Tuesday, October 9, 2012a by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

UNIPORT 4: Varsity declares seven-day mourning Ugonna

Tekena

VC identifies slain students

CHINEDUM EMEANA AND JAMES ABRAHAM Lloyd

Chidiaka

Vol. 1 2 N0. 115 465

he University of Port Harcourt yesterday declared seven days of mourning

for three of its students brutally murdered by a mob at Aluu community CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

COUNTDOWN TO

ONDO GUBER POLL October 20, 2012

DAYS TO GO

Tuesday, October June 7, 9, 2011 2012

ROTIMI FADEYI AND INUSA NDAHI

t was tragic yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as bomb blasts ripped through the metropolis, killing an Army Lieutenant and 40 civilians in the process. Several other people also sustained serious injuries in the first incident targeted at the Hilux patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force, JTF, by some suspected terrorists on Lagos Street in CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Our staff have been compromised, INEC admits Voters’ cards: LP chieftain remanded

P.44

N150 N150

Soldier, 40 others die in bomb blasts

100 houses, shops razed, 70-year-old burnt alive Jonathan charges new service chiefs on terrorism

Tambuwal

Saudi Arabia to re-admit deported pilgrims P.52

L-R: Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Dele Ezeoba, at the decoration of newlyappointed service chiefs in Abuja, yesterday.

Adoke

‘Bakassi: I’m waiting for President’s final directive’

...as Jonathan addresses nation today P.7

Repairs of 3 refineries to gulp $1.6bn –Minister

...as Alison-Madueke descends on journalist

Abductors of Delta commissioner demand N100m ransom

P.5 P.11

News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Flood rage: Relocate from disaster SOLA ADEBAYO AND EMMA GBEMUDU

he Federal Government has pleaded with flood victims in the affected states of the federation to relocate from such disaster-prone areas. To this end, the government admonished them to move to rehabilitation camps established by the authorities in their states for temporary succour. It expressed concerns that reports made available from the various states indicated that the victims were not prepared to move out of their ancestral homes despite the challenges posed by the flood to their existence and survival. The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, gave the advice at the resettlement camp for the flood victims in Delta State in Asaba, the state capital. It will be recalled that no fewer than 22 states have been ravaged by flood, which had also led to the loss of lives and the destruction of property in the affected states. President Goodluck Jonathan had inaugurated teams to visit such affected states. Okonjo-Iweala, who led the presidential team to Delta State, said the government was worried that some floods victims declined government’s sincere gesture to resettle them to a secured location in their states. She said that the disposition of the victims was frustrating the gesture of the authorities at the federal and state levels. Her words: “We will do everything possible to make people comfortable but the problem is that people do not want to leave their ancestral homes to go elsewhere. We were in Ogbolu where we tried to persuade those whose houses had been flooded to come to Asaba, which is just a few kilometres away and they refused that they do not want to leave. “What they have done is that in their own community they have created their own camp at a higher ground and the state is ready to provide two or three buses to evacuate the people there, they must be up to 300 but they said no. Even a pregnant woman was among and she refused to move.” She said President Jonathan was bothered about their wellbeing, adding that the concern of the President informed the establishment of the presidential committee on the menace.

She added: “The President has been holding meetings with governors and deputy governors of the affected states. The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), has been going around and if you look at this camp, NEMA has supplied them with bags of rice, goods. “The Commission for Refugees from Abuja has just arrived with relief materials. The FG is working but the President feels that we need to do and I think within the next few days, you will hear him directly announcing further measures to support those who had been flooded and to support the affected states. “We are very grateful to the states and for Delta State, I am quite impressed by what we have been able to see today. They have really put their efforts into it and we are grateful. We know that the challenge is much not just here in Delta but also in Edo, Anambra, Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi etc. So many states are experiencing the flooding so the FG is on top of it. “NEMA has been going round and the President has appointed an inter-ministerial group to go round to assess the situation and it is based on the assessment that the President will announce further measures that will support what we are already doing.” No fewer than 1, 500 displaced flood victims currently squatting at the in-door hall of the Bayelsa State Sports Complex at Ovom, Yenagoa, yesterday complained of starvation and poor welfare at the relief camp. Investigation revealed that the refugees were, however, treated medically to guide against any incidence of epidemic in the camp.

A displaced person calling for help at Abari.

Deeper Life Bible Church in Patani submerged.

Flood at Patani community

...Hunger ravages victims

overnor Seriake Dickson, had on Saturday inaugurated a 20-man committee of emergency flood response headed by the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah. It was learnt that some of the primary and post-primary schools and churches in the state capital including the Niger Delta University (NDU) Amassoma, have been temporarily shut down due to the flood. Some of the displaced persons are squatting in uncompleted buildings located in the heart of Yenagoa. They pleaded with the state government and the National Emergency Management Agen-

cy, NEMA, to provide foodstuffs to the people being accommodated at the camp. The displaced persons from six local government areas of the state claimed that they have been served with only bread since they arrived the complex last weekend. The flood is still ravaging communities in the state capital as some have started relocating with their families out of Yenagoa. Costs of food items have increased due to the flood and a small rubber container of garri now attracts N1, 500, while a bag costs N13,000. When National Mirror visited the relief camp at the Sports

Complex yesterday, some of the victims were seen loitering in around, as more displaced persons were being expected at the camp. As at the time of filing this report, tents were yet to be erected in the camp, including other facilities to alleviate the sufferings of victims. A flood victim and mother of four, Mrs. Evelyn Oyatu, alleged that she and her children were dying of hunger. “We have been directed to write our names on a list but nothing has been done. We are dying of hunger; we have not been given food since we arrived here. I’m weak. The state government should come to our

Iwelle community of Ndokwa submerged.

aid at the camp. The cold weather is affecting my children. We relocated from our submerged home at Ebedebiri in Sagbama local government,” she said. Another victim, Mrs. Gloria Ozuo amid tears said that since she arrived the camp with her two children on Sunday, only a small bread was served them. The government officials are playing with us, we don’t have money to buy food. A basin of garri is now N15,000,” she noted. When contacted, State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Markson Fefegha, said he was in a meeting with the State Commissioner of Police.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

- prone areas, FG tells flood victims Asaba-Ase taken over by flood.

Abari community flooded.

...Communities cut off as road collapses SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

The parlour of a displaced person at Abari community of Patani Council.

Abari Community

Uzere road in Isoko South flooded.

he East-West Road (WarriPort Harcourt Road) has collapsed due to persistent flooding on the strategic highway. Already, the highway has cut-off Bulu-Angiama, an Ijaw community near Patani, the headquarters of Patani Local Government Area of Delta State. The state of the road has become a nightmare for motorists. Findings by National Mirror yesterday showed that many commuters were stranded at the on Saturday, when the road became impassable. Some motorists heading for Port Harcourt, Warri and other destinations along the highway were forced to discontinue their journey while others waited patiently for alternative measures from the contractor, RCC Construction Limited, working on the highway. Long queues of vehicles were reported at Warri and PortHarcourt end of the highway. It was gathered that RCC was providing remedial measures at the spot as at press time yesterday. National Mirror learnt that the deplorable state of the road was worsened by persisent rains in the past one week. It will be recalled that the state of the road had generated heated public debate recently with stakeholders asking the Federal Government to expedite action on the construction of the highway.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, whose ministry supervises the construction of the road, has blamed the slow pace of work on paucity of funds. Orubebe, however, assured that the road would be ready by 2015. Meanwhile, more communities have been submerged by flood in Bayelsa within the past 48 hours. Findings by our correspondent yesterday revealed that many residents of various communities in the two states have been rendered homeless as flood caused havoc in the areas. Worst hit were communities in the two states along the East/ West Road. Specifically, some Urhobo, Ijaw and Isoko communities as well as those in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and those in Ekeremor and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, were affected by the ravaging flood. The residents have deserted the communities. The flood has also submerged Asaba/Ugbolu Road and 10 communities, especially Ebu communities in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State, where a middleaged farmer committed suicide. It was gathered that the farmer, simply identified as Friday, killed himself shortly after his farmland was swept away by flood. He was reported to have obtained a bank loan to commence a farming business. He hung himself on a mango tree.

Photo News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere; Governor Godswill Akpabio and the state Chief Judge, Justice Ntem Isua, during the 2012 Legal Year church service held in Uyo.

L-R: Director of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Mr. George Ofut; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and Executive Director, National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Malgwi Maidugu, during the press briefing on 2012 National Festival of Arts and Culture in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Representative of Lagos State, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe; Pastor Wale Adefarasin; ViceChancellor, Bowen University, Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro; wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Mr. Remi Olowude and Rev. Gabriel Adebayo, during the fund raising for the building of a multi-purpose edifice at Yaba Baptist Church in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Executive Director of Citi Bank, Mr. Omar Hafeez; President, Africa Export Import Bank, Mr. Jean Loius Ekra; Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, during the signing ceremony of a loan facility for Skye Bank in Lagos, at the weekend.

National News

Robbers kill three police officers, injure others in Lagos FRANCIS SUBERU

ome suspected armed robbers killed three policemen and injured three other officers at Oko Oba area of Lagos yesterday morning. Reminiscent of the September 9, commando robbery in Lagos, the incident, which occurred around 2am, threw the entire Oko Oba area in commotion, even as the robbers reportedly escaped with the policemen’s riffles. Two of the slain policemen were attached to New Oko Oba Police Division and were on routine patrol at the time of the incident. The third officer, a corporal, was attached to Oke Odo Division. The two slain police officers were simply identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police Funminiyi and Inspector Haruna, while the injured officers were a sergeant and two corporals. It was gathered that the slain and the injured policemen were on patrol when they rammed into

the armed robbers, who opened fire on them and riddled the patrol van with bullets. It was said that the police team was reacting to a distress call that a gang of armed robbers were in the neighborhood when the incident happened. The armed robbers

came in a convoy of three vehicles – two Toyota Siena buses and a Sport Utility vehicle. The policemen had reportedly parked their vehicle to closely watch the occupants of the vehicles when the robbers approached them and opened fire on them.

The leader of the police team, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was the first to be hit by the bullet. He died on the spot. Haruna died a few minutes after he was shot. The driver of the van and two others escaped with injuries.

A resident of New Oko Oba community, who did not want his name mentioned, said the incident caused panic among residents, adding that they thought the robbers were on a mission to wipe out the community. He said: “We heard serious gun shots around

Nigeria, UK target N2 trillion trade STANLEY IHEDIGBO

he Federal Government and the United Kingdom yesterday said that they had reached the final stages in their plan to double international trade between them by the year 2014. Addressing a joint press, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, and the Secretary, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, United Kingdom, Dr. Vince Cable, said that the factors militating against effective trade between the two countries had been identified and were now being addressed

to ensure the actualisation of the 2014 deadline. The current value of trade between the two nations stands at £4 billion (about N960 billion). Steps are being taken to raise the figure to £8 billion (N1.9 trillion) by 2014. Identifying the areas being worked on by the two countries, Aganga explained that issues of barriers to trade were being looked into, in addition to the strategies aimed at the Small and Medium Enterprises sector as well as the Diaspora. He said the meeting between the Ministry of Trade and Investment and its counterpart in the United Kingdom was

a follow up to an earlier discussion between the leaders of the two countries, President Goodluck Jonathan and David Cameron, where they agreed to increase the volume of trade by 100 per cent. Aganga said, “We have had a useful business to business roundtable, which is a follow up to the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and David Cameron, where they both set a target to double trade in the two countries by the year 2014. “There is no shortage of interest in investment in Nigeria. We have all it takes to attract investment. We are making

the environment friendlier. We have fertile land, good whether condition, 34 solid minerals in commercial quantity, all of which make Nigeria an investment destination of choice.” Prior to the press briefing, the two ministers had an interactive session with leading companies (in the construction, fashion and textile, education and creative sectors, among others), both from the United Kingdom and Nigeria on the right collaboration that will increase trade between both countries and empower Nigerians. Responding to questions from the media, the

2am and we also heard some noises in the neighbourhood.” Efforts to get the reaction of the state police command were futile as the Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, was said to be attending a seminar at the time of filling in this report.

minister noted that the trade between Nigeria and United Kingdom was not one sided, adding that “sometimes it is on Nigerian side and sometime on United Kingdom side. We intend to leverage on Nigerians in the Diaspora in the United Kingdom, most of who are SMEs involved in trade.” He reiterated that the Government was passionate about creating the enabling environment for trade and investment to thrive, noting that the positive results of the Investment Climate Reform Programme were already reflecting in the improvement in the nation’s competitiveness.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Repairs of 3 refineries to gulp $1.6bn –Minister GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

inister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has put the cost of Turn Around Maintenance, TAM, of the three refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna at $1.6bn. She was speaking at an interactive session organised by the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to review the current situation in the downstream sector, especially the status of the refineries. The minister explained that her ministry had to reschedule the initial timeline for the TAM because of some unanticipated challenges encountered as a result of continuing damage of pipelines, the fuel subsidy crisis and other challenges. Alison-Madueke said so far about 75 per cent of the equipment required for the TAM had been imported from the original contractors that constructed the refineries and expressed optimism that before the end of the year the contract would be awarded.

She said that all things being equal, the TAM would commence fully by the first quarter of 2013 beginning with the Port Harcourt refinery. Responding to the issue of persistent fuel shortages in Abuja and other parts of the country, the minister explained that in the case of Abuja, the initial problem was caused by the strike called by oil workers over the fuel subsidy issue, which made the union members to bar the products from entering the FCT. She stated that the recent fuel shortages, which had affected other parts of the country, including Lagos and its environs, was as a result of the pipeline vandalism at the Arepo, Ogun State, where three officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, who were involved in the repair of the pipelines were killed. The minister stated that as a stop gap measure, her ministry had embarked on bridging of the products from Lagos to the hinterland, while supplies to Abuja originate from Niger State. On kerosene, the minister insisted that the depot

price of the product remained N45 per litre and that “NNPC sells the product at N50,” noting that in the open market, the product costs as much as N85 because of bridging costs. Meanwhile, major oil marketers and independent oil marketers as well as officials of the Petroleum Pricing Marketing Company, PPMC, have given reasons why many filling stations across the country are now violating the official N97 per litre pump price of fuel set by the Federal Government. In his presentation before

the committee yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, said marketers were being compelled to sell above the official fuel price in order to defray the cost of hidden charges they incur in the process of obtaining the products from the PPMC. He admitted that marketers were buying the products at the official price of N87.6K but that before they took delivery of it from the depots, they would part with kickbacks from

security agents and other officials at the depots. PPMC Managing Director, Mr. Haruna Momoh, lamented the degree of vandalisation of the company’s pipelines, which he blamed for the current shortage of petrol across the country. He disclosed that between Aba and Enugu alone, NNPC pipeline has been punctured in 774 places. Momoh appealed to state governments and security agents to cooperate with NNPC to ensure the safety of the pipelines.

L-R: Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru; his Canadian counterpart, Ambassador John Baird and Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Chris Cooter, during the Nigeria-Canada Bi-National Commission meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Soldier, 40 others die in bomb blasts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the metropolis. An unconfirmed report said that five minutes after the first blast, another explosion went off in a house a few metres away from the scene, which killed some of the occupants. The building is suspected to belong to one of the Boko Haram Islamic sect members. Also razed down in the blast were over 50 vehicles parked on the street. It will be recalled that on Sunday, a similar incident happened along Gwange Lagos Street when some suspected terrorists detonated an IED targetted at a patrol vehicle of the JTF, killing two soldiers and a lieutenant-colonel who later died in a hospital. Yesterday’s blast, which happened about 7:15a.m., was later followed by heavy gunshots from the JTF, leading to the killing of some people on the busiest road linking the University of Maiduguri and the

Teaching Hospital. Our correspondent gathered that some suspected terrorists were killed while others were arrested in connection with the blast. An eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondents that more than 50 people, including some suspected terrorists were killed, while hundreds of houses and shops belonging to residents of Gwange were razed down in the incident. A victim, Mrs. Ya Hajja Usman, said that his 70-year-old father who had an eye problem and always remained indoors for the past one year was trapped in the house which was completely burnt down. “It is so sad that my father of about 70 years old died in this unfortunate incident. What have I done to Allah and what has my aged father done that he met his untimely death mysteriously in fire,” she said.

He maintained that if the vandals refused to keep off the pipelines, there is no way the price of petrol will be uniform. According to him, pipeline remains the cheapest, safest, freest, convenient means of transporting petroleum products across the country. Also yesterday the minister almost lost her cool in the middle of her presentation before the committee when she threw away a reporter’s recorder to ostensibly stop her presentation from being recorded.

A visit to the scene with the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, amidst tight security revealed that more than 40 people were killed, while over 100 houses and shops, including that of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, were all razed by fire with some people trapped inside their houses and were burnt beyond recognition. The deputy governor appealed to the terrorists to embrace peace Confirming the incident, JTF spokesman, Lt.- Col. Sagir Musa, said that some Boko Haram Islamic sect members detonated an IED targeting at Hilux Patrol vehicle of the JTF which injured two soldiers. Sagir, however, denied killing of any army personnel in the blast, insisting that only two of his men were seriously injured and were taken to University of Maiduguri for treatment. Meanwhile, President

Goodluck Jonathan yesterday charged the newlyappointed service chiefs to tackle the increasing rate of insecurity in the country. He also tasked them on the spate of oil theft within the nation’s territorial waters. President Jonathan gave the charge when he decorated the newly-appointed service chiefs with their new ranks in Abuja. The new Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim from Kwara State was decorated with the rank of Admiral; the new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba from Delta State was decorated with the rank of Vice-Admiral, while the Chief of Air Staff, Alex Sabundu Badeh from Adamawa State was decorated with the new rank of Air Marshal. The President told the service chiefs, particularly the Chief of Naval Staff, Ezeoba to move into action

and urgently bring the issue of crude oil theft to an end, considering its adverse effect on the economy. “I will like to use this forum to specifically charge you to tackle the security challenges confronting our country today. Most especially, the Chief of Naval Staff and officers and men have the onerous responsibility of upscaling security in our territorial waters. “The unacceptable rising incident of crude oil theft must be tackled frontally. Given the direct adverse implications of the activities of crude oil theft on our national economy, I expect the Chief of Naval Staff and other service chiefs to immediately go to work to urgently bring the issue of crude oil theft to an end,” President Jonathan said. The President also charged the service chiefs to join forces with other security agencies and bring fresh impetus “into the new

security architecture” to combat the menace of terrorism in the country. He said: “May I further reiterate that the security of life and properties in all parts of this country is a sacred obligation which our administration will do everything in its power to live up to. “We cannot allow threat to national security to compromise our national transformation efforts. While we remain repositioning Nigeria for sustained growth and development, we shall proactively prosecute the fight against terrorism with total commitment and effectively check the activities of all criminal elements in our dear land. “In this regard, we will step initiatives aimed at strengthening and repositioning our security agencies for greater efficiency to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.” He expressed confidence CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sambo inaugurates committee on demographic data ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

ice-President Namadi Sambo yesterday inaugurated the Presidential Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to midwife the streamlining of a centralised demographic database for the country. Inaugurating the committee yesterday at the State House in Abuja, Sambo stated its terms of reference to include determining the Agency that has the constitu-

tional responsibility to host the centralised database; streamlining the efforts already being made by various agencies in this regard in order to synergize these efforts in the proposed centralised system; examine and make recommendations on the imperatives of the centralised system on security, funding, management, authenticity and sustainability of data collection and applications, and examine and make recommendations on all issues incidental to the efficient application of data in the management of our na-

tional affairs”. The Committee has the Vice President as chairman, while other members are Attorney-General of the Federation, Ministers of Finance, National Planning, Communication Technology, Health, Education, Agriculture and Rural Development, Science and Technology, Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Director General of National Population Commission and Director General of National Bureau of Statistics.

Also listed as members are Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goal, MDG, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund and three representatives of the private sector, which include

One of the houses affected by the bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, yesterday.

the Bankers Committee, Mr. Jim Ovia, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, while the Permanent Secretary (GSO) Office of the OSGF is to serve as Secretary. The Vice President further set up three sub-com-

mittees and charged them to work on the term of reference provided to realise Mr. President’s objective which was to provide a centralised database for the country within four weeks.

Soldier, 40 others die in bomb blasts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

in the ability of the new service chiefs to live up to expectation, saying that they were appointed in recognition of their patriotism, excellence, loyalty, dedication, courage and unwavering faith in the country. The President assured of his administration’s commitment to provide necessary support in ensuring the optimal operational readiness of the armed forces. “While placing the highest premium possible on the welfare and well-being of our men and women in uniform, they have demonstrated unalloyed respect for the institution and structures of democratic governance, in remaining steadfast and dedicated to their constitutional obligations,” Jonathan said. The President also paid glowing tribute to officers and men of the armed forces and security services who paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. While praying for the repose of the fallen heroes, President Jonathan noted

that the country would mitigate the pain of their losses. The new CDS in his response on behalf of other service chiefs pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the President and commitment to the service of the nation. He also pledged that they would work hard to tackle the security situation in the country. “I reassure Mr. President of our resolve to live up to his expectation and the confidence reposed in us. “I categorically pledge the continued and unalloyed loyalty of the armed forces to the President and Commander in Chief. “The armed forces under the collective leadership of the services chiefs and me, will sustain the extant high standards of discipline, patriotism and professionalism,” Ibrahim said. Jonathan had last Thursday appointed the former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibrahim, as the CDS to replace Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin who had retired. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika retained his position.

UNIPORT 4: Varsity declares seven-day mourning CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

last Friday morning. This is coming just as the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, condemned the killing, describing it as an atrocious crime. The mourning period will end on Sunday. The VC, who was flanked by principal officers of the university while addressing journalists, called on security operatives to smoke out those behind the brutal killing. A one-minute silence was later observed for the deceased students. Ajienka stressed that the university would not tolerate any act of jungle justice and commiserated with the bereaved families. The students’ union

week of the university, which was supposed to have started yesterday, has been suspended in honour of the deceased students. The vice-chancellor explained that three of the deceased had been confirmed to be students of the university while the identity of the fourth person was yet to be ascertained. Those identified as UNIPORT students are Biringa Chidiaka Lordson, a 200 level theatre arts student with matriculation number U2010/1805036; Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, year two geology student with matriculation number U2010/5565149 and Mike Lloyd Toku, a yeartwo civil engineering student with matriculation number U2010/3010094.

The VC said that efforts were still being made to confirm if the fourth victim, Tekena Tamuno Erikena, was a student of the university. Despite the declared seven days of mourning, Ajienka stressed that the school was still in session. He dismissed suggestions that students of the university were mobilising to take vengeance on the Omokere-Aluu community. The Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, said that it was dismayed by the zero level to which the sanctity of human life had been reduced in the country. The party expressed this in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, while re-

acting to brutal killing of the students. The ACN spokesman said that it was unfortunate that the killing happened in Rivers State whose people were in the forefront of the condemnation of similar massacre of hapless innocent people in northern Nigeria by the Boko Haram insurgents. Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, yesterday expressed disappointment over what it called the inability of the security agents to fish out killers of 40 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi in Adamawa State, two weeks after the deadly act occurred. In a statement issued in Jos yesterday and signed by NANS President, Comrade Dauda Mohammed,

the students’ body said: “We want to express our disappointment at the security agencies over their seeming non-commitment into bringing the perpetrators to justice.” The statement also called on security agents to redouble their efforts towards finding the perpetrators. It also reiterated NANS’ directive to students of tertiary institutions in Adamawa State to boycott academic activities until their demands for safety were met. “Before we allow the reopening of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, and review our call for a boycott of academic activities on other institutions in the state, it is imperative for security agents to launch full investigations into

what led to the killing of the innocent students.” NANS also condemned the extra-judicial killing of four UNIPORT students alleged to have stolen some properties, describing the act as barbaric. “It is barbaric to imagine this happening in a sane clime where the rule of law is being advocated,” it said The students’ body, therefore, urged Rivers State government to ensure that those behind the act were properly punished. “We hereby call on the Rivers State Government to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice and enjoin the security agencies to ensure that all those involved are arrested and made to face the law.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Bakassi: I’m waiting for President’s final directive –Adoke •Jonathan addresses the nation today

ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

he Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, yesterday said that no clear directive had come from President Goodluck Jonathan on whether or not to appeal the International Court of Justice, ICJ, which ceded Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroun. This came as the 10-year window gap available to Nigeria to appeal the controversial judgment expires today. A senior media aide to the

minister of justice said yesterday in Abuja that the decision to pursue an appeal in the matter was not that of the AGF but the President’s. “The Presidential Advisory Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to submit its report as I am talking. Although the report may be submitted today to President Jonathan, it is the President who has the final say. “The appeal cannot be filed by the Office of the AttorneyGeneral until a go ahead comes from Mr. President. “The Attorney-General of

the Federation himself will address the press shortly over this matter as soon as the position of the President is made known,” the aide said. Should the go-ahead to file the appeal be received, the Attorney General, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), is to lead Nigeria’s team of legal experts in international jurisprudence to the ICJ at the Hague to set aside the 2002 verdict on Bakassi. President Jonathan had last week raised an advisory team to scrutinise the ICJ judgement, with a view to ex-

ploring possible areas of appeal. The decision was sequel to a resolution made by the Senate through a motion sponsored by the Deputy Majority Leader, Abdul Ningi Meanwhile, President Jonathan is billed to address the nation at 7am today. Although details of the address are not known, all television and radio stations have been directed to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, for the broadcast.

Alleged N44m fraud: Hembe, Ifeanyi to address court Nov 26 ABUJA

ustice Abubakar Sadiq Umar of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court yesterday adjourned proceedings in the trial of the suspended Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Herman Hembe and his deputy, Hon. Azubuogu Ifeanyi, till November 26 to adopt their written addresses in support of their “no case submission”. The “no case submission” is in response to the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC that Hembe and Ifeanyi abused their privileges as chairman and deputy chairman respectively, when they allegedly converted into per-

sonal use about N600,000 being money allegedly released by the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, for them to travel to the Dominican Republic for a refresher conference in October 2011. When the matter came up for continuation of trial yesterday, counsel to the accused, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Linda Ikpeazu, told the court that they had applications for extension of time. They argued that the extension would enable them file and exchange written addresses in support of their “no case submission”. The oral applications for extension of time were not opposed by counsel to the EFCC, Onjefu Obe. In his no case submission, Okutepa contended

that there was only one issue for determination. The issue, according to him, is “whether from the totality of the evidence before this honourable court, the complainant has made out a prima facie case against the accused persons to answer.” He submitted that “to ask the 1st accused person to enter into his defence will require him to prove his innocence” adding that “this is contrary to the presumption of innocence enshrined in Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended”. Accordingly, Okutepa urged the court to “rule in favour of the 1st accused person by upholding the no case submission as the prosecution has failed to establish a case against the 1st accused”. Hembe and Ifeanyi are facing a two-count charge of “dishonestly convert-

I’m not a victim of Mubi massacre –Ishaku Joshua FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Beni Lar; Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe and Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights, Sen. Umar Tambuwal, at the launch of 2012 Prison Audit in Kuje, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

EMMANUEL ONANI

ing” public funds into private use, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The separate counts filed against the accused read thus: “That you Hon. Iorwase Herman Hembe sometime in October 2011 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $4095 being money given to you by the Securities and Exchange Commission as your travelling allowance to PUNCTA CANA, Dominican Republic to attend a conference which you did not attend and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004 and punishable under Section 309 of the same code.”

r. Ishaku Joshua, who was allegedly shot dead in the massacre of some students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, yesterday denied being one of the victims as erroneously reported. Joshua Joshua, whose name was amawa State, adding that number two on the list of he studied at the Federal the supposed victims of the Polytechnic, Mubi where massacre, said he had not he obtained his Ordinary been to Adamawa State in National Diploma in Busithe last six months. ness Administration and Speaking with our corre- Management between 2000 spondent in Abeokuta, the and 2002. Ogun State capital, Joshua Joshua said he returned said he had been on the em- to the same institution for ploy of the National Drug his Higher National DiploLaw Enforcement Agency, ma in 2005 but had to drop NDLEA, since 2005 when he the course because of the got enlisted. job offer he received from Joshua, who described the NDLEA. the report which published When asked of the poshis name and picture as sibility of another person very embarrassing, ex- bearing his name, Joshua plained that he had been said “maybe somebody is receiving calls from across bearing my name; but the the country from friends, issue of bearing my name old school mates as well shouldn’t have come with as his colleagues at the my picture. NDLEA with whom he had Confirming his story, served in various capacities the NDLEA Assistant Comover the report of his death. mander in charge of OperaHe also said that the tions, Isaac Oludare Aloye, calls were from other well- under whose direct superwishers who had been part vision Joshua has been for of the planning for his wed- a couple of months, also exding scheduled for Decem- plained that the Adamawaber 29. born officer had been the The 33-year-old narcotic Acting Chief Security Offiofficer explained that he is cer, CSO, of the Ogun State a native of Madagali Local Command in the last six Government Area of Ad- weeks.

101 first class students get FG’s foreign scholarship IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

he Federal Government has awarded foreign scholarships to 101 first class students of government recognised and approved universities in Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Special Aspects of Biology, Economics, Engineering and Technology, as well as Medicine. The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, who announced this yesterday, said the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development, PRESSID, “plans to develop a critical mass of professionals who would serve as catalysts of change and agents of scientific and technological advancement, as well as

sustainable economic development”. The awardees, expected to study in the 25 best universities of the world up to Masters and PhD levels, “are between 21 and 30 years of age, 20 female and 81 male among them is one physically-challenged candidate”. “It is important to note that all the 449 short-listed candidates performed very well but it is unfortunate that in this maiden edition of the presidential scholarship scheme, there are limited spaces,” the minister said. She also disclosed that 1,300 applicants registered on the electronic portal for the scholarship scheme but 449 were invited for a computer-based test and the results released instantly to prevent any form of manipulation.

South West

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Osun CJ succession row deepens As Aregbesola sends three names to NJC WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

he crisis over the appointment of a new Chief Judge of Osun State to succeed Justice Olaniyi Ojo, who is retiring next month, has polarised the state judiciary. The crisis has continued to fester though Governor Rauf Aregbesola has sent the names of three qualified justices to the National Judicial Council, NJC, for consideration as the next Chief Judge of the state. However, the state Attorney-General, AG, Mr. Wale Afolabi, has justified the

steps taken by Aregbesola in recommending the names of three justices to the NJC. Afolabi, who said this in an interview with our correspondent, said the governor acted in compliance with the powers conferred on him by Section 271(1) of the 1999 Constitution. The AG spoke against the backdrop of the CJ succession row which has enveloped the judicial arm of the state government. The development, particularly the issue of Ojo’s successor, has continued to send tongues wagging. What ordinarily should have been a simple process is now causing rip-

ples, even as active participants appeared to have introduced politics and sentiments into it. It was gathered that if some lawyers in Osun State have their way, they would do everything possible to ensure the amendment of Section 271 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. The section reads: “The appointment of a person to the office of Chief Judge of a state shall be made by the governor of the state on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of the appointment by the House of Assembly of the state.”

Sparked off by the rumoured subterranean moves by Aregbesola to appoint Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos State judiciary as the next CJ, the succession row has polarised the state judiciary. While some judicial officers and officials of the state government are said to have supported Oyewole, others have queued behind the two most senior judges in the state - Justices Gloria Erhieyovwe Olagoke and Oyebola Adepele Ojo. Both Olagoke and Ojo seem to have a common enemy in the succession saga. Olagoke and Ojo were said to have been appointed to the state Bench

L-R: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; the state Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade; Deputy Governor, Mr. Segun Adesegun; the state House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde, at the thanksgiving service to commemorate the new Legal Year in Abeokuta, yesterday.

same day and are serving in courts of coordinate jurisdiction, but Ojo is said to be the senior at the Bar, which gives her an edge. While Ojo is an indigene of the state, Olagoke is from Delta State but married to an indigene of the state. This has been one strong weapon that those kicking against Olagoke’s appointment have been using in favour of Ojo. Although Oyewole is said to be an indigene of the state, those who are opposed to his nomination have argued that he is a total stranger to Osun State judiciary because he had been on the Bench outside the state. Despite the opposition against Oyewole’s choice, Aregbesola has forwarded his name to the NJC along with those of Ojo and Olagoke. Confirming the development, Afolabi said the governor acted in line with the constitution. He said: “It is a simple and straightforward procedure. The governor has forwarded Justice Oyewole’s name along with other names to the Judicial Service Commission, JSC, and the National Judicial Council, NJC, after which their recommendation will come to the governor who will forward it to the state House of Assembly. It is a judicial affair now and we will know the outcome at the conclusion of the process.”

Alleged theft: Film producer NULGE strike: Suspend Ekiti LGs’ asks court to dismiss suit allocations, PDP tells Jonathan

K AYODE KETEFE

Lagos-based movie producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabor, yesterday prayed a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Habeeb Abiru to strike out the charge of stealing preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Onyeabor, who is the Managing Director of Igo Motion Pictures International, was charged by the anti-fraud agency after its investigation allegedly linked him with fraudulent activities. He was alleged to have swindled one Mr. Steven Okomah of N8.8m under the guise of helping him

to produce two movies. At the proceedings yesterday, Onyeabor’s lawyer, Mr. F. H. Awalah, told the court that his client and the complainant, Okomah, had resolved the issue amicably. He said: “The complainant (Okomah) says he is no longer interested in the case and that the EFCC should discontinue the prosecution. “There was a mistake based on misinformation and the parties have resumed their cordial business relationship. “The production of the two movies which led to the dispute has almost been completed in Ghana.” Awalah’s position was supported by Okomah’s counsel, Mr. Louis Mgbolu, who also urged the court to dismiss the matter.

ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to suspend further federal allocations to local governments in Ekiti State following the indefinite industrial action embarked upon by the council workers. The state Director-General of Information and Strategy of the PDP, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, made the call yesterday in Ado-Ekiti while addressing journalists. The workers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, three

weeks ago embarked on strike over the inability of the state government to meet their demands concerning the payment of new minimum wage and special allowances, CONHESS and CONMESS, to health workers in the local governments. The PDP said that releasing further funds to the councils would only give Governor Kayode Fayemi the opportunity to do whatever he liked with the money. Aribisogan accused Fayemi of crippling local governments in the state, pointing to the allegation raised by NULGE that the governor was deducting N1bn monthly from the allocations of the 16 coun-

cils. Asked whether suspending allocations would not further compound the hardship being experienced by council workers, Aribisogan explained that since there were cases in court, it would naturally be expected that those cases were disposed off before any headway could be made. However, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, described the PDP call as laughable. Afuye wondered when it became the practice for the President to dabble into labour matter and because of that stop statutory allocations of states or councils.

Senate gives UI 14-day ultimatum to submit budgetary implementation KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he Senate Committee on Education yesterday gave the management of the University of Ibadan, UI, a two-week ultimatum to explain the financial activities and budgetary implementation of the institution in the last one year. The committee led by Senator Uche Chukwumerije gave the order during an oversight function visit to the university. Chukwumerije said there were grey areas in the presentation of financial activities of the institution, adding that clarification was necessary to help the committee in the discharge of its duty. The senator, who led other members that include Professor Olusola Adeyeye, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, Oluremi Tinubu and Pius Ewhemdo, cited inconsistencies in the recurrent expenditure submitted to the committee by the university authorities. He said: “A review of the recurrent expenditure shows that telephone charges have no provision in 2011 budget. We require detailed explanation in writing to the committee within the stipulated period of two weeks.” The committee also raised questions on social responsibility projects that the institution had embarked upon with Senators Tinubu and Bagudu insisting that the university should shed light on its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. But in defending the institution, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Arinola Sanya, said: “The details of the telephone bills, stationery etc, shall be transmitted to you as requested. The zoo is supposed to be a huge source of revenue but we don’t have many animals. Many people are donating animals to us after the flood disaster in the state. During the August 26 last year flood in the state, some animals were washed away.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-West

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Low turnout mars Ekiti competency test ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

ow turnout was recorded yesterday at the venues of the Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) otherwise known as Competency Test organised by the Ekiti State Government. While some secondary school teachers billed to write the test yesterday showed up at the centres, others stayed away in disagreement with the lead-

•Govt vows to punish adamant teachers ership of the Academic Staff Union of Seconadary Schools (ASUSS) that directed them to participate. The teachers alongside their primary school counterparts had some months back shunned the examination, saying they did not trust its conduct as necessary things were not put in place first. But last weekend, while primary school teachers still stuck to their guns

not to participate in their test scheduled for yesterday, ASUSS leadership directed its members to participate in the exercise. However, at Olaoluwa Muslims Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti, where over 3,000 secondary school teachers were to converge for the examination, only 35 were present, while only 28 teachers wrote the TDNA at African Church Comprehensive High School, Ikere-

Ekiti where about 3, 000 were billed to write. This was as the Commissioner for Education, Dr Eniola Ajayi, said defiant teachers would regret their action, saying the fact that some participated was enough to break new grounds. Ajayi told journalists in Ikere-Ekiti that it was quite unfortunate that teachers still abstained from the TDNA despite efforts and series of in-

formation from the government that it was not targeted at sacking any of them. The commissioner, who reiterated the government’s plan to develop the teachers with the assessment, lamented: “You could see the level of failure recorded in West African Examination Council and National Examination Council this year. This is to tell you the level of rot in the system and how far we have gone in clamping down on examination malprac-

tices”. But the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Media and Information Director, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, said yesterday that the standoff between the government and the teachers was adversely affecting education development and the future of the state. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matter, Mr Ojo Arogundade, said the police presence at the centres was to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Again, Okada riders protest, says Lagos can’t ban them MURITALA AYINLA

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, Mr. Akin Hanson; Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, during the Ministry of Transportation’s Vehicle Inspection Safety Campaign Week and the launch of a docu-drama video on motorcyclists in Lagos, yesterday.

Ogun HOS lock out workers for late-coming FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

undreds of Ogun State workers were yesterday locked out by the Head of Service for resuming to work late. This is the second the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun will lock out workers since its inception. National Mirror learnt that the two gates leading to the secretariat at OkeMosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, were locked as at exactly 7: 45am on the order of the Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Modupe Adekunle. It was learnt that the Head of Service, who resumed for work as early as 7:00am, was uncomfortable when found that a larger percentage of the workforce were yet to re-

sume. Governor Amosun was said to have also ordered the locking of the main entry gate leading to his office. As at the time National Mirror visited the state secretariat complex, scores of the stranded workers were seen loitering. A statement issued by the Press Officer in the Office of the Head of Service, Damola Falaju, quoted the HOS ad as describing the attitude of the civil servants as “most distressing.” Mrs. Adekunle, who said the workers had adjusted to the 7: 30 resumption time after Governor Amosun’s clampdown on them in June, explained that penalty for the affected civil servants would be decided later owing to their larger number. Assuring that the gov-

ernment would block the jungle serving as the escape route for the habitual latecomers, the HOS said that the state would pro-

vide more transit buses to ease the transportation problems often experienced by the civil servants.

he face-off between the Lagos State Government and the commercial motorcyclists over the restriction of the latter’s operations in the state metropolis yesterday assumed another dimension as they protested, challenging the government for prohibiting them from operating on 475 roads and bridges. For hours, motorists groaned in traffic gridlock caused by protesting motorcyclists otherwise known as Okada riders. They barricaded the major highways, particularly, Awolowo Road and other adjourning roads connecting the state secretariat and the Governor’s Office. They defied the early morning downpour and matched through the roads, chanting solidarity songs. Armed with banners of

varying sizes, the motorcyclists, who trooped out in their hundreds, insisted that the government should not ban their activities. The Okada riders claimed that prohibiting their operations on 475 major highways and bridges is tantamount to complete ban on their activities. Some of the inscription on their placards read: “The wicked shall not go unpunished,” “Now, Opeifa don become anti-human rights activist,” “United Okada Riders Stakeholders of Lagos State, in conjunction with Civil Society and Human Rights Group say no to banning of Okada in 475 roads in Lagos.” But the government insisted that no going back on the section of the traffic law that restricts their operations in all the 475 roads and bridges in the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.

Why we opted for N50bn bond, ADB loan –Oyo KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he Oyo State Government has explained why it is planning to seek N50 billion from the capital market, saying it was meant to execute some development projects. In a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Zachaeus Adelabu, listed the capital projects to be executed with the bond to include the Urban Mass Transit scheme, development of agricultural silos

of 10,000MT in each of the three senatorial districts and construction of ultramodern markets. Others, he said, included the building of agricultural processing plants in each senatorial district, construction of Ibadan Circular Road, construction of a five-star hotel, canning/agro-processing factory, housing estate, as well as construction of logistics centres/industrial parks across the state. Adelabu explained that the $56.24 million African Development Bank (ADB) loan was meant to fund the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement

Project in Ibadan, with the state paying its own counterpart funding. The commissioner noted that all previous interventions in the water sector in Ibadan had always been limited to the rehabilitation or expansion of water treatment facilities without corresponding attention to the reticulation system. He said the bond had been approved by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) after verifying the specific projects, all of which would be self-financing, adding that it had also been guaranteed by the Federal Government. Adelabu said in the long

run, the bond option would be cheaper for the state government than commercial loans granted by financial institutions. He said: “The regulatory requirements for bond financing will force the state to utilize the proceeds for developmental/commercial projects specifically identified during the bond issue planning phase and strengthen our resolve for improved transparency and accountability.’’ The commissioner added that the bond would be in two tranches, with the first tranche of N30 billion to be finalised this year and the second in 2013.

South East

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

APGA: Umeh rejects Enugu CJ’s ruling, seeks CJN’s intervention DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Muktar, to call the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, to order. His call came on the heels of Umezulike’s interlocutory injunction yesterday, restraining Umeh from parading himself as the national chairman of APGA. Umeh reminded the CJN of his recent petition to her where he expressed worry over his case before Umezulike in Enugu, adding that with yesterday’s ruling, the CJ confirmed his allegation of bias. He said: “Whatever he has done will remain temporary as they cannot stand the test of unbiased judicial adjudication. I hereby call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, to quickly intervene in this matter to prevent Justice Umezulike from further ridiculing Nigerian judiciary. “Justice is not for the highest bidder. I hereby call on the CJN, Hon. Justice Aloma Muktar, to quickly intervene in this matter, as a petition has been lodged in her office against Justice Umezulike.” Umeh said that as a believer in the rule of law and

judiciary, he would continue to challenge Umezulike’s actions on the matter. He said: “What you witnessed in court this morning (yesterday) is travesty of justice... You will recall that on 25th of July, he made an ex-parte order against me and against APGA that was not a party in the suit. On July 31st against clear provisions of Enugu State High Court rules, he extended the order without any application by parties and adjourned the matter

to September 17. “You will also recall that on the same July 31, we took two arguments on our notice of preliminary objection to the suit and the Chief Judge stated that if objection succeeds, the matter will end. He adjourned the matter to September 17 to rule on the preliminary objection. “On September 17, he made a volt face and refused to deliver ruling on challenge of jurisdiction, which was fully argued on

n line with efforts to save the Igbo language from extinction, the Igbo in the Diaspora have concluded plans to establish an Igbo Learning Centre in Accra, Ghana. The leader of the Igbo community in Ghana, Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu, who disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Lagos at the weekend, said the centre was part of plans by Ndigbo in the Diaspora to resuscitate the Igbo language through teaching of the tongue to children born outside the South-East.

Teachers angry with Abia over unfair treatment GEORGE OPARA ABIA

eachers in Abia State-owned secondary schools have decried the inability of the state government to pay the arrears of their minimum wage. Similarly, primary school teachers are complaining over the nonimplementation of their 2009/2010 promotion unlike their counterparts in the state ministries. The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of

L-R: Enugu State Acting Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, Governors Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, Peter Obi (Anambra) and Theodore Orji (Abia) at the South-East Political Elders’ Forum in Enugu, at the weekend.

FERMA begins repair of Port Harcourt -Enugu road

he Federal Government has begun emergency repair works on some failed sections of the Port Harcourt -Enugu Highway, two weeks after the Abia State

House of Assembly condemned the deplorable state of the road. A visit to the work sites on Sunday showed that officials of the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance

Ndigbo plan learning centre in Ghana FELIX NWANERI

July 31. “Instead, he made a volt face and overruled himself and now declared that he will hear the substantive suit and deliver judgment on both the preliminary objection and the substantive suit. Procedurally, he was bound to deliver his ruling on preliminary objection on September 17. On that same date he refused to vacate the ex-parte order made on July 25th, saying it is a matter left for Court of Appeal to decide.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, recently predicted that the Igbo language might become extinct in the next 50 years if concerted efforts were not made to resuscitate it. But the Eze Igbo of Ghana, who allayed such fear, said: “We are working towards setting up an Igbo Learning Centre in Ghana and we have already acquired land in Accra for the project. It will be a second home for Ndigbo in Ghana when it takes off and will provide a platform for the teaching of Igbo language and culture to our children born in the Diaspora.”

On the recent face-off between the Ghanaian government and Nigerian traders in that country over the $300,000 Trade Fee, Ihenetu disclosed that steps were being taken by both sides to resolve the issue, especially now that the over five million Igbo, mostly traders, living across the 10 regions of Ghana had come together under a central leadership. Ihenetu, however, advised his kinsmen to always think home by investing in Nigeria, as that was the only way they could contribute to the development of their respective communities.

Agency, FERMA, and a private construction firm were busy effecting repairs on the road. Heaps of crushed stones were dumped along the road side at Okigwe, even as work had commenced at the Alaoji and Osisioma sections of the highway. The Federal Controller of Works in Abia, Mr. Nasiru Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Umuahia that the Federal Government was determined to repair all the failed portions of the highway before the commencement of Christmas and New Year festivities. Bello said that all the damaged portions of the road would be repaired, adding that other federal roads in the state would also receive attention. He said: “Rehabilitation of Umuahia - Ohafia Road was recently completed. Works are ongoing on Olokoro - Ikwuano, Calabar

- Aba, Umuahia - Ubakala and Nkporo - Ohafia roads, among others.’’ Bello said there was no dull moment on the current repair of federal roads in Abia State, adding that the slow pace of work noticed was due to the persistent rainfall in the area. He denied that the former contractor, who handled the project, abandoned the site following the spate of kidnappings in the state, adding that there were no issues to be resolved with the contractor. “I am about one year old in Abia State, and I can firmly account for things that happened while I piloted the affairs of the office. “My assurance to Abia State people is that all roads that are currently being executed would be done to the highest standard of Federal Ministry of Works.”

Teachers, NUT, Chief E. O. Omeoga, disclosed this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists in Umuahia, the state capital. Apart from the unpaid entitlements and delay in payment of promotion benefits, teachers in the state have not been paid the 27.5 per cent enhancement allowance. Also, the state leadership of NUT expressed worries over the handover of schools to former owners, saying that the proprietors were going about the handover contrary to the laid down conditions. Although Omeoga did not disclose the breached conditions in the handover of 19 schools to the missions, he advised that in the interest of peace, all teachers in those schools should be transferred to public schools in line with the agreed conditions. However, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Monica Phillips, said the government would do all within its capacity to see that the perceived imbalances were properly addressed.

ACPN’ll restore confidence in governance – Chair GEORGE OPARA ABIA

he Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, has promised to restore the lost confidence of the residents of Abia State in governance if it was able to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015. The party also promised to strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and produce meaningful development in all the senatorial zones of the state. The state Chairman of ACPN, Pastor Linus O. Nwachukwu, said this in his address at the inauguration of the party in Umuahia, the state capital. He said the state had experienced numerous ups and downs politically and that the birth of ACPN would bring stability to the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-South

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Uncertainty as Eghagha’s abductors commence negotiation with govt •Demand N100 million ransom SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

he fate of the abducted Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, remains uncertain yesterday even as the state government commenced negotiation with his abductors.

Eghagha was abducted at Abavo, along the Effurun-Agbor highway on Sunday, September 30, on his way to Asaba, the state capital. The commissioner, whose police orderly was killed in the deadly encounter, was yet to regain his freedom, one week after the incident happened.

Findings, however, revealed that the kidnappers had established contacts with the top hierarchy of the state government. National Mirror learnt that the hoodlums are demanding N100 million ransom to free the embattled commissioner. It was learnt that the government was keep-

ing the deal under wraps as members of the family and associates of the commissioner were not involved in the negotiation. It was not clear as at press time yesterday how much the government was prepared to offer to ensure freedom for the commissioner. A younger brother

to the commissioner, Mr. Ejiro Eghagha, who spoke on telephone with our correspondent, confirmed that the hoodlums had established contacts with the government, but said he could not provide details about the negotiation. He also claimed ignorance of the N100 million ransom. The younger Eghagha said the experience of the family, especially the commissioner’s wife, was traumatising, adding that she was in “deep sorrow.” He said the commissioner had not spoken to any member of the family since he was abducted last week. “The kidnappers have contacted the state government. I don’t have any information about the negotiation, the state government should know

better. I cannot confirm if the kidnappers have demanded ransom. All members of his (commissioner) family are very sad, especially the wife, who is in deep sorrow. “For eight days, there has been no communication with him but we trust that with time God will touch their (kidnappers) hearts to release our brother,” he added in an emotion laden voice. Also, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), State Command, Mr. Charles Muka, assured that the police was on the trail of the kidnappers. “We are on the matter and we are working on some information that would lead to the arrest of the hoodlums and freedom for the victim,” Muka added.

Akpabio decries unethical standard in legal profession TONY ANICHEBE UYO

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), at the resumed hearing of the state election petitions at the tribunal in Benin City, yesterday.

Strike out Airhiavbere’s application, Oshiomhole urges tribunal SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City to throw out an application filed by the defeated candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (retired). The tribunal has set aside yesterday and today to rule on the petitioner’s application that has been countered by the respondent’s counter application seeking to add to the list of witnesses to testify for the petitioner. At the resumed hearing, Airhiavbere’s counsel, Mr. P.O. Ituah urged the tribunal to allow him to bring in additional witnesses, argu-

ing that it would help him to prove his case beyond reasonable doubts. However, the 1st respondent’s opposition was supported by the 2nd and 3rd respondents, who are all seeking the leave of the court to strike out the petitioner’s application. But counsel to Governor Oshiomhole, the 1st respondent, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), urged the tribunal to dismiss the application as it would serve no useful purpose in view of the ruling of the tribunal on September 27, which dismissed the application of the petitioner in respect of the academic qualification of the governor. Chief Akintola submitted that the argument of the petitioner was merely academic as the application was not a live motion before the tribunal. But-

tressing his argument with relevant facts and authorities, the 1st respondent’s counsel urged the tribunal to dismiss the application as it does not serve any useful purpose. Counsel to the Action Congress of Nigeria (2nd respondent) and the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, (3rd respondent) allied themselves with Akintola’s argument while describing the application as an exercise in futility. In his remark, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Suleiman Ambrusa, reserved ruling on the application and counter-application for today, October 9. It will be recalled that the tribunal had on September 27 struck out the Edo PDP candidate’s petition contesting the academic qualifications of

Governor Oshiomhole on the basis that it was a preelection matter that should have been addressed at the Federal High Court before the election with the tribunal chairman describing the petitioner as embarking on a “wild goose chase.” Meanwhile, the 3rd respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday produced at the tribunal, some of the electoral documents requested by the petitioner. INEC said it had to bring the documents to the premises of the tribunal after attempts to contact the petitioner failed. Oshiomhole and many top officials of the Edo State government witnessed the sitting even as Airhiavbere continued to absent himself from the tribunal.

kwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has berated law officers for perpetrating unethical standard in the law profession even as he said that government has provided essential motivation and encouragement to them. Consequently, the governor said that the legal profession in the country was facing serious danger as editorial comments of newspapers and opinion moulders seem to have ‘pass a vote of no confidence’ on the judiciary. He stated this yesterday in his address at the opening of 2012/2013 legal year that was held at the Cathedral of All Saints (Anglican Communion) in Uyo, the state capital. The governor regretted that despite the encouragement by government, a few negligible law officers are lacking in the ethical commitment to the discharge of their duties, and noted that no matter how intangible the activities of such law officers may be, it is susceptible to adversely affect the dispensation of justice. He said his government

has released vehicles to justices of the Court of Appeal, federal high court, newly appointed judges and magistrates from the state including 103 vehicles to law officers in the employ of the state. Decrying the poor ethical standard in the profession, Akpabio said such action was inimical to the judiciary and the dispensation of justice. According to him, the judiciary being the last hope of the down trodden should be held in integrity, stressing that, such confidence could only be strengthened, when justice is speedily dispensed and undiluted. The governor further warned legal officers to note that, once this confidence is eroded, the resultant effect would be anarchy and mob justice, hoping that, as the new legal year began, the Bench and Bar would have no reason to betray the confidence reposed in them. Government, he assured, would not reneged in its earlier promise of constructing an ultra modern high court complex, adding that, details for the award of contract was being worked out.

North

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Benue Assembly Majority Leader escapes death HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

ajority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Paul Biam, is praising God for saving his life from the gunmen that opened fire at him recently. Biam told journalists

yesterday in Markudi, the state capital, that he narrowly escaped death by a whisker at Ankya in Ukum Local government Area of the state. He said the attack took place after he and others, including the local government chairman, Hon. Terfa Bossua; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Saint

Gbilekaa and the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Benjamin Ashaver, had finished a stakeholders’ meeting. The Majority Leader said: “During the meeting, I noticed some strange persons wielding weapons who banged into the chairman’s house and I fled for my dear life. It was on my

way back to Makurdi that a well known deadly organisation “Mgnav Youths” shot at my car three times, but I escaped.” Attributing the attack to political struggle ahead of the 2015 general elections, Biam recalled that his younger brother, Felix, who just graduated from the Benue State University

was attacked in July by unknown persons and is still been treated for several gunshot injuries he sustained. He stressed that the incident occurred shortly after the governor dissolved the then transition local government chairmen, adding that he vehemently opposed to retention of Hon. David Sev Av as well as the nomination

of the present council chairman Hon. Terfa Bossua. “Frankly speaking, there had been no noticeable disagreement in Ukum politics, but since the emergence of this deadly group, there are have been violence in the area. Even as this incident happened, the council chairman has not said anything,” Biam said

Crisis: Adamawa PDP members threaten to dump party in droves OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

L-R: Minister of Sports and Chairman of National Sports Commissions, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nwogu; Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed during a visit of the National Good Governance Committee to the governor in Ilorin, yesterday.

600,000 displaced in Kogi flood

he Kogi State Government said yesterday that about 600, 000, with women and children in the majority, were displaced by floods in the state. The state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Abdulrahaman Wuya, said in Lokoja that the number of resettlement camps for the victims had also risen from the initial nine to 87. Wuya said the camps were mostly public primary and secondary schools and some health centres, adding that the flood affected 457 communities across nine local government areas. He said the state government had set up medical

stands in the camps, while the referral centre in Idah had been directed to complement the medical stands in the town because of the high number of displaced people from Ibaji Local Government Area. Wuya said a committee, under the chairmanship of the state Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, had been set up to evolve measures of addressing all sectors affected by the floods. According to him, education, agriculture, health and roads are some of the sectors already identified to have been badly affected. He said that government had, in the interim, decided to merge 87 public primary and secondary schools cur-

rently being used as resettlement camps with nearby government schools. The commissioner said that children could not continue to stay at home until the first week of December when experts said the water would finally recede. He said the merged schools would run two shifts in the morning and afternoon. Wuya expressed regrets that communities ravaged by the flood were the food basket of the state, saying that the situation constituted a threat to food security and health of the people. He said government was thinking of how it could assist farmers in the remaining 12 Local Government

areas not affected by the flood to expand their farmlands, using mechanised farming techniques. Apart from this, he said that government also planned to provide the farmers with improved seeds and high yielding seedlings to boost production. The commissioner said government had also sensed that the protein intake of the people was likely to be badly affected as many fish ponds and livestock farms were washed away in the flood. He said government would give fish farmers free nets, hooks and other tools to enhance fishing activities in the riverine communities.

Reps decry poor implementation of 2012 budget PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

awmakers are not happy with the slow pace of this year’s budget implementation. They have, therefore, stressed the need to sanction all ministries, departments and agencies that failed to adequately implement the 2012 appropriation bill. The lawmakers ex-

pressed the concern yesterday when the House of Representatives’ Committee on Power visited the Shiroro Hydro Power Station in Niger State. The committee, led by its chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Abdul Ebbo, said: “With the year almost drawing to a close, implementation of budget is between 30 and 40 per cent in most institutions.” He said the affected in-

stitutions may be asked to explain why they failed to implement the funds appropriated to them. According to him, investigation revealed that the 2012 appropriation bill have not been implemented up to 50 per cent. The committee chairman said: “My appraisal on the implementation of the 2012 is a very sad. While hundreds of billions of naira is being approved, the imple-

mentation is still stands at 34 to 40 per cent. To us, that is not acceptable at all. In fact, if I have my way, I will say there is no implementation of the 2012 budget.” Ebbo said out of the N734.7 million allocated to the Hydro- Power Station, only N366 million was released to the station, adding that similar visits to other power stations and agencies showed poor release of funds.

any members of the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday threatened defection if the national leaders of the party did not intervene in the crisis rocking it. It will be recalled that the state chapter of the party has been factionalised over leadership crisis. While one of the factions is led by Mejejiwa Kagama, the other is led by Chief Medan Teneke. The faction headed by Chief Teneke and led by Senator Paul Wampana has, however, visited the National Working Committee (NWC) members at the PDP national secretariat to complain of the alleged injustice being perpetrated by the administration of

Governor Murtala Nyako. Wampana said PDP in Adawama State would not support illegality, but urged NWC members to stop the injustice. He praised the national leadership of the PDP for the bold decision it took in canceling the primaries held in the 226 wards of the state. Wapana said: “We did not come here to argue cases, but we are here because of the decision of the leadership of the party. We are in support of the decision. You (Alhaji BamangaTukur) are our own, we will be loyal to the party on one condition - on the condition that illegality is removed from the party, we will not be party to illegality. “We brought ourselves here, you did not invite us, we have come to support you, we hope the NWC will not let us down and we will not let you down.”

Police arrest 11 Mubi Poly students in Uyo

o fewer than 11 students of Akwa Ibom origin studying at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, were arrested yesterday at the Government House in Uyo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students, numbering more 50 had gathered at the entrance of Government House with placards. They wanted to draw the attention of the state governor to the plight of their colleagues in Adamawa State, following last week’s violence at Mubi Polytechnic. Some of the placards read: “Our Dear Governor

Godswill Akpabio, come to our aid. Akwa Ibom Government, provide us with admission,” “Please, send rescue team to bring our students,” “We can’t go back to Mubi’’. In attempt to disperse the students, security operatives attached to the Akwa Ibom State Government House, used tear gas on them, bruised some with whips and arrested 11 of them while the rest ran away.

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Politics

SUPER TUESDAY

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Nigeria @ 52: We’ve nothing to celebrate, except unity – Musa

Nigeria self-governing, not independent nation – Enang

14&15

Senators’ perception of Nigeria @ 52 On the occasion of Nigeria’s 52nd independence anniversary last week, senators took turns to assess the country’s journey so far to nationhood, while also charting courses for the nation’s development, GEORGE OJI writes

xcept for Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who held a contrary view, all the senators who contributed to the motion were all united on the fact that even though the country is not yet on the socio, political and economic pedestal where it ought to be, there are nonetheless, silver linings on the nation’s path to development. The lawmakers expressed these views while contributing separately on the motion entitled, “Congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians on the 52nd independence anniversary,” which was sponsored by Senator Ita Enang. Chukwumerije, who was the last person to contribute to the motion started straight by disagreeing with the previous contributors to the motion that at 52, Nigeria and Nigerians have so much to celebrate. He described such assertion as being too generous with the country. Indeed, he was of the view that his colleague-senators in their assessment of the country were celebrating failure. To drive home his position, the lawmaker started by citing instances from other countries of the world who through sheer collective determination and focused leadership confronted their problems and at the end were able to achieve greatness. Citing the case of Turkey, Chukwumerije said, “In Turkey it took General Mabel Atatok only 21 years to transform Turkey from a feudal state to a highly modernised state that it has remained till today.” In the case of South East Asian countries, the lawmaker observed that it took them not more than 30 years, to move from undeveloped former British colonies to what they are today - Asian Tigers and highly developed. He singled out Malaysia, which he said took Nigeria’s own palm produce, which the country succeeded in turning into an international product. He stated that, if a country that took ordinary palm nuts from us some years back, has grown into a prosperous country and turned that product into its main export product, what will you describe the country from where it was taken that is today importing all those things? According to him, “It took South Korea 18 years to move from a very dependent country to one of the world’s top exporters and it has today developed to one of the top most exporting countries of the world. It

Mark

Ekweremadu

TOP STORY I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE NIGERIA BY SAYING THAT IT IS EITHER A FAILED STATE OR ON THE VERGE OF BEING A FAILED STATE.

SO,

WE MUST, THEREFORE, START BY ACCEPTING THAT OBJECTIVE REALITY THAT AS OF TODAY

NIGERIA IS

A FAILED STATE OR NEARLY A FAILED STATE took China exactly 48 years to move from a slum status branded by the West as the begging bowl of Asia to a super power”. Chukwumerije said it was on the basis of all these considerations that he came to the position that previous speakers before him were very generous when they compared Nigeria to 52 year human being who ought to have had grandchildren. The lawmaker further stated that given the wasted opportunities and the persistent threat to the nation’s unity and survival in the past 52 years, the least way to describe Nigeria was to say that the country is either a completely failed state or on the path

Chukwumerije

of being a failed state. These remarks quite expectedly were greeted with condemnation by senators who almost in unison echoed, “no oh, no oh.” Notwithstanding, Chukwumerije maintained his position, noting that, it is the point of view of political scientist that a country that cannot meet the basic expectations of her people it’s failed in every way. “I can only describe Nigeria by saying that it is either a failed state or on the verge of being a failed state. So, we must therefore start by accepting that objective reality that as of today Nigeria is a failed state or nearly a failed state,” the lawmaker insisted. As more condemnation greeted the views of Chukwumerije, he struggled to rephrase his position to further drive home his point. He said there was no doubt that Nigeria has tremendous potential to move to somewhere greater than the country is currently.

“I believe that Nigeria is a sleeping giant in spite of all the hiccups here and there. I believe Nigeria is near nowhere being complete failure or disintegration or anything. But as part of any other country of that size, it will pass through any other thing before it gets its acts together to move into what it should be,” he noted. Expectedly, the Senate President, David Mark, used the opportunity of his closing remarks to the debate on the motion to respond to those scathing remarks made by Chukwumerije. Straight away, Mark said: “I certainly do not agree that Nigeria is a failed state; we are not on the way to being a failed state either. We may not have done well but to say that we are a failed state is an extreme and I disagree completely with that in my candid opinion.” According to him, “We have challenges no doubt, those challenges are there but with political will power we will meet those challenges, it is at every level.” He noted that, “Every member, every individual has some roles to play,” stressing that, “When people do the wrong things and they are not punished and they are not caught and they are not brought before the law, there is nothing we can do. I think that at every level we have leadership roles to play. When things begin to go wrong, we must have the courage to speak out before it goes too far.” Mark was of the view that if nothing else, we have to congratulate ourselves for being one single united nation, one he said was on its own a great achievement. The Senate President admitted however that there is no gainsaying that as a nation we are not where we would have loved to be, but that was not to say that we haven’t made progress at all. “I think that we have made some considerable achievements and for that alone we need to show gratitude to God, we need to pray and work, not just pray alone, prayer alone will not solve the problem. I think more than anything else, we just need political will to take our policies to logical conclusions whether it is at the executive level or legislative level or any other levelthe federal state or local government leve. “I believe that unless we are determined to politically pursue the decision that we have taken that would be of benefit to this country, we would still be where we are in another 10 to 20 years, because the political will is lacking in so many areas. I think there is need for healthy competition between the states which at the moment they seem not to be having. “One more area I think we will continue to emphasis is education because as long as we do not continue to educate every citizen; as long as there is ignorance in the land, the CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Politics

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

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Nigeria @ 52: We’ve nothing to Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CON) is a former governor of old Kaduna State and National Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). He tells AZA MSUE, in this interview, that Nigeria had been unfortunate with leadership since independence. He also expressed grave worries over Nigeria’s continued importation of food, among other national malaise. Excerpts: Can you share with us your experience of Nigeria at independence in 1960? Nigeria at independence in 1960 was exciting, first, because British colonialism was off our back. Secondly, the future look bright and with our experience then, I can say that the system and the leadership we had at that time will help us to make progress. The system as at then was based on public interest first and enlightened self-interest second. The leadership then, even though semi-feudal and conservative was dignified and could be relied upon, particularly the leadership in the opposition. How would you remember independence day? At that time, I was a civil servant teaching at the Institute of Administration, Zaria in Kaduna. What we hoped for in 1960 has not been realised except that Nigeria has remained one country in spite of crises. Otherwise, virtually every aspect of the state of the nation is negative, particularly in the areas of economic progress, security, employment, poverty eradication, and even the system controlling all developmental spheres of the country and particularly the leadership produced by the system. In all these areas, our experience is negative, Nigerians as at today are threatened by calamity, and the future of the country is uncertain.

Musa

Do you see any need for celebration? No! Nigeria should not be celebrating at 52. Governments in Nigeria, from the federal to the state and local government levels will be celebrating, but obviously, Nigerians have nothing to celebrate, except the fact that Nigeria has remained one in spite of all the problems and challenges confronting us. That does not even call for celebration, rather, it calls for quiet prayers and thanks to God that in spite of everything we have remained one.

TUESDAY INTERVIEW

Have we made progress as a nation? When we take into account the opportunities available to us, we can say the progress we have achieved is very marginal. In fact, it cannot be called progress at all. If we have achieved at all then, it could be said to be only five per cent when we ought to have achieved at least 95 per cent, if we take into account all the opportunities available to us, particularly human and material resources.

the United States of America in many political aspects. Of course, the sum total of this dependence is what we always say that our system is derived from the American and British systems.

How would you describe the freedom we have in 52 years as an independent nation? We have not achieved any independence because, first, we did not fight for it. In fact, it was called flag independence. A flag was raised and it was called independence for Nigeria. However, the fact remains that we are not independent. We are a semi-colonial country. Economically, we are still being ruled by foreign powers; hence, they can decide the fate of our economy at anytime. We are dependent on them for even investment. We have the resources to pursue investment in the country, but because of our dependent character, we still depend on foreigners for investment. We even depend on foreigners for the food we eat. Take the case of imported rice that we consume and other food items manufactured overseas. We are dependent even politically, in the sense that we need the endorsement of our former colonial masters for many things. We are not even dependent on Britain alone, but also on others like

WE ARE A SEMI-COLONIAL COUNTRY. ECONOMICALLY,

What do you think are responsible for Nigeria’s underdevelopment? It is the socio-economic system controlling all developmental systems in the country and political leadership inevitably produced by that system. This system is based on self-interest first and public interest second and that is directly responsible for the negative state of the nation, in particular, the collapse of the economy through privatisa-

WE ARE STILL BEING RULED BY FOREIGN POWERS...

ARE DEPENDENT ON THEM FOR EVEN INVESTMENT

tion, insecurity, poverty and lower level of productivity throughout the economy. Have we utilised our potential as a nation? In terms of our potentiality, we can be called the giant of Africa but the reality on the ground proves that we are not the giant of Africa, rather we are a disgrace to Africa; because we are not utilising the resources that can make the country great and make the country lead Africa. Can you share your thoughts on Nigeria’s leadership before and after independence? Before independence, during the colonial era, even though the political leadership then was semi-feudal, conservative, and dependent on the colonial powers, the leaders were focused and credible. They had a standard and they did not fall below that standard. Take, for instance, nobody called them thieves because they were not. Nobody called Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto a thief, because he was not. Nobody called Chief Obafemi Awolowo a thief, because he was not. Nobody called Aminu Kano a thief, nobody called Chief Michael Opara a thief, nobody called Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe a thief, nobody called Tafawa Balewa a thief and it was all because they were not. They did not steal public resources. The nearest anyone could accuse these leaders, and even at that, they could not be called thieves, were for instances when Awolowo was accused of taking advantage of his position to occupy Maroko land in Lagos; when Azikiwe was accused of using his position to gain undue advantage with regard to African Continental Bank and when people doubted the source of the Sardauna’s wealth to be so benevolent. However,

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

celebrate, except unity – Musa these were talks about favours, but today everybody call our leaders, from the local government councillors to the President thieves and there is evidence. Take the case of all the probes conducted by the National Assembly and by the President himself, they all show one thing: that thieves rule Nigeria. Therefore, the thing is that the leaders before independent were more credible than the leaders after independent and up until today. What was the security situation in Nigeria before and after independence? Boko Haram as an organised violence is only the latest aspect of insecurity. Before the insurgence of Boko Haram, we had other forms of organised violence resulting into the loss of lives and property. However, currently, Boko Haram is the latest form of insecurity in the nation but it may even be the worst, because kidnapping, armed robbery and so on, including ethnic and religious violence are doing more than Boko Haram. The untold reality is that, Nigeria is insecure. The case of Boko Haram now is the latest, it may be more organised but definitely, it is not the worst in the country. There are other aspects of insecurity in this country that result to more loss of lives and property. The case of Boko Haram is more threatening, because Boko Haram also target security agencies, public office holders, and public offices. Would you describe the discovery of oil as a blessing or a curse? First, before the independence, the mainstay of the economy was agriculture. After the First Republic from the Second Republic, oil took the centre stage and became the mainstay of the economy and that is the situation till today. Agriculture has been neglected and has collapsed to the extent that we cannot feed ourselves. We import virtually 70 per cent or more of what we eat. In order words, there is no food security in Nigeria. Oil has now replaced agriculture in the development of the economy. However, this oil business differs fundamentally from agriculture in the sense that, in agriculture, productivity at individual and ethnic level was the factor, but today not much productivity is involved in oil. Also, the fact that oil does not involve the same level of sacrifices as agriculture, Nigerians tend to become parasites and this oil may have brought about a high level of corruption, because of the character of the people in the industry. Because of the easy way wealth is obtained through the oil industry, it makes it easier for Nigerians to ignore long term planning, particularly when the price of oil at the international market is so high.

whereby the present traditional zones are transformed into regions. Whether we will increase the zones or maintain the present six-zone structure, let us return to regionalism. Let the regions be the federating units and let each region create as many states and local government councils within it that it can cope with on the bases of allocation from the federation account to the region. In other words, the Federal Government should not directly or indirectly involve in the affairs of the states or local governments, but let it be the responsibility of the regions that created them. In addition, as I said, let every region create as many states and local governments that it felt it can cope with. Do you see Nigeria remaining one with the quest for autonomy by the various component units? Those who are calling for the disintegration of Nigeria or confederation are numerically in the minority. I do not think they are more than five per cent. They are people who think that you can run a country without problems and they deceive themselves that Nigeria is a creation of colonialism. However, the reality is that, some forces created every country in the world and some forces will sustain it. The difference between those countries that have settled and are not talking of disintegration and Nigeria is that, Nigeria which was created the same way they were created by force have not made it. That is why there is call for disintegration; however, the reality is that Nigeria will not disintegrate until after prolonged period of instability and suffering. And until after all positive forces in the country have been destroyed by wars and there is nothing left for anybody in Nigeria, then the force of disintegration can prevail because there is nothing to look for in Nigeria then. The forces of destruction may only prevail when instability and the negative state of the nation as we are experiencing now continues until we reach the situation in Somalia now; that is when all the mainstay of the economy is completely destroyed, the oil wells, agriculture, social structures and everything destroyed by war. Then nobody will be interested in maintaining one country. Nigeria can

What is the way out of this logjam we now found ourselves? The first thing is to change the socio-economic system controlling all development process in the country and the political leadership produced by the system. Instead of the system being based on self-interest first and public interest second or just incidental, we should go back to the situation that existed before the First Republic, where the role of the state was primary in economic development, while the role of enlightened self-interest was second. We know most of the roots of the developments we still see in Nigeria were brought about by the concept of the leading role of the state in the economy to ensure justice, equality with the dignity of the human person and progressive and even development of the country. How do you see the federal structure and what do you need to be corrected? With the experience we have had since the creation of states and also in view of the problems of national cohesion, I think there is a strong case for return to the regional arrangements, where the regions were the federating units. In order words, those who are talking about the abolition of states and return to the regional arraignments have a strong case. I think we will achieve greater level of cohesion, national unity and greater level of progress even in terms of the economy if we return to the regional level,

EVERY SECTION OF

NIGERIA

BENEFITS FROM THE ECONOMY.

EVERY SECTION IS INVOLVED IN TAKING UNDUE ADVANTAGE OF THE ECONOMY

only disintegrate when no more visible structures exist. Everybody will be just running about in a human jungle. Now, another reason why this country will not disintegrate is this: Who owns Nigeria? Who benefits from the resources of Nigeria? It is the ruling class. The ruling class in Nigeria may start the process of disintegration in Nigeria but when it reaches certain stage and they see the consequences, they will be in the forefront of preventing the disintegration. Because, who owns the bank, the oil wells and all the institutions and who gets the jumbo contracts of the country? It is the ruling class. Who lives well in Nigeria? It is the ruling class. Who has the security of lives for themselves, their children and children’s children? It is still the ruling class. Now they may be calling for disintegration of Nigeria because of their quarrels because some benefits more than the others, but when they see it happening, they would also be in the vanguard of stopping the disintegration. I will give you an example from the Nigerian history; now how did it happen that the Biafra cessation was defeated, and since after the surrender of Biafra, there has not been any significant threat of Biarfran cessation being revived? Of course, there were talks about return to Biafra and all that, but they are mere talks; why? Because the part of the Nigerian ruling class, coming from the Biafran section, realised that the rebellion doesn’t pay them. They ran away to overseas and found out that there were too many alienation and they did not belong and can never belong. Those that stayed back in Nigeria equally found that forces from even their own very people are consistently destroying their wealth. And on the part of Nigeria, there was the realisation that oil wealth was becoming a reality and everybody was going to benefit, but this will not be possible without solving the problem of oil. Because by that time at one point, the Biafran soldiers have gotten hold of all the South-East and the whole of the present South-South and they were already in control of the oil region. Then the South-West and the North realised that they were going to lose these oil resources, because they were under the control of the Biafran forces. Consequently, the South-West forgot the quarrel between it and the North for the sake of the benefit of the oil resources and eventually they united and brought about this philosophy of uniting Nigeria. The rest that did not care whether Nigeria disintegrated on not came together, because the South-South and South-West discovered that, if the South-East succeeds in the Biafran struggle and considering the fact that, the South-South was weak politically; it will be dominated by the South-East despite that the oil comes from the region. And considering the fact also that, the South-South cannot also face the SouthWest, they therefore sought a link with the North and the South-South was then represented by the Mid-West. In addition, the North became interested in the union because, should South-East and South-West go, it would also lose out in the political and economic calculation. This was how Nigeria became re-established. This was how the other regions abandoned the Biafran secession. Another reason why Nigeria will not disintegrate is the fact that every section of Nigeria benefits from the economy. Every section is involved in taking undue advantage of the economy. You know that in this exposure of stealing, in connection with oil subsidy, the 25 companies and individuals that have been identified as being responsible for the oil subsidy fraud comes from every geo-political zone of Nigeria, from every religious group, and from every ethnic group. Therefore, you can see that a high level of political and economic integration has taken place in Nigeria, far more than people realise. What we have left is to achieve the higher level of social integration and of course, this will not be possible without a peaceful development. What are your thoughts on Nigeria’s political system? Well there is nothing like political system in Nigeria. All that we have now is socio-economic and political system. In addition, this is the system based on self-interest as opposed to public interest.

Politics

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Rotimi ASO ROCK FILE

In honour of the memory of great Zik

with

Rotimi FADEYI

Bakassi now on front burner, 12 years after

he judgement ceding Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon about 12 years ago by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) jolted many Nigerians, particularly those who are indigenes of the oil-rich area as they became citizens of Cameroon with the interpretation of the judgement Expectedly, there were protests and condemnations by Nigerians who had to suddenly change nationality and under the administration and control of a new country. But the court had given Nigeria a period of 12 years to contest the judgement if there are new facts and evidence to seek for a review of the matter and possible reversal of its decision. The Nigerian government is now set to explore the option to challenge the judgement of the ICJ while relying on discovery of facts regarding the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula, which was under the control and administration of Cross River State before the judgement. President Goodluck Jonathan is leading in this initiative and has already set up a committee to look at the option of appeal while he has also solicited for the support and cooperation of members of the National Assembly and prominent people from the area. It has been a week of meetings between Jonathan and leadership of the National Assembly regarding the issue as well as the devastating flood that is ravaging some states in the country in

the last one month. The meeting where the decision to set up a committee to explore the option of an appeal of the judgement of the ICJ on Bakassi Peninsula, which started very late in the night would not end until very early in the morning of the next day when most people are already in bed. Cross Rivers Governor, Liyel Imoke whose state controlled and administered Bakassi before the ruling, said the committee would consider how to take care of the displaced people of Bakassi. He also said the committee would work in record time, noting that the President had shown great leadership quality by convening the meeting and standing firm on some of the decisions taken. The Senate President, Senator David Mark also said that the executive and the lawmakers were now on the same page on the issue of Bakassi, adding that they would work together to achieve results. Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, who was at the meeting, said that the Federal Government had shown candid concern on the Bakassi issue. He commended the move by the government to follow dialogue, the rule of law and diplomacy in ensuring that Nigeria get justice and the people were not wrongly dealt with. Ajibola expressed optimism that the committee set up would handle the matter accordingly and in record time.

Jonathan orders investigation into students’ killing

lso last week, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a thorough investigation into the incident in Mubi, Adamawa State last Monday night in which over 40 students were killed. This was after the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayat Rufai, briefed the Federal Executive Council on the killing that took place outside the hostels of three different higher institutions in the state.

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon 2. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Murkthar 3. Senate President, David Mark 4. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal 5. Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha 6. Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba 7. Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke 8. Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Ann Scott 9. Vietnam Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hoand Ngoc Ho 10. Congolese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jean-Marie Mowelle 11. Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Rolf Kristian Ree 12. Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Zsolt Maris.

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Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who conveyed the feeling of his boss on the incident, described it as “tragic, sad and shocking.” According to him, the President has expressed his condolences, to the families of the victims and the authority of the institutions, noting that an attack where people are called out and slaughtered was shocking.

hen the mausoleum in memory of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria is completed in Onitsa, Anambra State, it would serve as a remarkable project in memory of the late elder statesman. The project, which is due for completion before October 2014 centenary celebration of the amalgamation of Nigeria, would cost about N1.49 billion. The Federal Executive Council (FEC), last week, approved the money for the project. The project, which has been in the works since 1996 is receiving the attention of the Federal Government 16 years after, with the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development now in charge of the project. Ama Pepple, whose ministry has taken over the completion of the mausoleum traced the history of the project which had originally been awarded under the Presidency and had to be cancelled three times to enable the government do a thorough job

President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo welcoming Governors of states affected by flood to a meeting at the State House.

FG, governors join forces to assist flood victims

he Federal Government and governors of the states affected by flood have agreed to work together to do more to provide relief to those displaced. There were great concerns on the flood and how to prevent future occurrence at a meeting held at the State House between President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors on how to soothe the pains and compensate for the losses of the flood

President and foreign investment drive

he issue of Foreign Direct Investment dominated the issues discussed with five new ambassadors who presented their letters of credence to President Goodluck Jonathan last week. Jonathan did not mince words when he told them that Nigeria strongly desire increased trade and economic activities with their countries. He received the ambassadors, Mrs. L. Ann Scott, Jamaica; Mr. Hoand Ngoc Ho, Vietnam, Mr. Jean-Marie Mowelle, Congo; Mr. Zsolt Maris, Hungary and Mr. Rolf Kristian Ree, Norway, at the State House. “Nigerian citizens have been trading with the citizens of Congo, but this has been mostly informal. We should make this formal, so that our relationship will become even stronger,” he told Mowelle of Congo. While receiving Ngoc Ho of Vietnam, Jonathan said that Nigeria had set a target of

in honour of the late first Nigerian President. According to her, “the Federal Executive Council approved the award of contract for the completion of Zik’s Mausoleum; a mausoleum in memory of our first President. It was given out for a sum of N1,496,531,483 with a completion of 13 months.” She said that this time they were confident that the contractors would be able to carry out the work competently and finish in the 13-month given to them. Pepple observed that the sum of N530 million has been provided in the 2012 budget for the project to take off while N1 billion would be provided in the 2013 budget. “It is a national monument; it is something we will want to complete before we celebrate our centenary in 2014. So we are very hopeful that we will get the needed funds and the ministry is quiet ready to ensure that we get value for money for the job that we are giving out,” she said.

2015 for self-sufficiency in rice production, and urged him to work hard to increase the current $700 million trade between the two countries. The President said Nigeria had opened up its economy to private sector participation. He urged Norwegian businessmen to take advantage of the opportunities, adding that both countries are already cooperating at the global level such as the United Nations. Jonathan noted the interest shown by Hungary in Nigeria’s gas, saying that he would like Jamaica to become observers in the Africa-South America Summit in order to further strengthen economic relations. The new ambassadors expressed appreciation to Jonathan for receiving them and promised to do their best to improve relations between Nigeria and their respective countries during their tenures.

victims. Senate President, David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal said the Federal Government would work closely with the states to offer immediate assistance and intervene in the plight of the victim. “Whatever concerns Nigerians should be the concern of a responsible government and this government is responsible and it is responding to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. That is why we had this high level meeting at this period to consider the issue of flooding and how it has affected our communities,” Tambuwal said. Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, who was also at the meeting said the government would adopt persuasive measures to convince displaced persons to leave the affected areas. “At the moment, it is practically impossible in some places to do anything because some of the places, we could just not assess, we just had to go by air to see the aerial view,” Mailafia said. She disclosed that the government was already considering the possibility of damming the rivers and putting in place long term plans to deal with the issue of flood.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-44

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Of mystery and misery in Nigeria ALL WE NEED TO

TAIYE OLANIYI

DO ON INDIVIDUAL

f there is anything worth noting and unraveling about our dear nation, it is the Nigerian factor. It is the clog in the wheel of our progress as a nation. Turn anywhere, the blessings of Nature behold you. However, the high level of decadence, pervasive despondency, helplessness and hopelessness typical of life in Nigeria put one in quandary as to how a nation so blessed should under perform. The explanation is the “Nigerian factor”. A Swiss historian once positioned history as “a human event where it is difficult to begin from the beginning”. Even Genesis, in the Holy Book, seems uncertain of when creation came into being in time perspective; hence the clause: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” I still do ask myself whether or not this is truly one’s first and last appearance on mother earth. If no, then when is one’s beginning and the final anchor in this continuum of life? Scriptural writings might have compiled a lot of information about the mystery of life, but personal experiences tend to provide more convincing tunes than what the highest of the prophets might have said of life and the embellishment of its transient and eternal nature. As Nigerians, we all have the rights

BASIS IS SEEK

GOD

FROM BEYOND MERE RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES to ask what, where, how and when is the Nigerian factor a factor of misery shrouded in mystery? Is the Nigerian factor truly a mystery beyond redemption from our miseries? One of our major predicaments in tackling the issue of miseries in mystery is the fact once underlined by a sage in this statement: “The overwhelming misfortune of man is not that he is ignorant of the existence of truth, but that he misconstrues its nature”. This submission goes exactly for why the Nigerian factor daily brings us misery in all we do and remains a mystery unraveled. We simply continue to allow it devolve its tentacles into everything Nigerian in all aspects of our national life and thus we remain shattered and scattered, rudderless and in ruins. A mystical approach, which is “Having a personal and intimate awareness of God within the domain of self ”, would go a long way to help delve into the perceived mysterious nature of the Nigerian factor and thus transform it from its base to a golden

form. Why God? This is because He is the author and finisher of everything, including the provider of all wisdom that guides the affairs of all men. All we need to do on individual basis is seek God from beyond mere religious observances and be personally involved in seeking the root of what has made the Nigerian factor devouring our nation’s glory and blessings. Conscience, according to Uthman Fodio, is “an open wound, which only truth can heal”; and in the Rosicrucian circle conscience is established as “the eye of God in the heart of man”. Conscience has implications in the affairs of man both here and in the hereafter. Little wonder, the Rosicrucian constant and regular emphasis on its role as the living barometer by which the great mystery of life be unraveled. Nigerians are today unjust with nature, very destructive of plants and animals, and getting more brutish and brutal to one another because either we do not worship God according to His dictates, or do so with polluted biases encapsulated in the Nigerian factor. Our miseries and regrets keep mounting from tons to tons and we now live a life unbecoming of civilized people. Pythagoras, a mystic philosopher of old, had long drawn the attention of the world to scenarios that could build up if one refused to be guided by conscience in one’s myriads of relationships. He

submitted thus: “As long as men continue to destroy ruthlessly the living beings from the lower kingdoms, they will know neither health nor peace. As long as they massacre animals, they will kill each other. In effect, whoever sows murder and suffering cannot reap joy and love.” Where then lies our redemption as Nigerians if the miseries associated with the Nigerian factor are allowed to persist like a recurring decimal in our life and living? Can we rightly say we are evolving despite our calls for revolution without evolution, taking cognizance of human evolution as an end, spirituality as a means and time as an enlightener? Materialism of all fancies and vogues have greatly blindfolded us from what leads to unraveling the mystery of life wrapped in many miseries in the Nigerian factor. We desire liberation from this oppressive life we are presently living; we need to purify our thoughts and conducts in order to free our nation from the shackles of ignorance and devastating emblems of superstitions. So let’s arise as compatriots to pay obeisance to Nigeria’s clarion calls thus serving our father land, with love and strength and faith. Herein lies the way to personal and national mastership, the way to Peace Profound. Taiye Olaniyi, taiyelolu_2004@yahoo.com, wrote from Lagos

What does the North have against Jonathan? BEN NANAGHAN

t has become a regular past time of the political elite of the North to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan on very trivial issues; they have been deliberately setting road blocks on his path to compromise his presidency; and of course, they have had to contest every of his actions and decisions, deploying undemocratic methods. The North has had unbroken run with the nation’s governance since pre independence era when Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became its first Prime Minister. The few times the political pendulum swung to the South were accident propelled by some invisible but divine hands. General Olusegun Obasanjo only became military head of state after General Murtala Muhammed was killed in the Dimka-led coup of February 14, 1976. And the death of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua 2010 made the Jonathan presidency possible. Politics is about competition for power, but the competition must be democratically pursued. It is ungodly for those out of the mainstream of the use of power to use undemocratic means, including the deployment of terror, to compromise a sitting president. A well organized opposition party with good programmes will find it easy to dislodge the ruling party. The only crime committed by President Goodluck Jonathan is that he is from the South South of Nigeria, a hith-

erto condemned minority group. The political architecture of the First Republic, which many northerners remember with nostalgia, was built round the tripod Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo. This tripartite alliance crumbled after the January 1966 coup d’état and the subsequent civil war (1967-1970). Since the end of the civil war, even the Igbo lost out in the centre’s power game. So, the former wazobian tripod now stands only on two legs - South West and the North. For more graphic illustration of geopolitical access to centre’s power, the North was on the saddle for 41 years; the South East (General Aguiyi Ironsi) 6 months; the South West less than 12 years; and now the about two years. What then really is the grouse of the North? I say why the North’s rage against Jonathan? Is it because he is a minority? When Mr. President assumed office, he came up with a seven year single term tenure for presidents and governors, but the power mongers among the political elite misinterpreted it to mean tenure elongation strategy. And today we have seen the wisdom in the President’s proposal. The race for the 2015 kicked off soon after the President was sworn-in 2011. The North has never supported any of Jonathan’s good programmes because they are in a hurry to take over power from him. I personally foresee great crisis if this region attempts to checkmate the incumbent President. He is constitutionally entitled to two terms

POLITICS IS ABOUT COMPETITION FOR POWER, BUT THE

COMPETITION MUST BE DEMOCRATICALLY PURSUED in office, while the Igbos too are entitled to their two terms after Jonathan. The Igbo is the only ethnic nationality that has not occupied Nigeria’s presidential seat. The North has stopped at nothing to compromise the Jonathan presidency. The leaking of the First Lay illness is the absurd height the anti-Jonathan campaigns have gone. This to me is increasing the war against President Jonathan to ridiculous and comical heights. Dame Patience Jonathan is not a member of the federal cabinet neither is she an FG official. Why then compound the President’s emotional burden by ridiculing and violating his fundamental human rights to privacy. The late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua was governor of Katsina State for eight years and for the better part of those years he was in and out of German hospitals, while his wife Turai governed the state. When Yar’Adua became president in 2007, the story did not change. He was in and out of German and Saudi Arabian hospitals until he

had a major crisis on Nov. 21, 2009 and he was rushed to Saudi Arabia two days later; he was flown back to Nigeria on February 24, 2010 after 93 days abroad. For those 93 days, the Northern elite did not see anything wrong in President Yar’Adua’s absence without official leave. He was given 100 percent support by this people, who even went further to posit that the ailing President could rule Nigeria from where ever he was and return whenever he wanted. What President Goodluck Jonathan needs from Nigerians, including some of the mischievous northern elite is prayers. It would be grossly unfair to embarrass and ridicule the President because his wife is indisposed. After all, we are all human and we are all subject to the vagaries of nature. The President himself has shown undisguised disgust at the flagrant abuse and insults he receives daily from Nigerians, especially from some high caliber personalities, who are expected to know better. It is never too late to show him support. Nanaghan, bennanaghan@yahoo. com, wrote from Lagos Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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NASS’ handling of the 2013 proposed budget

he National Assembly prevented President Goodluck Jonathan from presenting the N5.928 trillion Appropriation Bill for 2013 before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday, October 4, 2012. The lawmakers unanimously agreed that the budget proposal should be suspended until the House concludes its findings on the 2012 budget implementation by the Executive. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita S. Enang, was quoted as saying that the Senate could not receive the 2013 budget from the president while the Accountant-General of the Federation was yet to provide it with details of the funds released to the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the 2012 budget. Enang said the Senate had to take a decision on the submission recently made by the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriation, Finance and Public Accounts on the level of the implementation of the 2012 budget. Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Zakari Mohammed, was also credited as saying: “The position of the House is that we are not ready to receive the 2013 Budget from the Presidency. We are still working on the 2012 Budget. We postponed plenary by a week today, we are still consider-

ing the 2012 Budget and that of the 2013 is coming. It is not done”. The October 4 date chosen by Jonathan was particularly said to have conflicted with the time set aside by the Reps for oversight jobs on projects executed by the MDAs. Another excuse given by the Reps for not keeping the date proposed by Jonathan, according to reports, was that the NASS report on the 2012-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work and Fiscal Strategy Paper bill which the president sent to the lawmakers on Tuesday, September18 for approval was still being awaited from its Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriation, Legislative Budget, Research, National Planning and Economic Matters. And whereas public impression was rife that the NASS rejection of the budget presentation meant the deepening of the rift between the Presidency and the NASS, Mohammed denied that the development had anything to do with the frosty relationship. We are, however, hard put to comprehend how oversight functions of the NASS, whether the Senate or the House of Representatives, which should be a continuous exercise carried out by committees, have become the main excuse being marketed for the Reps inability to receive the 2013 Apprpriation Bill from the president on October 4. Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma- Egba,

OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE IS THE FACT THAT THAT THE NON-

IMPLEMENTATION OF PAST BUDGETS IS LINKED TO THE DELAYS BY BOTH THE

PRESIDENCY AND THE NASS

was quoted last week as saying the president would present the proposal next week (that is this week), though no specific date was disclosed. If Ndoma- Egba was rightly quoted, it becomes even more puzzling what manner of oversight functions the Reps accomplished between October 4 and now to warrant the rejection of the date first chosen by the president. If the Reps are that desperate to determine budget performance, the massive evidence on abandoned projects on ground should be enough to evaluate the performance of past budgets. We feel more persuaded by the unconfirmed report that the House of Representatives, particularly, shied away from entertaining the 2013 budget proposal to enable it manage the heat created in its chambers by the purported move by some disgruntled Reps

to unseat the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal. There could be other dubious or hidden agenda. The oversight functions excuse appears diversionary. The NASS just reconvened after a long recess and should be seen as being serious with its legislative work. If the budget must take effect from January 2013 to be fully implemented, then the NASS should not constitute a cog in the wheel under any guise. Besides, of public knowledge is the fact that the non-implementation of past budgets is linked to the delays by both the Presidency and the NASS in getting budget proposals ready at the appropriate time. Now that the Jonathan government wants to correct the mistake, we object to any attempt by the NASS to make it impossible. Nor would we support any plan by the Presidency to grease the palm of the NASS before it accepts to perform its statutory functions, assuming the undeclared reason for rejecting the October 4 date was to attract corrupt inducement of any sort from Jonathan. Indeed, we urge Jonathan to vehemently reject such arm-twisting in any form. The budget has to be passed, and in good time. The NASS may have no basis to harass the Executive for poor budget implementation if it fails to pass the 2013 Appropriation Bill to enable its implementation take effect from January next year.

ON THIS DAY October 9, 2006 North Korea allegedly tested its first nuclear device. North Korea announced its intention to conduct a test on October 3, six days prior, and in doing so became the first nation to give warning of its first nuclear test. The blast was estimated to have had an explosive force of less than one kiloton, and some radioactive output was detected. United States officials suggested the device might have been a nuclear explosive that misfired.

October 9, 1983 The attempted assassination of South Korean President, Chun Doo-hwan during an official visit to Rangoon, the capital of Burma, occured. Although Chun survived, the blast killed 17 members of his entourage, including four cabinet ministers, and injured 17 others. Four Burmese officials also died in the blast. During the visit, President Doo-hwan planned to lay a wreath at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum to commemorate Aung San, who founded independent Burma but was assassinated in 1947.

October 9, 1962 Uganda became an independent Commonwealth realm. A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that currently has Elizabeth II as its reigning constitutional monarch and shares a common royal line of succession with the other realms. As of 2012, there are sixteen Commonwealth realms, with a combined land area (excluding Antarctic claims) of 18.8 million km² (7.3 million mi²) and a population of 137 million.

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Experts fault legislators’ oversight jamboree as Appropriation 2013 suffers

he pains of budgetary failures are the burden ordinary Nigerians have been bearing for too long. And so when President Goodlu7ck Jonathan hinted that he was ready to change the ugly trend of delayed budgets by getting the 2013 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly last week, the hope of better days ahead was rekindled in many of them who expect that with the paradigm shift in macroeconomic policy management, their socio-economic well-being would be improved. Before the President’s intention was made public, the Executive Team had, through spirited efforts of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other officials responsible for creating the income-expenditure statistical templates for yearly budget, fine-tuned the fiscal proposals as a part of the overall plan to kick-starting the deliberation processes that will culminate in the signing of the bill into law before the year ends. Confident and satisfied with the contents of the well packaged fiscal document, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, had a few days earlier told journalists that timely presentation of the bill was in line with the President’s promise of getting the proposals ready by September as part of efforts to improve the efficiency of implementation of yearly budgets. She said government was doing everything to fine-tune the proposals before the President will lay it before the Legislature

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For a country that has over the years been battling with high level fiscal inefficiency in governance, the President’s plan to lay the 2013 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly last week should have been historic as it would have marked a new era in timely budgeting. In this analysis, TOLA AKINMUTIMI, captures the mood of experts on why the President’s plan should not have been aborted by legislators.

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

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and that talks were going on with members of the National Assembly on how best to ensure timely passage of the bill. “We will still fine-tune it before President Jonathan formerly presents it to the National Assembly. But the overall intention is that we want to reverse the trend of late implementation of budgets. The President wants to give the National Assembly adequate time to consider the budget”, the minister said. Although she did not speak on the details of the Appropriation Bill, Okonjo-Iweala however, expressed hope for its timely passage since discussions with members of the National As-

sembly have been fruitful. The minister also disclosed that so far, the Federal Government had released a total of N710.4 billion in the current year’s budget out of which about N553.2billion had been cash backed. She said the utilisation as at end of August rose to 70 per cent but that when the new N300 billion was added, the utilisation came to 58 per cent, adding that “it is 58 per cent of the amount cash backed while as a per cent of the amount released, utilisation is 45.2 per cent. She pointed out that it was part of the efforts to avoid some of the problems of usually asso-

ciated with implementation of past budgets that the present administration was determined to present the 2012 Appropriation early so that implementation can also commence early. “As long as we continue to be late, we cannot talk fairly on implementation ratios, it will be blatantly unfair. MDAs did not know what to implement till April. The crucial lesson out of all these is that we must start the budget on time. We have to reverse the trend of starting late so that it does not go into the following year. “We hope to end the 2012 bud-

NNPC promises to realise 40bn barrels crude reserves

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Experts fault legislators’ oversight jamboree as Appropriation 2013 suffers CONTINUED FROM 19 get by December, but we have to discuss with the National Assembly. We have already started talking with them and we hope that this time, things will be done differently” she said. Ironically, the minister’s hope about the readiness of the National Assembly to receive the bill at the said date was dashed, as the House of Representatives in its combative manner that has hallmarked its responses to most initiatives from the Executive over the past year said it was not ready for such serious business now, given the more ‘pressing’ oversight assessment trips it needed to embarked on in respect of the implementation of the 2102 budget. After a rancorous debate on the President’s letter of September 18, covering the 2012-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal (MTEFF) Strategy Paper bill to the legislature, indicating his readiness to present the bill on October 4, the legislators rejected the date and insisted that they would only be ready to ‘host’ him after the conclusion of the oversight on the implementation of the 2012 budget. The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 requires that the Minister of Finance prepare the MTEF which should include a macroeconomic framework, fiscal strategy and MTFF. The MTEF, which is a crucial component of public financial management reforms as it requires the adoption of a multi-year perspective in budgeting to allocate public resources on a rolling basis over the medium-term, also serves as the basis for the preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the annual Federal Budget. The Chairman House Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jubrin, told the Executive’s delegation led by Yerima Ngama, Minister of State for Finance and Bright Okogwu, Director General of Budget Office that the date proposed by the President was not feasible in view of the fact that the Committee was yet to conclude its study of the MTEF and Strategy Paper but more particularly, to enable the House conclude its oversight assessment of the 2012 budget. Although a new date had tentatively been agreed by the two arms of government after several days of political horsetrading and fence-mending trips by the Executive officials to the Legislature, the issues that have been raised by the lingering face-off between the two arms over matters that affect the overall welfare of the citizenry, according to public policy analysts, call for serious concern if the public governance is to achieve its purpose in the country. For instance, one of the issues that have continued to bother many analysts’ minds is the motive behind the seemingly consistent ill-disposition of the House of Representatives over matters or proposals from the Executive which, if without some political strings attached, could naturally help to address the lingering problem of public governance under-performance in the country. Speaking on the implications of the face-off between the Legislature and the

National Assembly

THE FACE-OFF BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATURE OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2012 BUDGET AS WELL AS THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2013 BUDGET PROPOSAL IS AN UNWARRANTED DISTRACTION IN THE SYSTEM Executive over the performance of the 2012 capital budget but more recently over the latter’s intent to present the 2013 budget on October 4, a legal practitioner and immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Honourable Yemi Alao, described the recurring disagreement over state policy matters as undesirable for good governance and advised the two parties to adopt a more matured approach in handling such important policy matters in the overall interest of the citizenry. Alao, a former chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee, Ondo State House of Assembly, pointed out that maintaining a combative stance on the 2013 Budget proposals would further undermine efforts targeted at improving capital budgets performance and replicate the ugly experiences of the past when budgets were never passed sometimes until mid-way into a financial year. He explained: “The face-off between the Executive and Legislature over the implementation of the 2012 budget as well as the presentation of the 2013 Budget proposal is an unwarranted distraction in the system. First, the insistence by the National Assembly for a 100 per cent implementation of the budget by September 2012 is certainly unreasonable because it is unachievable. “Even in the most advanced economies, you can’t insist on full budget implementation. This is because a budget is an informed estimate of revenue and expenditure which are usually impacted by a number of variable factors. Secondly, in the last decade or so, our national budgets have hardly ever been passed before the threshold of another year, that is on or before 31st December. “It has therefore become customary, albeit a by-product of inadequate planning, to extend the life cycle of our annual budgets to at least March of the following year. Thirdly, given our cumbersome

public procurement policy and processes, there is no way a budget which was not passed timeously (it was passed on 15 March 2012!) can be fully executed within the normal budget cycle. “Ordinarily, our national budgets ought to be presented at least 3-4 clear months before the commencement date so as to allow sufficient time for debate thereupon by d two chambers before enactment into law”, the former lawmaker added. On what should have been the matured approach of dealing with the 2013 Budget proposal, the legal expert believes that the most reasonable thing would have been for the National Assembly to allow the President to do the customary budget presentation - which lasts only a few hours - and take the first reading in the next legislative day, adding that thereafter, they can spend a maximum of three legislative days to do the second reading and subsequently commit it to the relevant committees for processing. He explained that, “while the secretariat of the various committees are busy collating invitations to MDAs, National Assembly can take a maximum of two weeks for oversight function over the 2012 budget. “This way, the consideration of the 2013 will be enriched while at d same time critical time will be saved in the processing and passage of d budget. This will indubitably result in the overall interest of the economy and the citizenry, in view of the huge socio-economic impact of the national budget on the polity. Speaking in a similar tone on why the National Assembly should have allowed the President to lay the Appropriation Bill as he had earlier planned, a university don and social commentator, Professor Jim Unah, faulted the Legislators for their posture on the 2013 Budget proposal on the grounds that over time and based on recent experiences, it had become dif-

ficult for the public “to know when the legislators are advancing genuine or spurious or self-serving arguments in pursuit of private, pecuniary interest often under the subterfuge of oversight functions. According to him, their position becomes even more disingenuous in view of the fact that the two main arguments put up by them to put off the President’s request are tenuous and tendentious, pointing out that “the verification of the abandoned projects and the extent of implementation of the current budget need not be a hindrance to the President’s genuine concern to put the shameful history of unduly delayed budget approvals behind us.” Unah, a public policy analyst and Professor of Philosophy, argued further: “Nigerians think that it is frivolous for legislators to be going on vacation when crucial national issues like reordering the timing of getting the budget ready for effective implementation beckons. “The greatest problem militating against the full implementation of past budgets is undue delay in their passage by both the Presidency and the National Assembly. Is it now that the President wants to take the bull by the horns that the lawmakers should be raking up constitutional issues that are mere emergency sitting of both Houses for 30 minutes could easily resolve?”, he queried. Another legal expert, Barrister Kayode Adaramoye, noted that whereas the responsibility of oversight on capital projects remains within the legislative roles of the legislators, the timing should have been fixed in a way that it would not conflict with the basis of their intentions. Adaramoye, who particularly rued the bickering between the Executive and the Legislature over national matters, including the implementation of yearly budgets from which so much dust had been raised over the past months, said the Legislature should be concerned about how Nigerians can fare better as years of democratic dispensation have not really impacted positively on the electorate. “Yes, I agree that the legislators have the oversight function roles to play in order to ensure that expenditures on projects are commensurate with the results achieved. But the truth of the matter is that we are yet to see in tangible terms how these visits have changed anything. The people are not experiencing improvements socio-economically. So, this raises the question of whether the legislators are really serving the interest of the masses. “Now coming to the issue of the performance of the budget and the President’s intention to get the 2013 budget to the National Assembly, I don’t think waiting for one day to receive the proposal would have stopped them from going on oversight trips as they said. What we have seen so far in the relationship of the two arms suggest clearly that they have some areas of conflicting interests which are not known to ordinary Nigerians. They should stop all the distractions and concentrate on how they can work together to improve the lot of the suffering Nigerians”, the legal expert added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

NNPC to boost revenue earnings by N4.2 trn CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

s the global GDP growth continues to sputter following debt crisis faced by largest developed economies, Nigerians are cheering up with the recent pronouncement by the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Engr. Andrew Yakubu that his corporation is determined to grow the nations proven crude oil reserve from its current level of 37 billion barrels to 40 billion barrels by the year 2020. This has fuelled excitements among Nigerians that the NNPC’s resolve will translate to more money for the country and engender a stable economy. Chairman of the Prime Energy Resources Limited, Chief Chambers Oyibo noted that the move will mean more revenue generation for the country. He said: “Increased crude reserve means more money for

L-R: Head of the civil service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali; President/Chairman of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Mr. Abiola Popoola and Vice-President, Mr. Sunday Korode, at the 44th Annual National Conference of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria in Abuja at the weekend.

the country” Experts say that with the current oil price of $90 per barrel, the additional three bil-

MPC may ease rates –FDC UDO ONYEKA

inancial Derivatives Company, an investment and research company has said that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), may ease rates at next meeting considering current macroeconomic indicators. Speaking at its Monthly Economic Executive Breakfast meeting at the Lagos Business School, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane said current status of macroeconomic indicators such as external reserve, positive real interest rates, moderating inflation (although core inflation is sticky) points in favour of an ease policy stance. Rewane said even though core inflation at 14.7 per cent is still a major threat, August inflation decline by 110bps to 11.7 per cent, a second consecutive month of decline and sharp fall in food prices to 9.9 per cent are also pointers in the right direction. The report by FDC said that even as the MPC may be good to ease rates, it might also decide to adopt a wait and see approach on inflationary pressures before altering stance. The report also said there is indication that the year-end inflation could be lower than previously thought.

It said for the first time all three indicators are positive in the last three years, falling inflation rate, monetary aggregates slowing with a negative year to date growth of 2.28 per cent. The report said, “Volatility in interest rates continue with a downward trend to average 12.95per cent, continued exchange rate stability, robust external reserves of $41.6 billion and stock market at its peak of 8.28 trillion year to date”, are all positive indicators. It also said “inflation differential between the US and Nigeria has declined to 10 per cent from 12 per cent in Q1, this has allowed an improved purchasing power parity of the naira. The high FGN bond yields of 16 per cent p.a for 5-7 year bonds have been a magnet for international institutions fund”. For October outlook the FDC report said inflation numbers for September will come in flat at approximately 11.5 per cent and that stock market liquidity will increase to an average of N3 billion per day, even as stock prices will gain another 10 per cent in October to November. “Naira will converge and pick up a 1 per cent gain in the interbank, interest rates in the money market will remain at approximately 12-13 per cent p.a,” the report said.

lion barrel by 2020 is estimated to increase Nigeria’s earning by $270 billion, approximately N4.2 trillion.

While some people believe that the move will arrest the perennial scarcity of fuel which often throws the coun-

try’s teaming population into hardship, Oyibo said the increased crude reserve has nothing to do with availability or otherwise of fuel in the country. Group Managing Director of NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, stated that apart from ensuring an increase in the level of proven reserves the Corporation is working assiduously towards increasing production from the current figure of 2.4 million barrels per day to a record 4 million bpd by 2020. Nigeria’s production of crude oil now averages at 2.4 million barrels daily after recording an all time high of 2.7million bpd late July. ``As we endeavour to achieve effective transformation of the oil and gas industry in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President our target is to ensure that we grow our proven crude reserves to 40 billion by 2020 and also increase our production to 4 million barrels per day by 2020,’’ Engr. Yakubu stated.

Sada harps on EIA for mining operations CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Minister of Mines and Steel Development Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada has reiterated the importance of the Environment Impact Analysis (EIA) in mining operations in the country. While admonishing the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) recently to always ensure they properly address the issue of EIA before embarking on any form of operation on the sites, Arc. Sada noted the apart from giving a detailed information about the environment, the EIA also serves as a social con-

tract between the federal, state, local governments and the miners. According to him, this agreement when properly addressed will allow for operation free from interference or harassment by any community state or local government officials as often complained by some operators. He said that the EIA gives the states and local government opportunities to be party to the environmental analysis and that their subsequent endorsement means they have dully assessed the impact of the mining operations and bought into it. “The EIA law gives opportu-

nities to the state, local governments and everyone involved to be a party to it. Because the EIA would have been endorsed by an officer of the state and local governments, so the state government will not go and harass the operators because it bought into the agreement, even the community buys into EIA. It is like a contract binds everybody and it clears you from having to go from one person to one person” The minister who maintained that the EIA will guide operators on who to take into consideration, urged miners who have not done it carry out the analysis and obtain endorsement from relevant authorities.

FG’s approval delays single window takeoff, says NPA FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Ports Authority has said that Federal Government’s delay in the approval for the implementation of the Single Window scheme in goods clearance at the ports was responsible for the non commencement of the system. The Single Window concept is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents within a single point to fulfill all import, export and transitrelated regulatory requirements.

The Federal Executive Council had recently approved the re-introduction of the scheme after an earlier contract awarded by the Federal Ministry of Finance under Dr. Olusegun Aganga was suspended for lack of due process. Managing Director of the authority, Mallam Habib Abdulahi, who addressed some members of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents during a courtesy visit, disclosed that NPA is set to implement the scheme but has to wait for the approval of the government for the scheme. “As soon as the Federal Government grants the approval for the take off of the opera-

tions of the system, we will start”, he assured. He, however, disclosed it that is already working on bringing the Port Community System to a reality, an effort which it was gathered was supported by the American Government. President of the association, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu who spoke on the mission of the group, called for a closer tie and regular meetings with the management of the authority. “It will not be out of place if we are invited to meetings that involve shipping companies and other stakeholders”, he advocated.

Business & Finance

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Minister threatens to dismiss underperformed chief executives OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah last week-end in Abuja read the riot act to the managing directors in the country’s aviation sector. Oduah charged the helmsmen to perform or risk being thrown out of their jobs for under-performance. An online statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to Oduah, Mr. Joe Obi stated that in a bid for the helmsmen to perform, she signed a Performance Contract Agreements with the permanent secretaries and the managing directors of the agencies under the ministry. The ceremony, which was held at the minister’s conference room was also witnessed by the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Ntufam Fidel Ugbo.

The minister warned the Permanent Secretary, Ms Anne N. Ene-Ita, the Managing Directors of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. George Ureisi and Mazi Nnamdi Udoh respectively, the Director General of the Nigerian Metereological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Anthony Anuforum and the Commissioner, Accident Investigations Bureau, Capt. Mukthar Usman that there was zero tolerance for under-performance at the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The statement reads in part, “As you are all aware, the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, is a pact for service delivery and accountability in Nigeria. In the same vein, the aviation sector transformation programme focuses on becoming a world-class provider of safe, secure and comfortable air transport sector that is self-sustaining and pivotal to the socio-economic growth of Nigeria. These objec-

tives cannot be achieved if we do not set our targets and be held accountable our actions, decisions and promises. ‘’Based on the agreements being signed today, your performance will be evaluated annually. I wish to underscore the seriousness attached to this initiative and to emphasise the fact that the current leadership has zero tolerance for failure and under- performance. To be sure, there will be very severe consequences for failure and under- performance.” She said for the initiative to succeed in the aviation sector, greater synergy and coordination must be built, adding that the Planning, Research and Statistics Department (PRS) will be strengthened to deliver timely results of monitoring and evaluation. Speaking earlier, the PS, Ms Anne Ene-Ita said the signing ceremony marks a great day in the history of the sector and pledged the readiness of all Chief Executive Officers in the agencies as well as staff members to do their utmost towards the realisation of the transformation agenda of the present government.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Imoke commends Airtel for adopting school ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

ross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has commended Airtel Nigeria for adopting a rural primary school in the state. The governor, speaking when a team of Airtel executives led by the Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Rajan Swaroop, paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar recently, stated that Airtel’s gesture was in line with the state’s vision to provide education to the poorest of the poor in rural communities of the state. Imoke, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong E. Offiong, praised the initiative of Airtel Nigeria to adopt a school in the state unsolicited, which clearly underlines the telco’s commitment to giving back to the community through its visionary corporate social responsibility programme. He explained that latest sta-

Enterprise Bank’s staff calls off protest JOHNSON OKANLAWON

L-R: Executive Director, Citi Bank, Mr. Omar Hafeez; President, Africa Export Import Bank, Mr. Jean Loius Ekra ; Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, at the signing ceremony of a loan facility for Skye Bank in Lagos at the weekend.

tistics indicate that about two percent of the state’s population has no access to education, adding that Airtel’s gesture has increased the opportunities available to the people of the state to benefit from modern education in pursuit of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). According to him, the government of Cross River State has embarked on the renovation of schools across the state in order to create the enabling environment for teaching and leading, and so Airtel’s adoption of Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba in Abi Local Government, is a bold and generous step in the right direction to complement government’s effort in this regard. He expressed the appreciation of the government and people of Cross River State to Airtel for graciously electing to adopt a school in the state, pledging the commitment of his government to ensure that the school is adequately maintained.

nterprise Bank Limited has said that the bank’s staff that protested on Friday has called off their protest. Staff of First Spring Franchise Services, a human resource service provider for the bank, had accused it of reneging on an agreement brokered with their organisation on a number of disputed issues, leading to the disruption of operations at its head office at the weekend. A statement made available to National Mirror and signed by the bank’s Head,

Corporate Communications, Sola Long-Okenimkpe, said the protesting staffers agreed to allow the bank’s management more time to look into their grievances with a view to arriving at a mutually beneficial solution to the matters of dispute. “Before resorting to picketing the bank, a long and quiet negotiation, involving representatives of national officers of Nigeria Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had produced an agreement which the protesting staffers of FSFS reneged on.”

N51bn NCC training institute project ready next year

FAAN warns motorists against indiscriminate parking at airport

KUNLE A ZEEZ

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that its N51billion Information and Communicable Technology training institute in Lagos will be completed next year. Training activities will also commence at the institute by October, 2013 at the ICT training facilities build for Digital Bridge Institute, the training arm, of the NCC. The multi-million Naira project is located at the former Nigerian Telecommunications Limited Office at Oshodi, Lagos which was acquired by the telecoms regulator to build world-class training

structures and infrastructures for DBI. The Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who reiterated the commitment of the Commission to have the project completed and functional next year during the visit of the House Comminute on Communication to the project sight yesterday, said the centre would help eh country bridging the digital divide in the area of knowledge acquisition in the sector. Speaking, Ojobo said as part of measures to build continuous requisite capacity to meet the demand of knowledge required to manage the increasingly advanced technologies in the nation’s telecoms and IT sectors.

“There has been a commitment on the part of the NCC to see that this project through and what you have seen here is a reflection the determination of the Commission to get this project completed. We don’t have abandoned project in the Commission. Any money that is appropriated for a project is utilised well at the NCC,” he said. Ojobo noted that DBI is very strategy in NCC in creating a knowledge base economy, and in building the human capacity required to develop the sector. “This is going to be a high-class institution that can compete with any other IT training institutions around the world because we were in partnership with foreign world-renowned institutions to ensure current and right knowledge is built to support the industry.”

he management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), yesterday issued a stern warning against motorists who park indiscriminately at the country’s airports most especially the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos. Rather than park on the road, the authority is advising them to make good use of the designated parking points at both Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos where well-laid out signages have been provided to guide them on the routes around both terminals. An online statement signed

by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati and made available to journalists noted that the airport environment is a special place and the need to keep international standards is uppermost, hence the need to create a safe and sane environment by ensuring a steady flow of the vehicular traffic. Dati denied that FAAN had been deliberately charging motorists that come into the airport environment, stressing that the objectives of getting a towing company to maintain order at the airport are two- folds: to help FAAN focus on its main business of running airports and terminals, and to serve as deterrent to errant motorists that would not abide by the rules guiding operations around the airport environment.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Discovering what employers want

Contrary to popular notion, experts say vacancies abounds without job seekers being aware of most openings. Worse still is that job seekers do not know what employers want from them; a stumbling block in the job search effort, writes MESHACK IDEHEN.

any stakeholders in the jobs and careers scene are agreed that the present system of tertiary education in Nigeria is not preparing graduates enough to cope with life situations, either in running a business, or pursuing a professional career. Furthermore, debates and arguments have raged for long that the tiny gap that once existed between employers of labour and employment hopefuls in the county has now turned into a major dislocation between both; resulting in a situation where most job seekers are a loss about what employers actually require from them. Managing Director, Findjobs Africa. com, Mr. Funto Akinkugbe, told our correspondent that a little effort on the parts of the employers and potential employees to connect with each other will greatly reduce unemployment in the country, considering that many vacant jobs remain unfilled, because jobseekers do not know how to connect with employers, or know what the employers want for any particular position. “Simply put, employers are looking for evidence that you have the skills and qualities needed to perform well in any role in which interests have been indicated by a potential job seeker”, he explained. “When applying for a new role, job or even as a fresh graduate jobseeker, it is important to think about these points as the major thing that every employer want”, he added. Author of Conceptual Framework on Human Capital Development, Mr. Kunle Rotimi, said in addition to qualifications and technical skills which employers want to see “employability skills, which are almost universal across all employers, are also crucial”. Rotimi said though most job seekers are not aware, that employers will always want to see teamwork in play, problem solving and communication skills, which includes the ability to listen, speak, and write, alongside analytical, computer skills and the ability to take initiatives that borders on planning or organising, self-management and the ability to learn. “No employer will see these skills and not want to engage such job seeker. Positions can even be created by employers to fit a potential employee that may have these set of skills”, he

Rotimi

Akinkugbe

IF THE JOB SEEKERS DON’T KNOW WHAT THE EMPLOYER IS LOOKING FOR, HOW CAN HE OR SHE PROPERLY COMMUNICATE TO THE EMPLOYERS WHY THEY ARE THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION?

explained, adding further that usually, most employers are confident that these skills will enable any potential employee to perform well in the role. Training Consultant, and Managing Director of Team Building Nigeria, Mr. Yinka Olugbodi,told National Mirror that certain attributes that employer are on the lookout for, includes values, personality traits, which may include integrity, commitment, loyalty, enthusiasm, reliability, good selfesteem, sense of humour, motivation, willingness to learn and flexibility and adaptability. Olugbodi said employers expect job seekers to know what their needs are and how they can fill them, adding that it is critical to job hunting success particularly in seasons of economic recession when jobs are difficult to come by that job seekers emphasise what they can bring to the company and how they can assist the employers to move the organisation, considering that once jobseekers know what the employers are looking for, they can tailor their curriculum vitae and

other documents to tally with the employer requirements. Be that as it may, other experts said due to the high unemployment rate in the country that most job seekers apply for all and any vacant positions they come across, with the hope of being invited by employers. Recruitment Expert, Mr. Sunny Agboju think otherwise, explaining to National Mirror it was important for job seekers to know what employers are looking for in their next hiring before applying. Agboju said it was important for those looking for jobs, to know what they are looking for in the workplace, adding that they must make conscious effort and apply to the company or organisations they love to work, considering that such move have advantages like having great co-workers, decent salaries, and a culture where newly employed fits in easily. “If the job seekers don’t know what the employer is looking for, how can he or she properly communicate to the employers why they are the most

qualified candidate for the position? Understanding what the employer is looking for ahead any interview invite, is so the candidate can be sure to communicate all of the information that is likely to be most relevant to the employer”. “Employers are at home with present or potential job seekers that have the ability to work well with others”, said Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, (CIPM), Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, “It is considered as an important and crucial skill by employers, considering that most workers spend a lot of time at work”, he explained. The CIPM registrar added that relevant work experience, creative problem-solving skills also come in handy, when employers will have to make the decision on which job seeker to employ, because experience allows a job seeker to hit the ground running, and many managers do not have time to mentor and train people as it used to be in the past.

NLC committed to national security, economic growth, says Omar MESHACK IDEHEN

resident of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Abdulwahed Omar, has said the congress is committed to the security in the country, and that economic growth is near impossible if security is not in place. Omar said that the recently held

NLC summit on security would go a long way towards sensitising relevant stakeholders on the need to uphold the security of the country, adding the congress would continue proffering solution to the security challenges in parts of the country. Omar told National Mirror that the decision to hold the summit was informed by the deteriorating security situation in the country, despite sever-

al measures so far taken by the government to bring peace. According to the NLC president, “assassinations, armed robberies, bombings, communal and sectarian violence, have led to painful loss of lives, massive displacements, that are interrupting productive activities, with the attendant prospect of acute food shortages, and destruction of properties estimated at billions of naira and capital

flight. “What is more worrisome about the insecurity in the country is the general panic in the land that calls for the dismemberment of the country largely due to concern about government’s capacity to deal with these challenges. “Deeply saddening, is the growing perception of tacit or complicit support for some of these horrendous crimes by some of our elders,” he said.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PENGASSAN accuses Minister of insensitivity to workers’ plight MESHACK IDEHEN

he Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), said the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, is insensitive to the plights of workers in the oil and gas industry. PENGASSAN said further that the minister does not care about the workers in the oil and gas sector, and that her action may is pushing oil and gas workers to the brink of an industrial action. President of PENGASSAN, Mr. Babatunde Ogun, said in a statement, that the oil workers union will support the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), branch’s decision to withdraw the services of members if the government cannot find the workers either dead or alive that were attacked by hoodlums and vandals when they went to repair the damaged pipeline at Arepo, Ogun State. According to Ogun, “the

Ogun

minister that has the oversight over the oil and gas industry does not care about the workers. Since the minister assumed duties, she has never met with the workers. Every entreaties and efforts to meet with the minister and tell her our challenges and problems failed because the minister is

Alison-Madueke

not ready to listen. “We have made several correspondences to the minister to let her know our plights but nothing was done and neither has the minister call us to hear us out. We, including our sister union, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have also tried

ITF to commence bread production training MESHACK IDEHEN

he Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has said it is commencing bread production training programme, in line with its desire of being a one-stop skills training body for greater productivity in the country., The programme which is a two-week skills development course in bread production, according to the Fund, will lead to the acquisition of bread-making skills and the award of the ITF Competency Based Certificate. The Director General of ITF, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, said the training programme is designed for people planning to establish or start-up a business venture in the production and sales of bread, and those in paid-employment that are considering a pre-retirement plan for a bread production outfit. Wapmuk said at the end of the two weeks training, participants are expected to be able to identify raw materials used for production and making of varieties of bread brands; weigh/mix raw materials/ingredients for production of various bread brands; set-up baking equipment/ utensils and bake bread rolls to be required for finish product; package products/bread

ready for distribution in accordance with specifications; apply appropriate health and safety regulations in bread production; and acquire entrepreneurship skills and maintain accurate accounts records of business transactions. He stressed that the training methodology which would include instructions, individual practical, group practical and industrial attachment, is greatly enriched with necessary demonstrations and business skills to enable participants acquire holis-

tic approach for starting and running a successful small business. The first batch of trainees is expected to commence classes on October 15.The focus of the ITF is create an enabling environment for the industries to succeed in the face of threatening economic meltdown. One of the major principles needed by industrialists and investment gurus to succeed in the current situation is quality training that will equip the employees with new skills, competencies and techniques.

to reach the minister through the Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity that yielded no result because of the insensitivity of the Petroleum Minister.” Ogun also berated the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Andrew Yakubu, for not to meeting the two unions,

PENGASSAN and NUPENG, since he assumed office some months ago. “I cannot imagine that despite all the problems in our industry that the GMD of NNPC has not bothered to call the unions to discuss with us on our problems. He should remember that without the workers, there is no NNPC and without NNPC, there is no GMD”. He said that the national body of PENGASSAN is ready to lead the fight, adding, “When we make the call, let us all be ready to stand up and fight for our liberation.” On his part, the Chairman of PPMC branch of PENGASSAN, Mr. O. S. Sadiku, said that vandals are threat to PPMC staff and that government has not shown any commitment to end vandalism. “Human beings, especially our members, should not be used as guinea pigs and killed anyhow in the performance of their lawful and strategic duties. We will withdraw our services if our safety and security is not guaranteed,” he added.

Tips to attract, keep and motivate employees

ere are some tips on retaining and motivating your work force. Provide a positive working environment--One of the main reasons employees quit is the relationship with their first-line supervisor. The fact is many supervisors and managers are unaware how their actions and decisions affect employee turnover. Recognise, reward and reinforce the right behaviour-Money and benefits may attract people to the front door, but something else has to keep them from going out the back. People have a basic human need to feel appreciated and proud of their work. Recognition and incentive programs help meet that need.

Involve and engage-People may show up for work, but are they engaged and productive? People are more committed and engaged when they can contribute their ideas and suggestions. This gives them a sense of ownership. Develop skills and potentials-In a study by Linkage Inc,more than 40 percent of the respondents said they would consider leaving their present employer for another job with the same benefits if that job provided better career development and greater challenges. To eliminate the feeling of being in a dead-end job, every position should have an individual development plan.

Job vacancies

ob vacancies for the week open with the position of a Staff Counsellor (www. jobs.vanguardngr.com) in a firm in Abuja with specialisation in administration and office support, Requiring a minimum qualification of a degree and between 5 to 7 years of experience, the job summary include implementing a staff well being programme aimed at attending to the psychosocial needs of staff and management as well as reinforce healthy work practices. Other competencies are an advanced university degree in counselling clinical psychology or a related mental health profession. Additional training in evidence based trauma

treatment modalities as well as a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol and substance abuse, family counselling training, stress management are required.. Also on offer for the week from (www.jobsvanguardngr. com), is the position in the transport sector for a Vessel Planner in a firm in Lagos. The minimum qualification required is a degree, alongside experience of 5 –to 7 years, with the job summary including taking ownership and maintenance ownership of vessels under control and being a focal point when and during the vessel operation. Other aspects of the job are a constant dialogue with the vessel supervisors and shift

managers on the operational progress and exchange of information as require, and take responsibility for providing the relevant information about crane sequence, vessel’s discharge and load to the vessel, amongst others. From (www,jobberman. com),is the position for Drivers in a growing financial services company in Ondo state, with the minimum qualification of an High School (S.S.C.E) certificate required, and experience of also between 5 and 7 years The responsibilities for the positions are that driver shall strictly observe traffic rules and regulation and maximum speed, while they (The driver) shall maintain assigned vehi-

cles always clean and in good condition, alongside necessary maintenance such as washing and or cleaning of assigned vehicles which shall be done and scheduled properly for the convenience of the client. The driver shall be responsible for the routine check-up of the vehicles, routine checkup to include but not limited to oil, brake function, water, lights and tire condition and the likes, ordinary level certificate and current professional class drivers license, good knowledge of major roads in the state and not being older than 35 years with at least 5 years driving experience are amongst the other requirements.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

FG/UNDP evolve clean cooking technologies

The new clean cooking scheme stoves on display.

Nigeria loses over 95,000 women annually due to complications arising from the use of firewood. This figure, according to the World Health Organisation, represents appropriately 10 per cent of global death. In order to address the drift, the Renewable Energy Programme of the Ministry of Environment launched a clean energy initiative tagged, “National Clean Cooking Scheme”. OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, who covers the first sensitisation campaign recently in Kaduna, reports.

n an emotional laden voice, Mr. Danladi Bako (not real name) gave a moving account of how his mother, aged 60years died as a result of complications arising from excessive use of firewood at the recent National Clean Cooking Scheme sensitisation programme in Kaduna. He said, “I remember that my mother was very much associated with firewood and she spent nearly sixty to seventy per cent of her time by the fire side and what happened? She died from lungs infection arising from excessive smoke. Many more women and children have died as a result of ailments arising from using firewood. For instance, World Health Organisation’s recent report said that over 95,000 women and children die annually in Nigeria from illnesses related to the use of firewood. The figure, according to the WHO records, accounts for appropriately 10 per cent of global death. And there is a growing concern that the figure may increase except something

urgent is done to address this. However, the National Coordinator of the Renewable Energy Programme of the Ministry of Environment, Engr. (Mrs) Bahijjahtu Abubakar, announced that government had mapped out various strategies to ensure the provision of clean and green energy alternatives for the country. According to her, one of the programmes of government aimed at reducing complications arising from the use of firewood is the National Clean Cooking Scheme. The programme, she added, “seeks to address the need for clean cooking technologies. The need for a shift in our prevalent cooking methods is very evident as desertification is a menace occasioned by tree felling for cooking and heating purposes. Also, the scarcity of kerosene is an ever present worry for those that rely on the fossil fuel for household cooking.” Sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the scheme is taking off with pilot proj-

ects in some select secondary schools heralded by massive sensitisation programmes. Some of the schools that have benefitted through the refurbishing of their kitchen to reflect the clean cooking method include, Federal Government Girls College, Zaria, Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo, Government Secondary School, Fadan Kaje, and Government Girls Secondary School, Kwoi. Other initiatives being embarked upon by the Federal Government, according to Abubakar, included Rural Women and Energy Security, a programme designed to enlighten and empower the rural women on their energy need, energy choices and energy access, Rural Women Green Initiative which is also aimed at encouraging the greening of the country’s rural economy through accessing of funds to start their own green business. Addressing participants during a recent sensitisation programme at Government Girls Secondary School(GSS)

Kawo, Kaduna, the coordinator of the initiative, Abubakar said that apart from helping in solving the health related issues arising from the use of firewood, the clean cookstoves being introduced would ensure the various tree planting campaigns nationwide succeed as well as curb deforestation. She said that the stoves would be affordable because facilities would be put in place to ensure that they could be purchased in instalment, including payment for the gas. In order to ensure that the stoves are used in a sustainable manner, she said the scheme is imbued with a buy back mechanism which enables users to return them upon malfunctioning and pick new ones by paying a small amount of money. On the idea behind the scheme, she said, “It is a scheme that is meant to introduce clean cooking practices to Nigerians-clean cooking energy for household use, clean cooking for secondary schools, peasants as well as-restaurant owners and bakers. We cannot continue to accuse people of cutting trees, sabotaging our afforestation programme, without providing viable alternatives. Now that this has been launched and introduced, secondary schools such as GSS Kawo, will have the opportunity of embracing the use of alternative enCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG/UNDP evolve clean cooking technologies CONTINUED FROM 25 ergy. “This project is supported and financed by the UNDP through the African adaptation programme supported by the government of Japan. We are thankful to them. The Minister of Environment, Hadiza Mailafia has expressed our gratitude to them. Now that they have shown us the way, it is now left us to embrace the use of clean energy. It is sustainable and it would help to stop Nigerians being at the forefront of bad publicity. “The bad publicity am talking about is the World Health Organisation report that says over 95,000 Nigerians women die annually from illnesses related to the use of firewood. This accounts for appropriately 10 per cent of global death. So, Nigeria is number one, it is shameful and it is unacceptable that Nigeria contributes over 10 per cent to global death annually due to the use of firewood.” As part of the sensitisation programmes, she stated that Renewable Energy Programme would be organising a national conference with a view to engaging Nigerian women on the health implications of continued use of firewood. She said, “I know for sure that within the next one month, we will be convening a national conference on rural women and energy security. And so, women will be represented from all the local governments across the federation. After the launch, we will go from state to state, local govt to local government, sensitising women, engaging in demonstration to reveal to them the health implications of using firewood, showing them the benefit of embracing clean energy system and creating wealth in every part of Nigeria. Abubakar added that the programme would adopt the same tactic used in drawing people’s attention to the pandemic of HIV and AIDS in addressing the scourge emanating from

Alternative road to toll plaza 2 in Ikota Eti Osa lga, Lagos

the traditional method of cooking by involving faith-based organisations like, catholic missions, Federation of Muslim women, non governmental organisations such as women environment programme, and other organisa-

tions. Some of the participants at the event spoke on the imperative of the new cooking scheme, stressing that they would in-turn help government in spreading the danger inherent in us-

ing firewood in their neighbourhood. A Principal of a Junior Secondary School in Kaduna, Mr. Babasidi Sanusi, lauded the programme, but said that government would do enough to address the scepticism that could arise from it. For instance, he said he could not fathom how bread bakers and Suya sellers would benefit from the new cooking method, without altering the natural course of their delicacies. “The programme is really good. But we need to bear in mind that all things coming new, do attract some level of scepticism. However, if you look at the presentation and what it contains, you will realise that it is something that we will all benefit from. We are talking about the bakers, the Suya sellers-all of these set of people rely heavily on firewood. There is still no alternative to the delicacies they are producing. For instance how do you want a Suyaman to produce the delicacy with gas?”, he queried. Another participant, Mrs Peace Gaiya, said that she would start the sensitisation from her home by buying the gas for use. She said, “We will try to buy the gas and form cooperative that would help us have access to buy the gas cylinders. We will also try to sensitise the rural women. I have been able to benefit from this programme, because through it, I have been able to know that I can save money when I use gas.” Also, Mrs. Chinyio Tiehua, a class teacher at GSS Kawo, said that the programme was an eye-opener for her because she had hitherto thought firewood was the best for cooking. She said, “Honestly, it has been beneficial. Prior to this programme, we do believe that firewood is the most economic form of cooking, especially in mass cooking. But with what I have seen, no matter how big the cooking, gas can also achieve all forms of cooking. To consider that we really don’t need to depend on firewood which is detrimental to our health, is a very good thing.”

Minister orders NESREA to create six additional offices, more regulations

Mailafia

he Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia has signed performance agreement with heads of departments, agencies and units in the ministry, advising them to tie projects delivery to specific time frame. Specifically, the minister said that the performance of the Director General, National Environment Standard Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Mrs. Ngeri Benebo, would be assessed against the provision of more environment regulations and six additional offices to boost employment opportunity. Mailafia who gave the charge in Abuja during the performance signing event charged management staff to show greater creativity, innovation and commitment to project delivery, in line with the performance agreements they

willingly signed. She stated that greater scrutiny and searchlight would henceforth be directed at directors, to assess their capacity to take initiatives and complete various projects within stated time frames. She emphasized that projects must not remain “on-going” endlessly, but must have a definite terminal date. “We cannot continue having outstanding debts”, she added. The Minister stated that the performance indicators derived from inputs of the Departments and agencies on their statutory mandates, as well as areas that the Federal Government considered to be important to the populace, adding, that officials must prioritise, and must deliver. She expressed the hope that the quarterly assessments that would ensue subsequently, would be such that

all concerned would be proud of their renewed effectiveness and efficiency. Giving an insight into the key performance parameters indicated in the contracts, the Minister also directed that the Director General of National Parks Services must ensure total overhauling of the forest reserves, even as she charged the Environmental Health Officers Regulatory Council to ensure more effective deployment of environmental health officers in the states to ensure cleaner, healthier environmental practices She said,” You will be judged by your ability to deliver. We have defended our projects at the National Planning. You will also be asked by the ministry, what you have done. We must tie project delivery to specific time frame as we cannot continue to have outstanding debt.”

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Sports festival, glorified school sports –Udo-Obong 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

IKENWA NNABUOGOR

Villarreal striker, Ike Uche (in green shirt) is one of the players Coach Stephen Keshi is relying on to win the AFCON 2013 ticket

Battle of Calabar: Keshi banks on foreign pros IKENWA NNABUOGOR

uper Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, says he will rely on his foreign legion for this weekend’s second leg of the final qualifying game for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations against Lone Star of Liberia to ensure easy passage to the South Africa 2013 finals. The Eagles host Lone Star at the Calabar Township Stadium in a crucial game where Nigeria needs an outright win or at least 1-1 result to fly past the Liberians. “Barring any ill health or loss of form between now and Satur-

Sport

I am very proud of this team and I believe Nigeria will also be proud of them as time goes on - Golden Eaglets Coach, Manu Garba

Sunshine still in contention –Ogunbote

day, I don’t see how the Lone Star can stop the Super Eagles from winning and qualifying for the Nations Cup in South Africa,” Keshi assured yesterday as the team arrived in Calabar amid pomp and ceremony. “After the first leg draw in Monrovia, I can assure you that we are wiser now and would not give them breathing space here. It is a game we will go all out to win because we prefer that option. “I know the Liberians are highly motivated to cause an upset but my boys are driven by the hunger to qualify and try to win the trophy in South Africa next year. Having missed the last Na-

tions Cup, my players would not want a repeat of that.” Asked why he picked only seven home-based players from the 22 in camp for the impending clash, Keshi said: “With the 15 foreign based players invited for the match, I obviously do not need more than the seven to join them.” Keshi, however, said the fortress at Calabar would stand the Eagles in good stead to emerge unscathed against the Star. “I can only hope that the fans will support as they always did in the past and we will pay them back with victory,” the coach remarked.

unshine Stars Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, has declared that his side is still in the running for the CAF Champions League final ticket despite a 3-3 draw with Al Ahly in Saturday’s semi final first leg in Ijebu-Ode. Ogunbote, who spoke to National Mirror yesterday, said his squad would turn around the game in Cairo in a fortnight. “We have seen it, we have paid the price for late preparation but I can say that now that we have played them and known a few things about them, we can still turn things around in the return match,” Ogunbote said. “No doubt Al-Ahly are an experienced side having won the trophy six times and are regarded as Africa’s team of the century,

but if we can get this kind of performance in the second leg, nothing will stop us from upstaging them.” The Sunshine Stars gaffer pleaded for patience as he plots the way to the Akure side’s revival in the reverse game. “You don’t clap with one hand. We need to be patient. We have learnt a few lessons thereof and with adequate preparation we can still turn the result around,” he further said. “If they can come here and score three why can’t we do the same there or even more? We are determined and we can do it.”

Ogunbote

Governor’s Cup: Lawal makes main draws YEMI OLUS

he International Tennis Federation (ITF) has named only Nigerian Shehu Lawal in the main draws of the first futures of the 12th Governor’s Cup which serves off Friday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan. Although other Nigerians will play in the main draws in both the men and women’s singles of the competition sponsored by FCMB and Etisalat Nigeria, they will pass through rigorous qualifying matches and wild cards usually giving by the world tennis governing body to the host country for less qualified players on the ranking. The ITF in its website listed number 1409 ranked right-handed Lawal in the 20-man main draws in the Men’s Singles for the first week of this year’s Governor’s Cup.

Local male players who will fight for the main draws slots in the qualifiers, if they are not in the wild cards list, are Clifford Enosorogbe, Onyeka Mbanu, Kehinde Alade Destiny, Ford Da Silva, Monday Igbinovia, Samuel Omoile, Ganiyu Yussuf, Pekun Akingbade, Sunday Igbinovia, Omolayo Kazeem Rasaki, Sanni Adamu and Bolaji Olawepo. In the Women’s Singles, Nigeria’s female number one player, Fatimah Abinu, is leading the pack in the qualifiers, though she is favoured to get the wild card slot. Other players are Christie Agugbom, Chinenye Ndidi Izuogu, Blessing Samuel, Blessing Anuna and Osariemen Airhunmwunde. Meanwhile, Secretary of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) Mrs. Nkana Mbora, said yesterday that a list of Nigerian applicants for the wild cards was being compiled.

Poland Tragedy: Embassy opens late player’s file IKENWA NNABUOGOR

he Nigerian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, has opened a file on the late Joshua Tamunobarabonye Pepple, the Nigerian player that slumped and died while on club

duty last weekend. Late Pepple’s friend and player, Charles Okere, told National Mirror yesterday that the embassy was abreast of the incident before taking the latest step. “The embassy has assured on doing everything possible to en-

sure a smooth passage for Joshua,” Okere said, adding that he was in touch with the embassy officials. The deceased father, Evangelist Edward Pepple, however told National Mirror that his club Pomorzanin Nowogard was yet to respond to his numerous

phone calls. “I have called the club on several occasions but they failed to respond,” the sobbing elder Pepple said. “But I have also contacted the Nigerian Embassy with the help his friend Charles and they told me they were already aware of

the matter. “I want his remains flown back to Nigeria for burial but the club is yet to make any official statement. “I’m really counting on the help of the Nigerian Embassy and his club to ensure his flight back home.

Sport

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ivanovic counts Blues blessing

Reds boss relishes su

helsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic, believes off-field troubles at Stamford Bridge have helped to pull the squad closer together. John Terry and Ashley Cole have been making headlines for all of the wrong reasons in recent weeks, but the Blues have shrugged aside possible distractions to maintain their flying start to the season. Roberto Di Matteo claims there is no siege mentality setting in at Stamford Bridge, but Ivanovic feels Chelsea is a more united camp for all that the club has been through. “Maybe the extra pressure keeps you more concentrated and focused,” the Serbia international said yesterday amidst reports that Cole would face FA charge soon over his tweeter comment at the weekend. Chelsea has offered no indication that it is about to take its eye off the ball, with 19 points taken from seven Premier League fixtures and a solid start made to the defence of its UEFA Champions League crown. “It’s good that we are four points ahead at the moment, but it means nothing because we know how difficult this league is and how every game is very tough,” Ivanovic, who has already netted four times this season, added.

iverpool Manag Rodgers, has ha alty of the club’s after another Anfield passed without a win. The Reds are yet to points at home in t League under Rodge son, while they have two league games on turf in 2012 and the international break standings after Sunda draw with Stoke and er has hailed fans for ing support despite te “This is a club th won two Premier Lea at Anfield this calend it’s been nearly a yea club has won conse mier League games. “So to still get the s backing of the supp that type of record, th many clubs who’d get Sunday’s encounte Stoke players booked ers refused to cond physical approach. “I was proud of w young guys stood up we coped while stil play our game,” Rodg

Branislav Ivanovic

Fergie hails team show

Gervinho

Gervinho can strike for Gunners –Wenger

rsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, believes Gervinho can be the new Robin van Perise or Thierry Henry at the Emirates. Gervinho has scored five goals in seven competitive games so far this season for Arsenal after Wenger switched him from a wide to central striker position. “I did that with Robin van Persie. He was more a technical player, it was not obvious to put him as the central striker,” Wenger said yester-

day. “I did it with Thierry Henry, I did it now with Gervinho and I think I will do it as well with Walcott. “They have other qualities that are well suited to our game. Our game is based on movement and technical ability and they have that.” The 25-year-old Cote d’Ivoire striker had a modest first season in the 2011/2012 campaign with Arsenal after signing from Lillie when he scored just four goals.

anchester United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, believes his team produced its best performance of the season so far as the Red Devils beat Newcastle United 3-0 on Sunday. United contributed a convincing display at St James’ Park as first-half goals from defenders Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra and a strike from Tom Cleverley after the break handed them victory which lifted them into second position in the Premier League table and got them back on course after defeat to Tottenham Hotspurs at Old Trafford last weekend. Asked if it was the best United have played this season, particularly in a dominating first 20 minutes, Ferguson said: “I would agree with you.” “It was a great result to come to Newcastle and win 3-0 against a really powerful, aggressive team,

Alex Ferguson

you have to make sure you really perform and keep control of the game and I think we did that most of the time.” Ferguson also hailed Wayne Rooney who produced an influential performance at the head of midfield diamond formation. “I think Wayne is getting fitter all the time,” the manager added. “He needs the game obviously, and he’s put so much work into it.”

Pardew seeks RVP sanction

ewcastle Manager, Alan Pardew, is calling for action to be taken against Manchester United striker Robin van Persie after accusing the latter of elbowing Yohan Cabaye in their 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United. Pardew claims the Dutch striker swung an arm at Cabaye in an offthe -ball incident in the closing stages of Sunday’s game at the Sports Direct Arena. “There’s a bit of history from last year and I don’t know if Robin has been caught up in that, but that was just a little bit unsavoury,” Pardew said. “I actually thought Yohan wouldn’t have gone down if he hadn’t done something. “I didn’t see it myself, but I have obviously seen it on the replay and it looks like he has looked at him and put his elbow there. That is for the FA to look at, not me.”

Robin Van Persie

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Tit bits...

Rooney

upport

Van Bommel tips Milan

Manchester United legend, Ray Wilkins, says Wayne Rooney will eventually become a midfield regular. “It was wonderful to see Rooney play the Scholes role the other night,” Wilkins said yesterday. “I thought he was absolutely outstanding by the way, and that’s where he’ll end up, he’ll drop back in there. As Scholesy did, he played forward areas for a while,

ger, Brendan ailed the loys supporters d encounter

claim three he Premier rs this seae only won n their own ey enter the 14th in the ay’s goalless the managr their ongoesting times. at has only ague games dar year and ar since the ecutive Pre-

Demspey

Aston Villa Manager, Paul Lambert, has shrugged off missing out on Tottenham Hotspurs striker Clint Dempsey. Dempsey had appeared set to join Liverpool only for the deal not to go through before he made the late switch to White Hart Lane. “I wouldn’t have said we were close to signing Dempsey. We tried but it never materialized. The transfer window deadline day is a crazy thing at times,” Lambert said.

support and orters with here are not t that.” er saw six d but Rodgdemn their

Dzeko

was that our to that and ll trying to gers said.

Gareth Barry

Barry eyes England recall

anchester City midfielder, Gareth Barry, has set his sights on reclaiming his place in the England side after his recent omission. Barry was forced to miss Euro 2012 with an abdominal injury and did not return to action until last month, which also cost him a place in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the opening World Cup qualifiers and he is again watching as the national team take on San Marino and Poland over the next fortnight. Reports yesterday suggested Hodgson is set to add midfielders Jonjo Shelvey of Liverpool and Chelsea’s Ryan Bertrand to his squad to cover injuries ahead of the qualifiers, which would mark the former’s maiden senior call-up. “I have not spoken to the England manager, but I understand why I am not in it. My season hasn’t really got going, and I am still getting over the injury,” Barry said yesterday. “I am not going to say too much. I just want to work hard to get back.” Barry admits it has been doubly frustrating because Hodgson only took charge in the summer. The 30-year-old had wants to make an impression on the new manager but knows he must bide his time.

Manchester City striker, Edin Dzeko, admits he’s frustrated by his lack of action at the Eastlands. Dzeko has admitted being in and out of the side does not allow for City’s forwards to establish any kind of consistency in their form or understanding with their fellow forwards. “Sometimes it can be difficult to find your rhythm. You could play one game and then be on the bench for the next three,” Dzeko said yesterday, adding, “The more games you play, the more goals you are likely to score.”

Ozil

Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, has blanked questions about Mesut Ozil’s status as unused player. Mourinho refused to enter any controversy on the eve of Madrid’s trip to Barcelona on Sunday. “There are 13 players who don’t play and every time somebody doesn’t play, there is something made of it,” the Portuguese said. “I am paid to form the line up and I try my best doing it at all times,” he added.

Mark van Bommel

SV Eindhoven midfielder, Mark van Bommel, is confident former club AC Milan will return to the Italian summit. The Rossoneri waved goodbye to a host of veteran players, including the Dutch international, at the end of their contracts in the summer. “It’s not easy to do well after such big changes, but I’m optimistic and I think that Milan will start to climb back up the table,” the PSV enforcer said yesterday. “A lot of quality players have left Milan, but new players with quality have arrived. “They have had a difficult start to the season, losing two games at home, yet the current Milan squad still has a lot of talent, while directors Ariedo Braida and Adriano Galliani are good at what they do.”

LG honours Paralympian Adesokan AFOLABI GAMBARI

he Oluyole Local Government in Oyo State has donated a plot of land to Paralympics gold medalist, Yakubu Adesokan in recognition of the powerlifter’s achievement at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in September. Caretaker Chairman of the council, Hon. Abass Aleshinloye, who made the donation at a well-atended ceremony, said the council’s gesture to the world champion was in line with international best practices and in keeping with the policy of the Federal Government at encouraging and rewarding excellence. “Our administration values industry, excellence and outstanding performances,” Aleshinloye, who also conferred the title of Sports Ambassador of Oluyole on the athlete, said, adding,

“Adesokan has demonstrated his doggedness, resilience, courage and inner strength which have propelled him to global prominence.” Aleshinloye, however, said that many of Adesokan’s kind abound in the country that needed encouragement to excel in their endeavours. National Mirror learnt that Adesokan also got undisclosed gift items from corporate bodies in the local government. In his response, the athlete expressed appreciation to the local government while promising to win more laurels at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and Olympic Games in 2016. National Chairman of Association for People Living with Disability, Afeez Yusuf, who spoke at the occasion, urged people with physical disability to look beyond their challenges and contribute their quota to Nigeria’s development.

Kewell Liverpool legend, Harry Kewell, admits his football career may soon be over if he does not find a new club. The former Leeds United and Galatasaray winger is currently without a club after leaving Melbourne Victory at the end of last season but has been unsuccessful in his bid to continue his career back in the UK. “If something comes up I will have a look at it. Otherwise, I will be happy to move on to a different career,” Kewell said.

Caretaker Chairman of Oluyole Local Government Hon. Abass Aleshinloye (r) presenting a plaque and land papers to Yakubu Adesokan on Sunday

Sport

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

On the track with

YEMI OLUS danyella172003@yahoo.com

Sports festival, glorified school sports –Udo-Obong

festival and won the 400m and within a year I was in the national team. Within two years I had won an Olympic medal. It happened that the best in the festival went on to do well nationally and internationally but now it doesn’t always follow that way. I do not know what the problem is but I feel that we still have a problem with the structure of the festival. It doesn’t allow for high level competition and rules regarding eligibility have diluted the festival such that it is not taken seriously. It is just like glorified school sports.

Twelve years ago, Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s team won a silver medal at the Olympics, which was upgraded to gold in 2008 and re-awarded in 2012. A member of the team, Enefiok Udo-Obong, speaks on this development and other pending issues. How will you assess the outgoing season? Unfortunately everything boils down to how many medals we won at the London 2012 Olympics and if we use that as a criterion to assess the season, it means that it was a terrible season for us. We were in the African Championships and junior competitions; we had athletes running meets around Europe so it’s been a long winding season that also prepares for the future. The future is next year’s World Championships and the Commonwealth Games and we just have to think about these events because if we do not, we will continue to repeat the ‘failures’ which we just had this year. I would say 2012 was disappointing in the sense that we didn’t win medals. However, there were some positives in the sense that we had some very good performances. Ajoke Odumosu ran in the final of the women’s 400m hurdles at the Olympics, the first Nigerian woman to perform that feat. She also set a national record in the event. Blessing Okagbare ran a Personal Best and very good time of 10.9 twice and was also in the final. The relay teams made it to the final so generally the team was not too bad. We won the African Championships too. However, we also have to look at some of the stains during the athletics season. The biggest thing that happens season in and season out is the issue of drugs use. We had two big athletes who were disqualified for the use of suspicious substances and these are things that we discourage. But all in all I would still say that we have a good future. What, in your opinion, cost Nigeria medals at the London

Olympics? It will be unfair to categorize or to discriminate sexually by saying the male or female athletes did this or that. We have gone for some competitions were the male athletes performed well while the females didn’t do too well. At the Olympics in Athens 2004, only the male athletes won medals so we shouldn’t look through and say male or female; it comes in cycles. Sometimes the men do well and other times the women do well. I don’t think there is any science behind that. It is easier to say that we did not do well due to late preparation but what we should never say is that we don’t have good athletes. We always have good and talented athletes who want to succeed. How we nurture those talents to succeed is subject to debate but we do have athletes that are exposed and those that are not exposed. We have to find a way to bring out the best from these athletes. The blood that ran through our veins when we were winning gold, silver and bronze medals is the same blood that is running through their veins now so we should know that we do have talented athletes and we will win again. Just before the London 2012 Games, the International Olympic Committee, IOC officially re-awarded the gold medal from the men’s 4x400m relay at Sydney 2000 to Nigeria… It’s like a soap opera now because this debate has been ongoing; the first issues of drug use came up in Athens 2004 and by Beijing 2008, the International Association of Athletics Federation, IAAF awarded us the gold but they obviously couldn’t give us the

File copy of Enefiok Udo-Obong as he anchored for Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympics

medal because it wasn’t their event. It was an IOC event but the IOC had to recognize that and then four years later in London 2012, the IOC has recognized it. Maybe in the next four years we will be given the physical medal. On a more serious note though, I know that the Nigeria Olympic Committee has written the IOC for the medal and from what I know and history, it might be sent down to Abuja. We will return the silver and they will give us the gold. We were supposed to be six but Sunday Bada is late, may his soul rest in peace. So far the five us have been in contact and we have written to the NOC. We also wrote a petition to the House of Representatives, not just for our medals to be given but for us to be rewarded accordingly because in 2000 we were not received by the government. We won silver but were not given a handshake; we were not given monetary rewards. But we are still carrying Nigeria’s flag because the country’s name is mentioned in almost every Olympics because of us so the honour that is due to us both in recognition and any form of physical means

THE STADIUM LOOKS MORE LIKE A VIEWING CENTRE AND PEPPER SOUP JOINT THAN FOR HIGH LEVEL COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS.

should be given to us. The National Sports festival is no longer what it used to be. How would you explain this trend now that the 2012 edition is around the corner? I don’t know if this is as a result of dearth of talents or if people are not just doing well. I first ran in the National Sports Festival in 1996. Then I was running the 100 and 200m. The person that won the 100m that year was Seun Ogunkoya and he went on to win the national trials the following year. That year he was one of the best in the world and went to the Olympics. In 1998 I competed in the

In the past the National Stadium in Lagos served as a rallying point for athletes but it’s no longer the same… That’s a big shame and whenever I come to the stadium, I want to weep because of the things I see. In the past there was a lot of joy when coming to train in the stadium; there was competition in training and this built the athletes. Now they have tried to commercialize the stadium without putting the much needed facilities from the tennis court to the basketball court and even the gym. I don’t think there is any champion in Nigeria that this gym has not produced. Now it is rotting away and the weights are old and can only be used by body builders because even weightlifters can’t use them anymore. The tracks are bad. In those days while we were training in the main bowl, the Super Eagles would come and wait until we were done. We would then sit and watch them while they trained; it was such fun. The stadium was a reporter’s delight because one could come and get news items that could cover a week in just one day of coming to the stadium but now you come in and won’t even see anybody. It is sad because we are not only killing the infrastructure but also the culture of the stadium. It is no longer like the national stadium just because all attention was focused on the one built in Abuja while that of Lagos was left to die. It is just a microcosm of what is happening to our sports; everything is just dying. The stadium looks more like a viewing centre and pepper soup joint than for high level competitive athletics.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Forest depletion: FG mulls ban on charcoal export ... banning a necessary move in tackling deforestation-Expert

Technical Committee on Product Categorisation on Export Expansion Programme has urged the Federal Government to impose a total ban on charcoal export if it must succeed in its afforestation programme. Irked by the level of forest degradation and its negative effects on the environment, the Federal Government in 2011 earmarked 5billion to pursue afforestation programme. Under the tree planting programme, every state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, will be required to plant one million tree seedlings. The National Afforestation programme was also conceived as part of the country’s REDD+ Programme. Nigeria has secured a $4million grant from the United Nations for the implementation of the REDD+ scheme which began in September 2012 and expected to lapse by February 2015. However, while the tree planting programme has entered its second implementation stage, environment enthusiasts are of the view that the scheme would not achieve its desired goal unless the issue of tree felling is urgently addressed. According to recent reports, Nigeria is experiencing an annual rate of deforestation of about 35 per cent arising from human activities such as illegal and uncontrolled logging, incessant bush burning, overgrazing, unsustainable firewood gathering, oil spillage from exploration activities, and in-

Jonathan

Dikko

appropriate agricultural practices. The call for ban on the exportation of charcoal, a derivative from burning of trees, formed part of the recommendations of a Technical Committee on Product Categorisation on the EEG. An Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Mr. T Aliu who presented the report to the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. David Adulugba, said, “The committee recommended that charcoal export should be prohibited due to the defor-

estation implications.” Apart from that, the committee also suggested that the three tiers of government should be advised to embark on aggressive afforestation programme. He added that the ban should also include outright ban on the sale of charcoal even within the local economy. When asked if the Federal Government would accept and adopt the recommendation, he said, “You heard the Executive Director of the NEPC, Mr. David Adulugba said that our report is still subject to the ap-

proval of the inter-ministerial committee of the Federal Government. “When you say inter-ministerial committee, it means it involves all the ministries and agencies of government. We are hoping that the committee will look into and come up with a valid judgment. I think any serious government will adopt it because it is a good recommendation. For instance, we are having serious deforestation challenge in the Northern part of the country. Except we stop deforestation, there will be problem in the very nearest future. Responding to the banning proposition, the Executive Director, International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED), Mr. Ewah Eleri, said the move to prohibit exportation of charcoal was a necessary effort in arresting deforestation. He said that apart from the health implication of household use of charcoal, he said charcoal production results in 60 per cent of energy loss. In a terse text message, Eleri wrote,” Nigeria should ban the export of charcoal. We are already losing 3percent of our forests annually. Charcoal is a highly inefficient way of using wood energy. “The production of charcoal results in 60percent of energy loss. A growing export market will only accentuate deforestation. Banning the export of charcoal is a necessary effort in arresting deforestation. Other measures must include the use of cooking gas and efficient wood stoves.”

How to buy a home directly from the owner NIA rues low patronage in govt projects

ou don’t need a real estate agent to sell a house. You sure don’t need one to buy a house, according to experts at www. For-sale from owner.com Historically, about 20 percent of annual house sales are direct purchases between the buyer and the owner, though the definition of ‘by owner’ varies. Buying directly from an owner is just as easy as buying a home with an agent advising you. The main difference is that you will have to tackle several key logistical steps on your own, and you will want to work directly with several experts, just as an agent does. Here’s how to have a straightforward, cost-effective transaction with a home seller. Price and place: the two prime factors. How much house you can afford? Where do you want to live? These two factors are in sync: where and what you can buy depends on how much you can spend. A midsized home in a suburb renowned for its schools will likely cost more than a big, newer house on the fringes of the metro area with overcrowded schools. A condo might look like a bargain -- until you factor in the monthly homeowners association fees. Commuting costs count. Can you depend on moderately priced public transportation, or must you have a second car? Your existing debt level also dictates your mortgage limit. Student loans, car loans, credit card balances, child support and other non-negotiable financial obligations are factors that de-

termine how much mortgage debt your household can shoulder. Use our Mortgage Calculators to estimate how much mortgage you can take on. Typically, your down payment plus your mortgage equals how much you can spend on a house. Lenders traditionally require a down payment of 10percent to 20percent. Plug different variables into the mortgage calculators to see how small changes shift the parameters of your mortgage limit and home purchase price. See our Pricing Guide to understand the dynamics of home pricing in today’s market. Use our handy checklist to keep track of the houses you are considering. Track mortgage and financing trends at our Mortgage Center, where content is fresh daily from our partner Bankrate. Get Pre-Approved: Sellers want to know that you are able to buy their home. Getting preapproved for a loan arms you with the single most powerful tool for negotiating with a seller. When a seller knows you can afford her house, she knows that this negotiation is “in good faith,” or, the real deal. Conversely, there is no point in negotiating for a house you can’t afford. Prepare for your conversation with the lender by gathering the calculations you made in Step 1, plus supporting documents. You will need to provide proof of income, show that your savings has been yours for several months (last-minute donations from parents are viewed skeptically by lenders) and show how much you pay monthly on existing loans.

Haruna

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), has bemoaned the low patronage of Nigerian architects, stressing that despite the fact that they could compete with their counterparts anywhere around the world, they are not giving the needed recognition. This is even as the Institute urged the Federal Government to ensure full implementation of the local content law. It would be recalled that the Federal Government had enacted a local content law with a view to giving more priority and patronage to indigenous firms in the execution of government’s projects. However, speaking during the induction exercise for the twenty eight new fellows of the Institute in Abuja, NIA President, Arc.

Ibrahim Haruna, lamented that despite the fact that Nigerian architects had the requisite knowledge and the professional competencies to handle government projects, their foreign counterparts were still being preferred. He said, “I cannot boldly say that the Nigerian architects have been given their deserved place because some of the jobs that could have been done by them are still being given to foreign architects. “In my own opinion, I think Nigerian architects are better placed to handle projects in the country because they are more conversant with the condition of the environment, the kind of technology that is available and the kind of materials that are available.” Haruna underscored the importance of the Nigerian architects to the physical transformation of Nigeria, saying that it was through their creativity and shared professional competence that the country had transformed from what it was in the 60s, to what it is now. “We are celebrating excellence that our great profession has championed in the transformation of the Nigerian urban cities from what they were in the 60s (when NIA was born with the nation) to what they are today. “A reflection of what cities like Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Kaduna and Kano were in the cities with the gable roofs over 2 or 3 storey buildings, to the present day skyline dotted with skyscrapers and fly-overs, you will agree with me that these structures give a vivid image of the growth and rise of the Nigerian architect, as the key player,” he said.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Simple guide to buying dining room furniture I f you’re looking to buy a new dining table and chair set in the near future, it is a good idea to do your research and see what is out there before committing to a choice. There are a number of different factors that you should take into account before buying your dining room furniture, expert @ homedit.com advised that you should make sure you have all the relevant information to hand before signing on the dotted line. Firstly, you’ll need to make a decision on what size of table would fit – or look – best in your dining room. Don’t be tempted to go for the biggest possible table that your room will take; it’s important to find the right balance between the size and shape of your ideal table with the practicality of actually using it in your room. If your dinner guests are going to be squeezed up against the wall during the meal then that’s far from ideal, so think about downgrading your table size expectations if necessary. Another big decision is the style of furniture that you would like for your dining room. Would you prefer a tra-

Sources: homedit.com

ditional wooden table and chair set? Or would a clear glass table be a better fit for your room? Whatever your general style choice, there are a huge number of individual options within that umbrella, allowing you to choose something classic looking but also retaining an element of uniqueness. Also be aware that the table you like the look of the most in isolation may not necessarily fit in well with the décor of your dining room, so keep that in mind when making your choice. Also, have a think about whether you want a table with the traditional long, rectangular shape or whether you’d like to go for something a bit different, such as a round or oval table. These are becoming more and more popular, so have a think about whether a more unconventional shape will work in your dining room. The big factor, of course, is cost. Thankfully, there are a large number of very reasonably priced dining room furniture sets so you don’t need to break the bank to get kitted out. If you’re on a budget, however, do think about cost versus durability.

THINK ABOUT WHETHER YOU WANT A TABLE WITH THE TRADITIONAL LONG,

RECTANGULAR SHAPE OR WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO FOR SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

FCTA raises committee on affordable housing policy guidelines OMEIZA AJAYI

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), at the weekend constituted a technical committee to evolve policy guidelines and modalities for its affordable housing programme. Inaugurating the committee, Permanent Secretary at the FCTA, Engr. Anthony Ozodinobi, charged the members to establish a viable and sustainable partnership between the public and private sector in the delivery of affordable housing. He said, “We need pragmatic policy guidelines that would deliver affordable housing in FCT. The administration is committed to realising its affordable housing programme, which has necessitated the setting up of a technical committee to work out the policy guidelines.” The terms of reference for the committee are among others are; set out modalities for the involvement of government ministries, departments and agencies in affordable housing delivery in the FCT; to determine strategies for involvement of estate developers, investors and building material manufacturers and suppliers in affordable housing delivery in the territory and to establish effective, transparent and credible procedures that will ensure that the targeted social class and categories of income group are direct beneficiaries of the housing scheme in FCT. The committee is to determine the types of houses to be developed and suggest specifications for such houses as well as propose methods of land management and participation of developers and inves-

Housing units at Elegunshin Estate, Lekki, Lagos

tors in affordable housing development, and suggest various ways of accelerating production of affordable houses in FCT. The committee has up till October 15, to submit its report to the minister of State for FCT. Chaired by the Director, Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA), Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim Bakori, the committee was established based on the directive of the Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide.

Other members of the committee are; the Director of Mass Housing, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Jibrin Gambo; Director of Resettlement and Compensation, Mr. Francis Okechukwu; Director of Survey and Mapping, Mr. Ade Medupin; Director of Urban and Regional Planning, Mr. Abubakar Sulaiman, and Director of Abuja Geographic Information System, Dr. Mohammed Isah Jalo. Other members are Senior Special As-

sistant (Technical) to the Minister of State for FCT, Engr. Kunle Mokuolu; Special Assistant on Lands to the Minister of FCT, Mr. Hussaini Badeggi; Special Assistant on Lands to the Minister of State for FCT, Mr. Nasir Ahmed; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. David Gende; Alhaji Saka Olajide, and the Director of Engineering Services, FCDA. On his part, Bakori, expressed the commitment of members to produce sustainable housing policy guidelines for the FCT.

Give women engineers more opportunities, says Fashola’s aide

Fashola

DAYO AYEYEMI

pecial Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, an engineer, has called for an improvement in opportunities available to women engineers within the Nigerian environment. The special adviser stated this while delivering a lecture titled, “Role of Women Engineers in Our Society”, at the 5th APWEN National Conference/30th Anniversary Celebration held in Lagos. He stated that though there had been a number of women engineers who had held top level position in engineering, there is a general lack of access due to the perception

that the profession is gender sensitive. He disclosed that women are under-represented in education especially in science and technology and therefore, called for urgent attention. He attributed this to the fact that women are not well represented in the field of science and technology as a result of lack of interest in the fields due to calculations involved. However, he said the present generation has changed the perception by aggressively taking up challenges in science and technology. Johnson disclosed that less than 30percent of career women get to the peak due to gender discrimination. He, therefore, urged the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), to rise up with one voice against the discrimination with the support of legislation. Stating that lack of access is not peculiar to the Nigerian women engineers, Johnson noted that factors such as societal gender assumptions, objective and organisation of education and practice of science and technology accounts for the situation. He challenged APWEN to evolve strategies that will improve access for women engineers and also actions that will encourage women engineers in training to effectively challenge them for their rightful place in their profession. Johnson also suggested role modeling as a possible option for APWEN. He asserted, “Women Engineers are a wonder-

ful untapped resource, and by bringing more visibility to them. It will inspire young girls to become engineers.” The special adviser further listed the areas of focus for APWEN’s action to include teachers’ attitude to girls in Science, a new guidance and counseling role biased towards girls and science education, public enlightenment and a

legislation preventing discrimination in hiring practices. While appreciating the Lagos State Government for the huge work being done in the area of infrastructure development, the President of the association, Mr. Olayinka Abdul also commended the state government’s initiative on Independent Power Projects.

FG partners Indian firm on road infrastructure

n furtherance of its commitment to transform the nation in the area of road development, the Federal Government is collaborating with an Indian conglomerate, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) for the provision of road infrastructure in the country. The Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda said this at a meeting with the management of the firm, led by Mr. Ravi Sreehari in Abuja. Yuguda urged the firm to come-up with a detailed proposal on areas the company intend to invest in the country. For instance, the minister told the delegation of government’s commitment to the dualisation of the Ilorin-MokwaBirninGwari-Kaduna and many more roads in the six geo-political zones in the country. He implored the firm to take advantage of the Public Private Partnership PPP Act and use their guidelines for smooth

execution of proposed investment in the road sector. The minister stated that the present administration’s Transformation Agenda was irrevocably committed to transparency oriented projects and therefore urged them to imbibe the culture of due process as guidance in their investment drive. Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Sreehari noted that their firm had always adopted international industry best practices and complied with a globally accepted project development methodology in executing jobs in all their host countries. The firm, which was incorporated since 1987, is a premier financial services company serving an outstanding array of clients in the private, public and joint sectors, which specialises in delivering innovative and practical solutions in the areas of infrastructural development as well as financial services.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World’s wealthiest property buyers opt for central London

Heygate estate in south London

ome 57 per cent of overseas high net worth individuals name London real estate as their top target investment class, according to a report unveiled by international property consultants Cluttons. According to Property Wire, the global appetite for both London residential and commercial real estate assets has seen an upturn in the last 12 months with overseas investors, both institu-

tional and individual, contributing almost 90percent in recent commercial asset transactions, says Private Capital Survey 2012. However, the firm says that headline reports of London being a safe haven throughout the global economic crisis, although not inaccurate should not be overplayed. According to Cluttons, 86 per cent of HNWIs pinpointing London as their

Currency fluctuations make property in Brazil affordable

he strength of Sterling against the Brazilian Real means that for British buyers property in Brazil is even more affordable, it is claimed. According to Property Wire report, sterling is trading at a two and a half year high against the Brazilian Real and this means that if you bought a five star two bedroom beachfront apartment south of Natal on 01 June 2011 it would have cost £111,617 but now the cost is £90,564, according to Samantha Gore, sales manager of Brazil specialist estate agents uv10. ‘From early June 2011 until now the Brazilian Real has been fading against the Pound, to the tune of 28percent. Likewise, the US Dollar is at a two and a half year high and the Euro a two year high against Brazil’s currency,’ she said. She pointed out that a very attractive Brazil property buying scenario has come about by the retreat of the Real. The Eurozone collapse has sent shockwaves over to Brazil as investors fear that demand for this Latin American nation’s exports could drop sharply as an at least partial Eurozone breakup becomes increasingly likely. Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega is pleased that the Real is losing value and therefore becoming more competitive. ‘The weak real is beneficial for the Brazilian economy because it makes Brazilian products more competitive, which means that Brazilian industry can better compete with imported products that become more expensive, and can export more,’ he said recently.

Gore believes that optimism in Brazil extends further. ‘The middle class continues to grow, fuelling demand for property and keeping prices on an upward trajectory, at least for a few more years. Benchmark interest rates have just been lowered to 9%, which is great news for local buyers eyeing a mortgage and developers seeking finance for new projects,’ she explained. ‘In 2014, the FIFA World Cup comes to Brazil and then Rio de Janeiro takes on Olympic hosting duties in 2016. Once these events have passed, there will still be huge oil exploration to keep Brazil in the spotlight and in the money. Meanwhile tourist arrivals continue to rise, further fuelling the country’s economy which managed 2.75percent GDP growth in 2011,’ she added. Figures also show that last year Brazil welcomed a record number of visitors. Ministry of Tourism data shows there were 5.4 million visitors, 5.3% up on 2010’s figures. Best Western International has responded by opening its 17th hotel in Brazil, but the first from its Best Western Premier brand, the five star Best Western Premier Majestic Ponta Negra Beach, one the most famous beaches in Brazil. Best Western International aims to have 20 hotels in Brazil by 2017 and Marriott is also adding 12 hotels to its five existing properties in Brazil as it predicts a hotel room shortage throughout the sporting events calendar. Gore pointed out that two bedroom properties at Golden Fields, Natal, start from around £48,800.

top investment city already have strong ties to the UK whether through second homes, children’s education or expansion of existing investment portfolio. London has always been a solid investment choice. Some 71 per cent of HNWIs surveyed said they were planning investment activity in the next three to six months in their first choice target city. And at over two thirds higher than last year, inves-

tors stated that the target city will be outside their domestic market. Middle Eastern investors interviewed identified London as their first choice city. In particular those from Dubai and Bahrain were continuing to look at prime central London residential as their obvious target location. The report suggests that growing demand pressure on this scarce asset class will drive values up further and the rapid recovery of central London residential markets from the impact of the global credit crunch is a key factor influencing investment decisions. Investors surveyed in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore also identified central London residential as their primary offshore investment target. While HNWIs in Bangkok ranked London behind Myanmar and Indonesian wealthy private investors were still looking to Singaporean and Australian residential before considering London. ‘This new survey from Cluttons takes a unique insight into the live investment intentions of HNWIs across the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. Quite remarkably, 43% of these highly mobile investors state that the global financial crisis has had no impact on their view of London as a top investment target location,’ said Bill Siegle, senior partner, Cluttons. ‘In fact, almost a third go on to claim that London is better placed because of the Eurozone difficulties. But Cluttons’ global view is that there remains no room for complacency,’ he added.

Property and rent to fall in UAE due to over supply

ew properties coming on stream are expected to keep house prices and rents in the United Arab Emirates subdued and under pressure, it is claimed. According to a new report from property advisor Tasweek only sought after locations in Dubai is likely to see any improvement because of the sheer number of releases in the real estate market. Abu Dhabi is likely to see house prices and rents drop by between 2percent and 10percent while in Dubai less p-popular locations could see falls of 2percent to 5percent. Some 2,900 units have been released in

Dubai property

Abu Dhabi in the second quarter of this year and stocks are currently at around 199,800 units, Tasweek said in its report. Masood Al Awar, chief executive officer of Tasweek, said that the expected shift in demand to distressed eurozone countries could further impact the UAE market as more real estate investors from the region are eyeing European bargains in light of the continent’s economic pressures. It said that Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) currently commands the highest average annual rents in the emirate, starting at AED75,000 for a studio, going up to AED230,000 for three bedroom units.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

‘Corruption, lack of transparency bane of PPP in aviation’

ublic–Private Partnership (PPP) describes a government service or private business venture, which is funded and operated through a partnership between government and one or more private sector companies. PPP involves a contract between a public sector authority and a private firm, in which the private firm provides public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project. In some types of PPP, the cost of using the service is borne exclusively by the users of the service and not by the general public. In other types, capital investment is made by the private sector on the strength of a contract with government to provide agreed services and the cost of providing the service is borne wholly or in part by the government. Most advanced governments of the world have adopted PPP as the mode of carrying out development in their countries with the populace and the country benefiting from the scheme, but unfortunately, PPP in Nigeria most especially in the country’s aviation industry has been riddled with crises, accusations and counter-accusations. One of the major PPP projects in Nigeria’s aviation industry today is the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos. Other concessioning agreements or PPP in the sector are Maevis Nigeria Ltd, Pan Express Services and I-Cube West Africa Ltd among others. For over a year, the concession agreement between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Maevis Nigeria Ltd was put under test before FAAN management was able to dislodge the concessionaire under a controversial circumstance. The concessionaire is still in court challenging its ejection. Before the eviction, industry unions; Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) insisted that the contractual agreement between both parties was lopsided in favour of the concessionaire and therefore, called for outright cancellation while the company on its part maintained that the agreement had been reviewed about three times since it came into effect in 2008. Besides, as lofty as the BASL project seems, it has been under controversies since inception, which is yet to be resolved five years after the commencement of flight operations at the terminal. While a section of industry players said that the agreement signed between the terminal operator and the government was 36 years, others insisted it was 12 years. Till date, the tenureship had not been agreed upon by both parties. Despite the fact that the terminal has been operating for more than five years, some indigenous carriers still operate domestic operations from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which the management of the terminal said was contrary to the contractual agreement entered into with the government in 2003 when it was given the right to reconstruct the burnt government’s terminal building in 2001. At a two-day industrial relations workshop for representatives of management and branch trade union leaders in Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) last week, PPP in the sector once again came under focus with each participant airing their views on the model and its failure in the sector. Many wondered why a model that has become a success story in other climes especially in United Kingdom, United States, India, China, Bangladesh and even South Africa has been riddled with unpalatable stories in the country. Delivering a paper on ‘“Advantages and Disadvantages Derived from Privatisation, PPP, BOT, Concession of Government Revenue points and Director Labour Practice,’ a university lecturer, Prof. Ayo Olowe noted that the scheme has been successful in most countries, but failed to live up to expectations in Nigeria. Olowe, a Professor of Finance, University of Lagos, identified corruption as a major stumbling block against a successful privatisation exercise in Nigeria most especially in the country’s aviation sector. He decried that most of the public assets privatised in had failed because they were not done transparently by the government, adding that Nigerians were yet to fully benefit from the scheme. He stated that most of the concessionaires in the coun-

Public-Private Partnership, last week, came under focus when participants at a two-day workshop for management and branch trade union leaders in Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) spoke extensively on why the scheme is yet to gain popularity in Nigeria. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

Oduah

Olowe

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO CONCESSION SOME OF HIS ASSETS, THE

CONCESSIONAIRE ALSO HAS THE DUTY TO IMPROVE ON THE ASSETS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IN

NIGERIA, THE CONCESSIONAIRES ARE NOT INVESTING. THEY ONLY PRE-OCCUPY THEMSELVES WITH

REVENUE COLLECTIONS AND THESE REVENUES ARE NOT EVEN ACCOUNTED FOR try had refused to build on the assets concessioned to them by the government, rather, they are only interested in profit making at the expense of safety and security of Nigerians. He challenged the government to take a proactive step to tackle fraud in the system most especially the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme in the aviation industry. He insisted that the country’s aviation industry could not survive with the high level of corruption ongoing in the sector, noting that the sector requires capital investment and high financial discipline. He said, “Based on the reactions so far, privatisation or Public-Private Participation (PPP) has not been fully implemented in Nigeria. It is only in the area of concession that I think we have tried in terms of commercialisation. “If someone wants to concession some of his assets, the concessionaire also has the duty to improve on the assets, but unfortunately, in Nigeria, the concessionaires are not investing. They only pre-occupy themselves with revenue collections and these revenues are not even accounted for. The major thing I can see going on with the aviation industry’s PPP is fraud. So, there is a need for government to see what they can do to eradicate the fraud in the system.” He, however, explained that despite the privatisation drive in the country, PPP still remains the best option for the country if done transparently and due process followed by the government. Also speaking, a navigational scientist from the same institution, Dr. Andrew Akala said privatisation can only become successful in the sector if it is done transparently without transferring government’s monuments to private hands. “I support privatisation, but it should be done in a way that the government monuments are not being transferred, but some sub-section of it can be given to concessionaires. However, the real monuments that are still standing should not be given out to concessionaire that is what I can say.” An industry consultant, Mr. Chris Efoghe said the exercise has brought more benefits to the sector than disadvantage. He explained that PPP has brought about more accountability and improvement in the services rendered to the users of the airports nationwide, adding that with more inputs from the private investors, the sector would grow Efoghe observed that for instance, MMA2 recorded 2,560,961 inbound and outbound passengers for 2011, adding that it has capacity for about five million passengers. He maintained that if

all domestic airlines were made to operate at the new terminal, the passengers’ traffic would have increased while the terminal operator would operate at a profit. He decried the policy summersault of the Federal Government, stressing that if the approach was not changed, it would send away genuine investors from the country. He, however, said that emerging countries in the Asia Pacific and Latin America have continued to drive infrastructure development through PPPs. According to him, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Vietnam, PPP forum report in March 2008, shows that more than 75,000 greenfield projects have been initiated within a decade and half on the platform of public and private co-operation. He explained that recent government agenda show that infrastructure development is gaining momentum in the country as in the past 10 years, over 25 major infrastructure projects have been rolled out through PPPs. He observed the Federal Government, State and Local Governments have contributed over N10trn ($66bn) to these projects, but said the total investment required to meet the vision 20: 2020 target for infrastructure projects is N32trn ($210bn), a challenge he said should not be left at the doorstep of the Government alone. He said, “I think the only way to grow is for this country to meaningfully engage in PPP because Nigeria‘s infrastructure challenge is huge. Recent reports suggest that the country requires between $12billion to $15billion annually for the next six years to meet the infrastructure requirements. It has become evident that the Government alone cannot muster the resources to meet this need and the involvement of the private sector is not just desirous, but necessary. It is no wonder therefore that the majority of infrastructure projects currently underway at both State and Federal levels are powered by PPPs. “PPPs are relatively new phenomena in Nigeria; hence the institutions necessarily to support these schemes are relatively young. The Federal Government recently set up the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, an institution responsible for setting guidelines to promote, facilitate and ensure the successful implementation of PPP projects. It states that its primary objective is to achieve better value for money for infrastructure services and enhance economic growth. The agency is at its infancy and will require vast resources to enable it to fulfill its obligations.”

Aviation

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

FG to commission Lagos Airport in phases STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he former General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Akin Olukunle has revealed that the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos will be commissioned in phases by the Federal Government after the ongoing remodeling exercise. Olukunle who spoke with National Mirror recently before he was transferred to the Protocol and Passenger Department said this was necessary as a result of the magnitude of works being done in the terminal. He said government could not wait for the project to be completed before the commissioning; saying that any moment from now, government would commence the commissioning of some of the airports under reconstruction in the country. First to be commissioned at MMIA according to him, was the E-wing extension of the terminal, which he said would be commissioned next month while the D-wing would be commissioned first quarter of 2013. After the commissioning of the D-wing, he said govern-

Uresi

ment would move to the 3rd floor of the building where it is expected to carry out repair work on the floors and separate the arrival and the departure halls of the terminal. As presently composed, the arriving and departing passengers mixed, which negates the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisa-

tion (ICAO). He explained that on completion, Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, would have bequeathed to the nation a world class airport, adding that the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Port Harcourt would be among the best on completion because of the new plan adopted by the contractors. On the archaic conveyor belts at the MMIA, he explained that the management of FAAN had procured three new belts that would be installed immediately after the completion of the ongoing remodelling exercise. He said, “The present government has done a lot to uplift the standards in the Nigerian aviation industry and I can assure you that the conveyor belts are already procured and ready for use, but we can’t do that now until we are through with the ongoing remodeling exercise, which is in its last stage. “By the time all these things are put in place, you will realise that Nigerian airports have leapfrogged from what it used to be, to the next level. We will do our best possible to bequeath to this nation the necessary comfort and safety expected from airports. That is our duty and that is what we will do.”

BA announces new airfares for Nigerians on UK, US, routes

he British giant carrier, British Airways last week announced new airfares for its Nigerian customers flying from either Lagos or Abuja to United Kingdom, United States of America (USA) and Canada. The airline said the new promo, which is tagged, The Independence Offer is in commemoration of Nigeria’s 52 years of independence and it affords its customers the opportunity to make fantastic savings while travelling with the airline. For those travelling from Lagos to London, the airline said

the fare starts from $352 for World Traveller, $952 for World Traveller Plus, and $2,252 for Club World. BA customers who want to travel to major cities in the US and Canada can also buy World Traveller tickets from as low as $502 and $552 for Abuja and Lagos respectively. For those travelling on the World Traveler plus, the fares start from $1,402 and $1,452 for Abuja and Lagos respectively. Club World fares on these routes start from as low as $3,052 for Abuja and $3,252 for Lagos. Commenting on the new

The event coordinator, Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu, speaker, Prof. Ayo Olowe and a participant at a two-day conference for management and branch trade union leaders in Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) last week.

fares, the Country Manager, B.A/Iberia in Nigeria, Mr. Kola Olayinka said the new offer, which commenced on the 29th last month is valid till October 13. He said those travelling to United States destinations like New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Dallas, Tampa Florida, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco can also benefit from the offers while those travelling to Canadian destinations like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver are also accommodated in the promo. All fares, he added, are exclusive of taxes and surcharges, with outbound travel scheduled between October 1 and December 15, 2012. He advised customers to check with their International Air Transport Association (IATA) certified travel agents, or the British Airways website, for more details of the special offer. Olayinka said the new offer was British Airways’ way of celebrating the nation’s 52nd independence anniversary with its customers, and Nigerians in general. He restated the commitment of the leading airline to offering value for money for its Nigerian customers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Is Aviation Round Table in disarray?

viation Round Table (ART), is the most formidable Non-Governmental Organisation and a pressure group, which for over a decade been putting the helmsmen in the aviation industry, including ministers of aviation on their toes on policies of the Federal Government in the sector. The body comprises proven and respected aviation stakeholders who can discuss any issues in the sector, not only in Nigeria, but in the globe. However, Airside observed that all may not be well with the group as it seems the once formidable body now has cracks in its walls, which if not immediately checkmated, may allow ‘unwelcomed reptiles’ to penetrate its ranks. For instance, the Secretary General of ART, Mr. Sam Akerele

sometime last week disowned one of its members for anti-group activity to stop the Coroner Inquest the Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012 sitting in Lagos. ART accused an “individual for unilaterally, without approval or mandate, used an organisation labelled “Civil Aviation Round Table Initiative”, to pursue the objective of stopping the Coroner Inquest. The organisation is UNKNOWN to us and is not Aviation Round Table (ART), which has been in existence since 2002, comprising of professionals in the aviation sector.” What baffles Airside was that unlike in the past where press statements were signed by both the President and Secretary General, the last statement was solely signed by the Secretary General. Hope ART is not shifting to oblivion? Only time will tell.

Unnecessary expansion of FAAN’s directorates

he Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation last week announced the restructuring exercise in all the agencies and the expansion of FAAN’s directorate from seven to nine. While many have commented for and against the ongoing restructuring exercise in the sector, Airside is more concerned about the expansion of directorates in FAAN especially at a time when the Managing Director of the agency, Mr. George Uriesi was complaining of staff redundancy in the agency. In other viable aviation industries like United Kingdom, United States and even South Africa, directorates are being collapsed

while efficiency is improved, but in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. The South Africa Airports Company (SAAC), a counterpart of FAAN, has six directorates; Airport operations; Finance and Corporate Services; Communication and Brand Management; Governance and Assurance; Human Resources and Commercial. The question Airside is asking is, “Where did the Nigerian Government get its module to expand the directorates of FAAN? Hope the National Assembly will not wait till the sector is destroyed before it speaks on this pertinent issue? Is the creation of additional directorates another means of saying ‘Thank you to the boys?’

Delta 360˚ Lounge opens at Chelsea Football Club for passengers

elta Air Lines, the official airline partner of Chelsea Football Club, recently opened the doors of its new Delta 360˚ Lounge at Stamford Bridge. Located within the Millennium & Copthorne Hotel at Chelsea FC, the lounge the airline said will host Delta’s VIP guests on match days and provide a new venue for hotel guests and visitors for breakfast and refreshments. An online statement signed by the airline’s media consultant in Nigeria stated that the 360° Lounge uses Delta and Chelsea FC branding to create a distinct atmosphere and that guests attending games will receive airline-style tickets inviting them to ‘check-in’ for the match at the lounge. An LED-lit ‘runway’ leads guests to a dedicated entrance where inside they can enjoy top-flight hospitality, see Chel-

sea players past and present on Chelsea TV and watch the game screened live. Inside they will also learn more about the partnership between the US airline and the Champions of Europe. Delta’s Senior Vice-President for Europe, Mr. Perry Cantarutti said of the partnership, “We are delighted to open the new 360°Lounge at Chelsea FC. The lounge is an important feature of our sponsorship deal and enables us to bring a taste of Delta’s service from the sky to the stadium, adding another exciting element to the Chelsea FC experience for our customers and partners.” Chelsea Football Club’s Chief Executive, Ron Gourlay said, “The Delta 360˚ Lounge showcases our innovative and creative approach towards our commercial partnerships. It allows Delta to have a year-round connection with Chelsea Football Club at Stamford Bridge.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Insurers, brokers panic over NAICOM’s ‘No premium, no cover’ policy

Insurers, brokers and agents are presently looking at the possibility of underwriting insurance business on a cash and carry basis following a new mission by the industry regulatory body, the National Insurance Commission to enforce the law on ‘No premium no cover’ from October 1, this year. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO reports that this new mission has unsettled the operators.

perators in the Nigerian insurance industry have again woken up to another course of action from the regulatory body, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), this time, an unusual independence gift on premium payment.

It demands that from October 1, 2012, all insurance covers shall be provided strictly on a ‘no premium no cover’ basis. NAICOM disclosed this to insurers, brokers in a circular sent to them recently. The circular which was obtained by National Mirror from an insurer was not signed by the commission. The requirement is already causing tension among the operators and while some consider this to be a positive development in the industry and meant to set them free from the yoke of outstanding premium, others rebuff and doubted its authenticity as it was not signed by anyone in the commission. Meanwhile, the circular stated that only cover for which payment has being received, directly by the underwriter or indirectly through a duly licensed insurance broker, shall be recognisable as income in the books of the insurer. This means that henceforth, insurance is going to be on a cash and carry basis from now on and it becomes an offence to for any insurer, broker or agent to sell insurance to any individual, corporate entity or government on credit. Suffice to state that the policy is not entirely new to the industry but the regulator now wants to effectively enforce the law. Section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 on premiums states that the receipt of an insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk, unless the premium paid in advance. Section 50 (2) further states that an insurance premium collected by an insurance broker in respect of an insurance business transacted through the insurance broker shall be deemed to be premium paid to the insurer involved in the transaction. What is however new in the circular is that the commission shall no longer recognise outstanding premiums which operators include in their financial report. According to NAICOM, “Only cover for which payment has being received, directly by the underwriter or indirectly through a duly licensed insurance broker, shall be recognisable as income in the books of the insurer. “Also, 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. The circular further read, “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 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

MD STI, Onaolapo

Staco MD, Sakiru Oyefeso

THE DIRECTIVE IS NOT NEW, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS JUST A REGULATORY SUPPORT. FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO STRAY FOR A LONG TIME, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO CHANGE AND MAY ALSO CAUSE SOME FRICTION shall be liable to a fine of not less than N250, 000 in each case of failure to notify”. Sequel to this circular, insurers grant cover with the hope that the required premium would be paid later leading to unending outstanding premiums which in turn promote illegalities and cripple the development of the sector. While efforts are being made to recoup this outstanding premium, such efforts usually prove abortive and on a yearly basis, the insurance companies continue to include the unpaid premium in the financial reports. In an interview with the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel affirmed that the circular is real. He, however, said that the circular circulated to the insurers and brokers is an exposure draft but it is going to happen from January 1. He said, “It is an exposure draft but it is going to happen from January 1. It is not a new thing. It is in the law and that is why it is not signed but it is real from January But a broker, Mr. Shola Tinubu who is the Managing Director of Scrib Insurance Broker opined that strict enforcement of the law will force the insurance market to contract by about 30 and 40 per cent. According to him, this means the number of individual and corporate entities who buy insurance will

reduce. “The directive is not new but I believe it is just a regulatory support. For the people that have been allowed to stray for a long time, it may be difficult for them to change and may also cause some friction”. “The cash business that we have is going to reduce because people are used to buying insurance and paying in three, four months. “The commission is not apologetic about fines and sanctions imposed on companies. But i believe the commission cam be lenient in the way the fines are implemented in other for people to adjust their behaviour.” Speaking on the development, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimehin saidww that issues of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of not paying premiums as and when due is been addressed with the new requirement in the circular. Adetimehin noted that the regulator has assured everybody in the industry that all machineries to tackle the anomaly are in place. Similarly, President of the Association of Registered Insurance Agents (ARIAN), Mr. Kingsley Obuvie said it is a good development noting that it is a good independence gift that would set the industry free from the yoke of outstanding premium.

Insurance

STI settles claims N369m in Q3 OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

overeign Trust Insurance Plc has paid a total of N369.3 million claims to different policyholders of the company across the country in its third quarter claims payment. This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists recently by the Head of Corporate Communications and Brand Management, Mr. Segun Bankole. He said, “A breakdown of the figures showed that the sum of N136 million was paid as claims in the month of July, N107 million claims was settled in August and N125 million was expended on claims in September respectively. Also in the statement, the Head of Claims in the Technical Division of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mrs. Funmi Idodo, said that General Accident portfolio recorded the highest figure of N111.2 million while Motor Insurance accounted for N91.3 million. “The sum of N88.4 million was paid out as claims under the Oil & Gas portfolio while

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

a total of N37.7 million was settled as claims under Fire & Allied Perils. “Other figures provided are N20 million Marine & Aviation for while CAR & Engineering accounted for N 20.5 million, putting the sum total of claims paid as at September 30, 2012 to N369.3 million. Iddo further disclosed that in all, the underwriting firm has obligated a total sum of N809, 289, 378.77 to claims settlement from January to date. Commenting in the same vein, the Head of Technical Division, Mr. Tajudeen Rufai stated that claims settlement remains a vital fulcrum of the company’s operation and that the Management is committed to ensuring that policyholders of the company are always delighted when it comes to claims settlement. “Our continued ability to sustain our prompt claims culture is very critical to our business sustainability just as we do not trivialise issues that border on our reputation as a brand in the comity of insurance companies in the country”, he added. He mentioned that at STI, the customer comes first in

Problems with Insurance?

after AIG stood on the brink of collapse and was saved by the federal government assuming a nearly 80 percent ownership stake in the company. AIG said it planned to complete the rebrand this fall. “AIG’s clients, investors and the general public are increasingly recognising that AIG has made America whole plus a profit,” said Robert H. Benmos-

STI MD, Wale Onaolapo

all the facet of the company’s operation and enjoined Nigerians to take advantage of the benefits inherent in insurance and make it an essential aspect of their lives both on the business and family front. “STI continues to deliver on its mission and vision promise. Its ambition of wanting to be a leading brand

in the insurance industry in Nigeria is without compromise. It is an organisation that has thrived on professionalism and good business ethics over the years. The underwriting firm has shown a great deal of consistency with a lot of potentials for growth in the years ahead”, he said.

che, AIG president and CEO, in a statement announcing the new logo. “Our new logo reflects a rebuilt and forwardlooking AIG — contemporary, dynamic, transparent, and revitalized. Every day, we are working to build on that accomplishment by continuing to innovate, while providing our clients with outstanding products and services.”

According to AIG, the new logo will be used in a limited capacity until the rebranding is completed. When the rebrand is complete, Chartis will become AIG in most locations. The company’s life and retirement segment, currently known as SunAmerica Financial Group, will become AIG Life and Retirement.

Two firms yet to submit last year account to NAICOM

ndications have emerged that two underwriting firms are yet to submit their last year’s financial account to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). Director Supervision NAICOM, Opara Nicholas, who disclosed this in Lagos said most of last year’s accounts submitted by companies were not properly prepared. He said many of the accounts were queried due to irregularities. He noted that the commission is committed to cleaning up the reports of companies to enable them meet international standard. Insurance industry guidelines state that all insurance and re-insurance companies shall submit to the commission three copies each of duly audited financial statements and annual returns in prescribed forms. It noted that in re-

You might have less car insurance than you think!

AIG unveils new corporate logo

merican International Group has unveiled a new corporate logo Tuesday as part of its rebranding effort. AIG announced this summer that it would “return to the AIG name” rather than continue to operate its commercial property and casualty business under the Chartis Inc. brand, which it adopted in 2009, less than a year

Send a text: 07080735854

spect of operation of the company for 2011, returns shall be filed on or before 30th June, 2012. It said: “The following items shall accompany audited annual returns: Copy of management letter and the response of the management to the issues raised therein, certificate of solvency issued by the external auditors in the case of non-life; certificate of solvency issued by the actuary in the case of life, two copies of actuarial valuation report, schedule of unexpired risk for general business presented in the format of form G.3, schedule of outstanding claims at the year end according to age analysis and in the format of form G.2C. Others are; schedule of outstanding premium debt at the year end according to age analysis and in the format of form G.2P, schedule of investments hypothecated according to the funds and supported with

relevant proof of existence and ownership, schedule of fixed assets purchased during the year supported with verifiable evidence, personnel returns for the year presented in the format of form G.4, and evidence of payment of filing fees and penalties for late submission, if applicable. It noted that in rendering annual returns, composite insurers shall adhere strictly to the provision of Section 19 of the Insurance Act 2003 regarding separation of accounts and reserve funds. The guidelines said late filing of annual returns shall in accordance with Section 26(3) of the Insurance Act, 2003 attracts a fine of N5000.00 per day for each day of default, adding that failure to file annual returns as prescribed by Section 26 of the Insurance Act, 2003 constitutes a ground for cancellation of operating licence.

nsurance is supposed to serve as a safety net, but sometimes that net has some unexpected holes. Even if you have full car insurance coverage, you could have less protection than you think because of exclusions and limits lurking in your policy’s fine print. Car insurance policies can vary considerably when it comes to who’s covered and when. “Insurance is not a commodity,” says Bill Wilson, associate vice president of education and research for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. “Buying an auto policy is not the same as buying a two-pound bag of sugar.” Instead, he says, it’s more like buying a bicycle. You have to evaluate features, the company’s reputation and reliability and match the product for how you plan to use it. That’s why it’s not only important to compare car insurance quotes, but also to compare policy details before purchasing. “You should always ask for a full copy of your policy and read through the whole thing,” says Penny Gusner, consumer analyst for Carinsurance.com. “It’s better to know what coverage you have than to find out you don’t have the coverage you need after something bad has happened.” Here are some examples of how coverage might be less than you expected. Lower liability coverage for some drivers In some states insurance companies can include “step-down provisions” for auto liability coverage, which lower the policy’s liability limits to state minimum insurance requirements when you let a driver who’s not on the policy use your car. Say, for instance, you have liability limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for bodily injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident). You loan your car to a neighbour, who gets in an accident. Under a step-down provision, your liability limits for that accident would automatically drop to your state’s minimum required liability limits. Confusing underinsured motorist coverage Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough liability coverage to pay all your medical bills after you suffer injuries in an accident. (Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical treatment when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all.) That might sound simple, but the payout for UIM is complicated. Why? The amount paid from the atfault driver’s liability coverage is deducted from the amount you can claim against your own UIM coverage. Say, for instance, you face $50,000 in medical bills for injuries after a car accident; the at-fault driver has $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, and you have $25,000 in underinsured motorist coverage.

Tips by Insure.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

JP Morgan’s index to strengthen liquidity - Report JOHNSON OKANLAWON

he inclusion of Nigeria on the JP Morgan GBI-EM Index is likely going to further strengthen the foreign exchange market liquidity, Financial Dealers Market Association has said. The association in its monthly economic report also noted that the ascension of FGN bond on the JP Morgan GBI-EM Index, the 16.39 per cent FGN JAN 2022 maturity is expected to attract lower marginal bid rates on reopening in October. According to the report, yields of benchmark bonds are expected to settle slightly below their pre-August 15 JP Morgan announcement levels as

market forces responds to the development. It said that food inflation may worsen following shortage of food across the country as a result of the severe flooding across Nigeria’s food belt The report pointed out that the Naira is likely to retain its present strength against the dollar across all the market segments. Meanwhile, the naira currency closed unchanged against the United States dollar on the interbank market and firmed marginally at the official window yesterday, as dollar sales by oil companies comfortably met rising dollar demand in the market. The naira closed flat at N157.15 to the dollar on the interbank.

Traders said units of France Total sold $42m, Agip sold $22m and Addax $7m to some banks. “The naira went as low as N157.40 per dollar intraday because of strong buying by some importers taking advantage of the cheaper dollar at the interbank, but strengthened to close at N157.15 after some oil companies sold dollars,” one dealer said. The naira had rallied to N156.45 to the dollar on Thursday, its strongest in five weeks on the interbank market, driven by dollar sales by stateowned energy firm Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, but strong demand for the dollar has since held down the local unit. The currency firmed

Banking stocks lift index by 0.7% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ains recorded mostly in banking stocks halted bearish trend in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, lifting the index by 0.67 per cent. Specifically, the All Share Index closed at 26,618.70 points, up from 26,442.67 points recorded on Friday. Market capitalisation gained N56bn to close at N8.48trn, as against the decline by N2bn record-

ed on Friday to close at N8.42trn. The banking index led sectorial indices by 2.09 per cent to close at 420.94 points, followed by Lotus Islamic Index with 1.08 per cent to close at 1,629.73 points. The NSE 30-Index rose by 0.59 per cent to close at 1,253.36 points, while the oil and gas index appreciated by 0.32 per cent to close at 163.91 points. The insurance index increased by 0.22 per cent to close at 139.05 points, but the consumer

goods index lost 0.46 per cent to close at 2,310.18 points. Academy Press Plc led the gainers’ table with 19 kobo or 9.79 per cent to close at N2.13 per share, followed by DN Meyer Plc with 12 kobo or 9.45 per cent to close at N1.39 per share. Fidelity Bank Plc gained 17 kobo or 9.09 per cent to close at N2.04 per share, while AIICO Insurance Plc appreciated by six kobo or 8.82 per cent to close at 74 kobo per share. Union Bank of Nigeria Plc rose by 58

marginally at the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction, as the Central Bank of Nigeria sold $104m at N155.75 to the dollar, compared with $177.9m at N155.77 to the dollar at the last auction on Wednesday. Traders said the naira should gradually inch down in the coming days as more buying pressure hits the market. “The market is currently trading below the effective CBN rate and we are not expecting it to stay there for long, unless there are further dollar inflows into the market,” another dealer said. The exchange rate at the official window is calculated with an additional one percent commission on each dollar purchased at the auction. kobo or 6.90 per cent to close at N8.99 per share. On the flip side, Arbico Plc lost 44 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N8.49 per share, while Vitafoam Plc shed 16 kobo or 4.71 per cent to close at N3.24 per share. Mansard Plc dropped by nine kobo or 4.59 er cent to close at N1.87 per share, while Livestock Plc dipped by seven kobo or 4.43 per cent to close at N1.51 per share. Ikeja Hotel Plc declined by five kobo or 4.27 per cent to close at N1.12 per share. A total of 208.6 million shares valued at N1.67bn were exchanged in 4,270 deals.

US stocks drop as Europe ministers meet

nited States stocks retreated yesterday, following last week’s advance in benchmark indexes, after Apple Incorporation paced a slump in technology companies, and as European finance ministers meet to discuss the region’s government debt crisis. Apple, the world’s most valuable company, slumped 1.3 per cent and briefly dropped below $600bn in market value. Facebook Incorporation, operator of the world’s largest social network, slid 1.3 per cent after being downgraded at BTIG LLC, while Netflix Incorporation, the world’s largest video-subscription service, advanced 10 per cent after

the shares were raised at Morgan Stanley. The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index decreased 0.3 per cent to 1,456.04 points, after gaining 1.4 per cent last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 23.39 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 13,586.76 points, as trading in S&P 500 companies was 26 percent below the 30-day average. “We’re back to dealing with the issues in Europe,” Bruce McCain, Chief Investment Strategist at the private-banking unit of KeyCorp in Cleveland, said. “We’re going back to a period where investors become less enthusiastic as they realize the problems of the world have not gone

away.” European finance ministers meet in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss Spain’s overhaul effort and closer banking cooperation, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Greece tomorrow for the first time since the crisis erupted. The World Bank said policy makers in Asia’s emerging economies have room to provide more fiscal stimulus as China’s slowdown drags the region’s growth to an estimated 11-year low in 2012. Equities rose last week amid better-than-estimated economic reports and after the European Central Bank said it stands ready to buy bonds.

Alcoa Incorporation unofficially starts the earnings season with the release of its third-quarter numbers tomorrow. The streak of 11 quarters of profit growth in S&P 500 companies is projected to end as analysts estimate a decline of 1.7 per cent in earnings, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Better earnings for last quarter than currently estimated, an improving economy and monetary stimulus will lift equities higher, said John Manley, Chief Equity Strategist at Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. The time to buy equities is now, Manley said, and investors should not delay investment decisions until after the US elections.

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 5 OCTOBER & 8 OCTOBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

5-Oct-12

8-Oct-12

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

All-Share Index 7,853,874,916 points All-Share Index 22,191.14 points Market capitalisation 24,671.47 trillion Market capitalisation 7,084 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

ACADEMY

1.94

2.13

0.19

% CHANGE 9.79

DNMEYER

1.27

1.39

0.12

9.45

FIDELITYBK

1.87

2.04

0.17

9.09

AIICO

0.68

0.74

0.06

8.82

UBN

8.41

8.99

0.58

6.90

ZENITHBANK

17.10

17.98

0.88

5.15

UNILEVER

41.81

43.90

2.09

5.00

AGLEVENT

1.38

1.44

0.06

4.35

NEIMETH

1.38

1.44

0.06

4.35

MAYBAKER

1.61

1.68

0.07

4.35

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ARBICO

8.93

CLOSING 8.49

0.44

-4.93

VITAFOAM

3.40

3.24

0.16

-4.71

MANSARD

1.96

1.87

0.09

-4.59

LIVESTOCK

1.58

1.51

0.07

-4.43

IKEJAHOTEL

1.17

1.12

0.05

-4.27

TRANSCORP

1.15

1.11

0.04

-3.48

OKOMUOIL

35.70

35.00

0.70

-1.96

24.74

24.16

0.58

-2.34

LIVESTOCK

1.48

1.45

0.03

-2.03

UBA

4.67

4.59

0.08

-1.71

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

32,970.71

14.10

10-Oct-12

182-Day

50,000.00

15.40

11-Oct-12

364 -Day

60,000.00

9.05

6-Sep-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

356 Days

193,954.35

16.20

4-Oct-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

30-Aug-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$150m

N/A

$104m

8-Oct-12

$200m

N/A

$177m

4-Oct-12

Capital Market

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at October 8, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

CONTINUED FROM 13 rate and pace of development will be very very slow, it is not that it would not come but it will be lower than what we want it to be,” Mark concluded. Senator Enang in his lead presentation noted that on Monday, October 1, 2012, Nigeria marked her independence having attained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960. He stated that steadily and gradually Nigeria is developing a domestic capacity as an independent nation, adding that as a nation she has become a big player in international affairs within the comity of nations, noting in addition that from May 29, 1999 till date, Nigeria at 52 has had the longest reign of democratic rule in our political history. He urged that we should appreciate the efforts that the country is making in the areas of economic development and also note that we are having great challenges in unemployment and that we should work collectively to address the state of unemployment in the country, which he described as worse than the insecurity. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who spoke immediately after Enang, observed that at 52, we should be very grateful to God. Drawing an analogy with human being, the lawmaker noted that “a 52-year-old woman is actually matured and due to be a grandmother. I also think that a 52-year-old man is mature and can be a grandfather.” The lawmaker cautioned against continued emphasis on the problems weighing the nation down and urged that it was high time emphasis shifted to the provision of solutions to the nation’s problems. “When we continue to talk about our problems I think Nigerians are tired of hearing about our problems,” Abaribe said, advising that, “What we should do now is to focus much more on the solutions to these problems,” he added. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, stated that Nigeria at 52 has had her ups and downs and can do better than what she is doing, noting that all hopes are not lost. The Deputy Senate President also drew an analogy from the Bible and observed that, “If you look at the Bible, at 75 Abraham had no child and if you look at the Biblical prescription of life expectancy it is about 75, but at 100 years he had a child and became the father of the whole earth.” Drawing from that Biblical lessons, Ekweremadu said: “So, for Nigeria, I believe that there is hope for us in this country, there is hope for us as a nation and all of us working together, we can make this country a better place that will be the envy of the world, where Nigeria will be a preferred destination by all mankind. Ganiyu Solomon said he also shared the sentiment to have hope and taking this opportunity as a turning point in the life of this country. He acknowledged that we have gone through ups and downs as a nation in the past 52 years, but was quick to note that at the end of the day we are still very united. Buttressing this point the lawmaker stated: “The National Assembly has done very greatly in the last 13 years or thereabout, in ensuring that we maintain this unity and this is reflected in the various crises, which came our ways and which the National Assembly stood firmly and brought under control – third term imbroglio, letter of vacation, oil subsidy crisis.” Ganiyu, who represents Lagos West in the Senate, said if we look at the various

Senators’ perception of Nigeria @ 52

Abaribe

Ndoma-Egba

NIGERIANS ARE REALLY CRYING FOR

HELP, THE POVERTY LEVEL IS QUITE ENORMOUS AND

NIGERIA SHOULD USE THIS OCCASION TO WORK OUT WAYS ON HOW TO GET THE COUNTRY OUT OF THIS LEVEL indices of growth being brandished in the newspaper, one will be tempted to conclude that Nigeria is growing, adding: “I should say that we should not use those statistics to conclude, we should go to the streets, it is very glaring that their indices do not match what is on the streets,” the lawmaker affirmed, stressing that, “Nigerians are really crying for help, the poverty level is quite enormous and Nigeria should use this occasion to work out ways on how to get the country out of this level.” His solution was that we must strive to improve our infrastructure, and ensure that we have good polices that will create employment for the youths. He also stated that we cannot talk about Nigeria at 52 without talking about the issue of security. According to him, “The Federal Government should do more to guaranty the safety of lives and infrastructure.” Like the previous speakers, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba was also of the view that at 52, we certainly have not realised the hope and expectations of independence. He recall the celebrations of October 1, 1960, which held hopes everywhere, hope for a new dawn, hope that the independence will not only bring security but prosperity. Ndoma-Egba, who also doubles as the Leader of Senate, noted that “today, we have challenges of poverty and those of security.” He said at 52, Nigeria has experienced what other countries have also experienced viz, colonialism, dependence, parliamentary system, economic boom, military interventions, several episodes of democracy.

Solomon

He noted that what was most consoling was that today we have the longest episode of democracy and “the contradictions in our polity, which we could not resolve as a result of many years of military rule, today democratic rule has offered us opportunities to resolve those contradictions.” While expressing concern that the reconciliation of those contradictions will take time, he was optimistic that those contradictions will certainly be resolved. “I believe that the political class is sufficiently resourceful to resolve those contradictions, whether they manifest as security challenges or they manifest as issues of lack of real growth, but I believe that with time we will resolve those issues,” the lawmaker said. He appealed to Nigerians to insist on accountability and rectitude; accountability in the public and private spheres, urging that, “let us be accountable and responsible in anything we do no matter how little or how big because all of us must have a stake in the prosperity and growth of this country.” Ndoma-Egba further observed that in 2014, we will be celebrating the centenary of Nigeria as a nation, because “it will be 100 years in two years time since the amalgamation.” Concluding in a tone of great optimism the lawmaker said: “I want to believe that when that day comes, Nigeria will be celebrating a new dawn, we would have completely broken with the past and would be cruising into a bright new future

of security and prosperity and brotherhood.” Adamu Ibrahim Gumba also observed that at 52, we have survived so many problems. He remarked that despite the civil war, “despite the activities of the Niger Delta militants, despite the June 12, 1993 episode, despite the activities of Boko Haram, we have remained one and indivisible nation.” This, according to him, is a great achievement. He said even though in agriculture we have declined, particularly in groundnuts and cotton pyramids, cocoa and palm oil production, he was hopeful that we will bounce back again agriculturally. According to the lawmaker, the only area we have gone down so badly as a nation is in the area of morality, because corruption is more than before, people feared God more at independence, but today it is not so. Gumba also concluded in a very positive note that, “In the next 52 years I am hopeful that we will be where some of the so-called developed countries are. We should not be discouraged, Nigeria will match on and Nigeria will become one of the strongest countries in the world.” For Senator Bukka Abba Ibrahim, we have every reason to celebrate in spite of all the difficulties and problems we have faced as a nation. He was of the opinion that we should congratulate ourselves. “We have done more, but we should struggle to do more as Nigerians. We must resolve to take this country to where we have been dreaming of, where we want it to be as a people. The situation is not as bad as we want to paint it sometimes. Nigerians, we have reasons to celebrate, we have reasons to congratulate the president and all Nigerians. “We have reached a stage in this country where no child should fail to go to school simply because his parents are poor, we have reached a stage where we should declare free and compulsory education for all Nigerians up to secondary school level. The one we have now is free, but nor compulsory and we need to step it up to free and compulsory to any level.” The former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu Nassarawa, said each time Nigeria progress from one anniversary to another he always feels personally touched because it keeps reminding him that we have come a long way. He said it may not sound like a long journey but given the experiences we have gone through, we have cause to thank God, to have cause to celebrate. Looking back, the lawmaker observed that we have had many problems that threatened the survival of this country and that we have been able to overcome those problems that threaten our national development which should give us cause to thank God. In his panacea to the growth of the country the lawmaker said, “We need to stand up in ensuring that we have a level of continuity in policies and programmes and appreciate the fact that every administration means well and that those of us who are privileged to be around leadership will try to positively contribute to leadership. The journey is long and tedious but we must keep hope alive and appreciate that tomorrow is greater.”

Politics

TORDUE SALEM writes on how the legislature and executive brawl has been overshadowed by various challenges confronting Nigeria and her citizens.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Budget: Reps flex muscles amidst national disaster THE

PARLIAMENT

y this week, the House of Representatives would have resumed sitting after its audit of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government to determine how much of the 2012 Budget has been utilised. The tour of capital projects was initiated by the House in July, but will be jointly undertaken by the Senate and the House. The Green Chamber has promised not to leave anything to chance in the exercise. To underscore its seriousness on the budget implementation, the House turned down President Goodluck Jonathan’s letter, seeking the leave of the Senate and the House to present the 2013 Appropriation Bill on October 4. The Green Chamber through its spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, told newsmen two weeks ago, that the ongoing audit of the MDAs will form the basis of the acceptance of the 2013 budget by the House. His words: “For 2013, until we are through with all the audit of compliance with the 2012 Appropriation Act, 2013 might not be a matter in focus, because we still have a lot of issues with the present budget.” The House spokesman said the resolution on 100 per cent budget implementation passed by the House before it went on recess two months ago, still stands, saying: “Unless we are convinced in our opinion that this budget (2012) has been well implemented, any other issue may begin to follow, but as far as we are concerned, we have not abandoned that charge (100 per cent implementation).” The President had written to both chambers of the National Assembly two weeks ago, of his intention to bring his 2013 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly, but the House insisted that both chambers had agreed to defer the receipt of the bill until they returned from their oversight of MDAs this week. The House had announced that it will suspend sittings till October 9, to audit the 2012 Budget performance by MDAs. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had an interactive session with chairmen of committees in the National Assembly a fortnight ago to brief them on the level of budget implementation. At the end of the interaction, she expressed a resolve to send the draft budget proposal for the 2013 fiscal year to the National Assembly to avoid a repeat of the past where budget estimates usually came to the National Assembly late, adding that the Presidency had already engaged the relevant committees of the National Assembly on the budget. The House had earlier resolved to tie the passage of the 2013 budget to the implementation of the 2012 budget; meaning that it would not consider the budget of the coming year if not satisfied with the performance of the current budget. Addressing the matter at a weekly press briefing, Mohammed said the House needed to go to the field to confirm the re-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan

Tambuwal

WE CANNOT JUST BE PASSING BUDGETS YEAR AFTER YEAR WITHOUT

IMPLEMENTATION.

IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, AND IT DOESN’T PORTRAY US AS A SERIOUS PEOPLE ports of the MDAs on this year’s budget implementation to ensure a tally between the information given by the MDAs and the actual amount implemented. Mohammed, however, said that a later date would be arranged in future for the President to present the budget. He also clarified that the House was simply performing its constitutional function and not “flexing muscles” and assured that as lawmakers, they would follow the oversight rule on the executive. He said: “We made the laws; we should obey the laws we made. We cannot just be passing budgets year after year without implementation. It does not make sense, and it doesn’t portray us as a serious people. That is why the House is insisting on doing the right thing. We are not fighting the President.” But as the disagreement between the President and the House intensifies, floods are ravaging the country from the North to the South. A major motion on the flood situation in the country was raised by Emmanuel Jime two weeks ago and with more pressure from members, whose constituencies were equally affected. The House in line with an earlier Senate resolution, has decided that the executive must bring a Supplementary Budget to address the dev-

astation wrought by the natural disaster in several states of the federation. Jime in his motion noted that “the heavy rainfall this year has led to unprecedented rise in water levels across the nation thus flooding the whole country with particular heavy effect on the plains of the Niger and the Benue valleys. “As a result of this year’s heavy rainfall and the subsequent release of water by the Cameroonian authorities from the Langdo Dam into the River Benue, the river and its tributaries have swelled far beyond their normal banks thereby flooding the entire Benue Valley, which stretches from Adamawa, Taraba to Benue states.” He told the House that “the flood has destroyed large expanse of farmland and crops in most parts of the country. In Benue State, for instance, the flood hit parts of Brewery, Kutcha-Utebe, GyadoVilla, Wurukum and Wadata areas of Makurdi township, with more than 3,000 houses and homesteads affected, leaving tens of thousands of families, including women and children homeless, while the loss of properties can only be estimated in millions of naira.” The lawmaker in the motion that was overwhelmingly supported said he was “disturbed that since this disaster occurred, most of the victims across the nation have been left to fend for themselves and not much has been seen as an effective response from the agencies saddled with responsibility to managing such crises as these.” In its resolution, the House advised that “there should be better management of information dissemination by relevant government agencies to reduce the rate of casualties in terms of properties and lives in the future.” The House, presided over by Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, urged “the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) to double its efforts in terms of efficiency in response to disasters across

the country.” It also “urged the meteorological unit of the Ministry of Aviation to share weather forecasts with states and other agencies in this disaster management sector so as to avert further crisis of this nature.” The House also tasked the relevant agencies to explain whether or not the country was put on notice before such waters was released from these neighbouring countries, especially the Langdo Dam in Cameroun and sought the review of the “laws setting up these emergency agencies with a view of making them more effective and efficient.” But the issue of respect for resolutions passed by the House or the Senate by the Presidency remains an issue, as the fear is that, like the budget 2012 resolution passed in July, the Presidency may also ignore the flooding resolution and others alike. But a member of the House, Fort Dike, who spoke to National Mirror on the issue, expressed disappointment over the continuing disregard by the Presidency of resolutions passed by the National Assembly. The lawmaker supported the reported move by the Senate to strengthen the parliament’s resolutions or motions as intervening items to address the country’s problems. Dike, who is the chairman, House Committee on Inter/Intra Party Relations, regretted that though President Jonathan ascended the presidency through a resolution of the parliament, he continues to ignore resolutions passed by the legislature. His words: “Resolutions are supposed to express deep feelings of the National Assembly. Resolutions are not laws; they express the deep feelings of the legislature. Resolutions are immediate to address events, so as much as possible, they must be respected.” Regretting that though a resolution gave Jonathan the Presidency, he has continued to ignore National Assembly resolutions, Dike said: “The President must remember that it was through a resolution that he became the Acting President at a difficult time in the history of the country, so he must respect resolutions passed by the National Assembly.” He observed that though conventions are not law, “they are well respected in Britain, where they don’t have a written constitution. Everything must not be done by laws.” He however warned that the idea of signature collection by members of the National Assembly may not solve the problem, but advised that a bill be passed by both chambers to make motions and resolutions law. It will be recalled that several motions and resolutions passed last week by the National Assembly were ignored, with negative reactions from the Presidency, except the one on the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria proposal to restructure lower currencies and introduce a N5,000 note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Senator Ita James Enang, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, in this interview with GEORGE OJI reflects on Nigeria at 52 and speaks on some national issues. Excerpts:

Nigeria self-governing, not independent nation – Enang THE

PARLIAMENT

What’s your take on Nigeria at 52? At 52 years, Nigeria should be working towards becoming an independent nation. In my opinion, Nigeria is a self-governing nation. An independent nation is that which is independent in terms of its revenue, a nation that does not depend only on what God puts on its soil to survive, a nation that has the capacity to manufacture several kinds of arms. An independent nation is that can refine its own petroleum products and sustain itself; a nation that no other nation can block the seas or air spaces and prevent goods or services from coming in. It is a nation that does not depend on the export of crude before it can earn a living, a nation that does not depend entirely on its mineral resources to pay salaries, run its economy, do international affairs and maintain security. Nigeria is a self-governing nation working towards independent status and I believe that the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan will consolidate the independence of Nigeria. This assessment does not relate to a particular government, it is from 1960 till today. Former governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, recently advocated the scrapping of the Senate as an arm of the National Assembly. As a serving senator, what is your comment on this? I think that assertion by my friend and brother was a slip of the tongue, because he was a senator and his wife is currently a serving senator. But I think that every Nigerian has a right to express an opinion. So, I will not condemn anybody for expressing any opinion on any matter that will lead to the amendment of the constitution, because our job now as members of the Constitution Review Committee is to listen to every person. I take that as his contribution to the amendment of the constitution, which I should not condemn. It is for us to place it before Nigerians for them to say yes or no. No matter how tempted I am, I will not condemn that call, because it is his contribution to constitution amendment. The House rejected the October 4 date to receive President Jonathan to present the 2013 budget citing some reasons. What’s your view on this? I am a graduate of the House of Representatives and they are my brothers. I will not speak against their decision. It is strictly their matter. The only way I can come in as a senator is that the President cannot come to present budget to the Senate and the House differently. The President’s letter was a request to grant him that date. If the House says that the date is not convenient, then, another date would be granted. So, the public should not see it as anything abnormal. Again, in taking that decision, they are not saying they will not receive the budget, it is just a question of date and we should not take the matter too far. Personally, as a lawyer and a legislator, I will say that the condition precedent to the presentation of budget is still pending on the floor of the National Assembly. Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the President is to send the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly for consideration and approval of the parameters for the budget. The parameters include exchange rate of the naira to the dollar, the quantum of production of oil and benchmark for the production of oil. It is when these are done and communicated to the executive that the President will use those parameters to prepare the budget and present it to the National Assembly. As at today, the President has forwarded the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to both chambers and we are working on it. We are to conclude and forward the parameter to the President, which he will use in concluding the budget. But I want to urge members of the public to accept that there is no friction. If the time is not acceptable to one chamber, both chambers will agree and communicate.

Enang

Again, for us to receive the 2013 budget, we should have an independent knowledge of the extent of the implementation of 2012 budget. We should know how much money is released by the Accountant-General of the Federal (AGF) to various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). We had put in the Appropriation Act 2012 as we have been putting in other Acts that the AGF shall lay before us, the amount released to each of the MDAs, but he has not laid one piece of paper before the National Assembly. We were also, under that Act, to be briefed by appropriate bodies keeping records of how much money we have in the excess crude account. Nobody has sent in any report on this. Again, no money was to be spent on excess crude account unless it is appropriated by the National Assembly. No appropriation has been sought for the use of any money on the excess crude account. So, there has been so much breach of provisions of the budget. Therefore, it will be necessary to tidy up all these. When the President is presenting the budget and while we are considering the extent the budget has been implemented and how much money has been released, we should not rely on the Minister of Finance because she is not given any duty by the law to brief anybody on the release. It is the duty of the AGF, under the law to give records of releases. The problem with Nigerians is that we give emphasis to names and not what the law says. Not many know that it is the AGF and not the Minister of Finance that should answer those questions. Therefore, we should on our own, have records of how much has been released to MDAs and the level of implementation.

AN INDEPENDENT NATION IS THAT CAN REFINE ITS OWN PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND SUSTAIN ITSELF; A NATION

THAT NO OTHER NATION CAN BLOCK THE SEAS OR AIR SPACES AND PREVENT GOODS OR SERVICES FROM COMING IN

One issue that has attracted much commentary recently is that of appropriation of excess crude fund? We cannot appropriate the excess crude account that belongs to the three tiers of government, but we are appropriating the excess crude funds in the federation account. We are to appropriate the Federal Government share of the funds in the excess crude accounts. When the excess crude money is shared, the Federal Government takes its own, state and local governments take their own share. When the Federal Government takes its own away, it puts it in the purse, which is to be appropriated by the National Assembly, according to the Appropriation Act and according to the Constitution. So, we are not appropriating the funds of states and local governments. Section 5(1and 2) of the Appropriation Act 2012 stipulates that no funds shall be paid out of the monies arising from the records specified in Sub-Section 4, which is the money relating to excess crude account, except by the Act of National Assembly. It also says that the AGF shall forward to the National Assembly, full details of funds released to government agencies immediately such funds are released. Thus, it is the job of AGF to bring before the National Assembly, records of funds released to each ministry. If this was done, we wouldn’t need to go on research as to whether monies have been released or not. The law imposed a duty on AGF, as soon as money is released, to make it available to the National Assembly by forwarding it to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It would be read on the floor, laid on the table and circulated to all members, so that legislators will have a clear picture without summoning the minister or anybody to know if they have released money or not. There would also not be any quarrel about whether a ministry is performing or not because whatever is released would have been known. What about the Sovereign Wealth Fund? I hold the view that the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is illegal, because it ought not to be. The SWF should be that, which the Federal Government saves from its share of its own fund and not that which it confiscates from excess crude money of the states, local and federal governments and then, put it in a pool to share. The SWF, on its own, is legal to the extent that the Federal Government is saving the money that belongs to it. But there are impunities. The share of the state and local government is what contaminates the fund because it amounts to forceful acquisition of funds belonging to states. What is your assessment of Nigeria’s preparedness for flooding? We did not handle the preparation well, but we have handled the response well. While commending the Federal Government on the response, we should build more on disaster preparedness. What we would have done immediately Cameroon issued the notice was to evacuate people from along the channels. In Nigeria, you have to force certain people to keep them alive. I still maintain that what we have done in Lokoja has been like the entire emergency happened only in North Central, but there were very serious flooding and submerging of lands in other parts of the country. I also want to say that the Inland Waterways Authority has not been active and responsive. Aware of the predictions on climate change, they ought to have cleared all the tributaries and channels that were blocked. Again, I want to use this opportunity to repeat what I said on the floor of the Senate – we are not preparing for Victoria Island, Epe and all the lands we have reclaimed along the Atlantic Ocean. The volume of water that is going on now from the River Niger, Benue River and others will go to empty there and with the rise of the Atlantic Ocean, Victoria Island may be submerged. We should emphasise emergency preparedness and listen to oceanographers concerning their predictions.

Politics

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Our staff have been ONDO compromised INEC admits GUBER POLL COUNTDOWN TO

October 20, 2012

DAYS TO GO

PDP, ACN blast Bakare for adopting Mimiko OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and vice-presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 general election, Pastor Tunde Bakare, seems to have stirred the hornet’s nest with his endorsement of the second term ambition of Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Bakare had said on Sunday in Lagos that Mimiko would win by a landslide victory in the October 20 governorship election in the state. But the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the cleric was only expressing his wish which ignored the strong desire of the people of the state for change. Reacting through its Deputy Director of Publicity, Rotimi Ogunleye, the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO) described Bakare as a bad representative of the Christendom, who has soiled his garment with politics. Ogunleye questioned the basis of Bakare’s prediction that the victory of Mimiko would usher in a new wave of leadership in the South-West, when the people of Ondo State had not achieved any iota of real development in the last three and half years of his government. He said: “Pastor Bakare was merely expressing his wish which will have no effect on the October 20 governorship election. He has displayed his lack of understanding of the mood of the people of the state who are yawning for change. I would like him to come to the state and speak with the people who have been in the grip of excruciating pains in the last three and half years.” The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) had earlier reacted, saying the cleric was known for being on the losing side. The Director of Media and Publicity of ACO, Idowu Ajanaku, described Bakare as a derailed and confused person, saying he is a deadwood politician whose pastoral calling has been muddled up with partisan politics.”

OYEWAMIDE OJO AKURE

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted that some members of staff of the commission have been compromised by politicians with a view to rigging the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akin Orebiyi, said the state police command had arrested a junior staff of the commission who gave out unclaimed voters’ cards to a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Olaolu Oladapo, and his wife who were also apprehended last Saturday. The couple was apprehended in Ondo, the home town of the LP’s governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. A statement by the INEC boss yesterday said the commission would cooperate with the state police command to investigate and prosecute those who were

found to be involved in the matter. Orebiyi said: “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to the arrest of a man with over a thousand voters’ cards issued by the commission purportedly given to him by a junior staff engaged as a security man by the commission, who has been arrested by the police. “Preliminary investigation by the commission indicates that some people did not collect their voters’ cards after the registration exercise of 2011. The unclaimed cards are in the custody of the Electoral Officers, who are the duly authorised officials to release same to the claimants of such cards, who must collect them in person.” Promising a thorough investigation and commitment to prosecute anyone found culpable, irrespective of status or affiliation, the INEC boss, however, said: “INEC will however like to take this opportunity to re-assure the public that the purchase or unauthorised acquisition of voters’

cards by desperate politicians will be to no avail, as they cannot be used for the election. Our officials have been trained and directed to closely examine each voters’ card scrupulously and ensure that the photographs on it match that on the voters’ register and is in exact liking to the bearer of such card.” Orebiyi, who commended the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police, promised that “we shall continue to co-operate with them and the other security agents and other stakeholders to ensure a hitch-free exercise.” But National Mirror gathered that top officials of INEC were involved in the sales of voters’ cards to politicians and that Orebiyi only held the unnamed security man responsible in order to save the credibility of the commission. The INEC boss was said to have earlier denied that the security man was a staff of the commission, a statement in conflict with the claim of the state Public Relation Officer of INEC, Celina Beckley.

CNPP disclaims Akeredolu’s endorsement FELIX NWANERI

he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has refuted the its purported endorsement of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, as announced by Osita Okechukwu, its spokesman. The National Chairman of the CNPP, Alhaji Balarabe Musa in a statement issued in Kaduna yesterday, made available to National Mirror, said the CNPP never met to discuss the issue and that Okechukwu’s statement or comments as reported by some newspapers were never authorised by the national body. The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) had earlier claimed that Okechukwu communicated the support of the CNPP to the ACN candidate on Sunday. But Musa, in dismissing the purported endorsement said: “CNPP is non-partisan and represents all political parties and associations and thus cannot come out to endorse any candidate.”

Kuku to LP: Don’t politicise amnesty programme OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

L-R: Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-west, Engr. Segun Oni, National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party in the Ondo gubernatorial election, Mr. Saka Lawal at a rally of the party in Akure last week.

LP chieftain remanded for unlawful possession of voters’ cards

OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

chieftain of the LP in Ondo State, Olaolu Oladapo, and a middle aged woman, Omolade Rapheal, were yesterday arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court for being in unlawful possession of 1,123 voters’ cards contrary to section 23(1)(a)(b) and (c) of the Electoral Act 2010. The two accused persons were alleged to have committed the offence on October 5, at

about 4.30p.m. at the INEC office in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, where incumbent Governor Mimiko contesting on LP platform hails from. The two accused persons pleaded not guilty and were remanded by the Presiding Magistrate J. O. Adelegan till October 9. Reacting, an Akure legal practitioner and human rights activist, who also coordinates Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) legal team in the state, Titiloye Charles, commended the Police

for the arrest of the suspects. He urged the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, to take over the prosecution of the case pursuant to section 150 (2) of the electoral Act 2012 which empowers the commission to prosecute electoral offenders. Charles, who said the era of open electoral fraud is over, added that every voter was entitled to one voters’ card and one vote. He wondered if an individual could be allowed to cast 1,123 votes if Ondo governorship election would be free and fair.

s the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State draws nearer, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, has warned the LP against politicising the amnesty programme. Kuku was reacting to the media comments credited to a chieftain of the party and a former militant, Chief Bibopre Ajube, that there was a plot to use the amnesty programme to intimidate people into voting for the PDP candidate in the October 20 governorship election in the state. A statement signed by Head of Media of the Amnesty Office, Daniel Alabrah, said: “This flippancy of Chief Ajube reflects the LP’s desperation to go to any length, and do anything, no matter how sacrilegious, to score cheap political points. His words: “For the avoidance of doubt, the presidential adviser does not need to intimidate anybody to vote for the PDP in the election, particularly in Ese-Odo Local Government Area and in his federal constituency, as his integrity and track record of performance were enough to sway votes for his party in the election.”

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Flood victim gives birth at refugee camp

“We are a nation of 150 million people; we are not a small country. If the situation continues like this, we cannot survive a large scale conflict. ”

46 STORIES BY: FRANCIS SUBERU

he Lagos State Police Command has paraded two bank officials, Taiwo Hassan Aremu and Rasheed Anifowoshe, for providing strategic information to two different armed robbery gangs in Lagos. The suspects who were paraded alongside 10 others including Ahmed Ajofoba, Saheed Olawunmi, Muktar Eleduwe, Lukeman Adekunle, Kola Adenuga, Idowu Adesola, Waheed Shuib, Abdulahi Abdulkarreem, Ahmed Adelakun and Adedokun Yuususf, were arrested on September 26, 2012 following an intelligence gathering. Taiwo Hasan Aremu, was a driver with Sterling Bank while Rasheed Anifowoshe, was also a driver with EcoBank. Their arrests followed that of one Ahmed Ajofoba and Saheed Olawunmi, by police officers attached to “Area D” Command Headquarters, Mushin, Lagos, after a foiled robbery attempt at a Sterling Bank branch at Matori, Mushin Lagos. The two suspects who were arrested after a shootout with the police, made confessional statements that led to the arrest of eight other gang members and recovery of one locally made pistol with one live cartridge. During an investigation by police officers attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, it was discovered that the gang’s armourer, Adetokun Yususf and leader Ahmed Adelakun, reside in Aiyetoro, Ogun State. Consequently, SARS operatives stormed their hideouts where they were arrested and two locally made pistols with four live cartridges were recovered. The suspects who are in collaboration with insiders, confessed to have participated in the robbery of Sterling Bank, Matori branch, on May 25, 2012 where they carted away N8million and Ecobank branch in Isolo area of Lagos on August 29, 2012. In an interview with Community Mir-

FMR.VICE PRESIDENT (AFRICA) FOR WORLD BANK, MRS. OBY EZEKWESILI

Bank workers arrested for insider information to robbers

Eleduwe

Anifowose

Aremu

ror, Taiwo Aremu confessed to having links with the robbers but Rasheed Anifowoshe, denied involvement, saying he was only privy to the robbery. Taiwo Aremu said: “I was the one who gave them information to rob our bank. I told them the inside workings of our operations and route to follow when coming. I told them to go through the back door as it would be opened on that day due to some arrangement. They carted away N8 million and gave me N900, 000. I was introduced to the gang by one Ramon now at large. He is a panel beater and we met when a colleague in the bank said he needed the service of a panel beater. When he came to our office, we

became close and he informed me of the gang. He said, all he needed was classified information on inside workings of the bank and the gang members would execute the robbery. Initially, I was reluctant but he continued to implore me on phone; I then volunteered the information which led to the robbery on May 25, 2012. They came at 7pm after I had left. After, Ramon called me to meet with the gang at a hotel in Ifo, Ogun State, where I collected my share. Rasheed, on his part said he was not given anything after the gang robbed EcoBank branch in Okota on August 29, 2012, saying “on the day they ar-

rived , they didn’t meet the cash officer, so they were not able to get much money from the bank.” One of the accomplices, an Alfa, Muktar Eleduwe, said he never participated in armed robbery, but confessed he knew some of the gang members who usually come for prayers at his house in Mafoluku area of Lagos. He said: “It was Taiwo who introduced me to Rasheed who said he needed help, as his mother was going blind. Later, he said he has another job for me and when I asked, he said he wanted to rob a bank and demanded I help him recruit people who could work with him which I declined.”

Police arrest 130 notorious gang members

he police in Lagos State have arrested 130 members of a notorious armed robbery gang with the code name “One-million-boys” Members of gang had, in recent times, been terrorising residents of Ajegunle, Boundary, Orile and Apapa, even as it was alleged that they killed, raped and robbed many people in the area. Eight machetes, two double barrel short guns, a cut-to-size short gun, pistol, toy gun and bayonet were recovered from them. Parading the suspects, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, said the arrest was sequel to

the incessant report of attacks masterminded by members of the gang, saying the police will not allow hooligans to disrupt peace and tranquility in the state. The police boss said immediately he received people’s complaints on the activities of the gang, he instructed the Commander, Area ‘B’ Command, Apapa, Mr. Mohammed Alli (ACP) and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Apapa Police Division, CSP Usman Ndanbabo, to apprehend the suspects and their efforts culminated in the arrest of the 130 man gang. CP Manko, said the police raided all

the criminal hideouts and some notorious spots in the aforementioned areas including: Brazillan Night Club, Ogo-Oluwa Hotel, Tolu and Boundary market, where the suspects were arrested. According to Manko: “I am happy to announce that at the weekend, at a place called Brazillan Night Club, Ogo-Oluwa Hotel, Tolu and Boundary market, Ajegunle, a total of 130 members of a notorious gang of “one-million-boys” were arrested. We recovered eight machetes, a bag of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, two double barrel cut to size

guns and five live cartridges, as well as a single barrel cut to size gun. These boys have been terrorising the area and they have been arrested. We would continue to work so that residents will have peaceful atmosphere to go about their lawful businesses.” The terror gang it was gathered, had been operating at the Apapa/Ajegunle axis and are armed with dangerous weapons ranging from cutlass, charms and other sophisticated weapons. Investigations reveal the gang members usually converge at relaxation spots to plan their operations, even as they take delight in raping old women.

Community Mirror

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Flood victim gives birth at refugee camp NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

pregnant woman victim of the current flood disaster has delivered triplets in a refugee camp at Fr. Joseph Secondary School, Aguleri , Anambra East Local Government Area. The woman whose identify was yet to be ascertained, was among those

whose homes were submerged in the flood recently. Meanwhile, parishioners of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church and students of the Catholic School, Anumudu, Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State are now stranded following the submerging of their church and school premises by floods. The flood also affected

buildings, farm lands, even as it prevented parishioners and students from celebrating mass or attending to academic activities. On a visit to Anumudu community, it was discovered that some residents have hurriedly left their homes which had been submerged. Conducting newsmen round the area, a resident and chairman of Justice,

Development and Peace Caritas JDPC, Mr. GodwinAgupusi, said that houses, property, farmlands and crops worth millions of naira were destroyed by the flood. He lamented that the victims have been neglected because they had not received any medication or assistance from the government following the disaster.

Another victim and principal of the affected school, Mrs. Theresa Uzoma Odikanne, said the over flowing of Idemili River forced the students, teachers, and residents to flee their homes. Also, the Parish Priest, Rev. Father John Ezeoruonye, lamented that the flood has submerged the parish chapel, laboratory and priest’s resident, as

he appealed for urgent attention to alleviate their plights. Ezeoruonye who described the situation as a calamity called on the national and state emergency agencies to aid the victims, especially infants and pregnant mothers, as some who had taken refuge at the uncompleted buildings are now prone to epidemic outbreak.

Man wanted by vigilante group DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he local vigilante group in Ugwuoba, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, has launched a manhunt for one Mr. Obi Okaro, for allegedly molesting and trying to kill one Nkech Obiefuna, his spouse following a domestic quarrel. It was gathered that following series of molestations, Nkechi threatened to walk out of the marriage but was threatened by her husband, Okaro now wanted by the local vigilante. Commenting on the development, Mr Emma Udoh, brother to Nkechi, alleged that Mr. Okaro, wanted to murder his sister, whom he claimed is now suffering from severe brain contusions, resulting from alleged battery.

A man washing his bicycle on Fadama Mada road in Bauchi.

Cultural festival to diversify economy FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

ollowing calls on the Nigerian Government to diversify the economy, particularly as they relate to culture and tourism, oganisers of the2012 Oronna Ilaro Festival, have promised to make this year’s celebration impact positively on the country’s economy. Chairman of Oronna Ilaro Festival Central Planning Committee (OIFCPC), Chief Kayode Odunaro, said his committee has packaged the programme in a way bring back memories of cultural exchanges between Nigerians and Brazilians. The chairman, who said the Oronna festival was aimed at showcasing the rich culture of

Liar town, further disclosed that all indigenes of Yewa/Awori land in the Diaspora would grace the occasion. Odunaro, further stated that his committee had met with and received assurance of support for the rebranding from indigenes living in the United Kingdom, Ireland and United States of America. He further stated that the rebranding would take into consideration culture, tourism, education and health awareness to help elevate not only national standard but also on the international level, in order to sustain the rich cultural value of the people of Ogun West Senatorial district and Nigeria in general. “The Oronna Ilaro celebration is now being rebranded to take it to the next level as a national

and international tourism event, with potentials to impact on the economy of Ilaro and Ogun State. It is meant to encourage people in the Diaspora to be part of the new wave of development and make Ilaro a tourist destination,” Odunaro said. The former Special Assistant on Media to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, also said that the one week event holding hold from November 24 to December 2, 2012, will be tagged “Festival of new beginning” and will be a platform for self-help initiatives to develop the community. Odunaro, further disclosed that government is collaborating with Oronna Ilaro, to identify talents for further development in the state.

Governor’s wife empowers physically challenged persons TONY ANICHEBE UYO

total of 60 less privileged persons in the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, have been empowerment by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio. They include 41 physically challenged persons, five widows, five orphans and six children of widows. Others wre 14 hairdressers, 10 tailors and fashion designers, 11 cobblers, two barbers, two carpenters, a welder while two cripples were provided with garri and maize grinding machines. Also, 11 beneficiaries were also provided with computers to operate business centers.

Making the donations, the wife of the governor, urged them not to lose hope, adding that there are several hurdles before one can become great, even as she called on them to be committed to God, be prayerful and love their neighbors irrespective of ethnic origin. Mrs. Akpabio, who noted that everyone was equal before God, charged them not to see their disabilities as a limitation, but to rather think positively, stressing that there is no height they cannot scale with determination. She therefore advised the beneficiaries to put the items into judicious use and not regard themselves as inferior, adding that there is ability in every disability. Akpabio, told them that they cannot become suc-

cessful when they take to begging for alms, while advising that they endeavour to be self-reliant and ask God to make their businesses successful. She also enjoined them not to be discouraged, but to continue hoping that they will become successful, as she urged them to shun evil and live according to God’s will. Mrs. Akpabio promised to give N100, 000 to each of them for payment of shop rents to enable them carry out their activities in very conducive environments. Also speaking, wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Ese Nsima Ekere, thanked Mrs. Akpabio for impacting positively on people’s lives, even as she urged beneficiaries to use of the items to better their lives.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Chavez gets new six-year term in Venezuela

“I am still living in a rented apartment. If anyone sees me driving a new car that is not owned by the state, they should report it.” - EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT, MOHAMMED MORSI

Ivory Coast reopens borders with Ghana

WORLD BULLETIN

Niger to join patrol on Nigeria border

vory Coast has announced it will reopen its border with eastern neighbour Ghana, more than two weeks after it was shut over a series of deadly attacks Ivorian officials said were launched from Ghanaian territory. Paul Koffi Koffi, the Ivorian defence minister, announced on RTI public television on Sunday that President Alassane Ouattara had decided the borders would reopen after both countries tightened security with the aim of stopping incursions. All borders were closed on September 21 after gunmen attacked a border checkpoint at Noe in Ivory Coast and then fled to Ghana, but air links were reopened on September 24. Five assailants were killed in the shootout, another five were arrested, while the rest fled into Ghana, Ivorian officials said. Ghanaian police said they had arrested three men in possession of AK-47 rifles on suspicion that they were plotting to overthrow Ouattara’s government. Koffi said that since the closure “the two brotherly countries have strengthened their security along the common border with the aim of preventing any incursion” while Ouattara and his Ghanaian counterpart John Dramani Mahama “have stayed in permanent contact”. “As a result President Alassane Ouattara decided that from Monday October 8, 2012 at seven in the morning the land and sea borders will reopen,” Koffi said. President Mahama said on September 26 that Ghana would not allow its territory to be used as a base to attack neighbouring nations. He noted “the unfolding tensions in Ivory Coast”, and said Ghana “will not harbour any individuals or groups whose intent is to utilise Ghana as a base of operation to undermine the safety and security of another nation”, in an address to the United Nations that was distributed in Accra. The closure of the frontiers caused major difficulties for trade between the neighbours and for residents of the border region. Ivory Coast’s security forces were in August hit by a wave of attacks in and around Abidjan and in the west of the country, attacks blamed by the authorities on former president Laurent Gbagbo. Gbagbo’s FPI party rejected the accusation.

Borders were closed after gunmen attacked a checkpoint at Noe in Ivory Coast and fled to Ghana

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

L-R: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf greeting Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee at her office in Monrovia last year. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Liberia’s Nobel laureate attacks Sirleaf on corruption PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

iberia’s president has not done enough to tackle corruption, says her, fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, the BBC has reported. Gbowee, a peace activist, shared last year’s prize with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Yemen’s Tawakul Karman. She asked why Mrs Sirleaf ’s sons had been given lucrative jobs and said she was resigning from the reconciliation commission. “Her sons are on the board of oil companies and one is the deputy governor of the central bank. The gap between the rich and poor is growing. You are either rich or poor, there’s no middle class,” she told a news agency. She was speaking in Paris, where she is promoting the French edition of her book, Mighty Be Our Powers. “I feel I have been a disappointment to myself and Liberia. Not speaking is as bad as being part of the system. Some may say I am a coward, but the opportunity to speak out has come here,” she said. In August, President Sirleaf suspended her son, Charles, as central bank deputy governor for failing to declare his assets. Another son, Fumba, is head of the

National Security Agency, while a third, Robert, is a senior adviser and chairman of the state-owned National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL). The BBC’s reporter in Monrovia says Gbowee is not the first person to raise these issues. But he says her comments come as a surprise to many Liberians as she has previously avoided making public comments about the government. President Sirleaf won the first elections in Liberia since the end of a 14-year civil war. But Gbowee criticised her for not doing enough to ease poverty. “In her first term she developed infrastructure. But what good is infrastructure if people don’t have enough to eat?” she said. “Development in a land of hungry, angry people is nothing.” During Liberia’s conflict, Gbowee mobilised women across ethnic and religious lines to campaign for peace and encouraged them to participate in elections. In 2003, she led a march through the capital, Monrovia, demanding an end to the rape of women by soldiers. The Nobel Committee said she had “worked to enhance the influence of women in West Africa during and after war”.

Niger says it wants to form joint military patrols along 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of its border with Nigeria to fight Islamist extremist groups in both countries, the Associated Press has reported. Niger Justice Minister, Marou Amadou said on Sunday that the countries can pool their efforts to combat threats from both al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and the Nigerian radical Islamist group Boko Haram. Amadou did not give further details, but he said that President Goodluck Jonathan would be visiting Niger later this month. Experts say that both AQIM and the Nigerian-based extremist sect, Boko Haram have morphed in recent years from extremist rebel groups that challenge their home governments into international terrorist groups that use violence to try to impose extreme Islamic rule on any territory they can seize across Africa.

At least 21 troops killed in Sinai accident A troop carrier overturned on a mountain road in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula early yesterday, killing at least 21 members of the security forces stationed on the border with Israel, officials said. Health Ministry official, Tarek Khater said the driver of the vehicle was speeding downhill on the badly maintained single-lane road as he transported members of the paramilitary Central Security Forces along the borderline. A security official says the high number of casualties resulted from the vehicle rolling several times. Khater says another 11 were injured, several in critical condition. A security official said 24 were hurt. He retracted an earlier estimate of 48 injured. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. It was a different part of the Sinai from where the military is conducting a sweep against Islamic militants.

Somali al-Shabaab ban aid group Islamist militants in Somalia have banned one of the last foreign aid agencies still working in areas under their control. Al-Shabaab says the UK-based Islamic Relief was covertly working on behalf of other aid groups already banned, including the UN World Food Programme. Islamic Relief says it has yet to be officially informed of the decision. Some 1.3 million people in need of food, clean water and health care may be put at risk, the group says.

World News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

British, Japanese scientists win Nobel for stem cell discovery

Briefs Israeli forces, Gaza militants clash

Israeli forces and Palestinian militants exchanged fire yesterday in the most serious flare-up in months along the border with the Gaza Strip, officials said. The latest exchange came after Israel targeted two men in an airstrike into southern Gaza on Sunday night, killing one and wounding the other. Israel said they were militant jihadists responsible for attacks. Then, militants of the Islamic group Hamas that rules Gaza and a smaller hardline offshoot, Islamic Jihad, fired some 30 rockets toward Israel’s southern border on Monday morning, causing some property damage but no casualties, said an Israeli military spokeswoman. She spoke on condition of anonymity, citing military rules. Gaza’s interior ministry said Israel’s military launched around 20 tank shells and an airstrike, mostly toward targets around the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Assange supporters ordered to pay asylum bid A British judge yesterday ordered supporters of Julian Assange to pay thousands of pounds they promised for his bail because the WikiLeaks founder violated the conditions for his release. The 41-year-old Assange violated a condition to report to a police station daily when he sought refuge at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where he has been holed up since June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning over sex crimes allegations. The WikiLeaks founder and his supporters claim that the Swedish sex case is part of a Washingtonorchestrated plot to make him stand trial in the United States over his work with WikiLeaks, which has published thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables and other documents. Both Sweden and the U.S. reject that claim.

Jailed Dutch killer impregnates woman Joran van der Sloot, a Dutch man who is serving a 28-yearsentence for murdering a young Peruvian woman, has impregnated a woman while imprisoned in Lima, a report has disclosed. The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf cited Van der Sloot’s lawyer, Maximo Altez as saying the pregnancy is past its third month, and Van der Sloot himself as having confirmed the news in a telephone call on Saturday. “A test has proved” the pregnancy, the paper quoted Van der Sloot as saying. The woman, identified by the paper only as “Leidi,” was said to have become pregnant during an unsupervised visit with Van der Sloot. It was not clear whether that is allowed or possible under Peruvian prison rules. Media in Peru last year identified a woman named Leydi Figueroa Uceda as Van der Sloot’s girlfriend, and said they had conceived a son together, but she denied it. Altez then described the pair as “friends.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

President Chavez celebrating from people’s balcony at Miraflores Palace in Caracas.

Photo: Reuters

Chavez gets new six-year term in Venezuela V

enezuelan President Hugo Chavez has clinched a comfortable election victory that could extend his rule to 20 years and vowed to deepen his selfstyled socialist revolution that has polarized the South American OPEC nation. Tens of thousands of ecstatic supporters thronged the streets around the presidential palace in downtown Caracas, pumping fists in the air and shouting Chavez’s name after the former soldier beat opposition candidate Henrique Capriles by more than 9 percentage points. The new six-year term will let Chavez consolidate his control over Venezuela’s economy, possibly by extending a wave of nationalizations, and continue his support for left-

wing allies in Latin America and around the world. “Truthfully, this has been the perfect battle, a democratic battle,” Chavez thundered from the balcony of the palace late on Sunday, holding up a replica of the sword of independence hero Simon Bolivar. “Venezuela will continue along the path of democratic and Bolivarian socialism of the 21st century.” It was an extraordinary victory for a leader who just a few months ago feared for his life as he struggled to recover from cancer. He won 54.4 percent of the vote, with 90 percent of the ballots counted, compared with 45 percent for Capriles. More than 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots. Supporters dripping with

sweat strained to catch a glimpse of Chavez from the street below the palace while dancing and drinking rum. “Chavez, the people are with you!” they chanted. The victory was considerably slimmer than his win by 25 percentage points in 2006, reflecting growing frustration at his failure to fix problems such as crime, blackouts and corruption. In a nod to those complaints, Chavez said he would be more focused in his new term beginning on January 10. “Today we start a new cycle of government, in which we must respond with greater efficacy and efficiency to the needs of our people,” he said. “I promise you I’ll be a better president.”

epublican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has called for a “change of course” in the Middle East, criticising US President Obama on foreign policy. Speaking in Virginia, he lambasted the White House over an attack in Libya that killed the US ambassador. He said he would put Iran “on notice” over its nuclear plans, and called for arms to go to Syrian rebels. With four weeks to go before the election, polls show Obama retains a foreign policy lead over his rival. The former Massachusetts spoke at the Virginia Military Institute for his first major policy speech since the candidates met on Wednesday for their first face-to-face debate, on the US economy. Obama was widely seen as having “lost” the debate after a hesitant performance in Denver. Their vice-presidential running mates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan will debate on Thursday. Romney has repeatedly criticised the president for a foreign policy that he believes has left the US less respected and less powerful in the world. In his speech at the military institute he said he wanted to “offer a larger perspective on these tragic recent events” and share his vision for a “freer, more prosperous, and more peaceful world”. Romney linked the deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya to the president’s foreign policy and criticised his administration’s response. “The attacks on America last month should not be seen as random acts,” Romney said. “They are expressions of a larger struggle that is playing out across the broader Middle East - a region that is now in the midst of the most profound upheaval in a century.”

Romney seeks change in US foreign policy

Romney delivering a foreign policy speech at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, yesterday. Photo: AP

having “lost” the debate after a hesitant performance in Denver. Their vice-presidential running mates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan will debate on Thursday. Romney has repeatedly criticised the president for a

foreign policy that he believes has left the US less respected and less powerful in the world. In his speech at the military institute he said he wanted to “offer a larger perspective on

these tragic recent events” and share his vision for a “freer, more prosperous, and more peaceful world”. Romney linked the deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya to the president’s foreign policy and criticised his administration’s response. “The attacks on America last month should not be seen as random acts,” Romney said. “They are expressions of a larger struggle that is playing out across the broader Middle East - a region that is now in the midst of the most profound upheaval in a century.” The Benghazi consulate was set on fire during the attack that killed four Americans “This latest assault cannot be blamed on a reprehensible video insulting Islam, despite the administration’s attempts to convince us of that for so long.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

World in pix

A Somali pro-government fighter holding his weapon as he gets a haircut inside a barber’s kiosk in southern Somali port city of Kismayo, Mogadishu on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

President Barack Obama shaking hands with supporters at a campaign event at the Nokia Theater, on Sunday in Los Angeles PHOTO: AP

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, waving to the crowd gathered in a stadium upon his arrival for a speech on the 6th of October national holiday marking the 1973 war with Israel in Cairo, Egypt. PHOTO: AP

Pensioners Carmen Ruiz (R), 82, and her husband Francisco Arias, 83, crying as they listen to a speech during a protest against further tax hikes and austerity cuts in Malaga, southern Spain on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Opposition activists posing with a portrait of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, with a black ribbon commonly used for the deceased tied around it, on Putin’s 60th birthday in Moscow on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Syrian children waiting to receive free school bags from European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Executive Director of UNICEF at the Al Zaatri refugee camp, in the Jordanian city of Mafraq on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

More than 2,000 Hezbollah supporters gathering in the Bekaa Valley of eastern Lebanon to bury one of their fighters who a security source said was killed in the border area with Syria, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

A wounded Palestinian boy speaking on the phone with his family following an Israeli air strike in Rafah camp in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Cocktail

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

Bald head men are better leaders --Study

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (18)

* to put quote * The Law Of Responsibility I have come to discover that any time we are asking for promotion, we are asking for more work! Most times it’s illusionary to think that promotion will come without more responsibility and commitments. But the joy of life is that a life that is full of responsibilities and commitments is an exciting life. Studies have shown that when a life is productive, it has more promise of longevity than an idle living. Bring more work Lord! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Bald head men are better leaders –Study

lecturer at the University of P e n n s y l v a n i a ’s Wharton School of business says studies show men with shaved heads are perceived as better leaders. There’s apparently something about a man with a shaved head that projects masculinity. Maybe it’s the testoster-

one. “I’m not saying that shaving your head makes you successful, but it starts the conversation that you’ve done something active,” tech entrepreneur Seth Godin, told The Wall Street Journal. In one experiment, Wharton researcher Albert Mannes showed 344 people photos of the same

man, one with hair and the other with a digitally photo-shopped bald head. The test subjects said they perceived the bald man as more dominant. Men with thinning hair were perceived as least attractive and powerful. Mannes’ three tests were the basis for his study “Shorn Scalps and Perceptions of Male Dom-

inance,” published online and in the coming issue of the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. Amazon.com Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, Netscape founder Marc Andreessen, and Dreamworks Animation chief Jeffery Katzenberg, have all sported bald or closely clipped pates.

Parents outraged at school photo retouching

arents of children at a Swedish school said they were shocked and outraged when the school photography studio offered to retouch the pictures. Monica Vial, a mother of two, said she was shocked to lear n the photography studio in Ostersund was offering to retouch the pictures taken of young students at the local school, Swedish

news agency TT and The Local.se reported Friday. Vial said she is worried the practice of touching up the photos will run counter to campaigns aimed at improving the self-image of children and keeping them from being influenced by stereotypical beauty ideals. “This is sick in my world, because it involves young children,” Vial told the Dagens Nyheter

newspaper. Anna Wilhelmsson, a photographer from the company, said the “storm of criticism” resulted from a misunderstanding of the service, which offers to remove blemishes such as cold sores and black eyes. “Retouching is a loaded word, and we perhaps should rephrase it. The debate about retouching is important,” she said.

American political activist, Al Sharpton joking about hiphop mogul, Russel Simmons bald head PHOTO: UPI in 2001.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Flood: Monarch wants involvement in relief materials’ distribution

•As 1, 000 Kogi victims take refuge in Edo ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

he traditional ruler of Mozu in Bassa Local Government Area in Kogi State, Alhaji Khalid Bukar 11, has called on the state government to set up a committee comprising of traditional rulers and others in the distribution of relief materials to the victims of flood in the state. His call came even as there were rumours as well as protests from flood victims over alleged diversion of relief materials both in cash and food stuff by some people parading themselves as social workers as well as some government officials. Bukar said traditional

rulers, who are the custodians of the culture of the people would be in the best position to identify those that are genuinely affected. He rebuked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for rating Bassa Local Government as the fourth affected local governments in state, saying the damage done by the flood was too glaring for everybody to assess. He admitted that the causality was high in Ibaji Local Government but added that his local government would have come second due to the unquantified destruction caused by the disaster. He lamented that in Mozu, his domain, the flood swallowed all the houses except his palace.

“Though no life was lost but all the crops and animals were swept away by the flood,” he stated. He commended the former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, for his prompt response to the cry of the people of the area. Meanwhile, more than 1, 000 flood victims from Kogi State have taken refuge in Illushi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The victims have since converted the Illushi market into their temporary camp. The correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was in the area, reported that the victims were using polythene and other materials to carve out temporary homes at the

market. One of the victims, Mr. Nelson Arome, told NAN that most of them were from Omabu community in Oyedega Local Government Area of Kogi State. He said Illushi, though equally affected by flood, was “a paradise compared to our native community in Kogi.” Arome said the Omabu community had been totally submerged, adding: “We have lost houses, livestock, farms and property to the disaster.” He described their experience as harrowing and appealed to relevant government agencies and individuals to provide assistance to them. Arome said the refugees were facing harsh conditions, as there was scarcity of water, food and mattresses at the camp.

Plateau House urges striking workers to resume JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

he Plateau State House of Assembly has called on the striking local government workers in the state to go back to their duty posts in the interest of the state. It will be recalled that the workers in the 17 local government areas of the state had been on strike since June over matters relating to the implementation of the 18, 000 minimum wage and various negotiations between government and labour to resolve the contending issues had often ended in a deadlock. Speaking with journalists in Jos, the House Deputy Speaker, Hon. Johnbull Shekarau and the House Chief Whip, Hon. Timothy Golu, said the House is not happy that the strike has lingered

without solution. They appealed to the striking workers to resume work immediately so as to give the lawmakers the opportunity to look into all contending issues with the aim of ironing out all grey areas. Golu’s words: “As a House, we are not happy that the strike has continued. We want to appeal to the striking workers to suspend the industrial action and return to work to enable us intervene in the matter. We want them to give us that benefit of the doubts and see what we can do’’ Shekarau added: “There is no need to allow local administration to be grounded for any reason. We want peace and development and the House will do everything possible to ensure that these values are sustained at the local level of governance.”

Benue LG poll: PDP candidate pledges 10, 000 jobs

Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari (right), presenting an appointment letter to the Acting State Chief Judge, Justice Bala Mairiga, in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday.

2015: Group insists on northern Christian president AZA MSUE KADUNA

pan-religious group, the Christian Elders’ Forum of Northern States (NOSCEF) yesterday insisted on a Christian president from the region come 2015, saying it would not accept anything to the contrary. In a communiqué signed by the forum’s Chairman and Secretary-General, Evangelist Mathew Owojaiye and Iliya Yusuf, after its executive committee emergency meeting held in Kaduna, the group said out of nine Nigerian presidents

from the north, only former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, is a Christian. The group said for Nigeria to remain one come 2015, a country it described as a forceful amalgamation in 1914, the continued killings must stop. The communiqué read in part: “Some northerners are already preparing themselves to contest for the presidency in 2015. We the Christians boldly affirm that the next person to be president of this country from the north must be a Christian. “The north has produced many Presidents or Heads

of State. You can see that out of the nine persons, the northern Christian has only one, Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The northern Muslims have produced three elective presidents. The Christians from the north have produced none.” NOSCEF added; “Justice, equity, fairness show that the next President of Nigeria from the north must be a Christian. We don’t expect anything less.” The communiqué also stressed that; “In two years time, we shall be reviewing the 100 years of the forceful amalgamation of Nigeria. Those who are insisting

that Nigeria must remain one have just two years to stop all the killings, looting and the maladministration. “There will be no nation called Nigeria if things remain like this,” the group said. They urged the Federal Government to stop Christian genocide in the north, saying Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state. The communiqué, however, called for the creation of eight regions in the proposed constitutional amendment, explaining that each region should be semi-autonomous and selfgoverning.

he chairmanship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 24 local government election in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Hon. Benedict Terver Kume, has promised to create 10, 000 job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the area if elected. Kume, who stated this yesterday in an interview with journalists in Makurdi said he would use his wealth of experience of having been an elected councillor and later supervisory councillor in the local government to enhance the speedy socioeconomic development of the area. According to him, the local government system was faced with a lot of problems which include lack of access roads, potable water, inadequate industrialisation, lack of youth and women empowerment, adding that he would use his good office if elected to provide the basic infrastructure needed at the grass root level. Kume promised to keyin into the rapid infrastructural development stride of Governor Gabriel Suswam as captured in

the administration’s blueprint. “Our Benue, Our future,” that has taken Benue to a very high level of development. “If elected chairman, apart from creating employment opportunities within my local government, I would use my position to lobby for thousands of jobs for the teeming unemployed youths of the local government as a deliberate policy of my administration in reducing unemployment in my area. There is massive unemployment in the country and I must devise means to reduce poverty and ensure gender equality,” Kume said. He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has always engendered fairness and credibility in the conduct of its affairs and that he would work round the clock to ensure that the mandate given to him by the people of the area will be used to improve on their wellbeing. He called on all well meaning people of the local government to give him maximum support to enable him emerge victorious at the forthcoming local government election.

News

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NNPC begins corpse identification, to meet with families soon UDEME AKPAN

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has taken measures to properly identify the bodies of the three engineers killed by vandals in Arepo while making efforts to rehabilitate Arepo pipeline in Ogun State. Investigations showed that the bodies of the slain engineers who worked directly with the Pipelines Product Marketing Company (PPMC) have been taken

to the hospital in Mosimi, where the corporation has a major depot in the state. An authoritative source in Mosimi said the bodies were being identified. He said on completion of verification, the oil firm would then meet with families to handover the bodies for burial. National Mirror learnt that the corporation has also started working on the entitlements to be paid to the families as demanded by its conditions of service. Spokesman of the cor-

poration, Mr. Fidel Pepple, said in a telephone interview that: “As announced by the police, the bodies have been recovered. Appropriate measures are presently being taken to ensure that stakeholders, especially the families are carried along.” Pepple continued: “We are working as a responsible organisation to manage the situation. The corporation will issue a comprehensive statement to inform and educate the public at the right time.” The bodies of the engi-

neers were found in two shallow graves by the river bank where their assailants dumped them. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, who heads the Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, said over the weekend that the slain officials were a deputy manager in charge of Pipelines Right of Way (PROW) and two other engineers. Ibadin said his men combed the creeks near Arepo for four weeks before they could locate the bodies in two shallow

graves in the area. His words: “We found, in a decomposing state, bullet-ridden bodies of the three victims. We learnt that the body of the local security guard employed by NNPC, Taye (a.k.a Dead Man), was cut into pieces and disposed of.” Ibadin said the reports at the disposal of the police indicated that the team dispatched by the Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC, successfully put out the fire by cutting off the product supply.

“The team was on the verge of gaining access to the damaged point to commence proper assessment of the scope of work when the vandals killed three members and injured several others.” Ibadin continued: “In the course of investigation, six suspects were arrested. We gathered from the confession of one of the suspects that he knew where the NNPC staffers were buried. Initially, he took our team to a spot and after several hours, the bodies were not found.”

Fuel subsidy scam: EFCC to arraign four more suspects

Veterinary doctors congratulate new service chiefs

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign another set of suspects in the ongoing trial of persons and organisations indicted in the fuel subsidy scam. Those to be arraigned before Justice Adebukola Banjoko, of the Federal Capital Territory, High Court, according to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, include AIhaji Saminu Rabiu, Jubril Rowaye, Alminnur Resources Limited and Brila Energy Limited. The arraignment will take place today in Abuja. The suspects are charged on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraudulently obtaining N1, 051, 030, 434. 63 from the Petroleum Support Fund as payment for the purported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS. It will be recalled that 13 suspects were arraigned before Lagos courts on Friday, October 5, 2012 on similar charges. Those arraigned are: Aro Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah. The five companies also involved are A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited.

MOJEED ALABI

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Dr. Tunji Olaopa; his Bureau of Public Service Reforms counterpart, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele and representative of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Charles Bonat, at a stakeholders’ workshop on the Draft Report on review and Professionlisation of the Human Resource Management System of the civil service in Abuja, yesterday.

Saudi authorities to re-admit deported pilgrims TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he Saudi Arabian authorities have agreed to accept deported Nigerian pilgrims with valid visas, the Speaker of the House Representatives who led the Presidential Committee to Saudi Arabia has disclosed. Tambuwal made this known yesterday at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Those in the delegation include the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sani Sami, Alhaji

Aminu Dantata, Professor Shehu Galadanchi, Chairman of Nigerian Hajj Commission, NAHCON, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed. According to Tambuwal, the Saudi authorities are also processing the country’s application to extend the airlifting deadline to accommodate the deported pilgrims. The Speaker, who expressed excitement at the outcome of the meeting, also disclosed that the issue of male companion for female pilgrim was

also settled as the Nigerian delegation made it known that the issue is open to different interpretations from the four jurisprudences in Islam. He said: “Our interface with the Saudi authorities has been very successful because we had serious and deep engagement. The first good news is that all of those pilgrims who have secured valid visa are being taken back “The understanding so far with them is that they will be allowed entry into Saudi Arabia. “Of course under the Islamic jurisprudence, Mu-

harram is a requirement but there are different categories of Muharams, as different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, the Maliki, the Shafi’i, the Hambali and the Hanafi. “These are the four pronounced schools and they have their different definition of Muharam and we have passed across to them that message and we believe that they understand and reason with us that in Nigeria, the predominant Islamic school of jurisprudence is the Maliki school of thought, which allows for a group Muharram.”

Court awards N100m damages against police

n Abuja high court sitting in Apo has issued an order directing the Nigeria Police and a new generation bank to pay a N100 million damages to an Abujabased journalist, Mr. Desmond Utomwen and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), over inhu-

man treatment suffered by Utomwen at the instance of the judgement debtors while carrying out his lawful journalistic duties about three years ago. The trial high court judge, Justice P. U. Kekemeke entered judgment against the duo after he found that they breached

his rights under the law to perform his lawful journalistic duties Utomwen was a Senior Correspondent with the Independent Communication Network Limited (ICNL), Publishers of The News magazine and PM News at the time of the incident. National Mirror recalls

that at about mid-day of Friday, December 11, 2009, men of the Nigerian Police in collaboration with staff of the bank brutalised and beat Utomwen to a pulp while trying to cover a protest at Area 3, Abuja, over the massive fraudulent withdrawals via ATM said to have been made by the bank officials.

he Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), yesterday congratulated the newly appointed service chiefs, urging them to step up the security initiatives introduced by their predecessors while in office. The association also applauded President Goodluck Jonathan, for retaining the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, who it described as a competent hand. According to the association’s President, Dr. Gani Enahoro, it was Ihejirika’s initiative of creating modern methods of crime prevention and detection that he created Army Headquarters Dog Centers in Lagos and Abuja for specialised duties. He pledged the association’s support to the new service chiefs particularly in maintaining the dogs to achieve the desired targets. “Veterinary Doctors in Nigeria would therefore wish to admonish the new team to improve and excel on past performances as we would continue to support and collaborate effectively with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security forces including the police, the Nigerian Prisons Services and the Nigerian Civil and Security Defence to promote, preserve and add values to their established Dog Centers all over the country,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Features

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lafia abattoir: Commissioned, but rejected by butchers

he pronouncement by Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura that with the completion and commissioning of the Lafia Modern abattoir, the processing of meat under unsanitary conditions in the capital city, will be a thing of the past may not be true after all. This is because, nearly four months after inauguration, animals are still being slaughtered in the open bushes. Suffice to note that the preparation of meat for public consumption has continued to be carried out under unhygienic conditions and in the most primitive manner after the much celebrated opening ceremony. Residents of Lafia, the state capital, were filled with joy and hope when the abattoir was commissioned, even as the governor expressed regaled on how healthy dieting could play a role in the wellbeing of the citizenry, as well as the overall socio-economic development of any society. Hitherto, he told the gathering that “It therefore, behooves government to ensure all necessary measures are taken to provide the enabling environment for the production of hygienic foods for consumption.” Perhaps, it was in connection with this that Al-Makura, said during the inauguration, that “Government considers the construction of a befitting abattoir, a matter deserving priority attention. Accordingly, on assumption of office in May, 2011 we did not hesitate to commit resources to the completion of the abandoned project inherited from the previous administration. Visit by National Mirror to the abattoir, revealed that the animals are still being slaughtered in the open fields filled with cow dung and entrails including and dried blood from animals slaughtered animals, which have made them gathering ground for maggots and even health hazards to people living in the area. Consequently, meat brought from such places is usually accompanied with sand particles and grass as the animals are butchered on bare floor. Moreover, there is no clean water supply to thoroughly wash the meat and entrails to make them fit for human consumption. Regrettably, the only source of water at these places is a dirty pond where refuse are indiscriminately dumped and a handful of water vendors, known as “Mai-ruwa”, thereby aggravating the already unsanitary condition of the primitive abattoir. As one approach, the environment, the offensive odours can be very overpowering and this is even made worse by the fact that these butchers also defecate within the same environment. Following this, the conveyance of meat from the abattoir to the market is usually with wheelbarrows, hence exposing them to flies and all the health hazards associated with this stone-age method of transportation and distribution. Matters are made worse because most personnel of this open field abattoir and allied staff, lack requisite training and capacity building for maximum results.

In the bid to protect the health of the citizens, especially with the slaughter and preservation of meat in a hygienic environment, the Nasarawa State Government built a modern abattoir in Lafia. But to consternation of the authorities and residents, those meant to use it, especially butchers continue to slaughter animals in the old-fashioned manner. IGBAWASE UKUMBA, visited the abattoir and reports.

REGRETTABLY, THE ONLY SOURCE OF WATER AT THESE PLACES IS A DIRTY POND WHERE REFUSE ARE INDISCRIMINATELY DUMPED AND A HANDFUL OF WATER

VENDORS, KNOWN AS

“MAI-RUWA

Animals being slaughtered in an unhygienic environment.

The Lafia abattoir.

During the visit, the deputy chairman of the National Butchers Association of Nigeria, Lafia branch, Alhaji Uba Haruna, said that residents of Lafia, who consume meat slaughtered at such places risk contracting diseasse due to the dirty environment where the animals are being slaughtered. Investigations revealed that the animals which are brought to this primitive abattoir for slaughtering neither undergo quarantine to enable the health officials to carry out routine check to ascertain their fitness for human consumption. Investigations also showed that the situation is attributed to refusal of the state government to make provision for compensating people whose ani-

mals are discovered to be disease infested and consequently rejected for human consumption. This nonchalant attitude of the government has led to a worrying situation whereby dead and sick animals are frequently slaughtered in the abattoir. The deputy chairman, however, lamented that butchers in Nasarawa State are yet to feel the dividends of democracy as they are being neglected which makes their situation pathetic. Accordingly, he regretted that the health of the inhabitants is exposed to danger through the consumption of meat slaughtered in the unhygienic and primitive abattoir. It was also discovered that where meat are being sold at the Lafia main market, the situation is equally

unwholesome, as retailers expose them to flies and other disease carrying vectors, given that there are no cages with protected nets to put preserve from the unhygienic environment. Moreover, meat remnants , sometimes are sold several days after slaughter in their decomposing state, as there is no cold-rooms to preserve them, coupled with the nonexistence of a meat inspection team in the market. A consumer, Mrs. Agnes Okechukwu, appealed to the Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, to visit the Lafia main market to see things himself, in order to find ways of improving the unhygienic condition which is posing grave health risk to shoppers. A meat retailer, who preferred anonymity, appealed to the government to put to use the Lafia Modern Market, commissioned a year ago, but latter abandoned, in order to decongest the old market as well as improve its sanitary condition. When National Mirror visited the newly inaugurated ultra modern abattoir, it however, learnt that it does not meet the internationally required standard as some modern facilities are lacking. Most conspicuous is the non-existence of a cold room to store unsold meat on the premises. When contacted on this on this unwholesome situation, a senior official in the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture, who begged for anonymity, said acknowledged that government was aware of the situation and working to rectify it. He said the administration would soon put into to use the commissioned but abandoned abattoir, in order to augment the plight of butchers as well as inhabitants of the city. For this, it is pertinent for the state government to put all the facilities in place and impress on the butchers to make use of the abattoir. Moreover, before it should ensure that all ongoing or commissioned but abandoned projects, are put to use or completed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Katsina: A silver jubilee and calls for more development

People in a rural community admiring a solar lamp.

Recently, Katsina State celebrated 25 years of its creation. But in the midst of the merrymaking, there have been calls on the government to take the issue of poverty and grass roots administration seriously. JAMES DANJUMA looks at the celebration and what the citizens see of their lot.

t other climes, celebrating 25 year anniversary of state creation would have called for merry making, as various entertainments would be rolled out for political and traditional leaders. The sound of music would be heard in every direction, while men and women dance to local and foreign melodies. In the Northern part of the country, local musicians are known to grace the occasion, with rich and colorful displays of traditional cum cultural ways of life, and beamed on the local television station. But Katsina State chose not to have any of them during its silver anniversary on September 23 2012. It rather opted for two things; prayer sessions and a banquet. The prayer session was held across the three senatorial zones on Friday September 21, with supplications made for continued peace, stability and progress in general. Following the second prayer session a total of 68 Imams were invited from the 34 council areas on Saturday the 22nd, for similar activity. After the prayers, the banquet was held on Sunday 23rd, at the Government House, with many of the past state governors, military administrators and deputy governors in attendance. Those in attendance were Abba Musa Rimi, who was governor of defunct Kaduna State in 1979 (from which Katsina was carved out), Major Gen. Lawrence Onoja (July 1988 to December 1989); Colonel John Madaki (December 1989 to January 1992), and Commodore Emmanuel Achonolu (December 1993 to August 1996). Others were, Colonel Joseph Akaagerger (August 1998 to May 1999); Lawal Kaita,( from October 1983 to December 1983, while former Deputy Governors Tukur Jikamshi (1999 to 2002), and Sirajo Damari (May 2007 to May 2011) represented their colleagues. Before the banquet, the governor and the past administrators had taken time to see some of the projects initiated or executed by the present administration, which included the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Uni-

versity, UMYU, Turai Yar’Adua Child and Maternity Hospital, the multi-billion naira ring road and ongoing construction of a new Government House, The audience had earlier watched a 15-minute documentary on the creation of the state, while a book titled ‘Katsina: Chronicle of Arewa’s Shining Star at 25’ was distributed to people present. The former state administrators then took turn to speak at the occasion with Abba Musa Rimi, expressing his gratitude to the former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, for creating the state. He said the state had waxed stronger from inception and that some of the developmental projects were among the best in the country. Lawal Kaita, pointed out that some people struggled for the creation of the state, like of Isa Kaita, Magaji Mohammed, Ismaila Isa, and should be congratulated for their efforts. Lawrence Onoja, prayed for repose of souls of those who had contributed to the state’s history, like Gen. Hassan Katsina and Emir of Katsina, Muhammadu Kabir Usman, among others. He scored the administration high for good leadership, adding that the state capital is among the best in the country. Yahaya Madaki called on the governor to sustain level of development, even as he requested that markets be opened in the state for promotion of crafts which has contributed to development of the state. Emmanuel Achonolu, in his remarks, described the achievements recorded in the state as a miracle, and that most of them were people-oriented projects. Tukur Jikamshi, speaking on behalf of past deputy governors, said even an enemy could attest to the quality leadership and level of infrastructural development in the state. Shema commended the past administrators for their contribution, saying their efforts helped to make the state what it is today. He said the combined efforts of the German and Federal Government initiative

A rural dam

would give the state an excess of 60 mega watts of electricity, which would enable it become sufficient. During the banquet, Shema was given three awards, for good governance and for recognition of his leadership and contribution to development of the youths. Speaking on the anniversary, a veteran journalist, Hassan Bako said “the state had fared very well especially in the last 13 years, a period that saw the massive expansion of infrastructure.” He added that the education, health, water, roads among other sectors got serious boost, and the state has become the better for it. In an interview recently, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education, Garba Matazu, agreed that the state has been better since its creation, especially in the area of education. He claimed that in the whole of Northern Nigeria, Katsina has the best university, and that in terms of funding, it has the best polytechnic and college of education. “Government is spending most on education, especially our tertiary institutions. Presently over N15 billion was spent in providing educational tools and good condition for learning in the state”. But a member of the opposition, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in the State House of Assembly representing Daura constituency, Hon Yusuf Daura, seems to think differently. The lawmaker said though there has been some form of development in the past 25 years of the state has not been able to live up to the expectation of its founding fathers. “There is need for more people-oriented development, especially those that will reach the rural poor and fairness and accountability should be the watchword of those in positions of leadership”. Second Republic lawmaker, Senator Abba Ali, said he was not satisfied with state of things. “There are so many things to be done and they have not been done. Our dreams for agitating for creation of the state have not been realized because a lot has not been done in the area of grass roots development, since we were motivated by the need to bring government closer to the people.

THERE IS NEED FOR MORE

PEOPLE-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT,

ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT WILL REACH THE RURAL POOR AND FAIRNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULD BE THE WATCHWORD OF THOSE IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP The fact that successive administrations have failed to provide good governance, worries most of us. What is most needed is educational and economic development of the state,” he said. Senator Ali said the state had “developed as far as school buildings and construction of roads are concerned. We have the state university and some hospitals upgraded but unfortunately, there are no doctors and equipment.” He lamented that the politicians have turned the people into servants. It is sad that no one can challenge the governor, even his cabinet. As a result, a lot of actions are being taken arbitrarily.” The state was carved out of defunct Kaduna State, and is bordered by Niger Republic in the north, Kano State in the east, Kaduna State in the south, and by Sokoto State in the west. According to the book issued at the ceremony, prominent sons had expected then military administration of Murtala Mohammed to create a state for them in 1976 but that expectation was dashed. The tempo of agitation for the creation of Katsina state, continued the book, did not “abate even after military rule was dislodged in 1979. It picked up and gathered momentum during the Second Republic under auspices of ‘Nagge Dadi Goma’.”

WORLD RECORD

First prehistoric salamanders

Vol. 02 No. 465

Looking beyond Bakassi

he eleventh-hour effort of the Federal Government to save the hotly contested oil-rich Bakassi peninsula from going to neighbouring Cameroun has, once again, reinforced the relevance of our democratic institutions in sustaining and defending our national interest. The decision of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, which ruled against Nigeria’s claim to the territory, needed the consent of the National Assembly and the decision of the upper legislative assembly, the Senate, has thus led the government to reconsider the earlier stand not to appeal the judgement. At least, for once, President Goodluck Jonathan listened to good counsel to exhaust all available options by revisiting the decision for the good of Nigerians affected

N150

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The earliest prehistoric salamanders date back 165 million years. Fossilised remains of thousands of individuals have been discovered in volcanic ash beds in China and Mongolia.

ri Lankan batsman, Mahela Jayawardene, has stepped down from the T20 captaincy following his country’s defeat to West Indies on Sunday. Jayawardene led his side to a 36run defeat in the final of the World Twenty20 but said he had informed the selectors of his decision prior to

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

by that judgement. Indeed 10 years after the ruling is long, no doubt, but one thing that cannot be denied is the fact that there are issues that have given rise to the current realities and the claims of the two countries to the territory. Since the pronouncement, the plight of Nigerians whose future would be determined by the ICJ decision has been left totally unattended to going by the current realities on ground. Laws are surely made for man and not vice versa. The jury of international court may have given the judgement based on the fact presented before it then but when faced with the realities of implementation and the difficulties in the matter, there will always be a new thinking to handle the emerging complexities of the peninsula. In response to the increasing public opinion, President Jonathan recently constituted a committee to consider the possibility of appealing the judgement. The window period to seek redress would have elapsed by tomorrow, October 10, which would have made it a decade after Cameroun secured the ruling. The decision is not sacrosanct and, apart from that, it is the right of Nigerians, whose claim to the land is not in dispute, to explore all necessary means of reaching a compromise on the territory. If historical facts will not work, then other options are

THE BRITISH CLAIM TO THE FALKLAND ISLANDS DID NOT START WITH THE 72 DAYS WAR IN 1982 BUT HAD BEEN IN CONTENTION SINCE

1774 INITIALLY BETWEEN FRANCE AND BRITAIN

still opened for consideration before giving up. To Cameroun, the territory may be important not because of the people, but due largely to the resources, particularly the oil deposits which without doubt, must have bolstered that country’s resolve not to let go, coupled with the special interest of the West already targeting the oil. This is expected and should not in any way make Nigeria less committed to the Green Tree Agreement which emerged after the ICJ decision. But the real issues that cannot be overlooked include the emerging crises due to the large

population of Nigerians who are also legitimate dwellers of the territory. Apart from this, the fact that ceding that portion will equally threaten the legitimacy of the Nigerian state cannot be underestimated. The legal option that the two countries have decided to follow has not been fully exhausted and the decision to appeal has thrown the door opened to opportunities to address not only the plight of the indigenes but also the chance for them to have a say in their own matter. After decades of deadly wars, it took the people of Sudan a plebiscite to finally reach a compromise which brought peace to that troubled region. The international court may not have envisaged the new dimension to this age-long contention over Bakassi. No matter the posture of the international community over this issue, the composure of the government on this matter must be that of no-retreat nosurrender. End to crisis of this nature is usually prolonged as long as there are issues to tackle. The British claim to the Falkland Islands did not start with the 72 days war in 1982 but had been in contention since 1774 initially between France and Britain even before the involvement of Argentina. Military supremacy gave the British the advantage in the contention in spite of the fact that the territory in dispute was inherited from Spain, the colonial masters of the Argentines. Military option had not worked in resolving the Bakassi matter and in this circumstance may not be the best option when there are opportunities for negotiation to arrive at a compromise that will ensure the peaceful coexistence of the communities and boost the relationships between the two countries. The current agitation to rescue the disputed territory from Cameroun has indeed gone beyond the decision of an individual.

Sport Extra Cricket: Jayawardene succumbs to defeat, serves quit notice the tournament. However, the 36-year-old will remain in charge of the one-day and Test match sides for the remainder of the year. “I think we need a young leader,” Jayawardene said yesterday, add-

ing, “It’s a great opportunity for somebody to start in the T20 format. I have stepped down but will assess what I want to do after December.” Jayawardene top scored with 33 in the unsuccessful run-chase against West Indies, to the much dis-

appointment of 35,000 home fans at R Premadasa Stadium. “It hurts because you want to do something special for the public as well, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to cross that final hurdle,” he added.

Mahela Jayawardene

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