Thursday, March 28, 2013

Oluwole Awolowo, 70, Nigerian Tribune publisher, dies in London Tinubu, Amosun, Babatope, Afenifere, others mourn AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR (POLITICS)

S

cion of the Obafemi Awolowo family and Publisher/Vice

Vol. 3 N0. 587

Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., Publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo died yesterday. He was aged 70.

According to a statement issued last night by the Managing Director/Editor -in-Chief of Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Edward Dickson, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3>>

Court restrains IGP from arresting Maina, Pension probe chairman P.5

Thursday, March 28, 2013

N150

Pipeline vandalism in Lagos:

Police kill civil defence officers, free oil thieves OMEIZA AJAYI, SUBERU FRANCIS AND MURITALA AYINLA

Senate backs death penalty for vandals

P.2

INSTRUMENTS OF TERROR

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onfusion reigned in Lagos yesterday as some rogue policemen killed two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Ikorodu area of the state in a bid to free some pipeline vandals the corps had apprehended.

The killings led to revenge attacks on policemen by civil defenders near the Lagos State Secretariat, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Diamond Bank opens UK subsidiary

P.32

Bayelsa orders demolition of terrorists’ hideout in Lagos P.7

Bomb-laden car intercepted by policemen in Kano, yesterday.

Planned Easter attacks:

Bomb-laden car intercepted in Kano Rocket launchers, assorted arms recovered

Dickson

P.12

BPE offers Omotosho Power Plant for N33.6bn

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News

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police kill civil defence officers, free oil thieves CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Alausa amid sporadic shooting which created panic in the area.

National Mirror checks revealed that the two officers killed were an Assistant Inspector of Corps, AIC, Gabriel Adaji and Inspector of Corps, Innocent Aigbe.

Also, a Police Staff Identity Card with the number 120622 belonging to one Inspector Sunday Gabriel attached to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, a pistol as well as a communications radio were allegedly recovered at the scene.

A number of suspects arrested for pipeline vandalism, who were being conveyed to the state headquarters of the NSCDC were freed during the attack.

The incident, which occurred about 3a.m. took men of the anti-vandal unit by surprise as the policemen were said to have used the cover of darkness to ambush the officers.

A top officer in the NSCDC, who described the attack as “commando-like” said this was not the first time that the police would attack civil defenders.

According to him, rather than blame the attack on some “unknown gunmen in police uniform”, Nigerians must be told the truth of the sinister moves by a section of the police to discredit or attack the NSCDC even without provocation.

He said: “The Nigeria police ambushed and opened fire on men of the antivandal squad of the Lagos State Command of NSCDC; killing two men on the spot while others escaped with gunshot wounds in Ikorodu axis of Lagos State.”

He said the officers and men of the corps were returning from a successful anti-vandal operation where some vandals were arrested along with their exhibits and were being transported back to the state headquarters of the corps.

He quoted an intelligence source as explaining that “the vandals made calls to their police collaborators for support as they could not overwhelm the anti-vandal team of the corps.

“Immediately the police got wind of the informa-

tion, they laid siege for the corps and opened fire on the NSCDC patrol vehicles killing two men, while others immediately took cover but with gunshot wounds even as the vandals were released immediately by the police.”

Asked why the NSCDC men did not fire back, the officer said men of the corps refused to fire a single shot from their rifles in order not to escalate the issue.

When National Mirror visited the Alausa headquarters of the corps yesterday morning, the officers were in pensive mood.

The Toyota Hilux, with registration number CD 15 A01in which the officers were allegedly shot, was covered with blood in the aftermath of the shooting.

It was learnt that the remains of the slain corps members had been taken to the Military Hospital Mortuary, Yaba.

There was pandemonium within the Alausa vicinity as some of the corps members went berserk.

Three policemen were beaten to a pulp and arrested by the aggrieved corps in front of their office to express their grievance over the loss of their men.

They also resorted to sporadic shooting into the air, a development that led to confusion in the area for two hours, as commuters ran helter and skelter to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

It took the intervention of a detachment of fully armed Rapid Response Squad, RRS, officers to bring the situation back to normal.

The protesting officers were ordered back into their premises by their commandant.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Lagos NSCDC, Kehinde Dada, said the officers had gone on a raid of vandals in Ikorodu and were returning when they were ambushed by the police.

Dada said the shot officers never knew they could be attacked by the police.

Reacting to the killing, the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, tasked NSCDC personnel to develop a good working relationship with other security agencies, especially the military in

tackling the issue of vandalism and oil theft.

He charged them to ensure that anytime they are to embark on an operation, they should liaise with any of the military formation within that locality in order to do it jointly.

The military, according to the Corps helmsman, has agreed to collaborate and partner with the corps in stamping out vandalism, illegal bunkering and oil theft.

The NSCDC boss, who spoke while briefing men of the anti-vandal squad of the corps, urged them to remain resolute and dogged in their drive in fighting

the illicit act to a standstill without compromise.

In a statement signed on his behalf by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh, the CG recalled that “the Federal Government through the enabling Act has mandated the Corps to carry out the function of mounting surveillance, protecting critical infrastructure of government, arrest and prosecute anyone caught in the act of vandalism as well as those suspected to be collaborators.”

Abolurin cautioned the Corps personnel mostly those of the Lagos State Command to be calm and law abiding,

refrain from carrying out any reprisals in order to maintain the existing friendship with other agencies in spite of the ugly event that occurred yesterday.

He said that NSCDC has taken up the case with the appropriate authorities, with a view to investigating the matter.

Contacted, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Umar Manko, said he was yet to get details of the incident, stressing that he was still collating information about the killings.

However, reliable police sources told National Mirror that police officers involved in the incident have

Cross section of reverend fathers and catholic faithful at the Chrism Mass in Abuja, yesterday.

been arrested and are being detained at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

The source said the initial statement of the arrested officers was that they mistook the Civil Defence officers for pipeline vandals, adding that the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar was worried over the incident.

But a new twist was added to the incident yesterday when the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ngozi Braide, in a statement blamed the attack on the NSDC officers.

Braide said: “The Lagos CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

PHOTO: NAN

Senate moves to make oil theft capital offence EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

T

he Senate yesterday said it intends to make oil theft a capital offence in the country.

The Senate position is coming even as the incidence of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering continues to thrive in the country, with attendant loss of huge revenue to the Federal Government.

Speaking while declaring open the public hearing as well as inaugurating the joint committees on the contentious Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, Senate President David Mark said making death sentence the punishment for crude oil theft will serve as enough deterrent to those involved in the act.

Mark vowed to support any move that will arrest the ugly trend, which he noted, was giving Nigeria a bad name in the international community.

He, however, assured that the Federal Govern-

ment will not allow a few individuals to paint the country in negative light.

In the same vein, Mark reiterated the fact that the PIB was not designed to divide the country. If for anything, he said the bill will unite the people.

The four committees charged with the responsibility of collating views from stakeholders and the general public, with a view to submitting a final report are the Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Committee on Gas, as well as Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal matters.

The joint committee is chaired by Senator Umaru Dahiru, who is chairman of the Committee on Judiciary.

Other co-chairmen are: Nkechi Nwaogu (Gas), Emmanuel Paulker (Petroleum Upstream) and Magnus Abe (Petroleum Downstream).

Mark assured that the PIB will be treated in the

best interest of the nation and that of the international community.

This, he added, will be achieved through transparency.

In the final analysis, the bill will encourage investors to come into the country, thereby increasing the quantum of direct-foreign investment.

The Senate President further assured the public and prospective investors that the PIB “is designed in a win-win situation.”

According to Mark, the Senate was not changing the entire bill.

“The bill must show true transparency in the industry; not in an opaque manner, which will not bring transparency to the sector.”

Mark said that efforts should be made to go into oil exploration in other parts of the country.

"We are taking this Bill seriously, the world is changing so fast and so is the petroleum industry.

So, this is not a new bill

but a review of the bill to meet with international best practices.

“Nigerians are patriotic enough to know that what we are doing is in the best interest of all Nigerians, we have to update the Bill so that we can encourage investors.

The Bill is a win-win situation for all the parties involved “If the bill must succeed," Mark argued, "the current rate of oil theft must be minimised to the barest minimum.

“We are aware of the competition involved in the oil industry in the world. I want to assure you that all the members of this committee are patriotic Nigerians and the report of this committee will be a true reflection of the public views; no member of the committee has a fixed position, this is the first time we are putting four committees together and make a Bill that all Nigerians will be happy with.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, March 28, 2013

3

AWOLOWO 1942- 2013

Oluwole Awolowo, 70, Nigerian Tribune publisher, dies in London CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Oluwole died at 5.40p.m. at the Wellington Hospital, St Johnswood, London.

The deceased has been ill for sometime. Between 2011 and 2012 he was on admission for about a year at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The statement reads: “We announce the final home call of the Publisher/ Vice Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., Publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo. He was 70 years old.

“Chief Awolowo died 5.40p.m. Nigerian time at Wellington Hospital, St Johnswood, London following complications arising from a car crash that occurred on September 30, 2006.

“He had been in and out of hospital, home and abroad, since he was involved in the ghastly accident seven years ago on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

“Despite his health challenges following the accident, Chief Awolowo devoted his life to the service of God and was deeply involved in evangelical activities. In the past four years, he authored a Christian column, Oba's Lectern, in the

Sunday Tribune.

“He fought a good fight and has gone to rest with his Maker.

“We ask for prayers at this most trying time for the Awolowo family and for the ANN Plc. Former Minister of Transport and Director of Organisation of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, Chief Ebeneze Babatope, told National Mirror that he was devastated by the demise of Oluwole.

“I’m devastated. I’m simply devastated. Oluwole has been my friend for 37 years.

He is a nice man. If he has N100, 000 and you are in need of money, he would give you everything. He has suffered a lot since he had accident in 2006. This incident is going to affect Mama,” Babatope told National Mirror last night.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State also described the death of the scion of the Obafemi Awolowo family, as a sad occurrence.

Amosun said this has thrown the entire state into mourning.

The governor in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Mrs. Funmi Wakama, said that the fact that the deceased was survived by his

The late Awolowo

mother, the revered matriarch of the family who is seen by all Nigerians as symbol of Nigerian nationalism, made the departure of the Second Republic legislator the irreparable loss even more painful.

“We are surprised to hear about the sudden departure of the Publisher of Tribune titles who was not only the son of our late sage but was himself a major political figure, going by the prominent role he played in the Second Republic when he served meritoriously

as a legislator in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

"The entire people of Ogun State mourn the departure of this illustrious son of our dear state. Our condolences go to the entire Awolowo family, particularly our dear mama, Chief (Mrs) H. I. D. Awolowo. We pray that God Almighty will console and strengthen them at this time of grief.

We also pray that God should grant the dead eternal rest," Amosun said.

Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola

Tinubu, also described the death of Oluwole Awolowo as a sad and painful loss, even as he prayed God to grant Mama HID Awolowo the strength to bear this irreparable loss in her old age. “Oluwole was a gentle personality and a brilliant man, who loved people and affected his environment positively. He was one from a great family of excellent political tradition and his life and contributions would not be forgotten in a hurry," Tinubu said last night.

The former governor prayed that God grant the entire Awolowo clan the fortitude to bear this painful loss. "They must not despair, but must be strong for Mama and above take solace in the fact that he lived a memorable and fulfilled life," he said.

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, last night described the Oluwole’s death as painful.

“The entire Afenifere family mourns the passing away of the scion of our illustrious leader's family, Chief Oluwole Awolowo.

His death is big pain and loss to all of us who are followers of the sage. We pray that the Almighty will strengthen our Mama and

the entire family in this difficult moment. May his amiable soul rest in perfect peace,” Afenifere’s spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said.

The Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, expressed shock at the development.

“Oh my God! Jesus of Nazareth. Why is this happening at this time? It is a terrible blow to the Awolowo family and the Yoruba race. I feel for Mama Awolowo losing a son at 98. My condolence goes to the family. I wish Mama well. I pray she will have the courage to bear the loss,” Fasehun told National Mirror.

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, also condoled with the family. In an interview with National Mirror, the national Publicity Secretary of ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: “We commiserate with the matriarch of the Awolowo family, the sibling and entire Awoists of the loss of the only son of the sage. It is painful enough to lose the only son of Awolowo, but more painful that the matriarch is still alive. We pray that God will give Mama the fortitude to bear the loss.”

PROFILE K AYODE KETEFE

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vangelist Bolade Akanni Awolowo, was born into the illustrious of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (of Ikenne extraction) in Ibadan on December 3, 1942. He was the third child and second son of the legendary Papa Obafemi Awolowo and Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

Growing up as child in a rich family, Oluwole Awolowo exhibited remarkable intelligence and brilliance reminiscent of the attributes of his father, Papa Awolowo.

However, what impressed the late sage most about the young man’s character was his focus and tenacity of purpose and desire to excel in whatever he laid his hands upon - a virtue which made his famous father to give him the sobriquet of “The Unbreakable” which stuck to him throughout his life.

He attended the famous Ibadan Grammar School, after which he proceeded to Leighton Park School, Reading, Berdshire, England for further studies. He was admitted into the Leeds College of Commerce from which he graduated in Business Studies in the early sixties.

After spending some years abroad, he returned to Nigeria in the 60s to meet his

father in the turbulent era of the first republican politics. His, father was then in the struggles to position the Action Group Party, which he formed, as a formidable national political party, but he was met with many adversaries who were all laboring to scuttle his dreams.

Despite his background, Oluwole who believed in taking his destiny into his own hands, worked with several Nigerian companies. The companies included the Nigerian Tobacco Company, Ibadan, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and the Nigerian Television Service, Lagos.

He later set up his own business ventures which dealt in areas as diverse as transportation, petroleum products dealership and estate management and Development. He was very successful in all these enterprises.

In 1984, the Board of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, the publisher of the Nigerian Tribune and other titles, appointed him Publisher/Vice Chairman of the stable’s titles. He later became the substantive Chairman and held this position till his death.

He was reputed as a patriot, publisher, and an exemplary spiritual leader.

He was fondly remembered for the statement he made when he was appointed the publisher of the Tribune titles in 1984. Oluwole had said “I am not re-

ally interest in sitting for hours in office doing paper work,. But rather to put in place strategies that would encourage all staffers from the Managing Director to the Cleaners to see themselves rather as one family who are joint owners of the business than employees.”

In recognition of his selfless service to his society, Chief Oluwole Awolowo had in his lifetime received awards and recognition of numerous institutions and societies. Some of the institutions that had given him award in his lifetime included: The Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ;The Commonwealth Journalists Association, London and the Association of Post-Graduate Communication and Language Arts Students, University of Ibadan.

Others included the Rotaract Club of Lagos, University of Lagos, Akoka and the National Union of Printing, Publishing and paper products workers.

The Nigerian Association of Special Education Students, University of Ibadan, also bestowed on him a merit Award in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of cause of the persons living with disabilities.

The Anglican Youth Fellowship AiyepeIjebu Branch also gave him an award for his outstanding contributions as the life patron of the year 1998-1999.

He had also served his fatherland in many capacities which included serving as a delegate to the Constitutional Conference in Abuja. Antoher capacity in which he had served was a member of the the member of the Transition Implementation Technical Committee, Abuja.

In spite of all his earthly accomjplishments, Oluwole realised the futility of life and decided in his adult life to devote the remaining part of his life to the service of his creator. In pursuit of this goal he attended the All Neighbours Institute of Theology, which is an affiliate of Faith University Incorporated, Columbia, Missouri, USA and Accredited Member of Pan African Accrediting Association of Fundamental Institutions of Christian Colleges of Theological Seminaries.

After he completed the prescribed courses of study from this institution, he was conferred with the Degrees of Bachelor of Theology (B.Th) and later Master of Theology M.Th) He then became an evangelist, launching himself into the divine task of soulwining and service of God. Adieu, Chief Oluwole Awolowo.

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Photo News

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Head of Programme, GIZ, Mr. Christian Widman; Country Director, Mrs. Jacobi-Sambou Carola; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; German Consul-General, Mr. Walter von den Driesch and Special Adviser to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, during the inauguration of GIZ-SEDIN office in Abeokuta, yesterday.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Euro Trend, Czech Republic, Mr. Jiri Nekovar; Commissioner-General, Ghana Tax Authority, Mr. George Blankson; representative of the President of ECOWAS, Mr. Salifou Tiemtore and President, West African Union of Tax Institutes, Mr. Rasaq Quadri, at PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA the 2nd International Tax Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Executive Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, UBA Plc, Mr. Femi Olaloku; Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe and Director of Strategy and Business Transformation, UBA Plc, Mr. Ayodeji Adigun, during the business visit of NIBSS to UBA House in Lagos, on Tuesday.

L-R: Western Union Regional Vice-President for North, Central and West Africa, Mrs. Aida Diarra; Chief Executive Officer, VTNETWORK Limited, Mr. Peter Ojo and Western Union Senior Country Manager, Mr. Tarik Alhassani, at a press conference on Western Union VTN Mobile Money Transfer Service in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

National News

BPE offers to sell Omotosho Power Plant to CMEC-Pacific for N33.6bn AYO OLESIN

T

he Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, has offered to sell the Omotosho power plant in Ondo State to CMEC-Pacific consortium.

The sale transaction is through a debt-equity swap process that will see the major project financier taking over the plant.

Presenting the offer letter to the Chairman of CMEC-Pacific, Mr. Adeleke Adedeji, the acting Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, said that it was in fulfillment of the decision of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) which approved the sale at its last meeting which held February 28, 2013.

According to a BPE statement yesterday, the NCP had approved that CMEC-Pacific pays $217.5m (N33.6bn) for the power plant. However, the net total amount accruable to the Federal Government for the plant would be $

82.3m (N12.7bn) given that $30.3m (N4.6bn) would be deducted from the capital cost for the construction of a switch yard for the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN. It would be recalled that the Phase 1 of Omotosho power plant which, has a capacity of 335MW was constructed in 2002. The total price under the turnkey contract was $166.7m The Federal Government funded 35 per cent of the cost while the balance of 65 per cent was financed through vendor financing provided by China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) at the interest rate of six per cent per annum.

It was initially conceived that the power project, after completion, would operate commercially and the proceeds from the sales of electricity will be used for the repayment of the vendor financing and the interest payment.

However the delay in the completion period coupled with limitation in gas sup-

ply and paucity of funds at Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) resulted to default in the payment of the debt leading to the accumulation of unpaid invoices to CMEC. This responsibility was taken over by the Debt Management Office (DMO) which informed the Bureau of Public Enterprises that it had paid approximately $104.2m to CMEC for the plant as at September 30, 2012.

The BPE said that based on the approval received by the Federal Ministry of Power from President Goodluck Jonathan on July 18, 2010 to proceed with the proposed divestiture of Federal Government’s investment in the plant, the Bureau sought and received NCP’s approval for the divestiture of Omotosho Power Plc through debt-equity swap during its first meeting of 12th May, 2011.

NCP also approved the transfer of assets to the project company –Omotosho Power Plc— which was incorporated on November 10, 2006 as a vehicle to own the assets of the plant.

Reps probe N5.6bn oil pipeline contracts TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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he House of Representatives has directed a committee to investigate an alleged N5.6 billion spent annually on oil pipeline protection by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which conflicts with the mandate of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

A motion that triggered the probe was sponsored by Hon. Robinson Uwak.

In their contribution to the motion, the lawmakers took turns to lambaste the NNPC’s alleged breach or violation of the NSCDC Act 2003 (as amended) and also the negligence of the Corps duties under the Act. The sponsor of the motion cited Section (1) (e) of the Act as saying: “The NSCDC shall maintain 24-hour surveillance over infrastructure, sites and projects of the Federal, State and Local Government; that the NSCDC has powers to arrest without a warrant, detain, investigate and institute legal

proceedings against any person who is reasonably suspected to have committed an offence under this Act or is involved in any power transmission lines, or Oil Pipelines, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) cables, equipment, water board pipes or equipment vandalism.”

He regretted that despite the cardinal mandate of the Corps under the Act on pipeline protection, still embarked on spending N5.6 billion annually on contracts for the protection of oil pipelines in violation of the NSCDC Act, 2007.

The Act explicitly and unequivocally gives the NSCDC the powers to protect pipelines all over the country; arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute any person suspected to be involved in the act of pipeline vandalism.

Hon. Uwak said: “The huge sums of money spent in servicing the pipeline contract could be invested in funding the NSCDC to enable the Corps carry out its statutory function rather than giving it to a private firm in violation

of the law and a condition that could compromise the national security.”

According to him, the NSDC law states that “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) shall maintain 24-hour surveillance over infrastructure, sites and projects of the Federal, State and Local Government”.

He added: “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) has powers to arrest without a warrant, detain , investigate and institute legal proceedings against any person who is reasonably suspected to have committed an offence under this Act or is involved in any power transmission lines, or Oil Pipelines, Nigerian Postal Service(NIPOST) cables, equipment, water board pipes or equipment vandalism”.

Other members of the House, however, supported the motion.

The motion was adopted when Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal put it to vote and the committee was mandated to submit its report within four weeks.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, March 28, 2013

5

Court restrains IGP from arresting Maina, Pension probe chairman

L-R: Ministers, Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i; Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke; State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

terday, presiding judge, Justice Adamu Bello held that, the conditions precedent to the issuance of a warrant of arrest were not fully followed, hence the invalidity of the warrant of arrest.

Justice Bello, while acknowledging the powers of the Senate, by virtue of sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to summon agencies of government as well as public officials, however, noted that such powers are not absolute.

Bello stated that the respondents were not able to show by evidence that the investigation of pension fund administration by the Senate Joint Committee on Establishment, complied with the extant provision of section 82.

He maintained that for a warrant of arrest or resolution to be said to have been properly or validly issued, same must be published in a government gazette.

The failure, therefore, of the respondents (in this instance, the Senate) to attach a gazetted copy of the February 2 resolution to their counter-affidavit, the court reasoned, dealt a fatal blow on their defence as well as quest to compel Maina to appear before the committee.

Nonetheless, Justice Bello clarified that the parliament has the powers to make laws, expose corruption, summon and cause an investigation to be carried out.

Bello said: “It is in furtherance of the Senate committee’s invitation of pen-

sion administration that the Senate invited the applicant to appear before it.

“The burden is on the respondents to show that the resolution of the Senate passed is gazetted and contained in its journal.

“I must say, regrettably that, the respondents have failed to produce or annex this gazette in their counteraffidavit...The implication of the failure to produce or annex this important document is that, there is no evidence before me that the warrant of arrest was properly commenced and in compliance with section 82 of the constitution.

“If so, the warrant of arrest was not validly issued.

In the circumstance, therefore, I’m bound to set aside the warrant of arrest.

“Consequently, the warrant of arrest issued against the applicant is hereby set aside.

“I grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining respondents from arresting the applicant on account of the warrant of arrest issued against the applicant...

“My decision is based on the failure of the Senate to annex the relevant document in its gazette.

“This should not send the wrong signal that the Senate does not have the power to summon any person for...purpose of investigation.”

He, however, advised Maina to show respect to the institution of the National Assembly, by appearing before the Senate committee to answer questions.

scene, the NSCDC officials had taken to their heels abandoning the handcuffed and leg chained Police Inspector with one of NSCDC personnel.

“Therefore, it was shocking that at about 0400hrs, the Civil Defence Corp Commander called the Police Commander Mosimi to say that he lost two of his men and their corpses have been deposited at the hospital. Up till now, the pistol of Insp. Sunday Gabriel who was badly beaten and stabbed by the NSCDC officials including his other accoutrements are still with NSCDC. “Subsequently, far away in Alausa, Ikeja, at about 0800hrs today, the NSCDC

officials abducted and assaulted three policemen namely: Sgt Charles Igiebor, Cpl Ekun Julius and Cpl Okoro Charles who went for National I.D Card registration exercise. They also started attacking Policemen on sight in other parts of the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, immediately went on air to warn Policemen not to engage in any form of confrontation with the NSCDC officials.

“However, investigation into the matter has commenced while Lagosians are advised to maintain peace and remain calm.”

A top official of the Nigerian national Petroleum

Corporation, NNPC said yesterday that “this barbaric act is evidence of how entrenched and desperate the oil thieves are. They will go to any extent to perpetrate their nefarious activities and sabotage the national economy. We are confident that these vandals will soon be routed.”

“On the allegation that the perpetrators of this dastardly and callous act were in police uniform, it is better to await findings of an investigation before arriving at conclusions.”

“On our part, the NNPC will continue to support the various security agencies as they strive to protect our facilities,” the official added.

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

A

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, from arresting or executing the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate against the embattled chairman of the disbanded Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.

The court ruled that the Senate’s resolution of February 2, wherein the decision to arrest Maina was made, was invalid, by virtue of the fact that same was neither gazetted nor published in government journal.

By this judgement, Maina is protected from “further unlawful harassment,

intimidation and attempt to arrest” him by the police.

In a motion on notice for the enforcement of his fundamental rights against possible arrest by the police, in compliance with a February 2 warrant of arrest issued by the Senate, Maina had prayed the court to award the sum of N1.5bn damages against the Senate President, David Mark, and Abubakar.

The applicant told the court the amount will serve as damages against the “psychological trauma he was subjected to.”

Counsel to Maina, Mr. M.A Magaji (SAN) had urged the court to grant his motion brought pursuant to Order 13, Rule 35 (15), Order 29 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) rules.

Magaji cited Section 122 (c) of the Evidence Act, where he said that the law

allows the court to “take judicial notice of the proceedings of the National Assembly,” with a view to resolving whether they exercised their powers within the limit of the constitution.

He argued that there is, “nowhere in Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), where arrest is mentioned.”

In the circumstance, he urged the court to “grant all our prayers and discountenance the counter-affidavits by the respondents and order the respondents to pay our client the sum of N1.5bn for psychological trauma he was subjected to...”

While raising objection to the motion, counsel to Mark, Ken C. Ikonne and that of the IGP, Pamela Ohabo, urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds of lack of merit.

Specifically, Ikonne submitted that the “applicant’s supporting affidavit is incompetent, stressing that the affidavit in support of the motion should have been sworn to by the applicant himself.

“Where the applicant cannot do so, the affidavit shall be accompanied by a statement stating why the applicant cannot, and once non-compliance touches on commencement, it can no longer be cured by waiver,” Ikonne said.

On that basis, he urged the court “to dismiss the suit because the enabling environment for fair hearing was provided by the respondent, but the applicant failed to utilise it.

“The court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, by virtue of order 10 of the fundamental human rights procedure rules.”

Delivering judgement yes-

Police kill civil defence officers, free oil thieves CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

State Command wishes to use this medium to put the records straight on what actually transpired at IsawoIkorodu at early hours of today March 27 between the NSCDC and the Police.

“At about 0145hrs of date, there was a distress call from DM security PPMC, Mosimi that they were experiencing drop in pressure on the pipeline. The Unit Commander in charge of Konu immediately pulled out his men on Konu axis under Inspector Sunday Gabriel to proceed to the scene.

“As they were approaching, they heard sound of serious gun firing in their area of pipeline coverage

and the Inspector instructed his men to proceed to that direction as it could be the activities of vandals.

Upon arrival, they saw a group of Civil Defence Corp coming out from the direction where the shooting was earlier heard. The NSCDC men challenged the policemen who were about four in number on what their mission was in the area; “saying that it was their sole responsibility (Civil Defence) to guard and protect pipelines.

“At this juncture there was an argument between the NSCDC and the Police and the most senior NSCDC officer, DSC Olufemi ordered his men who were about 14 in number to dis-

arm, arrest and handcuff the police team leader and three other members of his team. The NSCDC succeeded in disarming the police team leader Inspector Sunday Gabriel, handcuffed him, collected his service pistol, walkie-talkie, and Police I.D card.

“As they were about dragging him into one of their standby Hilux vehicles, a phone call was put to the Police Unit Commander reporting the situation. The three other officers resisted the arrest and this infuriated Civil Defence officials who started shooting sporadically to intimidate and subdue the Police officers.

“Before the Police Commander could arrive at the

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Subsidy fraud: EFCC to seize suspects’ money in foreign accounts •Arraigns four for trying to dupe Suswam of $3m

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday said it had secured a restraining order for the forfeiture and repatriation of funds allegedly laundered in the United Kingdom by those standing trial in connection with the N1.7 trillion oil subsidy fraud.

No fewer than 23 oil companies were said to have illegally benefitted from the oil subsidy regime of the Federal Government.

Some of the proprietors of such companies are currently being prosecuted by the EFCC. The development came even as the commission arraigned the quartet of Mark Gbaa, Ezekiel Ajik Azi, Bulus Ashom Agwom and Nuhu Bawa Atangs before Justice E. N. Kpojime of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi, for allegedly defrauding Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswan of $3 million.

The EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that the Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, made the disclosure in respect of the funds repatriation moves at a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock.

According to the statement, Lamorde said the restraining order, which the EFCC secured in the UK, was as a result of the “wonderful relationship” the commission had enjoyed and was still enjoying from Britain in recent times.

He said: “We want to use this opportunity to thank your staff for the wonderful relationship we have enjoyed. Recently we have had support in respect of the fuel subsidy investigation.

“The UK-sponsored Justice 4 All, J4ALL, paid for forensic accountant that assisted the commission in the investigation that nailed those accused in the fuel subsidy fraud.

“The UK authorities helped to restrain some funds belonging to the fuel

subsidy suspects in the UK. We are formalising ways to getting the funds forfeited and repatriated to Nigeria.

We want the support to continue.”

Lamorde lauded the assistance UK government had rendered to the commission.

Earlier, Pocock, who was on the visit with Hooman Nouruzi, Steve Foster and Catherine Weiss, decried the negative impact of corruption in the economic development of Nigeria, explaining that it had impacted negatively on the lives of Nigerians, the government and the economy.

The envoy said because of corruption in allocation and delivery process, cost of infrastructure in Nigeria had been three times

ABUJA

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he Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved the award of 13 roads contracts across the country at a cost of N47.8 billion Speaking at the end of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, told State House Correspondents that the construction of the roads would increase social and economic activities in the states.

Onolememen listed the 13 roads undergoing construction and rehabilitation to include VandeikyaObudu Cattle Ranch Phase 1 in Benue State, MbaiseNgwa, Abriba - Arochuk-

part: “Having taken their plea, prosecution counsel, J. O. Uzor, asked that they be remanded in prison custody and requested for a date to commence trial.

This was opposed by the defence counsel, E. A. Kume, for the first accused and Izang Aware for the second, third and fourth accused persons.

“Justice Kpojime, however, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 each and a surety in like sum.

“He said that the surety must be a civil servant in the service of Benue State Government who must not be less than grade level 12.

“He further said that all sureties and accused persons must deposit their passport photographs. The case was adjourned to May 15, 2013 for trial.”

L-R: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock; Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde and Director, Organisational Support, Mr. Bolaji Salami, during Pocock’s courtesy visit to the commission in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

FEC approves N47.8bn road contracts ROTIMI FADEYI

higher than it ought to be.

Meanwhile, the four people arraigned in connection with the alleged plan to swindle Suswam were said to have conspired to falsely present themselves as officers of EFCC investigating the accounts of Benue State Local Government and had sought $3 million to “kill” the case.

In a bid to actualise the scheme, one of them, Bulus Ashom Agom, who was dismissed from the police in June 2012, was alleged to have forged a Nigerian Police warrant of arrest card number 35231 which he presented to the governor.

According to the antigraft body, the suspects’ arrests were facilitated by Suswan who was said to have alerted the Department of State Security, DSS. The statement reads in

wu - Ohafia, Makurdi - Gboko and Ohafia - Osu roads in the South-South/ South-East axis.

Roads in the northern states that would benefit from the contracts include: Sokoto - Tambuwal - Jega - Makera, Sokoto - Kontagora, Kunya - Babban Mutum, Zing - Moking and Alkaleri – Bauchi roads.

Also on the list are a corridor linking Anambra - Enugu, Offa By-pass and the stretch of road from Ekot - Ekpene - Aba - Owerri.

Also speaking at the briefing, Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), said the security situation in the country could only be effectively tackled with

the cooperation and assistance of the public.

According to him, although the police and other security personnel are doing their best to curb terrorism, they are faced with inadequate funding and other security apparatus to effectively tackle the problem.

Olubolade explained that the ministry was concentrating on capacity building to improve the performance of the police, adding that 22,000 policemen had undergone training in the last one year.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to assist the police with credible information that would help in tackling terrorism and other crimes.

He promised that the performance of the police would improve with the introduction of forensic services and DNA mapping.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, in his own comment, described the statement credited to former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, that the police and other security agencies were behind the current spate of bombings as unfortunate.

He said the statement was outlandish, sad and dangerous.

According to him, a highly placed former public officer like Kalu should know that there is no gain in running down the security agencies who make huge sacrifices to ensure that the lives and property of Nigerians are protected.

Army promises 15-minute response to distress calls OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Nigerian Army yesterday said that security agencies needed a proactive information system to completely wipe out terrorism from the country.

This was as the Army presented an Information Processing System which would make security agencies respond to any distress call within 15 minutes in any part of the country.

The Chief of Transformation and Innovation Centre, COTIC, Major General Ibrahim Sani, said this in his speech at the commissioning of the Nigerian Army Information Processing System in Abuja.

Also at the event was the Director, Military Intelligence, Brig-Gen. Letam Wiwa.

“The contemporary challenges confronting Nigeria today is insecurity. It is the situation where military affairs dovetail into police matters. New generations of adversaries, both within and outside Nigeria, are pursuing innovations as a result of the information revolutions.

“For example, the insurgents/terrorists we are facing today are organised into loose, transnational networks that allow for increased coordination and cooperation among dispersed groups and individuals who are to stay securely separated in case anyone is caught and incriminated.”

Court grants Babalakin leave to travel abroad KENNY ODUNUKAN

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n Ikeja High Court yesterday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to allow the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Wale Bolanle Babalakin, travel for medical attention.

Babalakin, Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, BiCourtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are standing trial before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a 27-count charge of money laundering.

Onigbanjo ordered the EFCC to release Babalakin’s international passport to enable him travel to South Africa for treatment.

This followed the request by his counsel, Lateef Fagbe-

mi (SAN), urging the court to grant his client leave to travel to South Africa for medical treatment.

He said Babalakin would be available at the next trial date.

Onigbanjo also fixed May 7 for ruling on application brought by Babalakin, seeking the order of the court to dismiss money laundering charges preferred against him and others.

The application was filed by counsel to Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN).

At the resumed hearing on the case, Nwobike said there was an application seeking the order of the court to dismiss the charges preferred against the defendants based on a pending suit at the Court of Appeal.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

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ICPC seeks civil society’s support on anti-graft war TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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L-R: Director, Political and Civic Education, National Orientation Agency, Prince C. Anene; Director-General, Mr. Mike Omeri and Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman, during a partnership visit to ECOWAS Commission by NOA in promotion of peace in Nigeria and West Africa in Abuja, yesterday.

Bayelsa orders demolition of terrorists’ hideout EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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ayelsa State government yesterday ordered the immediate demolition of one of its buildings located in Lagos State, where suspected terrorists were arrested last week by security agents.

State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Markson Fefegha, who disclosed this to journalists in Yenagoa, said government would erect a befitting building in the area, noting that government wasn’t aware of such building.

Fefegha said the state government had no knowledge of the suspected terrorists squatting in the building, stressing that it has no intention of sponsoring

terrorists as a responsible government.

His words: “No responsible government could accommodate terrorists and miscreants in its building .We have no hand in terrorism.”

The commissioner said government has deployed a team of engineers to conducts an assessment of the property abandoned by previous administrations in the state.

Fefegha disclosed that the 3, 000 cultists have so far registered with the state government to renounce their activity by embracing the state government’s amnesty.

Commenting on the arrested protesting jobless graduates, the commissioner alleged that the pro-

testers had demanded for a monthly stipend which government described as unacceptable.

The commissioner allayed fears that the proposed bill on Public Information Management Committee to check rumour mongering in the state would not witchhunt any journalist.

He continued: “The main objective of the committee is to disseminate information in the state. The committee will work with relevant agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in the state.

The committee will also reorientate the people.”

Fefegha, however, was silent on the proposed consequences of the bill when passed into law by the state House of Assembly.

‘Achebe’s death, beginning of the end of an epoch’ NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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amous Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the author of ‘Weep Not Child,’ said he was attending a writers’ conference in Sweden, when the news of Chinua Achebe’s death came to him last week.

In an e-mail sent to National Mirror, Ngugi described Achebe as the single most important figure in the development of modern African literature as writer, editor, and quite simply a human being.

“I was in Uppsala, Swe-

den, about to start a discussion with Bivanyanga Wainaina, Director of the Achebe Centre for Writers at Bard, when I heard about Achebe’s passing on.”

Wainaina had contacted Adichie, who confirmed what was then only a rumour. We opened the discussion attended by hundreds of writers with a tribute to Achebe.

“Chinua Achebe was the single most important figure in the development of modern African literature as writer, editor, and quite simply a human being.

“His novel, ‘Things Fall

Apart,’ the most widelyread novel in the history of African literature, since its publication in 1958, became an inspiring model.

As the general editor of the Heinemann African Writers Series, he had a hand in the emergence of many other writers and their publications.

“As a human being, he embodied wisdom that comes from a commitment to the middle way between extremes. And of course courage in the face of personal tragedy! His passing marks the beginning of the end of an epoch.”

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

hairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Ekpo Nta, yesterday charged members of the civil society to join hands with the commission in the on-going war against corruption in the country.

Giving the charge when he hosted a delegation of Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, led by the National Coordinator of the body, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in his office, Nta said the leadership of the ICPC was ready to work with any group or body that could add value to the com-

2015: Defend your votes, stakeholders tell Nigerians TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE AND MOJEED ALABI

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head of the 2015 general elections, the President of the Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, has called on Nigerians to participate effectively in the electoral process and ensured that people who don’t have business in government are not voted for during the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at a programme organised by the US Consulate General Office in Lagos and Abuja, simultaneously in honour of the International Woman of Courage Award bestowed on her recently in United States, Okei-Odumakin, who is also the President of Women Arise Initiative, also implored Nigerians women to take active part in the election by contesting for elective positions.

Okei-Odumakin also reiterated her determination

and commitment toward her struggle for a better Nigeria, expressing her dissatisfaction with the high rate of corruption in the country.

Her words: “Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the system and that is why there are lots of problems in the country. We must continue the fight against corruption to ensure that we have a society where there is equity, justice and fair play.

“We must strengthen all our institutions. We must also sanitise our electoral process.

If election is free and fair, public office holders would be accountable to the people. We must all vote and develop our votes and participate effectively in the electoral process.

“We must organise for change. We don’t have any country except Nigeria; therefore, we must do everything to make it work. We must ensure that those who don’t have business in government are not allowed to be in public offices.

mission’s drive to transform Nigeria into a decent, transparently run society.

The ICPC boss, who reflected on some of the commission’s recent initiatives to curb anti-social vices in some strategic sectors of the society, including the education, said the commission had been working without any undue interference even as he commended the commitment of the staff to their responsibilities in the face of challenges.

The association’s national coordinator, charged the leadership of the commission to activate effective mechanism to battle the hydra-headed monster of corruption, particularly at the sub-national level.

Okorocha plans permanent orientation camp for NYSC CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has said that the state government is set to build a befitting permanent orientation camp for the NYSC in the state even as he approved a N10, 000 monthly allowance for each corps member posted to the state.

Okorocha stated this at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2013 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to the state at Umudi, Nkwerre Local Government Area, Imo State.

He said the delay in building a befitting camp was as a result of the politics involved in getting a suitable space and the refusal of Umudi community to allow the relocation of the camp out of their community to another place.

He said that the good news was that Umudi community has provided a parcel of land for the camp.

Highlight of the occasion was the announcement of a N10, 000 monthly allowance to each corps member posted to all government agencies and community councils. He also approved the immediate release of N6.5 million food subsidy allowance for the corps members.

He advised the corps members to be of good behaviour, patriotic and lawabiding and remain in the place of their primary assignment.

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Stakeholder canvases death penalty for corrupt public officers FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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ecretary to the Ogun State Government, SSG, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, yesterday in Abeokuta, charged policy makers in the country to review the country’s criminal code and the Magistrates’ Court laws to reflect sentencing guilty public office holders to death.

Adeoluwa said such measure remains the only panacea for combating corrupt practices that has become a virus eating deep into the moral fabric of the country.

The SSG spoke while delivering a paper titled: “Criminal Code, Magistrate Court Law of Ogun State and the Recent Trend of Crimes: A Call for Urgent Reformation,” at the annual conference of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria which held in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Adeoluwa emphasised that the current provisions in the statutes on stealing or misappropriation of public funds were alien to Nigeria

hence, should be amended to conform to the realities of the present time.

“Nigeria penal policy is at cross roads. The starting point to the fixing of this problem is to learn from our mistakes and endeavour to formulate policies on the ba-

IBADAN

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he trial of the former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations of fraud yesterday suffered another setback as it was discovered that a new trial judge was yet to be assigned the case.

Others charged alongside Alao-Akala, were his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Senator Hosea Agboola and an Ibadanbased businessman, Mr. Femi Babalola.

The assigning of the case to another judge followed the retirement of the former judge trying the case, Justice Akintunde Boade.

Alao-Akala, who had earlier arrived the court premises along with his horde of supporters, consequently left the court premises when it became apparent that the trial would not go on.

Mr. Yinka Bolanle, who stood in for Chief Godwin

of incentives and disincentives, education, deterrents and at the extreme end, sanctions.”

He further explained that; “In view of the fact that the code allows greater sentencing discretion within each offence grade, there is the need

to reform the code in such a way as to limit sentencing discretion so as to eliminate instances of disparate sentences for similar offenders committing offences.”

The SSG, who noted that corruption has posed serious dangers to the existence

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Wale Adeoye; Director-General, De Raufs’, a volunteer group, Comrade Amitolu Shittu; Comrade Denja Yacoub and representative of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abuja chapter, Comrade Moshood Erubami, during the public presentation of De Raufs’ group in Osogbo, yesterday.

Trial of Alao-Akala, two others suffers setback KEMI OLAITAN

sis of our experience.

“In whatever way it is formulated, it is important that the policy must adopt strategies or measures that may include harmonising our criminal laws, the removal of factors that encourage criminal behaviour, the offer

Obla, representing the EFCC, while speaking with journalists, said the case file of the trial was still with the state Chief Judge, adding that a new trial judge was yet to be assigned the case.

He also confirmed the claim by the accused counsel that an interlocutory motion had been filed at the Court of Appeal by the accused, maintaining that this would not stop the trial.

His words: “When we got here this morning, we went to Court 2, where the case was supposed to be heard, but the presiding judge said the case had not been assigned to him. You know, following the retirement of the former trial judge, the case will be assigned to a new judge. Whenever this is done the trial will continue.”

Mr. Olatunde Lawal, counsel to Senator Hosea Agboola, equally confirmed the new development.

It will be recalled that the EFCC had slammed AlaoAkala, Agboola, Babalola, with an 11-count charge of conspiracy, contracts scam and other criminal acts to the tune of N25billion.

of Nigeria and has subjected it to ridicule in the comity of nations, however, called on the country’s leaders to copy from Asian countries in eradicating corruption.

“In the light of the danger corruption now poses to our existence as a nation, it is high time we began to excommunicate or even eliminate people found guilty of corruption. After all, in China, economic crimes attract maximum punishment.

“It may look extreme but I think we can go the China way.”

Acknowledging that plea bargaining in the administration of justice was a good mechanism towards ensuring that justices are not delayed; Adeoluwa, however, regretted that such had been caught in the web of law as it favours only the rich.

“The reality is that our recent experiments with the procedure show that it is the billionaire offenders that have the privilege, while the common man is sentenced to five years imprisonment for stealing an item worth less than N100.”

Former Oyo SSG escapes assassination KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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ormer Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and Accord Party, AP, chieftain, Mr. Ayodele Adigun, on Tuesday night escaped assassination by suspected hired killers.

National Mirrorw learnt that the assailants killed his night guard, when they did not meet him at home.

It was gathered that the former SSG was away in Ekiti State, to open an office for his party, when the hoodlums struck.

The corpse of the night guard, identified simply as Pa Olapade, an ex-service-

man, was discovered the following day by the day guard, Wasiu Adeniran, when he resumed duty at the Akobo GRA residence of Adigun in Ibadan. The deceased was met blindfolded, gagged and clobbered to death.

While speaking with journalists, a visibly shaken Adeniran, said he was surprised when he arrived the house at about 6.58am and knocked on the gate only to get no response for almost 30 minutes.

He continued: “We normally resume shifts at 7.00am and 7.00pm. So when I came and knocked hard, there was no answer. There was no sign of his footsteps, or radio set, which he nor-

mally left on. I stayed for about 30 minutes outside, then Usman, a neighbour’s security guard advised I should knock again because it was unusual of Baba not to come out by that time.

“It was then I used my hands to open the gate from behind. As I entered it was Baba’s dead body that I saw lying at his post near the entrance. He was tied. I quickly raised the alarm and called the former SSG’s secretary and his special assistant.”

Adeniran said the assailants apparently came into the building by scaling the fence.

While conducting journalists round the premises,

he showed the ladder the hoodlums may have used to climb back the fence and make good their escape and the blood-stained spot where he discovered his dead colleague.

Also speaking on phone with journalists from Ado Ekiti, Adigun said he got a telephone call yesterday morning informing him of the incident, noting that he believed he was the obvious target, as nothing was stolen from the house and the main building was not even broken into.

He added that he had no clue why anyone would make attempt on his life, but suspected that it might have political undertone.

Workers urged to emulate ex-NULGE president ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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kiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged workers in the state to emulate the diligence, passion and “extra-ordinary commitment” of the former President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, in the state, Comrade Ayo Afolalu, who died

last year.

Fayemi, in his tribute to Afolalu and three other late NULGE officials, described his death as a great loss to the state, especially the local government service.

Comrade Ayo Afolalu and three other members of the union died in a ghastly motor accident along the Benin-Owo Road last year.

The three others who

died in the accident were Comrades Olukayode Afolalu, Akinyemi Lucas and Ojo Ojomu.

The governor, who shelved the weekly state executive council meeting in order to pay tribute to the former NULGE president yesterday, said people who knew the late Afolalu would wish he were alive.

This, the governor said, was because of the qual-

ity service he rendered to both staff of the local governments where he had worked and the state.

He praised NULGE leadership for remembering the life and time of the deceased and assured that government would not relent in supporting the families of the deceased as he urged the union members to also extend their support to them.

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Lagos initiates move to strengthen security •Asks transporters to screen passengers, luggage MURITALA AYINLA

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he Lagos State Government has initiated move to strengthen security, asking transport unions to screen passengers and their luggage in motor parks across the state.

The government initiated the move to prevent activities of terrorists in the state.

It asked the unions to take full control of activities in the parks.

The decision was the fallout of the meeting Governor Babatunde Fashola held with community leaders and local security outfits popularly called Neighbourhood watchers at the LTV8 Blue Roof, Alausa, Lagos.

The governor also told the unions’ leaders to regulate the activities of their members, adding that the government would not hesitate to take over the parks if they failed to manage them properly.

The state government has, however, decided to imple-

ment other provisions of the Traffic Law, such as selling of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in motor parks as it ordered the sellers to vacate the parks and their environs.

Fashola also ordered the removal of abandoned vehicles from motor parks and urged the park leaders to disallow indiscriminate parking.

He also called on users of garage and motor parks to be wary of abandoned or unaccompanied luggage, adding that whenever such is noticed, the attention of security agencies should be sought to determine the status of the loads.

The governor said: “In the past, strangers and unknown faces were always challenged by residents. The time to return to such practice is now.

“Globally, security consciousness has become a central issue. The aviation sector as an example, anyone who might have travelled out of the country before would have noticed that every in-

tending traveller now is always subjected to security scrutiny at every entry and exit point all over the world.”

Meanwhile, the state government said it planned to clamp down on social miscreants popularly known as agberos with the use of camera so as check their excesses.

The state had earlier outlawed touting on the highways, urging the perpetrators under the guise of the National Union of Road Transport Union Workers (NURTW) members to restrict their toll collection to their various motor parks.

The State Taskforce Chair-

man on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Bayo Sulaiman, said the government would no longer condone illegality of NURTW’s activities.

He said: We shall soon begin another massive clamp down Agberos. This time around, there photographs

will be taken such that they can no longer escape arrest.

If you operate in Ikeja and run to Victoria Island, we will catch you and get you arrested. Anywhere they go, they will be trailed. It is either they obey the law by restricting their operations to their parks or leave Lagos".

L-R: Chairman, Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Ranti Adebisi; Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya, during the one year remembrance service held yesterday in Ado-Ekiti in honour of former President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Service Employee (NULGE), the late Ayo Afolalu and three others, who died in an auto crash.

33-year-old Senegalese woman arrested with drugs Osun free Easter train OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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33-years-old Senegalese woman, Kamara Oumou, has been arrested for drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Oumou was arrested while attempting to board an Arik flight to Dakar. She was arrested with the international passport number

400680371.

In her confessional statement, Oumou said that she smuggled the illicit drug because she loved her Nigerian boyfriend.

In a statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the suspect was found in possession of 680 grammes of narcotic that tested positive for heroin and cocaine.

According to the statement, the suspect used industrial tape in sticking three parcels of cocaine

weighing 515 grammes on her waist, while six wraps of heroin weighing 165 grammes were inserted in her private parts.

Ofoyeju stressed that the drugs were carefully concealed by the suspect, but not intelligent done enough to escape detection

by NDLEA officials.

He, however, said unlike most drug couriers who smuggle drugs for money, Oumou shocked her investigators when she confessed that she smuggled the drugs because she loved

her boyfriend.

The suspect was quoted as saying: “How can I ask my boyfriend to pay me? I smuggled the drugs for the love I have for my Nigerian boyfriend.”

Ofoyeju said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect and her boyfriend, who she simply identified as Hakeem, met in Dakar where the boyfriend had lived for 11 years.

Their relationship lasted only six months before Hakeem left Dakar in December 2012.

DTN: Appeal Court orders re-trial of suit WALE IGBINTADE

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he Lagos Division of Court of Appeal yesterday ordered re-trial of the suit filed by D.S.V Limited, a shareholder in Daily Times Nigeria Limited (DTN), over an alleged illegal sale of assets of the newspaper.

In a judgement that lasted less than 30 minutes, the presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu Augie, directed the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to re-assign the suit to another judge to be heard afresh.

Justice Okechuwku Okeke of a Federal High Court had in 2010 held that Folio Communications, which is owned by Fidelis Anosike, did not pay for the majority shares of DTN and that it was unlawful for the company to still parade itself as a shareholder.

The judge consequently declared the acquisition was null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

Dissatisfied, Folio Communications Limited and four others appealed against the nullification of their acquisition of the majority shares of DTN.

In her lead judgement, Justice Augie described as a fundamental error the refusal of the lower court to hear a motion on notice challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

The appellant court heard that since the appellant (Folio Communications) raised the issue of locus standi of the petitioner namely DSV limited, the lower court judge ought to have considered it even at the point of delivering judgment.

Justice Augie admitted that it could be frustrating

when the issue of jurisdiction is raised at the poi9nt of delivering judgement yet the judge ought to have been tolerant and consider it.

In the suit instituted at the lower court, the plaintiff, D.S.V Limited had complained of gross and illegal sale of DTN assets.

In an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by one Chinedu Oranuba, the plaintiff said the Federal Government represented by NICON Insurance held 96.05 per cent of DTN’s shares and that pursuant to the privatisation programme of the government, bids were

service begins today

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he Osun State Government will today begin its annual free Easter train services for indigenes.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives an Empowerment, Mr. Ismail Jayeola Alagbada, the free Easter train will begin today and the first train will take off at 11:00a.m from Ido Train Terminus Lagos to Osogbo, the state capital.

Alagbada said the free ride would continue with

another train taking off at 11:00a.m tomorrow from Lagos.

He said: "Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration is a people-friendly government; a government totally committed to unlocking the latent potentials in our people."

Alagbada added that the last round of the free ride would be on Easter Monday, when passengers would be taken on the ride from Osogbo to Lagos at 10:00a.m.

invited from prospective investors.

It stressed that Folio Communications later emerged the preferred bidder for the Federal Government shares, but because Folio was in no position to make immediate payment for the shares, it resorted to borrowing N750 million for the purchase of the newspaper house.

The petitioner added that as soon as the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) handed over the business and undertakings of DTN to Folio Communications, Fidelis Anisoke and his brothers, Charles and Noel, pounced on the assets of

DTN to the detriment of other shareholders.

Dissatisfied with the judgement, the appellants approached the Court of the Appeal.

In their notice of appeal, they prayed the appellate court to set aside the judgement, contending that the said judgment was delivered without hearing the issue of jurisdiction raised by the appellant.

They also asked for an order of court remitting the case to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to another judge to hear the issue of locus standi of the petitioner namely DSV limited.

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South East

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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ragedy struck in Enugu State yesterday when one Chebube Ukwueze, shot dead his uncle, Bonifence Ukwueze, during a masquerade festival at Nkpunano Nguru-Nsukka.

The Nguru villagers have therefore deserted their homes as police make random arrests in the area.

Even though in Igboland, spirits are believed to be the actors at masquerade festivals, the traditional perfor-

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Man kills uncle at masquerade festival

mance turned otherwise as Boniface was allegedly shot dead by his nephew, Chebube.

The police immediately swooped into action, arresting as many villagers as they could as soon as the tragic incident took place.

Spokesman of the police in Enugu State, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said investigation has commenced into the alleged killing.

Amaraizu said: “Boniface

Ukwueze of Nguru community was on Tuesday alleged to have been shot dead by Chebube Ukwueze during the community masquerade festival.

“Police have recovered the locally made gun used in the shooting. Police have also commenced full scale investigation on circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased.”

A village source said that the accidental death of

Boniface of Amofia Nguru, brought the festival to a sudden end.

According to him, everybody was dancing and celebrating with the masquerades when Chebube hit his leg on a stone and unknowingly touched the trigger of his gun and Boniface was killed instantly.

His words: “Whenever we are celebrating masquerade festival, some people usually carry locally made gun,

shooting into the air to add spice to the celebration.

“We have been doing this festival since our forefathers, but it is unfortunate that this year’s own turned tragic. It was an accidental discharge; Chekwube has no intention of killing his uncle.”

Speaking on the tragedy, the councilor representing the area, Mr. Nick Obayi, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the community had handed over

the suspect to police to avoid massive arrest of community members.

“We know it was an accidental discharge, so the community will work closely with the police to ensure that the matter was resolved amicably,” the councillor said.

He noted that the tragedy would not prevent the community from continuing the festival since everybody knew the killing was not intentional.

Judge cautions counsel in Imo Deputy Gov’s suit CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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L-R: Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere; Governor Theodore Orji; his wife, Mercy and Deputy Governor, Mr. Emeka Ananaba, when the governor arrived from an official trip to the United States, yesterday.

NYSC posts 82% of corps members to rural areas DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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t least 82 percent of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members posted to Enugu State in the 2013 Batch ‘A’ service year are to serve in rural areas of the state.

State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Hilary Nasamu, made this disclosure yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2013 Batch ‘A’ orientation course in Awgu.

Nassamu said 81.7 percent of the corps members were posted to rural areas as well as the four key sec-

tors of education, rural health, infrastructure and agriculture, in line with the policy directive of the Federal Government on posting of corps members.

According to him, there is hope that this deployment pattern would accelerate rural transformation and national development.

He enjoined the corps members to be humble and respect the culture of their host communities in order to facilitate their easy integration and acceptance by the community.

The coordinator commended the state government for its assistance to

the NYSC Awgu camp, especially in the area of infrastructural development.

Nassamu, however, said that the peculiar circumstances of the orientation camp are assuming a formidable challenge, giving the increasing number of corps members deployed annually. He enumerated some of the challenges as perennial water shortage and lack of assembly/lecture hall, among others.

State governor, Sullivan Chime, who was at the ceremony, directed government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, in the state not to

reject corps members posted to them for their primary assignments.

Chime, who gave the directive through his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, said the state government’s policy on the acceptance of corps members is still in force to ensure that the objective of the scheme, which is fostering unity, is actualised.

He commended the corps members for maintaining high level of discipline throughout their orientation course, urging them to maintain same in their places of primary assignments.

Group donates new Case Management System to judiciary DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA, has commissioned a new Case Management System, CMS, it developed and equipped for Enugu State judiciary.

Packaged with the support of Justice for All, J4A

Programme, of the British government’s Department for International Development, DfID, the new Case Management System for the Enugu State judiciary is an improved case management and records department for the Enugu State judiciary headquarters.

The unit houses information technology equipment, modern office furniture and other facilities that will

make for improved case management procedures in the courts.

The donation is in fulfillment of one of the major needs identified earlier for the enhancement of the state’s criminal justice system.

Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, said that the intervention is part of the project to speed up criminal justice system in

Enugu State which focuses on enhancing and speedingup court trials.

According to her, the state judiciary has benefited from the project on many fronts which include the donation of motorcycles to court bailiffs, production of prosecutors’ handbook, resource and financial management process training, training of court bailiffs, among others.

n Owerri High Court judge, Justice Florence Duruohaigwe, yesterday assured all parties in the motion by Imo State Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso, to stop his impeachment by the state House of Assembly that she will ensure that justice prevails.

She, however, warned that she will not be intimidated by anybody in the course of discharging her duties in the matter pending before her court.

She said this while listening to arguments from counsel to the Imo State House of Assembly, Niyi Akintola, SAN, that since the commencement of the case, both counsel had been threatening her in their submissions.

According to her, she has raised children who would take care of her even if she

loses her job. “I cannot be intimidated even if I lose my job, but I will carry out my duties without fear or favour,” she assured.

While arguing his case, counsel to the deputy governor (applicant), Patrick Ikweto, SAN, told the court that the respondent infringed on the fundamental human rights of the deputy governor by investigating and indicting him in its report.

Ikweto argued that the House ought not to have dabbled in the investigation of the alleged N458 million contract scam, because that was a role of security agencies.

But the counsel to House of Assembly, through its counsel, Akintola told the court to disregard the argument of the applicant since the court in the first place lacked jurisdiction in the matter, which is the responsibility of the House to carry out.

Anambra 2013: Feuding PDP factions reconciled CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for many years now, may soon be over as feuding factions of the party have been reconciled.

The reconciliation of the warring factions that were respectively led by Chief Chris Uba, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Prince Arthur Eze and Dr Andy Uba, was part of the moves to strengthen and reposition the party towards winning the next gubernatorial election coming up at the end of the year.

The reconciliation of

the party’s feuding factions and the on-going repositioning of the party, preparatory for the election were made known by the state Chairman of the party, Prince Ken Emeakayi.

Already, Emeakayi has confirmed that the party is finalising plans to hold a harmonisation rally on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at the Emmaus House, Awka, the state capital.

Speaking to journalists on the state of affairs of the party and how the party is preparing for the governorship election, Emeakayi said so far, the party leaders have been busy planning and strategising on how to defeat their contenders in the election.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Gunmen kidnap Bayelsa commissioner’s mother EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Adm. John Jonah (rtd); Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba and Governor Seriake Dickson, during PHOTO: NAN Ezeoba's visit to Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

Six die in auto crash on Lagos–Benin Expressway SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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t least six people have been roasted in an accident on the Lagos - Benin Expressway.

Five of the victims of the accident, which occurred on Tuesday night near the university town of Okada, were burnt beyond recognition.

Apart from the six people, five males and a female, who died in the accident, two others were severely injured.

The Benin Unit Commander of the Federal Road

Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Ameen Adewale, said the accident involved a trailer marked XB 455 JRT and a Nissan Urvan bus with registration number BEN 308 XB going to Benin.

It was discovered that the bus was one of those contracted by a media house to distribute newspapers in Edo State and its environs.

The owner, identified as Dogo, was believed to have driven the bus at the time.

Speaking in Benin yesterday, Adewale confirmed that the bus was carrying copies of newspapers.

He said the FRSC ob-

served that the bus collided with the trailer, adding that the impact of the collision resulted in fire which roasted the victims.

The commander, who blamed the bus for driving against traffic, advised motorists to always obey traffic rules.

Adewale disclosed that the corpses had been deposited at a hospital morgue in Okada.

A source at the hospital said the identities of four of the five males were still unknown.

But the only female among the victims was

identified by her husband, Mr. Sebastine Iwobi.

Also identified was the trailer’s ‘motor boy’ whose corpse was not burnt.

Speaking amidst tears, Iwobi said his wife went to Lagos to buy some goods.

He said he was in regular telephone contact with her until the contact stopped suddenly.

After several unanswered calls, Iwobi said he learnt that there was an accident on the road and thereafter went to Okada, where the charred remains of the victims were deposited, to confirm his worst fears.

Dickson calls for measures to check impact of flood

African leaders must emulate Pope Benedict – Akpabio

E MMA GBEMUDU

TONY ANICHEBE

YENAGOA

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ayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday called for urgent measures to reduce the impact of the imminent floods predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET. Dickson made the call yesterday in Yenagoa at a meeting with the state Post Flood Management Committee, headed by Chief Francis Doukpola.

It was learnt that the meeting, the second in three weeks, was convened at the instance of the governor to assess government’s preparedness in mitigating the likely effects of the flood.

Dickson said with the conclusion of the tour and on-the-spot assessment of communities affected by last year’s flood, government ex-

pected a proposal from the committee on how to tackle the situation in the event of flood disaster.

He, however, praised members of the committee for their resourcefulness and dedication to the assignment, as well as the report presented to government at the last meeting.

Earlier, Doukpola told the governor that his committee had embarked on an assessment tour of some communities including Okoroma and Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The committee made a power point presentation of the effects of the flood on infrastructure across the state.

Flood victims in Yemagoa and other parts of the state are still expecting the rebuilding of their communities.

UYO

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overnor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has enjoined sittight African leaders to emulate Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned from office.

Akpabio made the call while fielding questions from journalists in Uyo, the state capital.

He said: “The Pope’s resignation is where we should learn a lesson; leaders should not be hungry so much for positions on earth.

“We should rather be hungry for closeness to God and for positions in heaven.

“Of course, you know, the greatest problem of Africa used to be this sit-tight syndrome of our leaders.

“The Pope that resigned has also shown that yes indeed there is no need to hang onto power. It shows that all these things in the world are ephemeral. What is impor-

tant is eternity and eternity means your soul. That is the first lesson I learnt from there.”

The governor, who was a member of the Federal Government delegation that attended the inauguration of Pope Francis I at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, said: “Emergency of the Pope shows that Christianity is for all. It also shows that leadership in the church is for all.

“It also shows that one of these days, may be in our life time, we may end up having a black Pope from the Vatican and that is a great message. Yes indeed, the message of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by the Catholic Church, is for all mankind and not restricted to any particular continent.”

Akpabio said the lesson to all should not be only the emergence of non-European Pope, rather much should be learnt from the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

unmen have kidnapped the mother of the Bayelsa State commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Mrs. Comfort Dugo, at Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government.

The 68-year-old victim was abducted by a threeman gang that invaded her home about 9pm on Tuesday and took her away in a waiting car.

Family members have been apprehensive over her safety since she was abducted.

The incident is already generating tension in the ancient community which was destroyed by military troops 14 years ago.

The Commissioner for Local Government

and Community Development, James Dugo, confirmed the yesterday incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

Dugo said no contact had been established with the gunmen.

Some people have alleged that the abduction was politically-motivated.

But others said it might be an attempt to get money from the commissioner.

It was gathered that a combined team of security operatives in the state has embarked on a man-hunt for the kidnappers to free the commissioner’s mother.

Last month, Governor Seriake Dickson signed a law which prescribes death sentence for any convicted kidnapper to check abduction in the state.

Orubebe seeks Amaechi’s cooperation on N’Delta development

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he Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Chief Godsday Orubebe, has called on Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State to partner with him on the development of the region through the “Niger Delta Action Plan.”

Orubebe made the call yesterday when he led top government officials of the ministry on a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The minister said over 80 per cent of the country’s resources came from the Niger Delta, adding that there was need to fast track development to raise the standard of living of the people.

He called on Amaechi to join hands with him and other governors in the region as well as the private sector to effect the desired development.

Expressing President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the speedy development of the region, Orubebe said the Ministry of Niger Delta was created in 2008 to coordinate the activities and development of the region.

He said the governor’s cooperation was needed to address the issues of project duplication in the region through the use of resources and the action master plan.

On the East-West Road,

Orubebe said the project was awarded for N234 billion in 2006 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration due to pressure from the people of Niger Delta.

He, however, regretted that there were set backs from the consultants owing to lack of proper designs and drawings.

The minister promised that, with the details of designs and drawing of the road project, the road would be completed by December 2014.

Responding, Amaechi said the Niger Delta Master Plan would promote speedy development of the region.

He said: “Any development that is not planned will be chaotic and will not achieve its objectives. You talked about the 50-year development plan you got from Denmark, we in Rivers State also have a similar thing, the Greater Port Harcourt 50-year master plan which we concluded in my first tenure in office.

“The Greater Port Harcourt City has two phases.

We have taken care of the old Port Harcourt through the urban renewal which we are doing, we also have what we called the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and we expect that construction of houses in that area will start this year. "

12

North

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police foil fresh attack in Kano, intercept bomb-laden car •Four terrorists killed in Yobe •Senate holds six-hour session with Service Chiefs, others

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST EMMANUEL ONANI AND INUSA NDAHI

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he Kano State Police Command said yesterday that it had foiled plans by some suspected terrorists to attack Kano city.

This is even as Christians in the North are expressing fears of likely attacks by terrorists on Easter Sunday.

The Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, told journalists at a press conference in Kano that detectives had averted what

would have been another tragedy as they intercepted an explosives-laden Volkswagen Golf car.

Items recovered from the car included rocket launchers, remote control devices, 14 hand grenades, eight AK 47 magazines and assault rifles, seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed in Turkey oil containers, with remote controlled devices and 238 live ammunitions of different calibers.

Describing the discovery as remarkable, Daura said: “On Tuesday 26, March, 2013, at about 21.30 hours, our men, based on a

tip-off, intercepted a Golf 3 car, with registration number AG 701 KTM at the outskirts of Kano.

“The occupants of the vehicle, on sighting a police patrol vehicle, opened fire, but our men responded swiftly which made them to abandon the vehicle and escaped into the bush.”

The police boss said that the fleeing suspects sustained gunshot injuries as blood stains littered the scene of the incident.

Daura said that on further scrutiny, the vehicle was found to contain four rolls of wire connector

for suicide missions and 12 power sources, among other bomb making materials.

He said: “The intention of these hoodlums was to cause havoc and destabilize the peace of Kano State.”

Daura, however, said that security personnel had begun trailing the suspects.

He sought the support of members of the public by volunteering information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects and other criminals.

It will be recalled that some suicide bombers at-

Cross section of monarchs at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Committee on Polio Eradication in Sokoto, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lawan’s removal as committee chairman in order –Reps TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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he House of Representatives’ decision to remove Hon. Farouk Lawan as its Chairman of the Committee of Education is in the best interest of the country, the House spokesman, Hon. Zakari Muhammed, said yesterday.

Muhammed stated this while answering journalists’ question on why the House replaced Lawan with his fellow Kano colleague, Hon. Aminu Suleiman.

Suleiman, like Lawan, was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Suleiman was the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Labour and Produc-

tivity until last week Thursday when Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal announced him as the new Chairman of the Committee on Education.

It will be recalled that Lawan, a former Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on the Probe of Allegations of Fuel Subsidy Funds, was accused of demanding $620,000 bribe from an oil business magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola.

It was alleged that Lawan demanded the bribe to delist Zenon Oil, a company owned

by Otedola, from the lists of those indicted for corrupt practices by the probe committee.

Also alleged to have demanded bribe was the secretary of the probe committee, Mr. Boniface

Emenalo.

The allegation against Lawan provoked a probe where Otedola was summoned by the House, but he refused to honour the invitation.

The matter, however, landed Lawan in Kuje Prison, Abuja, before he was granted bail with over N10 million.

But answering question from journalists yesterday, the House spokesman said: “The decision of the House on the matter was in the best interest of the country”.

He asked Nigerians to support the National Assembly in the fight against corruption in the country.

He also answered questions on the budget 2013 and the President Goodluck Jonathan’s in-

sistence that allocation must be made for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the lowering of the budget benchmark from $79 to $75 per barrel of crude oil and the reduction of certain subheads.

The spokesman said that the House would take a second look at the budget as returned by the President, but would not be swayed from its decision not to allocate budget for SEC.

Lawan

tacked a popular motor park in Kano city recently and killed no fewer than 60 people.

Meanwhile, four suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were killed yesterday by the police during a shootout in Gaidam, Yobe State.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt. Eli Lazarus, confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday in Damaturu, the state capital.

The statement reads: “The incident occurred yesterday around 5:00pm when suspected terrorists attacked JTF location in Gaidam town. The attack was repelled by the JTF and four of the gunmen lost their lives in the exchange of gun fire.

“Three AK47 rifles, five magazines and 72 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition were recovered from the insurgents.”

JTF, however, assured all law-abiding residents of its commitment to restoration of peace and security in the troubled state.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday held a closeddoor session with Service Chiefs and heads of other security agencies.

The about six-hour session, which was meant to brief the Senate on the nation’s fragile security situation and the efforts made to address it, was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh and Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Ekpenyong Ita. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Administration, Mr. Suleiman Fatai.

Though journalists were barred, National Mirror monitored the arrival of the Service Chiefs at about 10:30a.m and their departure at about 4:20p.m.

They were led out of the session by the Special Adviser to the Presi-

dent on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi.

When the session was later thrown open, Senate President David Mark said: “The Senate, in an executive session, was briefed on the security problem in the country. Thereafter, the Service Chiefs took questions on the same subject-matter.”

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, however, announced that all items on the Order Paper would be stepped down till April 16, 2013 when lawmakers would reconvene after the Easter break.

The move also affected the motion scheduled on the death of the celebrated literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe.

The motion was sponsored by Senator Chris Ngige and 78 others.

Addressing journalists shortly after the session, the Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed satisfaction with the efforts made so far by the Service Chiefs to tackle the deteriorating state of the nation’s insecurity.

Abaribe said: “The Senate devoted the plenary session to an interaction with the Service Chiefs and other heads of security agencies.

“We are satisfied with the efforts made so far. We are also calling on all Nigerians to cooperate with the security agencies in order to tackle the insecurity confronting the country as soon as possible.

“We promised that we were going to have regular interactions with the Service Chiefs and this is one of those interactions.”

On whether the Senate was favourably disposed to adopting alternative strategies to tackling the security challenges, Abaribe said: “Any other option is a policy decision that will be taken by the government.”

Abaribe declined to speak on the proposal by some northern elders for the Federal Government to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect, saying, the Senate was only briefed and nothing more.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

My story on N458m bribery –Agbaso, Imo dep gov

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Between Akpabio’s generosity and public outrage

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16

CNPP, ANPP hail INEC’s refusal to register APC OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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eactions have continued to trail the refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the African Peoples Congress (APC), over irregularities in its registration processes.

The Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Willy Ezugwu, in a telephone chat with National Mirror, said that the development was a welcomed one even as he charged INEC to be straight in further dealings with other emerging political associations.

According to him, “While we commend INEC for this feat, for showing it can conduct a thorough investigation and confirm what majority of Nigerians believe, we still have to urge them not to see them-

selves as the appointee of Mr. President that will make them do things contradicting the law.

“Prof. Attahiru Jega and other staff of the commission should know their action or inaction on this merger or other issues can make or mar the coming 2015 elections and the corporate existence of the country and should not act in a wrong way knowing they are being praised for this singular act,” Ezugwu said.

Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Chief Emma Eneukwu, said: “This is a welcome development because it was obvious their intention were not genuine.

We are not getting distracted by these actions but we are focused on giving Nigerians a formidable party that will strengthen democracy. The merging parties are busy tidying up the merger arrangement that

LG tenure elongation: Lagos PDP carpets House OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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he Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the alleged attempt by the state House of Assembly to elongate the tenure of the incumbent local council chairmen as undemocratic, legislative rascality and satanic.

The party was reacting to a bill before the House to grant the present local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) chairmen extension of tenure, when their tenure expires in 2014.

Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Taofeek Gani, the PDP opined that “the infamous bill, if passed into law, is capable of provoking monumental reactions from Lagosians which may affect the assumed peace and

tranquillity in the Centre of Excellence.”

It therefore cautioned the Assembly against allowing itself to be used as the agent provocateur to truncate democracy at the level of local government administration.

The party wondered why the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led government in the state is so desperate to hold onto the local government administration until after the 2015 general elections.

The party said: “In fact, this move further confirms the rumours that the National Leader of the ACN actually surreptitiously sponsored the ‘third term agenda.’ As a matter of fact and considering the centralised leadership of the ACN, we are also convinced that the former Lagos State governor collaborated with the incumbent to sponsor the infamous bill.”

will guarantee our registration soonest.”

Also, the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Enugu State in the 2011 elections, Osita Okechukwu said: “We salute INEC for serving the cause of defending the constitution. We have always known that African Peo-

ples Congress was borne out of mischief to sustain one party state foisted at variance with the constitution by the PDP.” The INEC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Umenger, had on Tuesday in Abuja, said the commission did not register the African People Congress (APC) as a

political party because it did not meet the conditions for registration and that the commission’s letter to APC was unambiguous on the issue.

But, acting National Chairman of APC, Chief Onyinye Ikeagwuonu said he was not satisfied with INEC’s reasons for not registering his associa-

tion, even as he swore that the group will approach the court for redress.

At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Ikeagwuonu said his group has briefed its lawyers in anticipation of such action from INEC, “to put in motion processes to legally challenge this anti-democratic plot even up to the Supreme Court.”

L-R: Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Barnabas Gemade; the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih; Niger State PDP Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahaman Enagi and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu at a reconciliation meeting in Minna yesterday.

Nigeria is overwhelmed by security challenges, says Tukur OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the country is overwhelmed by security challenges, calling on stakeholders in the Nigerian project to unite and confront rising insecurity threatening the nation.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur who raised the alarm against the back drop of the incessant violent attacks and mayhem across the country, made a passionate plea to the opposition political parties, organised labour, faith-based organisations, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to unite and confront

the security challenge.

He said: “Today, there is fear everywhere, churches are being burnt, mosques are being attacked, United Nations building bombed, motor parks are being bombed, people cannot go to motor parks again to travel for the fear of being attacked, security installations such as police stations, prisons are being burnt down and inmates released at will, nobody knows the next target of attack.

“It is not about the PDP or President Goodluck Jonathan; this is a matter that should be of concern to everybody irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliations. The opposition, labour movement, religious leaders, traditional rulers, name it; we all have to come to fight the evil that is now

manifesting everywhere in our land, those perpetuating this evil are within us in the society, it is not a matter of Mr. President or the PDP-led Federal Government alone.”

On his just concluded tour of the six geo-political zones of the country as part of efforts to reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP, Tukur said his team was able to discover that there was fear of insecurity in the land, ravaging hunger, poverty and unemployment which needed to be addressed head-on in the overall interest of the nation.

He assured that as a responsible leadership, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) will look into all the collated views, review them and pass its recommendations to the

appropriate quarters for urgent action for Nigerians to continue to have absolute confidence in the party in future elections.

Tukur also dismissed speculations making the round that there is a rift between him and the governors elected on the platform of the party, saying: “There is no rift between me and our governors. The governors are the commanders of our party in their respective states, working along with the chairmen for the progress of the party. There is no competition between me and them, our common goal is to win the next general elections.”

He also disclosed that the party’s NWC will soon embark on a tour of all the states of the federation to reconcile the entire PDP family for the task ahead.

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Politics

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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My story on N458m bribery –Agbaso, Imo dep gov Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso is facing impeachment over an allegation bordering on receiving N458 million bribery. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, he tells his story. Excerpts: You have been accused of receiving N458 million from JPros Nigeria Ltd, a contractor, as kickback. What is your take on this issue?

The barrage of misinformation that is being fed members of the public, especially concerning the allegation that I received bribe money from the contractor, JPros Nigeria Ltd, has become important that I must continue to state my innocence.

It is in the public domain now all over the country that I received bribe money from JPros Nigeria Ltd to the tune of N458m. That is not true. I state in the clearest of terms that I never solicited for such payment from JPros Nig. Ltd or any contractor. Never at any time did I receive any such money or any amount of money from any contractor whatsoever. I will continue state this clearly so that our people will understand my innocence.

If you’re claiming innocence, how come the Imo State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceeding against you?

Let me take your mind back to the issues in question. The issues that have agitated my mind are the questions of how I or anybody could pay N458m to a man who did him no favour or service.

The contract in question that JPros Nigeria Ltd is executing in Imo State was approved by the Executive Governor of Imo State. It was really negotiated by the Executive Governor of Imo State, my boss, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. While the approval was sought and given, I wasn’t really in the country. When the approval was given, the principal secretary to my governor conveyed the direct approval of the contract and payment of the sum of N1.151 billion to the Commissioner for Finance, who directed the Accountant General to make payment. However, the normal process was when such approvals are made; the money should be paid into the coffers of the State’s Ministry of Works where due processes are now applied.

Certificates will be raised based on the vouchers, then application will be made for payments to the contractor instead of what transpired in February of last year when wholesale payment of the entire 100 per cent, representing the cost and value of the contract was paid out directly to the contractor. I am not the commissioner, who caused that payment to happen. I am not the Accountant General who made the payment directly to the contractor. I am not the Accountant General who paid on verbal instruction of the governor to the contractor. I was then, the commissioner for Works and deputy governor who wrote the contract ab initio for N1.151 billion, and never at anytime did I cause this 100 per cent payment or any payment to be made. I only found out that payment had been made to the contractor, four months

Agbaso

after the payment had been made.

Also, recall that before the payment of N1.15 billion was made to JPros Nigeria Ltd that a payment of N200 million had been made to the same contractor from the Government House. I did not approve the payment of the N200 million. The payment of the N200 million never came to the Ministry of Works and did not receive my approval. My question is this: for a man who has access to the governor, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant General of the state who paid him directly; why would he pay me N458 million which represents a 46 per cent of the total contract sum.

You and the contractor appeared before a committee set up by the Imo State House of Assembly. What exactly transpired during the hearing?

When this man (contractor) was asked why he paid me such huge amount of money, he said because I promised to give him jobs in the local governments – 15 kilometres of road construction in the local government. In Imo State, the local government’s roads – rural roads – are built at N60 million per kilometre. But suffice to say that the local government jobs are not awarded by the local government chairman or can be influenced by the Commissioner for Local Government but by the governor who has sweeping influence over this.

But in the case of Imo State in particular, it is common knowledge how this contracts were awarded; that then I, as the deputy governor or as the then commissioner for Works had no influence whatsoever, in the giving out of local government jobs.

How could somebody now give me almost half a billion naira claiming that I would influence the award and payment of a job?

So, why do you think they want you impeached?

It truly agitates my mind that these spurious allegations are continually being brought to public consciousness in the print media; in the electronic media day after day. Recently, the state Commissioner

THERE ARE WAYS AND MEANS CONTRACTS ARE MEANT TO BE NEGOTIATED AND

AWARDED. IF THE ESTABLISHMENT IN

IMO STATE CHOOSES

TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY; WHERE THE GOVERNOR MAKES THE APPROVAL DIFFERENTLY, I

CANNOT CONTROL for Information on television implied that I cajoled the governor into approving the payment to JPros Nigeria Ltd. Everybody understands that I have a cordial and brotherly relationship with the governor, but the business of the state is the business of the state and due processes are due processes.

There are ways and means contracts are meant to be negotiated and awarded. If the establishment in Imo State chooses to do it differently; where the governor makes the approval differently, I cannot control. But I never went to the governor like he implied that I cajoled him into signing on the dotted lines, for him to sign for the approval the payment to JPros Nigeria Ltd. It is laughable. It’s truly laughable.

You were also accused of collecting a bottle of Blue Label Whiskey from the contractor.

Yes, there is the issue I heard today that Joseph Dina of JPros Nigeria Ltd gave me a bottle of Blue Label Whiskey. JPros had absconded from the site. He was sought after. The Ministry of Works called him on the phone repeatedly and we were continually informed that he had travelled out of the country and I had informed them to

tell his people that as soon as he got back to site, to report to the Ministry of Works to make sure that proper work was done on site. When he came back to Imo State, he reported to the ministry to tell me that he had just come back from wherever he went to and I said okay, if you are back, go back to the site. Probably to prove his point, he said he bought me a bottle of Blue Label Whiskey and that he wanted to give it to me and said he didn’t have it here.

He said he was going to come to my house later in the evening to give me the whiskey and I said fine, but just go back to the site. He came that evening, saw me at home with everybody and gave me the bottle of whiskey and left.

By the time this happened, he had got his contract approval; his money had been paid by the various authorities. How does a bottle of whiskey tie into the N1.15 billion that he had been paid then? How does a bottle of Blue Label Whiskey tie into an over payment of N200 million that I was not party to? Who should be answering questions about who received what? Fellow Nigerians, is it important that the people who facilitated this huge payment, this non-adherence to due process, should be answering the questions I’m answering today?

The contractor further alleged that he communicated with you through SMS on the payment of the N458m. Is that true?

The man said he communicated to me through text message. In the text message I purportedly sent to his phone number, that I instructed him to pay the companies he mentioned – Three Brothers and one other company – the sums of money. But, I maintain that I never communicated through text message, instructing this man to pay a company through any account number, any sum of money to any bank and he told the committee in question that he was going to bring the text messages that I sent him, that he was going to send for his MTN line call log and details.

I also told the committee that I will also provide my MTN call log and details. The next day, I applied through the Director of SSS for my call log at the MTN detailing SMS messages for the month of February in question and the month of June 2012.

But, the committee now has gone to town to spread these falsehoods that they had judged me, that they had brought me to book, that what is left is for them to jail me.

They have accused me, sat over my case, passed judgement based on the hearsay of Joseph Dina of JPros Ltd who merely said that he gave me money and there was no iota of truth that I did communicate with him through text messages detailing him to pay amounts of money into these accounts or the companies he mentioned.

But, my argument is that these companies are limited liability companies in Nigeria, that the Corporate Affairs Commission has information as to the promoters, the owners, and the directors of these companies. Those pieces of information are accessible by members of the public, but more importantly by criminal investigations agencies – the Police, the SSS, the EFCC, and the ICPC. Such information can be sought to determine if there is a nexus or connection between these companies CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Between Akpabio’s generosity and public outrage OLUWAFEMI AINA

A

gain, this is the season of the year that Christian faithful around the world reminisce on the final days of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. Yearly, around this period, the world is regaled with stories of love, Christ’s love and the betrayal of men. The unchanging and undying love of God and the erratic loyalty of mankind are two things that keep coming back every Easter period. The people who chanted “Hosanna to son of David, blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord,” would later shout “nail him to the cross,” revealing the deceit and hypocrisy that are second nature to humanity.

It is, therefore, not a surprise that some Nigerians have chosen a glorious period like Easter to carry out their grand design to pull down and destroy the innocent. In the last few days, the Nigerian mass media have been awash with one story or the other about the Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. But the stories have not been about his unprecedented transformation of his state through several achievements in human development and infrastructure; they have not been about how he is changing the way governance is perceived in Nigeria; they have not been about his rising political profile as a reformer governor and a loyal party member, as evident in his emergence as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees member and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

The stories, which have brought about severe criticisms of the governor, infantile and puerile as they were, have been about only one thing – destroying Akpabio at all cost – and that too through his acts of benevolence which have not inhibited the developmental works in his state.

The grouses against Akpabio included the presentation of a Prado Jeep and N3 million to Annie Macaulay, a daughter of Akwa Ibom and wife of the award-winning international hip hop act, 2Face; the donation of N1 million each to the executives of the six chapters of the PDP in the SouthSouth geo-political zone and the promissory donation of N230 million on behalf of all the South-South governors towards the Otuoke Fund. In all of these, Akpabio was said to have erred by making the donations or the presentations, as in the view of crit-

Akpabio

ics, they were waste of public funds. But are they right?

How has a gift to a daughter of the state, who showed candour and perseverance by staying committed to a relationship in which the entire world would have expected her to back out, amount to waste of public funds? For the state government, Annie’s life taught a lesson in perseverance, a virtue adored by the governor and coveted for youth in the state in every area of life; so the gift was to tell the youth that there would always be a reward, not necessarily from Akpabio or Akwa Ibom State government, but rewards always come.

The second count charge – giving money to party chiefs – was least expected to generate any hassle but trust mischiefmakers, they have turned a simple act of strengthening the PDP to a premise to further their denigration mission. That Akpabio said he would give a million naira each to the party chiefs to buy Mr. Biggs does not mean that was what the money would be used for, it was just a jocular way of supporting the party so that people’s loyalty would not wane. But does the mafia behind the “Destroy Akpabio War” really think?

What is wrong in a political office holder giving money to his party members?

The third ‘offence’ was that the governor made a donation on behalf of his brother governors in the South-South. But would these people rather have it that he

didn’t announce the donation in public, a coy employed by political office holders in the country to perpetrate mindless looting of the public treasury? If a governor from the president’s region has, therefore, honoured his boss by making such donation, why must people who have never had anything good to show for their years in office now turn around to wage war? The answers are not far to seek, if the eyes would be calm and relaxed, it would see the nose!

Behind this plot are politicians. Their mission is to seize whatever opportunity they can get to pummel Akpabio, with a view to rubbishing him and ‘clipping his wings’ because he appeared to be moving ahead of them in the public view and the political circle. And that is where this hypocrisy is coming from. Hypocrisy! Naked, undisguised hypocrisy couched in the toga of public interest; that is what the criticisms of Akpabio over his benevolence amount to and Nigerians should see them for what they are.

Most of those who helped start the criticisms and those fuelling them because of the perceived political gains they hoped to get from Akpabio’s fall, have failed to establish a case against the governor. If Akpabio’s benevolence is a waste of public funds that deserve pithy criticisms, what would the ostensible lifestyles of public office holders who have nothing to show for years in office be called? If giving financial commendations and supports to indigenes, party members and causes is sheer waste of public fund, even when there are matchless records of massive development and transformation in one’s state, what would the judgement against public officers who sit on wealth and administer over poverty-

IF AKPABIO’S BENEVOLENCE IS A WASTE OF PUBLIC

FUNDS... WHAT WOULD THE OSTENSIBLE LIFESTYLES OF PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS WHO HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR YEARS IN OFFICE BE CALLED?

My story on N458m bribery –Agbaso, Imo dep gov CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 and my person directly or indirectly. Also, the text messages that I have mentioned can also be accessed through MTN. Also, I had said earlier that N458m is awesome amount of money; it cannot vanish into thin air. If this money was paid

by Joseph Dina into those accounts, those accounts should be accessed through the banks. In establishing those accounts, the owners and the promoters of the companies must have given information to the bank to enable them set up these accounts.

Photographs of those who set up these accounts are there. Signatories to these accounts would be there. These are pieces of information the various agencies can seek for and access, even members of the public

if they choose to. Such options should have been fully exhausted by my accusers and judges.

What is the way out?

I implore Nigerians to understand and appreciate the grand conspiracy to tarnish my image; which is all I have; which is all I have worked for. I have said at various gatherings in Imo State that I am not a politician; I merely came to serve the people and all I have done is to have a good relationship with the Executive Governor of Imo State – a brotherly relationship, serve the people of Imo State, serve the governor diligently. I have put in 14 to 16-hour daily to make sure that the dividends of democracy get to my people. I have spoken out to make sure that

due process is followed, if they are not followed, it wouldn’t be my fault.

When the governor made the discovery that an overpayment of N200 million had been made to the contractor, I was there in his office when he shouted it. I said my boss, if there has been an overpayment, then you will understand how important it is that payments should be made through the proper channels. If these payments were made through the Ministry of Works or any ministry responsible for any contracts, overpayments would not be made. If due processes was followed, wholesale 100 per cent payment of contracts would not be made. I hear that the committee investigating me is investigating the immediate and remote causes of the abandonment of

stricken indigenes be? Certainly, a visit to Akwa Ibom today will reveal that the state governor has not only judiciously spent the wealth of the state to better the lots of its people and to transform its landscape, he has also changed the image of the state and redefined the position of a state governor – these, of a truth, are what some disgruntled elements abhor and have led them to raise high-powered conspiracy to destroy Akpabio through his benevolence.

But should the people fall for their tricks?

Lest they, or any other person, forget, Akpabio’s magnanimity is not just beginning now that he has become the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. He has always been a source of succour to many. When the Madalla bombing occurred, Akpabio was the first governor to pledge a donation of N50 million to the church and victims.

Apart from this, the Christian and Muslim communities in Akwa Ibom and elsewhere would attest to how the governor has contributed to God’s works. And of course, it would amount to vainglory if one were to begin to recount the numbers of individuals whose health bills he has footed in the last six years, yet he has not stopped and he should not. These countless acts of giving have earned praises from Nigerians. It is sad that some unscrupulous elements who have benefited from this milk of human kindness are now the ones turning round to shout “nail him to the cross”.

Nigerians should not be deceived; neither should they allow themselves to be dragged into a web of deceit where good and worthy leaders are dubbed evil, while politicians and people with no characters are raised high as “progressives” and people who have the people’s interests at heart. While some people are banking on the benevolence of Akpabio to score cheap political points, countless people are waiting for the time the governor would touch their lives and being an instrument in God’s hand to do Godswill, he should not relent.

Let me end with this open ended question: “Why has Governor Akpabio’s benevolence over the years not received the kind of unwarranted attacks in the media it is now facing as the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum?

Aina is a public affairs analyst based in Kaduna. contracts in Imo State; chief among them was the contract by JPros Nigeria Ltd. Now, it is public information that the contractor had been paid N1.35 billion. It is also public information supplied by Imo State Ministry of Works on certification that the quantum of job accomplished by this contractor is N195 million. Yet, the contractor, just received a thank you and he was left off the hook. The police are not holding him; he is not answering for the money unaccounted for in excess of N600 million and they are telling me that they are trying me and trying to impeach me for receiving bribe money of N458 million.

It is utterly laughable. Unfortunately, it is not a situation you can laugh over. I will continue to talk to you that I am an innocent man. The appropriate investigation agencies must wade into this matter and my innocence must be proven.

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The making of invincible legislators EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

NDUBUISI fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

T

he House of Representatives recently made a move that left many Nigerians in total confusion. Going by media reports, the honorable members are processing a bill, which when passed will give them absolute immunity in respect of words spoken or written at the committee stages of the House. The proposed bill is comparable to Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides immunity for President, Vice-President, Governors and Deputy Governors. The bill has come under biting criticisms. Many Nigerians consider the controversial Section 308 of the Constitution counter-productive, perceiving it as the main reason the executive at the three levels of government are corrupt.

Discerning Nigerians, including senior members of the Nigerian Bar Association, have kicked against the bill, describing it as both illegal and unethical. The bill, reportedly sponsored by Hon. Ali Ahmed (PDP, Kwara) and titled “A Bill for an act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by providing immunity for members of the

T

omorrow is Good Friday, the beginning of another Easter celebration.

It will mark the 1986th anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. That is in contemplation of Gregorian numerology, which starts counting from the year of His birth and thus has the year of death as 33 A.D. Easter historically represents the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The entire world would be thrown into celebrative mood from Friday to Monday (Easter Monday), the day Jesus Christ will resurrect.

Christ followers all over the world believe that this singular event is the pinnacle of divine intervention to salvage mankind- the denouement in the primordial plot featuring mankind saga and stretching all the eons from the blissful era of plenitude and grace in the Garden of Eden, through the tragic time when humanity fell in the same locale to the period of unmerited redemption. Easter is seen as a transcendental form of agape, the divine love of God for mankind.

No human is absolutely indifferent to the historical figure called Jesus of Nazareth.

The Christians believe that Christ is the son of God who came to world for the singular purpose of saving the fallen man from eternal damnation, through God’s gracious redemptive benignities.

The Muslims see Jesus as one of the principal prophets of God, who came to the world with Allah’s message to human beings, preached a sublime message of love for mankind and performed countless number of miracles, both to alleviate the suffering of the people and to underscore his mission as an emissary of the Almighty. Even the

legislature in respect of words spoken, written at the plenary session or at committee proceedings”, has been seen as selfish, self serving and attempt by the House to place its members above the electorates they should be accountable to.

All legislators already enjoy parliamentary immunity. The 1953 and 1954 Legislative Houses Act ensures this. The Act unequivocally defines what constitute the powers, privileges and immunity of the legislators, and absorbs them from civil or criminal proceedings for words spoken on the floor of the House or at the committee stage. It was in recognition of this fact that the Senate distanced itself from this controversial bill, which has been seen as both unethical and anti-democratic. It spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, while reacting to the development averred that “the existing legislative Act provides enough immunity for lawmakers’’ and that there was thus no justification to ask for more.

It is significant to appreciate the importance of parliamentary immunity, as well as the immunity provided in Section 308 of the Constitution .While the former is meant to ensure and protect the spirit of separation of power and free the legislators from incessant harassment and intimidation, the latter is meant to shield the executive from frivolous and unwarranted litigations by the enemies of the state on actions meant to promote public good. While parliamentary immunity has not been questioned, the executive immunity has been unceasingly derided as licence for the executive to be unac-

WHILE PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY HAS NOT BEEN QUESTIONED, THE EXECUTIVE IMMUNITY HAS BEEN UNCEASINGLY DERIDED AS LICENCE FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO BE UNACCOUNTABLE TO

NIGERIANS

countable to Nigerians.

It is to be realized that the general thinking now is that privileges of immunity, both at the executive and parliamentary levels, have to be exercised with caution and the highest sense of responsibility. This bill being contemplated exposes the calibre of the people in the House. It is curious that legislators in a country that has been enveloped by all kinds of traumas and calamities should have time for trivialities and selfserving projects. The same House has attempted in the past to compromise the Foreign Exchange and Miscellaneous Act that bars public officers from having foreign accounts. It was also the pressure of the public that made good sense to prevail.

And paradoxically, a bill that was intended to give stipends to unemployed graduates in the country was shot down by the same House.

The negative reactions that have trailed this bill open a window for the lawmakers to have a sober reflection and appreciate their roles in the polity and the essence of their assignments. Many of them are on ego trip; they see their assignment as opportunity to line their pockets and create rights and privileges for themselves that will make them invincible. This is unfair and a disservice to Nigerians that make sacrifices for them to be where they are now.

The members of the House act as if unperturbed by what people think of them.

It is for this same selfish agenda that they have pursued unashamedly their unceasing goal to remove the DG of SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh from office on the flimsy excuse that she is not qualified for the position. Nigerians know better. The question they should answer is why they waited this long until the SEC boss accused them of asking for bribe that they suddenly realize she is not a fit and proper person for the position.

The members of the House should come to appreciate that they are in a tenured position. They should refrain from actions that show them to be less of statesmen.

Nigerians have fought against dictatorship, to attempt now to smuggle it in any disguise will be resisted.

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

Easter and Divine Love IF WE HUMANS CAN IMBIBE THE ESSENCE OF

EASTER AND

ALLOW ITS MESSAGE OF GENUINE AND SELFLESS AFFECTION TO PERCOLATE OUR SPIRITS, MOST OF

OUR PROBLEMS WILL DISAPPEAR atheists regard Jesus as one of the greatest teachers of mankind whose messages are laden with great felicities, charity and hope, the requisite ingredients for harmonious coexistence among earthly dwellers.

In all these varied religious-philosophic world views, the phenomenon called love is ever constant. Thus, all the world’s religions, including even atheistic liberalism and scientific humanism, convey the underlying message that we should love one another; and that we should shun selfishness in all its ramifications.

If we humans can imbibe the essence of Easter and allow its message of genuine and selfless affection to percolate our spirits, most of our problems will disappear.

Neither the Holy Bible nor the Al-Quran Kareem enjoins us to embrace the culture of hatred; neither says we should maim and kill one another on accounts of our reconcilable or irreconcilable differences; rather

the two scriptures are replete with passages urging love and forbearance.

The politicians who exploit their public offices to pursue egotistic agenda, loot the treasury with abandon, acquiring properties all over the world while the majority of their compatriots are languishing in heart rending poverty, have no love in their perverse hearts. What amount of love inheres in a heart that diverts a fund meant for the development of his country into a private Swiss account or a leader who denies the people their fundamental human rights or fraudulently steals the mandate of his opponents in an electoral contest?

A religious zealot, who burns down places of worship of other people, even if it is Ogun or Sango shrine, is an inconsiderate, loveless, terrorist. The same thing holds true for those who kill other innocent people on the grounds of tribalism.

The true lesson of Easter transcends mere festivities and fanfare; it transcends mere attendance of places of worship in flamboyant dresses and listening perfunctorily to sermons. In countless number of churches around the world in the next few days, homiletic injunctions would be reeled out with exegetical precision and godly passion. But what is really important is the number of people who turns new leaves in obedience to the messages, not how many attend churches. The important question is how many hearts would allow the real gospel of love to take roots and blossom?

How many people are doing unto others as they would like to be treated? Many people know the customs and tradition behind Easter, but very few bother themselves about the significance of Christ crucifixion

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

and resurrection. For a great number of people, Easter period, like other festive periods, is just an opportunity to engage in reckless bingeing, drinking and debauchery.

They hear Easter messages year in year out, but continue in their selfish lifestyles.

The practices exhibiting lack of love percolates every facet of the society. It would do us a lot of good if we strive to forget all our differences and unite as common sojourners in this earthly realm in which we are bound with a common destiny.

To really move forward, we must cultivate the sublime virtue of love evinced through positive attributes like magnanimity, forbearance, amity, charity and altruism, all of which underline the true message of Easter.

Happy Easter!

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A

Creation of Maritime Police Command

press statement penultimate Thursday by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), indicated that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has created a maritime command domiciled in the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the Nigeria Police Force. The new outfit and zonal commands are of the same status; and is headed by Mike Idakwo, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). The Maritime Police Command is said to be a fusion of the Marine Police Command, the Police Ports Authority Command, and the Inland Waterways police formation, and consists of three subsidiary commands, namely: the Western Maritime Command with headquarters in Lagos; Eastern Maritime Command with headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and the Marine Command with headquarters also in Lagos. Each of the subsidiary commands under the new structure is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP), charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and providing adequate security at the ports and harbours. The subsidiary commands are charged with the task of dealing with contem-

porary security challenges, such as armed robbery, piracy, kidnapping, gun running and other related crimes in the creeks, harbours and territorial waters in their domains.

It is not improbable that the latest initiative by the Police high command has a link with a recent report which said President Goodluck Jonathan ordered service chiefs and the IGP to effectively check illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and related maritime crimes that are telling heavily on the nation’s revenue earnings. Indeed, it was reported that the president threatened to sanction the security chiefs should they fail to curb the problems before the third quarter of this year. Jonathan, who summoned the Service Chiefs to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, was said to have intimated them of the Presidency’s plan not to approve the recommendations of promotion boards of the security services usually presented by the Army, Navy and Air Force towards the end of each year, should the situation persist. It may also be recalled that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, met with representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Police and Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety

THE ESSENCE OF CREATING THE NEW COMMAND WILL BE DEFEATED IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE A

LUCRATIVE ‘JOB FOR THE BOYS’

Agency (NIMASA) earlier in the month to re-strategise on how best to curb the festering crimes in the maritime sector. Believed to be the handiwork of criminal syndicates, reports said the country loses as much as 250,000 barrels of crude on daily basis to oil thieves. The country currently produces about 2.4 million barrels per day.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had likewise disclosed that the thefts cost the Federal Government about $7 billion (roughly N921 billion or one quarter of the country’s most recent annual budgets) in revenue in 2011 alone, and has scarcely abated.

Therefore, the establishment of the Maritime Police Command, which has the full paraphernalia of a zonal command by the IGP, for the obvious purpose of frontally tackling the menace, seems a commendable innovation.

But the police boss should

invest additional efforts to ensure that the new command is manned by police officers and rank and file with track records of integrity and dedication to duty, considering the strong and widely held suspicion that some unscrupulous top shots in the security agencies are themselves complicit in the crime of illegal bunkering especially. It may be stated that the essence of creating the new command will be defeated if it turns out to be a lucrative ‘job for the boys’, where policemen indulge in indecent lobbying to be posted to the beat; and are expected to render ‘returns’ to higher officers. Besides, having established that some of the greatest hindrances to effective policing are poor motivation and the lack of up-to-date working tools, the police authorities should make adequate provisions for the welfare of their men in the new command, alongside the facilities, weaponry and gadgets needed for their efficient and effective performance, lest they turn rats and devour the fishes kept in their custody.

The Police high command must realize the great possibility of its officers and men colluding with oil thieves, sea pirates and other maritime felons should they be allowed to face the criminals with empty stomachs and bare hands.

ON THIS DAY March 28, 2006 At least one million union members, students, and unemployed took to the streets in France in protest against the government’s proposedFirstEmploymentContractlaw.Thelawwaspushedinthe spring of 2006 in France by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

The employment contract, available solely to employees under 26 years of age, would have made it easier for the employer to fire employees by removing the need to provide reasons for dismissal.

March 28, 1979 TheBritishHouseof Commonspassedavoteof noconfidence against James Callaghan’s government, precipitating a general election. Reputed to date as the only politician in history to have served in all four of the “Great Offices of State”, Callaghan (March 27, 1912 – March 26, 2005), was a British Labour politician and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980.

March 28, 1968 Brazilian high school student Edson Luís de Lima Souto was shot by the police in a protest for cheaper meals at a restaurant for low-income students. Edson was one of the first students killed by the military dictatorship, and the aftermath of his death marked the beginning of a turbulent year for the regime, which ended up with the enactment of AI-5, a decree restricting most of the basic human rights guarantees.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Education Today NOUN has seven VCs as students –Tenebe

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RESULTS CANCELLATION:

Affected candidates demand for certificates •Be patient –WAEC

Relieved from the initial pressure and embarrassment caused them by the cancellation of their SSCE results four years after they were initially released, the affected candidates now say the next battle is to secure their long-awaited certificates. They also want adequate compensation from the examination body, for being subjected to hardships in their various institutions. MOJEED ALABI reports:

L

ike a raging storm, the battle between the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the former students of Ogudu Senior Grammar School, GRA, Ojota, Lagos, whose 2008 May/June SSCE results were erroneously cancelled

by WAEC has refused to douse, not even when the examination body has surreptitiously released the results.

This time round, the students are clamouring for the release of their certificates which, they said, is long overdue, and that the examination body could no longer hold on to it because the situation, according to them, has subjected them to more embarrassments making institutions to always look on them as suspects.

According to Sulaiman Ismail, the final year student of Computer Science Department at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in Kwara State, they had been agitating for the release of the certificates since 2009, even before the results were later discovered to have been cancelled by the body.

“It is the tradition that one year after the release of SSCE results the certificates would be ready for collection in various schools nationwide, but in our case, the situation has been different. In 2009, when most of us approached the school for our certificates, we were told they were not ready and had to continue to use the statement of result issued by the school,” Ismail related.

However, when the certificates of those who wrote the examination in 2009 were issued, the school became disturbed and approached WAEC for clarification on the pending case of 2008 candidates.

According to one of the teachers in the school who does not want his name in print, the school wrote a letter requesting for the certificates to the Ikorodu office of WAEC, which was received by Mr. Okwonkwo.

Many months after, National Mirror gathered that the examination body complained that the candidates’ passport

Charles Eguridu, Head, WAEC Nigeria office

WAEC headquarters, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria

WAEC headquarters, Yaba, Lagos,

photographs were already blurred and so demanded for new ones. The request, according to the school, was instantly communicated to the students who responded by submitting fresh ones.

According to one of the candidates, Owoyemi Tosin, the school burnt the new photographs into a disc and submitted it to WAEC while students patiently awaited their certificates. In fact, National Mirror learnt that about two of the candidates came down from South African universities to demand for the certificates while Sanni Muhammed, currently studying in a Saudi college also reported the insistence of his school to see his WAEC certificate.

“We were on this issue before we later learnt our results had been cancelled online by WAEC. We would not have known if not for one of us, Owoyemi Tosin, whose university attempted to verify his result and found out it was no longer online. Even our school was not communicated much less the candidates,” a 500 level Chemical Engineering student of the University of Lagos and one of the affected students, Ad-

esanya Taiwo, explained.

After over a year of gloom, the candidates, who were glad to witness the release of their results, now urge WAEC to make their certificates available to them without further delay.

According to Tosin, the circumstance of the cancellation and sudden release of the result had initially subjected it to scrutiny and that the presentation of certificate could alleviate the suspicion.

However, WAEC has advised the candidates to exercise patience and give it some time to address the issue.

According to its Deputy Director, Public Affairs Section, Mr. Yusuff Ari, the examination body is aware of the issue of their pending certificates, saying it is a matter that cannot be rushed. He said the body would release the certificates as soon as they are ready.

Meanwhile, the candidates are also calling on the examination body to compensate them for the hardship they were made to experience while the problem lasted.

To Owoyemi Tosin, no amount of com-

pensation could erase the torture he had suffered from his mind. “Will I consider the shame, the money wasted, the rustication from school or the stress I have been passing through in the last one year or thereabout? Now, I am struggling to gain admission again and finance is a major issue.”

In his own opinion, an Abuja-based legal practitioner and Principal, Lekan Oladapo and Company, Mr. Lekan Oladapo, expressed displeasure at the development, calling on stakeholders in the nation’s education sector to call WAEC to order.

Oladapo, who is also the Executive Secretary of Lygel Youth and Leadership Initiatives, a non-governmental organisation, blamed the regional examination body for the mess the candidates had been made to experience.

“There should be a way WAEC must be responsible for what these young men have suffered. Though money cannot be enough as compensation for their loss, there must be punitive damages awarded against WAEC and it must publish an apology in national dailies,” Oladapo stated.

But for Mr. Moses Owoyemi, father of Tosin Owoyemi, the experience within the last one year suggest a complete overhaul of the administrative section of the examination body. He said the fact that letters were written without acknowledgement and questions were asked without responses indicate “a dysfunctional system” that must be restructured to avoid tampering with the future of the region.

“I am sure if I had not taken it upon myself to get to the root of this case the students would have suffered the injustice with no one aware of their plight. What I have suffered as a father over the issue requires that WAEC pays handsomely in compensation and also have its structure overhauled.

Else, many more candidates will suffer same fate,” Mr. Owoyemi demanded.

Education Today

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ALMA MATER

I owe everything to Government College, Ikorodu, Lagos –Alumnus Ms Bisi Ajilowura is a food technologist and an accountant. She had once worked as an accounting officer with the UK Government, and now, she is with one of the big banks in the UK. She had her secondary school education at the Government College, Ikorodu, Lagos, between 1974 and 1979 and she relives her experience while there with SEUN LAWSON.

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overnment College Ikorodu (GCI), Lagos, was established in September 1974 by the administration of Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, the then state’s military administrator as one of the newly established secondary schools by the state government. Others are Government College, Ojo; Maryland Comprehensive College, Ikeja and Oriwu College, Ikorodu. One of the pioneer students of the college was Bisi Ajilowura, who, at the time, was just 14 years old.

“The school was well equipped with state-of-the art facilities. Everything about the school was new. The classrooms, dormitories, dining rooms, library, water system, sporting arena, a separate laboratory for Physics, Chemistry and Biology were all new, and there was also a clinic where students accessed first aid treatment. As a matter

of fact, the school environment was very beautiful and neat. The college equally paraded many well-trained teachers such that it was regarded, at the time, as one of best in Lagos State.

Some parents even withdrew their wards from some so-called big schools to join us,” said Mrs. Ajlowura, who was nicknamed then as ‘Ajilogold.’

Now, 34 years after leaving the school, Ajilowura still remembers, the full names of many of her classmates. They included: Tolani Adetula, Comfort Adesina, Bose Kuti, Titi Thompson, Aboyade-Cole, Kayode Fashola, Funke Falohun, Funke Martins, Funke Alegbe, Dupe Oyefusi, Rachel Abioye, Felix Lawson, Adeolu Aganga-Williams, Maria Nadu Lawson, Bola Dosunmu, Bisi Daniel, Bodunrin Omisore, among others.

Ajilowura was a good athlete.

To my best

TEACHER Oluwole Yekeen Alabi was a student of Ilobu Grammar School, Ilobu, Osun State, between 1981 and 1986 when Mr. Solomon Adedokun Ologunde was the principal. Wole, as he was popularly called was the overall best student in the school from Form one to five and had the best results in his West African Senior Certificate Examination (WASCE) with six distinctions, one Credit and a Pass in his set. He was also the school’s timekeeper in Form Four and was to become senior prefect in Form five but declined on personal ground when he was nominated.

Oluwole also played soccer for the school and was involved in many other social activities. Today, he is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist currently plying his trade in the Republic of Ireland.

He dedicated his success to God Almighty and the pragmatic administrative sense of the school’s principal.

Oluwole has this to say about Pa Ologunde, who died at the age of 76 on Wednesday, February 27: “Pa Solomon Adedokun Ologunde,

She represented her school in many inter-schools’ competitions and won many laurels. Even her most memorable event was on the occasion of the Lagos State Inter-house Sport competition that involved all the secondary schools in the state.

“I can never forget that event.

It is now about 38 years ago. I was one of the school representatives at the event, which was held at Maryland Comprehensive Sport Ground and it was televised by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA),” she recalled nostalgically, adding: “Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya (now late) was the Commissioner of Sports at the time, and he was in attendance.

In fact, it was my best day ever in that school. I won all the track and field events-100 and 200 metres; 4X100 and 4X400 relays; and the long jump at the event. I stood out among other competitors

Ajilowura

and that achievement earned me alongside three others a scholarship award covering my five years in the secondary school. I was very happy when Chief Ogunsanya announced the scholarship award. I must tell you that because of the scholarship, my mates started calling me ‘Ajiloscholarship.’”

On academic performance, she was among the best five in class from Form One to Five and his best subjects were Mathematics and Physics while she disliked History and Geography just because she found it difficult to memorise things and drawing maps, respectively.

Discipline wise, she said the school did not tolerate any form of indiscipline from the students and this single virtue has greatly helped her in her endeavours even till today.

“Our principal in particular, Mr. Oltunde Balogun (aka Balo), who is now late, was a discipli-

narian. He neither tolerated laziness, unruly behaviour, nor lateness to class and to other school activities. Once you are caught, you must be severely punished for that,” she further recalled.

On her involvement in the old students’ association, she said she had been an active member of the group since inception in the 1980s.

“We call the association “Government College Ikorodu Students’ Association (GCIOSA).

While the headquarters is in Nigeria, we have branches in the UK, the US and many other countries. In the UK where I belong and more actively involved, we meet every two month while those in Nigeria meet monthly.

The motto of the association”our organisation and together we can establish it”-has become our guiding principle. And all along, it is always a wonderful reunion on every meeting day,” she said.

About when last she visited the school, she said she visited not long ago but she was not happy about the poor state of infrastructure on ground compared to what obtained during her days.

“I felt ashamed when last I visited the school. It lacks maintenance. I observed that the standard we set then was no longer there. Some of the building structures, in particular, have worn out so much and it seemed like the Lagos State Government does not give adequate attention to the school again,” Ajilowura said of her alma mater.

PaSolomonOlogunde former Principal, Ilobu Grammar School, Osun State (1979-‘89)

the former principal of Ilobu Grammar School has passed on but the sweet memories of his competence and dedication to duty will continue to be with us his former students. He was a principal of principals, whose administrative deft was phenomenal. He positively shaped many of us that could have gone astray as a result of juvenile delinquency. He was strong, humble, honest, fair, firm, and upright. He was “in loco parentis” to many of us. He was a highly disciplined man, who would not condone any act of indiscipline from any student, including his children. He would call a special assembly to warn us to stay away from acts that could tarnish the school’s image each time we were going for football match. He would say in his characteristic baritone voice; “As you are going for this important match, if you win, you win honourably, and if you lose, you lose gallantly. I do not subscribe to the saying that if you lose the ball, don’t lose the legs; if you lose the ball, please let go the legs.” I remember vividly when

Ologunde

Alabi

he confronted the then WAI committee chairman, who alleged that his students were “academics no-hopers”. He was right to debunk the allegation because ILOGRAMS always turned (and turns) out brilliant students with excellent results. Papa made his marks and I believe his biological offspring would derive joy and strengths from this. May the almighty God accept his good deeds and absolve him of his shortcomings.

He would always move round the vast school compound to monitor both the teachers and students. The environment was well cultivated and the virtue of being time conscious was built in us. Both on individual basis and in group, ‘Baba Ologunde’ as he was fondly called would

advise us and during his tenure, the school produced some of the best results in the old Oyo State then. Simply put, he was a great man and moulder of future leaders.”

If you can read this, then you have a reason to be grateful. Show your appreciation to your best or favourite teacher in this column.

Send us a ‘Thank You’ note, including your full names, current status and the years you were taught by your teacher. You can also send us your current picture plus that of your teacher where possible. Write to the Editor, To My best Teacher Column, National Mirror, P.M.B. 10001, Marina Lagos or e-mail: eferaro@yahoo.co.uk

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Education Today

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Now, we can operate computer, browse Internet, Lagos teachers boast TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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ntil three months ago, they did not know how to operate the computer and this was despite the fact that many of them had spent one or more decades as primary school teachers.

They even taught computer elementary as a subject in class and also encouraged their students to put whatever they learnt into practice at homes while they themselves could not operate computer.

This is the story of 13 primary school teachers in Lagos State, who graduated recently from a free computer literacy class organised by a non-governmental organisation-Lucinma Women Development Centre-based in Akoka, Lagos.

At their graduation ceremony last weekend, some of the graduands told National Mirror that prior to their enrolment for the intensive training programme, under the scheme: Lucinma Computer Literacy for Educators (LUCOLITES), and which lasted for three months,

they with style, they avoided computer like a plaque.

Some even saw those who operated the device proficiently, especially the teens, like super beings.

“But today, I can announce to this gathering that my fellow graduands and I are now computer literate. We can now operate computer and also use the internet,” declared Mrs. Confidence Nwaoguimo, one of the graduands, who was also the Governor (head of class) of her set, added: “And I believe this new acquired knowledge will help us greatly on our job as teachers and in other endeavours.”

The overall best among them, Mrs. Roseline Ogbonye, who teaches English Language and other subjects at Ade Ife Primary School, Yaba, said all along, she didn’t know it was not difficult to operate computer.

“The whole thing then looked like magic to me.

Even when my children offered to teach me computer at home, I always made one excuse or the other, especially using lack of time, to bail myself out. I just

Overall best graduating student of Lucinma Computer Literacy programme for educators, Mrs. Roseline Ogbonye (extreme left) and her mates during their graduation ceremony held in Lagos recently

couldn’t understand how one could use the mouse to be controlling the cursor on the computer screen,” Mrs. Ogbonye disclosed.

“But now, I’m not only typesetting with computer, I prepare my lesson notes in both hard and soft copies and do many other things on computer. I equally use internet for research work, especially on subject topics before I introduce them to my students in class.”

Also, Mrs. Eucharia Anyanwu, from Idowu Primary School, Bariga and Mrs. Rose Nwoji, from Akoka Primary School, Yaba, shared similar view, adding that, the beauty of the training was that they could now

Minister’s aide donates books to college IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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he Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education on Media and Publicity, Mr. Nwakaudu Simeon Chibiko has donated 250 copies of his two written books- Stainless governor and ‘The incorrigible criminals-’ to Peoples’ Comprehensive College, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

He donated the books re-

cently with a view to boosting the reading habit of the students of the school and also to help them inculcate moral values that would help them in their dealings now and in future.

While handing over the books to the school, Simeon, who is also a journalist, said he intended to use the avenue of books donation to propagate the importance of reading to the young people and to also encourage them to be

vanguards of the nation building.

He explained that writing had helped him in disseminating useful messages to the society either to educate or enlighten them.

Expressing his appreciation to the donor on the gesture, the school Principal, Mr. Kanu Abenego said the school would not only safe keep the books, it would also ensure that students and teachers read them.

L-r, Principal, Peoples Comprehensive Academy, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Mr. Kanu Abednego; Legal Adviser, Explorer Book and Readers’ Club, Mr. Hero Udenyi and the author of “The stainless governor” and Special Assistant to Minister of State for Education, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, during the donation of his books to the school, recently.

prepare the report sheets of their students with computer, which they claimed was faster and neater.

They noted that fundamental things required of trainees to understand and operate a computer meaningfully is interest in learning alongside determination, paying adequate attention in class and constantly putting into practice what had been taught in class.

Though, they added, the training was a bit stressful

because every trainee was expected to meet up with 80 per cent class attendance held thrice weeklyMondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at times, Saturdays, it was worthwhile.

Speaking on the initiative, the Founder and Chief Executive of the centre, Mrs. Ukor Princess Mokolo, said the aim was to boost the computer literacy of teachers in primary and post-primary schools.

While disclosing that the programme was free and

restricted to female teachers only to equip them with computer knowledge so as to be able to discharge their duties more effectively, Mrs. Mokolo, represented by the Executive Secretary of the centre, Mrs. Lucy Jonah, said it was disheartening that, at this computer age, many school teachers, especially in primary and secondary schools, including those in the cities like Lagos could not operate computer.

Dignitaries at the event included the Managing Director/CEO of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Yinka Sanni; Executive Director (Business Services), Chevron Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Immafidon; Pa Joseph Eseka, who was honoured with the organisation’s outstanding philanthropy and community leadership award; Prof. Jim Un a of the University of Lagos and Madam Felicia Okoli, who was the chairperson at the event, among others.

ABUAD to reposition teaching, learning in higher institutions ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, has said reforms were needed in the higher institutions in the country for them to perform their roles of teaching, research and community service, as well maintaining the balance as them.

Babalola said the need for such reforms informed his university’s decision to chart a course for the tertiary institutions in the country through organisation of workshop on learning methods which he described as “one of the extremely critical but usually neglected areas of quality education delivery”.

A member of ABUAD Board and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman of a four-day “International workshop on improved teaching and learning methods in the higher education system,” Prof. Israel Orubuloye, said Babalola had taken it upon

himself to ensure that teachers are at home with necessary teaching methodologies.

Orubuloye said the workshop, billed for between April 9 and 12 for participants across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria and abroad, “is based on the valid assumption that teachers hold the key to the provision of sound knowledge and high quality education, which will in turn, enhance performance in the higher education sector”.

According to the former vice-chancellor of the then University of Ado Ekiti (UNAD), the primary aim of the workshop is to challenge participants to explore ways and means whereby teachers in higher institutions can be better placed to influence the process of impacting knowledge to students.

He said ABUAD, after successfully organising similar workshop for its teachers in 2010, 2011 and 2012, had decided to expand its scope and content with the selection of local and

international speakers, resource persons and facilitators while also reaching out to other institutions of learning.

Orubuloye said: “This experience will be highly rewarding for participants, especially lecturers and professors seeking opportunities for global netwotking with their counterparts from Ivy League Universities and international institutions around the world”.

According to the don, papers to be presented at the event would cover academics and development, maintaining high professional standards, ICT, developing best mentoring practices, delivery system in the classroom, health and safety, parent-teacher relationship and discipline in higher education system, among others.

Afe Babalola

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Education Today

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NOUN has seven VCs as students –Tenebe Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, Vice- Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is a renowned agronomist. He spoke with some journalists in Kaduna recently on the efforts of NOUN to increase access of qualified Nigerians to university education. He also disclosed that seven vice-chancellors from conventional universities and his humble self are students of the university.

AZA MSUE brings the excerpts Today, most parents and even the younger people find the National Open Universities of Nigeria (NOUN) unattractive to study and prefer conventional universities where admission is more difficult. What do you think is responsible for this?

It is basically as a result of ignorance. To accept change is always difficult for people. Open and distance learning is a new education system in Nigeria and therefore, you don’t expect the younger generation, as well as the older ones who are not used to the system to embrace it just like that. To many, unless a student gets admission, goes to live in the hostel, goes to classroom and engages in all those routines, they will not believe they are students. But hopefully and very soon, things will change in this country. That was also how the situation was in India and China before now. Open and distance learning is a system that is flexible. It enables students to study and at the same time, work. More than half of Nigeria’s population is not in school, not because they don’t have the qualification, but it is because they don’t have the financial backing. Nigeria has many brilliant young ones whose parents cannot sponsor their university education just because they are poor. So even if you have the admission and you don’t have sponsorship, you will still sit at home. But the open and distance learning system gives admission to students and allows them to work and be able to raise income to meet their financial obligations in school and in other places. That is why in the UK, China and India, you will see young men and women go for open university education. Even if you offer those kinds of people admission in a conventional university, they will reject it because they will need money to sustain themselves and their education. In NOUN system, there is nothing like meeting up to 75 per cent of class attendance before sitting for examinations. That is the requirement in the conventional system whether you are in the polytechnic, university or college of education. The system there is that if you don’t have 75 per cent class attendance, you cannot write exams. Here is a system that even if you have zero per cent attendance, you will still write your examination and to pass or not depends on your preparation.

That is how it is being done in the developed world but new in Nigeria. The system gives freedom and that is why with time, Nigerian

TUBOSUN OGUNDARE

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youths will prefer the open and distance learning university to the conventional system.

How about NOUN graduates in terms of participation in the oneyear mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) scheme?

That is another challenge that we are currently addressing. The NYSC Act and the laws that govern it, say that a Nigerian graduate of 30 years and below should be mobilised for NYSC scheme but those above 30 years can be exempted. Now, NOUN a special university has a peculiar case.

The university is not dealing with youths alone. It is for everybody – both the old and the young that qualified. There are many undergraduates in NOUN who had already obtained first degrees in one conventional university or another. Even at present, NOUN has seven vice-chancellors of other universities including myself, who are students. So, once you are a graduate and already observed the NYSC scheme, it won’t be necessary to go for another service again. Even at that, the university is also mindful of fresh undergraduates, who are also within the 30 years stipulated age limit for the scheme. Now, the school has agreed with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to work out the possibility. By that, the board has made it mandatory for NOUN to pay specific amount of money to issue admission letters for every graduate that is eligible for the NYSC scheme. The university has just reached the agreement. So, all our graduates, who are below the age of 30, will now be going for NYSC scheme probably from this year.

What is the current carrying capacity of NOUN and its population?

That is another interesting aspect of this university. The carrying capacity is limitless and that is why it is called open university.

An open university should be able to accommodate five million or 10 million students. So as much as many that are interested in acquiring university education and qualified, NOUN has rooms for them. We are opened as wide as the capacity of Nigeria. Open university in India for instance has 3.8 million students’ population.

As at now, NOUN has a capacity of 132,000 students and the university wants to hit about half a million by the next two academic sessions. My dream as a VC is for the university to hit 1.5 million

Cowbell NASSMAC exams begin with 45,000 students

Tenebe

IF YOU DON’T ALLOW YOUTHS TO COME TO NOUN AND YET DENY THEM OF ADMISSION IN THE CONVENTIONAL UNIVERSITIES, IT IS TANTAMOUNT

TO BUILDING UP A POPULATION OF ILLITERATES AND CONSEQUENTLY INVITING CRIMINALITIES IN THE SOCIETY.

students by the next five years. So, there is no specific carrying capacity in NOUN. This is the only university that has the mandate to admit as many students as possible, but without compromising the standard.

People know former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an alumnus of NOUN, who are those other prominent Nigerians that have graduated from the university if any?

We graduated 7, 222 students at our last convocation ceremony held in Lagos. They were made up of categories of classes of people. Anyway, I don’t have the statistics of earlier graduates of NOUN before now and interestingly, the university does not focus on prominent individuals alone so that people will not see it as a political university. NOUN is more concerned about the entire Nigerians and especially those in the rural areas, those boys and girls on the streets, who have necessary academic qualifications for university admission. As I had earlier said, the university has seven vice chancellors from other universities including myself as students. I am a student of post graduate diploma in education.

I have the Vice- Chancellor of Berita University, who is studying Law; I have the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who is also a student of Law and so forth. And I can categorically tell you therefore that so many prominent Nigerians are

currently studying in NOUN. The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who is now 78 years old, is a 100 level Law student. More than 22 other Obas under his domain have also enrolled in NOUN just because they saw their leader in spite of his high economic status and age enrolled in the university. The Emir of Bauchi has just filled in his form for admission not long ago and also the Commissioner of Finance in Nasarawa State. Prof. Mainoma, a former deputy Vice- Chancellor of Nasarawa State University called me on phone while I was in far away Dubai few weeks ago to complain that he filled NOUN admission form online to study Law, but that he was not offered admission and sought my assistance. I asked him whether he had a credit pass at ordinary level in Literature in English and he said he did not even take the subject and I told him that he was not qualified to study Law in NOUN. It is compulsory for an applicant to have a minimum of credit pass in Literature in English in WASC to study Law in NOUN and that is how it is also in conventional universities. So, NOUN cannot lower its standard for anybody. Even I myself had wanted to study Law but I could not because I didn’t do Literature in English in secondary school.

Some people thought that r NOUN came on board to be distributing degrees or selling certificates but they guessed wrong. To pass NOUN exams require hard work from students.

o fewer than 45,000 junior and senior secondary school students nationwide sat for the first stage examination of this year’s edition of the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) held nationwide last weekend.

The Business Development Manager of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, Mr. Olusegun Koleoso, who led a monitoring team to Oriwu Senior Grammar School, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, one of the examination centres in Lagos, said he was impressed by the large turn-out of students for the competition.

He noted that through the competition, the company had been able to inspire students on the study of mathematics, adding that there were bumper rewards awaiting winners and maths teachers who have stayed committed to the course of the competition.

Also speaking, Mr. Ode bode Isiaka, an Assistant Director of Education District 2, Lagos State, said the competition had helped improved the performance of students in both the Junior and Senior Secondary School Certificate examinations conducted by both the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) in the recent years.

Parents urged to be committed to children’s education HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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arents and guardians have been urged to be more committed in their contributions towards the training of their children as education should not be restricted to the four walls of classroom alone.

The Head teacher of Police Children School 1, Akure, Ondo state, Mrs Francisica Ebitibituwa, stated this during the silver jubilee celebration of the school.

Ebitibituwa said teachers alone could not be saddled with the responsibilities of training the children but said parents too had a major role in shaping the lives of their wards.

She said his school decided to celebrate its silver jubilee with sport fiesta to promote sport among school children and also to keep them physically strong and mentally alert.

Disclosing that the school was established in response to the demand for a school by various police commands to give their children and wards affordable and qualitative education, Mrs. Ebitibituwa said the school started with 118 pupils, 18 teachers and two non- teaching staff.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, March 28, 2013

23

Go out and impact the community, Fashola urges corps members TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has urged the newly deployed National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members under the 2013 ‘Batch A’, serving in Lagos State to make positive impact in their places of primary assignments, communities and the state at large.

He gave the charge on Tuesday in his address during the official closing ceremony of their threeweek orientation course held at Iyana-Ipaja Camp of the organisation.

Represented by the State Chairman of the Governing Council of NYSC and Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Fashola disclosed that the state gov-

ernment had put in place several projects that could help corps members uplift the lives of people around them, especially through their primary assignments and community development services. He urged them to shun truancy and other forms of untoward behaviours, including cultism that could tarnish not only their image but also that of the NYSC. Promising his administration’s continuous support of NYSC scheme with the purpose of achieving its objectives and the welfare needs of corps members, the governor charged employers to make very good use of every corps member posted to them by assigning challenging responsibilities to them.

According to him, corps members should not be

seen by their employers as tools to be used and discarded and therefore, they should ensure they give them challenging duties to

handle.

Speaking earlier, the state coordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, asked the corps

members to make every effort in the next 11 months of their service to make themselves valuable assets that would be economical-

A cross section of 2013 Batch ‘A’ National Youth Service Corps members serving in Lagos State at the closing ceremony of their three-week orientation course held at Iyana-Ipaja, Tuesday.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

FG to partner Omatek Computer to boost academic innovation Last Sunday, stakeholders in the nation’s education sector, including the Minister of Education and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professors Ruqayyatu Rufa’I and Julius Okojie, visited Omatek Computer factory in Lagos. There, they commended the company for what they described as monumental investment. The minister and her team later went to the University of Lagos, Akoka, where she commissioned the solar-powered hybrid solution installed by the indigenous computer manufacturing firm. MOJEED ALABI reports:

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hristiana Adeleye is a 300 level student of Computer Science Department, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, whose dream is to be part of the future of computer through creativity and innovation of ideas that can solve human problems.

Currently on industrial attachment training at the Omatek Computers Factory, located at Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, in Lagos, Christiana was glad to experience real time practical experience in computer assembly, problem diagnoses and troubleshooting, and gaining firsthand information and knowledge about the entire components that make up computers.

Similarly, Osunde Nosa Paul and Ayankoya Benedicta from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos are two other students on industrial attachment training with the company who are glad be part of the technologydriven world.

Paul, a 300 level student of the Department of Industrial Physics was charged with the role of fixing optical drives into

a computer being coupled while Benedicta, Computer Engineering student was fixing the hard discs and DVD players.

These were some of the works these students were doing when a team led by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, which included the National Universities Commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof, Julius Okojie; Executive Secretary of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), Prof. Michael Faborode; UNILAG ViceChancellor, Prof. Rahman Bello, among several others, visited the company to commission the project.

The visitors were thrilled by the dexterity with which the students handled the tools and delivered the tasks placed before them.

Moving from one department to the other and impressed by what she saw, Prof. Rufa’I said; “Nigeria has got no choice than to involve Omatek in the curriculum formulation, ideas generation, research activities and education performance activities in the country’s education sector to beat the raging crisis of unemployment.”

ly useful now and in future.

She stressed that the various skill acquisition centres across the state were there for their benefits.

She was quick to note that it is not true that there is no job in Nigeria but that Nigerian youths are not yet empowered for the jobs available; hence, her decision to inform the presidency and the executive council on the need to partner the leading indigenous computer company on how to develop innovations that can take the country to the world stage and get the growing generations of youth engaged.

“We have come here, we have seen, and I can tell you boldly that our visit is already yielding fruits. I never could imagine what

we saw here before we reached here. From the solar-powered hybrid energy solution we have just commissioned in UNILAG to the production processes of varieties of computers we have seen here, which is being done by our own brothers and sisters, I think the next step is how our universities and other levels of education will key in into all of these,” the Minister stated.

Speaking on the relevance of the solar power system created by the company for the university, the vice-chancellor said the university was incurring

as much as N45 million on power generation from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria on monthly basis and that the situation was already denting the purse of the institution.

As a solution therefore, the new solar system, which was first installed at the hostels in the New Hall compound of the university as part of its first phase, will provide 24hour light for the hostels’ corridors, reading rooms, cafeterias and walkways thereby giving no room for excuse by students to go on rampage whenever PHCN takes light.

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie; Minister of Education, Prof. Rukkayat Rufa’i; and Managing Director, Omatek, Mrs. FLorence Seriki during the commissioning of Omatek hybridpower solar solution at UNILAG.

Army Children School wins Yoruba quiz contest OLUFEMI AJASA

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epresentatives of the Army Children High School, Ikeja, Lagos, Miss Oreoluwa Oladimeji and Yetunde have emerged winners of this year’s Yoruba quiz competition organised by Olokun Festival Foundation as one of the series of events outlined in the commemoration of Eledumare Festival.

Other participating schools included: Ikeja Junior Grammar School, which came second; Army Cantonment Junior Secondary School, which took third position; Immaculate Junior Grammar School, as well as Estate Junior Grammar School, all in Lagos State.

The competition, which was held in Yoruba language, according to the moderator of the foundation, Mr. Yinka Alalade, was to test students’ knowledge on Yoruba comprehension passages, the names of Yoruba prominent traditional rulers and the use of adages, antonyms and synonyms, using Yoruba language.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EDITED BY MOJEED ALABI mojeedalabi2@yahoo.co.uk

OAU accommodation crisis persists In this report, OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI, 400 Level, Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, takes a look at the perennial accommodation crisis on the campus and how students are coping with the situation.

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ike every other academic institutions in the country, the battle for accommodation at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in Osun State, is a war of survival.

This situation, investigation reveals, has led many students to engage in illegal businesses of selling bed spaces, rooms and apartments to the highest bidders at inflated prices.

Also, there are allegations that authorities give preference to children of the elite and officials in high places while others without contacts to the appropriate quarters are left to suffer the consequences.

For instance, the President of the Department

of English Language Students’ Association, Faculty of Education, Moses Oluwanifise, said he had never had access to a bed space on campus since he joined the university about four years ago.

“I started squatting right from my first year on the campus. In fact, I slept in the common room for some weeks before I got hooked with a colleague in my first year. It was like this till my penultimate year that a senior colleague dashed out his bed space to me. This was when I could say I had a legal bed space as a student of the university,” Oluwanifise explained.

Similarly, Gbadegesin Musbau who declined to

mention his department said right from the first year on the campus he had no accommodation allocated to him; the development he said drove him to stay outside the campus while in 200 level.

“I decided to move to squat with a friend in Mayfair area of Ife town while in Part II and I witnessed hell in terms of transportation problems and the kinds of bad boys staying in the area. There were so many non-students whose business was to engage in vices.

We always lived in fear and did not enjoy my stay until I moved back to campus,” Musbau explained.

To avoid these security and financial challenges,

OYO FCE honours lawmakers, others DHIKIRU AKINOLA POL SCIENCE, OAU

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he School of Education of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, has rewarded various individuals with its certificate in recognition of their immense contributions to the development of the institution and the country’s education sector by extension.

The list of the awardees, which included two lawmakers from the Oyo State House of Assembly; Hon. Waliu Adekunle from Atiba State Constituency and Hon. Adesina Adeyemo from Ibarapa State Constituency, were said to have been chosen after painstaking selection exercise done by the selection committee.

Other awardees are the Proprietor of Prime Model School, Ibadan, Prof.

Tunde Salau and Dr. Tajudeen Opoola.

Held at the large lecture

theatre of the institution, the Provost of the College, Dr. Emmanuel Adeniyi, who chaired the event, stressed the importance of rendering good services to community while urging other members of the society to emulate them and offer support to their society for communal growth and development.

A political scientist and Director of the Distance Learning Centre of University of Ibadan, Prof.

Bayo Okunade, delivered a lecture with the theme; The Limit of Education in Addressing Security Problem in Nigeria.

He said for Nigeria to overcome its numerous security challenges, she must get governance right.

Education, he said, will not have the desired relevance until certain things include bad leadership, corruption, greed, among others are addressed.

While acknowledging the close ties between education and security the

guest lecturer observed that the war against terrorism cannot be won on the basis of education alone, adding that the problem Nigeria faces is not solely poor education system.

“The problem of insecurity in Nigeria is indeed a very serious one not only because of the apparent lack of national security system that can respond appropriately but also because the non-material aspects are not met. You cannot defeat terrorists with soldiers alone. No government has ever won such wars because terrorism is a creed. Death sentence will only be meaningful to those that are innocent,” Okunade said.

One of the awardees, Waliu Adekunle thanked the institution for finding him fit for the honour and pledged his continuous support to the institution he described as the foundation of his higher academic training.

Students of OAU, Ile-Ife in a hall of residence.

many students remain on the campus refusing to leave their rooms whenever they are reallocated to new occupants making rooms congested.

In a room meant for between six and eight students, not less than 16 of them occupy it and they still cook in the same room making them prone to danger.

In hostels like Awolowo and Fajuyi halls of residence, when a new occupant is allocated to a room, the former occupants

(squatters) do not move, but create space for legal occupants and these legal occupants have no effrontery to complain.

Personal effects like buckets, slippers, towels, pots and spoons are used by roommates in common leaving many of them susceptible to dangerous diseases.

According to the university management the development will persist as long as government does not vote more fund for con-

struction of hostels.

The Vice Dean of the university’s Students affairs, Dr. Yinka Adesina, said the challenge is far beyond what the management can address as there are only 9,600 bed spaces for a population of about 40,000 students.

The university, according to Adesina, devised the means of allocating bed spaces for fresh students and finalists to ameliorate the problem. Yet, the spaces aren’t enough.

...VC blames education problems on policy inconsistency FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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he Vice- Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Prof. Bamitale Omole, has said the country’s education sector would attain the desired height only if successive administrations would remain faithful to implementing policies introduced by their predecessors.

Prof. Omole, who spoke to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital recently also emphasised that policy consistency remains the only panacea for solving the various challenges confronting the delivery of quality and qualitative education in Nigeria.

He however, advocated

for consistency in the government policy in order to achieve the best result, stressing that “there is a lot of anomaly and disconnect that is not helping us as a nation”.

According to him, mediocrity is killing not only the education sector but every sector and that is why things including the appointment of people in position of authorities are not being done in a right way in the country.

“It would have been the best for Nigeria if all the people at the helms of affairs in both the public and private sectors of the economy know exactly why they are there and pursue them accordingly” he said.

Against the backdrop that Nigerian graduates

are unemployable in the labour market, Prof.

Omole emphasised that such may continue unless employers of labour desist from worshiping certificates.

“That many fresh graduates are unemployable is a function of lopsided educational policy that is not fitted for the market place,” he said, adding that “Nigeria is the only country where every household wanted to produce polytechnic and university graduates.”

On the claim by UNESCO that Nigeria has the worst education indicators in the world, the VC recommended that Nigeria should devote about 40 per cent of her annual budget to education sector as the only way for the country to develop.

Students of the University of Lagos, Akoka, reading for the ongoing semester exam

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Campus News

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Sanusi, Okojie, to grace private varsity students’ debate today MOJEED ALABI

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he Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie are two of the eminent Nigerians expected today at the Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, to grace the final stage of the ongoing debate competition among students of the private universities in the country.

The experts, including the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank PLC, Dr. Alex Otti, are expected to discuss national economy, politics, education, among several other key issues to further enlighten the participants and proffer solutions to the many woes currently confronting the nation’s aspiration to grow her economy.

The competition, which is the maiden edition, is

organised by the Nigeria Private Universities Debate (NIPUD) in partnership with Diamond Bank PLC, and has held its preliminary stages across the geo-political zones of the federation.

The final stage, featuring Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State; Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State; Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, and Babcock University, commenced on Tuesday and will be rounded off today with the announcement of the winners.

The debate challenge, which is themed; Vision 202020: The Facts, the Farce and the Figures, according to the organiser, is to allow the students dissect the subject and consider its feasibility.

The Chairman of the Central Organising Committee of NIPUD and Head of the Department of Political Science, Babcock University, Prof. Femi Ajayi, said the initiative was developed not only to

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UI students’ union inaugurates members, elects speaker HAMMED HAMZAT,

300L, EDUCATION MGT, UI

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Members of Panel of Judges during the debate on Tuesday: L-R: Prof. Ayo Kehinde, Mr. Omotayo Olatunbosun and Dr. Kumbi Olasope.

enhance cross-fertilization of ideas among students of private universities, it is also aimed at communicating the feelings and perceptions of youths about government policies to their formulators.

The committee’s Trea-

surer, Pastor Agape Dominic, said the communiqué of the debate will be made available to the presidency for proper action.

The members of the panel of judges, including Prof. Ayo Kehinde and Dr. Kumbi Olasope of the

University of Ibadan; Mr. Omotayo Olatunbosun of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, among others, have pledged their commitment to be fair, just and impartial in their judgement.

he students’ Representative Council of the University of Ibadan (UI), in Oyo State, the legislative arm of the institution’s students’ union, has inaugurated new members for legislative business for the 2012/2013 academic calendar session.

The inauguration, which followed the adoption of a report by its outgoing members representing various halls of residence and faculties, was preceded by official dissolution of the former parliament.

Prior to the election, there was disagreement among members of the executive council over names of contestants submitted to the parliament for election.

The newly elected union’s secretary, Akinbuluma Kehinde desociated himself from the list he was reported to have signed.

The election, which had a total of 90 parliamentarians as electorates, produced Sarumi as the new speaker recording 53 votes while Falode scored 37.

EKSU expels 50 students •Partners NDLEA to fight drug abuse

T Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko with physically challenged pupils in Akure recently.

AAUA students donate to physically challenged school OLUWASEUN L AWNSON

300L, AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY

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tudents of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), AkungbaAkoko, in Ondo State under the auspices of Corporate Swaggz International (CSI), a social organisation on the campus, have donated some items to the School of Physically Challenged, Ikare-Akoko, also in the state.

The donations, which include waste bins, bags of rice, noodles, toiletries, clothes and food items was, according to the donors, aimed at making teaching and learning stress-free

for both the students and their tutors.

While speaking on the idea behind the donation, the team leader and 500 level student of the Faculty of Law, Toyosi Ayeleso said the initiative was only one of many other charity works done by the team to contribute to societal growth and development.

“What we have done today is to relate with them and let them have the feelings that the world also belongs to them and that they can also be successful in life. We have related with them and I think their response proved to us that all they need is the

people’s care and affection,” Toyosi stated.

While receiving the team, the representative of the school who simply identified himself as Mr. Abubukar, thanked the group for reminding the students and urged other well meaning Nigerians to follow the group’s step to ensure a society built on equity and fairness.

Another member of the team, Olusegun Akinseinde hinted National Mirror that the association hopes to tour the state’s 18 local government areas very soon to make more donations to the less privileged.

he authorities of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti, have announced the expulsion of a total number of 50 students for engaging in examination malpractices during the first semester of the 2011/2012 academic calendar year.

The offence, according to the institution included, misconduct during examination malpractices, phone snatching, and purchase of fake examination permit cards, which it said contravened the rules and regulations of the university, including the matriculation oath.

The university said it took the decision after the

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ctivities making the 18th convocation of Ekiti State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti, begins on Tuesday, April, 2 with a press conference to be addressed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Patrick Oladipo Aina. The Ekiti State Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr. Kayode Fayemi will use the occasion to inaugurate the

affected students had been duly tried by the Students’ Disciplinary Committee (SDC), which it said found them guilty of the alleged offences. They were said to include both part-time and full-time students from various departments including Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Public Administration, among others.

In a similar development, the university entered into partnership with the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its transformation agenda to make the institution a drug-free zone.

The NDLEA team, which visited the university recently, promised their

presence during orientation programme for fresh students to enlighten them on dangers of taking hard drugs.

The team, led by Mr. Dele Akingbade, pledged its commitment to sanitise the university system through adequate enlightenment and campaigns against the use and peddling of hard drugs.

Akingbade revealed that over 1,000 Indian hemp plantations had been destroyed in Ekiti State while 69 suspects had been prosecuted in the last one year.

The university’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina commended the NDLEA team and promised the support of the institution in its campaign.

...Holds 18th convocation building complex for the Institute of Governance.

Meanwhile a Convocation Lecture to be delivered by the Director, United Nations Institute for Development and Planning, Dakar, Senegal, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi, will hold on Thursday, April 4. The lecture is entitled: “Africa: Meeting

the Challenges of Leadership for a Changing World.”

A statement issued by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Ajibade Olubunmi indicates that the award of first degrees and prizes will hold on Friday, April 5, while the award of higher degrees will be on Saturday, 6th of April.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

HISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of March 23 welcomes us today: “Soyinka, Clark: We’ve lost a brother, colleague and trailblazzer” Spell-check: trailblazer.

We need a software for spellchecking!

“Continous importation of fuel unacceptable—Tambuwal” The fact: continuous.

“Beyond making some contractors happy, there is nothing to be gained by adding a camouflage uniform to the Police which need to be repositioned, revamped and restructured for effective and efficient discharge of its (their) responsibilities.”

“Masquerades, students’ clash: 14 arraigned in court” Get it right: masqueraders (who wear special costumes and masks over their faces to hide their identities as they masquerade). Got the distinction? ‘Arraigned in court’?

I would have reprimanded whoever cast this headline, but one of the readers of this column has advised me not to be doing that. Where else would they have been arraigned, gentlemen of the press?

“The Chairman of the Committee…said at an interactive session with stakeholders that studies have (had) shown that Nigeria has (had) about 10 million vehicles….” That is the unique nature of reported speech!

“Nigeria losses (loses) over $20b annually (yearly—preferably—for headline purposes) in power, other sectors” “Hot weather: LASG warns against long stay under the sun” City File: stay in the sun.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wanted: Software for spell-checking “Benue police arrest 63 over (for) communal clash” “…injustice that each succeeding government had meted out on (to) the people of Ogoniland.”

“The US is gender sensitive, it may just concede for (to) Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to be the next World Bank President.”

“New capital market probe panel says no witch-hunting” No witch-hunt.

“The issues that gave rise to the Niger Delta uprising which culminated into (in) a fullscale….” “…the federal authorities are seeking partnership with them in it’s (its) transformation agenda….”

“The Nigeria Police is (sic) about the only one of our security agencies that....” A rewrite: The Nigeria Police Force/Service is about the only one of our security agencies that....

“The hope is that at the end of his tenure, he will leave (would have left) behind a highly motivated police force, one we can (could) all be proud of.” Because of the element of contextual probability, it is wrong to use the declarative tense.

“They are not maintained and the age-old tradition of keeping military and law enforcement environments spic and span is no longer adhered to.” Spell-check: spick and span.

“If we are forced, we may demand for total resource control....” I unequivocally demand the removal of ‘for’ from the ex-

YANK OFF ‘ACCUSING’ AND POINT THE FINGER AT (NOT TOWARDS) tract.

“We have impacted immensely in (on) the lives of....”

“A peep into the credentials... indicate (indicates) that the delegates have a touch (tough) task at hand.”

“Late (The late) Comptroller....”

“Rest in the bossom (bosom) of the Lord our dear friend” “...we had one of the most successful NEC meeting (meetings) “My grouse with (about) Ajayi Crowther University….”

“Many a times....” Why not simply ‘many times’—and if you must use the extract—many a time....

“I developed special interest for (in) the physically-challenged people and orphans....”

“Cabotage review: Stakeholder advocates for maritime task force” I advocate the elimination of ‘for’ in the interest of all lexical stakeholders.

“Maybe as we have often pointed out is a relic of the past.”

My dear reader, just vide the meaning of ‘relic’ and, consequently, put a full stop after the word.

“Police nabs (nab) 41 suspected hoodlums in Suleja” “The Namadi Sambo’s anger on (at) the power project....”

“In the last couple of years, there has been a maddening rush

for Abuja vehicle plate numbers by indigenes of Benue State....”

Special report: number-plates “Gunmen kill five vigilante members in Anambra” Either five vigilance members or five vigilantes.

“Experts say the adulteration of transport fuel is a thriving business nationwide; (what is the semi colon doing here?) and may result to (in) economic losses....”

Wrong: matriach; right: matriarch “The last but not the least is about corruption.” Last but not least….

REMINDER: Corrected entries are in brackets immediately after the error. Of course, the attributions are excluded. Some readers seem confused on this hence the explanation.

“It also speaks volume (volumes) about the character of the people that have been put in charge of our affairs….”

“The politics and intrigues that attended the bill during its first, second, and third readings at (on) the floor of the National Assembly tends (tend) to suggest….”

“Customs flay (flays) poor payment of WCO levies” “CBN to probe banks involvement in pension scam” Why not banks’ involvement? “…in line with the 7th Senate’s

avowal of being on an historic mission” Politics: a historic mission.

“Suicide: EFCC may intervene as Police assures (assure) of investigation” Who did the police assure?

“Kano police arrest man over (for) lady’s murder” Must this blunder keep recurring? ‘Arrest’ takes ‘for’ exclusively. I do not know how the ubiquitous clownishness of ‘arrest over’ came about!

“A media and high impact entertainment company with affiliates in 3 continents of the world” Immediate Employment: affiliates on 3 continents “ASUU decries insecurity in (on) campuses” “Resident doctors in neighbouring Ghana went on strike less than a week before our own strike and theirs have (has) since been resolved.”

“Others are outrightly ugly.”

This is lexical corruption. British Standard English: Others are ugly outright.

“They point accusing fingers towards female prostitutes who are girlfriends to the armed robbers and provide those anti-social miscreants accommodation and succour to perpetuate their despicable crimes.” Yank off ‘accusing’ and point the finger at (not towards) prostitutes. And this: ‘anti-social miscreants’?

This is noisy collocation!

“It will present events in the two chambers, record achievements, gossips and behind the scene (no hyphen?) moves of the assembly men” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable.

Accenture wants ICT fully integrated into schools’ curricula TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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global management consulting and technology services company, Accenture, has reiterated its commitment to support students with creative minds across educational levels in the country.

The company’s Country Managing Director, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, stated this at the national annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS) of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, held on the campus, recently.

Represented by Mr. Taiwo Olatunji, Yusuf urged students to get themselves familiar with new ICT technology available around

the world, and to also take advantage of the new social media to improve their knowledge and skills.

While calling on governments at all levels to fully integrate ICT into schools’ curricula, the managing director explained that effective integration of ICT into education system in the country would not only improve the quality of skills acquired by the country’s workforce, it would also successfully drive and sustain economic development, productivity and per-capita income of Nigerians.

He, however, acknowledged the fact that ICT education and technology capacity building in the country were facing many challenges, which he identified to include poor policy framework and sup-

port strategies, lack of ICT skills, absence of integration and interaction among Nigerian schools, and poor link between academia and the industry, among others.

The MD also recom-

mended that entrepreneurial courses at all levels of education should be made available to youths with the necessary skills so as to be economically relevant after graduation.

At the event, 23 teams from 20 tertiary institutions nationwide were engaged in computer programming competition, with LAUTECH team emerging overall winner,

while teams from FUTA and Abia State University came second and third, respectively and they were all rewarded by the company with laptop computers and other items.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Oladunjoye Olayinka; Governor Babatunde Fashola and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Idiat Adebule, at the state’s 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards ceremony held recently. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Zenith League: First Bank, Deepwater show class 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sport

When I look back on the victory over Central African Republic, I cannot but feel deeply satisfied -South Africa Coach, Gordon Igesund

Mbagate: Rangers, Wolves get ultimatum EVEREST O NYEWUCHI

(See bromide of the NFF Ad-hoc Committee’s findings)

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday, issued an ultimatum that expires on Thursday (today), to Rangers FC of Enugu and Warri Wolves, to agree on a transfer fee for Super Eagles’ attacking midfielder, Sunday Mba, or the federation will impose an amount on them.

After receiving the report of the committee it set up to resolve the ‘Mba saga’ or ‘Mbagate’ the NFF ordered Rangers and Wolves to work out a figure before the close of work today, since the player had expressed his desire to continue his career with the Coal City Antelopes.

“Failure of the two clubs to reach a reasonable conclusion on the fee will compel the NFF to fix such a transfer fee by Friday, 29th March, which must be paid on the agreed terms before the player is cleared to play for his preferred club and continue his career,” said a statement by the Ad-hoc Committee set up by the NFF on the matter.

The committee had during its sittings established that Mba was transferred from Enyimba FC of Aba to Rangers in December 2006, loaned to Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt and duly returned to Rangers.

The Committee also affirmed that Rangers gave a ‘provisional clearance’ to the footballer to play for Warri Wolves between 2011 and 2013, but the player left Wolves without any documentation back to Rangers and in fact was registered for the 2013 CAF Champions League by the Coal City club.

Although the committee established that the player no longer wishes to continue to play for Wolves, it slammed the unhealthy and unwholesome practice in the Nigeria League whereby verbal agreements, against proper documentation, hold sway.

It indicted the clubs thus, “Transfer and loan fees meant for player transactions were not written down in clear terms and club accounts were found not to have been used for most transactions, which promotes unhealthy dealings in player transfers.”

The committee concluded, “Based on the available information as presented by the Nigeria Professional Football League Management Committee on the Club Status of Player Sunday Mba...the player is currently having his contractual obligations to Warri Wolves.”

AYC: Ajagun impresses Ahly Ajagun

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op Egyptian club, Al Ahly, has indicated interest in Flying Eagles’ skipper, Abduljaleel Ajagun.

Egyptian journalist, Tarek Talaat, who is in Algeria covering the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC) that ends on Saturday, informed MTNFootball.com that Ahly’s coach, Hossam AlBadri, has said he would want to sign midfielder Ajagun, who has shone for the Flying Eagles that lost their semi-final game, 2-0 to the Junior Pharaohs on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Ajagun, who featured at the 2011 AYC in South

Africa, has undergone trials in Europe and is currently with Nigerian club, Dolphins of Port Harcourt.

He could be as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder from the wings.

The Ahly coach has also reportedly mentioned Olanrewaju Kayode, but that interest may wane after the striker again failed to find the back of the net in his third game of the competition.

Kayode, who is currently unattached, has also attracted interests in Europe.

Wrestling: Nigeria protests to IOC EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

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he Federal Government of Nigeria has joined the rest of the world to protest against the recently announced recommendation by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), that Wrestling be removed from the Olympic Games in 2020.

The position of Nigeria was made known yesterday by the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, when the petition and protest letter by the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), was submitted to Nigeria’s IOC member, Engr. Habu Gumel, for onward transmission to the general congress.

Ekeji expressed FG’s dismay at the decision of the IOC to eliminate wrestling from the Olym-

pics stressing that “wrestling is a foundation sport in the Olympics and for us in Africa it is a traditional sport.”

Earlier, President of the NWF, Austin Edeze, had said that the removal of wrestling from Olympic sports in 2020 would be a big challenge for the wrestling community worldwide and Nigeria in particular, where the Federal Government selected wrestling as one of the core sports and has put its energy and resources to develop it.

“Removing wrestling as an Olympic sport shall have devastating effect and major discouragement for both the athletes and all lovers of the sport, especially in Nigeria where we have in excess of five million wrestlers,” Edeze said.

On his part, Gumel, pledged to present Nigeria’s petition to the IOC general session scheduled for September, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Sport

Oscar set for tough duels

Varane gets Lebeouf backing

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helsea midfielder, Oscar, has acknowledged his side faces an important week ahead of a run of four games in eight days.

The Blues travel to Southampton on Saturday looking to keep their top-four hopes on track, before hosting Manchester United on Easter Monday in the FA Cup sixth round.

Rafa Benitez’s men then face Rubin Kazan in the Europa League last-16 three days later and conclude a hectic stretch with a league meeting against Sunderland on Sunday.

The 21-year-old admits it is unusual to face such a congested fixture list, but is keen for the west London club to aim for victory in every game.

“We have to play and rest as best we can. It is a week that could be really important for our season,” the Brazil international said yesterday.

“We have games in all three remaining competitions, but we’re not thinking that one could be more important than the other.”

F

ormer France international, Frank Leboeuf, believes Les Bleus youngster Raphael Varane could surpass the achievements of Fernando Hierro at Real Madrid and carve out his own place in the Spanish club’s pantheon of legends.

Varane, 19, made his senior international debut for France in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Georgia last Friday and kept his place in the starting line-up for Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Spain.

The centre-back proved himself to be as unruffled by the occasion against La Roja at the Stade de

R

Vela

France as he did facing Barcelona in La Liga and Manchester United in the Champions League in recent weeks.

Leboeuf, who was a centre-back himself, said Madrid had Varane a worthy successor to Hierro.

“Many compare him to Hierro in terms of his technique,” Leboeuf said.

“Physically, he’s better because he’s a lot quicker. He’s the complete player, and if he keeps his head on his shoulders, he has a very bright future. As he’s a defender, he won’t be on the front page all the time.

That’s a good thing about him.”

Tit bits...

Messi Lionel Messi said it was terrible to play at altitude after Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Bolivia on Tuesday in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier.

Messi was, however, delighted to see his side get a draw in difficult conditions.

“Some of the players had a headache and others felt a bit dizzy, but there was nothing wrong with me,” he said.

Suarez

Luis Suarez could face sanctions from FIFA after appearing to strike Nottingham Forest loanee Gonzalo Jara in the face while on international duty with Uruguay on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old played the whole 90 minutes as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat to Chile which has severely dented their hopes of World Cup qualification.

The frustration appeared to get the better of the Liverpool striker as he aimed a jab at an opposition defender with 36 minutes on the clock.

3SC rubbishes Iorfa’s ref claim

Vela shuns Arsenal re-link

eal Sociedad midfielder, Carlos Vela, has moved to cool talk of a return to Arsenal, insisting he would remain in Spain.

The Mexico international spent six years with Arsene Wenger’s side but was shipped out on loan to four different clubs in that time and made just 28 appearances for the Gunners.

The 24-year-old says he will always be grateful for the opportunity Arsenal gave him amid rumours of a return, but underlined his desire to remain in La Liga.

“I am very happy here and would like to stay,” he said.

Vela has enjoyed an impressive first full season with Real Sociedad, grabbing 12 goals in 24 appearances.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 28, 2013

SAYO OGUNDEJI

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Raphael Varane

Dindane makes Palace switch

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rystal Palace has signed Ivory Coast international striker Aruna Dindane on a deal until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, who had a spell at Portsmouth in 200910, was a free agent after leaving Qatari side Al-Sailiya Sport Club in December.

“Aruna has been training with us and we have seen what was needed to get him up to our level of fitness,” Eagles Manager, Ian Holloway, said.

“I know what he can bring to us if he is in the right condition,” the coach added.

Dindane has won 67 caps for the Ivory Coast, scoring 11 goals and appearing in two World Cups.

Since leaving Portsmouth, where he scored 10 goals in 24 games, he has played for three different sides in Qatar.

Holloway believes the former Anderlecht and Lens man can make an impact as his side bid for promotion to the Premier League.

Dindane

he management of Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan has debunked claims by Lobi Stars’ Chairman, Dominic Iorfa, over his side’s unfair treatment by the centre referee in theirWeek 3 game against the Ibadanbased team.

Shooting Stars defeated Lobi 3-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium last Sunday but Iorfa alleged that the Abia State referee had failed to award a penalty to Lobi which, according to him, gave victory to the host.

3SC’s media officer, Jubril Arowolo, described Iorfa’s claims as unfortunate and capable of bringing the professional league into disrepute.

“Shooting Stars are not known for either violence or being given unwarranted favours,” Arowolo said.

“The Lobi chairman congratulated coaches and players of 3SC after the encounter and he didn’t complain of any poor officiating. I think he was being economical with the truth.

“We are only worried that this is coming from a man of his status at a time that efforts should be geared towards taking the pro-league to an enviable height.”

Nigerian athletes ready to

STORIES: YEMI OLUS

G

overnor Emman State has decrie of the Warri St the best of sporting fa of international standa Uduaghan, who spok of the venue yesterday the maiden Africa You ships (AYAC) where ab across the continent it was unfortunate tha been patronized by the national and internatio “There is no reason regular activities here, The governor, howev stallation of the Estim ment (EDM) equipmen ment of athletes’ time a The EDM is the first

Diack, othe grace open

P

residents of the tion of Athletic and the Confeder letics, Lamine Dıack a are among the dignitar cial opening ceremony Youth Athletics Champ Warri Township Stadiu Over 500 athletes from ticipating in the four-da The Nigerian contin athletes and 15 coache Brume (long and high j duru (boys’ 100m) have hopefuls going by thei D.K Olukoya U-18 Ath which was held earlier Workers at the venu of yesterday putting fi preparation while secu pared for the challenges Meanwhile, Chairm Sports Commission a Committee of AYAC 201 assured visiting count rity, stating that the CA State was safe to host th

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Thursday, March 28, 2013

29

Uwua nears Tornadoes’ exit AFOLABI GAMBARI

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AYAC: Stadium neglect worries Uduaghan

o go at a recent event. More will be expected from them in Warri AYAC

S

nuel Uduaghan of Delta ed the under-utilization tadium despite boasting acilities and equipment ards. ke during an inspection y ahead of the start of uth Athletics Championbout 37 countries from are participating, said at the stadium had not e federal authorities for onal sporting events. why there should be no ,” he said. ver, commended the inmated Distance Measurent for accurate measureand distance returns. t of its kind in Nigeria,

ers to ning

International Associacs Federations (IAAF) ration of African Athand Kalkalba Maboum, ries expected at the offiof the maiden African pionships today at the um. m 37 countries are paray Under-17 event. ngent is made up of 62 es and the likes of Ese jump) and Divine Odubeen considered medal ir performances at the hletics Championships this month. ue spent the better part inishing touches to the urity agents also pres ahead. man of the Delta State and Local Organizing 13, Amaju Pinnick, has ries of adequate secuAA had confirmed Delta he championships.

a boost to the Warri Stadium which also boasts a four-lane warm up track with jump facilities.

“This is how the likes of Blessing Okagbare were discovered,” the Governor said of the facilities and equipment at the Warri Stadium while assuring on the government’s resolve maintain the facility.

Iheagwam votes Team Nigeria

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ormer national athlete, Tina Iheagwam is counting on the Nigerian contingent to finish tops at the African Youth Athletics Championships holding in Warri, Delta State.

Iheagwam who is serving as a technical official at the event, says she expects a hitch-free competition going, considering adequate preparation the preceded the continental championships.

“Going by the performance I saw at the D.K. Olukoya U-18 meet, I believe that our athletes will do well and I don’t see their colleagues from other countries upstaging them,” Iheagwam said.

“I think this championships has come at a good time when most schools will be on Easter break.”

Iheagwam, who won a gold medal at the 1987 World Junior Championships, charged the young athletes to be dedicated and hardworking in order to get to the top.

“This AYAC reminds me of my days as an athlete because I started very young and I know that at a competition like this, my target will be nothing short of a gold medal. I believe that some young athletes of these days are like that but they need to put in more effort to reach the peak of their careers,” she added.

he contract between former Super Eagles assistant coach, Godwin Uwua and Niger Tornadoes of Minna is heading for the rocks as agent to the coach, Babalo Mohammed, has threatened to withdraw his client’s services.

Mohammed said in a statement yesterday that the decision to withdraw Uwua’s services was hinged on the failure of the Minna based team to fulfill its contractual agreement.

“Tornadoes and Uwua agreed to a N900, 000 monthly salary, an official car and a befitting accommodation but the club has so far reneged,” the statement said, stressing that the club management had further made the coach’s job difficult by dictating players’ selection to him.

“The management’s interference in the selection of players is no longer tolerable,” the statement further said.

Cricket: FCC overruns GCI Nigerians make Indonesia debut I E FEANYI

DUZOR

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oundation Cricket Club of Lagos defeated their arch rivals Government College Ibadan Cricket Club by 2 wickets at the second stanza of the on-going Iris Smart Club Cricket Committee League decided at the TBS cricket oval.

GCI batted first and scored 116 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 34.5 overs.

Tayo Atoloye scored 27 runs off 37 balls in 44 minutes, Chimeze Onwuzulike had 24 runs off 33 balls in 45 minutes, Seun Odeku scored 20 runs off 35 balls in 51 minutes while Wale Adeoye had 12 runs off 49 balls in 58 minutes.

From the bowling side, de, Joshua Ogunlola took 3 wickets for 8 runs in 6.5 overs, Femi Oduyebo took ook 3 wickets for 23 runs in n 7 overs, Kehinde Olabiwononninu had 20 wickets for 24 runs in 8 overs, while FCC’s C’s captain Kunle Adegbola got a wickets for 28 runs in n 7 overs.

In the second innings, ngs, FCC scored 118 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 32.1

overs, Kehinde Olbiwonninu got 26 runs not out off 59 runs in 92 minutes; Dolapo Gafar played 20 runs off 31 balls in 56 minutes, Kunle Adegbola had 16 runs off 21 balls in 46 minutes while Segun Olayinka scored 12 runs off 17 balls in 24 minutes.

From the bowling side, GCI’s, Seun Odeku recorded a superlative 4 wickets for 44 runs. Chimezie Onwuzulike got 2 wickets for 19 runs in 8 overs while Gbenga Oladele and Sesan Odeji’s wickets were not enough to triumph over FCC in the explosive encounter which made FCC to be 2 wickets ahead of their opponent.

Foundation’s leading batsman, Kehinde Olabiwonninu, noted that hard work and dedication gave them victory, even as he admonished his team mates to remain focused in all matches until the final wicket.

The Nigerian international noted that the win would give them the morale boaster needed to end the four-match unbeaten run of Ibeju-Lekki Cricket Club when both teams meet next week.

he second semi final match of the ongoing Ladi Adedebutu Under-20 football all competition tagged Ladi adi Adebutu Cup will hold today at former Police Colollege, Iperu Remo, Ogun un State between Kameballer ler FC and Ingenious FC. According to a stateatement signed by Mr. Tope ope Oyekan of the Organisnising Committee, the third ird

IKENWA NNABUOGOR

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wo Nigerian-born players, Victor Igbonefo and Greg Nwokolo, turned out for the first time for their adopted country Indonesia in their 2-1 home loss to Saudi Arabia in the 2014 World Cup Asian qualifier last Saturday .

Igbonefo and Nwokolo play for top side Arema FC. The duo who are cult figures in the Indonesian Premier League, were in terrific form in their long awaited debuts as Enugu-born Igbonefo marshalled the defence for 90 minutes while Nwokolo, who is two-time top scorer in the Indonesian league played from the bench.

Both players, in addition to two Dutch players, were handed Indonesian passports in November 2011 to enable them to help the Asian country in the qualifiers. Their Indonesia debut came last after the Indonesia Football Federation waded into the matter that prevented the top league clubs from releasing their players for national duty.

The Nigerians were hailed by appreciative Indonesian fans, who yelled their names as they stepped out of the stadium after the game. “it was a moment iI had waited for in my playing career,” Igbonefo, who plays in the central defence, exclusively told National Mirror yesterday.

“It was fulfilling to end it for entire 90 minutes and playing before 75, 000 spectators who conyelled tinually our names was a great feeling.

“I needed to place match will hold at play well and the same venue on April impress the 6 while the final will hold Indonesians on April 7. that my de“The tournament is but was organised as part of ef- worth it forts aimed at developing and I look football in the Ogun East f o r w a r d District,” the statement to doing added. well and teams justifying Participating were drawn from the my incluRemo and Ijebu divisions sion.” state. of the state

Adebutu U-20

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Youth tournament’s product, Okagbare

Uwua

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Sport

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SLAMMING AND

DUNKING

With SAYO OGUNDEJI

EE-mail: E-m maaiill:l: ffolashayoezekiel@yahoo.com olas ol ashhaayyooeezzekiel@yahoo.com z Phone: Phone 08027536696

L-R: Ike Diogu, Anthony Skinn and Abdul Aminu in action for Nigeria during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

2013 Afrobasket: D’Tigers to know foes this weekend

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Nigeria-born Chiney Ogwumike (left) in action here, fancies her chance of making the USA squad at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey.

Zenith League: First Bank, Deepwater show class

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s the 2012/2013 Nigeria Basketball Federation /Zenith Bank Women Basketball League season finally dunked off last weekend in Abuja, defending champions, First Deepwater, last year runner up, First Bank and Akurebased team, Sunshine Angels, have shown a glimpse of what to expect in the new season, winning all their matches to date.

The teams put aside all the distractions associated with the delay in the commencement of the league and showed they are class apart from the rest with their wide margin victories.

The Lateef Erinfolami-led First Deepwater team showed its intent of retaining the title after defeating Nigeria Customs also of Lagos 62-47 in the first game followed by 94-10 points win over Taraba Hurricanes and 62-14 against GT 2000 in the Day-2 and Day-3 games

respectively.

Deepwater recorded an emphatic 107-28 point’s victory over new entrant Coal City Queens of Enugu in Day-4 of the first phase holding in Abuja on Wednesday.

Lagos-based team and former champions, First Bank beat Nigeria Immigration, Kano 84-17, Dolphins 83-63 and Delta Force 78-34 while Sunshine Angels, got the better of FCT Angels, Abuja 66-47, 64-36 point’s victory over GT-2000 and 100-28 points against Taraba Hurricanes respectively.

For Coach Adewumi Aderemi of First Bank, whose side surrendered the league title push to the invincible Deepwater, starting the new season this way could be the tonic his side needed to reclaim the title back from the defending champions.

Aderemi who admitted that the addition of the new teams into the division would make

the league more exciting, however added it would be more challenging, saying his players are ready for the take on their opponents.

He said, “It is high time we stepped up our game and move from being first runners up to being the champions and I think our impressive start will give us the confidence needed to go the whole hug in the season.

“We have missed the title due to few mistakes made during the season and we have worked really hard during the break to improve on those areas in order to brighten our chances of overhauling Deepwater to win the title.

“Interestingly the arrival of new teams into the league will surely give more credibility to the competition and winning the league becomes more difficult but my players are up for the challenge,” Aderemi said.

igeria’s men senior basketball team, otherwise known as D’Tigers will this Saturday know their opponents when the draw to determine placement of teams hold at the Palais des Congrès Hotel Ivoire, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire ahead of the this year’s Afrobasket tournament billed to hold in the West African nation later in the year.

FIBA Africa had granted wild cards to Mali and Rwanda to complete the 16-team competition for the 27th Africa Cup of Nations tagged Afrobasket slated for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from August 20 through 31 this year.

Mali finished third behind Senegal and Cape Verde in zone-two while Rwanda placed second behind Egypt in zone-five qualifiers held last year and early 2013 but their impressive record at the 26th edition of the continent’s biggest basketball show-piece also helped them to secure the wild-card tickets.

The 16 countries that will be divided into four groups at the draw Day 5 fixtures (29-3-13) Group A Sunshine Angels

VS Coal City Queens

Taraba Hurricanes

VS Nig. Customs

AHIP Queens

VS 1st Deepwater

FCT Angels

Vs

GT-2000

Group B IGP

VS

Dolphins

Benue Queens

VS

Delta Force

Oluyole Babes

Vs

1st Bank

Plateau Rocks

Vs

Nig. Immigrations

Day 3 Results Taraba Hurricanes 28-100 Sunshine Angels Benue Princess

56-42

Oluyole Babes

Coal City Queens

14-56

Nigeria Customs

Dolphins

54-21

Nigeria Immigration

GT-2000

14-62

First Deepwater

IGP Queens

41-37

Plateau Rocks

AHIP Queens

31-56

FCT Angels

First Bank

78-34

Delta Force

are host Cote d’Ivoire, defending champion Tunisia, ten-time champion Angola and third place finisher at the 26th edition of the continental showpiece Nigeria.

Other countries include Morocco and Algeria (Zone-1); Senegal and Cape Verde (Zone-II); Burkina Faso (Zone-III); Central Africa Republic, Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville (Zone-IV); Egypt (Zone-V); Mozambique (Zone-VI) and Mali and Rwanda (Wild-card).

The 2013 Afrobasket will serve as 2014 FIBA World Cup qualifier slated for Madrid Spain with first three placed countries carrying the continent’s flag at the mundial.

Coach unperturbed by Oluyole Babes’ poor start

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espite his side’s poor start to the 2012/2013 Zenith Bank Women Basketball League season, Coach of the Oluyole Babes, Oluyemi Abiodun, says he has full confidence in his team to turn things around as the season progresses.

The Ibadan-based Warriors who last played in the Nigeria top-flight league 14 years ago has lost its first three matches of the new season, thus casting doubts on their readiness to challenge for honours in the elite league.

Coach Abiodun however called for calm among the faithful fans of the club, stressing that the coaches were working round the clock to arrest the unfortunate situation which he added would change shortly.

According to him, the players selected for the to0urnament have what it takes to succeed on a big stage but need some time to adapt to their new environment.

Abiodun said, “Things have not gone the way we envisaged as we have not been able to win a single match in the new season but there is no need for worry because the players are ready to raise their game in order to turn this situation around.”

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

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

Spokesperson, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Folashade Kadiri

High transportation costs and excessive transit time has made intra-regional trade non-competitive, especially as West and Central African transport and logistics costs are identified as one of the highest in the world THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NIGERIA EXPORT IMPORT (NEXIM) BANK, ROBERT ORYA

Aero Airlines loses N1.6bn to strike OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he ongoing imbroglio between Aero Airlines management and its staff over new terms of employment irregularities has cost the airline at least N1.65billion lost in revenues.

This is as other indigenous airlines smile to the banks as a result of the inability of the airline to recommence flight operations.

Information gathered by National Mirror yesterday revealed that the airline, which earns about N110m in ticket sales daily, has lost the huge sum in the over two weeks since it commenced its strike action.

Aero Airlines last operated flights on Tuesday 12, 2013.

The airline currently has 12 aircraft in its fleet, majorly Boeing 737-400 aircraft with the configuration of 144 seats in all cabins.

At present, Aero flies to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Warri, Benin, Uyo, Kano, Enugu, Jos and Sokoto on the local scenes while it also operates regional flights with an average of 50 landings on all routes daily.

In response to the strike, the airline’s management had sacked over 600 workers, representing 80 per cent of the total workforce.

But the National Industrial Court (NIC) last Thursday in its ruling ordered the airline man-

agement to re-engage the sacked workers.

The court said that since the case was still in before it would be wrong for the management to issue sack letters to the striking workers.

The court said that both parties should maintain the status quo pending when the court sits on the matter again. The court had adjoined the case till 8th May, 2013.

But the airline management has so far refused to shift its grounds on the sacked workers and has prevented them from gaining entrance into its premises despite the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and

Productivity.

Although, the airline management had last Wednesday indicated readiness to resume flight operations, but the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stopped it from doing so, citing safety concerns.

The NCAA, speaking through its General-Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, had told our correspondent that the temporary suspension of the airline’s operations was in line with aviation sector rules.

He said the agency had instructed the airline to carry out a re-evaluation exercise of its aircraft before resumption of flights.

Ndubuoke explained that when an airline stops flights even for a day, the rules stipulate that whenever it wants to resume operations, its aircraft must be reevaluated.

He said that as soon as Aero completed the exercise, the airline would be given the clearance to resume operations.

Meanwhile, airfares may have skyrocketed on some domestic routes in the country.

One of the passengers of Aero who had hitherto booked with the airline and was due to return to Lagos from Abuja last Thursday lamented that he had to pay N42, 000 to get to Lagos with Arik Airlines.

L-R: Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact, Mr. George Kell and Head, Group Human Resource, Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Bolaji Agbede, at the 5th Annual Women’s Empowerment Principles event in New York, yesterday.

World Bank commits N71bn to Nigeria’s education, employment projects TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Board of the Executive Directors of the World Bank yesterday approved $450 million (about N71.1 billion) for two projects in Nigeria to

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boost employment opportunities for young people in 20 states, and to improve education quality for millions of school children in the country.

Of the amount $300million (about N47.4 billion) is for job creation while the balance $150 million (N23.7 billion) would be committed to education programmes in three states.

According to a statement issued by the bank’s Nigeria Country Office in Abuja, the $300 mil-

lion is to be used for the Nigeria Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), an intervention programme that focuses on poor youth and the poorest 10 per cent of households in participating states.

The project also provides youth aged 18 to 35 years with opportunities for work and skills training, and improved access to social services for the vulnerable. Similarly, it also supports the government in

Diamond Bank opens UK subsidiary, gives N70bn loan to SMEs

34

strengthening Nigeria’s social safety net system. Qualifying households will receive regular cash transfers to improve family health and schooling.

The Breton Woods institution stated that the $150 million will be committed to the Nigeria State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP) with a view to serving millions of children in Anambra, Bauchi and Ekiti states by improving the quality of their schooling.

Pains, gains of new mobile termination rates

35

Safe-sex TVC slammed for undermining women’s dignity

37

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Business & Finance

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s annual global remittances from abroad hit $21bn KUNLE A ZEEZ

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igeria received an estimated $21 billion in annual remittances in the year ending 2012 through various channels of fund transfers.

The Regional Vice President, North, Central and West Africa for Western Union, Ms Aida Diarra, disclosed this at the launch of a partnership between Western Union and Virtual Terminal Network (VTN) for cross-border mobile money transfer service in Nigeria.

Citing a World Bank report, Diarra said with a population

of over 167 million, Nigeria currently has over 105 million mobile phone subscribers and received $21 billion in annual remittances in 2012.

She, however, reckoned thtat only 29.7 per cent of adults over the age of 15 are banked, according to the World Bank.

Meanwhile, the partnership between the two companies offers Nigerians, for the first time, the choice to use their mobile phones to direct Western Union remittances into their electronic VTN Vcash account.

Through the proposition, the Vcash subscribers can use the convenient service round the

clock. To directly transfer individual Western Union remittances they receive, up to $300 and combined daily remittances up to $800, into their accounts.

Also, monies in their Vcash account can be sent to other Vcash users, known as a person- to-person transfer, or be used to pay bills and purchase goods and services. Vcash users can also deposit funds into their accounts in any of Nigeria’s commercial banks.

Speaking on the partnership, Diarra said, “Western Union is pleased to launch this international mobile money transfer service in collaboration with

VTN Vcash in Nigeria. Being able to move international money transfers into mobile phones in a nation that has a greater penetration of mobile phones than bank accounts is central to facilitating financial inclusion.”

In the same vein, Chief Executive Officer of VTN, Mr. Peter Ojo, said his company’s virtual payment solution is a revolutionary system, which makes it convenient for Nigerians to received payments.

“It is fitting that we have collaborated with Western Union, a leader in global payments services, to allow our custom-

ers to direct money into their Vcash accounts and have access to it 24/7. The choice, flexibility and convenience - given the vast remoteness of some of our nation- are priceless.”

He commended the Central Bank of Nigeria’s mobile payment regulatory framework, which, he said, allows non-bank operators to facilitate international remittances to both scheme and non-scheme recipients.

According to him, such innovations within strict regulatory guidelines facilitates greater economic prosperity at all levels for all citizens and residents.

NEXIM projects $60m for regional sealink STANLEY IHEDIGBO

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Executive Director, Finance/Chief Finance Officer, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Oyinkan Adewale and Group Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, during an Interactive session with the media in Lagos... on Tuesday.

Union Bank committed to regaining leading position UDO ONYEKA

U

nion Bank Nigeria Plc has mapped out strategies to regain her former position in the banking sector.

This was made known by the Managing Director, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr Emeka Emuwa at an interactive session with the press in Lagos.

Emuwa, who was formerly Managing Director of Citibank in Nigeria before moving over to Union Bank on November 1, 2012, revealed that the bank’s focus for the time being is not on expansion or acquiring other banks but on ensuring that its service delivery is at the best level possible, “ adding that the bank’s spread was adequate but we just need to improve on our services to meet with current trend in the industry globally.

“When you mention the name Union Bank, one of the first things that comes to people’s minds is ‘Big, Strong, Reliable’ – our tagline of many years.

“Indeed, Union Bank was once all these things. Our long term goal is that Union Bank will be all three again – big, strong and reliable. But for today, our focus is on being reliable”, Emuwa said.

He said that several steps were already being put in place to ensure that the bank stays on track with this aspiration and also get back to its enviable position the industry.

“We are looking into everything that needs to be taken care of to make sure we deliver the best service possible.

We are looking at people, processes, infrastructure, technology – everything so that we can get to where we want as soon as possible.”

He said that, with regards to infrastructure, efforts had begun to modernise the Bank’s branches before his arrival and that these efforts were being consolidated. With regards to people, Emuwa said that the workforce would be strengthened and skills upgraded.

On the technology side, the Group Managing Director said that technology was also being

upgraded and reinforced across the bank and that current processes were being reviewed to make them more efficient and effective to deliver quality services to the Bank’s clients.

He noted that despite its many challenges, Union Bank has a lot going for it, including a large branch network, a large and loyal customer base and a reputation for being transparent, especially with regards to charges.

“At Union Bank there are no hidden charges,” he said.

“What we tell our customers that we are going to charge them is what we actually charge them.”

He said the bank would maximise the opportunities in its large customer base, while still growing the base by targeting new segments of the market.

He also explained that while Union Bank does not plan to physically expand locally or internationally this year, there are plans to re-align its branch network to make sure that the bank covers new business areas in which it does not have any presence.

igerian Export Import (NEXIM) Bank has announced its plans for regional sealink project to boost trade within Economic West African States sub-region through shipping of goods estimated $60million.

Speaking at the one day sensitization/pre-investors forum on the proposed regional sealink for West and Africa, Managing Director, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Mr. Robert Orya, said the reason for the project was in pursuit of his agency’s general mandate and desire to facilitating intra-regional trade in line with a strategic objectives of export diversification and deepening value added to non-oil exports.

According to him, the total project cost is estimated at $60million with $36million to be utilised to procure vessels, equipment, office space and

other infrastructure, while $24million for working capital to cover general and administrative expenses.

NEXIM added that $36m would be raise through equity and 40 percent of the project which is $24million will come through debt financing.

He said that financial objective of the project is to commence business and become profitable by the end the third year of commencement of commercial operations.

He noted that the proposed regional sealink project is being well received with the ECOWAS Commission endorsing the project with a commitment to fund the Investors’ Forum on the project.

Also, he added that the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has endorsed the project and is committed to providing technical support towards the take off and realisation of the project.

Power, key to manufacturing sector growth, says Obi CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has identified energy as a key component of manufacturing saying power is be required to drive manufacturing, which guarantees economic growth.

Governor Obi spoke yesterday in Abuja, while on a working visit at the Office of the Power Minister, Professor Chinedu Nebo.

He said that power situation has continued to improve in his State, noting that as an industrial base in Nigeria, “Onitsha and Nnewi are towns that have become critical component of the nation’s industrial revolution”.

Obi called for a rejuvenated power situation in his State, stressing that President Good-

luck Jonathan’s transformation agenda can only happen when industries are manufacturing at installed capacities.

According to him, revival of the manufacturing sector would have multiplier effects in the provision of employment and also in the growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He noted that a well energized and active manufacturing sector would in turn engage our teeming youths in these industries, so the seam less revolution of prosperity is underway.

Earlier the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo has assured the Governor that all the issues raised would be tackled expressly just as he said the Road Map and Power Sector Reform Agenda would be implemented religiously.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Diamond Bank opens UK subsidiary, gives N70bn loan to SMEs HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AND DAMILOLA AJAYI

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iamond Bank Plc has secured the approval of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), UK to own and operate a bank in the United Kingdom.

In a statement issued by the bank, its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. stated that the bank was pleased with the approval as it signals the conclusion of a process that started months ago.

According to Otti, “We at Diamond Bank are delighted to secure the affirmation of the FSA for our bid to set up a UK subsidiary to enable us offer wholesale financial services, including facilitating international trade to new and existing clients. This

approval also provides a unique opportunity for Diamond Bank to establish its presence in London, which is a hub for finance and banking activities in Europe.”

It will be recalled that following the approval given by shareholders at the last Annual General Meeting in May 2012, the CEO had hinted during the 2nd Quarter 2012 investors conference call in July 2012, that the bank was determined to leverage on its international banking license with the acquisition of a niche bank in Europe.

Now having realised this goal, Otti stated that “this acquisition is another milestone in our drive to become the leading financial institution in Nigeria.

We welcome staff and customers of the new acquisition into the Diamond fold with our promise

of unparalleled customer experience which has become our practice across our locations nationwide and the West African coast.”

Meanwhile About N70 billion has be given out as loan by the management of Diamond Bank as loan facilities to operators of Small Medium Enterprises (SME) in the country between 2009 and 2013 This was disclosed yesterday by the Head, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of the bank, Chima Nnadozie in Akure, Ondo state capital during Diamond Bank Businessxpress Seminar for SMEs operators in the state.

Nnadozie explained that about N35 billion of the amount is still in the custody of 12, 000 SMEs operators across the country for the development of their businesses.

New CIPM President wants youths to embrace HR MESHACK IDEHEN

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new President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), has emerged after an election held at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Institute in Lagos.

In a keenly contested voting process, the Human Resources Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Victor Oluropo Famuyibo, who was before his election as president, the Chairman of the strategic planning implementation committee of the institute was elected the 16th president and chairman of the council of CIPM, taking over from Mr. Abiola Popoola, the 15th President of the Institute whose three year tenure ended at the AGM. Promising to focus on youth

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UDO ONYEKA

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renowned investment banker and, Group Deputy Managing Director, BGL Plc Chibundu Edozie, has said that Nigeria’s massive housing deficit requires the entire federal budget compounded over 10 years to bridge estimated between 12 million and 16 million housing units.

Applying a mid-level unit price of N10 million, he said bridging the gap would cost this country between N50 trillion and N60 trillion.

According to him, Nigerian banks have followed the wellworn tradition and financed the budding market for real estate through share capital and deposits generated from the public, “ adding that like financial institutions in developed mar-

kets banks soon found out they have limited amount of lending feasible.” ‘ This limitation he said also presents a challenge on the demand side. “Unsurprisingly, the low supply of housing units has prompted inflation in house prices, whilst the limited resources for mortgage lending is gradually putting upward pressure on lending costs over and above the general market rate”.

He however, expressed enthusiasm in the decision of UPDC, a leading property development company in Nigeria, to float a Real Estate Investment Trust REIT on the nation’s capital market with a view to unlocking liquidity via various avenues, including the REIT offering, to enable it focus on the premium real estate markets of carefully selected cities in Nigeria.

According to the finance

expert, ‘’developments in our financial services sector have proved that there is substantial value locked up in tangible long term assets, rather than short term “volatile” assets.

He said financial institutions and investors should look at building a viable market out of real estate products such as Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) and Real Estate Investment Trust schemes (REITs), especially in a country like Nigeria which begs for infrastructural development.

With yields on fixed income securities on the downward slope, Edozie explained that the UPDC REIT provides a competitive alternative investment class for the general populace. Coupled with UPDC’s long history of pedigree and tract record, he said a high return was guaranteed to investors.

development and encouragement in order for them to professionally embrace and pursue jobs and careers in human resource management, Famuyibo said the time has come for Nigerians to take over fully all aspects of human resource management in the country.

According to CIPM which is the nation’s apex Institute chartered with the responsibility of regulating the practice of human resource management in Nigeria, the new president has over three decades of human resource management experience.

In his acceptance speech after his election, the new CIPM president said he intends to continue to build on the transformation drive of his predecessor and make the institute more globally-aligned through collaboration with other global human resource bodies across the world.

We’re committed to raising Awareness on prostate cancer - Oduoza

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, through its corporate social responsibility vehicle, UBA Foundation has restated its commitment to raising awareness on the scourge of Prostate Cancer among men.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza while flagging off the UBA Foundation MiniMarathon for Prostate Cancer Awareness held in Lagos at the weekend, disclosed that the bank, through UBA Foundation is encouraged to propagate this crusade noting that despite the deadly nature of Prostate CanL-R: Regional General Manager, Raya company, Mr. Ahmeed Magdy; Service Head, Samsung Electronics cer, it can be cured when detectWest Africa, Mr. Raymond Olatokun; Acting Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Emmanuel ed and treated at its early stage.

Amlai and Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, during the launching of The Mini-Marathon, which is in Samsung Smart Care Centre at Ojuelegba, Lagos, yesterday.

Why banks are unable to fund housing in Nigeria

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continuation of the Foundation’s annual prostate cancer awareness initiative commenced from the UBA Headquarters on Marina, Lagos via Western Avenue and terminated at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, where other health and fitness activities including free screening for Prostate Cancer was held.

The event also came on the heels of ‘Walk, Cycle and Jog for Prostate Cancer’ programme organised by the Foundation in 2011 as well as ‘Play Soccer for Prostate Cancer’ held in 2012, when the Foundation brought out ex-Nigerian international soccer stars to play soccer as part of creating awareness for Prostate Cancer.

Samsung expands care services, opens new service centre

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s part of efforts to provide its local customers with world-class service, Samsung Electronics West Africa has stepped up its nationwide market expansion drive in Nigeria, with the opening of a new, full-fledged service centre in the country.

Strategically located in the heart of Lagos at Ojuelegba Road, Yaba, Samsung’s Smart Care Service Centre provides consumers with instant access to service, repairs and enquiries on Samsung’s full range of audio-visual, mobile and computing devices in a standalone location.

In a statement the company said the customer service centre is the latest in the series of Samsung’s roll out of new, modern service centres all over Nigeria and brings the total number of the company’s customer service outlets in the country to 33, with 13 centres in Lagos alone.

Speaking at the launch of the

service centre on Wednesday, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Brovo Kim reiterated the company’s commitment to providing its customers with sound, convenient and impeccable after-sales service infrastructure.

“Given the overwhelming support that we have received from our customers, we have embarked on a plan to roll out customer service centres in strategic locations across Nigeria. Today, we are happy to deliver to our customers our Yaba service centre, which has been designed to meet the latest global standards. We have always applied a customer-centric approach to our business - with us, the customer comes first. Our customers in Yaba and its surrounding communities can now enjoy peace of mind and rest assured that a service centre that can handle both major and minor repairs for their mobile and computing devices.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, March 28, 2013

35

Pains, gains of new mobile termination rates T he release by the Nigerian Communications Commission of a new mobile termination rates (MTRs), also known as interconnect rates or call termination rates among telecoms service providers, has, indeed, flung the industry into ecstasy because of the positive implications the new rates are expected to have on the industry, especially on the subscribers’ spending.

The new set of interconnection rates determination for voice services for the country’s telecoms industry, which will cover 2013, 2014 and 2015, followed comprehensive consultations with various stakeholders by the NCC. According to the new rates announced last week, the termination rates for voice services provided by major mobile operators in Nigeria such as MTN, Glo, Airtel irrespective of the originating network shall be N4. from April 1, 2013.

This means that a network that is completing a telephone call will charge N4.90 to the network that originates the call. The operating rate is N8.20.

The commission said this rate will change to N4.40 from April 1, 2014; and N3.90 from April 1, 2015.

For smaller operators and new entrants, the termination rate is N6.40 from April 1, 2013. This rate will change to N5.20 from April 1, 2014; and N3.90 from April 1, 2015.

Smaller operators are those who have less than 7.5 per cent market share in terms of subscriber base such as the Code Division Multiple Access operators such as Visafone, Multi-Links, Starcomms and the comatose Zoom Mobile.

Whereas, new entrants are those who entered the market in less than three years and in this case, Etisalat is a company that falls within this category.

In all, the smaller operators are still going to pay higher termination rates to the GSM operators and this may mean that there is no hope in sight for smaller operators to get out of their current dwindling fortune.

The commission said the new determination shall remain valid and binding on licensees for the next three years until further reviewed by the commission.

It is instructive that the current MTR regulation was implemented through the commission’s Interconnection Rate Determination issued on December 21, 2009.

Since then, the Nigerian telecommunications market has seen tremendous growth in subscriber numbers as well as traffic volumes and available technologies such as Third Generation (3G).

Speaking on the process adopted, Director, Public Affiars, Nigerian Communications Commission Mr. Tony Ojobo said, “In June 2012, the commission appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to undertake a cost study for voice interconnection.

“In line with its commitment to a policy of openness, transparency, fairness, and participatory regulation, the commission informed stakeholders in July 2012 of its engagement of PWC to advise

The introduction of a new mobile termination rates (MTRs), for Nigeria’s telecoms market would lead to reduction in the cost of making calls for telephone users, but will impact negatively on operators’ revenues, reports KUNLE AZEEZ.

Telecoms Mast

on the review of interconnection rates for mobile and fixed telephony services.

“After series of meetings with operators and other stakeholders, PWC provided the commission with recommendations related to the regulation of voice interconnection.”

Meanwhile, telecoms subscribers in the country have expressed delight over the new interconnection rate regime.

Speaking through their advocacy umbrella body, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), President of the association, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, particularly hailed NCC over the wide consultations with industry stakeholders before releasing the new rates.

According to him, the reduction from current N8 to N6 will mean that subscribers will enjoy lower tariff in the days ahead. “We are happy that before this new rates, the commission had taken its time to consult widely with necessary stakeholders to produce a rate that is based on global practices and which, we believe, will lead to reduction in tariffs for subscribers, “ he said.

However, while the new mobile termination rates can practically reduce cost of telephone calls in Nigeria, it also put pressure on the operators’ revenues generation drive from voice service.

A telecoms analyst, Mr. Akin Akinbo, said the implication of the crash in interconnection rates is that telecoms subscribers will pay less for telecoms services in the next three years with resultant effect on revenue decline for the operators.

“On the other hand, it also suggests that it will create pressure on the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), accrued to the operators, leading to reduction in income.”

Over the years, telecoms operators have been experiencing decline in

WHILE THE NEW MOBILE TERMINATION RATES CAN PRACTICALLY REDUCE COST OF TELEPHONE CALLS IN

NIGERIA,

IT ALSO PUT SERIOUS PRESSURE ON THE OPERATORS’ REVENUES GENERATION DRIVE FROM VOICE SERVICE ARPU and this is expected to continue, according to research firm Business Monitor International Limited.

In its recent study, BMI had predicted that telecoms companies in Nigeria are experiencing consistent decline in blended mobile average revenue per user, with ARPU expected to decline by 6.9 per cent in 2012 to N949.

Examined as a market average, the BMI report noted that the mobile ARPU rate for Nigeria fell by 21.2 per cent in 2011 to reach N1, 011, a decline considered considerably more than a 4.3 per cent in 2012 to reach N1, 283.

Entitled: “Nigeria telecommunication Report Quarter 2, 2012”, the BMI report had said, “We forecast that Nigeria’s blended mobile ARPU will decline by 6.9 per cent in 2012 to reach N949.

Over the longer term, we expect several factors to influence the development of Nigeria’s mobile ARPU rates.”

One of the factors, the report stated, is the extent to which the telecoms operators in Nigeria continue to improve

their subscriber mix and increase the contract customers on their networks relative to prepaid users.

Another factor which the report pointed out would be shaping mobile ARPU levels over the next five years will be the success with which the operators encourage their mobile customers to use higher value data services.

Analysing further, the report stated: “In the five years to 2016, we expect Nigeria’s average blended ARPUI falling by an average of 7.9 per cent to reach 769. In the latter part of our forecast, we expect the rate of blended ARPU decline to reduce. To some extent, this trend will largely reflect the improved subscriber mix on the networks of all three operators.”

In spite of the growing active subscriber base which hit 114.1 million at the end of January, 2013, declining ARPU continues to put pressure on the revenue of operators in an increasingly competitive telecoms market.

However, the study notes that the main factors influencing the slowdown in the rate of ARPU decline will be the emergence of stronger growth for Nigeria’s economy, a development that will translate into higher customer spending, and a steady increase in the use of mobile data and internet services.

The report added that the proliferation of such services will help the operators establish more stable sources of income.

Similarly, President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, who also described the new MTRs as “good for competition in the industry”, believe that operators would need to focus more on their data revenue, while improving their network for quality service delivery to keep existing subscribers on their networks and attract prospective ones.

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Info Tech

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Nigeria targets 30% broadband access by 2017 KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Federal Government has set a target of 30 per cent broadband penetration for the country in the next four years.

Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, disclosed this during a function organised in Lagos recently.

She stated that the objective of the National Broadband Plan of the Federal Government was to bring all broadband initiatives under a national umbrella and support the achievement of broadband policy target of 30 per cent broadband penetrtion by 2017.

She said the target is the longterm objective of the government Connect Nigeria initiative targeted at improving Information and Communication Technology infrastructures, particularly broadband deployment, across the nooks and crannies of the country.

According to her, on a shortterm basis, government is engaging in collaborations and negotiations with state governments through National Economic Council, “to ensure tandardisation and reduction of sright of way, standardisation and transparency of applicable levies and taxes payable to State Government as well as ease of administration of procurement and approvals across State and Local governments.”

The minister also said the government would leverage the Universal Service Provision Fund established to support funding of ICT projects in rural locations where service providers may be reluctant to extend services to.

She said, “Targetted USPF initiatives to address connectivity and infrastructure in rural and underserved areas. About 155 local governments are being planned to be connected with voice and broadband to support rural agriculture, education and health programmes in 2013.”

Speaking on the medium term

approach to be employed, the minister said critical national infrastructure bill was being drafted to reduce vulnerability of infrastructure, pointing out that the Nigerian Communications Commission was also promoting an imitative that promotes open access and sharing of infrastructure.

While noting that though the current contribution of ICT to the Gross Domestic Products still stands around 5.7 per cent, Johnson said the government would sustain a sound regulatory environment for players in the ICT industry.

She added that the government would continue to intervene in most of the areas where ICT Infrastructures are currently negatively impacted by multiple regulation on the same infrastructure; multiple taxation fees and levies; prohibitive charges to procure right of way; vandalism of ICT infrastructure; security challenges and challenges in procuring clean, steady electrical power for operations.

L-R: Regional Manager, West Africa, Acer, Mr. Rafy Abrahamian; Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Amin Mortazavi and Regional Manager, English-Speaking Africa, Mr. Eric Blom during a working visit of the Acer officials to interact with the company’s channel partners in Nigeria recently.

MainOne, Omatek back ITU initiative in Nigeria KUNLE A ZEEZ

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s the International Girls in ICT Day draws closer, Nigeria’s foremost broadband access company MainOne Cable Company and an indigenous computer manufacturing firm, Omatek Ventures Plc. have promised support for the organisers, eBusiness Life Communication to ensure the successful hosting of the event in Nigeria.

The International Girls in ICT Day celebration, an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union geared at bringing young girls to the knowledge and active participation in fashioning the ICT landscape of their various countries.

According to a statement from the organisers, MainOne Cable Company, the major sponsor at the 2012 edition of the event had agreed to partner with eBusiness

Life again for the 2013 edition of the Day billed to hold in Lagos on April 25, 2013 with the theme: Tech Needs Girls to Invent the Future.

The statement said MainOne’s alignment to the vision of the campaign is aimed at drawing attention of growing girls to the profession of ICT and how they can contribute their quota to the growth and development of the profession both in their local domain and at global arena.

Also joining, Omatek, a pioneer indigenous integrated Information Technology system builder said the campaign will be a veritable platform to engage young girls and help them actualise their future in a field that was once seen as the exclusive preserve of the male gender.

Chief Executive Officer of Omatek, Mrs. Florence Seriki had earlier pointed out the need to have more female IT practitio-

ners to enable the industry grow faster on a balanced scale.

According to the statement, “The partnership with MainOne and Omatek is a testimonial to the importance of the campaign in Nigeria, as both companies were also part of the previous edition of the event.”

Chief Executive Officer, eBusiness Life Communication, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, while speaking on preparations for the event, said special awards will be given to women who have been exceptional in the growth of the ICT industry in Nigeria.

She also revealed that prominent Nigerian women, both in the public and private sectors of the industry will grace the occasion.

She stated that the Girls in ICT Day workshop and subsequent campaign will further open up opportunities for girls in ICT sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box Microsoft Office 2013:

Designed for seamless user experience

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icrosoft, a global Information Technology firm, has released its Office 2013, which is the next iteration of the company’s flagship Office product line for consumers, in Nigeria Office 2013 has been designed to work with both touch and a mouse, and works seamlessly in the cloud giving the user an unmatched on- and offline experience.

According to the company, cloud technologies are fast becoming part of everyday life, which is why Microsoft’s Office 365 Home Premium makes sense for the African market.

Office 365 Home Premium, one of the offerings within Office 2013, is a cloud service designed for busy households and people juggling ever-increasing work and family responsibilities.

The new offering includes the latest and most complete set of Office applications; works across up to five devices, including Windows tablets, PCs and Macs; and comes with extra SkyDrive storage and Skype

calling.

According o the Office Division Group Lead for Microsoft West, East and Central Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Mr. Marc Israel, Office 2013 makes the end user more productive in both a work and home environment.

“With Office you can continue working offline, while the integration with cloud technologies allows you to sync your documents seamlessly allowing you to be far more productive.”

Speaking during the worldwide launch of Office 365 Home Premium on January 29 this year, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Steve Ballmer of Microsoft highlighted that this marks the next big step in Microsoft’s transformation to a devices and services business.

“This is so much more than just another release of Office.

This is Office reinvented as a consumer cloud service with all the full-featured Office applications people know and love, together with impressive new cloud and social benefits,” he said.

Microsoft also announced it will now deliver many new features and services to the cloud first, transforming the company’s traditional threeyear release cycle. Now, new features and services stream to subscribers as soon as they are ready, keeping subscribers always up to date while eliminating the hassles of upgrading.

Payments firm appoints new regional head KUNLE A ZEEZ

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merging Markets Payments, a leading African and Middle Eastern payments company, has announced the appointment of Tunde Coker as its Regional Head of West Africa.

Chief Executive Officer, Bank Processing Division of EMP, Hoda Shoukry, said, “EMP’s Bank Processing division provides card personalisation, card hosting, card processing and ATM and POS driving services to 135 banks across the MENA region. Fifty of these are in West Africa, which highlights the importance of this appointment.”

Tunde is the former Group Chief Information Officer for Access Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading banks.

During his tenure, Access Bank improved its ranking from number 11 to a top 4 bank.

Tunde was responsible for

integrating Intercontinental Bank’s systems with Access Bank.

Prior to Access Bank, Tunde was Group IT Director for the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice, Group Applications Director for BP International and Director of Digital Services for Egg Bank in the UK. “The West Africa region has the potential to be one of the fastest growing regions in the world for electronic payments given the current low penetration of formal financial services.

“Tunde will be key to spearheading EMP’s drive to provide the region with world-class technology and products, given his outstanding record in the banking sector both in West Africa and the UK, coupled with his experience in banking systems,” Shoukry said.

Tunde has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Glamorgan University and an MSc from Cranfield Institute of Technology.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Brands & Marketing

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Safe-sex TVC slammed for undermining women’s dignity With the recent uproar generated by a condom TV commercial with a pay-offline, Weka Condom Mpangoni, aired on prime time on Kenya’s national TV network, ad experts and HIV/AIDS media advocacy group say both the Kenyan government and ad agencies need to make some adjustments in driving home the safe sex message. ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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he 1.04 seconds TV commercial opens with a distraught woman named, Mama Mitchelle who is not happy with her drunkard husband.

She is abandoned but finds solace in a mpango wa Kando, a name given to casual sex partners in Kenya. Accosted by her friend in the market, she is asked how her husband is fairing. Looking unhappy, the friend proceeds to inquire further about Mama Mitchelle’s mpango wa Kando. The casual sex partner smiles at them from his shop. Mama Mitchel looks back at her friend who advises her over the casual sex partner: Najua mnapendana, lakini lazima mtumie condom which means “I know you love each other, but you must use a condom.” Then a voice-over sums up the advert with the word, linda uwapendao, weka condom mpangoni -“regardless of your choice, tag a condom along and protect your loved ones.”

As the campaign co-sponsored by the National Aids and STI Control Program (NASCOP) with the United State Agency for International Development (USAID), and UKaid hit the airwaves, religious communities in Kenya flew into a rage saying the TVC undermines woman dignity. The TVC, which was conceived to address the alarming rate of infidelity among Kenyan married men and women, was further criticised for portraying Kenya as a Sodom and Gomorra.

Infidelity has been attributed as the cause of HIV infections among 30 per cent of married people in Kenya who engage in unprotected sex. With about 1.6million persons living with the virus, there are fears over the well being of the entire 42 million population, which is highly vulnerable but religious groups have faulted the concept of the creative.

Although the NASCOP Deputy Head, Mr. Peter Cherotich, said the campaign concept was created because half of all new HIV infections happen within marriage. “Half of men in their lifetime have more than one sexual partner while a third of women in their lifetime have more than one sexual partner hence the rise of infections in marriages and these are the people we really need to save.”

Despite the reasons raised by Cherotish, the Organising Secretary, Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa, told Kenya’s Business Daily Newspaper that the commercials depicts Kenya as Sodom and Gomorra, and not one that values the institution of marriage and family.

In the same vein, the Kenyan Anglican Church’s Bishop Julius Kalu said the advert, shown on free-to-air TV stations at peak audience times, had promoted extra-marital affairs and sex among school pupils. “It openly propagates immorality, especially when all family members

A scene in Weka Condom Mpangoni TVC

MOST OF THE CREATIVE TEAMS IN KENYA ARE EUROPEANS AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT COME UP WITH CONCEPTS THAT MATCH THEIR CULTURE AND NOT THE are gathered before television sets, waiting to watch news,” Kalu said.

For so long, Kenya’s behavioural change campaign ad creatives have come under attack. Most of the creatives are said to often fail to communicate both words and visuals to Africans the way they could impact the desired message.

A few months ago, TV audiences had complained about a ‘gay’ ad aired on the Kenyan Television Network, KTN. The ad features two men in a Sauna and one keeps peeping under the other. A TV viewer, complained about the ad saying it was in bad taste.

While many Kenyans complained about ad creatives in their country, National Mirror learnt that the gay ad was adapted from a Sweden newspaper, hence, exposing a lot about Kenyan’s ad agency. According to a popular blogger in Kenya, Mbuzi Mzee, the distasteful ad tells a lot about Kenya’s ad agencies.

“If you thought the commercial is very original, here’s evidence it is not. It’s an exact copy of this newspaper ad in Swe-

AFRICAN ONE

den. It tells a lot of our ad agencies,” said Mzee.

While, the latest controversial ad continues to receive comments from global media, the chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and Chief Executive Officer of Prima Garnet, one of the leading ad agencies in Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi described it as offensive to sensibilities and moral values of mothers and women in Kenya.

He said, “I have gone through it and unfortunately the TVC is in Kenyan local language. I have, however, been told that it is being pulled off because it would appear that a married woman is being encouraged to go into promiscuity by using a condom. This appears to have offended the sensibilities and moral values of mothers and women in Kenya.”

Akinwunmi said further that APCON isn’t likely to approve such an ads. “APCON also has a duty to protect our cultural and moral values as a gate keeper for the government. I think creative

people must also know that they have a duty beyond their creative works. I am sure the same campaign could have been written in many others ways without offending the sensibilities of others,” he explained.

Although, Akinwunmi, however said the agency that created the work had not been unprofessional but only failed to separate creativity from responsibility. “They have not been unprofessional, but have only been remiss in considering other responsibilities they have apart from being creative people.”

Also, a South-African-based Nigerian adman, who has worked for Ogilvy in Kenya and now Business Director, Carat South Africa, Mr. Dele Odugbemi, told National Mirror that Kenya’s creative industry has been eroded by western agencies. “Most of the creative teams in Kenya are Europeans and often times than not come up with concepts that match their culture and not the African one,” he said.

Odugbemi said that while dearth of research across the continent has not enhanced meaningful insights that could propel creatives that would match African culture, they come up with inferences from their own culture which doesn’t match the African one. “The ad in question would have had no problem CONTINUED ON PAGE P38

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LG scholarships for UNILAG undergrads STORIES: ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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Odugbemi

Akanni

Akinwunmi.

Safe-sex TVC slammed for undermining women’s dignity CONTINUED FROM 37 in Western societies but the African culture frowns at infidelity on the part of a woman and the ad seems to be promoting that,” Odugbemi explained.

He, however, faulted the concept of the creative as it undermines African culture in the name of creativity. He said, “The ad industry is part of urban culture so while there is a temptation to be airing, this shouldn’t be at the risk of imposing cultural values in the name of advertising. Africans are literal in their interpretation of stories whereas Western society is more abstract and more likely to take ads like this as ‘clever’ and not a promotion of infidelity. The ad industry has to show some form of responsibility to the culture it seeks to represent.”

A relationship expert in Kenya, Sheila Wachira said the ad is a reflection of reality in the country. “To some extent, the ad is a reflection of reality. Despite calls for faithfulness, it appears that the allure of Mpango Wa Kando is a bottomless pit compromising people of all social classes and economic status.”

Also, the Executive Director, Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), Ms Olayide Akanni said the concept of the ad possibly arose from the need to address the issue of Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCP) from a behaviour change stand point. “Multiple Concurrent Partnerships is a term used to describe a situation where an individual has several sexual partners at the same time. For example, a married/single man having series of sexual relationships with other women aside from his wife/main girl friend or vice versa for a wom-

an. In Southern and Eastern regions of Africa, some studies have shown that men and women in these regions often have more than one sexual partner at the same time and these concurrent partnerships can overlap for months and years,” she told National Mirror.

She said further that the Kenyan AIDS Commission and its partners must have undertaken a study to assess the current situation and based on evidence, concluded that there was a need to address the issues of MCPs through the ad, which seeks to ensure that even those having multiple concurrent partnerships are educated on the need to reduce their risk of exposure to HIV by using a condom.

She, however, absolved the promoter of the TVC of promoting adultery. “So, were they wrong in seeking to educate people about a problem that most people know exists in their context but refuse to discuss? No. It is possible that if the key actors in the ad were two married men discussing with one another, about their girlfriends and the need to protect themselves, the ad may not have raised such an uproar.”

While citing lessons from Nigeria, she said, the Kenyan authorities should know how best to reach the audience without upsetting them. “I recall that in the past, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), aired some messages on HIV/AIDS. They had notable religious leaders including the Secretary General of the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Late Dr Lateeef Adegbite and Pastor E.A Adeboye amongst others to speak to their audiences (on radio and TV) about HIV and the need to protect themselves

from infection.”

Akanni, however, advised the sponsors of the Kenyan TVC to always preview and pretest such commercials before hitting the airwaves. “The ad should have been previewed and pilot tested before several audiences before being aired on national TV so that all comments could have been noted, the ad reviewed to suit the cultural context and not offend the sensibilities of the audience.”

On the other hand, she said the ad could have presented data about the frequency of multiple concurrent partnerships in Kenya in an animated, cartoon format or even have a short message with a Voice Over describing what MCP is, how it fuels the spread of HIV and why people need to reduce the number of partnerships and reduce their risk by using a condom. “An animated ad may appeal to a younger audience from 18-30 while another format will be applicable to a more matured audience. There was a similar campaign in South Africa. It’s titled Under Cover Lover, which is targeting young people as an example.

Again, the context needs to be taken into consideration. The Kenyan AIDS Commission will need to review this along with stakeholders from various groups and come up with an ad that still highlights the message of MCPs and the need for individuals to take responsibility and protect themselves and their loved ones,” she concludes.

While the Kenyan government has yanked off the TVC, experts believe Kenya local ad agencies need to step up and rescue their creative industry from the influence of foreign concepts.

hile the LG brand has continued to deepen its market in Nigeria, the managers of the global leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications has awarded scholarships to another set of outstanding students of the faculty of Engineering of the University of Lagos.

The sponsorship event is conducted annually and organized by LG as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), activities with the primary aim of empowering young people as well as developing the educational sector.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Deog Jun Kim

said “This scholarship is being awarded to 10 students of 400 and 500 levels from the Faculty of Engineering, who emerged as best students after a careful selection by both the university authority and LG Electronics based on their Grade Points of 4.0 to 5.0, which made them stand out from their colleagues.”

LG Electronics’ partnership with the University of Lagos has been longstanding as the company has continually contributed to the growth of the university with its donation of the LG Design Lab and its first and continuous initiative of scholarship awards program; and it is an avenue to collaborate with institutions of higher learning in the country in order to upgrade the educational standard as well as create employment opportunities.

Unilever launches Close Up Fire Freeze

U

nilever Nigeria Plc has launched a new variant of its flagship toothpaste, Closeup.

The new variant, Closeup FireFreeze was launched at an event tagged ‘the magical chemistry of opposites’.

During the launch, the Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Thabo Mabe, disclosed that the widespread patronage enjoyed by Closeup over the years has challenged it to do all that is possible to remain on the cutting edge of innovation.

“Innovation is absolutely essential if the world must combat the incredible rates of tooth decay that prevails globally and promote oral health. We today live in a world where tooth decay affects around 90 percent of peo-

ple worldwide, while up to 20 per cent of the world’s adult population suffer severe gum disease.

We are proud that through innovations like Close Up Fire Freeze, we can play a part in promoting oral health in Nigeria and globally,” he said.

The Brand Building Director, Mr. David Okeme said with the new Closeup Fire-Freeze formulation, consumers can experience both warming and cooling sensations, working together in the mouth to give longest lasting freshness like never before.

“The warm red gel helps fight odour causing germs to reduce bad breath while the cool blue gel cools the mouth for Closeup’s new longest lasting freshness variant.

NBC donates water storage tanks to schools on World Water Day ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

T

he Nigerian Bottling Company, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, has donated water storage tanks and water purifier to schools in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Owerri and Oyo state to mark this year’s World Water Day (WWD).

With the theme for this year’s celebration being ‘International Year of Water Cooperation’, NBC, which has water stewardship as a major focus of its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, partnered with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Ministry of Environment, host communities and select schools to contribute to access to clean water.

During the event which

held simultaneously across the country in locations of the bottler, the NBC Ikeja Plant Manager, Mr. Dayo Omotosho, while handing over the storage to Agidingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja said that the bottler’s interest in water sustainable schemes extends to the communities where it operates.

“Given the nature of our business as a bottler of beverages of The Coca-Cola Company, NBC appreciates the importance of water. We appreciate the fact that our ability to grow is related to the availability and quality of local water resources. Therefore, we consciously invest in programmes that contribute to water access and promote water security and by so doing, contribute to the longterm socio-economic development of communities,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, March 28, 2013

ad VA NT AG E icon

Changing business model will grow ad industry –Olugbodi ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

T

he Chief Executive Officer of Verdant Zeal, a leading marketing communication agency, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, has said to ensure that the future of advertising remains in advertising, admen needs to change their business model.

Speaking at the first edition of The Sunday Brunch against the backdrop of various challenges plummeting the fortune of most ad agencies such as economic crunch, over-demanding clients, global affiliation rifts, Olugbodi tasked ad agencies especially the young practitioners to look inward and embrace a business model that will absorb challenges being faced.

The SundayBrunch brings industry leaders various sectors of the economy to discuss and address challenges facing young professionals from a chosen field of discourse.

During the first edition tagged: The Future of Advertising is not in Advertising, Olugbodi tasked admen to get trained not only in creative but also on how to manage resources and business generally.

“You need to be trained in the art of managing money and business. Buildigng a great ad agency goes beyond being creative. No matter how creative you are, you need to be able to manage your business, resources, personnel and so on,” he said.

He also advised young admen aiming to start up to also di-

39

versify when they make money from jobs. Citing the case of Verdant Zeal, Olugbodi who turned 50 on Monday, said further, “When you make money, invest in properties. When e started at Verdant Zeal, a lot of banks shot their doors. Now, they are begging us for account. When we made money from jobs, we bought properties. So, when you have got a great job that worth its, you can use it as collateral.”

He, however, challenged the industry with the growth in Nollywood and the Nigerian musical scene which has received global rating and acceptance.

Olugbodi said for the to reach this level, the industry creative egg heads should be original in their creatives rather than copying western style of speaking among others.

L-R: Country Representative, Nigeria Financial Times Group, London, UK and Senior Member of Africa Public Relations Association, Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe; Secretary General, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Conference Coordinator, APRA Summit, Mr. Kayode Yeku and MD/CEO, Core Media Services, Mr. Olajide Adediran at the press briefing in Lagos to kick start APRA’s 1st Africa Public Relations & Strategic Communication Summit holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

M

rs. Hannah Oyebanjo, the Principal Partner at Redwood Consulting is one of the few women leading in the Nigeria marketing communication landscape.

The multi-award winning professional is one of the finest brand communication strategist, whose Midas touch has turned around ailing brands back to their healthy product circle.

“As an international award winning professional, I developed and executed the strategies that turned around ailing brands, grew brand affinity and market share which generated multi-million dollar sales increases. I directed integrated marketing plans, applied creativity, astute planning and leadership to achieve corporate goals,” she said.

Oyebanjo, armed with an MBA in Marketing from Delta State University, a BSc with Honours in Chemistry from Bendel State University, Ekpoma in Edo State and a Management course at Pan African University, Lagos Business School, has worked at top level managerial position.

She was a Marketing Director at GSK, a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare firm; Chief Operating Officer at C &F Porter Novelli and Account Director TBWA/Concept before she moved solo with a Redwood Consulting, a new player in the Nigerian Public Relations industry and has already garnered some key clients. “We set out to passionately assist

Oyebanjo

WE SET OUT TO PASSIONATELY ASSIST DISCERNING AND SERIOUS BUSINESSES WITH WHAT WE KNOW BEST TO DO discerning and serious businesses with what we know best to do. Provide them with proven business growth ideas and customer engagement tactics that make them sleep better,” said Oyebanjo.

She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and National Institute of Marketing in Nigeria.

The Verdant Zeal Brand

T

he marketing communication industry has several agency brands that have remained synonymous with creativity and innovation.

One major thing I have always clamoured for is that brand consultants should also create distinct brand image for their individual organisations. This is strongly predicated on the need that agencies should not only develop strategies for brands, they should also embark on trend setting programmes.

I have decided to X-ray the Verdant Zeal brand due to its uniqueness in the marketing communication industry. The agency commenced business operations without fanfare but today, it stands tall as a trail blazer. The agency thrives on the “Innovention” platform, which was coined as its own point of differentiation

in the industry. In actual fact, Verdant Zeal has combined both innovation and invention as critical elements to remain a vibrant and forward looking agency.

One laudable feat the agency achieved some years back was the launch of its CSR platform aptly tagged: Good Cheer Initiative. This initiative was design to support some non-governmental organisations to provide branding and communication services free of charge. This would to a large extent help the organisations reach out to the society. It was a very emotional and exemplary scheme when Verdant Zeal also organised an art competition for handicapped children in special primary schools. The overall winners have their design printed as the agency’s Christmas card on an annual basis. The CSR platform is one that stands the agency

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com out among its peers. This informed my earlier comment that agencies should also embark on concrete action plans to contribute meaningfully to the society.

This becomes imperative because agencies provide professional services to their clients when they (agencies) do not also become socially responsible citizens. I am passionate about this because it is high time agencies reviewed their operations to align with societal good. The example set by Verdant Zeal has been applauded even by

other agencies who appreciate its role in charting a new path for the industry.

Marketing communication agencies need to brace for the challenges ahead. The time has really come for the industry to live beyond primordial sentiments and move not only the industry forward but also the nation. The industry should be seen as setting the pace for other sectors to follow.

This takes one to the annual innovention lecture series that Verdant Zeal started with its fifth

anniversary last year. That single gathering shook the entire industry to its foundations. The event has never been recorded in history with industry egg heads and the upcoming generation coming together to discuss Nigeria’s image. It was a gathering that brought several heads of advertising, media and brand agencies together. That event kick started a new order in the industry and heralded a new dawn. My interaction and insights generated from several colleagues revealed that such events are long overdue to move not only the industry forward but also the nation.

The dust of last year’s edition were yet to settle when another lecture titled “Beyond Branding: Building lasting values for Nigeria’s growth” took place to commemorate Verdant Zeal’s sixth anniversary.

40

Global Business

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Employment rises on restaurants in U.S doing quick service

R

achael Wright had culinary training, a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a dream of putting her education to work. After a couple of years waiting tables and trying to launch her career, Wright finally went where the jobs are: quick-service food.

In September, she started at Protein Bar, a Chicago-based eatery specialising in lowsugar, high-fiber menus. The company says it seeks to marry fresh ingredients with convenience: Food is served in easy-to-carry bowls so customers can nosh while they walk. After multiple interviews, Wright landed an assistant manager job at the company’s new store in Washington.

I was looking for something in product development,” said Wright, 26. “Even if that doesn’t happen, having this background in the healthful food industry should help me along the right path instead of going from restaurant to restaurant.”

Restaurants and abars are heading toward their strongest year of job growth since 2004, according to the National Restaurant Association, a Washington-based trade group, led by a proliferation of fast-food and quick-service outlets. Food services accounted for nearly 30 percent of the 96,000 jobs created in August, which also marked 19 consecutive months of growth for the sector, according to the Labor Department.

The industry this year expanded pay-

Obama

rolls by 2.9 percent as of the end of August, more than double the 1.4 percent increase in total U.S. employment, according to Labor Department data.

Fast-food chains including Wendy’s Co. (WEN), snack-and-beverage shops such as Starbucks Corp. (SBUX), and a newer crop

of eateries like Protein Bar and Nando’s Peri-Peri, which offer made-to-order meals, are leading the growth.

Such outlets are flourishing even as total restaurant traffic remains stuck below prerecession levels. Americans stepped out to eat 61 billion times in the 12 months ending July 31, down from 62 billion visits four years ago, according to market researcher NPD Group in Port Washington, New York.

At the same time, 2,872 new restaurants have opened in the 12 months ending March 31, a 0.5 percent gain over the prior year and the first improvement since 2009, according to NPD. While the industry faces challenges next year from rising gasoline and food prices, quick-service restaurants, known as QSRs, for now are profiting from weak job gains and stagnant wages, which are sending people in search of inexpensive meals.

“Overall, the market’s relatively flat,” NPD analyst Bonnie Riggs said. “There are segments that are doing well. A lot of that growth is coming within the fast-casual segment and QSR.” The Bloomberg U.S. Quick Service Restaurant Index made up of nine companies including Wendy’s and Jack in the Box Inc. -- has risen 4.5 percent so far this year, compared with a 15 percent gain for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

Global services weaken as Europe slides into recession

S

ervices industries from Asia to Europe cooled last month after the euro-area debt crisis pulled economies including Spain and Italy into recession and damped global growth prospects.

The purchasing managers’ index fell to 53.7 in September from 56.3 in August, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing in Beijing said yesterday. That’s the lowest since at least March 2011. In the euro-area, a gauge slipped to 46.1 last month from 47.2 and a U.K. measure also fell. Readings below 50 indicate contraction.

China’s weaker services number underscores a slowdown that spurred the Asian Development Bank to lower its 2012 regional growth estimate. As Europe’s economic slump deepens amid a fiscal squeeze and weakening confidence, the ADB said the threat of a “shock emanating from the unresolved euro-area sov-

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

ereign debt crisis” is among the biggest downside risks to Asia.

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

again in the third quarter with a significant chance for another contraction in the fourth.”

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.3 percent yesterday. In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.1 percent yesterday in Frankfurt. The euro was little changed versus the dollar, trading at $1.2905.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Poland unexpectedly holds rates as expansion slows

Poland President, Bronisław Komorowski

P

oland’s central bank unexpectedly left borrowing costs unchanged, rejecting calls to undo the European Union’s only interest-rate increase this year even after the economy expanded at the slowest pace since 2009.

The Narodowy Bank Polski kept the benchmark seven-day interest rate at 4.75 percent yesterday. Eight economists in a Bloomberg survey predicted no change, while 27 expected a 25 basis-point reduction.

While central banks around the world have eased borrowing costs to avert a recession, Poland has kept rates at the highest since 2009 to tame inflation as the economy proved resistant to Europe’s debt crisis. Still, the expansion slowed in the second quarter to 2.4 percent from a year earlier, after growing 3.5 percent in the January-March period.

“They decided to err on the conservative side,” Lars Christensen, a Copenhagen-based economist at Danske Bank A/S (DANSKE), said by phone yesterday. “The market was quite aggressively priced for cuts and now we have to see why they’re hanging back, but 12 months ahead, we’ll still have rates 75 to 100 basis points lower.”

The zloty strengthened 0.6 percent after the decision, trading at 4.0894 per euro in Warsaw, compared with 4.1171 before the release. The five-year government bond yield jumped as much as 9 basis points after the decision and traded at 4.19 percent, up 4 basis points on the day, Tuesday’s in Warsaw.

Consumer-price growth has exceeded the bank’s 2.5 percent goal since October 2010. While inflation slowed to 3.8 percent in August from 4 percent in July, the central bank forecasts it will remain above the target until early next year.

RBA cuts rates to lowest in 53 years

A

Stevens

ustralia’s central bank will reduce its benchmark interest rate to the lowest in the body’s 53-year history, according to credit markets that more accurately picked Tuesday’s cut than economists.

Traders are pricing in an 80 percent chance the overnight cash-rate target will be 2.75 percent or less by February 5, swaps data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Governor Glenn Stevens and his board lowered the rate 0.25 percentage point to 3.25 percent yesterday, a decision predicted by nine of 28 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Australia’s record-low

benchmark was the 2.89 percent set in January 1960, RBA figures show.

Stevens said Australia’s record mining boom will peak at a lower level than expected, as he joined peers from Europe to the U.S. seeking to boost growth. That marked a reversal from June, when he said “cheerleading” was needed to rebut pessimists. The nation’s benchmark yielads are 2.93 percent, almost double the average for top-rated peers, and Australia’s dollar gained 7.3 percent over the past year even as prices plunged 39 percent for iron ore, the nation’s biggest export.

“This was the first time the RBA has acknowledged the need to provide stimulus as the mining investment boom begins to fade,” said Adam Donaldson, head of debt research in Sydney at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s largest lender. “We’ll end up seeing multiple rate cuts that may take the benchmark to about 2.5 percent in the next year or so.”

Stevens, in a June 8 speech titled: The Glass Half Full, expressed optimism about the nation’s economy and cautioned against monetary policy settings that could reignite asset bubbles.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 28, 2013

41

42

Capital Market

Trade groups to perform oversight function on quoted companies JOHNSON OKANLAWON

I

ndication emerged yesterday that trade groups may begin oversight functions on activities of listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Already, the Association of Owners of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria and the Association of Capital Market Registrars have begun a pilot scheme with some companies.

The President of ASHON, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, hinted this during the 2013 first quarter Capital Market Commit-

tee meeting in Lagos.

He noted that though the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange will continue to play a major role in the oversight function until the new process is established.

On the dematerialisation of shares certificates, the Managing Director of the Central Securities and Clearing System, Mr. Bukar Kyari, pointed out that all shareholders accounts should have been dematerialise by now, but “We are still waiting for SEC to give final approval, “he said.

According to him, all bonuses, dividends should be done on dematerialised format and all companies with more than 50 beneficial owners must have all interest in securities dematerialised and held by a depository.

Kyari stressed further that all depositories must provide access to its data base by all securities exchanges or trading platform registered by the SEC. He, however, noted that if the CSCS does not have the proper database of investors, “We can’t succeed in achieving any of the set objectives,” he added.

The CSCS had in February reported a decline of 50.04 per cent in the number of dematerialised share certificates.

Kyari said that in 2012, the CSCS dematerialised 264,886 share certificates, compared to 530,140 recorded in year 2011.

“From 1997 to 2012, CSCS has thus far dematerialised 14,164,522 share certificates,” he said.

He affirmed that the CSCS provided the platform for a full dematerialised securities market since 1997.

The SEC had said that all share certificates dematerialised on or before January 01, 2013 shall be at no cost to the shareholder, but certificates dematerialised after this date shall be at a cost.

Lafarge WAPCO posts N14.7bn profit as ASI rises by 0.12% DAMILOLA AJAYI

L

afargeWAPCO Plc has declared a profit after tax of N14.7bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of 70.3 per cent when compared to N8.53bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

The company’s revenue rose by 40.7 per cent to N87.9bn in 2012, from N62.5bn recorded in 2011, while taxation stood at N6.55bn in the review period, from N1.71bn recorded in 2011.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, net assets stood at N68.4bn in 2012, from N56.1bn recorded in 2011, while total

assets stood at N151.9bn, from N152.5bn in 2011.

Meanwhile, trading in equities closed on a bullish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors took position on stock with good earnings.

The All Share Index rose by 0.12 per cent to close at 33,468.89 points, as against the decline of 0.11 per cent recorded yesterday to close at 32,429.46 points.

Market capitalisation increased by N1bn to close at N10.70trn, in contrast to the depreciation of N1bn recorded the preceding day to close at N10.69trn.

The Banking index led the sectorial indices with 1.28 per cent to close at 412.57 points, followed by the Lotus Islamic index

with 0.56 per cent to close at 2,210.89 points.

The Consumer Goods index appreciated by 0.43 per cent to close at 979.92 points, while the NSE 30-index rose by 0.26 per cent to close at 1599.32 points.

The Insurance index shed 0.22 per cent to close at 154.96 points, while the Oil and Gas index lost 0.05 per cent to close at 195.21 points.

Lafarge Wapco Plc led the gainers’ table with N4.29 or 6.13 per cent to close at N74.29 per share, followed

by Wema Bank with nine kobo or 5.45 per cent to close at N1.74 per share.

Okomu Oil Plc appreciated by N3.36 or 5.00 per cent to close at N70.60 per share, while Livestock Plc rose by 12 kobo or 4.94 per

cent to close at N2.55 per share. Ikeja Hotel gained four kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at 90 kobo per share.

On the flip side, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc lost 89 kobo or 8.17 per cent to close at N10.00 per share, while Prestige Assurance Plc shed six kobo or 7.79 per cent to close at 71 kobo per share.

PZ Cussons Plc depreciated by N2.30 or 5.90 per cent to close at N36.70 per share, while Transcorp Plc fell by eight kobo or 5.37 per cent to close at N1.41 per share. Enamelwa declined by N1.69 or 4.98 per cent to close at N32.27 per share.

A total of 305.3 million shares worth N339bn were traded in 5,472 deals.

ETI posts 39% profit growth in 2012 JOHNSON OKANLAWON WITH AGENCY REPORT

E

cobank Transnational Incorporation has said that its financial year result for 2012 rose by 39 per cent on acquisitions in Nigeria and Ghana.

Bloomberg reported yesterday that profit after tax rose to $286.7m in 2012, from $206.8m in 2011, while its revenue advanced 46 per cent to $1.8bn and total assets increased by 16 per cent to $20bn.

Ecobank acquired Trust Bank Limited, a closely held Ghanaian lender, in January last year and merged it with its local unit

to create the biggest lender by assets in the West African.

It also bought Oceanic Bank International Plc. The bank’s Executive Director for Finance and Risk, Mr. Laurence do Rego, said, “The expected synergies resulting from the landmark acquisitions in Nigeria and Ghana are beginning to come through.”

The bank’s shares were little changed at N13.8 per share on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, taking the stock’s gain to 22 per cent this year.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had last Thursday suspended the bank from act-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 28, 2013

ing as a receiving banker and from all capital market activities.

The suspension is as a result of the role played by the bank in a complaint by Avil Services Limited relating to a margin loan transaction with Arian Capital Management Limited.

Reacting to SEC, Ecobank said it has fulfilled its obligations under SEC directive, saying that the bank did not connive with Arian Capital or any other party to convert any shares.

The bank said, “Sometime in 2007, the bank granted a margin loan facility to Arian Capital Management Limited (Ari-

an Capital), for on-lending, secured by quoted shares and the shares were to be in the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account in the joint names of Arian and Ecobank.”

It explained that the margin loan to Arian Capital became delinquent and this debt was sold to Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) together with the collateral, adding that part of the collateral used by Arian on the CSCS were shares in the name of Avil Services/ Arian Capital which Arian moved to the joint account in the name of Arian/Ecobank and which Ecobank transferred to AMCON.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 33,468.89 points Market capitalisation 10.71 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

WAPCO

70.00

74.29

4.29

6.13

WEMABANK

1.65

1.74

0.09

5.45

OKOMUOIL

67.24

70.60

3.36

5.00

LIVESTOCK

2.43

2.55

0.12

4.94

IKEJAHOTEL

0.86

0.90

0.04

4.65

MCNICHOLS

1.10

1.15

0.05

4.55

UNITYBNK

0.76

0.79

0.03

3.95

UAC-PROP

14.24

14.80

0.56

3.93

FTNCOCOA

0.53

0.55

0.02

3.77

UACN

53.05

55.00

1.95

3.68

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CCNN

10.89

CLOSING 10.00

0.89

-8.17

PRESTIGE

0.77

0.71

0.06

-7.79

PZ

39.00

36.70

2.30

-5.90

TRANSCORP

1.49

1.41

0.08

-5.37

ENAMELWA

33.96

32.27

1.69

-4.98

ETERNA

3.46

3.29

0.17

-4.91

FO

14.33

13.65

0.68

-4.75

UBCAP

1.29

1.23

0.06

-4.65

PAINTCOM

1.52

1.45

0.07

-4.61

IPWA

0.74

0.71

0.03

-4.05

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

31,838.40

15.05

28-Mar-13

335-Days

92,093.70

14.50

28-Mar-13

-

-

-

-

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

350-Days

32,549.40

15.05

28-Mar-13

335-Days

92,093.70

14.50

28-Mar-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$300m

27-Mar-13

$300m

N/A

$276m

25-Mar-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, March 28, 2013

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA PRESS RELEASE The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to various postings on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and so on), purported to have been made by the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

We wish to state unequivocally as follows: 1. That the CBN Governor currently has neither a Facebook nor a Twitter account.

2.

That any such account, purported to belong to the CBN Governor, is fake.

3.

Therefore, any such statement or post, purported to have been made by the CBN Governor, is false.

4.

That in the last six months, there have been deliberate efforts by unknown elements to use the internet, with its social media extensions, to tarnish and malign the image and reputation of the CBN Governor.

5.

That efforts at tackling this menace had been yielding positive results as over 100 of these fictitious accounts had been closed with the collaboration of the Facebook authorities.

6.

That currently there is a criminal case against one of the elements using these channels to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

7.

That the relevant law enforcement agencies have been duly notified of these developments.

We therefore urge members of the public to disregard these fake accounts and their false and malicious contents as they are calculated to deceive the public, malign the reputation of the CBN Governor and cause disaffection in the country.

UGOCHUKWU A. OKOROAFOR Director, Corporate Communications

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Empowering the youth through farming STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

R

ecently, there have been calls for youth to embrace agriculture, so as to empower them, as well as address the problem of youth unemployment, which will in turn guarantee the country’s economic survival.

It is in the light of this that a non governmental organisation (NGO), Nehemiah Youth Empowerment Initiative (NYEI), has commenced the training of youth in agro entrepreneurship skills to create more businesses and value in the agriculture sector.

The group’s vision is to empower young adults between ages 18-30 to pursue careers based on their innate God-given talents, hoping that they in turn will be able to replicate same within the society.

However, 50 youth from the Gujeni district in Kaduna are to benefit from the project, tagged ‘I am Nigeria’ as they will be given parcels of land and equipped with the resources required to farm over the next three years.

Speaking about the project on Tuesday in Lagos, Chairperson of the NYEI, Miss Emilomo Unuigbe said: “In light of the recent ongoings in Northern Nigeria, we felt the need to empathize with the Northern youth; as such we agreed that we could reach these young adults via the platform of agriculture.

“In Oct 2012, we commenced the first phase of our project tagged ‘I am Nigeria’. The theme of this project essentially is to reiterate our oneness as Nigerians despite our diversity.

“300 potential farmers attended the event in Gujeni district in Kaduna; 50 of which were shortlisted based on their ability to display a keen interest in becoming agro-entrepreneurs. The first 25 of these 50 wrote the Leventis Foundation Agriculture exams and 13 of them were successful. The NYEI sponsored and enrolled these 13 candidates in the Leventis Agriculture Programme.”

She maintained that the first beneficiaries who they would like to call successful

Farmers working in a rice farm.

50 community champions, would in turn impact on other famers as the target is to impact 1000 farmers in the region.

The empowerment project is not only for the Kaduna youth. It started with a seminar, workshop and concert in Lagos, South West, before moving on to Delta State, South South. The next destination is South East where it hopes to commence a project soon.

The initiative, which is the brainchild of Mr. Tonye Cole, had its maiden event tagged “Rebuilding Lives” in July 2011 in Lagos with many youth in attendance. It gave the youth the privilege of meeting at close quarters, their idols and heroes who relayed their journey to success and stardom.

Similarly, in April 2012, it partnered with an NGO called Growing Business Foundation at the South South Economic Summit in Asaba, to equip young entrepreneurs with ICT skills in order to have

online presence and universal access. It also organised a concert for the young entrepreneurs where celebrities who have excelled in various areas such as music, comedy, fashion, movies and dance, came to inspire these young entrepreneurs.

“We cannot continue with an uneven development in parts of the country with perceived ethnic discrimination being the order of the day. The Nigerian youth is the same all over the country. A Nigerian youth is Nigeria and that goes for the entire minority groups, diverse languages and tongues being inconsequential, “Unuigbe said.

How would the project be sustained?

The chairperson explained that they have unalloyed support across the continent with youth from other African countries.

She stressed, “We anticipate that consumers, businessmen and exporters of food produce would communicate their desires to pick up harvest and yields, corporate entities would also consider supporting us as their model for Corporate Social Responsibility while our doors are open to long term partners willing to support our programmes, donate plants and machinery, as well as imbibe modern day technology into Northern youth with respect to improved agricultural and mechanised farming.”

Cole expressed gratitude to Senator Nenadi Usman for donating the parcel of land that would be given to the beneficiaries, even as he said that the initiative was founded as a result of the need for re-orientation of the young minds to the assurance that Nigeria would remain the same while better quality of living could be achieved.

Perry, Bieber, others M

Jaden Smith performing

ega-stars, including Katy Perry, Johnny Depp, One Direction, Selena Gomez, Dwayne Johnson and Kristen Stewart reigned as this year’s favourites, winning top honours at the Nickelodeon’s 26th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards last weekend.

Hosted by the biggest kid in Hollywood, Josh Duhamel, the awards were broadcast from the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles where kids honoured their favourites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television. This year, a recordbreaking 387 million votes were cast around the world in 22 categories.

In the spirit of the star-studded slimefest, Duhamel kicked off the celebration by singing a special Kids’ Choice Awards version of Pitbull’s

smash hit Don't Stop the Party, as he made his way from the dressing room to the main stage. Experiencing a series of random celebrity encounters along the way, Duhamel thumb wrestled with Mike The Miz Mizanin, was tackled by Jerry Trainor dressed as a yeti, wore the same dress as Fergie, scatted withmSteven Tyler and played an elaborate game of rock-paper-scissors with Megan Fox, only to be transformed into Pitbull himself as he reached the stage.

For the first time ever, a special camera gave the fans a 360-degree view of all the action on stage. Also, a first for the messfest, Nickelodeon debuted the “Kids’ Choice Mustache Cam”, a take on the popular “kissing cam”, which featured kids and celebs including Miranda Cosgrove, Debby Ryan and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, March 28, 2013

45

House of Tara selected as Young Global Leader

L

eading Nigerian makeup entrepreneur, Tara Fela-Durotoye has expressed gratitude at being honoured by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. The recognition is given for her professional accomplishments and commitment to society, alongside 198 other professionals from 70 countries.

"Our team at House of Tara was excited to receive news of this global recognition," she said upon receiving the news. "We are very focused on our vision of building a globally respected beauty company that Africans can be proud of whilst building the lives of young women through entrepreneurship around the continent. We are inspired to do even more."

A lawyer and mother of three, Mrs. Fela-Durotoye is the founder and creative director of House of Tara International (H.O.T). She launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studio, and established the first makeup school in Nigeria. In 2010, her company House of Tara was selected as the only Nigerian participant for that year’s FORTUNE/ State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership Program.

Mrs. Fela-Durotoye who has been described as the continent's Mary Kay is currently working on the national project 100 Voices, aimed at creating a

platform to share the stories of these women to help develop the nation. The inspiring stories of 100 H.O.T beauty representatives will also be amplified and shared as symbols of the possibilities of empowerment through H.O.T. She is also currently working on her book: ‘How to Turn Your Hobby into a Thriving Business’.

"This news is significant as it coincides with our 100 Voices project," she said. "Which will document the impact of our work with young women over the past decade, and signpost where we want to go with that mission."

Previous honourees for Young Global Leader include Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu; Managing Director of MNET Africa, Biola Alabi; Board Member of Clinton Foundation, Chelsea Clinton; US singer and recording artist, William Adams; TV host Funmi Iyanda, and erstwhile Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Osayi Oruene.

Every year, the World Economic Forum bestows the honour of Young Global Leader on distinguished individuals below 40. The Young Global Leader nomination has been described as “recognition of your record of professional accomplishments, your commitment to society and your potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through your inspiring leadership”.

House of Tara representatives

Winners at the contest receiving their trophy

Memorable day for Attwool pupils

W

orking with the mindset that physical education will not only make them grow into well-grounded adults but nature-friendly leaders of tomorrow, Attwool Sunflower School, in Festac Town, Lagos recently held her first inter-house sport competition.

The one day event which held at the YWCA Garden, 24 Road play-ground, Festac, was remarkably interesting and indeed, a significant avenue for the discovery of young talents in sports who could, giving the need fly the nation's flag on the international sport scenes in future.

At the event, children clad in their colourful sport wear indicating their houses (Rapsburry, Strawberry, Gooseburry and Blueburry) engaged in various track and field events. Even parents and guardians were not left out of the competition as they also engaged in parents’ race. Some parents literally jumped and skipped about to cheer their wards to victory.

Executive Director in charge of the Festac campus, Mr. Olotu Segun, reasoned that the initiative, packaged for the teenagers will also help them develop holistic approach to life in the future. Olotu who is also a studio artist disclosed that while the sporting event was holding in Festac, the other two campuses of the school in Lekki and Ibeju Lekki were having their family fun fair.

“Professional educators all over the world agree to the fact that child education

shine at Kids’ Choice Awards Bridgit Mendler, wearing fake funny mustaches, with Duhamel singling out Judd Apatow for having the best real mustache.

In a display of his athletic prowess, Duhamel hit the stage wearing Dwight Howard's LA Lakers uniform and challenged Howard to a "Slime Dunk" contest with the winner, Howard, getting a face full of the green goo.

With the wave of a magic wand, Sandra Bullock and Neil Patrick Harris attempted to create a slime-free zone, but their plan backfired and the two were honoured with a dual sliming at the presenters' podium. Duhamel teamed up with Nick Cannon for the Tandem ButtkickingZipline

Sumo Spectacular in a slime-tastic finale thanks to blimp recipient Dwayne Johnson, but Josh Hutcherson and Amanda Seyfried took the prize for the most epic sliming on the show.

In their first-ever live performances at the KCAs, multi-talented global superstars Pitbull, Grammy Award-winning vocalist Christina Aguilera, and Ke$ha ignited the stage. In addition to “Don’t Stop the Party”, Pitbull performed his explosive hit “Feel This Moment” with Aguilera and a crew of mini lookalike dancers, and found himself drenched by a massive slime fountain at the end of the song. Ke$ha rocked the stage amid bubbles, confetti and

disco balls, with a medley of “We R Who We R” and her new single “C’Mon”. Not to be outdone, Duhamel, decked out in a milkshake costume, got his groove on with the kids in the audience during a special “Kids’ Choice Shake” dance stunt.

Orange blimps were presented to Johnny Depp for Favourite Movie Actor; Kristen Stewart for Favourite Movie Actress and Favourite Female Buttkicker; The Hunger Games for Favourite Movie and Wreck-It Ralph for Favourite Animated Movie. Dwayne Johnson won top honours for Favourite Male Buttkicker and Adam Sandler took home the blimp for Favourite Voice from

should cover the three domains of learning which are Cognitive, Affective and the Psychomotor. While in and around the classroom environment cognitive subjects like numeracy, literacy, social studies and others are taught adequately, the teacher impacts on the child’s affective aspect by leading exemplary life, instructing on morality and inculcating empathy. On the other hand, the psychomotor skills developments of the child are honed by engaging them in physical activities”.

For, the Chairman of the Inter-house Sport Committee, Pastor Seth David, “Attwool has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the provision of well rounded education.

As a parent and a stakeholder, I have been following up with the programmes of the school and can therefore attest to her efforts at ensuring that a total person’ emerges at the end of the day”.

Head teacher of the school, Bola Kupoluji informed the philosophy behind the outing is to see how sports if properly inculcated in the youngsters can become a veritable tool for creativity. Kupoluji informed that Attwool is working in the direction because it believes in the saying that the young shall grow. ‘‘Unlike other types of programmes, one important thing about this inter house is the infusion of sports ability to our young students. We believe that a programme like this has the capacity of inspiring young students for the future.’’

an Animated Movie for his role of Dracula in Hotel Transylvania.

In the television categories, Favourite TV Show went to Victorious; Favourite Reality Show to Wipeout; Favourite Cartoon to SpongeBob SquarePants; Favourite TV Actor to Ross Lynch and Favourite TV Actress to Selena Gomez.

In music, top honours went to Katy Perry for Favourite Female Singer; Justin Bieber for Favourite Male Singer and One Direction nabbed Favourite Music Group and Favourite Song.

Most valuable players LeBron James and Danica Patrick won for Favourite Male Athlete and Favourite Female Athlete, respectively. The Hunger Games series garnered Favourite Book; Temple Run won Favourite App and Just Dance 4 won for Favou-

rite Videogame.

The star-studded telecast featured additional celebrity participants, including: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Jaden Smith, Lucy Hale, KaleyCuoco,DarrenCriss, Big Time Rush, Cory Monteith, Jennette McCurdy, Ariana Grande, Sofia Grace and Rosie, Gabby Douglas, Zachary Gordon, Jessica Alba, Kevin Hart, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Cruikshank, Scott Baio and the cast of See Dad Run, Rico Rodriguez and many others.

"Nothing was off-limits for first-time Kids' Choice Awards host Josh Duhamel, from ziplining across the arena to donning a milkshake costume andSpongeBob's square pants. This year's host took funny to an entirely new level," said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon.

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Media

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Traditional media provide repository of journalism’ STORIES : L EONARD O KACHIE

I

n spite of the continuous rise of digital media whereby everyone can blog, tweet and publish, traditional media is still entrusted with greater responsibility of providing ethical, credible journalism.

This was the view of the media experts at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) conference which took at UNESCO headquarters in Paris recently.

The focus of the panel that comprised the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WANIFRA) and the World Editors Forum (WEF) was on the role of traditional media in the digital age.

The World Summit on the Information Society provides a forum for discussion of the opportunities of the new information and communication environment, and also addresses challenges such as the inequality in access to information and communication called the ‘digital divide’.

WAN-IFRA’s participation comes in the context of the latest 10-year review conference, with outcomes due to feed into the 2015 United Nations General Assembly review.

WAN-IFRA, based in Paris, France, and Darmstadt, Germany, with subsidiaries in Singapore, India and France is the global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers. It represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries.

Its core mission is to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.

However, the panelists explored

IF

TRADITIONAL

MEDIA IS NOT ABLE TO DELIVER QUALITY JOURNALISM , THEN WHO WILL ?

how the tenets of traditional media quality editorial, credibility and ethical reporting, and investigative journalism – translate in the new media landscape.

“All too often, discussions about the information society focus on telecommunications and delivery platforms.

But the focus should really centre on the content being delivered,” said Larry Kilman, Deputy CEO of WAN-IFRA and the panel moderator. “I’m glad we have the opportunity to discuss the role of the traditional media in the new media landscape, but in some ways it is unfortunate that we need such a debate. The role should be selfevident – to provide the credible information necessary for citizens to make informed decisions in society.”

Director of the Ethical Media Coalition and a panelist, Aidan White said "If traditional media is not able to deliver quality journalism, then who will deliver and who will pay for it?"

Other experts on the panel included Amadou Mahta Ba, CEO of the African Media Initiative, Frank La Rue, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Annette Novak, WEF Board member and Vicepresident of the Fojo Media Institute, and Philippe Massonnet, Global News Director at Agence France-Presse.

“I believe that democracy is served by a broad media landscape”, said Ms Novak. “News is about content, not plat-

Nigerian newspapers on the newstand.

Audience watching a local TV station in Nigeria.

form. Funding for quality content should go to platforms chosen by the audience, and at present, this is mobile devices.”

Managing the online debate is pivotal, while guaranteeing journalistic transparency has become increasingly vital to the independence of news outlets, particularly given the reliance on citizen journalists who in many newsrooms play the role formerly occupied by foreign correspondents.

“Traditional media IS new media,” said Mr Massonnet. “Being on the ground is gold and whether it is a traditional foreign correspondent or a

citizen journalist, our role as content providers is to check and double check our sources”.

How investigative journalism is benefiting from the mobile information society, especially in emerging democracies in Africa, also figured prominently in the discussions.

“By 2015, there will be one billion mobile phones in Africa. Mobile phones are now a universal right. We must make sure news content is available on mobile phones for the development of humanity,” said Amadou Mahta Ba.

Media Abroad

Freelance journalism contest opens

P

rint and online journalists worldwide can apply for an award.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation hosts the Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism, honoring the work of freelance journalists and of local reporters in developing countries or nations in transition who often otherwise receive little recognition.

Named in honor of the American freelance journalist killed in a military ambush while on assignment for Reuters in Sierra Leone in 2000, the awards are made annually by the Kurt Schork Memorial Fund (KSMF).

The awards feature two categories: freelance journalists covering international news and local reporters cover-

ing events in their home country or region. Each winner receives a US$5,000 prize at a ceremony in London.

The stories can be about conflict, human rights, cross-border issues or any controversial matter in a particular country or region. Each submission must demonstrate professionalism, meet international journalistic standards and provide evidence that courage and determination were required to cover the story.

All articles must be translated into English. Submit entries, a resume, photo and brief statement about the story

by May 31.

For more information, visit www. ksmfund.org

Facebook introduces

F

acebook users engaging in a spirited discussion will appreciate this new feature: threaded conversations that include a "reply" feature.

In a blog post, Facebook journalism program manager, Vadim Lavrusik, said the feature lets users and their friends reply directly to comments on their page content.

"You and your readers will have the ability to reply directly to comments left on your Page content and start conversation threads, which will make it easier for you to interact directly with individual readers and keep relevant conversations connected. Also, the most active and engaging conversations among your readers will be surfaced at the top of your posts ensuring that people who visit your Page will see the best conversations," Lavrusik said.

Facebook users can also opt-into Replies through the Page admin panel in the Manage Permissions section.

All Pages will have the feature enabled by July 10, even as the feature will automatically be turned on for profiles

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, March 28, 2013

RATTAWU threatens protest over weighin allowance

T

he South East Zone of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has called for immediate implementation of the new weigh-in allowance by defaulting states in the zone.

The RATTAWU National Vice President, South East, Mr. Christian Ukegbu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.

He regretted that several months after the approval for the payment of the weigh-in allowance many states in the zone had not taken it serious.

He said that the union had given the defaulting states till the end of the first quarter to comply or risk pro-

tests, adding, “We are calling on all the state governments that have not implemented to pay the new weigh-in allowance.

“We are even engaging the South East Governor’s Forum in this situation to make sure that they pay this weighin allowance to our members. And we are believing that before the second quarter of this year, all the states in the South East would have done that, if not naturally we will start a process that nobody will hold us back.’’

Ukegbu said that the leadership of the union was working with management of the various organisations in the defaulting states to ensure that the goal was actualised.

Three skills journalists must acquire

J Maku

“There is always this problem of implementation in the states when this type of agreement comes into place, but we thank God that Imo State has implemented it.”

Ukegbu said that without the enforcement of the agreement in the South East, “it means that RATTAWU members in the affected states will be short-changed’’.

Journalists tasked on accurate reporting

Ikuforiji

S

peaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has tasked journalists to be professional and objective in their reportage of events.

Ikuforiji, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kolawole Taiwo, said this at a workshop organised for correspondents covering the assembly.

"Assessment of politicians by journalists should be carried out in such a way that would put them on their toes.

Such assessment should be done to gear up politicians to work effectively, but not with sentiment or with bias in mind," he said.

The lawmaker urged journalists to always do thorough verification before sending report to the public.

Speaking, Dr. Taiwo Alausa, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, said journalism ethics and standards comprised principles of good practice, as applicable to the specific challenges faced by journalists.

Alausa said various existing principles have some differences that shared common elements, including the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability.

"Some journalists code of ethics also include a concern with discriminatory references in news based on race, reli-

threaded conversations with more than 10,000 followers.

Initially, the feature will be available only for desktop users, with mobile and Graph API getting the feature "in the future."

Lavrusik said the feature may be useful in livestreams where one can reply directly to a viewer.

This can also be useful for open Q-and-As. Facebook said conversation threads are reordered by relevance to viewers, "and may appear differently to each person

based on their connections."

This may be based on Positive Feedback, or the amount of Likes and Replies in a conversation thread; Connections to participants in a thread; and Negative Feedback or the total number of spam reports in a thread, as well as marks-as-spam made by the Page owner.

"We also may downrank comments made by frequent spammers," Lavrusik said.

GMA News

47

gion, sexual orientation and physical or mental disabilities," he said.

The Head of Mass Communication Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Mr. Goke Rauf, said journalists should be careful in the way they supply information on the internet and to the public.

Rauf said that media practitioners should also be wary of the information they receive from social media for use as a source in their various reportage.

The lecturer advised journalists to always see it as part of social responsibility to protect law abiding citizens, especially as sources.

He said that any journalist who exposed his/her source to ridicule and embarrassment violated the basic tenets of journalism ethics.

Thirty-eight media practitioners covering the assembly were trained on "Ethics in Journalism and Political Reporting."

ournalists should plan to improve their skills--or even learn a few new ones. Like a Swiss Army knife, journalists today need to be multifunctional.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions according to a post by international journalist’s network ( ijnet). Whether you focus on one or choose to master them all, these skills will make you more marketable in 2013 and in years to come: 1. Coding Whether it’s just to spruce up a blog or to conceptualize remarkable projects like the latest New York Times interactive masterpiece, Web coding is a valuable skill for journalists. There are a number of free resources for teaching yourself programming languages.

You can also learn HTML or CSS hands-on with Web page editor Mozilla Thimble.

2. Interpreting Infographics and data visualizations took reporting in the public interest to new heights in 2012, and reporting and presentation will only continue to intertwine. Journalists will shift from hunter/gatherer style to a mode of interpretation as data sets become more readily available.

But all of these data are useless unless journalists have the know-how to analyze them.

Make the Data Journalism Handbook your new best friend or browse through the Guardian’s best data visualizations of the year to get an idea of the impact data storytelling can have. Or start your own data or infographic project with Piktochart or Google Fusion Tables.

3. Branding Journalists need to brand and market themselves. One of the easiest ways to do that (other than social media) is with an online portfolio or personal website. Use WordPress, Cuttings. me, Pressfolios and other free sites to contain all of your vital career details.

Maintain a blog, create an infographic resume from your LinkedIn profile with Visualize.me or Visually, archive your best clips and link to all your social media accounts--not just to sell yourself, but to highlight your unique set of skills and qualifications.

Course on legal reporting offers fellowships

J

ournalists worldwide working in professional print, broadcast or online media can apply for a fellowship to a four-week course in the Netherlands.

The Radio Netherlands Training Centre (RNTC) is offering fellowships to a course, "Inside International Justice," which will be held in The Hague from October 28 - November 22.

During the course, participants will gain: improved knowledge of the international legal framework pertaining to international justice; understanding of the functioning of international justice

together with its successes and failures; and an understanding of the major practical and ethical challenges facing journalists such as the politicization of international justice and the protection of witnesses.

Eligible countries include: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Autonomous Palestinian Territories, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala,

Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Fellowship applicants must submit a registration form, resume, letter of motivation and proof of English proficiency by May 7.

For more details, go to infor@ rntc.nl

Cocktail

48

x

Thursday, March 28, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (118) Most people live in a very restricted circle of their potential being. We all have reservoirs of energy and genius to draw upon of which we do not dream.

–William James. * * * Go For It! There is so much we can be that we are not even attempting! So much can come out of us that we are yet to see. Each of us has that yearning within us calling us to noble acts.

It is time to go for it! It is time to explore our potentials to the limit. It is time to FIRE YOUR EXCUSES! It is time to attempt the seemingly impossible.

Studies indicate that we use not one-tenth but one ten-thousandth of our capabilities!

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

R i storing Russia t i g 119 million illi gallons of snow for Olympics

T

he host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games is putting fears over its readiness on ice. Literally, Officials in Sochi, Russia, announced they are storing 118,877,424 gallons of snow in preparation for the games.

That’s because while some parts of Russia have experienced an unusually cold winter,

there has actually been a bit of a snow shortage in Sochi.

“We’ve prepared seven separate areas for snow storage high up in the mountains,” Sergei Bachin, general director of Roza Khutor, a ski resort whose facilities are being used in the games, told Reuters. “We’re storing such huge amounts of snow just in case.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Woman returns $30,000 found in donated clothes A woman who agreed to take some donated clothes from a relative gave right back to her family: $30,000 she found inside the hand-me-downs.

Carol Sutor of Bristol, Pennsylvania, came across the cash stuffed into envelopes, wrapped in layers of plastic bags among the wardrobe from her cousin’s daughter’s 85-year-old mother-in-law, who had recently died.

Sutor told the website Phillyburbs.com, “So I go through the clothes and I come across a canvas bag on a hangar. In the bag was a plastic bag.” She continued, “So I unwrapped the bag, and there was another bag in another bag in another bag, one of those deals, you know?” Inside all those sacks, stacks of hundred dollar bills.

Sutor herself is going through hard times. The owner of Advantage Insurance in Levittown, imagined how all her problems could be solved with the cash in the clothes.

She said, “Things are tight.

You struggle in your business, like everybody’s struggling.

But when you struggle you think, oh, wow, if only I had money, my troubles would be solved. And so all this money shows up, but it’s the wrong way for it to come. It wasn’t mine and I knew it.”

When Sutor told her cousin, Marlene Lattanzi, who lives in nearby Medford, New

Jersey, of the cash find, she came over to help count the bills. The cousins think that the money had been stashed someplace safe during Superstorm Sandy, and never put back in the bank after flooding ruined the mother-inlaw’s house and her car.

Lattanzi left with the money and called her sonin-law, whose mother had all that money, to tell him

Hundred dollar bills like the one Carol Sutor found in old clothes.

the good news. Ten minutes later, her cousin returned to give Sutor $1,000 and her son-in-law’s thanks for returning the funds.

Sutor said she didn’t spend much time wrestling with what to do. “I had to give it back,” she told the news website. “I believe in karma, whatever I do will come back to me, good or bad.”

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

Syria’s president Assad appeals to African summit for help

“From next year, arrivals from the European Union will be stripped of jobseekers’ benefits after six months unless they can prove they have been actively looking for a job”

50

–BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON

BRICS nations fail to launch new bank PAUL ARHEWE,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

L

eaders from the BRICS group of emerging nations have failed to launch a much-anticipated new development bank to rival Western-dominated institutions like the World Bank.

After holding talks in the South African port city of Durban yesterday, leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and host South Africa agreed in principle to create a joint infrastructure lender but said further talks were necessary to finalise the plan.

“We are satisfied that the establishment of a new development bank is feasible,” said host President Jacob Zuma, in remarks that hint at little progress beyond an agreement reached in the Indian capital, New Delhi, a year ago.

“We have decided to enter formal negotiations to establish a BRICS-led new development bank,” he added.

Officially leaders had been expected to consider the bank’s establishment, but South Africa and others had hoped to formally launch a $50bn infrastructure fund at the two-day summit.

The mooted bank is seen as a way of gaining influence on the world stage, countering Eu-

Beijing wants the new development bank to be based in China, which is a key sticking point.

rope’s dragging economic crisis and addressing the $4.5tn in infrastructure spending the BRICS are estimated to need over the next five years.

Instead of a $50bn fund BRICS leaders agreed only that the initial capital contribution would be “substantial and sufficient for the bank to be effective”.

Key sticking points included how projects would be distributed and where the bank would be based, diplomats said.

Al Jazeera’s Tania Page, reporting from Durban. said all of the BRICS members say they want to establish the development bank, but they have disagreements over fundamental details.

“First of all, China wants it in China, and President Zuma wants it in South Africa,” she said.

“Another problem would be dealing with exactly how much each country would invest in it and how much control each would have over it.”

Egypt court revokes Morsi’s firing of prosecutor

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n Egyptian appeals court annulled yesterday a November presidential decree dismissing the country’s top prosecutor and ordered him reinstated, the state news agency reported, in a new challenge to the country’s Islamist president by the judiciary.

The Cairo appeals court, a unit specialized in complaints by judges and lawyers, ruled in favor of a

complaint by the former top prosecutor, Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud.

It ordered the justice minister to implement the ruling, reinstating Mahmoud to his post.

The decision aggravates tensions between President Mohammed Morsi and the judiciary, which saw the dismissal as trampling on its authority. The government will likely appeal the ruling.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, center, attending the opening session of the Arab League summit in Doha, Qatar, recently.

PHOTO: AP

Morsi’s appointment of Talaat Abdullah as the new prosecutor came after longstanding calls by revolutionary groups to replace Mahmoud, considered a holdover from the regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak. However, judges and rights groups said Morsi violated the right of the judges to name the new prosecutor.

Now, the opposition is demanding that Morsi remove Abdullah, criticizing him for being beholden to the president and for prosecuting political activists critical of his leadership.

In his case to the court, the sacked prosecutor Mahmoud argued that the country’s top prosecutor cannot be fired by the president, saying Morsi’s decision “disregarded the principle of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary,” according to the state news agency.

Morsi initially dismissed

PHOTO: EPA

Russian envoy to Africa Mikhail Margelov told AFP news agency his country had pushed for an incremental approach to establishing the bank.

“We believe in a step by step way of doing business,” he said, “we better talk about projects and then we talk about needed amounts of money.”

The next BRICS summit will be in Brazil in 2014, but the leaders will meet in Russia on the margins of the G20 in September.

Mahmoud in October but had to rescind his decision because his office is not empowered to do so. Then, in a widely criticized decision, Morsi decreed that the prosecutor general could serve in office for only four years, with immediate effect on Mahmoud, who had held the post since 2006.

Morsi replaced Mahmoud with Talaat Abdullah, a career judge, and swiftly swore him in.

In the same decree, Morsi granted himself virtual immunity from judicial oversight, and similarly shielded a panel entrusted with drafting the country’s constitution from legal challenges it was facing.

Morsi’s aides at the time said his decisions were to “protect” the course of Egypt’s revolution against a judiciary packed with appointees of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Under pressure from mass protests that followed, Morsi subsequently rescinded the his own immunity, but retained the new prosecutor.

WORLD BULLETIN Zimbabwean court frees PM’s aides on bail

Four aides of Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were freed on bail yesterday; more than a week after their arrest drew criticism of President Robert Mugabe’s security forces in an election year.

The four, along with prominent human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, had been arrested for breaching official secrets law.

Critics accuse Mugabe of using state security to intimidate and crack down on opponents. The 89-year-old leader, who has ruled the southern African nation since independence from Britain in 1980, denies the allegations.

The detentions came a day after Zimbabweans overwhelmingly voted for a new constitution that seeks to curb the presidency and expand civil liberties.

“I am of the firm view that granting bail with strict conditions will meet the justice of this case,” High Court Judge Chinembiri Bhunu said when overturning last week’s decision by a lower court to deny the four bail.

The bail for the four was set at $500. Mtetwa was granted bail for the same amount on Monday.

ECOWAS defence chiefs call for transformation of AFISMA

The ECOWAS Committee of Chief of Defence Staff (CCDS) ended an extraordinary meeting in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday, calling for effective cooperation and coordination to ensure a seamless transformation of the African-led International Mission in Mali (AFISMA) into a United Nations field operation.

The two-day meeting, which discussed modalities for the transformation of the mission recommended that regional cooperation should be strengthened in the area of intelligence and information sharing, while troops-contributing countries should equip their staff as planned and continue their deployment.

Nearly 50 inmates escape from Libyan prison, 1 killed A Libyan security official says nearly 50 inmates have fled a prison in an oasis city in the country’s southern desert, and authorities shot one dead during the escape.

The security official said the inmates broke out of the prison in Sabha early Tuesday. He said prison guards fired warning shots to stop them, which resulted in the death of one. Two others were injured.

The official said nine inmates were arrested while authorities continue the search for 36 others.

The official said the prisoners were rioting against what they said were bad prison conditions, setting fire to their cells, and breaking up doors.

He said they jumped over the prison wall. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

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WORLD BULLETIN

Oscar Pistorius’ brother in court for homicide trial

The brother of South African athletics star Oscar Pistorius has appeared in court over a motorcyclist’s death in a road accident in 2008.

Carl Pistorius is charged with the culpable homicide of a 36-year-old woman, in a collision involving his vehicle near Johannesburg.

He pleaded not guilty.

In an unrelated case, Oscar Pistorius has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, last month - a charge he denies.

On Thursday, the Olympic and Paralympics star’s lawyers are expected to challenge in court the bail conditions imposed on him.

Prosecutors say Carl Pistorius was driving in Vanderbijlpark in March 2008 when he collided with the motorcyclist, Marietjie Barnard, who later died in hospital, AP news agency reports.

Although the culpable homicide charge against Carl Pistorius was initially dropped, it was reinstated earlier this year because forensic evidence and reports from the accident scene became available, it quotes prosecutors as saying.

US Supreme Court may strike down marriage law

Unites States Supreme Court justices yesterday indicated interest in striking down a law that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, a potential swing vote, warned of the “risks” that the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) infringes upon the traditional role of the states in defining marriage.

The 1996 U.S. law denies married same-sex couples access to federal benefits.

Several justices raised concerns about the law, indicating there could be a narrow majority to strike it down.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stressed how important federal recognition is to any person who is legally married.

“It affects every area of life,” she said.

US general warns of al-Qaida threat in Tunisia

The chief of the U.S. Africa Command has warned about alQaida attempts to gain a foothold in Tunisia.

Gen. Carter Ham told Tunisian radio late Tuesday that “it is very clear to me that al-Qaida intends to establish a presence in Tunisia.”

The North African nation of 10 million was the birthplace of the 2011 pro-democracy Arab Spring uprisings and has since seen a rise in radical Islamic movements.

Ham said that following talks with the government, which is led by moderate Islamists, he is convinced it is “committed to doing everything it can to prevent al-Qaida from establishing a presence.”

Ham, who took over Africa Command in March 2011 and is stepping down, was on a regional tour that included visits to southern Algeria and Libya.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Syria’s President Assad appeals to African summit for help

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yria’s increasingly isolated president sent a letter calling for help from leaders of five nations at an economic meeting yesterday in South Africa to help end his country’s civil war.

Bashar Assad’s appeal to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa came a day after the Arab League endorsed Syria’s Westernbacked opposition coalition, allowing it to take the country’s seat at a summit in Doha, Qatar. The move drew strong condemnation from Damascus, which warned it will take “appropriate measures” to defend its sovereignty.

Attempts to end Syria’s 2-yearold conflict through peaceful means have failed to make progress. The opposition, including the main Syrian National Coalition, says it will accept nothing less than Assad’s departure from power while Assad’s government has vowed to continue the battle until the rebel forces — which it refers to as terrorists — are crushed.

“This requires a clear international will to dry up the sources of terrorism and stop its funding and arming,” Assad said in the letter, which was carried by Syrian state media on Wednesday. It was addressed to the leaders at the BRICS forum, which was started in 2009 amid the economic meltdown to chart a new and more equitable world economic order.

Assad said Syria is subjected to “acts of terrorism backed by Arab,

Assad

regional and Western nations” and asked the leaders to “work for an immediate cessation of violence that would guarantee the success of the political solution.”

The opposition’s ascension to the Arab League further demonstrated the extent of the regime’s isolation two years into a civil war that the U.N. says has killed an estimated 70,000 people.

In a further show of solidarity with anti-Assad forces, the summit in Qatar endorsed the “right of each state” to provide the Syrian people and the rebel Free Syrian Army with “all necessary means to ... defend themselves, including military means.”

Following up on the endorsement, the Syrian National Coalition opened what it called its first

embassy, raising its green, white and black rebel flag at different site from the now-closed Syrian Embassy in the Qatari capital.

Key opposition figures looked on, including Ghassan Hitto, George Sabra and leader Mouaz al-Khatib, who recently said he was stepping down from his post and criticized the international community for not doing enough to back the anti-Assad forces.

Al-Khatib said the SNC will not discuss his resignation, leaving open the option that he could be asked to reverse his decision.

Envoys from the U.S., Turkey, France and other nations that have backed the rebels also attended the ceremony. The new embassy operations are mostly symbolic, but can serve as a base

Court convicts Bosnian Serbs of wartime persecution

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he Yugoslav war crimes tribunal convicted two senior Bosnian Serbs yesterday of key roles in a campaign of murder, torture and persecution against Muslims and Croats during the 1992-95 Bosnian war and sentenced them each to 22 years in prison.

Mico Stanisic was the interior minister in the breakaway Bosnian Serb republic set up during his country’s bitter war, while

Stojan Zupljanin was a senior security official in charge of police.

Prosecutors had sought life sentences for both men after charging them with involvement in a criminal conspiracy led by Bosnian Serb President Radovan Karadzic and his military chief, Gen. Ratko Mladic, to force Muslims and Croats out of what they considered to be Serb territory in Bosnia.

Presiding Judge Burton Hall said both men were in a position

Former Bosnian Serb senior security official and police chief Stojan Zupljanin, right.

PHOTO: AP

to prevent or punish crimes and neither did as Serb police and paramilitaries went on a rampage in early 1992, killing and mistreating non-Serbs as they tried to carve out a “Greater Serbia” during the bloody disintegration of Yugoslavia.

The two men “both intended and significantly contributed to the plan to remove Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats from the territory of the planned Serbian state,” Hall said.

Zupljanin stood and crossed himself as Hall said he was guilty of persecution, extermination, murder and torture. Stanisic stood stoically as he was convicted of persecution, murder and torture but was acquitted of extermination.

Zupljanin was convicted of extermination in part because he set up a notorious police unit that the court ruled “committed heinous crimes against Muslims and Croats, including rape, torture and murder” and that he deliberately shielded police under his command from prosecution in at least two massacres of Muslims.

for political initiatives. Many nations in the West, Arab world and elsewhere have declared the SNC the legitimate representative of the Syrian people and have effectively broken diplomatic ties with Assad’s government.

Al-Khatib criticized a decision

by NATO not to use U.S. Patriot anti-missile batteries based in Turkey to help protect parts of northern Syria from attacks by Assad’s military.

But the opposition alliance is marred by severe divisions among its ranks, and often disconnected from the rebel forces fighting inside Syria, so it’s not immediately clear how the developments in Qatar would translate on the ground.

The Syrian government said the Arab League’s decisions in favor of the opposition “violate in a flagrant way its charter.” A statement carried by state-run TV said the Doha summit “encouraged violence, radicalism and extremism that form a danger not only to Syria but for the whole Arab nation and the world.”

It said Damascus rejected the Arab summit’s decisions and reserved its right “to take appropriate measures to defend its sovereignty and interests of its people.” The statement added that Syria will continue the work to “guarantee security and stability and to protect the nation by fighting terrorism and terrorists.”

Strong quake hits Taiwan, kills one

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strong earthquake struck central Taiwan yesterday, killing at one person and injuring 19 as it damaged buildings on the quake-prone island.

The Central Weather Bureau said the magnitude-6.1 earthquake was felt throughout the island. Buildings swayed in the capital, Taipei, and sections of the high-speed rail line were suspended from service to be inspected for damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey placed the magnitude at 6.0. The quake’s depth was a relatively shallow 15 kilometres (9 miles).

Emergency officials said a 72-year-old woman died when a temple wall she was standing next to collapsed and crushed her in the mostly rural county of Nantou.

Near the Nantou epicenter, a section of a ceiling fell from a government office and injured one worker, officials said. In all, at least 19 people were injured, mostly by falling objects, the Fire Department said. A house fire caused by leaking gas was quickly put out, it added.

Nantou government official Chen Min-hui said tiles fell from a few school buildings and minor cracks appeared on walls, but all structures remained intact.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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51

Community Mirror “Don’t see your appointment into public office as an opportunity to dig from a goldmine, but one to write your name in gold.”

Lunatic, child resettled in Osun

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR JONAH JANG

52 JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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here was pandemonium in Angwan Yashi, Tudunwada Community of Jos North Local Gover nment of Plateau State, when the lifeless body of a nine year old boy was found hanging in the compound of the family house in what al-

Nine-year-old boy allegedly commits suicide

legedly looked like suicide.

The boy, identified as Henry Goodness, was said to be a primary one pupil at the Mesiah Foundation School in Tudun Wada Area. The body was said to have been discovered by neighbours,as the parents

were said to out when the incident occur red.

When Community Mirror visited the scene, the lifeless body was seen dangling by the wall in the compound. His uncle, Mr. Goodness, said a neighbour called to infor m him of the

bizar re incident. “I rushed back from my of fice to come and see what happened”,he said. The victim’s g randfather who was at the scene said, he suspected foul play, as a minor would never contemplate suicide. “The little boy had no known

problem and cannot commit suicide as something must be wrong”, he said in tears.

No one seemed to know why the victim hanged himself, even as the police has commenced investigations into the mystery sur rounding the alle ged suicide.

Agencies set to tackle crimes at Easter FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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One of the houses destroyed at Ganye, Adamawa, where a former commissioner was killed, following attack in the town.

PHOTO: NAN

Man arrested for defiling 8yr-old daughter Man arraigned for crushing 74-year-old to death SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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he Edo State Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man, Raphael Omada for allegedly having carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old girl.

Mr. Omada who was paraded in Benin City by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, confessed to the crime, even as he claimed it was his first time.

The offence was allegedly committed at Owan Town, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State where the father of six lives with his family.

Speaking to Community Mirror, the suspect, who hails from Nsukka in Enugu State said he took advantage of

the absence of his wife and children, to lure the innocent girl to his bedroom where he inserted his finger into her private part, as he however denied having sex with her.

According to him, his crime was exposed when the elder brother to the girl noticed her walking with difficulty and pains, even as he immediately alerted their mother, who after inquiry got to know he had sex with her daughter. The suspect added that an alarm by the girl’s mother attracted neighbours, who promptly arrested and handed him over to the police.

The state police boss, Adebanjo, said the suspect would be charged to court for child molestation and abuse as soon investigations are completed.

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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51 year-old man identified as Ogundimu Nojimu has been arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court 1 sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State for allegedly crushing a 74 year-old man to death.

Ogundimu, was accused of driving “recklessly and dangerously” on the AbeokutaShagamu Expressway, thereby leading to the death of the man identified as Aromokun Sobiye.

The accused was said to have committed the crime while driving his Nissan Primera car with registration number, Lagos MA 350 AAA March 22, 2013 at Tolu village in Obafemi-Owode Local Gov-

ernment Area of the state.

The Prosecution Counsel, Banji Sangotokun told the court that the accused was arrested after he hit Sobiye who was walking beside the road thereby, leading to his death.

He further said, that the suspect contravened section 325 of the criminal code part 1, of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006, stressing that he also violated section 18 of the Road Traffic Law volume 4 laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of murder.

Ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Ayoade Ayobolu granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 and consequently adjourned the case till May 6th, 2013.

head of Easter festival next week, the Ogun State Security Committee has held a meeting to map out strategies on ways of tackling the security challenges which may arise to mar the celebrations.

The meeting, which had in attendance heads of agencies in the state included Nigeria Police, Customs, Prisons, vigilance groups, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Immigration Service, State Security Service, SSS, and Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, and was chaired by the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye.

A statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the meeting explored ways of cementing the existing synergy among security agencies in the state.

Community Mirror however, gathered that the meeting may not be unconnected with the recent rumour that three headless bodies of university undergraduates were dumped on the Ijebu – Ode/Ibadan highway last Sunday.

Aside that, it was also gathered that the agencies were fine tuning modalities on the existing security arrangements, sequel to revelations from robbery suspects recently arrested in the state.

At the, the Police Commissioner praised the collaboration existing between the agencies and charged them to work towards forestalling any breakdown of law and order in the state.

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Community Mirror

Suit against Ajimobi, two others adjourned KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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n Ibadan High Court presided by Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte, has adjourned further till April 19, 2013 hearing on the suit instituted against the Governor of Oyo State ,Senator Abiola Ajimobi and two commissioners over the non-release of 404.74 acres of land.

Hearing on the land worth more than N16 billion also had suffered a set-back, as 22 families indicated readiness to join in the suit.

Following the development, counsel to the defendants Mr. N.A. Abiola, a Chief Legal Officer from the state Ministry of Justice pleaded for an adjournment to enable him peruse the documents and possibly file a necessary reaction.

Also, Mr. S. B. Ajayi, counsel appearing for three of the families, also sought for time to file counter affidavits and written addresses of the claimants.

Subsequent upon the requests, which the counsel to the claimants did not object to, Justice Gbolagunte then adjourned the case till April 19th.

It will be recalled that five families had dragged the governor, Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey before the court, seeking among others, a declaration that the claimants are the original owners of respective portions of lands measuring 404.74 acres and adjoining land occupied by NIHORT and FRIN. In their writ of summons,the claimants also sought a declaration that by virtue of the de-acquisition of the aforementioned land by the Federal Government of Nigeria and release of same by the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to the original owners through the first defendant, the land automatically reverts to the claimants’ families.

Justice Gbolagunte had at last week’s hearing, ordered that Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his aides stop carrying out any further activities on the disputed land at Idi-Ishin area of Ibadan.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Lunatic, child resettled in Osun ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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he premises of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital,LAUTH, Osogbo was turned to a carnival ground, as top government functionaries, political appointees and other citizens came to witness the naming ceremony of a lunatic’s child.

The boy who was christened Aregbesola Samuel Olusegun Okikiola by the hospital at the ceremony organised by the Department of Special Needs of the Min-

istry of Youth and Sports, was said to be in line with directive of Governor Rauf Aregbesola .

Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Infor mation and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, reiterated that the gover nor promised to resettle the child’s mother.

In his speech, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, Sport and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade said the governor directed the ministry to hold the naming ceremony, as he believes every citizen is equal and important and must be

treated with respect.

He said “the child’s relations were not earlier known but it was later discovered that the mother is from Ladesu Compound in Iwo and has been visiting the ministry after rehabilitation”.

Dignitaries at the occasion include the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Temitope Ilori, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega, Special Adviser on Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Funmi Eso Williams, officials of the ministry, doctors, health and social workers.

Commuters attending a party trying to push a distressed bus on Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

LG boss decries nonchalance by teachers

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n spite of efforts by education authorities at ensuring standard through proper teaching and learning, some teachers in Akamkpa Local Government Area, are refusing to be part of such laudable programme.

This revelation was made by the Chairman, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Ntufam Denis Nkiri when he granted audience to the Head of Service, Mrs. MaryTheresa Ikwen, in his office at Akamkpa.

The Chairman, who frowned at the carefree attitude of some teachers towards their duties, noted that recently he undertook a surprise visit to some schools in the area and discovered that most teachers were not on their duty posts.

He lamented that government’s lean resources were being expended on salaries without tangible results to show for it and appealed to these class of teachers to have a change in attitude for the interest of the educational development of Akamkpa in particular and the state in general.

Ntufam Nkiri commended the State Civil Service Monitoring Team for its effort in monitoring the service and called for its sustenance and intensification of the exercise for the interest of the service and the state.

He appealed to the relevant agencies saddled with the responsibility of supervising schools to come out with modalities that could curb the lacklustre approach towards teaching by some teachers in his area of jurisdiction.

The Chairman commended the Head of Service, for the choice of Akamkpa in holding the service sensitisation meeting with top management staff in all state government establishments in the Southern Senatorial District.

Mile 12 market traders warned on illegal parking MURITALA AYINLA

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orried by the frequent traffic gridlock on Ikorodu Road resulting from activities of traders at Mile 12 Market, the Lagos State Government has banned all illegal parking of cars in the market, especially during the Easter festival.

It also demanded that perishable good sellers honour arrangements earlier reached on parking of heavy duty trucks at Ishagamu, saying the indiscriminate parking and illegal street trading will no longer be tolerated.

The General Manager of

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Engr. Babatunde Edu and the chairman Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Bayo Sulaiman said this while meeting with the traders and all stakeholders in the market.

Edu warned the traders to eschew illegal parking and selling of perishable goods on the road, adding that they cannot continue doing business at the expense and rights of other citizens.

He said:” You must also provide a place where clients would park their vehicles, as you cannot expect them to park on the highway. The excuse that truck drivers al-

ways wait on the road when receiving money from customers is not tenable. They must leave on time to allow other trucks come in. Such payments should be made through the banks.

There are road blockades on the service lane due to the activities of traders and commercial drivers.

Things will not change until we change our attitude and ways of doing things”.

Edu also warned LAGBUS and BRT drivers against parking illegally; saying LASTMA officials have been empowered to take photo shots of erring drivers and their buses.

Speaking, the taskforce boss, Sulaiman warned the

National Union of Road Transport Workers,NURTW, to desist from driving on the service lanes, insisting that government would not condone such illegality.

He told the market and union leaders to restrict their operation within the market.

“Find a way to regulate your business, as you cannot continue operating while making people to suffer. Our job is to ensure things are in order in the market so you will not disturb others while carrying out your business.

“We are worried by complaints of other citizens who can no longer reach their homes on time following your activities”, he said.

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ASUP threatens strike, gives FG 21-day ultimatum JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve all the issues raised by the union, including the continued delay in the renegotiation of FGN/ASUP

agreement, or face indefinite strike.

The ultimatum, according to the communiqué issued at the end of the 73rd National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union held at Ilaro, Ogun State, began from March 25.

The communiqué was signed by ASUP National Publicity Secretary, Com-

rade Clement Chairman.

The union also decried the delay in the review of the Polytechnic Act and the nonrelease of government White Paper on the visitation panel to the polytechnics.

ASUP also faulted the non-implementation of the 65 years retirement age in some polytechnics and monotechnics, adding that

the implementation of the reviewed Scheme of Service and CONTISS 15 as it affects the lower cadre were among the demands of the union.

ASUP frowned at the wave of insecurity in the country, the presidential pardon for former convicts, the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Gov-

ernment, and the appointment of unqualified rectors in some state-owned institutions.

It called on government to direct the management of various institutions to immediately re-instate the wrongfully disengaged academic staff and henceforth to desist from such acts.

The union also asked the

government to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and discrimination associated with accessing TEFFund’s sponsorships and grants.

ASUP warned that failure to address these issues would result in a serious industrial disharmony which might have a negative impact on the country’s polytechnics.

Remove KOSIEC chair or face suit, APC warns Wada

Kano may convert diagnostic centre to teaching hospital

BABATUNDE ADEBAYO

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST

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K

KANO

LOKOJA

he All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it was planning to approach the courts over the alleged imposition of the chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, KOSIEC, who it said was a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The state APC Coordinator, who was former Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Hon. Goodman Umaru Aku, disclosed this yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the maiden meeting of APC, Aku urged Governor Idris Wada to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan, who removed all cardcarrying members of political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The APC coordinator said there was no way the KOSIEC Chairman, Mr. Abraham Ayo Olaniran, could conduct free and fair local government elections, alleging that he was biased in favour of PDP in the previous election which he conducted.

Aku also alleged that there were a lot of irregularities in the last council polls conducted by the body as the PDP candidates were aided to hijack election materials from KOSIEC headquarters in Lokoja.

He, therefore, urged Wada to appoint a neutral person, who is not a card-carrying member of PDP, to head the commission.

According to him, it is only an unbiased umpire that can conduct free and fair local government elections in the state.

The APC coordinator also alleged that Olaniran contested the state House of Assembly seat of Kabba/Bunu state constituency in 2011.

North-East regional officers/state officers and associate members of Community Policing Campaign of Nigeria taking the oath of office during their inauguration in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Fulani/Tiv clash: Body of missing cop found HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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search team raised by the Benue State Police Commissioner, Christopher Katso, yesterday recovered the body of a missing policeman, Sergeant Muktari Ibrahim.

The deceased was declared missing last weekend at Anguhwar near Naka in Gwer West Local Government Aea, where crisis had erupted between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Daniel Ezeala, said the deceased was among the team dispatched to maintain law and order during the crisis where four policemen and two civilians were killed by the warring groups.

Ezeala disclosed that the corpse had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi, saying that an autopsy was expected to be conducted

on the body to ascertain the cause of the policeman’s death.

However, the PPRO disclosed that no arrest had been made in connection with the Fulani/Tiv clash, adding that investigation was on to bring to book the perpetrators.

Ezeala said men of the command were working round the clock to ensure that those behind the heinous crime were caught to face the wrath of the law.

He enjoined the public to volunteer information

that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators, saying such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Last weekend Fulani herdsmen encroached on a honey farm at Anguhwar where they allegedly stole honey combs.

Trouble ensued when the owner of the farm confronted them.

This led to a clash between the Fulani and the community where about six persons were killed and several others injured.

Tsav urges Suswam to reconstitute cabinet HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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ormer Lagos Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has implored Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam to immediately reconstitute his cabinet.

Tsav spoke with our correspondent yesterday against the backdrop of

the vacuum created after the cabinet was reshuffled over a month ago.

In the cabinet shakeup, 11 of the 16 commissioners were dropped.

Tsav urged Suswam to hasten the process of reappointing another set of commissioners to ease governance.

The former police commissioner cautioned

that delay could be dangerous and could be tantamount to negligence on the part of government, which would not be in the interest of the people.

Tsav appealed to the public to exercise patience as he pledged to personally consult with the governor on the issue.

When reminded of the pressure being mounted on the governor, especially by the state traditional rulers, for him to reappoint the dropped commissioners, Tsav said: “Whoever is mounting pressure for the retention of the former commissioners does not mean well for the state.”

ano State Government may convert the Pfizer Diagnostic Centre at Kwanar Dawaki on the outskirts of Kano city to a teaching hospital for the state-owned Northwest University.

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso gave the hint while receiving the President of Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt, Prof. Abdulhakeem Abdel Khalek Khalil, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Kwankwaso said the government was contemplating the decision as part efforts to make the new university an enduring citadel of learning.

He said the complex, which is almost 100 per cent completed, seemed a good site for a teaching hospital.

The governor, however, said his administration would appreciate it if Khalil would advise it on what best to do with the centre.

Kwankwaso expressed the willingness of his government to partner with the Egyptian university, particularly in the area of education for mutual benefit.

He specifically said the university authorities and his administration could put heads together and see how citizens of Kano would be able to further their education at Tanta University, saying that the government was already planning to send 502 first degree holders abroad for postgraduate studies.

The governor focused on the long standing preindependence relationship between Kano and Egypt, pointing out that the fact that there exists daily air shuttle between Kano and Cairo, the Egyptian capital, speaks well about the relationship.

54

T

Insight

he recent spat between oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Joint Task Force (JTF) security outfit, specifically created to checkmate oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta, points to the fact that there are forces at work, bent on disrupting the re-established peace in the hitherto volatile region.

These forces are among those entrusted with the security of the area and are responsible for the production of crude oil, which accounts for over 80% of the country’s revenue. They are ensuring that Nigeria does not meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, production quota of 2.5million barrels per day, which translates to huge revenue loss for the country.

Managing Director of the SPDC, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, fired the first salvo when he said that his company was losing about 60, 000 barrels of oil to bunkerers and vandalism daily and that there had been an unprecedented upsurge in the past three months.

He also gave hint on the level of distrust between the JTF, other security agents in the region and the oil companies involved in the production of the country’s oil. This can be deduced from the war of words which ensued between the two bodies thereafter.

“The issue of crude oil theft like I have always maintained, is a very dangerous phenomenon. The reason I am addressing this media interview is because we have now witnessed a significant upsurge in the activities of crude oil thieves. The situation in the last few weeks is unprecedented. The volume being stolen is the highest in the last three years; over 60, 000 barrels per day from Shell alone. So, that for me is a great concern,” Sunmonu said.

He threatened that his company might shut down its operations in some parts of Rivers and Bayelsa states, if the ugly situation was not curbed.

While alluding to a theory that the country is in crisis, Sunmonu also took a swipe at the security agents responsible for securing pipelines and oil installations, charging them to step up their anti-theft operations if the war against the criminals is to make any meaningful impact.

Another concern of the oil chief is the alleged level of sophistication the perpetrators now employ in their nefarious activities. He also espoused the theory that these activities now have the ominous input from international syndicates and are adequately funded.

“The other important point for me is the fact that over time, this whole crime has gotten a lot more sophisticated and you could see that the perpetrators are now setting up barges, building yards, they are setting up storage

Thursday, March 28, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oil thieves gang up, threaten There is a new war in the Niger Delta region. This time, not about militants blowing up flow stations and oil pipelines, but international syndicates, their Nigerian conspirators, security agents and staff of the oil multi-nationals, in their greed, are ensuring that the nation does not meet her 2.5mbd quota. SAM OLUWALANA takes in-depth look into the criminal activities of these groups. facilities; they are setting up tank farms for storing the crude, prior to shipping out. So, if you look at all of these, it is very clear to me that this is not just an act by desperate individuals trying to make a living.

“This certainly is a well funded criminal activity, probably involving international syndicates. I really want to put it to you that we are in crisis. We are in crisis as a country because this is something which I worry is beyond the capacity of any individual company or beyond the capacity of a country to solve.

“If you overfly and you see how much oil that is being thrown into the environment, you will understand the import of my statement. This is beyond communities; this is well funded and carried out by heavily armed gangs. The JTF need to step up their game.

Well, if you look at what happened between July or August and November and probably December last year, we saw a significant drop in the amount of crude oil that is being stolen. But in January and February this year, it has gone up. So that is a challenge for the JTF.” The theory of international conspiracy in the illegal oil theft business was also echoed recently by the Senate President, David Mark, who frowned at the losses the country is recording daily because of unscrupulous international cartels, who use their Nigerian collaborators to perpetrate the crimes.

Taking a cue from the Shell threat, Italian oil firm, Eni, last week shut down its operations in Nembe, Bayelsa State, due to persistent oil thefts from its facilities. The company explained in a statement it issued from its Rome headquarters.

Eni said that it lost about 60 % of its daily production to this illicit trade and that it could not continue to operate under such unfavourable condition.

Shell had earlier declared force majeure in the area and had also announced that it would close down its operations in the area in April in order to plug about 90 ruptures created by oil thieves to siphon oil from of its facilities.

The alarm raised by the Shell MD, at a press conference in his Port Harcourt office,

Illegal refining site.

expectedly did not go down well with JTF commanders and they predictably countered the claims.

The JTF through its Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, however, denied Sunmonu’s claims, saying it had been up and doing in its operations.

In statement sent to National Mirror, Col. Nwachukwu reeled out achievements and breakthroughs the outfit had made in the last few months.

“The Joint Task Force, OPERATION PULO SHIELD is fighting a good fight in combating the hydra- headed menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta, this is evident in the number of successful interceptions and arrests that we have made not only in the immediate past year (2012) but even in the two months that we have spent in the new year.

“Last year alone, 7, 585 anti-illegal bunkering patrols were conducted. A total of 18 vessels, 1,945 suspects were arrested while 4,349 illegal crude oil distilleries were destroyed. Also destroyed were 133 barges, 1,215 Open wooden boats (Cotonu boats), 187

WE HAVE NOW WITNESSED A SIGNIFICANT UPSURGE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF

CRUDE OIL THIEVES.

THE

VOLUME BEING STOLEN IS THE HIGHEST IN THE LAST THREE YEARS; OVER

Firemen putting out fire resulting from burst pipeline

60,

000 BARRELS PER DAY

oil theft tanker trucks, 178 illegally distilled fuel dumps as well as 5,574 surface tanks. In addition, 36,504 drums of distilled petroleum products, 638 pumping machines and 326 outboard engines were seized and scuttled. We have just transited into the third month of year 2013 and the JTF is not relenting.

“So far we have arrested 260 suspects, eight vessels, nine barges and 90 open wooden barges. We have as well scuttled 452 distilleries or cooking spots of stolen crude oil within this period. As a matter of fact, at the moment, one of the oil companies is pleading with JTF to do well to evacuate the several vessels impounded and docked at its jetty including the NPA jetty because there was no more space for vessels to berth.

“It’s therefore quite difficult to reconcile the upsurge spoken of by SPDC given these record achievements. I am however not unaware that our patrol troops have often times reported incidents of ruptures on the pipelines whenever they find one and as we speak, there are still a good number of those ruptures left unclamped in Dasaba and Mekakiri creeks for instance. Apparently JTF does not have the expertise to clamp them, the oil companies do. JTF does not have the manpower to put operatives permanently on over 6000km pipeline. Mind you, we are talking of over 6000km right of way in the mangroves not on a straight cleared path,” the JTF statement said.

“We have always been on top of our game.

In as much as we are not against constructive criticisms, we take exception to unsubstantiated insinuations been peddled at

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, March 28, 2013

55

Nigeria’s revenue SO FAR WE HAVE ARRESTED 260 SUSPECTS, EIGHT VESSELS, NINE BARGES AND 90 OPEN WOODEN BARGES. WE HAVE AS WELL SCUTTLED 452 DISTILLERIES OR COOKING SPOTS OF STOLEN CRUDE OIL WITHIN THIS PERIOD

vantage pedestals, where people expect well researched, investigated and informed opinions.

“I am not in a position to talk about support from any oil firm because it is not SPDC that is losing but rather Nigerian government and the inhabitants of those oil polluted lands and creeks. All hands must be on deck to put a stop to this criminality with many faces,” Nwachukwu added.

On the solution to the imminent crisis, the Shell MD had enjoined all stakeholders to join hands to combat the menace.

“We really need concerted efforts nationally, locally and internationally to actually get this under control. It’s really going to cause a big devastation, but I really worry about crude oil theft. My worry is not about the economy per se, the economy itself is huge, but I worry more about the devastation for the people of Niger Delta, the destruction it will cause in the social and environmental aspects of the people of the Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

“I really want to make the point that we are in crisis and I cannot as the MD of SPDC in all good conscience, just continue to put my head in the sand. This is really getting to the crunch I must say, that rather than allow people to continue to attack my pipelines and devastate the environment, I may actually consider shutting in the pipelines completely.

So, it is getting to that crunch point and I hope that every hand will really join us in actually getting this under control.”

National Mirror’s investigations revealed that there is international conspiracy for the

theft and vandalism of oil facilities. The illegal activities are more pronounced in the NCTL areas, Kakrama and Awoba.

But judging from the exchange of words, claims and counter claims, it becomes clear that there is distrust among the multi-nationals and the military outfit providing security in the Niger Delta region. It is a case of two bodies working at cross purposes.

In the past, there were allegations of operatives of the JTF colluding with oil thieves or vandals or in some cases directly involved in the acts, while there had been also cases of staff of oil companies involved in the acts.

National Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP), Mrs. Joy Nunieh-Okunnu, said recently that her team had caught some JFT operatives siphoning products from an NNPC facility, although this was denied by the JTF. National Mirror however, found out that all the stakeholders have their hands in the till, meaning that all these elements are involved in the illegal bunkering activities, to the detriment of the country’s economy, despite the fact that they all deny complicity in the act.

The stakeholders include security outfits, employees of oil companies, community residents, government officials, oil barons and international criminals and militants in the creeks. The JTF is made up of men of the Army, SSS, Police, Navy, Civil Defense, Immigration and Customs.

Just like in any other endeavour, these group of Nigerians aid criminals involved in illegal oil bunkering damage to oil pipelines and installations despite consistent official denials.

Investigations revealed that soldiers and men from other security services crave to serve in the Niger Delta area and these officers are only interested in the ill-gotten wealth they can obtain form the region.

“Can you imagine that a Naval personnel or Soldier posted to the Niger Delta can build a house and amass great wealth within a few months of their posting to the area?” A resident asked this reporter rhetorically.

A posting to the area is regarded as a choice transfer within the security agencies.

The saddest part is that communities in the region bear the brunt of these illegal activities, which unfortunately lead to severe pollutions and environmental degradation.

Residents of oil producing communities accuse security operatives of complicity in illegal oil theft, by giving protection to the criminals involved in the act, while also shielding them from prosecution.

Apart from the security operatives, staff of the oil companies had at one time or the

Oil bunkerers arrested by the JTF

A Vandalised pipeline

AVERAGE LOSSES PER DAY Shell

Nembe, Bayelsa State

60, 000 barrels

ENI

Nembe, Bayelsa State

25, 000 barrels

Agip

Tarabora, Bayelsa State

45, 000 barrels

Chevron

Bayelsa & Rivers states

25, 000 barrels

TOTAL

Rivers State

35, 000 barrels

•Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said Nigeria loses N775bn to oil thefts annually. other been arrested for illegal oil bunkering activities.

Col. Nwachukwu revealed that the JTF had arrested some employees of Shell siphoning oil from the company’s facility last year, even though the company tried to absolve the culprits.

“On November 19, 2012 at about 9pm, two staff of the SPDC who broke their own (SPDC) pipeline in Kporgho, Gokana LGA of Rivers State and siphoned oil were arrested by troop of Sector 2 JTF and SPDC came up later and tried to rationalise the incident, by saying they were its contract staff. They were later handed over to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps since we do not possess powers to prosecute them.”

Some communities have also accused officials of Shell and other oil companies of being involved in illegal bunkering and oil pipeline vandalise. The Kalabari Chapter of the Ijaw Youth Council accused top management staff of Shell of being responsible for all the oil spillage that had occurred in their kingdom.

A member of the protesting youths, Johnny Braide, told National Mirror that due to increased incidents of oil spillage, their environment have been polluted and that they are exposed to hazards. Their Mobilisation Officer, Nimisiri Benibo Briggs, added that

attempts by people of the community to have a round table discussion with the management of the oil firm, had been rebuffed.

However, residents of the communities in the Niger Delta, while though genuinely crying over the degradation of their environment, some are also deeply involved in illegal oil bunkering on a daily basis.

National Mirror discovered that because they are conversant with the creeks and terrain of the areas, they perpetrate the acts even though in smaller scales compared to those of the oil executives. They use speed boats, called ‘Cotonou’ boats that can accommodate small quantity of oil products and refine them in any of the hundreds of illegal local refineries with dot the region.

Officials of the Federal Governmentowned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have also been variously accused of complicity in the oil theft activities too.

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, at a Town Hall meeting in Okrika, threatened to organise a mass action against the NNPC for serious pollution of the area.

Some residents of the area who spoke with National Mirror said officials of the corporation are heavily involved in siphoning oil products illegally from their facilities around the area and that their activities have caused a lot of pollution and heartache for them.

Clearly, all those involved in the security, production and regulation of crude oil production in the country are also involved in its illegal sale, despite denials.

An official of PENGASSAN, who spoke with National Mirror in confidence on the situation, painted a gloomy picture of the future of the country’s democracy if the trend is not reversed soon.

“The oil companies lose about 10 % of their daily production to illegal oil bunkering. It is dangerous for democracy, because there is no government that can survive under this condition, because what it will mean is that there won’t be funds for the government,” he said.

WORLD RECORD

Most expensive hot dog Vol. 03 No. 587

The most expensive hot dog is the California Capitol City Dawg which sells for USD $145.49 (GBP £93.39) at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California, USA and was introduced on 31 May 2012.

N150

Thursday, March 28, 2013

A presidential seal on corruption

A

t last, President Goodluck Jonathan has given a clear, if inadvertent, indication of the intention of his administration in the war against corruption. His pardon of convicted former Governor D.S.P. Alamieyesiegha of Bayelsa State (Alams for short) against all rationality has finally exposed Mr. President’s insincerity in battling Nigeria’s biggest problem.

If this was intended as coup d’état, it is a gross miscalculation which may end up a coup de grace on what is left of the president’s dwindling reputation because this blatant assault on our national sensibilities would have dire consequence on the nation’s image. A disbelieving world is already reacting with disgust and umbrage; Microsoft chairman, Bill Gates has cancelled his proposed visit to Nigeria in protest, and the United States is likely to cut aid to our country because of what is

W

orld number one, Novak Djokovic, yesterday suffered a shock defeat to Tommy Haas to leave Andy Murray in the box seat at the Sony Open in Miami.

Haas completely outplayed Djokovic for a 6-2 6-4 victory meaning Murray, who earlier

THE PRINCE OF NIGERIA PARADIGM Chris

Okotie

Okotie@revchrisokotie.com; twitter@revchrisokotie, 08078421451 (sms only)

clearly the biggest blunder of the Jonathan Presidency. The western countries may sanction Nigeria for this politically naive decision.

The last time Nigeria was sanctioned by the international community was during the late General Sani Abacha dictatorship when the nation became a pariah state. It is a tragedy that our democratically elected government is now taking the country on the same path of global isolation because of its revisionist policies.

Human memory may be short, but many observers will recall that recently President Jonathan firmly restated his commitment to battle corruption after he was criticised for treating the country’s chief enemy with kid gloves. That is why his volte-face is sending shock waves across the world.

In the past, the President demonstrated an unusual capacity to ride over storms, he may find this one too hot to handle. This singular misstep may ultimately become his albatross in his deft manoeuvre for 2015. Already his party, the PDP realising the wider implications of this unpopular action, has tried to feign ignorance of the decision before it was taken. This is like hiding behind one finger.

The PDP may be biting more than it can chew; it is presently embroiled in a major internal crisis over the 2015 ambitions of some of its heavy weights. It is also standing on a moral quick stand over the Jonathan’s action on Alams. It has many corruption scandals to contend with, as well as a number of unfinished businesses like the

THIS SINGULAR MISSTEP MAY ULTIMATELY BECOME HIS ALBATROSS IN HIS DEFT MANOEUVRE FOR

2015

power project, infrastructural deficit, poor budget implementation, the debt burden etc. For Mr. President to grant clemency to a man whose anti-corruption trial generated global interest just a few years ago, is to put a presidential seal on corruption and aggravate the battered image of his government and party. How his spin doctors will manage this remains to be seen.

Alams was pardoned alongside the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua; Generals Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Oladipo Diya, and the late General Abdukarim Adisa etc, who were implicated in Abacha’s phantom coup. The President did this to give a semblance of humanity and genuine compassion to the entire exercise. But as he has found out, the world cannot be fooled. You don’t mix the goats with the sheep in this way without getting adverse reactions.

The widespread condemnation of the late General Abacha over the kangaroo trial of the alleged coupists and their subsequent conviction forced him to commute the death sentences of some of them to life imprisonment. The injustice in this

exercise was apparent. That was why the eccentric General caved in to worldwide pressure, and was unable to carry out the executions of the condemned coupists before he died suddenly.

Therefore, the clemency granted to these military officers, whose commissions were abruptly terminated by their trail, was well deserved. But lumping their cases with that of Alams is to dent the entire exercise.

It tends to diminish the merit of the pardon of these men. Their only consolation is the restoration of their benefits, which this exercise confers. History may be less harsh in judging them as their case was a clear miscarriage of justice.

Most disturbing was the manner in which the whole episode was packaged.

It smacks of mischief. Pleas for clemency are made by applicants or by recommendations to the Committee for the Prerogative of Mercy, which is located in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The President then presents the recommendation to the National Council of States (NCS) for deliberation.

In this case, it is doubtful if Mr Jonathan followed this protocol in the most appropriate way. However, the President can grant clemency to deserving persons at his own discretion, but not in an untoward manner, as this Alams case has turned out to be.

The NCS comprises former heads of state, former Chief Justices of the Federation, state governors, leadership of the National Assembly and Attorney-General of the Federation. According to media reports, the Alams clemency issue was dealt with in a surreptitious manner. Some key members of the NCS, General Muhammadu Buhari, former President Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida, did not attend the meeting where the contentious decision was taken, having gotten wind of the move to pardon the ex-Bayelsa Governor. So, this Alams matter bears the exclusive signature of President Jonathan; he alone must take responsibility.

Pastor Okotie, is Senior Pastor, Household of God and a politician

Sport Extra

Tennis: Djokovic falls to Haas in Miami beat Andreas Seppi, is the highest seed left in the tournament going into the quarter-finals.

From 2-1 down in the first set, Haas won seven straight games to go 6-2 2-0 up and, though Djokovic eventually broke back

to level, the 34-year-old held on for his first victory against a world number one since 1999.

Djokovic saved break points in his next service game too, before holding to stop the rot, then pounced on some rare un-

forced errors from Haas to seal a break of his own and level at 3-3.

Haas broke again though at 4-4 and it proved decisive as he sealed the match at the second attempt with a forehand winner.

Novak Djokovic

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