Leadership news

No. 465

N300

11.01.15

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

nigeria's most influential newspaper

Customs Cg, inde, loses father News, > 6

man, 25, rapes 85-yearold woman in ekiti News, > 6

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

france’s most wanted woman: Hayat Boumeddiene Analysis > 67

Child Suicide Bomber Kills 19 In Borno Market Dozens killed in insurgents/military clash in Adamawa, Yobe 4

President Goodluck Jonathan in a handshake with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, during the wedding ceremony between Mr. Simeon Onyemaechi and Miss Inebharapu Paul, at the National Christian Centre in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN

Chibok Diary DAY 272

9th month of girls’ abduction: BBog group to organise media engagement > Page 2

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

chibok diary 272 DAY

chibok tweets @SegunObasanjo I’m more ashamed about Nigeria celebrities. Same people that carry placards for #BringBackOurGirls have gone to wear uniform to support GEJ @AishaYesufu 271 days and our 219#ChibokGirls seem to have been forgotten. They are still waiting for our Nation to do right by them #BringBackOurGirls

@donlaz4u I stand with #Chibok parents and other victims of terrorism in Nigeria. #BringBackOurGirls Now and alive

@DrDamages Chibok girls: 271 days after. #BringBackOurGirls If we were digging a tunnel from Maiduguri to Sambisa forest it would’ve been done by now.

former education Minister, oby ezekwesili (r) addressing members of the #BringBack ourGirls (BBoG) group in abuja, yesterday. Photo by dele damisa

9th Month Of Girls’ Abduction: BBOG Group To Organise Media Engagement

BY Chika Mefor and EjikE

EjikE, Abuja

@JuSTIDuNNu So because celebrities aren’t trending the #bringbackourgirls thing we’ve all chosen to ignore that they aren’t back?

COMPILED BY MIChaEL OChE

The BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group has stated that come January 14, 2015, it will organise series of media engagements to mark the ninth month the abducted Chibok school girls have stayed in the hands of their abductors.

Speaking during its usual sit-out while listing the activities to mark the day, one of its members, Aisha Yesufu stated that the event was

aimed at reminding Nigerians and the government that the girls were still in the hands of their abductors, nine months after the abduction.

She stated that January 14 marks the ninth month and wondered the pains and agony of the parents and families of the girls who had waited anxiously and yet had not seen their children even after promises from government. " January 14 marks nine months of the abduction.

We have series of media engagement. We will be

speaking about the girls and reminding Nigerians that the girls are not yet back," she said.

The group who apart from media engagements promised to visit some well-known personalities in the country to talk on the issue of the abducted girls, emphasised that it won't relent in its advocacy until the girls are brought back.

Recall that the Chibok community has stated that it will seek the help of the United Nations in the rescue

of the school girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect on April 14, 2014.

Its community through the spokesperson, Mr Dauda Iliya, stated that the call became necessary due to the fact that after eight months of the girls' abduction, they were still in the hands of their abductors.

"We want to go to the United Nations. We need to go within and outside the Chibok community for help. We need to go to the United Nations to compel government to own up to its responsibility," he said.

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our stand January 11, 2015

Invest In Health Infrastructure

C

hairman of the United Nations Foundation, Ted Turner, and Nigeria’s Senate president, David Mark, have noted that the outbreak of deadly diseases like Ebola offers a stark reminder of the importance of investing in health systems and infrastructure before emergencies strike. Speaking at different fora in the United States of America and in Nigeria, they pointed out that the neglect of the health sector over the years, especially in developing countries, is what has compounded the challenges of diseases, when they break out with ill-anticipated fury.

The American, however, said that the programme established to help eradicate one of such diseases – polio – is currently offering vital support to the Ebola outbreak response, in terms of surveillance, tracing people with whom patients have had contact, implementing preparedness planning, training of health workers and providing health communications to the public. He observed, though, that while polio infrastructure can play an important part in addressing health emergencies like the Ebola outbreak, it must be stressed that there is the need to remain focused on the goal of ending polio itself on the African

continent.

It will be noted that dramatic progress has been made in the global effort to eradicate polio, with cases decreasing by 99 per cent since 1988. These gains are attributable to the efforts of United Nations agencies such as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, working with other partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Reports indicate that Nigeria, one of the countries recently affected

by Ebola, is the only country in Africa where polio remains endemic and one of only three endemic countries in the world, along with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even at that, the country’s polio programme has proven its effectiveness through a constructive engagement of

Ag. Editor Auwal Sa’id Mu’azu Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah government at all levels, and traditional and religious leaders.

Through this process, polio has declined dramatically in Nigeria, with only six reported cases in two states in 2014, compared to 48 in nine states for the same period in 2013 – a reduction of over 85 per cent.

Even with this apparent success, a strong polio programme with the potential to help fight the spread of other diseases cannot afford to let down its guard, as it must be realised that the progress against polio is, at best, fragile.

It is pertinent, in our view, that existing health efforts, like the global polio eradication programme, can be leveraged to fight a crisis like Ebola and more.

The benefits of putting this type of infrastructure in place make a strident case for the health authorities to be more proactive on issues that have to do with critical areas of public health.

In our opinion, it is not enough for key state officials to lament over action not taken. What is needed, and urgently too, are concerted, purpose-driven measures, designed to take care of emergencies before they occur.

Investing in health is an absolute necessity in human capital development, which is an area that requires our collective effort.

Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko

Leadership Holdings

Managing Director Abraham Nda-Isaiah Executive Director Nnamdi Samuel New York Office Mohammed Bello Shehu London Office Dr Bello Salihu Johannesburg Office Abiodun Oguntuase

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

4 NEWS

Sunday, January 11, 2015

LIVING TO BE 100

Some health tip daily Exercise & Yoga Human body is like an automobile it needs the following:Lubrication - Proper exercise is the lubrication of body, it increase circulation and flexibility..

Battery charging - Solar plexus is the battery of body and is charged through Pranayam, the yogic breathing.

Cooling Systems - Relaxation provides the cooling of body.

Fuel - Proper diet, food, air, water and sunlight provides the fuel for body Balanced Driver - Mind is the driver of body. It can be balanced and controlled by meditation and concentration Do light exercises regularly.

— Source: livelongto100years.com

40th Anniversary: Sultan, Gowon Congratulate Emir Of Zazzau

BY MIDAT JOSEPH And ALIYU YUSUF,

Kaduna

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) yesterday congratulated the Emir of Zazzau, Alh. Shehu Idris on his 40th anniversary on the throne.

The former head of State who was the Chairman of the anniversary occasion held at the Emir’s palace in Zaria, thanked the Emir for supporting government policies and programmes and promoting the nation’s cultural heritage.

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto who was the Royal Father of the Day emphasized the need for emirs to be mindful of the responsibilities vested on them

by God to lead their subjects well.

“We must work for the people, we must ensure that our people live a live worthy of living and we must fear God Almighty in all we do. We must endeavour to speak the truth and not allow what happened in 2011 to happen again. We must stand up at all cost to be with our people and we must say no to selfish politicians.

Remember, Islam hinges on peace, justice, equity and fairness to all, therefore, as Emirs we must promote such attitudes. There can never be peace without justice, equity and fairness,” Sultan noted.

Also speaking, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who congratulated the Emir for attaining 40 years on the throne, attributed the success recorded by the emirate to patience, fairness,

HRH, Shehu Idris

justice and truthfulness.

Yero assured that the 2015 budget in the state was meant to complete on-going projects, adding that none of the on-going projects would be abandoned.

According to him, his administration will prioritise construction of feeder roads to facilitate easy transportation of farm produce.

Responding, the celebrant appreciated God Almighty for sparing his life to witness what he described as a memorable and historic occasion.

The Emir thanked all the past governors of Kaduna state for their support and cooperation towards the development of the emirate in particular and state at large.

He admonished Nigerians to embrace one another and always preach peace to pave the way for sustainable growth and development.

Child Suicide Bomber Kills 19 In Maiduguri

By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri, MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola, HUSSAINI JIRGI, DamATURU and Bayo Oladeji Abuja,

The three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the north eastern geo-political zone again came under severe attacks from Boko Haram insurgents who killed scores of persons, with 19 people killed in the Borno main market in Maiduguri, the state capital.

A female suicide bomber suspected to be a child of about 10 years was said to have carried out the Maiduguri market attack while dozens were killed in Adamawa and Yobe state when insurgents and military troops clashed yesterday.

The Maiduguri suicide blast which took place at the exact spot where two female suicide bombers detonated bombs wired on their bodies, killing themselves and several others, late last year, also left 18 others seriously injured.

Residents of Maiduguri who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday said they heard the thunderous explosion at about 12:30pm.

Traders within the market said it occurred at the area where local chickens are sold.

Spokesman of the Borno state police command, DSP Gideon Jubrin, who confirmed the incident said, “the casualty figure at the market bomb incident is 20 dead and 18 injured, including the female suicide bomber that detonated the IED at Monday market.”

A witness from the market, who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday at the General Hospital where relatives rushed to see remains of the victims, said the bomb went off from the body of a girl of about 10 years old after operatives of the Civilian-JTF on a stop-and-search duty discovered she had a bomb under her garment.

“The two young men searching her died instantly while the girl’s body was hurled by the force of the bomb to a distance of about 500 meters. Many people got injured but I saw seven bodies badly battered,” said the trader named Sani.

Other traders at the market said the incident occurred after a Boko Haram suspect was arrested in the market on Saturday morning.

At the hospital, our reporter saw ambulances of the Red Cross ferrying bodies in and out of the accident and emergency unit.

Armed soldiers barricaded persons except health and aid workers from gaining access to the accident and emergency unit of the hospital.

Another eyewitness, Ya’u Adamu, who sells wares in the market, said, “three women were amongst those killed by the blast; I saw them personally before they were taken to the hospital

IGP Suleiman Abba

Dozens Killed As Troops Repel Attack On Uba Town Boko Haram insurgents yesterday encountered stiff resistance from Nigerian troops when they attempted to overrun Uba town located about 35 Kilometres from the commercial town of Mubi in Adamawa state.

Reports from the area indicated that a fierce gun duel that lasted for many hours between the Nigerian Troops and Boko Haram insurgents who launched an attack around 7am Saturday morning led to the death of several of the insurgents as the Nigerian troops succeeded in repelling them A resident of Uba who identified himself as Dan Uba, said the insurgents had made an attempt to take over the town but soldiers stationed in the area rose up to the occasion and repelled the attackers after a sustained battle that lasted several hours.

“The attackers came in the wee hours of Saturday and started shooting at the Nigerian troops in an attempt to capture the town.

But the soldiers engaged them in a gun duel which lasted for many hours. The soldiers later succeeded in repelling the attack,” he said.

Another eyewitness who does not want his name in print said he saw about 10 dead bodies suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents alongside two burnt vehicles allegedly belonging to them.

Although the Nigerian Military is yet to disclose the exact number of casualties on both sides, local sources however said several of the attackers were feared killed.

Despite the success recorded against the insurgents by the soldiers yesterday, the Uba attack caused pandemonium in the commercial town of Mubi as

residents ran into the bushes for fear that the insurgents may have once again annexed the town.

The anxiety was sparked by the fact that the last time the insurgents attacked Uba, they proceeded without any resistance by the soldiers to annex Mubi in a couple of hours.

A resident of Mubi, Mallam Sani Chubado confirmed that the news of a gun duel between Nigerian troops and Boko Haram insurgents heightened tension as many ran into the surrounding bushes and hilltops for safety.

“There was serious pandemonium in Mubi as news filtered in that Boko Haram insurgents had attempted to take over Uba town which is just a stone throw away from Mubi.

But the security forces were able to repel the insurgents and as I am speaking to you, normalcy has started returning to Mubi following assurances by security personnel that they are on top of the situation,” Chubado noted.

Another resident of Mubi who preferred anonymity also told our correspondent that even after Mubi and surrounding towns were liberated, Boko Haram elements still remain in surrounding bushes and urged the security personnel to intensify surveillance in the bushes so as to flush out the insurgents completely as they constitute great threat to Mubi and surrounding towns.

Meanwhile, the attack on Damaturu, the Yobe state capital has left in its wake dozens of dead bodies and several injured people.

A witness, Alhaji Goni, told LEADERSHIP Sunday in Damaturu the state capital yesterday that over 150 attackers believed to be terrorists invaded the state capital at about 7:12pm and started shooting from different directions.

NEWS 5

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Child Suicide Bomber Kills 19 In Maiduguri He said that the attackers stormed the state capital few hours after military troops and local hunters patrol teams moved to Katarko village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state to repel the planned attack by the insurgents.

Among those killed were many insurgents and two security officers. Many others, especially men, were injured while attempting to help repell the attackers who witnesses said, stormed the town in a convoy of vehicles.

Sources confirmed to our correspondent that the attackers burnt many shops, police stations and mosques belonging to the Izala sect.

When contacted on the number of casualties, the management of the Specialist hospital Damaturu, in the state capital said the official number had not yet been given to them.

Efforts to reach the Yobe state military authorities also proved abortive as the mobile phones of those concerned were all switched off.

Also, a bomb blast which occurred around 3:45pm inside

a police station in Potiskum, Yobe state yesterday killed two policemen and left others injured.

A witness who was close to the police station said that shortly after the bomb blast, he saw one ambulance carrying dead bodies of two policemen to the Potiskum General Hospital.

He said that the bomb blast occurred within the premises of police station and destroyed many building and cars belonging to the police authority.

According to the witness, “I had just passed the station on my way to the Emir of Fika’s palace when I heard the blast around 3:50pm so, I rushed back and saw that there was a blast in the vehicles parked at the police station.”

The names of the policemen who lost their lives during the blast have been given as Adamu Hayyat and ASP Muhammed Chive.

One of the policemen who sustained injuries and was admitted at the Potiskum General Hospital disclosed that, “we arrested a suspect with a Golf Volkswagen car in the town and brought him to the office for further investigation. We started

searching the vehicle but didn’t know that the car contained a bomb which went off and killed my colleagues.”

Meanwhile, the Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said that troops have foiled the terrorists attempt to occupy Damaturu while the mission to recapture Baga town is being worked out.

According to him, “troops are on mopping up operation around Damaturu after successfully foiling and containing the terrorists attempt to occupy parts of the town. The terrorists had launched massive attack from different directions of the town on Friday evening, but troops were promptly mobilised to repel the attack that lasted the night resulting in heavy casualty on the terrorists before the rest of them retreated.

Weapons including IEDs and Rocket Propelled Grenades captured from the terrorists are being compiled while their dead as well as civilian casualties are yet to be determined.

“Pursuit of the fleeing terrorists is also ongoing while the five soldiers who were seriously

wounded in the attack are being treated in the military medical facility. Although normalcy has been restored, the town is also being reinforced with more troops.

More details later.

“Meanwhile the situation in Baga is still being studied to determine the appropriate action that will restore law, order and normalcy to the community after the attack mounted by hundreds of heavily armed terrorists of last weekend.

A total of 14 soldiers were killed in action during the attack, while over 30 who were wounded are now receiving medical attention.

Most of those declared missing in action have also rejoined their unit in the ongoing reorganization for further operations.

Although several of the terrorists died in the course of the attack and efforts at repelling the assailants, the actual figure of civilian casualties is yet to be creditably determined as is being propagated in certain quarters.

“The Nigerian military has not given up on Baga and other localities where terrorist’s activities are now prevalent. Appropriate plans, men and resources are

presently being mobilized to address the situation. The Nigerian component of the Multinational Joint Task Force which retreated from its Baga Headquarters last weekend and more of the troops are regrouping for necessary debrief and briefing for subsequent missions.

“It is necessary to reassure Nigerians that the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies are capable of flushing out the terrorists from Baga and all parts of the nation’s territory where their activities are prevalent. No portion of Nigeria’s territory has been or will be conceded to terrorists.

“The use of all available resources within the armed forces will continue to be maximized to sustain the tempo of the counter terrorism campaign towards containing and eradicating terrorism in the nation’s territory.

The support and understanding of all partners and neighbouring countries will however continue to be utilised where available and relevant in the conduct of the mission and in line with existing agreement and understanding,” he said.

Women buying clothes at Nyanya Market Abuja, yesterday. photo by dele damisa

Security operatives screening members of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) waiting at the venue of the party’s national convention in Lagos on Friday. Photo by nan

A vulcanizer at work in Ado, Nasarawa State, yesterday. Photo by dele damisa

An accident scene at Asokoro area in Abuja, yesterday. photo by DELE DAMISA

6 news across the states

Customs CG Loses Father The death has occurred of Alhaji Abdullahi Usman Liman, the aged father of Comptroller General of customs, Alhaji Abullahi Dikko Inde.

The late Liman died Friday night, precisely around 10pm in his house at Musawa town of Musawa council areas of Katsina state at the age of 93.

He was buried at his residence in Musawa town according to Islamic rites, around 11am yesterday.

A family source told our correspondent that the deceased died after a protracted illness.

“He was taken to different hospitals at different times before his health recently deteriorated in the last seven days,” our source said in an emotion laden voice.

He is survived by two aged wives and 23 children including the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde who is the second eldest child.

The late Liman is the son of former District Head of Musawa, Durbin Katsina, Usman Liman. He was a direct descendant of the Nagogo royal family in Katsina.

The deceased who was the elder brother of the current Sarkin Musawa, Muhammadu Gidado Usman Liman, was until his death, the Magajin Garin Musawa, a highly revered traditional title in Hausa land.

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

Man, 25, Rapes 85-year-old Woman In Ekiti A 25-year-old man, Familola Ayodeji has been arrested by operatives of the Department of Criminal Investigation in Ekiti State for allegedly raping an 85- year-old woman.

The octogenarian, a grandmother, was said to be asleep when the suspect sneaked into her room, bolted the door and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti state police command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, in a statement said the suspect initially went into hiding after the act but was caught in the dragnet spread for him by detectives.

He said medical report confirmed that the victim was raped by the suspect and he will soon be charged to court.

Another statement by the Police spokesperson said the Police detectives from Ikole Division, IkoleEkiti, have also arrested one Pa Olajide Ojo of B22, Oke-Ode Idogun Street, Ikole-Ekiti for defiling a 12-year-old-girl.

The suspect lured the victim who was on street trading into a room under the pretext that he wanted to buy pounded yam for the girl.

Babayemi said the suspect locked the door as soon as the victim entered and forcefully defiled her.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Obasanjo Attends Jonathan’s Daughter’s Wedding

BY George Agba, Abuja

Nigerians who attended the church wedding of President Goodluck Jonathan’s foster daughter, Inebharapu Paul yesterday marvelled when former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a surprise appearance at the venue of the event.

In what looked like the kind of suspense that could be only seen in spy movies like those of the legendary James Bond, Obasanjo showed up unexpectedly at the

wedding between Jonathan’s foster daughter, Inebharapu and Dr. Simeon, held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The former president who had been very critical about the Jonathan’s administration in the build up to the 2015 elections arrived the venue of the wedding in the company of his former aide, Dr. Andy Uba and some other aides before the commencement of the service.

His sudden appearance at the ceremony immediately threw

the congregation into a frenzy of excitement, as his admirers, especially women, gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced.

Senate President David Mark and his who wife entered the church 25 minutes before Jonathan who arrived the venue, accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience and the bride, exchanged pleasantries with Obasanjo and other dignitaries before taking their seats.

While giving his vote of thanks

at the service, Jonathan specially recognised Obasanjo’s presence.

“Let me appreciate our father, President Olusegun Obasanjo, for being here with us. Thank you for coming”, he stated.

Earlier, the president who told the newly wedded couple not to come to him with their problems because he was already laden with too much national issues to handle, enjoined them to be patient in marriage and learn to resolve their differences all by themselves.

A South African cultural troupe entertaining guests at the Glo caf awards in lagos on Thursday night.

Photo by nan.

2015: Buhari Promises To Tackle Insurgency, Corruption ....Promises to Revive Coal Sector

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu.

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC), General Momammadu Buhari yesterday promised to tackle insurgency and corruption when he assumes office as president in 2015. He also promised to revive the coal industry that has been moribund for a long time.

Buhari , who gave the promise during his presidential campaign in Enugu State held at Okpara Square, Enugu urged the electorate not to vote for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections.

He assured that his administration would ensure regular power supply, advising the people of Enugu State to ensure that they got their permanent voters card so that they would be at a vantage position to vote for the

APC in 2015.

While condemning the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram group, the former military ruler promised to bring the activities of Boko Haram to an end when he becomes president, insisting that killing people in motor parks and schools was not religion.

Earlier in his speech, Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has assured that Buhari was coming to stabilise the country, saying that Nigeria was shaking.

Okorocha said he saw Buhari as a man that would actualise the change that Nigeria needed and urged him to actualize an additional state for people of the South east when he becomes president.

According him, though Ndigbo did not support Buhari in his three previous elections in the country, the jinx had been broken, assuring Buahari that he would receive massive support from the Igbos in 2015.

As Namadi Sambo’s convoy arrived the centre of the venue, people started chanting in Hausa “Bamaso - bamaso - bamaso meaning we don’t want - we don’t want - we don’t want”.

The action created tension and security operatives tried to control the crowd using force but people resisted and the chants increasingly gathered momentum.

The security personnel had no option than to smuggle the VP into the residence of the Emir with a view to calming the situation but all efforts to do so failed

as people refused to abide by their instruction through a public announcement that all individuals should vacate the area except security men and journalists.

The security details had to take the VP’s vehicle right inside the Emir’s residence to smuggle the nation’s Vice President with Gov. Muktar Yero into the Emir’s Palace to avoid further public embarrassment.

It would be recalled that Sambo had promised President Jonathan two million votes in the forthcoming general elections.

Sambo, Yero Booed In Zaria

By MIDAT JOSEPH and ALIYU YUSUF, Kaduna

Thousands of irate youths yesterday booed vice president Mohammed Namadi Sambo and Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State at their Zaria home town during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the reign of Emir of Zazzau, Alh. Shehu Idris.

The vice president, who arrived the venue of the occasion late when the procession of horse was about to terminate at

about 2:30pm met the anger of people who converged at the palace to witness the historic celebration.

Sambo hails from the ancient city of Zaria, and he was at the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour.

The booing of the VP by the spectators drew them the wrath of the security personnel at the venue, who used clubs and other instruments to disperse the “deviant spectators.” As a result, many people were injured from the ensuing commotion.

news across the states 7

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Ifad, Niger State Collaborate With N2 Billion To Assist Rice, Cassava Farmers The International Fund for Agricultural Development and Niger State government are collaborating to spend over N2bn on the training of cassava and rice farmers in three local government areas of the state over the next six years.

In the collaboration, IFAD will commit N328million while Niger State government will contribute N79.9 million annually to the capacity building programmes for the farmers spreading over the said period.

The local government councils involved, according to the commissioner for Agriculture Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, are Wushishi, Katcha and Bida local government areas.

The commissioner said that already IFAD and the state government have recruited and embarked on ‘Train the Trainers Programme’ that will handle the training of the farmers.

Kuta, who spoke through the permanent secretary, Alhaji Muhammadu Danlami Ibrahim, said that the programme is aimed at improving the income of the farmers and also lead to a massive increase in the cultivation of the selected farm produce.

He explained that the idea of the Value Chain programme is to increase production, and develop processing of the produce.

2015: Police Revoke Licences Of Firearm Holders In Rivers

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Har-

court

Less than five weeks to the commencement of the 2015 general elections, the Rivers State police command has announced the revocation of the licences for the possession of licensed firearms in the state.

The revocation order, LEADERSHIP Sunday observed, may not be unconnected with the recent attack on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

at three different locations in the state, which resulted in the hospitalisation of no fewer than seven members of the party.

The recent increased activities of suspected cult groups in the state leading to the death of several people, especially in Khana, Abua/Odual, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of the state, may have also contributed to the decision of the command to revoke the licences.

The police, in a statement is-

sued in Port Harcourt yesterday and signed by the police public relations officer (PPRO), Ahmadu Muhammad, ordered members of the public, who are in possession of such arms and ammunition, to surrender such to the public armouries in their areas of jurisdiction.

The statement reads in part: “The Rivers State police command observes with grave concern the continued recovery of firearms and ammunition from individuals across the state. In-

L-R Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre,(Cislac), Mr Auwal Rafsanjani; convener, Protest to Power Movement, Mr Jaye Gaskiya and coordnator, State of the Union, Mr Okeke Anya, at a news conference on the 3rd year commemoration of the January 2012 uprising in Abuja, yesterday. Photo

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

Vietnam Plans Investment In Nigeria’s Oil Sector On-going negotiation for expanded business relations between Nigeria and Vietnam is yielding fruits as the latter has expressed intention to invest in Nigeria’s lucrative oil and gas sector.

Both countries are currently building stronger trade ties as numerous companies in the Asian country are seeking to invest in different sectors of Nigeria’s economy, the Nigerian-Vietnam Chambers of Commerce and Industry said.

Nigeria’s yearly rice import bill from Vietnam has hit about $500 million (N84 billion), and Vietnam also spends about $100 million to import agricultural products such as raw cashew nuts, cassava and oil palm from Nigeria, according to the president of the chamber, Prince Oye Akinsemoyin.

“The chamber is now looking at setting up institutions that will further foster the relationship between Nigeria and Vietnam; we are encouraging investors from Vietnam to make in road into Nigeria economy. companies like Viettel are willing to invest $7 billion into the Nigerian telecommunication sector”.

By Chika Izuora, Lagos

dividuals and associations in possession of licensed firearms are by this release informed that such licences have since been revoked.

“Accordingly, members of the public are ordered to surrender such firearms and ammunition to the public armouries in their area of jurisdiction. The command will, henceforth, treat anyone arrested with such firearms as a criminal and be made to face the full wrath of the law, please”, it stated.

By Nan

No Attempt To Demolish ECWA Church – Rev Bakwai

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

The Reverend in charge of ECWA church at Matazu town, Matazu local government in Katsina State, Audu Bakwai, has confirmed that there was no attempt to demolish the church as reported in some national dailies including online media.

It would be recalled that there were reports of impending crisis over alleged attempts to demolish the 99 year old ECWA church.

Speaking at Matazu when the the state inter-faith committee visited the church on a fact finding mission, Rev. Bakwai said the church was not under any threat of demolition.

Flanked by the church Pastor and other members, Rev Bakwai said Christians and Muslims were living peacefully with each other in the community.

He, however, noted that the church decided to fence a narrow passage between a primary school

owned by the church and the pastor’s residence, a move that appears not to have gone down well with some persons who reportedly have been using the passage for years.

In a brief speech, the chairman of Katsina State inter-faith committee, Khadi Isa Muhammad Dodo, said the committee was at the village to find out the true state of things in reaction to media reports of looming crisis over alleged planned demolition of the church.

Dodo said the committee had assessed the situation and would advice the state government on what to do in order to ensure continuous and harmonious co-existence between both Christians and Muslims communities in the area.

Our correspondent reports that khadi Dodo and his team met with some Christian leaders including one Pastor Bako who disclosed that the contentious passage had served as road for the people of the community for over twenty years.

Jonathan Is Being Hypocritical Over Railway Revival – APC

By George Okojie, Lagos

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being hypocritical over his persistent claim of reviving the railway when in actual fact, he has bluntly refused to grant the necessary right-of-way approval to the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) for the construction of its redline light rail project from Iddo to Ifo in Ogun State with a capacity to carry one million passengers per day. This is in spite of the fact that investors

were ready to invest over one billion dollars in the project.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said in failing to grant the approval, which has been pending since May 2013, President Jonathan premised his action on the fact that Lagos is an ‘enemy state’.

“President Jonathan is simply being hypocritical when he listed the revival of the railway as part of his administration’s so-called achievements during the kick-off

of his electioneering campaign in Lagos, and during which he also tried to project himself and his party as friends of the South-west in general and Lagos in particular.

His words and actions since assuming office six years ago do not support that he claims to have revived the railway but did not tell Lagosians how he has stopped, in its tracks, the LAMATA Red Line Light Rail Project that would have alleviated the suffering of Lagosians as they commute daily across the densely-populated city, not to talk of the loss of over 30,000 jobs

that would have been created by the project”, it said.

APC said there is no stronger indication that President Jonathan holds the South-west in general and Lagos State in particular in contempt than his failure to grant the right-of-way approval for this project, considering its massive benefits that include ease of transportation, the decongestion of the city, the creation of, at least, 30, 000 jobs and the attraction of huge investments that the project, if approved, would have brought to the state.

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news across the states

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Anambra PDP Senatorial List: INEC Report Declares Chris Uba, John Emeka,Others Winners

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

The controversy trailing the list of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for the senatorial elections in Anambra State, heightened yesterday as a report from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that Chief Chris Uba, Prince John Emeka and Senator Annie Okonkwo won the primaries for the Anambra South,Central and North Senatorial districts.

This was contained in a report of the INEC team that monitored the primaries of the party in the state.

The list of senatorial candidates of PDP from the state has been a subject of intense dispute.

But according to a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the committee’s report obtained by LEADERSHIP Sunday, the INEC headquarter led by Chika Okafor an assistant director in the commission, Adam Dan-Shuaibu a principal admin officer and Joy Uba a senior executive officer, the PDP primaries in the state conducted on the December 7 under the Chief Ejike Oguebego leadership was very peaceful and witnessed a smooth sail.

The report further reads: “Generally speaking, the Peoples Democratic Party primaries did not come short of expectations as it took place peacefully in all the senatorial constituencies in the state. The result of the primaries was gener-

ally accepted by the members of the party as the correct expression of their collective wishes and desires. It would also be pertinent to say at this juncture that, that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra State chapter did comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) as well as their laid down congresses/primaries guidelines and the Constitution.

According to the preamble of the PDP guidelines for primary elections 2014, it is clearly stipulated that candidates of political parties will only emerge through primary elections duly conducted and monitored by INEC (Section 87(1) (a).

Political parties are no longer al-

lowed to change or substitute candidates whose names have been submitted to INEC, except in the case of death or withdrawal of candidates (Section 33).

The INEC committee in its report to the commission further stated that the PDP adopted open ballot system otherwise known as option A4 to elect their senatorial flag bearers and that during the primaries, the voting process was simple and straightforward, firstly nominations were called for, after which delegates queued up and voted for candidates of their choice before counting and recording of scores were done. The contestant with the simple majority of votes cast was declared the winner”.

Delta Community Raises The Alarm Over Illegal Dredging Residents of Okwutowa, Obodogu quarters in Okpanam community near Asaba, Delta State have alerted the state government and other relevant agencies of the illegal dredging going on in the community threatening that unless urgent steps are taken by concerned authorities, the devastating erosion already caving in the roads might spell possible doom.

One of the residents who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity said that those involved in the dredging activities are men and women who, in search of quarry, have succeeded in dredging over 50ft beneath the ground.

Investigations revealed that following the continued dredging, gully erosions have devastated no fewer than 63 houses in the last six months in the community.

But another person, Joseph Umoh, said, “look, these people have been doing this business here unchecked for over three years now, some of them are from the neighboring states, all they are after is getting the stones which they sell to those who are building houses”.

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

L-R: Alh. Aliyu Ibraheem, Representative of former Director General Nigerian Tourism Development Commission, Otunba Segun Runsewe; Special Consultant/Co-chairman Organising Committee, Fact Finders, Hajia Zumaira Gambo and chairman of the occasion, His Highness Anabs Godknows during the 1st Fact Finders Outstanding Personality Award 2014 in Abuja, yesterday. photo by JANE OKEKE

Why Nigeria, Kaduna Are Underdeveloped –el-Rufai

By MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna

Former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, has alleged that the failure of late President Umaru Yar ádua and Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State to choose competent people as running mates, is the reason why Nigeria and Kaduna are being misgoverned.

El-Rufai, who is the Kaduna state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this during a Hausa political phone-in programme on DITV/Alheri Radio, monitored by LEADERSHIP Sunday yesterday.

The gubernatorial candidate who justified the selection of Hon. Barnabas Bala Bantex, the state chairman of the APC as his running mate, noted that the choice was made after due consultation with party members.

According to him, most governorship or presidential candidates prefer to choose people that they can manipulate as their running mates and not those who are competent, forgetting that a deputy governor or a vice president can emerge as substantive governor or president.

El-Rufai noted that President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State succeeded their principals following the deaths of President Yarádua and Governor Yakowa respectively.

He added that they were not adequately prepared for the task ahead.

“The crisis of underdevelopment and non-performance that we are experiencing at the federal level and Kaduna State will not have arisen if the right calibre of running mates were chosen from the very beginning’,’ el- Rufai said.

Certificate Saga: Buhari Is Not Qualified To Contest 2015 Election – Fani-Kayode The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of covering up the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, over his failure to submit his certificates and credentials as demanded by the law.

The presidential campaign team of the ruling party further declared that Gen. Buhari was not qualified for the 2015 election since he has not submitted his certificate to INEC. Following reports that he did not submit his certificate to INEC, Buhari had explained in an affidavit he deposed before an Abuja High Court, that all his certificates were with the Secretary, Military Board.

The affidavit was dated November 24, 2014 and was stamped and received by INEC on December 18, 2014.

But addressing a press conference yesterday, director of publicity of the PDP presidential campaign council, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said INEC erred in law by publishing the name of a candidate without receiving the personal particulars of the candidate within seven days of receiving his nomination forms as indicated in section 31(3).

He further said from records made available, Buhari did not submit any credentials in 2011 and previous elections he had contested in.

Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Put Nigerians First, AANI Urges Politicians As the country gets set for the 2015 general elections next month, the Alumni Association of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Planning (AANI) has called on politicians to put the interest of Nigerians first in their activities and strictly observe the rules of the game.

This is even as former Ghanaian president, John Kofi Kufuor, former Nigerian Head of State, Ibrahim Babangiga and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111, are among personalities expected to speak at AANI’s reunion lecture with the theme “Managing Democratic Transition in a Diverse Country”.

Making the call at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, president of the group, Maj. General Lawrence Onoja (Rtd), underscored the need for a credible and peaceful transition.

He said: “Whatever they do, they should put Nigerians first and make sure they follow the rules of the game”.

By Juliet Alohan, Abuja

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

RIVERS STATE CAUCUS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mutawallen Sokoto @ 49 We, Honourable Members of Rivers State Caucus of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly rejoice with you Mr. Speaker, on your 49th birthday.

Honourable Speaker, you have displayed a commendable ability by managing a bi-partisan House of Representatives to everyone’s admiration.

As one of the front liners in the development of our nascent democracy, you have distinguished yourself at all strata of leadership and we are happy to celebrate you on your birthday.

Happy Birthday Sir! Signed: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Hon Dakuku Peterside Hon Asita Honourable Hon Andrew Uchendu Hon Sokonte Davies Hon Betty Okagua-Apiafi Hon Chinda Ogundu Hon Kenneth Chikere A

8. Hon Blessing Nsiegbe 9. Hon Dawari George 10. Hon Gogo Tamuno 11. Hon Barinada Mpigi 12. Hon Maurice Pronen 13. Hon Ogbonna Nwuke

RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL, CFR

Speaker, House of Representatives Federal Republic of Nigeria

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cover story

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Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano State governor

Suleiman Abba, IGP.

Kano’s High Rate Of Rape Cases In 2014 Cases of rape, especially of minors, in Kano State have been a cause of concern for the people, even as the victims and their parents continue to feel the pain and agony of the dastardly act. Abubakar Salihi, writes

T How on earth could somebody of that age rape a minor and expect anything good in his life

he annual crime report in Kano State that was recently released by the state police command gave the number of rape cases that were recorded specifically in 2014 as high as 214 cases.

This number represents the reported rape cases that the police were aware of in 2014. But quite a number of rape cases remained unknown to the police command as some of the victims shied away from public knowledge of what they had gone through in the hands of their captors, and this has to do more with cultural reasons or simply fear of stigmatisation, especially of young victims.

What remains unclear to many people is that, in a state like Kano with a population of about 15 million people, having such a figure of 214 as reported cases in a year is a cause for alarm, as most incidents were never reported.

It would be recalled that Kano commissioner for justice, Barrister Maliki Kuliya Umar, had in January 2014, disclosed that there were more than 100 reported cases of rape between

November and December 2013 alone in Kano courts, as many more of such reported cases were settled outside courtrooms within the same period.

Barrister Umar emphasised that the number of reported cases was so high now because people were more aware of the need to report rape cases to the police, unlike before when victims’ parents or guardians remained silent because of the stigma.

In his words, more than 40 rapists were convicted and are now serving terms in prison.

“Rape is becoming problematic, not only in Kano or Nigeria, but also globally,” he insisted.

According to him, report from the ministry of justice also revealed that the number of rape cases received by courts in the state within the period of two and a half years of the present administration, under the category of public prosecution, was 1,185, while civil litigation cases increased to 186, out of which 72 were concluded.

He further revealed that under the category of citizens’ rights, about 126 cases were received in 2013, and 45 cases were settled.

One of the landmark successes of addressing rape cases was the speed and accuracy with which judges adjudicated the cases.

In this New Year, a Kano high court has sentenced a 35-year old man, Dan Bala Musa, an indigene of Kano, to 10 years imprisonment. The same court also convicted a young man, aged 25, of Kiru town in Kiru local government area to 14 years jail term for raping a minor, Hafsat Ibrahim.

Alhaji Ibrahim Kiru, a farmer and unionist, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that for anybody to rape another person’s daughter is a painful and shameful thing to do. Alhaji Kiru informed that he worked so hard until the case in Kiru appeared before the court of law and the rapist got what he deserved.

According to him, the situation was becoming unbearable, and that led him to give out the custody of his daughter, aged eight, to his aged mother, adding that he could not stand the emotional pain whenever he was at home and saw her.

Similar concern was raised by Mallam Muhammad of Hotoro area of Kano, whose daughter was allegedly raped by his neighbour. Muhammad said he could hardly forget the incident, and anytime he recalled the experience, he became devastated.

According to Muhammad, his daughter was raped by a 50-year

old man, who happened to be a driver with a bank.

Ever since then, he has continued to regret not being there for his daughter, which was the reason the old man could take the opportunity to destroy her life.

The angry father wondered how on earth somebody of that age could rape a minor and expect anything good in his life, while viewing the situation as incurable, especially for him.

LEADERSHIP Sunday’s encounter with the father of another victim that was allegedly raped, murdered and abandoned in an uncompleted building was very revealing of the danger that the incident of raping has rubbed on the society.

The father, who sought for anonymity, stated in tears that he suffered from the inhumane treatments on his daughter, who was raped and killed by her assailants.

He added that whenever he reflected on what had happened to his late daughter, his position happened to be precarious and he could hardly get out of it in a short time.

The bereaved father added that he had sent his wife packing for not doing her best to protect his late daughter, until intervention from some friends that calmed him down led to his forgiving her, and accepting her back into his home; saying he has left the judgement to the creator.

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c

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES LIMITED (A SUBSIDIARY OF LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP)

2015 ANNUAL

CONFERENCE & AWARDS CEREMONY Chairman PRINCE JULIUS ADELUSI-ADELUYI Former Minister of Health and Chairman, Juli Pharmacy Plc. STAR AWARDS 2014 LEADERSHIP PERSON OF THE YEAR Chief Olusegun Obasanjo LEADERSHIP GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR Alh. Kashim Shettima

LEADERSHIP POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR Gov. Tanko Al-Makura LEADERSHIP BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Adewale Jubril Tinubu

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2014

LEADERSHIP CEO OF THE YEAR Benedict Peters Founder, Aiteo Group LEADERSHIP COMPANY OF THE YEAR Stallion Group LEADERSHIP BANK OF THE YEAR Jaiz Bank LEADERSHIP BANKER OF THE YEAR Henry James Semenitari MD/CEO, Unity Bank LEADERSHIP GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria SMEDAN

LEADERSHIP PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Innoson Vehicle LEADERSHIP MICROFINANCE BANK OF THE YEAR Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc. LEADERSHIP PUBLIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR Gimba Ya’u Kumo Former MD/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria LEADERSHIP BRAND OF THE YEAR Brains and Hammers LEADERSHIP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR Ali Nuhu LEADERSHIP YOUNG PERSONS OF THE YEAR The Chibok Girls LEADERSHIP SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Asisat Oshaola

Venue: Sheraton Abuja Hotel Time: 9:00am Date: February 5th, 2015

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sunday politics

Ag. Politics Editor Sunday: EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE

2015 Elections And Politics Of Insecurity Disturbingly, both political divides, that is the opposition, APC and the ruling PDP have latched on to Nigeria’s security challenge to score political points in the lead-up to the 2015 general elections. EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE reports.

T

It is now clear that despite their inability to protect lives and property and to stop the terrorist attacks in the country, the presidency and the PDP are not interested in any genuine efforts to end the worsening security situation.

he possibility of elections in the insurgency-wracked North East of the country hangs in the balance. Federal lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) have blocked the extension of emergency rule in that region. The chances of the country’s 3.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) voting in the 2015 elections remain a major political issue.

Disturbingly, both political divides, that is the opposition, APC and the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) have latched on to the ugly development to score political points.

While politicians continue to trade blame, the insurgents’ terror campaigns have become more brazen and daring. Aside abductions, killings and seizing towns in the country’s north east, Boko Haram fighters recently captured a multi-national military base and a town on the Nigeria-Chad border. With 3.3 million IDPs, Nigeria now has the largest population of persons displaced by conflict in Africa.

APC’s presidential flagbearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is bandied in his campaign messages as the man capable of quelling the Islamist insurgency. Curiously, he has failed to share his touted novel approach and strategy to chase out Boko Haram with the present administration. Instead, the APC and Buhari promises ‘genuine efforts’ that will end the insurgency if elected in February 14. For now, the killings and destructions continue.

The APC has tagged Nigeria a failed state, further accusing the PDP-led government of its inability to protect the citizens. The PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan have also been on the defensive, counter-accusing the APC of insensitivity and politicising the killings.

A PDP spokesman recently accused the APC and some of its key members of sponsoring Boko Haram. This is the

Jonathan

Buhari

situation the country finds itself.

Spokesperson of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated recently, “It is now clear that despite their inability to protect lives and property and to stop the terrorist attacks in the country, the presidency and the PDP are not interested in any genuine efforts to end the worsening security situation. It is patently obvious that

Revisiting Campbell’s Prediction On Nigeria’s Disintegration > 21

their aim is to make political capital out of the tragedy that has befallen Nigeria, rather than to ameliorate the cruel fate being daily suffered by the citizens.”

At the maiden Nigerian Political Parties Discussion Series (NPPDS) debate series organized by Centre for ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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PDP, Atiku 2015 Elections And And FactsPolitics Of History Of Insecurity 17

The issue of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current President (Jonathan) that he was going to contest.

Democracy and Development (CDD) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) held in December 2014, both political parties continued to trade blame on the rising insecurity.

The Deputy National Chairman (North-East) of the APC Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir and his PDP counterpart Dr Katch Ononuju also presented their parties’ agenda to end the insecurity.

Ononuju said the PDP has created a stable and progressive economy for 16 years and that the problem with the Military started after Buhari as a Military Head of State seized power and stopped trainings the military.

“The federal government had commenced the process of rebuilding the country’s security services, including the army, the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) among others. The government had started training the army, recruiting more soldiers and providing the needed equipment for the troops which capacity he claimed had been undermined by the military government,” Ononuju said.

He however admitted that the ceaseless Boko Haram attacks in the country were a challenge because the government was never prepared for the menace.

Responding Inuwa said the APC when it comes to power would ensure adequate community policing through the establishment of state controlled police, so as to curb the protracted security challenges in the country.

Nigeria’s constitution does not allow for state police.

“I do not think Nigerians are satisfied with the current system of policing. I do not think all the armed forces put together, are commensurate with our population and land mass. We have to be dynamic and we don’t have to continue what we inherited from colonial masters.

We look at the immediate and we are futuristic in our thinking, what is happening today is a combination of the imbalance of the past, which the PDP government could not control and that is why we have so Nigerian territories under siege,” Inuwa said.

‘Doctrine of Necessity’ The choice of presidents fits a common pattern in the country’s elections. Monitors point to an unwritten arrangement of deliberately rotating the position along regional and religious lines. The move is necessary because of the religious, regional and ethnic complexities that has come to shape and define Nigeria. “...the amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates inextricably complicated Nigeria’s destiny.

Animist, Muslims, and Christians alike were held

Scene from the December 2011 bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla

together by a delicate, some say artificial, lattice.” Renowned Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe said in his controversial book “There was a Country”.

Jonathan’s tortuous walk to the presidency in the heady days of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s illness was well reported. The former president (a northerner) would later die, paving the way for the inauguration of Jonathan (a southerner) as Nigeria’s president on May 6, 2010. The National Assembly made Jonathan’s inauguration possible through the landmark ‘doctrine of necessity’ proclamation. Jonathan spent one year completing the tenure of the late Yar’Adua from 2010 to 2011.

Jonathan’s election in 2011 worsened matters as some northern interest resisted his emergence on the grounds that the presidency be zoned to the north in continuation of Yar’Adua’s botched two-terms allowed by the constitution.

There is a section that point to well-articulated conspiracies that the “northern establishment” which after losing out in the 2011 ballots resorted to make the country ungovernable and in essence, make Jonathan look bad – enter Boko Haram. Prior to the heightened Boko Haram onslaughts, the 2011 post-election violence that followed the announcement of presidential election results has remained a sore point in that years election. Murderous thugs reportedly loyal to one of the presidential contestants, invaded some northern cities, maiming and killing hundreds over perceived rigged votes.

In 2012, the late former National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Owoye Azazi ruffled

Mohammed

feathers with his statement that the ruling PDP cannot wash its hands of the Boko Haram menace.

Speaking at the Second South-South Economic Summit in Asaba, Delta State, the NSA said elements within the PDP helped create the environment that created the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

The late Azazi said: “The issue of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current President (Jonathan) that he was going to contest. PDP got it wrong from the beginning. The

party started by saying Mr. A can rule, and Mr. B cannot rule, according to PDP convention, rules and regulations and not according to the Constitution.

That created the climate for what is happening. Is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win, and if he did not win, he could cause a problem in the society?”

Azazi and the former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa later died in mysterious circumstances following a helicopter crash in the former’s home state, Bayelsa. ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

POLITICS interview 19

Sunday, January 11, 2015

No Parallel Assembly In Ekiti – Fayose’s Aide Lere Olayinka, is the Special Assistant to the Ekiti State government on Public Communications and New Media.

In this interview with ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, the head of the state Broadcasting Service speaks on the political stalemate in the state as well as the Stomach Infrastructure Scheme of the government. He also speaks on why Governor Fayose didn’t probe his predecessor among other issues Don’t you see the current political crisis in Ekiti state as capable of slowing down development in the state?

I want to clearly make it known here that there is no political crisis in Ekiti State. That crisis only exists in the minds of APC supporters who never gave it a thought that Fayose would assume office as governor of Ekiti state.

As at today, the three arms of government, executive, legislative and judiciary are functioning. So as long as there is no crisis in Ekiti state, then nothing will slow down its development. As regards the parallel House of Assembly they are mentioning, I want to state it clearly that there is no parallel assembly. The law states it that the legislators can only carry out their duties inside the legislative chambers so anything that is being done outside the chambers of the Ekiti House of Assembly is illegal.

The Stomach Infrastructure of Fayose’s administration has been widely criticised. Some even say that the scheme will cause laziness among people in the state. How will you react to that?

Stomach infrastructure is about the welfare of the people. It is about making sure that the people are able to feed and take care of their basic needs. It is about creation of gainful employment for the youths. It will interest you to know that what the APC government of Fayemi claimed to be provision of employments was servitude. Graduates were engaged on monthly stipend of N15,000 without giving them

of love. He called and held meetings with the APC lawmakers and behold, all that the APC lawmakers demanded for was money, money and money. The APC people should just realize that they cannot rewrite what God wrote concerning Ekiti and its people on June 21, 2014, and the earlier they realize the futility in their evil agenda against Ekiti people, the better for them.

The governor claims that there was massive looting under Fayemi’s administration. One wonders what is delaying him from pressing for a probe.

Olayinka

letter of employment. In the state broadcast stations that I head, there are over 70 people engaged by the Fayemi-led government. None of them was given employment letter. So, how does a graduate, a family man live on N15,000 per month? Therefore, stomach infrastructure, which Governor Fayose initiated is about meeting the basic needs of the people. For instance, there are people who are sick and cannot treat themselves because they lack as little as N2,000. There are people who only need as little as N5,000 to trade.

These are the people Governor Fayose’s stomach infrastructure is aimed at taking care of. Funny enough, our friends in the APC that have been criticising the stomach infrastructure concept are now copying it. National leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu openly distributed food items in Lagos last week. APC governors have distributed bags of rice, branded in the party logo in the last few days.

They castigated Governor Fayose for riding on okada (motorcycle), now the vice presidential candidate of their party, Prof. Osinbajo is jumping from BRT Bus to Keke Marwa and eating booli (roasted plantain) on the streets of Lagos.

We can smell hypocrisy here, and we in Ekiti are not bothered about whatever name they call Fayose.

All that is clear now is that Peter Ayodele Fayose has added stomach infrastructure to the dictionary of

politics in Nigeria and no amount of badmouthing from the APC can erase that.

The opposition has constantly said that Fayose, has not learnt from what led to his impeachment in 2006. They say he is so rude and doesn’t govern with diplomacy.

What is your take on that?

Was Fayose impeached in the first place? The answer is no and that was made clear enough in the tribunal judgment two weeks ago. Okay, they say Fayose is not governing with diplomacy? So diplomacy is about opening the state treasury for a few people in the State House of Assembly to loot? Diplomacy in their own dictionary is Fayose surrendering his authority as governor to the APC goons?

You tried so hard to prevent Fayose who defeated you roundly from assuming office. When you failed to prevent him from assuming office, you refused to attend his inauguration. Immediately after he was inaugurated, you went to the House of Assembly and declared a one month recess. Isn’t that in itself a declaration of war on Fayose and the people of Ekiti who voted for him? It is known to everyone in Ekiti that the former Speaker, Adewale Omirin, even made preparations in readiness for his assumption office as acting governor on October 16. Yet, Fayose stressed to them his hands

Of course, Fayemi’s government was characterised with massive looting of the state treasury, and Governor Fayose has made himself clear on this issue. He has said that he won’t run after Fayemi and those who worked with him. He has handed them to God and Ekiti people to judge. For instance, in a state like Ekiti with less than N3bn as monthly federal allocation, former governor, Kayode Fayemi spent a whooping sum of N604,961,645.72 just to furnish the new Governor’s Lodge built for the comfort of himself and his wife. Unfortunately for Fayemi and his wife, they could only use the N604.9m furniture for 15 days! Contract for the furnishing of the new Governor’s Lodge, built with N3.3bn borrowed fund was awarded to Kitwood Nigeria Limited on June 18, 2014, three days to the governorship election that he (Fayemi) lost to Governor Fayose. Instead of the State Ministry of Works, the contractor was asked to report at the office of Fayemi’s Chief of Staff, Yemi Adaramodu, to sign contractual agreement and also obtain detailed specifications of the items to be procured. Look at the N25bn bond that they took. A seven-year term financing facility, totaling N25bn was secured from the capital market to finance capital projects. It was obtained in two Tranches of N20bn in October 2011 and N5bn in January 2014.

As at the time Fayemi was leaving government, after paying a total sum N15, 221,207,088 (i.e.

N14, 299,085,088 repaid from the N20bn bond and N922, 122,000.09 from the N5bn bond), the State Government was still owing N26.749bn. Isn’t it worrisome that after paying N15.5bn out of the N25bn bond taken by Fayemi’s government, Ekiti State Government still owes N26.7bn? That is the situation that we are confronted with. But Governor Fayose has decided to be forward looking and if you don’t want to fall while moving forward, you must not look back.

there is no political crisis in Ekiti State.

That crisis only exists in the minds of APC supporters who never gave it a thought that Fayose would assume office as governor of Ekiti state.

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

2015 Elections And Politics Of Insecurity ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge (insecurity).

We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity.

Politicising Killings A key figure in the present administration, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal called for a stop to politicians and groups politicising the killings.

In the aftermath of an early hour bomb blast at a bus park in Nyanya, Abuja, which killed over 71 persons and injured 124 on April 14, Tambuwal warned against “playing politics with issue of insecurity”.

The House Speaker made the comments while in the PDP. He has now joined the APC. Tambuwal said: “As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge (insecurity). We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity.

“From what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party.

We should stop playing politics.

We should address the issue and it is not about any religion. It is unfortunate, we must come together. We must rise to the challenge and address this challenge.”

Again, March 13, Tambuwal accused some interests of “playing politics” with the welfare of military personnels deployed to areas affected by the insurgency.

Tambuwal described as “not acceptable” several reports detailing how military personnel deployed to the operational areas have been short-changed in their

Tambuwal

allowances and under-kitted - a situation that has led to low morale among troops, reported cases of uprisings and sabotage in some military formations.

“We (House) are ready to take on whoever is involved in that (misappropriation)”, Tambuwal declared.

He said: “We may have to find new ways of improved oversight so that we ensure that what is meant for the welfare of our soldiers who have surrendered their lives to this country should be improved. A situation whereby we appropriate funds for our men to be well taken care of, to be well kitted and for them to have the best of arms and somebody somewhere is playing politics or is not implementing and applying those funds judiciously is not acceptable. We are ready

to take on whoever is involved in that.

“Very soon, we are going to have some motions that are talking about welfare of our men on the field. We have received several complaints from soldiers that they are not getting what is due too them on the field. How do you take someone that is less motivated to the battlefield? I believe that we need to do more and I believe that those responsible should be responsible enough to cater for these troops”.

Tambuwal called on stakeholders and Nigerians of all shades to come together and support the government in bringing an end to the wanton killing and destruction of life and properties in the region.

He said despite limitations,

the House was ready to support the government’s fight against insurgents.

“We shall give government every support. And we have taken extra steps to support the government to support the people that are being affected by this crisis. We are amenable, we are available; we are ready to do everything possible to bring this to an end.

“However, the legislature has its limitations. We cannot commandeer troops. We can only pass resolutions. We can only appropriate funds. Of course, we can perform oversight, but we have our limitation in following the money, in following appropriated funds. As parliamentarians, we may have to find new ways of improved oversight.

The government has pumped huge resources to end the insurgency but the terror campaigns persist. Last year, LEADERSHIP reported that the federal government has spent not less than N3.38 trillion to combat security challenges in the country in the last four years.

This is excluding the $1billion loan approved by the National Assembly in the last quarter of 2014.

In August 2012, President Jonathan claimed he is the world’s most criticised president.

He also vows to become the most praised before he leaves office. Again, that leaves open the question of whether he plans to make good that pledge by 2015 or 2019. Nigerians will be watching!

Fr. Mbaka’s Prophecy Was Spiritual Accident – Rev. Azaka Rev. Emmanuel Azaka is an Abuja-based missionary and intercessor committed to the spiritual and physical wellbeing of the Nigerian state.

He has been interceding on behalf of the nation for 15 years now. In this interview with EKELE PETER AGBO, he disagrees with Rev. Fr. Camillus Mbaka on his New Yeareve prophetic message about President Goodluck Jonathan, saying Mbaka simply had a spiritual accident.

What is your take on Rev. Fr. Camillus Mbaka’s prophetic pronouncement on President Goodluck Jonathan?

I think that Father Mbaka has erred.

The pronouncement was an ethical error on his part. Father Mbaka erred in that it was unethical for him to have acted and spoken in the in manner he did about the president. When you are a reverend minister, you are not an ordinary person, you are a leader that is anointed by God; and people look up to you. In that sense, you do not make certain utterances that undermine the sovereignty of the people. The fact that people follow you does not mean that they do not have their own choices to make.

For Father Mbaka to turn around and make such pronouncement on President Goodluck Jonathan after he had

blessed the president, his presidency, his family and the nation, is a kind of double-standard game. It was a spiritual accident for him.

Father Mbaka may have blessed the president and his family in the past, but he said his pronouncement was the New Year’s message given to him by God, after waiting on Him for days. So why do you hold it against him?

No, it couldn’t have been God speaking through Father Mbaka in that manner. God does not speak that way. Now, this is how it works, God does not turn something good into a bad one, rather, He blesses whoever has been cursed. Do you understand? Now, Father Mbaka cannot curse the Presidency after he had blessed same, releasing white doves

into the air. He can’t cast aspersion on the very authority that he has blessed. He now wants to curse the same president he had blessed in the past, he should so by recalling the very birds he released into the sky.

According to Father Mbaka, the Jonathan presidency, like the Biblical House of Saul, has been rejected and the president may not know that the spirit has left him, and continuity of Jonathan means disaster to Nigeria. Does this not appear serious to you?

I’m not a politician or a member of any political party. I am not also holding brief for any individual or group. I am not also a strong believer of Mr President, but I am a strong believer of one Nigeria, a believer of

killings in the country. Do you think that the president has done enough to curb the Boko Haram insurgency in the country?

Azaka

a constituted authority. Given by the divine experiences that I have had, the greatest wisdom that Jonathan could have exhibited was not to seek re-election. But now that he has declared, it means more work and sacrifices on the part of all of us.

It means that all hands must be on deck to move Nigeria forward. As a man of God or leader, you must take into cognizance the state of the nation and the overall interest of the peace, progress and development of the country. Any right-thinking person ought to know that this is not the right time for anybody to begin to shake this country with such utterances that could undermine the unity and stability of the nation.

Father Mbaka has also accused president Jonathan of turning a blind eye to the bloodletting and

I can tell you that there is hardly any past government in this country that did not witness or experience bloodletting, which is one of the reasons why we are in this mess today. It was in this country in 2006, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, that a group of school children wwere killed in an air crash.

What happened that year was not an accident, it was a planned coldblooded murder. What about the 2001 Lagos bomb blasts that killed hundreds of people?

Again, during one of Father Mbaka’s adoration meetings, there was stampede and a lot of people lost their lives. People died under his watchful eyes. He was the spiritual leader and chief security officer at that adoration ground, yet people died under his watch. No! That shouldn’t be! Jesus had crowd around Him, yet nobody died. John the Baptist had crowd, nobody died.

As an anointed man of God, Father Mbaka shouldn’t record deaths, but he did? And now, he expects Jonathan to perform magic against Boko Haram. How does he expect the president to do that when we are dealing with faceless enemies?

Father Mbaka just had a spiritual accident, and it was a ghastly one.

POLITICS 21

Sunday, January 11, 2015

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2015: Revisiting Campbell’s Prediction On Nigeria’s Disintegration Former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell, had severally predicted that the country will not exist beyond 2015.

LEADERSHIP’s US Bureau chief, ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, writes on the possible factors that could make the predictions a reality.

L

A greater part of the article

by Campbell sounded more like a journey into fantasy land as to how after the election there would be communal violence, breakdown of law and order, and a possible coup.

ast August, the former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell, reiterated his prediction that Nigeria would not exist beyond 2015.

He first made the controversial prediction in 2011. Going by unfolding events in the country, could Campbell’s prophecies actually be coming to pass?

“My view has not changed about the serious challenges Nigeria faces.

I think the challenges are more pronounced than they were before the Boko Haram insurrection began in the North. Political life is also unsettled by the approach of the 2015 elections.” Campbell stated in an interview last August.

In the aftermath of Campbell’s predictions, the federal government through Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, took on the former US envoy, calling him a ‘Prophet of Doom’. Some other Nigerian leaders also tackled Campbell who was then and is still believed to be working for the political opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan.

On Thursday, the United States Government said that there are no signs that Nigeria will disintegrate before, during or after the February general elections. The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, stated that indeed Nigeria was faced “big challenges,” but the problems at stake were surmountable.

Entwistle spoke in Lagos on the recent donation of a US naval ship, christened, “NNS Okpabana” to the Nigerian Navy.

According to the American envoy, Nigerians should “throw out of the window” the idea from “some thinktank or somebody outside the (US) government” stating that Nigeria was going to fall apart in 2015.

The US diplomat said, “I have been plagued by the question (on Nigeria’s 2015 disintegration) and I have gone back to look and I can’t find any government report that said Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015. Maybe some think-tank or somebody outside the government said it; I don’t know.

“But in my opinion as the US

Campbell

Ambassador to this country, I am not worried in the least that Nigeria is going to disintegrate in 2015.

Regardless of what someone may have said, the question is that we are now here in 2015: Do we see signs that Nigeria is going to disintegrate or fall apart or something? I don’t know what you think. But I don’t see those signs.

“But I see signs of growth, optimism and I see that to minimise the challenges that you have, in this life, you have to keep on keeping on, and I think the future is quite bright.”

Between 2013 and 2014, much of what John Campbell said came to pass. Political developments, security and economic situations in Nigeria since the prediction have also suggested that Campbell, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) actually did his research well before concluding that the country would not exist beyond 2015.

The country’s economic situation has worsened. Insurgents attacks have heigtened. Different political camps and zones are making inflammatory statements in the lead-up to the general elections in February.

Campbell in his book “Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink” delivered a provocative analysis of a country

“in trouble” with insurmountable challenges which, if not addressed and carefully managed (by Nigerians, the United States, and other partners) risk of becoming a failed state.

He noted that Nigeria’s political life was unsettled by the approach of the 2015 general elections. Campbell said the North wants power back at all cost while the South will not want to lose its chance of running the affairs of the country for eight years.

After the book was released, Nigerian Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye, described Mr. Campbell, as an “attention-seeking and disingenuous prophet of doom”, noting that the former US envoy seemed to have made up his mind that whichever way the election goes, Nigeria would implode.

Adefuye added that the mischievous and ill digested comments like that of Campbell which he said was based on half truths, contradictory statements, serious bias, ignorance and mischievous intentions, would not distract Nigeria’s electoral agency from conducting elections that will be crisis-free.

His words: “A greater part of the article by Campbell sounded more like a journey into fantasy land as to how after the election there would be communal violence, breakdown

of law and order, and a possible coup.

He then went on to pontificate on the consequences to UN peace effort and the United States global political, and economic objectives with particular reference to Africa.

“Nigerians are not unaware of their leadership role in Africa and our responsibility in creating a politically stable Nigeria which will promote and encourage the sustainance of democracy, good governance, rule of law, and human rights in Africa. This is why we are resolved to get it right this time regardless of John Campbell and his ilk” The Nigerian diplomat further said he was convinced that Campbell knew that some of his assumptions, facts and hypothesis were wrong.

But political developments in Nigeria are actually proving Campbell right. For instance, the main opposition party, the APC has threatened to form a parallel government if President Goodluck Jonathan win its presidential candidate, General Mohamadu Buhari.

As a result of this, observers posit that political interests clamouring that power should return to the North may decide to support the APC in forming a parallel government, an action that ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

Revisiting Campbell’s Prediction On Nigeria’s Disintegration

Obasanjo

is clearly indicating a political crisis and disintegration as predicted by Ambassador John Campbell.

Also on the other hand, some Niger-Delta ex-militants like Asari Dokubo have declared a fight to finish if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015.

During one of his press conferences in 2014, Alhaji Asari Dokubo told journalists that the oilrich South South was ready to match the opposition, money for money, dollars for dollars, guns for guns and blood for blood.

He said that it is a must that Jonathan returns to Aso Rock after the election, signalling that the restive region will be ready to divide Nigeria Jonathan loses.

Political statements coming from former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida also call for consideration. While Obasanjo had at many times said that President Jonathan is corrupt and not capable to rule Nigeria again, Babangida had during Jonathan’s visit to his residence in Minna, said that all well meaning Nigerians should support the president’s re-election.

Now that we have Buhari, a Northerner, and Jonathan, a Southerner as major contestants for the 2015 presidential race, can we conclude that John Campbell’s prediction was right especially now that political wars loom either Mr Jonathan wins or loses. If Jonathan wins, the APC will form a parallel government, and if he loses, his brothers from the Niger-Delta, according to Asari Dokubo, will give it a fight to finish.

In a review of John Campbell’s book “Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink” by Benjamin O. Arah of Bowie State University, Campbell, with his rich insight and privileged access to credible sources of information as well as his first-hand experience, painstakingly articulates an impersonal and up-to-date account of the prevailing harsh economic realities and political problems facing the most populous country

Adefuye

in Africa and the most strategic partner of the United States in West Africa.

According to Campbell, Nigeria is rich and enjoys “ghost prosperity” while most Nigerians are very poor.

He noted that poverty is so pervasive throughout Nigeria and widespread poverty can clearly be seen in the faces of its children. Like other yet to be developed nations, the country presents shocking contradictions.

Paradoxically, despite its wealth and resources (human, natural, capital, intelligence, etc.), there is the inescapable‚ concentration of Nigeria’s vast oil wealth in the hands of a small group of wealthy Nigerians. The wealth and oil boom, based on a long history of mismanagement and abuse

by the country’s ill-prepared and myopic leaders, have resulted in the incurable‚ widespread poverty, lack of employment opportunities for university graduates, the state of underdevelopment, and lack of serious long-term investment in the agricultural sector that would have helped in the take-off stage of economic development.

Arah in his review said the book compared Nigeria to emerging economies (such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan), and Ambassador Campbell demonstrates convincingly how these countries were able to break away from the cycle of underdevelopment.

The book raises rhetorical and thought provoking questions

addressed to Nigerian leaders. In Chapter 3: Who Runs Nigeria?

Campbell delivers an insight into the leadership dynamics and political problems of the country.

Campbell’s position was that‚ the same people had run Nigeria by the same kleptocratic rules since the end of the Biafra war. Nigeria is being led by a group of powerful and greedy, coteries of patron-client networks with limited ambition, porous pockets, and an insatiable thirst for material accumulation, he submitted.

Ambassador Campbell warns that Nigeria’s predicament serves as a mirror and its success or failure is a compelling example to other multiethnic, multireligious African states.

Nigerians react

Bello

Audu-Emeje

Former first lady of Kogi State, Dr Aisha Audu-Emeje “No matter what happens, the outcome of the 2015 elections won’t bring a break up as being predicted because the President has said that all the elections will be free and fair. It is on record that all the elections that have taken place under his administration have been declared credible by local and international observers so the outcome of the elections which will be credible won’t split the country”

Adeniyan

House of Assembly candidate Ondo State, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan “It is clear that Nigeria has so many challenges that can possibly lead to disintegration but this can still be averted if the government tries to conduct the general elections in an orderly and acceptable manner. Nigeria can still survive another one hundred years in unity if the needful is done to avert post-election crisis.

Former commissioner for information in Taraba State, Emmanuel Bello Nigeria will not disintegrate. All the geo-political zones in the country have so many things in common that are holding them together as one. Even the crisis in Nigeria has brought all the tribes in the country together.

The prediction from John Campbell shouldn’t be taken serious. The Middle Belt zone of Nigeria has the capability to belt all other zones together despite all the challenges that indicate the predicted disintegration.

The outcome of the elections will not disintegrate Nigeria because the winner will emerge and then peace will reign.

Nigeria is being led by a group of powerful and greedy, coteries of patron-client networks with limited ambition, porous pockets, and an insatiable thirst for material accumulation

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

Ondo PDP Crisis: Two Factions Talk Tough There is an internal crisis in the Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has split the party into two factions. One is called the Old PDP and the other, New PDP which is loyal to Governor Mimiko. ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, spoke to chieftains on both sides

Governor Mimiko Didn’t Impose Candidates On Ondo PDP – Bada

INEC Won’t Recognise Mimiko’s List Of Candidates – Agbesua

Dr. Oluwadare Bada, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo state has dismissed allegations of imposition of candidates made against Governor Olusegun Mimiko by members of the party in the state. The former Ondo state health commissioner says the crisis is externally motivated.

Architect Olusola Agbesua, a top chieftain of the party and a Senatorial candidate for the Ondo Central Senatorial District insisted that INEC won’t recognize the list of candidates from the governor’s side.

Agbesua

Bada As a PDP chieftain in Ondo state, what will you say about the internal crisis rocking the party at the state level?

The moles are set to frustrate the determination of the leader of the party in Ondo state, Governor Olusegun Mimiko to deliver 1 million votes to the president.

Yes, the political crisis is worrisome but we have since found out that it is externally motivated. We are not the target, it is President Jonathan that is the target. They want to frustrate him through Governor Mimiko.

Some interested parties have seen that Ondo and Ekiti states are hot points for electoral supports for President Jonathan. So they are determined to frustrate us, to reduce the volume of votes that we will get for the president. If we recall, the, elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, once came out to say that there are moles in the PDP in the Southwest especially in Ondo state. The moles are set to frustrate the determination of the leader of the party in Ondo state, Governor Olusegun Mimiko to deliver 1 million votes to the president. So all I can say is that the crisis rocking the party in Ondo state now is externally motivated but we are not bothered. We will keep doing all we know how to do best to ensure that Dr. Jonathan wins the election any day anytime.

Some say Governor Mimiko’s return to PDP has brought crisis to the Ondo PDP. What is your take?

That is very wrong because the governor is an added advantage

to the party in Ondo state and in the Southwest. How can someone who had been winning all elections for the Labour Party since he became governor bring crisis or setback to PDP now that he has rejoined the party? That is a great falsehood and that is the impression that the enemies of President Jonathan want to give everybody. For example, in 2009, the PDP was a weak party in Ondo state. We came in from the defunct Alliance for Democracy to strengthen the party. When we came in, we had to merge. Then there was a restructuring. We were given certain positions to make us feel belonged. Dr. Mimiko came to the PDP after us from the AD and he was given a juicy position at the state level which was the secretary to the state government under the late Governor Agagu, and there was no noise. How do you see the same person as capable of bringing crisis into the party now that his Labour Party has merged with our party?

His coming only means that we are going to control 80 per cent of the total votes in Ondo state. This is what the people in the old PDP do no want because they want to restrict the governor to Ondo state alone. They don’t want him to be relevant in other parts of the Southwest. There was a negotiation between the Labour Party and the PDP and all our agreements in the ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

There is an internal crisis in your party in Ondo state and this has created two factions. One is called the Old PDP and the other the New PDP. As a result of this, the INEC is presently having two lists of candidates for the forthcoming general election, this is believed to be capable of causing a setback for President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid in the state. Are there ongoing steps to unite both sides?

Yes, we are moving on steadily in a way that at the end of the day, we will harmonize the party and carry out the elections with peace, which is what all of us are clamouring for. The truth is that INEC has no choice than to recognise the list of the old PDP which is authentic because our own primaries were conducted in line with the party’s constitution. INEC will recognise the list that contains my name and that of other people who emerged from the genuinely conducted primaries. The situation here and the court judgment is very clear. We just have to look at the candidates that emerged in both lists, and it is the candidates from the Ogunyeled State Executive Committee that emerged through the appropriate channel. It is also very clear that INEC won’t recognise the list from Governor Mimiko’s camp which is the new PDP because the candidates did not emerge through the Congress that is being recognised by the court. However, the political development has been positive, there has been no rancour, all the

factions have behaved themselves and we are looking forward to a very good election. As far as Ondo state is concerned, despite whatever challenges we may be having in our party now, we in PDP both old and new, are all determined to make sure that President Jonathan doesn’t have less than one million votes from this state at the election.

We will all work assiduously to ensure his success.

There are troubles in the party at the state level and people have been saying that it was Governor Mimiko that brought the crisis into the party as a result of his sudden defection from the Labour Party.

Do you think this is good for your party especially now that the election is about a month away?

No, we are going to resolve this crisis. It is just that Governor Mimiko should obey the court order with a large heart so there can be peace and progress in the party. The court order is clear. The court has recognised the old PDP being led by Dr. Ogunye and automatically, it is the candidates that emerge from the primaries conducted under him that INEC will recognise. Mimiko is the leader of our party in Ondo state. He has joined us and we are all happy that he did so but he should allow a level playing ground. He should allow the persons that the court recognise to bear the flag of the party in the general elections.

We are all asking him to embrace us and see everybody in the party as

The truth is that INEC has no choice than to recognise the list of the old PDP which is authentic because our own primaries were conducted in line with the party’s constitution.

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Ondo PDP Crisis: Two Factions Talk Tough 23

sharing of party positions and electoral offices have been fulfilled.

We shared the executive positions.

We shared the Senatorial, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly slots accordingly and this have been duly complied to by the governor. Those saying that the governor has imposed candidates on the party are wrong. Dr. Mimiko didn’t impose any candidate on the PDP as alleged. For example, the Old PDP said they wanted to hold the slot for the Ondo North Senatorial Zone and the party voted for Senator bode Olajumoke to be their candidate. Was it Mimiko that imposed him on th zone? Here is another exampleDayo Omolafe was zoned out because the old PDP conceded the Akure South/North Federal Constituency to the Labour Party.

So how has the governor imposed any candidate on the party. The Labour Party was fair enough by giving us more slots. They had all the three senatorial slots before but they gave one to the PDP and came down to two. Same thing went to their slots at the House of Representatives and House of Assembly.

After the 2012 governorship election in Ondo state in which you were the Director-general of the PDP Campaign Committee, you teamed up with the state governor and the then Labour Party, an action which made your party men suspend you because they saw you as someone the governor was using to destabilise the party. What is your take on this?

It was all lies because the governor didn’t use me to destabilise my party. I didn’t also team up with him as alleged.

What happened is that the PDP has always existed in factions since the victory of Dr. Mimiko at the tribunal. If you recalled that the leader of the party then, late Governor Segun Agagu, contested for the Senatorial seat in the South, a place believed to be the base of the PDP, and he lost. Elements in the PDP like the erstwhile secretary to the government of Ondo state under Agagu, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, voted against him.

Some of the people who called themselves aborigines in the PDP voted against Dr. Agagu in the election, so the party has always existed in factions. For example.

There are some of them who call themselves the aborigines. They formed themselves with what is called the legacy leaders and those of us who came from the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), who brought a lot of vibrancy into the party, they see us as tenants. There is a third group that came later from the defunct ACN and the Labour Party. So we exist in three groups. It was these aborigines that imposed Chief Sola Oke on us as the governorship candidate of the party in 2012, and I as the DirectorGeneral of the party’s campaign

he was not the rightful occupant of the office, he packed his things immediately and gave room to Dr. Ogunye whom the court recognizes to take over the affairs of the party at the secretariat.

You are now the court-recognised candidate of your party for the Ondo Central Senatorial race. What informed the ambition?

Bada

committee saw the problem that we had and I had to fall out from that aboriginal group because they didn’t manage the affairs of the party very well. They didn’t manage the finance of the party very well and that led to our loss at the election. What I was against was very simple. The president and the party had congratulated Dr. Mimiko for winning the election that was acclaimed to be free and fair. And the candidate and the aborigines said they were going to court but I as the Director-General said no because I knew the election was free and fair. So it was not teaming up with the governor but a case of what I believed in and it didn’t work. Did it work? It failed both at the tribunal, Appeal court and the Supreme court. It was an exercise in futility. Lawyers will call it an abuse of court process. Must you always go to court? We didn’t conduct our campaign well. We didn’t do well.

Our campaign was not well funded, and we came to later realize that a lot of money came and it was not accounted for. They accused me of anti-party activities but it was clear that they were the ones doing antiparty because they were challenging a major achievement of President Jonathan which is electoral reform, and I told them that I would not be a party to that. Once you are not on their side, they will say you are for the governor, and I as a veteran politician, blackmail doesn’t have any effect on me again.

Agbesua ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

his own. He should not take side, he should just leave us to slug it out and whoever emerges should be his own person. Both the new and old PDP are the same so the governor should see us all as one and his people. There should be no imposition of candidates in the party if we must have a headway in the forthcoming elections. What the governor should do is to stay out of the process that will lead to the emergence of candidates.

He should look at the situation on ground since there is a court judgment to be followed. A list has already emerged from the court judgment and we expect him to recognize it and work with us. We are not strangers to ourselves. We have been together for a long time, though we might have belonged to different political camps in the past, we might have been rivals, we might have faced each other during elections in the past, but we are now in one single family and that should make us work together to ensure victory. Once the governor sees It that way, there won’t be any problem and he won’t even think that he has to automatically support whoever that is coming with him from the Labour Party against somebody he is meeting in the party (PDP). That shouldn’t happen because we are now together.

Now, your party has two different lists of candidates before the INEC. Don’t you see this as a threat to your winning chances in the forthcoming elections in Ondo state?

Sir, are you now saying that INEC will surely recognise the Ogunyeled state executive committee’s list instead of the governor’s own which is reportedly being favoured by the national secretariat of the party?

No, it is not a threat because when you go for elections, the names of candidates won’t appear on ballot papers. It is the symbol of the party that appears there. And again, we are politicians and we are used to all these things. What they want to achieve is to keep Dr. Mimiko down in Ondo state. INEC has said it clearly that it doesn’t recognize any parallel congress and this automatically makes Dr. Mimiko’s list of candidates valid.

We have met with stake holders and we discovered that these moles cannot be appeased. It is just one person that is causing this crisis because of the interest for his godfather.

Yes, INEC has to obey the court order and there is nothing anybody can do about it. The list from the governor’s side won’t be recognised because it didn’t originate from the right channel. Even the national body of the party has to obey the court and nobody has any choice about that. Whoever that is not happy about the court ruling should appeal. There should be no division in the party since we are all PDP members. There is already a court injunction about that and it is very clear. It states which secretariat is recognized. A couple of weeks ago, Clement Faboyede was the chairman leading the secretariat but when the court said

Well, I would have preferred to contest for the governorship but as you can see, the position is not there to be contested for. I decided to run for the senate because Senate is a tool to influence events, policies and decisions of the federal government especially at the federal level which also comes down to the states and all other structures of government. At the senate, one can have the voice to be on the side of the people especially when major decisions or policies are being made, and when laws have to be enacted or when the executor, that is the federal government, has to be well policed. States need strong people in the National Assembly to be the watchdogs of the people in all that the executive does. So, these are the reasons that made me offer myself to be senator representing my zone. I believe that I will have the opportunity to be part of the governance and represent the people, and I can assure you that we will always be on the side of the people. We need people we can rely on. We need people who can represent well, and I am sure I will be one of these. In my senatorial zone right now, we don’t really have much federal presence as a result of a poor representation. I will ensure that the zone feels the presence of the federal government in all the ways required. We are really left behind and sidelined because we don’t have a good representative but, I will try to ensure this changes for better.

You had aspired to be governor of the state twice. What would you have done differently if you were governor?

If I were governor, I would have implemented all the things I had in my manifestos. There are things I would have done differently, there would be emphasis I would have made differently. For instance, the distribution of money would have been different. Meanwhile, I need to say there are things the governor has done that I admire.

Like his beautification projects, health scheme and some others.

When you are in power, you must have your own set of ideas but it will also be beneficial if you allow others to bring in theirs and make inputs.

Supposing I had been governor, I would have invited Agagu, Mimiko and others who contested at that time and I would let them know that the state belongs to all of us because I don’t have the monopoly of knowledge. If I invite them, they would bring in their own papers and this would have helped the state greatly.

ceoConfidential #146, January 11, 2015

ESSENTIALS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

when PeoPle say ‘nO’, ask again >26

>31 GETTING AHEAD

a perfect 10 >46 TIPOFFS

PuRges ges eve eveRy entRePReneuR should make this new yeaR >47 UPDATES

• Shola Okpodu Founder, School Hunters

Rolls-Royce b bReaks sales recOrd again in 2014

OkpOdu and quest fOr qualitative educatiOn

26 CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

in brief ESSENTIALS

10 Questions for...

Okpekereke Okeoghene

FOR ENTREPRENEURS

ceo, Meg-Diva Stitches

When people say ‘no’, ask again “Some people fold after making one timid request. They quit too soon. Keep asking until you find the answers. In sales there are usually four or five ‘no’s’ before you get a ‘yes’.”

Jack Canfield, 1944American motivational speaker and success coach, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series with Mark Victor Hansen.

If your customers are putting up barriers, find out why - their implied negativity may not always be founded on what you expect.

You need to have the ability to appreciate and empathize with an objection before you can overcome it.

Perhaps you think it’s a fatal cost objection, when it may simply be a cost objection during this budget phase. You don’t yet know what you don’t know, so ask.

Remember, in business it’s much easier to say no. Be bold enough to ask difficult questions and challenge the answers you get with creative reasoning.

Create your own luck “I’ve always worked very, very hard, and the harder I worked, the luckier I got” Alan Bond, 1938British-born Australian businessman, property developer and founder of The Bond Corporation, who was awarded Australian of the Year for bankrolling a winning America’s Cup yachting challenge.

Luck and chance play important roles in your success.

However hard you work there will be times when things naturally fall into place with very little effort. In most cases this is simply the culmination of all the activity you have invested in growing your company.

Even if you lose a sale, stay in touch with the prospect and offer to help in the future. You will be next in line should the competitors’ products fail to deliver.

We all know people who are naturally lucky, but the people who make things look easy are often those who work the hardest.

IF YOU’LL BE...

Wang Jianlin Chairman, Dalian Wanda Group Unshackle yourself from your limitations Born to a military family in the country’s Sichuan province near Tibet, Jianlin endured the depravations and food shortages of the Cultural Revolution era as a child. Following his father, who fought against the Imperial Japanese, he left school as a teenager and entered the military and served for 16 years. In the early 1990s he was honourably discharged and started work for a struggling real estate developer in the country’s north east, which he soon took over and branded Dalian Wanda.

Remain aggressive Now at the pinnacle of the Chinese business world, he acquired British mega-yacht maker Sunseeker – whose luxury watercraft are featured in the James Bond movies – for $1.6bn.

He now owns 40 five-star hotels and plans to double that number by 2015. His company owns 9.03 million square metres of investment property, 85 Wanda Shopping Plazas, 51 luxury hotels, 86 cinemas, 75 department stores, and 45 karaoke centres around China. The company became the world’s largest theatre owner in 2012 when it acquired AMC Theatres.

He bought out US-based AMC Entertainment Holdings for US$2.6bn. He listed it on the New York Stock Exchange recently.

TIMELESS TRUTHS Technology trends “Here is something that might be reassuring if you are worried about missing out on a major technology trend. There has never been a technology breakthrough that changed everything overnight. Things don’t change that quickly, and that is probably a good thing simply because people and corporations cannot absorb a lot of change quickly. It takes seven to 10 years for companies to come to grips with something completely new.”

Kevin O’Connor, founder of numerous companies including DoubleClick and author, The Map of Innovation

2. Which TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

Genevieve Nnaji. I like her fashion sense and the fact she now owns a fashion brand.

3. If you were to start your own political party, what would be the platform?

It will be based on equity, justice and service to humanity.

4. Whom would you trade places with?

No one. I am contended being me.

5.It’s 8 p.m. and you are travelling alone on business. What do you do all night?

I will take a few hours to plan, make necessary contacts and then catch enough sleep to enable me start the next day early and bright.

6. If you could time-travel, where would you be?

I would travel to the future to gain information about ideas and innovation that will change the business world positively, thereby positioning myself to be one of the billionaires in the future.

7. What have you learnt about yourself as you serve in that organisation?

I’ve learnt that with determination and hard work, I can achieve anything.

8. What have you sacrificed for success?

I’ve sacrificed my time and sleep.

9. What do you consider your favourite achievement?

The fact that I’ve been able to start off a successful business as a female entrepreneur.

10. What is your motto?

Learn to hold your tongue.

Interview by Jennifer Ayomoh

group

ceoConfidential ASST. EDITOR Daniel Udechukwu REPORTERS: Olusola Olujide, Jennifer Ayomoh GRAPHICS Matthew Akhabue

1. What business do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

Baking. Specifically cakes and small chops.

ACTING EDITOR Auwal Sa'id Mu'azu

FOUNDER Sam Nda-Isaiah GRP MANAGING DIRECTOR Azubuike Ishiekwene GRP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Michael Okpere, Dr. Kazeem Durodoye

A number of the articles here are sourced from diverse sources.

Feedback & enquiries ceoconfidential@leadership.ng

CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

27

popular with CEOs Compiled by Dan Udechukwu

The RecommendeR What are the business quotes for this week that make sense or are just humourous?

A BRief Guide Don’t know what you want to see, hear, smell taste and feel? Don’t worry we did it for you.

SEE Rocky

sugar cane plantation

sugar factory

Sugar cane: Another untapped goldmine The recent devaluation of Nigeria’s currency has been attributed to the country’s failure to diversify her economy. Nigeria it will be recalled was forced to devalue its currency and introduce austerity measures to cushion its effect on economy on the account of the continued fall of oil prices in the global market. Whereas the country is blessed with vast natural resources meant to grow her economy and be unfazed with the recent development in the oil sector, they are left untapped.

Sugar cane production according to the reports commenced production in Nigeria, almost the same time oil was discovered in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State. But while the oil sector has enjoyed immense

attention of the government, sugar cane production has enjoyed the reverse.

According to information provided by the National Sugar Development Council, there has been a drastic fall in sugar cane production in the country over the years. Local production of sugar thus fell from a quantity of 44,893 tons in 1991 to only 10,843 tons in 2012. While Nigeria imported 728,570 tons and spent only $211,285m on importation in 19991, it imported 1.09 million tons and spent $517.22m on importation in 2012.

Presently, Nigeria produces two per cent of its sugar needs, which makes it unable to export and earn income from it.

Experts noted that the

funsho Makanjuola Assistant General Manager, Agric Operations, Bacita Sugar Company “we have mass of land wasting and there is unemployment. a factory that produces 35,000 tons of sugar per year can do so on about 4,000 hectares of land, and it will employ 4,500 workers.”

discovery of oil, which was a blessing to the economy through income earned from its exportation, was regrettably a curse to the agricultural sector. Nigeria economy had been dependent on income from agriculture until the government saw oil as an easier way to earn foreign exchange, thus allowing agriculture to die slowly.

Expert say sugar can is an area of agriculture that has huge potential to increase Nigeria’s exportation, foreign exchange, provide sugar needs of its own citizens and create employment for diverse skills in the country.

This makes it imperative for the government to diversify the economy and revive this important sector.

dr latif busari,

busari

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Sugar Development Council “The nigerian sugar Master Plan approved by the federal government in 2012 provides the policies, programmes and strategies for the attainment of selfsufficiency in local sugar production in nigeria.”

Here’s the rule for bargains. “Do other men, for they would do you.” That’s the true business precept. charles dickens,

Novelist

Responsibilities gravitates to the person who can shoulder them: power flows to the man who knows how. elbert hubbard,

philosopher

Risks come from not knowing what you are doing. warren buffett,

Investor

Return on investment (ROI)

the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments.

In purely economic terms, it is one way of considering profits in relation to capital invested.

HEAR Dr Abdu Bulama

The 19th annual Offshore West Africa conference and exhibition is the premier technical forum exclusively on West African offshore exploration and production. The conference will provide attendees with the latest technological innovations, practical solutions and lessons learned from leading industry professionals.

The event comes up on January 20 through 22, 2015, at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria, and the minister of science & technology will be on ground to deliver a paper.

TASTE Fancy cheese

Nakazawa Food’s cows are not the only animals producing highly sought-after milk.

The world’s most expensive cheese comes from Serbia and is made with donkey milk. The cheese is called Pule and the reason it is so expensive is because of how difficult it is to make.

FEEL Optimus Maxiumus Keyboard

The Optimus Maximus keyboard sold for $1,500 when it launched six years ago. That’s because the device’s keys are fully programmable — meaning you can assign a different function to each key. Each button on the keyboard is a miniature display that tells you what its function is at a given time.

BiZ LinGo ROI is the benefit to the investor resulting from an investment of some resource. A high ROI means the investment gains compare favorably to investment cost. As a performance measure, ROI is used to evaluate

This is a true underdog story of Rocky Balboa who is given the chance to fight the Heavyweight Champ. He has an opportunity in hand to make a better life for himself by going head to head with the challenge and winning the prize.This movie teaches a lot about the competitive spirit and would inspire you more to get up and beat your competition (not literally!).

SMELL JAR Bolt of Lightning There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want. calvin and hobbes,

Cartoon

JAR is the acronym for Joel A. Rosenthal, the jeweler who designed this perfume. Each bottle of Bolt of Lightning is specially hand cut and designed. Rosenthal marketed this fragrance as having the smell of air just after a lightning strike, but it is more specifically an oriental floral fragrance for women.

28

CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

The ceoConfidential interview Okpodu and quest for qualitative education The passionate educationist shares her drive towards providing quality education to all social classes irrespective of nationality.

Interview by DAnieL UDeCHUKWU

OKPODU IN SHORT Shola Okpodu is the founder of School Hunters. She cuts her teeth in broadcasting over two decades ago as a producer and presenter with the national flagship broadcast corperation, Radio Nigeria. She is a renowned newscaster and an efficient communication for development expert.

She has had a diversified career in Public Relations, Broadcasting, Development and Consulting with a blend of British and Nigerian-earned Master’s degrees with distinctions as well as professional certifications from Coventry University in the UK, Pan Atlantic University: School of Media and Communication and the BBC College of Journalism UK among others.

Okpodu is a recipient of many awards.

She was conferred the African Youth Role Model Continental Award and Global Ambassador of Peace.

She specialises in providing access to quality education for all, irrespective of social class and nationality.

My typical day is hectic...

Sometimes I wish I had the privilege of 40 hours daily so that I would be able to touch on everything I set to do.

Every day, I wake up as early as 3.45am. Amazingly, my body clock has been so tuned in that no matter how tired I am from the previous day’s work, I just must wake up at that time to prepare my work plan for the day. By 7.30am, I am up and about, making calls, preparing briefs and attending meetings. In 24 hours, I attend at least five meetings with stakeholders in my sector of concentration. I go on field reporting and recording of School Hunters TV show, after which I sit with the nonlinear editor to ensure that the episode for the week is properly edited.

Apart from my daily chores which I ensure I accomplish, I also observe my daily evening outdoor activities. Most times, I play golf as it relieves me of so much stress after a hard day’s work.

My day ends at about 9pm.

So on a typical day, I get only about six and half hours of sleep.

I am a devoted Christian…

I have a beautiful family

CEOConfidential

45

OKPODU On Life

Life is not fair.

Get used to it and control it to your benefit

they are a team of young, middle-aged, elderly vibrant and creative professionals with experiences spanning from a minimum of three years to 30years. Most of them have a minimum of a first degree, some with a Masters and PhD. At present, we have 2 team members with a PhD and a Professor.

and I love my work so dearly. However, it takes only a woman with great strength and tenacity to balance these three major aspects of life. To be honest sometimes I feel guilty when I do not spend as much time as I want with my family. I always ensure that I fill the gaps by spending 30 undivided hours of my time with them, no matter how busy I am. We eat out; play outdoor games and much more. I also value holidays.

I take time out to travel out of the country, away from the hustling and bustling of daily life to a peaceful country thrice in a year.

Church for me is paramount. I try as much as possible never to miss the midweek mentoring sessions and Sunday service whenever time permits me.

Every organisation has its own unique selling point...

School Hunters stands out in a lot of ways. As our vision states, we aim to be Africa’s most reliable source for education information and services, with a mission to provide access to quality education to all social classes, irrespective of nationality.

School Hunters offers a one-stop shop for all educational needs. We operate a different system from most organisations.

School Hunters is divided into two arms: School Hunters Integrated Educational Marketing And Communications Agency.

Our TV platform gives unbeatable leverage to over 87million viewers in Africa and beyond. Our clients over the years have been able to reach audiences beyond their reach. Our Clients enjoy maximum publicity embedded in professionalism and total quality management.

My organisation, School Hunters is very dynamic…

A typical staff member works five to nine hours on a daily basis excluding weekends. Although in exceptional cases when we organise events, trainings or we need to be on location recording an episode, weekends are work days.

My staff members are all called school hunters;

The change is here, we all can make it happen...

Since inception, we have been involved in soliciting scholarships and placing deprived children of school age into top-notch private schools in Nigeria.

We have raised funds for deprived school owners in local communities, as well as pays school fees of over 50 deprived school age children both in Nigeria and Ghana. We periodically

provide school bags and educational materials to deprived children of school age so that they would have a reason to look forward to going to school.

Many deprived schools in Nigeria and the rest of Africa lack basic facilities such as a standard library, chairs, tables and even a conducive learning environment. Some schools operate under trees with little or no resources such as teaching aids.

Our hunt across communities have revealed an appalling state of not only these schools, but talented yet deprived children whose bright future may be truncated if they do not have access to quality and affordable education.

My motivation comes from satisfaction...

A lot of people have asked, “Why is entrepreneurship – a path with a high rate of failure – the path you decided to venture into?” I do not mince words to tell them that although the job description of a CEO is one that entails working 100 hours a week for oneself instead of 40 hours a week for an employer, it is however the joy of performing an engaging task that is in itself a reward.

My idea of satisfaction depends not merely on having goals, but on having the right goals. Every CEO who understands his or her turf must stand for something and contribute to the world, and that is who I am.

Remain focused...

Business has taught me that life is not fair. Get used to it and control it to your benefit.

Business has taught me never to give up in the midst of challenges even when things look bleak.

CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

initiatives

29

Lere Baale, lerebaale@gmail.com

Leadership Inspiration for Excellence – (LIFE) series

The keys to extraordinary leadership in Africa (VII) Thirdly we have Dr Garrett Fitzgerald who led Ireland in the 1980’s.

History may not recall him as a dynamic leader or a charismatic orator like Mr. Obama but the outpouring of eulogies spoke of his belief in the ‘Irish brand’ and his belief and concern for the Irish people.

This quality is one that exists in the ‘Statesman Leader’. The Statesman Leader exudes a certain kind of respect and admiration for intellect and good intention and the ability to represent people in any setting.

This type of leadership and identification is different but nonetheless an important leadership quality.

Finally we come to Jonathan Sexton, the young Leinster Rugby player who apparently spoke out in the dressing

HOW I DID IT

room at half time. He spoke out amongst his more senior peers and commanded the room to listen to him. Young Sexton rallied his troops around and began to recall the great comebacks in sporting history and he believed that this Leinster rugby team had the capacity for a similar feat.

This leading from the front, self belief and more importantly the capacity to bring others along with you is one of the most remarkable characteristics of leadership.

In the difficult years that lie ahead it has never been more important to breed leaders in our young people. So how do we do it? Daniel Goleman identifies a quality called ‘Emotional Intelligence’.

This is the concept of being able to read the emotions of others and be aware of the emotional

‘Encourage hope, dreams and visions, for these childhood dreamers will become the visionaries of the future’ state of ourselves. This quality he claims is far more influential over our lifetime then academic intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to tap into the needs of others, respond appropriately and have an in depth knowledge of oneself.

This is what creates the capacity to lead. It does not equate that those who score 600 points in their First Leaving School Certificate Exams will grow to become great leaders. Nor is it the case that success and fortune are the signs of great leaders. Leadership comes in many ways but a firm grasp of ones own emotions and the

ability to communicate effectively with others is core to the leadership criteria.

So in so far as how we breed leaders in the future, we need to teach young people the power of communication.

Encourage interpersonal knowledge and awareness.

Encourage young people to feel emotion and believe in things.

Encourage hope, dreams and visions, for these childhood dreamers will become the visionaries of the future.

Allow young people to experience surmountable challenges or adversity and do not over indulge or over protect them.

At times, there is a

great need to taste adversity in order to effectively lead and inspire. One has to lose to know how to win. It is important to experience disappointment, frustration and heartache in order to identify with those who experience it because usually it is in times of adversity when true leaders emerge. If heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things then leaders are those who help ordinary people believe that extraordinary things are possible. In addition they provide the following: CONtiNues NeXt week

Zappos’ CEO on going to extremes for customers CONtiNued frOm last week

Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos

A lot of them will order five different pairs of shoes and then send back the ones that don’t fit or that they simply don’t like-free of charge. The additional shipping costs are considerable for us, but we view them as a marketing expense.

We also offer a 36s-day returns policy for people who have trouble making up their minds.

(Originally our returns policy was only 30 days, but we kept increasing it at the urging of our customers, who became more loyal as we lengthened the returns period.) Our returns run high-more than a third of our gross revenue-but we’ve learned that customers will buy more and be happier in the long run if we can remove most of the risk from shopping at Zappos.

Our customer service orientation is also apparent on our website. On many web sites the contact information is buried at least five links deep, because the company doesn’t really want to hear from you. And when you find it, it’s a form or an e-mail address. We take the exact opposite approach. We put our phone number at the top of every single page of our website, because we actually want to talk to our customers. And we staff our call centre.

Looking at every one of our interactions through a branding lens instead of an expense-minimizing lens means that we run our call centre very differently from others. For instance, most call centres measure their employees’ performance on the basis of what’s known in the industry

as “average handle time,” which focuses on how many phone calls each rep can take in a day. This translates into reps’ worrying about how quickly they can get a customer off the phonewhich in our eyes is not delivering great customer service. Most call centres also have scripts and force their reps to try upselling to generate additional revenue.

At Zappos we don’t hold reps accountable for call times. (Our longest phone call, from a customer who wanted the rep’s help while she looked at what seemed like thousands of pairs shoes, lasted almost six hours.) And we don’t upsell – a practice that usually just annoys customers.

CONtiNues NeXt week

30 CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

situation reports Compiled by Olujide Olusola

Brand Beginnings Red Bull: The brand that gives wings

R

ed Bull is an energy drink sold by Austrian company Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the highest selling energy drink in the world, with 5.387 billion cans sold in 2013. Austrian born Croat entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an existing energy drink named Krating Daeng which was first invented and sold in Thailand. He took this idea, modified the ingredients to suit the tastes of westerners, and, in partnership with Chaleo Yoovidhya, founded Red Bull GmbH in Chakkapong.

Litigation In 2013, Red Bull told the Redwell brewery, a Norfolk micro-brewery to change its name or face legal action, because it sounded too similar to Red Bull. The eight man brewery in Norwich was told its name could “confuse” customers and “tarnish” its trademark.

The two companies reached a settlement permitting Redwell to continue using its name.

In 2014, Red Bull faced a $13 million settlement addressing two consumer class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The listed Plaintiffs were Benjamin Careathers, David Wolf, and Miguel Almarez who sued the company for Red Bull’s marketing and labeling

Management IDEAS

claiming that the company violated ‘express warranty and unjust enrichment’ since their products were first launched. The Court hearing will take place the morning of May 1, 2015 in an attempt to determine approval for the settlement. Customers that submitted claims then have the opportunity to receive cash reimbursement or Product Option within 150 days of the approved appeals.

The wanton bishops Hailing from Lebanon, and playing traditional American blues-rock, The Wanton Bishops were hotly tipped by global music press as ‘ones to watch’ for 2014 - and have been signed to Red Bull Music Publishing.

Red Bull revolutions in sound The 32 Pods of the Millenium Wheel in London hosted the most revolutionary and iconic Artists influencing UK’s Club Culture over the past decade. With 31 simultanious live streams and over 1m viewers it was by far the largest consecutive streaming event in the UK. Health effects Claims about the drink’s effects and performance have been challenged on various occasions, with the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority imposing advertising restrictions in 2001 in response to complaints recorded as early as 1997. Caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone have been assessed by health authorities for their safety. Health Canada conducted a review of the scientific literature on caffeine, concluding that the general population of healthy adults is not at risk for potential adverse effects from caffeine if they limit their consumption to 400 mg per day.

Fabri Fibra Culture Can Together with Red Bull, Italian rapper and platinum number one selling artist Fabri Fibra challenged his fans to inspire the concept of his new music video. Fibra personally chose the winner who was invited to meet the artrist and attend the recording of the video.

Red Bull BD One World Final The 10th Anniversary edition saw more than 2000 bboys compete across 6 continents in over 53 countries. The final was all time, with the 8 past champions competing against the qualifiers to see who will take home the most coveted belt in B-Boy history. Hong 10, ‘06 champ and local Korean hero, is our 2nd double champion!

Organisational excellence

Many esoteric works on management never make it past the campus gate. Others can influence the way companies are organised and run, though they usually have to filter their way through the consultancy profession first. A limited number of management books deliver an idea that is gripping enough to be read by senior management itself, drinking directly from the source.

Organisations are complicated and if you are thinking about changing one, it helps to have a framework that directs your attention to the right places. In preparing In Search of excellence

by McKinsey consultants, Tom Peters and Robert

Waterman developed just such a framework and after some alliterative pulling and pushing, called it the seven Ss. It identified seven interdependent variables within the organisation: structure, strategy, systems, staff, style, skills and shared values.

The first three variables (structure, strategy and systems) represented the organisation’s ‘hardware’ and the other four it’s ‘software’. The seven Ss reminded professional managers that ‘soft is hard’. It told them: All that stuff you have been dismissing for so long as the intractable, irrational, intuitive, informal organisation can be managed.

leadership traits

7 things Warren Buffett can teach you about leadership

The “most successful investor of the 20th century” has a thing or two to teach you about being a great leader. Warren Buffett is a famed philanthropist, business magnate, and shark like investor. As the CEO and biggest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway and someone who consistently ranks among the richest If you’re an up-and-coming Warren Buffet leader (or just want to be), check out what Buffett can rear-view mirror is always teach you about leadership, clearer than the windshield,” wise moves and humility. quips Buffett. Of course, 1. On risk this is true in every other “Risk comes from not aspect of your life, too. knowing what you’re doing,” Stop focusing on that says Buffett, which means rear-view mirror, though, you can do one of two after you’ve gleaned the things. Either you can be a necessary lessons from big risk taker and gambler, it. Move forward, even if or you can learn what you that direction isn’t quite as need to do, play it a little streak-free. slower, and minimize your 5. On stupid mistakes risks. Obviously the latter “I bought a company in the approach is best, but it mid-’90s called Dexter Shoe doesn’t lead to instant and paid $400 million for gratification. Put those it. And it went to zero. And multimillion-dollar fantasies I gave away about $400 on the back burner long million worth of Berkshire enough to get in control of stock, which is probably now your risk factor. worth $400 billion. But I’ve 2. On reputations made lots of dumb decisions.

“It takes 20 years to build a It’s part of the game.” reputation and five minutes No successful person is to ruin it. If you think mistake-free, and that’s a about that, you’ll do things good thing. Each stumble differently.” This is especially is a chance to learn and true in the digital era, when, a warning when you’re if something’s in writing tempted to do something or on video, it’s forever. similar in the future.

You can even take a screen 6. On knowing when to cap of a Snapchat, so be quit diligent when building your “Should you find yourself in reputation--online and off. a chronically leaking boat, 3. On who you surrounded energy devoted to changing yourself with vessels is likely to be more “It’s better to hang out with productive than energy people better than you. devoted to patching leaks.”

Pick out associates whose In other words, ditch the behaviour is better than stubbornness and know yours, and you’ll drift in that when to call it quits. Not direction.” Birds of a feather every project is worth saving. flock together, and you’re 7. On frugality probably not in the position Buffett is legendarily frugal. to be anyone’s mentor yet. If He lives in the same house you surround yourself with in Omaha, Nebraska, that better people, they’ll inspire he purchased in 1958 you to do better yourself. for $31,500. He is well As I tell my children, “If you known for his frugality, want to soar like an eagle which includes enjoying in life, you can’t be flocking McDonald’s hamburgers and with the turkeys.” cherry Coke, and his disdain 4. On hindsight for technology, such as “In the business world, the computers and luxury cars.

CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

getting ahead

31

Secrets They Won’t Teach You At Business School Richard Branson, one of world’s most-respected entrepreneurs

A perfect 10 DiFFeRenTiATe oR Die

...there’s no such thing I know that I drive people mad by refusing, point blank, ever to rate their work or new product ideas a perfect 10.

No matter how brilliantly conceived something may be, I have always firmly believed that it can always be improved. On the ‘Bransometer’, a nine is as good as it gets.

There’s an inherent danger in letting people think that they have perfected something. When they believe they’ve ‘nailed it’, most people tend to sit back and rest on their laurels while countless others will be labouring furiously to better their work! I have always been an extremely picky consumer. Unlike most ‘problem customers’, however, I just love it when I am on the receiving end of really bad service. No, I’m not some kind of market-masochist; it’s just that some of my best business ideas have stemmed from experiencing bad service.

My first retail business grew out of my constantly being chased out of record shops when my only crime was trying to spend my precious pocket money. We opened the very first Virgin Records shop in London, determined to create an environment where kids (our customers) would want to hang out.

Back then teenagers would spend hours over a single espresso in the pre-Starbucks genre coffee bar. This inspired us at Virgin Records to throw a few beanbags around the place, crank up the volume and transform the music-buying experience into a fun trip. It’s interesting that the big bookselling chains took another thirty years to catch on to the same notion!

The trick is always to look at your business or brand from the outside in.

Instead of looking strictly through the prism of the latest quarterly financials, attempt to see yourself as your customers see you.

Start simply: call your own customer

Business icons

service line. Just finding the number can be interesting. See how long you hold for, and if you’re subjecting your customers to some kind of electronic hell, redesign the system - pronto!

My close associates know that saying, ‘Oh, come on, Richard, that will never world’ is like waving the proverbial red rag in front of a bull. knowing this, they have no doubt used reverse psychology a few times to get me to buy into some crazy notions. But the fact that something has never been done doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be done. Often it simply means that no one has been crazy enough to try it usually for fear of failure.

Around the Virgin companies there really is no such thing as a dumb idea - at least not until we have examined it to see if, with some tweaking, it might be workable. Getting ahead of the curve can require improvising with short-term alternatives that fall well short of that nearly perfect nine.

For example, at Virgin Atlantic in the mid-1980s, rather than wait for seat-back video screen technology to be perfected, we went out and bought hundreds of Sony Video Walkman.

Remember those?

We loaded up on the latest movies on DVDs, handed them out to our fliers and, bingo, we were the first airline with personal movies.

Our approach had its flaws. The batteries frequently expired before the movie finished, but that was no reason not to be the first to market. Within a year or so, when seat-back technology got to an acceptable level, we were the first airline to feature personal screens at every seat. No one remembered the early hiccups.

Getting the jump on trends requires taking risks and having the confidence to go with your gut. For instance, when we announced that our first Virgin Megastore in the United States would open in New York’s Times Square, even

New Yorkers thought we’d gone mad.

‘Richard: I remember an American friend saying, ‘you’re going to lose your shirt. No one in their right mind ever goes there.’ There was that red rag again!

By the conventional wisdom, he was of course absolutely correct. Compared to the more fashionable locations available, Times Square didn’t rate even a four. But we had a good vibe about the place, and its less-thansalubrious reputation also meant that the price was compelling. At the risk of making a very public and embarrassing mistake, we went for it.

When it finally opened, our big, beautiful Virgin Megastore was unlike any music store New York had ever seen. It immediately became the talk of the town and, like its sister store on Champs Elysee, Paris one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. It was exactly the kind of retail catalyst the whole Times Square neighbourhood desperately needed and Times Square quickly went from ‘sleazy’ to ‘fashionable’ as others opened up.

If we’d taken the safe approach and waited for the area to reinvent itself, we would never have become the centrepiece of the busiest two acres in Manhattan.

Being in Times Square boosted our brand awareness far beyond the store itself. The giant Virgin logo, flashing 2417 above the storefront, became an impossible-to-miss backdrop to countless movies and TV shows - not to mention millions of tourist photos.

It was a big risk, but one with an even bigger return. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Sometimes they turn out to be less dangerous than the sure thing. Come to terms with, the fact that the perfect 10 simply doesn’t exist, and, when you hit the nine mark, don’t stand back and admire your handiwork. Start work on the next generation to make it still better.

The importance of ‘fit’

Celebrities in Japan and China can make a difference for whatever product is being sold. In the United States, there has to be a natural fit or you’re wasting a lot of money.

People are more sophisticated and aren’t that impressed with a well-known name. It has to make sense.

Using the late actor Robert Mitchum as a spokesperson for “tie-less” garbage bags was silly.

(Inside joke: He never wore a tie.)

Using James Garner and Cybill Shepherd to help sell beef was a disaster. James ended up with heart trouble and Cybill turned out to like veggies more than red meat.

Catherine Deneuve for Chanel.

Michael Jordan for Nike. Paul Hogan for the Subaru Outback.

They are perfect. Steve Young for milk? We’re not so sure.

Leadership lessons continued From last week

Sam Walton Founder, Wal-Mart

Outwork the Competition Walton was always known for his hard work. He visited stores often and was always analysing what they could do better. David Glass remarked that “It’s often been said that he spent more time in competitors’ stores than they did.

In a lot of cases, that’s true” (Ortega 1998).

Walton also demanded hard work from his managers in Bentonville.

Every Saturday morning, they would meet to go over company goals and strategies. Choosing Saturday mornings to meet with his managers to discuss how to incorporate what they had learned into the business was one of Walton’s best competitive moves.

Walton said that it was in those meetings that the company first decided to try things that seemed unattainable. Those meetings were pivotal, because they were the vehicles Walton used to make his “corrections.” He had two days before the competition had a chance to catch up. concluded

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

housekeeping

Compiled by Olujide Olusola

Most creative people in business

Amanda Peyton

King Bach

Co-founder, Grand St For filling in gaps in the crowd funding economy

Julia Greer

Comedian For cramming a lot of comedy into six seconds Vine’s six-second limit is a brief window for making people laugh, but to Andrew Bachelor, aka King Bach, it’s plenty of time. The 25-year-old actor has a knack for presenting complete, outrageous stories in an absurdly truncated space, and it’s helped him leapfrog from the Internet onto TV. Bachelor posted his first six-second looping Vine video under the name King Bach on May 29, 2013, and within a month had a million followers and a deal with United Talent Agency. “I don’t really write them out. If something funny happens, I think of how I can turn it into a Vine,” Bachelor says of the clips, which feature, among other motifs, some increasingly bizarre attempts to get ladies’ phone numbers.

(He posts up to four clips a day.) “A lot of Viners do more relatable stuff, but I try to stay away from that. I try to maybe take a relatable situation and Bach it up.”Today, he has 6 million followers, a regular role on Showtime’s House of Lies, a forthcoming project with Adult Swim, and the attention of such comedians as Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jordan Peele. The King’s reign is just beginning.

What she does: At Grand St., an online marketplace for innovative electronics, Peyton helps entrepreneurs reach a large but targeted audience of early adopters.

Why it’s innovative: Grand St. provides companies with software solutions to help them market new products, process sales, and track analytics.

Case in point: Peyton discovered the SideKIC, an immersion circulation cooker. Usually, these cost thousands, but the inventor had created one for $200. He was selling two or three a week out of his studio. When his product debuted on Grand St., he began to sell hundreds.

Overall goal: “We create a bridge to consumers for new tech,” says Peyton. “We also provide a beta-testing platform. If you need feed­back on a cool electronic that’s already in production, our knowledgeable community means you don’t have to rely on your mom for advice.”

Professor of Materials Science, Caltech For pioneering “nano-architecture” We’re at the beginning of this. And now we’re trying to figure out how to scale it up.

Julia Greer has made a career of exploring how materials can change properties—by getting much stronger, for instance—when reduced to microscopic sizes. A year ago, she had a revelation: What if you could fabricate nanotrusses—materials made up of tiny, intricate geometric structures linked together—in a way that might resemble, say, the webwork of the Eiffel Tower? A hunk of metal engineered from nanotrusses might look ordinary, but it could be both stronger and lighter, since it’s mostly air. The technology could be revolutionary for energy, transportation, and electronics. Her team is now designing and building nanotrusses in their Caltech labs. The next challenge is manufacturing. “How do you make these materials in large sheets?” she asks.

It helps that Greer, a Stanford PhD, knows her way around Silicon Valley—she has worked at both Xerox’s famed PARC facility and Intel. Already, Google and other tech companies are interested in her discoveries. “We’re at the beginning of this,” she says. “And now we’re trying to figure out how to scale it up.”

For refusing to let good food go to waste

Roger Norris Gordon Co-founder and president, Food Cowboy

The problem: Each year, 43 billion pounds of America’s food supply rots in garbage piles because grocery stores won’t take less-than-perfect produce.

Trucking the rejects to the needy is too time consuming and expensive to make donations feasible.

The epiphany: Roger Gordon’s brother, Richard, is a trucker. For years, Roger, who was usually near a computer, would help Richard and his friends on the road find homes for their unwanted loads. On one such occasion, while Roger was online studying for the bar exam, he realized that truckers all have smartphones. Mobile logistics could match

nearby shelters with unwanted food.

The execution: In 2012, the Gordon brothers helped found Food Cowboy, a web-based application in which truckers and shelters fill out relevant information and technology facilitates a match. Finding a home for bruised tomatoes is as simple as sending a text.

The result: With hundreds of truckers signed up and more than 500,000 pounds of food saved, Food Cowboy has drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is planning an expo to showcase new systems for handling food waste—and hopefully spark more ideas like the Gordons’.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

Maiduguri, A Troubled Capital City Overtaken By IDPs The dreaded Boko Haram insurgents have continued to kill innocent people and destory homes,leading to the exodus of millions of internally-displaced persons who have turned Maiduguri into a congested capital city, just as politicians have cashed in on the situation to launch their campaigns in the IDPs Camps. Kareem Haruna, writes

Some displaced persons leaving their villages after Boko Haram attacks

A

s at last week, about 6,000 more internally-displaced persons (IDPs) from Kukawa local government area of Borno State were forced to flee their homes into Maiduguri, the state capital, as Boko Haram terrorists visited them with one of the most heinous attacks ever.

Just like others from various local government areas now under the control of the insurgents, the people from Baga, the largest town in Kukawa local government area made it to Maiduguri, mostly on foot, as the terrorists burnt down several communities and killed hundreds in the wake of the attack that finally dislodged the Multinational Joint Task Force stationed there.

Months before then, nearly 1.5 million IDPs that were sacked from about 11 local government areas of Borno were forced to leave the comfort of their homes to take refuge in Maiduguri as IDPs. LEADERSHIP Sunday can authoritatively report that this figure was a rough estimate of the entire displaced persons, be-

cause about a quarter more of the IDPs who would rather not be in the camps have taken refuge in the homes of relatives and friends within and outside the state.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had reported that Boko Haram terrorists had forced residents of various communities to take refuge in 31 camps across the northern Nigeria, and 20 of such were domiciled in the northeast, while more than half of them are in Borno State’s towns of Biu and Maiduguri.

Recently, following the heightened attacks in parts of Adamawa State, where some displaced Borno residents were being camped earlier, the state government had directed that all IDPs from the state be moved into Maiduguri where they are to be homed in safer camps.

As at today, about half a million IDPs are being camped in various public school premises as well as newly-completed but yet-to-be-commissioned housing estates within Maiduguri.

According to officials of the various camps, the IDPs are being camped in National Youth

Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp; the Government Secondary School, Maiduguri; Arabic Teachers College; Government Girls College, Yerwa; Ali Monguno Teachers College; Sanda Kyarimi Primary School; Agric College, Maiduguri; Women Teacher College; and Muhammed Goni College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Maiduguri.

These camps are being populated by IDPs from Bama, Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Konduga, Chibok, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Abadam, Marte, Mafa, Kukawa and Kala/Balge.

Borno State government said last year that it spends over N600 million monthly on the feeding and welfare of the IDPs, cutting across those that were in the camps as well as the ones being harboured in private homes of individuals.

According to the state deputy governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, who oversees all the committees in charge of various IDPs camps, the state government spends at least N600 million every month on about two million IDPs, comprising those in the camps, private homes,

as well as in churches, either in Maiduguri or Biu townships.

The Effect On Maiduguri Maiduguri’s population as estimated by the 2006 population census conducted by the National Population Census was put at 1.2 million people, a figure that may have risen in the last eight years. Though the city has witnessed drastic exodus of residents due to the lingering Boko Haram conflict, it has been said that not more than a quarter of its population was depleted so far. But with the influx of IDPs, the capital city is today almost bursting at the seams as its population density now hiked up to about three million people.

Major streets of Maiduguri are congested all day, as both new and old residents try to get to one part of the city or the other. It should be noted that most of the IDPs are not restricted in the camps; they are free to move around the township only to return back to the camp for meals or sleep at night.

The situation has since doubled the job of the security agencies in the state capital, which ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

We have to sustain 24 hours patrol of the town and make sure that everyone is safe, both in the camps and around the streets, because new people are in town, hence we have to remain vigilant

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

Maiduguri, A Troubled Capital City Overtaken By IDPs ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

Even if the ban on political campaigns had been lifted by INEC, it is ungodly to campaign to people who are suffering from physical and psychological pains at this point in time

have to painstakingly keep watch on movements of persons and ensure that no one tries to get in trouble or cause trouble for others.

“We have to sustained 24 hours patrol of the town and make sure that everyone is safe, both in the camps and around the streets, because new people are in town, hence we have to remain vigilant,” said Lawan Zannah, the provost of Borno Youth Empowerment Scheme, aka Civillian-JTF. Zannah said in the past five months that IDPs began to reside in camps within Maiduguri, his command has been able to arrest more than 270 suspected Boko Haram members, who usually hid within fleeing residents of towns and villages under attack to sneak into the state capital.

“The danger is that many Boko Haram members are hiding under the guise of being IDPs to enter Maiduguri to perpetrate evil,” said Zannah.

“If you may recall prior to the commencement of attacks and seizure of towns and villages in Borno State, which led to people fleeing to camps, there had never been any case of Boko Haram members entering the state capital. We achieved that for two years running. Our vigilant operatives of the CivilianJTF made it very difficult for them to enter. But with the influx of IDPs, it became a tough job for us to filter who is a good person and who is Boko Haram.

That was why we started experiencing recent cases of bomb explosions in the state capital.”

who are not used to such facilities make a mess of them. Camp committees are now building open toilets and bathrooms all over the premises with less concern for hygiene and health of the inmates.

Classrooms have become bedrooms with the walls of the newly-renovated classrooms wearing what would piss off the students anytime they would be asked to resume.

Some parents who have the wherewithal had since transferred their children and wards to private schools to continue their studies, while those who have less means watch helplessly as their children rot away their minds with idleness, while some engage in trending issues of the moment, like political touting and trading.

Babagana Zanna, a distraught parent whose three secondary school aged children are now idle at home, told LEADERSHIP Sunday in a recent interview that “it seems the Boko Haram insurgents have achieved their aim after all”.

“The Boko Haram said western education is sinful and most be abolished; and now our children have been kept at home; first because it is not safe for them to go to school, and now, the school premises are being taken over by IDPs that they (Boko Haram) have chased from various communities outside the state capital,” said the 49 years old grocery vendor that lives in Maiduguri.

Impact On Schools And Children’s Education With most of the major secondary schools in Maiduguri now housing IDPs, there are concerns about what becomes the future of students who had so far lost a whole year staying at home as government has closed all schools to avoid further attacks on educational facilities in the state.

A committee member for one of the IDP camps, who wished not to be named, informed LEADERSHIP Sunday that “there is nothing we or government can do about the opening of secondary schools in the state, because there is no place to keep these sea of IDPs flooding the state capital on daily basis. We just have to accommodate them somewhere at all cost.”

Premises of secondary schools where the IDPs are being accommodated have now become shadows of their former existence, as dirt and filths litter every nook and cranny of the premises. School toilets have become eyesores, as villagers

IDP Camps Now Campaign Haven For Politicians Boko Haram may have succeed in crippling the socio-economic and security concerns of Borno State, but it has not by any means affected the political lives of the people. It is on record today that hundreds of thousands of people are being mourned on daily basis, as homes, hamlets, villages and towns around Borno State are being taken over by the rampaging Boko Haram terrorists. The situation had at a point started to cast doubts in the minds of many as to whether elections would hold in Borno and other affected states of the northeast or not. There are even concerns that political officeholders may not be able to go to those areas to campaign, talk less of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) going there to conduct elections.

But to the politicians in Borno State, though they may all share in the pains of seeing their folks being killed and forced to flee their communities into some unsuitable living conditions as refugees, the IDP camps still afford them even a better opportunity to easily campaign for support to win elections.

Unlike in the past when politicians had to take their campaign posters and banners to remote villages and towns in order to convince the electorate for support, the precinct of schools where the IDPs are being camped have now become centre for politicking.

Aside the efforts of the state government, every politician seeking elective office must have to

IDPs in one of the camps in Maiduguri.

regularly visit the camps with some relief items to register their solidarity and sympathy for the displaced people.

LEADERSHIP Sunday’s visits to most of the camps around Maiduguri revealed how campaign posters have flooded the camps, with some of the IDPs even forming groups to express their respective political sentiments.

Both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP politicians in the state now carry out periodic pilgrimage to the camps. Though the APC-controlled state government seemed to be popular in the camps because those that formed the camp committees are politicians and officeholders of the ruling party, the PDP too is stamping its feet down to seek for support there.

Some of such visits by politicians to present food items and other incidental relief materials to the IDPs often turned into a frenzy of political campaign, as irate youth groups and even elderly ones within the camp would rent the air with slogans like “sai kayi” (you must win) or “Tazarche” (you shall continue) as the case may apply for the visitors.

Ibrahim Yakubu, a resident of Maiduguri, had while commenting on the development said, “This is a clear enactment of the Chinese proverb, which says that ‘crisis means opportunity’. The Boko Haram conflict has caused poor individuals to flee their homes, lost their relatives, and forced people that were living decent lives into IDP camps, and has now given some ‘lazy’ politicians the opportunity to campaign and win elections at no cost. No one would have to spend money or extra logistics like fuelling of vehicles and providing allowances for rented crowds who would risk their lives to accompany them into the hinterlands to campaign.

Now, it is very easy because the electorate are now at their doorsteps.”

Obviously piqued by the ugly development at the IDP camps, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Borno State had last year issued a cautionary statement, calling on politicians of all political parties to restrain their activities while in the camps.

According to the State Director, NOA, Alhaji Yahya Imam, some politicians have turned the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps to political rally grounds under the cover of donating relief materials for the traumatised people, insisting that this is not accepted, especially as the ban on political campaign was still on then.

“Even if the ban on political campaigns had been lifted by INEC, it is ungodly to campaign to people who are suffering from physical and psychological pains at this point in time. NOA is calling on all displaced persons to remain united, apolitical and show love to one another during these trying moments in the camps.

“IDPs camps should be spared of political activities of all kinds as victims are expected to be united in continuous prayers for peace and unity to reign in the state,” he said.

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

L-R: Vice president Sambo being welcomed by the paramount ruler of Kagoro, Chief Ufuwai Bonet

How Politics Nearly Ruined 400-year-old Afan Cultural Festival This year’s Afan Cultural festival which was held recently in Kagoro, Kaduna State, was witnessed by important dignitaries which included vice president Namadi Sambo.

MIDAT JOSEPH reports that the event which is used by the people of Kagoro to showcase their rich culture was almost ruined by politicians.

T

he annual Afan cultural festival of the Oegworok-speaking people in Kagoro area of Kaura local government in Kaduna State has come and gone, but the memories linger on.

Afan festival provides an avenue for the Kagoro people to celebrate their rich culture, which usually attracts people from within and outside the shores of Nigeria. It has become a yearly ritual for most people who feel that the first day of every month of a New Year must meet them in Kagoro town, their hometown.

According to a member of the national planning committee, who is also the committee’s national treasurer, Mr Hosea Nkom, the word Afan in Kagoro language means hill and his people now are generally referred to as “people from the hill”. The celebration of the festival is in reference to the time the people of Kagoro dwelt on the hills, and the festival has been regularly celebrated for more

than a hundred years. Nkom said the objective of the festival is to “showcase our culture and at the same time thank God for the past year”.

According to the paramount ruler of the Kagoro people, Chief Ufuwai Bonet, “The festival customarily is a time of thanksgiving, a time to thank God for a successful farming season, and a time to thank God for bountiful harvest. It is our most important season, and our people travel home more than any other holiday in the year to celebrate it. It began well over 400 years ago.”

It is based on this that thousands of indigenes of the town and well-wishers from all walks of life journey down to Kagoro after the Christmas holidays to feel the rhythm of the New Year.

The occasion also gave the organisers opportunity to appraise and make demands from the government, while giving the federal and state governments the opportunity to make new promises.

However, the display by par-

ty supporters nearly ruined the most celebrated festival that got even the Kagoro indigenes and visitors astounded like never before.

The event did not commence until the arrival of Vice President Sambo and Governor Yero who stormed Kagoro town with supporters and party faithful.

The governorship candidate of APC, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was received by a mammoth crowd of indigenes and supporters and was ushered straight to the Town Hall.

Also present at the event with El-Rufai was his running mate, Mr Bala Barnabas, who hails from Kaura local government area, and along with other top officials of the party from across the state.

The president of Kagoro Development Association, Chief Paul Abityong, in his welcome address, reminded Vice President Namadi Sambo of the promises that were made, among them to revitalise the Kagoro Hill project when he was the governor of the state, adding that the project was taking too long for execution, bearing in mind that a lot of paperwork had been done.

According to him, scarcity of water in most villages is obvious despite the fact that Kagoro is the source of water supply to some towns in the region, while also advising the government to improve on areas of se-

curity, agriculture and youths employment.

The Kagoro paramount ruler reminded the government of some road projects that have been abandoned within the chiefdom, and appealed to the governor to ensure that contractors go back to site and complete the projects.

He also urged the governor to look into the state of “our secondary schools”, adding that “academics in schools have fallen below average. The schools have fallen short of producing appreciable number of qualified candidates for university enrolment. If we are to preach real peace, real development, and carry a real war against violence, we shall have to begin with children in the classrooms.”

Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, in his speech, promised to upgrade the Kafanchan Campus of the Kaduna State University (KASU) to a full-fledged Kaduna State University of Technology (KSUT), Kafanchan.

The governor said a technical committee had already been identified for the establishment of the university, adding that “in view of the challenges being faced in securing admission into universities by our students, our administration has concluded plans to upgrade the Kafanchan Campus of the Kaduna State University (KASU) into ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Afan festival provides an avenue for the Kagoro people to celebrate their rich culture, which usually attracts people from within and outside the shores of Nigeria

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

How Politics Nearly Ruined 400-year-old Afan Cultural Festival ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 a full-fledged university of technology. A technical committee under Prof A. Abdulrasheed as chair and Prof Barnabas Qurix as deputy will soon be inaugurated to commence this process.”

Governor Yero also disclosed that plans are already on for the establishment of a federal medical centre in Kafanchan, stating that, “To improve healthcare delivery, we have intensified effort towards the establishment of a federal medical centre in Kafanchan to cater for the health needs of our people.

“While we are sustaining that effort, government has directed for the upgrading of the General Hospital, Kafanchan, for improved services. We have also made a provision in the 2015

In a show of solidarity to the political quest of the people of Southern Kaduna, Governor Yero declared support for the creation of Gurara State, out of the present Kaduna State

budget for the completion of upgrading of PHC Fadan Kagoma to a rural hospital,” he assured.

In a show of solidarity to the political quest of the people of Southern Kaduna, Governor Yero declared support for the creation of Gurara State, out of the present Kaduna State, adding that “as you are aware, the state assembly has voted for creation of new states; that position is also supported by the state executive. We are in support of the actualisation of the rights of our people to self determination; so, we are fully in support of creation of a new state from Kaduna State.”

The governor counted several achievements of his administration in the Southern Kaduna zone, including completion of road projects, upgrade of hospitals, rehabilitation and construction of schools, distribution of subsidised farm inputs to farmers, as well as provision of employment of opportunities to thousands of youths.

He said Kaduna State is the first state in the federation to partner the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) on youth empowerment, saying, “We have trained and provided starter packs to 7,650 youths and women, we have also established a Youth and Women Employment Development Programme where we engaged 2,550 youths; 10 youths (six males and four females) drawn from each of the 255 electoral wards in the state.

“The present administration has invested the sum of N240million into the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) of the Federal SURE-P to enable 2,000 unemployed graduates of our state participate in the programme.

“Presently, the federal government SURE-P is placing these graduates to relevant MDAs for the commencement of the pro-

Governor Yero of Kaduna State in the midst of dancers

Kagoro women group

Kagoro cultural dancers

A cultural procession

gramme. Under this programme, each participant would receive a monthly allowance of N30,000 from the federal government SURE-P with the Kaduna State Government contributing another N10,000 monthly. The programme will last for a period of 12 calendar months with participants having the chance of being employed on permanent basis, based on their performance.

“Similarly, the present administration has invested the sum of N55million for the Graduate Vocational Entrepreneurship training where a total of 1,000 unemployed graduates received training with funding windows being availed to them to finance their chosen businesses. It is expected that this scheme will create additional 4,000 jobs for our people,” the governor said.

On his part, Vice President Sambo congratulated the people of Kagoro for sustaining the agelong cultural event which dates back to over four centuries, while calling on them to sustain support for the present administrations at both the state and federal levels in order to continue to benefit from the ongoing transformation agenda.

Worried over the persistent killings in Southern Kaduna communities, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday promised to establish a strong military base in Southern Kaduna with the aim of curtailing the activities of armed bandits in the area.

President Jonathan, who spoke through vice president Sambo at the annual AFAN cultural festival, condemned the continual attacks and killings of innocent citizens by unknown gunmen.

“Let me assure all Nigerians of the continuous protection of lives and properties; we shall defeat the evil of these terrorists’ acts.

“The 2015 general elections shall be anchored on one man one vote, one woman one vote, and one youth one vote,” he assured.

Side Attractions The cultural festival was not without political activities, as politicians as well as supporters of the two governorship candidates in the state took advantage of the occasion to show solidarity with vice president Namadi Sambo, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero who is seeking re-election under the ruling PDP, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

LEADERSHIP Sunday observed that the festival was less of cultural display and more of political gatherings.

The event indeed has come and gone, but the memories of how it was celebrated will remain indelible in the minds of not only the Kagoro people, but visitors as well.

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

THE On January 16th, 2015 Who Makes The List Of The Right Candidates To Be Voted In 2015 General Elections

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40 feature

Sunday, January 11, 2015

How Traders Deface The FCT With Their Wares

W

hile the seventh edition of Oxford Dictionary describes a market as an ‘occasion when people buy and sell goods or an open area or building where they meet to do this, markets within and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are however gradually becoming a source of concern for residents and visitors coming into the city. In places like Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Masaka and other places, market days are the worst in this category because traders in these markets display their wares at the roadsides thereby disrupting the free flow of traffic. In certain cases, their actions lead to heaps of refuse. The heaps of refuse, which most times, threaten to overtake the main road, leaves very offensive odours.

Compared to the markets located in the city pose like Wuse and Garki, which are always kept clean, the ones located in the outskirts of the city pose health hazards to Nigerians living close to them.

Mrs Uche Ajugunu, a trader at the Karu market, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday said: “Every day, I pay dues in hundreds before or after we have sold our goods, if not they will stop us from selling, but they have refused renovate repair the market, some are saying that, the place where the market is located is temporary, that is why they have not renovated it but the place is dirty especially on market days or when it rains. The mud also discourages people from coming. Another problem we have is that there is no parking space for customers. You will see them struggling with barrow pushers to pack or in other cases with okadas. We cannot go to big markets like Wuse or Garki because of the cost of space. We want the government to repair this market for us and make it respectable for us. The shops must also be cheap so that ordinary traders like us can rent it. Now that they are building new structures, wealthy people have bought all the spaces; they will now want to give us at exorbitant rate. At the end, it is the poor people that suffer in Nigeria. We traders hire young men with local wheel barrows to help us to carry the previous day’s waste for us”, she complained.

Idris Bello, a meat seller at Mararaba market, a suburb of Karu local government in Nasarawa State said close to him is a deep gutter that carries waste from other meat sellers shops. “I have been selling meat in this market for over 15 years now and every week, traders hold meeting with the management of the market. We are made to pay one levy or the order for the maintenance of the market, but you can see it for yourself, nothing has been done. Task force will come with their wahala and threaten us into parting with money, yet, the market will still remain the way it is. We hear that the government is planning to demolish the market and

Markets are supposed to be decent places of transactions but that is not the case with some markets in the FCT. Ruth Choji writes that in many of such markets, experts warn of the health implications associated with the way traders display their wares

A refuse dump site inside Mararaba market.

build a modern one, but we all know that all the place where such actions were taken, such new markets are taken over by the rich in the market, but at the end of the day, the market is still the way it is. When politicians come here to campaign, we usually complain to them and they will promise us heaven and earth, but none of them have fulfilled it.

We need a good sanitary place, the floor in the market should either be tarred or be laced with inter-locks everywhere. They can also build affordable stores for us; that is all we are asking for. We are also scared because once they build the modern market, they will increase the rent such that we will not be able to pay. We also contribute money to ‘cleaners’; sometimes we put it in the middle of the road so that the vehicles can come and pack them.

Plastic “pure water” bags, off-cuts from fish and meat, fruit peels, and debris clog many of the drainage gutters that run through the markets. We know that these clog the gutters and have become a breeding place for diseases and the smell emanating from them can be intolerable, but we have to surivive”, he said.

Another trader who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday on the heap of refuse is Kande Musa, a yam seller. She said: “I don’t know why refuse keep piling because they come every week to clear it. I think the government should create a permanent place for throwing of refuse so that we will stop keeping it in the middle of the roads. We put it there because we know if we keep it inside, nobody will come and clear them, but in the middle of the road, it disgusts motorist and passersby and this forces the government to come and remove them every week. Don’t blame us for the way the market is because there is no day that we don’t pay for our space; it is the market authority that should do the right thing by ensuring that were have

everything that will help us keep it clean”.

Emmanuel John, a staff of Development Control stated: “There is no market in the FCT especially in places like Garki that is not under a management and this is for effective oversight and supervision. All the markets in the FCT have functional waste disposal system and the daily management of the markets is handed to private organisation. You know how Nigerians are, the place would have been a mess, but Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) is saddle with the responsibility of cleaning the FCT and making sure that things are done well. It has the mandate to effect the disposal of waste within the city centre. They are also expected to check these unplanned roadside traders by getting rid of them and ensuring that our roads are clean and well maintained. This is the capital of Nigeria and every world capital is kept clean and that is why, it surprises me when people say government is wicked because they wouldn’t allow people to trade along the road but they litter the whole place. So, if the market is still littered with dirt, then it means the market authorities are not doing their jobs. You can’t hold us responsible for what happens in the environs like Mararaba; that is state government responsibility”.

A resident of Karu local government area of Nasarawa state, Daniel Shinge, also stated that they expected the state government to do something about the filth. “When Al-Makura first came to power, we thought being a technocrat and developer, he will tackle the overcrowding and waste that litter the main roads along Nyanya/Mararaba, but as you drive along, there is no change. The markets is still dirty, most of the roads being fixed are World Bank project that he inherited. We don’t have any functional waste disposal system in our local markets, both traders and

customers throw their wastes everywhere in the market and this makes the dirt to piles and is now becoming a health hazards to the people living nearby. So, blame the state government for not keeping the market clean. You know this place is overcrowded and one would have expected government to open the Karu Modern Market or expand the market but we are almost suffocating with the filth. The place is always looking unkempt. It is worst during the raining season”.

A health expert, who resides in Masaka, Ismail Danlami, said, “The Ministry of Environment in Nasaraws State has been claiming that they have contracted the cleaning of the market to a contractor, but you can see that, all our markets are still filthy. The local government officials see traders as nuisance and this further compounds the problem of the markets. They don’t relate with traders and make them understand the dangers inherit in selling their wares in dirty environments. We don’t have sanitation laws and even the little we have, it is not being enforced. A good market is supposed to be well planned with departments that are tasked with monitoring, managing, construction work, drainage, sanitation, provision of electricity and lighting, and have an enforcement agency that will enforce rules and regulations. A well planned market is supposed to have sanitation and waste removal equipment and fire fighting equipment. There is also supposed to be an inspections officers that move about in the market every minute to ensure that the right thing is being done.

The markets we have are those that cause health risk to users. Most of these people don’t know but our market in Nigeria can cause diarrhea, vomiting, malaria, fever and dizziness. There could also be vaginal infections, skin and nail infections, sore ribs, neck and back pains resulting from heavy loads.

Markets within and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are gradually becoming a source of concern for residents and visitors coming into the city

CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

bottom lines 21 $1,000,000,000 Number of Primary Mortgage Banks whose licences were revoked by the central bank of Nigeria.

41

Expected amount to be realised from the sale of its telecoms towers by The Economic Times Bharti Airtel in Nigeria.

Afro Media’s surging expenditure dwarfs sales, posts N1.42bn loss in Q3 IN SHORT Neimeth post N288.5 million loss in 2014 Nigerian drugmaker, Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc recently posted a loss of N288.5m in the audited period ended September 30, 2014, the drug maker said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to the company, profit after tax (PAT) went down from a profit of N130.57m in 2013 end to a loss of N228.5m; indicating a decline of 275 per cent.

Similarly, profit before tax (PBT) declined 208.8 per cent to a loss of N198.27m from a profit of N182.13m recorded in corresponding period of 2013.

Revenue of Neimeth dipped 19.2 per cent to N1.628bn recorded in 2014 end from N2.016bn posted in the same period of 2013.

Meanwhile, Digital billboards and indoor advertising company, Afromedia Plc recently posted a loss of N1.429bn in its 2014 audited year end compared to a loss of 851.3m recorded in the previous year, the company said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Similarly, profit before tax (PBT) declined a 100.4 per cent to a loss N1.705bn in the 2014 end from a loss of N850.94m reported the previous year. Revenue of the digital billboards and indoor advertising firm dipped 54.1 per cent to N341.02m in the review period of 2014 from N742.90m in the corresponding period of 2013.

COMPANY

SECRETS

Javier Herrero, Chief executive officer, Iberdrola

Chairman, Afro Media Nigeria Plc, Mr. Idowu O. Iluyomade

Afro Media Nigeria plc’s surging and swelling operating expenses have dwarfed sales, which culminated in the company posting a loss of N1.41bn in the third quarter (Q3) of 2014, analysis of the financial statement shows.

For the first nine months through September 2014, the company posted a loss after tax (PAT) of N1.42bn, which is higher than the N851.32m the same period of the corresponding Q3 2013.

The top line wasn’t spared of the unimpressive performance as sales reduced by 54 per cent to N341.02m compared with N742.90m the preceding year.

The sloppy performance by the advertising giant calls for urgent cost control mechanism and focus strategy that will boost sales and reposition the company for better efficiency and growth.

Analysis reveals operating expenses margin, a measure of efficiency, moved to 313.58 per cent in the review period as against 106.16 per cent last year. This means that for every one naira of sales generated by the company, it spends N3.13, which means operating expenses have swallowed sales.

Operating expenses that consist of distribution and administrative expense increased by 36 per cent to N1.07bn from N788.73m last year.

Production costs also spiked as cost of sales margin increased to 130.16 per cent in 2014, as against 60.38 per cent the preceding year, while costs of sales increased by 2 per cent to N443.89m.

Industry analysts say the company has a bright future given the opportunities that abound in the Nigeria economy of $510bn (N80.22trn), attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) that is begging for more advertisement.

The PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PwC) recent report also validates analysts view on the stellar future of Afro Media.

The report has shown that Nigeria’s entertainment and media industries’ revenues will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1 per cent from $4bn in 2013, to an $8.5bn in 2018.

It also added that the television market in Nigeria will become $1 billion-plus market in 2018, and the value would be derived from advertising, subscriptions and licence fees. The market is expected to grow steadily.

There are upsides as the media and entertainment industries are expected to grow at 5 per cent GDP, as the entertainment industry, popularly known as Nollywood, represents 1.2 per cent of GDP, which is expected to drive growth of advertising firms in Africa largest economy.

It must be noted that there are challenges inhibiting the growth of firms operating the industry, which includes lack of data, violation of contractual agreement by clients to outof-home agencies, regulation and multiple taxations – major factors likely to take some of the media agencies out of operations.

Afro Media’s total assets were down by 13.87 per cent to N3.60bn from N4.18bn last year.

Current ratio, which measures the ability of a firm to meet its short-term obligation as at when due was 0.32x- lower than the 2.1x industry average. capitalisation was N2.21bn.

BoostiNG Sales Tap into the momentum present in the universe There is a lot going on out there in the universe and an abundance of resources being applied to moving ideas along.

People are hosting events, celebrating accomplishments and creating strategic alliances to accomplish the greater good. This momentum is an awesome force of nature and you need to tap into whatever you can to help make more sales.

Momentum is the speed or force of forward movement and everyone in sales wants more of that. For every kind of product or service there is a range of marketing strategies.

A state-wide CPA society wanted to ratchet up the level of interaction it was having with its members and prospects in the community.

It was hard to get accountants out of the office for conferences and routine association meetings. So the society organised a wide selection of certified educational sessions timed to match the state’s periodic requirements for continuing education units (CEUs). Build it and they will come works when external forces help propel them.

Tap into the energy present in the universe. Supercharge yours!

Shaping culture with activity-based management Iberdrola is Spain’s largest private company, the third largest power provider in the European Union and twenty-first in the world, with revenues in excess of $8 billion. The company has been active on privatisation and modernisation projects in Central and South America and former Soviet Bloc countries and is based near Bilbao in north-eastern Spain, home of most of the country’s hydro sources. As general managing director, since 1993 Javier Herroro has charted Iberdrola’s course through the tangles of Spanish deregulation. Previously he had been

the company’s manager of planning, regulation and investment.

Corporate culture change is a relatively new discipline. Some of its tools are known and understood, but there is still much room for experimentation and innovation and for testing the approaches that yield the best results. At Iberdrola who are using the framework of Activity-Based Management (ABM) as a lever for culture change is often brought about through charismatic and forceful leadership or through a compelling vision, sheep-dip immersion training and corporate brain washing.

This approach gave them deeper and sharper insight, change their thinking processes and eventually change their attitudes toward improving performance. The logic of this ABMlinked culture change lies in Iberdrola’s unique circumstances. The management team felt that a radical culture change was essential because of 1. Intense regulatory surveillance of costs and end-user prices in a mature marketplace 2. The diversity in operating styles, service delivery and cost performance of the two wings of the company.

42 CEOConfidential

hub Compiled by Olujide Olusola

Sunday, January 11, 2015

$4,000,000,000

Total worth of investments in agriculture in the last two years according to the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

50%

Percentage increase importers will pay to clear their goods.

L-R: Technical director, Secure ID Ltd, Mr Pradeep Kumar; managing director/ CEO, Bank Of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa; managing director/CEO, Secure ID, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, and assistant general manager, Large Scale Enterprises, Mrs Mabel Ndagi, during the inspection of facilities in Secure ID Industry by Bank of Industry team In Lagos recently. PHOTOS: BENEDICT UWALAKA

L-R: Commercial director, Nigerian Bottling Company, Matthieu Sequin; marketing manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd (CCNL) Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi; marketing director, CCNL, Patricia Jemibewon, and communications officer, Sam Umukoro, during the media launch of the Share a Coke campaign of Coca-Cola, held in Lagos recently.

L-R: Export Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Uchechi Havor; area head of treasury, BATN, Bisola Adefarati; sustainability manager, BATN, Seyi Ashade; chairperson, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Osayi Alile; area head, corporate affairs, BATN, Dayo George, and area programme manager, BATN, Maureen Adeiye, at the 2014 Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) Conference, held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

L-R: Director, Livestock Feeds Plc (LSF), a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc, Mr Joe Dada; managing director, LSF, Mrs Modupe Asanmo; chairman, LSF, Mr Larry Ettah; chief financial officer, UAC, Mr Abdul Bello, and a director of LSF, Mr Godwin Samuel, during the commissioning of a new feed mill plant by LSF in Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: GBENGA OLAJOBI

Richard Branson @richardbranson Whenever you feel fear remember: an opportunity can be turned into a lifechanging experience.

BrianTracy @BrianTracy If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

Peter Aceto Sam Adeyemi @PeterAceto @sam_adeyemi Often the thing 24. Meanwhile, if tweets that holds us you know anyone or back is within family struggling to us. It easier to feed, please share your blame external food or money with them. factors but look inside - fear, That is leadership! perfection, confidence.

fav

The Club of Rome, Switzerland The Club of Rome was founded in 1968 as and forward-looking analysis; to evaluate alternative scenarios for the future and to an informal association of independent assess risks, choices and opportunities; to leading personalities from politics, develop and propose practical solutions to business and science, men and women the challenges identified; to communicate who are long-term thinkers interested the new insights and knowledge derived in contributing in a systemic from this analysis to decision-makers interdisciplinary and holistic in the public and private sectors and manner to a better world. The also to the general public and to Club of Rome members share stimulate public debate and effective a common concern for the works action to improve the prospects future of humanity and the for the future. The Club of Rome planet. The aims of the Club of publishes its findings in reports and, Rome are: to identify the most since its founding, has released 33 reports crucial problems which will determine the future of humanity through integrated concerning the future of humanity.

net

CEOConfidential

Sunday, January 11, 2015

N471, 000,000,000 Total amount spent by the federal government to service its domestic and external debts in the first half of the 2014 fiscal year.

24

Number of states that have dumped the Pay As You Go pension scheme to adopt the Contributory Pension Scheme for their workers.

YOUR FYI FOR INFORMATION

New Year’s Day, the festival of St. Basil: January 1

L-R: Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Lagos State, Mrs Sola Oworu; winner of CEO Award for Excellence, Mr. Unyime Idem of Idems Ultimate Ltd; MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya and, CEO, Interswitch Divisional, Mr. Charles Ifedi, during the presentation of the grand prize 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV by Airtel CEO to the Channel Partner in Lagos. PHOTO: BENEDICT UWALAKA

BLEW IT

Mark Goldberg

The theme of goodluck and future prosperity links the numerous ceremonies and festivals of New Year’s Day. Italians give oranges to friends, families and neighbours, while in Brazil, if you eat lentils on January 1, you will make good money for the rest of the year. In Switzerland, men dress up with leaves and nuts as forest spirits (or Klauses) and yodel their way round the villages. In Greece, the Festival of St. Basil is more important to children than Christmas. They leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that they will receive the gifts that children in other countries got a week earlier.

For the Japanese, the New Year – Shiogastu- is the most important event of the year, and most people return to their hometowns and spend a few days with their families. Om new year’s day, they traditionally receive nengajo (New Year cards) not only from friends and relatives but also from bosses, business partners, favourite restaurants and so on, for nengajo are seen as very important in building and maintaining relationships. In rural communities, people party in front of bags of rice for a good harvest or white paper cut-outs of fish and nets for good fishing.

As a guest from elsewhere, you may join in with the nengajo, buy do please beware of mochi, the traditional pounded rice cake, which can stick in the back of your throat and choke you. This is no joke: several people die each year in Japan choking on mochi.

Say Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!

(Japanese) – Congratulations, the New Year has come!

DoING Business Leadership and status with Chinese

Paying the penalty continueS FROM LAST WEEK The Argentinian escapade cost £448,769 in agent fees and £187,000 in transfer fees,’ McAvoy said. Del Rio’s contract was terminated in March after one first-team start and one substitute appearance, while Rodrigues and Ledesma were never signed.

Goldberg blamed Venables and Venable, who had been around football long enough to see the impending rain crash coming, decided to pack his bags amd left. In total he lasted little more than seven months at the club – a deal which ended up costing Goldberg something like £1 million for each month.

Spending was no less prolific off the pitch.

When Goldberg took over, he made series

20.9%

Percentage drop in External reserves as oil prices fall below $55.

L-R: Chairman, Airtel Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd); Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu, and managing director/ chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, at the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives TV Series held in Lagos.

PHOTO: GBENGA OLAJOBI

HOW THEY

43

of appointments at the Selhurst Park based club. He appointed a broadcasting manager, an IT manager, a human resources nanager, an ‘internet specialist’ and a variety of other public relations executuives on annual salaries estimated between £30,000 and £50,000. Goldberg also spent ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ on furniture, computers and training equipment, but the expense was staff, imcluding a full-time doctor (estimated salary £100,000) a fitness expert and a team of personal trainers, a nutritionist (another £100,000), various physiotherapists, a masseur and even a cook. continues next week

Consensus is generally highly valued in China. In companies controlled by the state, a leadership group (often invisible) will decide policy. In the developing expansion of capitaliststyle companies, leaders are emerging with reputations of competence; also, locally elected officials (e.g., mayors) are becoming influential in the business sphere and may have only loose ties with Beijing. In Chinese family businesses (and there are many0, the senior male is the patriarch and generally follows the usual nepotistic structure.

44 CEOConfidential

entrepreneur 3,300,000

Number of workers globally that expressed their desire for better job opportunities, according to the United Nations survey called ‘My World’, that reached about seven million people across the world.

SMALL BUSINESS 10 ways to boost your business overall this year From improving sales, to perfecting your operations to better leveraging social media and more — there are many ways you could boost your business overall this year. Here are 10 ways you can get started.

1. Learn the art of psychological pricing As a small business owner, you probably use psychology more than you even realise. It’s important to understand how different people react to different products, visuals and prices.

2. Sell your online products in person It might seem like a weird concept to try selling your online products in person. Kaitlyn Stephens suggests that simply by getting to know people and talking to them about your business, you could increase your online sales down the road.

3. Make your website a destination You don’t want your business website to just be a boring place for you to store information. You want customers to actually want to visit.

And in order to do that, you need to make it into a destination site.

4. Learn more about your social media following In order generate website traffic using social media, you need to determine what is working and what isn’t. That means you should find out your biggest traffic sources and make better use of them. continues next WEEK

His STORY

Sunday, January 11, 2015

1,340,000

Worth of oil storage facility in tonnes Taleveras Group, an emerging Nigerian energy company is set to build in Equatorial Guinea.

Femi Adeyemo Providing alternative power supply The passion to see Nigeria a better country in his lifetime, create more job opportunities, while contributing to Nigeria’s economy were the motivating factors behind the establishment of ARNERGY Solar Limited, according to its CEO, Femi Adeyemo. ARNERGY Solar Limited is an indigenous power which supplies affordable solar energy solutions to homes and businesses in Nigeria.

Having been bitten by the ‘entrepreneurial bug’, Adeyemo waited for the best time to translate his passion into money-spinning machine.

He explains further what informed his going into that line of business: “I saw solar installations everywhere around the Middle East from Abu Dhabi to Masdar City, to Doha and a lot of other places not minding that they are oil rich nations. Thus, I kept wondering why Nigeria still battles with epileptic power supply with the amount of energy nature has provided freely with. Ikept wondering why Nigerians still die of inhaling fumes from generators, when there is a cleaner and healthier energy that can be harnessed freely. This drove me to begin studying deploying solar energy as an alternative form of energy to be able to provide Nigerians with 24 hours of electricity.”

With his wealth of experience over the years, he carried out a survey on the best approach to actualise his dreams, having discovered that cost and perception of Nigerians on solar energy were the main hindrances. Nonetheless, Adeyemo was confronted with few challenges at the infancy of his company.

“I can tell you that it has not been easy recruiting and we have actually spent a lot more time than we anticipated getting the people with the right skill set and mind-set. That has been a bit challenging as well as finance, as we found the interest rate on loans is not very business friendly in Nigeria,” he said recalling the challenges.

But with sheer determination and tenacity, ARNERGY Solar Limited is making its mark in the lives of Nigerians, especially Lagosians.

Projecting into the future, Adeyemo, sees Arnergy as the next big thing to happen in Nigeria. Thus, saying, “We see Anergy getting listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in the next five years; an exit strategy for our investors and an opportunity for smart Nigerians to invest in the next big thing in Nigeria because we believe every home, every business and every village in Nigeria needs to go solar.”

For young and aspiring entrepreneurs he advised: “Take charge! Do not wait until the whole country has 24 hours of power supply and the security issues are resolved or until all roads are paved.

When those are fixed there is a good chance that the opportunities won’t be there any longer since the international conglomerate will be here then and would by default have the huge market share in whatever sector you intend to operate in.”

By Daniel Udechukwu with CPAFRICA

Madamidola Oladipupo, manager, Educational Consultan, Lagos How did you get to where you are today?

We are where we are today because of our passion for educational guidance and counselling. We help individuals make the right choice career wise.

What have you learnt over the years?

I have learnt to adopt different approaches while dealing with different individuals because their level of understanding varies.

What were the challenges you faced?

Every business has its peculiar challenge.

One of our challenges was filling the gap

that fast growing technology has created in the lives of students in Nigeria.

How did you overcome them?

By equipping our students with the basic knowledge in computer, thus preparing them for computer-based exams.

What are your future projections for your business?

Our future projection is to reduce the level of illiteracy in Nigeria. We want help more students choose careers they will excel in.

How do you intend to achieving these projections?

With appropriate counselling sessions, we believe we can lead more students to their desired destination.

Any advice for younger entrepreneur?

Shortening the road to the top will also cut on the skill development needed to remain there. The higher the risk, the higher the income. Just give it a try.

Contact Oladipupo on 08028122258

By Olujide Olusola

46 CEOConfidential

tipoffs Compiled by Olujide Olusola

SECRETS OF

Sunday, January 11, 2015

$252,000,000

54

Amount NITEL/MNET are to be sold as approved by the federal government.

Number of coals titles retained by the federal government while revoking 44.

Purges every entrepreneur should make this New Year

LONGETIVITY

You snooze, you lose

Staying active and exercising regularly are the foundations for living a long and healthy life. It is no surprise that caged animals have more health problems and a shorter life span than free-range animals.

Research with humans confirms that as a rule, the more active you are, and the longer you will live. In one study, the group that burned more than 3,500 calories a week lived the longest. Being lazy can actually shorten your life.

BOOKMARK

The Big Pivot

Winston, Andrew S. Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, 2014

The word has changed dramatically in recent years. According to Andrew S. Winston, there are three “mega challenges� that businesses and societies must face: climate change, resource constraints, and demands for greater transparency driven by technology. The key to success is for organizations to become more resilient and capable of thriving in the face of change. In The Big Pivot, Winston describes the change in mind-set that businesses must adopt in order to deal with mega challenges in a productive and profitable way.

He underscores the need to recognise environmental and social challenges as issues that are central to the success or failure of businesses.

1. Excuses It is simple to make a list of goals you want to accomplish in the New Year, but it is infinitely easier to find reasons why you will not achieve them. Lack of time, money or energy for new endeavours is nothing new to anyone. The most successful entrepreneurs have the same problems, but the difference between them and everyone else is that they look beyond excuses and find resources to fulfil their dreams.

2. Smartphone usage Smart devices may be one of the most important inventions in human history, but they have certainly done little toward eliminating adult attention deficit disorder (AADD). News feeds, social-network updates, college football scores and countless entertainment apps (Scramble

anyone?) consume a surprising amount of our precious spare time.

Learn to put that device down once in a while and focus your energy on tasks meant to achieve your goals.

3. Shortcuts Cutting corners and taking shortcuts can help you get things done, but too often one shortcut leads to another, and the next thing you know you are deep into a pattern that ultimately requires more time to fix. Taking shortcuts professionally will lead to embarrassing performance.

Taking shortcuts personally will lead to strained relationships and compromised health. Eliminate the inclination to take shortcuts and understand that focus, hard work and dedication are the only things that lead to success.

4. Frustration Even with the economy booming,

entrepreneurs have plenty of distractions about which to get stressed. Unfortunately, stress and frustration only make these situations worse. It all puts strain on your colleagues, your personal relationships and most important, your health. It will drain you of the energy you need to focus on your goals. Find outlets for your stress and focus your energy on staying positive.

5. Blame Entrepreneurs are by nature at the top of the totem pole. Any failing in the business, regardless of circumstance, is ultimately the responsibility of the business owner.

Period. Resolve to take responsibility for your actions and those of your business. Doing so will help you instead turn your attention to what is really needed: finding solutions.

CAPITALISM Big government makes people more open to change What they tell you Big government is bad for the economy. The welfare state has emerged because of the desire by the poor to have an easier life by making the rich pay for the costs of adjustments that are constantly demanded by market forces. When the rich are taxes to pay for unemployment insurance, healthcare and other welfare measures for the poor, this not only makes the poor lazy and deprives the rich of an incentive

to create wealth, and it also makes the economy less dynamic. With the protection of the welfare state, people do not feel the need to adjust to new market realities, thereby delaying the changes in their professions and working patterns that are needed for dynamic economic adjustments.

What they don’t tell you A well-designed welfare state can actually encourage people to take chances with their jobs and be more, not less, open to changes. This is one

reason why there is less demand for trade protectionism in Europe than in the US. Europeans know that, even if their industries shut down due to foreign competition, they will be able to protect their living standards (through unemployment benefits) and get re-trained for another job (with government subsidies), whereas Americans know that losing their current jobs may mean a huge fall in their living standards and may even be the end of their productive lives.