gamma tocopherol, and delta tocopherol. Other members of the vitamin E family are called tocotrienols. These members include

alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocotrienol. As increasing information has become available about these forms of vitamin E, more and more of them are understood to have unique functions. It has been documented that Vitamin E protects the skin from ultraviolet light, prevents cell damage from free radicals, allows the body cells to communicate effectively and helps protect against prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Several studies have shown that a high dose of Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on certain circulatory disorders such as intermittence claudication (pain and cramping in the legs due to restericted blood flow) and a condition which leads to blindness in premature infants known as retrolental finroplasis. Vitamin E is present in vegetables oils, nuts and whole grain cereals. Very good sources include almonds and spinach. A deficiency of Vitamin E could result in wasting of the muscles and neurological disorders (neuropathy),. The elderly, people with cardiovascular diseases and cancer, regular alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers are especially at risk of Vitamin E deficiency.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

How to keep your family malaria-free

ong-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets last for at least three years and do not require re-treatment with insecticide. These nets are distributed by malaria control programmes and can be obtained through health facilities or during child health days or integrated campaigns. Most mosquito nets are distributed free of charge, especially to pregnant women and young children. They can also be purchased in the marketplace or through social marketing programmes, mainly in urban areas. In the few cases where untreated nets might still be in use, trained health workers can advise on safe insecticides and re-treatment. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets should be used throughout the year, even when there are fewer mosquitoes, such as during the dry season. Some countries operate programmes to spray the walls of houses with long-lasting insecticides to kill resting mosquitoes. Communities should cooperate with spray teams to ensure that all houses are sprayed. In addition to using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, or if mosquito nets are not available or used, other actions can help, but they are not nearly as effective as using mosquito nets: putting screens on doors and windows; these are mostly used in urban settings and are not very effective in traditional rural housing using mosquito coils; these are used to repel but not kill mosquitoes – they have no

lasting effect wearing clothing that covers the arms and legs (long sleeves and long trousers or skirts); these can help reduce mosquito bites if worn when malaria mosquitoes are most active – from dusk until dawn. 2. Wherever malaria is present, children are in danger. A child with a fever should be examined immediately by a trained health worker and receive an appropriate antimalarial treatment as soon as possible if diagnosed with malaria. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are recommended by WHO for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. It is the most serious type of malaria and causes nearly all malaria deaths. Malaria should be suspected if anyone in the family has a fever, or if young children refuse to eat or have vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness or fits. A child with a fever believed to be caused by malaria needs immediate antimalarial treatment as recommended by a trained health worker. If possible, the child should be tested with a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or microscopy (laboratory diagnosis involving the examination of the person’s blood under a microscope) to confirm the malaria infection. RDTs are inexpensive

A child with malaria needs to take the full course of treatment, even if the fever disappears rapidly. and increasingly available. If a child with a malarial fever is not treated within a day, she or he might die. ACTs are recommended by WHO for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. A trained health worker can advise on what type of ACT treatment is best and how long it should be taken in accordance with national guidelines. Malaria usually causes a high fever and chills. A child with a high fever should be kept cool for as long as the fever persists by: sponging or bathing the child with tepid water (cool, not cold) providing treatment with antipyretics (medication that prevents or reduces fever), such as paracetemol or ibuprofen, but not aspirin. Keeping the fever from going too high is important to prevent convulsions, which could lead to disabilities.

A child with malaria needs to take the full course of treatment, even if the fever disappears rapidly. If the treatment is not completed, the malaria could become more severe and difficult to cure. Incomplete treatment regimens can also lead to the development of drug resistance among people in the local area. If the malaria symptoms continue after treatment, the child should be taken to a health centre or hospital. The problem may be: the child is not receiving enough medicine the child has an illness other than malaria the malaria is resistant to the medicine, and another medicine is needed. Health-care providers have the responsibility to ensure that parents and caregivers are well informed about ways to prevent malaria and the best practices for caring for a child with malaria.

Over 100,000 children die yearly of sickle cell in Nigeria –FG MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday raised alarm over the growing rate of persons who die of sickle cell disorder (SCD) in Nigeria; even as it confirmed that no less than 100,000 children below 12 months old die of the disease in the country, annually. Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Mansur Kabir made this known at a symposium on sickle cell disease and formation of sickle cell clubs for secondary school students in Abuja. Kabir noted that “sickle cell disorder is among the top 10 non-communicable diseases causing high number of disabilities and deaths. Data shows that almost 100 million people in the world are living with sickle cell disorder and the most severe form is responsible for more than 50 percent of the deaths. It is also disturbing that Nigeria is first in Africa with an annual death toll of 100,000 children under one year of age, which represents eight percent of infant deaths in Nigeria.” Worried by the increasing casualties and stigmatization against persons with the challenge, the Federal Government said it would, among other things, ensure that all secondary schools across the federation have a sickle cell club.

A guest speaker at the event, Dr. Uduak Essen, said there was no cure for the disease and that no research had been conducted exploring SCD. Essen also observed that Nigeria was the most endemic nation, globally, with SCD. She counselled that youth alone were the solution to the problem, stressing that if young men and women understood their genotypes before getting married and followed medical advice, SCD would no more be a burden on the society. Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cell that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. People with the disorder have atypical hae-

Prof. Chukwu, Health Minister

moglobin molecules called haemoglobin “S”, which can distort red blood cell into sickle or crescent. Childbearing by affected opposite sexes increases the risk of SCD.

Affected persons may resultantly have stroke, cerebrovascular accident, hemolytic, anaemia, acute chest syndrome, gall bladder disease, jaundice, growth failure, eye damage among others.

HIV, Cancer, Cardiovascular diseases deserve greater attention in Nigeria –WHO MARCUS FATUNMOLE

ABUJA

he World Health Organization (WHO) has charged Nigeria to focus more on HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular diseases and malaria as it moves towards 2015 target of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Outgoing WHO country representative, Dr. David Okello made this known in Abuja recently during a send-off luncheon organized in his honour by the Federal Government. In his valedictory speech, Okello, who was redeployed to Zimbabwe, expressed satisfaction for his two-year stay in the country. According to him, Nigeria had achieved huge success in its fight against polio, while other diseases, mostly noncommunicable, call for greater attention. He expressed satisfaction with the country’s efforts at eradicating polio: “There is a lot of controversies about

it, the figure being reported now is not what happened yesterday. They were what happened earlier in the year. Everything is falling into place. Very soon, the results will be manifesting. Polio is being cleaned from the country; it is now only found in confined areas. HIV, Cancer, Cardiovascular diseases and malaria are the real health issues in Nigeria today. In an address, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said Okello touched all areas of health in the country; stressing that Nigeria recorded great success during the two-year tenure of the departing Country Representative. The Minister listed major Federal Government’s achievement in its health sector during the tenure of Okello in Nigeria to include: Sure-P health component; reduction in maternal and child mortality; reduction in the nation’s HIV/ AIDS prevalence index and landmark success in polio eradication; disease control among others.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Medical research, a key to national development –Reps member TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

L-r, Head, Microbiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Neoma Idika; Head, NIMR’s Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Dr. Stella Smith; NIMR’s Director General, Prof. Innocent Ujah and Chair, House of Representatives Committee’s on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, Dr. Joseph Kigbu during House Committee’s members visit to NIMR over weekend.

FG cautions over increasing deaths from heart diseases MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Federal Government has expressed concern over death toll arising from heart related diseases in Nigeria. Minister of State for Health, Dr Ali Pate made this known yesterday at a briefing commemorating this year’s World Heart Day in Abuja. According to the Minister, “Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and non-communicable diseases in general are posing an increasing burden to the health and wellbeing of people around the world. Cardiovascular diseases claim 17.3 million lives a year, which is as many as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes plus all forms of cancers and chronic respiratory diseases combined, are responsible for. Globally, it is estimated that nearly one in three adults over the age of 25 will have high blood pressure by the year 2025. This one of the biggest single risk factors for heart disease and stroke, the world’s num-

ber one killer. To this end, the Minister vowed the Federal Government would focus more on awareness creation on prevention of non-communicable diseases which it said was taking heavy toll on people across the globe. Pate noted that women and children gave less attention to the causes of the diseases while they were responsible for half

of global deaths arising from non-communicable diseases. While stating that risk for CVDs could be mitigated, the Minister advised that consumption of low fruits and vegetable intake, processed food, much fibre, cholesterol, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity, much salt intake and obesity are all contributors to heart diseases.

Meanwhile, the Minister added that the Ministry had decided to step up efforts in ensuring the Tobacco Bill before the National Assembly is passed to, among other, to prevent young people from consuming alcohol. The theme for this year’s World Heart Day is “One World, One Heart, One Home: Focus on Women and Children.

Why Nigerians must access NHIS by FMC’s CMD

he Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Abeokuta, Dr. Dapo Sotiloye has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the National Health Insurance Scheme which according to him was meant for Nigerians to access Medicare at affordable rate. Sotiloye who spoke during a television programme in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital said the NIHIs were to the advantage of Nigerians. Although the FMC’s Director said it might be difficult to say that Nigerians has fully taken advantage of the scheme, however, he expressed

optimism that the scheme would go places in the country. He said: ‘’I will not say Nigerians have fully taken advantage of this it, but we have to start somewhere and that’s why I commend the Federal Government for the scheme’’ According to him, the scheme would eliminate problems usually associated with many Nigerians accessing health care delivery. Sotiloye urged Nigerians to embrace the scheme by registering at their places of work, in their communities as well as through Associations saying: ‘’we must not deny ourselves of the benefits of this

scheme is more than really envisaged’’. Making comparison between the NHIS and the Primary Health Care programme of the governments, the CMD said: ‘’The two are not the same, while PHC is aimed at bringing medicare to the door steps of rural dwellers, the NHIS and largely funded by government, the NHIS is being funded by citizens themselves through their own contributions which varies.’’ On the prevalent cases of self-medication by Nigerians, Sotiloye who warned that it was bad for the health system of the country also warned Nigerians against indulging themselves in it.

he Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, Dr. Joseph Kigbu, has re-echoed the importance of medical research to the development of health sector and nation’s building. Kigbu restated this during his committee’s members’ facility inspection tour to the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, over weekend. According to him, there is need for the country to encourage quality research into health conditions of Nigerians, especially in the areas of genetic disorder, HIV\AIDS, tuberculosis, hypertension and malaria, among other diseases. “Nigerians need not die again of preventable and treatable ailments, hence the need for governments across tiers to give a deserved attention to the tackling of various health conditions confronting the country,” he stressed.

Kigbu, who said he was particularly impressed with the level of ongoing research activities and developmental projects at NIMR, including the e-library project, assured the institute of House of Reps’ continued support in its areas of need to effectively carry out its mandate. “For instance,” he said, “the House will ensure more funds will be made available to the institute next fiscal year to enable it complete the e-library and other developmental projects, as well as research activities. “ In his response, the institute’s Director General, Prof Innocent Ujah, said the institute had recorded major breakthroughs in national response to malaria, HIV and TB control and management in the recent past. While disclosing that NIMR partners with local and international health- related institutions and hospitals on capacity building of their medical personnel, Ujah said the institute would continue to improve in its responsibilities to the nation.

Ensure quality service, data collection, Idris charges new Primary Health Care Board

he Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris has urged the newly inaugurated members of the Governing Board of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in the state to ensure the provision of optimal quality healthcare services to the teaming people of the state as well as collate adequate data. Idris noted that the inauguration is an efforts aimed at improving the quality of services offered at the PHCs adding that the board had been structured in a way to address any impediments hindering the discharge of satisfactory services. The Special Adviser on Public Health to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Dr. Yewande Adeshina noted that the governing board consists of experienced professionals with good pedigrees and antecedents under the chairmanship of Dr. Babatunde Sagoe with Dr. Tunde Williams as Secretary. Adeshina pointed out that the idea behind the constitution of the governing board is to tap from their wealth of experience and pool of ideas in order to aid efficient and effective healthcare service delivery. “The Executive Council has

designed a new composition of health workers that would provide 24-hours services at the flagship PHCs and Governor Fashola is determined to reduce the disease burden and improve the health indices, especially maternal, infant and neonatal mortality rate.” She attributed the inauguration of the board to the fall out of the decisions made in the health sector reform stressing that the scope of duty of the board besides the day- to- day running of the PHCs shall also include making decisions that will improve their services and also collaborate with other agencies of government in the health sector. While emphasising the need for team work and community involvement in the governing board, Idris urged them to operate within the existing integrated system, play crucial role with the school of nursing, health service commission, the teaching hospitals, move into the communities with a view to finding out the challenges confronting them in order to address them, have complete data from the grassroot and ensure positive attitudinal change to service delivery.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

I’m very passionate about Nigerian music –Seyi

House Committee on Culture vows to save National Theatre

25 ADENRELE NIYI AND TERH AGBEDEH

he storm generated by a narrative written by Professor Chinua Achebe and published in The Guardian, London of Tuesday, October 2, is yet to abate. The Guardian article is a reflection on Prof. Achebe’s new memoir There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra, The book, set against the backdrop of the Igbo-born octogenarian’s experiences during the Nigerian Civil War (1967 -1970), also explores roles played by some of the major actors, including deceased Nigerian statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The revered Yoruba leader was one of the members of General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet during the dark days of violent internal conflict. However, in Prof. Achebe’s documentation of intricacies and manoeuvrings around the civil war, he fingered Obafemi Awolowo as the mastermind behind a strategic policy of starvation which weakened Biafra’s succession bid, decimated its population and brought the bitter conflict to a quick end. Long before the release of There Was a Country in September, there had been speculations by some literary enthusiasts that if the new book by the famous writer of Things Fall Apart does not become a bestseller in the country following the differences of opinions it has generated so far, no other book will. While critics abroad have focussed on the literary content, there is nothing short of an outcry against the book in the country. In excerpts lifted from the controversial article, Achebe wrote that: “The wartime cabinet of General Gowon, the military ruler, it should also be remembered, was full of intellectuals like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among others, who came up with a boatload of infamous and regrettable policies. A statement credited to Awolowo and echoed by his cohorts is the most callous and unfortunate: all is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder. “It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing wrong with those aspirations. “However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbo at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose – the Nigeria-Biafra War – his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. “In the Biafran case, it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation – eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.” However, it was Achebe’s claims that the late revered Yoruba statesman used his position as the Vice Chairman of the war-

Raging war between literature and history As Femi Robinson calls for school ban of Chinua Achebe’s classic Things Fall Apart

Femi Robinson

Odia-Ofeimun

THE STORY OF THE

CIVIL WAR “WILL

NOW HAVE TO BE TOLD PROPERLY BECAUSE

ACHEBE HAS TAKEN THE GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLE time federal cabinet to “decimate” the Igbo as a race that stirred the hornet’s nest. The contentious excerpts have since spawned passionate debates on the social media, especially on Facebook, Twitter and blogs. Veteran theatre artiste, Femi Robinson, one of the pioneering cast of Village Headmaster, made his declaration on the new book yesterday where he called on the government to ban Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart in Nigerian schools. Robinson said he decided to make this call because “it appears that the author of the book had, for years, been selling hate and disunity with the publication of his book and the promotion of the character, Okonkwo, as a role model to Nigerians”. Robinson, who said he had read sections of Achebe’s new book, explained that for many years he had asked himself why the Things Fall Apart came with that title. “What fell apart and what could not hold?” He asked, saying that it was for this reason he had written a play titled: ‘Things Fall in Place’ “to counter some of what I considered dangerous propaganda by the book”. Robinson went on to run an excerpt about the character of Okonkwo from his

Adichie

play, which shows him at the point where he returns from exile in Mbata. Robinson argues that Okonkwo was banished at the end of Achebe’s book and wondered if it had been a marketing gimmick to get international acceptance of the book. “How many Okonkwos did the book breed before the war? How many unrepentant killers have we turned into heroes in all parts of the country? People who believed the centre can no longer hold because only they had the cultural ties that can keep it together. “I am also a writer and I have always insisted that children should never be forced to buy books. I call on the Members of Senate, Members of the Houses of Representatives and all well-meaning Nigerians to ban this and any other forms of literature from being forced on the curriculum of schools and students”, Robinson said. Referring to what he described as “Prof. Chinua Achebe’s clannish mindset from the early days”, Robinson said he was surprised the writer has not changed after 52 years of independence. “Things may have fallen apart when he

was young, but the youths today must be made to realise the need for the centre to hold. These days we do not need to go to war to settle our differences”. However, poet and essayist, Odia Ofeimun, while speaking at the Book Party organised by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) for the 10 writers long-listed in the 2012 Nigeria Prize for Literature on Sunday, said the leaders who took the decision to go to war should now be given a proper trial and that Achebe’s new book will now encourage more writing on the war. Ofeimun was personal secretary to Obafemi Awolowo who served in the Nigerian government during the war at the same time that Achebe was an ambassador to the Biafran government. “All the leaders who took the decision that led to the Civil War should now be tried properly. Because the rest of us were angry, we allowed them to mislead us. It is wrong for people to use the falsehood of propaganda during a civil war”, he said. The poet explained that leaders need to pay for what they did yesterday. “Ojukwu committed genocide against his people and he should not have been allowed to simply walk away. Nzeogwu was the leader of the Biafran army; he told them, we don’t have the guns, we can’t win this war”. Ofeimun said the story of the Civil War “will now have to be told properly because Achebe has literarily taken the genie out of the bottle. We need somebody to begin to tell us why we were not ready for a war and they went ahead and committed genocide against their people”. In a review in the London Review of Books, writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie stated that Achebe mourns Biafra, but his anger is directed at the failures of Nigeria. His great disappointment manifests itself in a rare moment of defiance towards the end of the book. This is not the first time Achebe is being criticised for his work: In 1975, he gave a lecture on racism in “The Heart of Darkness” that caused controversy. Achebe chronicles the events surrounding the Nigerian Civil War, a three-year battle lasting from 1967-1970 and directly involving the author’s home and family. Already a noted writer at the time, Achebe supported Biafran independence. This book describes the state of the country prior to war, so that readers can understand its potential and carries on through the monstrous violence that took place.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

VOICES

The evolution of Nigerian poetry ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

IN THE NIGERIAN

POETRY SCENE OF

oetry in Nigeria, the most populous African country, has evolved remarkably over five decades of independence. My grandfather was a poet who composed in his head and shared his culture through epic poems, employing the craft as a way of remembering oral history, stories, genealogy, and law. He, his Royal Majesty Nze Ihebuzoaju Paul Onwumere, had given poetry meaning in the village; yet most people, including this author, had little understanding what he was doing when he was alive. Poetry is a literary genre that defies precise definition. Many poets and scholars let their muse determine what poetry is but for the rest of us, we could use this internet thesaurus definition: “Poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Poetry has been known to employ meter and rhyme, but this is by no means necessary. Poetry is an ancient form that has gone through numerous and drastic reinvention over time”. Because Africans did not record events that took place during antiquity in written form, the development of poetry is credited to the Indo-European language group that includes Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, and its Brythonic and Goidelic subgroups. Despite the historical record, ancient Africans knew what poetry was, and they made good use of it. From ancient India came the Vedas (which predate 2000 B.C.E.), but it is often claimed that the oldest surviving poem is The Epic of Gilgamesh composed just a little later, sometime between 1300-1000 B.C.E. in Sumer (modern Iraq/Mesopotamia). Greek epics like The Iliad and Odyssey, the Indian Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and the Tibetan Epic of King Gesar also populate the list of well-known ancient storytelling. Where is the African representation in this history? African poetry is assumed to be absent because there were no written records, but the African oral tradition at the time of Homer was thriving. African poems from time immemorial were bequeathed to the people through the oral tradition, and they still survive in African shanties, villages, and towns today.

Nigerian voices, then Africa has had innumerable thinkers who have sought to determine what makes poetry distinctive as a form of art, and what distinguishes good poetry from bad poetry. These practices resulted in the development of the study of the aesthetics of poetry, otherwise called “Poetics”, a necessary field to differentiate an oral poet from a musician. Africans did that, just as the ancient Chinese (in the Shi Jing or the Five Classics), developed a canon of poetry that had ritual as well as aesthetic importance. Without delving into the details of Poetics, one tenant of the study determined

TODAY, THERE IS A MIXED COLLECTION OF TALENT AND

MEDIOCRITY, RHYME, RHETORIC AND REASON

Odimegwu

that poetry must have rules. For example, Aristotle’s Poetics describes the three genres of poetry as epic, comic and tragic. Later, forms of poetry such as the epic or lyric poem were identified. In studying the evolution of poetry in Africa and elsewhere, Nigeria must not be overlooked. In modern times, there are four generations of Nigerian poets: Pre-Colonial, Colonial, Post-Colonial and Contemporary. Through these generations poetry has evolved tremendously and for the better. Multiethnic populations in the area (like the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Efik, Ibibio, Bini, Nupe and Igala, to name just a few) had their traditional ways of appreciating poetry, long before the arrival of white colonialists. Nze Onwumere, for instance, was Igbo –a people who before and after colonialism delivered oral poems with nocturnal voices mostly at funerals. Just as developments in writing and literacy changed poetry all over the world, poets in Nigeria, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Christopher Okigbo, Dennis Osadebe (deceased), Gabriel Okara, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and John Pepper-Clark, amongst others, experimented in Western education. Their poetry, tainted by Western attitudes, however, acted as a cancer on the Nigerian poetry scene, leaving the Nze Onwumeres of this world behind. The poetry of these Western-educated men was mostly intended for academia; as the war between Socialism and Capitalism was then in fashion, they wrote poems designed to undermine colonialism. They represent a class of protest poems and poets that deviated from traditional Nigerian form. While in Poetics there are genres and rules that govern poetry, the end of colonialism in Nigeria ushered in new forms and styles of poetry, most of them without a defined style. Nigerian poets under colonialism followed the culture of writing poetry that they learned directly from the white colonialists; post-colonial poets changed these styles and themes. After independence, poets like Niyi Osundare, Onwuchekwa Jemie and others wrote very powerfully in this revised art form. In 1986, the Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Post-Colonial poet-play-

wright Wole Soyinka, solidifying Nigeria’s place in the global literature scene. Shaped by colonialism, poets of the second generation like self-avowed Marxists Odia Ofeimun and Niyi Osundare, are leaders in the struggle for the betterment of Nigerian poetry and the removal of its colonial mentality. Harry Garuba, Afam Akeh and Sesan Ajayi, a university professor, confessional poet and journalist, respectively, are among the leaders of the pack of the third generation (Post-Colonial) of poets.

Nigerian voices, tomorrow Today, the proliferation of poetry in Nigeria is stirred by the increasing social awareness and emotional pressure brought on by social, political and economic issues and crises. Contemporary Nigerian poets (the fourth generation) like Remi Raji, Uche Peter Umez, Obi Nwakanma, Ogaga Ifowodo, Chidi Anthony Opara, Maik Nwosu, myself and many others, are churning out poems virtually on a daily basis, either in book form or published on the Internet. Poets from around the world are envious of and learning from the power and fame that Nigerian poets enjoy in the country’s literary scene. Despite the lack of print publications open to poets and authors, this new generation of poets thrive especially through many local poetry competitions like the ANA/NDDC Gabriel Okara Prize for Poetry, Cadbury Poetry Prize, MUSON Poetry Prize and the rotating NLNG/Nigeria Prize for Literature. With the exception of the NLNG/Nigeria Prize for Literature, which has purse of $50,000, few offer financial rewards. But as one critic said of the Nigerian poetry scene of today, there is a mixed collection of talent and mediocrity, rhyme, rhetoric and reason. Still, I believe that there is no dearth of intellectuals among Nigerian poets. Nigerian poets are great writers, visionaries and social reformers who consistently seek to drive their point home (the same cannot be said of our political leadership). Against the backdrop of what can be described as formidable, Nigerian poets represent the opposition to the ills of the society. Today, Nigerian poets and authors are committed to the cause of humanity and social justice. Because they have always given back to society, Nigerians must strive to keep their legacy alive. Onwumere is a Rivers State-based author, poet and child rights advocate.

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MEMORABLE READS

Alex Okoroigwe (a.k.a Alex O) Producer, musician Who is your favourite author? I cannot point at anyone as my best author. I read lots of books as a school boy like Shakespeare, James Hardley Chase and the African books. Right now, I am paying more attention to books that can develop me as a person and a musician. I have, however, taken time to read about the musicians whom I listened to before my break, because they shaped my career. I particularly liked George Benson and there is a book on him by Wolf Marshall titled Best of George Benson: A Step by Step Breakdown of his Guitar Techniques. Does it mean you do not like African authors? I like them, but I do not have any favourites. I read them as a student; I must say they are good. Aside books, I indulge a lot in newspapers and magazines. I read them to get enlightened and know what is going on in the society. How much is your annual budget on books? I do not have a budget, but with e-books now available, books are cheaper. You just download what you need and pay a little. That’s going to revolutionise the reading industry much as it has done to music. If you decide to write a book, what would it be on? It would be about my life in music. I would like to put some things down for posterity sake. Basically, the music scene has been evolving, so I would like to put myself at the centre and tell posterity how it has been.

Okoroigwe

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ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I’m very passionate about Nigerian music –Seyi It was during a project with Sound Sultan in the UK that Seyi Shay was introduced to Cecil Hammond of Flytime Promotions. Impressing Hammond, a reputable talent-spotter, both of them decided to launch her long-awaited solo career through the Nigerian music industry platform. ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

eborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, better known by her stage name, Seyi Shay, is set to take her place in the Nigerian music hall of fame. Signed to Flytime Music, Seyi is working on her debut solo album, but the 26-year-old professional has already recorded a number of songs with top Nigerian producers like Jay Slick, Tee-Y- Mix, Del B and Cobhams Asoquo. Pursuing her desire to become a prominent force in the industry, she has also performed at a number of A-list events in Nigeria, sharing the stage with some of the industry’s superstars like Darey, 2Face Idibia, Wizkid, PSquare and most recently, Davido’s album launch. With two brand new singles, Loving Your Way and Irawo (Star) enjoying airplay on radio at the moment, the recording artiste, songwriter and producer is bringing home her years of experience and work on the international music circuit. Born and raised in London to Nigerian parents, Seyi, who had her first taste of the Nigerian music industry in 2010, began performing at the age of six. “Although I was born in the U.K., I came to Nigeria when en I was four years old and had my primary y education in Command Secondary School, hool, Ikeja, Lagos and a short stint of secondary education in Queenss College, Lagos, before relocating to the U.K after just a year in Queens ens College”, Seyi said. A former member of the he London Community Gospell Choir (LCGC) headed by Basill Meade, Seyi made headlines as a 14-yearold when she embarked on n an international tours with the e choir, performing in different cities around the world (including ing a 13-city tour in Japan) in 2005. 005. At the age of 18, Seyi’s career soon took a leap when hen she signed her first record rd deal in London with Sir ir George Martin the producucer of the legendary band, nd, The Beatles. It was around nd this time she also wrote ote and produced three major jor songs for the Konami Game ame soundtrack “Crime Life”, ”, as well as the song, “You will ll see” which was performed by former Spice Girl, Mel C and was also included in Beautiful Intentions, ions, Mel C’s successful album. In 2006, Seyi was a pioneering member of UK all-girl band and called Boadicea, who were managed anaged by Ron Tom, founder and manager anager of top selling UK female groups, Suga- Seyi ups Suga

I HOPE TO BE INVOLVED IN MOST OF THE THINGS COMING UP IN MUSIC,

PARTICULARLY AS THE YEAR WINDS DOWN babes and All Saints. The band split after two years and Seyi later decided to attend a national audition in the UK where she would emerge as the lead singer of five-girl British Pop/RnB girl group, “From Above”; a stint that lasted five years. Speaking about From Above’s disbanding, the gifted singer said the girls could not harmonise their vision as a team. “From Above was really high profile, but it didn’t quite go the way everyone tipped it to. We weren’t on the same page; we each had different passions”. Before its demise, the group was signed to Sony/Columbia Record company and Music World Entertainment owned by Beyoncé’s father; Matthew Knowles. In 2009/10, the girls supported superstar singer, Beyoncé on her “I AM” UK tour and in 2011, they were award presenters at the MTV/EMA MTV/EM Music Awards. In the song ‘White the same year, Seyi wrote w international selling rapper/ Lies’ for internati that featured artiste, Chipmunk Chipm Coleena of P.Diddy’s Dirty Monalbum was in the top 30’s ey. The albu official music Charts. of the UK’s o repertoire of internaHer rep music work notwithtional m standing, Seyi was driven standin with the by frustration fr straight-jacket foreign stra music industry to ply m her trade in Nigeria. he According to her, NigeAc ria, as an emerging muria sic force, means there is still a lot of room for artistes to develop their arti peculiar styles of performpeculi music without being coming mus tailor it to specific compelled to tai interests. mercial in very passionate about “I’m ve Nigerian music; I feel we are doing great grea outside the country winning awards in the U.S. with us winnin the UK music and our music entering en charts. I’m just glad to be here now doing what I love best. What I’m doing and new, but with Flytime is different d it will definitely get g people dancing”, she enthused. plans for the foreseeable And her music plan future? “I’m working on o my album but it I hope to be inwouldn’t be ready in a while. w things coming up in muvolved in most of the thin sic, particularly as the y year winds down”. sic

MIDWEEK JUMP ONA Art Movement returns with group exhibition

Wewe

fter last year’s controversy that trailed the origin of the ONA Art Movement, a group art exhibition featuring members of the movement is being organised as a reunion show. It will open on October 27 at Nike Gallery and Watersworth Gallery, both in Lekki, Lagos. According to a statement by one of the members, Tola Wewe, the exhibition has given rise to a solidified group of artists. He said the founders of ONA, which

include Bolaji Campbell, Kunle Filani, Tunde Nasiru, Moyo Okediji and Tola Wewe, have all agreed to creatively harmonise and re-position ONA Art Movement through exhibitions, workshops, seminars, conferences and lectures. The group exhibition will feature huge works and installations, drawings and miniatures at both galleries. “The exhibition is aimed at re-inventing the philosophy of ONA by the founding members. Consequently, the exhibition will feature mainly and strictly the five founding members only. Subsequent ONA shows will hold annually and in different parts of the world where other members are expected to participate”, Wewe added.

Third Ife film festival calls for papers, films rganisers of the third edition of the Ife International Film Festival scheduled to hold from November 29 to December 2 with the theme: Celebrating the Ife Film Schooll are calling for papers and films. Holding within the year of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, which spawned it, submission deadlines are as follows: Abstracts(October 30); Film Entries (October 30) and Full Papers (November 15). Some of the leading lights of the Ife Film School, which comprises both the trainers and the trained, include: Mahmood Alli-Balogun, Niji Akanni and Niyi Coker. Panel and paper proposals should address the theme and the following sub-themes: Historical Value of the Ife Film School, Thematic construct of the Ife Film

School, Film Genres of the Ife Film School, Aesthetics of the Ife Film School, The Ife Film School, Politics and Ideology, The Ife Film School and the Nigerian Socio-Cultural Milieu, Behind and in Front of the Camera: Female Presence in the Ife Film School and The Ife Film School and the Youth Question. Articles are also welcome on all other topics and current issues relating to the Ife Film School. Enquiries and submissions should be directed to the Department of Dramatic Arts of the university.

Search for new talents in African films

anal France International (CFI) has launched Haraka! a contest for fictional short film projects with the aim of mobilising the energies of a new generation of directors under 35 years who are determined 2012 Lasgidi dance fest to film at all costs. calls for applications By providing this means to alls for participation at young directors within sub-Sahathe “Lasgidi International ran Africa, CFI hopes to spot new Dance Festival 2012” or- talents and contribute to the injecganised by the Alliance Francaise tion of more dynamism to the secLagos (the French Cultural Cen- tor. Haraka! will take into account tre) has opened with members fiction film projects of between of the dance community being 5 and 15 minutes and of which urged to apply. Holding between the screenplay is inspired by the December 1 and 2, 2012, deadline theme, Living in Africa today. for applications is Tuesday, OcIn total, 12 projects will be setober 16 while auditions will be lected in 2012 and CFI will alloheld on Saturday, October 20. cate to them an even sum of 10,000 All applications should include Euros. In order to facilitate a wide the following documents: Intro- circulation of the selected works, duction letter (1 A4 page max); the short films will be broadcast an Application letter (1 A4 page on African television channels, max); a Synopsis of the project; while the selection jury will be two photos of the dance project; made up of audiovisual profescontemporary dance only; film sionals. The candidates must materials in video DVD formats send their application file before only (valid formats: wmv, mp4) the October 15, 2012. The terms and if possible, additional web of registration to the competition links of the same project (You- can be downloaded from the webTube, vimeo). site, www.cfi.fr

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

House Committee on Culture vows to save National Theatre STORIES BY ADENRELE NIYI AND A DEBIMPE OLATUJA

he Deputy Chairman, National Assembly House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Honourable Abdul Malik Usman has said that the current state of under-utilisation affecting the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos evokes his sympathy. The Honourable made this emotional revelation on Thursday, October 4 in Lagos during the House Committee’s oversight visit to the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Broad Street, Lagos and the National Theatre. Led by Hon. Abdulmalik Usman who was accompanied by committee member, Hon. Abbas Machilca, the two-man delegation also held closed door meetings with the management and key administrative personnel of CBAAC, National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria at both venues. “With what I saw today, I sympathise with National Theatre because the structure is iconic and we own it. Now, the National Assembly and Executive are joining hands together to enable us get a solution towards the development of this country”, Malik had said after a detailed tour of the National Theatre complex. Earlier at CBAAC, the first point of call in the morning, the delegation was received by the institution’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Tunde Babawale with a welcome address, discussions and later treated to a walking exhibition of the priced African artworks and artefacts in CBAAC’s collection. Thereafter, the delegation left for the National Theatre, where the Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Kabir and Artistic Director/CEO, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Martin

Adaji conducted the House members through a tour of the complex. Disclosing the delegation’s findings to newsmen at the conclusion of their visit, Hon. Usman said he was impressed with what the management of both institutions and the cultural troupe had achieved so far inspite of their lean purses. “If they are having any problems, it is as a result of inadequate release of funds to enable them carry out their respective activities adequately”, he stated. He reasoned that the issue of inadequate funding was not only limited to culture and tourism sector but rather a national issue in the country, while conceding that arts and culture as a vehicle for tourism could earn “Nigeria more money than petroleum”. Usman further said that as a structure of global reckoning, the National Theatre would henceforth be given higher priority attention than has been the previous practice. “We would try as much as possible to have a legislature that will back this structure so that coming generations in this country will see it standing and maintained in other to keep the history of Nigeria”, he announced. “Look at Kenya, Gambia and many other countries, that are generating revenue on tourism but in Nigeria today, insecurity is our major problem. If security and the power sector are in order, then many people will like to come and stay in Nigeria”. “Insha Allah, once we get back to Abuja, it will be resolved. We will call the Ministry of Finance and other agencies that are concerned so we can meet the expectation of the Nigerian public”. However, before the Honourables departed, they were treated to a dance-performance by the National Troupe.

L-R: Immediate past Chairman MUSON, Chief Femi Adeniyi-Williams; Otunba J.K. Randle and Mr. Ibare-Akinsan at the press conference announcing the 2012 MUSON festival. PHOTO: ADENRELE NIYI

2012 MUSON Fest promises to thrill

he Management of Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) on Friday, October 5 officially announced its 2012 MUSON Festival programme which will be holding for seven days between October 18 and 28. At the press conference to herald the Festival tagged ‘Celebrating Perfection in the Arts’, MUSON Chairman, Bashorun J.K. Randle who gave a scorecard of the organisation’s accomplishment and reemphasised its unrelenting passion to music education and promotion of excellence in musical crafts, said the annual event started in 1997, covers a variety of artistic offerings such as classical music, jazz, choral music, traditional and contemporary music as well as drama. “It is a major calendar item which lovers of the arts look forward to each year”, said Otunba Randle. According to the Vice Chairman of MUSON, Mr. Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan who is also the Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, the annual fest holding at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos starts with My Kind of Music; a spotlight feature on four highly accom-

plished people namely; Justice Ayo Phillips, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe, Ms. Sefi Atta and Mr. Olufemi Lijadu, who will share their passion for music with a live audience. Jazz Fest comes up on Saturday, October 20 with acclaimed local and diaspora Nigerian Jazz musicians such as Agboola Sadare, Imole Afrika and Dapo Dina, amongst others. “One of the original objectives of MUSON is to help grow Nigerian musical talents. Therefore, for this year’s festival we are focusing exclusively on Nigerian Jazz exponents both at home and abroad”, said the Vice Chairman. Continuing the music fest on Sunday is the Classical Concert, a presentation of musical compositions directed by Sir Emeka Nwokedi and featuring MUSON Artistic Director, Thomas Kanitz; Pianist Babatunde Sosan and the MUSON Diploma School Choir. On Wednesday, October 24, the Youth Concert, an open solo competition for contestants from ages 14 to 21takes place. The competition is to encourage music education in Nigerian Secondary Schools as well as encourage the youth to hone

their musical skills from relatively young ages. MUSON Day, an event marking the anniversary of the founding of the Musical Society of Nigeria is slated for Thursday, October 25. A concert titled “Journey through Europe” with Thomas Kanitz (Violin and Cello) and Ayo Bankole Jnr. (Piano) will take patrons and friends of MUSON at the celebration on a musical trip of European music styles. “An Ordinary Legacy”, a play written by award-winning Nigerian writer Sefi Atta, will be on stage for the first time on the eve of the festival’s closing. Directed by Wole Oguntokun, the cast includes Nobert Young, Carol King, Femi Oke and Uzor Osimkpa amongst others. To round off the festival, a magical opera titled ‘The Magic Flute’, written by legendary composer Mozart (few weeks before his death in 1791) comes up on Sunday, October 27. Conducted by Thomas Kanitz, this is the first time for the opera on a West African stage. The performance will utilise Nigerian costumes to bring closer home the allegorical story of a struggle between repression and enlightenment.

NAFEST takes peace theme to Ilorin IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

Hon. Abdulmalik Usman (left) and Mr. Martin Adaji.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

he Metropolitan Square, Asa-Dam road, venue of the 2012 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST, is expected to be a beehive of activities as the 36 states of the nation and Abuja converge on Ilorin, the Kwara state capital for the festival which takes off this Saturday. At a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday announcing the commencement of the oneweek festival themed: “Culture,

Peace and Economic Empowerment”, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke said the festival is dedicated to the promotion of peace and national unity in addition to growing the culture of economic empowerment. The minister, who gave full assurances of the preparedness of government and the people of Kwara State towards a successful hosting of the festival, revealed the line up of events on offer which will include; dance drama, traditional moon-

light games, traditional wrestling arts and crafts exhibition, among others. While commending the Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and members of his executive council for their commitment to hosting the forum of national unity, Chief Duke also called on the media to help in resounding the thrust of NAFEST celebrations to all corners of Nigeria, which is that “the panacea for our various challenges of security, poverty and youth restiveness can be found in our culture”.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

How football restored Cote d’Ivoire –Drogba 29

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Sport

No need dwelling on the past. I am done with international football and I want to say, ‘that’s it’ –Chelsea captain, John Terry

Schools Festival gets new date ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s form in recent weeks has been suspect, but kepers’ trainer Ike Shorunmu says ‘no cause for alarm’

Battle of Calabar: Enyeama delights Shorunmu in training AFOLABI GAMBARI

uper Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu, yesterday expressed delight at the sparkling form displayed the team’s first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama as the squad commenced full training yesterday in Calabar ahead of the weekend’s Afcon qualifier with Lone Star of Liberia. Enyeama, whose form of late has proved somewhat suspect, has been

criticised for sloppy performance that led to Nigeria dropping vital points at the first leg encounter in Monrovia on September 8. The keeper’s club form has also dipped, although he explained that the goals he conceded in recent weeks owed mainly to his defenders’ laxity than his poor form. “I am happy with Vincent and others in camp,” Shorunmu said, apparently also making reference to Enyeama’s colleagues, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.

“All they need is a little pep up from the public perception of them and we are already getting results even on that,” Shorunmu, whom Enyeama understudied during the former’s heyday in the Eagles, added. Meanwhile, Nosa Igiebor, Ikechukwu Uche, Elderson Echejile, Ahmed Musa, Obiora Nwankwo, Efe Ambrose, Brown Ideye, Ogenyi Onazi, Joel Obi and Victor Moses trained yesterday as coach Stephen Keshi shapes his team ahead of Saturday.

Governor’s Cup: Shehu canvasses players’ welfare YEMI OLUS

igeria’s top player at the impending 12th Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championship, Lawal Shehu, has tasked tennis authorities in the country to improve the players’ welfare if Nigeria is to gain reckoning in international competitions. Shehu is ranked 1409 in the world and is the only Nigerian player to be named in the main draws of the first futures of the championship scheduled to hold at the Lagos

Lawn Tennis Club from October 13 to 27. The player, who is also the only player to get to the second round of both futures last year, lamented the plight of his compatriots, even as they are pressed to impress in the looming tournament rated as the biggest International Tennis Federation (ITF) event in West Africa. “There are so many times I regret the fact that I even play tennis at all,” Shehu told National Mirror yesterday. “It is so disheartening because you put in a lot of money but get

nothing in return,” he added. “For instance the strings to my racquet cost N25, 000 and there is no telling how many times it will get torn during training. My racket costs almost N45, 000 while my shoes are about N35, 000. Besides, it costs about N1.5m to go to any of the training centres around the world, and I wonder how a Nigerian player can cope with without sponsorship. “We are now lined up against people who have been exposed to the right facilities but unfortunately, there is little we can do.”

he National School Sports Festival earlier scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt from October 11 to 21 will now hold from November 1 to 11 in what organisers say will enable the host to stage a befitting event. Disclosing this yesterday to our correspondent, the President of Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Muhammad, who disclosed the development to National Mirror yesterday, said the postponement became necessary after the Rivers government indicated interest to making the competition memorable. “As the organisers of the competition, we are deeply sorry to all our member states on the change in date and the inconveniences this might cause them,” Muhammed said. “We also need to grant

the host state the opportunity to ensure that things are in place for thousands of our students coming for the championship and I believe this will also give the competing states the opportunity to prepare their teams very well. “Let me appeal to the participating states to bear with us on the change in date because our students must be given the best during the games and we are confident that Rivers will offer a perfect ground to achieve our objectives.” Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe, has inaugurated a 21-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the multi-sports tournament. “Governor Chibuike Amaechi has approved that the state host the competition with a view to discovering more athletes for the country from the grassroots,” the commissioner said.

Lone Star spring suspense

he Liberia Football Association (LFA) has maintained secrecy over the Lone Star’s arrival date for the 2013 African Cup of Nations 2013 qualifier scheduled for Saturday. “I really don’t know what the Liberians are up to as they have not communicated their arrival date to us,” General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Musa Amadu, said yesterday. “However, we are not bothered about that. Rather, we’re concerned with preparing our team optimally to achieve victory. Whenever the Liberia delegation arrives, we will be ready to receive the contingent,” Amadu added.

Defender, George Gebro

Sport

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Arsenal trio on the mend J ack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Frimpong have stepped closer to Arsenal comebacks after featuring in the club’s Under-21 side. England midfielder Wilshere has been sidelined since June 2011 with ankle and knee problems, but he played 74 minutes as goals from Serge Gnarby and Chuba Akpom sealed Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Reading at Underhill. Frimpong is nearing full fitness after suffering a se-

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has criticized his New York Red Bulls teammates after last Sunday’s defeat to Chicago Fire. The Fire won 2-0, with Henry admitting the visitors “wanted it more”. “We had the same type of game against Kansas City, the only thing was that they did not score early, but we got what we deserved,” Henry said, adding, “They’re a better team and more organized.”

Friedel

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper, Ben Foster, felt for Brad Friedel after he was dropped by Tottenham Hotspurs manager Andre Villas-Boas for victory over Aston Villa. Hard-pressed France international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was preferred to the American veteran. “Gutted for Brad Friedel missing his first game for 310 Premier League appearances. Phenomenal record and phenomenal goalkeeper,” Foster tweeted yesterday.

USA coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, has expressed delight over the performance of USA international Clint Dempsey at Tottenham Hotspurs this season. “As a national team coach, you are happy when your players score in their clubs and with Clint, it’s a special delight indeed,” Klinsmann said yesterday. “He had a very, very good season last year and his latest move came at the last moment. It’s just as well that he’s connected well.”

England E l d iinternational’s t ti l’ ffuture. t “We have got our general overall wage structure and we are not prepared to break it for anybody,” Hill-Wood said. “We have made an offer which he didn’t think was acceptable and that is the end of it. We think it is a very reasonable offer. “For the moment his people are still talking to us and we hope it will be resolved. But don’t ask me when, because I haven’t a clue. “I hope that he will eventually come round and sign. It will be a pity if he does not, but the whole issue of pay for footballers has got totally out of hand and they don’t get terribly well advised a lot of the time.”

Mertesacker

Frimpong, Sagna and Wilshere

Arsenal defender, Per Mertesacker, says the Gunners can launch a title assault with a settled defence. Mertesacker produced a composed display alongside captain Thomas Vermaelen as the Gunners battled to a 3-1 win at West Ham last weekend. “Most of the goals we have conceded this year have been from set pieces. We just need to keep concentrating on our defensive level,” he said.

Bernstein claims Cole apology

E David Bernstein

Henry

Dempsey

Gunners hand Walcott contract warning

Tit Bits

rious knee injury on loan at Wolves, while full-back Sagna is recovering from a broken leg and they also improved their match sharpness. Arsenal reserves coach Terry Burton is pleased with Wilshere’s progress. “Jack rode challenges better which is a big part of his game,” Burton said yesterday. “I think his final pass was good. For me it was a big improvement on his previous performance.”

Theo Walcott

anagementt off A Arsenal has warned Theo Walcott that it will not break its wage structure to keep him at the club. Walcott’s future at Arsenal has been the subject of speculation for some time with the player out of contract at the end of the season. Talks are ongoing between both parties, but as yet no new deal has been agreed with Walcott rejecting the club’s initial offer of a contract extension. Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, remains confident of agreeing a new deal with Walcott, but Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists the club will not break the bank to secure the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ngland Football Association Chairman, David Bernstein has revealed that Ashley Cole apologised to him personally on Monday night over his offensive Twitter message. The Chelsea left-back has been charged with misconduct by the FA after he insulted the organisation on the social media site after his evidence in the John Terry-Anton Ferdinand case was questioned. Cole has until tomorrow to respond to the charge but regardless of the FA’s findings, Bernstein has confirmed that national man-

ager Roy Hodgson will be free to select the defender for England’s game against San Marino and Poland if he so chooses. “Ashley, having done his tweet, has withdrawn it immediately and apologised publicly. He asked to see me last night Monday and apologised to the FA through me personally,” Bernstein said. “I believe he was contrite. It was a serious apology and showed remorse for what he had done. He wished it hadn’t happened. I looked him in the eye and really felt that he meant it.

How fo

The iconic Didi for far more th home land, C deed, he is the power of sport velopment and blematic strike com on the s ship between f opment, in ad sion off the pitc

To what extent can foo for social developmen I think in recent y that football has pla here in Cote d’Ivoire level during the crisi country, but particul development of Cote Many players have be gone on to become big Toure brothers and S plays a key role in Co

Could you talk a bit ab football can be used t separates the country I believe that wha was a key moment, couldn’t help but be s and it was the love of for football, that led u and I believe that beca to avoid a tragedy. Aft World Cup in 2005, t launched a national a

In the past, you have p matches surrounded with a number of wea That only happen and was because of t when the country wa part of our history, th but things have cha things have happene forward, we’re trying show people through together.

What does the nationa mean to people at hom The national team try. I think that today carefully here–it is C ing force. It’s the natio All our ethnic groups the team–Baoulés, Bé all there. So there’s a the Cote d’Ivoire team only good example th there are other sports ball is currently the m the sport that brings t er in my view, wher isn’t necessarily the c

What sort of pressure I don’t think of tha feeling of pride that y of so many players. I selected from million my country, so it’s no an honour.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ootball restored Cote d’Ivoire –Drogba

ier Drogba stands han football in his Cote d’Ivoire. Inincarnation of the ts as a tool for ded hope. The emer spoke to FIFA. ymbiotic relationootball and develddition to his misch.

otball be used as a tool nt in Cote d’Ivoire? years it has become clear ayed an important role e, not only on a political is that affected the whole larly with regard to the d’Ivoire and of its people. een trained here and have g stars in Europe, like the alomon Kalou, so football ote d’Ivoire.

al team, Les Elephants, me and abroad? m means a lot to our couny–and I choose my words Cote d’Ivoire’s only unifyonal team of Cote d’Ivoire. s are now represented in étés, and so on. They are complete cross-section in m and I think that it’s the here is today. Of course, s in Cote d’Ivoire, but footmost popular one, and it’s the whole country togethreas in everyday life that case.

e does that mean for you? at as pressure, it’s more a you have been selected out I was lucky enough to be ns of people to represent ot pressure, it’s pride, it’s

‘Volleyball tourney’ll groom talents’

he maiden edition of the Chief of Naval Staff Open Volleyball Championships will help the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) unearth and groom more volleyball talents. Secretary-General of the federation, Adisa Beyioku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that the competition was an opportunity for a fresh beginning in the development of the sport. “The competition offers us an opportunity to move faster in our grassroots development, and it will give a chance for new players to emerge for grooming,” he said. The championship is scheduled to hold in Ilorin from October 12 to

21, with competitions in both the male and female categories. Teams from the nation’s 36 states and Abuja, as well as the military and paramilitary bodies are expected to participate in the event. “It is a competition many players, officials and others in the volleyball family have been looking forward to for the past two years,” he said, adding, “It has come at a time when it would help some teams prepare for the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival coming up in Lagos from Novemeber 27 to Decemeber 9. According to Beyioku, participants will arrive at the venue on October 12 while the draws will hold the next day.

PFA U-15: Nelson harps on investment AFOLABI GAMBARI

bout that and explain how to bridge the divide that y? at we experienced in 2005 an historic moment. We swept along by the events, f our country, its passion us to put out that message, ause of that, we managed er qualifying for the FIFA the Cote d’Ivoire players appeal for reconciliation.

played some international by rocket launchers and pons in the stadium… ned once. It surprised us the situation at the time, as in a state of crisis. It’s he history of Cote d’Ivoire, anged since then, lots of ed. We’re trying to move g to get back on our feet, to h football that we can live

Sport

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Didier Drogba

What have you achieved so far and what do you hope to achieve in the future through your foundation? The Didier Drogba Foundation was created in 2005 and we made sure we didn’t grow too fast, we have made a lot of donations to orphanages, hospitals, we have tried to grow and to focus more on helping the people who need it. The areas that the foundation works in are health, education and children. We tried to choose areas that affect Africa as a whole; it’s a foundation that doesn’t only operate in Cote d’Ivoire, but all over Africa. We were also able to make donations to Haiti and other countries like Japan that have been hit by earthquakes. So the aim of our foundation is to collect donations, we have organized a number of charity dinners in London with stars who came to help promote our foundation. So we’ve collected some donations with a view to building clinics here in Cote d’Ivoire because after the crisis that hit the country, I think there has been a lack of funds and so it’s a way for me to make a contribution, to help the country in a small way to get back on its feet. There will be more projects and schools, because education is the foundation of everything. What led you to create this foundation? As a footballer you could have an easy life, do

whatever you like... No, I don’t think so, although not many footballers have set up foundations, they give donations to help. It’s just that they don’t necessarily have the profile that I have. So like I say, I feel privileged because I have a bigger profile, but I know a lot of players who get involved. Take Emmanuel Eboue’s foundation, for example–I was at his gala three months ago, which he held to try and create jobs; people don’t talk about it much because it’s not Didier Drogba, but what he’s doing is fantastic. So we have to encourage this kind of attitude. What led me to do it was, when I come here and see the conditions that my compatriots live in, I can’t change everything, I just do what I can, to make everyday life a bit more comfortable. To what extent do you think that FIFA projects can help to develop football in Cote d’Ivoire? It’s important, I am very grateful to FIFA because a lot of young people want to be like Yaya Toure, Emmanuel Eboue or me, so it’s important to have an organisation like FIFA to support young people and to make sure that educators in Cote d’Ivoire can improve and share their knowledge with young people. So it’s a very good initiative and one that should be encouraged.

onsultant to the Pepsi Football Academy (PFA), Mr. Iain Nelson has said that consistent investment in youth is the only panacea to Nigeria’s quest for greatness in the world football. Nelson, who made this assertion at the Pepsi Under-15 National Championship held at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State last weekend as part of activities to mark the 20 years of Pepsi Football Academy, said all stakeholders in Nigeria should spare no effort in encouraging the talented youths whom he said held the key to the future. “All involved should imbibe the culture of uninterrupted and sustainable youth football programmes if the country is really serious at improving its global football status,” the Scot, who was previously Marketing Manager of Seven-Up Bottling Company, said.

“I think it is high time Nigeria stopped depending on luck to win laurels in football as was the case at the 1996 Olympic Games where the gold-winning team banked only on luck instead of a planned programme,” he added, stressing, “It is saddening that Nigeria has yet to translate successes at agegrade competitions to senior level because of the use of over-aged players.” Nelson commended the PFA for championing talent hunting in the country, a development that he said had enabled the discovery of Super Eagles regulars John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie, Elderson Echiejile and new discoveries, Henty Uche and Ejike Uzoenyi, among others. Established in 1992, the Pepsi Football Academy has over the years developed and grown into the biggest football academy in Nigeria with over 3,000 registered students aged between 6-18 years over 14 training centres across the country, in addition to about 54 coaches.

Pepsi U-15 players in action during the tourney at Liberty Stadium, last weekend

Sport

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behold! The emerging tennis forces So far, 2012 has been remarkable season in tennis for many reasons. After Andy Murray won his first major at the 2012 US Open, it meant that each of the top four men in tennis had won a Grand Slam title. Roger Federer regained the number one ranking after a long absence from the top, reinforcing the notion that age 30 is not a death sentence in tennis. Serena Williams swept up every major title this summer-after Maria Sharapova captured her first French Open title in June. But probably what stands out most so far in 2012 are the number of breakthrough performers populating professional tennis. A few players, rooted in place a long time, finally broke through to the upper echelons of the game while some relative newcomers had an occasion to showcase their potential and significantly advance in the rankings, taking them to levels that they had never before achieved. They are all the 2012 most-improved players to watch from now until the end of year as the tour turns the corner and heads toward 2013.

Mallory Burdette

Mallory Burdette, United States, Age 21 Standing 5’10” and playing right-handed, Mallory Burdette generates powerful ground strokes. She also uses a two-handed backhand for depth and accuracy. Burdette will return to college to finish her commitment at Stanford during 20122013 school year. But this summer she took some time off to play a few tournaments-enough to earn a wild card into the US Open. Once in the draw, Burdette faced her first round opponent, Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland. Burdette eased past the Swiss 6-4, 6-3 and into the second round. There the Stanford senior met Lucie Hradecka from the Czech Republic but once again, Burdette played the superior game, advancing to the third round at the 2012 U.S. Open. Her third round opponent, however, was Maria Sharapova, and Burdette did not get past the long-legged Russian, losing 6-1, 6-1. Burdette will no doubt be around for a long time. Her play at this year’s US Open indicates much promise for the future pro.

recapturing his game. But it turned out to be a slow process. With few wins and another failure to qualify at Wimbledon, Berankis returned to Challenger tournaments to improve his ranking and regain some confidence. After that step, Berankis advanced to the round of 16 at Atlanta losing to Kei Nishikori of Japan in the round of 16. At the next tournament in Los Angeles, he advanced all the way to the finals where he lost to Sam Querrey who won the event. In Washington D.C. Berankis made it to the second round, losing to Mardy Fish. Even though his successes over the summer seemed small, by the time the U.S. Open arrived, Berankis had moved up to the number 88 ranking, well inside the top

Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, Age 22 Ricardas Berankis began the year stuck below 100-at the 125 spot in the ATP rankings as he headed into Brisbane where he failed to qualify for the main draw. He also failed to qualify for the main draw at the Australian Open. As a former top-rated junior, entering the pro ranks was not a smooth transition for the Lithuanian. That natural hurdle, plus early injuries, kept Berankis sidelined for a long while. 2012 was where he began the process of

Ricardas Berankis

Heather Watson

100. It will be interesting to see if the young man from Lithuania can continue his rise and regain some of that glory from his junior days on tour. Berankis is a player with much promise, and 2012 marks the restart of his true professional career. Heather Watson, Great Britain, Age 20 Heather Watson of Great Britain began her year in Australia ranked number 106. In order to gain entry into the main draw at Hobart, Watson had to qualify. Once there, she lost in the round of 32 to Tsvetana Pironkova. At the 2012 Australian Open Watson had the misfortune to meet and lose to the eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in the opening round. In Miami, with her rank sinking to number 129, the Brit advanced to the third round, losing once again to Azarenka in straight sets. Moving on to the clay court season, at Estoril, Watson realized success after qualifying to get into the main draw. She advanced to the round of 16 where she lost to Czech Petra Cetkovska. At the 2012 French Open, after once again qualifying to gain admittance into the main draw, Watson held on for two rounds, losing to German Julia Goerges. Prior to Wimbledon, Watson advanced to the round of 16 at Birmingham before falling to Roberta Vinci in three sets. Then at Wimbledon she advanced to the third

round, going out to Agnieszka Radwanska, the number 2 seed from Poland. Her success at the All England Club brought Watson into the top 100-landing at the number 79 spot. When she advanced to the second round at both Stanford and Carlsbad, her ranking rose as high as world number 67. After falling in the first round of the US Open, Watson retreated to the number 72 spot, but that is still well above where she began. Watson is 34 ranking points to the good in a breakout season for the young Brit. Lukas Lacko, Slovakia, Age 24 Currently ranked world number 57, Lukas Lacko began the year considerably down from that spot-ranked number 112. After qualifying, Lacko defeated number 30 ranked Ivan Ljubicic in Round 1 followed by a win over number 42 Donald Young in the second round. Lacko had reached the third round of the 2012 Australian Open where he fell to the number 2 seed, Rafael Nadal. It was a good beginning. It moved the Slovak inside the top 100. Lacko moved on to compete at Zagreb in Croatia. There he defeated Potito Starace of Italy, Alex Bogomolov Jr., Robin Haase, and Marcos Baghdatis to advance to the finals. There he lost to Russian Mikhail Youzhny. But his wins in Zagreb plus his advancement at the Australian Open moved Lacko to the number 65 spot on the ATP rankings. These two breakout results in the two back-to-back tournaments allowed the Slovak to rocket up the rankings and, more importantly, add considerably to his confidence as he moved ahead in 2012. Later at Halle, Lacko reached the second round, losing again to Nadal. But at Wimbledon, the Slovak advanced to the third round where he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. 2012 resonates as the 24-year-old Lacko’s first season in the top 100. The Slovak will be hoping to move into the top 50 before the end of his breakout season. • Culled from www.espn.com

Lukas Lacko

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance I will step on powerful toes to bring stability to maritime domain Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi

We are worried about the illegalities in port operations. Most multinational companies that bring in vessels into the country evade payment COMPTROLLER -GENERAL, NIGERIAN CUSTOM SERVICE ABDULAHI DIKKO

42-43

World Bank seeks improved funding of Bureau of Statistics TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

s preparations for the President’s presentation of the 2013 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly assume greater focus by all fiscal policy stakeholders in the country, the World Bank has canvassed improved funding of data and statistical production as a way of improving the quality of such data and their implications for planning and implementation of public policies for good governance in the country. Making a case for improved funding for data processing in Nigeria during a Video Conferencing session marking the release of the World Bank’s new Africa Pulse, a bi-yearly analysis of the issues shaping Africa’s economic prospects, the Chief Economist for Africa, Shantayanan Devarajan, noted that the measure was needed to enhance the quality of produced data and make

them reliable platform for development. Devarajan, who spoke on the imperative of improved financial allocation to the statistical production programme while responding to questions by journalists, pointed out that it was difficult to really determine the level of poverty in the country

as the data provided have become subject of controversies thereby raising serious worries about the quality of official statistics in the country. He explained, “The hardest question asked today is what is happening to poverty in Nigeria. To be honest, we don’t know. There is a

lot of controversy about the poverty estimation rate. We are not actually sure whether it is actually going up or down. “But, as I said, the fact that we don’t know is also a problem and it tells me that we really need to invest in data, we need to invest in statistics so that the public knows what is going on.

This comes back to the whole issue of transparency. The value of data is not just so that decision makers can make better decisions it is also that the public can hold their politicians accountable”, the Devarajan added. Meanwhile, the bank has also urged Nigeria and other minerals-producing countries to seek ways to improve the socio-economic well being of their citizenry in the face of new discoveries in oil, gas and solid minerals in many of the affected countries.

he Nigerian Content Support Fund (NCSF), a pool of one percent of profits made by oil com-

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

Aero Contractors

L-R: General Manager, Customer Relations, MTN, Mr. Andrew Esemezie; Customer Relations Executive, Mr. Akinwunmi Braithwaite and General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Funmi Omogbenigun, during the media launch of MTN Security Number in Lagos, yesterday.

Nigeria Content Support Fund hits $100m

UDEME AKPAN

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

panies in the country, has about $100 million in its coffers. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Ernest Nwapa said NCSF scheduled for launch this month is dedicated for payment of one percent of contract award-

ed in the industry. He said the structure for NCDF has been developed and approval secured for award to financial advisors and added that the new fund would be used as a pool to attract and facilitate venture capital. He said professionals would be engaged to run the NCDF in order

Unions condemn sack, employment of personnel in aviation agencies

to close gaps and bring about increased efficiency. He said the cooperation of the operators would be required in the process of utilizing the fund to stimulate capacity building in the industry. Nwapa said through the implementation of the Act, NCSF would

ensure the retention of about $40 billion in the nation’s economy within the next four years at an average of $10 billion annually. He said that the nation’s economy at present retails only $4 billion out of the annual oil and gas expenditure which stood at N20billions.

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

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Nigeria’s telecoms industry capacity hits 211m lines

Criticisms trail Petroleum Industry Bill

Business Finance

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unions condemn sack, employment of personnel in aviation agencies …Accuse minister of attempt to divert $100m OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he in-house unions in the Nigerian aviation agencies yesterday condemned in strong terms the recent engagements and disengagements spearheaded by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, in the sector, saying the exercise did not follow due process while also lacking in transparency. The unions also accused the minister of an attempt to divert $100million through automation of the agencies, alleging that the agencies were compelled to contribute some thousands of dollars to the project before it was thwarted by the unions. The leaderships of the unions said these yesterday at the Mutala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, during a joint press briefing. The unions: Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), said that

L-R: Planning and Analytics Manager, Nokia West - Africa, Mr. Olufikayo Aremu; representative of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Ita Calix; winner of dinner for two in the ongoing Nokia 30 Amazing Days Promo, Mr. Serge Akotossode and Marketing Manager, Nokia West, Africa, Mr. Kesiena Ogbemi, at the first prize presentation in Lagos recently.

the recruitments made by Oduah were unacceptable to them, threatening to prevent the new appointees from resuming in their new offices. The unions agreed that government has the prerogative of transferring or redeploying staff

Unity Bank commits to quality service delivery UDO ONYEKA

s part of activities to mark the World Customer Service Week, Unity Bank Plc has again restated commitment to its customers and yearnings of stakeholders through value creation. This commitment was made by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Ado Y. Wanka, represented by the Executive Director, Lagos and West Mr. Lanre Fagbohun while speaking at the interactive session with the media in Lagos. According to him, the bank has put in place measures to allow for superior customer experience as never been seen before in the banking industry. Some of these measures he went on to say, include excellent security measures to ensure that on-line banking and transactions’ safety are guaranteed and uncompromised in a bid to safeguard customer identity in support of the cashless policy of the Government. He said “without an adequate security measure put in place, there is no way that Unity Bank would have been awarded the certification of International Standard Organisation (ISO) for informa-

tion security and we are proud to say that we are one of the four banks that have this certification in the industry”. Unity Bank was the first deposit money bank in Nigeria using the ‘BANKS’ application software to upgrade its IT infrastructure to Oracle 11g with Web Logic. The upgrade was carried out to guarantee long term data integrity and confidentiality of the bank’s customers’ information and records as well as high level data resilience” He also spoke on other initiatives/products that the bank has in the market such as the recent launch of the three variants of MasterCard; MasterCard Verve Naira, Holy Trip MasterCard Dollar for Muslim and Christian pilgrims and MasterCard generic Dollar, which is an indication that Unity Bank has joined the prestigious league of MasterCard Principal Member Banks worldwide and that its membership license empowers the Bank to sponsor other banks in Nigeria who may desire affiliate membership license from MasterCard Worldwide. He further explained that Unity Master Card variants are accepted at over 1.9 million ATMS and 29.4 million merchant locations worldwide. He also spoke about the

to other agencies within the industry, but condemned, purported unscrupulous and unwholesome invasion of the agencies by personnel without aviation background. The unions also condemned in totality the creation of new di-

rectorates in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, insisting that the minister does not have the authority and competence to create extra directorates in any of the agencies. The unions said, “It may interest you to note that some of these

elements being deployed for appointments into our industry are not fit and proper persons to have been so given the sort of positions and offices allotted to them as their incursions into the industry contravenes every element of the public service rules, the principles of the Federal Character and therefore negates the principles of due process and public service regulations on appointments, recruitments and promotions. All these shades of recruits violate extant rules of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” “The minister of aviation does not have the authority and competence to create extra directorates without approval from the office of the Head of Service such that the new directorates created in FAAN for instance is a breach of establishment laws and a contravention of the position of the Chief Executive of FAAN who had once claimed that he does not require more than 300 personnel at the FAAN headquarters even with six directorates, which is being indiscriminately increased to nine.”

Heavy rains to delay cocoa harvest UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

eavy rainfall and poor sunshine across Nigeria’s main cocoa regions in recent months will delay harvesting the new season’s crop by at least a month, farmers and analysts said on Tuesday. The main-crop harvest in Nigeria, the world’s fourth biggest cocoa-grower, was meant to start at the end of September, but farmers worried about harvesting pods without enough sunshine to dry them are leaving them on the trees. Reuters quoted a farmer, Akintola Faleye, who owns a 2-hectare cocoa farm in Ekiti

State, as stating that: “We are postponing our harvest to the end of October.” The nation has been suffering its worst flooding for five decades and large swaths of farmland have been submerged. President Goodluck Jonathan made a televised address on Tuesday in which he pledged aid to the flood victims. Analysts say weather conditions may also lower output this season, just as the government is trying to raise its targets. “If the rains linger for too long and the water level is too high ... we may have challenges to output,” said Robo Adhuse, a Nigerian commodity analyst. The Cocoa Association of

Nigeria cut its 2011/2012 output forecast last month to 250,000 tonnes, from 300,000 tonnes, due to heavy rains during the budding period. The government has set a target of doubling output to 500,000 tonnes by 2015 and has distributed high yielding seedlings, subsided fertilisers and chemicals to help farmers fight fungal diseases and boost production. Neji Abang, a farmer in Cross River, Nigeria’s secondbiggest growing region, said production costs were rising, despite government support, as the rains washed off chemicals meant to protect the plants, which have to be resprayed.

NACCIMA tasks FG on poverty reduction STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has urged Federal Government to ensure gradual reduction of poverty by 50 per cent before 2015. Briefing newsmen in commemoration of the 52nd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, National President of NACCIMA, Dr. Herbert Ajayi, said several provisions of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the Federal Government should ensure that poverty

in the country is reduced by 50 per cent before 2015. Ajayi said the resultant effect showed that for over 13 years of Nigeria’s democracy, trade and investment sector has not reached the desired potential as about 50 per cent of the populations still languished in abject poverty, saying they live below the poverty line of $1.25 a day. Commenting on the achievement of the nation, Ajayi said that available information revealed that while the nation witnessed various initiatives, programmes and reforms at the three tiers of government, a lot

of energy was dissipated on self inflicted crisis. He added that the commencement of government’s commercialisation and privatisation programmes of public enterprises a few years ago could be ascertained as a development in right direction. “However, critical analysis of Nigeria ‘s trade and investment sector since 1999 and in spite of the achievement and improvements recorded on the performance of the economy, we must admit that, like any other developing economies, Nigeria has its peculiar challenges”, he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Business Finance

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Nigeria’s telecoms industry capacity hits 211m lines KUNLE A ZEEZ

igeria’s telecoms industry capacity has been built by the various operators to accommodate up to 211 million telephone lines, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission. According to the latest industry data released by the NCC, the installed capacity of the telecoms networks in Nigeria increased from 199.63 million telephone lines in April, 2012 to reach 208.65 million at the end of August 2012. Installed capacity is the total number of telephone lines which telecoms networks have build their network capacity to accommodate at a particular period of time.

It was gathered that, though the telecoms operators currently have 136 million total connected telephone lines on their networks, only 105.2 million are active lines. However, the actual number of telephone lines which the telecoms firms have the network capacity to accommodate is 211 million lines. The NCC statistics indicated that the consistent investments in massive network expansion embarked upon by telecomm firms, especially the Global System for Mobile Communications operators such as MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat has resulted in increased capacity on their networks. From December, 2011, when installed capacity in the telecoms

industry stood at 173.6 million telephone lines, it has since increased, especially in the first eight months of 2012 into August. It further increased in February, March April and May to reach 178 million telephone lines; 176.6 million lines; 199.6 million lines; and 201million telephone lines respectively. In June 2012, it increased to 208.6 million telephone lines; while in July and August, telecoms operators invested further on their network to increased their network capacity to 210.8 million phone lines and 211 million lines respectively. National Mirror gathered the telecoms firms still underutilize their network capacity as they have less telephone lines than their networks can actually accommodate at present.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘High cargo dwell time threat to port efficiency’ FRANCIS EZEM

orts & Cargo Services Limited, a member of the Sifax Group and operators of Terminal C of the Tin Can Island Port Complex has said that the greatest threat faced by the company in the last eight years when it took over the operations of the terminal was the high dwell time of cargo at the ports. The company regretted that this is the greatest obstacle in Nigeria’s march towards efficient port system, especially characterised by timely release of cargo. Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Jenkings, who spoke in an interview in

Crystal Sky LNG tanker sets to arrive Nigeria UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

L-R: Egbuo Mbagwu 1, Chief Valentine Ochomma; Executive Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Mr. Gbenga Ibikunle and Ezeoha of Akatta Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Dr. Eugene Okolie, during the official commissioning and handover of a 20,000 litres solar-powered water project built by BATNF for Akatta community, Oru East Local Government of Imo State recently.

Aviation expert challenges NAMA on bird strike menace OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been urged to reduce the menace of bird strike within the country’s airspace for safety purpose. The agency has been reminded that it cost at least $450, 000 to change a blade of a damaged aircraft due to bird strike, appealing that the agency should be proactive in order to reduce the menace to the barest minimum in the country. An industry stakeholder, Group Capt. John Obakpolor, stated this yesterday while addressing a stakeholders’ meeting on bird strike and wild animal hazard control in Lagos. He described bird strike incidence dangerous to air safety, but noted that it is a global phe-

nomenon, which happens to aircraft on a daily basis. He said that bird strike incident had caused massive loss of revenue to the affected airlines, adding that the birds are now migrating southwards because of the autumn season in Europe. He however challenged the bird strike/wild life control staff of NAMA to brace for the challenges ahead, saying that “one deadly strike is enough to turn the aviation industry upside down and that is why I am urging all of you to be proactive in handling this very important job.” Obakpolor emphasised that the installation of aircraft birds strike avoidance radar system at Abuja airport, would not stop the problem on its own, pointing out that the air traffic controllers have a role to play in warning the pilots on the movement of the birds in and around the

airport. He also called for data collection, saying that using such information will assist the staff in plotting graphs to know the frequency of bird strikes and how it would affect the future plans in tackling bird strikes at the airports. Besides, the Managing Director of NAMA, Mr.. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, an engineer, while speaking at the meeting, promised to expose the specialised staff to trainings in line with the culture of the management, just as he stressed the need for seriousness and dedication to duty by the newly transferred staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). It will be recalled that FAAN was previously in charge of the bird and wild life control unit before it was transferred to NAMA about four months ago by the ministry of aviation

Lagos, said since 2006 when the company took over the terminal from the Nigerian Ports Authority following the completion of the port privatisation programme, it has made huge investments both in infrastructure and human capital geared towards enhancing capacity and efficiency at the port. According to him, the company had over eight years grown the capacity of the terminal by over 70 percent from 10,000 twenty foot equivalent unit to 17, 250, 000 twenty foot equivalent units, which had also improved service delivery not only to the importers but also to the shipping companies that call at the terminal.

he Stena Crystal Sky liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, which was reported to be heading for Belgium has been redirected towards West Africa, AIS Live ship tracking data has shown. Reuters that confirmed the development said: “The ship usually delivers Nigerian LNG to ports in Asia, such as Japan or Singapore, and AIS data shows that as of October 3 it was returning from Asia and headed for West Africa before changing its destination to Belgium’s Zeebrugge LNG terminal on October 6.” It quoted market sources as stating that the diversion to Belgium, where there is excess LNG available for re-export, was likely a result of gas supply problems in Nigeria.

The agency quoted an unnamed trader as stating that: “The ship was probably redirected to Belgium over the weekend in order to take on LNG for Asia there following reports of gas supply problems in Nigeria, but they have now figured it is better to remain in West Africa and wait until they can load in Nigeria again.” It maintained that: “The vessel turned back towards West Africa on October 8, AIS data shows. The ship, which can carry up to 173,000 cubic metres of LNG, is currently sailing eastbound off the coast of Ghana, West Africa.” Nigeria is a major LNG nation whose Final Investment Decision (FID) was signed by the Shareholders to build a Liquefied Natural Gas Plant in Finima, Bonny Island in Rivers State in the 1980s.

NSE, Midas IT donate softwares to 12 universities OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

s part of its contribution in promoting engineering education in the country, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in partnership with Midas information technology has donated engineering softwares to 12 universities. The beneficiary universities include Tafawa Balewa University, University of Maiduguri, University of Ilorin, University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria among others The NSE President, Mustafa Balarabe Shehu,while disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the presentation ceremony of the softwares to the universities, said it was part of the society objectives to make contributions to the advancement of technology in the country .

He said, “In line with the objectives of the society which include but not limited to promotion of the advancement of engineering education, research and practice; focusing on collaboration with government, industry and the academia for the purpose of upliftment of the country that NSE partnered with the Midas information technology of South Korea on this project. “NSE has selected 12 Nigerian universities across the geo-political zones as centres for training, application and research on these Midas softwares applicable in civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and special projects. Midas IT is donating 25 licenses of the software to each university, a total worth of over $1.7million (N272m) to the universities for training and research programme.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

An oil vessel on the highsea

Criticisms trail Petroleum Industry Bill The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), has continued to attract various criticisms as it passes from one stage to another at the National Assembly. UDEME AKPAN, who captures recent developments, reports that the criticisms will assist to produce a more effective law for the industry.

hen President Goodluck Jonathan sent the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), to the National Assembly, he probably did not envisage much criticisms at least for a reason. First, the PIB was repackaged by a committee of experts under close monitoring of relevant stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Second, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke described it as a viable document offering, incentives for crude oil production. While making a presentation in London on “Investment Opportunities in Nigeria’s Downstream Oil and Gas Value Chain,” she called on investors from all parts of the world to explore the various opportunities through the instrumentality of the PIB. Alison-Madueke who disclosed reason for the proposed review of fiscal terms in the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for deep water fields in the draft PIB, explained that the increase in government take in the Deep Offshore blocks from the current level of 61 percent to a new figure of 73 per cent was

necessitated by prevailing realities in the global oil and gas industry. As she puts it: “We have a fiscal regime by royalty and tax which is now predicated on production as opposed to terrain and investment as was previously done. Royalty by production as we have outlined in the bill will capture the output of company as opposed to its location; it will create a fair balance between small and big operators operating in the same terrain, it will give operators the opportunity to make fair returns during field decline, and it proposes lower rates on condensate from large fields as well as ultra deep water fields.” However, the PIB has attracted many criticisms in recent times. For instance, the Country Chair and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu noted that the tax provisions in the PIB is ‘uncompetitive’, stressing that they are capable of stifling investment and making offshore oil and gas projects unviable. Sunmonu who believed that a good bill should, “take local business challenges into consideration as well as the impact on existing investments,” re-

WE HAVE A FISCAL REGIME BY ROYALTY AND TAX WHICH IS NOW PREDICATED ON PRODUCTION AS OPPOSED TO TERRAIN AND INVESTMENT AS WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE

marked that: “What we have seen of the draft PIB to date does not indicate a bill that fits these criteria. And this is the opinion not only of the major players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, but, as I mentioned earlier, industry analysts as well. What we have seen and what we know of the current draft PIB requires significant improvement to secure Nigeria’s competitiveness, and attract the required level of investment to enable exploration to increase Nigeria’s re-

serves and then foster development of the projects to monetise them.” Sunmonu argued that an unbalanced bill of that nature could hinder investment in the industry. He stated, “The PIB will likely render all deepwater projects and all dry gas projects – whether for domestic or export markets – non-viable, added that many opportunities will be lost. The Country Chair who noted that the opportunity to monetise some of the world’s best gas reserves will be lost also stated that the opportunity to kick start the power sector – “the key to economic growth – using easily accessible gas will also be lost.” The Shell’s boss remarked that the PIB needs to address long term industry issues, including joint venture funding, particularly as funding requirements have constrained production growth in the industry. Sunmonu stressed that the nation needs a strong national oil company, capable of partnering with others to enhance its competitiveness. He remarked that: “While the economy in general is on the path of diversification it should not be denied that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Criticisms trail new Petroleum Industry Bill

Yakubu

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 oil and gas sector remains the driver of this process providing not only the funds to enable the diversification but also the gas that could and should be used to regenerate the power sector to provide reliable electricity which is the backbone of industrial growth.” Sunmonu who encouraged increased partnering with the government stated that oil and gas companies have to be clear on what they need for continued investment in the nation. He challenged investors to emerge with specific issues they need rather than condemn the Bill in its entirety. He is not the only voice of the multinationals. The Chairman of Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mark Ward, who spoke at the a recent conference in Lagos also observed that the fiscal terms in the PIB are not favourable to their operations. Ward stated that operators are presently working in line with government’s aspirations, targeted at achieving $104 billion (N15.6 trillion) for oil production between 2012 and 2015, another $30 billion (N4.5 trillion) for gas development in the next five years, including the establishment of construction of Afam and Okpai independent power plants. He remarked that operators are also working to accomplish a significant growth in crude oil capacity through investment of about $29 billion (N4.3 trillion) on the Production Sharing Contracts and $39 billion (N5.8 trillion) on the Joint Venture Projects over the next five years. The Chairman observed that an unbalanced PIB would likely encouraged commercial oil and gas production without significant investments in the next 10 years. Expectedly, the indigenous operators have not been mute. For instance, the Chairman of the Indigenous Oil Producers, Abdul Razaq Fadahunsi, noted that the provisions of the bill would likely impact negatively on indigenous operations. Fadahunsi

Osten

Sunmonu

THE BIP HAS JUST PASSED THROUGH FIRST READING AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. THE SECOND READING WILL SOON START BECAUSE WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO EXPEDITING WORK ON IT who observed that the PIB was partly planned to boost indigenous participation noted that: “the document negated that laudable motive, because there was no clause in the bill that sets aside any acreage category for indigenous participants.” Other stakeholders have made their positions known. For instance, participant at a recent e-conference of Spaces for Change in Lagos noted that the PIB is weak in the area of transparency and accountability. Consequently, the body documented that: “The new bill authorises the newly created regulatory agencies to receive gifts, including money or other property upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the person or organisation making the gifts provided such gifts are not inconsistent with the objectives and functions of the Act.” It also documented that there is no distinction between a gift and bribe in the PIB. Specifically, it stated that: “Because of the difficulty of drawing a line between a gift and a bribe, a blanket ban on receiving gift by any of the agencies is not only appropriate, but will go a long way in inspiring confidence in the proposed reforms. Independent studies and probes, such as the KPMG report, the Faruok Lawan, Aig Imokhuede fuel subsidy probes, all the NEITI reports have shown, transparency and accountability are the core issues with the current set-up. Failing to tackle the current transparency concerns will leave a big question mark on the proposed legislation.” More than that, it faulted the proposed Fund because there is presently no distinction between it and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). According to the report, “The

bill does not indicate how this differs from NDDC, except in terms of source of funds. By also making provisions for communities to be punished by withholding their entitlements under the fund in case of disruptions, it negates the very constitutional basis of criminal justice by dishing out collective punishment.” Spaces for Change further noted that the environmental laws as documented in the PIB are weak and not capable of making much impact in the industry. For instance, they maintained that: “Asking operators in consultation with the Ministry of Environment to come up with an environmental plan does not deal with questions of the gaps between the policies and practices which has been the problem.” In the area of gas flaring, the body maintained that: “The provisions relating to gas flares gives by one hand and takes from the other. After banning gas flaring from end of this year, it creates room for exceptions to be granted by the minister. That is not effectively different from what is happening under the current regime. It turns gas flaring into discretionary permit-granting. Environmental justice advocates believe that the gas ban should be absolute. They also insist that operating companies should not only be made to get insurance covers to cover cases of environmental disasters arising from their operations and this should be a condition precedent to the operation of any license. “ More than that, the report noted that the new PIB vests enormous powers on the Minister of Petroleum Resources, especially by placing all the newly created agencies and regulatory institutions under the control and supervision

of the minister. It documented that: “Section 5 of the bill provides that the Minister of Petroleum Resources shall be responsible for the coordination of the activities of the petroleum industry and shall exercise general supervision over all operations and all institutions in the industry.” Despite the differences and issues raised, some people and even institutions insist the PIB constitutes a bold step ever taken to produce a comprehensive legislation for the industry. They also feel that the various issues would be resolved in the coming weeks. For instance, the Chairman of Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr. Ledum Mitee remarked that: “It is my hope and wish that together, we would be able to come out with concrete suggestions that would enrich the PIB with a view to fashioning it into a comprehensive and reliable legislation that can complement the NEITI Act both in principles and practices which would in turn lead to improved revenues for government, halt oil theft, and check degradation of the environment in the host communities through stringent and enforceable legal provisions.” Meanwhile, the lawmakers seem to be making progress. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Magnus Abe confirmed that: “The BIP has just passed through first reading at the National Assembly. The second reading will soon start because we are all committed to expediting work on it.” From all indications, the PIB still has a long way to go. Existing rule at the National Assembly demands that the bill should go through some processes, including third reading, public hearing and committee sessions with stakeholders making various inputs. This means that it may not be possible to pass it into law this year as previously proposed. But conscious efforts should be made towards ensuring that the important bill becomes a law next year so that the expected benefits may not elude the nation.

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Energy Week

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

OPEC daily basket price stands at $106.99 a barrel while European benchmark crude was at a premium of $20.70 to New York-traded West Texas Intermediate grade. It stated that: “Prices surged yesterday as Turkey’s parliament authorized the government to order military action in Syria after a mortar bomb fired across the border on October 3 killed five Turks. The decision highlights the risk that neighboring countries may be drawn into Syria’s civil war. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa were responsible for 36 percent of global oil production and held 52 percent of proved reserves in 2011, according to BP Plc (BP/)’s Statistical Review of World Energy.” The agency stated that 21 of 38 analysts who took part in its survey or 55 percent, forecast oil prices in New York will drop through October 12. It maintained that thirteen respondents, or 34 percent, predicted they will gain and four said there will be little change. U.S. crude output rose to 6.52 million a day last week, the most since December 1996, an Energy Department report on October 3 showed. It emphasised that: “Oil prices have been “very high” this year even with an economic slowdown in many countries and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is helping to keep them under control.” Crude is on course for its strongest second half of the year on record, according to the median of 26 analyst estimates t. WTI will cost $94.50 a barrel in New York this quarter, up from $92.20 in the previous three months, the predictions show. The previous highest level for any second half was $91.78 a barrel in 2011.

UDEME AKPAN WITH AGENCY REPORT

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of 12 crudes stood at $106.99 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $107.08 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). Despite the fall in price, OPEC member states still generate foreign exchange in excess of their budgets. For instance, at the present price, Nigeria generates $35 in excess of its $72 per barrel reference price of the 2012 budget. A survey of the market showed that oil fell in New York and headed for a third weekly decline on speculation the biggest gain in two months yesterday was exaggerated amid rising supplies. Bloomberg stated that: “Futures slid as much as 0.4 percent after surging 4.1 percent yesterday on concern tension between Turkey and Syria will disrupt Middle East output. Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s biggest crude producer, sees no difficulty in meeting demand, according to Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi.” It stated that Iraq’s exports from its Kurdish northern region will increase to 200,000 barrels a day from 170,000 “within days,” Oil Minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi said. Prices may drop next week as U.S. production rises. The agency quoted a chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, Ric Spooner as stating that: “The situation with the oil market is that current and forecast future demand levels over the next 12 months are well covered by supply and that’s been the driving factor behind the decline we’re seeing in recent weeks.”

Alison-Madueke

It maintained that crude for November delivery fell as much as 36 cents to $91.35 a barrel and was at $91.43 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:04 a.m. in Tokyo. The contract rose $3.57 to $91.71 yesterday. Prices are down 0.8 percent this week, for the longest run of weekly declines since June, and 7.5 percent this year. The agency remarked that Brent oil for November settlement was down 45 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $112.13 after advancing $4.41 yesterday on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe exchange

Oil market witnesses unsold cargoes

est African crude oil differentials slipped a little over the weekend as an overhang of unsold cargoes loading in November forced asking levels down for a range of crudes. Around 20 Nigerian cargoes, nine Angolan cargoes and a handful of other West African crude parcels remained unsold in the market as buying from United States and European refiners stayed minimal.

The Atlantic basin faces a structural oversupply of light, sweet crudes thanks to growing production of domestic U.S. crude from shale oilfields and this has replaced many of the crude oil imports previously taken by U.S. refiners from Africa. Heavy crudes have been slightly less affected but their values have also slipped. Chinese demand has been slower than normal so far this month and Source: Bloomberg

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl) Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

92.74 111.47 92.66

0.81 1.06 1.03

0.88% 0.96% 1.12%

11:20 11:30 09:03

OIL (¢/gal) Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

311.83 295.66

1.96 3.90

0.63% 1.34%

11:19 11:17

2.88 2.82 2.96

0.04 0.02 0.16

1.45% 0.71% 5.71%

11:19 09/24 09/24

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

23.34 30.33 32.18

-1.35 0.48 2.70

-5.47% 1.61% 9.16%

09/24 09/24 09/21

NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu) Nymex Henry Hub Future Henry Hub Spot New York City Gate Spot

ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour) Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON

Source: Oilprice.com

some other Asian countries have issued fewer buying tenders than expected. Reuters that confirmed the development said: “Twenty of the 72 Nigerian crude oil cargoes loading in November were reported still unsold, including most major grades.” It maintained that Qua Iboe was down at least 10 cents with offers reported as low as dated Brent plus $2.40 to $2.50, with buyers closer to dated plus $2.10. The agency stated that Bonny light was minus 60 cents due to unreliability of loading dates and variable quality. Nine Angolan cargoes due to load in November were still unsold, comprising three Girassol, two Dalia, and a cargo each of Kissanje, Plutonio, Saxi and Pazflor. It stated that Girassol for November was still available, maintaining that BP’s Nov. 19-20 stem, Sonangol’s Nov. 24-25 and Total’s November 29-30 were also available. According to the agency, offers have fallen sharply this month from around dated Brent plus 50 cents to only just over dated Brent flat, but bids are said to be well below flat.

Energy Week

Nigeria’s transparency report

Making transparency count, uncovering billions Nigeria is among the top 10 oil producers in the world and the leading producer in Africa. At more than $50 billion last year, oil alone accounts for as much as 90 per cent of government revenue. Meanwhile, valuable lodes of aluminum, gold, tin, iron ore, coal, niobium, lead, and zinc mean Nigeria is benefitting handsomely from the global commodities boom. But, partly because government does not rely on taxpaying citizens for its funding, accountability has been weak for decades and public services are weaker still. Over half of all Nigerians – 70 million people – live in poverty. Government revenues from natural resources have too often been badly managed, veiled in secrecy and fraught with corruption. A coalition of 50 countries, civil society organisations and 60 of the largest oil, gas and mining companies is now working together to change this. 35 countries are now implementing the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative), the global standard for improving transparency of revenues from natural resources. Citizens in these countries can find out how much their governments receive from their natural resources, and hold them to account. Starting from scratch Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, was ruled mainly by the military following independence in 1960. Except for a brief period of civilian rule from 1979-1983, Nigeria has only pursued the democratic process uninterrupted since 1999. As a result, Nigeria has had to build not only the mechanisms but also the culture of accountability. Nigeria EITI – “NEITI” – is at the very heart of that process. After decades of military rule and no real post- Independence public scrutiny, corruption was virulent. And it was worst in the oil sector. The situation was so bad that a report in 2003 -- just before Nigeria signed on to EITI – declared, “(s) o overwhelming is mismanagement and rent-seeking that Nigeria has become virtually synonymous with corruption,” (Bottom of the Barrel). Recognising the need for transparency to reduce corruption, stimulate foreign investment, bolster financial indepenCONTINUED ON PAGE 40

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

NETCO wins ExxonMobil flowlines,

he National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has won ExxonMobil multimillion dollar flowlines and support contract. The contract awarded recently is seen as a bold step towards boosting local content and capacity building of indigenous operations in the industry. Mobil Producing Nigeria requires provision of detailed stress analysis for proposed 20 well slot flowlines and piping support per ASME 831.3 code compliance covering hoop stress analysis (covering thermal stresses and stresses due to weight). Also required is a summary of proposed well slot flowlines and support stresses that exceed material allowable stress. Update isometric drawing (if required) to fabricate and install the well slot flowlines and piping supports per ASME 831.3 code compliance shall also be provided. The primary engineering objective is completion of sufficient detailed engineering to address the following: Update existing isometric with as-is site condition; Performing stress analysis on flowlines and their supports and Prepare stress analysis report and revised isometrics (if necessary) The well head platforms are of two types: External and Bridge Connected. They are located at Enag, Iyak, Mfem SA, Ubit J & K, Unam CD and Usari. The project milestones include the following: Ad-

Gov’s aide cautions against recipe for new power distribution disaster UDEME AKPAN

he Managing Director/CEO of Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo has warned that the on-going privatisation of electricity distribution in the country may end up in a fiasco if certain key post-acquisition success variables are not factored into the criteria for selecting the preferred bidders by the Bureau of Public Enterprises BPE. Speaking on, “The New Power Distribution Model: Peculiarities of the Niger Delta,” in Lagos at the weekend, Kemenanabo who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Power, urged the privatisation agencies handling the new power distribution process to ensure that the bidder with the best knowledge of the local environment and affinity with the state governments should be some of the key considerations for selecting the preferred bidder for the new power distribution model. He added that size of utility experience of the bidders; experience in rural and urban areas and the need for the state government’s participation are other key pre-requisites for the post-acquisition operation success of the preferred bidder. Kemenanabo asked rhetorically, are the partners familiar with the terrain? Can the shortlisted bidders deliver; can they take power to the rural riverine areas? ‘’We must ensure that we select somebody who has a track record of having done it before with great competence’’, he said, stressing that loss reduction figures should not be a strait-jacket parameter for selecting preferred bidders as against technical experience, size of previous operations and adequate knowledge of the environment. He cautioned that electricity is not a product; but a process, stressing that, ‘we must make sure that the right technical framework is put in place to sustain the success of liberalization post acquisition. He said, ‘’otherwise, the beautiful work already done by the respective privatization agencies in the exercise shall end up making a hero out of a monopoly franchise we’ve all condemned as being the cause of the lack of electricity ’’. Of the three components of electricity supply chains to the consumer: generation, transmission and distri-

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bution, according to him, distribution is the only component that has connection with the end-users of electricity. He however, warned that ‘’if we don’t get it right with the new distribution model by selecting the most suitable distribution company as the preferred bidder, in spite of the impressively comprehensive privatisation exercise by the BPE so far, we might still end up in the dark age’’ Rather than using ‘loss reduction’ which he said is neither here nor there as a basis of selection as against technical experience and ability to take electricity to the people, Kekenanabo urged the privatisation agencies to avoid ‘trial by error’ in selecting the preferred bidder for the power distribution in the Niger Delta given the volatility of the region. Speaking in the same vein, former chairman/CEO of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Ransome Owan, reiterated that selection of core investor must recognise the peculiarities of the Niger Delta, experience of the bidders and track record of previous success in the Niger Delta. He said: ‘’A key consideration should be given to bidders that have taken power distribution across swamps and the difficult terrains in the Niger Delta to the rural communities.’ Using the GSM operation in the Niger Delta as an analogy, Owan noted with dismay that twelve years after the advent of GSM, many towns and villages in the region remain without GSM communication. According to him, GSM companies have continued to complain about the difficulties of getting communication across swamps, rivers and difficult terrains as major reasons for failure of taking communication to rural Niger Delta. ‘’How prepared therefore, are the shortlisted electricity distribution companies to take electricity to every nook and cranny of the Niger Delta’’, he asked rhetorically, adding ‘’ who amongst the shortlisted companies has had a track record of taking electricity across the difficult terrains of the Niger Delta? The special adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Power, however, warned that the people of Niger Delta will not accept being cut-off from electricity supply because companies lacking the affinity with; and proven track record in the Niger Delta, have been selected.

MD, NETCO, Lewis Ochuko

ministrative / Technical Kick-off Meeting. Philosophy Development & modeling. Conduct Site Visit. Issue Phase II Design Review package. Conduct Phase II design Review Comments. Issue and Conduct Company Review of Draft IFC Package. Incorporate Draft IFC Review Comments. Issue Final IFC Package. Submit Final Documents and Closeout Report The scope of work, it was learnt include the carrying out of a detailed stress analysis of proposed 20 slot flowlines and supports per ASME B31.3. it

Access Bank denies fuel

ccess Bank has denied the allegation that it deliberately caused fuel subsidy payment to Integrated Oil and Gas Limited to be delayed so that the company may have cause to pay high interest on its loans. The firm had through its lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo & Co stated that: “Access Bank Plc is the major financier of our client’s business and our client incurs a monthly interest accrual of about N65 million on the loan facility it received from Access Bank Plc to finance the transactions in question. The ability of our client to repay the loan facility and service the monthly interest charges is dependent on the payment of the subsidy refunds owed it by the PPPRA.” It maintained that: “The stark reality is that the longer our client remains without receiving its subsidy refunds, the better for Mr. Imokhuede and his Access Bank because they will continue to get more interest accruals on the loan facility.” The lawyer stated that: “Imoukhuede ought not to have any problems with the importations by our Client because his bank is the major financier of our Client’s imports and the bank satisfied itself that our Client was actually importing the products before agreeing to finance its business.” He said: “Moreover, the bank checked every stage of the importation process to satisfy itself that the importation was actually carried out. In effect, the investigation Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede is currently carrying out on our client’s imports is an indirect investigation of his bank.” It stated that: “Given the present circumstances, our client strongly believes that it most unethical and contrary to natural justice, equity and good conscience for Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede to continue to chair any committee charged with the responsibility of verifying the subsidy refund claims of our client because his bank is part and parcel of the whole transactions having financed them and therefore stands to benefit from any prolonged delay in the payment of the subsidy refunds to our Client.” The lawyer said the delay by the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in settling the subsidy claims has hampered Integrated Oil’s ability to honour the contractual obligations it owes to its financiers especially, Access Bank Plc. It maintained that: “The monthly interest accruals on the loan facility our client owes to Access Bank in respect of the fuel importations in issue runs into about N65-70

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Energy Week

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

support contract Shell declares force majeure also include; Perform hoop stress analysis (pressure) and flexibility analysis (covering thermal stresses and stresses due to weight) for the proposed 20 well slot flowlines and supports. If proposed well slot flowline and support stresses are less than material allowable stress, proposed well slot flowline and support isometric drawings are acceptable. On the other hand, if proposed stresses exceed material allowable stress, revise flowline and support drawings and re-assess flowline and support stresses If re-assessed flowline and support stresses are less than material allowable stress, update flowline and support stresses. Update proposed isometric drawing (if required) to fabricate and install well slot flowlines and supports per ASME B31.3 code compliance. Check provision of vertical restraint in both directions and moment or twisting restraint. As wellhead moves, a combination bending and twisting of pipe in section adjacent to wellhead absorb important for proposed support arrangement that piping is sufficiently flexible within the supports to be able to absorb the movements without generating large stresses. Address overstressed flowline and support by evaluating additional supporstd and braces without an increase wall thickness of flowline. NETCO has assembled seasoned and experienced personnel to execute the project within the cost, time and resources.

subsidy allegation

UDEME AKPAN

hell Petroleum Development Company has declared a force majeure on plant output after an attempt to steal crude oil from a pipeline led to a fire. “An attempt was made to steal crude oil from the Bomu-Bonny trunk line and offload it onto a waiting ship that led to a fire on the line and on the ship on Sunday,” a Shell spokesman said. The force majeure, which covers the company should delivery not occur due to circumstances beyond its control, took effect as of October. 4, he said. Shell, which has a 25.6 percent stake in Nigeria LNG, over the weekend, shut its 28-inch Bomu-Bonny trunk line after oil thieves caused a fire, it said. Africa’s top oil producer, which is ranked seventh in the world for LNG exports, loads tankers from its Bonny Island liquefaction plant in the Niger Delta for export to Europe, Asia and the United States. The other stakeholders in Nigeria LNG are staterun energy firm NNPC with 49 percent, Total (15 percent) and Eni (10.4 percent). The firm noted that the nation is blessed with massive reserves of associated and non-associated gas, estimated in excess of 160 trillion cubic feet. It is ranked amongst the 10th largest in terms of proven natural gas reserves in the world, and its natural gas reserves / production is estimated at 109 years. It stated that: “Geologists insist that there is a lot more gas still to be found, if companies deliberately explore for gas, as opposed to finding it by chance whilst in search of oil.” The nation is one of the biggest gas flarers, in spite of the associated environmental hazards of gas flaring. The government is, however, working to achieve

LNG plant

a target of zero flares in the near future. It is expected that all the NLNG trains (including the proposed Train 7) running at full capacity will play a significant part to help put out these flares. Other proposed LNG projects include Olokola LNG and Brass LNG among others. The Nigerian Gas Company currently caters for Independent Power Producers, and local industries in Lagos and other parts of the country. The proposed West African Gas Pipeline Project will make gas available to other West African countries for domestic and industrial uses. The NLNG plant site was designed to provide scope for future expansion. The Plant currently utilises both non-associated gas and oil-associated gas as (which was traditionally wasted through flaring). The use of associated gas will provide environmental improvements by reducing flaring which contributes to global warming. Pervasive gas flaring is one of the key factors that have worsened the environment of the Niger Delta, attracting concern from the international community.

Energy journalists honour Mike Owhoko

Aig Imokhuede

million and our client is unable to settle these interest accruals because it has been starved of the funds to do so as a result of the continued delay by the PPPRA in paying the subsidy claims owed our client.” But reacting in a telephone interview, an authoritative source that preferred not to be named said: “There is no way the bank can deliberately cause the subsidy payment to be delayed because we do not pay subsidy to oil marketing firms.” He said the Group Managing Director of the Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede did his job as a person appointed to chair the Presidential Committee which was vested with the responsibility of investigating the various subsidy claims which culminated in the government losing huge funds. Already, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned eight suspects in connection with part of a multi-billion dollar fraud involving the state fuel subsidy programme. The nation paid nearly twice as much for motor fuel as the country consumed between 2009 and 2011, one parliamentary inquiry found, in fraudulent deals that cost the treasury $6.8 billion over that time.

eteran Energy Journalist, Michael Owhoko has been honoured by energy journalists under the aegis of National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) for Outstanding Service to the growth of energy reporting in Nigeria. Owhoko, who is the Communication Representative of Addax Petroleum in Nigeria was one time the Energy Editor, Business Times, Editor, Nigerian Gas, and Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA). At a colourful award ceremony, tagged, “2012 NAEC Award Night of Excellence,” held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Owhoko was honoured with “Outstanding Service Award” for distinguishing himself in the pursuit of goals designed to raise the quality of energy reporting in Nigeria. According to the Chairman of NAEC, Mr. Emeka Ugwuanyi, the decision was reached after due evaluation of Owhoko’s contributions to the development of the energy sector reporting and his continued sustenance of the relationship with the association. Since Owhoko left energy reporting for the corporate world about 11 years ago, he has continued to iden-

tify with the programmes and aspirations of NAEC aimed at improving the quality of energy reporting in Nigeria. He has also at various times, demonstrated uncommon support for members, both old and new, in the course of discharging their duties. As part of his contribution to the quality of energy reporting in Nigeria, Owhoko had donated copies of a book he authored free to energy correspondents. According to him, the book which is entitled, The Language of Oil & Gas was primarily written to promote the development of energy reporting in Nigeria. Relying on his non-science and engineering background, Owhoko admitted in the book that reporting the energy sector without the requisite technical knowledge was a huge challenge, prompting him to put a reference material in place to address the skill gap and support the quality of energy reporting in the country. He began his journalism career in 1989 as a Reporter and worked in various media houses in the country, including AFP. He had also worked as Senior Public Relations Officer in Gaslink Nigeria Limited as well as External Relations Manager, Owel-linkso Group, before joining Addax Petroleum Nigeria in 2006.

Nigeria can take $400 bn energy spending –Shell

igeria has the scope for at least $400 billion of spending in the oil, gas and power industries provided the environment for investment improves, said Bernard Bos, Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s (RDSA) vice president for finance and strategy in sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of attractive terms for investment means money that should have come to Nigeria is going to other African countries and Australia, Bos said at an investment conference in Lagos, the commercial capital.

“Many in the industry are worried about what the petroleum industry bill will do,” he said, referring to legislation to reform the regulation and funding of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. “We need to try and unleash that investment.” Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer and has the world’s seventh-largest natural gas-reserves of more than 184 trillion cubic feet, according to the Petroleum Ministry. Shell is the biggest oil and gas operator in Nigeria, providing 40 percent of gas used by power stations and generating 20 percent of the country’s electricity, according to Bos.

Energy Week

Nigeria’s transparency report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 dence, reduce donor assistance and, above all regain the trust of Nigerians, the thenPresident Olusegun Obasanjo launched the Nigeria Extractive Industries Initiative (NEITI) in 2004. In doing so, Nigeria became the first African country to follow the EITI global standard for improving transparency of resource revenues. From the start, NEITI set itself an ambitious agenda. Just five years on, while many countries had backtracked in combating corruption, Nigeria was one of few countries to have made “statistically significant improvements in the last year.” In 2010, Nigeria became one of the first countries to achieve EITI Compliant status. That took hard work and represents a major step forward. However, there is still a long way to go before rampant corruption is reigned in and the sector delivers the benefits Nigerians deserve from their country’s abundant oil wealth. Becoming EITI Compliant is not the end point of good oil sector management, it is the beginning. Nigeria is regularly disclosing oil revenues. Translating that added transparency into greater accountability is the next step. A National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) – including representatives from government, civil society, and oil companies – was created to oversee activities and implement the NEITI process effectively. To immediately address the perceived lack of Nigerians’ trust in the extractives sector, among the NSWG’s first initiatives was to commission a comprehensive audit of the entire oil sector value chain – from the lifting of the oil to depositing revenues from their sale at the Central Bank – to verify that all payments were correct and settled. This entailed financial, physical and process audit of the entire oil and gas industry for the period 1999–2004, a massive undertaking in a country of 36 federal states with little digitalised data, poor infrastructure, a frightful Nigeria EITI: Making transparency count, uncovering billions EITI case study 20.01.12 history of record-keeping, and scores of officials with entrenched interests in the status quo. The audits identified several weaknesses related to the management of oil revenues and oil and gas sector governance more broadly. Public release of the report touched off intense media interest and public attention. Indeed, an Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) was tasked to put together a comprehensive remediation plan subsequently approved by the Government. According to the World Bank, the 1999-2004 audit ”remains in scope and detail the gold standard ofglobal EITI.” Uncovering major irregularities: $ billions missing Nigeria EITI proceeded to the next audit, which was released in August 2009. NEITI’s second report identified unprecedented financial discrepancies, mispaid taxes, and system inefficiencies. It identified over US$800m of unresolved differences between what companies said that they paid in taxes, royalties and signature bonuses against what the government said it received. That sum exceeded the 2009 individual budgets for the Ministries of Education, Health and Power. Of the $800 million, US$560m was shortfalls in taxes and royalties owed to the government and around $300 million in payment discrepancies relating to signature bonuses, payments of dividends, interest and loan repayments. The largest amount owed to the government in the report was an estimated $4.7 billion by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), for payments of domestic crude. The NNPC disputes that figure, claiming that the subsidies are explicitly authorised by the Government and that NNPC is owed US$1.7bn in subsidies from the government. A detailed forensic audit by KPMG in 2010 evaluated “major irregularities” at NNPC and found discrepancies totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. NEITI has reconciled most of the discrepancies in payments and is leading the Ministerial-level effort to remedy the identified lapses.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Why NEITI has not produced 2009 report - EITI UDEME AKPAN

espite its commitment, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has not been able to produce its 2009 report because of operational and resource constraints. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), that made this public stated that: “NEITI’s reports do not yet cover 2009 and beyond. Delays in producing more timely reports stem in part from operational and resource constraints, but they also limit public accountability.” The global agency said enshrining transparency through legislation Nigeria has continued to establish itself as an EITI groundbreaker. It maintained that in 2007, the National Assembly passed into law the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Act, thus, making Nigeria the first country to make reporting of payments by all extractives companies and revenues received by government legally binding under national legislation. EITI stated that: “The NEITI Act mandates the NEITI Secretariat to promote due process and transparency in extractive revenues as well as ensure transparency and accountability in the use of billions of dollars in revenue every year from the extractive industries. The Act also established the NEITI National Stakeholder Working Group (NSWG) as a permanent body with membership appointed by the President and the NEITI Secretariat as an agency within the Presidency.” According to EITI, the Act ensures that lawmakers, civil society, the media and citizens have access to the details needed to hold government and companies accountable, but it secures the sustainability of the EITI by creating a formal government

Ledum Mitee

agency under the President. It stated that: “The NEITI, in cooperation with Nigerian law enforcement agencies, also ensures that companies and government departments that fail to comply with the audit regulations will face disciplinary measures.” The agency remarked that unreconciled financial flows are referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and possible prosecution while NEITI also heads the InterAgency Task Team on corruption, which includes all Nigerian anti-corruption agencies. It stated that: “Following Nigeria’s lead, Liberia introduced a similar law to enshrine the EITI in the governance of its extractives sector. Before joining EITI, Nigeria consistently ranked among the two very worst countries on Transparency International‘s Corruption Perception Index. Every year from 1999-2004, when Nigeria joined EITI, it ranked dead last or second-to-last globally. By 2010, the CPI re-

port ranked Nigeria 134th out of 178.” The agency stated that NEITI audits exposed deficiencies in the governance of the sector and of Nigeria’s public finance systems. It stressed that the reconciliation reports revealed that regulation was incomplete and inconsistent and there was no effective cooperation amongst public bodies. It remarked that: “In doing so, it put the spotlight on some of the intricate and never-before-exposed details of corruption in the extractive sector. Without this, it had been impossible to identify and focus public attention on specific issues that needed to be addressed to ensure that the funds would be used for appropriate purposes and that resource wealth would benefit Nigerians.” The agency which believed that NEITI has triggered public scrutiny and debate stated that EITI process in Nigeria has cracked open a sector previously considered air tight, markedly improving the public understands of the extractive sector and sparking intense debate about larger oil sector reforms. It stated that: “The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is an example. There remains substantial work to be done to build the ability of citizens to use the information in the NEITI reports to hold officials to account. Only in this way, will the oil revenues begin to improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.” The agency remarked that advocating more transparency in the nation’s Petroleum Industries Bill it aimed at ensuring that resource revenues benefit the people of Nigeria and that extractives agreements respect the national interests. It stated that: “The main issue that currently unites NEITI and civil society is engagement to advocate for revisions to the Petroleum Industry Bill which explicitly calls for transparency and accountability in the oil sector.”

Lawmakers visit more PHCN firms, bent on ascertaining budget implementation UDEME AKPAN

embers of House Committee on Power has continued to visit Electricity Distribution and Generating firms because of the need to ascertain the level of budget implementation in the sector this year. The members who were led by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Patrick Ikhariale have visited the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Plc and Benin Electricity Distribution Plc to engage with management of the firms. A source close to the company confirmed in a telephone interview that although the Committee commended the management of the firms for efforts made to stabilise power supply, it was however not pleased with the low level of budget implementation. The Committee attributed the slow pace of work to inadequate funding of their operations and other constraints. During its visit to Lagos, Ikhariale had stressed that it was not acceptable for many projects to remain uncompleted barely a few months to the end of the year, meaning that the incoming private investors may inherit a sector that is not as technical sound as it was meant to be despite huge budget allocations. Besides delays in the release of funds,

Power station

the relatively low funding was traceable to the inability of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to operate its account with First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith bank as a result of the Marewa court order has started to affect operations in the power sector of the economy. Available figures presented to the Committee that is touring different companies as part of its oversight functions showed various sums of money amounting to billions of naira may have been trapped in the account. Facts presented to the House Committee showed that the funds belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Plc alone amounted to over N460 million. A breakdown showed that over N138 million was lodged into the account in May, this year. The facts

also showed that over N289 million, N31 million and N235, 543 was lodged in June, July and August this year respectively. The Chief Executive Officer the company, Engr. Oladele Amuda who confirmed that the funds were being trapped said: “These funds were remitted for payment to the government. It may not affect us directly. But certainly, it must be affecting the government who needs such funds for various purposes.” Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale said the Committee will intervene to ensure the issue is resolved to the best interest of the nation and other stakeholders. He said it was not in the interest of everyone if the issue was not resolved without delay. He said: “We will certainly explore the possibility of settling the challenge so that the PHCN will be empowered to run its operations more smoothly than it is presently doing.” It would be recalled that Lagos State Government had gone to court to seek an award of damages arising from a breach on the part of PHCN in a Barge Power Purchase Agreement (BPPA) and Contribution Agreement between Lagos State and PHCN in which PHCN was to distribute electricity generated under the BPPA to specified areas within the territory of Lagos State Capacity payments due from PHCN to ENRON under the BPPA.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Maritime criminality: I will step on pow The nearly two-year sojourn of the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi has been characterised by fight both from within and outside. In this interview with FRANCIS EZEM, he insists that something unusual must be done to stop the increasing spate of criminality on Nigeria’s waters no matter whose ox is gored. When you assumed duty about two years ago, you promised to create jobs. How far have you gone? It has been a silent revolution. We have been creating jobs. Sometimes we go out and see non compliant Cabotage operators and we give them people to employ and they do that. I cannot count the number of people that have been employed in this way, but it is going to be more robust and aggressive this time as we get more and more platforms. Before the end of this month, we are getting more platforms as we progress and we are going to capture everything. After the initial criticisms that trailed your appointment, what is the experience? It has been so far so good. I can say we have done well, we have tried our best but there are also some challenges. What are these challenges? The challenges have to do with changing peoples’ perception, changing society’s orientation in the way things ought to be done is not a child’s play, overcoming long procedures in handling issues in the civil service is not a little problem that you can just wave off, conflicting interest from various stakeholders is a matter that if not handled carefully, can cause a lot of pains to the agency and government, fighting illegalities that have prevailed on our waters for quite a long time is a task that is difficult but impossible to achieve. So one has to contend with a lot of issues in moving the agency forward, developing the maritime industry, aggregating the various interest groups, is a very tough one. By the time you balance all the peoples or groups’ interest. At every point in time, you must moderate some of your actions, so that you do not unnecessarily cause pains to people or stakeholders. What have you done in terms of achieving the mandates of the agency? That is where we have some strategic gains to talk about, we have re-directed the agency to its core mandates, as entrenched in the Act that established it. In the area of capacity building, we are on top of the matter; maritime institutes are being established in various universities in the country handled by NIMASA. A university is being developed that is geared towards taking care of capacity building in the maritime industry, in terms of safety and security, our regulatory compliance issues are burning and you see that each time now you see us arresting and possibly prosecuting offenders to ensure that the basic laws are obeyed. That can be buttressed even from our marine environment managing perspective because we want to get things done in relation to what the International Maritime Organisation wants us to do or the international community expects that our marine environment regulations are fully gazetted, patrols are ongoing, vessels to enforce Cabotage, safety, security compliance are invigorated. We are expanding by the day; more and more vessels are coming in for us to enforce what we are asked to do, recruitment of the best kind of human beings that are needed to handle core areas is almost concluded, especially the aspect of maritime safety and marine environment management. That core staff that are difficult to come by, we sourced for them, we got

them and it is a matter of asking them to work with us. On training, the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme is getting a big boost this year. More than 1,000 persons are right now on their way out of the shores of Nigeria to different maritime universities and institutions all over the world for training in seafaring. So if you are talking about our core mandate, we have placed the agency back to the mandate for which it was approved by the National Assembly. A shipyard is being built and when completed, a run it so that shipping does not go into the abyss. So we are there. We are now on our core mandate that is why you see NIMASA that was hitherto unknown is now known everywhere because it is affecting the lives of people. You can imagine if 1000 persons are leaving Nigeria this year for Marine Engineering courses, Naval Architecture and Nautical Science, this is not a child’s play. No country in the world has done that in one swoop by the government. Individuals can sponsor their people for such trainings or companies but such a massive scale, it has not happened anywhere. This is the first time it is happening. What has been the response? We are not looking at the states in this context. We are talking about Nigerians that solely sponsored NIMASA; that of the state collaboration is also on going, this one is another reinforcement package. Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho in a recent advertorial alleged witch-hunt, saying the products were cleared by the relevant security agencies including NIMASA. What is your take on this? Where do we have conflicting interest? Let us ask those fundamental questions. Am I a businessman? I am not in any political party, I have never ever attended any political rally or function, I am not from a state that I am looking for a governorship position. Even when the president was campaigning all through in this country, I was facing my job; did anybody see me anywhere mixing-up with politicians with the intention of influencing political votes? I do not understand. I am from the academia, I was called to come and correct the ills in this industry, so I have to face that and allow the politicians to do politics. If somebody says I am witch-hunting him, it is laughable. Any time anybody is arrested, he will say it is his political opponents. Even if it is political opponents, do not commit the crime, the political opponent will not have any basis looking for you. If somebody is accused of corruption, the next thing he would say is that it his political opponent that is after him. In the first place, did you commit the crime? If you did not commit the crime, the basis of using the political platform to witch-hunt you will never arise. They are alleging that some people want to take over their business, what do I know about oil and gas business? People are meant to believe that NIMASA cleared the product, why is it coming back? For instance, if we were genuinely misled to clear the product and we are correcting ourselves, would they not tell us you are doing a good job? The clearance they are talking about, it is neither here nor there. As we speak, I have the photograph of one of the pirates who boarded that ship and at the time of the operation, they were being filmed and all the calls that he made I have them in my possession with which we have been work-

Akpobolokemi

I MEAN BUSINESS IN ACCEPTING THIS OFFER BECAUSE MY NAME

IS ON TRIAL RIGHT NOW; PEOPLE

10-20 YEARS WHAT DID YOU DO? THERE WILL ASK IN THE NEXT

IS GOING TO BE A QUESTION MARK AND

I DO NOT WANT TO

BEQUEATH BAD NAME TO MY

CHILDREN, WIFE, BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

ing and breaking the cartels. Many of the highly placed persons are on our list but in order not to jeopardise our investigation, we have decided not to call names. If you have questions that you must answer, you want to intimidate me that you want to go on strike and the whole world will say that it is NIMASA that it is causing fuel scarcity. In any case, if we start on this premise, it means therefore that we cannot stop crime. You can go on strike for three months, all of us will trek. If you must come to equity, you must come with clean hands. I am not witch hunting anybody, am like a child am so innocent in what I am doing. What is the current position of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund nine years after? Some recommendations were made on the fund, we have made presentation to the ministry, we are supposed to come back and make the necessary corrections and get back to them but the change in leadership, some level of leadership of the agency has stalled

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

werful toes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DG NIMASA

lie so one has to be careful. I am aware that some companies were short listed after the selection of the primary lending institutions, what about that? That is what we are saying that we have presented the processes to the ministry and that they asked us to do certain things and along the line, there was a change in some level of management and so, we needed to carry the new members of the management team along and revert to the ministry. That has slowed the process, let them acclamatise a little bit because it is public money so whatever you do with public money you must be very careful and do it very well, so that tomorrow if they ask you questions, you will be able to answer very well. Before now, there were moves by NIMASA to compel some foreign shipping companies to take Nigerian cadets on board their vessels for their sea time training. We are talking with multinational shipping companies and even the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas wrote us a few weeks ago on the subject matter, we have had meetings with them and I think something positive is coming out. There could be one other company that we are engaging with respect to sea time training. But besides, we are also going to sponsor our people for this training just like we are doing with the NSDP programme.

some of the processes because a new team need to understand the process because it is not a matter of the DG, it is not a personal issue, so they need to understand and defend why they should make those recommendations so that has slowed down the process a little bit but we will get to that. What is the value? I cannot say that offhand unless I speak with the finance people. I cannot be precise now, I cannot even estimate it because it keeps growing everyday and so it is not good to estimate until the finance people give me something that is precise because it is not good to be quoted on what is not precise, figures, they say do not

Can you assess your partnership with Global West? It has been rewarding. In fact, most these arrests we have been making, the discoveries that are being made, the surveillance information that is coming, they are the people helping us. You know we called a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting after the concession was approved by the Federal Executive Council, I told the audience that we have three classes of people that are complaining about the security concession concept. The first set really mean well; they are afraid about what is happening and, information flow was inadequate but we assured them that we meant well. There were also others that attacked the concept because more than often like in the 1960s and 70s to 80s, a lot of things that were promised by the government may not have seen the light of the day, so there has been this doubt about the programmers of the government by the masses, it was a healthy suspicion. There was also another group of people; very mischievous, malicious and with criminal intentions that understands nothing than being involved in oil racketeering, that steal oil, that are involved in illegal bunkering, that are involved in organised crimes like piracy and under-declaration etc. These are the vicious minority that is causing a lot of troubles. A lot of things that we hitherto could not do

Executive Discourse

are now getting proper attention. So, it is this vicious Nigerians that are always very critical of what we are doing. If your hands are clean, you do not need to be afraid. What is this that they are talking about; a taskforce made up of the Nigerian Navy, Army, Air Force and Police is domiciled in NIMASA and approved by the government? Something un-usual must be done to stop criminality on our waters. So that is what we are doing. The MoU with the Nigerian Navy was on before I came, I did not initiate it, I am only sustaining it and possibly expanding it. Some time they run to the press to say that private army is now being used. Officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force working with us are now private; sometimes the press should also help us. Before this concession the military was involved. The Minister of Defence was involved, we were asked to go and streamline everything and come back, which we did, the Navy was also involved. So some people would come and case aspersion on us, break the ranks or cause acrimony between government agencies, which is not helpful. Unless you have something to hide, you do not need to be afraid, there is no reason why anybody should be worried about what NIMASA is doing. In the first place, I did not bring the NIMASA Act from the National Assembly, it pre-dated my tenure. What did the Act say; you can perform your functions with persons, group of persons, institutions, governments etc in furtherance of your functions. The Act specifically says you can have an interface with the Navy and government agencies. So what have we done wrong? Am I not supposed to work with the security agencies to guarantee security in our waterways, to make sure that vessels and people are not molested and killed? As a DG, I should sit down and things will be going wrong? Today a vessel was seized and two people killed and you want me to be happy about that? Even outside this concession the JTF is there, they will go in unhindered to do their security job. I see those people that are complaining as minds that are not creative. We owe nobody any apologies for doing our jobs. In fact, I as a person, I owe no body any explanation and I mean it. In trying to bring stability to our maritime domain, I have vowed to step on any toe that confronts me no matter how big you are in Nigeria, if I see you contravening the laws with respect to maritime operations, I am going to fight you. There is nobody in this country that I cannot confront; provided my conscience is clear and that I am doing the right thing to salvage the country. Gone are those days when there are sacred cows in this country, two persons will commit a crime and one will go and sleep somewhere and the other man because his social status is low, he will face the law. In fact, I cannot be here and allow that happen. The alternative is to leave this place and once I am here, the job must be done. I have never ever surrendered to fear and doubt in my life, no amount of intimidation can deter me. You faced several criticisms when you were appointed. How do you see that now? Since I came, many people underrated the length which I can go, they were even saying this one, what can he do? I want to prove everybody wrong that I mean business in accepting this offer because my name is on trial right now; people will ask in the next 10-20 years what did you do?, there is going to be a question mark and I do not want to bequeath bad name to my children, wife, brothers and sisters. That name should have some credibility, so the job has to be done. Sometimes threats might come but they should know that my immunity to threat is high. Look it is the business of God to protect me, if He does not that is His business. I love human being and would always want to be at peace with human beings, make more friends but I do not take intimidation and I will never ever take it at any point in my life. Since I came, I have impounded many vessels, many are at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or are they also saying I should compromise and collect the millions of dollars and look the other way? No I will not, I have overcome the ambition of primitive wealth. I am contended with the little God is giving me.

Global Business

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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IMF sees ‘alarmingly high’ risk of deeper global slump

he International Monetary Fund cut its has global growth forecasts as the euro area’s debt crisis intensifies and warned of even slower expansion unless officials in the United States. and Europe address threats to their economies. The world economy will grow 3.3 percent this year, the slowest since the 2009 recession, and 3.6 percent next year, the IMF said, compared with July predictions of 3.5 percent in 2012 and 3.9 percent in 2013. The Washington-based lender now sees “alarmingly high” risks of a steeper slowdown, with a one-in-six chance of growth slipping below 2 percent. “A key issue is whether the global economy is just hitting another bout of turbulence in what was always expected to be a slow and bumpy recovery or whether the current slowdown has a more lasting component,” the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook report. “The answer depends on whether European and U.S. policy makers deal proactively with their major short-term economic challenges.”

KIm

The IMF’s 188 member countries convene in Tokyo this week as low growth damped by fiscal consolidation in the richest economies hurts developing counterparts from China to Brazil. As the IMF urged measures to boost confidence, uncertainties out of Europe show no sign of abating, with leaders still divided over a banking

RBA holds key rate as economy withstands global slowdown

Glenn Stevens

ustralia maintained the highest benchmark interest rate among major developed economies as domestic demand weathers a global slowdown that’s driving down the price of iron ore, the nation’s biggest commodity

export. Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens and his board left the overnight cash-rate target at 3.5 percent, according to a statement yesterday in Sydney. While domestic consumption was “quite firm” in the first half of the year, commodity prices have fallen “sharply” in recent months and China’s growth outlook is more uncertain, he said. In Australia, “growth has been running close to trend, led by very large increases in capital spending in the resources sector,” Stevens said. “Labor market data have shown moderate employment growth, even with job shedding in some industries, and the rate of unemployment has thus far remained low.” The currency rebounded from near a six-week low after the decision as investors pared bets on rate reductions. While Europe’s fiscal crisis is weighing on global growth and Chinese demand, Stevens’s 75 basis points of cuts in May and June helped spur domestic spending and stabilize the housing market in an economy that’s avoided a recession for 21 years.

Spanish unemployment to swell as public jobs vanish

erez de La Frontera, a Spanish town of 214,000 in southern Andalusia, is negotiating with unions to fire 13 percent of the 2,000 government workers who absorb 80 percent of its budget. “It’s not easy because these are people and families,” said deputy mayor Antonio Saldana. With a quarter of Spain’s workforce already jobless, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s efforts to retain investor confidence by shaving more than twothirds off the nation’s budget deficit by 2014 will worsen the highest unemployment rate in the European Union. Ten-year yields at 6.86 percent mean “we can’t finance ourselves,” Rajoy said. “There’s going to be less hiring and

more firing for the spending cuts to be made,” said Ricardo Santos, an economist at BNP Paribas SA in London who sees unemployment climbing to 27 percent next year from 24.6 percent currently. “The more unemployment persists, the more difficult it’ll be for the government to meet budget goals and implement reforms.” Television stations, airports, hospitals, schools, fire brigades and social services from Spain’s southernmost tip to the Balearic islands in the east are reducing headcount as Rajoy tasks regions and municipalities with shouldering 60 percent of the cuts needed to reduce the budget shortfall to 2.8 percent of gross domestic product in the next two years.

union and Spain resisting a bailout. “Confidence in the global financial system remains exceptionally fragile,” the IMF said. “Bank lending has remained sluggish across advanced economies” and increased risk aversion has damped capital flows to emerging markets, it said. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index of

stocks declined 0.1 percent yesterday in Tokyo. In Seoul, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim told a forum yesterday that he saw mildly encouraging signs in Europe. In Tokyo, IMF Chief Economist Olivier Blanchard indicated that yields on Spanish and Italian bonds, which decreased after the European Central Bank’s bond-buying plan announcement, could rise if the countries don’t request bailouts. The IMF report called for U.S. policy makers to find an alternative to planned automatic tax increases and spending cuts that would trigger a recession. Europeans must follow on their commitments for a more integrated monetary union, and many emerging markets can afford to cut interest rates or pause tightening to fight off risks to their economies, the IMF said. The 17-country euro area economy will contract 0.4 percent this year, 0.1 percentage point worse than forecast in July, and grow 0.2 percent in 2013, less than the 0.7 percent predicted three months ago, the IMF said.

Merkel, Monti step up diplomacy as ECB comes in focus

uropean leaders are stepping up shuttle diplomacy this week as details of a bond-buying plan emerged from the central bank, fueling gains in the euro and a surge in some Spanish and Italian debt. European Union President Herman Van Rompuy traveled to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti hosts French President Francois Hollande in Rome. They were given a hint about what may be in store when European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said Monday he would be comfortable buying three-year government bonds to aid nations struggling to fund themselves. The stewards of the single currency, who have sparred as borrowing costs diverged in the 17 nation-euro area, have a chance to fall in line behind Draghi. Merkel, whose country shoulders the largest cost of bailing out weaker governments, has indicated she would back a more active crisis-fighting role at the ECB and Monday told a crowd of beer drinkers in Bavaria that Germany must show solidarity with Europe. “I think there is broad agreement among these people,” said Luca Jellinek, head of European interest-rate strategy at Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank in London. “Many people are realizing that monetary policy is broken in Europe, badly broken.” The euro traded near a two-month high against the dollar yesterday, gaining 0.1 percent and adding 0.4 percent against the yen in Rome. Italian and Spanish twoyear yields dropped the most in about a month. In both countries, the two-year yield fell to the least on record relative to 10-year bonds. Leaders are back from summer va-

cation and facing what Merkel called a “very ambitious agenda” this month to quell what has been a three-year sovereign debt crisis. Talks haven’t always gone smoothly, as Merkel and Monti clashed last week in Berlin over details while agreeing on the broad principles of collective action. Monti has pushed for flexibility on market intervention, while Merkel has focused on budget rigor. “We have to press for reforms in other countries even if they sometimes say we’re hard-line,” Merkel said to a packed beer tent in the town of Abensberg, northeast of Munich. “It’s not enough just to keep muddling through. But I also say that in such a difficult phase these countries deserve our solidarity and that we root for them to overcome their difficulties.”

Merkel

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Global Business

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

nited Kingdom manufacturing fell more than economists forecast in August and the trade gap widened, indicating the economic may struggle to regain strength. Factory output dropped 1.1 percent from July, when it rose 3.1 percent, the Office for National Statistics said today in London. The median forecast of 25 economists in a Bloomberg News survey was for a decline of 0.7 percent. Overall industrial output fell 0.5 percent, matching economists’ forecasts. The goods-trade deficit widened as exports fell. The International Monetary Fund cut its global economic forecasts and warned of even slower expansion unless officials in the U.S. and Europe address threats to their economies. It also lowered its projections for the U.K., where Bank of England officials are facing a decision next month on whether to expand stimulus for the economy again. Governor Mervyn King is due to speak in London later today. “The economy may still pull out of

U.K. factory output declines more

than forecast, exports plunge

David Cameron

its recession in the third quarter, but a return to contraction in the fourth quarter cannot be ruled out,” said Chris Williamson, an economist at

Markit Economics in London. “The underlying growth momentum clearly remains extremely weak.” The pound declined for a second day

against the dollar, slipping 0.1 percent to $1.6015 yesterday in London. Out of 13 categories in manufacturing, 10 fell in August from July, two rose and one was unchanged, the statistics office said. Transport equipment plunged 4.5 percent because of summer closures at automobile factories. The ONS said some anecdotal evidence suggested that “some businesses had longer summer closures in August 2012, or that closures were held later than in previous years.” This affected monthly transport data “in particular,” it said. Within industrial production, mining and quarrying rose 1.4 percent in August, while oil and gas increased 2.1 percent. From a year earlier, both manufacturing and overall industrial output fell 1.2 percent in August.

Japan fiscal impasse threatens stimulus Inflation bonds may ease Singapore price pinch to spur growth

apan’s political gridlock threatens to curtail the government’s ability to apply fiscal stimulus as a rebound falters in the world’s third-largest economy. Opposition parties in the upper house of parliament stymied legislation approved in the lower house August 28 that enables the issuance of 38.3 trillion yen ($490 billion) of deficit- financing bonds, seeking to force Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda into an early election. The government could hit a spending ceiling as soon as October, according to the Finance Ministry. The freeze may suspend outlays from this year’s budget for the first time, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and limits Noda from proceeding with the supplementary spending package he mooted in July. With economists increasingly seeing an economic contraction this quarter, the deadlock adds to risks facing global expansion that include a so-called fiscal cliff of spending cuts and tax increases in the U.S. at year-end. “The impasse on deficit-covering bonds may delay the compilation of a stimulus package and would be a drag for the economy,” said Taro Saito, Tokyo-based director of economic research at NLI Research Institute and a past winner of a Japan Center for Economic Research award for accuracy in forecasting. “This is not as severe as the U.S. fiscal cliff but could be said to be Japan’s fiscal slope.” Japanese stocks headed for a fourth day of declines, the longest losing streak in more than a month, on pessimism about the global expansion. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average was down 0.4 percent yesterday . in Tokyo. The yen was at 78.37 per dollar, about 4 percent from its postwar high, underscoring the threat to exporters of a strong currency. Besides exchange-rate appreciation, Japan’s manufacturers are facing diminishing demand abroad, hurt by the European crisis, China’s slowdown and stunted

Yoshihiko Noda

American growth. A government report yesterday showed capital spending rose 6.6 percent in the second quarter from a year before, less than the 7.8 percent median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. Today’s report spurred economists to cut forecasts for Japan’s second-quarter gross domestic product, initially reported at an annualized 1.4 percent gain. Officials may pare that calculation to 0.9 percent on Sept. 10, according to the median of seven projections in a Bloomberg survey.

ingapore is considering issuing bonds that protect against inflation after price gains sent the cost of a public-housing apartment to a record S$1 million ($813,000) last month and made cars as expensive as United States homes. Singapore’s consumer price index rose 3.9 percent in August from the year before, more than double the 1.7 percent rate in the U.S., the world’s biggest economy. Inflation in the island state averaged 5 percent for the past year. With the nation home to world’s highest proportion of millionaire households, the central bank is studying the feasibility of securities to help savers protect their funds from rising costs. Assets in inflation-protected bond funds worldwide climbed to a record $183.8 billion as of August 31, according to EPFR Global in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the U.S., the largest market for the debt at $729.8 billion, bond payments are based on a principal amount that increases or decreases in line with the consumer price index. Japan, South Korea, Australia and Hong Kong are Asia-Pacific economies that already sell inflation- linked debt, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “For whoever is looking at managing

inflation risks, it would be a handy tool which has been developed in many other markets already, particularly those that consider themselves financial centers,” said Vishnu Varathan, a Singapore-based economist at Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd., part of Japan’s third- biggest lender by market value. “I think we see a need to go ahead and say, ‘let’s get this done.’” Inflation will be within the government’s forecast of 4 percent to 4.5 percent this year, Varathan said.

President Nathan

Manufacturing in U.S. stagnated amid global slowdown

anufacturing probably teetered between growth and contraction in August, a sign the pillar of the recovery is now struggling, according economists surveyed before a report yesterday. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index was little changed at 50 compared with 49.8 in July, according to the median estimate of 70 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between shrinking and expanding. Spending on construction projects probably rose in July, other figures may show. The possibility that taxes will rise and government outlays will fall if United

States lawmakers don’t act by January may shake confidence and cause consumers and businesses to curb spending. The European debt crisis represents another stumbling block that threatens to limit orders to American factories. “Domestic uncertainty and global weakness are both restraining growth in manufacturing,” said Yelena Shulyatyeva, an economist at BNP Paribas in New York. “It’s a weak sector of the economy right now. We don’t expect a lot of pickup in investment activity this year.” Estimates ranged from 48.7 to 51.5. The group has said that an index reading above 42.5, while signaling contraction in manufacturing, is generally consis-

tent with an expanding overall economy. The gauge averaged 55.2 in 2011 and 57.3 in 2010. Other reports show manufacturing, which accounts for about 12 percent of the U.S. economy, weakened last month. Factory activity in the New York region contracted in August for the first time in 10 months, and production in the Philadelphia-area shrank for a fourth month, Federal Reserve reports showed. The Institute for Supply ManagementChicago Inc.’s business barometer also fell in August, indicating manufacturer’s pace of expansion was slowing and that companies may hold the line on production until sales pick up.

Capital Market

ASI rises by 0.8% in bullish trading JOHNSON OKANLAWON

rading in equities continued on bullish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors’ appetite on stocks rose further. Specifically, the All Share Index gained 0.83 per cent to close at N26, 840.87 points, compared to the increase by 0.7 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 26,618.70 points. Market capitalisation rose by N71bn to close at N8.55trn, higher than the increase by N56bn

recorded the preceding day to close at N8.48trn. The banking index led sectorial indices by 2.53 per cent to close at 431.58 points, followed by the NSE 30-Index with 1.16 per cent to close at 1,267.91 points. The oil and gas index appreciated by 0.16 per cent to close at 164.17 points, while Lotus Islamic Index increased by 0.38 per cent to close at N1,635.96 points. The consumer goods index rose by 0.23 per cent to close at 2,315.45 points, while the insurance index closed at 139.14 points, up by 0.06

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

per cent. Diamond Bank Plc led the gainers’ table with 37 kobo or 10 per cent to close at N4.07 per share, followed by Academy Press Plc with 21 kobo or 9.86 per cent to close at N2.34 per share. Fidelity Bank Plc gained 20 kobo or 9.80 per cent to close at N2.24 per share, while DN Meyer Plc appreciated by 13 kobo or 9.35 per cent to close at N1.52 per share. First Bank Plc closed at N16.88, up by N1.02 or 6.43 per cent. On the flip side,

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc dropped 64 kobo or 7.12 per cent to close at N8.35 per share, while Livestock Plc shed seven kobo or 4.64 per cent to close at N1.44 per share. Prestige Insurance Plc lost two kobo or 3.85 per cent to close at 50 kobo per share, while Mansard Plc fell seven kobo or 3.74 per cent to close at N1.80 per share. Bagco Plc dipped by five kobo or 2.70 per cent to close at N1.80 per share. A total of 426 million shares worth N3.05bn in 5,668 deals, compared to 208.6 million shares valued at N1.67bn exchanged in 4,270 deals the preceding day.

Source: FMDA NIBOR QUOTES 8 OCTOBER & 9 OCTOBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

8-Oct-12

Diamond Bank posts N18bn profit in Q3 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

iamond Bank has declared N18.2bn profit for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012, an increase by 397 per cent when compared to a negative N6.10bn recorded in the same period of 2011. The bank’s interest and similar income rose by 47.6 per cent, from N59.8bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2011 to N88.3bn in 2012. According to the result presented to the

Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, taxation stood at N5.05bn in the review period, from N823.2m recorded in the same period of 2011. The bank’s investment in securities dropped from N1159.5bn in the third quarter of 2011 to N139.5bn in 2012, while deposit from customers increased to N776.8bn in 2012, from N603.02bn in 2011. Further analysis showed net assets of N106.7bn in 2012, from N85.9bn in 2011 third quarter, while total assets stood at N1.03trn

in the review period, from N796.3bn in 2011. The Group Managing Director of the bank, Dr. Alex Otti, had said that the result was an indication that the balance sheet clean up exercise the bank embarked upon in December 2011 was a good choice. He said, “Diamond Bank has over the last one year embarked on a series of strategic initiatives set to reposition it for keener competition in the Nigerian banking industry. These initiatives include the development

US stocks fall, commodities gain, treasuries rise

nited States stocks fell as investors awaited the start of earnings season and the International Monetary Fund cut growth forecasts. Oil led commodities higher as Mideast tensions flared, while Treasuries and the dollar rose. The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index decreased 0.4 per cent to 1,449.89 points, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Index was down 0.2 per cent. The S&P GSCI gauge of 24 commodities was 0.9 per cent higher as oil rallied more than one per cent. US 10-year note yields dropped three basis points to 1.71 per cent. The euro slid versus

14 of its 16 major peers while the Australian dollar rebounded from a three-month low. The Shanghai Composite Index jumped two per cent. The US third-quarter earnings season begins with Alcoa Incorporation yesterday, the fifth anniversary of the S&P 500’s record close at 1,565.15. The IMF said the world economy will grow 3.3 per cent this year, the slowest pace since the 2009 recession, and 3.6 per cent next year. European finance ministers praised Greece’s determination to cut spending and declined to press Spain for more budget cuts at a meeting yesterday.

“There’s so much pessimism over earnings that there’s room for upside with any positive surprise,” Paul Zemsky, the New Yorkbased head of asset allocation for ING Investment Management, which oversees $170bn, said. “Overall I think traders are too pessimistic. Even with the IMF economic numbers we got, those are still pretty good numbers. The IMF is forecasting global growth next year will be above 3 percent. That’s probably higher than what most people fear at the moment,” he added. Alcoa rose 0.9 per cent. Intel Corporation, the world’s largest semiconductor maker,

of a robust risk management framework, implementation of sustainable banking initiatives, enhanced retail banking drive among others. “The bank is currently referred to as a market leader in the retail banking segment with a host of offerings catering to different market segments. Our cost structure remained stable , with our risk indicators continuing to show sustainable asset quality improvements, which adequately position the bank to deliver on target return on equity by year end.”

slipped 2.3 per cent as Sanford C. Bernstein and Company downgraded the shares. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation sank 18 per cent after saying preliminary third-quarter sales would be lower than forecast. Netflix Incorporation lost eight per cent after Bank of America Corporation lowered its rating to underperform. Earnings at companies in the S&P 500 are projected to fall 1.7 per cent in the third quarter in the first decline since 2009, according to analyst forecasts compiled by Bloomberg. Of the 500 companies in the benchmark gauge for US equities, 26 have reported results so far, with profit falling an average 0.5 per cent, data compiled by Bloomberg showed.

9-Oct-12

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

All-Share Index 7,342,308 points All-Share Index 22,191.14 points Market capitalisation 23,066.74 trillion Market capitalisation 7,084 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

JBERGER

28.00

29.40

1.40

5.00

INTBREW

8.80

9.24

0.44

5.00

OKOMUOIL

32.50

34.12

1.62

4.98

CADBURY

18.74

19.67

0.93

4.96

UBN

5.35

5.61

0.26

4.86

ETERNA

2.30

2.41

0.11

4.78

NPFMCRFBK

1.05

1.10

0.05

4.76

BAGCO

1.50

1.57

0.07

4.67

10.47

10.95

0.48

4.58

MAYBAKER

1.39

1.45

0.06

4.32

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

ARBICO

12.10

11.50

0.60

-4.96

MORISON

6.68

6.35

0.33

-4.94

TRANSCORP

0.89

0.85

0.04

-4.49

CUTIX

1.37

1.31

0.06

-4.38

UTC

0.72

0.69

0.03

-4.17

CUSTODYINS

1.19

1.15

0.04

-3.36

RTBRISCOE

1.80

1.74

0.06

-3.33

CONTINSURE

0.63

0.61

0.02

-3.17

GLAXOSMITH

31.80

30.80

1.00

-3.14

UAC-PROP

10.00

9.70

0.30

-3.00

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

32.970.71

14.10

10-Oct-12

182-Day

50,000.00

15.49

11-Oct-12

364 -Day

60,000.00

9.05

11-Oct-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

48Days

7,302.20

14.39

4-Oct-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

4-Oct-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$200m

N/A

$200m

8-Oct-12

$180m

N/A

$180m

4-Oct-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at October 9, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Cocktail

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (19) The greatest enemy of faith is what I call human alternatives. –David Oyedepo *** Trust Only In God! Men can help us, but their help is limited without the help of God. When we place our trust in man, we are digging the graves of disappointment, bitterness and frustrations. In my little life, I have come to believe that the only authentic source of true help is God. When in our spirit man, we let go of our worries and anxieties and simply rest on God and His WORD, we will never be put to shame. Peace!

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

1,775-pound pumpkin wins California weigh-off

pumpkin filling a pickup truck bed and weighing 1,775 pounds won Monday’s weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, California, the selfdescribed “World Pumpkin Capital.”

For Thad Starr, 45, of Pleasant Hill, Ore., it was his third win as a pumpkin grower in what was billed as a “world championship pumpkin weighoff.” He high-fived his daughter Danika, 9, as

his wife Katrina and son Derek, 7, joined the celebration, the San Mateo County Times reported. “It’s awesome,” Starr said. He will be awarded a prize of $10,650, or $6 per

pound, but missed out on a $25,000 bonus since his oblong pumpkin failed to beat the world record of 2,009 pounds set by a Rhode Island grower in September, weigh-off organizers said.

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

Man meets no match after 250 dates

New York state multimillionaire who has spent more than $65,000 on matchmaking services in the past 12 years said the dating services are a “ripoff.” Larry Greenfield, 47, a securities trader from Plainview, said he has tried six different agencies and met 250 different women, but none were his ideal mate -- a beautiful, thin, Jewish girl with a sense of humour who is from New York, the New York Post reported Monday. “New York is a tough market for a guy like me.

I thought I get the career, then I find the woman,” Greenfield said. He said the matchmaking services are a “rip-off.” “You pay them up front and they don’t provide a service. They tell you how wonderful you are, whatever you want to hear,” Greenfield said. One matchmakers said Greenfield’s problem is that he’s too picky. “In the outside world, he would not be able to get a date with that girl ... , said Maureen Tara Nelson, a matchmaker who had Greenfield as a client for a year.

Thad Starr (L) of Pleasant Hill, Oregon celebrating with his daughter after winning the 39th annual Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, California . Photo: UPI

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror “The Judiciary being the last hope of the down trodden should be held in integrity.” AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNOR, GODSWILL AKPABIO

Residents to benefit from free health service MURITALA AYINLA

ore than 10,000 residents in Lagos State will benefit from the free medical health mission organised by the Eko Club International. They will be treated of different ailments ranging from high blood pressure, diabetes, typhoid fever, among others. Speaking while inaugurating the health mission on Lagos Island, president of the Club, Alhaji Zairindeen Popoola, said the initiative was inspired by the indigenes in the Diaspora to provide medical services to the people. Popoola, who described the initiative as their own way of contributing to the state’s development, said a total of 1,700 patients of the 2,000 targeted for the opening day had been achieved. He said: “This is our fourth mission in the state and the exercise has been successful. We started the process nine months ago and because of the amount of work put into it, everyone who came was taken care of by professionals from different countries”. He added that the members are concerned Nigerians in the Diaspora who left their families overseas, to come and contribute to the development of Nigeria, through provision of health care to the less privileged. He added that the mission is carried out bi-annually in collaboration with the state government. Also speaking, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, representing the state government, said the free mission will hold in five areas including Isolo, Ketu Ejirin, Ikorodu, Agbowa, amongst others. He lauded the club for their support to the state’s healthcare delivery, while urging residents to make use of the opportunity, as drugs and eye glasses will be given out free. She said: “They are here with personnel and equipment to attend to Lagosians and bring health care closer to the people”.

Crisis brews over pensions payment in Benue HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

crisis is brewing in Benue State, as pensioners are spoiling for a show down with the government over non-payment of arrears totaling N8 billion. Chairman of the state branch of civil service pensioners, Jacob Unande, disclosed this in Makur-

di, the state capital, even as he said the government reneged on its promise to negotiate a loan of N8 billion for settling the arrears. Unande, who said a 21-day ultimatum had been given on the proposed demonstration, disclosed that a 14-day ultimatum after the 21 days has elapsed. “We met and agreed to obtain a N8 billion loan from the banks, but government has not made ef-

forts towards implementing report of the committee that was set up”, he recalled. He said a seven-day ultimatum would be given in line with the labour law and stressed that pensioners would take to the streets after that. “We will go ahead with the demonstration, he said, stressing that of the population of pensioners, only six are reluctant to

participate in the planned demonstration.” He said the demonstration would involve all workers in the state because the state chairman of the NLC, Mr Simon Anchaver, has given his support. He said the Trade Union Congress, TUC, would also participate, declaring that he would quit office in December this year.

Some commuters trying to push out a trapped vehicle up from mud water in Lagos.

Lagos decries vandalism of road signage MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, has raised alarm over vandalism of road the traffic signs by some unscrupulous persons, just as he said that bus conductors and drivers must be certified yearly by the state’s driving institute, if they must operate under the new traffic law. Speaking during the Road Safety Campaign, Opeifa said that conductors and drivers’ identity must be posted conspicuously on the vehicles for security and safety reasons. He said: “The identity of the commercial driver and conductor must be displayed conspicu-

Opeifa

ously on the vehicle in addition to license of the vehicle. Again, all vehicles must be operated within allocated routes”. He added that vehicles without proper registration would not be allowed to operate for commercial purpose. While alerting the public to be wary of impostors who extort money from unsuspecting motorists in the name of

enforcing the traffic law, the commissioner threatened to deal according to the law with anyone caught. Opeifa lamented that some of the over 20,000 road signage recently erected had been vandalised by unknown persons, vowing to prosecute them. He stressed: “It is an offence under the law, to vandalise public property and we will not hesitate to deal with any suspect.We have also embarked on several lane markings to make the roads safer and restore orderliness.” Opeifa said that vehicle owners must go for road worthiness test at least two times in a year, adding that the cardinal focus of his ministry would be on road worthiness and safety for all motorists.

Shoppers celebrate with mall

he first day of October certainly spells fun to most Nigerians and above all, it reminds us of the patriotic spirit that should be portrayed at all times. This was evident amongst the drove of shoppers at the Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Ikeja in Lagos on Monday October 1, 2012. Shoppers turned up at the mall dressed in the Nigerian national colors of white and green. Others had the Nigerian flag painted on their bodies. Some even had their hair dyed green and white and had the colours painted on their faces. To spice up the independence mood, a “green carpet” photo shoot and a taste of special Naija cuisine dishes by Sumptuous Meals, one of the businesses at the mall, was offered to customers.

News

Atuche: Counsel seeks court’s nod to provide witness with security FRANCIS FAMOROTI

n Ikeja High Court was yesterday urged to order adequate security for a witness in the trial of the former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), Francis Atuche, and his wife, Elizabeth, accused of stealing N27.5bn. Atuche, Elizabeth and the former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu, had been arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly stealing the money belonging to the bank. At the resumed hearing before Justice Lateefat Okunnu, the lead counsel to Atuche, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), asked the court to make the order to ensure the witness was given adequate security each time he turned up to give evidence in court. This was sequel to the submission of the EFCC counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, at the last sitting that the witness, Mr. Bolaji Ogunsola, claimed that his life was under threat.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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ACF, Ohanaeze hold talks on 2015 today DENNIS AGBO AND A ZA MSUE

he apex northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday stormed Enugu to meet Ohanaeze leaders for the 2015 Presidency talks and unity of the country. It was gathered that ACF high-powered delegation would bargain for massive support from the Igbo in favour of a northern presi-

dential slot in 2015. ACF had said in communiqué recently that it would support any strategy for the success of the region’s presidential candidate. “While the forum supports any political strategies that would put the North in a position which will enable it negotiate with other sections of the country from a position of strength and secure some favourable terms, it was the considered view of the forum that it is too early to start full-fledged

political activities for 2015,” the communiqué said. However, when contacted, the ACF spokesman, Mr. Anthony Sani, told our correspondent via a text message that the forum would meet with Ohanaeze today in Enugu but he did not give reasons for the visit. A reliable source, however, said while in Enugu, the ACF team would also discuss the issue of offshore and onshore dichotomy, insecurity,

unity of the country with Ohanaeze. “Igbo are our brothers and sisters; ACF will sit down with them and discuss the unity and stability of the nation. Although it is not the right time to discuss the 2015 presidential race because it is too early, the issue will come up at the closed-door meeting of the two powerful forums. “South-East people are insisting that come 2015, the next president should be from the region, but we

CBN recovers N5bn from banks GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, at the unveiling of the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council’s logo in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Reps warn FG against external borrowing Manage SWF properly, Jonathan tells NSIA board T S ORDUE ABUJA

ALEM

he House of Representatives has warned the executive against foreign and local borrowings without the approval of the National Assembly. The warning, contained in the House of Representatives’ report on the Medium Term Framework, MTEF, document by the Presidency, came ahead of today’s presentation of the 2013 budget proposal by President Goodluck Jonathan before a Joint Session of the National Assembly. The report on MTEF was compiled by the House Committees on Finance, Legislative Budget and Research, National Planning and Economic Planning and Economic Development and Aids, Loans and Debt Manage-

are pleading with them to consider the North,” the source added. Meanwhile, rooms of the Universal Hotel, Enugu, have been fully booked while the lobbies hosted both members of ACF and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday evening. President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ambassador Raph Uwaechue, did not personally pick his phone, but his personal assistant confirmed he was already in a meeting, preparatory to today’s meeting.

ment. “Foreign borrowing is not projected in the MTEF. Any additional foreign borrowing during the period must be approved by the National Assembly or it will be at the lender’s risk,” the report, which was adopted wholesale by the House, stated. The report warns in part that: “Internal borrowings should be reduced from N727.19bn to N243.33bn, representing 66 per cent decrease. This is to enhance domestic access to credit by the private sector.” The report also proposes a hike in benchmark for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 budgets, to avoid future fiscal deficits and to achieve more realistic earmarks in future appropriations. Item D of the report advises that: “The crude oil price benchmark of

$75/barrel should be increased to $80/barrel. This will lead to an increase in oil and gas revenue from N7,250.516bn to N7,895.660bn in 2013. It will also give rise to oil revenue projections of N8,160.147bn for 2014 and N8,393.802bn for 2015.” The report says that: “The $5 difference in the benchmark will increase Federal Government’s share of revenue from N3,891.376bn to N4,265.243bn for 2013; and projections of N4,636.487bn for 2014 and N4,977.205bn for 2015.” The House also adopted the recommendation in the Joint Committee report that: “The revenue target of the Nigeria Customs Service for 2013 should be increased from N914.366bn to N1.018trn,” adding that “this increase will make total non-oil revenue.”

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday charged members of Board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, to ensure proper management of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, for the benefit of all Nigerians Jonathan gave the charge while inaugurating the board headed by former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Harvey Rasheed, at the State House. The NSIA is statutorily charged with the responsibilities of managing the SWF and administering the accruing resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

According to the President, there is need for all tiers of government to support any initiative that will encourage saving for the future and guarantee future prosperity of the country. He noted that the establishment of the board showed the seriousness of government in pursuing the central tenets of the fund. According to him, policies initiated by government are for the benefit of all Nigerians, which must be supported by all those in positions of authority at all levels. He said: “Let me state unequivocally that the Sovereign Wealth Fund belongs to all Nigerians represented through the Federal, states and local governments.

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has disclosed that it had so far recovered N5bn from banks, as illegal charges made on customers. The CBN Deputy Governor in charge of Financial Services, Kingsley Moghalu, made the disclosure yesterday during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions. Moghalu noted that the priority of the apex court in the next three years would be to focus on the protection of consumers of products made available in the market by the banks. According to him, over time, there has been loss of confidence in the banking sector by customers, especially as it relates to charges on some deposits. Moghalu said it was this observation that necessitated the reform, which culminated in the recovery of N5bn, being illegal charges on customers. He said: “In the next few years, between now and 2015, we will be focusing on consumer protection. There are ranges of bank charges that are acceptable. “As I speak to you, we have recovered from the banks N5bn as wrong charges and it has been returned to Nigerians.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Violence: Minister asks VCs, others to be security conscious WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

inister of Education Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I has asked heads of tertiary institutions across the country to be more proactive and security conscious. Speaking on the backdrop of the recent killing of 42 students in Mubi, Adamawa State, and four others in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the minister said vice-chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and provosts of colleges of education should be conscious of the

security atmosphere in Nigeria. Speaking yesterday at the commissioning of the new building of JAMB zonal office in Ilorin, Prof. Rufa’I said: “Protection of students, even when they live off campus should be of utmost concern to the heads of tertiary institutions, especially when it is not absolutely their choice to live off campus but because we cannot afford to accommodate all of them on campus”. The minister, who said the recent killing of 42 students in Mubi could not be justified under any

guise, be it religious, ethnic, social or student union rivalry, added that all Nigerians should condemn the incident and support government in its fight against insecurity. She said: “While we expect law enforcement agencies to continue to carry out their statutory and constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property, it should remain incumbent on the heads of institutions to know that they have equal stake as the law enforcement agents.” The minister, however, said that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Ex-

amination (UTME) would involve computer-based testing (CBT) as from 2013 as against the pencil and paper test (PPT), adding that it would go full blown CBT by 2015 when every candidate would have to sit for the examination using computer. Also speaking, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said the CBT would accommodate between 150,000 and 250,000 candidates in the first experiment next year, adding that it would improve service delivery, reduce incidences of breeches of examination security and make Nigeria operate global best practices.

Gunmen kill two policemen, injure woman in Kano AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

unmen suspected to be militants of the Boko Haram sect yesterday killed two policemen in Kano. The state Police Command said the victims were on polio immunisation assignment when they were ambushed by the gunmen who shot them. The incident occurred at noon at the Kofar Dawanau area within the metropolis. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris confirmed the incident to our Correspondent in a telephone chat. According to him, the deceased officers were attached to the Immunisation Task Force and were on that assignment when they received a distress call. “It was in response to the distress call that they were

ambushed by their attackers who shot and killed the two policemen instantly, while a woman also identified as a member of the immunisation team sustained gunshot injury and is currently on,” he said. Men of the military Joint Task Force, JTF, immediately moved to the scene of the incident, which was cordoned. Already, eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, while three rifles including those of the slain officers recovered in an uncompleted building in the vicinity of the attack, according to Mr. Ibrahim. It was gathered that following the attack which is the first in recent times, security personnel have started combing suspected flashpoints believed to be hideouts of local terrorists.

Suswam urges increase in intra-Africa trade

B L-R: Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Minister of Education, Prof. Rukayattu Rufa’i, during the commissioning of JAMB’s zonal office in Ilorin, yesterday.

We didn’t engage in extra-judicial killings –JTF ISE-OLUWA IGE AND INUSA NDAHI

he Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has denied a report that its men are killing innocent people whenever there is an attack by terrorists. The JTF said there were no established or recorded cases of extra- judicial killing, torture, arson and arbitrary arrests by its officials, contrary to a report in Peoples Daily publication of October 8, 2012. The JTF also denied a report yesterday in some national dailies that after the Gwange bomb blast that killed an Army officer and two other JTF members, it went berserk and started shooting, killing and burning houses and shops. In a statement made

•NGO asks FG to fish out killer soldiers available to journalists yesterday, the JTF spokesman, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, said that the JTF patrol vehicle was attacked by some terrorists at Gwange, using remote controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Musa said the attack led to the death of an officer and two soldiers with others sustaining severe injuries. The incident, according to him, occurred within 400 metres radius where a similar IED had earlier exploded, killing one Lieutenant Colonel and others. Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Access to Justice (AJ), yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Army Staff to fish out the soldiers who were behind the killings of

dozens of harmless civilians in Maiduguri. The organisation, which condemned the killings and likened the killer soldiers to terrorists whom they were out to apprehend, said they must be prosecuted to deter recurrence. Operatives of JTF, on Monday, reportedly killed about 40 unarmed civilians and burnt down multiple houses, as well as vehicles in Gwange, Maiduguri, with some of the victims reportedly burnt beyond recognition inside their houses. The JTF men were allegedly protesting the death of their colleague and injuries caused to others following explosions by an Improvised Explosive Devise believed to have been planted by the terrorists.

The soldiers reportedly stormed Lagos Street, the location of the incident, and began shooting indiscriminately at the residents and motorists. In a statement issued yesterday by its Executive Director, Joseph Otteh, the organisation expressed sadness over the development. The statement reads: “We are saddened by the reported death of the leader of the Patrol team and the injuries caused to members of the JTF. “However, AJ condemns the mindless, barbaric killings by the soldiers themselves of innocent, unarmed civilians in the strongest terms. “The shootings by the soldiers were mindless, irrational, and completely unjustifiable.

enue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has canvassed increased trade and investment among African countries as a veritable way of improving the continent’s economy. Governor Suswam, who spoke at the a Special Investment Forum in Windhoek, Namibia, organised by the Namibian High Commission in Nigeria in conjunction with the Nigerian High Commission in the Southern African country, said real development would elude the continent except leaders evolved deliberate strategies to encourage intra-African trade. To achieve this, he called for massive investment in infrastructure, saying no development or investment would take place without the necessary infrastructure to support the private sector. Addressing the cream of Namibian businessmen and top government functionaries, Suswam said in spite of

the security challenge facing parts of the country at the moment, Nigeria remained the most profitable environment to do business in Africa, adding that Benue, as a component part of the country, would accommodate investors in all sectors, especially agriculture. The governor said: “Some people say Nigeria is not suitable for business and yet the same people will not leave Nigeria. So, I think they want to keep potential investors out of the opportunities so as to maximize the opportunities that exist in Nigeria.” According to him, the commitment of his administration to the provision of infrastructure was to ensure that an enabling environment was created for potential investors.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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World News

Taliban shoot 14-yearold Pakistani peace campaigner

“I have come here today in full knowledge that the period Greece is living through right now is an extremely difficult one for the Greeks and many people are suffering” – German Chancellor, Angela Merkel

Kenyans protest lawmakers’ jumbo bonus PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

ngry demonstrators in Kenya have marched to parliament to protest about a huge bonus MPs have voted to award themselves. Lawmakers in Kenya are among the highest paid MPs in Africa, receiving a salary of about $10,000 (£6,200) a month. The bonus of more than $105,000 each is to be paid when parliament breaks up ahead of elections due in March 2013. Analysts says tax increases are likely in order to foot the $23m bill. The BBC’s reporter in Nairobi says the revelation about the send-off bonus for the 222 MPs has angered many people, coming as it does after strikes in the public sector. It was passed late on Thursday night as part of a last-minute amendment to the Finance Act, she says. In September all schools were closed for three weeks and public hospitals only took emergencies as demands were made for better pay and working conditions. According to news agency, someone earning the minimum

wage in Kenya would have to work for 61 years to earn the equivalent of the MPs’ bonus. BBC says a large crowd stopped traffic on the main road outside President Mwai Kibaki’s office in Nairobi. They then marched towards parliament and have camped outside, chanting “mwizi”, which means thief in Kiswahili, when any MP drives by.

“When you look at the situation the country is in right now, we have problems with teachers, we have problems in the health care sector. It is just selfish, it is unpatriotic and plain stupid,” one woman at the demonstration told the BBC. Boniface Mwangi, one of the organisers of the march who earlier this year joined activists to paint murals in the city por-

traying MPs as vultures, called for a “ballot revolution” to get rid of avaricious politicians at the next election. He told the BBC the send-off package was “like a thank you token for doing nothing”. The change to the Finance Act still needs to be signed into law by Mr Kibaki - who stands down as president next year after two terms in office.

Libya can guarantee the son of its former dictator a fair trial, Libyan government lawyers said on Tuesday at a hearing on whether Saif al-Islam Gaddafi should face justice at home or at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Accusations by ICC defence lawyers acting for Muammar Gaddafi’s son that he was physically mistreated by Libyan authorities are false, Philippe Sands, counsel for the Libyan government, told the first day of the two-day hearing at the ICC in the Hague. ICC judges will rule on whether Libya is capable of properly trying the man once seen as Gaddafi’s heir-apparent or whether it should extradite him to the Hague. They have no way of enforcing their decision.

One in eight of world population going hungry – UN

The demonstrators carrying placards with messages saying “MPs are thieves” and “greedy hyenas”

PHOTO: EPA

Uganda marks 50 years independence, amid turbulence

frican leaders joined thousands of Ugandans yesterday on an airstrip in the capital of Kampala where 50 years ago, Uganda announced independence from British rule. The East African country has come a long way from the days when brutal dictators were in charge, but it has not had a single peaceful transfer of power since 1962 and the potential for instability remains as opposition activists intensify their campaigns and authorities clamp down. President Yoweri Museveni took power by force in 1986 and has ruled since. He has not said if he intends to run in the 2016 vote, but some in the ruling party are starting to demand his retirement, saying his long stay in power hurts the party’s popularity. For opposition activists, the fact that Museveni has held power for more than half the time Uganda has been independent is reason enough to use

WORLD BULLETIN Gaddafi’s son will receive a fair trial at home – Libya

the anniversary to demand his unconditional exit. “We have to show the whole world that there is no independence in Uganda,” said Ingrid Turinawe, a prominent political activist. “Why should we celebrate? What is there to celebrate?” Military police surrounded the home of Uganda’s top opposition leader on Monday, effectively putting Kizza Besigye

out of circulation. Besigye had threatened to stage a rally in Kampala to spotlight the government’s alleged failures. David Mpanga, a lawyer for Besigye, said his client’s house has been “besieged” by police and his movements restricted. Police last Thursday fired teargas to disperse a rally called by Besigye, who was then taken into a police cell before being allowed to return to his heavily

The Uganda People’s Defence Force at a ceremony to mark the country’s 50th anniversary in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

monitored home. “We are not yet there,” said Nicholas Opio, an independent political analyst, talking about good governance in Uganda. “We are still on the road. There are bigger questions to be asked of this government. There is an aura of paranoia on the part of the state and this paranoia is a result of the increasing unpopularity of the regime.” Henry Kyemba, an author and politician who worked for Ugandan dictator Idi Amin before fleeing to England, said the country had progressed from the days of Amin, who ruled by military decree and whose regime killed thousands of Ugandans. He describes Uganda today as hopeful despite the lack of peaceful political transitions. “That is a most unfortunate situation and we should try and reverse it,” said Kyemba, whose 1977 book about Uganda under Amin is titled “A State of Blood.”.

One out of every eight people in the world is chronically undernourished, the United Nations’ food agencies said yesterday, and aid groups warned that rising food prices could reverse gains in the fight against hunger. In a report on food insecurity, the UN agencies said 868 million people were hungry in 20102012, or about 12.5 percent of the world’s population, down more sharply than previously estimated from about 1 billion, or 18.6 percent in 1990-92. The new figures, based on a revised calculation method and more up-to-date data, are lower than the last estimates for recent years that pegged the number of hungry people at 925 million in 2010 and 1.02 billion in 2009.

‘One-third of S’African truckers end strike’ About a third of striking South African truckers have agreed to return to work today, easing pressure on Africa’s biggest economy where two weeks of labour unrest in the transport sector have hit supplies of fuel, cash and consumer goods. But disputes in the mining sector escalated after Gold One fired the majority of its 1,900 workers at its Ezulwini operation, paralysed since last week by a wildcat strike. Atlatsa Resources said it had also fired 2,161 miners for an illegal strike. Yesterday’s decision by three small transport unions with 15,000 members to abandon the truckers strike puts pressure on the biggest labour group, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), which represents about 28,000 workers, to reach a deal and suspend its calls to widen the strike.

World News

WORLD BULLETIN Bill Gates: I’ll never run for political office Microsoft founder Bill Gates insists he will never run for political office. Gates told the Abu Dhabi Media Summit yesterday that he can have more impact with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation than he would as a politician. He said his current role doesn’t require him to “try to get elected,” nor does it “have term limits of eight years,” as do some elected American offices. Gates said he expects to work full time for the rest of his life in philanthropy, but he would be happy to offer the U.S. president his advice. In a wide-ranging talk, Gates discussed his foundation’s work fighting polio, and he encouraged the Gulf’s entrepreneurs to develop technology that helps both rich and poor.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Taliban shoot 14-year-old Pakistani peace campaigner

aliban gunmen in Pakistan shot and seriously wounded yesterday a 14-year-old schoolgirl who rose to fame for speaking out against the militants, authorities said. Malala Yousufzai was shot in the head and neck when gunmen fired on her school bus in

the Swat valley, northwest of the capital, Islamabad. Two other girls were also wounded, police said. Yousufzai became famous for speaking out against the Pakistani Taliban at a time when even the government seemed to be appeasing the hardline Islamists.

The government agreed to a ceasefire with the Taliban in Swat in early 2009, effectively recognizing insurgent control of the valley whose lakes and mountains had long been a tourist attraction. The Taliban set up courts, executed residents and closed girls’ schools, including the one that Yousufzai attended. A documentary team filmed her weeping as

‘Mexican navy kills drug cartel leader’ Heriberto Lazcano, leader of the Zetas drug cartel, apparently killed in firefight with marines, navy says. Heriberto Lazcano, the leader of the Zetas drug cartel, has apparently been killed in a fire-fight with marines in the northern border state of Coahuila, the Mexican navy has said. The navy said there was strong evidence the body of one of two men killed in the shootout was Lazcano, known as “El Lazca”. But it added that more forensics tests would have to be carried out to confirm the identification. “Information was obtained after the first forensics tests were carried out that yielded indications that suggest that one of the bodies is Heriberto Lazcano,” the navy’s statement said. “The Navy Department is coordinating efforts with Coahuila state, and will be awaiting the conclusions of the forensics examination in the case,” the statement said.

‘Chilean Catholic bishop, accused of abuse, resigns’ Pope Benedict accepted the resignation yesterday of a bishop in Chile accused of sexually abusing a minor, the latest in a series of such scandals to rock the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican did not specify the reason for the resignation of Bishop Marco Antonio Ordenes Fernandez of the city of Iquique but it followed a complaint by a local man, Rodrigo Pino, who said he had been abused by the prelate when he was 15. The Vatican, as it has done in similar cases, said only that the resignation was in conformity with an article of Church law which says bishops must step down if they are unable to fulfill their duties because of health or “another serious reason”. The Chilean Bishops Conference said last week that Ordenes was put under investigation after the complaint and had taken medical leave.

Hospital staff assisting Malala Yousufzai, who was wounded in a gun attack, at Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital in the Swat Valley region in northwest Pakistan, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS

she explained her ambition to be a doctor. “My friend came to me and said, ‘for God’s sake, answer me honestly, is our school going to be attacked by the Taliban?’,” Yousufzai, then 11, wrote in a blog published by the BBC. “During the morning assembly we were told not to wear colourful clothes as the Taliban would object.” The army launched an offensive and retook control of Swat later that year, and Yousufzai later received the country’s highest civilian award. She was also nominated for international awards for child activists. Since then, she has received numerous threats. On Tuesday, gunmen arrived at her school and asked for her by name, witnesses told police. Yousufzai was shot when she came out of class and went to a bus. Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said his group was behind the shooting. “She was pro-West, she was speaking against Taliban and she was calling President Obama her ideal leader,” Ehsan said by telephone from an undisclosed location.

I may not stand in 2013, Monti could stay – Berlusconi

ormer Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday he may not stand in elections next spring and suggested that technocrat premier Mario Monti could stay on as head of a centre-right government. Berlusconi’s move, which revealed his fears that the centreleft will win the vote, indicated he had abandoned hope of winning enough support to mount a credible campaign as leader of the centre-right, which is trailing heavily in opinion polls. It was greeted with skepticism by many politicians and analysts, who saw it as a tactical move that

underlined the weakness of Berlusconi’s badly divided camp and said little about the likelihood of Monti returning after the election. Monti himself has repeatedly said he will not stand for election but would be willing to stay on for the sake of the country if there was political deadlock after the polls, which are due by April. Berlusconi said he wanted to unite a broad coalition capable of defeating the centre-left, and was prepared to stand down to gain the support of smaller centrist parties that have been reluctant to join forces with his People of Freedom (PDL) party.

“Silvio Berlusconi has always said and continues to say that he is ready to stand aside to allow all moderates to unite in a single force that can face the left together,” he told his own Canale 5 television network. “I have always wanted the good of the country I love, I have never had any personal ambition,” he said. He declined to identify a potential leader if he did step aside, but said Monti could lead a centre-right government. “Absolutely, I would not rule out it being Mario Monti. Ever since I’ve known him, he has always been in the liberal camp, so

Romney eyes US poll victory

he US Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney is confidence that his chances of winning the November 6 election are very high. Romney, who floored incumbent President Barack Obama in the first of three debates last week, said him and his running mate, Paul Ryan , along with Republicans across the country, are doing everything they can to protect America’s future and undo the damage of the last four years. “Twenty-three million Americans are struggling for work, and nearly one in six Americans

is living in poverty. And still, President Obama and his liberal allies are asking for another chance to get it right. Our country can’t afford to give it to them, he said in his campaign report yesterday” Romney is appreciative of his supporters, who he said have joined the cause and transformed his campaign into a nationwide movement. “They’ve knocked on over 5 million doors and made over 30 million volunteer voter contacts. That’s 15 times more doors and 5 times more phone calls than at this same time in 2008 --

and that’s incredible.” “And even in these bleak economic times, our supporters are contributing out of their own pockets. In fact, 93% of all the donations received have been $250 or less. We couldn’t have gotten this far without that kind of commitment and support -- and because of it, we’re on our way to winning this thing.” With just 32 days left for the November 6 poll, the Romney campaign team says it has sustained nationwide support for its cause. “We need to win, we want to win -- and with your help we will.”

Berlusconi

it could easily be Mario Monti,” he said. Monti is strongly supported by Italy’s business establishment and has enjoyed wide international backing for his efforts to rein in Italy’s towering public debt and reform its stagnant economy. But how far Berlusconi’s announcement increased the chances of a second Monti term remained very unclear, with opinion polls showing little public appetite for an encore by the former European commissioner. The centre-left backs Monti in parliament but has consistently said the next government should be formed by a democratically elected coalition. It has expressed strong objections to a repeat of Monti’s technocrat administration.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

WORLD RECORD

First domestication of dogs Vol. 02 No. 466

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

N150

The earliest domestication dogs (Canis familiaris) is thought to have been done by Palaeolithic humans in east Asia, approximately 15,000 years ago, as they successfully bred aggression out of wolves (Canis lupus).

A nation’s descent to Hobbesian age

ne wonders whether the geographical entity called Nigeria is destined for the Stone Age. No day passes without a reinforcing image of the country as home to 21st century Barbarians. Aside the ever present culture of corruption in all aspects of national life, the country is fast establishing itself as another Afghanistan on the African continent, where life is worth the price of peanuts. Invariably, if the late British philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, were to be around today, he would find a perfect example in Nigeria on what he wrote of 16th century England, where life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short. The result, according to him, was continual fear and danger of violent death lurking at every corner of the society. Our present descent into hell was not a happenstance, but the outcome of well orchestrated and coordinated culture of violence that became the norm all through

ormer world number one, Tiger Woods, admits that the speculated chance to captain the United States in the Ryder Cup would be huge honour. Woods has lost six times against Europe in seven appearances, including most recently at Medinah when the

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

years of military interregnum, that succeeded in installing the subsequent regime of impunity and recklessness among the citizenry. Today, the political space has been taken over by buccaneers, who engage in every imaginable act of savagery to get power and hold on to it. Interestingly, the same politicians will readily admit and even defend their atrocious methods, as the only way of becoming a success within Nigeria because it is not only exigent, but also the grundnorm for political relevance. And for this, the society has gone berserk, with everyone or groups taking the laws into their hands and most times, challenging the state authorities thus undermining the very legal basis of Nigeria’s existence. In this group belong some radical religious extremists, who in the past two years, have waged a largely undeclared low intensity war against the country, and bringing in its wake such enormous socio-economic dislocations and human miseries now being felt all over the place. Sadly, the authorities are at sea on how to handle the increasingly volatile situation in order to restore normalcy in the country. But the most chilling is the resurgent bloodletting now taking root on campuses of our tertiary institutions. Before now, these campuses were seen as sacred grounds, where serious minded students and their mentors are quarantined to find ways of ameliorating society’s ills and in the process subjecting themselves to mental and emotional rigours in prepara-

NO DAY PASSES WITHOUT A REINFORCING IMAGE OF THE COUNTRY AS

HOME TO 21ST CENTURY

BARBARIANS

tion for future leadership roles. Now, these campuses have become nothing more than jungles, where all manner of Homo sapiens indulge in mortal combats over nothing more than an urge to gain ephemeral supremacy. The campus environment has become more of a curse and shame to academic learning and scholarship. In the past, Nigerians only heard of murderous mass killing of students in some quasi benighted Third World countries, which made them agitated at such bestiality. Now, such irreverent James Bond-type movies have arrived at our shores with crude aplomb. Few days ago, Nigerians were awakened to the rude killings of four students of the University of Port Harcourt by so called Aluu vigilantes, under very controversial circumstances. The unfortunate victims, said to be 100 and 200 level students, which Taliban style execution was caught on video, were shown being stripped naked, beaten and hacked with machetes, before being set ablaze

live. Even in the most remote and crudest parts of the world, such ghoulish spectacle, would have elicited emotional responses, but not with those fiendish scoundrels parading themselves as vigilantes. All that mattered to them was the blood of fellow citizens, whose crimes still remain shrouded in controversies and mystery. For example, the victims were accused of being cultists and in the habit of attacking and raping persons in the community. Another angle to story alleged they were thieves, who stole a mobile phone and laptop. Still another account claimed they were caught in possession of dangerous weapons, including knives and axes while acting suspiciously. The question is what on earth would have motivated such ill informed, rag tag group of wretches’ called Aluu vigilantes to be both accusers and judge in a matter they have more than visceral interest? Such mob action and acts of brigandage, say a lot as to the nadir into which the country has sunk. Before that savagery in Rivers State, some group of still unidentified gunmen, invaded and killed more than 40 students in one fell swoop at the Adamawa State University, Federal Polytechnic and School of Health Technology, all in Mubi, Adamawa State. These students were murdered in cold blood. Strangely, their commando style raids were selective of targets, suggesting the invidious connivance of persons within the academic community and professional killers from outside. But given the snail speed of investigations into these mystery murders , we may never know what motivated such dastardly acts, except the welter of conspiracy theories now making the rounds, and pointing in the direction of aggrieved students who lost campus union elections, or even radical religious Islamists out to halt the spread of western education. No matter the reasons for these tragedies, time has come for the authorities to step out of their cocoons and battle the increasing incidence of mob rule, while bringing those responsible to justice, if only to reassure us of safety in the land.

Sport Extra

Golf: Woods relishes Ryder Cup captaincy US threw away a commanding lead on the final day. The golf icon lost all three of his matches with Steve Stricker over the first two days and halved his singles encounter with Frances-

co Molinari after Martin Kaymer’s win in the match ahead had already ensured Europe would retain the trophy. “It would be a huge honour to captain this team and

hopefully it doesn’t happen in the near future,” Woods said yesterday. Meanwhile, Woods confirmed yesterday that he apologized to the four rookies on the United

States’ team for not contributing a single point in their devastating loss. “I had an opportunity to earn three points in team sessions but I did not do that,” he added.

Tiger Woods

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