Thursday, March 14, 2013

Power firms: BPE shifts payment deadline for bidders

Gunmen storm prison, free kidnappers

FG issues guidelines on meter importation TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND UDEME AKPAN Sambo

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here are strong indications that the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, may have extended the payment dead-

line earlier set for preferred bidders of the electricity distribution companies, DISCOs, and generation CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

...two warders killed, others injured

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Abubakar

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Argentina’s Bergoglio emerges new Pope ...now Francis, world’s Catholics jubilate PROFILE

Born in India on Dec 17, 1936 Now the 266th Pope First Pope from S’America Ordained priest on Dec 13, 1969 Entered the Society of Jesuit on March 11, 1958 Studied Philosophy and Theology Participated in 2005 conclave as Cardinal elector Elected President, Argentine Episcopal conference on Nov 8, 2005

N150

Oduah

Robbers attack Lagos airport, kill 2 cops P.8

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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orge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church yesterday, and took the name Francis I. Pope Francis I, 76, is the CONTINUED ON PAGE 16>>

Pope Francis

Cancellation:

WAEC makes U-turn, releases results

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Rufai

Fire guts Amosun’s house P.11

Knocks for Jonathan over state pardon

Vatsa’s family seeks amnesty for slain General FG to realise N26bn from Festac phase II project

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News

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Knocks for Jonathan over state pardon

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t was a torrent of condemnations for President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday from Nigerians and stakeholders over his decision to grant state pardon to high profile personalities convicted for corrupt practices and military coups.

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, yesterday clarified that the state pardon given by the Federal Government to some Nigerians was not a unilateral action of President Jonathan but a decision considered and approved by the National Council of State.

The NCS, presided over

by President Jonathan, had on Tuesday granted state pardon to some prominent Nigerians.

The list of the beneficiaries included Gen. Oladipo Diya, the Chief of General Staff during the reign of military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha; former Managing Director, Bank of the North, Mr. Shettima Bulama; former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late Gen. Musa Yar’Adua and the former Minister of Works, the late Maj.-Gen Abdulkareem Adisa.

With the development, the family of the late Maj.Gen. Mamman Vatsa, has called on President Jonathan to grant pardon to their brother and nine others the same manner he granted Diya and other coupists.

ACF kicks The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, decried the development.

Speaking with National Mirror, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, said: “State pardon usually presupposes transgression against the state.

And Mr. President has the prerogative of mercy to pardon any person on the advice of the Council of State.

“The constitution does not limit the President to certain offences that deserve state pardon. And so it would not be legally correct to attack Mr. President for granting an ex-convict a state pardon.

“But what seems to grate the nerves of many Nigerians is the trite that granting of state pardon to people

convicted for corrupt practices can stoke corruption in the polity by those who would do so and use their connections in the government to seek state pardon.

“The action is condemnable. The president is using the letter of the law instead of the spirit.”

Action tragic and bad example – Oyegun Former governor of Edo State and National Chairman, South South Peoples Assembly, SSPA, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the President’s action is tragic.

“Well, there is no question about if the action is legal. The question is if the action is the right thing to do at a time the nation is fighting against corruption and indecent behaviour.

“It is a bad example. This has confirmed that you can get away with anything in this country. It is a pitiable development. I know some of the beneficiaries and wish them the best of luck.

But this development is not good for the nation and it is tragic.”

Jonathan not serious about fighting corruption – Tsav Anti-corruption crusader and former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, lambasted President Jonathan for the action, saying the development had shown his insincerity.

Tsav said: “The President is just trying to take Nigerians for a ride. All the state pardon is aimed at pardoning only Alamieyeseigha. The other people were to justify his action.

People who are already dead, what benefits would state pardon do for them?

“If Jonathan is honest to himself, he should have pardoned people who have been convicted or being tried for over 10years.

“Our major problems today in Nigeria are corruption and insecurity. And corruption gave birth to insecurity. And if he is now pardoning a man who is involved in massive corruption, it only shows that his government is not serious about fighting corruption.

“There are some culprits still serving jail term in prison. Major Al-Mustapha has been in jail for over 15 years, if the President is sincere he should have con-

L-R: Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Sonni Yusuf; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nigeria’s Consul-General, Mr. Okey Emuchey, at the 7th Electoral Institute for Sustianable Democracy in Africa symposium in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

sidered granting pardon to those soldiers in prison not just handpicking the executive convicts.

“As far as I am concerned, he is doing this for political gains. Somebody who escaped justice from Britain and putting Nigeria to shame is now being granted state pardon. So, the fight against corruption means nothing.

dent Jonathan. It is unfortunate things will get worse in this country, at a point there will be no funds to run government again because of massive stealing.

“Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori will finish his jail term in UK and definitely he will receive his state pardon in Nigeria.”

Corruption war dead – Balarabe Musa

Victory for corruption, say Adebanjo, Fasehun, Odumakin

Former Governor of old Kaduna State and Chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, declared that the war against corruption in Nigeria was dead under the Jonathan administration.

Musa called for revolution that would correct the negative state of the nation for the common good of Nigerians.

He said: “President Jonathan has joined the league of corrupt leaders in Nigeria. He has created a platform to protect thieves in this country. To me, the war against corruption in this country is dead. No more anti-corruption campaign by the Federal Government under President Jonathan.

“But I am not surprised, it happened when Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was overthrown, the government under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida granted state pardon to former governors who stole public funds.

“In Nigeria now, no limit of stealing now by public and civil servants because there is ‘Operation steal and go free’ under Presi-

Also, the President of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, said he was not surprised by the action.

Fasehun said: “I am not surprised by the development. It shows Nigerian leaders are insincere to Nigerians. When they promised to fight corruption, they used another hand to encourage corruption.

They are fighting corruption with corruption.

“It is partisan politics.

The children of the powers that be shall not suffer the consequences of their action.

“This action shows that Nigerians are stumbling from corruption to another until corruption destroys us.”

The spokesman of Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said that the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha and other convicted of corruption was morally reprehensible.

“The disingenuous attempt to lump the pardoning of crooks with phantom coup convicts is a veneer for our collapsed moral walls under an un-

ethical presidency.

“The pardon is a victory for corruption,” Odumakin said.

A Yoruba leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, also condemned the development, saying: “When you begin to pardon someone convicted for corruption, it is not a deterrent to others. I can understand Diya and other military officers who were tried on trumped-up charges of coup. But in the case of those convicted for corruption, there was no evidence that it was trumped-up.

“So granting state pardon to those convicted of corruption doesn’t show zero tolerance for corruption.”

Senior lawyers berate Jonathan Also, some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, yesterday criticised the Federal Government for its decision to grant amnesty to Alamieyeseigha.

Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) said: “I have nothing against state pardon, but they need to be merited.

A situation where people have been given state pardon for participating in a coup is not the same as a situation where people have been convicted for criminal offences like misappropriation of public funds.

“So, I am not happy that the government put the two as if they belong together.

“I can understand if the government in its wisdom through the Council of State decides to look upon those people who were said to have participated in coup with mercy since the al-

leged offence, treason is an offence against the state.

“My worry is when you pardon someone whose offence is misappropriation of public funds. When you say you are fighting the war against corruption and then you pardon someone who has this antecedent, it sends a wrong signal both at home and to the international community that corruption is legitimate.”

Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) also said: “Without doubt, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers the President to grant pardon. By virtue of 1999 Constitution, the decision is, however, not strange to our constitution.

“It is also a practice that is familiar with American constitution.In fact, the American constitution makes provision for such pardon. America’s history has several records of presidential pardon although criticisms had trailed many of those decisions.

“However, I am unable to see what justifiable reasons that may have prompted the decision to grant such pardon to former Bayelsa State Governor. Unfortunately, the exercise is not justifiable in court.

“Frankly speaking, we need to re-appraise our values and the President ought to lead the way in that regard.”

Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) said: “The decision of the President shocked a lot of Nigerians who still believe in his fight against corruption.

“Although the President CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Photo News

Thursday, March 14, 2013

L-R: British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Carter; former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner for the Environment, Hon. Tunji Bello, during the 5th Climate Change Summit in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2013 Planning Committee, Mrs. Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi; Managing Director, Elshcon Nigeria Ltd; Mr. Emi Membre-Otaji; former Vice-President, World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili and Director-General, Nigeria Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Ify Akerele, at the 3rd NIMAREX Expo, tagged: “Nigeria Maritime: Invest Now,” in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Airline & Product Marketing Manager, ATR Aircraft Manufacturers, Mr. Othman Chaoui; Vice-President, Sales - Africa & Indian Ocean, Mr. Guido Di Paolo and Chairman/CEO. Overland, Captain Edward Boyo, at a briefing by officials of ATR from Toulouse, France, held in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adeniyi Togun; Dean, Faculty of Technology, Prof. Ayodeji Oluleye and World Bank Step-B Project Manager, Dr. Ayotola Aremu, at the World Bank Step-B Project Dissemination Workshop on Course Ware Development for Women in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News

FG to realise N25.7bn from concession of FESTAC Phase II ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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he Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved the concession of the FESTAC Estate Phase II in Lagos State from which about N25.7 billion is expected to accrue to the government.

Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting yesterday, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, told State House correspondents that the project, which would come under the Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement, would be concessioned to a New FESTAC Property Development Company, NFPDC, which would be working with four other companies, including PW Nigeria Limited; SCC Nigeria Limited; Enacco Nigeria Limited and Funtaj Limited.

According to him, the area involved is 1, 126 hectares, which is the remaining portion of the 2, 000 hectares acquired by the Federal Government for Phase I of FESTAC town.

He noted that because of paucity of funds, only a por-

• 38,000 inmates awaiting trial –Interior Minister

tion was developed and the remaining was abandoned, a situation which prompted the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development to take the initiative to develop the Phase II through the PPP arrangement.

Maku also said that when the 1,126 hectares of land is completely reclaimed and sand filled, because of its swampy nature, it would create at least 7, 000 plots.

The minister explained that the new FESTAC Phase II would be like a new city with houses, shopping malls, schools, police station, health centres, among others.

He further said that council approved that the remaining portion of land would be developed after reclamation is done by the NFPDC in order to fasttrack the project.

Speaking further on the project, Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, Ama Pepple, said; “We also expect that a lot of money will accrue. It has been presented before council before, but it was stepped down because at that time,

council believed that the amount that would accrue to government, N10.6 billion, was too small, considering the size of the plot and the fact that it is Lagos. This was in 2006.

“We worked on it again and we looked at what it will cost the company to reclaim the land and the figure that we came up with was N25.7 billion. It is going to be concessioned over a 30-year period, but they are going to have a three-year moratorium to enable them start the project and stabilise it,” Pepple said.

She said the government expects that in addition to the N25.7 billion that would accrue over a 30-year period, government is also expecting about N150 million in ground rents within a year.

Pepple noted that the dilapidation of FESTAC Phase 1 was the refusal of its occupiers to pay the mandatory maintenance fee as stipulated in their letters of offer.

Also speaking at the briefing, Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, said out of a record 54, 000 pris-

oners across the country, 38, 000 of them are awaiting trial, saying there was no access to the nature of their crimes.

He said it was in realisation of this that a bill seeking to properly categorise crimes and punishments to be meted out to offenders has been sent to the National Assembly.

The minister said out of the 54, 000 prisoners, about 16, 000 have been convicted, saying that government has also taken steps to ensure that those convicted are re-

formed and rehabilitated to ensure proper rehabilitation into the society.

“Those that have been convicted, we are attending to them. They are attending our regular courses; some of them are in the Open University, some of them are writing examinations and have registered for JAMB, writing NECO, obtained first school leaving certificate and the rest of them,” Moro said.

He said the challenges of his ministry include new partnership to promote

PPP in service delivery by departments and agencies under his purview, obsolete laws guiding the operations of the prisons and immigration services as well as the teething problem of prisons congestion occasioned by the subsisting nature of crime and punishment in the country.

While reacting to the report on the killing of seven foreign hostages in Bauchi, Moro said there was no confirmation of the story, appealing to Nigerian and the international community to be calm and wait for the outcome of investigation into the matter.

ATM cards: Reps move to halt maintenance charges TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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motion to stop a plan by banks in the country to charge N100 maintenance fee on Automated Teller Machines, ATM, cards was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday.

The House also mandated its Committee on Banking and Currency to investigate all approved bank charges on all accounts and compli-

ance by banks and present a report to the House in two weeks.

The House also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and other relevant authorities to reverse the plan.

Hon. Aliu Babatunde Kazeem, who sponsored the motion, described the plan as mean and “ungodly,” disclosing that at a meeting of the Bankers’ Committee in November last year, the N100

inter-bank charges on the use of ATM cards was cancelled.

Kazeem argued that if the Bankers’ Committee had abolished the inter-bank transaction charges, there was no justification for the introduction of other charges by another means.

The legislator told the House that the First Bank of Nigeria Limited, was about to begin a monthly deduction of maintenance fee on their cards with effect from March, 2013.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, March 14, 2013

BPE shifts payment deadline for power firms’ bidders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

companies, GENCOs. A reliable source told our correspondents that the ultimatum had been shifted to March 25 as most of the bidders could not fulfil the initial payment obligations as at the close of business yesterday.

It was gathered that only four companies had made the mandatory payment of 25 per cent of the purchase price as stipulated under the privatisation guidelines.

A source at the bureau disclosed that the agency had secured the consent of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, for the 10-day grace offered the bidders to meet the payment.

The requirements are to avert a repeat of failures that had characterised the privatisation exercise over the past years.

Attempts to speak with the NCP spokesman, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, at the time of going to press failed

as his phone was switched off.

But an official in the communications department said the deadline would not be today.

However, based on the privatisation timeline, the companies were given up to till today to pay 25 per cent of the total bid sum.

Many of the bidders have been negotiating to secure loans from local and international banks to enable them to meet the payment deadlines.

“The huge capital outlay involved has been a major problem to the companies.

You know it is not easy for individuals to pay such huge amounts on their own, so what they did was to approach the banks, who are asking for proper guarantee before the money can be released and they are not getting timely responses to their requests,” the source added.

At the close of the open-

ing of financial bids last year, the three thermal plants namely, Geregu Power Plc, Sapele Power Plc and Ughelli Power Plc had been sold for $633m while the two hydro power plants, Shiroro Power Plc and Kainji Power Plc would be taken over by two consortia as concessions at a total of $74.3m The Federal Government is expected to realise N197.2bn as proceeds from the sale of 60 per cent of its equity in the 10 discos.

At its sixth meeting for 2012, which held on October 29, 2012 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the NCP had approved the payment mechanism for the successor generation companies.

The approved mechanism involves, among other requirements, the submission by the preferred bidders of additional bid security in the form of a letter of credit or bank guarantee for 15 per cent of the transaction value to the Bureau

of Public Enterprises, BPE. The preferred bidders are required within 15 business days of notification from the BPE to submit a ‘Preferred bidder’s bank guarantee.” The deadline for receipt of the bank guarantee was Friday, November 23, 2012.

The NCP also approved the next steps for the conclusion of the privatisation of the generation and distribution companies.

The next stage is that the designated preferred bidder will be invited for negotiations with the BPE. Within 15 business days after signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the Shareholders’ Agreement or the Performance Agreement, whichever is earlier, or at a mutually agreed earlier time, the bidder shall make a down payment of 25 per cent of the share purchase price.

In addition, a bidder is also required to pay the

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Knocks for Jonathan over state pardon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

is legally empowered to grant pardon but it is not everything that is lawful that is expedient. Why granting pardon to somebody who has been duly convicted in a proper court of law?

“This seems like making an open statement in support of corruption. Every statement that a President makes is tantamount to sending signals not only to the populace but also to the international community.

This is because the President carries the moral compass of the nation.

“This development will make it appear as if we are

not serious about fighting corruption. It is like undermining our criminal justice system and this is very shameful.”

Speaking in similar vein, Mr. Fred Agbaje said: “A government that prides itself to be fighting corruption is granting pardon to those that have looted the treasury. It is a signal to everybody that those being prosecuted by the EFCC if convicted will also be pardoned.”

Agbaje accused President Jonathan of longing to grant state pardon to his mentor –Alamieyeseigha – “and only added the names of Diya and

Yar‘Adua to deceive Nigerians.”

Labour cries foul The General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Mr. Isaac Aberare, said the union was greatly disappointed by the pardon extended to the former governor.

The NUPENG scribe added that it was a confirmation that the government had only been paying lip service to the fight against corruption.

The National Industrial Relations Officer of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Senior Staff As-

sociation, PENGASSAN, and River State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Mr. Hyginuis Onuegbu, said the pardon was totally uncalled for.

Onuegbu explained that soon, other individuals that had been convicted for stealing and engaging in corrupt practices would soon begin to demand for their own pardon.

The Rivers State TUC chairman added that the pardon should be withdrawn immediately as the former Bayelsa governor was not the only convicted criminal deserving of it.

Human rights activist CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

outstanding 75 per cent of the share purchase price to complete the transaction within six months after signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement or the Shareholders’ Agreement, whichever is earlier or mutually agreed upon time.

Upon the payment of the 25 per cent of the purchase price, the preferred bidder’s bank guarantee will be returned to the bidder.

After the completion of payment, the handover of the successor company to the preferred bidder will conclude the transaction.

A few days ago, the Acting BPE Director-General, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, at the pre-negotiation meeting with the preferred bidders, said the Federal Government was committed to the programme to “assure all preferred bidders and their financiers that everything is being done by government to provide a conducive atmosphere for their investments.”

Analysts believe that the meeting was convened to gauge the mood of the bidders in respect of their readiness to meet the deadline but that the bureau was not satisfied with its findings.

Meanwhile, foreign and local firms may soon start massive importation of new electricity meters into the country.

This followed the release yesterday by the Federal Government the guidelines to regulate the process.

The two classes of guidelines released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, are those targeted at guiding importation, production or supply and those specifically dedicated to regulating metering service providers respectively.

For the first class of investors, NERC stated that the firms would indicate the number of meters to be imported, quantity to be supplied, annual production capacity as well as indicate technical data such as nominal voltage, operational voltage, accuracy class, current class, frequency, operating temperature, storage temperature, life span, purpose of importation, country of origin and year of manufacture.

“Applicants are to send copy of certificate of incorporation, tax clearance certificate for the last three years, VAT registration

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certificate, commercial invoice/proforma invoice, Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme, SONCAP, manufacturer’s test certificate, meter test station test report, copy of MSP registration, proof that local production cannot satisfy the demand for metering systems (for importers) and proof of metering systems warehousing facilities, the NERC statement said.

The regulator said that they would also be required to pay some charges. For instance, those involved in single phase meters are expected to pay N50 per unit, three phase (415V) N100 per unit while three phase (11kV) attracts N1,000 per unit.

Others such as three phase (33kV) attract N1, 500 per unit, three phase (132/330kV) N3,000 per unit while renewal of clearance certificate attracts 100 per cent of fee paid on the initial certificate (for importers).

According to NERC: “The objective of the guidelines is to ensure that only competent persons conversant with the standards approved by NERC are allowed to perform the functions required for metering services in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI. “The services include importation of meters, supply and installation.

While NERC as the regulator will not be involved in the procurement of electricity meters, the commission is committed to establishing the requisite framework for electricity metering in the NESI.” Investigations showed that many indigenous and foreign firms from different parts of the world, especially China, India, United States and South Africa had started to indicate interest for participation in the programme.

According to plan, the firms will be engaged to provide services to the nation’s 11 electricity distribution firms whose operations have seriously been hampered as a result of lack of electricity meters.

A metering committee established by NERC noted in its report that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, was accused of overbilling of consumers due to a very wide metering gap.

National News

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Courts resume sitting as judiciary workers end strike EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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ctivities resumed at the Supreme Court, Appeal Court and Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday, following the suspension of strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN. Judiciary workers, under the aegis of JUSUN, had embarked on an industrial action to press home demands for an enhanced pay package.

They explained that their decision to down tools was consequent upon the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to issue a circular for the implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CONJUSS. At the Federal High Court yesterday, lawyers, whose cases were listed for hearing on Monday and Tuesday, but for the development, were making frantic efforts to get new dates, at least to reassure their clients.

Also, Justice Gladys Olotu of Court 4, sat until

past noon before adjourning.

In a communiqué issued yesterday directing members to resume work, JUSUN noted that it resolved to allow time for the issuance of a “White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Salary Harmonisation Committee under the Chairmanship of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”

It also disclosed that its action followed the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, reached among its leadership, Minister of

Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, representatives of Federal Judicial Service Commission, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation as well as National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

Signed by all relevant parties at the meeting, the communiqué reads in part: “By a communiqué issued at the end of a National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of JUSUN held at Niger State on January 29, 2013, JUSUN

issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal judiciary authorities to embark on an industrial action.

“The ultimatum was for the Federal Government to release circular letter/ salary table for the implementation of CONJUSS in all Federal and FCT courts.

“JUSUN was consequently invited for a conciliatory meeting by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity on March 12, 2013.

“The meeting noted that JUSUN had com-

menced strike with effect from March 11, 2013 over the issue in dispute.

“The meeting placed the issue in dispute within a historical perspective and deliberated extensively on the way forward. It was subsequently agreed that; the salary structure review should be subjected to the holistic outcome of the White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Salary Harmonisation Committee under the Chairmanship of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone II, Mamman Tsafe (right), receiving a souvenir from Chairman, Alumni Association of the National Institute, Lagos Sate chapter, Mr. Victor Banjo, during a visit to the AIG in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Francis

Knocks for Jonathan over state pardon CONTINUED FROM 5 and President of Global Peace Movement International, Dr. Mike Uyi, said Nigerians at home and abroad would mobilise against the pardon granted the former governor.

He said the pardon was a great insult to the sensibility of decent Nigerians, and “it is an indication that the government may be losing focus and commitment in its quest to make the country better.”

Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said Nigerians should not be surprised to see organised labour demonstrating on the streets against the pardon.

Jonathan has institutionised corruption – CACOL The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, in a statement made available to National Mirror by its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran, averred

that with the pardon “President Jonathan is proving every Nigerian right by the hour that he is not only rudderless, but corrupt to the teeth.

“It is tantamount to misuse of power and discretion to grant Diepreye, a man who caused this country moral embarrassment in the outside world, presidential pardon.”

The Executive Director, Access to Justice, Mr. Joseph Otteh, described the pardon granted the former governor of Bayelsa State as a tragic error, adding that it was unfortunate that President Jonathan was setting a wrong precedence.

He said: “The pardon granted to coup plotters is quite understandable going by what transpired during the military administration of the late Sani Abacha.

“But granting pardon to the former Bayelsa State governor is an affirmation that those looting the treasury have nothing to fear.

This is extremely unacceptable.”

Also, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountabil-

ity Project, SERAP, said the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha amounted to arbitrary exercise of power.

In a statement signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said: “This shows without doubt that this government lacks the necessary political will to tackle high-level official corruption and sends a wrong message that corruption pays and those who loot and stash the country’s wealth and resources in foreign banks will enjoy absolute impunity.”

Presidency defends action Defending the pardon, Okupe said the Council of State, which comprises the President, Vice- president, all former presidents, former Chief Justices of the Federation, the leadership of the National Assembly and all state governors, is constitutionally empowered by the 1999 Constitution to grant state pardon.

The presidential spokesman emphasized that the Council of State does not take decisions on impulse

but rather after due considerations of vital issues connected with taking such decisions.

He explained that the eight Nigerians who were granted pardon were approved after thorough deliberations by the statesmen and that there were many other names that were not approved by the Council of State during its meeting.

Vatsa’s family demands pardon Meanwhile, the family of the late Vatsa and nine others implicated in the 1986 coup de tat against the Military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida and executed after found guilty by the Military Tribunal then, also demand pardon for the deceased general and others.

In a chat with National Mirror in Minna, the nephew of the late Vatsa, Mr. Jonathan Vasta, said based on the pardon the President requested for those that had committed various offences in the nation during the military era, the family urged him to extend the

same gesture to their late brother and nine others, since they were killed over similar offences.

Vatsa was said to have been killed unjustly by the ‘Kangaro’ military tribunal put in place by Babangida in 1986.

The first son of the late Vatsa in Kaduna, Haruna, said his late mother struggled until death for his father to be pardoned but failed.

He said: “It was the struggle that my mother started while she was alive. She wanted it accomplished, but could not because of death. “Therefore, with the recent pardon the President granted other military officers that committed the same offence my father was accused of, the family feel if they can be pardoned now, it should be extended to all of them.”

Reports by: Ayodele Ojo, Obiora Ifoh, Kayode Ketefe, Wale Igbintade, Temitope Ogunbanke, Aza Msue, Priscilla Dennis, Meshack Idehen and Kenny Odunukan.

Senate passes State of the Nation Address Bill GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he Senate yesterday passed the State of the Nation Address Bill into law.

The bill, which originated from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, is fashioned after the American jurisdiction.

When it becomes fully operational, the bill will make it mandatory for the President at any given time to deliver a State of the Nation Address annually before a joint sitting of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The address, which is to be delivered on the first legislative day of July every year, is different from the annual budget address.

In the national address, the President is to focus on such issues as national security, the economy, foreign policy and social justice.

The bill also provides that each chamber of the National Assembly shall debate the issues raised within 14 days following the presentation of the State of the Nation Address.

It provides that the National Assembly shall pass a resolution after debating the address and shall communicate the resolution so reached to the President within 60 days from the date of such address.

According to the bill, where the President fails, neglects or refuses to render account of his stewardship within the time stipulated by the law, the National Assembly may, by resolution supported by 2/3 majority votes of members of each House of the National Assembly, summon the President to address the nation pursuant to the provisions of the bill.

The State of the Nation Address Bill, passed by the Senate yesterday, is the harmonised bill sponsored by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and the House of Representatives version, which was sent to the Senate for concurrence.

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Odi: Court rejects FG’s request on N37.6bn compensation

Armed robbers attack Lagos International Airport terminal

SAM OLUWALANA

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ustice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday thwarted a bid by the Federal Government to stay execution of the N37.6 billion judgement against it as compensation to Odi community in Bayelsa State.

The Federal Government had tried to wriggle its way out of the earlier judgement via a suit filed yesterday by its defence team, but Justice Akanbi said the application was frivolous and lacked merit.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Michael Nomeh, who held brief for Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN) urged the court to grant his client’s application for a stay of execution on the N37.6 billion damages the court had awarded to Odi indigenes, pending the determination of their appeal.

Nomeh said the Federal Government fears that if N37.6 billion was released to Odi community, it would be difficult to recover the money if its appeal succeeds.

But counsel to the Odi community, Lawal Rabana

(SAN), who was accompanied by the lead counsel, Lucius Nwosu (SAN) and Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), asked the court to disregard the Federal Government’s application.

Rabana insisted that the Odi people are entitled to the special damages of N17,618,871 and general damages of N20 billion respectively because the Federal Government could not bring back to life those

who were killed during the 1999 military invasion.

He said: “You cannot say that because of N37.6 billion that your citizens in whose land you explore crude oil should be subjected to suffering. The Federal Government cannot go bankrupt or collapse if the money is released to the Odi community. If in the event that the appeal succeeds, the Federal Government can get the money back as these

people are not foreigners that will abscond. Odi will continue to remain an integral part of Nigeria forever.”

Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice Akambi declared that the Federal Government’s application was not in good faith as it has resources and assets which far exceed the N37.6 billion the court awarded as compensation to the people of Odi on the February 18, 2013.

L-R: Head of Political Science Department, University of Ibadan, Prof. O.B.C Nwolize; former Vice-President/Guest Lecturer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, at the 50th anniversary of the university’s Department of Political Sciences in Ibadan, yesterday.

Ondo tribunal chair denies exchanging words with Akeredolu HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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hairman of the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal, Justice Andover Kaka’an, has expressed disappointment over media report that he exchanged words with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, for over 20 minutes, Justice Kaka’an said there was no truth in the report, saying though Akeredolu ac-

cused him of partiality, but he never exchanged words with him.

The chairman urged journalists not to heat up the polity in their reports. He also advised them to balance reports without being biased.

Justice Kaka’an warned against side comments from both the bar and politicians during proceedings, saying the court would not hesitate to send out anybody disturbing the peace of the tribunal.

Also speaking, the only

female member in the panel, Justice H. S. Mohammad, said members of the tribunal are in the state for serious business and should not be distracted, saying that the tribunal is not a market place.

Meanwhile two Labour Party (LP) witnesses appeared before the tribunal yesterday with the tribunal overruling all objections from ACN and LP counsel during the cross examination.

Temidayo Fagbuyiro from

ward 003 Unit 007 from Akure North, who is an agent of LP, testified that the election was peaceful. He said the accreditation was done and results announced without any problem.

Under cross examination, the witness confirmed that about six names were not with finger impression, explaining that the data capturing machine deployed to her area was faulty for many days during the registration exercises.

Centenary: Jonathan hosts captains of industry today

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resident Goodluck Jonathan will host a special dinner for select Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of major companies operating in Nigeria today in Abuja.

Also expected to attend the strictly by invitation dinner are members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and members of the Diplomatic corps.

The event tagged: “A centenary dinner with top

Nigerian CEOs”, is part of the year-long ceremonies marking Nigeria’s centenary, the grand finale of which is slated for January 1, 2014. The centenary celebration and all its activities is completely private sector-driven.

Notable Nigerian CEOs expected to attend the centenary dinner include Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Dr. Jimoh

Ibrahim, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Mr. Hakeem BelloOsagie, Mr. Femi Otedola, Mr. Jim Ovia, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Mrs. Stella Okoli and Ms. Evelyn Oputu among others.

The centenary celebrations are designed around the key concepts of unity, indivisibility, virility, progress and promise of the Nigerian Federation.

It is intended to present an opportunity for

Nigerians to count their blessings, celebrate their dexterity and resilience as a people.

It is hinged on the fact that the story of Nigeria is one of admirable and remarkable progress. Nigeria’s 100th birthday therefore provide a wonderful opportunity for all Nigerians to proudly celebrate and share in the nation’s story of freedom, achievements and aspirations.

•Kill two policemen, cart away cash OLUSEGUN KOIKI he porous security network at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos was exposed last night as armed robbers, numbering over 10, raided the terminal killing two policemen and stealing cash and other valuables.

One of the robbers was also said to have been killed by police officers who were in charge of security at the airport.

An eyewitness, who works at the terminal building, told our correspondent that the armed robbers had entered the airport through the terminal zero, proceeded to the arrival hall and entered the departure hall of the terminal.

The incident, which occurred around 8 p.m., took the various security officials stationed at the airport by surprise.

The robbers were said to have stolen an unspecified amount of cash in local and foreign currencies from bureaux de change operators operating outside the terminal before entering the building itself.

The eyewitness said the attackers ordered all those in the terminal to lie down while those who refused to comply were shot.

Several passengers and

other airport users were dispossessed of cash and other belongings during the siege, according to sources.

A protocol officer of Addax Oil Company simply identified as Chike was shot and reportedly taken to a hospital in an ambulance after the armed robbers had left.

However, information gathered indicated that the robbers were not able to penetrate into the central search area of the airport.

Responding through a text message, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, confirmed the incident, but said that the men of the Nigerian Police attached to the airport foiled the attempted robbery attack.

Dati explained that there was an exchange of gunfire, which resulted in the death of one of the robbers, stressing that the number of casualties was still being ascertained as at press time.

He, however, said that the robbers might have come to the airport to attack some of the bureau de change operators within the premises.

He added, “The situation has since been brought under control by the swift intervention of joint security force. They were apparently attempting to rob a bureau de change operator near the airport.

No cause for alarm over Achebe’s health –Niece NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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he anxiety generated on Tuesday across the country over the health of the renowned novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe, has been laid to rest.

His niece, Ngozi Achebe, said yesterday that the novelist is hale and hearty, saying there was no reason to be worried.

According to her, Prof.

Chinua Achebe was doing well, although he had “slight fever,” a situation that may have given rise to the concern about his health in the media, considering his age.

As at yesterday morning, the cyberspace was viral with inquiries about Achebe’s state of health, buoyed by a news story published by a health news portal: “Health Destination,” which stated that he was hospitalised in the United States.

Although some sources in the United States declined commenting on the issue, National Mirror finally got

in touch with Ngozi Achebe, who confirmed that the renowned novelist had slight fever which should not have engendered any panic. She said: “It does not call for any concern. He is okay, but had a slight fever. The Professor is okay”.

News of his ill-health also spawned comments from a lot of readers, mostly the younger generation who responded with prayers and wishes of goodwill to the novelist, whose most celebrated novel: “Things Fall Apart,” has remained a reference point in the literary space across the continents of the world.

Born in November 16, 1930, he has been called “The father of modern African writing,” with many books and essays written about his works over the past 50 years.

He also represents an iconic picture for many Nigerian youths who see him as a role model, having used his creative prowess to canvass for better life for his Nigerian citizens.

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Lagos needs N26bn to tackle ocean surge –Fashola DAYO AYEYEMI AND MURITALA AYINLA

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overnor Babatunde Fashola yesterday disclosed that N26 billion would be needed in the next three years to tackle frequent ocean surges and protect Lagos State shoreline against over shooting its boundary.

Fashola, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the fifth Climate Change Summit held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, warned against environmental degradation.

The governor also cautioned the residents to desist from burying their loved ones in their houses, saying that the decomposed bodies could come back to haunt residents in their quest to drill boreholes in search of potable

•Warns against burying corpses at home

water.

He said: “When you dump diesel or engine oil on the ground carelessly, they go into the ground water, so every time you drill a borehole in order to extract water, be rest assured that you are taking in some chemicals into your body.”

The governor recalled that Kuramo surge of last year was not prepared for, but the state was able to cope and manage the disaster, adding that the Eko Atlantic City project has also contributed immensely to the protection of properties within the Victoria Island axis from being overtaken by the ocean.

He said: “Climate change is not new, but what is new is our understanding of the situation.

We must slow down something and change the use of something for adaptation or else nature will look back.”

Fashola also said that if the Eko Atlantic City project had not been started, “we would not have been here today. Many of the houses that were abandoned and real estate have come back, jobs have returned to that coastline.

“In the implementation of last year’s budget, we did not conceive that the uncompleted part of the Eko Atlantic City would be overrun by the ocean.

The Kuramo surge late last year came and took away walls of properties from the end of Ahmadu Bello Way right down to Alpha Beach.

“We didn’t budget for that, we didn’t see it com-

ing, but what did we do?

In the last quarter of the year, we called all the departments together that everybody must contribute some capital votes so that we can start an urgent protection of all of the properties on the road, right down to Alpha Beach.”

Also, the British Government and other nongovernmental agencies promised to support Lagos State Government in its efforts to mitigate effects of climate change.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter, said Britain was prepared to work with Nigeria, especially Lagos State to address all aspects of climate change.

The theme of the summit is; “Vulnerability and

Adaptability to Climate Change in Nigeria: Lagos State Transportation, Housing and Infrastructure in Focus.”

Carter explained that British Government was working closely with Lagos State Government for the success and workability of climate change policy, adding that his country was looking at how to exploit expertise to draw synergy.

According to him, during the 2012 climate change summit in Lagos, British Government supported the civil society organisations on the issues of policy on climate change, pointing out that as a result of this, Lagos State now has a Policy on Climate Change.

While commending Lagos State for staging the summit, he said there was need to understand climate change, its challenge and opportunity, adding that its effects posed long term threat to prosperity while impacting Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth, energy, food and water.

Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Ezeuche Ubani, said climate change had become an issue which was difficult to deny, adding that the 2012 flood disaster across the country occurred as a result of climate change, and that the effects claimed the lives of over 300 people while infrastructure and homes were damaged.

He said: “There is need to build resilience on infrastructure, housing, and transportation among others.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, said the objectives of the summit would seek to promote and sustain an infrastructural system that was environmentally friendly and geared towards reduction in carbon emission.

He added that the previous summits had clearly shown the state’s commitment to the development and evolvement of a climate change conscious society so as to lay the foundation necessary to counteract the global threat.

Ore Sunshine City gets turban power plant

I Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right) and the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, during a visit to the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, yesterday.

Christ Embassy’s bid to stop land revocation suffers setback WALE IGBINTADE

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Lagos High Court yesterday refused to hear the application by the Registered Trustees of Believers Love World, aka Christ Embassy, to stop Lagos State Government from interfering with its landed property situated at Oyeleke Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

The trial judge, Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson, ordered Christ Embassy to regularise its application now before the court.

The church had in its affidavit of urgency dated March 7 prayed the court for an Order of Interlocutory

Injunction restraining Lagos State Government, its agents, privies and representatives from interfering with the said landed property.

Counsel to Christ Embassy, Adebisi Shogunle, earlier told the court that the Affidavit of Urgency was aimed at drawing the attention of the court to an urgent matter against the Lagos State Government.

But claimant’s counsel, Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN), objected, arguing that Lagos State Government was not a party in the suit and prayed the court to strike out the application.

Subsequently, Shogunle sought an adjournment to enable him regularise the

application which the court granted.

Christ Embassy had brought the application via a Motion on Notice, brought pursuant to Order 39 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, on the grounds that there is an urgent need to stop the state government from interfering with the subject matter of the suit.

The state government had through a revocation letter dated February 15 and signed

by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), asked the church to vacate the said land within seven days.

The revocation letter reads in part: “Whereas the Gover-

nor of Lagos State of Nigeria requires for overriding public interest (extension of the Government Secretariat and provision of multi-level car park), all that parcel of land together with any development thereon situate and lying along Oyeleke Street, Oregun village in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State measuring approximately 9183.257 square metres, the boundaries of which are described in the schedule hereto and more particularly delineated in the plan at the office of the Director Land Services, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Governor’s Office, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja Lagos State Nigeria.”

n line with its industrialisation drive, Ondo State Government at the weekend took delivery of a multimillion naira power plant turbine which would be installed at the Ore Sunshine City.

The government said in a statement that it was planning to turn Ore into an industrial nucleus for the state and the country’s foremost commercial nerve centre.

Ore, according to the statement, is strategically located on the Lagos – Benin expressway, linking the commercial city of Lagos and other parts of the South-West with the South-South and the South-East.

The agenda of the state, it added, was to resuscitate the ailing industries by making Ore the focal point.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, according to the statement, said that making industries in the area viable depended on adequate provision of elec-

tricity which the turban was meant to provide.

He said: “We are already partnering to build a power project by leveraging on the Escravos/ Lagos gas line that passes through Ore. “We are working to turn the place to a power plant. Ore is a geographical reality standing in the middle of the East and West. We are leveraging on that and building the Ore Sunshine City which is a new commercial hub for Ore. “It is a 1,000 capacity trailer park with warehouses and housing facilities. It is a Public Private Partnership and work is presently ongoing on it.”

Taking delivery of the turbine on behalf of the governor, the Coordinator of the State Public Private Partnership initiative, Prof, Ige Bolodeoku, said the development was in line with the fulfilment of Mimiko’s dream of turning the state into an industrial haven.

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Armed robbers attack bullion van, kill bank official, policeman HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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are-devil armed robbers on Tuesday killed two people in a bullion van attack along the Okitipupa-Igbokoda Road in Ondo State.

Reports said those killed in the attack in-

cluded a bank official and a policeman attached to the bullion van.

They were killed when the bullion van conveying them to Akure from Igbokoda, where they had gone on an assignment, was attacked by the robbers.

According to a source, the armed robbers, who believed the officials

were in Igbokoda to move cash to Akure from the area, ambushed the bullion van and attacked the van, shooting indiscriminately.

The source said the bank official, who was a member of staff of a first generation bank, was hit by the bandit’s bullets and died almost immedi-

ately.

He said further that the security details, who were caught unawares, responded to the attack, but the robbers took to their heels after killing one of them.

It was gathered that the bank official, named Stephen Adu, and four other police officers were

the only occupants of the van when the attack occurred.

The state police command image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the attack, but said it was only the bank official that died in the attack.

He said his men responded to the attack and were able to stop the ban-

dit from operating while some of the robbers escaped with gunshot injuries.

He also said that his men were still on the trail of the criminals, pledging to bring them to book.

Ogodo also reiterated the command’s commitment in eradicating crime in the state.

Litigation delays Osun LG poll, says Speaker ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi (left), receiving his party’s membership card from the Chairman of Ward 12, Ibadan South-West Local Government, Elder Micheal Oduntan, after re-registering at the ward yesterday.

Fire guts Amosun’s house as aides molest journalists FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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he private house of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, located within the Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta metropolis, was yesterday razed in an afternoon fire that consumed some parts of the building.

Subsequently, three journalists, who were part of the early callers at the scene of the incident, were also attacked by the aides of the governor and other security details attached to the governor’s private residence for daring to take pictures of the

house while it was still on fire.

The overzealous aides snatched and destroyed the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, Abeokuta’s camera as the station’s cameramen attempted to take shots of the burning building.

While NTA’s video camera was damaged and the tape removed, the still camera of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reporter, Erogbogbo Tomisin, as well as the cell phone of the Businessday correspondent in the state, Rasak Ayinla, were also seized.

When NAN’s still camera was eventually released, it

was discovered that all the pictures of the fire incident and others taken before the incident had been completely erased.

The development, however, caused tension at the scene of the event as other journalists who confronted other top government official present at the venue insisted on carrying out their constitutional duties.

As the cause of the fire as well as the extent of damage could still not be ascertained, National Mirror gathered at the scene of the incident that the fire only damaged a room which was occupied by one of the female relatives of the

governor.

It took the intervention of the state Fire Service that arrived the venue of the incident in their fire fighting vehicle to put off the fire, which was said to have started around 12.30pm.

Speaking with journalists, one Abidoye Amosun, who claimed to be a relation of the governor, said the source of the fire was a mystery, but suspected power upsurge from the PHCN facilities.

Abidoye, who expressed appreciation to God that his wife escaped unhurt, also reiterated that no life was lost to the incident.

Ajimobi re-registers, harps on unity among ACN members

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yo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday participated in the ongoing reregistration exercise for members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state, harping on unity among members of the party in the state.

The governor registered at his Ward 12, Odo-Ona in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area amidst

encomium from party faithful, who were also participating in the exercise.

Governor Ajimobi, while addressing party members shortly after the exercise, appealed to them to remain united, stressing that the strength of the party lied in its unity.

He also stressed the importance of the ward, which he said had always recorded the highest num-

ber of votes in the council area, urging feuding party members to resolve their differences amicably in order to sustain the feat recorded by the party during last election.

The governor, who assured members of the party of even distribution of democracy dividends, explained that the first 16 months of his administration was devoted to project

execution and provision of infrastructure for the benefit of the people.

Aside ensuring an allround transformation of the state, he said the second phase would also focus on political restructuring and re-organisation during which all aggrieved members would be reconciled and the party repositioned for more successes in future elections.

he Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, yesterday blamed the delay in the proposed local government election in the state on the litigation involving the disbanded state electoral commission.

Speaking at a Budget Retreat at MicCom Golf Resort in Ada, which enters its third day yesterday, Salaam said the House has already swung into action to screen nominees for the new state independent electoral commission with a view to commencing activities for the election when another notice of appeal to the Supreme Court was served on the House.

His words: “We were ready to screen nominees for the new state electoral commissioners when a notice

of appeal to the Supreme Court filed by the disbanded OSSIEC members, was served on us, and in compliance with the rule of law, we could not proceed with the arrangement and without OSSIEC, local government election cannot hold.

Earlier, the immediate past Speaker of the House, Adejare Bello, has expressed his dissatisfaction in line with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s stand on the operation of caretaker committees at local government councils in the state, claiming that the interim arrangement was a decoy to skip the rule of law.

In another development, another former Speaker of the House, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, has argued that low quality of membership and military hang-over are major challenges militating against the institution of the legislature.

EFCC arrests Danladi, former Taraba deputy gov •Detains Atuche, ex-Bank PHB MD AYODELE OJO

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sanni Abubakar Danladi.

It was learnt that Danladi was picked up yesterday over allegations of corruption, abuse office and breach of public trust while in office.

The former deputy governor is alleged to have diverted money meant for the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, projects to develop a private school, Yagai Academy.

According to findings, the school is estimated to worth N1.3 billion.

A source at the EFCC said Danladi, who was impeached last year, was still being inter-

rogated by operatives of the commission at press time.

In another development, a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche, was also arrested by the EFCC yesterday.

Atuche, according to EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, was picked up in Lagos over a case of forgery and attempt to smuggle forged board resolutions into Keystone Bank, the successor to Bank PHB. Two other suspects implicated in the scam are Nnosiri Joachim and Uguru Onyike.

Both are employees in the Central Sharing System Centre of Keystone Bank Limited.

The commission said all the suspects would soon be taken to court.

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Embattled Imo Deputy Governor seeks independent probe CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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mo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, has called for independent investigation into the allegation of N458 million contract scam leveled against him by the state House of Assembly, just as youths under the aegis of Conference of Imo Progressive Youths (CIPY) yesterday supported the House in the ongoing probe of Agbaso.

Reaffirming his earlier

innocence of the allegation, the deputy governor said in a press statement issued at his Emekuku residence in Owerri North Local Government Area that he was not involved in any contract scam and wondered why the House would persecute him for the sin he did not commit.

He said: “I have not been indicted by the police or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other related agency, so why will the House prosecute me for a contract I did

not award or pay for”.

Also speaking, his elder brother, Chief Martin Agbaso, exonerated his younger brother of the allegations leveled against him, saying the House was in a hurry to nail the deputy governor without thorough investigation.

“My brother was not the one that nominated the said contractor neither did he approve the payment of the N1.3 billion to JPROS International Nigeria Limited, but by the time we finished with the matter we will know

who committed impeachable offense between the governor and the deputy,” the elder brother said.

The leader of Owerri Zone Political Forum (OZOPOF), Chief Charles Amadi, who led other members of the group in solidarity visit to the Agbaso’s family, called for proper investigation into the matter.

Amadi said though the group was not in support of corrupt practices, he urged members of the state House of Assembly to ensure that

no one is punished unjustly, but should extend the investigation to all the parties mentioned in the allegation.

In a statement signed yesterday in Owerri by its secretary, Mr. Wilson Ajawara, Mr Jude Oduoma for Orlu zone, Chief Ifeanyi Onweyiajoa for Okigwe zone, Chief Ike Njoku for Owerri zone, the Conference of Imo Progressive Youths (CIPY) urged the lawmakers to resist pressure from politicians to jettison the probe.

The statement reads:

“Any act to mitigate the weight of the callous criminality against Imo State is unacceptable to us. The use of our mandate to rob us is condemnable and we condemn it in totality”.

Urging the lawmakers to remain focused in the discharge of their constitutional duties, CIPY said: “It is the responsibility of the House of Assembly to check the excesses of the other arms of government, hence our clarion call for the lawmakers to rise to the occasion”.

CD blames incessant road crashes on FRSC’s negligence

•Officials warned to shun extortion CHRIS NJOKU AND NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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L-R: Chairman of the Presidential Team on South-East Ecological Project, Chief Emeka Eze; Igwe of Oko, Prof. Laz Ekweme and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi during the inspection of ecological projects in Oko, yesterday.

APGA crisis: Party’s chieftain flays Umeh for co-opting Ojukwu Jnr CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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hairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Stakeholders Forum, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, has flayed the embattled National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, for inviting Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jnr to join his faction in the party’s supremacy battle.

Nwobu-Alor, who said that Chief Umeh made Emeka Ojukwu Jnr a member of APGA Board of Trustees in order to boost

his (Umeh’s) image, described the development as a publicity stunt.

Speaking to National Mirror yesterday on the crisis rocking APGA in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Chief Nwobu-Alor said that members of the party were not disturbed by the alleged co-option of Ojukwu Jnr by Umeh to join his faction, more so as the court had sacked Umeh as the National Chairman of the party.

Shedding light on his point, Chief Nwobu-Alor said: Chief Umeh purposely co-opted Ojukwu’s

son to his side to boost his image and nothing more, this development has not affected the fortunes of the party. He wants to exploit Ojukwu’s credibility, that is what Umeh is after”.

Chief Nwobu-Alor, however, threatened to sue Chief Umeh for alleged contempt of court.

He said: “It is a matter of gross respect to constituted authority and contempt of court for Umeh to continue to parade himself as National Chairman of APGA or parading unknown persons as members of the National Working Committee in total

disregard of the judgement of the Enugu State High Court and if he persists, the law is very clear, a motion for contempt will be put before the court and moved to commit him to prison.

“What we have now is one solid APGA that is facing restructuring at all levels. “We will take two months to fully restructure the party and at the end of it, you will expect a sound, credible and highly committed party that will win election in the South-East and make inroad to Kano, Lagos, Rivers and Delta states”.

NCC arrests five suspected book pirates in Enugu DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he South-East zonal office of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has arrested five persons in Enugu, including a woman, for alleged piracy of a literature book recommended for use in secondary schools.

The text book: “Third

term saga” is a drama written by Christian Nwachukwu, which the author said has been approved for use in seven states of Nigeria.

Addressing journalists yesterday on the arrest, the South-East Zonal Manager of NCC, Mrs. Ngozi Okeke named the major suspected pirate as Augustine Okoh from Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State,

who was eventually apprehended in his village after several evasions of arrest.

She said that the other four culprits included a woman printer, Patricia Eze, who the commission had earlier arrested for the same offence.

Mrs. Okeke said all the suspects would soon be charged to court after investigations, adding that the

ceased copies of the pirated book worth over N1million.

She said: “NCC was established to protect intellectual property and improve creativity among the people. What the pirate, Augustine Okoh, did was to assembly not only the “Third term saga,” but other works into a collection and was selling directly to secondary schools.

he Campaign for Democracy (CD) has blamed the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Federal Government for the incessant road crashes recorded on the nation’s highways.

Speaking in a statement signed and made available to National Mirror in Owerri, the Imo State capital, CD Chairman in the South-East, Mr. Dede Uzor, said that FRSC had failed to put in place road signs on the highways that would have guided motorists.

The statement reads in part: “It is an obvious fact that the FRSC has failed to put in place road signs and markers in major highways to guide motorists.”

According to the statement, an average of 9,000 Nigerians die each year as a result of bad roads caused mainly by nonavailability of road signs and markers on federal highways. “Road crashes have killed more Nigerians than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined together,’’ CD said.

The group said the non availability of the signs and markers had created lots of confusion on the road leading to most accidents recorded on the roads today.

The CD chairman also blamed the Federal Government for not taking palliative measures to repair collapsed roads across the country, especially “those in the South-East where erosion is eating most of

them up.’’

The group, therefore, urged FSRC Corp Marshal, Mr Osita Chidoka, to begin the installation of the road signs and markers, especially in areas that have sharp bends or terrain.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, has threatened to dismiss any official caught extorting monies from motorists.

Omeje said yesterday that any official suspected to have extorted motorists would be first be subjected to an Orderly Room Trial and if found guilty, dismissed instantly.

He said: “Anybody caught extorting on the road will be dismissed.

The Corps has not changed its position. The suspect will simply go through our Orderly Room Trial and the person, if found guilty, will be dismissed out of service.

“I want to urge the motoring public to stop giving money to our men on the roads in terms of extortion because the issue of extortion or bribery is a one-way traffic. If there is no giver, there will be no taker. We can, on our own as motorists, stop inducing these men with money”.

Osita

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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13

Politics

Merger of opposition parties, an alternative to PDP’s failures –Sani

Tackling corruption, beyond Jonathan’s govt –Buhari

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Atiku slams politicians for using public funds for election FELIX NWANERI

F

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for stringent electoral reforms to prohibit incumbent public office holders from using public funds for partisan purposes.

The former Vice President made the call yesterday, while delivering a paper as part of the public lecture series of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan.

He said incumbents seeking re-election must use their own resources to achieve such ambition instead of taking advantage of their access to state funds.

Atiku also recommended a change in the manner of the appointment and tenure of the chairman

and commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the change will help to dilute the role and control by sitting presidents.

On funding, he said INEC should be less dependent on the government in power. Instead, he recommended that the funding should come from the consolidated revenue fund to protect the commission’s independence.

Atiku also called for effective monitoring of political parties by INEC to ensure they conform to the provisions of the electoral laws. According to him, INEC should be empowered to monitor political parties “for the next 15 or 20 years to ensure they obey the laws of the land, including their own constitutions

and guidelines.”

Reiterating his previous position that anyone, whose election is being challenged in courts, should not be allowed to assume office until all litigations are decisively resolved by the courts, the former Vice President said such would be a safeguard against fraud by those being challenged in court.

He also called for the reformation of the relevant security agencies to make them neutral if the

nation is to have free and fair elections.

Atiku admonished the existing political parties for paying lip service to internal democracy, which he described as a major component of democratic practice. He regretted that, despite the hard struggle to push the military out of power in 1999, Nigeria is still confronted by dictatorship in democratic guise.

Noting that lack of internal democracy among

the ruling party and the opposition parties is one of the downsides of Nigeria’s current democratic order; he insisted that the people should be governed by laws rather than the whims and caprices of those in power.

He wondered why Nigeria’s political parties are either afraid or allergic to internal democratic practices which offered members the full freedom to elect their leaders.

The former Vice Presi-

dent said the culture of the imposition of candidates and the impunity that goes with it was a hangover from military mentality, which its beneficiaries are unlikely to fight.

He argued that even where the courts affirmed the provisions of the constitution in this regard, party leaders conveniently ignored such court orders in favour of “affirmation or consensus” at the party conventions.

ANPP carpets INEC, as other APC set to unveil logo OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

T

he All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) yesterday berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deliberately scuttling the efforts of the opposition parties to merge into a strong and formidable party through registering another party, African Peoples Congress (APC) in order to have a clash of acronym with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is as the newly formed African Peoples Congress whose acronym is clashing with the merger group is set to unveil its logo in Abuja today.

The National Publicity Secretary of ANPP, Chief Emma Eneukwu said that activities of some officials of the INEC was geared towards deflation of the concerted efforts by the major opposition parties in Nigeria to come together under one umbrella.

According to him,

“The current scheme to register a phantom party, the so-called African Peoples Congress (APC) in order to have a clash of acronyms with the All Progressives Congress (APC) is redolent of unpatriotic craftiness, an ill wind that blows nobody any good. With every passing hour, it becomes more glaringly obvious that the words of General Muhammadu Buhari in a recent assertion that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has merged with INEC, is actually an inconvenient truth.”

L-R: Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Chris Iyimoga; representative of the chairman, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren; other commissioners, Dame Gladys Nwafor and Col. Mike Hamanga, at the INEC Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Fasehun calls for revocation of all oil blocs AYO ESAN

T

he Founder of the pan Yoruba group, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun has called on the Federal Government to urgently revoke all oil bloc licences in the country.

He also called for open bidding and reallocation of the oil wells on the basis of equity, transparency, due process and federal character with provisions that local communities must control a minimum of 25 per cent holding in any oil bloc.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos yesterday,

Fasehun said the national Assembly should go a step further and entrench the principle of derivation in the constitution.

“During the debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill, it came to light that businessmen of Northern origin have cornered 83 per cent of oil blocs in

APC registration: ACN accuses PDP of ignorance SINA FADARE

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of suffering from ignorance and palpable mischief by saying that the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should have registered the name with the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) before now.

The ACN in a statement made available to National Mirror yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted that it is unfortunate that the ruling party can exhibit such ignorance and mischief, when the legal requirements for a merger are well spelt out in the Electoral Act.

The party argued that: “For the avoidance of doubt, the law does not make any provision for any group to reserve a name at INEC, and the legal requirements for a merger do not allow registration until all the stipulated conditions have been met. Applying for registration before the conditions have been met will be like putting the cart before the horse, and would have

been illegal and irregular.

“The only other way that the promoters of the APC could have registered the name before now is to short-circuit the system, like the PDP would have done. The ruling party’s modus operandi is lawlessness, underhand dealings and opaque transactions. That is why the fortunes of Nigeria have deteriorated rapidly under their watch”.

the Niger Delta. While no one should begrudge private businesses their right to do business, patriotic Nigerians owe it an obligation to resist a bidding process that allocates oil wells in clear violation of transparency, equity, due process and federal character,” he said.

Fasehun said the higher percentage own by the Northerners “is a glaring manifestation of corruption, tribalism, nepotism, dictatorship and injustice that characterised the military eras of Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sani Abacha, adding that such inequitable distribution of the national commonwealth violates the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution.

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Politics

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Tackling corruption, beyond Jonathan’s govt –Buhari

of propriety. I am sure many Nigerians like me feel gratitude to the international community, notably the Catholic Secretariat which deployed over 1,000 observers in 2003 and the National Democratic Institute in Washington for their work in Nigeria.

In 2003 and 2007, all the international observer teams, along with domestic observers concluded that those two elections fell far short of acceptable standards. The Nigerian government, along with the international community, ignored those critical reports.

Accordingly, in 2011, the international observers, having seen their painstaking work in earlier years completely ignored, took the line of least resistance and concluded after cursory examinations that the elections were okay.

Says ‘INEC’s leadership immersed in graft’

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, March 5, delivered a speech at the Africa Diaspora Conference, London. He noted that his presentation is based on reflection and practical observation, rather than on studious research or scholarly presentation. The former presidential candidate and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) spoke on salient issues as they affect Nigeria’s economic and political system. Below are extracts from the lecture.

Democratic ingredients There is no point in rehearsing all the text-book theories of democracy to this august gathering. But in practical terms, there are, I think, certain conditions without which true democracy cannot survive. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the level of literacy, level of economic attainment, reasonable homogeneity, rights of free speech and free association, a level playing field, free and fair elections, adherence to the rule of law and an impartial judiciary.

But these imperatives are not applicable to all countries and all climes. India for example, suffers from great poverty and diversity but its efforts to run a democracy are exemplary.

Democracy can best flourish when a certain level of educational attainment or literacy exists in the society. The vast majority of the voters must be in a position to read and write and consequently, distinguish which is which on the voters card to make their choices truly theirs. In recent elections in Nigeria, many voters had to be guided – like blind men and women – as to which name and logo represent their preferred choices or candidates to vote for.

When one does not know what the thing is all about, it is difficult to arrive at a free choice. It will be even more difficult to hold elected office holders to account and throw them out for non-performance at the next election. Under these circumstances, democracy has a long way to go.

Our collective expectations on a democratic system of government in less advanced countries must, therefore, be tempered by these realities.

Nor must we discount the role of economic development on the democratic process. An even more compelling determinant to human behaviour than education is, I think, economic condition. I will return to this topic when discussing elections, but suffice to remark here that if, for example, on election day, a voter wakes up with nothing to eat for himself and his family and representatives of a candidate offer him, say N500 (£2), he faces a hard choice: whether to starve for the day or abandon his right to vote freely.

Adherence to the rule of law That is to say, no individual, institution, not even government itself can act outside the confines of law without facing sanctions. Executive arbitrariness can only be checked where there is respect for the law.

Other desirable conditions of democracy such as freedom of speech and association can only flourish in an atmosphere where the law is supreme. Law does not guarantee but allows a level playing field. In the absence of the rule of law, free and fair elections and an independent judiciary cannot exist.

As a result of the virtual absence of the rule of law, elections in Nigeria since 2003 have not been free and fair. As a participant, I can relate to this audience my experiences during the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections. Hundreds of candidates have similar experiences in state, federal legislature and gubernatorial elections.

INEC’s dishonesty, judicial compromise Under Nigerian law, elections are governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Acts of 2002, 2006 and 2010. Ordinarily, an election is an occasion where contestants will join the electorate in celebration of freedom, because the will of the majority has prevailed. Winners and losers alike come together to work in the interest of their country. But this happens only if the elections were deemed free and fair.

In 2003, INEC, the body charged with the conduct of elections in our country tabled results in court which were plainly dishonest. We challenged them to produce evidence for the figures. They refused. The judges supported them by saying, in effect, failure to produce the result does not negate the elections! In a show of unprecedented dishonesty and unprofessionalism, the President of the Court of Appeal read out INEC’s figures (which they refused to come to court to prove or defend) as the result accepted by the court. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, said this was okay.

In 2007, the violations of electoral rules were so numerous that most lawyers connected with the case firmly believed that the elections would be nullified. I will refer to just two such violations. The Electoral Act of 2006 stipulated that ballot papers shall be serially numbered and voters result sheets must also be tallied on serially numbered papers. INEC produced ballot papers with no serial numbers and also used blank sheets thereby making it well nigh impossible to have an audit trail.

At all events, at the final collation centre the chief electoral officer, after 11 (eleven) states (out of 36) were tallied excused himself from the room – apparently on a toilet break – and announced the “final results” to waiting journalists. He had the “results” in his pocket. At the time, several states had not completed transmission of their tallies.

As in 2003, the courts rubber-stamped this gross transgression of the rules.

Some election returns confirmed by INEC stamps included, 28th April, two (2) days before the election, 29th April, a day before the election and astonishingly, 31st April a date which does not exist on the calendar, illustrating the farcical nature of the election. The Supreme Court split 4-3 in favour

Poverty on the increase

Buhari

UNTIL SERIOUS EFFORTS ARE MADE TO TACKLE CORRUPTION WHICH IS BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF

THIS GOVERNMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND STABILITY WILL ELUDE US of the government.

In 2011, all pretences at legality and propriety were cast aside. In the South-South and South-Eastern states, turnout of voters was recorded by INEC at between 85% - 95% even though in the morning of the election, the media reported sparse attendance at polling booths.

The rest of the country where opposition parties were able to guard and monitor the conduct of the presidential election turnout averaged about 46%. In many constituencies in the South-South and South-East, votes cast far exceeded registered figures.

Judiciary as yes-man Which brings us to the need for an impartial judiciary in a democratic setting.

The judicial arm of the government, properly speaking, should be the interpreter and arbiter of executive and legislative actions but the Nigerian government, since 1999, has successfully emasculated the judiciary and turned it into a yes-man.

An independent and impartial judiciary would have overturned all the presidential elections since 2003. In addition, hundreds of cases of judicial misconduct have marred elections to local government, state and federal legislatures. The judiciary has run its reputation down completely since 2003.

Nigeria’s election and international observers Here, I would like to say a few words about the international observers. In 1999, the greatly revered former US President, Jimmy Carter, walked off in a huff at the conduct of that year’s presidential election. But compared to what took place afterwards, the 1999 election was a model

Economically, Nigeria is a potential powerhouse, a large population, 167 million by the last official estimate, arable land, more than 300, 000 square kilometers, 13,000 square kilometers of fresh water. In addition, the country has gas, oil, solid minerals, forests, fisheries, wind power and potentials for tourism and hosting of international sporting events. It is a miracle waiting to happen. The lack of leadership and policy continuity has resulted in great under-achievement.

Many Nigerians in the audience today will relate to the situation of our countrymen and women. More than 100 million of our people live below $2 a day according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics and many internationally recognized estimates.

We lack security, are short of food, water, live in poor shelters with hardly any medicare to speak of. Small scale farmers, foresters, micro businesses such as market women, washermen, vulcanizers, tailors, street corner shop-keepers and the like lack both power and meaningful access to small scale credit to ply their trade and prosper.

You may sell a lot of oil in an era of high oil prices and boost your GDP and boast about it. But there is nothing to boast about when 100 million of your people are in poverty and misery. Life is a daily hassle; a daily challenge. It is under these circumstances that many a voter is tempted to sell off his voter card for a pittance on Election Day.

How stable is Nigeria’s economy?

The short answer is that it very much depends on the international oil market.

The failure over the years to diversify and strengthen the economy or to invest in the global economy has left Nigeria perilously at the mercy of global oil prices.

Instead of using the so-called excess crude account which in other countries goes by the name of Sovereign Wealth Fund to develop major domestic infrastructure such as power, railways, road development, the account has been frittered away and applied to current consumption.

There is no magic, no short-cut to economic development. We must start from first principles – by developing agriculture and industries. Sixty years ago, we exported considerable quantities of cocoa, cotton, groundnuts, rubber and palm kerCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Politics

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Mallam Shehu Sani is the president of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN). In this interview with AZA MSUE in Kaduna, he speaks on the merger of opposition parties and expressed doubts about the ceasefire declared by Boko Haram. Excerpts: How will you assess the recent political development in the country as regards merger of opposition parties?

I think we need to ask ourselves how we got to this level. Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to dominate the political space. The expectation was that by now, we would have been able to address the basic issues of development, but it has been years of disappointment; 13 years of poverty, penury, insecurity and disunity.

One clear thing is that the opposition as they exist have over the years being unable to change the political order through election process. It has proven difficult for opposition to gather enough support to change the status quo. So, the idea of a merger could not have come at a better time than this. This is the best time when all the opposition parties that have failed to edged out the PDP to come together.

So, the merger is in the best interest of the country and the future of our people.

One thing that is very clear is that, it is only when you have the opposition party in power that will open the democratic space and show to Nigerians an alternative to the failures, to the stagnant, to the inconsistent of the PDP government. The decision by major political parties in Nigeria to merge is commendable and a step in the right direction. It will give meaning, strength and teeth to the politics of opposition in Nigeria. The merger is long overdue and a demonstration of principled commitment to democracy, national unity and the eventual establishment of a

Merger of opposition parties, an alternative to PDP’s failures –Sani

people’s government in Nigeria.

Don’t you think that the Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu factor will play a role in the 2015 elections presidential candidate?

Well, what we should understand is that this merger is not all about Buhari and Tinubu factor and if it is about Buhari and Tinubu, then it is going to fail.

The merger should be seen to be a consensus of ideas, vision and hopes with the aim to rescue Nigeria. Buhari and Tinubu should be ready to play any role to ensure the success of the merger.

If they are needed for leadership all well and fine, but if their emergence as candidates for the party will pose a threat to the success of the APC, then they have reason to give way. What we should understand is the national interest, the interest of the people and the interest of the future generations of this country should take paramount. It is only on the basis of that that the party can move forward.

The party should be united on principles, purpose, and devoid of godfathers.

The issue of ego should not come into play because this had hindered the opposition from taking over from PDP. What is your take on the speculations that Governor Babatunde Fashola may be featured as APC presidential candidate?

Well, as a potential member of the APC, if the party finally decides on that, I will support whoever emerges as the party’s choice. We need someone that is ideologically, fundamentally and characteristically different from what the PDP is presenting.

If the PDP is presenting a candidate and APC is presenting a candidate, Nigerians will definitely go for the best candidate, but whoever is going to represent

of the party, we are certainly going to back him.

For now, the party has merged in principle and the registration process is going on and nobody knows who and who are actually going to stay and join later. So, it is premature to say anything for now.

What is more important now is that internal democracy should be maintained.

Sani

the APC must have proven himself over the years; should be incorruptible, have a vision for Nigeria and should be someone that is widely acceptable to all and should not be seen as representing any ethnic group or religious background and should be someone who places national interest above his personal ambition. So, if Fashola is the popular choice

WHOEVER IS GOING TO REPRESENT THE

APC MUST HAVE

PROVEN HIMSELF OVER THE YEARS; SHOULD BE INCORRUPTIBLE, HAVE A VISION FOR

NIGERIA

Tackling corruption, beyond Jonathan’s govt –Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 nels. There were sizeable incomes to the farmers. Indeed in two years, if I recall correctly, 1951 and 1953, Nigeria produced a million tons of groundnuts. Today, other than a few thousand tons of cocoa, hardly any cotton, rubber or palm products are exported.

Until and unless serious budgetary attention is paid to agriculture, the vast majority of the rural population will remain on subsistence basis and will eventually wither away by migration to the cities and increasing the stress on urban life.

Corruption Corruption has shot through all facets of government and economic life in our country. Until serious efforts are made to tackle corruption which is beyond the capacity of this government, economic growth and stability will elude us. On corruption, don’t just take my word for it.

The Chairman of one of the bodies charged with the task of fighting corruption in Nigeria, Mr. Ekpo Nta of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offensive Commission (ICPC), was quoted by the Daily Trust Newspaper of 14th February, 2013, as saying that there

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was no political will to fight corruption in Nigeria.

Dysfunctionality of state creation We have tried regions and this was deemed lopsided and a trap to minorities.

We tried 12, 19 and now 36 states and there is clamour for more. I firmly believe that state creation has now become dysfunctional, as disproportionate amounts of our meagre resources go to overheads at the expense of basic social services and infrastructural development.

Moreover, I also believe that Nigeria’s problem is not so much the structure but the process. But how do we go about it?

Go back to the Regions? I do not think this would be acceptable; except perhaps in the old Western Region. Try the present six geo-political zones as federating units? I believe there will be so much unrest and strife in the South-South and North-Central; this is not to say that there will be no pockets of resistance in the North West and North East as well – the consequence of all these will unsettle the country.

Go back to General Gowon’s 12 state structure? Here too, entrenched personal or group interests will make collapsing and merging states impossible to operate

in a democratic set-up. It is only when you come face to face with the problem you will appreciate the complications inherent in restructuring Nigeria.

INEC can’t deliver credible poll in 2015 The third question put to me by the organisers is: Can the present electoral body in Nigeria guarantee and deliver credible elections that will strengthen the nation’s democracy in 2015?

All the present indications are that INEC as it is presently constituted would be unable to deliver any meaningful elections in 2015. I have gone to some lengths earlier in my talk to describe INEC’s conduct in the last decade. The electoral body has developed a very cozy relationship with the executive and judicial arms of government that its impartiality is totally lost.

In the run-up to the last elections, INEC requested (and received with indecent haste) in excess of N80 billion (about £340m), a hefty sum by any standards, so that it could conduct the elections including organizing bio-metric voters data specifically for the 2011 elections. But when opposition parties challenged the patently dishonest figures it announced and subpoenaed the bio-metric data in

Do you foresee a Northerner emerging as the president in the 2015 elections?

The emergence of a Northerner as president in 2015 is not important for now. I think what is more important should be credibility, capacity and how the president will deliver the country.

We cannot continue to rotate the presidency forever, but it is important we address marginalization. And for the fact we are still a developing country where people are still attached to their ethnic groups and religious sensitivities, we must take cognizance of all these. But more importantly, a leader is someone who can empower our people, develop them and who can give governance a meaning. The leader must confront issues that affect the country.

When people take over power they must not be aligned to their people or kinsmen to the detriment of others because that is why people are agitating for their own state.

Do you think the Boko Haram insurgency will end before the 2015 elections?

I do not know whether it will end or not. But for now, 10 polio workers were killed in Kano attacks. Attacks are still going on in Kaduna, Borno, Kano and other Northern states. Violence can come to an end even this week or next week if the right approach is taken. court, INEC refused to divulge them on the laughable excuse of “National Security”.

INEC’s top echelon is immersed deep in corruption and only wholesale changes at the top could begin to cure its malaise.

What is required is a group of independent minded people, patriotic, incorruptible but with the capacity to handle such a strenuous assignment of conducting elections in Nigeria.

It is not difficult to find such people but whether the government and the National Assembly have the inclination to do so I am not so sure. The only way I and many more experienced politicians than myself expect the 2015 elections to be remotely free and fair is for the opposition to be so strong that they can effectively prevent INEC from rigging.

Post-election violence triggered by injustice Some commentators and public figures have wrongly pointed accusing fingers at me for inciting post-election violence.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I have been a public servant all my adult life: a soldier, a federal minister, a state governor and the head of state. My duty is to Nigeria first and foremost. Post-election violence was triggered by the grossest injustice of election rigging and accompanying state high-handedness.

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Argentina’s Bergoglio elected as new pope CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

first Latin-American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.

In his first words after election, the new pontiff said his fellow cardinals “went to the end of the world” to find a new pope.

After taking extra time to pray alone yesterday, the new pope appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica just over an hour after white smoke poured from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel to signal that a new leader had been chosen for the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

The choice of Bergoglio was announced by French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran with the Latin words “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam” (“I announce to you a great joy.

We have a pope.”

Francis becomes the 266th pontiff in the Church’s 2,000-year history at a time of great crisis and difficulty.

Although a conservative, he is seen as a reformer and was not among the small group of frontrunners identified before the election.

He also went against one of the main assumptions before the election, that the new pope would be relatively young.

He is the oldest of most of the possible candidates and was barely mentioned in feverish speculation about the top contenders before the conclave.

The decision by 115 cardinal electors sequestered in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel came sooner than many experts expected because there were several frontrunners before the vote

F

rancis (Latin: Franciscus; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; December 17, 1936) is the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the papal name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi.

He is the first Pope from the Americas. Prior to his election, he served as an Argentine cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires since 1998. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2001.

EARLY LIFE Jorge Bergoglio was born in India, one of the five children of an Indian railway worker and his wife. After studying at the seminary in Villa Devoto, he entered the Society of Jesus on March 11, 1958. Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo San José in San Miguel, and

to replace Pope Benedict, who resigned in February.

The cardinals faced a thorny task in finding a leader capable of overcoming crises caused by priestly child abuse and a leak of secret papal documents that uncovered corruption and rivalry inside the Church government or Curia.

The wave of problems is thought to have contributed to Benedict’s decision to become the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate.

Thousands of people sheltering from heavy rain under a sea of umbrellas had occupied the square all day to await the decision and the crowd swelled as soon as the white smoke emerged.

They cheered wildly and raced towards the basilica as the smoke billowed from a narrow makeshift chimney and St Peter’s bells rang.

The excited crowd cheered even more loudly when Francis appeared, the first pontiff to take that name. “Viva il Papa (pope)” they chanted.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m absolutely delighted.

It’s a very unique moment.

There is a great sense of unity here. It’s great they have come to a decision about who will lead the Church,” said John Mcginley, a Scottish priest from Glasgow who travelled to see the conclave.

“It’s a great moment in history, something I can tell my mum,” said David Brasch, 30, from Brisbane Australia. “He’s got to get the child abuse under control, I don’t know how they’re going to do that.

He’s got to unite 1.2 billion

people.”

Groups of supporters waved Argentine flags in St. Peter’s Square as Francis, wearing simple white robes, made his first public appearance as pope.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening,” he said before making a reference to his roots in Latin America, which accounts for about 40 per cent of the world’s Roman Catholics .

Bergoglio often rode the bus to work, cooked his own meals and regularly visited the slums that ring Argentina’s capital. He considers social outreach, rather than doctrinal battles, to be the essential business of the church.

Bands from the Italian armed forces and the Vatican’s own Swiss Guard army paraded in front of the basilica before the new pope appeared.

The secret conclave be-

gan on Tuesday night with a first ballot and four ballots were held yesterday. Francis obtained the required twothirds majority in the fifth ballot.

Following a split ballot when they were first shut away amid the chapel’s Renaissance splendour on Tuesday evening, the cardinal electors held a first full day of deliberations on Wednesday. Black smoke rose after the morning session to signal no decision.

The previous four popes were all elected within two or three days.

Seven ballots have been required on average over the last nine conclaves. Benedict was clear frontrunner in 2005 and elected after only four ballots.

Father Robert Gahl of Holy Cross University told Al Jazeera that the name Francis I was “indicative of

something historical.”

Gahl described as “striking” the reaction to the new pope, which he said is “way superior to what occurred eight years ago, which may be a surprise to some”.

With the election of the new pope, the Vatican now faces several key challenges.

Experts said the new pope’s response to those will give a significant indication of what Catholics can expect from his time as the head of the church.

One key priority is reaching out to his flock of 1.2 billion Catholics and rebuilding the relationship between the Vatican and churches around the globe.

“Much was made about whether the new pope would be one who focused on pastoral care - speaking to the faithful around the world or would he be one who tries to reform the Vatican,” Jack

Valero, director of the Catholic Voices organisation, told Al Jazeera. “In reality, he needs to do both.”

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has congratulated the new pope.

Obamna said: “On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy.”Also, British Prime Minister David Cameron described the emergence of the new pope as “a momentous day for the 1.2 billion Catholics around the world.”

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto also said: “We respectfully and affectionately greet Pope Francis I, head of the Vatican State, with whom we wish to establish a friendly and close relationship.”

The crowd at St. Peter’s square rejoicing after the White Smoke billow from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel

PROFILE OF NEW POPE then taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada in Santa Fe, and the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.

He was ordained to the priesthood on December 13, 1969, by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He attended the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, a seminary in San Miguel. Bergoglio attained the position of novice master there and became professor of theology.

Impressed with his leadership skills, the Society of Jesus promoted Bergoglio and he served as Provincial for Argentina from 1973 to 1979. He was transferred in 1980 to become the rector of the seminary in San Miguel where he had studied. He served in that capacity until 1986. He completed his doctoral dissertation in Germany and returned to

his homeland to serve as Confessor and Spiritual Director in Córdoba.

Bergoglio succeeded Cardinal Quarracino on February 28, 1998. He was concurrently named Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina, who lacked their own prelate. Pope John Paul II summoned the newly named archbishop to the consistory on February 21, 2001 in Vatican City and elevated Bergoglio with the papal honors of a cardinal.

He was named to the Cardinal-Priest of Saint Robert Bellarmino.

As cardinal, Bergoglio was appointed to several administrative positions in the Roman Curia. He served on the Congregation of Clergy, Congregation of Divine Worship and Sacraments, Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Congregation of

Societies of Apostolic Life.

Bergoglio became a member of the Commission on Latin American and the Family Council.

As Cardinal, Bergoglio became known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice. A simple lifestyle has contributed to his reputation for humility.

He lives in a small apartment, rather than in the palatial bishop’s residence.

He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favour of public transportation, and he reportedly cooks his own meals.

Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio, considered papabile himself, participated in the 2005 papal conclave as a cardinal elector, the conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI. A widespread theory says that he was in a close

race with Ratzinger until he emotionally asked that the cardinals not vote for him. Earlier, he had participated in the funeral of Pope John Paul II and acted as a regent alongside the College of Cardinals, governing the Holy See and the Roman Catholic Church during the interregnum sede vacante period.

During the 2005 Synod of Bishops, he was elected a member of the PostSynodal council. Catholic journalist John L. Allen, Jr. reported that Bergoglio was a frontrunner in the 2005 Conclave. An unauthorised diary of uncertain authenticity released in September 2005 confirmed that Bergogolio was the runner-up and main challenger of Cardinal Ratzinger at that conclave. The purported diary of the anonymous cardinal claimed Bergoglio received

40 votes in the third ballot, but fell back to 26 at the fourth and decisive ballot.

On November 8, 2005, Bergoglio was elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term (2005–2008) by a large majority of the Argentine bishops, which according to reports confirms his local leadership and the international prestige earned by his alleged performance in the conclave. He was reelected on November 11, 2008.

VIEWS Abortion and euthanasia: Cardinal Bergoglio has invited his clergy and laity to oppose both abortion and euthanasia.

He has affirmed church teaching on homosexuality, though he teaches the importance of respecting individuals who are homosexual.

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Danjuma and the crisis in the North EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

NDUBUISI fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

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isturbed by the security challenge in the country, especially in the North, the former minister of defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, recently at the launch of a N50 billion Development Project fund for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, lamented that the Boko Haram-induced insecurity in his part of the country was the equivalent of a civil war. He therefore, called on the members of the intelligentsia class in the region and indeed Nigeria to reflect deeply on the situation and come up with lasting solutions.

This is really not the first time General Danjuma has warned on the parlous security situation in the North. He is not alone. A former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, had shared the same sentiments, which he reechoed at that same forum. In spite of this continuous sermonisation, nothing has changed.

Rather the signs of chaos, despondency and even war stare at us on daily basis.

The state of affairs in the North is actually boiling over.

Boko Haram told us last November it

A

nimal Farm, that great satire of all times penned by the great English writer, George Orwell, has remained evergreen not only for its excellent characterisation, but also because of its uncanny, penetrative insights into the deepest recesses of human’s psychology.

The allegorical representations of animals as characters vividly conveying human unmistakable foibles, follies, greed, wickedness and eccentricities, were so true to nature that several societies, politically denatured, have continually reenacted the varying gory episodes of the fictitious farm.

You can always expect our leaders to be callous in their pursuit of basest self interests. But what one finds exceedingly nauseating is the reasons they give for their decisions. It would appear they think they are the only beings with sentient capacity.

The news filtered in last Tuesday that the National Council of State had granted state pardon to some convicted past leaders. The list is a medley of characters with Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha palpably standing out. If one can understand the former political prisoners tried in kangaroo military tribunals being pardoned, certainly, the question would be asked about someone who underwent trial and was convicted before a free and impartial court for perpetrating monumental corruption while entrusted with public office.

The reason given for pardoning “Alams” who confessed to looting Bayelsa State, read like something you would naturally expect Squealer to give in outlandish defence of Comrade Napoleon in the Animal Farm. Yes, “Alams” deserves state pardon because “apart from serving his sentence he has devoted his life to travel-

was declaring unilateral ceasefire. Since that pronouncement, its induced mayhem has continued to rage. Recently the army uncovered a bomb making factory at Kawo, a suburb of Kaduna, few meters away from the Kaduna Army Headquarters that was bombed sometime last year by suspected Boko Haram members. The factory was uncovered following a tip off, and some arrests were made. A cache of arms and ammunitions, including, improvised explosives devices (IEDs) and detonators was ceased.

Earlier a family of 10 was wiped out in Plateau State. This was a family that was in the midst of preparation to bury its dead. In the same state, unknown terrorists launched grenades into a mosque, but what would have been a big disaster was saved by the timely intervention of men of the Special Task Force deployed to ensure peace in the area.

In Kano too, unknown gunmen shot dead a commander of Nigerian Mobile Police Force, Superintendent Dahiru Majiya in front of his house. It is believed that he was ambushed by suspected terrorists.

And so far, war has been raging in Borno State where about 50 members of Boko Haram and two soldiers were killed. This is an indication that there is no ceasefire anywhere as purportedly promised by the sect.

Amidst all this, the helpless northern governors were reported to have begged the terrorists to halt the senseless killing of innocent people in the region and called on them to embrace peace. Gover-

THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS NEED TO UNMASK THE REAL IDENTITIES OF THESE TERRORISTS.

UNTIL THIS IS DONE ANY PURPORTED DIALOGUE OR AMNESTY MAY JUST BE FRUITLESS EFFORTS nor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum stated that the activities of the terrorists were hampering peace in the North. Meanwhile the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union made up of mainly Christians – Christians dominate Southern Kaduna - has stated that it was ready to defend their ancestral homes with their last blood if the Kaduna State government failed to stop the ongoing genocide in the area. They alleged the unceasing killing of their defenseless people by terrorists, some in military uniform.

In this confusion and uncertainty, the Sultan of Sokoto who has constantly shown his resentment to and worry on the security situation in the country, called for amnesty

for the Boko Haram sect. Seeing probably the positive effect a similar measure had on the Niger Delta region, where the militants there were placated through an Amnesty Programme, he probably feels that this is the panacea to this insurgency in the North.

There have been varied reactions to this suggestion. Afenifere, the pan Yoruba group, and the former President General of the Ohanaze Ndigbo see the demand as outrageous and also untimely. The leader of the pan Yoruba group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, opined that the Sultan’s call was “an indication that the Caliphate is encouraging and condoning bloody violence”. He went further to state inter alia: “Our position in Afenifere is that Boko Haram members are evil. They should be identified and severely dealt with, according to the laws of the land ’’.

For President Jonathan, the clamour for amnesty for the Islamic sect has no basis because Boko Haram is a shadowy group. It is not possible to grant amnesty to ghosts, he stated.

The situation on ground is dicey and calls for desperate solution. General Danjuma and others have raised enough alarm on what is gradually metamorphosing into a near civil war. The Federal Government and all stakeholders need to unmask the real identities of these terrorists. Until this is done any purported dialogue or amnesty may just be fruitless efforts. But we must do something to avert an impending holocaust.

Professor Ndubuisi, an attorney at Law, is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG

The Nigerian Animal Farm YOU CAN ALWAYS EXPECT OUR LEADERS TO BE CALLOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF BASEST SELF

INTERESTS.

BUT

WHAT ONE FINDS EXCEEDINGLY NAUSEATING IS THE REASONS THEY GIVE FOR THEIR DECISIONS ling amongst Niger Delta communities facilitating the peace.”

If words have meaning, then the paradigm is this: Get into public office through whatever means and steal; when caught, go into plea bargain and surrender a fraction of the loot; get a slap on the wrist imprisonment term; serve it with glee and retire into your community to start promoting peace. After some years, you get a state pardon on a platter of gold, and the blemish against your name is removed forever. With this pardon you can even come back to the public office in future.

Who says corruption has not become a state policy in Nigeria?

I should have thought convicts are sent into prison for violating our collective ideals protected through penal laws and that both the expiation of the crime though punitive incarceration and the attendant stigma are inseparable part of the conse-

quences of crime, but here in this Animal Farm, the state still owes you a pardon for sinning against it!

Let the likes of James Ibori and Shina Rambo be warming up for their own pardon; the dead ones like Lawrence Anini, Ishola Oyenusi, Mighty Joe, Mufutau KETEFE Oloosa Oko, should also be stirring in their graves in earnest expectation of a posthumous pardon; whatever is sauce for kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only) the goose is sauce for the gander.

Another burning issue is the proposed bill to alter the 1999 Constitution to confer countries in the world, including the highly legislative immunity on the lawmakers. civilised ones like United States and United With a lightning speed, the House of Rep- Kingdom have provisions on legislative imresentatives, which has been lethargic in munity in their constitutions. What they addressing other more important masses- failed to add is that in most of those other oriented bills, engaged the self-serving bill climes constitutionalism, due process, and promptly move it to the second reading transparency and responsible governance stage. have taken roots and there is hardly a room Truly, under every modern democracy, for impunity. the concept of parliamentary or legislative Already, our experience with executive immunity is an integral part of the sys- immunity is nightmarish, with sitting govtem as it is intended to nurture a fearless ernors looting with reckless abandon and legislature whose members would be free making jests of the anti-graft agencies like to exercise their unfettered discretion. But the EFCC, which are absolutely powerless the insistence by our lawmakers that this in the face of immunity until governors finprivilege which they have been enjoying ish their terms. under the omnibus provisions of sections I see the present legislative immunity bill 4 and 39 should be specifically inserted into as a ploy to introduce the same level of imour greatest statutory document shows that munity that is contained in section 308 of there is a sinister agenda for this bill. the 1999 Constitution, which is already givThis is a time when agitations for the re- ing us problems with the executives. moval or watering down of even the executive immunity are strong. It would also be Send your views by mail or sms to recalled it was this same House of RepresenPMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ tatives that defeated a benign bill seeking nationalmirroronline.netmirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS to provide monetary incentives for unemonly). The Editor reserves the right to ployed graduates in Nigeria when it came edit and reject views or photographs. before them last month. They are more conPseudonyms may be used but must be cerned with self-serving bills! clearly marked as such.

The legislators claimed that about 10

KAYODE

18

Editorial

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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DAILY EDITOR

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SUNDAY EDITOR

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FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

FG on indigenous Vice Chancellors

he Federal Government’s position, as was recently expressed by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof.

Julius Okojie, that it will not accept the clamour for indigenous vice chancellors as is being canvassed by some ethnic chauvinists and communities, seems one decision that should remain sacrosanct and irrevocable if the government wants the country’s public tertiary institutions to survive and remain relevant. Okojie had, at a meeting between the NUC management and VCs and Registrars of three new federal universities in Abuja, Monday, stated that the FG decision was spurred by past experiences which proved that the indigenous vice chancellorship experiment was counter-productive.

It is sickening that indigenous vice chancellorship of federal universities is now being canvassed at the expense of excellence and merit. The issue was raised when Prof. Barthlomew Okolo emerged as the VC of the University of Benin in 2009. Veiled reference was also made to it when Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali was appointed as the Vice

Chancellor of the University of Ilorin last year. Last weekend, some Urhobo youths likewise made a case for the appointment of their kinsman as the VC of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, near Warri, Delta State.

Agreed, a candidate from a geographical area where a federal university is located may emerge the VC of such a university. But candidates for the position are scored based on a number of unbiased criteria, which include the quality and scope of academic attainments, published works, international exposure and administrative/managerial acumen.

Political undercurrents cannot be ruled out, but it often boomerangs when politicians foist mediocres on universities as VCs. Consequently, candidates, indigenous or not, should compete and emerge based strictly on merit. Though a Kwara indigene, Professor Ambali emerged through such a transparent process last year.

The government would be making a mockery of the principles of excellence, which is universal to the university system worldwide, when vice chancel-

AN ETHNICALLY BIASED VC MIGHT END UP RUINING THE CUMULATIVE GAINS HE MET ON GROUND TO APPEASE HIS

KINSMEN, INSTEAD OF TRULY MOVING THE UNIVERSITY FORWARD lorship becomes an ethnic affair. For, competition for excellence, more than anything else, is at the root of the high quality and greatness of most of the universities privileged Nigerians rush to patronise abroad at huge costs. Such universities are hardly manned by local champions, but by the best from all corners of the world. Communities wishing to position their kinsmen as VCs should strive hard to produce excellent scholars, indeed, stellar academics with immense exposure, international and local, instead of blackmailing the government with sponsored protests and ethnic sentiments.

Managers of universities (VCs) ought to have sound background in university

administration; be able to take initiatives to expand and improve university programmes; be in cordial relationship with the university community (both academic and non-academic staff and students) and people of the catchment area; as well as maintain industrial harmony with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to ensure peace and stability on campus. They should be able to attract eminent scholars from wherever they can find them to contribute to the quality of academic work in Nigerian universities, forge cooperation with local and international universities, related institutions and agencies; improve on the quality of staff and students; and cater for their welfare.

Most Nigerian universities are currently facing serious physical development deficits -inadequate lecture halls, offices, hostel facilities and basic amenities like potable water and electricity, etc. These are not challenges that would be left in the hands of a novitiate not well groomed for the job.

Indeed, an ethnically biased VC might end up ruining the cumulative gains he met on ground to appease his kinsmen, instead of truly moving the university forward.

ON THIS DAY March 14, 2012 The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued its first verdict in the case of Prosecutor vs. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. At issue was the military use of children.

Unanimously, the Trial Chamber, led by Sir Adrian Fulford, found Lubanga guilty of the war crime of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 and using them in his rebel army ‘The Union of Congolese Patriots’.

March 14, 1980 InPoland,aplanecrashedduringfinalapproachnearWarsaw, killing the 87 people, including a 14-man American boxing team.

LOT Flight 007 crashed near Ok cie Airport in Warsaw, Poland, due to mechanical failure as the crew aborted a landing and attempted to go-around. The Flight was scheduled to depart from Kennedy International Airport at about 19:00 local time on March 13, 1980, but it was delayed because of a heavy snowstorm.

March 14, 1967 The body of President John F. Kennedy of the United States was moved to a permanent burial place at the Arlington National Cemetery. “Jack” Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States,servingfrom1961untilhisdeathin1963.Aftermilitaryservice, Kennedy represented Massachusetts’ 11th congressional district in theUSHouseof Representativesfrom1947to1953asaDemocrat.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Education Today Nigeria introduces ageing studies in varsities

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RESULTS CANCELLATION:

WAEC makes U-turn O ld Students of Ogudu Senior Grammar School, GRA, Ojota, Lagos, whose SSCE results were cancelled by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), four years after they were initially issued now, have cause to smile again.

Exactly eight days after National Mirror exclusively reported the cancelation, the examination body reversed itself last Friday and for the second time, released the results and promptly uploaded them on its website.

The development has generated a wave of excitement among the affected students, most of whom are currently in higher institutions and already facing threats of expulsion from their institutions following their inability to produce the results.

“I could not believe my eyes,” excited Owoyemi Tosin, now an undergraduate student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, told National Mirror when he saw the elusive result on the net. I initially started shedding tears before I exclaimed; “wonderful God!” People around me thought I was mad, but within me, I was the happiest man on earth. My next response was to print a copy before it would disappear again,” His colleague, Sulaiman Ismail, a 400 level First Class student of the Department of Computer Science, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, was instantly dumbfounded when the news was broken to him.

“I was really disturbed by the development as I had almost lost concentration in my studies. If it had not been resolved before our final examination, I would not have been permitted to write the exam, much less graduating. I had actually got a letter from my old school, Ogudu Senior Grammar School, explaining the circumstance surrounding the cancellation of the results and appealing to the university that my case be considered pending the time WAEC would formally respond to our queries.

“Only on Monday morning, I was instructed by the admission office to write a letter to the university’s Senate, attaching a copy of the letter from my school and keep hoping my case would be favourably considered. I was just stepping out of the admission office, when I received a call from the National Mirror reporter that the results were back online.

“Instantly, I became immobile and the same feelings I had when I discovered that the results were cancelled enveloped me again,” Ismail recounted, saying he immediately returned to the admission office

•Releases results, four years after •Affected candidates commend National Mirror

On Thursday, February 28, National Mirror exclusively reported the story of some undergraduates whose Senior Secondary Certificate Examination results were cancelled by the West African Examination Council, three years after they were first released. WAEC, rattled by the graphic account of the victims’ harrowing experiences, last week, retraced its steps and uploaded again the result online. MOJEED ALABI reports.

Some of the affected candidates, L-R: Adesanya Taiwo, Sulaimon Ismail, Brenda Izu, Sanni Mohammed and Ali Saheed,

Exclusive

A copy of the cancelled result (left) and the reversed version

and pleaded his results be verified once more.

“The attendant looked at me angrily and asked what my problem was. After much persuasion he logged in and keyed in my details. I was panting while awaiting the message and became ecstatic to see

my results once again.”

Meanwhile, when the news was broken to Akinola Nofisat by National Mirror reporter, she misinterpreted the information for a question and simply responded; “No oh! Our results are not yet online. We are only praying they do something on

time.”

By the time the message finally sank in Nofisat, a final year student of Computer Science Department, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, began making frantic calls to her other affected colleagues as she did not have a ‘scratch card’ to go online. The news from her colleagues was sweet music to her.

“Why wouldn’t I be happy? In the next few months I will be rounding off my programme, but once my SSCE result could not be confirmed, then I would not be graduating.”

“In fact, we are grateful to National CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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Education Today

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

No plan to phase out UI undergraduate courses –VC TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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ontrary to a recent rumour, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Adewole, has disclosed that the university had never at any time planned to phase out its undergraduate programmes.

In an exclusive interview with National Mirror recently, the VC said the university only planned to grow and expand its postgraduate studies.

According to him, the institution’s current admission ratio stands at 40 per cent post graduates against 60 per cent undergraduates.

“But the goal of the university is to

reverse this situation such that UI’s admission ratio will stand at 60 per cent postgraduates and 40 per cent undergraduates on yearly basis,” he emphasised, adding: “So all these while, the university only indicated a direction to follow based on its strength, which is more in the area of post graduate studies, where there are more matured and qualified teachers, who can

produce highly skilled manpower that will help grow the country’s economy.”

He disclosed that the 65-year-old university could not continue to compete with new generation universities in the area of providing admission to qualified prospective undergraduates since it has necessary human and material resources to train highly skilled manpower.

Govt should introduce library education into school curriculum –Experts TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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seasoned librarian from Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Osun State, Mrs. Bolanle Malomo, has advocated for the inclusion of library education in the school curriculum at both primary and secondary school levels.

She stated this recently at an annual library seminar organised by the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos State, where she was a guest lecturer.

According to her, giving library education formal recognition in the school curricula would make library class a veritable platform to educate students on the general concept of reading and its immense benefits.

She noted with concern that most states and local government councils in the country could not boast of one single functioning library that is owned by them whereas according to her, every city and village ought to have at least one library that will not only be accessible, but also well stocked with updated reading materials.

She condemned the conception by some people that reading was meant only for academic work, saying reading for pleasure, fun and recreation was also beneficial to man.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the low level of computer literacy and poor access to internet facilities in the country, Mrs. Malomo said this situation had really hindered people from doing on-line reading.

She noted that accessing e-books demanded some levels of proficiency in the use of computer and internet facilities but sadly many people lack the required knowledge thus, their inability to tap into the opportunity information and communication technology (ICT) avails.

On strategies to encourage reading among young ones, Mrs. Malomo urged parents to introduce their wards to reading early in life by taking them along to public libraries, buying them books as birthday gifts or reward for excellence performance in examinations, among others She also urged governments at all levels to be patronising indigenous publishers and authors so as to boost their sales while they should introduce library development tax and make it mandatory for companies to remit same to government-owned libraries.

In his own contribution, AOCOED’s Provost, Mr. Wasiu Bashorun, represented by the Dean, School of Vocational and Technical Education (SVTE), Mr. Adesina Olawole, tasked participants to use the knowledge gained from the seminar to improve their contributions to library education in the country.

The college librarian, who said the lecture to explore ways of improving the reading culture, however, observed that most students do not read except for examination purposes.

(L-R) Secretary to Oriade Local Government, Osun State, Hon. Fatiregun Taiwo, the donor of the renovated block of classrooms, Prof. Oyewole Ajifolokun, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, regent of Ere Ijesha, Caroline Onifade Adekanye at the official hand-over ceremony of the renovated classrooms at Ere Ijesha Community School, Osun State, recently.

Plateau to promote science, technology subjects JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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he Plateau State Government to set up a science promotion committee to promote science and technology than revealed plans among secondary schools students in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof. Comfort Piwuna, told newsmen in Jos that the step was aimed at making science and technology subjects simpler and more attractive.

She said the gesture would make the state ``centre for technological inventions and scientific feeds.”

He disclosed that the committee would come up with ideas and suggest activities that could be used to attract the attention of youths to science and technology.

``The world is driven by science and technology; those are the indices of development in advanced nations. The more scientific breakthroughs you have, the better. We do not want to be left behind. We want our children to embrace the sciences and contribute to the nation’s quest for technological advancement. ``With this initiative, I am assuring you that in the next 10 years, we will be producing engineers, computer wizards and experts in different fields of sciences,’’ she stated.

Piwuna pointed out that the national policy on education stipulated that admission into tertiary institutions should be 40 per cent for the art and the social sciences and 60 per cent in favour of the sciences. ``But such has not been the case. Stu-

Expert hails JAMB’s adoption of CBT MOJEED ALABI

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gainst the ongoing controversy trailing the planned use of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) method during the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), the Managing Director of Dragnet Solutions, Nigeria’s first indigenous CBT solution provider, Mr. Robert Ikazoboh, has praised the decision, saying its success would be a boost to efforts being made to curb examination malpractice and achieve accuracy.

He said the exam body deserves commendation for taking the bold step. “I think JAMB should be praised for this

development. The truth is that it is inevitable that Nigeria would adopt it; so why not start now? This CBT move will drag Nigeria into the realities of the 21st Century as far as education, assessments and testing are concerned and that is why we should commend and support the initiative.”

Speaking on the directive by the House of Representatives that the plan of adopting CBT be suspended for now, Ikazoboh noted that the reservations expressed towards the move were understandable, given that it had never been tried before.

“I can understand all the agitations that the CBT concept has generated. It is something new to the Nigerian system and that’s why people are suspicious of it. Indeed, education is such a delicate thing and if you understand that it is the

dents, right from secondary schools, lose interest in technology-based subjects. ``We want a situation where we will be able to fill in the 60 per cent quota for the science and technology courses in our tertiary institutions and the only way we can achieve that, is to draw the attention of the children to the importance and the benefits of embracing science and technology right from early stage.’’

The commissioner blamed students’ loss of interest in science subjects on the ways the subjects were taught. ``Most of the teaching is purely theoretical and usually less interesting. We shall emphasise intensive practical so that students will embrace it.’’

She said that the ministry would institute programmes that would help science teachers to handle the subjects better.

powerhouse of any serious nation, you will then see why members of the National Assembly are treading with caution. But I want to appeal to them to give it a chance. Technology is the future and CBT is the future of education in Nigeria. The benefits of it are so numerous that we can’t afford to be left behind.

“The beauty of what JAMB is doing is that it is not forcing the method down the throats of everyone taking the exam this year. JAMB has come out to say that they will start this year with a pilot scheme.

They will be using it along with the Paper to Pen Testing (PPT) until 2015, when CBT will fully come on board for all JAMB examinations. Within that frame of time, JAMB would have tested the system, discovered the lapses and rectified them.

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Don asks schools to invest more in sport education

FG spends N10bn in 2012 on free textbooks –Minister

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

UYO

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lecturer at the Department of Physical and Health Education, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Dr. Raheem Morounfolu, has urged proprietors of private schools to increase their investment in sport education so as to encourage many more young ones in sporting activities.

Giving this advice at the inter- house sport competition of Unique Heights School, Lagos, held recently, Morounfolu said, children exposed to sport were known to be more active in classes.

“Parents should therefore not only encourage their wards to develop interest in sport but also to support schools in the development of sport,” he said, adding that sport enhances mental and physical development of a child.

Apart from these, he added, sport could also generate employment for the talented children in future after their education.

Speaking earlier, the principal of the school, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Olatunbode, said education without co-curricular activities was incomplete, thus the reason for her school to take the two aspects very seriously.

At the end of the competition, Red House came first with 13 gold medals, eight silver and seven bronze medals, while Green House came second with 12 gold medals 14 silver and 15 bronze medals and the Blue House took the third position with six gold medals, 12 silver and eight bronze medals.

IJEOMA EZEIKE

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yo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State last week Saturday played host to the launching of the distribution of instructional materials to students in the basic education level across the country.

Already, the dearth of text books has over the years constituted a serious impediment to quality of education in the country.

In the quest to enhance teaching and optimal development of Nigerian children, the Federal Government through the Universal Basic Education (UBE) from 2009 till date has distributed more than 96 million textbooks on such subjects as mathematics, English language, basic science and technology, as well as library resource materials to students from primary to junior secondary schools owned by the governments.

At the Uyo inauguration ceremony, however, President Goodluck Jonathan, reiterated the commitment of his administration in providing quality basic education for the citizenry.

He spoke just as the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, disclosed that the Federal Government had in 2012 alone, invested over N10 billion in the provision of books and related instruction-

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Vice President, Namadi Sambo; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai and some students during the national inauguration ceremony for the distribution of instructional materials to Nigerian students at the basic education level held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, recently.

al materials for students from primary to junior secondary schools in the country.

According to her, this was to supplement similar investments directed at enhancing the quality of education in the country.

Represented by his vice, Arc. Namadi Sambo, Jonathan stressed that the issue of basic education would be addressed holistically in order to ensure that the goal of Education For All (EFA) and provisions at other levels of education were met.

He said the supply of textbooks and other instructional materials had received increasing prominence in basic education delivery approaches.

He said: “The goal of this exercise is to attain the pupil to book ratio of 1:1 in all subjects. I have been informed that with the current procurement and distribution of current materials, this ratio is been attained in the core subject areas at the primary school level and in many states of the federation.

“Our effort at national transformation will achieve the desired result only if they are predicated on the provision of quality education at all levels and for the development of abundant human resources in the country. It therefore behooves as a nation to pay priority attention to the education sector.

“In addition to existing UBE

School boosts students’ confidence through debate

Lagos set for 2013 schools’ debate final

OLAYIWOLA AWAKAN

A

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he proprietress of Supreme Education Foundation School, Lagos, Mrs. Adenike Adamolekun, has said inter-schools’ debate competition would not only enlighten students on topical issues, but would also build confidence in them.

She disclosed this at the interschools’ debate organised recently by the school for the private secondary schools in Lagos State.

The debate, with the topic, “The re-election of Barrack Obama: What hope for Africa?” was designed as a mock summit ahead of African leaders’ conference, with competing schools representing various countries in Africa.

These schools included the Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Redeemers International School, Grace Schools, Cayley College, Command Day Secondary School, Wellsprings College, Lead ForteGate, Landmark College, Rainbow College and Kith & Kin School.

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE ll is set for this year’s Lagos State secondary schools’ debate’s final.

The yearly competition among the senior secondary school students in the state across the 20 local governments and 34 local council development areas is designed not only to arouse and reawaken the interest of stu-

dents at their level to the issues of public importance, but also to prepare them for the future.

This year’s final scheduled for June was after over 350 schools and individual speakers went through elimination stages to remain only 16 of them from across the six educational districts in the state in the race.

National Mirror’s reporter observed at a recent seminar organised for the finalists and

their teachers that this year’s final would be tougher than that of last year and those before it.

The last year winner and current champion, Master Ejide Oluwapelumi, affirmed this, telling National Mirror that he and his supporting debater, Master Samuel Oluwashina, had undergone series of intensive trainings just to ensure they retain the trophy.

According to him, from the

Instructor, Mr. Ivor Ekpe (in front) with the 2013 Lagos schools’ debate finalists at a seminar, recently

programmes, the Federal Government has introduced innovative programmes such as almajiri, girl-child and out-ofschool boy-child to ensure that no child whatsoever his or her background is left behind,” the president added.

Pledging to build more schools in Akwa Ibom State to increase children access to education, the president restated that his administration would continue in this direction to ensure all Nigerian school- age children go to school.

In his remark, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, commended the Federal government on the initiative, saying the best investment for any nation is the provision of quality and quantitative education for her citizenry.

look of things, this year’s final would be very tough because of the high caliber of competitors.

The 15-year-old Ejide, who is now in SSS3 at Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, was among 20 secondary school students in the state, who enjoyed the state government’s allexpenses-paid excursion trip to the United Kingdom, where they spent 12 days.

On his own, the chief instructor, Mr. Ivor Ekpe, from Gradiant Hill, a consulting firm in charge of training, told the finalists that each of them, either as a group or individual speaker, stood the chance of winning the trophy, thus the need to perfect their home work very well before going for the actual competition.

“To win the competition,” he counseled “You must understand the debate topic very well by carrying out extensive research on it and when presenting your argument, you have to be confidence, courageous, eloquent and polite in the use of words, carry the audience, including the judges along, sound convincingly, as well as stay within a time frame allotted.

So, don’t get distracted when on stage.”

22

Education Today

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NYSC boss counsels new corps members on acceptable behaviour TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.Gen. Nnamdi Okore-AffiaI, has warned corps members, who are newly deployed to various states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja against unruly behaviours, urging them to be law abiding and to respect the constituted authorities of any community they would be posted to for their primary assignments.

He gave this advice while addressing those posted to Lagos State under 2013 “Batch A” shortly after their swearing-in ceremony recently.

According to him, for the service year, “I would want you to be disciplined, be your best by doing what is right and at the right

Some of the 2013 ‘Batch A’ corps members during their swearing-in ceremony in Lagos, recently.

time and ensure you stay out of trouble at all times.” he said.

He also told them that, in the course of

Nigeria introduces ageing studies in varsities IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

T

he National Universities Commission (NUC) has selected 10 universities in the country to pilot the undergraduate programmes in gerontology and geriatrics otherwise known as ageing studies.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Julius Okojie announced this at the opening of a two-day consultative meeting with the universities in Abuja recently.

Okojie said the introduction of ageing studies in the country became necessary to meet the peculiar needs of older persons, who are steadily increasing in number.

He disclosed that the central objective of the consultative forum organised in conjunction with Dave Omokaro Foundation, was to enable NUC formally introduce the ageing studies

initiative to the universities concern and the modalities to run the programmes effectively.

He identified funding, curriculum development, structure of trans-disciplinary, integrated programmes, training, international partnerships, and strategies as very important issues to consider for the successful take off of the programme.

According to him, the number of people from 60 years and above is expected to increase astronomically with Nigeria projected to be among the top 11 countries with the highest population of older persons in the world by 2025.

Prof. Okojie said the introduction of the studies was expected to tackle challenges associated with ageing such as; health care delivery, the systems for advancing health and wellbeing, the provision of enabling and supportive environment as well as social security concerns.

Ogun tasks new education officers on performance TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Ambaliu Ishola, has identified hard work, diligence, dedication and perseverance as veritable virtues for man to attain success at work and other endeavours.

He disclosed this at the induction ceremony organised by the state government for a set of education officers newly employed in the state.

He told them to conduct themselves in manners ac-

ceptable at work and in the society, and also to be good ambassadors of their families and the state.

According to him, there are rules and regulations guiding civil service operation and government would not want you not to go against any of them including divulging of government information without authorisation.

Earlier in his remark, Director, Department of Inspectorate Service and Teachers Development, Alhaji Mutiu Moboreje urged new officers to support Amosun’s administration in its drive to take the state to the next level.

their primary assignments, they should integrate as fast as possible in their host communities and ensure they understand

their dos and don’ts, especially in terms of cultural norms.

“So, don’t go to villages to be telling people there to close down their shrines. I beg of you, this is important. Practice your own religion’s belief without undue interference in that of others,’” he emphasised, adding: “You should also know that corps members don’t engage in any form of aluta (protest) as the act is illegal.”

While urging them to accept their posting in good faith, he told them that they should also take the skill acquisition training programmes they would be introduced to very seriously.

The training programmes, he noted, would help in equipping those among them who may want to set up private businesses and become self employed after the service rather than to be looking for non-existing jobs.

Results cancellation: WAEC summersaults, uploads result three years after CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 Mirror for taking up our case and I think anything done in group usually yields good results. I believe in joint efforts and that was why I joined my friends in finding solution to the case. Today, we are happier and we hope our certificates will soon be made available to the school for collection,” Elated Adesanya Zacheus Taiwo, the Senior Prefect of the set and currently a 500 level student of the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), further expressed the groups’ appreciation to the newspaper, saying he now knows better the importance of the media.

It would be recalled that National Mirror exclusively reported the plight of the students two weeks ago, drawing attention to the cancellation by WAEC, of the results of an exam written four years ago. The council had earlier released the results and did not inform the candidates or their school about the cancellation.

In the course of our investigation, our reporter contacted WAEC’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Yusuff Ari who warned against our involvement, saying this could worsen the affected candidates’ cases. Rather, he advised the students to write WAEC and plead that their case be reviewed on compassionate ground.

“The media would only compound these students’ problems. Some of them can be assisted if they write the Head of Nigerian office of WAEC, stating their case. Anything else could make WAEC to present its evidences because allegation of malpractices was levied against them, and many heads may have to roll, including the teachers of the affected school. And if you decide to approach a law court, they may be there for a minimum of eight years without results,” Ari told National Mirror.

As a follow-up, when Mr. Ari was called for an inter-

Charles Eguridu, WAEC boss

view appointment with the head of Nigeria’s office of WAEC, he asked the reporter to bring a letter requesting for an interview with his boss, though he informed that he could not guarantee that the request would be granted.

National Mirror also contacted the National Assembly through the education committees in the two chambers.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Education, Dr. Rose Oko, who was also astonished, promised to intervene as soon as possible.

Efforts to reach the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Education Committee initially proved difficult, but when eventually reached, he pledged prompt intervention.

However, after their initial excitement, the aggrieved students are now seeking redress over the trauma they allegedly went through in the last four years when the results were cancelled without any notice or explanation from the examination body.

For instance, Tosin Owoyemi, who was barred from writing his second semester examination by the authorities of Ekiti State University as a result of the development, wondered if WAEC would ensure his re-admission to the institution.

“If I go back to school now, let’s agree I am readmitted, would the school agree to conduct fresh examination for me? If no, would that not amount to automatic carry-over? It is very disturbing, particularly when you consider the fact that my predicaments are not my own making,” Tosin lamented.

Tosin’s father, who said his insistence to get to the root of the matter was informed by his trust in his son’s brilliance, urged the public to challenge WAEC to compensate the students who he said had been subjected to both psychological and physical trauma.

In his opinion, a human rights lawyer and Principal, Lekan Alabi Chambers, Mr. Lekan Alabi, said it would not be the first time WAEC would commit such embarrassing error; the development he linked with the culture of impunity “that is almost taking over the country.”

“Though WAEC is a regional examination body, since it operates in Nigeria, it is not also free from the culture of impunity which is the ideology of the ruling class.

While I was with Jiti Ogunye Chambers, we had series of cases like that and I could recall vividly that of Holy versus WAEC at the Lagos High Court between 1999 and 2000. This case was decided in favour of the candidate by Honourable Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, who is currently at the Supreme Court.

“The Honourable Justice frowned at WAEC’s decision and in his words, he said; “WAEC’s cup of infamy is full and must be cautioned because one day, as I am sitting in this courtroom, WAEC can say my result had been cancelled.” That was the way he presented it and delivered his ruling. WAEC did not appeal the judgement and issued the applicant’s result to him.”

He advised the students to demand claims of compensation from WAEC saying a body created out of law cannot turn itself to an oligarchy where its words become law.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Primary schools in England face tougher targets –Minister

H

undreds more primary schools in England could be labelled as underperforming as the government raises its test result targets.

Next year schools will need to have 65 per cent of pupils achieving the expected levels in English and mathematics up from 60 per cent, Schools Minister David Laws says.

Mr. Laws wants pupils to be “secondary ready” when they leave primary school.

Head teachers’ leader, Russell Hobby accused ministers of “shifting goal posts” to chase “easy headlines”.

If schools continue to “consistently underperform” below this target, they could be required to become academies.

Mary Bousted, head of the ATL teachers’ union, described the change as “a cynical attempt to force even more schools into becoming academies”.

The increased target will apply to 11-year-olds taking their Sats tests in spring 2014.

Based on last year’s results, there would have been 866 schools below the minimum target of 65 per cent.

“Many of our children are leaving primary school without having secured the basics in the 3Rs,” David Laws Schools minister This would mean hundreds more schools being brought below the minimum level. There are 476 schools below the 60% threshold.

But a Department for Education spokesman says that past experience suggests results will improve when targets are set higher.

In the tests taken in spring 2012, the national average was 79% for pupils achieving the expected levels for English and mathematics.

The expected level in Sats test is Level 4 - but these levels are themselves set to be scrapped from 2016.

There will also be more pressure on the use of pupil premium, which is paid to schools to support disadvantaged pupils.

Culled from: BBC

Education Today

Thursday, March 14, 2013

23

Bayelsa’s girl-child school delays for lack of land IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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inister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has called on the Bayelsa State Government to allocate land for the construction of a special girl-child model school to be owned by the Federal Govern-

ment.

The minister spoke during a meeting with the governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd).

He said out of the 16 special girl-child model schools approved in the country, it was only in Bayelsa State that con-

struction work is yet to commence.

According to him, the Federal Government approved a girl-child school for Bayelsa State in 2011 and contract was awarded accordingly, but lack of land is what is delaying its take off and therefore pleaded on behalf of the Federal Government for the state to donate land

so that the contractor can move to site.

Wike restated that the Federal Government was fully committed to increasing girl-child enrolment across the country, hence the construction of the schools.

Responding, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral

John Jonah assured the minister that the state would allocate the land for the construction of the school.

He noted that the Bayelsa State Government was already working on the promotion of girl-child enrolment, pointing out that the proposed school would be of immense benefit to the state.

Deputy Provost, Federal College of Education, Yola, Adamawa State, Mr. Anyawu Felix (extreme left); Bursar, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Imo State, Mr. Tochukwu Kelvin (extreme right) and other participants at a training for principal officers of Nigerian higher institutions in Germany organised by Henmuel Trainers Limited in collaboration with Mannheim Business School, Germany, recently.

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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o fewer than N6 billion has been expended on various developmental projects so far at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), since the creation of the school in 1999.

This was disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Femi Mimiko during a press conference to kick-start the 4th convocation ceremony of the institution scheduled to hold between 12 and 22 March, 2013.

The VC also said the school had been transformed within a short time attributing the development to the financial support from the state government in order to make the school one of the best in the country.

He said about 5, 4978 students would be awarded with various degrees at the convocation ceremony, noting that this year graduation would bring together graduands from two previous sets of 2009/ 2010 and 2010/ 2011 session.

He said while a total of 4,874 and 292 students would bag first degree and post graduate diploma,

AAUU expends N6bn on infrastructure •Graduates 5,498 respectively a total of 327 and four students would receive masters’ degree and PhD respectievely.

He disclosed that 10 among the first degree holders bagged First Class honour, while 843 bagged

Second Class (Upper Division) and 3,294 Second Class (Lower Division) The VC also disclosed that three eminent Nigerians would be conferred with honorary doctorate degree during the event.

He listed their names to include: retired Anglican Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, a professor of History at the University of Texas, USA, Prof. Toyin Falola and. Major General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd).

He added that the convocation lecture

would be delivered by a renowned scholar of Yoruba language, Prof.

Akinwumi Ishola and that he would deliver the lecture, titled: ‘Kini a fe maa fi ede Yoruba se’ (what really do we with Yoruba language), in Yoruba language.

UNILAG staff school seeks parents’ partnership to improve standard MOJEED ALABI

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he Principal, University of Lagos International School, Akoka, Lagos, Mrs. Adorah Ojo, has enjoined parents and guardians of the pupils of the school to be more committed in their contributions towards the

training of their wards, saying education is no longer restricted to the four walls of classrooms.

She made the call recently during the 26th edition of the school’s annual speech and prize-giving day ceremony, where students with excellent records were rewarded with

gifts.

“While taking time to reflect upon and celebrate our past, we must not lose sight of the fact that schools are about the future; therefore, we must use this opportunity to focus on how best we can secure the future of our children. Since education

L-R: Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; Vice Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Col. Sani Bello (rtd) handing over an MTNF scholarship award certificate to visually impaired Miss Adamu Hadiza, and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. George Ossi, at the scholarship award ceremony held at the National Universities Commission, Abuja, recently.

is no longer restricted to the four walls of the school, we need to find experiences beyond the walls and that is where it is important for the parents to come in to support the school,” Ojo stated.

Similarly, Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director, Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited, Mr. Austin Isire, advised parents to take the affairs of their wards more seriously and monitor their performance in and outside the school environment.

Such steps, Isire said, would help the society to curb the raging violence in the country. “It will also help the parents themselves to have their minds at rest and guarantee them the future of their dream.”

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LAUTECH

Once expelled, now students’ union president OLUWATOMILOLA BOYINDE (LAUTECH) AND DHIKRU AKINOLA (OAU)

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he story of Olalekan Taiwo, a 400 level student of the Department of Management Accounting, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, could be likened to that of the proverbial cat with nine lives.

Taiwo had been expelled from the university in 2007 following a protest that greeted the students’ union election held in the univer-

sity that year.

Convinced of his academic competence, Taiwo wrote another Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2009 and was readmitted to the same department during the 2008/2009 academic session of the institution.

Last academic session, as a 300 level student, Taiwo contested for the president of the students’ union, but lost out. Again this year, Taiwo declared interest to lead the union, which earned him the appellation of ‘Abraham Lincoln of LAUTECH.”

The election schedule had initially sparked protest from the current 400 level students, including Taiwo, over the alleged plan of the university authority to exclude them from the contest. The authority had based its reason on the fact that students in final class do not reside in school as they would be taking part in the mandatory sixmonth-industrial training.

After much debates, the university succumbed to the students’ pressure. And, as usual, both the campus and its host community- the ancient Ogbomosho town,

LAUTECH students on queue to cast their votes during the union election.

witnessed massive campaigns with contestants’ posters, fliers, banners and billboards adorning strategic places including market and business centres.

The election, which held simultaneously at the six faculties on the main campus and the College of Health Sciences at the Oshogbo campus, was closely monitored by electoral commissioners, security operatives and representatives of the university management. This, according to the institution, was to forestall breakdown of violence.

Taiwo

As soon as the ballot boxes from Osogbo campus were brought to the colla-

We are committed to transformation –LASU students NURUDEEN YUSUF, KHADIJAH LIADI AND SAMIAT OLADEJO , LASU, OJO

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undreds of students and young entrepreneurs of

the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, recently gathered at the Law Faculty on the campus to pledge their commitment to the ongoing reformation on the campus and be part of the change agents.

They expressed this at a seminar organised by a non-governmental organisation, Career Centre Initiative, which was established and run by a 400 level student of the institution’s Depart-

Some of the participants at the LASU Faculty of Law’s entreprenurial seminar, recently.

ment of Banking and Finance, Oluwapelumi Molake.

The event, which was themed: On the Mandate to Change Lives, drew participants from all faculties and colleges who expressed their determination to make meaningful contribution to the rebuilding of the university’s image and the rebranding of Nigeria as a country.

According to Molake, the essence of the summit was to demystify the problems of joblessness and poverty by building youths who would be willing to commit themselves to change through participation in changedriven projects and by engaging in entrepreneurial activities.

“What could be more

of greater concern to youths of this generation when millions of youths are jobless? And solution can only come from all of us through our sense of creativity and commitment to work hard.

Because life will not give to us what we expect of it until we demand for it, so the step we take today will determine whether we will grow from zero to hero or perpetually remain at zero,” she noted.

One of the participants at the event and Director of Fresh Clothing, Adeyinka Adewunmi, said the programme was motivating and that it would go a long way to encourage and help youths in their career and help ward off the challenges unemployment create to the society.

UI students’ union leaders’ swearing-in holds tomorrow LINUS KINGDOM

300 LEVEL, PSYCHOLOGY, UI

N

ational Mirror can authoritatively report that the earlier postponedswearing-in of the newly elected students’ union

leaders of the University of Ibadan will hold tomorrow. The programme was earlier fixed for Tuesday.

The Dean of Students of the institution, Prof.

Akinola Alada, in an interview with National

Mirror on Tuesday said the earlier shifting of the event day was to enable the Vice-Chancellor of the institution Prof Isaac Adewole, and other principal officers of the school to be in attendance.

He disclosed that the VC in particular, who went for an unavoidable official engagement earlier on day would like to be part of the ceremony.

Those to be swornin include: Babatunde Badmus (President),

Adebiyi Oluwaseun (Vice President), Akinbuluma Ayokanmi (General Secretary), Ogunbanjo Tobiloba (House Secretary), Akindele Opeyemi (Sport Secretary), Adeboye Ayomide George (AssistantGeneral Secretary).

tion centre at the main campus, counting began. Not long after, the Chief Electoral Officer, Dr. Siyanbade Adewale, declared Taiwo as the winner with total votes of 1,992 beating his close rival, Bolanle Sherrifdeen who secured 1, 473 votes.

Other presidential candidates are; Oke Oluwaseun who polled 125 votes; Afolabi had 43 while Egunyomi Olusola secured 30 votes.

Taiwo, who expressed joy over his emergence, said his passion to lead the students was to show leadership by example and make meaningful contribution to the nation’s development through proper coordination of students’ activities.

He thanked the ecstatic students for the support he enjoyed and the confidence reposed in him, pledging not to renege on promises.

“You have surprised me and I pledge to stick to my promises and not let you down.”

Other elected union officials are; Calista Atanye (Vice-President 1); Fadeni Emmanuel (Vice-President 2); Sheriffdeen Hamzat (General Secretary); Adeboye Kuta (Assistant General Secretary); Adewale Abdulrasheed (Financial Secretary); Kayode Alabi (Public Relations Officer); Ahmed Kolawole (Welfare Director); Badmus Ayoola (Sports Director); Abayomi Adams as Social Director.

They have since been sworn in by the relevant authorities as the ViceChancellor, Prof. Sulaiman Gbadegesin, and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Olabiyisi, pledged their commitment to the students’ development and upkeep.

They also promised the union their cooperation and support while also warning them against excesses.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

I’m a proud OAU alumnus –Ex-WAEC registrar DHIKRU AKINOLA

POL. SCIENCE, OAU, ILE-IFE

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he immediate past Registrar and Chief Executive of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Alhaja Mulikat Bello has said she was a proud former student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. She stated this while delivering a lecture organised by the Association of Nigerian Universities Public Administrators (ANUPA), OAU

branch, held in the university recently.

She also commended the current leadership of the university particularly for its latest ranking by Webometrics, an international agency, as the best university in the country and 14th in Africa.

According to her, with the latest ranking, it shows OAU has resumed its leadership position among the comity of Nigerian and African universities and I am happy

about that.

“And I would want the university to keep up the good work,” the 1973 alumnus added.

Earlier in his remark, the chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.

Bamitale Omole promised to do all within his power and academic experience to further reposition the university to meet up with the standard expected of a world class university.

In another develop-

ment, the VC advised members of staff of the institution to set a new road map and pursue more research efforts that could bring about more socio-economic, political and technological development in the country.

He gave the advice while delivering a keynote address at a one-day retreat organised by the Staff Training and Development Unit of the institution held at Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State.

The VC, while enjoining participants not to dwell on past achievements told them to always strive in breaking new ground in research and other areas of development.

Expressing serious concern over administrative and academic malpractice in the country’s university system, Prof Omole told participants to work together so as to ensure that all forms of vices such as admission racketeering, examination malpractice,

misuse of research grants, misallocation and misappropriation of funds, sexual harassment, financial and material inducement before services are rendered and so on should be discouraged and eradicated in the nation’s universities.

He said he believed so much in workers, as well as students protecting their reputation and integrity and that of the institution they represent wherever they find themselves.

UNIJOS VC urges undergraduates to be peace ambassadors JULIET UDOYE

300 LEVEL, MASS COMM, UNIJOS

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he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof.

Hayward Mafuyai, has called on students of higher institutions of learning in the state to be peace ambassadors, irrespective of their ethnic and religious differences.

He gave this advice at the 2013 opening ceremony of the maiden edition of UNIJOS annual Peace Sports Championship organised for tertiary institutions located in Plateau State (UNAPSCTIPS).

The VC disclosed that the peace sport championship initative came about as a result of logical arrangement by the university to promote unity and peace in the state.

The chairman of the occasion, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut in his opening remark, commended UNIJOS for organising the tournament, adding that “the basic aim of the programme is to promote unity and peace through sports.”

The championship was

graced by dignitaries from all tiers of government, including the Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Jonah David Jang, who was represented by Dr. Paul Wai; the Minister of Sports, Dr. Bolaji Abdulahi; Mallam Allhassan Yakmut; the Special Task Force(STF) Commandant, Major- Gen. Henry Ayoola and many traditional rulers .

The UNIJOS Coach, who simply wished to be identified as Jimmy said the game would take them to greater heights and wish the trophy returns to the university.

Among the 11 schools that will feature in the competition are College of Health, Pankshin; University of Jos, Federal College of Forestry, Jos; Plateau State University; Plateau State Polytechnic; College Of Education, Gindiri.

Others include FCVMLT, Vom; College of Health; Zawan; ,JETS, Jos; National Open University of Nigeria, Jos study centre; and TCNN, Bukuru. They will feature in such sport as football, basketball and volleyball.

Participants at the UNIJOS sports event, recently

Fresh graduates of the University of Ibadan Medical College; L-R: Drs. Adebowale Ibrahim, Kolapo Mariam, Amudalat BakareAdegboyega, Baruwa Islamiyah, Arogundade Kafilah, and Ladapo Rasheedah, during their induction ceremony at the institution, recently.

Don canvasses establishment of media centres in councils MOJEED ALABI

A

professor of Educational Technology at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Olufemi Adeoluwa, has recommended the establishment of a functioning educational media centre in each local government area of the country.

A

non-gover nmental studentsbased organisation, Education Rights Campaign, has accused the Osun State Government of sponsoring the police brutalization of some students of the state’s College of Education, Ilesa, who took part in a protest on Tuesday over the three-day warning strike embarked upon by the institution’s lecturers.

In a statement made available to National Mirror and signed by

He made this recommendation while delivering the 35th inaugural lecture of the university, entitled: “Learning problems and the technology of education,” recently.

According to him, the centres, if established, would afford teachers and students to brainstorm, design and produce instructional materials, which

could be very useful to them.

He noted that such centres should also procure, store and loan out, from time-to-time, instructional materials needed to schools.

The university don, also recommended that such centres should be administered by technocrats, preferably educational technol-

ogists, and to be under the state government control.

While emphasising that teachers should be given opportunity of in-service training, specifically in the application of educational technology in primary and secondary schools, Prof Adeoluwa asked the authorities of EKSU to establish a media centre and radio station on the campus.

Group alleges students’ maltreatment in Osun College the organisation’s National Coordinator, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, the students had embarked on the protest in solidarity with their striking leacturers who had declared the strike to protest what they described as illegal taxation, noncontribution of the state government towards the pension scheme as well as on retirement age.

“On Tuesday, at the Osun State College of Ed-

ucation, Ilesa, students of the institution protested in solidarity with the striking lecturers. They were however brutally dispersed with teargas by armed police. Also, about four of them have been reportedly arrested. We condemn this kind of attack on the democratic rights of protest by a government claiming to be “progressive.” We demand immediate release of the four students and

the urgent implementation of the demands by the striking lecturers.

“We also call on the striking lecturers to stand against fee hike and support calls for adequate funding of education and democratic management of schools.

Without these, none of the improvement of working conditions being sought by them would be achieved on a lasting basis,” the statement read.

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S

ecurity exhumes bombs, weapons in Kogi” You exhume a body that has been buried for (medical) examination—not objects! Next time: excavate.

“And while 5 lucky winners have emerged for the all-expense paid (sic) trip to….” Open your world: all-expenses-paid trip.

“Watch a brand new entertainment channel with the very best African TV programming….” No African magic: ‘best’ has attained the superlative level and cannot be amplified or inflected (for needless summit emphasis) as most people do on grounds of poetic freedom (licence)! So, the best African TV programming—nothing more, nothing less!

“Their brothers’ keepers” Stock expression: brother’s keeper (irrespective of statistical profile).

“Challenge of progress in the midst of crisis (crises)” “2 feared drown aftermath of Ibadan rain” I cannot be drowned by gaffes!

“NURTW dissociate (dissociates) self from Mile 12 park mayhem” “The controversial Freedom of Information Bill (FoI) came into (to) the fore again recently as….”

“Majority (A majority) of Nigerians on several occasions have (had) been disappointed by….” “…but this must be complimented (complemented) with a right work habit by judges and their staff.” “…some judges resume late to (at) work….”

“INEC, schools sensitise youths on electoral process” This is no longer news: sensitise youths to (not on).

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Between ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’ “…and other matured (mature) minds have argued that it is only but a moral pervert (perversion) which if censored will do much good to the youths (youths or the youth).”

“She argued that a pact such as is being advocated for by Aremo Olusegun Osoba amounted to Nigeria’s re-orientation.”

Yank off ‘for’.

“Didn’t the people disregard the presence of military tanks on (in) the streets to maintain the momentum of their presence on the Marcus regime?”

“I searched in vain for the Ministry of Defence and, unless the text I had was defective, it was conspicuously absent.” ‘Absence’ in this context does not require qualification. Simply, it was absent.

“In fact, the situation has degenerated from that of epileptic power supply down to that of complete blackout which in most cases last from weeks to months.” ‘Blackout’ does not require any modifier: it means total extinction or concealment of lights (Chambers English Dictionary).

“The reasons range from power generation limitation to the use of overaged (overage), antiquated and arsenic hydro plants and so many others too numerous to mention.”

“Many people have lost their valuable properties as a result of uncontrolled power voltage.”

Time to remove the immunity on PHCN: property (not properties in the extracted context).

“It could be recall (recalled) that….”

“The consensus of opinion in the country today.…” Despite

BETWEEN ‘CONDOLE’ AND ‘CONSOLE’: THE FORMER TAKES ‘WITH’ AS A

PHRASAL VERB WHILE THE LATTER STANDS ALONE

the pockets of debate on what some learner’s dictionaries say, I insist on consensus (without opinion).

“It is also an open secret that a cabal of highly placed sacred cows holds the fuel distribution process in the country to ransome.” Spell-check: ransom.

“Council chairmen and legislators at the council, state and federal levels were also later sworn-in for the take off (a hyphen) of the Eighth Republic.”

Phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation.

“The Yorubas, Igbos and even Northern minorities have grudges….” English is no politics: the Yoruba, the Igbo and the minorities.

“Except round pegs are put in round holes, the nation will be the looser (loser) for it.”

“It is arguable if the current spate of advancement (advancements) recorded in the area of ….”

“I want to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan for (on/ upon) all that God has allowed him to do.”

“Thank God he is concerned at (about) the security situation.”

“There were other ministers who performed creditably well, but who have not been reappointed” Ministers who performed creditably. ‘Creditably well’ is an over-kill.

“Lagosians welcome Fashola’s marching order on tankers on Iponri, Ijora flyovers” Fixed ex-

pression: marching orders.

“I doff my hat for OkonjoIweala.” I doff/take off my own hat to (not for)…. “…there are still some honest Nigerians with very strong moral fibre capable of resisting the temptation to be dishonest and fraudulent even when it would appear save (safe) to do so.”

“Twenty-five years is enough for wastages…backbitting….”

Spell-check: backbiting.

“Senate Whip condoles Oshiomhole, ThisDay” There is a difference in usage between ‘condole’ and ‘console’: the former takes ‘with’ as a phrasal verb while the latter stands alone.

“Motor dealer arrested over (for) death of his 15-year-old boy in Ibadan” “…like (as) I have always said….” “…a raging demand for the implementation of the government White Paper on the immediate past administration.” Truth in defence of freedom: ‘White Papers’ are exclusively issued by governments! It is like writing ‘obituary announcement’ when ‘obituary’ on its own covers ‘announcement’.

“Old boys assures quality education” Why the discord and who did they assure?

“Aregbesola: Omisore sues National Mirror, seeks N1.1b damage” The man is futilely seeking damages from Omoluabi!

“One question that readily comes to mind is what does

Amaechi stands (stand) to lose if….”

“The dictates of democracy is (are) anchored on the wishes….”

“We all want good things and for these good things to come we must all contribute our own quote (quota)….”

“Internment follows thereafter.” Spell-check: interment.

“Iru V.I. flags off dental care week” Again, ‘flag off ’ does not exist!

“Aregbesola commends Oyinlola over (for/on) mineral exploration” It is equally commendable that a serving governor deemed it fit to appreciate his predecessor—it is rare in our convoluted country. Thumbs up for Engr. Rauf Aregbesola who passionately gives rudderless PDP sleepless nights by his inimitable leadership distinction in The State of Osun.

“Setting standards for sustainable business practices that; unleash the talents of our employees….” A passion for excellence: the semi-colon in the excerpt is otiose and breaks the flow of an otherwise well-written statement.

“We regret to announce the untimely death of our friends, colleagues and comrades in a ghastly motor accident on Saturday, April 28, 2012 (another comma) along (on) the AfuzeAuchi road.” This mishap was fatal. The media officials should have known better and not allow the governor to sign a bad copy for public consumption!

“US lawmakers write Jonathan, demand action against sect” The legislators wrote to Jonathan (not wrote Jonathan)….

Niger Delta varsity internship centre to equip students on entrepreneurship TOBORE OVUORE

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he Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, has launched an internship centre to provide on-campus training for all the final year students in entrepreneurship and vocational skills.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, disclosed at the launch that the goal of the centre was to ensure that students of the university graduate with two certificates-one in the cho-

sen field of study and the other in entrepreneurship.

He added that the centre would also equip students for the competitive job market.

The special guest of honour, who is also the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Manpower Development, Bayelsa State, Mrs. Didi Walson Jack, said in her speech, that the centre was an important platform for ensuring that graduates are employable and also become employers of labour.

The Internship centre is to be run as a public private partnership initiative.

Participants at the inauguration of the Niger Delta University Internship Centre, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State recently.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

League: Mohammed faults clubs over late registration 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Sport

I wouldn’t say we deserved to lose in Camp Nou. I think I would just say we were not lucky -AC Milan goalkeeper, Christian Abiatti

El-Kanemi gets half sign-on fees

Keshi expects full camp Monday

he Borno State Government has announced payment of 50 per cent of the sign on fees for the 2013/2014 league season to players and officials of the newly-promoted El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was supervised on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Sports, Isa Buratai, at the El Kanemi camp site in Maiduguri.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Buratai explained that money was paid in order to motivate the club for a superlative outing in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

“This is the first time government is paying 50 per cent sign on fees at the beginning of the season since the club was founded in 1986.

“I want you to reciprocate this gesture by working hard to pick a continental ticket at the end of the season,” he said.

Buratai commended the El-Kanemi Supporters Club for previous support to the team.

“I want to commend the supporters club and other stakeholders for their encouragement to the club.

“I urge you to continue in the same manner, especially now that the club has gained promotion into the elite NPFL,” Buratai added.

Responding on behalf of the players, captain of the club, Baba Mai, thanked government for the gesture and promised that the club would triumph at the end of the season.

JOEL A JAYI

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K

ABUJA

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uper Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, has said that the team’s camp would be full from Monday, when invited foreign-based players arrive for the World Cup qualifier against Kenya.

At a media parley in Abuja yesterday, Keshi noted that his responsibility is to ensure that the Eagles put smiles on the faces of Nigerians by qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. He, however, appealed to Nigerians to troop out to the UJ Esuene Stadium on March 23 to cheer the players into victory.

The Eagles coach also Daouda Diakite of Burkina Faso making a save from the foot of Ikechukwu Uche of Nigeria on during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations made clarifications on the players’ list, while charging his wards to maintain discipline which made them to win the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February.

On his widely publicised resignation after he Cross River State Govern- Africa Cup of Nations trophy they was doing everything within its the AFCON victory in powers to ensure a successful hostment has appealed to soc- won in South Africa in February.

South Africa, the former “We want the supporters, Ea- ing of the World Cup qualifier. cer fans to turn out in large captain of the national “We are preparing; we are doing numbers to cheer the Super Eagles gles fans and residents of Calabar, team, said the resignawhen they take on the Harambee to prepare to come out to support the normal thing to ensure that the tion saga was not a big stadium is ready for the team. At Stars of Kenya in their World Cup the team - the African Champions. deal, saying, “What I saw “They should not forget that the the last friendly between the Goldqualifying match. is that I was not comfortThe match is scheduled for team is also bringing the trophy en Eaglets and the Diamond Zebras able with it. I just let them of Botswana, we used the U. J. EsMarch 23 at the U. J. Esuene Sta- they won at the last Africa Cup of know about it. It is not dium, Calabar. The State Commis- Nations (AFCON) in South Africa uene Stadium, Calabar to test run about you don’t like me the facilities. sioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. to Calabar. or I don’t like you. What “We think we are ready to host “The trophy will be displayed at Patrick Ugbe, made the appeal on we are all after is how to Tuesday in an interview with the the stadium on match day, so they the Super Eagles/Harambee Stars move Nigeria forward.”

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in should come out en masse to be a match on March 23. Everybody was part of the AFCON experience by impressed, The stadium is lush Calabar, ahead of the match.

He said a large crowd would be witnessing the trophy in Calabar,” green; it is part of our culture to ensure that we maintain it regularly,” important for the match because Ugbe said.

He said that the government Ugbe said. the Eagles would also showcase the

C’River mobilises for Eagles, Harambee match

ano Pillars’ coach, Mohamed Babaganaru, has said that there is nothing special about their CAF Champions League foes, AC Leopard of Congo.

The Nigeria league champions host CAF Confederation Cup holders on Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium and they have vowed to win the game comfortably.

“I don’t see anything special about Leopard. They are no threat to our ambitions. Their last year’s record of winning the

T

CCL: Pillars ready for Leopard ...Bitam arrives for Heartland Confederation Cup is now history and not significant to the present. This is a new challenge, a new year and a different competition,” Babaganaru told MTNFootball.com.

“We have been working hard for the game and our target is to beat them here at home and qualify to next stage after both legs.”

Pillars are playing in their

third Champions League. They reached the semi-finals in 2009, but could not go beyond first round in 2011.

AC Leopard, on the other hand, are appearing in the competition for the first time after they emerged league champions in Congo in the 2011/2012 season.

Similarly, a 38-man US Bitam contingent will arrive in Owerri

today ahead of a Confederation Cup tie against Heartland, officials said.

Heartland host the Gabonese club on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium with the second leg two weeks later in Gabon.

US Bitam will come in two batches with the main contingent made up of players, coaches and some officials expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos by 11.00hrs this morning

by Askia Air. They will later be air-lifted to Owerri.

Keshi

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Sport

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

DUNKING

With SAYO OGUNDEJI

U- 23 Wheelchair Tourney: Nigeria set for South Africa

TEAMS ANALYSIS Royal Hoopers recorded a 65-52 points victory over Kano Pillars in the final of the 2011/2012 Dstv Basketball Premier League Final 8 play-offs to retain the trophy they won the previous season.

While Hoopers failed to fly on the continent following their inability to raise funds, Pillars finished in a distant 9th position at the Africa Club Championship.

C

oach of the Nigeria U-23 Wheelchair Basketball team, Adokie Tamunosiki, says his side is physically and psychologically ready to hit South Africa, venue of this year’s U- 23 Wheelchair Basketball Championship scheduled to hold from March 30 to April 9.

According to the coach, the players are aware of the importance of the South Africa tournament and are ready to give their best in order to ensure the country’s wheelchair basketball team participate at the forthcoming World U- 23 Wheelchair Basketball Championship slated for October in Turkey.

The team which is expected to jet out of the country on the 26th of this month is expected to take on host, South Africa, Algeria and Zimbabwe at the tournament.

Tamunosiki explained further that 7 players from Bayelsa, 2 form Lagos and 1 from Delta all of whom participated at the last the 2nd Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship held in Lagos made the team.

He said, “We are ready to hit South Africa any moment from now and hoping we will pick one of the tickets available to represent Africa at the World U- 23 Wheelchair Basketball Championship later in October.

“Many players who were part of the last Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship made the list and that shows we have the credible talents that can do the country proud and all we need to do is to harness them and make sure they produce incredible performances,” Tamunosiki added.

Both are top teams as far as the league is concerned and must be given due respect going by their achievements in the last decade.

TITLE CHALLENGERS Kano Pillars, Dodan Warriors and Mark Mentors will be the teams to look out for in the new season While Pillars who lost the title to Hoopers last year will bank on their experience in the league having won the title before, same can really not be said of the defending champions as most of the players who helped the Port Harcourt based side win the title back-to-back have joined other teams as they team is currently facing financial difficulty.

The Adeka Daudu led Warriors went through the regular season unbeaten appears ready to build on last season performance as the club has managed to keep the bulk of the players.

Customs and Lagos Islanders during a 2011/2012 season game at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

League: Mohammed faults clubs over late registration A fter the Nigeria Premier Basketball League which supposed to dunk off last weekend suffered another postponement due to the teams’ failure to complete players’ registration, Coach of Mark Mentors of Abuja, Abdulrahman Mohammed, says the clubs ought to take the Nigeria Basketball Federation rules and regulation seriously.

The Secretary-General of the NBBF, Francis Gbiri, explained that the postponement was necessary as only nine out of 20 clubs in the league had registered for the new season as at Sunday, 10th of March, 2013.

The 2012/13 DSTV Basketball Premier League season will now dunk off on March 15 as Mr. Gbiri sounded a note of warning, saying, “Any club/teams that are yet to register have until the 11th of March to conclude registration after which the usual late registration fee will be imposed.”

Mohammed, who is not impressed with the attitude showed by the affected clubs, has however called on them to forward all the necessary papers to the NBBF in order for the league to commence this

Coach Mohammed (centre)

weekend.

The former Bauchi Nets coach said, “It is quite unfortunate that some of our clubs are responsible for the delay in the new league dunking off all because they failed to get their players registered as at when due and this is not good for the development of the game in the country.

“We have concluded every arrangement regarding players’ registration more than five weeks now and that means we meant business and other clubs must show the same determi-

nation and seriousness so that people watching us from outside will know we have the love of the game at heart.”

Mohammed who joined Mark Mentors, formerly known as Tapgun Rockets few weeks back says he expects his new team to challenge the old hands in the league for the league trophy.

According to him, some of the best players in the league have joined the club and hopes the new team transforms their great runs in the friendly matches into the premier league when the new season eventually begins.

The team is new and young but very courageous and determined to make a bold statement in the league and we are all going out to make our presence felt in the league as we hope to wrestle the league back from the hands of the current champions.

“We have had a great preparation and the players appear to be ready for the challenge and we hope they maintain their high level of performance throughout the season in order for us to stand any chance of winning the trophy” the former international added.

Mark Mentors though have not come close to winning the title of recent but the club under new management has been able to recruit not only many talented players but also full of experience.

NEW COMMERS Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan and Plateau Peaks of Jos have secured promotion to the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences of the 2012/2013 NBBF/ DSTV Premier Basketball League following their impressive runs at the National Division One Championship held in Abuja last year..

The Ibadan team and the Plateau Peaks will replace the two relegated teams from the Premier League.

Both teams achieved the feat after winning their groups bin Abuja at the 2012 NBBF National Division One Championship.

The Ibadan-based Warriors upstaged the Nigerian Air Force Rockets in the final game of the Atlantic Conference group with 77-55 points.

In the Savannah Conference group, Plateau Peaks also left it till the final game by beating Benue Braves of Makurdi 69-62.

PRETENDERS In terms of talent and quality, Kada Stars and Lagos Islanders have shown that through their performances over the years but have also failed when it mattered most on many occasions.

Both clubs usually make it to the Final 8 Tournament but do not come near the finals which can either fetch them the title or the continental ticket.

FULL TEAMS ATLANTIC CONFERENCE

SAVANAH CONFRENCE

1.

Comets

1.

Bauchi Nets

2.

Customs

2.

Immigration

3.

D.Warriors

3.

Kada Stars

4.

Islanders

4.

Kano Pillars

5.

Oluyole W.

5.

Mark Mentors

6.

Police Baton

6.

Niger Potters

7.

Royal Hoopers

7.

Plateau Peaks

8.

Union Bank

8.

Yelwa Hawks

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Business & Finance Big data has the capacity to transform economies, bring efficiency in doing business and improve our interactions as consumers

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

NEXIM BANK MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROBERTS ORYA

Senior Vice President, Cisco, Howard Charney

Passengers stranded as strike cripples Aero Airlines operations OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

housands of air passengers experienced delay in Lagos and other major airports as workers strike paralysed the operations of Aero Airlines, one of the major domestic carriers.

Passengers travelling from the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2) in Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Sokoto, Uyo and other airports in the country were shocked to discover that flights had been cancelled.

The scene at the airport turned rowdy as irate passengers appeared ready to engage in fisticuffs with some personnel wearing the airline’s uniform.

All of the airline’s 12 fixed wing aircraft were grounded, but the action did not seem to affect oil and gas operations offshore The workers led by the industry unions; the Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) down tools in fulfillment of their threat issued the management of the airline 21 days ago.

The unions had given the airline’s management a three week deadline to reverse the redeploy-

ment of at least 41 vehicle drivers of the airline to another company or face a strike.

But the management in a statement sent by the airline’s media agent, SY&T Communications stated that it was already engaging the unions in discussion to resolve the crisis.

The statement reads in part, “Aero management wishes to apologise for the inconvenience suffered by our highly esteemed customers due to an abrupt industrial action by our staff, which has led to grounding of all

our scheduled operations. We are engaging with the unions to find a quick and amicable resolution.

Further details will be given in due course.”

The statement said that the management was on a reorganisation drive to ensure a more efficient, dependable, reliable, safe workforce and accused the unions of being unwilling to sit and talk with its management.

The unions had accused the airline’s management of an attempt to strategically lay off the workers by outsourcing the

transport division of the airline to another company without their consent.

According to the unions, no fewer than 41 drivers were issued redeployment letters to another company known as Remlord Tours and Car Hire Services, which allegedly belong to a member of the airline’s management.

Among those affected was a staff who had worked in the airline for 22 years. The redeployment of drivers cut across all the airports the airline has staff.

L-R: Member of crans Montana Forum, Prof. Daniel Warner; Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum Resources, Hon. Dakuku Adol Peterside and Prince Jean de Luxembourg, at the forum’s conference on Africa entitled Africa in 2013 at Egmont Palace, Brussels, Belgium recently.

Summit Brothers invests N5.2bn in online retailer, Jumia

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ondon-based hedge fund, Summit Brothers which invests in rapidly growing companies has invested 26 million euros (N5.2bn) in the Jumia brand across Nigeria, Egypt and Morroco, with new funds tailored to setting up more ventures across

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

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

the African sub-region.

“We seek to invest in companies around the world that build long-term value,” said Scott Collins, MD and head of the Summit Partners London office, in a statement. “Jumia has established itself as a fast-growing company early on, and we are pleased to partner with its management team.”

Commenting on the development, Jumia co-founders, Raphael

EU unveils new air passenger rights

34

Afaedor and Tunde Kehinde, said, “As Nigeria’s no.1 online retailer, jumia.com.ng plays big within the Nigerian market, with a vision to being the solution to online retail in sub-Saharan Africa.

“As a place for direct retail shopping online, we implement 24-hour availability, a local and global reach, with the ability to interact and provide custom information and ordering, as well as multimedia prospects speak-

ing about their brand Jumia Nigeria.

“It is a no brainer for these investors to want to invest in this market, with its growing middle class and an increasing demand for goods. We have risen to become the 5th largest local content site (according to web research site, Alexa.com), with our order volumes increased significantly we are the largest e-commerce player in this market”.

USPF as impetus for broadband delivery to Nigerians

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Airport indoor advertising largely untapped - Experts

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Business & Finance

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Coca Cola, IFC announces $100m scheme for women entrepreneurs STANLEY IHEDIGBO

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he leading manufacturing drinks company, Coca-Cola and International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a $100million, three-year joint initiative to provide access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Eurasia and Africa.

The collaboration builds on the synergies between CocaCola’s 5by20 women’s economic empowerment initiative and IFC’s banking on women program to help address barriers women entrepreneurs commonly face in some of the world’s

poorest countries.

IFC will work through its network of local and regional banking institutions to provide financing and business skills training to small and medium sized businesses that are owned or operated by women entrepreneurs across the Coca-Cola value chain.

Speaking on the development, President of Eurasia and Africa Group, Coca-Cola Company, Mr. Nathan Kalumbu, said, “Women entrepreneurs make significant contributions to emerging and developing economies, yet have lower access to finance than their male counterparts. By providing greater access to capital, we are investing in our own

success and the success of the communities we serve.

“We are excited about this opportunity to harness the collective power of our organizations to positively impact women in Eurasia and Africa,” he added.

Also speaking, IFC Director of Financial Markets, Mr. James Scriven, said women entrepreneurs represent significant untapped economic potential in developing countries, adding that they are essential for creating jobs and achieving sustainable growth.

“This innovative partnership with Coca-Cola will help expand access to finance for thousands of women who are part of the

company’s supply and distribution chain,” he stated.

Work related to this initiative has started in Nigeria.

Coca-Cola and IFC are working with Access Bank to provide financing to women microdistributors (MDCs) in the Coca-Cola value chain, in close collaboration with Coca-Cola’s bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company.

This initiative with IFC is a notable milestone for 5by20, The Coca-Cola Company’s global initiative to enable the economic empowerment of five million women across the Company’s global value chain by 2020.

Launched in 2010, 5by20 is helping women succeed as en-

trepreneurs, while also creating thriving, sustainable communities by providing access to business skills, financial services, assets and support networks of peers and mentors. 5by20 currently has programs in 12 countries.

IFC Banking on Women is playing a catalysing role helping financial institutions and corporate partners like The Coca-Cola Company, and chambers of commerce to profitably and sustainably serve businesses owned by women, focusing on regions and countries that have strong enabling ecosystems for small and medium enterprises and large numbers of women entrepreneurs.

Power sector reforms: Electricity workers can unionise, says minister MESHACK IDEHEN

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L-R: Chief Inspector, UBA, Mr. Udochi Nwaodu; his counterpart from Sterling Bank, Mr. Abiodun Aderoju; Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Mr. Ayo Ogunsakin; Chief Inspector, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Boye Ogunmolade and Mr. Tosin Obadimu, during a visit to the Special Fraud Unit, in Lagos, recently.

Study sees huge opportunity in data for African service providers KUNLE A ZEEZ

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new research by the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group has forecast huge opportunity for African Information and Communication Technology service providers in big data.

The Cisco group examined the wider implications of big data and the need for service providers to leverage the opportunity to shore up their revenues at the Cisco Expo South Africa 2013 at Sun City recently, concluding that “Africa stands to reap huge benefits from big data.”

Africa is not unique in the challenges it faces about big data, the situation is the same the world over.

According to Cisco, since 2011, data volume has increased three times, posing a huge headache in data storage and manipulation to process information, noting that cost reduction has not come out as efficiently as expected.

According to the Senior Vice President, Cisco, Mr. Howard Charney, only 0.05 per cent of the world’s available data is being mined for value. He said, the reason the need for Big Data cannot be underscored enough, to unlock the value that lies in unprocessed data.

Charney said that technology has a way of bringing people forward in a way nothing else can. Cisco was summing up a research done by IBSG. “Big data has the capacity to transform economies, bring efficiency in doing business and improve our interactions as consumers. But it is in its infancy, there is still much to be done about Big Data to explore the great potential it presents to economic growth. Data is the number one most talked about topic amongst Chief Information Officers globally surpassing mobility and cloud according to IBSG interviews in the year 2011.

“Big Data is already transforming businesses today and playing an integral role in defining new processes to aid in

new innovation. Today, it is not a question of whether Service Providers in Africa should invest, but how far should they go.

At a minimum, they can utilize it internally to transform their operations or expand externally to further benefit their customers as a “Network Based Data Intermediary,” he said.

Managing Director, Cisco Consulting Services, Mr. Peter Ford, explained further that the ability for Service Providers to move more aggressively into this space may be difficult, but the size of the prize may warrant further investigation.

By capitalizing on $200billion of internal and external value creation, service providers can complement their business by becoming an Infomediary.”

He said service providers have opportunity to mine in Big Data. “They will need to look at ways they can become the preferred service provider for consumers and businesses by optimizing their networks and having a strong customer focus,” he said.

he Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, has assured electricity sector workers that the unions in the power sector would still remain even after the transfer of the power facilities to private investors.

This clarification by the minister became necessary following the warnings by the sector workers under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), that the unions would not tolerate any contract that would turn Nigerian workers to slaves in their fatherland.

The workers had expressed fear that the successor companies which will take over facilities of PHCN will not respect the nation’s constitution, especially concerning the freedom of association of workers.

This notion by the workers, ac-

cording to them, is based on their belief that foreign investors operating in the country are known to have aversion for trade unionism in their organisations.

SSAEAC President, Mr. Bede Opara, told National Mirror however that that all contract of employments in the new regime must be in accordance with the provision of the country’s labour laws, while also urging all agencies involved in the process to be patriotic while signing agreements with foreign investors, stressing the need for such contract to attract local content in its provisions.

The SSAEAC president maintained that, “any cannibalisation of existing facilities of PHCN after change of ownership will definitely not be allowed”, even as he expressed the belief that the resolution of labour issues will give way to a seamless ride into private sector driven power sector.

IBL spends N10bn on new plant ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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nternational Breweries Limited, Ilesha, Osun State, said it has earmarked N10bn to secure a new plant and equipment to increase production capacity in order to serve its growing markets The Chief Operating officer of the company, Mr. Carlos Gomes, who disclosed this to newsmen in a press conference held at the premises of the company, said already N6billion has been expended so far on the project.

Gomes affirmed that the management of the brewery would do all it could to see that the production of the establishment remains a second to none in terms of quality to be given to the members of the public.

He stated that presently, they are producing 26,000 bottles per

hour and expressed optimism that in the near future, they would improve the more on the number of bottles they would be producing.

The COO, who said that many banks have relocated their base to Ilesha because of the brewery, assured that they would not let anybody down and particularly thanked their customers who have remained loyal to the company’s brands.

He particularly thanked people in the South-west region for their incessant patronage describing them as the major drinkers of one of the flagship product - Trophy larger beer.

Gomes, who listed lack of electricity power supply and pipe borne water as parts of their major problems, explained that all pipes of water being used in the past by the company have become obsolete.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

EU unveils new air passenger rights

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ew rights for airline passengers have been unveiled by the European Commission.

They include rerouting travellers with rival carriers if a flight is delayed for more than 12 hours, the BBC reported yesterday.

The rules also clarify what are considered exceptional circumstances for compensation.

For example, mechanical failures on board the aircraft do not count, but natural disasters and traffic control strikes do.

The commission said the new rules, which are not likely to become law until 2014, will give a lot more certainty to airlines and passengers.

“It is very important that passenger rights do not just exist on paper,” said EU Transport Commissioner, Siim Kallas.

“We all need to be able to rely on them when it matters most when things go wrong.”

He added: “We know that

the real priority for stranded passengers is just to get home.

So our focus is on information, care and effective rerouting.”

For this reason, airlines have been given more time to solve any problems, so as to encourage them to not to cancel the flight.

During the Icelandic ash cloud crisis in 2010, when no flights could take off in Europe for several days, there was much confusion about how much responsibility the airlines should carry for the welfare of its passengers.

Some airlines were initially very reluctant to cover passengers’ costs, but threats from the European authorities brought them into line.

There have also been some concessions to industry. Under the planned measures, airlines will have to pay for a maximum of three nights’ hotel accommodation - although this does not apply to passengers with re-

duced mobility, unaccompanied children or pregnant women.

“Critics from both consumer groups and industry have been vociferous in their concerns about the interpretations of the rules,” says aviation expert Steven Truxal from City University.

“At times, they are seen as divergent, lacking certainty and therefore contributing to the confusion around air passenger rights and air carrier liability.”

Some observers go further.

“They [the commission] haven’t tackled the big problem, which is that airlines will continue to misrepresent what the rules actually are and dodge their obligations. They haven’t said what will happen to the airlines,” said Simon Calder, travel editor at The Independent.

“Until they make sure that they get the enforcement right, there’s not a lot point bringing lots of extra new rules in,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diamond Bank lists loan conditions for MSMEs DAMILOLA AJAYI

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iamond Bank Plc has listed requirements that prospective and existing entrepreneurs in the micro, small and medium scale enterprises, MSME, sector of the Nigerian economy should possess in order to attract loans.

This was disclosed by the Head, MSME Propositions of Diamond Bank, Mr. Chima Nnadozie in Calabar, recently while addressing participants at the 28th Diamond Business Xpress Enterprise Series.

He said for MSMEs to attract loans from the bank, the entrepreneur should have an account with the bank, invest in the business and have a location from which it operates, remarking that collateral security which used to be a big issue in loan consideration and

approval was no longer the case.

According to him, DBXA account is available in three variants: Starter, growing, and established; adding that it was designed to add value to micro, small and medium scale enterprises so that entrepreneurs could grow their business with smart banking.

The features and benefits of the account are zero COT, invitation to business development seminars, fixed monthly fee as low as N1,750, easy access to business loans, personal credit cards and access to a personal website at a discounted price amongst a host of others.

Also, Mr. John Ekpikhe, senior consultant with Mark-George Consultants who made a presentation on business planning explained that before an entrepreneur starts a business, there is need for him to do research on the business and set his goals.

Stanbic IBTC Bank cards get global security nod DAMILOLA AJAYI

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he Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, a global body charged with ensuring the security of card payment services, has certified Stanbic IBTC’s card payment services as compliant with the PCI DSS. A statement from the bank yesterday said the bank’s card payment solutions, its debit and credit card services, have met the highest standard of security of customers’ information and transactions on its e-banking platform, which greatly lowers the risk of system compromise.

According to the statement, L-R: Former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; former president of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria the certification reflects the (MAN), Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra states, Dr. Chike Obidigbo and the incumbent, Chief Azubike Okafor, institution’s determination to at MAN’s 25th Annual General Meeting in Awka, Anambra recently. continue to provide value-added services to its clients.

“Among its many benefits, will also ensure that the persistent ernment and MHI has no excuse MESHACK IDEHEN calls for the sacking of the health whatsoever not to deliver steady minister by the workers will cease power supply to Nigerians within OLUSEGUN KOIKI the period of its management he Trade Union Congress, and be brought to an end.

TUC president, Mr. Peter Esele, contract.

(TUC), said the Federal According to him, the $23.7milGovernment should en- told National Mirror on Tueshe Federal Airports Ausure that all issues relating to day, that though the congress lion management contract given thority of Nigeria (FAAN), electricity sector workers be “ur- has already expressed its disap- to MHI,can only yield the desired said it is determined to gently addressed”, considering pointment over the N384 billion result of providing effective lead- work only with entrepreneurs that the Canadian firm, Manitoba announced by government as ership that can generate and who have proven track records of Hydro International has already severance pay for the workers in distribute adequate and steady excellence in their various busitaken over the management and the electricity sector, that all that power to Nigerians, only if the ness endeavours, in the authorcontrol of the Transmission Com- effort alongside huge resource workers that will drive the suc- ity’s quest to transform Nigerian cess of the reforms are happy and airports into ideal airports with spent would come to nought, if pany of Nigeria (TCN).

In the same vein, the congress Manitoba Hydro International is taken care of. modern facilities.

He said MHI must justify the said it is imploring President not able to turn around the disThe Managing Director, FAAN, Goodluck Jonathan and the tribution and management chal- reason why it was chosen by the Mr. George Uriesi made this National Assembly to urgently lenges that bedevilled the power government to manage TCN, known on earlier in the week saying further that the days and while declaring open a restauimplement the Justice Abdullahi sector in Nigeria.

Esele maintained that the last- months ahead will reveal whether rant at the newly renovated GenBello’s Presidential Committee organised labour and the electric- eral Aviation Terminal (GAT) of report on harmony in the health ing and sustainable success of sector, in order for workers in that the reforms in the power sector ity sector workers were right to the Murtala Mohammed Airport sector to have a sense of belong- is hinged only on the satisfactory have opposed the coming of Man- (MMA), Lagos. resolution of all labour issues, itoba as the choice managers for ing and become more productive.

An emailed statement signed This move, the congress said, adding also that the Federal Gov- TCN in the first place. by the General Manager, Corpo-

MHI must justify choice as TCN managers, say TUC

the certification guarantees seamless operations of the bank’s e-platforms, translating to efficient and secure service delivery to customers.

“The PCI DSS is the highest compliance level globally in the payments industry. The system essentially identifies all technology and process vulnerabilities that pose risks to the security of cardholder data that is transmitted, processed or stored by a financial services provider,” the statement said.

The bank’s Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Mr. Obinnia Abajue pointed out that the certification is a further testimony to the bank’s business integrity and the bank’s commitment to security of customer deposits, details and financial privacy based on global best practices.

FAAN promises to work with proven entrepreneurs

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rate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati stated that Uriesi observed that the new restaurant was of international standard in terms of facilities, layout, ambience and quality of service.

He said it was gratifying to see that the vision of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah to transform Nigerian airports into centres of excellence was beginning to yield the expected dividend, considering the quality of service provided by the new restaurant and other outlets that would start operations at the Domestic Terminal 1.

The FAAN helmsman, who was the special guest at the event, said the authority was determined to prove that good things could come out of the public service.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

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USPF as impetus for broadband delivery to Nigerians

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keem Badiru is the owner of Accord Business Centre situated at Alagbado area of Lagos State. His centre runs an internet café and he has become a subscriber to most of the Internet service providers in the country.

Over the years, he has been made to subscribe to almost all available ISPs in Lagos, all in a bid to provide broadband Internet service to its customers to stay ahead of competition.

However, Badiru said none of the service providers he has subscriber to, at one time or the other, has failed to deliver high-speed Internet service.

Indeed, Badiru’s case is indicative of what most cafe operators, business orgainsations, government institutions and individual internet users are facing currently in Nigeria, where broadband penetration is still low, compared to what obtains in other countries.

All over the world, super fast internet speed or universal access to broadband is becoming a significant indicator of development and competitiveness amongst nations.a It is instructive to note that some countries have gone as far as to define access to broadband as a fundamental human right, as important as access to water, electricity and healthcare.

Indeed, there is now compelling and empirical statistics that reveal that every 10 per cent increase in access to broadband in developing countries results to a commensurate 1.38 per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

As such, experts say any country seeking growth, job creation and wealth creation must focus on increasing access to broadband, even as developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom are deploying significant sums of money to broadband access.

Last year, the UK announced a £362m to improve broadband connections in 90 per cent of hard to reach communities not catered for by the private sector by 2015. Recently, US Congress awarded $2.5 billion in the Recovery Act funding to help bring broadband services to rural unserved and underserved communities.

In Nigeria, however, the internet experience from customer point of view is far from what can be termed broadband as the speed often drags, reducing productivity. Albeit, there is steady improvement over the last 12 years of telecoms liberalisation, yet, analysts say contend that the current internet user experience cannot be termed broadband as most ISPs often claim.

Admitting this, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, recently said despite the fact that Nigeria has internet penetration of over 28 per cent equivalent to 45 internet users, only 9 per cent (14.5 million people) of the population are internet subscribers and broadband penetration is low.

The minister, who spoke during a business workshop of Broadband Expansion Programme (BBExPro) organised by Telecoms Answers Associate in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission, said the current state of broadband penetration in Nigeria is estimated at between 6 per cent and 10 per cent.

She noted that though access to broadband using mobile phones (smart phone) is increasing, thereby increasing the number of subscribers, “What this statistic tells us is that most Nigerians still access the internet through public venues such as offices, cyber cafes, computer labs,” where internet speed is still low.

“This is as a result of not only the lack of ubiquity of the broadband network built also the cost of access. Today, we have one of the highest costs of access in the world at approximately N8, 000 to N10, 000 for 5MBs of data. The average speed of access is still very low, In fact, recent statistics that I looked at has us as one of the lowest speeds ion Africa,” she said.

With broadband Internet speed and penetration still very low, effective use of the Universal Service Provision Fund presents a latent opportunity for Nigeria to accelerate access to high-speed Internet service. KUNLE AZEEZ reports.

Johnson

Ajayi

GOVERNMENT MUST EFFECTIVELY DEPLOY

USPF TO SUBSIDIES BROADBAND SERVICES ROLL-OUT THE

TO THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF THE COUNTRY TO ENJOY

FULL BENEFITS OF HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ON THE NATION’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In the area of coverage, while 9.66 terabytes of installed but latent bandwidth capacity available on such cables as Main One, Glo 1, WACS and SAT-3, which can conveniently drive broadband availability in every nook and cranny of the country, the challenge of last-mile connectivity has stalled ubiquitous broadband.

This is given vent by the Chief Executive Officer of Main One, Ms Funke Opeke. According to her, distribution, infrastructural challenges and high cost of deployment across the country are constraints to broadband services, especially in the underserved areas.”

Meanwhile, like the US and UK’s examples, Nigeria has also established a Universal Service Provision Fund to implement initiatives aimed at extending Information and d Communication technologies, such as broadband, to remote or rural communities, while also helping to subsidise cost of service deployment by the operators to different parts of the country.

The Coordinator of BBExPro, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, noted that the problem of accessing investment funding for a critical sector of service providers is a significant component of the problems of broadband access.

Omo-Ettu, who spoke at the forum said though there are so many broadband-related initiatives and goals already put in place, “We can only take advantage of them if we bring the attention of our people to them and attention of Government to the major hindrance which lack of access to investment funding is capable of throwing in to slow the march towards re-

Opeke alising these goals.”

The President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, like other industry stakeholders have suggested, insisted on the need to unleash the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to accelerate broadband rollout.

National Mirror gathered that in the USPF’s Strategic Management Plan (2013-2019), approved in September 2012, there are two projects clearly earmarked to fast-track broadband internet infrastructures rollout.

The first is the Rural Broadband Initiative (RUBI), a project aimed at facilitating the roll-out of broadband services to un-served and underserved areas; while the second, being the Backbone Infrastructure Project (BTRAIN), aims to accelerate, through subsidy, the build-out of backbone transmission infrastructure to all local government areas in Nigeria.

The former Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, last year said government must effectively deploy the USPF to subsidies broadband services roll-out to the nooks and crannies of the country to enjoy full benefits of high-speed internet on the nation’s economic development.

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Mobile Number Portability begins March 26 KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Nigerian Communications Commission said it will flag off the much-awaited Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service from March 26.

The decision is in line with the commission’s earlier commitment to roll out the service in the first quarter of 2013 to afford telecoms consumers the ability to choose or fire his or her GSM service provider and still retain his or her number.

Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, disclosed this during a recent business workshop of Broadband Expansion Programme (BBExPro) oraganised by Telecoms Answers Associates in collaboration with the NCC in Lagos recently.

Asked when the service would be launched Ojobo said, “There will be a launch by the end of this month, we are going to flag it off. So, we are looking at the 26th of March or there about.”

According to him, “We just want to wait and see things.

Just be patient. We have promised to begin the service this quarter and we are standing by our words.”

Ojobo said the service providers who try to woo consumers that have submitted request forms to another service provider will be dealt with by the commission.

“The ability to choose or fire your GSM service provider is one whose time has come in Nigeria, and will only deepen competition among operators and improve service quality, so I think it’s a good one.”

The service, he said, will encourage telecoms operators to provide services at an optimal level.

He, however, noted that the service will not be available to consumers who haven’t registered their Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) cards.

Touted as the next big thing, proponents of Mobile Number Portability said it will drive competition in the industry.

For instance, if an operator fails to provide quality service, a telecoms subscriber has the freedom to switch to another network.

Industry watchers are optimistic that the scheme would not only foster competition in the industry, but also throw up fresh opportunities for value added service providers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box PC still has market, says Acer

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ice President, Middle East and Africa, Acer, Mr. Amin Mortazavi, has said though the introduction and the growing influence of tablets have considerably affected the relevance of personal computer (PCs) and laptops, it has been predicted that the two devices would remain relevant in the foreseeable future.

According to Mortazavi, who aid this during a working visit to Nigeria, “Laptops and desktops still have their markets and we believe there will always be customers looking to own a desktop and laptop for whatever reason. Demand will always vary in terms of products because what you can do with a tablet is quite different from the uses of a PC. “For example, the content creation capability for the tablet products is not as high as that of the PC, so there will always be need for PCs. Don’t forget that customers have different orientations which also drives the choice of the devices or hardware they purchase.”

Mortzavi also used the occasion of his visit to formally announce the introduction of a range of new products into the Nigerian market. The new products are two tablets: Iconia W700P and Iconia W510P,

and an ultrabook, Aspire S7 series.

The Acer Iconia W700P tablet is powerful and ultraresponsive. It features a cradle that stands in portrait or landscape view to provide various usage modes, as well as a bluetooth keyboard to keep users productive anytime, anywhere.

The Iconia W510P, on the other hand, is designed for busy professionals looking for a highly mobile device to carry and travel with, offers more than performance, and long battery life; it provides the flexibility to adapt to various usage scenarios and the reliability offered by compliance with enterprise level security standards.

Acer is a leading global manufacturer of Information and Communication Technology products, PCs and laptops will still continue to play important roles, particularly for businesses.

Ericsson now largest supplier of LTE

L-R: Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), Mr. Chris Onyemenam; Assistant Director, Operations, Mrs. Uche Chigbo and Director, IT/Identity Database, Mr. Aliyu Aziz, during the Commission’s media interface/ facility tour on Nigerian e-identity scheme in Abuja recently.

CWG boss, Okere to speak at economic forum KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group, a pan-African system integrator, Mr. Austin Okere, is one of the experts that will speak at this year’s Economist summit.

The summit scheduled for March 19 and 20, 2013 at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, will see Okere, joining a high profile panel of Nigeria’s most successful self-made business people in conversation with the latest generation of young African entrepreneurs, discussing the stories behind their successes and how they shattered preconceived ideas, dealt with obstacles and created inventive business models.

The summit will bring together 150 senior figures from govern-

ment leaders, CEOs from major African and international corporations, leading investors as well as independent commentators and experts for a series of discussions around Nigeria’s transformation and the commercial opportunities emerging within this dynamic economy.

The Economist Group has a reputation for intellectual integrity, independence and clarity which enables the attraction of an audience of senior decisionmakers.

Okere, who will speak on ‘The New Breed of Disruptive Entrepreneurs,’ said, “I believe that it is better to have a thousand millionaires than a ten billionaires. It is better still to have a million people with access to a hundred thousand dollars, if they can be taught how to nurture and grow it through entrepreneurial endeavor”.

Speaking in participation at

the conference, Okere said: “I like to put the story of the Computer Warehouse Group out there because such success stories contribute immensely to the attraction of capital to the region, which combined with the entrepreneurial acumen and the youthful population unleashes waves of economic boom, which in turn lifts the pile at bottom of the pyramid into the more desirable networked economy of the emerging global village.”

CWG has grown over the years from just a computer hardware supply company to an integrated ICT Group consisting of three companies, Computer Warehouse Ltd, providing hardware and infrastructure solutions; DCC Networks Systems, providing communications and networking solutions, and ExpertEdge Software - systems applications and deployment.

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ricsson, the global Information and Communication Technology equipment vendor, said it is currently the world’s largest supplier of Long Term Evolution technological equipments.

In a preliminary market share estimates for 2012 in conjunction to publishing its Annual Report for 2012, Ericsson maintained its share of the global installed base of radio base stations at 40 per cent, making its market share for LTE twice as big as the largest competitor, measured in shipments for the full year 2012.

According to Ericsson, during 2011, the company introduced a wider definition of the equipment market reflecting the company’s Research and Development investments during the past years.

“This new definition includes the key segments Radio, IP and Transport as well as Core. Preliminary market data indicates that the market share was at 24 per cent, down from 27 per cent in 2011.

“The decline is due to lower

market share in the mobile equipment market, at 35 per cent down from 38 per cent in 2011, negatively impacted by the ongoing technology shift in China where investments are moving from GSM to other technology areas where Ericsson has limited presence. Ericsson maintained its share of the global installed base of radio base stations at 40 per cent,” it said in a statement.

Ericsson’s market share for LTE is twice as big as the largest competitor, measured in shipments for the full year 2012. This makes Ericsson the world’s largest supplier of LTE. The LTE technology is still in an early build-out phase.

In telecom services, internal market data indicates that the company increased its market share to 13 per cent making it larger than any competitor in a fragmented market. After the acquisition of Telcordia, consolidated as of January 2012, Ericsson also has a leading position in the Operational Support Systems (OSS) and Business support Systems (BSS) market.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Brands & Marketing

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Airport indoor advertising largely untapped –Experts T he airport offers one of the best points of exposure to push brands into the consciousness of high profile consumers. With the kinds of spectacular billboards, wall and pillar wraps, airport bus transport among electrifying indoor hoardings, airport indoors provides a perfect ambience for brand promotion.

While the allure of modern technology in advertising such as monster media digital platforms, baggage carousel wraps, mobile media, Digital Passenger Assistance Service Systems, DPASS and massive LED screens have enhanced traveler’s experience, most travelers that pass through major airports in Nigeria easily conclude that the medium is still underutilised compared to what they experience immediately they onboard at world leading airports such as GatwickHeathrow in London, OR Tambo in South Africa among others.

While underscoring the impact of airport indoor ad messages, Clear Channel Airports, the world’s number one marketer of airport advertising and the premier innovator of contemporary display concepts in a report stated that, “on average, travelers spend about two hours in the airport prior to departure hence getting exposed to indoor ads last year.” The media company affirmed that it had over 800 million annual passengers which were estimated to reel an estimated two billion annual advertising impressions!

But while many countries of the world generate huge revenue from the indoor advertisement, Nigeria’s marketing communication experts said the Nigerian airports both local and international have not been able to reap the gains of airports indoor advertising while some of them cited lack of transparency in the process of granting operational license to outdoor companies to operate hoardings within the airport as a major challenge.

During a recent visit to South Africa, National Mirror observed the wide gap between the Nigerian International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa which from in-flight through the immigration check in and the outdoor of the airport have huge display of impressive and imposing indoor advertisement. An airport executive said OR Tambo Airport generates billions of rands from indoor advertisement in the airport.

The Managing Director of Grandstride, an outdoor advertising agency, Mr. Banji Idowu, said the decay at the various airports has not made the airport attractive to brand managers coupled with monopolisation of operating licence for outdoor players. “One major challenge is the state of the airport itself. If the ambience is okay, people will want to advertise. But if the environment is not conducive and the air condition is not working who wants to look at an ad?”, he affirms.

Despite the exposure airport indoor advertising vehicle offer brands targeting high profile market segment, stakeholders believe the channel has largely been underutilised for reasons beyond practitioners’ control, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

A wall drape inside the OR Tambo Airport, South Africa

IF THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT CONDUCIVE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT

WORKING, WHO WANTS TO LOOK AT AN AD?

While drawing on his experience during his visits to developed countries, Idowu said: “But if you go abroad, the environments are cozy, you seat down and relax. Looking at the ambience, you want to look at the beautiful advert,” he said.

He also faulted the current policy guiding the granting of operational licence for agencies wanting to operate hoarding within the airport. According to him, “There are about three agencies granted an operating license to use indoors of the airport for brand exposure.

The agencies are Medialink, Promoworld and Afromedia. They have been the only big players. Although I learnt they have been chased out because they could not honour payment terms as stated in the agreement of the licensing.

“But you know again, the process is

Vacant airport ad at MMIA located in front of the terminal building

not transparent. But if the process is transparent, everybody will bid and creativity will prevail,” he said.

He said further that some of the hoardings at the airports are still old while current digital structures seen in world class airports are very scanty at the Nigerian airport. Although, he said power failure, increased tax and rates have also scared agencies away from tapping into the medium.

Also, the Managing Director of Noisemaker, a pioneering mobile ad company, Mr. Jubril Dixon, also complained that tough regulation of outdoor advertising have also reduced enthusiasm of hoardings firm despite the high traffic of passengers at airports could enhance high mileage for brands. Unlike world class airports, Dixon said even if the agencies invest heavily on digital platform, the level of infrastructure cannot support modern outdoor. He also complained that the licensing of operators favour some players.

Despite the challenges, the Group Managing Director of Prima Garnet and chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, said airport advertising is well explored. He said, “In-flight is relatively unutilised but airport advertising is well utilised. Inflight ads

are usually restricted to magazines and other publications and most airlines are not in the consistent production.”

Meanwhile, the Business Director, Carat South Africa, Mr. Dele Odugbemi, expressed optimism that the situation will improve over time as Nigerians embrace the culture of shopping.

“Indoor advertising is going to get better as we embrace the culture of shopping indoors with the huge malls being built across the country. Globally, the medium is yet to fulfill its potential because it has been used mainly as a static substitute of the outdoor medium.”

He said while South Africa has used indoor medium cleverly at the airports, it is pertinent that Nigeria signs agreements that will give the country access to a number of malls.

However, Brand Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Uche Uwandiwe, said innovative indoor advertising at airports could be exploited by brands.

He added however that, “the builders need to be not just innovative in their placements but also strategic. Alcohol, telecom and lifestyle industry leaders are normally the major players in the acquisition of sites at airports.”

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APCON reforms receives ADVAN support STORIES: ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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he Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has nodded the ongoing Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON’s industry reform.

The President of ADVAN, Mr. Kole Oyeyemi, who disclosed this after a meeting with the Marketing Directors in Lagos recently, said the position of ADVAN is very clear on the issue and urged other sectoral bodies to support the regulatory agency in order to sanitise the industry.

“As I have mentioned at different fora, ADVAN is fully in support of the review of theAPCON code of practice because we believe it will enhance the practice and ensure that local players embrace global standards and the entire industry will benefit from it.”

While also explaining whether

the current APCON code has addressed the issue bureau of circulation, Oyeyemi said in terms of detailing on the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), the APCON code may not have done that but what it has done is to categorically make an unequivocal statement about that.

He said, “Today we are not talking ABC, we are looking at the digital dimension of things.

A lot of businesses are now on the digital plan and therefore the question is between the physical copies that you see when you measure circulation figures and the eyeballs you get on the digital, we need to have a synergy of purpose so you can say this is a credible data that marketers can plan with within the industry.

That is the next project we are going to do and that is why we are engaging Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). The committees have

been set up and we hope that soonest we will be able to deliver,” he disclosed.

He stated that ADVAN does not wield any legislative or executive power to enforce such laws.

“All we can do is engage and dialogue with people and organisations. You also need to the fact that these organisations are not run as one man shops. They also need to engage their membership to say okay, on the basis of this, this is your feedback. So we believe in their good intentions; we believe that people who run such organisations are people of integrity and that when we agree on something, we all live by the principles of what we have agreed to.

We are not happy about that law right now but we know that soonest we will be able to come to an agreement and we can have credible data in the industry,” he affirmed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Guinness sponsors 2013 Golf Club Cup

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s part of its marketing plan to deepen the market for the brand, Guinness Nigeria Plc has announced plans to sponsor the 2013 edition of the Guinness Cup Golf Tournament which starts this week at the clubs’ sprawling 10hole golf course.

The tournament which opens to amateur and professional golfers, the highpoint of the tournament will be participation by over 200 club members from March 15 to 16.

According to the Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria, Mr Sesan Sobowale, who was represented by Mrs. Adrianne Nwagwu, Head of Sustainability and Responsibility, the Guinness Cup Golf Tournament, which has become an annual fixture on the sporting calendar in Nigeria, since inception in 1993, is one of the engagement platforms that Guinness Nigeria Plc explores to identify with good causes in the country.

He said, “Guinness Nigeria has remained committed to the sponsorship of the Guinness Cup Golf Tournament, and similar high profile sporting events, over the years. A testament to our commitment to sports development was the highly successful Fly with the Eagles campaign which played a major role in the emergence of the Super Eagles as the champions of Africa. Guinness Nigeria supports sports development because we are aware that sporting activities fosters healthy mind and body.”

Also, the Captain, Ikeja Golf Clubs, Mr Tunji Adeyemo, said, “Guinness Cup Golf Tournament will feature our Caddies and staff of the club. Though they are not members, they part of the Ikeja Golf Club family and it is our way of encouraging them; of course we all know that some of the best professional Golfers in the land started as Caddies.”

Lipton rewards eight year old pupil, artisan in promo

U

L-R: Head, Research and Insight of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, Mrs. Yemisi Faleye; Managing Director of Our Daily Manna, Rev. (Mrs.) Ejiro Kwakpovwe and the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Grace Alele-Williams, at the Mother’s Day Fiesta sponsored by FCMB recently in Lagos.

Indomie targets nine million consumers for sampling nationwide

D

ufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has concluded plans to give samples of all flavours of noodles produced by the company to over nine million consumers nationwide this year.

With the desire to surpass last year’s 6.5 million sampled last year, the Marketing Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Manpreet Singh affirmed that the company intends extending the sampling to every geo political zone in the country.

He stated that the aim of the brand is to create excitement and increase the emotional connection between the brand and its consumers; as it is a way of reproducing a store experience in the consumer’s home.

“Indomie aims at winning consumers by letting them try

it before buying it. Sampling our consumers is important to us because it affords us the opportunity to have an idea of their preference, which no other medium can do, that is, putting a physical products’ in the hands of a consumer, free of charge. This would further increase the bond between the consumers and the brand,” he said.

Singh also stated that after the sampling exercise, consumers would have access to a website where they can let their opinion about the brand they have sampled known. The feedback gotten from the consumers would go a long way in determining what needs to be done to improve the brand to soothe consumers’ needs.

Also, the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods

Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, ascertained that sampling of the brand is an ideal way to win customers’ faith in a brand because consumers feel that sampling gives them the actual experience of the product and they don’t have to risk any investment to buy it as it is free.

“The importance of enabling our consumers to sample the brand cannot be overemphasised. This is so because some consumers’ especially prospective consumers are still anxious about the current economy and have become much more discriminating about their purchases. Some prospective consumers do not want to spend their money on a product they are unfamiliar with, so a trial experience will gear them towards becoming a consumer of the brand.”

nilever Nigeria has rewarded an eight yearold pupil of Ajelogo Nursery and Primary School, Miss Ebonyegharun Osadumebi Zion; a Kano based plumber, Mr. John Folajomi and many others in the just concluded Lipton switch on and win promo. During the promo, about 100 customers were said to have been so far rewarded through the exercise.

While the young girl went home with a cash of N100, 000, Folajimi won a brand new car. Other winners included; Miss Ikemefuna Isioma who also won a brand new car, Mr. Rasaki Adeyemi, N100,000, Mrs Florence Ojehseme, N100,000, Geoge Friday, a return ticket to Dubai and many others.

Speaking after the presentation of prizes to the winners, the Vice President Operations, Unilever Plc, Mr. Anil Gopalon said the promo was initiated late last year to reward consumers for their painstaking support for the brand. He

also stated that one of the major reasons for the promo was to spur Nigerian consumers to develop interest in taking healthy drinks instead of carbonated products that could be injurious to human system.

He said: “Our major reason for conceptualising the promotion was, first to reward consumers, encouraged them to drink tea and to add values to the lives of our teeming consumers,” The vice president, who stated that the reward exercise is always taking place at every first quarter of the year, also disclosed that consumers should expect more of such exercise in future.

Responding on behalf of other winners, Mr. George Friday, a student of Light House of First Square International Evangelical School said he was excited to be one of the winners and urged other organisation not to shy away from initiative that would better the lots of consumers.

Ad men gather to mall future

W

hile the current crisis facing all sectoral group of Nigeria advertising agencies continues unabated, the recent face-off between agency and foreign affiliate being the latest, an industry expert, the Managing Director of the multi billion naira Verdant Zeal Group, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi is set to gather practitioners to discuss frightening future of advertising in Nigeria later this month.

Raising concern on health of the ad agencies, Olugbodi said he will be addressing how ad professionals could maintain a steady

flow of revenue despite the tough business environment for the business of advertising.

Tagged “The Future of Advertising Is Not in Advertising”, Olugbodi said through the roundtable young professionals are expected to find answers to breaking into the ad/marketing communications business where survival in the face of invasion by foreign agencies has become a hard nut to crack.

Through the platform, professionals are expected to bring their challenges in the course of their business activities get solutions.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, March 14, 2013

ad VA NT AG E icon

Etisalat partners Total to increase retail outlet ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

I

n order to increase its market penetration, Etisalat Nigeria has unveiled its state-of-theart Mini Experience Centres at Total Nigeria’s Sura Service Station on Lagos Island.

The Mini Experience Centre came after a partnership deal between Etisalat Nigeria and Total Nigeria Plc signed last year between the Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, and a team of Total Nigeria staff, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Francois Boussagol under the Master Lease Agreement to establish retail sales outlets in select Total service stations nationwide.

While unveiling the center, the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans said the mini experience centre

concept has further reinforced that the customer is at the heart of everything the company does.

“For us at Etisalat, customer focus simply means putting customers at the centre of all business decisions, ensuring that our customers can access our products easily and can easily deal with any issues that they have experienced with our service,” he said.

“It has always been our strategic objective to deliver world class telecommunications services that are relevant and aligned to the needs and lifestyles of our respective customers. It is for this reason that Etisalat has decided to partner with a global and reputable organisation like Total with the relevant expertise and experience in delivering world class products and services. Choosing the right partner is im-

39

portant, and we feel that both brands represent quality and will reinforce each other’s values,” he said.

The partnership, he said, has further increased the company’s retail footprint and customer touch points across Nigeria.

Before now, the company had 90 state-of-the-art Experience Centres around the country.

The mini experience centres would be availing customers and prospects of all Etisalat’s offerings, ranging from data to voice and would be manned by well trained personnel to ensure customers’ delight. “The new experience centres are built in our signature state-ofthe-art designs to excite and provide our customers with the latest products and services in the market as well as offering them an unparalleled retail experience,” Evans said.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Aderemi Desalu, wife of outgoing Chairman of Ikoyi Club, Mrs. Mojisola Giwa Osagie, her husband, Richard and Airtel GM Acquisitions, Mr. Wole Abu, at the launch of Blackberry Z10 at Ikoyi Club.

R

ufai Ladipo is the Chief Executive Officer, Scanad Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Africa’s leading marketing services group; Scangroup Limited. With a track record of leading big ad agencies, Ladipo is in no small way a mere practitioner, but he is an adman with both print and broadcast experience.

He began his career in communications in 1978 at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State as a pioneer staff producer and later joined the Concord Group as a senior reporter and later Ladipo travelled to the United States for IS GLARING further studies and work, including being an editor at Chicago MARKETING SKILLS Defender, the largest circulating HAVE CONTINUED and most influential AfricanAmerican daily newspaper in TO SET HIM ASIDE Chicago.

Since his calculated career IN PROFESSIONAL change to advertising in 1994 CIRCLES when Ladipo was recruited from his Chicago base to work with career growth that industry githe foremost ad agency STB-Mc- ants consider meteoric.

Cann, Lagos, as deputy account In the past seven years at the director, his glaring marketing helm of affairs at STBMcCann, skills have continued to set him Ladipo until last year October aside in professional circles and when he resigned to build the stand him out among equals.

Scanad Nigeria in the advertisTwo years after he joined ing sector.

STB-McCann, he rose to become While at STBMcCann, his an account director and worked team improved the fortunes of dedicatedly on the rank till the the agency. He has been instruturn of the century when he mental to the agency’s business became executive director, the expansion and strategic partnerfirst non-founder executive on ships with relevant companies. the board of a leading adverWith a passion to serve the intising agency in West Africa. dustry that he considers his love He also rose to become the first and life, Ladipo for many years non-founder managing director and was the immediate past of STB-McCann in 2003 and was President of the Association of named the foremost agency’s Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, chief executive officer in 2005, a AAAN.

H

First Bank and the youth audience

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y first contact with First Bank was through my late father, who retired as a school principal. He was a customer untill his death. Then, I used to see old faces even some with grey hair as cashiers. I had always perceived the bank as old fashioned in its entirety. While thinking on what to write on the bank, my two sons also started a discussion on the year of the bank’s establishment -1894! One of them was surprised that the bank is older than Nigeria! This further fired my zeal to write on the bank‘s new brand thinking and direction. First Bank to me has remained an old war horse that refused to shift ground. I opened an account purposely to observe the service disposition of the bank. In all fairness, the young people at Oba Akran Avenue branch, Ikeja changed my

perception as they have good customer service etiquette. One Chichi (A customer service officer)in the branch goes an extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. She represents the new generation of the First Bank brand.

I had also done extensive work on First Bank as a strategist years back and all the consumer insights portrayed the bank as old fashioned in its style, approach and service delivery but the scenario has changed as the bank has endeavored to move on to the next level.

When the First Bank Excel Series commenced, I heaved a sigh of relief.

The truth is that the bank needs to be commended for its dynamic and vibrant response to the youth audience. The Youth Excel series is aimed at empowering the youth and developing entrepreneurial acumen in them. The bank intends to build its brand for the future by waking the

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com giant in Nigerian youths.

Through the programme, the bank has clearly redefined its brand essence to align with the vision and aspiration of Nigerian youths. The youth brand activation is aimed at connecting directly with the youth and building brand equity. The youth market is a major segment and every brand needs to harness the enormous potentials of this segment.

Youths are synonymous with their adventures and trend-setting life style. It has become imperative for any serious brand to develop youth centric platforms to stimulate and

sustain the interest of the youth. The youth market grows exponentially and youths align with brands that meet their aspirations and lifestyle.

The Youth Excel series of First Bank is a veritable platform to connect with youths but it should be further expanded to resonate more with them.

To build real youth brand, First Bank needs to also have a change in its frame. The brand needs to view the world from the youths’ point of view. First Bank needs to further bridge the gap of interaction between it and the youth segment. The-

bank needs to respond further to the social stimuli of youths. The youth generation needs to be perceived in the light of their dreams, yearnings and aspiration in life. Tapping youth potentials presupposes that First Bank should embark on a complete paradigm shift. The youth should not perceive the bank as an “old” brand any longer. To maintain a strong presence in the youth market, the bank should map youth insights that will drive it future brand communication message.

To further consolidate on the gains of the Excel Series, First Bank needs to re-invigorate its internal operations. In essence, the brand should raise the bar of service delivery and embrace dynamism.

It is noteworthy that the bank realises today’s youths as its future.

Some further strategies should be evolved to retain the youth segment to further deepen brand penetration in the market.

40

Global Business

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oland’s central bank cut borrowing costs for a second month to spur growth in the European Union’s biggest eastern economy, which faces the risk of its first recession in two decades.

The only central bank in the 27-nation EU to raise rates this year lowered the benchmark seven-day reference rate 25 basis points to 4.25 percent yesterday, in line with the forecasts of 33 of 35 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Two predicted a 50 basis-point decrease.

The Narodowy Bank Polski last month cut the rate for the first time since 2009 and Governor Marek Belka announced the start of an easing cycle, adding he sees no risk of a recession for Poland. Since then, inflation slowed below the upper end of the bank’s tolerance range for the first time in almost two years and economic growth slowed to the weakest in 13 quarters, prompting analysts including Marcin Mazurek at BRE Bank SA (BRE), the local unit of Commerzbank AG, to predict a contraction.

“This is a partial disappointment because of weak economic growth in the third quarter,” Dariusz Winek, chief economist at Bank Gospodarki Zywnosciowej SA, wrote in a research

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Poland cuts main rate second month amid recession threat

Poland central bank governor, Marek Belka

note. “We still think a steep fall in the inflation rate in the next few months will trigger further monetary easing.”

The zloty strengthened to 4.1196 per

South Korea’s unemployment falls to 7-month low on service jobs

S

outh Korea’s unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to a seven-month low on increasing numbers of self-employed workers and service-sector jobs even as Europe’s debt crisis dragged down exports.

The jobless rate was at 3.1 percent in July, compared with 3.2 percent in June, Statistics Korea said yesterday in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. The median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 14 economists was for a rate of 3.3 percent.

The outlook for the labor market is clouded by signs that Asia’s fourth-largest economy is losing steam. A decline in exports in July was the steepest since 2009 and the central bank said August 9 that domestic demand is also weakening.

“Jobs are increasing in the service sector

and the self- employed are lifting the total number of workers, but Europe’s fiscal crisis is taking a toll on company hiring,” said Sun Yoo, an economist Woori Investment & Securities Co. in Seoul. “The quality of the job market is deteriorating with more people taking non-salaried work.”

The won weakened 0.3 percent to 1,133.00 per dollar at Tuesday open in Seoul and the benchmark Kospi stock index was little changed.

The number of employed people increased by 470,000 to 25.1 million in July, with the self-employed and public services providing 318,000 of those new jobs. The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate was also at 3.1 percent in July, compared with 3.2 percent in June, yesterday’s report showed.

Budget standoff causing economic gloom

T

ravelers Cos. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Fishman said that businesses are curbing spending and hiring because United State lawmakers haven’t addressed fiscal imbalances the country faces in the next decade.

“The best thing that could happen right now is a bipartisan solution” to the nation’s mounting debt and widening deficit, Fishman, said in an interview for Bloomberg Radio’s Closer Look With Arthur Levitt” to be aired next month.

“The sense of gloom and despair would lift and, in fact, businesspeople would be more optimistic.”

Executives including BlackRock Incorporated Laurence D. Fink and Pacific Investment Management Co.’s Mohamed El-Erian have warned that Congress’s inaction on fiscal policy will hurt economic growth in the world’s largest economy.

Businesses see challenges beyond the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto

end of this year, when the U.S. faces a so-called fiscal cliff of automatic spending cuts and tax increases, said Fishman, whose New York-based firm provides insurance coverage to almost a million companies in the country.

“Most businesspeople are worried about the intermediate term,” he said.

euro yesterday in Warsaw, extending its advance to 0.3 percent on the day. The currency has gained 8.4 percent against the euro this year, the world’s second-

best performance after the Hungarian forint. The yield on five-year government bonds rose two basis points to 3.60 percent.

Monetary easing will total 150 basis points, according to Mazurek. That’s above the market expectations even after derivatives traders boosted their bets for monetary easing following the release of the third-quarter data.

They now predict a total of 123 basis points in cuts in the next 12 months compared with 100 before, according to the gap between the equivalent forwardrate agreement prices and Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate compiled by Bloomberg.

Inflation slowed to 3.4 percent in October from 3.8 percent a month earlier and will “record a remarkable decline in November,” according to Jaroslaw Janecki, Warsaw-based economist at Societe Generale (GLE), who expects the rate at 2.8 percent. If confirmed by the Central Statistical Office on December.

13, it would be a two-month low.

Finnish economy joins Euro area in recession on investments

F

inland’s economy unexpectedly joined the euro area in a recession in the third quarter as the region’s debt crisis weighed on business confidence and sapped investments.

Gross domestic product contracted 0.1 percent from the prior quarter, when it shrank 1.1 percent, Statistics Finland in Helsinki said on its website today. That missed the estimates of three economist surveyed by Bloomberg for growth of 0.2 percent to 0.4 percent. On an annual basis, GDP fell 1.2 percent.

“I’m afraid the final quarter is going to be even weaker,” said Pasi Kuoppamaeki, Helsinki-based chief economist at Danske Bank A/S. “It’s possible the trough will be in the first quarter.”

Finland’s economy is stalling as businesses cut investments amid concern over falling demand as the 17-nation euro area struggles to contain a debt crisis now in its fourth year. Investments fell 1.1 percent from the previous quarter, with construction spending dropping 1.4 percent, and machinery and equipment investments contracting 2.5 percent.

The slump in the northernmost euro economy comes as the government raises taxes and reins in spending to keep debt growth in check. The austerity is exacerbating a slump as companies such as Nokia Oyj, stainless steel-maker Rautaruukki Oyj and paper-machine manufacturer Metso Oyj have responded to declining demand with job cuts.

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen told reporters yesterday that the economic situation is “very challenging,” even as the government will stick to its austerity policies to keep borrowing costs from rising.

“Creating new growth is more challenging than usual,” he said yesterday.

“We can’t take risks at the expense of our

Katainen

public finances, as we must defend our credibility.”

The government has agreed on 2.3 billion euros of austerity measures next year, which will swell to 5.9 billion euros by 2016. The deficit will shrink to 1.2 percent of GDP in 2013 from 1.7 percent in 2012, the government said on September 17.

The economy of the euro area shrank 0.1 percent in the third quarter after contracting 0.2 percent in the second, according to preliminary data. It had stagnated in the first three months of the year as growth eludes the single currency bloc.

Growth is also slowing in Germany’s economy, Europe’s biggest.

Finnish exports grew 2.4 percent and consumer spending expanded 0.8 percent from the prior three months. The increase in exports is probably due to companies delivering old orders, Kuoppamaeki said.

“I’m surprised exports showed an increase,” he said. “Most statistical observations don’t support this. New orders are weak and exports are in a downward trend. Companies are probably working on older orders.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

41

42

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

NSE reduces transaction charges on state government, corporate bonds JOHNSON OKANLAWON

F

ollowing complaints from the stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange has reduced transaction charges on State/Local Governments and Corporate Bonds.

Head, Product Management of the NSE, Mr Dipo Omotoso, disclosed this in Lagos yesterday during the workshop organised by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria.

The NSE has since February 1, this year, provided a trading platform that allows debt markets participants to trade debt instruments issued by the Federal, state government and the corporations.

According to Omotoso,

the Exchange reduced the transaction charges on state and corporate bonds to N1.00, from N5.00, to attract more retail investors to the market.

He pointed out that there is need to create more awareness on the secondary bond trading on the Exchange, as the volume of trades was not as high as it was expected.

In 2012 before the introduction of the retail bond market on the NSE, he said that a total of 7.8 million bonds worth N18 million were traded in 40 deals, but the volume increased drastically when the retail market was recently introduced.

He said, “From February 1, this year, investors have exchanged bond securities valued at N3m in 150 deals.

But the deals were being

done by the market makers.

Had it been we have other investors, the value should have been more than that.”

Speaking on the topic, “Market Reforms: The Journey so far,” the Managing Director of Partnership Investment Company Plc, Mr. Victor Ogienwonyi stated that the current efforts by the regulators and the government to revive capital market would boost the nation economy.

He explained that the greatest impact on the market was the aggregation of all the regulatory efforts which culminated the forbearance package for stockbrokers.

“These include the granting of forbearance to the broking firms in order to remove the debt overhang which was choking the

market. Other incentives include the elimination of stamp duties and Value Added Tax on stock market transaction fees,” he added.

Ogienwonyi noted that a margin loan is supposed to be a securitized loan tied to the stocks which were purchased for the purpose, saying that banks, as the custodian of the assets ought to notify the firms once the price of the underlying equities drops below the threshold.

He said, “The firms have the option of funding the account, or the banks can sell off the stocks to cover the deficit.”

He therefore said there is need to differentiate margin loans that were properly entered into and fraudulent loans structured in connivance with the banks.

GSK, Stanbic IBTC, others join market makers’ basket today JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday announced the addition of four new stocks to the market making programme.

The new additions are Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, ABC Transport Plc, Glaxo SmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings.

The new additions bring the number of stocks that have been rolled out by the initiative to 52.

A statement from the Exchange yesterday said the inclusion of the stocks from Industrial Goods; Services; Healthcare and Financial Service sectors becomes effective today.

It added that the addition of the new stocks is in line with the planned phased approach for introducing stocks to the programme, from the baskets allocated to the market makers on the Exchange.

The NSE had said earlier that the move to add the additional stocks was in tandem with the promise that all the stocks quoted

on the Exchange that are trading above par value will be added to the market making programme over a period of six months.

The NSE had added that the roll-out period for all the stocks quoted on the Exchange is six months.

This takes place every fortnight since its inception on September 18, 2012.

The 39 stocks covered by the programme now are Dangote Cement, Oando, Transcorp, Julius Berger, Ashaka Cement, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc; Presco Plc,

International Breweries, Lafarge Wapco Plc, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Redstar Express Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, DN Meyer Plc. Others are Diamond Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, UAC Nigeria Plc, Access Bank; Academy Press Plc, Custodian and Allied Insurance, First Bank Plc, Dangote Sugar Plc, Union Bank Plc, National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc

Index drops 0.02% as Bharti Airtel raises stake in Nigerian unit DAMILOLA AJAYI

T

rading in equities closed on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gain recorded the preceding day.

The All Share Index dipped by 0.02 per cent to close at 33,357.16 points, as against the increase of 1.4 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 33,351.71 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated by N2bn to close at N10.674trn, in contrast to the rise of N6bn recorded the preceding

day to close at N10.672trn.

The Banking Index led the sectorial indices with 1.12 per cent to close at 1,597.81 points, followed by the Consumer Goods Index with 0.91 per cent to close at 979.70 points.

The Oil and Gas Index dropped by 0.72 per cent to close at 202.74 points, while the NSE 30-Index rose by 0.02 per cent to close at 1,597.81 points.

The Insurance Index declined by 0.57 per cent to close at 157.26 points, while Lotus Islamic Index increased by 0.41 per cent to close at 2,103.35 points.

Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc led the gainers table with N1.08

or 9.93 per cent to close at N11.96 per share, followed

by United Bank for Africa Plc with 80 kobo or 9.76 per cent to close at N9.00 per share.

Royal Exchange Plc gained six kobo or 7.89 per cent to close at 82 kobo per share, while Cadbury Nigeria Plc appreciated by N1.66 or five per cent to close at N34.86 per share. Forte Oil Plc increased by 68 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N14.33 per share.

On the flip side, Prestige Assurance Plc dropped seven kobo or 7.69 per cent to close at 84 kobo per share, while RT Briscoe Plc fell by 15 kobo or 6.61 per cent to close at N2.12 per share.

Oando Nigeria Plc dipped by N1.30 or 6.57 per cent to close at N18.50 per share, while AIICO Insurance Plc declined by six kobo or 6.25 per cent to close at 90 kobo per share.

AG Leventis Plc dropped by nine kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N1.72 per share.

A total of 306.9 million shares valued at N3.31bn were traded in 5,804 deals.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel Limited, India’s top mobile phone operator, said on Wednesday it had acquired an additional 13.36 per cent stake in Nigerian unit, Airtel Networks Limited, from existing shareholders to raise its total holding to 79.06 per cent.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 10,674.1 points Market capitalisation 33.4 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CCNN

10.88

11.96

1.08

9.93

UBA

8.20

9.00

0.80

9.76

ROYALEX

0.76

0.82

0.06

7.89

CADBURY

33.20

34.86

1.66

5.00

FO

13.65

14.33

0.68

4.98

AFRIPRUD

1.83

1.92

0.09

4.92

UNITYBNK

0.83

0.87

0.04

4.82

CUTIX

1.71

1.79

0.08

4.68

WAPIC

1.36

1.42

0.06

4.41

IPWA

0.93

0.97

0.04

4.30

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

PRESTIGE

0.91

CLOSING 0.84

0.07

-7.69

RTBRISCOE

2.27

2.12

0.15

-6.61

OANDO

19.80

18.50

1.30

-6.57

AIICO

0.96

0.90

0.06

-6.25

AGLEVENT

1.81

1.72

0.09

-4.97

ETERNA

3.98

3.79

0.19

-4.77

NPFMCRFBK

1.14

1.09

0.05

-4.39

NEIMETH

0.99

0.95

0.04

-4.04

UTC

0.78

0.75

0.03

-3.85

CORNERST

0.52

0.50

0.02

-3.85

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

32,488.72

11.95

7-Mar-13

182-Days

20,000.00

13.80

7-Mar-13

364 -Days

57,119.37

15.57

7-Mar-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

355-Days

75,273.10

15.37

14-Mar-13

97-Days

63,681.60

13.37

14-Mar-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$180m

N/A

$180m

13-Mar-13

$180m

N/A

$180m

13-Mar-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 14, 2013

43

44 SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Why is the moon sometime out in the day?

E

veryone knows in general how things seem to work for day and night. During the Day the Sun is the brightest thing there is. We also know that Moon is the brightest object in the sky at night, but wait a minute.

Why can we see the Moon during the day as well? The reason is due to two big factors are the moon’s brightness and its orbit around the Earth. These two things make it possible for the moon to still be seen during the day. Otherwise, the belief of the Sun by day and Moon by night would still hold.

The Moon is the brightest object in the sky after the sun. The first reason why is that it is so close to Earth when compared to anything else. The Sun is bright because it is burning vast amounts of hydrogen, so it really doesn’t need as much proximity to the Earth to be seen.

The Moon’s nearness makes it hard to ignore even during the day. The second reason is its reflectiveness. Most of us know the moon is not a smaller sun or star. It is basically a natural satellite that is 1/6th the size of Earth. However, most of the service is white making it very reflective. In essence the Moon is basically a big mirror reflecting back the Sun’s light from the other side of the Earth.

The other reason is the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. While for the most part the moon seems to set in the West as the Sun rises in the East, this is not always the case. This is because to the attentive observer the Moon is not in the same place all the time. The fact is that during the lunar cycle it makes a circuit across the sky. At the full Moon the moon is exactly opposite of the Sun. However as it gets closer to the New Moon, the Moon gets closer to the sun.

This may make the moon less visible at night but it sure makes it more visible in the day.

So that is why we can see the moon during the day. The moon is highly reflective and close to the Earth so it is very visible both day and night. Its orbit increases its visibility because the Moon gets close to the sun towards the beginning of the lunar cycle as travels around the sky. So it increases visibility during the day.

Source: universetoaday.com

Crescent Moon

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cultism, drugs almost ruined my life –Olaoluwa When Oluwatosin Olaoluwa took to alcohol and drugs in his teenage years, little did he realise the misery drugs would give him. Later, he joined a secret cult which compounded his woes. Now, he has turned a new leaf and touring to educate the youth on the dangers of drugs through his initiative tagged ‘Addiction Recovery Campaign.’ He tells LEONARD OKACHIE more...

When did you become an alcoholic?

I am an alcoholic and I am in the process of recovering. I am trying to help myself and at the same time reach out to many who have been in one form of alcoholism, drug abuse and the like. I am telling them that beyond what we do, such as drinking or smoking habit there is a driving force.

One doesn’t just become an alcoholic like that. It is a gradual process. Personally, I started smoking and drinking when I was 14. Many years later, I got into smoking marijuana (Indian hemp) and seriously into alcoholism.

I started in secondary school; that was in my SS1 and it was as a result of peer pressure. Then I thought I was a big boy, but over time, I have realised that such things don’t make you a big boy.

The truth is that once you get involved in such lifestyle, you get involved in other behaviour tendencies. You get into wrong associations because of that kind of lifestyle. For instance, I have been in police custody for quite a number of times, though not because I went to steal, because I was at a particular joint smoking marijuana or early in the morning when I was supposed to do something meaningful I would be sitting in such joint with hoodlums.

Aside alcohol and smoking, what other vices did you indulge in?

Apart from drug abuse, I developed a sexual addiction. When you get high on alcohol and drug, you will want to release some tension within you, which results in sexual harassment. Most times, I was patronising commercial sex workers to satisfy my sexual urge.

I also joined a secret cult called Black Axe Movement in the university, but I am no longer with them. Personally, I don’t have any reason to be a member anymore. What I am trying to do now is not in line with what they are into. So, we don’t have anything in common and I don’t have any reason to be a member any longer.

There are so many things involved in being a member of secret cult and amongst it is the fear of one’s life because there might be outburst of clashes between two cult groups and one might just be brutalised or killed . More often than not, it doesn’t give you time to pay attention to your studies.

I went to the University of Ado-

Olaoluwa

not know what is going on until when there is crisis.

Ekiti and I finished my four year programme, but I was told to come back for another two year programme because I had a carryover. But that was when I dropped out; I couldn’t cope anymore because of my mental condition.

When did you decide to change?

I think the moment I could actually say I wanted to change was the moment I realised that if I continued the way I was going, either I would develop a mental problem or I would die.

It was then I began to call on God that I needed His help.

What did your parents tell you at the time?

I didn’t enjoy the presence of my father much because he had been abroad, but my mother who was very much available never knew I was passing through such things until when it became very obvious. There is something about drug addiction; you might

What do you do now?

I am based in Ondo, but at the moment, I am doing a lot of travelling to speak to young people about dangers of drug addiction.

I am trying to reach out because I believe that there are many people who are into one form of addiction or other. I am trying to reach out to people who are tired of the addiction.

I am trying to make them understand that they should speak out the more and seek help. There are many people who are willing to help them, but when they don’t understand what they are going through, nobody can help.

I am facilitating an initiative tagged ‘Addiction Recovery Campaign’. I am trying to speak to secondary schools, people on the street. I discover that they actually need help. I meet experts on drug addiction, on how we can work together and help the drug addicts.

Now, I want youth to be much more God-focused because everything good comes from God and if one is conscious of God, one will escape from all these social vices.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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Pre-teens should be prepared for menstruation –Gynaecologist

P L-R: National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr Erhumwunse Eghosa; Talent Director, NBC, Mrs Olabimpe Sangowawa, with one of the beneficiaries and Head of Fundraising & Communications, SOS Children’s Village, Mrs. Uche Odiase at the event.

NBC reiterates commitment to SOS Children’s Village STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

N

igerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), bottlers of products of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria, further reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and upbringing of children across the country with its gesture to the Children of ‘House Number Three’ at the SOS Children’s Village, Isolo, Lagos, as the company presented a cheque to cover the children’s school fees and upkeep for another year.

NBC adopted House Number Three at the SOS Village, Isolo, and has been responsible in the last nine years for the payment of the children’s school fees, their upkeep and other welfare issues.

At the formal ceremony to present the cheque and Coca-Cola products to the Village recently, Yomi Onakoya, Communications Manager, NBC, said that NBC was at the SOS Children’s Village, Isolo, to fulfil its promise of providing the annual fund for the children’s school fees, feeding, clothing and other welfare needs.

“As a company, we believe in youth development because it is the quality of investment you make in the children and the youth today that will determine the leader-

U

.S. legislation signed into law March 7 renews and strengthens an almost 20-year-old law designed to prevent and respond to violence against women, but the 2013 version reaches beyond the U.S. population to the world at large in an attempt to prevent marriage of children under 18.

The new provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) direct the secretary of state to develop and implement a plan to prevent child marriage, promote empowerment of girls at risk of early marriage, and target countries where a high prevalence of child marriage is known to occur.

The United Nations Chil-

ship you get tomorrow,” she explained adding that NBC always seeks out avenue to impact lives and contribute to the well-being of the communities in which it operates.

Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, thanked NBC for its support, which has been sustained for almost a decade and expressed confidence that the children will make NBC proud when they turn out to become responsible citizens in future as a result of the support provided. “SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations’ Charter on the Rights of the Child, and we do all in our capacity to encourage Nigerians to rally round and provide support, care and attention for the children. It is amazing how sustainable this relationship with NBC has been over the years,” Mr. Erhumwunse said. He expressed hope for the continuity of the relationship with NBC and pledged that the money would be prudently managed.

NBC was incorporated in November 1951 and is a member of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A an anchor bottler with the franchise to bottle products of The Coca-Cola Company in 28 countries in North, Central and South Europe, Asia and Africa with over 570 million consumers in these markets.

arents have been advised on the need to educate the girl-child early about measures to take before they begin their first menstrual period.

A gynaecologist with the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Dr Kayode Obende, on Tuesday told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that ``early information will guide the girl when she starts menstruation''.

He said some mothers were nervous and uncomfortable talking to the girl-child about the first signs of the first period.

The doctor said it was good for parents to be prepared with the facts, so that they could give the right answers that would help the girl.

“This is to avoid a situation where the only sources of information are the girl's friends, as the information she gets from her friends may be inaccurate.The facts will help her to take care of herself during the menstruation,’’ he said.

Obende said a girl's first menstruation could happen between the ages of nine years and 16 years, and that it was generally preceded by breast development, growth of pubic and armpit hair.

He said that the first menstrual period was called menarche and that pregnancy could occur even after the first period.

According to him, menarche varies ac-

cording to genetic and cultural factors, as well as overall health and socio-economic condition of the girl.

Obende advised mothers to consciously talk with their daughters about the use, frequency of changing and disposal of sanitary towels.

He said that mothers should also inform the girl-child of the approximate length of a menstrual period, menstrual cycle and what to do if menstrual cramps occurred.

He said that the girl should also be aware that menstruation was a normal, healthy part of a girl's life and development.

He stressed the need for proper education on the changes the body will go through during puberty, the menstrual cycle and sexual health in an open and honest manner.

Obende advised that if there was severe pain during the period, or other problematic symptoms, it was better to see a doctor.

Advising mothers, he said, "let your daughters know that it is always acceptable for them to come to you with their concern and health issues. ``Especially as they start to develop into adolescents, let them know that you are available to listen, talk and answer questions when they need you".

Regional Managing Editor, Southwest,Global Media Mirror, Mr. Biyi Adegoroye explaining newspaper production process to Press Club members of the Police Secondary School, Ita Ogbolu, during their visit to the newspaper's ultra-modern press, at Ogbese, near Akure in Ondo State recently.

U.S set to end child marriages worldwide dren's Fund (UNICEF) estimates that more than 140 million girls will become child brides in the years ahead.

The rate of child marriage accounts for more than 14 million marriages annually, or 39,000 young girls who are forced into a premature marriage each day.

International studies of the practice show that early marriage affects a woman's entire future, her health and her potential. Early marriage usually ends a girl's education, blocks her opportunity to develop vocational skills, increases her risk of becoming a victim of violence, and exposes her to pregnancy before she has fully matured.

Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois was instrumental in the initiatives against child marriage in the VAWA. Child marriage is "the root cause of many of the world's most pressing development issues -- HIV/AIDS, child mortality and abject poverty," said Durbin in a statement released through his Washington office.

Inclusion of child marriage provisions in VAWA put the issue squarely before the public and international partners, he said.

"It is the policy of the U.S. government to end child marriage around the globe. These important steps will change the lives of millions in some of

the world's forgotten places," Durbin said.

The advancement of women and girls is a central element of U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration. The ambassador-at-large for global women's issues within the State Department plays a leading role in advancing this issue in foreign policy forums.

U.S. Representative Aaron Schock, also from Illinois, joined Durbin in expanding U.S. efforts to discourage child marriage, which he called a "tragedy happening on an epic scale" in some countries of the world.

Schock went on a fact-finding trip with an international

aid organization to observe the practice. "I saw firsthand how child marriage devastates young girls physically and emotionally while destroying their future," Schock said in a joint statement with another U.S. opponent of the practice, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum.

The advocacy group Girl Up, sponsored by the U.S.based U.N. Foundation, also celebrates the inclusion of the international provisions in the VAWA and claims some of the credit. Tens of thousands of U.S. girls communicated their opposition to child marriage to lawmakers through this organization -- a testament to the power of youth voices -- said Girl Up campaign head Melissa Hillebrenner.

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Media

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’ll lead Africa’s social media revolution –Barnett Host of the award-winning Inside Africa on CNN International, Errol Barnett, was in Nigeria recently for the Social Media Week. In this interview with LEONARD OKACHIE, he shared his experience on the relevance of the programme, among others. Excerpts: The just concluded Social Media Week is a global event and for the first time this is happening in Africa. What impact is the programme having on Nigerians and the country?

That is exactly the premise of one of the episodes we did in South Africa.

It is looking at what is special about Nigeria and Lagos that makes it the prime location for the week-long event on social media and it turns out it is the combination of the massive population, improving infrastructure and this Nigerian spirit of being quite proud of Nigeria and being ambitious as well. I think that as long as the people who participated in the social media week can continue to collaborate and deliver services things will be very positive. It is having a combination of not just people with ideas but people be listened to.

I will say that Nigeria and Kenya seem to be poised to lead Africa’s social media and technological revolution. It is a very positive sign of social media week in Lagos and first time on the African continent. And from what I have seen, there are so many different sectors of the society who are participating to find ways to help people raise their business and manage their budgets.

From our research, we saw some individuals who have designed their own websites on different subject matters in Nigeria.

How do you rate Nigerians in usage of the social media?

I think for the first time, investors are seen participating massively on the need to leverage the potential of social media in their business. Now is the time for people to get in and boost their usage on the social media platform.

This is the most populous African country that you also have the demographic projection in the next decade that 41% of young people on the planet will be Africans. Other countries in the world have an exploding elderly people in their population. So it is going to be Africa that will champion the next generation with a crop of young people who are going to be leading the way.

What would you say on the response of Nigerians on the social media week?

Nigerians are responding well to it and I think with what is happening now, they will be driving the social media revolution for Africa in combination with Kenya.

It is really significant because it

CERTAINLY NEWSPAPERS WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR BUSINESS

MODULE, HOW THEY ARE REACHING THEIR AUDIENCE shows a couple of technical guys coming together to develop social media platform in a much more comprehensive approach to social responsibility and commerce.

We have seen a group of young people with great ideas that are collaborating to make it work and help the development of social media in Nigeria.

Even having social media week itself shows Nigeria’s maturity in addressing its problems. But it is not just enough to have a social media campaign; you also need to have ideas and solution. So I’m very excited to have been able to come here and do that.

What is the motive behind showcasing your research on Inside Africa, an international programme on CNN? My research here is for Inside Africa, which is the show I host and the concept of the programme is for me to travel to the most interesting and fascinating parts of the continent. When it was time to come to Lagos for the first time, I wanted to reconnect with lots of people across all social networks and I also wanted to really make it special because that is what my programme tries to do; to show people sometimes what they don’t expect.

When I finally arrived Lagos, I connected with the very first Nigerian I interviewed when I joined CNN. I also did a follow up on some of my Facebook and tweeter flowers.

To what extend is CNN leveraging on social media in Africa and other parts of the world?

We are completely engaged as much as possible in the social media platform. I have a Facebook page; Inside Africa and CNN also have Facebook pages where we respond to people’s comments. Even before we came here, we sent our message on Facebook that we were going to Lagos for the first time, where should we go, and what should we read? And we got hundreds of comments. We were overwhelmed

Barnett

with suggestions. That is the benefit.

We took that information. We want people to know that we listen to them on the Facebook pages.

When I went to Falomo Bridge and took pictures and tweeted it, they were like what is Errol doing under the bridge and so they tweeted me immediately and some people around came close; it was fun.

So we really engage with our viewers and we want them to know that they are part of our coverage and also make them feel us very close to them.

Africa is endowed, has social media had any effect on the tradition?

I think that as far as tradition is concerned, it challenges the African tradition which is guided around the young ones respecting their elders.

That is, you are not supposed to challenge people in authority or your seniors. There are formalities that must be followed even if a young person has an idea to share and he must be very careful about it.

Social media is kind of putting all that on a test now because it is a platform people share their opinions and say what is really on their mind. In a nutshell, I think social media is slightly affecting the African tradition.

Do you mean the social media has not penetrated the African tradition?

Yes! The culture and tradition of the African people has been in existence for hundreds of centuries and that cannot not be undone within a decade. The tradition here helps keep people close to each other and that is one of the thrust of social media networks.

How do you think social media would lead to the extinction of traditional media?

I know a lot of people who love their newspapers and they will always want to have a feel of the paper and the embellishment of the ink, there is a relationship people have with the newspaper. I think people spend more time with the newspaper than they do on the website.

Certainly newspapers will have to change their business module, how they are reaching their audience. Many newspapers in the US have very wide circulation in accordance, in combination with their online version. Some newspapers will fail; some online versions will become very popular.

In my opinion, they will all work hand in hand to create a very effective and balanced media system across the world.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, March 14, 2013

How Ezeemo is boosting media in Anambra

TVC News goes live

T

VC News, the first panAfrican 24-hour TV news channel from the stables of the Continental Broadcasting Service Ltd, Lagos, has commenced live broadcasting on Channel 115 of StarTimes, a pay-tv platform.

The pan – African news channel aims to challenge stereotypes and correct misperceptions about Africa and its peoples. Nigel Parsons, the Chief Executive Officer TVC News and formerly Aljazeera English boss, said that “Without shying away from reporting the conflicts or the corruption, the famines or the wars, the mission of TVC News is also to tell the many positive stories coming out of Africa.” He added: “And all those stories – good or bad – will be told ‘Through African Eyes’.”

Competing with the likes of Aljazeera English, BBC World and CNN International, by providing a mixture of news, current affairs and other informative programming from across Africa and beyond; TVC news will serve as a medium for the

African Diaspora to be heard on a global scale – all from an African perspective. The panAfrican news channel, by reporting fairly and fearlessly, will also tell stories from under-reported countries across the continent.

TVC News uses the latest state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment, and has engaged the services of veteran broadcasters, experienced reporters and a top class leadership team, both foreign and indigenous with several of bureau reporters in different countries of the world to ensure it breaks the news to its viewers and provides round-the-clock quality news.

Its programming includes those on politics and current affairs, arts & culture, health, youth and women’s issues, business, sport and entertainment and specially-tailored weather reports. Some of its recent milestone coverage includes the on-going war in Mali and the recently concluded elections in Kenya by the news channel’s reporters.

Ezeemo

CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

T

he journalism profession in Nigeria, particularly in Anambra State, has gotten a boost since the arrival of Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, as the publisher of Orient Magazine and Newspapers.

Mr. Ezeemo is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group of Companies.

Born of a very humble parentage to the family of Nze Umeaku Godwin Ezeemo and Lolo Ahusie Charity Ezeemo, the 58 years old businessmanturned media mogul hails from Umunwayiekwosiduru Dim Kindred of Umuojogwo,Amanasaa, Umuchu,Aguata local government area.

Waka-about launches online edition

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fter two years of promoting Nigerian arts, culture and travel-related stories in print, waka-about has launched its online version (www. wakaabout.net). waka-about’s primary objective, since its launch in 2011, has always been to show readers and tourists alike the various tourist assets in Nigeria and the fascinating aspects of Nigerian life,” said Pelu Awofeso, the publication’s managing editor and winner of the CNN/Multichoice African Journalists Awards in the tourism category.

“In a country with as limitless potential for tourism development as Nigeria is, going online and reaching out to the world’s travelling community is just the right step to take, and we’re only too happy to be a positive voice on a global platform and help with improving the perception that the world has of Nigeria,” Awofeso added.

The online edition will regularly feature stories on indigenous Nigerian festivals, recommended tourist attractions, travel-book reviews and interviews with tourists who have visited Nigeria and have positive stories to share, among other segments. There will also be a dedicated link to a hotel directory to help intending visitors make guided choices about where to stay when they come to Nigeria.

“Over the years, as our writers and photographers have travelled around Nigeria on assignments, they come across lots of foreign tourists who obviously have enjoyed their time in Nigeria,” Awofeso, who himself has travelled to nearly every state in Nigeria as a travel correspondent and freelance writer, explained. “More often than not, the tourists are excited beyond

47

words. These are the stories the world needs to read about and those are some of the stories we share on wakaabout online.”

In the past few years, state governments in Nigeria have started to take the subject of tourism seriously. They are consistently looking inwards to evaluate their various tangible and intangible tourist assets with a view to supplementing their Internally Generated Revenues, IGR. According to Awofeso, it is high time that this happened in a country blessed with an amazing variety of physical, historical and cultural gems. “In the long run, our plan is to make wakaabout online the first port of call for tourists planning a visit to Nigeria,” Awofeso said.

“We also aim to make the site a watering hole for Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who need to constantly connect with their heritage.”

The loss of a dear father at an early age, half way into his primary school, prepared the young Godwin for an elaborate life of hard work, determination and care for others. He made forays into journalism by establishing the well packaged Lagos- based Orient magazine, which comes out every two- weeks. In 2012, Ezeemo stormed Anambra State media scene and sponsored the first ever 5- day- NUJ workshop on "Rediscovering Igbo Values”, a seminar at which critical reviews of Igbo values were made.

Before he sponsored the said seminar, Mr Ezeemo became the greatest benefactor of Anambra State Council of the NUJ when he single-handedly funded the construction of the new multi-million Naira NUJ Press Centre, Awka. He capped this feat with the establishment of the Orient Weekly newspaper based in Awka,the State capital. This is an establishment that has offered jobs to many unemployed journalists and youths in Anambra It was in recognition of his good works and assistance to journalists that the State chapter of the NUJ conferred on him the award of Man of the Year during its 2012 Press Week.

Ezeemo attended St. Thomas Anglican Primary School, Umuchu. He also attended St Peter's Secondary School, Achina and Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State where he obtained a Higher National Diploma.

Media Abroad

Daily Telegraph newsroom

Telegraph group cuts jobs as daily and Sunday titles merge

T

he Telegraph group is to shed 80 of its 550 editorial staff as part of what the chief executive, Murdoch MacLennan, calls a root-andbranch restructure of the business. It will mean the complete merger of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph as a sevenday operation.

The cut of 14% of the staff affects print-based journalists at the two titles. It will be offset by the hiring of 50 "new digitally-focused jobs", meaning that the overall staff reduction amounts to 5%.

In a letter to staff issued Tuesday morning, MacLennan explains that the publisher is facing a difficult commercial situation, which has deteriorated in recent months.

He explains that print advertising has declined sharply since the beginning of the year, while sales have continued to decrease. Last month, the daily paper sold an average of 541,036 copies. Given that the Saturday sale was 721,000, the weekday sale is running below 500,000 and, on some days, close to 400,000.

That must be seen in the context of increases to its website traffic. In January, its online figures improved 11% over the previous month, up to 3,129,599 average daily unique browsers.

And it is this digital reality that MacLennan is seeking to address. He tells staff that it is "of vital importance" to the company's future to serve its expanding global digital audience.

He writes: "We must adapt and transform how we function as a business and urgently diversify our revenue streams to guarantee our position in the longer term."

To that end, he has announced an £8 million investment "to complete our transition to a digital business", which is "our number one priority."

The restructure of the editorial operation involves the imposition of an integrated seven-day operation on similar lines to those already in place at the Independent, the Sun and the Mirror titles.

A further change is the creation of a new position, known as director of content. Until an appointment is made, that job will be done by Richard Ellis, who is currently the executive editor.

In future, the editors of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, Tony Gallagher and Ian MacGregor respectively, will report to the director of content.

According to MacLennan's letter, the new director's "principal task … will be to oversee the establishment of an all-encompassing operation to transform newsroom culture into a dynamic process with our digital products at its core … across web, tablet and smartphone."

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Gunmen storm prison, kill warders, free kidnappers SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

T

he fragile peace in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State, snapped again yesterday when some gunmen killed two warders attached to Warri Federal Prisons.

Three other warders sustained gunshot injuries in the incident.

They were on danger list at a medical centre in Warri as at press time yesterday.

One of the inmates of the prison, who was among the suspects being taken to court, was also killed in the attack.

An official of Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, the headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Julius Ogungbemi, was killed by stray bullets during the exchange of gunfire between the fleeing gunmen and security agents.

Ogungbemi was killed at Effurun Roundabout as the security agents chased the hoodlums to the area.

National Mirror gathered that hell was let loose when the gunmen ambushed a prison vehicle conveying nine suspected kidnappers to nearby Warri High Court located in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) axis of the city for the commencement of their trial.

It was leant that the gunmen, who probably got a wind of the movement, ambushed

the team at Esisi Road, a few metres away from the prison yard on Okere Road in desperation to free the suspects.

Investigation by National Mirror showed that the hoodlums distabilised the prison team with heavy gunfire, shortly after Esisi Bridge.

The gunmen overpowered the five warders attached to the team as they disarmed them of their rifles.

Five of the nine suspects were rescued by the hoodlums, who fled the scene when it was suspected that the police from nearby Delta South Area Command were mobilising to the scene.

Three of the inmates heading for court were re-arrested while one of them died in the

gun battle.

Ogungbemi was killed when a security team made futile attempt to intercept the fleeing hoodlums at Effurun Roundabout.

Ogungbemi’s death, who until yesterday worked in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the prison, threw his colleagues into mourning. They wore long faces as they discussed the incident in groups.

The bereaved prison officials decried the insecurity in the state and the apparent helplessness of the government to address the ugly trend.

The staccato of gunfire caused tension in Warri and Effurun yesterday. Many

YENAGOA

T

he killing of a final year civil engineering student of the Niger Delta University (NDU) in Amassoma, Bayelsa State, by some suspected members of a secret cult is generating tension.

It was learnt that the student, whose identity was not confirmed, was beaten to a pulp by the suspects for allegedly refusing initiation.

Other students of the institution rushed the victim, bruised with injuries, to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri, near Yenagoa, where he died a few days after admission.

Already, the police have arrested a number of suspects linked with the killing.

Youths seek govt’s aid to farm 17, 663 hectares of land SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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group of Nigerian returnees from Libya have unveiled a plan that will engage about 500 youths on a 17, 663 hectares of farmland in Edo State.

The returnees have, however, sought the government aid to farm the land.

Organised and registered under a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Re-integration (IYAMIDR) under the leadership of an Executive Director, Mr.

Members of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners protesting the non-payment of their pension arrears in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Tension in NDU as cult group kills final year student EMMA GBEMUDU

business premises were hurriedly shut as residents and passers-by scampered for safety.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Adaba, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with National Mirror, describing it as unfortunate.

Adaba said two of the vehicles used by the gunmen had been recovered by the police with blood stains at Isiokolo, the headquarters of Ethiope East Local Area of the state.

He assured that the fleeing bandits would be apprehended and pleaded for useful information from members of the public to enable the police achieve the feat.

It will be recalled that the Bayelsa State Government enacted a law prohibiting cultism in the state.

Investigation by National Mirror revealed that no fewer than eight students of the institution have lost their lives in cult-related activities.

A student of the institution, who did not want his name mentioned, said the deceased was lured into the bush by the suspects and attempted to initiate him, but he refused.

He said: “When he discovered that it was an initiation gathering and not a party as claimed, a sharp disagreement occurred, leading to the beating.

“Some students later discovered his body in a pool of his blood and rushed him to the Teach-

ing Hospital in Okolobiri, where he later died.”

Effort to reach the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kingsley Omire, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Felix Akhigbe, was not successful, but a source said that the Divisional Police Officer at Oporoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area had begun investigating the matter.

YENAGOA

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head of the March 16 election of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, Chairman of the 11man Electoral Committee, Chief Broderick Bozimo, has assured that the poll would be free and fair.

Bozimo, a former Minis-

Solomon Okoduwa, said the group had approached and secured the partnership of the owner of the land at Ugbogui village in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Egiemamwen Omoruyi, for the project.

Speaking during an inspection of the farmland, Okoduwa said members of the group were determined to invest their energy in the production of food.

Okoduwa, who expressed gratitude to both the federal and Edo State governments for creating the enabling environments for employment, creativity and productivity, said the objectives of the group include to create employment for the returnees as a means of re-integration, to build an enhanced capacity in the agro-food chain with products of the farm, to ensure market oriented agrarian enterprises, to increase agricultural production processes ranging from production to packaging and to provide exemplary standard of deterrent factor for Nigerian migrants as well as to enhance Nigeria’s food security through agrarian enterprises such as palm oil production, poultry, fish farming, horticulture, feed milling, piggery, snail farming and grass cutter farming.

Group faults Reps committee’s report on NDDC EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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group, Niger Delta Youths for Positive Attitude and Progress, yesterday faulted the House of Representatives Committee’s report which rated the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board as a failure.

The group said that the criteria used for assessing the board were wrong, adding

the new board could not take responsibility of its predecessor’s misdeed.

In a communiqué signed by its President, Mr. Enisuo Emmanuel, shortly after rising up from a meeting held yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the group recalled that the former Board of NDDC was dissolved owing to greed and corruption.

The group said the present Board was careful, focused

No plan to manipulate INC poll –Bozimo EMMA GBEMUDU

49

ter of Police Affairs, spoke with journalists yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

He denied the allegation that the committee was acting the script of the government in the build-up to the election.

According to him, the allegation was made to drag the reputation of the electoral committee in the mud.

But some aggrieved candidates and stakeholders alleged that Governor Seriake Dickson was plotting to hijack the activities of the electoral committee’s job.

Bozimo said 27 candidates have been cleared to participate in the election, stressing that members of the committee were men and women of proven in-

and prudent in its affairs to avoid making the mistakes of the past.

Emmanuel urged the Board to initiate its programmes that would empower the suffering people and develop the Niger Delta.

He said: “Members of the former Board succeeded in awarding major jobs and contracts to their cronies and companies, as they paid 80 per cent mobilization fees for the projects. tegrity.

He said: “Let me emphatically say that there has been no government interference. I am going 75 years old and I have practiced law for about 43 years. We founded INC and I am committed to INC. So, we don’t joke with INC. Anybody who says that the government is interfering with the electoral process is a blatant liar. We challenge such persons to produce evidence.

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Boko Haram insurgency’ll consume North –CAN

AZA MSUE KADUNA

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•Emir opposes Sultan’s amnesty deal for sect

he Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and Abuja, yesterday said that the activities of the Boko Haram sect would consume the North if nothing is done to stem the tide.

Their declaration came just as the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attaihiru Ahmad, opposed the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Abubakar Saad’s stand on amnesty for the sect.

Northern CAN’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Oibe, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, maintained that the sect would attack its sponsors, adding that truth will triumph over evil.

CAN called on Christians to intensify prayers against the sect, saying its activities would soon become history.

The body said: “We have said that the activities of the Boko Haram sect will consume everybody in the North and it has started manifesting. That the sect will turn around to hunt its sponsors and it is happening now.

“People sponsoring them will be affected; just last week, a bomb-making factory was discovered in a politician’s house and he was also

arrested. We told Christians to continue with prayers, soon more revelations will come, those behind them will be put to shame.”

However, the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Ahmad, yesterday warned the Federal Government against the clamour for amnesty for the faceless group.

Ahmad stated this while answering questions from journalists at a three-day workshop on peace building and conflict management for sustainable development organised by the National

INUSA NDAHI

•As gunmen kill two PDP chieftains in Borno

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deposit slip, an IED container and a Toyota Starlet car.

The exchange of gunshots for several hours paralysed activities in the area and destabilised the relative peace enjoyed by residents, who were left in absolute confusion.

The suspected gunmen were traced to their home, located within the newly built 500 housing estates by the state government which was recently allocated to civil servants and the general public.

Confirming the development, the 1 Brigade Commander, Sokoto, BrigadierGeneral Muhammad Tasi’u Ibrahim, said the team which was spearheaded by men of the brigade command with the support of other relevant security agencies, acted on a tip off and tracked the gang.

The brigade commander said that his men came under sporadic gun-fire on getting to the location, but were undeterred.

Meanwhile, gunmen in separate attacks yesterday

Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in Kaduna.

He accused the elite in society and politicians of being behind the insecurity bedeviling the nation.

His words: “Amnesty is for those people you know, how can you give amnesty to the people you don’t know.

“From experience, I have come to realise that whenever you have a crisis and a proper investigation is carried out, you always find the involve-

ment of these two classes.

“Within my domain, a sad experience occurred sometimes ago when an Igbo man who owns a shop where he dispenses drugs to the public was attacked and the shop burnt down because his son was said to have torn into pieces a copy of the Quran.

“Upon investigation, I discovered that an indigene, who was also in the same business with the Igbo man could not entice enough customers like his Igbo counterpart.

Police arrest car robbery gang in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gambo Shuaibu (left) and Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim, during the inspection of the demolition of houses suspected of harbouring terrorists at Bado Quarters in PHOTO: NAN Sokoto metropolis, after exchange of gun-fire in the early hours of yesterday.

Four suspected terrorists killed in Sokoto MAIDUGURI

our suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, including a woman, have been shot dead by security operatives in Sokoto State.

The sect members were killed in a gun-battle with soldiers in an early morning raid on their hideout in Bado Quarters by a combined team of soldiers, police and Department of State Security Service, DSS, operatives.

One other member of the sect, who sustained serious injuries in the gun battle, is now receiving treatment in the hospital.

Several sophisticated arms and ammunition including two AK rifles, one RPG-2 and its charger, 122 (7.62) special ammunition, 13 pistols rounds with 9mm bullets, were also recovered, while their abode was demolished by the security operatives.

Also recovered were 10 cell phones, half bag of fertilizer, an HP laptop, a number plate, a Keystone Bank

“He then took a piece of paper with an Islamic inscription on it and tore it into pieces in front of the Igbo man’s shop and then raised alarm calling on all Muslims faithful to come and see a copy of the Quran torn into pieces by the son of the Igbo trader.

The crowd grew angry and set the house and the shop of the Igbo man ablaze. You can see that the indigene did this purely for personal interest and not religion. And that is how it is with the elite and the politicians,” Ahmad said.

“Where were our leaders when Boko Haram were going to receive training outside the country, let us check ourselves, if there must be justice, we must go back to the basis,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Christian group under the auspices o f the Northern Christian Elders Forum, NOCEF, said the call for amnesty for Boko Haram without considering those killed was out of place.

In an e-mailed statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the group, Evangelist Mathew Owojaiye and IliyaYusuf, the group said amnesty would attract over two million Boko Haram members.

shot dead two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Southern Borno Senatorial District and Shehuri Ward of the Maiduguri metropolis at about 8.00pm.

Those killed were the PDP Zonal Vice-Chairman of the Southern Borno Senatorial District, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Gula, and the party’s Women Leader for Shehuri Ward in Maiduguri metropolis, Hajiya Gambo.

A top official of the party, who did not want his name in print, disclosed that Alhaji Gula and Hajiya Gambo were trailed to their respective residences by the gunmen, before they were shot dead before their wife and husband.

His words: “They were killed in cold blood near the Maiduguri International Hotel and Shehuri Ward of the metropolis, before the Joint Task Force, JTF, and the police cordoned off the areas for over an hour, prevent further attacks and killings.

“The bodies of the slain party officials had been buried on Tuesday, according to Islamic rites at the Gwange cemetery in the city.”

Speaking on the motive behind the assassination, the source said: “Prior to their killings, Gula and Gambo actively participated in the Town Hall meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, last Friday at the Government House Multipurpose Hall over the Boko Haram insurgency and withdrawals of JTF from the state.

“These killings are a clear case of cold blood murder and are condemnable. Security agents must unravel the circumstance that led to the gunning down of these PDP officials at their residences in Umarari and Shehuri Wards.”

The Borno State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Yuguda Abdullahi, yesterday confirmed the separate incidents in a telephone chat.

our suspected armed robbers that specialise in intrastate car theft between Abuja, Minna and its environs are currently in the net of the Niger State Police Command.

The suspects include; Abdullahi Musa, the arrow head of the gang from Kaduna State, Alhaji Ismaila, from Kaduna State, Ifeanyi Madu, 25 years, an indigene of Imo State and Sunday Fagbohun.

The vehicles found in their possession are a Toyota Avensis car with registration number: LAGOS CF 714 KSF, a Toyota Corolla car with registration number: KATSINA AE 463 DTM, a Peugeot 406 car with registration

number: NIGER AJ525 SUL, a Honda Civic car with registration number: KANO AJ 965GWL and a Honda Academy car with registration number: NH 747 DKA. At a media briefing in Minna, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Desire Deseye Nsirim, said the gang was smashed by her men following privileged information the command received. She said the police then traced and arrested the king pin, a notorious robber, Abdullahi Musa, in a hotel in Chanchaga area, a subburd of Minna, the state capital on Monday.

According to her, Musa, who has been on the wanted list of the command was that day arrested with a Toyota Avensis car with registration number: CF 714KSF.

Revenue board seals off Mainstreet Bank over tax evasion H ENRY I YORK ASE MAKURDI

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he Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service, BSBIRS, yesterday sealed of the premises of Mainstreet Bank Limited, Makurdi, for allegedly defaulting in tax returns for the period between 2004 and 2009, running over N250 million.

Thousands of customers of the bank, who besieged the premises for usual banking transactions, were turned back by sternlooking security men attached to the board which had seven of its Toyota Hilux vehicles with inscription on it,

blocked the entrance of the bank after obtaining a high court order to seal off the bank until they remitted their tax returns.

Investigations carried out by National Mirror revealed that communication between the board and the bank from 2010 to 2013 was to no avail as such efforts could not yield the expected result, leading to the court action and subsequent seizure of the premises.

It was, however, gathered that the bank’s nonremittance of the statutory tax liabilities over the period, amounted to N251, 316, 433.76 which the board insisted the bank should pay before it is reopened.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Police arrest six robbery suspects in Borno INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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olice in Borno State have arrested six armed robbery suspects and recovered 23 vehicles, motorcycles and a tricycle in various parts of Maiduguri metropolis.

The police have also urged owners of the vehicles to come forward to

collect them with proper identification and proof of ownership.

Parading the suspects yesterday at the state Police Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, the Police Commissioner, Alhaji Yuguda Abdullahi, said the suspects had been invading houses to rob people of their vehicles and valuables, including money.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, quoted Abdullahi as saying that: “The police command has taken the battle to the door steps of these notorious syndicates; several of which have been smashed in the last one month.

“They are also being interrogated. After the completion of preliminary

investigations, they will be arraigned before the court of law.”

The statement also said: “Owners of these recovered vehicles are advised to proceed with genuine documents proving ownership to SARS (crack), State CID to collect their vehicles and motorcycles.”

The police commissioner also advised the residents

to be more careful about “where and how” they park their vehicles, adding that glasses should be rolled up and car doors locked, while dark and notorious areas should be avoided.

Abdullahi also called on the general public to fully cooperate with the police in their quest to protect lives and property in the state.

Minister assures corps members on welfare package DANJUMA WILLAIMS GOMBE

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he Ministry of Youth Development has assured Batch ‘A’ youth corps members serving in different parts of the country of the full implementation of their welfare packages.

The Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, who gave the assurance in Gombe State yesterday during a familiarisation visit to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Permanent Orientation Camp at Mallam Sidi, said the visit was to ensure the full implementation of the corps members’ welfare packages.

Abdulkadir also assured them that Gombe State was a peaceful state with sound youth development programmes.

The minister urged them to tap from the laudable programmes of the administration of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabo.

He said the scheme, in its 40 years, had achieved its objectives, adding that no agency in the country had done what NYSC had done for the country in the last 40 years.

He said: “The scheme has provided an opportunity for our teeming youths to see the country beyond their home of origins.”

Abdulkadir added that efforts of the founders of the scheme must be commended.

He then called on the corps members to create wealth for themselves and their host communities by initiating programmes and projects that would be beneficial to the host communities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Teryima Manasseh Igyuse, said the national youth policy of the minister was being assiduously implemented in Gombe State.

Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu (left) and President, Association of Businessmen and Investors of Nigeria and Turkey, Mr. Yavuz Zemheri, during a visit to the Government House in Minna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Yobe relaxes curfew, buys N416.5m vehicles for 14 monarchs INUSA NDAHI DMATURU

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overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State yesterday relaxed curfew imposed on six towns and areas following relative peace currently being experienced in the state.

The relaxation of the curfew, announced after an Emergency Security Council meeting at the Government House, Damaturu, is to ease movement of people and vehicles in the affected

towns.

The six affected towns are Potiskum, Garin Alkali, Gaidam, Ngelzarma, Damaturu (the state capital) and Gashua, 85 kilometres North-East of the state capital.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, said in a statement issued in Damaturu yesterday that the curfew had been relaxed to 9pm to 7am for five towns, while that of Damaturu commenced from 10pm to

7am daily, until the security situation improved further.

Meanwhile, the state government has procured 34 Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs, and Toyota Hilux vehicles worth N416.5 million for distribution to 14 traditional rulers in the state.

Inspecting the vehicles yesterday, Gaidam said the vehicles were acquired to help the monarchs carry out their traditional functions effectively.

He said: “As custodians of our culture, they deserve brand new vehicles for hitchfree functions.

“This, at least, will save them from having broken

down vehicles in the middle of road or punctured tyres.

Each of the 14 traditional rulers will get a Parado Jeep and a Hilux van for escort.”

The governor said there were no definite sources of financing the state traditional institutions when he assumed office on May 31, 2007.

He said his administration created the emirates’ or chiefdoms’ accounts and mandated the 17 local governments to make a monthly contribution of N5 million each for rehabilitation, construction and for other logistic support in their respective palaces located across the state.

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Three arraigned for farmer’s murder INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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hree men, Haruna Goni Usman, Jabo Mallam Kansulum and Salleh Mallam Ali, were yesterday arraigned before Maiduguri High Court 12 by the Borno State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kaka Shehu Lawan, for allegedly killing one Bulama Jolti on his farm in Bama Local Government.

According to the charge sheet, the three men from Zinda village conspired to beat the deceased.

The accused allegedly used a knife to stab their victim and pierced his body with a spear, which led to his death.

The three men were said to have committed the offence in October 2012.

The accused were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiring to murder and culpable homicide punishable with death under sections 97(1) and 221(b) of the Penal Code Law of Borno State.

When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty.

The commissioner, who personally appeared in court, asked for more time to enable him call witnesses on the next adjourned date.

A legal officer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mr. Peter Bwala, who represented the accused, did not object to this.

The presiding judge, Justice Alkali Gana Wakil, granted the commissioner’s request before adjoining the case to March 21 for hearing and subsequently remanded the accused in prison custody.

Later, Lawan told our correspondent that the state was determined to decongest the prison by ensuring speedy dispensation of justice.

The commissioner explained that this was one of the reasons why he decided to be going to court to prosecute cases.

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Community Mirror “Nigeria is hemorrhaged in all fronts now; Boko Haram in the north, kidnapping at the centre and piracy in Niger Delta region, despite the amnesty programme.”

FORMER PRESIDENT, CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

Robbery suspects paraded in Abeokuta FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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he Ogun State Police Command has paraded 30 suspects for pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, murder and kidnapping.

Among those paraded was a robbery kingpin identified as Taiwo Musediq,who spe-

cialises in car snatching.

Also paraded was Tobi, a 15 year old student of Olumo High School, Sabo- Abeokuta, as well as a nursing mother, Fausat.

Addressing newsmen at the Command’s headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye said that Musediq and other accomplic-

es were behind the spate of robberies at Papa-Alanto and Igbora axis of the state.

Three other persons believed to be receivers of stolen vehicles were also paraded.

Speaking later, Tobi said he had no prior knowledge of the gang’s activities, as he stressed that his brother’s wife, Fausat only told him to

hide a pump action rifle when the police were conducting searches around their house.

Also on display were assorted rifles, cartridges and magazines, including N83, 950, as part of items recovered from the suspects.

The police said the items were abandoned along with the robbery vehicles as the

gang fled into the bush on sighting the patrol team.

Two other suspects, dressed in army uniforms were also paraded,as they claimed to have been discharged from the Nigeria Army.

The police said the fake army personnel specialised in robbing people on the Mowe/Ibafo axis.

Nigerians urged to engage in agriculture JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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igerians have been urged to engage in agricultural production with all the seriousness it deserves.

The Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema stated this when he paid an inspection visit to the Jibia Dam and some irrigation sites in the council area.

Shema, said that agriculture has a huge way of reducing poverty, creating wealth and empowering people to be gainfully employed, even as he called on farmers and other stakeholders to engage in food production, that would help the country to feed itself as well as other nations.

He said embracing dry season farming helps check hunger and enables for allyear- round availability of food for Nigerians.

The governor said the state would continue to invest in agriculture among other sectors, while necessary assistance would be given to ensure its sustainability.

Shema however called on the Sokoto Rima Basin Authority to ensure the opening of the reservoir at the dam so that farmers will get water for irrigation.

He urged those with farmlands near the dam but were yet to start irrigation, to do so, as such would make food available in the state and beyond.

Children waiting to fetch water at a public tap on Wunti Street, Bauchi as scarcity hits some parts of the metropolis.

‘Illegal immigrants’ invade Kwara WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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everal communities in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State have raised alarm over alleged invasion by “illegal aliens” from foreign countries.

The communities, under the auspices of United Communities Farmers Association, have written to the State House of Assembly on the development.

The petition titled “Save our communities from invasion by illegal immigrants” was presented by the member representing Oke-Ero Constituency, Dr. Abraham Ashoolu.

In the petition, Ashoolu al-

leged that the “illegal immigrants” have been parading themselves as Bororo herdsmen.

They accused the immigrants of causing damage to their farms and rivers.

They said, “The immigrants also caused damage to economic trees that serve as means of livelihood, even as they raped our women”.

The petitioners urged the House of Assembly and other relevant agencies to look into the issue as their unwholesome activities is causing tension in their communities.

Deputy House Speaker, Professor Gana Yissa, directed the House Committees on Agriculture and Water Resources to investigate the matter.

PHOTO: NAN

Residents call for infrastructure in Kosofe MURITALA AYINLA

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esidents of Forolagba Estate in Kosofe Local Government Area have called on Lagos State Government to rehabilitate the collapsed infrastructures in the area.

This was contained in a statement, signed jointly by chairman and secretary of the residents’ association, Leke Soleye and Azeez Ademosu respectively.

According to it, the only motor able road in the area was built through communal efforts, while many of the houses get submerged whenever it rains, as household equipment are frequently destroyed by flood.

“People, who are lucky to be at home whenever it rains, usually ferry their items to safety through

the heavy flood, and so become prone to chronic diseases associated with mud water.

Most times, many of our children and aged parents end up in hospitals after each experience every year,” it stated The association also claimed that the community has more than 20,000 residents and pleaded with the government to consider their plight and address the problems.

“Since Forolagba is a long street with more than 20,000 residents, we implore the state government through the appropriate agencies to build drainages, so that flooding will be a thing of the past in our community.

Also, we shall be grateful if the issue of security and poor electricity supply are urgently addressed so we can be free from robbery menace,” the association stated

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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World News

“Any further delay turning over a key U.S.run detention facility to full Afghan control would harm relations” –AFGHANISTAN PRESIDENT, HAMID KARZAI

ECOWAS proposes abolition of 90-day stay limit for citizens PAUL ARHEWE,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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wo key provisions of the regional protocol on free movement of persons, one of which imposes a 90-day limit for community citizens visiting other member states and another imposing residency card requirements should be abolished under a new proposal

by Heads of ECOWAS National Units, Civil Society and Immigration officials.

Under the 1979 regional flagship Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and Establishment, ECOWAS citizens are required to stay a maximum of 90 days on a visit to

another Member State and obtain residence permit for stays beyond this period, a restriction that also applied to their personal cars.

The officials, after their twoday 2nd meeting which ended at the ECOWAS Commission’s Abuja headquarters on 8th March 2013, also recommended that the existing regional Travel Certificate be replaced in 2015 by an ECOWAS biometric National Identity Card.

The free movement Protocol has made the Community the only visa-free region in Africa.

However, impediments to its implementation include alleged discrimination, extortions and harassment of citizens, which constitute serious barriers to free

ECOWAS leaders meeting during an extraordinary summit in Dakar, recently.

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Tunisian cigarette vendor who set himself ablaze in a busy street of the capital Tunis a day earlier has died under hospital care, a medical official has said.

Adel Khadri, 27, died yesterday as a result of severe burns, Imed Toiuibi, the director of the Ben Arous Burns Centre, told news agency.

“This is a young man who sells cigarettes because of unemployment,” Khadri shouted before immolating himself on Habib Bourguiba avenue.

Security forces and bystanders tried to extinguish the flames before the man was rushed to hospital, witnesses said.

Officials said Khadri hails from an extremely poor family in Jen-

movement.

The Abuja meeting, which reviewed the status of implementation of the protocol, identified the grey areas and recommended amendments and revision.

Participants argued that the abolition of the 90-day limit is consistent with the decision of the Mini-Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja in March 2000 and the 7th Forum of Ministers in charge of Security held in November 2009.

They also recommended that the clause “in accordance with national legislation” should be expunged from the Protocol,” and called for the establishment of “a Working Group to develop modalities for a secure and effec-

PHOTO: DEMOTIX

tive identification mechanism for community citizens residing within Member States as well as in border communities.”

In recommending that the Travel Certificate be replaced by the regional biometric national ID card, the meeting called on Member States to harmonize their divergent immigration laws and policies to ensure the successful deployment of the National ID cards.

Also, Member States yet to deploy the ECOWAS Passport were urged to expedite actions in this regard and “identify possible areas of intervention by the ECOWAS Commission.”

On the Right of Establishment, the meeting urged Member States to ensure equal treatment of their nationals and citizens of other Member States in the creation and management of enterprises or private companies.

Member States should also harmonize their investment codes with the provisions of the Supplementary Protocol which forbids any form of discrimination.

Regarding ECOWAS Citizenship, the meeting recommended the harmonization of national laws concerning citizenship and naturalization.

“Citizens of ECOWAS with dual nationality can, without exception, enjoy Community citizenship,” the meeting said, adding that “Dual nationality should no longer be considered to be a limiting factor.”

The meeting recommended the establishment of Information and Observation Centres to “ensure that citizens are aware of their rights, ensure compliance with the protocol and thereby reduce cases of harassment.”

Tunisian vendor dies after self-immolation douba in north-western Tunisia.

Khaled Tarrouche, interior ministry spokesman, attributed Khadri’s desperate action to his economic situation.

“He is unemployed and came to Tunis a few months ago. He was very fragile, psychologically broken, and that is why he set himself on fire.”

Street vendors took to the streets after Khadri’s death to express their dissatisfaction with the government.

In December 2010, street vendor Bouazizi died of his injuries after setting himself alight on December 17, 2010 in the town of Sidi Bouzid after a policewoman confiscated his fruit cart.

Bouazizi’s fate sparked protests that ended with the overthrow of autocratic President

Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and inspired rebellions elsewhere in the Middle East.

Vendors took the streets in an anti-government protest after Khadri’s death was announced.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

WORLD BULLETIN Libyan poisoned alcohol death toll rises to 79

The top security official in Libya’s capital said 79 people have died over the past four days from drinking homemade alcohol, suspected of containing poisonous methanol.

Colonel Mahmoud al-Sharif, security chief in Tripoli, said authorities are searching for two people believed to be involved in making the poisonous drinks. He said authorities are looking into whether it was the methanol or bad fermentation that caused the large number of victims.

He said at least seven were found dead in their bed after consuming the bad liquor. The victims began to arrive to hospitals on March 7, he said. They included 10 women, he said.

Al-Sharif raised the death toll from the one earlier reported by the health minister Nouri Doghman, who said 60 people died.

Doghman said that some of those who survived were blinded, and others went into comas or suffered kidney failure. He pointed to delayed relief efforts as contributing to the increasing toll. On Monday, 51 were reported dead.

Saudi Arabia executes seven men after appeals rejected

Seven Saudi men convicted of theft, looting and armed robbery were beheaded yesterday, according to the country’s official news agency, more than a week after their families and a rights group appealed to the king for clemency.

The executions took place in Abha, a city in the southern region of Asir, the Saudi Press Agency said. The south has been marginalized and suffered discrimination by the powerful central region where the capital, Riyadh, and the holy shrines of Mecca and Medina are located.

The seven were arrested in 2006 and received death sentences in 2009, a Saudi newspaper reported at the time.

Obama rebukes China over cyber attacks President Barack Obama has said in a TV interview that the US is engaging in “tough talk” with China about its alleged cyber attacks on America.

Obama told ABC News some, but not all, hacking originating from China was state sponsored, although he played down congressional talk of a cyber war.

He spoke a day after US intelligence chiefs said cyber attacks had replaced terrorism as the main security threat.

China denies such hacking and says it is the victim of such attacks.

Obama was asked in the interview with ABC News, broadcast on Wednesday, about claims from US lawmakers that the scale of attacks on American firms and infrastructure amounted to a cyber “war” with China.

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Insight

Thursday, March 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Governors’ convoy A vehicle in Governor Uduaghan’s convoy involved in an accident.

From Kogi, Gombe, Niger states and elsewhere, the grotesque display of might by motorcades of top government officials claim scores of lives that FELIX NWANERI reports, portrays the officials as totally lacking in proper sense of discipline required of transformative leaders.

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he rate of road accidents in Nigeria involving convoys of top government officials, which have claimed scores of lives, apart from becoming embarrassing, has worsened the country’s unenviable record as the second highest road traffic accident fatalities in the world.

At 162 deaths per 100,000kms, according to recent statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria is among the countries with highest road accidents.

But worrisome as the case may be, and the public outcry over the excesses of those who ordinarily should be role models to other road users, there has not been any remarkable change in the ways these officials and their lieutenants drive on the nation’s roads.

From officials of local governments to states and those of the Federal Government, the stories are similar.

A recent survey on the issue showed that no fewer than 26 lives were lost in the past three years to this menace with the convoys of state governors more culpable.

The latest involve governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada on December 28, 2012.

While he was lucky to escape the crash along the Lokoja – Ajaokuta road with a fracture, his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Idris Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was not. He died on the spot.

Wada was returning from an official assignment at Ayingba and he was said to be billed for another event at Lokoja that same day; a reception in honour of the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. It was claimed that the accident might have occurred because his convoy tried to make sure he met up with the engagements.

The state was again thrown into mourning when four days later, the Speaker of its House of Assembly, Momoh Lawal, got involved in another ghastly crash that left a police corporal, Lamidi Akeem, attached to his convoy, dead.

A near similar incident occurred in Imo State few days before the New Year when the convoys of Governor Rochas Okorocha and that of Senator Chris Anyanwu, representing Imo East in the National Assembly rammed into each other.

Though no life was lost this time, aides of the two personalities engaged themselves in a fight which led to the manhandling of the senator’s driver and assistants by the governor’s security aides.

The same reckless driving was the cause of the January 18 and 20 crashes of the con-

One of the cars affected

GOVERNORS INVOLVED

AT 162 DEATHS PER 100,000KMS,

Idris Wada Adams Oshiomhole Tanko Al-Makura Abdul Aziz Yari Late Patrick Yakowa Emmanuel Uduaghan Ibrahim Shema Babangida Aliyu Theodore Orji Gbenga Daniel Abdulkadir Kure Joshua Dariye Liyel Imoke

ACCORDING TO RECENT STATISTICS BY THE

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO), NIGERIA IS AMONG THE COUNTRIES WITH HIGHEST ROAD ACCIDENTS voys of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and the Niger State deputy governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, respectively.

Dankwambo’s convoy crash occurred on the Gombe-Yola road when the driver of a pickup van lost control at a sharp bend and hit a police vehicle in the motorcade returning from a constituency tour in Shongom Local Government Area about 9.15pm. The collision claimed one life while six others sustained various degrees of injury.

That of Ibeto, which killed two on a motocycle, happened when the deputy governor was on his way to Kalgara area of the state for the final ceremony of the state’s Qur’anic competition. His convoy rammed into the motorcyclist who was said to be on the opposite direction.

The use of convoys by the elite, particularly government officials, is not new in Nigeria though it became rampant during the military era. However, it has grown out of proportion under the present democratic dispensation.

This is despite the fact that the categories of people authorised to use siren include the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speakers, their deputies, state governors, service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), as well as Commissioners of Police.

And because this flagrant abuse has continued unchallenged, others like First Ladies, traditional rulers, clergies, chief executives of corporate bodies and even rich private individuals are now toeing this line of ignoble act.

It is common knowledge that several

President Jonathan during a visit to Governor Idris Wada at the hospital.

hours before a top government official is chauffeured through, roads are closed to traffic thereby causing pandemonium and traffic logjam, as motorists and passers-by are compelled to struggle to get out of such scenes or areas as quickly as possible for fear of being trapped.

Also, the sycophantic aides to these VIPs, in the overzealous bid to show loyalty to their respective principals at the same time engage in reckless harassment of other road users, as typified by the humiliation of a Lagos resident, Mrs. Elizabeth Udoudo, by the convoy of the immediate past governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, in Lagos, not long ago.

The military mentality which had led to the violation of the rule on the use of siren has further widened the gap between the government and the governed. The questions then are: Why are Nigerian officials afraid of the same people they are supposedly representing? Is it really safe to entrust the management of a nation to individuals who cannot conform to basic traffic ethics?

What manner of a boss would sit comfortably in a car while his driver cruises at a breakneck speed?

While the questions beg for answers, investigation shows that there is no room for the type of barbarity exhibited by Nigerian officials in an ideal democracy. In many parts of the civilised world, including some African countries such as Ghana, Botswana

and Malawi, leaders do not push their subjects out of the roads with impunity. President Joyce Banda of Malawi, for instance, sold off the 60 Mercedes limousines her predecessors used to intimidate their people, last year.

National Mirror’s findings revealed that the convoy of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth 11 consists of an outrider, a Rover car with four detectives from Scotland Yard and the royal car. The same goes for the country’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, which consists of a car of detectives and a numbered Rover official car.

While the UK could be described as an ideal society, which justifies the modesty of the convoys of her officials, most analysts are of the view that even if latitude should be given to Nigerian public servants because of contemporary security challenges, the inordinate long convoys are still indefensible in the face of depressing realities.

“I am yet to come to terms with the rationale behind the conscription of commissioners, special advisers, personal assistants, all travelling in their individual official vehicles to see off or welcome a governor and the president whenever he is travelling or returning. If there are safety worries, they should limit themselves to security convoys which should quietly and surreptitiously lead them,” Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezugwu, said in an interview with National Mirror.

He challenged the nation’s leaders to curb their convoys of deaths, citing example of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and a few others who have set good ex-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, March 14, 2013

drivers as agents of death AUTHORISED USERS OF SIREN

A car in the convoy of Governor Oshiomhole involved in a crash

The President Vice President Senate President Speaker of House of Reps Governors Service Chiefs Inspector-General of Police General Officers Commanding (GOCs) Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) Commissioners of Police UNAUTHORISED USERS OF SIREN

First Ladies Ministers Commissioners Traditional rulers Religious leaders CEOs of corporate bodies

A car in the convoy of a governor

amples by not using sirens to intimidate and unnecessarily harass other road users.

Chairman of the Abuja council of the Nigeria union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chucks Ehirim, had while lamenting the death of the Nigerian Pilot reporter overran

by Mrs Alison-Madueke’s convoy, also said: “The tragic death of Momoh brings to fore the recklessness of government convoys and their absolute disregard for traffic rules and other road users.”

Some other analysts, however admonished the governors to accede to the request by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to include its officers in their convoys. So far, only Governors Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso (Kano), Rochas Okorochas (Imo) and Yisa Yuguda (Bauchi) have responded to this request.

The commission’s Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer, Osita Chidoka, had particularly indicted drivers in the convoy of the Kogi State government for the accident involving Governor Wada.

Chidoka explained that having realised the excesses of the various governors’ convoys on the highways, the commission wrote to the Presidency on the issue as well as to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to caution their drivers.

He warned that the FRSC will clamp down on individual drivers in the convoy of the state governors and other personalities in the society, as it plans to issue them with special driver licences, monitor and book them anytime they violate highways rules, while the licences of the defiant ones would be withdrawn and consequently disengaged.

The corps Public Education Officer, Jo-

nas Agwu, who also lamented that most accidents, involving convoy drivers were as a result of excessive speed, said: “Convoy drivers are not special species of drivers to have a different speed limit; they are to comply with the national road traffic regulations provided for. It is clear; the maximum speed for any private vehicle on Nigeria roads is 100 kilometre per hour while commercial vehicles are 90 kilometres per hour which convoy drivers often flagrantly abuse.”

The Federal Government appears to have stepped in to curb the menace with the recent approved training policy for the convoy drivers of governors, ministers, heads of agencies and permanent secretaries by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Council had given the approval after expressing great concern on the frequent rate of road crashes by convoy drivers which had resulted in the death of aides of such government officials as well as other innocent citizens.

Addressing State House correspondents after penultimate week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), meeting, Information Minister, Labaran Maku disclosed that the training would be conducted by the FRSC, as the report presented to Council by the commission showed that some of the convoy drivers were not qualified and need to be trained.

It is a long list of convoy accidents in Nigeria. Crashes in 2012, involving those of Governors Adams Oshiomole (Edo); Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa); Abdul Aziz Yari (Zamfara) and late Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna) like the recent ones, also claimed lives.

While Oshiomhole escaped unhurt in the one involving him, three journalists - Olatunji

Jacobs, George Okosun both of Independent Television (ITV) Benin City and Fidelis Ohani of African Independent Television (AIT) as well as a driver lost their lives.

The accident occurred when the governor’s back-up vehicle, conveying security personnel and the Government House Press bus, collided with a tipper lorry on the AfuzeAuchi Road of the state.

Oshiomhole, however read political meaning to the accident because it occurred while he was returning from a campaign where he had received defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP to his party – the Action Congress of Nigeria ahead of the July governorship election in the state.

Three aides of Al-Makura – a personal assistant, police officer and a driver were equally killed in a similar crash, while several others, including his son, Karu, sustained injuries.

In the case of Yari; his convoy collided with a camel on at Talata Mafara, after a road inspection visit to Gummi area of the state. The accident claimed the life of the head of his Special Protection Unit, Ado Yahaya, while five other policemen sustained injuries.

Yakowa, who died in helicopter crash last had a vehicle in his convoy kill a road-side orange seller due to excessive speeding last November.

The list is endless. In December 2011, the convoy of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State got involved in an accident on the Asaba – Ughelli Expressway, when he and his entourage were returning from an official engagement.

The accident was caused due to the carelessness of drivers in the governor’s convoy who chose to occupy the entire road and was unable to see an oncoming commercial vehicle, which attempted to negotiate a sharp curve in Ibusa. In the ensuing confussion, the vehicle lost control and somersaulted repeatedly into a nearby bush leaving the occupants with injuries.

Also in the same year, five persons, including the ADC to Katsina State governor, Ibra-

55

him Shema, Aminu Ibrahim, an Assistant Superintendent of Police died in a road accident involving the governor’s convoy.

Shema was on his way to Daura to receive President Goodluck Jonathan, who was flying in from Zamfara State in continuation of his campaign tour then. Reckless driving was equally blamed for the accident, as the governor’s vehicle, in an attempt to overtake others on the convoy, smashed into a commercial bus.

Forty-eight hours after the tragic incident, another two persons died, while six others were wounded when their vehicle had an accident while travelling in the convoy of the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu to Lapai area of the state for a campaign rally.

Six vehicles in the convoy of the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji, equally had such experience at Igbagu Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on the Ogoja– Abakaliki Expressway. Though the governor escaped unhurt, some of his aides sustained various degrees of injury.

The accident was blamed on the poor state of the road, which was then under construction though it was reasoned that the accident would have been avoided if the convoy was not over speeding.

A former deputy governor of Gombe State, David Albashi, was however not lucky to survive a similar crash in the same year.

He died of the injuries in a German hospital.

Other fatal crashes involving the governors’ convoys were that of the then governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel (2005) in which five journalists died; then Niger State governor, Abdulkadir Kure (2007) in which six of his aides lost their lives and then Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye (2007) that claimed nine lives including those of eight journalists.

Also in 2007, 12 persons died when the convoy of the former governor of Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor was involved in a multiple crash along the Lokoja-Abuja highway.

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State had a similar experince in 2010 while ascending the mountainous Obudu Ranch Resort.

His driver lost control of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), causing it to skid off the snaky road and crashed. Although the driver and the governor’s Chief Security Officer did not sustain serious injuries, the vehicle was mangled.

The governors are however not the only culprits. In December 2012, the convoy of Senator Danjuma Goje of Gombe State, ran over one Haruna Maigari and injured two others in a village in the state. His convoy had a similar accident resulting in the death of three persons in 2008 when he was the governor of the state.

Another lawmaker, Senator Ajayi Boroffice of Ondo State was, likewise involved in an accident in which a 58-year-old woman, Mrs Florence Olusori reportedly died.

The Minister of Petroleum Rersources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke is also on the growing list. Her convoy was responsible for the death of Mr. James Momoh, a journalist with Pilot Newspapers on his way from work at Nicon Junction, Maitama, Abuja, also last year.

The same goes for the Senate President, David Mark, who had a driver attached to his office killed in a convoy accident in Otukpo town of Benue State in 2011. Mark was not travelling in the convoy at the time of the accident then, but two of security aides - Corporal James Ogwuche and Constable Rasheed Quadiri, got injured.

WORLD RECORD

Fastest maglev train Vol. 03 No. 577

O

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Rail tracks of transformation

ne of the most remarkable achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan is undoubtedly the resuscitation of the nation’s paralysed and relegated railway transport system. After almost 15 years of motion without movement and the blowing of billions of naira, the Goodluck Jonathan administration is trying to put the trains back on tracks across the land. This way, he has finally answered the prayers of the highly itinerant Nigerian masses for an affordable means of mass transportation of people and goods that span the entire country.

This marks a significant evidence of the reality of the seriously articulated Transformation Agenda now under implementation by this administration. This is a timely and welcome departure from the many expensive false starts of the past to correct the monumental mistake of the previous military administrations that still hold the

P

N150

The highest speed attained by a manned superconducting magnetically levitated (maglev) train is 581 km/h (361 mph) by the MLX01, operated by the Central Japan Railway Company and Railway Technical Research Institute, on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on 2 December 2003.

resident and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration, Bernie Ecclestone, thinks Formula1 will see a new Jenson Button in 2013 following the departure of Lewis Hamilton at McLaren last year.

Whilst the Woking-based team

Guest Columnist

Abdullahi Garba

dubious distinction of spawning most to the economic adversities of Nigeria.

All over the world, and especially in the developing world, the rail system has been an indispensable pillar of the logistics for mass transportation of people and goods and by extension, a major economic dynamo for national development. It is of particular interest to the millions of common people who need to commute continuously to places far and near within their country in pursuit of making a living at reasonable and affordable cost.

Rail transportation was the lifeline of the exploitative agenda of the colonialists who established it that it could not be dismantled at the end of the era and became arguably the most valuable legacy of the colonial period. Several generations of Nigerians have benefited tremendously from the existential services of the Nigerian Railway Corporation which continued to thrive and survived the cankerworms of corruption and mismanagement that saw to the demise of several similar government enterprises.

Till this day none can explain or understand the rationale for a supposedly patriotic and responsible military governments to bring such a viable national asset to its ruination and for their civilian successors to merely fritter away billions of naira in bogus rail rehabilitation programme.

But all this is mercifully past and gone.

Ever since he assumed full control of the reins of power in the country, President Jonathan has salvaged the soiled reputation of Nigerian leaders by distancing himself from the tradition of lip service and deceptive expenditure of billions of naira on white elephant and failed projects. What

PRESIDENT JONATHAN HAS SALVAGED THE SOILED REPUTATION OF

NIGERIAN LEADERS BY DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THE TRADITION OF LIP SERVICE AND DECEPTIVE EXPENDITURE OF BILLIONS OF NAIRA ON WHITE ELEPHANT AND FAILED PROJECTS

could not be achieved in more than 35 years of rail rehabilitation programme has finally come to pass in a couple of years of sincere and responsible governance.

The trains are rolling again and bringing to life vast stretches of ghost railway towns and villages with blaring horns and hundreds of daily commuters criss-crossing the nation on numerous economic missions at affordable rates. Thousands of kilometres of dilapidated narrow gauge rail tracks linking all the zones in the country have since been fixed and strengthened, thus facilitating the reintroduction of the famously bustling Lagos-Kano service.

Extension programme, such as the KanoNguru-Maiduguri rail rehabilitation is on, so also is the Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri

narrow gauge line which is also receiving deserved attention. The much talked about standard gauge for fast trains would soon be added to the laurels of the Jonathan administration in the transformation of the rail transport sector. While the Lagos-Ibadan fast train line job is due for award, the Kaduna-Abuja fast train line that will connect with the Ajaokuta-Warri line is under construction and is estimated to be at about 45 percent completion. Soon the laying of the tracks will commence.

To this impressive list must also be added the ultra-modern Abuja monorail project, which will bring the federal capital at par with modern cities all over the world in the provision of safe, fast, convenient and affordable urban mass transit system that will significantly curb the stressful and chaotic automobile options that we have been stuck with and which left us decades behind other nations of the developing world.

These major rail projects together underscore the dramatic difference in performance that the Jonathan administration has made by its capacity to attain significant outcomes, whether we are talking of the long anticipated rebirth of the nation-wide rail mass transportation which Nigerians have since welcomed with high patronage or the international standard gauge tracks now being laid after they had been on the drawing boards for decades.

It is curious to observe that these awesome transformational development in a sector hitherto consigned to regrettable memories of crashed national assets, have not been accorded the appreciation, nay celebration that they surely deserve, especially in the politically-obsessed media. There is, however, consolation in the undeniable fact that Nigerians are not politically-biased as can be seen from the enthusiastic embrace of high patronage of the Lagos-Kano rail line and other recently resuscitated rail services. The credit will surely and deservedly go to President Goodluck Jonathan when the chips are down!

Garba can be reached at abdullahi_ garba@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

F1: Button tipped as McLaren arrowhead

insists it does not operate a number one policy, the most experienced man on the grid is widely expected to lead the team this season, as Sergio Perez only has two years of F1 under his belt.

McLaren was perceived as be-

ing ‘Hamilton’s team’ when Button joined for the 2010 campaign and Ecclestone thinks the 2009 World Champion will relish the chance to make the squad his own.

“I think it will be good for Jenson, as he will now feel that he is

in charge, whereas before he might have thought that he was ‘number two’,” Ecclestone said yesterday.

Champions League Results Malaga

2-0

FC Porto

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0-2

Arsenal

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