Thursday, September 27, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Floods: Govt orders Kogi community to relocate ONDO GUBER POLL .

COUNTDOWN TO

Delta camps victims in schools

ROTIMI FADEYI, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN AND ADEMU IDAKWO

Wada

Vol. 2 N0. 457

Bakassi:

he National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has urged some communities

in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to move immediately to high CONTINUED ON PAGE 3>>

October 20, 2012

Mimiko, obstacle to sustainable devt, says ex-minister

DAYS TO GO

Thursday, September 27, 2012

P.16

N150

Senate asks Jonathan to appeal ICJ judgement ...says ceding was illegal

GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

he Senate yesterday passed a resolution, the urging Federal Government to immediately file an appeal against the October 9, 2002 International Court of Justice, ICJ, judgement which ceded the oil-rich to peninsula Bakassi Cameroon. It also advised the Federal Government to take advantage of the opportunity provided by CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Vandalism: JTF takes over Arepo pipeline P.6 .

Bank PHB: ‘Atuche used N45m to pay tithes’

P.4

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Saudi Arabia deports 500 female pilgrims FG summons ambassador in Nigeria

Cynthia: Taxi driver, two others appear in court

P.2 P.8

News

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saudi Arabia deports 500 female pilgrims OUR CORRESPONDENTS

bout 159 Nigerian female pilgrims were deported yesterday from Saudi Arabia for embarking on Hajj without male guardians and proper travel documentation, while 341 others are still being held pending deportation by the Saudi authorities for the same reasons. This development came even as the Federal Government yesterday summoned Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Khaled Abdrabuh for explanation over the detention of about 1,000 Nigerian female pilgrims. Those deported yesterday returned into the country through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, aboard Med-View Airlines and Max Air flights, complained of maltreatment in the hands of the Saudi authorities. A source close to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, confided in National Mirror that those affected were intending pilgrims who had gone to Mecca as unmarried or unescorted females, which was contrary to one of the condi-

tions for fulfilling the hajj. Some of them had their travel documents arranged by travel agents and found to be irregular. It was also gathered that 13 pilgrims from Oyo State were among those affected while the rest were from the North. When our correspondent contacted the Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Alhaji Uba Manna, last night, he confirmed the “return” of 159 Nigerians, but insisted that they were not deported. He said: “They were not deported. What happened was that we had an experience in one of our destinations in Saudi Arabia; Medina. For your information, we also land in Jeddah. Our pilgrims arrived there and until this morning (yesterday), they were never detained. None of them was detained in Medina. “What happened was that Medina is a very small airport, just like our local airport here without enough facilities. “So, when they got there, NAHCON decided not to leave anybody there because they could not be cleared by the airport authorities and we decided to return them back to the country and they

were brought with the same aircraft that took them to the country. “The reason is that if they were to be deported, they will never enter Saudi Arabia again in the next five years. So, the commission, knowing that there were not enough facilities, decided to bring them back pending when the issue would be resolved between the two countries. “They were all females.

The reason was because they didn’t have guides like husbands or blood relations. So, if you are to travel for a pilgrimage like this, you need to go with a guardian and the Saudi authorities are saying these 159 pilgrims had no guides. “They were from three different states with three different aircraft that took them there. There were pilgrims from Oyo (13), taken there by Medview Airline,

about 62 from Taraba State by Max Air and another 84 from Katsina by the same Max Air. “They returned because the conditions were not favourable to them at that particular point in time and we had to return them to Nigeria pending when the issue would be resolved. Sincerely speaking, the issue is beyond the commission now and we have resorted to the Presidency to resolve

the issue.” Manna noted that for women to observe the operation, “they must have guardians who are either their blood relations or husbands.” He insisted that if they were deported, their passports would have been stamped and they would not be able to return to Saudi Arabia in the next five years, stressing that to avoid CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Permanent Secretary, DFID, Mr. Mark Howcock; Permanent Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr. Simon Fraser and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during a courtesy call on the vice-president by United Kingdom delegation, in Abuja on Tuesday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Bakassi: Senate asks Jonathan to appeal ICJ judgement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Article 61 (5) of the ICJ statute to file the appeal ahead of the October 10, 2012 deadline when the Green Trade Agreement, GTA, comes into final effect. The Senate described the process that led to the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon in 2006 as illegal, unconstitutional and inchoate. The lawmakers explained that the condition precedent was not followed before the Federal Government signed the contentious GTA. They argued that by virtue of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the purported GTA must be domesticated by the National Assembly before it could become a binding legal document. The lawmakers, therefore, insisted that the GTA was not and had never been brought before them, “hence in the eyes of the Senate, it does not exist.” The senators stated that to the best of their knowledge, the ICJ judgement had not been domesticated

by any arm of the two chambers of the National Assembly. The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, titled, “The judgement of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, on the international boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroon, including Bakassi: A call for appeal.” The Senate President, David Mark, who read the resolution, promised that it would be sent to President Goodluck Jonathan. In addition, Mark said he would personally write to the President on the matter, stressing the urgency and the need for Nigeria to appeal the judgement on time to meet the October 10 deadline. According to him: “It is better we appeal now and not win than not to appeal at all. Time is not on our hands; whatever response we have must not be out of time.” He said Nigerians generally believe that we must

not cede Bakassi, stressing that “this Senate will protect all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion.” Recently, there have been agitations by some Nigerians for the Federal Government to review, renege or repudiate the ICJ ruling. To break the impasse arising from the implementation of the judgement, the United Nations Secretary General further facilitated the GTA between the two aggrieved countries, signed by both parties on June 12, 2006. The agreement authorised the two countries to implement the decision of the court and to recognise the land and maritime boundary between them as delineated by the court. A group, The Bakassi Self-Determination Front, has been at the forefront for this agitation. Following the growing agitations, the Federal Government said that as a responsible, peace-loving and law-abiding country, Nigeria was guided by the provisions of its constitution.

It added that the constitution enjoined the country to respect international laws and treaty obligations and to settle international disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication. In a statement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and signed by its spokesman, Mr. Ogbole Odeh, government said in line with the principles of rule of law, “Nigerians who are affected by the ICJ ruling, must ensure that they live within the laws of their new authority.” Government said it welcomed the recent statement by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, condemning the cessation threat emanating from Bakassi. It appealed to the residents of Bakassi to remain calm and not to resort to unconstitutional acts capable of threatening the peace. Two days ago, President Jonathan restated the government’s position while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Article 61 (5) of the ICJ Statute states that: “An application for revision of a judgement may be made when it is based upon the discovery of some facts of such a nature as to be a decisive factor, which fact was, when the judgement was given, unknown to the Court and also to the party claiming revision, always provided that such ignorance was not due to negligence.” The debate on the motion was emotional as lawmakers regretted that Bakassi was ceded without the consent of the people who would have expressed their desire through a referendum or plebiscite. In supporting the motion, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba described Cross River State “as the immediate victim, the minority of the minority, the helpless and the hapless.” According to him: “Bakassi was handed over to Cameroon at a time when there was no constitutional government in Cross River State because as at that time the governor of the

state, Liyel Imoke, had been removed by the court. He, therefore, wondered why Nigeria was in a hurry to obey the judgement. The senator noted that ICJ judgement would go down in history as the fastest judgement of the court in the world to be respected. Ndoma-Egba said: “Bakassi was not ceded by Cross River State; it was ceded by the Federal Government in spite of the state, which now demands protection from the Nigerian state as a people who are part of Nigeria. “If the Nigerian state cannot protect the state, the Senate should do so. We must have another look at the treaty making process with the ongoing constitution review. “Let us take advantage of the window which Article 61 provides.” Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said there were two options open to the country on the matter. The first, he said, was to appeal the judgement and CONTINUED ON PAGE 3>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Floods: Govt orders Kogi community to relocate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ground in the neighbouring councils. It said the relocation order was necessitated by the rise in water level in the area.

This is even as rescuers have continued to evacuate displaced people from rooftops and trees. NEMA Director-General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, gave the warning yesterday after

presenting additional relief materials to the victims. Sani-Sidi said: “It is now necessary to call on people living in Ibaji to either move to Idah Local Government Council or to closer

communities.” The NEMA boss, who presented the relief materials to Governor Idris Wada, for distribution to the victims, said the agency was now deploying big boats

Aerial view of submerged part of Lokoja, Kogi State.

Residents wading through the flood in Anwai area of Asaba, Delta State.

and recruited local canoe owners for the evacuation exercise. He added that the agency was working with the Nigerian Red Cross Society to explore further assistance for the affected persons. The situation, he said, “necessitated a request for the deployment of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society’s global tool: Field Assessment and Coordination Team. A three-man team has already been mobilised by the Geneva headquarters and the team is expected shortly in Nigeria for the possible assistance to the victims of the floods.” Wada, who was also flown by the NEMA team in a rescue helicopter for aerial survey of the flooded communities, said: “The situation is not only devastating but alarming by the magnitude of damage to the communities as we had just seen from the air.” While commending the promptness and expertise of the NEMA team in the rescue efforts, he called for further aid by relevant bodies. Meanwhile, more teams from NEMA regional offices are said to be moving to some South-Eastern states where massive flooding is being experienced. They include Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State and Oguta and Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Councils of Imo State. It will be recalled that prior to this, NEMA assessment team had visited

Ekwusigo, Anambra East and Anambra West Councils. Also inspected were Ikwo Izzi, Afikpo North, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Local Government of Ebonyi State. The team had also visited Udi and Uzo Umani Local Governments. The widespread flooding engaged the attention of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday at its meeting with the Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia, saying that the government would soon contain the situation. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Mailafia noted that the issue of flooding had become a great concern all over the world because of the climate change. “The flooding we are experiencing in the country does not in any way fall into what you can term manmade. “This is a natural phenomenon that cuts across the globe. With the kind of technology put in place in the United States, they still have flooding there, in China and even in Niger, an arid land. “For anyone to think that government has not done or there was something that we needed to do that we have not done, is a little bit worrisome because there is a limit to which you can fight nature. “What we have done in the last couple of months is consistently to educate people, calling the attention of government and indiCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Bakassi: Senate asks Jonathan to appeal ICJ judgement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

the second was to repossess Bakassi. The senator urged the Federal Government to proceed to repossess the lost territory without recourse to an appeal, “which may not be diligently prosecuted.” He said: “We have barely less than two weeks for an appeal and we have two options; one is to appeal the judgement while the second is to go back to Bakassi and repossess it. “Nigeria is supposed to be the leader in Africa and it is unfortunate that some people, due to pecuniary reasons, ceded Bakassi to Cameroon.

“If Nigeria had not elected to approach the ICJ, there would have been no judgment entered against us. There was no reason for us to have agreed to go to the ICJ; there was no form of urgency to go to the court, particularly when we were in physical possession of Bakassi. “Can we sit here as a Senate and say, legally speaking, that Bakassi has been ceded to Cameroon? The answer is no. With the attitude of the Federal Government, I do not believe that in the event of an appeal, it will be vigorously pursued. The best thing to do is for Nigeria to go and repossess

Bakassi. “Today, Nigerians living in Bakassi are treated like animals, since the condition precedent which is the domestication before ceding, was not followed.” In his own contribution, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe said: “The question that arises is: In which country in the world can a country willingly give away its property? “You cannot say because Bakassi is a small minority and so they do not matter. “Experts in the area of the existing treaty on Bakassi were never consulted throughout the period the matter lasted at the ICJ.”

Senator Ita Enang said: “Nigeria should appeal the ICJ judgement because a treaty is not self-executing as Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution requires that treaties are domesticated and even without domestication of the GTA, the executive went ahead to cede Bakassi to Cameroon. “Nigeria must urgently seek leave to appeal the judgement as the process of ceding is inchoate.” According to the senator representing Cross River South, Bassey Out, “A nation that cannot take care of the lives of its people is not worth its salt. “The ICJ judgement is

a negation of human existence itself. The ICJ judgement has never been respected in the whole world, except in Nigeria. “We have all the facts that Bakassi belongs to Nigeria. And it is not too late to appeal as we have fresh facts. He submitted a document to the Senate President showing that the people of the state had 10 new pieces of evidence to support the appeal as required by Section 61 of ICJ statute. He said any nation that could not protect the lives and property of its citizens “is not worth the loyalty of the people.”

“It is Bakassi today it may be another part of the country tomorrow,” he added. Mark said, “In spite of what the President said at the UN, we still have not accepted the ICJ judgement. What that means is that yes, we are obeying the court judgement and that even puts us in better position to appeal the judgement. “Now we will bring out all the other treaties that are lying with us and take decisions on them and know the ones we have to agree with and the ones not to agree with and send them back to the executive.”

PhotoNews

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Chairman of the occasion and President, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Adewale Osomo; Editor, Online, The Nation, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin and author of the book, Mr. Joseph Agbro, during the public presentation of the book: Served in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI House of Representative Committee Chairman on Air Force, Hon. Kenneth Archibong (left) and Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, during the committee’s visit to the governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; former President of South Africa and Chairman, African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, Mr. Thabo Mbeki and former President of Burundi, Mr. Pierre Buyoya, during the ongoing negotiation between Republic of Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odikalu; Mrs. Mercy Usua; a commercial driver, Mr. Ume Usua and Director General, Security and Exchange Commission, Mrs. Arunma Oteh, at the Integrity Award presentation to Usua for returning N15 million left in his cab to the owner in Lagos, on Tuesday.

National News

Inactive lines: Telcos lose N234bn potential revenue KUNLE A ZEEZ

he growing number of inactive telephone lines has cost telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria an estimated N234bn in revenue loss in first seven months of 2012, according to National Mirror investigation. The figure, as gathered, represents the total estimated revenue losses recorded by the telecoms companies, comprising the Global System for Mobile Communications operators, the Code Division Multiple Access operators and the fixed line networks in the country spanning January 2012 and end of July 2012. National Mirror gathered from the latest industry data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the telecoms industry regulator that the number of connected but redundant or inactive telephone lines in the industry has grown significantly from Janu-

ary reaching 37.6 million at the end of July, 2012. According to the findings, in January 2012, the number of inactive telephone lines stood at 31.9 million. The number of redundant phone lines increased to 35.2 million in February; 35.8 million in March but slightly fell to 35 million in April with operators In May, the figure dropped 32.6 million inactive lines; while in June and July, the figure surged 33.7 million and 37.6 million respectively. Meanwhile, the cost implication of the inactive telephone lines monthly was based on conservative estimate, using the current industry Average Revenue Per User in Nigeria by the Business Monitor International Limited, a research and consulting firm. According to BMI, the current ARPU in Nigeria is estimated at estimated at N1,011. ARPU is the financial benchmark used globally by telecoms companies

to measure the average monthly or yearly revenue generated from an average subscriber. Consequently, with an APRPU of N1011 and 31.9 million inactive telephone lines recorded on the networks in January, 2012, operators made an estimated loss of about 32.2bn. In February, the revenue losses increased to N35.5bn and in March,

it moved to N36.1bn. However, the loss in revenue fell slight to N25.3bn in April; N32.9bn in March while it increased to N34bn in June and jumped to N38bn at the end of July 2012. According to the NCC data, as at the end of July, 2012, Nigeria had 140.4 million connected telephone lines on all mobile networks in the country,

03.4 million of which were active, leaving about 37 million telephone lines inactive. Industry analysts confirmed to National Mirror that the huge number of connected telephone lines, which subscribers have dumped for another line, was putting pressure on the revenue generation of telephone firms. One of the analysts, Mr. Akin Akinbo, said: “It is

true that many subscribers have today dropped one SIM line for another one, ostensibly because the new one is offering reduced tariff or special value-added services or as a result of a promos being run by an operator, which promises more goodies for the operators or as a result of poor coverage of an operator in preference for another one.

EFCC alleges Atuche used depositors’ funds to pay N45m tithes

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday at an Ikeja High Court claimed that the former managing director of Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche, used depositors’ funds to pay N45 million tithe in churches. Lead prosecution counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), made the claim at the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Lateefat Okunnu. Pinheiro, while leading a key witness, Mr. Solomon Abolaji Ogunsola, a former staff of PHB Mortgages Limited, in evidence

claimed that Atuche paid the money from an account of PHB Mortgage Limited. Pinheiro presented documents in court, some of them e-mails sent as an order to release the sum of N35million to St. Monica Catholic Church, Ibusa, Delta State, and another sum of N10 million to another St. Augustine Catholic Church. In his testimony, Ogunsola told the court that Atuche sent the money to the two churches in Delta State because he hails from there. Ogunsola admitted knowing two companies: Claremount Nigeria Lim-

ited and Claremount Asset Management and he added that Claremount Nigeria Limited had a call account with his bank and the account was owned by Atuche. He explained that the only document on the call account’s file was a reference letter which bears Atuche’s name. The document was admitted as exhibit. Ogunsola, who is the former Managing Director of Mortgages Bank PHB, also testified that no company complained of their money being transferred to another account.

He also said that he was aware that funds were transferred from some company accounts in Mortgages Bank PHB to some individual accounts in other banks. According to him, the companies includes Clearmount, AFCO, Commercial rading, Clearview, Noel, Consolidated Business Support, and Arabian Probity . Besides, he stated that to his knowledge, nobody in the companies complained about their funds being transferred. Jusitce Okunnu adjourned the case till October 14.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Floods: Govt orders Kogi community to relocate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

viduals of the need to move away from flood plains. “Where you have in a country about 5,000 farms washed away, then the chances are that there is cause for attention. “It is of national interest, so all what we are saying is that it is a national emergency. It calls for sober reflection. It does call for open debate of who did that and what,” she said. Minister of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen, yesterday said that alternative routes from Abuja-Lokoja would be open to motorists immediately.

The main road was closed to motorists because of the flooding. Speaking at a press briefing, Onolememen said that the alternative roads were to ease flow of traffic, stressing that the main Abuja-Lokoja road would soon be re-opened to motorists as soon as the flood resides. In Delta State, hundreds of communities situated on the bank of the River Niger have been sacked by the flood, forcing the state government to relocate displaced persons to public schools. The Chairman of the

state Special Emergency Committee on Flood Disaster Management, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, described the disaster as overwhelming and called for the intervention of the relevant federal agencies. Communities in the over seven local government areas of the state, including Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ndokwa East, Ughelli South, Bomadi, Burutu and Isoko South have been sacked by the flood. Some of the affected communities are Asaba, the state capital, Anwai, Illah, Okwagbe, Uzere, Aviara, Abari, Burutu, Boma-

di, Okpai, Aboh, Abala- Oshimili, Abala-Uno, Oko. Thousands of households have been displaced with some lives said to have been lost. But the state government’s committee raised to tackle the flood has succeeded in relocating some displaced persons around Asaba to the St. Patrick’s College. Utuama, whose committee has been going round the affected communities, lamented the extent of devastation, describing the disaster as overwhelming and beyond the capacity of the state government.

L-R: Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Muhammed Lawal; Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi and Commissioner, Market Competition and Rates, Mr. Eyo Ekpo, during a stakeholders workshop on bulk procurement regulation in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

He called on the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to come to the aid of the state government in providing immediate, medium and long term solutions. The Nigeria Red Cross Society in the state has called for urgent provision of adequate logistical support for rescue operations in the affected communities. The Secretary, Mr. Francis Agarivbie, said yesterday in Asaba that the organisation had already conducted an assessment of the affected communities. He urged the state government and donor agencies to donate canoes and boats, stressing the need for urgent evacuation of the residents and their property from the affected areas. Agarivbie said that since the incident occurred on Monday, the organisation had evacuated some of the affected persons, using hired boats and canoes, adding that the facilities were inadequate for the exercise. One of the victims, Mr. Fidelis Nwaogu, a farmer, said his community was not aware of the warning by the Ministry of Environment, adding: “Now that it has happened, we don’t have anywhere to

Saudi Arabia deports 500 female pilgrims CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

that, NAHCON decided to bring them back to Nigeria. The commission’s boss could not, however, ascertain if the returnee pilgrims would still perform the hajj this year, saying that it was presently beyond the commission. The 171 people, who arrived at the Kano airport about 5:30p.m., were pilgrims from Katsina and Taraba states. It was learnt that they were not allowed to leave the aircraft at the Saudi airport from where they began their journey back home. Some of them, who narrated their experience in Saudi Arabia, burst into tears in the arrival hall of the pilgrims’ terminal of MAKIA. Hajia Amina Musa, one of the affected victims wept as she narrated her ordeal. According to her: “In our case, we were not given wa-

ter to drink; there was no food for us as we remained glued on our seats in our aircraft. “We even gathered that some had stayed for three to four days without eating, drinking water or even taking their baths while almost all of them slept on the bare floor.” As at the time of filing this report, some of those deported aboard Kabo Air aircraft were being expected in Kano yesterday night. The Executive Secretary, Kano State Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Laminu Rabi’u, who was at the MAKIA to see the 171 returnees, confirmed that 1,000 Nigerian female pilgrims were still being held in Jeddah on the orders of the Saudi government. At a meeting yesterday between Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Ambassador Abdrabuh, the

Federal Government requested the Saudi government to resolve the issues surrounding the detention of the female pilgrims within 24 hours. Sambo had invited Abdrabuh to his office specifically to register Nigeria’s displeasure with the treatment meted out to the pilgrims. The vice-president noted that reports available to him suggested that only Nigerian pilgrims were subjected to such dehumanising treatment and requested the Saudi government to allow the pilgrims undertake their sacred religious duties. Sambo added that should the Saudi government not desire Nigeria’s pilgrims to perform this year’s hajj it should let the country know. He noted that no responsible government would sit and fold its arms

while its citizens were being manhandled. The VP, therefore, urged the ambassador to do all within his powers to ensure that the issues were resolved within 24 hours, adding that the outcome of such resolution should be communicated to him. Responding, Abdrabuh disclosed that Nigeria was not treated in isolation, saying that it also affected other countries. He said it was not a new policy but that the Saudi government had been flexible in previous years but decided to be strict this time around. Abdrabuh disclosed that the Ministries of Hajj, Foreign Affairs, Interior and the Governor of Mecca were already holding meetings in Ryadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, with a view to resolving the impasse.

He assured that the matter would be resolved within 24 hours. The National Assembly had yesterday appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene on behalf of the pilgrims. The Senate passed a resolution condemning the action of the Saudi government and urged Jonathan to promptly intervene. It also urged the Federal Government to take all necessary steps to prevail on the Saudi government to grant the pilgrims entry to perform their religious obligations. Meanwhile, the Federal Government last night in Abuja constituted a five-man Presidential Committee to liaise with the government of Saudi Arabia and facilitate the release of the remaining pilgrims. In a statement from the Office of the Secretary

go.” In another development, at least, 3,200 hectares of rice plantation under the Tada-Shonga Irrigation Scheme have been submerged in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State. The Managing Director, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Mr.Abubakar Aduragba, said this yesterday in Ilorin after his visit to the affected area. He appealed to the Federal Government to release funds to complete the 32,000 hectare project. Aduragba explained that the project was located along fertile plains of River Niger between Tada and Shonga villages. The managing director said the main objective of the Tada-Shonga Irrigation Scheme was to increase the nation’s rice production through effective management. Aduragba noted that the project would also make possible all-round season production of rice, storage and processing and marketing. He said the project was expected to produce 53,000 tonnes of rice annually through double cropping with market value in excess of N3bn.

to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the government named the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal as head of the committee. Others are the Minister of State II for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nuruddeen Mohammed; Ambassador Shehu Galadanchi, Sheikh Sherif Saleh and Chairman, National Hajj Commission, Muhammad M. Bello. “The delegation will depart for Saudi Arabia as soon as appointment is finalised with the appropriate authority. All members are to please standby”, the statement added. Reports by: Augustine Madu-West, George Oji, Rotimi Fadeyi, Emmanuel Onani, Tordue Salem and Olusegun Koiki

News

Thursday, September 27, 2012

JTF takes over Arepo pipeline

•As illegal fuel supplies dry up UDEME AKPAN

he Joint Special Task Force, including members of the Special Task Force on Antipipeline Vandalism and other security agencies, have taken over the maintenance of security at Arepo pipeline in Ogun State. The breach of the pipeline at Arepo is said to be responsible for the present scarcity of petrol in parts of the country. Members of the task force and other agencies were guarding the pipeline and the entire vicinity when National Mirror visited the area yesterday. A source in the JTF, who preferred not to be named, said it became necessary to mobilise to site to keep close watch over the important facility. He said: “The Special Task Force is here to ensure that the pipeline is protected from further destruction. It is also around to understand the environment as well as put adequate security structure in place for the return of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, engineers, who have the duty to maintain the facility. Without the maintenance, it would be difficult to make proper use of the pipeline.” The General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr. Omar Faruok, said in a telephone interview that: “The Joint Task Force is there to

strengthen security aimed at enhancing our operations. “It shows the commitment of NNPC, security agencies and others to improve the security of the pipeline and indeed other pipelines in the country because of their importance to distribution of petroleum products.” Investigations showed that as a result of the improved security, the vandals have not yet been able to launch another attack on the pipeline. The vandals, it was learnt, have also been discouraged from attacking the pipeline following the awareness that the corporation has since stopped pumping fuel through the facility. Consequently, supplies to

all illegal outlets that thrived on illegal fuel bunkering have completely dried up. All known locations visited yesterday did not have fuel to sell. One illegal operator, who identified himself as Baba Sunday behind the Journalists Estate, said: “There is no business again for us because of the presence of soldiers. I am sure when they leave those who bring it for us to retail will come back. But for now there is no business.” It was, however, learnt that with the bold step, it may not take long for the NNPC engineers to return to site. The corporation had earlier said it was awaiting the

clearance and backup of the security agents for maintenance of the pipeline. It said that the large and swampy terrain of the site posed a serious challenge for adequate security. The pipeline, located in Ogun State, was breached about three weeks ago by oil thieves. The vandals, who returned to site a few days after, also killed two engineers deployed to rehabilitate the facility. This, coupled with other threats, compelled NNPC to withdraw its personnel from the area as it was not safe for them to continue the rehabilitation. Consequently, NNPC resolved to depend on tankers to lift the product from the premises of private operators who have adequate capacity to store the product.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CBN approves sustainable banking principles for financial institutions UDO ONYEKA

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said it had approved the adoption of the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles by banks, discount houses and development finance institutions to improve the impact of activities of financial intuitions on the sector and the economy at large. In a circular to banks, discount houses and development finance institutions on September 24 and signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Sola Awoyungbo, the CBN said the adoption of the policy was in furtherance of its commitment and that of the Bankers Committee to deliver positive development impacts to the society.

L-R: Ministers of Labour, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu; Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Don’t impeach Jonathan, youth leaders warn NASS TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

coalition of youth groups under the aegis of the Forum of National Youth Leaders yesterday condemned recent threats by the National Assembly to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. Speaking on behalf of other youth leaders from the various geo-political zones at a media briefing in Abuja, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams advised the National Assembly not to carry out the impeachment to consolidate on the achievements of the administra-

tion in the fight against corruption and pursuit of accelerated growth of the country’s economy. Williams also described the alleged calls from the Legislative chambers for the sack of the Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform, Alhaji Abdurasheed Maina, as a trade-off on the impeachment threat as laughable. He said pensioners’ testimonies had shown that the inauguration and activities of the task force were in the best interest of the pensioners and the country. Williams noted that

the impeachment threats amounted to a calculated attempt to put the President under pressure and by so doing derail ongoing war against corruption in the country. He said while the youths are not unaware of the constitutional right of the oversight functions by the Senate over Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs, which did not in any way make them the implementers, persecutors or judges in the circumstance, they would want to assume that it was a rumour that the Senate demanded Maina’s removal as a way

of soft-pedalling on the President’s impeachment. He said: “From our own indebt knowledge, the achievements by the Presidential Task Force on Pension should be lauded and encouraged. “We, the Nigerian youth leaders, commend President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for setting up this task force under the leadership of Maina. This is indeed a clear demonstration of his readiness to transform Nigeria which we know will never happen without opposition by some few individuals that are benefiting from the status quo, but for the de-

liberate determination of Mr. President to move this nation forward, since he is the one that wears the shoes and he knows where it pinches than anyone.” The youth leaders, who comprised Comrade Olayemi Success, former vicepresident of the National Association of Nigerian Students; Comrade Emeka Njoku of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Leaders Association; and Mallam Mohammed Bello of Arewa Youth Leaders Association, noted that the task force had not only returned smile to the faces of retirees in the country but also saved over N89n into the coffers of government in cash

“The principles have been developed for the banking sector in Nigeria to signal our commitment to economic growth that is environmentally responsible and socially relevant. As financiers and business leaders, we recognise the role that we can play to deliver positive development impacts to society whilst protecting the communities and environment in which we operate,” the circular reads in part. The CBN said henceforth all adaptors would integrate environmental and social considerations into their decision making process, minimise negative impact of business operations in the environment and local communities, respect human rights in business operations and promote women’s economic empowerment through gender inclusive work place culture. Other principles that must be followed, according to the CBN, include promotion of robust and transparent governance practices; development of capacity to identify, assess and manage the environment, and social risks, to collaborate across the sector and leverage on international partnership and regular reporting. The CBN said for there to be successful implementation of these principles and guidelines, the financial institutions must develop a management approach that balanced the environmental and social risks. It said: “The adoption of these principles will no doubt enhance the adopting institutions, financial success over a longer term while ensuring that they remain environmentally and socially responsible.” and over N46bn worth of confiscated property belonging to those given the responsibility to manage the fund in the past. They, therefore, urged the legislators to crosscheck the information about the achievements of the task force thus far which, they claimed, had been confirmed by the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies of government. The forum also called on the President to remain steadfast in his commitment to the transformation agenda “as this is one of the best steps towards the transformation of the economy and lives of millions of ordinary Nigerians, especially the youth”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 27, 2012

South West

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Osun may create 27 LGs, two area offices WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

overnor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration may create additional 27 councils and two area offices in Osun State. This is contained in the report of the Local Government Areas Creation Committee submitted to the governor yesterday in Osogbo. Aregbesola, however, promised that his administration would adhere to all constitutional provisions in the process of creating the new councils. The governor, who gave the assurance while receiving the report, explained that his administration was not out to confront the Federal Government on the issue of local government creation. Bemoaning alleged unfair

considerations in the process of creating states and local governments in the past, the governor said the committee saddled with the creation of more local governments had recommended 27 new councils and two area offices. The governor said his government would do everything possible under the constitution to create local governments which would meet all required standards, adding that the basis for the exercise was the genuine desire and consent of the people. He said: “We are simply not ready to confront anybody or the Federal Government, but we are working on the constitution to grant the wishes of our people. Osun will be the first to constitutionally create local governments. We will create councils that will meet all

constitutional requirements. “The difference between what we are seeking to do from others is that, we have not in any way influenced this. It is the genuine desire of the people for self-government or expression of having control of their own affairs.” The governor pointed out that the creation of local governments according to the 1999 Constitution as amended was totally vested in the hands of the states through the state Houses of Assembly. He said: “The only mention of LG in our constitution is the nature of the government and not a tier of government. Local governments can never be a unit of the federation outside the state. It is a contradiction that LG is a tier of government in our own federalism.”

Cynthia: Taxi driver, two others appear in court WALE IGBINTADE AND CAROLINE CHUKWUKA

39-year-old taxi driver, Gideon Okechukwu and two GSM retailers, Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu (22) and Ezeaka Chinonso (27) were yesterday arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court for the murder of Cynthia Osokogu. Miss Osokogu, a post-graduate student of the Nasarawa State University, was killed after she was allegedly drugged and raped at a Festac hotel in Lagos on July 22. Specifically, in charge No: TA/59/2012, Okechukwu, who claimed to be a taxi driver, was said to have driven the suspected killers out of the hotel. He is facing an eight-count charge of felony, conspiracy, robbery, murder, and rape among others. According to Police Prosecutor, Chukwu Agu, the defendant (Okechukwu) and others already charged to

court, on July 21 at Room No. C1, Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos conspired to murder Cynthia and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011. Other suspects he was alleged to have conspired with are Okwumo Echezona Nwabufor (33), Ezike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka (23), Orji Osita (32), and Maduakor Chukwunonso (25). The prosecutor told the court that Okechukwu also conspired with others to kill Cynthia by administering her with obnoxious substance known as Rohypol Flunitrazepam tablets via a fruit juice drink. The obnoxious substance was said to have been purchased at Oxpharm Pharmacy at 32 Road, Festac Town, Lagos. The suspect was also said to have joined them to bind Cynthia’s hands with chain, padlock and to sellotape her

legs, neck and mouth, give her fist blows all over her body, give her several human bites, torture and strangulate her to death. Okechukwu allegedly armed with offensive weapons was said to have robbed Cynthia of her Blackberry handset (Bold 5 model), international passport with No: AO1249397 dated July 3, 2009, national driver’s licence with No: GRE0002AA dated March 15, 2010, a pair of shoes, hand bag, artificial sex toy vibrator, jewellery pack containing three wrist watches, four rings, three pairs of earrings, one pendant, one necklace, hand chain and a single earring. The value of the property is yet to be ascertained. Besides, he was alleged to have joined others already charged to unlawfully have sexual intercourse with Cynthia without her consent and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 258(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Ogun may clamp down on illegal schools FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

gun State Government has said that the Task Force on Illegal Private Nursery and Primary Schools set up by the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology would soon begin a clampdown on schools without approval. The Information Officer in the Ministry of Educa-

tion, Kayode Oduyebo, said in a statement yesterday that the government would also prosecute owners of private nursery and primary schools who failed to re-validate their status with the ministry. The statement quoted the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Olusegun Odubela, as saying that the move became imperative to ensure that the people enjoyed qualitative educational services

being championed by the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The commissioner, who enjoined parents and guardians to be cautious in enrolling their children in such “illegal” schools, also advised them to check out the list of private schools approved by the government on the ministry’s website as well as the zonal education offices in the 20 local government areas of the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, September 27, 2012

PDP slams ACN over Lagos’ attempt to obtain N80bn bond SAM OLUWALANA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West yesterday described the plan by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government in Lagos State to source for N80bn bond from the capital market as not only criminal, but a disservice to the people of the state, who, the party said, are already burdened by the huge debt being owed by the state. The PDP reiterated its warning on the dire con-

sequences of such huge debt that the ACN governments in the SouthWest are plunging the region into. It added that; “It is ridiculous for a state like Lagos that is making over N25bn monthly as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to be going cap in hand to borrow N80bn that it can make on its own under four months.” The PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Hon. Kayode Babade, said in a release issued yesterday that; “It appears there are more to

this issue of bond that the ACN governors have fallen in love with, than meet the eye and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other financial clearing houses must do everything possible to checkmate the rate at which states are obtaining loans.” The PDP said it suspected that the bond could be a means of bringing into Nigeria stolen funds from abroad, calling on security agencies to take more than a passing interests in

the issue. “In Nigeria today, Lagos State owes the highest debt apart from the Federal Government. Lagos State was said to have, as at June 30, 2012, accumulated an external debt profile of $517, 677, 672; that is more than half a billion dollars. “Ironically, the state is the richest state in Nigeria with a monthly IGR of over N25bn and most Lagosians are in charge of their daily existence, with the state government responsible for virtually

nothing. “It should then worry well-meaning people that in spite of the huge debt being owed and the huge resources available to it, a state like Lagos is going to the capital market to take a fresh N80bn bond again. “Presently, Osun State alone is owing over N120bn, Ekiti is owing over N30bn and is rumoured to be planning to take another N30bn while Ogun State is on the verge of taking a N100bn bond. “Obviously, with the way these ACN - controlled

Nigerian railways reads riot act to rooftop riders

UI to establish diseases’ study centre KEMI OLAITAN

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

IBADAN

he Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) yesterday warned all train passengers who have formed the habit of travelling on the rooftop of moving trains to desist from the act or face severe sanctions. The Managing Director of NRC, Engr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, gave the warning at the Ebute-Metta Junction station of the corporation when he joined the train to Ijoko from Iddo station. A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the corporation, Mr. Segun Esan and made available to journalists said that the NRC management was getting worried about the act and described it as a suicide mission. The statement read in part: “We are getting worried about the act of some passengers who, rather than make a choice to travel in the passenger compartment areas of our passengers’ trains, choose to travel on specific trains and on the rooftop of coaches and running boards of locomotive engines. “Occurrences of this nature are distasteful, prohibited, criminal, and undesirable. “We have in the past given out stern warnings to such people to desist from such act. We have previously erected barriers over the track leaving only slim clearance over the trains.”

states are taking loans and bonds, and giving promissory notes on multi-billion naira contracts, the states in the geo-political zone will go bankrupt soon. “It is therefore on this note that we are again calling on well meaning Yoruba people to intervene in the affairs of the region by preventing these ACN governors from mortgaging the future of our children through frivolous loans because most of the loans being obtained now cannot be paid back in the next 50 years.”

L - R: President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. (Dr.) Supo Ayokunle; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Vice-President, Finance and Investment, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Adebayo Moses and President, Ogun State Baptist Conference, Rev. Segun Jaiyesimi, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to the governor’s office in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Block illegal arms importation, Ajimobi tells FG

yo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has called on the Federal Government to begin an underground move to block the channels through which equipment and instruments of destruction are being brought into the country. He also stressed the need for government to ensure that national interests and values are clearly defined so as to engender the spirit of patriotism and checkmate internal uprisings. Governor Ajimobi,

who was speaking at the opening of the training workshop organised by the 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan yesterday, described the security challenges facing the country as a passing phase. “It is in the definition of what constitute our core values as a people that we can find lasting solutions to the separatist inclinations of some of our people, who take up arms against the country. “It is in the lack of

identification of our core values that can be found the absence of patriotism among her nationals, to the extent of rising up against Nigeria’s national interest,” he submitted. Governor Ajimobi also said that Nigerians must be made to undergo courses in security consciousness, adding; “The time of innocence for us as a people has gone and security consciousness must take over our innocence. “In other words, we must by now begin to de-

velop a security community which has its eyes on securing itself and members of its community” the governor said. While saying that the involvement of the military in ensuring security in Nigeria could not be overemphasised, Governor Ajimobi, said developing the requisite capabilities of the Nigerian Army for combating contemporary security challenges should not basically be about acquiring sophisticated weaponry.

Students protest non-payment of bursary in Osun WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

tudents of tertiary institutions in Osun State yesterday stormed Osogbo, the state capital, in protest against alleged non-payment of bursary to them by Olorunda Local Government Council Area. The students got to the

council secretariat at about noon, demanding to see the Executive Secretary, while they disrupted work at the council for several hours. They were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions, expressing their dismay at the alleged insensitivity of the council to their plight. Human and vehicular movements were hindered

for several hours as the irate students barricaded the Osogbo-Ikirun Road, thereby forcing motorists to look for alternative routes. Some of the protesting students who spoke with National Mirror said earlier moves made to ensure the payment of the bursary were rebuffed by the council officials, hence the public protest.

According to them, council officials have been doing everything possible to deny them the benefit of the bursary after they had submitted all necessary documents as requested. They wondered why the council refused to pay them the said bursary when other local government councils in the state have paid their colleagues.

ormer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, yesterday gave the assurance that the institution will re-establish a centre for the study of haemoglobinopathy. He gave the pledge at the Faculty of Arts during a special congress held by the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in honour of the late Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Kolawole Olu-Owolabi, who died penultimate Sunday. He said the planned re-establishment of the centre was in view of the need for the university as a citadel of learning in Nigeria to beam its searchlight on modern scientific ways of finding solutions to diseases that have for many years constitute a major threat to humanity. Adewole said the study to be carried out in the centre would include sickle cell anaemia and other related diseases, adding that with the present situation; the time has come for the University of Ibadan to re-commit and re-dedicate itself for the study of dynamics of diseases. The former vice-chancellor said the centre was first established at the university in the 1960s only for the founder of the centre to leave the university after some years. He added that this time around, the university will provide all necessary opportunity to facilitate the timely establishment of the centre in honour of the late Prof. Olu-Owolabi.

South East

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tambuwal to Okorocha: Stop undermining local govt autonomy TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

ouse of Representatives’ Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal yesterday asked Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha to stop undermining the local government autonomy. Tambuwal described

as illegal and unacceptable the sacking of local government chairmen by Governor Okorocha and his decision to replace them with caretaker committee. He spoke in Abuja when the National Union of Local Government Chairmen visited him in his office. The Speaker said:

“Whether the caretaker chairmen were approved by state a or by the governor, they are illegal. State assemblies must pass the necessary laws to strengthen local governments in Nigeria and guarantee their autonomy instead of working against them”. He, therefore, called “on

the governor of Imo State to, please, desist from lawlessness.” Tambuwal reminded Okorocha that “he was put in place by the law, therefore, he must respect the law,” adding: “What is happening in Imo State is clearly unacceptable”. He advised the state Houses of Assembly to

“engage governors to play their roles in amending the 1999 Constitution to grant political and fiscal autonomy to local governments and state Assemblies”. The Speaker also asked the state Houses of Assembly “to desist from passing such laws that will further denigrate the institutions of local government.” Tambuwal said: “All of us must be ready to work to discharge our responsibilities effectively. We must collectively agree that no matter how highly placed, our offices are transient.

“No matter how much immunity we enjoy, we should note that one day, we would leave office and our immunities will expire.” Earlier, the President of the National Union of Local Government Chairmen and Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Mr. Uzor Nwabueze, who led a team on a courtesy call on the Speaker, sought amendments to the 1999 Constitution on Local Government administration. Okafor said for the local governments to be viable, amendments must be made to the Constitution.

Anambra is investmentfriendly, says Obi

G L-R: Wife of the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mrs. Ifeaoma Egboka; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Boniface Egboka and Registrar, Mr. Christian Okeke, during the inauguration of some face-lift projects in the institution’s Faculty of Social Sciences in Awka, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Imo police smash kidnap syndicate Rescue two victims

CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Imo State Police Command yesterday recorded a major success in its fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes as it smashed a notorious fiveman kidnap gang. Two victims, a man and a woman, who were abducted in the early hours of yesterday along the Control Junction in Owerri, the state capital, were also rescued by policemen who stormed the hideout of the suspected kidnappers. Parading the suspects

at the command headquarters in Owerri, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Vitalis Onugu, said that the five-man- gang was responsible for the series of kidnappings and armed robberies in the state. He said that the suspects, who were based in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, were invited to Imo by security men attached to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) to abduct one of the lecturers before luck ran against them. Onugu said: “The two suspects who are secu-

rity men at the University Teaching Hospital in Anhara, Mbano Local Government Area, invited their accomplices to Imo State to kidnap two of their victims. “The information however came to us and we swung into action and monitored their movement from Port Harcourt and arrested them as they wanted to abduct their victim.” Speaking later in his office, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, appealed to members of the public to volunteer useful information that would assist security agencies in check-

35 PDP members defect to Anambra ANPP opportunity offered by of PDP from various loCHARLES OKEKE AWKA

he All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Anambra State is set for reorganisation. ANPP said at a strategic meeting held yesterday in Awka, the state capital, that no fewer than 35 chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had defected to it. The party also use the

the meeting to work out the modalities on how to receive horde of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) members who have shown interest to join it. Shedding light on the issue in an interview with National Mirror, the state Chairman of ANPP, Chief Chukwuemeka Orjiakor, said: “Today, we are receiving about 35 leaders

cal government areas that wants to join our party and they cut across all the senatorial districts.” On how ANPP is being repositioned ahead of the 2014 governorship election, Chief Orjiakor said mobilisation committees would be established in the three senatorial zones to mobilise party members and bring in defectors from “crisis-torn parties.”

ing criminal activities in the state, adding that the recent arrests were made as a result of tip off by concerned citizens. He also assured that the command has enough manpower and logistics to rid the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements. “The command has all it takes to wipe out kidnappers and armed robbers from the state, but we need the cooperation of the public in the area of intelligence gathering.”

overnor Peter Obi has described Anambra State as investment-friendly. He said the state would continue to support investors and other persons planning to do business in the state. The Anambra State governor spoke yesterday during the Investment Forum on Nigeria held in New York, the United States. Governor Obi said Anambra was far from what it used to be as the state had reclaimed it pride of place as one of the frontline states in the country where businesses and other endeavour thrive. Apart from hosting the biggest market in West Africa, he said the state was also blessed with entrepreneurial people who would provide the readily needed human resources for interested investors. The governor said: “One of the things that propel industry is the

availability of market and I can tell you that my people are known for their capacity to market any good product not just within the West Coast, but in any part of the World.” Canvassing investors’ interest in Anambra, Obi said President Goodluck Jonathan recently commissioned five big industries in the state, saying: “As I speak, many other multi nationals are either building their facilities in the state or negotiating to do so.” The governor was, however, accompanied on the trip by his Senior Special Assistant on Trade and Investment, Mr. Mark Okoye.

Obi

Suspected ESUT VC abductor arrested

he Abia State Police Command has arrested one of the suspected kidnappers of the Vice-Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Prof. Cyprian Onyeji. The suspect, the police said, was arrested in Aba, Abia State. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ezekiel Onyike, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Aba. Onyeji said that the

suspect had been transferred to the Enugu State Police Command, where the offence was committed. He said that the suspect, who hails from Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State, had been declared wanted by the Enugu State Police Command over his involvement in kidnapping of prominent personalities, including the ESUT’s Vice Chancellor. A senior police officer from the Aba Area Police Command, who did not

want his name in print, told NAN that the suspect was arrested by a police team, after a tip-off by members of the public. He said that the suspect was arrested while trying to withdraw money in a bank on Port Harcourt Road, Aba. NAN reports that the ESUT Vice Chancellor was abducted on August 15 and freed on August 23. He was kidnapped at about 11:30am at the university’s gate at Agbani, Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Three die in A’Ibom, Abia border towns’ clash TONY ANICHEBE UYO

ommunal clash between the people of Ikot Uko in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and Okrika Nta in Ukwa East council in Abia State has left at least three people dead. Also, about 13 others sustained various degrees of injury while property and valuables worth millions of naira belonging to both communities were destroyed.

The lawmaker representing Etim Ekpo/Ika state constituency, Mr. Gabriel Toby, reported the matter to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday during plenary under matters of urgent public importance. He said the incident, which was reported to the Chairman of Ika Local Government Area by the Councillor representing Odoro Ward 2, Prince Patricia Udoh, had brought untold hardship on the people of Ikot Udo in Ika, as some of them lost their property and

houses. Toby called on the House to take urgent steps by referring the matter to appropriate committee while urging the state and the Federal Government to step in and arrest the situation. He said: “There have been several attempts by the Abia neighbours to annex Ika Local Government to Abia State and this has resulted in several crises in the past which have led to the loss of lives and property worth millions of Naira.” The lawmaker alleged

that thugs from Abia State also invaded the popular Afia Eto Park and burnt over 15 motorcycles while the Ekparakwa - Aba Road became impassable as buses and cars coming from Aba were burnt during the unprovoked attack. The Speaker, Elder Samuel Ikon, who decried the incident, referred it to the Committee on Boundary and Conflict Resolution Matters to report back to the House. He also called on security agents to move to the area to forestall further attacks.

Anxiety in Bayelsa communities over fresh oil spill EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

ear of possible outbreak of epidemic has gripped the residents of communities in Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State following a fresh oil spill at the Well 19 of Nembe flow station belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC. The fresh spill, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, has devastated the river and creeks near a fishing settlement. Investigation showed that the fishermen in the area had stopped fishing activities to avoid the sales and consumption of contaminated fish, lobsters and shrimps. The people said a series of spill had occurred in the area thereby polluting the rivers and creeks which served as sources of their drinking water and where they also embarked on fishing expeditions to eke out a living. Decrying the poor re-

sponse of SPDC in mopping up previous spills in the area, the Nembe indigenes appealed to the Federal Government and other environmental protection agencies to come to their aid before a breakout of epidemic and spread of strange diseases in the communities. It was gathered that officials of SPDC used helicopter to visit the site of the fresh spill for an inspection to ascertain the extent of damage. In an interview with National Mirror yesterday in Yenagoa, the Chairman, Oil and Gas Committee of Nembe Community, Chief Nengi James, said at least 10 devastating cases of oil spills from oil wells and crude trunk lines belonging to SPDC and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, had been recorded in the area in the last one year. James, who described the situation as unfortunate, regretted that the rising cases of spills in the waterways and creeks of Nembe had impacted on

the health of the people. He said: “The situation of the kingdom is devastating, grievous and has destroyed the economic condition of the people. The latest spill was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The Oil and Gas Committee is on ground to inspect the incident. It has caused a total damage to the mangroves. “Our waters have be-

come poison and the people now rely solely on the community wells. We need a massive assessment of the waters in the area. “The environmental protection agencies have in the past allowed the oil multinationals to escape sanctions and payment of compensation due to the over reliance on data supplied to them on clean-ups of spillage.”

Firm promises adequate power supply to Port Harcourt Refinery CHIDI UGWU

enesis Electricity Limited, GEL, in partnership with General Electric, GE, has begun the implementation of gas-fired Captive Power Project, CPP, to guarantee uninterrupted electric power supply to the Port Harcourt Refinery Company, PHRC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Speaking during a courtesy call on the NNPC Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemical, Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, the GE Regional Sales Director, Middle East Africa, Cees-Jean de Maaker, affirmed the readiness of the partnership to provide reliable power supply to the refinery. De Maaker said GE was happy to partner with a professional and competent local company such as GEL. He added that GE was

committed to ensuring full technical support across the spectrum of power plant installation, commissioning and subsequent long term management of the operations of the Genesis Electricity’s captive power plant investment. Also speaking, the GEL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akinwole Omoboriowo, said the objective of the partnership was to provide sufficient power supply to the Port Harcourt Refinery, to guarantee its efficient operations. Omoboriowo told the NNPC that it had commenced the deployment of the best power technology in the world to PHRC and would keep to the timeframe of the arrangement. He disclosed that the GE would install power plants, operate and maintain the power plants for many years, adding that part of the company’s obligation was to train young engineers.

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Efe Akpofure (SAN), counsel to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, after the court session, yesterday.

Spread of HIV/AIDS in Bayelsa alarming –Group There’s fraud in Delta Direct Labour Agency –DG EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

t least 300,000 persons are living HIV/AIDS in Bayelsa State, making the state rank third in the country with prevalence rate of 9.1 per cent. The Chairman of an advocacy group in Yenagoa, Bayelsa Patriots for Transparency and Good Governance, Ebiowei Oyinkuro, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent yesterday. Oyinkuro described the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state as alarming and worrisome. He disclosed that funds

released by the immediate past administration to check the spread of the disease went down the drains owing to poor management of the State Action Committee on AIDS, SACA. Oyinkuro, therefore, urged Governor Seriake Dickson to show a greater commitment in combating the disease before it impeded human and physical development in the state. Lauding Dickson for inaugurating a management team of SACA, he appealed to the governor to see the agency as a critical sub-sector in his policy in the new Bayelsa project.

Oyinkuro recalled that there was zero tolerance for HIV/AIDS during the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as governor of the state in from 2006 to 2007. He said: “It’s only a healthy workforce that can convert human and material resources to finished products. The decimation of the state population by the virus, particularly the youth between the ages of 10 and 40 years portends danger to the state. “The war against HIV/ AIDS was won during the 18-month tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan as governor of Bayelsa State.”

AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA

he Director-General, DG, of the Delta State Direct Labour Agency, DLA, Mr. Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, said he had discovereda serries of fraud in the agency since he assumed office. Igbini made the disclosure yesterday at a meeting with the leadership of the state Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, in his office over issues concerning the dispute in the agency’s union. He said that the debts

being offset by the agency turned out to be fraudulent, adding that the agency owed almost N800m. The DG said that agency’s union had been factionalised even as he disclosed that issues of theft had been on the increase at the Agbor Asphalt plant. He said some people had been sacked while others were placed on suspension following an attempt to defraud the agency. Igbini, who vowed not to compromise standard in the agency, also disclosed that on resumption, he discovered that N12m was released by his predecessor to

effect repairs of equipment but nothing was done. He said: “Equipment were abandoned, yet millions of naira were paid for the equipment. Some debts in the maintenance department were discovered to be fraudulent.” Igbini, who said he was able to bring on stream about 80 percent of equipment, disclosed that a lot of time was spent on fixing the equipment to ensure that the agency move to site. The DG disclosed that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had raised the agency’s annual budget from N600m to N2bn.

North

Thursday, September 27, 2012

20 die in Niger auto crash PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

t least 20 people were feared dead in a tragic road accident that occurred in

Kudu village, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday. The bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident involving a petrol tanker that also exploded

along the Bida - Mokwa Road after the collision. National Mirror learnt that the victims were burnt beyond recognition while 20 others sustained various degrees of burns and were

rushed to the Kutigi and Mokwa general hospitals. Eye witness account stated that the fuel tanker collided with the bus when negotiating a bend close to the village and went into

International Fund for Agricultural Development and Federal Government delegation inspecting farm produce from farmers assisted by IFAD and Kebbi Community-based Agricultural and Rural Development Programme in Bangarawa Village, Augie Local Government Area in Kebbi on Tuesday.

Niger Assembly passes confidence vote on Gov Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

he Niger State House of Assembly yesterday passed a confidence vote on the state governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu and his administration for their efforts at transforming the state in all spheres. By this confidence vote, the house has discarded the petition by a group, the Concerned Citizens of Niger State, that called for the immediate impeachment

of the governor over alleged mis-management of the state’s funds. The group also accused the governor of non-adherence to Standing Rules of the Assembly in his presentation. The decision to pass a confidence vote on him was based on the recommendation of a committee set up by the house to look into the issue. The committee, headed by Hon. Mohammed Abdullahi, said the petition was unconstitutional, null and

void and should be thrown out as it failed to meet the provisions of the standing rules of the House in section 3 (1) to (5). The committee noted that; “Consequent upon the above observations, the committee is of the view that non-conformity with the Standing Orders amounts to non-conformity with the constitution and any action which is not in conformity with the Standing Orders of the House becomes unconstitutional.” Responding, the Speaker

of the house, Hon. Adamu Usman, said the house cannot be brow-beaten by phony accusations made against the governor and his administration in the state.

Aliyu

WTD 2012: Nigeria joins tourism energy revolution ADENRELE NIYI

igeria today joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2012 World Tourism Day (WTD) as the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and key members in the tourism sector are in Markurdi, the Benue State capital, for this year’s commemoration of a worldwide celebration. Marked annually on September 27, the 2012 edition is being held under the theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable De-

velopment,” to highlight tourism’s role in a brighter energy future; a future in which the world’s entire population has access to modern, efficient and affordable energy services. Tourism, one of the world’s largest economic sectors, has taken important steps towards this future - improving energy efficiency and increasingly using renewable energy technologies in its operations. These steps are creating jobs, lifting people out of poverty and helping to protect the planet. The official WTD celebration is ongoing in the

town of Maspalomas in the Canary Islands, Spain while Markudi, the food basket of Nigeria, has graciously thrown its city gates open to a contingent of tourism practitioners and enthusiasts. In his keynote address to be delivered at the occasion, Chief Duke will be calling on stakeholders in the tourism sector - from governments to businesses and tourists themselves - to learn more about the sustainable energy initiatives that have been put in place in the tourism sector, debate on what should be done that would advance the use of sustainable energy in tourism.

Earlier in the year, to reaffirm the present administration’s commitment to the growth of local tourism and expansion of the inflow travel market to the country, Nigeria hosted the 53rd Commission of Africa (CAF) conference, a threeday regional meeting for African Tourism Ministers between June 25 and 27 in Calabar, Cross River. The summit, with the theme; “Responsible Tourism: Opportunities for Women and Youth,” was attended by all 54 African countries and territories that are affiliate members of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

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flames, leading to the burning of many houses and people. It was also gathered that a police officer was among the victims but the local police authority could not confirm the report. Confirming the incident when contacted, the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Adamu Jiya Sonfada, said those that sustained injuries are presently receiving attention at the general hospitals in Mokwa and Kutigi. The chairman also confirmed the death of 15 persons, adding that property valued at several millions of naira were destroyed during the accident. He said his council is doing its best to ensure that the victims receive proper and adequate medical care. Also speaking, the Village Head of Kudu, Alhaji Alhassan Kudu, said the accident was a great disaster in the history of the town even as he sympathised with the families of the deceased. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Pius Edobo, confirmed the accident. It was also further gathered that a mass burial of the deceased persons was conducted at Kudu village yesterday by Mokwa Local Government Council.

Reps move to change names of FUT Yola, Agric varsity TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he bills to change the names of the Federal University of Technology Yola, in Adamawa State and the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Imo State, scaled through the second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday. The bills seeking the name change, are titled: “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Universities of Technology Act, 2004 and the Federal University of Agriculture Act, 2004.” The bills, which were promptly referred to the House Committee on Education for a Public Hearing, before a final reading on them, seek to change FUT Yola to Modibo Adama University of Technology and the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Imo State to Michael Okpara University. Mallam Modibo Adama, a 19th century conqueror and emperor, whose empire extended to the present-day Cameroun from Adamawa State, while Dr. Michael Okpara, the first Premier of Eastern Region, ruled over the present South-East geopolitical zone, extending to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Of Jonathan and the ‘political media’

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Politics

‘Jimoh Ibrahim’s critics must understand business climate’

ACN carpets Jonathan over underperformance • Kicks against plot to declare Boroffice’s seat vacant FELIX NWANERI AND OJO OYEWAMIDE

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has lamented what it described as the underperformance of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, saying under it, Nigeria has become stagnant with no meaningful

development. The ACN stated this yesterday through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke with journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the Youth for Change forum of the party. Mohammed said that since the inception of the Jonathan administration, youth unemployment and

poverty had continued to pervade the country, adding that Nigerians voted for Jonathan out of emotion, not minding his political antecedents. His words: “It appears to me that Nigerians are voting emotionally not asking themselves questions before casting their votes. The last 17 months, frankly speaking, look more like 17

years to an average Nigerian, given the underperformance of the Federal Government. I hope that Nigerians before they will vote for anybody again, will want to ask for the past record of that fellow. “They all voted for a man who set out as a deputy governor and by default became a governor and within less than a year was nomi-

nated to become vice president. Again by default, because of the ill-health of the president, he became acting president and then by another default, he became president. And this is a man that Nigerians put their hope on. I hope that this will teach Nigerians a lesson that next time, they should be more critical about who they will vote for.” In another development, the party alleged surreptitious moves by the leadership of the Senate and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to declare vacant, the seat of Senator Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District, who recently decamped from the Labour Party (LP). In a statement issued by Mohammed, the party said under the nation’s constitution and laws, it is only the courts that can make the

declaration that a legislator’s seat has become vacant and warned the David Mark-led Senate to desist from its arm-twisting tactics to gain undue political advantage. According to the party, Senator Boroffice, violated no provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended or any extant law when he made the decision to dump the LP for the ACN, adding that the attempt to arm twist and declare his seat vacant, came only after months of overt and covert pressure to make him join the PDP failed. The ACN therefore called on its members in the Senate to resist and fight the plot, saying it is an “act of illegality and barefaced provocation aimed at destabilising the party ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State.”

Tambuwal decries use of caretaker committees to run councils

T L-R: Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, at the 2nd Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

2015: Presidency, PDP state political advisers meet OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he People Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced preparations for the 2015 elections with the meeting of the political advisers to the party’s 24 governors and the Special Adviser on Political Advisers to the President in Abuja on Tuesday. Addressing reporters after the meeting, the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak said that in spite of the efforts by the opposition to draw the ruling party into the 2015 frenzy, the PDP and the Presidency have resisted it. But a source at the meeting told National Mirror that the meeting was called to intimate the political

advisers on the preparation towards the 2015 general election and to educate them on how to prosecute it. According to the source, “the meeting is to prepare our minds on the roles we are expected to play between now and 2015 and to ensure that the PDP states unite and deliver their states at all level.” Gulak, who denied that the meeting has anything to do with the 2015 elections, said: We should talk about 2015 in 2014 and not now. We cannot be talking about the election like the opposition do. When we reach the bridge we will cross it. “The opposition is talking about merger but we are watching. We will not join them now, we will con-

centrate on working for Nigerians; to fix the roads, to fix the railway system and ensure that the electricity problem is solved.” The Political Adviser said that the Good Gov-

ernance tour being embarked by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, is to showcase the projects that the present government have achieved since inception last year.

he Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday decried the use of caretaker committees to run local governments in Nigeria. Tambuwal made the remark when he met with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Abuja. He noted that the administration of the third tier by caretaker committees was

Teachers: Admit you’ve failed, Lagos PDP tells Fashola OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

agos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has been advised to admit that he has failed in governance and do the needful by simply confessing to Lagosians the actual Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) forces and pressures that have made governance difficult for him to the extent that all sectors in the state have virtually gone on strike at one time or the

other in his five-year administration. The advice, which came on the heels of the ongoing teachers’ strike over the non-payment of the 27.5 per cent salary increment, was given by the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday. The PDP, in a statement, signed by its state publicity secretary, Taofeek Gani, and made available to National Mirror further counselled Fashola to heed to the ad-

vice to avoid imminent insurrection against his administration, adding that “the situation now is very unimaginable and demands that Governor Fashola should speak out on his constraints in government.” The PDP said: “The state has no excuse for neglecting the teachers. The demand of the teachers for 27.5 per cent salary increment is modest, especially when at least no fewer than 17 other states in the country have been paying same.”

not in tandem with the 1999 Constitution. The Speaker said further that the National Assembly was making efforts to ensure that funds were only released to elected officials of local government councils. He said the current administrative structure of many local governments was not in consonance with the constitution of Nigeria. He said that the ongoing constitution amendment would take care of the autonomy of local governments. He advised ALGON to make advocacy visits to members of the various state legislatures on the need for the councils to be granted autonomy and called on state legislatures to stop passing laws legitimising caretaker administrations. Tambuwal also urged Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to respect the rule of law by holding local government elections.

Politics

s Nigeria returning to the dark days when members of opposition were gagged? That is the question on the lips of most stakeholders, as the press has come under the strong bashing of President Goodluck Jonathan and his lieutenants over what they have described as “unnecessary criticisms” of the government by journalists. The President’s first public outcry against the media was during the signing of the Performance Contracting Agreement, aimed at improving performance and delivering quality and timely services to Nigerians by members of his cabinet. Unlike in other climes where the media is noted for the crucial role it plays in shaping democracy, as it brings to the consciousness of citizens, the various activities of the government, President Jonathan is of the view that the nation’s media is rather working at cross-purposes with his administration and therefore lacks the credibility to assess it objectively. His words: “Before, the media used to be the voice of the ordinary people but now, the media is the voice of those who own the media houses and those who own the media houses have private jets and those who own private jets are not ordinary people. So, the media is now the voice of the powerful people. So, we have to have a way of assessing ourselves.” The President was also to take another swipe at the media during the recent 52nd Independence Anniversary lecture in Abuja, saying journalists have been criticising him right from his first six months in office. To him, this section of the press belongs to the “political media.” Attributing most of the criticisms targeted at him to the politics of 2015, he also used the occasion to reiterate his earlier claim that he is the most criticised president in the world. He added that the opposition against the fuel subsidy removal in January was sponsored, though he did not say if the media was part of it. On the anti-subsidy removal protests, he said: “Look at the demonstrations back home, look at the areas these demonstrations are coming from, you begin to ask, are these the ordinary citizens that are demonstrating? Or are people pushing them to demonstrate? “Take the case of Lagos, Lagos is a critical state in the nation’s economy, it controls about 53 per cent of the economy and all tribes are there. The demonstration in Lagos, people were given bottled water that people in my village don’t have access to. People were given expensive food that the ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat. So, even going to eat free alone attracts people. “They go and hire the best musicians to come and play and the best comedian to come and entertain. Is that demonstration? Are you telling me that that is a demonstration from ordinary masses in Nigeria who want to communicate something to government? I believe that that protest in Lagos was manipulated by a class in Lagos and was not from the ordinary people.” The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, has also not spared those he referred to as a diverse “army of sponsored and selfappointed anarchists, competition among themselves to pull down” the President. Abati, whose constituency is the media, particularly classified the critics as

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Of Jonathan and the ‘political media’ President Goodluck Jonathan has adjudged himself as the world’s most criticised president. He blames the media for being part of this, writes FELIX NWANERI.

Jonathan

Mark

“the cynics, the pestle-wielding critics, the unrelenting, self-appointed activists, the idle and idling, twittering, collective children of anger, the distracted crowd of Facebook addicts and the BBM-pinging soap opera gossips of Nigeria.” But some analysts are at a loss that the presidential aide has forgotten in a hurry that the same “distracted crowd of Facebook addicts and BBM-pinging soap opera gossips” accounted for the majority of votes that ensured his principal’s victory in the 2011 elections. The President, they recalled, kept interacting and making promises to the youths through the social media in the build-up to the polls. Besides this, the analysts also questioned the veracity of the President’s claim that he is the most criticised leader in the world? To them, current developments across the globe show that heads of states and governments, even in advanced democracies are hardly spared of disparagements, whether by the media or the opposition political parties. United States (U.S.) president, Barack Obama, for example was subjected to severe criticisms by his country’s media early this year over what they described as “his lavish personal lifestyle,” when a sluggish economy has forced many Americans to tighten their belts. Against this backdrop, the questions then are: If the media, world over, is acclaimed to be voice of the voiceless, why is it being seen in Nigeria as the voice of the powerful, which ironically the President who made the assertion, belongs to, and has the media breached its constitutional role by reminding the government of its electoral promises, which may be part of the reasons for the sudden twist in the relationship between Jonathan and his once jolly social media friends. Some stakeholders, who raised these puzzles, also asked if the media practitioners who reported the subsidy protests,

which in the view of the President were sponsored, also got paid to carry out their duties. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, in reacting to the President’s comments in this regard at the weekend, said: “The most generous response that can be given to President Jonathan’s recent statement on the people’s fuel subsidy protest is that he is suffering from a bad conscience. “The worst, which I fear is closer to the truth is that he is lamentably alienated from the true pulse of the nation, thanks perhaps to the poor, eager-to-please quality of his analysts. Since I have had the opportunity to contest this perception of the protest with him directly, it is clear what kind of interpretative diet he prefers. The nation needs all the luck it can get.” Others, who faulted the President’s attack on the media, described it as uncalled for, given the role the same media played during the last days of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, when some elements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were bent on frustrating him (Jonathan) from ascending to the presidency. To these analysts, the role played by the Nigerian media in ensuring that retrogressive elements did not have their

THE PRESENT MEDIA REVOLUTION HAS HELPED PEOPLE IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS AND THIS HAS LED TO THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA IN OUR DEMOCRACY

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way in the succession crises, undoubtedly proved that it has evolved over the years in line with section 39(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the right to freedom of expression and the press. The section states: “The press, radio and television and other agencies of mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objective and directive principles of state policy and uphold the responsibility and accountability of government to the people.” Besides this constitutional provision, the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law and International Press Institute, of which Nigeria is a member encapsulates the role of the media in nation-building to include that “the press does all it can do to ensure that it writes only the truth, without distortion or without suppression and defend the freedom to collect and publish the truth and right to fair comment.” The Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezugwu, who spoke against this backdrop, told National Mirror that democracy in Nigeria is unthinkable without an active and neutral media that will keep the government constantly on its toes. He said: “The Nigerian media, from being just an informer has become an integral part of our daily lives. With the passage of time, it has become a more matured and responsible entity. The present media revolution has helped people in making informed decisions and this has led to the beginning of a new era in our democracy.” But the Senate President, David Mark, who called for caution with the way the media go about its business, advised journalists to be guided by patriotism, objectivity and fairness. He particularly pleaded with editors, whom he described as gatekeepers in news production, to be discreet in their judgement of materials to be published, saying such will help to present government in favourable light where necessary and avoid constantly blowing up issues that may provoke national insecurity. Mark, who made the appeal at the just held 8th All Nigeria Editors Conference, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said: “I charge you, Nigerian editors, to emulate the spirit of Dele Giwa and others who paid the ultimate price in an effort to ensure national unity and secure democracy for the nation by thinking more of the nation than self. The nation can only grow if editors allow only reports that would promote the unity and prosperity of Nigeria to be shown to the world. “Editors like ‘breaking news,’ but if the breaking news will break the society, our nation, our unity, and our peaceful co-existence, then we should avoid it. For instance, we are faced with a situation where people are wondering if the nation can continue together and our democracy is on trial, it is the place of the media to unite us through objective reportage.” With the raging battle, coming on the heels of allegations by members of the opposition political parties, accusing the Presidency of stifling contrasting voices, the days ahead will determine if the government will renege on its assurance of continued commitment to promote free press with the signing into law, the FoI Bill.

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Politics

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Bankole Betiku is a businessman and politician based in Ondo State. In this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, he ex-rays the recent criticism against Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, the chairman of the Global Fleet Group (GFG), stating that a better understanding of the nation’s business climate is vital for anyone to see issues from the perspective of the chairman of Air Nigeria. Excerpts: How do you react to employees and employers’ relationship in the country? It is quite unfortunate that the employees are not encouraging the employers of labour in this country, and if it continues like this, the rate of unemployment will continue to grow. A primary example is the case of Air Nigeria staff versus Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, and that of Newswatch shareholders and staff versus the businessman. The fact is that staff rationalisation is at the discretion of the employer. You don’t expect a man who put several billions of naira into an investment to watch it messed up by some people who have never set up any business. Did they expect him not to do staff rationalisation while turning around the business? Even governments do retrench from time to time, not to talk of private organisations. I am an employer of labour and I know where the shoe pinches. Look at what happened in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) recently, when the Federal Government said it could no longer go ahead and decided on privatisation and laid off all the staff. Why didn’t they take the Federal Government to court? What is your reaction to the attitude of the staff of Air Nigeria? I am disappointed at the members of staff of Air Nigeria for not encouraging an investor like Jimoh Ibrahim; and I am using this medium to call on the Federal Government and National Orientation Agency (NOA) to, as a matter of Agency, set up a machinery in motion to orientate the citizens of this country to abide with the culture of encouraging employers of labour. Otherwise, we will continue to witness a very high level of unemployment and joblessness in the country. Members of staff of Air Nigeria staff went on strike some time ago, all in a bid to frustrate the several billions of dollars investment of a fellow citizen, because their salary was delayed for two days. Meanwhile there are others, who have not gotten salary for two, three or four months. While this is not the norm, still they do not go on strike. Even in some other private organisations, they do owe their staff salaries. You see this thing also depends on profitability. Are the companies and staff doing very well as to be making profit? In fact, there are some homes where the parents would have to pacify some of the children on their entitlement, even when it is their responsibility to provide for their children not to talk of an investor, who uses his own

‘Jimoh Ibrahim’s critics must understand business climate’ the Force Public Relations Officer said that the sum $100,000 was recovered from Nnorom as exhibit, but we haven’t seen where his boss, who he claimed was involved in some illegalities has been arrested or detained. Can you now see the need for Nnorom to cover his face in shame?

Betiku

brain to acquire wealth and put on it investment and ask you to come and work and earn a living, taking the responsibility off the government. But the best people can give in reward is to go on strike, because their salary was delayed for two days. Isn’t that shameful? And now that the man has decided to buy them off, then they should go back to their company to work or create job for themselves or their other colleagues. The same way Barrister Ibrahim went to school and graduated, is the same way they too did, so why didn’t they turn out to be employers of labour as well, instead of been employed and still trying to destabilise the investment? I also read an interview of one of the former members of staff of Air Nigeria, one John Nnorom, in the September 24 edition of The News Magazine, calling his former employer a flagrant liar. He accused him of diversion, tax evasion and levied several other allegations against an institution where he worked for years as Executive Director of Finance and I said to myself that that Nnorom is a disgrace and a disappointment to his age, profession and the soci-

ety, for saying those things against his former boss. He said he knows the secret of his wealth and I felt ashamed of him, because I know he should be older than Ibrahim. So, instead of working under a guy who is like your younger brother in the house, boasting that he knows the secret of his wealth, why has he failed to apply the same method and become rich and be an employer of labour, instead of having to face allegations of theft? Another issue is that why did he not forwarded petition to all the appropriate security agencies while in the employment for proper action and resign immediately? Could that be because he allegedly stole and was sacked for stealing that he is coming out to tell Nigerians his former boss did this and that? The implication is that if his former boss committed those allegations, then as the Head of Finance in that organisation, he is also culpable for complicity. The same person, who said that his former boss has been involved in sundry illegalities was arrested, detained and charged to court on allegation of stealing several hundred thousands of dollars. We read on the pages of the newspapers, where

YOU DON’T EXPECT A MAN WHO PUT SEVERAL BILLIONS OF NAIRA INTO AN INVESTMENT TO WATCH IT MESSED UP BY SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER SET UP ANY BUSINESS

What about the Energy Petrol stations issue? I really pity that man, who has good intentions for this country and the citizens, but has had to contend with some encumbrances. I am a consultant in this field and I know what it takes to run a filing station successfully. First, you need the co-operation and sincerity of staff, which Energy Oil lacked. In this business, every litre of the product counts. Secondly, you must have regular supply and sales of products in order for you to sustain your customers and meet up your target. In the case of Barrister Ibrahim and the Energy filling station, for instance, if the number of staff of Energy filling stations in a particular state is 10 and the staff salary, wage and order expenditure plus cost of product purchase in a month is about N100 million and at the end of the month the company cannot realise N75 million, not to talk of profit as a result of fraud-related issues by the staff, then how do you want the station to continue running? Fraud-related issues ranging from staff tampering with dispensing pumps, inflation of product prices to customers, conspiracy with the truck drivers and the station staff, after loading products from the depot, get to the road and sell off five out of the products in transit and set the trucks ablaze and come back to tell the manager that the truck had an accident, and that all the product poured out in that incident. There are several other ways which they defraud the company. Now, tell me, how can the business grow in such situation? On the part of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), assuming the 10 filling stations in Ondo State are to be receiving products from the NNPC Depot in Ore, but as we all know, there are times the depot will not work for months and in such situation, the marketer will have to go to Shagamu, Lagos or Ibadan to buy the products at the same NNPC price, but with a higher cost of transportation and other expenses. Yet the product must not be sold at the station higher than the government approved price. So, in such a situation, there are times where the cost of purchase/transportation and other expenses may have risen more than the government approved price. And still from this, you have to pay the staff salaries, cost of running the stations and other expenses. So, is the business running at loss or at gain? These are issues, which ordinarily the man on the street, who does not know anything about the business, does not know.

Politics

COUNTDOWN TO

ONDO GUBER POLL October 20, 2012

DAYS TO GO

Group cautions INEC, security agencies on guber poll OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies in the country have been told to be apolitical in the next month’s gubernatorial poll in Ondo State. The governmental agencies were charged to put in place all necessary security measures that would ensure a hitch free, fair and credible election in the state just like the recent gubernatorial poll in Edo State. The National Coordinator of Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), Mr. Olufemi Aduwo told journalists in Lagos yesterday that the country could only witness a hitch free exercise if INEC, security agencies and politicians in the state play according to the rules of the game, maintaining that elections should not be perceived as do or die affairs. Aduwo warned politicians against using thugs from the Niger Delta area of the country to disrupt the forthcoming poll and charged them to jettison what he called a “retrogressive idea.” He also warned neighbouring governors not to cause distraction in the forthcoming poll, stressing that states close to Edo State did not interfere in the recent poll in the state. He further advised INEC to ensure that proper arrangement was made to convey election materials safely to the riverine areas of the state by sending officials who know the nitty-gritty of swimming to the areas. He said: “People that know how to swim from Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta should handle materials in the riverine areas during the election. Not people from Kaduna or Kano.” He also challenged INEC to do on-time delivery of election materials to the wards and equally cautioned voters to be law-abiding by coming out to vote and submit themselves to all electoral guidelines.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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Mimiko, obstacle to sustainable development, says Oni • Says ‘Akeredolu has no capacity to administer a come October 20 2012. politically-complex system’ OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

ormer Minister of Education and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Olaiya Oni, has said that Ondo State would achieve sustainable development only if Governor Olusegun Mimiko is voted out of power in the October 20 governorship election in the state. The former minister, who was the pioneer chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in the state, said Mimiko wanted to mortgage the future of the people of the state.

Speaking with National Mirror in Akure, the state capital, Oni said some patriotic indigenes of the state from the three leading political parties, LP, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had decided to come together to rebuild the state. He said: “Our mission is to rebuild Ondo State and set it on the part of sustainable development. We cannot achieve this without sending Mimiko packing from the Government House. Our mission also includes sending away the profligacy of Governor Mimiko

“In my entire career as a public servant since 1966, I have never met a governor who is as profligate and insensitive, who is as corrupt and self-centered as governor Mimiko. He wants to mortgage the future of Ondo State and that is the reason why the patriots in all the three political parties said we should come together and stop the wicked agenda of Mimiko.” He said PDP was only the party that has all it takes to rescue the state from what he described as vicious grip of the ruling LP. His words: “It is only the PDP that has the value today in the

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo addressing a PDP rally in Ondo State recently

state. This is because the PDP is made up of the patriots from the LP, ACN and PDP. The patriots in the three political parties have come together to form what is now known as the new PDP in Ondo State. You remember I led the group that left LP for ACN and from ACN to PDP. We refer to ourselves as ACN patriots because there are some who didn’t join us.” Assessing the three leading governorship candidates in the state, Oni said the ACN flag bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, did not have the political capacity to rule Ondo state. “Akeredolu, yes a brilliant lawyer, but not a politician with immense capacity to administer a system that is politically complex. He is not a grassroots person. He still behaves like the lord of manor. A fisherman in Ilaje or a cocoa farmer in Idanre and a gari farmer in Akoko do not know what is called a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). “He wants somebody who can sit down with him and talk and I am sorry, Akeredolu is not that type of a person. I am not here to undermine him but I am talking reality. He will be very good at the Senate where his legal proficiency will be needed. But coming to the grassroots, he cannot communicate. “Any governor that cannot communicate will find it hard to succeed because a governor must know the implication of his actions and those actions will be affected. Akeredolu is a distinguished Nigerian but not a grassroots person.”

Akeredolu faults manipulation of Oshiomhole’s comments on Mimiko OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) yesterday accused the LP in Ondo State of manipulating the comments made on Governor Olusegun Mimiko three years ago by his counterpart in Edo state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The organisation said that an advert had been running in an independent television station in Edo State that Mimiko has been endorsed by the Edo governor for the October 20 governorship election. According to ACO, the comments packaged as documentary where Oshiomhole purportedly endorsed Mimiko three and half years ago at the inauguration of Governor Mimiko which was attended by all the leadership of ACN. In a statement by its Director

of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the organisation said: “Having failed to shore up his dwindling popularity, following non effect of his endorsements by some deadwood politicians, Governor Mimiko in his usual deceitful manner is trying to ride on the popularity and credibility of Governor Os-

hiomhole and the ACN that he has been endorsed by the iconic labour activist for the coming October 20 governorship polls. This has been running as an advert paid for by Mimiko in an independent television in Edo State. “ACO investigations within the government circle in Edo

Oke pledges economic rebirth HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE.

he governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Olusola Oke has pledged to introduce policies that will bring economic rebirth to the state if elected as the governor of the state. Oke made this pledge during an interactive forum organised by the Chairmen of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin

University (AAU) chapter and the Academic Staff Union of Polythecnic (ASUP), Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO) chapter at the NUJ Press Centre, Akure. The PDP candidate emphasised the need for economic rebirth, saying Ondo desires a deliberate economic agenda that will create opportunities He said the rebirth will open many opportunities like creating employment for the people of the state and will also secure a future that can insure the state against

State showed that this was false and untrue. Our findings, however, revealed the comments packaged as documentary were the purported endorsements of Mimiko by Governor Oshiomhole were the comments (Oshiomhole) made three and half years ago at the inauguration of Mimiko as governor.” any unexpected external financial crisis. Speaking at the forum, the chairman of ASUU, AAU, Dr. Busuyi Mekusi, described the emergence of Oke as a beginning of a process that will lead to the emergence of quality leadership. Mekusi, however, stated that it is dangerous for any civil servant or public officer to be partisan, saying that the unions decided to finance the programme without seeking assistance from any politician pointing out that the platform was devoid of any partisan politics.

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Views

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Jonathan to the rescue of our universities? THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IS MEANT TO

EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

BE A GLOBAL SYSTEM WHERE SCHOLARS AND

FRY

STUDENTS ARE TO

NDUBUISI fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

he federal government has once more made a promise to revamp the nation’s university system. This good tiding was dropped by the Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, while addressing the press at the end of last week Federal Executive Council meeting. He disclosed that the government had initiated an intervention process that would reposition the nation’s university system, adding that our universities deserved the attention given. This is good news and a healthy development. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had deployed several means, including strikes, to draw the attention of the federal authorities to the rot in the system that holds the key to the nation’s development without success. It is a brute fact that the military inflicted the monumental injury on our university system. This climaxed during the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) era when the system was completely abandoned and neglected both in terms of infrastructure provisioning and human capital development.

INTERACT Our universities that were previously rated high in the world became objects of scorn. The fall out was mass exodus of our prized manpower to the western world and Middle East countries for more rewarding opportunities. Those that had the courage to stay behind doggedly battled through to keep body and soul together. To be fair, the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration in this current democratic dispensation had tried to fix the rot, but his efforts were unable to lift a system that had suffered decades of neglect. All Nigerians, and indeed the university community, now wait with bated animation how far reaching the Jonathan’s intervention would be. There is the conspiracy theory that the neglect of the university system was a deliberate policy by the ruling elite to keep the poor and the middle class perpetually down. When the system was at its golden era, employment positions were competed for by both the rich and poor. Why not? It was the same certificates that were awarded, no matter the awardees, social standing. But

now that the system is down, the elite have had recourse to send their children abroad for higher education or to local private universities with better facilities. It is now a status symbol to have your children or wards in local public universities. It is shockingly unbelievable, but true that there are about 75,000 Nigerians students in Ghanaians universities alone; and this is costing the nation the equivalent of N160 billion to sustain annually. This amount is nowhere close to what rich and privileged Nigerians spend annually to send their children to Europe and the Americas for higher education. Should we not be worried about this type of prodigal living? Before the rot set in by mid 1980s, our universities were attracting students and academics from all over the world. Only Nigerians that could not make it here were the ones anxious to go abroad. While being screened by the Senate, a former minister in Yar’Adua/Jonthan administration, who had his first degree from University of Lagos and second degree from Harvard University, did not mention that he went to Harvard. Rather he played up his education at the University of Lagos. When he was asked why he did that, his reply was that he gained so much from UNILAG that whatever he got from outside was just in the parenthesis! But now Nigerians that just had the opportunity of doing three months fellowship or diploma programme abroad, even after their PhD here in Nigeria, would prefer people to know about that.

It is not as though there is anything wrong in having external exposure in scholarship. The university system is meant to be a global system where scholars and students are to interact in pursuit of knowledge. But that our wards prefer to go to our neighboring countries for higher education probably because of our embarrassing power outage, water scarcity in the hostels or because the hostels are archaic, is to say the least absurd. Our university system has solid academics on ground. What we lack are facilities to make the system more effectively functional. The quality of our academics can compare with those of our neighboring countries. With the federal government’s planned intervention, it is hoped that modern hostels be built for students and facilities provided for research in the sciences, social sciences, ICT and humanities. The environment should be made conducive and friendly for students and academics alike. Meaningful learning cannot take place in filthy and congested hostels that operate in darkness almost always. The university system is the nation’s heritage. It does not belong to any individual. President Goodluck Jonathan, a product of the system and former academic, should match actions with words and restore the past glory of the system. Professor Ndubuisi, an attorney at Law is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG.

The police and Citizen Ugochukwu Ozuah

he atmosphere on Thursday September 15, 2012 was festive. The officiating cleric at the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Lagos, lifted up his two hands in pious supplication, fixed his gaze on the couple that knelt before him and pronounced divine blessings upon them. His prayers for the newly-wedded were for long life, happiness and prosperity. He also invoked the blessing of multiple offspring and life dominated by sweet experiences. The hearty shouts of “amen” that punctuated these unstinted benedictions reverberated throughout the hallowed place of worship and neighborhoods. There was a halo of allure and glamour surrounding the couple as they beamed with smiles of gratitude to relatives and well-wishers who had gathered to honour them on this momentous day. Then, five days later, precisely on September 20, 2012, the bridegroom, Mr. Ugochukwu Ozuah, was felled by the bullets of trigger happy policemen. An indigene of Anambra State and the only surviving son of his parents, Ugochukwu was a mechanical engineering graduate of Ado-Ekiti University. According to newspaper reports, five days after his wedding, he had driven a visiting friend to a nearby bus stop. The friend, Erikefe Omene, said no sooner had he alighted from the car than they were accosted by “stop and search policemen”, who briefly interrogated them and later shot Ugochukwu twice in the chest. I am by no means an emotional person, I remembered when I lost my father some

years back, relatives were bothered that I merely relapsed into reticent mood and stared vacantly into space amidst all the wailings; no tears were forthcoming. The concern of the relatives stemmed from their belief, rightly or wrongly, that failure to shed tears in moments of sorrow could have grave consequences. But Ugochukwu’s tragedy wrenched free few tears from me. The picture that softened my mind was the spectacle where Ugochukwu was holding his alluring bride in a frolicking movement on that wedding day. The couple looked so lovely, beaming with joyous smiles, and exuberant in the full bloom of life. That particular moment that was frozen in the snapshot was the symbol of that human’s primal rite of passage that stirred the empathy in me. I pity their youth, their frustrated common dreams and aspirations that had now turned forlorn. His tragedy is our common tragedy. This is a fate that daily hangs on every one of us; a calamity that speaks to the reality of our peculiar society where human lives are wasted needlessly on daily basis, and in many instances, in the very hands of the very people statutorily charged with the responsibilities to protect them. The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, had denied the police involvement in this tragedy. “No! It is falsehood. The guy was actually killed by armed robbers in a Sports Utility Vehicle, not the police please”, she had said. Columnists are no crystal ball gazers, one can only comment on the basis of pre-

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CASES IN RECENT TIMES IN WHICH THE POLICE

KAYODE

KETEFE

HAD PUT BLAME ON ROBBERS FOR THEIR OWN MISDEEDS ponderance of evidence, the appearance of reality and the most probable contingencies based on the past occurrences and larger experience of life. Going by these factors, it would be very difficult to accept the police’s theory that the brutal killing was the handiwork of armed robbers. There have been many cases in recent times in which the police had put blame on robbers for their own misdeeds. As a matter of fact, the police have gone to the extreme of labeling the victims of their callous attacks robbers, in order to justify the killings. Remember the 2005 Apo Six saga in Abuja? The police had claimed the six young traders were robbers. The report of the panel set up to investigate the matter later concluded that the slain people were innocent traders. Another incident was the pathetic case of Mrs. Funmilayo Abudu, a 32-year-old mother of four, who was shot and killed by the police on December 12, 2008, while attempting to escape a cross-fire between the police and a gang of armed robbers in Makun, Sagamu, Ogun State. Instead of

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

admitting their mistake, the police said Mrs. Abudu was not only an armed robber, but that she actually led the robbery operations, all in a bid to avoid criticisms and responsibility! Eventually, a Sagamu High Court declared her innocent, adjudged her killing illegal and awarded a damages of N5 million against the police. So, the recent incident inevitably spawned the feelings of de javu and cast grave doubts on police’s theory that armed robbers were responsible for the tragic death of Okechukwu. At any rate, who is supposed to protect the citizens against the onslaught of armed robbers? Let the authorities get to the root of this heinous crime and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.netmirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

LANRE OYETADE

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Nigeria as regional hub for herbal research W N A World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative, the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics’ Innovation (ANDI), a couple of days ago, designated Nigeria as the center of its West African research and development effort in African Traditional Medicine (ATM). ANDI’s capacity building in Africa is predominantly on research and development, drug innovation, diagnostics, vaccines and medicinal devices or tools for traditional medicine. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the country’s pharmaceutical research authority, is to act as the WHO centre of excellence as well as the hub for the West African sub-region. Director-General of NIPRD, Professor Karniyus Gamaniel, was quoted as saying that achieving the goals of the WHO-ANDI project would require a closer collaboration of research institutions in the sub-region to leverage existing capacity to support product development and building new capacity in Africa. “It will also involve identifying, funding and managing a portfolio of projects across Africa…”, he stated. Incidentally, not much is known of NIPRD’s efforts in modernizing traditional medicine by way of quality assurance or public enlightenment on

its potency for good public health. Indeed, no visible measures have been taken to develop Nigerian herbs and make them widely acceptable like orthodox medicine; though the herbs are globally acclaimed as better in some cases than orthodox therapies. The NIPRD is essentially engrossed with research and not a final product developer; and therefore cannot meet market standards in terms of dosage and standardization. The Institute, according to its D-G, had however, tried to reduce spurious ‘can-cure-all’ claims of traditional medicine practitioners by verifying their claims on the treatment of sundry diseases, as well as collaborating with the practitioners to make traditional medicine widely acceptable. Indeed, the inability to meet market standards, especially on dosage, has remained a major challenge to the practice of unorthodox medicine in Africa; and has been the main reason Western orthodox medicine practitioners interrogate the efficacy of African herbal medical remedies. Added to the setback is the mixing up of herbal medical practice with fetishism by some crude practitioners, as well as poor conservation, preservation and documentation. The rest are the non-use of modern technological devices to extract the active ingredients in

HILE SOME

IGERIANS DISMISS LOCAL HERBAL

REMEDIES, THEY BLINDLY AND GENEROUSLY PATRONISE MORE

EXPENSIVE CHINESE HERBAL THERAPIES African herbs (portability), and acceptability among a wide range of drug users. The packaging is also very poor, except for some modern trado-medical practitioners. Yet, some ubiquitous and multi-therapy orthodox analgesic and anti-malarial drugs are derived from herbs. Sadly, too, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) appears to have more interest in ascertaining that orthodox or herbal medicines do not contain materials injurious to health, but does not confirm or attest to drug efficacy. In effect, a drug approved by NAFDAC for human consumption, though may contain no injurious poisons, may still not provide the prescribed remedies. However, China presents a good example of a country that has

promoted its traditional medicines to global acceptability. Chinese herbal teas, acupuncture and other traditional therapies are widely accepted in markets in the United States of America and the European Union. While some Nigerians dismiss local herbal remedies, they blindly and generously patronise more expensive Chinese herbal therapies, creating jobs abroad in the process and worsening unemployment and capital flight at home. There is, therefore, the urgent need to refine Africa’s herbal medicines for export to major markets in America and Europe; and take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The WHO-ANDI initiative has given fillip to the development of herbal drugs to acceptable market standards. The onus is now on the Nigerian and other African governments to provide the requisite incentives. It’s shameful that African leaders have woefully failed to find a remedy to malaria which kills over one million victims yearly in the continent, especially children under the age of five years and pregnant women, for example. The WHO-ANDI recognition should spur Nigeria and other African nations to actions aimed at upgrading herbal medicine to internationally acceptable standards.

ON THIS DAY September 27, 2008 China National Space Administration (CNSA) astronaut, Zhai Zhigang, became the first Chinese person to perform a spacewalk while flying on Shenzhou 7. Zhigang (born October 10, 1966) is an officer in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and a CNSA astronaut. During the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, he became the first Chinese citizen to carry out a spacewalk, an Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) done by an astronaut or cosmonaut outside of a spacecraft beyond the Earth’s appreciable atmosphere.

September 27, 2001 Zug massacre: In Zug, Switzerland, Friedrich Leibacher shot 18 citizens, killing 14 and then killed himself. The Zug massacre took place on September 27, 2001 in the city of Zug (Canton of Zug, Switzerland) in the canton’s parliament. In the years before the massacre, Leibachaer drew attention to himself by an intense use of lawsuits. These were dismissed, so he assumed he was being persecuted by the state, thus he felt he had to resort to the crime.

September 27, 1959 Nearly 5000 people died on the main Japanese island of Honshu as a result of a typhoon. A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180° and 100°E. This region is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern (North America to 140°W), central (140°W to 180°), and western (180° to 100°E).

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today M Making varsity education ccompulsory is a colonial m mentality 20

The ongoing crisis at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, is another big test for Nigeria’s federalism. While the governor is insisting that the ivory tower cannot be governed by laws passed at the federal level, ASUU believes there is no room for individual laws in the education sector. In this report, National Mirror’s CHINEDUM EMEANA, considers each party’s arguments and the plight of the students. Excerpts:

Amaechi versus ASUU: Who blinks first?

rof. Barineme Fakae, the returning Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, has become synonymous with the web of controversy that has enmeshed the institution in recent times. The tug of war between the school’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Governor Rotimi Amaechi has centred on the governor’s resolve to return Fakae for a second term despite the unabated controversies that characterized his first term appointment. In 2010, RSUST’s ASUU had dragged the Rivers State’s Attorney General, Fakae and other stakeholders before the Port Harcourt High Court to contest the legality of Fakae’s appointment. However, after two years of legal battle, the court had on July 23, 2012, dismissed the matter with suit No PHC/236/2010, asking the parties to approach the industrial court. Few days after, and precisely on July 31, the Rivers State Governor and Visitor to the university re-appointed the controversial vice-chancellor, in an acting capacity following the expiration of his first tenure. Immediately the appointment was announced, the university’s branch of ASUU hurriedly convened a congress on August 1 where a decision was taken to proceed on industrial action if the Governor did not rescind the decision, which they claimed is unlawful. They gave seven days ultimatum. “Following the resolution of ASUURSUST branch at the congress meeting of 1st August, 2012 the Visitor and Governor of Rivers State was requested to kindly rescind the appointment of Prof B.B Fakae as Ag. VC within seven days or members of the union will withdraw their services, as the appointment violated the university law,” the ASUU statement said. The governor was however adamant at the expiration of the ultimatum. This made the union to issue another statement as follows: “Considering the failure of the Visitor to rescind the appointment and act in accordance with the university law, members of union have unanimously agreed to withdraw their services with effect from Monday 13-08-2012 until the university law is obeyed. All members have been advised to comply accordingly.”

Amaechi

However, not all members complied, as some of the lecturers strongly hold the view that their union led by Dr. Felix Igwe is over-reaching itself by interfering in a matter they consider outside the purview of the union’s mandate. Even the national body of ASUU weighed in on the side of the local ASUU chapter leading to a shutdown of the country’s universities as ASUU embarked on a one-day warning strike on Thursday August 30, to join its local ASUU chapter in protesting the then re-appointment of Fakae as acting VC. According to ASUU National President, Prof. Nasir Fagge Isa, Governor Amaechi was unlawfully meddling in the affairs of the state-owned university, while insisting that Fakae’s re-appointment was underserved and illegal. “A University is a product of law. Such a law must be respected and protected at all times by those the people have entrusted to govern the university. Anything short of that, as we are witnessing at RSUST, is unacceptable, “To say the least, the reappointment of Fakae as acting VC is morally repugnant and legally indefensible,” he said. He went on to question the initial appointment of Fakae in 2007, saying the governor usurped the role of the university’s Governing Council. But the Rivers State Information Commissioner, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the appointment carried out in line with the law governing the institution. She also

Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FEDERAL LAW WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAD SIGNED WHICH GOVERNS FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES AND THE STATE’S LAW

pointed out that no responsible government will turn a blind eye to the giant strides that Fakae achieved in that university since he came on board which has culminated in RSUST making a mighty leap to become the country’s 19th ranked university from lowly 76th. Moreover, she argued that the university law stipulates that at the expiration of a VC’s tenure, he shall be re-appointed for another three years tenure if he is not found wanting. Governor Amaechi has since challenged the union to go to court if it is convinced that the action of his government is in breach of the law. He insisted that RSUST was governed by a state law and therefore ASUU’s national leadership cannot dictate to it with regard to the appointment of its vice-chancellor.

“There is a difference between the federal law which the president had signed which governs federal universities and the state’s law. They (ASUU) want me to disobey the law that sets up RSUST. I wish them luck but this will not happen within the period that I am governor of Rivers State. “There is what is called the rule of law and true federalism; unitary system should not be applied in a state. The law setting up RSUST allows its vice-chancellor to run for three years second term after the expiration of his first term,” Amaechi explained, adding that; “ASUU in Rivers State wants to take up the position of a governor to appoint the vice-chancellor. There has to be discipline and there has to be implementation of law and order.” The governor also expressed regret that professors in the university, who were members of the governing council, stepped out of the council and made themselves candidates for VC. “This action is improper,’’ he said. Furthermore, Amaechi emphasised that his re-appointment of Fakae as the University VC in acting capacity at the end of his first tenure was based on law, pending the nomination of another candidate by the University Council. He said it was unfortunate that lecturers in RSUST who were the highest paid in the country, were in the habit of blackmailing his administration. Meanwhile, about two weeks ago, and in CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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Education Today

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Protests rock Oyo college SIKIRU AKINOLA

300L, POLITICAL SCIENCE, OAU

or two days, students of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, (EACOED), Oyo, took to the streets to protest the increment in their school fees. The students, mainly those studying under the sandwich degree programme of Ekiti State University, (EKSU), which is run in affiliation with the college, stormed the office of the provost to express their displeasure. They were later addressed by principal officers of the institution. Their displeasure, according to the students, was that some of them had already paid before

a letter was received by the institution’s management from EKSU, that their fees have been allegedly increased from N40, 000 to N82, 000. They pleaded with the management of the two collaborating institutions to bring the fees down, adding that the fee, if not reduced, can force some of them out of the school. Some of the affected students who spoke with National Mirror on the condition of anonymity, blamed government at all levels for the hike, saying; “underfunding of education has forced higher institutions to jerk up fees without considering the economic realities.” “If the government has followed the UNESCO

minimum recommendation of 26 per cent of the annual budgetary allocation to education, things would not have gotten worse like this,” said one of the students. In a chat with our correspondent, the Director of the College’s Sandwich programme, Dr. Jacob Adewuyi, he advised the students not to destroy school properties but to go on with their normal academic activities promising that the situation would be addressed. “It came as a surprise to us as the semester is halfway before they came up with the increment. Though, we were supposed to discuss it at a roundtable but they just told us that their fees have

Library Officer, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Mrs. Nadia Akindele explaining a point to students from five secondary schools from Ode Irele, Ondo State who came on excursion organized by African Rural Genius Education Support Initiative, a non-governmental association, to the institution, recently.

Babcock Varsity offers new students fresh start

s a way of exposing them to the rules and regulations of the institution, the authorities of the Babcock University, IlishanRemo, in Ogun State, recently welcomed the new intakes in the ivory tower with a week-long fun filled orientation programme. This year’s edition of the annual programme afforded a platform for the 1,500 new students to be inspired by devotional messages as they were also engaged in interactive sessions with the administrators. The university’s Senior Vice-Chancellor andProvost, College of Health and of Medical Sciences, Prof. Iheanyi Okoro said the students should count themselves fortunate to be

admitted to the institution which he said is one of the best in the country. He also briefed them of the several ongoing projects and plans for the students. “There may be a little inconvenience now but let me assure you that very soon, we shall ensure that everyone of you have the comfort you deserve to have a memorable stay on this campus,” he said. He stressed the administration’s passion for ensuring students’ welfare as he unfolds plans to expedite action on the completion of the 2,000-capacity central cafeteria by the end of the year. The Vice-Chancellor in charge of Development and Strategy, Elder Olukunle Iyanda, also promised the students on be-

half of the institution that their welfare and security will be adequately taken care of. He challenged them to be creative and be free to approach any of the departments in the division for any idea. “In Babcock, there is opportunity for you to achieve your dream if you are determined enough. The glory of God shall be exhibited in you as you learn in this great university,” he said. The university’s Pastor, Dr Tunde Ojewole, said it was an opportunity for a timely reminder to get passionately involved in the institution’s spiritual activities. “This is not just a certificate- awarding institution; you are here to be built for true leadership,” he remarked.

to be the same with what is obtainable on their campus. We informed them about the plights of our students here but we have not heard anything from their ends. Hopefully, something positive will be done because we understand the fact that they went extra mile to pay the old rate. They should bear with us as efforts are in top gear to address it.”

Medical brain drain continues in South Africa

he medical brain drain that had stripped South Africa of efficiency in running its public hospitals is continuing. The country is losing 17% of its qualifying doctors every year and, in the four years since 2005, nearly 1,000 new doctors did not register to work, according to government figures. “It mirrors the depth of dissatisfaction among doctors over South Africa’s public health system,” Mike Waters, shadow minister of health for the official opposition Democratic Alliance, told University World News. The statistics were published last month in reply to a parliamentary question and reveal the numbers of newly graduated doctors who did not register for community service. Of 5,689 who qualified over four years, 4,702 registered. All doctors have to undertake community service to be accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa to practise medicine. The figures suggest many young doctors may have gone to work in other countries, meaning the government subsidy to those medical students is a lost investment. The Department of Health endorses the competency of doctors after they have served 12 months at state-run health institutions, explained Ravick van der Merwe, an industrial relations adviser for the South African Medical Association. Before offering their services, doctors also have to undertake a year-long internship.

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Education Today

Thursday, September 27, 2012

When students, unemployed graduates mentored on career paths TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

director with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Aminat Audu and a Nollywood actor, Mr. Charles Okafor, have advised youths to develop skills on careers that would better their lots and that of the society now and in future. The duo gave the advice in Lagos recently at a forum organised by the Lagos State branch of Nnokwa Progressive Union (NPU) from Anambra State for students across the educational levels, as well as unemployed graduates. It was an annual programme and this year’s edition theme: “Job creation and opportunity. was third in the series” Both guest speakers applauded the organisers, for bringing the students and youths together to tap from the wealth of experience of people who have become successful in their chosen fields and other endeavours. They urged them to be fo-

A cross section of participants and facilitators at the forum.

cused and committed, particularly to their studies and other endeavours as the case may be now that they are still young so that they can be economically relevant not only to themselves, but also to immediate environment and the country at large. Mrs. Audu, on her part, told them not to believe in the getrich quick syndrome, which she said was common among youths nowadays in the country. According to her, there is no short cut to good success in life. “So, I will implore you all to make the right career choice

starting with your course of study in school to career’s development after schooling and then remain focus as you move up the ladder of success.” She also disabused their minds on the belief by many youths that Nigeria has nothing to offer them and because of that, struggle by all means to get out of the country even to the land of unknown, saying they should henceforth believe in themselves and the country to make their dreams and aspirations become a reality. “Either as a student, an ad-

Amaechi versus ASUU: Who blinks first? CONTINUED FROM 19 the middle of the ongoing crisis, the governor confirmed Fakae as the substantive VC for a second term. “The appointment was done in conformity with the provisions of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law, through a Joint Selection Committee of members of Council and the Senate, set up for the purpose,” the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, had written in the reappointment letter. Feyii explained that the committee shortlisted five candidates for the VC’s position, namely: Prof. B. Onuegbu, Prof. M. Ahiakwo, Prof. N. Lale, Prof. B. B. Fakae, and Prof. C. Enyinda. “At the end of the selection process, two candidates, namely: Prof. B.B. Fakae and Prof. C. Enyinda, were forwarded to the Visitor for consideration. The Visitor, in exercise of his discretionary powers, chose, Prof. Barineme Fakae. It is pertinent to point out that Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo and Lale were disqualified after they were accused of involvement in the nomination of members of the Joint Selection Committee; allegation they have since denied. However, the state government isn’t convinced claiming; “Professors Onuegbu and Ahiakwo nominated Professor Ogburia and Professors Amadi, as members of the committee, while Professors Lale and Ahiakwo, who were members of Council nominated Amabipi Martins, Mrs. Matilda Nnodim, Chief Nemi Adoki, Deacon Abigo and Chief Wike.” Therefore, acting on that premise, the SSG added: “As candidates for the position of the VC, they are barred morally and legally from participating in the process of the selection of persons to be nominated into the body to determine their suitability. Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo and Lale, were therefore disqualified from contesting for the position of VC. The fact that they were allowed to stand for the selection and were interviewed did not cure the initial defect and substantive disability. The principle to be protected here is that, a candidate cannot choose his own judge.

“So, contrary to the claims being made by ASUU and some other elements, in an attempt to deliberately misinform and mislead the public, the appointment of Prof. Barineme Beke Fakae, was done in accordance with due process.” The government did not leave the situation at that, as it embellished its arguments to justify Fakae’s appointment further by highlighting ASUU’s failed attempt to overturn the first term appointment through the Court, while showcasing some of the achievements that the man recorded in his first term such as getting the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to accredit all the courses run by the school, from 20% accreditation level in 2008 when he came on board fully, and complete stamping out of “cultism which was at its highest peak some years ago, leading to the death of students in their numbers.” “Out of 124 universities in the country, RSUST is not only among the top 27 considered qualified for visitation by NUC for the purposes of Institutional Accreditation, but it is now institutionally accredited with an impressive score of 67.25 per cent and rated A in the second category to operate as a university for the next five years. “RSUST has moved up from 76th position on the World Webometric Ranking of Nigerian Universities to 19th,” the SSG boasted. “We have no doubt that the Rivers State University of Science and Technology is today producing better quality graduates than was the case in the recent past and the state government is committed to ensuring that no individual or group distracts it from the path it has chosen to lift the standard of education in the state. “Consequently, the Rivers State Government wishes to appeal to all stakeholders, including ASUU to embrace measures that will ensure the return of students and lecturers to the classrooms in the overall interest of our children’s education”, Feyii added. From all indications, it appears that a quick resolution of the imbroglio is for both parties to determine, at least in the interest of the students, whose fate continues to hang in the balance.

mission seeker, or a job applicant, you can temporarily engage in a profitable venture even if it is just by selling phone recharge cards or any other petty items and make some money for yourself to meet certain needs,” she admonished. In his own, Okafor described education as a vital key to success, urging participants to develop themselves on vocational

and entrepreneurial skills that would keep them engaged now and in future, in such businesses as fish farming, interior decoration, fashion designing and entertainment industry, among others. Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Education Committee of the union, Sir Simon Ukpaka, explained that hundreds of youths from within and outside Anambra State had benefited tremendously through the forum over years. On his part, the chairman of the union in Lagos, Dr. Obiora Chukwuka, said the forum was aimed at guiding the youths on what are expected of them to secure admission into tertiary institutions to study their preferred courses and how to make good careers out of them after graduation. Each of the participants was presented with some books and a certificate of participation at the end of the exercise.

Teachers’ strike: Education Minister snubs journalists WAEC launches e-results’ verification portal

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

he Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, sunbbed journalists on Tuesday in Lagos over the ongoing strike by the public secondary school teachers in 17 states of the federation including Ekiti, Katsina and Cross River, among others. The striking teachers are demanding from their respective state governments the immediate implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance approved by the Federal Government about four years ago. The minister, who was in Lagos for the official launch of the Online Results Verification Portal of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), told journalists who were curious to know the Federal Government’s move to resolve this pressing educational issue, that he was not in Lagos for the strike. “I came here for the launch of the WAEC results’ verification portal and not for strike and therefore you can ask your questions based on that,” he told journalists and walked away. Earlier in his speech, Wike described the introduction of electronic verification of WAEC’s results as a significant improvement for the examination body and millions of Nigerians, who patronise its services. According to him, apart from the fact that the process would

be more economical, stress-free and time saving compared to the conventional method that WAEC had known for over decades. ahae disclosed that the effective operation of this eportal would allow for better and efficient access to WAEC’s secure database. While decrying the poor state of secondary school education in the country, Wike assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of this particular education level, especially by collaborating with the state governments and relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable improvement of the education sector. “Although the progress is slow, it is clear that we are moving away from the dark clouds that engulfed our educational system at all levels,” he stressed. In his own welcome address, the outgoing Head of WAEC National Office Nigeria, Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, said the e-portal result verification system would enable employers of labour, educational institutions, embassies, as well as other organisations and individuals to check and verify results of candidates who took WAEC examinations in Nigeria from 1980 to date directly online anywhere around the world. “They will no longer have to visit WAEC’s offices physically to do that but the system is for now limited to our candidates from Nigeria,” he concluded.

Education Today

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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UNIABUJA crisis: Panel wants unaccredited courses scrapped IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he Special Visitation Panel set up for the University of Abuja by the Federal Government has submitted its report. In it, the panel made recommendations for the turnaround of the 24- year old institution, part of which will require the outright scrapping of some courses. One of the key recommendations of the report is that all unapproved programmes being run by the university should be scrapped forthwith. Chairman of the 45member panel, Theo Chike Osanakpo, revealed

this while presenting the 300 page report to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, in her office last week. He said the panel observed that the condition of facilities on both campuses of the institution fell short of what was expected of a university. According to the report, the master plan of the institution in terms of physical infrastructure should have been attained by 2025, but that, what was on ground today was a mere 6 percent. This is even as the University in its 24 years of existence enjoyed subventions up to N35 billion so far. Osanak-

po said, “Having done an overhaul of the entire programmes in the institution, our finding and recommendation to government is that programmes that are not duly approved for the University should not be run by the university.“Besides that, we also looked at governance and administration we xrayed the administration starting from the first ViceChancellor Isa Mohammed through to the current ViceChancellor, Prof. Adelabu and we also looked at governance by the respective

governing councils from inception till date.“Wed. 25 July 2012: Honorable Minister you will recall that when we were inaugurated on Wednesday, 25 July, 2012, our first assignment was for us to look at the financial audit. “On examination of the financial audit the total amount of money from 1988 to 2012 that came into University of Abuja was about N35billion.“The more important thing is that, not withstanding this amount of money, our findings, observations and recommendations are that

financial prudence must be enthroned.“One of the ways to enthrone financial prudence in University of Abuja is to ensure that proper, pragmatic, practical accounting system is introduced to be able to check unnecessary wastages.” The panel recommended that the VC should be benchmarked and given targets adding that a VC should not only be a sound academic but also a good manager of men and resources.“University of Abuja needs a dynamic, proactive, pragmatic governing council to be able to deal

OSUSTECH establishes research group

Katsina probes college’s missing funds JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

six-man committee has been set up by the Katsina State Government to recover alleged missing funds at the Yusuf Bala Usman College of Arts and Remedial Studies. This was part of the recommendations made by the visitation panel set up as a result of students’ protest last year and the subsequent removal of the provost and some other senior officers of the college. Inaugurating the committee recently, Special Adviser on Higher Education, Dr. Garba Matazu said the committee is expected to recover missing fund alleged to be siphoned.

Matazu explained that the public hearing conducted by the visiting panel gave insight on the alleged missing of the fund. He said the visiting panel was able to get figures and necessary information during the public hearing on the alleged missing of the fund. Matazu charged the committee to thoroughly investigate on the issue and provide comprehensive report to the government. He said the committee members should ensure honesty and fear of God in the discharge of their duty. Responding, chairman of the committee, Alhaji Sani Abdu Funtua, assured that the committee would work to justify the confidence reposed on members.

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

T L-R: Chairman, West African Examination Council International, Prof Pius Obanya; Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike; outgoing WAEC’s Head of National Office Nigeria, Dr. Iyi Uwadiae and his successor, Mr. Charles Eguridu at the launch of the WAEC Online Results’ Verification Portal in Lagos on Tuesday. PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

‘ITF amendment act will boost entrepreneurship’ A AKEEM H KURE.

GBADAMOSI

he Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund

Lagos trains 50 Music teachers

s students are resuming a new academic session, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has organised a three-day refresher course for 50 music teachers in the state-owned secondary schools drawn from the six education districts in the state. The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs.

Olayinka Oladunjoye, who disclosed this, said the training was not only aimed at improving the quality of teaching by the subject teachers, but to also show the importance the government attaches to the study of the subject in school. Speaking through the ministry’s Director of Cocurriculum Services, Mrs. Omobola Babs-Akinyeye,

Director of Co-curriculum Services, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Omobola Babs-Akinyeye with arrow and participants at a training workshop organised for Music teachers in the state-owned secondary schools in Ikeja recently.

with the systemic challenges that the University faces. “At the same time ensure that the Chief Executive Officer is made at all times to adhere strictly to the extant rules governing Senate matters and also matters concerning day- to- day running of the institution.” In response, the Minister said government will look at the report with a view to implementing its recommendations. She gave the Acting Permanent Secretary two weeks within which to write a draft white paper for presentation to the president.

the commissioner told participants to use the teaching of the subjects to inculcate moral discipline in the minds of their students. She noted that Music as a science, as well as an art subject could not be separated from people and the society. One of the resource persons and a lecturer at University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Anthony Mereni, disclosed that Music teachers were not only to teach students to have knowledge of the subject but also to enlighten them on the types of music production that can contribute positively to the society. He said the expectation from the training was for participants to put into use what they had learnt now that students were about to resume.

(ITF), Prof. Longmas Wapmuk has said the new ITF amendment act would aid the development of small and medium scale enterprises which constitute the bedrock of the nation’s economy. Wapmuk, who disclosed this in Akure, Ondo State capital during a one-day interactive forum organised by the Akure area office of ITF for employers in Ondo and Ekiti States stated that the Act would also help to broaden the revenue base of the organistion and also strengthen all arms of the establishment to be able to collect the training contribution. The DG said the ITF had maintained high standard in human capital development which is required in oiling the wheels of development in any economy. He said “ with this Act, it is obvious that more employers will have the advantage of benefitting from the funds services of promoting and providing an allround human capital development of Nigerians in the

acquisition and application of skills in both private and public sectors” He disclosed that ITF would always be ready to collaborate with employers in actualising their capacity development efforts with a view to providing the needed skills to manage and operate organisations more effictively. The ITF boss also explained that his organisation had started working in tandem with government for the realisation of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. He informed that efforts were on to establish skills acquisition centres around the country where people would be trained on various skills ranging from welding, plumbing, tailoring, carpentry, building and others. He said the training becomes imperative in order to increase the nation’s workforce, saying the objective of the transformation agenda of the president Jonathan would be defeated.

he Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, has established an innovation group saddled with the responsibility of coordinating various research efforts of the institution. The research group, named “OSUSTECH Innovation Group” (OIG), will give attention to scientific research that would solve the institution’s immediate needs and that of its immediate community. The Vice- Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi who stated this while addressing journalists recently, listed some of the research activities to cover such areas as biogas, fertiliser, solar energy and energy. He said the institution had partnered organisation and agencies with similar vision to help bring about positive changes to the society. Odugbemi also informed that the school had included in its curriculum the entrepreneurial education with emphasis on skill development and entrepreneur training aside from their normal academic activities. “The idea is to make them self reliance, independent and job creators after their graduation,” he stressed. He also disclosed that periodic training was being organised for the institution’s workers at interval to broaden their knowledge and orientation so as to bring out the best in them.”

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Education Today

Thursday, September 27, 2012

FG grants 70 students scholarship to China, Russia IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

total of 70 indigent Nigerian students who bagged this year’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarships have been dispatched to China and Russia by the Federal Government. The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who disclosed this in Abuja at a orientation programme preceding their departure, counseled the students to work hard and be of good conduct in order to excel in their studies. Rufa’I noted that there was significant increase in this year’s scholarship awards in spite of the global downturn, saying a total of 210 scholarship offers have been issued to

Nigerian students by the development partners for the new academic session. According to her, out of this figure, four beneficiaries have since arrived China to study Medicine and 70 others will depart today (last Thursday) for China and Russia.” The government according to the minister had in 1999 in a bid to strengthen bilateral agreement with development partners and develop her manpower needs, revitalised the Federal Scholarship Scheme by investing more in both national and international programmes. She disclosed that as of that time, Russia and China granted 25 scholarship awards each and that while Russia increased its number to 70 annually,

China maintains the same number of people. She added that such other countries as Cuba, China, Japan, Morocco, Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia, Romania and Algeria have also provided scholarship to Nigerian students over years. She explained that the terms of the scholarship include the tuition fees accommodation and little stipends being paid by the donor countries to the students while the Federal Government of Nigeria on its part pays to the scholars, supplementation allowances, to augment feeding, local transport, maintenance, equipment and books. In her remark, the Director, Federal Scholarship Board, Mrs. Hindatu Abdullahi, disclosed that 517 Nigerian scholars

were currently enjoying the BEA scheme abroad. She, however, called for more budgetary allocation to the board in order to effectively carry out its mandate and fulfilling the terms of bilateral agreement, especially in terms of reciprocity scholarship awards. One of the beneficiary students, Mohammed Abdullahi, from Jigawa State, who is to study Electronic Engineering at a degree level in China, thanked the Federal Government and the donor countries for the opportunities, which he described as rare. He on behalf of his colleagues assured that they would do well and excel in their academics and return home after completion of the programme to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

ESSPIN to hit airwaves on Independence Day TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

igerian Futures, a 30- minute film on education sector reform in six states - Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara and Lagos- will be broadcast on the country’s 52th Independence anniversary Day, October 1. The documentary is produced by the UKaid Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) and will be broadcast for 30 minutes on African Independent Television (AIT) begging from 9:00am and on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) from 12noon. According to ESSPIN’s Communications and Knowledge Management Coordinator, Bankole Ebisemiju, the film focuses on the schools as the heart of the education system. He added that the film which is based on the findings of the international charity organisation would showcase the state of schools, teachers and students to teaching and learning respectively, as well as the efforts of governments and other stakeholders in improving the sector in the six states under consideration.

L-R: Vice Chairman, Nigerian National Committee of United World Colleges, Mr. Kehinde Phillips; Chairman, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie and Chairperson, Selection subcommittee on college’s scholarship programmes, Prof. Ishabella Okagbue during a press conference to announce the 50th anniversary celebration of the college in Lagos.

Airtel, others train Maths teachers on e-learning BANKOLE FAMUYIBO

leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria has partnered Nokia and the Pearson Foundation to train some Maths teachers in the public primary schools in Lagos State on the use of wireless technologies to teach the subject. A total of 200 Maths teachers selected from100 schools participated in the four-day training programme, which was the second in the series in this year alone. The project tagged: “BridgeIT”, is a multi-sector

partnership project that combines the familiar mobile products and existing wireless technologies to deliver educational programmes by teachers to students in a new and effective manner. Under the scheme, according to the Coordinator, BridgeIT Initiative Nigeria, Mrs. Atinuke Adelakun, the trainees received digital programming items such as videos, pictures, text, and audio files – over mobile technology already in use in their communities, and were empowered with skills to share these materials with students in a way that will improve students’ learning.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Adedotun Adebayo said the training would help them to teach in a more effective way when getting back to class. In his remark, Airtel Nigeria’s Corporate Communications & CSR Director, Emeka Oparah, represented by the company’s CSR Senior Officer, Chioma Okolie, said Airtel would continue to contribute to the development of education particularly at primary school level. He, however, disclosed that 62 teachers from 31 schools in the state had been trained under the scheme early in the year.

Seventh Day Adventist lauds Abia govt. on return of mission schools the handover was preceded GEORGE OPARA ABIA

he Seventh Day Adventist Church, Eastern Nigeria Union Mission, has commended the Abia State Government for handing over some public schools in the state back to the missions including Ihie High School, alma mater of Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada. It could be recalled that the state recently handed over 19 public secondary schools to their original owners. Ihe High School in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, originally owned by the church, was one of the schools handed over by the government. Pastor Bassey Udoh, President of the Eastern union said in Umuahia that

by the home-coming of some alumni of the school. “Thousands of our alumni, including some members of the national body in America, gathered in Ihie to celebrate the handover with us,” he said. Udoh predicted that the handover of the schools would lead to positive developments in the education sector of the state. He expressed happiness at the development, saying it came at the right time. The clergyman, who lamented the deplorable state of Ihie High School and education in Abia, promised that the missions would revamp the sector. “I was surprised that the school was in ruins, but we promise to rehabilitate the structures and bring it back to reckoning,” he said.

UWC holds 50th anniversary

he Nigeria’s National Committee of United World Colleges (UWC) will tomorrow join the rest of the world in celebrating the golden jubilee of the educational network, which has its presence in 178 countries around the world. The committee’s Chairman and Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, saying the celebration would take place at Civic Centre in Vctoria Island, Lagos in a dinner’s format and raising of awareness for the college. Bello-Osagie, an alumnus of the college said UWC was a co-educational institution that admits students who are between age 14 and 19 from around the globe for a two- year programme leading to the award of International Baccalaureate diploma. He noted that the colleges located in only 12 countries across the world in-

cluding Canada, America, Italy, United Kingdom, Costa Rica and in Swaziland in Africa, among others. While disclosing that over 70 per cent of students of the college enjoy full scholarship while the rest may either be on partial scholarship or fees payment, Bello-Osagie added that an average of 10 students get admission into the colleges yearly from Nigeria after rigorous selection process by a volunteerrun committee headed by Mrs. Ishabella Okagbue, a Professor of Law. According to him, Nigeria’s committee helps select local students based on personal merit and also works to provide financial assistance for those who require it, among them. While he implored other Nigerian alumni of the institution to participate in the celebration, BelloOsagie disclosed that funds raised at the forum would be used to sponsor more Nigerians into the colleges.

‘Attainment of UBE goals will reduce poverty’

n educational consultant and Registrar, Strategic Finance and Administrative Institute, Dr. Peter Ekong has advised the governments across levels to always appoint professionals in handling the strategic areas of the economy, especially education sector. Presenting a paper at a seminar organised by the institute of Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria with the themed: ‘Nigeria’s vision2020 and the MDGS. How realistic? Ekong said the only way to realise the vision was to allow techno-

crats and professionals who are very sound in various fields of endeavours to be the managers of the country’s resources. He said the achievement of some of the MDGs including Universal Basic Education (UBE) and Education for All (EFA) projects would help the country in the reduction of poverty, but it is disheartening that nothing substantial happened in that regard. The registrar therefore advised universities to produce skillful graduates that will grow the economy.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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Making varsity education compulsory is a colonial mentality –Ex NDDC boss Ahead of its planned Business Development Week, the President of the Institute of Business Development (IBD), Engr. Godwin Omene, recently spoke with some journalists, including National Mirror’s MOJEED ALABI. The pioneer Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), spoke on the objectives of the summit, goals of the institute and the country’s education system. Excerpts: To begin with, what is the institute all about? The Institute of Business Development is an educational institution where we train Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike on business initiatives, strategies and skills of running success businesses. We award certificates of Associates, Fellows and we also admit student members. It is an institute established to redefine the business activities in Nigeria in line with international practice. It is a national body with global connections. We run the institute with annual subscription of token fees which in actual fact cannot be enough to fund it. Why the need for a business development institute when most of the nation’s higher institutions already offer more than enough management courses? I thank you for this very important question. You see, we don’t actually discourage people from opting for university degree certificates but this is an institute where you can attend and gain certificates that will earn you good jobs. It is a colonial mentality that you must attend a university as the peak of education and when Nigeria adopted it, we took it beyond the recommendations. University certificates have, therefore, become what we worship here. In the developed countries, the best hands are mostly not university products. Some, who have technical education, vocational trainings and other forms of education use their initiatives to develop their countries’ economy. Universities are known for theories but the practicals are carried out on the field. This is an institute established by core business professionals, who have seen it all in the business world and apparently as a result of their findings in the labour market which we think most graduates don’t have, we put up this institute to teach what is needed and not what is recommended by people who designed our curriculums in the universities. For instance, as an individual, I am a First Class product of the Imperial College, London, where I studied Mining Engineering and graduated in 1960 and I have been in the oil and gas industry for about 50 years. I joined Shell BP in 1966 just before the war as a Wellsite Petroleum Engineer and I rose

Omene

IN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, THE BEST HANDS ARE MOSTLY NOT UNIVERSITY PRODUCTS to the position of Deputy Managing Director. I was with the organisation till I retired in 1997 before Obasanjo administration appointed me as a pioneer Chief Executive and Managing Director of Niger-Delta Development Commission. When you consider this alone, you can picture the seriousness of the institute. What is the level of the institute’s enrolment? The institute’s enrolment is an ongoing thing. As an institute that came up in 2006, our students’ base is coming up gradually with the current population of over 500. We have about 50 Fellows and about 350 Associates. We have main examinations that take place twice a year- May and November, for the mainstream category and also for all other levels. We have the conversion courses which primarily are meant for experienced business development officers. What are the enrolment requirements? We have categories of memberships. As a student, you reg-

ister and we have mainstream category, which accommodates people with senior secondary school certificate or OND, HND or BSc. And if you have graduated and you are working we have conversion courses. We have the graduate conversion and executive conversion course. The executive conversion course is a short programme, which after completion and you pass the examination, then you become an associate of the institute. From there, you can apply to become a Fellow and then be qualified addressed as F.BDI. Business environment is a key issue in running businesses. How is the institute tackling this issue of manpower to develop an enabling environment? First of all, the business environment is a national question. This business environment we are talking about is not just climate and weather condition but to create an enabling environment for those interested in running businesses in the country to operate without hindrances, and to ensure adequate

gains on the part of the society and the business owners. This is very important and aside the infrastructural decay, I will cite for instance what the militants were doing before the late President Yar’Adua offered those on amnesty which was not good to business environment. I always told them that they should not stifle the environment. Before the war, Nigeria was one of the safest places in the world; you did not need to lock your door and you could leave your car key in the car and walk away. But now, you dare not. I am just coming from America and foreigners continued to ask about their safety running business in the country. They said they are afraid of kidnappings, bombing, robbery, among others but I told them things are changing for better. This is the kind of the environment we are talking about. We also have the environmental issues of flood caused most times by indiscriminate dumping of environmental wastes, drainage blockage, among others. But the business environment can be sanitised through improved campaigns to institute good governance. We need the press to engage in public relations to sensitise the public on the good things about this country. The press shouldn’t just be concerned with the negative stories about the country; they must be able to blow the positives too. What are the measurable impacts of the institute on the nation’s business so far? Our impacts begin with the membership of the institute who are stakeholders in key sectors of the nation’s economy. For instance, I took over from Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the incumbent PDP chairman as the president of the institute. If you look at the personality of Tukur alone who is a successful businessman and pillar of business globally and you picture what our contributions are to the economy. Definitely whatever we discuss at the institute can become an issue at the government level. Also, we constantly receive feedback from many students who have passed through us and we are pretty satisfied with the reports we receive. Coming to the forthcoming business development week; what is it all about?

The IBD week actually came up when the Council of the institute felt there is need to bring together captains of industries and business developers to come together to discuss pertinent business issues in the country and Africa by extension. We believe Nigeria has enormous resources but these resources have not really been tapped as expected due possibly to lack of knowledge, poor infrastructural facilities, insecurity, among others. But it is the essence of this weeklong event to discuss the resources, how they can be further tapped, how the current conditions can be beaten to achieve maximum rewards and much more importantly how these captains of industries can bring their years of experience and both their national and international networks to support good initiatives from young entrepreneurs. In this country alone, we have about 25 major mineral resources with many yet to be tapped. Every state you come from, you are endowed with one mineral or the other. And when you say Nigeria is the giant of Africa, it is really not just about noise making, but the conversion of the abundant resources we are endowed with, to the people’s benefits. However, we are fast loosing this position to more serious countries like Ghana, South Africa, and a host of others because we seem to be too complacent and comfortable with our problems. Our population is just there floating all over the places without converting it to the use of the people. This business development summit is the first in the whole of Africa and we can guarantee you that it is an avenue to meet individuals and corporate organisations that can turn things around in the business world. What are the key sectors of the nation’s economy you will be focussing during the summit and when in particular will the summit hold? To begin with your last question, the BDI summit is scheduled to hold between Monday, November 12, and Friday, 16. Also, the summit will feature thought provoking and engaging sessions on the themes of procurement, investment, banking, finance, trade, SMEs and project production, infrastructure, energy, solid mineral, power, transportation, among others. And we are proud to announce to you that it has been endorsed by top business investors and organisations in the land.

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

HE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 23 circulated three goofs: “… was arrested over (for) alleged oil theft and this came some other revelations in the sector.” “The heavy downpour has cast a dark and….” An insight: ‘downpour’ does not require any amplification as it superlatively typifies ‘heavy rainfall’. So, the downpour has…. “National awards and its (their) falling integrity” THISDAY of Saturday, September 22, wobbled on four occasions: “We are alright (all right) in terms of infrastructure considering that we did (do) not own the structures in the stadium, but we can always apply for its (their) use whenever the need arise (arises).” “Introducing the GTBank Dollar Credit Card: Its (It’s) Business on a whole new level” (Full-page advert, THISDAY, September 22) THE NATION of July 10 circulated this embryonic (immature) line: “Lagos is known as the honey-pot of Nigeria, attracting all and sundry from different nooks and corners of the country.” Goodbye floodravaged Lagos: nooks and crannies. Now, all those who ignorantly and mischievously accuse me of leaving out titles on this stable can prance! “My grouse with Anenih— Uyigue” (Nigerian Tribune, July 10) Till eternity: my grouse about (not with)…. “The present situation is that the federal government has between 50 to 53 per cent of national income….” (THE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Heavy downpour’ not possible! NATION, July 9) Still on fiscal federalism: between 50 and 53 or from 50 to 53. No muddle, gentlemen of the Press. The next five solecisms are from THISDAY of July 9: “The family of the deceased is currently seeking proper investigation (a proper investigation or investigations) to unravel….” Special feature: ‘is’ confirms currency exclusivity. So, ‘is currently’ is murderous abuse of language! “They ought to have used that as an opportunity to prove their acceptability in Osun rather than resulting (resorting) to….” “NFF at crossroad over Canada rematch” Sports gist: at a/ the crossroads. “This protest is…to talk to Sanusi concerning his plan to impose Islamic banking in (on/upon) the country.” “Nobody has raised any eyebrow against Kayode Fayemi.” Formal expression: eyebrows. “Election result: Court ordered joint inspection stalled” Get it right: Court-ordered (take note of the hyphen) joint inspection stalled. “FG needs to allow states, LGs run educations—VC” ‘Education’ is uncountable. “Is it lawful to give riot victims mass burial without the permission of their living relatives? Would it have been their dead relatives? “This is neither the time or (nor) the place to discuss about

s the academic community nationwide continues to mourn the death of Prof. Kolawole OluOwolabi, the Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, the authorities of the university have resolved to immortalize him. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, stated this when he led principal officers of the university on a condolence visit to the deceased’s family on the institution’s campus. The professor of Philosophy died on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at the age of 51 years. According to a statement by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, Prof. Adewole described the dead colleague a wonderful scholar and administrator who was passionate about UI and education development in general as he didn’t allow his health challenge to disable him from exceptional performance. The vice chancellor, in the condolence register wrote that the death of Prof OluOwolabi was a monumental loss not only

‘HUGE’ AND ‘COLOSSAL’ CANNOT COFUNCTION (sic) the fractured lives of urban dwellers.” Yank off ‘about’ in the interest of lexical sanity devoid of redundancies. “The President has a (an) onerous responsibility not to give in to the expensive desires of his ministers and members of the National Assembly.” “In Ibadan where I live, we sure are reaping the fallouts of Nigeria ’99” The state of our grammar: fall-out (non-count). “Lagos of yesteryears” This war: yesteryear (uncountable). “Lagos on the match again” ‘Match’ for ‘march”? Why not vernacular at once instead of this malapropism that borders on stark illiteracy! “…more so when most countries in (on) the continent have been turned into banana republics.” “Redressing the dilapidation that have (has) unfortunately become its hallmark is a task that must be done and urgently too.” “The NLC led over 3,000 workers to parliament to protest the raging oil subsidy scam.” I thought we had gone beyond the learner’s stage, which deals with etymological fundamentals: furniture allowances! “The era of racketeering,

panic buying and stocking of petrol at home are (is) back again with latest developments.” Got the verb determinant? Here: The era. “Anybody who happened to stumble unto (on) some millions of naira by fair or foul means dabbled into that business.” “…there seems (seem) to be more than enough petrol stations for motorists....” “Other motorists have to make do with old jalopies (are there new ones?) with a life span of between ten to 20 years....” Either: between 10 and 20 or from 10 to 20. “Offspring of prominent Nigerians on 103-man envoys list” Who pocketed the good, old apostrophe (envoys’ list?) Live in truth if you want to serve. “The current curricula were due for renew 11 years ago”. Back to the classroom: renew (verb) and renewal (noun). “The dead doesn’t (don’t) talk.” “The Lagos State Governor who had come to be part of history was ferried out of the troubled (trouble) spot without any bruises.” “And certainly, we must look forward to a final end to Boko Haram incursions into (upon or on) our political life, whether by ‘invitation’, collusion or whatever.” Grumbling from the North: either finality or an end. ‘Final end’ sounds

chaotic. “On May 29, we swore into the highest pinnacle of our country a man who has rekindled a light of hope over the quagmires of our global despair.” It is best to rewrite this catastrophe: On May 29, we swore into the pinnacle of our country a man who has rekindled our hope. Let us avoid verbiage. “A man who, aware of the risks and challenges of the job he has sworn an oath (sworn to an oath) to carry on….” “For my part, it is clear that primordial attitudes, prejudices, hatreds, arrogant claims of superiority….” My reaction: ‘hatred’ is non-count. “In fact, since the collapse of Nigeria’s dependent on oil income.…” Get it right: dependence. “…not helping matters in the search for solution to unemployment problem in the country....” No redundancy: ‘unemployment’ is clearly a problem. Good this way: solution to unemployment in the country. “The huge colossal damages (damage) the air strikes inflicted on the innocent Libyan people….” Also, ‘huge’ and ‘colossal’ cannot co-function. “His only other coaching experience came last winter when he had a short spell in charge of Sampdoria”. No sports fix: delete ‘short’, which is implied in ‘spell’.

UI to immortalise late Dean –VC

to his family, but to the academic world in general. The late professor has also been variously described by academic colleagues and students of the institution among others as a mentor, inspirer, versatile scholar and achiever who recorded landmark achievements within a short period as a dean of faculty in the university. The Vice Chancellor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Arinola Sanya; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Idowu Olayinka; Registrar, Mr. Olujimi Olukoya; Deputy Registrar (Vice Chancellor’s Office), Mr. Victor Adegoroye and other key officers. The late professor hailed from Igbogila, Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State and had his bachelor degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1983. As a best graduating student in his department, he was

retained there for his National Youth Service scheme and continued there as a lecturer on Graduate Assistant cadre.

Prof. Olu-Owolabi

He joined UI in 1989 as a Lecturer Grade II and rose to become a professor 13 years after. He also obtained the LL.M degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2009 having earlier had LLB degree from the same university and called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2007. He was a member of the Nigerian Philosophical Association (N.P.A.), Nigerian Bar Association (N.B.A.), Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Fellow of the Institute of United States Studies (IFUSS) Iowa University, USA. He won many academic fellowships, which included Rockefeller Fellowship for American Studies, at the University of Iowa in 1999, CODESRIA Governance Institute, 1999, British Council Travel Grant 1998, French Institute for Research in Africa, 1996 and 2000 and CODESRIA National.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

FIBA Cup: Pillars’ stars dismiss Cameroun, Tunisia’s threat 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ormer Nigeria international, Victor Ikpeba, will lead his mates to feature in a novelty match scheduled for Uyo Township Stadium on November 24 as part of the activities for the 3rd Akpabioism Lecture. Other former Super Eagles stars lined up for the match include former captain Henry Nwosu, goalkeeper Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Friday Ekpo and Etim Esin, among others. Chancellor of the Akpabioism Centre for Leadership Development, Pastor James Bassey, who made this disclosure in Lagos

James Bassey

yesterday, about 16 ex-internationals were expected at the event which he said was aimed at promoting and entrenching the outstanding leadership qualities of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio. “We have got the consent of the former Eagles stars to grace the occasion,” Bassey said, adding that the match would also involve the state’s deputy governor, secretary to the state government and other guests. On the lecture, the businessman said: “Akpabioism in totality is all about good leadership geared towards development of the youths as one of the cardinal principles of the governor. I believe that the Nigerian football stars will mentor the youths and re-direct their energies towards positive and productive ventures.” He disclosed that the multi-million-naira Akpabioism Conference Centre would be commercialised generate funds needed to run the facility which he said would include library, and hotel.

RON T/tennis: Ogundele out of singles YEMI OLUS

ashidat Ogundele’s hopes of causing an upset at the ongoing Reachout Nigeria Table Tennis Championship holding in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom were dashed yesterday as she was beaten 3-2 in the first round of the women’s singles. Ogundele, who plays for Union Bank Sports Club and won the Lagos State Table Tennis League in July is making her debut to the competition in its fourth edition staged at the auditorium of the Christ Embassy Church, organizers of the event. “I really don’t know what happened”, a confused

Ogundele told National Mirror. “I will now focus on the mixed doubles event where I will partner with Sola Oyetayo as well as the women’s doubles which I will play alongside Tolu DurosinmiEtti,“ the player, who was the former Asoju Oba champion and gold medallist at the last National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, added. Benin Republic and Congo Brazzaville as well as 22 states of the federation and four clubs are participating in the competition where Cross Rivers State trio of defending champion Janet Friday, Africa’s number one women’s player, Offiong Edem, and Cecelia Out are jostling for honours.

Sport

A lot of matches from the 1970s onwards had huge publicity and attracted a worldwide audience - British chess star, Nigel Short

Ikpeba, West, others play for Akpabio AFOLABI GAMBARI

Oyo launches NSF bid AFOLABI GAMBARI

Lazio’s new sensation, Ogenyi Onazi is a surprise invitee to the Super Eagles squad preparing to face Lone Star next month

Eagles’ invitation humbled me –Onazi IKENWA NNABUOGOR

S Lazio midfielder, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi, says he’s honoured to be considered for a call to the Super Eagles, after coach Stephen Keshi listed him among the players that will battle Lone Star of Liberia in next month’s Afcon 2013 qualifier in Calabar. National Mirror can confirm that the former U-17 and U-20 player was in his Italian club’s chartered train to an away game at Napoli when news of his invitation broke on Tuesday. “I’m so happy to learn about the invitation,” Onazi said yesterday. “It came as a surprise to me, but I’m ready to give it my best shot because it’s been my dream to play in the senior team af-

ter playing in the U-17 and U-20 teams,” he added. “It will be a massive step for me in my career to get a chance to show what I can do for the Eagles and I hope to prove my worth if I get the chance to feature against Liberia,” Onazi, who was rested in Lazio’s surprise 1-0 home loss to Genoa last weekend, further said. On his Italian career, he said: “I have really developed faster that I thought having only started playing for the senior team this season and Coach Vladimir Petkovic has really been supportive.” Onazi, who has so far made seven appearances for Lazio senior team this season, three of which are in the Europa League, is expected to arrive in Nigeria on October 8 for the October 13 qualifier.

he Oyo State government has signified intension to bid for the hosting right for the 19th National Sports Festival, thirty-three years after hosting the event in 1979. Lagos State has been scheduled to host the 18th edition of the NSF this year between November 27 and December 9. Oyo State’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Dapo Lam Adesina, who spoke in Ibadan yesterday, said the state’s interest arose from the successful hosting of the Zonal Qualifiers for the Eko 2012. “With the facility at our disposal at the moment, I think Oyo State can proud host the sports festival, especially if we are resolved to exact our energy toward achieving the objective,” the commissioner said. “The administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi has embarked on infrastructural development and I believe this will serve the state well during the bidding for the next festival,” he added, stressing that Oyo would formally make the bid at the festival in Lagos. Meanwhile, General Manager of Oyo State Sports Council, Mrs. Folake Oyelakin, has pledged the state’s readiness to excel at the Eko 2012 fiesta. “Our athletes have got the right exposure during the recent qualifiers and I believe they will strive to bring glory to the state when the festival gets underway in Lagos,” Oyelakin said yesterday.

Ajimobi

Sport

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rodgers tasks fading Carragher

iverpool Manager, Brendan Rodgers, has highlighted defender Jamie Carragher’s importance in developing the club’s young potential, as he prepares the Anfield stalwart for a coaching role while underlining his continued contribution on the pitch. Carragher, no longer a first-team regular but still an integral part of Rodgers’ plans in the defender’s 17th season with Liverpool, has a key function in the nurturing of the new batch of talent coming through according to Rodgers. The former England international’s ability to lead on the pitch combined with his manner off it is an invaluable asset to Rodgers, who is handing Carragher the captain’s armband for the Capital One Cup tie against West Brom on Wednesday evening as he utilises the 34-yearold’s leadership qualities on the pitch. “He’s critical,” Rodgers said yesterday, according to reports. “The likes of Andre Wisdom look up so much to guys like Jamie. Sometimes you can coach players, talk with them, educate them, but when they go out on to the field, if they’ve got top players around them, that can help them manage the game.”

Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand

Terry clea Gunners

helsea Assista ton, claimed y John Terry w fected by his current line to face Arsenal Saturday. Terry was set to fa panel for the third d tempted to clear his against QPR’s Anton game last October. “Knowing John, h who loves the club and about playing, just as h Roberto He just wants to play. T Martinez medical staff will get sure he’s prepared in t we always do.” “We’ve been talkin Matteo] has been talki igan Manager, Roberto Martinez, has positive and upbeat. It been charged by the Football Association following comments he made after Wigan’s 4-0 defeat at Manchester United earlier this month. Martinez called on Premier League bosses to eports reveale restrict games at Old Trafford to referees at the sea has not s top end of the age-scale after claiming 27-yearRadamel Falc old Michael Oliver should have sent both Danny drid will not sell the Welbeck and Paul Scholes off. Colombia internat “Michael Oliver is a very capable referee, who letico last summer aft has been outstanding in many big games, but it a successful Porto sid was clear from the opening minutes that he was He has continued not going to measure both teams the same way. tion over the past 12 There were a couple of tackles by United playstunning hat-trick in ers which, if they had been the other way round, against Chelsea in Au would have been red cards,” Martinez had said. Earlier reports ha “I just feel it is a difficult place for referees. Blues plotted a £45m They need to be strong, and they need to be very, very experienced. They need to know how to old and preliminary d handle the occasion. It’s not about handling the taken place about a Ja But the Spanish clu game here, it’s the occasion,” he added. Falcao for a long time is hapy at the club.

Hammer dangles on Martinez

‘Blues ca get Falca

Cole seeks Ferdinand re-union

helsea defender, Ashley Cole, is ready to call a truce with Rio Ferdinand to help England’s bid to reach the 2014 World Cup finals. The former friends fell out after Chelsea full-back Cole supported team-mate John Terry when Terry was prosecuted for allegedly racially abusing Rio’s brother Anton Ferdinand. Rio was then fined £45,000 by the FA for re-tweeting a comment which described Cole as a ‘choc ice’. But Cole is willing to bury the hatchet and share a dressing room with Rio, aged 33, if he is recalled for for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland, reports The Sun. England boss Roy Hodgson is considering the move follow-

ing Terry’s decision to quit international football and Cole is sure his strained relationship with Rio could be overcome if that was considered a stumbling block. Cole appeared for Terry’s defence when he was cleared in court of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton.

Alex Ferguson

Fergie’s praise lifts Powell

Jamie Carragher

Hughes stuck with Taarabt

PR Manager, Mark Hughes, says Adel Taarabt has not been frozen out, despite only making one appearance this season. The Moroccan playmaker hasn’t featured since the opening day of the campaign, when Rangers were thrashed 5-0 by Swansea at Loftus Road, leading to speculation that he did not figure in the manager’s plans.

But Hughes insisted Taarabt would get his chance and had to be patient along with the other players on the fringes. “On the first day of the season we were beaten at home quite comprehensively, and I made changes,” the Welshman said. “Those changes affected Adel. But he’s very well thought of here, this is the best place for him and he will get games.”

anchester United midfielder, Nick Powell, admits it was amazing to be identified by manager Alex Ferguson as the future successor to Paul Scholes but doubts anyone will ever replace the veteran midfielder at the club. The 18-year-old arrived at Old Trafford in the summer for £6m from Crewe and marked his debut with a stunning strike in the 4-0 Premier League win over Wigan. “For someone like the coach to say he thinks you can do that is amazing to hear”, Powell said. “The expectations of you are there, but it’s fulfilling those expectations which is the challenge, especially when you consider that there Falcao will probably never be another Scholes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ared for s

Tit Bits

Ferdinand Rio Ferdinand is concentrating solely on his commitments to Manchester United despite it d d it speculation linking him with an England recall. The 33-year-old defender missed out on a place at Euro 2012 after Roy Hodgson chose to drop the former West Ham man due to ‘footballing reasons’. But, following John Terry announcing his retirement from international duty on Sunday, the door on a return to the England set-up appears to have reopened.

ant Coach, Eddie Newyesterday that captain will not adversely aft travail and will be in in their EPL game on

ace an independent FA day yesterday as he atname of a racist slur n Ferdinand during a

he’s a positive person d he’s very enthusiastic he was as a young man. The fitness coaches and around him and make the best way possible, as

Jenas

ng to him, Roberto Di ing to him, and he’s been t isn’t a problem.”

an’t ao’

ed yesterday that Chelsubmitted an offer for cao, saying Atletico Mastriker. tional Falcao joined Atter playing a key part in de between 2009 and 2011. to enhance his reputa2 months and scored a n the UEFA Super Cup ugust. ave suggested that the m swoop for the 26-yeardiscussions had already anuary move. ub is determined to keep e after the player said he

Sport

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Alex Song

Song set for maiden El Clasico

or Alex Song, the chance to join Barcelona was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he could not afford to turn down. The Cameroon international moved to Camp Nou from Arsenal last month in a £15m deal, after seven years with the north London club. The 25-year-old followed a well-trodden path with Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Thierry Henry, Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas all having made the switch to Barça during Arsene Wenger’s tenure. Song admitted Wenger had been a source of great help to him when he arrived at Arsenal as a teenager, but there was no way he could spurn such an opportunity. “Barça spoke with Arsenal in July and Arsene Wenger came to tell me. It was hard to convince him and also say goodbye, because he really helped me and my family when I arrived at Arsenal at 17 years old,” emotional Song said yesterday. “When a club like Barcelona wants you, you can’t say no. A chance like this only happens once in life and you must take it.” Failing to win any trophies in England has served to increase his appetite for success. “I’m hungry. I’ve never won anything and I have come here to play many games and win it all,” he said. In little over a week, and if selected, Song will face Cristiano Ronaldo when Barcelona meet Real Madrid on October 7. Barcelona will be without Carles Puyol, out with a knee injury, while Gerard Pique has a sprained ankle. The above scenario does not in any way concern Song. “Clearly, with Puyol and Pique we are stronger, but I am ready and I’ve played against Cristiano in the Premier League. I have not just started playing today. I’ve played over 200 games at Arsenal and I have nothing to be worried about. “I am not just thinking about stopping Cristiano. What is important is to play and do the job. That is why I have come.”

Forgotten Tottenham midfielder, Jermaine Jenas, could be set to make a dramatic return to his first club Nottingham Forest. The Championship club has revived its interest and is keen to re-sign the one-time England star in time for Sunday’s clash against arch-rivals Derby. According to reports, both clubs have agreed a loan fee with a view to the 29-year-old returning to the City Ground on an initial four-week deal.

Heitinga

John Heitinga believes Everton supporters deserve better after Tuesday’s disappointing Capital One Cup exit at Leeds. There were around 5,000 Everton fans at Elland Road to see David Moyes’ men slip to a surprise 2-1 defeat. Heitinga, who was captain for the night on his 100th start for the club, said: “We need to bounce back, especially for the fans,” the 28-year-old Holland international said yesterday.

CAP set for Beach Marathon AFOLABI GAMBARI

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community Agenda for Peace (CAP) has concluded arrangement to stage the maiden Lagos Beach Marathon in what the organization say is a bid to attract government to the threat posed by ocean erosion along the coastline of Lagos. The 3km event is scheduled to take off at the Alpha Beach, Lekki on Saturday with over 70 runners taking part. Chief Executive Officer of CAP, Mr. Obuesi Phillips, said yesterday that there was no better time to launch the sports initiative to create and sustain public awareness on the natural menace. “It is an understatement that our coastal areas have under severe threat in recent weeks due to persistent rains in areas across Nigeria,” Phillips, who is a legal practitioner, said. “We believe this is not some-

thing the government should gloss over or politicize in the interest of safety for the populace especially people who reside along the coastline,” he added. According to Phillips, the competition will rotate around the country, particularly in the coastal areas with a view to further educating the people. “We also intend meeting with the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) soon to draw modalities with the aim of having the marathon included in the athletic calendar,” he further said, stressing that adequate medical facility would be provided for the participants in the maiden event while winner would get cash prizes as others would get gift items. The race is sponsored wholly by RLG Communications Limited, a subsidiary of RLG Communications Ghana. Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager of the company, Mr. Mandilas Didam, said the company’s attachment to environmental-friendly initiatives was non-negotiable.

O’Neill Sunderland Manager, Martin O’Neill, has criticised club captain Lee Cattermole following his latest red card incident. O’Neill branded Cattermole’s challenge, which saw him collect the fifth red card of his Sunderland career, as “senseless” and “reckless”- with O’Neill urging Cattermole to set a better example to his team-mates. “It was senseless and needless and didn’t give the referee much option in fairness,” O’Neill said yesterday.

Allardyce

West Ham Manager, Sam Allardyce, is angry at his team’s “rubbish” and “comical” defensive performance in their 4-1 Capital One Cup thrashing by Wigan. Striker Mauro Boselli scored twice for the Latics against a West Ham team showing nine changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on Saturday. “We couldn’t defend a fish supper,” Allardyce said yesterday.

The recent Virginia, USA Beach marathon is expected to be replicated in the Lagos version on Saturday

Golf: Industrial Cup gets MTN lift AFOLABI GAMBARI

elecommunication company, MTN, is supporting the 2nd Industrial Cup Golf Tournament where teams of four players from several industries will tee-off at the ten-hole Ikeja Club on Saturday. Competition Secretary of the club, Esimaje Yomi-Egbe, told National Mirror yesterday that the organizers were determined to make the event a success. “We expect that the huge attraction that the tournament attracted last year will continue this year and we are committed to its success,” Yomi-Egbe said. Some of the companies that will participate in the one-day include MTN Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries, Blackberry, Guinness

Nigeria, WABECO, Eleh and Ubosi, Sheraton Hotels, May & Baker, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc and Sparwasser. Meanwhile, General Manager, Consumer Marketing at MTN, Mr. Kolawole Oyeyemi, said the competition has presented a rare opportunity for interaction. “To have all the top industries in the city coming together for recreational purpose is not only, but also fosters the fellowship that support business growth,” Oyeyemi remarked. Some of the players expected to feature in the 18-hole contest which will be preceded by a dinner at the Ikeja Club tomorrow include Saidu Mohammed, Joseph Odumodu, S.I. C Okoli, Ayotunde Phillips, club captain Tunji Adeyemo and former captain Awa Ibrahim, among others.

Sport

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

DUNKING

With SAYO OGUNDEJI

Kada coach tasks NBBF

A Senegalese player (m) outsmarting his Tunisian markers at the ongoing FIBA AfroBasketball U-18 Women’s Championship in Dakar, Senegal.

FIBA Cup: Pillars’ stars dismiss Cameroun, Tunisia’s threat

s Nigeria’s sole representative gears up for next month’s FIBA Africa Champions Cup, two of Kano Pillars Basketball Club players, Yusuf Ibrahim and Usman Abubakar, have declared their readiness to conquer Cameroun and Tunisia who have dominated the game on the continent. Pillars, who were the first runners up at the last Nigeria Premier Basketball League season, emerged Group winners at Africa Champions Cup for Men Zone-3 elimination qualifier held in Liberia last month to qualify for the tournament proper scheduled to hold in Equatorial Guinea next month. Nigerian champions, Royal Hoopers Club of Port Harcourt, could not make it to Liberia after the Rivers State government failed to make funds available, denying the country of having two representatives at the event. Pillars have never won this competition before and the closest the coach Sanni Ahmed- tutored side came to winning the trophy was fifth place finish on three occasions. The guards, who have helped the team win the league trophies on a number of occasions, said a turnaround in fortune was imminent. While Tunisia rules the continent, having won the last edition, Cameroun and Angola have proved tough customers but the players believe they have enough experience to weather the storm. According to the duo, who are among the earlier arrivals to the team’s training camp which opened earlier in the week, beating Cameroun and Tunisia could prove the

toughest challenge. “Kano Pillars is not small club both here in Nigeria and on the continent but we have not won any major competition and we are determined to end that trend this year,” Ibrahim said. “We have shown our capability on the Nigerian scene for a very long time but it is high time we proved to everybody that we mean business continentally irrespective of the opponent that comes our way,” he added. Abubakar, who was part of the se-

nior national team’s preparation for the London 2012 Olympics before being dropped, also said: “Tunisia, Angola and Cameroun will always give any team serious problem any time any day, but we are more determined to win something big this time around and I think our performance in Liberia is a testimony to that. “We are aware of the fact that we are the only representative for the country in men’s category and will be out to make the Nigeria proud.”

oach of Kada Stars of Kaduna Basketball Club, Sani Turi, has called on the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) to ensure the new premier basketball season surpasses the last one in quality and officiating, saying the league will improve through what he calls serious tournaments. Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt emerged champions after beating Kano Pillars in the final 8 competition held in Lagos but Turi’s team failed to make it beyond its group despite qualifying for the tournament. The league’s new date has yet to be fixed, but Turi believes the stakeholders have responsibility to ensure efficient organisation to guarantee better results. Turi, who is an assistant coach with the national U-18 men’s team, charged the authorities to ensure the Nigerian league compete favourably with the best in Africa. “There was an improvement in the standard and officiating of the league last season but a lot still needs to be done to ensure we are ranked among the best both on the continent and the rest of the world,” the Kada coach said. He, however, commended the NBBF on the officiating of the past season while urging the board to ensure its sustenance in the new season.

Coach Turi

Ogwumike scoops WNBA award

or the fourth time this season, the WNBA named Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike the Rookie of the Month, for games played in September. Ogwumike paced all rookies in points (15.1 ppg), rebounds (7.3 rpg) and field goal percentage (.598). Overall, Ogwumike ranked 10th in rebounds and 14th in points. Ogwumike scored a careerhigh 30 points and added 11 rebounds in an 86-77 win over the Chicago Sky on September 13. She finished out the regular season with a double-double (22 points and 11 rebounds) in a 92-76 win over the 2011 defending champion Minnesota Lynx on September 20. The first overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile, Ogwumike averaged 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Sparks. The Sparks are the second seed in the West and will face the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2012

WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile Ogwumike’s Highlights September13 vs. Chicago: Doubledouble with 30 points (career high) and 11 rebounds in an 86-77 win

Ogwumike

September 14 vs. Connecticut: 17 points, eight rebounds in 34 minutes in a 93-82 win September 20 vs. Minnesota: Doubledouble with 22 points and 11 rebounds in a 92-76 win

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Business & Finance Broadband Internet availability in Nigeria remains very high in the priorities of the commission

Mr. President has set the transformational economic agenda for our country and our role is critical to the success of that agenda. We must ensure that we play our own part in delivering sustained economic growth and jobs.

Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah

MINISTER OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT, OLUSEGUN AGANGA

Nigeria moves to avoid global financial blacklist N

igeria stands the risk of being blacklisted by the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), if it does not amend some of its money laundering and terrorism laws before October 15. The chairman of the Presidential Committee on FATF, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday when he featured at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Oronsaye told NAN that it was heart-warming, however, that the National Assembly and the Presidency were already taking concrete steps to avoid the blacklist. The FATF is a body of 180 countries that have signed protocols in support of the fight against international money laundering and terrorism financing. When a country is blacklisted, all other member countries of the FATF are advised to avoid dealing with the financial system of the affected country, just as it was done to Nigeria before it joined the FATF in 2002. Also correspondent banks across the world cut off credit facilities to the blacklisted country while its citizens are humiliated at airports and international borders across the world.

Orosanye recalled that a statement issued by the FATF plenary session in June noted that Nigeria had not done much in mitigating its vulnerabilities to money laundering and terrorism financing risks. “That statement was issued in June and what it simply states is that in spite of high political commitment to addressing the deficiencies in our laws, significant or strategic deficiencies still persist and these pose danger to the

FLIGHT SCHEDULE Arik Air

to escalate Nigeria to what they call the dark grey list which is a shame list. “One or two things could happen, counter measures may be applied or they may give us additional time to address these deficiencies.’’ Oronsanye highlighted some of the major areas where Nigeria’s legal framework still fell short of the adequately criminalising terrorist financing by international standards.

international financial economy or system. “What this simply means is that they would advise jurisdictions, about 180 countries that they have oversight over, to take notice of the risk associated in dealing with countries with this sort of deficiencies. “If for any reason we do not meet the deadline, because Nigeria is in what we call the targeted review group, which is an unenviable stage, they could, one, decide

Aero Contractors

L –R: Programme Manager, Ogun State Agricultural Development Programe, Mr. Kunle Onasanya; Regional Business Executive- South West, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Ayo Adebayo; Group Head, Agric Finance Dept, Sterling Bank Plc. Mrs. Olubukola Awosanya and Chairman, Tractor Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), Mr. Yekini Olagoke, during the commissioning of Sterling Tractor Financed Acquisition Scheme for TOOAN, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the weekend.

Listing of FGN bonds on JPMorgan indexes to attract $1.5bn JOHNSON OKANLAWON WITH AGENCY REPORTS

PMorgan Chase and Company, the biggest underwriter of emerging-market debt, detailed the Nigerian bonds it plans to add to its bench-

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mark indexes from October 1 and predicted the inclusion may lure $1.5bn to the country. The most-traded bonds maturing in March 2014, October 2019 and January 2022 will join JPMorgan’s GBI-EM indexes between October 1 and December 3, Giulia Pellegrini, the bank’s London-based sub-Saharan Africa economist, told Bloomberg yesterday. JPMorgan first disclosed the plans in August after the Central

LCCI says sale of plants should improve power supply

Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi’s decision last year to attract more funds by removing restrictions on foreign investors holding debt of Africa’s biggest oil producer. Nigeria sold seven-year bonds at an auction last week at a yield of 12.9 per cent, 3.24 percentage points lower than at the previous monthly sale. The nation’s bonds will probably have a weighting of 0.72 per cent in JPMorgan’s GBI-

EXCHANGE RATES

EM Global Diversified index by December, according to Pellegrini. “Nigeria is coming of age and we have certainly seen a number of emerging market bond funds active in the market,” Daniel Broby, deputy chief executive officer at London-based Silk Invest Limited, said. “We still see Nigerian yields as attractive but are currently shaving our exposure back a tad,” he said, citing rallies across frontier markets.

Number portability: Stakeholders mull delayed take-off

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

WAUA

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Brewers set agenda for responsible alcohol consumption

Business & Finance

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NAICOM to enforce ‘no premium, no cover’ policy OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

rom October 1, all insurance services shall be provided on a strict ‘no premium no cover’ basis, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has said. After that date, any insurer, who grants cover without having received premium or premium receipt notification from the relevant insurance broker, shall be liable to a fine in the sum of N50, 000 in respect of each cover so granted. The directive was contained in a circular issued last week by the commission to insurers, brokers and agents, seen by National Mirror. The circular reads, “All insurance covers shall now be provided on a strict ‘no premium no cover’ basis. Consequently, only cover for which payment has being received, directly by the underwriter or indirectly through duly licensed insurance brokers, shall be recognisable as income in the books of the insurer.

“Any insurer, who grants cover without having received premium or premium receipt notification from the relevant insurance broker, shall be liable to a fine in the sum of N50, 000 in respect of each cover so granted. “Cover may be granted on annual or time-on-risk basis. Irrespective of the period of insurance, underwriters should ensure that at any point in time, they have received directly or indirectly, through the Insurance Broker, the premium for the cover being granted. According to the circular, “All insurance brokers shall within 48hours of receiving insurance premium on behalf of any insurer, notify the insurer in writing in each case, of the receipt of such insurance premium. All such notification shall be accompanied by the broker’s credit notes acknowledging indebtedness to the insurer or insurers in the case of co-insurance. “Upon the receipt of such broker’s advice, the insurer shall issue cover and forward

95% of Nigerian users willing to pay for apps –Study KUNLE A ZEEZ

obile and web application developers can make more revenue with 95 per cent of the mobile apps users, willing to use useful applications to improve their personal and business efficiency. This was contained in a new survey entitled ‘Understanding Usage and Preferences of Mobile Web and Apps in Nigeria 2012” carried out by InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile advertising network in conjunction with DecisionFuel, an independent mobile research specialist, providing effective and actionable research insights via mobile. The study indicated that apps users are most willing to pay for mobile applications focusing on relevant areas they interact with on their devices on daily basis. In the study, 25 per cent of the respondents were willing to pay for mobile apps that bother on social media; another 25 per cent voted game applications; 18 per cent preferred to pay for entertainment: apps; 11 per cent chose sports apps; another 8 per cent were willing to pay for news apps while 5 per cent desire to pay for mobile and web apps that make shopping much easier for them.

Explaining further on the outcome of the study, Sales Director for InMobi, Mr. Moses Kemibaro, said the survey also revealed that 53 per cent also downloaded apps or use mobile websites due to mobile advertising. He said based on this, organisations can get increased exposures to their commercial messages by deploying mobile apps platform. Kemibaro said “This also means that there is also potential opportunity for mobile apps developers inNigeria to make more money than they currently do by engaging in development of useful apps while making their money through In-App/Mobile Web Advertising,” which he said Nigerians found informative, according to the study. The study, however, revealed Nigerians’ top frustrations with mobile web and apps. These, according to Kemibaro, include difficulty in downloading the applications, slow response time during downloading which may crash the user’s phone, cost of the apps, compatibility of the apps to the time of phone being used, not being user-friendly and non-useful/non functional nature of some apps. Meanwhile, Kemibaro has expressed InMobi’s commitment to work with local apps developers in Nigeria to “help them monetise their applications.”

L-R: Managing Director Eat n Go, Mr. Eric Andre; Representative of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the Director, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Toyin Onanuga and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jean Claude- Meyer, at the official opening of Domino’s Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery recently.

the policy documents along with the related debit notes to the insurance broker. An insurance broker who fails to notify the insurer of any premium received on his behalf shall be liable to a fine of not less than N250, 000 in each case of failure to notify”. President of the Chartered

Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimehin in an interview with National Mirror yesterday said the new step taken by the regulator is a sign of great things to come in the industry. He stressed that the regulator have assured them that machineries are in place to ensure

individuals and government agencies insure and pay premiums accordingly. President of the Association of Registered Insurance Agents (ARIAN), Mr. Kingsley Obuvie on his part said the sector’s performance will improve if insurance is bought on cash and carry basis.

Agric Ministry, UNDP partner on value chain creation MESHACK IDEHEN

he Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, has said the Federal Government through the ministry will continue to build and improve on the capacity of public servants, with a view towards developing focus on the agric sector value chain creation. According to him, workshops and training programmes have already been facilitated across the country. He explained that trainings in Abuja, Ilorin and Calabar were huge successes, while other rounds of training batches were being organised for Abeokuta and Enugu. Speaking to National Mirror recently, Oyeyomi said the ministry is urging stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity, saying further the work-

shop will focus on inclusive markets development, and that workshop is particularly aimed at building the capacity of civil servants and private sector stakeholders in agriculture. According to him, “The workshops have been fashioned out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to facilitate the efficient and effective implementation of the on-going Agricultural Transformation Agenda”. He described value chain development as a critical approach that the country needs to adopt for achieving the objectives of transformation agenda in the sector, which amongst other objectives in the immediate and long term, will include ensuring expanding opportunities for the

poor. The permanent secretary said the government has asked the training consultants to focus on assisting participants to attain a better and a common understanding of the value chain approach, and to highlight the role of government for stimulating market growth for agricultural business. “It is only when our farmers and other small operators in the agricultural sector are able to sell the commodities and goods that they produce that there will be benefits for everybody. We know that value chains include all those activities that are carried out to make sure that what the farmers produce can be used either for food, in the industries or as exports. It involves production, handling, transport and marketing until it reaches the final consumer,” he explained.

Non-passage of PIB, not a barrier to investments –NACCIMA STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he insinuations that nonpassage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), will tell on all sectors of the nation’s economy including the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) may be unsubstantiated, the Director General of Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. John Isemede, has indicated. DG stated that the opportunities that exist in the oil and gas

industries were yet to be harnessed even though the processes of passing the bill into law were still in progress. Speaking with National Mirror in his office, Isemede charged all stakeholders and operators in the oil and gas industry to wake up to the consciousnesses of the opportunities in the industry for investments, saying,” People have to invest in oil and gas business with or without the Petroleum Industry Bill for now”.On the delay in passage of the bill, he said “We are still watching the

wind of events at the National Assembly and others, when PIB is passed we will then sit down and make our position known, because nobody asked us for contribution”. Isemede noted that the local content is very good development. He noted that the PIB is an Act to establish the legal and regulatory authorities for the Nigerian petroleum industry to establish guidelines for the operation of the up-stream and downstream sectors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Business & Finance

Thursday, September 27, 2012

LCCI says sale of plants should improve power supply

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday said the completion of reform exercise in the power sector should further improve the current power supply in the country. Mr Muda Yusuf, the Director General of LCCI, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the technical capacities of the successful bidders would determine the efficiency of the plants. “The whole essence of the reform and privatisation processes is to ensure good performance and better services. “The success of the bids should therefore improve the current stable supply of electricity that we are enjoying. We do not expect power supply to deteriorate. “We do not also expect the tariffs to go higher than what we are paying right now. Privatisation is not an excuse for unreasonable electricity tariffs,” he said. Yusuf said that the personality of the successful bidders

should not be an excuse for poor performance. “As long as the Bureau of Public Enterprises has followed due process in the consideration of the bids with respect to their technical and financial capacities, there is nothing to worry about. “We are not concerned about individuals. We are interested in the performance and reliability of the corporate entities. “If the agency in charge has issues about the integrity of the individuals involved, it should be taken over by relevant authorities,” he said. LCCI has earlier lauded the noticeable stable power supply in a statement signed by its president. The chamber suggested that government could further boost electricity generation through gas, adding that successful privatisation of power sector should be geared towards sustaining the recent constant supply of electricity. Five firms on Tuesday

emerged bid winners of five electricity generation companies. They are Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Plc), Amperion Consortium, CMEC/ Eurafric Energy Consortium, Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd., and North-South Power Company Ltd. Meanwhile, the Director General of Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. John Isemede, said that the unbundling of the Power Handling Company is a very good step in the right direction made by the Federal Government. He added that certainly the sale of the power plant will not only improve the electricity supply but create a lot of opportunities for investors in the country. He cautioned that Government should monitor the sales in order that companies that have the capacity to take over and also control the prices for the consumers to avoid they been exploited .

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Owena Oil restructures, appoints vice-chairman, GM MURITALA AYINLA

n its drive to re-chart the company’s financial success in the oil and gas industry, Owena Oil and Gas Limited has announced a major restructuring through the appointment of an Executive Vice-Chairman, Mr. Samuel Kolajo and General Manager in charge of operations, Prince Claudius OlateruOlagbegi. The appointments, which were made after annual general meeting of the company held recently in Lagos was geared to realise the company’s full potential. According to the statement by the company’s secretary, Mr. Olukayode Enitan, both Kolajo and Olateru-Olagbegi would work with Chairman of the firm, Mr. Bankole Oluwajana to take the company to another level.

Entrepreneur Organisation to launch in Nigeria JOHNSON OKANLAWON

L-R: Minister of Environment, Hadizat Ibrahim Mailafia; Minister for National Planning Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed and Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo, at press briefing on the outcome of the National Economic meeting recently.

GE assures of quality power supply to PH refinery CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

n a bid to resolve the recurrent power supply challenge to the Port Harcourt Refinery Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Genesis Electricity Limited (GEL) in partnership with General Electric (GE) have commenced the Fast-Track implementation of Gas-fired Captive Power Project(CPP) to guarantee quality and uninterrupted electric power supply to the Refinery Speaking during a courtesy call on the Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemical, Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe at the NNPC Towers Abuja, the Regional Sales Director, Middle East Africa, Cees-Jean de Maaker of General Electric (GE) affirmed

the readiness of the partnership to provide reliable and qualitative electric power supply to the refinery facility. De Maaker expressed the readiness of GE to partner with a professional and competent local company such as Genesis Electricity Ltd, adding that GE is committed to ensuring full technical support across the spectrum of Power Plant installation, commissioning and subsequent long term management of the operations of the Genesis Electricity’s captive power plant investment. The Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Electricity, Mr. Akinwole Omoboriowo II said that the objective of the partnership is to provide sufficient power supply to the Port Harcourt Refinery, to guarantee efficient operations of the refinery

Omoboriowo assured NNPC that it has commenced the deployment of the best power technology in the world to PHRC and keep to the time frame of the arrangement. He disclosed that the GE would install power plants, operate and maintain the power plants over several years, adding that part of their obligation is to train young Engineers as well. Ogbuigwe said the NNPC looks forward to the day when power supply to the PHRC will be stable and expressed confidence in the ability of the public private initiative to deliver on the mandate. He said that the power project was close to the heart of the NNPC and implored the GE to justify the confidence reposed in them.

In the statement, Enitan said that the Integrated Mineral Development Company Limited (IMDC) still holds a 70 per cent shareholding of Owena Oil and Gas Limited including 40 per cent equity participation its holds in trust for technical partners. “With the setting up of a proper office in Ikoyi, Lagos and strategic appointment of credible and professional personnel to operate and manage its affairs, it is undeniable that the corporate and financial success of the company in the oil and gas industry is guaranteed,” he said. He explained further that the present shareholding of the company still “reflects the true shareholders as Ondo State and IMDC having 30 percent and 70 percent holdings respectively with 40 percent held by IMDC in trust for incoming technical partners”.

global business owner network, Entrepreneur Organisation, which helps to transform the lives of entrepreneurs who transform the world, will be launch in the country. A statement from the organisation yesterday explained that EO enables small and large business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. The statement said the vision of the organisation is to build the most influential entrepreneur community, which aligns with its mission of supporting entrepreneurial education and engaging entrepreneurs to learn and grow. “It educates, transforms, inspires and offers invaluable re-

sources in the form of events, leadership development programmes, an online entrepreneur forum and business owner education opportunities, among other resources designed for business growth,” the statement read in part. The event will be launched in Lagos and attended by state governors, ministers, captains of industry, entrepreneurs and others participants from outside the country especially from the global headquarters of the body in Virginia, the United States of America, USA. It explained that one of the biggest perks of membership of the EO is exclusive access to some of the best businesses and business opportunities in the world as emphasis is laid on helping leading entrepreneurs to save on both time and money.

MasterCard, Flying Dove to support cashless Nigeria A DEDEJI A DEMIGBUJI

asterCard has announced its first collaborative relationship with a local Nigerian retailer, Flying Dove Limited, authorised distributors for Sony Corporation and owners and operators of Sony Centers in Nigeria. Through the collaboration, MasterCard will encourage its cardholders to make use of electronic payment solutions, thus supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) move towards a cashless economy. The joint venture between

MasterCard and Flying Dove Limited, signals the first cashless initiative of its nature in Nigeria for MasterCard. The collaboration supports MasterCard’s vision to accelerate the move towards more convenient and safer payment methods for consumers, and to showcase the success of the collaboration to the wider Nigerian business sector. The country manager, West Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, Omokehinde Ojomuyide, said, “MasterCard cardholders will quality for a 5 per cent discount on the purchase of any item at Sony Centers across Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, September 27, 2012

he growing concerns by stakeholders over the uncertainty of having the much-talked about mobile number portability (MNP) scheme launched in Nigeria by the fourth quarter of 2012 may have dampened the enthusiasm of Nigerians in enjoying one of the benefits of the scheme, which is the ability to impact positively on the quality of service to telecoms subscribers. The Nigerian Communications Commission, after having shifted posts on the take-off dates on several occasions, finally announced in June, that it would facilitate necessary measures to ensure that the MNP scheme is implemented before the end of the year. According industry observers, by having MNP launched by the last quarter of this year, Nigeria would be joining many other countries of the world to introduce the scheme. The number portability service, which has been successfully implemented in most developed countries around the globe and recently in Ghana, is a scheme that allows phone users in Nigeria to move from one network to another without losing their numbers. The scheme is consumer-centric that provides opportunity for telecoms subscribers to alternate networks when they are no longer enjoying quality of services from their current operators, or when not complacent with the tariffs offered by any of the competing telecoms operators. Invariably, the scheme makes it possible for a subscriber to migrate from one network without losing his or her original phone number. Though the service appears on the surface to many as simply as allowing subscribers to switch service provider while retaining their existing mobile number, proponents of the initiative say it would also help in addressing other key challenges faced by subscribers, especially the poor quality of service. Meanwhile, as part of measures to fast-track the roll-out of the service, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, had in February, 2012, announced the appointment of a consortium of three companies including of Interconnect, Saab Grinte and Telecordia to implement the proposed number portability services in Nigeria, According to Juwah, the consortium will be responsible for the set up and implementation of Number Portability Clearing House in Nigeria, and provide mobile number portability solution administration within six months of receiving the license with a testing period of two months. The Head of Media and Public Relations at NCC, Mr. Reuben Mouka, had also noted that the members of the consortium would execute a tripartite agreement that will indicate their specific responsibilities in the process with the regulator approving such agreement to tally with the conditions of the provision of the service in Nigeria. He said the commission had also mandated the consortium to ensure that local content participation and adequate skills transfer are entrenched in the process during the implementation of the five-year licence. “The consortium is expected to also configure the technical solution for number portability in Nigeria line with the consultation documents as earlier published by the commission,” he said, adding that the solution is to be customised to meet the specific process needs, as well as other requirements of the Nigerian network operators. Though the NCC had earlier announced that the scheme would go live by June, the inability to kick off as planned again, has been attributed to delay in the ongoing harmonisation of the data collected during the nationwide Subscriber Identity Module, (SIM) registration exercise to register existing and new phone users in the country last year. The commission had stated that having a detailed database of telecoms subscribers in the country is critical to launching a successful mobile number portability scheme in the country, even as it has also developed a framework called, “Mobile Number Portability - Business Rules & Port Order Processes”, where all necessary technical details and regulations

Number portability: Stakeholders mull delayed take-off

A telecom tower

Johnson

Juwah

The planned introduction of Mobile Number Portability scheme into the nation’s telecoms sector by December 2012, appears not feasible, given the low level of preparedness, especially on the part of the industry regulator. However, stakeholders say the delay in the scheme’s take-off might dampen expectation on improved quality of service, reports KUNLE AZEEZ.

MANY SUBSCRIBERS WERE LOST ON WHAT THEY STAND TO GAIN WHEN NUMBER PORTABILITY IS IMPLEMENTED IN

NIGERIA

AND WERE BEGINNING TO ENTERTAIN UNNECESSARY AND UNWARRANTED FEARS, DUE TO

LOW AWARENESS CREATED FOR THE SYSTEM IN

NIGERIA

for executing the scheme have been stated, apparently ahead of the launch later in the year. Meanwhile, officials of telecoms firms such as MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat, who recently spoke with National Mirror on the scheme, said they were preparing their respective networks for the scheme, stressing that they had been improving their network capacity to make it the toast of subscribers when the scheme eventually kicks off. The Corporate Service Executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Wale Goodluck and Head Value Added Services of Globacom, Mr. Samson Isa, confirmed the readiness of their companies for the scheme. However, while it is believed that the scheme, when introduced, will keep operators on their toes by encouraging them to improve service quality on their network as a ’bait’ to lure subscribers to use their networks, as they strive to retain their existing subscribers while attracting new ones, it has been said in some quarters that the scheme might not come to live again this year. This was anchored on the perceived lethargy on the part of the NCC in fast-tracking the implementation.

Expressing doubt on the possibility of the scheme going live this year, the President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said what is important is for the scheme to be hitchfree when introduced, though he abhorred the delay in the launch stressing that consumer expectation was high because it offers consumers many benefits. “The ability to readily change service provider emphasizes the consumer’s power of choice which infuses a strong impetus for competition with attendant benefits of improvements in tariffs, quality and service delivery.” he said. According to a telecoms subscriber, Mr. Adesewa Badmus, “I think I have read something about the number portability thing in paper, but I don’t think the NCC is ready for it this year but maybe in 2013.” To also underscore the desirability of the scheme and bring its full benefit for subscribers in the area of improved quality of service, two companies, Private Media Mart Limited and Princelink Communications have concluded arrangement to bring technical partners on MNP and other industry stakeholders as well as the regulators together to give adequate interpretation to the number portability regime which the country is about to adopt. The Chief executive Officer of Private Media Mart Limited, Mr. Ejiofor Agada, said many subscribers were lost on what they stand to gain when number portability is implemented in Nigeria and were beginning to entertain unnecessary and unwarranted fears, due to low awareness created for the system in Nigeria. However, when contacted, the NCC spokesman, Mouka assured that the commission was working “tooth and nail to launch the scheme but the Commission is being careful to ensure that it gets it right once and for all such that there are no hitches as once the scheme goes live.”

Info Tech

Thursday, September 27, 2012

FG tasked over universal telecoms access KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Federal Government has been asked to put in place measures for accelerating universal access to telecommunication services, which has become one of the indices for measuring the level of advancement a nation has attained because of the benefits associated with it. Other areas highlighted as priority areas for the government in its effort to drive meaningful growth in the ICT sector, include the need ensure stable power supply, to encourage patronage of indigenous software, provision of incentives for ICT companies, provision of incentives for foreign investors, building of technology parks and universal access to the internet as education tool. A software expert, Mr. David Majomi, made the call in a remark at a ‘Night of Tributes’

organised by the Institute of Software Practitioners Of Nigeria (ISPON), in honour of the founding president of the institute, Engr. Simeon Agu, who died recently. According to Majomi, who showered encomiums on the late Agu, noted his contributions to the development of Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria, said, “with access to telecommunications becoming critical in a nation’s speedier development, Nigeria as a nation, should do all it can to make access to telecommunications available to all.” Majomi, who is the Managing Director of Neptune Nigeria, a leading indigenous software development company, also highlighted the need for stable power supply as critical to economic growth. “History states that one of the first things most developed countries did in their quest for

advancement was the provision of stable power supply. God’s own development or creation programme started with the creation of light. Electricity being man’s imitation of God’s light must, therefore, be a top priority if we really want to develop our country. Provision of stable power supply will revolutionise our lives and industries,” he said. Stressing that stable power supply is the single most beneficial phenomena that can happen to most Nigerians in this generation and for a long time to come, He said, “Our government should therefore pursue the privatisation of the power industry to its logical conclusion despite the recent hiccups. To the ICT industry, the benefits of stable power supply are simply phenomenal, drastic reduction in cost of production, widespread participation in software development, working from home and so on.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box SkinIT

Unique gadget customisation offering

imon’s Eagle, an Information Technology services provider, has launched a gadget customisation offering for individuals and corporate organisations in Nigeria. The concept, called SkinIT, is a unique way to help owners of laptop computers mobile phones, games, iPads, and other gadgets beautify their properties, while protecting them from scratches, oil, liquid and dust. Speaking on the service offering for phone users, Founder of the initiative, Temitope Ajibola, said from a business executive to a working mother, everybody needs the real beauty of the phone skin because you can customize its design to fit your discriminate taste. Stating that the success rate has been profound, Ajibola said, “The diverse designs range from artworks to modern urban images to even your own photos. Phone skins will surely make you stand out from the crowd. “It is a way of stamping your personal signature, be it your company logo, your picture of that of your loved ones, your favorite football club, or even favorite celeb, on your gadget,

while at the same time protecting it.” While casings and pouches can be bulky and stiff, Simon’s Eagle’s Skins ‘fit like a skin’ and are created according to each individual’s need. The Skins also protect the keypads from water, heat, dust and scratches; and they feature stunning, quality graphics designed by our growing family of artists from around the world. “The skins are made of vinyl and are removable adhesive covers for protecting and customizing your Phones. iPods, Laptops, iPads and Games Consoles,” she said.

Windows Server 2012

Built with improved features

L-R: Nollywood Actor, Mr. Olumide Bakare; One of the N150,000 Winner, Mrs. Akinteye Funmilayo and Trade Marketing Manager, South West, MTN, Mr. Lawrence Akharume, at the South-West regional presentation of cheques to MTN Ultimate Wonder Promo winners In Ibadan recently.

Cashless: WebMallNG drives e-commerce among SMEs KUNLE A ZEEZ

o reinforce the Central Bank of Nigeria’s current policy towards transforming Nigeria into a cashless economy, an indigenous internet online retail solution, WebMallNG, said it has been engaging Nigerian retailers to extend their businesses online. According to the company, rather than having large building containing stores, restaurants, and other businesses that sell retail commodities, businesses, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises, can create “a website that carries goods from different stores in various retail categories.” The Managing Director, WebMallNG, Mr. Wole Faroun said, “unlike standard online retail model, an online mall is in prin-

ciple able to provide a great amount of inventory without actually stocking any themselves, eliminating procurement, warehousing and logistics hassles from their processes. “With over 80 stores in more than 15 categories, WebMallNG is set to provide its services to several hundreds of small businesses in its first year of operation. This affords the consumer access to a wide array of goods as well as the best value and bargains for any given item, without the stress of hopping around from site to site looking for the best deal,” he said. According to him, taking the Platform-as-a-Service approach, WebMallNG provides a suite of solutions for merchants which includes webstores, payment, logistics and online/social media marketing solutions and training.

“This platform allows brick and mortar merchants scale the reach and visibility of their businesses to an online market, and at a fraction of what it would have cost to do so by themselves. An efficient way to take advantage of the cashless policy being driven and promoted by Federal Government,” he said. Speaking further on how the platforms provide for SMEs, by his company works, Faroun said: “Once items are purchased and paid for online, either over a secure payment service or through bank deposit from a particular webstore on WebMall NG, it will be delivered to customers in most locations within 48 hours. The logistics solution is provided through partnership with Red Star Express Plc, representative of Fedex in Nigeria.”

indows Server 2012, the latest addition to the Microsoft Server operating system line up, was launched recently with many improved features for efficient servers management In the new server, the new Dynamic Access controls feature allows administrators to create new access policies which can allow easy Access Control and information governance through a central console. These can be very useful to segregate and protect data based on factors such as the user’s department or file security level. Through a system of file and folder classification, file and folders can be protected even if files are accidentally copied to a public area. This feature can help an administrator to protect the organization’s confidential data with minimum administrative effort.

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) feature has also been upgraded to improve performance and support – allowing multitouch support between the host and client, as well as implementing DirectX support even as a virtual device. Furthermore, changes have been made to the actual protocol itself which now supports UDP, as well as the ability to automatically switch to TCP should UDP communication between the host and client not be possible. The protocol now intelligently adapts different codecs depending on the various contents that need to be transferred. This further increases efficiency. Windows Server 2012 has been designed from the ground up with the Cloud concept in mind. Various features, especially the Hyper-V specification, are designed to be able to provide optimum cloud services. The automation, the remote management and the virtualization can be used to an administrator’s advantage when setting up environments in the cloud.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Brands & Marketing

Brewers set agenda for responsible alcohol consumption

he Nigerian breweries sector has witnessed a boom in recent past. With an estimated beer consumption hanging at 19.5 million hectoliters in 2012 and growing at about eight to nine per cent per annum reported by an analyst who covers brewery sector at Stanbic IBTC, Nigerians are now reported as the world’s second biggest consumer of Guinness, after Britain. But with the growth which the beer sector has witnessed whose capital investments are, according to the chairman of Beer Sector Group, (BSG), member of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, (MAN), Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, in excess of $3billion and taxes and levies stand- Akinwunmi Vervelde Shephan ing in excess of N100million per annum, there are mix-feeling among stakeholders at the recently conclud- As Nigeria’s beer consumer market continues to record growth with increasing inflow of foreign ined stakeholder summit organised by vestment. stakeholders at the just concluded summit organised by APCON, in partnership with ICAP Advertising Practitioners Council and BSG, highlight issues on the management of the impact of alcohol beverage marketing and comof Nigeria (APCON), in conjunction with International Center for Alco- munication on the society, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI. hol Policies (ICAP) and BSG, on regulation of the industry’s marketing out do each other in the fight for ago, the world’s attention was foTHE ESSENCE communication and advertisement among youths.” market share. He said too many cused on socio economic developAlso, the Corps Marshal and impact on the society. OF ALCOHOL infringements of regulations could ments with little or no attention Chief Executive, Federal Road With this impressive growth, elicit public outcry compelling gov- on our industry and consumers stakeholders form advertising agen- Safety Corps, Mr. Ositadinma ADVERTISEMENT ernment to put greater controls (or concerns. Today, that era has gone cies, Federal Road Safety Corps Chidoka underscores the poeven outright ban) on alcohol bev- into history as the activities of the REGULATION (FRSC), National Broadcasting Com- tential harm of irresponsible World Health Organisation and erage advertising. alcohol beverage marketing on mission (NBC), World Federation IS THEREFORE “With exposure of advertising other health related NGO and govof Advertisers (WFA), Advertisers road users. According to him, messages restricted to after 8pm ernments are fast drawing more Association of Nigeria, Association “Road traffic crashes are one of TO REDUCE THE on radio and after 9p.m. on televi- attention to the issue of non-comof Advertising Agencies of Nigeria the main causes of injury and EFFECTS OF sion, as the number of brands in- municable diseases.” death worldwide, since some of (AAAN), Media Independent PractiHe, however, called on the crease, this could result in media tioners Association of Nigeria (MI- such incidents involve alcoholALCOHOL MISUSE clutter during the narrow window relevant agency to consider a PAN) and Broadcasting Association impaired drivers. Alcohol conavailable. This not only makes the downward review of the existof Nigeria express their challenges sumption impairs certain funcINHERENT IN communication less effective, as ing watershed for alcohol bevertions, such as visual acuity and and mix feeling on regulation of comSOCIETY you would probably have a dozen age advertising on TV by about mercial communication of alcoholic reaction time, increasing the beer adverts running almost back 1-2 hours. “We believe that such likelihood that accidents may beverage. dium, the Chief Executive Officer to back , it could again engender downward review of the time and The increasing health hazards, occur.” of SO & U Advertising agency , Mr. negative public reactions,” he af- a strict enforcement of same on He said that in crashes, four road accidents as well as other social all networks, including cable and vices claimed to have been aggravat- per cent people die every year Udeme Ufot explained the reason firmed. With growing concern for com- satellites TV stations irrespective ed by abuse of alcohol consumption, due to alcohol consumption or for the growth and the lack selfattention appears to have shifted to its side effects while nine per regulation which has led to nega- mercial messages of alcoholic of the source of the content, will advertisement of beers and other al- cent of those who die of alco- tive impact. According to Udeme drinks in the country, the former serve the interest of all stakeholdcoholic drinks on TV, radio and other hol are between 15 and 29 years whose agency handles Guinness President of AAAN said, “looking ers.” But despite positions of varimedium with calls for revisit of regu- old. He disclosed further that 2.5 Nigeria’s advertising creatives, “As ahead, one the greatest challenges ous stakeholders, the Managing the markets of Europe, America advertisers of alcoholic beverages lations and codes of advertising, self- million people die annually, and Director of World Federation of and Asia decline or stagnate, marwill face in the medium to long many more succumb to illness regulation and other standards issues relating to alcohol consumption. and injury, as a result of harm- keters will look towards Africa for term will be from consumer protec- Advertisers, Mr. Stephan Loerke growth. With adult consumption tion groups and health NGO’s on believes that strict regulation of According to Director-General ful alcohol use. Chidoka believes that suffi- of alcohol put at 10 litres per capita account of the perceived social and alcoholic promotion does not deof NBC, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, “it is cient warning such as “Drink in Nigeria, compared to 19.47 litres health risks associated with the termine shift in consumption. He evident that one of the greatest challenges in the regulation of alcoholic Responsibly”, has not been in Uganda by 2001 figures, we can uncontrolled consumption of alco- noted countries with no regulabeverage advertisement in Nigeria is made such that those who drink expect greater scramble for larger hol. It is therefore, in the interest tion on alcoholic promotion and of alcoholic beverage marketers to consumption records moderate the quest to strike a balance between and drive, will be made to un- stakes in the Nigerian market. “ As far back as 1994, SAB Miller, imbibe the spirit of self regulation consumption while well regulated derstand that drinking while public protections on the one hand and sensitivity to revenue and con- driving leads to death through CEO Meyer Kahn had identified and avoid every temptation to go system have recorded increase in opportunities for growth in sub- overboard, no matter how attrac- consumption. He, however, said tent generation challenges of Nigeri- advertisement. self-regulation is the best strategy He suggested measures that Saharan Africa with over 400 mil- tive the short term gains may be.” an broadcasters, on the other hand.” to make business survive and conlion people. And with over half of Meanwhile, the Chairman of could help reduce risk: “ProBolarinwa said, “the essence of alcohol advertisement regulation is moting campaigns for the ban the Nigerian population at below BSG, Vervelde, laments the chal- sumer safer. The Chairman of APCON, Mr. therefore, to reduce the effects of al- of sale of alcohol in motor 20 years of age, the temptation to lenges faced by members of his Lolu Akinwunmi, said the posiposition for this future group of association which includes Nigecohol misuse inherent in society,” he parks and monitor all alcohol tion of stakeholders could be subconsumers may be to strong to igria Breweries, Guinness Nigeria marketing, promotions and said. Quoting an author, he said in and other breweries in the coun- mitted to the APCON who will communications. Advertising nore.” he noted. sub-Sahara Africa, Nigeria is one of He observed that despite many try. “Our industry is today faced review the stakeholders mix-feelthe most affected by alcohol-related and marketing of alcoholic years of mutually agreed self with the challenge of maintaining ings and take an inform decision deaths and morbidities due in part, to products should not be done on regulation, as markets shrink else- a delicate balance between satisfy- in the best interest of consumers. road corridors.” lack of comprehensive government Despite the attendant harm where, it would require tremen- ing the consumer and sustaining He said the council comprises policies and unrestricted marketing and promotions that have normal- caused by alcohol consump- dous doses of self discipline for the discipline of self-regulation in NAFDAC, Consumer Protection ized alcohol misuse and encouraged tion and its promotion via TV, marketers to stay within the regu- the face of misuse and abuse of Council, BON, NIPAN, MIPAN, new norms of alcohol consumption billboards, r adio and other me- latory framework in their quest to alcoholic beverages. A few years and SON among others.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Guinness targets 12 million female beer consumers with SNAPP STORIES: ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

uinness Nigeria Plc, has officially launched a new alcoholic drink, SNAPP, as part of effort to target about 12 million female beer consumers. The new drink which was introduced at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, is said to offer a naturally refreshing apple–flavoured alcoholic drink specially produced for the sophisticated, trendy lady of the 21stcentury. According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, who unveiled SNAPP to the audience, invited Nigerian women to celebrate their confidence with style, said, “SNAPP has been intro-

duced into the ready to drink category in response to the increasing demand for an alcoholic drink that appeals to women who want to show their individuality and unique style when out socialising with friends. This is in line with Guinness Nigeria’s vision of celebrating life, everyday, everywhere” He said, “following findings that out of about 45 million consumers of alcoholic drinks in Nigeria, 12 million are women, hence the decision to produce SNAPP to appeal these women who wants originality.” Guests who attended the launch savoured the taste of SNAPP and appreciated the naturally refreshing apple taste the drink offers. Charmed by the exclusive launch, guests admired

the attractive SNAPP 30cl bottle that comes with a gold and green label which gives it a distinct look of class and style. The Marketing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc., Mr. Austin Ufomba, said at the launch, “We know that women are rapidly gaining economic power and becoming more independent. Women everywhere are increasingly celebrating their successes in their various fields of endeavor, be it family or at work. In recognition of this, it is only fitting that we provide an equally contemporary and exciting ready to drink brand that suits every taste and occasion - this was the driving force behind the introduction of SNAPP into the Nigerian drinks market.”

L-R: Head, Legal and PR, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Coordinator Corporate, Affairs, Mr. Ayodele Oguntubi and Coordinator Corporate Communications, Mr. Isiaka Lawal, all of Promasidor Nigeria at the press conference to call for entries for the Promasidor Quill Awards on Tuesday.

ForumInspire holds Nigeria’s first media summit on digitalisation

uestlogic, an ICT company and Greenleaf, a media communication firm, under the brand name, Foruminspire is set to hold the first annual digital summit in Nigeria. To be held later in the year, this strategic move will list Nigeria among countries like the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland who have held annual digital media summits over the past five years.

According to the managing partner, ForumInspire, Mr. Michael Oseji “with Nigeria ‘s 160 million populations, 95 million of whom are verified mobile users, the country will become a convergence spot for industry experts from around the world to share knowledge on digitization and social media and how it can be explored by growing economics like Nigeria . These experts will also be exploring the dynamics of these technologies towards advancing

the role of the government an the business community; vis-à-vis specified growth indicators and profitability.” He stated further, “The summit will also address social media trends, future technologies/services, engaging social groups with brands and how businesses can get the most out of social and business networks. An instance is the development of mobile applications. The app economy is growing at a fast pace.”

Eat ‘N’ Go enters Nigerian market with Domino’s Pizza

at’n’Go, a fast-rising restaurant group in Nigeria is poised to become the premier catering operator in Africa with its planned introduction of two world acclaimed food brands, Domino’s Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery into the Nigerian market. Domino’s Pizza is a renowned global leader in Pizza, while Cold Stone Creamery is bringing to Nigeria’s shore the best variants of Ice cream and cakes. This top-notch Nigerian QSR player, identified with great taste and experience, is set to open the first two outlets of the two global fast food brands in Victoria Island and Lekki, Lagos. There is also a precise

development plan to open more outlets of the two big brands nationwide. Some economic analysts find it quite commendable that at a time when Nigeria is seeking for increased foreign investments that will expand the economy and create more employment for its citizens, Eat’n’Go, as the local franchise partner of these two global brand is championing this great course that will not only boost Nigeria’s economy but will also to give Nigerian consumers that pizza and ice cream experience they have never had. A statement signed by the Managing Director Eat’n’Go Ltd, Mr. Eric Andre,

reveals that, Domino’s Pizza is a world recognized brand that has provided long lasting pizza experience to a whole lot of consumers around the World. Through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s Pizza operates over 10,000 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 70 in international markets. During the second quarter of 2011, Domino’s Pizza had a global retail sales of over $1.6 billion The company also had global retail sales of over $6.2 billion in 2010, comprised of over $3.3 billion domestically in the US and over $2.9 billion internationally.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ocean Basket restaurant chain opens in Lagos As foreign fast-food chains continues to flood Nigeria market, Ocean Basket, one of the world’s favorite seafood restaurant chains with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, has opened its opened its first outlet. Ocean Basket is an international awardwinning restaurant with nearly 190 outlets in seven countries across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Ocean Basket’s winning formula is simplicity, value for money and the best seafood served piping hot in a family-like atmosphere. According to Mr. Kayode Olu-Martins, the Chief Executive Officer of OCBN Limited who are the Master License holders of the Ocean Basket Franchise in Nigeria, the Ocean Basket has come to change the face of casual dining in the country, adding that within the next few months, Ocean Basket will open more outlets in Lagos and other parts of the country to serve more shoals of customers who are looking for great seafood alternatives. According to him, “We saw the need for people to have that world renown Ocean Basket experience that gives you a delicious, healthy tasty meal at a price that will keep you coming back. We offer value to your casual dining experience as a homely restaurant where people can get together with friends and feel like they’re part of a big family”. The outlet, globally known for its freshest seafood including tasty wines located on Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, offers a bright, airy, serene and attractive ambience and a professional and friendly service which will give you a home-away-from-home feeling at great value. As a restaurant offering a family dining experience, key targets are junior Customers with a dedicated Kiddies Menu giving them the chance to experience great sea food in their own special way The outlet was said to have installed cold storage facility of nearly 400 cubic meters and franchise store seating for close to 300 patrons with promise to create employment opportunities for a sizable number of Nigerians in line with government efforts to provide gainful employment for the country’s teeming youths.

Yellow Brick Road appoints new creative director Yellow Brick Road, a recently rebranded ad agency, has appointed Mr Temitayo Adereti popularly known as “Tiny” as its creative director. The agency formerly known as ZK Advertising has made the announcement as part of its reorganisation strategy, since it rebranded at the beginning of the year. The position was formerly held by Mrs. Nnenna Onyewuchi who will now focus on her core skill as head of strategy. “It has been a long and meticulous search to find someone befitting of the role,” says Kaliko Olowole, Managing Director of Yellow Brick Road. “Not only were we looking for someone with the right credentials who could drive home what we stand for as a creative agency, it was also important that we found somebody who personifies the culture of the Agency. We are happy to announce that after much deliberation, we are convinced that Tiny is the man who deserves the keys to our trophy cabinet.” Tiny began his creative career at SO&U Saatchi and was until joining Yellow Brick Road, Deputy Creative Director at TBWA. His illustrious career in advertising has seen him work on some of the nation’s biggest brands such as MTN, GTBank. Indomie and Stanbic IBTC. Commenting on his new appointment, Tiny said, “Creativity is the simplest, cheapest and most effective way for companies to remain relevant in these trying times of information clutter and unstable economies.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, September 27, 2012

STB Mcann shops for CEO, Ladipo quits Oct ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he speculation over whether Mr. Rufai Ladipo, immediate past president of Association of Advertising Agency of Nigeria, (AAAN), was sacked or he had resigned as the CEO of STB McCann has finally ended as the agency’s outgoing MD confirmed to National Mirror that he was October. But attempt to get a female director at British American Tobacco Nigeria, favoured as best replacement out of three people under consideration including a former employee of the agency and another from one of the

frontline agencies has failed. The agency was said to have looked towards the client side when an earlier favoured candidate was said to have made unattainable demands that forced the team to look to the multinational corporations as an alternative. National Mirror learnt that the challenges of running an agency in a tough economy may have informed the decision of the BATN director to turn down the offer and preferred to stay at the client side in addition to misgivings in some quarters over the experience of the successful candidate on the agency side despite her impressive cre-

dentials. Ladipo maintained during a telephone interview with National Mirror that he had to leave by October to face new challenges. It was learnt that Ladipo has been helping the agency to shop for a good replacement that will reposition the agency. But as at press time, there was no clear indication on the potential replacement. The agency had sold its skyscrapper office at Yaba to buy a cozier and more spacious office opposite its competitor, SO & U Advertising Group at Oyetola Street, off Ajanaku Street Opebi, to join other agencies at Ikeja.

ad VA NT AG E icon

Omoyele

L-R: Godwin Nzekwe, Daniel Etuk and Steven Onyeabor, all winners of N1m prize money, at the fourth edition of the 2012 Star TV Game Show, held recently.

Deepening brand equity through dance

he Maltina Dance hall is one veritable platform to build share of voice for the brand and showcase family values .The dance platform is one the brand explores to creatively engage the consumers. Every family now looks forward to Maltina Dance Hall show to create lively moments within the family. I know that when the idea was crafted to utilize dance to connect to consumers, some people would have seen it as a dull idea, but now brands have seen dance as a channel to connect with consumers and engage them to maximum advantage for the brand. Today, dance has become a potent strategy by brands to build equity and leverage positive image. Brand equity is an asset and is a platform to build associations and deepen consumer experience.

Today, Maltina Dance Hall TV reality show is a strong unifying platform to promote the essence and values of the family. MDA has built visible brand equity by using dance to promote family values and bonding. MDA has become a verifiable platform to engage the consumers and also build cohesive brand equity. Through the Maltina brand, dance has become what families engage in to create fun and entertainment The way brands adopt dance as a springboard to leverage positive brand association has become very interesting. This is because brands now deploy creative tactics to engage consumers to promote brand loyalty. Dance is a universal language that connects people of different background. It has now become a serious activity as brands now adopt it to build brand equity. One major factor is that dance

ampe Omoyele, the new Africa Marketing Director for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health Care (GSK) is a Chartered Marketer (UK), Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and 2nd Vice President of Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN). A recipient of the Marketing Society of Kenya Warrior award, he has over 20 years cognate experience in marketing and sales, new product/business development and project management. He has cross-industry experience with leading multinational organisations in international markets and is widely acknowledged for his professionalism and leadership, as well as communica-

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com aligns with the lifestyle of consumers and this is leveraged on to position the brand. This to a great extent helps brand to understand the importance and role of relationship in building brand equity. When brands align it with the lifestyle of consumers, it forges a strong tie between them and the brand. The Spirit of David (SOD) dance show sponsored by Skye Bank was the first of its kind in Nigeria. The bank had the goal to grow entrepreneurial talents of youth to choose a career in the industry. The SOD was targeted at youths which further underscore the importance of the youth market. Skye Bank utilized the SOD to further exemplify its brand personality and affirming the brand

promise to say YES to the dreams of youths. The Celebrity season 2 sponsored by the bank buoyed the bank’s image and built not only brand equity but enormous goodwill for the brand. Dance is indeed a creative and compelling way to reach out to the consumers especially the youth market segment. Dance is not being used to promote brand values and benefits to the target consumers. In achieving this, creativity excitement and entertainment are deployed to drive brand visibility. The Sprite Triple Slam of dance, drama and sports is also a brand activity aimed at showcasing the enormous potential of youths. It identifies with the yearnings and aspiration of youths to showcase their talents and potential. This

tion and strategic skills. Before his current role he was Marketing Director at Nutricima Limited, a dairy and beverage joint venture of PZ Cussons International UK, and Glanbia, Ireland, he was Marketing Director, Cadbury East and Central Africa, based in Kenya, and Marketing Director (Segments) at Zain Nigeria. Omoyele holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Biochemistry from the University of Lagos, and is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School. He is a regular speaker at training and development programmes and writes in management and marketing journals in furtherance of his passion to share knowledge and help build people’s capability. has also reflected in the number of talents that have been nurtured through the Sprite Triple Slam. The youth market has now become a potent force to reckon with. Dance as a core strategy focuses in the lifestyle and the cultures of youths. Dance without doubt resonates with the youth target as it aligns with their lifestyle and adventurous ways. Brands now leverage on dance to connect more with the consumers especially the youths to meet their expectations. It has also become the springboard to build brand equity. A brand adds significant value when it is recognized and has positive associations in the minds of the consumers. This I believe is the strategic intention of brands deploying dance as a strategy to build brand equity. Brands now latch on to dance to create fun, develop talent and potentials of consumers. Dance is also deployed to resonate with consumers not only to build equity but also promote affinity and loyalty to the brand.

Global Business

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Indonesia should boost spending if risks materialise

ndonesia should use fiscal stimulus as a first policy response if risks to growth materialise because it has little room to cut interest rates, according to the International Monetary Fund. Indonesia’s economic growth will slow to 6 percent this year from 6.5 percent in 2011 and accelerate to 6.3 percent next year, the Washingtonbased IMF’s staff predicted in an annual assessment of the country’s economy released Tuesday. The central bank should stand ready to increase its policy rate if inflation, now seen at 5 percent by the end of the year, accelerates further, IMF staff said. “There are significant external risks to the outlook, accentuated by domestic factors,” the IMF staff wrote in the report. If risks such as a worsening of Europe’s debt crisis or a so-called hard landing in China materialise, “additional discretionary spending would be the best channel,” according to the report, which recommended preparing “a list of infrastructure projects that could be quickly ramped up.”

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia’s president.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is increasing spending on roads, seaports and airports as he woos in-

vestment to spur Southeast Asia’s largest economy. More than a decade after the Asian financial crisis forced the nation to seek an IMF bailout, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have raised Indonesia to investment grade, and the country’s growth is among the fastest in the Group of 20 nations. Bank Indonesia kept its benchmark interest rate at a record-low 5.75 percent for seventh straight meeting in September as accelerating economic growth and inflation reduced the scope for monetary easing to counter an export slump. “Increasing the policy rate does not appear necessary at this stage -- staff analysis suggests that monetary tightening could be achieved by allowing short-term rates to drift back toward the policy rate, which has been unchanged at 5.75 percent since February,” according to the report. The IMF also estimated that the country’s real exchange rate is “moderately undervalued” by zero to 10 percent.

China can meet growth target on positive signs, says Wen

hinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the country is capable of meeting this year’s growth target as positive signs emerge, even as “downward pressure” remains on the world’s second-largest economy. “We have the conditions and capabilities to fulfill this year’s economic and social development target,” Wen said during a two-day inspection tour to eastern Zhejiang province, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday. China National Radio cited Wen as saying economic downward pressure remained “relatively large” and that difficulties may continue for some time, while China Central Television reported him saying that rising prices continue to ease and that there’s “growing room for monetary policy operation.” Wen’s comments come after the country’s export growth and new yuan loans trailed estimates in July. Zhe-

jiang, an export base, is among the hardest hit by the economic slowdown, with its gross domestic product growth trailing only southern Guangdong province. “Policymakers have made it clear in recent weeks that supporting economic growth is their central concern,” Qinwei Wang, an economist at Capital Economics Ltd., said in an e-mail. “We continue to think that more policy support will be announced soon, including a further cut to the required reserve ratio, and that more infrastructure projects proposed by local governments will be given the go-ahead.” The reports didn’t specify the 7.5 percent GDP expansion target. Policy makers had lowered it from the 8 percent goal in place since 2005, Wen said he is trying to reduce China’s reliance on exports and boost consumption as he hands power to a younger generation of leaders this year.

Wen

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Australians’ confidence wanes

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens

ustralian consumer confidence fell by the most in five months even as wages climbed, sending mixed signals on the economy as the central bank weighs whether to hold interest rates at a developed-world high. The sentiment index dropped 2.5 percent to 96.6, according to a Westpac Banking Corporation and Melbourne Institute August 6-10 survey of 1,200 consumers released in Sydney yesterday. A government report showed the wage-price index, which measures hourly pay rates excluding bonuses, rose 3.7 percent in the second quarter from 12 months earlier as mine workers’ pay surged. The acceleration in wage gains was “a material surprise, and raises the uncomfortable prospect that wage pressures may have troughed,” said Alvin Pontoh, an Asia-Pacific strategist at TD Securities Inc. in Singapore. “The surprise fall in consumer confidence in the face of a generally positive backdrop casts doubt on the sustainability of the pickup in consumer spending we have seen of late.” The Reserve Bank of Australia, which lowered interest rates by 1.25 percentage points to 3.5 percent and paused at the past two meetings, has indicated wages need to remain contained and productivity improve to ensure inflation stays within its target of 2 percent to 3 percent. Traders are pricing in a 67 percent chance the RBA will keep the benchmark on hold when it meets next month. Powering growth is Australia’s biggest mining boom since a gold rush in the 1850s. The latest bonanza -- for iron ore, coal and natural gas -- is bringing investment projects the government estimates to be worth A$500 billion ($524 billion).

BOE drops reference to rate cut as it considers policy options

King

ank of England policy makers dropped a reference to interestrate cuts this month as they voted to keep their bond-purchase target unchanged and said they will assess the need for other stimulus measures. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 9-0 to hold the target at 375 billion pounds ($587 billion), according to the minutes of the August 1-2 meeting, published in London yesterday. It also voted 9-0 to keep the benchmark interest rate at a record-low 0.5 percent. “Over the coming months, the committee could take stock of the impact of

the Funding for Lending Scheme and the implications this had for other potential policy options,” it said, without mentioning rates. While for some members this month’s decision was “relatively straightforward,” others saw a “good case” for more asset purchases, it said. The central bank said last month it may review the merits of a reduction in borrowing costs once it assessed the impact of the FLS, which is aimed at boosting credit to companies and households. Investors increased bets on a cut after the comments before Governor Mervyn King lowered expectations, saying on August

8 that it may do more harm than good at present because of damage to some banks’ margins. “Interestingly, there was no discussion of an interestrate cut that some analysts have called for,” said James Knightley, an economist at ING Bank in London. “We have long doubted that such action would happen given the” central bank’s concern “about what it would mean for interest margins and bank lending.” Sonia forward contracts show that a rate cut isn’t priced in through July next year, according to data from Tullett Prebon Plc.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, September 27, 2012

NSE grosses N3.66bn in 2011 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he Nigerian Stock Exchange has declared a gross income of N3.66bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2011, a decline by 16.9 per cent when compared to N4.41bn recorded in the same period of 2010. The Exchange’s operating expenses dropped by 48.2 per cent to N1.05bn in 2011, from N2.02bn recorded in 2010, while total assets stood at N12.1bn in 2011, from N12.8bn in 2010.

According to the NSE’s financial statements released yesterday, inventories stood at N5.37bn in 2011, from N17.14bn in 2010, while liabilities dropped from N5.44bn in 2010 to N4.78bn in 2011. The President of the NSE, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, attributed the decline in the gross income to the volatility in the market in the year under review. He noted that despite many reforms embarked upon by the NSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission, other financial market

events such as interest rates, banking reforms and challenges resulting from the Eurozone debt crisis marred investors’ appetite for shares. “The market saw no noteworthy rally throughout the year, as many fund and asset managers continued to cut their equity exposure and/or sell down to cover deteriorating positions elsewhere,” he said. Dangote pointed out that foreign portfolio investment for 2011 totalled N847.9bn, up 46.9 per cent from 2010, accounting for 67 per cent of total mar-

ket transactions. He said, “FPI accounted for over 80.75 per cent of total inflows during the year at N512.7bn. With total outflows reported at N335.2bn, net inflows for 2011 stood at N177.6bn, a 4.90 per cent dip over the previous year’s net inflows of N186.7bn. “Nigeria’s FPI as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product was a mere 0.47 per cent in 2011 (versus 0.58 per cent in 2010) compared to South Africa’s estimated 3.5 per cent in 2011 and 4.3 per cent in 2010,” he added.

Index sheds 0.7% on profit taking JOHNSON O KANLAWON

rofit taking by investors halted Tuesday’s rally in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, dragging the benchmark index southwards. Specifically, the All Share index dropped 0.7 per cent to close at 25,774.53 points, as against the increase of 0.42 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 25,947.60 points. Market capitalisation dipped by N55bn to close at N8.21trn, in contrast to the rise of N34.6bn

recorded the preceding day to close at N8.26trn. All sectorial indices lost marginal value except Lotus Islamic Index which gained 0.13 per cent to close at 1,556.87 points. The NSE 30-Index shed 0.5 per cent to close at 1,207.77 points, while consumer goods index declined by 0.3 per cent to close at 2,221.59 points. The banking index dropped 0.6 per cent to close at 395.64 points, while the insurance index depreciated by 2.03 per cent to close at 139.11 points. The oil and gas index fell 1.01 per cent to

close at 164.08 points. DN Meyer Plc led the gainers’ table with eight kobo or 8.99 per cent to close at 97 kobo per share, followed by Livestock Plc with seven kobo or five per cent to close at N1.47 per share. Neimeth Pharmaceutical Plc rose by five kobo or five per cent to close at N1.05 per share, while Transcopr Plc increased by five kobo or five per cent to close at N1.05 per share. Honeywell Flour Mills Plc appreciated by 11 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.31 per share. On the flip side, In-

ternational Breweries Plc lost N1.31 or 9.77 per cent to close at N12.10 per share, while Fidson Healthcare Plc depreciated by 14 kobo or 9.46 per cent to close at N1.34 per share. UACN Plc shed N2.80 or 6.39 per cent to close at N41.00 per share, while Red Star Express Plc dropped by 20 kobo or 5.88 per cent to close at N3.20 per share. NASCON Plc declined by 30 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N5.74 per share. A total of 313.5 million shares valued at N2.62bn were exchanged in 5,259 deals.

Union Bank posts N13.6bn profit in H1 JOHNSON OKANLAWON

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has declared a profit after tax of N13.6bn for the period ended June 30, 2012, as against N44.01bn loss recorded in the same period of 2011. The bank’s profit before taxation stood at N9.79bn in the half year, in contrast to N65.68bn loss posted in the corresponding period of 2011, the profit before tax plus deferred tax income of N3.76bn gave the profit of N13.6bn. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange

yesterday, total comprehensive income for the period also rose to N11.9bn, as against the loss of N43.50bn recorded in the same period of 2011. This translated to earning per share of 221 kobo, compared to the loss of 326 kobo recorded in 2011 half year. Further analysis showed that the value of equity appreciated to N188.4bn in the review period, from a negative of N184.9bn it recorded in the same period of 2011. Similarly, the group recorded a profit after tax of N16.1bn, compared to a loss ofN40.3bn posted

in the corresponding period of 2011, while its assets increased by 1.07 per cent to N1.049trn, from N1.04trn recorded in the same period of 2011. The group total comprehensive income rose to N19.48bn in the review period, as against N39.4bn recorded in the same period of 2011, translating to earning per share of 251 kobo, compared to a loss per share of 305 kobo recorded in 2011 half year. The result showed that the group equity increased to N207.9bn in 2012 half year, from the negative of N164.9bn posted in 2011 half year.

The Group Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, had while presenting the first quarter result said that the bank has indeed begun to move forward in the right direction. “We have been able to turn around our loss position of the previous years and more significantly, we now have a healthy and positive shareholders’ fund,” she said. Osibodu attributed the performance to the re-capitalisation of the bank, injection of new capital and buying up of the bad loans by the Asset Managment Corporation of Nigeria.

Source: NSE

NIBOR QUOTES 25 SEPTEMBER & 26 SEPTEMBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

25-Sep-12

26-Sep-12

Source: FMDA

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

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DNMEYER

0.89

0.97

0.08

8.99

LIVESTOCK

1.40

1.47

0.07

5.00

NEIMETH

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

TRANSCORP

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

HONYFLOUR

2.20

2.31

0.11

5.00

CHAMPION

3.28

3.44

0.16

4.88

CUTIX

2.08

2.18

0.10

4.81

UTC

0.73

0.76

0.03

4.11

PRESTIGE

0.50

0.52

0.02

4.00

ASHAKACEM

14.46

15.00

0.54

3.73

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

INTBREW

13.41

CLOSING 12.10

1.31

-9.77

FIDSON

1.48

1.34

0.14

-9.46

UACN

43.80

41.00

2.80

-6.39

REDSTAREX

3.40

3.20

0.20

-5.88

NASCON

6.04

5.74

0.30

-4.97

UAC-PROP

12.09

11.49

0.60

-4.96

OANDO

13.52

12.85

0.67

-4.96

RTBRISCOE

1.82

1.73

0.09

-4.95

UBN

8.74

8.31

0.43

-4.92

MANSARD

2.06

1.96

0.10

-4.85

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

21,838.51

14.09

27-Sep-12

182-Day

59,081.14

15.05

27-Sep-12

364 -Day

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

297 Days

7, 878.70

16.40

27-Sep-12

289-Days

12,963.25

16.39

27-Sep-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$200m

N/A

$200m

26-Sep-12

$250m

N/A

$250m

24-Sep-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at September 26, 2012 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

eing the first week of resumption of academic activities, students returning were inquisitive to know what was going on. The Oduduwa Hall, venue of the confab was filled to capacity as financial experts and students gathered to discuss what went wrong and chart way forward for the Nigerian economy. Speaking on the topic, ‘Establishing Nigeria as a Hub for Financial Services in Africa’, Dr. M.A Ayeni, affirmed that Nigeria has what it takes to become the financial services hub of Africa, given its widely acknowledged economic potentials and human resources. He said that with the right vision, it is possible to engineer the country’s evolution into the financial nerve centre of Africa, and develop the financial sector into a growth catalyst that will enable its transformation into one of the 20 largest economies in the world. According to him, a country cannot be an industrial hub without being a maritime hub within its region ,as he commended the Nigerian Ports AuthorDr. Ayeni (m) posing with some students at the just concluded Accounting Conference in Ile-Ife. ity (NPA), for the giant stride adopted to eliminate poor cargo handling and dock labour crises at the Lagos port. He said the NPA is spearheading the development of deep seaports in Akwa Ibom, and Lekki in Lagos State. The idea, he maintained, is to prevent diversion of big ships from Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries, as a result of low draught to berth. This, he said, will in turn bring about a multiplier effect in improving the na- The youth are always said to be leaders of tomorrow, but over the years, the older generation are tion’s economy. reluctant to leave the stage. So, last week, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife was a beehive of “Government should investigate activities, as the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Assocaition, (NUASA-OAU), organized and enumerate the crops that are more suitable for growth and cultivate them the first students Finance Confab to address the ailing economy. MOJEED ALABI and SIKIRU where they have comparative advan- AKINOLA were there and report. tage, while establishing large hectares of plantation for such crops that will ence point because of the reliability satisfy both local and international than circumspect? OVERNMENT of the “store of value” in their curOn the planned introduction of N5, markets either as raw-materials or as rencies. 000 note by the Central Bank of Nigeria finished products. SHOULD ENDEAVOUR Speaking on economic empowerGovernment should endeavour to es- (CBN), he rejected it ,saying the highTO ESTABLISH FARM ment, Bayo Odugbemi, Managing Ditablish farm settlements in areas where est currency denomination in America rector/CEOof First Registrars, Nigeria some crops can be largely grown, as which is over 200 years, is just $100 and SETTLEMENTS IN Limited, said it requires a plan and Britain; does not have currency dewas done in old Western Region”. steps necessary to achieve it. Much of He, however, said that it is disheart- nomination higher than E50 Euro.NiAREAS WHERE it, he observed, depends on the willingening that our politicians have sudden- geria, he continued, moved from N10 SOME CROPS CAN BE ness to sacrifice some time and effort. ly become auditors overnight, in the to N20, N20 to N50, N50 to N100 and onto According to him, that willingness, is guise of oversight functions that have N1,000 unfettered, and “as we were LARGELY GROWN AS absent from the majority of people who often brought lethargy than curative moving up unwisely, we kept debasonly dream about it. consequences to the perceived ailment ing the fulcrum of the economic chain WAS DONE IN OLD “Unfortunately, they find no enjoywhich is the coins. Now our egg heads they intended to cure. ESTERN EGION ment in life. Yet, the rich stay abunHe blamed politicians for the rot, are planning to introduce a unit of N5, dantly happy in accumulating riches. asking the need for so many Senators 000. What a reckless economic policy, Money is no more than a tool. It is the and House of Representative members how do we reconcile the policy of cashwith retinue of “assistants. “Who says less economy with this? What a na- nomination pegged at C50 (fifty Cedi) physical manifestation of a life wellour literary icon, Prof. Wole Soyinka tion, where people think of themselves and the country has suddenly become lived, filled with purpose and not an would not perform better if he solely alone at the expense of other citizens? a haven for Nigerian traders and inves- end in itself ”. On what motivated the confab, the represents Ogun State in the Senate, "In other countries, it is possible to buy tors from other countries”. He said any nation, whose curren- president of NUASA-OAU, Ogunrewo, than 10 docile ones who contribute commodities with coins, but here, it is a taboo to do so. Whereas this would cy is consistently been manipulated said the event was conceived out of the nothing? whimsically with the result that it need to create a platform for all Nigerihave at least brought down prices of “Who says the legal luminary, Chief Afe-Babalola and one or two others rep- some goods, the pricing system would does not possess the major attribute an students of finance-related courses resenting Ekiti State, would not bring soon change consequent upon this ig- of a “store of value”, may not real- to meet and discuss relevant issues in istically qualify to be a hub, either the economy and be challenged to preabout a more people oriented legisla- noble plan”. “Ghana redenominated her curren- industrially or financially. He said, pare for the future so that we all togethtion than the many self-centered law makers. Why do we cherish profligacy cy few years ago, with the highest de- America and Britain remain a refer- er can make Nigeria greater.

Making Nigeria Africa’s economic hub G

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, September 27, 2012

PBOF Day: A call against child abuse and domestic violence BUKOLA ADEJOKUN

his is who I am! Was the cry of a cast of three, Ashake, a grandmother, her daughter both who lived on the fast lane and got pregnant in their teenage years and Diamond, the grand daughter, who does not want to end up like her mother and grandmother. She almost made the same mistake until she got into discussion with Uche, her neighbour on campus who told her the story of her life and how she was given another chance in life through the help of the PBO Foundation. This encouraged Diamond to make up her mind to keep herself. The well decorated hall of Harbour Point, Victoria Island, venue of the Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation Day was filled with people from all walks of life, who have in one way or the other been touched by the life and ministry of late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya. They were beautifully dressed in different shades of green, the colour for the occasion and the progamme started at 4pm with an opening prayer by Pastor Amaka Maduneme. A preview of Pastor Bimbo’s message at the Single and Married fellowship on Child sexual abuse was shown. She urged parents, especially mothers to take good care of their children and not to leave them for just anybody because they could be molested. A dance drama about some girls that were molested by their fathers was the high point of the occasion. By the time the girls got into school, they became promiscuous, attending parties, smoking and jumping from one bed to an-

other. All these came to a halt one day when one of the girls died at a party, and this was a wakeup call to her friend who later changed her ways after coming in contact with counselors from the PBOF and she eventually graduated. Speaking on domestic violence, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, said it is not only physical attacks that can be regarded as domestic violence, it also includes emotional torture, verbal abuses, especially by a woman against a man in the home. She said anyone could be an abuser and that anybody can also be a victim. Tejuosho also said that domestic violence is a societal problem and not a family problem, stating that; “ When a woman or a man is battered, it has a ripple effect because he or she will take it to the workplace, school or business place”. She disclosed that women fall victims of domestic violence than men and that the law enforcement agents, especially policemen do not cooperate with victims until it leads to serious injury or death, which should not be so. She said that majority of perpetrators of domestic violence may have grown up in similar environment and do not see anything wrong doing the same. Tejuosho urged men to be role models and to encourage those involved in domestic violence to desist from such act. She commended the PBO Foundation for providing a home for girls/ ladies who have nowhere to go and a temporary shelter for women who were victims of domestic violence.

Kamsee, 12 tipped for greatness

‘We are not fighting’–Davido,Wizkid OSEYIZA OOGBODO

oung musician Davido, has come out to clear the air over the alleged bad blood between him and another young musician, Wizkid. According to Davido, he and Wizkid are not fighting in any way and they are even friends. “Wizkid is my friend,” he declared emphatically while trying to clear the air of the allegations. It will be recalled that insinuations of a quarrel between them became the talk of town, when Davido was said to have left the

venue of an awards event in America as Wizkid was performing. The rumour said Davido couldn’t bear to watch the performance of Wizkid, his rival. People, however, related the rumours of negative rivalry between the two as usual in the industry. Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey had a longstanding rivalry, likewise Ayinde Barrister and Kollington Ayinla and even in America, the Notorious BIG and Tupac, had a bitter dispute that led to their murders. Presently, Davido and Wizkid are the hottest two young contemporary musicians in the country and the failure of one will lead to uninhibited success for the other.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Why does urine bubble?

OSEYIZA OOGBODO t just 12 years of age, Kamsee has been tipped for greatness. Little wonder he has been able to achieve what a lot of musicians hope for, but never get,a collaboration with D’Banj. That D’Banj accepted to do a track withhim and even appeared in the video is enough indication that Kamsee is truly special. The song Kamsee featured D’Banj on is titled “My World” and they have shot the video in South Africa. Meanwhile, Kamsee, who is already being likened to the international teen sensation, Justin Bieber, is moving ahead in his career. He was one of the artists consid-

Davido (r) and Wizkid

Kamsee

ered to perform at the silver jubilee anniversary of his home state, Akwa Ibom, and he was elated as he was very effusive about it. “I am proud of my home state and especially Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who is performing wonders. The governor has really transformed Akwa Ibom from a rural place to one of the most beautiful states in Nigeria. He built an airport in my father’s village and constructed the road.” Further proof of his steady rise to greatness is the fact that he has also been signed on by an international record label, Sony Music.

ubbles in the urine may be due to the vigorous flow of it when the air gets stucked inside the bubbles. The foamy appearance might be because of the fast flow or due to the large amounts of protein in the urine. It is not easy to determine the exact reason behind the urine being foamy. If the micro albumin study reveals that the urine is positive for albumin and is beyond its normal range then it may result in diabetes. Abnormal amount of protein present in the urine is also called proteinuria. The protein content in the urine is controlled by glomeruli in the kidneys. If the protein has not been filtered by the glomeruli and has reached the urine, it means these appendages are damaged. The protein in the urine reacts with the air in the atmosphere and forcefully touches the water in the toilet bowl and hence creates froth. The presence of air bubbles in the urine is rare and it might also be due to a condi-

tion called pneumaturia. This condition results when a passage between two organs like the bladder and the colon is formed. This passage is called as vesicocolic fistula. This occurs more in men than in women. An inflammation is seen at the bottom of the bladder and fluid is accumulated subcutaneously. Bubbles that are generated in this fluid due to diverticular abscess, Crohn’s disease, colon cancer or female genitalia enter the urine. It is necessary to consult a doctor for the diagnosis of any of these illnesses in case of the presence of bubbles in the urine. The person who observes bubbles in his urine may also have pain below the ribs which has to be immediately taken to a physician’s knowledge. Sometimes due to urinary tract infection, bubbles do form in the urine. The presence of kidney stones and kidney diseases may also cause bubbles in the urine. However, if one can see bubbles in the urine it is necessary to go for urine testing.

Media

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders set to launch book on ICT reporting KUNLE AZEEZ

ATCON President, Lanre Ajayi

Journalists offered sponsorship to AfricaCom 2012 KUNLE AZEEZ

ournalists specialising in reporting the Information and Communication Technology sector have been urged to take advantage of the sponsorship opportunity offered by African Press Organization (APO) at the forthcoming AfriCom 2012. Though the opportunity is open to all ICT journalists in Africa, the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, has particularly called on the Nigerian ICT journalists to avail themselves of the opportunity. ATCON, in statement made available to National Mirror and signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Ajibola Olude, ATCON, noted that APO had decided to offer transport, accommodation and perdiem for one African journalist to attend the AfricaCom 2012 holding between November 13-15, 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), South Africa. “AfricaCom 2012 will bring together individuals and companies to debate on how to embrace innovation in Africa's telecoms, media and ICT markets. “Only professional IT/Telecom journalists are eligible. The deadline for entry is midnight on September 24, 2012. Winner will be announced on October 1, 2012,” the statement said. In its 15th year, AfricaCom is embracing all aspects of the converging telecoms, media & ICT sectors to deliver the most inspiring, exciting and thought-provoking event yet. With over 200 speakers and over 125 scheduled hours of value-packed content, and newly extended to 3 days, AfricaCom offers something for everyone including visionary keynotes, specialised streams, interactive panel discussions, workshops, demos and networking opportunities. The conference will provide the best opportunity for all stakeholders to debate the changes in the digital ecosystem, to share visions, to build partnerships and to develop attractive services that will fit the needs of customers. The programme includes eye-opening keynotes, engaging focus sessions, three co-located conferences, compelling workshops, more interactive panels and expertise from a much wider range of digital experts.

ll is now set for the unveiling and launch of the book, ‘A Decade of ICT Reportage in Nigeria’ authored by a multi-award winning journalist, Mr. Remmy Nweke. The Chief Executive Officer of Phase3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede and Chairman, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh would lead guests to the book launch, among other several stakeholders in the nation’s Information and Communication Technology sector billed to attend the event. Confirming this in a statement during the week, the publishers of the book, DigitalSENSE Africa Media Limited, said that everything has been put in place to make the book unveiling and launch, a success. According to the Executive Director, Operations, DSA Media, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke, every arrangement had been put in place to make the unveiling and launching a memorable occasion in the history of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the country. She disclosed that the chief launchers, Jegede and Ekeh will be leading guests to the unveiling and launching of the book, slated to hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, October 5, 2012. She also disclosed that Messrs Innocent Imeh, Bernard Chidebe, and Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who are all ICT professionals, would be leading support for the chief launcher as co-launchers. Other key industry stakeholders who have confirmed their attendance at the book launch include the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo; President, Association of Telecom

Remmy Nweke, the Author

Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Lanre Ajayi; President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mrs. Mary Uduma and President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Bayo Banjo, among others. Meanwhile, Nweke, has stated that the that book launch would be chaired by the Chairman, OpenMedia Group. “The decision for Dr. Ndukwe to preside over the book launch was a strategic one considering the role he played as the immediate past, Chief Executive Officer, CEO at the Nigerian Communications Commission within the period that the book covered extensively,” she said. According t to her, Ndukwe on leaving NCC after his tenure as the chief executive officer, joined the Lagos Business

School (LBS) as part-time faculty, leading a team of experts at the Centre for Infrastructure Policy, Regulation and Advancement (CIPRA), a new centre in the School dedicated to teaching, research and policy advocacy in infrastructure development. She noted that, Ndukwe who was appointed co-chairman of the recently inaugurated Presidential National Broadband Committee, is reputed to having wealth of experience and expertise in telecommunications in both private and public sectors; a professional telecommunications engineer, corporate executive and public servant with over 34 years of international experience in the telecommunications industry.

Journalists should not be in

The turbulent business of publishing has produced heroes in its own way. One of them is Yinka Agboola, a humanist, journalist, businessman and publisher of PM Parrot Xtra Magazine. Before then he worked at Fame Magazine, Ovation International Magazine, Thisday Newspaper, Eko FM Radio Station, Daily Sketch and Nigerian Tribune. In this interview, he speaks on journalism and publishing. Excerpts: What is your experience in the eight years of publishing? God is the only one who has sustained us because HE has been supplying our needs. We also have a team of journalists who believe in the Parrot concept and who have been with us since inception. Most of the people who have supported us were inspired to do so by God. Like I had always said, we started from a small shop in Ibadan and got the first desktop computer from a great Nigerian, called Godwin Mekuye, the man behind Vivid Imagination in Lagos. That was how we started the journey of eight years ago. We have experimented on several ideas since then. Sometime along the line, we opened our Lagos office. However, we are putting some things in place before it can be properly activated. Can you tell us those things that must be in place? There are so many things to be put in place. For example, we have never officially done business in Lagos in the past eight years. People occasionally ask us to print for the Lagos market and even beyond Nigeria. We circulate only within the Western states. To venture into Lagos, we need a lot of funds; otherwise, we will be going there to waste

time and resources. When will you be ready for the Lagos market? Whenever it pleases God to approve of it. By this, I mean when HE divinely gives all the ‘tools’ we need. What are these tools? Funding is the major ‘tool’. With adequate funding, we can be everywhere at the same time. We have the knowhow and expertise to do more than people expect of us. Along the line, we have mastered the business and intrigues in publishing. We started the PM Parrot Evening Newspaper eight years ago, because we knew there was a vacuum left by the defunct Evening Sketch. We were supposed to be writing fresh news for readers in Ibadan and cities like Osogbo, Ogbomoso, Ile Ife, Abeokuta and others. The structure we built for circulation was not strong enough and so the returns were not encouraging. Then, we decided to establish a periodical called Parrot Xtra and we have been running the two together. Somehow, we have this sentimental attachment to Ibadan and that is why we have corporate headquar-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, September 27, 2012

NIJ Alumni holds national convention in Abeokuta FEMI O YEWESO

ABEOKUTA

he Nigeria Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA) has scheduled its maiden national convention for December 3rd, 2012. Addressing a press conference yesterday at Iwe Irohin House in Abeokuta, the National President, Dr. Olusanya Awosan explained that the association has chosen the date and Abeokuta as the venue to specifically commemorate the birth of the first newspaper in Nigeria, Iwe Irohin which was established by the Missionary, Reverend Henry Townsend in 1859. Awosan, who was accompanied to the press briefing by NIJAA National Secretary, Mrs. Funke Fadugba also said the convention will feature election of officers into various national offices.

The National President, who stated that the convention will feature a lecture with the theme: "Government Management of Public Opinion for National Development", also explained that the lecture would afford media practitioners as well as policy makers the opportunity to re-appraise the entire information management system in the country. In her own remarks, the National Secretary, Mrs. Fadugba said the national convention will afford the new entrant into the profession the opportunity of interacting with older practitioners, while it will also serve as a convergence for the veterans who would have missed their old friends. Awosan however, charged all Alumnus in diaspora to identify with the association as the convention would feature the birth of a national register.

NUJ holds 2nd Zik Annual lectures AWKA

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

by the late Zik of Africa, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, foremost nationalist and journalist, who died in 1996 and was buried in his Onitsha ancestral home town.

ters in the city. Whether anyone agrees or not, it is the capital of politics and journalism in Nigeria.

government since they have a major role to play in ensuring the sustenance of this democracy.

What is the biggest impediment as a publisher? Our major challenge is funding. If we had access to good sources of funding and with the necessary leeway to practice our trade, we shall excel.

Where do you see your publication in the next few years? At the very top! We have no doubt that we will get there. I will also say, we belief that God has a special place for Parrot publications since he is in absolute control of time and space. Meanwhile, our journalists are determined more than ever to ensure we get to our land of promise. We are very lucky to have committed workers.

What can government do to support publishing in Nigeria? The best the government should do for journalists and publishers is to provide a conducive environment for their profession. Journalists must not be part of

Journalist murdered in Somalia

nidentified assailants have shot to death a journalist in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, the latest in series of killings on the media workers in Mogadishu. Hassan Yusuf Absuge, head of the programs of the privately owned Radio Maanta, a local FM station in Mogadishu was shot in the head and chest by two men armed with pistols near his house in Yaqshid district on his way to work, according to colleagues. "it is terrible news ... He was shot several times in the head and he died instantly," Abdi-aziz Hassan Du'aysane, one of his colleagues at the radio station, said. Eyewitnesses said the killers have managed to escape from the shooting scene uncaught. The murder of Mr. Absuge becomes the fourth journalist killed inMogadishu, where murder and armed attacks on reporters inSomaliahave turned into almost daily events, hours after three journalists were murdered last week in suicide attacks at Village café located near the national theatre.

government –Agboola What inspires you? I am inspired by God. He is the only one who gives the clue to realize your aspiration. Look at This Day Newspaper. When it started at Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, I was there. My boss at the time, Dele Momodu was commissioned to put it together by Prince Nduka Obaigbena. Everything looked like a huge joke. We were frantically looking for journalists willing to work there. I remember Okagbue Aduba, the first editor. Today, you can see what the paper has done to journalism in Nigeria.

Media Abroad

Sanctions lifted on pro-Gbagbo papers

C HARLES O KEKE his year's second edition of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council's Zik Annual Lecture Series will hold on October 15 at the Emmaus House, Awka. The event which has Senator Annie Okonkwo as Chairman will also feature the Governor, Peter Obi as chief guest of honour. Announcing this at a press release , the Chairman of NUJ, Anambra State Council, Tochukwu Udoji Omelu, said the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, will present a special lecture title, "True Federalism and the Political Ideology of the Great Zik of Africa: Challenges of leadership”, as the guest lecturer. Other distinguished personalities that will grace the event include, Owelle of Onitsha, Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe, National President of NUJ, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, among others. The Zik's Lecture Series which is the brainchild of NUJ, Anambra State Council, is a platform where eminent scholars x-ray the works and philosophy of ‘Zikism’, as encapsulated

What is your advice to colleagues? What I will say only is that, they should think more about playing commendable roles to ensure that journalism becomes one of the most respected professions in Nigeria. This cannot be done through lip service only. They must see themselves as messiahs out to restore sanity. Balanced and fair reports must be published at all times. We should be tenaciously professional and always allow our conscience to dictate to us. Nigeria needs us. If we fail our country, we will have no other place to escape. So, we must work assiduously to keep Nigeria united.

he National Press Council (CNP), the statutory press regulatory body, on September 17, 2012 lifted suspension sanctions it had imposed on six privately-owned pro-Gbagbo newspapers, for jointly republishing an article originally published by Notre Voie, also a pro-Gbagbo daily. The regulatory body on September 7, 2012 rebuked and suspended Notre Voie for six publications for publishing photographs of personalities of the fallen regime with the caption "Minister" which suggests the "existence of two governments in Cote d'Ivoire." Accordingly, the CNP on September 12 decided to suspend Le Nouveau Courrier, LG Info, Le Temps, Aujourd'hui and Le Quotidien d'Abidjan for six publications each while L'Alternative was suspended for 12 publications, for knowingly reproducing the article, thus reinforcing the notion of "existence of two governments in Cote d'Ivoire." The Media Foundation for West Africa's (MFWA) correspondent reported that the regulatory body's decision to lift the suspensions follows the newspapers' plans to lodge a complaint against the CNP at the country's Supreme Court. According to the correspondent after several mediation efforts by the Newspaper Publishers' Association of Cote d'Ivoire (GEPCI) and the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR), the CNP finally decided to suspend the measure taken against the newspapers.

Alassane Quattara

Cocktail

Thursday, September 27, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (11)

To those who need encouragement, remember this: Beware of quitting too soon. Dr. Seuss’ first Children’s book was rejected by 23 publishers. The 24th publisher sold 6 million copies. **Ann Landers * * * The blessing of persistence Think of it. So many beautiful things will not be in existence today without the persistence of great people who invented them. So many great people will not be alive today without the persistent prayers of their parents. The truth is this: nothing much can come from a life that quits too soon. There is so much that we can become. There is so much that we can do. But the great key that we must have to open doors in life is the key of persistence. If you are not the type that gives up easily, I have good news for you: you will be a great blessing to humanity with your life. Don’t Stop Pressing Forward! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

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Oddities

Norwegian family wins national lottery three times

ood fortune and having children just seem to go together for Norwegian mother Hege Jeanette Oksnes. Each time the 29-year old petrol station attendant from tiny Austevoll Island off Norway’s west coast gives birth, someone in her family wins the national lottery. “This is completely insane... we don’t even

play the lottery that often,” Oksnes said only days after the family collected 12.2 million crowns ($2.12 million) with their third lottery win in six years. Oksnes, who serves hot dogs at a petrol station, gave birth to her first child in 2006 just one day after her father Leif won 4.2 million crowns on the national lottery.

Three years later, Oksnes herself won, claiming 8.2 million crowns one day before giving birth to her second child. To complete the hat-trick, Oksnes’ 18-year-old brother Tord won the very same lottery this weekend, just months after she gave birth to her third child. After three children

though, it may be time to call it quits. “My husband thinks we have enough money now,” she said. Oksnes bought new cars with her winnings and did a bit of travelling, but has put most of the money in the bank, hoping to find a dream property to build a new house.

Drunken man on horse arrested after chase

man was intoxicated while riding his horse as he led police on a half-hour chase through a northeast Florida town, authorities said Tuesday. Charles Larkin Cowart, 29, was arrested Monday afternoon in the city of Bunnell, about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. A police officer was responding to a report of “an intoxicated male riding a horse” when he turned on his emergency lights to stop traffic as Cowart crossed

the street, according to the charging affidavit. Cowart said he was on his way to his grandmother’s house in nearby Flagler Beach, but refused officers’ order to dismount and “in an aggressive manner reared the horse back” and took off running. Officers did not immediately chase after him, the report said, citing the public and the horse’s safety. Cowart continued to ride through town, “causing a crowd of people to come out of their homes” and a train to slow down as Cow-

art crossed over a set of railroad tracks. Police kept their emergency lights on, but did not use their sirens to prevent the horse from being frightened and “potentially making the situation worse.” Cowart ignored several verbal commands to get off the horse, which after more half an hour, became exhausted. Cowart eventually jumped off and took off running. He was captured a short time later. The horse returned to Cowart’s family and is doing fine, police said.

A lady threatening a dog with a gun.

PHOTO: CREATIVENERDS.CO.UK

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North

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Kaduna threatens to sack 18,231 non-qualified teachers AZA MSUE KADUNA

he Kaduna State Government yesterday threatened to sack its 18,231 non-qualified primary school teachers if they fail to acquire the National Certificate in Education (NCE) as the minimum teaching quali-

Aliyu advises Nigerians on security PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

overnor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has urged Nigerians to be responsive to security issue, rather than leaving it for the government and law enforcement agencies. He said Nigeria is currently being confronted with unprecedented security challenges that are threatening national survival, interest and values that required concerted efforts to fight the menace. Aliyu, who spoke through his deputy, Mr. Ahmed Ibeto, during the 2012 Batch “C” NYSC preorientation in Minna, the state capital, said security is a collective responsibility and must be treated with seriousness and commitment for the safety of everyone. He said: “We must deliberately work towards peace-building and economic prosperity at individual and organisational levels to guarantee a safe and secure Nigeria.” The governor, however, commended efforts by NYSC management to reposition the scheme so as to achieve its core mandate that include promotion of national unity and integration through mobilisation of youths. Aliyu reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure the welfare and safety of corps members deployed to the state. He said: “We are providing the enabling environment to attract corps members serving in the state to remain after the NYSC programme to contribute their quota to the attainment of our developmental goals.”

Yakowa commended over N3bn monthly IGR target

main valid. “Consequently, the council directed that the 18,231 unqualified teachers currently in our public AZA MSUE primary schools must en- KADUNA roll for NCE programme Kaduna-based or stand the risk of losing public affairs comtheir job. Such teachers mentator, Mr. Emmust obtain the NCE withmanuel Ado, yesterday in the next five years from praised Governor Patrick this academic session.” Yakowa’s N3bn monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target, saying it would free the state from dependence on federal allocation. In a statement made available to National Mirror in Kaduna, Mr. Ado praised the governor for initiative to increase the monthly IGR from N700m to N3bn. He said with the increase, the governor would deliver more dividends of democracy to the people and that the era of borrowing to fund projects is over. According to him, with appointment of four consultants for tax audits, direct assessment, vehicle registration and information technology (ICT) software platform, the challenges confronting revenue collection in the state would be addressed. Mr. Ado noted that 40 per cent increment in the IGR has already been recorded between January Returnee female pilgrims boarding a bus to their respective states at the Aminu Kano Airport, yesterday. and June this year, despite the security challenges confronting the state. He said: “All hands government to enable securi- Maj.-Gen. John Nwaoga, must be on deck. With he Adamawa State from 6:am to 3:pm. The statement said the ty operatives conduct house- while speaking on the secu- hard work, blockages of Government has relaxed the 24-hour movement was, however, lim- to-house searches in some rity operation in the town, loopholes and packages said many arrests had been of incentives, the Kaducurfew imposed on Mubi ited to Mubi alone to allow wards. na State Revenue Board made. This had followed series of town in the last three days. residents make purchases “Weapons, including and all the other revenue A statement by the Di- as no movement would be al- killings and attacks on comrector of Press Affairs lowed into or out of the town. munication masts in the com- guns, ammunitions and sources, under the strict explosives, have also been supervision of the MinisThe News Agency of Ni- mercial town. to the Governor, Malam The Brigade Commander, recovered in the on-going try of Finance, can generMaijama’a Adamu, said geria (NAN) reports that the ate this initial target of people could now move curfew was imposed by the 23rd Armour Brigade, Yola, exercise,” he said. N3bn monthly.” Ado, however, said that Governor Yakowa’s recent technical committee for stakeholders to the establishment of the year’s World Tourism in the nation, yet most for PRISCILLA DENNIS Day today in Zungeru in times many people are work collectively to- Kaduna State GeographiMINNA Wushishi Local Govern- afraid once they hear the wards making the state cal Information System he Niger State ment Area of the state word ‘Niger’. the preferred tourist would facilitate robust Government has was to show case the “Because of Niger destination in order to land administration. explained why the historical importance of Delta, sometimes it is help it increasing its Instate cannot be described the town to the whole na- hard to convince people ternally Generated Revas a preferred tourist des- tion and the rest of the that Niger State is a enue (IGR). tination. Zungeru, it will be tourist destination in world. The government said The state Commis- the nation. We have to recalled, is famous bethat it is “hard selling sioner for Culture and take time to explain to cause it is the birth the state as a tourist Tourism, Alhaji Kabiru them that Niger State place of prominent Nidestination because it Mohammed Wushishi, is the name of our state gerians, such as the shares a common word spoke while addressing and is the most secured late Owelle of Onitsha, “Niger” with the Niger journalists in Minna on in Nigeria, while Niger Dr. Nnandi Azikiwe, Delta region.” Delta is a region in the the Ikemba Nnewi and the World Tourism Day. It explained that the Sir Odumegu Ojukwu, Wushishi said: “Niger South-South.” decision to hold this is the most secured state Yakowa He stressed the need among others. fication within the stipulated period. Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Ishaya Dary Akau, said the government had approved the reinstatement of 117 primary school teachers earlier dismissed from service following the verification ex-

ercise conducted this year. A statement signed by SUBED Director of Social Mobilisation, Shuaib Dabo, said the decision to reinstate the sacked teachers was taken at the state executive council meeting. The statement reads: “A circular issued by the Hon. Commissioner of Education, Mr. Moham-

med Usman, dated August 23, 2012, stated that the case of the affected staff was deliberated upon by the state executive council and those found to have genuine cases were magnanimously approved for reinstatement with effect from September1,2012 without arrears. However their years of service re-

Adamawa relaxes 24-hour curfew in Mubi

It is hard selling Niger as tourist state –Govt

News

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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FEC approves N16.29bn for new projects ROTIMI FADEYI

he Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday approved N16.29bn for feasibility studies for railway lines, construction of roads, development of infrastructure for the Niger Delta region as well as the distribution of textbooks to primary schools. Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, briefing journalists after the

FEC meeting said that N1, 334, 405, 366.74 has been approved by for consultancy services for the feasibility studies of new standard Gauge Railway lines. According to Umar, the contracts are for LagosAbuja, which covers Lagos, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Baro and Abuja covering 615 kilometres. There is also the 300-kilometre Lagos-Benin lane, which covers Lagos, Shagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ore and Benin City.

The third lane is the Ajaokuta-Abuja 533 kilometres to cover Ajaokuta, Obajana, Jakura, Baro, Abuja and additional line Ajaokuta to Otukpo. The fourth lane is the 520-kilometre Zaria-Ilesha which covers Zaria, Kaura Namoda, Sokoto and Illela. While the 500-kilometer Benin-Aba lane is to cover Benin, Agbor, Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba with additional line to Onitsha, Enugu and Abakiliki. According to him, the

projects are meant to ease the transportation system and also improve the social and economic activities of the people, stressing that the project would create total job opportunities for 51 Nigerian professionals and 115 non-professionals during the execution. The council also approved the award of contracts for three infrastructural development projects in Rivers and Delta States in the Niger Delta area. The contracts are for

L-R: Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, at the fourth Lagos Central Senatorial District town hall meeting in Lagos, yesterday.

Nigeria, USAID sign new $318.6m deal TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, on Tuesday signed on behalf of the Federal Government an agreement for another tranche of grants totalling $318,612,663 with one of the development partners, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for implementation of key programmes in the country. The fund would be committed to five key programmes namely; the strengthening of civil engagement for good governance, increasing rural incomes and jobs in assisted areas and improving quality and efficiency of basic education. Other areas of the assisted programme include; increasing use of high-im-

pact health interventions and increasing Nigeria’s capacity for a sustainable HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis response. A statement by Mrs. Affiong Usen Effiong of the Information Unit of the Commission, quoted the minister as saying that all donor assistance to Nigeria will henceforth be in line with the priority needs of

the country. Usman, who said that the role of Nigeria in defining the strategic areas in which donor assistance are directed cannot be over-emphasised, reiterating the need for regular review meetings with donor agencies to help in the coordination of the assistance and avoid replication of projects. Earlier in his remark,

the United States Ambassador in Nigeria, Ambassador Terence McCulley, said that his country, through the USAID was committed to helping Nigeria achieve its development objectives, pointing out that, Nigeria remains one of the most strategic African partners of the United States and a prominent economic force within West Africa.

Joshua Adeyemi Ogunleye is dead

he death has been announced of Mr. Joshua Adeyemi Ogunleye, popularly known as Lord Bishop! He died peacefully in his Bodija, Ibadan, home on Monday September 10, at the age of 80. He attended Ondo Boys High School and worked in the Premier’s office in the old Western Region as one of the confidential secretaries of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He also worked in the Western State civil service and was the confidential secretary to two attorneysgeneral: Dr. F. A. Ajayi and Dr. Lateef Adegbite. He was later transferred to the defunct Western State Court of Appeal as personal secretary to the court’s Prsident, Justice Kayode Eso. When new states were created in 1976, he was posted to the Ondo State judiciary, where he served as the

personal secretary to the state’s Chie Judge, Justice Akinola Aguda, before retiring in 1977. Ogunleye is survived by his wife, Ebunoluwa Ogunleye and children, including Gbemiga Ogunleye of Television Continental and many grandchildren. He will be buried at his home town, Ayere, in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State at a date to be announced later.

the rehabilitation of Kira Dere Mogbo Road in Gokona Local Government Area of Rivers State while in Delta State, the projects are for the rehabilitation of Umuada Layout Road, Asaba and Land Reclamation/Shore Protection at Ogbwinama town, Bomadi Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, the projects are in continuation of the Federal Government’s commitment and determination to create the necessary atmosphere and conducive environment for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

Jonathan has declared his assets –Bureau chairman

resident Goodluck Jonathan has declared his assets and has no case to answer, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Sam Saba, has said. “As far as we are concerned, Mr. President has declared his assets, though not publicly. There is no law that says that you should declare your assets publicly; it simply states that you should declare your assets. “What is important is that he has declared his assets and when we go through his form and we discover any area that is questionable, then we will take him to court,” he said. Saba spoke through the Federal Commissioner representing North-West in the bureau, Alhaji Ibrahim Manzo, who represented him at a Compliance Training Workshop for Public Officers yesterday in Abuja. He said the bureau was doing its bit, but that the public was not doing its

own part by refusing to blow the whistle on defaulters. Saba, who noted that the fight against corruption is the collective responsibility of all patriotic citizens, said Nigerians should wake up to the task. He said the aim of the training was to sensitise public officers on the importance of assets declaration and what was required of them while filling the form. “If they know what they are being asked and how to answer correctly, it will lessen our work and reduce the burden of taking people to court for non-compliance,” he said. Manzo said education was the key to understanding any issue and that the bureau organised the enlightenment programme in the hope that the National Universities Commission (NUC) would help in sending the message across to the relevant authorities.

Amnesty office suspends seven officials over fraud OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

even officials in the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Unit of the Presidential Amnesty Office have been suspended over allegations of fraudulent dealings in the documentation of Phase Two beneficiaries of the amnesty programme. The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, gave the directive yesterday following confessional statements by one Aso Tambo and some other Phase Two leaders of the former Niger Delta agitators. A statement by Am-

nesty Media Officer, Dan Alabrah, gave the names of the affected officials as Marshal Konoun, Kennedy West, Peter Ajube, Beggi Erepade, Tari Clarkson, Okuba Wenikefe and Tony Amende. “The office alongside security agencies has commenced investigation into allegations that officials of the unit colluded with Tambo and others to doctor allotted slots and the account details of beneficiaries.” It will be recalled that on Tuesday, no fewer than 57 of the former agitators were detained by security agencies in Abuja, following incessant harassment and intimidation of officials of the Amnesty Office, including the Chairman, Hon. Kuku.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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World News

“This is a very sensitive issue. This is not going to be resolved soon. Obama’s statement has started a cultural war.” – JPrime suspect of 2008 Mumbai bombings, Hafiz Saeed

South Africa’s Malema charged with money laundering PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

NC outcast, Julius Malema was charged with money laundering yesterday but emerged from court unbowed to attack South African President Jacob Zuma as the “illiterate” leader of a “banana republic”, The Associated Press has reported. Expelled from the African National Congress for ill-discipline, Malema has capitalized on wildcat miners’ strikes to emerge as a champion for impoverished blacks whose lives have changed little since apartheid ended in 1994. At a ten-minute hearing in Polokwane, capital of Malema’s native Limpopo province, prosecutors accused the former ANC youth leader of “improperly” receiving 4.2 million rand ($514,000) in a conspiracy involving state tenders. Having ditched his trademark Che Guevara-style black beret and t-shirt for a grey suit and red tie, Malema emerged to play the crowd with an irreverent roasting of Zuma, who faces an internal ANC leadership election in December.

Julius Malema waving to his supporters during his court appearance in Polokwane, Johannesburg yesterday.

“He can stick the charges up his ass,” Malema said in the native Pedi language, to cheers and laughter from around 1,000 supporters hemmed in by police and razor wire in Polokwane, 350 km (220 miles) north of Johannesburg. Prosecutors, he said, were simply taking orders from Zuma to “catch this boy”. “In South Africa, a banana republic, being next to Julius Malema is a criminal offence,” he added.

“I’ve never been part of any criminal activity. I will never be part of any criminal activity,” Malema said. “They are sent by Jacob Zuma because Jacob Zuma knows nothing - the illiterate Jacob Zuma,” he added. “I’m unshaken. I’m not intimated by nonsense. They are wasting time.” There was no immediate response from the presidency to Malema’s public tirade. The

PHOTO: AP

ANC rejected his allegations of meddling in the legal system as an “insult to law enforcement agencies who are totally independent of government”. In an interview with Reuters last week, Zuma dismissed Malema as being “just talk”. The fast-living 31-year-old was expelled from Nelson Mandela’s 100-year-old liberation movement and ousted as leader of the ANC Youth League in April.

Four killed as twin suicide blasts strike Syrian army

wo suicide car bombers struck Syria’s army command headquarters yesterday, killing four guards and engulfing a key symbol of President Bashar Assad’s embattled regime in flames, state-run media and witnesses said.

The twin blasts were followed by several hours of gun battles between rebel fighters and regime forces in downtown Damascus. A reporter for an Iranian TV channel also was killed by gunfire near the clashes, and a correspondent for another Iranian

Members of the Free Syria Army and residents shouting slogans during a protest against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in Sermada, on Tuesday. PHOTO: REUTERS

station was wounded. The brazen rebel attacks in the heart of the Syrian capital highlighted their determination to bring down Assad as the country’s civil war intensifies. Syria’s unrest began in March 2011 when protests calling for political change met a violent government crackdown. Many in the opposition have since taken up arms as the conflict morphed into a civil war that activists say has killed nearly 30,000 people. Over the past few months, the rebels have increasingly targeted security sites and symbols of regime power in a bid to turn the tide in the fighting. Rebels from the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s bombings. The blasts went off about 10 minutes apart, starting around 7 a.m., near the landmark Omayyad Square. They were heard sev-

eral miles (kilometres) away. Syrian state TV aired what it said was security camera footage of the blasts. In the first, a white van is driving on the road outside the military headquarters, then veers to the right and explodes. The second blast goes off inside the compound, with flames rising from behind trees. Later, the army command building is seen engulfed in flames that sent huge columns of thick black smoke over Damascus for several hours. The explosions shattered the windows of the Dama Rose hotel and other nearby buildings, as well as windshields of parked cars. Footage by the Syrian TV channel Ikhbariya, also staterun, showed heavy damage inside the compound, with glass shards scattered across the floor and broken ceiling tiles.

WORLD BULLETIN Death of rebel who captured Gaddafi fuels tension in Libya One of the Libyan rebels who helped capture Muammar Gaddafi in a drain pipe was buried early yesterday after his relatives said he had been shot and tortured in a rival town. The death of Omran Shaban on Monday again highlighted the struggle of Libya’s new leaders to rein in armed groups and could further stoke tensions between the towns of Misrata and Bani Walid, which backed opposing sides in the 2011 conflict. Shaban shot to fame when he was seen in pictures grabbing Gaddafi on October 20. before the former Libyan leader was killed in his home town of Sirte. According to his relatives, Shaban was kidnapped by armed men in July close to Bani Walid while on his way back to Misrata after he had been on government business in western Libya to calm clashes there. Bani Walid, a former Gaddafi stronghold, lies some 140 km (90 miles) from Misrata.

Zimbabwe’s constitution changes on track - Mugabe Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has assured regional leaders that adoption of a new constitution is on track, ahead of proposed elections to end the nation’s fragile coalition government, his loyalist state media reported yesterday. Mugabe met with South African President Jacob Zuma, the chief regional mediator on Zimbabwe, on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly in New York late Tuesday, the Herald newspaper reported. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition leader, has declared that the talks for constitutional reforms have become deadlocked.

‘Progress made in Sudan-South Sudan talks’

Sudan says significant progress is being made in talks with South Sudan as negotiations over their shared border entered a fourth day yesterday. Both Sudan President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan President Salva Kiir are skipping the U.N. General Assembly in New York to stay at talks being held in Ethiopia’s capital. The two leaders have met since late Tuesday but have not yet achieved a breakthrough agreement. El-Obeid Morawah, a spokesman for Sudan’s Foreign Ministry, said late Tuesday that obstacles remain in the talks over the Abyei region and a buffer border zone.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

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Community Mirror “I think the Information Minister is a careless talker, he talks very carelessly.” SENATE PRESIDENT, DAVID MARK

Dana Air management irresponsible – Victim FRANCIS SUBERU

ne of the principal victims of the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash, Pastor Daniel Oluranti Omowunmi has berated Dana Air for neglecting him and others onthe-ground victims, saying the management of the airline is very irresponsible. Pastor Daniel, in an exclusive interview with Community Mirror said since the June 3 crash, the management of the airline has not reach out to him, despite writing several letters to them through his lawyers. According to him: “Since the incidence of June 3, 2012; there has not been any response from the management of Dana Air on my plight as someone who lost properties worth over N500 million. “Their silence is a height of irresponsibility. It appears to me that they don’t want to do anything. They just want to sweep the whole thing under the carpet. If you destroy somebody’s property, the ideal thing is that you talk to the person, but there is not even a word from them, there has not been any communication from them. “We wrote letters to them and they didn’t respond, no acknowledgement, no questioning, nothing and that makes things worrisome. I have made several efforts at reaching out to them, but they don’t care.” “I believe the management of Dana Air is looking for somebody who will give them a fight. They want me to fight them and I will make sure I get back at them, whether we take a legal step or something, I will definitely reach out to them.” The pastor, who expressed disappointment at the nonchalant attitude of the airline, said he was not only displaced by the crash, but was equally put out of job, since the building that the aircraft crashed into doubled as his home and business outfit. “From June 3, till this moment, no one knows how we have been faring; they don’t even care to know where I reside with my family. I am just putting up somewhere. The place doubled as my residence

and business outfit, so, my family and I are displaced, myself and those who work with me have been thrown out of job. “We are at a halt now, we are not doing anything, everything was totally destroyed and right now, I am battling with my clients who had one or two things with me at the time the incident occurred. I have written to them through my lawyer, I am not dealing with them personally because I am determined

to see how this matter will end. “The property that was destroyed is worth more than N500 million, but even at that, they have never taken any step to do any findings as to the authenticity of the claims. If they are doing their findings, there is no way I won’t know because there will be one question or the other for me to answer. “I am open to them so they can ask questions. Somebody

could say you owe him one billion; you will come out and say how come and the person will have to explain. But because they are not willing to do anything, they wouldn’t want to dare ask questions. I assume they are not discussing with me simply because they don’t want to get committed,” Pastor Daniel said. The cleric told Community Mirror that the airline is still keeping mum in order to pour

Some people illegally scooping petrol at the scene of a tanker accident in Lagos.

PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Mint staff arrested with fake naira notes FRANCIS SUBERU

security employee of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for being in possession of fake N1, 000 notes The suspect, Osakpolor Igbinosa was arrested, while trying to exchange the notes with the United States of America dollars. The former NSPM security

official stole the naira notes without the currency security numbers, when the bubble on his illicit acts got busted. He was, until his arrest, a worker with the security and minting company and a security officer at the Victoria Island office. The suspect confessed to committing the offence for the second time when he was arrested. The Lagos State Police command spokesperson, Ngozi

cold water on his efforts at making it responsible for the damage it caused. Pastor Daniel noted: “I know what they are trying to do. Their plan is to give it time and try to sweep it under the carpet, but I will not allow them to do that. I pray there won’t be re-occurrence of air disaster anywhere in the world, but this will serve as a case study for them, it will serve as a lesson.”

Braide, while speaking on the arrest, said Osakpolor used to stuff the naira notes into his “Kito sandals” He was about changing N900, 000 notes for 300 US dollars, when he was arrested by the police. Community Mirror gathered that a bureau de change operator, ‘ identified as Abdulrahman Abdullai, alerted the police at Shagamu Road Police Station, when he discovered that the notes were not having the usual

security number. The suspect blamed his criminal act on “hard times.” Osakpolor who claimed to have joined the company in 2006, also said he was a security detail at the Material Department of the company The Police Public Relations Officer said the suspect attempted to bribe policemen with N280,000,even as she also said that N380, 000 genuine notes were recovered from the suspect .

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Insight

Thursday, September 27, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How NNPC loses billions of naira to

....security officials run million dollars protection racket for smugglers

Some unscrupulous residents of Lagos and Ogun states are involved in large scale illegal oil bunkering and smuggling in tandem with certain security officials who are supposed to protect the oil pipelines and depots the criminals sabotage daily. The activities of these perpetrators is costing the nation billions of dollars every year. Editor, Investigations, SAM OLUWALANA, takes a trip into the world of the marauders and reports on their trade and effects on the economy and environment.

riving down a popular road off Ikorodu road, a 12 year old starryeyed old boy, whispers “we have market here” and a SVU vehicle occupied by an obviously well-to-do ‘gentleman’ screeched to a halt and made a quick u-turn and head towards the ‘boy merchant’, who dashed to the gate of a bungalow which he flung wide open for the jeep and its occupant to go to through. The gentleman meanders past a dog and two beefy young men in their late 20’s. Only two instructive words( each way) passed between the two patrons, “ewo ni?”( which one?). ‘One keg’, the man replied almost in a whisper, something which was hardly necessary in this world. One of the young men took brisk steps towards an outer building that fronted the main building, which contains a mini -store filled up to the brim with about 200 pieces of assorted 50- litre plastic containers. He went past the hefty female house owner, who was busy filling a vehicle with petrol, while three other vehicles were parked next to her ‘service bay’ with the owners awaiting their turns. The young man immediately returned with a 50-litre keg which he mounted on an elevated plank that is about three feet tall. He scooped a rubber hose about one and half feet long, with a net filter device fitted to the tip of it, which he inserted into the keg, the patron having removed the gas tank cover of the vehicle. He filled the vehicle up with the contents of the keg and after about five minutes, the patron left after money has exchanged hands with both parties smiling. Welcome to the world of illegal fuel bunkering in Ikorodu, Lagos. While the uninitiated has to be hustled, the informed, like my host and guide took a different approach. After warning me about the consequences of being too obviously inquisitive in the area, he placed a phone call to the same house and after getting a positive response, we drove to the depot in his car and we went into the same compound as the jeep man who incidentally went in before us after having witnessed his ‘initiation’ by the pre-teen, young business man. The house is located on a busy road in

Risky business: Oil products stored around a residential building.

one of the new settlements called Isawo Town springing up all over Ikorodu town area. The settlements have certain common features and characteristics. They are all built on the banks of the Lagoon and they are all built to feast on the burgeoning bunkering trade which is fast turning into a mega-billion naira underground trade all over Lagos. Just recently, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and national Orientation, Edem Duke was horrified by the sight of a full scale bunkering operation right on the premises of the National Theatre, Iganmu, right in the heart of Lagos. Investigations by National Mirror showed that the illegal trade has been in existence for few years and has always been in full glare of the public despite heavy police presence in the area especially on the premises of the national edifice. This particular operation has a fully operational filtering section with tankers with the capacity to ferry over 300, 0000 litres of fuel daily. At the Lagos/Ogun states borders, the oil thieves with heavy police backing and participation ferry their illegal cargoes via the swamps and make- shift loading docks built all over the areas, and sell same to local petrol station owners who , for pecuniary interests prefer these illegal sources to the legal fuel depots approved by the government. Arepo Town The town houses the Nigeria Union of Journalists estate and other estates which have sprung up due to its strategic location which also has become a haven for industries and business concerns operated by mostly foreign companies which depends on a lot of middle to upper middle class labour for operations.

JUST RECENTLY, THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, EDEM DUKE WAS HORRIFIED BY THE SIGHT OF A FULL SCALE BUNKERING OPERATION RIGHT ON THE PREMISES OF THE

NATIONAL THEATRE, IGANMU, IN THE HEART OF LAGOS The trade targets the upper middle class of people as they are reliable and can be counted on to pay for goods and services without making trouble and also can be relied on to be discreet about the source of their ‘subsidy’. Majidun Owutu and Majidun, two border towns in the Ikorodu area are notorious for large scale oil smuggling activities. A distinct features in the Ikorodu axis is that most football viewing centre operators in the area are also involved in the illicit trades while majority of the mechanic workshops in the area stocks and sell these products too. My guide who grew up in the area, opened up on the trade and its operators. “The trade is a multi-billion naira enterprise that involves over 10, 000 people in its ranks. These include the policemen in the areas who also feed fat on the trade

and the land owners and traditional rulers. Most of those involved in it are indigenes and property owners of those areas and they are always reluctant to outsiders. They conduct their businesses with a lot of violence and they think nothing of eliminating anybody or forces real, or imagined who may threatens the trade in any way, no matter how remote. The sea pirate and oil thieves who supply them out of the depots or other areas are also equally brutal and violent in their conducts.The land owners and traditional rulers in the areas collect royalties on these business even as most of their family members are directly involved in it. The perpetrators of these criminal enterprise are rich and employ their wealth to purchase security, equipment, spiritual support and all other form of support necessary for their trade to survive or thrive’’, He said. Because the trade is largely done on the lagoon, the perpetrators are mostly the Ilajes and Ikales who live or settles in these areas. These are principally fishermen who have ditched their primary source of livelihood for the more lucrative oil theft business. In neighbouring Majidun area, right from the street on the entrance to the community, Chief Omoyele street to all the different parts of the area, the houses are all stocked with petroleum products. From the Ikorodu road expressway, just after the Majidun Bridge, the wide chief Omoyele street, is littered with assorted make shift storage all the way to Abejoye street. The second street leads to Ago Keji which nose dives into Sand fill, which serves as the major depot in the area for all the other smaller ‘sale outlets’. On entering Chief Omoyele street, one notices people of various age group and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, September 27, 2012

oil theft, illegal bunkering

THE TRADE IS SAID TO BE SO LUCRATIVE FOR

‘NAVAL BOYS’ THAT IT IS ALLEGED THAT OFFICERS COMPETE TO BE POSTED TO THE AREA

A ship used in smuggling oil set on fire by security officials.

sexes, idling and loitering around and exhibiting gestures that suggests intent to sell certain product . One eventually decode the subtle messages when they start mouthing the products. “Hey, brother, fuel! Do you want to fill your car?. These they deliver in soft but audible voices. Majority of those involved in the trade here are also former Ijaws and Ilaje fishermen who have turned to the trade for better remunerations. Oblivious to the identity of this writer, Mathew, one of the retail oil merchant in Sand Fill area opened up on his involvement in the trade. “I have been doing this thing now since 1993, during the MKO Abiola wahala, I left my village as a poor man, today Mosinmi ( NNPC depot) has turned me into a big man. When I go to my village, my people respect me now. They have awarded me about three chieftaincy titles now and I have three wives, one in each of the three houses I have in Ikorodu here. Takwa Bay Island This area is ideal for the trade because of the secretive and treacherous nature of its terrain. The involvement of Naval Officers and Marine unit of the Nigeria police who operate a protection racket for the smugglers makes it attractive and safe as the traders are free from harassment or prosecution from the law. The illegal activities flourish around the major streets on the Island, like Ajegunle, Canteen and Beach side area. The products here includes DPK, otherwise known as kerosene, AGO (diesel) and other petroleum products not available in other areas. There are various options for perpetrators of the trade here. One is to opt for supplies from men of the Navy unit or to go for those siphoned from the pipelines that coasts through the Island, the latter is considered risky by the lily-livered, which is why majority prefers the supplies from the vessels that berth around the Island. to engage in massive oil theft activities along the same coastal areas they are supposed to protect. The trade is said to be so lucrative for ‘Naval Boys’ that it is alleged that officers compete to be posted to the area. It is further said that an officer on a salary grade that is less than NI million a year can build houses and purchase choice cars worth about 30-40 million naira within a period

of less than one year in the choice posting. Residents told National Mirror that Naval officers on water patrol usually siphon oil out of vessels they are deployed to guard and sell them to middlemen who are their partners in the trade. “They will move their ships and patrol boats near the vessels usually at night and use a special hose, which they have made specially for the purpose and siphon oil products out of the reservoirs of the vessels. After the illegal transfer, they will call their ‘partners’ who will swoop on them in the dead of the night and exchange cargo with money”. A resident said. Ship crew members , like the stores and cargo officers of the ships are also involved in sabotaging their vessels’ cargoes too according to people in the trade. Acting under the impression that the writer is interested in the trade, Godwin Kaka (not real name) who has become a big time oil thief let out that the workers do most of the sabotage activities of their own ships. He added that one needs a power boat to make it into the big league in the trade. “We favour the ship workers because their supply is cheaper and are more regular than the Naval guys who are mostly interested in just sitting in their boats and ‘obtaining’ (fleecing) us. We are also wary of the quality of our supplies, because our customers wants the kind of products that will not cause damages to their vehicles, generators, stoves and other utensils they use them to run” he said. He also said to make it big, one needs to be able to have its own equipment and run an independent crew. ‘’You need a boat for yourself and crew, for you to make big profits. The naval, police and Immigration will be familiar with you and you can settle them wholesomely. Also, you determine your own fate that way, it is dangerous around here for you not to sdettle the security people, they will make life hard for you. The only people who runs into problems here are those who wants to be too smart by not taking care of Navy, Immigration and ‘Ojos’(policemen)” he explained. Apart from the Naval boys, the police and men of the Immigration service are also part of the business. My guide who is a long time resident of the Island, said men of the Marine Police outfit use their patrol boats to intercept bunkering boats

and dealers of the products, as the couriers of the products are referred to. The police men are said to charge 50 kobo on each 50 litres in a boat and the dealers are forced to pay or risk the seizure of their goods. The oil thieves also have to pay 50 kobo on each 50 litres of products they ferry into the area to Immigration, Naval Officers and Police Officers. In all, the traders apart from paying about 600 naira for the 50 litres, pays an extra 150 naira to men of the three security outfits to enjoy free passage into the Island with their illicit wares. “As soon as they have siphoned the oil products, they call everybody who are in their league and before within the twinkle of an eye, you have a full-fledged night market and within two hours all the haggling and exchanges would have been concluded and the next thing you know is all these Hausas carrying different types of oil products, like kerosene, Diesel or Petroleum, depending on what the looted vessels are carrying” my guide said. In Arepo town on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, there is a massive oil smuggling trade flourishing in the rapidly expanding settlement. Just like in the other towns where the trade is the mainstay, the oil smugglers are mainly long time residents and indigenes of the town who also get their own supplies through the NNPC depot in Mosinmi . “The terrain is marshy and this discourage patrols by law enforcement agents from outside the area, but the policemen in the town cash in on the trade and make money off the smugglers through shakedowns and illegal arrests. In Ajegunle, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, popularly called the Jungle City, those involved in the business are the Ijaw and Ilaje settlers who always bring in their deadly cargoes from pipelines vandalised in the Snake Island, High seas axis. Epe, a university town in the Ijebu area of Lagos state, is also another town where oil smuggling thrives in the state. The trade here is liberalised due to the cosmopolitan make up of the town. Speaking with National Mirror on the issue, the spokesman of NNPC, Fidel Pepple, said he is not aware if any staff of the Federal Government-owned oil company is involved in the vandalization of its pipelines but that it is common knowledge that the corporation’s pipelines and facilities are vandalized everyday. According to Pepple, NNPC’s pipelines which run around the country are vandalized daily and the corporation have been warning about the consequences to everybody who cares to listen. He linked the NNPC pipelines that was consumed by fire last Friday at Arepo town in neighbouring Ogun State to the activities of the vandals which he said costs the country billions of naira every year.

“We have run jingles on radio, run adverts on TV and we have been telling all Nigerians about the havoc the activities of these vandals have been wrecking on the economy and its attendant environmental dangers to the people and the country as a whole. We have been working with security agencies in the country to curb these, but it behooves on all Nigerians to actually pick up the challenge and support us in this task. I am telling you right now, that we cannot do it alone, it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to report cases of vandalism to security agencies and the traditional rulers in these communities should do everything within their power to discourage the illicit practice” he said. On his part, Paul Osu, the Manager, Media Relations, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, surprisingly said he is not aware of any illegal vandalization or illegal oil bunkering in anywhere in the country. He however said that his agency will investigate any report of the illicit activity in any part of the country. “I am not aware of any act of vandalism on NNPC pipelines in any part of the country. But if we have any report to that effect, we shall fully investigate it” he said. T he perpetrators themselves employ violence and fierce retributal actions to protect their trades. Thousand s of lives have been lost to these illicit business through fire outbreak and incessant rival gang wars but the trade goes unchecked in their elements and stride. Last week, when the officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, officials of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps and other security agents tried to provide emergency relief support for victims of the fire outbreak which occurred NNPC pipelines at Arepo Town in Ogun state, oil thieves believing that they were interfering with their turf laid an ambush for the officials with guns and other dangerous weapons and they (officials ) barely escaped with their lives. Expectedly, Officials of the security officers deny the involvement of their men in these illegal undertakings. The Director of Information, Nigeria Navy, Commodore Kabir Aliu, said there have been no report of any Naval Officer been involved in Illegal Bunkering and he has personally never heard of its existence. He however, said any of the Naval personnel caught in the act will dealt with according to the service’s regulations.”We have not received any report to that effect, but you can be assured that Nigeria Navy shall deal with any officers caught in the act” Even the Police, whose men are firmly entrenched in all the levels of the illegal oil activities tried to cover up its men too. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ngozi Braide, said the command is not aware of any of its men been involved in the smuggling of the nation’s oil products. “The command is not aware and there has been no such complaints from any quarters. Disciplinary action shall be taken against any officer under the state command found culpable of the offence” she said.

WORLD RECORD

Smallest parasite

Vol. 02 No. 457

Thursday, September 27, 2012

N150

Pneumocystis carinii, causing pneumonia in humans, inhabits the lungs but is only 0.5–1 mm (0.02 in) long. Pneumocystis carinii is found in the alveolar spaces in the lungs and appears in two forms – the trophozoite and the cyst.

Nigeria’s nuclear energy drive: An historical milestone

he Nuclear Power Programme (NPP) of Nigeria is on course. It is anchored on a roadmap developed by the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Following the roadmap, a minimum of 1000MW online electricity is to be achieved by between 2020 and 2022, with upgrade to about 4,000MW in 2030. Geregu and Ajaokuta local governments in Kogi State and Itu Local Government in Akwa Ibom are confirmed pioneer sites for reactors. Also on the card are Agbaje, Okitipupa, Ondo State, and Lau, Taraba State. The credit for this development is to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who reinvigorated the new push in 2007, which incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan has since sustained. Nigeria’s first adventure into nuclear energy power quest was in 1976 when the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) was created. However, NAEC had to wait till

ome football fans are unanimous that the Lone Star of Liberia poses the only threat to the Super Eagles’ march to the African Nations Cup 2013 finals to be hosted by South Africa. Eagles had surrendered a vital win to Liberia after settling for 2-2 draw when both sides met in the

Guest Columnist

Julius

Elusakin

2006 before it was officially inaugurated. The slow pace in the federal government’s advancement in this rare direction might not be unconnected with the Chernobyl disaster of April 1986 in the then Soviet Union. The Chernobyl (Ukrainian) disaster ranked seventh on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), and it was blamed on human error, when engineers testing the turbines of a reactor to see if they could produce more energy whenever there was power loss, caused a lethal explosion. This development had actually discouraged many other nations from buying into the nuclear powered energy as a viable alternative source of electricity. In the 1976 national drive, the federal government established two nuclear research centres. One was the Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD) located at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and the second was the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) domiciled at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The two research centres were later brought under the supervision of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, before it was later brought under the control of NAEC. Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), was established in 1991 with the mandate to among others, conduct research for the development of nuclear energy. Also the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was set up by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No. 19 of 1995 with responsibility for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in Nigeria. The NNRA has as part of its mandate the responsibility to en-

URANIUM, A CHEAP AND AVAILABLE NUCLEAR FUEL, HAS BEEN DISCOVERED IN SIX STATES OF THE COUNTRY sure protection of life, health, property and environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The Act further mandates the NNRA to provide training, information and guidance on nuclear safety and radiation protection in Nigeria. Ever since, the march to nuclear power acquisition has been slow and steady. Among the achievements of these centres are the success made in neutron generators, isotopic neutron sources, X-ray fluorescence facilities, a neutron source reactor, a gamma irradiation facility etc. With this success one can say that the research centers are doing fine and they just need to be adequately motivated. In 2004, Nigeria had a Chinese-origin Nuclear Research Reactor (NIRR-1) at Ahmadu Bello University. The successful operation of the facility had demonstrated to the international community Nigeria’s ability to regulate a critical assembly. Similarly, NNRA has acquired a Mobile Vehicle Based Emergency Radiation System (MOVERS) for a timely radiological emergency response in the country to enable it fulfill its statutory functions of ensuring protection

of life, health, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The steady but slow steps to the Promised Land wobbled temporarily in 2010, when the former Minister of State for Power, Nuhu Wya, dropped the hints that the nation was jettisoning its nuclear power capability quest for other means in which it had comparative advantage. There was no doubt that the inherent dangers in nuclear power generation was behind this official rethink. However, late last year President Goodluck Jonathan unveiled his government agenda on the subject when he inaugurated the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) with Dr Erepamo Osaisai as chairman. I personally believe, the current power generation deficit in the nation, a development that is causing nightmares for policy makers, corporate power users and Nigerian domestic consumers, would be addressed through a power generation diversification programme that would place primacy in nuclear energy. Uranium, a cheap and available nuclear fuel, has been discovered in six states of the country. Besides, this fuel also remains most reliable for reducing global climatic warming and environmental pollution. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Russian Federation on the development of nuclear energy in Nigeria and with other bilateral discussions on the subject with South Korea Agencies, and AREVA and NUCADVISOR, both private companies in France, there is no doubt that the current march is unstoppable. President Jonathan was in Seoul, South Korea for a Nuclear Security Summit last March, where he assured the global community that Nigeria would do everything possible to ensure that adequate safety measures were deployed when the country introduced nuclear power into its energy mix. What more assurance is needed that everything is set to usher in the nation into the nuclear energy age. Elusakin, juliuselusakin@yahoo.com, is a staff of the Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe

Sport Extra

Afcon 2013: Land mines before the Super Eagles final qualifying round’s first leg in Monrovia on September 8 and will require an outright win or scoreless draw when they host the Star in the second leg in Calabar on October 13. Interestingly, the Lone Star poses

a little threat compared to other challenges that the Eagles must surmount to get the ticket to South Africa. The biggest challenges are those that have dogged the Eagles since coach Stephen Keshi took charge in

November 2012, namely poor coaching and poor team psychology. Whether the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) can tackle these vital challenges before October 13, remains to be seen.

Stephen Keshi

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