Leadership wednessday

15.10.14

WedNeSday

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

Years

No. 2,274

N150

NIGeRIa’S MOST INFLUeNTIaL NeWSPaPeR

Chibok Diary DAY 184

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

No Information On Rescue Strategy, > Page 2 President Tells BBOG Group

Increase In Oil Base Tariff Angers Local Producers (LUPAN) has expressed its frustration over what it termed inconsistency of the policy of the Nigerian Customs Service

By EmEka UmEjEi, Abuja

The Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria Years

(NCS) on base oil tariff.

Executive secretary of LUPAN, Emeka Obidike said the inconsistency on the part of the

NCS amounted to a “deliberate action to undermine the Fiscal Policy Measure for 2014 released on 23rd of January

2014 by the coordinating minister of the economy/ minister of finance”. ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

cONfErENcE/AwArds

I Owe Everything To Nigeria – Gowon 5

We need urgent moral, spiritual reconstruction – Fashola My achievements made possible by all Deltans – Uduaghan Gowon is God’s special gift to Nigeria – Nda-Isaiah

L-R: aPC presidential aspirant and founder, LEaDERSHiP Group, Sam Nda-isaiah; Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan; chairman Vanguard media Ltd, mr Sam amuka; LEaDERSHiP Person of the year 2013, General yakubu Gowon; minister of agriculture and rural development, akinwumi adesina and special adviser communications and strategy to kwara State governor, Raheem adedoyin, at the LEaDERSHiP Conference/ awards Ceremony, in abuja, yesterday. Photo By Adefemi Adewuyi.

See more photos on pages 9-11

2

chibok diary 184

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

DAY

Chibok TweeTs

@estherclimate Suprising the keynote speaker, a girl child herself refuses to acknowledged the #Chibok girls #wgS2014 @MIgSinstitute 6 months after #Chibok mass abduction, 'the world has moved on' 14 oct will mark 6 months since mass abduction of #Chibok schoolgirls & #BringBackourgirls movement. Can this government be celebrated? @rescueourgirls 182 days since hauwa M. Maina from #Chibok. will she ever come home? Never forget. #BringBackourgirls #NowaNDaLIVE @Schullzz66 181 Days!! where are our girls? why have we gone to sleep on this? what if it was one of urs that was taken? #BringBackourgirls #getInvolved @ToyinSaraki Today, on the 3rd Int'l #Dayofthegirl, nothing would bring greater happiness than the release & return of #Nigeria's missing #Chibok girls @estherclimate gladly the First Lady is the only person who has mentioned the #Chibok issue.

The summit has been declared open #wgs2014 @Jeffokoroafor It is our civic responsibility to engage the government to rescue the #Chibok schoolgirls. #redefineNigeria #BringBackourgirls Compiled by Iroka UgoChUkwU

Leader of #BringBackourGirls Group and former minister of education, oby ezekwesili, addressing security personnel when they stopped the group from entering the Presidential Villa during a protest march to see Mr President on the fate of the abducted Chibok school girls, in abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN

No Information On Rescue Strategy, Presidency Tells BBOG Group

BY Chika Mefor and ejike ejike, Abuja

It was exactly six months yesterday since over 276 girls were abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok and yet, the government has failed to give detailed information on efforts to rescue the girls.

The minister of women affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, told the #BringBackOurGirls group yesterday, that the Presidency does not have detailed information about the rescue mission of the Chibok girls, and directed the group to the National Information Centre (NIC).

The minister, who was speaking on behalf of the Presidency when security operatives prevented the #BBOG group from storming Aso Rock, asked the group what its

members were seeking in the Villa instead of going to NIC for information which the Presidency does not have.

Maina, who spoke to the group alongside ministers of water resources, Sarah Ochepke; environment, Lawrencia Mallam, and lands, housing and urban development, Akon Eyekenyi, urged the group to be calm, as President Goodluck Jonathan is doing everything possible to bring back the Chibok girls as evidenced by the efforts of the military and other security operatives to rescue the girls and stop insecurity in the country.

Responding, one of the leaders of the BBOG group, Dr Oby Ezekwesili sent a strong message to Jonathan, urging him to intensify efforts at rescuing the girls, as the group would not wish to continue with the advocacy.

Obasanjo Is Entitled To His Opinion – FG

BY PatienCe ihejirika, Abuja

The federal government yesterday reacted to former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s comment that the Chibok girls may never return, saying he is entitled to his opinion.

It said the Nigerian government remains focused, undistracted and committed to rescuing the girls alive.

The coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, stated this while briefing journalists at the centre in Abuja.

He said, “Obasanjo is a respected man and a former president but I must say that he is entitled to his opinion. The government of

Nigeria remains undistracted, focused and committed to rescuing the girls safe and alive”.

Omeri further stated that in the last 180 days, over 2,000 persons including military and security personnel, as well as innocent civilians and foreigners have lost their lives to the activities of the insurgents.

He said the situation has given the government a lot of worry since the security threat of further abductions and terrorism is ever present, warning that continued politicisation of the situation can only serve to endanger the ongoing operations and further risk the lives of the persons in captivity.

3

our stand Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Time To Invest In Healthcare Infrastructure

C

hairman of the United Nations Foundation, Ted Turner and the Nigerian 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 health emergencies strike. Speaking at different fora in the United States of America and in Nigeria, they pointed out that past neglect of the health sector, especially in developing countries, has compounded the challenges of diseases when they storm the scene in 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 information for the public. He observed that while polio infrastructure can play an important part in addressing health emergencies like the Ebola outbreak, 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 since1988.These gains are attributable to the efforts of UN agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) 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

Editor Sadiq Abdullateef Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

constructive engagement of governments 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 cases 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 like Ebola cannot afford to let its guard down for a minute, when it is realised that the progress on polio is, at best, fragile.

It is pertinent, in our view, to state that existing health efforts like the global polio eradication programme can be leveraged to fight a crisis like Ebola. The benefit of putting this type of infrastructure in place makes 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 actions not taken. What is needed and urgently too, are concerted and purpose-driven measures, designed to take care of emergencies before they occur.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Ademola Oladosu Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko Joy Adekanye

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 extra

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo Jonathan submits 2015-2017 MTEF to House President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded to the House of Representatives the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the period 2015 to 2017 heralding the presentation of the 2015 budget proposal.

House of Representatives speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal read the letter from the president conveying the message.

The letter, however, did not give highlights of the MTEF, like how much was being projected to be spent within the period and the anticipated oil benchmark.

The 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act stipulates that budget estimates for the next fiscal year shall be presented before the joint session of the National Assembly at least three months to the end of the year, but with less than three months to the end of the year, the 2015 appropriation bill is yet to be submitted to the National Assembly by the executive.

It also stipulates that a MTEF covering three fiscal years be submitted annually to the National Assembly to serve as guide for the appropriation bill.

By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

IGP Orders Withdrawal Of PCRC ID Cards The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of identity cards currently used by members of the Police Community Relations Committees (CRC) across the country.

Force spokesman, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu made this known yesterday in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP. He said the action was to check the illegal proliferation of the identity cards by some criminally minded elements.

Ojukwu said the IGP held an all-important meeting with the leadership of the PCRC across the country during which he was said to have admonished the members to renew their commitment to community policing.

“The IGP admonished the leadership to reinvigorate the tenets of the PCRC nationwide, in order to deepen the concept of community policing, a veritable instrument in achieving the mission statements of the current police leadership,” he said The police spokesman noted that some persons were posing as members of the PCRC and said that a newly designed PCRC ID card will be soon issued to authentic members of the group.

By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja

L-R: DG, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) Dr Gloria Elemo; Perm Sec, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Mrs Ekanem Eyo-Ita; Vice President Namadi Sambo and minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Olusegun Aganga at the opening of FIIRO’s Investment and Technology week in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO

BY NAN.

2015: Reps Give INEC Power To Deploy Troops Strip Presidency of power

By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

The House of Representatives has retained the exclusive right of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy troops to election venues.

This followed the approval of the amendment to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act No. 6, 2011.

Deputy leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, had raised a motion urging the House to rescind its decision taken in the Committee of the Whole to retain Clause 29(1)(b) in the proposed amendment to Section 29(1) of the Principal Act. Ogor argued that retaining Clause 29(1)(b) in the amendment of the Principal Act is tantamount to ceding the president’s powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces to the INEC against the provision of Section 218 of the Constitution.

He, however, said that “by the provision of Section 218(3), the president may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he may think fit, delegate to any member of the Armed Forces of the federation, his powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces of the federation and not to any other party other than those specified in the Constitution.”

He noted that, by the provision of Section 218(2) of the constitution, the envisaged members of the Armed Forces that the president can delegate such powers to are the service chiefs, and not to any other institution.

However, his arguments were not bougth by other legislators.

With the amendment, the presidency can no longer deploy troops

during elections as witnessed in Ekiti and Osun states.

The bill was earlier referred to the committee on July 8, 2014 for public hearing and the committee submitted its report on Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Reps To Debate Harmonised Constitution Review Report Today Members of the House of Representatives will today begin clauseby-clause voting on the 71 harmonised proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution in the committee of the whole.

House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal made the announcement after the presentation of the conference committee report on the amendment of the constitution by the deputy speaker and chairman of the House committee on the ad hoc committee on the review of the constitution, Emeka Ihedioha.

The speaker asked lawmakers to begin to lobby state houses of assembly to approve the proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution by the National Assembly.

“I will also plead with all of us to be here tomorrow for the voting. I also plead with state caucus leaders to get across to their members to be here tomorrow so that they can vote on the amendments,” he stated.

According to monitors, the ongoing constitutional amendment is perhaps the most inclusive and consultative process ever undertaken by the House.

Key amendments undertaken by the House border on: legislative immunity, local government autonomy, state creation, indigeneship and citizenship, independent candidacy in elections, budgetary process, life pension for National Assembly heads and the role of tra-

ditional rulers, amongst others.

Reps: Nigeria To Repay $1bn Security Loan In 7 Years A $1 billion loan requested by President Goodluck Jonathan to buy security hardware to fight the Boko Haram insurgency will be paid back in seven years, it was revealed at yesterday ’s plenary in the House of Representatives.

Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin said the country would pay N30 billion annually for seven years to settle the debt. The amount would form part of Nigeria’s budget from 2015.

The country will pay the sum of N210 billion in repaying the loan, out of which only about N165 billion is for the actual loan, while N45 billion will be for interest, based on current official rate.

Jibrin however requested the House to give the committee on debts and loans and that of finance two weeks to conclude work on the loan request.

He said the committees were trying to establish the portion of the military hardware that would go to each security agency among other issues.

The Senate had about a month ago approved the $1 billion loan.

Reps Principal Officers In War of Words Over $9.3m Cash For Arms Deal The minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) and the deputy majority leader, Hon Leo Ogor (Delta, PDP) yesterday engaged each other in a war of words over the handling of a motion seeking to debate the $9.3million cashfor-arms deal which was seized by the South African government a fortnight ago.

Gbajabiamila, relying on a point

of order on matters of privilege and personal explanation at plenary, alleged that Ogor, in an interview in the media, stated that the House did not owe anybody any apologies for killing the motion which attempted to debate the circumstances surrounding the botched transaction in South Africa.

Describing it as “damaging editorials in the media,” he expressed disapproval with Ogor’s statement, saying it made it seem like the whole House was in collective agreement with the decision not to probe the incident.

He explained, “Mr. Speaker, let me bring to the attention of this House to a matter bordering on the integrity and sincerity of purpose of members of this House.

“Over the week, there have been many editorials concerning the conduct and position of the House on the smuggling of the seized $9.3million as voiced b, Hon. Leo Ogor where he said that ‘we’ (the House) do not owe apologies to Nigerians regarding our action to kill the motion on the matter during plenary.’

“This matter raised serious concern to the extent that a constituent of mine challenged me, saying that the House is a part of the problem bedeviling this country.”

However, speaker of the House, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, sought to know from Gbajabiamila if he consulted with Ogor before bringing the motion up.

In his response, Hon Ogor said he was disappointed at Gbajabiamila, saying that they had seen each other several times and he had never asked him whether he actually said such as a thing as published.

Tambuwal subsequently adjourned debate on the motion after ruling that both members see him after the plenary.

NEWS 5

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

I Owe Everything To Nigeria – Gowon

By Reuben Buhari, Raliat Ahmed-Yusuf, Stanley Nkwocha, Adesuwa Tsan, Edegbe Odemwingie, Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Bode Gbadebo, Michael Oche and Godwin Mbachu, Abuja

Former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) yesterday insisted that whatever he had achieved in life and for Nigeria was made possible by the support Nigerians had given him.

General Gowon made this known while speaking at the annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony, where he was conferred with the LEADERSHIP Person of the Year 2013 award.

The retired general said that in return, he was ready to battle any evil force working against the unity of Nigeria.

In his speech, Gowon, who said he would continue to work for the unity of Nigeria, made reference to the Biblical Jacob.

“Jacob wrestled with angels, did he not? So, I can wrestle with any evil that will try to destroy this country. Leadership is about truth and love and commitment with the people and your country,” he said.

Speaking on his civil war experience, he said, “I refused to accept anyone was conquered.

It is all of us on both sides that conquered the spirit of division to keep the nation together.”

He said he had always dreamt of a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria, where the youths would have a future. “A future that is peaceful, that they can have every facility to educate themselves so that they can make their own contributions to the greatness of this country,” he said.

He also cautioned politicians in the country to desist from insulting one another, saying that such actions projected Nigeria in bad light in the comity of nations.

The octogenarian urged politicians to, irrespective of their political affiliation, see the unity of the country as a priority, stressing that every Nigerian must project the country in good light. He said, “But as politicians, what I’m going to request you to do is that we have to guard against always trying to condemn ourselves in such a manner that the outside world thinks that we are no good. We must really think of dealing or addressing policies and not attack individuals.

“We should try and correct those in leadership by giving advice and suggestions in ways that his person is not important, but what he is doing. Is he doing

it for the good of the people?

Is he doing it in the interest of the nation at large? That is what I think we should do. Because when we complain about people calling us all sorts of names, where do you think they get it?

They get it from us. Either from our magazines or newspapers and sometimes, some of the public speeches we make. One thing that is important is that we should all love Nigeria. Honestly, unless you love and accept your country as a nation, then whatever you do is not worth it.

And that is what I am going to urge all Nigerians, irrespective of political party.

“You can see my relation with everybody who is here, whether they are APC or PDP. I can assure you that I relate with them as good Nigerians.

They must project Nigeria in that true love. Let us not go saying Nigeria is not a nation.

Whenever I hear that, it makes me feel sad.

And I usually say to such people, if Nigeria is not a nation, get out of it. Go and choose a nation of your own. Let us pray for our leaders to do things right.

May God give them the wisdom to listen to others, to listen to the criticism and try to do things right for the sake of Nigeria and for the sake of the people.”

General Gowon expressed gratitude to LEADERSHIP Newspapers for the honour accorded him and the other recipients, saying that he would continue to seek the support of every Nigerian to achieve his dream of a united, peaceful nation.

The award for General Gowon, who will turn 80 on Sunday, is the first to be received by him from any newspaper in the country and marks the beginning of his 80th birthday celebrations.

Nigeria needs urgent moral, spiritual reconstruction – Fashola Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State yesterday said that what the country needed most to overcome the age-old problems besetting it were values and moral reorientation, stressing that unless moral and spiritual reconstruction of Nigerians took place, the nation would move no further.

He said it was regrettable that social vices like bribery, corruption, greed, ethnicity and nepotism among others, which the late legend Chief Obafemi Awolowo preached against, had stalled the genuine transformation of the country.

While noting that genuine ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Gowon

Increase In Oil Base Tariff Angers Local Producers FROM FRONT PAGE

“This development poses a big threat to the current Transformation Agenda of the current administration,” Obidike said. Consequently, LUPAN fixed a meeting for today in Abuja, where stakeholders would deliberate on the new tariff on base oil and convey their position to the federal government.

The NCS had in a letter on September 10 informed lubricant producers in the country that the tariff on imported base oil was five per cent. “The Service has been inundated with complaint bothering (sic) on the clarification of the HS Code and duty tariff rate for base oil,” read the letter, signed by Isyaku K, deputy comptroller, on behalf of the comptroller general. “I am directed to inform you that base oil correctly classifiable under HS Code 2710.1939.90 at five per cent duty rate and five per cent VAT in tandem with Common External Tariff (CET) 2008-2012 as extended.”

The NCS, however, contravened this directive in another letter on Thursday, October 2 – Circular No. 037/2014. The letter, signed

by Deputy ComptrollerGeneral A.A Adewuyi stated, “For clarity purposes, Base oil which is petroleum oil and oil obtained from bituminous minerals other than crude falls classifiable under HS Code 2710.1931.00 at10 per cent duty rate and five per cent Vat in consonance with the extant CET(2008-2014) as extended.”

The NCS emphasised that this circular superseded the one of September 10.

Public relations officer (PRO) of the NCS, Wale Adeniyi, told LEADERSHIP by phone that there was a tariff heading and interpretation for base oils. “If it comes under base oils, it is 10 per cent, but if under any other raw materials imported for manufacture of brake fluids, it is still five per cent,” Adeniyi said.

According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), the largest United States trade association for the oil and natural gas industry, base oil is typically defined as oil with a boiling point range between 550 and 1050F, consisting of hydrocarbons with 18 to 40 carbon atoms. It is one of the basic ingredients used in the production of lubricants for cars and machines.

LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100

One health tip daily Use Natural Pesticides

The weed killers and insecticides we spray all around our gardens can cause cancer- especially leukaemia in children, brain tumours

and prostate cancer-as well as birth defects, arterial damage and other disorders Use ecopesticides and natural pest prevention methods.

6 NEWS

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

I Owe Everything To Nigeria – Gowon FROM PAGE 5

reconstruction must be in the minds of Nigerians and not by the many constitutional conferences witnessed in the country, Fashola opined that there was nothing wrong with the constitution and legal framework, except that “the ordinary Nigerian is not interested in what is written in the constitution, but his welfare. Amending constitution after constitution as if the constitution is the problem; these things are denied only by our values.”

Quoting from the memo Awolowo wrote to General Gowon’s cabinet as finance minister 44 years ago, where he had canvassed for an egalitarian and corruption-free society, the governor regretted that Nigeria was still grappling with such challenges as moral and social decadence. Fashola, who gave the LEADERSHIP Newspapers’ 10 years anniversary lecture at the LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony in Abuja yesterday, titled ‘Rebuilding the Nation’, expressed optimism that the country could still be salvaged by competent and values-oriented leaders, who have vision to lead the nation to its promised land.

Speaking after the chairman of the occasion, Mr Sam Amuka, had spoken on the untapped potential of Nigeria, Fashola said, “Let the moral and ethical renaissance, which rebuilt other nations like South Africa begin to take place. We must change, even whether or not our leaders want it. What we really need is values reorientation. We have to turn Nigeria around for good. What we need most to rebuild our nation is to rebuild our morals and values by dealing with such moral decadence in our society.”

Fashola noted that Nigeria was blessed with huge human resources to find solutions to the plethora of problems, but said that whether the country had the right people with the courage to address the problems was another ball game.

He decried the promotion of ethnic identity, which, according to him had over the years hindered the nation’s being rebuilt. He stated the need for the country to downplay ethnicity. “We must, as a country, underplay ethnic identity. The new government in Rwanda abolished ethnic identities in their quest to rebuild their country; that is, the ethnic difference between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda.”

While charging Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands in rebuilding the nation, Fashola urged them to take advantage of the 2015 general

elections to bring about the change the country needs.

“This forthcoming election should not be about what the opposition does or brings. If we are unhappy with where we are, it is to change it with our vote.

England has changed prime ministers 10 times. I am not advocating every-year change, but by the ballot, to change every four years what we don’t like. We have to turn Nigeria around.

“We must renew our own values by choosing morality and high values system. We must find our solution within us; that change must come through democratic process,” he said.

Fashola, who lamented the non-implementation of the nation’s budget over the years by the PDP–led government, said that no serious government would undermine its budget, as it remained the gateway to the country’s development and growth. He said that for every serious public officer, nation or government, the budget remained the ‘article of faith’ and was the yardstick by which the seriousness of any persons or governments from any region was measured. He further said it determined what investors – local or international – would do.

“In a nation where we need to increase the supply of good road networks, power needs to be produced in multiple megawatts.

And where specialist hospitals are needed, one would expect that there would be massive investment in financing public infrastructure at a time when oil had been selling for around $100 per barrel. Apart from providing support for people, goods and services, when will it be that the construction sector in itself will energise employment?

“However, details of the federal budget between 2010 and 2013 will reveal that every year in these four years, we have budgeted at least 62 per cent and at most 74 per cent on recurrent spending, while the maximum budget, from which roads, power, hospitals and bridges can be executed, has received at most 38 per cent in 2010 and as little as 22 per cent in 2011. If truly there was a desire to make a change for the better, which is what transformation truly means, it should be obvious from the statement of intention, as made from the budget. But contrary to what we profess, our budget is generally spent more on salaries, travel and running government. What I ask is what is transformational about that?” Fashola stated.

He regretted that insecurity, nepotism, robbery, bribery and misuse of public funds had

become the order of the day and urged Nigerians to put in place probity and accountability through the ballot come 2015.

My achievement made possible by all Deltans - Uduaghan Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, who was awarded as LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year 2013, has said that the fact that all Deltans contributed to the transformation of Delta State highlights achievements that are possible when a community unites.

Responding after receiving his award, Uduaghan dedicated his award to all Deltans, for their support. “I thank God once more for this award, which I am dedicating to every hardworking Deltan. Whatever we have set out to achieve today can only be achieved if we all, as Deltans put up a right attitude and the right frame of mind to achieve our goal, which is ‘Delta beyond oil’.

“I am happy to stand here with General Yakubu Gowon, who, as head of state, I was one of those drafted to stand by the roadside to wait for him while he was passing and wave at him. I have told this story before, Sir. I am still waving at you and you have still not responded to my wave.

I am happy to be here with you Sir. I congratulate you for this honour and also congratulate all the other recipients and I thank everyone that has come here today to celebrate with us,” Uduaghan said.

Gowon is God’s special gift to Nigeria – Nda-Isaiah The founder of LEADERSHIP Group and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, has said that former head of state and elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon is God’s special gift to Nigeria, even as he called for an attitudinal change among Nigeria’s ruling class.

Nda-Isaiah, who spoke yesterday during the annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony, where Gowon bagged LEADERSHIP Person of the Year 2013, also described another awardee, the Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, as one of the best governors in the country.

“I will like to say a few things about General Gowon, some things which I am sure many of you are not aware of. If you remember the way he ascended the presidency of this country as the head of state, he was God’s special gift to this country. If not for Gowon at that time, if it were any of his lieutenants, we probably will not have a country of our own today,” he said.

Commenting on the theme of the conference, “Rebuilding

the Nation: Lessons from other Lands”, as espoused by the keynote speaker, Governor Fashola of Lagos State, he recalled the Ghana experience under the country’s former president, Jerry Rawlings, saying that it was possible to fight corruption in Africa.

“I think it’s about time we get serious as a country.

Nigeria cannot continue this way. Nigeria needs a totally new direction if we are to even survive as a nation,” he said.

Speaking about Gowon, he described the former head of state as an extraordinary human being with a sense of forgiveness that was “legendary”, adding that before the emergence of the celebrated Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Nigeria already had its own ‘Mandela’ in Gowon. Nda-Isaiah expressed his happiness with the choice of Gowon for the star award by the LEADERSHIP board of editors and managers, which, he said was unprecedented and a special, divine coincidence, as the retired general will clock 80 years of age on Sunday. NdaIsaiah said that yesterday’s event was therefore the beginning of the birthday celebrations.

Speaking about the Delta State governor, he said, “I was very glad that he was made the Governor of the Year. I was particularly glad, because I follow the progress of almost all the governors in this country and I can tell you and I am sure that Uncle Sam (Amuka), who is from Delta State, will agree with me that the governor of Delta is today one of the best governors in Nigeria.”

Leadership award encouragement for us to do better – LAPO MD Reacting to the award of LEADERSHIP Microfinance Bank of the Year 2013, managing director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Mr Godwin Ehigiamusoe expressed his excitement and commended LEADERSHIP for the calibre of recipients, who, he said deserved the awards they were given.

“I am excited by this award, which is in recognition of what we have been doing for over a year and I also acknowledge the fact that LEADERSHIP Newspaper has done its work diligently in recognising what we are doing, because for many years, we have been operating and engaging low income people for economic and social empowerment. Also, looking at the people who are acknowledged and honoured today, it is very clear that it is based on merit,” he said.

Ehigiamusoe noted that the award was encouragement for the institution to do more than it was already doing. “The good thing is that as an institution, we

periodically have a roadmap for our activities, with milestones in the area of the number of the people we want to reach and the volume of the business we want to do. Therefore, this award will make us committed to realising those milestones,” he said.

In the business category, the group managing director of UBA Plc, Mr Philips Oduoza clinched the LEADERSHIP Banker of the Year 2013 award.

This was in recognition of his contributions in deepening the bank’s value as Africa’s global bank, skilfully guiding big-ticket investments that significantly improved shareholder value, with the bank’s total assets rising by 13.5 per cent from N2.27 trillion to N2.58 trillion, among other achievements.

Also awarded was Mr Olatunde Ayeni as Business Person of the Year 2013.

An astute businessman, he clinched the award based on his huge investment in almost every area that touches lives directly. Particularly, Ayeni played a major role in the privatisation of the Nigerian power sector as the vice chairman of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, the group that won the bids for the Ibadan and Yola distribution companies.

The chief executive officer, Konga.com Mr Simdul Shagaya was awarded as CEO of the Year; Nagari Farm Yoghurt clinched Product of the Year, while Jumia and Chi Limited were awarded ICT Company of the Year and Company of the Year respectively.

In setting the ball of the ceremony rolling, the publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, who was the chairman of the occasion, had earlier gone back down memory lane as he spoke on the nation’s political evolution. He stressed the sanctity of Nigeria’s unity, even as he charged politicians to play by the rules as the 2015 elections approach.

Among dignitaries who attended the event were speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Dr Adawari George (representing Rivers governor), Sen Bukola Saraki, Foreign Affairs minister Alhaji Aminu Wali, Agric minister Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, minister of Niger Delta Dr Steve Oru, South African high commissioner, Malaysian high commissioner, Dr Ade Abolurin, Alhaji Abubakar Abdulkadir, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Taiwo Adeoluwa (representing Ogun governor).

news extra 7

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Arms Deal: We’ll Return Nigeria’s $15m – South Africa

The South African government is ready to return the seized two tranches of money totaling $15million belonging to Nigeria meant for arms purchase in South Africa, thereby putting to rest the controversy in and outside the country surrounding the seizures.

The South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, who made the revelation on African Independent Television (AIT) news programme last night, said his country was willing to talk to Nigeria in order to resolve the imbroglio, adding that Pretoria was not willing to keep Nigeria’s money as it is only interested in due process.

South African operatives had confiscated $9.3m stashed in three suitcases on September 5, 2014 at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, in a private jet which flew in from Nigeria, accusing the occupants of attempting to smuggle the undeclared cash into their country.

While the controversy on the propriety of the botched transaction was ongoing, the South African authorities seized yet another $5.7million cash belong to Nigeria for arms purchase.

The envoy said: “Well, obviously we also in South Africa don’t want to keep Nigeria’s money, but we want to follow due process to address it. It’s their money and so they would like to have their money back.”

He also disclosed that his country was willing to sell arms to Nigeria in order to contain the Boko Hara insurgency facing the country, adding South Africa was a long-time supplier of arms to Nigeria.

“We’ve been selling arms to Nigeria for many years, so we don’t have a problem. Why should we not sell arms to Nigeria? If Nigeria needs arms to protect its citizens and its peoples, so we have to assist them,” Monaisa added.

By Bode Gbadebo, Abuja

Kano PDP Rep Defects To APC

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives member from Kano State, Hon. Muhammad Bashir Galadanchi yesterday announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection has reduced to three the remaining PDP lawmakers from Kano State after the mass defections of their colleagues to the APC early this year.

Galadanchi, who represents Gwale federal constituency, said in a letter read by the House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal that his decision followed due consultations with his constituents.

By Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

L-R: Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, aviation minister Osita Chidoka and director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria ((FAAN) Mr Ikechi Uko during the 3rd Iwa-ji & Obiora Fesitval of Eze Iweka III, at Obosi, Anambra State.

Presidential Race: Nda-Isaiah Pays N2.5m Expression Of Interest Fee To APC

By Millie ibe, Abuja

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sam

Nda-Isaiah, has paid to the party the mandatory N2.5 million expression of interest fee.

This was contained in a press release issued by the director-

general of his campaign office, Sam4Nigeria, Maamoun Saleh, in Abuja yesterday.

Nda-Isaiah has become the second presidential aspirant

to pay the fee after former vice president Atiku Abubakar did so a few days ago.

PDP Lied Over Appeal Court Verdict – Osun AG

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

The Osun State government yesterday condemned what it called the tendency of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to mislead members of the public.

In its official position over claims by the PDP that the Court of Appeal in Akure last Friday sacked all federal and state lawmakers from the state who were elected in 2011, the state government, through its attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi, said the recent commotion sponsored by the PPD was a deliberate misrepresentation of facts

and distortion of the decision of the Court of Appeal in suit concerning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & Mr. Rufus Oluwatoyin Akeju v.

PPD. Saying that his office had obtained a certified true copy of the judgement of the Akure court, the attorney-general argued that though the freedom of expression permits opinions over decisions of courts, the right does not give room for deliberate manipulation of facts.

He stated, “We have obtained a certified true copy of the ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on Friday, October 10, 2014, carefully

read and digested the three-page ruling and are appalled to note that no sentence or paragraph of the said ruling decided any issue pertaining to the 2011 election of any member of the House of Assembly or National Assembly.

“In no part of the ruling did the Court of Appeal nullify any election, but rather held that the Notice of Appeal filed by INEC was incompetent and, thereby, struck out the said Notice of Appeal.”

He wondered how the PDP got the wild notion by which it sought “to seize power through reckless subterfuge” by lying that the Court of Appeal had nullified the election

of the APC lawmakers in the Osun State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.

“There is no way any court can nullify an election based on mere application to strike out a Notice of Appeal challenging an interlocutory injunction while the substantive suit is still pending at the Federal High Court.

“The Osogbo Federal High Court, in 2011, granted the PDP an interlocutory injunction restraining Ambassador Akeju from supervising the conduct of the 2011 elections.

The same Court refused the prayer that INEC be restrained from conducting the said election,” he said.

2 Killed, 5 Injured In Soldiers, Gunmen Shootout In Nasarawa

By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

Gunmen numbering over 50 stormed Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, yesterday, caused pandemonium when they shot sporadically in the air as they tried to capture a truck and its occupants from neighbouring Plateau State.

Trouble started at about 5pm along Shendam road in Lafia as the gunmen, who were in hot trail of the truck conveying cattle and humans, refused to stop for searching

by the youths in Ashangwa village, about 15 kilometers from Lafia.

Upon trailing the truck to Lafia, the armed youths intercepted the truck, with registration number DNG 155 AA, Plateau, at project quarters, a few metres from Lafia government house where they unleashed their weapons on the occupants of the truck, shooting one on the leg and inflicting machete cuts on four others.

At this point soldiers were promptly mobilized to contain the

situation and a gun duel that lasted over 30 minutes ensued, resulting in the death of two of the gunmen and causing the others to flee.

One of the victims of the attack, Alhahi Danladi Babaji, told LEADERSHIP that the truck he was travelling in left Kanam in Plateau State at about 12pm before they were stopped by some gunmen at Ashangwa market who demanded to search the truck.

He said since they were not government agents, the driver refused

to oblige them, which infuriated the youths and they hased them into Lafia.

Both the injured and dead gunmen were taken to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia.

Tension in the state capital was high as a large number of armed security operatives were mobilized to the town to avoid further breakdown of law, with most of the major roads in the town barred from vehicular traffic.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

CONCERNED PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC PARTY {PDP} MEMBERS KURUTIE TOWN, GBARAMATU WARD, WARRI SOUTH WEST LGA Telephone 08052723609

POSERS FOR GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN AND FACTS THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW BEFORE A CANDIDATE IS PICKED FOR THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) IN THE 2015 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN DELTA STATE. October 13, 2014

W

e are compelled to once again, intervene in Delta state ahead of the PDP Governorship Primary to pick a candidate who will fly the party’s flag in next year’s election. As a group, we have demonstrated an enviable disposition for the progress of the PDP not just in Delta state, the Niger Delta but across the nation in general. Ours is not just to go into the polls; we are committed to ensuring that minimum standards of discipline, intra-party cohesion, justice and fairness are guaranteed as precursors to credible elections. This way, needless party squabbles are minimized, if not totally eradicated.

Nonetheless, the brewing scheming by a cabal led by no other person than the state governor, DR EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN to impose a candidate of its choice not only on the PDP but on the good people of Delta state does not only depict an unacceptable desire, it is aimed at perpetrating evil.

Therefore, we are forced to ask GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN and his cabal these questions why they think MR ANTHONY CHUKS OBUH is the best for the state in the midst of many others.

-Is Governor Uduaghan saying that all along, in his eight years as governor of Delta state, there has not been any credible politician but him?

-Is he saying that none in the array of governorship aspirants in the party is trust worthy for him to hand over to?

-If so, is Governor Uduaghan also a man who deserves to be trusted?

-Why is Governor Uduaghan afraid of politicians in Delta state?

-Was OBUH ever a member of the PDP before retiring last month?

-If he was, does it mean that as a civil servant, he was a cardcarrying PDP man?

-Are there some deals in government that Governor Uduaghan would not like any other person, but OBUH to know about?

-What is it that Governor Uduaghan is hiding from Deltans that he feels only OBUH can cover?

-Why has Governor Uduaghan forced all government officials to join the OBUH train against their wishes?

-Why are all OBUH’s coordinators across the state, Governor Uduaghan’s appointees who cannot say no to him?

THE POSERS ARE MANY; WE SHALL UNVEIL MORE AS TIME PROGRESSES. Our conclusion is that Governor Uduaghan does not want the PDP, and by extension, President Goodluck Jonathan to win the 2015 election in Delta state. He is going this OBUH way in order to give the opposition a chance to win the state. We call on the national leadership of the PDP to quickly intervene if the party must win the 2015 elections in the state. We are convinced that Governor Uduaghan is bent on imposing OBUH and that is why he, alongside others, is pushing for automatic endorsement of preferred choices of state governors in order to scale the hurdle of disgrace at the party primary.

Governor Uduaghan should know that his imposition as governor of Delta state by his cousin, Ibori after all politicians were frustrated out of the race in 2007.

THE UDUAGHAN/OBUH LINK When Uduaghan was Commissioner for Health in the administration of the jailed ex-governor, James Ibori(Uduaghan’s first cousin), Obuh was an Assistant Director under him.

When Uduaghan was appointed as Secretary to Government by the same Ibori, Obuh moved to his office as a Director, performing direct functions under Uduaghan without recourse to any Permanent Secretary.

Upon Uduaghan’s imposition by Ibori as governor in 2007, Obuh again moved to the Governor’s Office and was made a Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol.

This ground design to subject Delta state under a cabal must stop. Delta has so many credible and qualified persons for positions of trust. If Governor Uduaghan succeeded in pushing through the appointment of an inexperienced crony as a top management shot in the NDDC, this OBUH Project will fail because Deltans will rise up against it.

We call on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, Senate President, Senator David Mark, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih and other leaders of the party to intervene before Governor Uduaghan willingly donates Delta state to the opposition.

Signed:

Apostle Monday Toruosei Coordinator

Powede Uyadongha Spokesperson

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

PHOTO NEWS 9

Scenes from 2013 LEADERSHIP Conference/Awards in Abuja, yesterday Photos by Adefemi Adewuyi, Remi Akunleyan, Patrick Ebi-Amanama, Oyedele Omokagbo, Joseph Ogoh and Jane Okeke

Chairman, Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka and LEADERSHIP Person of the Year, General Yakubu Gowon.

L-R: APC presidential aspirant and founder of LEADERSHIP Group Sam Nda-Isaiah and LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan

Chairman, Vanguard Newspapers Sam Amuka presenting an award to Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso and other G -7 Governors.

L-R: Alhaji Kawu Baraje presenting an award to LEADERSHIP Public Officer of the Year, minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina

L-R: LEADERSHIP Business Person of the Year Mr. Olatunde Ayeni and national vice chairman, North West, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir.

L-R: Representative of LEADERSHIP Government Agency of the Year, Deputy Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ewurum Evans and Group Executive Director, LEADERSHIP Group, Dr Kazeem Durodoye.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the respresentative of LEADERSHIP Banker of the Year, divisional head, Group Marketing and Corporate Relations, UBA, Charles Aigbe.

L-R: Group Managing Director of LEADERSHIP Group Azubuike Ishiekwene and representative of LEADERSHIP Microfinance Bank of the Year, Lapo Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr Godwin Ehigiamusoe.

10 PHOTO NEWS

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Scenes from 2013 LEADERSHIP Conference/Awards in Abuja, Yesterday. photos by adefemi adewuyi, remi akunleyan, patrick ebi-amanama, oyedele omokagbo, josepph ogoh and jane okeke

L-R: Dr. Kazeem Durodoye, Speaker, House of Representatives Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola

L-R: Governor Babatunde Fashola with Sam Nda-Isaiah

Senator Bukola Saraki, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Sam Nda-Isaiah

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina with General Yakubu Gowon

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso

L-R: President, Ufuk Dialogue Foundation Opuihan Dirican and secretary-general, Elcan Ulpun

L-R: Soni Anwal and Lim Juay Jin

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

PHOTO NEWS 11

Scenes from 2013 LEADERSHIP Conference/Awards in Abuja, yesterday. photos by adefemi adewuyi, remi akunleyan, Patrick ebi-amanama, oyedele omokagbo, josepph ogoh and jane okeke

L-R: One of the LEADERSHIP Politicians of the Year Governor Aliyu Wamakko with General Yakubu Gowon

L-R: Alhaji Kawu Baraje with the LEADERSHIP Artiste of the Year, Ice Prince

L-R: Senator Umaru Dahiru and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

L-R: Secretary to Sokoto State Government Sahabi Isah Gada, Sokoto State House of Assembly member Hon Ibrahim Mustapha and Special Assistant on Human Rights to Sokoto State Government Abdullahi Muazu.

L-R: Alhaji Kawu Baraje presenting an award to the representative of LEADERSHIP CEO of the Year, head of communications & brand manager, Konga, Olatomiwa Akande

L-R: Alhaji Muhammad, Hon Umar and Niran Olayinka

Mr Azubuike Ishiekwene and Mr Emmanuel Ado, the representative LEADERSHIP Sports Person of the Year, Stephen Keshi.

L-R: Chairman, Logic Computer Mustapha Mohammed, chairman, Babajo Motors Company Ibrahim Babajo and District Head of Shagari, Mohammed Bala Shagari

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

#StandUpForNigeria wishes

General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, G(o) O(n) W(ith) O(ne) N(igeria), a great Nigerian Statesman a

Very Happy Birthday He stood up for Nigeria!

Let us all Stand Up For Nigeria.

Sir, you once said; “To make Nigeria one is a task that must be done�.

Our gift to you sir, is a solemn pledge that To make Nigeria great is a task that must be done and will be done! www.standupfornigeria.com

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

NDOKWA ELITES FORUM MOTTO: Equity, Justice and fair play

DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR PRESIDENT, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA.

Address: Plot 40, Kwale Abbe Road, Kwale Town Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State 13th October, 2014

Your Excellency Sir, RE: SUBMISSION OF GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS BY THE ASAGBA OF ASABA OBI PROFESSOR CHIKE EDOZIEN AND THE DELIBERATE OMISSION OF THE NAMES OF GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS FROM NDOKWA NATION

T

he above subject matter refers: We the undersigned peace loving and concerned responsible citizens of Ndokwa nation that constitute Ndokwa Federal Constituency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wish to humbly appreciate your dynamic style and to consistently pledge our unalloyed loyalty to your administration.

aspirants Chief Godwill Obielum, Chief Chukwuma Oyibode and Chief Esther Oduehi will not only be resisted but is capable of creating bad blood between the Anioma people and the Ndokwa people.

We sincerely hope that as a father of the nation, you will use your good offices to ensure a level playing ground Sir, we write this all important protest letter believeing for governorship aspirants in Delta State. very much that your administration believes in equity, justice and fair play and as a father of the nation who We hereby attach the list of the shortlisted aspirants from has consistently ensured that our people get democratic Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State as agreed deliverables as at when due and as a leader who have by the Traditional Rulers delegation. done so much and is still doing much to ensure that every Nigerian gets equal rights, we are surprised by the information making the rounds in Delta State that our sons and daughters of the great Ndokwa nation have been schemed out in the forthcoming 2015 governorship election in our dear state.

This information was recently confirmed following the visitation by the Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum led by the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor Chike Edozien, while we appreciate and respect our revered traditional institution, we make bold to say that any attempt or attempts to sideline the Ndokwa nation in the 2015 governorship race in Delta State will definitely not augur well for our democratic growth.

It is a statement of fact that when our respected royal fathers embarked on this trip, the name of our respected son, CHIEF GODWILL OBIELUM was number three on the shortlisted Anioma Sons and Daughters who are aspiring to govern Delta State come 2015. But to our greatest surprise, his name was conspiciously removed while the Asagba deliberately submitted the names of his favourite aspirants.

We believe in free contest and the decision of the electorate, so any attempt to shut out our governorship

HOMES & PROPERTY 19

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

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the project ia an 11-storey building comprising a 5-star 89 apartments/ rooms and 23

2.2bn

the cost of the project has been estimated at N2.2 billion.

Containing Economic Impact of Sand Dredging In Nigeria GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Environmentalists and experts emphasise that mounting efforts towards the articulation and adoption of a new African Urban Agenda, which is required to tackle the growing challenge of urbanisation on the Africa continent, could amount to nothing, if activities of illegal sand miners are not curtailed.

As far as they are concerned uncontrolled sand mining and dredging, are disastrous, as it aggravates soil erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of bio-diversity, soil contamination resulting from leakages of chemicals into the soil, deforestation, coastal erosion and loss of aquatic lives are possible effects of dredging and mining.

Therefore, tackling unbridled sand dredging, its negative impact and imminent ecological disaster associated with it in the country, is a key economic issue engaging the attention of stakeholders in most Africa region and nations.

Experts stress that dredging in some climes has been largely responsible for the near extinction of gharials (a species of crocodiles) and sea turtles, which depend on sandy beaches for their nesting.

Worst still the demand for sands for both road and building construction has increased sand mining and dredging leading to a high demand for low-cost sand.

This trend has made every undeveloped piece of land susceptible to mining, even as the coastal towns and river beds are being encroached upon considerably by dredgers.

A typical example of the effects of uncontrolled sand mining is the present dump site at Olusosun in Ojota area of Lagos State. It was as a result of excavation that took place years back when the LagosIbadan Expressway was constructed.

Till date the site remains an eyesore and has taken the state government many years to re-fill despite its negative impact on the environment From Epe to Ikorodu; Lekki to

Ojo and Badagry, sand dredging thrives along the coast line and residents say the dredging has been on for a long time with some cartel benefiting and making fortune from the trade.

The sand dredgers seem to have overwhelmed Lagos State Government, which has continued to lose huge revenue to sand dredging in the state .

Despite the creation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Development in 2007, dredgers’ activities have continued unabated in the state.

It was gathered that at Ibeshe Beach, a cubic of sand, an equivalent of a scoop of the pay loader, costs N1,800 and 20 of such fills a 20-ton tipper, excluding the amount for hiring the truck.

Speaking on the issue the state commissioner for Waterfront Prince Adesegun Oniru said the state has lost huge sums of revenue to the sand dredgers.

He said, “It was over 20 years of revenue loss to the state, but financially, it is impossible to quantify. I would not want to speculate on the amount that has been lost.”

Oniru affirmed that the state government was doing enough to monitor activities of the dredgers, lamenting that the office saddled with the responsibility is overwhelmed by the activities of the illegal dredgers.

According to him, “It is not that there is nobody controlling or monitoring those activities in the past. There was an office called mineral resources that was meant to control that, but those activities were so many that, that office was overwhelmed. The state was then losing so much revenue to illegal dredging.”

He pointed out that since his ministry took off in 2007, sanity has returned to that sector, saying the government has 25 companies legally permitted with Category A permit to dredge in Lagos State.

“Over 120 companies were carrying out what was called illegal dredging until this ministry was created in 2007. Since that time, we have had applications from

Proposed AMML Garki Mall, Abuja

up to 130 companies that want to dredge in Lagos, but we have about 25 companies legally permitted to operate on our waters.

“So far, various arrests have been made throughout the state.

People who think they can evade the state and operate illegally without being noticed are being arrested. We carry out raids; we go out with police units; we make arrests and prosecute offenders.

We have laws to back what we are doing.

“If we think that no illegal activities are going on on our waters we would be lying to ourselves.

But we are also trying our best to combat these activities. There are some areas where dredging is viable. If you talk of Ikorodu, Ajah,Awoyaya, Ayun, going towards Epe, where different dredging activities are taking place.

What we have tried to do is to spread them across the state. So, there are some people in Ojo and Amuwo-Badagry axis also dredging there.”

Corroborating the economic loss, the Managing Director, Solid Rock Mining Services Limited, Engineer Pius Uzoma Ukado said sand mining and dredging activities in Lagos is not properly monitored.

He also pointed out that the state government is losing N3.6 Billion annually to illegal sand miners in various parts of the state.

The civil Engineer cum Dredg-

ing consultant said the greatest challenge to both the government and members of the society is that the illegal sand theft is carried out in the dead of the night like marauders killing whoever tries to challenge them.

According to him, “ It is not a new thing . It is not as if the government officials do not know that these criminals that steal sand from designated spots and sell it exorbitantly to construction firms and individuals exist. It is a big industry that fetches them at least N300 million monthly. “ I repeat N300 million monthly. They operate like trans- border smugglers in connivance with some dubious security agent and they are deadly.

“If you want to get this fact right go to Lekki- Ajah Road or Badagry areas between the hours of 2:30, Am and 4:30 AM and count the number of trucks that would pass within three hours carrying dredged sharp sand ,By the time you use the market price of sharp sand to equate it you weep for this state and country.

“Again you wonder where we are heading with this kind of criminal commitments as a people. I stayed in the United Kingdom for a while most of the things I see here are not possible over there.

“A situation whereby illegal businesses frustrate genuine businesses and the government seemed helpless, unable to correct the situation.

So far, various arrests have been made throughout the state.

People who think they can evade the state and operate illegally without being noticed are being arrested

20 THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Youths Call For Proactive Policies To Benefit The Girl-child

By Chika Mefor

Youth in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the auspices of Team Jonathan, has called on leaders all over the world to come up with proactive policies and programmes that will make the girl-child equal to its male counterpart.

Speaking during a Road Show organised by the youth body, to commemorate the UN International Day of the Girl-child in Abuja recently, the national coordinator of the group, Prince Nwazuruahu Shield noted there should be increased awareness of inequality faced by girls worldwide and the need for global support and provision of more opportunities to excel for the girlchild.

“We are appealing to the leaders globally to bring out programmes and policies which will be implemented to bring the girl-child at per with the male counterpart.

“For the United Nations to mark out a day for the celebration of the girl-child, it means that there is a challenge that every girl-child is facing. There is the need for our sisters to believe that they are part of us.

The girl-child should not be sent on the street to go and hawk. They form part of the society. The girl-child deserves better and more,” he said.

Shield who used the day to remember the Chibok school girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect, called for support for the government in its effort to rescue the abducted girls.

“Looking at what is happening with the Chibok girls, we should not be celebrating at this time. We should be in a solemn mood where we sent forth our prayers to them but if we keep being in that mood that means the terrorist has won.

“They can not keep down the spirit of the Nigerian people. So, we are celebrating this day, in support of every effort the federal government has made or is making to rescue the girls that are in the hands of their captors,” he said.

He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for not relegating women to the background in his administration, adding that many women in government have played important roles in the development of the country, which in turn shows the importance of girl-child education.

Corps Member Donates Medical Equipment To Hospital Chika Mefor

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has donated a set of medical equipment to the Kubwa General Hospital.

The corps member, Dr Agbonlahor Osaze Joseph (NYSC/FCT/13C/0097), an optometrist who served in the Kubwa General Hospital, told FCT Watch that he made the donation to the hospital’s eye clinic on October 2, 2014, in order to enhance the quality of primary eye-care given to patients.

While making the donations, Osaze said that the need for the donation arose when he saw the high patient-load (made up of, especially common and indigent people) registered in the eye-clinic over time which outweighed the resources needed to meet their primary eye-care needs quicker and more effectively.

The equipment donated by the optometrist include; a four-face illuminated visual acuity chart, 3 four-feet wall-mounted mirrors, consulting chairs, 1 lensometre, a trail lens box, packs of disposable elastic gloves, among others.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Stakeholders Task FCT UBEB On Provision Of Instructional Materials

By Igho Oyoyo

Stakeholders in the education sector have urged the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to provide improved and sustainable instructional materials to primary and junior secondary schools in Abuja.

Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with the newsmen yesterday in Abuja, said that dearth of books in schools contributed to the declining performance of students in examinations.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the federal government recently approved the sum of N8.7 billion for the printing and distribution

of textbooks for primary and junior secondary schools across the country.

On its part, the FCT Administration said that it distributed more than 1.3 million pupils’ textbooks and instructional materials to basic education schools in 2013.

A parent, Mrs Franca Odo, said that in spite of several promises that public primary and junior secondary schools were free, parents still bought books for their children.

According to her, it is unfair to encourage parents to send their children to schools in the guise of providing free education only to exploit them.

``How can you improve the standard of education when the instructional materials are not there? How can a child who does not have textbooks cultivate the culture of reading? It is very sad that even when the inscription `not for sale’ is on the book, students are still asked to pay for it.”

Another parent, Mr John Ojogwu, said that those that introduced the policy of free basic education meant well, but that it had been sabotaged.

Ojogwu called on the relevant authorities to investigate why the supply of the instructional materials already budgeted for had not been forthcoming.

A policy analyst, who pleaded for anonymity, alleged that the lull in supply was caused by FCT UBEB as it had not paid for the books it ordered since 2012 despite having budgetary provisions for them.

Reacting, SUBEB head of public relations, Mr Mohammed Lawal, dismissed the claims, saying that schools were supplied as and when due.

He noted that UBEB had a Quality Assurance Department that monitors the supply and distribution of the materials to pupils and students, adding, however, that did not know if the suppliers were owed.

FCTA Develops Ultra-Modern Shopping Mall In Garki

By Chika Mefor

L-R: Dr M. Lasisi, Chief Ophthalmologist, H.O.O. Ophthalmology department; Dr a. Danfulani, C.M.D Kubwa; Mrs J. S. Ogar, local government inspector, Kubwa Area Office; Dr Agbonlahor Osazee Joseph; Optometrist H.O. Amodu, CDS supervisor, Kubwa area office; Dr Kelechi Ikedum, senior optometrist, Kubwa General Hospital, at the Community Development Project Service organised by Dr Osazee Joseph. Photo: Patrick Ebi Amanama

Medicaid Foundation Takes Cancer Awareness To Abuja Streets

By Ejike Ejike

The Medicaid Cancer Foundation took to the streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recently to create awareness for the October International Cancer Awareness month.

The campaign, which kicked-off at 9am, witnessed a huge turnout of both male and female from different walks of life, who came to join their voices to the need for proper attention to be given to cancer screening and treatment.

Speaking at the walkathon campaign, the founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr. Zainab Bagudu stated that October has become the month set

aside to raise awareness for breast cancer all over the world adding that Medicaid has in its five years of existence, become a leading voice in cancer advocacy in Nigeria.

She further noted that in the past, Medicaid had concentrated on screening for cervical, testicular, colon and prostate cancer; and has over 10, 000 free screenings on its record, hence the target of funding treatment for 100 indigent Nigeria patients this year.

According to her, “our target this year is to raise N10 million for the treatment of about 100 cancer patients. As you know, treating cancer is not only expensive, it is also not often within the logistic reach of the needy; this is

why we want to sell 5000 raffle tickets at N2, 000 each and also raise funds through the sale of walkout kits in order to get our N10 million.”

Dr. Bagudu also noted that the foundation is already taking the cancer awareness campaign beyond the FCT as it had organised such awareness in Zamfara State and hopes to go to other states in the nearest future.

Ms. Sade Samuel stated that the problem with cancer is that it has always been ignored and by the time it is detected it is almost too late to help the patient, saying the surest way of surviving cancer is early diagnosis which will aid in early treatment of affected persons.

In an effort at actualizing the transformation agenda of the present administration to make FCT one of the top 20 cities in the world, the FCT Administration is set to develop a multi-billion naira ultra-modern shopping mall in the heart of Garki District, Abuja.

According to FCTA officials, the shopping mall which will be located right in front of Garki Model Market will be one of the best shopping destinations in the city. Though it is one of the oldest districts, Garki is yet to have any modern shopping mall, unlike other districts.

The mall which is a six-floor building covering about 7,000 total floor area, is designed to be a fully air-conditioned shopping environment with multi-level/ basement parking facility, retail shops, eateries, banking halls, elevators, state of the art security and surveillance system, among other modern facilities.

Ahead of the official groundbreaking ceremony to be performed by FCT minister Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the site was on Monday handed over to the project contractor, Messrs Lubell Nigeria Ltd with a mandate to deliver in 85 weeks.

During the contract-signing ceremony, the managing director, Abuja Markets Management Ltd (a subsidiary of Abuja Investments Company Ltd) Abubakar Usman Faruk, stated that the FCT Administration embarked on the project to satisfy the need for a one-stop shopping hub for the residents and visitors of the federal capital city. especially the Garki residents.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

business

8.3%

Inflation rate slowed to 8.3 per cent during the month compared to 8.5 per cent the previous month

Young Farmers Yet to Get Promised Agric Starter Packs

By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

The programme director, Youth Programme on Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Development (YPAED), Adams Peter Eloyi, has said young Nigerians trained under the YPAED initiative are yet to get starter packs for the effective implementation of the initiative.

He said the YPAED in Nigeria is an initiative endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to reorientate young Nigerians on the importance of agriculture as a strategy

to create employment and generate wealth Speaking with journalists at the 2014 National Agricultural Show, which is a prelude to the 8th National Agricultural Show in Lafia, Nasarawa state, yesterday, Eloyi, said, initiative “the was challenged by the nonprovision of starter packs in that many of the youths who have been trained were yet to get theirs. “the starter packs were part of the programme and the federal government is not doing enough to attract youths into agriculture.

L-R: Globacom’s national sales coordinator, South South & South East, Mr Agustine Mamuro; Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe and his wife, Igwe Nwanyi Ngozi Achebe at the royal banquet organised in honour of the Agbogidi by Globacom to mark the end of the 2014 Ofala Festival celebrations.

Moderation In Food Prices Slows Inflation Rate To 8.3%

By NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja

Slight moderation in the prices of food weakened the pace of price increases recorded in September 2014 as inflation rate slowed to 8.3 per cent during the month compared to 8.5 per cent the previous month.

This was the first ease in the rate of increase in food prices after increases in the previous six months.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), yesterday, indicated that the Food index rose by 9.7 per cent in September, down from 10.0 per

Senate Awaits 2015 Budget, Assures Of Speedy Passage

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

As the National Assembly (NASS) awaits the submission of the 2015 Appropriation Bill from President Goodluck Jonathan, the senate, yesterday, assured that the Appropriation Bill would be passed

cent recorded in August.

The bureau noted that the ease in the increase in food prices was as a result of slower increases in all groups that contribute to the index, in contrast to observations in August where a broad array of Food groups that contribute to the index had pushed the index higher.

Increase in prices in the All Items less Farm Product or Core sub-index moved at the same pace for the second consecutive month at 6.3 per cent (year-on-year).

In September 2014, price increases as observed by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation eased from the into law before the end of 2014.

The assurance was given by the deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his welcome remark to senators after the Sallah break.

The 2014 budget was submitted to the NASS in December last year but due to certain exigencies, particularly the disagreement over crude oil benchmark, the budget was not passed till March this year.

According to Ekweremadu, the senate will soon receive the 2015 Appropriation Bill from the president for

previous month. Prices rose by 8.3 per cent (year-onyear), down by 0.2 percentage points from 8.5 per cent recorded in August.

The weakened pace of price increases recorded in the Headline index in September was as a result of slower increases in food prices as well as other major Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yield the Headline index. Prices eased in key divisions such as the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other fuels as a result of muted increases in housing prices.

The division, however, recorded an increase in prices in the liquid

consideration, adding that the Appropriation would be passed before December this year. He also assured that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Constitutional Review Amendment Bill would be given accelerated hearing for passage.

However, the letter from President Jonathan to introduce the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for the 2015 and the Fiscal Responsibility Act was not read. Meanwhile, the senate has passed into law the bill establishing the Federal

fuels groups. It should be noted that the Headline index is made up of the Core Index and Farm Produce items.

As Processed Foods are included in both the Core and Food sub-indices, this implies that these sub-indices are not mutually-exclusive.

On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index rose by 0.55 per cent in September, from 0.48 per cent in August, a marginal uptick from the previous month.

Prices increased in all COICOP divisions that yield the headline index except for the Health, Transportation, and Recreation and Culture divisions.

BUSINESS QUOTE In the insurance business, there is no statute of limitation on stupidity.

Warren Buffet, investor (1930)

University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, and mandated the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to contribute at least two per cent of its gross receipts on the university.

The Senate also recommended that the university shall offer courses in Petroleum technology provided that overseas courses would be sponsored by the PTDF and other government agencies only in respect of the courses that are not available at the university upon certification.

Ekweremadu

22 NEWS/BUSINESS

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

FG Directs BOI To Release N220bn MSME Intervention Funds

by Chika Izuora, Lagos

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, in Lagos reaffirmed his administrations desire to promote micro small and medium entreprises (MSMEs) in the country in line with his ongoing transformation initiative.

The president said the initiative is aimed at achieving economic development and growth through job creation.

He said the federal government is, therefore, going to immediately disburse the N220 billion intervention fund to the

MSMEs through the Bank of Industry (BOI).

The president who was represented at Investment and Technology week of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) by the vice president, Namadi Sambo, said with the disbursement of the intervention funds, and the involvement of the FIIRO and other institutes, there is hope that the federal government will be able create close to three million jobs for the youths.

The federal government had launched the MSME

Development in 2013 to resurrect business activities in the sector of the economy.

“The growth of the MSME is one that is very important in any nation that aspires towards self-sufficiency. MSMEs are the innovators, the wealth creator, drivers of the economy as well as employment generators and have the potential of growing the economy to large corporation tomorrow.

“I am most delighted to know that the FIIRO, in fulfillment of mandate, has demonstrated its commitment to the growth of

the MSMEs, not only through the transfer of its developed technologies, but also through its programme on the acquisition of entrepreneurial managerial skills for effective management of these enterprises,” Jonathan said.

He directed the BOI, Bank of Agriculture ( BOA) , NERFUND and SURE-P to work closely with FIIRO in order to provide prospective investors with loan facilities.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdul Bulama, who was also represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs

Winifre Oyo-Ita said FIIRO 2014 Investment and Technology week with the theme: ‘Sustainable Job Creation through FIIRO Technologies,’ offers everybody the opportunity to explore the cutting edge breakthroughs achieved by FIIRO and other agencies of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology .

The Director General, FIIRO, Mrs Gloria Elemo said the event seeks to create the right synergy and linkage of the research discoveries with the needs of the industry which at present, are at their lowest ebb.

Niger Has Oil Deposit Of Commercial Quantity– Aliyu

BY Abu Nmodu, Minna

Niger State Government and a Chinese firm are to contribute 50 per cent equity each to the cost of an investment in oil exploration in the Bida hydro-carbon deposit basin in the state .

The state governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, disclosed in Minna, yesterday, when he received members of the National Defence College, Course 23, led by the provost of the Centre for Strategic Studies of the College, Dr Istafanus Zabadi, to the government house, that the unnamed firm offered to contribute 50 per cent of the cost while the Niger State Government will foot the remaining 50 per cent bill.

Aliyu, who did not give the total cost of the investment and when the exploration will start, however, said that both state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, which was commissioned to carry out research into the presence of hydro-carbon in the Bida basin and the Chinese firm have confirmed the presence of the commodity in commercial quantity in the area.

According to him, “What is holding the Chinese firm back from immediate commencement of work is the plan to ensure the whole basin is covered by the time the exercise commences.”

He was of the opinion that when exploration commenced, the state will witness rapid industrial development while the people will reap the benefits of being an oil producing state.

On the development in the state, Aliyu attributed the success story to the introduction of the Ward Development Project, a concept that has made the communities in the rural areas in the 274 wards of the state to execute projects that touch the lives of the ordinary person through a monthly release of fund to a standing committee.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

23

24 INTERVIEW /BUSINESS The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) recently announced the preferred and reserved bidders for Enterprise Bank Limited, bringing an end to the bridge status of the bank. How do you feel?

I am glad that the process has come this far and we now know who the winners, in terms of the preferred and reserve bidders, are. This is a clear indication that the end of this bridge phase of the bank is imminent.

At the same time I am also satisfied with the outcome because it means that we, the board and management of the bank, have been able to deliver on the assignment given to us by the AMCON within the shortest possible time. That assignment was to reposition the bank and make it a going concern such that it will be attractive to investors.

Right from the beginning when we came on board, we knew our assignment was for a short period of time. As you know, our tenure was to last for two years and Enterprise Bank was born on August 11, 2011. What this means is that we ought to have signed out on August 2013.

However, the announcement of Heritage Bank Limited as the preferred bidder has brought that journey to a beautiful end. I am happy that the entire process went according to how the AMCON planned it.

What are the challenges you encountered during the sale process?

It will not be totally correct to say there were no challenges during the entire process. Yes, there were initial difficulties, but because they were anticipated we were able to successfully manage them in such a manner that our business was, more or less, not affected.

Essentially, the challenges had to do with the reaction of the general public, customers and staff when the divestment process was announced. From the very beginning, the AMCON made it very clear that the bank, by its bridge nature, will be sold to interested investors at a certain point. When the exercise was to begin, it announced and every step and processes involved - the appointment of financial and legal advisers, the call for Expression of Interests (EOIs) by bidders down to the announcement of the results were clarified.

The reaction from customers was different immediately the divestment exercise was announced. A little number of them wanted to withdraw their patronage till they were sure that all was well while signing on new transactions met with a bit of resistance. However, we deployed a number of marketing communication strategies that succeeded in reassuring customers that the divestment exercise will not affect their transactions. One of such was the

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

interview

We Have Delivered Our Mandate For Enterprise Bank – Kuru Ahmed Kuru is the outgoing managing director, Enterprise Bank Limited. In this interview, he highlights his achievements at the bank during his three-year tenure.

NSE ANTHONYUKO captured it for LEADERSHIP

Kuru

organisation of customer forums where we fielded questions from the customers, explained and reassured them that the exercise was, indeed, meant to serve them better. There were other customer engagement strategies, including regular media briefings, targeted at different levels of the bank’s stakeholders. We also intensively engaged our customers on a one-on-one basis at various levels. Our staff were equally and adequately primed through internal communication, town hall meetings and other bonding initiative platforms to remain calm; focused and dedicated to their work in order to convey the right attitude in their interface with our esteemed customers.

All said, these combined strategies made every bit of the activities during the exercise open for the awareness of every stakeholder and prompt. It has not been easy. Like I said earlier, the industry is hostile to any form of uncertainty and the elongated nature of the process has not helped matters. But we thank God and our staff for all the support.

My greater happiness is that we delivered on that assignment with the successful completion of the sale process

You always said that one of the principal objectives of your administration is to deliver a sound and healthy bank to the new owners/investors at the end of your tenure. Where are you on that promise?

We did a lot of serious work when we came on board which I believe will endure any brand that is playing in a difficult economy like ours. The situation we met on

ground was very bad, which was why the AMCON intervened in the first place. The first thing we did was to initiate a very strong corporate governance structure.

The bank had a 16-member board of directors, made up of five executive directors in addition to the managing director and 10 non-executive directors.

We operated with very credible people at this level whose experience spanned banking, insurance, academia and public administration. The combination ensured the institution of a very strong corporate governance structure to avoid any abuse of process which for me was the strength of the institution. We insisted that there must be strong operational policies. In all we did, we made sure proper due process was followed.

The bank was not profitable at the time we assumed duties.

Today, we have returned the bank to sustainable profitability.

After the initial 5-month loss recorded in 2011, the bank has been making profit annually since 2012. We were able to grow the balance sheet by about 36 per cent over the years. Even with the introduction of the policy of 75 per cent Credit Reserve Ratio (CRR) for public funds by the Central Bank which led to the relinquishing of such funds from our system, we still have been able to grow deposits by over 30 per cent since we took over.

Our asset quality has improved greatly, leading to the significant reduction of non-performing loans (NPLs).

The bank has been rebranded and is more recognisable in the league of banks. We have been able to give the institution a new corporate look and feel. Our branches and other touch points

wear new look that cannot but be noticed by the man on the street. All our customers’ touch points and service platforms have been upgraded for better service delivery. We made huge investments in upgrading our channels and technology to meet the demands of modern day banking. We have continued to ensure that our customers enjoy convenient and stress free banking as our staff have been retooled and reoriented to better align with the vision and values of the bank.

We recognise that our staff are the most important asset that we have and we have invested in their up-skilling and cultural renewal to enable them competently deliver the service objectives of the bank. Their welfare has also been of importance to us to the that extent we have ensured that their total welfare package is competitive. Unlike what it was before now, the bank now attracts very good staff from the industry.

So as to your question with regards to whether we came close to the promise we made to hand over a sound financial institution to the new owners, I will say yes, we did. We have not destroyed value; as a matter of fact, we are leaving the bank with our heads held quite high.

After three years at the driver’s seat as the managing director/chief executive officer of the bank, are there things you would have done differently in the same circumstances?

Looking back retrospectively, I tell you that we were calculative with every decision we took for the overall good of the bank.

We came on board as change managers but under a different arrangement. The whole essence of the intervention/investment in the first instance was to safeguard staff employment, guarantee depositor funds and ensure business continuity.

It was a tricky balancing act. We started with a highly demoralised workforce who had seen five managements within a space of six to seven years.

It was like a 15-year “start-up” business. We were retooling and at the same time competing. It was like joining a race with your hands tied to your back. We had to deal with the unconventional way by beginning to untie our hands, all in keeping faith with the government contract with the public. We are pleased that we delivered on the government promise of preserving value.

Also to change the direction of the bank and at the same time deal with the issue of rebranding the bank in an industry that is hostile to mediocrity was a big challenge. One of the areas one should pay attention to in our industry is the cost structure.

Again, unfortunately, we had to deal with the need to invest in technology, human capital and rebranding in a situation where you are not making money.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

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issues

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by Samuel S. Nze-Dennis

Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation!As the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the world’s most rewarding new markets, a nation standing tall in reinventing Africa for Africans, the black race and the rest of the world, Nigeria is enormously endowed with rich human and natural resources. Among the pack of the very resourceful men and women that have distinguished themselves in the onerous task of powering the Nigerian economy to greater height is OlatundeAyeni, a vibrant businessman with unquantifiable nationalistic passion for the growth and development of the only country he can call his own – Nigeria.

The Leadership Newspapers Group STAR AWARD of LEADERSHIP BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR 2013 to OlatundeAyenidid not come as a surprise to his keen admirers, having observed hisdoggedness and exploits in the business arena since 1994. He has over the years shown great leadership, strength of character and patriotism in his endeavours. A vital spark in the country’s business community and in the Diaspora, OlatundeAyeni has over time proved to be a Nigerian businessman whose greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength for the common good of his fatherland; a business executive who keeps jogging in the business arena without tiring; a nationalist businessman who believes that one of the most potent ways to grow the Nigerian economy is to strive to make money within and outside the shores of our land and invest same in the homeland for the advancement of our common good.

As a man who is all-time up and doing in the pursuance of his creative business ideas, Ayeni never rests on his oars until set targets are accomplished. The very resourceful thoughts of some great philosophers have indeed helped his associates, admirers and followers to unravel the tenacity of the very hard-working businessman, OlatundeAyeni.

A French cultural critic, Jean Baudrillard once said that: “Executives are like joggers. If you stop a jogger, he goes on running on the spot. If you drag an executive away from business, he goes on running on the spot, pawing the ground, talking business.”

Frank Hyneman Knight, a U.S. economist asserts confidently that: “The businessman has the same fundamental psychology as the artist, inventor, or statesman.

He has set himself at a certain work and the work absorbs and becomes himself. It is the expression of his

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Olatunde Ayeni: A Business Mogul With Rare Nationalistic Disposition personality; he lives in its growth and perfection according to his plans.” On his part, a U.S. poet, editor, essayist, and diplomat, James Russell Lowell says: “There is no better ballast for keeping the mind steady on its keel, and saving it from all risk of crankiness, than business.” These words are not only OlatundeAyeni’s best fits, but in a far-reaching dimension, epitomize the business mogul that the Leadership Newspapers Group celebrates today.

The Business Person of the Year 2013 star award bestowed on Olatunde goes a long way to underscore the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria’s award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) to him is a well deserving one. Earlier in 2013, precisely the 11th day of December, Achievers University Owo bestowed on him Doctor of Science in Business Administration (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa in recognition of his outstanding exploits in business.

Presenting him for this award, the University in a citation of Barrister OlatundeAyeni, described him as: “…a man of humble beginning, a rare gem, a perfect gentleman, a man of unassuming disposition, a business tycoon with the Midas touch, an entrepreneur par excellence and a man of insatiable appetite for personal development, …business and financial guru, a community developer and a quiet philanthropist.”What more can be said of the Leadership Business Person of the Year 2013!

Listing the giant strides of OlatundeAyeni could be a daunting task, but his brief industry profile will do. Trained as a lawyer, his business stake runs across several sectors of the Nigerian economy – law, maritime, energy and power, commerce, oil and gas, real estate, banking, environmental and information technology amongst others. Mr. Ayeni as he prefers to be called is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Skye Bank PLC, ASO Savings & Loans PLC,Digitsteel Integrated Services Limited, JKK (Nigeria) Plc, Temple Resources Ltd, Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited,Ibadan Electricity Distribution Plc, Yola Electricity Distribution Plc -the biggest electricity distribution

Ayeni

The Accolade of theLeadership Business Person of the Year 2013 is indeed a well-deserved honour to OlatundeAyeni, a patriotic Nigerian who epitomizes the true Nigerian spirit of resilience, hard work and productivity;a shining light to the future champions of our fatherland company in Nigeria, Prime Union Investment Limited, Globe Energy Resources Limited, Joint Aviation Services Limited, Funds & Electronic Transfer Solutions (FETS), to mention just a few in the pack. He also sits on the Board of Directors as Vice Chairman of Ocean Marine Security Limited, PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited, Hightech Procurement Limited amongst others. What a broadbased businessman!

Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora have a lot to learn from a man whose contributions to national development are in real terms developmental; a developmental process that is characterized by societal advancement, where improvements in the well-being of people are engendered through strong partnerships between

individuals, sectors, corporate bodies and indeed all and sundry.

Graduating his developmental inputs to capacity building, Mr. Ayeni has for several years offered sound intellectual and business insights at different business and investment fora, especially the ones that border on the growth and development of the Nigerian economy in particular and Africa in general.Some of his exploits in this regard include:Global Economic Crisis: The African Perspectives, a Keynote Address presented at Global Congress Meeting against Economic Crisis in California, April 22 – 26, 2013; AmericasAfrica Partnership: Challenges and Opportunities, a Keynote Address delivered at a Business Conference in May 2013 - under the auspices of Organization of American States (OAS) Headquarters

in Washington, D.C. and the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington DC; Lending Across Borders and Raising the Middle Class in Africa, a Paper used at the Session on Intra-Africa Financing, “The-New-York-Forum-Africa: Making Opportunities Reality,” June 14 – 16, 2013, Libreville, Gabon; Managing the 21st Century African Economy: Boom or Doom?participating on the High Level Panel Discussion/Colloquium at the 2013 Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day Celebrations, July 26 – August 3, 2013, under the theme “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance” in Accra, Ghana.

Others include: Private Sector Participation in Maritime Security in Africa: The Nigerian Perspectives, a Paper delivered at the Offshore Patrol Vessels Conference, August 27 – 28, 2013, Lagos, Nigeria; Financing Infrastructure Development in Africa: The Way to Go, a Resource Paper utilized as a Leader in the Spotlight at the BUILD AFRICA FORUM “Brazzaville Unites Infrastructure Leaders for Development” February 5th – 7th, 2014; The Role of the Private Sector in Filling Africa’s Infrastructure Gap, 5th Annual Harvard African Development Conference, Harvard Law School, Cambridge Massachusetts, USA, March 28 – 29, 2014; Infrastructure Funding and Development in Nigeria: What Might Be the Legal Challenges of Optimizing FDI Inflow, a Keynote Address delivered at the NBA 8th Annual Business Law Conference, May 25th – 27th, 2014; and Consolidating the Rising Nigerian Economy through Massive Investment in Infrastructure, a Speech delivered at the Nigeria Investment Summit, September 2014, NY, USA. The Accolade of theLeadership Business Person of the Year 2013 is indeed a well-deserved honour to OlatundeAyeni, a patriotic Nigerian who epitomizes the true Nigerian spirit of resilience, hard work and productivity;a shining light to the future champions of our fatherland! To this great patriot, Nigerians - home and abroad join the Leadership Group to honourhim for his outstanding landmarks in the industry, and entreat him to remain steadfast in the advancement of national development - as a champion, a pace setter, a role model, a luminary icon, a nationalist, a pillar of community, and a dogged businessman whose personality expresses growth, development and enduring success. All hail OlatundeAyeni!

–Nze-Dennis can be reached on Sammyssd_01@yahoo.com

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

T

PUBLIC NOTICE

he activities of some dishonest elements in our society who are operating Facebook Accounts on my name Senator Zaynab Abdulkadir Kure has come to my notice with dismay. It is disheartening to learn about this fraudulent behaviour which from all indications is intended to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, particularly applicants for employment, under pretence of getting them job placements with nancial implications.

The general public would be reminded that placement of an applicant on a job is not a statutory responsibility of any legislator and even when an intervention of any kind becomes necessary, it would be a height of irresponsibility on the part of a representative to request payment of any kind to that effect.

I therefore request everyone to regard all existing Facebook Accounts bearing my name as impersonation and any form of interaction with them should henceforth cease please. For all intents and purposes, the public may note that I do not operate any Facebook or Twitter account neither do I run a blog, website or any of their likes whatsoever. Any ofcial correspondence and engagement with me can be done through my fully operational Constituency Ofce in Bida, Niger State or my ofce in the National Assembly in Abuja.

Thank you for your attention.

Senator Zaynab Abdulkadir Kure

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28 perspective

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Nsa: In The National Interest

BY HAMID HENDRIX

Considering the barrage of media criticism targeting the office of the National Security Adviser in recent times it is pertinent to focus on certain matters arising in an effort to, as it were, read between the lines and decipher some concealed codes. In the first place, that the NSA’s office is the target of media criticism is a novel development in the history of this normally unseen and unheard but important department of state.

Most Nigerians only knew of the existence of the office from the “mystique” and political profile of the previous occupants of the office, especially General Aliyu Gusau now Defence Minister, whose repeated appointments and re-appointments to the office spanned 1986 to 2010.

As a fallout, the NSA’s office and functions have been shrouded with the withdrawn and sombre personality of its main staying occupant such that it was rarely referenced in public discourse or even factored into implementation of the nation’s security policy. It was off the media radar!

Under radically-changed circumstances, the current NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki was practically ushered into office by heightened public concern and media interest as a result of the sharp deterioration in the security situation on local and national levels that cast a shadow of dysfunction on the office.

This was a result of the steady increase in security challenges with origins several years prior to his appointment as well as the tragic turn of the more recent threat of guerrilla terrorism aka Boko Haram, which erupted in 2009. It was like taking over command of a war at its very peak! In the normal trend of public discourse especially under the charged atmosphere of political partisanship and electioneering however, no respite came the way of the embattled new NSA who now had to face the daring outlaws as well as the squadrons of public and media critics unwilling to grant the newcomer a breather.

It is to the credit of NSA Sambo Dasuki that he brought his military mien to bear on the very hostile reception of his appointment by adopting the calculated approach on the two fronts with the aim of overcoming the immediate as well as the ultimate objectives of resolving the public perception issues and reversing the escalating security challenges.

The sustained severity of terrorist attacks seemed to doom his

determination to succeed initially but the innovative strategies hitherto alien to workings of the NSA office, comprising the acclaimed “soft approach” to check the enabling factors of rising terrorism and the ferocious affirmation of superiority and sovereignty in the robust and strategized deployment of defence forces, spoke louder to endorse the competence and effectiveness of the new NSA. Today almost miraculously both cynical critics and ruthless terrorists have been subdued by the steady and decisive conquests of the gallant defence forces on the few remaining fronts while a growing number of vulnerable constituents in endangered areas are being given a sense of belonging and higher hopes to shun terror overtures.

Against all known and hidden odds and strengthened by the special grace of God Almighty, Col. Sambo Dasuki has immensely enhanced the credibility, functionality and profile of the Office of the NSA and with it salvaged the sagging morale of Nigerians, troops and civilians alike. Few if any Nigerians will want to deny him the benefit of sharing the glory for the rapid restoration of an effectively safe and secure security situation in the besieged north east in appreciation of the fundamental reforms and innovative initiatives his appointment achieved. But this is not to say that these sterling qualities can shield him from the vendetta of the vengeful and the vindictive whose existence sustains the “pull him down syndrome” of the Nigerian factor.

Without prejudice to the established facts of the so-called arms purchase episode now being manipulated to distract attention or totally rubbish the remarkable record of performance of the NSA in the larger context still manifesting, it is of interest to note the deliberate targeting of one out of a handful of defence and diplomatic agencies known to be involved in any purchase of weapons for the country’s army. In particular it is pertinent to emphasise that despite this biased focus, the NSA in fact is only responsible for the issuance of end-user certificates meant to authenticate the destined enduser (ie Nigerian Government) in accordance with international best practices and local due process.

It is practically the last stage in the established bureaucratic procedure involving agencies with constitutionally charged responsibilities relevant to the subject matter. This has been the

practice since the days of Aliyu Gusau and was implemented by Sambo Dasuki’s predecessors.

The prominence of the NSA’s Office in the South African arms purchase affair stems directly from being the first agency to respond discreetly and subsequently assertively to issue clarifications that somewhat dampened the seemingly ceaseless criticism of the Presidency by the partisan propagandists that capitalized on the incidents for petty political advantage. The ministry of defence which is even more central to the purchase of arms remained mute even as wild allegations and sensational insinuations impinging on the reputation of the ministry were bandied around the media. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said nothing either.

It was therefore the initial briefings of some media managers by the NSA’s officials that helped to put issues in their proper perspectives and debunk all the dangerous ethno-religious dimensions being propagated to instigate crisis mischievously.

Significant was the clear emphasis on the compelling circumstances of betrayal of agreements by the US to support Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram just when such support was in dire need as necessitating factor for recourse to unconventional channels to secure the withheld weapons on emergency terms. To date, the US has not convincingly discharged this heavy burden of indictment which now looms larger in public consternation than the overblown seizures of less than twenty million dollars for mere administrative not criminal lapses.

Obviously, the US has a vested interest in scuttling any alternative arrangement hurriedly made by a desperate Nigerian government eager to sustain the tempo of overwhelming routing of terrorists and would keep an eye on every move to achieve its sinister sabotage scheme as exposure of its interception of arms in transit from Nigeria’s alternative suppliers in eastern countries in informed press reports recently confirms. The prompt leaking of the first incident and subsequent persistent coverage of developments underscores the pre-meditated planning behind the media exposure in continuation of the sabotage of Nigeria’s frantic efforts to overcome the US embargo. In this context also comes the expected connivance of local disgruntled elements even within the intelligence community with overt and covert

Dasuki

We should always focus on the impact of appointees on their areas of jurisdiction without ethnic, religious, political or even generational blinkers in order to keep Nigeria moving forward axes to grind, ranging from those unsettled by the new dynamism in the hitherto frigid and fossilised office of the NSA and those who lost out in the highly competitive arms purchase market. These are more than enough to launch the sort of hostile activities and media propaganda against the NSA and his emerging revamped office being unleashed.

While these scenarios prevail, it should not have been necessary to remind the Defence Minister to be more alive to the defensive demands of his portfolio even if just to counter the US offensives already taking toll directly and indirectly on the nation’s territorial and international integrity. But it is worthwhile that the Defence Ministry lend its voice to not only confirm and elaborate on the details of the barely-concealed sabotage of Nigeria’s arms supply channels but to firmly and fearlessly tell the Americans that we are not going to be cowed by such hostile enemy actions. We need to hear the Defence Minister responding to the other deliberate fabrications and disinformation being dished out by the media propagandists to expose them in their true reprehensible colours and defend our right to recourse appropriately for our military menu as a sovereign country that has not yet fully fallen into the orbit of any “super-power”. He also needs to reassure Nigerians that the office of the NSA is not and has not been exclusively responsible for the conventional or unconventional

purchase of arms for the military since his times there and should not be so viciously vilified.

There is also a strong case for Foreign Affairs Ministry to express dismay at the apparent enthusiasm of the South Africans to feed the media in a collusive manner intended to portray the travails of the Nigerian government as petty criminal exploits, while availing itself of the existing diplomatic channels of resolving such sensitive matters that occur in the normal flow of national affairs in today’s tense world. This is the import of the cautionary counsel included in the latest press release from the Office of the NSA making reference to the cordiality and encouragement enjoyed by South Africans in Nigeria that should be upper most and reciprocated in bilateral relations at all times.

The rising profile of the new office of the NSA as a capable and credible caretaker of the overall national defence and security interests and environment is a welcome development aptly reflective of the transformational main thrust of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration that is clearly impacting phenomenally on the nation’s defence and security stature. We should always focus on the impact of appointees on their areas of jurisdiction without ethnic, religious, political or even generational blinkers in order to keep Nigeria moving forward. We all have roles to play but running down positive performance is not included please.

– Hendrix wrote from Lagos

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Congratulations!

Chief DR. JOHN OLATUNDE AYENI Chairman YEDC The Managements and staff of Yola Electricity Distribution Company wholeheartedly congratulates our distinguished Chairman, DR. JOHN OLATUNDE AYENI on the most deserved awards of Business Person of the Year 2013 by the Leadership Newspapers Group.

We believe that you are most deserving of this recognition and feel certain the selections committee has made and excellent choice. This award is a testament to your invaluable contributions to the development of the great country Nigeria.

Our prayer is that God Almighty will grant you continuous wisdom, strength and good health.

God bless and your family!

Signed Luis S.Doble, Jr. Managing Director/ CEO Yola Electricity Distribution Company

YEDC

Luis S.Doble, Jr. Managing Director/ MD/ CEO

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014