Tuesday, November 13, 2012 by Oliyide Oluwafemi John Folarin

NCC bans telecoms promos, lotteries Nigerians resist plans to distort Internet usage

KUNLE A ZEEZ Juwah

Vol. 2 N0. 490

he Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday banned all

Oct 1 bombing:

Why suspected mastermind must die –FG

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promotions and lotteries being run by telecoms companies with immediCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Jonathan

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Obasanjo denies calling for revolution Now is the time, say Bakare, el-Rufai

N150

P.5

THE PERSON SAYING I TALKED ABOUT REVOLUTION TAKING

NIGERIA IS TALKING NONSENSE; HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

PLACE IN

AYODELE OJO AND GEORGE OJI

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday denied calling for a revolution in Nigeria. Reacting to reports

quoting him as saying that a revolution was imminent in the country, the former president said he was misquoted as he never made such comment. He said: “The person saying I talked about revolution taking place in NiCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Subsidy scam:

EFCC to re-arraign Ahmadu Ali’s son, others

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L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and Senate President David Mark at a roundtable conference on party politics in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Drama as Lagos shuts 1004 Estates over Land Use Charge FIRS asks states, LGs to account for VAT allocations

More Nigerians pay tribute to Lam Adesina

P.2, 6 P.8

Alison-Madueke

Oshiomhole takes oath, begins second term Anti-graft agency arrests Sylva’s aide P.5, 11

News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Drama as Lagos shuts 1004 Estates over Land Use Charge DAYO AYEYEMI AND MURITALA AYINLA

ild drama ensued yesterday between the Lagos State government and the management of 1004 Estates Limited as the highbrow residential quarters was sealed off over failure to remit the yearly Land Used Charge to the coffers of the government. For the period the drama lasted, residents of the estate could not go out while those who wanted to come in to their apart-

ments were locked out. National Mirror, gathered that the estate had been reopened after mediation. Our correspondent was also prevented to speak with the residents by security men on duty, saying “It is only the administration staff of the estate that can speak over it.” the Managing Director of 1004 Estate Limited, Mr. Sam Ukpong, who spoke with National Mirror on the phone, confirmed the story. He said the estate was sealed over non-remit-

tance of Land Use Charge which his firm could no longer pay, owing to the uncooperative attitude of the residents. 1004 Estates is the largest residential estate in Nigeria, comprising 1004 flats on Victoria Island, Lagos. Ukpong explained that the residents had refused to pay the charge due to them, stressing that instead of the government to collect the money from the residents, who are owners of the flats, it was always passing the bill to his company. He added that the apart-

ments belonged to individual owners and not the company, saying that the residents owed it as an obligation to pay their charges. Before now, he said the company had made payment on behalf of the residents and when it became obvious that they are not ready to pay, “we have to leave them alone for government to pass the bill to them.” He said: “For example, earlier, we paid the sum of N10m on behalf of the residents to the state government but they are not forthcoming to pay up.

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole (left) being sworn in for second term by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, yesterday.

“And I think each flat is supposed to pay at least N20,000. Nobody can pay something on behalf of another without refund. So residents can go to government directly to pay. We have given government their particulars because the estate belongs to them.” The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, who confirmed the development, said that the owners of the structures had been defaulting in performing their obligation. “We wouldn’t have embarked on such action if the owners of the structures voluntarily comply with the remittance of the Land Use charge. “What we did was to serve as warning to others who may wish to default in remitting the fund into the coffers of the government. “We will continue to enforce the law, just as we will not relent in intensifying our advocacy programme to ensure that the citizens of the state understand the importance of the fund to the state government,” he said. He added that the state government had issued several notices and warnings before embarking on the action. “Before getting to that stage, we have given them notices. What we have

just seen is clear indication that nobody is above the law in Lagos State. Although the place has since been reopened,” he added. When asked how much was the owners defaulted in paying to the state government, the commissioner, said: “All I can tell you is that they defaulted in the payment of the Land Use Charge, although the estates have since been reopened. “We expect members of the public to cooperate with us. When residents of the state remit their tax to the government, the government will be able to provide the needed infrastructure in the state,” the commissioner added. 1004 Estates used to be a status symbol. It was a well-planned, purposebuilt residential facility for top government officials, including members of the National Assembly during the Second Republic. But after the government’s divestment, it was bought by a private consortium which redesigned it, upgrade its infrastructural facilities before selling to individual buyers. The estate, built on 11-hectare of land, became the hottest property with a two-bedroom maisonette going for as much as N25m, while three-bedroom attracted a higher price.

of representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; former President, Ibrahim Babangida; former principal officers of the National Assembly, chairmen of registered political parties in Nigeria, serving members of the National Assembly and some visiting members of the United States of America Congress. In his keynote address while declaring the event open, Mark explained that intra party squabbles exist because political party affiliation in Nigeria is rarely anchored on ideology or any uniting and defined philosophy, but rather largely on crass opportunism. This, the Senate President said, undermines the capacity of the political party to govern effectively, even after gaining political power. He expressed concerns that in reality, most of the

current political parties in the country are fledging and hardly able to stand on their feet, while many others exists mainly on paper, and were floated to attract the financial subventions, which the 1999 constitution hitherto guaranteed them. According to him, even the big parties, which control various executive and legislative arms of government are often mired by internal convulsions, lack of cohesion, indiscipline and glaring absence of internal democracy. These problems, Mark said have been the bane of party politics in Nigeria. He described as unfortunate that the term lobbying has come to acquire a pejorative connotation, despite its many inherent and positive benefits, noting that this is due largely to the abuse to which it often liable.

Obasanjo denies calling for revolution CONTINUED FROM 2 geria is talking nonsense; he doesn’t understand English. “What I said was that as long as we do not pay adequate attention to solving the problem of unemployment, we are all sitting on a keg of gun powder. And it is a tickling time-bomb. All of us must realise that it is a serious problem. Our leaders must pay attention to this issue. “That is not revolution. I never used the word revolution. Unemployment is a continental problem and indeed a global problem. If a state can have over 50 per cent of its population as unemployed, it is a major problem that needs serious attention. “I didn’t mention revolution in my speech. Who will write a cheque for us in Africa? Asked to clarify whether he spoke about a revolution

happening in Nigeria, he said: “I didn’t. And that is not what I want for Nigeria. What I want for Nigeria is job creation for the youth not revolution.” Obasanjo was said to have predicted that a revolution loomed in Nigeria unless the government took urgent step to arrest youth unemployment and poverty. The prediction was reportedly made at the weekend in a speech at a West African regional conference on youth employment in Senegal. Meanwhile, former President Obasanjo has asked political parties to do more in enforcing party discipline, proper implementation of their manifestoes, service delivery and national integration in their quest for power acquisition. Obasanjo spoke yesterday in Abuja as chairman of the first session of a two-

day roundtable conference on “Party Politics and Election in Nigeria,” organised by the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS). The former president expressed concern that in Nigeria, political parties’ manifestoes are being abused because they are only used to win elections and thereafter dumped by political parties. He wondered how a party in office would be assessed if not through the party’s manifestoes. He observed that in the absence of manifestoes, it becomes difficult to hold political parties accountable in office. He said: “In Nigeria, manifestoes are prepared, read and thereafter thrown away after elections. Worse still, in other instances, some political parties do not even have manifestoes. How then do we hold political parties accountable?” While commenting on

party discipline, Obasanjo stressed that no human institution or organisation, not the least, political parties can endure without party discipline, particularly under a multi-party democracy like Nigeria. He noted that it is party discipline that subjects the activities of members of the party to checks and ensures that the ideologies of political parties are sustained. On service, the former president implored political parties to do more because at the moment. “We rarely find political parties delivering services to the people to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate”, he said. The conference, which was attended by the Senate President, David Mark, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Deputy Speaker of the House

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Good Health

Weird things pregnant women do SAM EFERARO

rs T. J is carrying her second pregnancy, now six months old. That is however not the news. Unlike her first pregnancy when the first trimester (the first three months) was turbulent and she could hardly eat, the crave for food started very early but, wait for it, no food cooked by her or in her house, no matter how delicious ever appeals to her. On a daily basis, she sends her house help to buy food – the real local stuff - from a nearby buka. For Alhaja Mope, her problem is with fragrance. Since she became pregnant she now hates the smell of perfumes, cream or even the aroma of those mouth watery foods she used to love so much in her prepregnancy days. It’s however not all fragrance that are so repulsive these days. She has since discovered that she savours the pungent odour from dustbins and garbage dumps! As for Mrs Ojo, her mouth has to be kept busy every minute of the day. She just can’t resist eating for two. Believe it or not, these are just a few of the outrageous things some women do when they are pregnant. Experts say it’s what some of them have to go through as their body adjust to the development of the new life growing inside them. Indeed, a

gynaecologist confirmed to this reporter that it is not uncommon to see a woman who had always cooked with palm-oil to suddenly discover that she cannot stand it

when she is pregnant and anything cooked with it makes her sick. For others, according to the specialist, the feeling may just be

emotional. This was confirmed by Eunice who says she just loves to be pampered by her husband. Now in her seventh month, Eunice cannot imagine not having her husband around her most of the time. “I’m lucky I have a husband that cares. He does the cooking most of the time now and does not allow me to go out. I must tell you I love every moment of this pregnancy apart from the morning sickness in the early weeks. She’s not alone. Mrs E who pleaded anonymity says her husband automatically assumes the role of a baby nurse whenever she’s pregnant. The mother of four says: “I enjoyed being pampered. He even had to give me a warm birth every morning and night. Thank God he enjoyed it and this even led to something else sometimes,” she winked mischievously. For some women, the body reaction that accompanies pregnancy is not just the change in smell or food taste. They go through some real difficult time and are most of the time, so uncomfortable that they may think they are suffering from some serious illness. Mrs Abosede Aliu, for instance cannot eat anything solid in the first five months of her pregnancy. She vomits most of the time. For others, they have to cope with heavy salivation in the first few months. Mrs E actually salivated for the nine months of each of her four pregnancies, even up to the time she was being wheeled into the labour room! Experts say however that there’s no danger whatsoever in all these pregnancy-associated changes. They are all due mostly to the hormonal changes which

the body must go through as the baby develops in the womb. According to them, pregnant women at this time require a lot of petting from people around them especially their husbands because they often feel irritated and very uncomfortable. This is because the hormonal changes bring about all sorts of feelings in women. Some feel hot, tired and weak. Although they are quite well, many feel sick. And because of these changes going on, some may actually feel that their husbands will consider them ugly. A gynaecologist tells National Mirror: “It is at this stage that the husbands have to be very receptive. For the woman to enjoy her pregnancy, the man has to make her feel wanted and in fact has to make her feel she’s getting more beautiful. “The man has to be aware that there are a lot of physical, mental and hormonal changes going on in her body and as such needs a lot of rest. It is left to the man to help her enjoy the pregnancy.” Experts say the period of pregnancy stands out as a period to consider a balanced diet in the family. The family menu, especially for the pregnant woman, should consist enough protein, carbohydrates, plenty of vegetables and fruits. The pregnant woman needs calcium which is good for the baby and iron which is usually given in supplements. “Pregnant women can eat anything they want but they should keep away from anything that make them feel sick because, basically, when one is making a baby, anything one eats goes to the baby first and it’s the left over that goes to the mother,” the specialist further said.

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

Protein reveals diabetes risk years in advance

hen a patient is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the disease has usually already progressed over several years and damage to areas such as blood vessels and eyes has already taken place. To find a test that indicates who is at risk at an early stage would be valuable, as it would enable preventive treatment to be put in place. Researchers at Lund University have now identified a promising candidate for a test of this kind. The findings have been published in the journal Cell Metabolism. “We have shown that individuals who have above-average levels of a protein called SFRP4 in the blood are five times more likely to develop diabetes in the

next few years than those with belowaverage levels,” says Anders Rosengren, a researcher at the Lund University Diabetes Centre (LUDC), who has led the work on the risk marker. It is the first time a link has been established between the protein SFRP4, which plays a role in inflammatory processes in the body, and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies at LUDC, in which donated insulin-producing beta cells from diabetic individuals and non-diabetic individuals have been compared, show that cells from diabetics have significantly higher levels of the protein. It is also the first time the link between inflammation in beta cells and diabetes has been demonstrated.

High blood pressure damages the brain in early middle age

ncontrolled high blood pressure damages the brain’s structure and function as early as young middleage, and even the brains of middle-aged people who clinically would not be considered to have hypertension have evidence of silent structural brain damage, a study led by researchers at UC Davis has found The investigation found accelerated brain aging among hypertensive and prehypertensive individuals in their 40s, including damage to the structural integrity of the brain’s white matter and the volume of its gray matter, suggesting that vascular brain injury “develops insidiously over the lifetime with discernible effects.” The study is the first to demonstrate

that there is structural damage to the brains of adults in young middle age as a result of high blood pressure, the authors said. Structural damage to the brain’s white matter caused by high blood pressure previously has been associated with cognitive decline in older individuals. — ScienceDaily

Photo News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

L-R: Chairman, Visafone, Mr. Jim Ovia; Director, Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Danladi Hanga and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the fundraising dinner for flood victims at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, recently.

L-R: Convener, Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare; Speaker, Mr. Pius Adesanmi; Chairman of the occasion, Dame Priscilla Kuye; President, Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, during the State of the Nation Lecture, organised by SNG in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Daniel Shashere; Commissioner for Information, Mr. Danladi Abdulhameed and his Environment counterpart, Mr. Abubakar Jibreel, at the presentation of birthday card to the governor by the executive council members, yesterday.

L-R: Managing Director, Raumplus Germany, Mr. Carsten Bergmann; Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Uta Bergmann; Chief Executive Officer in Nigeria, Mr. Adelakun Adeyanju; Mrs. Oluyinka Ahove and her husband, Pastor Tony Ahove of Conquerors Chapel International, at the inauguration of Raumplus office and showroom in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Oct 1 bombings: Why suspected mastermind must die –FG ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

or more than one hour yesterday, the Federal Government gave reasons before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja why a suspected mastermind of the October 1, 2010 twin bombings in Abuja, Mr. Edmund Ebiware, must die by hanging. Ebiware is standing trial along three others for complicity in the bombings, treason and treasonable felony. The government said the accused must not escape the hangman’s noose for allegedly being an ally of Henry Okah. Okah was suspected to be the chief mastermind of the Abuja 2010 bombings, given the confessions he made to men of the State Security Service, SSS. But Ebiware yesterday asked the court to dismiss the case on the grounds that he could not be convicted until Okah was charged, prosecuted and convicted. The Federal Government, which urged the court to discountenance

Ebiware’s argument, listed other reasons why he must be convicted. It said the accused was aware of the alleged plans by Okah to bomb Abuja on October 1, 2010 and embarrass the Federal Government as far back as September 2010 without informing the President, governor or any peace officer in the country to stop it. The government explained that the offence was contrary to the provisions of Section 40 of the Criminal Code. Ebiware is also accused of leaking information to arrest Okah after the Warri bombing. The government also said that his seized phone contained messages which showed that he knew of the October bombings and that he justified them when a witness and his friend who was involved in the Warri bombing, simply identified as Mr. X, challenged him. He was quoted as saying that the bombing was right on the account that the amnesty programme which they all suffered for was be-

ing run in a way not favourable to them. Government’s lead prosecution counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), who referred to three separate statements made by Ebiware and tendered in court, said he confessed to the SSS that Okah planned the October 1 attack to embarrass the government, simply because he had an axe to grind with the President. Izinyon told the court that

the allegation that he told the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timpre Sylva, Mr. Timi Alaibe and the Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Maduekwe, was a lie as those invited to court denied it. But Ebiware’s counsel, Mr. Goddie Uche, said the extra judicial statements being credited to him did not have the legal weight to convict him. He added that the judge

would not be fair to convict him when the prosecution had woefully failed to prove its case particularly by not inviting President Goodluck Jonathan and AlisonMaduekwe to give evidence in the matter. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who took final addresses from both the prosecution and the defence yesterday on whether Ebiware must die or not, said he would give his judg-

ment on January 13, 2013. Many of the suspected masterminds of the October 1 bombings were arrested after the blasts but only four suspects were charged with waging war against the state to intimidate President Jonathan. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 37(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 77 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 1990.

US to overtake Saudi as top oil producer – IEA UDEME AKPAN

he United States of America, Nigeria’s leading consumer is set to overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world’s top oil producer by 2017. The International Energy Agency, IEA that made this known in its latest report, predicted that Washington would come very close to achieving previously unthinkable energy self-sufficiency. The development has far reaching implications for

Nigeria’s oil exports as the US is the biggest importer of Nigerian crude. Energy experts however believe that the oil meant for the US would be diverted to China. The forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which advises large industrialised nations on energy policy, were in sharp contrast to previous IEA reports, which predicted that Saudi Arabia would remain top producer until 2035. In its annual long-term report, giving one of the

most optimistic forecasts for U.S. energy production growth to date, the agency stated that: “The recent rebound in U.S. oil and gas production, driven by upstream technologies that are unlocking light tight oil and shale gas resources, is spurring economic activity with less expensive gas and electricity prices giving industry a competitive edge.” The IEA said it saw a continued fall in U.S. oil imports with North America becoming a net oil exporter by around 2030 and the U.S.

becoming almost self-sufficient in energy by 2035. It stated that: “The U.S., which currently imports around 20 per cent of its total energy needs, becomes all but self-sufficient in net terms, a dramatic reversal of the trend seen in most other energy importing countries.” IEA Chief Economist Fatih Birol he believed the U.S. would overtake Russia as the biggest gas producer by a significant margin by 2015, adding that by 2017, it would become the world’s largest oil producer.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Time for revolution is now, say Bakare, el-Rufai SINA FADARE, GEORGE OJI AND AYO ESAN

he Convener of the Save Nigerian Group, SNG, and running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari during the last presidential election, Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Minister of FCT, Mallam Nasir ElRufai yesterday called for a revolution if Nigerians are to be free from the clutches of leaders who have cornered their collective wealth. The duo, who spoke at the second edition of SNG State of the Nation lecture series in Lagos, noted that the time for

such a revolution is now, before the country plunges into a state of anomie due to wanton and unimaginable level of corruption going on in government circles and in virtually all the sectors of the nation’s economy. The lecture, titled ‘Reparations: What Nigeria owes the tortoise,’ was delivered by Pius Adesanmi, a Nigerian Associate Professor of English and Literature at Carleton University, Canada. Speaking at the event, Bakare noted that the impending revolution will consume both religious and political leaders who, he alleged are now in competition to own private jets.

He said: “Almost everywhere, democracy is preceded by revolution; we have put the cart before the horse – the revolution must start now; we have had enough lectures, December is too late.” “We have seen what those who are not well-trained have done to our nation. “I will also go to my own constituency and ask; ‘where are you getting these private jets from? Where are you getting the money from? “The havoc that religious institutions have done to our nation – when the revolution comes, it will not spare us. “I am not inciting the public against the church

and the mosque, but the congregation must demand explanations from their leaders, they must demand to know where they are getting the money; if it is not from the church offering then it is from Abuja - all general overseers must go to prison. “If the revolution does not begin in the church, it cannot spread; if it does not begin in the mosque, it will not spread, because they control the population.” Bakare, who lamented that the N1.7trn subsidy scam ought to have sent some principal government officials to prison, regretted the inaction by the Federal Government, which he said was that

L-R: Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Emmanuel Odu; Executive Director, Interfaith Action Association, Bishop Sunday Omolola and National President, Paediatric Association of Nigeria, Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo, during the World Pneumonia Day Stakeholders Summit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

NCC bans telecoms promos, lotteries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ate effect. The commission said in recent times, it had been inundated with complaints from consumers and industry stakeholders against the promotions offered by the telecommunications operators. In a statement by the NCC’s Public Affairs Director, Mr. Tony Ojobo, and made available to National Mirror yesterday, the commission said the ban would remain in force until the commission deemed fit. The affected telecoms operators include Globacom, MTN Nigeria, Intercellular Limited, Visafone, Etisalat, Airtel Network Limited and Multi-Links Telecoms Limited. NCC said the ban includes “all promotions by telecommunications network operators and lot-

teries being carried out on such networks.” It covers all proposed and approved promotions and lotteries on which the commission has given approval further to the memorandum of understanding, MoU, entered into with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. The commission, in the statement, explained that it had carefully evaluated the complaints received, especially against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of the networks, the general interest of the consumers, the socio-economic impact of these promotions on operators and other stakeholders. The NCC added that it was mindful of its statutory responsibilities to protect and promote the interest of consumers against unfair practices, promote

fair competition in the industry by protecting operators from misuse of market power and anti-competitive and unfair practices by other operators. Consequently, the commission said “in due regard to the afore-mentioned responsibilities, therefore, and having observed that these promotions have increased the number of minutes available to subscribers for use within a limited period of time, such development created congestion in the networks as subscribers try to use up the available minutes within the stipulated time.” It added that “On-net calls were now being offered by operators at tariffs well below the prevailing interconnects rates thereby introducing anti-competitive practices and behaviour. “And that terminations

of calls were becoming increasingly difficult from one network to another and overall consumer experience on the networks has become very poor, thereby making it extremely difficult for subscribers to make calls successfully.” National Mirror had on October 16, 2012 reported that the lingering intermittent quality of services on networks were traceable to various bonus airtime promos being run on their networks. Subscribers, who spoke with National Mirror then, expressed outright displeasure to the recently introduced bonus airtime promos by the operators, which they said had made it difficult for them to initiate calls and complete it without drops across on the networks.

pretending that all is well. His words; “Nigerians is been ravaged by few vulture-like leaders who want to ruin our collective patrimony, by denying the people of the country good governance due to their greed, avarice and selfishness. “Therefore the people should take up the challenge and come out in another freedom square rally to force the powers that be to punish all those who have a hand in the monumental fraud.” El-Rufai, also speaking at the event noted that Nigeria is at a cross roads and all hands must be on deck to reject to all forms of corruption, intimidation, poor leadership and outright stealing of “our collective wealth by few privileged leaders.” The guest lecturer, Prof. Pius Adesanmi, who equated the greed of Nigerians leaders to that of the proverbial tortoise in Nigerian folklore, said that the nation finds itself in this mess due to its leaders who are selfish and self centered. The chairperson of the occasion and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, said the first way to curb corruption is for parents to give their children the best attention and good instruction. She added that though nobody should be above

the laws but that in Nigeria some people are actually above the law. Kuye challenged the people to always ask questions saying they must ask the leaders questions about their deeds in office. “When you don’t put your leaders on their toes they wouldn’t put up good performance”, she said. The President, Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei- Odumakin also agreed that corruption is the major problem facing the country. She said that the usual clamour of wanting to always share the national cake has put the country where it is now. She insisted that all those who are found culpable in the subsidy scam probe report should be punished. “Those who brought the country to its present situation must be brought to book”, she said, adding that all Nigerians must rise to confront and fight corruption. Activist and former member of the House of Representative, Mr. Dino Melaye said 60 per cent of budget is lost to corruption and urged the leader of SNG to as a matter of urgency organise another nationwide rally, saying silence is a crime in an unjust country like Nigeria.

EFCC arrests Sylva’s aide

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested Sam Ogbuku, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipreye Sylva. He was picked up yesterday at his residence in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos by operatives of the Commission. The arrest, according to a source is in connection with the ongoing investigation into the tenure of Sylva as governor of Bayelsa State. Sources close to the investigation disclosed that several payments to Bureau de Change operators from the Bayelsa State treasury were traced to the suspect, who is said to have made useful statement. He was still being interrogated at the time of filing this report. Sylva is currently fac-

ing a six count charge of stealing and money laundering to the tune of N2bn before a Federal High Court in Abuja. He was alleged to have connived with some state officials and others said to be at large in defrauding the state of N2bn while he was at the helm of affairs in the state. Since he was arraigned on June 5, 2012, further investigations by the anti graft agency have established more evidence of graft against the former governor and his cronies. Among the assets traced to the former governor in the Federal Capital Territory are a duplex at Cachez Estate valued at N310m and a N700m mansion in Wuse Abuja, allegedly acquired in the name of Marlin Maritime Limited, a company owned by Sylva.

News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FIRS asks states, LGs to account for VAT allocations TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday asked taxpayers to prevail on their states and local governments to explain how they have been spending the Value Added Tax which they collected monthly from the Federation Account. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the nationwide Value Added Tax enlightenment campaign in Abuja, the Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, said the leaderships of the two tiers

of government should be asked what they do with the monthly VAT allocations they receive. Mashi, who disclosed that 85 per cent of the VAT collected, which runs into billions monthly, is shared between the states and local governments, while the balance of 15 per cent is allocated to the Federal Government. He said that VAT remittances were to be spent on the provision of social infrastructure and expressed his concern over the deplorable conditions of existing infrastructure at the states and local government levels. Mashi noted that during

the military era, military governors were directed to indicate which roads or social projects were financed from their VAT allocations, but regretted that the practice had stopped since the country returned to democracy in 1999. He said: “We at the FIRS cannot explain what states and local governments do with VAT, you should ask the state governors what the VAT they receive is used for. FIRS only collects VAT and after deducting its charges, remits the balance to the Federation Account where the money is shared among the three tiers of government every month.”

Mashi pointed out that Nigeria is the only country where all the money generated from taxes are collapsed into one purse and spent according to the whims of those in power, adding that the Act establishing the VAT would soon be amended to create a threshold that will make convenient for all to capture VAT proceeds. Describing the consumption tax as having the potentials to enhance the collection of other taxes in the county if appropriately administered, he lamented, however, that this has not been the case despite the fact that it has been ac-

counting for about 16 per cent of total tax revenues over the past eight years. He said: “VAT collection grew from N163.3 billion in 2004 to N659.1 billion in 2011 representing an increase of over 400 per cent thus making it the third highest contributor to tax collection in the last eight years behind petroleum profit tax and companies income tax. “Over the years especially since the reforms of the Nigerian tax system started in 2002, Nigerians have become more familiar with various concepts of taxation. We have also become more familiar with various concepts of taxation”.

We have also become aware of the roles and benefits of taxation to us individually and as a country. This awareness is responsible to an extent for the improved level of tax compliance by taxpayers leading to increase in tax collection over the years. “However, in our day to day operations as officers, we still observe a general lack of in-depth knowledge of taxation by majority of taxpayers. This led to the creation of specialized units of taxpayer education within the FIRS and other initiatives geared towards creating an enlightenment and tax conscious public.”

NNPC seeks oil exploration offshore Lagos UDEME AKPAN

L-R: Project Director, Democratic Governance for Development Project, Dr. Mourtada Deme; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina and UN Women Country Representative, Dr. Grace Ongile, during the National Multi Stakeholder Dialogue on Legal Reforms to Increase Women’s Representation in Local and National Elective Office in Nigeria held in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

FG’s $15m software project kicks off KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Federal Government has commenced the Technology Venture Capital Fund required to build a local software economy. The building of software industry estimated to gulp $15 million will be delivered through a software incubation programme being driven by the Ministry of Communication Technology. Giving updates on the scheme during first of series of stakeholders’ engagement to be held on the project in Lagos yesterday, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said already, the Federal Government would be investing a seed capital of N500 million in the project.

She said the N500 million would be sourced from the Nigeria Information Technology Development Fund, adding that the government seed fund would attract the remaining $12m from investors As part of the software incubation programme, Johnson said Lagos and Cross River states had been chosen as locations for innovation centres that would drive the country’s software economy. Johnson said the eLearning Centre would host the software incubation centre in Lagos while Tinapa Knowledge City would house the Cross River State innovation centre. Rather than being government-owned, the minister said the innovation centres would be “govern-

ment-inspired” or “government- catalysed” but would eventually be run by a nonprofit organisation. She said the Federal Government would initially provide the enabling environment for the proper take off of the incubation centres and later step aside and allow the centres to have lives of their own. Specifically, the minister said the software incubation programme would initially be governmentfunded with the aim of attracting more investors in the long run. Meanwhile, Johnson said Lagos and Calabar would serve as pilots, stating that the Lagos Innovation Centre would take off before the end of the year. She said: “We have chosen two different locations for test pilots. We will deliv-

er Lagos by year end or early next year. Calabar will be delivered by end of the first quarter of 2013.” Ms. Helen Anatogo, the project manager, responsible for the implementation of the software incubation programme, revealed that the Federal Government planned to establish six incubation software incubation centres by the end of 2015. Some of the potential locations for other software incubation centres, according to her, include Abeokuta, Enugu, Ife and Abuja. The focus of the software incubation programme and the centres, she said, include enterprise software development, linguistic software, custom programming, mobile software, business intelligence and gaming.

He implored members of NAPE to use the conference to address the new ways of replacing the depleting petroleum resources, the high cost of doing business in the industry, and the impact of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in the Nigerian petroleum sector. Yakubu said: “Despite challenges being faced by the industry in recent times, it has remained vibrant with significant increase in exploration activities in the past years. There are more than seven exploration rigs that are actively engaged in different locations in the acreages. The preliminary reports from most of the exploration activities have indicated positive potentials with great promises of enhancing the reserve potentials of the country.” The GMD assured members of NAPE that NNPC, as the industry leader, will sustain the recent initiatives in the oil industry to ensure that the country maintains the tempo in the drive not only to replenish our produced oil and gas but also to achieve the aspirations and targets of 40 billion barrels of oil reserve in the nearest future.

he Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNPC) has called for massive oil exploration offshore Lagos because of the possibility of making commercial find in the area. NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, made the call at the ongoing conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists held in Lagos, saying there was high possibility of making a new find offshore Lagos. He called on stakeholders in the Oil and Gas industry to pursue aggressive deep-water exploration in offshore Lagos, taking on board lessons learnt from the jubilee field discovery in Ghana-Dahomey Basin. Yakubu made strong case for the utilization of novel technology for other inland basins to increase the nations hydrocarbons potentials, intensify planned exploration and exploitation of the vast gas resources in support of domestic and export gas market as well as continually address security issues as they affect operations in the industry. The GMD urged members of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) to collaborate with the Corporation in enhancing domestic gas utilization in tandem with the gas revolution programme of the Federal Government. Yakubu

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News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Pension scam: Perm Sec, others lose bid to quash charges

ttempts by a suspended Permanent Secretary, Atiku Abubakar Kigo and three others to have an Abuja High Court quash fraud charges against them failed yesterday, as the court presided over by Justice Mohammed Talba dismissed their separate applications. Kigo, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira had filed separate applications, urging the court to dismiss a 16-count charge preferred against them and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the suspects for allegedly defrauding the police pension office of N32.8 billion. Other suspects are Esai Dangabar and Ahmed Inuwa Wada. They had prayed the court to quash the charges on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case and that, the charges against them were frivolous and lacked merit. In his ruling, Justice Talba held that the applicants failed to supply relevant materials before the court to warrant the quashing of the charges against them.

He further held that based on the proof of evidence before the court, the prosecution had established a prima-facie against them to warrant their trial. The judge adjourned till January 28, 2013 to consider arguments in respect of the applications filed by the first and third accused persons, Dangabar and Wada. It will be recalled that the accused persons were arraigned on March 29 this year, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust and were later granted bail on April 3 in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum.

NASS receives 56 requests for states creation DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he National Assembly has received about 56 requests for state creation across the country. Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu made the disclosure yesterday in Enugu. Ekweremadu, who spoke when he hosted some political and traditional rulers from his constituency to educate them on the ongoing constitution review process, also cautioned people of the south east geopolitical zone to be careful in how they go about pursuing the agitation for additional

Ekweremadu

state in the zone. He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would not fail on the ongoing review exercise. The Deputy Senate President urged the people of the region to allow their leaders to take decision on the issue. Senator Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu

West Senatorial District, had, during the meeting, informed the people about the forthcoming nationwide 2- day simultaneous zonal public hearing slated for Thursday 15th and Friday 16th, November 2012. Ekweremadu said that though, a lot of issues have been listed for consideration at the zonal public hearing, such as devolution of powers, recognition of the six geo political zones in the constitution, role of traditional rulers, local government, land use act, fiscal federalism, Nigerian police, the National Youth Service, NYSC, Act, amongst others. He said state creation remains one of the most serious and delicate hence, people must guide their statements on the issue.

Lagos Assembly approves re-ordering of N18bn 2012 budget in principle MURITALA AYINLA

agos State House of Assembly yesterday approved in principle the request by Governor Babatunde Fashola for a re-ordering of N18 billion in this year’s Appropriation Law. The move, according to the lawmakers, was to enable the state government attend to ongoing capital projects. The Deputy Speaker, Taiwo Kolawole, who presided over a plenary session, said there was the need for the House to give their approval in principle

because “the year is almost gone and the money is needed for capital projects, which, of course, is time consuming.” He said the Committee on Budget and Appropriation should give it a final look. Rotimi Olowo, who moved the motion, claimed that the committee had gone through the request and found it worthwhile. Also corroborating, another lawmaker, Mrs. Funmilayo Tejuosho said: “It is something that the House can approve so that the state can move forward to attend to the more important Year 2013

budget. Abdurrazaq Balogun urged the budget and appropriation committee to be more vigilant when checking the state books in Year 2013 so that they can avoid duplications and ensure that due process is followed to the letter.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FEDERAL SECRETARIAT PHASE II SHEHU SHAGARI WAY, CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA ABUJA

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 1. The Federal Government of Nigeria has provided funds in the 2012 Appropriation for the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) under provision for Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), and the Ministry intends to apply part of the funds to pay for services for the “Appointment of Consultant for the following skills acquisition and value orientation training: Value orientation and entrepreneurial development training, Generator/AC Mechanic skills, Photograph/Videography skill, Plumbing/Tiling skill, carpentry skill for Table and Chairs/Beds, Information and Communication Technology skill, Skills in Agricultural activities for 500 youths (comprising 400 able bodied and 100 physically challenged Youths with 35% female members in each group per state) in each State of the six (6) geopolitical zones in the country”. Six (6) Consultants will be appointed for six (6) geo-political zones in the country. 2. (i)

THE SERVICES INCLUDE: Identify among the above listed basic skills and design specific training framework and programme that suits each group, i.e. the able youth and the physically challenged groups (ii) Training on value orientation and entrepreneurial development training (iii) Identification and provision of training materials specific to each group (iv) Measure the impacts of the training on the trainee and the effects on the society (v) Proffer solution(s) and propose appropriate strategy where implementation are not meeting the expected output (vi) Prepare reports of the training programme to be submitted to Federal Ministry of Youth Development A more detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) shall be provided with the Request for Proposal (RFP) and sent to the firms that will be shortlisted for the assignment. 3. The Federal Ministry of Youth Development now invites eligible Consultants to indicate interest in providing the above services. The Consultant must indicate clearly which of the geo-political zone it is applying for. Please note that Consultants shall NOT apply for more than one geo-political zone. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. The information should include the firm’s profiles and brochures, description and verifiable evidence of similar assignments carried out in the last 3 years, experience in similar condition, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. 4. QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR PROSPECTIVE CONSULTANTS: Interested and competent Consultants wishing to carry out the job are required to submit the following documents which will be subjected to verification by the Ministry: (i) Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (ii) Evidence of Current Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years ending in December, 2012; (iii) Evidence of VAT registration Certificate with TIN No. and past remittances for the last 3 years. (iv) Evidence of Financial Capability from reputable Bank to execute the project. (v) Comprehensive Company profile with CV’s of key officers; (vi) Verifiable evidence of successful execution of similar consultancy services within the past three (3) years and attach copies of letters of engagements and certificates of successful completion; (vii) Evidence of issuance of Compliance Certificate to all Organization by PENCOM in line with Pension Reform Act 2004 (as amended); (viii) Evidence of compliance with the amended Industrial Training Fund Act, 2011; (ix) A sworn affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of Federal Ministry of Youth development or Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present director, Shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particular; 5. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the provisions of the 2007 Public Procurement act. 6. Interested Consulting firms may obtain further information from the Office of the Director, PMI, Block E, 5th Floor, Room 521, Federal Secretariat Phase II, Abuja from 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays. SUBMISSION 7. Expressions of Interest must be submitted in two (2) hard copies with one electronic on CD to the address below on or before 12.00 noon of ….. November, 2012 addressed to the address below with the inscription on the Top Left side of the envelopes: “Expression of Interest for Capacity Building FMYD 2012 in……. (indicate the geo-political zone) and shall be opened immediately in the Perm. Sec. (Youth)’s Conference Room on the 2nd floor of Block D. Federal Secretariat Phase II. The name of the company must be written in bold on the back of the envelop. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Block D (2nd Floor) Federal Secretariat Phase II Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business Area, Abuja.

South West

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

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More Nigerians pay tribute to Lam Adesina As Ajimobi promises to sustain his legacy WALE FOLARIN AND KEMI OLAITAN

he death of the former governor of Oyo State and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, early Sunday morning, has continued to generate reactions with more dignitaries visiting his Felele, Ibadan, residence to pay their condolences yesterday. Alhaji Adesina, popularly called ‘Great Lam’ by his supporters and admirers passed on at Saint Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, after a

protracted illness and was buried according to Islamic injunctions on Sunday evening. The Primate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Rev. Ola Makinde, said the former governor loved Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria, adding that; “he had religious tolerance, he lived a corrupt-free life. He was a good teacher and leader; he was a man, who as a governor would attend any religious gathering personally.” According to Dr. Lekan Are, the late Adesina was “a good, forthright man who keeps his word. He was a consistent politician, who

cared for the poor. May his gentle soul find peace with the Lord.” Chief Bayo Akande had this to say of the deceased, “You have been consistent in your politics and got a handsome reward. Your politics should educate and serve as a lesson to the upcoming ones.” The wife of the former governor of the state, Chief (Mrs.) Oluwakemi AlaoAkala, in her words said, “The death of Alhaji Adesina was shocking. At this time it is very bad. His death is a great loss to our democracy. We have missed a great man. When he was gover-

nor, my husband was the chairman of Ogbomosho North Local Government. To his family, especially his wife, I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.” To allow members of the public who may not be able to visit the residence of the deceased to pay their condolences, the state chapter of the ACN has opened a condolence register at the party’s office located at No. 89, Adeoyo-Total Garden Road, Agip Bus Stop, Yemetu, Ibadan. This was contained in a release issued by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Dauda Kolawole, who also described

L-R: Wife of the late former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, Sarat; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, during a condolence visit by the Oyo State Executive Council to the Adesina family in Ibadan, yesterday.

the late leader as one of the “few political Avatar of our time, a dynamic, political commander, who brought a revolution in consciousness to our politics. “It is amazing; just how much he changed the political destiny of Oyo State in the last few decades. “It is, therefore, to afford his teeming supporters and those who share his belief, the opportunity to pay their last respect that a register is opened at the party office as his Felele residence might be too crowded for the numerous visitors who may wish pay their last respect.” The Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state also commiserated with the family of the late ACN leader and the people of Oyo State over the death of the former state governor. In a release signed on behalf of the faction and made available to journalists by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lukuman Agboluaje, the late Adesina was described as an activist governor, who contributed immensely to the realisation of the present democratic dispensation and welfare of the people of Oyo State. Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday led members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to the family of the late former governor, pledging to continue to celebrate, honour and sustain the legacy he left behind.

Osun Assembly screens Hijrah: Aregbesola declares CJ nominee Thursday public holiday WALE FOLARIN OSOGBO

he coast seems to be clear now for Justice Oyebola Ojo of the Osun State judiciary to become the next chief judge of the state, as the state House of Assembly has asked her to forward 26 copies of her profile to the parliament. The position became vacant following the retirement of the Chief Judge, Justice George Olaniyi Ojo, while the succession race has generated a lot of controversy. A statement issued yesterday by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Goke Butika, said that Ojo has been asked to submit her profile to the lawmak-

ers today for screening. Butika said that the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, had forwarded Ojo’s name to the House of Assembly following her nomination by the National Judicial Council (NJC). According to him, the governor had explained in the letter to the house that the NJC chairperson, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, had recommended Ojo in response to a letter earlier forwarded to Mukhtar by the governor. He said the governor stated in the letter that in line with the dictate of the nation’s constitution, the process of confirmation of the chief judge of a state lies with the state parliament.

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has declared Thursday, the first day of Hijrah in the Islamic calendar as a public holiday, disclosing that the step is to promote religious harmony in the state. Addressing Muslim faithful at a lecture titled: Significance of Hijrah: “The Contemporary Perspective,” organised by the Muslim community, the governor said the holiday signifies the beginning of the new year of the lunar calendar that Muslim faithful use for their programmes, and should be accorded respect like the first day of January of every year. Aregbesola, who was

Aregbesola

represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, said that religion is a sensitive matter that must not be politicised or played up for politicking so as to avoid strife and acrimony among all religions. His words: “Prophet Muhammed preached peace, love and justice to all men of faith, and if the first day of the New Year of the

Christian faithful is accorded honour, honouring the first day of the New Year for the Muslim faithful is justice on course.” Explaining the significance of Hijrah, the commissioner said the prophet embarked on the journey of hope from Mecca to Medina with a view to promoting peace, perseverance and humanity, saying that those characteristics should be upheld by the Muslim faithful. The governor then asserted that violence, corruption and other vices were abhorred by the prophet, noting that any group under any guise that uses violence to propagate Islam does not have a place in the religion.

2015: PDP tasks Daniel, Kashamu, others on winning ways

Daniel

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

head of the 2015 general elections, the Bayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tasked the former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Lekan Mustapha and Hon. Dave Salako as well as billionaire hotelier and chieftain of the party, Buruji Kashamu, to chart a new “road map” towards returning the party to power in the state. The four politicians were also charged with the responsibility of liaising with the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Chief Tunji Sarafa in Ogun Central as well as others in Ogun West Senatorial districts to accomplish the assignment. These were part of the decisions arrived at during the Ogun East senatorial district meeting of the faction that was held at the party’s secretariat in IjebuOde yesterday. Party stalwarts, who spoke at the peace parley, lamented the persistent internal squabbles within the party which they said have kept them out of power. Speaking on the internal wrangling bedevilling the party for some time now, the former state Secretary of the party, Pegba Otemolu, accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of shortchanging his faction, saying that explains why his faction was opposed to the present reconciliatory arrangement of the party. He said the former president has always been manipulating appointments and other benefits from the federal level to the benefit of his Owu people without extending any to other PDP members outside Owuland in Abeokuta.

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South West

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

We saved N146bn property in 10 months –Lagos Fire Service MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Fire Service has saved N146 billion property in the last 10 months, just as it recorded over 2,000 emergency calls during the period. National Mirror learnt that over 50 persons were rescued alive from fire accidents, while about 196

others died in fire disasters recorded in the state from January to October. One hundred and fifty-six of the dead were victims of June 3 Dana Air crash. A total of 599 emergency calls were recorded in the first quarter of the year while the fire service recorded 259 false calls from January till date. Addressing journalists yesterday, Director of Lagos

Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe , decried the rate of fire accidents being recorded in the state. He warned residents to be more safety conscious, especially as harmattan is approaching. Fadipe said the fire service record high number of emergency calls during harmattan than any other season. He blamed recurring fire incidents on care-

lessness by some residents. Fadipe said:” End of the year is gradually approaching; many offices will want to make more profit before they close for the year. They overwork their machines and electronic gadgets in the process. So, they must be careful with their machines and remember to switch off the electrical equipment. More importantly, they must ensure their work place is se-

cured with sprinkler, fire extinguisher, smoke detectors and other gadgets.” He said the state would have recorded several losses of lives and property owing to the frequency of fire accidents, if not for the effort of Governor Babatunde Fashola for equipping the fire service with modern tools. Fadipe said: “Only God knows what would have happened if the governor had not been passionate about the safety of lives of the residents. “He equipped the fire service with modern firefighting equipment. He equipped us with 20 fire fighting vehicles when he was sworn in. In 2009, he bought another 10 vehicles for us and in

2010, he provided additional 10 vehicles and each of these vehicles carries 10,000 litres of water. “With the 10,000 litres of water, we are always very assured that we will overcome any fire accident. Asides this, he bought for us two aerial ladders that can go as far as 12 floor. This is what we used in the fire accident on Lagos Island recently. That is the first time we will use the aerial ladder to combat fire. It worked for three days consecutively without breaking down. Imagine if this equipment had not been there, only God knows what would have happened, it would have been very difficult to battle fire that occurs in high rise building.”

WALE FOLARIN

Government. Aregbesola said: “The idea of regional integration stems from our conviction that it is a viable path to tread for us in order to achieve the much desired development that has so far proved elusive for us in the region, and in the country at large. “We believe that it is not for nothing that regional integration, as a viable road to development, has acquired a global popularity. As a people and region in the South-West of Nigeria, we have a history of success in this regard to hold on to, a record of past achievements to guide us and to strengthen our conviction about the practicability of integration.”

Why regional integration is necessary –Aregbesola OSOGBO

G L-R: Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RB 8, Ilorin, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Kehinde Adeleye; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; Deputy Corps Marshal, Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Adei Abu and Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, during a visit to the governor in Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend.

Ogun agency trains officials on HIV/AIDS prevention FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State Government has said that it would not relent in its efforts in employing drastic preventive measure towards bringing the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infection under control. The Director of the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OGUNSACA), Dr Kehinde Fatungase, spoke at a three-day workshop organised for some officials on HIV prevention. Fatungase said: “In Ogun State with a 3.1 per cent prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS infections, we cannot be comfortable. Drastic preventive mea-

sures must be taken to reduce the rate of new infections.” Stressing the importance of data collection in the planning and execution of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes, the SACA Director emphasised that stakeholders mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into their programmes should be well grounded in the process of data collection and reporting. According to him, with the 3.1 per cent prevalence rate of the disease in the state, the agency needs to capture all the prevention activities so that the minimum standard can be achieved to bring it down. Fatungase explained that

it is in realisation of this that the training on Minimum Prevention Package Intervention (MPPI) was organised to build the capacity of participants on the administration of the Prevention Intervention Tracking Tools (PITT) to enable them monitor and track the prevention activities. He emphasized that at the end of the training, partnering agents would have been able to describe and demonstrate how to ensure completeness of HIV and AIDS prevention data quality, using the prevention Intervention Tracking Tool (PITT). He said: “This explains why we are organising this three-day workshop on the usage of the Minimum Prevention Package Intervention

Ondo election: CPC heads for tribunal OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the weekend in Akure filed a petition at the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the October 20 poll. Governor Olusegun

Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The CPC and its candidate, Prince Olusoji Ehinlanwo, alleged that the election was characterised by massive irregularities and substantial violation of the Electoral Act.

They prayed that the tribunal should declare the election null and void because of the irregularities. The petition, which was filed by their lawyer, Mr. Segun Ogodo, has Governor Mimiko, LP, INEC, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akin Orebiyi and the State Returning Officer (SRO) as respondents.

(MIPP) and the administration of Prevention Intervention Tracking Tool (PITT) in line with the National Prevention Plan.” The Project Manager of OGUNSACA, Mrs. Bola Gbadamosi, stressed that the intensity of prevention activities must not only be increased, but sustained for effective prevention message delivery.

overnor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has called for regional integration as a way of fast-tracking the country’s socio-economic development. Aregbesola made the call yesterday in Osogbo while opening a two-day capacity-building and training workshop on regional integration in South-West. He said that regional integration would ensure even development in all parts of the country. The governor said regional integration became imperative because the bulk of the nation’s resources were being mismanaged by the Federal

Demolition: Gov’t compensates 69 property owners FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State Government yesterday presented N88 million cheques to 69 individuals whose property were demolished on Sunday in Abeokuta, the state capital. The state government demolished the property to pave the way for the construction of roads in the state capital. A statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta by the Information Officer in the Bureau of Lands, Mrs. Toluwalope Kowo, said the 69 property owners were those whose property was situated in the Agbeloba area

Amosun

alone. Handing over the cheques to the claimants, Deputy Director of Lands, Mr. Isaac Akogun, said the exercise was in line with Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s determination to adequately compensate owners of the property. Akogun said the state government followed the

normal laid down procedures of non-demolition until the compensation was paid. The statement, however, quoted him as saying that the yardstick used by the bureau to authenticate whom to compensate included certificate of ownership (C of O), survey and building plan. Akogun, who emphasised that the state government contracted the valuation of the affected property to a consultant. He appealed to residents to always cooperate with the government by surrendering property that could obstruct the development of infrastructure for the overall public good.

South East

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Hoodlums ‘sack’ Imo LG chairmen CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

oodlums yesterday began a clampdown on local government chairmen in Imo State. The hoodlums, allegedly sponsored by the state government, bundled out the chairmen from their offices. The over 50 armed thugs stormed the secretariat of Owerri North Local Government Area and

whisked away the chairman, Dr. Eric Ogwo, to an unknown location. Sources said Ogwo was whisked to the Government House where he was allegedly manhandled before he was taken to Shell Camp Police Station for interrogation. The Secretary of the Imo State Chapter of the All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Hon Enyinna Onuegbu,

confirmed the incident. He said: “The hoodlums invaded Owerri North and abducted the Chairman, Hon Eric Ogwo, before storming the Owerri Muncipal Council where they arrested the Secretary and eventually took them to the Government House where they were manhandled. “The officials who supervised the raid said that they were directed by the state government to arrest all of us because

our tenure had elapsed. After manhandling my colleagues for about two hours, they were dumped at the Shell Camp Police Station to make it look like they were arrested by the police.” But the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Chinedu Offor, dismissed the allegation. He said: “Governor Rochas Okorocha cannot engage thugs to effect arrest because he has unrestrict-

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ed access to the police, but that the tenure of the chairmen had elapsed and they do not have any more business in the secretariats.” It will be recalled that the 27 local government chairmen were sacked by the state government on the ground that their tenure has expired, but the embattled chairmen refused to vacate their offices over the claim that their tenure would expire in 2013.

call by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action for the development of National Action Plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.”

L-R: Anambra State Commissioner for Public Utilities and Rural Development, Dr. Emeka Nwankwu; his counterpart from Works, Mr. Callistus Ilozumba and Governor Peter Obi during the inspection of channelization of flood water at the UNIZIK junction in Awka, yesterday.

Anambra to become huge construction site soon –Obi AWKA

overnor Peter Obi has said that Anambra State would, in a matter of days, be turned into a huge construction site. He spoke yesterday while inspecting the construction of road at the UNIZIK junction in Awka, the state capital. Governor Obi, who paid an unscheduled visit to the site, was accompanied by the Commissioners for Works, Mr. Callistus Ilozumba and that of Utilities, Dr. Emeka Nwankwu. He said that most of his inspection of projects would be without prior notice to contractors.

Obi said that he had ordered payments to the contractors as he would not accept any excuse for lethargy from them. The governor said: “I stayed awake till 3:30am looking purely into files dealing with various road contracts as not to accept any excuse.” He said that construction would not be limited to roads as, according to him, work is ongoing at the Anambra Hotel and Convention Centre. He said that plans had been concluded to start the construction of hotels, shopping malls and convention centres in Akwa and Nnewi. Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese,

Most Reverend Dr. Matthew Kukah, has commended Governor Obi for promoting good governance. “Governor Obi is promoting dignity, character and decorum in governance,” Kukah said. He spoke during the Second National Congress of the Benedictine Oblates of Nigeria held at Saint Abbey in Umuoji, Anambra State. Kukah said: “Governor Obi has made governance easy through his open door policy that made him accessible to the masses, as well as his consistency in promoting participatory democracy.” The cleric believes that people like Obi are needed

sponse to the call by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action enjoining all nations to develop National Action Plan for the promotion and protection of human right. “There is also a similar

ABIA

CHARLES OKEKE

ONITSHA

at the national level to initiate policies that would pave the way for the country’s transformation. The Bishop advised Nigerians to renew their commitment and allegiance to the country by avoiding divisive tendencies and promoting issues that enhance unity. He reminded security agencies of the need to be alive to their responsibilities to inspire public confidence and encourage people to see defence of the society as a patriotic duty. In his speech, Governor Obi called for collective efforts to discourage misappropriation of public resources, regretting that selfenrichment through public wealth had led to collapse of key infrastructure.

GEORGE OPARA

Kukah lauds governor for promoting good governance

NWABUEZE OKONKWO he Anambra State Government has stopped contractors from collecting revenue for the Ministry of Commerce. The Commissioner for Commence, Mr. Robert Okonkwo, disclosed this yesterday in Awka, the state capital, adding that the contractors had not fully accounted for the huge sums of money they collected on behalf of the government. Okonkwo said: “Government was being shortchanged and we did not have any option than to stop them and device a new and better way of collecting revenue from markets.” The commissioner said that his ministry was conducting census of all the stalls in markets across the state in order to make collection of revenue easy, adding that the state government did not have the data of the number of stalls in the various markets thereby giving room for loss of revenue. “Collection of revenue in all markets in Anambra State will be carried out by market leaders on behalf of the state government, this will create rooms for effective monitoring,” Okonkwo said. He said that with proper enumeration of all the stalls in Anambra markets, it would be easier to anticipate how much revenue expected monthly or annual. According to him, each will pay N1,800 as stallage fee, while a development levy of N1,200 would be paid by each of the traders in addition to personal income tax. The commissioner said all market stalls would be enumerated before the end of this week, calling on traders to co-operate with his ministry in other to facilitate payment and collection of fund.

Five Abia commission members probed for alleged fraud

bout five members of the Abia State Local Government Service Commission are being investigated for alleged fraudulent practices. This is coming even after two members of the commission were suspended for allegedly signing and collecting salaries of some of the commission’s workers over a period two years. The names and designations of the affected members were not mentioned, but a committee had been set up to investigate the allegation. It will be recalled that not long ago, all the Heads of Service and treasurers in the 17 local government areas of the state were either suspended or asked to proceed on compulsory leave on the allegation of connivance with some unscrupulous workers for fraudulent practices. Speaking yesterday in Umuahia, the commission’s chairman, Hon. Daniel Egbeogu, said that he was charged, among other things, to stop perceived fraudulent practices; identify and end the practice of ghost workers syndrome; illegal promotion; absenteeism and denial of rights of members of staff.

Govt stops contractors from collecting revenue

NHRC sensitises stakeholders on dangers of racism DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the office of the

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), yesterday held a consultative forum for stakeholders on the dangers inherent in racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia

and related intolerance. NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, said that the essence of the forum was to integrate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related in-

tolerance into a National Action Plan (NAP) for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. Angwe said: “The current NAP, which runs from 2009 to 2013, was developed as re-

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South South

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Oshiomhole takes oath, begins second term Says Edo has set example for Nigeria SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

overnor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday took the oath of office before scores of leaders, followers, supporters and well-wishers, signifying the beginning of his second four-year term. The oath was administered by the state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Cromwell Idahosa. The ceremony held at the 40,000-capacity Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium attracted people from all walks of life. The stadium was filled to the brim with people spilling out to the roads, while thousands of others stood in the streets. The ceremony was attended by some governors and their deputies such as Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Peter Obi (Anambra), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo). The governors poured

encomiums on Oshiomhole for transforming Edo State. The ceremony also attracted several past governors led by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Olusegun Osoba, etc. Many members of the National Assembly also witnessed the swearing-in along with some members of the Federal Executive Council and state executive council members. In his acceptance speech entitled: “Taking Edo State to the Next Level,” Oshiomhole paid a glowing tribute to his late wife, Clara Aiyebhor, for standing beside him on November 12, 2008 during his first inauguration. He said: “Today even though she is not physically present, I feel her presence right here as I speak. Not only for the gift of the wonderful children that she gave birth to and nurtured for me, but also for her wise counsel and unflinching support through thick and thin. “My dear good people

of Edo State, I stand here today, humbled by your overwhelming endorsement of our collective mission and support for our struggle to refocus, reposition and redefine our dear Edo State for peace, progress and prosperity. “With your unparalleled and unflinching support and encouragement we have overcome all obstacles placed on our path as we collectively rejected domination, bad governance, bad leadership, and undemocratic conduct in the management of our commonwealth. “Collectively, we set an example and political mile-

Oshiomhole

stone for Nigeria and Africa as we showed that it was possible to defeat negative political forces, run elections without violence, and campaign on performance and the support of all strata of society.” Oshiomhole also remembered the ultimate price paid by his former Principal Private Secretary, Comrade Olaitan

Oyerinde, who was killed by assassins and Messrs Fidelis Okhani of AIT, George Okosun and Olatunji Jacobs both of ITV, all of whom died in an accident involving his convoy earlier in the year. He said: “They paid the supreme price during the struggle to renew our mandate. We shall never forget them.” The governor did not also forget to thank President Goodluck Jonathan and the monarch of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, for their immense support and assistance. Oshiomhole also reeled out the achievements of his first term and out-

lined the focus of his second term. The ceremony led to the blockade of Stadium Road and many other roads leading to the venue such as Oba Akenzua Road, Ekenhuan Road, Col. Ogbebor Street, Plymouth Street, etc. However, traffic across the city centre was effectively controlled by security agencies which included personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, the police, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Edo State Traffic Management Agency, War Against Indiscipline, WAI, Neighbourhood Watch and Boy Scouts.

Police, FRSC promise free flow of traffic at Christmas SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

he police have promised to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to tackle traffic gridlocks usually experienced at the end of the year on some routes in Edo State. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Alhaji Hashimu Salihu Argungu, made the pledge yesterday in his office in Benin City when the FRSC Zonal Commander for RS5, Mr. Wole George Olaniran, paid him a courtesy visit. The FRSC zonal commander was there to solicit the assistance of the police to ensure a smooth movement of traffic during the Yuletide. The police zone comprises Edo, Delta and Anambra states while the FRSC command com-

prises Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states. While appreciating the police for their cordial relationship with the commission, Olaniran sought the release of police heavy-duty towing truck for quick removal of broken down heavyduty vehicles. Olaniran, who requested police back-up for easy rescue operations on routes in the zone, also spoke on the FRSC toll-free emergency number, “122,” which enables the commission to respond to distress calls. He urged the police to make use of the facility to assist in giving report on road crashes. In his remark, Argungu promised that both the police and the FRSC would collaborate to tackle traffic gridlocks on the crashprone routes in Edo State and its environs during the Yuletide.

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) and Hon. Samuel Idise, after taking the oath of office as Chairman of Caretaker Committee, Isoko North Local Government, in Asaba, yesterday.

Gunmen abduct businessman in Bayela EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

unmen yesterday abducted an oil magnate, Chief Bertram Douglas, from his Ekpeinkiri village in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Investigation showed that the gunmen shot the wife of the businessman. No group has claimed responsibility for Douglas’ abduction. It was learnt that the gunmen, numbering about 10, who came in a speed boat, invaded Douglas’

house about 1.30am and went straight to his apartment where he surrendered himself to his abductors. The victim’s whereabouts were unknown at press time, but sources said he might have been kidnapped for a ransom. When contacted, the

state Police Public Relations Officer, Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the incident. He said the police had been mobilised to the area in a bid to secure Douglas’ freedom. Odunna, however, said he was not aware the gunmen shot the wife of businessman.

Pirates attack flood victims, steal N.4m, valuables EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

unmen suspected to be sea pirates attacked a passenger boat conveying some flood victims along Orashi River, Biseni community in Bayelsa State. They stole N400,000 and other valuables belonging to their victims. It was gathered that the attack occurred at the week-

end, as five suspected sea pirates terrorising the waterways in the state hijacked a 75-horse power boat engine attached to a government boat conveying the victims. The gunmen also took away another boat engine billed for servicing at Mbiama, a border community between Rivers and Bayelsa states. It was learnt that the pirates hijacked the passenger boat and forced it to a

nearby creek where they dispossessed their victims of money and other valuables. In an interview, a secondary school vice-principal, who craved anonymity, said she missed boarding the passenger boat by a whisker. She said: “The second boat I boarded ran into the victims of the attack.” When contacted, the

state Police Public Relations Officer, Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the incident and said the event occurred at the weekend on Biseni waterway. Odunna also said the command had deployed a special squad of detectives to investigate the killing of two policemen by gunmen last week. The policemen were shot dead in an ambush at Agbura-Azikoro village.

North

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

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Expect more quality leadership in Niger –Aliyu KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

iger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has reiterated the determination of his administration to sustain and project the concept of quality leadership service to the people. He said this yesterday after he was given the Jubilee Personality Award at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, UI, held at the Trenchard Hall of the institution. The governor, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Prof. Mohammed

Yaya Kuta, said his administration was committed to doing more to move the state forward. He disclosed that already the intellectual synergy between UI and his government had imparted positively on the area of academic in Niger State. Aliyu said part of academic relationship between Niger State and UI was the successful publishing and public presentation of “Praxis of Political Concepts and Clichés in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic,” General Abdusalami Abubakar Endowment Chair in Agriculture among other collaborative

initiatives to ensure manpower development in the interest of the government and people of Niger State. The governor, however, lauded the Institute of African Studies for considering him for the personality award, saying that it would motivate him to contribute more to Niger State and Nigeria in general. He said: “Like I have often said, such recognition is a call to do more. I am therefore pleased to inform you that I have been challenged once again to go the more distance to sustain and project the

concept of quality leadership service to the people, which is a cardinal value of the Institute since its establishment in 1962.” The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, urged African leaders to use the continent’s resources to promote peace for the

much needed development of Africa. According to him, Africa has all it takes to develop provided peace is allowed to reign on the continent. He said: “Africa needs an atmosphere of peace to move forward, considering that Africa is blessed

NASS won’t bow to calls for SNC –Lawmaker AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

hairman, House Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDGS), Alhaji Alhassan Ado Dogowa, has given reasons why the Na-

L-R: Chairman, Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Ken Madaki; Governor Tanko Al-Makura and his Deputy, Mr. Dameshi Luka, at the farewell ceremony for intending Christian pilgrims in Lafia, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

tional Assembly would not yield to the agitation for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, SNC. He said it had no place in the current constitution. “In this democracy, everybody knows that the constitution does not provide any room for a National Conference so long as the National Assembly is fully in place. “The moment you have an elected assembly that has the mandate of the people, then you have no reason to convoke a National Conference,” Dogowa said. The lawmaker added that the insinuation that the constitution review exercise was a response to the agitation for SNC was incorrect. He said: “We are not doing this to cushion any agitation whatsoever. Our constitution is one and we all respect it as our only guiding document and guiding

Plateau stakeholders seek retention of ‘indigenship’ clause JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

takeholders in the three senatorial districts of Plateau State yesterday disagreed on whether the state should have additional states or not. While the people from the northern district favoured the retention of the status quo, their counterparts in the central and southern districts called for the creation of additional states from the pres-

ent Plateau State. At the Plateau North senatorial district stakeholders’ meeting held at Plateau Youth Centre in Dandikowa neighbourhood, the people unanimously agreed that the senatorial district was comfortable with the present state. They, however, resolved not to block the agitation of any district interested in state creation provided no part of the northern district was carved out to become part of the new state. The people added that

they were only interested in what would advance the cause of Plateau State among other states of the federation. However, the stakeholders at the meetings of the central and southern senatorial districts held at Pankshin and Shendam councils demanded two states to be carved out of the present state. The new states, they argued, would bring about speedy development. However, the three senatorial districts took a com-

mon position on the ‘indigeneship’ and citizenship clauses as enshrined in the constitution. They said that an indigene of any state must own a farmland he/she could lay claim to, while everyone living in a given state should be considered as a citizen of the state. Stakeholders from the three senatorial districts are expected to converge on the Government House, Jos, today, to meet with Governor Jonah Jang to harmonise their positions

before going to Markudi, the Benue State capital on Thursday for the NorthCentral constitution review meeting. The North-Central geopolitical zone is expected to take a common position on issues like creation of states and matters concerning the minority ethnic groups in the country and forward same to Abuja for consideration by the National Constitution Review Committee of the National Assembly

the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, while those who sustained injuries were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment. At press time, police had cordoned off the place in search of the suspects, while the Commis-

sioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said he had a list of suspected serial killers to be declared wanted. The commissioner said the police would track down the attackers through the cooperation of the residents of the area.

Gunmen kill one, injure two in Kano AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

unmen struck in Tarauni area of the Kano State capital yesterday, killing a young barber. The armed men also left two other residents of

the area in critical conditions. The attackers allegedly stormed Tarauni on a motorcycle and opened fire on their victims, killing one on the spot. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Abubakar, confirmed

the incident on phone. The gunmen were said to have fled the scene after the attack and before security personnel arrived the scene of the incident. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of

with the needed natural resources to enhance its growth.” Adewole warned that the time has come for African leaders to stop promoting proliferation of arms and conflicts but channel the continent’s resources in meaningful development.

legal principle; so for no reason anybody will take it for granted. “I want to confirm to you that we are doing this in exercise of our constitutional responsibility to provide a room for the review of the constitution.” According to him, the review of the constitution is provided for in the constitution. “So, we are carrying out this responsibility based on the exercise of the provisions of the constitution and not to cushion any agitation,” the chairman added. Dogowa said the National Assembly would not be stampeded into doing anything undemocratic. He said: “If you want a state created, you should find out how you can agitate for state creation. If you want the revenue sharing formula to be reviewed, go to the constitution, it will tell you how you can go about it. “There is no room for a National Conference because we have a duly elected, constituted and inaugurated National Assembly. We are all governed by this same constitution and we are all Nigerians. Nobody can intimidate the National Assembly.” Dogowa explained that the National Assembly was not only a lawmaking body but the summary of the Nigerian people. He said: “The 360 members of the House of Representatives and the 109 members of the Senate are the summary of the Nigerian people. And the sovereignty belongs to the people; and the people have summarised themselves in two chambers of the National Assembly. “You talk of a Sovereign National Conference for an emerging state, a state under transition, a state that has not fully taken off in its entire ramification as far as democracy is concerned.”

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Politics

SUPER TUESDAY

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

To achieve electoral uhuru in Nigeria, all hands must be on deck – Banjo

Why NASS is against SNC – Doguwa

14&15

The presentation of the budget by President Goodluck Jonathan has come and gone, but the controversies trailing the welcome address and vote of thanks by the President of the Senate, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal have continued to reverberate throughout the polity, writes OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU.

Presidency, National Assembly’s unending feud over budget

he unending friction between the National Assembly and the Presidency over the 2012 budget has now been shifted to the yet to be considered 2013 Appropriation Bill presented to the joint chambers of the National Assembly last week by President Goodluck Jonathan. Over the years, Appropriation Bills have always been submitted to the National Assembly in fulfilment of the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, but after being passed by the National Assembly, the implementations have always been the bane. No wonder a school of thought said that Nigerian budgets over the years have been robust but they lack the implementation bite. It is in the attempt to put a stop to the partial implementation that led to the House of Representatives passing a resolution in July, on the eve of its annual vacation, threatening to impeach President Jonathan unless there is 100 per cent implementation of the 2012 Appropriation Act. The resolution, which put both the House of Representatives and the Presidency on a collision course, heated up the polity and contributed to increasing the frosty relationship that had earlier on existed between the House and the Presidency. Different reactions followed the threat, but the House refused to bulge, even though they did not follow the threat through when they eventually reconvened in September. The genesis of the no-love-lost relationship between the lower chamber of the National Assembly and the Presidency could be traced to the inception of the seventh House of Representatives, when, despite the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) being in the majority in the 360-member House, the House defied the powers that be which wanted to impose Mulikat Adeola on the House as the speaker and went ahead to elect the current speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Since then, the House and the Presidency had been at loggerheads and this came to a head with the resolution in July. It initially refused to sit with the Senate for President Jonathan to present the 2013 Appropriation Bill due to what it termed

Jonathan

TOP STORY the non-implementation of the 2013 Appropriation Act, but reason eventually prevailed and the Bill was presented by President Jonathan to the joint sitting of the National Assembly. The budget presentation was originally billed for October 4, but the House of Representatives said it was not ready to for President Jonathan, giving as its reason, the oversight programme it had scheduled for members. The House sent its members to different parts of the country to have on the spot assessment of projects executed by the ministries, department and agencies (MDAs). Indication that it would no longer be business as usual came to the fore before and immediately after the President laid the Bill on the floor of the National Assembly, when the Senate President, David Mark, in his opening remarks, set the ball rolling of the fireworks that would characterise the budget presentation and made it clear to the President that the National Assembly would not rubber stamp the

budget, describing the proposals as simply estimates. In his remarks, Mark said: “A nation’s budget, in a broad sweep, encapsulates the administration’s economic and social vision and the practical means of attaining it. The duty which Your Excellency has come to perform this morning therefore carries profound social and economic implications for the nation. “Our budgets, from my experience since 1999, have been dogged by three main areas of controversy. These are: the time of presentation of the estimates to the National Assembly; whether the National Assembly has the constitutional power to make inputs on the budget estimates; and the implementation of the budget.” While commending the timely presentation of the 2013 Appropriation Bill in October which he described as “unprecedented”, Mark advocated that “a compelling case can still be made for a consistently earlier presentation. This will allow for a meticulous and exhaustive consideration and debate and ensure that we work towards passing it before the end of the year.” Addressing the key issues he raised as controversies in the country’s budgets,

Mark added: “As to whether the National Assembly has the power to make inputs to Appropriation Bills laid before it, our stand is that parliament is constitutionally empowered to make inputs. What the Constitution enjoins Mr. President to lay before the National Assembly are mere estimates, not immutable figures. And once the estimates are so laid, their consideration becomes subject to the constitutionally prescribed modes of exercising legislative power. Therefore, we do not think that the Constitution intended to turn the National Assembly into a mere mechanical rubber-stamp that must robotically pass budget estimates as presented. “However, in exercising this constitutional power, we will be mindful of the fact that the social and economic challenges currently besetting our nation are the severest in our contemporary history. The National Assembly is also conscious of the fact that urgent steps need to be taken to address the challenge of dire infrastructural challenges. “The third issue is that of implementation. We believe that so long as our budgets are only partially implemented, the full benefits of your administration’s economic policies may not be accomplished.” To address the problem of non- or partial implementation of Appropriation Acts, the Senate President said: “When the 2013 budget is passed and signed into law, the National Assembly will deploy its weapon of oversight, more than ever before, to ensure accountability, probity, transparency and full implementation. The need to ensure the efficient utilisation of public finance for the promotion of the public good will be our guiding principle. We will work to ensure that the lofty developmental goals embedded in the budget are fully realised.” In order to conform to global best practices, Mark advocated that the country’s budgets must be private driven, adding: “It is important to ensure that the 2013 budget appropriately regulates the compass of the national economy and confronts our various economic, political and social challenges.” Not done, Mark said: “Before I conclude, let me briefly make this point. Our budgets tend to incorporate every conceivable project, including even those that local governments are better positioned to execute. I advise that we depart from this practice and target projects that are realistically attainable with defined mechanisms for implementation and easy monitoring.“ Following Mark’s footsteps, the SpeakCONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Politics

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

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To achieve electoral Uhuru in Nigeria, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo is a three-time governorship candidate in Ogun State. He is a Certified Public Accountant (Chattered) with wealth of experience in both government and governance. He had served as a Treasurer for a member of the United States’ House of Representatives, Mayor of the District of Columbia, and a Council member. He spoke with AYODELE OJO in Maryland, U.S. on several issues. Excerpts:

What is your impression about the U.S. elections and its outcome? The system is not perfect but you cannot compare it to the nonsense we do in Nigeria. It would be observed that the media peopled by chauvinistic citizens is at every election board office with the representatives of all political parties and candidates. While journalists transmit results to their organisations, representatives of political parties and candidates at the Board of Elections also transmit announced results per polling booth or precinct and local governments to their campaign headquarters for tabulation. Don’t forget, unlike my home country, movement is not restricted because of thugs who might want to snatch ballot boxes, electricity is available, Internet works, you need no credit to use your phone and votes are not counted under candle lights. So, those at the helms of affairs in Nigeria are able to shamelessly watch all night and elite who show no interest in Nigerian elections burn midnight oil because of American elections. By law, the general elections must take place on first Tuesday in November and the winner of the elections is decided not by popular votes, but by any candidate who won a minimum of 270 of the 538 electoral votes. In a nutshell, the winner is determined by Electors in the Electoral College. It is therefore worthy to note that when American votes on general elections day, they are

Banjo

As an African, whom did you vote for in the U.S. election? I voted for Barrack Obama because he redeemed majority of his campaign promises. As a non-conventional or professional Nigerian politician, I know how challenging it is to keep all campaign promises, especially where there are mosquitoes and hawks all around, who are out for selfish interests. Out of the six candidates that contested the US presidential poll, Obama appears to be more experienced. Of course, I am not impressed that candidates of other political parties were not allowed to debate with the candidates of Democrat and Republican parties, especially in a country that prides itself as the father of democracy. I am also ashamed of Africans, especially Nigerians in the United States, who are voting for voting sake. Many don’t even know why they voted for Obama execpt that he is a black man. This is a preposterous reason to vote for one. As educated as we are, we should be making demands for our votes. I mean demands that will make Africans in the U.S. more recognised. Today, in the United States, Congress will tell you they only recognise English as the official language, but go to ATM, you will see Spanish language, Chinese and others, and during the campaign, all of them are induced to speak Spanish if you want Hispanic vote. If not for the Hispanic, immigration laws would have made life extremely arduous and unbearable for immigrants, even though majority of the members of Congress are sons and daughters of aliens. Hispanic are much organised, have foresight, and they are getting something for their votes. Look at the black man, what are we getting for our votes, absolutely nothing. Obama was forced to speak Spanish during the campaigns.

TUESDAY INTERVIEW

not voting for the candidate per se, they are voting for a slate of electors who will in turn vote for the President on a later day. Again, I am not preaching the importation of this practice. I think we can examine it and come with a better system so that they can learn from us. This system works for them, but we are Africans with unique culture and values, they are Americans When and how do the Electors vote? Once the election is over and the counting in various states is concluded, the law requires the governor of

CITIZENS MUST DISCONTINUE ASKING FOR PITTANCE FOR

VOTES.

THEY MUST REJECT

NAIRA STOCKED IN LOAVES OF BREAD OR WRAPPED IN LEAFLETS... BEFORE

ELECTIONS, JUST FOR THEM TO SUFFER FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES

each state to prepare seven Certificates of Ascertainment after the election results in each state have been certified. The governor sends one of the Certificates of Ascertainment to the Archivist not later than the meeting of the electors on December 17, 2012. However, federal law sets no penalty for missing the deadline. The remaining six Certificates of Ascertainment are held for use at the meeting of the Electors on December 17, 2012. By December 11, states must make final decisions in any controversies over the appointment of their electors, at least six days before the meeting of the Electors. This is so in order that their electoral votes will be presumed valid when presented to Congress. On December 17, the Electors meet in their various states and vote for the President and Vice President on separate ballots. They record their votes on six “Certificates of Vote,” which are paired with the six remaining Certificates of Ascertainment. They also sign, seal, and certify six sets of electoral votes. A set of electoral votes consists of one Certificate of Ascertainment and one Certificate of Vote. These are distributed immediately as follows: one set to the President of the Senate (the Vice President) for the official count of the electoral votes on January 6, 2013; two packages to the Secretary of State in the state where the electors met – one is an archival set that becomes part of the public record of the Secretary of State’s office and the other is a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes; two packages to the Archivist – one is an archival set that becomes part of the permanent collection at the National Archives and Records Administration and the other is a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes; and one set to the presiding judge in the district where the Elec-

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Politics

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

all hands must be on deck – Banjo tors met – this is also a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes. What do you appreciate about their campaign system? The fact that citizens willingly participate without being paid, politicians do not have to visit any king solely to bribe him for support. Campaigns focus on programmes, issues, and why a candidate cannot deliver. Most of the time, candidates’ characters are questioned. Whereas in our own system, citizens have told me point blank that I am too honest to rule them, and if I cannot lie I cannot rule them. Voters have told me that I should focus on my programmes and do not have to bother with other candidates, whether they have questionable characters or not. I have had occasions to ask voters, if I tell you my programmes and the other candidate tells you the same thing, who would you believe? The answer has been mostly whoever gives them some money. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. It is a non political affiliated NGO whose source of funding is the public. Unlike us in Ogun State where those who organised a debate will be asking candidates for money and the candidate with the highest donation gets accolades. The one organised by the NUJ in Ogun State was not even covered by a single journalist. Also, during a debate, harsh words are sometimes used in the United States and they would hug themselves once it is over; it is not taken personal. If you watched the 2011 gubernatorial debate in Lagos, you will feel sorry for the black race. J.K. Randle did not behave in a matured manner at all. Just because Governor Babatunde Fashola annoyed him during the debate, he refused to shake his hand and in fact referred to him as “omo alaileko” - a child without training, God help Africa! Having participated in elections in Nigeria, and been politically involved in the U.S., how do you think we can right the election wrongs in Nigeria? To right the wrongs in Nigeria, all citizens must be involved. Citizens must discontinue asking for pittance for votes. They must reject Naira stocked in the loaves of bread or wrapped in leaflets or envelopes, carried in Ghana-Must-Go or cup of rice being distributed a day before elections, just for them to suffer for the rest of their lives. Journalists must be more dedicated and must diligently exercise their duties as the conscience of our society. Rigging of elections at the primary level must be resisted. Most political parties do not engage in free and fair primaries anymore, and there is no electoral body to enforce the rules because they are all compromised. From local governments to the federal levels, no leaders with visions. Visionless leaders cannot right the wrongs; they deepen the wrongs, lay political and economic landmines for all of us. The seeds of corrupt practices are being frequently sown and nurtured in the minds of young ones. Dogs are just killing tigers in our communities. They all think governance is all about sending citizens to Mecca in contravention of the requirements of the Holy Quran and Jerusalem. They think governance is all about building bridges and roads only, and when governors are sick or their planes crash, they drive them on those bridges to the Airport to Germany, while those they serve continue to perish in mortuaries called hospitals in Nigeria. What are the functions of the state in the conduct of U.S. elections? State law regulates most aspects of the election, including primaries, the eligibility of voters (beyond the basic constitutional definition), the running of each state’s

ACCREDITATION FIRST AND VOTE LATER SYSTEM NEEDS

TO BE CHANGED.

THE SYSTEM

DISENFRANCHISES MANY INCLUDING THE ELITE WHO ARE NOT WILLING TO BE EXPOSED TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH VOTING IN

NIGERIA

Electoral College, and the running of state and local elections. In the U.S., to declare one’s ambition, all one needs to do is to go to the City or State’s Board of election with your Treasurer to complete the application and submit a petition signed by required numbers of voters resident

in the state or city. Of course, those sponsoring you must be members of your political party. The local and state governments register voters, establish polling booths and make election laws. It is as easy as ABC; there are no requirements to have tables, chairs or certain number of offices like INEC under Abel Guobadia required before Chief Gani Fawehinmi fought it at the Supreme Court. Primaries are conducted by the state and local governments, relieving political parties off the pressure and to bring sanity to the system. The letters of the laws are followed since the Board of Elections is required by laws not to be members of one political party as we traitorously do in Nigeria. Each state sets when early voting takes place so that those workers and police who are required to work on the election’s day are given the opportunity to vote early. There are strict laws that discourage members of the Board to engage in criminal activities and if those laws are violated, the violator will be jailed. Also, there are issues that are pertinent to each state that were referred to voters in each state. Laws that require voters’ registration varies from state to state. In the District of Columbia for the first time, voters are allowed to register to vote on the day of elections and then vote immediately, whereas in some states, voters’ registration closed couple of months before the day of elections. Weeks before the election, the state will send a booklet containing the names of all registered candidates, the state and local judges contesting in various courts, your rights as voters, your polling booth and issues that require your votes and the explanation of each issue to educate the voters, including amendments to the State Constitution, if any. How do you view the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s statement that opposition should learn from the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, in conceding defeat? That is an absurd statement made by an immoral official of a political party known for its election malpractices since inception. The first reaction of Mitt Romney was refusal to concede until their trick in Ohio failed. Why would there not be a protest and court cases when cases of illegal thumb-printing of ballot boxes, contemptuous snatching of ballot boxes from polling booths, other electoral malpractices engaged in and proved by foreign forensic experts at election tribunals? The ACN performed wonderfully well in court by exposing them. The PDP that is full of indiscipline and questionable leaders should keep its mouth shut and don’t further disgrace Nigeria. Al Gore went to court against George Bush. Going to court is very expensive anywhere in the world and probably more expensive in Nigeria because of our peculiar and corrupt nature. Victory in court is not what matters, but where certain cases are proved beyond reasonable doubts, even though, may not affect the outcome of the elections, such cases should be turned to an opportunity to improve on our electoral laws and practices and thus used to strengthen our democracy, if we have people who know their onions in power. The chairman of INEC should be the first to study the opposition’s position in court and objectively use it to improve the system. Those in the National Assembly, especially the members of those political parties that litigate election issues, should also dissect the case and use it to make laws. United States is better than many countries today and the children of our elites are in the U.S. today because their citizens protest. Protest is part of democracy. Is the response of ACN in order in your opinion? Of course yes, but the ACN needs to be exemplary. You cannot call me a thief and when your hands are also caught in the cookie jar, you tell the world that you are preventing me from pilfering the cookies that belong to all us. Has the ACN been fair in the conduct of local government elections? ACN members are complaining about internal democracy, if your members don’t feel the equity, how do you want the civilized world to respect your party? How can you convince educated voters that your CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The water project loan for Lagos, Cross River

ASO ROCK FILE

with

Rotimi FADEYI

Time to shape up or face sanction

ver the years, there had been complaints from Nigerians who are charged for poor quality service by the telecommunication operators which has now made the government to decide that by December this year, the telecommunication operators must give value and quality service for money The Minister of Telecommunication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who came to the ministry with amiable pedigree from the private sector, has now made it clear that quality service is what is required of the operators and nothing less would be accepted while tough sanctions await operators that would not fall in line. As a way to make choices available to subscribers who may not be totally satisfied with the performance of the service providers, the Federal Government would also commence the live testing of number portability, which would enable subscribers to migrate to their preferred operator based on the quality of the service they offer without changing their existing number. To this end, the regulatory body for the telecommunication industry, the National Communications Commission (NCC) would do another detailed review of the quality of service indicator in December and any network operator found wanting would be appropriately sanctioned. The spate of promotions employed as market strategies by the operators have also contributed to the current poor quality of service being experienced by subscribers while the NCC would curtail or stop all promotions that are causing additional congestion on the network.

According to Johnson, “there are three major reasons why we are experiencing this poor quality of service. First is the pace at which operators have been investing in expansion, modernisation and upgrade of their infrastructure to cope with the demand for voice, data and SMS services. The second reason is the promotions that we are seeing by the operators that are causing the degradation of the networks, promotions that ask subscribers to come back, promotions that promise cars, houses, aerolanes. “The third reason is the combination of the recent attacks on the base stations in the North East and the flood in the southern parts of the country which has compromised the quality of service and led to redundancy of those networks.”

ith the dry season already setting in after the devastating flood which wrecked havoc in many parts of the country, the provision of portable water to address the perennial water problems in Lagos and Cross River states is a task that must be achieved as the Federal Government has approved a loan of $77 million (about N12 billion) for the projects. The loan, which is a concessionary one is coming from a French agency and would make available, $33.8 million (about N5.2bn) to Lagos while $43.9 million (N6.8bn) would go to Cross River to fund ongoing urban water projects in the two states. Specifically, the loan is to facilitate access to water in a number of cities and towns in the states. In Cross River, the loan would be used to provide water supply in Calabar metropolis including Ogoja, Ikom and Obudu. The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku who disclosed this last week, said the decision by the government to approve the loan was to further give support to the programme which has been in the implementation stage since 2005 under the second

Vice President Namadi Sambo with President Goodluck Jonathan, Co-Chairmen of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba and Alhaji Aliko Dangote at the fund raising dinner for flood victims at the State House, Abuja.

UN world peace agenda and threat of terrorism

he main objective of the United Nations is to ensure world peace in order to guarantee meaningful development for the benefit of mankind, but when there is a naked threat to this objective, then it calls for great concern. There is no doubt that terrorism has become a major threat to world peace and development, bringing about fear and anxiety and this has become a major concern to many world leaders.

In recent times, Nigeria has being experiencing terrorism with the activities of the violent Islamic fundamentalist, Boko Haram with the increasing rate of bombings in the country leading to the loss of hundreds of lives and property worth billions of naira. President Goodluck Jonathan has now called on the United Nations to come out stronger against terrorists and treat them as world common enemies.

He spoke his mind at an event last week where participants at the regional conference on counter terrorism held in Abuja were present, saying that the spate of terrorism has become a menace that must be checked to ensure world peace and urged the world body not to treat terrorism as local but as a global issue that must be urgently addressed since it cuts across sub regions and the world. His words: “Terrorism is a menace

Passionate fund raising for flood victims

he expression of emotions and concern for the flood victims in the country took the better part of those who attended the recent fund raising even organised by the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief. The committee jointly led by President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and human rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba at a fund raising dinner at the State House last week for the flood victims were able to raise about N11 billion, about 10 per cent of the target of N100 billion the committee has set for itself. President Goodluck Jonathan at the occasion disclosed that a total of N12.2 billion

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has been released to tackle food crisis and health challenges following the flood that ravaged most states in the country. According to him, the released fund was to further address the impact of the flood as N17.6 billion has earlier been released to states last month to provide necessary materials for the victims and to tackle the impact of the flood. While describing the flood as the worst that has ever happened in the history of the country, Jonathan stressed that the incident brought a lot of pain to him, saying all Nigerians should assist in bringing succour to the victims. Jonathan said: “This occurrence is unprecedented in the annals of our history as

a nation, we have witnessed several natural disasters in the past but none compare in scope and intensity to what we are currently experiencing. “We have lost scores of lives to the flood, millions of our citizens are rendered homeless and property and farmlands running into billions of naira are destroyed.” Jonathan disclosed that the actual effect of the flood is currently being accessed, but there are clear indications that it may be quite enormous, adding that with the magnitude of the flooding and the damage caused, the disbursement of funds by government to address issues related to the flood was quite inadequate.t

national urban water sector projects in the country. He said: “In the case of Lagos, the loan has been granted to enable the Lagos State government to improve the quality of water treated for public supply. Work is ongoing and this is a very strategic loan for a large city like Lagos. It will improve the integrity of public water supply and it will also develop the capacity to successfully run the public utilities particularly water supply in the two states on commercial basis. “In the case of Cross River State, the loan is to facilitate access to water through a network of supply to a number of cities and towns in the state. But the first is to extend water supply in the Calabar metropolitan area to ensure that all people living within Calabar have access to clean water through the public tape system. “Secondly, it is to take the water to quiet a number of cities like Ogoja, Ikom, Obudu. These are areas that are to benefit from the extended public water supply scheme in Cross River with the reception of this loan. Also on power supply, the Mabila and Zengeru dams also got the attention of the Federal Government as the Minister of State for Power, Hajia Zainab Kuchi said the government has entered into agreement with two Chinese companies to construct the Mambila and Zungeru hydroelectric dams. She said the Mambila dam is expected to generate 3,050 megawatts while Zungeru will generate 700 megawatts of electricity. The Minister also noted that government has agreed with the consortium handling the projects to complete work by 2014 so that the president can commission them by the first quarter of 2015. The Mambila dam is under the Build, Operate and Transfer project which would be managed by Messrs Sino hydro for the period of nine years, while government is to provide 25 percent for Zungeru dam which is $309 million (about N49 billion).

to all of us. The world and indeed the United Nations must come together and see terrorists as our common enemies. Those who throw explosives at people are not mentally-deranged.

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. President Nhamajo Serifo of Guinea Bissau 2. President Alpha Conde of Guinea Conakry 3. President, Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote 4. Tony Elumelu 5. Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido 6. Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema 7. Switzerland Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hans-Rudolf Hodel 8. Egyptian Ambassador, Mr. Ashraf Abdelkader Elmorsi Salama 9. Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Svante Kilander of 10. Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Joachim Oppinger 11. PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur 12. PDP National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 41-44

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Jonathan and the Ribadu report THE NIGERIAN

REUBEN ABATI

PEOPLE ARE ENJOINED Continued from yesterday

he President made it clear that the government is committed to getting the refineries to work, so that we would no longer have to import refined petroleum products, which he considers shameful, and by so doing, government would have succeeded in creating jobs and put an end to the hardship that attends importation. The meeting discussed the possibility of ensuring the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries by March 2013, and subsequently, the rehabilitation of the facilities. The meeting ended with a directive that the Minister and her team should return with further presentations on the technical details of the plan of action. President Jonathan has no reason to embarrass anyone who served on any of the three committees. While receiving the reports, these were his words: “… we have seen that the people that have been selected in these committees are are known by Nigerians, people that are credible, most especially people that are patriotic and I believe that they put all that into consideration for the interest of the country not for the interest of any individual. You have submitted your reports

TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH AND TO REJECT THE MISCHIEF OF ALL HUNTERS OF FORTUNE today. We have to thank you very sincerely and government will surely make use of the reports… because we feel that the oil industry, need to be reformed.” Thereafter, President Jonathan commented on the work of the individual committees. On Dotun Sulaiman committee, he said: “…we feel that our governance and control, (in the oil and gas sector) we need to look at it. And of course quite a number of issues raised by the presenters link up with even the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) issues and I believe it will help the National Assembly robustly in terms of looking at some aspects of the Bil.” On the Kalu Idika Kalu Committee he said: “In the case of the refineries, I really have to thank you because I was listening, trying to see the kind of recommendations you will bring up…Maybe some of you don’t know but those of us who are in politics, they used to “yab” us

some years back that in Nigeria, we import what we have and export what we don’t have. They say we import what we have because we have crude oil for God’s sake. Ordinarily, if it is a country where we placed our focus right, we should be having filling stations all over Africa and all over the world …It is disgraceful that we are importing petroleum products. If in the next ten years this country still imports petroleum products, then all of us who have the opportunity to be here, in fact when we die they should write something and put behind us that we did not rule this country well, because we must stop the importation of petroleum products.” Hence, the President held the aforementioned follow-up meeting on refineries. Now, on the Ribadu Report, President Jonathan said, inter alia: “…Probably not everybody agreed on some of the conclusions but I don’t think we need to bother…what we would say is that any member who has one or two observations should please write it either directly to me through the Chief of Staff, or through the Minister of Petroleum Resources…But the issues of finance, if it borders on corrupt practice or outright stealing, definitely it will go to the EFCC for investigation…If there are errors of calculation or misinformation from the relevant agencies of government that are supposed to give the correct figures,

that will be filtered out. It will not be used against anybody, because the interest of government to set up these committees is to help us do what is right. It is not to help us do what is wrong. And that is why we have to be careful and do what is right. So I plead with you. But let me assure you that government has no interest in hiding anything…” Let me cut this short, at this point, by saying that President Goodluck Jonathan has no reason whatsoever, personal or political (since at least one character has said that the furore over the Ribadu Report has something to do with 2015!) to protect wrong-doers in the land. He took on this assignment to make Nigeria better and that is what he is doing everyday: working hard at the Nigerian project and taking every step to transform it for good. The Nigerian people are enjoined to stand on the side of truth and to reject the mischief of all hunters of fortune, whose interest is their own ambitions, for in this Ribadu Committee Report, personal ambitions are beginning to becloud the facts. President Jonathan will continue to provide leadership. Nobody should drag him into the cheap arena of opportunistic demagoguery. Concluded. Dr. Abati is Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity.

Kogi flood: When philanthropy came to the rescue MICHAEL JEGEDE

ecently, the country witnessed an unprecedented flood in some states with Kogi being the worst hit. The ugly incident led to the loss of many lives, destruction of property worth billions of naira and displacement of more than two million people, and with over 400 communities completely submerged in the state. President Goodluck Jonathan who was visibly worried by the plight of those affected, demonstrated his commitment to ameliorating their sufferings, when he announced the immediate provision of N17.6 billion as direct financial assistance to the affected states and some Federal Government agencies responsible for disaster management. Kogi State falls in the category that got N500 million from the largesse. Since the unfortunate situation, Nigerians, private sector institutions, NGOs, faith-based bodies and various philanthropic groups have shown every sense of humanitarian and compassionate spirit by coming to the aid of affected persons and communities. This collective concern for fellow citizens, reassures us that, at critical moments, Nigerians are able to come together in pursuit of a common purpose. Last week, it was reported that Chief Jide Omokore, a business mogul and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), donated N50 million and truck loads of rice to victims of flood in Kogi State. No doubt, Omokore’s donation is one of such efforts by some benevolent individuals and

corporate bodies to give the victims a new lease of life. Receiving the donation, Governor, Idris Wada, stated that Omokore’s donation with other relief funds will be used to rebuild, resettle and repair the houses of those affected. He disclosed that his government remains committed to the judicious and sincere utilization of all the funds obtained by reason of the flood. Describing Omokore as a great leader, the governor noted that the task of good governance is a collective effort, adding that in the face of the setback, the government remains forward looking and ever ready to offer selfless service to the people. On his part, Omokore, said the donation was to aid the rehabilitation of the victims, while commending the quick and prompt response of Governor Wada to the plight of those affected. The chairman of the Energy Resources Group implored those affected to take consolation in God and start a process of rebuilding their lives. Omokore, had prior to the donations, presented an ultra-modern church auditorium, a pastorium, secretary’s office, jeep and an 18- seat bus to the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Christian Centre, in his hometown, Isanlu. Commenting on kind gesture, Vice Chairman of Kogi State chapter of PDP, Mallam Mohammed Abdulrahman, said this has further portrayed him as a great philanthropist, who believes strongly in adding value to human lives. Abdulrahman, urged other wealthy individuals to emulate Omokore, whose ex-

I WOULD SAY IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO DENY THE ALLEGATIONS, ESPECIALLY ONE AGAINST THE CAMP OFFICIALS perience in corporate management and administration is believed to have defined his sterling quality as an efficient manager. Making a passionate appeal, the vice chairman said, “Honestly, nothing is too small or too big to donate. The government needs the support of individuals, corporate organizations and other bodies.” He said “Governor Idris Wada has demonstrated how much concern he has for the plight of the people. We therefore have no single iota of fear or doubt that Omokore’s donations and others will be wisely utilized as promised.” Soon after Omokore’s donations, the flood victims held a peaceful protest to express their displeasure over alleged poor handling of funds and materials donated to them. The displaced persons reportedly left their camp at the St Luke’s Primary School, Lokoja, accusing camp officials of converting relief materials to their personal use. The demonstrators, who carried placards with different impressions, accused the government of not releasing money

donated by the Federal Government, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals for their upkeep. In his reaction, Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, who also is Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said all the money received by the government on behalf of the victims was still intact. On alleged diversion of relief materials by camp officials, he refuted the claim, stressing that the internally displaced persons were being properly catered for in their various camps. Much as I believe in the promise of Kogi State Government to ensure a prudent utilization of all donations made towards putting smileS on the faces of the flood victims, I would say it is not enough to deny the allegations, especially one against the camp officials. I think it is important that Awoniyi, as chairman of SEMA, ensure a proper and strict monitoring of activities in all the camps across the state, so as to fish out underhanded and dubious officials, whose filthy deeds are capable of jeopardizing the whole effort of government in bringing succour to the victims. Jegede, a journalist wrote from Abuja Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

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

STEVE AYORINDE

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YELE AKINROLABU

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DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

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ADESOYE ADEKOYA

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SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

As fuel scarcity persists nationwide

s the biting fuel scarcity nationwide lingers and worsens, with escalating prices, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the sole importer of refined petroleum products in the country at the moment, keeps claiming and insisting that there is sufficient fuel, enough to go round. Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Fidel Pepple, disclosed lately that between the NNPC and the Petroleum Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), there was enough stock to last the country at least 30 days. Industry sources, on the contrary, disclosed however that with the vandalized pipeline at Arepo in Ogun State yet to be fixed, an immediate solution to the fuel crisis may not be in sight. Reports have it that the NNPC uses private jetties which have limited storage facilities and take longer time to deliver petroleum products in its oil transactions, despite the Corporation’s claims that it has enough stock in the high seas. General Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mike Osetuyi, said recently, for instance, that the problem of fuel scarcity has become more entrenched and that the current effort of the NNPC to address the situation is feeble. Fuel now sells far more than the official pump

price of N97 per liter. Only major marketers such as the NNPC’s mega stations, Oando, Mobil, Total, AP, MRS, Conoil, etc., sell at the official price of N97 per liter when they have supplies. But because their supply lines are often dry or epileptic at best, independent marketers are having a field day - hoarding and selling fuel at prices as astronomical as N110 to N150 per liter in many parts of the country. With the Yuletide fast approaching, it is not unlikely that the horror might linger till Christmas and even into the New Year. The inability of the Federal Government to come up with a verifiable, corrupt-free system of paying subsidy to genuine fuel importers; the government’s failure to quickly repair the damaged NNPC pipeline at Arepo and fix the country’s four comatose refineries; as well as the allegation by organized labour and opposition political parties that the lingering fuel crisis is a deliberate trick by the FG to foist another round of fuel pump price increase on the nation, are being rightly or wrongly blamed for the unending fuel scarcity. Given the congenital nature of corruption in the NNPC, its numerous agencies and private sector partners in the management of the nation’s oil industry; it is obvious that the FG would find it extremely difficult to heal them of the chronic ailment. But

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE HASTE AND PUT AN END

TO THE LINGERING, AVOIDABLE FUEL SCARCITY THAT HAS VISITED UNTOLD HARDSHIP ON THE POPULACE with the FG’s avowed resolve to frontally battle the endemic corruption dogging the oil industry, we do not believe the task would take the FG eternity to accomplish. After series of presidential, ministerial and House of Representatives committees on the dubious subsidy regime; in addition to the revelations of the most recent Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force headed by Nuhu Ribadu, the FG has been availed of enough facts to put its acts together and commence decisive actions to sanitize the oil industry if it has honest burning intentions to retrieve the sector from the precipice. Credible marketers ought to have been mobilized for long to commence fuel importation to supplement the efforts of the NNPC as an interim measure to address the gruel-

ling hardship ordinary Nigerians have been subjected to these past months as a result of fuel supply shortages. Indeed, we think that the repair of the vandalized pipelines at Arepo should not be suspended indefinitely because of the unfortunate killing of three NNPC engineers earlier dispatched to do the job. But if the pipeline has been repaired as was claimed in some quarters lately, why then has fuel scarcity worsened? Again, the FG had a few weeks ago, denied the insinuation that it had plans to again increase the pump price of fuel through the back door. If the denial is true, why then has the government failed to take drastic steps to arrest fuel scarcity in the country and its carry-over effects on economic activities and living conditions? Why is the FG foot-dragging in fixing the ailing refineries; and why has the NNPC been unable, in spite of its financial recklessness and impunity, to grow its own tank farms to maximum capacity, but relies on low capacity jetties owned by private individuals? The FG should find answers to these posers. But, perhaps more importantly, the government should make haste and put an end to the lingering, avoidable fuel scarcity that has visited untold hardship on the populace and routinely robs the nation of non-quantifiable man hours.

ON THIS DAY November 13, 2007 The Russian Federation officially withdrew from the Soviet-era Batumi military base, Georgia. Russia, also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects. From northwest to southeast, Russia shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea.

November 13, 2002 The oil tanker, Prestige, sank off the Galician coast and caused a huge oil spill. The Prestige oil spill was an oil spill off the coast of Galicia caused by the sinking of an oil tanker in 2002. The spill polluted thousands of kilometers of coastline and more than one thousand beaches on the Spanish, French and Portuguese coast, as well as caused great harm to the local fishing industry. The spill was the largest environmental disaster in both Spain’s and Portugal’s history.

November 13, 2001 War on Terrorism: In the first such act since World War II, former United States President, George W. Bush, signed an executive order allowing military tribunals against foreigners suspected of connections to terrorist acts or planned acts on the US. The War on Terror (also known as the Global War on Terror and War on Terrorism) is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign against terrorists begun in 2001 by the US and the United Kingdom, with support from other countries.

Brokers to sue NAICOM over ‘no premium, no cover’ policy SUPER TUESDAY

Stowaway: Exposing insecurity in global aviation industry 37 35

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Negligence, fraud responsible for rising unclaimed dividends

he issue of dividends payable to shareholders but have remained unclaimed by the beneficiaries for a period of six months or more has been a thorn in the operations of the capital market with over N52billion worth of dividends remained unclaimed as at December 31, 2011. Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, for instance, declared a dividend of N1. 90billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2011, but the unclaimed dividend by the shareholders stood at N14.3million as at July 21, this year when the company held its Annual General Meeting. Also, Total Nigeria Plc’s unclaimed dividend stood at N868.195m as at December 31, 2011. According to the company’s report to its shareholders, the value of the unclaimed dividends rose by N168.7million from N699.5million recorded at the end of 2010, representing an increase of 24.1per cent. The company said unclaimed dividends totalling N9.13million belonging to 3,115 shareholders has been reverted to its coffers following the failure of the shareholders to claim their dividends after 12 years. Investigation by National Mirror showed that the company had in 2010 received N10.38million being the value of unclaimed dividends which has remained unclaimed for 12 years. According to the company, its action stems from the company’s Articles of Association, which states that dividends which remain unclaimed for 12

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Dividends provide an incentive to own stock in stable companies, even if they are not experiencing much growth. But redeeming the dividends by some shareholders has become a nightmare. JOHNSON OKANLAWON writes.

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

Aero Contractors

Shareholders during an annual general meeting

years stand forfeited and be reverted to the company. National Mirror learnt that the low value of dividend currently being paid to shareholders is further increasing the amount of unclaimed dividend in the vaults of the companies. Several retail shareholders are ignoring the dividend companies have declared because the value is negligible. Some are N50, N100 and N500. A shareholder, Mrs. Sekinat Temitope, for example, was paid a dividend of N83.00 as dividend for 1000 units of Nestle Nigeria Plc for the financial year ended December 31, 2011. But she was unable to claim the money due to its meagre value. “How do you expect me to go to the bank to present a cheque of N83.70 when the transport fare to the bank is even higher than the value of the money,” she asked.

Another shareholder, Mr. Lawal Kolawole, was not in the country when the dividend warrant from National Aviation Handling Company Plc was posted to his house. By the time he arrived, he could not claim the money because the warrant must be presented to the bank within six months. “This is dubious, why can’t the company credit it into my account,” he argued. The National President, Renaissance Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Olufemi Timothy, said that it is becoming so common for shareholders to receive their warrants late. He said that this is a problem that a lot of shareholders have to grapple with and that by the time the warrants would eventually reach them, the six-month lifespan of the warrant would have elapsed, a situation that posed

further problems to shareholders. “Someone, somewhere is not doing his job and it is the shareholders that are suffering in this situation, it is not right. Our dividends are our right and anyone who invests in any business always expects and awaits returns; so, if we are denied our right, then, perhaps the regulators are not doing their job,” he said. Investigation showed that the reason for the accumulation of unclaimed dividends is ignorance or when shareholders change their forwarding addresses without informing the companies’ registrars thus, failing to receive the dividend warrants. Others include shareholders who died intestate and without information on next of CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Low capacity, bane of Nigeria’s non-export development-NEPC

‘Amnesty training not structured to benefit economy’

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Imperatives for successful implementation of new National Housing Policy

Business & Finance

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Negligence, fraud responsible for rising unclaimed dividends

Oteh

Onyema

CONTINUED FROM 19 kin, multiple applications by applicants during the investment process and deliberate actions to deny investors their benefit through various schemes by some registrars and companies who lack liquidity to pay. An investment analyst and shareholder in several listed companies, Mr Nonah Awoh, attributed part of the rising value of unclaimed dividends to the culpability of registrars. He said that there was need for companies listed on the Exchange to have a separate registrar that would take care of investors’ shareholdings in the quoted companies, especially as regards the payout of dividend. He explained that there are cases where companies connive with registrars to delay dividend payout and plough back the money to the companies’ coffers six months after, which they use in running their operations. Speaking on the issue, the DirectorGeneral, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, said that the commission is not comfortable with the high volume of unclaimed dividends being recorded annually and is doing all it could to reduce the amount. According to Oteh, there are ongoing interactions aimed at ensuring that unclaimed dividends are reduced by up to 50 per cent by the end of this year. She said, “The registrars have informed us that there is N52bn outstanding unpaid dividends Last week, we took on the registrars on a radical solution to the problem and we jointly considered a number of options. “I can say that by the end of this quarter, the results will be felt; our target is that in 2012, we shall reduce the size of outstanding dividends by 50 per cent and we also aim to finally dispose of the operational and regulatory bottlenecks that have led to the accumulation of unpaid dividends.” The DG, who noted that a lot of issues had been contributing to the accumulation of unclaimed dividends, said SEC

Olugbemi

WHEN YOU GO TO THE POST OFFICE, YOU

WILL SEE LETTERS THAT LITTER THE GROUND.

SO, A LOT OF THINGS NEED TO BE DONE BY

THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE ISSUE OF RISING VALUE OF UNCLAIMED DIVIDEND IN THE COUNTRY was collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria and stakeholders to explore other options that could help to reduce the amount. She said that the electronic platform was introduced to reduce the issues of unclaimed dividends. “We have been talking about e-Dividend as an option to reduce unpaid dividends; however, we are aware that shareholders have some challenges regarding this, as it was originally stated that the dividend warrants would be paid into current accounts, which most of them did not operate. “However, we have been talking to the CBN and the banks on ways that they can make it easy, and we hear that some banks are now allowing the warrants to be paid into savings accounts. We have ongoing interactions with all the stakeholders and we are sure these will yield clear results before the end of the year.” Speaking to National Mirror, the Managing Director, First Registrars Limited, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, said the problem of unclaimed dividends was of major concern to registrars, adding that that was why they came up with the e-Dividend option. “For a permanent solution, we encourage shareholders to subscribe to or embrace the e-Dividend payment solution, which all the registrars have put in place. It is a product through which dividends due are credited same day to bank accounts vide electronic means and it is free,” he said. On the issue of registrars’ connivance with the companies to delay dividend

pay-out so as to return the money to the companies for operation, he said that the allegation is not true. According to him, no registrar will do that. “The major problem is change of address and some unscrupulous elements in the society who steal the dividend warrant and travel to far East or North to open an account in the name of the beneficiary and claim the money. We have had several cases like that, “he said. Another registrar who does not want his name disclosed told National Mirror that some people steal dividend warrants from pigeon-holes at the post office, while other people manufacture dividend warrant at Oluwole market, Lagos and claim it on behalf of the real owner. “When you go to the post office, you will see letters that litter the ground. So, a lot of things need to be done by the government to reduce the issue of rising value of unclaimed dividend in the country,” he added. Further investigation also revealed that senior bank executives do trade in unclaimed dividends. For instance, some of the bank chief executives sacked by the Central Bank of Nigeria had used billions of naira, belonging to the bank’s shareholders to play in the money and capital markets. Documents sourced from market regulators showed that a worried SEC convened a meeting early last December with registrars of quoted companies, especially the five banks, which had then just concluded merger and acquisition arrangements with new investors, to ascertain the various amounts that were

Nwosu

outstanding in unclaimed dividends. Chaired by SEC’s official, E.A. Okolo, the commission had emphasised that the decision to call the meeting was informed by the post 2005 bank consolidation experience, where some acquired banks took possession of unclaimed dividends that left a messy situation where shareholders could not be paid their unclaimed dividends due to lack of funds to do so. The case of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, bankers were not only involved trading with the money, but also using it to influence the market by way of buying up its own shares. The bank’s balances presented by its registrar, showed that there were 180,000 unclaimed dividends with a naira value of N2.98bn in its books, specifically due to Intercontinental Bank’s shareholders. In total, however, the records showed that as of February 28, 2012, erstwhile Intercontinental Securities Limited, a subsidiary of the defunct bank and one of the vehicles created for full participation in the capital market, had a total of N3.24billion as total dividend due. Worried by the continued increase in unclaimed dividend in the capital market, the House of Representatives has set up a committee to investigate the reason why the issue of unclaimed has continued unabated, despite frantic efforts by SEC to check the rise. In 2002, the SEC sponsored a bill in the National Assembly for an Act of Parliament which will set up the ‘Unclaimed Dividend Trust Fund’. This fund and the Act of Parliament which set it up were intended to drastically reduce or completely eliminate the incidence of unclaimed dividend by providing alternative domicile for funds deriving from unclaimed dividends to what was stipulated in Section 382(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. But the operators in the Nigerian Capital Market have, however, expressed concern over a proposed bill presently at the House of Representative seeking to establish the Unclaimed Dividends and Abandoned Property Fund.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

FG begins implementation of Sugar Master Plan Rolls out fresh incentives for investors

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

he Federal Government, on Tuesday, kicked off the implementation of the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the new Sugar Master Plan, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, was expected to raise the country’s local sugar production to a self-sufficiency level; stem the tide of high importation of the commodity; contribute to the production of ethanol/ generation of about 411MW of electricity; and create 117,181 jobs. Aganga spoke during the first stakeholders’ forum on the NSMP in Abuja on Monday, where he unveiled the new master plan and its implementation strategy. According to the minister, the NSMP is the product of several

Managing Director/CEO, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Eshikena (left) and Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Odumodu, during a courtesy visit in Abuja recently.

consultations with all the stakeholders in the sugar industry. He said, “We held several consultations with all the stakeholders in the sugar industry. At the end of that consultation, the product was a Sugar Master Plan and then a government policy. Again, after further discussions

Low capacity, bane of Nigeria’s non-export development -NEPC FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Export Promotion Council has said that the problem of low capacity or skill among most Nigerian non-oil exporters was responsible for the uncompetitive nature of the nation’s export products in the international market. Zonal Coordinator of Lagos Zone of the council, Mr. Matthew Iranloye, who spoke on the topic: Opportunities in the Non-Oil Export in Nigeria at a one-day workshop, which held in Lagos at the weekend, told participants that Nigeria’s non oil sector, can sustain the nation’s economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings if these opportunities were adequately harnessed. The one-day programme organised in collaboration with the Multimix Academy entitled the Making of Exporters, also incorporates an export mentorship programme, where by successful and big time exporters mentor the upcoming ones through the part of success. The coordinator noted that it was this low capacity that informed the decision of the council to organise series of capacity building workshops aimed at re-directing the potential exporters as well as building the required skills.

According to him, it takes the skill of the exporter especially in terms of quality and packaging of the product in question to compete in the international market. “You need the right skill to promote a product that is acceptable internationally because there are other similar products in the market which your product will compete with and the consumer takes the best”, he insisted. While taking the exporters on the vast opportunities in the non-oil sector, he noted that there was need for them to take the business of exporting as a career, arguing that everything has a process that leads to success instead of this ‘get rich quick’ mentality of most people, which had also made them to burn their fingers. On the vast opportunities, he told the participants: “Nigeria is the largest producer of sheer nut in the world but she is not the highest exporter of sheer butter in the world. We have so many commodities but we do not know how to handle them well” He also told the exporters that they should adopt the right attitude to the business, adding that right packaging, adopting high standards and adequate certification are critical if one must succeed in the business of exporting.

with stakeholders and relevant ministries, the Sugar Master Plan was approved by the Federal Executive Council. Now, we have a Sugar Master Plan, from sugarcane to sugar production. “This is the first time that we have gone through the details of the Sugar Roadmap, policies and

incentives that are available and the game plan of where we want to be at the end of the implementation of the plan. As at today, we only produce two per cent of the sugar we need in the country while we import raw sugar.” The minister added, “If you compare this to other West Afri-

can countries, that two per cent is the lowest. For instance, Benin Republic produces 25.6 per cent of their sugar requirement; Burkina Faso, 47 per cent; Cote d’Ivoire, 54 per cent; Senegal, 48 per cent and Mali, 28 per cent. “In spite of having both comparative and competitive advantage to produce sufficient quantity of the commodity for domestic consumption and for export, Nigeria does not feature in the top 10 producers and exporters in the world but we are number four in terms of top 10 importers in the world. That is not where we want to be.” He noted that the Federal Government had already put in place fresh incentives to support existing and new investors. These include: zero per cent on machinery and spare parts for local sugar manufacturing industries; outright ban on the importation of refined sugar in retail packs and 30 per cent tax credit on the cost of provision of critical infrastructure by sugar cane to sugar project investors.

Naira drops as CBN, oil companies reduce dollar sales UDO ONYEKA

WITH AGENCY REPORT

igeria’s naira fell for a second day as oil companies were said to refrain from selling dollars in the market. The currency slipped 0.1 percent to 157.6 a dollar as noon in Lagos. The naira has increased 3 percent this year, the second-best performer in Africa, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Expected dollar sales from the Nigerian National Petro-

leum Corporation. “haven’t come through,” Jide Solanke, an analyst at First Securities Discount House Ltd., said by phone from Lagos. “The central bank hasn’t been selling much.” Oil-producing companies, which sell dollars to meet domestic expenses, are the second-biggest source of foreign currency after the central bank, which sells dollars on Mondays and Wednesdays to keep the naira within a 3 percent band around 155 per dollar.

Also Central Bank of Nigeria sold $79.9 million at its two scheduled auctions last week, the lowest since December 2009, according to data on the bank’s website. The yield on the 16.39 percent naira debt due January 2022 fell one basis point to 12.65 percent, according to November 9 prices compiled by the Lagos-based Financial Markets Dealers Association. Borrowing costs on the nation’s $500 million of Eurobonds due January 2021 retreated three basis points to 4.4 percent yesterday.

Power sector: NSE laments dearth of manpower CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has decried lack of coordinated succession plan for technical and commercial manpower in the power sector saying it spelt doom for the country. The Chairman of Maitama Chapter of NSE, Engr. Paulinus Ogu, who pointed out the looming danger while speaking on the theme: “Eliminating the barriers to the growth of the power sector-A veritable necessity”, yesterday at the Power Holding of Nigeria’s Corporate headquarters in Abuja. According to Ogu, while the power network infra-

structures are expanding the manpower capacity has been neglected leading to shrinking skilled workforce. He said the overstaffing issue often highlighted by productivity index of megawatts per staff by government analysts has hindered recruitment of qualified experts to man the electricity supply industry. “There has been no coordinated succession plan for technical and commercial manpower in the power sector. This is a critical failure path. While the power network infrastructures have been focused on for needed expansion, the manpower capacity has been neglected” he said. Ogu who stated that it takes

minimum of five years for a young engineer be trained to be able to work unsupervised warned that the nation’s is already running late for recruitment of engineers as most of who would train the newly recruits would soon retire out of service. According to NSE, political interference in technical decision and way- leave issues are also among factors militating against the sector. Ogu noted that greed and lack of common national interest further complicate issues in the country, adding that way-leave compensation in most cases doubles the cost power projects and frustrates the drive for rapid development in the industry.

Business & Finance

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Nigeria resists plans to distort the Internet KUNLE A ZEEZ

igeria has vowed to resist any move to make decision at global level with tendency to distort the operation of the Internet thereby creating serious disruption for Internet users in Nigeria and the rest of the world. Stakeholders around the world have expressed dissatisfaction with the process and likely outcome of the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), which will take place in Dubai from December 3 and 14, 2012. The stakeholders have specifically highlighted the proposed changes to the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs), which will effect fundamental changes in the way the Internet operates, to the detriment of the future of the Internet and of its contribution to developing

economies and freedom of information. Experts and analysts are of the opinion that the content of the proposed ITRs has not been widely available for comment; that there is no evidence to support the proposals and that International Telecommunications Union processes are restrictive, limiting stakeholder participation In particular, the Internet Society has echoed the views, stating that the proposals would create a new model for Internet connection; adversely impact Internet naming, numbering and addressing; and extend regulatory authority to new areas, applying ITRs to the Internet and Internet providers. The Internet has revolutionised the lives of billions of people by giving them access to information and the ability to communicate freely with each other. The model that enabled this revolution must not be tampered with. The stakeholders have there-

fore urged the Nigeria government representatives who will attend the WCIT and all other delegates to the Conference to reject the proposed changes to the ITRs. But speaking with National Mirror on phone yesterday, Executive Director, Technical Services, NCC, Dr. Bashir Gwandu, who is representing Nigeria’s interest at the forthcoming conference, also confirmed the development, noting that agitations were already growing against some decisions they may interrupt the Internet operations and consequently access. He said: “We understand that there have been increasing agitation from all over the world on the likely disruption of the internet based on the envisaged resolutions expected to be made at the conference, but I can assure you that Nigeria as a country will go against any decision that may have negative impact on the internet.”

L-R: Globacom’s Divisional Director, Lagos and South West 1, Mr. David Maji; winner, Glo text4millions promo, Mrs. Adejoke Shittu and Business Director, Mr. Lawrence Okpako, during the presentation of a cheque to the winner in Ibadan at the weekend.

FG urged against granting waiver on rice importation MESHACK IDEHEN

he President of the Rice Millers, Importers and Distributions Association of Nigeria (RiMIDAN), Mr Tunji Owoeye, has said the association is urging the Federal Government to forgo the idea of granting import waiver for rice importers into the country. According to him, the association has invested over N255billion in plants, machineries, equipment, as well as backward integration, in order to meet the group’s objective of protecting the rice business in the country, and ensuring that the sub-sector plays its role of sustaining

its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Speaking with journalists on Monday, Owoeye said the investments by RiMIDAN has shown that the association has emerged a major stakeholder in the agricultural and by extension, other economic sectors in the country, saying also that the group is resolved to partner with governments at various levels, corporate organisations and individuals to realise the critical objective of food sufficiency in the country. While calling on the Federal Government not to yield to pressure by granting waiver on rice importation in order to promote local production,

the rice millers president said they will support government’s decision to increase levy on imported rice, and that there should be no waivers whatsoever. He said, “The passion with which this present administration is evolving policies and measures to ensure that Nigeria attains the status of self sufficiency in food production is very commendable, despite that Nigeria loses N32billion yearly to rice smuggling, illegal evasion of duties and wastes suffered by local investors in rice processing locally”. He explained that the figure of N32billion came as a result of a careful monitoring and analysis of developments in the rice sector, which revealed worsening revenue generation from imported rice and declining performance by local processing firms.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MultiChoice eulogises dealers’ entrepreneurial drive

ultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading pay entertainment destination in the country has lauded its dealers across the country for its success in growing the vast network of subscribers and helping to take services into the homes of Nigerians. John Ugbe, Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, attributed the successes the company has achieved over the years to the entrepreneurial spirit and keen sense to grow the business shown by the Super Dealers. The dealers, who were feted at the 2012 edition of MultiChoice Nigeria Super Dealers Award Night held in Lagos November 10, 2012, were especially lauded for the role they have played in growing their franchises into big businesses, employing thousands of people, providing many Nigerians their source of livelihood and opportunities to expand the scope of the franchise. “Even in diffi-

cult and challenging conditions as we have seen in some parts of the country, dealers ensured that our products were made available to subscribers, complaints were treated with dispatch, and the business continues to grow,” added Mr. Ugbe. Before the awards night the dealers visited and made donations to a hospice as well as a home for the blind in Lagos, with contributions which they pooled together with contribution from MultiChoice. “Tonight represents what MultiChoice Nigeria is all about,” said Mr. Ugbe. “Look around you and you will see that MultiChoice is a truly Nigerian company. We started this journey a few years ago with only five dealers; now we have 54 dealers, who have in turn opened offices in different locations across the country, providing jobs and experience to thousands of young Nigerians.

Winners emerge at Fidelity Bank promo

our lucky winners emerged last week-end at the first mini draw of the 25th Anniversary Cars & Cash Savings Promo held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) auditorium, Lagos International Trade Fair, Tafawa Balewa Square. Lagos. The star prize of N100, 000 cash went to Charles Nwaiwu while Izunna Akusonowua, the second prize winner got a Blackberry smart phone. Sunday Oliver Tobechi and Ekenedirichukwu Ike- Okoro, two of the third prize winners, each went home with a medium sized generator. The 25th Anniversary Cars and Cash Savings Promo is the first in the series of activities Fidelity Bank has lined up to celebrate its Silver jubilee. Fidelity Bank is embarking on the savings

campaign to encourage savings culture amongst Nigerians of all age brackets. In an environment like Nigeria where access to funds is minimal, individuals must cultivate the habit of putting something aside for the future. This invariably puts you in a better position to borrow from a bank or other sources than one who does not have savings at all. We encourage you to simply open a savings account with Fidelity Bank with a minimum deposit of N20, 000 or top up existing accounts with incremental N10, 000 to be eligible for the monthly draw. The savings account could be any in the savings bouquet which includes the Fidelity Savings Accounts (FSA), Fidelity Personal Savings (FPSS), SWEETA (for children), Easisave or Flex (for the youth).

TEF names Director of Entrepreneurship Development

he Tony Elumelu Foundation has appointed Ms. Désirée Younge, a native of Sierra Leone , as Director of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development. Ms. Younge comes to the Foundation with extensive experience in philanthropy and impact investing through her work with the Synergos Institute’s Global Philanthropists Circle, as well as the Robin Hood Foundation, both based in the United States. In a statement made available to National Mirror for the past three years, she has run her own US based philanthropic strategy advisory company working with philanthropists, not-for profit organisations, and businesses to help them strategically execute on their philanthropic missions. The statement said she joined The Tony Elumelu

Foundation at an exciting time. “Now starting its third year of operations, the Foundation continues to pursue its mission of enhancing the competitiveness of the African private sector through a coordinated strategy of programmes, grants and impact investments. Some of the highlights include the rapidly expanding African Markets Internship Programme (AMIP), now planned for nine African countries, the launch of the Elumelu Legacy Prize Programme, the Blair Elumelu Fellows Programme in Liberia and Sierra Leone , the Elumelu Fellows Programme, and the AllWorld Nigeria50. Grants include business development awards to pre-start up businesses in the Co-Creation Hub in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as funding for consultancies.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

‘Amnesty training not structured to benefit economy’ A bout a week ago, the Federal Government through the amnesty office informed Nigerians that a third phase programme for ex Niger Delta militants will soon commence, despite stakeholders reservations that very little or nothing exists to show for the thousands that have already been trained in the first and second phase of the programmes. The announcement have got stakeholders worried and wondering. Brushing aside the worries of concerned individuals and groups, an organisation, the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence also last week called on the Federal Government to commence the “third and final phase” of the amnesty programme, a call that have been criticised since then by experts many of whom believe that “the thousands of youths that have received very expensive trainings at home and abroad on public funds must show cause why the public must continue to pay heavily for the manpower development of the people that are yet to be seen to be contributing to communal or nation’s development”. Meanwhile, despite disappointment expressed, and regular criticisms trailing the supposed training and by extension the contributions of ex militants that have received quality trainings to national economic development, National Coordinator of the allegedly sponsored Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, had gone ahead to inform journalists that “the sustenance of peace in the region depended on the extension of amnesty to youths who were excluded in the third phase”. Expressing disappointment with the group’s solicitations for a third phase amnesty training programme, Recruiter and Chief Consultant with Prot International Limited, Mr. Sunny Agboju, wondered to our correspondent what the contributions of other militants that have been heavily invested on in the past three years have been, that peace in the region and the nation at large will be determined by the “forced and blackmailed implementation of a third phase amnesty programme”. Nevertheless, informed observers who have been following the ex militants training programmes since the Federal Government proclamation of amnesty for the former combatants in 2009, said over 70,000 thousand young men and women have received various forms of vocational and technical training, life enhancing skills and education from the government; trainings the experts emphasised that are geared towards sustainably empowering them (ex militants) for the present, the future and even for national development. In the same vein, though stakeholders remain divided over the “usefulness and quality” of the trainings programmes so far received by this large number of youths, most generally agree that the positive effect of those efforts by the government is yet to be felt by the country’s economy, as youth unemployment and restiveness still persist in no small measure, armed militants groups still springing up by the day and crude oil stealing and bunkering on the rise. Taken together, it is in the light of the uncertainty surrounding the seemingly ineffective and not efficacious nature of the trainings schedules that unemployed youths in general and former militants in particular are receiving, that human resources professionals and training experts now are calling for a complete review of the programmes in order to make the training have a positive reflection on the country’s economy. Immediate Past President of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development, (NITAD) Mr. Femi Kolajo, told

About 50,000 youths or more are believed to have already benefited from various local and international training programmes offered by the Federal Government through the amnesty office. The announcement that a third phase is about to begin for another batch of thousands of ex militants, is making analysts wonder when the effects of such costly local and international trainings for ex militants will begin to rub off on the country’s economy, writes MESHACK IDEHEN.

Special Adviser on Niger-Delta and Co-ordinator of Amnesty programme Hon. Kingsley Kuku

ANOTHER MAJOR REASON WHY THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE EX MILITANTS MAY NOT BE MAKING ITS DESIRED IMPACT ON THE NATION’S

ECONOMY, IS BECAUSE THE AMNESTY OFFICE MAY NOT HAVE DONE ITS HOMEWORK PROPERLY AS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE MANY CHALLENGES THE SCHEME HAS FACED National Mirror that trainings must be particular and specialised for it to have desired effect, and achieve stated objectives. Making reference of the subject of the thousands of ex militants training programmes not making any impact towards challenging the high level of youth unemployment in the country and boosting the nation’s economy at the same time, Kolajo said it was possible the expected impact of the amnesty beneficiaries training programmes may have been lost due mainly to the “political nature of conducting selections of candidates for the trainings, alongside the placement of square pegs in round holes”. According to him, “another major reason why the training programmes for the ex militants may not be making its desired impact on the nation’s economy, is because the amnesty office may not have done its homework properly

Jonathan

as can be seen from the many challenges the scheme has faced, particularly from majority of the former militants many of whom are only interested in the N65, 000 monthly allowance, and not the quality or use of what they are being trained for”. Speaking in the same vein, Author, Conceptual Framework in Human Resource Management, and Managing Partner, Soreb Consulting International, (a Human Resource Specialist), Mr. Kunle Rotimi, said many of the amnesty training beneficiaries particularly those that travelled overseas did so to only better their individual lot and not that of the country. He explained further that the behaviour displayed by thousand of the former militants within and outside the country demonstrated to a large extent that only a few of the several thousand that have been trained can make any difference to themselves and the country. He added that his view is supported largely because even most of the trainee militants have at one point or the other during their internship, accused the government of been insincere in its running of the amnesty programme. Citing the case of the ex militants that were taken to south Africa for training, Human Resource professional,Mr. Funsho Atiba,said a controversy which took close to two months to resolve threatened to expose “some embarrassing dealings within the amnesty office” which oversees the training of the militants. Though the amnesty office spokeperson,Mr.Henry eventually Ugbolue denied the ex-agitators were deceived, and that they(militants only wanted to change their course of study,he however said the government would source a school offering oil and gas drilling for them, leading many to believe that the amnesty office did not employ depth in making selections for the training programme..

Okonjo-Iweala to speak at LBS alumni conference

s part of activities marking its annual alumni programmes, the Lagos Business School Alumni Association has said Nigeria’s Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is to be the guest speaker at the 17th Annual Alumni Conference of the institution President of the association, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, in a statement made available to National Mirror, said the Finance Minister will be speaking on the prospects of the nation’s economy in 2013 and opportunities for businesses. Aladekomo said Okonjo Iweala,s speech which is titled “Nigeria’s Finan-

cial Prospects and Opportunities in 2013 will be premised on the provisions of the 2013 budget and will highlight areas Nigerian businessmen and corporate organisations can tap into in the new year to enhance their business growth. According to the LBS alunimi association president, the finance minister’s audience will be alumni and invited guests of the LBS, alongside top management of the of the school, including the Pro-Chancellor University, Dr Christopher Kolade, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Juan Elegido and the Dean of the school, Dr. Enase Okonedo.

Other guest speakers at the conference, according to him will be Asia’s leading Marketing and Management Consultant Professor Walter Vieira, and brand management expert from the National University of Singapore Business School. Dr Prem Shamdasani,On his part, Director, Alumni Relations LBS, Mr Henry Onukwuba, said the alumni conference is a global reunion of the LBS alumni family and is popularly known as the alumni day which brings together over 500 alumni and friends of the school to a day of intellectual discourse and networking.

Okonjo-Iweala

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PIB will have far reaching effect on economy –PENGASSAN MESHACK IDEHEN

il and gas workers under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), said more input must be taken from stakeholders before the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), is implemented. PENGASSAN said also that due to the bill’s capacity to have far reaching implications on the country’s economy and not just the oil and gas sector alone, stakeholders and interested parties must come together to harmonise opinions before the bill become law. In the light of this development, the association said it will make arrangements to hold a stakeholder’s engagement forum involving all the major players in the country’s oil and gas industry on the Bill before the national assembly takes a final decision. National Publicity Secretary of PENGANSSAN, Mr. Zaid Kolawole,told National Mirror that the session will be planned in a way that inputs will be receive from key stakeholders on the bill’s impact on the oil and gas in-

dustry and on the nation’s economic interests.. Futhermore, Kolawole said it is the outcome of the stakeholder’s forum that will determine the position of PENGASSAN and its counterpart union in the oil and gas industry, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), on the bill. According to the PENGASSAN scribe, the forum with important stakeholder in the sector will have NUPENG in full participation, with stakeholders expected to present their positions at the forum aside from PENGASSAN. “Organisations like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),oil and gas multinationals under the aegis of Oil Producers Trade Sector (OPTS), Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) are also some of the stakeholders that are expected”,Kolawole added. Speaking further, he explained that the Centre for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA), will serve as facilitators

Allison-Madueke

Achese

THE OUTCOME OF THE STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM WILL DETERMINE THE POSITION OF of the forum, while a professor of oil and gas law and former corporation

secretary of the NNPC, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, will chair the forum.

Labour unions in Rivers suspend Tips for developing employees proposed strike MESHACK IDEHEN

rganised Labour in Rivers State said they are calling off their proposed strike after a peace meeting between the government and representatives of labour. A statement made available to National Mirror by the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr. Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, said the seven days ultimatum issued by the labour unions in the state in respect of issues bordering on Illegal deductions from salaries of public servants for the months of September and October 2012, has been suspended. Other grievances of the union were the 70 percent salary relatively and minimum wage and the refusal to stop the Federal Mortgage Bank deductions, with

the union chairman adding that it was resolved that the matter be handled between labour union leaders and the state governor, and that the monies deducted t should be kept in suspense account by the Accountant-General, Rivers State pending the resolution of all issues in connection with the matter.

Omar

Job vacancies

here is a vacant position for a Finance and Administration Coordinator (www. jobs.vanguardngr.com) in a firm in Abuja full-time for any wishing to work with a humanitarian streak in mind. Requiring a minimum qualification of a degree and required experience of between 3 and 5 years, Save the Children a leading international organization helping children in need around the world is your next berth. The job summary includes

that the ideal candidate will be responsible for implementing and/or coordinating all financial and administrative support functions for the state office, including experience in working with partners accountable for grants and other financial support provided to implement project activities, particularly at community level. A University Degree or HND with specified area in finance and accounts/business administration, and a postgraduate qualification preferably an MBA and professional certificate in accounting

PENGASSAN

ccording to a recent poll of HR professionals, only ten percent of managers are fully prepared for the next level. Given this information, is it really a surprise that approximately fifty percent of promotions fail when the selection decision is based on current performance level? Although talent development should be part of a company-wide initiative, most of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the supervisors. Unfortunately, development coaching doesn’t come naturally to many leaders. Following these tips can prepare your employees for success at the next level. Encourage professional development- High-potential employees are not satisfied with the status quo. They are typically ambitious, high performing, and dynamic. They

will be the future leaders of your organisation if they are given proper guidance in their development. If not, be prepared to lose them to the competition. Create a plan- Planning is crucial to advancing your career. Help your employees establish goals that are aligned with their strengths, interest and experience and then create a plan to get there. A development plan serves as the roadmap that will take you to your goal. It can be simple or complex but it must include action steps, resources, and deadlines. Pair your employee’s with a mentor- Once their goals have been established, find someone who is in a similar role to the target position to serve as a mentor. Mentoring enables an organisation to use its existing talent to impart their knowledge and expertise

to one another. Everyone - the organisation, the mentor, and the mentee - benefits from the mentoring process. Identify opportunities to expand their professional network- Having a solid network is imperative to the success of future leaders. A network is a great source of information, advice, support and inspiration. Recommend opportunities within the organisation, as well as networking or professional groups that will help them build strong connections. Challenge your employees to move out of their comfort zone- You cannot move forward if you do not grow and you cannot grow if you never leave your comfort zone. When possible, give your employees challenging assignments. Help them prepare by providing them a safe environment to learn from the mistakes that they are bound to make.

and finance is advised. From (www.findajobinafrica.com), is the position for the Head of Africa Membership at the World Economic Forum, with the description and responsibilities for the job including amongst others, engaging , managing and retaining forum members and partners, and developing a strong value proposition for the regional partner programme. Other are identifying core areas of interest for Africa regional partners and building up around them a year-long multi stakehold-

er engagement programme Some of the qualifications for the position include demonstrated ability to run projects and manage teams and possess demonstrated business development skills. Minimum of seven years of work experience with relevant exposure to the African business community, and a broad intellectual background with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in business, international relations, public administration or economy. Strong command of English and ideally French are advantages.

Also on job vacancies for this week, is the position for a Copywriter ( www.jobberman.com) in an advertising firm in Lagos. Requiring also a minimum qualification of degree and experience of between 1 and 3 years, the job description and responsibilities includes ability to come up with ideas that win businesses, Liaising with clients and interpreting their briefs and working in account teams alongside developing creative ideas and concepts, in partnership with the art director.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

One of the housing estates in Abuja

Imperatives for successful implementation of new National Housing Policy Twenty years after the first housing policy was approved and nine years after the first draft was prepared by the Presidential Technical Committee on the Implementation of the report, and review of past documents, Nigeria now has an approved National Housing Policy: 2012 to guide the course of action as regard housing provision in the country. Insight into the policy and imperatives for its successful implementation were reeled out at the weekend during a one-day seminar organised by the Housing Faculty of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers. DAYO AYEYEMI, who was there reports.

t is no longer news that Nigeria has a deficit of 17 million housing units and requires at least additional 720,000 housing units per annum not only to replenish decaying housing stock, but to also meet rising demand and avert a further housing crisis by 2020. According to the National Transformation Agenda (2011-2015) of President Goodluck Jonathan, N60 trillion is required to provide 17 million housing units at N3.5 million per unit to bridge the gap. Not that the nation lacks human capacity to bridge housing shortage, but due to lip- service paid to policies relating to housing issues by government, the accommodation gap continues to swell with high growth of slum settlements in major cities across the country. Besides, lack of access to affordable land, high cost of fund, high cost of building materials, bottleneck procedures associated with planning approval and absence of virile mortgage system have been adduced by various experts as challenges confronting housing sector in the country Worried by the housing crisis, the Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, on assumption of office, and owing to uncertainty surrounding the draft 2nd National Housing Policy

HOW CAN WE BECOME ONE OF THE LEADING ECONOMIES IN THE GLOBAL SOCIETY WHEN WE ARE NOT PAYING SERIOUS ATTENTION TO HOUSING DELIVERY WITH ITS ATTENDANT BACKWARD AND FORWARD LINKAGES THAT WOULD ACCELERATE OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN REAL TERM?

of 2004 which never got approval, set up a committee comprising all stakeholders for the review of the nation’s housing related policies. The committee has since completed its job and submitted their draft, while the Federal Executive Council, on June 20, 2012, approved the document as the National and Urban Development Policy for the nation. Ways and approaches to be adopted to ensure full implementation of the new housing policy unlike former documents which failed to meet the purpose for which they were formulated dominated the conference room of City Hall, Lagos, venue of the event, during a one-day seminar on “The New National Housing Policy-An Effective Framework for its Implementa-

tion.” The seminar was organised by the Faculty of Housing of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), at the weekend. Experts at the forum reeled out essential issues for successful implementation of the new housing policy Giving an insight to the new housing policy, foremost estate surveyor and a member of the review committee, Mr. S.P.O. Fortune Ebie, said political will and sustained commitment at all levels in the public and private sectors are imperative for execution success. He said, “As political will appears to be the document imperative, there is need to say that in Nigeria, we have all it takes (finance, manpower, sources of building ma-

terials, appropriate technology,. if properly harnessed, we can achieve a quantum leap in the provision of housing for our people. “How can we become one of the leading economies in the global society when we are not paying serious attention to housing delivery with its attendant backward and forward linkages that would accelerate our economic growth in real term?” Fortune Ebie pioneered the development of Festival Town popularly known as FESTAC Town in 1977 under the administration of former Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Ebie, who is also the Principal Partner, Forture Ebie and Company, an estate surveying and valuation firm, noted that the main reason the nation has failed in housing its people was the inability of the leaders and followers to develop and sustain determined will to rise to the responsibilities and challenges in the provision of mass housing for Nigerians. Ebie, fondly called Mr Housing in the sector, called for adequate funding by both public and private for the sector, adding that intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships are also required for successful implementation of the new policy. He raise a poser as to why the Central Bank of Nigeria has found it difficult to give housing sector intervention funds just as it has done in other sectors. He said, “In 2011, CBN gave N620 billion loan to distressed banks. Other sectors have received intervention fund from CBN. What has CBN done for the mortgage banks? How much has CBN pumped into the housing sector? CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Environment: Senate threatens to withhold allocation for capital projects OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Senate Committee on Environment has threatened to withhold allocation to fund capital projects in the ministry unless it shows the capacity to judiciously use the money. The proposed zero allocation threat will also extend to all the agencies and departments under the ministry. The committee Chairman, Senator Bukola Saraki, who disclosed this during a hearing on 2012 budget performance in Abuja, said the ministry must convince the committee of what it used the previous allocation for, otherwise, the committee would not fund its new projects. The former Kwara State governor, therefore, directed the ministry to review some of the data in its presentation and return at a future date to clarify all issues raised by the committee members. Responding, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia assured the committee that the ministry’s capital projects would be duly executed and completed. Adducing reasons for the low level of projects completion, Mailafia explained that the unprecedented rainfall, and the ensuing devastating floods this year, posed some challenges to most of the contractors, espe-

L-R: Chairman, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Mr. Kunle Awobodu; President, Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), Mr. Busola Awojobi; former President, NIStructE , Mr. Ayodeji Belo; President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Chuks Omeife, and former President, NIStructE, Mr. Victor Oyenuga, at the 25th Annual Conference and General Meeting of NIStructE in Abuja on last Saturday.

cially those who were already on site. She, however, said efforts would be made to get value for money, and to ensure that the projects are completed in good quality and time.

The minister also assured the committee that, the environmental challenges and ecological problems across the country were of equal concern and interest to the ministry.

On the issue of Cactus project being executed in Katsina State, the minister stated that she would look into the project and give a feedback to the committee.

Imperatives for successful implementation of new National Housing Policy CONTINUED FROM 25 He also wants government to institute periodic review and evaluation at all tiers of government and their institutions as well as the private sector housing development participants, adding that there is need for the enhancement and amendment of relevant legislation, including the Land Use Act as well as omnibus housing law. He said there is need for advocacy in order to create public awareness and sensitisation of all stakeholders about the policy, canvassing capacity building among them. Other imperatives for implementation success, he mentioned include, identifying, collection, collation and sharing of best practices information; international co-operation; and improvement in data gathering, analysis and management leading to an efficient National Housing and Urban Development Data bank. Other are, institutionalisation of stability ternurial and capacity wise of the ministry; formulation and approval of detailed sub-sectional policies such as land policy, housing finance policy, social housing policy among other. He said, “Preparation, presentation and approval of implementation strategies, including sectoral strategic action plans for the policies which will specify the comprehensive strategy for implementation of the provisions, with clear deliverables, timelines, roles and responsibility assigned, i.e. the imperatives of the Road Map and its approval are a must.”

Pepple

In her speech, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, stated that areas currently receiving attention include funding availability, mortgage risk environment, access to fiancé, improved land titling processes and housing supply. The minister who was represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mrs Margret Okolo, chronicled some of the achievements of the ministry, adding that in May this year, and in collaboration with the Coordinating Minister on the Economy/ Finance the ministry sponsored a round table on mortgage finance. According to her, it became clear to all stakeholders at the event that it was no lon-

Eleh

ger time for talking but for concrete action. At the end, she stated that an implementation Task Team comprising the key institutions connected with housing and finance was constituted to launch some pragmatic initiatives in certain areas to jumpstart the process of housing delivery. She said, “I am happy to announce that the team has started work and in the next one year, the result of their efforts will become more visible.” Earlier, the Chairman of Faculty of Housing, NIESV, Chief Kola Akomolede, had queried arguments that private sector should be left to take care of the housing needs of the nation and that government

should not engage in the construction of houses directly because of the cost of such venture. He told the gathering that the nation will be deceiving itself if government fails to take up the responsibility of housing as a social service especially for the low income earners, leaving the private sector to cater for the rich. He listed lack of access to land at affordable prices, lack of mortgage fiancé, and high cost of building materials as major challenges facing the sector. Vice President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), South West zone, Mr Akintoye Adeoye, while commending the role of government in ensuring that the new housing policy came in being, called for its implementation in order to take Nigeria to the next level in to housing delivery. Adeoye, who is the group managing director of New Creations Properties, noted that the housing problem is huge and that it required the determination and partnership of all stakeholders to “puncture the ballon.” He pointed out that honest implementation of the policy as articulated without minding who takes the glory will make the masses to smile. President/Chairman of Council, Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Ifenna Chukwujekwu, wants the Land Use Act to be excised from the Nigeria Constitution of the country for necessary amendment and better land administration.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

My mum is my biggest inspiration –Agbaje 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

NFF must recognise that the Super Falcons’ failure to win the AWC trophy is a wake-up call –Sports critic, Shuaibu Gara Gombe

Eko 2012: MOC yet to release athletes’ list

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (in white tracksuit) shaking hands with the Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku team during the kick-off ceremony of the 1st Edition of Delta State Governor’s Cup held at the St. Patrick’s College, Asaba pitch, recently.

ourteen days to the opening of the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) is yet to publish the list of participants. But the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has assured stakeholders that the names of accredited athletes and officials would soon be made public. The MOC only concluded the Delegation Registration Meeting (DRM) on Sunday in Abuja, an innovation in the biennial competition. The meeting is where athletes and officials are entered for the Festival and the ineligible ones have their names removed, to check mercenaries and two states entering one athlete. Secretary of the Games Services and Secretariat, Deji Aladegbemi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the MOC had yet to release the list. “We are relying on the MOC for that allimportant document. We have been working on assumptions in the provision of logistics and accommodation but believe that the document’s timely release will help us a lot in our planning,” Aladegbemi said. He explained that the LOC would be responsible for the welfare of athletes, while state governments would cater for their officials.

…As Anambra Fans to watch Eagles, dangles cash Venezuela Thursday morning prizes IKENWA NNABUOGOR

he international friendly match between the Venezuelan senior national team and their Nigerian counterpart will be watched live in Nigeria on Thursday morning because of the time difference between Nigeria and the United States of America. The game which kicks of in Miami, Florida on Wednesday night will force the Super Eagles fans back home to keep vigil to watch the match on television, as it will kick off at 1:55am Nigerian time on Thursday, November 15.

This is caused by the six hours difference between American and Nigerian time, as the venue for the game has been fixed for Miami. Eagles’ team made of nine home-based players and the technical crew led by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari, departed Lagos on Sunday night aboard Delta Airlines plane. National Mirror can report that 12 home-based players were issued visas at the USA Embassy last week in Abuja but nine players eventually made the trip. It was earlier reported that 11 home-based

players were originally scheduled to make the trip. The 10-member team of foreign-based players will join the team from their European bases ahead of the Thursday Nigerian time fixture. Eagles wrapped up their first-phase of preparation for the forthcoming friendly with Venezuela last Thursday with a warm up game against Abuja FC that ended 3-3. Thursday’s match was one of those being lined up for the Super Eagles to prepare for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in January.

s part of strategies to ensure optimal performance at the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF), Anambra State Government has announced cash rewards for athletes that will win medals at the games. Disclosing the prizes to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Edozie Aroh, disclosed yesterday that gold medal winners would receive N200, 000 each; silver medalists would receive N150, 000, while bronze medal winners would get N75, 000. Aroh said there were other incentives being packaged to further motivate the athletes, such as ensuring adequate logistics support.

AWC failure: NFF to sack Ikhana this week

uper Falcons’ coach, Kadiri Ikhana, would be sacked this week by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) if he failed to resign his post after he led the team to their worst ever outing at the Africa Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea. Former soldier Ikhana had before the tournament said that he would not wait to be fired if he failed at the AWC. “There is a contract and the contract is clear. I am a principled person. If I fail

to win the AWC I will not wait for the NFF; I know what to do,” he said. Ikhana is just seven months into a four-year contract which pays him N3 million (about $19,300) a month. The former Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Kwara United coach led the Falcons to their worst ever result, losing for the first time to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana and finishing fourth for the first time in the history of the AWC.

Essentially, Ikhana would be sacked because his continued stay on the job is tied to his performance; leading Falcons to win the AWC in Equatorial Guinea as a first step. A top NFF official also disclosed, “Ikhana knows the demands of his contract. So, he should know what to do because the federation will work with the document.” The NFF will boot out the coach this week should he not resign on his own.

Kadiri Ikhana

Sport

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Internationals frustrate Wenger

Tit bits...

Sneijder

rsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, is worried about his international players as a host of his squad link-up with their national squads this week. The Gunners were far from impressive as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Fulham at the weekend, and Wenger admits he would rather keep his players in London to prepare for a crucial derby clash with Tottenham on Saturday. “It is bad for us. I would prefer that the team stays here and prepares for our next game,” he said yesterday in London. “There is a risk with the players who have played our last three games-they play another one in midweek, and another one against Spurs, and after that they play against Montpellier in the UEFA Champions League. “At the moment we cannot rotate too much, so it is not

Manchester United is keeping tabs on Wesley Sneijder’s situation at Inter Milan. Latest reports said United could revive its long-standing pursuit of the Holland playmaker who is said to be frustrated with his club at the moment. Sir Alex Ferguson has long admired the 28-year-old Dutchman, who is one of Inter’s highest earners.

Kaka

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, is pleased with the form of Kaka this season. Kaka is currently reviving his career after struggling last season at the Liga club. “He (Kaka) helps the team when he is on the field. If he were a left wing he would have played a lot, but he is a 10 and when we use him more than Mesut Ozil you ask about Ozil and now that Ozil is playing well you ask about Kaka.”

Terry

anchester City assistant coach, David Platt, says striker Edin Dzeko must appreciate that he is part of a squad at the club, with it not possible for everyone to play. Dzeko is building a reputation as something of a super sub, as he stepped off the Arsene Wenger bench again to net a crucial winning goal in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Bosnian openly admits that he would prefer to be

Walcott

Nolan West Ham striker, Kevin Nolan, hopes the club can emulate the achievements of Newcastle United and push for European qualification in the near future. The Hammers have returned to the Premier League for the 2012/13 campaign after taking in an unwelcome one-season stay in the Championship. With the support we’ve got and the backing from the boardroom, hopefully we can emulate what Newcastle has done,” Nolan said yesterday.

ideal, but we have to deal with that. We have no time to train on it, because the players go away and anyway, when you play every three days you cannot practice too much. “However, it is like that for all the teams and as long as you play in the League Cup as well, you never have a complete week to prepare the next game.”

Ob ar YEMI

Arsene Wenger

Platt explains Dzeko role

Chelsea captain John Terry was due to undergo an MRI scan yesterday to determine the extent of the damage suffered to his knee durng the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Terry, who made his comeback after a four-match domestic ban, headed the hosts in front from a corner in the 20th minute before he went 15 minutes later. “We will have to wait until the swelling goes down on John’s knee before we can assess the extent of the injury,” manager Roberto Di Matteo said.

Chelsea is waiting to pounce for Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott. According to reports, the Stamford Bridge side sent a scout to monitor Walcott’s performance for Arsenal–his first Premier League start since the opening day of the season–in the 3-3 draw at home to Fulham on Saturday. Walcott’s contract expires next summer and talks over a new deal have not progressed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

playing from the start, with top players frustrated with life on the bench. “I think after the West Brom game when he came on and scored two goals and we won the game, I said then we can only pick 11 players and we put people on the substitutes’ bench to come on,” Platt said yesterday. “That’s the way that it’s been at this football club, since I have been here anyway. It’s the way that it is at everybody’s football club.”

memb for Sa al Mou Mount schedu Resort Cha Comm told N arriva excited tion ne “Th sultan be a t 11km seven “Th

Eko

AFOLA

Frank Lampard

Lampard nears Chinese move

helsea midfielder, Frank Lampard, could be set for a move to China after Guizhou Renhe claimed they are in talks with the vastly experienced player. Lampard has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League since March but despite speculation intensifying recently, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has dismissed any truth in the reports. A Renhe official, however, confirmed in a brief statement yesterday that talks had begun with the 34-year-old England in-

ternational. “Yes, we are in contact with Lampard but so far nothing has been settled,” deputy board chairman Yang Xiayou, said. Chairman Dai Yongge was quoted in a Chinese newspaper as saying Lampard would join Renhe as captain in January, ahead of the season starting in March. The club, which is based in the South Western province of Guizhou, qualified for its first AFC Champions League competition with a fourth-place finish in the league.

Edin Dzeko

n or fort tiva will pla Ogbom spectiv The Kwara dium, Ogbom bomosh Chai sociatio yesterd would needed “It w sess the ready t “We val ligh well an of Osun The Nigeria who ad

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Sport

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Friendly: Ejide joins Eagles in Miami

Obudu runners

budu 2012: Officials rrive for events

OLUS

four-man technical team led by World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) council ber, Erhan Basoglu, has arrived turday’s 8th Obudu Internationuntain Race and the 4thAfrican tain Running Championship uled to hold at the Obudu Ranch t in Obudu, Cross River State. airman of the Local Organising mittee, Sir William Archibong, ational Mirror yesterday that the al of the all-Turkish officials had d the organisers as the competieared start. he officials are our technical connts and we wish to state that it will otally different course from the course we have used for the last editions,” the LOC boss said. his is in line with the standard set

by the WMRA before Obudu was granted the hosting right for the 2014 world championships,” Archibong explained. Meanwhile this year`s Obudu Mountain Race winners will share over N45m in prize money. Cross River State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Patrick Ugbe, who made this disclosure, said that the outlay of the funds had remained intact. “The total prize money for the 6th edition of the race in 2010 was increased by over $35,000 by the organisers following the introduction of the women’s version of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship,” Ugbe said. The Obudu International Mountain Race is organized by the Cross River State government and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and it enjoys support from the African Athletics Confederation (CAA), WMRA and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

srael-based goalkeeper, Austin Ejide, has joined the Super Eagles in Miami, Florida, United States of America for Thursday’s morning international friendly game against Venezuela. National Mirror was informed yesterday that 10 home-based players on Monday arrived in Miami. The team which is led by NFF President, Aminu Maigari, and included Technical Committee Chairman, Mr. Chris Green, departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 10:40pm on Sunday night. The Eagles arrived Atlanta City at about 11am Nigerian time yesterday, which is about 5am American time. After clearing immigration, the team boarded a Delta Airline connecting flight, where they were joined by Ejide, on the flight to Miami. The flight from Atlanta to Miami, took about 1hour, 20minutes, also on Delta Airline but because of shortage of seats the team had to break into two, with the rest arriving about an hour after the first. The Nigerian team was received by the match organisers and is settling in at their Intercontinental Hotel abode at Doral in Miami.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi, has been upbeat about the game and declared that he expects all the players invited by latest this morning. The weather in Miami is quite friendly despite the early morning showers. Temperature stood at 23 degree celcius and home-based players not used to chilly weather are quite delighted at what they are experiencing. “I’m happy at the weather and all the wind cheaters we brought here may not be useful,” declared Warri Wolves hitman, Sunday Mba.

Austin Ejide

Glo Academy: Lagos adds 10 boys

o 2012: Team Osun tests Kwara, Crown

ABI

GAMBARI

rder to have good outing in the thcoming National Sports Fesal tagged EKO 2012, Team Osun ay Kwara United and Crown of mosho today and tomorrow revely. Osun representatives will meet at the Shagamu Township StaOgun State and will travel to mosho to meet Crown at the Ogho Township Stadium. irman, Osun State Football Ason (OFA), Taiwo Ogunjobi, said day that the friendly matches make the players achieve the d focus ahead of the Eko 2012. will also enable the coaches to ase team and the players that are o excel,” Ogunjobi added. are not taking the sports festihtly because we want to prepare nd win gold medal for the people n,” he stressed. former secretary general of the a Football Association (NFA), dmitted the challenges ahead

for the Osun team, however said the contingent had been prepared for the rigours. “I am happy that the players are responding to training according to their coaches. We are not coming to Lagos to make numbers but to give our fans back home something to cheer at the end of the festival,” he said.

The talents posing with the coaches at the weekend in Lagos

Governor Aregbesola

en talented youths have been selected at the Glo Soccer Academy screening exercise held at the weekend after a three-day process at the National Stadium, Lagos. Two goalkeepers, Okechukwu Daniel and Itua Osayi, made the list as defenders Nwafor Samuel, Aliu Adamu, and Reuben George while midfield quartet of Emeka Okolie, Tobe Nwaribeaku, Willy Joseph and Eteobong Akpan as well as striker, Ayinde Sodiq, complete the list. The Lagos exercise drew the curtain on the Nigerian leg of Glo Soccer Academy screening while the technical team continues their search for talents in Benin Republic. Already, 15 youthful players

have been selected from similar exercises in Ghana. Selected players from all the screening centres in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic will be pruned to 33 who will head for the Glo Soccer Academy in Lagos, where they will be trained by top coaches from West Africa and Manchester United Football Club. Of the 33 in the Academy, 16 finalists will emerge and they will go on a training tour of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Carrington, England, as well as enjoy the GBam Scholarship of N750, 000 each as part of the prizes. In addition, one of them who will emerge as the Most Valuable Player will earn N5m while the remaining 15 will go home with N1m each.

Sport

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

On the track with

YEMI OLUS danyella172003@yahoo.com

My mum is my biggest inspiration –Agbaje How did you get into athletics? I was seating on a couch in my brother’s living room, watching the 2004 Athens Olympics 100m finals and that was the moment for me. I just felt I could do this; I had never been to a track before that time so after the Games I took myself to the National Stadium in Surulere to look for a coach.

Sprinter Fred Agbaje looks set to take 2013 by storm, having recovered from an injury that stopped him from qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Delta State athlete, who is an undergraduate of Dickinson State University in America, gives an insight into how he got into track and field and calls for a positive change on issues relating to athletes’ welfare.

Looking back at your career, how has the journey been? The journey has been tough, challenging but satisfying as well. Nobody gave me a chance, not even my immediate family. They all wanted me to concentrate on my studies but I never allowed that to discourage me. Instead I took it as a challenge and motivation to put in the hard work it needed, if not for anything but to prove them wrong. But have you come as far as you would have expected? No, I don’t have any regret because when I started, I had two things in mind. One was to run fast and go pro, or to run fast enough to get me a scholarship to study in the United States, which is what my family wanted me to do at first; to go to school. And the latter came to pass. Do you have a role model and how has the model influenced you? Micheal Johnson is someone I respect so much. He inspired me to go through college if I needed to achieve my goals in track and be what I wanted to be. He actually went through what I also faced recently in terms of nursing an injury as a college athlete. His book ‘Unleash the Dragon’ is one of my favorite books till date. Off the track, my mother, Mrs. Origenbi Agbaje, serves as my role model. She’s one of the strongest women I know, hard working, loving and she is my inspiration and driving force to date. And my elder brother, Mr. Milk Agbaje, though he never wanted me to do track even when he knew I could run fast. He’s been someone I look up to in every aspect of life, most important on how to be patient. What have been the major challenges you have faced since moving to the US? It has to be the weather but I have to train nevertheless. The weather is always below 32f, that’s below freezing point of 0 degree Celsius. Even Usain Bolt will find it tough to survive here. It’s not been easy, but what keeps me going out in the cold to work hard is my mother, fans and the fact that if I don’t train, my competitors are training. What do you think went wrong with Ni-

Fred Agbaje (left) racing during a recent meet

BUT THE GENESIS OF IT ALL IS THAT THOSE AT THE HELM

OF AFFAIRS,

I’M SORRY TO SAY THIS, ARE SOME OF THE MOST

SELFISH INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORLD geria’s contingent at the London 2012 Games? Everything went wrong! But the genesis of it all is that those at the helm of affairs, I’m sorry to say this, are some of the most selfish individuals in the world. All they think about is how much they will make out of what has been allocated to the federation, and this is driven by the saying that goes “opportunity comes but once”. A large percentage of these people are former athletes who mismanaged their opportunities and fortunes during their days

as competitive athletes. Now they see these times as opportunity to get back to live. So they don’t care about, not just the athletes, but also the 160 millions Nigerian who pray, fast and pay tax to see Nigeria as a nation do well at the Olympics or any other Championship. How will you rate the general performance of Nigerian athletes in the outgoing year? Well, considering the treatment they got from the federation, I will say they have performed more than expectation. What do you think should be put in place ahead of the World Championships in 2013? Well, take it or leave it, Track and Field is one of the most difficult sports to train for. In other words, it is expensive to train for the sport. So grants should be given to athletes at the right time; by that I mean at the beginning of the season. It is more helpful you give an athlete $1000 at the beginning than to give $100,000 at the end of sea-

son. Basically you’re telling me to go and buy a car instead of getting myself good training equipment and nutrition or go take my girlfriend to a vacation in Obudu Cattle Ranch rather than going to a comfortable place to train. How have you balanced your training with your academics? It’s not been easy trying to be an above average student and at the same time a world class athlete, but it’s all about setting your priorities right. My coach used to tell me one thing, which is ‘don’t forget you’re a student athlete, which means student first before athlete’. So what I do is give my best whenever I find myself in class and give the best whenever I find myself on track. What is your ultimate target as an athlete? I would definitely want to be an Olympian; it’s the dream of every sports person. I would also want to inspire kids around the world through track, especially kids from Ososo in Delta State where I come from.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Real Estate & Environment

FG defends high cost of housing ...Developer faults land allocation policy

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

s more criticisms trail the high cost of housing provision in the country, the Federal Government has rose in defence of estate developers, stressing that housing could not come cheap as a result of high cost involved in land acquisition. This is even as the Crown Realities Plc, a real estate developer, said that getting a land for development purposes in the country was a difficult task because those saddled with the task of land allocation in the country would rather give land to politicians. Speaking during the commissioning of the 106 units of housing developed by Crown Realities Plc, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple said the high cost of housing in the country was triggered by the hug funds that were required in land purchase. The cost of each of the unit of housing at the estate christened Crown Court, ranges from N52.5million, N75 million to N85 million, depending on the house type. Justifying the high cost, the minister said,” I know they paid 300 million for the land for the estate and so we should not be surprised if the prices of the unit of houses are high.” On whether this kind of housing estate could in anyway add to the housing stock in the country, she said every house built in this country, no matter the type would ultimately add to the housing stock of the nation. Pepple defended the right of every individual in the country to own any house type provided such individual could afford it. She said,” Though we are pressing for the low income earners, we will not stop people building houses for the higher income group. We will continue to press for the low income earners. Those who also buy expensive houses are Nigerians, if they can afford the money, I cannot stop them from buying the houses. The minister restated that the present administration has the political will to change the landscape of the housing sector as contained in the Nigerian Constitution, Vision 2020 and Transformation Agenda. “Our Constitution urges us to provide shelter for our citizens; the transformation agenda, the Vision 2020 all make reference to the provision of shelter. When you give a man shelter, you give the person dignity,” she added. The Chief Executive Officer of Crown Realities Plc, Mr. Dan Ozu who spoke with our correspondent blamed government for unwholesome practices in land allocation, a situation he linked with the high cost of hous-

Ongoing Gbagada Estate in Lagos

ing. Unlike other developers, he said that the set of buildings in the estate was not built for low income earners. The former university lecturer noted that there was no way housing could be cheap in the country in view of the high cost of land and the reluctance of government to come up with a subsidy programme in the sector. He said, “ There are three layers in housing delivery sector. We have the low, the middle and the high income. We build for the high income earners. “All over the world, the highestpopulation is the low income people and if you want to make houses for them, as it is being done across the globe, you need some kind of subsidy. “This may not be in form of money; it could be in form of giving out lands. The subsidy can also come in form of building of access road and provision portable water If u have those things, you could now work out how to manage other cost to bring the cost of the building you are producing down.” While Ozu lamented that the country had not got it right in the area of coming up with deliverable housing policy, he said the only opportunity offered through National Housing Scheme was burgled tainted by structural defect.

He also stated, “ We have not got it right in the housing sector in this country. The opportunity we missed essentially is the National Housing Fund. What I had advocated at that time was that the NHF should not have been a banking relationship between government and individuals. It should have been bankers with the individual. According to him, in this way, individual Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) would have been able to choose and relate with their customers in a mutually beneficial manner. He also described the Land Use Act, which places ownership on state government as superfluous. “The Land Use Act has outlived its usefulness. It can still be there, but the power repose on government to give consent is superfluous, because land is a developmental thing to the state. Action on land, activities on land is a developmental issue; it is not essentially a physical issue. “As long as we have the Land Use Act, we will continue to have restriction on the thing we do with land. Asked to comment on the system of land allocation in the country, he also stated,” Land issue is a political thing; those in charge of land allocation give it to politicians. They don’t give it to the people that will develop it. For people like us, we should not have come to places like this to buy land. We have 50 hectare estate in Lagos.”

Elderly, most vulnerable to environmental hazards - NESREA

he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA) has said that the elderly people in the country are the most vulnerable to the negative impact of environmental hazards. NESREA Director General, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, who spoke in Abuja during the National Media Dialogue on Environment and Longevity, stated that the inability of elderly people to quickly respond during emergencies made them susceptible. She said,”The elderly in our society are affected by socio-economic and environmental factors and these contribute to the ageing process. EnvironmenEnvironmental hazard tal degradation distorts nature and thereby shorten Benebo explained that the media dialogue which life span because it devalues health and well-being. “ A case in hand is the current flood menace that was organised in collaboration with International is still ravaging different parts of our society. The Federation on Ageing Nigerian(IFAN) was aimed at elderly are among the vulnerable groups that are sensitising the people on the impact of environment mostly affected and still being threatened by these and longevity. Part of the objectives of the programme, according surging floods.”

to the NESREA boss, was the promotion and positioning of environmental education as support structure to sustainable development and optimum health. In his own address, the Coordinator, IFAN Mr. Mike Willie-Nwobu, noted that the surest was to achieve longevity, was for the people to care for the environment even as they used it for their daily activities. Warning on the consequences of abuse of the environment, he said,” A lot of people are alive but environmentally disarmed and disabled. Simply put, longevity is not just measured by mere existence, when all decent, productive and socio- economic index has been destroyed by our excesses to environmental violation, longevity and purpose of life has gone.” Willie Nwobu explained that although it could be difficult to totally control environmental challenges, it could be better handled by stopping some of the unwholesome activities into which the people subject it to.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Why marble flooring should be your first choice S electing the right kind of flooring is often a tough task as there are so many options. Many kinds of floorings are available in the market. All these types of floors can add more beauty to your house. However beauty often is not the only consideration. Apart from beauty, we need to consider many other factors while choosing a floor. The floors should not be slippery as it may cause accidents. Children often roam around and run after one another in the house. There are chances of accidents on the slippery surfaces. So, safety flooring should be our first point of consideration.

Marble floorings(such as Hang Grey marble, Chinese marble Nero Marquina, Botticino Classico imported marble, Gold Beige marble) in fact are one of the best options of flooring that you can install in your house. It can instantly add a zing to the ambience of your house. They require little maintenance, are easy to clean and are available in different designs and shapes. But these floors are little expensive, es-

Culled from www.suvstone.com

pecially when it is designed with different patterns. So, we first need to look at our budget and then select the floorings. We also need to measure the area where the marble will be installed. This will allow us to make a prudent judgment and we can select the floor based on our preference and budget for home decor. Ceramic flooring is considered as one of the best options for decorating the house. But these floors are slippery and hence they are not safe. The risks of accidents increase when the surface of the floor is wet and glossed. People select this kind of flooring because of many reasons. First of all ceramic is long lasting and requires little maintenance. Apart from that it is durable and can be used for a long period of time. It is considered as one of the hard materials. Quarry flooring also looks good in the houses. Many people across the world install quarry flooring as it is affordable and durable. In the past, this type of flooring was used in commercial places, offices and business centres. But

now many people choose this type of flooring to decorate their houses. Quarry tiles are available in different sizes and shapes. It is frost proof. So, many people install this type of flooring outside their houses. But this kind of flooring can be dangerous if not maintained properly. Keeping in mind both the safety and the beauty aspect the best option hence is stone flooring. Stone floors are available in the market in varied colour and textures. Slate, limestone and marble are some of the common floorings used in the houses and in the commercial places. Marble is considered as one of the stylish materials for decoration. Its strong resistant surface adds more value to it. But marble floorings are quite expensive. So, people with low budget often hesitate to install this type of floorings. However if you are not hesitant to spend money and are keen to add that glamorous look to the house then marble flooring can be an apt choice.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Real Estate & Environment

Sparklight Group to raise N1bn to boost property development DAYO AYEYEMI

n a move to expand its operational base and ensure that shareholders get high returns on their investment, the firm of Messrs Sparklight Property Development Company Limited, has indicated interest to raise N1 billion from the capital market to boost its activities, enhance homeownership among Nigerians and attract new investors to the company. According to a statement by the company, it intends to raise the fund from the Nigerian Stock Exchange through a private placement to boast the brand of Sparklight property and sustain its leadership role in the real estate business. The proposal by the company forms part of its ambition to finance property development activities, expansion of branch network, acquisition of additional fixed assets and provide working capital for the company. Under the proposed expansion, the company is also teaming up with Chinese and American investors to upscale its businesses and beef up its directors, with the inclusion of seasoned professionals and technocrats. According to the company, it maintained an enviable track record in the area of property development while housing estate/commercial complexes so far developed by the company include Kings Court Estate in Abuja, Sparklight Estate at Isheri, Ogun State, Kings Garden Guest House at Asoro Abuja, Ola Iya Estate at Badagry, Lagos.

Sparklight Estate, Ibafo, Ogun State

The firm is currently undertaking the construction of several projects such as Rockview Estate, Obasanjo Hilltop in Ogun state and Phase II Gateway Sparklight Estate, Ibafo, Ogun State and plans to dedicate 70 per cent of the capital raised for real estate/property Development. Upcoming projects, according to the firm, Sparklight’s Seme International

Market, Gaslight Village, Lekki, Millennium Plaza and so many. These achievements, the firm said have shown in the company profitability which is the basis of earning forecast in the year 2013, 2014 and 2015 as 0.53k, 0.83k and N1.59kobo respectively. The private placement, which opened September 20th, has been ex-

Nigeria, others selected for Lafarge’s affordable housing programme

igeria and four other countries have been pencilled for the initial launch of a scheme aimed at enabling some 2 million people worldwide to have access to affordable and sustainable housing between now and 2020. The microfinance programme for affordable housing is targeted at people in emerging markets with low purchasing power to help them finance the construction, extension or renovation of their homes courtesy of Lafarge cement According to report from EnvironNews, besides Nigeria, the programme is expected to be launched in Indonesia, Honduras, Zambia and the Philippines. Officials of Lafarge disclosed recently at the World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, that the initiative “represents an initial concrete response to one of the nine main ambitions of the Sustainability Ambitions 2020 plan announced by Lafarge.” “For the project, Lafarge has joined forces with CHF International (Cooperative Housing Foundation), an NGO

with more than 40 years’ experience in housing microfinance and 60 years in urban housing solutions. Other partnerships will be formed with NGOs or public organisations to support the development of the project. The programme should involve around 10 million Euros over the next two years,” they added. According to the org anisation, it will work in par tnership with local microfinance institutions to g rant loans of an average of 2,000 Euros over a ter m of two to three years. “Lafarge offers an innovative approach, helping borrowers during the various stages of their construction project. Counsellors trained and managed by Lafarge will offer personalised support, which may include an architect visit or drawing up plans. “The Group’s approach aims to provide custom-made responses suited to the needs of local populations. More than 1 billion people are currently unable to access decent housing. Faced with this challenge, Lafarge has developed a strong expertise in the area of

affordable housing. To identify these needs as best possible, Lafarge draws on its local presence and partners – such as NGOs, public authorities, developers and banks – involving them in the implementation of its affordable housing construction projects. In order to make this a long-term approach, Lafarge funds projects with a profitable business models,” officials stated. Located in 64 countries with 68,000 employees, Lafarge is considered the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in its Cement, Aggregates & Concrete businesses. In 2011, Lafarge posted sales of 15.3 billion Euros. For the second year in a row, the firm ranked amongst the top-10 of 500 companies evaluated by the “Carbon Disclosure Project” in recognition of their strategy and actions against global warming. With the world’s leading building materials research facility, Lafarge places innovation at the heart of its priorities, working for sustainable construction and architectural creativity.

tended to December 21, 2012, according to the firm, “Will be followed by the process of being listed on the stock exchange market before close of the year. “This attainment is expected to create an avenue for existing shareholders to enjoy capital appreciation, trade their shares easily in the market and make exit decision conveniently.”

NSE lauds NDDC contract award procedure CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

The Nigerian Society of Engineers has commended the openness and transparency reflected in contract awarded by the present Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). To this end, the society has urged other development agencies across the country to emulate the commission to further the quest to enthrone sanity in contract award processes in the country. The chairman, Port Harcourt Branch of NSE, Mr. Denis Dania, gave the commendation recently during the bid opening for the construction of Ogbogu Integrated Civic Centre in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. “I have been participating in the opening of bids in some organisations and I can say that NDDC’s transparency is outstanding”, he said. On his part, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Christian Oboh, represented by the Acting Director, Finance and Supply, Jimoh Egbejule, explained that four companies bided for the job.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BCPG mobilises structural engineers against building collapse T

he assignment of BCPG is huge and requires a mass organisation of more members to tackle simultaneously, the hydra headed problem of building collapse. “The increasing cases of building collapse in Nigeria necessitate the formation of a special platform devoted to fighting the menace. Such struggle, of course, should be championed by professionals in the built environment who are at the highest echelons of the construction industry.” Those were the words of the Chairman, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Mr. Kunle Awobodu, during the 25th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), held in Abuja at the weekend. In a paper presented at the conference, he said in diagnosing building collapse, causes such as faulty design, copied design, lack of comprehensive subsoil investigation, non-adherence to approved design, quackery, use of substandard materials, poor workmanship, non-adherence to professional advice, professional incompetence, cognitive dissonance, greed, ignorance and pilfering have been identified by BCPG. Others, according to him, were construction in crisis situation, unrealistic timelines, nocturnal concrete work/concreting in the rain, improper budget and financial control, change in use, poor drainage system/flooding, fire incident, lack of maintenance and force majeure. He stated that the causes have now been developed into a template that will guide the process of implementing the possible

A collapsed building

solutions by the organisation. He said, “We invite selfless construction professionals, men and women of vision, caballeros of integrity, to join us at BCPG in an effort to transform the dream of our construction forefathers into reality.” He reiterated that the guild is promoting unity among built environment professionals, pointing out that a house divided against itself cannot sustain its relevance. He said, “This is not an ego trip assignment. With sincerity of purpose, BCPG will revolutionise the Nigerian construction industry. “Solemnly, when a building that supposes to protect lives and properly turns

180 degrees to endanger the lives of its occupants, should we continue to lament and fold our arms? No, such a situation is unacceptable. Collectively, let’s say no to building collapse!” Members of the guild that were present at the event included first female town planner in Nigeria, Mrs. Catherine Kehinde George, a quantity surveyor, Mr. Edwin Umolu, and Mr. Julius Okoh, a builder. Others were, President of NIStructE, Mr. Busola Awojobi; immediate past President, Mr. Victor Oyenuga, former President, Mr. Ayodeji Bello, engineers; and President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Chucks Omeife. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of

the event, Awobodu said the response was massive , adding that many of the structural engineers were ready to work with BCPG. BCPG, in the last four years, has been championing campaigns against building collapse, mobilising stakeholders, especially built environment professionals and artisans including concrete workers, iron benders, block makers, and carpenters on the need to eradicate cases of collapsed building in the sector. He noted that the weakness of professionals in the built environment had been identified as their inability to create time for activities that will collectively benefit them.

Govt explains reason for poor state of Lagos-Badagry Expressway DAYO AYEYEMI

he Lagos State Government has appealed to commuters plying the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to exercise patience, saying it is not unmindful of various reports from people expressing dismay at the poor state of the road. It noted that some of the reports included alleged slow pace of work by CCECC, the construction firm engaged by the state government to reconstruct the stretch of the road, which is in phases. In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Work and Infrastructure, Mr Biola Fagunwa, he said the state government was mindful of the current status of the road and had since directed Messrs CCECC to apply palliative measures which have been washed away by the heavy rains witnessed in recent times as they were temporary. Also, Fagunwa said the responsibility of maintaining the road belongs to the Federal Government, adding that the state government had secured the assurance of Director, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), responsible for Lagos and Ogun, Mr. Gbajabiamila, that action in terms of

Construction at the Lagos-Badagry Road

rehabilitation of the remaining part of the road to Badagry would be given priority attention. He said, “Though FERMA had attributed “inaction” to the lack of enough asphalt, we have directed the state’s Public Works

Corporation to supply them with adequate quantity to ensure the rehabilitation of the bad patches. Since FERMA intends to do this repair, the state sees the need to intervene in other areas. “The Ministry of Works and Infrastruc-

ture wishes to state emphatically that we are aware of the state of the road and the obvious challenges that it poses to many users of the road. Quite clearly, it is the desire to harness its potential for the benefit of the people that explains the state government’s intervention and the commencement of the reconstruction,” he said. He explained that the plan is to reconstruct the entire stretch from Eric Moore through to Seme Border, adding that given the huge financial resources that it will take, the project has been broken into phases. “There are three phases. The first phase, Lot 1, of the project, demonstrates the vision of the Fashola administration concerning the road,” he said. He explained that the second phase, currently being handled by CCECC, had further been broken down into three stages so as to take the view of the financial position of the state, adding that the phase will be from Mazamaza to Okokomaiko. He said, “It is also important to state emphatically, that the Lot 2A (from MazaMaza to Okokomaiko) was awarded in the last days of year 2011 and the contractor mobilised early this year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Stowaway: Exposing insecurity in global aviation industry

towaway is a serious security breach in the global aviation industry including the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and other developed aviation industries where security of aircraft and users of airports are taken with the seriousness it deserves. It is a challenge to aviation security managers despite the installation of state-of-the-art gadgets at various strategic and hidden places have not been able to curb. Stowaways beat every security arrangements to get magnetised to the aircraft, hide uncomfortably in the undercarriage of the aircraft with only one mission – to enter foreign countries at all cost and illegally. Although, most get to their preferred destinations, but unfortunately, they don’t get there alive. They are mostly found cold dead on arrival. For instance, in June this year in the U.S, a NigerianAmerican man pleaded guilty to stowing away on a commercial airline flight from New York to Los Angeles in an incident that revealed an apparent lapse in airport security. Olajide Oluwaseun Noibi, 24, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to one count of stowing away on a vessel or aircraft. He currently faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Again, just last August, the body of a South African stowaway was found at London’s Heathrow Airport, the first tragedy of its kind in many years from the country. The Airports Company of South Africa said in a statement that the corpse of an unidentified person was discovered in the landing gear bay of a Boeing 747, which arrived at Heathrow on a direct flight from Cape Town. ACSA confirmed that the incident appears to coincide with a security breach at the airport, when a man scaled the fence at the Cape Town International Airport and security was unable to apprehend him. Also, in UK, Metropolitan Police removed the body of a man believed to have fallen out of the wheel well of a British Airways flight from Angola to London. The man who crashed to earth in a south-west London suburb on a Sunday made his doomed attempt to stowaway to Heathrow on a British Airways plane flying from Luanda, the Angolan capital, flight data records and a handful of money suggest. In Nigeria, the situation is not so different. Just last month, a deceased stowaway got on the undercarriage of one of the aircraft of Arik Air to New York from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos with the alleged aides of some security personnel and ground handling companies at the airport. The unidentified stowaway was discovered when the airline returned to Nigeria from New York by its personnel on routine checks in Lagos. Local medicine and a Bible were found on him. The image maker of the airline, Mr. Olabanji Ola said proper identification of the deceased would be almost impossible as he had nothing that he could be identified with on him, adding that his age range could equally not be ascertained by the airline. This incident and many others at the nation’s airports however brought to the fore the level of security or otherwise at the nation’s airports. Most professionals and stakeholders believe the airports are porous and require immediate attention from the government. Although, those who spoke with our correspondent agreed that it was a global challenge, but insisted that most of the insecurity issues would have been tackled if government pays adequate attention to aviation security in particular. Speaking on the issue, the Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said that in a bid to prevent a recurrence, the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria needed to improve the security networks in all the airports. Ndulue explained that stowaway was the fastest way to die, adding that when someone hid in the landing gear of an aircraft, such a person had no chance of survival especially if such aircraft was on a long haul flight.

The recent stowaway incident recorded on Arik Air flight from at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos is giving aviation security experts and users of the country’s airports sleepless nights. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

Comrade Saidu

Dati

THE SECURITY IN THE

NIGERIAN AVIATION INDUSTRY IS POROUS. I DON’T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN IT. THERE ARE SO MANY STRATEGIC

PLACES, APART FROM THE

TERMINAL AND THE AIRSIDE,

AVSEC ARE SUPPOSED TO BE STATIONED, BUT ARE NOT THERE. SECURITY IS

THAT

BEING JEOPARDISED IN MOST OF THE AIRPORTS “Such a person does not have a chance of survival most especially if the flight is taking up to four hours. It’s the fastest way to die. It is not an option for anybody to consider because you don’t stand a chance at all. “You can’t blame the crew for stowaway because they don’t monitor the aircraft overnight. This simply means that our airport security needs to be improved upon. It is pertinent for those who are in charge of security at the airports to put measures in place to prevent recurrence. This is very important because if we don’t do, it will be sending wrong signals to other countries” Also speaking, an aviation security expert, Mr. Adebayo Kurunmi described stowaway as a breach of airline security and said it is the duty of airport authorities to provide adequate safety for users, equipment and aircraft while on ground. Kurunmi emphasised that a stowaway risks being crushed or burned by the wheels as soon as they are retracted after takeoff. At cruising altitudes of over 35,000ft, in the unpressurised wheel well, he said oxygen deprivation can kill, adding that with temperatures plunging to -55C, stowaways would die of hypothermia. He said, “If anybody from outside the airfield can climb into the aircraft, they can potentially secrete something far worse. If we are not detecting human beings, we are not necessarily going to find an improvised explosive device, which can be as small as a radio. We put so much focus on passenger screening and hi-tech explosive detection, but if the airfield itself is porous all

that is meaningless.” Also, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association (NAPA), Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu, thumbed down for the country’s aviation security. He explained that there are several loopholes within the airport apart from the terminal, which links to the airside, but are unmanned by Aviation Security (AVSEC) of FAAN. He mentioned lack of employment, social welfare, education and health policies as some of the reasons most African citizens elope to Europe through illegal means, adding that Africans are frustrated and want to leave the continent by any means, bud sadly leads to their abrupt deaths. He said, “If the industry is free of security risks, they should have detected before the take-off of that aircraft that a strange elements was there. He must have passed through some points where security personnel were supposed to guide. Based on that, the Nigerian government needs to do more on aviation security to be able to forestall this type of moving human beings through illegal means to other countries and ended up losing his life. “The security in the Nigerian aviation industry is porous. I don’t have confidence in it. There are so many strategic places apart from the terminal and the airside that AVSEC are supposed to be stationed, but are not there. Security is being jeopardised in most of the airports. But the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati in an interview with our correspondent said that the agency regularly review security apparatus in all the nation’s airports, saying that the agency does not only rely on the AVSEC, but collaborates with other security outfits at the airports. He said, “Monitoring of the airport is not restricted to only one oganisation. There are different levels of auditing security arrangement in the country and undesirable elements are being sent away. The system is not such that you can eradicate everything in a day, but we will continue to improve. “Nigerian aviation for the past 30 years has been going through decomposition and we need to achieve changes, which we know will take sometime. What we are seeing in today’s aviation industry in the past one year has not happened in the past 30 years. New terminals are being remodelled by the government and they are commissioned. I am sure that we will get there one day and it is very soon.”

Aviation

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Mshelia charges FAAN to adopt ‘Pay as you go’ on remodelled airports STORIES: OLUSEGUN KOIKI

anaging Director of Mish Aviation, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, has advocated for the introduction of ‘Pay As You Go’ regime to forestall indebtedness from airline operators using the facilities of the recently commissioned General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos and other airports within the country. He argued that if this is adopted, it would go a long way in aiding the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in maintaining adequately the terminal and other terminals in the country without tears. Mshelia, who spoke to journalists shortly after delivering a career talk titled, “The Exciting World of Aviation” in Osun State last week said that this was one of the solutions to stopping the huge debts incurred by domestic airlines in the country. Mshelia advised FAAN to use the Pay As You Go system of payment, as it would not only ensure that airlines do not build up fresh debts, but would also help to generate revenues to aid in the main-

Msheila

tenance of the remodelled terminals across the country. He added that it is only by doing so that the agency could sustain the maintenance of the terminals, noting that debts was legal in the sector, but unserviceable debts ruin the industry and prevent it from growing and competing with its competitors in the globe. He said, “Let me tell you the model that they use in Ghana. You pay a whole year before you go in. They don’t allocate you office until you pay for it and when you go in and if there is any repairs that you are going to do ,you sit down

with the authority tell them the bill and they credit you towards the next rent. Interesting, because I can develop it to my taste and it becomes their property, but then they allow me to enjoy it. So we agree on how they take off from my next. After that you must put down 50 per cent at the end of the expired rate for them to even agree to continue to stay in the place. “To owe is normal, but to service even if it is two per cent you are servicing often, it gives the creditor a kind of relief .I don’t think anybody will cry if you do that. I agree that the prices of the offices are sometimes overbearing and unbelievably expensive, but even when you bring it down to the normal rate, I can guarantee you that the people with that same attitude of not paying will continue with that attitude. “The question I keep on asking is what is wrong? Why will somebody not remit what he has received on behalf of the government? I need people to explain to me how and for years nobody said anything. How will somebody be occupying an office and he is not paying and we are not doing anything? It is tug of war to ask them to pay.”

Overland Airways takes delivery of first ATR 72 aircraft

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Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Cowing the union leaders

ust last week, the National Executive Council of the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah to rescind the recall of its President, Comrade Gideon Okewu back to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State. ATSSSAN threatened that if the minister did not withdraw her letter of recall, it would make the industry ungovernable for her. Apart from Okewu, Airside observed that some union leaders in the sector, especially those attached to agencies

have in the past two months or so been scared of speaking to the media on any issue in the industry. Rather, they preferred to remain anonymous. When Airside probed the reason for this sudden change of approach from the union leaders, it scooped that Oduah has decided to deal with those who negates her policies with redeployment out of their base station. In order to avoid this, they are either evasive on issues or prefer anonymous. The once vivacious unions have suddenly gone underground and repeatedly begged not to be quoted on any controversial issues in the sector. Indeed, the unions have been cowed.

GAT ownership: Who blinks first?

he battle for the rightful owner of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos has been on for some few years running. While the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the first private terminal in Nigeria, Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos insists GAT belongs to it, the government through the Ministry of Aviation is crying foul over the claim. Last week, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), threw the first salvo when it said that contrary to claim by the terminal operator, GAT was not part of the contractual agreement the government had with BASL and that the agreement with BASL on Public Private Partnership (PPP) was

skewed in favour of the concessionaire and against the Nigerian people. BASL reacting barely 24 hours later insisted that the newly renovated GAT belonged to it and charged FAAN to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court on the issue. He also said that contrary to the 12 years contractual agreement being brandished by FAAN, the contractual agreement between BASL and government was 36 years. Airside as an unbiased umpire thinks both parties should dialogue on the thorny areas in the agreement, rather than washing their dirty linen in public. However, if both parties refused to follow the part of dialogue, then, Airside will be willing to see who blinks first.

United Continental becomes first US carrier to fly Boeing 787 jet

The Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo (centre) with officials of ART aircraft in Toulouse, France recently.

ne of the fast growing indigenous airlines in the country, Overland Airways last week took delivery of the first of its six ATR 72 aircraft. The aircraft with Registration Number 5N-BPE arrived Nigeria from the manufacturer’s facility in Toulouse, France. A statement signed by the airline stated that the aircraft, with a significantly reduced noise level, is configured to carry 70 passengers in its Business Flyer seats and offers easy aisle access to every seat. The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Capt. Edward

Boyo said the addition of the ATR 72 to its fleet will enable the airline provide a high level of on-board comfort to its numerous customers, adding that it increases its seating capacity while ensuring that it could extend its services to new locations in Nigeria. With the acquisition of the aircraft, the airline became the first carrier in Nigeria to operate this modern aircraft type. He said, “The delivery of the ATR 72 marks another milestone for Overland Airways as we celebrate our 10 years of offering excellent air services in

Nigeria. It shows our commitment to continuously upgrade our fleet in line with the expectations of our discerning customers and satisfy our growing market. This new addition to our ATR family of aircraft will further our leadership and presence in the Nigerian airline industry.” He disclosed that the airline has plans to provide air transport services to every state in Nigeria through continuous development and delivery of aviation products and services to meet the needs of air travelers in the country.

nited Continental Holdings Incorporation has ushered in a new era for composite-plastic aircraft with its inaugural flight using Boeing Company’s 787 Dreamliner jet. Flight 1116 to Chicago from Houston was the first by a U.S. airline with the plane whose fuselage is made chiefly from composite materials instead of the traditional aluminum, and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smisek hailed it as “the best airplane in the world.” “It doesn’t get any cooler than this,” Smisek said as he posed for photos and signed autographs at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport before a takeoff that industry data tracker FlightAware reported at 8:29 a.m. New York time. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

The Dreamliner symbolically punctuates the 2010 merger creating the world’s largest carrier from former United parent UAL Corp. and Continental Airlines Inc. Continental committed in 2004 to buy the first U.S. 787s, and the new United is due to get 48 more of the jets under purchases by its predecessors, following the delivery of the second plane on Oct. 31. Smisek said he expects two more jets this month. United will benefit from the plane’s 20 per cent fuel savings compared with wide-body models of similar size. It also can promote the passenger comforts that Boeing says set the jet apart from other aircraft, such as dimmable windows and LED lighting that changes in different phases of flight.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Brokers to sue NAICOM over ‘no premium, no cover’ policy Insurance brokers, under the auspices of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), have described the monetary sanctions introduced by the National Insurance Commission into the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy with effect from January as illegal. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO, reports that some brokers are gearing up to drag the commission to court.

n October, this year, the National Insurance Commission reinforced its commitment to fight the menace of outstanding premiums owed underwriters by insurance brokers in the industry by releasing a circular document. The commission came up with monetary sanctions to implement the existing ‘No premium, no cover’ policy as stipulated in Section 50(1) and (2) of the Insurance Act, 2003 beginning from January 1, 2013. Section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 on premiums states that the receipt of an insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk, unless the premium is paid in advance. Section 50 (2) further states that an insurance premium collected by an insurance broker in respect of an insurance business transacted through the insurance broker shall be deemed to be premium paid to the insurer involved in the transaction. This has however been flagrantly disregarded by both the brokers and the underwriters. Before now, underwriters have been accusing brokers of with-holding premium while the brokers have refuted the claim saying most of the premiums are receivables that are not yet collected. The underwriters grant cover with the hope that the required premium would be paid later leading to outstanding premiums which in turn promote illegalities and cripple the development of the sector. While efforts are being made to recoup this outstanding premium, such efforts usually prove abortive and on a yearly basis, the insurance companies continue to include the unpaid premium in the financial reports. To this end, NAICOM introduced sanctions making it an offence for any broker and underwriter. It directed that, “All insurance covers shall now be provided on a strict ‘no premium no cover’ basis. Consequently, only cover for which payment has being received, directly by the underwriter or indirectly through duly licensed insurance brokers, shall be recognizable as income in the books of the insurer. “Any insurer who grants cover without having received premium or premium receipt notification from the relevant insurance broker, shall be liable to a fine in the sum of N50, 000 in respect of each cover so granted. ”Cover may be granted on annual or time-on-risk basis. Irrespective of the period of insurance, underwriters should ensure that at any point in time, they have received directly

Daniel

Osijo

THE NEW DIRECTIVE ON THE ‘NO PREMIUM, NO COVER’ IS NOT STARTING IN JANUARY BECAUSE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN EXISTENCE AND UNTIL THE INSURANCE ACT IS AMENDED,

NAICOM

DIRECTIVE WOULD BE AN ILLEGALITY Salawudeen

or indirectly, through the Insurance Broker, the premium for the cover being granted. “All insurance brokers shall within 48hours of receiving insurance premium on behalf of any insurer, notify the insurer in writing in each case, of the receipt of such insurance premium. All such notification shall be accompanied by the broker’s credit notes acknowledging indebtedness to the insurer or insurers in the case of co-insurance. “Upon the receipt of such broker’s advice, the insurer shall issue cover and forward the policy documents along with the related debit notes to the insurance broker. An insurance broker who fails to notify the insurer of any premium received on his behalf shall be liable to a fine of not less than N250, 000 in each case of failure to notify”.

In an exclusive interview earlier with the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel said the circular on no premium, no cover circulated to the insurers and brokers is an exposure draft which takes effect from January 1. He said, “It is an exposure draft but it is going to happen from January 1. It is not a new thing. It is in the law and it is real. But some brokers are threatening to drag NAICOM to court should it carry out its plan from January. A chieftain in the broker’s fraternity, Group President and Chairman, Standard Group Insurance Brokers Limited, Mallam Ahmed Salawudeen said the new directive by NAICOM will never work. He said, “The new directive on the ‘no premium, no cover’ is not starting

in January because it has always been in existence and until the insurance act is amended, NAICOM’s directive would be an illegality”. Salawudeen, urged the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel to sanction brokers who engage in malpractice rather than treating all of them as offenders. “The policy has been in existence since 2003 so the circular is as useless as it is on the paper it is written. It is illegal because the act stated it policy already and there is no change to it yet. “An act specifies the penalty and the act is more superior to a guideline. Very soon, we the brokers shall be taking them to sort out the illegality”, he said. A woman broker who does not want her name mentioned said the commission has been too harsh on them. She noted that NAICOM hardly involve the brokers whenever they have to make a guideline while it carries the underwriters along. “We are major players in the industry just as the underwriter and insurance agents but NAICOM has apathy for us. They are looking for every means to trim down our numbers. “I believe that it is an issue of conflict of interest. Their argument is that brokers are not remitting premium to underwriters but findings have shown that insurance companies use the brokers name to engage in a lot of malpractice. Most of them lie against the broker because they do not want to pay the correct levy and commissions expected of them from NAICOM. They use brokers as excuse for those who have not remitted premiums.” She, however, said that NAICOM seems to have realised some of these and have asked the underwriters to state the business, the rate, the broker that gave them the business and the amount collected while the broker will also state the same thing. “I would like the commission to be a neutral father who treats all his children the same way and no preference. The fact that we pay one percent of all our brokerage commission to NAICOM in addition to our renewal fee should be acknowledged. We have contributed greatly to the growth of the industry. “What the commission has been doing to further portray its apathy for brokers is that they have been encouraging more of agents to take over as intermediaries. Meanwhile, agents work for insurance companies while brokers are the professionals who work their clents.” But some agents are of different opinion and may not support a legal action against the commission. Mr. Banji Oke on his part stated that NAICOM has been supportive and has accommodated them despite that there are few bad eggs among them. “When people are many, there are bound to be bad ones among them and that is why NAICOM is using iron hand for us brokers. NAICOM is doing its best so far”, he said.

Insurance

Loss adjusters reiterate need for insurers to upgrade fees

L-R: CIIN President, Dr. Wole Adetimehin and Mr. Eddie Efekoha, exchange pleasantries with Chief Ekine Harry, guest of honour during the CIIN 2012 Education Seminar in Port Harcourt last week.

in foreign currencies that will automatically deplete our foreign reserves from which their fees are ultimately paid.” Besides, he said the profession is unique in the sense that, it is the only profession in Nigeria where the service provider has no autonomy to fix his price but only to rely on the consumer for this. “Nevertheless, it appears hope is not completely lost. Since becoming the president of the institute, I, together with my council members have renewed our efforts to reopen this lingering issue with

NAICOM preaches harmony among operators

he Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) made history recently in the broking frater nity as it launched its ultra moder n secretariat in Lagos after being in existence for 50 years. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala represented by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel who unveiled the building and book launch of the NCRIB said it will boost the image of the insurance industry in general. He added that brokers have made the industry proud by constructing a befitting office which shows that the industry has come of age. Daniel urged operators to continue to work together to sustain the development which has been entrenched by the founding fathers of the industry. He said NAICOM would ensure that the industry continues to maximise the available insurable opportunities in the nation. He urged brokers to ensure that they continue to set the pace as they are the largest frater nity in Africa. He lauded the contributions of past and present leadership of the NCRIB, which has helped positioned the council for improved perfor mance.

Problems with Insurance? Send a text: 07080735854

Your vehicle’s history can ding your car insurance rates

STORIES BY OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO he poor scale of fees of loss adjusters in the country have rendered the scale unrealistic, inefficient and potentially averse to the sustenance of professional adjusting practice and the technical growth and development of the insurance industry. This was disclosed recently by the President of the Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), Chief Lebi Omoboyowa while speaking at his investiture ceremony held recently in Lagos. Omoboyowa stated that over the years, ILAN through her successive governing councils, has been asking the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), for an upward review of the old adjusters’ scale of fees which has been in use for the past 20 years. According to him, this has been without review despite inflations and other economic vagaries that have rendered the scale unrealistic to the industry and by extension, the economy. He said, “Without sounding an alarmist, I am of the opinion that care must be taken to avoid a re-occurrence of capital flight if the local loss adjusting practice is forced into oblivion by frustration. “This will give way to an influx of foreign adjusters who must earn their fees

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Daniel also commended brokers for writing a book which chronicles the practice of insurance broking in Nigeria. He urged insurance practitioners to procure the book to aid their knowledge, adding that the book would go a long way to educate operators on how to improve their perfor mance. President NCRIB, Mrs Laide Osijo, while speaking at the opening ceremony, said the idea of having a befitting secretariat worthy of the rising profile of NCRIB, was conceived more than two decades ago. She said the new building would also serve the purpose of motivating the staffs for better service delivery and equally boost the image of the council. She added that the erection of the NCRIB secretariat had among other things propelled the profession into a position of respect among other progressive professional bodies in the country. On the book, Insurance Broking in Nigeria: Issues and Practice, she said it was introduced because of the council’s ever desire to continue to build professional growth, NCRIB boss noted that 50 years down the memory lane, the council had made significant strides, despite several challenges worthy of being documented in the book.

the NIA,” he said. He added that his five point agenda is to sustain and improve on the state of the institute’s professional examination, secure commensurate remuneration scale for adjusters and pursue the institute’s charter to finality. Others he said, is to maintain cordial relationship with both local and international professional bodies and upgrade the institute’s secretariat by reorganising the existing administrative structures for a better performance and , where necessary, set up new ones.

Insurer Old Mutual expands in Nigeria

o further boost its growth in sub-Saharan Africa, Insurer, Old Mutual unveiled a Nigerian acquisition as it pressed ahead with plans to close its Austrian and Ger man units to new customers. Old Mutual, an Anglo-South African financial conglomerate with operations in about 30 countries, has agreed to buy the Nigerian property and casualty insurance unit of pan-African lender Ecobank for about $20 million, it said yesterday. The company, which aims to boost its presence in sub-Saharan Africa to cash in on the region’s strong economic growth, also said its Ger man and Austrian life operations would stop writing new business as they no longer met its investment criteria. Old Mutual has over the past three years sold businesses including its Nordic life insurance unit to repay debt and dispel investor concer ns that the group lacked focus and would be worth more broken up. Old Mutual had life insurance sales of 278 million pounds, in the three months to September 30, down 10 percent from a year earlier, and broadly in line with the 275 million pounds expected by analysts in a company poll.

hat’s no longer just the mantra of used car buyers. Insurance underwriters are saying it, too. In September, Carfax secured two patents for its systems and methods that use vehicle-history data to help car insurance companies better assess risk and price policies. In a press release, Carfax said hundreds of companies are using Carfax’s technology. Carfax spokesman Chris Basso declined to be more specific on the numbers or identify users. To date, 43 states have approved the use of Carfax vehicle-history information for underwriting or setting rates, he notes. An accurate mileage reading The vehicle history includes odometer readings, which can be used to estimate how many miles you drive your car each year. “It is up to the individual insurance companies to determine whether to include mileage as a rating factor and how much weight to give it,” Basso says, “But anecdotally, we know that most of our insurance clients use the mileage readings reported to Carfax as part of their rating process.” Most auto insurance companies rely on customers to report how many miles they drive each year. But the Carfax report often is more accurate, Basso says. Carfax says it typically can calculate a vehicle’s annual mileage more than 40 percent of the time, allowing insurers to more accurately rate policies and validate selfreported mileage. Insurers increasingly are using driving data to link prices more closely to drivers and vehicles. Some insurance companies have been asking policyholders who want better car insurance rates to install tracking devices in their cars to more accurately assess mileage and driving habits. “But the number of consumers willing to install tracking devices in their cars still is very small,” Basso says. That’s why a vehicle’s history can be a valuable tool that more and more insurers will use, he says. Discovering accidents Carfax gathers information for insurers that helps them to better determine what problems in a car’s past might impact its safety and performance, Basso says. “Insurers can use this information to make more educated decisions about risk and potential for subsequent claims.” For example, a Carfax report will indicate whether the car’s airbag was ever deployed or whether its frame was ever seriously damaged. The California Highway Alliance found that in 4 percent of instances where a vehicle’s airbag deployed, the car was subsequently repaired incorrectly. Cars that have been involved in serious collisions still show up on dealers’ lots. If a car was ever in a serious accident or damaged by a flood and declared “totaled,” that shows up in the Carfax report, too, Basso says. “Too often we see cases of unscrupulous body shops not properly repairing wrecked vehicles or purposely committing vehicle fraud.” Tips by insure.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

ASI drops 0.4% on profit taking JOHNSON OKANLAWON

rading in equities continued on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings to take profit from the gains recorded the previous weeks. The All-Share Index lost 0.41 per cent to close at 26,609.34 points, in contrast to the dip of 0.62 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 26,718.30 points. Market capitalisation shed N34.7bn to close at N8.47trn, as against the depreciation of N53bn recorded on Friday to close at N8.5trn. Analysts at FSDH Securities Limited, an investment firm assured investors that

the bullish momentum observed in the market last week will continue in the near future. “We believe the fundamentals of the quoted companies are strong enough to sustain growth. Moreover, we are optimistic that the market will continue to react to anticipation of good full year results; this we believe will further strengthen investors’ interest,” the firm added. Four sectoral indices closed negative, as the NSE 30-Index shed 0.35 per cent to close at 1,254.25 points, while the Consumer Goods Index gained 0.47 per cent to close at 2,291.47 points. The Banking Index lost 0.82 per cent to close at 420.80 points, while the Insurance Index added 2.16 per cent to

close at 136.14 points. The Oil and Gas Index depreciated by 0.84 per cent to close at 155.49 points, while the NSE Lotus Islamic Index dipped by 0.39 per cent to close at 1,638.99 points. Custodian Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with 10 kobo or 7.75 per cent to close at N1.39 per share, followed by UAC-Property Plc with 60 kobo to close at N12.00 per share. AIICO Insurance Plc gained three kobo or 5.17 per cent to close at 61 kobo per share, while Berger Paints Plc appreciated by 42 kobo or five per cent to close at N8.82 per share. NCR Plc rose by 65 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N13.74 per share. On the flip side, Japaul Oil Plc shed three kobo or

five per cent to close at 57 kobo per share, while CAP Plc depreciated by N1.49 or 4.99 per cent to close at N28.35 per share. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc fell five kobo or 4.63 per cent to close at N1.03 per share, while United Bank for Africa Plc dropped by 23 kobo or 4.61 per cent to close at N4.76 per share. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc dipped by 21 kobo or 3.81 per cent to close at N5.30 per share. Transaction volume in equities declined by 15.5 per cent, as a total of 215.75 million shares valued at N1.63bn were exchanged in 3,856 deals, compared to 255.33 million shares worth N1.91bn traded in 4,075 deals on Friday.

Sona Group invests $50m in plastic’s firm JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ona Group of Companies has invested $50m in Techblow Nigeria Limited, a plastic company. Techblow, which emerged from Shongai Packaging Company, was incorporated in June 2012 and opened in August is to cater exclusively to the needs of customers requiring blow moulding plastics products. Speaking during a facility tour of the company’s site at Otta, Ogun

State, the Chairman of the group, Mr. Arjan Mirchandani said that Techblow is poised to improve the Nigerian economy through massive job creation. According to him, the management has deliberately increased its capital base so as to make its products accessible to Nigerians at a very affordable price. He said, “We try to create industries which feed on local raw materials so as to prevent capital flight by way of foreign exchange. So we produce

with 95 per cent raw materials sourced from Eleme Petrochemical Company in Port Harcourt. We also believe in recycling so as to expand the market”. Mirchandani noted that the local sourcing of raw material has reduced cost of production that in turn allows the companies under the Sona Group to produce cheap and affordable goods that consumers would have the capacity to purchase. The Chief Executive Officer of Techblow, Mr. Kathatti Ekambaram ex-

plained that the company produces all kinds of blow moulding products ranging from 500ml to 50 litre plastic jerry cans, plastic coolers, cosmetic jars, pharma bottles, yoghurt bottles and other containers to cater to the needs of the food, beverages and chemical industries amongst others. Ekambaram, a plastic production engineer who has put in three decades in the trade in India and Nigeria, said Techblow recently procured four brand new machines from Uniloy in Italy.

US stocks decline as investors await meeting on Greece

nited States stocks fell yesterday, after the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index biggest weekly retreat since June, as European policy-makers met to discuss Greek aid. Facebook Incorporation dropped 1.3 per cent on concern employees will start selling their shares when a prohibition on insider sales expires. Jefferies Group Incorporation jumped 12 per cent after Leucadia National Corporation said it will buy the investment bank. Titanium Metals Corp, while TIE surged 42 per cent after Precision Castparts Corporation agreed to buy the maker of melted products. The S&P 500 fell 0.1 per cent to 1,378.07points, after advancing as much as 0.4 per cent earlier. The Dow

Jones Industrial Average dropped 21.12 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 12,794.27 poinst, as trading in S&P 500 companies was 26 per cent below the 30-day average. “We’re watching the news headlines which will all be about the fiscal cliff for the next six weeks,” Thomas Nyheim, a Wilmington, Delaware-based fund manager said. “Greece will probably get their bailout deal.” US stocks had their biggest weekly decline in five months as President Barack Obama’s re-election set up a budget showdown with the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The S&P 500 fell 2.4 per cent over five days, paring the gauge’s advance this year to 9.7 per cent. If Congress doesn’t act by the end of the year, $607bn

in automatic spending cuts and tax increases are scheduled to take effect starting in January. Obama invited the top Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress to the White House this week to begin talks on a plan to avert the so-called fiscal cliff. “What people don’t like in markets is uncertainty,” said Gilles Sitbon, who helps oversee $1.9bn at Sycomore Asset Management in Paris. “People are waiting for one thing that could make the market go down. People are ready to pull the trigger. And if nothing happens, then you can get a grind higher. It’s confidence building.” Euro-area finance ministers meet in Brussels today. While the ministers will probably not approve 31.5 billion euros ($40bn) of financial aid to Greece, they

will agree to prevent the country from defaulting on 5 billion euros of bills that mature on Nov. 16, a European official said on November 9. The so-called troika that oversees euro-area Greece’s bailouts said it sees very large risks to the Greek program, according to a draft report obtained by Bloomberg News. The troika comprises the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Facebook lost 1.3 per cent to $18.96. Restrictions on the potential sale of 804 million shares lift on November 14, followed by another 156 million on December 14. The company has lost about half its value since selling shares at $38 apiece in an initial public offering in May.

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 9 NOVEMBER & 12 NOVEMBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

09-Nov-12

12-Nov-12

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

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

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CUSTODYINS

1.29

1.39

0.10

7.75

UAC-PROP

11.40

12.00

0.60

5.26

AIICO

0.58

0.61

0.03

5.17

BERGER

8.40

8.82

0.42

5.00

NCR

13.09

13.74

0.65

4.97

MANSARD

1.76

1.84

0.08

4.55

MAYBAKER

1.62

1.69

0.07

4.32

TRANSCORP

0.96

1.00

0.04

4.17

UNITYBNK

0.53

0.55

0.02

3.77

ETERNA

1.86

1.93

0.07

3.76

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

JAPAULOIL

0.60

0.57

0.03

-5.00

CAP

29.84

28.35

1.49

-4.99

NEIMETH

1.08

1.03

0.05

-4.63

UBA

4.99

4.76

0.23

-4.61

CCNN

5.51

5.30

0.21

-3.81

NEM

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

WEMABANK

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

WAPIC

0.56

0.54

0.02

-3.57

OANDO

12.20

11.80

0.40

-3.28

IKEJAHOTEL

1.03

1.00

0.03

-2.91

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

41-Day

11,262.50

13.95

15-Nov-12

69-Day

31,033.65

14.50

15-Nov-12

70 -Day

27,510.50

14.50

15-Nov-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

48Days

7,302.20

14.39

25-Oct-12

118-Day

50,282.86

14.08

25-Oct-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$150m

N/A

$150m

12-Nov-12

$150m

N/A

$150m

07-Nov-12

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at November 12, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Presidency, National Assembly’s unending feud over budget CONTINUED FROM 13 er of the House, Tambuwal, fired from all cylinders when he was to give the vote of thanks after the budget presentation. He spared no word in telling the President point blank that the federal lawmakers would no longer tolerate shoddy implementation of subsequent budgets. He started by commending President Jonathan for an early presentation of the budget, but added: “I would have been done with my vote of thanks at this point except that the mention of certain salient points of critical importance to our collective resolve for good governance is compelling. Mr. President Sir, given that the 469 elected members of the National Assembly have closer interaction with the nooks and crannies of the nation we are privileged to feel the peoples pulse more intensely and we feel same on behalf and for the benefit and guidance of all the arms of government. Surely Mr. President and his Vice, being the elected officials on the other side cannot be expected to be in 109 Senatorial Districts worse still 360 Federal Constituencies. Therefore when we feel this pulse we are duty bound to communicate to you. “As I speak, interim field oversight reports from House committees on the 2012 budget implementation are clearly unimpressive, both in terms of releases as well as utilisation and this is a great challenge to all of us. It is important to state at this point the clear provisions of Section 8 of the Appropriation Act to the effect that approved budgeted funds shall be released to MDAs ‘as at when due’. This is sadly observed more in breach.” Calling for the expeditious composition of the Public Procurement Council, which was provided for under the Public Procurement Act, which he said was critical to budget implementation and would also free the Federal Executive Council of the burden of contract administration in order to effectively “concentrate on the more sublime issues of their constitutional roles and responsibilities”, Tambuwal said: “It will be recalled that the 2012 budget contained a deficit and the main source of funding this deficit was domestic borrowing. Figures emanating from the Debt Management Office regarding domestic borrowing are however worrisome. At a whopping $33.6 billion, government appears to be monopolizing domestic borrowing to the unhealthy exclusion of the private sector. This is certainly a matter of grave concern because global statistics on sustainable debt-GDP ratio percentages cannot continue to be used as guide for an economy that is not keeping pace with global trends.” Tambuwal said that instead of the $75 per barrel benchmark for the 2013 proposals, the House, in passing the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which was the basis for annual budgets, increased the crude oil price to $80, “with the objective that the difference of $5 per barrel be channelled exclusively towards reducing the deficit in the budget and consequently reducing domestic borrowing for same purpose by 66 per cent.” He however raised two critical omissions which he said the House noted in the MTEF, which are: “the revenue from gas, running into billions of dollars, is not reflected, and external borrowing is simi-

Mark

Tambuwal

IT IS APPARENT THAT OKUPE IS DABBLING INTO AREAS WHERE HE IS TOTALLY IGNORANT

ABOUT.

THE UNCOUTH

MANNER IN WHICH HE REPLIED ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SHOWED HIS APPARENT LACK OF RESPECT TO THE LEGISLATURE AS AN INSTITUTION larly not reflected.” Not done, Tambuwal raised alarm at the “management of the excess crude revenues.” He added that since 2010, the Appropriation Act has legislated that the excess crude component of the Federation Account must be operated under separate records for purpose of transparency and accountability. He also added that Section 30 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act made it mandatory for the Budget Office to submit budget implementation assessment reports to the National Assembly and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission every quarter as well as publish same on the Ministry of Finance website. He said: “The President may be unaware that the National Assembly is neither availed evidence of implementation of this policy along with the records of Federal Governments portion of the excess crude funds nor the quarterly implementation reports, as required under the two Acts.” Tambuwal also expressed concern in his vote of thanks about the “management and accounting reportage of our foreign reserve stock as to whether the figures reported are cumulative accruing inflows only or are inclusive of interests accruing from the management process or attributed to other sources of accretion.” Echoing Mark’s stand that it would no longer be business as usual, the Speaker

told President Jonathan that the country is lagging behind in her developmental potential and expectations and said: “I am compelled however to state that the National Assembly is becoming increasingly concerned about the disregard for its resolutions and public comments by certain functionaries of the executive on same. I cite the Senate Resolution on the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the House Resolution on the state of insecurity of the nation, requesting Mr. President to visit and brief the House, the House of Representatives Resolution on the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the concurrent Resolution of the two Chambers on Bakassi among others. This does not promote cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature and consequently stability in the polity. “We must therefore, continue to work together to redeem this nation from the clutches of poverty and disease. The vaunted growth in the nation’s GDP must be reflected in the lives of everyone, not just a few people privileged to hold public office or those enjoying unfair public patronage.” Shortly after the National Assembly ceremonies, the Special Adviser to President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Ali Gulak, described Tambuwal’s attitude at the presentation, as combative and disrespect to the office and person of the President. Gulak, while describing Mark’s comments as “matured”, told newsmen that Tambuwal literally laid ambush on the President behaving as if he was in competition for power with the President. His words: “What we are saying is that it is not contest of power, like some will see it. To me, the comment by David Mark is well taken; that of the Speaker is even more combative and it is unbecoming. I am sorry to say it because it was like an ambush, because the President was not allowed to even respond, he was held captive. “Decency demands that you put your points for consideration, not to act as if you are competing for power with Mr. President. Whether you like it or not, the President is president of this country, there are no two ways about it. You are Speaker, you are doing your job as Speaker of the House of Representatives but decency demands that you put up your point,

the point will be taken, after all the budget is before you.” He also accused some members of the National Assembly of serving selfish interest above national interest. Not done, the presidency also attacked the Senate President, perhaps after digesting the import of the speeches by the leaders of the National Assembly. Speaking through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, Jonathan faulted the comments of the leadership of the National Assembly, describing their speeches as misplaced. Okupe said: “That was neither the place nor the occasion for such. After all, Mr. President was the Special Guest of Honour and a distinguished visitor to the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly. Normal legislative courtesy demands that such a visitor be allowed to perform his constitutional function without any attempt to rubbish the document that was yet to be discussed, even by the members themselves. “Specifically, the Senate President mentioned three major issues: that the Senate is not a rubber stamp. Let me state emphatically here that the president and his administration do not expect and have never conceived the idea that the National Assembly would just rubber stamp whatever he presents. It is quite clear that this is not a high-handed administration and it is not dogmatic in any way. In a healthy democracy, there is useful exchange of ideas and deliberations over various national issues until reasonable agreements are reached.” “’We also feel that referring to budget figures as mere estimates demeans the quality of the document itself. The budget represents the vision, the intention and the definitive step that the government intends to take over the next twelve months. What is required is to table this before the elected representatives of the people for them to consider it and deliberate upon it. Where amendments are required, of course, they should be; but to call these figures as mere estimates is rather unfair. “He also spoke about non implementation of the budget. You will agree that this has been a raging issue in the last couple of months. One, the current budget for 2012 became a law at the end of April, 2012. So, the budget has just been implemented for the past five months only. The budget is expected to last for twelve months but because of its late passage, it has only been implemented for five months only. As of yesterday, the president gave a figure of seven hundred and eleven point six billion as having been disbursed out of the capital budget. That represents a figure of about 53 per cent disbursed in five months. So, the issue of implementation cannot be taken in isolation. It must be taken along with when the budget became law and what has been disbursed. I think hammering and harping on non implementation is a deliberate attempt to discredit this administration and it is not fair and it is not true.” He also did not spare Tambuwal from his tirade. He described Tambuwal’s remarks as “unfair treatment of the President,” saying that the Speaker is “being dictatorial and over authoritative.” He said: “The Speaker should know CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

THE PARLIAMENT

CONSTITUTION REVIEW

LG autonomy tops priority in Ogbaru NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

enial of revenue to unelected local councils in the country at the weekend topped priority in Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State during the voting on key issues at the House of Representatives’ public session on the review of the 1999 Constitution. Also, creation of additional state or states in the country to bring parity to the number of states among the six geo-political zones was also adopted by the people of the constituency. When participants were asked whether or not the local councils should be denied allocation to local governments where elections were not conducted, the response was a resounding ‘yes.’ Thinking that the participants did not understand the exact meaning of the question, both the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Oseloka Obaze; the member representing Ogbaru II in the state House of Assembly, enson Nwawulu and the member representing the Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Victor Afam Ogene, who was also the sponsor of the public session, took time to explain the implications of denying allocations to the unelected councils to the crowd in vernacular, yet they shouted in affirmative. Attempts to explain that should such amendment scale through, the implication is that until local council election was conducted in the state, the Federal Government will withhold the allocation to local governments in the state did not change the people’s mind. Speaking shortly after the session, Ogene described the entire exercise as democracy in action and commended all the participants for the massive turnout to contribute their own quota to the constitutional review. At Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency, the participants insisted that one additional state should be created in the South-East geo-political zone to bring the number of states in all the zones at par first before creating extra state or states in other zones. The public rejected the creation of state police and the call for the constitution of the police in such a way as to give the governor the control over the commissioner of police in their respective states.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Clamour for additional states uncalled for’ WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

he Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Media and Public, Zakari Muhammed at the weekend said there was no need for the creation of additional states in the country. Rather, he said more local government areas should be created for effective governance and service delivery to the people. Muhammed, disclosed this

while speaking to newsmen after a public session on constitution review at his Baruten/Kaiama constituency at the Northern flank of Kwara State. His words: “The way it is now, we want the status quo to remain. It is an issue that will be embedded in the constitution and not a one-off thing. We are saying instead of creating a multiplicity of states, empower the geo-political zones. “My personal view about it is that what we need is creation of

more local governments because they have direct bearing on the people. Speaking on expected full implementation of reports from the public session, Muhammed said: “What we have done is like gathering the aggregate of opinions on some of these contentious issues. A public hearing has been held and the House will articulate the entire position of the 360 constituencies. So, I give you the assurance that the voice of the people will be heard this time.”

Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District, Sen. Gyang Pwajok (left) and member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Hon. Bitrus Kaze at the public hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Asked whether the exercise will not amount to a wasteful jamboree, the House of Representative spokesman said: “Far from it and you could see that nobody is tele-guided. You could see the quality of the arguments, the passion with which people contended these issues that was brought out in the 38 amendments contained therein. “What we did was a thorough process and I am just impressed with the quality of the debate. For us at the 7th National Assembly, we have told ourselves that we are definitely going to work for the people of Nigeria and we believe that we are answerable to them.” On certain ambiguities in the drafted questions, he said: “That was why I was handy, coming in at interval to explain the fuller meaning of some of these clauses to give them a broader approach and I belief all my colleagues did same throughout the country. As far as I am concerned, a constitution is not a perfect document, you work on it every time. “Also, this will put to rest the call for referendum. It is unconstitutional. What we have in the constitution is that we can amend it by section 9 of the 1999 constitution as amended. If you look at these issues, they are issues that people talk about like, local government independence, state legislature independence, revenue formula and all that.”

Ekiti ACN backs decisions at constitutional review hearing ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Ekiti Central senatorial district of Ekiti State has backed the decision of Ekiti people in the public hearing of the proposed constitution review being spearheaded by the House of Representatives. Among decisions of Ekiti people at the hearing last Saturday were rejection of role for traditional rulers, scrapping of state Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and conduct of council polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC), autonomy for state Houses of Assembly and local governments and rejection of state police, among others. The party spoke in a communiqué signed by its chairman in the senatorial district, Ojo Atibioke and the state ACN Media and Publicity Director, Tai Oguntayo, at the end of its senatorial meeting at Aramoko Ekiti yesterday. Expressing support for the state government’s decision “to carry out a proper audit of local governments staff and the sanitisation going on in the education

sector,” the ACN in the district also praised Governor Kayode Fayemi “on the consistent implementation of the eight point agenda of his administration, especially the introduction of computers to students and teachers, resuscitation of Ire Burnt Bricks

and textile industries.” The meeting also directed the 16 council caretaker committee chairmen and political office holders to do more in the area of empowering the people in their constituencies. According to the communiqué,

“the Ekiti Central senatorial district of the ACN commiserated with the national leadership of the party, members of the immediate family of the former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina on his death on Sunday November, 11.”

State creation, LG review, zoning top agenda in Oke-Ogun KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he people of Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope, at the weekend reiterated the need for the creation of Oke Ogun State, even as they voted resoundingly in support of true federalism; strong local government system and abolition of state-local government joint account, among others. Speaking at the public hearing on the proposed amendment of the 1999 Constitutiton, which was organised by the House of Representatives, notable indigenes of the constituency such as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde ; chairman of Oke Ogun Development Council, Professor J.D. Dada; tra-

ditional rulers from Kisi, Igbeti and Igboho communities; leaders of community unions and professional bodies, insisted on the need for the creation of more states, saying it had become imperative to create Oke Ogun State to take care of the people of the area who have continued to be marginalised in the present Oyo state. The member, representing the area at the House of Representatives, Jimoh Afees, said the House, given its pro-democracy credentials felt that the voices of the people mattered in giving them a truly people’s constitution thus the need for the public hearing across the country. He praised the massive turn out of his constituents, saying that it meant the people were prepared to have a constitution that would serve them, even as he stat-

ed that the turn out had made the clamour for Sovereign National Conference unnecessary. While passing their votes on each of the 43 proposed amendments, the people resoundingly rejected the rotational presidency; single term of office for president and governor; the recognition of the geo-political zones in the constitution and the allocation of constitutional roles to traditional roles, among others, while they supported the rotation of governorship slot among three Senatorial Districts in a state. Making their submissions after the voting, the people urged the National Assembly to allow their voices in the eventual amendment, as they noted that the ‘military constitution’ which the country is operating has brought no good to the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Politics

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

No ‘do-or-die’ politics in America – Banjo CONTINUED FROM 15 party is better? Voters always cast their votes in a room, one at a time and beside stinking open gutters in Nigeria. Since the PDP introduced the snatching of ballot boxes during our elections, can’t any of these ACN governors think of planning polling booth to take place inside a place where it would be difficult for ballot box snatchers to just walk in to operate? If they have to work with guns at least 2,000 feet to snatch ballot boxes, with adequate securities, they will be challenged. Are the ACN governors waiting for Jonathan or Jega to plan for decent polling booths in their states? Would a party whose leader publicly stated that it would be in power for 60 years do anything to smoothen elections in your state? As we speak there are many disenfranchised voters all over Nigeria. Many live too far distant to walk to the pooling booths area since you cannot drive on Election Day. Are ACN governors expecting the PDP government to solve that problem for them? Each ACN state has State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) peopled with ACN members only, who is stopping the State of House Assembly from changing the law to lead the way for Jega’s INEC to follow? After their local elections, you would see the Chairman of SIEC rolling on the floor thanking God after conducting flawed elections, as if God who gave us eyes is blind and the same God who carved ears did not hear when people were shouting “they have snatched the ballot boxes.” Talking about disenfranchising voters, does it happen in the U.S. too? It is not about whether it happens in the U.S. or not. I want any other nation to read about Nigerian elections and cover their face in shame or learn something from us. Yes, there is technical voters’ suppression in America. President Obama acknowledged it and despite the fact that it is a state function, he promised his fellow citizens that it would be fixed. The civil society rose against it and citizens refused to be frustrated, and there are judges on standby in local courts, who upon preponderance of evidence would order the extension of voting time on election day. In Ondo, 1.64 million people were registered to vote, but only 645,597 were accredited and 624,659 actually voted which implied that 20,938 voters decided not to go back to the polling booths due to the crude manner we conduct

our elections. In Edo, 1.6 million voters registered to vote, 667,993 were accredited and 629,461 voters actually voted. Again 38, 532 people did not go back to the polling booths due to the unrefined manner we conduct our elections. In Anambra, 1.8 million Nigerians registered to vote, only 300,000 voted in 2010, only 17% of the registered voters. When Americans spent a minimum of three hours, they cried out and the system is improved. I have been crying out that this accreditation first and vote later system needs to be changed. The system disenfranchises many including the elites who are not willing to be exposed to the risks associated with voting in Nigeria. This exposure to risks needs to be minimised by encouraging a system where people who want to come in, get accredited, vote, leave and those who want to hang around could be accommodated. Does Jega care? Do all the 36 gover-

nors care? Since many of these elected governors and President are so arrogant, why would those appointed and other hawks around them not be so conceited? In a system that begs for assistance, people at the helms of affairs should be humble enough to encourage those who have the know-how to assist, not all these sycophants that are retarding progress. Did Jonathan ever promise to fix that? Yet he is celebrating Obama when he would not allow a decent system in his country. Did Jega or anybody in the National Assembly care about this public outcry? In the ACN, CPC, and ANPP controlled states, have the Houses of Assembly ever called for hearing to hear why so many people were accredited and so many people failed to come back to vote? Even when Americans complained about spending three hours at the polling booths with a minimum of 10 machines in each polling booth, they ridiculed us by saying this is not a third world country. I am being insulted by the act of these Negroes at the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

UNDP holds public hearing HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

Banjo

two-day public hearing of the review of the constitution organised by the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) kicked off in Makurdi yesterday with an overwhelming participation from stakeholders as well as the media. The hearing was to brain storm on the review of the 1999 constitution with emphasis on the freedom of information to journalists with a view to ensure independence as well as accessibility of information in the

proposed reviewed constitution and gender equality. Also, the member representing Otukpo/ Ohimini federal constituency, Ezekiel Adaji expressed gratitude to his constituents over their participation in the House of Representatives’ public hearing held at the weekend, noting that it was a clear indication of the people’s interest in the exercise.The people voted in favour of power shift at the national and state levels, state creation, autonomy of local government councils and state Houses of Assembly while they voted against the creation of state police.

Presidency, National Assembly’s unending feud over budget CONTINUED FROM 41 that the era of releasing funds without due process is over and government cannot continue to play Father Christmas with budgetary allocations.” But a chain reaction has continued to trail Okupe’s utterance. Mark, speaking through his media aide, Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “It is instructive to first state that Senator Mark and Mr. President are on the same page in the onerous task of ensuring the actualisation of the transformation agenda of this administration. “There was nothing derisive in the welcome address of the President of the Senate at the budget presentation. We challenge Dr. Okupe to revisit the speech and discover his misadventure. “It is, therefore, strange that Dr. Okupe would meddlesomely attempt to create unnecessary disaffection between the legislature and the executive. “Dr. Okupe as a public affairs manager has a responsibility to make friends and create a harmonious working relationship between the executive and other arms of government. His job is not to make enemies and create unfavourable atmosphere for Mr. President. “We take exception to such unwarranted attack on the Office of the President of the Senate and we urge Dr. Okupe to know

his limits.” Tambuwal simply described Okupe as lacking respect for the legislature. He spoke through his media adviser, Imam Imam and said: “The Speaker wishes to state that the remarks of the two leaders were in conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and that the statements by the two leaders were backed by facts and figures from field studies by the legislators and experts’ advice. “It is apparent that Okupe is dabbling into areas where he is totally ignorant about. The uncouth manner in which he replied elected representatives showed his apparent lack of respect to the legislature as an institution. “The entire remarks he made gave him out as an overzealous official doing a hatchet job in order to be relevant in the scheme of things.” But political analysts have seen this spat in different perspectives. To the National Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and former governor of old Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, the spat between the National Assembly and the Presidency is a normal feature in democracy. Speaking with National Mirror on the issue, he said: “It is a normal democratic feature; without it,

democracy would be dull and dreary. It is therefore a welcome development to spice up democracy and the political firmament.” Spokesman to the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Yinka Odumakin believe that the brick bats between the two arms of government over the budget is simply for personal interest rather than national interest. His words: “It is all about their pockets and what each of them stands to benefit from the budget. It is absolutely not about national interest. It is not about what the common man would benefit from the budget and therein lies the tragedy of the whole saga.” To the National Chairman of the CPC, Tony Momoh, it is to be expected because according to him, the National Assembly in any democracy in the world is not just a rubber stamp. He said: “In democracy, dialogue and discussion of issues through jaw-jaw and not war-war is the ideal situation and so the spat between the National Assembly and the Presidency should not be condemned, because democracy without discussion is very dangerous. “The National Assembly is part of leadership in governance and if the budget is prepared without their input at the onset, then we should expect what we are wit-

nessing. The National Assembly in any democracy in the world is no rubber stamp and as such, President Jonathan should not expect that the National Assembly would just accept the budget proposal and say: ‘Yes, sir, thank you sir.’ “It becomes a law the moment the National Assembly passes it, so they won’t just endorse, or else they are no longer lawmakers that we know them to be. However, the language of both gladiators should be watched. They should not just use any uncouth language while the spat lasts.” Analysts agreed that perhaps for the first time, the peoples’ representatives are living up to the expectation by coming out to say it as it is. It is however expected that while the brick bats are flying between the hatchet men of both the executive and legislative arms of government, the main duties of both arms would not be left to suffer, because such would be at the detriment of the teeming masses of the country. However, it is clear that the days ahead would be interesting as the tones of the welcome address and the vote of thanks by Mark and Tambuwal respectively would set the parameters which the law makers would use in the consideration of the 2013 budget proposals. Who blinks first in this battle of wits? Time will definitely tell.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Traﬃc Law: Lagos govt trains LASTMA, KAI oﬃcials

“The revenue sharing formula should be reviewed in favour of states and local governments.” BORNO STATE GOVERNOR, KASHIM SHETTIMA

Police nab landlord, son for hacking tenant to death FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

landlord, Mr. Sunday Soderu and his son, Bankole Soderu are presently assisting men of the Ogun state Police Command to unveil the circumstances leading to the death of one of their tenants, Akinyemi Oguntula. The deceased, was said to have been macheted to death on Sun-

day in Onigbedu, a community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State with the landlord and his son as prime suspects in the matter. Akinyemi, who was popularly called ‘Pastor was, until his death, a staff of Pure-chem Cement Company and was said to have been murdered in his room. Prior to his death, Community Mirror gathered that Akinyemi and Sunday (his landlord) had

quarreled over the types of people that are allowed into the compound where he was a tenant. The deceased was said to have complained to his landlord over the incessant Indian hemp smoking habit of those around his apartment which he believed constituted nuisance to him. One of Akinyemi’s neighbours, who identified himself as Wasiu Adekunle, revealed to newsmen that neighbours heard

the deceased’s shout for help when he was being macheted. Adekunle further alleged that there was more to the issue than the mere confrontation complained by the landlord. Sources in the village alleged that the deceased was a witness to secret deals between the community and a company operating in the area, hence the need to make sure he was eliminated. Meanwhile, the accused

persons, Sunday and his son, Bankole have been arrested by police officers attached to Itori Police Division while the remains of the deceased have been deposited at Ifo General Hospital’s Mortuary. When contacted, the spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident, saying the matter is still under investigation.

Lawmaker distributes free eye glasses

member of the House of Representatives, representing Epe Federal Constituency, Hon. Lanre Mukaila Odubote has distributed over five hundred free eye glasses to the people of his constituency under the empowerment and poverty alleviation programme organised by the lawmaker. Other free health care services benefitted by the people under the scheme include free High Blood Pressure (BP), Urine, and sugar level tests. Honourable Odubote, who addressed the beneficiaries of the programme at Itoikin Sunday Market, said the initiative is to appreciate the people for their support and make them have the dividend of democracy. He said that, “The free health care service is basically for our women because research has shown over the years that women are highly prone to diseases and this cut short their lives, but we do not want such things to happen in our communities. “It is also to let the people know they are not being left out in our plans. We recognise the fact that government needs to empower those at the grassroots and that is why we have set up a programme of this nature. “We want everybody to enjoy dividend of democracy because they have stood by us over time and this is a time to show them that we remember them, we appreciate them and this is an opportunity to give back to them.” He advised the people to always go out for medical checkup, adding that this will enable them know the status of their health, even as he assured them of continued free health care services and other empowerment programmes in future.

Demolition of houses to allow expansion of Ibara-Omida Road in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Alaafin advocates establishment of banks in Oke Ogun KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has urged the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to facilitate the establishment of a bank in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. The monarch, who made the appeal during the third year coronation anniversary of Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Soliu Oyemonla Azeez, noted that presence of commercial banks in the area would lift the socio-economic status of the people living at Iganna in Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oke Ogun.

Oba Adeyemi observed that the absence of commercial banks in the community is a major challenge to the state Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, a retired bank official and an indigene of the area, even as he charged the deputy governor to use his professional experience and influence to facilitate the establishment of a bank in the community. According to him, establishing a commercial bank in the community will save residents the hassles of travelling 25 kilometres to another town before depositing or withdrawing money. The traditional ruler noted that absence of a bank in Iganna

was a pointer to the fact that the town was lagging behind in the area of social and infrastructural development, even as he charged the state government on relocation of the council headquarters from Iwere-Ile to Iganna where it was initially located. Speaking on the report that policemen in the area once summoned Sabiganna to their office to write a statement on the invasion of his people’s farmlands by some Fulani herdsmen; Oba Adeyemi said the practice was ridiculous and insulting to traditional institution of obaship. He said, “a situation where traditional rulers were being

called upon to come to police station to make statements is ridiculous. A policeman should have gone to Oba’s palace to make enquiries from him and not the other way round. This kind of nonsense must stop”. Oba Adeyemi eulogized Oba Azeez, describing him as one of the most intelligent, respectful and dedicated monarchs he has ever seen. He said the people of the community are lucky to have had him as their traditional ruler. His words: “You can see his tremendous efforts at pursuing growth and development in this town since his appointment as Sabiganna”.

Community Mirror

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Traffic Law: Lagos govt trains LASTMA, KAI officials MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Government has inducted additional set of 200 officers of Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick against Indiscipline (KAI) to the on-going career evaluation training programme. Their induction would mean that about 800 officers had undergone the training programme, aimed at enhancing law enforcement approach. Speaking during the induction ceremony held at the Public Service Staff Development (PSSDC) in Magodo, the Senior Spe-

cial Assistant on Transport Education, Dr. Miriam Masha explained that the rationale behind the career evaluation programme was to make law enforcement friendly to both the officers and the citizens. Masha said the core objective of the programme was to equip all the participants with better approach for law enforcement. The approach according to her largely deemphasised the use of force while placing premium on advocacy tools that can lead to attitudinal change. She said: “There is nowhere in the world where law enforcement officers

are not criticised. This is because they are trying to change people’s behaviour and make them do things in certain way that may not be comfortable for them; even though it will benefit the larger society. “Many people like to resist change and as such, they may not necessarily like law enforcement agents. So, the attitude of

the people demands that as a government, we need to train and re-train our law enforcement agents so that they can respond to challenges in line with global standard and best practice”. “As government officials, we must continually be trained and be updated about what is happening in our environment. This

is necessary to keep empowering our law enforcement agents to do their jobs better.” A participant at the programme, Mr. Rasheed Sulaimon expressed satisfaction with the evaluation programme, noting that it would definitely enhance participants’ capacity to discharge their responsibilities more ef-

fectively. Another participant, Mrs. Mosunmola Agboola commended the state government for introducing the programme, saying it has offered them a rare opportunity, which she said, would help them respond to environmental, social and traffic challenges differently and with clear mastery.

Government urges traders to form co-operative societies NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

raders in Anambra State have been advised to constitute themselves into co-operative societies, so as to attract government attention and become worthy for credit facilities. The chairman of Anambra State co-operative society, Mr. Alex Obiakor who gave the advice shortly after the election of new executive members of New Generation Multi-purpose Co-operative Estate, NkwelleEzunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of the state, urged them to pool their resources together in order to achieve a collective goal of improving their economic fortune. Obiakor contended that today’s traders are more enlightened and can seek the support of the state co-operative body in tackling their societal and financial problems, even as he hinted the readiness of his organization to collaborate with co-operative

societies in achieving their goals. He commended the New Generation Multipurpose Co-operative Estate, Nkwelle-Ezunaka for coming together to pool their resources to build a magnificent housing estate and urged them not to relent. In his post election speech, the newly elected president of the New Generation Multi-Purpose Co-operative Housing Estate, Mr. Donatus Anya, pledged to carry all the members along in the new administration. Anya who was the pioneer interim president of the society, appealed to the aggrieved members who lost the election to close ranks with him in order to execute more developmental projects at the estate. He reiterated the preparedness of his administration to liaise with other government agencies to rehabilitate the dilapidated road leading to the Estate.

A craftsman mending an umbrella at Ketu bus stop in Lagos.

Court summons Army Chief over unlawful dismissal OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has ordered the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejerika, and the Army Director in charge of Administration, Lagos, Bashiru Mohammed, to appear before it on November 27, 2012 over an alleged wrongful dismissal of one Emmanuel Ojo- Giwa. Ojo- Giwa, through his lawyer, Mr. Yemi Adetoyinbo, had on April 25 approached the court to seek redress over his un-

ceremonious dismissal. He had prayed the court to reinstate him, saying his dismissal did not follow due process. The dismissed officer also prayed the court to order the payment of all salaries and allowances accrued to him from the time he had been dismissed till date. Joined as co-defendants in the suit were the Armyin-Council and the Nigeria Army Director in charge of Administration, Lagos, B.G.A. Mohammed. Addressing the court last week, counsel to OjoGiwa, Barrister Adetoyinbo informed the court that

Family calms property owners on disputed land FRANCIS SUBERU

he Ilupewo family has assured residents at Osi Quarters in Sango Ota, Ogun State that it will not adopt drastic measures in the oncoming ratification process of the large expanse

of land belonging to the family in the area. The ratification process of properties on the land is coming 24 years after an Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta, presided over by Justice Jacob Sofolahan, gave a ruling, in favour of the family over the large expanse of land lying between

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Anglican Road to Odo Pako in Osi Quarters. The family to this extent has appointed a popular land agent in the area, Kazeem Ajiboye, popularly known as Oluomo to handle all issues relating to the land so as to give room for amicably resolution of the issues generated by the

family’s victory on the expanse of land at the Appeal Court, sitting in Ibadan. The family has also allayed the fears of many residents and land owners that the family was desperate to “deal with them” as a result of the differences that occurred during the litigation processes on the disputed

motion on notice and writ of summon had already been sent to the Nigerian Army-in-Council by the court’s chief bailiff. He told the court that his client had appeared before the court more than 20 times before Justice Stella Okeke retired, saying the retired judge had earlier in the year fixed the date for hearing of the motion for May 24, 2012 before she retired. However, the new judge, Justice M.I Sanni, said he would allow other parties to the suit defend themselves before proceeding, even as he ruled that hearing notice be served on

the Chief of Army Staff and Mohammed for the last time. It will be recalled that Ojo-Giwa, who served at the Ordinance Headquarters, Abati Barracks, Ojuelegba, Lagos, was dismissed from the Nigerian Army on January 28, 2010 for allegedly using the battery of a generating set in a retired general’s residence to start his vehicle, after it had broken down. He was one of the few soldiers guarding the Retired Major General Y.M Yaduma’s house before he was summarily dismissed from the service.

land. Ilupewo family in a power of attorney signed by the acting family head, Chief B A Osunlabu and the secretary Jubril Ajibose converged the power of the family’s representation on Oluomo. According to Samson Olapo, who is also a witness to the power of attorney, the need to appoint Oluomo arose after the family recog-

nised that the circumstances surrounding the ratification process of the land need the services of an expert in estate management. The appointment of the estate agent has however heightened fear in the affected community as they believe the agent might execute the possession order, granted to the family, by the court.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

Syria crisis: Gulf countries recognise opposition groups

“Over the past few years, wildlife trafficking has become more organized, more lucrative, more widespread and more dangerous than ever before.” - US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

PAUL ARHEWE

WORLD BULLETIN

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

t least $2 billion worth of diamonds have been stolen from Zimbabwe’s eastern diamond fields and have enriched President Robert Mugabe’s ruling circle, international gem dealers and criminals, according to an organization leading the campaign against conflict diamonds. Zimbabwe’s Marange fields have seen “the biggest plunder of diamonds since Cecil Rhodes,” the colonial magnate who exploited South Africa’s Kimberley diamonds a century ago, charged Partnership Africa Canada, a member of the Kimberley Process, the world regulatory body on the diamond trade. Zimbabwe’s eastern Marange field — one of the world’s biggest diamond deposits — has been mined since 2006 and its vast earnings could have turned around Zimbabwe’s economy, battered by years of meltdown and political turmoil, the group said. But funds from the diamond sales have not showed up in the state treasury. Instead there is evidence that millions have gone to Mugabe’s cronies. The report, released yesterday to coincide with the Zimbabwe government’s conference on the diamond trade in Victoria Falls, casts a shadow over the Mugabe regime’s effort to win international respectability for its gem trade. Government officials at the conference denied the report’s allegations as “totally false.” The report condemns the Mugabe government’s control

Uganda to pass antigay bill this year

Miners digging for diamonds in Marange, eastern Zimbabwe

Photo: AP

Zimbabwe govt stealing diamond funds –Report of the Marange diamond fields which have made Zimbabwe a major player in the international diamond trade. “Marange’s potential has been overshadowed by violence, smuggling, corruption and most of all, lost opportunity,” the PAC report said. “The scale of illegality is mindblowing,” and has spread to “compromise most of the diamond markets of the world,” said the report. The report describes the $2 billion lost to the Zimbabwe treasury as a “conservative estimate.” Finance Minister Tendai Biti said in his 2012 budget he had been promised $600 million in diamond revenue for the national treasury to help re-finance crum-

bling health, education and other public services. Biti said that only one-fourth of that pledge has been received. Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, a Mugabe loyalist, insists that Western economic sanctions have prevented the government from getting good prices for the diamonds on the international market. But Mpofu has repeatedly refused to give exact figures on diamond revenues, said the PAC report. Mpofu, the mines minister since 2009, amassed an unexplained personal fortune and is linked to a “small and tight group of political and military elites who have been in charge of Marange from the very beginning” and who are personally benefiting from the

diamond sales, the report alleged. In 2010 leading industry insiders, including Filip van Loere, a Belgian diamond expert working for the Mugabe government, forecast the country could produce as much as 30 million to 40 million carats a year, worth about $2 billion annually, the PAC report said. The diamonds are being mined and sold but the funds are not reaching the Zimbabwean treasury, according to the report. Most of the diamond revenue is lost through a lack of transparency in accounting for how many diamonds are mined, how much is earned from their sales, the under pricing of gems on world markets, smuggling and a “high level of collusion” by government officials.

Thieves in South Africa steal $2m worth of art

hieves posing as eager art students with their teacher stole more than $2 million worth of paintings from a museum in South Africa’s capital in a daring armed robbery, authorities said yesterday. The theft on Sunday at the Pretoria Art Museum saw robbers calmly pay $2.25 apiece for tickets and ask a curator to show them specific paintings at the gallery before they pulled out pistols and forced all others to the ground, officials said. They tied up the curator and others before collecting the paintings they previously asked about, official said. The robbers favoured oil paintings in their theft, grabbing a 1931 painting by famous South African artist, Irma Stern of

A man looking at some artworks at Pretoria Art Museum

brightly coloured sailboats waiting against a pier, city spokesman, Pieter de Necker, said. Other works stolen included a gouache drawing of an eland and bird by South African landscape artist J.H. Pierneef, a pastel-toned street scene by Gerard Sekoto, a thick-stroked oil painting of a chief by Hugo Naude and a picture of a cat near a vase full

Photo: Mail & Guardian

of petunias by Maggie Laubser. The robbers, though apparently having done their homework, left behind another oil painting by Stern showing two musicians because they were not able to fit the painting inside their getaway car, a silver sedan, de Necker said. The thieves left as private security guards at the museum drew close to them, he said.

The museum closed yesterday for the week and removed its most valuable remaining possessions for safekeeping, the city spokesman said. Authorities say they now plan to increase security to prevent thefts there. However, the video surveillance cameras at the museum had stopped working on Thursday, de Necker said. South African authorities had been alerted in case the thieves tried to take the art work outside of the country, said Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale, a spokeswoman for the South African Police Service. She declined to offer any other specifics about the crime, saying police still were piecing together what actually happened at the museum.

Uganda’s anti-gay bill will be passed before the end of 2012 despite international criticism of the draft legislation, the speaker of the country’s parliament said yesterday, insisting it is what most Ugandans want. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga told The Associated Press that the bill, which originally mandated death for some gay acts, will become law this year. Ugandans “are demanding it,” she said, reiterating a promise she made before a meeting on Friday of anti-gay activists who spoke of “the serious threat” posed by homosexuals to Uganda’s children. Some Christian clerics at the meeting in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, asked the speaker to pass the law as “a Christmas gift.” “Speaker, we cannot sit back while such (a) destructive phenomenon is taking place in our nation,” the activists said in a petition. “We therefore, as responsible citizens, feel duty-bound to bring this matter to your attention as the leader of Parliament ... so that lawmakers can do something to quickly address the deteriorating situation in our nation.”

Libya postpones trial of former prime minister

The spokesman for Libya’s prosecutor general says Muammar Gaddafi’s last prime minister has been charged with embezzlement and his trial has been postponed until December to give the defence more time to prepare. Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi appeared in a Tripoli court on Monday in the defendant’s cage for the opening session of his trial. Adel Baara, the prosecutor general’s spokesman, says the court adjourned the proceedings until Dec. 10 to allow the former prime minister’s defence to prepare for the case.

Ex-Malawi president’s son leaves cabinet

The son of Malawi’s former president has resigned his post as a minister in current President Joyce Banda’s administration after announcing his own presidential bid. Austin Atupele Muluzi had served as Malawi’s Economic Planning and Development minister as part of Banda’s efforts to reach across political divides in the African nation. An aide to Muluzi confirmed his resignation yesterday. Muluzi is a 2014 presidential candidate for the United Democratic Front, which once was Malawi’s governing party under his father Bakili Muluzi.

World News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Muslim cleric wins appeal against deportation from UK

Briefs Palestinian to request state’s statue upgrade by 29 November Palestinian leaders in the West Bank will ask the UN to upgrade Palestine’s status by the end of the month. The request to admit Palestine as a “non-member observer state” is being made despite US and Israeli opposition. A senior Palestinian official said the “UN train had left the station” and that there would be no turning back. A Palestinian bid to join the international body as a full member state in 2011 failed because of a lack of support at the UN Security Council. Currently, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the umbrella group which represents most Palestinian factions and conducts negotiations with Israel, only has “permanent observer” status at the UN. Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the PLO and Palestinian Authority president, wants Palestine to be admitted as a nonmember observer state based on the boundaries which existed before Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 war. Being a non-member observer state - a status already held by the Vatican - would improve the Palestinians’ chances of joining UN agencies and the International Criminal Court, although the process would be neither automatic nor guaranteed. The request would be put to the UN General Assembly, where approval would require a simple majority of those present. There is no threat of veto, as there would be at the Security Council if the Palestinians sought full memberstate status.

China condemns Dalai Lama, Tibetan self-immolates China accused the Dalai Lama yesterday of allying with Japanese right-wingers in an island dispute as a way of attacking China and blamed him for glorifying a wave of self-immolations among Tibetans. The comments came as another Tibetan set himself on fire to protest Chinese rule, Tibetan exiles and a rights group said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Dalai Lama’s comments in Japan on the island dispute showed his “reactionary nature” and determination to split China apart under the guise of religion. “To achieve his separatist goal, he associated with the Japanese right-wing forces. Chinese people despise him for what he did. We are firmly opposed to any country’s providing a stage for him,” Hong said. Chinese media have said the Dalai Lama called the islands by their Japanese name during a news conference in Yokohama last Monday but an Associated Press review of a tape of the event showed he referred to them only as “the islands.” Yesterday in Okinawa, the Dalai Lama criticized Chinese media for making up a claim that he sided with the Japanese.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

M People from the northern Syrian town of Ras al-Ain crossing the border fences to flee into Turkey at the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Syria crisis: Gulf countries recognise opposition groups

ix Gulf states have recognised a new Syrian opposition coalition as the country’s “legitimate representative”. The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was unveiled in Doha on Sunday, aimed at uniting the various factions seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. Its president will be Moaz al-Khatib, a former imam of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus who fled Syria this year. Western nations and Turkey earlier welcomed the coalition’s creation. Elsewhere, Syrian government aircraft bombed the rebel-held town of Ras al-Ain, near the border with Turkey. Both jets and helicopters targeted the town, sending civilians fleeing into the Turkish settlement of Ceylanpinar. Casualties were reported. Nato has said it will do what it takes to protect and defend Turkey - one of the alliance’s member states. Over the last week, there has been some suggestion it might supply Turkey with Patriot surface-to-air missiles in order to help secure the border. “Turkey can rely on Nato solidarity, we

have more plans in place to defend and protect Turkey, our ally, if needed,” Secretary General Anders Rasmussen told reporters in Prague, without elaborating. Observers and activists estimate that more than 36,000 people have been killed in the long-running uprising against President Assad. Hundreds of thousands have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. “The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) declares its recognition of the Syrian national coalition... as the legitimate representative of the brotherly Syrian people,” Abdulatif al-Zayani, the GCC’s secretary general, said in a statement. The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. Western and regional powers have in recent weeks put pressure on a hitherto fractious Syrian opposition to create a unified, credible body that could become a conduit for all financial and possibly military aid. The Syrian National Council (SNC), the previously dominant opposition umbrella group which is widely viewed as divided and ineffective, will control 22 of the 60 seats on the National Coalition’s leadership council.

uslim cleric Abu Qatada will not be deported to Jordan, after he won his appeal at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac). His appeal was upheld after lawyers claimed he would not get a fair trial in Jordan, where he is accused of plotting bomb attacks. He will be released from Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire, United Kingdom today, and must obey a curfew. The government said it would seek to appeal against the ruling. The home secretary had been assured by Jordan that no evidence gained through torture would be used against him. Before his bail was decided, Abu Qatada’s lawyer Edward Fitzgerald QC had told the court: “There is no reasonable prospect of lawful removal [deportation] within any reasonable time. “There is no justification for continuing to deprive Mr Othman of his liberty. “Enough is enough, it has gone on for many many years now,” the QC added. The decision by Siac means that the legal avenues are finally beginning to narrow - we are now in the end game in the home secretary’s battle against Abu Qatada. The European Court of Human Rights, echoing the concerns of the UK’s own Court of Appeal, said the preacher would be treated well if returned - but there was one big problem. In their judgement they said that it doesn’t matter what someone has done, modern nations that believe in the rule of law cannot send people back to regimes that torture - and then use that evidence against other suspects. Theresa May spent weeks trying to get a new deal with Jordan that would convince judges that the country had reformed and the preacher would get a completely fair trial. This defeat is a huge blow to her and to the government’s strategy of doing diplomatic deals with countries accused of abusing human rights. A statement from the Home Office said: “We have obtained assurances not just in relation to the treatment of Qatada himself but about the quality of the legal processes that would be followed throughout his trial.

Ex-BBC DG starts as New York Times boss

ormer BBC director general Mark Thompson has started his new job as chief executive and president of the New York Times newspaper. His appointment has been questioned by some staff at the newspaper, who want to know more about his part in the crisis enveloping the BBC. Arriving at his office, Mr Thompson said he was saddened by events, but confident the BBC would bounce back. “I believe the BBC is the world’s greatest broadcaster,” he said. “And I have got no doubt that it will once again regain the public’s trust both in the UK and around the world.” Mr Thompson led the BBC

Thompson

from 2004-2012, overseeing the British corporation’s TV, radio and online services. The Times appointed the 55-year-old in August, saying his experience in global media made him the “ideal candidate”.

But he faces questions over the BBC’s decision to shelve a Newsnight programme about sex abuse claims surrounding the late BBC presenter Jimmy Savile. The programme was axed while Mr Thompson was still in charge. Mr Thompson left the BBC on 14 September, before the making of another Newsnight programme which led to former Conservative party treasurer Lord McAlpine being wrongly accused of child abuse. The crisis over that broadcast led to the resignation of his successor, George Entwistle, on Saturday. New York Times columnist Joe Nocera has accused the incoming chief executive of

“appearing wilfully ignorant” about the Savile scandal. Mr Nocera also questioned whether Mr Thompson was the right man for the job. Mr Thompson started his career as a production trainee at the BBC in 1979 before leaving in 2002 to become chief executive of Channel 4 television. He later returned to the BBC as director general. In a statement in August, NYT chairman Arthur Sulzberger said Mr Thompson was “a gifted executive with strong credentials whose leadership at the BBC helped it to extend its trusted brand identity into new digital products and services”. For his part, Mr Thompson said it was a “privilege” to take on the role.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

More details emerge in Petraeus’ extra marital affair

We will break Obama’s grasping hands –Iran VP

ew details have emerged about the extramarital affair that abruptly ended the career of David Petraeus, the CIA head, including the identity of a second woman whose complaints about harassing emails from the woman with whom he had the relationship, Paula Broadwell, prompted an FBI investigation. A person familiar with the investigation identified the second woman on Sunday as Jill Kelley, a long-time friend of the Petraeus family and a Tampa, Florida, volunteer social liaison with military families at MacDill Air Force Base. Kelley went to the FBI after receiving threatening emails that eventually were traced to Broadwell, law enforcement and security officials have said, prompting an investigation that turned up evidence that Petraeus and Broadwell were having an extramarital affair. “We and our family have been friends with General Petraeus and his family for over five years. We respect his and his family’s privacy and want the same for us and our three children,” Kelley said in a statement obtained by ABC News. Broadwell has not been available for

Petraeus

comment and both the FBI and CIA have declined public comment on the matter. Petraeus has made no public comment since he announced his resignation on Friday. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor knew in October about former CIA Director David Petraeus’ involvement in an extramarital affair, a spokesman for the congressman told CNN. Doug Heye said Cantor, a Republican, was tipped to the information by an FBI employee. The congressman had a conversation with the official, described as a whistle-blower, about the affair and national security concerns involved in the matter, he said. The New York Times reported Saturday that on October 31, Cantor’s chief of staff phoned the FBI to inform the agency about the call between the congressman and the FBI official. The Times reported that Cantor learned of the whistle-blower through Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Washington.

Israel reports direct hits on targets in Syria

n Israeli tank scored a “direct hit” yesterday on a Syrian armoured vehicle after a mortar shell landed on Israeli-held territory, the military said, in the first direct confrontation between the countries since the Syrian uprising broke out, sharpening fears that Israel could be drawn into the civil war next door. Israel has steadfastly tried to avoid get-

World News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

ting sucked into the Syrian conflict, but it has grown increasingly worried after a series of stray mortar shells have struck territory in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israeli military officials say they believe the mortar fire is spillover from intense fighting near the frontier between Syrian President Bashar Assad’s army and rebel forces trying to oust him, and not an overt attempt to hit the Jewish state.

ran’s vice president said Monday that Tehran will break the ‘grasping hands’ of newly re-elected President Barack Obama, the official IRNA news agency reported. Mohammad Reza Rahimi also said Iran will overcome U.S.-led sanctions against the country. “We will break grasping hands of Obama and we will be successful in bypassing the sanctions,” Rahimi was quoted as saying during a research and scientific exhibition at Tehran University. Iranian officials dismiss the impact of last week’s U.S. elections, suggesting it will have little impact on Washington’s Iran policy. On Thursday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad mocked the cost of campaigning, dubbing the vote a “battleground for capitalists” Rahimi is known for hardline anti-Western statements. In June, he blamed global drug use on the teachings of Jewish holy texts.

Cocktail

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (41) The greatest power we have in avoiding the worst is to focus on what we want to happen. –Dr. Robert Anthony *** I love the quote that says I will keep my face to the sunshine so that I will not see the shadows. It is better to be a positive person than to be negatively minded. It is better to focus on the rose than the thorns bearing the roses. It is better to say the glass is half full than to say it is half empty. Life is many times a self fulfilling prophecy. Things will happen for us according to our faith. It is what you believe that you will become. We will get things done beyond our expectations if we can get the ideal picture of what we want and persistently focus on this day and night. TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Harvesting machine runs over man sleeping in cornfield

man napping in a Montana cornfield was startled out of his snooze when he was run over by a large harvesting machine — and Yellowstone County deputies say he’s lucky to be alive. Sheriff ’s Lt. Kent O’Donnell says the 57-year-old man had been traveling the country by bus and decided to take a rest three rows deep in a field on the outskirts of Billings, the state’s largest city.

A farmer harvesting Wednesday felt his combine hit something. When he turned the machine off, he heard screaming. Emergency responders found the man’s clothing had been sucked into the cutter, ensnaring him in the blades. O’Donnell says the man, whose name was not released, suffered cuts requiring stitches and may need skin grafts, but given the circumstances is “incredibly lucky.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Dead candidates win elections in Florida, Alabama

lorida Democrat Earl K. Wood and Alabama Republican Charles Beasley won their respective elections but they will not take office. Both men died weeks before the November 6 election yet managed to beat their very much alive opponents by comfortable margins. Wood died on October 15 from natural causes at age 96, during his campaign for a 12th term as Orange County Tax Collector in Orlando, Florida. Criticised for rarely coming into the office while collecting a $150,000 salary and $90,000 pension, Wood initially announced he would step down, only to change his mind when a longtime political foe made plans to seek the seat. Wood’s wide name recognition after almost half a century in office scared off several serious contenders. His name remained on the ballot and he took 56 percent of the votes to 44 percent for a Republican

who promised to eliminate the office altogether if elected. Beasley, 77, died on October 12, possibly due to an aneurysm, while trying to reclaim his old seat on the Bibb County Commission in central Alabama. Beasley’s name also remained on the ballot and he won about 52

percent of the vote. His Democratic opponent, incumbent Commissioner Walter Sansing, took the loss especially hard. “It is a touchy situation. When you are running against a dead man, you are limited as to what you can say,” Sansing told Reuters. He blamed people voting straight Republican

tickets for his loss. In Orlando, Scott Randolph, an outgoing Democratic state legislator and state party activist, was selected by his party to receive votes cast for Wood and he will assume the office. In Alabama, the governor will appoint a new commissioner with input from local Republicans.

Voters waiting in line to file absentee ballots outside the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office in Orlando, Florida. PHOTO: REUTERS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Kwankwaso visits Dubai, woos investors AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

ano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has stressed the determination of his administration to open up more opportunities for youths in the state to make the best use of their potential for the good of the state and the country, a statement from the office of the Director of Press, Halilu Baba Dantiye said yesterday. The governor made the

assertion when he visited Skyline University College, Sharjah, United Arab Emirate, UAE, a private university, to explore the possibility of sponsoring youths from Kano to acquire degrees in the university. He said his government will want to collaborate with the institution to either set up a campus in Kano or to support the government of the state in attaining its goals in the education sector. Meaningful investment in education, he noted, is

the key to making Kano a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria and beyond. Receiving the governor, the institution’s Director, Nitin Ahmad, said he was impressed by the governor’s passion for education, a sector he described as pivotal to the development of the UAE and the world. Governor Kwankwaso, who met with some Nigerian students in Dubai, paid a courtesy call on the management of Emirates Aviation College in the city of Dubai to discuss how

youths from Kano can be sponsored by government to undergo training as pilots in the institution. Representative of the Director of the college, Maha Hameid, said the institution runs various courses and welcomes youths, especially those with background in the sciences, particularly Mathematics and Physics. The governor also visited Gulf Medical University, Ajman, to discuss with its authorities about possible collaboration for the estab-

lishment of a campus of the university in Kano. He showed his hosts visual images of three hospitals in Kano namely, Giginyu General Hospital, Zoo Road Pediatric Hospital and Pfizer Diagnostic Center, Kwanar Dawaki, which could be converted for the proposed university project. Receiving Governor Kwankwaso, the Founder/ President of Gulf Medical University, Mr. Thumbay Moideen, said the visit manifested the governor’s seriousness to work with the institution for the good of his people, promising that a team from the university will visit Kano next

December for further talks. Gulf Medical University is promoted by the Thumbay Group, a dynamic UAE conglomerate with diverse interests that is involved in three core areas of medical education, healthcare and research.

JAMES DANJUMA

the flag-off ceremony for the commencement of the project, Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Dorothee Jenetzkewenzel, said the project was made possible through Nigeria’s efforts at ensuring lasting power supply across the country. Jenetzkewenzel said the project will enhance Nigeria-German relations as well as make electricity available to many people in the state and the country in general.

Kwankwaso

Germany to build €55m power plant in Katsina KATSINA

Bauchi State Chairman, Social Mobilisation Committee on Polio and Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu (left) and Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Sagir Saleh, at a Polio Stakeholders’ meeting in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ermany, along with some international agencies, is to construct a solar power plant project in Katsina State at the cost of €55 million (about N13.7 billion). The 30 mega watts plant is to be constructed in Kankia Local Government Area with the project expected to begin operation in the next 12 months. Speaking yesterday at

LG workers shun govt’s directive to resume work

Polio, a national embarrassment, says FG

JAMES ABRAHAM

JOS

triking local government workers in Plateau State yesterday shunned government’s directive to resume work. The government had, at the weekend, directed the striking workers to report at their duty posts on Monday or face the consequences. However, most local government secretariats visited by National Mirror yesterday were virtually empty as the council workers were nowhere to be found. Some of the workers who spoke with National Mirror from their homes said they have not received any instruction from their union leaders to resume work. They said the government did not initiate the strike in the first place and, as such, has no right

to direct the workers to resume work until all issues regarding the strike are resolved. It was not clear what action government would take next, but a source from Rayfield Government House informed National Mirror that both parties met at the weekend to resume negotiations. The source added that frantic efforts were being made by government, union officials and other stakeholders to reach a truce on every area of disagreement on the matter so as to ensure that the strike did not go beyond this week. It will be recalled that local government workers in the state have been on strike since June over matters relating to the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage and all efforts to resolve the dispute have deadlocked.

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

orried by the rise of poliomyelitis disease in the country despite concerted efforts by the Federal Government and the international community to eradicate the disease, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, yesterday in Kano declared the disease ‘a national embarrassment and a tragedy.’ This was the submission of NOA at a one-day sensitisation programme on polio

eradication for local government chairmen and NOA state directors in the 12 digits risk states of the north, organised by NOA in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health. Reports said there were fresh discoveries of the disease in some parts of the northern states, while Federal Government is said to have increased its commitments towards meeting the target of completely removing the menace from the country. Speaking during the sen-

sitisation programme, NOA’s Director-General, Mr. Mike Omar, who was represented by an officer in the agency, Dr Ayoola Abiodun Olufemi, said despite the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in the health sector and efforts to eradicate the disease, it has defied all known measures to nip it in the bud due to poor awareness campaign. He said after the sensitisation programme, they would work out modalities on how best to handle the situation to achieve positive results,

adding that state directors will be used in carrying out door-to-door enlightenment campaign in the various communities to ensure adequate immunisations of children below five years. “Time is running out against us as a nation, we all need to do all that is necessary to save our children and the future generation from total elimination, we are today at risk and anything can happen, government should also help us to ensure that we achieve this desired goals,” the DG said.

Insecurity: Gaidam re-imposes curfew on Yobe INUSA NDAHI DAMATURU

obe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has re-imposed a 12hour curfew on Damaturu, the state capital and three other towns, following an emergency security council meeting with the military Joint Task Force, JTF, and the police at the Government

House, Damaturu. The three other towns included Buni/Yadi, Geidam and Gashua, the council headquarters of Bade Local Government Area; 185 kilometres north of Damaturu, the state capital that had suffered series of attacks in the past one week. The curfew was re-imposed following the recent incessant attacks and killings that claimed 13 lives and

property worth million of naira by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect at Fika, Buni/ Yadi and Gashua towns. The 6.00 pm to 7.00 am curfew takes immediate effect from Sunday, November 11, 2012, until the security situation improves in the state; before it could be reviewed by the JTF and other security agencies.

Governor Gaidam, in a statement through his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego said: “The imposition of the curfew was reached at a security meeting with the military Joint Task Force (JTF) and the police here at the Government House, because people’s life and property must be protected from the Boko Haram insurgency.”

News

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ribadu report row: FG acted in bad faith–ACN MURITALA AYINLA

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday chided the Federal Government over its treatment of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led Committee report on the Petroleum Revenue Task Force. The party accused the Federal Government of acting in bad faith going by the comment of a presidential aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, on the report.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in Benin, the Edo State capital, the party also flayed Okupe for rubbishing the work of the committee, saying the development would make credible Nigerians to be wary of serving in similar panels in future. The party said: “The fact that the FG has not come out to refute Dr. Okupe’s crude comments on the report is a clear indication that the po-

sition he enunciated publicly on the report represents that of the government. Okupe said the task force did not finish its assignment, even as he further accused its chairman of disinformation and politicisation, which amounts to preparing the grounds for the dumping of the report. “The treatment meted out to the task force by a self-acclaimed ‘attack lion’ of the Presidency is the worst blow that any government has dealt on its

own panel, and this confirms our party’s earlier statement that the Federal Government deliberately set a booby trap for the task force by the suspicious timing of the appointments it gave to two of its members, Steven Oronsaye and Bernard Otti, in the NNPC. “Unfortunately, despite its angry reaction to our earlier statement, the government is yet to convince us otherwise. If anything at all, it has gone ahead to make our statement look

Ribadu

prescient. “We are not even talking here of the merits or demerits of the task force’s report, but of the way the chairman and members of the task force (minus the

two dissenting ones) have been savaged. This is a task force that has as members several Senior Advocates of Nigeria and a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, among other,” the party added. ACN said even if the Federal Government feels the report is inconclusive, it could have set up a panel to review the findings instead of ‘coming out so publicly to ridicule its own task force.’

We’ll discourage development of slums –Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that his administration was determined to address the housing problems facing Nigerians as part of his transformation agenda, stressing that government would continue to develop satellite towns in the country and take measures to stem unplanned development of slums. He said the government would also place emphasis on good urban governance, regeneration of unplanned and old cities and proper planning of urban areas. Speaking in Abuja at the Presidential Stakeholders Retreat on Housing and Urban Development at the Presidential Villa, Jonathan said reinvigorating and revitalising housing and urban development remain a core priority of his administration. According to him, the government must be con-

cerned with how to meet the global benchmark in housing, building standards, proper land use and space standards and institutionalisation of a vibrant mortgage system, based on long-term repayment terms. In the same manner, the President said attention must also be focused on how to overcome the issues of capacity gaps, poor quality of building materials, inappropriate technology and dearth of technological innovations, in support of mass housing delivery. President Jonathan noted that the policies are to be translated into action through a Road Map for Housing and Urban Development Sector, saying that the road map would address the challenges of achieving a housing revolution in the nation, within the shortest possible time while it would also provide the pathway for transforming our cities into livable and functional human settlements.

Ekiti councils count losses as workers end strike ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

s life returned to the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State yesterday following the resumption of the workers from their about two months old strike, the leadership of the councils are counting their losses from the industrial action. The Chairmen of Ado and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Governments, Messrs Sunday Ibitoye and Femi Awe, said their councils had lost over N5million and N500,000 respectively

in terms of revenues due to the strike. Ibitoye said he had ordered all the heads of departments to take the roll call of the workers that reported for duties yesterday, threatening to impose sanction on any worker that did not report for work. The council workers had gone on strike to compel the state government to pay them the new minimum wage payable to other categories of civil servants in the state and the payment of CONHESS and CONMESS to health workers in the councils.

L-R: Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo; his Benue and Kaduna State counterparts, Gabriel Suswam and Patrick Yakowa and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun during a retreat in Abuja, yesterday.

Subsidy scam: Ahmadu Ali’s son, others to be re-arraigned KAYODE KETEFE

ue to the absence of the Presiding Judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, the scheduled re-arraignment of five of the defendants standing trial for alleged fuel subsidy fraud at the Ikeja High Court could not take place yesterday. The defendants are the son of former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, Nassir Ali; Christian Taylor; Seun Ogunbambo; their company, Nasaman Oil Services and the fifth person Olabisi Abdul-Afeez (still at large), who was said to be involved in a N2.23billion fuel subsidy fraud. The commission had informed the court that it had amended the charge against the defendants, which necessitated their rearraignment. As the presiding judge

was not available yesterday, he sent the court registrars to give the fresh date of November 26, 2012, to the parties. The EFCC had initially arraigned the defendants on July 26, 2012. In the amended charge now comprising 13 counts, the EFCC alleged that the accused were involved in a subsidy fraud amounting to about N4.46bn. They new charge comprised the alleged offences of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, forgery and use of false document, between 2010 and 2012. Ogunbambo had earlier been accused by the EFCC of having a history of unresolved criminal allegations and of using multiple identities. He had also been separately arraigned along with Habila Theck and their firm, Fargo Energy Limited, for a six-count charge of N976.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

One of the count in the new charge against the five suspects read thus: “Nasaman Oil Services Ltd; Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi AbdulAfeez (still at large) between 2010 and 2012 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud,

conspired to obtain the sum of N2, 230, 065, 398.97 from the Federal Government by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accruing to Nasaman Oil Services Ltd under the petroleum support fund for the importation of 30, 524, 968.50 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”

Robbers kill two policemen in Lagos

wo policemen on Sunday lost their lives while three others were wounded following gun-battles with suspected armed gangs in Lagos, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said yesterday. Braide told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the gun-battles took place in the Ejigbo and Orile-Iganmu areas of the metropolis. According to her, a gang of armed robbers engaged the police in Ejigbo, a Lagos suburb, where one of the robbers was killed and a policeman wounded.

She said that a pump action gun was recovered from the robbers, while the wounded policeman was taken to the hospital, where he later died of gunshot wounds. The spokesperson also told NAN that another robbery gang had an encounter with policemen from the Iponri Police Division on the Orile-Iganmu interchange bridge at about 2.30 am. “One of our men was killed and three others wounded; one of the robbers was also killed while others escaped with bullet wounds,” Braide said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Features

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NIPOST: A once venerable agency in search of relevance For very many Nigerians, the functions of the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) remain one of mystery, as they hardly know what it does now. In the past, the agency wore its pride like a badge, as it was one of the few institutions that not only dotted the length and breadth of the country, but represented its very essence in efficient mail service delivery. Today, it has become a victim of the Internet age and to survive, has turned its premises to commercial parking lots. LEONARD OKACHIE investigated this new found business and reports:

ommercial car parks are a fastgrowing business in the city of Lagos which has an estimated 20 million population. The sea of vehicles in this fastest growing metropolis, however, make it attractive for those who have the wherewithal to venture into the business. Strangely, the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), which is saddled with the responsibility of providing postal services in Nigeria, has embraced the business. At the General Post Office, Ikeja, on Bolaji Bank Anthony Way, signposts are conspicuously displayed in front of the premises , that read: “ Car Park Available, Fee: N200.” There is also a male attendant. He puts on a lemon-colour jacket with bold inscription: “Yomboss Investment, Managers of NIPOST Car Park.” He collects toll from clients and issues them tickets in return. The fee is for duration of five minutes to three hours. At the expiration, clients are required to pay additional money. National Mirror’s investigations reveal that NIPOST grosses a lot of money from this business due to the busy nature of the place, especially as most of their clients are traders and their customers at the popular Computer Village. Curiously, while the outside premises are usually very busy as a result of the brisk business, the inside of the post office is virtually empty. Only very few people were seen in the hall transacting postal services. It was observed that even those few were there for parcel delivery. The boxes meant for mails stand empty as no one was seen to drop mails. Some of the facilities (including the furniture) were worn and outdated. Piles of old files were placed on the tables and old shelves. Ikeja Post Office is not the only culprit. The Agege Post Office, in the quest for survival, has also leased part of its premises to a commercial bank, while turning the other half into a commercial parking lot. Painfully too, not many people know there is also a post office at Isolo. Why? The place, like others, has been turned to a commercial parking lot. A once

popular spot, especially with students of the Lagos State Polytechnic, is now a sorry sight. It is the same with the biggest of them at Marina. This gigantic building, which was once the nation’s pride, is now a faded beauty and object of abandonment. Aside staff of the agency on duty, the five-storey building looks more like a graveyard. Pathetically, it is a similar tale of woes at all the post offices nationwide. NIPOST once had more than 20,000 employees and ran more than 5,000 post offices across the length and breadth of the country. Its services include Business Ventures, EMS, Bulk Post Venture, NIPOST Central Workshop, Philatelic Services, Courier Regulatory Services, Parcel Post Venture and Nipost PostCash. The Nigerian Postal Services has gone through series of changes and restructuring since it was founded as an arm of the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) on January 1, 1985.It became an Extra-Ministerial Department following the promulgation of decree No. 18 of 1987.The decree went through series of amendments and following the call to grant it autonomy, the Federal Government promulgated Decree 41 of 1992, which therefore classified it as a parastatal of government. Since then, it has been saddled with following functions: to develop, promote, and provide adequate and efficiently-coordinated postal services at reasonable rates; to maintain an efficient system of collection, sorting and delivery of mail nationwide, to provide various types of mail services to meet the needs of different categories of mailers. Despite such laudable reforms, there have been several complaints about the agency’s ineffectiveness in service delivery. Such include: delay in service delivery, missing parcels, workers demanding kick backs before delivering parcels or outright theft of customers’ parcels or letters, among others. Following the development, many Nigerians lost interest in the agency

First post office in Nigeria, located at Ejirin.

IKEJA POST OFFICE IS NOT THE ONLY CULPRIT. THE AGEGE POST OFFICE, IN THE QUEST FOR SURVIVAL, HAS ALSO LEASED PART OF ITS PREMISES TO A COMMERCIAL

BANK, WHILE TURNING THE OTHER HALF INTO A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT.

and resorted to other effective and more efficient means of mail delivery. This development gave rise to booming courier service in which presently there are more than 250 licensed firms in the country. Transport companies are not left out as they also engage in the postal services market. Much fiercer is the competition engendered by the Informationation Communication Technology (ICT), in which the Internet provides a better and faster service. Consequently, most people have abandoned the NIPOST and embraced the Internet and social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. Many clients prefer sending mails electronically via the Internet at faster and cheaper rate. They are of the opinion that if they can send

General Post Office, Marina, Lagos.

and receive their mails in seconds just by just tapping the computer keyboard, it then means they have no need to go through the NIPOST. Nigeria, as a member of the West African Postal Conference joined the rest of world in celebrating World Post Day, which is marked every October 9. It is the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A post office at Badagry, Lagos.

Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Countries all over the world participate in the annual celebrations. The post offices in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new products and services, unlike in Nigeria. In a recent bid to rejuvenate the communication sector, the Federal Government allocated N6.9billion, representing 49 per cent of the Ministry of Communication Technology’s N14.4billion proposed spending in the

2013 budget to it. The agency has the lion’s share in the ministry’s budgetary allocation, all in the bid to rejuvenate the agency. But, observers are of the view that moves by stakeholders, notwithstanding, NIPOST has become a victim of its own lack of innovativeness. A banker, James Okafor, does not see a possibility of NIPOST going back to the boom years again, adding: “The world is evolving. Technology is opening more possibilities. So, it is no surprise that many people no longer patronise the agency. The last time I visited a post office was in 1991.It was when I was processing my JAMB form and we were instructed to send it through post. Today, the forms are sent through electronic mail. People can as well get their JAMB and WAEC results online, instead of the old method of receiving them through the post office. Moreover, there are now faster and more efficient ways of communication. I suggest the NIPOST management also evolve dynamic ideas to catch up with other parts of the world”. Peter Oboh, an undergraduate, cannot remember the last time he used NIPOST for any business transactions, stressing that he hardly knows the agency is still in existence. “I think one of the factors that have contributed to the declining fortunes of NIPOST, is the emergence of the Internet. I don’t write letters on long hand anymore which will warrant the purchase of postage stamps from NIPOST, since I don’t need to post them. Rather, I send any mails electronically through the Internet. I can also communicate using Facebook or Twitter. Yuotube, Instagram, blog, Google+ etc are other important social media tools today. So, as far as I am concerned, NIPOST is dead and buried,” he concluded. A retired civil servant, Joseph Egudah, lamented the incidence and calls for rejuvenation of the sector: “I weep for Nigeria. I have served this country for many years and know what I am talking

NIPOST office at Victoria Island

OBSERVERS ARE OF THE VIEW THAT MOVES BY STAKE-

HOLDERS, NOTWITH-

STANDING,

NIPOST

HAS BECOME A VICTIM OF ITS OWN LACK OF INNOVATIVENESS of. What is happening at NIPOST is also applicable to other pararatals. We lack a maintenance culture and good governance. That is why NIPOST is what it is today. Unfortunately, I don’t know how many of the younger generation knows about NIPOST. Even, how many of the older generation have Private Mail Box(PMB), or still make use of the Post Office Box. NIPOST, on its part, should create awareness on the need for Nigerians to have mail boxes outside their homes as well as using them.” Mrs. Grace Agbolanhor, a primary school teacher at Owutu, Ikorodu, Lagos, opines that it is not peculiar to Nigeria, as it is a global phenomenon. “Everything on earth has its time. The world has gone beyond that at which NIPOST is currently operating. It is advisable for the NIPOST management to evolve an efficient method of service delivery. We teach children and I can tell you that most of them only know about NIPOST on papers, that is when they read of it in their books.” Tunde Ogunbowale, a Lagos-based civil engineer, posits that NIPOST must embark on public awareness campaign to convince Nigerians that they are back and better. He stated thus: “I learnt that efforts are being made to revive the sector, but they have to convince Nigerians that they can get value for their money. Of course,“Turning their premises into car parks, is a survival instinct. I

had cause to park my car at the Ikeja Post Office, and paid for it. I’m not against doing that, but it is sadly a reflection of the rot in our ministries, whereby government properties are mismanaged. So, it is not peculiar to NIPOST.” However, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, had, in July this year, said that his Committee is determined to see that the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) is revitalised to take a pride of place in the nation’s economy. Nnaji, in a press statement, said that his Committee has been working towards tackling the NIPOST challenges with every seriousness it deserves, assuring that revival of the company would depend on time. “NIPOST’s revival depends largely on time. Remember also that the Nigerian Postal Sector Bill is slated to receive topmost priority in the course of our deliberations and oversight functions”, he said, adding that he was sure that “Nigerians shall post letters and cargoes with ease and certainty again.” But one of the managers at NIPOST, Tobenna Egbuonu, at the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair, said the agency has gone into production of household items like grinders and doors, and so has not lost its relevance. “In fact, we are making more profits since the advent of the Internet and the widespread use of e-mails, because people buy goods online which they eventually have to receive. With coming of the Internet, we have been sending and receiving more goods from overseas than what obtained in the past”,he said. Meanwhile, all efforts to get officials of NIPOST in Lagos to comment on the issue failed, despite several visits by National Mirror to its Island Territory on Marina. For instance, at one of those visits, the Area Post Manager (APM), through the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Akin Okudero, told our correspondent that it is only the headquarters in Abuja that can react to such issue.

WORLD RECORD

Smallest roadworthy car

Vol. 02 No. 490

N150

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The smallest roadworthy car is “Wind Up” which measures 104.14 cm (41 in) high, 66.04 cm (26 in) wide and 132.08 cm (52 in). It was created by Perry Watkins (UK) and finished and measured in Wingrave, UK, on 8 May 2009.

Jombo-Ofo and the indigene question

he recent development involving the Abia State candidate for the Appellate court, Justice Ifeoma JomboOfo, whose swearing-in was put on hold by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Muhktar, brings to the fore the extant problem haunting the concept on indigene. What qualifies an individual to be an indigene of a state in Nigeria? The female judge was stopped based on a petition challenging her eligibility to represent the state of her spouse and not Anambra, her state of origin. While this continues to engage the attention of those responsible for the screening of candidates for the bench, one cannot but surmise that the underlying reasons go beyond what was canvassed by the group in the said petition against the learned judge. Really, petition writing by individual or

cLaren chief, Martin Whitmarsh, hopes that the Circuit of the Americas will prove to be a permanent home for the United States GP as Formula 1 gears up for a renewed attempt to crack America this weekend. After an uncomfortable five-year absence from the States, F1 will fi-

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

group who genuinely feels there is a serious infraction of the rule in matters of public concern is not wrong in itself, as matter of fact, it could be beneficial if done in good faith. However, such good faith will be difficult to prove since there were some precedents even in relatively recent judicial appointments where nobody ever contested the right of female judges to privileges of marriage by enjoying the slot allocated to the state of origin of their husbands to get appointment. Instances abound of both serving and retired judges who have benefitted from such arrangement, which in itself is not wrong as long as merit and competence are not compromised. In this instance, the competence and the capability of the person should have been the guiding criteria instead of far less credible consideration of a person’s place of birth. For a woman of Jombo-Ofo’s status who has served for over a decade as a judicial officer, good reasoning dictates that her contributions should count more rather than her state of origin. But in a bid to uphold the federal character principles, we often sacrifice excellence on the altar of mediocrity. Even in keeping with the spirit of equal representation of the federating states, we have lessons to learn from nations that have effectively achieved integration without undermining the principles of integrity and hard work which will, for a long time, remain enduring values. The scenario in the judiciary is a reflection of the forces that had held this country bound as Nigerians bemoan their fate in a

OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SUCCEEDED IN FINDING A WAY OUT OF SUCH ISSUE

HAVE, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, BENEFITTED IMMENSELY system that has not allowed individuals attain their potential without the fear of rejection simply because of the contentious issues like state of origin. Without this matter being addressed constitutionally, the process towards a dynamic democratic state will remain not only torturous but also laden with uncertainties. The tension in Jos, the Plateau State capital, which has now snowballed into a national crisis started with the problem of defining who qualifies to be an indigene and who is a settler. Other countries that have succeeded in finding a way out of such issue have without any doubt benefitted immensely from the abundance of human resources made available through a liberal and dynamic approach in encouraging individuals to make meaningful contributions. The effect is there for all to see. The United Kingdom presents a mould of an effective system where no one is bogged down by the status of origin provided you have what is required to be a citizen and

to enjoy all the opportunities that abound. President Barack Obama was recently re-elected by Americans without any question being raised on his status as an indigene of Chicago land in the state of Illinois from where he began his political career. His case was so special and there is no way for such a star to blossom in the murky waters of Nigerian politics going by the odds that would have worked against him. Apart from being a product of a cross-cultural marriage of an African father and a white American mother, he relocated from his state of origin, Hawaii to contest in Chicago where he was residing before heading for the White House. In our environment, place of birth has no effect on where you come from but the emphasis has always been one’s ancestral home. Chapter three of the 1999 Constitution which defines the concept of citizenship does not offer hope in dealing with our challenges in this regard. For instance, it fails to address the problem of indigenes. When the constitution is amended, question of domiciliary should be factored in. If someone has lived in a state for a stipulated number of years, he should be entitled to all the benefits, rights and privileges as an indigene of that state without undue recourse to question of his actual state of origin. A Chukwudi born of Igbo parents in Kano and who has lived all his life in the North should enjoy equal right with other indigenes of the state. Ditto for individuals who have been denied the status of indigenes in cosmopolitan states like Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna where they were born and which should have strengthened their resolve to contribute to the development of the state. On the contrary, this has however turned to a tool in the hands of politicians to advance their self interest to be relevant instead of performance that will enhance the fortunes of the people. The constitution review process should be able to strengthen the status of Nigerians irrespective of place of birth and boost the freedom of the citizens wherever one decides to reside in the country. The question of indigene should be legally addressed to make our society be in tune with modern realities of civilised nation.

Sport Extra

F1: Whitmarsh seeks home in America nally once again cross the Atlantic this week for the inaugural race at the purpose-built facility on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. “This should be a great race,” Whitmarish said yesterday. “I’ve always maintained that

Formula 1’s presence in the United States is crucial, so I’m pleased that we’re finally returning to America after spending far too long away from its shores. “On a wider level, the arrival of a state-of-the-art, purpose-built grand

prix track is perfect for Formula 1, and this is a golden opportunity for the sport to finally put down roots and find a long-term home.” “This will be a great weekend,” McLaren’s simulator, Jenson Button, said yesterday.

Martin Whitmarsh

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